Chapter Text
“Do we really have to do this?” Peter whined, kicking at the seat in front of him childishly. Ned looked just as glum.
“Hey, if you don’t want to wrap it when you tap it, we’re going to have to find something else to prevent little accidents.” Tony chastised, adjusting the rear view mirror so he could see them in the backseat. Pepper put a hand on Tony’s forearm, squeezing it tightly until he hissed in pain.
“Please never say that again.” Ned moaned, face turning red. “Really- please. ” Tony ignored him.
“It’s for your own good. I’m happy to pay for your medical services, but I still don’t want this to become a regular thing, and I’m sure Peter agrees with that. We’ll go over some options with the doctor and you can decide what’s best.” Peter shuddered.
“Definitely not something I’d ever like to experience again, no thank you. Can’t Dr. Cho cut to the chase and just remove the whole… thing? ” Tony sighed.
“I’ve talked with her about a hysterectomy before- she understands that you’ll never want biological kids, but wants you to wait for your body and hormones and sh- stuff to stabilize, especially with the post-surgery side-effects. Besides, you're not even eighteen yet, which is the minimum age.” Ned rubbed Peter’s back soothingly.
“I know, I know. Just… two more years is a while, and even then it’s just for consideration.” Tony sighed.
“In a lot of places, you’d have to wait until thirty-five, so just be patient. Dr. Cho luckily isn’t a troglodyte, and luckily you’re in her care.” Peter blanched.
“Thirty-five? What the hell is wrong with our medical system?” He complained. His adoptive dad snorted.
“A lot. We’re here now- hop out.” Tony turned off the ignition, and they all got out of the car. Tony threw an arm over Peter’s shoulder comfortingly when they walked into the women’s health clinic (Peter tried ignoring that fact), and Ned took his hand. Pepper trailed behind them, unsure of where she could be helpful. She’d tagged along to bring her moral support to the table, but was also conscious of the fact that any advice comparing their biological systems might trigger him.
She was unsure of her fit into Peter’s life in general- she’d barely known the kid herself when they adopted him- he was way more Tony’s kid than hers, and neither felt comfortable using the word ‘mom’ yet, even though she was married to his ‘dad.’ Step-mom was the best way to describe their relationship, but it was still clunky. She sat in a plastic seat in the waiting room while Ned, Peter, and her husband went up to the counter.
“I’m here for an appointment for Peter Parker-Stark?” Tony asked, glancing down at his watch. “For 3:45.” The man clicked through a few forms, leaning in and squinting at the screen.
“Yep. You can take a seat, and Dr. Carr will call you when she’s ready. You can bring either, both, or no parents with you.” He told Peter, who nodded.
“I’m fine with the two of them.” He replied, referring to Pepper and his dad. Tony clapped him on the back good-naturedly and led him to Pepper’s corner of the room. She turned to her husband.
“Am I coming back with you guys?” She whispered. Tony nodded, and she was surprised. She was never let into their private little duo.
“Peter?” A woman with slicked back dark hair called out, looking down at a clipboard. They all got up, and poor Ned looked more unsure than ever.
“Can I stay?” He asked Dr. Carr, fumbling with his fingers behind his back.
“We normally allow a patient’s sexual partner to come in during their consultation, if it’s alright with them. Are you fine with this?” She asked, turning her gaze to Peter.
“Uh, yeah.” He looked relatively embarrassed at having his boyfriend be referred to as a sexual partner.
“Great! You can follow me.” Dr. Carr brought them back to a little room, which was definitely cramped for the four of them. Peter was under the impression that someone rarely came in with an entourage of three. There were two chairs- so someone would have to take a seat on the floor. Ned, ever the angel, sat down like a champ.
“Now that we’re here- Peter, your father told me when making the appointment that you were seeking birth control?” Peter nodded slowly.
“Yeah- I mean, like, pills or an IUD.” She smiled.
“Great! You already know about some of our options. Those are the two services we provide here- we can prescribe medications or perform insertions, though there are definitely other forms of birth control, such as arm implants. We can go over the two options, if you’d like.” Peter nodded again.
“I’d like that. I mean, I don’t know a whole lot.”
“For the IUD- there’s two types. Essentially, it’s a device that we insert in your uterus that prevents pregnancy. The copper IUD causes an inflammatory reaction that is toxic to both sperm and eggs, and prevents pregnancy in that way, whilst the hormonal IUD creates progestin, which creates a mucus barrier in your cervix. Both are over 99% effective, and are a one-time device that will only need to be replaced after years and years- twelve for copper, and three to seven for hormonal.” Peter could laugh at how intently Ned and Tony were listening, brows furrowed, hands clasped.
“How about… pills?” Tony asked, considering his question as if Dr. Carr was the president.
"Pills vary, and some of them will increase estrogen levels. I understand that Peter is transgender, and so I’d recommend a progestin-only form, such as Camila.” Pepper took this as the time to offer her own advice.
“I had a hormonal IUD for five years, and irregular periods were something I experienced often. Peter doesn’t get his period anymore- will this affect it?” Dr. Carr frowned.
“I’m sorry to hear that, but it’s a concern I also have. To be honest- I’ve heard of irregular periods for both methods- pills or IUD. They mess with your hormonal system either way. We recommend hormonal IUDs, specifically Mirena, for patients with heavy periods, so I’m inclined to also recommend that to Peter.” Peter had essentially made up his mind at that point.
“I think I’d like that.” He told Dr. Carr. shifting in his seat. “Is it fine to get one if I had an abortion recently?” He asked in a quieter voice, still slightly embarrassed about that misstep.
“Yep! Totally safe. We can set that appointment up at the front desk right now, actually.” She got up and opened the door for all of them. Ned stood up, cracking his back with a fervor once his feet were planted on the ground. Tony shivered.
“Next time, I’m giving you my seat if you’re going to do that.”
"Wait." Ned called out, after Dr. Carr. She turned around with a signature smile. "How long does it take for it to start working?"
"Ned!" Peter, Tony, and Pepper called out together, admonishing him for one of the worst TMIs he'd ever dropped.
"I'm breaking up with you." Peter deadpanned, walking away from his boyfriend.
"I'm just curious!"