Chapter Text
"God I'm tired." Peter muttered to himself.
"I'm surprised your allowed to say things like that aloud."
"Hey, Daredevil."
"Spidey."
"Why is that my nickname?"
"I mean it's either that or Manny."
"Or Spider-Man. That's a perfectly good name."
"I didn't choose my name so don't look at me for any commiseration."
"Yeah but your nickname is cool. "The Devil of Hell's Kitchen" is another one of your names. You have this whole motif. I just get Spidey."
"It has to do with your youth. The nickname helps cultivate trust but also serves to undermine your position with others. You're young so you get a youthful nickname."
"That was deep. What are you, a psychologist?"
"Don't change the subject. It's true. It would be better if you were younger but since you're a kid it still appeals to you better than with an adult."
"I think we're on different topics because I have no idea what you're talking about. And I'm a genius. Certified and everything."
"Right. See you're changing the subject again. Smart of Stark to emphasize the need to change topic when you're approached with this."
"This?"
"So what's your mission?"
"Okay, we really are on different topics."
"Are you or are you not under the 'tutelage' of Iron Man for 'superheroing'?"
"I mean yeah."
"Is is willing?"
"Depends on what you mean."
"Blackmail?"
"No!"
"Liar. Look kid, I know what you're going through so if you want to talk about it let me know."
"What are you-?"
"I got told I was special too. I had abilities. I was recruited just like you were. I got the diminutive of my nickname and I got lots of 'mentoring''.
"Look, I have to go. For real though, we're on different conversations. It's not like that between me and Mr. Stark."
"He tell you to call you Mr. Stark?"
"Well it's his name."
"I called mine Stick."
"Like the object?"
"Well one of the other teachers he talked about was Stone. So I think it was a theme like Iron Man and War Machine."
"Well, okay. Like I said. I gotta go home and do my homework. You know, normal stuff."
"Subterfuge."
"Right..."
"Hey, Kid,"
"What?"
"Remember, the mind controls the body."
"Uh, okay."
"It means don't let things like fatigue control you."
"Right. I'm going now."
"If you need help, I'm here."
"Okay. Thanks. I guess. Bye! I really got to go!"