Chapter Text
For a long time, May had known her greatest achievement in life was Peter. Even though he wasn’t her son, and the event that left them together was a heartbreaking one, she always raised Peter like her own and she was so unbelievably proud of the person he’d become.
Admittedly, it took a while for her to get on board with the whole ‘Spider-Man’ thing, but after an interesting conversation (one way shouting match) with Tony, she slowly grew to the concept.
She just wanted her baby safe, and at first she pinned the billionaire as the reason he wasn’t. It was him that roped Peter into fighting in Germany and opening his eyes to bigger threats after all, but May soon realised that Tony only ever wanted the best for their kid too.
They’d been unofficially co-parenting Peter for a while now, even more so after May started working night shifts which left Peter staying at the tower most nights mid week and every other weekend. She didn’t know what she’d have done without Tony there to help him.
she knew how much the man loved Peter, he always had, even if it took until a few months ago with Peter going full on anaphylaxis in his arms for him to admit it.
He was the dad Peter deserved to have, not that either of them would admit it.
This was why she was beaming ear to ear, tapping on the sofa impatiently as the phone rang. As always, Tony picked up before the third ring.
“May! How are you? Is Peter okay?”
The woman rolled her eyes. “Peter’s fine, I’m fine. I’m actually calling to ask what you’re doing on 23rd December.”
“23rd December? Friday, what am I doing then?”
“You have three meetings flagged as important, finishing at 8pm.” The AI’s voice filtered through the phone, making May deflate.
“Oh.”
“Why? Not planning another Christmas party are you?” Tony teased.
“No, three is quite enough. It's actually an award ceremony at Peter’s school, he’s student of the year.”
“What? That’s amazing! Not that I’m surprised of course, that kid is brainier than me - don’t tell him I said that.”
May laughed. “I already knew that. I’ve just got the letter, it has two tickets for parents - people - to attend.”
“Well count me in, I wouldn’t miss that for the world.” Tony said, and May could practically hear him smiling down the phone.
“What about your meetings?”
“Meetings shmeetings, who cares - okay don’t tell Pepper that either. If Petes getting an award, I’ll be there.”
May smiled. “Okay, what shall I RSVP your name as?”
“The usual, Mr Smith.”
May laughed. “Could you think of something a little more creative?”
“It’s that or Tony Stark and you know what happened last time.”
“It would be hard to forget.” May chuckled.
Originally, when Tony put himself down as Peter’s secondary emergency contact for school, he’d used his own name and when the school had gone to call him, they fully expected it to be a prank. Ten minutes later they had the billionaire superhero himself rushing through the doors to rescue his Spider-kid mid sensory overload.
“I’ll meet you at 6pm outside the main entrance.”
“I’ll be there at five to.”
May smiled again, ending the call.
As if on cue, Peter came barrelling through the front door after another day of school.
“Hey May!” He called, midway through taking his earphones out.
May beamed, moving to meet the teen and pulling him into a tight hug, letter still in hand. “There’s my star nephew!”
“May?” He asked, sounding confused.
She handed him the letter, watching as his eyes scanned the paper.
“Oh that.”
“‘Oh that?’” May parroted.
“My teacher told me today, I didn’t know they’d send a letter.”
“Aren’t you happy? You’re the top all-round performer in your year, Peter!”
Peter shrugged with a sheepish look. “It’s not a big deal.”
“Sure it is! There’s an awards evening and everything, I’m booking it off work as we speak!”
Peter shook his head with pleading eyes. “No, no. Don’t do that, it’ll be really boring, it’s not worth it.”
“Peter, you’re the most important thing in the world to me, and school is a huge part of your life. If you think I’m missing the chance to celebrate you getting student of the year, think again bucko.”
Peter sighed, putting the letter down. “Fine, but please don’t be one of those embarrassing parents with the cameras.”
May grinned, pinching his cheek like she always used to. “I won’t, promise.”
“There he is! The star of the show.” Tony exclaimed, pulling a stunned looking Peter into a hug as soon as he caught sight of him. The billionaire had been waiting outside Midtown for about ten minutes prior, wanting to be there when the Parkers arrived.
To avoid stealing the kids’ limelight, he was in his usual disguise, tatty baseball cap, unbranded sunglasses and the most dad looking clothes he owned, including a V neck sweater and dark blue jeans.
“M-Mr Stark? what are you doing here!” Peter exclaimed, eyes darting around nervously to see if anyone had noticed.
Tony frowned, looking at May.
“I wanted it to be a surprise, you’d have only tried to talk him out of it.” She explained with an apologetic smile.
“ May .” The teen whined, cheeks going red.
“The school sent two tickets, and I knew Tony would love to come.” She said, adjusting his tie.
The kid was wearing the suit Tony recognised from homecoming that year, only this time he wore the tie Tony had made him from the spare materials of the Spider-Man suit. He knew it was a favourite.
“This is gonna’ suck you know? The teachers are gonna make dumb speeches and you’re gonna have to watch every kid go up and get their award.”
“But one of those kids will be you.” Tony replied sincerely, squeezing his shoulder.
“Thanks for coming, I know it’ll mean a lot to him.” May whispered as they took their seats in the sea of adults.
“He didn’t seem too impressed.” Tony replied, taking his sunglasses off.
“He didn’t want me to come either, I think he’s got it in his head that it’s not worth our time.”
Tony smiled sadly. “Well, we’re gonna have to change that. We should go back to the tower afterwards, get Petes favourite takeout and have a proper little celebration.”
May smiled. “He’d love that.”
“And last but not least, our student of the year award. This one goes to the highest performer in the last academic year, and not only did he achieve this, he got the highest ever grade on record in the school for chemistry and physics. Please give a round of applause for Peter Parker, student of the year.”
Tony was on his feet in an instant, literally bubbling over with pride as he clapped and whooped, grinning ear to ear.
As soon as Peter stepped out onto the stage, Tony had his phone out, taking an unnecessary amount of photos to document every second.
When Peter stopped in the centre to shake the head teacher's hand and take his award, he noticed Tony, turning bright red and a small smile crept on his face.
Tony was still giving Peter a one manned standing ovation when the kid had disappeared off the stage again, only sitting down once the applause died down.
“Tony.” May managed out between a silent laughing fit.
“Did you see him? They gave him a trophy!” He exclaimed, still sporting a huge grin.
May just nodded, wiping away her tears of laughter.
Tony frowned. “What?”
“You’re such a dad!”
“I am not!”
“Did you or did you not literally stand up cheering?” She asked, finally able to get words out.
“Yes, but-“
“Did you take a thousand photos as soon as he walked out?”
Tony shrugged. “Yeah but-“
“It’s okay Tony, it looks good on you.” May teased.
“I’m not a dad!”
“Whatever you say.”
“Mr Stark, that was so embarrassing!” Peter complained as soon as he found them after the ceremony was over.
Tony just grinning hugging the kid before taking the trophy for a closer inspection.
“You know you were the only one standing, right?”
“What, I’m not allowed to show how proud of you I am?”
Peter blushed, ducking his head. Even though Peter hated every second of being on that stage, feeling everyone’s eyes on him, seeing May and Tony in the audience looking so happy made his heart swell.
“Look at that, our kid’s name right there.” Tony said, pointing at Peter’s name engraved, next to the date. There were dozens of other kids' names above his from years past, but Tony acted like they weren’t even there. All that mattered was Peter.
“Right, let’s get back, we have takeaways to eat and awards to celebrate.” Tony announced, pulling Peter into a side hug as they walked to the car.
“Okay, stand there. Hold it up just like that. Smile Pete.”
“Mr Stark, are you serious?” Peter whined, standing by the mantlepiece, trophy and certificate in hand whilst Tony held his phone up around a metre from his face.
“Deadly. Now smile like I’ve just given you my company.”
Peter rolled his eyes, but gave him a wide smile just to please the man.
Tony grinned, peering at his phone screen like most old people did. “Perfect. Now how do I set this as my wallpaper?”
May burst out laughing, earning a glare from Peter.
“Mr Stark, you create AI’s and you don’t know how to set a wallpaper?”
“Time is precious young padawan, not to be wasted on things I can get you to do.” Tony said, handing Peter his phone.
The teen sighed, doing as Tony asked.
“Wonderful. Friday? Order Petes favourite takeaway?”
“I have them ordered already, boss.”
“But I have two favourites.” Peter pointed out, handing Tony back his phone.
The billionaire simply nodded. “I know.”
“Did you just order two takeouts?!”
“My kid eats more than Captain America, yes I’m ordering two takeouts.”
“You two are adorable.” May commented with a smile.
Tony rolled his eyes, taking the certificate from Peter and sticking it to the fridge with little Iron Man magnets Pepper had given him as a joke a few months ago. Since then it’s been used to hold test results, science fair pamphlets, and now, a student of the year certificate.
“May, put the trophy on the mantle.”
“My pleasure.” She said, finding her nephew's embarrassment hilarious.
“Come on kiddo, get yourself set on the sofa and pick a film.”
“Can we watch a Christmas movie?”
“Whatever you want kiddo. You’re the star of the year.”
“Friday? Play Die Hard.”
Tony gawked. “Die Hard is not a Christmas film, what is wrong with you?”
“It totally is!”
“He’s your kid. I’m taking no credit for this.” Tony said to May, making her laugh.
“Oh, I see how it is, I take responsibility for his poor choices in pop culture and you take the good stuff.”
“Hey! There’s nothing wrong with my pop culture.” Peter pouted, crossing his arms.
Tony rolled his eyes, ruffling the kids hair.
“‘Course not.”
The teen smiled, resting his head back on Tony’s chest and swung his legs over May’s.
“Comfy?” His aunt asked, raising an eyebrow.
Peter hummed happily, turning to watch the movie. “Very.”
Unsurprising to either adult, Peter fell asleep two hours into the movie, post-takeaway. It always confused Tony how the kid could sleep through surround sound shootouts, but he did without fail.
“I think you’ve put him in a food coma.” May chuckled quietly, putting a hand on her nephew's knee.
“He does this every time. He’s like a fruit fly, passes out after eating.”
“God help you if he ever catches you calling him that.”
“Eh, spiders, fruit flies, what’s the difference?”
May laughed, smiling at Tony. “Thanks for coming tonight. I know it meant the world to him.”
Tony nodded, holding Peter a bit closer. “Thank you for inviting me. You’ll stay here tonight?”
“Yeah, too late to be getting home now. I assume breakfast and a lift to work is provided?”
“I’d offer nothing less. I’ve got the room set up next to Peter’s.”
“Thanks, Tony. You want help with him?”
“Nah, I’ve got him.”
May smiled, manoeuvring Peter off her and going to stand. “Goodnight.”
Gently, Tony looped his arms under the kid, lifting him into his chest and standing with ease.
“Bedtime Underoos.” He murmured, following in the direction May had disappeared moments ago.
The billionaire had now mastered the art of opening a door with a handful of teenager, using his hip to press the door handle down.
He placed Peter down in bed, grateful the kid had put his pyjamas on after eating his takeaway.
Not only was it comfier for Peter than the suit he was wearing, but the pair had made it an unspoken movie night rule to wear PJs after Tony ended up changing him four times in a row. ‘As much as I don’t mind babying you, your lanky limbs make it difficult ’ Tony had teased.
The teen stirred when Tony pulled up his comforter, frowning in his usual way as he woke.
“Mm…Tony?”
He smiled at how sleepy the kid sounded. “That’s me, kid. Go back to sleep.”
“I missed the ending.” Peter whined, squinting up through tired eyes.
“I’m sure you remember it line by line.”
“Not the point.”
Tony rolled his eyes with a fond smile. “We can watch the rest tomorrow, okay?”
“Promise?” Peter asked, sounding so innocent it made Tony’s heart swell.
“Promise.”
“Okay… love you Tony.”
The billionaire smiled, brushing back the teens curls and planting a kiss on his forehead. “Love you too, kiddo. Sweet dreams.”