Peter "meets" the Avengers

After talking for little longer and agreeing to meet up the next day for take-out and a movie for dinner, everyone went their own ways, with Tony carrying a sleeping Peter to his room, even if it was only 6 PM. He changed him into more comfortable clothes and tucks him in bed before leaving the room with a soft ‘Sweet dreams kiddo’.

T H E  N E X T  D A Y

Peter groans as he slowly wakes up, wondering what planet he’s on. After staring at his ceiling for five minutes without moving, he startles when Friday speaks to him.

Good morning Mini Boss. It is currently 9:22 AM. I have alerted Boss of you waking up, and he is waiting for you in the kitchen with pancakes for breakfast.

‘Mornin’ Fri. Tell him I’ll be there in five.’

He groggily sits up after another two minutes of stairing, and rubs his hand against his face in an attempt to wake up further. ‘Maybe food will help’ he thinks to himself. As if on cue, his stomach grumbles loudly. ‘Yep. Food it is’.

Tony looks up when he hears Peter walk into the kitchen.

‘Morning kiddo! Sleep well? 15 hours straight – that must be a record for you!’

‘Hi Dad’ Peter walks straight into his father’s arms and rests his head on his collarbone. He sighs in content when he feels warm arms wrapping around his torso and a gentle kiss on the top of his head.

‘Still sleepy?’ Tony whispers gently.

Peter’s stomach replies for him, and Tony chuckles fondly as Peter tries to hide his red face into his shoulder.

He leads his charge to sit at the table before going back to the get the pancake pile waiting next to the cooking pan.

They stay silent as Pete devours his first plate of pancakes. As Tony stands up to refill it, he starts the conversation:

‘So Pete…’ He waits till they make eye contact. ‘What do you remember about yesterday?’.

Peter looks confused for a few seconds, trying to remember what was so different about yesterday. He winces when he remembers skipping breakfast and lunch, before his face morphs into one of panic when he realizes how sleep deprived he was on top of it all.

‘OH MY GOD. WHAT HAPPENED? WHAT DID I DO? PLEASE TELL ME I DIDN’T DO ANYHTING STUPID OR WEIRD. GOD, I SHOULD’VE LISTENED TO KAREN WHEN SHE TOLD ME TO GO HOME. I MEAN, I WASN’T TOTALLY SURE IF I WAS JUST IMAGINING HER TALKING TO ME OR NOT, BUT I GUESS NOT. AND-  

Before his breathing could get even more erratic, Tony tried to calm him down but Peter wasn’t hearing any of it.

‘Hey, hey. Pete, breath for a minute okay? Nothin-’

‘- OH MY GOD! WAIT? HOW DID I EVEN GET HERE AFTER SCHOOL? DID HAPPY PICK ME UP? PLEASE TELL ME I DIDN’T SWING HERE!’.

Tony put his hands on Peter’s shoulders to grab his attention before continuing.

‘Calm down buddy. Breathe.’

After a few minutes of deep breathing, Tony went on to explain.

‘Okay, you with me now?’ Peter nods. ‘Good. So, after Happy dropped you off, you came in the living room yesterday and basically passed out on me because you hadn’t had anything to eat all day. That coupled with your less-than-exemplary sleep schedule this past week – and that’s saying something coming from me – well, you were really out of it. Rhodey and I managed to coax you into eating and drinking something before you fell asleep again.’

Peter listened carefully and he could tell that Tony was leaving something out.

‘That’s it? Nothing else happened?’ He asks carefully. Tony continues on after a soft sigh.

‘As for school, I doubt anything happened, otherwise I would’ve gotten a call.’

Silence settled between the two. Peter was trying to sort his very mixed up, and barely coherent, memories of the past day’s events, whilst Tony was thinking of what to say next.

‘Petey, sleeping aside, you know you can’t afford to skip any meals with your metabolism. It’s not optional. You were so out of it, you were barely responsive…’ He rubs his hand over his face ‘God…’

‘M’ sorry.’

‘I know you are buddy, but this can’t happen again. I know it’s a little hypocritical coming from me, but you need to take better care of yourself. Whilst I’m glad you have amazing friends that care for you and your well-being, you can’t solely rely on Fred and MJ to remember to eat.

‘Ned’

‘That’s what I said.’

After discussing some ideas on how to avoid this from happening again, they settled on keeping a stock of his custom made protein bars in his locker at school, along with notifications from Karen when he doesn’t eat on time, and a protocol which alerts the nearest person to go to him if Karen’s alert is ignored.

As they finished cleaning the table and kitchen, Peter asks:

‘So, what’s the plan for today? Do you have any meetings or can we go down to the lab? Cos’ we didn’t go yesterday…’

‘Ah, about that…’

‘What is it?’ Peter asks with a slight apprehension.

‘Soooo, given the busy week you’ve just had and all the not-sleeping you’ve been doing, I can understand why you forgot, but… the Rogues came back yesterday.’

‘Wait really! OMG! I’m not gonna lie I’m kinda torn between wanting to punch them in the face for what they did to you and getting to meet them!’

‘Well, technically you’ve already done both…’

‘Yeah, but we were fighting then! We didn’t really get to talk to each other at the airport…’

‘Oh yeah that too, but that’s not what I’m talking about’

‘What do you mean?’ Peter asks suspiciously.

‘Well… theywereallsittinginthelivingroomwhenyouwalkedinyesterday’

A tense minute of silence passes, then Peter explodes as he paces back and forth in front of Tony.

‘IM SORRY WHAT?? YOU SAID I DIDIN’T DO ANYTHING WEIRD OR STUPID!!! GOD YOU’RE TELLING ME THAT THE FIRST IMPRESSION THEY HAVE OF ME IS ME PASSING OUT ON YOU COS IM TOO STUPID TO REMEMBER TO EAT?? OMG I CAN’T LIVE HERE ANYMORE, I HAVE TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY COS THIS IS WAY TO EMBARASSING FOR MY SOCIAL ANXIETY TO MANAGE. WHAT DO I DO? CAN I BORROW MONEY FOR A PLANE TICKET? I SWEAR I’LL PAY YOU BACK! WAIT, BUT I DON’T WANT TO LEAVE YOU ALONE WITH THEM! WHAT DO I DO??’

‘Okay wow. First of all, you are not stupid. Far from that. Do you lack some self-preservation skills? Yes. But you are not stupid. Capiche?’

Once he was sure Peter heard him he continued:

‘Good. Second, I can’t believe the first time you finally ask me for something it’s to leave the country. I’ll try not be too offended. And even if I did buy you said plane ticket, I would never expect you to pay me back. It’s my money, I get to spend it however I want. And I definitely don’t mind spending it on you.’

Again, he waited for Peter to nod – though this time it was with a slight red tinge to his face.

‘Third, you don’t have to go anywhere buddy.’ He pauses. ‘They thought you were cute’ he says with a big grin, and Peter mumbles with a little pout ‘I am NOT cute’ (his face is definitely not a deeper shade of red).

‘They're gonna love ya Pete.’ He puts a reassuring hand on is shoulder. ‘Don’t worry. I mean, you even managed to make Happy, the grumpiest man alive, like you!’

‘Really? Happy likes me?’ He asks with a tone of hopefulness coupled with incredulity.

‘Of course kid! Why do you think he stops for some Mcdonalds or some ice cream on your way back from school! And in case you haven’t noticed, he always does so when your Uncle Rhodey is in town so you spend more time with him, and less with Rhodey.’ He chuckles fondly.

Peter stays silent as he mulls over everything that Tony has just said.

Just as Tony was about to say some more reassurances, Peter breaks the silence.

‘So, did you really forgive them?’ He asks softly, whilst looking attentively at his dad's face for any clues as to what he’s really feeling.

He sighs deeply. ‘It’s complicated Petey… You know that. We both acted irrationally and could’ve handled it better. Do I still blame them for what happened to Rhodey and what they did to me? No. But do I forgive them? That’s another story. I’m trying. So are they, but it’s going to take time. Building back the trust we used to have as a team will take time.’

Knowing how hard it still is for his Dad to openly speak about his emotions, Peter closes the gap between them and leans into him to provide comfort. Tony gratefully accepts his half-hug, and his hand almost automatically finds it’s way to his sons curls.

‘Is it okay if I haven’t forgiven them either?’ Peter asks carefully.

Tony pulls away from the hug to look at Peter in the eyes.

‘Of course it is Pete, as long as it isn’t on my behalf. You shouldn’t feel a certain way towards someone just because I do, you hear me? I appreciate your support, but I don’t want to get in the way of your fanboying’ He finishes with a slight grin, to try and lift the mood again. But Peter doesn’t take the cue, and instead tightens his hold on his father and says with determination

‘I’ll always be on your side and have your back.’

Tony reciprocates the hold, and with a fond smile he replies ‘I know that Pete. Thank you.’

It's Peter again who breaks the comfortable silence.

‘What about Spider-man?’

‘What about Spider-man?’ Tony replies with confusion.

‘Do we have to tell them?’

‘Do you want to?’

‘I…I don’t know. I don’t really know them and I’m not sure I’m ready to have more people know my secret.’

‘Okay. That’s okay. Whenever you’re ready Pete’ He rubs his back comfortingly. ‘It’s your decision’.

‘So, what now?’

‘Well first of all, you’re gonna go take a shower cos you stink. (-Hey!) Then we can go down to the lab to tinker all day (-Yaaaay!), with a lunch break of course,’ he adds whilst looking pointedly at Peter who is suddenly finding the floor very interesting, ‘then we made a plan with the others to order some take-out and watch a movie all together, as a first “team activity”. They also really want to meet you, so we figured this was the least overwhelming option for you’.

‘The avengers want to meet ME?’ He asks incredulously as he point a finger towards his chest.

‘Well, they are a bit intrigued as to who you are and why they haven’t seen you around before. And like I said, they thought you were cute.’

‘Why would they have seen me around before?’

‘Ah.. they may or may not believe that you’re my son. Biologically I mean.’

Tony watches as Peter’s eyes grow wide.

‘Oh.’

‘Yeah.’

‘Are you gonna tell em?’

He shrugs. ‘Meh, it doesn’t really matter does it? You’re still my kid.’ Peter’s face breaks into a wide smile. ‘Plus the look of confusion on Nat’s face was priceless.’ This time it’s Tony’s turn to smile brightly as he hears Peter’s giggle.

‘Right then. I think that’s enough mushy-ness for the day. Shower first then lab, okay?’.

‘Sir yes sir’ Peter replies whilst doing a two-finger salute. Tony watches fondly as he sprints off into the hallway leading to his bedroom, before he turns towards his own bedroom whilst shaking his head and chuckling at his kid’s antics.

T I M E  S K I P

Pepper steps out of the elevator as she makes her way towards Tony’s lab. Well, at this point it’s really Tony and Peter’s lab.

She walks towards the noise and watches fondly for a few minutes the scene before her.

Both Peter and Tony are arms deep in an iron man suit that is laid across the work bench, with a look of deep concentration on their faces. They are working so much in sync that it looks like a choreographed dance. They’re passing tools to each other without even speaking. The only sounds they’re making is their humming over the AC/DC song playing in the background.

They’re both in the same bubble, and haven’t noticed Pepper yet. She’s used to it so she doesn’t mind, however she did come down for a reason, and despite her unwillingness to break the father-son moment, she clears he throat before announcing her presence.

‘Hey boys.’

Neither react, as they’re too engrossed in their project.

With a fond sigh, Pepper looks up at the ceiling and asks ‘FRIDAY, dear, please turn off the music.’

Though FRIDAY doesn’t reply, the music cuts off, and the response is instantaneous. Both geniuses snap their heads up with a frown, but their complaint dies off when they see Pepper.

Peter smiles brightly as he bounds over to her.

‘Pepper!!’

‘Hey Pete. You having fun?’ She puts her arm around his shoulders, pulling him into a half-hug.

‘When I’m down here, always.’ He replies, without meeting a beat.

Tony makes his way over to his fiancé and gives her a kiss.

‘Hey Pep. What brings you down here? It’s not more paperwork is it cos I spent my evening last night catching up!’

She laughs. ‘Nope. I’m not down here for anything business related. It’s 6 PM and if you recall, you made some plans for tonight’.

The joyful familial atmosphere turned slightly tense.

Tony sighs. ‘Is Rhodey here yet?’

‘No, he got caught up at work but he should arrive within the hour.’

‘Well, Petey, it looks like it’s just the three of us.’ He says whilst copying Pepper’s movement on his kid's other side.

‘Um… are you sure I should be there? Won’t I be in the way or something?’. Peter asks timidly.

Tony and Pepper look down at Peter who was staring at the ground whilst nervously wringing his hands, before sharing a look over his head and having a silent conversation.

Pepper removes her arm from his shoulders and stands in front of him. She gently raises his chin with her hand and she looks reassuringly into his eyes. Tony squeezes his shoulders in support.

‘Peter, you are never in the way. You are welcome here, do you understand? In fact, we want you here, okay?’ Pepper says.

‘I wouldn’t have agreed to this in the first place if you weren’t here’. Tony adds.

Peter looks at both of his parent-figures, slightly overwhelmed by the amount of affection and reassurance oozing from them before he sighs softly and nods.

‘O-Okay.’

With one last reassuring squeeze of his shoulders, the trio make there way towards the elevator. Peter is still panicking a bit, but he is comforted by the presence of both Tony and Pepper.

In the elevator, Tony and Pepper are talking about SI stuff, but Peter isn’t really listening as he stares straight ahead, lost in his thoughts. He goes over everything that could go wrong and thinks about all the ways he could embarrass himself. Or worse, what if he embarrasses Tony and Pepper!

He is pulled out of his thoughts as the elevator dings, signaling their arrival on the Avenger’s common floor.

Tony bends down and speaks softly in his ear:

‘You ready kiddo?’

‘Y-yeah’ He replies shakily.

‘Just be yourself’ is the last thing Pepper says before the doors open and they step out. Pepper first, followed by Tony and Peter who look like they’re attached at the hip, with how close Peter is sticking to his Dad.

The Rogues (or Ex-Rogues) are spread out across the living room. Natasha and Wanda are sharing a couch, with the former reading a book and the latter on her phone. Vision is sitting next to Wanda looking at the TV. Bucky and Sam are sitting opposite to them on another couch bickering about something. Clint and Scott are on the floor in front of the TV playing Mario Kart. And Steve, well he’s sitting on a loveseat in the corner of the room with his hands clasped together in front of him, looking deep in thought.

They all look up when they hear the doors open and smile – though it’s slightly tense as no one really knows how to act around each other anymore.

Pepper, like the boss she is, breaks the ice.

‘Hello everyone, FRIDAY ordered everyone’s food, and it should arrive shortly’.

‘Wait, but we didn’t order?’ Peter asks shyly, still tucked under his father’s arm.

‘Don’t worry sweety, I asked FRIDAY for your usual’.

He perks up and smiles at Pepper as he mutters a soft ‘Awesome’,  which makes a few of the Avengers chuckle. Peter tenses up in embarrassment at that and Tony tries to help him relax a little.

‘So everyone, this is Peter. Peter, this is everyone.’

After a small wave and a shy ‘Hello’, the Avengers replied with their own chorus of greetings.

The small family made their way to the remaining available couch and sat down, with Peter in the middle. Clint paused their game and turned to the kid.

‘So Peter, Tony told us you go to school at Midtown Tech, that's the school for genius kids, right? So you must be pretty smart then, huh?’

‘Oh well, um…’ He scratches the back of his neck nervously. ‘Not rea-’

Tony cuts him off before he could finish his denial.

‘Yep, he’s really smart. Top of his class and a regular on the Decathlon team! He can keep up with me no problem in the lab.’ He finishes by ruffling his kid’s hair fondly.

‘Daaaaaad’ Peter definitely does not whine, as he hides his head in his father’s arm.

Tony and Pepper chuckle whilst all the Avengers coo and ‘aww’ at the cute action.

‘He also helps around down on the R & D floor and contributes to the developments of new and current projects’ Pepper adds proudly.

Clint whistles. ‘Damn you’re definitely smarter than Sam and Bucky combined then’ he says with a grin and a wink towards Peter.

‘Hey!’ Sam indignantly replies. Whilst at the same time Bucky mumbles ‘Just because it’s true doesn’t mean you have to say it out loud…’

This makes Peter giggle and relax slightly. Tony looks over gratefully at Clint and mouths ‘Thank you’, to which he responds with a soft smile and a nod.

‘Now that we know you’re super smart, how about we test your gaming capabilities?’ Asks Scott. ‘Do you wanna play a game with us?’

Peter looks up at Tony, silently asking for permission, and when he receives a nod, he slowly slides off the couch and makes his way the front of the TV next to Clint and Scott.

With a burst of confidence which he has no idea where it came from, he cheekily says ‘If you’re as bad as Dad at this game, then I won’t even have to try to beat you’.

His comment earned him several barks of laughter from all around the room, further dissipating the tense atmosphere, along with an incredulous ‘ExcUsE mE??’ from Tony.

After a few games, all won by Peter, FRIDAY announces the arrival of the food. At this point, everyone is engaging in their own conversations, and with the tension in the room almost gone, Peter’s shyness evaporates and his sassiness becomes more apparent (only towards Tony of course – he might be more comfortable around the Avengers, but he hasn’t reached the “joking-around” stage yet). He’s also a lot more relaxed since his Uncle Rhodey came in becuase he feels like he doesn’t have to keep such close attention to his Dad anymore with him looking out for him as well.

As he’s done with his food, Tony stands up from his seating position with a groan. Peter snorts ‘Easy there old man, you might want to make some renovations in the Med bay and add a geriatric ward, cos I’m looking at their first patient’.

With a slap at the back of Peter’s head, he chooses the ignore the snorts and laughter coming from everyone else as he replies ‘Listen here fetus, you make another comment like that and I’m grounding you till you’re 30’.

Without missing a beat Peter cheekily says ‘If I’m a fetus, then in the scale of things, you’re a teenager. Which, I guess, makes sense, as it would explain your mood swings’.

‘Oooooooh’ ‘He’s got you there’ ‘I like this kid’ ‘Can I adopt you?’

Ignoring all the comments again, dad and son stare at each other, calculating their next move.

Tony breaks first ‘Fine, you win. That one was good, even for me.’ He ruffles Peter’s hair as Peter giggles.

Everyone starts to finish up there food, except for the two super soldiers and Peter who are still eating (which Tony blames on “Teenagers and their blackhole of a stomach”), and they clean up the living room a little to start the movie.

‘So what are we watching?’ asks Natasha.

‘I think Peter should pick’ says Wanda.

‘Star wars!’ is Peter’s instant reply, though Tony’s was just as quick ‘Anything but Star wars!’.

Peter pouts at Tony and crosses his arms (he is NOT sulking, thank you very much), whilst the latter simply stares at him with a dad-look.

With a sigh Peter accepts his fate. ‘Fiiiine. Fri what’s the next movie on our watching list?’

Toy Story 1, Mini Boss

‘Is that okay with every one?’

With everyone’s blessing, the movie begins once they’re all seated and comfy, and silence overtakes the room. That is, until a certain archer crawls over to Peter “discreetly” and whispers, with a massive grin,

‘So Pete, how do you feel about pranks?’