Percy's POV:

"Peter that's insane." Tony states calmly, ready to be listened to.

"No it isn't." Peter returns. Except it is insane. Totally and utterly insane, a plan to get everyone killed. 

"Yes it is." I mutter, half hoping they don't hear, half knowing they need to.

"It is not a bad idea!" Peter sounds defensive of his terrible, terrible plan.

"Name one reason that taking an unarmed, untrained, mentally unstable civilian minor into a high stakes, hostage situation?" Tony rolls his eyes, knowing there is no argument.

"Mr. Stark have you ever needed to do something, as in you'd die if you didn't?" Peter looks Tony right in the eye , calling upon courage unknown, "Percy needs to come. If you don't like it that's okay, but he's coming with me to get my aunt." 

But why? Why is he going to get his aunt, what qualification does he have that I don't, even without them knowing my heritage? Why is he so keen on having me along? But, for whatever reason, he is. Even though I killed his friends, even though I have proven myself worse than useless time and time again Peter says he wants me to come.

"Peter, I understand what you're saying, and I understand why you need to come, but him? He's proven himself to be unreliable, a liar. Now don't take this the wrong way, I know we're uncertain about him at this point, but isn't that enough? It's even uncertain certain enough in the wrong direction? This op has really, really high stakes." Tony isn't saying this to be cruel. He's saying it to protect Peter, to be kind. Still, the words punch me in the gut. No matter how much I try to pretend it doesn't bother me it does, this helpless, this herolessness. Even though I'm a worthless, counterproductive hero I still wish I was one. Heroes do good, no matter what. Heroes aren't born, heroes are made. It seems like I did my making. Except villains aren't born either, villains too are made. 

I don't think I'm a villain, but after all these years, after all this life, after all this pain and sacrifice and hurt I can't ever be normal. Now though I'm not being much of a hero. And it seems like an either or deal.

"Don't you think I understand the stakes? The stakes aren't high for you, but for me they are everything. Don't pretend we're playing the same game here Stark. This op is about MY aunt, so if I say I want Percy on it he's going to be on it because, believe it or not this isn't about you. News flash, not everything is." Peter is furious, every molecule vibrating with an anger I don't understand yet is all to familiar to me. It's the anger I felt at Leo, when he didn't understand after it happened. Its the fury I wanted to direct at Jason, who I truly wanted to become friends with. Sometimes, when someone really wants to help you you end up hurting them instead. 

"Peter, a word?" I can't fix what I did, the friendships I didn't make, the bridges I burned, but I can stop someone else from making those same mistakes.

"If you're going to try and talk me out of going you're sorely mistaken."

"Yeah, I caught that much. Can I have a word?"

"Let me guess, I'm being kicked out of my infirmary again?" Tony sounds hurt, not from this though. An excuse from being away from Peter for a little is a blessing, the beginning of the end.  

"If it's any help I'd like Bruce to leave too."

"Since when are we on first name basis?" Tony is looking for a fight, it's my job to make sure he doesn't get one.

"If you'd rather me call you Mr. Stark and Mr. Banner I can do that." I honestly don't care I call them, just the first time I heard them speak they were calling each other by first names and it just sort of stuck.

"It's Dr. Banner." Tony sneers, before spinning on his heel and leaving. Dr. Banner follows apologetically. Not entirely sure who he was apologetic of, us Tony, everyone. Or maybe he just feels apologetic of himself, caught up in this mess. For a moment we both just watch the door.

"Percy, I get it, you're just a normal dude, not qualified to come with us blah blah blah. I don't care, Mr. Stark has probably already said it. Don't waste your breath."

"Actually that wasn't what I was going to say, although it is a good point and there are countless reasons why you do not want me tagging along I have an altogether different point to make."

"Knock yourself out."

"No thanks, I've had enough of being unconscious today."

"Ha ha ha. Very funny." The sarcasm rolls from his voice. It nearly covers the guilt.

"But seriously Peter, back there, lashing out at Tony, that was the wrong move. I know you're angry, scared even. Don't worry, you don't have to admit it. Tony though, he loves you like a son. For that you are really, really lucky. There are a lot of terrible fathers out there and Tony, despite his flaws, isn't one of them. Even if he isn't your dad. Just a few hours ago you left all your friends with a practical stranger to go have dinner with your aunt, but now your entire world is falling apart. Just as things were coming together they fell apart. Believe me, I know what that feels like." I don't know why I'm saying what I am, but it's the right thing to say, somehow. "You're pushing Tony away because you don't want him to see how afraid you are, how weak you feel. But that's what friends are for, that's what family is for. You'd die for Tony, if the occasion called, and he'd do the same. Don't burn this bridge Peter, bridges can only be re-built so many times, and they are never the same."

"And what makes you such an expert?" Peter growls, ready to deny it, ready for a fight.

"Well I did live it."

"What did you live? Who are you, really?" It's the million dollar question, one I don't think I can answer, not to him, not to myself.

"I could ask you the same question. Why was your aunt taken, why are you here, why do these people know you, and what makes you qualified for any of this?" I don't expect an answer.

"I got bitten by a weird spider." Resentment flows from him, but his words don't make sense.

"Excuse me?"

"It doesn't matter." Peter turns away, "Thanks for the advice." And somehow he doesn't sound sarcastic. 

It does matter though, whatever he said matters. I get the feeling that whatever he said matters greatly. When something "doesn't matter" it often means more than any words could express.

A/N

Seriously peoples, take a look at Not a Hero