Let's dance
December fifteenth, three days before the winter formal. He stared at the television, soup long forgotten. “Tony Stark and Stephen Strange were spotted getting cozy in a cafe on West Elm street last night, the PR team released a statement saying the couple are in fact true mates. A rare thing to happen to the same designation-but not unheard of.” Peter’s spoon dropped on the floor as he watched with wide eyes, “I’m here with Jessica Morrow, a biologist at the Saint Preston University. How common is it for something like this to happen? Do you think it’s real at all?” Peter glared at the woman of course it’s real, Tony and Strange wouldn’t lie about that! He felt the knot in his chest tighten, he almost tried to break up true mates ! He pulled at his hair letting out frustrated noises.
He muted the tv leaning back until his head rested against the couch, he knew they were a thing. He knew it, yet somehow, seeing these pictures...having the confirmation felt like the last nail in the coffin. Tony was Strange’s, Strange was Tony’s… a loud continuous buzzing echoed from his room and with a huff walked over. Where’d he leave it? He followed the buzzing noise til he was over the laundry basket. Oh yeah, after getting home he whipped off his hoodie and it was still inside the pocket.
Pulling it out he stared at the caller ID that in a moment disappeared, as it went for voicemail again. That was Tony’s ID… He stared at the phone as the notifications appeared.Tony’s name lit up on the phone again. He stared for a moment, heart beating in his chest. Did he really want to talk to Tony? What would he say?
His fingers acted on their own accord, “-ello? Pete are you there?” He heard Tony’s voice before he brought the phone to his ear.
“Uh, hi Tony.” he replied simply.
“Where have you been? I was about to send Strange, I thought you’d been kidnapped. Are you okay?” Tony sounded breathless.
“I-yeah. Sure, I’m fine.” Peter glanced over at the tv as the picture came up again.
“I, we-” Tony let out a harsh breath, “I didn’t want to blindsight you with this, have you seen the news lately?”
“The news? What's news?” Peter’s voice cracked and he wrinkled his nose at the statement.
“So you have…I just, we uh, had wanted to tell you in person we-”
“Have been together for months now? Are true mates? Yeah I-I’ve known that for a while Mr.Sta-T-Tony.” He cleared his throat trying to keep it together, “I mean obviously not about the true mates, that’s something that was new to me. Uh, congratulations? I mean definitely, it's like really good to find your mate and I-I only want what's best for you so-”
“Peter kid, take a breath.” Tony interrupted, “We are true mates. Things just are a little more complicated than that Pete.”
“Because your alphas?” Peter shook his head, “No, you could make it work Tony.”
“That’s-”
“No. You can, these people on tv, they find anything to argue about. They try to make good people sound bad, or to spread lies or rumors, but it doesn’t matter.” Peter let out a breathless chuckle, “You’re true mates for god's sake! That's, even I know that's rare. Whatever they say on the tv, don’t mind them. If they’re people you don’t know, don’t listen to their opinion. You and Strange, that’s-that’s all that matters…” Peter felt a little breathless.
“You really believe that?” Tony asked with a strange edge to his voice.
“I do.” Peter sat on his bed, “My mom used to tell me vibranium wasn’t the rarest substance, love was.” He smiled sadly at the picture framed on his dresser.
“She sounded like a smart woman.” Tony said quietly.
“She was.” The phone made a noise and he pulled back a little to see Ned’s face on the screen. “I-I should probably go Mr. Stark. I appreciate you calling me.”
“Okay.” Tony sounded defeated almost, “I’ll talk to you soon Pete.”
♧♤♧♤
It was finally Friday, the news of the alphas had spread across the globe and Peter’s homeroom was no exception. He’d had silence from their end ever since that day. Tony’s PR team had been all over it and Strange had to go somewhere further away to take care of magic-y business. Thankfully, tonight was the winter dance so instead of just hearing about the alphas that haunted his dreams, people were excited for the night. Pulling out his phone he stared at the empty messages. After his call with Tony Ned had called freaking out, he tried to assure him that he was over them, even if the statement tasted bad in his mouth.
“So that’s it? You’re not going to fight for him?”
“Ned,” Peter sighed, “I was wrong. They, they’re both...amazing. It was wrong for me to think I could even.” his throat tightened, eyes stinging, “They both deserve the best...that’s not me…”
“Dude. That's not true.” Ned’s voice was soft, kind, “You are amazing Peter, Spiderman or not.”
Peter shook his head even though Ned couldn’t see him, “I’m just gonna focus on being a better man again.” he smiled to himself, “Besides, this is our last year of high school. I’d like to just have a normal year.”
“In that case, I got a new map on Overwatch.” Ned sang, “We should play together soon.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
~
The day went on fairly normal then after the last bell rang Peter made it to his locker greeting his friend with a nod, “You ready for the dance tonight?”
Ned smiled at him, “Believe it or not I spent three hours on YouTube yesterday learning how to dance.”
Peter chuckled, “Three hours? You have to be an expert by now.”
“I just don’t want to step on Kendra’s feet. Or elbow her in the head...I’ve thought of literally almost every bad scenario.”
Peter’s smile slipped off his face, “I-I don’t really know how to dance either…”
“Dude! The dance is literally tonight!”
“I know!” he looked at his phone, “I still have a few hours! I’ll see you later!”
♧♤♧♤
“-and that’s called the two step, I think.” May said after the third dance lesson.
“Got it, all about counting!” He smiled, “now let’s get back to the tie.”
She sat on her phone for a few minutes, “Okay, so the video says this is how we do it.” She tied it for the third time, and this time it worked. “Aha!” She stood fists pumping in the air. “I’m aunt of the year.”
Peter smiled at her before turning to the mirror, “of course.”
She watched him smooth out his suit with a blank face, “You know,” she sat on his bed, “if you ever wanted to talk to me, about girls, boys, or you know superhero stuff, I’m here.” she made eye contact in the mirror and he blushed looking down.
“I’m fine May.”
She bit her lip a moment before standing behind him putting a hand on his shoulder, “I know something’s been going on lately. You even stopped your meds!” She turned him so they faced each other, “you don’t have to give me details but Saturday when I got home, you seemed-”
“It was withdrawal, nothing more-”
“Peter, let me finish.” she scolded, “You were with Dr. Strange and Stark, in the compound upstate, hours away. Now, I know they’re supposed to be superheros but you were upset when you got back. Then the news came out…” she smoothed his hair down. “You’ve been quieter than usual. I, I know you liked him-”
“Wha-What?!” he squeeked “no, he’s like Tony Stark!”
“And you’re like Peter Parker!”
“You-wait, are you saying you were fine with me liking Tony?”
“I wouldn't say fine, I mean you are a fresh little adult but even before that you’ve always been wiser beyond your years. I thought that you would grow out of your crush on Iron Man and now you work with him!”
“I. It’s complicated May.” he took her hand in his, “I’ll be fine, promise…”
She stared at his smiling face for a moment before patting his cheek, “Okay.” she let out a heavy sigh, “Being a hero’s parental figure is difficult Petey, let me tell you.”
Peter’s smile grew, “They don’t exactly make a handbook on this stuff, but you’re doing great May.”
She hummed not wanting to pressure him with the conversation, “Well, let's get you to that pretty girls house.”
♧♤♧♤
Corsage in hand Peter made his way up Liz’s stairs. “Hello sir-or ma’am it’s nice to meet you, I’m Peter Parker.” he mumbled as he made his way up the stairs, he knew this wasn’t really a date but he still wanted to make a good impression on his friend’s parents.
He knocked on the door shaking out his legs, why was he so nervous he fought bad guys. The door opened and he hurried out, “Hello s-sir! It’s mice to neet you! Uh, nice to meet you.” He paused and continued weakly, “I’m Peter Parker…”
The man smiled analyzing him, her father was a beta thankfully but something was off about his stare, “Peter, right. Well I’m Liz’s dad.” he extended his hand, “Put ‘er there.” Peter blinked, shaking his hand, “woah, Hell of a grip! Well, common.” he moved so there was space for Peter to walk in and for some reason he found himself going around him making sure to make no contact with him.
The man walked past him and he realized his hairs, just a little bit stood on his body. Why do I think he’s a threat? “Hello Peter.” Liz’s mom walked into the room, “You look handsome.”
“Thank you.” he breathed.
His body was recognizing something he didn’t… ”You alright Pete?” her father asked, sharpening a large knife, “Cause you look,” he waved the knife around, “pale..” Peter swallowed, “You want something to drink? Like a bourbon or-”
“I’m not old enough to drink.” he spoke louder, more clear.
“Right answer,” he smiled before looking behind Peter, “Wow! Wow wow wow, you look beautiful.”
“Don’t embarrass me dad.” Liz mumbled.
“Doesn’t she Pete?” her dad watched him.
“Yeah you look, really good.” he tried to turn more toward Liz, “Uh, here.” he handed over the small box and Liz smiled at him.
“Well, I’m your chofer, so let’s get this show on the road.” Peter's stomach twisted but he took a deep breath, he didn’t want his scent to show how off he felt. They would go to the dance and he wouldn’t have to see this creepy guy again. As he entered the car he felt his thoughts go the other way, he was giving off bad vibes so maybe he should be investigated.
“So Pete,” Toomes said halfway through the drive, “When you graduate what are you gonna do?”
He blinked stammering out, “Oh-I I really don’t know.”
“Don’t grill him dad.” Liz scolded.
“No, I just mean you guys go to that school. You pretty much have your life planned out right?”
Peter shook his head, “N-no I’m still figuring it out.”
Liz glanced over at Peter then leaned forward toward her father, “Peter has an internship with Tony Stark dad, I think he doesn’t have to worry.”
Peter felt his heart drop watching as Toomes face changed, contemplating, “Really? Stark?” his voice seemed different, “What do you do?”
“Yeah, actually I’m taking a break from the internship right now…”
Liz looked over shocked, “what happened?”
Peter shook his head, “just h-have a lot going on so I figure I’ll give it a break for now.”
“Man, that sucks. Do you still get to hang out with spiderman?”
Toomes watched Peter through the rear view mirror, “Really spiderman? Wow. What’s he like?”
“He-he’s nice. Nice man.” Peter stammered out, his hair standing up more.
Toomes hummed, “We’ve met before? Haven’t we Pete? I mean even the voice-”
“He was at my party dad, and he’s been in the decathlon for years.”
Peter let out a breath thankful for Liz, “Yeah, beautiful house. Nice party, it was great.”
Liz gave him a look, “You were there for like two seconds.”
Damn it. “It was longer than two seconds.” he insisted.
“You disappeared.”
“No no, I did not disappear!”
“Yes you did, like you always seem to do.” she insisted.
Toomes was quiet watching Peter from the mirror. Finally the school came into view, “Okay end of the line.”
“Thanks dad.” Liz had one foot out the door when her dad spoke up.
“You go ahead in gumdrop, I’m gonna give Peter the ‘dad’ talk.”
Peter was gonna be sick, “Don’t let him intimidate you.” She encouraged kissing her dad on the cheek, “have a great flight.” hopping out and running to meet her other friends.
Toomes turned toward him, voice lowering, “Does she know?”
“Know what?”
Toomed nodded, “So she doesn’t, good. Close to the vest, I admire that. I have secrets too.” He glanced at his daughter, “That night having Spiderman constantly on our tail, getting them bad guys.” he sang sarcastically, “I remember your voice. I remember what the punk who kept getting Iron Man involved sounds like.”
Peter tried to break eye contact, he couldn’t believe this was happening. He should have used the voice distorter, now one bad guy knew his identity, was this what he was going to experience in a few months? “Liz likes you. Says you're a good friend, you’re young so I’ll give you one chance. Walk out that door, forget this conversation and I won’t hurt you.” he leaned in closer eyes dark, “but if you get involved in my business ever again, I will kill you . I will kill you and everyone you care about. My family comes first so I will not hesitate, do you understand?”
Peter swallowed giving a small nod, “Good.” Toomes continued, “Now go out there and act normal, give my daughter a good time, but not too good.” He gave a sharp smile. Peter looked down opening the car door, everything felt like it was in slow motion. Looking over he saw Liz taking a few selfies with friends. Have a great flight . Flight, why does that sound familiar. He needed Ned. He walked over to the entrance scanning the dance floor, where was Ned? He saw MJ dancing with Gwen, and jogged over.
“Peter, hey! You okay?” Gwen asked, pausing midstep.
“Y-yeah, I just. Do you know where Ned is?” he asked, feeling a little breathless.
“Went to the bathroom,” MJ shook her head, “I told him to limit his liquid intake.”
Peter nodded at them jogging away and a few of the boys jumped when the door slammed open, “Peter.” Ned acknowledged, washing his hands.
“I need to talk to you. It’s an emergency.”
Ned’s eyes widened, “Follow me!” he walked out sneaking past the little ‘blockade’ over to the computer room.
“Give me your phone, I need to make a call real quick!”
Ned fished out his phone and handed it over, “Where’s your phone?”
“In Liz’s dad’s car.”
The phone kept ringing until Happy finally answered, “Hello? Who is this and how did you get this number?”
“Happy it's me! Peter!”
“Peter? Long time to talk, I mean not long enough but-”
“Happy, I-I can barely hear you.”
“We’re on the launch pad, bringing the last of the supplies from Stark Tower over to the compound-”
“Tonight?” he breathed out shivering.
“Did I stutter? Look kid, I'm busy.” Click.
“Hap-Happy?” he looked down at the phone. “He hung up on me.” He looked over at Ned who sat at the desk watching him, “Perfect.” Peter exclaimed, “I need my guy in the chair.”
“What’s going on?”
“Liz’s dad is the guy who’s selling the tech.”
“What?” He squeaked, “b-but she’s so nice hows-”
“Details aren’t important Ned!”
“Why aren’t you calling Tony?”
Peter paused, “It’s below their pay grade.” he quoted Tony, feeling a little bad. He knew if he called they’d tell the FBI and maybe they could get something together in time...but this was a big deal. Ever since his conversation with Tony, he hadn’t found the courage to contact them. To look them in the eye, truth was… He liked them both, he felt like a selfish jerk. He wanted them, he wanted both of them for himself. He knew they were true mates and he would only ever be the third wheel, but the way Tony looked at him, and the way Strange was comfortable touching him or being there for him. They were like two sides to the same coin, where did he fit on this?
“I can take on Toomes myself.” The last few days he’d felt in sync more with his omega then he had in years, he was slowly getting his other senses back.
Ned shook his head, “this doesn’t sound like a good idea!”
“What I need you to do,” Peter said copying down Happy’s number, “is contact Happy-”
“Happy?”
“Tell him about the situation and that he needs to get the FBI on it. Track my phone, I need his location. ” he stood rushing to the door, “I’m gonna stop him.”
“Be careful Peter.”
♧♤♧♤
Even though he was taking a break from superheroing he left his suit under clothes, something he figured would one day come in handy. He couldn’t just run home and get changed if something bad were to happen, the chill in air nipped at his skin as he flung himself through the city. He missed Tony’s suit, the heater, the fit, all the amazing tech that was in it. There was so much wrong that he did, this was his time to make it right!
Ned’s phone rang in his hand, “I found him, it looks like he’s stopped near an abandoned parking lot. It’s not too far from Stark Tower.” Peter nodded, good he was heading in the right direction. Just a bit further and Stark Tower would be in sight.But why an abandoned parking lot?
With a final swing he landed on a rooftop across the street. He was out of breath, man I should’ve drove. He smiled at himself, driving would’ve been a disaster. One feat he would conquer another day. There’s Toomes’ car… maybe he could reason with the man, he was the father of one of his friends..he stretched his back trying to even out his breathing, he could do this. Steeling his nerves he straightened his clothes, time to face the music.