Peter flopped down onto his bed, his hair slightly damp from his post workout shower. Natasha's training sessions were difficult- and often times very dangerous - but that didn't mean Peter disliked them. No, he loved swinging around the gym, testing his abilities and getting combat lessons from the black widow herself. She was the main reason Tony had permitted him to start being Spider-Man again. Peter loved his auntie Tasha.

Sighing, Peter rolled over and grabbed his phone. Thursday December nineteenth was the date. Six days until Christmas and nearly five months since he'd moved into the tower. "Wow. Time sure does fly. Right Fri?"

The AI sounded amused. "Technically, time is the indefinite continuation of existence and events in the past, present, and future viewed as a whole."

"No that's not what I- sure yeah." He smiled up at the ceiling. "You're really smart Friday. Too bad my dad won't let you help me with my homework."

"You have completed all necessary work for your sophomore year. I do not believe you require my are technically a genius."

"Aw, thanks Fr." Peter couldn't help but blush at the small compliment. "Hey does mom or dad need help in the labs?" His weekend had consisted primarily of patrolling - the heater Tony put in his suit did wonders in the frigid New York winter - as well as working on his Russian and hand to hand with Natasha. Actually, now that he thought about it he hadn't seen his parents much at all.

"Boss and Dr. Banner are not in their labs currently. They are in the common room with Thor and Colonel Rhodes. Prepping for the festivities, as Boss put it."

Peter sat up, his eyebrows scrunched up. What festivities? They couldn't be about Christmas. No one even mentioned the holiday, not once, and it was only a few days away. But with Tony you could never be sure of anything. So, like the curious boy Peter was, he went to investigate.

Slipping a sweater over his t-shirt - the pun on his shirt had a beaker on it that was overflowing and bubbling while the empty beaker next to it said 'you're overreacting' in a context bubble - and a pair of fuzzy socks he made his way down to the communal floor.

The first thing he heard as the elevator doors opened was a loud crash shortly followed by some every colorful words. The voice belonged to Tony. Turning the corner he saw Natasha, Rhodey, Thor, Loki and Bruce gathered around… a huge pine tree.

"Hey dad," he smiled sheepishly, "what a… what have you got there?"

The billionaire pushed the box of - now broken - ornaments aside with his foot and held up the cup in his hand. "A smoothie."

"Oh, okay." Peter glanced behind his dad at the tree and the multitude of boxes strewn around the room. "I didn't think you guys went all out." There were white lights, colored lights, and extension cords beside the outlet in the wall. Even fresh unopened boxes of garland were stacked off to the side.

"Well, personally, I'm not a big fan of the holidays." Tony shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm an atheist and I don't like caroling and all the crap. But we usually do a little bit of decorating this time of year. Keep everyone's spirits up."

"A little decorating," Peter gaped, waving his hands at the tree, "that thing is literally fifteen feet tall!"

"Oh hey Peter." There was a grunt and rattling of ornaments before Bruce emerged from behind the massive fir. He had pine needles in his hair and on his sweater. The wonderful smell of pine enveloping him. He drew Peter into a hug. When he pulled away, he asked, "I hope you're okay with the decorations."

"Well yeah. Why wouldn't I be?"

"It's just-" Bruce cut himself off and looked to his husband for a better explanation.

"We weren't sure if you'd be upset since it's your first Christmas with us. And without… you know… May."

"Oh." The teen's voice lowered to a whisper. "That's- is that why you haven't mentioned anything. About the holidays I mean."

Tony nodded, taking a minute to brush his fingers through his son's curls. "If you want us to take anything down we will. No problem bud."

"N-no. It's totally fine. I mean, I'm agnostic and a scientist, so I was never really into the whole Christmas thing. May didn't um… she didn't celebrate either." He leaned into his dad's hand, unconsciously stepping closer. "But I think it would be nice to celebrate with you guys."

Bruce's candid smile was contagious and both Starks soon found themselves grinning and laughing; all three men joining the rest of the team to help decorate.

Natasha was on the ladder, hanging ornaments that were handed to her by Rhodey. Loki was quietly sorting through extension cords while his brother tested the strands of lights to see which ones worked and which ones didn't. Whenever the strands lit up he would cheer.

"Friend Tony, I am pleased to say that all of these lights work." Thor held up the tangled mass of lights and cords.

"Wait," Rhodey pointed around the god, "you're the god of thunder and lightning. So aren't you basically the god of electricity?"

"I suppose."

"Then wouldn't all the lights work if you're holding them?"

Tony groaned, exaggerating his movements for dramatic affect. "I didn't think of that." He gave Peter a light shove in the god's direction. "How 'bout you double check the lights. Your uncle Thor can help unwrap the garland. That sound good point break?"

"Of course. I enjoy these festivities." Thor set his bundle aside and headed over to the remaining decorations; ruffling his nephew's hair on his way.

Peter looked down at the knotted mass of lights, hands on his hips. This was probably going to take awhile. He sat down criss cross applesauce and began untangling. But the super awesome hammer sitting just within his reach proved to be very distracting.

"Hey, uncle Thor."

"Yes young spiderling, what is- oh."

"Holy shi- Tones!" Rhodey pulled on his friend's shirt to make him turn around. "Tones!"

With a huff, Tony spun around, "what Rho-" and he positively lost it when he saw Peter holding Thor's hammer. The hammer no one except the mighty Thor could wield. "Oh yeah, that's right! Look at this Bruce, our kid is worthy!"

Peter smiled bashfully as lightning sparked across the sky.

Tony gripped the edge of his work bench to keep himself standing, his legs were shaking, threatening to give out. He felt hot and dizzy. On the table in front of him was the results of the genetic tests he'd run through Friday. Each one was a match. Peter was undoubtedly his child.

This wasn't a surprise to the billionaire. Peter and him were undeniably similar; from their physique to their genius intellect. It was uncanny. Everyone was constantly comparing the two, commenting on how similar they were. Still though, he put off looking at the genetic results, afraid of the inevitable. But once the tree had been completed and all the decorations hung, he knew he couldn't put it off any longer.

"Boss, you seem to be having an anxiety attack." Friday informed calmly. "Should I walk you through your breathing exercises? Or would you like me to call someone?"

"Br-Bruce." Tony gasped, hands scratching at the collar of his shirt. "Get Bruce."

Bruce rushed over to his husband as soon as Friday explained the situation. It had been a long time since Tony had an anxiety attack this severe. Bruce skidded to a halt inside the lab and dropped to his knees in front of his husband. But he didn't touch him.

"Tony, can you look at me please? It's Bruce." He sat back and waited patiently until Tony looked up. When their eyes met he smiled encouragingly. "That's great honey. You're doing great. Now, can you take a deep breath?" Tony nodded jerkily. "Okay good. Just follow me. In… and out. In… out."

Within ten minutes Tony's breathing had slowed to a normal rate with the help of Bruce's breathing techniques. Tony slumped forward from his crouched position under the table and into his husband's arms. The anxiety attack draining all of his energy.

Gentle fingers brushed through the hair tickling Bruce's chin. There was nothing but patience and love in his voice. "Do you want to tell me what happened?"

Tony squeezed his husband's free hand. Shakily he said, "Peter is my son."

"Of course he is." He cooed, not stopping the gentle motions.

"No." Tony sat back abruptly. "I mean- he's my biological child. He's mine."

"How do you know?"

Slowly, Tony stood and gathered the papers, holding them out in answer. Bruce looked through the results, carefully examining each line and data table. "Well," he said once he was done reading, "I'm not surprised."

"Neither am I."

"Is that why you were upset," he took his glasses off and set them aside, "because Peter is yours biologically?"

"No of course not!" Tony stepped back as if he'd been struck. "That's not- no. No I just… I…"

"Sweetheart?"

"I don't-" he tried to keep his voice from shaking but failed, his eyes taking on a misty haze, "I don't want to become Howard."

Smiling sadly, Bruce pulled his husband into his arms. "Do you love Peter?"

Surprised, and slightly offended, Tony pulled back. "What kind of stupid question is tha-"

Bruce held up his hand for silence, grinning wider when Tony huffed impatiently. "Just answer the question honey."

"Yes. Of course I love Peter."

"Do you want to protect him? Would you do anything for him?"

"Yes. Yes. You know all this so what are you getting at babe?"

"We adopted Peter because we love him and we care about him. Same thing applies to anyone else who adopts a child. It doesn't matter if they're yours biologically or not. They're still yours." Bruce cupped his husband's cheeks with such love and tenderness, his thumbs gently brushing against his skin. They leaned forward until their foreheads touched. "Peter adores you, more than you even realize. Nothing is going to change that. And yes, you and I are going to make mistakes. It's part of being a parent; a part of life in general. But that's okay. Because I promise you, Howard wouldn't have done even a quarter of the things you have."

Wiping away his tears Tony embraced Bruce; the other holding on just as tightly. "Thanks Brucie. You always know what to say." They stood there for a few minutes, basking in the warmth and comfort of each other. Friday interrupted them with a notification.

"Boss, Dr. Banner, I apologize for interrupting but Peter has just returned from his afternoon patrol with Thor. I suggest you make sure he eats something."

"Okay thanks Friday." Bruce nodded to the ceiling politely, taking his husband's hand.

Tony smiled brightly. "Let's go take care of our son."

The scientists found Peter and Thor in the communal kitchen. Peter was eating what appeared to be his tenth peanut butter sandwich - if the empty bread bag and peanut butter jar were any indication - while Thor talked animatedly about the Valkyrie and the beautiful Pegasi they brought to Norway. Natasha listening quietly from her spot beside the sink. It was honestly really sweet. Very domestic.

Natasha greeted the men as they entered. "You two seem happy."

"Yeah." Bruce giggled when Tony winked at him.

"Well I hate to ruin your good mood," and indeed the spy looked genuinely remorseful, "but I just found out…"

"Found out what?" Tony looked at her skeptically.

"Clint and Sam will be here for Christmas Eve."

"What!"