They stayed in the lounge until Tony needed to get ready to go. Then Steve and Stephen headed back to Strange's quarters, while Peter followed Tony to his, and hung out in his work room while Tony took a shower and started getting dressed in his own tuxedo – which was very similar to Peter's. That came in handy, because Tony used the exercise to walk Peter through putting everything on one more time – including the bowtie, which Stark had no problem with, of course.

Then Stark walked with Peter to the exit closest to the boy's quarters.

"You're ready?" he asked.

Peter nodded.

"We'll see you there."

"Don't be late."

"Okay."

Stark activated the Ironman suit around him and Peter took a step back to avoid any issues with any inadvertent burns from the thrusters and a moment later Ironman shot into the air, hesitated for only the briefest of moments and then shot off toward the south, high enough to avoid trees and powerlines, and plenty low enough to avoid airspace once he was out of the no-fly zone around the compound.

Peter watched him until he couldn't see him, and then grinned and went into the building, headed for his own room.

"Karen? Are Pepper and Natasha back, yet?"

"No. No ETA, Peter. Sorry."

"It's okay, thanks."

He opened the fridge in his bedroom and looked at the corsage that he and Tony had picked out, and then checked his watch. He still had some time before he needed to get dressed. He didn't want to do it too early and then get wrinkled while waiting. Instead of playing a video game, or even reading, he decided to practice his dance moves again.

OOOOOOO

Peter presented himself to Steve and Stephen in Strange's room about twenty minutes before it was time for him and Pepper to leave. He still hadn't seen her – even though Karen had advised him, while he was in the shower which had startled him enough to make him drop the shampoo and almost fall – that Pepper and Natasha had returned to the compound about half an hour before.

"You look good, Peter," Steve said, approvingly, when the boy walked into the living area.

He grinned. The tuxedo fit perfectly, of course, and his shoes were shined, and his hair was perfect. He had to agree – although it was always a great thing to hear Captain America tell you something like that, right?

"Think I should have shaved?" he asked, running his fingers along his chin and jaw.

Strange was forced to hide his smile, but Steve didn't bother. He took the question seriously, and ran his hand along the boy's smooth cheek and chin. Then shook his head.

"No. You're probably okay, for now."

"You'll want a couple of lessons before you try it on your own, though," Strange told him from the sofa. "Otherwise you'll scrape off half your skin."

Steve nodded his agreement to that.

"Don't go to Tony or Stephen for them, though," he said.

Peter frowned.

"Why not?"

"Look at my face. And then look at Stephen's. Who isn't afraid of a razor?"

The boy grinned at the way that Strange rolled his eyes.

"I'll remember that."

"You do that. Need help with the bowtie?"

"Yeah."

Strange heaved himself awkwardly to his feet and leaned on a crutch, carefully inspecting Peter while Steve helped the boy with his tie.

"You look sharp."

Coming from someone who always dressed so carefully – present moment excepted, of course – that meant something. Peter preened, despite himself. He wasn't really all that worried about his appearance most of the time, but he didn't want to embarrass Pepper, either, by looking like a slob.

"Thank you."

"Oh, my goodness. Who is this handsome man and what did he do with my baby…?"

All three of them turned at Romanoff's entrance, and Peter grinned.

"I clean up good," he said.

"Yes, you do," she agreed, walking over and hugging him, carefully, before planting a kiss against his cheek.

"You look beautiful, though," Peter pointed out.

He didn't mention that she smelled good, too.

"After a day at the spa, I'd better."

"He's right," Strange agreed. "You're gorgeous."

She smiled, and reached out a hand to brush against his jaw.

"Did you get out and about today?"

"A little." He looked down at the crutch he was holding. "Not too much, but some. Enough to find new walls to stare at."

"Did you fall?"

"Of course not."

"He did fine, Natasha," Steve assured him. "We went as far as the lounge. Tomorrow you guys can try a walk in the woods or something – if he's up for it."

She nodded, and looked at Peter once more.

"Speaking of… you date is going to meet you in the lounge. Don't keep her waiting."

He grinned.

"I'd better go, then."

"Have fun, baby."

"Yes, baby," Steve echoed with a smile of his own. It was so amusing to see Natasha with her guard down around the boy. "Have a good time. And don't stay out too late."

Peter rolled his eyes.

"Thanks for the help."

He left, taking the corsage with him, and Natasha shook her head.

"He looks so good. The clothing certainly does make the man, doesn't it?"

Strange nodded and made his way back to the sofa, easing down into it and then propping his casted leg up onto the coffee table.

"Now you know why I always wear a suit, when I can."

She smiled and sat down beside him, easily.

"You look fine, now, too, really."

He just rolled his eyes.

Steve shook his head.

"Are you good, then?" he asked.

"We're fine. Happy has been told to make sure we get a lot of good photos of Pepper with Peter – and Tony, later. Thanks for keeping Stephen company."

"It was a good day."

He left, and Natasha leaned into Strange, who put his arms around her.

"I'm so jealous," she murmured, resting her head on his chest.

Strange buried his face in her hair, noticing – like Peter had – that she smelled amazing.

"Why?"

"Because I didn't get to have formals growing up. I think it would be fun."

He kissed her hair.

"Wait until I can dance," the sorcerer said. "I'll talk to Tony and see what we can arrange."

OOOOOOO

Peter was out of breath when he walked into the lounge. And was then completely breathless when he saw Pepper sitting at the bar, talking to the bartender. The bartender made a gesture when he saw Peter enter the room, and that made Pepper look over her shoulder, and he saw her smile at his arrival.

She stood up while he walked over, and his heart was pounding from excitement and nervousness. The others said he looked good, and he thought that he looked good, but she looked incredible, and he was probably going to embarrass her and fall on his face or something.

"You look so handsome," she told him, putting her hands on his arms to hold him still so she could look at him.

Peter blushed.

"You do, too," he told her. "Beautiful, I mean."

"Stunning," the bartender said, agreeing.

Pepper blushed a little from the sincere compliment, and kissed Peter's cheek.

"Ready to go?"

"Yes." He handed her the corsage. "Here, Pepper."

She gave him an impudent smile.

"You're supposed to pin it on." Before he could reply, she reached back to the bar and took the boutonniere out of the package that had been protecting it. "Hold still."

With a practiced ease, she pinned the fancy little flower arrangement to his tuxedo, and then smoothed the sleeves and the chest, still smiling.

"Now, you."

His hands were shaking enough that she was fairly certain she was going to get jabbed, and she wondered if Tony had thought to practice this part of things with him. He did okay, though, carefully not touching anything that was skin, while also doing everything that he could to make sure that he put his fingers between the pin that held the corsage to her dress and her. It only took two tries, and then he stepped back – without smoothing the front of her dress like she'd done for his tux.

"Looks good," he admitted.

"It's perfect," she assured him. "Are we ready, then? Happy is waiting."

And she knew he was supposed to take a lot of pictures. Which was fine with her, because she wanted to make sure they had all the memories of the night that they could get.

Peter nodded and offered her his arm like Tony had told him to, and she took it with a smile and let him lead her out of the lounge and toward the garage.