Chapter Text
School days drag on extra long when Peter is injured. With one entire class to go, he knew he wasn't gonna make it.
“Ned…” He droned, dropping his bag on the floor by the ratty, old History desks. “Do me a favor and kill me now. Death would be sweeter a fate than another hour and a half of this class.”
He dramatically flopped onto the table, ignoring the laughs and giggles of his classmates. As much as he hated having the eyes of his peers on him, making people smile as Peter Parker felt the same as saving someone's life as Spider-Man.
There is most definitely a hero complex going on, but that's his mentor's fault for pushing the hero agenda on Peter anyway. (He loves it.)
“Dude, did you even look at the whiteboard?”
Usually there was a lewd scribble of politicians drawn by a student in the class before; Mr. Williamson had stopped trying to prevent it, since no matter what their poor teacher did, whiteboard covers, threatening detention, hiding all the markers, the culprit was never caught.
Or maybe he thought it was funny too, no one will ever know.
In big, bold letters, to the right of the last Tzar of Russia and George Washington, “getting it on,” were the words:
“GET OUT PHONES FOR KAHOOT”
Peter's face lit up instantly. “The universe rewards me tremendously, but what have I done to deserve it?”
The best part is, this is one of three classes Peter has with Ned and without Flash. So when he won (By just a few points, too), instead of getting spit-balled, he got a fist bump.
“Okay I was being dramatic earlier, this is the best class ever–” Peter whispered to the girl next to him, Madeline. She smiled, as the teacher made an announcement.
“I hope you all actually tried, because that was a review. The test will be next class, right as you walk in the door, phones need to go in the phone box.” Mr. Williamson said loudly, obviously enjoying the sight of pure disdain on his students' faces.
Peter slammed his head into his desk.
“I lied, This is the worst class ever.” This time Madeline laughed.
Peter was broken from his trance by the prodding and poking on his head. He lifted his head from his locker to see Ned, looking at him wearily.
“Did you find what you were looking for in there?”
Peter held up the small novel he was grasping with white knuckles giving his friend the most genuine smile he was capable of at the moment. Ned only looked more worried. Good thing the book was hard cover, so only finger indents would be left.
“You’re nervous about something.” Ned stated matter-of-factly, his hand on his hip. “What's going on?”
Gods, Ned knew him too well.
When Peter didn’t respond, trying to pull together his words, Ned's face darkened and he leaned in close.
“Is it the Spidey-sense? Avengers business? Are you expected at another meeting with that scary Fury dude?”
Peter sighed. “No, it’s not that. Well actually, a little, but like– I’m meeting someone important today.” He loved the way Ned's face lit up with curiosity. They walked out of the school together, chattering about all things nerdy before making it outside and away from potential eavesdroppers.
“So?” Peter's best friend grabbed his not-injured arm and shook excitedly. “Someone from the army again?” He asked, referring to 4 months ago, when the Parker got to meet Rhodeys’ friend.
“Nope, better.”
“Someone from Shield? Or maybe some politician? Oh my– are you meeting the President?”
Peter laughed him off, waving his hand to say no, omitting the fact that he’s already met Mr. Ellis. Or that he has his phone number, with the contact just being Matthew, as per request by the man that declared himself as one of the boys’ best friends when he found out they both loved fruity pebbles to death. He wanted to tell Ned so badly, but if it got out that he had a personal connection to the President, that would just put another target or ten on his head.
Ned thought hard, going over every possible person that could be this important in Peter's head.
“A new Avenger?”
“Not quite, man.”
“Adele?”
“I wish.”
“Ugh! I give up!” Ned said dramatically. “I’ll never guess, you gotta' tell.”
They approached the intersection where the two go separate ways every day, so Peter decided to be merciful.
“The CEO of Stark Industries.” He grinned, the nervous gurgle in his stomach welling up again.
What if she doesn’t like me? Or thinks that Mr. Stark should stop letting me work in their building because I’m weird? Tony is always talking about how much of an actual goddess she is– He would probably do anything she asked.
The Leeds jaw hit the floor, he looked absolutely speechless.
“You’ve gotta' be pulling my fucking leg right now.”
Peter smiled sweetly and innocently, as if he did not just say the awesomest thing either of them have ever heard.
“The great– no, no. Magnificent Pepper Potts?” Ned clarified, looking as if he was two seconds away from passing out.
“I’m terrified. Ned, am I going to survive?”
“Just pray she doesn't have a vendetta against Spider-Man. Does she know?”
Peter hadn’t thought about that before. He wasn't sure.
“I don’t know, actually. Mr. Stark has probably mentioned it at some point.”
Ned told him he should probably ask Mr. Stark before accidentally, possibly spilling something like that. He wouldn’t want to send another person into shock by admitting it too nonchalantly. (E.I. Clint Barton.) Peter shuttered at the recollection.
‘i have a very important question about today for when I'm coming over’
Pepper saw the text pop up on her boyfriends’ phone. She picked it up and signed in. The contact said “Problem Child (Peter).”
She smiled at the name, honestly surprised it didn’t say something like “My Problem Child.” The guy never stopped talking about this kid. There were pictures in the tower's living room with him in it, though she’s always been busy with something when the teenager is around, hence the reason the two have never met. She got all her work for today done yesterday and had Julia cancel the meeting this afternoon– she was overly excited when Tony asked if she’d like to meet the kid that day prior.
She was a little nervous, to be honest. This child, Peter Parker, had Tony wrapped around his finger. What if she and him didn’t get along?
“Tony, Peter texted you!” She called from the couch. “Looks important!”
The man called back that he’d be over in a second, when the second text came through.
‘does Ms. Potts know abt how we know each other in the first place?’
That's a little weird. Did that question only sound suspicious because she had no idea what the kid was talking about?
Tony walked in and leaned over to read the texts on the phone in Peppers hand.
“What does that mean?” She asked, turning to look oddly at Tony. The man chuckled.
“I don’t know how Peter thinks I’d be able to hide that from you. He’s just talking about being Spider-Man. Remember when he was on the news, and you said he sounded young? That's what actually piqued my interest, cause up until then, I thought he was some 40 year old with too much free time. ”
“Sounds like you.” Pepper laughed.
Tony gasped with mock offense, then kept ranting about the first meeting he had with Peter.
Tony always smiles when talking about him.
She knows she’s gonna like this kid.