Flimsy
Ben and May decided to come by while Peter was actually working his internship. And well, the avengers were there. None of them had actually seen them interact since they missed Ben the last time. Hell, Bruce hardly remembered any interaction.
They didn't know they were coming. All the avengers were in the dark as Tony kept checking his phone, and he never really did that. At least, not when everybody was there. Of someone was on a mission, he'd check every so often, but he kept frantically looking every few minutes.
They figured out why when FRIDAY's voice chirped. "May and Ben Parker are heading up. Shall I send Peter up as well?"
"Don't worry. We're all heading out when Peter's shift is over. You can send him up then."
The avenger's looked at him in shock. Hell, even Rhodey was a bit confused. Though, they were silent, wondering what these guardians must've looked like. Peter was a bubbly kid, his guardians probably reflected it. So when those elevator doors opened, Tony bounded on his feet and the Avengers watched.
They expected some models to appear, as Tony did always fluctuate towards attractive people.
But when those doors opened, Ben and May were not supermodels.
Ben's hair was light, graying early, with a. Light stubble on his chin. And he seemed fit, but he had the chub of a father who liked to nap on the couch. His hands were calloused, wrinkle lines by his eyes from all the smiles he had. Thick glasses sat on his nose, a little bump like ridge on the bridge of it from the years of glasses resting there. He seemed kind, and his flannel shirt was faded and worn. Well loved.
And may. She was bright. Her eyes just as kind as her husbands, glittering in delight. Her arms were firm, muscular, and her hands calloused too. While her hit was dark and vibrant, a few strands of silver peaked through. And she wore a loose sweater with comfy jeans.
Both Ben and May looked like an average couple. A normal one. Tony never hung around people like that, but he greeted them both with hugs. And there was this refreshed look on his face they had never seen before.
"Welcome to the tower. Though, this is your third visit," Tony joked, looking over at Ben.
Ben shook his head, chuckling. "Yes. I guess so."
Tony led them over to the Avengers. He gestured to the couple, "these two are May and Ben Parker, Peter's legal guardians."
"Aunt and uncle," May added. "Pleasure to meet you."
The avengers were still a bit shocked, so Rhodey took initiative. He got up and walked over, offering up his hand. "Pleasure is all ours. I'm James Rhodes. Tony's best friend. Pleasure to meet you."
As he shook both their hands, the couple eagerly shook back, full of smiles. And Rhodey could see the good they could be for Tony. The man was surrounded by chaos and the abnormal every day. May and Ben weren't that. They were a normal couple. One who loved each other and their nephew.
Normal is what Tony Stark needed.
"Now, I'm going to show these two around. You guys have fun." Tony looped them by the arms and the couple shrugged at the action, following him out.
As they left, the Avengers continued to stare after them.
"Normally Tony doesn't get close to people. This is nice," Rhodey admitted fondly. He turned back towards the others. "I'm still waiting to see the Peter kid. What's he like?"
"Tony." Bruce informed. "But not an asshole."
Rhodey shook his head, snickering. "Really?"
"Brilliant kid. I got to work with him a few times already. I can see how he got an internship before the whole Spider-Man thing. Super nice."
"He has the same energy as a golden retriever," Natasha added, relaxing into the couch. "If they raised him, then I hope the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
Clint scoffed, "if that kid didn't have superpowers, the only abnormal thing about him would how smart he is."
Ha. No. That was not the only abnormal thing, but they didn't know that. Everything about Peter's life was abnormal from the day he was born. Still, he was a good kid. A great kid even. One who went out of his way to help those around him.
He was endearing, in a way.
"I still think Tony shouldn't be so quick to trust strangers..." Steve muttered.
Rhodey couldn't hold back. "You were strangers. All of you. And Tony accepted each and every one of you. Though, I guess in your case cap, maybe you're right. He'd be better off without you near him."
"I'm just looking out for-"
"No, you nearly broke his wrist. You're a selfish bastard.Stick your nose out of it."
"I did not-"
"Everyone noticed those bandages Steve!" Rhodey exclaimed. "I helped him bandage his arm, which is still swollen from when you grabbed him. Are you blind?"
"You grabbed Tony?" Wanda asked. He sat up, grabbing Vision's hand to ground herself a bit. "What is wrong with you?"
Bruce cleared his throat. "Aren't you the one constantly reprimanding the others for using violence? Human wrists are incredibly fragile. If you used enough force to bruise his wrist, you might have done more damage than you realized." He glanced over to Rhodey. "When did this happen?"
"Yesterday. Tony didn't make too big a deal out of it, so I wasn't going to. But if you're going to continue to act like this, I think the others deserve to know." Steve rolled his eyes, not really seeing any fault of his own. He didn’t hurt Tony. He was even about to comment on it, when FRIDAY’s voice interrupted them.
“Peter Parker arriving.”
They didn’t get a breath as Peter rushed in, looking frantically around. “Where’s Mr. Stark?” His voice was urgent, and he was brig red and sweating from running.
“What?”
“His wrist snapped! Friday told me to come up- oh my god!” And Peter ran off. Still, the words sat.
“You broke his wrist!” Wanda shouted, getting up as she ran after Peter, no hesitation.
“Shit.” And Rhodey followed, both quickly followed by vision.
Thor cleared his throat awkwardly. “To do such a thing to a friend. You disappoint us.” And the rest of the avengers went after the others.
Steve stood alone, watching their backs face him.
What the hell?
Why was he wrong for worrying. Tony was to trusting. This kid was enhanced, dangerous!
He wasn’t wrong for this. No. He barely grabbed him. Tony was overreacting.
Shit