Work Text:
10th September 2007
Peter Benjamin Parker.
‘Peter Benjamin Parker.’ Peter repeated that name in his head like a mantra. That was who he was now. He was a Parker in public, not a Stark. Never a Stark.
He was finally starting school. After six whole years he was finally going to go to public school and find friends his age, people to socialise with that weren’t his Dad, his Uncles and Aunts, or his stuffed toys.
Peter was ecstatic, he was supposed to go to kindergarten last year but his Mom… Well, he couldn’t last year. But he was going this year. And he was going to get himself a friend.
“Can I go?! ”
“Oh, just one more Sweetheart!”
Peter sighed, straightening his back and giving a toothy grin, sans one tooth, to the bulky video camera Aunt May held, she was crouching slightly to his height– Uncle Ben grinning at him from her side. Dad sat on the couch near them.
“How do you feel about your first day at elementary, Mr. Parker?” His Dad asked, getting up and putting his hand on Ben’s shoulder, both men sharing cheeky grins.
“Excited, I want to make new friends but I can’t if you won’t let me go , Aunt May!” Peter whined, adjusting his glasses. May sighed and put the camera on a nearby end table, crouching in front of Peter, adjusting his shirt and hair.
She smiled at him, “Alright, remember your name is Peter Parker, not Stark. Got it?” She asked, kissing his cheek and getting up to let Ben hug him.
“I got it, I got it. Now can we go?! I can’t be late!” He grabbed Tony’s hand and dragged him to the front door. Tony looked back and waved to the Parkers.
They settled in the car, and the excitement slowed down once they got closer to their destination. Peter started fiddling with his bag straps, sighing.
“Whats wrong, Bambino ?”
He looked up at his Dad, frowning. “What if they don't like me?”
His dad smiled and smoothed a hand through his hair, kissing his forehead. “I highly doubt that, Petey. I don’t think anyone could ever dislike you,” He paused to cup Peter’s cheeks. “You’re friendly and funny. And smart, don’t you forget it. Anyone would be lucky to be your friend. You’re going to do great, Underoos.”
Peter smiled. Hugging his Dad before he huffed and kicked his legs. “Okay, I’m ready.”
His Dad laughed, “Cool it, Hotshot, we’ve still got ten minutes to go.”
Peter spent the rest of the ride asking Happy and Tony about their first days. Happy gave him short– but positive answers. His Dad answered too, but it was strained and hesitant. He always acted that way when Peter asked about his childhood.
The car came to a stop and Tony turned worriedly to Peter. “Got everything, baby? Notebooks, crayons, pencils, a bat in case anyone acts–”
“Dad!” Peter laughed, patting his Dad’s arm. “I’ll be fine! I love you! Bye, Dad. Bye, Happy!”
His Dad smiled and kissed his cheek, mumbling out his ‘I love you’s’. Happy grunted in response. He got out and ran up the stairs to where a woman was standing. She smiled kindly at him and guided him to his class, he turned back and waved to his Dad.
The classroom was green, and covered in posters, and drawings. He shuffled to the left of the class and sat near a tan-skinned boy, who was very intently colouring on a paper. Peter peered over to look at what he was colouring.
“Is that the Death Star?!” He asked, grinning when the boy looked up at him with a smile.
“Yeah! You watch Star Wars?” The boy asked, turning in his chair to talk to him.
“Me and my Dad love it, look at my shirt.” Peter shrugged off his backpack to show the boy his Star Wars shirt.
“That’s so cool! My Mom won't let me buy any Star Wars clothes,” He laughed, “But she did get me a cool Lego set!”
Peter gasped, “Have you built it yet?”
“I haven’t even opened the box! Want to come over to help me?”
“Obviously!” Peter gushed. “My name is Peter. Peter… Parker! What’s yours?” He stuck his hand out, his Uncle Ben said it was the polite way to introduce yourself to a new friend.
The boy stared at his hand for a moment before he shook it, “I’m Edward Leeds.”
Peter scrunched his nose. “Edward is such a grown-up name… My dad’s middle name is Edward.”
Edward laughed as he scratched his ear. “My Dad calls me Eddie sometimes.”
“That's grown up too! How about Ed?” He asked.
Edward frowned. “I don’t like that.”
“Ted?”
Edward laughed, “That’s way too adult!”
Peter smiled, “What about Ned?”
Edward paused before smiling and nodding. “I like the name Ned Leeds.”
Peter laughed, looking down at Ned’s drawing. “Do you want to use my crayons, they smell super nice!”
“Yeah!”
Peter walked down the school’s steps with Ned, smiling when he saw one of his Dad’s ‘inconspicuous’ cars parked in front. He waved at Ned and climbed in, his Dad’s worried expression eased a little when he saw him, and he was pulled into a tight hug.
His Dad moved away, one hand cupping his cheek and the other gesturing for Happy to start driving. “How was school, Bambino ?”
“So great! I made one friend! But he's cool! His name is Ned, well, it's Edward– Just like yours, Daddy! But it sounded too grown up so I call him Ned, he likes Star Wars and robots too! Can he come over and build one, please? Oh! Can I go over to help build his Lego set? He also likes gadgets but–”
“Woah! Cool it, Hotshot, save some gas for your Aunt and Uncle,” His Dad smiled and kissed his nose. “But I’m very proud of you for making a friend, Cucciolo. He can come over any time.”
“Thanks, Dad!” Peter grinned and opened his backpack, showing his Dad his drawings from today, and the math worksheet he’d completed in seven minutes– he’d timed it. His Dad Ooh’d and Ah’d at the right moments.
Peter ran into his Dad’s apartment, hugging his Aunt and Uncle. They smiled when they saw his grin.
“Did your first day go fine, Petey-pie?”
Peter beamed up at them, it was better than fine.