Tony barreled down the streets of New York, exceeding the speed limit by a considerable margin. As Tony Stark, he’d always gotten away with it. Ms. Potts, back at the tower, would be furious if he *did* get into trouble – she’d be the one fixing it. It was ironic, really, for an engineer to rely on a fixer. That was their dynamic, and it worked perfectly.
He braked sharply at a stop sign in a less-polished section of Queens. Before he could fully engage the brakes, a kid darted in front of his car. Tony braced for impact, but the kid didn’t fall. Instead, he *landed* on the trunk of the car, four-point contact perfect.
“That’s going to leave a dent,” Tony said, stopping the car in the middle of the near-empty street. He turned to see the kid crouched, startled, on the car’s rear.
“This car looks very expensive.”
“It is,” Tony narrowed his eyes as his sunglasses – connected to JARVIS – ran facial recognition. Sixteen-year-old Peter Parker had just pulled off a landing on a moving vehicle.
“I am so sorry!” Peter stood up and jumped off the car. Tony quickly stepped out, not letting the kid escape. “I can pay for the damage.”
Tony raised an eyebrow. “No, you can’t.”
“No, I can’t,” Peter sighed, looking at the car. “It doesn’t look dented.” Tony ran a hand over the sleek metal, dismissing the thought. What was this kid doing out here?
“Kid, where are you going?”
“Home. My aunt is making meatloaf,” Peter’s face lit up. “It’s not very good, but she’s trying.”
“Want a ride?”
“I couldn’t, Mister,” Peter tightened the straps on his backpack. “I only live a few miles away.”
“Eh,” Tony shrugged as JARVIS located the address. “Get in.” He didn’t wait for a response, already opening the passenger door.
As soon as Peter was settled, JARVIS’s voice cut through the silence. “To the boy’s residence, sir?”
“Oh my God, is that…God?” Peter’s voice was hushed with awe. Tony snorted with laughter.
“No, that’s JARVIS, my AI.”
“Hello, Mr. Parker,” JARVIS greeted the boy. Peter’s eyes widened with wonder as he looked at Tony. The sheer innocence and excitement gave Tony a strange feeling—a lightness he hadn’t felt in a while. He was surrounded by heroes who’d stared into the abyss, and it was exhausting. He wanted a party, and he wanted to *enjoy* it.
“Wait, is JARVIS, like, your friend?” Peter asked, almost breathless.
“Um,” Tony pressed down on the accelerator, turning right. “You could say that.” JARVIS emitted a small, almost imperceptible chime. Peter pursed his lips, fighting back a grin.
“I think you hurt his feelings.”
“I—” Tony frowned as his sunglasses displayed only directions. “Sorry, JARV.”
“Apology accepted, Mr. Stark.”
“Mr. Stark,” Tony opened his mouth to correct the kid but he was too fast. “Sorry again about your car. I can help pay for any damages! I just need a few days.” Peter trailed off, thinking about odd jobs he could take.
“Although I love people being in debt to me, you’re a kid.”
“I’m sixteen, I can drive.”
“Can you?” Tony looked at Peter, already knowing it was a lie.
“Technically, yes. Legally, no,” Peter sighed as they pulled up in front of his aunt’s apartment building. “Thank you, Mr. Stark.”
“Tell your aunt I say hi.”
“Maybe not,” Peter avoided eye-contact as he grabbed his backpack. Tony narrowed his eyes.
“What do you mean?”
“Bye!” Peter waved over his shoulder and practically bolted towards the building.
“What do you mean?!" Tony shouted, but the kid was already disappearing into the doorway.
“Bye!” Peter yelled back.
Well, that was…interesting. He’d request more one-shots if they proved this helpful when his creative well ran dry. Thanks.