nostalgiabomb | riverview: ic contact;

I sure hope I did, because then I'll feel even-stevens.

[A fidgety pause.

... Infinity Stones...? If the confusion on his face wasn't answer enough, he shakes his head.]

Nothing, I guess. What are they?

[ He takes a breath, trying to remember how Tivan had described them and what Mantis had shared of the events leading up to Titan.

His gaze flicks to the kid again, measuring and considering, trying to decide if the kid can really handle this info dumb – not intellectually, because Pete seems smart as hell, but emotionally, because this is potentially some heavy shit.

... But, Peter figures. Little Pete did ask, so... ]

They're these little gems. Six of them, reflecting different aspects of the universe. They're supposed to be literally older than existence and super powerful. Celestials used to wield them, I think, but beyond them, anyone who touches them with their bare hands tends to be obliterated by them.

[ Peter doesn't realize it, but his left hand clenches into a tight fist. Briefly, he thinks of Ego, thinks of the weird mix of pride and awe on that psychopathic bastard's face when he mentioned what he had heard of Peter wielding the Infinity Stone on Xandar.

He shoves the image out of his mind. ]

Individually, they're dangerous. Together, though, they're— well. They can be universe-ending. Practically unstoppable.

[ A beat. ]

You can guess what Thanos is after.

[He looks serious as a sin while Peter lays it all out, but braced for it — it stands to reason that if Big Pete had been so unsure if he should tell him, it wasn't some little deal, especially not if it could wipe out half of everything out there.

It's a lot. Yeah, it's definitely a lot. He can't honestly wrap his head around the idea that little stones could be the root cause of so much pain and misery. Sure, he had dealt with a chitauri core, but that's obviously nothing in comparison. Did Mr. Stark know about a lot of this...? Does Thor or the others know?

He nods, eyes closed.]

... But we're gonna stop him.

[He sits up, hands on his knees. It's weird to say 'we', because never in a million freaking years did Peter think he'd be hanging out in space with Tony and these guys, potentially taking on some dude who wants to kill half the galaxy off. When the horror is sort of shook off, he kind of is a little offended at Thanos, actually.

It kind of all pisses him off.

If this guy gets his hands on this stuff and ends half the universe, then Aunt May, Ned, MJ, Happy — they're all in trouble. Everyone he loves is in danger because there's some crazy guy out in space threatening everyone with magical stones. How ridiculous is that?]

It's just another crazy jerk-off with some big stupid vendetta — and we'll be there to kick his ass, right?

Like — fuck that guy!

[peter

learn a couple of traumatic things and suddenly you're a cuss machine]

[ That totally startles him, and he barks out a laugh.

Mistake, though, and he flinches, curling a little and pressing a hand against his side. ]

Shit.

Ow.

[ He takes a few seconds to breathe the warning flare of pain, then, slightly strained but 100% amused, ]

Language.

[Oops, that melted the defiant tough curseboy immediately, and he hovers worried hands at Peter like the useless nerd he is.]

Ohmygod, sorry! Sorry — Do I need to get you something for that or—

[WAIT A FUCKING SECOND!]

Hey, don't laugh at me! I was totally serious there!

I'm not.

[ Still a little breathless, as he forces himself to straighten, taking a deep breath. Fuck that hurts. ]

I just wasn't aware you knew that word.

[ ... okay. he might be laughing at pete. but only a little. ]

C'mon, man... I'm a fifteen year old boy, of course I know the word.

[You're just trying to embarrass him now, lord have mercy.

He's not some goody two-shoes, okay? Sheesh.

...... Maybe he is a little.]

My point is, we're gonna handle it. So — so whatever happens, we'll get it taken care of, because we're all apart of some pretty awesome teams who'll give it everything they got, right? It sounds pretty scary, but so does prom.

[That was a joke, by the way. But less of a joke would be this — spoken with more gravity, in a prodding, cautious way; he's sure Peter knows about Gamora being taken as well, because his teammate would've laid it all out on the line, yeah?]

Besides, I pinky-swore to Mantis I'd help you guys get back one of your own.

I can't exactly break a pinky promise once it's set in stone.

[ His amusement falls away instantly when he brings up Gamora, if indirectly.

That's been on his mind. A lot. Gamora hated Thanos, was terrified of him, so the thought of that bastard having taken her, of Peter having failed her—

It hurts. A lot. And his mind shies away from it, even as he tries to think of ways he might be able to alter their course, once he's home. Maybe there's a chance he remembers everything, once he's back. Maybe there's a chance his experiences – his powers – in Riverview will go back with him, and they can fix things. Take down Thanos before the bastard is even a blip on their radar.

But that's wishful thinking, Peter thinks. But wishful thinking is a whole lot better than the choking helplessness that takes him over when he thinks on all this for too long. ]

... I might have to hold you to that, too.

[ Even if he says it lightly, there's a dark little thread that still runs through his voice. ]

[Yeah, well, Peter doesn’t like that dark thread. But it’s mostly a matter of worrying about Peter’s state of mind than anything else. So he considers the moment at hand right now, chewing on his lip before shifting his feet and leaning in to offer a curved pinky finger.]

... Well, then I might as well pinky swear with you, too.

I’ll help out wherever anyone needs me. And I’ll try my best to keep up with... whatever happens, whenever it happens.

I promise.

[ Peter blinks at the kid for a second or two. He'd call the kid out on how ridiculous pinky swearing on this is, but—

Well.

Peter has totally pulled the same shit before.

It's why he lets out a breath, something that might actually be a laugh, before he crooks his own pinky around the kid's. ]

Same from me. You have my word.

[He grins, a little more at ease.

But lord, he's gonna have a lot to think about. It can wait, at least.]

Sweet. It's a deal.

[His smile fades, just a little, and he doesn't release the pinky swear just yet.]

... And, uh. Can you — promise to also... not tell Mr. Stark I know about all of this?

If it comes up.

—Uh.

[ Nope, okay, Peter will be pulling his hand back now. ]

... Why?

[ In that slow, cautious way that makes it all too obvious that Peter is realizing that he maybe shouldn't have shared this much information with Little Pete.

It's like in a sitcom, when a kid wants to go to a party by asking their dad after their mom has already told them no.

Is Peter the clueless dad? ]

... Aw, shoot. I totally thought that would work, too...

[He says it with a sheepish smile and a hint of knowing this second promise was not gonna succeed.

Cue the laugh track???]

It’s just — Mr. Stark hasn’t said anything about this, and I don’t even know if it’s connected or not, but he ended up in the hospital over something from home. And if he doesn’t want me to know, it might be because he doesn’t wanna freak me out? Or maybe he thinks it’s his problem? But he hasn’t mentioned a peep to me about the reason he’s been acting worried, so I haven’t asked, but—!!

[Slow down Peter, stop fumbling with the edges of your dorky buttoned shirt tails.]

He’s got stuff going on and he doesn’t need to freak about me knowing that I’m stuck in space getting ready to fight weird alien mass murderers! I can be in blissful ignorance around him and he can feel a little better about whatever’s messing with him.

[... you’re the clueless dad.]

[ that is.

a lot to take in.

And when it does, Peter groans, slouching back against the pillows and covering his face with his hands. ]

Oh, come on. [ Completely dismayed. ] Dude.

[ is stark going to kick peter's ass

only time will tell ]

.... So, uh.

Are you not gonna tell him?

... Big Pete, best bud?

[#hopeful stare]

[ Peter heaves out a massive sigh, letting his hands drop to his lap. ]

Why doesn't he want you to know any of this?

[He clears his throat, glancing aside.]

Well, I... I don't actually... know if he doesn't want me to know any of it...

... I don't even know if he knows all of this, it's just... a, a, a feeling. Is all. Just covering my bases here, really.

[.........

Also real answer Peter is assuming things right out of the gate, because he is too scared to ask Tony.]

Edited 2018-06-24 02:45 (UTC)

[ Isn't it weird, how a beat of silence can feel so disbelieving?

Because that's what's happening right now. Incredulous silence.

Then, ]

... Have you even asked?

[..................................]

N-no. I have... n't...

[for fucks sake]

[ Peter drags both hands down his face. Again. ]

Oh my god.

[ Pure, concentrated exasperation. Little Pete's probably lucky there's nothing for Big Pete to throw at him, right now.

He screws his eyes shut for a second, his fingers pressing against the bridge of his nose. (He can feel a headache coming on, which is probably a sign that he needs to choke down a couple more painkillers soon. Or maybe it's a result of this conversation going in weird circles? Either way.) ]

Ask him.

[He looks like he would rather face plant a building.]

What, just... ring him up and ask if he's ran into a big overlord alien that wants to wipe half of everything out yet?

Uh. Yes.

[ Obviously. Why is this even a question???? ]

Maybe he already knows everything. Maybe he doesn't, in which case, you can pull your punches.

But if he does know everything, what's it really gonna change if he finds out that you know at least a little of what happens, too?

I don't know? Maybe a little?

... I'm not supposed to be involved in that kind of stuff. Stay low to the ground, and all that. And space is definitely not... low to any ground. It's space. I kinda got into some trouble when I got involved in stuff I wasn't supposed to be in.

[... But he is starting to see just how ridiculous it is, to try and skirt around the topic with Mr. Stark. Because as much as he doesn't want to cause any trouble and keep his nose out of Tony's own situation, he's recognizing more and more that maybe they're just too intertwined to pretend it's a separate thing at all.

He breathes out, looking a little worried.]

... I guess you're right. I should... I will. At some point. Talk to him about it.

I'll ask, okay?

... After everything here's settled down, though, and he's had time to get back to the usual.

Edited (when u typo after you edit something in to fix a sentence gj me) 2018-06-24 04:09 (UTC)

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