While There's Still Something Left

Steve is a Gryffindor, Fight Me

TUESDAY NIGHT

Peter clicked the last few pieces of the Spidey-Cam into place, again, turning it over in his hand to inspect all of the joints and hinges before setting it upside down on the table to open the small hatch on the underside of its abdomen. It seemed that avoiding his problems in the form of working with his hands had some benefit, as finishing his Spidey-Cam should've taken a full day at least, but was ready for testing in less than five hours thanks to his diligent work on Monday.

This was going to be the third test run of the day, test one right after school having resulted in a very sad and unimpressive range of motion, with stilted movements and no balance. Mr. Stark was irritatingly silent despite the smug "I know something you don't know" look on his face, but eventually Peter was able to figure out that the problem's origin was less about the design or material and more about the distribution of weight, a problem he hadn't considered previously because it was so lightweight it didn't seem pertinent. It took Peter almost three hours to re-evaluate his approach and come up with a better design, but he managed it.

The second try was better, until something seriously malfunctioned, causing his little spider to spin around in circles, it's legs bending and shaking uncontrollably, knocking equiptement off the table. The loud clanging of metal pieces crashing to the floor resonated through the lab, and a high pitched hissing emanated from the spider like a scream. Peter only barely managed to catch it before it tweaked itself off the table, but in his haste, he managed to damage one of the legs. Sometimes being super strong was annoying, but in this instance is was more than a little inconvenient. He held it up, looking devastated as the one leg swayed sadly back and forth, making a soft creaking noise.

Dum-E rolled over, it's claw quirking to the side in concern.

Peter sighed, and patted the robot softly. "It's okay, buddy."

"Guessing that wasn't in the programming?" Mr. Stark asked, innocently from his chair across the room. "Can't see how that particular setting would be helpful, but hey. You do you."

The lab door opened just as Peter finished rechecking the inner mechanisms of the abdomen for any damage. Bruce was carrying two large Mexican food take out bags in his arms, the hint of a smile playing on his lips.

"Thought you guys might want some dinner," he said, putting the bags on the back table. "You fix that bug?" Peter quirked his head in question and Bruce looked guiltily at Mr. Stark. "Tony-ah, sent me the footage. Pretty brutal."

"Wha-Come on. Seriously?" Peter stammered. He shifted, and crossed his arms indignantly. "Mr. Stark. Please tell me you didn't send that to everybody."

"Of course not."

"Thank god," Peter muttered, turning his attention back to the Spidey-Cam.

"I'm sure Natasha will show the others. Sending it to each of them is a bit overkill."

Peter closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "You are such a jerk."

"Doesn't really help does it? The breathing thing," Dr. Banner quipped, unwrapping the top of his burrito and taking a bite. "I never thought so either."

"Yeah, not really," he admitted, then shut the latch. "Think I can squeeze in a test run before the food gets cold?"

Dum-E made an excited chirping noise, rolling back and forth.

"It's called dinner and a show, Pete," Mr. Stark said, walking over to lean against the table by Dr. Banner. Dr. Banner handed Mr. Stark a plate of enchiladas without even looking, his eyes locked curiously on the Spidey-Cam. "Feel free to screw up again. It's no fun without a little drama. Just don't burn the place down, I've grown fond of it."