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Peter walked into Stark Tower dripping wet. It had been boring outside and he had walked from Ned’s straight here. He hadn’t stopped to think about this too closely. He just knew one thing. He wanted his dad. Not dad. Mentor. Dad? Okay. Maybe dad.
He waited for the elevator to bring him upstairs, “Sorry to come unannounced, Fri.”
“You’re always welcome, Peter.” Friday responded.
The doors opened and Peter stepped out into Tony’s penthouse dripping wet. Four adults turned to stare at him. Mr. Stark, Pepper, and an older couple. Tony looked at him quizzically. He opened his mouth and just shook his head and started to cry.
Tony got up from the table and pulled him into his arms shielding him from view of the others, “Hi Roo. What’s going on?”
Peter just kept hyperventilating. He couldn’t seem to breathe long enough to form words.
“Pep?” Tony glanced behind him, “I’m going take the kid to his room.” He hoped she understood he wasn’t coming back.
“Of course.”
~
Tony left Peter standing in the guest room that was mostly Peter’s at this point. He went to his room and grabbed a pair of pajama pants and a sweater. He brought that back to Peter and passed it to him, “How about a warm shower because you’ve got to be freezing. After that we can talk about anything you want or if you don’t want to talk then we can just watch a movie or something, okay?”
Peter just took the clothes in the bathroom. He wiped the tears off his cheeks and reached into the shower to turn it on. It used to be operating by Friday but he had told Tony that was too much and he wanted a normal shower. It had been replaced days later. Peter had been mostly joking but it made staying here feel normal and he liked that.
Peter stood under the warm spray letting it soothe his tired muscles from the walk over. He turned the water as hot as he could stand and let it warm up his chilled bones. He finally stepped out about twenty minutes later wrapping a towel around himself. He dried off and got dressed in the pajamas Tony had provided. He came out and Tony was waiting for him at the desk chair.
“Talk or no talk?” Tony asked.
Peter started to tear up again.
“No talk it is.” Tony stood up and wrapped an arm around him, “Movie then.”
“Your guests?”
“Long gone. I’m sure Pepper’s gotten rid of them.” Tony reassured.
Peter just followed him out and sure enough Pepper was clearing the table.
“You okay, Peter?” Pepper glanced his way. But she saw Tony was shaking his head already.
Peter just looked at Tony.
“You don’t have to answer that, Kid.” Tony led him to the couch, “I’m grabbing blankets. You pick the movie. Does May know you are here?”
Peter just looked down at the ground not moving to turn on a movie or answer Tony.
“I’ll call her then.” Tony smiled acting like Peter was being perfectly normal.
Peter heard his quiet conversation with Pepper first explaining he wasn’t sure what was wrong or why he had come to the tower but that he was going to fix it. Dad is going to fix it. Warmth started to fill Peter. He wasn’t alone. Tony was here with him. He was going to fix it.
The next thing Peter heard was Tony having a hushed conversation with May. May was explaining he was supposed to be at Ned’s and Tony was explaining he had shown up suddenly but he was on top of it and Peter could stay the night and he’d take him home in the morning.
Pepper came and sat down next to him passing him a mug with Yoda on it, “Hot chocolate. Cures anything I think.”
“Thank you.” Peter held the warm mug not taking a sip, “Sorry about interrupting your dinner.”
“Can I be honest with you?” Pepper leaned closer to his ear and whispered, “Those are snooty board members and we were both looking for a way out of that dinner. We should honestly be thanking you.”
Peter gave a soft smile. He knew Pepper was just saying that to be kind but he appreciated it nonetheless.
“What are we watching?” Pepper asked.
“I don’t know.” Peter shrugged, “I’m kind of exhausted.”
“Well how about a re run of something?” Pepper suggested.
“Big Bang Theory?” Peter suggested.
“Love it. You heard the kid, Fri.” Pepper told the AI.
The show started to play and Peter start to sip on the drink in his hands. Soon the spot next to him was filled by Tony who had changed into his own pajamas. It was all so oddly normal for a Friday night.
Peter leaned against Tony, “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Then we won’t.” Tony kissed the side of his head, “We’ll just watch tv.”
~
Peter woke up the next morning and rolled over in bed pulling the covers over his head, “Friday? It’s too bright.”
The curtains closed and it got dark again.
“Thank you.”
“Nope.” Tony came into the room, “We had time to be sad. Now we go back to the world of the living.”
“Please no.” Peter’s voice cracked, “I’m not ready.”
Tony sat down on the end of the bed, “Then we at least need to start talking, Pete. I want to help but you haven’t even told me what happened.”
“I’m embarrassed.” Peter mumbled against his pillow.
“I won’t tease.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
Peter turned around to lay on his back, “I went to Ned’s last night.”
“I gathered.”
“I told him something and I don’t think we’re friends anymore.”
“What makes you think that?”
“He told me we’re not friends anymore.” Peter felt a tear leak down his cheek, “And it’s all my fault for being stupid.”
“I’ll be the judge on if you’re intelligent or not. What did you say?” Tony put a supportive hand on Peter’s ankle giving a gentle squeeze.
“You really won’t tease?” Peter hesitated.
“I won’t.”
“I told him I like like him.” Peter admitted his face growing hot from embarrassment all over again.
Tony got quiet for a second, “And I take it he doesn’t feel the same way?”
“You’re not even going to address the fact that I just told you I’m gay?” Peter sat up looking at his mentor.
“I mean you could have been bi or pan or something. I was trying not to assume things.” Tony rolled his eyes, “But kid—Take this gently but I think I’ve known for a while. I mean at least assumed you had a crush on Ned.”
“Oh no. Please kill me. If you knew he probably assumed and then I confirmed it. No wonder he wants nothing to do with me.” Peter groaned.
“No. No. This is not on you, kid.” Tony reassured, “Ned doesn’t have to share your feelings but to let this ruin your friendship is kind of crazy. He should be flattered.”
“It’s fine. I hate me too.”
“Nope. We’re not doing that. You’re amazing and I love you, Peter.” Tony made his voice a bit more firm, “Always will.”
“Even if I’m gay?” Peter asked hugging his legs to himself.
“Nothing changed, Pete. You’re just you. There is nothing not to love.”
Peter nodded, “Sorry I showed up like a mess last night. Pepper was kind about it but I know I was interrupting. I just kept thinking—“ Don’t say it. You can’t lose another person right now.
“Nope.” Tony watched Peter shut his mouth quick, “What were you thinking. You get to finish that sentence.”
“Still not teasing?”
“Promise.”
“I just wanted my dad.” Peter admitted.
Tony tugged him forward in a hug, “I’m glad you came here then. I always want you to come to me when you aren’t okay. Never tough it out. Promise me?”
“Promise.” Peter agreed.
“Great. Now let’s go get breakfast. Pep is probably wondering what’s taking us so long.”
“You aren’t going to tell her, right?” Peter panicked.
“I’m not the one coming out but if you’re worried—She loves you too. You come out when you’re ready but just know we’re in your corner.”
Peter followed Tony feeling a bit better about the whole situation. He had been right all along. He had needed his dad.