Work Text:
"Hi, my name is Peter Parker, I've heard a lot about you- no. Ummm... Hey, my name is Peter Parker. It's an honor to meet you, Ms. Potts. You look wonderful tonight- argh! No! Hello, Ms. Potts, my name is Peter Parker. I hope your day was well.... fuck."
Peter stood in his room at the penthouse, nervously pacing in front of the mirror. Mr. Stark had finally decided to introduce him to Pepper Potts at dinner. Peter was excited and jittery with nerves. He stood straight with his hands behind his back trying to practice what he would say to her. He wore a buttoned up polo shirt, not too fancy, but not science T-Shirt puns either. His hair was combed over and styled modestly. He had even taken care to shine his shoes.
"It's nice to meet you, Ms. Potts. My name is Peter Parker, I'm sure Mr. Stark has told you about me- no. That makes me sound arrogant. Come on, Peter! You've taken on bird monsters, aliens and Mysterio literally last week! You can talk to Ms. Potts. She's only . . . the CEO of the biggest tech company in the entire world... Fuck, I don't got this."
He fiddled with his web-shooters, which he had taken to wearing full time, concealed in his nanotech housing unit disguised as a watch. Ms. Potts didn't know he was Spider-Man, though. So he'd have to take extra care to put them away before going to dinner.
"Ricochet web, activated," the smooth voice of Karen sounded in the silence.
Peter jumped. "No, no, no, no, no, no, no! Don't fire, Karen! Don't-"
The web fired.
It shot from his wrist and slammed against the wall on the other side of the room. True to its name, it ricocheted back to him. He reached out a frantic hand to catch the web ball. Right at that moment, the door to his room opened. Peter turned his head, surprised. The web just missed his fingers and collided with the intruder.
"Kid, what the fuck?"
Peter's eyes widened. "Mr. Stark! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to-"
"Save it, kid. I don't want to know. Dinner will be ready in twenty minutes and I want you down now."
"Okay, sure, sure, sure, sure." Peter scrambled up. He patted his hair down and smoothed his shirt hurriedly. Tony's eyes softened.
"Someone nervous?" he teased.
Peter looked at him, false glare on his face. "You wish."
Tony smirked. "Woulda thought a young, spry kid like yourself would be climbing on the walls with nerves like those."
"Been there done that already. Cleaned up the cobwebs in the corner of the ceiling for you."
He laughed. "Seriously, though, kid. She's gonna love you. You have the unnatural talent to charm everyone you meet. It's honestly unfair."
Peter grimaced. "I don't try to."
"That just makes it weirder. Come on, Webs. Get your ass out here."
The nerves, which had gone dormant during his banter with Tony, returned full force now. As he walked down the hallway to the penthouse dining room, Peter had to actively refrain from fiddling with his watch.
"Hello, Ms. Potts. My name is Peter Parker. It's nice to meet you, I've heard a lot about you..." Peter muttered under his breath, still rehearsing lines. "Hello, Ms. Potts, my name is Peter Parker. It's really nice to meet you, you look wonderful tonight. Hi, Ms. Potts, it's nice to meet you, finally. My name is Peter Parker, your work is so amazing-"
"Is this Peter?" a woman's voice suddenly spoke up.
Peter's head snapped up and he found himself staring into the eyes of Pepper Potts. His anxiety levels rose exponentially. "Hello, Ms. Potts. It's really nice to meet your work tonight- I mean... ummm.... I'm so sorry."
Tony laughed and the corner of Pepper's lips turned up. "Hello, Peter. My name is Pepper. It's a pleasure to finally meet you! Tony's told me a lot about you."
"Yeah, like the time you spilled sulfuric acid on your homework and I had to hack into the school systems to print you another copy," Tony said, smiling mischievously.
Peter felt his face heat up. "I-"
"Tony, quit being mean to the kid," Pepper scolded.
"I'm not being mean! I'm just letting him know to be more careful around acid. It can do worse than dissolve your homework, you know."
Peter glared at him. "Bold words for an old man," he muttered.
"Hey-!"
Pepper laughed a natural laugh. Not the fake, press laugh, but an actual, genuine laugh. "I think you and I are going to be good friends, Peter Parker."
His knees almost gave out beneath him.
"Ms. Potts," he stuttered frantically. "I meant no disrespect to you, of course. I just-"
"Absolutely nothing to worry about, Peter. Tony deserves it."
"Hey!" The man protested.
Peter gasped in a breath. He smiled tentatively and Pepper grinned back.
"Come on, I've got dinner almost ready."
"Thank you so much, Ms. Potts."
"Pepper, please."
"Nice try, Pep. Been trying to get the kid to drop the whole 'Mr. Stark' thing for months."
Peter smirked at him.
"Thank you for having me, Pepper."
Tony's jaw dropped. He threw his hands in the air and turned away, crossing his arms. "Absolutely unbelievable. Pep, you've already corrupted my kid."
Pepper laughed. She gave Peter a high five and then led him to the living area. It could hardly be called a room.
She sat down on the couch and patted the seat next to her on the love seat. Tony immediately seated himself next to her, but she pushed him off with a laugh. "Nope, not you. Come, Peter, sit down."
Tony pouted and walked away dejectedly. He took a seat on the nearby armchair. Pepper motioned Peter over. He bit his lip, glancing at Tony.
"Are you sure?" He asked uncertainly. "I don't want to take up any space..."
"Peter sit your ass down there. I did not walk over to the armchair for nothing."
Pepper nodded, frowning slightly. "I would have phrased it differently. But he's right. Come sit down, Pete."
He nodded, secure in his decision now. The couch, where he had sat many times before, watching old Star Wars movies with Tony, was as comfortable as ever. But there was the matter of sitting next to such an important person on the same couch that he had spilled ice cream all over that made it different. He was stiff and couldn't relax.
"Tony's has told me a lot about you, Peter. And I don't mean just the 'bad' stuff," she assured him, seeing the grimace cross his face.
"Hey! Don't incriminate me like that, Pep! I gotta make sure the kid knows I'm someone to fear!" Tony protested.
"Yeah right," Peter shot back immediately. "The only thing that fears you is bust bunnies. And that's only when you're armed with the vacuum."
"Shut your face, Roo."
Pepper laughed again. Peter loved her laugh. Something about it was warm. It made him think of someone close but far. Someone like a mother. Of course, he had one in Aunt May, but it wasn't the same.
"Don't give Tony that much credit, Pete. Even the dust bunnies would scoff at him sometimes."
Peter acted thoughtful when he said, "Oh, of course, Pepper."
Tony threw up his arms in exasperation, letting them drop back down to his sides dramatically. "My own wife."
Pepper ignored him. She turned back to Peter, her expression meaningful again. "I've heard you're a smart kid-"
"He's a genius, Pep. Smarter than I was at his age," Tony interjected proudly.
"I thought you wanted me to fear you," Peter deadpanned.
"Hush."
"He told me you were a genius, and that you were an honorable young man with a great heart."
"Pepperrrrrr," Tony drawled out.
"Quit whining-"
"I'm not whining-"
"Hush."
"Oh that's a great comeback. Just tell me-"
"Hush."
Tony fell silent.
Pepper smirked in satisfaction.
Peter grinned widely. Pepper put a hand on his shoulder. Her touch was gentle and reassuring.
"I want to hear it from you," she said. "Tell me about yourself."
Peter bit his lip. What was there to tell that wouldn't incriminate him? Or worse, reveal his alter ego. He decided to start small. "Well, I live with my Aunt May. I go to Midtown School of Science and Technology. I like robotics and chemistry and-really all things science."
"I've heard. That's amazing, Peter. Science will get you far." She smiled approvingly.
"I want to attend MIT if I can. I'm in my senior year now. I've sent in my application. My best friends did as well. If we all get in, we're going to room together. Ned and MJ, my girlfriend." He didn't blush. He never did anymore when he talked about her. He was proud to call himself her boyfriend. And a little astonished as well. "We've been through a lot together."
Pepper nodded solemnly. "Like what, if you don't mind me asking."
Peter shrugged. "Ned is my 'guy in the chair.' He helps me with some tech stuff and all that. MJ can come off as intimidating and strange at first, but she's really sweet once you get to know her. She says she doesn't trust anyone, but somehow she trusts me."
"That's sweet, Pete. She really likes you."
"Yeah, I think so. We took a trip to Europe last week. It was for school. She's only been my girlfriend for nine days. But we've gotten really close."
"Europe?" Pepper asked, suddenly serious. "Were you there when the Mysterio guy saved you from the elementals? He died, didn't he?"
Peter inwardly cursed himself. "Um, yeah, we were there. But we were running away. During the attack on London, we were in the streets, on our way to the airport. In fact, if it weren't for the elementals, I'd still be in Europe." He clenched his fists and bit his tongue to keep himself from outing himself by having the knowledge that Mysterio was the villain.
"Wasn't that guy there too? Night Monkey or something?"
He cringed. "Yeah he was there. But we didn't see much of him."
Pepper nodded thoughtfully. "How was the trip before the crazy stuff?"
He shrugged. "Pretty good. But then everything happened so quickly."
"Right. I'm sorry about that. At least Mysterio and Night Monkey were there."
"Yeah," Peter muttered. "At least."
Pepper sensed his brooding and opened her mouth to say something, but Tony, who had opened his phone a few minutes ago, stopped her.
"Oh no."
"What?" Peter asked, frantic. He felt his watch on his wrist and hovered a hand over it, ready to activate the suit if he needed to.
"Friday, turn on the news," Tony ordered.
Obediently, the A.I. switched on the television. A news report of an old reporter flashed on. He wore a tie and spoke in a clear, calm voice.
"We come to you now with revelations about last week's attack in London. And anonymous source provided this video: it shows Quinten Beck, AKA Mysterio, moments before his death. A warning, you may find this video disturbing."
Despite knowing exactly what happened, Peter felt himself transfixed to the screen. He leaned forward, almost falling off the couch, with anticipation for something he didn't know.
A video of Mysterio flashed on screen. Peter's hands curled into fists. Pepper gasped, horror and sympathy written on her face. Peter wanted to wipe it off with the truth, and it looked like Tony wanted to do the same, but now wasn't the time.
"Spider-Man attacked me for some reason-"
The anger Peter felt only increased. He felt his hands tingling with anxiety and energy. He bounced up and down in his seat. His hands were shaking with anger. Mysterio was a master of illusion, but how could he get the world to believe Spider-Man, a friendly, neighborhood Spider-Man- who'd done nothing but help the world- was the villain in the inter-dimensional elementals story?
Pepper's mouth dropped open. "Spider-Man?" she whispered. "But, Tony, you've worked with him before! You said he was a good guy! How could he have..."
Tony subtly glanced at Peter.
"He's the best guy out there, Pepper. Quinten Beck doesn't know what he's talking about. He's a liar, Pep. He's a master of illusion."
"He has an army of weaponized drones, Stark technology. And he's saying he's the only one who's gonna be the new Iron Man, no one else-"
The video glitched. It switched to a shot of Peter's legs.
"Are you sure you want to commence the drone attack?" Edith's silky smooth voice came over. "There will be significant casualties."
"Just do it!" Peter's own voice came up. "Execute them all."
Pepper placed her hands over her mouth in horror. Peter longed to spill the truth. But not now. There would be time for that after this. He got the feeling he shouldn't miss a single second of this news segment.
"This shocking video was released earlier today on the controversial news website: The Daily Bugle.net."
The screen flashed again. An older, balding buy came on screen, whipping off his glasses. Peter immediately recognized him as J. Jonah Jameson, an older reporter who had a huge grudge against Spider-Man for no feasible reason. He seemed extra excited today, though Peter couldn't tell why.
"There you have it, folks, conclusive proof that Spider-Man was responsible for the brutal murder of Mysterio, an inter-dimensional warrior who gave his life to protect our planet, and who will no doubt go down in history as the greatest superhero of all time."
Peter's neck prickled with anxiety. He subtly rubbed it, hoping to drive it away, but it stayed.
"But that's not all folks, here's the real blockbuster. Brace yourselves, you might wanna sit down."
Mysterio flashed back onto the screen. He was bleeding and frantic. "Spider-Man's real name..." he faded out. Peter gripped the edge of his seat so hard, he was surprised it didn't break. This couldn't be what he thought it was. Tony was leaning forward too, anxiety written all over his face. He glance at Peter, and then at Pepper, who was too glued to the screen to notice anything around her. "Spider-Man's real name is P-" he glitched out again.
"Spider-Man's name is Peter Parker!" A picture of Peter from junior year flashed on screen.
Peter gasped, his heart going crazy. He clapped a hand to his mouth and ran another through his combed hair, mussing it up.
Pepper gasped, her head whipping around to face Peter, confusion and horror plastered all over her face. "Peter?" she whispered.
"Ms. Potts," he said frantically. "It's not true. Please give me a chance to explain-"
"You lost your chance when you didn't tell me about your arachnid side!"
"But I-"
"You waltz into Tony's life like everyone else does. Wanting something. You don't get to be here and tell me to let you explain! How could you hurt him like that? You're just a kid, Peter. Why are you doing this to your future? And why did you drag Tony into it?"
"I-"
"Pepper!" Tony launched forward, enclosing Peter in a protective hug. "That's not what happened."
"Tony, get away from him!"
"Pepper!"
Peter ducked his head as he felt tears spring to his eyes. He didn't mean for any of this to happen. If he was the reason their relationship was jeopardized, he'd never forgive himself. He struggled to escape Tony's grasp but the man held tight.
"Friday, turn the TV off."
The background noise of J. Jonah Jameson degrading Peter even more shut off. Peter could hear the gasps and outrage from the streets below. Despite himself, he curled into Tony even more.
"Pepper, listen to me. Peter didn't do any of that."
"Tony-"
"Please, Pep. Listen to me," he pleaded.
She crossed her arms. "Fine. You have five minutes."
Tony shrugged. "More generous than I thought," he muttered.
"Tony," Pepper warned.
"Okay, okay. Listen, this is Peter Parker. First off, he didn't come into my life, I came into his. I wanted something from him. And he served perfectly, even though I was a dick about it. I took him to Germany-"
Pepper gasped.
"And then let him go home without any other words other than goodbye."
He tactfully left out the part about calling Peter's aunt a hot woman, Peter noticed.
"He saved my jet and nearly killed himself in the process. Then I took him under my wing. Quinten Beck is a fraud. He's the 'villain' of this story. He was my employee a while ago and I let him go. I was admittedly a dick to him too. Because he couldn't get at me, he went after one of the things that means most to me. My kid. The elementals are illusions. Drone technology. Please, Pep. He framed the kid. Peter would never, ever do something like that."
There was silence. But Peter didn't care. Pepper could think what she wanted about him, but he knew what Tony thought. He buried his head in his knees. Tony came up and hugged him again.
"We're gonna fix this, Roo. I promise."
And that was all he needed.