#helping people without doing their heavy lifting for them. indirect methods. the more i am honest with myself and the world i hope it will

[elizabeth-234]

Chapter Twenty-four

Someone to Care

Chapter Twenty-three

The light from the TV washed across the floor. Peyton knew she should be watching the movie but her gaze rotated between her watch and then Mr. Stark who was lounging next to her. He held a bowl of popcorn they made in his hand. The first batch they made burned, all Mr. Stark’s fault although he blamed her. Once they finally made an edible snack they sat down to watch the movie. He shifted so he was facing more toward her and she quickly pretended to watch the movie again.

Her eyes unfocused on the screen as she thought. She couldn’t stay late tonight. May was coming home from work and Peyton promised that she would be home so they could spend time together. She needed to ask soon or risk not finding out. After a moment she looked back at her watch and then at the man. Without moving his eyes from the TV he spoke, startling her back.

“Alright, Peyton. Ask away.” He had a smirk and she blushed at being caught. She loved the nicknames he came up with for her and knew they were never meant in a derogatory manner, or to poke fun at how young she was. Nothing, though, could beat the sound of her name. It felt special when he said it somehow. Like he was savoring it, only letting it out on special occasions or when he was well and truly happy.

She fumbled with the blanket and tried to keep her face blank while glancing up under her eyelashes. They met eyes when she didn’t answer and he raised his eyebrow, leaning toward her.

“What’s wrong?” She sighed before answering.

“I heard some rumors at school.”

His other eyebrow rose to greet its partner and his smile faded a bit. She hurried to continue not wanting any misunderstandings. “It was just something so like you. Like the room with the cards and I know it’s not my business but I feel like it’s my fault, even if that doesn’t make sense and I…” She blushed. “I’m not making any sense. Am I? Sorry for bothering you.”

He leaned forward and scooted down the couch till he was sitting next to her. She rested against his side and let her head drop on his shoulder.

“Hey, hey. Start from the beginning and we’ll work this out. Whatever it is I doubt it’s your fault.” A breath flew out of her lungs forcing her back to curl inward.

“Did something happen with that boy in my class? Did you do something about what I told you about Flash?”

She felt his body freeze next to hers and realized that this wasn’t what he was expecting at all. He shifted back and for some reason her eyes were scratchy at the thought of him moving backward. Before she could think about it his fingers applied pressure under her jaw and raised her face so they could look at each other.

“It’s okay, Peyton. You’re okay.” He sighed. “It’s complicated, kid. I don’t want you to think I’m not on your side because I will always be on your side in that matter and anything else. There were some red flags when you talked to me and it made me worried.” She opened up her mouth to talk but he silenced her. “I know you look out for the little guy, but this time I could. Though it’s not really my story to tell. All I did was pull a few strings to get him moved to a better home.”

“Why?” She whispered. It was nice that he was concerned. That he cared even though he had ever reason not to with Flash. Mr. Stark even refused to say his name most of the time. The silence was deafening. “It… You don’t have to tell me, Mr. Stark. It’s none of my business.”

“It’s not that. It’s just personal.” He ran his hand through his hair. “I heard what you said and it reminded me of when I was a kid. I mean I had it all. Anything I could ever ask for but from that freedom came expectations and Howard, my father, demanded that they be met. Let’s say that I learned quickly how to please.” His words were methodical and it pained her to hear them. Her stomach clenched at the thought of his childhood. At what lay behind his words. He continued to talk, to explain, the dynamics of his life. Peyton, like when she had found the card room, realized how good he was. How human he was. People loved to portray him as a legend, as Iron Man, and yes he was. Mr. Stark was also a person, like Nat. Like her.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Stark.” He scooted over and brought his hands to frame her face. His thumbs ran under her eyes and she was surprised to feel the tears run together under the pressure. 


“Don’t cry, sweetheart. I didn’t say that to gain pity. I wanted you to understand.”

“I think I do. Somehow though it doesn’t make me feel any better.” He chuckled as he leaned back, his own eyes bright with dammed in moisture.

“Knowledge doesn’t ever tend to make people feel better but the price of knowing in the end is worth it.” She nodded and curled into his side. Her head rested on his shoulder, his warm arm wrapped around her back as they finished the rest of the movie. Peyton’s eyes felt heavy and all her plans and practicing of her questions for Flash drifted to the back of her brain.

——

The brick was hard against her back and she looked back and forth along the sidewalk, waiting. Her stomach clenched as she debated her course of action. It really was none of her business. She had no reason to pry anymore into the situation with Flash. Mr. Stark explained some of it. More than she anticipated once she was thinking rationally. She lifted off of the brick and shifted her feet before landing back on the wall again.

His hair caught her attention first when he rounded the corner. He had earbuds in and didn’t see her right away. It wasn’t until he passed her that she saw him stop and slowly, like in a movie, turned around to stare at her.

“What do you want Parker?” His voice was defiant but quiet, much different than the usual. She swallowed at the resigned look on his face.

“Nothing.” She said quickly. “Well, I just...”

“What?”

Her doubt cemented and was slightly disappointed with her decision. No matter how curious she was it wasn’t her business. Even though she was involved in an indirect way, her and Flash were not friends. He didn’t owe her anything and she had no right to pry in the end, even if she was still dying of curiosity.  

“I, uh, I just wanted to make sure that Mackenzie is not still mad. Did you see I sent in the Google docs?”

His eyebrows rose at her paltry attempt to steer the conversation but he answered anyway. They stood there, Flash fidgeting with his earbuds and Peyton rocking against the wall. Finally she broke the silence.

“Yeah, so that’s all I needed. Thanks.” Again his eyebrows furrowed.

“Sure, Parker.” She wanted the earth to swallow her up whole and talked at the ground.

“Okay, so I have to go but, yeah, thanks again.” Peyton turned to leave, concentrating on making her steps even.

“Hey Parker,” Flash said. Her head turned to see him standing where he was before. This time she raised her eyebrow.

“Hey Flash.”

“Look.” His hand came up to scratch behind his head. “I don’t know what you did but, um, thank you and tell Mr. Stark thank you.”

“Sure,” she said. “See you around.”

She smiled hesitantly and his own was less of a grimace in response than she was used to. Peyton turned around and started her walk home, continuing to debate whether she should have asked Flash for more answers.

——

“Pass the noodles please, sweet P.” Peyton looked across the table and smiled at May and Nat. It was one of their now weekly dinners and the pasta was perfectly al dente. These get-togethers made her feel nice, normal even. She winced as she passed the hefty bowl to her aunt. Her aunt’s eyes narrowed at her expression but she said nothing to Peyton’s relief. The patrol she went on the night before had been rough but she really didn’t want to answer any questions about it yet.

The two women across from her chatted about their day and Peyton smiled at the openness in Nat’s eyes. It was hard to believe that not long ago Nat was hurt on their couch, a stranger. The surprise at seeing her red hair in their apartment was long gone by now and instead was replaced by a warm glow. Nat was good for their family.

She helped May write a letter to her boss asking for a raise. All May wanted to do was burn it up unsent but Nat was firm and May gathered the courage to send it. When they got the word that May received the raise, they all went out to celebrate. And like she said Nat was there for Peyton. She taught Peyton how to calm down from a panic attack and how to meditate to help steady herself before sleep. In turn Peyton thought that her and May helped Nat feel easier, more open. Her laughter came easier and she shared more about her life.

By the time dinner was done Peyton’s stomach was protruding with pasta. They started on the episode they left off of in Parks and Rec. Peyton could feel her eyes drooping closed and the TV sounds faded into the background.

A dense fog rose up from the floor, leaving tendrils of smoke caressing the dark concrete. Peyton groaned and sat up, staring at the unfamiliar door. The silver steel was tough, heavy duty, and goose bumps rose along her arms. She crossed them and rubbed her palms along the outer parts of her arms. Where was she? Light emanated from under the door and her spidey senses pinged. Peyton crawled toward it and tried to see underneath it. Something was in there but she couldn’t see. Her arms shook as she rose to her knees and pressed her hands to the door, like she would be able to permeate through.

A cry came form inside the room sending chills down her spin. She knew that voice. Peyton pulled herself up to her feet and pounded on the door. The cries grew louder, more animalistic, and they egged on her attempts to knock the door down. Her fists hurt from the impacts and small dents formed into the metal but it would not budge.

The cries crescendoed and the banging of her fists echoed together until they stopped and faded into silence. She leaned her head against the steel and let the cold sink into her skin. Peyton allowed her self to sob once and tempered the rest down. Her brows furrowed as mechanical sounds came from behind the door. She stepped away and the mist dispersed as it groaned open.

Peyton steeled her shoulders and walked into the room. The air was heavier and she couldn’t see anything. The doors closed behind her but she stared forward. Not willing to take her eyes off of whatever was in front of her. She could hear the sound of heavy breathing and two hearts beating. One was calm and steady while the other was palpitating, erratic. She coughed when the smoke engulfed her body and had no choice but to breath it in.

The temperature rapidly cooled down and her breath mingled with the mist surrounding her. Peyton walked further into the space and slowly the fog rose. She saw a pair of bare feet clenched against the cold tiles. They were marred with dirt and dark specks along the top. She didn’t recognize them. The fog continued to lift and black pants were revealed next.

She gasped when the round symbol shone through. Her hand trembled against her lips. Peyton would recognize that triangular symbol anywhere for the rest of her life. Her eyes continued up not heeding her own urges to stop, to save herself from the face that was waiting. Their eyes connected and Peyton held back her tears. They were wrinkled in pain and dull. His hair was matted around his face, which was sweaty and bruised. The smile that could always calm her was erased. Mr. Stark’s lips were cracked and his breathing was labored.

She moved forward to release him when a figure moved from out of the shadows. The rolled sleeves and balding head made her heart pound. She was frozen, trapped in her own invisible holdings.

“Hello, Peyton.” Her eyes were wide as she stared at the man looming over Mr. Stark. “I am sorry that we have to meet like this but you’re looking well. Better than Anthony here.” He moved his hands so that one clasped his shoulder making Mr. Stark hiss and the other came forward to caress his cheek. The action sent chills down her spine with its imitation kindness. Mr. Stark groaned and flinched back.

“Don’t touch him,” she whispered. Her voice echoed around the room and she wondered how large it was. The hand moved idly for a moment but lifted in surrender when she stepped forward. “What do you want?”

The man merely smiled and took out the remote from his pocket. Smiling he pressed the button and the sound tore through Mr. Stark and into her. She trembled and stepped forward.

“What do you want?” She said louder.

He continued to smile and laughed while pressing the button again. Mr. Stark’s hands clenched tighter and she could see the blood dripping down from his fingers. His cries became screams the longer it went on and the laugh echoing simultaneously. She tried to move forward but a barrier stopped her. Peyton pounded on it trying to break through but nothing worked. His back rose away from the back of the chair but the restraints kept him in place. Peyton couldn’t allow herself to stop and she continued to hit the wall. Her hands coming away bruised and bloody.


“Please, I’ll do anything. Just tell me what you want.” Her breath was in spurts and the man only smiled before stepping aside. Her eyes stayed trained on Mr. Stark. They took in the way his head fell to the front, like he couldn’t hold it up anymore. Spit and blood fell from his now unseen lips.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Stark. I’m so sorry.” He didn’t look up and she was forced to stare at the other man. He stopped further to the side and Peyton was sure if she had eaten she would have vomited.

The fog moved once more and the corner was illuminated. The bodies were horrifying enough, their lips twisted unnaturally. The grey tony of their skin glowed against the harsh lights but it was their faces that stabbed Peyton. Her friends, her family’s dead eyes stared up at her. The lights bounced off of their blank pupils. This time Peyton let her sobs project into the room like a disturbed battle cry. Her teeth ground together and her eyes couldn’t leave theirs.

“What do you want?” Her voice rasped and felt foreign to her ears.

“Nothing, my dear girl. Nothing at all.” He swung his fist around and hit Mr. Stark in the face. She was helpless and could only watch. She slumped against the invisible wall and sobbed.

“Peyton?” Her cries were getting harder, she couldn’t hear over the sound of fist hitting flesh.

She looked up but the barrier was black now. The room fluctuated around her, leaving her alone.

“Peyton?”

Not a dull, matte black but it was almost alive.

“Peyton, sweetheart.”

The blackness was deep, alive and it encompassed everything around her. She wanted to crawl into it. To become apart of it.

“Peyton!”

Her surrounding compressed, sucking her into a tight ball. It squeezed her until she couldn’t breath then they exploded out and bright light hit her eyes.

“What?”
She said weakly.

“Oh my gosh. She’s awake. May she’s awake.”

“Peyton? Sweet P? Are you okay?” She couldn’t see past the light but heard movements around her. Peyton flinched back into the soft material behind her. Hands touched her forehead and she clenched her eyes shut.

“It’s May, Peyton. It’s your aunt.”

“May?” Her aunt’s face was stricken with lines, with worry.

“Are you okay?” She couldn’t say anything, just shook her head until she gasped and rose up.

“May!” She lunged forward to grasp her hand. “You, are you okay? I saw. I saw!”

“Sweetie. You’re okay. I’m okay.”

“They had everyone and Mr. Stark. They have him. They have him!” Her aunt pursed her lips and looked over her shoulder, talking to someone.

“Peyton. I’m sure Tony is okay.”

“No, no, no, no!” Her hands came up to clench in her hair. Peyton knew what she saw. She could still feel the aching in her hands from pounding to get to him, could feel the empty feeling welling up inside her at being in the grey room again.

“Nat… should do?” Her mind was fuzzy but she knew that she had to find Mr. Stark. She tried to get up but her aunt pushed her back down. Why wouldn’t her aunt understand?

“I have to find him.” She whispered to herself.

The couch, she realized that was what she was laying on, was soft around her but offered no comfort. There was something wrong with her vision. It was thinner and fuzzy around the edges. She wanted to tell May but felt to weak to form the words so she kept her eyes closed. Tried to let the harsh breaths even out but her lungs also weren’t cooperating. Peyton heard voices around her but she couldn’t focus.

The couch dipped and the weight had her tipping forward slightly. A calloused hand wiped under her eyes making her face wet.

“Sweetheart?” She swam toward the voice, the one that should have been sore from screaming. The first thing she noticed was his face was clean. His eyes narrowed in concern but the warmth of his hands didn’t leave the sides of her face and she nestled into them afraid this was the dream.

“Mr. Stark?” She said weakly.

“I’m here, Peyton. “

“They… he had you. And I was so worried. I couldn’t get you out. I couldn’t save you!” She shuddered and he pulled her into his embrace. His scent wafted to her nose and she hurried it deeper into his chest needing to feel close to him.

“I’m so sorry Mr. Stark.”

“There is nothing, nothing at all to apologize for. I’m always here for you.”

She shuddered again and went limp against the strong arms around her. Some rational part of her mind realized it had been a dream, realized it was fantasy and this was real but her clenched fists in his shirt didn’t get the memo. They grasped at the material, keeping him close to her, making sure he wouldn’t disappear again. She spoke in a soft whisper, not sure if she wanted him to hear but needing to say it out loud.

“I couldn’t save anyone and then there was this blackness. For a moment it swallowed me whole and I, I never wanted to come out again. It was horrible but I was so scared to leave, to find everyone gone.” Her arms rubbed her back. It wasn’t the awkward way he used to comfort her back then. This was sure and real. Peyton realized she needed to tell him. To say it now while she had the chance.

“I love you, Mr. Stark.”

His hand froze for a second but not enough for Peyton to feel awkward. He squeezed her tighter and kissed her head. Peyton knew how he felt. He showed her through his actions and didn’t want him to say it out of some misplaced obligation. She was glad she spoke it out loud.  

Her eyes were heavy now but she tried to keep them open. Peyton could feel her eyelashes opening and closing against his shirt material. His presence calmed her and the remnants of the dream faded into the back of her mind. This time when blackness overcame her it was warm and peaceful. With Mr. Stark beside her, watching over her, she slept.

Thank you!!!

Chapter Twenty-five

#someone to care #spiderman #genderbend fanfiction #female peter parker #peyton parker #peter is female #iron dad and spiderson #marvel fanfiction #ao3 #writing #my writing #eliza writes #spiderman fanfiction

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