The Side They Don't See

Angry

Chapter 4- Angry

Peter awkwardly sat down on a leather couch that seemed more expensive than everything he owned (which, granted, wasn't much, but still). Pepper had invited him and May to stay for dinner. She explained that she and some of the avengers would be doing a press conference that afternoon, and everyone was gonna be there.

So, that's how Peter ended up sitting on a couch in Tony's living room in Stark tower.

In front of him was a massive TV, on which he was watching Pepper Potts (well, Stark), Sam Wilson, and Natasha Romanoff walk into a conference room. They sat down at a table, with reporters lights flashing on their faces.

Pepper cleared her throat, and the room instantly quieted. "Before we begin taking questions, I would like to make a statement on how the country shall progress with recent events. The president has released a report stating that the government will be shut down for a month, along with schools. After consulting with me, the country shall soon put in place new policies to help us ease back into having doubled our population. She has told me to also inform you that there will be clinics set up where people can go to sort out the aftermath of everybody coming back.

"This is an official government statement, but the president personally asked me to relay this message as well. Schools and the government will re-start in exactly one month from now. This, however, is a very brief description of how America, along with several other countries, shall move forward. More information can be found on every government website. With that, please begin with the questions."

Peter didn't know how to feel about the government closing. He figured though that a month wasn't really that long. Considering around four billion people suddenly popped back into existence, he thought it would probably take a lot longer than that to sort everything out.

It also meant that he would be going back to school in a month. He might see Ned and MJ again.

Or he might not.

That thought was terrifying.

His attention returned to the screen in front of him, and he watched as Pepper was bombarded with questions.

"Ms. Potts, where is Iron Man?"

"Ms. Potts, how has everyone returned?"

"Ms. Potts, how will the avengers answer to all the damage caused?"

Natasha cleared her throat, and the reporters turned their attention to her.

"To answer a few of your questions, the avengers were able to acquire the infinity stones and reverse the event of five years ago. This, as we know, has led to grave consequences. As of how the avengers will take responsibility for any damage, Mrs. Potts and I are currently working with the government to fund several programs for relief, as well as donating to reconstruction efforts.

"As for Iron Man, he was injured and is... currently healing."

The reporters didn't seem to notice the pause in Natasha's sentence, already firing questions. But Peter noticed. And he wished he didn't. Because it was just a fresh reminder of Tony. A reminder of how close he was to being dead. A reminder that Peter might never get to see him again.

Peter suddenly felt a wave of nausea but fought it back.

He was vividly aware of all the other heroes in the room with him. Bucky, Black Panther, Dr. Strange, Scarlet Witch, Thor, Dr. Banner, Hawkeye, Captain Marvel (whom he had never heard of before the battle), and War Machine.

Well, those were all the ones he could name on the spot.

Apparently, though, everyone was in town. May whispered something to him about having to stick around for the aftermath, Sokovia accords, something something.