Chapter Text
Peter had never really paid a whole lot of attention to the news. Sure, he used social media just as much as anyone and kept up with memes and stuff that his classmates posted about themselves, but that was about it. When he’d started with the whole Spider-Man thing he’d made sure to be more aware of any news there was about local crimes and the like (and he may or may not have managed to get access to some police radio channels that he definitely should not have been listening to but that was just so that he could help, okay!). Politics, however, wasn’t something he ever thought he could really affect. He knew about the big things, of course, and Michelle made sure he knew about all the injustices that were going on in the world, but it wasn’t something he could actively do anything about. He couldn’t even vote yet, after all. Better to focus on the people he could help in the here and now.
He did understand the Sokovia Accords. He hadn’t, fully, when he’d gone to Germany with Mr Stark. But he’d gotten to understand it more since, and although he didn’t agree with every part of them he knew that they were necessary. He knew all about power and responsibility. After Ben... well, it was something he took seriously. And the Avengers (as amazing as Peter thought they were) couldn’t just go into other countries and do whatever they wanted. He was fairly certain that was already against the law, even before the Accords. The Avengers were supposedly a part of a government organisation, after all.
The thing was, though, that Peter was never an Avenger. He wasn’t part of any organisation, he didn’t travel overseas for missions (excluding the Germany incident), and he barely ever even left Queens. He was just helping out his neighbours! Being a friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man, all that. It would be irresponsible of him not to help. The Accords were for the Avengers and Peter wasn’t an Avenger. So, they didn’t apply to him. That was that, and Peter had put them out of his mind months ago.
Maybe if he’d paid more attention to politics (and Michelle, probably) it would have occurred to him that just because the Accords didn’t apply to him, didn’t mean there weren’t other laws that did. Or that if there weren’t other laws already, it was only a matter of time before some were created.
“Hey, Peter.”
Peter looked up from his phone at Ned. School had just finished and they were walking through the halls. They’d both been checking their phones for any notifications they’d gotten during class. “Yeah?”
“Has Mr Stark mentioned anything about this to you?” Ned turned his phone around so Peter could see what was on his screen. Tony Stark Speaks out Against Secretary Ross’s New ‘Inhuman Individuals’ Bill reads the title of a news article. Peter scrunched his eyebrows together.
“Uh, no he hasn’t mentioned it. I mean, I knew he didn’t like Ross but he never said anything about a bill.” Mr Stark had only mentioned Ross a few times, and it had always been with a tone of annoyance or frustration. Peter was pretty sure it had to do with the changes Mr Stark had been trying to get made to the Accords, but he’d never asked.
“I wonder what it’s about,” said Ned casually, turning his phone back, “I mean, what does he even mean by ‘inhuman individuals’?” Peter didn’t know, and went to open up a news app on his own phone. He didn’t even need to search anything in the toolbar because right at the top were a bunch of articles all about some bill that had apparently been passed by the House of Representatives earlier that day.
“I don’t know,” said Peter, scanning the headings. “It’s got to be important if Mr Stark is making statements about it, though.” He tapped one of the articles and read the beginning of it.
Security of Inhuman Individuals Bill Passes House of Reps
Earlier today a bill proposed by a representative was passed with little debate by the House of Representatives. The bill, named the Security of Inhuman Individuals Bill, calls for the registration and containment of so-called ‘inhuman’ citizens. Though there is no official confirmation of it, there is strong speculation that the representative who proposed this bill was acting under the guidance of Secretary Thaddeus Ross. The speed at which the bill was passed hints that Ross had already put his idea forward to numerous members of congress privately. This comes amid public debate surrounding the Sokovia Accords from just six months ago, suggesting the US government is looking to tighten its monitoring of enhanced individuals…
Peter’s stomach felt weirdly unsettled. “What do they mean by ‘inhuman individuals’?” He looked up at Ned, who was also reading his screen.
“Well, the article mentions enhanced individuals as well, so maybe they’re talking about mutants? Supers?” Ned suggested.
“But,” Peter fiddled with the straps of his (new) backpack, “That doesn’t—they aren’t talking about people like me, right? I’m not… inhuman?”
“What?” Ned looked like it hadn’t even occurred to him. “Dude, of course not! You’re human! You’re like, the most human human I know.” Peter breathed out. Ned was right, he wasn’t an alien or anything. He was just being silly.
“Yeah, thanks.” Peter smiled. Ned did look a little concerned, though.
“You should probably talk to Mr Stark about it, though. Just so he can explain it, you know?”
Peter nodded. He’d see Mr Stark on the weekend, they were going to test some of the limits of his web fluid in the lab together. “That’s a good idea. He’ll know what’s going on.”
They were walking out of the school gates now and Peter was about to say goodbye to Ned and head towards the train station when he heard someone call out.
“Hey, kid!” Peter looked over to see Happy standing by an expensive looking black car and waving him over.
“I thought you weren’t going to the Compound until this weekend?” said Ned.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought too.” Peter shrugged. “Mr Stark didn’t message me about anything, maybe he just forgot? Anyway, I better go.”
“Your life is so cool, Peter, I hope you know that.” Ned looked wistfully at the car. Peter laughed.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Ned.”
“Bye, Peter.” Ned waved goodbye and headed off to where his Mum was waiting in her car.
Peter hurried over to Happy, his backpack bouncing as he moved.
“Hey, Happy! Mr Stark didn’t say anything about you picking me up today. Not that I’m not happy to have you pick me up!” Peter quickly clarified, “It’s really nice of you, way better than public transport, plus I don’t have to deal with all of the noises, you know? I just wasn’t expecting you, is all.” Peter saw the unimpressed look on Happy’s face and realised he was talking too much again. “Why—um, why are you here, Mr Happy?”
Happy didn’t answer, just let out a sigh which, oddly, sounded more sad than exasperated.
“Just get in the car, kid,” he said, opening the back door for him. Peter ducked in quickly, not wanting to annoy Happy if he was in a mood again. He fastened his seatbelt as Happy got into the driver’s seat and immediately started pulling away from the kerb. There were a few moments of silence as Happy navigated his way out of the parking lot. Peter fiddled with his hands.
“So, um. Should I tell Aunt May I’ll be home late? It’s just she’s kind of strict about knowing where I’m at after the whole… you know.” Perhaps mentioning the incident when May found out about Spider-Man wasn’t the smartest move if he was trying not to annoy Happy. May had been (understandably) a bit upset to discover her nephew was running around fighting crime in a colourful skin-tight suit and it hadn’t taken her long to realise just who must have been the one to give him that suit. She’d taken Peter’s phone and called Happy, who’d had to listen to her ranting and shouting at him before he ended up transferring the call to Mr Stark himself. May still hadn’t calmed down then and had taken the suit from Peter (who had been panicking too much to really explain anything at all). Mr Stark actually ended up coming to the apartment to explain all of the safety protocols he’d installed in the suit and that Peter had been doing the whole Spider-Man thing unsupervised for months before Mr Stark got involved. They’d all eventually come to a shaky agreement but May still wasn’t happy with it and Peter had to let her know where he was and what he was doing all the time.
“You’ll be home within a couple of hours,” said Happy, “We’re just going to the Tower, not the Compound.”
“Oh. Why are we going there?” Whenever Peter visited Mr Stark (which had actually been happening fairly regularly since the whole homecoming fiasco) it was usually at the Avengers Compound, since that’s where Mr Stark was spending most of his time after moving the Avengers’ base and his main lab there. Mr Stark said they were still waiting for a buyer for the Tower, but Peter suspected he just didn't want to part with it completely yet.
“Tony wanted to see you before he leaves for DC, and there wasn’t time to take you upstate.”
“Mr Stark’s going to DC?” This was the first Peter was hearing about this. “Is he going to be back for the weekend? We were meant to work on—“
“Kid, I don’t know when he’ll be back. It depends how some things pan out, okay?” Peter shut his mouth. Happy seemed stressed. More so than usual. The man in question pinched the bridge of his nose before looking at Peter through the rear view mirror. “Look, Peter, there are a lot of things happening right now, and you need to listen to what Tony tells you, alright?”
Peter nodded. “I will.” He always listened to Mr Stark.
“Good,” said Happy, clearly seeing that as the end of the conversation.
Peter wondered what Mr Stark wanted to see him about. If it was about their plans for the weekend being cancelled then Mr Stark would’ve just sent him a text letting him know, not gotten Happy to pick him up from school. Could it be to do with the new bill? That could explain why Mr Stark was going to DC. He’d publicly opposed the bill, after all. But what could he actually do about it other than make a statement to the media? And it seemed Mr Stark had already done that.
Peter pulled his phone out and opened up the news app again, selecting one of the articles about Mr Stark’s statement.
Tony Stark, who has made his support for the Sokovia Accords public on numerous occasions, surprised many when he condemned the new bill put forward by Secretary Ross today. The Security of Inhuman Individuals bill calls for tighter control of enhanced citizens. Mr Stark has claimed that the bill is a ‘violation of human rights and Ross’s desperate attempt to use fear to grasp more power’. In his statement he also explained that ‘the [Sokovia] Accords were put forward by the United Nations to regulate an established organisation on an international level’ and that Ross’s plan, which the Secretary himself describes as a simple domestic extension of the Accords, is a ‘distorted bastardisation of the Accords that will disrupt the lives of innocent civilians who are not part of any organisation remotely similar to The Avengers Initiative’.
That… didn’t sound good. What exactly would happen if this became law? Did it apply to Peter? He certainly counted as enhanced, but inhuman? Was Peter going to get shipped off to some prison? To be experimented on and his abilities tested? He was overcome with thankfulness that he’d decided to keep his identity a secret. But if the police were going to be out for Spider-Man that could really cause a few problems for him. Peter chewed on his lip. They were almost at the Tower. Mr Stark would fix this, right?
Happy pulled up outside the front of Stark Tower, telling Peter to hop out and go up to the penthouse without him before he drove off, presumably to park the car. Peter hesitated slightly before going through the large glass doors into the Tower’s foyer. He couldn’t stop thinking about the article. About Tony’s statement. Innocent civilians who have not are not part of any organisation remotely similar to The Avengers Initiative. Was that Peter? Was that a reference to Peter turning down Mr Stark’s offer to be an Avenger? No, he was overthinking this. Tony’s statement had nothing to do with him. Resolved, Peter hastened through the foyer and over to one of the lifts.
“Hello, Mr Parker,” greeted FRIDAY as the lift doors closed, “Mr Stark has instructed me to take you directly to him on your arrival.” The lift immediately started moving upwards.
“Uh, thanks FRIDAY.” That seemed a little bit odd. But maybe that was just because Peter wasn’t totally used to FRIDAY yet. It was too quiet in the lift. Peter realised he was tapping one of his feet and made a conscious effort to keep still. When the lift finally arrived at the correct floor and the doors opened up Peter exited quickly, stepping into the lounge area.
“Peter.” Mr Stark was standing by the kitchen bench, his phone in his hands and wearing a suit and tie. He had an empty coffee mug sitting on the bench beside him. Peter walked over.
“Happy said you were going to DC? And that you wanted to see me?” He tried to keep his voice even, but he knew that Mr Stark would be able to hear the nervousness that seeped into his speech. It was obvious. Peter hated that.
“Yeah, kiddo. I needed to talk to you.” Mr Stark gestured to the lounge and they both sat down.
“What’s—what’s going on, Mr Stark? Is everything alright?” He looked like he hadn’t slept in days. Peter wasn’t sure if he should mention it. Mr Stark sighed. It was the same sad sigh that Happy had made earlier.
“Not exactly, but it will be. Peter, have you read the news today?” So it was about the bill. Peter felt a tendril of panic coil through his chest.
“You mean the bill. The one Secretary Ross proposed and you made a statement about.”
“Yes.” Mr Stark closed his eyes for a moment, pausing slightly before opening them again. “That’s why I need to go to DC for a little while. To help stop that from going through.”
Peter remained silent.
“I need you to promise me that you’ll keep a low profile while I’m gone, okay?” Mr Stark looked directly at Peter, a hint of urgency in his tone.
“A low profile?”
“No profile at all, if possible.”
“…You don’t want me to go out as Spider-Man,” Peter said in realisation.
Mr Stark nodded. “I’m not going to let this pass, Peter, I promise, but I need you to do this for me. Just in case.” Peter felt less reassured than before.
“What happens to me if it does pass?” What happens to Spider-Man? To all of the other enhanced people in America?
“Nothing will happen to you,” Mr Stark said determinedly. “Nobody knows who you are, and that’s how it’s going to stay. But right now I need you to not take any risks with this.”
Peter went to reassure Mr Stark he would do as he asked, but hesitated for a moment. Spider-Man helped people. Saved people.
“How long do you want me to wait?”
Mr Stark seemed to struggle with himself before he answered.
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “Ross has obviously been planning this for a while. Organising it off the books and I didn’t even realise because I was too busy worrying about getting the damn Accords changed and—“ he shook his head, cutting himself off, “That doesn’t matter now. But I suspect he’s going to try to hurry this through as quickly as possible. Within a couple of weeks, probably. If all goes to plan, this will all be finished then. If not,” Mr Stark started and Peter’s heart rate sped up, “then we’ll just have to work it out later.” Peter wasn’t sure what working it out later meant. But a couple of weeks? That he could deal with.
“Okay,” he said. He saw Mr Stark slump in relief. “I’ll stand down for a couple of weeks.” Mr Stark’s shoulders tightened a bit at that, but he didn’t argue.
“Thank you, Peter.”
Peter nodded. He knew Mr Stark wasn’t telling him everything. Was treating him like a child. But for once, Peter felt like a child. He didn’t know what was going to happen. And he was scared.
“How are you going to stop it?”
Mr Stark gave him a small smile. “Friends in high places,” he said. “There are a few people who owe me. Never be afraid to use your contacts, kid.” Peter felt slightly more reassured at that. Mr Stark had a plan. And he was the smartest person Peter knew. If he thought it would work then it would work. But if he’s so sure of his plan, then why is he stopping you from going out as Spider-Man? Peter ignored the voice pointing that out. It was just a precaution. Mr Stark was just covering his bases; that was the smart thing to do.
“Now,” said Mr Stark, suddenly a bit brighter, “you better get going back home before May calls me up and accuses me of stealing her kid.” They both stood up and he placed a hand on Peter’s shoulder, steering him back over to the lift. “FRIDAY, take Peter back down will you?”
“Of course, Sir. Happy is already waiting to take Mr Parker back home.”
The metal doors opened and Peter went in.
“Bye, Mr Stark.”
“Be careful, Peter,” Mr Stark said one last time.
You be careful, too, Peter didn’t say. The doors were already closed.