Chapter Text
1 - TAYLOR SWIFT
Tony thought he was doing a good job as a dad mentor.
It had only been two weeks since he and May agreed to let Peter stay at the tower for the weekend once every two weeks and come every Monday and Wednesday after school. He would even additionally come if may got stuck at the hospital (Tony was still trying to assure him it didn't bother him nor the rest of the Avengers).
The kid seemed to love it, but Tony could tell he was still adjusting and hadn’t made himself at home yet.
Well, until today.
You see, Tony wasn’t a fan of surprises. he didn't like being startled, scared, nor surprised.
Peter didn’t take that into account when he decided to start walking around the ceiling.
The billionaire had just gotten out of the lab when he heard soft music playing. he followed the sound to the kitchen, but he didn’t find anyone there.
Surprisingly, Tony didn’t find that weird.
Because why was ‘Shake it off’ by Taylor Swift playing in his kitchen?
It certainly hadn’t been Steve’s idea; he was confident the guy didn’t even know she existed. Definitely not Banner. Maybe Thor? No, the God didn’t even know how to use FRIDAY, let alone ask her to put on music. Natasha may have done it out of spite…
“Hey Mr. Stark!”
He was pretty sure that if it wasn’t for the fact that Peter literally stuck to things, the kid would have fallen to the floor after Tony’s scream.
“JESUS! Kid! what the hell?! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?”
“Oh- sorry I got bored so I texted Ned, and then he asked me if I could eat upside down, I told him no because I would probably drop the food, but he still told me to try so-“
“Kid.”
“Yes?”
“Why is FRIDAY playing Taylor Swift in my kitchen?”
“I asked her to? Is the music annoying you? I can turn it off-“
“No, I mean why are you listening to Taylor Swift?”
“…Because I like this song?”
“You like pop music?”
Sometimes Tony forgot Peter was, in fact, born in the 21st century.
“Yeah, I mean I’m a little into everything, but right now I’m more in my white girl music era.”
Tony wasn’t even going to try and decipher what that meant.
“…Whatever, just don't play it too loud.”
“Okay Mr. Stark!”
Tony walked off to his room as Peter continued his weird task of eating upside down.
Anyway, He didn't dwell on it too much. After all, the kid usually listened to music with headphones.
2 - KATY PERRY
It happened again.
Which didn't bother him, he just wasn't really a fan of pop music.
He just found it odd when he found Peter and Steve listening to ‘California Gurls’ by Katy Perry after training.
‘’What are you two doing?’’ He asked, putting down a towel he had been using just a moment before to clean the sweat off his face.
‘’Oh hey Mr. Stark!” The kids smile at him, his phone in his hand. “I thought I could show Captain Rogers some of the music that has been popular these past few years!”
Ignoring Steve trying to tell Peter that it was okay to call him by his first name (Tony had tried far too many times to know that the kid wouldn't listen to him), he frowned. “And you decided to show him a Katy Perry song?”
Now, the billionaire had nothing against Katy Perry, it was just that if Steve needed someone to show him good songs that he hadn't been able to listen to, he would probably show him some good old AC/DC. (God he sounded old when he put it like that.)
“What's wrong with Katy Perry? I love some of her songs.”
“I've never actually seen you listen to a Katy Perry song ever.”
“Well it's not like you keep a track on my Spotify playlists.”
That didn't sound like a bad idea. He was pretty sure he could find Peter Spotify account without even asking Friday.
“Maybe I should, if that's what you're showing him.”
“You're just mad because you're one of those old guys who think rock is the best thing that ever happened to the world.”
“Hey I'm not old!”
“Sure Mr. Stark…”
“Keep talking and I'm taking away your Spidey privileges for the weekend.”
“That's not fair, you can do that! …Can you?”
“Uh… guys?”
Right, Steve was still here.
“ ‘Sup capsicle?”
“To be honest I think that the song’s not that bad.”
Why would Steve even bother coming out of the ice, Tony still wondered to this day.
“See?” Peter smiled at the soldier. “Come, I'll share you my playlist on Spotify.”
“What’s Spotify?”
The pair left, leaving only a soft hum of music in the hallway that could still be heard from Peter’s phone.
Sure, the kid could like pop music. And why not, so could his friends. And Tony didn't hate it that much.
It was just two people. He could handle sometimes hearing those annoying songs.
He still had FRIDAY. “Hey FRI, play ‘Paint it, Black’.”
3 - LADY GAGA
The last time one of his creations had betrayed him, Ultron happened.
Tony thought he would never live to see the day that happened again.
But then again, Peter Parker always seemed to be able to do the most impossible things.
It happened while Peter was at school. Tony walked towards his workbench at the tower, ready to start working on maintenance for the suit.
“Hey FRI, put on some music.” He said, sitting down on one of the stools.
“Right away, Sir.” The AI answered.
Tony didn't look up when he heard ‘Bad romance’ by Lady Gaga start playing.
He was in shock, and for a second, he wondered if someone had actually done it – hacked FRIDAY - but no, no one would do it, especially just to put on pop music.
‘’Friday, what are you doing?’’ Tony knew shouldn’t have skipped maintenance last week.
‘’I am playing a song, sir. Currently you are listening to ‘Bad Romance’ by Lady Gaga.’’
‘’I know what I'm listening to, when did I tell you I liked Lady Gaga?”
‘’You didn't, but miniboss recommended it. He said it was an ‘iconic song’, So I thought you would like it.”
‘’Well from now on I beg you, don't play pop music when Pete's not around.”
‘’Got it, Sir.”
It wasn't that he hated pop music. But weeks had passed since he found out Peter liked it and now it was all the kid (and consequently him as well) listened to. It was like one of those ads that always popped up between every song in Spotify.
Tony wasn't used to that. He had Spotify premium.
But now, FRIDAY will recommend songs that Peter marked as favorite.
Eventually he got tired of saying “no, FRIDAY, don't add that to my playlist.” and ended up having to work with Taylor Swift on the background almost every time.
But he could handle it. He was a grown man; he didn't hate a whole genre of music. Pop music was… okayish.
4 - BRITNEY SPEARS
He loathed pop music.
Another week had passed, and Tony was sure he was going crazy.
FRIDAY seemed to enjoy torturing him with those awful melodies. Was she even capable of feeling joy?
Anyway.
He walked to the lab, coffee in hand. Peter was there already, finishing his homework.
No music on. This must be heaven.
“Hey Mr. Stark!” The kid looked up happily.
“Hey kiddo, ready to start working?” He set the coffee down sitting next to the teenager.
“Yep, I'm just finishing this I'll be done in a sec…” Peter looked back down focusing on the notebook in front of him.
“Well let me know when you're done.” The man stood up and walked over to the table in front of Peter, grabbing an Iron Man gauntlet he had been working on yesterday.
The pair fell in a comfortable silence as they worked. At least for a while.
“Hit me baby one more time!” Peter mumbled.
Oh hell no.
Peter had evolved. Now instead of listening to music, he sang.
And none other than Britney Spears.
“Okay, I think you're taking it too far with the pop music here.” He put the gauntlet down looking at him.
Peter looked back. “Huh? Why?”
“I haven't seen you listening to anything else for more than two weeks. What even happened to ‘’I love Led Zeppelin’’?”
“Come on Mr. stark. I do love Led Zeppelin but she's the Princess of pop! You can't tell me you don't like her.”
“I certainly don't like her music.”
“What- none of her songs?”
“Nope.”
“Not even ‘Toxic’?”
Tony shook his head.
“ ‘Oops I did it again?’ ”
“Hate that one.”
“ ‘Womanizer?’ “
“That one I don't even know of.”
The kid gasped, and at some point Stony started to wonder if the gen Z stare was real.
Yup. It was.
“Mr. stark, you are now my second favorite avenger.”
“Seems fair- wait WHAT?! No! Why?!”
“How can you not like Britney Spears?! That's like a betrayal to me. And half of the population who see you as a diva.”
“But I'm your favo- who's the favorite now?”
“Not telling you.”
“Is it Rogers? If it's him I'm kicking you out.”
“Well then, I'm lucky you'll never know.”
The billionaire groaned and Peter walked up to him.
“Right, come on, I finished my homework we can start working.”
“No. go work with your new favorite avenger.”
“Mr. Stark!”
5 - SABRINA CARPENTER
Tony thought he knew what betrayal felt like.
A man who had always been kind to his family tried to kill him, someone he thought of as a close friend hid the truth of his parents’ death to him… he knew what it felt like.
Nothing compared to this.
Pepper.
He had gotten out of the lab when he heard the music, which- at this point he wasn't surprised.
He followed the sound to the living room.
Pepper and Peter were talking while another song ended and a new one started.
“Oh! Tony's song!” The woman said, and Peter snorted.
“What do you mean my song?”
You said your phone was broken just forgot to charge it…
They both turned their heads then looked at each other with a grin.
“Oh you'll see.”
“Sit down Mr. stark! I've been showing Ms. Potts a few songs while you were working.”
Oh no.
“So why is this my song?”
Stupid?
Or is it...?
“Slow!” Peter said, pointing at Pepper.
Maybe it's...
“Useless!” She spoke. They both looked back at the man.
Tony would find it cute that the two of them were getting along so well if he wasn't feeling slightly targeted by Pepper right now.
But there's a cuter word for it, I know!
He should have known by the look she gave him that there was no escape from this humiliation.
“Manchild!” They both sang (not greatly) and almost burst into laughter.
“...Seriously? This is my song?” He almost rolled his eyes.
“Yes it is Mr. sure I'll buy you the only thing you're allergic to.” Pepper answered.
“Well to be fair I was dying, so...”
“And Mr. no I'm not getting in the car while you're risking your life to save me.”
“I was attacked.”
“Or Mr. oh yes Pepper I was dying and I was going to make an omelet to break the news to you.”
He had no rebuttal for that one.
He glanced at Peter, who was watching them with amusement.
“This is your fault, kid.”
“Hey, don't look at me Mr. stark! Pop culture is bound to find its way for everyone, one way or another. And Sabrina Carpenter’s amazing!”
Oh I like my boy's playing hard to get,
And I like my men all incompetent...
“Oh come on!”