Peter became reacquainted with Beck. It wasn't as if he didn't know Beck was down here, it's just that he couldn't come down here now without explicit permission.
The reintroduction itself was extremely awkward. Mostly due to Peter's newfound... I guess you could call it "shy-ness". But besides Peter's slightly altered personality, Beck actually seemed happy to see Peter.
Every so often, Peter would go to the lower floors and visit Beck, mostly out of guilt. I think Quentin developed a real soft spot for the old Peter. So like I said, it was incredibly awkward. As was the elevator ride up, and the walk to the living room.
I rubbed my hands together, spinning around to face Otto and Peter.
"Alright, I'm hungry. Who wants Chinese food?"
Otto and Peter both shrugged, and I took that as a yes. I called the place we usually order from, and got extra fortune cookies.
Then there was that silence, not the blissful kind because of Peter. It was the horrible, heavy silence because of Peter.
"Umm, may I go to my room please. I'd like to be alone for a little." Peter didn't even take his eyes of the floor, just speedwalked in the direction of his room, closing the door lightly behind him.
I looked from the door, then to Otto. I bit the inside of my cheek. All I wanted was a quiet Peter, not a depressed, terrified-of-everything Peter.
"Do you think I should talk to him?" I asked Otto. Otto raised one eyebrow, as if to say 'why in the hell would you do that?'. I sighed, "what do you think I should do?"
Otto shrugged again "We've been over this Tiny" he pointed to himself "not great with kids" he pointed to me "good at pretending to be good with kids".
"Otto, that in no way answers my question."
"Just talk to him Tiny. I don't want my lab assistant jumping from the roof of the tower or something." Otto flopped down on the couch. "Hop to it."
I rolled my eyes, but walked through the hallways to Peter's room. I knocked as quietly as I could, and slowly cracked open the door.
Peter was laying on his side, knees tucked into his chest, crying. He must not have noticed me at first. When he did, he sat up immediately, drying his eyes and muttering an apology.
"I'm sorry Mr. Stark, was I being loud? I didn't mean to cause a disturbance, I promise." His voice broke a little. I shook my head.
"No, no, nothing like that. Just came to check how you're doing. Everything okay?"
Peter's face scrunched up slightly, he actually looked angry. I had expected this much sooner, but it was bound to come out.
"I'm great, everything is so amazing. You're amazing. My life is absolutely phenomenal Mr. Stark. Thank you so much for asking." He spat that last sentence like he wanted to hurt me, but I didn't have time for his teenage hormones. I rubbed my temples and sighed.
"Look kid, you don't understand-"
"No, Mr. Stark, you don't understand! You have no idea-"
"Don't cut me off!" I snapped. Peter's reaction was instantaneous, his expression immediately dulling, the only sign of anger were his eyes, which were boring holes into mine. I took a step closer to him, and leaned slightly closer to him.
"You know kid, for someone who really wanted to get out of that orphanage you sure are fixing yourself up to get sent back."
"I'm sorry Mr. Stark, I'll do better next time."
"Good," I straightened up, and pointed a finger at him "you never cut me off, you understand. Never."
"I understand Mr. Stark."
"Mhm." I could see Peter's eyes pricking with tears, but all I could do was roll my eyes. He needed to grow up, get a thicker skin. I cleared my throat.
"Good talk." I said, walking out the door and slamming it behind me.
