CHAPTER 20 : The Sit-down Dinner

Peter was in awe. Flash of all people had basically apologized. He picked up the bear and hugged it. It was the same bear all patched up out of the love of his friends. He wasn't alone, he had people who cared about him. Surely, this was proof of that. He set it down on the bed suddenly feeling a bit more hopeful. This would turn out okay.

Peter checked the time on a wall clock, it was just six o'clock, another hour until dinner with earth's mightiest heroes. He suddenly felt nervous. One, this wasn't just an ordinary dinner, no sir. This was dinner with The Avengers! And two, he remembered as his stomach growled, he wasn't supposed to be eating. May would not be happy with him if he did. He didn't think he could even manage eating even a bite in front of them. He decided he would probably think better after a hot shower.

Once he was dressed somewhat presentably, he combed his hair and thought. He could hide his food in a napkin. But… everyone would be watching him, he was new at the table. And even if they weren't, there were eleven other people at the table. That meant twenty-two eyes. Which meant there was always at least one person glancing over at him. So that plan was out. Suddenly, he had an idea and his eyes lit up.

He would eat. Then after, he'd politely excuse himself to the restroom and… remove it. He'd heard of this before, of course, there was even talk about a couple of girls getting together to form an almost cult where they would go to the restroom and puke together, keeping each other motivated and thin. This didn't last long though as they were caught and sent straight to therapy, but Peter would make 100% sure that no one would ever know. It'd his and May's little secret.

He made sure he looked decent and sat down on his bed, reading the notifications on his phone until FRIDAY announced that it was time for dinner and Mr. Stark was requesting him. He swallowed and prepared himself.

He walked down the flight of stairs and then made his way through the narrow hallway out to the formal dinning room. Peter couldn't help but gasp when he walked in. At the table sat War Machine, The Falcon, Hawkeye, Captain America, Black Widow, Mr. Stark- of course, that guy with the metal arm from Germany who sat a way away from Tony, a man Peter didn't recognize, Scarlet Witch and The Vision. All wearing normal clothes and passing each other forks before they began reaching for the food. Talking loudly and laughing like a family. Peter suddenly felt like an intruder.

"Peter! Glad you could make it." Said Mr. Stark. Everyone settled down quickly at that and turned to face the boy who'd walked in. Peters blushed, nervous that all the attention was suddenly on him.

"Peter, this is everyone. Well, almost. Everyone, this is Peter. He's gonna stay here a while." Announced Tony. Peter waved weakly. And the table abruptly burst into noise. People began talking over each other. Asking Tony questions, asking Peter questions. Peter's face warped into panic and he looked at the billionaire for reassurance. The man beckoned him over and pushed out the chair closest to him. Tony didn't look fazed by the shitstorm he'd caused but Peter held his hands over his ears, watching as his mentor waited for everyone to stop yelling.

The group finally calmed and Peter took his hands off his ears. Steve spoke up first.

"Please tell me you didn't kidnap a kid. I swear to god, Tony- "But Tony butted in.

"No, I didn't kidnap a kid, he's here legally. What do you think I am, Rodgers? Shit. Is that what you think of me?"

Captain America looked abashed. "No of course not Tony, I just cannot think of any other possible reason anyone would willingly leave their child with you…. No offense."

"What he's trying to say is, that you're not exactly the fatherly type, Tone." War Machine interrupted.

"But this isn't just any kid, guys, this is- "

"-my intern." Said Tony.

"-Spiderman." Spoke up Peter at the same time. Silence.

Tony groaned and rubbed his hand over his face.

"Damn it, kid. I have no idea how you kept your identity hidden for so long. Seriously." He said rubbing his eyes.

Peter shrank back in his seat and stared at his empty plate. The table exploded with people yelling at Tony for bringing a child to a fight. For allowing Peter to continue at all. For bringing him to the compound. Some even yelling at Peter, telling him off for being vigilante when he wasn't even old enough to drive. Peter covered his sensitive ears again and his face burned in shame. No longer was it just May who was angry with him, but the entirety of the Avengers. How had he messed up this badly?

When Tony caught the angry words suddenly being directed at Peter who'd taken to cowering in his chair, he snapped.

"HEY!" He barked. Everyone went quiet at the outburst, confused.

"Don't you dare yell at him! He's my responsibility and that's that! I don't have to explain shit to you, it's literally none of your business why he's here. At all. You either accept it and eat or you leave the compound. I don't want to hear any one of you talking to my kid like that again. As for Germany, that was a mistake. My judgment was clouded and I'm never putting him or anyone else between us like that again. He's a kid, he didn't know what we were even fighting about. So, leave him alone. You have questions? You go through me." He seethed.

The table was quiet as everyone processed the words. Then awkwardly began to eat again. Tony tapped the boy on the shoulder to get his attention.

"Hey, don't listen to them. I've got it handled."

Peter nodded gratefully.

"Eat something." He said placing a roll of the kid's plate. Peter complied and took a nibble of the bread.

The silence was cut by the clinking of silver wear.

"I for one, think it's nice to meet you, Peter." Said Nat cutting into her slice of roast beef.

Peter nodded, "It's nice to meet you as well, Ms. Black Widow." She smiled and winked at him from down the table.

The rest of the Avengers took the time to express their sentiments as well. And the table continued as if nothing had split them apart. Continuing to talk and slowly the chatter morphed into something more comfortable and relaxed. Smiles and laughter returned. And Peter lost track of how much he was eating.

Notes:

Short, but I wanted Peter to meet the crew. The guy he doesn't recognize is Ant Man, because the last time he saw him the guy was 50ft tall and wearing a whole costume. Also, Bruce and Thor are not there, they're on that trash planet. I tried to get the storyline straight but its difficult because ive omitted Infinity war but made the rogue avengers come back? I wanted interactions with them all. Also Bruce and Thor may make an appearance, we'll see.