tushanshu | [Audio]

[It's been a day or so since Peter got set up in his suite. He's not entirely sure. He'd been exposed to total information overload when he first showed up, and he needed the time to sit and let it all process. Not that doing so allowed anything to really make sense. But still. And of course with the way his body had refused to cooperate with even the simple task of listening to someone, he'd been in desperate need of some actual rest. But when he next woke up and really felt aware of his situation, only one thought really resounded.

They told him that this was an "In-Between." But Peter wasn't fooled.

Eventually he pulls himself out of bed (with a wince) and makes his way over to the console in his suite. It doesn't take long for Peter to figure out how it works, and as soon as he's got it running, he's turning on the audio feed. He's sure he's still looking pretty beaten up and he doesn't want to alarm anyone, after all. This doesn't feel like a good time for sympathy from total strangers. And "In-Between" or no, keeping his identity a secret was second nature. When he speaks, he's trying to be slow and careful about what he says-- and at the same time, there's a nervousness in his voice along with that slight strain caused by his injuries.]

Um... Hi, everyone. I, uh-- Not to sound ungrateful to the- the people who brought me over here and explained everything, but. Uh. Just wondering if there's somewhere I can go for, y'know, fresh clothes. And.. And maybe some clean bandages...? Or ice packs... Y'know, just-- any stuff like that, that would actually be awesome to get...

[There's a brief pause, during which he can probably be heard fidgeting awkwardly.]

And I... I get that I'm-- we're all stuck here. For like, forever. But-- [He stops again, breath catching. Somebody just level with me. Seriously. Just admit that this is-- some kind of after life and that's why we can't leave.] ... Never mind.

Clean clothes would really help me out a lot, thanks.

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[He's so young and impressionable. It's probably a bad idea to let him hang out with Tony. But it's too late now.]

You must not have made a big impression.

[Just kidding. Tony grins and puts his hand on top of Peter's head, letting him know (hopefully) that he's just teasing him.]

Well, now it's an option. I think I'm qualified to fill in until you meet up with him again.

[He gives a sheepish sort of smile at that, working on the assumption that Tony's joking. He specifically remembers his Tony being pretty pleased with him. And it's not like this Tony knew what happened.

The hand on his head is reassuring, even as Peter raises his own hand to half-heartedly bat Tony away.]

Not gonna lie, I'm glad it's an option. And uh, I feel like you'd be way better at it than, uh, Other You.

[Tony has no idea what went on in Peter's world other than some vague mentions of people and strange trivia (President Cap being a sample of that), but he does like Spider-Man most of the time, and he certainly likes Peter, so this meeting seems perfectly fine to him. Plus, with this Peter being younger, he kind of has a responsibility for keeping an eye on him.]

Well, I'm clearer the better me. You can let your me know that when you talk to him again. And we'll get you some practice in the meantime. You can surprise him.

[He chases an errant thought suddenly.]

How do you feel about nanotech?

[His smile wanes ever so slightly, but he quickly shakes it off.] Yeah. Yeah, I'll do that.

[And then that feels like it comes way out of left-field. Nano-tech?] Uh… I've only ever read papers on it, and stuff on the news about the Ultimates and your company. Or, uh-- Other you. But it's-- I think it's really cool, the stuff that can be done with it.

[Tony's expression freezes for a bit. It's not tense, but for a moment it is delayed, like he has to push forward more effort to show expression.

They aren't going to get anywhere with all this "your Stark, my Stark" business. He was having enough trouble with the other Avengers as it was.]

How about we stick with "him" and "you", okay? It's not actually like we're the same guy.

[His smile brightens now that he got that out of the way.]

You've already seen a little example of it. I think it would suit you. Literally, but I won't push if you don't like the idea.

[Maybe. He lets the clothes he's wearing melt into the armor form, this time completely. Tony doesn't really have qualms about showing off since Peter seems to be enjoying the show.]

It might come in handy, though.

[Peter freezes suddenly, stunned, eyes wide. He's floating somewhere between completely utterly shocked, paranoid, and ecstatic.]

Wait… Are you-- You want to make me a suit… out of nano tech?

Why not?

[He looks completely calm, almost curious at Peter's reaction. It's as if he just expects Peter to be perfectly fine with what he just said. After all, he knows a Tony Stark, so this shouldn't be surprising to him. In Tony's opinion, of course.]

You don't trust me?

Nonono, it's not that. I totally trust you. It's just… You really don't have to do that. For me, of all people. I mean-- We practically only just met.

I know I don't have to. It's not about whether I have to or not.

[He gives Pete a look that says this is completely obvious.]

It'll be fun.

[Peter's... really pretty floored by the offer. So he immediately finds a place to sit down.]

Wow... I- Do you have the equipment you'd need to do something like that here?

You do know who you're talking to, right?

[Tony's arrogance makes its way through on that one. Can he do it? Of course he can!]

[He has no words to express how cool this is. He's not used to accepting gifts for no reason - it's just not the way he does things. But from Tony Stark?]

I... Wow. Seriously, just- Wow.

Have I mentioned that you're super awesome cool?

Well, that's always nice to hear. I know, but it's better to hear it from someone else.

[He's clearly enjoying the chance to be smug as much as he is the opportunity to do something technical again. Part of it is Tony's selfish desire to be on good terms with Peter, even if they aren't from the same universe, and part of it is pride, but he's still happy to see the young man excited about it.]

It'll take a little while, but shouldn't be too long. I'll have to do some tests.

[That makes him smile. It's kind of nice to know that Tony's extreme self confidence is the same across the multiverse.]

[Both eyebrows arch upward at his next comment, surprised and curious all at once.] Tests? What kind of tests?

[The smile is good. That's encouraging. It means that this Peter is on board, and that's something that Tony likes to see.

It hasn't been all that long, but he still missed it.]

Tests. [He rolls straight into the answer.] I'll have to make sure the nanites are aligned properly with your brainwaves. Otherwise we'll have problems on our hands.

[Oh. Well, that makes sense. Who's Peter to argue with him on that?]

Right. Sure.

Does it make sense that I'm both totally excited and completely freaking out about this...? All in good ways. I'm just saying it so that you don't- Seriously, don't freak if I throw up or something.

Just don't throw up on me and we'll be fine.

[Tony grins, not hiding the fact he's enjoying this now. He lets the suit return to its armor form, gearing up with everything but the helmet.]

You can do anything if you have enough skill, right? This'll keep me busy for a while.

[The minute the suit starts forming on him, Peter's attention is locked on it. His eyes are wide as he essentially studies how the whole thing comes together and simultaneously admires the genius of the whole thing.

He's so fixated on it, in fact, that he kind of misses what Tony just said.]

...Sorry, what?

[He enjoys the moment. It's rare that Tony really feels all that special. After all, he's already a genius. The bar is set pretty high and topping it tends to be a fleeting victory at best. He's good. Everyone knows he's good. It's not that impressive.

So he soaks in the awe a little bit.]

Don't worry about it, Pete. Peter. This isn't quite the same thing, but I did say I'd take you flying.

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