Chapter 3
Tony stalked out of the meeting room, rubbing his now-sore hand. Of course, it was likely that Ross's nose was a lot more sore, but that didn't matter. He was an asshole. He deserved it.
True to his word, it was currently 9:57 a.m., and the Avengers were now clear to return to the United States. He'd informed Steve, who had said that they would, indeed, be there by 10:30. Which, coincidentally, was the same time that Peter and May were supposed to arrive. Happy had brought all their things over earlier that morning; the two just had a few loose ends they'd wanted to tie up, and then they were coming.
And Tony was a little bit terrified.
His long-lost son and someone who used to be his best friend, but had turned against him were moving in on the same day.
There was no possible way this could go wrong.
And both were set to arrive at 10:30.
Even better.
When 10:30 arrived, Tony paced up and down the penthouse level, wondering who would arrive first. It could be anyone, and Tony couldn't decide who he'd rather it was. He didn't have much time to think about it, either; the elevator dinged, signalling someone was arriving. Tony whirled to stare at the doors as they opened, revealing...
Peter. Standing in between Steve and May, with the rest of the Rogues behind them. There was obvious tension in the elevator, which immediately permeated the room.
"Hey, Mr. Stark!" Peter said, his voice brightening as he exited the elevator. The others followed silently.
"We've really got to ditch that 'Mr. Stark' stuff, kid," Tony said. "It makes me feel old."
Peter grinned. The smile fell slightly as he half-glanced over his shoulder at the Rogues and May. Tony sighed.
"Right. Okay. Judging from the awkwardness in the room, I'm guessing nobody introduced themselves?"
The silence was answer enough.
"Okay. So. Everybody, this is Peter and his aunt, May," Tony clapped a hand on Peter's shoulder. "Peter and May, these are the Avengers. Steve, Nat, Clint, Sam, and Wanda. Plus two tag-alongs, Bucky Barnes and I think that guys name is Scott."
Scott rolled his eyes.
"How's Rhodey?" Steve asked quietly.
Tony tensed slightly. "He's alive. I built him some braces, so he's figuring out moving around, too. We're figuring it out."
Steve nodded. "That's good."
Awkward silence filled the room again, until Tony cleared his throat loudly.
"Alright, May and Peter," he said, clapping his hands together. "Pepper and I set up one of the penthouse levels for you two. FRIDAY let you guys through the elevator without passes today because I told her to, but you're going to need to get those from Happy, who should be coming up with them in a minute. You've both got level 10 clearance, so you can go anywhere you'd like whenever you want. And I know you said you didn't want money or things, you'd rather keep going to work, but I have put a couple thousand dollars in an account, for you to decorate however you want. If you want, you can come have meals with Pepper and I, in the kitchen in the common area. If not, you've got a kitchen and dining area and stuff on your floor."
May and Peter looked a little overwhelmed.
"Okay," May said slowly. "And for rent-"
Tony waved a hand. "Don't worry about that. We brought you here, we're not going to make you pay us for living space."
"Thank you, Mr. Stark," Peter said, before May could start arguing against 'charity'. He knew both May and Tony could argue their side for hours, but ultimately, Tony would just return any money May tried to give him.
"Oh, Peter, that reminds me," Tony said. "You're welcome to use the training rooms whenever you want to do whatever, as long as May is alright with it, and I set up a space in my lab for you, if you ever want to tinker around a bit. Or, if you'd like, I could use some help on some of Spider-Man's and Iron Man's tech."
Peter's eyes went wide. "Really?" he gasped. "That's awesome! Thank you so much, Mr. Stark!"
"Not a problem, kid," Tony smiled at him. "Happy's put your things on your floor, if you want to go get settled a bit. But first, May, if it's alright, could I have a moment with Peter?"
May gave him a curious, slightly suspicious look, but nodded. "Okay. I'll go to our... floor, I guess."
"Just tell FRIDAY to take you to your floor, she'll get you there," Tony said. "Wherever you want to go, whenever, just tell FRIDAY. Happy will bring your security passes up in a minute."
May nodded, gave Peter one last look, before returning to the elevator. Once the doors closed, Tony turned back to Peter and the Rogues.
"Alright," Tony said. "Peter, these guys already know about Spider-Man, so you don't have to worry about that," he informed the teenager. "We do, however, have to figure out what we're going to tell your aunt."
Peter sighed. "I know. I should probably just tell her. I don't think I could hide it from her forever, especially if I'm using the training rooms and things. I just... don't know how. She's going to be so mad."
"If it would make it better, I could come to help explain," Tony offered.
Peter looked up at him. "You'd do that?"
"Course," Tony said, clapping Peter on the shoulder. "Now, for you guys," he addressed the Rogues. "Your old rooms are all ready for you. You'll have to get passes as well, Happy's really strict about that. I'm giving you guys level 9 clearance, so you can go everywhere except mine and Pepper's floor, and May and Peter's. For reasons that should be obvious. You're welcome to come and go as you please, and same rules apply for meals as I told May and Peter. There's still the common living floor, with the kitchen, theater, all that jazz. Oh, and you have to get permission before going in my lab. Other than that, free reign."
"Has Bruce shown up?" Steve asked.
Tony shook his head. "No sign of him or Point Break. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going down to make sure May and Peter don't need anything. Care to join me, Pete?"
Peter shrugged, following Tony into the elevator.
"Nice to meet you," he called to the Avengers, giving them a small, awkward wave, before the doors closed.