Peter loved staying in the tower, he was able to work in SI labs outside his usual internship hours and Tony invited him into his personal labs often. On paper it sounded really cool and to be fair it was but he wasn't allowed into Tony's labs alone nor was he allowed to work without approval in the SI ones. He was sick of the restrictions, he was practically an adult! Why did he need supervision or approval to do even a tiny experiment? He wasn't even allowed to make his web fluid without Tony being in the room. He obviously wasn't allowed to make it in the SI labs because of the whole secret identity thing but he had no idea why Tony wouldn't let him into his private lab to make some! He had been making it for well over a year, he had been doing it in a drawer in the chemistry lab at school without supervision and that was way more dangerous than doing it in Tony's lab. He had considered doing it at school again but when he had been doing that before his grade had fallen so he'd rather not make web fluid just to then be grounded from Spiderman.
Peter sighed loudly and threw his head back against the couch. He had come in from school and completed his homework but he still hadn't seen hide nor hair of Tony. Why did he even let me stay if he wasn't going to be around? He thought to himself angrily. The man had been acting strangely the past four or five days, he always made sure to be at the table for dinner, Pepper insisted all three of them were to be present while Peter was staying but he disappeared straight after. It was odd, Peter hadn't wanted to pry, Tony was a busy man, maybe it was some kind of huge business deal? Maybe Tony was just sick of him? Maybe looking after Peter fulltime was too much?
Sure, Tony made sure to be in the kitchen coffee in hand each morning, he insisted on driving Peter to school but he hadn't been in the penthouse when he got home. He had asked yesterday over dinner if he could use Tony's lab to make his webs but the man said he would have to wait a few days, he was too busy and wouldn't be able to supervise until the weekend. It was so annoying, he had told the man he didn't need supervision but had been shut down pretty quickly.
Suddenly it came to him, he had been making the webs for ages, he could practically do it in his sleep these days. Mind pretty much made up he quickly glanced at his watch. It was only four and dinner wasn't until half past seven…plenty of time.
"FRIDAY when will Tony and Pepper be home?"
"Miss Potts' final meeting ends at seven o'clock, estimated time of arrival seven fifteen. Boss has no estimated time of arrival. Would you like me to enquire when he will return?"
"No! No! It's fine Fri thank you." Peter said frantically.
Tony hadn't come in until seven twenty five all week, so he was definitely fine, no one need ever know. If FRIDAY asked Tony the man would want to know why he was asking and he didn't have a good excuse, why would Tony suddenly change his routine? Mind made up he made his way to Tony's lab.
"Fri? Do you have to tell Tony if I enter the lab alone?"
"…no…I do not. But I recommend you do not enter the lab alone"
Grinning Peter ignored the AI and entered the lab pressing his finger against the pad to open the door. He knew better than to touch anything, Tony was far too observant he would know if anything moved, but Peter had his own workbench so he was fairly sure Tony wouldn't notice if anything on it moved slightly. It was pretty messy anyway, he wouldn't notice if something was moved so he doubted the billionaire would. He quickly set to work collecting the chemicals he needed for his web fluid. He hummed to himself as he worked, settling into the familiar movements oblivious to the world around him. He ended up making much more than he intended, but that was fine surely? He didn't know when he would next be able to come in here either with or without Tony so he may as well have a large stock. He had asked Friday to alert him at quarter to seven so he had time to clean up and sit in front of the TV so he had no worries about being caught.
ʘ-ʘ-ʘ-ʘ-ʘ-ʘ
Pete was going to be thrilled, Tony knew it. The boy had spoken for a full half an hour about 'Dr Banner' just two weeks ago, and now Tony had Bruce with him. He couldn't wait to see Peter's face. He'd spent the last five days trying to get everything ready for Bruce's arrival, more Natasha's arrival to be honest but still. He had been busy. He had to ensure she was not going to be arrested on sight. He had been shocked when Bruce had got in contact with him earlier that week asking if himself and Natasha would be welcome. They had been with Thor and the Asgardians in Norway for the last several months but were eager to come home. Tony was thrilled. He hadn't realised how much he missed Bruce. Probably because Peter did such a great job filling the void, the kid was a great help in the lab but he was glad his friend, his science bro was back…they could be like a science squad now with Pete there.
He knew Nat had been slightly wary about coming home, which was why it had taken so long to get everything sorted. Both of them wanted physical proof, documents and the like to show she would not be sent to the raft. Sure, she let Cap get away at the airport but it was just to stop anyone doing something they would regret. Tensions had been running high in Berlin but no one was aiming to kill then again perhaps T'Challa was, he had been in Siberia. Grief could drive anyone mad.
Bruce looked over at his friend and smiled. It was good to be back, good to be home. Natasha and himself had spoken at length once they had reunited and had been happily together for a couple of months now. They were taking it slow but things were going well, he was happy for the first time in a long time. He could see Tony was as well. He was surprised to be honest, Tony didn't have a great track record when it came to looking after himself. He had been gobsmacked the first time the man had hung up on him so he could go and eat his dinner.
Nat felt her whole body relax as soon as she stepped into the elevator heading up to the penthouse. The top several floors of the tower always had that effect on her, it was one of the only places she could let her guard down. One of the only places that felt like a home. She had been worried it would feel different being back after so long but it was if she never left. Tony was welcoming despite her actions against him and more importantly she had Bruce. She had been relieved when she quite literally walked into him in Oslo, she had begun to think he maybe wasn't going to come back to earth at all especially after her forcing him to become the Hulk.
She could see Tony bouncing slightly on his heels in her peripheral vision. She couldn't remember seeing him looking so happy before. Pepper had told her it was Spiderman…Peter that had changed him, changed both of them in fact. Nat was eager to meet the kid, she had seen him in Berlin, he had potential…could cut down on the chatter but he definitely had potential. Why he was staying with Tony she didn't yet know, but the man had invited both herself and Bruce for dinner so they could meet him, so the teen clearly meant a lot to the billionaire.
The three of them stood in silence as the elevator climbed the tower, each in their own thoughts. About halfway up it stopped and smiles spread onto all their faces as Rhodey walked into the elevator.
"Did my invite get lost in the mail Tones?" he asked with a grin as he pulled both Bruce and Nat into quick hugs.
"It's Friday, you always come for dinner on Friday why would I invite you when you would be here anyway?" Tony asked raising his eyebrow in amusement.
Letting out a small chuckle Rhodey nodded unable to argue the point. The last time he couldn't make Friday family dinner and didn't give warning beforehand he had been shouted at by Pepper. Just the memory made him shudder. Needless to say he would always give at least a days' notice if he couldn't make Friday dinner. Also, Pepper had told him Peter had been gutted when he didn't turn up despite trying to hide it, that comment had struck deep. He enjoyed the weekly meal, it was a good way to keep up to date with everything that had been happening, he was able to catch up with his nephew, he still hadn't heard the word dad being used but he knew it would be…some time…no idea when but some time it would be. Hopefully sooner rather than later.
A few floors later the elevator came to a stop again and Pepper walked in a stack of files in her hand.
"I thought you weren't finishing until seven Pep?" Tony asked as he pulled his fiancée in for a quick peck on the lips.
"I cancelled, wanted to spend some time with my favourite boys, I can catch up tomorrow anyway." She told him with a smile.
Several moments of quiet passed as the elevator continued to climb towards the penthouse. Tony still bouncing slightly on his feet, he couldn't wait to see Peter's face when he saw who he had brought with him to dinner. Speaking of Peter…
"Hey Fri? Where is underoos? I have some people he would like to meet."
"He's currently in your lab sir, should I alert him?" The AI replied immediately.
Nat and Bruce saw the change in everyone as those words were said. Pepper immediately reached out placing a hand on her fiancé's shoulder as if to ground him her face falling slightly into a look of disappointment at the same time. Anger crossed Tony's face as he swore under his breath, Pepper's comforting hold seeming to do little to calm him. Rhodey just sighed in exasperation and palmed his face knowing perfectly well what awaited his nephew, and himself, he always helped the boy with the washing up when he was in trouble.
The tension in the elevator could be cut with a knife and the silence was finally broken as the elevator stopped at the floor of the lab without the need for a command.
"I'll take them upstairs and order dinner, Thai? Hear him out Tony, he maybe just nipped down for a second." Pepper tried to assure him.
Tony scoffed at her words as he stepped out the elevator. "He's fifteen Pep he knows the rules and he knows the consequences, I don't care if he only put a finger inside he knows the lab it's off limits when he's alone. And Thai really? You are rewarding the kid."
It's Peppers turn to scoff at that one. "Which of us let Ned come over when Pete was grounded?"
With no response to that Tony simply walked away, towards his lab, towards his kid…his kid who was in deep trouble.
Peter was so immersed in his work that he didn't notice the door to the lab open and Tony walk in. He did however notice the man when he let out a sharp cough to attract his attention.
Tony watched as the boy's head snapped up at his cough and his face paled dramatically knowing he had been caught in the wrong. The man maintained eye contact with the kid as he put down the web shooter in his hand.
"What are you doing here?"
The question was crisp and clear, Peter could hear the steel and fury under the question however and didn't think twice when his own anger and resentment at the man bubbled up within himself. "What does it look like" he replied snarkily.
Tony raised an eyebrow at the boy trying not to let his disbelief at Peter's disrespect show on his face. "Would you like to try that again Peter?" he asked staring into his eyes. He watches as the teen gives a sulky shrug but refuses to speak. "You know perfectly well you aren't allowed down here alone, we've been over this rule multiple times."
Peter doesn't think as his furious response leaves his mouth "your rule is fucking bullshit."
Both of them freeze in a state of disbelief, the words repeating in their heads.
Tony was gobsmacked. How dare Peter speak to him like that! The boy knew that was unacceptable, Peter would never speak to May in such a way he was sure. Fury quickly replaced the shock he felt and he could barely get the words out. "My office now. I want your nose in a corner by the time I get there" he gritted out. He had thought to punish the boy immediately but that was something Howard would have done, the man would have punished him immediately while he was still angry. He was sure he would still be angry with Peter when he did punish him but he needed time to think and time to cool off a little.
Peter decided he didn't particularly want to walk past the man just in case he swatted him, Tony had a habit of giving him the occasional swat when he was misbehaving so he turned on the spot and stormed out the other door of the lab before he made his way up the stairs. It was only two floors and he knew Tony would probably take a moment to calm himself down anyway before coming up to his office so he didn't need to rush. He marched up the stairs furious at Tony. He hadn't been there all week and then suddenly appeared the one time Peter went against him and his stupid rules. Why was he so angry anyway? That lab rule was bullshit. Oh god…I swore at Tony Stark… he thought to himself in a slight panic before pushing it down and letting his anger overtake him again. The man deserved it anyway…asshole.
Tony followed Peter upstairs a minute or so later and came to an abrupt stop once he reached the penthouse. Peter was frozen in the doorway looking into the lounge where Nat and Bruce were sitting staring back at him. He stopped just behind the boy, kicking himself he should have realised Pep meant upstairs as in here not the floor below where the two would be living. They were coming for dinner after all.
Tony dropped a hand down on the frozen teens shoulder feeling him jump at the contact. He leant down and murmured into the boy's ear "I believe I told you to find a corner in my office Peter."
"Fuck off." Peter snarked back as he tried to shrug the hand from his shoulder. He heard the other occupants of the room take in a breath but couldn't find it in himself to care.
Fury overtook Tony once again at the boy's attitude. Without thinking he took his hand back and swatted Peter hard. "If you don't get moving this second young man I will spank you right here. Do you hear me?" He said in a dangerous voice too quiet for the others in the room to hear.
Peter nodded and practically fled to the office the door closing forcefully behind him. Bringing a hand up to run through his hair Tony made eye contact with Pepper who has just entered from the kitchen.
"We will go downstairs, I'll order dinner to arrive in a couple of hours so you can deal with Pete unless you would prefer I do it?" She asked already knowing the answer.
Tony shook his head, "no I've got it, he was rude to me and in my lab, I will punish him" he turned to look at Bruce and Nat, "I'm sorry you had to see that, I don't know what has gotten into him. I assure you it will not happen again."
Still in shock over what they just witnessed Bruce and Nat simply nodded and moved towards the elevator in a stunned silence.
After a minute or so of staring at the wall Peter's anger subsided somewhat and dread overtook him. He was so dead. He wasn't afraid of Tony, far from it, but he did not want a spanking. He heard Tony enter the room after about five minutes and sit at his desk. Ugh definitely a spanking, Peter had been sent to the corner of the office several times now and the only time Tony had ever sat on that chair was after the ferry fiasco.
"Come here." Tony sounded resigned yet firm and Peter slowly turned, his eyes on his toes as he walked towards the man.
"Look at me Peter."
Peter looked up at the man and could already feel a slight lump in his throat when he saw the disappointment in his eyes. He hated himself for making Tony look like that, the man had let him stay with him and he did this?
"You are to be punished for being in my lab unaccompanied and for your foul language. Which do you want first?"
What kind of ridiculous question was that? He didn't want either. And two different punishments? Oh god one was a spanking but the other? Would he have to do lines again? Would he get two spankings?
Tony watched as the boy turned over the question in his mind then simply shrugged. Making the decision himself Tony grabbed the boy's ear and led him to the bathroom on the other side of the office. He sat the boy on the closed toilet seat and opened the cabinet grabbing a face cloth and a bar of soap. He had bought these after reading the parenting books but had honestly never expected to be using them. This was like when he said to May he hoped not to have to spank Peter again but here they were.
When Tony began lathering the soap and covering the cloth in suds Peter realised what his punishment was. His mouth had been washed out once before when he was six and had said the word shit after hearing some older boys say it in the street. When the man turned around wash cloth in hand Peter kept his mouth resolutely shut.
"Peter Benjamin Parker, if you don't open your mouth in the next three seconds I will be taking you downstairs and punishing you there." It was an empty threat he could never do that to the boy. His punishments were private, it was a family matter but he didn't know that. Giving the boy the odd swat was embarrassing enough a full spanking or mouth washing would be too much.
As soon as Peter opened his mouth Tony rubbed the cloth all round his mouth, over his tongue, teeth and gums ensuring his mouth was filled with suds. "One minute per swear Pete so that's three minutes."
Peter tried not to move his tongue and tears quickly came to the corners of his eyes due to the rancid taste of the soap. How could something smell so good and taste so vile? He breathed through his nose and started jumping his leg up and down to distract himself from the horrid taste in his mouth. He had just begun drumming his hand on his thigh when Tony began speaking.
"You, young man are never to speak like that again in this house okay? You are not to use such foul language against someone. I don't care if you are angry you can express yourself with other words you are a smart boy, I did not deserve to be treated like that. If you are willing to swear at me would you speak like that to Pepper or May?"
He watched a tear slide down Peter's cheek as he shook his head furiously. "That's what I thought, if I ever hear you use such language again you will find yourself straight back here okay."
He stopped lecturing the boy and looked at him feeling terrible. Fat tears were rolling down his cheeks from the awful taste and the boy was clearly trying to distract himself it. "Just one more minute Pete then you can spit." He murmured reassuringly, he knew the boy needed to be taught a lesson but it still hurt to do it to him.
Peter started to countdown in his head desperate for the minute to end. He would never swear again. Or at least not where Tony could hear him.
"That's it, you can spit. You can rinse three times underoos" Tony said as he handed him a glass.
Peter jumped to the sink spitting immediately eager to get the foul taste from his mouth. After rinsing three times the awful soapy taste remained but wasn't quite as horrendous as before. He looked at Tony with his doe eyes begging for another rinse but was met with a shake of the head and a hand on his shoulder steering him back into the office.
Tony sat himself back on his desk chair and opened his legs before pulling the boy forward to stand between them so they are eye to eye. "So let's try again Peter why were you in my lab, despite me expressly forbidding you from going in alone?"
When he didn't answer immediately and instead stared at his shoes Tony reached a hand forward to lift his chin forcing eye contact.
"I just wanted to make more web fluid I'm running low"
"Peter I told you I would do that with you this weekend. Why did you go into the lab?" Tony asked baffled.
"I don't understand your problem, I have been making the web fluid for ages, I know what I'm doing."
"Peter." Tony said firmly stopping his babbling. "I know you can make the fluid but you don't know everything that is happening in my lab all the time do you?" As the boy shook his head he continued. "So what if something in your web fluid contaminated something of mine? It could blow up, anything could happen."
At those words Peter paled as he realised the implications of his actions. "I didn't think…" he mumbled.
"You didn't think…Peter you are a smart boy. You cannot do this again do you understand?" The boy nodded glumly, resigned. "Right over my lap" As the boy moved to drape himself over the elders lap Tony gave a gentle but firm reminder to him "pants Peter, when you risk your life or risk getting hurt needlessly I will spank you bare."
His face flamed but he did as he was told and stiffly laid himself over Tony's knee.
Ugh this is just as horrible as last time Tony thought to himself. He quickly activated his gauntlet and brought his hand down on the boys bum. He built up a steady rhythm as he turned the boy's skin pink before he began talking.
"Why are you here Peter?"
Remembering the sharp swats for taking too long to answer the last time Peter was prompt with his response. "I broke your rule and went into your lab without permission." He groaned slightly as a harsh swat prompted him to continue "I could have got hurt, or caused an accident and I was rude to you."
Nodding to himself Tony sped up his swats bringing them down harder turning the kid's ass red. His leg kicks slightly but Tony quickly moved his own to trap it there, preventing Peter from hitting him. Soft hiccups started to leave Peter which then turned to yelp and quiet cries. The sounds pulled at Tony's heartstrings but he knew he has to finish the punishment or Peter would never learn. Soon the cries became all out sobs as he continued peppering Peter's ass. A minute or so later the boy falls limply over Tony's lap.
Tony took that as his cue to finish up and promptly raised his leg for access to his sit spots. He rains his hand down hard on the boy, wanting to make sure he will be feeling his punishment for several hours.
Smack smack "You are never to go in my lab by yourself again" Smack smack "You are not to risk your life for such a stupid reason" Smack smack "And you are not to use such foul language again" Smack smack
He replaced the boy's underwear internally wincing at the boy gasped and lifted Peter up quickly so he was once again standing between his knees. "I'm sorry Tony." The boy cried into his chest sounding much younger than he is. "I didn't mean to be bad, I didn't mean to disappoint you"
"Hey, hey. Peter you've been punished and now you're forgiven. It will not be mentioned again, but you are banned from all labs for the next ten days. No going to the lab with me. No internship."
His heart broke as Peter continued sobbing into his chest as he rubbed calming circles on his back. After several minutes Peter pulled away looking into Tony's eyes and suddenly became embarrassed.
"Did they…did they hear?"
It takes a second for Tony to realise what Peter meant. "No they didn't, I sent everyone downstairs."
Peter fell forward again into a hug and sat himself on Tony's lap his aching bum between his knees, garnering a chuckle from the man. He rested his head against the man's chest tiredly and only gives a slight grunt in response to Tony's warning that he will have to be at dinner in half an hour.
Tony sighed as Peter's breathing evened out and he idly ran his fingers through his hair. "FRIDAY tell Pepper to order food if she hasn't already me and Pete will be through in half an hour"
Moments later he was startled by Pepper walking in to check on them a smile breaking out at the sight of her two boys. Tears on both their cheeks.
Tony looks down at the teen in his arms, looking much younger asleep with tear tracks still on his face from his punishment. Sighing softly he lightly shook the boy awake.
"Pete, hey Peter. You need to wake up buddy, dinner will be here in five minutes."
The boy made a non-committal noise and pressed himself further into Tony's chest, "mm not hungry"
Tony stood up forcing the boy to do the same despite his mumbled protests, "c'mon underoos, dinner at the table, uncle Rhodey's here. Don't you want to meet Nat and Bruce? It's Dr Bruce Banner as you told me for half an hour last week."
When Peter's face turned a brilliant shade of red Tony realised what the problem was. "Peter, they won't mention it. I promise. Go and get washed up then go to the kitchen for dinner okay? I'll talk to them, I'm sure Rhodey will help you with the washing up after as well."
Nodding sulkily Peter left the office and made his way to his bedroom avoiding the lounge as he did so. Walking into his bathroom he washed his face but it was still slightly blotchy from crying and he knew he wouldn't be able to hide it. Knowing if he wasn't back in the lounge within five minutes Tony would come and get him he quickly changed into a pair of sweatpants but it did very little in reducing the pain in his bum. With a last look in the mirror he left his bedroom for dinner and walked down the hall to the lounge.
Bruce looked up as Peter entered and immediately saw the boy had been crying but a quick look at Tony told him not to draw attention to it. "Hi. Peter isn't it?" he asked as he stood up extending a hand to the teen "I'm Bruce."
Oh my god. Bruce Banner is speaking to me. Bruce Banner who probably knows I just got my ass handed to me by Iron Man is talking to me! Peter thought to himself. Unable to form words he just opened his mouth several times before giving a shaky nod as he shook the outstretched hand. "n-nice to meet you…Dr Banner…your photo is on the wall at school…umm" A hand comes down on his shoulder and he instantly relaxes leaning back slightly into Tony, although careful not to put any pressure on his undoubtedly still red ass.
Bruce watched transfixed as the kid relaxes almost entirely into Tony. His friends face seems to light up when looking at the child despite the fact he had punished him not even an hour before. "Call me Bruce, no need for titles, from what Tony has been telling me you'll be a science bro in no time." He watched the boy's face flush red in embarrassment.
"yeah…that sounds really cool, thank you...Bruce. I can't wait."
Tony moves his hand from the kids shoulder and ruffles his hair "of course you will be waiting at least ten days though won't you Pete, and you will have supervision"
Ugh Tony is sooo uncool. Peter thought to himself, how could he do that to me in front of Dr Banner, in front of the Hulk! "Yes sir" he grumbled realising Tony probably wanted an answer. He then immediately excused himself as Pepper calls him to set the table for dinner.
Nat sat herself down at the table watching the people around her, it felt so domestic. She was swiftly joined by Tony, Bruce and Rhodey as Peter and Pepper place the last take away dishes on the table before joining them.
Peter flushed as he sat down, his wince undoubtedly noticeable to their guests, he can feel Black Widow's eyes on him and resolutely kept his eyes on his plate.
Tony allowed conversation to flow naturally but couldn't help but notice Peter's silence, it's probably embarrassment at his situation but he couldn't find it within himself to feel for the boy, he knew what he was doing was wrong and got caught so suffered the consequences. "So Pete, Nat and Bruce are going to be staying here, on the floor below. I was thinking you could do some training with Nat if you want."
Peter's jaw dropped and he looked up from his plate for the first time eyes darting between Tony and the mentioned woman. "ummm…I guess…if that's okay with you Miss Black Widow"
He heard his uncle Rhodey snort beside him at the title and his lips quirk at his following hiss of pain, he probably received a kick from Pepper, it happens most times he comes over for dinner to be honest.
"Nat is fine kid."
"Thank you…this is so cool…"
Before the kid can continue babbling and probably embarrass himself further Rhodey asked him about school. She noticed the uncle Rhodey title as soon as the boy used it and made eye contact with Bruce, they would be discussing this development later without a doubt. Perhaps it was some sort of subtle encouragement, Tony's paternal actions were almost impossible to miss, the boy was clearly spanked while they were sent downstairs and with the way he kept screwing his face up she wouldn't be surprised if his mouth was washed out. That was much more of a surprise to be honest, who'd have thought it, Tony Stark being against swearing.
She watched as the boy seemed to relax, he still shuffled slightly in his seat trying to find a comfortable way to sit but he began engaging in conversation with Bruce over science. After finishing her meal she stood and scraped her plate into the bin, before she could move to wash it Peter intercepted her.
"I'll do it." He muttered embarrassed. "It's a rule, I've got it"
She looked down at him smiling slightly and gave him a wink "I'll scrape, you wash, your uncle Rhodey looks like he's drying kid"
Peter grinned up at her, who knew Black Widow could be so cool?
"Ugh is everyone going to undermine my punishments?" Tony cried dramatically as he threw his arms into the air. The three ignored him and made quick work of the dishes before going back into the lounge where everyone else was sitting.
Peter dropped himself down on the sofa but couldn't contain the slight hiss of pain he let out as he did so. Before he had a chance to think he felt hands around his waist pulling him up and found himself back on Tony's lap ass between his legs once more. He half-heartedly struggled to get away, he didn't want to look like a baby in front of Bruce and Nat after all but he quickly realised Tony wouldn't be letting him move anytime soon and settled himself down to rest on his chest. "You're so uncool" he murmured to the man quietly gaining a startled laugh from Pepper on Tony's other side.
Bruce couldn't help but smile at the domestic scene opposite him, Tony, his arm around Pepper sitting on the sofa with Peter on his lap curled up with his head resting where the arc reactor used to reside almost asleep. He reached a hand out which is immediately taken by Nat, how glad he is to be home.