Kaitlin Maria Stark

It's not that Tony doesn't want to be mad. He is. He bites it back for now, though. "Where are you? Are you hurt?" He asks, swallowing down anything other than concern.

“I’m…I’m at the midtown precinct. Im fine, not even a scratch.”

"I'm on my way. You can explain what happened when I get there," he says, already driving.

"Ok, ok thank you. I'm sorry dad. I'm...I'm really sorry." Katie mutters trying to keep her voice from trembling.

"It's okay." Tony arrives shortly, and pushes through to get to wherever Katie is being kept. "Oh, kid..."

Fuck the rules. Tony walks around the table and hugs her tightly. "What happened, sweetheart?" He asks softly, brushing her hair gently with his palm.

"Shh, it's okay," he soothes gently. He" keeps brushing her hair, trying to calm her. "Just tell me what hapened."

"I...I was. I sneaked into this club with some of my friends...and we were...we were drinking. And then someone said we should go to a party so...we got into a car and we were driving but...we...we got pulled over and they realized we were drinking and it just...I'm so sorry dad. I'm sorry. Please don't hate me." Katie rambles quickly not moving from her spot in Tony's arms.

Tony presses his lips together, obviously dissaproving, obviously thinking back to his own misspent youth. "You could've gotten seriously hurt, kid."

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry dad. I wasn’t thinking. I didn’t mean to get arrested and make a mess out of everything.”

"Umm, sure? I guess. What's going on? Is everything ok?" Katie looks confused at Tony's disheveled appearance and the way he's blocking the door.

"...technically yes," Tony answers. "No one you need to worry about--" He's interrupted by an impatient Howard emerging and looking at Katie. "Who is this?"

Tony winces, but quickly masks it behind indifference. "Dad, this is your granddaughter, Katie. Kate, this is Howard Stark. My father," he says awkwardkly, unable to fully hide it.

Tony squeezes her hand. "Long story short, we both tinkered with something at the same time, and Howard got transported here."

“True. Okay. Whose lab do you want to start with?” *They look up at her, practically buzzing with excitement, not from taking any energy though, no, just from feeling carefree again, enough to do pranks.*

*They nod, heading towards Peter’s lab with a grin.* “Okay, how about you start with the nickname portion and I’ll start messing with the tools?”

“Got it!” Katie smiles brightly before pulling up FRIDAY’s code as she starts changing the way she refers to Peter as.

*They start to mess with his tools, moving things around and putting some things in different boxes. Their head tilts in confusion while looking at something new, a new sort of invention, and they stupidly reach out to touch something. All of the sudden, there’s a flash of white light, and they quietly scream, clutching their arm to their chest, trying to breathe through the pain of the burn they just got.* “Motherfucker, that hurts!!”

“I think so? Do you have any idea what the fuck that could be?” *They point towards the invention with a glare that could burn a hole through it.* “What are you supposed to do for burns again?”

*They whine, glaring at where the first aid is.* “That stuff burns like a bitch, I don’t want to use the stupid cream, the bruise cream sucks and so does the burn cream.”

"I know but you need it especially if we don't wan't it to get infected. Come on let's run it under water first and then we can put the burn cream on." Katie says helping Anna to the sink.

*They stop in front of the sink, glaring at it and sticking out their tongue at it. Yes, that was a childish thing to do, like a 5 year old, but they’ve been doing more exposure therapy recently. And it’s been exhausting and frustrating as hell.* “You’ll make sure that it’s dry as soon we’re done, right?”

“Yup, I will. I know it sucks but we gotta do this. I’m sorry. It’ll be over quick though.” Katie says as she turns on the water.

“Fucking hell! Son of a bitch!” *They try to twist out of her grip, but they aren’t able to, which started to really frustrate them* “Let go, let go, fucking let go!”

“Hold on!” *They call, unlocking the door and then heading for their fort again.* “What’s up, what do you want to talk about?”

"Not much, it's been a while since we've actually talked so I though I'll check on you. You know see how you're doing." Katie shrugs

“I’m fine. There’s cookies in the jar, you can have one and then you can go. Because I’m fine, and you checked on me. So I’m good.” *Their voice is kind of blank, just void of any kind of emotion at all.*

"Ya that's not gonna make me leave you alone. Come on, talk to me please. What's going on?''

*They grumble internally, looking away from her and then get up.* “I have to go to the bathroom, you came and checked on me. Why don’t we schedule something in the next few days, okay?”

"Anna come on. It's me. Please talk to me. I'm worried."

“You can stay, but I’m not gonna be talking about it. I’m just gonna sit here and read or watch something. Your choice.” *They go to the bathroom, and go back to their blanket fort, grumbling when they realize their tea had gone cold.* “Fuck.” *They get back up and head for the kitchen again, warming it up, as they lean against the counter.* “Did you finally get caught up on our show?”

“Awkward silence it is.” *They go back in their blanket fort with their tea and think for a second before they sigh.* “You can come in, if you want.”

“I can? I don’t want to make you uncomfortable. That’s your safe space.”

“The fact that you respect that makes me want to invite you inside of it.” *Their voice is small, but genuine as they take a sip of their tea. Not looking at her, but deciding to send her a wave of trust and genuineness.*

"Ok, but if you want me out you just have to tell me." Katie says as she joins them in their blanket fort.

*The fairy lights make the fort look very cottagecore, with a lot of greens and blues. A bunch of stuffies and a few of their favorite blankets were in there, and they look at her with a smile.* “Do you like it?”

“Thank you. And yeah, it…..we are just gonna sit here quietly.” *They tell her, taking another sip of their tea.*

“Well I’m not gonna force you to talk to me, but I’m not leaving you alone. Especially when I know something’s wrong.”

"Oook, I mean I already knew that but is there a reason for the announcement." Katie looks at Peter confused.

Peter blinks at her. "Uh... No. What do you mean you already knew that??"

"I mean i already knew that. Was this a secret? Wait did you not know?"

"Uh, no? Sort of? Maybe? I don't know! How did you know that? When did you know that? Because I just figured it out, like, not that long ago."

"Cause I know you. Was I supposed to pretend you obsessing over Luke Skywalker since you were a child was platonic? Cause it was definitely not."

"It could've been!" Peter protests. "And yes, you were."

"It wasn't, and I'm sorry? I don't know what you want me to say, it was very obvious you liked guys Pete."

"That obvious? That's scarily obvious."

“I mean I am genius, and you’ve never been great at hiding things. But I’m glad you figured it out and I’m glad you trusted me enough to tell me Pete.”

"Thanks. I'm glad, too." He leans in to quickly hug Katie.

Katie pulls back and ruffles Peter’s hair with a soft smile. “So what brought on this very surprising revelation?”

Peter shrugs, gently leaning into Katie's hand. "Just wanted to tell someone. You seemed like my best bet."

"Hey you know no one in our family will judge you over this right?"

Peter nods quickly. "I do, just... not sure how much they'd react."

“No one’s gonna react badly Pete. And if someone does I can beat their ass for you.”

"I can beat their ass myself," Peter laughs. "And yeah, I'm sure no one's gonna have a problem."

“I know you can, but I need to do something as the big sister. I can’t just sit there and do nothing, I have an image to maintain.”

"I'm sure you do." Peter laughs. "But neither of us will have to do anything, I'm sure."

“I’m sure too. So since you’re out of your glass closet any guys that have caught your eye? What’s happening?”

"Um... Nope. Definitely not. Not one."

“Uh huh, come on, tell me, tell me. I’ll give you advice and stuff.”

"There's a guy in my class who's kinda cute, and... remember the guy Dad left in the middle of nowhere in, like, 2013?"

"Ooo tell me more about the guy, and umm ya Harley something right? What about him?"

"Uh, he's cute. That's all I got. And yeah, Harley. I'm not gonna elaborate."

“What do you mean you’re not gonna elaborate? You have to! Tell me, tell me. I’ll help, I’m a great wingwoman.”

"You don't even have a boyfriend."

“Ok first of all rude, second of all I said wingwoman. I don’t need a boyfriend to be a good wingwoman.”

"Have you ever been a wingwoman before?"

“Well no, but I’m great at everything. I’m gonna be amazing at this too!”

"I can't be your first try as wingwoman, Katie. You could ruin it. Harley's too pretty."

“Did you just call him pretty? Ew and no I’m gonna be great at it. Come on tell me. Pretty please.”

"This is why I don't talk to you about this stuff. I tell you one thing and you say ew!"

“Ok fine fine, I won’t say ew again I promise. Just tell me.”

"Uh... Fine. He seems really smart, at least, from what I've seen. And I love his accent."

“I mean dad does say he’s smart, but since when do you have a thing for country boys?”

Peter shrugs. "Can you blame me? No, you can't, because accents are hot."

“I can’t argue there, accents are hot. But when did you even meet him?”

"Uh... I didn't."

"Of course you have a crush on a guy you don't even know."

Peter snorts. "What's that supposed to mean?"

“It means you’re a dumbass.” Katie shakes her head as she ruffles Peter’s hair.

"Hey!" Peter leans into Katie's hand a little. "Am not."

“Sure you big baby. Ok so Harley, have you been talking to him? What’s happening there?”

"Uh... Pretty much nothing. I don't think he's into me that way."

"Oh is he straight? Or do you think he just doesn't like you?"

Peter shrugs. "No clue. He flirts like it's breathing with literally everyone, so I can't tell anything."

“Does he flirt with you? Do you flirt back?”

"Uh... I think so. But he does it with everyone. And I definitely try... sort of."

“Ya I can imagine you trying flirt would be a mess.”

"Rude! But... yeah, sort of."

“It’s not rude if it’s true. You want some pointers on how to flirt?”

Peter raises an eyebrow skeptically. "...Do you know how to flirt?"

“Of course I do, why wouldn’t I know how to flirt? Not that I need to flirt, when you’re as pretty as I am you don’t need to flirt to get what you want.”

Peter rolls his eyes. "Sure, that's definitely true. But yeah, why not?"

"It definitely is! I'm gorgeous. But anyway, so one of the best ways to flirt is not stumble over your words, which your most definitely doing if you like this guy. Try not to be a blubbering awkward mess."

"It's over the internet. There's no opportunity for me to be an awkward mess, I think. Hopefully."

“Don’t underestimate your ability to be an awkward mess. But the internet should help with it, until you guys meet each other in person. Also compliment him, especially if he flirts a lot.”

"Right, right, compliment him. Got it. He's trying to hitchhike here, so in person could be soon."

Peter nods. "I never said he was street smart."

“I don’t even know how he’s gonna get here, especially if he’s not street smart. Does he realize that dad will just send him a plane if he asks to come here?”

"I don't know. Once again, not street smart. I'll go find him, it's fine."

"Hey! He's less of a dumbass than I am, thank you."

“Sure Peter, because that’s so much better.” Katie looks at Peter incredulously.

"It is!"

"Uh... Love me and make sure I don't get kidnapped?"

“Oh so I’m just your babysitter then?” Katie looks at Peter incredulously, arching her eyebrows up.

Peter rolls his eyes. "No, of course not. Babysitters usually aren't the people you come out to, I don't think."

"Usually, but I'm obviously amazing so you know...exceptions." Katie says jokingly.

"Exceptions." Peter rolls his eyes again good-naturedly. "Sure."

“True. Okay. Whose lab do you want to start with?” *They look up at her, practically buzzing with excitement, not from taking any energy though, no, just from feeling carefree again, enough to do pranks.*

*They nod, heading towards Peter’s lab with a grin.* “Okay, how about you start with the nickname portion and I’ll start messing with the tools?”

“Got it!” Katie smiles brightly before pulling up FRIDAY’s code as she starts changing the way she refers to Peter as.

*They start to mess with his tools, moving things around and putting some things in different boxes. Their head tilts in confusion while looking at something new, a new sort of invention, and they stupidly reach out to touch something. All of the sudden, there’s a flash of white light, and they quietly scream, clutching their arm to their chest, trying to breathe through the pain of the burn they just got.* “Motherfucker, that hurts!!”

“I think so? Do you have any idea what the fuck that could be?” *They point towards the invention with a glare that could burn a hole through it.* “What are you supposed to do for burns again?”

*They whine, glaring at where the first aid is.* “That stuff burns like a bitch, I don’t want to use the stupid cream, the bruise cream sucks and so does the burn cream.”

"I know but you need it especially if we don't wan't it to get infected. Come on let's run it under water first and then we can put the burn cream on." Katie says helping Anna to the sink.

*They stop in front of the sink, glaring at it and sticking out their tongue at it. Yes, that was a childish thing to do, like a 5 year old, but they’ve been doing more exposure therapy recently. And it’s been exhausting and frustrating as hell.* “You’ll make sure that it’s dry as soon we’re done, right?”

“Yup, I will. I know it sucks but we gotta do this. I’m sorry. It’ll be over quick though.” Katie says as she turns on the water.

“Hold on!” *They call, unlocking the door and then heading for their fort again.* “What’s up, what do you want to talk about?”

"Not much, it's been a while since we've actually talked so I though I'll check on you. You know see how you're doing." Katie shrugs

“I’m fine. There’s cookies in the jar, you can have one and then you can go. Because I’m fine, and you checked on me. So I’m good.” *Their voice is kind of blank, just void of any kind of emotion at all.*

"Ya that's not gonna make me leave you alone. Come on, talk to me please. What's going on?''

*They grumble internally, looking away from her and then get up.* “I have to go to the bathroom, you came and checked on me. Why don’t we schedule something in the next few days, okay?”

"Anna come on. It's me. Please talk to me. I'm worried."

“You can stay, but I’m not gonna be talking about it. I’m just gonna sit here and read or watch something. Your choice.” *They go to the bathroom, and go back to their blanket fort, grumbling when they realize their tea had gone cold.* “Fuck.” *They get back up and head for the kitchen again, warming it up, as they lean against the counter.* “Did you finally get caught up on our show?”

“Awkward silence it is.” *They go back in their blanket fort with their tea and think for a second before they sigh.* “You can come in, if you want.”

“I can? I don’t want to make you uncomfortable. That’s your safe space.”

“The fact that you respect that makes me want to invite you inside of it.” *Their voice is small, but genuine as they take a sip of their tea. Not looking at her, but deciding to send her a wave of trust and genuineness.*

"Ok, but if you want me out you just have to tell me." Katie says as she joins them in their blanket fort.

*The fairy lights make the fort look very cottagecore, with a lot of greens and blues. A bunch of stuffies and a few of their favorite blankets were in there, and they look at her with a smile.* “Do you like it?”

“True. Okay. Whose lab do you want to start with?” *They look up at her, practically buzzing with excitement, not from taking any energy though, no, just from feeling carefree again, enough to do pranks.*

*They nod, heading towards Peter’s lab with a grin.* “Okay, how about you start with the nickname portion and I’ll start messing with the tools?”

“Got it!” Katie smiles brightly before pulling up FRIDAY’s code as she starts changing the way she refers to Peter as.

*They start to mess with his tools, moving things around and putting some things in different boxes. Their head tilts in confusion while looking at something new, a new sort of invention, and they stupidly reach out to touch something. All of the sudden, there’s a flash of white light, and they quietly scream, clutching their arm to their chest, trying to breathe through the pain of the burn they just got.* “Motherfucker, that hurts!!”

“I think so? Do you have any idea what the fuck that could be?” *They point towards the invention with a glare that could burn a hole through it.* “What are you supposed to do for burns again?”

*They whine, glaring at where the first aid is.* “That stuff burns like a bitch, I don’t want to use the stupid cream, the bruise cream sucks and so does the burn cream.”

"I know but you need it especially if we don't wan't it to get infected. Come on let's run it under water first and then we can put the burn cream on." Katie says helping Anna to the sink.

“Hold on!” *They call, unlocking the door and then heading for their fort again.* “What’s up, what do you want to talk about?”

"Not much, it's been a while since we've actually talked so I though I'll check on you. You know see how you're doing." Katie shrugs

“I’m fine. There’s cookies in the jar, you can have one and then you can go. Because I’m fine, and you checked on me. So I’m good.” *Their voice is kind of blank, just void of any kind of emotion at all.*

"Ya that's not gonna make me leave you alone. Come on, talk to me please. What's going on?''

*They grumble internally, looking away from her and then get up.* “I have to go to the bathroom, you came and checked on me. Why don’t we schedule something in the next few days, okay?”

"Anna come on. It's me. Please talk to me. I'm worried."

“You can stay, but I’m not gonna be talking about it. I’m just gonna sit here and read or watch something. Your choice.” *They go to the bathroom, and go back to their blanket fort, grumbling when they realize their tea had gone cold.* “Fuck.” *They get back up and head for the kitchen again, warming it up, as they lean against the counter.* “Did you finally get caught up on our show?”

“Awkward silence it is.” *They go back in their blanket fort with their tea and think for a second before they sigh.* “You can come in, if you want.”

“I can? I don’t want to make you uncomfortable. That’s your safe space.”

“The fact that you respect that makes me want to invite you inside of it.” *Their voice is small, but genuine as they take a sip of their tea. Not looking at her, but deciding to send her a wave of trust and genuineness.*

"Ok, but if you want me out you just have to tell me." Katie says as she joins them in their blanket fort.

"It's fine, I was being quiet on purpose. You're pretty good. I sometimes forget how much you like to dance.” Katie smiles softly as she walks over to Peter.

"Oh, um... Okay." Peter straightens slightly, letting his guard down now that he knows it's just his sister. He smiles, self-consciously running a hand through his hair. "Thanks."

Peter leans into her hand a little. "Thanks. Yeah, I think the powers help. I just got... really busy."

Peter blinks at her once, suddenly self-conscious. "Uh... You're going to watch?"

"I mean I was hoping to get free entertainment out of this. What, are you shy? Pete it's me." Katie looks at Peter tilting her head a little, slightly confused.

"Not shy... Are you going to laugh if I fall on my ass?"

“Well maybe a little, but that’s only cause it’s my job as your big sister.” Katie snorts before adding. “And it’s not like you’re gonna fall anyway. You’re really good.”

"...Okay. Thanks." A smile twitches at the corners of Peter's lips, and he picks his routine up again.

Katie smiles as she watches Peter go through his routine, glad to see her brother enjoying himself.

Peter doesn't stumble in his movements as he practices, his body moving in perfect tune with the music in the background. The music comes to an end, and he slows to a stop, a soft smile on his face. He loves it.

Peter smiles wider, playfully taking a bow before leaning into Katie's hand. "Maybe! We'd have to get you some good ballet slippers, though."

"That is true, I don't know nothing about dance though so I'll definitely be clueless."

Katie wasn’t sure how she felt, it was still surreal. She couldn’t believe it. How was she supposed to accept the fact that her little brother was just gone. She had been wandering the halls not sure what to do, when she pauses in front of Peter’s room. She takes a deep breath and walks in.

There's a shift in the room as soon as Katie steps through the doorway. The shadows stretch towards her as if they're reaching out. There's a chittering sound by the window, then a laugh. They both sound like Peter.

"Katie!" Peter sits cross-legged on his bed, a wide smile on his face. He hadn't been there a second ago. He looks completely fine, but he'd be slightly translucent if the light caught him, which it hasn't yet.

Peter tilts his head to one side, then shifts back a little. "What's wrong?"

"No, no, not a joke," Peter says, automatically reaching up to wipe at Katie's eyes. His face tightens when his fingers pass right through. "...Sorry."

Peter chokes when Katie's hand passes through, then shakes his head. "Um... Yeah, I'm here. Is- is this a nightmare? It doesn't make sense. I wasn't supposed to die, I was gonna heal up and it was gonna be fine. It must just be a pain med dream."

Peter gasps, dropping to a kneel. Part of his knee falls through the floor. He wants to hug Katie, but he can't. He wants to comfort her, but he doesn't think he can do that, either. "It's— it's fine. It's not real. It's fine."

Peter glances away. "...I don't know how to come back," he half-whispers.

"I hide things all the time," Peter points out hoarsely. He regrets that now. He shakes his head. "You didn't have to protect me. I should've been responsible."

“Exactly you hide things all the time. I know that. I should’ve seen it. I never should have let this happen. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. I don’t…I don’t know what to do.”

"It's not your fault," Peter says, shaking his head. "There's nothing we can do. I'm just... dead now. Maybe I'm stuck like this, maybe there's something else, maybe there's nothing. I don't know."

“…you’re right. Me falling apart isn’t gonna help anyone. Especially not you.” Katie nods as she tries to stop crying.

"You're allowed to fall apart. You're allowed to be sad. I'm sad. We can be sad together."

"No, I can't. The least I can do now is comfort you, not make you feel worse."

Peter shakes his head. "I can't be comforted. But— but it's okay! I, uh, I made it this long. It's fine."

Peter looks away for a second. "There's not a lot to do, but... you can keep an eye on Mom and Dad, and Harley. And you can look out for yourself."

"I'll take care of everyone, you don't have to worry about that. I'm...I'm not gonna fail them like I failed you." Katie nods determinedly, she couldn't lose anyone else, she just couldn't.