[for Tony]

[daretodo]

I play my encounter with Selina cool until I can get Martha home, washed, fed and watered. But the thing is, it nags at me. It's not the sort of news a guy sits on, if only because...

Well, let's face it: there's not a lot of news around these parts that isn't depressing.

But this is better than good news. It's interesting news, and the only ears around to listen are Martha's, and she passes out in her doggy bed shortly after she's slobbered all over the kitchen.

So I do the only thing that makes any sense, which is tuck the dog in for the night, lock up, and follow the sound of classic rock blaring through the jungle to find Tony Stark.

I'm all nervous energy by the time I get to the Scrapyard, barking at Jarvis, "Turn down that noise, wouldja?" before I head straight to Tony and clap my hands to his shoulders, looking him right in the eye.

"You will not believe who I just met."

Comments

[daretodo]

"You're in the clear," I say, waving off his concern. I think he's overestimating his security services -- I got past it, and while I've definitely picked up a few of Felicia's tricks, breaking and entering isn't a specialty, no matter what the Bugle publishes.

"You didn't mention the armor to her?"

I tap my chest. "Or what runs it?"

[notawastedlife]

"Mention... the armor?" Tony said. What, like he did that all the time? Just blurted it out on the slightest provocation?

"I didn't mention the armor. More than once. Or twice. But no specifics. Well. Mostly no... some specifics."

[daretodo]

I stare at him blankly. I'm not even surprised.

"You're impossible," I tell him, throwing up my hands. "Remind me to wave at her when she flies off with your armor."

[notawastedlife]

"You'll be waving without your web-squirters," he said, "I told her about you, too."

He kept a straight face, although this was in fact a complete fabrication intended entirely to mess with Pete.

[daretodo]

I suck in a sharp breath. Then I realize, "No, you didn't."

He didn't, right?

No.

He couldn't have. And I'll tell you why he couldn't have.

"No way you would've taken the focus off yourself for that long."

[notawastedlife]

Spoilsport.

"And also because I value your- I'm not talking about some other guy in the moment, I don't know why you say it like it's unreasonable," Tony said.

[daretodo]

"Aw, you value my privacy?"

Commence feeling like a jerk in three, two, one.

"That's sweet of you, pal."

[notawastedlife]

"Absurd need not to take your due credit, yes, it really is," Tony said, overlapping Peter, nodding along.

[daretodo]

I laugh a little, short and sweet, rolling my eyes.

"Thanks," I add.

"Knew I was friends with you for a reason."