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Peter couldn't lie and say he didn't miss May, Tony, and everyone else, but he'd also be lying if he said he wasn't happier.
Him and MJ had finally gotten together, and with Ned, had all received acceptance letters to MIT. Life was looking up.
He'd been so happy that he posted picture after picture of a party for all the future MIT students -- which did in fact include his decathlon team. He couldn't even be upset that Flash got in because he'd become bearable. Peter was finally able to balance being a teen and a superhero without the constant overshadow of some parental figure.
Peter sat on a rooftop with MJ and Ned, having their own picnic. Repulsors sounded near, and it made Peter tense up. In crashed Tony, who looked worse for wear.
His face seemed more hollow than before, and his suit looked wretched. When he stepped out in front of the trio of teens, Peter was at a loss.
"..Peter.." Tony mumbled reverently. He tried to stumble forwards, but Peter shoved himself more into MJ's side.
"Stark." He could feel pride radiate off of MJ for keeping a steady tone. "What are you doing here?"
"I.. look, bud, can you just please come back -- come with me?" He held his hand out, waiting. "You haven't spoken to any of us since.. the blip. Please, Pete, we need to know what we did wrong."
"Or, how about this, you can accept that I'm trying to be independent from you. I can't do shit in my life if I have you constantly hovering over me!" He stepped forward with every venomous word, stopping stiffly right in front of Tony. "I don't want your help anymore. Take your shit back, I'm done being a smudge on your ego." He threw his nano suit cufflinks into Tony's chest.
"Peter, what? No -- no, no, no -- You were never --" Tony stumbled over his words while Peter turned his back.
"Don't, Tony. I'm so fucking sick of being replaced. Since the blip, you've only ever had time for Morgan and Harley. Sorry that poor orphan Parker wanted a taste of feeling wanted by genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist Tony Stark!"
He crouched down, packing up their tiny picnic. MJ and Ned quickly caught on, helping him as well.
"..Congratulations on getting into MIT, Underoos." He murmured, the sound of repulsors firing up.
"No thanks to you." Peter spat over his shoulder. When the repulsors got farther and farther, he collapsed into MJ's side again. "God, i'm so horrible."
MJ and Ned smiled sympathetically down at him, MJ running her fingers through his hair.
"You stood your ground, that's more than enough. I'm proud of you." He gave her a kiss on her hand. Ned fake gagged.
"We'll always have your back, no matter what." Ned patted his shoulder.
"No, no, it depends on the matter. Like if you say I should do modeling again, I'll kick your ass and never speak to you again." They laughed, finishing packing up their picnic.