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When Peter walks into the lab, he immediately clocks three heartbeats. Mr. Stark must have brought some guests. Maybe they're going to work on some Avengers tech again, Mr. Stark says it's important to have the person to consult with, they are going to be the ones using it after all. (Mr. Stark doesn't listen to his own advice and always shoos them out after ten minutes.)
He takes a look around, expecting to see Maybe Thor or Mr. Rogers. Nope, it's only Pepper and Mr. Stark. Weird.
Mr. Stark is sitting in a stool while Pepper is standing over him.
"-And I can't get him to agree so you're going to have to come to the meeting. Don't back out on this. If you do, I swear I'll-"
Mr. Stark puts his hands up, "Relax, Pepper. What's the big deal about this guy, anyway?"
He's still trying to pinpoint the extra heartbeat, it's in the general area of the two he makes his way over.
"-his company is-Oh, hello, Peter."
He grins, "Hi, Pepper! Is it only you two here?"
"Yes…why wouldn't it be?"
Better not to worry her, "No reason, I was just asking."
That puts her at ease.
Mr. Stark says, "Hey Underoos, what'd you say we start working on that suit so Pepper can stop bothering me?"
"Tony, " she slaps him lightly, "You better come to that meeting."
They glare at each other and in the silence , he can finally find the heartbeat.
And it's coming from Pepper's stomach?
Mr. Stark sighs, "Yeah, yeah, I'll come."
He gasps.
Pepper is pregnant!
A big wide grin makes it onto his face, Mr. Stark said they've been wanting to have a baby and it finally came true.
They haven't said anything, maybe they want to keep it a secret. Mr. Stark probably wants to put together a huge announcement. Pepper likes to say he has a flair for the dramatics.
A hand waves in front of his face and he breaks out of his thoughts. Pepper and Mr. Stark are staring at him, both with concern written on their faces.
"Peter, you good? What ya thinking about?"
"Nothing, just super happy for you guys!"
They both look confused now, they must really want to keep it a secret. He'll have to not say anything, he doesn't want to ruin the surprise. They make eye contact before turning back to him.
Pepper smiles, "Thank you, Peter."
Mr. Stark winks at him. Ah, they know he knows. He won't tell anyone, except maybe Ned.
Mr. Stark says, "Okay, let's get working. You have to leave at 7, remember?"
Pepper leaves and they start on the suit. He's extremely giddy the rest of the night.
–
The next day at school, he's practically vibrating in his seat. He has to tell Ned! And maybe MJ. She's a huge fan of Pepper, no matter how much she denies it.
Classes are torture. He can barely focus. He's just so happy for Mr. Stark and Pepper and if he doesn't tell someone, he might burst.
When Mr. Stark first told him that he wanted a kid, he was kind of surprised. Mr. Stark always made it clear that he didn't want any snotty kids. When Peter asked why he changed his mind, Mr. Stark just give him this look as if saying, 'kid, how are you this dumb?'
Peter might genuinely be dumb because he still hasn't figured out why he changed his mind.
Lunch finally arrives and Peter almost combust with excitement. Ned and Peter take their usual seats with MJ sitting a couple seats away. She likes to sit there for some reason but they all know she's eavesdropping, even though they would happily tell her anything.
He whispers, "Ned, I have big news!"
Ned stops eating and looks at him excitedly, "Is it about the Avengers? Do they have a mission? Are you an Avenger now? Do you-"
"Shh, Ned. It's not the Avengers but it's pretty big. Don't freak out."
Ned nods seriously, "Okay, okay."
"Okay, Pepper is…pregnant."
Ned squeaks, trying to contain his excitement. MJ even turns away from the book she's pretending to read to look at him.
"I heard the heartbeat, they know I know. I think they're keeping it secret for a big announcement."
"Oh my god, you can hear the baby's heartbeat. That is so cool. What do you think they're doing for it? Like a big public announcement or just for the Avengers?"
"Probably just the Avengers first."
MJ has turned back to her fake reading. She has a little smile on her face.
"Dude, you're gonna be a big brother?"
Peter stares, "Uh, what?"
"The baby?"
"No, no, I know what you're saying but…I'm not gonna be the baby's brother."
Ned gives him a look like the one Mr. Stark made, "Mr. Stark practically adopted you."
"No, he didn't."
"He's not official but he definitely sees as his son and you called him dad that one time."
Peter blushes, he remembers that and it was a total accident. He was telling Ned about what they worked on that week and said it without realizing.
"Even if I see him as my dad, he doesn't feel the same way. I'm just an intern."
"You get to work in Avengers tech, you have weekly movie nights where you once feel asleep on top of him and he didn't move for hours, he takes you on trips to like Disneyland and stuff, he comes to school for parents meetings, he calls you 'Underoos', he has like a million protocols so you don't die, he-"
"Okay, okay! I get it."
"All I'm saying is he feels the same way, he probably had the baby because of you."
Peter shakes his head as he says, "Nope, nope, we are not talking about this anymore."
"Fine. What are we talking about now?"
"...Actually, how did you know about me falling asleep on Mr. Stark?"
"Oh, F.R.I.D.A.Y told Pepper who told May who told me," Ned says nonchalantly as if he isn't gossiping with Peter's aunt and Peter didn't even know May talked with Pepper!
"Okay…have you seen the new Lego set coming out?"
"Oh! I'm so excited for it, one of the pieces can…"
–
Peter rushes out of the car, "Bye, Happy!"
Happy grunts but Peter ignores him, running into the lobby. He makes sure to wave at the security guards on duty before going into the elevator.
"Hello, Peter. Would you like me to alert Boss of your presence?"
"Yes, please, thanks, FRIDAY!"
"You're welcome, Peter."
Peter bounces on his feet, watching the numbers go up. He's so excited for movie night! Mr. Stark said Pepper would be joining them. Pepper never joins, maybe they want to talk to him about the baby. He would love to help with the surprise.
He's already imagining it, inviting all the Avengers for a meeting only for confetti or glitter or maybe even both to explode everywhere with a giant banner saying something like Ironbaby on board.
Maybe they can get fireworks! Pepper would probably protest but if he pulls out the puppy dog eyes, Mr. Stark couldn't say no.
What if they built a mini Ironman suit for the baby? That would be so cute!
The elevator opens to Mr. Stark's living room. He walks in, Mr. Stark is sitting on the counter wearing an old band t-shirt with sweatpants. It's still kind of surreal seeing him wearing casual clothing. Pepper is in front of the stove, the popcorn is popping underneath the foil. She's wearing a blouse with leggings. Mr. Stark is one thing but seeing The Pepper Potts wearing those types of clothes is out of this world.
Mr. Stake waves at him, "Hey, Peter. We're making the popcorn then Pepper gets to pick the movie because it's her first night."
"Cool! I'm sure whatever she picks will be great."
Mr. Stark fake pouts, "You don't say that about my picks."
"Mr. Stark, you made us watch Sharknado last time."
Pepper laughs, shaking her head.
Pepper turns off the stove and opens a cabinet, about to reach for the big bowl on top. He webs it down quickly and sets it down in front of her.
Pepper startles and after a moment says, "Oh, thank you, Peter."
"You're welcome."
Mr. Stark laughs at him, "Kid, she could've gotten it herself. Save your web fluid for more important stuff."
Mr. Stark is right, she could've. But what if she ended up falling somehow or the bowl fell on her? She could've gotten a concussion! It is plastic but you can't be too sure.
Pepper empties the popcorn into the bowl, "Okay, let's get started on the movie."
Tony hops off the counter, making a fairly embarrassing old man groan. Pepper holds the bowl to her chest and starts to walk. Peter is behind her when she trips over where the tile meets the carpet, he reaches out to catch her but she falls to the ground. The popcorn is scattered and the bowl is discarded but worst of all Peper fell on her stomach. Her pregnant stomach!
Peter and Tony crouch down besides as she groans. Oh God, this is all his fault. He should've caught her in time and now the baby might be hurt or worse! He read stories of pregnant women falling and their babies dying from it on a deep dive search the other day.
Tony lifts her arm up and Peter helps, she gets propped up against Tony. She doesn't look bad, her nose isn't even broken from her fall, that's happened to Peter way too many times, but Peter's mostly worried about the baby. Mr. Stark doesn't even seem that worried. Peter knows he's a first time dad but jeez, didn't he know this stuff?
He can still hear the extra heartbeat so that's good but what if the baby is hurt? You never know with this stuff.
He stands up and starts pulling her up, "We need to get her to the Medbay!"
Mr. Stark is looking at him like Peter's the insane one.
"Kid, it was just a fall, she's fine. Didn't even break her nose."
Peter splutters, "But t-the-"
Pepper sits up on her own, "Oh, I'm fine, Peter honestly. Thanks for your concern."
Well, if the pregnant woman herself says so…
"Okay, but you should go rest on the couch. I'll make more popcorn. I can even make you a drink! Would you like a drink? Maybe chocolate milk or soda, i think there's apple juice or-"
"Just popcorn, please."
Pepper is smiling at him and it's so…motherly. She's going to be great at this parent thing.
He quickly grabs another popcorn pan to pop. Pepper and Mr. Stark are moving to the couch in silence. He can still hear the heartbeat. He watches Mr. Stark cleans up the mess. At least, Mr. Stark is doing one thing right and letting her rest.
Mr. Stark does so great with Peter that you think he would be good with this stuff but no, he's not. Not that he is Peter's dad! He's just- a uh-
Y'know what he doesn't have to explain himself to his head. He knows what he's talking about.
Maybe Peter could get Mr. Stark a parent book. 'Parenting for Dummies'.
Peter makes the popcorn in record time and joins them on the couch. The heartbeat is still there so Peter relaxes and they start the movie.
He keeps listening for the beats all night long.
–
Peter watches Mr. Stark as they got ready to board the quintet. He really really doesn't think Mr. Stark should go! Anything could go wrong and Mr. Stark could die and then Pepper would be alone and the baby wouldn't know their father. Also, Peter isn't sure he could live without Mr. Stark. The man has done so much for him…
"Mr. Stark, are you sure you want to go on this mission?"
Mr. Stark sighs at him, to be fair Peter has asked five times already, "Why are you so adamant I don't?"
"I just don't want you to get hurt! You have a family now."
Mr. Stark seemingly forgets being mad at Peter as he smothers Peter into a hug. Peter hugs back because you can't not hug Iron-Man. They don't hug a lot and Peter has been too afraid to initiate one after the whole door thing. He's not sure why Mr. Stark is hugging him, all Peter said was the truth. He has Pepper and the baby on the way.
Peter is also intently aware the Avengers are watching them.
Mr. Stark whispers into Peter's hair, "Peter, I will always try my hardest to make it home to you."
Peter tears up a little at that. He was talking about Mr. Stark's actual family but knowing the man will try to come back to him , to Peter makes him a little emotional.
Peter clings to Mr. Stark harder and squeezes his eyes shut.
"Thank you."
The hug goes on for a few more minutes but then Cap clears throat. Peter recognizes it because Cap does it a lot.
Peter opens his eyes and Steve is looking at the two hugging with a soft smile.
"I don't want to break up your moment but we have to go."
Tony releases Peter and Peter can clearly see his face now and oh god, he made Tony Stark cry!
"Yeah, yeah, let's go," Tony sniffs and starts walking up the ramp. The rest of the team are already seated, Peter guesses he was too focused on Mr. Stark to hear them move. Cap and him follow Mr. Stark in.
They get seated and as Peter buckles, he can hear Clint whisper something.
"You're pretty good at this whole dad thing."
Peter rolls his eyes, the team always makes jokes like that. It's getting kind of old and kind of hurtful considering Mr. Stark isn't his dad and is getting an actual child soon.
"I hope I am. I just wish he would call me dad. Then I'll know. "
Wait…what?!
–
"I don't see the problem?"
"Ned! He wants me to call him dad. How is that not a problem?"
"Peter, you need to understand Mr. Stark sees you like a son. It's so obvious."
MJ pipes in, "Nerd. Ned's right."
Peter rolls his eyes, "How do you know that?"
"Because I'm always right."
She does have a point.
–
He goes to May next when his only two friends aren't much help.
"Honey, he always calls himself your dad. He takes you to a dentist appointment and shows up at school to talk to your teachers, stuff fathers do. "
Peter narrows his eyes, even his aunt is betraying him. But…she makes sense and she is his aunt so has to at least consider her words.
Maybe in a couple days though.
"Yeah, whatever. Is it true you talk with Ned and Pepper?"
May just nods, "Mhm. Pepper and me have brunch every once in a while. We talk about how you're doing, did you know she once got you out of an expulsion?"
"What? When?"
"A couple months ago, Flash told the principal that you were bullying him. Apparently, Tony always has F.R.I.D.A.Y checking for any mentions of you. Pepper threatened the principal and Flash's parents. Did you not know?"
"Uh, no." That's why Flash hasn't bothered him lately…
"Well, she did. She also sends me pictures of you and Tony. You guys look very alike, did you know that?"
Peter ignores her, "And Ned?"
She smiles, "I ask him if you've ever fallen asleep in class and share the photos, obviously."
Peter rolls his eyes and hisses, "Traitor…"
–
It's been a week since the whole 'Mr. Stark wants Peter to call him Dad' thing. And Peter still hasn't thought about it. Mr. Stark threw an Avengers party (plus Pepper and Happy) for some reason. Peter asked but Mr. Stark just said it was a special occasion.
Peter's 99% sure this is the baby announcement but it just seems too lowkey. There's only a couple colorful streamers, blue and red, on the ceiling, finger foods and board games. Mr. Stark has to have something up his sleeve because this is pretty boring for him. This is Peter's kind of party but not Mr. Starks.
Rhodey asks, "Who wants some champagne?"
Peter opens his mouth but Mr. Stark cuts him off, "No way in hell, Pete."
"We don't even know if it will affect me!"
"And you're still underage, I'm not letting my kid drink under my watch."
Peter stills at the use of my kid. My. Mr. Stark doesn't even notice, already getting up to help Rhodey pour.
Clint snaps his fingers in front of Peter's face, "Yo, it's your turn. Snap out of it."
Oh yeah. Monopoly. He rolls the dice and goes three spaces with his top hat.
"Ooh, Spidey's going to jail!"
Peter sneers at Clint who ignores him and gets rolling. Peter turns around and sees Mr. Stark balancing a tray with champagne glasses, Peter's surprised the man didn't try to make it into a pyramid.
Tony passes it out to each of the Avengers, resolutely ignoring the maid comments, and then passes right over Peter making his way to Pepper and Happy at the table. Peter tunes back into the game as Steve goes bankrupt. Cap gets really angry during these games and it's so funny watching try not to swear in the presence of an 'innocent' and 'pressionable' teenager.
"Would you care for some champagne, Mrs. Potts?"
Huh?
"Oh, don't mind if I do."
HUH?!
Peter sprints over and knocks it out of her hands, it shatters as it hits the ground. Thankfully, he had the sense to send it away from anyone.
Mr. Stark yells, "Peter, what the fuck was that?! Someone could've gotten hurt!"
Mr. Stark grabs Pepper and hauls her out of the seat, steering her away from the glass and to the couch. The team is giving him disbelieving and concerned looks.
"She can't have the champagne? Do you know nothing?!"
"She's a grown adult. She can have champagne if she wants to."
Mr. Stark has that stern voice that he uses when he wants to give Peter a lecture. Peter doesn't care though
"She can't have champagne! I know you're new to this whole dad thing but you should at least know that!"
Mr. Stark softens but still has that same tone, "What does being your dad have to do with that?"
"What? I'm talking about the baby!"
Mr. Stark freezes and asks, "Baby?"
Peter is really confused now, "Yeah, Pepper's pregnant. Don't act like you didn't know," then he realizes he said it infront of everyone, "Oh my god, I'm so sorry Mr. Stark. I didn't mean to tell anyone, you were probably planning a huge announcement and I just ruined it and I'm so-"
"Pepper's pregnant?" He says in the softest voice.
Oh my god, he made Mr. Stark cry. Again! And wait- he didn't know?
Peter shrieks, "You didn't know? I thought you did! I'm so sorry, oh god, oh, Mr. Stark stop crying, I'm sorry-"
Peter continues to babble apologies until Mr. Stark suddenly pulls him into a hug. He can feel the tears soaking his shirt and Mr. Stark is squeezing him with so much strength that he's probably going to have bruises. Peter embraces him back. He watches as Pepper gets up and envelops them both. Peter wraps an arm around her. He closes his and inhales. Peter hears the Avengers slowly trinkle out, chattering about the baby.
Natasha says, fully aware he can hear her, "Does he realize pregnant women can have a couple sips of champagne?"
No. He did not realize. He didn't want Pepper to die.
Pepper breaks the hug first and Peter leans away from Mr. Stark, just far enough to see Pepper's face. She's still crying a little but it seems she's gotten it mostly under control.
She smiles at the two, "Peter…why did you think we knew?"
Mr. Stark moves back to look at Peter.
"I said I was happy for you guys and Mr. Stark winked at me so I thought that you guys were keeping it a secret!"
Pepper looks at Mr. Stark inquisitively.
Mr. Stark sweats under her gaze, "I thought he meant about our relationship!"
Pepper considers this and ends up sighing.
"Well, we know now so we would start planning an announcement. Peter, do you have any ideas?"
Peter is taken aback, "You want me to help?"
"Of course, you told us about the baby."
Mr. Stark cuts in. "And you're a part of the family, why wouldn't you help?"
"W-what?"
Mr. Stark looks confused, "What?"
"I'm not your f-family."
"Of course you are! What are you talking about?"
Peter shrugs.
Mr. Stark looks so sad now. He grabs Peter's hands and looks him straight in the eye.
"Kid, I see you as my son. What did you think I was doing, going to your school, giving you a room here, calling you my kid all the time?"
"I just thought it was a mentor-mentee relationship."
Mr. Stark presses their foreheads together, "I love you, Peter. You're my son. And you're going to be the best big brother ever."
Peter chokes out a, "D-dad," then starts sobbing.
He plummets his face into Mr. Stark's chest before he can see his expression. Mr. Stark maneuvers them to the floor. The cold grounds him a little, as well as Pepper's hand on his back. He crawls into Mr. Stark's lap and wails like a baby. But he can't even bring himself to care because Mr. Stark really loves him.
No, not Mr. Stark. His dad really loves him.
Pepper says, "We love you Peter. You're why we had the baby and the baby will love you like we do."
Peter sobs harder at that, if it's possible.
"I-I love you guys."
-
("I got you a book about pregnancy."
"Why?"
"No one wants a repeat of the champagne incident."
"Dad!")