The Waterspout

In Which Everyone Gets in Trouble

 Peter liked to think he didn't embarrass himself too much when he landed in the compound yard and found Colonel Rhodes waiting for him.

Spider-Man didn't squeal.

"Um. Hello, Mr. Rhodes," he finally croaked out after staring for a probably awkward amount of time.

"So, you're the spider-kid. The one Tony didn't carbon date," the man said with a smile.

Right. None of the Avengers (he still couldn't get over that) knew his identity. He was just Spider-Man to them.

"That's me." Spider-Man bowed exaggeratedly.

The man huffed in amusement. "C'mon then. Tony's inside."

Very pink under the mask, Spider-Man trotted after him. Mr. Stark was indeed waiting for them, grinning faintly.

"I told you so," the man said.

"Yeah, yeah," Rhodes replied.

"How long did it take?"

"Two sentences."

Mr. Stark actually laughed. Peter realized it had been... he couldn't remember the last time he'd heard the man truly laugh.

Stark set his hand on Peter's head, and Peter remembered he was still wearing his mask. "Good job, kid."

"What did I do?" Spider-Man wondered.

Stark winked, then looked to Colonel Rhodes. "Rhodey?"

"He was all, 'Um. Hello, Mr. Rhodes.'" The colonel rolled his eyes, but there was no bite behind them. "What could I possibly do?"

Peter flushed, very glad he was wearing the mask. "Um."

Stark grinned at him. "Rhodey here owes me twenty bucks."

"You're a billionaire! I shouldn't have to--"

"It took three words, Rhodey! I win!"

"Four words!"

Spider-Man interjected between the two quarreling friends. "Um, won what?"

"I bet Rhodey here that he'd be completely endeared to you and your wellbeing less than two minutes after he met you."

Peter wasn't sure if he was mortified or proud.

"You left him helpless after four words. I'm impressed! He's always a pushover, but usually it takes people at least a couple of sentences. And you have the mask on; you didn't even use the eyes."

Okay, mortified it was. "Mr. Stark..."

Rhodey laughed. "Stop torturing the poor kid, Tony. How old is he?"

Stark looked at Peter, eyes questioning. Warmth bloomed in Peter's chest; even for his oldest friend, Stark wouldn't betray Peter's identity without his permission. But he did have to decide... did he want Colonel Rhodes to know who he was?

The secret had been safe for a while. But then came Ned, and Toomes, and now MJ. He trusted all but one, and he'd defeated the Vulture. And Mr. Stark knew, of course, but that was different.

Why? A part of him whispered. Why is it different, Spider-Man? Why is it different, Peter?

Not the time. He pushed the whispers away. Rhodes was trustworthy; he knew the importance of secrecy when it came to superhero identities. What reason was there to hide it?

So Spider-Man reached up and pulled off his mask, running his hands through his curly hair to try and tame it a bit. The dry, conditioned compound air was cool against his cheeks, and he took a deep breath.