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“So I just need to be honest about it and it’s going to be fine, right?” Peter asked Dum-E, “He’s going to understand it was an accident, right?”
Dum-E waived his arm around.
“So we lie?”
“Lie about what?” Pepper came into the lab.
“Nothing.” Peter gave a nervous laugh. “You must have heard wrong.”
“Doubtful.” Pepper raised a brow, “And I know a diversion tactic when I see one.”
Peter look at Dum-E who beeped rapidly, “Dum-E says you can be trusted.”
“Glad I have his approval.”
“I did something by accident and I think it’s going to be bad and Tony will find out and he’ll hate me or kill me.” Peter groaned, “And I really want to live.”
Pepper laughed, “Why are those the only two options? Seems a bit dramatic.”
“It’s the only options Dum-E and I came up with together.”
“How about you run it by an adult instead of a robot.” Pepper motioned Peter to the couch and they sat down.
“I didn’t mean to.”
Pepper squeezed his shoulder gently, “We’ll figure it out. I promise. You’re bringing an adult into situation because adults are supposed to be level headed.”
“I was outside talking to Ned after school. We were talking about the field trip coming up and they are asking for parent volunteers. Ned said loudly that I should ask Tony Stark because he’s like my parent,” Peter’s face got hot, “And he didn’t know our classmates mom’s whose a reporter was right there. She started asking questions and I made it worse. I started to stutter out excuses to back peddle and she took that as more confirmation I think.”
Pepper nodded, “Has there been anything released?”
“Not that I can tell. But it’s coming.” Peter sighed, “They never let up and just let Tony live his life."
“Sadly. You’re not wrong. I think we have to talk Tony.” Pepper gave him a side hug, “But he won’t hate you or kill you. I promise, Pete.”
“Who won’t?” Tony came into the lab carrying a cup of hot coffee he was blowing on.
“Tony, we may have some damage control to do with the media.” Pepper stood up, “I’m going to let Peter explain.”
Tony sat down across from them on the stool, “What happened, Roo?”
“It was Ned’s fault.”
“Cool.” Tony shrugged and told himself to act casually. Don’t overwhelm the already overwhelmed teenager, “What was Ned’s fault?”
“The media thinks I’m your kid.” Peter whispered.
Tony nodded, “Okay. Yeah. We can handle this.
They both looked at Pepper.
“Why does everyone look at me like I have the solution. What if there comes a day I don’t? Then
whose in charge?” Pepper raised a brow.
“The world ends that day.” Peter’s eyes were wide with the thought.
“He said what he said.” Tony nodded.
“I needed to know how you want me to spin this? I can say it was a miscommunication.” Pepper was already pulling up screens in front of her, “I can say that we won’t be answering questions but that will make them speculate more. I could say we don’t know this kid…”
“Or?” Tony asked.
“Or? Or what? You want me to imply that it was 100% accurate?” Pepper’s eyes sparkled and Peter knew that had been her plan all along, “To explain that Peter is the equivalent of a son to you? I mean that wasn’t my plan all along.”
“What would that look like?” Tony asked.
“No.” Peter was already shaking his head, “That would be lying. Lying is wrong. Just tell them it was a joke or something. Tell them we’re friends or that I’m an intern and it was a joke.”
Pepper nodded slowly not wanting to upset the teen further, “I can do that.”
“Hey, Roo. Can you go refill my coffee for me? I’m just so old and walking back upstairs—Can’t do it.” Tony passed his cup, “Creaky bones and what not.”
“I know you’re trying to get rid of me.” Peter took the cup, “But okay.”
The adults waited until Peter was out of the room. Tony said softly, “Fri. Soundproof the room.”
“Done. Boss.”
“Don’t tell the media it was a joke, Pep. That would be a terrible idea. The worst idea I’ve ever heard actually and I’ve heard a lot of bad ideas. I went to school with Rhodey after all.”
“I know you were the bad influence in college.” Pepper teased.
“Seriously though.” Tony’s eyes got serious, “Don’t do it.”
Pepper stepped forward and ran her fingers through Tony’s hair, “One good reason not to tell them it was a miscommunication?”
“I love him, Pep. I love that kid like he’s my own flesh and blood. I’d be honored to stand in as his parent on a field trip.” Tony didn’t back down from the emotions he would normally run from, “If he wants us to avoid lying then to call him an intern would be a lie. We both know he’s family.”
Pepper rested her forehead against his, “You’re good with him, Tony. Okay. I’ll figure something else out.”
~
Tony walked onto stage like he’d done many times before. Press briefings were like breathing when you had grown up wealthy. He cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention, “I have a really nice speech written. And my team would love it if I stayed on script but I can’t. We all know I can’t.”
Tony paused until the laughter broke, “There has been some speculation about my relationship with a Peter Parker. I’ve heard it all; secret love child, intern, family friend…Etc. None of those are 100% accurate.
Let me tell you about Peter a bit. He is kind, strong, and so smart. He never misses a beat for holidays or birthdays—He wants everyone in his life to feel loved and cared for. He snores a bit when he sleeps but he’d deny that and is probably red in the face because I just said that on live TV.
He once had a full conversation with a robot I have in my lab because the robot was worried he was going to get used for parts and Peter was telling him in great detail how and why that would never happen—Spoiler alert Peter said he’d stand in the way if I tried to hurt the robot. He eats more than anyone I know. He loves ice cream with sprinkles more than anything. He scrunches up his face when he is in deep thought. He has the Avengers team wrapped around his finger. He even got invited to Captain America’s birthday party last year. He tells the best jokes even if I complain they are dumb to tease him. If goodness was in human form—it would be Peter.”
Tony had everyone’s attention. he didn’t miss the soft smiles on their faces either, “Anyone who knows Peter—Loves him. It doesn’t take a genius to realize he’s amazing. But speaking of Peter—It’s Friday which means we work in the lab together so I’ve gotta run.”
Tony turned to go before turning back, “Oh. I never clarified—Peter isn’t my biological son. I don’t get to take credit for the amazing person he is. But he is family—My family. And just like he’d stand in the way of Dum-E the robot getting hurt—I’d stand in front of him if he was at risk. So I’m asking all of you to give Peter his privacy. Thank you!”
~
“Pepper!” Peter burst into her office and she hurried to get off the call she was on, “I didn’t want that! I have people asking questions that I don’t know how to answer. They all want to know what kind of family I am to Tony. What do I say to that? I was just telling them I’m his intern and then this. He NEVER thinks.”
“Peter.” Pepper cleared her throat.
“I know he’s sitting there. I heard his heartbeat when I walked in.” Peter glanced over at Tony, “And I meant what I said.”
“I did think.” Tony argued.
“No. You didn’t. You just did what you always do. You decided what you thought was best and disregarded what I had to say.”
“I never said you were my kid.” Tony reminded, “You wanted me to avoid lying.”
“But everyone still thinks I am!” Peter sat down in the other chair, “You could have said it was a miscommunication.”
“But it’s not. You are my family.” Tony looked at Pepper, “Our family.”
Peter sighed. They weren’t wrong. Pepper and Tony were as much his family as May at this point, “You could have at least warned me.”
“Yeah. I could have. You would have spent too long trying to talk me out of it.” Tony shrugged.
“And I don’t snore.” Peter rolled his eyes, “You do.”
~
“What’s it like being family to Tony Stark?” Peter was blinded by cameras later the next week. He squinted against the bright lights.
“No comment.” Peter tried to walk around the reporters but they kept getting in his way, “You guys obviously missed the threat in his speech. Give me some space please?”
A reporter reached for his arm and he jerked back, “Stop. I don’t like being touched.”
Peter had never pressed the button on his watch but it was getting hard to breathe. He pressed it and it wasn’t long before he heard the Iron Man suit. The reporters didn’t hear it quite as soon. They didn’t notice until Tony landed in front of Peter.
He lifted his face piece, “You’re done. All of you. Expect to hear from our lawyer. He’s a child.”
“We just wanted to get to know him more!” One of the reporters tried, “You make him sounds great.”
“He doesn’t want to get to know you so I suggest you make sure this doesn’t happen again. Ready, Pete?” Tony waited for Peter to get a tight hold around his neck before he flew them out of there.
By the time they landed Peter had to take several deep breaths to calm his stomach.
“You swing through the city!” Tony said, “But you can’t handle a flight in the suit?”
“I was outside the suit. A little bit different. You also didn’t have cameras pointed at you and people shouting at you activating your sensory issues.”
“I’m sorry. I was joking but I can tell it wasn’t well received.” Tony and Peter walked into the penthouse together, “I’m going to have Happy pick you up from school the rest of the week until things settle down.”
“I wasn’t at school. I just went to the library!” Peter grabbed a water from the fridge and sipped on it slowly, “But this is my fault so whatever.”
“Kid?” Tony pulled him into a hug, “They’ll find something exciting to move onto soon. Just keep breathing.”
“If they were willing to move onto something exciting then why are they still stuck on you?” Peter teased.
“Ouch.”
Pepper walked in, “I’m already making calls. What happened was not okay.”
“And I’m planning murder.” Natasha followed behind her, “Steve said no, but I never listen to him so it’s fine.”
“I just don’t understand why they would harass Peter.” Bucky and Sam walked into the penthouse, “He’s so nice.”
“I know, Bucky. I know.” Sam rolled his eyes, “Who mentioned murder? I’m in.”
“YES!” Natasha grinned, “One more for team murder!”
“I’m just so sorry, Peter.” Bucky pulled him out of Tony’s hug and into a hug of his own, “You must have been so scared.”
“I’m okay.” Peter mumbled as he was squished in a hug from the super solider.
“But right now you’re currently suffocating him.” Tony told him, “Let go a bit.”
“I read that tight hugs make people feel safe when they are dealing with sensory issues.” Bucky whispered loudly to the other adults, “You feel better, Pete?”
“SO good.” Peter mumbled while being squished in a hug, “Thank buddy.”
“I think everyone should get in on this group hug.” Bucky told the other adults, “It’ll be good for the kid. It’ll help him feel safe and accepted into this family.”
“That is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.” Sam laughed.
Bucky put his hands over Peter’s ears, “Shhh. You’re upsetting the kid!”
“I’m fine.” Peter sighed, “Being in this family is exhausting, but I’m fine.”
“Bucky’s right. Family hug! Everyone in!” Natasha joined the hug, “Peter is going to regret calling us exhausting.”
Soon the whole family was in a group hug. Peter didn’t regret anything. He just felt safe and secure with his family around him. He didn’t know what he had done to deserve them, “Love you guys.”
“This is too feeling-y for me. I’m going to the lab.” Tony pulled away first, “You coming, Roo?”
“Totally. Once I’m free of this hug.”
“See you in three hours.” Tony winked and walked away.