The Consequences of Being Apathetic//An Irondad and Spiderson Story

Leave of Absence

" We really don't need to start a conversation. "

" I'm just grabbing the door for you. "

" What if somebody had died tonight? Different story, right? Because that's on you. "

" If you're nothing without the suit, you shouldn't have it. "

~

After the Vulture incident, Happy had not recieved a single message from Peter. There were no more messages in his voicemail and no more texts blowing up his phone.

And even though Happy complained about them, he would be lying if he said he didn't miss the kid's rambling about helping old ladies across the street and getting churros in return.

He was worried, but ultimately decided it wasn't that big of a deal. Maybe he was just going through  typical teenage issues. Peter was probably pining after some girl or something. As long as Happy kept tabs on him, the kid would be safe, right?

~

Peter was swinging through the streets of Queens, leaving a trail of criminals cursing behind him, their plans foiled by a teenager in spandex. Peter hasn't spoken to Mr. Stark, and unless he demanded the suit back, Peter wouldn't for as long as possible.

He had disabled many of Karen's features, the Baby Monitor Protocol the first to go. He had grinned, typing furiously, when overriding many of Mr. Stark's settings. He wouldn't have to bother the man anymore. No more grey area causing the older man grey hairs. What he didn't know wouldn't hurt either of them, Peter decided.

Sighing, Peter stretched, grabbing the suit and shoving it in his closet. Miraculously, May had believed that it was a cosplay given to him by Mr. Stark, or, at least, that's what she wanted to believe anyway.

She did always seem upset when he came back from
patrolling, though. They both knew the truth, but were content to let it be the elephant in the room.

... Or in the closet. Either way, Peter wasn't questioned anymore for his constant sneaking out, the dozen disappeared backpacks, or the bruises that painted his skin.

He wasn't questioned about the Stark Internship or all the late nights spent at " Ned's " because May knew that she couldn't stop her boy from being a good person.

She knew Ben's death had affected him terribly. He wouldn't eat, wouldn't sleep, and nearly lost his scholarship at Midtown due to his grades dropping from A's to C's. But ever since Spider-Man apeared two years ago, he's been returning to the overexcited teen she loved, who worshipped the ground Tony Stark walked on and wanted nothing more than to make his parents (and Ben) proud, wherever they were.

Recently, though, she noticed that he seemed upset whenever he mentioned his role model superhero.

" I heard Iron-Man saved an entire school from Doctor Octopus. "

Peter sighed. " That's great, May. "

Or when she mentioned the scientist.

" I was watching the news, and they're approving the name for Tony's element: 'Badassium.'"

With a pained smile, he replied, " Can't believe we get to learn about 'Badassium' in class. "

But he looked downright fearful when she told him his phone was ringing due to the billionaire.

" Peter? " May called. " Your phone's ringing! "

Peter grinned. " Who's it from? Is it from Ned? He told me he was going to buy the Lego Millenium Falcon and we could build it together later... "

" Not Ned, " May interrupted. " Tony Stark. "

Peter's eyes widened, frantically dashing to the phone and running to his room. " Shit, shit, shit, " she heard him mutter.

" Language! " May shouted, as Peter closed his door behind him.

~

" Mr. Stark, hey, " Peter said upon accepting the call.

" It's Tony, kid, I've told you this, " Tony responded, rolling his eyes (not that the kid could see it, of course, but maybe he sensed it).

" Yeah, okay, Mr. Stark. " Out of all the things Peter had screwed up, the one thing he had done right involving Mr. Stark was be respectful. He may be too young, too dumb, but at least he had manners.

He was going to keep that up, damnit.

" I was wondering if you wanted to come to the compound? We could do both work on our suits or- "

Shit, shit, shit, Peter thought. I wanted to avoid him, what the hell.

" Sorry kid, what was that? "

Oh fuck, did he say that out loud, shit- " I said it sounds great, Mr. Stark, " Peter replied cooly.
" Thank you for the offer. "

" Also, kid, " Tony continued, " I wanted to make sure you were okay. You haven't been calling Happy recently. We both miss the voicemails. "

Peter wanted to curl up and die. " You actually listen to those? " Peter asked, thinking of all the times he'd called Happy about helping an old lady cross the street, getting a churro, helping catch a wild dog, eating a churro, getting a cat out of a tree, buying more churros...

" Course I do, Underoos, " Tony responded. Peter winced. He had really, really, really hoped that Mr. Stark didn't listen to those.

But wait, did he just say he missed them?

" You... You like listening to them? " Peter questioned, nervous of the answer.

" Well yeah, Underoos, it's kind of the mentor's job. And I've kind of been doing a bad job at it. "

Oh, Peter thought. He's doing this because he feels like he has to. " Oh, okay, Mr. Stark. " He paused, for a second, taking a deep breath, mentally preparing himself. " Thank you for checking up on me, but I have to go. Have to go meet up with Ned to work on a science project tod- "

" See, that's where you're wrong, kiddo, " Tony interrupted. " I asked May. I know you have no homework, and you're not hanging out with Ned today. What's your deal, kid? "

Peter's breath caught in his throat. He could ask him, right here, right now, why he was acting like he cared. He could tell him he was scared his suit would be taken away, that Tony would be mad at him, that he'd only be Peter Parker, not Spider-Man-

" Nothing's wrong, Mr. Stark. I promise. "