Tony was nervous. He had received a text from May that very morning and hadn't been able to get it out of his head. She didn't text often but when she did he knew it had to be important.

I need to talk to you, preferably when Peter is at his internship or school. When suits you? –May

Yeah. Not a text he wanted to receive. He had immediately cancelled the three meetings he had that morning and made his way to Peter and May's apartment. He had only been a handful of times, but he didn't need to look up the address, anything to do with Peter he just knew. He knocked twice on the door and took a step back as he waited for May to open the door. Did she change her mind about Spiderman? Was Peter in some kind of trouble? Oh god, did she think he was a bad influence on Peter? Was she going to stop him seeing the kid?

May opened the door to an almost hyperventilating Tony Stark, not the way she saw her morning going to be honest. "Tony. Tony look at me, are you okay?...TONY!" She asked frantically trying to get the billionaire's attention.

The man jumped the dazed look in his eyes suddenly disappearing as he came back to himself. "Sorry, sorry. I'm fine" he assured her blushing.

May stifled a snort at the blatant lie but stepped aside so he could enter the apartment regardless. "Coffee?"

"Black please"

Tony perched on the edge of the sofa unable to stop his leg bouncing slightly with nerves. His eyes combed over the photos of Peter spread throughout the room, as they do every time he visits. God, he wishes he could have seen Peter grow up, he was such a cute kid. Not that he isn't still cute, because duh…he is…Pete would deny it but he is definitely cute. The cutest in fact. Moments later he was roused from his thoughts by a mug being pushed into his hands. Before he even realised he's talking he blurted out his greatest fear "please don't make me stop seeing Peter, please May, I can't." he practically begged her. "I know you're his aunt and guardian so I have no rights. But please…I'll do anything you say just please don't stop me seeing him."

May reared back as if he had slapped her. "Woah, no, no. Is this why you are acting so strange? No Tony it's nothing of the kind, the complete opposite actually." She watched as he seems to slump down in relief and slid himself back onto the sofa fully resting against the back. He was clearly much more relaxed now that his fears had been laid to rest.

"Tony" May told him seriously making sure to meet his eyes, "Peter adores you, I would never stop you from seeing him, what you've done for him…heck what you've done for us is amazing. After Ben died, Peter changed he became quiet, withdrawn, sullen, he wouldn't speak to me about anything, but then you came into our lives." She looked away from him unable to retain eye contact and instead stared at an old school photo of Peter on the side table. "since Peter met you I have been seeing the boy I raised, he is more confident in himself, he smiles all the time. I could never take that away from him Tony. That boy loves you. He has always looked up to Iron Man but now he looks up to you Tony. The man not the suit of armour." May tore her eyes from Peter's photo and refocused on the billionaire at the other end of the sofa. She wiped the tears that had begun to run down her face away self-consciously.

"Thank you." Tony was unable to get out anything more, but he knows he doesn't need to. Those two words were a thanks for everything. For his new life, for Peter, for his own happiness.

After several minutes of silence and reflection from both of them Tony broke it with a small laugh. "May, I hope you didn't invite me round just to cry and drink coffee." He looked over at her, she is silent for another moment clearly trying to find the words. He can't help but worry slightly.

"I want to put you down as a secondary guardian for Peter"

Tony felt his jaw drop and knew his eyes were probably embarrassingly wide. "Sorry, can you say that again?" he gasped. He must have misheard her, because who would ask Tony Stark to be their child's guardian?

"Tony, he needs a male role-model in his life, you are already his guardian in every way but on paper." May told him seriously, not an ounce of humour in her tone.

"Why me? Why not someone else? I'm Tony Stark I don't do kids."

"Tony" she sighed exasperated. "You are Peter's idol, his eyes light up when you walk into the room, he talks about you all the time, you must know how he looks up to you. And you…Tony. I know how you feel about him. Your outburst just minutes ago when you thought I'd stop you from seeing him proves that. He may not have realised yet and you may not have admitted it to yourself but everyone around you knows. Think about it…James Rhodes, your brother in all but blood declared himself Peter's uncle within minutes. Does that not tell you something? Especially when the boy accepted it without issue."

Tony blushed, he had of course known what Rhodey was implying when he came for dinner. But he had to admit he was surprised when he followed through, he kept correcting the boy until he called him uncle Rhodey without a thought. Pepper always commented on his actions around Peter too, called him a helicopter parent every time he brought up the kids location while he was patrolling or that time she called him a soccer mom when he wouldn't let Peter leave the table until he had eaten all his broccoli. Which was crazy because he was a growing Spiderboy he needed to eat his vegetables, could Pep not see that? He was sure May was aware of the whole Junior thing as well. Half of SI had taken to calling Peter that now, he was sure Gregor had started it but he couldn't or perhaps wouldn't tell the man to stop. He had to admit the first time he had seen Peter respond to the name a massive grin had spread across his face and even Happy's sarcastic comments couldn't get him to stop smiling. People were calling Peter his kid? Peter who was amazing and kind and smart, he would be honoured to have such a kid.

May watched as Tony digested her words, taking in everything she had said. It was impossible not to notice the bond forming between the man and her nephew. She knew the man was aware on some level he had become a father figure he perhaps just hadn't fully accepted the fact yet.

"Why now May? Is something wrong? Are you ill? Is this why you didn't want Peter here when I came round?" Tony asked her worriedly.

May smiled as she raised her hand to calm him. "Nothing of the sort, no need to worry I'm perfectly healthy. It's just a backup, it'll give you more rights and Peter more security. Also I've been offered an opportunity at work, I haven't told Peter yet I wanted to ask you first, it could lead to promotion. Work are beginning to lay people off, I'm worried if I don't take this I might be next. And I need this job Tony, I love my job as well, I don't want to leave."

Tony nodded along with her "You should definitely go for it but why are you consulting me? You love your job don't let this pass you by" he knew how hard she worked, she definitely deserved a promotion, she had refused the offer of money multiple times and he knew money was still a little tight. May had insisted Peter save most of his internship money, she only accepted a fraction of it to help with the bills.

"It's in Arizona Tony…for two months, I won't be able to come home during it, I need someone to look after Peter."

That's when he realised why she was asking. She wanted him to step up and care for the kid full time…for two months. Could he do it? Peter spent half the week at the tower anyway, surely it's not too much more making it the full week? But what about school Tony never had to make sure he got to school on time that was May's department. What if something happened while he was looking after the kid?

Before he could let his thoughts spiral even more he answered. "Of course May, no problem, I'd do anything for the kid…for both of you. When do you leave?"

"Not for another three weeks, have you fully thought this through Tony? Two months is a long time, are you comfortable with this? It's okay if you don't want to, I will work something out, but this will change your relationship with him, you know this? If you commit to this you are committed forever. He's a teenager he needs stability. He's a boy not some pet project."

"I know that May. I've been committed since I first laid eyes on him." He replied sincerely looking her in the eye, "you know he's like,,,like…a.."

"Son to you." May finished for him as his voice cracked before he could say it himself.

ʘ-ʘ-ʘ-ʘ-ʘ-ʘ

Peter had been told about his stay at Tony's the Saturday after the decision was made and then spent the next two weeks trying to convince May it was unnecessary. He loved the tower don't get him wrong but he did not need a babysitter. He was fifteen! Practically an adult. He would be fine, he was already at the tower half the week anyway so what was three or four nights at the apartment. He had pleaded with May, tried to sway her with facts – he was responsible, he was tidy, he then tried promises, "I won't be any trouble May, I promise I'll look after everything". It hadn't worked, he was just given extra chores and a scolding for being so unreasonable. He wasn't sure why he was acting this way to be honest. He loved staying at the tower with Tony and Pepper but he still argued against it. He supposed he was just worried they would resent him for intruding on their lives for two whole months.

So, it was finally the day and May was leaving in less than an hour. They had spent the entire day before together doing all their favourite things, they had Thai, watched movies and just hung out both knowing they wouldn't be able to for another two months. Since he moved in with May and Ben as a child the longest he had been without them was a week when a relative of May's got sick and they couldn't take him. He had stayed with Ned at the time and he remembered crying for hours after they left. He had been terrified and he supposed maybe, he still was.

May was already packed but as a teenager he hadn't even started. He didn't really need to take much stuff though, he had plenty of clothes at the tower and F.R.I.D.A.Y. had access to thousands of movies. He ended up with just his backpack filled to the brim with his school supplies which he had thrown in haphazardly. If he had forgotten anything important he could just nip back he supposed.

He was nervous though, he tried to hide it but apart from that one time when he was seven he had never been away from May. The longest other than that was the weekends he spent at the tower but that hardly counted it was only a few nights at a time and he always knew where exactly May was and when he would be going home. There was no real timeline for this trip of Mays. Two months she had told him but she didn't have an exact date for being home and he hated it.

May could practically feel the anxiety rolling off Peter as she pulled him into a tight hug. "I'm sure you'll have a great time at Tony's Peter. You always love going there. I'm only a call away remember. You can send me a text whenever you want and I'll call when I can."

Peter nodded into her chest unwilling to pull away as he gripped her tight. "You'll stay safe yeah May? Text me when you get there?"

"Of course I will baby, no need to worry. I'll text so much you'll be sick of me!" she joked.

"Never."

They stood for a moment savouring each other's warmth before the silence was interrupted by a knock at the door. Peter pulled away and opened it unsurprised to see Tony and Happy on the other side.

"Ready kid?"

Peter nodded silently as he slung his bag onto one shoulder and grabbed one of May's cases for her. The four of them walked down the stairs to the two cars parked outside. Happy and Tony took the bags from their hands and loaded the cars before each getting into one giving the Parker's a final moment to themselves.

May once again pulled Peter into a bone crushing hug and held him tight. She pulled back but kept her hands on his shoulders forcing him to look her in the eye. "Have fun Peter, remember to call okay? No need to worry about me, I'll be home before you know it. Now, keep safe. Don't do anything dangerous, be good for Tony and Pepper and follow their rules okay? You know they can punish you just as I can. Keep your grades up."

Peter blushed furiously but nodded, murmuring an agreement.

"I larb you" Both said together voices cracking slightly as they turned away and stepped into separate cars. One headed to the airport, the other Stark Tower.

ʘ-ʘ-ʘ-ʘ-ʘ-ʘ-ʘ

They had arrived at the tower an hour ago and Peter had gone straight to his room. Tony knew Peter was aware he was expected to be present for dinner in an hour so wasn't worried. The kid just needed time to process everything. He couldn't stop his own worries creeping up though. What if Peter really didn't want to stay here? He knew the boy had been resistant to coming, May had told him but she had assured him it was probably just nerves. What if it all went wrong?

Pepper had made sure to keep her evening clear on the day of Peter's arrival. She knew they would have to keep him distracted the first few nights to stop him feeling too home sick. She understood he stayed over all the time but this was for two months and she knew the boy would be stressed, Tony too for that matter. She had invited over Rhodey for a movie night and knew Tony had plans to order in dinner. The thought of her fiancé brought a smile to her face. When he came home three weeks ago with the news he was to be Peter's secondary guardian he had been terrified. He almost called May to get her to change her mind. She knew the man was doubting himself but she also knew he was a wonderful father to Peter. She had convinced him to sleep on it before calling May knowing perfectly well he would never abandon the boy, he had woken up the next day and immediately ordered himself parenting books. It was sweet to be honest.

They were hidden in the back of his wardrobe right now. Rhodey had seen one laying out and proceeded to make jokes at Tony's expense for the next half an hour. She knew Tony had read them however as she kept finding them on her bedside table with sticky notes marking pages for her to read. Tony's nerves had quickly become excitement especially in the last week, he had been acting like more of a child than Peter. He'd been in the lab creating even more protocols to keep Peter safe, this time for within the tower itself. He had even been grocery shopping! Tony Stark went grocery shopping, admittedly it was clearly a long time since had been, if he ever had, because he came home with ten different cereal options. "What if he doesn't like Captain Crunch though Pep!? Or what if he prefers cornflakes on Tuesdays?" She had laughed then kissed him for being so thoughtful.

Tony felt unprepared. Logically he knew he was anything but, his kitchen cupboards and fridge were nearly overflowing, FRIDAY now had five hundred and forty seven new protocols for Peter and he had read and made notes on twenty three parenting books. So I theory he was ready. But had he done enough? Didn't all new parents thing they were ready? He was startled from his musings by Pepper

"You alright there Tony? Do you think it's time we order some dinner? What does Peter want?"

"Oh ummm I don't know, should I go ask him? I thought he needed space."

"It's fine I'll go, Rhodey is due any minute anyway"

Pepper left Tony seated on the sofa and made her way to Peter's room, situated just two doors down from the master one. Knocking twice she entered when she receives a soft "come in" from the teen. He's sitting on his bed, his back to her staring into space, clearly thinking about something. A very similar position to the one she just left her fiancé in in fact. "You okay there Pete? What do you fancy for dinner?"

After a few seconds of silence she realised Peter wasn't listening to her so sat herself down next to him, the bed dipping with her weight. She putsan arm around his shoulder and pulled him close, smiling as he snuggled into her for comfort. "You can talk to me Pete…would you like me to get Tony? Missing May is fine, it's normal"

She waited a few moments and was about to go and get her fiancé when the boy spoke. "It's the plane, that's why I'm worried."

She stayed quiet sure he would continue. She has no idea how to respond anyway, what was wrong with planes? He was still staring into space, eyes unfocused when he spoke again.

"My parents, they went away, on a plane and never came home. It crashed." He told her tonelessly.

It hit her all at once and she pulled the boy onto her lap easily holding him close, as if he was much younger than he truly is. "Peter, listen to me. I won't lie to you planes do crash yes, but so rarely, did you know you a person is more likely to become an Olympic gold medallist than be in a plane crash? You can't do anything sitting here worrying, May will be fine."

Peter did in fact feel slightly better at her words, the lead in his stomach lightening somewhat. "Can I go out? Just for a bit? To take my mind off it? Just an hour or two? I'll be straight back, I promise"

Pepper thought on it for a second, knowing it would be a good distraction for him. "Okay." At his grin she continued "But first you need dinner, I am about to order it, so you can have your dinner and then go out but I want you home by midnight okay? Not five past midnight. Midnight. Or you're grounded okay?" She told him sternly. Peter could be lax with his curfew and she didn't want his very first night here to end in him being in trouble.

"Midnight. Got it." Peter grinned hugging her close. "Thank you Pepper"

Pepper looked down at him, his smile, his doe eyes and it suddenly hit her. Tony wasn't the only one who saw Peter as his child.