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As the days turn to months and those slowly trickle by turning into years, Peter acquires more responsibilities, both as a teenager on his way to being a young man, as well as a hero. A certain level of seriousness and maturity is expected of him nowadays, especially given his extensive background working alongside the Avengers.
The kid knows that in order to be officially accepted into the team, not only does the public and those overseeing the group of superheroes have to see in him an exemplary individual but his teammates too. He thinks that his growth is reflected in the fewer lectures and admonishments he gets these days.
After all, a lot is expected of him since it’s said he has a bright future ahead of him. And one person to put particular stock on that is none other than his mentor himself, Tony Stark. That’s why the man tries his best to guide the teen down the right path and in the right direction, gently but firmly coaxing him into the best version of him he can become.
And, most importantly, to never make the same mistakes he did when he was younger.
Still, sometimes the road is a little bumpy, and the messages might get mixed up and get confusing. Because, for all the talks about being responsible and mature, there are moments when Peter feels like he’s either being trolled or he just simply doesn’t understand “adults”.
One of those particular moments happens in the compound’s kitchen while Stark is trying to lightly lecture Parker on his latest misdeed.
“Listen, Peter. You’re getting older now, so you’ll have to start acting your own age.”
Tony’s advice is made with the wisdom not only of someone older but someone who has gone through a lot of different hardships during his life.
The teen is about to respond, acknowledging the older man’s words, expressing not only how sorry he is but how he’ll strive to be better. Yet he gets interrupted before the first word can even come out of his mouth.
“The floor is lava!” Clint yells out of nowhere.
The archer can be seen sprinting by Stark and Parker before launching himself atop the nearest piece of furniture, which turns out to be the kitchen island. Thus, with that announcement being made by Hawkeye, one of the casual games the Avengers like to play from time to time has indeed started.
“You lose, Peter!” The engineer exclaims triumphantly after quickly getting on top of the refrigerator.
A stunned Peter is left standing on the floor with his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. All traces of the serious conversation they were holding mere seconds ago, seem to have evaporated into thin air, leaving the kid dazed and confused while he stares flabbergasted at both grown men sitting on top of furniture.
“I just–”
Peter attempts to speak but doesn’t even know how to follow, let alone finish that sentence, too shocked about the utter ridiculousness of the situation to even form coherent thoughts. All he can think about is the hypocrisy of his mentor, as well as the ardent desire to throw himself at the nearest wall or web himself up to get attached to the ceiling, so as to participate in the "childish" game.
Although, if he were to do that, it would defeat the purpose of what he has been attempting to do as of late, proving himself to be mature and responsible. Still, the fact that the very man who was reprimanding him mere seconds ago freely engaging in such activity makes the young hero feel jealous.
Nevertheless, if he weren’t so dumbfounded by the unexpected occurrence, he would probably laugh it all off and join the other men in their game. But he’s so flustered and annoyed that he just stares in disbelief while crossing his arms atop his chest.
In a sense, Peter likes to think that he can pull off pretty well Pepper Potts’ trademark look of disappointment. Especially after rehearsing it in front of his bathroom mirror multiple times.
Truth be told, after so many lectures from Tony, he has been waiting for the moment in which he could use said look on Stark. And that moment has gloriously arrived.