Chapter 4
Peter had been aimlessly wondering around the tower for a half an hour before he walked straight into Pepper, who had actively been searching for the her adopted son in order to carry out the first step of the masterplan.
Once again Peter accidentally knocked his stab wound and really wanted to cry out but instead just wheezed “oH hEY mOm, DiDn’T sEE yOu tHeRE”
To which Pepper replied “Peter are you okay?” with a concerned mama bear expression.
“oh yeah fine and dandy, thought you had an appointment?” Peter said trying to compose himself and get the attention off himself.
Shit, she didn’t think this far ahead.
“They uh, they cancelled, the appointment was moved to next week”
Pepper mentally slapped herself on the back for that 10/10 quick thinking. 20 points to gryffinpuff.
“Oh right okay”
“Yep so I have the rest of the day completely free!”, Pepper was so unused to such sneakiness she had to physically restrain herself from using jazz hands, “I thought we could go to lunch and spend some time together if you’d like to?”
Despite his mom acting super weird Peter would never pass up on the opportunity to spend some alone time with her considering how busy she always is running the company and cleaning up too many of Tony’s messes.
Peter eagerly agreed not bothering to hide his excitement and the duo headed for the elevator discussing where they would eat.
TIME SKIP 15 MINUTES
Pepper and Peter were sat at a table in the corner window booth of a small Thai restaurant not too far from the Avengers Tower waiting for their food to arrive when Pepper decided it was now or never.
“So,” Pepper started as Peter finished sending his text to MJ updating her on the absolute state of his wound because somehow she always found out whenever he got injured (Karen is such a snitch), and looked up at his mom putting his phone down, “do you have any crushes on anyone?”
She thought just being forward was the best way to go, like ripping off a bandage, otherwise he’d just avoid the question all together.
“Seriously?” Peter blushed and his eyes widened in slight panic, he did not expect this convo rn.
“Yes! Come on, I can’t talk to Morgan about crushes for at least another 4ish years and don’t you think you’ve gotten out of these chats! And if it makes it any easier, I already know you like someone” Pepper persisted giving a gentle smile and raising an eyebrow.
Peter lowkey felt like he’d been backed into a corner; not in a ‘I’m uncomfortable talking to my mom about the guy I like’ way, more of a ‘I’ve never really said this out loud and I don’t think I have a chance with that hot piece of southern ass’ kind of way.
Then again if he had to admit his feelings to someone that wasn’t Harley Yeehaw Keener he’d much prefer it to be Pepper rather than MJ, Ned or Tony (certainly not Tony, he’d tease him relentlessly) as she’s likely to be more understanding.
Peter also knew that Pepper would get an answer out of him eventually so he may as well tell her now, like ripping of a super embarrassing plaster.
“Okay… I guess I do like someone” as soon as he said this Pepper’s face instantly brightened so he added quickly “but don’t get your hopes up because there’s no way he likes me back!”
Pepper was about to add a ‘Are you sure about that chief?’ when their food arrived but decided against the comment choosing to ‘find out’ the guys name.
“You can’t know that for sure, Honey” Peter just scoffed around a mouthful of larb.
Right time for a change of tactics, Pepper thought.
“Peter you are a very attractive young man, I can assure you that if you make a move he would reciprocate” (very quickly might I add)
That small boost of confidence was what Peter needed.
“Mom if I tell you who it is you gotta keep it a secret, promise?” the boy groaned finally letting up. Yes! Go Pepper!
“Pinky promise” she said reaching forward and linking her little finger with Peter’s making him laugh, a sound that is so pure and contagious Pepper couldn’t help but let out a little giggle too.
Even though they were in the corner booth in a fairly unknown and empty restaurant Peter felt the urge to look around first to make sure no one was listening in even though it definitely wasn’t his biggest secret. Pepper found this absolutely adorable and it made her seriously question how Harley had not put the moves on this pure train wreck yet goddamn he’s got some restraint.
“ilikeharley” Peter mumbled.
“Sorry what was that, honey?” Pepper asked trying her hardest not to smirk.
“I like Harley…” Peter sighed.
“Awh my baby,” Pepper beamed grabbing his hands across the small table, “you’re like the last to know”
“Excuse me woman”