Recovery

Peter is trying to find a way to heal. A way to move forward. After being gone for 5 years, he returns to find his last living relative gone, and now his mentor is hanging on by a thread. He finds a family with the remaining Avengers and another genius teenager from Tennessee. But still, there is something missing.
When his mentor finally wakes up, Peter is thrown once more, now unsure of his place in the tower he’d come to call home.
Or
The end game fix it I really want with a bunch of Iron-Dad Spider-Son and some sickeningly sweet Parkner.
Warning: English is my first language, which means that I am terrible at it. Don’t judge.

Chapter 1: Prologue – The Battle.

Chapter Text

Peters POV

The battle was hard. It’s loud and chaotic in a way Peter has never experienced before. Explosions going off in every direction, people he doesn’t know yelling orders and trying to help, and worst of all, Tony nowhere in sight when he steps onto the marsh that once held the compound. He doesn’t know much of what was happening, other than one second, he was on an alien planet feeling the worst pain imaginable, and the next, Dr Strange was telling him 5 years had passed and he needed to help.
He tries to ignore the pain that lingers from whatever the purple guy had done to them and gets up to help. He holds his breath when it gets hard, but he keeps punching, keeps swinging and keeps going with all he has in him, determined to help and find out what happened when it is all finally over. Obviously, the middle of a battlefield isn’t the best place for introductions, much less asking if anyone else is struggling to breathe through the pain. So, Peter keeps going. He keeps fighting and when he spots Tony, he keeps a smile on his face, knowing he can’t distract the man in such a situation.
He carries on fighting, taking hits here and there. He fights alongside heroes he has looked up to since he was a kid, some he has met, others he hasn’t. Peter plays his part in keeping the gauntlet away from Thanos and then carries right on swinging. Hit after hit, he takes them. If they had gotten this far, surely, they had to win. He’s not entirely sure what happened on Titan, but he could tell that this was their shot to really win.
The battle is hard, but nothing is worse than watching the man he sees as a mentor snap his fingers and resign himself to death just to save the universe he’s fought so hard to bring back to life.
When Peter runs to his side, he gets to say only a few words before he is pushed back. He doesn’t fight when Pepper pulls him away to say goodbye to the man she loves, he simply steps away and turns his back. Peter had already watched one father figure die, known another to have, he doesn’t need to witness the third leaving too. He turns his back and holds his breath, feeling not only physical pain but emotional crack him in half once more. It’s only when he sees the sparks lighting in mid-air in front of him that he starts to breathe again. Dr Strange steps out.
“If you want him to have any hope of making it, we need to get him to Wakanda. Right now.” It is said in such a no-nonces tone that Peter just steps out of his way and watches as those still standing rush to help move Mr Stark through the portal, tiny looks of hope breaking out on their faces. Peter watches as Tony is carried to what he hopes is his salvation as he fells a sense of numbness washing over him. He joins them in helping to move the man still encased in an incredibly heavy suit of armour. The portal stays open behind them to let anyone else still lagging behind through to what Peter presumes is Wakanda.
It opens into what looked like an A&E department, with doctors and nurses rushing around to help the wounded. Tony is set on a bed waiting right in front of them and wheeled off with no hesitation, Dr Strange and Pepper rushing alongside him. Those who had helped carry Tony through and others stand looking after him, now with no purpose to occupy their mind.
“What do we do now?” Only when he speaks does Peter realise he’s standing next to a very rough-looking Steve Rodgers.
“We tend to the wounded, and hope.” Bucky Barnes replies standing next to him, raising a hand to pat his shoulder. None of them had moved from where they had stopped after placing down Tony, still staring after when he had been taken.
Someone Peter doesn’t recognise walks up to them and starts pointing them to different doctors to be seen to. He knows they said something to him, but he doesn’t move. He stays, staring after where they had taken his mentor, trying to remember how to breathe.
“Do you know who this kid is?” The stranger asks Steve who is also still standing next to him.
“I’d guess by the suit, it’s Spiderman…” But Steve trails off when he finally looks down and registers what they had called him – a kid.
“Peter?” Rhodey appears out of nowhere, stepping into his line of sight, War Machine armour nowhere in sight. “Peter, can you hear me?” He can’t respond.
Peter is sure something else is said – whether to him or someone else he doesn’t know – but at this point, his ears have started ringing and his sight goes blurry. Something is waved in front of his face, but his eyes stay fixed in the same direction, now blocked by Rhodey. The numbness that had flooded him before suddenly vanishes and he can’t breathe. He doesn’t know if it’s because of an actual injury or because he doesn’t know if Mr Stark will live or not, but he doesn’t have a chance to figure it out.
The battle was hard. But loosing Mr Stark would be harder. This is Peter's last thought before the ground is suddenly rushing up to meet him.

Rhodey reacts the fastest, catching him before he can hit the floor.
“Who is this kid, Rhodey?” Steve asks from where he is still standing. Rhodey doesn’t answer straight away. Once he’s helped lift Peter's limp body onto a bed, he finally looks to Steve.
“That kid – That kid is the reason we're all standing here.” He doesn’t take his eyes off Peter, knowing that’s what Tony would want.
“What do you mean?” It takes a moment for Rhodey to remember that Steve hadn’t been around when Peter was still here.
“That’s Peter – Spiderman – Tony’s son.” He knows Steve is confused, but he doesn’t have time to answer his questions as the doctors start to move Peter away. Rhodey quickly follows after them.

Chapter 2: Chapter 1 - Help.

Chapter Text

Peters POV

It’s dark again. For a moment, Peter thinks he must have just been hallucinating. He’s right back where he had been for the last – he doesn’t even know how long. He’s back in the empty void once more. It’s just as cold and dark as he remembers. No matter how hard Peter tries, he can’t hear a single thing other than his own footsteps. He must have just imagined the battle. Peter shuts his eyes once more.

The next thing Peter is aware of is people rushing around him. He can feel himself being attached to machines, and hear people talking above him. He tries to get his words out, but it only comes out as a mumble. They’re so loud, Peter just wants it to be quiet. He had gotten so used to the quiet.
“Does anyone know his name?” Is shouted above him from his right to anyone listening.
“We’ve only met him once and he kept his mask on the whole time,” comes the reply from somewhere on his left. Peter can’t place the voice.
“P-“ Peter tries to say his name but is cut off by coughs. Hands reached to hold him down – probably to prevent him from aggravating any wounds – but he flinches back at the touch, feeling lightning strikes go through him at any contact.
“His name is Peter.” He does recognise that voice. Rhodey.
He doesn’t know what’s going on and it’s making him panic, dialling up his senses even more than normal. He needs them to stop touching him. He continues trying to move away from those around him, now realising he is in some sort of hospital bed.
“Stop moving, you’ll make it worse.” Is said to him by someone standing at his head. Once his coughing is over and he can breathe again, he can finally speak without choking.
“Please stop.” It comes out as more of a whimper from his dry throat, but it’s clear enough for them to get the message. They all hesitate when they realise it is only doing more harm than good.
“Okay everyone, back up,” someone commands as Peter tries to curl in on himself, his arms getting caught on wires.
Someone steps up to where he has laid his head and crouches down next to him. Speaking softly, they started to ask questions.
“Hey kid, I know you’re uncomfortable, but I need to know where it hurts. We’re the good guys, we only want to help.” If Peter had his eyes open, he would know that they are now in a private room, slightly removed from the chaotic A&E-type area. He’s surrounded by doctors and nurses who just want to help but don’t know how to. “We can’t pinpoint what’s wrong with you unless you help us. We need to know more about you other than you’re Spiderman and you’ve just been to war.”
Peter whimpers as he considers what the person says to him. He slowly opens his eyes to meet a soft green pair staring back at him, the person smiling kindly while still crouched near his head, he can also see Rhodey standing just behind them too. Peter swallows to make speaking easier before opening his mouth.
“My name is Peter.” He finally gets out.
“Well, hello Peter,” she smiles, “my name is Naomi. Do you know where you are? What happened?”
“I think Dr Strange said something about Wakanda. I think I know what happened. There was a fight. I think we won.” Peter croaks out, his throat feeling dry again. Naomi smiles softly again, nodding.
“That’s right. You’re in Wakanda, and there was a fight. Do you know what happened after?” Peter thinks for a second, only pulling a blank for what had happened after walking through that portal with Mr Stark in his hands. He shakes his head – as best as he can while still lying on his side in a ball. “You passed out before anyone could help you. You’ve clearly been through a lot and we just want to help.” Her tone is serious as she explains what happened. “I need you to tell me where it hurts.” Peter takes a second to assess his body.
“My ribs. And my head. I heal fast though, so as long as nothing is displaced, I should be fine in a couple hours.” He replies. Naomi nods along as he talks, someone beside her noting down what he said in his chart.
“Okay then Peter. We’re going to give you some painkillers to take the edge off and take you for some scans. But it might be a while as we’re pretty busy at the moment.” She continues to smile as she talks, noticing Peter isn’t like the adults she is used to treating. “One last question, okay?” Peter nods. “How old are you, Peter?”
“16” It’s no more than a sigh as Peter starts to feel the effect of whatever one of the nurses had injected him with while he was still chatting with Naomi. He doesn’t hear the shocked gasps of those in the room who heard him as he starts to slip back into unconsciousness, his last thought being that he didn’t ask about Mr Stark.

-+-

The world carries on moving around Peter as he sleeps in his drug-induced rest. People speak while looking him over, positioning him to check over his ribs and get him ready for scans. Rhodey stays by his side, not leaving for a second. He gets updates about Tony via text and sends back about Peter. Notes are taken on the bruising over his ribs and a few other places, and just an hour later more notes are written about those same bruises having faded away. Doctors come in to check on what is confirmed to be their youngest patient from the battle.
People talk in the hallways about the unconscious boy as he drifts, back in the void, just like where he had been only hours earlier. They hear from others – both snapped and not – about what had happened out on the field. Some ask about the kid, having seen him collapse, and they are all given the same answer: He’ll be okay.
And just down the hallway, Tony Stark is being wheeled back into another private room, one less limb than he had woken up with that morning, but a sliver of hope for waking up soon.

Chapter 3: Chapter 2 - Healing.

Chapter Text

Peters POV

Peter wakes again the next day, having been moved rooms once more. He is again confused about where he is. Is this another hallucination? Or is this the real part?
He takes a moment to take stock before opening his eyes, feeling his body ache beneath him. He can’t breathe as deeply as normal and his head is pounding, but other than that, he doesn’t see a need to keep lying around.
He sits up slowly, cautious of his ribs, looking around him for the first time. The room is dimly lit – probably adjusted for a sleeping patient – and looks just like any other hospital room, except a lot more high-tech. It’s then that he remembers that he had stepped through a portal to Wakanda, the most advanced place on the planet. He pauses for a second to process what he remembers before jumping up and quickly un-attaching himself from all the wires – he has to find Mr Stark. The machines he was just attached to start making loud beeping noises that hurt his ears, reminding him of his enhanced senses being overly active today. He jumps back from the machines and presses himself to the wall, trying to get away, when someone rushes into the room. They look somewhat familiar but panicked at the suddenly missing patient.
Peter coughs from where he is standing, and their head turns so fast he’s concerned they might get whiplash.
“Peter,” she sighs out in relief, “you really shouldn’t be out of bed yet.” Naomi – he remembered – steps closer to the machines to turn them off.
“Where’s Mr Stark?” He asks in a way of response. Naomi just smiles sadly at him.
“I can’t share patient information with anyone but family I’m afraid. But you really should get back to bed.” Peter tries to step forward to ask again but finds himself stuck to the wall – literally. It takes a few seconds for him to calm his breathing and be able to step away, choosing not to think about the mishap. Peter clears his throat once again.
“I’m fine now, I just need to see Mr Stark.” He tries to ask quietly, even the volume of his own voice hurts his ears.
“Look, Peter, I know you’re worried about him, but right now I’m only worried about making sure you’re okay. And so, at this moment in time, I need you to get back into bed and rest while I ask some questions.” She tries to smile as she speaks, but Peter can tell she is trying to be firm at the same time. “I’ll make you a deal. If you get back into bed, I’ll go find you some food, you must be hungry right? You haven’t eaten in 5 years.” Naomi tries to make a joke, but it falls short when she sees the expression on Peter's face.
Peter nods, nonetheless, and slowly steps back to the bed. Naomi steps out of the door, probably to go and find some food for him as he climbs back in. As the door swings closed, someone stops it.
“Peter?” He once again looks to the door, but instead of finding Naomi there as he expected, he sees Rhodey. They had gotten to know each other quite well in the year Peter had spent as Mr Stark's intern, so he wasn’t hesitant to speak.
“Rhodey? What are you doing here? Are you okay? What about everyone else? What about Mr Stark?” The questions fly from Peter's lips before he can stop them, and he winces at his own volume. Rhodey just raises his hands as a way to signal him to stop. He walks closer to the bed Peter is about to once again jump out of and takes a seat on the edge.
“I’m absolutely fine. I’m here to check on you.” Peter can see the concern on his face. But he doesn’t miss the way Rhodey skips answering his last question. He figures the quickest way to get what he wants is to just answer.
“My head hurts, and I can tell my ribs are still healing. But other than that, I’m fine.” Peter just looks at the sceptical look on his face. “My ears hurt a bit too, from the noise. My eyes aren’t as bad though, the lights are dim enough.” He relents, letting the man know what's really wrong. Rhodey just nods while looking at him.
“Pete, did anyone tell you what happened?” There is something in his voice that Peter can’t identify, and it scares him.
“Dr Strange didn’t say much, just that it had been 5 years and we needed to help.” Peter looks down in fear. “Has it really been 5 years since we first fought Thanos?” Rhodey just sighs.
“Yeah, Pete. It’s been a long 5 years.”
“What about Mr Stark? Is he okay? He didn’t look too good when I saw him.” Peter can’t wait any longer to get his answers. Rhodey stares at him with pity.
“I’m not going to lie to you kid, he took a hit. But Tony knew the risks when he made his choice.” He’s almost scared to ask.
“Did they manage to save him?” He can hear the raw vulnerability in his own voice. He really does sound like a kid right now.
“Yes.” Peter's head snaps up in hope, looking for Rhodey to tell him more. “It was touch and go for a little while, and he’s lost his arm. But he’s breathing.” Rhodey looks away before continuing. “He’s alive, but he’s in a coma.” Of course everything wouldn’t be okay.
“I want to see him.” Peter can’t imagine continuing to just sit here, doing nothing.
“Okay Pete, let me find a wheelchair or something.” Rhodey knows better than to try and keep the kid away. If Peter wants to see Mr Stark, he’ll find a way to see him, even if he hurts himself in the process.
Rhodey gets up and leaves the room. Peter takes a moment to breathe. His ears are starting to ring again, even from that short conversation. He’s not going to let this bother him though. He’ll deal with it after he’s seen Mr Stark. Just one conversation at a time.

Chapter 4: Chapter 3 - Will He Be Okay?

Chapter Text

Peters POV

Rhodey returns shortly after, with the wheelchair he had gone to get being pushed in front of him.
“I don’t think I really need that.” Peter whispers out, not knowing if he will hear him or not. He does.
“Well, I’d rather have to push you around than have you pass out on me halfway there.” Peter doesn’t entirely agree, but he relents anyway.
He slips out of the bed easily, not attached to anything this time, thankful to find himself in jogging bottoms and a t-shirt as opposed to the classic bottom-exposing hospital gown. He sits down in the chair, ready to go and see Mr Stark. It doesn’t take long to get there.
He hears voices he somewhat recognises as he’s pushed down the hall that they had wheeled Mr Stark down just a day earlier. Peter puts his hand on the doorway just as they get there, signalling Rhodey to stop. The room doesn’t just hold Mr Stark, but also the Avengers, or what is left at least. But the main thing he is focused on is his currently unconscious mentor lying in bed – sans an arm. He hears himself gasp and suddenly the room is silent. Had he taken his eyes off of Mr Stark, Peter would have seen all the Avengers staring at him. Those who had seen him the day before looking on at him in surprise and slight pity, while the others start to stand guard, confused at the appearance of an unknown teenager sitting just inside the entrance of the door.
Someone clears their throat making Peter tear his eyes up to look at them. His eyes meet those of the one and only Steve Rodgers.
“Spiderman?” It’s clear he’s uncertain in his question, and others in the room turn to look at Rhodey who is still standing just behind him, also confused. Peter doesn’t respond, continuing to keep his eyes fixed on the unconscious man.
“Peter?” This time it isn’t an unknown asking for his attention, this time, it’s Pepper Potts. “Peter, what are you doing here?” It’s asked in a concerned voice, but Peter only hears the words and starts to worry that he’s intruding.
“I-I’m sorry. I just wanted to make sure he was ali-okay…” Peter says in a quiet voice, slowly moving his eyes to Miss Potts. She smiles softly at him – a lot of people seem to be doing that recently – as she stands to walk to his side.
“He’s fine Peter, but I’m concerned about you too.” Miss Potts gently places a hand on his left shoulder, trying not to wince at his flinch. “Why don’t you come and sit next to me while this lot clears out.” The adults in the room take the hint and start shuffling out, Rhodey included. Miss Pots takes over pushing the chair. “Last I heard, you were passed out, and I don’t want a repeat of that.” Peter doesn’t question how she knows – she is Pepper Potts after all. He just nods and lets her push him towards the side of the bed. He settles down, choosing to ignore those who have just left in favour of his most important question.
“Will he be okay?” His eyes are once again fixed on his mentor, scared to look away. He doesn’t see Miss Potts glancing down at him too, unsure of how to break the news to the young boy. No one else is there to offer an answer to help, she can’t help but glance away from the obviously scared kid.
“Peter,” Miss Potts tries to speak softly, not wanting to scare him any more than he obviously is. “He went through a lot.” She takes a second to breath. “He went through a lot, but there is hope. Dr Strange and the other doctors managed to stop the spread of any radiation, but only time will tell what damage had already been done.” Only now does Peter glance up at her.
“Will he wake up?” Peter knows he sounds like a child right now. He remembers asking a similar question when he was just 5 years old, asking if his parents would ever come back. He feels the pressure behind his eyes, ringing starting in his ears. He’s scared. Pepper sighs.
“We hope so. But right now, we really don’t know.” Peter doesn’t hear anything other than that. He just returns his eyes to his mentor and sits back in his chair, bringing his knees up to his chest, ready to stay there until Mr Stark can look back at him.
Peter can hear the Avengers start to ask questions down the hall. He hears them questioning who the random kid is. He can hear them asking if he was really Spiderman. All of the questions likely directed at Rhodey.
Dr Strange enters the room to check on Mr Stark, seeing Peter there and choosing to do it in silence. Peter can feel himself slipping away, letting the still present ache envelope his still fragile body. He just keeps staring. Peter just keeps hoping.

“Do you know where May is?” Peter finally breaks the silence that had been heavily hanging in the room. He directs his question to Miss Potts who has also remained by Mr Stark's side. She turns to look at him as if only just thinking of the woman herself. Peter worries for a second, thinking that maybe so much time has passed that Miss Potts doesn’t actually know anything about where May might be. From what he’s heard, it’s been 5 years. Why would she know where some kids’ aunt is?
“Peter…” Miss Potts takes on the same tone she had used when telling him about Mr Stark and Peter's worry grows. “I’m so sorry Peter. I should have told you sooner.” He notices tears starting to gather in her eyes and holds his breath. “She was so broken up when you didn’t make it back.” He knows what’s coming. “We tried to help her, but you were her only real family left. She moved away from New York.” He just knows. “We tried to keep in contact, but after a while, she stopped responding.” Please no. “We reached out to the hospital she had been working at and…” Please not another one. “We were told that there was an incident with a patient. They got violent.” Oh gosh. “She... she didn’t make it Peter. I’m so sorry.”
Peter can hear the sincerity in her voice, the pain that she feels for a woman who had become her friend. But he doesn’t hear anything else. He just sits back in his chair once more, processing the fact that he truly is now the last Parker.

Chapter 5: Chapter 4 - Who Is Peter Parker?

Chapter Text

Peppers POV

Pepper feels guilty. About so many things. She feels guilty that she can’t help more. Here she is, husband that no one knows if he will wake up. Daughter that hasn’t seen her since everything happened, not knowing what is going on. And the teenager her husband practically adopted curling in on himself at the knowledge his only last living relative is gone. Pepper feels guilty that she can’t do more.
She decides to let Peter have a moment and heads out into the waiting area. When she gets there, she finds those of the Avengers left are waiting just down the hall.
“He’s stable, but there are still no signs of him waking.” Pepper announces to the room, speaking louder now that she doesn’t think Peter can hear.
“Pepper,” Steve stands from where he was sitting in a chair on the far side of the room. “We know a lot of time has passed, and we need to help, but we have questions.” He looks like he’s unsure of what he’s saying, scared to upset her further. Pepper just nods, knowing where this was going. “We’ve got to ask, who’s the kid?” She knew she would have to explain who Peter was to them. They’re a group of highly trained fighters and enhanced. They didn’t and still don’t understand why there was a child in their ranks.
Pepper just sighs once more.
“That’s Peter.” She meets Steve’s gaze before continuing. “He’s also Spiderman. Tony-“ Just breathe. “Tony kind of took him under his wing after everything that happened between you guys. They were close.” Pepper takes a moment to try and think of what to say to the room in front of her. “Peter was basically his son.” Keep breathing. “When you guys came to the cabin to ask for Tony’s help, he didn’t want to risk it. We were a family, him, Morgan and I.” She didn’t know if this was the right thing to do, outing Peter and Tony to people that they either didn’t know or trust, but she knows what needs to be done. “We were happy for 5 years, but there was always something missing. Peter.” At first, Pepper hadn’t understood why Morgan and her hadn’t been enough for Tony. Only during the darker nights when Tony hadn’t slept in days and had spoken in quiet words of the son he had lost did she start to understand just how much Peter had meant to him. She thought about what it would feel like to lose their daughter and she had started to understand why he was so broken up about Peter.
“When we asked him, he said no, though.” Steve said in a way to prompt her to carry on.
“He said no until he thought about Peter. He thought about the son he had lost, and Tony realised that maybe, just maybe, he might be able to bring him back. To truly be happy. And he did bring him back. But now he’s fighting for his life.” She takes a second to breathe before continuing. “That kid in there is the reason why we’re all standing in this room. Why the other half of the universe has been bought back. And I’ve just had to tell that kid that his last living relative died while he was gone. So don’t go marching around being all high and mighty around him. Just let him be and don’t bother him okay? He’s going to need time.” Pepper takes a second to breathe once more. They know who he is now, so they shouldn’t bother him. One problem is out of the way.
“Okay,” Steve says after a moment to process what she said. Looking around the room, Pepper sees all the others nodding in understanding. “With that out of the way, I think we need to start thinking of ways to help. It’s chaos out there.” This time it’s her turn to nod along. Just another thing to figure out.

Peters POV

After another long night of no sleep, Peter eventually climbs out of bed and heads back to the lab after grabbing a cereal bar from the kitchen. He had an idea, and he needed to work on it.
No one yet had come to collect the stone, so that needed to be sorted. He hadn’t heard anything about Mr Stark in a couple of days, but he had a few ideas on how to help. And he knew that some had been lost in the battle, but he had an idea of how to help them too.
Peter worked for hours. He looked at Mr Starks notes from the time travel device he had built. He read books that he found on quantum mechanics, sending messages to Ant-Man if he had any questions, which were quickly re-routed to someone else, but he got the answers he needed. He worked and worked until he had a plan. And once he had that plan, he went in search of Dr Strange, the last element he needed.
As far as Peter was aware, the people lost in the fighting were the Black Widow, the Vision and Loki. Peter had only met two of them briefly and the other he had only known as the bad guy, but from the information he had gotten from Friday, they were all worth saving.

“You want me to help you what?” Is Dr Strange’s first question when Peter finishes explaining.
“I want you to help me portal them out. All three of them.” Peter wasn’t as unsure around Strange as he was most of the other Avengers, having been to space with him and all, but he was still an adult that Peter didn’t quite know his place around. “I can get us to the right time, and I can tell you exactly where you need to open them, but I can’t make magical portals out of thin air like you can.” Peter tries to slip in a little joke in an attempt to distract from his crazy plan.
“You – a child – want to rebuild a quantum physics-based time travel machine to bring people back from the dead?” Dr Strange looks on at Peter with a strange look he can’t decipher.
“Not quite. Yes, to the first part, but I don’t want to bring them back from the dead. That’s impossible. I want to get to them seconds – if even that – before they died. Like take Black Widow, we can open a portal in the floor that she lands on, to a softer landing, so she won’t be injured. With vision, we can take him the second the stone was torn from his head, we do it fast enough and get the stone back in, his computerised systems won’t have had time to even process it was missing. And with Loki…” Peter trails off still not having quite figured that one out. “Well, I haven’t figured him out yet, but I need to talk to Thor and get more information and then we’ll be set.” Dr Strange was stuck between doubt and wonder at the kid.
“But won’t it mess with the timeline even more? Natasha was sacrificed for the stone, if she doesn’t go, we never get the stone, and you’ll create a loop.” Peter can’t help but sigh at him.
“No. The sacrifice was made as soon as she was falling. She was sacrificed. But according to what I could get out of Mr Hawkeye, the red guy never said that she actually had to die, just that it required a sacrifice. If we get her after she’s fallen, the sacrifice has been made.” Peter stops his talking and looks at Dr Strange in hope. Hope that he would agree to his crazy plan.
“Okay.” Is all he gets in response.
“You’ll do it?” Peter asks in hope.
“Yes, but you need to find out about Loki first. I think it would be best to do this in a one-and-done kind of situation.” Peter knew this would be the case, but he had a small problem.
“That was the only other thing...” He found himself training off once more.
“What?” He could tell Strange wasn’t impressed.
“I was hoping you could talk to Thor? Please? I know it’s silly, but he is kind of, you know, a god. And every time I’ve tried to talk to him, I just stare and can’t open my mouth.” And that is an understatement. The first time Peter was aware of being in the same room as the man, he literally forgot how to breathe. Dr Strange rolls his eyes but stands from where he had been sitting.
“You get building, I’ll talk to the god.” He starts to make his way from the lab before pausing and turning back. “Good job kid, let’s hope this works.” Peter thinks he sees a small smirk on his lips but chooses to ignore it in favour of staring at plans, happy that he had agreed to help.

-+-

He hadn’t told any of the others what he and Dr Strange were trying to do, but now he was regretting it.
It had gone just as Peter had planned, which was how he was now in this situation. Stood in a room with the Black Widow, the Vision and the God of Mischief. With nothing to say and no one to help him as Dr Strange had been called away. The Widow is the first to ask what all 3 are thinking.
“What the heck just happened?” She looks right at the kid in the room, confused and slightly suspicious. Peter finally takes a breath and begins to speak.
“I don’t think I’m the best person to explain that Miss Widow, but I can say that some people are going to be surprised to see you.” He takes another breath. “And that some time has passed since you were last around.” He’s not quite sure what else to say. He really should have thought of this. He thinks getting them to people who can explain better is a good idea. “Friday?” He asks, looking at the ceiling.
“Yes, Peter?” She responds.
“Are any of the Avengers here?” Please let one of them be around to help.
“Yes. Mr Rodgers, Barnes, Barton and Miss Maximoff are all in the Avengers common room. Mr Thor is in his room.” Peter lets out a sigh of relief.
“Can you please ask Mr Thor to go to the common room.” He’s not quite sure if he should send a message to the team to let them know what he’s about to bring to them, but what would he even tell them if he did.
“All done Peter.” He turns back to the 3 people still standing in the room with him, staring on in confusion at him.
“I think it’s best if they explain.” That is all he can bring himself to say.
He leads them over to the lift on the other side of the floor, and they all step in, ready to ascend to the common room floor. Peter stands at the back.
“Who are you?” This time it’s Vision that asks the question. Peter takes a second to think of a response.
“Oh- I’m Peter. I worked with Mr Stark before – everything.” All three of the adults turn to look at him.
“You work with him doing what?” Black Widow this time.
“I’m basically just an intern.” He pauses, thinking of the repercussions of revealing his other identity, but then decides that it doesn’t really matter to them. “I’m also Spiderman.” He doesn’t see the looks of shock on Black Widows and Visions face, or the confusion on Loki’s. Luckily, they don’t have time for more questions, as the lift doors open just before they can think of anything.
“Nat?” It’s nothing more than a whisper from Mr Barton, making everyone turn to look at the group exiting the lift. Peter hangs back, not being noticed. He watches on as more people that Peter has seen around gather around those he just brought back. He can hear Thor shouting in joy at the return of his brother and Miss Maximoff crying in joy.
Peter decides to simply let the lift doors close in front of him, choosing not to step out himself. He wants to let them have their reunion without the intrusion of a stranger.
He makes his way back to the lab and sits down at his desk once again, feeling the exhaustion creeping in, but trying to ignore it. He can cross one thing off his list. Now, he just needs to figure out what to do with the stones and try to figure out if he can help Mr Stark at all.

Chapter 9: Chapter 8 -Passing Time.

Chapter Text

Peters POV

A few weeks have passed since Peter brought those three back from the brink of death, and he’s had many people coming to him in an attempt to thank him. Most he has brushed off, saying anyone would do it. Only when Black Widow had come down to what most were calling his lab did he stop to listen.
“Why won’t you let us thank you for what you’ve done?” He had heard her walk in, thanks to his still overactive senses, but he still jumps at her question.
“I let people thank me…” He trails off, confused at the strange question. Peter was still nervous around the Avengers, even though he was technically a part of the team now. When he sees the look on her face, he continues. “I just think it’s silly for people to keep coming to thank me when there is so much to do. I’m happy you guys are back, but there is still so much left to work on.” At some point while talking he had looked back down at what he was working on. Something that he was hoping would help.
“I see your point,” Peter is shocked at the fact she didn’t argue. Usually, people say something else when Peter is being stubborn – their words, not his. “But,” here we go, “there being more work to be done, doesn’t take away from the fact that you figure out a way to bring 3 people back from the dead.”
“You weren’t ever actually dead.” Peter can’t help correcting her, feeling like that was part of the issue with people thanking him. “Miss Widow, I appreciate people saying thank you, I just think their time could be better spent.” There, said. He finally looks up to meet her eyes as he speaks.
“But coming down here is also the only way people know how to start a conversation with you.” Peter hadn’t thought of it that way, he does spend a lot of time down here. “Everyone knows who you are now. They know who you are to Stark.” Peter isn’t quite sure what to think of what she’s saying. People had been coming down to thank him, and then sticking around after. He didn’t realise they wanted to talk to him.
“I-“ He really didn’t know what to say. Mis Widow just pats him on the shoulder, clearly knowing that her words need time to process.
“Just think about it, Peter. Those people up there want to talk to you. Pepper told us about you losing your family. We don’t know what happened, but you’re not the only one who's lost everyone. Those people up there, they could be you’re family now.” With that, she started to head towards the lift door. “Also, stop calling me Miss Widow. It's Nat, at worse Natasha.” And then she’s gone, leaving Peter to think about a potential family waiting for him.

-+-

Peter had worked so many hours for this moment. He had researched and questioned people at the top of their fields to get all the information he needs. He had worked long hours to make sure everything was perfect and now was the moment of truth. He stands here, still in the lab – he refuses to say it’s his – in front of Mrs Stark, Dr Strange and a few of the team from the Medbay. All those in charge of Mr Starks care.
“Go on Peter.” Pepper encourages him. He had called her down, asking to speak to her about something he thought could help. It was her idea to bring the others. He hadn’t expected to be talking to this many people today. Peter clears his throat.
“I’ve been looking over all the work I could find, and everything I could figure out from the stones.” He takes a second to breath. “But I think I’ve found a way to help. Mr Stark wasn’t exposed to any type of radiation that we have seen before. No one has ever had the chance to study the stones before. They’re nothing like anything we’ve had on earth. It’s not gamma rays like with Dr Banner; it was something completely different. Which is why I think the stones can help-“ Dr Strange cuts him off with a confused look on his face.
“But the stones are what caused this mess in the first place.” Peter thought this might come up.
“Yes, but the possibilities with them are endless. If we can find a way to harness their powers, without someone having to physically handle them, we could save him.” Peter goes on to explain more about what he is thinking they could do.
“Could this really work?” Pepper turns to ask Dr Strange. This is the first time Peter has seen such a look of hope on her face.
In the last – gosh over a month now since everything happened, Pepper had been a constant in his life, her, Morgan, Rhodey and Happy. She had taken him under her wing, and he was starting to believe that she cared more than just felt responsible for him.
“Yes, I think it just might.” Peter felt like he could breathe slightly better after Dr Strange's confirmation of his suggestion. He can help.

It took another week for Peter to figure out just how to synthesise the stone's power, with the help of Dr Strange, and now Dr Banner, and now they were ready to try. It would actually be the first time Peter had been to see Mr Stark since they had returned to the tower. He had avoided going down to see him, feeling too much guilt at even the thought of his mentor. Mr Stark had risked everything to bring him back if what Pepper said was to be believed, and that was a heavy weight to carry. When everything is set and ready to go, Peter steps back to let the adults in the room take control of what is about to happen. His work is done for now.
Peter stands back and holds his breath, waiting for something to happen. But nothing does. Dr Strange does everything Peter had told him to, but Mr Stark continues to lay in his bed, unmoving and unconscious. All Peter can do is watch as everything he worked so hard for, goes down the drain. He had failed. He hadn’t done enough. This man in front of him had saved the universe, and Peter can’t even save him. He doesn’t hear anything said to him, choosing to simply leave the room to hide in the lab until he can figure something else out.

-+-

More time passes, and nothing changes with Mr Starks situation. Eventually, Peter realises that the stones need to be returned to their correct places in time. Keeping them all in one place is too much of a risk. He helps the Avengers get them back but continues to try and think of anything to help Mr Stark. He builds him a prosthetic arm to replace what he lost after the battle. Peter knows he can’t keep going like this. He still isn’t sleeping, his senses still haven’t returned to what they used to be, and he’s still spending hours on end in the lab. He only leaves when he’s asked by Pepper, and when that doesn’t work, she plays dirty. She sends Morgan in to come and get him, and one look at her, and he can never say no. Peter doesn’t know how much Pepper and the team are worried about him, and how much they keep seeing Tony when they look at him.

About a week after the failed attempt to bring Mr Stark back, Peter found himself staring at his Spiderman suit. He was so desperate to help, but when he had tried to put it on, he had passed out from the strength of the panic attack. Friday had informed Pepper about what had happened, leading her to rush to his side to try and help. When she had gotten him to med bay with the help of a few others, it had been decided to just let him sleep it off. Peter had slept for 4 days. Everyone in the tower is concerned.

Chapter 10: Chapter 9 - Meet Harley Keener.

Chapter Text

Peters POV

He was fading, and he knew it. Over the last few weeks, he struggled to stay awake, only small mercies making it easier. The few times he did crash – because it was always involuntary – he would awake, drenched in his own sweat, and often tears, haunted by the visions of dark places and a battle that seems to only get more violent each time he sees it. He doesn’t know how to ask for help, and he is too scared to be denied if he did.
Peter had chosen to test out of high school after it was announced as an option for those affected by the blip. Being 16 and out of school was never in his plan though. Yet, he found himself working non-stop. He took on more to help Pepper out, stepping up to help care for Morgan, and helping with the Avengers.

It had been a while since Peter had been around someone his own age, having not really had the chance to reach out to Ned much since the blip, considering he had chosen to stay and finish up high school the traditional way. So, Peter wasn’t quite sure how to face the situation in front of him.
Pepper had told him that another teenager was coming to stay at the tower, another teenager that Mr Stark had known, but this was not what he was expecting.
“So, you’re the great Peter Parker that the Old Man told me so much about?” The ‘kid’ in front of him is not what he thought was turning up. He’s about 4 inches taller than Peter, with broad shoulders and a thick southern accent.
“He told you about me?” Is all Peter can squeak out. Gosh, if he wasn’t sure he was bi before, he definitely knows now.
“He told me all about your work, but nothing about how adorable you are.” Peter can feel his face turning the colour of a tomato. They’re standing in the lab, Pepper having just left the two, with parting words warning them not to blow anything up. Peter doesn’t know how to respond. “Well, I’m sure you were listening to Pepper when she introduced me,” he had not been, too busy staring at the boy in front of him, “but my name is Harley. Harley Keener.” The boy – Harley, flashes him a bright smile that just leads to Peter's face heating up even more. “So, what are you working on?” Peter struggles to stop himself from staring.
“Um, some things.” Real eloquent, Peter.
“Sounds interesting.” Harley walks further into the lab, closer to Peter. “Are those hearing aids?” Right.
“Did Pepper, or Mr Stark, tell you anything about me?” Peter looks down at what he’s working on. “Other than the work I did with Mr Stark, that is?” He quickly clarifies. Harley just looks at him confused. “I have some enhanced senses.” He doesn’t need to tell him the whole story, just yet.
“How bad are they?” Harley looks a bit surprised but doesn’t let it show for long.
“They used to be manageable, before – everything. But they’ve only gotten worse since I came back.” Harley slowly nods, choosing to look at Peter's designs. Peter can tell he wants to ask questions, but he keeps them to himself. “I pulled up the plans for Mr Hawkeye's old hearing aids. I’m trying to reverse them, to block out noise rather than make it clearer.”
“How can I help?” Peter looks to the other teenager, only to find him already smiling at him. He can do this. He can let someone help.

Peters POV

Peter had still been unable to return to being Spiderman like he had been before the blip. He knew that people needed his help, but that was one thing he just couldn’t do. Every time he had tried to put the suit back on, it sent him straight back to Titan, to the dark place, or to the battle. He hadn’t been able to get back out on the streets like before, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t take the opportunity to train with the team when they offered it. It gave him a chance of a little normality. He could pretend for a little while that he was still Spiderman, that he wasn’t such a failure.
That’s where he finds himself now.
“Spider Baby, with me.” Natasha calls out as he enters the training room. He hadn’t seen any of them since they were gathered in Mr Starks hospital room and is slightly scared what they might say.
“I usually start with Steve and Bucky though?” He questions but begins walking to her anyway. In the last year, he had grown close enough to the team to not feel a need to call them ‘Mr’ and ‘Mrs’ followed by their super hearo name anymore.
“I know Spiderling, but I want you with me today.” Peter can see the concern on her face, but he knows Natasha. He’s just as close with her as he is Pepper. Peter knows that she won’t push him to talk right now. She might come and bug him later when he enviably can’t sleep, but she’ll wait until no one else is around and he feels safe enough to talk. He’s thankful for this.
Peter and Natasha spar like normal. She doesn’t take it easy on him, knowing he needs the distraction. It works for a little while, but he feels himself freezing when he hears footsteps.
“Pete?” Natasha asks as he stops moving. He can hear the footsteps getting closer to the room, close enough that he can hear the heartbeat that goes along with them, even with his hearing aids in. He knows that heartbeat. “Peter, what’s wrong?” He can hear Natasha’s concerne, but he can’t bring himself to comfort her right this second.
“I- I’ve got to go.” And with that, he sprints from the room through the door on the opposite side of where the footsteps were heading. The last thing he hears before getting in the lift is Mr Stark.
“Have you guys seen Peter?”

Harleys POV

Harley knows Peter is struggling, but he’s not sure how to help. He’s seen him go through a lot since he’s met him, and he thinks he’s helped, but this has really thrown him for a loop. He’s currently sitting in their room, staring at his laptop, a web browser filled with college requirements open in front of him. He had tested out of school at the same time Peter had, but they had both spoken about potentially going to college in the autumn together. He looks up when he hears the door opening.
“Pete?” Harley had thought he had gone to train with the team. Usually, he’s gone for longer than this. Peter doesn’t look at him, walking straight for their attached bathroom instead.
“Hey Harls, I’m just gonna shower. Maybe try and get some sleep.” He still hasn’t looked at him. “Don’t let me bother you.” With that, the bathroom door is closed, and Harley is left staring at it, concerned for his friend. He doesn’t know how to help his friend, but he knows who can. Harley closes his laptop and quietly leaves the room, intending to find Tony.

He finally locates the man in the lap after asking Natasha. Tony is leaning over a desk, looking over what he is sure is some of Peter’s work. Harley stops in the doorway and just starts speaking.
“He’s been drowning in guilt for the last year.” Tony jumps at the sudden voice. He observes the boy– man standing in front of him. It had been many years since he had actually stood in front of Tony, blip aside. Sure, Tony had heard his voice getting deeper over the phone as he grew, but he never actually saw just how much he had grown up. Harley is sure it’s strange to see such a jump.
“So, I’ve been told.” And he had been told. Not just by Pepper, but by many members of the team. He had also heard from Morgan that Peter was often sad whenever anyone brought him up. She hadn’t realised just what that meant. “I don’t know how to help him except just keep telling him he belongs here.”
“That’s a good first step.” Harley nodded as he speaks, stepping further into the lab. This conversation needs to happen. “But you need to show him you care too. He’s been trying to rebuild his life for the last year. We’re his family now. He’s scared that you won’t want him here and that he’ll be left alone.” Harley is sure his own insecurities are seeping into his voice too. He’s not wrong.
“Is that how you feel too?” Tony had heard from Pepper why he had moved into the tower, but he wasn’t too sure just how much damage had been done in Tennessee. Harley just looks down. “You know, you were probably one of the last people I expected to see when I woke up.” Tony really isn’t good at this feelings stuff, but he was dealing with teenagers here, so he needed to try. “But I’ve got to say, I’m glad you are.” Harley takes a deep breath.
“Did Pepper tell you why I’m here?” He can hear the nervousness creeping into his own voice. Tony can tell he’s scared that he might react like his grandparents did. He slowly reaches for the kid as he gets closer, turning Harley to face him.
“Yes.” He ducks his head to try and get him to look him in the eye. “And all I can say is I am so sorry they did that to you, kiddo.” Harley finally meets his eyes. “They’re the ones who are missing out. I just hope you know that you are always welcome here. I don’t care if you like guys, or girls, or anything in between.” Harley can hear the sincerity in his voice.
Harley slowly nods his head, a small smile creeping onto his face.
“Thanks, old man.” And just like that, he knows it was a good idea to come to speak to him. He may not have been as close with the man as Peter had been, but it’s still nice to hear his acceptance.
Tony takes a deep breath before continuing.
“And when it comes to Pete, you better believe he isn’t going anywhere. I don’t care about blood, that kid is my son, and I won’t stop until he knows it.” Tony says it with such certainty that Harley can’t help but smile. “I just need to get him to talk to me first.” Harley nods, turning himself to look at what Tony had been looking at. It’s the designs for Peters hearing aids.
“I’ve been trying to convince him to, but I think he just needs time.”
“Pepper said that too.” Tony looks back to the designs. “What’s this about? I thought Peter's hearing was better than perfect. Why does he need hearing aids no?” Harley can’t help but smile at the concern in his voice. But he decides not to tease him about it.
“Peter didn’t come back the same he left.” Tony looks at him, trying to hide his panic. “His senses are even stronger than before. These are to help him.” Tony just nods.
“Hearing aids aside, I hope you know that I will protect that boy as my son as well.” Tony looks back to Harley's confused face. “I doubt I have to tell you what I’ll do if you hurt him.” Realisation shows on Harley’s face.
“It’s not like that.” Harley looks away, now it’s his turn to blush. He takes great pleasure in making Peter blush, but he doesn’t like it when people do it to him. Tony just chuckles.
“Mhm, you keep telling yourself that. But seriously, don’t hurt him. He’s been through enough.” Harley turns back at the serious tone.
“I would rather turn back to dust than hurt Pete.” Tony smiles at his response.

Chapter 15: Chapter 14 - So, It's Been A Year.

Peter had gone to train with the team, and he is now positively exhausted. Not just physically, but also mentally from his chat with Mr Stark. He wasn’t completely comfortable with his position in the towers just yet, but he wasn’t as scared of being thrown out on his arse any moment with no warning anymore.
He makes his way back up to his room, a couple of floors above where the rest of the Avengers resided, thinking how much he just wants a shower and then his bed. He doesn’t acknowledge the thought of who he wants in his bed with him. As the doors open onto the penthouse floor, Peter finds himself faced with the Stark family.
“Petey!” Even at 6 years old, Morgan still called him that. She gets up off the sofa where she had been sitting with her parents to run towards him.
“Wait Morgs, I’m all sweaty from training.” Peter's warning stops her right in her tracks. This sends Mr Stark and Pepper into a round of laughter at their daughters’ obvious hesitance. Peter is slightly hesitant about intruding on their family time.
“Sorry to interrupt. I’ll just head to my room.” Mr Stark looks to him now.
“Yeah, you stink.” He scrunches up his nose, but Peter can still see the laughter in his eyes. “Go shower and then grab Potato Boy, dinner is almost ready.” Peter tries to hide his surprise at being invited to eat dinner with them. Sure, he had eaten with Pepper and Morgan almost every night for the last year, but he wasn’t expecting that the stay the same now that their family was back together. Mr Stark seems to see his apprehension. “We decided to have a family dinner to celebrate my return from the dead.” Pepper smacks him on the arm at his bad attempt of a joke, not seeing the way Peter flinches at the reminder of what happened.
Peter decides it's best to just do as he’s told, trying not to think of the words ‘family dinner’. He knows what Mr Stark said to him in the lab, but he hasn’t had the time to properly process everything yet. He finally walks away from the lift towards the corridor that holds all of their bedrooms.
He’s not too surprised to find Harley sitting at his desk, typing away on his laptop. Though they had never properly discussed it, it was commonly known that the room belonged to both of the boys, Harley's original room sitting unused ever since they started sharing a bed.
“Hey, darlin’. Have fun training?” Harley doesn’t look up from what he’s doing, the question is a common one between the two.
“Yeah.” Peter doesn’t speak with as much confidence as he normally does when it’s just the two of them, leading to Harley finally looking at him. He sees the doubt and wariness all over Peter's face.
“How about you go and shower, because as much as I want to hug you, I don’t want to have to shower myself. And then we can head out for dinner, yeah?” Harley nods as he speaks, hoping it will prompt Peter to agree with him.
“Okay.” Is all Peter gives back. He slowly makes his way into the bathroom, happy to wash the day off himself. He takes a quick shower, a little hotter than the normal person, hoping to wash away the stress he’s feeling. Once he’s dried and dressed, Peter steps back into the bedroom to find Harley still waiting for him. Harley takes one look at his face and stands from where he had been sitting, making his way towards the shorter boy. Taking advantage of his height, Harley tucks Peter's head under his chin while gathering him into a tight hug. Peter’s arms automatically come up around his waist to hug him back. They both hold onto each other, much tighter than normal. Peter tries to soak in the unspoken reassurance that Harley is giving him and finds himself relaxing just a bit more.
“Everything will be okay now Pete.” Harley whispers into the boy’s curls. Peter doesn’t step back but does raise his head to meet his eyes. “Nothing will go wrong. Everyone in this tower, especially out there, loves you.” Peter can feel the pressure building behind his eyes. Gosh, he needs to stop crying. Harley moves his arms from where he had been holding him, and Peter can’t help but miss the warmth. But he’s quickly distracted again. Harley's hands end up cupping his face, the taller boy staring into his eyes. He opens his mouth, about to say more before they’re interrupted by the door swinging open.
Peter curses Harley’s ability to make him forget his enhanced senses and then curses again when he realises what their position must look like.
“Sorry to interrupt, but dinner's ready.” Mr Stark says, smirking while still hanging onto the door handle. Peter drops his head to lean his forehead on Harley’s chest, he can feel his cheeks heating up in embarrassment. “Remember what I said, Keener.” Peter doesn’t look up again until he hears Mr Stark walk away.
“What did he say?” Peters’ curiosity gets the better of him and he can’t help asking, looking back up to his friend. Harley just smiles softly, looking into his eyes.
“Nothing you need to worry about for now darlin'.” Peter finds himself nodding before he even realises it, getting lost in his eyes once more.
“Parker! Keener! Dinner. Now!” Is shouted down the hallway, making Peter wince at the volume that wouldn’t affect anyone else.
“Guess we better go grab some food then.” Peter just nods at Harley's words, letting himself be pulled out of the room by his hand, trying not the think about how much he likes the feeling of Harley's hand in his.

Tonys POV

“So, they share a room?” Tony turns to ask his wife, having just returned from interrupting the two boys to let them know about dinner. “And are you sure they’re just friends?” Pepper just smirks from her place sitting at the table next to their daughter. Morgan is the one who speaks up.
“Harley helps Petey not have bad dreams. He didn’t sleep much before he came along.” Tony looks to Pepper in question. She just mouths ‘later’ in response to his confusion.
“Did you walk in on them during one of their ‘moments’?” Pepper asks herself. Clearly what he just witnessed is a regular occurrence.
“They were gazing into each other’s eyes like they’re in love. It’s sickening.” Tony laughs as he says the words. Those two clearly care a great deal.
“Sounds about right.” Pepper laughs too, and even Morgan giggles a little, probably having witnessed it too. “You better remind them to come out, or else you’ll have to go and catch them at it again.” Tony does just that, shouting down the hallway to them. He can’t help but chuckle once more when he sees Harley dragging a blushing Peter by the hand over to where they’re waiting for them. Those two are clearly in love.

“So, how’s school Pete?” It takes a second for Peter to think of how to respond. They had all sat down to eat together, and this is the first anyone had spoken.
“I tested out.” He keeps his head down, focussing on his food as he responds.
“I thought you didn’t want to do that. Wanted to finish up high school with your friends?” Peter can hear the confusion in Mr Starks voice. That had been true in the past, but a lot had changed since then.
“Well, after...” Peter takes a second, feeling Harley grab his hand under the table, squeezing it tight. “After everything that happened, going back to high school just didn’t feel right.” It’s partly true. He hadn’t wanted to return to high school, feeling that it would just be a waste of time. He had been through so much, that returning to that level of normality just didn’t seem like an option. Mr Stark slowly nods his head, considering the new information.
“Well, what have you been doing instead?” It’s an innocent question, but Peter is still nervous to ask.
“I’ve been working in the lab a lot. Doing a little here and there for the R&D department. Helping the Avengers with the relief efforts.” Peter lists off the things he’s been doing with his time, leaving out the smaller bits and pieces, knowing Mr Stark wouldn’t really care about those. Hearing it said out loud, Peter is just reminded of how little he really has done.
“Sounds interesting. What about you, Potato Boy?” Peter is relieved the focus has moved off of him.
“I’ve only been here a few months. I’ve mostly been helping Pete in the lab and playing pranks on the team.” Peter doesn’t need to look at the other boy to know he’s smirking, remembering some of the pranks he’s played. It also means that he doesn’t see the soft look Harley sends him.
“Ah yes, I’ve heard about some of those pranks.” Peter chuckles along with the others at the table. He could do this. He could make polite conversation over the dinner table and pretend everything is okay for short bursts. He doesn’t need to break down every time he sees Mr Stark.

Chapter 19: Chapter 18 - Quiet Talks.

Chapter Text

Peters POV

A couple of days pass just like that. Days spent in the lab, doing silly things, training with the team to keep his strength up and then dinner with the Starks and Harley, before collapsing into bed, exhausted both physically and mentally. There are no strained conversations where Peter lets his anxieties get the best of him, no awkward moments where Peter doesn’t know what to say. No one mentions Spiderman again, which he’s grateful for. He’s not ready to address that with Mr Stark yet.
He keeps up the role of the helpful intern he used to be in an attempt to fly under the radar, trying not to make anything worse in the fragile existence he now stays in. He thought he was doing well.

“Alright, enough is enough.” Harley finally says into the silence of their room. His tone is soft, but firm. They’re currently lying in bed, in their normal positions. Peter's head is on Harley’s chest, an arm wrapped around his stomach and Harley returns the embrace. They’re buried under the usual mountain of blankets, as along with Peter's heightened senses, he also finds it even harder to stay warm now.
“What are you talking about?” Peter is worried Harley might finally be about to bring up whatever was between him. He’s not quite sure he’s ready to face that.
“You. You’re pretending to be okay.” He knows Harley is looking at him, but he doesn’t move his head. “I know you’re not. You’ve been on edge since the old man woke up darlin’. Peter thinks before he responds.
“I know. I thought I was doing a better job at hiding it.” Peter's head moves when Harley chuckles.
“We may not have known each other long love, but you know you can’t hide from me.” He’s right. Peter knows he is.
“I’m scared Mr Stark will realise that I’m not worth the trouble.” There, said. Peter's worst fear is now out in the open.
“Oh, darlin’.” Harley wraps his arms tighter around the smaller boy, holding him together, hoping he won’t fall apart. “The old man loves you. He calls you his kid. You’re his family. He will never think that.” The words are said so softly, Peter can feel tears gather in his eyes in response. “I will tell you that as many times as you need, but I think we both know it won’t help. You just need to give it time, Love. Please don’t lose hope darlin’.” Peter lets himself soak in the words, knowing the truth behind them. Time. That’s what he needs. And sleep.
“Okay.” He whispers back, letting his eyes fall close and tucking his head even closer to Harley, if that’s even possible at this point.
“Goodnight, Love.” Peter doesn’t respond, choosing to wrap his own arms tighter instead.

Tonys POV

“You played down those two didn’t you.” Tony is sitting up in bed next to his wife, having decided to try and sleep.
“What do you mean?” Pepper had thought she had made it obvious that the two boys were clearly in love.
“They don’t just love each other. They need each other.” Tony turns to look at her. “Harley is Pete’s lifeline.” Pepper nods her head in understanding.
“Pete is just the same for Harley. His family abandoning him hurt. They help each other. Peter was even worse before he came along.” Tony isn’t entirely sure that the co-dependency between the two is entirely healthy, but if they’re happy, he won’t be the one to tear them apart.
“Speaking of family…” Tony turns to fully face his wife, hoping she won’t oppose what he’s about to suggest. “I know that you know how I think of Pete. And I know Morgan looks at him like a brother. So, I was wondering if-“
“You want to adopt Peter.” Pepper says it with no question in her voice. Tony just looks at her sheepishly, a look only she gets to see.
“Yes.” He looks straight at her, hoping she can tell how serious he is. “Would you have a problem with that?” Pepper just smiles.
“Tony, I’ve been Peter's legal guardian for the last year. I know you’ve seen him as a son for even longer than that, and I’ve come to see why.” She reaches for his hand, squeezing it tightly. “I see him as a son too. I’d love to adopt him with you.” A bright smile breaks out on Tony's face. He loves her so much. “But,” oh no. “I think it would be a good idea to talk to Peter first.” Tony can do that.
“Of course. I wouldn’t want to do anything he doesn’t want. I just want him to know we’re his family.”
“He already knows that Love. He’s just scared that things might change now that you’re awake.” Tony nods, looking down. He feels guilty that his return is causing so much turmoil for his kid.
“That’s just another reason to do this now. He needs the security.”
“You need to think about his past at the same time too though. Peter has lost so much in his life.” Tony doesn’t need to be reminded of that. He remembers when they found out that May had died. He feels a little guilty that he had been relieved that he didn’t have to be the one to tell him.
“He’s lost a lot, yes.” Tony grips her hand tighter. “That’s why we need to do this. We- I need him to know that we’re here. We’re his family, and we’re not going anywhere. Heck, I invented time travel to save that kid.” Pepper smiles.
“You should really mention that to him, see what he says.” She chuckles at a joke Tony doesn’t get, but he lets it slide. Just this once. “Just talk to him before you do anything, okay?”
“Of course.”
“Go to sleep Love. You’ve had a busy couple of days in the lab, and don’t think I don’t know what you want to show Pete tomorrow.” Tony didn’t know that Pepper was aware of his plans. He can only hope it doesn’t all go wrong.
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”

Chapter 20: Chapter 19 - Lab Day.

“So, what are we doing?” Peter asks her once they’re standing in the lift.
“We’re gonna eat ice cream and talk.” She can see the look of hesitation on his face. “Don’t make that face. I just wanna talk. That, and you’re the only person in this tower who doesn’t judge my ice cream tastes.” That finally gets a smile out of him.
“Is anyone else around?” Usually, when they hang out, they head to the team’s floor. Natasha had let them all know her plan, so they had cleared out for the next few hours.
“No, so we have the floor to ourselves.” She reaches her arm around his shoulder, pulling him into her side. “And all the blankets to ourselves.” That gets a grin.
“You grab the ice cream; I’ll get the blankets.” The doors open as she nods, letting the kid run off.

They sit beside each other, Peter wrapped in too many blankets for the current weather, but neither of them questions it, both knowing his issues with keeping warm.
“So,” Nat starts. “Harleys making a suit.” Peter doesn’t look up, staring at his ice cream like it’s the most interesting thing in the world.
“Yeah.” He is obviously having an issue talking today. Nat nudges him with her foot, knowing that he has more to say about it. “I’m scared he’s going to get himself hurt.” Of course, he is. Always worrying about someone else, this kid.
“Pete, look at me.” He lifts his head slowly. “You have every right to be worried.” He looks surprised at her words. “You and Harley are close.” Now isn’t the time to be teasing him. “You’ve lost a lot, and you’re scared of losing him too.” He just nods. “I can promise you now though, the rest of the team and I will try with everything in our power to make sure that doesn’t happen.” She can see the tears gathering in his eyes. Nat puts down her own ice cream in favour of gathering the small boy in her arms.
“I’m scared Nat.” She knows they’re not just talking about Harley making a suit anymore. She squeezes him tight.
“I know Baby Spider, I know.” She whispers into his curly hair, keeping him close.

That’s how the rest of the team finds them a few hours later. Ice cream melting on the table, a movie playing on the screen, and Peter falling asleep in Natasha’s arms. They don’t speak, just slowly shuffle in and take their seats, content to offer their support in silence.

Chapter 24: Chapter 23 - Training Day.

Chapter Text

Harleys POV

Harley walks into the training room the next day, both excited and scared to see what happens. When he steps in, he can’t help but stop and stare. Peter had left him earlier in the morning, having said that he wanted to get a head start today. Harley isn’t complaining anymore.
Peter is currently sparing with Nat on the other side of the room on some mats. They move so fluidly together; it looks almost like a dance. Obviously, at some point, Peter had gotten too warm and lost his shirt. Even from the distance, Harley can make out the lean muscles he usually keeps hidden under baggy t-shirts and hoodies, made more obvious by the sweat dripping down them. He feels his throat go dry.
“Done staring at your boyfriend Keener?” Even when Bucky asks him, he doesn’t look away. But he does blush.
“He’s not my boyfriend.” Is all he says, though he doesn’t sound as confident as usual when he tries to refute their claims. In all truth, Harley wishes Peter was his boyfriend. He has spent so long denying his own feelings, but he’s not quite sure how much longer he can keep doing it. He has seen Peter happy, sad and everywhere in between. He may not like it when he is down, but with everything he sees, he just finds himself falling more. He loves Peter, he just doesn’t know if he feels the same way.
“Keener!” He’s snapped out of his thoughts when Sam snaps his fingers in his face making him jump. He finally looks away from his ‘friend’.
“What?” Harley looks over to find Sam, Bucky and Steve trying not to laugh at him.
“And here I thought you were joining us to train. Obviously, we got that wrong. You’re just here to stare at Pete.” Steve smirks as he speaks. Harley's face just heats up more.
“I am here to train.” Nat had clearly filled them in on what is going on.
“Well, let’s get on with it then.” Harley follows the three men over to where they had been working out before he had come in. “We’re gonna start over here today. It will be a little while before we let Nat get at you.” He can’t help but laugh at the slight fear on all of their faces. Nice to know he’s not the only one scared of the spy.

Peters POV

Peter had finished his training with Nat about an hour ago. He had wanted to get a head start this morning so he could finish up early to help out with Harley's first day. He both had and hadn’t expected this to happen.
Harley is currently getting his arse handed to him by Sam as they spare once more.
“We may not be letting Nat at you just yet, but that doesn’t mean we're going to go easy on you Keener.” Sam is clearly happy with his new sparing partner. Usually, he’s the one getting knocked down. Not that he’s bad at fighting, it’s just that he isn’t as good as some of the others.
“Yeah, yeah.” Harley breathes out as he climbs to his feet once more. He’s been at it for almost an hour at this point, and Peter can tell that he’s exhausted.
“Why don’t we call it there for today?” Peter finally speaks up. He had only been watching up to this point, choosing to ignore Natasha’s knowing looks.
“Why? Scared we’ll break him?” Sam taunts, but not in an unkind way.
“Little bit.” Peter admits. Harley shoots him a slightly offended look, but he just smiles back in return.
“I’m on the Spider Baby's side for this one. The kid looks beat.” He sends Nat a thankful smile, glad that she’s helping him save Harley from any more torture.
“Fine.” Sam relents, walking over to where Bucky and Steve had sat down a little while ago. Peter makes his way to Harley's side. He had put his shirt back on when he had finished training but hadn’t bothered to shower yet.
“Come on Harls, we both need a shower. Dibs going first.” He smirks at his flushed friend until he responds.
“We could always shower together Darlin’, you know, save water.” Peter just shakes his head and walks off, feeling his face turning the colour of a tomato.

After they’ve both showered – separately – and eaten some food, the two boys find themselves back in their room.
“Peeeettttteeee.” Harley wines from their bed. He just smiles at his friend, knowing why he’s whining. “Everything hurts.” Harley flops his head back down onto the pillows. “How do you do this every other day?” Peter just smirks and climbs in next to him, for once gathering the taller boy in his own arms.
“You’ll get used to it.” He starts to run his hand through Harley's now rather fluffy hair in a way to try and relax him. Harley looks up at him.
“Are you okay with all this?”
“With what?” Peter knows what he’s talking about, but still wants to avoid the conversation.
“Me training, building my own suit.” Harley looks him in the eye, making Peter stop playing with his hair at the movement.
“I just want you to be safe.” Peter doesn’t want to unload all of his feelings about everything onto Harley, he doesn’t deserve that.
“Okay, Love.” Harley reaches to pull Peter down so he’s lying next to him, now wrapped in his arms. Friday turns off the lights without them even needing to be asked. Peter thinks Harley is asleep, but then he speaks. “You know you can talk to me, right Pete?”
“Of course.” He reaches over him, snuggling closer. Peter knows that he can talk to Harley, but not about this. Because if he starts talking to him about how he feels about this, he’ll end up blabbing about everything he feels about Harley, and he can’t do that. He’s long since stopped lying to himself about his feelings towards the boy, but he knows that they won’t ever come to anything.
Peter falls asleep in the arms of the boy he loves but knows will never love him back.

Chapter 25: Chapter 24 - Iron Man 2.0.

Chapter Text

Peters POV

Peter watches as Tony checks over the suit lying on one of the work benches. Harley had yelled out in excitement only an hour beforehand, proclaiming he was done. And of course, Tony being Tony, wanted to check over every little thing before letting him enjoy his achievement. With one last look over what he is pocking at, Tony glances at Harley and starts to smile.
“I’ve got to hand it to you, Potato Boy. You’ve done well.” Harley starts jumping up and down in joy.
“It’s all done?”
“Yup, and fit to fly.” Peter feels his heart stop when he hears those words. He’s actually going to do it. Harley is going to become Iron Man 2.0. He’s going to put his own life at risk to help others. Anyone else would laugh at the irony of what Peter is thinking – he had spent years doing the exact same thing – but he doesn’t care right now. Right now, he only cares about his friend.
“Are you sure everything is right? Shouldn’t we let Friday scan it over, make sure all the systems are in place? Just in case?” Peter can hear the slight panic in his voice when he finally opens his mouth. Tony looks over at where he’s standing slightly further away.
“Harley, could you run up to the kitchen for me and grab some coffee? We’ve run out down here.” It doesn’t take a genius to know why Tony is trying to get him to leave, and they’re all geniuses. “Please.” He prompts again when the boy doesn’t move. Peter is now staring down at the suit, lost in thought, so he doesn’t see Harley's doubtful look aimed at him. After another few seconds, he slowly nods and makes his way to the lift.
“Of course, Old Man. Don’t want you fallin’ asleep on us.” Tony and Peter just stand in silence until the doors close.
“What’s going on kid?” Peter winces, reaching to turn up his hearing aids as he feels a headache starting to form. He doesn’t turn them up too much, so he can still hear what Tony is saying. “Come on, I know when something is wrong Pete.” He just sighs, but finally approaches the newest suit in the lab.
“I’m just worried he’s rushing into this. What if he hasn’t thought this through? He could get really hurt out there.” Peter finds himself flinching when Mr Stark starts laughing.
“I’m sorry for laughing kid, but do you hear yourself?” Peter just looks at him in question. “For one, I think we can both agree that this wasn’t just an idea that popped into his head. Harley has been thinking about this for much longer than you’ve known him. And two, you do know how hypocritical you’re being right?” Tony makes his way over to him, reaching out to put an arm around his shoulder. He speaks softer now, having noticed Peters flinching and turning up his hearing aids more. “You used to scare the shit out of me, you know? Not just me either, heck, even Happy would worry about you.” Tony slowly turns them so they’re now looking out one of the windows. “You would go out there, night in, night out, putting yourself at risk to help other people. You did that. Is it really that hard to believe Harley just wants to do the same?” Peter sighs once more, letting himself lean into Tony's – his dad’s side.
“That was different.” Even he can hear the weakness in his voice. Is it really so wrong that he doesn’t want to see his ‘friend’ getting hurt.
“Was it though?” Tony looks down at him. “I know the kid can be a little reckless at times, but I’m sure I’m not the first person to tell you that everyone will do all they can to stop him from getting hurt.” Peter slowly nods his head, letting his dad reassure him. “Now, do you wanna help me put training wheels in the suit, or are you gonna let me have all the fun?” He just laughs while moving over to the suit.
“Like I’d let you do it without me.” They work for a little while before Harley comes back into the lab, hands full of coffee and snacks.
“What are you two doing?” Tony and Peter smirk at each other.
“Just making sure everything is good to go.” Peter smiles a totally innocent smile while looking at the taller boy. He’s terrified of what might happen to him, but he decides to have faith in his family to protect him.
“Mhm. Well, while I was up there, I was reminded that our presence has been requested this evening for a ‘super fun Avengers hang out’.” He says it in a girly voice, making Peter laugh.
“We’ll go up in a little while, I just want to finish this first.” Tony replies, smirking at Peter. He can’t wait to see Harley’s reaction when he finds out what they’ve done to his suit. Serves him right for making Peter worry so much. He doesn’t realise that this is exactly how Tony had felt when he made him his first suit, with the exact same protocol installed.

“I want to watch Cinderella!” Sam yells out from his place on the sofa.
“No, we watched that last time.” Bucky responds from his spot next to Steve. “I want to watch an action film.” Those of the team already in the room continue to argue as Tony, Harley and Peter enter the common room. They all keep bickering as everyone else finds a seat, Harley joining in too, but Peter is just content to listen in, discreetly reaching to turn up his hearing aids.
When they finally settle on a film to watch, Peter also slips on his glasses to prevent the bright lights from irritating him too much. After a little while, he finds himself relaxing with his family.

“Come on Darlin’, we should head to bed.” Harley whispers down to the almost sleeping boy next to him. He just grunts in reply, feeling comfortable where they’re snuggled up and not wanting to be disrupted, eyes closing now that the movie is finished. “If you don’t get up, I’m going to carry you.” Harley says with a grin Peter can’t see.
“As if you could.” Peter mumbles out. The next thing he knows, his personal hot water bottle is moving and he’s suddenly upside down, over his shoulder. “Harley, what the heck!” He’s definitely awake now. He hears the team laugh as Harley starts to head in the direction of their room, with Peter still hanging over his shoulder. “Put me down!” He shouts out, hitting Harley on the back gently, not really wanting to hurt him.
“Okay.” Apparently, in the midst of his paddy, Peter hadn’t noticed them reaching their room. He only notices when Harley pulls him off his shoulder, promptly throwing him onto the bed.
“That was so uncalled for.” He says with an unimpressed look on his face, but a smile creeping in too. Harley just chuckles and sits down next to him. They both sober up and feel a sudden heaviness descend on the room.
“I finished the suit.” Harley says, not looking at him and sounding unsure. Peter looks at his friend, wondering where he’s going with this.
“Yeah, you did.” Peter slowly reaches for his hand, wanting some sort of contact as he often does. “What about it?” Harley looks to him, an unsure look on his face, so different from the joy that had just been there.
“I want to try it out.” Peter takes a deep breath. He knew this was coming. Harley hadn’t been shy in his plans.
“I know.” Peter squeezes his hand, trying to encourage him to continue with whatever is clearly bothering him. Maybe he’s having second thoughts?
“I want to try it out,” Harley turns to face him fully and reaches for his other hand too. “I want to try it out, and I want you by my side when I do.” Peter just gives him a questioning look, not understanding.
“Of course, I’ll be there. I’ll be right on the other side of the comms, there to help if you need it.” Usually, Peter isn’t sure where he’s going with this. Did he really think he wasn’t going to be there?
“I don’t mean on the other side of the comms, Pete.” Harley squeezes his hands, almost like he’s trying to reassure him. “I want you by my side. As Spiderman.” Oh.
Peter quickly pulls his hands out of his, suddenly not wanting to be touched. “Oh.” Is all he can bring himself to say.
“I know you haven’t put on the suit in a while. I know you’re scared too, Pete. I know that.” Harley looks at him with an unreadable expression on his face. “I know that darlin’, but please just say you’ll think about it.” Peter slowly stands, leaving Harley on the bed alone.
“I’ll think about it…” He just trails off, starting to fiddle with his hands. “I’ll- Yeah- I just-“ He can’t get his words out. He can feel his breathing increase slightly as his thoughts start to run. “I-“ When he has to cut himself off once more, he doesn’t try again. Instead. Peter just turns and slowly walks from the room, leaving Harley sitting there, wondering if maybe he shouldn’t have said anything.

“I think they’re trying to kill me.” Tony says as he drops into one of the chairs on the common room floor. He has just come down after having dinner with his family that his son had noticeably missed.
“Who?” Rhodey asks. He had been sitting reading when Tony had entered the room.
“The Spider Kid and Potato Boy.” Tony sighs while leaning back, kicking his feet up onto the table in front of him. Rhodey has the gall to laugh at him.
“What did they do this time? Scare you for life by hugging too long?” He jokes in response. Tony just shakes his head, a smile creeping onto his face.
“No, worse. They have the audacity to have feelings.” He shivers in mock disgust.
“And they told you about it? Have they both gone insane?” Rhodey asks, trying to keep his laughter at bay, but failing miserably.
“One of them, yes.” Tony sighs. “Something happened after Harley tried out the suit. Long story short, there was a kiss, and Peter ran away.” Rhodey looks at him in shock.
“They actually did something about their feelings? Those two have been dancing around each other for months.” He says, still staring.
“Harley did. And it went wrong. Peter clearly panicked, and now I have to deal with the fallout.” Tony seems to be sighing so much these days.
“I thought they felt the same?” Rhodey asks, glancing back down at his book.
“I’m sorry, is my teenage son having a fight with his boyfriend boring you?” Tony asks.
“No, I was just putting a bookmark in before I closed it. You would know that if you ever read a book.” He shoots back.
“Why read a book when I already know everything?” Tony sends him a look like he’s dumb. Rhodey just smiles a vindictive smirk.
“Clearly, you don’t, seeing as you’re down here talking to mean instead of dealing with said son.” Right, Peter.
“I don’t know what to do. I mean, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out why Pete is scared, but I don’t know what to suggest to make things better.” Tony sits forward, hoping his friend can provide some insight.
“That’s called being a parent, Tony. You’ll never know what you’re doing, and then one day, they’ll realise that and use it against you.” Rhodey says, leaning forward in his chair smirking at his friends complaining. Helpful.
“What do you know, you don’t have kids.” Tony shoots back, clearly trying not to think about just how right he might be.
“Of course I do. I’ve been taking care of you since you were fifteen.” He says, standing up and smacking Tony's arm with his book as he turns to walk away.
“When do I get to use things against you?” He yells after his friend's retreating form. Well, that helped with nothing. Tony hears Rhodey laughing as he walks into the kitchen. He still doesn’t know what to do.

Chapter 29: Chapter 28 - Dad.

Chapter Text

Peters POV

Peter hadn’t been paying attention to the date. He really should have been. Peter is running on a second night of no sleep though. He hadn’t been able to stop thinking last night, and he knew if he had tried to sleep, he likely would have just woken up from nightmares considering he was being too much of a wimp to go and find Harley after what happened. So, it’s not until the morning when he walks into the lab and turns on his phone that he had left up there does he see the notification pop up on his phone.
‘May Parkers Birthday.’
It’s been years now since May passed away, but to Peter, it’s only been a little over one. He’s not even entirely sure what date she died on, so the majority of his grief hits him on her birthday. Last year, he hadn’t been able to get out of bed. Not even Morgan asking him to play with her had worked. The day had ended with way too many people pilling into his bed and watching Star Wars with him in an attempt to cheer him up. It had worked a little. But this year, he hadn’t even noticed it was even coming up, and now it’s here.
Peter drops his phone back onto the table and feels his legs shake. He can’t believe it’s been a whole nother year. He stumbles back until he finds the wall and slowly slips down it, curling into a ball to try and hold himself together. He briefly thinks of Harley but then remembers that he probably doesn’t even know what today is seeing as he hadn’t yet moved to the tower when it happened last year. So, Peter finds himself sitting alone, not knowing who or if he should call someone to come and sit with him. Luckily, that choice is taken out of his hands.
“Pete?” Tony calls out from the doorway of the lab. “Kid, what’s wrong?” He asks as he makes his way over. All Peter can do is motion to his phone. Tony picks it up and the confusion quickly clears from his face. “Oh.” He doesn’t say anything more. Tony makes his way over to the same wall Peter is sitting against and slides down next to him. They sit in silence for a moment before Peter finds himself speaking up.
“I miss her.” He says it so quietly, that he’s not sure Tony hears him. He does.
“I know, kid.” He wraps his arm around Peter's shoulder, and he’s more than happy to bury himself in his side.
“I- I wasn’t there.” Tony knows where this is going as Peter begins to cry.
“It was not your fault kid.” Peter just shakes his head. “Peter, listen to me.” He leans back, surprised at the name. “It wasn’t your fault. May loved you so much. She couldn’t handle living in the city without you, yes. That’s why she moved. But that doesn’t make what happened your fault. It was the fault of the idiot who decided attacking a nurse was a good way to get drugs.” Tony tells him in an even voice.
“But if I had been here…” Peter trails off.
“It doesn’t matter. What happened, happened. And it wasn’t your fault.” Peter lets himself hear the words, but they do little to ease his guilt. “You look tired, kid.” Tony says softly, pulling him back into his side.
“I’ve just had a lot going on.” He says back, hoping Tony won’t ask him to expand. “I feel guilty.”
“Kid...” Tony sighs, thinking he’s still talking about May's death.
“Not about May dying – well obviously about May dying – but that’s not what I mean right now.” Peter clarifies. “I feel guilty for moving on. She clearly never did.” Tony looks down at him.
“May chose not to move on. That was her choice. She chose not to move on from Ben. She chose to move away when she couldn’t move on from you.” Tony hopes Peter understands him. “That doesn’t mean you aren’t allowed to move on yourself. You still have a lot of life ahead of you, Pete. And I think you and I both know that May would want you to find another family to support you.” Peter turns to look up at him. He stares at his face for a little while before tucking his head back into his shoulder. He does feel guilty about finding a new family, but he also knows that what Tony is saying is true – May would want him to be happy. “Is now a bad time to give you these?” Tony asks.
Peter hadn’t noticed that he was holding an envelope when he had walked in, too wrapped up in his feelings at the time. Tony hands over the packet and watches Peter's reaction.
“What is it?” He asks, moving to open them. He can only stare in shock at what he finds. He hadn’t been lying, Peter guessed.
“I know we haven’t spoken about it since I first suggested it, but I thought I would get it in the works.” Peter is still staring in shock at the papers now in his hands. “I know we didn’t hash out any of the details before, but Pepper is on there too. We’ve both spoken and we both want to be your parents Pete.” Peter can only look at him in surprise. His hands are holding the adoption papers tightly, almost scared they’ll disappear.
“You really want to adopt me.” Tony gives him a look as if he’s stupid.
“Of course I do Pete. I wouldn’t have mentioned it to you if I didn’t want to.” Tony smirks. “You know me, I don’t do anything I don’t want to.” Now it’s Peter's turn to smile.
“Unless Pepper makes you.” He chuckles in reply.
“Yeah, you’ve got me there kid. But this isn’t one of those times. I want to adopt you. No if ands or buts about it.” Peter looks back to the papers, still slightly in shock. Today has taken a different turn. “I think I should let you know; this isn’t just because May is gone.” He looks to him in confusion. “I think it’s high time we stop lying to ourselves, kid. I’ve seen you as a son for a long time, way before the blip. You changed a lot for me kid. At the end of the day, this is more a formality than anything else.” Peter knew he had seen Tony as a father figure for a long time now, but he hadn’t actually known it was reciprocated.
“You see me as your son?” He can’t help but want the confirmation. When Tony nods, he continues. “I haven’t had a dad in a long time. I barely remember mine.” He lets out a sigh at the faded memories. “I loved Uncle Ben – I loved him so much – but he was my uncle. Neither he nor May ever actually adopted me. I think they didn’t want me to think they were trying to replace my parents, but it kind of kept a barrier between us.” He feels Tony squeeze him tighter into his side.
“And we’re not trying to replace them either kid. Not your real parents, nor your aunt and uncle. We just want you to know that we love you like our son. We want you here with us, for as long as you’ll have us.” Peter finds himself letting out a real smile. A real family, huh?
“Do you think Pepper would be uncomfortable if I called her mum?” Peter asks, a little unsure of himself. Like he had told Tony, he doesn’t really remember his parents, and he had been too young to call them mum and dad when they had passed.
“I think, she would love that kiddo.” Tony says back, a smile gracing his face as well. “And, before you ask, I would also love it if you wanted to call me dad.” He adds on the last part but looks a little unsure when he says it.
“As you said, it’s high time we stop lying to ourselves. You’ve been my dad for even longer than I’ve realised.” And gosh is that true. This man has been helping and protecting Peter since they met, and now he can finally let himself believe it’s not just in his head. Tony smiles a bright smile before taking the papers from his hands.
“We can go through all of this later. But right now, I think I should cover one of my new dad duties.” Peter looks at him in question. “Harley.” He doesn’t need to say more for the smile to slip from Peter's face. During their short conversation, what happened had slipped his mind. “I know why you’re scared kid, but maybe you should try and talk to him?” Peter just looks down.
“I know. I’m just scared to lose him dad.” He whispers out.
“You won’t lose him, Pete. You and I both know you will do anything to save that boy.” Peter nods into his shoulder where he’s once again tucked his head.
They continue to sit on the floor for a little while, talking about this and that from before the blip and after. Tony laughs when he hears about Steve and Peter's first few meetings. Eventually, they get up to do a little tinkering. Tony groans as he stands.
“Gosh, I’m getting too old for sitting on the floor.” Peter can’t help but chuckle.
“Don’t let Harley hear you say that. He’ll never let you live it down.” They both laugh, knowing just how true that is.

Chapter 30: Chapter 29 - Prep.

Chapter Text

Peters POV

It’s been a couple of days since Tony had given Peter the papers in the lab and they had their chat, which takes them to today – the day before Harley's first mission with the team. Peter has barely slept since what happened after his first flight and has found himself avoiding not only Harley but most of the others too. Especially Natasha. He knows that as soon as she gets the chance to pin him down, he won’t be getting away until he falls asleep crying while talking about everything that’s happened. Not because she’ll push him, but because he can’t help but spill everything to her when he feels this tired. He’s often wondered if it’s some sort of spy trick that she learnt for interrogation, but then he remembers that most interrogations don’t include ice cream, snuggles and blankets.
Today though, he finds himself seeking out one of his fellow Avengers, wanting to talk about the plans for tomorrow’s mission.
“Hey, Pete. I haven’t seen you around for a little while.” Steve says when he walks into the common room. Peter just smiles at him. Neither of them acknowledge that they both know exactly why that is. Living with so many people – a few of them being highly trained assassins and spies – means that very few things are able to stay private. Peter just walks over to the sofa and drops down onto it, trying not to let his stress and sleep deprivation show in the way he moves and acts. “Do you need something?”
“I just wanted to talk to you about tomorrow’s plan.” Peter replies.
“You want to make sure Harley will be safe?” Wow, can’t he just let Peter pretend for a little longer. Steve sees his face and can’t help but laugh a little. Peter just stays silent and motions for Steve to just start talking.
After going over the plans and making sure every contingency is covered, Peter sits back on the sofa.
“I’m coming with you.” He says out into the room, not looking at Steve as he talks, so he doesn’t see the shock on his face.
“As Spiderman?” Peter can’t help but flinch at the mention.
“No. Just on the jet.” He quickly clarifies. “I just want to be close by, just in case.” He lets his head hang as he continues. “Harley isn’t as experienced as you guys. I know you said that this will just be a quick in and out, but I just want to make sure.” Peter sees Steve nod from the corner of his eye.
“Okay. Just make sure you’re ready to go. 6 am sharp.” Steve is now staring at his face – what he can see of it anyway. “It might be a good idea to get some sleep beforehand.” Peter just nods as he stands up.
“I’ll try.”

“Sorry to interrupt Peter, but the Boss has asked me to remind you dinner is ready and waiting.” Friday's voice rings out in the lab.
“Tell him I’ll be there in a minute.” Peter responds, not bothering to look up from what he’s fiddling with.
“I think I should remind you that this is the third time Boss has told you this.” Peter lets his head hang; he places his hands down on the table and takes a steadying breath.
“Okay, Fri. Let him know I’m on my way.” He speaks. Without any more prompting, Peter puts away what he’s working on and makes his way over to the lift. It’s not that he doesn’t want to eat – he’s always hungry nowadays. Peter is just a little nervous about joining his family, knowing that Harley will be up there too. He’s managed to avoid it for the last couple of days, but he knows he can’t tonight. Tomorrow is Harley's first mission; they’re meant to be celebrating.
The lift opens into the penthouse and Peter makes his way to the kitchen that he knows they’re sitting in. Without saying anything, he takes his usual seat next to Morgan and digs into the food waiting for him. He hadn’t realised just how hungry he is.
“Slow down Pete, it’s not going anywhere.” Tony jokes from his own chair, laughing at the sheer speed Peter is eating at. He really needs to feed the kid more often.
“You’re getting it everywhere Petey.” Morgan says from beside him. He slows down a little so he can reply.
“Says you. You usually end up with half the food in your lap, Morgs.” Peter can’t help but smile at his sister as he jokes. She just giggles in response to his teasing. The table returns to the conversation they had been having before Peter arrived.
“So, Harley, are you excited for tomorrow?” Pepper asks. Harley nods his head. Peter can see him from the corner of his eye but keeps his head looking down at his food. They haven’t spoken since that day in the lab, and Peter doesn’t want to get into it with his family around.
“It’s gonna be awesome.” Morgan giggles at his response. She may be young, but she’s incredibly smart. She knows exactly what her family does.
“Just don’t do anything stupid, okay?” Tony says in a voice that he probably thinks is hiding his amusement.
“Of course, Old Man. Wouldn’t want you to miss me.” The whole table chuckles at his response, not noticing the slight panic creep onto Peter's face. He knows he’ll be fine, but he can’t help but still worry.

After dinner, Peter once again sneaks off. He knows he needs to try and get some sleep if he wants to go tomorrow, but he needs to do something first. He finds himself standing in front of one of the storage rooms in the lab, just staring at it.
“Did you need me to open the door for you Peter?” Friday asks.
“No, no. It’s fine. Thank you, Friday.” He responds quickly. He must have been standing there for a while for her to notice. With that, he reaches his hand forward and finally opens the door. His eyes immediately land on what he had come here to grab. His new suit is sat on a shelf right in front of the door and Peter finds himself trying to remember how to breathe while reaching for it.
He knows he won’t need it. Peter knows he’s just being silly, but he’s worried. Regardless, he grabs the container holding the suit and walks back to the lift. It’s later in the evening now, meaning no one should be down in the hangar that holds the jet the team will be taking for the mission tomorrow. He makes his way in and finds a cupboard that doesn’t hold anything important. Peter tucks the case in there, hoping that no one finds it. With any luck, he won’t even need to remember it's there tomorrow, but Peter always likes to have a backup plan for missions.
Once he’s checked over everything else in the jet, he makes his way back up to the penthouse. Peter knows he needs sleep, and there is only one way that he’s going to get any worthwhile tonight.
“Darlin’?” Harley croaks out from where he’s lying in bed. Peter can feel his guilt rising to the surface. Maybe he should leave? Does this count as using someone? “Pete, close the door and come to bed.” Harley lifts his arm in invitation.
That’s all Peter needs. He quickly sheds his clothes, knowing Harley can’t see as well as him in the dark, and pulls on some pyjamas. Peter crawls into the bed and feels himself properly relax for the first time in days when Harley wraps him up in his arms. Nothing is said between the two. They both seem content to just sleep, knowing they need rest for tomorrow.

Chapter 31: Chapter 30 - Day Of.

Chapter Text

Peters POV

Peter felt a lot more refreshed when he woke up this morning. After basically not sleeping for a week, he felt much better after a full night wrapped up in Harley’s arms. He had felt so good, it had taken him a moment to remember why he was meant to be stressed. He remembers now. Everyone going is now on the jet and they’re making their way to the location of their mission. It’s only meant to be an information gather, meaning that those going are all wearing stealth versions of their suits – something Peter had had to argue the use of to be allowed to create. Steve had been surprisingly resistant to part with the stars and stripes. Harley’s suit had been built with this in mind though, meaning it already had built-in panels to allow for him to be less noticeable.
No one had mentioned Peter climbing into the jet with them. They had shared glances behind his back, but no one questioned it, figuring out pretty quickly why their one new addition had turned to two.
The jet lands a bit out from the base they were planning to infiltrate as arranged. Everyone that isn’t already in their suits gets ready to go.
“Right, everyone knows the plan, right?” Steve asks. Sam and Bucky nod, Natasha just glares as if offended at the suggestion she doesn’t know everything and Harley grins, way too excited. “Okay, let’s get going.” Steve says in a confident voice. “Pete, you gonna patch in on comms?” He turns to where Peter is sitting in one of the pilot chairs, having ridden beside Nat on the way. He just nods, not trusting himself to keep the panic hidden if he speaks. Not that everyone can’t see it with a single glance. “Let’s go.”
With that, they all file out of one of the side doors, but Peter quickly calls out before Harley can leave.
“Harls?” He jumps at the voice, probably having not expecting him to say anything. He turns around just as Peter walks up to him. Feeling a sudden rush of confidence, Peter reaches up on his tip toes and kisses his cheek. “Good luck.” He says softly, amusement filling him as he watches Harley’s cheeks flush a bright red.
“Kid, you coming or what?” Nat calls from where she’s standing just outside the door. Peter quickly ducks his head and makes his way back to his seat.
“Yeah.” Harley shouts back, taking one last look at Peter before following her out.
Peter lets out a breath, feeling a small smile creeping onto his face as he turns on all their earpieces remotely.
“Can everyone hear me?” He hopes the technology doesn’t transmit the slight breathiness to his voice. Everyone confirms in their own way. “You all know what you’re doing, just let me know if you need anything.” Peter sits back in his chair, worried but content to know they have each other to back them up.

Everything goes well for the first part of the mission. They all get in with no problem and get to where they need to be. Peter had been the one to find all the plans for the building and had helped devise the strategy with the team. So, he’s just as shocked as everyone else when Sam suddenly yells out in shock.
“I’ve been spotted! There was a corridor not on the plans, one of the guards has seen me.” Peter can feel his heartbeat increasing, but he tries to stay calm.
“Okay, everyone fall back. Keep your eyes open, don’t get panicked, but make your way back to the jet.” He says in a strong voice he can manage. Everyone confirms they’ve heard, but Peter doesn’t calm down until one by one they appear in the jet. But he doesn’t see Harley. “Where’s Harley?” He asks the room. They had all gone in separately, so it’s not surprising when they shrug, concerned looks on their faces. “Harley! Where are you?” He says into the comms. He doesn’t get a reply. “Harley!” He tries saying a bit louder, feeling his panic rise.
“Maybe he was further away?” Bucky asks from his place at the back of the group that has now crowded around Peter to look at the monitors showing the camera feeds from around the base. No one can spot Harley. Peter can feel his breath shortening. He knows Nat is saying something, but he can’t hear it. He doesn’t say anything, just lets the panic fuel him as he rushes over to one of the cupboards.
“Peter, what are you looking for?” Steve asks, confused at the sudden search. But Peter doesn’t reply, he just pulls out his suit. He doesn’t reply as they ask him what he’s doing. He doesn’t bother acknowledging them when they gasp the suit. He just puts it on and runs out of the door.
He doesn’t stop to realise he’s not panicked about wearing the suit. He’s focused on Harley, and Harley only.

The team can hear what happens over the comms, Peter having had sense enough to turn his on. They don’t hear him speak, only the yells of the people he knocks out of his way in his attempts to find his friend. After a little while, he finds Harley. He’s clearly been knocked out and a few people are talking about what to do with him when Peter gets there.
“Spiderman?” They all hear the shock in their voices. It’s valid. No one has seen Spiderman in over 6 years, most had assumed he had passed away in the battle after the blip. But Peter doesn’t bother to respond. He just webs them up and rushes to Harley's side.
“Harley?” He questions, his voice scared. Harley doesn’t answer, still unconscious. Peter doesn’t bother trying to wake him up, choosing the best course of action is to just pick him up, suit and all, and make his way back to the jet.

No one says anything when he gets there. They just strap in and try not to worry too much as they take flight. Peter stays in the back with Harley, checking he’s still breathing every five seconds, suit still on.

Chapter 32: Chapter 31 - Hope.

Chapter Text

Tonys POV

When they return to the tower, no one says anything to him. They just file out of the jet with Peter following last, Harley once again in his arms, but without the suit this time. Peter has yet to remove his further than the mask.
“What happened?” Tony asks, rushing into the hangar. Steve had sent ahead a message while they travelled to let people know to have Medbay ready. Peter doesn’t answer, too focused on Harley. He simply walks towards the lift Tony has just exited and asks Friday to take them to Medbay. Tony is left standing in shock beside the other Avengers present.
“Is Peter wearing his suit?” Tony asks in a quiet voice, staring after the two boys even once the doors have closed.
“He went after Harley.” Natasha half answers. Tony shakes himself out of his shock and turns to face the others fully.
“What the heck happened?” They can all hear the panic and anger in his voice. Sam and Bucky slowly make their way over to the far wall to put away their equipment, leaving Steve and Natasha to explain what went wrong. The two left glance at each other before Natasha speaks.
“The plans were missing some things. Sam got spotted, we tried to evacuate, Harley got caught.” Tony stares at her, waiting for more of an explanation. When she doesn’t continue, he feels himself explode.
“My kid has just come back from a mission he wasn’t even meant to be participating in, wearing a suit that he hasn’t been able to put on for over a year, carrying his unconscious boyfriend!” He feels himself shouting and breathing hard. He knows it probably isn’t their fault, but he needs to shout before going to find his son. “Can someone please explain to me what happened?”
“I don’t know what to tell you, Tony.” Steve starts. He looks unsure of what to say. “Harley didn’t respond on comms, and next thing we knew, Peter was putting on a suit none of us have even seen before and running into the building after him.” He explains. This doesn’t help Tony stop stressing.
“I think you should go and find him.” He turns to look at Nat as she speaks. “He put on the suit without thinking to go and save Harley. I think you and I both know that when he realises what he did, he’s going to need someone there, and Harley isn’t exactly in the right state to be that person right now.” Tony just finds himself nodding along, still not entirely sure what happened. Then he really clocks what Natasha said.
“Oh gosh, he put on the suit.” He says, the worry obvious. Nat and Steve both nod. Tony doesn’t wait around any longer. He turns and rushes to the lift, knowing he needs to get to his son before he calms down enough from the mission to realise what he’s done.

Peters POV

Only when Peter is sure Harley is in the safe hands of the Medbay team does he let himself think. His brain had been so full of getting to Harley and making sure he was okay; he hadn’t had time to process what he’d done. He has time now though. He’s standing in the corridor next to Harley's room, watching a doctor check him over when he feels his legs go weak. Peter stumbles back into the wall behind him, sliding down to the floor. He feels his breathing pick up as Tony rushes through the doors towards him.
“Pete, kid, just breathe okay.” Tony says as he reaches his side, falling to the floor with him, trying to grab him. Peter finds himself clutching at Tony, trying to find something to ground him.
“I-I-“ He can’t speak, but Tony knows what he’s trying to say.
“I know Pete, I know.” He shushes him. “He’ll be okay. He probably just got knocked out, nothing too bad.” Tony grabs his hands, giving him something to hold onto. “You did good kid, you saved him. You did good.”
They sit on the floor outside Harley’s room until Peter calms down enough to speak. Tony holds him close, keeping him from falling apart when he decides to address the elephant in the corridor.
“You used the suit.” It’s not a question, it is pretty obvious considering Peter’s still in it now.
“I had to go save him.” He replies, realising he’s not as panicked as he thought he’d be with it on. He struggles to think of what to say. “It didn’t scare me,” he starts. “I was worried about Harley. I didn’t think twice about putting it on. I don’t know if I even really thought in the first place.” Tony looks down at him.
“You saved him.” Another statement. Neither of them quite know what else to say on the topic.
“Can we go and see Harley?” Peter asks, knowing he sounds like a scared child, but not caring.
“Of course.” They stand and walk into the room just in front of them. Peter quickly rushes to Harley's side, noticing a splint has been put on his left arm. “Is he okay?” Tony asks the doctor standing in the room that Peter hadn’t even noticed, too wrapped up in getting to Harley's side. Harley, who is still unconscious.
“He has a concussion and a broken wrist.” The doctor tells Tony. “He should wake up soon, and when he does we can put a cast on his arm.” Tony nods and glances over to the boys. The doctor realises he’s no longer needed and quickly makes his way from the room. Tony walks to stand at Peter's side.
“He’ll be okay kid.” He tells him softly. All Peter can do is nod his head. He reaches out to grab his hand and sits down in the chair Tony pushes up behind him. “I’m gonna take a wild guess and say you probably won’t be leaving this room until Harley can come with you.” All Peter does is nod in response, still staring down at his friend. “Okay, I’ll go grab you both some clothes to change into.” Tony pats him on the shoulder gently before leaving the room to do just that.
Peter holds Harley’s hand as tight as he can without hurting him. He was so scared. When Harley didn’t respond on comms, he felt his heart stop. He can’t help but feel a bit stupid. Not about how he feels – for once – but about how he had been avoiding him for the last week. He’s let his past and fear stop him from being by Harley's side, but not anymore. Peter slowly lowers his head to rest on the bed, an uncomfortable position, but one he’s happy to take for the time being. He’ll wait here for as long as he needs. Peter will stay in that chair until Harley wakes up and he can tell him how stupidly, intoxicatingly and undeniably in love with him he is.

Chapter 33: Chapter 32 - Recovery.

Chapter Text

Peters POV

It’s about an hour later when Peter feels Harley squeeze his hand. Tony had returned earlier with clothes, just as he said he would, so Peter is no longer in the suit. His head shoots up from where it was once again lying on the bed. Harley is staring at him in confusion.
“What happened?” Harley croaks out, not lessening his grip on Peter's hand. Peter reaches over to run his hand through his hair, whether it’s to comfort himself or Harley is a mystery to them both. Tony speaks up from where he’s sitting on the other side of the bed, forcing Harley to turn that way.
“You got caught on the mission. Spider boy here saved you.” Harley just nods his head, clearly still a little muddled. Tony looks between the two. “You’ve only been out for a little over an hour, so it obviously wasn’t too bad.” He moves to stand up. “Your head might hurt for a little while, but your arm is broken.” He walks towards the door. “I’ll send someone in to look at casting it. Might take me a minute to find someone though.” It’s obvious to Peter that he’s giving him some time to talk to Harley, and all he can do is smile in thanks.
Harley looks back to Peter and then glances down at their joined hands.
“You saved me?” He asks softly, probably putting two and two together with the Spiderman suit hanging over the back of his chair. Peter nods while staring at his face.
“You scared the crap out of me.” Is all Peter can say. Harley’s wits seem to return as he looks up to meet Peter's eyes.
“I’m sorry.” They both know he’s not talking about the mission. “About what happened last week-“ He begins, but Peter can’t wait any longer.
“I love you.” His face turns so red, he’s worried he’ll lose feeling in his legs from blood loss.
“What?” Is all Harley can say, a hopeful look on his face. Peter continues.
“I love you. And I have for a long time now. When you kissed me last week, I panicked and ran away. I’ve been avoiding you since, but it’s not because of you, it’s because I was scared. I heard what dad told you and it was true. I’m scared of losing you, so I tried to deny how I feel, but I can’t do it anymore. You scared me so much today and I just don’t want you to not know how I feel anymore.” Peter rambles on, looking down so he can’t see Harley’s reaction.
“Peter.” Harley says, trying to coax him into looking up. It doesn’t work so he tries again. “Peter Darlin’, please look at me.” Peter slowly raises his head. “I love you too, you idiot.” Harley is smiling at him in such a way that makes Peter just want to kiss him. He doesn’t get the chance to do it though because Harley leans forward himself. Peter finds himself pulling away after a few seconds, a bright smile on his face.
“I think it’s safe to say we’re both idiots.” He says, deciding to climb into the bed next to Harley now he’s awake and conscious. He chuckles before replying, wrapping his uninjured arm around Peter.
“What did I do?” He smiles. Peter just tucks himself into his side.
“You got hurt.” He doesn’t try to hide the fear in his voice.
“I’m sorry I scared you Love. But I’ve got to say, if this is the response I get, I can’t say I won’t do it again.” Peter smacks Harley’s chest in response.
“You better not.” He glares up at him. Harley has the nerve to use his stupidly attractive smirk.
“I won’t, as long as you kiss me again.” Nothing more is needed for Peter to reach up and press their lips together.
Suddenly, a sharp noise breaks them out of their moment, and it takes both of them way too long to realise it's Harley's phone ringing from where it sits on top of Harley's pile of clothes that Tony had brought down with Peters. They both look at each other in confusion. The only people who might be trying to contact Harley are either already in the tower or would probably go through Tony first. Harley reaches over with his good hand to pick it up. Peter only sees a flash of the name ‘Abbie’ on the screen before Harley answers it.
“Abbie?” He sounds unsure when he asks, looking to Peter for comfort. Peter of course knows who Abbie is. Harley finds it hard to speak about his life in Rose Hill, but he’s never shy when it comes to speaking about his sister. He had found it hard to leave her but didn’t really have a choice at the time. When he was kicked out, Abbie was still living at home, dependent on their mother and grandparents. Harley of course didn’t hold any resentment against her, but there was little contact between the two since he had arrived at the tower.
Peter reaches up to turn up his hearing aids so he can’t hear the conversation, not wanting to invade Harley’s privacy, but his hands are batted away by the boy and a look is sent his way. Clearly, Harley wants him to hear and be by his side to support him and Peter has no problem slipping into that role.
“Harley?” Abbie’s panicked voice comes through the phone.
“Yeah, what’s wrong? Are you okay?” Harley replies, now panicked himself.
“Am I okay? Are you okay!” She shouts back down the line, now both boys are just confused. “I saw the news. It only takes someone who knows you to figure out who was really in that suit.” She carries on. Well, that didn’t clear anything up.
“Abbs, what are you on about? What news?” She doesn’t answer straight away. “Abby?”
“It’s all over the news that the Avengers went on a mission this morning – something to do with a terrorist cell being taken down or something – but they showed security footage of this ‘IronLad’ being carried out of the building by Spiderman. And don’t you dare try to tell me that wasn’t you in that dumb suit.” Peter and Harley just look at each other in shock.
“How did they find out?” Peter whispers, trying not to let himself be picked up on the microphone. Harley just shakes his head
“Look, Abbs, I’m fine. I got a little banged up, but as you said, Spiderman saved me.” He sends Peter a wink, making him blush. “I’m all good, but I’ve got to go okay. I need to help figure out how they found out about this morning.” Harley takes the phone away from his ear, but Peter can hear Abbie’s protests. “Love you, bye.” He quickly calls into the phone while hanging up. Peter can’t help but let out a little chuckle.
“That was mean.” He tries to give Harley a reprimanding look but fails when he starts laughing at his goofy smile.
“I know, I’m so horrible aren’t I.” He jokes while leaning down to peck Peter on the lips. They both smile at each other. “Now, where has the Old Man gotten to? We need to get me in a cast, and then we need to figure out how the heck the news found out about this morning.”

Chapter 34: Chapter 33 - ReBuild.

Chapter Text

Harleys POV

After getting his cast on his arm and a lecture from a nurse on what not to do until he can get it off in 6 weeks, Harley and Peter make their way up to the common room to get some answers. They walk out of the lift, hand in hand, to find the whole team sitting around on various sofas and chairs watching the news.
“An anonymous source sent us security footage this morning of an Avengers raid on a terrorist base. It shows the team evacuating the site, only to shortly be followed by Spiderman running into the building. You can then see him leaving once more, carrying the new hero ‘IronLad’ in his arms. This is the first sighting of the Spider-themed vigilante in over 6 years. It had been speculated that he had been one of the many casualties of the battle at the old Avengers compound after returning from being one of the vanished for 5 years. Many are questioning this sighting. Is it really him? If it is, where had he been?”
Peter freezes in place when he hears the last bit. He’d been spotted.
“We need to get ahead of this before the rumours start.” Pepper speaks up from where she’s standing slightly off to the side. She turns to face the two boys who have just entered, sending them a small smile to say hello. “We don’t want them going wild with conspiracy theories, do we?”
Before anyone else has a chance to say anything, she walks away, already typing on her phone. Harley eventually drags Peter around to sit down with the rest of the group.
“You feeling okay now, kid?” Steve asks, looking at Harley’s cast.
“Yeah, just a little scratch is all.” Peter softly whacks him for his off-handed comment, still not quite recovered from his earlier panic. “Sorry.” Harley softly says, letting a quiet chuckle out. He just shakes his head in response.
“What do you think Pepper is gonna do?” Sam asks the room.
“Probably call a press conference. She’ll want to clear everything up before they can even make a mess.” Nat responds, always in the know. She looks over to the two boys and smirks. Always in the know.
“Want to help me down in the lab Darlin’?” Harley looks down at him. “I want to do some work on the suit. I’m guessing it didn’t make it out of the whole ordeal completely unscathed.” Peter nods, knowing exactly what state the suit is in. He may not have been as gentle as he could have been while getting it off him in his panic.
“Of course.” Peter says, letting himself be dragged away by his hand once more. This is quickly becoming one of his favourite forms of transport when it involves getting to hold Harley’s hand.

Peters POV

The boys spend a few hours running diagnostics on the suit before settling in to work on it. Now, with Peter's input, they have lots of new ways to make it even better and safer, much to Peter's relief. They work mostly in silence until Harley speaks up.
“So,” Peter looks up when he doesn’t continue, only to find him staring straight at him.
“So?” He gives him a look, trying to get him to continue.
“I love you.” He says. Well, that doesn’t clear it up much, but it does make Peter smile. “And you love me.” He nods, now a goofy grin on his face.
“Yes. Are we just stating the obvious now?” Peter asks laughing. Harley puts down what he’s holding and makes his way around the table they’ve been working at.
“Yes.” He smiles at him, walking so close, Peter has to step back, only to bump into the bench. Suddenly, he finds himself being cornered by his stupidly attractive friend. Is ‘friend’ even the right word anymore? “So.”
“So?” He finds himself staring up at Harley, a smile still on his face.
“I want to take you on a date.” Harley leans low, his face close to Peters.
“Is that a question, or a demand?” He whispers into the small space between them.
“It’s a demand. I know what you’re like Darlin’ and I ain’t giving you a chance to get out of this one.” Harley flashes that stupid pretty grin, clearly not ashamed.
“Then I suppose I don’t have a choice in the matter then, do I?” He lets out a breathless laugh. They’re so close right now.
“No, no you don’t.” Harley breaths out, finally closing the distance between them. Their lips collide in passion, a lot more intense than the last couple of kisses.
Before Peter knows it, he’s being lifted up and pushed back onto the bench, Harley standing in between his legs. He can feel his lungs burning from the lack of oxygen but can’t find it in himself to care. Harley now has his arms wrapped around his waist, holding him close as Peter digs his fingers into his hair, keeping him as close as possible. Just as he thinks he’s about to pass out, Harley pulls back just a little to stare into his eyes. Because of Peter's current seat, they are at eye level with each other, something that rarely happens when they’re upright.
“Be my boyfriend.” He says, not looking away. His face shows no doubt or regret when Peter scans it.
“Another demand Keener?” Peter can’t help but joke. Harley leans his head down and starts kissing his jaw.
“Yes.” He can feel himself getting lost in the sensation, never having felt anything like this before. Only when Harley stops does his brain kick back in. He smiles softly at him.
“Of course, I’ll be your boyfriend.” Without a second thought, he leans forward once more to kiss his friend- boyfriend again. Harley pulls them tighter together if that’s even possible, slipping his hands under the back or Peter's top. He shivers at the sudden change in sensation. He could get used to this he thinks while retuning his hands to Harley’s hair.
“My eyes!” Is suddenly screeched out behind them. They both snap their eyes towards the doorway where Tony is currently standing, covering his eyes.
“Get over it, Old Man.” Harley says back, burying his face in Peters shoulder, making him shiver. This leaves Peter to face his dad, but he doesn’t get a chance to say anything.
“Oh no! You don’t get to tell me to ‘get over it’ when you’re the one in my lab, feeling up my kid.” Tony says, still covering his eyes. “Friday, where is the closest bottle of bleach? I need to pour it into my brain to rid myself of these memories!” He continues to screech out, always the overdramatic. Both of the boys just chuckle at him.

Chapter Text

Peters POV

Peter is interrupted from the book he’s reading, sitting on his bed by Morgan running into his room.
“Petey, Petey, Petey!” She chants, jumping up on the bed to join him. He can’t help but smile.
“Morgs, Morgs, Morgs! What are you after?” He asks, letting her enthusiasm infect him.
“We’re here to help you get ready.” Wanda says from the doorway. Peter jumps up to hug her.
“I missed you.” He says, still hugging her. She and Vision had moved out of the tower a few months ago now, meaning he gets to see her a lot less often than before.
“I missed you too Bug Boy.” She smirks, returning the hug. Wanda is just as bad as Nat when it comes to the nicknames. He pulls back.
“What are you helping me get ready for?” Peter looks between the two in confusion, Morgan is still sitting on his bed, bouncing in excitement.
“Harley texted me and told me about your date tonight.” Wanda wiggles her eyebrows while smirking at him. He can’t help but cover his face and groan.
“Does anyone not know every single detail about my personal life?” Both Wanda and Morgan laugh at his obvious discomfort.
“I don’t think it’s quite made it all the way to Clint yet.” Wanda wraps an arm around his shoulder as he looks up in hope. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to drop him a text later.” He just groans again. She drops her arm and moves towards his closet. “Come on Morgan, I need your opinions.” She jumps off the bed and runs over to her.
“Do I get any say in what I’m wearing?” Peter asks, stuck between being embarrassed and amused.
“Nope.” Morgan calls out.
“Don’t worry about it, Spiderling, we’ll make sure you look hot.” Wanda says afterwards.

“Damn, you look hot Darlin’.” Harley tells him when he walks into the main room. Peter's face heats up as he looks at his boyfriend.
“Shut up.” He says, walking to his side. Harley grabs his hand and pulls him into the lift.
“The boss would like me to remind you to be home by 10 and not to do anything stupid.” Friday's voice rings out in the small space.
“Tell the Old Man to stop worrying, Friday. I’ll have him home and tucked up in bed before then.” Harley replies, Peter lets out a small laugh at the last part.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.” Harley just smirks at the annoyance on his face, leaning down to plant a kiss on his pouting lips.

“You have got to be kidding me. Who told you?” Peter can’t keep the scowl off his face. Harley laughs beside him.
“Sam rated you out. Apparently, there was an incident last winter?” Now he just straight-up glares at Harley. “Come on Love, let’s get some skates.” He grabs his hand and pulls him over to the counter, not listening to his protests. Now he knows why Wanda had insisted on so many layers Peter realises as they wait in line at the edge of the ice rink. Once they’ve changed their shoes, Harley pulls him onto the ice. “So, how come a boy with genetic enhancements that make him capable of walking on the literal walls, can’t keep his balance on a bit of ice?” He asks pulling him along. But Peter isn’t really listening. He’s too busy trying not to fall flat on his face. Peter grips Harley's hands so hard, he’s a little concerned about doing damage, but he’s also terrified of falling over.
“I don’t know.” He mutters. “Don’t let go!” He quickly shouts out when he feels Harley tug at his hands.
“I’m not letting go Darlin’ I’m just trying to get the feeling back in my hands.” Peter instantly loosens his grip, shooting him a sorry look, but he doesn’t actually let go. “Just relax, let me help, okay?” Peter nods and tries to do just that. After a little while, Harley swaps to holding just one hand and skating beside him. “See, it’s not that bad.” Peter finally lets himself smile.
“Okay, I’ll give you that. It is kind of fun.” They skate for a couple of hours until Peter starts shivering from the cold. They decide to call it a night and head back to the tower to warm up.
“Told you I’d get him home before 10.” Harley smirks up to the ceiling of the lift they’ve just entered.
“Boss has asked me to point out that it's 9:58 and says, ‘you’re calling it close, Kenner.’” Friday plays Tony's voice saying it, causing both boys to laugh.
When they get to their room, Harley wraps Peter up in his arms.
“You know I can think of a good way to warm you up.” He smirks down at Peter as his face heats up. He doesn’t wait for an answer before pressing their lips together.

Tonys POV

He had only gone to bed last night after getting the notification from Friday that the boys were home. But, due to having gone to bed so early, Tony finds himself awake by 7 am. No one else is really around, so he decides the best way to satisfy his boredom is to go and bother his son and his son’s boyfriend.
“I’m sure they’ve slept enough by now. They didn’t get in too late last night.” He mutters to himself as he nears the door to their room. He doesn’t bother knocking before swinging it open. “Wakey wakey-“ He cuts himself off with a shout of distress, quickly turning his back. This, obviously, wakes them both up and sends them into a scramble.
“It’s not what it looks like!” Peter shouts, reaching for some trousers.
“That’s it! You guys are no longer allowed to share a room!” He shouts, still in shock at what he’s just seen. Peter had been lying next to Harley, cuddled up like they normally are, but neither of them had any clothes on. “And you’re never allowed to be in a situation where you have to say that ever again!”
Peter can’t help but want to hide in a hole and never come out again, meanwhile, Harley just continues to lounge in the bed.
“Put some clothes on.” Peter throws his trousers at him, his face the colour of a tomato.

Chapter 39: Chapter 38 - Old Friends.

Chapter Text

Peters POV

Peters nervous. He’s sitting at the back of a café in Midtown, waiting for Ned and MJ to get here from school. It’s been so long since he’s seen either of them, he can’t really remember how to act. So, he’s nervous.
“Peter!” Ned calls out when he walks through the door. At the familiar sight of his friend’s excitement, he feels himself relax a little.
“Hey guys.” He replies when they get a bit closer.
“I’m getting a coffee.” Is all MJ says, before turning around and heading to the counter. Peter turns to Ned.
“Is she annoyed at me?” He asks, feeling nervous again. Ned just laughs.
“No, man. It’s MJ. Surely you haven’t forgotten what she’s like.” The small mention of the time they’ve been apart makes Peter feel guilty.
“I’m sorry for not staying in contact more.” He looks down, fiddling with his cooling drink. He had ordered a hot chocolate when he arrived, wanting something to comfort himself. Ned just smiles softly.
“You’re not the only one with a phone, Pete. We’re both a little guilty of not reaching out.”
“It took me a while to even notice you were gone.” Peter lets himself laugh at MJ’s interruption. Ned was right, it took him a second to remember what MJ was like.
“Missed you too MJ.” He smiles at her. Two years ago, he’d have been stuttering out a response, still struggling with the crush he had had on her. Obviously, that has changed though. “So, how’s school been?” With that, Ned launches into an in-depth story of something that happened in chemistry class today. Peter lets himself sit back and listen, smiling at the familiarity of the situation.
“So, have you looked at going to college at all?” MJ asks when Ned finishes. Peter nods.
“Harley and I are looking at taking some courses, we just haven’t decided what yet.” He says. Ned and MJ look confused.
“Who’s Harley?” Oh right, Harley hadn’t been in Peter's life when they were still in school. It almost surprises him to remember that, often feeling like they’ve known each other for years. Then, he feels himself worry a little. He had never told either of them that he’s bi, so he’s not sure how they’ll react.
“Harley met da-Tony years ago, and when everyone came back, he needed somewhere to stay. Pepper invited him to live in the tower.” He leaves out the details surrounding his move and quickly covers up his slip with Tony's name. He hasn’t told them about that either yet. “He’s also my boyfriend.” Peter scans both of their faces for their reaction, relieved when he doesn’t see anything negative.
“Go Peter.” MJ laughs at his admission. “I thought it would be years before you ever found the guts to ask someone out.” Peter can’t help the offended look on his face.
“I could ask someone out!” He squeaks, his face heating up. Then he admits, “I mean, I didn’t. He asked me out. Well, no, he told me were going out.” Peter rambles on. “Some things happened and here we are, together.” He can’t help the smile growing on his face at the thought of his boyfriend.
“Sorry to bring up a sad subject, but I’ve got to ask man.” Ned speaks up. “Where have you been staying? After May and all I mean.” He has a look on his face as if he feels guilty for asking, Peter sends him a reassuring smile.
“It’s fine dude. That’s actually something else I should have told you. It was only made official a week or so ago, but Tony and Pepper actually adopted me.” He shows a bright smile. Gosh, saying it all out loud just reminds him how lucky he is.
“I’m happy you found a family.” Ned says, not all that surprised at the news. MJ just nods beside him. Before they can continue talking, someone else sits down beside Peter.
“I’m happy he’s found them too.” Harley says, reaching for his hand under the table. Peter blushes but quickly turns to explain who this is to his confused friends.
“This is Harley. Harley, meet Ned and MJ.”
“Nice to meet you guys, I’ve heard great and scary things.” He says, slipping on his normal smirk.
“And we’ve heard next to nothing.” MJ jabs, making Harley turn to him, an offended look on his face.
“You mean to tell me that you haven’t just been sitting here gushing about me?” Peter just laughs while shaking his head.
“Oh, shush. Your head doesn’t need to get any bigger.” He smiles up at him. “What are you doing here? I thought you said you needed to run some errands.” Peter asks.
“I did, and I’ve done them. What, do you not want me here?” Harley pretends to be offended. “Are you ashamed of me Darlin’?” He finishes off with a fake sniff. Peter whacks at his arm closest to him. Ned and MJ just watch on in amusement.
“Why are you here?” MJ asks, always to the point as usual. Harley is more than happy to answer, turning to face her.
“I’m here to collect this one.” He turns back to Peter. “The Old Man wants us back at the tower. Something about getting back at Bucky for what he did yesterday.” He just laughs, remembering the prank that had ended with Tony covered in glitter. He turns to his friends to tell them bye, only to stop when he sees the looks on their faces.
“What?” He asks, MJ just continues to smirk while Ned sputters out in shock.
“Bucky? As in the Winter Soldier? Do you live with the Winter Soldier?” He gets out through his confusion. Peter looks to Harley, but just finds him struggling to hold in his laugh. No help there then.
“Yeah, Ned. Most of the team lives at the tower now.”
“You live with the Avengers.” He breathes out, leaning back in his chair.
“Well, as amusing as this is, we really should get going before your dad comes to find us and threatens me again.” Harley smirks, bidding the other two teenagers goodbye. Peter stands with him.
“It was great seeing you guys. I’ll try to keep in touch more.” He promises with a smile, before following Harley out of the café. Peter reaches for his hand. “I’m happy I came to see them. I’ve missed them.”
“Have I not been enough for you Love?” Harley feigns offence. Peter laughs.
“Of course, you’re enough for me, Harls. But it’s not really the same. I don’t crawl into bed with them every night.”
“I’d hope not. I think I would have noticed them in there with us.” They both laugh, Harley turning down to peck his lips. Peter just smiles.

Chapter 40: Chapter 39 - Spiderman And IronLad.

Chapter Text

Harleys POV

Harley had spent so long thinking of this moment, so long imagining it. Ever since he found out who Peter really is, he’s wanted to be able to go around New York City with him, in much the same way. And now, he’s getting a chance to do just that.
“Are you ready?” Peter asks from where he’s standing on the roof of the tower, right by his side.
“After you, Love.” Harley gestures for him to go first. Peter flashes him a grin before slipping on his mask and promptly jumping off the tower. Harley just laughs, letting the face plate of his suit slide down.
“You coming or what?” Peter says through the comms installed in the helmet.
“Right behind you, Darlin’.” With that, he launches himself forward, the thrusters under his feet powering on smoothly. He swoops down low to be closer to his boyfriend.
It’s the middle of summer in New York now, meaning it's bright and warm. The streets are full, which means there are a lot of people below them to see them having fun.
“Pay attention Harls.” Peter tells him, bringing his attention to where he is about to fly into a building. Harley quickly changes direction and hears laughter through his speakers.
“I don’t know why you’re laughing; I’ve seen the videos of you on YouTube smacking into billboards.” He says into his microphone. Peter lands on a nearby building before responding.
“Who told you about those videos?” He asks.
“How do you know I wasn’t just looking for videos of my hot boyfriend doing hero stuff and stumbled upon them myself?” Harley responds, not being able to keep the laughter out of his voice. Peter doesn’t respond, and Harley doesn’t need to see his face to know that he doesn’t believe him. “Sam showed them all to me.”
“Bastard.” Peter mutters out in response. Harley lets his laughter out, unashamed. He hovers about two meters from the edge of the building Peters standing on.
“Are we taking a break, or what?” He asks.
“No, I just wanted to try something and needed you there to do it.” Peter answers before jumping from the roof. He doesn’t answer when Harley asks what he’s doing. He flings out a web, but instead of it going to a building, it attaches to the foot of Harley's suit. “You want to know the only inconvenience of travelling like this?” He asks mid-swing. Harley gets the picture of what he’s going for, so starts to move in the same direction when he releases the web.
“The wedgies?” Harley laughs out.
“No, you idiot. When I get too far out of the city, I run out of buildings.” He can see where he’s going with this. “But, if you’re there, I can just use you.”
“Wow, Darlin’. I thought you wanted more than just my body.” He doesn’t need to see his face to know it’s matching the bright red of his suit.
“Shut up.” As they’ve been speaking, Harley has been moving at speed in a straight line, feeling webs attach to him as his boyfriend swings below.
“Love you too.” They both laugh over the comms, continuing to travel in the new way. This is even better than Harley had imagined.

“You two, are a PR nightmare!” Pepper calls out while walking into the lab. Harley and Peter have only just returned from their little outing. They look at each other in confusion before Harley responds.
“What did we do now?” He asks.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Did you two lend your suits to some friends to go and fly around New York in broad daylight?” The sarcasm is dripping in her tone. The boys at least have the sense to look guilty.
“We’re sorry mum, we didn’t really think about it. We just wanted to have fun.” Peter says softly, but Harley doesn’t buy it. He’s trying to get out of the blame for this, and Harley isn’t going to let him.
“It was all Peter's idea.” He says, straight-faced. He jumps out of the way before Peter can whack him.
“I don’t care whose idea it was. Now I have to deal with this.” At that, Friday turns on one of the big screens in the lab to show several online news sights with varying headlines. ‘Skyline Playtime’ has got to be Harley’s favourite. “You two are going to have to have a sit-down meeting with the PR team before doing anything like this again, okay?” Pepper tells them in a no-nonsense tone. They both nod in silence, not wanting to risk getting told off again.
Before anything else can be said, Steve walks into the lab.
“Good, you’re both already in your suits. We just got a call. There is a last-minute mission, and we need you two to come with.”
“What is it?” Peter asks, a little confused. It’s not unusual for them to get a call like this, but it is rare.
“Nothing big, but it is a little way out.” Steve answers motioning for them to follow him. They do just that, leaving Pepper in the lab behind them. Peter sends her a smile and wave before the lift doors close in front of them.
“So, is there actually a mission, or did you just come to save us from Pepper's wrath?” Harley jokes as they stand in silence. Steve chuckles.
“Yes, there is an actual mission.” He turns to smirk at them both. “What was Pepper telling you off for now?” Steve looks right at Harley when he asks.
“Why do you assume I was the only one being told off?” He asks in offence. “Peter was just as much at fault.” He motions to his boyfriend standing in silence. When Steve just smirks at him after a single glance, he looks over to where he’s pointing. Peter is just standing there, a completely innocent look on his face, pretending not to know what’s going on.
“I don’t know what you’re on about. I’m completely innocent.” Harley just gives him a look.
“You and I both know that that is anything but true.” Steve chokes on his breath at the implications clear in Harley’s voice.

Chapter 41: Chapter 40 - Family.

Chapter Text

Peters POV

Peter wanders into the kitchen looking for food.
“Dinner will be ready in half an hour.” Tony calls out from where he’s standing over the stove.
“What is it? And why is there so much of it?” Peter asks. Family dinners usually involve a lot of food, considering his metabolism, but not this much. The counters and island are covered in food.
“The whole teams coming up to eat.” Tony looks up when Peter walks up next to him after grabbing a cereal bar to snack on while he waits.
“What are you cooking?” He asks, looking into the big pot. Tony wraps his free arm around his shoulders, using the other to stir the sauce.
“Spag bol. Easy to make in volume.” Peter breathes out a laugh, tucking himself into Tony's side, letting himself relax into the hold.
“Dad?” He asks. Tony nudges at him to continue. “When you first came to find me – to help you in Germany – did you ever imagine it would end up like this?” It’s a thought that had been popping up in his head over the last couple of days. Morgan had made a joke about being happy that Tony had chosen him to be her brother. Tony sighs, clearly thinking before answering.
“No.” Peter glances up at him. “I was surprised when I found out that you were a kid – you still are one.” Peter pokes him in the side, making Tony chuckle. “I didn’t understand why you were doing it. To be honest, I was worried that something wasn’t okay, that someone was doing something bad to make you do it – either that or you were insane. But then I met May and then you and it made sense. You’re a good kid, with a big heart.” He pauses for a second. “You used to scare me every time I got a report from Kareen that you were hurt you know?” Tony pulls him closer. He looks down at his son. “I may not have even considered this might happen when I first came to find you, but I’m happy this is where you ended up.” Peter finds himself smiling.
“Look at you, being all emotional and soft.” He pokes his side again, laughing.
“Hey! Deflecting is my thing.” Tony laughs out, swatting away his hands. “Go back to the living room, I think I can hear your boyfriend crying from loneliness.” Peter just continues to laugh, walking out to go and find Harley.
He finds him sitting on the sofa watching the TV with Nat sitting on another chair. Peter falls down on top of him, wanting to be close. Harley doesn’t complain, just hugs him close to stop him from falling off.
“Any particular reason you’ve decided to try and crush me Darlin’?” He doesn’t bother taking his eyes off the screen as he talks.
“Just want snuggles.” He closes his eyes to the bright lights in the room. Peter feels Harley reach over to the table beside the sofa and then slip his glasses on his face. “Thank you.”
“No problem, Love.” Harley presses a kiss to his curls, happy to hold him close.
About 20 minutes later, Friday announces to the room that food is ready. Neither of them move until the rest of the team arrive in the lift.
“Keener, put your boyfriend down and both of you come eat.” Bucky says as he walks by. They both chuckle but do just that.
Everyone sits around the large table in the kitchen and digs into the food in the middle. Peter sits with Harley on one side and Morgan on the other.
“So, have you two looked anymore at College?” Pepper asks from where she sits opposite them. Peter doesn’t look up, too busy shovelling food into his mouth, leaving Harley to answer for both of them.
“We’ve been looking at some hybrid course options. Ones that you spend half the time on campus, half the time online.” He answers her.
“And where is that for?” She prods for more information. Harley glances at Tony before going to answer, but Peter beets him to it.
“MIT.” Peter speaks through the food in his mouth. Tony drops his fork in shock.
“Pep, Pepper. Did I just hear that right?” He asks, tugging at his wife’s arm. She swats him away laughing.
“Yes, I heard you buffoon. Stop pulling my arm, I’m trying to eat.” She laughs at her husband’s antics. “Do you know what you want to study then?” Pepper looks back to the boys.
“I’m thinking mechanical engineering.” Harley replies, then pokes Peter when he doesn’t answer.
“Probably either biochem or something physics-related, maybe see if I can take some mechanical engineering classes alongside.” He speaks.
“That sounds like a lot, Pete.” Pepper says, making him finally look up from his food.
“I know, but I get bored with just one subject.” He shrugs as if it makes perfect sense.
“You are such a nerd.” Is called down the table by Sam. Peter hadn’t realised the others had been listening to the conversation. Before he can respond, Nat opens her mouth.
“Just because you’re jealous that a teenager is smarter than you doesn’t mean you need to resort to juvenile insults Birdboy.” This sets off a round of laughter at the table, with Sam not looking even a little bit bothered and Peter mouthing a quick ‘thank you’ to his fellow spider. She just smiles in response.
Peter takes a second to smile around at his family. It’s taken a long time to get here, but he’s not sad with the results. Sure, he still has a few things to figure out – like collage and how Spiderman is going to fit into all of it, and he wants to find out just why his senses became so much more enhanced after coming back from the dark place. But he doesn’t need to do that right this second. For now, he can relax and enjoy this time with his family. Peter isn’t sure how he got so lucky, but after everything that has happened to him in the past, he’s not going to question it.

Chapter 42: Epilogue - Time Moves On.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Peters POV

“Do you know why we’re here?” Peter asks Harley while pacing back and forth in the office. Friday had interrupted them in the lab this morning, asking them both to head to the office they’re currently in because someone wanted to meet with them. They didn’t question it at the time, figuring if Friday was telling them, then it must be someone they can trust making the request.
“I know just as much as you do, Darlin’.” Harley responds from where he had decided to sit down.
“Who do you think it could be then? If it was anyone on the team, then they would have just come up to the lab.” Peter has been going through everyone he can think of while pacing back and forth. Harley stands and walks over to him, reaching out for his clearly stressed boyfriend. “Pete, you need to calm down. We’ll find out when whoever it is gets here.” He holds his shoulders so he can look at his face. Peter winces. “Where are your glasses?” He doesn’t wait for an answer before reaching into Peter's pocket to pull them out. He always keeps them in the same place. Peter feels his eyes relax when they’re slipped onto his face.
“I don’t know why I’m so stressed.” Peter whispers out. Harley gathers him into his arms, pulling him close.
“You’ve been pulling a lot of late nights in the lab recently with Bruce. Maybe whatever you’re working on is causing this?” Harley didn’t often wander into Bruce's lab, finding the tinkering and machines of Tony's a lot more interesting to him than the chemicals and biology.
“We’ve been doing some genetic testing.” Peter starts to explain. “I’ve told you how I never used to need the hearing aids and the glasses before the snap, right?” Harley nods. “Well, I asked him to help me figure out what could have happened to make things different.” Peter takes a deep breath, letting himself feel his boyfriend’s arms wrapped around him, grounding him. “I didn’t experience it the same as everyone else. I knew what was going on – I was conscious. Nobody else came back different.” He lifts his head to meet Harley's eyes. “I want to know why I did.”
“That’s understandable. Have you found anything?” Harley reaches up to run his fingers through Peter's hair, almost distracting him from what they’re talking about.
“A few things. The spider bite clearly changed some stuff, but I never had the chance to look at the genetic side before. But we obviously don’t have anything to reference it to, so it’s taking time.” Peter sighs out.
“I’m sure you guys can figure it out.” Harley says softly, moving his hand down to cup his cheek. “If anyone can, it’s you.” Peter smiles at the cheesiness. Harley dips his head down and presses their lips together.
“That’s one way to distract me.” Peter laughs, pulling back a little bit.
“Is it a good one?” Harley smirks, still holding him close. Peter just nods and reaches up on his toes to continue kissing him.
A throat clearing has them pulling away from each other.
“Do you mind?” Harley says, not bothering to look over, still staring at his boyfriend.
“No, please continue.” They both snap their heads to look at the new person. Nick Fury stands just inside the door.
“Oh my gosh, you’re Nick Fury.” Peter breathes out.
“Really, I hadn’t noticed.” The sarcasm is strong with this one. “Are you two going to keep standing there, or are you going to come and sit down so we can talk?” He motions to the two chairs in front of the desk in the office, moving to take the one behind it.
“Does Tony know you’re here?” Peter asks, knowing his thoughts on the man.
“Your father approved of me meeting you two, yes.” Fury sighs out. He once again motions for the chairs, making the boys finally move to sit.
“What do you want to talk to two teenagers about?” Harley asks, suspicion clear in his voice. Fury sighs again.
“I know what you two have been up to. Spiderman and IronLad have been all over the news.” They look at each other in shock. Peters’ identity is still a closely held secret to those who know, and Harley hasn’t told anyone outside of the tower. “As you said, I’m Nick Furry. I know everything.” That doesn’t put either of them at ease. Nick continues. “The Avengers are getting old.” Harley lets out a snort.
“I’d honestly pay to see you say that to their faces.” He says, barely containing his laughter. The older man rolls his eyes.
“They’re not gonna be around forever. I’m thinking about the future.” He sits back in his chair, looking at the two. Peter glances to Harley before asking his question.
“Where are you going with this?” He asks, letting the confusion show in his voice.
“They need new blood. I think the best way to go about it is to just create a new team. And I want to start that new team with the two of you.” Furry barely glances at their shocked faces before continuing. “You clearly already work well together, if what I’ve seen in videos and what you were in the middle of doing when I walked in is anything to go by.” Peter feels himself blush, he finds him doing that a lot these days.
“So, you want to start a new Avengers team, and you want us to be on it?” Harley asks, looking for clarification. At Fury’s nod, he continues. “Who else is going to be on this team?” Peter finds himself just listening, too shocked to ask his own questions.
“I have a few files in the works. You’ll know when I’m ready for you to.” Harley moves on, knowing he won’t get any more out of him.
“We’re both heading to college in the autumn, how’s it going to work with that?” Fury gives him a look like he’s stupid.
“You won’t be going into the field right away. You’re still young, Keener you’ve only just turned 18 and Parker you're still a child.” He lets out another sigh. “You’ll spend some time training once I can get the whole team together. We’ll figure out the details when I have all to information I need.” Peter finds himself finally able to speak up.
“Can we say no?” He sounds nervous – being called a child by Nick Fury will do that to you.
“Yes.” Nick nods, looking at them both. “Do you want to join the team?” Peter and Harley make eye contact before turning back and answering in sync.
“Yes.”

Notes:

Hi,
I'm thinking about maybe writing some more of this but I'm not quite sure what. It will either be:
-A prequel: Taking place between Civil War and Infinity War with all the IronDad SpiderSon I can shove in.
OR
-A sequel: My take on Young Avengers and will be a lot more Parkner-centric as opposed to IronDad SpiderSon, but there will still be some in there.
I need to catch up on all my uni work that I let pile up while I wrote this, so it might be a few weeks before you see anything, but let me know if and what you wanna see,

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aineran on Chapter 1 Sun 02 Mar 2025 07:38AM UTC

Tony's son!? 👀

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aineran on Chapter 2 Sun 02 Mar 2025 07:42AM UTC

Tony is alive! Hope Peter gets better soon🥺

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aineran on Chapter 3 Sun 02 Mar 2025 07:46AM UTC

Poor Pete😔 it's gonna be ok dear

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morsoup on Chapter 4 Wed 16 Oct 2024 09:44AM UTC

This fucking sucks whump whump whump

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1. morsoup on Chapter 4 Wed 16 Oct 2024 09:45AM UTC
  
  I mean peter's situation, not the fic btw
  
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aineran on Chapter 4 Sun 02 Mar 2025 07:50AM UTC

Peteeee😭😭

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Friendly_Local_Cryptid on Chapter 5 Mon 23 Dec 2024 06:22AM UTC

I was reading this on my phone and I just moved to reading on my iPad and they chapters are so much shorter on a bigger screen😂
This story is peak so far btw

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Friendly_Local_Cryptid on Chapter 6 Mon 23 Dec 2024 06:25AM UTC

Okay Morgan made me cry in the best way possible

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aineran on Chapter 6 Sun 02 Mar 2025 08:00AM UTC

I swear Morgan is the best character in every fic she's in! All hail Morgan!

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morsoup on Chapter 7 Wed 16 Oct 2024 10:01AM UTC

Successfully managed not to cry this chapter 👍

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aineran on Chapter 7 Sun 02 Mar 2025 08:08AM UTC

I love Pepper so much

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Friendly_Local_Cryptid on Chapter 8 Mon 23 Dec 2024 06:31AM UTC

You’ve just done all the good things with this fic🥹
Also your English is amazing, I’d never be able to tell your not a native English speaker if you haven’t said it!

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Friendly_Local_Cryptid on Chapter 10 Mon 23 Dec 2024 06:37AM UTC

My baby getting the love he needs is everything to me❤️

Last Edited Mon 23 Dec 2024 06:37AM UTC

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Friendly_Local_Cryptid on Chapter 13 Mon 23 Dec 2024 06:45AM UTC

Oh baby no😭

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Friendly_Local_Cryptid on Chapter 15 Mon 23 Dec 2024 06:50AM UTC

YES TONY GO FIND YOUR SON

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Friendly_Local_Cryptid on Chapter 16 Mon 23 Dec 2024 06:53AM UTC

FUCK YES THE PEAKEST OF FICTION HAS BEEN ACHIEVED

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Friendly_Local_Cryptid on Chapter 17 Mon 23 Dec 2024 06:56AM UTC

I adore them🥹

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Friendly_Local_Cryptid on Chapter 19 Mon 23 Dec 2024 07:01AM UTC

YES, ADOPT HIM LESSS GOOOOOOOOOOOOO

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Friendly_Local_Cryptid on Chapter 21 Mon 23 Dec 2024 07:05AM UTC

Yes, give the child therapy I am BEGGING YOU

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Friendly_Local_Cryptid on Chapter 23 Mon 23 Dec 2024 07:09AM UTC

Aunty Natasha is something I’ll never not be mad the mcu deprived us of

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Friendly_Local_Cryptid on Chapter 24 Mon 23 Dec 2024 07:11AM UTC

JUST. FUCKING. KISS. YOU GAY IDIOTS😭

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