One Shots feat. PJO, Irondad, and More!

Gunpoint (Irondad)

Peter's Thursday had been going great, which should have been the first sign that it would turn to hell.

For once, the sound of his alarm didn't have him wishing for death. He'd had a night free of nightmares, leaving him well rested for the first time for days. He showered and changed in record time before bursting into the kitchen with an enthusiasm that startled even May. 

"Good morning!" he grinned, bouncing over to the pantry to search for his breakfast. The woman looked up from where she stood at the counter, dressed in scrubs, presumably ready for an upcoming shift. 

"Good morning," she echoed, eyeing him warily. "What's got you in such a good mood?"

He shrugged, tugging out a box of Honey Nut O's before turning towards the cupboard for a bowl. "Just am. Does there have to be a reason?"

She stared at him over the steaming mug in her hands. Her eyes were narrowed in suspicion. "You lost another backpack, didn't you? Peter, we can't afford-"

He laughed, shutting the fridge. The teen grinned at her as he made his way to the kitchen table, plopping into a seat before beginning to shovel the cereal into his mouth. "I still have my backpack, May. Nothing's wrong."

"Don't talk with your mouth full," she scolded playfully with a light  shake of her head. "But whatever the reason, I'm glad. This Peter is much better than your usual grumpy morning self."

He swallowed. "I'm never grumpy in the morning, only quiet," he argued, despite knowing she was only teasing. His aunt only chuckled in response as she brought the coffee to her lips.

"Tony gets back from Tokyo today, doesn't he?" 

Peter nodded with fervor. "Finally. He's been there for like, years."

"Try three weeks," she rolled her eyes, finishing the last of her drink. "Are you going to be able to make it one more day until the weekend or are you going to head over there tonight?"

"Dunno," he mumbled over milk and oats. 

"Peter Benjamin. That's disgusting." She waited until he forced out an apology before continuing. "Text me when you figure out the plan, but I don't have to work tonight. We could go out for dinner or something," she suggested, turning to rinse her mug in the sink. The aunt glanced at the clock, cursing under her breath when she saw the time.

"I'll come home then, after patrol! He'll probably be jetlagged and tired anyway. Can we go to that thai place?"

May nodded. "Sounds good. I have to go get ready, but have a good day at school. I'll see you later. Don't be late!"

"You too, and I won't, " he affirmed.

He wasn't. He ended up leaving the apartment ten minutes early, which gave him enough time to walk rather than endure his usual panicked sprint to the subway. He was glad for it- despite being October in New York, the weather toed the seventy degree mark and promised warmth with a cloudless blue sky.  He found himself skipping past briefcased businessmen and women- and a beggar in a santa hat- until he reached the front doors of Midtown.

God, he hadn't felt this energized in a while, and it felt fantastic.

Ned was waiting for him at his locker, loaded with the news that Flash, to his utter relief, was out sick with some strand of the flu. It didn't  matter to him which- no Flash was no Flash, and he'd take what he could get. He momentarily hoped it was one of the worse cases that would have the boy out for a week or two, but immediately felt guilty. He'd give himself the day to feel grateful without the bully present before wishing for him to feel better, though.