Visiting Days
Peter was practically buzzing with excitement as he shut off his alarm clock and got dressed. This weekend wasn't that much different than other weekends, but weekends were always special for the young Parker.
He got dressed in record-time, running down the stairs to grab his shoes, ending up hopping on one foot, trying to get a shoe on the other, all the while pressing an apple between his teeth.
"Well, someone's excited," May walked in in her pyjamas, a morning gown wrapped around her. When Peter finally managed to put his shoe on, he turned to look at her, smiling past the apple still stuck in his mouth. Nodding eagerly, he put his foot on the side of the table to tie his laces.
"Mhthr sfhark ifs fwiwawy weffing w-" he tried to explain, but was cut off by aunt May, who gave him a stern look.
"No talking with your mouth full, young sir," she said fake-angry, but she couldn't quite help the smile forming around her lips.
Peter put his foot down, took a big bite of the apple and set it apart to tie his other shoe, May patiently waiting for him to finish his bite. When he did, he spoke with such a big grin on his face, May was worried he was going to pull a muscle.
"Mr. Stark is finally letting me work with him in the lab," he said, practically bouncing like a little child.
May raised an eyebrow.
"I thought you two worked there all the time?" She asked while making herself some tea. Peter quickly shook his head, his curls dancing on his forehead.
"No, that's the thing!" He explained excitedly. "He never lets anyone in there apart from doctor Banner, who is still missing, by the way, and so that's, like, a big deal!" He rambled.
No, he wasn't fangirling, what are you talking about?
--
Before the car even stood still, Peter was already out, running towards the big compound.
Happy sighed, running a hand down his face.
"Those stupid fanboys all the time," he mumbled, before yelling out the window; "Yo Parker, ya left ya bag!"
Peter came to a stop, turned around, ran back to the car, got out his bag, spoke a quick 'thanks Happy', and was gone before the not-so-happy Happy could even shoot him his most annoyed look.
Happy just shook this head, mumbled something under his breath and drove the car around. He had already forgotten about the boy before he had even disappeared out of sight.
Peter bounced up and down excitedly during the whole entire elevator ride.
"Peter, I would suggest you calm down before entering the main area," Peter heard F.R.I.D.A.Y say from her spot inside the walls of the compound. Peter could swear she was resisting a chuckle, if that was even possible. Well, it was Tony Stark, who knew...
Once Peter had calmed himself down enough to properly walk out of the elevator, F.R.I.D.A.Y opened the doors, revealing the big living space of the avengers compound, which was currently occupied by the Black Widow and Hawkeye. Peter merely gave them a small wave as he walked over to the kitchen where he could hear the voice Captain America, so he guessed Mr. Stark was there too.
When the kitchen came into view, he saw the captain leaning against the counter talking to a rather ruffled Tony Stark, who was quickly downing a cup of coffee.
"-just saying, if you keep this up..."
Tony put his cup down on the counter with a little more force than he himself had intended, making Peter stop dead in his tracks. Were they fighting?
But Tony simply shot Cap a flashing smile, patted him on the shoulder and winked.
"Trust me, Cap, I have survived on a lot less hours than this,"
Peter looked at the Captain to see his reaction, surprised to find worry in the soldier's eyes.
"Which isn't healthy, Tony. You need to rest and take care of yourself every once in a while. Take a break,"
But Tony was already shaking his head before his friend had even finished talking.
"Nope," he said, popping the p. "No can do. You see, I have a kid coming over-" he paused for a moment, then pointed to where Peter was glancing around the corner. "I have a kid waiting there and I promised him we'd go in the main lab for once. And when I promise something, I, for one, actually do it. Suck it, Howard."
The last part was mumbled softly, but Steve and Peter both had super hearing, and they easily caught what he'd said.
"Tony," Steve tried, reaching for him but the smaller man stepped away, out of his reach. "Tony, you're not like him. I know what they said put you off, but that's not a reason to hide down in that lab of yours. It's not healthy, Tony,"
Tony shot him a smile that was supposed to be sassy, but with his messed up hair, bags under his eyes and hunched in appearance it didn't really work. His smile fell once he realized it didn't work. Steve shook his head, a sad smile on his face.
"Oh, Tony," he mumbled as he walked over to his friend, giving him no chance to walk away as he put his arm on Tony's back, the other hand cupping the back of the genius's head. Tony could do nothing but let his head drop against Steve's chest, sighing in defeat.
"Really, Capsicle?" He mumbled.
"Yes, really," came the response. Steve ran his fingers through the messed up hair, relishing in the warm feeling of Tony's breath from where his head was leaning against his broad chest.
They stayed like that for a couple minutes, no one saying anything, Peter almost afraid to breathe. Steve wanted to do a victory dance, because Tony was actually relaxed in a hug. After a few more moments, Steve felt Tony move in his arms, so he pulled back, keeping a hand on the billionaire's shoulder.
"You good?" He asked. And even though he was very tired, Tony managed a genuine smile as he looked up in the Captain's blue eyes. He sighed, giving a small nod.
"Yeah, I'm fine,"
Steve smiled back, glad to hear his friend was okay.
"You have curls, now that the gel's out," he noticed. Tony shot him a playful look.
"Yeah, well, don't get used to it, pretty boy." He said, grabbing his newly filled cup of coffee and making his way out of the kitchen.
"I actually kinda like it," Steve tried. Tony just stuck out his tongue as he moved away. Steve just chuckled, accepting defeat.
When Tony turned back towards the door, he saw one awkward teenager, staring at his feet while hopping from foot to foot.
"Oh, hi kid," Tony said casually. "Forgot you were still there. Let's go, shall we?"
He clapped Peter on his shoulder, gave him a playful wink and made his way to the elevator. Immediately, Peter forgot about the fiasco in the kitchen from just moments ago as he followed his mentor and hero to the elevator.
"Bye Mr. Steve!" He yelled towards the only man still in the kitchen before disappearing around the corner. Steve chuckled to himself. Peter and Tony were basically the same, especially if Tony showed his brown curls like that. He shook his head, grabbed his coffee and made his way over to the main area. He sat down next to Natasha, who was still sitting there, Clint opposite of her.
"The boy has no idea, does he?" She asked the super soldier, who shook his head.
"No, I don't think so," he answered truthfully.
"Are you gonna tell him?" Clint asked, joining the conversation.
"Tell him what?" Steve asked in return. "I don't even know what to call... Whatever it is Tony and I have, let alone explaining it to a 15-year-old. No, I think Tony and I have to figure out what we are before letting the kid know,"
Natasha nodded in understanding, but Clint just fell back in his chair with an annoyed groan.
"Why is it always so complicated??" He whined.
"What is?" Steve asked. Of course he knew what the super spy meant, he just wasn't sure he could fully admit it to himself yet. He didn't want to get his hopes up, because he was too afraid of being let down.
Clint let his head fall back and closed his eyes.
"Love,"