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“Penis Parker.”
“Orphan.”
“Dickwad.”
“Loser.”
Peter knew that Flash was a liar. He knew that when he said mean things it wasn’t true, but there were days where it actually hurt—Days where he didn’t want to be on the receiving end of someone else’s insecurities anymore. Peter was grateful on those days to walk out of the school and get to step away from it for a bit.
He slid into Happy’s car that was warm and cozy, “Hi Happy.”
“Hi kid. How was school?” Happy passed him his favorite Starbucks drink bringing a smile to the kid’s lips as he murmured his thanks.
“Fine. I guess. Happy?” Peter finally said to get his attention again.
“Yeah kid?” Happy glanced around at a red light.
“Could you just take me home today? I’m just having an off day. I kind of want my space.” Peter tried to explain.
“No. May isn’t home. She left for that work trip, remember? She wanted you to stay with Tony. I can call him though—Tell him you aren’t up for a lab day and just need some down time in your room.” Happy offered.
“That’s fine. Thanks.” Peter laid his head against the window closing his eyes.
Happy rolled up the divider to call Tony.
“Happy?” Tony answered, “You good?”
“We’re fine. I told Peter I’d call ahead. He’s having an off day and doesn’t want Lab time.”
Tony almost dropped the phone, “What does that mean?”
“He wants some space to be alone in his room.” Happy explained calmly.
“If he’s having an off day then he shouldn’t be alone.” Tony tried disagreeing.
“Tony. He asked me to take him home. I told him you’d give him some space instead. Don’t make me stay at the penthouse to make sure you do. He’s fine. He’s just having a day. Let him have a day.”
“I don’t like this.” Tony frowned, “But I’ll give him some space.”
~
Peter had been laying in his bed for a couple hours alone. He thought that’s what he wanted but now he wasn’t so sure. He was pretty positive he just wanted a hug. He brushed angrily at the tears on his cheeks. May was gone. There was no one to hug him so he needed to just toughen up. He didn’t need to give another person reasons to tease him. And he was positive if he asked Tony for a hug then he would.
He heard a knock at the door, “Peter? We have dinner ready. Are you feeling up to eating?”
“I don’t feel good.” Peter told Pepper.
“Okay, honey. I’ll save you some food for later in case you change your mind. Come join us if you feel up to it later.”
~
Peter finally caved to his grumbling stomach hours later. He went to go heat up leftovers. Tony and Pepper must have either gone to their room or Tony was in the lab because the penthouse was quiet. He put his food in the microwave and watched it countdown.
“You are alive then?” Tony said from behind him.
He jumped, “You scared me.”
“You’re Spider-Man. You’re telling me you didn’t know I was behind you?”
“You aren’t a danger!” Peter snapped.
Tony frowned. Off day was right. No wonder the kid wanted to be alone, “Okay. Sorry. I’ll make more noise next time.”
Peter grabbed his food, “I’m going to take this to my room but I’ll bring the dishes back out, I promise.”
Tony nodded giving him the okay to break that rule of the penthouse, “Okay, Bud. One time thing though.”
~
Tony found Pepper in her office, “I’m bored. Can’t you walk away from work for a bit?”
She glanced over from the paperwork she was going through, “Tony. I just need you to leave me alone. I don’t have time for you right now.”
Tony paused, “Paperwork down. Come here.”
“Tony. I don’t have time. I’m behind. I was supposed to review and sign these last week and I forgot. Can you just leave now?” She signed her name on another page.
“Babe. C’mere.” He opened his arms.
Pepper finally caved stepping into his embrace. She melted into her fiancé resting her face against his chest, “Sorry. I think I’m just stressed. I didn’t mean to snap at you.”
“I know.” He said softly rubbing her back, “You’re CEO Pep. If the paperwork is that stressful then let it be late. No one is going to die because it’s a bit later than late.”
She nodded, “You’re right. I think I’m going to take a bath. Maybe we can cuddle later and watch a movie?”
Tony nodded and kissed her before she walked off. He was about to walk to the lab when he stopped in his tracks. Pepper snaps at people when she is stressed. Pepper needs to be held when she is stressed. There was someone else in this penthouse acting very similar.
Tony knocked and prayed he wasn’t off in his thought process on this. He opened the door slowly, “Coming in, Pete.” Peter was laying in the dark. He hadn’t brought his plate or cup back to the kitchen.
Tony ignored it for now. He sat down next to Peter, “Hey, I don’t know what’s going on in your head. You don’t have to tell me either. But I think you’re in pain and I want to help.”
Peter just shrugged without a word.
“I’m going to suggest something and you can tell me I’m off base here. I think you need a good long hug and possibly some cuddles from a safe person.”
Peter’s eyes watered as he shook his head.
“You don’t want that?” Tony felt his heart pick up pace. He had misjudged this. Peter was going to refuse to ever come back here again. He’d tell May he was done with Tony.
Peter nodded.
“Okay, then I’ll leave you be.” Tony felt defeated as he made his way to the lab.
~
Tony was working on the Spider-Man suit in the lab. He figured Peter would be done with him after today so he might as well make sure he’ll be safe and do the updates now. He’d have to convince the kid to call Rhodey or something as a go between if the suit needed updates or something.
Dum-E rolled over beeping and moving his arm.
“You miss him too?” Tony asked the bot, “Yeah, me too. But he doesn’t want us. I tried.”
Dum-E lowered his arm as if in disappointment.
“Yeah, get used to it. It’s just going to be us again soon.” Tony told Dum-E, “And Pepper of course. We can’t forget Pepper.”
Dum-E spun around in excitement.
“I know. I love her too.” Tony rolled his eyes.
~
Peter stepped into the hallway to carry the dishes back to the kitchen. He ran into Pepper coming out of her and Tony’s room in sweatpants and an old MIT hoodie.
She smiled at the teenager, “Hi Pete. You feeling better?”
Peter shook his head.
“Want to talk about it?” She asked.
He shook his head again.
“You have goosebumps on your arms. Are you cold?” Pepper pointed out.
“A little.” He admitted.
“I bet you’re bringing those to the kitchen. You do that and start the tea kettle on the stove for me and I’ll grab you a sweater.” She told the teenager.
“Thanks.” Peter said genuinely.
~
Pepper passed Peter a Stark Industries hoodie, “This is my second favorite hoodie for bad days. I’m already wearing my first favorite but this one may be better anyway. It has magical powers.”
Peter played along, “What kind of magical powers?”
“It makes you feel safe.” Pepper ruffled the teen’s hair, “but don’t take my word for it. Test it out.”
Peter put the sweater on. It smelled like Pepper. He took a deep breath in. He did feel safer in it. He raised an eyebrow.
“Magic. I told ya.” She shrugged as she went to prep a cup of tea.
“Pepper?” Peter paused her.
“Yes, Peter?” She smiled.
“I think it was all a lot today. School, life, and bullies.” Peter admitted without looking her in the eye, “I just wanted to be someone else—Anyone else.”
Pepper nodded, “But why would you want to be anyone else? I can’t think of someone better than you—Peter Parker.”
Peter looked up at her in shock, “You don’t mean that.”
“Oh, I do.” Pepper grabbed another mug from the cupboard, “This is Tony’s but you can claim it as yours. I gave it to him as a birthday gift and he never uses it. He’s obsessed with this mug he’s had since college.”
“What’s so great about me?” Peter sat down at the kitchen island.
“Besides the fact that you’re kind, a superhero, and a genius?” Pepper listed her top three things.
Peter didn’t seem to believe her.
“And you’re the only person who can put Tony Stark in his place other than Rhodey and myself. That’s pretty great.”
That caused a smile from the teenager.
“What makes you feel like being someone else would be better?” She asked.
“Flash seems to think I’m the worst person on Earth.” He mumbled.
“And Flash is?” She raised an eyebrow, “Someone who matters to you?”
“No, but—“
“—Then he doesn’t get an opinion.” She said firmly.
“But he thinks he does.” Peter felt his eyes tear up, “And most days it’s fine. I just have days where I get upset about it.”
“Let’s be clear. It’s not fine.” Pepper poured the boiling water into their mugs that had tea bags in them already, “And you can’t really think it is just because you don’t get upset every day. Let us help, Peter. I’m a CEO. I can handle a teenage bully for you.”
Peter sighed, “Can I think about it?”
“Yes.” She reassured, “But I’m going to be checking in.”
“Earlier Tony offered me a hug but I thought he was joking and I didn’t want him to make fun of me for needing that.” Peter grabbed the warm mug to have something to hold while the tea was steeping, “You think he was serious?”
“Oh, we take hugs and cuddles seriously in this penthouse. It is not a joking matter.” Pepper said with a soft smile, “In fact he always knows when I’m having tough days and he hugs me a few extra times.”
“You have bad days?” Peter looked at her in shock.
“Everyone does.” Pepper nodded.
“I thought I wanted to be alone so I hid in my room all day. I think I should have actually taken you up on your offer to come out earlier for dinner. And I should have let Tony hug me.” Peter took out the teabag and added honey to his tea.
“Good thing hug offers don’t expire.” Pepper proved it by pulling the teen in for a side hug. She kissed the top of his head, “Go get your hug from Tony and then we’re all cuddling on the couch for a movie night.”
~
“Hey umm Tony.” Peter came into the lab.
Tony’s expression was guarded, “Roo?”
“I’m sorry I said I didn’t want a hug. I was worried you were joking and you’d make fun of me for needing that.” Peter admitted.
“We take hugs and cuddles seriously in this penthouse.” Tony frowned.
“Pepper said that too.”
“Are you wearing her magical hoodie?” Tony pointed at the purple Stark Industries hoodie.
“She said I could.” Peter was quick to defend himself.
“Good. I’m glad. It always helps her.” Tony nodded, “So about that hug?”
“Yes please.” Peter nodded.
Tony opened his arms and soon had a crying teenager in his arms, “Oh Pete. I’m here for you.”
“I hate me.” Peter cried.
“Well I love you.” Tony reassured.
“You do?” He looked up at his mentor.
“Yep. A crazy amount.”
Peter just hugged him tighter.
~
“What are you looking at?” Tony whispered to his fiancé. He had her laying against his one side and Peter laying on his chest asleep from the other side.
“This Flash kid. I’m waiting for Peter to give me the okay and then I’m going to make him sorry for ever picking on that sweet kid sleeping over there.” Pepper explained.
“I love you Miss Potts.” Tony told his fiancé.
“I love you.” She snuggled closer to him locking her phone, “You’re so cozy.”
“Just call me the human pillow."