Chapter Text
If someone asked Peter to describe his life in three words, he would say it is random, complicated, and adventurous. He could spend one day with Ned and MJ doing regular teenage stuff like watching movies, venting, and participating in underground robotic fights. On a different day, he could be at Dad’s farmhouse (almost a mansion), spending time with Dad and forty-nine other siblings. Usually, on those days, Dad hosts a big party where everyone plays games, eats good food, catches up with the latest gossip, and hosts a major prank war.
“Let's get me straight,” Ned starts, taking a deep breath before he continues. “You haven’t told your dad, a literal representation of America, that you developed spider powers.”
“Correct,” Peter confirms without a bit of shame. “Pops doesn’t know about me being Spider-Man.”
“And Iron Man discover your identity as Spider-Man but your other identity,” Ned continues, knowing the answer. “Because he wanted allies for his trip to Germany.”
“That sums up everything,” Petter nods.
“He’s going to kill you,” Ned said, feeling slightly sorry for Peter. “If he doesn’t kill you, he’s going to ground you!”
He thinks he’s more likely to be grounded than killed, mainly due to Dad’s overprotectiveness of his fifty children. It’s like Dad had forgotten that he and the other original twelve states joined him in the revolution as little kids. Granted, they were all grounded for three years, but that's beside the point. They did what they felt was right because they didn’t want their Dad to be upset, and being representative of the states (colonies back then) means that Dad’s thoughts trickled down to them.
“Dad sometimes forgets that I’m a Personification of New York,” Peter sighs and, for a second, hears the voices of hundreds of people. “ And because I represent a State, I hear more of my people’s voices.”
And he sees the buzzing cities, the crowds of people walking, and the injustices that occur in his streets. It’s true Peter has his own thoughts and desires, but he considers what the New Yorkers want.
His people want peace and the resolution of the whole conflict between the Avengers. If it means going behind his father’s back and joining Iron Man, then so be it. At least he gets to hang out with his idol.
“Don’t you think this will backfire?” Ned asks, his words laced with concern. Alfred did everything he could to keep your and your siblings’ existence a secret for over two hundred years.”
“Dad never noticed Delaware’s secret spy network for over a century,” Peter points out. “Or notice how my five oldest siblings snuck out to join a war and destroy some Hydra bases.”
Dad loves them but can be busy sometimes, especially during wars. Around those times, everyone takes turns sneaking out from the shadows to participate in the war. They could get away with anything, and never once did Dad think that his eldest twenty States would have it in them to be so sneaky.
Delaware once said that Dad, and by extension, them, are young and naive compared to the rest of the world. Pennsylvania commented that Dad is young by personification standards but quickly rises into power. Despite being powerful, Dad does have his flaws, and one of those is not noticing when some of the States are up to something.
“Just don't get tangled into anything complicated,” Ned sighs, knowing it’s pointless to convince Peter to change his mind. “The last thing you need is to create a national incident like your father almost did.”
Peter chuckle. Creating a national incident and being the root of all personfication’s headaches was Dad’s thing, not his.
America knows how others perceive him. People know him as the guy with a bomber jack who loves fast food, heroes, and movies. Others, mainly England, call him naive and ignorant as they conveniently forget how quickly he rises into power.
“I would never think you would be concerned with growing stronger,” a woman said, surprised by America’s admission. “I would think a country would want to gain more power and strength to become the strongest country in the world.”
His strength depends on his people's talents, power, strength, intellect, and the number of super-powered individuals in the nation. At the moment, he’s the strongest compared to the rest. Begrudgingly, the older nations must admit that he’s the strongest on the battlefield and currently hosts many superpower individuals in his borders.
“I’m becoming stronger and capable of things I couldn’t do before,” America admits, becoming serious. “A few states have been experiencing the effects of having many super-powered individuals within their borders, and I’m worried about their safety.”
As he changes, so are his children. Last week, he visited his daughter and was surprised when California displayed the characteristics of someone who recently gained their powers. It was strange to see her transform into a mermaid and sing a song that influenced the people around him. Two weeks ago, he visited Texas and was greeted by the boy touching the ground and shaping the ground into a small fort. He’s a child, so he could only build small structures, walls, and forts with his hands.
He will have to visit all of his children, especially New York. For some strange reason, New York is an outlier regarding the number of superpower individuals living in the state. His son has probably developed some extra abilities.
What if the high number of superpowered individuals in New York put the risk of making New York represent something more than the State? No, he’s overthinking again. He has been watching too much movies and reading too much comics if he’s jumping to conclusions.
“I need to visit New York,” America states as he senses his phone vibrates.
Checking his phone, he sees that his boss requests to visit him for an urgent matter.
“Right after I deal with whatever my boss wants to talk about,” America continues, shoving his phone back into his pocket.