Chapter Text
It all started because Pepper was away. Tony didn't really want to go to the charity gala, but couldn't say no since it was an important event. So, since Pepper was away and he refused to go alone he decided to take Calvin with him. Not that Calvin was interested in going; it took a lot of begging and finally bribery to get him to accept. But his weight in gummy bear, except the yellow ones because he didn't like those, was too much for even Calvin to say no to. And after agreeing to the deal he didn't even mind when Tony dragged him on a buying spree to find the perfect suit. Well, he didn't mind too much. At least he got to choose the tie. It had small fishes on it, and as soon as he was back in his lab he put it as a bandana round Hobbes head.
The gala itself started just as boring as Tony had anticipated it would be. He did his best to shake all the hands he needed to shake and smile at all the right persons. At least the champagne was acceptable. Calvin had disappeared from his side after around ten minutes, and made his way around the room in search of at least some entertainment. He was back before Tony had become overly worried, carrying a very pink drink. It was almost offensive in its pinkness.
"I'm not gonna dance with you," is the first that comes out of Calvin's mouth.
"I'll have you know that I'm an excellent dancer." Tony decides not to pout, but it's a close thing.
They look at each other for a moment and then both smiles. Tony is cackling on the inside with glee, this was one of the best ideas he's had in a while. After a couple of minutes Calvin grows bored again and wanders off. Tony wishes that it was as easy for him to move through the crowd, but he needs to make nice with all the important people and all those who just think they're important. He also wishes that he could drink something stronger than champagne, but refrains. When he next spots his friend he can't help feeling a little smug over the pleading look Calvin sends him. A debutant has latched on to him and doesn't seem to understand that Calvin has no interest in her. Not even when he looks slightly I'll when she presses her not so modest assets against his arm. Luckily Tony sweeps in before the younger man ends up doing something drastic. He had just managed to drag Calvin away with an arm around his shoulder when they're cornered by a journalist.
"Mr Stark, would you tell me who your friend is?"
"Calvin is my plus one this evening."
"And Calvin how would you describe your relationship with Mr Stark," she quickly continues.
"I don't like putting labels on things like that," Calvin tells her while drinking his pink drink.
Tony is well aware that by that Calvin means I have no idea what you're asking, so I'm saying something that sounds good. He's also well aware that the journalist takes it completely different. The billionaire can't help the smirk that forms on his lips, this will be good.
"Really. And how do you feel about Miss Potts?"
"Everybody likes Pepper."
"Can you tell me how it is that you're Mr Stark's date this evening?"
"Bribery," Tony can't help the snort that escapes when Calvin says that with a straight face and decides that it might be a good idea to stop the rest of the questions.
"And that's a wrap. If you would excuse us," he quickly tugs Calvin along towards the buffet table.
The last thing the journalist hears is Calvin asking how long before they can go home.
The fallout comes three days later when the papers have big headlines about Tony Stark's new boytoy. There are even a couple of pictures of them standing close together, with Tony smiling widely at the younger man. Luckily there's no real information about who Calvin really is, just a lot of speculations especially about Peppers role in their relationship. Tony only becomes aware of the articles when Jarvis tells him about them. And is more interested in finishing his work, though he makes Jarvis put them up so he can glance at them. Calvin only becomes aware of their existence when Pepper comes back from her trip and immediately goes down to his floor. After giving him a hug and asking if he's alright she needs to first explain why she asked and ends up giving him the different articles so he can read them.
"Huh, I have a skeeteresc article about me," Calvin says slightly dazed. "I need to frame this, this is great. Apparently I have a clandestine love life. Or we have, I'm not sure. And I bribe Tony with sex. Huh, that's not right. Tony bribed me, not the other way around. Should I contact them and ask them to fix it?"
"No, I don't think that's a good idea. Just let it be and it will blow over," Pepper tells him amused. "What did Tony end up bribing you with?"
"Gummy bears, lots and lots of them. Here," he gives her a necklace where a gummy bear hangs.
Pepper takes it gingerly, but is surprised that the bear is hard. Curious she holds it closer so she can inspect it.
"I crystalize it. I've already sent a pair of earrings over to Suzie."
"It's very nice," she tells him, and strangely enough it is. Pepper is certain that there's a market for these kind of jewelry. "Would it be possible to do the same to other kind of candy?"
"Sure, well it depends of what kind of candy you mean. But it shouldn't be too hard."
Pepper gives him a last hug before going back to her work, taking the necklace with her. The next time Calvin has his scheduled phone call home to his parents he tells them all about his new title as boy toy. Luckily for his parents, they've been used to his kind of calls and the only thing his mother tells him is that he should invite his friend over for Christmas. Calvin gleefully sends a message over to Tony as soon as he hangs up and then ignores the frantic reply as he works on his inventions. It takes a few days before the two of them meets up again, which happens to be when the Avengers come back after a meeting at SHIELD.
"Christmas! I can't believe your mother invited me for Christmas."
"I told her that my new title was boy toy and she asked me to invite you home so they could meet you."
"I can't meet your parents! I don't meet parents, that are not something I do."
"We could go sledding, there's a great hill for that close to the house."
"We have to be at least boyfriend for meeting parents."
It's clear for the rest of the Avengers, and everyone else in the vicinity that they're not really listening to each other, or perhaps more correctly are holding two different dialogues.
"I prefer partners in crime," Calvin says, making Tony shut up.
"Why would you do this to me?" Tony asks after a moment. "Parents don't like me."
"They liked Suzie."
Tony isn't certain if he should be offended or flattered by this comparison.
"Fine, but you're coming to Malibu with us in three days."
"Ok," Calvin gives him a happy grin before he disappears towards the elevators.
"Does this mean that congratulation is in order," Clint finally asks. "I mean you have a new boyfriend, sorry, partner and everything."
"I'm so taking Pepper with me as a buffer this Christmas."
"Yeah, that will go well with your in laws."
"Congratulation Tony, Calvin is a fine young man," only Bruce can say a thing like that, BT Tony can see that he's laughing on the inside.
"It's because you say things like that, that you weren't invited to the gala."
Steve is the only one who looks disapproving. Natasha has the same expression she always has around Calvin, the one that says that she's trying to figure him out, and Thor is back home visiting the other realm.
"Miss Pott is a swell dame."
"Eh, yes she is," Tony isn't certain where Steve is going with this but as long as he says things like that he can agree.
"What does she thinks about the Calvin situation?"
"I have no idea. She just laughed and kept laughing until she had to go to a meeting. I think she hugged him though."
"She hugged him."
"Look captain, Pepper doesn't need anybody fighting her battles for her, especially when there's no battle to fight. And I'm not even certain what you think is going on with Calvin."
Steve sighs, but nods his head. He'll wait until he's got more information before saying anything else.