thwip thwip

“thanks,” benjamin mumbled, a hint of resentment present his his tone as he grabbed the ice pack, pressing it to his face. but he didn’t look up, the last thing he wanted was to admit that his father was right, even though they both knew the older parker was. “i’ll remember that,” he responded, as he turned to walk away, anxious to get out of the situation as soon as he could. “i never said i wasn’t,” he reluctantly mumbled, stopping long enough to cast a glance at his father. 

“Right now? When I actually have the free time to read, I’m stuck reading a bunch boring things for research purposes.” To make matters worse, it usually didn’t go anywhere. The comment got a small laugh from the mutant. “I gotta admit, I haven’t seen anyone really pull them off before. But as long as I don’t look like a giant idiot…”

“first off, stop calling me sir,” he shakes his head a little, smile not faltering. he’s leader of the avengers, sure, but in this moment, right now? steve’s got no orders to give peter, no avengers business with him. “second, not really. unless you can find a way to contact reed in space. haven’t been able to reach him for a few weeks now.”

“I’d rather just stay inside and read in an air conditioned room.” He said with a small shrug, still not understanding the appeal of summer. “I appreciate the offer. I’m not too sure I’d be able to pull off that look as well as someone else though. I feel like I’d just end up looking ridiculous.”

“what kinda stuff do you read?” peter was genuinely curious, visibly perking up just slightly at the mention of books. “well, no one can quite rock a hawaiian shirt quite like me and mr.stark..” a small frown before he brushed it off. “but, i can say that i’m sure you’ll look mediocre at least.”

“shit,” he knew better than to drop such expletives in front of his parents, but his dad’s voice had caught him off guard. he’d been so careful- walking on his tiptoes, not even stopping to turn on the lights. but of course that wasn’t enough, one couldn’t just sneak around when peter parker was in the house. “oh, hey dad, i was just- out,” he stammered, his gaze falling towards the floor as he turned to face his father, trying his best to hide the black eye. “i was just going to grab a glass of water, and then head off to bed,” he continued, a blatant lie- but hopefully his father wouldn’t press the issue. 

“Long as you know where everything is then that’s important.” Kon points out with a grin. “Ah, just finishing up planning work out routines for some clients.”

“Not exactly what I was going for. I just hate the heat and humidity that summer brings.” He began to complain. “And all summer everybody wants to do things outside in the heat, with the mosquitoes buzzing around. It’s not enjoyable.”

“nothing beats an iced tea when it’s boiling out, though, right? like, that, or an ice pop.” peter grinned. “i don’t think wearing black all the time helps with the whole heat thing though; you ever need a hawaiian shirt and some dad shorts just lemme know.”

“true,” steve concedes as he lifts his eyebrows briefly before he’s looking away, nodding as he goes. for someone in their line of work, sleep sometimes doesn’t come easy — and steve’s answer to it all was usually more work. he sighs, “nothing too bad. been trying to coordinate teams, make sure everyone’s on the same page. it’s always a headache but, it’s necessary. ‘specially when two of new york’s best avengers are so far upstate.” he throws peter a small smile, always glad to consider him a co-worker — and even more, a friend. “can’t really go to sleep and avoid this, but i wish i could. really wish i could.”

peter was sitting in their kitchen, lights dimmed and a bag of frozen peas against his head; full suit on spare the mask. mj’s disapproval already ringing in his head about being too old for this kinda stuff now. mid-huff, peter’s spider-sense shocked through him as he heard his son come home. the father couldn’t help but scoff at how obvious he was, as if his own father hadn’t made the dam rule book for sneaking in with aunt may. clearing his throat, peter looked up into the darkness with an unamused look. “where have you been, benjamin? it is a school night, is it not?”