Peter and Tony are in the lab when the kid announces “Finished!”
He had been working on calculus problems for the past hour. Some stumped him, but Tony walked him through it. “Let me take a look.” His mentor says and Peter hands the sheet over.
Tony takes a minute to scan the problems, looking over each step Peter took to get the answers. Once he’s done a smile grows across the philanthropist's face, “Amazing kiddo,” he says handing the paper back, “this is great!” He says with a sense of pride.
“It’s just homework.” Peter states, an uncomfortable smile on his face.
“Yeah but you got them all right.” Tony smiles.
“You helped.” He also defends.
“Not by much, this was all you bud.” Tony assures.
“It’s nothing.” Peter brushes off, “Can we don the upgrades in my suit now?”
“Sure.”
____________
Instances like this happen a lot. Even in the field.
Peter called Tony for help as a bunch of person sized robots terrify and go after the people of New York. The are armed and have red glowing eyes that send a chill down your spine. Nothing like the bright white, hopeful eyes of the Iron Man suit. Of course the mechanic comes right away at Peter’s call. Together they fight.
At one point Peter webs a robot up and sticks it to a dull red brick wall, “Nice job pete!”
Tony says as he flies over Peter’s head, “Uh, yeah… thanks.” He says it kind of unsurely.
Throughout the fight, when Tony spouts praise Peter shrugs or turns away uncomfortably. Tony is left dumbfounded. What did he say?
____________
When Peter builds a mini Arc Reactor for the science fair Tony is in awe. He stares at the glowing blue circle, it’s the size of a dollar coin. “This is magnificent Peter!” He praises.
“No, it’s not.” Peter says quickly.
Tony’s eyebrows scrunch up, “What are you talking about, this is genius.” He continues to take in the amazing technology.
Peter’s cheeks go red, “I just copied you.”
“I have never been able to make one this size, you’re going to win for sure!”
“No, I’m not.”
Tony’s bright smile turns down, “Why would you say that.”
“I just don’t think it’s as great as you're making it out to be.” Peter shrugs, turning away.
Tony is left confused and bewildered.
_______________
Tony, Peter, and May are skating at Rockefeller center. Peter is the most graceful of the three. May fell down three times and decided to warm up and get some hot chocolate with what is left of her dignity. Tony also fell down once to the overwhelming amusement of the spider kid. After a few more laps Peter decides to go into the middle. Once in the center, he jumps and twirls in the air landing gracefully on one foot.
“Wow, Peter, that was great!” Tony cheers with a smile.
“It’s not that great.” Peter argues as he continues to skate.
“Do you see anyone else doing that?” Tony asks rhetorically, “No, because they can’t. It’s really cool Peter.”
The kid looked uncomfortable, “let’s just keep skating.”
Again Tony doesn’t understand.
______________
Peter and Tony were walking to their favorite diner when they came across a homeless person. Peter digs in his pocket and pulls out whatever change he has. He smiles at the woman, chroches down, and puts the change in the cup she’s holding in her gloveless hand. “Thank you my dear.” She says with a crooked smile.
Peter looks away at that, “It’s no problem.” The kid straightens up and starts walking again.
“That was really nice Peter.”
Another nonchalant shrug and uncomfortable smile. Nothing else is said about it.
_________
Finally Tony confronts Peter after yet another instance.
Peter comes to the tower for lab day. As soon as he sits down Tony asks, “How did the Spanish test go?”
“Got 95%,” he shrugs.
“That’s great Pete!!”
“I could have done better.”
Tony frowns, “Peter, 95% is really good. I’m proud of you.”
“Uh, yeah, okay… thanks.” He turns away and starts making his web fluid.
“Peter.”
“Yeah,” he says, not looking at him.
“Can we talk for a moment?”
Peter freezes, this is never good , “Sure.”
Tony decides to just go all in, “Do you not like when people compliment you?”
“What?” Peter turns around.
“Every time I compliment you you shrug it off or look… uncomfortable.”
Peter shrugs.
“Yeah, like that,” Tony continues.
“I don’t know, it’s nothing.” Peter states.
“But you say that too. I just want to understand. I dion;t want you to feel uncomfortable.”
Peter sighs, “I don't know how to put it into words.”
“Can you try?”
“It’s just that… I- I don’t like when… I’m… I’m not used to it.”
“What?”
Peter looks down to make this easier, “I’m not used to being complimented. It feels strange and weird.” He shrugs.
And doesn’t that just break Tony’s heart. Being praised is so foreign to the boy that what is supposed to feel good and empowering actually feels wrong and makes him feel uneasy.
“It’s just… When you compliment me I’m caught off guard. I don’t know how to respond and then I make things awkward.” Peter admits.
“I’m sorry Pete-”
“No! You didn’t do anything wrong.” Peter says quickly. “I’m just kinda messed up.”
“No, you're not.” Tony immediately shuts that down. “Do you care if I compliment you or would you like me to stop?”
Peter’s torn. It feels strange to be praised, but he also gets a warm feeling in his chest when he is. He usually pushes it down, but he would be lying if he said he didn;t crave it. “I-I don’t know.”
“Okay, well I can just keep doing what I’m doing and if you don’t like something I say you can tell me to stop. I won’t be mad, I’ll be more upset if you keep those things to yourself.” Peter looks unsure. Tony's face softens, “I just want to help, whether that be just continuing as is or stopping something to make things more comfortable.”
“No, I want to be okay with compliments.”
Tony smiles, “I’m glad.” He would hate it if he had to stop praising Peter for his kindness, genius, and more. “We can work on it together.”
Peter genuinely smiles, no hint of discomfort, “Thank you.”