Chapter Text
Peter ate the breakfast Pepper made before she hurried off to work, grateful as ever.
Before he left for school, he grabbed the lunch Pepper packed for him out of the fridge, tossing it into his backpack. He smiled, reading the note left on the fridge.
Have a great day at school my Spider, I’ll be home at 7 tonight, love you. -Pepper
He left the house with a smile, heading off to Midtown.
-
It was overall, a great school day. He aced a science exam and planned a sleepover with his best friend Ned, so they could build a new Lego death-star and do a Star Wars marathon.
After school, he clocked in at a Bakery that he recently started working at. And you would not believe who came in.
He was preparing a coffee for a usual customer, when a chime came from the door, alerting him of a customer. He was the only employee working today, which made him a bit stressed, but he pulled through.
”I’ll be right with you!” He called out, his back facing the new customer as he popped the lid on the perfect coffee he just prepared. “Here you go May! Have a wonderful day!” He smiled, May returning it as she walked out. He turned to the next customer, but freezing the second he saw who it was.
He quickly shook the shocked look off his face, careful not to waste any more time. “H-hello! Sir, uh, Mr. Tony S-Stark sir, what can I- get for you?” He awkwardly smiled.
”Heard this is the best bakery in town. Just get me the most popular pastry and a Large black coffee.”
”Right away!”
Peter scrambled over to the glass case to get a slice of the Raspberry Jam Pie, setting it on the counter and heading over to the coffee machines. He heard not one, not two, but three chimes from the door. He audibly groaned.
”I’ll be right with you!”
”Quite busy, eh? Are you the only one working today?” Tony asked.
Peter was going to ignore him until he remembered who was talking to him. “Uh- yeah. I think the others clocked out ‘cause they’re busy. No biggie though.” He said, popping a lid on the coffee then hurrying over to put the pastry in a small box.
”Hey Clint! How are the kids?” Peter asked, spotting him from behind Tony.
”As messy as always, I’m here for the order of donuts.”
”Of course, one second!”, “Here you go Mr. Stark sir, that’ll be $7.50.”
”Keep the change kid, and just call me Tony.” He smiled, paying, taking his stuff and leaving.
Peter watched him leave, then got back to work. “Right, your donuts!”
-
It was around 7 PM when he got home, a successful day at school and work. He was about to plop down on his bed and relax when his phone started blasting with notifications.
Ned:
PETER
ARE YOU OKAY??
HAVE YOU SEEN THE NEWS
PETER
ANSWER!!
PETE
Peter:
Ned what’s going on dude??
are you okay
Ned:
Oh god u havent seen the news
Peter its your mom, she
look at the news..
im rlly sorry Peter
In a panic, Peter frantically reached for the remote, turning the TV on, it was already on the news.
“And sadly tonight, a woman of the name Pepper Potts was shot and killed when attempting to stop a robbery at Queens Bank, where she worked.”
A tear slipped, then another. He started bawling, falling to his knees. His hands covered his eyes as he weeped, the news still playing.
”We have just gathered some more information. Unfortunately, she had a son by the name of Peter Potts.”
Had. Had. That’s what got him. He had her. She was the only person he had left. Now what was he supposed to do? He’d have to take extra shifts at work, maybe another job even. He’d have to fully pay all of the bills by himself. He’s only 17. God he wished this was dream, where he’d wake up and Ma would be there, scolding him about snoozing his alarm clock and being late to school.
He’ll miss her like hell.
It’s been two years. Today was the anniversary of her death.
He groggily groaned, climbing out of bed slowly but surely. He didn’t even have his eyes open when his phone started blowing up with notifications from possibly everyone he had saved in his contacts.
So he picked up his phone, opening his eyes to read them and respond.
Ned:
See you tonight bro?
You don’t have to btw
Have a good day
Peter:
Still on for tonight, thanks Ned
-
May:
Hi sweetie
Hope you’re doing okay
Do you work today? If you do, I’ll swing by the bakery.
Peter:
I am working today May, see you later!
-
MJ:
Hey loser
See u later at Neds
have a cool day
Peter:
Thanks M, See ya
-
Clint:
Hey buddy, you work today?
I’ll bring the kids by, they’ve missed you
Peter:
I’m working, I’d love that.
i miss the kids too.
-
Well, he’s in for a day. He’ll pick some flowers up to drop off at Peppers grave, head to work, hang out at Ned’s and then just…exist. Left alone in his thoughts.
He got up from his bed, grabbing some clothes so he could shower.
Though, no warm water today. He’ll just have to shower cold. He tilted his head back, the cold water falling down his face.
He slipped on a white long sleeved shirt, a band shirt over that, some baggy jeans and accessories. Slipping a hoodie over himself, even though his hair covered most of his face anyway.
He grabbed his skateboard and his headphones, and left, slamming the door loudly behind him.
-
Marigolds were always his Ma’s favorite flower. He never knew why, but does anyone actually ever have a reason for their favorite flower? So he picked some up at a local flower shop, like last year, and headed to her grave.
”Hey Ma, I brought you some marigolds. How has it been up there, or wherever you are?”, “Life’s been a bitch for me. I know you probably wouldn’t want me to use that ‘foul language’, but you’re not here to stop me.” He laughed a little.
”I got another piercing, it’s called snake bites. I think they’re cool. I know you would agree, only after lecturing me though.”, “I miss you. It’s been a struggle. And every time I think of giving up, I just remember what you said when I was 7.”
”You’ve got this. Just dust your knees off and try again.”, “It might not be anything super important, but it’s just your voice that makes me happy.”
-
There was only one other employee working, but they had to clock out early due to a family emergency. So it was just him, just like the same day two years ago.
He heard a chime from the door, another customer. It wasn’t super busy today, which was both good and boring.
”What can I-“ He turned around to see Tony Stark. He hadn’t been here since, once again, same day two years ago.
”What can I get for you, sir?” He smiled.
”Just a black coffee for now, I have friends coming.”
“Of course.”
Peter got him his coffee and Tony went to sit at a table. He heard a chime, looked over to see Clint and the kids.
”Cooper, Lila, Nathan!” Peter smiled. “Hey Clint!” He came out from behind the counter to give the kids hugs. “How have you guys been?” He asked, kneeling down.
”Good, dad’s been teaching me archery.” Lila smiled.
”I’ve been getting straight A’s in all my classes!” Cooper exclaimed.
”And I got a job.” Nathan said.
”All very exciting. How about you three go take a seat and I’ll get you some snacks and drinks, okay?” Peter said.
They all went to sit down, but spotted Tony and started harassing him with questions. All which Tony replied to. Peter leaned against the display case, looking from them to Clint. “How ya doin pal?”
”It’s been okay, I dropped off some Marigolds at her grave today.”
”Everything okay money wise?”
”Sorta. I’m gonna pick up an extra shift tomorrow cause the water was cold this morning.”
”You can always come stay with us Pete.”
”Thanks as always Clint, but I promise I’ll get through. I’ll come to you if I really need it.”
”If you say so.” He smiled. “Get them some milkshakes and raspberry pies, I’ll pay.”
-
Clint had left, Tony was still there. Was he just really early to this friends meet up or what?
door chime noises I guess
”Welcome ma’am how may I-“
”Lemon tart and caramel coffee.”
”Yes of course, what s-“
”What’s taking you so damn long? Do I have to repeat my order?”
”No ma’am, I was just asking what size-“
”Ugh! Just get me whatever size, how many could you possibly have!?”
”Y-yes, of course.” Peter hurriedly went to make the coffee.
Halfway through making the coffee, he realized they were out of lemon tarts.
”Uhm, Ma’am, we have no lemon tarts..”
”What do you mean you have none!? That’s one of the only reasons I came. Just make one! Where’s my coffee!?”
”I can’t make any, and i was working on-“
”Holy shit you’re useless! I thought this was the best bakery in town? Where’s your manager!?”
”Shes not in toda-“
”And why the hell not?”
”If you would stop interrupting me-“
”Oh really? So kids think they can speak to people like that nowadays!?”
”Hey Lady, calm down-“ Tony got up to step in, seeing tears spike at Peter’s eyes.
”Don’t tell me to calm down! This useless worker can’t do anything right!”
”Ma’am would you still like your coffee..”
”Of fucking course, you think I’m just going to change my mind!?”
Peter immediately went to finish the drink so that he didn’t have to interact with this lady any longer.
”He’s a kid, show some respect-“
”Why should I show respect to a child?”
Tony sighed, he was irritated as hell talking to this lady.
Peter just ended up making her coffee, giving it for free as the lady stormed out of the bakery. He couldn’t hold it in any longer and went to the back to cry some. He hadn’t been yelled at like that in a long time, not since he was 6 and his abusive, pedophile father was still alive.
Tony watched as the kid went to the back, and came back out when the door chimed looking very obviously like he had been crying.
But he hadn’t to leave at some point, he didn’t want to be a creep just watching the kid work. So he left.