Chapter Text
It started out like any regular school day
Arrive at school, meet up with Peter, then start making the long journey through hour long classes starting with English
But things took a turn for the better or even for the best Ned would argue
During lunch mid conversation Ned’s phone started to ring and it stated an unknown number so curiously Ned picked it up
”Hello?”
”Hey-umm this is Tony I know this is random and out of no where but I’ve seen or rather heard about your talents recently and I feel they could be handy,”
Ned took a deep breath to calm his pounding heart, I mean he’s just talking to THE Tony Stark how could he not be calm. Ok maybe he was freaking out in his head a little bit…..well more like a lot but it wasn’t showing so it was fine.
Peter asked confused “Are you ok Ned? Who is it?”
Well so much for that who was he kidding of course it was showing how could he hide such sheer excitement and well, nervousness to be honest
The thought of it not actually being Tony just didn’t occur because compared to the amount of excitement and nerves that would be the last thing to think about
”So I was wondering if you’d maybe want to come down to the tower sometime and we could discuss things farther.”
Ned couldn’t help the excitement in his voice. “Of course Mr.Stark I would love to!”
Peter only felt more confused, Mr.Stark….why would Mr.Stark be calling Ned? His face must have showed it because Ned gave him a reassuring smile
”Well kid I’ll text you a date and time make sure your there”
”No problem Mr.Stark. See you then.”
Looking back to a fully intrigued Peter with a smile that reaches the eyes “OMG OMG OMG I can’t believe this!!!!”
”Believe what? Why did Mr.Stark call you? What would you love to do? And why the hell are y’all meeting up?”
Well I mean who wouldn’t be able to ramble in a situation like this? It’s freaking awesome and wow just a lost for words
”Well if I told you I don’t know if you would believe me”
Peter gave a questioning look “Just tell me”
”I mean I can’t even quite believe it myself”
With a slightly raised voice and interest at its peak ”NED!”
”Ok ok sooooo THETONYSTARKWANTSMETOJOINHIM!”
With an unamused look Peter says “Slow down, in English please”
With yet another deep breath “Mr.Stark wants me to join him!!”
”oh?”
”I’m sure it’s a bit complicated right now but maybe whenever he text me the time and date we can go to the tower together”
”…..he even invited you to the tower, interesting, well sure I’m down, I’d love to join you”
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After a long day of school Ned is ready to go home, grab some food, and possibly take a nice nap but all of a sudden…..
”Hey Peter!”
”Yeah what’s up?”
”ummm you know how Mr.Stark called me and wants to meet at the tower?”
Peter eyes him curiously. “Yeah, what about it?”
Ned suddenly started to glow, looking to his left then to his right before hurriedly blurting out “He wants to meet me TODAY! In more or less an hour or two!!!!”
”wow that’s pretty soon, wanna start heading there now? Usually I swing there so it doesn’t take me long but walking is a different story although I’m sure it’d be nice walk in distance”
******************************************
While on the way to the tower they decide to stop by a convenient store to restore fuel, but shortly after they finally made it to the tower.
Ned stiffened a bit as a hundred thoughts encountered his head
Will he like me? Am I good enough? Did he call me here to just make a fool out of me? Will I meet his expectations? What if I fail him? What if I disappoint him?
Neds thoughts were interrupted as he felt Peter shaking him….how long had he been doing that?
”Ned! Snap out of it!”
”Hey, sorry kinda nervous I guess”
”Mr.Stark personally invited you here himself what’s there to be anxious about?
THAT that is something to be anxious about Ned thought
Ned forced a laugh. “Yeah your right”
Although he was anxious he couldn’t help but marvel at how nice the building looked and that fact that he was actually standing in front of it about to go in
Ned looked from the high crystal clear glass windows to the two opening doors with polished handles on both sides in maze, he was actually going to meet Tony Stark
Slowly both Ned and Peter walked into the building together
Peter gave a smile. “Hey FRIDAY how’s it been”
”Hello Peter it has been well”
”Would you like me to announce your presence to Sir?”
Peter looked at Ned who had a slight tremble before speaking “No it’s fine could you just let me know what floor he’s on?”
”Of course Peter, Sir is located on floor 5 in the nearest lab on the right”
”Thanks”
Peter gave one last glance at Ned before walking towards the elevator “Come on Ned don’t want you to faint before you even get to look at him”
Ned looked at Peter before frowning and starting to walk towards the elevator. “Not cool bro”
Peter only gave him a laugh and before he knew it they were on the way to the fifth floor to actually meet Tony
Peter led the way walking out of the elevator first before heading towards the first lab on the right as FRIDAY stated, Ned following closely behind
Ned looked around for a bit before his eyes landed back on Peter. “Hey Peter are sure this will be ok? What if I screw up or something?”
Peter stopped in front of the lab before looking back at Ned ”You’ll be fine Ned stop letting all those thoughts get to you, trust me”
Before Ned could respond Peter started to walk into the lab, rushing Ned who was following making him nearly trip over his own steps
Tony was tinkering with one of his garments when he herd Ned and Peter walk in. Curiously he looked to see who it was. A little surprised to see both boys walking in. Regardless he gave them a smile before eyeing Peter then looking at Ned
Tony spoke with an amused voice “Well what a surprise the dynamic duo decided to join me”
Peter gave a wide smile. “Hey Mr.Stark! Since Ned was invited over I decided I’d join him for his first time in the tower”
With an almost sarcastic voice but looks not quite matching as the soft smile on his face appeared “That’s very nice of you Peter”
Tony turned his head to look at Ned who seemed to be in distress. “Everything alright Ned?”
Ned eyes widened a bit with the focus suddenly changing to him, stammering and stuttering his words he answered ”Y-yes yes of ofc!”
”You sure buddy, you don’t look too fine.”
Peter on the other hand just gave the biggest grin while saying. “He’s a bit nervous Mr.Stark, you should’ve seen him earlier he looked like he was about to faint”
Peter gave a hardy laugh before looking at Ned watching his face turn red in embarrassment
Ned glared at Peter “I wasn’t about to faint!”
Peter laughed again “Sure thing Ned”
Tony gave a Nod of understanding before he looked at his garment placed it down and started to walk towards the two boys “No need to be nervous I’m not here to kill ya”
Tony stopped after reaching a significant distance from the boys “Welcome to the tower Ned, I’m sure you’ll love it”
Ned looked at Tony nervously “Thanks Mr.Stark”
”We have a lot to discuss so why don’t we go somewhere more comfortable, and Peter your more thank welcomed to join”
Peter gave a slight nod before following Mr.Stark out the lab with Ned following close behind
Soon they reached an office/lounge area not too far away from the lab. It had light gray walls, a nice long plush sofa, a mini kitchen area, a wooden desk polished to perfection, and even a tv
Neds anxiety quickly turned into excitement and bafflement as he looked around the space..he was really at the avengers tower!
but…..there’s still one question in the back of his mind
What exactly are they going to be talking about?
Ned zoned back in just in time to hear Tony
”Must’ve been a long trip, want something to drink?”
Peter practically screamed with excitement as he’s been craving a strawberry smoothie for the longest time it helps with the stress from the attempted balance of school and Spider-Man not to mention Tony made some damn good smoothies
“A strawberry smoothie please!”
Tony look at Ned who still looked a bit distressed but definitely not as much. “Ned?”
Ned started to blush even more than before, he really didn’t know how he was going to get used to talking and seeing Tony more often
”umm just a water please”
Tony smiled. “Coming right up”
After everyone got settle on the couch with their drinks Tony being in between Peter and Ned, their long awaited conversation started
Ned’s heart was still racing but he was slowly getting more comfortable, although it’d still be a very long time before he even has thoughts about settling completely
“So Ned I’ve herd a lot about you, Peter talks about you a lot”
Ned shyly looks a Tony “I’ve herd a lot about you too”
”I’m sure you have, well why don’t we start talking about why you’re here. Like I said on the phone I see a lot of potential in you, not only that but your a great friend of Peters and if you mean a lot to Peter you also mean a lot to me.”
Ned stared slightly in awe of the words coming out of Tony’s mouth. He really felt that way, he really means it?
But Ned is to say the at very least a bit surprised at the change of tone in Tony’s voice, going from welcoming, and light hearted to stern in an instant….almost like he practices a lot
Tony gives Ned a stern look easily matching his tone “Although I have to say I’m not too pleased with one of the major reasons I herd of such talents”
Ned looked down not being able to hold such a gaze and inwardly shrunk inside with the tone of his voice disappointment clear. Ned started to fidget with the bottom of his shirt a bit to have some kind of distraction
“Hacking into my suit I made for Peter and protocols I in stored to keep him safe”
(fyi he’s already dealt with Peter about the situation)
Peter looked away feeling almost as embarrassed as Ned at the non too fond memory of the same discussion he himself had with Tony
Although Ned was nervous he still had some defiance in him considering he at least tried it’s not like he just said ‘yeah that’s cool I will no problem’
Ned with a sudden ambush of confidence looked up at Tony “I tried to tell him it was a bad idea and that I didn’t think it was right but he still insisted!”
Peter was about to cut in to defend himself before rethinking and finalizing that it was a bad idea instead he just let Tony handle it
Tony signed, teenagers will always be teenagers won’t they? “Yes I’m happy you did and it was wrong of him to encourage it but Peter did not force you to hack anything, you decided to give in and hack it, removing the protocol which put Peter in more danger”
Ned wanted to fight more to defend himself but what could he say? Tony was right it was HIS final decision and that action endangered not just anyone but his best friend
Ned looked down again, guilt settling in like a slap to the face
“Sorry, Mr.Stark”
Tony still held a cold glaze with a stern tone but this time it was mixed with acknowledgment that he truly was sorry. “You better be, since this is your first offense I won’t go super hard on you but,”
Tony gentle placed his hand under Neds chin forcing him to look at Tony. “If it happens again I promise you won’t like the consequences”
Ned gulped before slightly shaking his head in understanding and muttering a “yes sir”
Tony didn’t let go tho he needed Ned to know what he did was serious and would not be tolerated although he couldn’t help but soften his eyes a bit as he looked at the teary eyed teenaged who looked like he experienced the worst news in his life “All actions have conquenses and yours I simply cannot ignore, you tampered with something you shouldn’t have that resulted in possibly harm done to Peter, that is unacceptable and I will not stand for it,”
Ned looked like he was about to shatter, this isn’t how he expected it to go at all, he disappointed Tony and put Peters life at risk and now he was sitting there with tears threatening to fall over as Tony scolded him about how displeased he was with his actions
And well he was also talking about punishment but Ned didn’t want to think too much on it afraid enough of the threat of doing something irrational again will lead him, let alone what Mr.Stark has in stored for him now
Ned swallowed yet again nerves only rising and guilt only sinking further
”So, I’ve decided you’ll be righting lines, hopefully if you write it enough times it’ll start to stick in your head.”
Oh….he didn’t know what he was expecting but it surely wasn’t that…….…lines can’t be that bad right?
Right?
Turns out lines are that bad, just as bad as they sound. Especially when you have Tony keeping an eye on you close by not to mention the amount of lines excepted to be written
”150!? Isn’t the a little much”
Tony looked at him with a raised eyebrow “I don’t know after putting someone’s life in harms way and hacking a suit, you think 150’s too much?”
”b-but 150 it’s just unreasonable” well that came out weaker than wanted but I mean 150??? Would he have a working hand afterwords?
”oh really?” Tony sounded unimpressed “then why don’t we try 200”
Ned could only stare in disbelief he can’t be serious “oh come on Mr.Stark” he knew it sounded more of childish wine but he couldn’t help it
“Keep talking instead of writing and I’ll make it 220”
Now that Ned really didn’t want so reluctantly he stared down at the paper that at the top had written ‘I will never purposely put others endanger or hack into something I shouldn’t’
Ned truly hated this but there weren’t many options so he got to writing, around the 50 mark his hand was already in so much pain. Ned looked up to see Tony and Peter on the couch watching television
Ned honestly couldn’t help but feel a bit jealous not only at the fact that Peter was chilling while he was writing lines but…well he was hanging out with Tony and it seems as tho they do that a lot. He wishes he could be as close as Peter is with Tony, to be able to call him whenever or rant about him because they hangout so much
But he would never get that would he? He wasn’t Peter and although Tony had said he cared for him, it couldn’t possible compare to his care for Peter…..Ned wasn’t as good and would never be b-because
Ned quickly snapped out of his thoughts as he herd his name being called
“Ned? Ned? Ned!”
Ned took a deep breath before speaking to hopefully not sound too broken up “Yes? Sorry I was zoning out a bit I guess”
Tony looked at Ned warily before making his way over to him, sitting across from him giving him his undivided attention “What are you not saying Ned”
Ned couldn’t bring himself to look at Tony instead choosing to look at his lines “Nothing really I’m fine”
Tony eyed him ”Lying to my face now are we?”
That got Ned to finally look up at Tony
”I well-I mean”
”Listen kid I’m not here to end your world of joy, it’s fine if you don’t want to talk about it right now but if you do I won’t bite or even get upset”
Ned shrugged nerves at a all time high “I’m just being overly sensitive”
”I see, that’s another thing we have to work on” Tony held back a cringe just remember himself as a teenager
Ned sat back with surprise, another thing to work on? What is he talking about?
”You identifying your feelings and then expressing them is not being ‘overly sensitive’ your just being human, it’s ok to have uncertainty over things others would brush off that doesn’t make it invalid it just means you take and understand it a different way and that’s ok,”
Ned seemed to relax at the words Tony was saying, maybe he’s right
”And let me tell ya I’m the last person with the right to judge you and your emotions so feel free to rant anytime, I’m always here”
Ned nodded his head before slowly starting to speak “well…when you put it like that…” Tony gave Ned a reassuring smile encouraging him to keep going “I guess I just… I just got a bit jealous seeing you and Peter hangout, I know we’ll never have something like you and Peter have”
Realization hit Tony like a car slamming on breaks. Ned’s new here and everything is a bit out the ordinary for him, of course he would need to get used to the new environment and social circle
Tony looked at Ned with a slight frown “I’m sorry Ned that was never my intentions, I didn’t realize how new and hard this would be for you. Tell you what you finish those lines and we can spend the rest of the afternoon together just me and you”
Ned perked up at this, although Peter started to protest he was silenced with a hand and a short explanation they can another time
Ned couldn’t help the smile that started to make its way to his face “Really Mr.Stark…you would do that….for me?”
Tony straightened up and deepened his vice a little “Why of course…I would not,” Tony winced a little seeing the boys happiness deflate immediately a frown forming instantly “I would only do that for Mr.Ned Leeds”
Tony smirked as he seen Ned’s face turn from a frown to indifferent to finally a small pout “Not cool Mr.Stark”
Tony gave a hearty laugh before looking back at Ned “Well the quicker you get them lines finished the more time we have to spend together”
Ned groaned but picked up his pencil and just before he started his first line “And kid never forget I don’t waste my time giving false hope, when I say I care about you I mean it…and you’ll know it sooner or later. One last thing, no you will never have what me and Peter have because your Ned, and Peter will never have what me and you have because he’s Peter…so stop comparing yourself to Peter, of course our relationship is going to be different that’s only natural but it won’t be any less meaningful”
With that Tony gave Ned one last smile before heading to the couch to let him finish his lines up while he sat with Peter enjoying their time together before Peter leaves so he can spend time with Ned, just him and Ned, sounded pretty good to him.
It took some time to finish his lines but he finally did, Tony had asked him what he learned and why what he did was bad before stating his punishment was complete. Before long they were watching movies, playing games, and even hit the lab for a bit
While it was all so real to Ned it was something he enjoyed and could find himself getting comfortable with
Ned looked at Tony with a smile. “Thanks Mr.Stark….for everything”
Tony gave a small smile back. “Your welcome kid”