Chapter Text
Virginia ‘Pepper’ Potts, CEO of Stark Industries and newly pronounced fiance of the infamous Tony Stark; did not do surprises.
So when Tony calls her in advance to organise a press conference with the little detail of “im initiating a new avenger… you know the spider-kid i made those suits for, yeah, don’t tell the press that detail, just make it happen” she was more than happy to fill the final slot on her daily planner and stress less over the new task that extended her working day.
“Seems he’s finally learnt the godly ways of planning before hand and not just ‘winging it’ for everything” she hummed to herself and began the duty of hand picking reporters and journalists for the event.
~
4:17pm
Pepper especially did not like late starts, she checks her watch methodically every 45 seconds and shifts her gaze to the door which Tony and Spider-Man were going to enter. That's if they ever decide to show up...
The press conference was meant to begin almost 20 minutes ago.
Pepper’s nerves had taken over walking her body to the nearest microphone. Standing awkwardly at the podium, she takes a moment to collect and excuse the late start and herself as the reporters get antsy and fiddle with their equipment. She strides towards the doors that separates ‘Avengers Compound’ to conference room, her frustration fuelling her every step and push.
“Where’s the kid?! You didn’t screw this up did you?” she all but seeths, pointing an accusing finger at two of the three men that were supposed to be behind the threshold.
~
It was safe to say that Pepper had known about Spider-Man, and how he was on the younger side of heroism for a little while; She had heard that all from Tony, from the way he talked so highley and fondly of him, she was almost certain that her Tony was giving in to his fatherly instincts without even noticing.
It had been a month since she said ‘Yes’ at the press conference and a month of Tony relinquishing 2 days of his week to lab work with Spider-Man. On those days Pepper had their penthouse to herself.
Peppers time alone let her meditate with yoga and drink-boat loads of herbal tea while watching her favourite shows on the lounge; As she readied for her night of self-soothing she expected the Penthouse to be empty and naturally lit by the sun-setting in the distance through the open plan living room windows.
One thing Pepper didn’t expect to see was a 15 year old boy with the beginnings of a black eye sitting at her kitchen counter, with a familiar red and blue suit hanging off his frame.
The boy realised that Pepper had just walked in and began to radiate awkwardness and embarrassment as he stumbled over his explanation.
“M-miss Potts, im so sor-sorry to intrude, I didn’t realise you were home! Mr. Stark just told me to wait here a-and i should have just f-followed him to the lab, oh im really sorry for intruding i c-can go if you like i can make my own way down--” Spider-Man stood up fast enough that pepper was sure that if it was her, she would have gotten whiplash. Pepper stood there looking an even mixture of confusion and shock as she tried to process what the boy was rapidly spewing from his mouth.
As Spider-man began to move away from the island counter and profusely apologize for his intrusion, Pepper was thrusted back into reality.
“No! … no it’s okay, please sit down again, make yourself at home” she tried to laugh off the awkward energy that was not radiating from the both of them, gesturing back to where he was previously sitting. They both took a moment to situate themselves, Pepper placing down her bag and slipping off her heels, placing them on the opposite end of the island before springing back up and running a hand through her hair.
The boy sitting at Pepper’s counter was sat with nothing to do but look at his gloved hands like they were the most interesting thing in the world, but Pepper wouldn’t doubt, seeing how young he is that he has had that exact thought at least once.
This wasn’t anything like what Pepper thought she would have been prepared for when meeting the infamous super-hero; She runs test and imaginative scenarios through her free time for goodness sake, but alas she was stunned and bouncing off her basic ‘host’ instincts, This boy was barely a teen and Pepper finds herself oblivious to teen culture and what’s popular in the media. Do teens even still use facebook?? She would have no-clue. Another look towards the boy would only inform Pepper that he was just as confused and uncomfortable in the unfolding situation, so, you could say Pepper felt a little less alone with that knowledge.
The silence between them was almost deafening until Pepper decided that their level of silence would make the vacuum of space envious.
“Would you like something to drink? I’m thinking it’s a little late for coffee but i have some herbal tea?” she inquired, watching for his answer.
“Tea would be lovely, thank you miss Potts” he agreed, relaxing his shoulders. This kid was the epitome of kind manners and respect; Peter was just charming Pepper in all the right ways, she becomes a little more surprised as to how Tony hadn't introduced them before now.
The two of them chat while Pepper prepares the tea and she learns that the young boy sitting at her countertop is named Peter and that he has been Spider-man for a little over a year and a half. Peter also attend the prestigious Mid-Town school of Science and Technology and thinks ‘no wonder tony gets on so well with this kid, he’s a little genius’
Pepper notices the small flinch Peter gives when he accidentally swiped his bruise and a rush of maternal instincts infects Pepper with the need to protect him. Without hesitation, she makes her way to the freezer, pulling out her ice tray and Peter looks confused.
‘Hot tea with ice????”
Pepper continues her own little mission and fishes out a sandwich baggie from a drawer in the island and places a handful of ice cubes inside, zipping it up and wrapping it in a tea towel before handing it to Peter.
“For the swelling, don’t think I didn’t notice that it hurts, just place it lightly on the corner of your eye, then we can swap that to a warm heat pack to get rid of that nasty colouring.”
Peter accepts the homemade ice pack and follows Pepper’s orders with a small smile and Pepper is left feeling a little more satisfied with herself.
"I'm guessing this isn't the first time you have helped out a black eye before huh?" Peter chuckles, "Aw kid it's like you don't even know who my fiance is, one day you are making sure he catches his flight; the next thing you know, you're running one of the biggest companies in the world" She play fully retorts.
Tony walks into the Penthouse at that moment, speaking without looking “Sorry i took so long kid, i just need to lock up the lab and grab you a change of clothes” As Tony looks up, hes greeted by the stern face of his fiance and a beaming Peter with and ice pack held to his face.
And with his masterful deduction skills Tony knew exactly what they were both thinking.
‘Tony, you and I are going to have a talk about bringing home injured children without warning me first’
‘OHMYGODIJUSTMETPEPPERFREAKINGPOTTS’