voidtreckernet | Forward-dated to after Gwen Vanishes

{ ICP Station in the Dressing Room. }

[ The feed snaps on to show Peter, his hair's actually combed and he's actually wearing his polo. One might even say he looks nice. ]

Uh... Gwen? It's been like uh... an hour-ish and I haven't uh... you coming? We were gonna meet in the Lavender Death Room right? Or the Gym? I mean I checked the gym but you weren't there either.

oh.. and uh in case anyone's alarmed-the Lavender Death Room doesn't smell like Lavender anymore-it actually smells really good. Like really, really good.

Uh... anyways... um... Gwen? Just call me back, please?

[ He cuts the feed. ]

{ In Person about three hours later. }

[ Peter's still sitting in the room he was supposed to have his sort of date with Gwen. He's given up looking for her for now and is now just laying on the ground, staring at the ceiling and trying hard not to think about the fact she could be gone. ]

[ Why does he let himself keep getting attached to people when his luck always finds a way to tear them away. His parents, His uncle and though it wasn't in the same way- He lost Liz due to her dad being a literal super villain, and then now Gwen. Why does this keep happening? ]

[ He lets out a sigh and covers his face in his hands. There's nothing to suggest anything's happened to her-maybe she's just... hiding somewhere. He thinks he might prefer being stood up to losing yet another person he's gotten close to. ]

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[ ... ]

...Really Mr Stark? You're gonna quote Sherlock Holmes at me?

[ He just shakes his head because there are much more important things at foot and he really doesn't want to think Gwen might just be gone. ]

Right around lunch time, actually. Cause I didn't see her get up-I was still sleeping-got breakfast late and then I talked to Gwen in the gym for a while and then we made plans to meet here after dinner. We were just gonna read books and eat candy.

[Tony facepalms. Ugh.]

Sorry, the little midget got me thinking about Holmes earlier.

[He hadn't meant to. Promise.]

Alright so well after we left the platform. You know I saw someone leave the train then but it certainly wasn't Gwen.

[He didn't like where this was headed.]

Look, if something has happened to her, we'll find her and get her back.

[ Peter just offers another look because he doesn't really know what or who Tony is talking about. But his thoughts are starting to dip into darker places at the mention of 'if something happened to her.' ]

[ Bold of him, to assume his 'Parkerluck' wasn't going to just screw him over over again in one of the worst possible ways. ]

Yeah, maybe.

[ He says, his voice a bit low. ]

It has been two years, I guess it was about time for something bad to happen again.

[Tony's gaze snaps to Peter's face and he doesn't like at all what the kid is seeing. Especially since he knows what happens shortly after when Peter claims he's from.

His voice is strained and sharp, like Peter had his finger on the trigger of Tony's anger.]

No! No. Do not think like that Peter. She might be in trouble, but don't assume that.

[ Peter startles slightly at Tony's tone and takes in a breath before just looking away. ]

I don't want to. But if we don't know where she is, we can't get to her and I just-This always happens. I get close to someone and they leave.

[ Either by dying or otherwise. It's a very messed up constant in his life-Parkerluck takes everything in the end, it always does. ]

I don't know why I'm even surprised. I just thought that maybe-maybe since she was like me that the rule wouldn't apply to her.

[ He swallows and then tilts his head down to rub at his eyes with his index finger and thumb when they start to burn. ]

[Tony scowls, feeling some the memories threatening at the back of his mind.

He was going to leave Peter too. As important as his next move in the other reality is, he's going to be one more person that leaves the boy.

But maybe he can just lie.. what if Peter isn't from his world and that won't be their future? It wouldn't even be a lie then.]

I haven't and you're close to me.

Y-yeah...

[ Peter agrees with a small sniffle and a nod. ]

Yeah, that's true.

[ He wants to say that he also still has Ned and May and even Happy but is he gonna get to see them again? That's a painful thought too. ]

[While Tony kind of hates himself for that line, he also rolls his eyes and gives the boy a small smile.]

Geez, don't sound so excited about that.

[Just a tease.]

Kid, I think the worst case scenario here is that she went home somehow. Either by the one who brought us sending her back or she found a way out and didn't have a chance to tell you. But we're not giving up. You're an Avenger and that's something we don't do. We will find her if she's in trouble and make things right.

[Or he'll spend the rest of his life, however long that is, trying to find Gwen's universe to send Peter to her.]

Okay. Yeah, gotta keep looking.

[ Mr Stark is right, he shouldn't be throwing in the towel so soon. Maybe she'll come back. Maybe she'll have learned something she can tell them. ]

But right now, I just feel kinda tired.

That's my boy.

[He smiles then, seeing the spark of conviction in Peter's eyes. He steps closer and pulls the kid into a hug, pressing the briefest of kiss to his forehead.]

Go on. I'll take care of this. Go sulk or whatever you need to do. I'll be around if you need me.

[ Peter doesn't get enough time to properly process that comment before he's pulled into a hug. His boy? Did Tony Stark really think of him as his? Or is Peter reading too much into a comment that wasn't actually meant to be that deep. ]

[ He lets out a breath and hugs his mentor back, tight but not overly tight. ]

Thanks Mr Stark, but I think I'm gonna just sit in here for a little bit.

Good luck.

[Excuse him while he goes 'Iron Dad' on the conductor. Gwen might not be on the same level as Peter (no offense, but no one was), but he considered her his responsibility. Plus it was clearly hurting Peter and that alone warranty an ass beating.]

Forward-dated to after Gwen Vanishes

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