I Promise

“I want to meet them.” Peter sounded determined, but there was still a hint of fear lacing his voice.

Tony looked surprised and didn’t try to hide it, “You want to meet them?” He wants Peter to meet them as well, but doesn’t want Peter to think he has to yet. He doesn’t want to force him.

“Yes.”
“You know you don’t have to if you're not ready right?” Tony wanted to make sure.

“I know.” Peter said with a smile. He was happy Tony was looking out for him and making sure he was not doing something he didn’t want to.

“Alright.” he eyed Peter to make sure he was being truthful and not just telling him what he thought he wanted to hear. “How about tomorrow?” He wanted to give Peter time to change his mind. Peter nodded, he was happy he would have time to prepare, mentally. “Do you want to meet them all at once or one by one?”

Peter looked unsure. “Will you and Bucky be there?”

Tony smiled, “Of course bud.”

“Then I can meet them all, as long as you two are there.”

Tony smiled down at Peter, a warmth in his heart. He still doesn't know exactly how it happened, but Peter trusts him. Fully trusts him, and that, that is the best thing Tony could ever ask for. They settled in for the rest of the day and watched Disney/Pixar movies. Although Tony thought he would be too mature for them, he found himself enjoying every one. Peter loved them and wanted to watch all the ones he had missed during his captivity. In between the second and third movie they had DUM-E bring up dinner and after an adorable interaction between the robot and Peter they settled in with their bowls of mac and cheese, which Peter absolutely loved. Tony made a note that Mac and Cheese was now one of Peter’s favourites. And then snuggled up to watch Inside Out.

Peter fell asleep soon after the movie ended. Tony did not want to wake Peter while he asked FRIDAY to contact the team about tomorrow, so instead he grabbed his phone, which was luckily on the nightstand plugged into its charger. He texted the team group chat (The one that also included Rhodey), everyone was labelled by their nicknames on his phone.

— Iron Man: Tony, Capsicle: Steve, Legolas: Clint, Manchurian Candidate: Bucky, Jolly Green: Bruce, Double Agent: Natasha, Rocket Man: Sam, Platypus: Rhodey —

Iron Man: Peter wants to meet everyone tomorrow, but before that happens I want to set some important rules for when you all meet him.

Do not say the word Hydra (try not to bring up his captivity at all)
Do not make too many sudden movements
No medical talk whatsoever
Do not touch him unless he initiates the contact

Bucky and I will be standing with him, by his request, everyone else keep a respectful distance please.

Capsicle: Understood. What time are you guys coming down?

(Tony couldn’t help reading Steve’s text in a leader voice)

Iron Man: Does 9:00am work so we can all have breakfast?

(He knows Steve usually eats at 6 or 7am before his run but assumes he’ll make an exception for Peter. He also knows Clint does not like to wake up until 11, but again hopes he will wake up early just once.)

Legolas: Damn that’s early, but fine. Can’t wait to meet the little squirt.

Manchurian Candidate: Do you want me to come up earlier to walk down with you two?

(Tony realises now that he has to change Bucky’s name in his phone. Now that he has gotten to know Bucky he realises the nickname he gave him is a little mean, no matter how accurate it is, especially after all he has done to try and help Peter.)

Iron Man: Yeah, come up at around 8:45am.

Manchurian Candidate: Understood. See you tomorrow.

Jolly Green: Sounds good, see you and the kid in the morning.

Double Agent: See you at breakfast.

Rocket Man: See you bright and early.

Platypus: Can’t wait to meet Peter, see you both in the morning.

Capsicle: See you tomorrow.

Thor was still off-world so he did not expect a text from him. After he got an affirmative message from everyone but Thor he put his phone back down and plugged it into the charger. His other arm was holding Peter who was asleep with his head on his chest. Tony had planned to ask Peter if he wanted to sleep in his own room tonight, but Peter fell asleep before he had the chance. He was kind of happy he hadn't been able to ask because, although he probably would not admit it out loud, he would be sad when Peter went to sleep on his own. He would miss him. He knows that sounds odd, because Peter is a teenager not a baby or a toddler, but he can’t help it. For now he just wraps his other arm around Peter and closes his eyes, waiting for sleep to take over.
______

In the morning Tony awoke to Peter still sound asleep. He reached over, trying not to move too much, to grab his phone. He checked the time to see that it was 8:00am. He wanted to give Peter time to prepare before meeting the team, so he reluctantly started trying to wake him up.

“Pete,” He took one of Peter’s shoulders and gently shook him. “time to wake up.” His words came out in a whisper. One) because he was right beside Peter’s ear, 2) He didn’t want to startle him, and 3) because Peter has enhanced hearing and he didn’t want to hurt him.

Peter was slowly waking up. He moved slightly and peeled his eyes open. He saw Mr. Stark looked down at him with fondness and he smiled up at the man. “Morning.” Peter said, it also came through in kind of a whisper.

“Morning kiddo.” he gave Peter another minute to fully wake up before saying, “I told the team we would join them for breakfast in about an hour, is that okay?” Peter looked both excited and anxious. “Bucky and I will be with you the whole time and we can leave if it is too much, I promise.” Peter relaxed a fraction and smiled. “I thought you might want to wear something from your new wardrobe today. Does that sound good?”

Peter nodded excitedly, “Definitely!” He was most certainly more awake now. “Can I use the bathroom before we go and pick them out?”

Tony was happy Peter asked for what he needed without being visibly fearful of the precautions, of which there would never be any here in the tower. “Yeah bud, of course.” Tony carefully slipped off the bed and offered Peter a hand to help him get up.

Peter smiled but shook his head, he wanted to do this by himself. He pushed himself up and scooted to the edge of the bed. He slowly put his feet on the floor and stood up. Tony was right by his side just in case. Peter had been getting better and better at standing and walking, but Tony was always a bit worried Peter would fall. Once Peter deemed his legs stable he started to walk to the bathroom, Tony walked with him but a little behind to give Peter space, but not enough that if Peter did fall he wouldn't be able to catch him. Peter looked back and gave Tony a small smile before shutting the bathroom door.

Once the door was shut Tony went to his closet to pull out what he wanted to wear today. He and Peter had mostly been lounging around in sweatpants and a t-shirt, in Peter’s case a sweatshirt as well since he seemed to get cold easily. Tony chose a pair of jeans and an AC/DC T-shirt. Peter came out of the bathroom a minute later. “Can I change into these really quick before we go and pick out your clothes?” Peter nodded and switched places with Tony. Tony did not shut the door until he saw Peter sit down on the bed, just to make sure there was no chance of him falling while he changed. He then shut the door, quickly changed into the clothes he picked out, and also brushed his teeth. When he came back out he found Peter still sitting patiently on the bed. Tony threw his old clothes in the laundry basket by the bathroom door. “Ready?” Tony said after he turned back to Peter.

“Yeah.” Peter said as he got up once more. This time it seemed easier, like he felt more solid on his feet. Partly probably because he had not just woken up this time, but also he was getting used to the movements of standing and walking again. Tony was, as he always is of Peter, proud.

They walked together to Peter’s new room. Although he had seen it yesterday Peter still looked at it in awe when he walked in. It was hard for him to grasp that everything in the room was his. Put there just for him. It felt strange but also good at the same time. Tony kept walking to Peter’s closet as Peter just stood still taking in everything. “You coming kiddo?” Tony said once he noticed Peter had stopped at the doorway.

Peter snapped out of his thoughts when he heard Mr. Stark's voice. “Oh, uh, yeah. Sorry.” He walked over to where Tony was.

“No need to apologise. Which shirt were you thinking?”

Peter started looking though all the shirts again, but stopped at one that particularly made him laugh. Basically all of them made him laugh, but this one made him laugh again, a second time around. It was half a science/math pun and half a Star Wars pun. It said: Come to the Dork Side we Have π

He took it off the hanger and proudly held it up for Mr. Stark to read. Tony grinned at the shirt and chuckled, “Nice choice.” Peter beamed up at the praise. “Let's pick out some pants and boxers and then you can change in your bathroom.”

Tony kept using the word ‘your’ when referring to the room and the clothes. And although Peter logically understood this was his room and these were his clothes, it was still foriegn. It still felt strange to have anything of ‘his’ own. Still Peter just smiled and followed Mr. Stark to the chest of drawers. He opened up a drawer that had boxers and pulled out a Star Wars pair, Peter blushed, smiled, and nodded sheepishly in affirmation. Tony then closed that drawer and opened the one above it. He grabbed a pair of sweatpants and a pair of jeans to give Peter an option. He held them both up, Peter looked at the two for a minute and picked the jeans. “Okay, these may be more uncomfortable than the sweatpants so after you try them on if you want to switch just let me know, okay?” Peter nodded and took the clothes. He turned and headed to ‘his’ bathroom to try on ‘his’ clothes.

Once inside Peter used the bathroom, washed his hands, and then started changing clothes. The jeans were stiffer than sweats, but they felt like real clothes. Like something everyone would wear. He had seen Mr. Stark wearing Jean the first day they met. He just wanted to be normal.

Once he was finished changing he came back out. Tony smiled at Peter in his new outfit. “You look great bud. Do you want to style your hair?”

“How?” Peter asked as he has never done such a thing. Before Hydra and before the orphanage his mom might have, but he doesn’t remember.

“I’ll show you.” Tony put a hand on Peter’s shoulder and steered him towards his room.

He led them both to his bathroom and had Peter stand in front of the mirror. He grabbed out his mousse. He put a bit in his hand and then rubbed them together. “Can I put my hands in your hair?” He asked because until now he would only put one hand in Peter’s hair to brush through his curls. The act of putting both hands on someone's head seems a bit menacing at first sight. Peter nodded, curious about what Tony was doing. Tony put his hands in Peter’s curls and started to style his hair so the curls weren't super messy going every which way. By the end they still looked messy, but like a controlled mess. “There, what do you think?” Tony said, wiping his hands on a towel.

Peter looked at himself and was surprised to see how put together he looked. Before Hydra a lot of his clothes were ripped or wrinkled since he didn’t know how to take care of them because the orphanage never taught him. Then at Hydra he was in a black spandex suit for missions. He only knew what he looked like in that because he would sometimes get a glimpse of himself in a window’s reflection when he was on a mission. And at the facility he never saw his own reflection, but he definitely did not feel put together. Especially after he was stripped of any clothes, except for boxers, and put on that metal table. But now, looking at himself he looked almost normal. He smiled up at Mr. Stark's reflection, “I love it, thank you.”

Tony beamed at Peter, “I’m glad.” Before he could say anything else there was a knock at the door. Peter looked up at Tony in question, but did not look fearful. Tony didn’t know it, but Peter had now memorised his and Bucky’s heart beats and he could hear the person's heart beat from where they were. It was Bucky. “That's Bucky,” Tony said. Peter of course already knew that but nodded anyway, “he’s going to walk down to breakfast with us. Is that okay?”

Peter smiled again, happy that he would have them both to face the others. “Yes.” They walked out of the bathroom together to greet Bucky. They had not closed the door when they came back into Tony’s room so Bucky was just standing awkwardly in the doorway.

When Bucky spotted them, he was surprised and happy to see Peter dressed in everyday clothes opposed to sweats. He was even happier to see that Peter himself looked happy. “Wow,” Bucky said with a smile, “You look good kid. I like this look on you.”

Peter smiled at him, “Thanks! Me too.”

“Ready to head down?” Bucky asked, looking at Peter and then Tony.

“It’s a few minutes early, but sure. The only person that might be waiting until 9 exactly would be Clint, so he can sleep just a few minutes more.” He said with an eye roll, “Everyone else should already be there.”

Bucky nodded, “From what I saw everyone else is there and Steve is almost finished cooking breakfast.”

“Alright then,” Tony clapped his hands together, ”let’s blow this popsicle stand.”

“What?” Peter asked confused, Bucky also looked confused but didn’t ask. He was used to not understanding references or new age lingo.

“Oh, nothing, just an expression.” Tony said a bit awkwardly.

“That’s a weird expression.” Peter pointed out his face still scrunched a nit in confusion.

Tony laughed, “Yeah, yeah it kind of is.” He paused, realizing that he has no idea where that saying even comes from. “Well, anyways let's go.” The three started walking to the elevator and Tony realized Peter got scared the first time they used it the day of his rescue. The other times Peter used it he was unconscious. He turned to look at Peter after he pressed the button. “I don’t know if you remember using this the day you came here, it might seem a little scary for a moment, but I promise it is totally safe and a short ride ok?”

Peter nodded but his eyes showed a bit of anxiety. When the doors opened Peter walked in, Tony and Bucky stood on either side of him. It looked a bit like they were his bodyguards, and honestly, they kind of were. When the elevator started to move Peter instinctively grabbed both men's hands. It was Bucky’s metal arm that he grabbed and like before Bucky surprisingly didn’t mind and didn’t flinch like when others grasped it. Tony gave him a reassuring smile and before Peter knew it the doors opened. But he did not let go of either of their hands, especially after he heard the multiple unfamiliar voices from the next room. Luckily neither Tony or Bucky tried to let go either.

Before they walked out Tony turned more towards Peter. “Remember if this gets too much we can leave. If you want to leave just tell me or tap me three times okay?”

“Yeah, thanks.” Peter was relieved he had an out if he needed one. Together they made their way into the kitchen and to Tony’s surprise even Clint was there. He looked like he had just woken up, but he was there nonetheless.

As soon as the three walked in whatever conversations were happening stopped and silence filled the air. It felt suffocating to Peter and he was really glad Tony broke it. “Hey everyone, long time no see.” He actually hadn't seen a few of them since the mission where they found Peter. “I would like you to meet Peter.” Everyone turned their attention to and smiled at Peter.

Peter felt kind of small looking at all these adults and, after Tony explained, heroes. Peter didn't want to let got of either Tony or Bucky’s hands, so he couldn't wave, instead he said very softly, “Hi”

Everyone kept smiling, not quite sure what to say, Steve cut through the awkward moment, “Hello Peter, it is a pleasure to meet you.”

Peter gave him a smile. He wants to thank him for breaking the awful silence.

“Alright, what are we standing around for?” Tony asked after a beat, “Let’s eat.”

Everyone broke out of their thoughts and frozen stances to grab plates and food. Peter was paying so much attention to the people that he didn’t even notice the food on the centre island. Although now that he did he finally paid attention to the array of scents wafting his way. His eyes widened when he saw how much food there was. There were plates piled high with pancakes, bacon, potatoes, eggs, sausage, fruit, and more. It's the most food he’s ever seen in his life!

Tony grinned at Peter's expression as he stared at the food. “It takes a lot to feed the team. You, Bucky, and Steve all have enhanced metabolisms and we always make extra in case Thor stops by unannounced. He had the appetite of a God, probably because he is one.” He laughed at his own joke.

Bucky was even more like him than he thought and he now also had something in common with Steve. He just nodded, his eyes still on the food. The three waited until almost everyone had grabbed food so Peter wouldn’t be overwhelmed by the hoard. They then walked up together and Tony grabbed a plate, “What do you want kiddo?”

Peter had no idea, there were so many choices. “I- I don’t know.” He said still staring at the various plates.

Tony chuckled again, “You want me to pick?” Peter nodded. “No problem, but I’ll need both hands.” Peter broke his hand away from Tony’s but kept holding Bucky’s metal hand, even though it made him feel childish, but It also felt safe, and he didn’t want that feeling to go away.

“While Tony gets you food do you mind if I introduce you to Steve?” Peter was nervous, but still nodded. Bucky looked back at Tony for a second, asking permission, Tony smiled and nodded his head. Bucky then led Peter over to Steve. Steve was standing away from the rest just as Bucky had asked him to. This was so Peter could meet Steve without trying to interact with everyone else and then getting overwhelmed.

Steve smiled at Peter as he and Bucky approached, “Hi Peter.”

“Hi Mr. Rogers.” Bucky laughed a little at Peter’s formalities.

“Just call me Steve”

Peter nodded and looked at Steve. He remembered Bucky talking about him once and Mr. Stark saying that Steve was Bucky’s boyfriend. Just that alone made Peter less wary of him. If Bucky trusted him then he’s pretty sure he can too. He knows Mr. Stark said that he can trust everyone in the tower, but Bucky trusted Steve on a personal level, and he knows how hard it is to trust people after Hydra. Steve must be special and trust worthy for Bucky to put his faith in him.

“Okay Steve, it’s nice to meet you. Bucky has told me a bit about you.”

Steve smiled again, “Oh has he,” he said as he leaned in and kissed Bucky’s cheek. Peter felt joy watching Bucky’s face light up. It meant Bucky was happy, even after Hydra. “He’s told me a bit about you and how you are a fine young man. He also told me how you tricked him.” Steve said with a laugh, but Peter was a little nervous Steve wouldn't want him to trick his boyfriend. Then Steve then bent down a bit to be closer to Peter's height. He still did not move too much or too close to make sure he was respecting Peter's space and not scaring him. “Thanks for helping Bucky.” He whispered, although he knew Bucky could hear thanks to his enhanced hearing.

Peter was delighted, surprised, was confused all at the same time. He knew he got Bucky to say yes to therapy, but the notion that Peter helped someone else puzzled him. This whole time he had been here he felt that he was the one that others helped. That is why he thinks he is such a burden. If only he knew how much he has helped Tony and Bucky. And because he helped Bucky he, in turn, helped Steve. He smiled sheepishly and replied, “You're welcome.” Those words felt so forign and wrong, but at the same time freeing and good. He wasn’t used to saying them, but they proved he did something good.

For the first time ever Peter did not think of himself as a burden. He finally saw that he too could do good. Although he can’t change the bad he has already done, or that Hydra has done, he can try to do good from now on. He can help others as much as they help him. Well, in the case of Mr. Stark may not that much, since the man has already done more than he will ever be able to repay, or so he thinks. In reality Peter has already done more to help Tony than he will ever know.

Either way, knowing he helped another person made him feel like there really is a life, a good life, to live after Hydra.