Chapter 14

The move happened pretty quickly, once Tony got involved. Wanting his son closer, as fast as possible.

As much as Tony wanted them next door, or across the road, May and Happy picked a house down the street. It was still really close. With Peter's powers, and Tony's suits, they could visit each other in under five minutes.

Peter loved the house. It was in sharp contrast to their tiny Queens apartment. It was a huge three bedroom house. Well really four, because as soon as Peter saw the large converted attic, he decided that was his room. Tony made jokes that it was because of the large window in the roof, that made it easier for Peter to climb out and escape. Peter denied it, but that may have been partly it.

The house was pretty amazing.

It even had a large driveway, a white picket fence, and a large back garden.

On the ground floor was a large kitchen and dining room, a living room, a study, and another room which Happy and Tony deemed was going to be a game's room for them all. Much to the eye roll and sighing of Pepper and May. Peter loved everything about it. Especially how much May loved it.

Peter just loved how close it was to his mom and dad's place. Climbing out the window a few times of an evening, he made it to their place and was able to hang out for dinner and a few movies, before heading back to sleep in his bed at May and Happy's. He could see his dad and May every day. It was almost perfect.

Almost.

Peter couldn't deny the nagging feeling he felt that he wasn't actually living at either house, but a guest. Both was his home, and yet also neither was. Having two homes? It just felt weird. Like he didn't deserve either as much as he tried. But his dad and aunt were so happy. He ignored his feelings to relish in the happiness too. As long as it would last.

0o0o0oooSPIDERMAN0o0o0oo0o

Finally, Halloween rolled around.

Peter didn't think much of it. It was more a kid's holiday. May tended to work that day, because well hospitals were busy over Halloween with drunk stupid people. So he was used to not doing anything.

Now with her new job, she was managing nurses under her, so she had a lot of paperwork and had to work more shifts. She was busier. Peter still popped in to see her at the hospital and saw her in the evening when he was coming off patrol, and after visiting his dad. She had every other weekend off which Peter loved, being able to spend whole days with her. But when Halloween rolled this year, Peter thought nothing of it. Ned was going trick or tricking with his family. And Peter was sure his dad did not do anything for Halloween. He was Tony Stark, he wasn't exactly going to go trick or treating.

But a part of Peter was a little disappointed this year. Because he had a dad now, and yet too old to go trick or treating or anything fun on Halloween. He'd missed out on carving pumpkins, and dressing up with his dad. Hearing all the other kids at school speaking about the parties, or fun stuff they were doing with their families. Well it hurt a little.

"So what are you doing with your dad?" Ned had asked him over lunch at school a week before Halloween.

"Nothing." Peter shrugged.

"Nothing?" Ned frowned and gasped in horror; "But...why not? I mean I know May has to work, and you haven't been able to for a while. But you have your dad now, and your mom. And he's so cool. Why wouldn't you do something fun?"

"Because I'm sure he doesn't celebrate Halloween." Peter snapped; "It's a kid's holiday. Anyway I don't care."

Ned narrowed his eyes at Peter; "If you want to do something with him, just ask. I'm sure he'd be cool with it."

Peter knew Ned was probably right. His dad kept emphasising to him that he could talk to him about anything. Still Peter held back, he wasn't sure why.

o0o0o0o0ooSPIDERMAN0o0o00o0

So when Peter was hanging out at his dad's house that Friday afternoon. He didn't expect his dad to be the one to bring it up.

Feeling a little stressed, Peter climbed onto the living room ceiling. He found it oddly comforting and soothing to hang upside down on the ceiling, he wasn't sure why. But hey embracing the Spider Man inside.

Hanging upside down in the corner, his hood up, headphones in with music blaring, Peter tried to do his homework. But he couldn't help but feel a little sad about Halloween. His mom had asked what was wrong when he got home as if she just knew, he shrugged it off, especially when he learnt his dad was held up at a meeting at the Tower. They were busy people, they probably didn't have time to celebrate Halloween.

Pepper was reading a book on the sofa, wanting to keep a close eye on Peter. She heard the door open, and Tony announcing he was home.

"Hey honey." Pepper said closing the book, smiling warmly at him as he walked into the living room; "How was the meeting?"

"Ugh." Tony rolled his eyes; "Bunch of idiots."

Snorting Pepper reopened her book; "So it went well then."

He just grinned at her, moving over to kiss her.

"So where's the kid?" Tony looked around curiously; "We need to get going before the place shuts."

Pepper merely pointed up into the corner ceiling.

He looked at her for a moment before following where she was pointing. Starting a little at seeing Peter. He knew Peter was Spider Man, but it was still weird seeing him hanging upside down without even having to hold onto anything.

"Peter? Hey kid? What are you doing up there?"

Peter didn't answer, and Tony looked confused at Pepper.

She gave him a soft look as she glanced at Peter shrugging; "He says it's comforting being up there." Then she added quieter; "He seemed a little down when he got home. Wouldn't tell me what it was about. Maybe you can get through to him."

Tony paused; "So you didn't tell him?"

Pepper shook her head; "I was waiting for you. Thought you wanted it to be a surprise."

Tony nodded, squeezing her hand. Then he stood to turn to Peter walking over until he was underneath him. Sighing he put his hands on his hips, as Pepper set her book down amused.

"Underoos?!" Tony called loudly, still no response. That's when he saw the noise cancelling headphones.

"FRIDAY. Can you patch me through to the kid?"

"Affirmative."

Peter's music suddenly stopped and he frowned.

"Hey kid."

Peter paused and then he craned he head and looked up, or down as the case may be.

His dad waved at him.

Sheepishly Peter pulled the headphones out of his ears; "Hey dad."

"Hey buddy." Tony replied bemused; "Sorry. I have to ask. What the hell are you doing up there?"

Peter shrugged; "I like it up here. It's part of the whole Spider thing. It's soothing hanging upside down in high places."

"Hmm. Well you want to come down for me bud? It's making me a little nauseas talking to you up there."

Smirking, Peter nodding holding onto his books with one hand as he jumped down and landed perfectly on the ground in front of his dad.

"That's better." Tony grinned, pulling Peter into a hug.

"So how was school spider baby?"

Peter just shrugged; "The usual."

Tony raised an eyebrow, not sure whether that was good or bad.

"Want to expand on that?" Tony murmured holding him by the shoulders, forcing him to look at him.

"Not much to say. So are we going to hang out in the lab now?"

"Actually." Tony looked at Pepper who was smiling; "We have a surprise for you. Come on." He took the books from Peter, setting them down on the table by the sofa, and then slung an arm around Peter to guide him to the door.

"Where are we going?" Peter asked looking at his dad. Pepper following behind them, grabbing her jacket, purse and shoes.

"Uh uh. Surprise kid." Tony grinned as the three of them got into one of Tony's fancy cars. Peter in the backseat.

They drove in silence for a little while as Peter looked out the window trying to figure out where they were going.

"So?" Tony murmured.

Peter jumped and looked startled at his dad; "So what?"

"So are you going to tell us what's wrong or are we going to play twenty questions?"

Peter's eyes became a deer in the headlights; "What...nothing's wrong." He chuckled nervously.

Pepper and Tony shared a look.

"You're a terrible liar kid." Tony snorted.

"Honey," Pepper turned in her seat to face him; "You can talk to us you know."

"Yeah I thought we already had this conversation about you telling me what's going on in that head of yours." Tony prompted. He hated that Peter still struggled to talk to him, bottling stuff up. It made him wonder what else Peter wasn't telling him.

"Did something happen at school?" Pepper murmured studying his face.

Tony clenched the wheel looking in the rear-view at Peter; "Did some punk kids say something to you? Because you tell me who they are and I'll..."

"No dad!" Peter rolled his eyes. Yes he was lying, but he wasn't going to tell his dad about Flash. He'd probably end up going after him in his suit, and god knows what would happen. It would just make things worse. Peter could handle it. It wasn't a big deal.

Tony narrowed his eyes sceptically.

"Alright well if you don't tell us what's going on, I'll pull over this car and we'll just sit by the curb until you do. Then you won't get your surprise."

Peter huffed as he looked at his parents, he knew he did was serious about doing that.

"It's nothing really. It's just...my stupid feelings."

Tony braked hard, and pulled the car over so fast, Peter could barely process what was happening. Then Tony was leaning around his seat to look intently at Peter.

"Don't do that buddy. Don't say your feelings are stupid. They're not! They're important."

"But it's silly. It doesn't even matter." Peter looked down at his hands blushing, this whole thing had blown way out of proportion now.

"It clearly matters to you." Pepper reasoned; "So it matters to us."

Peter hesitated, realising he had to tell them. But wasn't sure how to word it.

God, Tony thought, getting Peter to open up was like trying to peel a rock.

"I'm just a little sad and disappointed ok."

Progress.

"About what?" Tony prompted.

"Halloween."

"Halloween." His dad repeated raising an eyebrow, and then realisation hit. He looked at Pepper feeling a bit stupid for not seeing it sooner.

"I mean I know I'm not a kid anymore, and May usually has to work on Halloween, so I'm used to not doing anything. But I thought maybe we could do something. Of course, you probably don't celebrate Halloween, so that's why it's silly. It doesn't matter. Forget I said anything."

"Oh Peter." Pepper sighed fondly; "You are still a kid. And even if you weren't, anyone can celebrate Halloween."

"And for your information," Tony continued animatedly; "Halloween happens to be my favourite holiday."

Peter narrowed his eyes at his dad, assuming he was just humouring him.

"He's telling the truth Peter." Pepper said chuckling; "He's like a kid himself when it comes to Halloween. It's quite amusing."

"Hey!" Tony mocked glared at her.

"What about Christmas?" Peter said tilting his head, a small smile gracing his face.

"I love Christmas too," Tony hedged before scrunching his face up; "Just not the build up. The whole thing of people going crazy shopping, and getting all stressed. So overrated."

"Tony shops online. Safer for everyone that way." Pepper said scoffing; "After he got banned from one store for life."

"No I chose not to return. There's a difference."

"Why were you banned?"

"He knocked over a display dummy..."

"That wasn't my fault. That baby shop assistant was being snarky. I merely gestured, knocking into the dummy. It fell onto one of the glass display cases and there was screaming. They thought I was robbing the place." Tony rolled his eyes; "People can be so judgy. It all worked out."

"You mean I fixed it." Pepper challenged smirking.

"Anyway." Tony said pointedly looking back at Peter; "Nice try kid trying to change the subject. Back to you. Why didn't you just tell us you wanted to celebrate Halloween?" May had mentioned to Tony quite emphatically that she didn't want Peter left alone for Halloween. Peter didn't say anything but he could tell, he was sad about her having to work over Halloween. Tony should have put it all together sooner.

"Didn't think you would want to, and I didn't want you to do it just for me." Peter mumbled shyly in a shrug.

Tony rolled his eyes; "Kid when will you realise we would do anything for you. You wanted to celebrate Christmas all year long I'd do it. I'd even wear a Christmas hat all year to make you happy."

Peter chuckled at the image, and it was like music to Tony's ears.

"Why do you love Halloween so much?" Peter asked curiously.

"What's not to love?" Tony shrugged grinning; "Dressing up as whoever and whatever you want, going round to different houses getting loads of free candy and money, scary decorations, pumpkins carvings..." He sighed in contentment; "Which brings me to your surprise."

Tony turned back to start the car and sped back off down the road. Peter tilted his head intrigued and a little excited now. It didn't take much work to realise that the surprise was Halloween related. That's when it clicked his parents were going to celebrate anyway, and were taking him somewhere Halloweeny even before he asked to celebrate. It made him really happy to know that.

Suddenly, they were pulling up at a large Halloween pop up store. Peter pressed his face against the window gasping. He'd never actually been to one, and was practically bouncing in his seat. He knew they did decorations, costumes, anything and everything Halloween related.

Tony chuckled pleased to see Peter cheering up; "So what do you think kid?"

"Are we buying some decorations?" Peter asked looking at his parents.

"Some?" Tony snorted; "Try loads. We're going to deck out the whole house, and yard, so we can get whatever you want. Go mad."

Peter's eyes lip up excitedly. But then he stopped himself, looking fearfully at the store.

"Is this ok though?" He asked quietly; "Being seen together?" He immediately regretted his words, and looked down blushing.

"It's ok bud." Tony said softly, slipping a baseball cup on his head and then some sunglasses; "I'm going incognito." Pepper then slipped some sunglasses on as well, pulling her hair into a ponytail to hide her identity as well.

"Don't worry honey it's just so we can be ourselves without anyone bothering us." Pepper reassured Peter seeing his hesitation. The last thing they needed was the press following them whilst they were trying to have fun with Peter.

Peter just nodded trying not to let it bother him. He would rather be able to hang out with his parents under the radar, so this was better. Wasn't it? He had to ignore a small thought that his parents just didn't want to be seen with him because that had to be a lie. It had to.

As they headed inside, Tony wrapped an arm around Peter, talking animatedly about his Halloweens as a kid. Dressing up with Jarvis going trick or treating, decorating the house, despite how much his dad hated it.

Peter felt better once they got inside, blown away by all the amazing decorations around him. He rushed from aisle to aisle, his parents trailing behind, as he looked in awe at everything. He wanted to get all of it, but knew that was just impossible. Well actually knowing his dad, he would eagerly buy everything in the whole store if Peter wanted him to.

Looking at a large light up skeleton, Peter was admiring it when his mom and dad approached pushing a large cart, already full of a range of decorations.

"You like that bud? What do you think Pep?" Tony said tilting his head at the skeleton and nodded happily.

"Two or three maybe?" Pepper confirmed.

Peter just looked at them baffled; "You're getting all this?"

Tony just sent him a look as if to say 'duh'; "I told you Underoos we can get whatever you want. Go mad." Then he looked over Peter's shoulder; "Oo." And he rushed off.

Pepper just chuckled reaching over to ruffle Peter's hair; "I told you he loves Halloween. Sorry if it's a little overwhelming. You don't have to choose anything if you don't want to," Wrapping an arm around him, she looked over as Tony was heading over pushing another cart already half full with stuff and snorted; "I think your dad's going to get enough stuff as it is. Just try to have some fun sweetie." She kissed the top of his head and it made Peter feel better. It was just a little bit of a shock, he and May had to really think about what they were buying and how much they were spending, it just reminded him how his dad was worth billions of dollars! And Peter, he was worth hardly anything. Certainly a sharp contrast.

"Hey kid check this out!" Tony called and he turned his head instantly breaking into a grin. His dad was holding up a giant spider in front of his face, waving the legs and groaning menacingly; "A relative of yours? What do you think, want a hug?" He rushed over and tried to hug Peter with the eight legs.

Peter burst out laughing, batting him away; "Dad!" He complained but secretly loved it. All his fears instantly melting away.

Lowering the spider, Tony beamed; "Want one?"

Peter inspected the large spider and smiled broadly excited; "Can we get a couple?"

"Sure buddy!" Tony said grinning wider clapping Peter on the back; "Come on, we still have the rest of the store to check out! Who knows what else we might find lurking down the aisles."

0o0o0oSPIDERMAN0o0o0o0

They spent a few hours in the store, intently looking down every aisle at everything.

In they end they probably did buy half the store. From outside light up animatronics, from skeletons, spiders, and gravestones, to inside decorations or bunting, paper lanterns, toy bats, cats, pumpkins, webbing, fakes leaves to go on the floor and on tables and stuff. Tony even secretly bought some fake hands to hide around the house and scare Pepper with, which Peter enjoyed being a part of.

Of course they couldn't fit it all in Tony's compact flashy car, so they were going to have it delivered. Tony paid enough to have it sent over that day. Promising Peter they could spent the rest of the day decorating.

Peter was overjoyed, he'd had so much fun with his parents picking everything out. He was still on a high grinning, when he realised his dad was stopping again on the way home.

Frowning, he looked around realising they were out of the city and somewhere more woodland.

"Where are we?"

"Part 2 of your surprise." Tony said looking back to grin at Peter. To Peter's shock, his dad pulled off the hat and sunglasses as he got out the car. No longer hiding his identity.

Curiously, Peter climbed out the car with them. And looked around in wonder.

They were at a pumpkin patch, surrounded by all different size and shaped pumpkins. And whilst there were a few couples and families milling about, it was fairly quiet. Now he understood why his parents didn't feel they had to go incognito.

"We get to pick some pumpkins?" Peter looked at his dad excited.

Tony simply pulled Peter into a side hug; "Of course bud. Pumpkin carving is an essential part of celebrating Halloween."

"So I can pick my own?"

"You bet spider baby." Tony murmured ruffling his hair; "We're all going to pick one. And we gotta try to find the best ones. You want to help me out?"

Peter nodded eagerly.

The three of them set off inspecting all the pumpkins, staying close to each other to debate the best ones.

Pepper paused to take some pictures and videos of Tony and Peter when they started bantering over a couple of pumpkins they were looking at, and were playfully shoving and hugging each other. She was really happy that Peter was having some fun, considering how down he was earlier. Both her and Tony wanted to make Halloween special for Peter, knowing how he hadn't really been able to do anything since he was a kid. And well considering this was their first Halloween together as a family, as parents, Tony wanted to go all out.

"Hey mom what do you think of this one?"

She blinked and smiled amused seeing Peter carrying the biggest pumpkin she'd ever seen, juggling it like a tennis ball. Tony ruffled his hair proudly.

"Wow! That looks like quite the pumpkin honey." Pepper said chuckling as she headed over.

"Yeah I think we have a winner." Tony held out his hand; "Here. I'll take that and make sure no one steals it, you help me and your mom find ours."

"Oh ok." Peter handed it over to him, forgetting that thanks to his spider DNA he could carry heavy objects without noticing.

"Be careful..." Pepper tried to warn but it was too late.

"Oof." Tony said instantly dropping the pumpkin to the ground, his eyes widening as it felt like his arms were almost ripped from his sockets in shock.

"Oops." Peter said sheepishly; "Sorry. Forgot my own strength. I'll get it." Amused he went to pick it up.

"No no." Tony insisted waving him off; "Your dad isn't as weak as he looks."

"Tony." Pepper rolled her eyes; "Don't hurt yourself. Just let him carry it."

"I got it." Tony grunted as he used all his strength to lift it, stumbling as he finally lifted it. Peter reached out to steady him and take it; "I'll...take it to the car..it's fine...Just carry on.." He panted managing to take a few steps away.

Pepper watched him chuckling, and shaking her head knowingly.

Tony waited until he was out of range and then told FRIDAY to activate his gauntlets. Instantly the weight lessened and he was able get the pumpkin to the car, telling the owner they were going to get a couple more as well.

When he finished, he leant against the car to get his breath back. Damn he sometimes forgot how enhanced Peter was. He was stronger than any other person, right up there with Banner and Rogers. He'd gotten used to seeing Peter as his kid, his son, it seemed surreal to think that Peter was more like an Avenger than a normal kid. A superhero. But Tony was going to make sure Peter had a normal childhood, he deserved that.

Rushing back to his family, he found Pepper and Peter inspecting a few more pumpkins.

He crept closer trying to sneak up on them smirking. Of course Peter sensed him and turned his head instantly.

Tony just put his finger to his lips, and Peter smiled broadly.

"Gotcha!" Tony yelled grabbing Pepper around the waist.

She jumped and let out a small yelp, whipping around to glare; "Tony!" She whacked him on the arm, pretty hard actually; "How many times have I told you not to do that? It's not funny." But she was smiling lovingly.

"Sorry honey. Let me make it up to you." He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her into a deep kiss.

She let him and punched him again playfully as he was pulling back; "I won't forget this Mr Stark. How's your back?" She said raising an eyebrow wickedly.

"Perfectly fine thank you." Tony just grinned, wrapping an arm around her waist to tug her to his side, kissing her cheek. She melted into his grip instantly, filled with love.

Peter watched the encounter smiling, it was nice to see them acting like a normal couple and so in love.

"So did you two find some more pumpkins?"

Pepper glared at him, but rolled her eyes as she looked at Peter; "We did actually."

Peter stepped aside to let his dad see and pointed at the two large pumpkins on the ground; "These ok dad?"

"Perfect buddy. Good work."

This time, Tony relented and let Peter carry the two pumpkins to the car. They loaded them in, and Tony closed the trunk and turned. Immediately finding a spider baby accosting him.

"Woah hey bud." Tony smiled warmly hugging Peter back.

"Today was awesome! Thanks dad!"

"Your welcome kid. But it's not over yet. What do you say we go home, warm up with some cocoa and a movie? Then do the pumpkins and decorating this weekend?"

"Yeah!" Peter agreed enthusiastically.

"Good. Come on spider baby. Let's go home."