iwillcatchup

Peter paced a little back and forth, outside Steve's Clubhouse where he had been staying for over the past two months. He had been in a state of shock for a long time, that it had taken him a lot of effort to even get out of bed (and it helped to have the influence of Balthazar to encourage him to take those first few steps back into doing something).

He was shaking a little, as he paced, a part of him wanting so desperately to run. But a bigger part of him scared that it was another thing in his life that had disappeared. That had left him.

He put his ear buds of his walkman into his ears, and turned on a very appropriate song for how he felt right now. And just let himself start to walk around the clubhouse, every now and then to stop and shake, or to punch a wall, or to just lean his head against a tree and let the music soak into him.

His silver-blue eyes were full of tears by the time the song was done.

Then he pressed play on another song, and gave himself a good shake. He started to jog around the clubhouse, listening to the new song. He could feel the music start to build up, and he moved a little faster, slowly at first, each step getting stronger as the beat became louder and more impactful.

By the chorus of the song, Peter pushed himself to that sonic speed ability of his, a little joyful to know that it was still there. That he could still zoom around and around the clubhouse, just going at full speed. His full speed. The scenery passed by in seconds, and he knew that it was a part of himself that would never truly be gone. That it was a piece of him that was still there.

He let himself do a full speed through the Plaza, passing by people who were 'paused' in normal time. And he just felt truly free and back to himself in that moment. When he came back to the Clubhouse, as the song was ending the final chorus, Peter had more tears in his eyes. He just collapsed against a brick wall and let the music die down, crying with joy, letting himself mourn what he lost, and knowing that while he might never go home again... he still had found himself. And that was enough. For now.

Peter wakes up in the Nexus, somewhere in the middle of the Plaza, with a feeling of extreme tiredness hanging off him. He manages to get up... and lazily (to him) head off to Steve's Clubhouse. Where he can find a bed to climb into. And close his eyes.

It doesn't last long. The last thing he remembers is racing towards Jean... and his memory keeps on flashing to that moment. To everything that happened.

And he sits up, his eyes wet with emotion.

He stays in the bed. And grabs his PINpoint. And sends two messages.

The first, to Caspar.
Hey Dude. Just in case you wanted to get a hold of me. I am hanging out in the Nexus now.
Things got a little intense in my world. But I am safe now. As safe as I can be...

The second text is to Steve.
Hey...

Um remember how I mentioned bad things were happening in my world too? Well there was a fight. And now I am sort of here... in the Nexus.

I know you have your own world to worry about. But I wanted to let you know I am safe. I am staying in the Clubhouse, until I can figure out what to do next.

Miss you.

Peter

And he lays back on the bed, just staring up at the ceiling. His legs twitching restlessly.

When you are a speedster, it is a lot harder to truly have a sense for the passing of time. Especially when you can accomplish so much in a few seconds. And you have to slow down your senses to even spend time with the rest of the world. With the people who meant the most to Peter.

So he can honestly say that he doesn't know how long he has been standing there, watching Magneto set up his new camp, with his newly recruited mutants. It has seemed like it has been hours -- when in truth it likely only had been minutes.

His 'Old Man' had been busy. There were dozens of mutants at the camp now. And Peter narrowed his eyes as he witnessed bonding moments between Magneto and each one. He shouldn't be surprised. Erik had sought out the mutants who he had thought would be the best of the best. The mutants who had embodied his own goals for the future.

Peter thinks back to the letters he wrote, slowly leading up to the reveal that Erik was his father. He had personally made sure that each letter was placed somewhere that Erik would find it. And read it.

And not once did the other mutant write back. Or reach out. Or seek Peter out. Even after the letter that included the photo of Peter's mom and Erik -- in their youth. The letter that told the other mutant that he still had family out there.

Maybe writing letters had not been the best way to reveal the connection between them.

He watched as Magneto made way to his tent. And in a flash, he was inside the same time as the other man. And sitting in a chair, by Erik's bed. Two glasses of whiskey in his hands. "Looks like you have been busy."

"You have been spying on me." Erik frowns.

"Spying would mean I was reporting to someone else. No one wants to hear what I have to say." Peter scoffs. And holds out a glass of whiskey to the other man.

Erik took it, grabbed a seat across from the other mutant. And he studied Peter, as he sipped at the whiskey slowly. The silence was deafening. For Peter, it seemed to last forever. But he was determined not to make a snide comment.

"What brings you to my camp, Mr. Maximoff?" Erik finally asked.

"Mister?" Peter scoffs again. Some snarky comments could not be helped. "Is that because you can't remember my first name, Erik?"

"After everything I did?" Peter shakes his head.

He downs the whiskey, and stood up. "Guess that answers my question. Why you never bothered to answer any of my letters. Why you never bothered to acknowledge me."

"It is not because of me. Or my past. Or my mistakes." Peter looked into Erik's eyes, coldness in his steel blue eyes. "It is because of yours. And that is never going to change."

"I am so over this. When you are ready to get over yourself... you can find me." And with that... Peter sped off. Leaving a speechless Magneto behind.

Peter was standing among a small crowd on Tonga, a spectacular island country in the Pacific Ocean. The festive vigor and the spirit exudes from every nook and cranny of the wonderful island. And excitement was in the air.

The countdown was on.... 10... 9... 8... Peter took a quick selfie of himself waiting for the New Year to be celebrated. 7... 6... 5.... He grabbed some exotic island treats and placed them in a basket. 4... 3... 2... 1... He watched with a smile as people celebrated together. Hugged each other. Some couples kissing each other.

In a flash, he was in New Zealand, where he was able to tour around the country for an hour, before they too started the count-down towards New Years. Again he took another selfie of himself. And grabbed some local cuisine. And watched people celebrate, hug, and kiss.

Next, he was in Australia, and watched the major fireworks display at Sydney Harbour with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge providing a spectacular backdrop. Another selfie. Another sampling of local cuisine for his gift basket.

And then he was in Hong Kong, where he watched fireworks illuminate the stunning Victoria Harbour. And he took a moment to gather with the crowds at the Star Ferry Pier for some theater, dance and circus performances. He took another selfie, more local cuisine for his gift basket, and watched people celebrate, hug and kiss.

Next, he was in Bangkok, taking a selfie at the CentralWorld Plaza during the celebrations. And from there he was in Napal, getting a great selfie on top of the mountains.

When he reached Dubai, he ran up the Burj Khalifa, one of the most attention-grabbing skyscrapers, to watch the festivities from above the crowds. And for another amazing selfie.

His next destination was Moscow, where he celebrated New Years' at the Historic Red Square, enjoying a very cold, but visually appealing settings for a New Years' Eve fireworks display. From Moscow, he zipped down to Greece, and from there to Cape Town in Africa, and then up to Paris and then London. Every stop he took another selfie, more exotic food and cuisine for his gift basket. And every stop he watched as people celebrated together, hugged, and kissed.

He crossed the ocean to celebrate New Years' at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. Then of course he had to go back to American soil to watch the New Year's ball drop in Time Square at New York city. (And got a really nice and close selfie with the ball itself, before being spotted by anyone).

He headed north to watch Niagara Falls get lighted for the annual New Years' ceremonies. Then he headed across country to catch New Year's from a top the Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas. Placed a few bets. Grabbed more selfies.

Next, he headed up to Alaska, and then down to celebrate New Years' in Hawaii. And then he ended the really full day by celebrating the last New Year's countdown in American Samoa.

Settled for the night, Peter sent some of his best selfies to his closest friends. As he watched the last countdown 10... 9... 8... 7... He watched as people hugged again. Kissed again. 6... 5... 4... And sent the now full gift basket of exotic treats to Steve Rogers. 3... 2... 1...