Chapter Text
Peter woke up that Thursday morning, expecting it to be just another, boring day. Go to school, endure seven long classes, go back home, have lunch, do homework, patrol a little then go to bed. Same old routine. But as Peter opened the door to his apartment, greeting Aunt May as he set his school bag at the door, he stopped in his tracks at the unexpected guest sitting next to her.
“Oh, Mr Parker!” Sitting on his couch, in his run-down, cramped apartment, was Tony Stark.
Peter blinked several times, before stammering, “What are…? Hey, I’m, um, I’m Peter,”
Mr Stark smiled, “Tony,”
Through the conversation that followed, Peter tried to think of every possibility as to why The Tony Stark was at his house. After asking May and getting her permission, Tony dragged Peter to the teen’s messy bedroom. Peter’s heart was hammering in his chest as he watched Tony’s every move.
Has he figured out who Spider-Man is? Is that why he’s here?
Peter tried to initiate the conversation, “Look, I definitely did not apply for your grant--”
Tony held up a finger, interrupting him, “Nuh-uh, me first,”
Peter gulped thickly, “Okay,”
The man pulled out his phone, projecting a video of Spider-Man. Peter’s heart dropped. Tony smirked at the panicked look on the teen’s face.
‘Shit,’ was Peter’s last thought.
***
Peter wasn’t expecting Mr Stark to ask him to join the fight against Captain America. Their team was huddled together, going over the plan one last time. Peter felt awkward and nervous under the glances his teammates were giving him. They knew his identity, and they knew he was young. Peter had one job today: Impress Mr Stark.
The man was his role model since childhood. It was an honour to just be in the same vicinity as him.
Tony ordered him to ‘Web them up and keep your distance. Don’t engage in hand-to-hand combat.’ Peter wanted to roll his eyes at him and say that he’s perfectly capable of fighting any of them. But he kept his mouth shut and nodded instead.
***
“Are you filming?” Tony asked him, lifting the phone from Peter’s hand. They were on their way to Peter’s apartment. He and Tony were sitting in the backseat as Happy drove the car. Peter opened his mouth to answer, but Happy beat him to it.
“I told him not to,” Happy said.
“It’s fine,” Tony assured. He turned to Peter, “What are you doing, a documentary type-thing?”
Peter shrugged, “Something like that,”
“Okay, well, don’t post it on MySpace or something. Pepper doesn’t need to deal with that type of PR nightmare,”
Peter chuckled nervously, “Of course not, Mister Stark.” He hesitated before adding, “... and no one uses MySpace anymore,”
Tony didn’t respond, just glancing at Peter with a smirk.
They pulled up to the apartment. Tony asked Happy to get the bags from the trunk while he talked with Peter.
“Okay, listen,” Tony started. Peter shifted so he was facing the man completely, “Happy is your point guard, so don’t give him a lot of trouble.”
Peter once again wanted to roll his eyes at him, but he nodded.
“Look, don’t do anything I would do. And definitely don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
Peter blinked several times, trying to comprehend what Tony just said.
“There’s a little grey area in-between and that’s where you operate.” He added, “Oh, and keep the suit with you,”
Peter’s eyes widened slightly, “I can keep the suit?”
Tony slid on his sunglasses, despite the dark sky outside, “Well, it certainly doesn’t fit me,”
“Yeah, yeah. Of course,” he stammered, “Thank you,”
“Don’t mention it, kid. If you need anything ask Happy,”
Peter nodded, “Okay,”
Tony reached across Peter to the door. Peter blinked, confused, wrapping his arm around the man.
“This is not a hug, I’m just grabbing the door for you,” Tony said, opening Peter’s door.
Peter felt heat rush to his cheeks, “oh.”
He gave Tony a tight-lipped smile before saying goodbye and exiting the car. He watched it leave before turning around and entering his apartment building.
***
Six months have passed since the Airport Fight. Peter was still waiting with bated breath for Mr Stark’s call for a new mission. Peter was getting restless. Even though he kept helping around Queens, he felt like he could do more.
That’s how he found himself hanging on the side of Tony’s airplane that was currently flying mid-air.
After Tony took away his suit, Peter felt even more useless. He carried on with his life; spending more time with Ned, paying more attention in class, participating in more Decathlon competitions. Everything was going smoothly in his life, until Prom night.
He wasn’t expecting his night with Liz to end with him in his old Spider-Man suit, sitting on top of the Cyclone on Coney Island as he watched Mr Stark’s crew arrive to pick up Toomes’ mess.
What he also wasn’t expecting was for Tony to offer him a spot on the Avengers Team.
“I think with a little more mentoring you’d be a real asset to the team,” Tony said, walking with Peter by his side in the Avengers Compound.
Peter frowned, “The team?”
Tony smirked, walking further into the room, then tapping his watch. The wall in front of them turned, revealing the Iron Spider suit. “When you’re ready, I’ll introduce the newest official member of the Avengers: Spider-Man,” Tony said, looking back at Peter.
With wide eyes and grinning from ear to ear, Peter stepped closer, taking in the new and improved suit. He heard Tony and Happy say something about Vision but he wasn’t listening to them. He thought about what this could mean to him, how his life will be turned upside down, the danger he’ll be putting his family in. He decided. Turning to face Tony, he said, “Thank you, Mr Stark… but I’m good,”
Tony blinked in surprise, “You’re-you’re good? How are you good?”
Peter shrugged, “I’d rather just stay on the ground for a little while. Friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man. I mean, someone has to look out for the little guy, right?”
“You’re turning me down? Look at that,” Tony said, Peter looked at the suit, “Look at me. Last chance, yes or no?”
Peter shook his head, “No,” he said, with an air of finality.
“Okay then. Happy will take you home.”
Peter smiled, thanking Tony as he walked down the lobby and out of the building.