[ Audio | Day 12 ]

[hashtagparkerluck]

S-so uh... Gwen's uh... Gwen's missing.

her name's in um.. gold. So, if anyone's bee looking for her-that's-that's where she is.

Comments

[hashtagparkerluck]

[ Peter stops for a second as he considers what Tony's saying. ]

Then what's the point of anything? If we're just gonna lose it all in the end, why even bother? I think I'd rather be numb-or I don't know. Take a break somehow-to just stop existing for a while, you know?

Honestly, I don't know how you do it, Mr Stark. I'm not even half your age yet and I already feel like I'm going crazy.

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony is quiet for a few moments after Peter's stopped talking. He could give the kid all kinds platitudes but he knows those don't ever really help.]

I drink. I also spar a lot. It does get to me and sometimes I need a break. So.. if that's really what you need to do then I can't fault you for it. But..

[Okay, maybe a little cliche here.]

If you left tomorrow I'd be devastated but I wouldn't trade my time with you for anything.

[hashtagparkerluck]

[ He takes in another breath and then steps over closer, still ignoring the water bottle and hugs Tony tight, staying silent for a long moment while he just appreciates that Tony is still there and he can still go to him for things. ]

I don't sleep.

[ He finally admits-he knows Tony is aware of this as it's not really a secret. ]

I say that I can't sleep maybe because it's true and I know that that's pretty normal for kids that have been through a pretty serious trauma-but also I don't want to sleep sometimes. I mean, I say that I don't want the nightmares but is that just an excuse to get away with hurting myself? Because that's what it is-it's self harm.

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony tosses the bottle aside. Peter knew where it was if he wanted it. Right now this was about doing whatever the boy needed.

He smiled when it was a hug.]

I know. If I could make the pain stop and people quit leaving you, you know I would. I know sleep is something you can control. I'm being a hypocrite getting on your cause about it but I can't help it. I worry.

[hashtagparkerluck]

[ Peter's not letting go immediately-he likes hugs and just as always, Tony just has a way of making him feel safe and normal especially when he doesn't think he is. ]

You're not a hypocrite Mr Stark, you're a dad. What's that thing parents always say? Do as I say, not as I do?

[runs_on_batteries]

[He wasn't letting go yet. He tightened his grip just a little more as he sensed Peter needing it. Maybe he hadn't had it wrong earlier after all.

He breathed a laugh and nodded.]

Yeah but when have you ever listened to what I say?

[hashtagparkerluck]

[ Peter can't help the small laugh that escapes him. ]

That is entirely beside the point, Mr Stark. [ Amusement leaking into his voice. ]

[runs_on_batteries]

[Peter laughed. Tony wins.]

You know what the best cure for the blues is? Work. I saw some more of those dumb ants on the wall on the way over here. Doesn't that sound like just the thing to cheer you up?

[hashtagparkerluck]

[ That is gonna get Peter step back and give Tony a look. ]

Uh, no. Not at all, actually. You can't just turn around and destroy the moment by giving me chores.

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony laughs harder at that look. He waves his hand and shakes his head.]

I'm kidding! I wish I had a camera though. That was priceless.

[hashtagparkerluck]

[ The look doesn't recede from his face just yet. ]

And you wonder why I'm a rebellious teenager.

[runs_on_batteries]

You enjoy giving me gray hairs?

[He ruffled Peter's floppy brown curls.]

You keep my life interesting, that's for sure.