Presents (Starker)
The lab was filled with the AC/DC song Tony was blasting from the speakers.Peter and Tony were working side by side on their suits. On a visit to Wakanda, Shuri had commented on their technology and made several suggestions for improvements to the suit, As much as Tony wanted to stay aloof and pretend like he could’ve thought of the same things, he couldn’t lie to himself and had to respect the girl for her genius. Peter had immediately started geeking out about everything in her lab and excitedly listened to her proudly explain everything. They became fast friends. Tony knew Peter often fell asleep texting Shuri for suggestions in the lab and providing her with his perspective on inventions she was working on.
They hadn’t spoken to each other for hours, but it was a comfortable silence. After Peter had a near death experience during his freshman year of college, Tony realized that he couldn’t live without the boy and kissed him. Peter enthusiastically returned the kiss and admitted that he had been crushing on his mentor for a long time. Now, a year after dating, they routinely spent, according to Pepper, ’Too much time in the lab’ working on different inventions for themselves or the rest of the avengers. Tony found his gaze drifting from the wires in his arms to his boyfriend. “Enjoying the view,’ Peter teased, not looking up from his vial of web fluid. “Damn Spidey senses. I can’t even ogle my my boyfriend.” “I don’t think me pointing it out has ever stopped you,” Peter laughed, “guess it’s probably time to go upstairs and eat something?” Tony loved that smile. He just barely held in a contented sigh as he made the first move to leave. Peter quickly followed suit and, once in the kitchen, starting making sandwiches for the both of them.
“Petey, are you planning on wearing those shoes until they completely disintegrate?” Peter lifted his leg and examined his shoes. The soles were coming off, the laces were frayed, there were holes, and the color was faded. “If there’s an accident in the lab, it’s better to ruin these shoes than a nice pair,’ he shrugged. “You realize your boyfriend is a billionaire who could afford enough ’nice shoes’ for you to wear a different pair ever day,” Tony responded, wrapping his arms around Peter’s shoulders, “And you wear them everywhere, not just the lab. Didn’t I just get you a pair of new sneakers? Or are you just trying to offend me with your terrible fashion sense?” Peter turned around and kissed his cheek, “Well if you’re offering to buy, I always think I’d look good in socks and sandals. Oh, and a fanny pack and a bucket hat. I bet I could totally pull off functional fashion,” he said facetiously. Tony winced, “Actually, I appreciate the science shirts from Walmart now. I think you’re gorgeous enough to pull off any look, babe, but I’d rather not test that theory. Though the best look on you is no clothes.” Tony ran his hand on Peter’s inner thigh and pushed him to sit on the counter. Peter willingly obliged and leaned in for a passionate kiss. “Let’s take this to the bedroom,” he gasped. Tony whined as he broke the kiss to jump from the counter and scoop Tony up in his arms. The sandwiches were already forgotten as they made their way to the bedroom.
The next day, Tony laid on his arm watching as Peter changed into his clothes for his first class. He wore the same shoes, worn-out jeans, and another T-shirt. Tony couldn’t fathom how Peter enjoyed wearing these clothes, but chalked it up to a difference in taste and in the ways they were raised. During the next couple of weeks, he noticed that Peter wasn’t wearing anything Tony had bought him which was strange. Although he almost always wore his own clothes, he wore the nice dress shirts and the acceptable shoes that Tony had purchased when he had presentations or conferences to attend. Tony knew he also preferred the expensive boxers, but hadn’t been wearing them.
“So there is another party, some press thing again, and Pepper says I have to go,” Tony spoke nonchalantly as him and Peter curled on the couch, “It’s next Friday. I got a nice suit for you to wear.” Peter swallowed and tilted his face, “Sorry, but I’m actually busy that night.” Tony raised his eyebrows: Peter typically wasn’t busy Friday nights because it was when they went on dates. When he looked at Peter’s serious face and realized that his boyfriend wasn’t about to crack a joke about being lonely, he couldn’t bring himself to ask what else was on that night. Peter jolted up, “I ugh, I actually forgot that I need to be home tonight. I promised Aunt May.” “Bye Tony,” he waved as he pulled on the spider suit and swung out the window.
Tony’s mind went blank. What was going on? Why didn’t Peter kiss him goodbye? Wait, that wasn’t the main problem. Why was Peter so awkward at the mention of the party? Why did he leave so quickly? That was clearly an excuse. Didn’t he like spending time with Tony? Tony’s mind spun for a bit with questions and insecurities about his relationship.
Tony stood up from the couch with purpose. The kid was not allowed to just get away with whatever he was hiding. Confusion, anger, and anxiety swirled in his head and clouded his judgment. He called for his Iron Man suit and decided to fly to Queens. He let himself in through the window, ready to interrogate Peter. Tony heard the sound of running water in the bathroom, and without a second thought, he ditched the suit and marched into the bathroom. “Parker, what do you think you’re doing?” He yelled. Peter’s face morphed from defensive to surprised within seconds, “Tony, what? Be quiet, May’s asleep.”
“Don’t lie to me. I know she’s working a night shift right now,” Tony frowned, “Seems like your favorite pastime recently is lying to me. Did your hero worship finally clear away? Have you realized that you’re just dating an old man with a lump of wealth built from immoral means?” He hadn’t meant to let his insecurities leak into his rant, but he wasn’t thinking. His angry expression as he noticed Peter was looking back at him with a horrified, miserable look. “That’s not true,” Peter muttered. Tears started leaking down his cheeks,”I’m so sorry, Tony. I promise I was never in it for the money or the publicity or anything like that. I know that everyone’s been saying stuff about me, but I promise that it’s not true. I love you. Please don’t leave me. I’ll be better.”
Tony stood speechless as his baby whimpered in the shower and moved to wrap himself in a towel. “What?”
Peter looked up at him, his lip trembling just a little, “The party…journalist….sugar baby.” He tried to choke out words, but they weren’t making any sense. Tony guided him to the bed and let Peter cry into his shoulder. “Peter, I love you too. I’m not leaving. Did something happen? Are you hurt or sick?” He rubbed his boyfriend’s back and reassured him that he wasn’t going anywhere. Eventually, Peter calmed down, “I’m not dating for your money.” “Of course not,” Tony sternly replied, “How did that idea get into your head?”
“Well…” Peter recounted the story.
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“Woah, Tony this party is really fancy,” Peter exclaimed as he looked around to take it all in. They were surrounded by exorbitant decorations and everyone was dressed to the nines. “Don’t expect anything less from a Tony Stark party, kid,” Tony responded affectionately before they both walked into the room, capturing attention from nearly everyone. Before long, Tony was whisked away with Pepper to make the rounds and gather up some good PR so Peter sat down at a table with some food. A nicely dressed man sat down next to him, “Parties not your thing?” Peter nodded, mouth stuffed with hors d'oeuvres. The man laugh and extended a hand, “The name’s Robert. Nice to meet you.” Peter introduced himself and continued the small talk. They talked for a while about the party.
Peter felt a hand rest on his leg. He tilted his head in confusion, “Mr. Robert?” The man gave a smirk, “Want to have some fun?” Peter quickly realized what the man wanted and shook him off, “No. I’m with-“ “Stark” Robert cut in, “That doesn’t mean you can’t try other options. I’m sure I’d also be able to afford you baby.” “No” Peter stated more firmly. “What a loyal sugar baby,” Robert cooed, sending a shiver down Peter’s spine, and tried once again to touch him. When Peter swatted his hand away again, Robert grumbled and backed off, “Stupid slut.”
Peter trembled a bit as he made his way to the bathroom. He splashed some water on his face. When he turned around, he saw that Robert had followed him in. “You’re deluding yourself if you think Stark will keep you around forever. You should grow a brain and start looking for your next Daddy before this one throws you out in the cold, all alone.” Peter tried to defend himself, but the man kept rattling off about Tony’s old partners and how long they had lasted. Peter’s mind started to wander.
They really didn’t go out very much. A lot of times they were either in the lab or having sex. “No, Tony loves me,” Peter thought with finality, “He’s told me so.” He walked out and met back up with Tony. Although he had convinced himself, he noticed every time Tony was too busy to spend time with him or couldn’t go out in public. He knew Tony was busy and that there were a lot of paparazzi. He knew that Tony didn’t want him in the limelight to preserve his identity and his youth, but the insecurities kept sinking in.
And then Tony mentioned that party. He felt himself about to boil over so he rushed home.
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Tony listened to Peter’s story and could feel the anger course through his body. Who was this man to hit on his boyfriend? To make him feel insecure and unworthy.
“Is that why you never wore any of the things I bought you?”
“I don’t need them Tony. I just need you,” Peter responded.
“I know you don’t need them Petey. I give them to you because I love you and I want to spoil you. It makes me happy to give you gifts that make you happy. I’m not doing it as some exchange for sex.”
Peter studied Tony’s face for a moment before deciding to believe his words and pressing a kiss to him.
“Want to come back to the tower?” Tony gestured to Peter. “I’ll call a car for us.” Peter nodded, “sorry for doubting you.”
“It’s alright baby. You just need to let me know if you’re feeling insecure, okay? I want to be able to help you through these things. Can you promise me that you’ll communicate this stuff?”
Peter nodded again.
Needless to say, due to an unfortunate accident, Robert lost his job and was blacklisted all over New York. He was banned from all Stark Industry events for life.