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Peter counted down all week to Saturday night. It was the prelude to his favourite half hour of the week.
Saturday was the night May worked, so Peter had started to sleep over at Tony’s apartment for the company.
It was the only day of the week he was allowed to spend overnight with Harley, his unexpected, much adored boyfriend, who had moved to New York to live and work with Tony nine months ago.
Peter had hoped they’d get along in the days prior to Harley’s arrival. Hoped that the boys presence wouldn’t change his growing bond with Tony, and subsequently Stephen. He hadn’t pictured them falling in love, but fall he did, and for the very first lucky time in his life, Harley fell right back into him.
It was exciting and nerve wracking, lots of butterflies and new rules about curfews and sleepovers, so they didn’t fall behind in their school work, but none of it dampened his spirits. Harley was forward- always said the first thing that came to mind and acted on every want. Peter was adored beyond his wildest dreams, owning Harley’s time and attention.
Meanwhile, Stephen had more or less moved into the apartment by the time Peter had started sleeping over, spending only his days at the sanctum now that Wong was in charge.
Their lives had all seemed to shift just at the right moment to align with one another, forming their little family, and it still excited Peter, after months of routine, when Saturday came around and he could spend all of the next two days at the tower, in the lab with his favourite people.
They calculated, played games, built prototypes- he and Harley threw pens at Tony and Stephen when they got caught up in making out obnoxiously over the table, or tangled with one another.
They did it on purpose, always aiming to be dramatically affectionate when they knew it was most embarrassing or disruptive to everyone else in the room.
Harley bit at the bait every time, and Peter always had to laugh.
The older couple were a totally different dynamic to he and Harley.
Tony and Stephen were both big personalities. They sassed each other out a lot, and many of their conversations could be described more as debates. They were both loudly passionate, stubborn, defensive, brilliantly intelligent. They loved fiercely, enough to fight for it, through the hardships and trauma they both carried separately and together.
The dynamic Peter shared with Harley was wildly different.
Peter was far softer than Harley, always second guessing his words and actions for others benefit, while Harley launched himself into everything.
It could’ve been a balancing act, but they seemed to be the perfect match to one another. Harley was quick to voice his thoughts, and Peter needed the honesty to feel secure. Peter wanted touch, but couldn’t always talk himself into making the first move- Harley acted on every impulse.
Harley took leadership where Peter didn’t want it. They balanced perfectly in the lab, too. Peter loving more of the equations, with Harley loving more of the heavy duty building. They could share the middle projects, like suit upgrades and AI modelling.
To end a good Saturday, Peter loved snuggling up on the plush couch with Harley, looking over to find Stephen swatting at Tony while the man annoyed him, biting his shoulder and trying to wriggle a hand under his butt.
They were an entertaining couple to say the least. Peter was occasionally surprised they could stand one another, but the look in their eyes when they looked at each other shattered all of his doubts.
There was no question in the world they’d die for one another.
Peter longed to know that level of devotion.
It was exciting, to feel that connection grow between himself and Harley. He’d seen their end destination in Tony and Stephen, couldn’t get there fast enough, but he had to admit that the road there had been enjoyable. Falling in love was validating, the butterflies morphing into roots, intertwining their lives together, slowly but surely.
Saturday nights drew into Sunday morning, Peter’s absolute favourite part of the week. The single moment he got the boyfriend, and Dad experience all rolled into one.
Peter had yet to develop the need to shave his face, but Harley had, right back when he was fourteen, before Peter knew him.
That was how their tradition started. One mid Sunday morning when Peter was being rather fussy about Harley’s stubble.
Peter had woken to his boyfriend snatching him- Harley drawing Peter into his chest without a moments notice.
It might be annoying if it wasn’t so endearing. Peter had stopped jumping at the sudden grab a while ago, used to Harley’s demanding nature by now. He loved how affectionate his boyfriend is, how Harley’s first thought in the morning was Peter, holding him and smothering him with every form of love he could.
Harley nosed at the ticklish spot on Peter’s neck, making the boy giggle, reaching back to tangle his fingers in Harley’s long, wild morning hair, trying to playfully push him aside.
The boy could be a menace sometimes, but that was why Peter loved him, wasn’t it?
Harley was equal parts playful and serious, keeping Peter on his toes, while loving him perfectly all at once.
Peter rolled over to formally end the attack, coming face to face with his boyfriend.
He loved this, waking up slowly with no commitments, kissing Harley until he can’t feel his lips anymore. He could hardly believe this was his life. One day, he would wake up every day just like this, and he couldn’t wait.
Minus one new detail.
“Mm,” Peter scrunched his nose unhappily,
“No kisses?” Harley’s lips parted from his, but he hadn’t backed away any,
“Spiky kisses,” Peter complained,
“It’s shaving day,” Harley brushed off,
Peter stopped the boy from leaning in,
“You’re gonna make me shave before I’m allowed to kiss you again, aren’t you?”
“Spiky kisses remind me of Tony and Stephen. You can’t kiss me feeling like them, it’s weird.”
Harley sighed, pushing up onto his hands, then sat up at the edge of the bed, his growing workshop muscles on full display for Peter to appreciate.
How on earth did he score such a hot boyfriend?
“Where are you going?” Peter wondered as Harley started towards the door,
“Well I don’t have any razors left, so I’m gonna have to go see Tony and Stephen.”
Peter scrambled up, following Harley down the hall and into the men’s shared bedroom.
Harley knew their routine far better than Peter did, freely moving around the apartment he’d called home since moving to New York. He didn’t hesitate making his way into the older couples room, and adjoining bathroom.
Both men were at the grand, marble basin, lathered in shaving cream, neither seeming surprised or bothered by Harley’s sudden, unannounced interruption.
Tony was half way through a stroke when he glanced at them out the corner of his eye, “Morning,”
”You got a spare razor?” Harley asked,
“In the draw on the end,” Stephen had guided him.
Since then, it’d become routine.
Peter jumped up on the counter, sitting himself in the far corner as he always did, legs tucked up under him, watching the three men line up along the luxury vanity. Harley was closest to Peter’s left, never very far from the boy’s side, and then Tony, and Stephen on the far end.
It was well practiced, none of them ever getting in one another’s way, reaching around each other, preparing shaving bowls and brushes and fetching fresh razors.
“Morning,” Stephen hummed, greeting them, morning voice still heavy,
“Good morning,”
“You sleep alright?” Tony asked,
“Yeah.”
They settled into a silence, the three men going about their set up while Peter drifted away into his happy place. Admittedly, it was a little smaller than his usual self.
Peter felt especially safe with the three of them, and everything seemed to dial back down to a four when they were all in the small room together. Peter didn’t worry about anything, was sure he could stop thinking all together and would still be fine, because they’d take care of him.
Peter had never really had the opportunity to be a kid without a care, so this half hour where he could just stop was almost therapeutic. He let his head lull to the side, resting against the mirror, watching on with a calm curiosity. An appreciation for faces he loved so much, and their little routines that made them, them.
“Good Petey-Pie?” Harley checked in sometime later,
“Hm,” He nodded, “this is my favourite part of the week…”
“We look forward to having you every Saturday night,” Tony glanced over at him,
“Mm-mm,” Peter shook his head, “this… this is my favourite part of the week.”
Harley leant forward and pressed a quick kiss to his mouth, warming Peter through to his core, tinting his cheeks a shade of pink.
He was still every bit obsessed with Harley’s affection as he had been when they first started going out. He still felt that rush of endorphins with every kiss, and the butterflies that came with every touch. He couldn’t help but stare sometimes, at the perfection that was Harley, all fluffy hair and sleepy eyes. Thin frame that was filling out with all of his hard work in the shop.
Tony’s eyes lingered on him an extra few moments, pausing his mixing in the small shaving bowl. They were old school like that, using straight razors like in the barber shops, or those old movies, full traditional accessories and all. Peter loved it.
Tony stepped back and rounded Harley, making his way to Peter with his supplies, settling against the marble counter, tilting his head softly to the side.
“You wanna help me out?”
Peter nodded eagerly, sitting up, scooting forward on the counter and carefully picking up the brush, running it gently over Tony’s cheek, and down around the defined curve of his jaw.
He did so with complete focus, working up a lather over the edges of Tony’s usually neat facial hair.
Peter caught Tony’s eyes, grinning before he continued, focused until every necessary inch was covered in shaving cream, a barrier to protect Tony’s delicate skin- Peter didn’t want him to get any cuts. Tony was immensely experienced after so many years of grooming his goatee, but Peter still worried.
He didn’t like seeing Tony bleed. Too many bad memories.
“All done,” Peter announced- child-like, but he didn’t care.
Tony was something like a Dad to him, and he’d missed out on all of these chances- moments other kids shared with their fathers.
Maybe if the day comes when Peter starts growing enough facial hair, Tony and Stephen will teach him. They’d taught Harley how to do all the fancy things, in case the boy one day decided not to clean shave and try something different.
Peter secretly hoped he wouldn’t. He liked Harley all smooth and soft, but it was the experience that counted. It was something young boys should be taught by their fathers, or father figures, and he hoped one day he could share in it from the other side.
He loved watching them, probably always would, but he’d also love to have the choice to shave with them sometime in the future.
“Do I get a kiss?” Tony requested,
“I just did it all perfect,” Peter whined,
“Fine, I’ll just give you a little one.”
Tony took one of Peter’s hands, pressing a kiss to two of the boys fingers, avoiding making a mess of either of them for the most part. Peter had to wipe a smidge of cream off on a towel as Tony moved back closer to the centre of the mirror- in between Harley and Stephen, where he always was. Centre of attention, of course.
It was a newer thing, the affection with Stephen and Tony, but they all seemed to settle into it seamlessly- he and Tony more so, if anything.
Affection was Peter’s language. It was something that couldn’t lie. It was full and honest, and the only thing that had ever brought him comfort. He’d heard too many empty words to trust what people say. Had received too many obligatory gifts to care much for what others had to offer, but affection, true affection was hard to fake.
It was obvious when affection wasn’t genuine, when it was robotic or only for one’s own benefit.
Peter trusted affection. It had no corners to hide in.
Peter perked up when Stephen crossed the bathroom, never usually so close on a Sunday morning. Usually the sorcerer was on the other side of the room until they left for breakfast. Peter was happy to see the pretty green of his eyes under the bathroom lights. They were the only bulbs that brought this particular colour out in them, and it reminded Peter of spring, and flowers and warmth and pretty.
Stephen was shirtless this morning. Peter almost thought he could feel the heat radiating off the man, but maybe it was just Tony’s fancy heating above the vanity.
It was a comforting warmth, like a Dad’s warmth, and it drew Peter in naturally, making a part of him feel giddy and wanting a hug to snuggle into.
“Your hands are steadier than mine…” Stephen offered him the razor.
Peter was thrilled, but nervous, hoping he’d know what to do so that he didn’t hurt the man. He had to be careful not to cut him. It looked easy when he watched anyone else do it, but a sudden fear developed now that he was holding the sharp blade.
Stephen encouraged Peter, guided the blade to the edge his neck, and Harley had taken over helping Peter through his first few strokes, looking at his boyfriend brightly, building Peter’s confidence.
Peter paid unwavering attention to the pressure and angle of the blade as Harley trained him, leaving Peter to his own devices a minute later.
Peter moved slowly, with perfect precision, following the lines Stephen had trained so long ago, making sure he didn’t go too far or out of shape.
The man was perfectly capable of doing a fine job on his own, and if for whatever reason he was struggling one day, Tony would always perfect the job for him.
Peter actually loved watching Tony help Stephen. Maybe now that he was learning, Peter could one day help Harley shave, too. He wanted to be a good helper and do a good job, and if Peter too would get a thank you kiss afterwards, then he definitely wanted to make it a habit with Harley.
“Having fun?” Tony teased gently, poking fun at Peter’s focus as he glided over Stephen’s skin.
Half the man’s face was still covered in foam, but the edges had been nicely sculpted again. Peter was once again filled with a warmth he never imagined having, looking at the family he’d found and become a part of all on his own, each smiling softly at him.
It was special, and precious. All little bits of broken pieces, just like Peter, who all connected together perfectly.
It had been harder for Peter than it had for May in the beginning- when Peter’s fascination and wonder had developed into something else, not just wanting to be around to impress Tony, but wanting to be a genuine part of the man’s life.
He was glad May had encouraged him to grow closer to Tony, let him be a familial role model in his life. Without Tony, Peter would never have gotten to Stephen- not like this, and he certainly would have never met Harley.
Tony had a grand impact on Peter’s life before he even knew him, had inspired his hopes and dreams. Had been a role model Pete wanted to live up to in the science world. Now that they were close to family, nothing had changed, Tony still had massive impacts on Peter’s life, just a little closer to home these days.
He was still the centre of many of Peter’s firsts. The man Peter looked up to most with stars in his eyes. Tony was the master of every grand idea and plan that Peter loved.
“So. While we’re all here, let’s discuss Christmas…” Tony started,
“Oh god,”
“Just you wait for it, Harley,” Stephen sighed,
“No. I’m not suggesting anything extravagant,” Tony defended, “I just want us to spend Christmas together, and I was thinking we go away for a few days,”
“What about Aunt May?” Peter asked subconsciously,
“Of course May will be invited- and Rhodey and Happy. If we can tear Pepper away from her work, and Wong-“
“Where is this vacation exactly?” Harley asked, suspicious,
“Well, you can pick somewhere warm, or we can do a winter holiday. I don’t care if we even hire a cabin here in New York, I just want one nice, family Christmas before you two grow up and I’m not allowed to force you to spend it with us,”
“A cabin with a fireplace?” Peter perked up, “We could make snow angels, and then Pepper and May can definitely come, because they can keep working but then have Christmas off to be with us- and we can toast marshmallows and make hot chocolate-“
Peter had never had one of those Christmas’ from the movies, but he’d always wanted one. The decorations, family traditions, the holiday home that always had the atmosphere of love and Christmas and a real fireplace, not some fancy heating system, and matching socks.
He wanted that more than anything else in the world- especially if he could spend it with his whole family.
“See, this is why you’re my favourite,” Tony pulled Peter off the counter, into his arms,
“Hey!” Harley took offence,
“You’re just a pain in my ass,”
“Do you hear this, Stephen? He’s attacking me,”
“You are a bit of a pain,” Stephen admitted, finishing off his own shaving, “however, you’re a smaller pain than your father, so I’ll take it,”
“I beg to differ- not about the last part, I am the smaller pain-“
“So you admit it,” Peter stirred, “you are a pain?”
“How did I end up the bad guy here?” Harley shrieked,
“Because you’re the fun one to stir up,” Tony elbowed him playfully on the way past, carrying Peter out of the bathroom, “Peter and I are going to order breakfast,”
“Oh, can we get the pancake sundaes with the fudge and the-“
“You can get whatever you want- as long as you don’t tell May when we drop you off this afternoon still running a sugar high,”
“Done!”
“Hey, bring back my boyfriend!” Harley called after them through the room,
“You’re gonna have to learn to share by Christmas, Harls,” Stephen warned him, “they’re gonna be a nightmare,”
“But he’s mine,”
“It’s Peter, he’s everybody’s favourite,”
“Is that true?” Peter asked Tony as they left hearing distance of the ensuite, the automatic windows beginning to light up the living room,
“Yes, it is,” Tony pressed a kiss to his cheek,
Peter giggled.
It was a scratchy kiss, that Peter would only ever accept from Tony or Stephen. Not quite the smooth he preferred, but it reminded him of home.
Sunday mornings really are his favourite time of the week.