Spider-Man Offical[ly raised hell]

The hall is filled with a loud humming whilst Tony, Steve and Peter wait for the questions to begin. Peter shifts in his seat every few seconds, eyes seeking out May’s as she waits backstage, huddling as close as possible to the stage entrance.

Reporter worthy smiles and camera lights flash and gleam, the crowds buzzing with their impatience. The noise climbs and falls as Pepper exits the backstage area and takes her seat beside Peter, and chaos quickly erupts amongst the reporters.

“Are the rumours about Stark’s son-"

“What is the relation between Parker and Stark-"

“Are the rumours true, about a relationship between the Captain and Ironman and-"

“- Captain America’s stance on homosexua-"

“- The news threads on Twitter indicate a possible six children? What can-"

“Does Tony Stark have biological children?”

Pepper lifts a hand, a red eyebrow arched and lips pursed, and the room falls into a sullen hush.

“I will be taking questions one by one,” Pepper says calmly. “There will be regulations discussed at the end, as to what can be published in regards to Mr. Parker, who is still a minor.” She takes a calming breath and smiles around the room, as cameras flash.

“First Question; the status of Mr. Parker and Tony Stark’s parental relationship. Tony, if you’d answer?” Pepper asks, gesturing in his direction.

“I don’t have any biological children,” Tony says. “I took Peter on as an my personal intern, originally - Stark Industries often monitors certain schools in hopes of finding new members for our research teams, and Peter in particular… caught my attention, as someone who I could mentor, in a sense.” He tilts his head at Peter. “He’s smart. Real smart. Possibly, with the right teaching and proper access to materials and information, even smarter than me.”

Tony grins at Peter when he ducks his head, hiding away a pleased smile.

The audience awwwes at the display, and the proud note in Tony’s voice doesn’t go unnoticed.

“And what do you say to the allegations about your other “children”? One Harley Keener and Abbey Keener? Who are the other “children” you claim parent-ship too?”

“I met the two Keeners during my time fighting the Mandarin, when I disappeared and was assumed dead,” Tony says, and Steve winces, reaching for Tony’s hand. More cameras flash, zoomed on the linked fingers.

Tony drags his thumb gently over Steve’s knuckles. “I landed in Tennessee, where they both lived - and currently live - with their mother. While I was there, Harley showed a lot of interest in the mechanics of my suit. After the whole incident I kept contact,” He continues, waving his free hand around for emphasis, “Wanted to make sure they weren’t too horribly scarred by the whole thing. I wanted to make sure they were well looked after, and it kind of devolved, after that. Now their mother and I sort of co-parent, I guess.”

He takes a steadying breath, and grins at the audience, shrugging his shoulders. “As to the other ‘children’,” He scoffs, “I don’t really know what Peter’s talking about, when he says I have six kids.”

“Yeah, you do! Well, okay, maybe it’s not quite six-“

“Exactly-"

“-more like, I dunno, twenty but you’re definitely like a dad-“

“Twenty!? I do not have twenty pseudo-children!”

“Yes! Yes you do! There’s me, Harley, Abbey, Spider-Man, Vision, DUM-E, U, Butterfingers-“

“The Bots to not constitute as my children, Peter.”

“- And Riri. Sometimes Shuri, when she feels like it. And the bots do count as children, you throw birthday parties for them!”

“Yes well, that’s not-“

“Boys," Pepper sighs, eyes fond. Their mouths snap shut, and there's a round of laughs at their apprehensive faces. Camera buttons have a moment of reprieve. Pens pause on pages. “Next question, perhaps?”

“Right, right.” Tony says, squeezing Peter’s shoulder. “‘Course. What’s next?”

“Our last question for today is about your relationship with the Captain, Tony.” Pepper says, shooting them a slightly grimaced smile. Steve tenses.

“Ahh yes… well I guess we should just say it, huh?” Tony sighs, leaning down to catch Steven’s eye, where he’s ducked his head to stare at the floor. He looks up and at the uncertain look on Tony’s face, smiles and lifts their joined hands, pressing a soft kiss to Tony’s hand.

It’s ok, I still want to do this.

The cameras go insane.

“Tony and I are currently dating.” Steve says, his voice clear. “We have been for a few years now. I… have been made aware that my face is often used by… certain groups to promote homophobia, or ideas about the ‘way things used to be’,” Steve continued, eyes focused loosely on the crowd of reporters, somewhat distant. “I want people to know that I don’t stand for it. I didn’t join the army because I hate all germans,” Steve said, sighing. “I joined the army because I hate bullies. Things weren’t better back in the 40s. The medicine, the living conditions, the prejudice, the fear…”

He looks at Tony, smiling. “I like things better now. I got to meet Tony.”

There’s a soft fuzz in the room, and all eyes are caught on the tangible string pulling Tony Stark and Steve Rogers’ gazes together, full of love and-

“God you guys are gross,” Peter grumbles, loudly, and the intensity evaporates. Tony laughs and whacks him upside the head. “Subtle, Pete, real subtle.”

Pepper clears her throat, voice a bit wobbly, and announces the end of the meeting.

The cameras catch the proud, happy glimmers in her eyes.

They catch the glimmers in Tony Stark’s, too.