Step Into Action

"Stop stealing the garlic bread!" May exclaimed with a joking slap to Peter's hands, which were trying to grab a plate of garlic bread that just came out of the oven.

The teenage boy scrunched up his nose, his nose crinkling at the action. "But the pasta's done!"

His aunt looked at him with a knowing look. Tony could recognize that motherly gaze anywhere. The 'try me' face.

May was exactly how he had imagined.

Ben was a lot like Richard, Strong jaw, bushy brows. A few gray hairs despite being around Tony's age. Actually, that made sense. Tony had gray hairs he dyed. And May... she was warm. Her hands were calloused from her work at the hospital, but rought, but firm, her hair was a bit messy, since she barely got off shift before dinner. And she wore sweats and a loose fitting sweater, and she still looked like she'd make everyone's problems disappear. 

And her attitude matched what he had expected. Reminded him of his own Italian mother. And Peter acted just like him. 

"Peter, we wait to sit down to eat."

"We eat fast food a lot because you can't cook,” he reminded, pouting.

She faked a gasp, Ben stifling a laugh as he came back in, holding up a cookbook. "Thank god for Tony's recipe book then? Even I could follow that."

"You are all hurting my soul. Do I need to come over to make dinner?" Tony asked, genuinely worried none of them could cook.

May laughed, shaking her head. "Ben can cook. He's just being a smart ass," she warned. 

He walked over, pressing a kiss to her cheek. "You'd be able to cook to, I'd you followed the recipe."

Tony and Peter both burst into laughter at the glare she gave him. He was digging a hole.

"You know I love you?"

She rolled her eyes, jokingly pushing him away, grabbing her mits. "All of you, sit down."

"Yes ma'am!" They responded together, the three of them scrambling to the dining table. And quickly, may came out with the garlic bread, and some rigatoni. As soon as it was set down, everyone quickly put food on their plates as May took her place at the table. 

And it didn't take long for them to start eating and flow into a nice conversation. Talking about projects Tony was working on, Ben's motorcycle, May's job at the hospital, Peter's school.

It felt... good.

Tony could admit that he liked it there. He imagined if Richard and Mary were alive, it would've been like this. 

It wasn't fair to compare them, but it would take some time to really get used to it. 

"So, Tony... how's life in the tower. I imagine living with other heroes can be hectic?" Ben questioned.

"Understatement. A few days ago, Steve knocked himself out, and then Natasha knocked him out and he kinda bounced off the counter. And he fell, ass up."

"You're joking," may muttered.

"I'm not. He's smart at times. Other times, I really question if being frozen in the ice messed with his head." Despite the obvious insult, he rounded it off with something rather light. "Maybe that helps him be foolishly brave and kind. Though, I'm sure Peter has him beat."

Peter rolled his eye, disbelieving. "You guys solve world problems. I'm just a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man."

"That's exactly it," Tony started. "You don't see big name heroes saving cats, walking people down the street, helping them carry groceries. People like Spider-Man because he's there for them. You are their world underoos."

"Tony me right," Ben agreed. "You may not have wanted to get these powers in the first place, but you knew you wanted to help people with them. Not everyone would feel that way."

Tony nodded, knowing the truth of that. He fought people who happened upon abilities, just like Peter, but they didn't care for right or wrong, they seemed power and harm. Peter was different. "The world needs their friendly neighborhood Spider-Man more than they need the Avengers. Most problems don't need our help."

"That's a good thing," May reminded.

"I'm aware. The prefect world wouldn't need any heroes, but unfortunately, with people who are as amazing as Peter, there will always be people who aren't."  Tony coughed awkwardly. "So there's probably going to be a need for heroes. Hopefully, heroes more like Peter here. And not like half the avengers."

"Dissing your team?" Peter joked.

"Clint."

May got a puzzled look on her face. "Who?" 

"Hawkeye. He is a pain in my ass, I'll tell you what." He scoffed, but in a way that wasn't actually annoyed. It was playful, in a way. "That man is married too. I don't understand his wife."

The couple quirked their brows at him, playful smiles on their lips, but said nothing.

"He's married?" Peter questioned 

Tony nodded, shrugging. "It's an avenger's secret, so don't go telling anyone. Even your friends. Like that Ned kid."

"How do you know about Ned?" 

"Underoos, you literally talked on the phone for five minutes while we drove here," Tony reminded. "I had an inkling."

Ben chuckled a bit. "Both his friends are quite the characters too."

"Both geniuses as well?"

"Yes," the couple informed together.

 "I swear they'll overthrow the goverment one of these days," May admitted with a heavy sigh. "If Harry wasn't away at boarding school, I'm sure they'd have done it already."

"He comes back next year!" Peter said excitedly.

The cheer in his voice coursed laughter out of Tony. "So you overthrow the goverment next year?"

"I- wait- no!"

"Not until he graduates," May said with a light snicker lifting in her voice. Her and Ben were very amused by the whole interaction. 

Peter groaned, his face burning hot in embarrassment. "Why are you like this?"

She cooed, reaching out and ruffling Peter's hair. "It's cause we care about you sweetheart. And that means you're open to our teasing." 

"Mr. Stark, please don't be like them."

"Gonna have to disappoint you there," He informed with a curt nod.

Peter just groaned again, standing up. "I'm gonna go on patrol. And die."

"Don't die."

"Ugh." Peter took his plate and rinsed it off in the sink, then disappearing into his room. Only to pop out a second later.

"What's on my bed?"

"Your new suit underoos. It's a prototype, but better than pajamas. Go on, try it on."

Hell, not only was Peter excited and ecstatic, Ben and May looked shell shocked.

"W-when did you-" Ben trailed off, not finding the words he wanted to say as Peter disappeared into his room. 

"I mentioned before I believe, that I was already planning on helping Spider-Man out, because pajamas are not an effective way to fight crime. I just adjusted measurements." He knew that Peter would be fighting crime in those pajamas if he didn't provide a suit. And the sooner he got some amour on him, some sort of shield against possible attacks, he'd be able to breathe again.

Even then, the idea of Peter throwing himself into crime made it hard for him to breathe. It was scary to imagine it. He nearly died himself, time and time again. The idea that Peter could end up like that...

"Gah!" Peter screeched. "Why is there a voice in my suit?" Peter called out.

"Her name is Karen. She's the suit's AI," Tony shouted back. "She's there to help and has a direct connection to the Avengers if you need help." He turned to May and Ben. "And a tracker if we ever need that."

The couple breathed a sigh of relief.

Peter stepped out of his room, and the three took a second to admire the hero before them. The weblike pattern existed before on the suit, Peter had seen one in. Now, it was a bit more visible, spreading out across the body. The amour under the webs helped make Peter look more ageless, so he didn't give away that he was a teenager. It also made everyone feel better knowing a good chunk of attacks would merely ricochet right off of him. The costume had retracting eyes, that expressed movement with his emotions.it was a slim design, and incorporated Peter's web shooters well. Tony didn't make any, he just made the suit. They'd have to improve once the internship started.

All in all, he actually felt more like a hero, at least, what people imagined as one. He was always a hero, the suit just helped give him the look of one.

"Oh my-" May held a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide, yet gentle. 

Ben was wide eyed too, shocked and unable to speak.

"It suits you underoos."

"M-mr. Stark, this is to much!"

"No," he said, unmoving. "It's exactly what you need. And I expect to see you make improvements when your internship starts. After all, I'm sure you know your powers better than I do."

"Tony, this is- wow." Ben's eyes fluttered over to him, then back to Peter. "This is incredible."

He shook his head. "Just looking out for him. Don't stay out too late Spider-Man."

"Yes! I-thank you!" Peter squeaked, and practically flung himself out the window. He nearly broke it in his excitement, and he will probably cause future property damage, mostly at Stark Tower, but Tony is rich and can fund it pretty easily. He shouldn’t encourage property damage though.

“We’ll rest easier knowing he’s got a proper suit,” May admitted with a relaxed sigh.

Ben wrapped an arm around her, giver her a gentle squeeze. “Well, he now has three people looking after him.”

Tony laughed, grinning. “Give it a week and he’ll have the rest of the Avengers at his beck and call.”

“You think so?”

“You know Peter,” Tony said fondly. “What do you think?”

“I think I’m glad you’re back in Peter’s life.”

Tony melted at Ben words. “Me too.”