It was now the Friday of the winter formal and peter still hadn't touched his phone, he missed tony like crazy, but he was hurt. He figured tony hadn't even responded to his last text. Ned had attempted to get him a date, but he just outright refused, he didn't want a date, not the one Ned had tried to set him up with anyways. He was standing in front of the mirror, looking at himself in his tux. Peter sighed, he looked good, but he really didn't want to go. His aunt called from the other room for him to hurry up he was going to be late.
Peter slipped his phone in his pocket, it was fully charged, just off, In case he needed it before walking out of his room.
From Tony: Peter please
From Tony: I know you haven't read them yet but please talk to me
From Tony: I miss you
From Tony: Peter...
From Tony: please
Tony: you really are ignoring me aren't you?
From Tony: ...I hope your dance tonight is fun
From Tony: and I hope you're not being forced to go with someone that makes you want to crawl out of windows
Tony put his phone down, rubbing his face. He hadn't heard from Peter in days, and it was affecting his sleep and his routine. He missed him.
Peter just sat at the table, bored. He was trying to decide whether he wanted to turn his phone back on or not, He was worried that Tony hadn't texted him, that he really didn't care if Peter talked to him or not. With a sigh, he shoved the phone back into his pocket.
Tony groaned, finally giving up and pulling up a holo-screen. He looked up the information he needed before hurrying to put on a suit, pausing only for a moment before he tugged on a crimson shirt and gold tie under the blanket jacket. He ignored Peppers curious stares as he grabbed his phone and wallet.
From Tony: look for the black, red, and gold
From Tony: I miss you
Peter gave in, turning on his phone and waiting patiently for it to power up. Once it did, the texts started pouring in, all from tony. Peter bit his lip, taking a shaky breath before reading them. His heart was aching by the time he got to the bottom. Confused by the message about gold, red and black.
Tony showed up at the dance looking around.
Peter locked his phone, he was going to message tony back when he got home. He stood up, looking around for Ned when he heard everyone start whispering and pointing towards the door. Peter turned to see what was going on and there was Tony Stark. His jaw almost dropped to the ground, tony was dressed in a black suit with a red shirt and gold tie. It took Peter's brain a moment, but it began firing again, He had told him to look for the red black and gold. Found it. Peter was already blushing and chewing his lip nervously and Tony hadn't even seen him yet. This was going to end in disaster.
Tony slipped through the crowd, smiling pleasantly at everyone before he found Peter -so he looked up his picture. -He was not a stalker, shit up Pepper). He moved over. "Peter"
Peter let his eyes flicker up to Tony's face. "Hi." He said shyly, Tony was even more gorgeous in person than in the magazines he'd seen the man in. Tony smiled, holding out a hand. "Wanna dance or bail?" Peter chewed on his lip for a moment, he wanted to dance with Tony, he really wanted to dance with him.
"One dance?" He asked, taking Tony's hand slowly.
Tony smiled crookedly. " one dance, coming right up" Peter was sure his heart was going to beat out of his chest as he let Tony lead him out on the floor. Tony pulled him close as they started. "Breath" he reminded
"Huh? Oh. I am." He said flushing again. "Why did you come?" He finally asked for after a moment.
"You weren't even looking at my texts. I missed you."
Peter felt his face heat up. "I'm sorry." He murmured
"Don't be sorry. You were upset that I kept that from you. But I did have a reason"
Peter looked up at Tony, finally calming himself down enough to meet the others gaze. "Why?" He asked, still in a small voice.
"You're not the first to accidentally text me, but usually when others find out my last name, whatever friendship there was gets tainted because they flipflop into 'cant you help me get this job?' 'Can you help me start up my own business?' Etc etc. And then I end up having to change my number because I say no and they blast me to their friends. So I was cautious this time. But you are brilliant, so smart, and I know you wouldn't do that. But I was almost done with the phones. I wanted it to be a surprise for you. Your ideas are amazing"
"I wouldn't have." He confirmed, "It felt like you didn't trust me enough to tell me." He said softly "I'm sorry I was ignoring you, I needed time to process everything."
"I was going to respond when I got home tonight "
"Yeah, well, Pepper always did call me impatient" he grinned. "It wasn't a matter of trust. After I knew you wouldn't, I just wanted to surprise you with the phone."
"You surprised me alright," Peter grumbled
"Well I meant for it to be a good surprise" he mused, spinning them around.
"I haven't even looked at it." He admitted, "It's in the corner of my room."
"Understandable with how upset you were." The song ended and Peter reluctantly let go of tony.
"We can bail now." He said, rubbing the back of his neck nervously
"C'mon, I'll take you to my favorite burger joint" Tony grinned.
Peter nodded, looking around and everyone was staring, some had their phones out. Peter blushed. "Does this happen everywhere you go?" He whispered
"Yeah " he sounded wryly amused. "It can be annoying. C'mon"
Peter nodded and followed Tony out of the school, Everyone watching. He started loosening his tie the second they got outside, taking a deep breath. Tony led him to the car, smiling as he opened the door. "Thanks," Peter said with a small smile. Tony smiled widely, slipping into the car. Once they were at the small diner, he shucked off his tie and jacket, rolling up his sleeves
Peter took his jacket off as well, rubbing a hand through his hair. "I'm not that hungry." He confessed
"Would you rather talk here and just get drinks then? Or maybe head somewhere else?"
Peter shook his head "This is fine. I'll just get a milkshake or something" He said, trying to make this now almost permanent blush go away. Peter took another calming breath. Tony nodded, leading him into the diner, grinning and waving at the owner as they were led to a private area. Peter followed, sitting down and thanking the person who seated them.
Tony passed him a menu, grinning. "Why do you seem so shy?"
Peter sighed "In case you hadn't noticed, You're tony stark." He said, rolling his eyes and taking the menu, deciding on a double chocolate milkshake.
"Yeah, but I wasn't any different last week " Tony pouted
Peter laughed "I was this bad last week, you just weren't around to actually SEE me!" He argued with a slight whine.
Tony rested his chin on one hand, pointing at him with it. "And you're just as adorable. Ah!" He turned to the waitress as she walked up, giving his order.
"You see, that's not helping this situation!" Peter whined to tony before turning to the waitress and ordering his milkshake.
Tony laughed softly "so I get to see not quite so composed peter."
Peter snorted out a laugh "I'm never composed." He assured Tony with a lopsided grin.
Tony smile just grew "I look forward to seeing it!"
Peter rolled his eyes. "You crash a high school winter formal because you were impatient. You don't get to talk about composure" Peter said with another laugh.
Tony pouted again, waiting until the waitress left to wave a fry at him. "Touchè." Peter's smile widened, stealing one of Tony's fries and popping it into his mouth with a smirk.
"Theif!" He gasped, a hand on his chest but a grin on his face.
Peter rolled his eyes "Drama Queen" He grumbled, taking another fry just out of spite.
"Of course" Tony grinned, pushing the fry basket to the middle of the table.
Peter shook his head "I don't want any more." He chuckled "I'm glad you showed up."
"Yeah?" He gave him a small smile before biting into his burger.
Peter drank his milkshake happily. He nodded "that dance was boring" he complained, still smiling. "You should have seen who Ned was going to set me up with." He said with a shiver "I refused, but apparently I have a date tomorrow night with them anyways." He grumbled, rolling his eyes, feeling more comfortable like he was on the phone with Tony.
"Ewwww I'm sorry. Wear the Cheeto sweats and the old holey jogging shirt...and don't forget the crocs" Tony instructed.
Peter laughed loudly shaking his head and grinning brightly at tony "you're awful."
"I'm amazing' he corrected, laughing.
Peter pretended to think for a moment "Sometimes" he shrugged, still smiling. Tony laughed bright, flicking a fry at him
"Hey! Rude!" Peter said, tossing it back at Tony.
Tony laughed brightly, flicking it back.
Peter pouted "Beating me up with fries. Not nice." He said sticking his tongue out.
"Salty deep fried destruction" Tony grinned.
Peter rolled his eyes. "Awful." He said again.
"Probably, but still awesome"
Peter laughed again, finishing up his milkshake. "Thanks again for crashing."
"Any time" he promised. "Just don't ask me to by ignoring me" he gave an exaggerated pout.
"I won't ignore you anymore." He said softly with a smile.
Tony nodded, smiling widely. "Good! Anywhere you want to go?"
Peter just shrugged "Anywhere is fine." He said, grabbing the ticket before Tony could.
"Hey" Tony pouted, though he was secretly pleased and surprised. Most people assume he'd pay. He thought for a moment before smiling. "Come on, I have an idea"
Peter paid the tab before laughing and following Tony "should I be worried?" he asked "And don't pout. You rescued me, my treat." He added.
Tony just smiled, giving him a wink. "Nah, cmon" he helped him into the car, heading for his tower.
Peter followed obediently. "Where are we going?"
"A tinkering wonderland" he grinned, leading him down to his labs.
Peter spun around, trying to look at everything "This is your lab?" He said, impressed.
"One of them. This one is more for computers and tech of that nature" he explained.
Peter ran his fingers across a few surfaces, ones he was sure he wouldn't make anything explode on. "But no one is allowed in your labs." He murmured, knowing he'd read that somewhere, it was well known that Tony Stark's personal labs were off limits to everyone.
"You are."
Peter looked over at him, tilting his head curiously and giving Tony a grin. "Should I ask why or just go with it?" He asked with a laugh
"I mean you can but the reason is that I trust you and I want to see what comes out of that brilliant mind when you have the tools you need"
Peter blushed and shrugged "I'll just go with it." He decided with another smile, continuing to look around.
"Good" he grinned widely. "I just ask that you share your ideas so I can watch"
"Right now?" He asked, "I don't know what to make!" He said voice starting to squeak a little.
"Doesn't have to be right now" he laughed.
"Oh, I get invited back?" He joked with another grin
"Of course. 24/7 access"
Peter looked at Tony, shocked. "That's too much. I can't just invade your workspace like that." He said shaking his head, still looking around.
"I work mostly at night when you're asleep"
Peter chuckled "That's not the point."
Peter," he chuckled. "I may give you 24/7 access; doesn't mean you have to use it that often. It's up to you. Just know you're welcome."
Peter nodded "I appreciate it. Thank you." He said softly.
"You're very welcome" Tony smiled.
"I never said thank you for my phone," Peter said, exploring the lab further.
"You're very welcome. I hope I got everything in there."
"You let me criticize your tech," Peter said with a laugh, remembering when he was telling Tony about his ideas for the phones.
Tony grinned widely "well yeah. But they were good ideas"
"Sorry?" Peter said, still laughing.
"No sorry need" he waved it away, flopping onto the couch.
"We could watch a movie." Peter said with a shrug "I'm not very hard to entertain." He said jokingly.
"Mmmm, you pick" he grinned, pulling up a holoscreen.
"Avengers?" He asked with a grin, sitting on the opposite end of the couch.
"Mmm, sure" he shrugged, tapping at the screen. A huge holoscreen popped up against one wall.
"This is awesome tech." He said relaxing back.
"Isn't it? I love tweaking it. Jarvis, get the lights, would you?" He looked up, grinning as they dimmed. "Thanks"
"Jarvis?" Peter questioned.
"I am Jarvis, hello Mr. Parker"
Tony grinned, pointing to the ceiling. "AI"
Peter gasped "That's so cool!" He said "Hi Jarvis! Nice to meet you!" He said to the ceiling, still smiling.
"Very nice to meet you as well, Mr. Parker. Sir has spoken of you often "
Tony groaned, ducking his head. "C'mon, J. "
"Oh really! What does he say, Jarvis?" Peter asked with a grin.
"Nothing bad, I assure you"
Tony just groaned, burying his face in his hands.
Peter giggled "That's all you're going to tell me isn't it?" He pouted
"I'm afraid so. I need the blackmail material"
Tony snorted, throwing rude gestures at the ceiling. Peter doubled over laughing. "I think I like you more than I do Tony, Jarvis. Can I have your number instead?" He asked jokingly.
"I don't have a number; however you are welcome to talk to me here anytime". Tony pouted at him.
"Great!" Peter beamed at the ceiling.
"Leaving me for my tech?" Tony moaned, giving exaggerated sniffled
"You make amazing tech. It's your own fault really, you should have seen this coming." Peter said with a shrug and another laugh.
"I really should have" he pouted.
"I'll still watch a movie with this though." Peter joked. Tony smiled, flicking the movie into the screen. Peter ended up with his shoes off, curled up on the couch, closer to tony than he originally was at the beginning-not on purpose okay- and he was soaked up in the movie. Tony smiled ruffling Peter's hair before he settled in to watch the movie. Peter blinked a few times and looked at tony, giving him a bright smile before turning back to the movie. By the end of the movie, he was sitting close to Peter, both of them sprawled.
Peter stretched, yawning "That was a good movie. Pretty sure iron man is my favorite" he said with a smile.
"Mmm, mine too" he admitted. He looked over, a small smile on his face. "Tired?"
Peter blushed "A little, Yeah, I should probably head home." He said, not really wanting to go home.
"I have plenty of guest rooms if you rather would stay here. Or I can take you home.
"Aunt Mae is expecting me to stay at Neds..." he said softly "I don't want to impose..."
"You won't be" he promised.
"If you're sure." He said smiling shyly. Tony smiled, nodding as he led Peter up to his floor.
Peter looked around as they walked, leaning against the door frame once Tony had shown him to the spare room. "Thank you, Tony, for everything." He said with a small smile.
"No problem at all, Peter. There are some pajama pants in the drawers, various sizes. Help yourself to anything in there or the en suite ok? I'm two doors down, but feel free to ask Jarvis for something if you need it."
Peter grinned "I might ask him stuff about you." He said with a laugh "Whatdaya say, Jarvis? Gonna give me the low down on Tony?" He asked the AI.
"Blackmail, Mr. Parker. However, I may share some of my vast collection "Tony groaned, smiling ruefully.
Peter giggled, still grinning "We are going to be good friends Jarvis"
"Of course"
Tony just smiled, rolling his eyes fondly. "Sleep well, Peter "
"Night tony," He said with a smile before going in the room and shutting the door. Peter tossed and turned for an hour, mind still racing from the day. "Hey, Jarvis?" He asked softly.
"Yes, Mr. Parker?"
Peter chewed on his lip a moment "How many people does tony let in his lab?" He asked softly
"Same as you or in general?"
"Same as me." He said, blushing a bit.
"No one other than Sir and You has that level of clearance, Mr. Parker."
"Oh. Thanks, J." He said, "Is it okay that I call you that? I heard Tony say it. It's okay if it's just his thing." He rambled, blushing as his head reeled more, he'd been given unrestricted access to the best lab in the world, like it was nothing.
"Of course, Mr. Parker. I happen to enjoy the nickname."
"Okay. J it is." Peter agreed "Goodnight J." He murmured, yawning again and finally dozing off
"Goodnight, Mr. Parker."