[for Tony]

[daretodo]

Five years.

I've been on Tabula Rasa for five years as of today. I've had my powers -- my powers, not some watered-down version of someone else's -- back for the past two weeks. I like to think the Island's trying to get on my sweet side after years of misery, but for all I know, there's something even worse right around the corner.

It's scary to think of all that's changed in the time I've been here, of all the people I've lost. Wolverine up and vanished just the other day, meaning I'm the last man standing of the motley crew of folks I arrived with. It's a sobering thought.

My first inclination isn't to get drunk, but the more I think on it, the more I realize I should make some concession out of -- What? Respect? For Logan.

Thing is, I don't really want to go alone and my options for drinking buddies -- there's a laugh riot -- has recently decreased by one. Tony's maybe not the greatest choice for something like this, but I'm not sure where else to go. After I'm done with zombie disposal, I swing by his place, hesitating once I reach the door.

"...ah, to heck with it."

I knock.

Comments

[daretodo]

"You sure about that?"

I swing us up higher, taking a quick detour when my spider-sense starts to tingle. I really don't want an audience.

"Pretty sure a few of 'em might thank me."

[notawastedlife]

"Why would- don't be ridiculous. Lynch mob organized against Peter Parker. It wouldn't take much, I've seen your press," Tony said, eyeing the ground, which seemed further away. Which he could handle, except he had no way of handling it, he was entirely in someone else's hands with this.

[daretodo]

"I can still drop you, you know," I point out.

Not that I would. I mean, maybe, but not without a web underneath him. I'm not a monster.

"Winchester or Hub?"

[notawastedlife]

"You'd swing across the entire- you'd swing across the entire island," Tony said, asking and answering his own question. "Hub. Don't mind the scenic tour, but still, Hub."

[daretodo]

"Ah, c'mon, you're having fun," I say, because I sure as heck am. For a long time, being Spider-Man was about the only good thing in my life. Sure, half the city thought I was some kind of murderer, but at least I could square off a couple hours of each day where I wouldn't have to be worrying about how I was going to make rent.

I swing us back around, getting closer to the ground before I make a smooth and practiced landing just off the path. I set Tony down and brush a leaf off his shoulder.

"See? Safe and sound."