Chapter Text
Peter smiled as he walked out of school with Ned. It was a nice day and Flash wasn’t at school to torment Peter with his rude comments. Turning to the parking lot Peter spied Happy waiting for him. Saying goodbye to Ned he headed to the car and climbed in. Happy greeted him and headed to Avengers Tower where he and May were currently living.
About six months ago May had lost her job at the hospital due to budget cuts and they were on the verge of losing their apartment when Mr. Stark offered May a job at his medical facility located in the tower.
The facility is the main medical facility for Avengers, so it has state of the art emergency and surgical facilities. Pepper recently insisted that it also have a clinic and be open to the staff of the tower and family of staff. She said it would be good PR to help take care of their staff and provide state of the art medical care for a fraction of the cost.
May was resistant at first as she didn’t want a handout, but Tony insisted that it wasn’t, that the current lead RN was going to retire and the position would be open in a couple weeks, so May could be trained before she started. The only reason he knew about it was because Pepper had mentioned it to him after she had a meeting with the doctors in the clinic. So May accepted the position and due to her many years of experience, and the fact that Tony paid his employees very well she was making more than double what she was making before. She was kept busy overseeing the RN’s for both the avengers and the staff facilities, but she really enjoyed the work.
Things were good after that, but then three weeks after May started her job the landlord sold the building they were living in and the new owner decided to tear the building down. Again Tony stepped in and offered them one of the many unused floors in the tower. May had really been resistant, but Tony and Pepper insisted that it would benefit everyone, especially Peter. May couldn’t deny that, and eventually agreed to the move under the condition that they pay rent. Tony fought on that point, but finally agreed that the rent would be what they were paying for their old apartment. What he didn’t tell May was that he put the money she paid him aside and it would be a ‘holiday bonus’ for her in December.
Peter talked to Happy on the way home. The man had warmed up to the teenager and now participated in the conversations rather than ignoring him. Peter knew that Happy had a crush on his Aunt and was trying to encourage the man to ask her out.
“Happy man, I’m telling you, she has Saturday night off. Just ask her. She won’t say no.” He said as Happy looked at Peter nervously.
“You think I should?” He asked as Peter laughed and nodded. “I’ll think about it.” He said as they parked in the garage below the tower. They entered the elevator together. As they got to Happy’s stop Peter called out to him.
“Happy, pink roses are her favorite.” Peter said with a smile as Happy smiled and nodded.
“Thanks kid, I’ll remember that.” Happy called as the elevator door closed to take Peter up to his floor.
“Hey Aunt May! I’m home” He called as the elevator opened and he walked down the hallway.
“Hi sweetie!” Came the call from the living room. “I’m ordering from that Thai place for dinner, you want your normal?” May asked.
“That sounds great May.” Peter said as he came to the living room and plopped down on the couch.
“Any homework today?” May asked as she looked up from her phone.
“Got it done.” Peter said as he flipped on the tv.
“All of it? Don’t you have that history paper for your final due soon?” May looked at him questionably.
“Next week, and I have a rough draft all done. Ned and I are going to work on it after school tomorrow.” Peter said with a frustrated sigh.
“Tony still upgrading your suit huh?” May asked with a small smile and laughed at Peter’s grumpy reaction.
“Yeah, says it should be done in a week.” Peter said with a frown. “Why can’t I go out with my old suit?” Peter asked again as May laughed and shook her head.
“Peter, you will have to talk to Tony about that.” She said. “I’m staying out of that one, but I doubt you will convince him.” She laughed as Peter grumbled under his breath. “We just want you safe honey.” She said and he smiled and nodded.
“I know, I just really want to patrol.” Peter said. “I think he did this around finals on purpose.”
“Probably. We may have talked about it” May said with a laugh as she came to sit down beside her nephew.
“So Peter, I heard that the Avengers are coming back. Tony got them all pardoned and the accords are not happening for now?” May asked.
“Yeah. He’s been working on it for a while now.” Peter said excited. “It’s going to be really cool to meet everyone.” He added with a grin. “I think he said something about them coming back in like three weeks. At least Falcon, Black Widow and Captain America will be here at the tower. Hawkeye will be going to his house, did you know he has kids?” Peter said getting excited. “Wanda hasn’t decided what she’s doing, her and Vision have this thing going on. I think they want to move in together or something, but I don’t think she wants to stay here I don’t know what’s going on with Winter Soldier, Tony got all quiet when I asked.” He said and paused to take a breath as May laughed.
“Pete, you know they have names.” She said as Peter blushed slightly.
“Yeah I know, but it’s just so cool that they will be here, but I think Tony is still mad about everything.” Peter said quietly. “Something happened between him and Captain America. I don’t know what, but he gets sad or mad whenever he’s brought up.”
“I’ve noticed that too honey.” May said running her hand through Peter’s curls. “But that’s between Tony and Steve. I still have to talk to him about that black eye he gave you.” May said as Peter’s eyes widened.
“No May! They don’t know who I am.” Peter said as May rolled her eyes.
“Peter, they will be living here, do you think they won’t figure it out?” She asked as Peter looked slightly panicked.
“Oh no.” Peter said quietly as May laughed. “May, what if they figure it out?”
“Peter, I’m sure it will be fine. They are all superheroes, and I’m sure Tony has some sort of plan for that.” May said trying to reassure her nephew who nodded.
“Yeah, yeah probably.” Peter said quietly.
“Hey, dinner won’t be here for a little bit. Why don’t you see if you can talk to Tony about it?” May suggested. Peter nodded and was silent for a few moments before looking at the ceiling.
“Friday? Is Mr. Stark busy?” He asked.
“No Peter, he is in the penthouse and says to come up.” Friday answered after a few moments. Peter jumped off the couch and ran for the elevator.
“Thanks Aunt May. Larb you!” He yelled.
“Larb you too! I’ll have Friday tell you when dinner’s here.” May yelled as the doors shut.
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“Pepper, I thought it wasn’t happening for another couple weeks.” Tony said and plopped down on the couch next to his fiancé.
“I know Tony, but the pardons got pushed through now that Ross stepped aside.” Pepper said
“I don’t like it, he’s up to something.” Tony said thinking about the man. “The accords always needed amendments, but the way he just suddenly gave up control over it. I don’t know Pep.”
“I know, I don’t like it either. We will just have to keep an eye on him.” Pepper said grabbing Tony’s hand. “Tony, tell me the truth…”
“I always tell my version of the truth.” Tony interrupted as Pepper gave him an exasperated smile.
“Tony. Will you be ok with everyone here?” Pepper asked as Tony sighed. “I know you’re angry at Steve, and that he won’t tell you where Bucky is, but will you be ok with him living here?”
“I’m going to have to be.” Tony said with a small amount of anger in his voice. “I don’t want to talk about Cap. I thought he was going to kill me Pep. I know he pulled his punch at the last minute, but that fear was there, and…. ”
“But he didn’t Tony, he put his shield down, he stopped.” Pepper interrupted his thought. “I’m not saying it was right at all, I am very angry with him, but I don’t have to work with him. You two have to work together, so you have to at least trust each other.” Pepper said calmly.
“I don’t know yet Pep.” Tony said with a frustrated sigh. To be honest Tony had no idea how he felt about Steve at the moment and that bothered him.
The day they fought, that moment that Steve had him on the snow covered ground, when he hit Tony with his shield and ripped his helmet off was a really scary moment for Tony. Steve raised his shield and Tony raised his arms in front of his face and waited for the finishing blow, but it didn’t come. Tony slowly brought his arms down and looked at Steve who still had the shield raised but was frozen in place with a shocked look on his face.
He got up and stumbled to the side and dropped his shield like it burned him. Pulling the cowl off his head and sucking in deep breaths he took one last tear filled panicked look at Tony and raced to Bucky’s side and helped him up and they walked out together.
Tony could have kept fighting, he was hurt yes but Steve didn’t disable his suit, he could have fired a blast and kept fighting……. But the look that was on Steve’s face, that shocked almost frightened look had kept Tony immobile on the cold ground.
“Boss Peter wants to know if you’re busy?” Friday’s voice came over the speakers.
“Nope, tell him to come on up.” Tony said as Pepper sighed. Looking towards his fiancé Tony gave her a sad smile. “He will have to earn my trust back, and if he gives any indication that he can’t be trusted he’s gone.” Tony said as Pepper nodded knowing it wouldn’t be that easy.
“Ok Tony.” Pepper said and leaned over to kiss Tony on the cheek. “We have a business dinner tonight with the British investor at eight.” She said and got up from the couch.
“I know, no lab time with Peter tonight.” Tony said as the elevator opened and Peter walked in. “Hey Pete, how was school?” Tony questioned looking at the teenager.
“It was alright, all reviews for finals next week.” Peter said as Tony nodded.
“Your suit should be done by end of next week.” Tony said as Peter rolled his eyes.
“I know you did this the same time as my finals on purpose.” Peter said as Tony shrugged and smiled warmly.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Tony exclaimed as Pepper chuckled from the kitchen.
“Haha, right I’m sure.” Peter answered with a roll of his eyes. “I just had a question.” Peter said getting slightly nervous and sitting down beside Tony who looked worriedly at him.
“Ok, shoot.” Tony said putting his arm around Peter’s shoulders.
“It’s just that, I know that the avengers are coming back soon, and….and that a few will be living here, and I am too you know.” Pete stared as Tony waited for the boy to finish. “Just….what are we going to do about Spider-Man?” He said as Tony sighed.
“That really is up to you kiddo. I admit I would rather them not know right now, but with them living here it would be hard to keep it a secret, I mean Natasha is a super assassin and spy.” Tony said as Peter nodded with a slight frown.
“I don’t think any of them would out you Peter.” Pepper said coming into the room.
“I know, it’s just I’ve tried to keep it a secret for so long.” Peter said. “I just want to finish high school and college without people knowing. I guess I just am nervous about telling anyone else.” He sighed. “I guess I have a few weeks to figure it out.”
“Yeah about that Pete.” Tony said apprehensively. “The timeline for that has been moved up. Natasha, Sam and Cap will be here end of next week, Clint and Scott and Wanda will have to drop by every so often too.” Tony said as Peter’s eyes widened comically.
“Really?” Peter asked excitement coming through in his voice. Tony couldn’t help but smile at the excited teen.
“Yeah, but Pete, do me a favor and stay away from Cap for a bit ok.” Tony said as Peter’s excitement died a little.
“Oh, ok, but why?” He asked as Tony’s expression clouded.
“Just stay away Peter.” Tony said with an edge to his voice as Peter looked down confused.
“Ok Mr. Stark.” Peter said quietly causing Tony’s features to soften.
“It’s just, I don’t trust him right now Pete.” Tony explained, “Especially with you. You are too important to me kid. I don’t want him to disappoint you.” Tony said as Peter nodded.
“Ok, Mr. Stark, if you think so.” Peter said trying not to hide the disappointment in his voice, he gave his mentor a small smile.
“Hey kid, I’m just trying to look out for you.” Tony said as Peter nodded.
“I know Mr. Stark.” Peter sighed. Suddenly Friday’s voice sounded telling Peter that dinner had arrived. Peter said his goodbyes and left Tony and Pepper for the evening.
Later that evening when Pepper and Tony were getting ready for bed Pepper looked at Tony and frowned slightly.
“Tony, I know you want to protect Peter, but how will you keep him away from Steve?” Pepper asked. “I know you have your reasons, and I understand, but like I said earlier, you two need to work through your differences.”
“Don’t know about that Pep.” Tony said shortly. “Cap stabbed me in the back. I have a right to be angry, and I don’t have to trust him.”
“Peter is a superhero. You said yourself he would be an avenger when he’s old enough. How can Peter learn to trust his teammates when you aren’t willing to?” Pepper pushed. Tony looked angrily out the window.
“Pepper, drop it. I will set some….rules for Capsicle. If he can show me that he can follow them then we will talk about trust.” Tony said as Pepper frowned slightly.
“What type of rules Tony?” Pepper asked.
“I haven’t decided, but until I trust him I don’t want him on missions.” Tony said as Pepper looked surprised.
“Do you think he’ll agree to that Tony?” Pepper asked.
“He’ll have to.” Tony said and turned to his fiancé.
“Tony, I don’t like you holding this grudge.” Pepper sighed.
“What do you expect me to do Pepper?” Tony said getting angry. “He knew that it wasn’t just a car accident, he knew that my parents were murdered and he kept it to himself!” Tony yelled. “Then he took the side of their murderer and now he won’t tell anyone where he’s hiding!” Breathing heavily Tony pulled on a grease stained t-shirt and started for the door. “I’m going to work on Pete’s suit upgrades.” He said as Pepper sighed quietly knowing not to push the man anymore tonight.
“Friday, give Tony a few hours and then gently remind him he needs some sleep.” Pepper asked with a sigh as she got into bed.
“Will do Mrs. Boss.” Friday answered. Pepper turned off the light and tried to drift off to sleep.