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

Vindicated

Contrary to popular belief, Peter could tell lies. Very well, in fact. He could spin people in his web of falsity and no one would be the wiser.

He just didn't like lying.

So when he convinced Mr. Stark that nothing was wrong, it shouldn't have come as much of a surprise.

It just hurt lying to the man he had revered through most of his life, but if that's what it took to remain Spider-Man, he would do it again in a heartbeat.

Mr. Stark doesn't care, Peter told himself, as Tony invited him to the lab, showing him a new set of web shooters.

Scratch that, Peter amended. He did care, just not for Peter Parker. He only cared for Spider-Man.

" Thank you, Mr. Stark, " he said, attaching the web shooters to his wrists, before making a move to swing out the window.

" Nuh-uh, Spider-Man, " Tony said, wagging his finger. " You've got to... hang around for a little bit. "

Peter's jaw dropped. " Was that a spider pun? "

" I would never say such a thing, " Tony said, waving his hand in dismissal, his smile giving him away.

" Anyways, I need you to stay because, well, you're enlisted as an actual intern, so people need to see you do intern-y stuff. "

" Oh, um, right, " Peter said, trying to hide his dissapointment.

" Do we have a problem? " Tony asked, trying to get to the root of Peter's adversity towards him the past couple of weeks.

" Of course not, Mr. Stark, " Peter lied. " Of course not. "

" Okay, good. Now, go find Pepper. She'll tell you about what interns do and shit, " Tony said, dismissive. " Scram. I got to update Rhodey's prosthetic. "

~

In hindsight, Peter realized he probably should have asked where Pepper's office was. At this point, he was lost and had no idea where he was even at, until he heard a male voice down the corridor.

Maybe they can help me? Peter thought, making his way to the sound, only to turn mute when he saw who was talking.

" D-D-Dr. Banner? " Peter stutterened, nervous.

" Hey, um.... Kid, " Banner replied. " Uh... What are you doing up here? "

" I'm a new intern; I just finished talking with Mr. Stark, and he told me to find Ms. Pott's office. Could you show me where to go? "

What the fuck, Bamner thought, interns don't talk to Tony. Is this just a really bad Hydra agent? Whatever, I'm not leading him to Pepper. Tony'd never forgive me.

" It's the hallway to the left, last door on the right, " Banner recited. But it wasn't to Pepper; it was to the containment room they had for anyone stupidly-smart enough to try to sneak into the Avenger's space of the tower. It was even built to withstand the Hulk. No one could get out of it once they were trapped (unless they let them out, of course).

" Thank you, " Peter replied, before heading to the aforementioned door. Behind him, Banner was messaging Tony about some intruder in Stark Tower.

Peter hesitantly knocked on the door, not hearing a response. How odd, he thought, before knocking again.

Not a peep from behind the door.

Was something wrong with Ms. Potts? Peter wondered, calling her name twice. Without giving it a second thought, he opened the door, stepping trhrough it.

Alarms sounded throughout the building, the door sliding shut behind him. He raced tp the door, but it wouldn't open, not even when he used his Spider Strength. He didn't even make a dent. What the fuck did Banner lead me to? He's not my favorite scientist anymore, Peter internally monlogued, staring at the white space he was trapped in.

A mirror was placed across the wall beside him, but Peter was not naïve enough to think it was there so he could fix his hair. They could watch him, he realized, but he didn't know who ' they ' was.

He was in a fucking interrogation room.

" Dr. Banner, I asked for you to take me to Ms. Pott's office, not whatever the fuck this is, " Peter said, waving at the room. " You've been demoted to my third favorite scientist. This is shit. "

" Who are you? " a voice called from the speaker, one strangely matching Dr. Banner. Of course.

" I am Peter Parker. From Queens. I won an internship from Stark Industries, " he spat, " and I don't know why I'm being kept here. Could you at least turn down the sirens? It's driving me crazy. "

And truth be told, it was. The sirens were providing too much stimuli, quickly sending him into a sensory overload. Which may be why he was being so snappy with Banner. Sensory overloads suck.

" Right, sorry, " Banner apologized, and soon enough, the alarms faded to a small background nouse. Peter sighed in relief. " So what are you doing here? " the doctor questioned.

" I am here on the first day of my internship, " Peter replied.

Suddenly, his eyes widened. " Is this an initiation? That would be so cool, " he continued, before a voice cut him off.

" Really Peter, getting into trouble on the first day? Shame on you, " Tony addressed. " Bruce, why did you kidnap my intern? You're distressing him, " he said, pointing at the pissed Peter Parker through the glass. Peter glared at them, despite not being able to see where they were. It really was quite funny, Tony thought, barely holding in a laugh.

Bruce's mouth dropped. " You mean, he's actually your intern? "

" The one and the only, " Tony said, grinning. " Now could you please let him out? I'm pretty sure you traumatized him, " Tony laughed, rolling his eyes.

Pressing a few buttons, the ironclad door, built to withstand the Hulk, slid away behind Peter. He darted out of the room.

" You know, you're bad at first impressions. He was looking forward to meeting you, " Tony said.

Bruce pouted. " He said he demoted me to his third favorite scientist. "

Tony cackled. " Does that mean I'm the favorite? " He wondered. " Eh, probably. Who doesn't love Tony Stark? " He questioned.