Peter flopped down on the couch, and sighed dramatically.

After he got no response from Natasha, who was reading a National Geographic's magazine on the Grand Canyon, he sighed again. Natasha inwardly laughed at Peter's obvious attempts to get her attention.

"Natasha, I'm bored."

No response.

"Earth to Natasha! Come in, Natasha!"

She resisted a smile, and flipped to the next page. Peter frowned, and grab onto a pillow. He hurled it at her, and she immediately deflected it, sending it to the floor. Huffing impatiently, he got up, and stalked across the room to the book shelf. He ran his fingers over the titles, praying that something would catch his eye. However, he wasn't really a reading sort of guy; he'd much rather play around in the lab. He considered going back to his notebook, but his formulas weren't making sense to him at the moment, so his scheming would have to wait.

"Where's Vision?"

Tony sauntered into the lounge room, a package tucked under his arm.

"That deliver guy called me Tony Stank again!"

Natasha giggled.

"Anyhoo, I got him another copy of the Weather Man."

"It's called Wuthering Heights, Tony," Natasha called, closing her magazine.

Tony rolled his eyes, and groaned dramatically.

"Really, Nat? Really?"

"Um, hello?" Peter demanded, sitting up straight as a soldier.

Both Tony and Natasha stared at Peter. The young hero could have immediately picked up on the fact that both Natasha and Tony looked wary, but alas! He buzzed right past that and opened his mouth . . . again.

"I am so bored! Can't we do something?"

"There are plenty of things for you to do! There's a gym, movie theater, recreation room, and a library! Don't tell me you're bored."

Tony practically begged the U.N. to allow them to go on a mission. All of his fellow team mates were getting bored sitting around all day. Part of him couldn't blame Peter . . . The kid hadn't done anything exiting since he broke up with Mary Jane.

On the weekends, Tony would send for Gwen, and they'd all hang out together. Much to Peter's chagrin, Tony would try to concoct romantic settings for the pair of lovebirds, but the plans seldom worked out.

One would think a genius could figure out how the light candles without setting the couch on fire.

"But I've done all that!"

Tony sighed. Natasha frowned sympathetically.

"Do you have a suggestion?"

Peter pursued his lips.

"Uhh . . . How about a movie?"

"I already suggested that."

"No! Like in an actual theater! A cool AMC theater with those recliner chairs and popcorn and Twizzlers!"

Tony frowned.

"But the theater will be so crowded!"

"We'll can see a movie that's been in theaters for a while, so it won't be as crowded."

"You know, I could get out of here. Nat, see what's playing."

Natasha rolled her eyes, and grumbled something about Tony's lazy ass under her breath. She pulled out her phone, googled Fandango, and after she scrolled through a list of movies, she looked up.

"Um . . . How does Now You See Me 2 sound? It was released June 10th, so it's been in theater for a few weeks." she asked, pushing a lock of red hair behind her ear.

"What's it about?"

Natasha sighed.

"Magicians or something like that."

"Ew, I hate Wizards. They creep me out!"

Peter snickered, making Tony glare at him. Peter stopped.

"It's not about Wizards, dumbass! It's about the type of magicians that saw people and half and use playing cards!"

"Like David Copperfield?"

"Yes, Tony. Like David Copperfield."

"That's friggin' awesome!"

"Who's David Copperfield?" Peter asked, grabbing a pillow from the couch and pulling it close to his chest.

"You have much to learn, my young Padawan!"

They drove down to New York City to see the movie.

Normally, Tony wouldn't have done something like that just to see a movie, but he thought it would be nice for Peter to be able to see Gwen an extra day this week. Peter suggested they picked her up from her apartment.

Shortly after Peter knocked on her apartment door, Gwen opened it and jumped into Peter's arms. Tony thought he heard his kid sigh in satisfaction, which made him smile slowly. Gwen leaned back and stared into Peter's eyes, a goofy grin spreading across her face. As the couple quickly closed the space between their faces, Tony whipped out his phone and started taking pictures.

He didn't know what came over him . . .

Peter and Gwen pulled apart, and stared at him. Tony smiled guiltily, still holding his cellphone up.

"What're you doing?"

"Taking pictures!"

"Um . . . Tony? Could you—uh—not?"

"C'mon! It's for posterity."

"What does that even mean?"

"You'd have regretted it if I didn't take them. Now you got them for memories!"

"TONY!"

"Sorry! Sorry!"

It was in moments like these that Tony realized he was really becoming dad-ish. He found it hard to describe . . . It was a weird impulse inside of him, and click. Sometimes, it would switch on and off uncontrollably. Sometimes, he'd do it on purpose. Of course it wasn't in a mean or cruel way; it simply was light-hearted and fun.

As the headed out of the apartment complex, the young couple held hands, and talked quietly to each other. Tony walked behind the awkwardly, occasionally tripping over himself awkwardly. Every time he did so, the lovers would turn around and stare at him, unsure of what he was really doing. Gwen smiled patiently, and would ask if he was okay. Tony nodded each time, and said his shoe laces were untied. Then, he'd look down and see that he wasn't wearing shoes with laces, so he shrugged awkwardly and they kept walking.

It wasn't until they arrived at the theater that Tony realized he was a third wheel.

Once they were in the theater, they stood in line. Tony tried to keep his distance. Apparently, when Peter suggested they go to a movie, "they" meant him and Gwen.

Tony felt a little miffed that Peter hadn't clarified his date. He'd gone into this trip, thinking that Peter wanted to have to father/son time, but apparently he just needed a ride.

He didn't want to admit that he was jealous; Gwen was so awesome! She was sweet, and made Peter special, unlike bitchy Mary Jane. Tony's heart with joy every time he saw Gwen look at Peter; it was like she was seeing for the first time. He knew it was cliché, but it was the truest truth he'd ever observed.

Still, Tony never experienced being a third wheel before. He always had a beautiful girl on his arm. Not that he wanted a date right now; part of him still longed for Pepper.

He watched Peter and Gwen carefully, and when it was their term to buy tickets, Tony leaned forward, pulling out his wallet. As he pulled a couple of crisp bill out of his pocket, Peter glared at him. Tony frowned.

Oh right . . . He's paying.

He nodded obediently, waving his hands in apology, Peter handed the cashier, a elderly lady, a twenty dollar bill, and smiled at Gwen brightly. She giggled, and pressed a gentle kiss to his ear.

The couple headed to the food line, while Tony purchased his ticket. As the cashier handed him a ticket, she smiled sympathetically.

"That your son?"

"Um, yeah. I guess."

She chuckled.

"Good luck, then."

"Uh, thanks."

As the joined the food line, he pulled out his cellphone.

Tony: Nat! I'm being friend-zoned!

Natasha: What the hell, Tony?

Tony: Peter is ignoring me!

Natasha: That's not what being friend-zoned means.

Tony: Whatever. We picked up Gwen and it's a date.

Natasha: What'd you think it was?

Tony: I don't know . . . I thought we were just going to see a movie!

Natasha: Oh god. Just . . . don't sit next to them and act all dad-ish. Yes, don't think I didn't notice your dad behavior.

Tony: Wait, so I have to sit by myself?

Natasha: Ugh, stop whining!

Tony: How do you know I was whining?

Natasha: Oh please. Just give Peter and Gwen some space, okay?

Tony shoved his phone back into his pocket, and watched Gwen and Peter walking into the theater. Peter was toting a jumbo popcorn in his arms, while Gwen held their two cokes. Tony muttered something about sharing popcorn under his breath, and ordered himself his own jumbo popcorn and large coke.

Tony didn't want to fret.

However, he wanted to keep an eye on them.

Walking into the theater, he immediately scanned the area for Peter and Gwen. They were sitting in the second row from the back, so Tony started heading up to that row.

His brain told him to take Natasha advice, and give them some space. However, Tony didn't obey the assassin's words of wisdom.

He sat in the seat directly behind Peter.

As he walked to his seat, he could see Peter staring at him.

Shoot, Tony! Shoot!

He sat down quickly, and stuck his hand deep down into his popcorn bin.

When the movie started playing, Tony found it difficult to concentrate on all the actors running around on the screen.

What if they start making out and I have to watch?

Tony flinched.

That'd be awkward.

He snorted, causing the person sitting near him to shush him. Tony rolled his eyes, and resisted the urge to give the man the middle finger. However, realizing that the lights were out and the man couldn't see his middle finger if he did decide to show it to him, he decided to refrain.

In the darkness, Tony thought he saw Peter's silhouette leaning to kiss Gwen.

Damn you, Tony! Damn you! You could have sat anywhere in the theater, but you chose to be a creep! Damn you!

As the final credits rolled, Tony was scarred for life.

Yeah, Gwen and Peter did kiss . . . quite passionately.

Tony wasn't even really sure what the movie was about. Something about Mark Ruffalo (who looked something like his science-bro Bruce) wanting get back at Morgan Freeman for killing his father. He was pretty sure Jesse Eisenburg and Harry Potter were also somewhere in the mix, but he didn't really care.

New York City was dark when they walked out of the theater. Tony tried to stay a few feet behind them, and attempted to not eavesdrop on the happy couple.

As they walked through the glowing city lights, something happened to Tony. There was something in him, something painful. He bit his lip, hoping that Peter and Gwen wouldn't notice that he was lagging farther behind than usual.

In the bright city lights, Tony saw Pepper. Although he had grown accustom to his life without her, part of him looked back on those memories bitter-sweet feelings. Mostly, he missed the comforting presence Pepper provided, and the strength she gave him. Pepper reminded him that he could be a better person; Tony didn't have to be the immature playboy that only cared about money and sex.

Pepper made it clear that she wasn't the one for him . . .

So that was that.

Tony was happy Peter found a person that gave him strength, and was willing to stand by his side through thick and thin. He liked Gwen, and hoped Peter would continue on this relationship with her.

After Peter dropped Gwen off, they walked back to their car in silence. Someone had tipped the paparazzi off, so they were greeted by an abundance of photographers, holding their camera up to capture the famous Avenger's face. Peter looked a little shocked and uneasy at the flashing lights around him, causing Tony to hold up his hands to protest them. He didn't like the idea of Peter being on the cover of the tabloid, but at least Gwen wouldn't be in the pictures.

After they were in the safety of the car, Tony stared at Peter, whose face was creased with worry.

"Peter, what's wrong?"

"This isn't the first time we've been spotted by the paparazzi."

"Yeah, well . . . It's just a thing you'll have to get used to."

"No, that's not it . . . It's just . . . what if people find out I'm Spiderman? I mean, they know I'm your intern, but what if they connect that dots?"

Peter ran this fingers through his hair.

"The press is stupid. I—I wouldn't worry about it."

Little did Tony know . . .

The next morning, when Tony shuffled into the kitchen, he was greeted by the upset faces of his team. Still in his pajamas, Tony stared at them. Natasha and Vision looked concerned, while Rhodey looked like he could beat someone up.

Peter, on the other hand, looked like he was about to cry. His hands were obviously shaking, and his lip trembled, making the kid shiver. In front of him sat his worn out notebook, the one he'd been scribbling in for the last few weeks. A few tattered pages stuck out, making Tony more curious as to what it's content was.

"Guys, what's wrong?"

Natasha held up her cell-phone, and showed the screen to Tony. On it was one of the paparazzi's pictures from last night.

The headline said:

Peter Parker: The Man Behind The Mask.

"Dear god," Tony whispered "Dear god."

Author's Note: Hahaha! It's a cliff-hanger! I really wanted to do one at some point, so I decided to add that last part in the lead up to the next chapter.

I want you guys to know Gwen might not show up for the next few chapters. I feel like she's popular amongst my readers, but I'd like to write specifically about Tony and Peter's relationship. After all, that's really what the story is about! Don't worry though! Gwen will be back!

My friend suggested I write about Peter's identity because the kid hangs out with Tony a lot, and the media would probably start making accusations at some point. Also, the paparazzi are probably a big part of Tony's life (t mean, the guys mega famous.)

Another thing . . .I was thinking of changing the story's rating to T because there is some language, and I want to be safe. What'd you guys think?

Please leave a review with ideas! I write down every prompt given eventually (unless it involves something that involves me getting into Fifty Shades of Grey mode because I try to avoid that ;p) Do you want to see Steve again? Or do you want Peter to meet someone else from Team Captain America? Do you want another mission or a vacation to Hawaii?

Let me know!

Much Love,

gotmoreissuesthanvogue