The soft whisper of the breeze drifted through the open window of the home, blowing around the room. A boy, freshly turned twenty-two sat in his favorite red silk armchair, a glass of red wine dangling from his finger tips. The fireplace cackled with orange and yellow flames, trying to battle the darkness that consumed the room.

Magic was embedded into the old, rundown house, hidden behind secret walls and doors. Some of it was light, some dark, and some so evil that it could kill you in a snap of someone's fingers. The house was dangerous, but not as dangerous as the boy who lived there.

He was a wielded of all things magic and magic related, being able to bend time and reality into anything he wished. The stones that had once brought hell upon his planet and his family were now trapped under his pale skin, glowing fiercely in the lowlight.

Six colors: red, green, yellow, blue, purple and orange, all bringing him into a new light. Did he regret doing what he did? God no, he saved his world, but now he was trapped in their spell. Cut into his skin with no way out.

A ringing sliced through the deafening silence, the boy barely even batting an eye as he reached over to pick up the phone from the coffee table. Answering the mobile device, he brought it to his ear, eyes drifting towards the fire.

"Peter."

The boy gave a slight smile at the mention of his name.

"Yes, father?"

"Everyone's getting together for dinner tonight. Will you please come?"

Peter sighed as he closed his eyes, leaning his head back into the chair. Breathing in deeply through his nose, he reopened his eyes.

"Fine. I'll be there at seven."

He cut the line, setting the phone back down. He hadn't seen his family in four years, ever since he snapped his fingers to save the world. They didn't know about his... predicament, and he never planned on telling them. It was his demon that followed him everywhere.

Granted he had learned how to control the power flowing through his bloodstream, he was still hesitant to go out. He feared he would get angry and lash out, ending in using the stones on accident. But all demons had to be faced in the end, and he thought he could start his battle now.

"KAREN," Peter called out to his AI as he downed the last sip of his wine. "Get my best outfit ready for dinner tonight. I must look the least bit presentable."

"On it, boss," the feminine voice rang out. Peter stood and walked down the hall, ascending the double staircase that led to his bedroom. Pushing the dark wooden door open, he entered to see one of his best outfits laid out on the bed, ready for him to put them on.

After taking a quick shower, Peter pulled on the pristine black button down and black skinny jeans, expertly tying his red tie like Pepper had taught him. Mother knows best, I guess. With a little bit of gel to tame his messy raven hair, he was soon on his way.

•

"Welcome back, Mister Parker," FRIDAY's voice rang out as Peter stepped into the lobby of Stark Tower. Heads swiveled towards him, mostly shocked and in awe of the twenty-two year old's presence.

"It's good to be back, FRIDAY," the young adult replied as he flashed his badge at a security guard. The elevator ride was quite boring besides the change of AC/DC from the usual cliche elevator music.

When Peter stepped out of the elevator, he all but expected his parents to to be waiting for him, as well as the damned Avengers themselves. He held in a scowl as he stood there, hands tucked securely in the pockets of his coat.

"You've grown so much..." Pepper said softly as she approached her son. She touched his cheek lightly, a smile on her lips.

"I guess I have, mom," Peter replied, features softening. His mother always brought out his mushy side.

Steve cleared his throat. "So," he began, eyes shifting towards the young adult. "Lets get seated."

Peter followed silently behind his family as they walked into the dining room, taking their respective seats. The twenty-two year old took his old seat in between Pepper and Tony, folding his hands in his lap.

As the dinner went on, Peter couldn't help it start to ease into the warm atmosphere of the tower. His smile came out more and he was more open to crack a joke or make small talk. Being with family really did help his depressive state.

But as everyone began to finish their meals, the magic inside of him tugged at his mentality. He could tell them all now, that he was forever bonded with the damned stones, or he could lose everything with the wrong state of mind. He had to tell them before his mental state worsened and he started acting irrationally.

But... maybe it could wait.