nerds are my type // p. parker

three

Marcus was just dancing around his room in the compound when the news turned on. He immediately turned up the volume. He had commanded Friday to turn on the news whenever they were announcing something to do with the Avengers. Once they announced what happened in Lagos with Wanda and the building, he cursed and punched the wall. Not because he blamed or was mad at her, no. But because he knew he could've helped if he had gone. Those people were dead because of him.

But, it was time to go to his father's - nope, not father. Just... his mentor? Or something like that? Whatever. He hopped into the car with Happy, starting conversation with the man about whatever random thing was on his mind that day. Soon enough, they made it to the school and Marcus went backstage as he listened. He winced as he saw Tony freeze up at Pepper's name, joining his side as he walked out.

It was obvious to Marcus that Tony didn't need to use the bathroom, he just wanted to get out of there. So, they stood at the elevator with a woman who was already there. Tony and her engaged in light conversation, Marcus' body tending as he realized that the button was not pushed for the elevator. Was he paranoid? The answer: very. But he nudged Tony anyway, seeing the man respond the same way; alert, but he questioned the woman anyway.

A shockwave was sent through Marcus' body as the woman responded, "I'm right where I want to be." She reached for her purse and Tony went to stop her hand, as air began to swirl around Marcus' fingers, prepared to do anything if necessary. When the woman began to speak about how her life had enable her to raise a son, he sighed, realizing where this conversation was going. Tony was already nerve-racked.

Marcus winced as he saw how the death of the woman's son affected Tony. He wished that everyone just understood that Tony Stark wasn't the same douchebag he used to be. Everything has changed. Now, he cares too much instead of too little. Whether that was a good thing or a bad thing.. well, only time could tell. But whatever. It was time to go back to the compound and pray that Tony wouldn't be all angsty.

It was awhile until Tony and Marcus arrived at the compound, and all the others had already been there. Oh, and apparently Secretary Ross decided to get in the car with them and come back to the compound. Marcus knew there was a lecture in tow. So, as every basic teenager would, he grabbed an oversized hoodie and a bag of popcorn and sat next to Tony as everyone filed into the room.

He sent everyone a smile as he pulled the hood over his head, tossing popcorn into his mouth. He ignored Ross' little golf story until he said something about the Avengers. Marcus narrowed his eyes, knowing that nothing good ever came out of the government talking about them. The Secretary of State began to talk about what people would call the Avengers, throwing in the word 'vigilantes' at one point. Marcus spun his head towards Natasha, knowing she never appreciated vigilantes. Either you're on a mission or you're the reason behind the mission. You kill people or you save them. Pick a side.

"And what word would you use, Mr. Secretary?" she spoke, her eyebrow raising only slightly.

The man turned his attention to her, his response alone enough to lull Marcus to sleep. It's the same thing everyone who has something to do with politics or the government always says. "How about dangerous? What do you call a group of US based, enhanced individuals who routinely ignore sovereign borders and inflict their will wherever they choose and who, frankly, seem unconcerned about what they leave behind?"

Marcus looked to the screen behind Secretary Ross, which started showing footage from the battle of New York all those years ago. Citizens were terrified. Soldiers were firing. The Hulk smashed into a building and a dust cloud enveloped the camera.

"Washington D.C." the secretary spoke. The screen showed clips of the disaster that happened there, and even threw in the video that showed Marcus in the hospital with IVs all over him. He sighed, rolling his eyes. Yes, he was hurt during the interaction with the Winter Soldier on the highway in D.C. He got shot, and was rushed to the hospital. But Marcus still didn't understand why they showed the clip; the Avengers had listened to him say that he was fine and that it wasn't a big deal so many times that they ended up believing him.

Marcus zoned out, grabbing a pen from his pocket and started drawing on his hand. He decided to draw Tony, just a simple sketch of him. He was almost done when the little meeting thing with Secretary Ross ended. All the Avengers filed out, besides Tony, so Marcus took that to his advantage. He finished the drawing, but realized how torn the man looked.

"Che cosa è sbagliato, Tin Man?" he asked, knowing that Tony preferred talking about emotions in Italian so not everyone understood. (What's wrong, Tin Man?)

The man sighed, leaning back in his seat. "Siete troppo giovane per parlare il dramma con, dork. Voglia guardare un film invece?" Marcus nodded his head, talking about how he had been dying to watch 'It.' (You're too young to talk drama with, dork. Want to watch a movie instead?)

So, the two sat on the couch in living room with the biggest bowl of popcorn they could find, and watched the movie. To say that Marcus was scared would be an understatement.