Spider-Man: Unmasked

Chapter One

Peter sat on the edge of a building, the sun beginning to set on the temporarily crime-less city.  He sighed happily.  He loved this city, and he loved protecting it.  He looked at his phone and jumped up.  He had to get home quickly if he wanted to avoid suspicion from his dads.

They still didn't know that he was Spider-man.

That might not have been a big deal, if his parents weren't Tony Stark and Steve Rogers, aka Iron man and Captain America, some of the world's greatest superheroes.  His parents would kill him if they found out.  

They had adopted him when he was seven, his parents having died when he was four in a plane crash. Tony and Steve had clothed him, fed him, taught him and loved him ever since.  He couldn't ask for better parents. 

He swung down to the ground and found the alleyway where his backpack which had his clothes in.  He quickly changed and shoved the suit into his backpack before walking the short distance back to the house.  He walked in and headed up to the living room, where his parents were watching the news.  They both turned to face him as the elevator door opened.

"Hey Pete," Tony said with a smile.  He had an arm wrapped around Steve.

"Hey Peter," Steve said, grinning.  "You have a good day at school today? How was Neds?" He had told his dads that he'd be going to Ned's house after school so that he would have an excuse for being out later.

Peter nodded.  "Hey, dad.  Hey pops.  Yup.  School was great.  I aced my chem test," he bragged, laughing softly.  "Ned and I built a lego Death Star he got." He set his backpack down on the couch and plopped down next to his parents.  "What's new?"

"So far," Tony recounted, referring to the news.  "Most of the things they've talked about is crimes, and them being stopped by Spider-man."

Peter perked up slightly.  "Oh?"

Steve nodded.  "He's a good kid.  The city loves him.  Definitely does a good job of protecting it."

"He seems reckless to me," Tony commented, looking at the TV.  "And young.  But he certainly has good tech."

Peter had worked on that tech in the lab. He had made that suit with the unknowing help of Tony.  He had learned everything tech-related from Tony, after all.  Tony was a wonderful inventor and a great teacher.

Peter nodded.  "Yeah.  He-" he cleared his throat.  "He seems like a good guy.  A cool guy."  His dad glanced over at him before looking back at the TV. 

He wanted to tell his dads that it was him.  That he was Spider-man.  But it wasn't as easy as going, Hey Dad, Pops, Guess what?  I'm Spider-man!  I go fight crime and risk my life every day.  Now, who wants to watch a movie?  Yeah, something told Peter that that wouldn't go over well.  He had to find the perfect way.

They all focused back on the TV before Peter went into his room, grabbing his backpack on the way.

Making sure the door was locked, he pulled out his suit and started working on fixing simple things.  His web-shooters had been acting up a little, so those needed to be fixed. 

He worked and worked until he got a knock on the door.  He immediately jumped up, shoved the suit into his closet, unlocked the door and jumped back onto his bed as quiet as possible.  "Come in!"  He called, having successfully hidden the suit.

Tony walked in, smiling softly.  "Hey bud," he said, closing the door and sitting on the edge of Peter's bed.  "I wanted to talk to you for a moment."

Peter nodded, slightly worried.  Had he found out?  How could he?  Was something wrong?  He tried to stay calm and looked up at his Dad.  "Of course."

Tony cleared his throat.  "So, about this Spider-man," he began, not noticing the way Peter tensed up slightly.  "Do... do you know him?"

Peter stared at his dad, slightly shocked.  "What?"  His dad thought he knew Spider-man?  Well, at least he didn't think he was Spider-man.

Tony nodded.  "I just thought that he seemed to be your age and you seemed to somewhat know and like the guy, and..." he shrugged.  "I'm guessing you don't know him, then?"

Peter didn't know what to say.  Did he tell him that he did know Spider-man?  Did he tell him that he was Spider-man?  No.  He couldn't.  He wanted to tell them, but he couldn't.  He stammered, "uh, um, yeah.  No, I don't.  Sorry, Dad."

Tony nodded and stood up.  "Alright.  Just thought I might as well check.  It's fine."  He headed for the door.

"Why do you ask?"  Peter blurted.  His dads never seemed to be all that interested before.  In fact, he didn't seem to be a huge fan of him.

Tony looked back at him.  "Oh.  I was... I was thinking of recruiting Spider-man.  You know, make him an Avenger."

Peter held back a gasp.  "Really?"  He tried to hide the excitement that was building up inside him.  "An Avenger?"  He had always wanted to be an Avenger.  Ever since he had been adopted by Steve and Tony.

Tony nodded.  "Yeah.  I was hoping you knew him somehow so I could easily recruit him."

Peter smiled excitedly until realization dawned on him.  He couldn't.  He couldn't become an Avenger.  If Spider-man became an Avenger, that would mean that Peter would have to reveal himself to his parents.  If he revealed himself, then his dad and pops would be furious.  In their eyes, he was too young, and he hated that.  They would take away his suit and he wouldn't be Spider-man anymore.  He couldn't risk that.

Peter hesitantly said, "I don't know, Dad.  I don't think that's a good idea."  He bit his lip and looked at his dad.

Tony frowned, puzzled.  "Why?"  He asked.  "I thought you'd like that idea."  He went back to the edge of the bed.

Peter thought for a moment.  "Well... You said so yourself.  He's young and reckless, right?  Plus, he seems to like working alone."  Honestly, Peter was kind of sick of working alone.  He wanted to work with more people.  But, it was either work alone or not work at all.  He liked that first option better.

Tony shrugged.  "Maybe we could use a little reckless.  And sometimes, having someone younger can be useful.  Sometimes," He repeated, giving Peter a pointed look.  Peter had asked plenty of times before to become an Avenger and help them.  He had always been told he was too young.  "Plus, he seems to have some good tech.  I wanna see who my competitor is."

Peter sighed and nodded.  "I guess.  But what about the working alone?"  he added, hoping it would work.  "He seems to be doing fine on his own."

Tony thought for a moment.  "Huh.  I don't think so.  From what I can see, he isn't necessarily the 'working alone' type.  But I will keep it in mind."  Before Peter could say anything else, Tony stood up.  "Well, I've got your input.  Now, just for the Avengers to decide."  He kissed his son's forehead and headed for the door.  "Thanks, kiddo.  Dinner should be ready in an hour."  He left, closing the door behind him.

Peter groaned softly.  This was a dream come true for him!  But he couldn't.  He couldn't accept or his parents were going to find out he was Spider-man.  His parents and the other Avengers would probably decide to recruit him and look for Spider-man.  He took his pillow and held it over his face.  Everything was easier before they decided to try to recruit Spider-man.  Everything was easier before.

What was he going to do?