[for Pepper]

[daretodo]

It's been a long couple of days. I probably should've tried to sleep, but I couldn't. No surprises, there, I guess. Really, the biggest -- and only -- surprise is that I'm still invited to stay under this roof. After all the dumb things I've pulled in the last 48 hours, I thought Tony would've been glad to get rid of me...

But he wasn't. And I don't really know what to make of that, except that maybe he wants to keep an eye on me. Or maybe he really isn't angry, but I find that hard to believe. Once the rush of having been to another dimension wears off, I doubt he'll be so affable.

Either way, though, I'm alone, now, sitting at the dining room table with nothing save a cold cup of coffee for company. The sun's come up in the time I've been sitting here, but I can't bring myself to go to bed, It's a Sunday -- I don't even classes to rush off to. There's no reason to stay awake except to keep away from the nightmares I'm sure are waiting for me if I dare close my eyes.

I should shower, at least. Make myself look a little more presentable before Pepper wakes up, but when I catch movement in the corner of my eye, I realize it's too late. My fingers curl around the mug, as though to steel myself for the inevitable lecture.

"...hi."

Comments

[wildlyconflicted]

That probably went without saying, but the emphasis carries its own weight. Pepper sighs and rubs against the bridge of her nose. Continuing to be angry is a little difficult when, were she in Peter's place, she can't claim she'd do things any differently.

"Do you think it was a trick?"

[daretodo]

"What, the Big Bad Smoke Wolf that looked like my wife?" I ask, casting a weary glance Pepper's way before I let my gaze drop back down to the table.

"Nah, that's just my life."

[wildlyconflicted]

Were there something comforting to say, Pepper would gladly say it. There's no balm, though, against a loss like this; time's the only thing for it, and apparently even that isn't a guarantee. That little sliver of crushed hope was surely enough to make the wound feel fresh again.

"Just…do something for me, please," she begins instead. "I know that you probably felt you had to act quickly, but if something like this happens again, please just get a second opinion before you go doing anything rash. Because what you saw on that video might not have been real, but Tony and I are, and we care about you, Peter."

[daretodo]

My second opinion would've been Tony, who couldn't even muster up enough anger to overwhelm his enthusiasm for going to another world for longer than a minute. I don't point this out. Call it crazy person solidarity or trying to spare Pepper more stress induced by yours truly.

I don't look away this time, turning to face more fully as she talks, trying to believe her words. I know they care, even if Pepper's the only one who tends to vocalize as much. Jessica's the closest thing I have to a blood relative (I think -- I've never actually looked at her blood to see if there are any underlying similarities), but Tony and Pepper are undoubtedly the closest I have to family.

"I know," I murmur, palming my chin, lips pressed against my fingertips. "I do."