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"So let me get this straight." Tony sat in the armchair opposite Peter and rested his chin on his closed fist. "You didn't think I knew your identity?"
"I mean… pretty much."
The billionaire stared at the boy in bewilderment. It should have been so obvious. The last time they'd interacted as Spider-Man and Iron Man, he'd made a sarcastic quip about Peter staying in school. He'd even mentioned that he should apply for a Stark Industry scholarship, yet Peter had either ignored that piece of advice or acted like it didn't apply to him.
After seeing Spider-Man's webshooters for the first time Tony had made it his mission to find out more about him. It had blown his mind that he'd been seventeen. A teenage kid was making his own physics to swing around the city.
Peter Parker. Midtown High School student. Omega. He'd been so close to visiting him at home, face to face. He’d had plans to schmoose his aunt and take him under his wing.
Omegas were rare, and clever ones were almost non-existent. Maybe Tony had been so intrigued by the boy because he reminded him of himself. He shook his head to himself and huffed.
"I never imagined you'd auction yourself off. You had so much potential, Peter. Just because you're an omega, it doesn't mean you have to-"
“-Fuck off.”
Peter pulled himself to his feet. His brow furrowed and his lip curled back into a displeased sneer. It wasn't often that he lost his cool. Tony was being patronizing, whether he meant to be or not. A billionaire could never understand the lows that someone had to experience to do this. It wasn’t as though he wanted to whore himself out.
"It must be so good to be an omega from a rich family. The only reason you are where you are now is because of your father!"
Howard Stark had been an alpha. He'd created Stark Industries. Tony was a genius, yes, but maybe he wouldn't be in this position had he not had the leg up. Maybe he’d just be a little bitch at an alpha’s feet too.
"So don't you dare judge me."
Tony looked like he's been slapped. His eyes widened at the boy's words and then he paled. He moved to stand and held his hands up, as if he was trying to defuse the situation.
"I didn't mean-"
"Well, you've lost your chance to help me, if that's what you were really wanting." The boy crossed his arms over his chest and his eyes darted towards the closed door. He knew that Tony wouldn’t hurt him, but it wouldn’t look good if they were caught in here fighting. "I'm good thanks."
Tony felt deflated. He hadn't meant to come in here and give him a lecture. If anything, he'd wanted to give advice. He'd started this off badly and now he felt like an asshole.
Steve was right. He was always looking for confrontation.
He swallowed the lump in his throat and locked eyes with the other omega.
"Okay… just... Peter, what’s done is done.” He started, trying to keep his voice low and even. "The reason I came in here was to talk to you. Spider-Man has to go. Norman can’t know about it. Believe me, he’s not a good person.”
Peter scoffed at him. "I'm not stupid. I've already hidden the suit. I've already said goodbye to my friends. I know what these three years are going to cost me."
“Well… that’s good.” Tony noticed the sadness in his eyes. “Peter, I’m sorr-“
The door clicked open and Norman waltzed into the room, head high and confident. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Tony and his face contorted into something ugly. His eyes flicked between him and Peter, trying to understand exactly why security hadn’t stopped his rival from coming backstage.
"You lost the auction, Stark. Why are you here?" He turned his attention to Peter, hoping that he would be able to fill him in.
Peter bit his lip and did his best to remain calm. He knew he could use this situation to his advantage. Tony was right. He could hardly tell Norman the truth about Spider-Man. So he had to make something up.
"Mr. Stark offered me an internship- but I unfortunately had to turn it down." He smiled and forced himself to move closer to Norman. He needed to look like he was seeking attention from his alpha, even if kissing ass turned Peter's stomach. "I don't specialize in electronics. I like biochemistry and biophysics, and Oscorp is much more renowned for that. It makes Stark Industries look like a middle school science fair."
Norman’s eyebrows shot up at Peter's words and then he burst into laughter. He reached an arm out, loosely wrapping it around his waist from behind and placed a loving kiss on his head in praise. When he pulled away he was still grinning from ear to ear.
"You heard him Stark.” He chuckled. “Beat it."
Tony glared at Peter and clenched his jaw. He knew what the boy was doing, and who could blame him? He needed to please his new alpha.
Still, those words burned.
"Well, if you ever change your mind." He reached into his pocket and offered the boy a contact card. Peter took it and looked down at the details.
A number. He had Tony Stark's number.
"Okay. Thank you, Sir." He smiled, thankful that the other hero hadn’t taken his unkind words to heart. Tony was smart enough to know it was an act. His eyes followed the billionaire as he left the room and the nerves of being left alone with Norman began to niggle at his stomach.
-
"Brilliant, Pete. Simply brilliant."
Norman shook his head, as though he couldn't believe his arch-rival had been put in his place by a kid. He kissed his brow again before releasing his grip on him. "I can't wait to tell Harry about this."
"Harry?" Peter asked, hoping his question wouldn't come across as rude. He knew little about the Osborns. Norman had done a fantastic job of keeping his son out of the media’s eye for the first nineteen years of his life, but Peter, having heard the odd rumor at The Daily Bugle, knew there was a reason for that. “Is he your son?” He feigned naivety.
"Yes. He still lives at home on the weekdays. And on the weekends?" Norman shrugged. Harry was Harry. He had numerous girlfriends. "Who knows where he sleeps."
Norman stalked over to the small dressing area and began to shift through the clothes hanging on the rack. Thoughts of Harry Osborn soon left Peter’s mind as he watched the alpha plucking silk material off and holding it up to the light.
"One of the organizers said we can take a few pretty robes for you- it'll tide you over until you can go shopping."
Robes. Peter stood there awkwardly and shoved his hands deeper into his sweater pockets. So Norman really would expect him to wear them on a day-to-day basis. He’d only expected to be put in them at parties.
"I prefer the shorter ones.” He tried, hoping to influence his decision. “I know I'm an omega but I'm kind of clumsy. I almost died falling down the stairs in some long ones before."
That was a lie. Peter had never donned them before in his life prior to tonight. He bit his lip, hoping that his new alpha would agree.
Norman handed him a shorter one. It was red and soft and felt similar to the one he'd worn on stage. He pulled it on, leaving it hanging open at the front. It came down to his thighs.
"Very pretty, although we'll get you some smarter clothes for underneath." Norman stroked the light material and then his hand trailed up to gently brush his cheek.
Peter nodded and felt his face flush. The man didn't seem too bad. He was handsome in a strange way. He had a characterful face with deep wrinkles and thick brown hair. He had to at least be in his mid-forties. He was tall and slender and this kind of physique was reassuring.
At least he wasn’t built like a brute like Fisk.
Peter took a deep breath. He could do this. So far, so good.
"Am I coming home with you tonight?" He dared to ask and leaned into the touch.
Norman nodded and began to run his fingers through the boy’s hair, gently playing with it. "I'd prefer that. I've already got your bedroom set up. It will be good for you to settle in."
"My bedroom?" Peter asked in confusion and tilted his head. He'd assumed he would be sleeping in Norman's bed. Cuddling him. Servicing him. That was an embarrassing thought.
"I'm a gentleman, beautiful. We have three years ahead of us. I think it's best we get to know each other first."
Peter felt a flutter in his chest. It wasn’t because he wanted Norman- it was because for the first time in his life he felt valued. The man could demand anything from him, yet here he was making him feel loved and comfortable. On top of all of this, he was paying Peter’s bills.
“Thank you… sir?” The omega said, a little unsure what to call him. He’d go with respect first though. He wanted to show the alpha that he was eternally grateful for his help.
The man gave him a little smile and leaned in to kiss him again.
“Call me Norman.”
-
The Osborn Penthouse was like nothing Peter had ever seen before. When he’d been told they’d be going to an apartment block, he’d pictured white walls and minimalist décor. What he hadn’t expected was a gothic Manhattan mansion, situated on the edge of the Tudor City complex.
“Welcome home.” Norman held the door open for him.
The omega stepped inside and spun around, taking in the stone walls, the paintings, and the fancy double bronze staircase that led up to the second floor. The hall itself made him feel like he was in some old English manor. It was dark and atmospheric and like a place that a prince would whisk an omega off to in a fairytale.
“It’s beautiful.” He commented, before turning his attention back to his alpha. Norman was smiling genuinely at him and he let him once again invade his space for a kiss.
“Let me show you to your room… and tomorrow we’ll go shopping, and you can pick some things up from your aunts.”
Peter followed after him, hating how his heart was racing. He stared down at the steps as he climbed them and hated how easily he was warming to this man. He’d felt for sure that auctioning would be an uncomfortable experience. Maybe it didn’t have to be.
As they rounded the corner, he heard a smash, then his Spidey-senses were spiking. A door flew open and he jumped back, dodging a shoe that was launched at his head. A growl ripped from Norman’s throat, and then he was moving forward to grab the assailant’s arm and yanking him out of the room.
It was a young man. Peter noticed that he was maybe a few years older than him. He smelt sweet but he scowled at the alpha with tears in his eyes. His bottom lip was quivering.
“I told you, you better be gone before I get back!” Norman spat at the newcomer, his eyes aflame with anger. “We’re done!”
“I don’t want to go. I’m sorry.” The man whimpered back and sniffed, wiping at his eyes. “I’ll never do it again, I promise!” His head snapped in Peter’s direction and he went pale as though he was looking at a ghost. “You… you got… a-another omega?” He choked.
Peter stepped away, putting some distance between himself and the bickering couple. The man’s cheeks were tear-stained and his shoulders shook as he tried to hold back his sobs.
“You have half an hour to pack your stuff and get out. Don’t test me. I will get security up here.” The alpha’s words were venomous and he released the omega’s arm and gave it a shove for good measure, as if to make his point. Then he was walking down the hall again.
“Come.” He barked at Peter.
Peter eyed the young man who was now pressing the heels of his hands into his eyes to stifle his sobs. He’d never met an omega his age before. He wanted to comfort him, but despite his instincts, he turned and followed after Norman.
What did he do?