Updating Tony
“You know, the usual kinds of things. There was a nice boy who got his cat stuck in a tree, I.. I helped him out.” Peter drew little circles on the ground, coating his old sneakers with grimy dirt and specks of clean grass. “Just stopping the bad guys, like we-” he choked, “Like I used to.”
Heart heavy, he absentmindedly chewed upon his lip, burying pearly whites into plush pink. “Aunt May, she’s doing well. We got a new apartment, still kinda small, but.. we’re not really struggling to make ends meet anymore. She’s working on her cooking, and Pepper, she’s planning on going into early retirement, says its best for Morgan.”
“They’re all doing good, I guess. Morgan, she’s a sweetheart.” His gaze fell, fingers twiddling with the cloth of his pants. Intertwining, he pulled at the fabric, a nervous habit he never once got over when speaking to Tony. “You really gave the world a precious girl.” Peter smiled, laughing through a deep gasp as sorrowful tears began to brim, filling his soft eyes. “She talks about following in mommy and daddy’s footsteps all the time, figure her name will be all over the industry when she grows up.”
“Rhodey visits all the time, too.” He swallowed. “Checks in periodically to make sure things are alright. And Happy, we’ve gotten a lot.. closer. He… He picks me up from school. I’m really- I’m, I’m looking forward to June. Graduation, walking the stage. I’m gonna get my advanced diploma!” He perks up only slightly, eyebrows quick to straighten back down when he realizes Tony won’t be there. “And.. and.” He huffs, taking in the various fixed flowers before him. “Nick contacted me, Fury. A real nice guy when you get past the mysterious aspect.” He continues.
“Happy says- well, he says I’m supposed to be the next Ironman.. but I don’t.. I don’t think I can do that.” Peter sniffles, a slow tear finding its way down his cheek. “Things have been hard without you.” His voice is soft spoken, words barely audible even to himself as he lowers his head in shameful tears. “They’re all doing fine, but.. but not me. I don’t see how everyone can move on.” He stands still, unmoving.
“Yes, I get it. Sometimes people die, but with you- I.. with you it’s, it’s different.” Suddenly a wave washes over him. “And I’ve already lost my parents, and I don’t have Ben anymore, and now you’re gone,” a sob rises in his lungs, barreling to the crook of his neck, aching to crawl past quivering lips. “And you’re not coming back.” He stutters sharply, picking out a harsh hiccup. “I think that’s what hurts the most.”
Silence follows as he stares blankly at Tony’s memorial. “It’s not me. The world needs the next ironman, but’s just not me because it’s always going to be you.”
“I don’t know.. I just. I miss you, Mr. Stark. Being a.. friendly.. neighborhood, spiderman is harder now.” And true as it may be, it was difficult, the most challenging thing confiding in putting on that red and blue designed suit and not collapsing into emotion. Tony meant everything and more to him.
“No one has forgotten you, at least not yet. I don’t think anyone ever will. There’s something sweet about the momentos and tributes. We all love you, Mr. Stark.” He wipes his face somewhat clean. “Thank you for, for everything.. everything you’ve done and will continue to do.” Steadily, he lifts his head. “Anyways, I just thought I’d update you on everything. I’m sorry.. I miss you, Mr. Stark-
I really do.”