Chapter Twenty-Six

And then Tony is an asshole

"You and Spider-man? What isn't he like twelve?" Clint gibed, head still resting comfortably on Natasha's lap.

"Twelve and a half" Peter interjected sarcastically.

Tony grinned internally at this, he loved that Peter was just as narky and sarcastic as he was. He only wished that he could see more of that wisecracking action outside of the Spidey suit.

"Since when have you two been...?" Natasha asked, deftly concealing most of her interest.

"Does it matter? Can you help him out or not?"

There was a long pregnant pause as each of EARTH'S MIGHTEST HEROES god-damn Peter considered the situation.

Individually they all glanced at Spider-man and then Steve and came to a conclusion.

"Fine. We'll help you in the ways you've mentioned. Non interference, tracking and supplies/medical help" Steve spoke for the team.

"Are you sure that we can't help out any other way? I mean you did come through for us last time" he continued.

Peter shook his head, Tony knew that on some level his friends would see this as a pride thing. But he knew how ridiculously hard-core Peter was about protecting his Aunt May and his responsibilities. This wasn't about pride this was more about damage control. Sometimes he really wondered how Peter managed to deal with all of his "responsibilities".

It really was funny that a guy like him, who was considered fatally irresponsible, reckless and headstrong, would fall for- in some ways- his exact opposite.

Steve grumbled in his quite, well-meaning boy scout for life way. Natasha and Clint went back to their quiet-confusing-romantic moment. Bruce hadn't interacted much with the conversation as he was still half-asleep and coming down from caffeine intoxication, Thor went off to do whatever it was gods did on their free time.

Probably Jane.

Tony decided to make for the roof, as far as he was concerned he and Peter still had a date to finish and they were gonna god-damn finish it.

When he reached the roof, Peter was stuck against a wall. Waiting for him.

"Well the Cap seemed to take that well" Peter began, automatically falling into Tony's speech patterns.

Tony didn't say anything.

He remained silent he was too angry with himself.

He shouldn't care this much, they had only been 'together' for a couple of days.

A couple of dates. A couple of well 'other things'.

Despite what he had said they hadn't even fucked yet!

He needed to calm down and more importantly slow down.

The last thing he needed was to scare Peter off, or get too close. This would end, (and knowing his past) this would end badly.

"Tony?" Peter asked, worry laced his voice as he moved to get off the wall.

Tony stepped forward quickly, and lightly pushed Peter back.

"I don't like your back up plan, I know I have no right to- but I don't. There has to be another way to beat this guy, and'.

Peter held up one finger effectively silencing the older man. "What do you mean you have no right? Sure you do. You have every right to dislike my Plan B, but you have to be realise there's not a damn thing you can do about it.

Accept that.

When I say he will kill everyone I care about that includes you, ok? This is your one chance to escape, because otherwise if its a choice between me or you. I will always choose you. Always".

Tony didn't say anything for a while, "but you'd do that for anyone".

"Maybe. But I'd think of other options first, but with you its a knee-jerk reaction"

"I like you as much as you like me" he finished.

Tony smiled.

AN: Awww innit cute?