It's come to my attention that the setting/ backstory is a little confusing (totally valid- I'm a bit confused too!) so I thought I'd break down whats going on.
Steve and Tony are married.
The children are a product of bioengineering surrogacy- fancy tech enabled them to "swirl" their dna and Pepper (who I'm viewing as Tony's close friend/ sister) carried them.
The children have each inherited aspects of the serum resulting in "enhanced" superbabies.
Peter's powers are the original ones, his web fluid is organic/ comes from his body. There was no spider bite. I'm thinking that perhaps Pepper got bitten while carrying Peter though.
I hope that clears some stuff up!
Enjoy this fun chapter, thanks Sam!
... ... ... ... ... ...
Peter was thrown astray by his father's sudden calm and understanding tone, that was not what he had expected, not by any means.
"I dunno Pops... Flash is a dick. He gives people a rough time, he's bully, so I figured I would give him some back."
"So it was a completely rational, thought out and planned response?" Steve asked, knowing the truth.
Peter shrugged and grimaced, deciding that lying would likely not help his current predicament.
"I don't feel so good Pops, my shoulder hurts." Peter buried his head again, hiding from the guilt his actions were causing him to feel. It was clear to him that his parents were giving him the benefit of the doubt, so he decided to play his cards, for although he was in some discomfort it was no more than a niggling irritation.
Tony sighed and placed his hand on the back of Peter's head, the adults exchanged a look.
"Okay bud, how about you take a nap? You don't look so good, we will talk about this later when you feel a bit better," Steve suggested and Peter looked up in surprise.
"I thought I was in trouble," Peter was amazed.
"Oh you are kiddo, but Pops is right. You look like crap, take the nap." Tony smiled and Peter shot to his feet before they could change their minds. He walked away, smiling to himself, that had been close, too close, he needed to be much more careful.
"Friday, scan Peter for injuries and give us an update on his shoulder please," Tony said as soon as the boy had gone.
"Was that a mistake? I never do that with the girls, I always follow through with what I say I'm going to do with them, there are definitely no nap breaks." Steve had an uneasy feeling that he had gone too easy.
"Maybe it was a mistake but we made the call together. We are raising these monsters together so any fuck ups are joint responsibility," Tony grinned and Steve nodded.
"Although... you can handle Evie when she finds out Pete gets to take a nap but she had her butt handed to her, when they pretty much committed the same offence," Tony laughed as Steve grimaced.
Friday's report on Peter's shoulder was puzzling, she said it was almost fully healed, although the wound was still mildly irritated.
"Is he playing us?" Steve threw his hands up. "When did he get manipulative!"
"Maybe- who knows they're teenagers. It's team dinner though, we can't cancel. Let's just keep an eye on him," Tony was at a loss too.
...
Peter was humming as he sat down for his dinner, he looked much better, the black rings under his eyes diminished.
"Oh how's this fair! Are you serious?" Evie noticed her brother's good mood and she turned to find a parent to voice her displeasure to.
"Hush goon, everything will work out." Clint laughed lightly shoving the girl back into her seat. He clapped his hands, "Something smells good."
"You okay kid?" Bucky ruffled Peter's hair and placed a kiss atop his head before sitting down beside the boy.
"Great, thanks Uncle Bucky," Peter grinned at his favourite Avenger, leaning into his side, Bucky gave the boy a tight squeeze. That annoyed Tony, how had he missed how close they had become, when had he and Peter gotten so far apart? Bucky had to know Peter's secret, Tony was convinced.
Meanwhile at the other end of the table, Evie had fixed a glare on Steve who blushed slightly and gave a helpless shrug. He was very aware of the source of her anger, and felt quite torn about how to handle it.
"Ah Peter, you have survived the wrath of your fathers and you are in good mettle, yes?" Thor did not help as he settled himself on the other side of Peter.
"Yeah all good, Uncle Thor," Peter replied with a soft grin as he scooped potatoes on his plate.
"Are you all for real? I mean seriously? He strangled another kid- like almost to death and gets off freaking scott free!"
Evie. How your Pops and I handle this is not your concern" Tony said.
"Oh fuck me."
"Evangeline Natasha!" Steve snapped stopping her in her tracks, Evie looked about ready to explode.
"You are unhappy my little warrior, what ails you?" Thor asked, oblivious to the tension.
"Nothing, I am fine. Completely fine," Evie snarled with a tone like ice. She'd given up, although she was very clearly upset.
Morgan came skipping into the dining room beside Nat who was carrying a platter.
"Auntie Nat, sit with me," Evie pleaded, needing some allies against her fathers. Nat and Morgan complied and Evie begrudgingly settled.
Steve was guilt stricken and Tony felt for him, Steve had punished Evie but Peter's behaviour was not just similar but quite honestly worse and the boy had gotten away with no repercussions or so it appeared to their daughter.
Tony wished he could explain but he needed solid proof first. Tonight, tonight he would settle this family business.
