"The boss wants to see you at the tower, let's go," declares Happy as he leaves the bathroom without a backwards glance.
"What? Why? I thought he was moving out?"Peter questions as he follows him from the really quite disgusting bathroom to his car. Why did he wait in the bathroom anyway? Why didn't he just text him to come outside? God how lax is the security at school if he can just wander in?
"The boss is moving some extra Avengers gear and a lot of the business out, he still lives in the tower Peter." Happy explains in a slightly bored tone, "Now, stop dreaming and get in the car." Jumping Peter climbs into the passenger seat throwing his bag down between his legs.
He marvels at the fancy car knowing himself and May would never be able to afford anything like that, well they couldn't afford any car at all right now, Mays bus to work was a push. He sat silently for ten minutes or so still trying to get over Happy actually talking to him like a human being for what must be the first time.
As they sit waiting in the rush hour traffic Peter turns to the older man, "em…Happy? What does Mr Stark want? Is he angry with me?"
"Honestly Peter, I don't know, he definitely isn't thrilled with you though."
Peter nods paling as he shuffles in his seat worrying if he is facing another 'punishment' like after the ferry fiasco.
Happy looks over at the boy his heart going out to him as he clearly worries what Tony wishes to talk about. He doesn't want to tell Peter just how worried Tony was when he heard what happened feeling uncomfortable sharing such personal information about his boss. He had already phoned May with another entirely fictional excuse for Peter staying at the tower while he waited in that horrible bathroom reassuring her Peter would be well taken care of and fed. As he opens his mouth to try and distract Peter and stop his kicked puppy impression the boy turns to him again.
"I really am sorry for being annoying Happy, I'll cool it with the texts and voicemails."
Happy's reply comes out sharper than he intended, "No. Don't apologise Peter you are a kid, I understand you were excited, it is my job to keep an eye on you and I didn't, don't change anything, you did well. I shouldn't have ignored you."
Uncomfortable Peter is about to reply as they pull up at the tower but Happy practically jumps out the car forcing the boy to jog after him. Jumping into an elevator Happy once again gives a mumbled password before heading up to the penthouse suite.
Suddenly too nervous to continue speaking to Happy Peter looks down at his worn trainers. Will he always look at his shoes in this lift? He wonders.
Too soon they reach the top where Tony is waiting for them. Peter steps out the elevator and barely notices Happy leaving, too focused on Mr Stark.
"Sit down" Mr Stark tells him, pointing at one of the sofas in the lounge.
Relieved he isn't being sent straight into the man's office Peter drops down onto one of the luxurious leather sofas, probably the most comfortable sofa he's ever sat on to be honest. Mr Stark sits on the opposite one and looks him over with a critical eye.
"F.R.I.D.A.Y. scan for injuries."
"I'm fine!" Peter grumbles as the AI agrees with his own assessment.
"Just making sure." The older man says in a no nonsense tone. "Peter we need to talk about last night."
The boy pales looking worryingly at Tony's wrist checking for the band his gauntlet comes out of and seeing it missing.
Following the boys eyes Tony knows what he is checking, "you aren't going to be spanked Peter, you endangered yourself again but this time you won't be," noticing the boys grateful exhale of breath and slight grin he continues, "this is a one off. Peter, do you understand? If you do anything like this again I assure you the last punishment will seem like nothing."
Peter nods his ears burning red.
"A verbal answer Peter, you know this."
"Yes sir, sorry. I understand."
"Peter look at me. I want to begin by telling you I'm sorry, okay. I was wrong in taking your suit away, I left you unprotected and alone. Happy should not have ignored you and I should have given you a way to contact me. It will not happen again."
Peter nods swallowing past the lump in his throat as he sees the honesty and guilt in his idol's eyes. He wordlessly hands over his battered mobile when Tony holds his hand out for it, watching as he puts in his number.
"Peter, what you did though was dangerous. I can't let you away with this unpunished. You could have died. You were on the outside of a moving plane. A plane Peter! I know you were trying to help but I care about you much more than some tech I'm transporting. Did you stop to think at all? Did you think about your friends? How they would feel if you died. Did you think about May? How would she cope with losing you Peter? She doesn't even know you are Spiderman! How would I explain that not only are you dead but you are also a vigilante superhero? Also…"
Tony stops as he hears a muffled sob from the boy opposite him, he immediately steps round the coffee table sitting next to the crying teen pulling him into his side.
"Sssh, Peter I just want you to understand your actions have consequences okay? I just want you to be safe." He murmurs quietly into his ear as he sobs into his chest soaking his shirt.
After several minutes Peter stops crying and pulls away from Tony embarrassed. Wiping his face with his sleeve he looks up at him. "What's my punishment, sir?" He asks.
"You are going to go into my office and sit at the desk. Your punishment is there, you can stop when I call you for dinner. Also no Spiderman for a week, I will give you back your suit but I can see if you use it. Do not let me down Peter."
He nods and quickly enters the office he had been punished in just weeks before. Looking at the desk he groans as he sits down and sees the paper and pen waiting for him instantly understanding his punishment.
I will not put myself in life threatening situations no matter how good my intentions. I also will not worry my friends, Aunt May or Tony with dangerous, irresponsible behaviour.
He starts writing immediately hoping Mr Stark won't take too long with dinner.
Over an hour later his hand is cramping and he has pages of lines when Mr Stark finally comes into the office.
"Dinner Peter. Leave the lines there and go wash up. I'll be in the kitchen."
He nods and quickly does as instructed. Walking into the kitchen he is pleasantly surprised to see what appears to be a home cooked meal.
"Everyone looks so surprised when I cook, I'm no Gordon Ramsay but I can rustle up Bolognese Peter."
Blushing he sits down and tucks into the meal, marvelling at how he is eating food cooked for him by Mr Stark. Tony Stark cooked for him! Him! He made Peter Parker dinner! He finishes quickly and takes another plate when motioned to by Tony.
"Eat until you are full, you have an increased metabolism I always want you to eat enough. You need to eat more than others your age Peter, I expect you to have snacks throughout the day and at least three full meals. You'll tell me if there's any problems, yes Peter?"
Tony watches the boy nod hesitantly wondering why he is hesitating when discussing eating enough to function but brushes it aside quickly to discuss other matters.
"Also, I know you love being Spiderman Peter but it cannot take over your life, I know you dropped band and robotics, I also know your grades are slipping. This cannot continue. You are to keep your grades up or you will be grounded from Spiderman until they improve, I don't want to see anything below a B."
Peter opens his mouth flushing but is cut off almost immediately.
"No arguments. May does not know about Spiderman so I will make sure you balance your school, social and spider life Peter. Also I have spoken to your Aunt about your 'internship', you are to come here to the tower every Wednesday, Happy will pick you up from school and drop you home by 10pm. Also you will come here every other weekend on Saturday mornings and Happy will take you home Sunday evening okay?"
Peter nods slightly overwhelmed at this sudden barrage of rules and information.
"Any questions?"
He shakes his head.
"Great. How about ice cream for dessert? You like mint choc chip yeah?"