Chapter Two

Tony watched as the two teens disappeared though the doorway. He knew Peter would still be listening though. The kid was ridiculously nosy.

Someone cleared their throat to his right and he glanced over to see Clint pushing off the counter and crossing his arms over his chest. All the eyes in the room seemed fixed on Tony. He had planned on introducing them to Peter at some point but no where in his imagination had he planned it turning out like this. He wasn't sure how to recover from the meeting they'd just had.

"Stark," Natasha said coolly. "So many questions. Let's start with Peter."

"Like I told Steve," Tony said. "It's not really any of your concerns, and really, I might have been more open to sharing if you hadn't taken Peter hostage in the first few minutes after meeting him."

Natasha raised a brow, tilting her head as she stared Tony down. He wasn't about to back down from a challenge though—not in front of them, so he raised his own eyebrow and stared right back.

"Look man," Sam started. "I think we're all sorry for how things went, but I think we can all agree that saying we took them hostage is pretty strong wording for what we did. We were just securing what we thought was a threat."

Tony turned his gaze to Sam. "Really? Two teens a threat? And I think a hostage situation was exactly what Friday called it thinking back. It doesn't matter though because I'm here now and not letting you guys harm another hair on their heads. Keeping them safe has sort of turned into a hobby for me."

"No offense, Tony," Clint said. "But you said the kid was digging out a bullet with a nail file. That's not exactly what I call keeping kids safe."

Tony shrugged. "He's done worse. Anyway, I took him to medical. He was fine."

Tony watched as Steve's face morphed into his self-righteous bitch face. He couldn't help but sigh. He knew what followed that face. Lectures.

"Tony, we're all adults here. I think it's fair to say we are speaking from concern. You say they aren't yours, but there is no explanation for them being here. I can't help but think this is putting them in danger being around—"

"Let me stop you right there, Cap," Tony said, putting up a hand. "You don't know the first damned thing about those kids and their safety. Things have changed. I'm like the most adult who's ever adulted lately. I even make them eat their veggies so you can lose the constipated face."

Steve pinched the bridge of his nose. "Look, I feel like we got off on the foot. Do you want an apology? Will that help this? We didn't come here to fight. I wanted to put the past behind us. I'm sorry, Tony, for everything. Please, can we start over?"

Tony wasn't expecting that. He fully expected the Captain to dig in his heels and make a scene, maybe even turning into a reenactment of Siberia. This was totally unexpected.

"You're sorry," Tony repeated slowly. "Okay, yeah. I can get behind that. Do I have to say it too or are we good just letting it hang as is?"

"I thought you were an adult now, Tony," Natasha said smoothly. "I'd think you know the answer to that question now."

Tony licked his lips. "Yeah, okay. You're right. I'm the adult who adults and all." He turned to face Steve directly, squaring his shoulders. "Despite some feelings I still might harbor. I didn't actually want you guys rotting in prison or whatever. Hence why I tried to fix what I did, so I'm sorry, Steve. I played a part and I regret some of my actions. We were friends. Maybe we can be again."

His words must have hit home with Steve because he became a little misty eyed at that and Tony took a step back. He hated feelings. They were squishy and sat funny in his gut. Feelings were something he preferred to keep on lockdown. He really didn't need to have a chick flick moment with Steve Rogers.

"Wow, I honestly didn't think you had that in you, Stark," Clint said.

"Agreed," Natasha chirped, far too amused for Tony's liking.

"Leave him alone, guys," Steve said giving them all with his Judgy Face. "We are trying to repair things remember?"

Silence seemed to settle in over them. Awkward didn't sum it up, and to top it off, Steve was still looking at him with his big puppy dog eyes. Finally, Sam spoke, breaking the tension.

"So, do we get to know about this Peter kid or what?" Sam asked. "I'm still betting on an illegitimate son."

"I'll take some of that bet," Clint said.

Tony drew a deep breath. "Funny. It's not for me to decide though. It's up to him, and as much as I'd like to claim responsibility for that kid's genius. I had no hand, or otherwise, in his making."

"Then can we ask him?" Natasha asked. "Just a friendly chat."

Tony snorted. "The kid's probably been listening to this whole conversation already, bouncing on his feet for a moment to butt in. Though I want to formally say to him that if he does, there's no going back."

Everyone in the room look confused for a moment then there was the pattering of running feet and the sound of Ned calling after Peter, begging him to rethink. Suddenly, Peter skidded to a halt in the doorway, Ned and MJ nearly colliding with him.

"Mr. Stark." Peter gave him an incredulous expression.

"So, you were listening," Tony said. "In that case, it's your call, kiddo."

He could see the nervousness rolling off Peter. He was chewing on his lip, looking around the room.

"They won't tell, Peter," Tony said, already guessing at his concerns. "I know things haven't been great between us all, but they don't roll like that. If you want to tell them, only if you want to tell them, you can. No pressure kiddo. It was always only a matter of time anyway."

MJ bumped her shoulder into Peter. "Yeah, you're terrible with secrets, dork."

Peter looked at Tony and swallowed. "You don't think umm, Mr. Steve. I mean the Captain—Captain America, is gonna be mad about you know, the shield thing," he half whispered to Tony, though the room could hear.

"What is he talking about, Tony?" Steve asked.

"You gotta ask him," Tony replied, unable to hold back a small smirk.

Steve looked to Peter. Ned was behind him, trying to stay tucked halfway in the doorway. MJ was beside him, watching with an unreadable expression.

"Wait," Steve's face suddenly shifted, his brows pinching together. "The shield." He said it like it meant everything. "I remember your voice. It all fits. You're that little guy from Queens, aren't you? Spider something." Steve leveled his gaze on Tony. "How old is he, Tony? How could you?"

"Hey, I'm not that young. I'm nearly sixteen," Peter protested.

"Which makes you fifteen," Natasha corrected. "Fourteen in Germany. Nice try though, kid."

"Oh my God, Dude," Ned said from behind Peter. "The Black Widow just called you out."

"Hey, whose side are you on?" Peter snapped back over his shoulder to Ned.

"Chill, Peter," MJ said. "She only pointed out the obvious."

Tony sighed, rubbing a hand over his jaw. Steve was looking about ready to lecture so he knew he needed to jump in soon.

"Look, everyone calm down," Tony said. "Steve, you need to listen before going off on a tangent. The kid—Peter, was doing this gig long before I found him and got involved. I only tried to make it safer for him, and trust me, he's safer with the suit I made than without."

"One word, Stark," Natasha said. "Germany."

Tony put his hands up placatingly, giving a little shrug. "Okay, you got me there. Minor error in judgment. He was fine though if you all remember."

"Of course, I remember. I dropped part of an airport on him," Steve said. "Why would you bring a kid to fight like that?"

Peter put up his hand like he was in school and waiting for the teacher to call on him.

Tony rolled his eyes. "Yes, Peter."

"I just want to say that you shouldn't be too hard on Mr. Stark," Peter said. "I mean the whole Germany thing, getting to fight the freaking Winter Soldier. Like oh my God, Dude—"

"Peter, time to shush, not helping," Tony said.

"You fought me too, kid. What am I, chopped liver?" Sam asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

"No! You are so cool—like so awesome," Peter said. "Your wings are like the coolest thing ever, man. All like—" Then Peter started miming a bird in flight with his hands, adding in little noises for effect.

Sam shook his head and just huffed out a laugh. "You're something else, kid. Can't believe you are really that bug guy."

"Spider-Man," Peter corrected.

"Whatever you say, Spider-Baby," Sam said with a grin. "So, who are the other two, kids?"

"Yeah," Clint said. "They aren't secretly bugs too, are they? Should we be afraid?" he teased.

MJ eyes narrowed.

Tony laughed. "Easy, MJ."

"I wasn't going to hurt him," she replied.

"Probably not, but he's barely housetrained. He might pee on the floor if you scared him too bad," Tony said. "And on that note, I'm out. I think it's time we adjourn to the living room and get this movie night started." Tony looked to the others. "You'll all welcome to join us—if you can behave that is. Otherwise, you're at MJ's mercy."

With that, Tony ushered his minions out of the kitchen, leaving a gaggle of confused Avengers behind.