Archive of Our Own

[Redacted] Lukas Parker is seventeen years old and a transgender male who uses he/they pronouns.

He goes by Peter at school, but not at home, since their Aunt May is transphobic.  He wears space or science-themed graphic t-shirts and blue or black jeans most days, but Aunt May makes them wear dresses for formal occasions.  He hates it when she does that since it causes dysphoria and mental stress.

“Hey, Aunt May!  Guess what?”

May looks up from her textbook, a slightly annoyed look on her face.  The textbook is for work, and she needs to finish it.  

“What, [Redacted]?”

“I got the Stark internship.  My name is Peter.”

May ignores Peter’s correction, only acknowledging their first statement.  “Good.  When do you start?”

“I start in two weeks on Monday.”

Peter’s wearing nail polish in the colors of the transgender Pride flag.  (his thumbs and pinkies are blue; his index and ring are pink, and his middles are white.)

“What’s on your hands?”

Shit, shit, shit, Peter thinks.  She’s not supposed to know.  Many people paint their nails.  Why is she asking me?  She thinks I’m a girl. Why is that…Oh.  Oh, no.  The colors.  The damn colors.

“Oh...Uhm…MJ did my nails on Thursday when Ned and I were at her house.  I liked these colors.”

May gives Peter a doubtful look.

“What are you trying to tell me?  I know those colors are something God disagrees with.”

“I’m a boy, Aunt May.  I always have been, even when you forced me into dresses for my birthdays.”

“[Redacted] Parker, you are a girl.  This whole ‘I’m a boy’ thing is a phase.  If you choose to continue this charade, you may do it outside my house.”

“My middle name is Lukas.”

“That’s a boy’s name.  I don’t know why your Dad chose that.”

“He chose it because he knew I was a boy!”

With that point made, Peter grabs their backpack and suitcase, which they put all their belongings into.

Peter walks out, slamming the door behind them and trying to wipe away the tears.  He walks for about six blocks, then finds his phone and calls Happy.

“C- Can you come get me?  I don’t know where I am, b- but you could track my phone.”

“On my way.”  Peter can hear the engine of one of Tony’s cars starting in the background.

Happy pulls up a bit later, calming Peter enough to get them in the car.

“What’s wrong, kiddo?”

“I’m no longer safe at May’s.  I got kicked out.  I’m trans, and she’s transphobic.  Says God disagrees with it.”

“Trans?”

“Transgender.  I was born a girl, but I identify as a boy.  Can you call Dad?”

Happy looks confused, then understands and dials Tony, who picks up on the first ring.

“Hey, Tony.  I have Peter with me, and I’m going to drop him off at your place.  Is that okay?”

Peter visibly relaxes when Tony answers, and you can see the tension leave his face.

“Yeah.  That’s fine.  You know you don’t have to ask when it comes to Peter.  What happened?”

“I’ll let Peter explain when we get there.  I won't force him to say it over the phone.”

“Okay.  See you in a bit.  Bye.”

“Dad.  Wait.”

Tony sounds slightly surprised when Peter calls him Dad.

“Yes, kid?”

“Can you keep talking?  I don’t care what it’s about, just keep talking.”

“We could work in the lab and you could earn extra internship hours, or we could be lazy and watch Star Wars and eat junk food.  Take your pick, kiddo.”

Peter sighs.  “Star Wars and junk food.  We can work in the lab another day.”

“Okay, Pete.  Whatever you want.  Which one?”

“Star Wars IV: A New Hope.”

“Alright.  See you in five.”

*two years earlier* 

"Hey, May!  FRIDAY, let May Parker and her niece through."

"Yes, Boss."

"May, who's this lovely young lady with you?"

“This is my niece, [Redacted].  She just turned fifteen.  She loves STEM and attends Midtown School of Science and Technology.  She’s here to apply for an SI internship.”

Peter tensed when May introduced them, not liking her choice of words.  After a few minutes, May left, having other things she needed to attend to.

Peter’s voice is quiet, almost a whisper.  “Mr. Stark….I prefer the name Peter, and I’d like to use he/they pronouns. Everything else Aunt May said still applies.”

Tony nods, gently putting a hand on Peter’s shoulder.

“Okay, kid.  I’ll call you Peter instead.”

“Thank you, Mr. Stark.”

“Kid, don’t call me ‘Mr. Stark’.  It makes me feel old.  Call me Tony.”

“Okay, Mr. Stark.”

Tony rolls his eyes, tutting.  “Ah, ah, ah.  My name’s Tony.  Can you say ‘Tony’?  To-ny.”

Peter shakes his head.  “Mr. Stark.”

Tony huffs.  “Okay, we’re going to play that game, huh?  Mr. Parker.”

Peter just smiles, happy at being called a boy.  “Thanks, Mr. Stark.”

Tony sighs, seeing that it’s clear he won’t win this battle.  “Come on, kid.  Let’s go see where you’re going to work.”

“Okay.”

*back to the present*

“Hang on, kid.  Your Mom wants to talk to me.  Lucky, can you talk to the kid?” 

Another voice comes on the line.

“Hey, you’re Peter, right?”

Peter looks confused, but answers nonetheless.

“This is him.  Who’s this?”

Lucky chuckles.  “Sorry, sorry.  My name is Lucky Stark.  I’m genderfluid and currently using they/them pronouns.”

Peter looks confused.  “Lucky Stark?  Dad never mentioned a sibling.”

Lucky is briefly confused about who ‘Dad’ is, then calls Tony over to explain.

“Tony, who’s ‘Dad’?  I’m confused.”

“Pepper and I are in the process of adopting Peter.  I’m their dad, or I will be very soon.  Don’t tell the team about this.  They don’t know yet.”

Lucky is surprised to hear this, having not expected it.  They were expecting more of a mentor-intern relationship, but that idea was shattered when Peter called Tony ‘Dad’.

“Oh.  That’s why you’ve been gone so long some days.  Well, Peter, it’ll be good to have you in the family.”

Tony smiles, and Peter swears he can hear it over the phone.  Steve’s voice comes over the phone.

“Tony, Morgan took my shield to go sledding!”

Morgan laughs, her voice is happy and high-pitched.  “You left it there, Uncle Steve!”

“I did not!  You went looking for it!  I put it away so you wouldn’t find it!”

Lucky grins.  “Morgan, just give him the damn shield back.”

“Language, Lucky!  There’s a child under the age of five here!  We don’t need her learning this yet.  Wait a few more years and then we’ll see.”

Lucky simply rolls their eyes, muttering, “Ah, vete a la mierda.” (Ah, fuck off), yet smiles back, which Steve takes as an ‘Okay, fine.’

Morgan makes a pout face but slides the shield back across the floor, where it stops at Steve’s feet, and he bends to pick it up, tucking it under his arm.  Lucky turns their attention back to Peter.

“You almost here, kid?  That was Tony’s daughter, Morgan.  She’s four, and already a smartass.”

“Happy and I are almost there, just a few blocks away.  I guess I have a sibling.”

“Do you want me to meet you outside?”

“Sure.  Have both Mom and Dad meet me outside with Morgan.”

Lucky sounds confused.  “I know who ‘Dad’ is, but who’s ‘Mom’?”

Peter smiles, having remembered that this is all new to Lucky.

“Pepper, sorry.  I forgot Dad never told you about the whole adoption thing or me before now.”

“I have all my stuff if you want to help me take it to my room when we arrive.”

Lucky nods.  “Sure.  I think you’re next to Vision.  He’s… a little strange.  Not big on doors…" Their voice drops, "or walls.”

Vision’s voice says, “I heard my name?”

Tony walks into the room, picking up Morgan.  “You did, Vision.  Peter’s room was supposed to be next to yours, but it’s between mine and Morgan’s.”

Vision sounds confused.  “I don’t remember meeting someone named Peter. Could you elaborate?” 

Tony has to grin at Vision’s obvious (and hilarious) confusion.  “You haven’t met them yet, but you will when he gets here.”

Vision is confused by Lucky using both ‘them’ and ‘he’ for Peter.

“What pronouns does this ‘Peter’ use?”

The small, amused grin disappears, and Tony genuinely full-on smiles at Vision’s apparently innocent question.  “Peter uses he/they pronouns.  I see you’re working on your social skills.  Good job.”

Happy pulls into the garage where Tony, Pepper, Morgan, and Lucky are waiting.  As soon as the car is parked, Peter opens the door and gets out, not bothering to close it behind him just yet.

“Peter!”

“Dad!”

Peter launches themself at Tony, tackling him for a hug.

“Oof!  It’s good to see you, too, kid.  Maybe a little less Spidey-strength, though.”

“Sorry.  Hi, Mom.  Hi, Morgan.  Hi, Lucky.  My name’s Peter, and I use he/they pronouns.  What pronouns do you use?”  

Lucky grins. This is the first time they’ve been asked that question in a while.  Most people assume they’re male due to their appearance and use he/him when referring to them.  This bothers them a lot unless it’s a Lukas day.

“Well, it varies.  I’m genderfluid, but as of right now?  They/them pronouns, please.”

“Okay.  I’ll try to remember that.  What should I call you?  Aunt Lucky?”

Lucky smiles.  “When I’m female, it would be Aunt Lucia.  When I’m male, it would be Uncle Lukas.  Right now, it would be Nini Lucky or just Lucky.  Either one.  I don’t care.”  

Peter grabs his suitcase and walks upstairs, with Tony closely following, keeping his kid within arm’s reach.  Tony always does this when Peter meets someone new, in case something happens.  Tony’s protective of Peter like that, even with someone he knows and trusts, like Lucky.  (He did it with Pepper, Morgan, and the team, so this isn’t the first time.)  Peter doesn’t mind; it gives them more time with his Dad.

“What do you think of Lucky?”

“I think they’re cool, so far.”

Peter’s room is neat, with a desk in one corner and a bed in the opposite one.  The walls are a shade of blue, with a few Avengers posters (mostly Iron Man) and Pride flags (the transgender flag and the rainbow flag) up on the walls from Peter’s previous stays at the Tower.

“What happened with May, kiddo?  Happy said you would explain once you got here; he didn’t want to pressure you into saying it over the phone.  You know you can tell me anything.”

Peter takes a deep breath, one hand lazily gesturing to the pair of Pride flags on the wall.

“I….I’m transgender, female to male.  She’s transphobic and kicked me out because of that.  I came here because I thought I would be safe.  Am I?”

At that moment, a lot of things mentally clicked for Tony.  That’s why he asked me to call them Peter and use he/they pronouns when I met him for the first time, Tony thinks.

“Peter Benjamin Parker, I would never, ever kick you out because you're transgender.  You’re my kid, and I respect and support who you are.  You’re always welcome here, regardless of who you are or what you identify as.  The only thing I care about is if you’re safe and happy.  Got it?”

Peter nods, hugging Tony with a little less Spidey strength than before.  Tony smiles and hugs Peter back, ruffling Peter’s curly brown hair.

As Tony gently squeezes Peter’s shoulder, he can feel the wide straps of Peter’s chest binder.

“Kid, how long have you been binding today?

Peter tilts his head slightly in confusion, then realizes Tony knows about the binding-for-more-than-eight-hours-a-day-and-bruising-his-ribs-in-the-process thing.  The bruising wasn’t usually that bad due to his fast healing.

“Six hours.  I can go for another two hours before I have to take it off.”  I’ve already been binding for eight hours.  If I go for another two, it’ll be ten, Peter thinks to himself.

Tony looks doubtful, raising an eyebrow.

“Okay, if you say so.  Do you want to tell the team about your situation?  They’re downstairs in the common area with Pep, Morgan, and Lucky.”

Peter nods, grabs their phone and a fidget from his backpack, tucks both in his pockets, and then follows Tony downstairs.

The team is in the common area, scattered around the room—Clint’s playing darts with Sam and Rhodey, and Nat’s drawing on the couch.  Morgan is sitting next to Nat, watching her draw.  Steve is making (yet another) pot of coffee in the kitchen.  Pepper is staring out the window, a now-cold, almost empty cup of coffee in her hands.

Tony walks in with Peter.  “Can I have everyone’s attention, please?”

Steve walks in, refilling Pepper’s coffee (for at least the fourth time) and setting the pot on the table.  Sam looks up, waving and signing to Clint to redirect his attention to Tony and Peter.

(BIRD.  FRIENDS WANT TALK.  PAY ATTENTION.)

After reading Sam’s signs and seeing Tony and Peter, Clint taps behind his left ear to turn his hearing aid back on.

Peter takes a second to pay attention to both Clint’s and Sam’s actions, realizing Clint is Deaf and would probably want Peter to sign.

“Hey, Stark.  What’s up?” Natasha says, gaining Morgan's attention, who smiles and jumps up to hug Tony.  Tony picks Morgan up and holds her on his hip, leaving one hand free.

Tony taps Peter on the shoulder with his free hand, who takes the cue and starts talking and signing.

“I’m never going back to May’s house again.  I’m living here now with Dad.”   (NEVER GO BACK M-A-Y-S HOUSE AGAIN.  LIVE HERE NOW WITH DAD.)

Clint looked slightly stunned; he had been expecting to have to speech-read the kid.  He didn’t know Peter could sign.  

Judging from the team’s astounded expressions (including Tony and Morgan), they didn’t know that either.  Clint’s more shocked that Peter’s talking with proper English grammar and proper ASL grammar simultaneously.  A lot of people confuse the two when they’re SimComming.

Pepper finally looks away from the window, a soft smile on her face.

“That’s good news, kid.  Do you have everything?”

“Yeah, she made me take all my stuff.”   (M-A-Y MAKE ME TAKE ALL MY THINGS.)

“Do I need to kill her?  Tell me if I do.”

Peter laughs, his hands moving fluidly as he speaks.

“No, not yet.  Dad and I still need her signatures on the papers.  Once Dad lets me back in the lab, I’m going to upgrade my suit.”

(NO KILL MAY, AUNT N-A-T.  DAD AND I STILL NEED SIGNATURES ON PAPERS.  GOING T-O UPGRADE S-U-I-T ONCE DAD ALLOWS ME BACK I-N LAB.)

Peter glosses right over the fact that they called Tony ‘Dad’ (three times) in front of the whole team.  Even though she was a former assassin, Natasha Romanoff had a mother-like side when it came to Peter and Morgan.

Bruce sets his drink down, tapping his fingers on the table to get Peter’s attention.

“Peter?”

Peter looks at Bruce, wondering what the man could want.

“Yeah?”

“Who’s your Dad?”

Peter looks confused, then realizes his mistake a second later and looks embarrassed, sprinting out of the room faster than Tony can say, “Kid, wait!”

“Seriously, guys?  You could’ve pretended that didn't happen.  Why’d you do that, Bruce?”

Bruce grinned.  “I was curious.  He called you Dad, so I wanted to know if he was your kid.  Besides, haven't you seen the kid?  He’s a mini-you.  Same hair, same eyes, hell, same personality.”

Tony groans.  “His last name’s Parker, for God’s sake.  Not Stark.  Yes, I noticed that.  I thought you all would be smart and mature enough not to bring it up, but apparently not.”

Bruce raises an eyebrow, looking at Tony over the rim of his drink.  “But it could be his mother’s maiden name.”  

“His mother’s maiden name was Fitzpatrick.”

Rhodey’s voice is skeptical.  “How do you know that, Tones?”

Tony sighs.  “It’s a long story."

“We have time.  Or I could look into your head.”

“I’m not telling, and no, Wanda cannot look in my head.  I have to go check on my kid.”

Sam stops Tony.  “Tony, you just called Peter ‘your kid.’ Are you sure he’s not yours?”

“Yeah, he’s not mine.  At least, not biologically.  May’s in the hospital, so I have temporary guardianship over the kid while she’s recovering.”

Now the team is staring even more than they were before.

“You have what over the kid, Tony?!”

Tony looks at the team.  “I’m Peter’s temporary guardian while May is recovering.  She entrusted me with him.  With May’s permission, Pepper and I are going to start the adoption process.”

The team looks to Pepper for confirmation, and she nods, taking a sip of her coffee.

“Tony’s right.  Peter called him to sign the temporary custody transfer paperwork two months ago.”

Natasha blinks.  “Two months?  Why are we only finding out about this now?”

Tony shrugs.  “You never asked.  You have to ask if you want an answer.”

Natasha sends Tony a death glare, and he flips her off with a laugh, walking out to find Peter.

*two months earlier…*

Peter was in the hospital waiting room when a social worker holding a tablet approached him.

“Hey, there, kiddo.  My name’s Sarah Ryder; I’m a social worker at the hospital.  Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.  My Aunt May’s here, and I have no one else.  I might have a friend who could, but it’s a maybe.”

“Could you call this friend and see if they can come sign the temporary guardianship papers while you’re here?”

Peter nods, pulls out his phone, and dials Tony, who picks up on the first ring (like he always did when Peter called).

“Hey, kid.  Why are you calling me at 2:00 AM?” 

“I’m at the hospital.”

Tony’s wide awake now.

“Why are you at the hospital, Spider?  Per favore, non far male al mio piccolo Ragno.”  

(Please don’t let my little Spider be hurt.)

“I’m okay, Da-Tony.”

Had Tony said his thoughts out loud?  He didn’t mean to; he didn’t even realize he was doing it.  How did Peter know what he said?  The last time he checked, Peter only knew English and ASL.

Another thing clicked in his mind:  Peter had almost called him ‘Dad’ in front of the social worker.  It was not a smart idea, especially since Peter was calling Tony.  If Peter was calling Tony about something as important as this, it either meant that Peter had exhausted all of his other options or it meant that Peter trusted Tony with his well-being.  After a minute, Tony concludes that it’s the latter, which Peter confirms a moment later.

“I’m underage, so I’m going to need a legal guardian while May is here.  I don’t have anyone else I trust enough to sign them.  I was wondering if you would come fill out the paperwork.”

Tony is getting dressed and trying to wake Pepper up so she knows where he’s going.

“Yeah.  On my way, kid.  Be there in forty-five to an hour.”

Much to the staff's utter shock, Tony arrives forty-five minutes later and fills out the paperwork.  Tony Stark, billionaire, former Playboy, philanthropist, and now (temporary) father, was filling out custody transfer paperwork in the lobby.  They couldn’t believe it.

Tony notices the stares and whispers, quickly fills out the paperwork, and practically drags Peter out the door.

“Come on, kid.  Pizza?”

Peter perks up, racing out to the car faster than Tony can blink.  If Tony promised pizza, he would leave.  He was hungry (it was 0300 in the morning; why would they not be hungry?) and knew Tony wouldn’t allow him to starve because of their fast metabolism.

*back to the present day*

Peter goes down to the lab with a hoodie in their backpack.  Though he doesn’t yet realize it, they’re wearing a black and green OsCorp t-shirt from a school field trip that happened a million years ago.  They got dressed in the dark this morning.  Tony looks up when they walk into the lab.

“Hey, kid.  How was - What the hell are you wearing??”

Peter looks down at their shirt, realizing what shirt they’re wearing.

“Uhhhhhh…I got dressed in the dark, Mr. Stark.  I just grabbed a shirt, honest.  It was from a field trip a million years ago.  I had a hoodie over it all day.  I only took it off because you don’t like strings dangling over the machinery.”

“Well, yeah, but that doesn’t explain why you own it, kid.  I will get you a new shirt, and I’ll be back in twenty.  By the time I get back, that shirt should be in the trash, where it belongs.”

True to his word, Tony returns twenty minutes later with a Peter-sized shirt from SI’s gift shop.  It’s a soft gray material, with SI HQ printed on the left breast in a black font.

“Dad, why does it have the SI logo on it?”

“It’s from the gift shop, kid.  Why would it not have the logo on it?”

Peter groans.  Tony realizes what Peter called him, then grins and goes back to work, tossing the SI shirt in Peter’s direction.  Peter catches it without looking and rips off the green OsCorp shirt, tossing it in the trash can by the door.

Tony mutters under his breath in fluent Italian.

“Peter Benjamin Lukas Parker-Stark sarà la mia morte. Perché i bambini sfidano sempre i loro padri? Nessun mio figlio verrà sorpreso a indossare qualcosa del genere.”

(Peter Benjamin Lukas Parker-Stark will be the death of me. Why do children always defy their fathers? No son of mine will be caught wearing something like that.)

Peter grins, pulling the red now-stringless MIT hoodie out of his backpack and slipping it over the new shirt.  “Why are you wearing that, kid?  You know the rules about hoodie strings.”  

Peter grins, knowing he’s about to reveal their secret.  “Because you said, ‘No son of mine will be caught wearing something like that,’ and the shirt’s from the gift shop, not yours.  The hoodie’s yours, and I lost the strings to it a while ago.  Do you see me as your son?”

Tony’s eyes widen in shock at the new information he’s been given.  “Y- You understood me?”

“May taught me Italian, so I learned it pretty young.  I take it you didn’t know that?”

“No, kid, I didn’t.  I thought you only knew English and ASL.  How many languages do you know, anyway?”

Peter thinks.  “English, Italian, ASL, Russian, and Sokovian.”

Tony's eyes widen in shock; he drops the tool he’s currently using, and it lands on the floor with a loud clatter.  “You know five languages?”

“Yeah.  ASL for Clint and Ned.  Italian for you and May, Russian and Sokovian for Aunt Nat and Aunt Wanda.  English for everyday use.”

“Why would you use ASL with Ned?  Last time I checked, he’s not deaf.”

“His younger sibling is deaf.  Before we met MJ, we would sign at lunch so we couldn’t be understood and keep talking, even while we were eating.  Now that we know MJ, we talk instead of signing so she understands what we’re talking about.  I think she’s learning ASL, though.”

Lukas sighs, setting down his phone and placing his head in his hands.  He wore a baggy hoodie, one Thor immediately recognized as his 'dysphoria hoodie'.  Thor had a hand on his shoulder, his familiar, slightly rumbling voice comforting Lukas somewhat.

"My love, whatever is the matter?"

Lukas smiles weakly, looking up at Thor.

"Oh, Thor.  I-it's just… It's hard sometimes… Being like this.  I don't deserve you…"

Lukas tears up, looking down.  Thor kneels, lifting Lukas' head slightly, smiling.

“Darling, I love you so much.  You do deserve me."

Lukas chuckled.

"Yeah… Yeah, you're right, love.  I'm so lucky to have you."

Lukas picked up his phone, which was ringing.

"Yeah, Tony?"

Tony can't help but chuckle at hearing his brother's voice.

"Luke, I'm headed back with the kid, but I need to focus on driving.  Talk to him."

Peter's voice comes over the line, shaking slightly, and Lukas can hear him struggling to breathe.

"Hey, Uncle Lukas… I-it's a code PA."

Lukas immediately understood, 'code PA'  being a term for panic attacks, he came up with for Peter and himself.

"Don't worry, kiddo.  We'll go out when you get home.  Ice cream?"

Peter shakes his head.

“No.  I just want to go home and eat ice cream and watch Star Wars with Dad.”

“Okay.  We can do that, too.”

Peter doesn't respond, but Lukas can hear his footsteps rushing toward him, and he whirls around, lifting Peter into the air.

"Oh!  Good to see you again, kiddo."

Tony laughed.  "I'll leave you to it."

Lukas pulls Peter up, humming a pride song.

Peter goes upstairs to his room, grabbing his Loop earplugs, phone, and one of his many fidget cubes.  He heads back down, earplugs in place and phone in hand.  The fidget cube is in his pocket.

“Peter, can you hear us?”

Peter nods.  “They block out background noise and allow conversation.” 

“Hey, Peter.”

“Yeah?”

“I have a surprise for you.  Get in the car and we’ll go.  Lukas, you can come if you want to.  We’ll get ice cream afterward.”

“Where are we going?”

Tony huffs out a laugh.  “I just said it was a surprise, kid.”

Tony starts the car and drives toward Great Clips.  Peter’s brain short-circuits when Tony pulls into the parking lot.

“Come on, kid.  You said you wanted your hair cut; I’m giving you the chance to get it done.”

Peter’s not nervous; it’s simply that this is the last thing he expected, Tony - Oh, who was he kidding?  - Dad to do.  He was still getting used to calling Tony ‘Dad’ instead of ‘Mr. Stark' or the occasional ‘Tony’.

Lukas shakes his shaggy black-brown hair out of his eyes.

"C'mon, Peter.  We can do it together."

The familiar scent of aftershave and hair products filled the air as they entered the barbershop.  The barber, a dark-haired woman with a kind smile, greeted them warmly.

“Hello there!  What can I do for you today?”

Peter took a seat in the chair, looking at his reflection.

“I want to cut it short,” he said, his voice steady.

Taking a breath, he decides he can trust her when he sees the Pride pin on her shirt.

“I’m trans, and this is the first step to my social transition.”

The barber nodded, understanding the significance of the moment.

“Got it.  Let’s make it look great.”

Tony and Lukas took seats nearby, watching as the barber began to work.  Tony leaned back, crossing his arms.

“You know, Pete, I think this will suit you.”

Peter smiled, feeling the weight of his hair falling away.

“Thanks, Dad.  I think so too.”

“And hey, if you don’t like it, we can always get you a cool hat.”

The small room was filled with laughter, easing the tension.  As the barber finished, Peter looked at his new reflection.  His hair was short, framing his face in the right way.  He felt lighter, more himself.

Tony stood up, clapping a hand on Peter’s shoulder.

“Looks good, kid.”

Peter grinned, feeling a surge of confidence.

“Thanks, Dad.  Thanks, Uncle Lukas.”

As they left the barbershop and headed to the ice cream shop, Peter felt a sense of freedom and excitement for the future.  With Tony and Lukas by his side, he knew he could face anything.

(It’s a Thursday afternoon, shortly after 4:30, about 4:45ish.  Peter has just gotten home from school.)

"F.R.I.D.A.Y., where's Spider-Baby?"

"Spider-Baby, aka Peter Parker, is currently in his private bathroom and is stuck in his chest binder.  Would you like me to tell him you are looking for him?"

"No, just tell him I'll help him if he wants me to."

F.R.I.D.A.Y. relays the message to Peter, who asks for Nat's assistance. She slips into the bathroom, locking the door behind her.

Turning to face Peter, she softly gasps. The binder he's currently wearing is a size too small and is worn quite thin in some places, especially along the spine.  Nat grabs a knife from her boot.

"I'm going to have to cut this off. OK, buddy?" Peter looks horrified, trying to grab the knife from Nat.

"Мама-паук, no.  I have school tomorrow, and this is the only one I have.  I don't want Dad to spend any more money on me than he has to.  Binders aren't cheap."

"Your dad is a literal billionaire, Peter.  Besides, you and I know he'd sacrifice the universe for you if that's what it took for you to feel safe.  This one is too small.  You know the rules about proper binding and wearing the right size binder.  If they’re too small, they can bruise your ribs.”

Peter huffs in annoyance as Nat slips the knife up along Peter's spine, and he gasps at the cool metal against his back.  Nat grabs a pair of sports bras that Peter keeps under the counter.  Still staring at the wall, Peter grabbed a clean shirt from his closet.

"Peter."

Peter glances up at Nat, fidgeting with the cuff of his hoodie.

"Go down to the lab when you're done.  Tony has something to show you."

"Boss, Spider-Baby is on his way down as you requested."

Tony nods and sets his project aside. He finds a pair of boxes he had tucked away to prevent Peter from finding them. A minute later, Peter shuffles out of the elevator, which Tony finds odd since Peter normally runs out like an excited puppy.

"You're not in trouble, kid.  I made something I think you'll like."

The tension seems to leave Peter's face once he realizes he's not in trouble, and he looks relieved.

Tony waves Peter over to the workbench.  Handing Peter a box, he smiles. 

"I made these for you and me; a set.  I think you'll like them."

Opening the box, Peter finds a plain black bracelet—no identification of any kind, no labels, nothing.  But wait - looking on the inside, he sees what looks like a heart rate tracker and a charging port.

"What's this?  I don't understand."

"I know we both have panic attacks.  I also know a steady rhythm calms you.  Put it on."

Peter takes it out, slipping it on his small wrist.  It's a little big at first, then automatically sizes itself so it's snug against his wrist.  Tony takes his out and slips it on, sizing it to fit his wrist.  Once Tony has the other one on, Peter can feel the bracelet start to faintly thump in time with - was that Tony's heart?  He could just barely hear it, but yes!  It was indeed matching the rhythm of Tony's heart.

“It alerts the other user when you’re having a panic attack.  I hope it stays on.  If it gets taken off or damaged, FRIDAY alerts me.”

“Thank you, Dad.  I love it.  That’s okay with me; I don’t plan on taking it off anytime soon.”

Tony ruffles Peter’s hair.  “You’re welcome, kiddo.  I love you, too.”

The next week, Peter goes to school with the bracelet on, hidden under his left sleeve.

He makes it through most of the day, avoiding Flash’s teasing by keeping  MJ by his side.  At recess, she goes to the library to study for an upcoming exam, and Flash pounces on the opportunity to tease Peter.

“Hey, Penis!”

Peter sighs.  Now was not the time for this.  Before he can react to his Spider-Sense going off, Flash shoves him against the concrete wall outside. Peter’s sleeve rides up, exposing the bracelet.  Flash decides to rip it off.

“Only girls wear bracelets, Penis.  Are you a girl?”

Peter gasps for breath, a hand reaching for the remains of the bracelet.  “N - no!”

Tony’s phone buzzes in the middle of a meeting.  He excuses himself from the room to check and is surprised to find it’s Peter’s bracelet, saying it’s been removed and destroyed.  He immediately knows something is wrong because Peter had said they didn't plan on taking it off.  Also, Peter wouldn't destroy something Tony gave him.

“Merda.” (shit.)

He walks back into the room, an apologetic look on his face.  “I apologize for having to cut this meeting short, but I need to go.  My son is in trouble at school.”

Tony steps outside, ordering FRIDAY to deploy the Mark LX (60) Nano-Suit and letting the cool feeling of the nano-suit envelop him before flying toward Peter’s school.

Peter’s still outside, sitting against the concrete wall.  There’s a teacher there, keeping an eye on him.  There are fading bruises on his arms.  After a moment, the teacher spots Tony walking over to Peter as the suit folds back into the Arc Reactor.

“Iron Man?!  What are you doing here?”

“What the hell happened to my kid?”

“Your kid?”

Tony sighs, running a hand down his face in frustration.

“Yes, my kid.  Their name is Peter Benjamin Lukas Parker-Stark.  Are you going to keep parroting my words back to me, or are you going to tell me what happened?”

Peter waves with one hand to get Tony’s attention, then signs, F-l-a-s-h.

Tony looks like he wants to kill someone, particularly Flash Thompson.

“I'm going to kill him for messing with my kid,” Tony muttered, although it was loud enough for Peter to hear.

“If we deal with it now and FRIDAY doesn’t have all the video, it’ll be written off as an accident.”

Tony nods, understanding Peter’s reasoning.

“Hey, kiddo.  Come here.”  Tony walks over to Peter and hugs them, running a hand through their short brown curls to soothe them.

“Shhh, bambino. We can make another one, okay?  It's okay, we'll make you another if you like it that much.”

Peter nods, sniffling.  “Okay.  Can we go home?  I want to go home and be in the lab and watch Star Wars for the rest of the day.”

Tony nods.  “Yeah, kid.  We can do that.  I have to sign you out first, though, okay?  That means going back inside.  Come on.”

Peter nods, his voice a whisper.  “Yeah, okay.  I have to get my stuff from my locker anyway.”

Tony nods.  “Where’s your backpack?”

“In my locker.  I always leave it in my locker during lunch.”

“Good idea.  Come on.”

“Peter, we have to go!”

“I’m coming!”

Peter quickly straightened his hair, making sure he had his phone, Loop earplugs, and his new heart bracelet.  Once they were in the car, Tony handed Peter the pronoun pin he always wore, clipping his own on and handing Pepper hers.  After a moment, Lucky joins them, wearing a gray suit similar to Peter’s, but with a tie like Tony’s.  They have a ‘they/them’ pronoun pin pinned to their jacket.

The grand ballroom was filled with the hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses.  Peter stood beside Tony, trying to blend in with the crowd.  He was still getting used to these high-profile events, but having Tony by his side made it a lot easier, especially in large events like this.

As they moved through the room, a distinguished-looking man approached them.  “Tony, good to see you,” he said, extending a hand.

“Good to see you, too, Mr. Roderiguez.”

The man gestures to Pepper, Peter, and Lucky.  “And who are your friends?”

Tony smiled, placing a hand on Peter’s shoulder.  “This is my son, Peter; my wife, Pepper, and my younger sibling, Lucky.”

Peter’s eyes widened slightly, but he managed to keep their composure.  The man nodded approvingly.

“Nice to meet you, Peter.  You’ve got a great father.  It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Stark.”

Pepper shakes his hand.  “My last name’s Potts.  Pepper Potts, wife of Tony Stark,” Pepper said in a calm and confident voice.

“Ah, sorry about that.  It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Potts.  It’s nice to meet you, Lucky.  And you, Peter.  You have a good father.”

Peter shook the man’s hand, feeling a mix of emotions.

“Thank you, sir.”

The rest of the evening passed in a blur of introductions and conversations.  Peter couldn’t stop thinking about what Tony had said.  When they finally left the event and walked back to the car, Peter couldn’t hold back any longer.

“Mr. Stark, why did you say that?”  he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Tony rolled his eyes, putting a hand on Peter’s shoulder and gently squeezing.

Tony stopped and turned to face him, his expression serious but warm.

“I said that because it’s true, kid.”

Peter felt a lump in his throat.

“But… I’m not your son.”

Tony placed a hand on Peter’s shoulder, looking him straight in the eyes.  “You may not be my son by blood, but you’re my son in every way that matters.  You’ve been through a lot, and you’ve come out stronger.  I’m proud of you, Peter.”

Peter felt tears welling up in his eyes.

“Thanks, Mr. Stark.  That means more than you know.”

Tony’s eyes softened, and he pulled Peter into a brief, tight hug.

“Anytime, kid.  Now, let’s get home.”

(In Lukas and Thor's room)

Lukas is cutting his hair, humming to himself as he does so.  After finishing up, he runs his hand through the short mass of fluffy hair.  "Hey, Thor.  Should I dye my hair?"

Thor wraps his arms around Lukas from behind.  "If you want.  In my own opinion, red would suit you.  Like an ombre.”

Lukas smiles.  "Red, yeah.  I can go to Adam's for that.  Like a deep, ruby-red." "Perfect."

Lukas walks down to the main floor of the Tower, waving at Peter.

“¿Hola, qué tal?”  (Hey!  How are you?)

Peter laughs.  "I'm doing good, Uncle Lukas.  See you later.”

Lukas walks out, heading to his best friend's spa.  As he enters, the sharp smell of acetone, the repetitive "bzz-tk'' of the tattoo guns, and the gentle scent of shampoo meld into a comforting swirl.  This was Lukas' favorite place.  Adam's Spa.  He waves at Mary, a spa tech he’s worked with before.

"Hey, Mary!"

"Lukas!  What can I do for you?"

He sits down, grinning, "Red ombre fade. Dark red." Mary leans the chair back, starting to wash Lukas' hair. 

"Parker would love to be here.”

“¿Cómo está tu sobrino? Peter, ¿no?”  (How’s your nephew?  Peter, right?)

Lukas grins.

"He's good.  He got his haircut.  Hmm."

He sighs happily, leaning back as Mary washes his hair.

“Eugene doesn’t believe my internship is real.”

“That’s not my name, Penis!  My name’s Flash!”

“Peter, what did that kid just call you?”

“His ‘nickname’ for me is ‘Penis’ Parker.  I’ve told him to stop, but he won’t.”

“I’m coming up to the school to stop this. I won't have anyone insulting my kid.”

Peter’s face pales, and his eyes widen.

“Dad, no.  Please.  Don’t do this.  I would have to miss Chemistry class with Mr. Harrington.  You know I love that class.”

“Nope.  You can’t talk me out of this one.  I’m not standing for someone bullying my kid.  Be there in an hour with your mother.  Chemistry class be damned, your grades for that class are amazing.  You can miss one class, Spider.  If you want to, you can ask the teacher for make-up work.”

Peter sighs, resigning himself to his fate.  Tony hangs up the phone, calling Pepper to meet him in the garage, and for Happy to drive them to Midtown.  Tony’s car pulls up outside the school an hour later, and he texts Peter, telling (not asking) him to meet him in the front office now.

(“In the front office with your mother.  Get down here.  Now.”)

Peter’s dreading this, but is also glad something is finally happening, considering the teachers have ignored his constant complaints.

“Peter Parker to the front office.  Peter Parker to the front office for a PTC.”

“Oooh, Penis is in trouble!!”

“Eugene Thompson to the front office.  Eugene Thompson to the front office for a PTC.”

“Aw, fuck!”

“Language, Thompson!  Go, both of you.  Don’t cause any trouble.  Take your stuff; it’s almost the end of the day.”

Peter meets Tony in the front office, and a starstruck receptionist is staring at the fact that Tony Stark and Pepper Potts are standing in the front office of a high school, asking for a meeting with the principal and to pull two students out of class for a meeting concerning bullying.  As well as to call the parents of the other student, to tell them what’s been going on.

When Tony and Pepper walk in, Flash stares, single-handedly digging in his backpack for a pen and paper.

“Mr. Stark, can I have your autograph?”

Tony glances over at Flash with a sigh, knowing he’s been bullying Peter.

“Later.  Maybe after the meeting, Eugene.”

Peter waves, walking over to Tony and standing next to him.  “Hey, Dad.  Hey, Mom.”  Tony gently ruffles Peter’s chocolate curls, the barest hints of a smile ghosting his face when Peter ever-so-slightly leans into the light touch.

Now, the receptionist is glancing between Tony, Pepper, and Peter.

Tony has his eyes on Flash when it clicks, so he gets to see it all: the eyes widening, the jaw drops, the color draining from his face as he realizes the kid he bullies is the kid of the most well-known genius billionaire philanthropist and his wife; and because of that, he’s in a boatload of trouble.

Peter’s not biologically Tony and Pepper’s kid, but if you didn’t know that, you would think Peter was Tony's biological son.  Peter was the mirror image of a young Tony.  Same hair color, the same eyes, and even a few similar personality traits.

Flash facepalms; he can feel his face getting hot, and he mumbles a rather pathetic “Sorry.  I won’t do it again, I promise.  I swear to Spider-Man.”

Peter manages to disguise a laugh as a cough.  Flash’s love for Spider-Man was ironic, especially since Peter, the kid he bullied, was Spider-Man.

Tony smirks, then takes the paper and pen from Flash, signs it with a flourish in blue ink, and hands it back to him.

“Is that enough to get you to stop bullying my kid?”

Flash freezes, staring at the signed paper in his hands.  He wants to say yes, but he also wants to say no.

The receptionist’s gaze darts between Peter, Tony, and Pepper, and they clear their throat, getting Tony and Pepper’s attention.

“Excuse me, but could you clarify the relationship between the three of you?  For administrative purposes.”

Peter’s about to say something when Tony speaks up, his gaze still on Flash.

“My wife and I are Peter’s parents.  It should be in their school records.  I’ll come by after the meeting if it’s not and update it.”

Tony reaches for Peter’s hand, discreetly slipping Peter the pronoun pin they wore to events and meetings. The receptionist sighs, reaching for a pen to write the information down.

“Alright.  If you go to the parent conference room, his parents will join you when they arrive.  It’s right across the hall.  Thompson, sit down!  Stay put until your parents or guardians get here.”

Tony, Pepper, and Peter walk into the parent conference room, taking seats at the large table.  Tony’s eyes scan the room, noting the sterile decor and the faint smell of cleaning products.  Peter fidgets nervously beside Tony.  Pepper sits beside Tony, her presence calm and reassuring.

Peter’s school uniform is neat, with a pronoun pin that reads “he/they” in bold white font on a black background. Tony, dressed in a sharp gray and white suit, wears a matching pin on his left breast, but with “he/him” instead.  Pepper, in a sleek business outfit, has a pin that reads “she/her.”

About twenty minutes later, the door opens, and Eugene “Flash” Thompson walks in, followed by his parents.  Flash’s parents look visibly annoyed, their expressions stern.  Flash, however, looks smug, as if he believes he’s untouchable.

Peter can feel the hairs on every part of his body rise, and he swears a chill runs through the room.  He knows it’s Flash triggering it, so he ignores it.

However, the moment they see Tony Stark and Pepper Potts sitting at the table, their expressions change.  Flash’s smug look falters, replaced by a mix of surprise and apprehension.

His parents stopped in their tracks, their annoyance turning to pure shock and surprise.

“Mr. Stark?  Ms. Potts?” Flash’s father stammers, clearly taken aback.  “What are you doing here?”

The principal, Mr. Harris, enters the room, closes the door behind him, and simultaneously interrupts the line of questions Flash’s father had for Tony.

He takes a seat at the head of the table, folding his hands in front of him.

“Thank you all for coming,” Mr. Harris begins, his tone serious.

Tony leans back in his chair, his gaze fixed on Flash.

“We’re here because your son has been bullying our kid.  And we’re not going to let it continue.”

Pepper adds, her voice calm but firm, “We take this very seriously.  No child should have to endure what Peter has been through.”

Flash’s mother looks at her son, her expression stern.

“Eugene, is this true?”

Flash, now looking decidedly less confident after being confronted by a genius billionaire, mumbles, “It was just a joke.”

“A joke?”

Pepper’s voice is firm.

“Calling someone ‘Penis Parker,’ misgendering and deadnaming them on purpose, and making their life miserable is not a joke.  It’s transphobia and harassment.  It stops now.  Do you understand me?”

The principal nods in agreement.  “This kind of behavior is unacceptable, and there will be consequences.”

Tony taps the table to get their attention.  “I have evidence of these allegations.  Nobody messes with my kid.  Especially one who thinks he’s above the school rules,” Tony adds, his voice unwavering.  Pepper places a comforting hand on Peter’s shoulder, her eyes filled with concern.

Peter waves to get Tony’s attention and signs.

F-l-a-s-h has been doing this all four years here at M-i-d-t-o-w-n.  I thought I could handle it.  He’s shoved me into my locker hard enough t-o bruise and purposely m-i-s-g-e-n-d-e-r-e-d me one t-o-o many times.  He took i-t t-o-o far.

Tony’s eyes widened in disbelief at the new information before he translated Peter’s signs for the group.

“Flash has been doing this all four years I’ve been here at Midtown.  I thought I could handle it.  He’s shoved me into my locker hard enough to bruise and purposely misgendered me one too many times.  He took it too far.”

Tony’s mind is racing with this new information.  His kid has been physically, verbally, and emotionally bullied for years, and he thought they could handle it alone?  Tony’s resolve hardens even more.  Pepper looks at Peter with a mix of concern and determination.

Peter, you should have told us sooner.  We could've d-e-a-l-t with it.

Flash, oblivious to the signed response, listens as his parents berate him for his treatment of Peter.

Flash’s parents exchange a glance, their concern evident.  “We’ll make sure he understands the gravity of his actions,” Flash’s father says, his voice firm.  “This won’t happen again.”

Mr. Harris nods in agreement.  “Bullying is a serious offense, and we have a zero-tolerance policy.  Eugene, you will face disciplinary action for your behavior.”

Tony looks at Peter, who gives him a small, grateful smile.  “FRIDAY, play the evidence,” Tony commands.

A moment later, FRIDAY’s voice fills the room.  “Playing video evidence now, Boss.” The screen on the wall lights up, showing multiple clips of Flash shoving Peter into his locker, calling him names, misgendering him, and making their life miserable.  The room falls silent as the evidence plays; the severity of Flash’s actions is undeniable.

Flash’s reaction to the evidence is one of shock and disbelief.  As the video clips play, showing him shoving Peter into lockers, calling him names, misgendering him, and making their life miserable, Flash’s face pales.  He shifts uncomfortably in his seat, his earlier smugness completely gone.  The reality of his actions is laid bare for everyone to see, and he can’t deny the severity of his behavior any longer.

Flash’s parents, watching the footage, look horrified and deeply disappointed.  They exchange glances, their concern for their son’s actions evident.  Flash’s mother places a hand on his shoulder, her expression stern but also filled with worry.

Flash, now fully realizing the gravity of the situation, looks down at the table, unable to meet anyone’s eyes.  The evidence has made it clear that his actions were not just “jokes” but serious instances of homophobic bullying.  He understands that he has crossed a line and that there will be consequences for his behavior.

The room remains silent for a moment after the video ends, the weight of the evidence hanging heavily in the air.  Flash’s parents turn to Mr. Harris, the principal, ready to discuss the disciplinary actions that will follow.

After the evidence is played, the room remains silent for a moment, the weight of the situation hanging heavily in the air.  Flash’s parents look at each other, their concern and disappointment evident.  Flash, now fully realizing the gravity of his actions, looks down at the table, unable to meet anyone’s eyes.

Mr. Harris clears his throat and addresses the room.  “Thank you, Mr. Stark, and Mrs. Potts, for providing this evidence.  It’s clear that Eugene’s behavior has been unacceptable and has caused significant harm to Peter, both physically, mentally, and emotionally.”

Flash’s mother speaks up, her voice trembling slightly.  “We had no idea it was this bad.  Eugene, you will face the consequences of your actions.  This behavior is not tolerated.”

Flash’s father nods in agreement.  “We will ensure that he understands the gravity of his actions and takes responsibility for them.”

Mr. Harris continues, “Eugene, you will be suspended for two months, and you will also be required to attend counseling sessions to address your behavior and learn about others like Peter.  Additionally, you will write a formal, school-appropriate apology to Peter.  And I will be looking over it before you give it to them.”

Flash’s reaction to his punishment is immediate.  His face turns even paler than before, and he looks up at his parents with wide eyes.

“Suspended?  Counseling?  Others?  There are more Peters out there?  But… it was just a joke!  I was trying to get [Redacted] to understand she’s a girl, not a boy.  She’ll never be one,” he protests.

Peter flinches at the use of his deadname and the wrong pronouns.  A wave of anger and hurt washed over him. His mind flashed back to middle school, where the taunts and whispers had been relentless.  Peter could feel his heart pounding in his chest and attempted to take a few deep breaths.  When that didn’t work, Peter wordlessly stood up and left the room, silently closing the door behind him.

Tony glances in Peter’s direction but turns his attention back to Flash after remembering Peter has his phone so they can text Lukas.

Once outside the room, Peter takes his phone out of his pocket to answer the text he’d gotten about five minutes ago.  He’s not surprised to find it’s Lukas.

1. Stark (2:25)

Hey, Peter!  How’s school?  I know Tony and Pepper are there, but I don’t know why.  Do you know?  💙

Me (2:31) Hey, School is fun, but a pain in the ass.  Dad and Mom are here for a meeting to confront Eugene “Flash” Thompson, the kid who’s been bullying me while I’ve been at Midtown.

1. Stark (2:33)

Oh, okay.  That makes sense.  Are you in said meeting?

Me (2:34)

Not at the moment.  I’m sitting outside the room.

1. Stark (2:34)

What happened?  Who do I need to send Tony to kill?

Me (2:35)

(laughs)  No one.  Flash decided to purposefully deadname and misgender me in front of Mom, Dad, and the principal.

1. Stark (2:36)

Ah, I see.  Why did he do that?  Was it to prove some kind of point?  If so, what was that point?

Me (2:36)

He was “trying to get [Redacted] to understand she’s a girl, not a boy,” and that “She’ll never be one.”  His words, not mine.

1. Stark (2:36)

WHAT?  Holy shit.  How could he do that?  That’s not nice.

Me (2:37)

It’s not.  It’s transphobic.  I moved in with Dad to get away from one (Aunt May) but gained another (Flash).

1. Stark (2:37)

It’s also plain rude.  Did your Spider-Sense go off when he entered the room?

Me (2:38)

Yes.  I knew it was Flash and not something else, so I ignored it.  I should probably get back to the meeting now.  I’ll talk to you later.

1. Stark (2:39)

Okay, good to know.  It was nice talking to you.  I’ll see you when you get home.  💙

1. Stark (2:40)

Oh, by the way, I want to do a poetry night tonight because Halloween is coming!! Nevermore! 💙🎃

As Peter listens, he can hear Tony berating Flash.

Tony’s expression remains stern.  “It’s not a joke, Flash.  It’s serious, and you need to understand that.  His name is Peter, and they use he/they pronouns.”

Pepper adds, her voice gentle but firm, “This is an opportunity for you to learn and grow, Eugene.  Take it seriously.”

Peter exits the Messages app, launches the Recording app, and puts it back in his pocket.  Lukas always made him feel better when this happened.

Peter was careful to record any interactions between him and Flash, both for FRIDAY’s database and his benefit.

Sighing, he walked back into the room, closed the door behind him, and took his seat.

Tony taps the table to get Peter’s attention, who looks up.  How are you feeling?  I assume you were texting Lukas?

Better.  Yes, he helped.

Pepper looks at Peter.  Can I tell E-u-g-e-n-e about your A-t-t-e-m-p-t?

Peter blinks, then nods.   Yes.

Pepper takes a breath.  “Eugene.”

Flash looks over at her.  “Yes?”

“A year ago last summer, Peter tried to end his life.  In his note, he said that you had been particularly hard on him that semester.  He was withdrawn, going out with friends less, and was in his room all the time.  He didn’t eat or talk or go out with their friends.”

Flash blinks in surprise.  “I-I didn’t know.  If I knew, then-”

“Then what?  You would’ve stopped?  No.  You wouldn’t have.  You’d keep going, no matter the cost.”

Peter pauses to let that sink in.  “You’d’ve kept going, even if it meant I had to go through with it.  Right?”

Flash blinks in surprise, then sadly nods.

His mom looks like she’s about to faint, and his dad looks like he’s going to punch Eugene.

“Eugene Marcus Thompson.  You wouldn’t.”

(the year before)

It’s a sunny Saturday morning in July, around 8:20 AM.

Peter is nowhere to be seen.  Tony walks into the teen’s room, expecting to find him on the bed with his phone or at his desk working on homework.  Three plain white envelopes are resting on the pillow, each with two words written in Peter’s neat handwriting.

‘For Dad.’

‘For Mom.’

‘For Morgan.’

‘Dad?  Mom?  Morgan?’  There was one for Morgan.  Why was there one for Morgan?  What were they?

Tony’s mind immediately jumps to the worst.  What he doesn’t know?  He’s right.

“VIRGINIA!!”

Pepper wakes up to Tony yelling for her, but he uses her legal name.  He doesn’t call her that unless it’s a life-or-death emergency.  She doesn’t bother putting on the comfy slippers Tony got her for Christmas the year before, and instead runs downstairs barefoot.

“FRI, where’s Anthony?”

“Boss is in Peter’s room.  His heart rate and breathing are elevated.”

A minute later, Pepper stands in Peter’s open bedroom door.  Tony is standing in the middle of the room, staring at the bed.  In his hands is a white envelope with Peter’s neat cursive on the front.  There are two more like it on the bed, with different ink colors.  Peter was always an artist.

Pepper enters the room, glancing around and already understanding the situation, ignoring the letter labeled ‘Mom’ in red ink as she heads straight for the bathroom door.

Tony opens the one addressed to ‘Dad’.  It had to be for him.  There was no one else it could be for, especially considering the two others that sat on the pillow.

‘Dear Dad,

I don’t know how to start this.  Why should I?  I didn’t want to die.  I loved you, Mom, and Morgan with all of my heart.  I loved being Spider-Man.  I loved spending time with you in the lab.  Believe me, I did.  But I couldn’t handle school anymore; it was too much.  Endless bullying from Flash and enough pressure from May to keep my GPA above 4.0.  I just had enough of everything.  I had seventeen years, and for me, that’s enough.”

It keeps going, but Tony stops.  He can’t read anymore.

“Anthony, put that down.  FRI, locate Peter, and tell me his vitals.”

“Peter Lukas Parker is in his bathroom; the door is locked.  His pulse is 30 BPM.  He took all sixty of his enhanced Spider-Pain pills.”

Tony swore his heart stopped, the letter falling from his loose grasp.  “H- He did what, FRI?”

Toy instantly shifts his attention to the matter at hand: his kid’s life.  If Peter were in pain, he would’ve only taken one.  Bruce designed those specifically for their enhanced metabolism.  This was deliberate.  My son tried to end his life, Tony thought to himself.

“FRI, unlock Peter’s bathroom door.  Authorization: Emergency.”

“Bathroom door unlocked.”

Pepper opens the door, steps inside, and closes the door behind her, shutting Tony out.  Tony sighs, glancing around the teen’s room.  His phone, personal and school-issue laptops, and headphones lie on his desk, disconnected from their chargers.  His bed is neatly made.  The other two letters, Pepper’s and Morgan’s, sit on the pillow, untouched.

Pepper closes the door, kneeling next to Peter’s motionless body.  She puts her hands on his shoulders, shaking him gently.

“Peter.  Peter.  Can you hear me? Wake up, please.”

When she receives no response, she has FRIDAY pull up his vitals.

Pepper takes a deep breath to clear her mind, removes her wedding ring, puts it on the counter, and then removes Peter’s shirt and binder.  She reaches into the cabinet, her fingers blindly finding the box of Narcan she remembers having to force Tony to keep in all of the bathrooms at the Compound when Peter had first gotten his Spider-Pain pills from Bruce in case of accidental (or perhaps deliberate) overdose.  He eventually agreed, but only after she convinced him that Peter or someone else could overdose on any of the pills kept at the Compound.

She rips open the box, takes the spray, and administers it, silently praying for her son to be okay.

“F.R.I.D.A.Y., call 911 and tell them Peter Parker overdosed and Narcan has been administered.  Give them our location and Peter’s relevant medical information.  Let them know Peter has a fast metabolism and will likely require extra of any medications they give him.”

“Calling 911…”

A few hours later, Lukas was talking to his friend Sarah when he felt his phone buzz in his pocket with a message from F.R.I.D.A.Y.  He held up his hand to indicate he needed to check it.  What he read made his heart leap into his throat, and his pulse quicken.

MOLTEN IRON:

“Peter Parker has had a medical emergency at 8:20 am. He's currently at New York Medical Center in the ICU. The people with him currently are BOSS LADY, aka Virginia “Pepper” Potts, and BOSS, aka Anthony "Tony" Stark. BOSS has left a message for you. Type Y to listen, or N to ignore." Lukas mutters in Spanish.

“Dios, no... No. ¿Qué hizo él...? No puedo perder a mi sobrino... Por favor, esté bien, poca araña.”

(God, no… No. What did he do? I can't lose my nephew… Please, be okay, little spider.)

Lukas feels his hand shaking as he hits the "Y" key, listening to the message his brother left. He can hear Tony’s voice shaking, and his breath is slightly uneven.

“Luke, Peter… He tried to -” Tony’s voice cracks, then he clears his throat and resumes talking.

“He’s in the hospital, Pepper and I are with them.  He’ll need you. I’m sorry… I know…  I know you were having fun with your friends… But I can’t do this alone.  Please come.  Room number 314…Family of Peter Parker.”

Lukas feels tears sting his eyes as he looks up at his friend, a panic attack fraying his nerves.

"I need to go. Now.  I’m sorry.”

Lukas shoots up from his chair, walks out to his car, and starts it. As he drives, his mind wanders back to four years ago, when he tried the same thing.

(Four years earlier)

Tony looks up from his book and decides to look for Lucky. Once he’s in their room, he comes across three letters, each with a name written in Lucky's cursive, each in different ink colors.

'Tony Stark'

'Pepper Potts'

'Morgan Stark'

Tony picks up the letter with his name on it, and what he reads makes his mind race and his heart pound in his chest.

‘Dear Tony,

I don’t know how to start this.  Why should I?  I didn’t want to die.  I loved you, Pepper, and Morgan with all of my heart.  I loved being an Avenger.  I loved spending time with you in the lab.  Believe me, I did.  But I couldn’t handle my own mind anymore; it was too much.  Endless darkness, anxiety, and hopelessness…  I just had enough of everything.  I had eighteen years, and for me, that’s enough. Don't feel sad for me. I'll still watch over you. When it's your time, just look up at the moon.

Your sibling,

Lucky Stark”

Tony speaks up, his voice nervously cracking.

"H-hey, Friday, where's Molten Iron?" 

"Molten Iron, aka Lucky Stark, is in their bathroom. Their pulse is weak, only 38 BPM. They've been unconscious for more than 5 minutes. They've taken all sixty of the painkillers they have."

Tony's heart leaps as he whirls around, the letter slipping from his grasp and landing with a soft “swoosh” on the floor, muttering, "No, no, no.”  His breath quickening, he shouts while attempting to calm his racing heart a little.

“VIRGINIA!!"

Pepper knows that Tony rarely uses her legal name unless he's genuinely terrified, and she comes running.

"Tony, what happened? Are you alright?" 

His voice is choked and strangled as he fights the urge to break down.

"L-lucky… overdosed.  On purpose.  I can't see them like this… I'm scared, Pep. I can't lose them…"

(back to the present)

Tony looks at Peter, who gives him a small, grateful smile and squeezes his hand.  “Thank you, Dad,” Peter says quietly.

Tony places a reassuring hand on Peter’s shoulder.  “You’re welcome, kiddo.  No one messes with my family.” Pepper smiles warmly at Peter, her support evident.

Flash’s parents stand up, ready to leave.  “We apologize for our son’s behavior, Mr. Stark, and Ms. Potts.  “We will make sure this never happens again,” Flash’s father says sincerely.

Tony nods.  “I appreciate that.  Let’s make sure this is a turning point for Eugene.”

Pepper adds, “We hope this experience helps Eugene understand the impact of his actions and encourages him to change for the better.”

As Flash and his parents leave the room, Mr. Harris turns to Tony, Pepper, and Peter.  “Thank you for bringing this to our attention.  We will continue to monitor the situation to ensure Peter’s safety and well-being.”

Tony stands up, extending a hand to Mr. Harris.  “Thank you for taking this seriously.  Peter deserves to feel safe at school.”

Pepper nods in agreement.

“We’re grateful for your support, Mr. Harris.”

Peter, feeling a sense of relief and gratitude, looks up at Tony and Pepper.

“Thanks, Dad.  Thanks, Mom.  I appreciate it.”

Tony smiles down at Peter.

“Anytime, kiddo.  Let’s get you home.” Pepper nods in agreement, her arm around Peter’s shoulders.

As they leave the school and head back to the Tower, Peter feels a newfound sense of security, knowing that Tony and Pepper have his back and the bullying will finally end.

Peter woke up to the sound of his alarm blaring.  He groggily reached over to turn it off and rubbed his eyes.  Today was another day at Midtown School of Science and Technology, and he had a lot on his plate.  After getting ready and grabbing a quick breakfast (for once, Peter doesn’t eat breakfast often), he swung his backpack over his shoulder and headed out the door, hopping into Happy’s car.

Peter’s first class was Chemistry with Mr. Harrington. He loved chemistry, and today they were learning about advanced chemical reactions.  Peter couldn’t help but think about how he could use this knowledge in his Spider-Man activities.  After chemistry, he had a quick break before heading to his next class, Physics with Ms. Warren.  Physics was another favorite of his, and he enjoyed discussing theories and experiments with his classmates.

During lunch, Peter met up with his best friends, Ned and MJ.  They sat at their usual spot in the cafeteria, talking about their latest projects and plans for the weekend.  Ned was excited about a new video game release, while MJ was looking forward to a poetry reading at a local café.  Peter listened intently, happy to be surrounded by his friends.

The afternoon was filled with more classes, including biology and computer science.  Peter excelled in both subjects, and his teachers often praised his dedication and curiosity.  As the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Peter packed up his things and headed to the front of the school to wait for his ride.

To his surprise, his Uncle Bucky, aka James Buchanan “Bucky” Barnes, was there to pick him up.  Bucky was wearing a black short-sleeved, collared Stark Industries-branded shirt, proudly showing off his metal arm.  A few kids started to stare, especially Flash.

“That can’t be the Winter Soldier, can it?  Lousy Penis Parker couldn’t possibly know the Winter Soldier.  He’s the smart, quiet kid.  He doesn't know anybody important.  The only people he knows are a bunch of science nerds like himself.  Can’t even fight back when I shove his weak, skinny ass into his locker.”

Before Peter could tell Flash off, Bucky had Flash in a loose choke-hold with his metal arm, instilling the fear he wanted without harming him.

“Say, do, or even think about doing anything like that to my nephew again, and you will pay the price. Got it?”

Flash nodded, his eyes full of fear. Bucky firmly squeezed his shoulder with his other hand.

“Got it?  I can’t see your face.”

Flash stuttered.  “Y-y-yes, sir. I understand. I won’t do it again, I swear.”

Bucky let go and turned to Peter.  Flash sprinted away, nearly tripping over his own feet.  Bucky and Peter both cracked a smile at this.

“If he says or does anything more about you, call me or Steve immediately, and we'll handle it.  I don’t care if they try to take your phone. Your Dad will take care of it if they try.”

Ned was surprised to see the ex-Winter Soldier picking up his friend. MJ smiled, glad to see Bucky out and about, proudly showing off his arm.

“Hey, James.  Nice shirt,” MJ says, smiling.

“Call me Uncle Bucky, MJ.  You too, Ned. Do you guys have permission to visit the Tower today?”

MJ nods.  “I do.  I finished all of my work, and I need to talk to Peter.”

Ned frowns.  “I have homework.  Maybe next time.  Sorry.”

Bucky gives Ned a small smile.  “You can do your homework at the Tower, Ned.  Are you coming?”

Ned grins, then climbs into the car next to MJ.

1. Stark woke up to the soft morning light filtering through the bedroom curtains.  She stretched her arms above her head, feeling the cool silk sheets slide against her skin. Today was a Lucia day, she realized with a smile.

Sliding out of bed, she padded over to her walk-in closet, her fingers trailing along the rows of neatly hung clothes, divided into three sections.  One for Lukas, one for Lucia, and one for Lucky, each with a door and the name.  She selected a skin-tone bra with padding, a light blue blouse, and a loose black skirt, and slipped it on.  The fabric felt light and airy, perfect for the warm summer day ahead.

In the bathroom, Lucia took her time with her skincare routine, enjoying the soothing scents of lavender and chamomile that filled the room.  She applied a light layer of makeup, accentuating her eyes with a touch of mascara and a hint of blush on her cheeks.  She reached into the jewelry tray and picked out her pink and white “she/her/herself” pronoun pin, clipping it onto the right side of her shirt and smiling.

As she gently brushed the tangles out of her short red and dark hair, a remnant of her last Lukas day when she cut it, she thought about the day ahead. Meetings with Stark Industries’ board members, a lunch date with Pepper, and perhaps some time in the lab with Peter or Tony to work on her latest project.  But first, coffee.

Lucia made her way to the kitchen, where FRIDAY had already prepared her favorite blend. She took a sip, savoring the rich, bold flavor.  With a deep breath, she felt ready to take on the world.  Today was a Lucia day, and she was determined to make the most of it.

Peter is in the lab with Tony when FRIDAY informs them both that there’s an incoming call from the hospital.

“Answer it.  Captions on, please.”

There’s a moment of silence as FRIDAY answers the call and displays captions.  A calm and reassuring woman's voice is heard, and her words appear on the holo-display in front of Peter.

“Is this the Parker residence?”

Peter nods, turning his attention from his web formula to the call.

“Yes, ma’am, it is.  Why are you asking?”

“The doctors have done everything they can, but your Aunt May doesn’t have much time left.  She was asking for someone named ‘Tony’ as well.  It would mean a lot to her if you could both come to the hospital to be with her.”

Peter’s face falls as he reads what the woman is saying.  Tony (who is totally not eavesdropping) sets down his project and looks up, his expression somber.

“I’m on my way.  I’ll be there in about forty-five minutes.”

FRIDAY hangs up the call, and Tony taps Peter on the shoulder.

Peter sets his formula down, turning around to face Tony.

“Yeah, Dad?”

Tony pauses.  He knows Peter’s called him ‘Dad’ as a joke before, but there’s something different about the nickname now.  Something…sentimental, almost.

Tony doesn't say anything.  He wordlessly pulls Peter into a hug and speaks into his ear. His voice is barely a whisper, but he knows Peter can both hear and understand him.

“I’m so sorry, bambino.  Do you want me to come, or would you like to go alone?”

“Come.  May was asking for you.”

Tony nods, letting go and gently squeezing Peter’s shoulders.

“FRIDAY, let Pepper, Morgan, Lukas, and the team know Peter and I are going to see May.  We don’t know when we’ll be back, so cancel the rest of my day.  Meetings be damned, my kid’s only relative is dying.  Meetings can be rescheduled.”

“Yes, Boss.  Message sent and plans canceled.”

“Come on, Peter.  Do you have anything you want to grab before we go?”

Peter nods, heading upstairs to their room.  They grab a hoodie and a notebook, then return to the garage where Tony is waiting.

(two weeks later…)

“We are here today to finalize the adoption of [Redacted] Parker by Tony Stark and Pepper Potts.  Ms. Parker, do you understand what this adoption entails?”

Peter quietly sighed at being deadnamed and misgendered, a somber look in his eyes.  Tony, having seen this, held up a hand, causing the judge to pause.

“Your Honor, Peter is to be seen as a young man.  He uses male pronouns and honorifics.  His aunt was Ms. Parker.”

The judge looks apologetic.  “Oh.  I didn't realize that.  I apologize.  Let me rephrase that.  Mr. Parker, do you understand what this adoption entails?”

Peter’s face lit up with a smile, and he stims ‘yay!’ for about thirty seconds straight.  “Yes, Your Honor.  It means Tony and Pepper will become my adoptive parents, and I will be publicly seen as their son.”

“Mr. Stark and Mrs. Potts, do you understand the responsibilities you are undertaking by adopting Peter?”

Tony nods confidently.  “Absolutely, Your Honor.  We've thought long and hard about this.  Peter is already like our son, and we want to make it official.”

“Very well.  Peter, do you have anything you would like to say?”

Peter takes a deep breath, glancing at Tony and Pepper for reassurance.  Tony gives him a small, encouraging nod, and Pepper smiles warmly.

“Your Honor, I’ve lost a lot of people in my life.  My parents, Uncle Ben, Aunt May... But Mr. Stark and Ms. Potts were there for me through everything.  They’re more than just mentors.  They’re family.  I want this more than anything.”

The judge smiles warmly.  “Thank you, Peter.  Mr. Stark, Ms. Potts, do you have any final words?”

Tony stands up, his usual bravado softened by genuine emotion.

“Peter is one of the bravest, smartest, and most compassionate people I know.  He’s been through so much, and yet he still chooses to help others.  I would be honored to call him my son.”

Pepper stands up beside Tony, her eyes glistening with tears.

“Your Honor, Peter has brought so much joy and light into our lives.  He’s an incredible young man, and we are so proud of him.  This adoption means the world to us.”

The judge nods, clearly moved.

“In that case, I declare that [Redacted] Lukas Parker is now legally adopted by Tony Stark.  From this day forward, he will be known as Peter Benjamin Lukas Parker-Stark.”

Peter’s eyes well up with tears of joy as Tony and Pepper pull him into a tight hug.  The courtroom erupts in applause.

“Congratulations to all of you.”

FRIDAY updates Tony’s Wikipedia page (people [read: the press] watch it like a hawk).  The headlines in the newspaper the next day?

“GENIUS BILLIONAIRE ADOPTS LOCAL HIGH-SCHOOLER”

“FROM POLYMATH TO PARENT: T. STARK ADOPTS LOCAL TEEN FROM QUEENS WITH NO EXPLANATION”

Tony, Pepper, and Peter have just left a press conference.  Most of the questions were something along the lines of “Stark, is there a reason you adopted a high-schooler who happened to be one of your interns?” and “Stark, who’s the kid?”

Once in the car, Tony sighed, speaking into the air while running a hand over his face.  “FRI, how does the press know about me and Pep adopting Peter?”

F.R.I.D.A.Y.’s cool, Irish voice rang throughout the car.  “I updated your Wikipedia page, Boss.”

Tony groaned, facepalming.  Peter couldn’t help but laugh at his expression.  “You’re supposed to tell me these things, FRI,”  Tony says with a huff of annoyed, yet amused, laughter.

Peter mostly called him ‘Dad’ now, but if he was nervous or they were in public, the ‘Mr. Stark’ would make a reappearance.

The mission had been grueling, but they had returned to the safe house in one piece.  Natasha collapsed onto the worn-out couch, her muscles aching from the day's exertions.  Clint followed, dropping his gear by the door and joining her.

"That was close," he said, running a hand through his hair.

"Too close."

Natasha nodded, her eyes closed. "We need to be more careful."

Clint reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You did great out there, Nat.  As always."

She opened her eyes, meeting his gaze. "So did you. Couldn't have done it without you."

He smiled, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Well, I am pretty amazing."

Natasha laughed softly, the sound a rare but welcome relief.  "Don't let it go to your head, Clinton."

He leaned back, his arm resting on the back of the couch behind her, and gently squeezed her shoulder.  "Too late, Natasha."

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their shared experiences hanging in the air.  Natasha shifted closer, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Thanks for having my back."

Clint wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer and lightly kissing the top of her head, burying his nose in her red hair and inhaling.  She smelled a little like flowers and something sweet (it was spring, and she had landed in a flower patch), but mostly burnt rubber, which made Clint smile.

With a featherlight touch, he carefully removed the few flower petals that had stuck in her hair.

"Always, Nat.  Always.”

The sun was rising over the quiet countryside, casting a golden glow over the small chapel where friends and family had gathered. Inside, the air was filled with a sense of anticipation and joy. Clint Barton stood at the altar, his usually calm demeanor replaced with a mix of excitement and nervousness. He adjusted his hearing aid (and winced at the feedback, which Stark still hadn’t figured out how to get rid of) for the hundredth time, earning a chuckle from Steve Rogers, who stood beside him as his best man.

“Relax, Clint,” Steve said, clapping a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “She’s just as eager to see you.”

The doors at the back of the chapel opened, and all eyes turned to see Natasha Romanoff standing there, radiant in a simple yet elegant pale blue suit and holding a bouquet of blue, white, and pink flowers.  Her red hair was loosely curled, framing her face perfectly. She took a deep breath, her emerald green eyes locking onto Clint’s blue ones, and began her walk down the aisle, one arm looped in Sam's. 

As Natasha reached the altar, Clint took her hands in his, his eyes never leaving hers.  “You look beautiful,” he hoped he whispered and signed (he needed a new hearing aid at this point and he knew it [but didn’t want to spend the time getting fitted; the fittings were always a pain in the ass]), his voice filled with emotion.

“Thank you,” Natasha replied in both English and ASL, her smile soft and genuine. “You clean up pretty well yourself.”

The ceremony was intimate and heartfelt, with vows that spoke of their shared history, battles fought side by side, and the deep bond that had grown between them. When it came time to exchange rings, Clint’s hands trembled slightly as he slid the band onto Natasha’s finger.

“I promise always to have your back,” he said, his voice steadying. “In every mission, every moment, I’ll be there.”

Natasha’s eyes glistened with unshed tears as she placed the ring on Clint’s finger. “And I promise always to be your partner,” she said softly. “In life, in love, and in everything we face together.”

As the officiant pronounced them husband and wife, Clint leaned in to kiss Natasha, sealing their vows with a tender kiss. The chapel erupted in applause, their friends and family cheering for the newlyweds.

Outside, as they walked hand in hand into the twilight, Natasha looked up at Clint, her heart full. “We did it,” she said, a hint of disbelief in her voice.

Clint smiled, squeezing her hand. “Yeah, we did. And this is just the beginning.”

“Hey, Steve?” Bucky asked, walking into the room with a soft smile.

“Hey, Bucky.  What is it?”

Bucky took a deep breath.  “Can I borrow your dog tags?  I promise I’ll return them.”

Steve blinked, surprised at the sudden request.  “What?”

“Your dog tags.  Can I borrow them?”  Bucky reiterates.

Steve paused, confused.  “Uhm….Yeah, sure.  What for?”

Bucky just grinned.  “You’ll see.  It's a surprise.”

Steve nodded, reaching up to unclasp the silver chain that rested on his neck and reluctantly handing them over.  “Here you go.”

Bucky took the tags, smiling and tucking the silver metal in his pocket.  “Thanks.”

Bucky walked to his room, one hand fiddling with the cool metal in his pocket.  Once he’s stepped into his suite, he speaks, his voice a low rumble as he chuckles at Steve’s willingness to give up his tags.  Maybe it was only because I promised to give them back, Bucky thinks to himself.

“Hey, F.R.I.D.A.Y.?  Activate privacy mode, please.  No one in or out of my suite for the next two hours.”

F.R.I.D.A.Y.’s cool, Irish voice echoes throughout the room.  “Privacy mode activated.  No one in or out of James Buchanan Barnes’ suite for the next two hours.”

Bucky nods, acknowledging the AI’s words.  After a moment, he goes to his desk and unlocks a drawer with his fingerprint, pulling out two boxes: one was a small red velvet box with gold hinges, and the other was a small plain cardboard box with no identification of any kind.

With a smile, he sat down and set both boxes on the desk next to one another, and opened them.  The red box was lined in a soft grey, and the cardboard box had bubble wrap in it.

Bucky carefully unwrapped the object in bubble wrap, revealing two sets of silver tags inside.  A small, fabric pouch was tucked next to it, the material a soft tan.  With steady hands, Bucky opened the pouch and pulled out the 

The sun was setting over the Avengers compound, casting a warm, golden glow across the training grounds.  James “Bucky” Barnes stood nervously by the edge of the lake, his fingers fidgeting with the set of dog tags in his pocket. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heart.

Steve Rogers approached, his silhouette strong and reassuring against the fading light. “Hey, Buck,” he called out, a smile spreading across his face.  “What are you doing out here?”

James turned to face him, his eyes reflecting the sunset. “Just needed some fresh air,” he replied, his voice steadying. “And… I wanted to talk to you.  I have something to give back to you.”

Steve’s smile softened as he walked closer.  “What’s on your mind?”

James took another deep breath, running a finger over the engraving of the tags in his pocket.

“Steve, we’ve been through so much together.  Me with HYDRA and the Winter Soldier, you with the serum and the ice, and both of us adapting to everything.  You’ve always been there for me, even when I couldn’t be there for myself.  I can’t imagine my life without you.”

Steve’s blue eyes widened slightly, his breath hitching in his throat as he realized what was happening.

James smiled, his own eyes misting over slightly as he got down on one knee.  “Will you marry me, punk?”

Steve didn’t hesitate.  “Yeah, jerk.  I will.”

Bucky stood, clasping the new tags around Steve’s neck with a featherlight touch.

They embraced, Steve’s new tags clinking softly against Bucky’s new ones.  As they pulled back, Bucky clasped them around Steve’s neck. “Now we’re officially partners, in every way.”

Steve chuckled, his heart feeling lighter than it had in years as he squeezed Bucky’s metal hand in his. “Yeah, we are.”

As the sun dipped below the horizon, they stood there together, ready to face whatever the future held, side by side.

(With Lucia and Thor)

Lucia stretched as she listened to music, humming along to the tune of Knee Deep by the band Zac Brown. Thor smiled from where he sat, lazily playing with Lucia's hair. It was the day before Lucia's 22nd birthday, and they were just hanging out together. Lucia yawned and snuggled up to Thor, murmuring.

"Another year older… Can you believe it? I'm gonna be twenty-two…"

Thor smiled and pulled Lucia onto his lap, letting her lean into his chest.

"It's quite remarkable. This year would mark year number two in our relationship."

Lucia smiled and shut her eyes, her speech sleepy and soft.

"Mhh, yeah… don't remind me, ya big softie…"

Thor chuckled softly and draped one of Lucia's soft throw blankets over them, leaning his head on the side of the couch where they sat.

"Indeed. Get some rest, my darling."

The pain is deep, like a hot knife twisting in his abdomen (don’t ask how Bucky knows what that feels like), and it rolls through his body agonizingly slow.  He twists and turns in his bed, trying to find a comfortable position, but he can’t.  Bucky's muscles ache and he can’t stretch them out enough, his shoulders whine, and God, why does his stomach hurt so bad-

Oh.

Oh, no.

Bucky is in his room with the door locked and the lights dimmed.  He’s clutching his stomach as he walks into the adjoining bathroom.

“Please be food poisoning, please be food poisoning.”

Bucky looks down and sees blood in his boxers.

“Fuck!  Guess I’m not going on missions for a week.  FRI, get Steve in here.  NOW!  Tell him it's a bloody mess.”

“Yes, Mr. Barnes.”

“Oh, shut it, FRI!  Call me James or Bucky, for the last time.”

Steve is in the living room talking with Clint and Tony when F.R.I.D.A.Y. alerts him.

“So, anyway - ”

“Capsicle, there’s a message from Mr. Barnes.  He is requesting that you go to his room and is saying it’s a ‘bloody mess’.

Steve’s eyes widen, and he stops talking as he shoots up out of his seat, immediately understanding what F.R.I.D.A.Y. is telling him.  

“Oh, shit.  I have to go.  We can finish this conversation later.”

There’s a knock at the door.  “James?”

Bucky sighs, both arms over his abdomen. “Come in, Steven.”

Steve opens the door with chocolates, enhanced painkillers, a heating pad, and pads in his hands.

“Hey, bud.”

“My savior,”  Bucky says, making grabby hands for the heating pad.  His action earns a soft laugh from Steve.

Steve smiles, offering the chocolates.  “I figured you weren't up for missions, so I told Tony if you’re not going, then I’m not either.  I thought you would need your human heater.”

“Steven Grant Rogers-Barnes, I love you.”

“It’s not official yet, James.  Still Rogers.”

“But soon it will be Rogers-Barnes.”

Lucia was working when she cut her hand, but she couldn't feel it. She kept working until she looked down at her bleeding hand and muttered.

“Damn it.”

She rinses the blood off her hand, gently cleaning the cut. She didn't feel the pain, but she knew she needed to be gentle. She walked over to Thor, pressing a white cloth to the cut. 

“Thor?”

Thor sees Lucia’s bloody hand and grabs the first aid kit automatically. He uses the rubbing alcohol to disinfect the cut, slightly confused at not seeing a reaction to the contact.

“Darling…? Can you not… feel this?”

Lucia just shakes her head, unperturbed by the contact of the alcohol on her wounded hand.

“No. I have CIPA. Cognitive Insensitivity to Pain with Anhidrosis. I can't feel pain, and I have a hard time controlling my body temperature.”

Thor nodded and wrapped her wound, and Lucia muttered.

"God, marry me, please. You're absolutely perfect."

Thor heard that, and he blushed red, stuttering.

"I- Wh- Do you mean that, my star? You… really want to marry me?"

Lucia looked up and grinned at Thor's red face, taking the opportunity to tease him.

"Of course I do, darling~ We've been dating for two years now. And you've never got around to asking, pretty boy."

Thor looked away, red in the face, muttering.

"Shut up…"

Thor's always blushed at Lucia's pet names for him, but he doesn't have the heart to make Lucia stop.

Lucia snickers and kisses Thor on the lips, grinning.

"I don't have the ring yet, but I intend to make it official."

Thor is just standing there; his brain is fried. (His partner of 2 years just proposed to him out of the blue, of course he's confused)

"A-alright, my darling…"

Bucky’s sitting on the floor, his head in his hands, running his hands through his long brown hair with his knees pulled up to his chest.

“Ugh.  I hate this.”

Steve sighs, sitting down next to Bucky and rubbing his shoulder.  “I know, bud.  I’m sorry.  Do you want to see Bruce for the cramps?”

Bucky hesitates, then nods.  “Yes, please.”

Steve is standing outside of his and Bucky’s room, watching as Bucky digs through a box for another glove.

“James, let’s go.  We have a three-hour drive ahead of us if we want to get this done.  One glove will last two weeks.”  

Bucky sighs.

Steve’s tone is firm, yet gentle.  “James, they have to know about the arm so you can get the dog.  Pack one glove and let’s go.”

Bucky sighs and slings his backpack over his shoulder, knowing Steve is right.  “Okay.”

When they get there, Bucky’s tapping his fingers on his leg and softly humming a tune to himself to soothe his racing mind.

Steve places a hand over Bucky’s bouncing fingers to still them, making Bucky jump.

“Sorry.  Are you ready, or do you need a minute?”

“I need a minute.  It’s just…This is a big change.  Going from barely taking care of myself to caring for another being.”

Steve nods, understanding.  “Yeah.  I know.  But this will help.  It may be a big change, but it’s a change that will help.”

Bucky nods, intertwining his metal fingers with Steve’s.

“I know.  I’m ready.”

“I can go in with you, but once you’re boarded, I have to leave.  I can come back in the mornings if you want me to, but I can’t stay overnight.”

Bucky sighs, getting out and grabbing his backpack from the backseat.  “I know, I read the file.  I’m okay with that.”

James stood nervously in the large canine training room, his fingers tapping a restless rhythm on his leg.  Steve Rogers, his fiancé, stood beside him, a gentle hand reassuringly on his shoulder.

“You’re going to be great, Buck,”  Steve said softly, his blue eyes filled with unwavering support.

James nodded, though his anxiety was palpable.  “I know. It’s just… a lot.”

Before he could say more, a cheerful woman stepped in, leading a beautiful German Shepherd by her side.

She was wearing a royal blue shirt with jeans and sneakers, and the dog wore a camo-patterned vest that had Velcro patches with messages saying ‘service dog - do not pet’, ‘working dog’, ‘PTSD service dog’, and ‘access required by law’.

Steve carefully unlaced his fingers from Bucky’s and wordlessly stepped aside so the dog went to James instead.

“Mr. Barnes?  This is Astra,” she introduced, smiling warmly and handing the leash over to Bucky.  “They’ll be your new service dog.  Astra, say hi.”

Astra trotted over, their blue eyes bright and curious.  James felt a lump in his throat as he reached out a tentative hand.  Astra sniffed it, then licked his fingers gently, their tail wagging.

“Hi, Astra,” James murmured, his voice thick with emotion.  “I’m James.  But you can call me Bucky.”

Steve watched the interaction with a soft smile. “Looks like they already like you.”

The woman explained and demonstrated Astra’s training, detailing how they were specifically trained to help with PTSD and nightmares.  James listened intently, his hand never leaving Astra’s fur.  He felt a sense of calm wash over him, something he hadn’t felt in a long time.

“Would you like to take them for a walk before we begin?” the woman suggested.

James nodded, standing up with a newfound determination; Astra moved to his left side with their gaze zeroed in on his movements. “Yeah, I’d like that.”

Steve stood too, giving James a supportive nod. “We’ll do this together.”

As they walked outside, Astra stayed close to Bucky’s left side, their presence a comforting anchor. Steve walked on James’ right side, his hand brushing against James’ in silent solidarity.

For the first time in a long time, Bucky felt hopeful. With Astra by his side and Steve’s unwavering support, he knew he could face whatever came next.

(With Lucia and Thor)

Lucia brushed her fingers through her short hair nervously, softly humming a song as she did, bouncing on her toes.

“I can’t believe I’m doing this.”

Thor chuckled and stood beside her, rubbing her shoulder.

“Calm down, my love.”

The sun was setting over the Brooklyn skyline, casting a warm, golden glow over the gathered crowd. Steve Rogers stood at the altar, his heart pounding with a mix of nerves and excitement. He adjusted his tie for the hundredth time, glancing over at his best man, Sam Wilson, who gave him a reassuring nod and soft smile.  “You can do this,” Sam whispered, his voice confident yet filled with emotion.

The music started, and everyone turned to see James Barnes walking down the aisle with his service dog, Astra, at his left side in their vest, and Bucky’s right arm looped in Sam’s left.

Astra's behavior had changed from when Bucky first met them.  When they first met, Astra was a playful, bouncing puppy.  Now, after a year of working with Bucky, their sole focus is on Bucky, their head up and gaze zeroed in on his actions.

Bucky looked dashing in his navy blue suit, his blue eyes locked onto Steve's the whole time.

Each step he took felt like a lifetime, but finally, he was there, standing across from Steve, their hands (both flesh and metal) finding each other naturally and their fingers tightly intertwining like they had done this a hundred times.

"Hey, punk," Bucky whispered, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Hey, jerk," Steve replied, his voice thick with emotion.

The officiant began to speak, but Steve barely heard the words.  All he could focus on was Bucky, the man who had been by his side through thick and thin, through war and peace.  This moment felt like a dream, one he never thought he'd get to live.

“Steven and James have chosen to write their own vows.  Steven, would you like to go first?”

Steve nods, takes a deep breath, and then speaks.  “James, from the moment we met, through every battle and every challenge, you’ve been my constant, my rock.  Today, I vow to stand by your side, not just as your partner in battle, but as your partner in life.  I promise to cherish every moment we share, to support you in your dreams, and to love you unconditionally.  Together, we are stronger, and I can’t wait to face the future with you.  I’m with you until the end of the line.”

“James?”

“Steve, you’ve always seen the best in me, even when I couldn’t see it myself. You’ve been my guiding star, my friend, and my love.  Today, I vow to be your shield, to protect and support you, to laugh with you in joy, and to comfort you in sorrow.  I promise to be your home, your haven, and to love you with all that I am.  Here’s to forever with you, Steve.  I promise to be with you until the end of the line, every single time.  Even if I fall off another cliff.”

The last line elicits a scatter of snickers from a handful of guests.

After the vows, instead of exchanging rings, they exchange dog tags.

Steve takes his silver chain off his neck and unclasps it, watching as Bucky repeats the motion.  With a slightly shaky hand, Bucky takes one blue tag off his chain and trades it for a red tag from Steve’s chain.

Steve clasps the second chain back around James’ neck, allowing him to do the same.

“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and husband. You may kiss."

Steve pulled Bucky close, their lips meeting in a kiss that felt like coming home after being away for years.  The crowd erupted in cheers, but for Steve and Bucky, the world had narrowed down to just the two of them, standing together, ready to face whatever came next.

“Will you dance with me, punk?”

Steve fake-glares at James.  “You know I’m just going to step on your feet, jerk.  I always have.”

Bucky smiles, grabbing Steve’s hand and telling Astra ‘down stay’ with a hand signal next to Nat.  “And I don't care.  I want to dance.”

“I remember when I saw you at the movies

And to me, you were a stranger in the room

But to my surprise, I met your eyes

And that was when I knew

There's nowhere else I'd rather be than here with you

Yeah, without a doubt, I took you out for coffee

We sat for hours at a table made for two

And this is what I meant, sweet one, I spent the whole day talking to

There's nowhere else I'd rather be than here with you

I love the lightness in your laughter and the sparkle in your eyes

It doesn't matter if it rains or shines cuz I'll be by your side

You're the fire I admire and you'll always be my muse

There's nowhere else I'd rather be than here with you

It was all a blur, then there we were at the altar

You were mine, and all my dreams were coming true

You know I meant it when I took your hand in mine and said ‘I do’

There's nowhere else I'd rather be than here with you

But how the time does fly and years go by, it's crazy

We both got sick and hurt, and sad a time or two

But how I love you more and more, and after all that we've been through

There's nowhere else I'd rather be than here with you

I love the flowers in your footprints and the sparkle in your eyes

It doesn't matter if it rains or shines cuz I'll be by your side

For the record, you're my treasure and you'll always be my muse

There's nowhere else I'd rather be than here with you

I'm not one to worry much about the future

But because you're mine, I got everything to lose

So I'll say it now before we're at the door that someday we'll walk through

And if I'm the only one left in the room

There's nowhere else I'll rather be than home with you

I love the springtime in your spirit and the sparkle in your eyes

It doesn't matter if it rains or shines, cuz I'll be by your side

I can say it, you're my favorite, and you'll always be my muse

And I hope that in your heart, you know it's true

There's nowhere else I'd rather be than here with you”

When the song ends, Bucky slows his movements, making his way back over to the group with Steve practically glued to his right hip.  He takes the leash from Nat, who just softly smiles.

“How it took you both this long to figure it out baffles me.  I had it figured out long before you even thought about telling the others.  Or did you forget I’m a world-renowned spy and assassin?”  Natasha says, gently brushing a strand of Bucky’s long brown hair back behind his ear.

Clint nods, an arm around Natasha’s shoulder.  “Yeah, how did you not notice it?  The romantic tension between you two was obvious enough if you knew what to look for.”

Tony just rolls his eyes, sighing.

“Okay, lovebirds.  Enough.  You’re married, we get it.  Why are you still attached at the hip?”

“Stark, this is our wedding.  You can't tell us how to act.”

Just to spite Tony, Steve kisses Bucky, to which Tony makes a fake gagging face.

“Gross.”

“Shut it, Stark.  You’ve kissed Pepper in front of the cameras at one too many press conferences for people’s liking.”

The reception was not very large.  The team and a few others were there.  A few tables of snacks and drinks lined the walls.  Most of the people there were chatting with one another in small groups, but a few stragglers stood against the wall with a glass of punch or a cookie in hand.