Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Beep. Beep. Beep.

“Good morning, Peter. It is 6:30 am. Time to wake up.”

The disembodied voice spoke, as Peter groaned, rolling over in his bed and rubbing his hands down his face.

“Thanks, FRI. Morning,” he replies sleepily.

“Good morning, Peter,” the AI replies.

“Anything on my schedule for today?” he asks, turning over and staring up at the ceiling (Sometimes he likes to pretend that F.R.I.D.A.Y is living in the ceilings of the Tower, a powerhouse of an Irish woman just…lingering up there. Yes, he knows it makes no sense.)

“You have a meeting at 7:30 with Ms. Potts and the United Nations ambassadors, then you have school of course, and then Mr. Stark has asked me to remind you about family dinner tonight,” responded the voice.

“Thank you,” he replied, sitting up and rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

He got ready for school and walked down to the kitchen, where his parents were sitting around the kitchen island, chatting idly and sipping on coffee.

“Mornin’,” Peter said, walking over to the coffee machine and making his morning decaf latte.

Caffeine and him do not mix well, at all, but he liked to pretend. Plus, it was a habit he picked up from his parents years ago, even before “the bite” (as he’s grown to affectionately calling the time he got bit by a radioactive spider on a field trip and thus became Spider-Man).

“Morning kid,” his dad chimed, staring into his, probably 5th, cup of coffee as if it’ll magically give him the answers to the universe.

“Morning Pete,” his mom spoke softly, looking up from her StarkPad to smile at him.

He grabbed some eggs from the fridge, making himself an omelet and sat down with his parents, who were discussing some Avengers’ business.

“I’m saying Pep, let’s just buy some land and build a training center. I think we both can agree that our gyms aren’t enough –I mean, how many times have the ice husbands broken equipment?”

“Alright, Tones. You’re not wrong…maybe we can make a whole Avengers compound. We can make it work.”

His dad slammed his hands happily on the counter, “Yes! Thank you. It’ll be good! We can train all the newbies, have a place where we all can destroy things that’s not where we all live!”

“I think it’s a great idea, guys. Get a place upstate, away from the city. There could be a lot of land for new quinjets and ranges to train on. We can test the new suits there and Uncle Sam’s wings! Oh – and make a cool obstacle course or something for us to see how much we can throw. Wanda has been saying –”

His parents let out a chuckle. “It sounds like you’ve thought about this,” his mom said.

“Of course! I think it’s super great! Not even just for the team, but for SI too, ya know? I know the city has it’s qualms about us all being here – and that could, you know, placate some of their worries. Plus we can have living quarters for some of them who want a day to get away from the city. I know Uncle Steve and Uncle Buck were saying they wanted to get away, Wanda and Vision, too. I think it’s good,” Peter rambled confidently.

His mom smiled at him. “You’ve sold me. Let’s do it.”

Peter and his dad looked at each other and high-fived. “Yes!”

They’d been talking about this for a few weeks now. The Avengers and his family all lived in the Tower, and had a whole training floor, but with the main Stark Industries hub being in the Tower as well, it was just too much. And it seems as though they kept collecting more and more stray enhanced individuals and spies and superheroes alike, and they needed a new place just for them all.

“You want to develop some schematics for this? I’ll put you in charge of this, sweetheart, and I can look for the land. You and your dad can work on the specifics – make sure you talk with the team too! Get everyone’s input!” his mom said.

“Yes! Thanks, mom. Definitely. We got this!” Peter said excitedly.

His dad and him spent the next half hour rambling about plans and things they wanted to incorporate into the Compound, and then F.R.I.D.A.Y. chimed in.

“Sorry for the interruption, but Ms. Potts and Peter have a meeting in 10 minutes down in conference room 14.”

“Thank you F.R.I.D.A.Y,” his mom spoke. “Ready?”

Peter nodded, grabbing his StarkPad and his school bag. He said goodbye to his dad since he’d be heading off to school right away after the meeting, chugged the rest of his coffee, and got into the elevator with his mom.

“The UN Ambassador, Mr. Lockley, is a piece of work. You weren’t at the last meeting with him, so fair warning. But I know you’ll hold your own,” his mom said, smiling down at him.

“Thanks. I got this,” Peter said confidently.

They would be discussing the future of clean energy. Ever since Stark Industries moved away from producing weapons and being involved in war profiteering, they’ve been striving to make amends and use their position and finances for the greater good. Tony Stark, owner of SI, and Peter’s dad, dealt with a lot of horrifying stuff and he knew what he wanted to do when he got back from that experience – he was going to do the right thing, Howard Stark be damned.

For the past 8 years, SI has been the leading humanitarian company – with hands in every facet of said greater good. Making sure people all over the world have access to food, clean water, advanced medicine, all while focusing on the environment, giving back, and the welfare of everyone that they can.

They walked into the conference room, greeted by three members of the United Nations.

“Pepper, pleasure to see you again. Thank you for meeting us,” spoke Mrs. Warren.

“Pleasure is all mine, Laura. Thank you for coming here. This is our Co-CEO of Stark Industries, Peter.”

“Lovely to meet you, Mrs. Warren. I loved your speech about female empowerment within politics that you gave last month, absolutely wonderful,” Peter said, shaking her hand.

“Wow, well then. Thank you, Peter. Pleasure to meet you.”

They shook the hands of the other two ambassadors, Mr. Lockley and Mr. Xiao, and sat down for the meeting.

They spent the next half an hour discussing SI’s new solar power plans to help get the United States on track with clean energy.

There was quite a bit of arguing coming from Mr. Lockley who, it seemed, liked to hear the sound of his own voice way too much for Peter’s liking and really didn’t care for a teenager being smarter than him, but oh well.

“Sir, if I may,” Peter spoke confidently. “I understand your concern about the financial aspects of solar power. And I’m sure you’re aware of the statistics of our current energy grids throughout this country, and their financial…influence, if you will. We need to look forwards, not backwards. The people are looking to us as a country to help, the future depending on us being the frontrunners. We must not cower in the face of change, instead we must embrace it. And in doing so, you would see that within one year, our solar power panels get their financial return back and then some. So what’s more important? Spending less money right off the bat and risking the future of this planet, or spending more money right now, saving money in the future, and helping to save the planet?”

“I…,” Mr. Lockley started.

“Mr. Lockley, Peter is correct. It’s a worthwhile investment and clearly brings in more on it’s return. We must look forward. I understand your…connections to certain industries and companies, we all have had them in the past. But now is not the time to stand in the way of change. The world has watched, over the past few years, as aliens fell from the sky and they’ve been scared. We need to give them hope – and one of the ways to do so is through ensuring that their children and their children’s children have a planet to live on,” his mom spoke up.

“I couldn’t agree more, Ms. Potts,” Mr. Xiao responded. “Mr. Lockley…think wisely here.”

“Fine,” the man responded, defeatedly. “Send the schematics to my office, we will present it all to the President.”

Peter and his mom stood up, reaching across the table to shake hands with the ambassadors. Thank yous being said, and promises of a better future lingering in the air as the UN members left.

Peter looked down at his watch, “Oh shit, mom I have to go.”

Pepper looked at her watch, “Alright honey, get there safe,” she said, kissing Peter on the head.

He had a free period at the start of the day, hence him being able to start his school day late, but he knew he might be late if he went into school with Happy driving. He grabbed his phone, calling him.

“Hey kiddo, I was just about to call you,” Happy said.

“The meeting went over, I’m gonna be late and with traffic, it’s not worth it. I’m gonna head in the…other way,” Peter spoke, as he slid into an empty office, grabbing his suit out of his bag.

“Alright Pete, just text me when you get there, okay?”

He laughed, “Alright Hap, I will.”

His family was always nervous about his safety. They trusted him, but he was still their baby. He hated being treated like a kid, but he had to admit, it felt nice sometimes to know that he had so many people on his side. Being the heir to a multi-billion dollar corporation, the son of the one-and-only Tony Stark and adopted son of Pepper Potts, and oh – ya know, also being Spider-Man, was a lot. And he really did appreciate how much his whole big, crazy family cared for him.

He opened the window, backpack strapped around his waist, and swung his way to school.

When he was two blocks away from Midtown, he snuck to the alleyway and changed back into his clothes, stuffing his suit into his bag.

He made it to second period just in time.

Most of the day went off without a hitch, until resident bully and all-around asshole Flash finally saw him in the hallway on the way to their Academic Decathlon meeting.

“Hey, Penis Parker!” Flash shouted down the hall.

Here was the thing – to most people, he was Peter Parker, and not Peter Stark. Everyone at his school thought he was an orphan, living with an aunt he didn’t have. I mean…he did live with his aunt, a few aunts technically, but not the fake one they thought of. They made up a cover story years ago, and overtime it’s just evolved without Peter ever even talking about it. His middle name is Parker, hence them choosing that to be his public last name. His dad decided right away that he wouldn’t put his son through what he went through. Being a Stark comes with a lot of good but a lot of bad as well – a lack of privacy and people being fake to you, being the things that Tony didn’t want to put his kid through like Howard put him through. So to the world, he was Peter Parker.

The only people who knew the truth were obviously his family, including the Avengers, one of his best friends Harley, Happy of course, and a few other employees at SI who found out because they’ve been around for a long time or needed to know (All of the employees sign NDAs, and Peter’s identity is a part of those). Most of the employees have an idea though, but they don’t dare say anything – all they know is that he’s the boss, and that’s that.

Peter’s birth mother passed away when she gave birth to him, leaving him with his dad (and when his dad and Pepper started dating, and eventually got married, Pepper became his mom, adopting him). And although he sometimes felt sad thinking of never knowing his birth mother, in the end – family is found, and the ones that he found were the best. He had uncles and aunts galore, his parents loved him something fierce, he had best friends who meant the world to him, and he was set to one day own one of the largest and most successful corporations in the world.

So if he had to deal with this one bully, he really couldn’t care less. After so many years of this, he just learned to ignore it. Flash could say all that he wanted, he didn’t care, as long as he wasn’t bullying anyone else, Peter could take it.

Peter walked towards the gym, ignoring Flash’s taunts behind him, as he strolled over to his best friend Ned, sitting down next to him on the bleachers.

“I heard Betty and Mr. Harrington whispering about a field trip – did you hear anything?!” Ned said excitedly.

“Nope. But I realllllllly hope it’s not another field trip, you know how well those tend to go for me,” Peter said, rolling his eyes at the memories.

Ned laughed, “You’re not wrong. But hey, how bad could it get?”

Peter stared at him, mouth agape, “Why? Why Ned? You’ve jinxed it! You’ve jinxed us all,” he said dramatically, putting his hand over his forehead, pretending to faint, “You’ve doomed us all.”

“Oh shut up, you drama queen” Ned said laughing, pushing him back.

They both fell into giggles, as their teacher came into the room.

“Hello AcaDec!”

The hour of his debate team practicing and studying passed quickly. He spent it with Ned and MJ, who had her head buried in her notebook, drawing away, while also being able to answer any question thrown her way. Peter was constantly in awe of her, honestly.

“Alright! Before you guys head home, I have an announcement,” Mr. Harrington started.

Ned and Peter looked at each other. “Oh no,” Peter whispered, dropping his head down onto his arms.

“What’s wrong, loser?” MJ asked.

“Peter Luck,” he whispered back.

She looked at him confused, and then Mr. Harrington continued.

“We’ve been given permission to attend a field trip to a prestigious organization for winning Nationals. This is an extreme honor, and one we are not going to take lightly. I’m going to pass out your permission slips, which are very detailed so please have your parents look over them, and they need to be handed back to me before Thursday. We’ll be going on Friday!”

“Where are we going?” Betty asked.

“Well, we’re going to…drumroll please,” he started, banging his hands on the desk in front of him for effect, “Stark Industries!”

Gasps and excited talking could be heard all around the room, whispers and half screams, meanwhile Peter was wishing for the floor to swallow him up and drag him to the center of the earth where he can stay forever until everyone perishes.

“We’re going to Avengers tower?!” someone yelled.

“That’s correct! We must be on our best behavior. Remember – we’re going there for the science!”

Some people groaned at their teacher’s comment, others laughed. All the while, Peter just kept his head on his desk and wondered just how bad his luck had really gotten. Field trips really were always a disaster. He picked his head up for a moment to glare at his best friend.

Ned held his hands up in feigned innocence, “Sorrrrrry,” he whispered, laughing.

“Ugh! I hate my life,” Peter groaned, his head slamming back down.

“Hey Penis! Finally ready to get caught in your lie? I know I’m ready,” Flash yelled, laughing with his pals.

His school thought that he had an internship at SI because well, he really did used to have an internship! But he was like…10. And after a few years of that, moving up within the ranks, mostly watching his parents and learning the ins and outs of their company, he’d been in training to be the next CEO of SI for over a year, and has been considered Co-CEO alongside his mom for 6 months now. He was the 3rd highest ranking member of the company.

So intern…not exactly. But Flash overheard him telling Ned about the interns he was directing during a particularly intense week when they were releasing one of the earlier models of the StarkPhone, and just assumed Peter was claiming that he was an intern. So now, for the last two years, Flash has enjoyed telling everyone about how Peter’s internship is fake.

“Oh yes, Flash. I’m very scared,” Peter responded. He couldn’t care enough to deal with Flash’s nonsense anymore. He was in a position now where he was in charge of hundreds of employees, he has met the President – a high school bully who bought his way into his school was nothing to him.

“You better be, Parker. I’m so ready to ruin your life, it’ll be fucking hysterical watching you get caught up in your lie. I’ll make sure to livestream it when security throws you out,” he said with a laugh.

Peter just rolled his eyes – as if his security would ever.

“Mr. Parker, can I speak with you for a moment?” Mr. Harrington said, as the AcaDec team were all packing up to leave.

“Sure!” Peter said back, telling MJ and Ned that he’d meet up with them shortly.

“Everything okay, sir?”

“Well…there’s something I need to talk to you about. It’s going to be hard to hear, but it has to be said. We’ve all heard the rumors about you having an internship at Stark Industries, and while I know you’ve had a rough life, I need to say that this has gone on long enough. With us going there, it’s imperative that you don’t try to continue the lie inside the building. We were very lucky to be granted this tour, and I simply cannot have it be ruined, for Midtown’s sake.”

Peter just stared at his teacher for a while, jaw dropped, his heart racing, trying to understand if he heard this all correctly. He understood kids thinking he’s lying, too many of them following in Flash’s footsteps because of his money, but a teacher? That just wasn’t okay.

“Sir…I assure you I’m not lying,” Peter defended, trying to channel his Boss-mode without letting his emotions get the best of him right now.

“Peter, please…I don’t want to have to take any other measures.”

Peter really couldn’t believe that he was hearing this. “Sir, have you ever heard me talking about my internship?”

“Well, no, but…”

“While my nature with Stark Industries is not something I talk about, it is something that Flash seems to have an obsession with, and it’s HIM that likes to talk about me lying, when he has no basis in that other than him being a bully. We’ve given the school the appropriate paperwork for my internship when it interfered with lessons, so it is real,” Peter spoke confidently.

“Peter, I’ve looked it up, they don’t take high school interns. That paperwork…we know you’re smart enough to fake that if you wanted,” Mr. Harrington continued, looking exhausted and over this conversation.

“Sir, I promise you it’s not,” Peter replied, almost desperate now. This was a teacher he really liked, and here he was, believing lies spouted by a bully. He knew the school didn’t care about Flash’s taunts and harassment of students, especially Peter, because Mr. Thompson gave so much in annual donations that they would never dare to speak out against him.

“Do you have any evidence that would prove to you that I’m lying?” Peter said, standing up straighter. He was so over this.

“Well, no. But we’ve all heard…”

“Rumors are just that, they’re rumors. Mr. Harrington, please, I’m not lying,” Peter half pleaded.

“I won’t hear anymore. Just…don’t say anything on the trip, please,” his teacher said.

“Fine, sir…” Peter responded, feeling his anger growing.

He walked out, almost seething. That was just not okay. He met up with Ned and MJ, who asked what Mr. Harrington wanted.

“He thinks I’m lying about the internship, so he wanted to make sure that I didn’t say anything when we were at SI”

“Are you serious?? That’s not okay! He’s a teacher, how could he not believe you? Didn’t Mr. Stark give you paperwork to hand into the school and everything?” Ned said, rambling angrily.

“Yup, apparently he thinks I faked it,” Peter responded, he was honestly just tired now.

“That’s bullshit, Peter,” MJ said.

“Yeah, you’re telling me,” he responded.

As they were all walking out, he was quiet as MJ and Ned continued talking about the trip, and Peter was thinking about what this could mean.

He could talk with his dad, maybe get the trip canceled. He doesn’t want to have to deal with the repercussions of this – if they found out he’s a Stark, he’ll be bombarded at school, the press could find out…he shook that thought out. But he couldn’t cancel it, not with Ned excitedly talking away about all the projects he could see, and if they’ll meet the Avengers.

Ned and MJ both knew that Peter worked at the Tower. Ned’s even visited a few times, because he’s really good with coding and computers and his dad said that he could bring him up a few times to help with different projects. And he’s known Ned for what seems like forever, so he knows that he’s worked there for years. Ned also knows that he’s Spider-Man due to an unfortunate incident of walking in on him with the suit still half on. But he didn’t know he was basically running the company alongside his parents, nor did he know that he was a Stark.

He kept thinking about what this could mean. On one hand, there was the threat of people finding out his multiple secrets. And even though his family would be coming out with the information about him being a Stark when he turned 18, at his request, that was still almost a year away and he was nervous for it all. On the other hand, he was kind of excited thinking about what this meant for Flash, and now Mr. Harrington. He could prove them wrong. Not like their opinion really mattered, but it was all so exhausting dealing with taunts and now his teacher (and probably the whole school administration if he thought about it for long enough). And if his parents, or any of his family or his employees, caught wind of him being bullied – it wouldn’t go over well.

He wouldn’t let a bully push him around inside his place of work, not when he was meant to be leading his employees – bullying wouldn’t fly, and he could use it as a way to show that he’ll make sure nothing like that ever happens at SI. He could always make everyone sign NDAs if anything were to get out.

“Dude!! Do you think I’ll get to meet Iron Man? Or Captain America? Or maybe Thor? Oh…I hope we’ll meet Dr. Banner, I want to talk to him about…”

“Ned, you’ve been to the Tower before. But maybe, yeah! I’m sure D-Mr. Stark will be around, he typically likes to ignore meetings and spend time in the labs and the tours go to the labs, sooo...Probably not Thor though, he’s on Asgard mostly, but the others are almost always around,” Peter said.

“I know I’ve been but that was practically work. I mean it was awesome working on some cool projects but like – this’ll be different!” Ned started rambling, “Dude, your life is so cool. I hope we do!”

“I’d love to meet Pepper Potts,” MJ whispered beside him.

“Oh yeah?” Peter responded, trying to act nonchalant.

“Yes! I’d love to interview her about how she’s smashed right through the glass ceiling, and all that she’s done for women in business. And what she talked about a few months ago about making sure that SI is lgbtq+ friendly? With the pronouns on badges if employees wanted to, and all that stuff,” MJ said excitedly.

Peter smiled at that. It was something he always appreciated about his newer friend – she was so passionate about things, just as he was, just as his mom was. His mom and him discussed the pronoun thing a few months back. A few classmates and employees were trans and non-binary, and although the workplace was already inviting, they wanted to make sure that it was as inclusive as possible.

“Wow, that’s…I agree, MJ. I’ll see what I can do?” Peter said shyly.

“Really?” she whispered back.

Peter nodded.

Ned and MJ talked excitedly amongst themselves as Peter saw the blacked-out windows of the Audi, and said goodbye to his friends.

“Hey Happy!” Peter said.

“Hey kid, how was school?”

“It was…interesting.”

Happy looked in the rearview mirror, eyebrows raised. “Oh really? And why is that?”

“One of the tours at SI this week is my Academic Decathlon team”

Happy just stared ahead and then burst out laughing. “Are you serious? Oh boy. Just your luck, eh kid?”

“You’re telling me,” Peter said, laughing back.

On the ride home, Peter checked his work emails. There were a few from marketing that he needed to check in with – they always appreciated his input, being younger and more in tune with social media and modern marketing tactics, they always liked to get ideas from him. There was also an email about a video call with the London and Hong Kong offices he was CC'd on that was happening tomorrow. He also set up a shared document with all of the Avengers team so they could add their ideas for the compound to it. He went through it all, replying to everyone and having Karen update his e-calendar accordingly.

Then he shot off a quick text to the Avengers group chat, asking what's for dinner.

Uncle Steve: Hey kid, Buck is making one of Sam’s mom’s recipes that he sent over. A gumbo, I think.

Peter: Oh awesome!! :)

Uncle Bucky: yeah mini-boss, it’s gumbo. it’s real good too.

Uncle Sam (lol): Hell yea!! Send pics when its done

Uncle Bucky: will do, asshole

Mama Spider: see you for dinner, baby spider. miss you!!

Peter: Miss you too!!! Glad you’re home! :)

He set his phone down, smiling. His aunt Nat and uncle Clint were on a mission for over a week, and it was always tough not knowing if they were okay. Ever since the Avengers had become a thing almost 5 years ago, they’d become his family as much as his parents were. They all bickered like family and loved like family – protecting each other, having weekly dinners, birthday parties, and obviously, going on missions together. It was truly amazing.

They arrived at the Tower, pulling into the private entrance, and Peter hopped out of the car, backpack in tow, waving goodbye to Happy (who typically went off to the Security offices after he picked up Peter) and went to the elevator.

“Welcome home, Peter. Shall I inform Mr. Stark of your arrival?” the AI spoke.

His dad always loved to be notified when he arrived at the Tower, being the protective dad that he was (I mean, his son is Spider-Man, so he understood) so F.R.I.D.A.Y always asks him. It’s quite sweet.

“No thank you, FRI. Where is he?”

“Mr. Stark is in the communal living room with Captain Rogers, Sergeant Barnes, Ms. Romanova, and Mr. Barton. Shall I take you there?”

“Yes please!”

Peter excitedly bounced in the elevator, ready to see his family and talk to them about the Compound, and figure out how to tell them about the field trip.

The doors opened and he all but ran over to where his family was, tossing his bag onto the couch and going up to his Aunt.

“Aunt Nat! I missed you”

“Hey маленький паук, missed you too!”

He went over to Clint, tapping him on his shoulder. Clint turned around, a big smile on his face, and pulled Peter in for a hug.

Clint signed, “How are you, kid! Missed you!”

Peter excitedly signed back, “Missed you too, uncle Clint! I’m good, you?”

They chatted for a while, signing quickly back and forth, Nat joining in every once in a while.

“Food smells really good, Uncle Bucky,” Peter said to Buck.

“Thanks, kid. Mrs. Wilson is a miracle worker, I swear it,” he laughed.

“I think you deserve some of the credit there too, darlin’,” Steve replied, leaning into his partner, bumping his shoulder into Bucky’s metal one.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever pal,” Bucky said, pushing back (but definitely blushing.)

Peter went over to where his dad was lounging on the sofa, typing away on his tablet, looking a little stressed.

“Dad, what’s wrong?” he asked.

“Oh, hey, bambino,” he said tiredly. “Sorry kid, just distracted. The newest Mark is being stupid and it’s bugging me. Wanna come down to the lab after dinner and help me out with it?”

“Yeah, sure dad. When’s the last time you slept? And don’t give me bullshit, I will sic F.R.I.D.A.Y on you,” Peter said with a laugh.

“You are so much like Pepper, it’s ridiculous. How do I put up with you two? I’ll go to sleep early tonight, I cross my heart,” Tony said, crossing his fingers over his chest.

“Mhmmmmm,” Peter said with a laugh. “Oh! Can I talk to you about something?”

“Sure kid, everything okay?” he said.

“Yeah. So…the AcaDec team has a field trip this Friday,” Peter started.

Tony feigned horror, “Oh no! Another field trip.”

They both laughed. “I know! And guess where it is? Here.”

His dad just stared at him, similar to how Happy did in the car, and then burst out into laughter. “Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me. That’s the best thing I’ve ever heard. You have the worst luck, bambino. I’m so sorry,” he said, laughing so hard he had to wipe away tears.

“What’s going on?” Steve called from the kitchen.

“Peter’s school has a field trip this Friday…to here,” Tony said, still laughing.

The Avengers, his betraying family, who clearly all hated him, broke into full body laughter, with a string of…

“Oh no, Peter!”

“Only you, kid”

“Yes, yes, laugh it up. I have a plan though, and I need you all to be on board,” Peter said, getting into Boss-mode.

They called the rest of the team who was home down to the communal dining area, drinks and food were passed around – everyone making small talk about what they all wanted in the compound, about missions or their weeks or cracking jokes per usual. Peter looked around at his family – right now that being: his parents, Uncle Steve, Uncle Bucky, Aunt Nat, Uncle Clint, Uncle Bruce, Wanda, and Vision – and he smiled. Thinking of his classmates, if only they knew…

He never wanted to brag. It’s a big part of why he’s never said anything. His parents completely gave him control over that when he became a teenager – if he wanted to tell the world, he could. But he would never gloat about the things he has and the people he knows, that’s not who he is. He doesn’t want people to like him only for his last name or the money that came with it, or hell, if they knew he was an Avenger and that he spent most days with all them – it was just too much. But he was so tired of Flash’s insistent bullying, especially because now it made the teachers get involved and think he was lying as well, and that was just not okay. He was set to lead SI one day, and he knew that he needed to learn to stand up for himself and for others, and that could start here.

“Okay guys, so…I have a plan.”

Chapter Text

The end of the week came very quickly, flying by with school, Academic Decathlon, Spider-Man patrolling at night, planning the Compound, Harley arriving to the Tower after being away for a few months, having meetings with different departments of SI, and one video call with President Ellis that he and his mom were on to discuss the solar power project.

His family had been coddling him more so than usual the past few days. After he told them about the field trip, he knew he’d have to tell them about Flash and Mr. Harrington. He didn’t want to, knowing that they would absolutely tear a hole through the universe for him, and a bully (despite being a kid) was something practically all of them wouldn't even bat an eye at murdering in cold blood. He didn’t want that. He let them yell and freak out, and then calmly told them that he was handling, and that he knew how he wanted to go about this.

The best way wasn’t with violence, that wasn’t who Peter was. The best way was to prove them wrong, all while staying the bigger person. He knew that. So he concocted his plan and made sure his family were all on board.

So, Peter was definitely buzzing with nerves and excitement.

He didn’t have a morning meeting that Friday, so he got to school early, hopped out of the Audi and told Happy that he’d see him soon, and met up with his AcaDec team, who were all waiting out in the parking lot.

He walked over to Ned and MJ. “Hey guys!”

“Hey Pete! Wow, look at you. Mr. Fancy, over here!” Ned said, laughing and running his arms over the tailored suit.

Peter looked down at himself. He decided to wear something he’d typically wear when working, making sure that despite his age, he looked the part of CEO. He figured if anyone asked, he could pass it off as wanting to impress his employer. But in a custom Armani suit, he was dressed to impress.

“Heh, thanks Ned,” Peter responded, rubbing his hand on the back of his neck shyly. He tried not to feel self-conscious about him being dressed up. A few other students were as well, clearly thinking down the same route of “this could be my future workplace someday!”

“Morning, loser,” MJ said sleepily.

“Are you excited for today? Still nervous?” Ned asked him.

“A little, but I’m excited. I know it’ll be…interesting,” Peter said with a smirk. Little did everyone know.

MJ looked at him, eyebrows raised, “Hmm…interesting you say?”

“Crisis notebook should definitely be out and ready when Flash realizes that he was wrong this whole time,” Ned said back, the three of them laughing.

“The hell did you get that suit from, Penis. Who’d you have to sleep with to get something that nice? I bet it’s fake,” Flash yelled, stomping over towards him.

“Honestly, Flash. Just give it up,” Peter said, rolling his eyes.

“Well, whatever Parker. I’m just so ready to watch your bullshit lies crumble all around you and watch as you get banned, probably by Tony Stark himself,” Flash rambled, laughing and clearly aiming to garner the attention he craved so much.

“Mhmm, okay Flash,” Peter said back. Oh this was going to be good.

Mr. Harrington walked over as the bus pulled up, ushering everyone on. And off they went.

On the way there, Mr. Harrington was telling the team how they need to behave at SI, what it means for the team and the school and him that they were allowed on his tour, that they all needed to make sure they represented Midtown well – he looked over to Peter when he said that, and it took a lot of energy not to roll his eyes at the accusation.

Before he knew it, they arrived, and were being led back off the bus. The group gathered at the front of the building, as Mr. Harrington repeated,

“You absolutely need to be on your best behavior. This could potentially be your future place of employment. Represent Midtown well, and listen to the tour guide and any rules they tell us.”

Before they went in, Mr. Harrington walked over to Peter, “Peter…remember what I said to you? No funny business, I mean it.”

“But of course, sir,” Peter said back snarkily.

This was going to be REALLY good.

The group walked in as Mr. Harrington walked over to the receptionist’s desk – it was Amelia, an amazing woman who Peter has known for years, her and her wife both working for SI. He listened in as she called the tour guide, telling them that Midtown was here. She looked up and over, noticing Peter, and waved and smiled towards him.

He waved back, and headed over to where he knew the tours started. A moment later, he saw Harley.

He’d known Harley since he helped his dad years ago, and has been visiting New York ever since. Tony helped him get into MIT, him being a year older than Peter, and he stays in the Tower sometimes on slow college weeks, and has been an SI employee for years – occasionally giving tours, and helping interns and scientists in the Research & Development department. Say what you will about his dad, he definitely had a knack for surrounding himself with geniuses.

“Hello Midtown! Welcome to Stark Industries,” Harley beamed. The Southern twang still present in his voice. “Gather ‘round. I have a few ground rules to explain to you.”

“Man, I’m so excited!!” Ned said, shaking Peter’s shoulders.

“Me too,” Peter said back slyly.

He was nervous though, if he was being honest, hoping this would all work out. He just wanted to make sure that things ran smoothly.

At that moment, Harley looked over and saw him, giving him a smile and a wave. Peter waved back, stepping aside a bit so he was out of the group a little. He knew that security, once they noticed him, would feel better about that – being able to see him clearly and all that.

“So as I’m sure your teacher has explained, we expect you to be on your best behavior while you’re here. Here at SI, we have a few strict policies that must be adhered to. First of all, remember this is a workplace – do not bother employees or touch their things. I’ll tell you whether or not you can walk around and talk to the employees – otherwise, just assume you can’t. Secondly, we have a strict no bullying policy,” he said looking right at Flash, “So if myself or any other employee hears you bullying any of your fellow classmates or speaking badly about anyone here at SI, we will not hesitate to remove you from the premises. Do I make myself clear?”

The team nodded, Peter smiling at Harley. He appreciated his command for authority and attention. His dad always commented how the two of them were very alike, especially in that regard when it came to business.

“Alright so I’ll be passing out badges. These are for our tour groups and temporary guests. They will not work once you leave this building, so no disappearing on me. You must wear these visibly at all times, or else you will almost certainly be escorted from the building. We ask that you give them back to me at the end of the tour, as we’re trying to limit our waste and therefore are reusing them. Now, just come up when I call your names, please.”

“Abraham”

“Betty”

“Cindy”

“Eugene”

He went down the list, calling out everyone but Peter and Ned. MJ hadn’t come to the Tower yet, but Peter planned on getting her her own guest badge soon. Especially after today.

“Hey!! Why don’t Pen-Peter and Ned have badges?” Flash called out.

Harley refrained from rolling his eyes, but barely. “Peter and Ned do not need badges, as they already have them.”

Gasps and whispers of “Holy shit was his internship real?” floated around the group.

It took a lot of effort not to look at Mr. Harrington at that moment, but he heard him gasp as well. Ahh, this really was nice.

Peter noticed one of the security guards Nate looking at him, stepping forward, curious about the outburst mentioning his name. Peter looked back at him, shaking his head and holding out his hand to tell him that it’s okay, he didn’t need to do anything. Nate nodded back.

“Alright then, everyone please step through the security system here. Scan your badge like this,” Harley said, waving his pass in front of the scanner.

“Harley Keener. Clearance Level: 8. No threats detected. Welcome back, Mr. Keener.”

“Thank you F.R.I.D.A.Y. That was our AI system – she basically runs everything here, being the eyes and ears of Stark Industries. So if you do or say anything you shouldn’t, she will know it,” Harley stated. “Alright, walk on through.”

“Eugene Thompson. Clearance Level: 1. No threats detected.”

“What do the different levels mean?” Betty asked.

“Great question! So there are 10 different clearance levels. Level 1 is for tour groups, and any temporary guests that are only permitted in public spaces within the Tower, and only with someone else – like a tour guide. Level 2 is for the press. Level 3 is for clients who are coming to SI for different meetings. Level 4 is for guests of employees. Levels 5 through 7 are for employees, which include interns, scientists, security, HR, maintenance, assistants, public relations, etc. Level 8, like myself, is for guests of the Starks and Avengers who frequently visit or stay in the Tower. Level 9 is for the Avengers. And Level 10 is for Mr. Stark and his family,” Harley said with a quick glance to Peter.

The rest of the group made their way through.

“Ned Leeds. Clearance Level: 4. No threats detected. Welcome back, Ned.”

Which garnered a few reactions from the group.

And last, was Peter, who didn’t need a badge.

“Hello, Peter. Shall I inform Mr. Stark of your arrival?”

“No thank you, FRI,” Peter responded.

“Why didn’t it say anything like it said for us for Peter? That makes no sense!” Flash spoke.

“You do not have the clearance to ask Peter that question,” F.R.I.D.A.Y spoke back, almost (and Peter would swear it was possible) with an attitude. He loved her.

“What? This is bullshit! How does someone like Pen…” Flash spoke in a loud whisper.

“I’d advise you to not continue that train of thought, Mr. Thompson,” the AI spoke.

Half of the team snickered, watching as Flash sunk into himself, getting told off by a disembodied voice in the sky. It was kind of brilliant.

Harley looked over at Peter, eyebrows raised. Peter rolled his eyes back, whispering, “Not worth it.”

Harley shrugged. “Alright let’s continue, shall we!”

Phase 1, done. Getting through security without a hitch, Peter breathed a sigh of relief. Now onto the next phase.

They all got into the elevator, as Harley explained that they would be heading first to the Research & Development department, which consisted of 10 floors of different departments ranging from technology, engineering, biochemistry, medicine, and quite a few more.

“R&D is where the best and brightest gather to theorize and create practically everything you’ve seen that has come out of Stark Industries. We’ll be going to the engineering department first, so make sure you don’t touch anything, and listen to the interns and scientists that are present.”

They all stepped out of the elevator, as Harley walked them over to one of the labs that Peter loved to spend a lot of time in. Ever since his dad became Iron Man, he’s loved working on the suits, and then when the Avengers were assembled, he loved making machines and different tech for them – especially his Uncle Rhodey’s suit and Uncle Bucky’s new arm with the help of Shuri, princess of Wakanda. They loved to tinker with it, making it better for Bucky – always listening to any inputs he had and making sure that he got all that he wanted out of the prosthetic.

They walked into the room, only a few heads turning, as Harley began to explain that they could walk around, having a half hour in that lab, and that the interns present would answer any questions they had, within reason of course. Peter took the time to walk over to Harley.

“How ya doing, boss?” Harley said quietly.

“Oh, I’m doing alright. It’s been good so far, I think,” Peter whispered back.

“That Eugene kid is a dickhead, Peter. I hope your family knows that he’s a little shit,” Harley said.

“They know now, When I was telling them about how I wanted to handle today, I had to come clean…I thought dad and Uncle Buck were gonna go to Flash’s house and kill him in his sleep,” Peter said, only half joking. “But they trusted me enough to handle it today. Plus, they’re excited for this.”

“I’m excited for this!” Harley said, laughing.

“Hey boss!” Peter heard one of the interns, Rowan, yelling.

“Coming, Ro,” Peter said. “I’ll be back.”

Harley nodded as Peter walked over to the intern, leaning over them with his hands clasped together behind his back. “Hey, what’s up? Whatcha got going on here?”

“I’ve been stuck on this equation to get the part to move in the right way. The other half of it is working perfectly, but the angle is off and I don’t know what’s wrong,” Rowan said exasperatedly.

“Hey, all good. Let me take a look,” Peter said, grabbing the tablet that Rowan was working on.

He looked at it for only a minute before clearly angry footsteps made their way over to him. “Mr. Parker, what are you doing? You were told not to bother the employees!” Mr. Harrington said.

Oh. This guy was joking right? Peter has already made it clear that he’s at least an intern here, probably more due to FRI not stating his clearance (purposefully), but apparently not.

Rowan gasped, looking between their boss and the teacher. “I can promise you, he’s not bothering me. I asked him for his help,” they said back to him. In their head, they were thinking “Who does this person think they are talking to the boss like that?”

“I…” Mr. Harrington started.

“I assure you, Mr. Harrington. If I was bothering them, they’d tell me. I was helping with an equation – it is my job after all,” Peter stated matter-of-fact.

Everyone behind them were gasping, whispering amongst themselves. Only Ned and MJ looked smug, smiling and MJ began to pull out her sketchbook, as she looked over at Flash, who looked like he was about ready to burst a blood vessel.

“Alright everyone, come this way – we have a special treat in another lab,” Harley said, trying to gather the group together.

“Sorry, Ro. I’ll be back after the tour. Don’t worry about it being due anytime soon, okay?” Peter said, as Rowan nodded at him. “I’ll be back in a few hours, guys. If you’re gone by the time I come back, just shoot me an email, okay?”

The interns nodded, stating their thanks to their boss, as Peter made his way back out with the group.

Peter knew that they’d be headed up to his Uncle Bruce’s lab now. He knew that Ned and practically everyone at Midtown absolutely adored the doctor, and plus he’d been wanting to look over some of the projects he’d been working on. He spoke to the ceiling,

“Hey, FRI? Can you please let Un-Dr. Banner know that the tour group is coming up and if it’s okay for us to come in now?” Peter said. He always liked to make sure that his uncle was in a good state of mind for people before barging in on him, especially with a group. Even though his uncle already knew, it’s only polite to check again.

“Dr. Banner said that it is fine, and that he’ll see you all shortly,” F.R.I.D.A.Y replied.

“Thanks, FRI,” Peter said.

He looked up, only now realizing that he had kind of hijacked that moment and just did what he always would’ve done. His AcaDec team looked at him in various states of shock and amusement. He looked over to Harley, mouthing “Sorry.” Harley waved him off.

“To Dr. Banner’s lab, please, FRI,” Harley said, as the group got on the elevator.

“Of course Mr. Keener,” the voice spoke back.

Peter had to deal with that short elevator ride as his team whispered behind him. Honestly they really didn’t care that he was right here, apparently. Well everyone except Ned and MJ of course.

The elevator stopped, and the group got out as Harley led them over to Bruce’s lab. Harley knocked twice on the window (most of the labs were surrounded in windows, which could be blacked out for confidential and privacy reasons). There was some shuffling and then the voice of Bruce telling them to come in filtered through.

The group walked in, eyes wide and glancing everywhere, trying to take it all in. Because there in front of them, was the one and only Dr. Banner, aka the Hulk, but they could care less about his Avenger’s status. This was the man with 7 doctorates – the scientist who was world-renowned. Safe to safe, the team were fangirling.

“Hi everyone,” his Uncle Bruce said nervously. Peter and Harley stood off a little to the side and Bruce noticed them right away. “Hey Harley, hey kid.”

“Hiii,” they both said back sing-songy in unison. It took a lot of effort not to call his family by the names he always did.

“So...uhh…” Bruce started. He really didn’t like crowds. “Boss, what did you want me to do again?”

Peter wanted to facepalm in that moment, but he looked at his uncle and realized he was doing it on purpose – and then he wanted to roll his eyes. “Just tell them about what you’re working on, Un-Dr. Banner, and maybe we’ll do a little Q&A – you’re very popular at Midtown.”

As he said that, the team all began talking at the same time, expressing their praises and love and admiration for the doctor. All the while, Flash and Mr. Harrington were staring at Peter, realizing that THE Bruce Banner just called him “Boss”.

Bruce was blushing by the end of the outburst. “Wow, well thank you.” And then he began talking about what he was working on, and the team shot off rapid fire questions that Harley had to tame so they asked one at a time. But of course, it wouldn’t go without a hitch, not with Flash being the person he was.

“Dr. Banner, why did you call Pun-Parker over there ‘Boss’? I mean he’s just a kid,” Flash said, sneering at Peter.

His Uncle Bruce looked over at him, raising his eyebrows towards Flash, clearly asking if this was the bully he told them about, so Peter nodded. “Well, Eugene…that would be because he is the boss. And I have respect for people within the scientific community that I look up to – and yes, that includes Peter over there.”

“He’s the boss? Yeah, right. What could Pen-Peter do that an Avenger couldn’t? How’d you manage this shit, Peter? Honestly,” Flash rambled away, not realizing what he was doing.

Peter immediately clocked the potential threat and stepped up to his Uncle, “It’s okay. I’ll handle it.” It wasn’t going to be good if he Hulked out right now in the middle of his lab with a bunch of minors around.

“Flash, has it not been made perfectly clear to you that I do hold a position here? I’d advise you to not have another outburst again,” Peter spoke clearly, with his Uncle practically seething behind him.

“I’ll have you know that Peter is one of the most gifted minds here I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing and working with, so knock it off, you won’t like it if you have to see me angry,” Bruce spoke, calming himself down.

Mr. Harrington coughed in that moment, looking straight at Peter with a sense of intrigue and horror and honestly, anger. “I don’t understand,” he heard his teacher whisper.

Peter just smirked. “We’ll leave you to it, okay? Make sure you get something to eat soon, please. I’m sure you’ve been in here for a while and you need to take a break. I will check in on you, don’t test me,” he laughed, half hugging his Uncle.

“Yeah, yeah, kid. I’ll see you later, okay?” he said, and then whispered, “You’re going to take care of him right? Because if he pulls that kind of shit in front of Nat, Bucky, or your parents, he’s dead. You know that right?”

“Yeah, I know. Trying to avoid a lawsuit because an Avenger killed a kid. Don’t worry, I got this,” Peter said back, reassuring his uncle.

He really hadn’t expected Flash or even his teacher to continuously have these outbursts, but after lunch and the museum, it would be time to set things straight. As long as nothing else happened.

Chapter Text

The group made their way to the cafeteria, where employees and interns alike were sitting at the round tables, chatting amongst themselves.

“Alright, feel free to eat whatever you’d like, just scan your badge, you have a free meal with it – we have an hour here and then we’ll be heading to the museum!” Harley said, clapping his hands together. “Go, disperse children.”

Peter just laughed at him, “Children? You’re one year older, Harls.”

“Yeah, yeah. I know, but it always feels like I’m ancient compared to tour groups,” he said laughing.

“I feel that,” Peter said back, running his hands down his face. He wanted to check some emails and knew he had to eat as well.

“Go do your bossing, I can see the stress coming off of you. You normally order from the deli, right?” Harley said.

“Yeah, Mr. Delmar. He knows what I get. Harls – I got it though, go take a break from this chaos,” Peter said, he didn’t like people doing things for him, it’s why he refused to have an assistant even though his mom thinks it’s ridiculous and he needs one, but alas.

“Shut the fuck up, Pete. Affectionately,” Harley said laughing. “Go – sit.”

Peter laughed at his friend, holding his hands up, “Alright, alright. Thank you.”

He sat down at an empty table, where eventually Ned and MJ joined him.

“Dude, this is crazy. Dr. Banner called you Boss?! What even is your life? And did you see Mr. Harrington’s face? I thought he was going to combust,” Ned said as he was sitting down.

“Yeah, I saw it. Honestly it’s just…nice, I guess. That maybe people won’t be whispering behind my back now about me lying. But it doesn’t really matter, I know the truth. And you guys believed me, so thank you,” Peter said. He always felt confident when he was at work, but there was always a little voice in the back of his head (probably stemming from him being a kid, not really understanding everything happening with his parents and why he was different, especially at school) that focused on the negative things people said about him.

“Of course we did! Flash is getting what’s coming to him, it’s honestly beautiful,” Ned said, faking wiping away tears for dramatics.

They talked a bit about the museum – which he had a hand in helping finalize over the last year, as they continuously added to it to account for new Avengers and new discoveries done at SI. Harley came over with their food, and he sat down as well. All four of them were eating and chatting, while Peter took the time to answer a few emails while he could.. And then something made his “spidey-senses” tingle, so he looked around and his eyes landed right away on his Uncle Clint, who was walking into the cafeteria.

He noticed him right away, much to Peter’s dismay, and half jogged over to the table to sit down next to him. “Hiya, kid,” he signed.

“Hi, Clint, how are you?” Peter said.

“Just Clint huh? Since when am I not Uncle Clint?” he teased, signing back.

Peter’s head fell into his hands. “Sorry, Uncle Clint. The plan, remember?”

“Ahhh, yes. The plan,” he giggled.

“Hi Clint!” Harley signed to him.

“Hey kid!” Clint signed back.

“Since when did you know sign language?” MJ asked.

He signed at the same time so his Uncle knew what he was saying, “I’ve known it for years. Just didn’t have the need to use it at school.”

“Cool,” MJ said, trying to act nonchalant.

“Is everyone else here? We’re going to the museum and then onto the good parts,” Peter signed excitedly.

“Yes, they’re all here. We’ve been watching the feed. That kid is an asshole,” his uncle signed back, rolling his eyes and glaring at Flash from across the room.

“I know. I got it though. He’ll stop once it gets through his head that I’m not lying,” Peter signed, just ready for this day to be over with, honestly.

He just wanted to scream the truth out at the top of his lungs, but then they’d have to deal with the repercussions of that and it’s just not worth it. So he settled for the next best thing – subtle genius.

“Alright, kid. See you! Enjoy the training room later…” he signed with a smirk and a laugh.

Oh boy.

Ned chatted excitedly about “Holy shit you know Hawkeye” and about if they were going to see any more Avengers. Peter really was excited.

“Alright, let’s do this,” Harley said standing up. “Alright Midtown, let’s head out!”

They all stood up, and on the way out one of the people from the Marketing department, who was sitting at a table eating her lunch, called out.

“Hey Boss! Whatcha doing here during the day? It’s nice to see you!”

“Oh, hi Caroline! How’s Theo?” Peter asked.

“Oh he’s great, boss, thank you. He just won a baseball championship, which was amazing. Breaks my heart seeing him grow up so fast,” she said, half jokingly.

“Oh, I’m sure. He’s a great kid though! But yeah, I’m actually here with my Academic Decathlon team. They had a tour here today,” Peter said.

“Oh really?” she said back, trying not to laugh.

“I know,” he said deadpan. “I emailed you back by the way. I’ll set up a meeting probably for Tuesday to chat about the socials. I’ll shoot you a message about it when I get it planned later!”

“Okay, boss! Enjoy the tour,” she said snickering.

“Yeah, yeah,” he said, laughing back.

He turned around, his class staring at him with that wide eyed gaze they seem to have been carrying around this whole day, watching Peter in his element.

Harley noticed that Peter was about to get bombarded with questions if he didn’t speak up so, “Alright guys – onto the museum!”

They all climbed into the elevator, as Harley explained the museum’s history.

“It started out as a Stark Industries exclusive museum. Talking all about the history of the company, with Howard Stark back during the war, what he did with Captain America, and the work he did throughout the 20th century until his unfortunate death in 1991,” he paused, passing a quick glance to Peter. “And then Tony Stark of course took over the company, and the museum tells all about the changes the company has experienced, especially in the last 8 years. It then got expanded to include a floor all about the Avengers!”

Peter had mixed emotions surrounding his grandfather. He grew up hearing all of the stories, he was born 10 years after Howard’s death so he never got to meet him – but he was a powerhouse, just not always the best. And his dad made sure that he learned from the mistakes of his father, and Peter was forever grateful for that.

They all got out, as the group all but ran over to look at the displays. Peter stayed back.

“Sorry, I couldn’t imagine it’s easy to see this stuff – your grandparents and what happened with Tony…” Harley whispered.

“It’s okay. I mean it’s not, but we’re here now and we all work through it, ya know? Plus I’m glad people get to see everything that SI and us have gone through ya know? I think it’s important,” Peter said.

What his dad went through in Afghanistan is something he can’t really talk about. It resulted in a lot of anxiety and nightmares from him. He was a kid when his dad was kidnapped and was missing for months. That was the hardest time of his life. The bite, even the attack on New York, none of those held a torch to those few months.

He was feeling his anxiety spike a little, so he picked up his phone, calling his dad.

“Hey bambino, everything okay?”

“Yeah, everything’s good. We’re in the museum now…I just, ya know, needed to hear your voice,” he whispered.

His dad understood the terror of being separated from each other. It definitely resulted in them having some intense separation anxiety. But at least they both understood it.

“Oh kid, I’m sorry. I’m here. Want me to come down?” his dad said back in that soft “only for Peter and Pepper” voice.

“No, it’s alright dad, thank you. I’m gonna go meet up with Ned and MJ and let him talk my ear off about you guys,” he said laughing back, his dad’s voice dissolving the anxiety that was building.

“Alright kiddo. Proud of you for today, by the way. I see how you’re handling it. Way better than I would’ve. I would’ve killed the kid, still want to if I’m being honest.”

“I know dad,” he said laughing, “Thanks,” Peter whispered back.

“Okay kid, I’ll see you later for the Q&A. Love you.”

“Love you too,” Peter said, hanging up the phone.

Harley looked over at him, smiling. He understood. He witnessed that aftermath a few years later, when the attack on New York spiked his anxiety and fears, and was there for him ever since.

“I’m gonna go find the others,” Peter nodded to Harley, giving him a quick hug.

“Alright, we’ll be out of here soon. I’ll tell everyone they can walk around both floors and we’ll meet back by the elevators in 45 minutes,” Harley explained.

He nodded and went to go find his friends – who were, just as he predicted, standing in front of the Spider-Man exhibit, Ned snickering away.

“Is Spider-Man really afraid of spiders?” Ned asked carefully since MJ didn’t know. (Or he thought she didn’t know.)

“I mean, he hasn’t told me if he was. But wouldn’t you be if you got bit by a big ass radioactive spider?” Peter said, trying not to shiver at memory.

“I mean, fair,” Ned said.

“I don’t know, shouldn’t he be like Ant-Man. Able to control all the spiders like how he controls ants?” MJ said, looking at Peter with a look of…something, in her eyes.

“Uhh…I don’t know. I don’t think he can,” Peter stuttered out.

She just laughed, shaking her head at him.

They moved around the exhibits, Ned making comments and Peter listening in to the things that his team were saying when he heard Flash coming over. He just rolled his eyes.

“Hey Penis, I don’t know what you did to get everyone to talk to you like they know you, but I’m gonna figure it out. Where’s your pal, Spider-Man, to back you up, huh? No one as cool as him would ever even bother with someone like you,” Flash spat out.

Peter just rolled his eyes. “Sure he wouldn’t Flash, whatever you say.”

Flash got all flustered and angry, tired of Peter just ignoring him.

“I outta –” Flash started, stepping towards Peter.

Harley grabbed his arm, pulling Flash back. “As much as I’d like to see you get kicked out, I’m going to have to save you from doing something really, really stupid, okay Eugene?”

Flash just huffed, stomping away.

“Sorry Pete, I wasn’t gonna let him put his hands on you,” Harley said, glaring at Flash angrily talking with Abe and Mr. Harrington.

“It’s okay, thanks. He really just won’t let up,” Peter said, rolling his eyes.

“He’s Flash, so he’s stupid,” MJ chimed in.

“You’re not wrong,” he and Ned said at the same time, all of them laughing.

They continued wandering the exhibits until Harley called for the group to gather together.

“Alright, so we have another special treat for you guys. We’ve been given access to go to the onsite Avengers’ training center!” Harley exclaimed.

Excited whispers passed through the group as they once again got into the elevator.

“Dude, do you think we’ll be able to see the Avengers’ training? Did you know about this?” Ned whispered excitedly.

“I hope we see Black Widow,” MJ whispered back as well.

“Yeah, I think you’ll be able to see some of them. And I maybe, perhaps, knew that we would be, yeah,” Peter whispered back, seeing the look of amazement on Ned’s face. If only he knew.

They all walked into the giant training center floor, with the warning from Harley to not step out of line, and to follow basic safety measures – and to not piss off anyone who was there, because they could probably kill you. Which was definitely true. Harley made sure to stare right at Flash for that part.

Inside were his Uncle Steve, Uncle Bucky, Aunt Nat, Wanda, and Uncle Sam.

The group watched as Captain America and the former Winter Soldier battled it out, fighting one for one. Peter knew they were holding back, they always seemed to with each other – growing soft in their old age and love for one another. But they still looked terrifying to anyone who didn’t know how hard they could actually hit. His Aunt Nat and Wanda were also training, Wanda using her magic to throw things at Nat for her to dodge, a fun little training exercise the spy loved to indulge in. His Uncle Sam watched over the pairs, rolling his eyes at Steve and Bucky when Steve tackled Bucky to the floor, having climbed on top of him, and smirked at him. Peter was able to hear a bit of what his Uncles were whispering to each other and he willed his super hearing to break in that moment.

His Aunt saw the group, yelling to the guys and Wanda to stop.

“Well hello, you must be Peter’s decathlon team,” Nat said, looking over everyone, eyes immediately landing on Flash and then glaring at Mr. Harrington for the next minute as his Uncles came over to address the group.

“Hi there, Midtown!” his Uncle Steve said. “We figured it would be nice for you guys to see some basic self-defense tricks, and for those of you who’s parents or guardians signed the consent forms, you’ll be able to test a few out yourself.”

There were excited jumps and whispers of “Holy shit, we’re going to get trained by the Avengers” while Peter was wondering what his family was going to do. He knew they’d be in here, knew that his team would get to meet more of the Avengers then they ever thought they could. But he had a feeling, especially with his Uncle Clint’s comment, that something was about to go down.

“First – Peter, get over here,” his Uncle Steve said, both him and Bucky glaring at Peter with horrifying smiles and his Aunt Nat and Wanda smirking, and his Uncle Sam just looking like he was ready to fly out of there.

“Uhh…what? Why?” Peter said, not wanting to get involved.

“Get over here, kid,” his Uncle said, laughing.

“Alright, alright,” he said back, throwing his hands up.

“Wait – he should get changed first. Don’t want to mess up the Armani,” his Aunt Nat chimed in, smiling knowingly at him.

“What? You want me to…? Really, guys? Do I have to?” Peter said, running his hands down his face, already regretting being nice to his team and involving his family.

“Yes – now go, маленький паук, go change. I know you have stuff in the lockers,” she said, walking over to him, pushing him towards the room where they all had some extra suits, work out clothes, showers and the bathroom for the training center.

“Yes, мама паук,” he said, rolling his eyes, half jogging into the room to get changed quickly and get this over with even quicker.

He was already changed and walking back out when he realized…

He can’t do this?!

He’s Spider-Man.

Which ya know, his classmates don’t know.

How is he meant to help them show self-defense when his classmates think he’d probably fall over if there was too strong a gust of wind?

He’s not panicking. It’s fine.

His family wouldn’t purposefully expose him, and he’ll just hold his punches and just make himself look like a regular human. Totally doable. This is fine. Completely fine.

His Uncle Sam clocked his anxiety right away, walking over to him, whispering, “Hey kid. You don’t actually have to do this, you know?”

“No, it’s alright, I can. I get it. It’s all good – all a good part of the plan. But…I just don’t want to make it obvious that, ya know, I can take down Captain America if I wanted,” Peter said, not even half joking, laughing through the pain, and all that.

“You got this. Stop if you need to, you know we don’t care,” Sam said, with a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

Peter nodded back. He’s got this.

“Why would someone like Puny, like Parker, ever be able to help with self-defense? Have you seen him?” Flash said, snickering.

Peter looked up to see the murderous look of his Aunt Nat and Uncle Bucky (and let’s be real, all of his family looked ready to murder the kid.)

He all but ran over, stopping his Aunt before she ripped Flash’s head off.

“пожалуйста, не. Ignore him,” Peter whispered.

“Ignore him? Fuck that,” she said angrily.

“Natalia…don’t,” Wanda said, putting her hand out to stop her.

Meanwhile, his Uncle Bucky was walking over, which made him turn to go towards him.

Metal fingers pointed in Flash’s face. “You ever speak out of line again towards him, you’ll have me to deal with, got it?”

“Uhh…yes…yes, sir, Mr. Winter Soldier, sir,” Flash mumbled, face paling.

Bucky did his little “murder smirk” as they’ve grown to affectionately calling it, and walked away back to Steve, who put a hand on his lower back, grounding him.

“I’m pretty sure it’s been made abundantly clear to all of you, but bullying is not tolerated. And one more word out of your mouth, out of anyone’s mouth, you’ll be out of this building faster than you could ever imagine,” his Uncle Steve said calmly.

The class (and Mr. Harrington) nodded, all of them looking shaken up.

“Now,” his Uncle Sam said, clapping his hands together. “Let’s do this, shall we?”

“Peter – you’re with me,” his Aunt said.

Of course.

He was often paired with his Aunt or Uncle Steve or Bucky when sparring – they all seemed to match each other well in skill and movements and strength. Plus, Nat loved to train him.

“5 minutes – basic techniques. Not a full fight. Show some blocks and hits and flips,” his Uncle Bucky said, looking between the two of them, and then whispering, “Don’t show off.”

They both laughed, “Got it.”

They got into position, and then began. Peter would punch or kick, Nat would block, and vice versa. All the while, Steve was calling out what they were doing so the class could learn. When the 5 minutes were up, Bucky and Sam called it at the same time, getting a laugh out of all of the Avengers. Those two were always on the same wavelength.

Peter and Nat faux bowed to each other, laughing, and then Peter realized that he wasn’t alone. You could have heard a pin drop from his AcaDec team for the first time all day – he turned and saw the stunned faces of all of his classmates.

“Woah”

“I didn’t know Peter could fight like that”

“Parker is ripped”

“That was kind of hot”

“That’s my best friend!” (Of course that one was Ned.)

“What the fuck?!” (Take a guess.)

“Uhhh….I’ve gotten some training from Au – from Black Widow for a while now, from the other Avengers as well, heh…” Peter said nervously, suddenly feeling embarrassed, and realizing he definitely just flipped THE Black Widow over multiple times and stopped her punches mid air.

The next half hour or so, the few students whose parents signed the consent forms all got onto the mat, as Captain America, the Falcon, and Black Widow showed them how to practice some basic self-defense. As Peter, Harley, Wanda, and Bucky stood off to the side. Wanda and Bucky not really feeling like they were the best fits to help train kids. Peter would argue, but alas.

They chatted idly, talking about their days, about the tour so far, and also about the Compound. Peter effectively ignoring the daggers that Flash was staring into him. He animatedly talked, his hands waving around, as he whispered (badly) all about the potentials for this – and what they could do.

“Imagine it though! We could have so many different ranges – for Uncle Clint, and for you Wanda, where you can just throw things. I know you were saying you were curious to see how much you could toss! And Uncle Bucky! I know me and Shuri wanted to see what we could do with the new upgrade to your arm, and we’d have all the space to just go crazy, ya know? Man, I don’t know, I think it’ll be great,” he rambled.

“You’re right kid, I think it’ll be great! It’s a smart idea. You and Tony are working on it together right?” Bucky said.

“Yup! And I sent all of you a shared document you can just add your ideas to, or text me or ya know, just tell me. I’m excited,” Peter said.

“It’s nice to see you excited, Peter. We’re all excited – it was a really great idea. I know I’ll feel better being away from the city to train,” Wanda whispered, still worried about her potential.

They talked a bit more, and before he knew it, Harley looked over and realized the time. “Shit, we have to go! Alright guys – time’s up!”

The team groaned, wishing they could stay with the Avengers some more. “Don’t worry, there’s something even bigger in store for you!”

“I’ll see you guys there, right?” Peter asked his family.

“Of course kid,” Bucky said back. “We’ll all be there.”

Peter nodded excitedly, and went to change back into his suit.

When he got out, the team was waiting in the hallway. Right as he got out there, he felt that same tingling sensation he always did when trouble was around. He looked around, wondering what was going on.

Flash stormed up to him, pushing him hard on the shoulders, “What the fuck are you playing at, Parker? There’s just no way…I don’t believe any of this bullshit for a second,” he started yelling.

Immediately, there were two hands on Flash pulling him backwards.

“Sir, what would you like me to do with him?”

One of the security guards, who often just roamed different floors of SI, named Martin said, holding Flash in place.

“Martin, it’s okay. Let him go,” Peter said, holding his hand up.

The security guard nodded, clearly not happy about that, but let the bully go.

“What the fuck?! Don’t think I won’t tell my dad about that,” Flash started up again, fake brushing off his clothes as if he got thrown down.

“Flash. I have warned you multiple times, so have quite a few people here, that your outbursts would not be tolerated,” Peter said, standing tall. “And now you went and put your hands on me. Despite it being me, no one in this building is allowed to put their hands on someone else without their consent, especially not clearly with the intent to harm. And you just so happened to do it to someone who security will be more than glad to throw out anyone who harms him.”

Peter stopped, taking a breath. “I’ve given you multiple chances. And I’m done. No one puts their hands on me, not here. Simple as that,” he started, then turning to Martin. “Martin, please escort Mr. Thomspon down to the lobby, I’ll have F.R.I.D.A.Y call his emergency contact to come collect him.”

Martin nodded at his boss, going to grab Flash to bring him to the elevator, as Mr. Harrington spoke up, “Peter! Just what do you think you’re doing? I’ll admit, you obviously work here, but you can’t just throw someone out.”

“Oh yes he can,” came a voice from behind the group.

Whispers of “Holy shit, it’s Iron Man” came from his teammates.

“Mr. Stark, sir. I’m…” Mr. Harrington started.

His dad held a hand up to him, silencing him, as he walked over to Peter. “Don’t think we won’t toss you out either. I’m much less nicer than Peter, here.”

“I…” his teacher spoke, mouth agape.

“Martin, take Eugene down,” Tony said.

“Right away, boss.”

“Now, Mr. Harrington. I’ve been watching as you disrespected one of your students today on multiple occasions, I’ve also heard about things spoken to him outside of this building, things that really, really made me want to cancel this tour, so you wouldn’t dare step foot in my building. Now, apologize to Peter, or else you’re leaving as well.”

“I…I’m sorry, Peter…” his teacher practically whispered defeatedly.

“Good,” his dad said, then turned to Peter. “You okay, kid? I came down as soon as FRI told me that little punk put his hands on you.”

“Yeah, I’m okay D- Mr. Stark,” he said, catching himself.

His dad’s eyebrows shot up at the formal address, but he kept his cool. “Okay, good, I’m glad bambino.”

“Now as long as there are no other people deciding to clearly disobey rules and insult people I care about,” Tony said, staring at the teacher, “I believe you have a Q&A to go to, isn’t that right, Harls?”

“Yes! You’re coming right, Tony?” Harley said.

“Yup! I’ll be there shortly, kid. I’m just gonna talk with Pete for a minute, you all go to the conference room.”

Harley nodded at his dad, and the group walked away towards the elevators. Peter’s super hearing picking up all of the whispered rumors about Flash and Peter’s clear authority here at SI. He couldn’t even care anymore.

“Hey, you’re okay right? Seriously?” his dad asked, his hands rubbing up and down the arms of his son.

“Yeah, dad. I’m okay. I’m glad to be rid of him, if I’m being honest…I know I shouldn’t be but…” Peter started.

“Hey kid, come ‘ere,” Tony said, pulling Peter in for a hug.

“I couldn’t let him do anything like that in the building – not when I would never let that happen to any of our employees…I just…it was hard to not be that kid at school today, but I tried…” Peter said, his voice shaking.

“Hey,” his dad said, pulling back to look Peter in the eyes. “You did AMAZING. Your mom and I have been watching as much as we can, and I’ve been getting updates – we all have. You’ve been doing great, and I’m so proud of you. You seriously are the best out of all of us. That little shit would’ve been killed and never spoken about again if it was any of us. Most of them, myself included, still aren’t throwing out that option.”

“Thanks dad…and ya know, no killing minors. Think of the lawsuits,” Peter said with a smirk.

They both just burst out laughing, just imagining the chaos. They could picture the headlines now – “AVENGERS ARRESTED FOR HOMICIDE”. Big no.

“That would be horrible PR to deal with,” Peter said, as they both broke out into a fit of giggles again.

“Oh, I love you, kid.”

“Love you too, dad.”

Chapter Text

Peter and his dad walked into the room where the his teammates and Mr. Harrington were waiting, chatting amongst themselves, almost entirely about Peter.

Silence fell as their eyes fell on Peter and his dad, and honestly, Peter was just over it. But this was going to be the fun part.

So far, all he’s wanted to do was show these people that he really did work here, and most importantly, that bullying should never be tolerated. He let it go on for way too long at school, not wanting to risk Flash deciding to move onto anyone else, not when Peter himself could take it. But being in the position he was now, and what his future looks like, he knew what the right thing to do was. And this Q&A was a part of it – although, it was also for his teams, for the ones he called friends, so they had the chance to talk with their idols.

There was a long table at the front of the room, and just then, in walked most of the Avengers. Pepper, Steve, Bucky, Sam, Bruce, Wanda, Vision, Nat, Clint, even Dr. Strange had come over. The room started buzzing with excitement as Peter and Tony walked over to the table. Peter really just wanted to talk with his mom for a moment. It really was all a lot.

When he was by himself or with his family in the Tower, it was different. There was no pretending, everyone respected him, he was able to have fun and do science and lead meetings and talk with his employees about their work and their lives, and he loved it. But with the team there, it was just so much pressure – his two lives converging onto each other.

He walked over, his mom spotting him right away and walking up to him to wrap him in a big hug. “Hi darling, you’ve done so well today. I’m so proud of you,” she whispered.

“Thanks mom,” he whispered back, squeezing tight before letting go.

He planned to go sit with Ned and MJ so he smiled at his family before walking over to his team, but before he sat down, Karen was speaking from the StarkPhone in his pocket.

“Excuse me, Peter. The White House is calling, and they said it was urgent,” the voice spoke.

He looked quickly over to his mom, who just shrugged, and then answered the call – getting into CEO mode right away, not caring about his class there.

“Hello?”

Whispers rang out amongst the group.

“Did his phone just say the White House?”

“Woah.”

“Does Peter know the President?”

“Is anyone else super fucking confused?!”

Meanwhile, Peter chatted away with a member of President Ellis’ team, who had a quick important question about the solar power project that the UN would be launching to the public the next day, and apparently was told to call Peter if they needed anything. He chatted for a few minutes, providing the necessary answers, and wishing the representative well, reminding them about the time for the conference call the next day. Well wishes and goodbyes were said, as Peter hung up and walked over to his mom, ignoring his class.

“They just needed to double check about the contact information for the public for the project tomorrow. Also the conference is still on for 10 am,” Peter spoke quietly to his mom.

“Okay, perfect. Thanks honey. I had you listed as the primary contact on it after that meeting, that’s why they called you instead of me,” Pepper said.

“All good!” Peter said happily. He really did love his job. He loved knowing how many good things that SI was doing, and the fact that he was lucky enough to be a part of it all – to witness his future company bring about great change in the world. It was awesome.

When he looked back over to his teammates, everyone was staring at him shocked, even Ned (and MJ was too, even if she was trying to hide it).

“Uhhh…work thing?” he said, shrugging his shoulders. “Anyways…”

Harley got the gist, and stood up amongst the group, “Alright, so this is going to be a Q&A for the lovely folks in front of you. Remember to be respectful and raise your hands. Don’t just yell at them.”

Peter went over, sitting next to Ned and MJ.

“Umm…dude, what the fuck?! Was that really just the White House?” Ned asked.

“Uhh…yes…we’re working on a special project that’s being released tomorrow, I can’t say anything about it, but they needed to double check something with me,” Peter said, anxiously playing with his hands.

“Wow, dude. That’s so cool. Your life really makes no sense to me,” Ned said.

“You’re not an intern, are you?” MJ whispered to him.

He looked at her, eyes probably wider than his friends had been all day. He knew there was no point in lying to her, she was always smarter than people gave her credit for. “No,” he whispered. “But just…don’t say anything. You’ll find out one day.”

She nodded, smiling, “Okay, Spider-Man.”

Now his eyes probably popped out of his head. “Wh…What?!” he whispered.

She started laughing. “Oh, come on, loser. You were never subtle. Don’t worry, secret’s safe with me. Has been for like a year.”

He just gaped at her. Although it did make sense. She was so observant, always watching and calculating. And he definitely had his slip ups. “Thanks, MJ.”

She nodded again, laughing at him, as they both faced forward and listened in to what their teammates were asking the Avengers.

“Yes – blue shirt,” his dad called out.

“Uhh…hi, Mr. Stark, Iron Man, sir…I just wanted to ask, what’s it like building the suit?” Cindy asked.

And then his dad went into a whole rant about his suit and late nights and how all of the different Marks were his babies, tossing a quick glance in Peter’s direction when he said that (And of course, Peter rolled his eyes at his dad, smiling.)

The questions went on for a little while. People asking the Avengers different questions about their powers or their science projects or Dr. Strange’s magic or different bad guys they’ve fought.

And then, of course, because it had to happen.

“Um, excuse me? I was just wondering…is Peter like, the boss of everyone or something? Because all day people kept calling him boss and we didn’t…we didn’t even really think he had an internship here, and he clearly does, and he knows you guys, and basically, we just want to know,” Abe said, nervous probably because of Flash’s outburst and Tony’s reaction earlier.

His family looked to Peter first, a few of them glaring at the kids and Mr. Harrington for not believing that Peter actually worked at SI.

“Pete? You want to answer that?” his dad asked.

“Uhh…sure, yeah. I can,” Peter said, getting up to walk over to the table. He always felt better when he was close to his parents and his family.

“Okay yeah, I’m sure you guys have questions. I can’t answer them all now, but you’ll know soon, I promise. But yes…I’m not just an intern. I’m a higher up within SI, and that’s all I’ll say for now,” Peter said, trying not to sound nervous and failing.

“And, because Peter is humble and let most of you, including teachers apparently, walk all over him – let me make something perfectly clear. Peter is one of, if not the smartest people we’ve all ever met. He’s an amazing leader and scientist and inventor – having worked on every single Avenger’s suits or weapons. He’s a genius. And the fact that none of you thought that he could work here, is frankly, bullshit,” Tony said sternly.

“Tony’s right. The kid is a genius,” his Uncle Bruce joined in.

“He really is. He’s also the reason that most of SI has stayed afloat. He’s doing things that most of us up here would’ve laughed at the concept of doing at his age,” his mom started. “Also, I hope you all know, you will be signing NDAs.”

They all nodded, not daring to question anything.

And soon, the questions tapered off and it was time for them to go back to school. His dad walked over with him to his teacher. “Mr. Harrington, if it wasn’t clear, if I hear anymore nonsense out of you, you will be out of a job and so blacklisted you won’t even be able to look at a school ever again. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, yes sir,” he stuttered out. “Sorry, Peter…for everything.”

Peter just nodded, not even bothering.

“Also, Peter will be staying here with me. And I will be contacting the school with all that I’ve learned today. Eugene and yourself will be dealing with trouble, I promise you that. You won’t get off scot free.”

Mr. Harrington just nodded, and walked away like a dog with its tail between its legs.

“Dad, you don’t have to do that,” Peter said quietly.

“Oh yes I do. That shit ends here. Just like you wanted, Pete. Bullying is never okay, and just because you thought you were the person who was able to handle it, doesn’t make it right. And neither of them should be able to pull that shit on any other student, not while we can do something about it.”

“Yeah, you’re right…” Peter said.

Before the class left, Peter needed to do one thing. “Hey MJ?” Peter called out to his friend before she left.

“Yeah?” she said, walking over.

He walked over to his mom, who was chatting with his Aunt Nat, MJ in tow.

“Hey, I had a question?”

“What’s up, Pete?” his mom said smiling.

“MJ here was wondering if she could maybe interview you one day,” he said.

“Yes ma’am. I really would love to. You’re so important to women in business and everything you’ve done while being in charge, it’s really amazing, and I’d love to speak with you. Honestly, you too, Black Widow, ma’am.”

“Nat, please,” his aunt said.

MJ nodded, the biggest smile on her face. “Nat. I just think it’s so awesome to see women in power, and no one appreciates it enough.”

They both looked at each other, smiling and nodding approvingly. “Well of course, we’ll schedule something! I’ll have Peter give me your number and I’ll call you!”

“Wow, thank you so much,” MJ said. “Thanks, Parker,” she said, pushing her elbow into his side, trying to not pretend she was jumping for joy on the inside.

“Of course! I’ll text you and Ned later, okay?”

She nodded, and walked over to where the rest of his class was leaving.

Peter all but collapsed into his mom’s arms, just exhausted from the day.

His secrets didn’t get out, not really. He was able to keep control of the situations happening around him. His family didn’t embarrass him. He held his own, all while still taking time to check his emails, and ya know, feel like a kid a bit too watching all of his friends excitement and having fun with his family. He’d definitely say it was a success.

“You did so good, sweetheart,” his mom said, whispering into his hair.

“Thanks mom.”

“You really did, маленький паук,” his aunt said to him, pulling them all into a hug.

They laughed, “Thanks Aunt Nat.”

Peter and his family spent the rest of the day curled up on the couches upstairs in their communal living room. They put on Star Wars, because they let him choose and duh, what other choice is there? He texted his friends, giving his mom MJ’s number and promising his new secret keeping buddy that he would get her a permanent guest pass. They watched the movie in comfortable silence, getting pizza delivered from one of the local businesses in the cafeteria.

With his big crazy family all around him, he felt safe. He honestly felt happier than he had in a long time. He knew that going back to school would be crazy, but at least now he wouldn’t have to put up with lies. And he knew who his real friends were – he didn’t care about faux friendships he knew he might get because of him knowing the Avengers. He was excited to go back and hang with Ned and MJ, to go back to AcaDec, to enjoy school without taunts and whispers in the hallways. He was excited to go to work, and get the Compound built for his family, and to make beautiful changes in this world.

He was ready.

Chapter Text

One Year Later…

“Dad, I’m freaking out”

“Bambino, Pete…relax. You got this. But if you want, we can call this off right now? You have full control, kid,” his dad said, calming him down.

“No…no, I can do this. I want to do this. I want to be a Stark – I’m proud of that. And I’m ready. It’s what I’ve been working for,” Peter said. Solid, confident, resolute.

In the last year, there had been a lot of changes to Peter’s life, and yet so many things had stayed the same.

After the field trip, his dad had gone down to Midtown, presenting all of the video and audio evidence of the bullying on Flash’s part and Mr. Harrington’s harassment of Peter.

Flash was suspended, and felt so embarrassed clearly, that he ended up being homeschooled for the rest of high school. Mr. Harrington was also suspended, and once Peter’s class had graduated just last month, he quit.

That whole school year after the trip was so different for Peter. People respected him, even if they did so quietly. Everyone honored their NDAs, not talking about anything they’d seen or heard at the tower, but he assumed whispers still go out that Flash’s suspension was somehow related to the field trip. He was still hanging out with Ned and MJ everyday, still doing AcaDec, and graduated as the valedictorian.

His home and work life were basically the same. He was working everyday, focusing on bettering the world at the hands of Stark Industries. He had so many projects and he loved every single one of them. He was helping the interns and the employees alike, putting out so many new inventions and gadgets and so many things to help better people’s lives.

A few months after the field trip, they started construction upstate on the Compound. They bought a bunch of land, acres and acres for different ranges and room for quinjets and training and destroying things without risking the people of New York City or the employees of Stark Industries. The team loved it – everyone getting a say into what was built there, with new members joining them, and learning all that each other had to teach – becoming better and stronger, and continuing to help save people like they always had.

And now…

Now it was time for Peter to announce to the world who he was.

(Not as Spider-Man, he was keeping that secret for as long as he could.)

He was so ready to tell the world who his parents were. He was tired of lying and he was so ready to go by his real name – to see Peter Stark written next to his name on the little plaques in the museum and to talk about how much he loved his parents and his family. He was ready to tell everyone that he was going to one day run SI – the company that he was so proud of, and was so ready to continue to create a better world through.

But today was the day. The day of the press conference. The day the whole world would know, and his life would change.

He’s freaking out a little.

“Darling, you really don’t have to. I’ll send them all home or shove one of your Uncles out there to talk about something else,” his mom said with a laugh.

“I know…but no, I have to do this. No, that’s not true. I don’t have to, but I want to. I want to tell everyone. And yeah things will be crazy but when hasn’t my life been? I’m ready,” he said, nodding to himself.

His family was all around him, getting ready to join the crowd of press to watch Peter, Tony, and Pepper get up there on the stage and tell the world.

His Uncles, Steve, Bucky, Rhodey, Sam, Stephen, Bruce, and Clint, and his Aunts Nat and Maria. Wanda and Vision of course, and even Harley and Shuri were there. He was surrounded by love and support, and he could do this.

He took a deep breath.

“Let’s go.”

Walking out onto that stage was terrifying and amazing, the cameras flashing and people murmuring questions amongst themselves. His mom got up to the stand.

“Welcome everyone, thank you for coming today. As we informed you all, this is a special conference. One that we are not taking lightly. One that is probably the most important one of my life. Today…as a family, we wanted to announce something to the world. Ever since I’ve known Tony, I’ve also known someone else. I got to witness someone so special and bright and beautiful grow into someone even brighter. I’ve got to watch as he grew into the person I know today, someone I love and respect with all of my heart and soul. Someone who…I’m very lucky and feel blessed everyday to be able to call my son,” his mom said, garnering excited whispers.

His dad stepped up. “Someone that we’re lucky and blessed to call our son. 18 years ago, the most important person in my life was born – my son. Now, we’re not going to get into details, they’re not for me to tell, but what I will say is that keeping this a secret was incredibly hard, but also the best decision I ever made. Growing up in the limelight was never something I wanted for my future family, so I knew I would never do that to my kid. And now, today, because he wants to, I’d like to introduce my son, and future owner of and current Co-CEO of Stark Industries, Peter Stark.”

The applause was insane, so loud and Peter had to remind himself that he was the one being called as he walked over to the podium, both of his parents' hands resting on his back and shoulders.

“Hello everyone,” Peter said, voice shaking ever so slightly.

The crowd erupted again as he began. “I’m Peter Stark. As my dad said, I wanted to announce myself finally. It’s taken a long time to get to this place, but I’m ready. I’d rather deal with people knowing who I am, than spend another day with people not knowing that these amazing people are my parents. I love my parents so much, there really are no words. I feel so lucky and privileged to be able to call them my family, and to be able to call everyone at Stark Industries and of course the Avengers, my family as well. I just wanted to say thank you, to the people who know who they are, for loving me despite my last name. And I look forward to showing everyone what I have to offer.”

The cameras flashed, the press screamed out questions, as he heard his mom calmly tell them that they wouldn’t be taking any questions right now, and with a gentle (but terrifying) warning of, “This is my son, our son. We won’t hesitate to protect him, no matter what. So think before you speak.”

His dad walked him out of the press room, arm around his shoulder, pulling him close to him. They walked straight into the back room where the rest of his family would be meeting them.

“You did amazing, bambino,” his dad whispered to him. “We’re so fucking proud of you.”

“Thanks, dad. I’m pretty proud of me too,” Peter said, smiling to himself.

He really was. He did it. The world will know and he will be himself.

The rest of the Avengers and his family came into the room, everyone joining in a massive group hug with laughs and praise and kisses and shouts of “Let’s celebrate!”

He invited Ned and MJ over, and they greeted him with shocked faces and “Holy shit!” moments, especially Ned, just wondering how he kept it all a secret, but still thinking it was the coolest thing ever. He silently wondered what Flash was doing right now, if he was screaming obscenities at his television scream. It was an interesting sight to think of. But in the end, it really doesn’t matter, does it?

They all celebrated with pizza and music and laughter. They talked about the future and the past, they talked about adventures and love and each other. He looked around the room at the people he loved most in the world, and he knew that he could take on anything.