Peter:
The ride home had been mostly quiet, aside from a few comments here and there and Peter continuously sniffing. By the time they had arrived back at the compound it was dark outside, and Peter had nearly fallen asleep.
At some point during the ride, a window had been rolled down and was now letting in a soft breeze that flowed gently across Peter's face, relaxing him even more. Between Tony running a comforting hand through his hair and the wind pleasantly caressing his cheeks, it had become harder and harder to keep his heavy eyes open.
However, he could tell Tony wanted to talk when they got out and he needed to be awake for that.
And sure enough, as the car stopped, and they all filed out and into the elevator, Tony wrapped an arm around Peter's shoulder and pulled him away from the others. But not before Clint and the others could give reassuring smiles, worry still quite visible.
Peter realized that they probably had no idea what happened. He was honestly grateful for that. It was bad enough that Mj had witnessed it.
He cringed at the thought of having to see her again. It would be so incredibly embarrassing. She probably thought he was a complete freak! He had totally flipped out, there was no coming back from this. He ruined their date. All hopes of turning the friendship they had into something more were gone.
Everything was ruined.
Peter's heart sank as he thought more and more about this. He wished so badly that he stayed home, that he never lied to Tony, so he didn't have to ask Mj out. He clearly wasn't ready for that and now he had completely embarrassed himself.
Tears pricked at his eyes, but he didn't dare let them fall. Mj already thought he was a big baby and it was only a matter of time before Tony did too. That is, if he didn't already.
Everyone else had exited the elevator, all heading for their respective rooms, but Tony kept Peter back.
''Hang on. I wanna talk to you.''
Peter just nodded and watched as Tony pressed a button on the wall, the elevator immediately lifting.
Their floor was just one above this one.
Their floor. Since when had it become their floor? He had been living there for a little over a month, but it always felt like he was only staying there. When did that change?
His thoughts were put on pause as the elevator dinged and came to a sudden stop. They stepped out, heading straight for the lounge. That seemed like the right place to talk right?
Peter sat down on the couch, folding his hands together and biting his bottom lip nervously.
Tony took a seat next to him. ''What happened Peter?''
''What do you mean?'' Wasn't it obvious? He flipped out, ruined the date and embarrassed himself forever.
''The first time you, freaked out like this, was after a dream. The second time was well, with good reason, Peter there's always been some sort of trigger. Did something happen at the restaurant?''
Yes. ''No.''
Tony looked at him with a mix of concern and skepticism. ''No? You just freaked out?''
Peter swallowed heavily, willing the tears to stay back. He hated the way Tony said, ''freaked out.'' It made him sound like even more of a baby.
''Kid, I can't help you if you don't talk to me. And, I,'' Tony paused, running a hand over his tired face. ''I really want to help you. Can you just tell me what happened?''
Peter sighed, careful to maintain a steady voice while answering, '' She invited me to a party. For the fourth of July. Which is fine, it was fine, until she mentioned a bonfire.''
Tony gave him a knowing look, immediately understanding. ''Aw Peter-''
''It's stupid!'' He interrupted. ''She didn't say, or, or do anything wrong. It's just the word fire, it just kept repeating over and over in my head. And then there was smoke in the kitchens and, and ugh!'' He grunted in frustration as the tears he had been fighting so hard to keep down were now making their way down his face.
''Hey, it's not stupid.''
''Yes, it is! I'm almost sixteen, and here I am crying on the couch because I had some psychotic episode in the middle of a restaurant and ruined my date. Mj probably thinks I'm some sort of freak, and maybe she's right. I mean you said it yourself, I've been freaking out all Summer.''
''That is not what I said Pete,''
''No it's exactly what you said.''
''Okay, maybe but you know what I meant.''
''I do? Because when you say it like that, it sounds like I'm some sort of toddler throwing a fit over nothing.''
''Well, maybe I could've worded that better,'' Tony replied after thinking for a minute. ''It's called a panic attack. And you know why you get them? Because you've been through crap that no kid, heck no adult should even have to go through. Ever. A lot of people, they wouldn't be able to handle this at all.''
Peter gulped, knowing exactly what that meant.
''I know it sucks, and I hate it too kid. But, we're gonna figure it out together okay? If that means getting you someone to talk too then, we can do that too.''
''Someone to talk too. Like, like a therapist? You think I need therapy?''
''It's just an option. You can always talk to me though.''
Peter definitely didn't like the idea of spilling his guts out to some random stranger. '' I don't want a therapist. I just, I want to talk to you.''
It was true... he did want to talk to Tony. So why couldn't he? Well, more like why wouldn't he. Tony was always there to listen, always there to help. He knew that.
He swallowed again, his voice low when he spoke, ''When my parents died, I was sad of course. But I was younger, and less understanding of what had happened. When Ben died... it was different. I had already lost a dad, and Ben was the closest thing I had to one. Course, I never really thought of him as a dad, because... well he was my uncle.''
Peter blushed when he realized he had been rambling again. ''So that was hard. But I got through it, with May. She was always there Tony, even when my parents were around. She took such good care of me, and I just wanted to protect her. I thought I could protect her. But she's gone now and I feel, I feel,''
Tony leaned in, knowing he was so close to getting this out of Peter. ''You feel what Peter?''
''I feel I don't know. Responsible? For everything.''
''Peter, please believe me, this wasn't your fault! Did you pull that trigger? Nope, didn't think so. Did you set that building on fire? Nope. You know whose fault it is? Who you should really be blaming? The idiot who actually did all that. Who by the way, is behind bars right now.''
That was good right? At least he couldn't hurt more people.
''You know, plenty of the avengers have panic attacks.''
''Really?'' Peter tried picturing Steve hyperventilating on the ground with tears streaming down his face. It wasn't easy.
''Yeah, anxiety is kinda part of the whole superhero thing. We've all been through some sort of trauma.''
''The trauma thing makes sense. But you all seem to handle it just fine.''
Tony huffed a laugh. ''You'd be surprised.''
Peter still continued to look at him in disbelief, so Tony stood and walked back to the elevator. ''Come, I'll show you something.''
Peter followed, confused, but didn't ask. He watched as Tony pressed a button on the wall, allowing the elevator to drop, slowly sinking to a lower floor.
He wondered why Tony hadn't just said the floor out loud and had Friday navigate as usual. Perhaps to keep it mysterious or whatever.
After a moment the doors slid open, revealing a whole new floor Peter had never seen.
There was a lounge, much like the one on their floor, but this one seemed fancier. The furniture was placed so perfectly, creating an image quite comparable to one you might find in a magazine.
It was then that Peter was reminded who Tony, the man who he'd been living with all Summer, really was.
He'd grown so comfortable around him lately, or at least more so than he used to be. It felt weird now, to think that this was Tony Stark. The Tony Stark, literal genius, literal Ironman! He was a freaking superhero for gosh sakes.
''W-where are we?'' Peter asked finally, as Tony led him across the lounge room and into a long hallway.
''This, is the Avengers floor. Everything except for rooms are here. Gym, pool room, extra training rooms, theater, kitchens, you name it.''
Peter looked at everything Tony pointed to in awe. ''If there's all these things down here, how come they're always up on your floor?'' He asked, confused. Since the day he arrived, everyone had always been hanging out up there together.
Tony shrugged and looked down at his shoes, still walking. ''Not entirely sure about that one. But, it's not like I can just kick them out.''
Well both Peter and Tony knew that wasn't true. Tony had all the resources he needed to kick any of them out of there if he wanted. If he wanted.
Their walking finally came to a stop as they reached a tall black door. Peter noted that while the other hallways were full of doors, each leading to different rooms, this hallway consisted of only two.
The rooms must be really big, Peter thought.
His theory was confirmed, as Tony pushed the door open, and allowed Peter to step in.
The room was huge. Bigger than any he had seen in the compound. It was full too. The walls were covered in shelves, storage bins littered every corner.
But why would Tony bring him here?
''Each of us here has our own troubles and different ways of dealing with them. You want proof that you're not the only one? Look around.''
Peter peaked curiously at the shelves. He noticed one was full of yoga mats and... meditation tapes? Who could those belong too?
''Bruce,'' Tony said, and Peter wondered for a minute if he had read his mind. Tony cleared his throat and explained, ''He comes down here and does this every day.
Peter couldn't imagine sitting still long enough to finish one of those tapes. As he walked, he noticed more and more interesting things on the shelves, Tony made sure to explain just about all of them.
''Ballet shoes. Those are Nat's. Dancing always calms her down.''
Peter nodded and moved on. Tony continued explaining various objects such as calming oils conducted by Bruce, white noise machines and a stuffed bear that Tony claimed nobody actually used.
''But you can have it!''
Peter smiled. ''I'm too old for stuffies.''
''Clearly not, if you're still calling them stuffies.'' Tony argued playfully.
Shaking his head, Peter continued looking through the shelves. His eyes stopped on a stack of what looked to be sheets. He took a step closer and read a label on the top of the pile.
Waterproof mattress cover.
Why did they need these? He wondered to himself. However, he decided not to ask Tony about that one.
''Wh-what's in that room?'' He asked, pointed through the open door to the room across the hall. The only other one in sight.
''Come here, I'll show you,'' Tony answered with a small smile. Peter thought he saw a flash of excitement in his eyes as they made their way to the other door.
This room was just as big, but had more space, as it was much less full.
A large piano was placed directly in the middle of the room. The walls were even made of a soundproof material.
Tony walked straight up to the piano and sat on the bench.
''Do you play?'' Peter asked, curiously. It was kind of hard to imagine someone like Tony Stark settling down and playing an instrument.
''Just a bit. Come sit.''
''Okay.''
''Alright, what's your favorite song?''
''Oh um. Well, it's not really a piano type of song.''
''Oh, I bet it is. Or close enough anyway. I know you kid,'' Tony grinned.
''Okay, but you can't laugh.''
''No promises.''
''Hey!''
''Alright, alright, just tell me.''
''Can I Be Him, by James Arthur,'' he mumbled.
''Yeah, never heard it kid.''
''Really? I mean, kinda not surprised but. Can I play it? I have it on my phone.''
''Yeah go ahead. I'll try to figure out how to play it for you.''
''Okay!''
...
Tony:
He sat there, hands resting just above the keys, ready to figure this song out. He listened carefully as the music started.
You walked into the room and now my hearts been stolen.
Okay, easy enough so far right?
You took me back in time to when I was unbroken. Now you're all I want, and I knew it from the very first moment.
His hands played through the song easily keeping up, but his brain was focused only on the lyrics. The first line had him remembering the first time he met Peter. He had been sitting on the couch with May when Peter came sliding in, in his socks. Tony failed to not smile instantly at the sight of the curly haired teen vigilante.
And the second line. It was obvious to pretty much everyone that Peter had changed Tony in more ways than one. He was healthier, now that he had a kid to role model for. No matter how stressed he had been, working with Peter in the lab, even before May's death always made him happy.
He thought back to what Clint had heard him say the other day. Hearing this song, only made it clearer. He wanted to officially adopt Peter, he wanted to make Peter his official son, and he wanted to be Peter's official dad.
Soon enough, the song was over, and with the lyrics now drilled into his head, he began to play it. He wasn't sure what exactly possessed him to do it, but he started singing the lyrics, softer at first, but progressively grew louder.
Peter looked up at him with his doe eyes, lips turning up into a sweet smile. He laughed when Tony notably left out the parts about kissing. His face turned to confusion when he realized that Tony was changing the lyrics, to make them about them...
Tony had somehow managed to turn a romance song, into a father son song. His eyes went wide, when the kid sat up and sang the next lyrics. ''Can I be the one you talk about in all your stories?''
The kid's voice had to be the most adorable thing he'd ever heard. He loved it. Tony played the music up until the last few verses, where Peter sang the line once again.
''Can I be the one you talk about in all your stories?''
He wanted so badly to shout out, YES! At this point he wanted more than anything in the world to be this kid's father. Instead he threw his arms around the kid, hugging him tightly. ''I love you more than you can even imagine kiddo.''
''Tony? Can I tell you something?''
''You can tell me anything,'' he answered honestly.
Peter drew in a breath before replying, ''Mj never asked me out.''
Tony released his arms and sat back. ''What?''
''That phone call I got? It wasn't Mj.''
Oh. So, he finally decided to tell the truth.
''I, I didn't want to lie to you. I'm sorry. I just couldn't, I, I felt like I didn't deserve your help. And I knew if I told you, you would help me. You always do.''
''Who called you,'' Tony demanded, getting worried now.
''Um, it was Queens Hospital.''
What? Why would they be calling him? ''What did they say?''
''Um, they told me that I, I need to come up with a plan. For May's body,'' he practically whispered those last two words. But Tony caught them. And he was instantly infuriated.
''What the hell were they thinking? What kind of asshole would call a kid to deal with that?''
''Tony it's fine-''
''No, it's not fine! It's not fine at all, and anyone in their right mind would know that. No offense to you. But I'm serious, I'm your uh ... guardian they call me, not you. No wonder your anxiety's been off the roof! Come on, why don't you go up to bed, or just hang out with Pepper or someone, I'm gonna give them a call.'' And may or may not use some R rated language...
''D-do I have too?''
It took Tony a minute to realize, the kid wanted to stay with him.
Aw...
Maybe the phone call could wait till he was asleep?
''No? I mean I guess not. If you don't want too. Is there something you want to do?'' Tony asked, looking the kid over. He looked pretty tired. Probably wasn't going to last long at whatever he chose to do.
''I don't know,'' he replied honestly, before yawning.
Tony smiled fondly, his rage disappearing for a moment. ''I think you should go to bed bud.''
''Nooo,'' he protested lamely.
''What if, I come sit with you for a little bit? We can talk more if that's what you're wanting to do.''
''Really?''
''Sure! Let's go.''
…...
Peter:
''They gave me two options,'' Peter explained, once he had changed into a more comfortable outfit and gotten into bed. Tony sat next to him, listening. ''They said I could do either cremation or a normal burial. They also said I have only until the end of the week to decide.''
''Yeah, I'm going to have a serious talk with whoever that was. Do you have any idea on what you want to do though? No pressure of course, just wondering.''
''I think, I want to do cremation. It's probably best since I waited so long anyway. And I think, it'll just be easier for me. I mean I already had to see her once. Is that selfish?''
''Not at all kiddo. If that's what you want to do, then that's what we'll do.''
Peter nodded, sinking back into the pillows.
''Is there anything else you want to talk about?''
Peter thought for a minute, running over every horrible event that happened since the phone call in his head. He remembered the date, and how the two had managed to have fun, before the whole panic attack.
''What about Mj?''
''What do you mean?''
Scrunching his face slightly, he tried to figure out how to word this. What would happen to them? He had definitely ruined the date, there was no question about that. But Peter knew Mj, and deep down he knew that she wouldn't think he was a baby. ''I guess, there won't be a second date,'' he chuckled.
''Hey, don't say that.''
There was a quick vibration on the nightstand and Peter knew before picking up the phone. It was Mj.
Hey Peter. I don't really know what happened tonight, but I just hope you're okay. Text me when you can? Just so I know?
His fingers hovered over the small keys. Should he explain what happened? Did he want to? In the end he ended up just texting her a quick, ''I'm fine, sorry about that.''
She replied instantly.
Just like you to apologize for having a panic attack.
I did kinda ruin the date...
No, you didn't! We had plenty of fun before all that.
''That her?''
Peter looked up from the device to face Tony again. ''Oh, yes sorry,'' he answered, feeling a bit guilty. Tony had offered to be there with him, and he just stopped mid conversation to text someone.
''You're fine. What's she saying?''
''Uh just,''
But I was thinking and forgive me if I'm deciding too fast. I just think that since you seem to have a lot going on right now, a girlfriend like me isn't really something you need to add to your plate. And don't worry, it's not you. I kind of feel like I'm just not ready for something like this either.
''She just wants to be friends.''
Tony looked at him, eyes full of sympathy. ''I'm sorry. You okay?''
''Yeah, I'm fine. She's probably right anyway,'' he sighed, as Tony wrapped an arm around him, letting Peter lean into his side. ''I'm really tired.''
''You wanna go to sleep now?''
''Yeah, thanks for staying with me.''
''No problem bud.''
''Oh, and Tony?''
''Yeah?''
''Try not to be too mean to the hospital people.''
''No promises there kid,'' he smirked, before flipping the switch on the bedside lamp.
'''Love you,'' Peter murmured somehow already half asleep.
''Love you too Pete.''
...
(a PG version of Tony's call with the hospital worker)
Tony:
It was probably a good thing he stayed with Peter, for whomever called him's sakes. When Peter first told him of the phone call, he'd been infuriated. He still was, but at least a little cooled down. He at first headed for his bedroom but thought better of it and instead took the elevator to a different floor, where Peter wouldn't be able to hear him.
That floor ended up being the one where everyone else was hanging out. A glance at his phone told him it was only a little past midnight. It was normal for at least one or two of the avengers to stay up the whole night, so he wasn't surprised to see them all up.
''Tony! How's Peter doing?'' Rhode's asked, shooting up from his seat by the large glass window.
''Yeah, what exactly happened?'' Clint asked, looking even more concerned.
Tony walked over, taking Rhodey's seat and looking straight at Clint. He loved how much he cared for the kid. How much they all cared for the kid.
With a final sigh, he explained everything, from the panic attack at the restaurant, to the phone call from the hospital. Everyone, including Wanda, and even Pepper were enraged at the fact that they thought it was okay to call Peter regarding his aunt's funeral, when Tony had literally signed the papers, giving them actual proof that this was his job now.
''О, как бы мне хотелось отдать эту суку в голову,'' Nat spat.
''What language is she even speaking?''
''Russian,'' Clint answered. ''You don't wanna know what she said.''
''You speak Russian too now?'' Tony asked.
''No. Just picked up a few things after being around this freak for so long,'' he grinned, elbowing Nat playfully.
''Interesting... well I do need to call them back real quick so...''
''Oh, no way. I'm staying for this.'' Rhodey argued.
Tony rolled his eyes when nobody else moved. ''Whatever, just be quiet.''
''Hello, you've just called Queens Hospital, how may I help you?''
He had to fight the urge to roll his eyes again. He knew who he was calling, they didn't need to address themselves. ''Yeah, this is Tony Stark calling. I've just been informed that someone called a kid named Peter Parker this week, regarding the death of his aunt, May Parker? I would like to speak to whoever that was please.''
''Oh! Um just a moment sir.''
''Yep,'' Tony replied, trying his hardest to keep his anger down. He folded his hands together, twisting each finger into its mirrored one on the other hand.
There was shuffling on the other end, then talking. Whoever it was must've had their hand over the speaker, as the voices sounded as if they were underwater.
Finally, the phone was picked up, and a new voice came through. ''Mr. Stark,'' she addressed.
''That's my name. Which you should know at this point, if not from my fame, then from the papers you possess with my name signed, clearly at the bottom, showing that I am in fact Peter's guardian, and I am in fact in responsible for him and anything you feel important enough to call for, should be said to me not him.''
''Sir, I understand that you're a very busy man-''
''Indeed I am. But I signed the papers, didn't I? The kid is mine, and I will never, ever be too busy for him. So, you can either do your job right, and call the listed guardian like you're supposed to, or I'll make some phone calls of my own, and by tomorrow morning, you won't have a job to do wrong,'' he spat, his voice full of venom. He didn't want to hear it. Yes, he was a busy man, but did they really think he would be okay with them calling his kid instead of him? Especially under these circumstances.
''Y-yes, I'm sorry sir. It won't happen again.'' The girl was stuttering like crazy and Tony almost felt bad for sounding so harsh. Almost.
''Good and now that I've got you here, I do actually need to discuss the plans. We've decided on cremation, but a funeral date is to be talked about. Can you have everything ready for say this weekend?''
''Y-yes sir. We can do that.''
''Great,'' he added, before hanging up. ''What?'' He asked, as Pepper locked eyes with him, her mouth slightly twisted.
''You could've been a bit nicer to her, Tony.''
''Nope. I held back as much as I could, Pep. Peter came to me, crying after that call. Anyone who makes my kid cry like that, isn't going to get any respect from me.''
''It was pretty awful of them to do that,'' she agreed. ''You should get some rest. I've held off on giving you much work since you've been busy with Peter. But I really need you to go to the eleven to one meeting tomorrow.''
''I'm pretty sure you've held them off for long enough now, if you just hold off a little longer, they'll all forget.''
''And the five to nine tomorrow night.''
''Four hours? That's ridiculous. Are you sure it's mandatory?''
''Perhaps if they knew the reason you were really putting them off, they'd be more merciful.''
He had honestly forgotten that he had yet to go public about this whole thing. He wondered what the media what would have to say about Tony Stark signing guardianship to a teenage boy. They would want to know his ties to him of course, which as far as Tony knew, he didn't have any. He would've never even met the kid, if weren't for those YouTube videos. But if he told them that, he would be exposing Spiderman's identity to the whole world, which neither Peter nor him were ready for.
Guess that wasn't an option. Standing to his feet, he let out a dramatic yawn. ''Meetings it is.''
''Really? Just like that?''
''Yeah, yeah, I'm going to bed, and I kind of wouldn't mind you joining.''
Pepper rolled her eyes but stood to follow.
''And the rest of you, off to bed,'' he demanded, waving a hand at the rest of the group, who were all still lingering around.
''Um, excuse me? That may work on Peter, but I don't remember you signing any guardianship over me,'' Rhodey protested.
''He's right. We should get some sleep,'' Steve agreed. He had been mostly silent the whole night, with Bucky's head resting casually on his shoulder.
''I guess I'll head home. Just wanted to make sure Spidey's alright,'' Clint grunted before hoisting himself into a vent.
''You do realize there's an elevator, right?'' Tony remarked, but Clint was already long gone.
There were a few sighs and yawns and sarcastic comments, (Rhodey) but after a few minutes everyone had begun heading to their rooms. Steve holding onto to Bucky's hand the whole way.
''You're such a Dad,'' Pepper laughed, giving Tony A Look. ''You literally just sent the Avengers to bed. And they listened.''
''Technically they listened to Cap. Everyone does.''
''By the way, him and Bucky? What's going on there?'' She asked, as they made their way into the elevator.
''What do you mean?''
''Are they like, a thing now or what?''
Tony shrugged. ''I think they have been for a while, just afraid to act out on it. Fear of judgement I suppose. You have to remember; things were different in their time.''
''Right. Well I fully support it, love is love and all that. So long as you aren't hitting it up with some rando who's like fifty years older than you.''
''Yeah, they're good for each other too. Both been through the same sort of thing.''
Of course, Tony was fine with it. Heck, he was more than fine, he was happy for them. He could only imagine what his father would've thought. He made it quite clear, with Tony at a young age that he was too grow up quickly and marry a beautiful woman.
Tony decided right then and there, to never push anything like that on Peter. He would support him no matter what.
...
''What are you thinking about?'' Pepper asked, as she crawled into bed.
''Peter,'' he admitted.
''Ah. I should've known. Not like anything else is on your mind these days,'' she grinned. But Tony couldn't help but feel bad. Did she mean that in a bad way? Did he really think of Peter that much?
Well that one was easy to answer. But, in his defense that was kind of his job now. The kid needed him a lot, and he had to be there for him. It was hard not to worry, when things were always happening.
''I'm sorry. He's just got a lot going on right now. I don't mean to neglect you at all Pep. Look, I don't know for sure, it's hard to tell with things like this, but I'm hoping we can have the funeral for May this weekend. Then things will calm down after that.''
''Oh, no! I didn't mean it like that. You take all the time you need with him; I completely understand. I just meant; you really care for him.''
Tony let out a sigh of relief. ''Yeah, I do, and I always will. No matter what he does, or who he comes home with.''
''What?'' Pepper laughed, sitting up and looking straight down at him. Her long red hair hanging down in front of her shoulders.
''Nothing,'' he replied, smiling back at her. He swore, there wasn't another woman on earth as beautiful as her. Even in the dark, with only the lamp for light, he could see the blue in her eyes. The lamps soft orange glow, resting over her face, showing off each freckle.
''Have I ever told how gorgeous you are?''
''I think you've mentioned it,'' she replied as he sat up and leaned in for a kiss. She returned it but pulled away after a few seconds. ''Don't think you're getting any more than that. You have work to do tomorrow, and nobody likes a cranky Stark.''
Annnnd that's it! Thanks for reading, please let me know what you thought of it! I know this chapter was a lot longer than usual (5,222 words to be exact) I was originally going to break it up into two chapters, but then I just decided not too, for no reason at all.
Stay safe and healthy out there guys!