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It was no secret that Peter was one of the least popular people at Midtown High. Needless to say, his position in the social hierarchy didn’t lead to him being invited to many parties. Peter tried not to care about it but couldn’t help but feel like he was missing out on some part of high school that everyone else was experiencing.
“Are we doing school wrong?” Peter asked, earning a perplexed look from his best friend, Ned.
“Uhh…I dunno man, what do you mean?” Currently the two are at Peter's apartment. They had just finished watching The Empire Strikes Back and had moved onto building a Lego hobbit house from Lord of the Rings.
“I mean are we supposed to be at a party right now…? It’s Friday night and we haven’t left my house”
Ned shrugs. “Come on Peter, we’re not like that. It's not us”
“Ya but why isn’t it? I already feel less than normal because of my powers. You can’t fault me for wanting to fit in in any way I can”
The two dropped the subject and finished their Lego set before Ned’s dad picked him up from Peter's apartment. Peter assumed that would be the end of it but the next day he got a text from Ned.
Dude guess who has two thumbs and found us a party to go too
It’s me!!👍👍
Peter was slightly shocked as he snorted at the joke. He quickly typed back.
Really?
Ned replied quickly
Yup. Tonight at eight
Ned then sent him an address. It seemed to be in a more wealthy area of town, but thankfully wasn’t Flash's neighborhood. Peter quickly hopped off his bed and went to ask Aunt May if he could go. It was already six so he didn’t have much time.
Aunt May had been surprised that he wanted to attend a party but since it was a Saturday night and Peter was caught up on his homework she agreed to drive him over to the party.
When Peter arrived, Ned was already standing outside waiting for him. He gave Aunt May a quick half hug goodbye before getting out of the car and hurrying over to Ned.
“Hey man, how did you find out about this?” Peter asked
“A magician never reveals his secrets, now come on lets get in there”
–
The beginning of the party was uneventful. For the first hour Ned and Peter mostly just wandered around the large house trying not to bump into anyone. There were a few kids they recognized from school but the vast majority of people were strangers.
At some point, Peter got thirsty and headed downstairs to the kitchen where the punch bowl was. After drinking a cup, Peter's stress began to wash away so he drank another and another after that. After his fifth glass he felt like he was walking on clouds.
He tried to find Ned to tell him to try some but couldn’t locate him. That's when Peter made the mistake of pulling out his phone to call his MIA best friend.
The mistake wasn’t in the idea but instead the execution. When he called, the phone rang twice before it connected except it wasn’t Ned on the other end of the line.
“Hey kid, what's up?” Peter recognized Tony’s voice anywhere. After the incident with the Vulture, him and Tony had gotten a lot closer. They had weekly lab time together at the compound and texted daily about mundane things.
“Mr. Starkkkkkkkk” Peter giggled as he spoke. “I didn’t mean to call you whoopsie”
Tony paused for a moment before replying. “Are you drunk Pete?”
Peter pouted at that, making his way to a quiet corner of the room. “No, I don’t drink Dad”
There was silence on the other end before Peter realized he had called Tony dad. He felt his mouth go dry as the room continued to swim around him. “I-I mean not Dad…You’re not my Dad you’re just like my Dad but not my Dad unless you want to be my Dad, wait is that weird to ask you?” Peter's ramblings were cut off by Tony.
“You can call me Dad kid it’s ok” Tony’s voice was incredibly soft.
Peter swallowed down the intense emotions he felt at those words. The touching moment ended as soon as Peter realized that he really wasn’t feeling like he normally did. Something was wrong. “Dad…I think I am drunk what do I do”
Peter could hear Tony sigh softly. “Don’t worry I already had F.R.I. track your phone and I’m on the way. Just stay put”
Peter nodded, trying his best to stay pressed into the corner of the room and keep his breathing controlled. “There must have been something in the punch I drank. Oh god, May’s gonna be so mad at me. What should I do?”
“Breath Pete, I’m coming to you. Everything will be fine”
“Dad…I’m scared. I didn’t mean to drink I really didn’t”
“I know, kid I know. Are you with anyone right now? A friend?”
Peter nods again, as if Tony could see him. “Ya…Ya Ned is somewhere at the party but I-I dunno where. I lost him”
“Ok. That's good try and find him, hopefully he isn’t punch drunk like you”
Peter laughs weakly but it dies as fast as it started. “Please hurry Dad” He mumbles.
For a second they were both quiet. “Don’t worry Pete” Tony finally replied.
–
By the time Tony arrived, Peter was already sobering up. He had his fast metabolism to thank for that.
Tony pulled up in a slick black Audi and Peter bumbled out of the house with Ned supporting him a few seconds later.
“Hey Mr. Stark” Peter greeted, clearing his throat as he got into the backseat of the car with Ned.
“No more ‘Dad’ now that you’re feeling better?” Tony’s words were light but his gaze was serious.
Peter’s cheeks turned crimson. “Are you…really ok with that? I mean you’re not…obligated to let me call you that”
Tony smiled. “Pete, I'd be honored. I just wish it didn’t take you being drunk to call me Dad”
Peter groans and Ned chuckles.
Thankfully May did not kill Peter when he arrived back home with Tony (After dropping Ned off at his house.) She was worried when they explained what happened but Peter was nearly back to his normal self so she wasn’t too upset.
“I’m happy Tony was there for you, Thank you” She directed the latter half of her sentence at Tony.
Tony nodded in response. “Anthing for my kid”
Peter blushed softly “thanks Dad” he mumbled. What started as a drunken mistake ended up being an important catalyst for the two's relationship. While Peter wouldn't admit it, he was happy he had drunk the punch that night.