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Okay, when Tony Stark asked Peter Parker on a date, he didn't expect to be sweaty as fuck from nerves when said date was creeping in. He's Tony Stark goddamnit! But when it comes to grad student Peter Parker, he is merely Anthony Stark, just a man who has frequent gay panic episodes and is a closeted dweeb.
Between the days that Tony first got Peter's number in his phone (named "Bambi" 'cause he's a sap like that) and their first date, there was never a day, an hour , where they didn't talk. They switch between calls and texts. They also made the decision of keeping their, uhm, involvement with each other when they're on campus as discreet as possible until they're sure of committing, but when they can, they get coffee when all of their classes are finished. Tony didn't consider them a date because it was only coffee and Tony can do better than that when it comes to first dates, and he thinks that Peter feels the same way.
But their coffee runs always left him feeling floaty with infatuation with Peter's ability to keep up with his brain while also fondly roasting his ass about his choices in life. The things Peter does to him makes him think that his crush runs deeper than expected, but he didn't want to dive into it like he had a death wish. He sees Peter as a potential partner for life, so Tony resigned himself to taking their budding relationship slow while also keeping his feelings in check.
Those three words will come to be when it feels right. They have the time anyway. It's not like they'll separate on a due date, and Tony is determined to make sure that there will never be a due date.
He was busting his ass off on writing the next week's lesson plans when he felt his phone buzz beside him. When he sees the contact name in his notification bar, he's suddenly filled with butterflies fluttering from his stomach to his chest.
God, playboy Tony Stark would be in a coughing fit if he saw what he has become.
Bambi: Tony
Bambi: Tones
Bambi: pls answrr
Tiny Stank: what's up?
Bambi: is wster
Bambi: wet????
Tiny Stank: are you okay
Tiny Stank: Pete, honey, just tell me if you have a gun pointed on your head and I'll save you
He tries to ignore the term of endearment he suddenly placed in his reply. It just felt right, okay.
Bambi: nah itd okoksy m jyst hi
Tiny Stank: okay did you just say you're high????
Bambi: ih shit ur m prof u shoudkt tell you thst um hidgh
Tiny Stank: oh god I'm not those kinds of professors
Tiny Stank: I'm not lame like Doctor John Grant who hates anything and everything involving freedom. That homophobic mfr can rott
Bambi: gid I hste thst guy hr literslly forcd mr to remivrd mmy rsinbow pib frum my bsg
Bambi: likr itd not that hsrd to b a decent hummsn beung
Bambi: thsts y I lyk u tones
God fuck, his heart is beating so fucking fast he might just go into cardiac arrest. Peter Parker just straight up said i lyk u Tones as if it's not a sure way for Tony to dive head first towards a cliff.
Tiny Stank: anyways. Moving on from homophobic professors, why are you high? And why am I not invited?
Bambi: Emmmmmm gsvr me a pacj awhule agi
Bambi: di u eanna cum ovrr? I hsve some lrft
Tiny Stank: would love to, honey. Send in your address.
Bambi: mmmmm I brt u can just ask jervus to get my addressd
Tiny Stank: i could but that's creepy and i'm not like that
Bambi: mmmmmmm jyst ssk him. M gonns nap b4 u cum by
Tiny Stank: i guess that's consent enough
Bambi: ur ciol, Tones
Bambi: br ssfe. Love ys
Love ya?
Lova ya?!
Tony flatlined right there and then. Here lies Tony Stark, blah blah, yada yads. Book corny tomato tomato and all that violent heart stopping jazz.
Peter Parker will truly be the death of him. He isn't complaining, though. What a way to go.
"Alright, Jarvs. You know what to do."
He hears his AI hum, " I have sent Mister Parker's address to your phone. And sir, if I may?"
"What's up?"
" I would recommend bringing food for Mister Parker. I am sure he would appreciate the gesture. I have also found out his favorite Thai restaurant. Would you want me to place an order for your usual and double it?"
Tony chuckled at Jarvis' enthusiasm. He always knew that his precious AI was a wingman on the side.
"Go for it, Jarvs," Tony confirms and Jarvs chirps an affirmative.
When he arrived at Peter's apartment, Tony was sweating . Not because he ran there, but it wouldn't be a lie if he sped walked out of his car to his dorm. No, no. He was sweating because it would be the first time he would be with Peter alone. Not just in public. But in his dorms.
It was giving him all sorts of tingling feelings in his body that are both embarrassing and concerning.
The feeling of excitement because he'll be with his crush, of guilt because he'll be with his crush who isn't exactly sober, of hesitation because he was Peter's professor so it had some moral ambiguity in the situation, and fucking arousal.
But as much as he, er, thinks about Peter and his ass and what it would feel when he squeezes it or how—
Okay, that wasn't his point.
Other than that , he mostly feels those giddy, shmoopsy feeling you get when you have a crush and they're in your vicinity.
He was absolutely whipped and it wasn't even funny.
Tony laments for a bit outside his door before he fishes out his phone and calls Peter.
It takes about a million rings—he was exaggerating, it was only 8 rings, not that he's counting—before Peter picks up the phone.
" Tones? "
"Hey, honey," He mentally kicks himself for letting the nickname slip, "I'm right outside your door. Do I have to do some B&E or will you be able to get the door for me?"
Peter sighs from the other line that was more fond than annoyed, " Thanks for coming, Tony. I missed you. "
Tony giggles, giggles , and isn't that a sight to behold.
"I missed you, too, Pete. But I would really like to tell you that when we're face to face. And also, it's really fucking cold here."
There was a shuffling sound from the other end, then the door started to unlock. Before Tony could even reach for the door knob with the hand that had their food, a struggle really, it swings open, revealing a flushed Peter Parker wearing a green knitted sweater and joggers.
"You're here." Peter says, half wistful and half amazed, the phone still in his ear. His voice echoes through his own phone as he ends the calls to pocket it. Peter does the same and he looks at Tony with a smile on his face. "You're actually here."
"That I am, honey. Gonna… Let me in?"
Tony expects Peter to move aside so that he could enter. Instead, he's suddenly being engulfed by arms wrapping around his neck, the smell of citrus and remnants of smoke in his senses. There was a tuft of hair poking through his nose, and the warm breath on his neck made him melt.
Tony carefully drops the food on the ground to reciprocate the embrace, not even caring if his fingers start to get cold. All he could feel is the solid body flushed on his, the arms wound tight around him, and the slow breathing of the man hugging him.
"Hey Pete," Tony sighs. He feels Peter talking on his shoulder but it was muffled by the fabric of his shirt. "What was that?"
Peter emerges from his neck and he looks up at Tony, his eyes sparkling and smiling softly.
"Call me that again."
"Call you what?"
"You know… that ."
Oh, that . Meaning honey .
Instead, because he's a little shit, he quips, "Greedo?"
Peter's expression shifts to glaring at him, pulling away and stepping back before he slaps Tony in the chest lightly.
"No!"
Tony laughs, his right hand automatically lifting to let it rest on Peter's hip.
"Or is it Picasso?" Tony smirks at how Peter's glare makes his ears turn pink.
"You're awful, you know?" Peter said angrily, but he guides his hand towards Tony's wrists, his fingers gliding through his forearm up to his shoulders. He squeezes lightly as they stare at each other, a smile melting through their expression. Peter's hand shifts towards the back of Tony's neck, fingertips cold but palms warm.
"Missed you." Peter says, a whisper, so soft that he might have missed it. But Tony could hear it loud and clear, no hearing needed.
"Missed you, too, honey."
"So, what will we do on our 'first date'?" Peter says, his hands in the air making air quotes. His mouth was full from all the food he's gulfing down, cheeks puffy.
Tony looks up at the younger man, the high from their earlier hit slowly creeping through his spine that when he sees Peter's state, he can't help but giggle.
Giggle.
What a loser.
And he's never going to shut up about fucking giggling.
"Hey! What's up with the air quotes?!" Tony exclaims, slightly exasperated.
Peter shrugs, going back to his food, "I mean… isn't this a date?"
"No, no, no. Nope. I plan on doing the whole package. Wine and dine, y'know. Then getting some after-party burger king because pompous, boujie food barely feeds a grown man. Then I drive you to my favorite place and tell you something sappy like about my mom bringing me there or something, which is a lie by the way. She's a New Yorker since the dinosaurs. Then I would drive you home and bring you up the dorms and we kiss at the door. Then before I could leave, you stop me by holding my hand and invite me in for coffee. Then we cuddle like cringey losers in romantic indie movies that has weird neon lighting in places where neon shouldn't exist."
Tony was rambling, but cut him some slack, okay? He has been fantasing about how their date would turn out, how he knows that throughout it all, he would have that flippy floppy feelings in his chest.
Throughout Tony's spiel, Peter gapes at him, and at the end of it, he was blushing from neck to cheeks, his eyes bright. Brighter than the lights of the convinience store right outside of Peter's window.
"You've…" Peter swallows, looking away, "really thought this through, huh?"
Tony looks at him, fond, then lifts his hand, pinches the younger man's chin with his thumb and index finger to guide his head so that they could see eye to eye.
"Of course, honey. I want it fun for the both of us," Tony grazes the back of his palm on his cheek before palming the soft skin, feeling the warmth through his own. Peter turns towards it, nuzzling softly with a smile on his face.
"Why though?" There was a tinge of suspicion in Peter's voice, but it was understandable. It was unbelievable to have Tony Stark in your home, more so that he wants to go on a date with him.
Tony's let's his thumb brush through Peter's plush skin.
"'Cause I like you, honey."
And that earns him a beaming smile.
Bambi: bebibebibebi oooh
Tiny Stank: is that by Justin Bieber perhaps
Bambi: you know you're shit
Bambi: good cuz I don't date uncultured swines
Tiny Stank: thank you, thank you
Tiny Stank: I would like to thank the academy
Bambi: kmn
Bambi: bring me coffee before class plsssssss
Tiny Stank: kmn? What's that?
Tiny Stank: kinetic magnitized neutron?
Bambi: that doesn't even exist?????
Tiny Stank: I'm Tony Stark, honey. Anything can exist if i will it be
Tiny Stank: and you know I can't bring you coffee before our class. We can go after your 6PM
Bambi: sometimes I forget that you're Tony Stark with how lame you really are irl
Tiny Stank: >:/
Bambi: ;) see ya after my 6PM ;)
Tiny Stank: favorite episode of 11th Doctor. Go
Bambi: obvs the pandorica opens
Tiny Stank: that was a good episode I agree. You passed the vibe check.
Tiny Stank: Is that something kids say these days? Did I pass the vibe check?
Tiny Stank: and are you not gonna ask me what's mine?
Bambi: nah. I can figure it out myself
Tiny Stank: ahuh then what is it
Bambi: it's the angels take manhattan because ur a sadist and you love hurting your own heart
Tiny Stank: IT'S A GOOD EPISODE OKAY IT MAKES ME CRY EVERYTIME RORY AND AMY DIDN'T DESERVE THAT THE DOCTOR DIDN'T DESERVE THAT
Bambi: ha gotcha m8
Bambi: Do straws have one hole??? Or two?????
Tiny Stank: technically, straws only have one hole
Bambi: then does that mean
Bambi: my mouth to ass is one hole????
Tiny Stank: Go to sleep, honey. I don't need info about your bowel movements
Tiny Stank: I'll see you tomorrow
Bambi: see ya! Can't wait for our date
Bambi: I expect to be wooed so hard that I won't be able to walk the next day
Tiny Stank: this isn't sims 3 pete
Bambi: mmmmhhhh
Bambi: i could dream
Bambi: oh I should show u my dream house I made on my sims
Bambi: I always wanted a house with high ceilings and natural lighting
Tiny Stank: [ draft ] I'll build it to the T. Just ask, honey. We can live in your dream home together
Tiny Stank: next time I come over you can show me
Bambi: yessssss love that for us
Bambi: kinda sleepy
Tiny Stank: sleep, honey. I'll see you tomorrow.
Tiny Stank: wear smart casual. Nothing stuffy for us. We'll go to a semi-fancy restaurant
Bambi: got it, Tones. Ty
Bambi: if you call me honey, what should I call u? I wanna call u something cute too
Tiny Stank: anything you want
Bambi: okay
Bambi: good night, lovey
Tiny Stank: im at the lobby.
Bambi: Cumming
Bambi: ;------)
Tiny Stank: I'm going to pretend you didn't send that
Bambi: >:-----(
Tony Stark was standing at the dorm's lobby, every person standing or passing looking at him with either curiosity, fascination, or star struck. Why? Because he was clutching on a bouquet of roses, his temples were sweating, and he couldn't help but impatiently shift from one foot to the other in repetition.
He was a sap. Even when he was with Pepper, he never felt this nervous. But then again, their relationship was filled with years of angst pining, then a whirlwind of romance that barely lasted until they merely tolerated each other before they broke up and stayed best friends. It's a good thing that Pepper was reasonable and more mature than him because he wouldn't know how to survive without his secretary slash best friend.
"Tony!"
Tony hears his name and he instantly perks up, twirling in his feet in more momentum than socially acceptable, and beams at the grad student.
"Hey, Pete." He says, fondness in his voice as he watches Peter approach him.
He sizes him up, and he looks so good with those brown khakis, white polo shirt, soft brown cardigan draped over his shoulders, and dress shoes.
"Hey," Peter beams at him as he eyes the roses in his hands, "you brought me flowers?" He says, amazed, his eyes twinkling with delight.
"Yeah. Here." Tony hands him the flowers and Peter cradles them in his arms, his smile still as bright as a star.
"Thank you."
"No problem, Pete." Tony looks around him and notices a crowd of people circling them, either talking to themselves or taking pictures, and he's sure that by the end of the night, they'll be trending on Twitter. "We better head out. We have reservations at 7, and frankly, I'm not comfortable with all the people looking at us."
Peter looks around them and his eyes widen before he looks back at Tony with a smirk, "shouldn't you be used to this already?"
Tony scoffs then rolls his eyes, "I just don't want to share you to the world. You're amazing and a genius like me, Pete. And kinda hot. Once the world discovers who Tony Stark's new date is, they'll fall in love with you, too."
Peter beams again, his cheeks turning pink, " Too ? So are you—"
Tony quickly hooks his arm around Peter's waist, pulling him flush to his side and walks out to his car, effectively but embarrassingly cutting him off.
"Shut it. You're spoiling the fun.
"You mean spoilers?"
Tony rolls his eyes, but he smiles, nonetheless, "don't pull a River Song on me."
Peter hums, then says, "Whatever you say, sweetie."
The date was perfect .
No, his planning skills was mediocre at best, but his date itself was perfect.
A masterpiece.
Exquisite.
Asterisk proceeds to wax poetic about one Peter Parker asterisk .
He definitely did what he said to Peter the day he went to his dorm, but the fantasies can never match with the reality of their night. And the night wasn't even over.
Dinner at a not-so-stuffy restaurant, check .
"You know, Tones," Peter starts as they climb inside his car to head to the nearest Burger King joint, "you were right about boujie food not enough to feed a grown man. The food was great, but the size? Eh." Peter waves a hand side to side in front of him before he straps his seat belt. "Why do you even bother eating in these kinds of places?"
Tony laughs at that as he starts the car, "it's all about keeping appearances, honey. I'm rich and famous, and people expect me to be seen in places for the rich and famous. I don't mind, though. It's all about PR and shit. But I would skip on boujie dinners for a cheeseburger or two any day."
Peter hums thoughtfully, "well, if you say it like that, it makes sense." He pauses for a moment, then looks at Tony with questioning eyes, "Hey, if you can call me honey, can I call you that nickname I mentioned the other night?" There was a sheepish smile on his lips and a blush creeps to his cheeks.
"Of course. Maybe, you'll even witness Tony Stark blush."
Peter grins, as if he's determined to make Tony look like a tomato, then says:
"Okay. I look forward to it, lovey ."
And, oh , it sounded so right coming from Peter's lips that he couldn't help but actually blush at the endearing nickname.
And that earned him a laugh.
"God, fuck, cheeseburgers are so good, " Peter moans as he chews on the large bite of his Whopper.
They were sitting inside Tony's car, opting to have some privacy while it's parked a block away from the BK joint.
Tony reaches over to Peter's side to snag a French fry or two and quickly stuffs it into his mouth, Peter glaring at him for stealing his fries. The grad student snags two of his onion rings and stuffs it into his mouth alongside the chewed up burger.
His mouth was too full at that point, and the crumbs of the onion rings couldn't help but succumb to gravity and fall towards Peter's lap and some linger at the corner of his lips.
Before Tony could even have the semblance of self-control, he reaches up to thumb at Peter's lips, catching the crumbs on it, and stops midway. The hesitance makes Peter's breathing catch in his throat, and they lock eyes for a long moment before Peter gives him a shit eating grin.
"Seducing me with your greasy fingers, Doctor Stark? Such a dirty old man," Peter teases, and that earns the grad student a soft push on the cheek, a playful laugh, and tissues thrown on his face.
They were a mess and also a mess of butterflies and fireworks and supernovas that Tony can't help but think that their first date felt like it was their millionth take.
They just felt right.
They were at the rooftop of the MIT library that he discovered was always open but nobody uses it. It's one of his favourite places to unwind back when he was still studying, and Rhodey and he would sneak in some beer bottles and just hang there.
It was definitely a special place, and he wouldn't mind Peter letting him in, both on the rooftop and its memories attached to it, and into his life as a permanent fixture.
"You know, I went into engineering because of you," Peter starts after moments of comfortable silence between them, his voice soft as the wind brushing through their hair.
Tony looks at Peter and he sees the grad student looking up at the sky, stars barely peeking out of thin clouds, the moon being their night light.
"I'm honoured, Pete," Tony says as soft as Peter's confession.
"I mean, the weapons for SI? Hard no," Tony chuckled at that, "but your research on arc reactor technology? Medical nanotechnology? Artificial intelligence used for mental health? That convinced me to be an engineer."
The older man felt warmth course through his chest, his eyes prickling with tears.
Tony Stark, despite the confidence he portrays for the public, is merely human, and he's always been plagued with anxiety that he was never doing enough to make the world a better place. He didn't want to be his father who created weapons that can topple down nations and endanger innocent children, but the ghost of his father's abuse when he was still alive still haunts the corners of his bedroom every night. He only got so sick and tired of his unwanted guest when Obediah Stane and Afghanistan happened, being in the brink of death and in the chains of torture his breaking point.
He was merely human. He was still craving to feel adequate enough to change the world, even if it's only through his extensive research on fields that he knows will benefit the future.
And hearing Peter admit that those nights of lab binges and writing until his eyes hurt just to publish those papers inspired him to be an engineer has made his heart hurt in the happiest of ways.
It hurts so bad that he can't help but tear up, sniffling softly as he tries to catch rogue tears with rough hands.
When Peter hears Tony laugh wetly from elation, he turns his head towards the professor and his expression morphs into concern.
"Lovey?" oh god , the nickname just made tears flow like faucets, "what's wrong? Did I say something wrong?"
Tony shakes his head but doesn't say anything, not trusting his own voice to assure the younger man.
Instead, he opens his arms, his hands making grabby gestures, a signal that he wants a hug. And Peter laughs fondly before he's being engulfed by soft heat.
They stay in their own bubble for what felt like hours, their arms tight around their bodies, cuddling on the roof top floor while Peter writes poems on Tony's back for comfort.
Peter could write sonnets on his skin and it would be the most beautiful reprise he'll ever feel.
Tony's eyes were red and puffy but when when he was standing with Peter in front of his door at his form, their bodies parallel to each other, and the grad student stands on his toes to press a light kiss on both his eyelids, Tony doesn't even care if he looked like a mess.
"Thank you for tonight, lovey." Peter says with a smile when he pulls away, his hands now on Tony's shoulders. The older man had his own hands on Peter's hips, grip light so that the grad student could step away when he needed to. The proximity is just what Tony needed to feel whole again.
But then the nickname? Damn. There he goes again, ugh.
"Thank you, too, honey," He says, as fond and as soft as how Peter's blush still taints the other's cheek.
"Is this the part where I invite you in for coffee? Because, to be honest," Peter pats his hand on his shoulder, looking at the gesture before back up again, "I don't want this night to be over."
Tony hums, "If you're offering. I would love to spend more time with you."
"Just coffee? Or… " Peter leans in close, and Tony can feel his own breathing bounce back to his own skin as Peter's eyes look up at him with heat, "do you want to do something more," Peter leans in further to his ear, " physical ?"
He said it as a mere whisper and it sends shivers down Tony's spine, his eyes closing and skin prickling.
When Peter looks back at him, Tony says, "Oh, honey… If you want to do something more physical, you just have to ask."
"Okay, Pete, when I said doing something physical, I didn't mean fucking Wii bowling ."
"You're just bitter 'cause you're losing."
Bambi: when u drop soap on the floor, did the soap become dirty, or did the floor become cleaner?
Tiny Stank: I don't need this right now, Pete
Tiny Stank: it's 6am. Go back to sleep
Bambi: whaaaat
Bambi: but I have class at 7:30 and it's YOUR class excuse u
Tiny Stank: ugh
Bambi: at least ull get to see me again ;) aren't u happy that ull be graced by my presence again?
Tiny Stank: after losing 3 games in bowling?
Tiny Stank: i dont think so
Bambi: u just succ
Tiny Stank: wouldn't you like to know
Bambi: Aghskjdksdk
Bambi: come over
Bambi: I miss you
Tiny Stank: otw.
Tiny Stank: any food requests?
Bambi: I miss aunty grace's cooking
Bambi: that's ned's mom btw
Bambi: can you get me filipino food from that fusion place around adsworth
Tiny Stank: sure thing honey
Tiny Stank: see you in a bit
Bambi: if we're dating, does that mean you're my boyfriend?
Bambi: sorry just wanted to ask and I've been kinda insecure w our relationship cuz we never talked abt what we are
Bambi: and em has been adamant in hooking me up w another dude
Tiny Stank: I'm coming over.
Tiny Stank: I would like to talk to you about this personally
Tiny Stank: but if you want assurance now, then I would love to be your boyfriend
Tiny Stank: give me 15mins. I'm buying ice cream
Bambi: oh
Bambi: okay
Bambi: thanks, lovey
Bambi: Ive missed you
"Hey, Pete," Tony says as the door of Peter's dorm opens.
He spots the furrow of Peter's brows, how his expression stays apprehensive even after Tony smiles at him.
The grad student steps away from the door to let him in, but before the door could even fully close, Tony drops the plastic bag that had their tub of ice cream and pulls Peter into an all encompassing embrace.
The ice cream will melt on the floor, but all Tony could focus on is the way Peter's body felt flushed on his, on how his fingers brushed on his shirt, of the scent of citrus in Peter's hair.
They stay like that for what felt like forever, feeling Peter's breathing even out as he melts in Tony's arms. When Tony pulls away, Peter pouts—which he would have loved to kiss away—before the professor drags him towards the living room, motioning for him to sit on the couch. Tony quickly kneels in front of him, not even caring if his knees creak from how it digs on the floor. Tony takes Peter's hands in his and looks up towards the younger man.
"Pete…" and for the first time that night, Peter smiles at him albeit small and faint. He wants to kiss that smile away too.
"Hi, Tony." Peter says, a whisper, and Tony smiles softly at him.
"I'm sorry if I haven't talked to you about our relationship."
Peter shakes his head, "it's okay. I was just wondering. I'm happy you're here."
Tony lifts his hand to brush his fingers through Peter's hair then lets it rest on the grad student's cheek.
"Honey…" He starts, his nerves suddenly flaring inside him, "May I have the honour of being your boyfriend?"
It takes a moment for Peter to respond, their eyes meeting in the middle, Peter's thumb brushing at the back of Tony's palm, before he nods, beaming at him, eyes sparkling.
"Yes."
The ice cream that was left forgotten by the door melted while Peter and Tony melted in each other's embrace.
There was a kiss, a hand held, a pair of lips on cheeks when the room fell away. Then, there were clothes shed on bedroom floors, music of their names pressed on skin, of all encompassing heat in every cavern of their bodies when the world, too, fell away.
"Ah, I love you, Pete. So much. Fuck—"
"Oh shit, lovey, m-more. I love you, too. I love you, I love you, I love you, I—"
[Bambi has changed Tony Stark's name to Tony, My Lovey]
[Tony, My Lovey has changed Peter Parker's name to Petey, My Honey]
Petey, My Honey: [Petey, My Honey has sent an event invite]
Tony, My Lovey: Comicon?
Petey, My Honey: yes!!!!!
Tony, My Lovey: wanna talk about it when we get coffee later?
Petey, My Honey: yes plsssss
Petey, My Honey: and it's my turn to treat u so don't whine if i got there earlier than u and already ordered >:/
Tony, My Lovey: fine
Tony, My Lovey: I sighed by the way
Petey, My Honey: was it a sigh of longing? ;> of fond adoration? ;> a loving sigh??? ;>
Tony, My Lovey: pft
Tony, My Lovey: it was a sigh of disbelief
Petey, My Honey: >:------(
Peter, My Honey: bully!!!!! Shame shame shame! This is abuse!!!!!!
Tony, My Lovey: mmmh animal abuse
Petey, My Honey: THAT'S EVEN WORSE >:----( PROTECT DOGGOS
Tony, My Lovey: I never said it was a dog
Petey, My Honey: HNNNNGGGG
"Jarvs, am I sick?" Tony asks his AI when Peter informs him that won't be able to reply anymore because of his lab class.
" It seems that your heart rate is elevated and you are sweating profusely. Would you like a diagnosis? "
"Sure, Jarvs. Hit me."
There was a Jarvs and he hummed in a tone that sounded like he was happy, " it seems that you are in love, sir. "
"Damn. Cap. Straight up cap." Tony says. He can't believe he's picked up some of Peter's slang. Whipped behaviour, truly.
" I am insisting that it is not cap, sir. All the symptoms you are exhibiting is a sign that you have developed deeper affections. And, if I were to make an educated guess, it would be towards one Peter Parker. "
Tony sighs, but now it was a sigh of longing, the want to feel Peter's palm on his greater than the tech he was initially working on before Peter texted him.
"Jarvs, call Peptarts for me, will ya?" and his AI chirps in confirmation.
" So what I'm getting at is that you're indirectly asking for my approval for you to date again? "
Damn Pepper's perceptiveness.
"Y-yeah…?" Tony says, hesitant. But Pepper was smart. He bets that she already knew even before she picked up the phone.
" Look, Tony, I love you, okay? I know we dated in the past and I even considered you as the person I saw a future with, but we're not like that anymore and I am not your keeper. You don't need my approval. But if it would ease your worries, then go for it; you have my full permission. Based on what you have been telling me, it seems like you like this guy a lot. Just… don't let this go like we let go of what could have been us, yeah? "
There was a tinge of regret in Pepper's voice and it sent a surge of guilt in Tony's body.
"I-I'm sorry, Pep," Tony looks at the woman through their video call with concern, and she just smiles at him, soft like how she would when she knows that comfort was what Tony needed. He missed it, if he were honest, but he didn't miss their whirlwind of a relationship. He was still in love with her but not in the way he knows he'll feel for Peter. She was still someone Tony can rely on, someone who will always drop everything to save him from himself.
He was immensely thankful for her support and he will never take her for granted.
" Please don't apologize, Tony. What we had was beautiful, but we were never meant to be, and I don't blame you for that. We were equally at fault back then. I'm just glad that… You're still in my life. "
Tony smiles then, and he wishes that he had her in his vicinity right now because all he wants as of this moment is to hug her close again, just feel her in his arms so that he could feel his own worries melt away.
She really was a force to be reckoned with.
"Thanks, Pep. I know I didn't need your approval or permission, but I just wanted to make sure. You're family to me."
It went silent for a moment and for a second Tony thinks Pepper could be crying with how her eyes glisten with unshed tears.
" You're family to me too, Tony. I'm happy for you ."
Peter was already sitting at the far corner of their usual cafe when Tony arrived.
When the grad student finally spots him, he beams, waving at him.
"Hi, Tones!" Tony spots the cup of his usual coffee and pouts. When Peter notices the older man's expression, he gives him a laugh, "Oh, c'mon, lovey." When Tony was near enough, Peter reached out to hold his hand, their fingers intertwining under the table as he sat down beside him. Tony feels his heart doing some gymnastics, some Olympics style swinging and throwing himself into what felt like a free fall.
Damn, Tony is so gone, a fucking simp, for waxing poetic like he's some E. E. Cummings anthology. Embarrassing.
"I just like spoiling you, honey," He says it but it felt weird because it sounded like he was a sugar daddy or something.
"You're not my sugar daddy, Tony." Peter says like he just read his mind.
He would defend himself if he was talking to some regular grad student, but this was Peter Parker who has a penchant for talking shit with the sweetest smile on his face.
So, he says, "you don't need the sugar for me to be your daddy, honey."
And Peter blushes, a bright red blotting his cheeks, but he gives him a shit eating grin and Tony can't help but predict what Peter would say because he, too, is a little shit.
"Oh, you like having me be your baby boy… Daddy ?"
Despite the grin, the tone to rile him up for their usual banter, it's too sensual for him to ignore.
He's going to mentally file the fact that Peter has the tendency to be a brat… Or even be the dominant.
For science. Of course. Hypothesis and questions need answering in science. Yup. That's it.
He's screwed.
"God, stop," Tony groans, hanging his head low as he squeezes his eyes shut, "You're going to make me want to go to jail for public indecency, Pete."
Peter fake gasps, his eyes wide towards him, "a new sex tape , perhaps?"
Their coffees and pastries were long gone when they finally remembered what they were supposed to be talking about.
Conversations with Peter was always a delight to Tony, always so enlightening. He's had a lifetime's worth of experience stacked up in his pocket, and yet, he feels like he still has things to learn. He's had moments like these in the past, meeting scientists so much smarter than him, so much more than him, but that was always in settings where brains was a pathway towards abusing the Stark success.
With Peter, learning from him and him learning from Tony was something akin to getting to know each other. The brain really is something to be marvelled at, and Peter Parker's mind is all sorts of weird and wonderful.
Tony already knew how Peter talks, the tilt of one corner of his lips as he speaks of hydroponic mechanisms while talking shit and criticising the most recent research he has read of it does things in Tony's stomach that can't seem to abate until he's heard every word Peter Parker has mustered in his beautiful brain.
Damn, there he goes again waxing poetic. He should change careers to become an writer, be the next J.K Rowling without the blatant transphobia.
But thinking about it, even if he were to write sonnets of Peter's mind, build cathedrals of his magnificence, it can never explain everything that is wonderful about him.
Ugh.
"Tony! We totally forgot to talk about comicon!" Peter suddenly says when Tony got lost in his lamentations while staring at Peter's coffee stained lips. "It's so late already, I didn't realize."
Tony says a breathless, "Yeah," trying his best to look away from those lips and up to hazel, syrupy eyes, "what would you like to do, though? Don't we need tickets for that?"
Peter beans at him, "I got 2! Harry got to snag some tickets for himself from a friend of his who works at the arena and he gave me some. He said that I should bring you and do matching costumes!"
"Like doing a couple's cosplay?"
"Yes! It's going to be fun, and we can nerd out all we want!" Peter was too excited with how he's fidgeting and bouncing in his seat and with eyes like that? He can never say no. "We should do something from Doctor Who!"
"Okay… But if we're doing anything from Doctor Who, you're River and I'm the doctor ," Tony concedes, the need to hold Peter's hand again building in his skin. He does.
"What?! Why am I the woman?!" The grad student scoffs, waving their intertwined hands in the air, and Tony snorts.
"Pft. So you're telling me you don't want to be the embodiment of an empowered, intelligent, and powerful woman?"
"Okay, point taken." There was a pout, but he knows he feels ecstatic over the prospect of dressing up as River Song. Peter Parker has always had infatuations over powerful and intelligent women, both fictional and real life. Such a feminist. Love that for him.
Tony Stark is rich and powerful, so he should at least use his connections for his personal use and not just for lame and boring galas.
So he employs his tailor from back in New York to create their costumes. It was an odd request, but with the years of purchasing suits from him and the amount of publicity Stark gives him, the tailor has accepted the job, and then some.
" It's a weird request, Mister Stark, but I'll do it. And since you have been such a good customer and friend to me, it'll be free of charge! " The tailor exclaims in their call, the playful tone of his Italian accented English making his insides giddy from anticipation.
"Oh, c'mon Luca! Are you sure?"
" Oh, of course, Mister Stark! Just accept this as a gift from a friend. "
Tony sighs, but it was fond, "Thank you."
" And I will make this as accurate as possible for you and your friend. Or is this really a friend? " Luca's tone was playful. Man, he really does have great friends even though Tony was an asshole for most of his life.
Tony laughs a little at the tailor's comment, "definitely someone who's more than a friend. Make it great, Luca. I trust your wonderful hands."
" Leave it to me, Antonio. You know I never disappoint. "
Tony, My Lovey: the costumes arrived. They look great
Petey, My Honey: yesssss!!!!!
Petey, My Honey: but oh nooooo I don't have a sonic screwdriver ;(
Tony, My Lovey: you don't have to worry about that, honey
Tony, My Lovey: I'll lend you the one that River had in The Library episode.
Petey, My Honey: neeeeeeeeerd
Tony, My Lovey: you love this nerd
Petey, My Honey: that I do :>
The event place was packed with people wearing every and anything that involves having a fandom. If the halloween-esque event that MIT hosted was wild, comicon was a different ballgame.
From Studio Ghibli cosplay to Elden Ring, God Of War to Genshin Impact, comicon is a flurry of colors like confetti falling like rain in such sunny weather. It was all so vibrant that Tony can't help but feel a flutter of happiness swirl in his stomach. This was his people , a congregation of Tony's hidden desire to nerd the shit out of his brain.
"You look happy," Peter suddenly says as he takes out his helmet for his spacesuit from the back seat, knocking him out of his stares towards the event arena. "First time, lovey?"
Tony nods slowly, a smile creeping in his face, "I've never really had the chance to participate in these kinds of things. I was always holed up in the lab or dragged into SI meetings. I never… Got to indulge in my interests."
He feels a hand clasping his own, warm with a squeeze of comfort. When he looked at his younger lover, there was a soft smile on his lips, eyes sparkling like starlight.
"I'm glad I'm your first, then."
Yeah.
Yeah.
Peter Parker has really surprised him with all the firsts he can wring out of Tony Stark. He can't help but think about a future of firsts with his new lover. What an exhilarating thought.
Peter's helmet was on top of his car as he grabs Tony's own large prop, an electric guitar encased in a wooden casing, and, with one hand, lets the strap of the instrument wrap around Tony's shoulder. Peter closes the door of the car before patting Tony's chest lightly, feeling the two Sonic Screwdrivers in his inside coat pocket.
"Ready to go, sweetie?"
And Tony beams at him, all white teeth and flushed cheeks. This is the happiest he's ever been, a first time in his 38 years of living. Only Peter Parker can do that and he doesn't want anyone else to take it away from him.
Clara Oswin Stan @DWcult
TO ALL WHOVIANS AAAA LOOK WHO I SAW TODAAAAAY
This is like,,,,, the most accurate 12 and River cosplay I've seen and im living for it aaaaa ksksks I'm so happy to have taken a pic w them #BostonComicon20XX #DoctorWho
[ attached to the tweet is a picture of Tony and Peter posing with a woman, the couple pointing their sonic screwdrivers towards the camera while the woman is posed in between them.]
27🗨️ 247⟲ 395♡
⟲ retweeted by superwholock is not dead, I Stand for Palestine, and 247 others
Oikawa Whore @voriboru
UUUUUUH TJATS SO GOOD THO??????? LIKE ITS SO PROOO. WHO THEIR DESIGNER??? I NEED THEIR NUMBER
Dottore sux @JusticeForCollei
ohmygod isn't that Tony Stark????? And like he's rumored new boytoy????????????? UHMMMMM
Nerdist News @AllThingsDweeb
@TonyStarkOfficial has been seen in this year's Boston Comicon with his rumoured lover, MIT grad student, Peter Parker! Proof that even the rich and famous can enjoy all things nerdy with people dearest to them. Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of fandom culture, Mister Stark! #TonyStarkUltimateDweeb #TonyStarkAtComicon #BostonComicon20XX
586🗨️ 23k⟲ 75k♡
⟲ retweeted by Virginia Potts, You Know Who I Am, and 23k others
You Know Who I Am @TonyStarkOfficial
Thanks for having me, Comicon. I had so much fun today meeting everyone. All of you have been so kind to me. To those who took pictures of us, tag me if you were to post them. I want to see them all! See you at the next comic convention!
STARK ENTHUSIAST @TonyStarkSpankMe
WHO KNEW OUR GREAT ENGINEER IS A CLOSETED DWEEB AAAA IM SO HAPPY TO HAVE LIVED I THIS LIFETIME
Peter Parker @EngPeterP
My sweetie 😊💕
[ attached to the tweet is a selfie of Tony and Peter taken at Tony's apartment before the event, the sonic screwdrivers glowing at the screen. They both had wide smiles on their faces .]
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⟲ retweeted by You Know Who I Am, Furina HAVER [SOON], and 289 others
Since comicon, everyone and their great, great, great grandmother's know that Tony Stark is a nerd. Tony didn't think it was a big deal, but according to Peter, and Twitter and Tumblr apparently, someone of his influence has opened the opportunity to the joys of indulging in one's interests. In this case, anything and everything fandom related.
At campus, there would be students who would ask him questions, like what fandoms are you part of? Any favorites? Favorite DC character? Who shot first? Star Trek or Star Wars? Do you like Harry Potter? Do you read fanfiction?
And he would dutifully and truthfully answer them; superwholock is one, I like being a whovian the most, batman is like me but more brooding and emotionally stunted, Han of course, Star something don't make me choose I might cry, I love Harry Potter just not the author, and, er, no I don't read fanfiction…? He wouldn't dare admit having late night fanfic binges, scouring through the Supernatural tag for some good shit Destiel angst. The world doesn't need to know that. That information is reserved for one Peter Parker, and, uh, Jarvis who alerts him on any updates on his subscriptions.
It was pretty insane, but he would take these kinds of questions more than invasive and parasitic questions of the paparazzi anyday.
And because of Tony's 'coming out', who says it like that anyway, geez, the fandom culture was suddenly stripped away of its stigmas. Even someone as cool as you is a nerd, Tones! So bullies can't say that nerds and cosplay enjoyers are losers or lame anymore Peter would exclaim excitedly, and as mundane as it is, he wouldn't want to wipe the smile off of Peter's face just to say that it didn't exactly matter to him. It matters if it's Peter Parker.
In terms of Peter Parker, though, ever since their relationship was somewhat confirmed on the internet, vultures have been adamant in digging out dirt on his young lover. Peter wasn't worried, so Tony wasn't either. It wasn't like Peter was hiding a family somewhere in Canada or he was a mutant or anything. Peter was squeaky clean on the internet.
In fact, if you were to search Peter Parker pre-Tony Stark era, all you would find is a laundry lists of achievements from back when he was in high school or college; honours society, valedictorian, leadership awards, winning decathlon competitions, his 3-year consecutive wins in science fairs, his published research paper on organic medical adhesives, dilutable plastics, gene development for endangered species, and even his short stint in track and field, winning a bronze medal in a national youth track tournament. There was nothing incriminating under his name, only achievements that can match Tony Stark and a rather sob story on his deceased parents and close relatives.
It only took news focusing on Peter a week before they got bored and talked about Taylor Swift's new album or Elon Musk's new plagiarised invention.
Peter Parker is the only lover of Tony Stark that the media couldn't find anything juicy to destroy his name, and if Tony and Jarvis have any say in it, nothing can touch him. It was even a relief that Pepper Potts sided more on his younger lover than Tony, claiming that if anyone hurts Peter Parker, I will kill everyone and then myself , which earned her a snort from the man himself.
It was also a relief that his colleagues were supportive of his relationship with the grad student, except that homophobic fucker Doctor John Grant. Peter's classmates were curious about what kind of man Tony Stark is outside of his media facade, but other than curiosity, they left him or them alone like any couple you see having dates in 24/7 diners and in coffee shops.
Tony has also met Peter's friends, er, well, met them again, over a game of Trivial Pursuit while taking shots of vodka in Tony's apartment. It was a joy to also know that the people Peter surrounds himself with are as smart and witty as him.
Michelle Jones was intelligent and rather scary, but he remembers one Pepper Potts and he thinks he can handle the younger woman as long as you're in her good graces. Ned Leeds was a surprise to Tony; one look at Jarvis' code and he was pointing out improvements for cyber security. If you shed away Ned's hero worship, he was a delightful kid to be around with. And his mother, Aunty ( it's tita, Mister Stark! Aunty Grace sounds weird, yuck ) Grace Leeds, cooked the best Southeast Asian food he has ever eaten, so he would really like to be in his, and her, good graces too. He might get fat from all the lunch boxes Ned gives to Peter for them to share, though.
Harry Osborne is someone he was already acquainted with, someone he has actually met because of his father dragging his son around in galas. It was nice to know that the younger Osborne did not get Norman's asshole personality or else he would have shied away from interacting with the kid. Liz Allan, on the other hand, was one of Peter's exes. It should have made something uncomfortably squirm in Tony's insides, but after an hour of talking to the young woman, he knew that there's nothing to worry about. She was a great leader, an advocate of human rights, and other than Michelle Jones, a confident feminist who knows she is worth more than society places them on. Who can hate a powerful woman, anyway? Tony was surrounded by intelligent and empowered women, first was his mother then Pepper Potts. He wasn't an asshole to belittle them. Tony may have been an asshole, emphasis on the past tense, but even then he wouldn't belittle them like that. He loved his mother too much, and she would dig herself out of her own grave if he ever thinks of a bad comment on women.
Tony Stark was 38, but he feels like he has been living his life in rose tinted glasses, shying away from the realities of the common people. And being around his lover's people makes him feel like he just got his second wind in life.
Another first in his books. History better be writing this down. It's legendary.
Petey, My Honey: Do you ever think abt our parallel universe selves?
Tony, My Lovey: petey, my baby, honey
Tony, My Lovey: my dear boyfriend
Tony, My Lovey: don't you have a paper to write?
Tony, My Lovey: go do that
Tony, My Lovey: no more existential crisis questions pls
Petey, My Honey: what paper
Tony, My Lovey: ahuh sure
Tony, My Lovey: check our Google classroom and get back to me when you're finished
Petey, My Honey: HOLY SHIT
Petey: My Honey: I HAVE LIKE AN HOUR AND A HALF LEFT TILL THE DUE
Petey, My Honey: EXTENSION PLSSSSSS
Petey, My Honey: TONYHYYY PLSSKSJDKSKD
Tony, My Lovey: you may be my boyfriend, but I don't play favorites in class
Petey, My Honey: YOURE THE WORST AAAGSGDHDKDKKS
Tony, My Lovey: sure, honey
Tony, My Lovey: I love you too
Petey, My Honey: HMPH >:(
[Petey, My Honey has changed Tony Stark's name to Dumbass bitch]
Dumbass bitch: HEY WHYD U CHANGE MY NAME :(
[Dumbass bitch has changed Peter Parker's name to Jarjar Binks]
Jarjar Binks: im gonna turn off notifs and write this fucking paper since my professor is an asshole who doesn't want to put out extensions
Jarjar Binks: HEY WTF WHY AM I JARJAR
Dumbass bitch: DO YOUR PAPER
Dumbass bitch: AND I LOVE YOU
Jarjar Binks: UGH >:-----(
Jarjar Binks: AND I LOVE YOU TOO >:---(
Dumbass bitch: congratulations for submitting your paper at 11:59:42
Jarjar Binks: SPEED
Jarjar Binks: I got dem moves. Quick as lightning >:)))))
Dumbass bitch: ahuh interesting
Jarjar Binks: ???!?!?!!!!???
Dumbass bitch: you know you forgot to change the portion of 'professor's name' at the top of the paper?
Jarjar Binks: HOLY SHIT
Jarjar Binks: WAIT NONODNKSJDKS
Dumbass bitch: i would like to introduce myself
Dumbass bitch: i am now Mister Daddy Warbucks
Jarjar Binks: OH GOD WAIT
Dumbass bitch: ill let this slide cause you used the 8th edition APA and you know I'm a slut for APA
Jarjar Binks: THANK YOU JESUS
[ Jarjar Binks has changed Tony Stark's name to Daddy Warbucks ]
[ Daddy Warbucks has changed Peter Parker's name to Annie ]
Annie: that shit hits too close to home my man
Annie: ik I'm an orphan but y u gotta do me dirty lyk that
Daddy Warbucks: I'm an orphan too babe
Annie: oh right
Annie: we parentless children stand up for each other
Annie: wait if ur daddy Warbucks, isn't this some kinda kink or smn
Annie: oohh does Tony Stark have a daddy incest kink
Daddy Warbucks: im going to pretend you never sent that
Annie: >:-----(
Annie: i miss you
Annie: y u gotta go back to NYC. Fuck dem board of directors for taking away my boyfriend from me :(
Annie: i want huggies
Daddy Warbucks: say no less, my love
Daddy Warbucks: [Tony Stark has shared his flight information]
Annie: NYOOOOM
Daddy Warbucks: see you in a bit, honey
Annie: see you, lovey!!!!!!!!!!!
Annie: be safe. I love you
Daddy Warbucks: will do. I love you too
"You're the worst, Tony. Getting a flight from Manhattan to Boston at 2 in the morning? Really?"
Tony looks up at the voice in front of him and he has the audacity to smile sheepishly.
"Sorry, Pep. It's just… Peter is—"
Pepper shakes his head but she smiles at him, huffs a little, "I get it, Tones. You love him. You would fly a thousand miles so that he doesn't miss you."
"Y-yeah."
Pepper nods, standing from her reclined seat to sit beside the billionaire, soft manicured hand holding his rough ones.
"Tony… are you happy?" She asks, a whisper so light that it feels like a comforting caress.
Is he? Happy that is?
Tony Stark knew love; he loved his mother, so kind and generous. He loves Rhodey, resilient and loyal. He loves Pepper, empowered and mature. He loves a lot of people, loved people who didn't deserve his affection, fleeting romances and shared beddings after an expensive French meal.
He knew love but he only knew love that sparks a certain kind of happiness in his chest just recently, in the hands of his young lover, Peter Parker; an engineer who's heart is bigger and more explosive than any supernova in the universe.
So… Is he happy?
Yeah.
"Yeah, Pep. I'm happy."