Just like you

Chapter 5: A message and a formula

Tony was working out with Happy in his boxing ring, ducking Happy's punches. "The kid seemed really broken up, Tony." Happy said as he aimed a punch. Tony ducked again and landed a point on Happy. "Point. You weren't there when he said it, Happy." Happy circled Tony and readjusted his boxing gloves. "No, but I was there after, Tony." They heard the sound of footsteps coming from the corridor, it was Pepper. 

"Hey, Pep." Tony said, relieved to end the conversion with his bodyguard. Pepper walked in holding her tablet against her chest. Her mouth was pressed into a line and her fingers were tapping rhythmically on the tablet. Tony could tell she wanted to tell him something. "Tony, Mr Parker just called. He really sounded guilty, when are you going to stop acting like a kid and forgive him." Tony snorted and took a long drink from his water bottle. Pepper glared and spun around, "F.R .I . D. A. Y, play the voicemail Mr Peter Parker left five minutes ago."

"Of course, Miss Potts" the AI replied.

A young boy's voice floated around the room, it sounded emotional and tired. "Hey, Miss Potts. Hi...I mean, hello. Urghhh, I already started off wrong, umm...look, I said something super bad to Mr Stark. Like super super bad, please tell him that I'm soooooo, so, so sorry. I...just was having a really bad day and it felt like he was trying to replace my uncle and I DO feel grateful if he was but you know...And I was scared 'cause all my 'Uncle Bens' have died, my biological parents and him, I always feel scared that anyone who will try to be my Da-role model will have something bad  happen to them. A-and I never wanted to think of anyone as my role model because I felt like I would be replacing him, my aunt always says I push people away, I guess that's true...Anyway, it's no excuse for what I said and I'm really really REALLY sorry. I asked K.A.R.E.N to asked F.I.R.D.A.Y to send a drone for a package I want to give to Mr Stark. It's very rare, important and stuff so please make sure only you and Mr Stark sees it. I-I hope he likes it - a-and he doesn't think I'm trying to bribe or something - and that he accepts my apology...Umm, thank you...bye."

"Message has ended." Friday said. Pepper looked at Tony and raised one finger before addressing the AI again. "F. I. R. D. A. Y., send in the drone please." 

"Of course, Miss Potts." There was a whirring sound "Opening the drone doors now." A small white drone with 'Stark industries' emblazoned on it, flew into the room. It had a small cardboard box sealed with what looked like duck tape clutched in it's grabbers. Pepper sent him a glare that persuaded Tony to reach out and take the box before the drone flew away. Tony gave the box to the opening-bot, a machine that cuts open boxes and avoids cutting the contents. Pepper claimed it was just to help him with his laziness. Tony picked up the contents; a piece of paper and a plastic capsule most likely from a MacDonald's or some sort of 'surprise' thing. 

The piece of paper had an extremely complex formula that Tony admittedly began puzzling it out. Happy nudged him and knowing what Happy wanted him to do, he opened the capsule. It had a part of sticky white web in the bottom, one he recognized. It was kind of hard not to when he and the kid had spent half an hour trying to get it off his hand. "Oh, yuck! What is THAT!" His driver made a face as Tony poked the substance. "It's his Mark One." Tony said with wonder and surprise.