[He huffs a laugh, a sympathetic furrow in his brow.]
... I've lost exact count, but yeah, I had to.
It gets easier to manage, though — and that's over a couple years.
[He considers the boy for a moment. It's funny — he doesn't feel like he looked this young, when he started. God, he's getting old! 23-years-old and suddenly high schoolers look like kids to protect.]
If you ever need to talk about any of it, or you ever have any questions... I figure I'd be a pretty good ear. [A pause, and a laugh.] Also, sorry for scaring you earlier; I just couldn't help myself.
What? Nah. [ Peter looks very nearly taken aback, making an attempt to play it cool, like what? Him? Not him.
Even if he absolutely totally was freaked out by the initial revelation. ] I wasn't scared. But don't blame me if I start calling you Patrick from now on - you - you brought that one on yourself.
[ He grins for a moment, totally teasing, before his expression sobers and he nods, averting his gaze to the tops of his shoes.
It's a funnily contradictory thought to have, considering he was just making up his own mind about the longevity of his superhero career, but: ]
Yeah. Does it ever sometimes get to be too much? Being Spider-Man? Or do you think you'll do it for however long you can?
[But as he listens to Peter, his expression relaxing into something a little more thoughtful, perhaps even somber. What should he even say? He doesn't want to be dishonest — that's not fair to the kid. And he wouldn't have wanted anyone to sugar-coat things either, if he were still fifteen.]
... Sometimes. I've had times where I've considered hanging up the outfit, too. Sometimes you do get tired of it — for a number of reasons. [He clears his throat.] We're not the same exact person, obviously, so I can't say how you'll feel about it in eight years; I still love the city, and I love helping people, and no matter how things turn out...
Well.
We're both pretty smart. We could figure out a way to keep people safe and happy in our own ways, even if we don't always want to be Spider-Man. [He smiles.] So if there's a point down the line where you feel like you can help the world in another way, that'll make you happy? Take it, kid. I promise you won't be letting anyone down by doing it.
And, y'know. Until that day comes, if it ever does... You're doing amazing things now.
Wow. [ Peter looks a little surprised, but mostly he's giving his alt-self a grateful nod, taking his advice to heart.
Because who else would know the exact right thing to say, but -- well, himself? Right? ] Is it weird to say you're like, really good at giving pep talks? Does that mean I might be good at giving pep talks one day?
[ Mr Stark's version of them could use a hell of a lot of work, after all. ]
Um. Thanks, man. I guess I didn't know I needed to hear that, but. I think a part of me did.
[Geez, it's hard to believe he was bright-eyed and youthful. Cut that out, you. Or don't, because Pete's relieved to see it than the alternative. But also — hey, being called awesome? Is kinda awesome. But also kind of leaves him feeling modest and weird. After all, he doesn't really think he's that great at the moment. Life's been rough, buddy, and he can only pray you have it easier than him eight years from now.]
Oooh yeah. You're, like, Level 1 of pep talks and puns. Just give yourself some time, and you'll probably snore them in your sleep. Buuut that's something you can work on. Until then, we just need to survive this place and get back to usual business.
Yeah - yeah, for sure. Getting through this place and figuring out a back home is definitely the goal.
[ Peter exhales a breath.
That, and getting campfires started before the night approaches, and the who-knows-what-lives-out-here start waking up. Yep, just another day in Deerington.
But when Big Pete holds a fist up, Peter starts to grin, lifting his fist to knock against the older man's. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
... I've lost exact count, but yeah, I had to.
It gets easier to manage, though — and that's over a couple years.
[He considers the boy for a moment. It's funny — he doesn't feel like he looked this young, when he started. God, he's getting old! 23-years-old and suddenly high schoolers look like kids to protect.]
If you ever need to talk about any of it, or you ever have any questions... I figure I'd be a pretty good ear. [A pause, and a laugh.] Also, sorry for scaring you earlier; I just couldn't help myself.
no subject
Even if he absolutely totally was freaked out by the initial revelation. ] I wasn't scared. But don't blame me if I start calling you Patrick from now on - you - you brought that one on yourself.
[ He grins for a moment, totally teasing, before his expression sobers and he nods, averting his gaze to the tops of his shoes.
It's a funnily contradictory thought to have, considering he was just making up his own mind about the longevity of his superhero career, but: ]
Yeah. Does it ever sometimes get to be too much? Being Spider-Man? Or do you think you'll do it for however long you can?
no subject
Patrick's not the worst nickname ever.
[But as he listens to Peter, his expression relaxing into something a little more thoughtful, perhaps even somber. What should he even say? He doesn't want to be dishonest — that's not fair to the kid. And he wouldn't have wanted anyone to sugar-coat things either, if he were still fifteen.]
... Sometimes. I've had times where I've considered hanging up the outfit, too. Sometimes you do get tired of it — for a number of reasons. [He clears his throat.] We're not the same exact person, obviously, so I can't say how you'll feel about it in eight years; I still love the city, and I love helping people, and no matter how things turn out...
Well.
We're both pretty smart. We could figure out a way to keep people safe and happy in our own ways, even if we don't always want to be Spider-Man. [He smiles.] So if there's a point down the line where you feel like you can help the world in another way, that'll make you happy? Take it, kid. I promise you won't be letting anyone down by doing it.
And, y'know. Until that day comes, if it ever does... You're doing amazing things now.
no subject
Because who else would know the exact right thing to say, but -- well, himself? Right? ] Is it weird to say you're like, really good at giving pep talks? Does that mean I might be good at giving pep talks one day?
[ Mr Stark's version of them could use a hell of a lot of work, after all. ]
Um. Thanks, man. I guess I didn't know I needed to hear that, but. I think a part of me did.
You're kind of awesome.
no subject
Oooh yeah. You're, like, Level 1 of pep talks and puns. Just give yourself some time, and you'll probably snore them in your sleep. Buuut that's something you can work on. Until then, we just need to survive this place and get back to usual business.
[He holds up a fist for a fistbump, smirking.]
Spider Team?
no subject
[ Peter exhales a breath.
That, and getting campfires started before the night approaches, and the who-knows-what-lives-out-here start waking up. Yep, just another day in Deerington.
But when Big Pete holds a fist up, Peter starts to grin, lifting his fist to knock against the older man's. ]
Definitely. Spider Team.
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Good. Now let's get more of that firewood in here, so we don't lose it.
And if you have any pressing questions, we can work through them as we go?
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[ Look, okay. He's a nerd. You're a nerd. You get it. ]
But - uh. Yeah, yeah, for sure, we can work and talk at the same time.
no subject
[And you'll forever be 'kid' now. He doesn't make the rules.
As he steps out the greenhouse, back toward the direction of the firewood—]
Question #1?