Shadowbreath: The New Avenger

Chapter 3

Note: Edit (02/01)

"Y-your Intern?" Peter sputtered.

Despite the amused look on Mr. Stark's face, he didn't seem to be joking. "Intern, apprentice, Avenger-in-training, whatever you want to call it."

He sighed dramatically and clapped Peter on the shoulder, "In case you haven't noticed, Kid, the Avengers are spread pretty thin these days. Rhodey and Agent Romanoff are out on mission to who knows where, Banner and Thor aren't even on Earth anymore, Clint and Scott are on house arrest after the Germany fiasco, and the rest of the team is in the wind." Mr. Stark ran a hand through his hair, something Peter noticed the billionaire did when he was anxious. "Thanks to an untraceable-" Mr. Stark winked at his guests, "-technological security breach on the Raft, Sam and Wanda were broken out. One would have to assume that they're with Cap and his sidepiece with the metal arm. Not even I could find them, even if I wanted to."

Pepper coughed lightly, "Not that you would want to, Tony."

Mr. Stark grimaced at his CEO and girlfriend, "of course not." He turned back to Peter, "Vision hightailed it out of here as soon as Wanda was on the loose, and so we've got to assume they are sipping coconut juice on a beach somewhere in Fiji. Or, at least, she is. I don't think Viz has evolved enough to replicate a digestive system."

Aunt May took a bite of her lasagna before interjecting. "So, what does all of this have to do with Peter? You want a sixteen year old kid to jump into the Avengers because the team broke up?"

Pepper touched May's hand softly and shook her head, "Of course not. Tony's just lonely all by himself here in the compound. He misses having everyone around."

If May and Peter were surprised at Pepper's revelation, it was nothing compared to the look of complete and utter betrayal on Mr. Stark's face. "Why I NEVER..." he started loudly, but after a fierce eyebrow pop from Pepper, he seemed to change his tune immediately, "Okay, okay, fine." Mr. Stark grumbled and drummed his fingers against the table, "Maybe it's a little quiet around here. And maybe I was thinking the kid could come up here on the weekends and work with me in the lab, or train with Iron Man in the gym upstairs. He's lacking when it comes to hand-to-hand combat."

Peter's mind was in complete overload with the insane amount of information delivered to him in less than a minute. Besides Iron Man, only Black Widow and War Machine were readily available for Avengers missions? Everyone else was ether off in space, a war criminal, or hiding out with one. And Mr. Stark wanted him around? And maybe even, heaven forbid, missed him? No, no, that last one was a little crazy.

Next to the day Mr. Stark gave him the Spider-Man suit, this might be the coolest thing that had ever happened to him. Iron Man wanted to work with him in the lab? Wanted to train with him? Peter was just a kid from Queens.

"Y-yes!" Peter practically screamed the word, causing the three adults to raise their brows in amused surprise. He forced himself to take a deep breath and tried again, "I mean, t-this is an incredible opportunity, Mr. Stark, I would be honored to come hang out with you here!"

The billionaire snorted, "I don't know how much 'hanging out' we'll be doing kid, but I like your enthusiasm. If you're going to be my intern, mentee, apprentice-whatever you want to call it, you'll be working hard."

Peter didn't hesitate to nod excitedly, practically buzzing with anticipation. "I won't let you down, Mr. Stark!"

Aunt May smiled warmly at the exchange, obviously realizing how big of a deal it was for Peter to receive this kind of attention from his hero. "I'm sure Peter will be a great asset to your work, Mr. Stark. He could be a little more excited though, if you ask me." Miss Potts and Mr. Stark barked out surprised laughter at May's teasing, and Peter's cheeks warmed up in embarrassment.