The Spider

Free Fallin

Ray's POV

I sit in the bed while Bruce continues rambling on and on about what happened. I don't care. I want to go home.

I'm tired of this building and I'm tired of these people. But most of all, I'm just tired.

My suit's off and I feel exposed. The lights are dimmed because my senses are still going semi crazy but not as bad as what they were.

Bruce is mumbling something about Tony and the Avengers when the man himself walked through the door.

He stays in the doorway for a moment, taking in the scene before him. He was probably was expecting me to be fighting Dr. Banner. Probably slinging webs and clinging to walls.

Not now.

Not ever again if I can help it.

My webs are out and my lab is gone, so I can't make more. I haven't talked to my friends (or are they my friends at this point?) in days. Bruce and Tony know my secret. For all I know, the rest of the Avengers do too at this point. And I'm more than likely going to be turned over to SHIELD by tomorrow. At the latest.

I should have never become The Spider.

Tony Stark pulls up a chair next to me and begins to speak, "We need to talk."

I nod my head. I know we need to talk. But I don't feel like speaking. I stare off and refuse to make eye contact with anyone.

He takes my nodding as permission to continue, "The rest of the Avengers don't know."

My head snaps to him. It doesn't add a whole lot of joy to my current situation, but I'll take what I can get. "Thank you."

He seems surprised at my response but recovers quickly, "Don't thank me yet. They still want to know who you are. I think we've all come to the agreement not to turn you in until we know if you are a threat or not-"

"Tony-" Bruce tries to cut him off but Mr. Stark just waves his interruption away.

"As much as the green guy/science geek of the century love you, you were still caught talking to Loki, we still don't have any evidence of your origins, and SHIELD still wants you. We are risking a lot by keeping you here. So please hear me out on this next part."

I stare at my hands and nod my head, "Okay. What?"

"They want to know your identity with your permission. Doctor Banner and I won't tell if you don't want us too for now, but honestly Ray, they're going to find out sooner or lat-"

"No," nonono. I repeat it in my head like an alarm, "No."

"Ray-"

"Just not now!" I cry out, drained, "Anytime but now. I'll take later, but please not now."

Tony nods his head like he understands, "Okay, Ray. Okay. We won't tell them now. As long as you know that you can't keep this up forever."

I nod my head and stare off. My head hurts and I want to sleep. I want all of this to go away... just go home to Aunt May. Maybe have dinner. Be normal.

Tony and Bruce talk about sharing my files, and Bruce gave Tony access with my permission, "Sure. Have at it. Need to make sure I don't oppose a threat. Cause I'm so dangerous."

Both of the men frown slightly at my sarcasm and Tony leaves the room. Once he's gone, I turn my attention to Bruce, "Can I go home? May is probably worried sick right now."

Bruce nods his head and tells me to change out of the hospital gown and into normal clothes while he went to grab the rest of my miscellaneous possessions. I do as he asked and he's back about three minutes after I'm changed.