Peter rubbed hood awkwardly, not knowing what say.
"Alright, go back. Not place to talk." Jumped off flying sword. Automatically shrank, slipped onto finger.
Grabbed Peter and Ned. Apparition.
Tony stared helplessly at empty rooftop. "Fine. Deserve this. But can really blame me?"
"Sir, suggest return quickly." JARVIS reminded quietly. "Miss Gemini already begun examining Peter."
"Shut up, JARVIS! Talk too much!" Rolled eyes, bickering. Ever since gained emotions, gotten more brazen. Don't think didn't know about those gifts Wanda receiving!
Returned Guardian base. Glow around Peter just faded. Frowned deeply.
Peter sat optimistically. "It's okay, Gemini. Think pretty good now. Just can't use magic. Can still use tools. Not much difference. Plus strong now! Can protect you!"
Snorted. "Little brat who hasn't graduated wants protect me? Focus on studies!"
"How is it? Consulted many healers. All said no solution." Tony interjected.
Brow furrowed again. "Very difficult. In magical terms, magic suppressed by spider nature in body. That's why can't use magic. But spider nature too tightly integrated. Almost irreversible. If forcibly remove, Peter might become Squib—no magic, no special abilities."
"I refuse! Don't want that!" Peter jumped to ceiling in fright, clinging there. Stared in terror, afraid she'd hit with spell.
"Get down! Look at yourself! Are you monkey?! Not fully evolved?! Where manners?!" Said angrily.
Peter sheepishly climbed down, sat with lowered eyes, not daring speak.
"In this situation, either increase Peter's magical nature—replace bloodline, remove Muggle bloodline. Should restore magic. But that's Dark Magic. Last person did that turned into noseless bald freak." Said flatly.
Peter shook head frantically, looking to Tony for help. Satisfied with nose and hair. Didn't want lose them!
Tony waved, signaling stay calm. "Other option?"
Looked at Peter with ill intent. "Other option—add something to spider nature. No matter how mutated, spider never left ordinary creature range. Could try adding magical creature factors. Then magic and genes balance. Both characteristics preserved."
Tony looked at smile, gave Peter sympathetic expression. "Downside?"
"Downside? Only known magical spider creatures are Acromantulas in Hogwarts Forbidden Forest." Showed kind smile. "Only question—how ensure Peter absorbs Acromantula's magical factors without getting poisoned to death."
Peter's face went ashen. Spider-sense kept warning—serious!
Tony coughed twice. "Well, think should wait? After all, not adult yet. Body hasn't reached peak. Why not let study regular school first? When technology matures, try then?"
Peter looked gratefully. Depression about not using magic instantly transformed into gratitude for living. Compared to living, what did not casting magic matter? Besides, not normal person now. Even if wizards wanted hit, would be hard. Thinking this way, felt much relaxed.
"I know. Not going experiment on him. What worried about?!" Looked irritably. "Where staying?"
Tony quickly answered. "Coby's been at shop whole time. House well-maintained. Course can go home!"
Smiled, raised head proudly. "Coby! Take me home!"
"Yes, Miss!" Coby's choked voice responded. Next moment, vanished.
Peter completely relaxed. Spider-sense warning finally stopped. Collapsed in chair, staring at ceiling with expression of surviving disaster.
"You okay, brother?" Ned carefully patted arm.
Peter smiled broadly. "Fine! Dodged bullet! By way, why didn't speak up for me?!"
Ned spread hands innocently. "Even Tony didn't dare say much. What could say?! Wouldn't just be delivering myself?!"
Tony rubbed temples. Teenage boys so noisy. Definitely wanted daughter in future!
"Alright, boys. Can go home, talk. Peter, must warn—behave lately. Don't let Gemini catch you. Otherwise might see you on experiment table!" Clapped hands, stopping roughhousing. "Now go home. Getting late. Remember tell May and Ben that Gemini's back. Can visit."
Two left obediently, playfully pushing each other as left Guardian base.
"Sir, Ned took Peter away on flying sword." JARVIS's voice sounded.
Tony nodded understanding. "Sigh, hard life. Check on Gemini at shop."
Back familiar place, lightly brushed fingers over items reception room. Everything gleamed clean, as if never left. Usual spot on balcony sat perfectly in warm sunlight. Tea emitted wisps steam at customary position. Sweet fragrance filled nose. Sighed contentedly. Home most comfortable!
Barely sat down when Tony arrived. Sat on balcony drinking tea. "They went home?"
"Yes. Really scared Peter today. Never thought had mad scientist side? Looking like wanted put Peter on experiment table right then." Tony teased.
Casually picked osmanthus cake. "If suddenly lost ability cast magic—had magic power but couldn't use—what would do?"
"Oh no, don't. Too terrible!" Tony shuddered, refusing imagine. Then suddenly understood.
"I see. No matter how cheerful kid acts, how could get over losing magic so quickly? Was negligent." Tony apologized.
Waved hand. "Not your fault. Peter really seemed like didn't care."
"So method mentioned—viable?" Tony suddenly thought. "Or just made up scare him?"
Rolled eyes. "Am I that unreliable? Course real. But danger level also real. For now, let Peter be spider-boy."
Tony shrugged. "Alright, watch them. Don't worry."
"Speaking of which." Suddenly looked with interest. "Still haven't proposed to Pepper?"
Tony immediately changed subject. "Oh well, still early. Weren't back yet! Was worried!"
Snorted coldly. "Coward."
Tony got anxious. "How can falsely accuse? Who's coward?! Got ring ready!"
Pulled box from pocket containing diamond ring.
"Made this myself! Even mined diamond myself! Just thought this kind thing should happen when all friends present!" Said righteously.
Blinked curiously. "Really? Didn't see coming. Quite thoughtful."
Tony laughed proudly, head raised. "Course! Who am I? Iron Man!"
Showed sweet smile. "So now can propose."
Tony looked blankly. Smiled sweetly, pointed behind.
Tony turned like rusty robot, creaking.
Pepper stood not far behind. Behind Pepper, group cheering.
Who else but Guardians?!
Tony stammered at Pepper, unable form complete sentence. Finally quietly muttered Levitation Charm. Ring box floated between them.
Only then suddenly made up mind. Took out ring, knelt before Pepper crying with emotion.
Cheers at door grew louder. Pepper excitedly extended hand, letting put on.
Waved wand forcefully. Large roses, falling petals began dropping from ceiling. Fireworks sounded outside window.
Tony looked at scene, couldn't help hug Pepper tightly, smiling.
"JARVIS! Remember pay! Haven't had business in ages!" Said refreshingly.
Tony shocked. "What?!"
Turned out shortly after got home, received tip from JARVIS. Ring in Tony's pocket couldn't hide. Seeing creator at 40 still without wife while preparing get body and date, JARVIS worried sick.
Received tip, immediately gathered nearby friends. Everyone coaxed, tricked Pepper into coming at agreed time.
Hearing commotion downstairs, suddenly changed topic.
"Miss Gemini, payment deposited into account. Please check." JARVIS's voice carried smile.
Tony looked shocked. "Planned together?! Scammed me!"
Sneered. "Scammed you, gave wife? Be grateful! On your own? If Pepper didn't have good personality, would have no wife!"
Pepper smiled broadly at praise, looking tenderly. Whatever objections Tony had, could only swallow at time like this.
JARVIS couldn't stay! Better hurry get body, kick out! Tony silently made decision.
Also happy seeing companions gathered. Immediately ordered Coby prepare banquet. Fortunately, Coby anticipated. Banquet perfectly prepared.
After dinner, looked around, feeling something missing.
Tony asked curiously. "What looking for?"
Blinked. "Where's Steve?"
Tony immediately choked. "Uh, well, go help Coby clean!" Turned, left.
Pepper laughed. "Steve's in Wakanda."
Looked confused. "What doing there?"
"Because of Sergeant Barnes. Through good behavior, mission accomplishments, released beginning year. Tony said doesn't like Barnes—seeing annoying. Refused let join Guardians. Steve had no choice. Wakanda wanted Guardian presence. After all, stuff attracts attention. So Steve took Barnes there." Pepper explained. "Though Tony says doesn't like, still custom-made arm for Barnes. Used Guardian-allocated vibranium."
Looked kindly at Tony fighting Coby for plates. "Such tsundere."
Pepper stood with her. "Tell me about it."
"By way, when's wedding?" Asked casually.
Pepper smiled at Tony. "No rush. Him proposing already gave huge surprise. Better not push too hard."
Shrugged. What else say? Tony so lucky have such good woman willing spoil him.
Next afternoon, entire Parker family came. May wanted come morning, but Peter still had class. Could only come together after school. Though Peter genius student, been away Muggle world quite while. Had relearn most knowledge. So unless necessary, Peter rarely skipped class.
After discussing with Parkers, both now had own shops. Also said planned restrict All-Purpose Shop. After all, magical town at Greylock opened. Shop's existence here awkward. Better make urban legend.
That way, only Coby needed stay—like beginning. Parkers could focus own careers.
After settling Parkers' matters, let leave first. Turned scrutinize Peter. That gaze made squirm uncomfortably.
"Really want know—what's with aesthetic?" Complained.
Peter's face flushed. "Think it's great! Spandex easy move! Red is Tony's color! Blue is Steve's color! That spider represents me! What's wrong?!"
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