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Tony Stark did not like Harry Osborn. He’d only met the boy personally once, and he was civil, believe him. But from what he’s heard from Peter’s friends, and what he’s seen from the kid’s dad, he isn’t very fond of the kid. Peter speaks highly of him, which should count for something. But Peter’s also been through a lot. It wouldn’t surprise Tony if he let Harry manipulate him.
Tony had nothing against his kid being gay. He had a little zesty streak of his own, in Peter’s words. Although he’d rather just call himself bisexual. So of course, it was nothing against his sexuality. It was just who he decided to date.
However, no matter how worried he was, he decided to trust Peter. Because Tony trusted him more than anything. And he was old enough to make his own decisions.
That was until Peter showed up at the penthouse a day before his spring break, looking downright awful.
“Peter?” Tony blinked, staring at the teenager, who wandered in through the elevator, duffel bag over his shoulder.
“My professor cancelled class tomorrow,” he said, as if that explained everything. As far as Tony knew, he had plans to go to California with Harry over break.
Tony set his mug of coffee on the counter, suddenly serious. He internally noted that he’d cancel his date plans with Steve later. “What happened?”
And then Peter broke down.
His face instantly softened, and he moved around the island to the elevator to let Peter melt into his arms. “It’s okay, Pete. It’s alright.” He rubbed his back, nervous to find out what Harry had done to him. Because, who else?
Peter pulled away, sniffling slightly. Tony took in his appearance. He definitely left their shared dorm in a hurry, wearing an old MIT hoodie, probably Tony’s, and some old grey sweatpants. His face was red and tear-stained, a look he’d never show anyone other than family.
Peter had always been a very guarded person, May told him when they began getting closer. She said she was glad he was finally opening up to more people after everything he’d been through. Tony’s heart jerked at the memory, suddenly even angrier at Osborn.
Tony squeezed his shoulders. “Let’s go to the couch.”
Tony supplied him with a mug of hot chocolate and a ton of blankets, sitting next to him, close enough for comfort. It was around 3 in the afternoon. Steve would be getting back from Shield soon.
“Feel like talking about it?”
Peter sniffled some more. “I trusted him.” He gripped the mug tightly, without breaking it. “I really trusted him. Why was I so dumb?”
Tony moved to place a hand on his knee. “Peter, you aren’t stupid. You’re a kid, and whatever he did, it wasn’t your fault.”
He looked at Tony, devastated. “He cheated on me. I walked in on him.”
Tony’s eyes widened. And he was immediately filled with rage. “What?” He couldn’t even fathom it.
“I was coming back from class today and I caught him with Jake. Some dude who’s pre med with him. Supposedly a Junior,” he huffed. “We argued about it. He argued with me about it.” Peter’s eyes darted to the floor, and he shook his head.
Tony Stark was going to kill a 20 year old pre med college student.
But then he saw Peter crumble again, shoulders dissolving into shakes as his head fell into his hands. And he decided comforting the boy might be easier. He wrapped his arms around him and let him curl into him. Friday lowered the lights in the room, to make it softer.
Peter cried into him, holding onto him like he was a lifesaver.
Tony brushed a curl out of his face. “Do you wanna watch a movie?” He asked, once his tears had calmed.
He sniffled again, “yeah. That’s fine.”
“Friday queue up Revenge of The Sith.”
—
Peter Parker wasn’t planning on leaving college early. Him and Harry had a froyo date planned before they left the city, then they were going to pack together for their trip tomorrow. He wasn’t planning on ditching his boyfriend last minute and taking the 4 hour drive back to the tower by himself.
But he also wasn’t planning on catching Harry with Jake Thornburg.
Peter had been to Hell and back through his life. His parents dying, Skip Westcott, his uncle dying, being bullied all throughout middle school, etc. He found it hard to trust people. He met Harry in middle school, a weird grounding for him when avoiding his bullies.
Harry was nice to him. He defended him.
Then he disappeared when they started high school. Peter hadn’t expected to see him again, until that is, he was his randomized roommate. Ned and Peter drew the short stick and ended up with randomized roommates for their first year of college. Peter was disappointed until he saw Harry.
They reconnected quickly, and eventually that led to a relationship. Peter’s first serious relationship. They decided to room together their second year too. And it had been going super well!
At least Peter thought so.
“It was an accident!” Harry yelled.
Peter’s jaw dropped. “An accident? He didn’t accidentally trip and fall into your bed, Harry!”
Harry laughed hysterically, his eyebrows furrowing. “So what, you're just gonna throw it away? A year down the drain?”
Peter’s fists clenched. “I’m not the one sleeping with other people!” He argued, feeling very vulnerable.
“It was a moment of weakness!”
“Who’s to say you won’t do this again? Who’s to say you haven’t been already?”
Harry threw his hands in the air, as if Peter was the one being impossible. “I’m saying it!”
“I can’t trust you!” Peter finally shouted. That had been his last straw. His face melted into a puddle of tears and misery. His boyfriend had cheated on him. His boyfriend had cheated on him in their dorm.
They joked at the start of the year that this would be like living together. In a way it was. It would be their first shot at anything serious.
There was a thick, long silence in the air. Harry moved across the room, and attempted to grab Peter’s wrist.
Peter flinched and slapped his hand away. “Don’t touch me,” he sneered.
He was hurt and angry and embarrassed. He couldn’t believe he let someone in again.
Without a second of hesitation, he pulled his duffel bag out from underneath his bed and filled it with clothes. He grabbed his backpack and charger and was out the door.
“Peter, wait!” Harry called, chasing him into the hallway.
Peter spun around so fast he got dizzy. “What now?”
Harry deflated. “Where are you going?”
“I don’t think that’s any of your business.”
Peter stormed off. And he couldn’t even bring himself to feel bad about the plane tickets for tomorrow. That Harry had paid for and that Peter wouldn’t use now.
Harry could take Jake to California.
—
Steve stood in the elevator with a smile. He was at his happiest dating Tony. It had been a few years after they all settled the accords, and he finally gained the courage to ask him out. At first, Tony laughed, and Steve was filled with embarrassment.
And then Tony realized Steve was being serious, and he sobered himself up quickly. Turns out he was still nervous that Steve hated him. After a long discussion, they decided that this is what they both wanted.
That was about two months ago. Now Steve stood, holding a bouquet of lilies, Tony’s favorite flower. Today was date night, and he’d placed a reservation at that Italian place Tony liked. It was supposed to be a surprise.
He hadn’t been expecting to find his boyfriend passed out on the couch, wrapped in what looked like Peter’s blankets. Head resting on the back of the couch, breathing easily. He blinked as the elevator closed behind him. The lights were low, the setting they were usually on when Peter was overstimulated.
He glanced at the TV, which was playing The Last Jedi. Peter was definitely here. But glancing around, the teenager was nowhere in sight.
Shouldn’t he be with his boyfriend right now?
Steve smiled softly. He could manage with this. The placed the bouquet on the coffee table had leaned down to wake up Tony, shaking him lightly. Tony jerked awake.
“Peter?” He blinked owlishly, “oh. Steve? Crap what time is it? Where’s Peter?”
Steve’s eyes creased. “I’m not sure. I just got here. Did something happen?”
Tony rubbed his eyebrow with his index and thumb. “Friday?”
“Peter is in his bathroom’s shower, Boss.”
Tony’s shoulders slumped in what looked like relief. “Good. Okay, yeah.” Then he looked at Steve, and guilt filled his face. “Oh Steve, I think we might have to cancel date night.”
Understanding, because when it came to Peter, his safety was always first. “Of course,” he sat down in what was probably Peter’s spot, and placed a hand on his knee. Tony grabbed it. “Peter won’t be going to California with Harry this week. He cheated on him today.”
A strange filling filled Steve. He wanted to get up and drive to Massachusetts and give someone a piece of his mind. Or fist. Probably his fist.
“What?” He says instead.
Tony laughs bitterly. “Yeah I said the same thing. I wanna kill him.”
Steve squeezed his hand and frowned. “Is Peter okay?”
Tony cringed. “I’m worried. I never trusted Osborn,” he said with disgust. “Not his father or him. I can’t believe he’d do this to him. Kid’s really hurt.”
“Your instinct was right then,” Steve offered.
Tony scoffed. “It always is. I hate that.”
Steve sighed softly, rubbing his leg. “Well. The only thing we can really do is just be there for him, right?” He nodded at the TV, “looks like you’re doing pretty good with that already huh?”
Tony snorted. “Can’t believe I fell asleep on him.”
“He should be fine. Friday said he was in the shower.”
“Peter has just finished his shower and is on his way back.”
Steve smiled at his concerned boyfriend. “See?”
Peter returned to the living room to find Steve cradling Tony’s cheek on the couch. His face scrunched up. “Ew don’t do that in front of me, I’ll barf.”
Steve laughed, “hey Pete, how are you feeling?”
Peter plopped down on the couch beside Tony, not worried about Steve taking his spot. “Couldn’t be better,” he choked sarcastically. He was most definitely Tony’s kid.
Tony moved to hug Peter. He kissed his wet curls. “Well he through this, kiddie.”
Peter laughed slightly, holding Tony’s arm, which was wrapped around his shoulders. “Thanks, Tony.”
Tony released him and relaxed on the couch. “So what do you guys say? Movie night? Wanna keep this going?”
“I’m in,” Steve agreed.
Peter just shrugged.
Tony’s eyes zeroed on the coffee table. “Hey, are those for me?”
Steve snapped to what he was looking at and grinned. “Oh yeah! I bought you lilies. I should probably cancel that reservation though.”
Tony gave him a very soft and sappy smile. “Aw Steve. Thanks hon.”
Peter sat up. “Wait. Did you guys have a date night planned?”
Tony used his hand to push Peter to sit back down. “Yes. But this is more important now.”
“But-“
“Shut up, kid. We’re doing movie night.”
Peter fought a smile.