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glacecakes · 4 years

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Alchemy Lullaby (13/?)

Of all the changes that came with living in the castle, becoming a father was not one he anticipated. When Eugene encounters a small child suffering like he did, he gives them the opportunity to grow up the way he never did… helping them both heal. (AU where Varian is 4 and gets adopted by Eugene)

Where was Varian last chapter? And the fallout of last chapter, while we're at it. Varian gets babysat, The trio learns the truth about Varian's powers.

Read the rest on AO3

uh oh final stretch time! Big thanks to @space--butterflies for beta reading ilu <3 Uhhh this chapter is kinda all over but then again so am I! Mentally. So whatever. Leave a comment if you have any thoughts or wanna scream at me! Thanks again for everyone's support!

Frederick shifted awkwardly, trying not to make eye contact. At his side, Arianna tried desperately to hold in her laughter but failed. At least one of them was excited about today.

He supposed he should’ve seen it coming, what with Rapunzel running off to Old Corona. Quirin assured him he’d spoken to some guards who were willing to help him, but neither of them had predicted Eugene and Cassandra to join her. Though they really should have. The point is that his daughter dropped Varian off in the throne room, asked her parents to babysit, and vanished before they could protest.

So. Here they are. Varian sat on Arianna’s lap while they worked. For the most part, he was well behaved, watching as Frederick saw citizens and made decrees. He was also only half awake at the time, however, and now that he was waking up he began to grow restless.

“What’s he doing?” Varian whispered to Arianna, curiosity filling his eyes. She couldn’t help but melt at those puppy dog eyes. Frederick… not so much. He didn’t hate Varian, rather he hated what he stood for. Rapunzel grew up without them, and now she was a young adult. Not just that, but a mother figure to the little boy. It felt so strange, to go from childless to mother to grandmother in under a year, but Arianna was going to spoil Varian the way Rapunzel never was.

“Right now he’s signing an order,” she said. “It’s our job to make the laws and ensure they’re being executed fairly.”

“What’s a law?”

Frederick hummed from where he was reading over a paper. “It’s what’s right and wrong, we make an… announcement. The law keeps you safe and those that break the law go to jail.”

“So wait…” Varian squirmed down out of Arianna’s arms and stood in front of Frederick’s throne. The king peered down at him from over his parchment. “You decide what’s right and wrong? No one else?”

Frederick furrowed his brow at the statement. Of course a street child would be uneasy about lawmaking. He likely had to dodge guards when stealing to survive, and lord knows what his parents were up to before Eugene found him.

“Well…” Frederick’s face flushed with anxiety. How do you explain the intricacies of being a ruler? Suddenly, an idea sprung to life. He could tell it showed on his face, and bless his wife, she knew exactly what he was thinking.

He glanced down at Varian before he could see her make an abort signal by cutting her hand across her neck.

The King lifted Varian up from the ground and swapped places with him so that Varian was sitting on the throne. “Why don’t you try? Be king for a moment!”

The throne was plush, even softer than Varian’s bed or even Ruddiger’s fur, and he ran his fingers across the seat in wonder. He repositioned himself so he was seated how Frederick always sat: one hand on each armrest, his feet dangling down.

The court watched with bated breath, curious as to what Varian would do. Perhaps he could prove himself a natural born leader…?

Varian briefly hesitated. “I can make… any rule…?”

Sensing a foreboding aura, Frederick was quick to backtrack. He held up a finger. “Well, in theory yes, but a good King doesn’t make any law without advice.”

The child’s shy smile morphed into a nigh maniacal grin. His eyes were a fire, and Frederick a match. He pulled out his stuffed raccoon who he’d affectionately named Stuffed Ruddiger, or Stuffy. “Stuffy will be my… advice person!”

“Counsel,” Arianna supplied.

“Yes, thank you, my queen!” She hid a giggle behind her hand at the sight of her husband’s bewildered expression.

“Now, for my first law!” He stood up on the throne. The guards stationed by the door stood at rapt attention; this was the most interesting thing to happen on duty all week. “Stuffy, what do you think?” He pressed the plush up to his ear, nuzzling into its soft fabric. It smelled faintly of detergent and Rapunzel’s shampoo. “Mhm. Mhm.” Frederick watches as Varian’s eyes hunger for chaos, starving for power. This child truly was Eugene’s kid with his penchant for chaos, mixed with Rapunzel’s determination, and a terrifyingly unique intellect. Lord help anyone who betrays or angers him. if Varian ever decided to try and conquer Corona when he was older, Frederick had no doubt he would succeed.

“I hereby decree… I have no bedtime! And I can sleep in as late as I want!”

“Absolutely not, young man. You need a schedule.” Frederick insisted.

“You’re not my dad!” Varian huffed.

“Maybe not, but I am King, and what I say goes.”

“Uh, dear,” Arianna butt in, an amused smile on her face. “I do believe you said Varian was king at the moment.” His face turned to that of horror.

“Yea!” Varian pointed a stubby finger at the man. “You’re under arrest for impersonating the king!”

He sputtered. “How do you know that that’s a law!?”

“Eugene told me all the laws he broke to get me to sleep once.” Yea, that sounded about right. What wasn’t right was that the guards actually took Frederick by the arms.

“Um, what are you doing?” He asked. One of the guards in question… Sam, was it? Didn’t look guilty in the slightest.

“Arresting you at the order of the king, your majesty.” He smiled pleasantly, and Arianna choked on her wheezing breath.

“Are you serious!?” Frederick cried. He didn’t fight back, he knew the men were trained well beyond his ability to fight back. “Varian, I will be telling your father about this!” He cried as he was led out.

Varian gasped in horror. Oh no, would Eugene be mad about it!? Actually, when he thought about it, probably not. Frederick seemed to be the only one upset in this scenario, everyone else was amused.

He glanced over at Arianna. “Now what?”

Arianna hummed. “Why don’t you go find the Captain, sweetie? I gotta fill in for Mr. Imposter now.”

The Captain fidgeted, unused to the weight in his arms. It had been a long while since his own child was this small, after all.

Not that the Captain particularly minded! He’d watched from afar as Eugene rapidly matured from ex-thief to devoted lover and father, so he was willing to babysit just this once. Plus Varian was just the cutest little boy.

“What’s that?” he asked, pointing to where the guards were training.

“What? The wall?” The Captain responded.

“No, that,” Varian pointed to an innocent-looking chalkboard. It was covered in doodles from Eugene and his friend Lance, who was off doing god-knows-what today.

“That’s what your dad teaches. How to catch criminals.”

Varian frowned, confused. “Why?” His dad seemed good at it, considering he caught Varian way back when, and Varian liked to think he’d been a good thief! Well, as good as any 4-year-old could be.

The Captain stared back blankly. Did… did Varian not know what his dad was? Or rather, once was? He cleared his throat. “Well… to catch a thief, you have to think like a thief. And your dad is… good at thinking like a thief! So he pretends to be one, and it’s our job to catch him.” Varian listened with rapt attention, eyes full of wonder. He missed when Cassandra looked at him like that. Then, Varian gasped, as if overcome with a wonderful idea.

“Can I try?” He asked, bouncing in the man’s arms. Surely if Eugene could do it, so could he! Plus, he used to be a thief! Surely that means he thinks like a thief, right? Maybe then he could be like him one day!

The Captain laughed incredulously. “You wanna be the thief?” He got a rapid head nod in response. Well, surely it wouldn’t hurt. His men would have to be delicate, careful not to hurt him… a good dexterity challenge… Eugene wouldn’t mind, would he? Probably not, the man got a big kick out of Varian’s antics. On more than one occasion he’d caught Eugene laughing while Nigel chased Varian around.

“The game is simple… Varian here will be holding onto this cookie jar,” The captain handed over a small porcelain jar. It didn’t have many cookies inside, he didn’t want a sick kid on his hands. “Your job is to catch him before he eats them all.” The guards shifted awkwardly. It was one thing when it was Eugene and Lance, but another when it was the castle’s resident child.

The first few days after Varian came home were… honestly the best gossip palace staff had had in years. The King had flipped out! The princess just came home, now she’s a mother! Flynn Rider stole a child!

Eugene had brought him home just a day or two after he started teaching, so Captain at first thought he was slacking when he stopped showing. Plus Varian had still been spooked by guards, so they’d avoided most of the staff in general. It all culminated when the Captain barged in on Eugene putting Varian to bed. Poor thing had gotten so spooked he burst into tears. Ever since then, the Captain had made it his mission to befriend Varian.

Suffice to say, he was much more successful than the King.

The Captain called out “Ready?” to his men, who all reluctantly shifted into position. The little boy gripped on tight to the jar; he didn’t want to drop it! Then all the cookies would be ruined, and so would the game!

“Go!” Like a shot from a cannon, a group of soldiers all charged at Varian, who let out a squeak and took off towards the palace. He’d only been on the street for a few months, but he knew how to sneak food as he ran. That way, there wouldn’t be any evidence of his thievery. He brushed past amused maids who the guards couldn’t maneuver so easily around. There was a telltale sound of cursing and a thunk; someone had just run into a wall.

Varian pulled out the first of his prizes. This was gonna be so easy!

The guards may have been bigger than him, but Varian was fast, and a damn good listener. He’d spent hours listening through Corona’s capital for his momma’s voice, trying to discern who was coming towards his alley hideout. And while he’d never gotten in trouble with the guards, what with being a toddler, he’d seen thieves get arrested dozens of times. He knew what to do purely by osmosis.

A few guards closed in on him, one on each side, and for a brief moment, Varian thought he was done for.

Golden hair trailing down a tower.

Black rocks shooting through support beams.

A splitting headache reared its ugly head, hammering a knife into his skull. Varian dropped the jar with a shriek, covering his head as he begged for something, anything to end the pain! The guards winced as well, and were quick to pick him up and hold him. He whimpered as the pain shot through his head.

Then, just as sudden as it appeared, it was gone.

He blinked once, twice. And then leapt out of the guard’s arms. He grabbed his jar and kept moving.

“Wha- the little monster tricked me!” He could hear the guard cry out while his partner laughed.

Tiny feet slowed down a bit, listening for heavy footsteps. Sure enough, clanking grew closer and closer. Varian munched on another cookie, waiting, waiting, waiting…

He zoomed forward just as a guard pounced. He groaned in pain. This exercise was supposed to be about subtle, careful movements, not hurting anyone. Well, not hurting Varian. The guards were getting hurt fine. At least Varian seemed entertained, giggling at the guard sprawled on the floor.

“You got me good, kid, just like your dad.” Varian seemed to brighten at that, offering the man on the floor a cookie which he accepted with dignity.

Varian showed off his signature buck toothed grin. “Good, cuz I wanna stay with him forever and learn how to be just like him!”

“Oh yea?” A voice said from behind him, and Varian whirled around to find himself face to face with the Captain. He reached for Varian’s middle, prompting a shriek of delight. Oh, he was good! Varian was so focused on talking to the nice floor man he didn’t even hear him!

The little child dodged at the last moment, running through the Captain’s legs. He could hear the man laugh raucously at his daring nature as he fled.

He ran and ran, through halls and down corridors, until he began to hear footsteps and voices again. But these weren’t just any voices!

Completely forgetting the game, Varian raced over to the doorway from which the voices came from, and sure enough, Quirin, Cassandra, Eugene, and Rapunzel were standing together, arguing.

“I cannot believe you!” Rapunzel hissed, pacing around the room. Quirin looked resolute, a grim determination stretched across his face.

He regretted nothing. At first he’d been unsure, unwilling to go along with Frederick’s plans and turn Rapunzel around, but then Ulla had dropped that bombshell, and he couldn’t sit idly by any longer. Not when a solution was finally within reach, one that would satisfy both halves of his warring mind.

“Forgive me Princess, I was just doing what your father asked.”

“What, he asked you to lie?” Cassandra crossed her arms.

Quirin frowned. “Well, not exactly. It is true that we are doing something about the rocks, just… something that isn’t finished yet.”

“So, what is it?” Eugene pressed. “And what does it have to do with that scroll? You know, the one we almost died to get?”

Carefully, Quirin unrolled the parchment. It was split down the middle, but covered in magnificent runes and art. The sun and moon sat up top, dripping onto a flower and castle, respectfully.

Eugene rolled his eyes. “Wow. All that for a doodle and some gibberish.”

“Not gibberish.” Quirin chided. He understood Eugene was impatient and wanted to protect his son (no, not Eugene’s son, Quirin’s son), but that attitude was uncalled for. “Incantations. Ancient knowledge about the sundrop and moondrop.”

“Incantations...?” Rapunzel breathed. Her fingers brushed over the flower drawing. “What kind?”

“Well, the first being the healing incantation. From what I’ve been told, you know that one a little too well.” He glanced up into the princess’s nervous green eyes, then trailing down to her hair. He continued, “The other being for… terrible things.”

“That being?” Cassandra asked.

“Think, what is the opposite of healing? The sundrop gives life, and the moondrop… takes it.”

An uneasy silence fell over the trio. Eugene whistled a low, nervous tone.

From his spot in the doorway, Varian whimpered.

“My colleague is more knowledgeable on this, but...” the knight took a deep breath. “Millennium ago, a phenomenal event had divided an ancient power in two. The Sundrop and Moondrop fell to Earth; two elements waiting to be reunited. Anyone who wielded them could harness these incantations.” Rapunzel gripped her hair in comfort, mind going back to her tower.

“While your hair is the manifestation of the sundrop, the same can be said about the rocks. I was once a member of an organization, and our job was to protect the world from that which could wield their destructive power.”

“You mean… the source of the rocks…?” Quirin nodded at the question.

“The source of the rocks, and the only thing capable of using this decay spell… the moonstone.” His gaze hardened. “Once like the sunflower, a singular entity anyone could harness. But it now inhabits a living being, just like you, your highness.”

“Varian,” Eugene whispered.

“Me.” Varian added.

The toddler felt tears prick in the corners of his eyes. He didn’t want to hear anymore! Now Eugene knew how much of a danger he was, how bad he was! He’d thought without momma it wouldn’t be a problem anymore, but no, everywhere he went, he was doomed to spread death and decay, according to that paper.

He didn’t want to hurt anyone! He didn’t want to hurt Eugene!

There was only way to keep his family safe, to keep himself safe. His momma had been right to abandon him in the alley, that was the longest he’d ever gone without accidentally damaging something or someone with the rocks! And apparently he couldn’t just use the rocks, he could decay, what did that mean… opposite of healing…

He could kill Eugene on accident.

That was the final straw.

He ran.

Out of the castle.

Out of the garden.

Into the capital and beyond.

He didn’t look at where he was going or for how long, he just kept running, and running and running…

Until he bumped into someone.

“I don’t understand,” Rapunzel whispered, distraught. “You were supposed to keep the moonstone safe, but you failed? Why are you telling us this?”

Quirin had the decency to look guilty. “Varian inheriting the moonstone and becoming the moondrop was an accident. But rest assured, his mother and I are resuming custody to take care of it.”

It was if all the air was sucked out of the room. “What did you just say?” Eugene whispered, daring him to speak again.

Quirin glared down at the man. “You have done your best, but it is time for the Brotherhood to complete its purpose. We will destroy the moonstone without hurting Varian. Ulla and I, as his parents, will take care of him.”

“You’re his father!?” Cassandra gasped.

“That woman is insane! Don’t you dare let her near him!” Rapunzel shrieked, the full fury of a Queen directed at Quirin.

Eugene grabbed Quirin’s vest and pulled him close. “If you so much as touch a hair on his head…” he growled.

“I am his father, not you. You no longer get a say.” the ex-thief’s face fell into horror and fury.

“No.” he growled. “I’m the one who took Varian in when his mother kicked him in front of me. I’m the one who’s held him after nightmares! I’m the one who’s promised him over and over that he is safe from people like you!” He raised his fist to strike Quirin, but suddenly found his hands being pulled behind him. He threw his head back, wildly trying to make sense of what happened, and spotted the Captain gripping his wrists with the King in the doorway.

“Dad!” Rapunzel cried, flustered and outraged. “Are you hearing this!?”

“I am.” The King’s tone was cold. He wasn’t on their side, Rapunzel realized. In his eyes, this was the same scenario as her own kidnapping. And this time, he wouldn’t let the kidnappers go unpunished. Frederick raised his hands, and a few more guards entered to restrain the trio.

Quirin directed his voice towards Rapunzel. “I’m sorry, your highness, but your father tasked me with saving Corona from the rocks. This is the only way. Ulla has likely already come to collect him.”

“And from the sounds of it, he made the right call. You stole him from his mother?” Frederick had the gall to look shocked at Eugene’s words.

“SHE HURT HIM!” He yelled, thrashing in the Captain’s grip. “VARIAN, VARIAN WHERE ARE YOU?!”

“Come on, son, don’t make this any harder than it has to be,” The Captain whispered, locking shackles around his wrists.

“How can any of you be ok with this!?” Cassandra yelled from where a guard held her arm tightly. “You’re sending him to his death! We’ve seen what Ulla will do to him!”

“Dad,” Rapunzel begged. “Please, don’t do this.”

The King shook his head. “You wanted to remove the black rocks, Rapunzel? This is the only way.” He nodded to the Captain, and with reluctance, he dragged the fellow father down to the dungeons.

“VARIAN!” Eugene screamed, fighting every step of the way. It was a far cry from the last arrest, the other man noticed sadly.

At last, they reached his cell, the same one he’d been trapped in with Cassandra. The doors closed with a thud.

Eugene collapsed against the bars and screamed.

#varian #tangled the series #tangled #tts #tts varian #tangled eugene #tts eugene #eugene fitzherbert #team awesome

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hymn2000 · 4 years

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Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player - MCU AU Fanfic - C17

(Previously Ideal Confusion)

Story summary: Giving into the constant pressure from the press, Tony decides to put a rest to the rumours that Peter is his biological son - once and for all.

Previous Chapter(s): 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Part of my Frostiron and Spiderson series.

Warnings/themes: family, family stuff, family conflict, adoption, DNA test(s), pressure, peer pressure, social issues, mentions of alcoholism, mental health problems, potentially some minor medical inaccuracies, corporal punishment, hurt/comfort

You can also find me on AO3

Chapter 17 - I Feel Like A Bullet

Something about the hospital turned Peter’s stomach. He stayed close to Tony, walking determinedly, but froze when they reached the ward.

“Maybe this isn’t a good idea” Tony said. “You’re not up to this”

“That isn’t for you to decide”

“Come on, sweetheart. Let’s go home, and-”

“No! I need to see him”

“You don’t look so sure”

Peter looked at him. “He wants me to see him too”

Tony scoffed. “Well, I- Oh, don’t give me that look! Alright, alright, let’s see if they’ll let you see him”

Mr Hardwood, the boarding master, didn’t look too happy to see Peter.

“What are you doing here? Looks like you’ve been in the wars yourself” he said, pushing Peter’s fringe back and inspecting his bandages.

Peter pushed his hand away and glared at him.

“Peter!”

“If looks could kill! You certainly take after your father”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Tony demanded.

Mr Hardwood looked at him. “Your husband gives me the same look every time he sees me”

Tony sighed. “Give the kid a break; he just wants to see his mate”

“You’d do well to keep him away from Owen’s. He’s the biggest tearaway I’ve ever had in my house, and I’ve been in the job more than thirty years. I’m just surprised he didn’t end up here sooner”

Tony looked at the boys, at the way they held hands and rested their heads together. Malaki looked awful, hooked up to monitors, head heavily bandaged, face pale as snow. He couldn’t help being glad it hadn’t been Peter.

“I expected his parents” Tony said simply.

“They’re on route” Mr Hardwood said. “They’ve had a hard time getting away from work. Meetings a town or two over, I think”

Tony looked at Malaki. He didn’t like the kid at all, but he did feel a bit sorry for him. If it had been Peter, he’d have stormed out of even the most important meetings to be with him. He was surprised Malaki’s hadn’t done the same.

“Thanks for coming, curly” Malaki croaked. “I could do with a friendly face. I hate hospitals. I’ve never been, like, admitted to one before. Not like you”

Peter rested his nose against Malaki’s and closed his eyes for a moment.

“...I said his mum was a swinger” Malaki said. “There’s a club at the back of one of the houses in his street. It could be true. I only said it because he was being his usual self, goading me and stuff. I guess it worked”

Peter opened his mouth and tried to speak. He tried to tell Malaki they should have turned Nigel in. He tried to tell him to rest, he tried to tell him how much he meant to him. But try as he might, he couldn’t so much as squeak.

Malaki rested a shaking hand on Peter’s cheek.

“See?” he said. “You love me really”

Peter raised his hand to his mouth, his heart thudding in his chest.

“I love you too, you know, Peter Stark” he struggled onto his side. “Not to ruin the moment, but I think I’m gonna be sick”

Peter grabbed a cardboard bowl from beside the bed for him.

Tony leant closer to Mr Hardwood.

“How bad is it, really?”

“They’re worried” Mr Hardwood said. “They had to sedate him to fix his head, and he’s got some bad signs. Bruising behind the ears and things like that. Bad signs, apparently. He keeps being sick and he had a fit in the ambulance. They’re keeping an eye on it”

“Poor kid. He’ll be alright though, won’t he?”

Mr Hardwood held up a hand, questioning. “Suppose we’ll find out”

They were distracted by footsteps, and a frantic, but well-dressed and well-presented couple rushed over.

“Malaki!”

Peter scurried aside as the pair ran over, the woman gathering Malaki up in her arms. Peter watched them, the way she held him and the way he buried himself in her touch. He couldn’t help being jealous when he saw people with loving mothers. It always reminded him of May.

“You’ll be the death of us, young Malley” the man said, close at his wife’s side.

“Peter, we should go” Tony said.

The man looked up. “Peter? You’re the Peter he’s always talking about?”

“Don’t get all up on him, dad” Malaki mumbled, pulling away from his mother and flopping back on the bed. “He’s jus’ been keeping me company”

“You didn’t have anything to do with this, did you?”

“Dad! Leave him alone” Malaki said, resting a hand on his forehead.

“Sorry, sorry. God, Malley, we’ve been going mad worrying about you! It’s one thing after another with you! First-”

Peter didn’t know where to look. He’d heard Malaki being told off before, but not in these circumstances, and not by his parents.

Mr Owens stopped, sighed. “You’d better be alright”

Tony swallowed. “You should say goodbye, Peter”

“Aw, don’t go” Malaki said.

Peter felt sick. Something was so wrong here. He didn’t really want to be near Mr Hardwood, or Malaki’s parents, or his own parent. Maybe it was them making him feel so nervous. Still, maybe Tony was right.

He gave Malaki a little hug, feeling awkward with everyone watching - and then froze. He pulled back slightly, looking into Malaki’s eyes. He felt Malaki’s grip loosen, and he turned and slammed his palm into the emergency button above the bed.

“Peter! What are you doing?!”

It all seemed to happen at once after that.

“Malaki?!”

“Malaki! Oh god, he’s fitting!”

“Make some space, please!”

“Peter, come on!”

Tony grabbed Peter, forcing him out of the room and off the ward.

Everything seemed much too quiet. Peter could hardly walk, and it felt as though he would have fallen if Tony didn’t have his arm round him. He felt like he was going to be sick.

They were outside before he knew it. Tony stopped, still holding onto him.

“How did you know?”

Peter pulled away from him and doubled up.

“Oh god. Alright kid, I’ve got you” Tony sighed, awkwardly patting his back.

Peter finished and pushed him away.

“Whoa! Hey, come on”

Peter turned away from him, wiping his mouth.

“Hey, not on your sleeve! Oi, where do you think you’re going? Car’s this way”

Loki didn’t look happy when he saw Tony.

“You know, I thought, over the last however-many years of marriage, relationships, and negotiation, that we had an agreement of letting each other know if we’re going to be more than twenty minutes late”

“Sorry, Loll; I got caught up”

Loki looked at Peter. “Give me your blazer”

Peter slipped it off and handed it over.

“Now go and get changed”

Peter didn’t need convincing. Loki looked back at Tony.

“I want the full story when I’m back”

“Back from where?! Loki, don’t walk away from me! From where?!”

“The laundry room!”

Tony told Loki everything, of course.

“He lied, Lokes. Shouldn’t we do something about that? I mean, he’s given a free pass to Nigel, who put someone in hospital! That’s too big a lie”

“It’s schoolyard justice, chick” Loki sighed. “He was returning a favour”

“Yeah, but he’s never done anything that bad! At least, I don’t think he has”

“I’m sure he hasn’t, but this isn’t any of our business”

“He’s our kid; of course it’s our business!”

Loki sighed. “What exactly do you want me to do?”

“I don’t know! Give me some advice, maybe?”

“I have: I’ve told you to leave it alone”

“Yeah, but-”

“But what, Anthony?! If you want to do something different, that’s your prerogative, but I’ll have no part in it. Don’t you think he’s been through enough today?”

“His head isn’t that bad”

“I’m not talking about his head!” Loki snapped, starting to get angry. “I’m talking about seeing his friend seriously hurt, and fitting, in hospital”

“He saw you in worse states”

Loki stopped. He sat down opposite Tony.

“Let’s talk about that, shall we?”

Tony looked away. “I don’t want to”

“Why bring it up, then?”

“I was just making a point”

“Well, maybe we should talk about it. We never talk about it. We both went through it, albeit from different angles, but you never face up to it”

“We were newlyweds, Loki! Our first year of marriage is marred by what happened to you”

“It was a few months; not the whole year”

“You know what I mean” Tony mumbled.

“Do I? Tell me, Anthony. Talk about what happened”

“I don’t want to!” he stood up, turning his back on Loki.

“Well, I do!” Loki said, grabbing his shoulder and turning him back to face him. “I want to talk about it, and I need to”

“You’ve talked about it with Pepper, and with May when she was still alive, and Mary and Jo Jo, and a couple of professionals. You don’t need to talk about it again”

“Yes, I do! None of them were there, not like you. None of them know me as well, or know as much about it, as you. You went through the whole thing by my side, but after I recovered you acted like it never happened. I need to work through this, Tony, and I need to do it with my husband”

Tony was quiet for a moment. “It hurt too much. I don’t want to relive it. It was ages ago now. Why can’t we pretend it never happened?”

“For the same reason you can’t buy vanilla bath products or Herbal Essences anymore. There’s always going to be remnants of it”

“There doesn’t have to be”

“Tony, just let me talk about it with you!”

“I don’t want to. I don’t see why we have to reflect about it as if it’s some fond memory. Isn’t it easier to forget?”

“Evidently not! But maybe it would be easier if we actually talked about it properly for once, instead of just mentioning it through obscure references. I’m reminded of it every time I bump into nurse Tyler, every time I see someone from that ward. And I’m reminded every time the hospital garden and colouring books are mentioned”

Tony swallowed hard. “You want to talk about difficult things? Fine. Why don’t you talk about those property listing the kid found? I’ve looked at them”

“You went through my things? Tony!”

“I’ve seen the dates on them. They aren’t from your sabbatical, so tell me what’s going on”

“Maybe I just like houses. We’re not talking about some printouts; we’re talking about the time I spent two months in hospital”

“Loki, how many times?”

“And how many times do I have to try to get you to talk about what happened? Anthony, the sooner you face up to it, the better! I spent weeks in hospital, in a c-”

“Dad?”

Loki spun round. “... I didn’t hear you come in”

“You weren’t listening”

“No, I suppose not...”

Tony looked at the clock. “We should get the kid fed”

“I’m not hungry” Peter said.

“You’ll eat whether you like it or not, young man”

“I SAID, I’m not hungry! I’ll get something later if I want it”

“That’s not the deal, kid”

“Why does there have to be a deal?!”

“Oh Tony, give it a rest” Loki sighed, sitting down at the breakfast bar. “If he’s not hungry, he’s not hungry”

“He needs to eat. You can have a good meal or a good spanking, that’s your choice”

“Tony!”

“What? I’m parenting”

“That’s hardly parenting”

“Look, if he was an adult, he’d be getting done for lying to the police, so-”

“What are you talking about?” Peter interrupted.

“You, covering for Nigel! You shouldn’t lie about things as serious as that”

“I was returning a favour. We owed each other, and now he owes me and I owe him nothing. I levelled the playing field”

“It’s not levelling the playing field if he still owes you” Tony said. “Stop being so silly. You need to eat, and if you’re not going to eat-”

“You can’t spank him for not being hungry”

“Oh, really? Actually, it was going to be for being defiant. What can I spank him for, then?”

“You know, Anthony, until you blew your top the other day, I thought that was something we’d phased out. But if that’s something you want to discuss, we’ll have to wait until the baby is out of the way. It’s not exactly a conversation he needs to be involved in, is it?”

“What about the one about the houses?” Peter said.

“Yes, Loki, what about the one about the houses?” Tony said, crossing his arms over his chest.

Loki looked between the two of them. “You’re being ridiculous”

“Tell us then, Loki Stark. I don’t believe for a second that they’re just for you to look at because you like houses”

“Ok, firstly, what makes you think this is any of your business? And secondly-”

“We’re married, Loki! Of course it’s my business”

“Oh, we’re married, are we? What’s that, again? People who share everything? Hm, seems we’ve missed that, given your ongoing insistence that we don’t need to talk about the time I was in a-”

“Loki, that’s history”

“NOT TO ME!” Loki shouted, slamming his fist down on the breakfast bar, making Peter jump. “You want to know what those houses are for? The children’s home in Scotland want me to go back, I considered it because I did well when I was there and it would be good to work somewhere without those constant reminders of my time on the coma ward, so I started looking at places to live if I accepted. Is that a good enough answer for you, Anthony Edward Stark?!”

There was a heavy silence, in which no one knew quite what to do.

Eventually Tony cleared his throat.

“...I forgot to get bread and milk”

Peter wasn’t sure why he’d ended up at Tony’s side in the car.

“We could have just gone to the corner shop” he said timidly.

“I want something a bit more artisan”

Peter nodded. Tony was rubbish at hiding his feelings.

Going to his room seemed like Peter’s only option when they got home. He didn’t want to be part of any arguments. Although, as it happened, he didn’t hear any. He sat on his bed and thought about Malaki. He hoped he was alright.

Loki sat down beside Peter on the edge of the bed.

“Did you know that the calories in a hot chocolate make it equivalent to a small meal?”

Peter smiled slightly and took the mug from him. “The first tolerant conversation we ever had”

“Tolerant? I remember being highly annoyed at your presumptuousness”

“Well, maybe...”

They sat in silence for a minute.

“Malaki’s not going to die, is he?”

“He’s young and strong” Loki said. “He’s got a good chance of recovery”

“You know what you said in the kitchen?”

"Yes?”

“Was it true?”

“Mostly”

Peter looked at him. It only took him a second to work out which part wasn’t true.

“You’re not leaving him, are you?”

“No. That was never part of the thinking. Even if he is being a-... Well, even if he is being incredibly difficult right now”

“Do you think you’ll actually go back?”

“I doubt it. I can’t leave you”

“What about him?”

“He wouldn’t let me take you with me”

Peter glanced at his mug. “I’m not so sure. He’s been a bit better today, but he’s essentially acted like he hates me since we got the test results”

Loki shook his head. “He wouldn’t let you go”

“Would you leave if he let me come too?”

“I don’t know”

“Because you don’t want to leave him?”

“He’d cope. We’ve done distance before”

“Living in your brothers flat doesn’t really count”

“It always felt like much farther away”

“...You still love him, right?”

Loki nodded. “With all my being. But that doesn’t mean he’s my first priority”

“Well, then what is?”

“You are”

“Really?”

“Well, most of the time. Closely followed by myself. It’s not selfish to look after yourself, you know”

“I know...”

“You should go to sleep when you’ve finished that” Loki said. “You’ve got school in the morning”

“You know, this whole life thing doesn’t seem to be getting any easier”

Loki laughed slightly. “It took me more than a thousand years to get to where I am now”

“I’m not gonna live that long”

“Well, maybe not. But don’t expect a quick fix. You know better than most how life fluctuates”

“Well, I wish it wouldn’t”

“You can’t control that, chick” he said, standing up. “I’ll check on you in a bit. Goodnight, chick”

“Yeah, goodnight, dad” Peter sighed, thinking about everything that had happened that day. “...See you in the morning”

Loki nodded and made for the door.

“Wait, dad?”

Loki paused and turned his head to him.

“What’s that word for when a bullet hits something and then another and another?”

Loki thought for a moment.

“Ricochet”

#my writing #fanfiction #mcu fanfiction #marvel fanfiction #frostiron #irondad and spiderson

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flighty37-blog · 7 years

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Martyn’s Sick Day

Summary: Martyn isn’t feeling too well. Good job he’s got a live in nurse. Love conquers all, including sickness. Hopefully Martyn will recover. Will include cameos with, Catherine, Dan, and Phil. And a lot of sisterly bossiness and girlfriend bossiness as well. Warnings: Sickness abounds.

Rating: G-PG.

No deaths….Mentions of a dark soul….Guess who mentions their dark soul?

Now onto the story:

Martyn awoke feeling sluggish. He had a headache, and he felt chilly. His stomach was doing somersaults and he felt clammy. He felt a need to rush to the bathroom. Damn VidCon Plague! He sneezed right before he relieved his stomach of its contents from the night before.

“Martyn?” Cornelia’s melodic voice called out to him; he barely heard, because of the now sharp ringing in his ears.

Cornelia not hearing a response from her almost-spouse, but hearing a distinct disgusting splash, found herself in the bathroom. Martyn’s head was inside the bottom half of the toilet and he seemed to be heaving. She knelt beside him, and rubbed circles into his back. He weakly lifted his head and gave her a bleary look.

“Hey Babe; I’d kiss you but I….” He turned his head away from her, and sneezed again, making her wince.

The two very rarely were taken ill. Both being staunch vegetarians. A lifestyle Cornelia had grown up in, but still embraced.

“Nikki, I don’t feel well,” Martyn sniffled.

“I know; come let’s get you into bed. I can cosplay as your nurse,” she took him firmly by the shoulder and they both, managed to stand and wobble precariously to their bed.

She tucked him in, and pulled the duvet neatly to his chin.

“I’ll make some soup and tea with honey, lemon and whiskey,” Cornelia suggested, also adding a thermometer, a bucket and a wet rag to a mental list.

She propped Martyn up to a sitting position, lightly kissed his temple and after putting his laptop and phone next to him scampered away. Martyn hated to see her go, but damn, if he didn’t like to watch her leave. Thank gods she’d put a box of tissues next to him as well. She was such a thoughtful, loving person. He sneezed again. He turned on his laptop and squinted at the screen.

He checked in on Phil and Dan’s Twitters. They were having a ‘Twitter Bant’ going on. He laughed a bit, coughed and sneezed, and liked a couple of posts. Just then his phone buzzed. He looked at the identification.

“Hey Mum,” he croaked out.

“So it’s true; Cornelia said you weren’t feeling well, My Poor Baby! Cornelia assured me that she’s taking right care of you, If you need anything I will be right over, and I will help out,” Catherine promised.

“No Mum; It’s okay. Corn’s got this. She’s had practise. Remember? Eight years,” Martyn gurgled out. His throat was getting scratchier now.

“Okay Marty, just say the word and I’ll fly right there,” Catherine responded.

“No worries Mum, with Nelia tending to me I’ll be well in no time. Relax, call Phil. It’ll set your mind at ease,” Martyn managed before an incredibly wet cough started a constant cough off and he couldn’t catch his breath; making both his abs and throat hurt too much to answer his mother. He did manage a weak, “Bye Mum,” and hung up.

Conveniently the love of his life came prancing back in with a tray of soup, tea, various plague fighting organic vitamins, orange juice and wearing a form fitting nurse’s outfit.

“Hello, I am ‘Nurse Nikki’, I will be waiting on you hand and foot. Whatever you need, just ask, and I shall do your bidding,” ‘Nurse Nikki’ curtsied and grinned. Martyn smiled, coughed, and then sneezed in turn. Cornelia put the tray over his lap, put the bucket next to the bed, and then neatly put a thermometer under his tongue. She slid a cool damp rag over his forehead and waited for the thermometer to beep.

She primly sat down, Cornelia was nothing if not practical, and was a professional. The thermometer went off and she checked it.

“Prognosis not good ‘Patient Lester’. After considerable debate, my suggestion is you lie in bed and get well,” Cornelia diagnosed.

“I’m not a lay about, that’s my brother’s and Dan’s department. I actually like being up early; even if I’ve been up all night,” Martyn weakly protested.

“If you don’t have a ‘lie-in’ you won’t get well. If you don’t get well, your moder will fly here, plane or no plane, and hover and force feed you things. I will get in trouble for not helping you. Then I will cry. Do you like seeing me cry?” Cornelia was being mock serious.

“Definitely not!” Martyn was facetiously offended.

“Alright what’s it going to be? Me or your mother?” She gave him a joking glare.

“You, always you,” Martyn affirmed.

“Good boy,” she patted his hair.

They settled in comfortable silence. Cornelia changed the now dried rag and fed him some soup. Then she gave him some vitamins and he sipped some orange juice. Martyn’s phone beeped again. Then his ring tone sounded.

“This is Nurse Nikki, I will be taking Patient Lester’s calls today,” Cornelia chirped into the mobile as Martyn weakly made a grab for it.

She rolled her eyes and turned on the speaker. It was Dan and Phil.

“Mum rang us, she said that Martyn was, Dying!” Phil’s alarmed voice made his older brother roll his eyes heavenward. Phil meant well, but he was a confirmed hypochondriac.

“She said he was ‘close to death’! And since I’m closer to death than anybody in this weirdly connected, yet fascinating family, we had to ring you up and see if it was true. I mean I’m a professional at being close to Death, after all, since I don’t have a soul,” Dan took over the speaker.

“You have a wholesome side,” Martyn hoarsely argued.

“Goodness you sound horrid,” Phil said.

“Phil!” Dan squeaked out.

“It doesn’t matter if I have a wholesome side. The wholesomeness is barely there. Every day the nihilist side eats at it,” Dan clarified. Making Cornelia, Martyn, and even Phil, groan.

They’d heard all this before. But Dan was the youngest of them all, he was still amusing and slightly doted on.

“It’s just VidCon Plague with a hint of a cold,” Martyn managed.

“Oh Shiles! Did I give it to you? I had it the first week I was back in ‘L-Town’,” Phil sounded very apologetic.

“L-What?” Cornelia asked in a confused voice.

“It’s American slang he picked up. One of our fans jokingly, called London ‘L-Town’, now he’s been annoying me with it. Slipping it covertly into any conversation we have,” Dan answered.

“Dan locked his door on me last night. I even made up a song about it,” Phil chimed in.

“You start singing it, I’m pushing you out of one of the many windows we have!” Dan protested

Then mock arguing started up, the likes of which, Cornelia and Martyn could never get a word in edgeways. So Cornelia pushed the ‘End’ button, and peace reigned supreme.

They both breathed a sigh of relief and Cornelia resumed making her boyfriend continue onto the road of recovery. She got him some fresh soup and some more tissues. Martyn entertained himself answering posts and doing some ‘real business’. Soon he tired out and put his head against the pillows closing his eyes.

Cornelia came and checked in on him, clearing the stuff away. Leaving the vitamins and medicines behind. She started the hot water to prepare for the Hot Toddies. She fielded calls from clients, assured Catherine, Nigel and aforementioned clients that Martyn was definitely not dying and prepared a light salad for her own lunch.

Being one’s own boss was hard work for two people. Now that she was an ‘Army of one’, she felt the double load. She sighed.

Three hours later….

Hot Toddies, a toasted cheese sandwich, some tomato soup and more tissues on the tray, Cornelia ventured back into their bedroom.

“Martyn? Alskling?” She whispered.

His head was leant back, his eyes were closed, and he was snoring in a very congested way. She added cough medicine to the tray, and sat beside him. He was flushed. She used the back of her hand to assess the fever. Perhaps some Vick’s Vapo Rub would be in order, to get the congestion out of his system faster. She turned on Martyn’s phone and put in an order to Tesco’s. They would deliver within the hour.

“N-Nikki?” His wavering voice brought her out of her thoughts, and she plastered a smile onto her face.

“I’m here,” she assured him.

“Thirsty,” he managed.

“Hot Toddy?” she asked.

“Hot like you?” Martyn weakly joked.

“No but reasonably hot,” she answered, the smile broadening.

“I’ll take it,” Martyn said, as it was passed to him and he sipped the concoction.

“Ooh Strong! Like you,” Martyn spoke. He was a bit delirious. The fever must have spiked a bit. Not much, but the fever was definitely higher than it had been three hours ago.

It wasn’t high enough for an ice bath, but if need be, she’d prepare one. Martyn was her top priority. In the even, almost never times, Cornelia got sick, Martyn always kept an eye on her. Sticking by her side. Nursing her back to health using his whole life force. Nothing mattered when she was down and ill. The same courtesy was granted to him now.

They were as close as could be, and loved each other wholeheartedly; Eight years and it still felt like the first time; consummating their relationship.

“Are you okay? Are you ill?” Martyn’s voice pricked through her cloud of thoughts. She’d worried him now.

“No Sweetie, just thinking. I ordered from Tesco’s. They’ll be here within the hour,” she leaned over kissed his temple, fluffed his pillows; and fed him some cough medicine, vitamins and refilled his Toddy.

“You’re so good to me,” Martyn spoke again.

“Because I love you, and you’re ill, and I need you to rally your strength,” Cornelia simply answered.

“I’m trying,” Martyn said.

“I know you are…. Did you read any silly Phanfiction whilst being an invalid?” Cornelia wondered.

“Yeah, I can’t help it. I’m a bit offended that there’s not any fanfics about us,” Martyn coughed out.

“We’re just not as popular. We’re already established and not as fun to write about. Dan and Phil are shrouded in mystery,” Cornelia sighed dramatically.

“Oh well, I like our semi-privacy; The Phan-B-I can’t ‘out’ us, and definitely will not speculate where we live,” Martyn accentuated his reply with a sneeze/cough combo.

“So what was it about?” Cornelia asked.

“Oh, Dan and Phil having an ‘established relationship’, and Phil got sick and Dan took care of him and ended up cuddling him,” Martyn returned and grimaced.

“The opposite would occur. Granted Dan would bring the medicines, ply him with tea; but would ultimately leave Phil to his own devices. But would still check on him to make sure he was still alive,” Cornelia answered.

“Undoubtedly true,” Martyn said and pulled the bucket onto the bed, and heaved into it.

Cornelia cleaned it out and returned it beside the bed, while Martyn carefully ate his soup and nibbled his toasted cheese bread. Cornelia contentedly watched him, until the downstairs buzzer sounded. She relieved their doorstep of its medicinal supplies and carried the two bags upstairs.

A Couple Days Later….

Martyn, formerly of the convalescent ward, was finally better.

More than better. With Cornelia’s love and very put together care, he was glowing with health and vitality. Thankfully she hadn’t caught the ‘VidCon Plague’, but it seemed to have escaped their borders and, had landed, at the still (as of yet) unknown, (to the Phans at least), address of one Daniel Howell/ Phil Lester. Dan was the unfortunate convalescent and Phil was trying his best to restore health and vitality to their youngest member.

“He keeps whining,” Phil said to his (practically) sister.

“He’s the youngest and ill. Of course he’ll whine. Now do you have the recipe for the hot toddies and have you toasted the cheese sandwiches without incident?” Cornelia calmly spoke, as she admired her lover from afar, who was caught up in business talk with one of their buyers in Japan.

“Almost set the flat on fire whilst toasting,” Phil explained.

“Typical,” Cornelia sighed.

“But I made him two sandwiches perfectly toasted and a hot toddy,” Phil said in a proud voice.

“Good boy. Now ring if you need anything further,” Cornelia said and they both said their goodbyes.

In a couple of days more, things would return to their ‘normal state’. Bickering, bossing, and most of all, affection between the four would resume. Until then, she and Martyn were on standby. Martyn finished his call, and turned to look at her. He yawned exaggeratedly, and took her hand in his. They cuddled on the sofa.

The television providing entertainment, a soft almost imperceptible sneeze sounded from the redhead. Oops perhaps it would be Martyn's turn to play nurse? She snuggled closer to him, and drifted off to sleep.

He held onto her, and kept an ear out for any irregular breathing. Quiet descended on the flat. He’d carry her to bed later. For now, he‘d hold onto her, keeping her safe.

The End.

#Martyn and Cornelia fanfic

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theaiexperiment · 7 years

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Man I have been working on this picture FOREVER. Thank goodness I’m finally done now. Anyway I bet some of you people that have role played with me see me either role playing or having Sardonyx mention my other Sonic oc, Gertrue Stripes on here right? Well like I’ve mentioned in a few rp’s in Sardonyx’s dimension Gertrue Stripes raised a large amount of the Freedom Fighters, when their parents were either robotisized or killed and even taught them how to defend themselves. Her husband Azubuike helped raised and train them at first too, but one day he just disappeared. So below the read more is a little one-shot concerning their beginnings to this decision, enjoy!

It was a dark day in this vast forest belonging to the Acorn Kingdom, as clouds covered what would have been radiant sunshine with some veil of forlorn, grey cotton. What made matters worse was the situation ensuing between an egg-shaped, human scientist and two female mobians in a small village. These two individuals were tasked with taking care of some children whose parents were off to fight in the Great War, or had perished during it. As they shared their last moments of freedom scowling the so-called scientist, a quiet individual looked onto them from afar.

Eyes of a deep, brown coloring witnessed events unfold around them a fair distance ahead in both silent horror, hatred and admiration towards those who had been captured. Surrounded by the safe haven that was an oak’s dense foliage their owner (a white, female lynx with black spots on the edges of her ears and muzzle) remained undetected by Robotnik’s bulky, metal soldiers... for now at least.

A deep respect practically flooded the ivory and sable mobian’s core, towards those innocent caretakers refusing to reveal the children‘s whereabouts. They really were valiant allies and good friends indeed. The feline just wished that she could repay their brave actions, one day. Seeing the greedy, human scientist however caused a wildfire of loathing to arise within. She could not BELIEVE the Acorn Kingdom used to trust this man with their very lives, at one point! She vowed to never make a mistake like that again, as his betrayal and elimination of her dear comrades was completely unforgivable.

As the lynx, Gertrue watched those people become emotionless, mechanical servants of that dreaded doctor frustrated tears rolled down her cheeks. In all truth she wanted nothing more than to fight through those robots and save her friends, but logic and reasoning kept the feline at bay, because other matters needed solving at this time. Descending downwards from her precarious position in an oak tree with nimble, quiet movements, it didn’t take long for the white mobian to land upon grassy terrain. After running across some disguised, forest path for a few minutes she then stopped in front of some dense underbrush. Making her way through the bushes and long grass, she then was greeted by a blaster pointed directly at physique. However once its owner laid golden hues upon her, that weapon was immediately stowed away as a relieved breath absconded from his lips.

“Oh thank goodness you’re back. I was beginning to worry.” the blaster’s owner (a male tiger) expressed in airy drones.

Gertrue’s lips displayed a quick smile, as she often adored it when her husband Azubuike expressed his sweet, genuine compassion, for it showed that he cared. She dismissed his previous actions, because BOTH of them needed to keep their guards up during these trying hours. Placing hands upon her hips she then portrayed a confident smirk.

“Now now my dear Azu, hasn’t our time together taught you that it takes a lot more than some robots to destroy me?” Gertrue said with an air of brief confidence, causing the tiger to momentarily grin before her expression shifted into a considerate frown. “But never mind that, are the children safe?” As if right on cue, a little boy’s voice penetrated their surroundings.

“Aunt-auntie, what’s going on?”

Shifting their gazes the adult felines starred at a group of children with calm frowns on their facial features. The group of young ones consisted of a blue hedgehog, another tiger (who was in fact their own nephew), a chipmunk princess, a rabbit girl and a baby fox. These small individuals were all children of people who Gertrue and Azubuike had become good friends with during their time in the Great War. Their protection meant the world to the older cats, as they not only were key components for a better future but also the only piece of their friends they had left. Walking up to the striped cub he held the youngest one in his arms, the lynx gently placed a hand upon his shoulder.

“It’s Robotnik again, Felix. He’s finally found us so were going to look for another place to... hide now, okay?” Gertrue explained in the gentlest of tones (though it took all of her self-restraint not to hiss at that dreaded word, ‘hide’). She didn’t think concealing the truth to her little nephew about their circumstances was a good idea, for he would probably find out on his own eventually.

As the lynx explained their predicament to Felix, Azubuike looked at them with a sincere expression of protectiveness, whilst hidden admiration flickered inside his core. Gertrue had always managed to be the most logical yet compassionate person in trying times, and it was one of the many things he loved about her. He just wished she didn’t have to use that ability of hers so often. Throughout these recent years it seemed like no matter how hard both of them tried, they kept facing one ordeal after another. Even as they both retired from the war early to keep an eye on their orphaned nephew, conflict eventually broke into their ‘protective barrier’. Granted the older, striped mobian sometimes wished that they could’ve kept fighting back instead, but he couldn’t leave his deceased sister’s only child unattended. Still despite all these austere, haphazardly events ensuing all around them, Azubuike was going to protect what remained of his family... even if he had to sacrifice his life for their sake.

As these thoughts were strolling through Azubuike’s mind Felix gazed upon his aunt in uncertainty, whilst little hands held an infant fox with a surprisingly professional grace. One thing about the young tiger was that he often wanted to help people in any way he could. This included assisting the caretakers with their work, every now and then, as a result he eventually learned how to carry an infant properly. The baby he carried was named Miles Prower, though because of a minor... mutation most people called him ‘Tails’. As he slept peacefully in a blanket’s warmth, the striped cub looked at his aunt with concern whilst biting lower lip. Just then a small, feminine voice squeaked forth.

“Miss... Miss Stripes, are Lilly and Rose... dead?” a little chipmunk girl named Sally asked, with trembling form and tears brimming the edges of her eyes. Since she had no memory of her mother and had little chances of ever seeing her father again Sally often looked upon Azubuike, Gertrue and the two caretakers as parental-figures, so loosing those individuals practically tore the young girl’s heart asunder.

Seeing the chipmunk on the verge of tears, Gertrue got up once more so that she could focus attention upon her. Caressing her cheek in a motherly fashion, brown eyes gazed into weeping, sky blue orbs with sympathy alighting inside them.

“They are not dead sweetie, they’re just... not going to be the people you and I know for a while.” she explained, before getting up with a renewed fire burning inside dark-brown pools. “This isn’t the end though... I promise that once we find a new base I will teach each and every one of you how to stand your ground. As far as we know we’re about all that’s left of Nigel’s Kingdom. All of you are going to be inspirations to the world I just know it, and know that I’m going to help you achieve your destinies any way I can.“

At this speech Azubuike couldn’t help but frown in concern. Placing his hand upon Gertrue’s shoulder, he then motioned her off to the side for a bit. Once they were a few feet away, he folded his arms over each other and spoke in hushed drones.

“Are you sure you want to do this, Gertrue? Raising these children is one thing, but now you’re offering to train them for battle. I thought you didn’t wan-”

“I’m sick of running away, Azubuike!” the lynx proclaimed through an outburst of fierce drones. Seeing her husband’s worried expression, she then released a weary sigh and spoke in a softer voice. “I’m sorry, dear. It’s just that... I’ve been on the run for such a large portion of my life, and I’m sick of it. I don’t want to live in fear at all now. I want to set an example for these children, so that they can see that some things are worth fighting for.”

Rather than become angry with his own wife, the older tiger nodded in understanding. Unlike most people, Azubuike knew the FULL story behind Gertrue’s past. The lynx had a very... difficult life. She entered from one conflict into another loosing both her parents and siblings in the Dragon Kingdom, then going off to another country right as it was in the middle of some great war. He could only comprehend how conflicted she must have felt, during those times. He just wanted to make sure that she was fully committed to this change, and seeing those embers spark alive into inside her brown irises proved was more than enough proof of the white feline’s determination. Now grinning from ear to ear at the sight of his wife’s seriousness, he then couldn’t stop himself from bringing her into a bear hug.

“Thank goodness. I was starting to miss the days when you had that fire in your eyes, as we stopped the enemy.” he said spinning around in happiness, as he did Gertrue couldn’t help but laugh.

“Hah! I should have figured you couldn’t go a few years, without getting into a scrap or two.” she teased, whilst he placed her down. Once he did however a thought skimmed across the lynx’s mind, causing her to frown again. “Problem is... I have no clue as to where we should go now.“

At this confession the older, male feline placed his thumb and forefinger on lip’s edges, before countenance smiled from a long-forgotten memory.

“Do you remember when we found that abandoned base, not too far from here?” he asked.

Once his inquiry absconded into air’s currents Gertrue’s eyes widened in realization. “Of course! How could I have forgotten that?” she said, before turning towards the group of children with renewed hope radiating from facial features.

“Alright kids, we may have been knocked down but we’re not out. I know things are difficult now, but we’re not going to give in.” the lynx proclaimed in authoritative drones, as all young eyes gazed upon her with newfound faith and admiration. “If it’s a fight Robotnik wants, than it’s a fight he’s going to get. Once we get to our new home I will personally teach the fighting skills I’ve learned throughout the years. However I’m not teaching you how to fight in order for you to just get revenge on someone. No, I’m going to show you how to fight... for your freedom.”

#FREE TO RE-BLOG #BUNNY DOODLES (Mun art)#Gertrue Stripes #Felix Stripes #Azubuike Stripes #PLEASE DON'T LOOK AT ME NOW (Sonic)#Freedom Fighters tag//#Sonic oc #((here have a somewhat decent one shot and art :D))#((I'll probably edit a bit more of this later when I have the time >v>;))

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christianborle · 7 years

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SOMETHING ROTTEN! 1.1.17 - FINAL PERFORMANCE (#27)

well well well. here we are. after a year and a half, rotten says goodbye on broadway. i’m super sad about it but i’m grateful it is going on tour and will continue to spread joy and laughter around the country.

here was my day at rotten’s final performance! (warning this is super dramatic and emotional)

i’m going to bold the moments i started crying just for dramatic effort (well i was tearing up the whole day but these moments were like....The Emotional Moments)

the first was on the train where i remembered “hey, i’m on the train to see something rotten for the last time”

i got to the theatre at around 3:30. i stood under it and took it all in. and there was no one around, weirdly, which really added to the effect. i took long, lasting looks at the marquee and the wallpaper. i crossed the street over to phantom to look at the theatre from afar. i couldn’t believe in 24 hours, it would all be gone. my home would be gone.

then i met up with me pals (@stuff-and-shenanigans and other pals who don’t have tumblrs) and we went to get food and then got ready for the show in our matching t-shirts bc we’re annoyingly extra. hayley headed to the theatre early and we met up with her. while we were waiting in line i saw christian borle and his dresser, meredith, walk into the restaurant right next to the theatre and i was so shook. i knew he was gonna be at the show, i just didn’t expect to turn around and boom there he is!

finally the time came and the usher who i don’t know his named but he always checks our bags and he knows us now checked our bags and we thanked him for everything and hugged him and the usher scanned my ticket and i just. began crying. last time scanning my ticket, last time walking down this long hallway.

Christian Borle and his dresser Meredith, Brooks Ashmanskas, Brian D'Arcy James, Will Chase, Jordan Roth, Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick, John O'Farrell, Kevin McCollum, Gregg Barnes, and Todrick Hall, and all the producers were in the audience tonight.

also i saw stephanie @writingplays again yay!!

i also saw karey and wayne in the lobby and i went over and said hi and wayne hugged me and we talked about the tour! they’re so freaking nice it’s really mind blowing to just?? be in the presence of the writers of ur fave show and have them remember you??

The Show!

So this was the most rowdy crowd I've ever heard in my life. Any time there was room for applause, there were waves of it. Literally just.....always cheering. Every entrance and actor made got an applause. Every applause after a song lasted twice or triple as long as it would have on any other day (A Musical and Omelette were even longer, but we'll get to that later).

cheering for Brooks's cell phone announcement (I'm so glad they kept it as Brooks for the whole run. I'd love to have seen his reaction to hearing his voice again) and for the dimming of the lights and for André's entrance.

Cheering as the curtain pulled up

The ensemble looked so happy and so ready to burst with energy. They were smiling so big and were holding back tears.

Huge applause for Rob and Josh and the troupe!!

So Rob was sick yesterday and apparently had a raging fever, which is insane because he was AMAZING. I would have never known he was sick

Robin (Aaron Kaburick) got so many cheers and laughs throughout the night i’m so happy for him

The famous “don’t be a penis” line got a huge laugh, the laugh it deserves

GERRY VICHI!!!!!!!!!!

Huge applause!!! His speech about how much he loves theatre was so passionate and so full out energy and it got a huge cheer, something i haven’t heard since previews/early run

Rob played along and even clapped for Shylock!

Also any time jews were mentioned some audience members clapped thx friends

LESLIE KRITZER!!!! WENT OFF!!!!! I love her so much she riffed the hell out of the song and just gave it her all!

When bea kisses nick, she kissed him for a rly long time and the audience started cheering so leslie broke off and then just kept kissing him again rt ur goals

Bea winked and blew nick a kiss right before running off and got a huge applause of course

Josh changed his hyperventilating/panic bit! It’s really hard to describe just in text but basically he dragged out his words “i don’t thiiiink i can wooooork under than kind of pressuuuuure”

BRAD OSCAR!!!!!

Got a huge applause!! We literally just didn’t stop so nostradamus just went with it and he started looking up and around as if he could hear voices.

Brad always gives x200 each performance, but tonight he just had so much enthusiasm and it made me so happy to see him give justice to this number.

There were cheers for the les mis joke, for when the ensemble comes out, “and then you got yourself a musical,” and the end. People were also clapping along to the song.

“And then you got yourself a musical” is the line that always gets me. It’s the loudest point in the song, it’s when everyone is lined up together, it’s just?? The best part and i really teared up at that part.

The standing ovation started when everyone had their headsketches up. It was really incredible to see the actors smiling so wide, really taking in the audience. Most of the ensemble was crying. I was in the second row so I could turn around and see the orchestra, the mezz, and the balcony all on their feet. I saw Jordan Roth standing and beaming. It was really magical.

The applause clocked in at approximately a minute and 30 seconds, which doesn’t seem like a lot of time but trust me when i say it felt like five minutes. Then when everyone sat down, the applause started back up again to last another 30 seconds.

So Elizabeth Earley went on in Marisha’s track, meaning she was the ugly woman Nigel accidentally points at. And she did the funniest bit i have ever seen in that role. Nigel pointed at her and she screamed at him, shaked her butt, and just kept dancing and the crowd went wild. She hovered over to the fruit stand and bought grapes from the seller and proceeded to eat them in front of everyone. The crowd was LIVING. I didn’t think i could laugh any harder until she took ANOTHER grape vine and offered it to portia and portia said no so she just gobbed on them. This literally went on for a full minute. I’ve only seen a funny bit done in this role before at that was with Tracee. Elizabeth Earley is so fantastic I’m so glad i got to see her shine!

I’ve never laughed harder at black death than i had last night

“Pleasure’s a sin”

“YOU SHOULDA BEEN A BETTER REAPER”

Any time bea mentioned feminism the crowd cheered

Eric’s “YO BEAR SHIT BOY” was FIRE

I Love the Way was so frickin CUTE

Will Power was so fire and I kept thinking of Christian in the audience watching and wondering what he was thinking

“Thanks for helping with my wood”

Adam’s “hmm” are so funny

THEY KEPT CHRISTIAN’S ICE SCULPTURE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE RUN AND I WOULD KILL TO KNOW WHAT CHRISTIAN WAS THINKING WHEN HE SAW HIS ICE SCULPTURE ROLL OUT ON STAGE

Bottoms Gonna Be On Top might honestly be my fave number i just love it so much

THE TAP BATTLE ok so any time the crowd cheered for Shakespeare, Nick looked at the audience (specifically in my direction??) like “what no stop!!” and rob did the most hilarious thing. When shakespeare asks “you wrote omelette?” rob mimed a string lifting up his knee, then mimed lifting up his foot, and the mimed cutting the string and his foot landed on the ground and he said “yes” that was so brilliant and unexpected i hope he keeps that on tour

Intermission

I said hi to Gregg Barnes!! we had a rly nice convo about his costumes and tour and seeing the show develop from previews and he’s honestly such a nice guy. he thanked me for supporting the show and coming back and i rly can’t wait to see what he does in the future

i headed over to the lobby and saw some of my pals talking to jordan roth so i said hi to them and jordan said hi and welcomed me back and complimented the matching shirts!!

I saw todrick hall in the lobby and we made eye contact and he smiled and i waved?? I don’t know him super well and he doesn’t know me at all but that was a cool moment!!

dina @sscsldcp had a free snack voucher so i went with her on line to get a drink and we ended up behind christian on line with brian and brooks in our vicinity. i said hi to christian and he smiled and said hi and that he was happy to see me!! (that sounds super general but he was actually so nice and generous!!)

Act Two (idk why act two notes are shorter than act one notes??)

Again i just kept thinking about Christian watching Adam do HTBTB

“i like the new york actor”

The scene where nigel reads his poem to portia got so much response!

We see the light was so fun and happy

Tari’s last “so true PREACH IT”

Everyone awwed when nigel and portia kissed!

“DON’T DO THAT” left the audience SILENT and SHOOK my fave moment of the show

To thine own self was fire

Adam’s toby screech

Right hand man reprise was so sweet and touching

MAKE AN OMELETTE!!!!!!

My favorite line in the whole show, “my father said this to me, that he did and then he blew me………….away” got so much laughter thank u thank u

Another standing ovation for Omelette. Pretty much the same as before. Lasted a minute. So much smiling and energy from everyone in the theatre.

To thine own self reprise :((((((( man i was crying

“And brother. I know just the story we should tell”

I was full out sobbing during the finale and the curtain speech

John and kate popped out stage left during the speech and i was so shook???? Surprise ALL ur faves are here!!!!!

Stage Door

Edward Hibbert, Catherine Brunell, Aaron Kaburick, Leslie Kritzer, Angie Schworer, Max Clayton, Stacey Todd Holt, Elizabeth Earley, Jenny Hill, Rob McClure, Josh Grisetti, Tari Kelly, Brad Oscar, Leah Hofmann, Beth Nicely, the Kirkpatricks, John O’Farrell, Jordan Roth, Kate Reinders, and John Cariani all came out. I saw Eric but he had to leave.

I basically just thanked everyone and wished them well. I got hugs from Catherine, Leslie, Tari, Eric, and Beth.

I took a ton of photos with my pals and as I was walking away from the theatre I just lost it. It felt so wrong leaving the theatre knowing it would all be gone.

and that.....was my night. if i remember any more i’ll update this post but ye thanks for reading and thank you to all my SR pals on this website!! ur the real bros!!

#something rotten #show #finally this is up

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hymn2000 · 4 years

Text

Ideal Confusion - MCU AU Fanfic - C2

(Title subject to change)

Story summary: Giving into the constant pressure from the press, Tony decides to put a rest to the rumours that Peter is his biological son - once and for all.

Previous Chapter(s): 1

Part of my Frostiron and Spiderson series.

Warnings/themes: family, family stuff, adoption, DNA test(s), pressure, peer pressure, social issues, mentions of alcoholism, mental health problems, potentially some minor medical inaccuracies, mentions of corporal punishment

You can also find me on AO3

Chapter 2 - He’ll Get You In Trouble

Peter was glad it was Monday, because school was a good way to get his mind off what was going on at home. Or at least it would be, if it weren’t for Nigel.

Other people were talking about the big news story too, of course, but most of them had the sense to lower their voices or stop talking when they saw Peter. Brash as always, Nigel decided to take centre stage and keep the tabloids big talking point as the classes big talking point.

Peter tried to ignore him at first, aided by Millie and Flo, but it wasn’t easy. It soon proved impossible, however, because Nigel got fed up being ignored and got louder, and closer.

“Stop getting all up in our faces!” Millie hissed, giving him a little push.

“Keep your hands to yourself, Millicent” Nigel scowled. “I’m not talking to you: I’m talking to Peter”

“Peter doesn’t want to talk to you” Flo said, putting an arm round Peter’s waist.

Peter, of course, didn’t say anything. He stayed where he was, leaning back against the desk, arms over his chest, looking distastefully at his classmate.

“So why didn’t he take you in when you were a little kid?” Nigel asked. “Was it because he was still busy shagging around?”

Peter barely reacted, but his throat felt tight. There was so much he wanted to say but couldn’t, and Nigel knew it. And they both knew Peter wasn’t about to reach for his whiteboard and scribble out an argument.

“I think everyone’s surprised it lasted as long as it did, but they say the truth will out, right?”

“Of course it’s the truth” Wendy said, boldly leaving her corner to back up her cousin.

Peter shot her a look. They’d never gotten along, not since Peter’s fountain pen had broken and splattered her book with ink on his first day at St Hendricks. She didn’t really get on with anyone else either, and usually kept to herself to such an extent that Peter often forget she was there.

So suddenly standing up and being in front of him, with her wartime housewife hairstyle and round spectacles and look of utter distaste - almost contempt - in her eyes, was very bold indeed - and very unwelcome.

“There’s no smoke without fire, you know” she said. “Channel six are a credible source - and it’s not as though it’s a far fetched story. I’m sure we all heard what they had to say last night”

Peter narrowed his eyes at her. She was standing a little too close for his liking.

“I don’t understand the big secrecy” Wendy continued. “Lots of celebrities have children born outside their current relationship. It’s plain to see the resemblance between you and your father. Why keep up the insistence that you’re not blood related? If you ask me-”

“No one is asking you” Flo snapped. “People can look alike without being related by blood, you know. If it were true, it would be common knowledge, and not a news scandal. People are just bored and trying to come up with something to get the masses - people like you - thick people, interested”

Wendy’s face darkened, and Peter raised a hand to give her a little push - but Nigel grabbed hold of his wrist.

“Don’t you dare touch my cousin!” he hissed.

Peter paused for a split second. He looked at Nigel, and his captive hand, and then his free hand - and then he punched him hard. Nigel let go of Peter, stumbling, tripping over someones bag and falling over. Peter stood where he was, giving Wendy an “I dare you” look. Wendy wisely stepped backwards, unsure how to react.

“Right” Nigel growled, getting to his knees. “That’s it!”

He reached out and tripped Peter. Peter fell, but caught himself neatly on his finger tips. He snapped his head up, and Nigel went for him. Peter dodged, and grabbed Nigel’s fist. He wasn’t in the mood for this.

“Even if Tony Stark didn’t birth you, I bet Loki had something to do with it” Nigel hissed.

Peter shoved him hard in the chest so that he fell backwards. Before Nigel had even a second to regain his composure, Peter pounced and sat on him, grabbing his wrists and pinning them by his head. It wasn’t a difficult thing to do, and in the back of his mind, Peter thanked his Spiderman abilities for being more than just a suit.

“Why are you so strong?!” Nigel cursed, struggling helplessly.

Peter, as always, kept his mouth closed. He bit the inside of his mouth, because he suddenly saw the funny side of being on the floor of his form room, straddling Nigel and holding him helpless to the carpet. He knew it would be fatal to laugh. He just had to wait until Nigel gave up.

“Boys!” Ms Hathersage cried, rushing into the form room. “What on Earth are you two doing?! Get up at once!”

She assisted them in doing so by way of grabbing each boy by the collar and hauling them to their feet. She gave them both a little shake, and glared at the rest of the form, who wisely slunk to their seats and sat down.

“It’s barely nine o’ clock and you’re already causing havoc! Is this really any way for two young gentlemen to behave?” Ms Hathersage chided. “What were you fighting about? Come on; out with it!”

“We weren’t” Nigel said. “We were just messing about”

“Is that so? What happened to your face?”

Nigel raised a hand to his cheek, which still hurt rather a lot.

“Looks bad, does it?” he shook his head slightly. “Landed on Bernie’s PE bag. There’s football boots in there, you know”

Ms Hathersage looked at Bernie, who seemed to be trying his level best to turn invisible. Ms Hathersage looked at Nigel hard, and then looked at Peter.

“Is that right?”

Peter nodded slightly. Ms Hathersage seemed to accept it, because she sighed and released them.

“Sit down, now. You two need to learn to amuse yourselves in less destructive ways”

They took their seats. Flo grabbed Peter’s hand under the table, and Peter was happy to squeeze it. He flopped back in his seat while Ms Hathersage started taking the register. He was feeling dreadfully worked up. But at least it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. Wendy had kept her mouth shut. And as much as Peter clashed with Nigel, at least Nigel never intentionally got Peter into trouble - in fact, he actively protected him from it. Peter had to give him credit for that.

Flo fixed Peter with a heavy stare at break time when they were sat at their usual round table by the coffee machine in the dining hall.

“Ok, I’m just going to say it” Flo said. “I know everything in the news is a rumour, and your dad’s not your dad by anything more than adoption”

Peter nodded.

“But I don’t really want to talk about that story. What I do want to talk about is your relationship with Nigel”

Peter was a little taken aback by that. He looked at Millie for help.

“I think that’s a good idea, Flo” Millie said. “I’ve got questions too”

Peter sunk in his seat. He sighed to himself. If only Macy were here: she would have been on his side on this one.

“It doesn’t make any sense” Flo said. “A lot of the time it’s like you hate each other, but then he always picks you for his team in PE, or his group in drama when we’re 50/50, and-”

“And he never dobs you in for anything” Millie interrupted. “He’d let you get away with murder”

“Just like this morning. He protects you with his life, you know” Flo said. “And then, of course, there’s Wendy. He only got cross with you today because you went to push her”

“There’s a big family honour thing in their family, apparently” Millie said. “Still, you didn’t have to punch him like you did. It was a little extreme”

“But also kind of warranted” Flo said. “And then, of course, there’s the way he looks at you”

Peter pressed his lips together. He usually told Flo everything, but he hadn’t told her about the (many) occasions where Nigel had dragged him into a store cupboard (and once into the PE office when it was empty), and got off with him. Peter wasn’t exactly proud of letting that happen, especially more than once. The only person he’d told was May, but since she was dead and he was talking to her grave, it hardly counted.

“Do you like him, Peter? Because I honestly don’t know a lot of the time” Flo said.

“He winds you up, doesn’t he?” Millie said.

Peter nodded. He wasn’t going to reach for his whiteboard for this. It was far too awkward.

“So do you like him?”

Peter shrugged. He supposed Nigel could be good fun sometimes. He was quite funny and charismatic in his own way. But a lot of the time he was rude and defensive and annoying and liked winding him up. And sometimes he was downright cruel. So Peter wasn’t sure.

“Talk, Peter!” Flo whined, pushing his whiteboard at him.

“How about we go over to the boarding house at lunch? You’ll be able to talk better in Macy’s room with just us three around, won’t you?” Millie suggested.

Peter didn’t really react, but he didn’t look happy.

“Right, that’s settled” Flo said, clapping her hands together. “At lunch, we’ll visit Macy and have a good heart to heart debate on her sick bed”

That seemed to make both girls happy, because they turned the conversation onto finishing their coffee and bagels in time for the next lesson. As much as it would be nice to see Macy, Peter definitely didn’t want to waste his lunchtime under a metaphorical spotlight, being quizzed about Nigel. He had a feeling he knew what he needed to do.

Peter couldn’t go over to the boarding house. He couldn’t face that conversation. He wouldn’t want to talk about it at the best of times, but much less today; after he’d had a fight and was still feeling a bit funny about the news segment on channel six the previous night. He could whine and bitch all he wanted, but there was no guarantee that two people as strong-willed and heavy-headed as Millie and Flo would let him weasel out of it easily.

There was, however, one surefire way of getting out of it: getting a lunchtime detention. That wasn’t always as easy as it sounded, but if there was one person who was an expert on this state of affairs, Peter knew exactly who to go to. Someone he’d gotten into trouble with before. Someone who boarded despite his family living a mere twenty minutes from the school. Someone Tony Stark saw as a Bad Influence. And someone with a soft spot for Peter Parker-Stark.

Malaki grinned up at Peter when he approached his desk.

“Hello, Curly, my darling” he said, taking Peter’s hand and kissing the back of it. “You ok?”

Peter looked over his shoulder. Millie was helping Flo change the needle on the sewing machine they were using, so they were both occupied and not paying attention to him. Peter sat down beside Malaki. Malaki put an arm round Peter’s shoulders, leaning into him.

“Well, isn’t this lovely?” he smiled. “You’re over here for a reason, aren’t you?”

Peter nodded.

“Don’t worry; they’re still fighting with that bobbin” he said, keeping an eye on Millie and Flo. “What can I do for you?”

Peter scribbled a message on his whiteboard. Malaki read it carefully. He looked at Peter.

“Leave it to me, gorgeous~” he smiled. “We’ve got this lesson and next to sort you out - and I will, don’t you worry”

Peter let out a sigh of relief and gave him a hug by way of thanks. Malaki smiled at him.

“Just a second, curly” he said. “HEY, MS CASTLETON!”

“MALAKI! Don’t shout!” Ms Castleton shouted, coming over to his desk. “What is it?”

“Peter’s feeling a bit sick. Is it ok for me to take him to get a drink and some fresh air?”

Ms Castleton looked at Peter.

“Hm... You do look a bit pale” she said, feeling his forehead. “You’re a little bit warm too” she nodded at Malaki. “Go and get a drink and some air. It’s quite hot in here; maybe that’s what’s making you feel unwell”

“I’ll look after him, miss, don’t worry”

“Don’t try your luck, Malaki Owens. You’ll stay after school if you don’t make progress on your project”

Malaki merely smiled at her.

Peter wasn’t entirely sure why Malaki had come up with this fib, but he played along. He'd been feeling a bit funny anyway, and being out of the classroom helped. Malaki got them both a bottle of water from one of the vending machines, and they sat outside in the bandstand.

“She’s right about that classroom being hot” Malaki said. “I swear she’s got hidden heaters all over the place”

Peter nodded slightly, sipping his water.

“So... You’d tell me the truth if I asked you a question, right?”

Peter nodded.

“Tony Stark... You haven’t done a DNA test, have you? All the papers say they’re offering you them and stuff. But have you done one?”

Peter shook his head.

“Didn’t think so... Hey, Peter? Do you... do you think he’s your dad? Like, biologically, I mean?”

Peter shook his head. He picked up his whiteboard.

There’s no way he could be. I had a mum and dad when I was a baby, before they died and I went to live with my aunt. I don’t think we look *that* similar, either

“Weeell... There’s definitely a resemblance” Malaki said. “You seem pretty sure about this”

I am sure. I can’t remember them anymore and I can’t remember much about them, but my first parents were just normal people, like, a normal couple living a normal life. As far as I know, there wasn’t even anything interesting about them. I think they were both civil servants. May never really talked about them much, actually. I think she tried when I was young but then I guess I got older and didn’t remember and stuff so maybe she gave up. Or maybe she thought I was better off just moving on. I don’t know.

He turned over his whiteboard and continued on the other side.

I know this sounds really bad, but I don’t really care. I used to, when I was younger and all my friends had parents and stuff, but now I’m just indifferent to it. I never really knew them so I guess I can’t care. Now I’ve got a different family, one I do actually know. Look, I love my dad, yknow, my actual Tony-Stark dad, but he’s definitely not my biological one

“Yeah... It doesn’t sound that bad, really. You can’t really have any emotional connection or proper feelings about people you don’t remember and probably didn’t really know. You were only little, right? They’re effectively strangers in that case then, don’t you think?” Malaki said. “For Tony Stark, I guess it’d be way too much of a coincidence, and if he was, he’d’ve been in touch with you when you were tiny, right? You’d know if you had a chance of making a baby, right?”

Peter nodded.

Dad said even though he was a major slut, he always used protection. The papers are just after a good story

“Well, they’ve achieved that much” Malaki said. “I was home at the weekend, and even my parents were talking about it”

Oh. What do they think?

“Mum says if you were, you’d’ve been taken away from Queen’s and into billionaire town as soon as he knew about you. Like, she said he could’ve fought for custody and he would’ve won cos he’s rich” Malaki said. “Dad thinks you are, though. He said that when someone sleeps with that many people, and are that busy and stuff, that it could happen and it could’ve been years before he found out and found you. He said that your dad used to have loads of one night stands with people he’d never see again, so you’re probably from one of them, and they had no way to get in touch. But then mum was like, well, if someone had been carrying Tony Stark’s baby, they’d go straight to the papers and then he’d’ve ended up knowing pretty quickly even if she didn’t, like, have his phone number. So they’re on different sides of the table. They talked about it for a pretty long time”

That’s so weird. There’s probably been hundreds of people I’ve never met talking about me and my family because of this

“I can only really imagine. I mean, it was weird for me, because they were talking about my friend - my curly! - and it was like, they were talking about a news story, but also someone I know? It’s weird trying to explain it”

Peter nodded. He took a minute, thinking.

Do you think asking for a DNA test is weird? Because if the press have made up their minds, surely they should think that we know the answer for definite and are just hiding it? So what would a DNA test change for them? Is it to guilt trip my dad?

Malaki blinked at him, trying to comprehend it. “Uhh... I’ve not really thought about it, but I guess maybe it is a bit weird. I mean, even if you did do a DNA test, it’d only benefit them if the results went public, right? Why does it matter if you’re his or not anyway? What would it change?”

Peter shrugged.

“Do you think it’d be weird, like, if you were, and it changed who you thought you were or something?”

Peter thought for a minute before scribbling on his board again.

My parents were Richard and Mary Parker, they died and I lived with Ben and May Parker, and then Ben died, and then May died and I went to live with Loki and Tony Stark, and then they adopted me. I know where I came from but that doesn’t matter as much as knowing who I am. And I am Peter Benjamin Parker-Stark, and I live in a giant house and I go to a posh school with you and the bunnies and idiots like Nigel and Wendy, and most of the time, even though I’m kinda ill, I’m happy

Malaki laughed slightly. He put his arms round Peter, resting his cheek on his shoulder.

“At least you know who you are. Even people who have only ever had one set of parents don’t always know that”

Peter nodded slightly, cleaning his whiteboard. He hesitated and then wrote another message.

What do you think?

Malaki read the message a few times over, thinking.

“Uhh...”

You’re not allowed to lie to me

Malaki swallowed. He lifted his head, looking at Peter.

“You know I believe everything you say” he said. “...My parents talked about it a lot, like I said. My sister talked about it a bit too. I listened mostly, but I said stuff too... You know, at first I thought it was rubbish, because we’ve seen all this kind of story before. But this one seems different. It’s like, it feels like it’s full of facts, and some of the stuff they say and point out and that, does make it sound like they actually know what they’re on about, even though they’re mainly tabloids and chat shows and stuff”

You’re being evasive

Malaki closed his mouth and rested his cheek back against Peter’s shoulder.

“...I agree with my dad”

Peter didn’t feel great. He went back to textiles with Malaki, and the rest of the lesson went by smoothly enough. But he didn’t want to be there. He wanted to go home so badly. He wanted to pull a sickie so they’d call his parents. But he knew it wasn’t the best idea.

Instead, after textiles, he let Malaki drag him to his locker.

“My plan is simple” he said, picking something up. “A couple of these should do”

Is that a party popper?

“Well, yes, but not a normal one. Look, I’ve got a normal one in here. I’ll show you. So, these do this” he pulled the popper, and little streamers of paper splattered over the contents of his locker. “They’re little, right? These things are big, and they don’t just have streamers: they have sequins and glitter too. They’re pretty impressive. I tested them in Mr Hardwoods study at the boarding house. Here, you take one, and I’ll take the other”

Peter took the large party popper he was given. He looked at it doubtfully. They’d probably get shouted at for firing them in the corridors, but Peter doubted it would end in a detention.

“Ok, come with me” Malaki said, checking his smart watch as they walked along. “Ok, so Mr Pipe-Fowler should be finished with that meeting. There’s no one important in attendance so he won’t be lingering afterwards”

Peter glanced at Malaki’s watch. The screen was too small for him to make out everything he was flicking through, but it looked like he had all sorts of plans and blueprints on it. It was another one of those strange moments where Peter found himself agreeing with Tony’s opinion of this friend.

Malaki stopped outside Mr Pipe-Fowlers office.

“They work just the same as regular party poppers” he said. “Point it slightly upwards and pull the string when I do”

Before Peter knew what was happening, Malaki’s hand was on the door handle. Peter didn’t feel sure now, but there was no going back. Malaki flung the door open and sprung into the room. Peter had no choice but to do the same. Peter realised a second too late that the room was occupied. The big poppers were much louder than Peter had expected, and all in an instant, the whole room was covered in streamers, sequins, and glitter. There was a moment of silence, and then Malaki was shrieking with laughter, and Mr Pipe-Fowler was shouting, and it was all very overwhelming and confusing.

Malaki was laughing entirely too much, once again refusing to grasp the gravity of the situation. Mr Pipe-Fowler was shouting more than Peter had ever heard from him before. Peter wasn’t really registering what was going on because it was all so loud, and all of a sudden the headmaster was in front of them. He grabbed hold of Malaki, but when he made a grab for Peter, the boy flinched.

“Peter?”

Peter was surprised at himself for flinching so much. He looked at the old man warily, and slowly straightened. Mr Pipe-Fowler sighed. He glared at Malaki.

“Owens!” he snapped. “Be quiet!”

Malaki managed to calm down a bit, still pink in the face from laughing, and still giggling whenever he looked at Peter. Mr Pipe-Fowler looked at him distastefully, and turned to Peter.

“Master Parker, we’ve had this conversation before” he said. “We warned you that you’d only end up in bother staying so well acquainted with Owens. I will be writing to your parents about this”

Peter swallowed. He hoped it would be a letter and not an email, so that he could get to it first and make sure they never saw it. They had enough on their plates without another “To the parent/guardian of Peter Parker-Stark” letter.

“You might well look ashamed. You’re better than this, Parker” he looked at the two boys. “You’re going to be late for your next lesson. It’s Physical Education for you next, is it not?”

“Sure is!” Malaki grinned.

Mr Pipe-Fowler wasn’t amused. “Detention this lunch time, both of you. Parker, go off to your lesson. Owens, we’ve got a form to fill out”

Peter still wasn’t sure what to make of Mr Pipe-Fowler, he thought to himself as he got changed for PE. On the one hand, he looked like something out of the Victorian era (although, considering the school uniforms and the school itself looked likewise, maybe it was apt), and often acted like it too. On the other hand, he’d always been very understanding about Peter’s selective mutism, his situation right at the start, and any changes to his situation since. And, he was one of the only teachers who still called him Parker. After he was adopted and became Parker-Stark, most people very swiftly moved on to Peter Stark or Stark when addressing him, but Mr Pipe-Fowler still called him Parker, which Peter liked and appreciated. He was a bit of an enigma.

Malaki was an enigma too. He came waltzing into the changing rooms ten minutes after Peter, looking as though he didn’t have a care in the world. He ignored Mr Musgroves explanations of orienteering and showed off his black slip to Peter and everyone else who dared look. It was quite a nasty one by all accounts, and Peter didn’t understand how Malaki was taking it so well. Malaki took all his corporal punishment slips really well - almost as though it was an achievement to get one - and Peter had never really understood it. For a long time Peter though he didn’t understand it because he himself did not often take his slips well.

There were two occasions that Peter was famed for in regards to cp slips. The first was quite early on at St Hendricks, when a substitute teacher had grabbed him by the wrist and smacked his palm much harder than strictly allowed with a wooden ruler, and he’d cried so much he’d been sent out of the room. The second famed occasion was the time Mr Tucker (Peter’s geography teacher, who had never really warmed to him) raised a ruler to him, and Peter, without thinking, had snatched it from him and snapped it in two.

These were quite exceptional circumstances, and both had had an effect on the way teachers were with him - aside from the upper hand he already had from everyone being in awe of Tony Stark and slightly terrified on Loki Stark, and the fact he’d cried so easily when he first started at the school. Generally, if he was facing cp or a slip, Peter would either cry, kick off, or simply stare the teacher down in a way that said “do your best”, and then act as though nothing had happened as soon as it was over. It seemed to vary quite a lot.

So Malaki, who was known for laughing when threatened with a red slip, was on another plain of existence.

“Malaki!” Mr Musgrove sighed. “Put that slip away and get changed”

Malaki shrugged in a care-free manner. “Sure thing, Mr M!”

Malaki sauntered off to one of the cubicles to get changed. Nigel caught Peter’s eye, and they exchanged a look. Peter had a feeling Malaki confused Nigel just as much as he confused everyone else in the school.

Peter was put in a group with Malaki, Nigel, and a boy called Percy for orienteering. It wasn’t a group Peter would have chosen. He didn’t like being in groups with Malaki, because he usually ruined everything, intentionally or otherwise. Nigel was usually good to work with, but considering their rocky relationship and the events of the morning, he would rather not have been with him. besides, he really clashed with Malaki, so why Mr Musgrove had put them in a group together was beyond him. As for Percy...

Well, Peter didn’t know him very well. He was Percy Perkins, and everyone had called him Peck-Peck since he was about four years old. As Peter understood it, Peck-Peck had been trying to get rid of that nickname for years, but it had followed him when he started at St Hendricks, and no one would stop calling him it because it was such a habit. Peter felt a bit sorry for him, but he also thought it could have been worse. He also thought it was extra unfortunate to try to shake off a nickname like Peck-Peck when you looked quite like a bird.

After being pinned to the floor in front of the whole form, Nigel had wound his neck in, and didn’t mention the news story or Peter’s supposed parentage. Malaki was contented with his earlier conversation on the topic and didn’t say anything either. Peck-Peck wanted to say something about it, but, as much as he’d never admit it, he was a little bit scared of Peter, so he didn’t dare.

As expected, Malaki managed to ruin everything fairly quickly.

“For god’s sake, Malaki!” Nigel shouted. “We’re all going to get into trouble because of you! Why can’t you be serious for once?!”

“Well, what would be the fun in that?” Malaki said. “Orienteering is rubbish. It’s not even a sport, and it’s hardly a challenge either. It’s essentially an outside Geography lesson - and not a very good one either”

“If you ever get stranded with nothing but a map and a compass, you’ll be buggered, Owens” Peck-Peck scowled. “We could’ve been finished already if you didn’t keep messing about”

Peter leant back against the fence, watching them argue. He always had to leave his white board in the changing rooms during PE, which was fair enough, but it did mean that he very much turned into a spectator during PE arguments. Funnily, they were quite a common occurrence.

“Put it this way” Malaki was saying. “If we don’t go running about and getting all hot and sweaty, we don’t have to shower”

“You don’t really run about in orienteering anyway!” Peck-Peck said. “Besides, showers are hardly something you want to get out, surely? They’re not exactly a bad thing”

“They are when you’re in the big open shower with this one” Malaki said, elbowing Nigel in the ribs.

“Ow! Malaki! Keep your hands to yourself”

“Technically, it was my elbow”

“You’re ridiculous” Nigel growled. “What’s so intimidating about open showers anyway? You’re only in there to wash. I think you and Peter are the only people who have a problem with it”

“Peter doesn’t have a problem with it”

“He does!” Nigel insisted. “Why else would he always use the cubicle shower? He always uses a changing cubicle too”

“Maybe it’s because he knows you’d stare at him and try to start awkward conversations”

“You’re both being ridiculous” Peck-Peck said tiredly. “We’re not talking about Peter, anyway. We’re talking about you and your big problem with open showers”

“And having a wet head for the rest of the school day” Malaki pointed out.

“Don’t wash your hair then”

“I’d get hair dye everywhere anyway” Malaki said, running his hands through his newly-black hair. “Black is a bugger to work with”

“You’re an idiot” Nigel said. “There’s nothing wrong with open showers”

“Look, I’ll admit that the idea of being in a steamy room with eleven other naked guys should be a dream come true. But tragically I hate most of you, and those of you I don’t hate, I don’t want to ruin by seeing naked. Aside from maybe Peter here”

Peter scowled and smacked him one.

“Ow! Sorry, curly”

Peter rolled his eyes.

“Are we going to complete this course or not?” Peck-Peck said. “Mr Musgrove will go mad if we don’t get back with all our squares punched and our clues solved”

“Aww, we’ll just get Peter to look at him with that sad look in his eyes” Malaki said.

“How about we push you over instead? Then we can use your cut knees as a good excuse for being so far behind”

“OR we could just do the course” Peck-Peck said, snatching the map from Malaki. He looked at Peter. “We need to go north west”

Peter handed him the compass. He was happier sat back doing nothing. Besides, watching Malaki and Nigel argue was amusing.

“Come on” Peck-Peck sighed.

“Why should we?” Malaki said.

“Because I’ll punch your lights out if you don’t!” Nigel threatened.

Malaki sighed. “You’re so violent, Nigel. So violent”

“I’ll show you violent!”

Nigel went for him, but Malaki dodged and Nigel accidentally hit Peter instead. Peter knew it was an accident, but he hit back instinctively.

“No one hits my Peter!” Malaki shouted, pouncing.

It was all a little bit mad. Peck-Peck intervened, grabbing Peter and pulling him back out of harms way. It was a little awkward - Peter wasn’t sure how he felt about having Peck-Pecks arm round his chest and a hand under his shirt, on his stomach.

“Would you two stop it?!” Peck-Peck shouted. “This is why no one ever wants to work with you, Owens! We’re going to get into so much trouble. AND you hurt Peter”

Malaki stopped, stepping back, and Nigel did too. They scowled at each other. Nigel cleared his throat and looked at Peter.

“Are you ok?”

Peter nodded.

“...Good” he sighed. “Peck-Peck, let him go”

Peck-Peck did.

“It’s Percy” he mumbled.

No one took any notice. Nigel glared at Malaki.

“Shut up. Let’s get going”

Malaki plonked himself down next to Peter in detention.

“Aww, don’t look at me like that” he said.

Peter wasn’t happy with Malaki. As predicted, they’d gotten into trouble because of him, and then Malaki had started a fight with Nigel in the showers. Peter was in a cubicle and didn’t see, but he certainly heard it. Peter was too tired to deal with any more drama.

He’d had his lunch with Millie and Flo, but they were annoyed at him for getting a detention and even though they tried to hide it, Peter could still sense it.

So he wasn’t in the best of moods when he turned up to detention, and having Malaki plonk down beside him didn’t help, especially when he flopped against his shoulder.

“You’re welcome” Malaki said.

Peter gave him a little push.

“Aww, don’t be like that! I know you love me really~”

Peter gave him a proper push.

“STARK!” Mr Decade, the supervising teacher, shouted.

“It’s alright, sir” Malaki said. “We’re just messing about”

“Well you shouldn’t be” Mr Decade shouted. “This is detention! Owens, move to the other side of the room”

Malaki shrugged and stood up, waltzing over to the other side of the room. Peter watched him, half zoning out. Mr Decade got up from his desk and marched over. He grabbed the back of Peter’s chair, turned it round, and shoved it under a desk facing away from Malaki.

“Don’t even think about turning around, Stark”

Peter scowled.

“You brought this on yourself. Do your homework or daydream; I don’t care. Just keep your mouth shut, and don’t look at Owens”

Peter raised an eyebrow at him. Mr Decade laughed slightly.

“You take after your parents, Stark”

He went back to his desk. Peter rested his elbow on the desk and his face on his hand, and stared out of the window. There wasn’t much to see, but at least it meant he didn’t have to look at Malaki.

"I’m not happy with you” Tony said in the car on the way back from school.

Peter didn’t say anything.

“I got an email this afternoon” Tony continued. “From Mr Pipe-Fowler”

Peter pressed his lips together. He’d hoped it would be a physical letter.

“I take it you know what it was about” Tony said. He went quiet, waiting. “Anything you have to say for yourself?”

Peter stayed quiet.

“Peter” Tony persisted. “Come on”

“It was Malaki’s idea!”

“I gathered that much” Tony said tightly.

“Look, it’s not a big deal!”

“Isn’t it? You’re being led astray. I’ve told you time and time again to keep away from Malaki. Why did you do it, kiddo? You’re better than this”

“...I needed a detention”

“What?! How could you possibly ‘need’ a detention?! You silly little-”

“I did! It was either that or pull a sickie. I needed to get out of lunch time”

“But why?”

“Because Millie and Flo were pressuring me and they were gonna make me go over to the boarding house so we were alone in Macy’s room so that I’d speak to them, and I didn’t want to speak to them, so-”

“Hey, hey, Peter, calm down” Tony said. “Why didn’t you want to talk to them? What is it?”

“They were going on about Nigel and trying to get me to talk about what I think of him and what kind of relationship we have and stuff, and I didn’t want to talk about but they did, and they weren’t gonna drop it, and the only way I could get out of it was to make sure I had to be somewhere else at lunchtime!”

Tony was quiet for half a minute.

“...Why? Why is talking about Nigel so bad? I know you two don’t get along, but still. Why did it get brought up?”

Peter looked down at his shoes. “...We had a bit of a fight this morning”

“What? Peter!”

“It was his fault! He was saying all this stuff about the whole news thing, and then that stupid bitch Wendy-”

“Peter!” Tony snapped.

“What?! She is a bitch. So she got involved, and basically Nigel took her side, obviously, cos they’re cousins, and he was defending her, so he grabbed me, and I hit him, and-”

“I get the general idea” Tony sighed. “What did your teachers say?”

“Ms Hathersage came in when I’d already won, and Nigel told her we were just messing about, and she believed us”

Tony sighed heavily. “You’re a menace, Peter. You need to have your backside smacked”

“You’re not funny”

“I’m not joking”

Peter scowled at him.

“Enough of the face, Peter” Tony sighed. “I’ve had a hell of a day: I can’t be doing with your moods”

“I’ve had a hell of a day too” Peter grumbled.

“I know, kiddo... Well, when we get home, I’ve got stuff to do. Have you got any homework?”

“Only Science”

“Well, you can sit and do that when we get back. I need you out of the way for a while”

“Charming”

Tony couldn’t help laughing. “You’re so much like your dad sometimes. So much like your dad...”

Loki sat next to Peter in the reading nook.

“Excuse me, but you appear to have stolen my window seat”

“Mm...”

“What’s the matter, chick?”

Peter shrugged.

“Your father showed me the email from the school. You’re lucky you only got a detention”

“Everyone blamed Malaki”

“He’s a bad influence on you”

“Everyone says that”

“They’re all right to say it” Loki said. “Dad also told me what you said in the car”

“Mm... He said I needed my bum smacked”

“I see. And is that what you got?”

Peter shook his head.

“I can’t say I’m surprised though. Your dad isn’t very happy”

“Are you just in here to have a go at me?”

“I’m not having a go at you”

“Then don’t”

“I’m not!” Loki sighed heavily. “I’m really not. I’m just seeing if you’re ok”

“Well, I’m not!” Peter snapped. “I’m sick of this! I’m sick of this whole news story and the way it’s making dad act, and the way it’s making everyone talk, and I’m sick of people at school talking about it, and I’m sick of the rumours being treated as fact”

“I understand that. It’s a less than ideal situation” Loki said. “I can see why it’s upsetting for you”

Peter looked at him. “Malaki believes the rumours too”

“I see”

“Why can’t people just mind their own business?”

“Humans are very bad at that” Loki said, putting an arm round Peter’s shoulders and pulling him close. “This won’t go on forever, you know. It will be over before you know it”

“You don’t know that”

“No, I don’t. But I can hope. It’s having such a bad effect on your dad. It’s having a bad effect on all of us... No matter what they say, you know where you come from. I adore you, Peter. You’re my little boy”

“Nigel said he bets you had something to do with my conception”

Loki laughed. “Now there’s a thought! We might be cut from the same cloth, but I can assure you I am definitely not your biological father. I’m part of the jaffa club, remember?”

“That sounds kinda harsh” Peter said. “Still, it’s nice that you’re at a point where you can like, laugh about it”

“Well, I wouldn’t say that, exactly” Loki said. “But I’d say I’ve accepted it. I’ll never be able to make a baby, but I’ve already got you, and that’s more than I ever thought I’d have. And you mean the world to me”

“You’re a really good dad, you know”

Loki laughed slightly. “Thank you. Now, are you planning on moping in here all night?”

“Are you?”

“What do you think?”

Peter gave him a look, and Loki gave him a squeeze.

“Come on. Let’s go and annoy dad for a while. He’s had a bit of a day of it. Marco’s hit a dead end”

“I like Marco. He buys me Reese’s Pieces”

Loki laughed slightly. “So easily bought. Now, come on; let’s go and see dad”

Tony was sat on the sofa, looking at his phone with a pained look on his face.

“Hello, darling” Loki said, sitting down beside him. “Are you ok?”

“Mm”

Loki carefully took his phone from him.

“That’s enough for one night” he said gently.

Tony sighed. He didn’t say anything, but he made a funny little noise when Loki hugged him. Peter climbed into Tony’s lap, and Tony wound his arms round him.

“Hey, baby”

“Hey, dad”

Tony held Peter close and closed his eyes. He focused on the feeling of holding his son, and of Loki’s arms around him. He took a deep breath and released it slowly. All of this would blow over soon enough.

#my writing #fanfiction #mcu fanfiction #marvel fanfiction #frostiron #irondad and spiderson

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