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[Tony shrugs and smiles.]

We genius' have to stick together nuts or not Doc.

Hm. I'm not sure that's the medically accepted term but I appreciate the sentiment. [The half-hearted smile tugging at the corner of his mouth feels strained and foreign, almost as though he's forgotten how it's done. It hurts a little but, somehow, Curt is almost grateful for that small bit of discomfort. It proves that he does, in spite of everything, retain at least some of his humanity.]

And I must ask you to ignore all of... Well, this. [He sweeps his hand in a vague gesture, encompassing his overall appearance. He doesn't look well. Or sane, really. The loose fit of his hospital issued pyjamas are even looser now than when he first arrived, his hair, usually neatly combed, sticks up at odd angles at the back, making him look unkempt, ragged. Hospital life, it seems, doesn't entirely agree with him.] As you can imagine, I don't receive many visitors. In fact, aside from the authorities, you're the first.

[Tony glances around taking in the sparse surrounding and thinking to himself there for the grace of god might he go.]

I pulled a few strings when I heard you wanted to talk to me Doctor. Though for the life of me I can't figure out why. Osborne yes, Stark not so much. So why don't we cut to the chase and you tell me what's going on,

Well, it's funny you should mention Osborn... [His smile, tentative to begin with, disappears entirely at the mention of his former employer. Curt ducks his head.] There's a matter of some urgency relating to him and his company I'd like to disclose to you but I - It's better discussed elsewhere.

My doctors assure me that I no longer pose a danger to the public - [Though Connors very much disagrees with their hasty conclusion.] - and I'm told that fresh air can do the mind a world of good. I thought you might be willing to... escort me. Outside. To make sure nothing gets out of hand. [And that he doesn't kill anyone else.]

[Tony gets up and looks around spotting the cameras nodding to himself.]

A walk would be nice, Pepper is always telling me I don't get enough fresh air.

I just,ah- I wanted to see how you were doing. [Peter scuffs his shoe against the too-clean tiles of the floor and tries to ignore how uncomfortable he is at the moment. He's never been in a psychiatric hospital before. It's a little intimidating.]

You look... [Less green.] like you're feeling better.

It's settled then. Good. [His smile is almost genuine.] You'll need to sign a waver, of course, but as I'm here on a strictly voluntary basis I don't foresee a problem.

I'll fetch my things. [He moves to stand, hesitating for only a moment, eyes flickering cautiously to the orderlies lining the open space of the visitor's room, before reaching across the table to offer Tony his hand.] Thank you, Mr. Stark. For being so... reasonable given the circumstances. Most wouldn't be.

I am. Much better. Thanks to you. [He owes Peter everything; his work, his life, his very humanity. It all rests with Peter Parker and Curt can't help but sink slightly beneath the weight of the debt he owes this young man, hunching in his chair and keeping his eyes firmly on the tabletop separating them. He's never felt more ashamed of himself.]

As much as I appreciate your visit, you needn't waste your concern on the likes of me. I'm sure your Aunt - [Or Gwen. But Curt doesn't have the stomach to mention her by name.] - would have a thing or two to say about it.

[Tony shrugs and smiles.]

Doc, believe me this isn't the weirdest thing to happen to me this month. Besides I've been curious about this Parker kid I read about in your notes.

Seems like someone I should be mentoring....in more ways then one.

Nah, don't worry. It's no big deal. [He hadn't actually told them where he was going. But he suspects May would be more understanding than Gwen.

But he knows, whatever happened, as bad as it was, Dr. Connors was never a bad person. He hadn't planned for things to turn out like they did. Not that that exonerates him, but Peter's not very good at holding grudges.]

Figured you might be tired of hospital food. [He slides a slightly damaged box of donuts across the table.] Had to make sure I wasn't hiding a shiv or something. But they're fresh, got 'em from that new place on fifty-seventh.

[Congratulations, Peter. If nothing else, the crooked box and the slightly battered doughnuts contained within it, with their oozing insides and irregular shapes, have managed to tug the corner of Curt's mouth into a tentative smile. It's a rare sight these days, even before he was committed to this wretched place.]

You're much too kind, Peter, thank you, though I'm not sure what I've done to deserve it. [He wonders, briefly, whether or not being generous of spirit might have some genetic component. That Peter has somehow inherited it from his father or his uncle.]

But I wish you wouldn't put yourself in danger like this. Shall we agree to make this your first and last visit? [Curt doesn't think he'll be able to live with himself if anything were to happen to Richard's son because of him. The thought makes something cold, slimy - Curt can't help but think of it as being reptilian - in the pit of his stomach clench sickeningly.]

[Peter smiles in response when he sees Curt's reaction to the gift. It felt good to see the doctor looking a little more like himself. More like the person he'd known in the beginning. He pulls up a chair, taking a seat opposite.]

Thought you'd like that.

Danger? [His smile falters a little.] You're getting better though right? I mean, I appreciate your concern but I figured... [He gestures hopelessly. A part of him had hoped that Dr. Connors would be able to help him understand the full extent of what the spider bite had done to him. Even in his head that sounds selfish and he tries to squelch it.]

That's over now.

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dfjaskfha You're the first Curt I've seen anywhere

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<3! Still very much in the voice!testing stages but I hope I'll be able to do him some justice. :)

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He seems great so far!

Aw, thanks so much, bb! Loving your Peter as well :)

Wow thank you!