Chapter Text
Tony had made a lot of mistakes in his life. I mean, who hasn’t? He’s human, it happens. Although the thing is, sometime’s Tony’s mistakes matter a lot more than other people’s, because being a billionaire superhero has kind of a big impact on the world. That time he’d been an asshole to Killian? Big mistake; he, and worse, Pepper, had nearly died because of it. The time he’d been cocky and thought no one could replicate his tech? Yeah, he was eating his words the second his car flipped through the air at horrifying speeds, the sound of buzzing, electric whips in the background. Oh, and the time he’d freely given up his address, daring anyone to come and fight him in person? Well, the wreckage spoke for itself.
Truth be told, a lot of his mistakes are the blame of his arrogance and negligence and recklessness and overall emotional instability he carts around.
The same could be said for the mistake he made with Peter. Or rather, a long line of instances that if he could, he would go back and change because the kid deserved better. Tony didn’t even think far enough past his eyebrows to consider how Peter was holding up through it all until the day he offered to let Peter into the Avengers.
“You’re turning me down? Look at that. Now look at me. Last chance, yes or no?” Tony asked, rounding on Peter. The new Spider-Man suit he’d designed specially for Peter was displayed in a glass case in front of the bright-eyed teen, but just moments ago he’d declined Tony’s offer, leaving Tony wondering if he needed his hearing checked.
“No,” Peter said after a moment’s hesitation.
“No?”
“Well, just, the whole thing with Liz’s dad and whatnot ruining homecoming, it reminded me what I do this for. Y’know, the little guy stuff. I think I should lay low for a bit, and just be… your friendly, neighborhood Spider-Man.”
A pang of sadness wracked Tony’s body as he was reminded both of the fact that a teenager had recently taken down a supervillain and that said teenager was young enough to care about homecoming.
“Kid, about that, you know you could’ve called me, right? I thought teenagers were all over their phones these days,” Tony told Peter. “I mean, I know it was a tough-love, prove-yourself-type-of-moment for you but you should call in backup when shit hits the fan.”
“Mr. Stark,” Peter said. “I don’t have your phone number.”
Right about then, oh shit was the only coherent thought running through Tony’s mind.
“Well, I have Happy’s, and like I swear I tried to call him but he usually just ignores me so I kinda have to rely on myself which is like, totally fine. I’m not complaining or anything. I took care of the Vulture… eventually.”
Tony stared at Peter as he rambled, giving himself a mental slap to the forehead. It’s official. He’s an idiot.
“I’ll have Happy give you my number,” Tony said after a moment.
“Like…like your personal cell number?” Peter asked.
“The one and only.”
“Mr. Stark, you don’t have to do that,” Peter said, His eyebrows scrunching in confusement.
“Your extracurricular activities say otherwise.”
“I can take care of myself!”
“I know, kid,” Tony said, giving Peter one last awkward shoulder pat. “But it’s my job to be the adult, so. Call if you need something but make sure my number never sees the light of day, I don’t need more stalkers.”
“Sure thing, Mr. Stark,” Peter said with a nod.
“Glad we got that settled,” Tony said, then exhaled rather noisily as he glanced back to the display case with the Iron Spider still stored behind it, untouched. He could feel the beginning of a headache settling over his temple already.
“Alright, Spider-Man. Skedaddle. I’ve got important billionaire things to do. Try not to crash any more planes,” he added helpfully.
“You got it, Mr. Stark. But, uh, no promises.” Peter started walking away, but turned back to face Tony. “That was a test, though, right? About joining the Avengers. There’s no one back there, is there?”
“Nope. You passed," Tony said, grimacing but turning it into what he hoped was a convincing smile.
“Nice,” Peter said with a smile.
“Yeah, good job, kid.”
Long story short, Tony’s engaged now.
(What is his life.)