Guess who's writing her last chapter! This beech!

I would just like to thank you all for the wonderful support on this fic, even though it's rough… I just can't appreciate you enough. I also hope that this is a sufficient ending, and that it satisfies you readers. I'm trying to upload this quickly, because I want to have it up before Endgame. (understandable. I hope.) So anyway, I hope you enjoy the final chapter!

EDIT: I did, in fact, not have this up before Endgame.

I saw it yesterday. And I will have everyone know that I am NUMB AND IN DENIAL

Chapter 7

The Final Chapter

Aunt May had gotten back two days ago. By then, Peter had left the compound and returned to the little apartment he and May shared. The boy and Mr. Stark had agreed not to tell May about the chemical incident, only telling her he'd gotten sick and went home early. She didn't know that Peter had stayed at the tower. She didn't need to, though. Peter knew that would only stress her out. So he had kept his mouth shut.

It was Tuesday morning, and Peter was actually doing okay. He had tried to patrol late last night, but around 11, Mr. Stark called him and demanded he go home. (Threatening that he could see every move Pete was making, and if he didn't get his ass home, the suit would be taken again.) Spider-Man had headed home quickly, showered, and was asleep as soon as his head touched the pillow.

He'd woken up on time and even managed to eat before heading to school. He was hoping that the added energy would keep Peter from Flash. Unfortunately, the bully had only received two days of suspension, but he was serving detention the next week. (Hallelujah.) Today was Flash's first day back, but Peter was crossing his fingers. Maybe seeing that Peter wasn't lying about Tony Stark would deter the motive. But for all the teenager knew, it might just encourage it.

Throughout the day, Peter received some questioning looks, showing that word had gotten around about his incident. But Ned and MJ had done a pretty good job covering for him, and he'd intentionally worn long sleeves that day. (Not to hide his injuries, but rather the absence of them.) Excluding his peers' curious glances, no one bothered Peter. He appreciated the lack of attention. And, fortunately for him, Flash was still the only one who knew the truth about Mr. Stark. The only one (except MJ and Ned, of course) who knew Peter wasn't lying. Hopefully it would stay that way, though Peter was almost positive it would. Flash wouldn't admit he was wrong if his life depended on it.

The day remained normal enough. Peter managed to get all of his late work turned in, and even some of his current homework, which he'd completed during his (now temporarily exempted) gym class. (Mr. Stark had made Peter promise not to participate, and even gave him a note. He'd argued that it wouldn't make sense for Pete to have healed so quickly. But the teen suspected there was something else to it.) he had a new assignment in AP Lit. Nothing new in Chemistry. Math homework was done. He was mentally checking things off the list. He had promised Mr. Stark that he would only patrol if his work was complete, so he was busting his ass.

Nobody really talked to Peter that day. No one approached him. Nothing from Flash. Nothing from Brian. Not even a snarky glare. No bullying… it was kind of an odd feeling.

When the final bell rung, Peter thought he was free. Which, technically, he was. He just thought the day would be… aggressive interaction free. The young man had just closed his locker when he noticed it. Something was wrong. And… where was Ned? He was supposed to meet him at his locker…

Then, out of the blue, he heard it. He doubted anyone around him could too, but his enhanced hearing made it easy. There was yelling. It sounded like… jeering. Mostly out of curiosity, Peter made his way towards the shouting. Soon, he could make out what exactly was being said.

"You really think we'd believe you? Or him! Dumbass!"

There was a chorus of cheers. Peter started to jog.

"Liar! Liar! Liar!" The words were being chanted, over and over. Peter sped around the final corner, skidding to a stop. What he saw shocked him at first… but then made his blood boil.

It was a well sized group, maybe ten kids total. They were in a circle, lurking over a crumpled figure on the ground. It wasn't hard to see that the figure was a person, and that the person was Ned. They were kicking him. They were shouting. And laughing. Peter couldn't make out the words anymore.

He almost threw himself into the fray, but as he began to move, he heard, of course…. Flash's voice.

"Is Penis Parker gonna save the day?" the bully jeered. "With what, though?" He wondered aloud. "His daddy's money?"

Peter's vision went red. Not only was that a harsh nod towards Peter's dead father, but also to Mr. Stark. Peter's fists curled at his sides, the tips of his nails breaking the skin of his palms.

Flash raised his eyebrows. "Nothing to say, Parker?"

Peter inhaled. Exhaled. He needed to focus. Keep their focus on him, not Ned. He took another deep breath. "Let him go," He said, teeth clenched. "He didn't do anything to you."

It was then that Brian decided to step in. "Actually, that's ironic. He was annoying the hell out of us… trying to backup you and your lies. Knows Spider-Man, my ass…"

Peter flinched at the words. Ned was on the floor, bleeding and in pain, to defend him.

Why are you like this, Ned? He thought. Why can't you just let it go?

The hidden hero clenched his jaw. "If you are mad at me, then talk to me. He doesn't deserve to be collateral damage."

"Oh yeah?!" Flash's voice was raised. He took a step towards Ned and kicked him. Hard, right in the stomach. Peter's best friend cried out in pain, shrinking away. He tried to scramble towards the lockers, but Flash once again intercepted him. Well, tried to.

Before Peter could stop himself, he had lunged out and caught Flash by the collar of his shirt. Rotating his wrist, Peter whipped Flash around to face him.

For a moment, Flash actually looked stunned. But he soon regained his senses, and shot out a fist, aimed to be a perfect right hook. And it would have been, if Peter hadn't dodged it so easily.

It hit Peter suddenly; what he had done. He'd gotten himself into a mess, into a fight. And now what? He knew he should fight back, but risk revealing his powers? He recalled Tony's stressed words: "You can stand up for yourself!"

Damn straight.

Peter stood and shoved Flash away, knowing full well what was about to happen. Brian stepped forward, but Flash put an arm out. "All of you. Out." He hissed. "This is between Parker and me."

The group evacuated quickly, and Peter even thought he heard one mumble: "Yeah, I think I mighta left my stove on, soooo.."

Peter began before Flash could. "And I."

"What?!"

"You said: "Between Parker and me. It's 'Parker and I.' "

Before he could finish, Flash, (in an ironic props to his name) flung himself at Peter, tooth and claw. He tried to uppercut, to hook, to kick, to slap. And Peter moved around each and every one, hoping to tire him out.

Flash suddenly changed tactics, diving towards Ned. Peter dove too, meeting Flash halfway there. He punched him, in the jaw. Not nearly as hard as he could, but still hard, especially for a… well. Regular person.

The bully was on the ground, holding his jaw. "The hell," He grumbled.

Peter made the sudden decision to end the fight there, fair and square. As Flash began to get up, the young hero strode over and delivered a sharp kick to the calf. Flash went down again, panting. Peter was not out of breath, the fight had been a breeze, really. He glanced down his nose at his bully. "I have put up with you. Every day. For years. You can take this time to be thankful for me not doing this every time." And with that, Peter retrieved Ned, and walked away.

000

As it turns it out, Ned was able to walk just fine. In fact, he was doing very well, with the only notable injuries being the bruises that decorated his body. He shuffled along in silence, sparing the occasional glance at Peter.

Peter walked more quickly, desperate to get away from the scene. He knew what he'd done.

You done fucked up, Peter.

The teen sighed in exasperation. They were already four blocks from the school, heading towards Ned's place. Peter stopped without warning.

After a few steps, Ned slowed to a stop, too. "You good?"

Peter looked up. His heart clenched with guilt. "Yeah." He managed. "But- um- do you think you can make it from here? I- I need to go."

Ned didn't even look disappointed. He probably thought his super-friend needed to patrol the big city. "Yeah, I can. I know where I am, man. Go."

Peter smiled gratefully. He turned on his heel and jogged away. When he found sufficient cover in a brisk alley, he changed into his suit as quickly as he could. He didn't even bother hiding his backpack, just slung it over his shoulder before he took off. He didn't even register how reckless that was, he just kept going. Swinging from rooftop to lampost, and back to a rooftop, Spider-Man felt no freedom. No relief. Peter found himself heading upstate. Before he knew it, he was flipping onto the roof of Stark Tower.

The harsh winds around him didn't even faze Peter's stride. He made his way into the small roof entrance. Summoning the keypad, he typed in his personal passcode. Mr. Stark had given him one when it occurred to them that Peter might need into the tower in an emergency. The hero didn't think this qualified as an emergency, but he needed the lab. He needed to set some shit on fire.

000

Ten minutes later, Peter stood alone in Mr. Stark's lab. He was still in his suit, but his mask was lying on top of his backpack in the corner of the room. He took three deep breaths, just like Karen had instructed him when he was stressed. After a moment, he exhaled the final one. The teenager didn't know where Mr. Stark was, but he almost didn't care. Even with his anxiety spiking, he began pulling out liquids out. He needed more web fluid, anyway.

000

Tony had just finished his final meeting of the day. Pepper had assured him that his schedule was free afterwards. He had barely left the elevator when FRIDAY spoke up.

"Sir, Peter's in the lab."

Tony stopped and tilted his head. "Huh?"

"He arrived through the rooftop entrance about half an hour ago."

"And you're telling me this now?"

"Pepper asked me to not interrupt the meeting, so yes."

Tony sighed and began to make his way to his lab. "What is he doing?"

"He appears to be simply making web fluid. Though he came here in the suit, and he hasn't interacted with me or his own AI."

Huh. That was weird. The kid loved his AI. What had he named it? Kathy? Karen? Karen, that was it.

A few minutes later, Tony entered the lab. He made his way to the east corner, where Peter preferred to work. And just as he thought, Pete was there, sitting on a stool and dripping blue liquid into a tube of clear goop.

The man walked closer. He knew Peter will have sensed him by now, so he just decided to announce himself. "Hey, kid."

Peter looked up. To Stark's own surprise, the kid's eyes were red. He… he looked as if he'd been crying. Without a second thought, Tony sat down. "What happened?"

Peter looked simultaneously angry and sad. "I barely held back," He whispered, not meeting the older man's eye.

Tony took a second to digest the words. He hesitated. "Did- did you- was it Flash?"

Peter nodded silently.

Tony seemed to forget how to speak. He didn't even know what he's say.

Peter looked up. "I don't think I really hurt him, but I- I just shouldn't have done it." He paused. "But they had Ned. I couldn't do nothing."

"Peter… You had every right. And if that school tries to tell you otherwise, I'll march in there myself and give them a piece of my mind."

Peter looked up with shock. "You aren't pissed?"

"No, kid. I knew you'd snap eventually. And if nobody's seriously hurt, then I'm not worried."

Peter let out a long breath. "You won't tell Aunt May? The school might try to call her, but I don't even know if they know it was me…. They wouldn't think Peter Parker could shut up Flash."

Tony smirked. "They're off by a long shot, then."

Peter sighed. After a moment, he lifted his head and cracked his neck. "Then I guess we'll cross that bridge when we get to it." He stood and began to gather his things. "I'm sorry to bother you, Mr. Stark, I know I shouldn't have abused the code and-"

"Hey-hey! Where are you going?"

The teen paused. "Uh- home? I shouldn't have intruded,"

Tony cut him off again. "You don't need to go home. I have time, I was going to join you."

"...Really?"

"Yep. I have some new web fluid ideas too…"

The teen practically threw down his things and joined Tony back at the bench.

"And Pete, I hope you know that this is your home too."

*confused pterodactyl screaming*

Why why why did I choose to write such a short fic?! I love it I-

Awwwww I'm just so pleased with the story and everything I did. I'm also so blessed to have all of you readers who are spending their time on my writing.

thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou

All for reading this shit. I'm absolutely desperate for fic ideas so please if you have any requests- feel free to DM me. I try to respond to all my messages, and I will see it.

Finally, a small sidenote: Like I said earlier, I already saw Endgame, and I've considered all that happened, but I don't think I am going to alter future fics. Please let me know if you want stories set BEFORE OR AFTER Endgame. I love writing fluff, so I will probably continue to write these characters (in a world where Endgame doesn't fUckiNg happen because my children need a break). I also might just write in an alternate universe where Infinity War never happened, so we can stick with that Iron Dad shit. Idk. Let me know.

Lots of love, (and a little remorse at leaving this story)

-Allison