Chapter 13

Still smiling as he headed up to Pepper's office, he felt better after seeing Peter. More reassured in his decision to not reveal Peter's identity as his son. Peter was happy. The way things were, so Tony had to accept that. For Peter.

He stopped in the doorway watching Pepper for a moment. Sitting at her desk, reading a file, her shoes slipped off under her desk.

"Are you going to stand there and stare at me all day? Or are you going to come in so I can kiss you?" Pepper murmured without looking up.

Tony entered, closing the door behind him, tilting his head; "How do you do that?"

As he approached her, she looked up and smiled warmly at him; "It's a skill picked up from being your assistant. Knowing where you are at all times."

"Hmm. Not sure how I feel about that." Tony mused leaning down to kiss her.

Cupping his cheeks she rolled her eyes; "Like you don't track Peter at all times."

"That's different." Tony insisted.

"Whatever you have to tell yourself honey. But I see you are in a good mood. Better than you were earlier. And I didn't have to drag you out of your lab. Could this be due to a certain spider baby by chance?"

"He stopped by earlier." Tony hedged, a broad smile crossing his face; "He had to leave to have dinner with May and Happy."

"Well that's nice."

"Nice he stopped by, or nice he's having dinner with May and Happy?"

"Both I guess." Pepper said leaning forward in her chair crossing her legs as she rested her heads on her hands to look at him; "Are you ok with that?"

"With what?"

"May and Happy?"

Tony frowned, leaning on the edge of the desk. He picked up one of her paperweight and juggled it in his hands; "Why wouldn't I? They seem like a good couple, and we both love Happy. Besides, even if I didn't it's not any of my business who either of them date."

"I mean, they seem to be getting pretty serious now."

"It's only been nine months right?" Tony insisted; "I mean most relationships take a few years before becoming really serious."

"Yeah but there's no timeline on a relationship. Just look at us." She snorted; "How many years did it take you to ask me out?"

Tony looked at her lovingly before he paused; "What are you trying to say?"

"Nothing really. I just want to make sure that you would be ok if things became more serious between them. Like if they moved in together or got married."

Tony just looked at her not following why he wouldn't.

"How it would affect Peter. All of our relationships with him."

Tony finally caught on. May was Peter's aunt but they had a special relationship, she had raised him, more like a mother. If she married Happy, he would become Peter's uncle. But because of how close May and Peter were, it stands to reason Happy and Peter would become pretty close too. Tony was already having to share Peter with May, he would then have to share him with Happy too. For a moment Tony did feel a pang of jealousy at the idea of Happy being like a father to Peter.

He looked at Pepper and sighed wishing she hadn't put that thought in his head.

"Look. I'm not saying that's going to happen." Pepper said quickly seeing his face reaching out to take his hand; "Like you said it's only been nine months. Who knows where their relationship will go. I just...want you to be prepared. You're already dealing with a lot, I didn't want this to suddenly sneak up on you if they do become serious." She looked at him concerned; "I've upset you. Honey...I'm sorry."

"No I'm glad you pointed this out to me." Tony squeezed her hand; "I guess I thought about them maybe getting married one day, but it didn't really click how it might affect us and Peter." Taking a deep breath he closed his eyes; "I had no idea parenting would be so complicated."

"It is when you're co-parenting."

"Feels more like we're a divorced couple fighting over shared custody of Peter."

Pepper smirked; "Well be thankful you're not. May doesn't want to take Peter away from you, she knows he needs you. She's just trying to protect him. We all are."

"I guess...I can't help but wonder. If I wasn't famous and this happened, whether this would even be an issue. If I wasn't rich or famous he would just be living with me. It's all because of the stupid press that I can't be with my son."

"Things will work out Tony." Pepper reached up to cup his cheek; "It may seem hard now, but it'll be ok. We'll figure out a way to make this work."

"Yeah I hope so."

0o0oo0oSPIDERMAN0o0o0oo0

Peter crawled inside his bedroom window, and along the ceiling trying to be quiet. He had to make a pit stop to catch some muggers before heading home. Unfortunately, it made him a little late for dinner. He just hoped May wasn't too mad.

"Peter? Honey that you?" May called.

Peter stilled, how did she always know?

May suddenly opened his bedroom door, and peered around. She frowned and then looked up. Sighing she put her hands on her hips and just sent him a look.

"You're late. And how many times do I have to tell you to not walk across the ceiling? You're all filthy and I'm not cleaning up there."

"I'm sorry." Peter rambled dropping down onto the floor and waved his hands at her; "I was on my way home. But there were these muggers, and they had knives. Some kids were nearby I couldn't just..."

"Just call next time ok." May interrupted rolling her eyes and smiling; "Happy's here so get cleaned up and help me with dinner." She leant in to whisper nervously; "I don't want to burn it this time."

Peter smiled; "I'll be right out."

"Oh yeah did you have fun at your dad's?" May murmured as she was leaving.

"How did...?" Peter looked at her in awe but she just closed the door as she left, leaving him stunned.

He quickly got changed and rushed out to help May with dinner.

"Hey Happy." Peter greeted as he entered the kitchen, seeing Happy helping to lay the dining table as May was fumbling with the stove.

"Hey kid." Happy turned grinning at Peter; "Have fun out there?"

"Yeah thanks stopped a couple of robbers, some muggers, and saved a kid's cat."

"Aw that's great honey." May praised, turning to him pleadingly to help her when something started burning.

Nodding he immediately rushed over to help.

Soon they were sitting down to eat, and as Happy was telling them about his day at SI as head of security, Peter couldn't help but notice the looks Happy and May sent each other, and the hand holding. It was sweet, but a little awkward. His aunt hadn't really dated before for his sake, so it was unusual to see now, but he did want her to be happy. She deserved that.

Peter asked for some more stories about his dad, pre-Iron man, which Happy soon preceded to tell him. Albeit an edited version Peter was sure.

They were having dessert when Peter sensed something was off. Happy and May were acting shifty, looking at each other, and were tense.

It was playing mayhem on his senses; "Alright what's going on?" Peter demanded narrowing his eyes at their deer in the headlights expressions; "Are you forgetting I have heightened senses. It's like an alarm blaring. What aren't you telling me?"

May sighed sharing a look with Happy. They clasped hands, as May turned to Peter reaching for his hand.

"I was waiting for the right time to tell you honey."

"We both were." Happy quickly added.

Peter stilled and frowned looking panicked at May; "You're not...sick or anything are you?" He trailed off panicked.

"Oh no no no." May said and looked at him softly; "It's good news sweetie I promise."

"Oh good." Peter beamed in relief; "So what is it?"

"I just received a new promotion. Nurse manager of the ER."

"Oh May that's amazing!" Peter cheered; "I know how hard you've been working for that."

"Thanks honey. And well that's not all. You know Happy has been over a lot more."

Peter just nodded waiting for her continue.

"Well we've been talking." May paused to look at Happy with a nervous but excited smile before back to Peter; "And we've decided to move in together."

It felt like his brain crashed for a moment, like a computer overload and shut down. He blinked and shook his head.

"Sorry?"

"We want to move in together." May said again; "We've become pretty close and things are progressing, we feel it's time."

That's what he thought she said.

Peter blinked looking between the two of them still trying to process the information. Then he looked at the apartment; "Here?" He frowned. It wasn't a big apartment. Hell, he and May sometimes felt a little cramped.

"It's a little cramped here." Happy said as if reading his mind; "And with the money I earn from your dad, your aunt's new promotion. We can afford to get a house. Big enough for all of us."

"There's quite a few houses close to your dad's place that we've been looking at. We thought you'd want to be closer to him if we moved. And well with my new job, I might be working longer hours or more days, so I would be reassured if you can visit him more." May grinned at him; "You'd like that wouldn't you honey?"

"We know it's a lot to take in." Happy said quickly seeing Peter's face; "And we agreed that if you have any issues with it all we won't do it. I don't want to upset your relationship with your aunt, this is your home. If you don't want to move, then that's ok."

"And if you need time to think about it." May added nodding; "That's fine too."

"No." Peter said quickly leaning forward. May stilled saddened by his answer; "I don't need to think about it. I think it's great." He smiled.

May paused looking surprised at Happy.

"You do?" Happy said raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah I mean you both seem really happy, and we have lots of fun." Peter looked around the apartment shrugging; "Home isn't where you live, it's the people you're with that make it home." A part of him was going to miss the apartment, he'd grown up with May here. Just the two of them, there were a lot of memories here. Most were good, but there were also some bad ones. When they were low on money, and had the electricity or heating cut off, or May having to work extra shifts and being exhausted. It wasn't a luxurious apartment but it had been enough. He couldn't say he wasn't excited at the idea of moving to a house, a nicer, bigger, safer house. Especially one closer to his dad. He liked that part a lot. And well, he'd already moved a few times from his parents house when they passed away, to Ben's house until he died, he moved a lot as a kid. It wasn't really that big a deal. As long as he had May. But most of all he liked that Happy could look after May, he'd watched the way Happy had been there for May when she had late or tough shifts, or when she wasn't feeling great. He could be going off to college soon, and May would be left alone. Knowing that Happy would be there for her, it was nice to see that there was someone else in the world who cared for May as much as he did.

"So you're really ok with this honey?" May prompted studying him intently; "Because if you need some more time.."

"It's fine May." Peter squeezed her hand, smiling at her; "I'm happy for you both."

May's eyes watered, and she rushed to pull Peter into a hug; "I love you honey."

"Love you too May."

That evening as the three of them were sitting on the sofa watching TV, Peter looked at May and Happy, huddled up one end of the sofa, fast asleep in each others arms, smiles on their faces. It made him smile. He laid a blanket over the two of them, and headed to bed.

As he was texting Ned, and having a scroll through the latest news about Spider Man, he had a text from his dad saying goodnight. And another from his mom.

Peter could only grin, feeling so lucky. He was loved by so many people. His parents, his aunt, Happy, his friends, Ned, and MJ, hell he even had FRIDAY, Karen, and the Avengers. Peter didn't feel so alone anymore. He had a real family who were there for him.

0o0oooSPIDERMAN0o0oo0o0o

A few days later, Peter was having a sleepover at Ned's, whilst May and Happy had dinner with Pepper and Tony. Peter assumed it was just an adult couple dinner thing, having no idea they were really meeting to talk about him.

Ned's dad had bought this new Lego Harry Potter Knight bus set, and they were in the process of building it. In their pyjamas, with the pieces scattered all around them, the Star Wars movies playing in the background.

"So Mr Hogan and your Aunt are moving in together?" Ned whistled, his eyes wide, and Peter smirked watching as Ned's mind was blown. Even now Ned still got star struck that Peter was Tony Stark's son. In a way Peter was kind of used to it now. But sometimes it suddenly hit him, and was a little overwhelming. Like his dad was Tony frickin Stark. How was someone supposed to live up to that? His dad had already graduated MIT at 17, and built things, done things, and Peter...Peter hadn't done anything. Except become Spider Man. And that was only because he had been bitten by a freaky spider. He felt a bit like a fraud sometimes around his dad. Like he didn't deserve to be a Stark. But he was trying to make himself worthy. Maybe one day he would be.

"Dude! That's like the coolest thing ever!" Ned continued and Peter was dragged from his musings; "I mean you're Tony Stark's son, his bodyguard and head of security is dating your aunt, and you're Spider Man! It's like..." Ned raised his hands unable to speak; "It's like Star Wars man."

Peter snorted; "Yeah right I'm just like Luke Skywalker, and my dad is Darth Vader. I don't think my dad would like to hear that very much."

Ned looked scared for a second but then rolled his eyes; "I didn't mean like that. But it's pretty cool you have to admit."

"It's just nice to see May so happy. I know she's sacrificed a lot for me over the years, and if she wants to be with Happy. I'm not going to get in the way of that."

Ned paused to study him; "You are ok with it right?"

"Yeah of course." Peter replied smiling. Ned nodded pleased turning back to look at the instruction book as he was searching for the next pieces.

And Peter paused for a moment. A moment of doubt hitting him. He was happy for his aunt, he didn't have a problem with May and Happy moving in together. Or him living with them. He liked Happy.

But...

In the back of the head, he couldn't help but feel a little scared though. Because May and Happy moving in together meant they were becoming very serious, and one day they might get married, and eventually want kids...Secretly, he felt a little jealous about the idea of May and Happy having kids one day. Because then May will have her own children, and won't want to be there for him anymore. He'll be older by then, maybe in college, and they'll forget all about him, living their own lives. Then there was his parents. He was a secret to the world. If they had kids one day, the world would see them as the first Stark baby, there would be photos of them as a family, and he won't be there. Because he wasn't a real Stark. It's like he didn't quite fit in with his mom and dad's world, and he didn't quite fit in with his aunt and Happy's world. Maybe he didn't fit in anywhere.

That thought had been hanging over him ever since finding out about his dad, but he had been able to push it deep down and ignore it. May and Happy just brought it all back. "Hey can you pass me that piece?" Ned murmured interrupting Peter's thoughts.

Smiling, Peter turned his attention back to having fun with his best friend. Immediately locking those feelings back in a box where he wouldn't have to deal with them. It was better that way.

0o0oo0SPIDERMAN0o0o0oo0o0

At the Stark House, Tony and Pepper were sitting opposite May and Happy having dinner. After that first night of them having these double dates, when Tony confronted May about being Peter's father, this had become a regular occurrence. Tony enjoyed it because he could be himself around them. Most people saw dollar signs when they saw Tony, or his former playboy self, there wasn't a lot of people who saw Tony. Who actually treated him like a normal person. It helped that he'd known Happy for years, and that they were all friends. He knew Pepper enjoyed hanging out with another couple too.

Tony was a little nervous about this one though, waiting for the other shoe to drop. The reason for this dinner. Peter.

As they were having desert, May took Happy's hand and looked at Tony and Pepper a little nervously for a moment; "So I guess we can't put this off any longer. You both wanted to talk about Peter's living situation."

Pepper looked at Tony, and reached over to take his hand in both of hers for support. With whatever he chose to say. She knew he had been struggling with what was best for Peter, but more than anything that he wanted Peter here. She did as well. But this was Tony's choice.

Tony saw his chance and was about to proclaim he wanted Peter to live with him, when he stopped himself. In that moment he realised he couldn't do that, to Peter or May. And he found himself at a loss for words.

Concerned, Pepper looked at May and Happy sheepishly, and turned to them instead; "Um well the thing is, this 4 day weekly visits is not really working. For any of us I think." Pepper said instead; "Tony. And I. Really miss Peter when he leaves for a few days, as I'm sure you do when he's with us." She hedged.

May sighed and nodded; "It had seemed like a good idea at the time, so we could all spend time with him. But I realise now maybe it's not. I miss Peter like crazy when he's gone for a few days. And I've seen how the back and forth has been impacting Peter. He hasn't said anything, but it's tiring him out, and he's struggling with missing both of us when he's at the other's home, just like us." She paused to look at Happy before at Tony; "He's your son and I know this is a strange situation for all of us. A son should be with his father, his parents. And I don't want to keep Peter from you."

Tony felt some hope rising.

"I just...I only want to protect him." She shook her head; "If he moves in here, the truth will come out. I fear what will happen when it does. How it will affect him. That's all. But he is your son. And we are co-parenting here." She smirked; "So if you want him to move in, if you want to announce him to the world," She sighed nodding; "We can work something out."

Tony was stunned for a moment. He hadn't expected May to be so agreeable about this. From what Pepper said she was adamant about keeping him a secret.

"I do want him here." Tony voiced softly; "I hate not seeing him every day. I've missed so much of his life, I don't want to miss anymore. I love him more than anything in this world. I don't want to see him hurt. Which is why, I agree with you." He said with a heavy heart, clinging to Pepper like a life sign as he finished; "Revealing Peter will just hurt him. I can't do that to him. I won't. He comes first. So, if that means I can't have him here, then," He gulped looking down; "I can wait until he's maybe 18. Where he can decide for himself what he wants."

May blinked stunned as she looked at them both, and then at Happy.

"That's...a very mature decision Tony."

Tony smirked speaking dryly; "Guess the kids rubbing off on me."

Pepper smiled proudly at Tony, rubbing his arm. But May could see the sadness in their eyes. They loved Peter, they wanted to be his parents, May hated to keep that from them, but was pleased with their decision. Peter wasn't ready to deal with the press hounding him, dragging him through the mud. He was just a kid.

Then May turned to Happy who nodded.

"Just because he can't live here right now, doesn't mean you can't see him every day." May continued softly.

"May and I have been talking about a better solution." Happy offered; "And after making sure Peter was ok with it, May has agreed to move in with me." He finished grinning.

Pepper's eyes widened; "Oh wow." She grinned; "That's amazing. Congratulations."

"You haven't heard the best part." May said meeting Tony's eyes; "We've been looking at houses closer to you. So Peter can visit you whenever he wants, every day if possible."

Tony stilled, and a smile finally broke across his face, imagining Peter just down the street, rather than all the way across town; "Really?"

"I've recently got a new promotion with a much better salary, and with the generous salary you pay Happy, we can afford something better. Now the job will mean I might have to work longer hours, sometimes. My hope is that if I do, that Peter can come and visit, or stay with you. And he won't have to travel far. I was thinking that instead of four day weeks, we try to find a way for us all to atleast see him every day. Even if it's only for a little while. What do you think?"

"It sounds like a wonderful idea." Pepper said first grinning at Tony and then reaching across to take May's hand; "We're so happy for you both."

"Thanks Pepper." Happy said smiling, and leant over to kiss May.

"Tony?" May looked at him nervously.

Blinking Tony nodded smiling; "Yes yeah congratulations. Like Pep said, it's a great idea. And you know I could always see about getting the house next door or opposite if you wanted." Tony was instantly liking this idea.

"Tony." Pepper warned squeezing his arm looking sheepishly at May and Happy; "I don't think they were thinking that close." She said laughing nervously; "And I'm sure they can pick their own house."

"Oh." Tony deflated; "Right."

May chuckled though; "Your advice and opinions are greatly appreciated though."

"So Peter's ok with this?" Tony asked suddenly realising something. Did May mention to Peter about not revealing his identity? Does Peter not want to live with him? The thought of that hurt. A lot; "What exactly did you say to him?"

May paused and her eyes widened, reaching a hand across the table; "Oh no no. I didn't mention anything about the press or revealing him as your son to the press. Only about moving closer to you. He was overjoyed about the idea, to be able to see you more." May finished looking at him softly; "He needs his father. And I wish things were different. That he could just be with you. Maybe we wait until he's 18, or maybe we can figure something else sooner. But in the meantime, atleast this is a better solution."

Tony happily agreed. He wished Peter could just move in. He had considered just having him move in and keep it secret, but it doubtful they could for long. The school would need to know, and one of them would probably blab. This way, atleast Tony could see his son every day, that's all that mattered. Just because the world didn't know Tony was Peter's father, didn't mean he wasn't. He was his dad in every way that counted.