#mr wilson's voice has no FLAVOR. | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

amortentiaparker · 3 years

Text

HBD, P ☆ p.parker

event planning has never been one of your strong suits, not until peter and some of his friends came along

pairing: peter parker x fem!reader, avengers x fem!reader

word count: 2.2k

warnings: nothing really, just pure fluff because it's peter's birthday!!! it's what he deserves and i love him

my masterlist

Being rescued from a kidnapping was the only way you thought you’d meet and speak to the Avengers— not in a conference room debating over which flavor of cake is the best choice for your boyfriend’s birthday party.

The chance of being invited to a meeting with the earth’s mightiest heroes never occurred to you. If it did, you were most likely to expect Tony Stark or the Mr. Happy Hogan to contact you since they were closest to Peter. But no, it was the goddess of an assassin, Natasha Romanoff, who greeted you at the exit gates of Midtown. You thought you were about to get arrested, though she did not wield such authority, until she gave you a warm smile.

On the car ride over to Stark Industries, Natasha told you how you shouldn’t just get into a stranger’s car no matter who it was. Her tone was joking but you sensed the underlying warning. You matched her teasing by saying that your boyfriend was an Avenger who’s taught you self defense moves, so there was no need to worry. Natasha decided she liked you then and there.

You gaped as the tech building came into view. You’ve never been this near Stark Industries before. The silver ripple of the mirrored bulletproof windows reflected the glare of sun. The intimidating, towering height of the building was obscured when Natasha pulled into the basement parking lot. You assumed it was a parking floor saved for the Avengers themselves when you spotted the rows of expensive sports cars, a few sleek black motorbikes, and the single motorcycle that stood out with its brown leather seat.

Before unlocking the car doors, Natasha spoke. She explained that you were here to help with planning for Peter’s birthday party. As much as they are family to him, and that Tony was great at hosting parties, they had to admit that they were old and couldn’t keep up with whatever was hip and cool for yours and Peter’s generation. You laughed out loud when she told you that it was Steve’s, Captain freaking America’s idea to ask for your help.

Peter’s birthday was a month away and you were more than glad to assist them in any way. Who else your age would be able to say that they planned a party with the Avengers?

But the thing that bothered you was that, aside from the party, you wanted to throw a little celebration with Peter. Something more personal and intimate. But with everyone attending this party, you had to think of something else. At the end of the day, Peter’s happiness came first.

So now here you were, slowly cowering into the expensive leather office chair as Tony Stark started raising his voice as he opposed Bruce Banner’s and Scott Lang’s votes for mint chocolate chip icing.

“Hey, hey,” Mr. Steve Rogers called out. He was sitting opposite you. “Let’s hear what Y/N has to say.”

Your cheeks warmed as Steve gestured to you and everyone’s eyes shifted to your figure.

“Exactly,” Sam Wilson agreed, “She knows spiderling the best.”

You would’ve let out a giggle at the nickname if literal superheroes weren’t in an argument over cake.

Tony’s eyes softened and he fixed his posture before turning to you, “So, kiddo? What do you think?”

“Uhm,” You mumbled. Your eyes turned to the powerpoint presentation created by Miss Maximoff and Vision at the front of the room. It had PNG’s of different types of cakes with the flavors written below it in a fun cursive font.

“Peter doesn’t mind mint choco chip..” Scott started to raise his hand but you continued, “But he doesn’t eat it a lot. Oddly enough he likes strawberry.”

“That’s May’s favorite!” Mr. Happy said by his place at the door. You’ve met him once in passing, before him and May left the apartment for a date.

You smiled and he coughed when heads turned to look at him.

“It is,�� You nodded, managing to nod in agreement. “Maybe that’s why.”

Happy returned your smile and looked at Tony for approval. The billionaire seemed to be deep in thought and from behind him, you could see a green check mark icon being placed next to the image of a strawberry cake on the presentation. It was Wanda and Vision’s work considering they were huddled over a laptop.

“No,” A deep voice suddenly spoke up. You gulped when you saw it was Mr. Barnes, “Parker mentioned that you wore strawberry flavored lip balm. He talks about it all the time, I could punch him. Not that I would, Y/N.”

“Oh,” You felt the warmth return to your cheeks. Peter talks about you around them? Even with Bucky Barnes, who he always said he found to be intimidating? You felt even more flustered when you realized that his words implied your kissing.

“How about regular sized cakes in different flavors instead,” Natasha said, the words regular sized obviously directed towards Tony’s extravagance. “So that there’s something for everybody.”

Mumbles of agreement echoed in the room and Tony told Happy to take note of the suggestion.

“Now that’s settled,” Tony said, rubbing his forehead as if cake choices took a toll on him. “Any ideas for a theme? Decor?”

Little hums and whispers from everybody in the room filled the silence and you glanced around to see who was teaming up with who. Mr. Wilson and Mr. Barnes were chuckling, the words horror and costume drifting between them, Mr. Vision was looking enthralled as Scott made gestures with his hands, somehow reminiscent of card tricks, and Tony and James Rhodes seemed to be really deep in thought.

You stared at the table in front of you. Having a party was already extravagant enough. Peter said he wasn’t fond of anything too much of a spectacle because of his senses.

“Any suggestions?” Miss Romanoff said as she gently elbowed your arm.

“Well, to be honest, I think a simple party would do,” You whispered. “But I don’t think Mr. Stark will like that.”

“Heard that.” Tony himself said and you froze in your seat. Natasha laughed at your surprised reaction.

“I’m so sorry, Mr. Stark, I didn’t mean-”

“My god, she sounds exactly like him.” Sam Wilson said and the whole group chuckled. You didn’t know whether to be relieved or even more scared.

“Heard it and you’re right, kid,” Tony said. “A simple party! Genius, really. Pete would like that.”

You finally smiled at how obviously fond the tech billionaire is of your boyfriend. You were glad that Peter had a group of people he could call family aside from May and your group of friends.

“Told you.”

“Don’t get smug, Rogers,” Mr. Stark scoffed. “I was the one who told all you about Peter’s girlfriend and you wouldn’t have gotten ideas if it weren’t for me. Speaking of ideas, got any more, kid?”

You fought the urge to drop your mouth at how similar Peter was to his mentor in regards to how fast they spoke. I guess restlessness is something they agree on.

“Fairy lights are nice.” You blurted out. Fairy lights, seriously? You could request for exotic peacocks and not break anyone’s bank statement and you ask for a string of lights. Great job, self.

“Huh,” Mr. Stark seemed to contemplate something before speaking again, “‘Kay. I’ll get those fairy lights he asked to borrow for your first date. I know they’re still around here somewhere.”

This time, your jaw did drop. You realized that the reason you recommended fairy lights for decorations was because in the back of your mind, the luminescent plastic stars were linked to a special memory.

- ☆ -

Deep breath in and out.

Everything was already in place; your hair, makeup, dress, and jewelry. You felt beautiful in how everything looked. Yet, you kept fidgeting with your outfit. Pure nerves clawed at you even though there weren’t any logical reasons for it. Mr. Stark assured you that even though the party was simple, he still hired the best people to arrange everything.

You were in May’s bedroom, with her insisting that it will be much better for you and Peter to go to Stark tower together. You had celebrated already earlier, with May for breakfast and with your friends for lunch. Only then on the walk back home to their apartment did you tell Peter the secret you kept for the past month.

He looked ecstatic when you said that there will be a party but his grin spread ear to ear when you blurted out that you helped. Peter admitted that he was still a little bummed out that you met the team without him around, but he was even happier when you told him that they really helped you out with your suggestions for the party.

“Y/N?” Peter knocked softly on the closed door. “Are you ready?”

You glanced at the time on your phone screen, indicating that you had 30 minutes left before the party ‘started.’ In reality, people were already arriving at the building to surprise Peter. But your boyfriend being the loyal intern/mentee he is, he always makes sure to arrive at events on time. You know he would swing you two without hesitation if you were the least bit late for a Stark event.

You didn’t reply to his words and instead opened the door. Peter’s bright eyes met yours for a moment before he softly gasped at your appearance. You were in a silver dress that ended at the top of your knees. It hugged all your curves nicely and the subtle shimmers complimented your skin tone. It costed something a little more than your savings but Mrs. Stark was there for you.

“I can’t take this.” You rejected the gold card Pepper was handing you.

“Non-sense,” She shook her head. “Buy anything you need and you can give it to Happy when he visits May.” She winked, “I know you’re with Peter at his place most of the time.”

Everybody in this tower has managed to get you flushed at their words. After a few more refusals from you, you budged and gave in to Mrs. Stark’s kind smile.

“You look beautiful,” Peter said, almost breathless. “You are beautiful.”

“Thank you, birthday boy,” You bit your lip gloss clad lips and you saw Peter’s eyes flicker to it. “You look very handsome.”

His all black suit ensembled made him look older, more refined, but underneath it all you know you had your youthful, human epitome of sunshine, Peter Parker. You smoothed the collar of his suit jacket and you smiled at the silver pocket square.

“Shall we?” Peter asked, his arm outstretched for you to take.

“Always.”

- ☆ -

On any other occasion, according to Mr. Stark, Mr. Hogan would grunt and complain about having to drive Peter. But today, he volunteered for the task, as you read on the Spidey Party group text. May told you that she would take an Uber so that there would be privacy for you and Peter in the limousine.

Peter was obviously dumbstruck when the luxury vehicle was parked outside the apartment, sticking out like a sore thumb in the street. He eventually got settled in to the leather seats and even asked Happy to put up the partition. Your cheeks warmed as Peter asked this when his hand was on your thigh.

“Happy Birthday again.” You said as Peter leaned back in the seat. You however leaned into him and gave him a lasting kiss.

“Thank you." He said, dazed from the kiss you just gave him. The faint trace of lip gloss stuck to the side of his mouth made you giggle.

"I didn't want to be cheesy, but.." You trailed off as you grabbed your clutch.

Your friends didn't give Peter their gifts earlier at lunch, which confused him, but eventually his sad thoughts were cleared away when you told him about the party and that everyone was invited. The agreed upon plan was that he'd get his gifts later at the party, but you had one veto. And this was it.

You reached into the shallow space of your clutch and pulled out the box wrapped in glittery wrapping paper. This one, you spent your own money on. You thrust the box into Peter's hands and urged him to open it.

Once the wrapping paper was out of the way, it revealed a black leather jewelry box. You didn't want to go down the cliché gift giving route, but you knew this was something special.

Peter lifted the lid and it revealed a silver watch.

"I know it isn't anything grand like the ones Mr. Stark got you," You whispered, watching Peter. "But if you look at the back— I hope you like it."

Peter followed your instructions and on the underside of the watch, lines shaped like the spider emblem on his suit carved into the silver. If he was getting teary eyed at this, he wasn't prepared to see his Uncle Ben's signature right below the symbol. The sight of the familiar cursive finally brought the water works.

"Baby," He sniffled and your heart melted at the sight. "I love it. I love you."

"I love you too," You replied, getting teary eyed as well. "So much."

"Don't cry," Peter chuckled through his little hiccups, his fingers gently wiping away the stray tear on your cheek. "I just know Tony hired photographers and we don't want to get caught looking like this."

The rest of the night had you realizing one thing; you would do anything for this boy, whether it be saving the world, buying him expensive gifts, or meeting with superheroes who have a strong dislike for mint choco chip.

tag list (also tagging people who i hope will like!) @woahmrstark @elios-timotea @decadentwastelandtrash @thevery-firstpage @xetherealbeautyx @love-you-to-saturn @givebuckyhisplumsnow @imawhoreforu @ysywyw626 @spideyspeaches @bakugouswh0r3 @lauramacch @moonykiss @616films @vendettaparker @celestialholland @parkerpeter24 @alinastarkrovs @daiiybuugle

#peter parker #peter parker imagine #peter parker x reader #peter parker fluff #peter parker fic #peter parker fanfiction #avengers x reader #mcu fic #HAPPY BIRTHDAY PETER PARKER #ily

224 notes · View notes

marvelslut16 · 4 years

Text

What were you thinking?

Prompt number: 14 “You better leave now.”

Fandom: Marvel

Paring: Sam Wilson x reader

Rating: T

Word count: 1.5k

Warnings: Swearing. A man that can’t take no. Dumbasses who are oblivious to each others affections. A terrible Hawkeye pun. Reader called a slut.

A/N: This is day 10 of fictober, it was my moms birthday so I spent it with her and not on tumblr. But when I logged into tumblr this morning I saw that this fic didn’t post at it’s scheduled time, so here it is a day late. First time writing Sam so I’m sorry if it sucks.

Tony’s endless galas could be fun, you had an excuse to dress up instead of being stuck in your Avengers gear, and it always includes a free bar. The downside is the hoards of drunken men that hit on you that can’t seem to take no for an answer. And tonight is no exception, dressed in a black dress with a slit up your right leg, men can’t seem to stay away from you.

You sigh as Nat hands you a refill, she had snuck behind the bar moments earlier to make yours and her drinks extra strong. Both of you going through relationship woes, more like non-existent relationship woes. Her eyes never seem to leave Clint for long, he’s standing on the balcony above the ballroom watching the guests like a hawk, his job never seeming to be done. When Nat does look away you catch his longing gaze on her. The two dumbasses can’t see the love they have for each other buried under their years of friendship.

Your eyes trail from Clint back onto the main floor only stopping when they land on Sam’s back, he’s standing next to your favorite couple Steve and Bucky. Nat gives you a sympathetic look while you just roll your eyes at the three women hanging onto Sam’s every word, and two more clinging to his arms. At least Clint only has eyes for Nat and she doesn’t have to watch the man she loves be flirted with constantly.

You were with Steve when he met Sam back in DC, and you were immediately enraptured with his sarcasm and dry sense of humor. Steve was always your closest friend on the team, but that quickly changed when you befriended Sam and you became inseparable. For a few months, about two years ago, you were convinced Sam had feelings for you. Everyone around you said he was being obvious; always spending days off with you, nights at bars after a rough mission attached to your side, volunteering to go on missions with you when you needed a partner, and demanding he go as backup when you had a different partner. You let your hopes get the better of you and you let the walls around your heart fall for him.

But you built them back stronger, thicker, and taller than before when he invited a woman he met at a bar one night to be his date to a gala. Prior to that you were each other's dates, always matching his tie color to match your dress, but suddenly that stopped with no warning or no specific event to blame for his change of heart. So for the past two years you had each either gone stag or with your flavors of the month.

You lean back on the bar, trying to stop from seeing red as the woman draped on his left arm leans up and nibbles on his earlobe. You catch both Steve and Bucky sending you looks of pity, if you weren’t trained to be so observant you wouldn’t have caught them, that’s how fast they are. A tall handsome man leans on the bar next to you, arm draped on the bartop behind your back, his front facing your right side.

You look at him through your eyelashes; he’s taller than Sam, at least six and a half feet, his skin not as rich and chocolatey in color, and his eyes didn’t hold that same look that sparked a fire in your soul and core. But he’d do for the night. You send Nat a quick wink before turning your attention to the mysterious man on your right, focusing your attention solely on him.

“You wanna dance gorgeous?” the Cheshire grin that splits across his face is momentarily off putting, you can already tell that this man has never been told no in his life.

“You bet,” you grin and agree anyway. What’s the harm in a little fun anyway?

Once on the dance floor he pulls you in tight, chest to chest. Your slightly tipsy and hazy mind ignores the warning sounds being fired off in your brain. Instead you dance with him, letting his body lead yours in the slow song. Throughout the song the man, whom you still don’t know the name of, his hand slowly slips closer and closer to the curve of your ass. The next song is a bit faster so you start to pull away like the rest of the couples on the dancefloor, instead of letting you go the man’s large hands grab you by the ass and press you up against him again.

Your eyes widen as your eyes frantically search for one of your friends: your eyes go to the balcony but it’s Clint free, he’s talking with Nat at the bar; Tony and Pepper are in a quiet corner saying goodnight to Morgan, who’s being watched by Happy and May; you finally find Bucky and Steve standing just off the dance floor, both sets of eyes locked on something behind you.

Before you can turn around and see what's causing Bucky to smirk and Steve to have a knowing grin, the hands are being ripped off of your ass and you're pulled into a firm, familiar, chest. You relax slightly as Sam wraps you in his arms and holds you securely to him.

“What the fuck?” the man you had been dancing with swears a little too loudly, eyes from surrounding party goers are now on the situation. Their murmurs alert more and more people to the possible fight brewing in front of them between an Avenger and some millionaire over another Avenger.

“I think you best leave,” Sam grits his teeth, arms squeezing you a little tighter. The man lets out a sound halfway between a scoff and a laugh, rolling his eyes at Sam.

“Do you even know who I am?” the man tries to intimidate Sam by staring him down.

“No, and quite frankly, I don’t care,” Sam moves you from his chest to where he’s standing in front of you slightly, but keeping an arm around your waist. “You made (Y/N) uncomfortable, so all I know is that you better leave now.”

“Well if she wasn’t dressed like such a slut-” Sam’s arm unwraps from you, he’s forming a fist and getting ready to take a swing.

“Oh how original,” you roll your eyes from behind Sam, moving to stand beside him. “Let me guess, it took you all night to come up with that excuse just in case someone tried to turn you down?” Sam steps in front of you again as the man goes to lunge at you. You giggle and roll your eyes again, is he really dumb enough to try and pick a fight with multiple Avengers. “Did I strike a little nerve there? Was I too on the nose for you?”

By now Tony’s called security and the man is being forcefully removed from the gala, Sam’s hand wraps around your wrist and he pulls you out a door in the other direction. He leads you through multiple winding hallways and away from the prying ears of gala guests. Sam only stops when he feels you’ve put a substantial distance between you and the party, having taken too many different turns for anyone to follow.

“What were you thinking?” Sam asks, you can hear as he fights with himself to keep his voice level.

“What was I thinking? What were you thinking? You almost got yourself into a fist fight Samuel!”

“What were you thinking dancing with him?” he sneers.

“I wanted to dance, he asked, therefore we started dancing!” you glare at Sam.

“You could have gotten hurt!” he sounds exasperated.

“Says the one that almost got into a physical fight with him,” you roll your eyes at Sam, arms coming up to shove him lightly at your next statement. “I can take care of myself Samuel, I don’t need you to save me.”

“You think I don't know that?” he grabs both of your wrists as you go to shove him again. “You’re strong, capable, and can kick just about anyone's ass. Hell, you took down the tinman in training the other day. It’s one of the things I love about you, but dammit I want you to need me as much as I need you!”

“What did you just say?” you latch your hands onto his wrists since his hands are still holding your wrists. Your heart swells at his slight confession, an overpowering feeling of love washes over you as your walls crumble down.

“I love you (Y/N). And I need you,” he lets go of your wrists to wrap your arms around your waist, you rest your hands on his biceps. “I pushed you away when I realized how much you meant to me, when I realized I couldn’t function right when I wasn’t by your side every day. So I pushed you away and into the arms of countless men I was scared would sweep you off your feet.”

“You’re an idiot,” you laugh lightly.

“That’s what Barnes tells me every day,” Sam looks down at you sadly, and you realize you haven’t said it back.

“I love you too, you winged idiot,” Sam cuts off your giggle with his lips, finally kissing you with those plump lips for the first time. “You’ve already swept me off my feet, both figuratively and literally.”

Permanent tags: @crimson-knuckled-queen @rexorangecouny @mrs-malfoy-always

#sam wilson x reader #fictober20 #day 10 of fictober #sam wilson #the falcon #the falcon x reader #the falcon imagine #sam wilson x you #sam wilson x y/n #sam wilson imagine #sam wilson fanfiction #sam willson one shot #marvel imagine #marvel one shot #marvel #fictober 2020

142 notes · View notes

toomuch-caffeine · 3 years

Text

Titles don't matter

AO3 link

Word count: 8726

Summary: First, Happy was dating some mysterious woman. Then his new nephew turned out to be superhero. And now Tony somehow gained a kid.

Rating: Teen

Warnings: kidnapping, gunshot wounds, unnamed bad guy's death

A/N: Reposted from AO3, third fic in a series

---

A big reveal of Spider-Man’s identity and by consequence Happy’s mysterious girlfriend, who was a vigilante’s Aunt, brought a lot of yelling and long conversations in med bay. Said vigilante was a teenager and hid the fact that he fights criminals in his pajamas for more than a year, which made his Aunt mix of angry, guilty and terrified. When the situation calmed down, a couple of days after Peter Parker woke up from the surgery and had a chance to defend his actions, Tony made a proposition to May and Happy. Peter could train in the Tower with the Avengers and also would make a super suit with Tony. A suit that would contain a lot of safety protocols and a way to control young hero’s actions by adults.

That’s how Tony ended up giving a tour of his workshop. He observed the awestruck teenager in front of him. Peter looked around, lips slightly parted and eyes wide open. Tower’s lab was definitely an update from dumpsters and school workshops. It occupied two whole floors, one of them belonged to Tony, one to Bruce. Sleek holotables and expensive materials were enough to make every nerdy teenager’s knees weak. There was still some clutter in the corner, but Tony had cleaned up a bit, to impress Peter more.

“Come on, kid, that’s your workstation.” Tony showed a big, empty oval table, to a lingering in a threshold kid. Peter’s eyes widened even more, something that Tony didn’t think was possible.

“Wow, seriously?”

“Yeah. And those are Dum-E and U.” Tony didn’t even have to motion at the two robots, as both of them were currently surrounding Peter, trying to get to know the newcomer. Kid petted both of them, laughing and they seemed satisfied. He was seriously endearing. Couple of minutes spent with him and Tony could already tell why he wormed his way to Happy’s heart in no time. He was still shy with Tony and other Avengers, but around May and Happy he acted like a rambling ball of sunshine. He was too polite for his own sake and looking at his school records, Tony could tell, he was brilliant and right now he wanted to test that.

“So, introductions are done, time for fun!” Tony clapped his hands. “You can use everything in here-”

“Oh my god, this is like the best day of my life, Ned, you know, my friend, won’t believe me!”

“-but there are gonna be rules,” Tony continued. Mention of the rules brought all of Peter’s attention to him.

“First of all, FRIDAY won’t let you in the lab without me or Bruce present. You can experiment with whatever you want, but you have to run your ideas by me or Bruce or FRIDAY first. If you set something on fire, Dum-E has a fire extinguisher. Don’t eat or drink anything bots give you, they mix food with motor oil.

“Okay, so for the first project, we’ll do your spider suit together and you will learn along the way what FRIDAY can do, where are the tools and so on.” Tony sat down next to Peter, motioned for holograms to appear. “So, let’s get started.”

~~~

Tony never liked having company in the workshop. Other people were loud and nagging him to do stuff like eating or sleeping. But then came Bruce, who was quiet, could keep up with him and stand his moods. And then Peter appeared. The kid that understood arc reactor technology and Bruce’s papers. Even when something posed a problem to him, explaining was a pleasure, not a hindrance. He actually wanted to teach him all that he could and he already made several notes of what to do with the kid after they finished the suit. Peter’s ramblings replaced his workshop playlist and soon Tony knew all about his friends and teachers, his stories from patrols, as well as his favorite dishes and ice cream flavors. So he enjoyed working with Peter. His teammates might have also noticed that.

~~~

“Keep this up young spider and you will beat me in sparring,” Natasha praised him after the training. Peter, red faced from exertion, smiled and thanked. Then, he quickly grabbed a bottle that Steve threw at him from behind. He opened it and took a sip.

“Wow, I’m so hungry right now,” he stated.

“We have a lunch in an hour, think you will survive ‘til then?”

“Uhh, I don’t know, who’s cooking?”

“Well, it doesn’t matter, because there’s your favorite pizza waiting for you in the lab.” Another voice butted in. The owner of this voice appeared a moment after. “Spiderling! Come on, we’re burning sunlight!”

“But Mr. Stark, it’s not even noon and we don’t need sunlight in the lab!”

“Yeah, but Happy picks you up at 5, come on, come on, we have a lot to do.”

“Stark, stop making excuses to hog the kid just for yourself,” Natasha joked.

“Yeah, it’s been a month and he spent that mostly with you in the lab,” Bucky backed her up.

“Well, maybe because he knows who is best. Kiddo, who’s your favorite Avenger?” Tony shot them all a smile and clapped Peter on the shoulder.

“Well, I don’t know, but Bruce Banner is pretty cool? You know the most renowned scientist of his generation, his work on gamma rad-“

“You ungrateful child. I build a multimillion dollar super suit with you and that’s how you repay me?” Tony mocked outrage and started dragging Peter out of the gym. “We’re going. But maybe take a shower first.”

~~~

“Parker, you’re cheating!” Sam shouted when Peter threw at him another blue shell and won the race.

“I’m not cheating!”

“That’s not fair!”

“Rules allow that!”

“Then the rules are wrong!” Sam threw his hands up in the air. “God, I can’t believe that I lost to a teenager.”

Clint, who came the last, said, laying face first on the carpet, “You never win with kids in those things. Seriously, I have three of them, I know it.”

“Kid? Where are you? You said you are going to eat. Did the fridge eat you?” Tony came shouting.

“I’m sorry Mr. Stark, but Mr. Barton and Mr. Wilson invited me to play Mario Kart with them,” Peter answered beaming.

“And how did you do?”

“I won!” Peter gestured at the screen with the results and two defeated men.

“That’s great. Hey, when you come to the lab, I’ll let you mess with Iron Man repulsors.”

“Oh my god, yes!” Peter’s eyes lit up and he hurried after Tony.

“Wow, Tony stole Happy’s kid,” Sam said incredulously, when they both left.

“Do you think he will hide and lock him in his lab forever?” Clint lifted himself from the carpet.

“Dunno. Wanna go another round?”

~~~

So when the summer break ended, Spider-Man’s suit tested and ready to use, the atmosphere in the workshop changed. Kid started spending mornings at school and afternoons alternating between patrols and spending time in the lab. But the amount of time spent together was significantly smaller and emptiness started annoying Tony. It did wonders to his responsibilities to SI and Avengers Initiative as he was less inclined to lock himself up in the workshop.

~~~

“Tony, did something blow up here?” Bruce entered his workshop and stopped in his tracks, shell-shocked and looking around. He hadn’t been in Tony’s workshop for a long time as he worked mostly in his or small med bay’s lab and it was Tony, who would pay friendly visits to other labs (or come to bother Bruce). Currently, on Peter’s workstation were piling papers and textbooks. Every other surface was covered in post-it notes with Spanish vocabulary.

“I’m helping Peter with Spanish.”

“Tony, do you even know Spanish?” Bruce asked with raised eyebrows.

“I do now.”

“So… You are learning Spanish. For Peter,” Bruce stated.

“I’m learning for myself. It’s just a side effect that I can help him.”

“And it has nothing to do with Nat and Bucky teaching him Russian?”

“Nothing.”

“Sure. Now, do you have a UV lamp? Mine had broken down.”

“Oh, yeah, it’s there.”

~~~

“Soo, Mr. Stark, I have a question, you don’t have to say yes, of course…” Kid said, playing with a zipper.

“Just spit it out.”

“Cannedcometotheworkshopplease?” Peter let out a question in one breath with unbelievable speed.

“Say that again, but slower?”

“Can Ned come to the workshop, please? We have a robotics project for school, an-“

“Jesus, of course you can invite your friend over, you don’t need to stress so much.”

“Thank you Mr. Stark!”

And that’s how Tony ended up giving a lab tour to another teenager, this time a chubby, Asian kid, that gave the gaping fish impression at the first sight of the workshop.

“So, kiddos, what do you need to do for your little project?”

The project ended up with a very angry May Parker yelling at him.

“Stark! Why the fuck school called me to tell me that Peter’s last project was to dangerous to show in class?” Her lips were pressed into a thin line and she crossed her arms.

“Wha- It wasn’t anything that would blow up?” Tony said hesitantly as he didn’t exactly remember what he came up with.

“There were lasers, Tony.”

“Not very dangerous, if you ask me, just for a show.” He was sure that he didn’t let kids put anything that would destroy school in their project.

“Lasers that apparently cut a school desk and a whiteboard in half.” Or maybe he did. “He was given a 3 day suspension for bringing dangerous objects to school!”

“Oh, wow, I mean, that’s bad…” Tony was literally unable to act guilty, because that meant Peter would be out of school, and that meant…

“He’s not going to spend that time with you.” May Parker’s sharp voice cut off his train of thoughts.

“Oh…”

He spent those three days redecorating and personalizing the guest room, where Peter had stayed a couple of times. His actions brought some half-hidden smiles from his teammates and Pepper, but he shrugged it off.

~~~

“Pepper, why did you take my intern?”

“I didn’t take anyone, Tony.” Pepper leveled him with a stare. “Peter came to me, asking for help with English essay for school.”

“Why didn’t he ask me?”

“Because you said that English classes are useless and he should ditch them.”

“What? No! I didn’t! Why would I?” Tony sputtered.

“FRIDAY, pull up the footage, please,” Pepper said with an exhale.

“Okay, FRIDAY, don’t, I did, but I shouldn’t. Kid, don’t ditch school, your education is important.”

“Well, I can always become a full time Avenger.”

“Wha- no! No, you can’t, I forbid, you are going to finish high school, then go to MIT and then work in SI, and you are not going to be a full time Avenger. Over my dead body!” Tony’s speech made both Pepper and Peter laugh.

“I was just joking.” Peter scrunched his eyebrows as some thought just came to him. “Have you already planned my life for me?”

“No?”

“Oookay,” he replied, dragging the o. “Anyway, I just thought, that Pepper has more experience in humanities that you,” said Peter

“So when you are done with English, head down to the lab, because I have some upgrade ideas to discuss with you.”

Tony shot a glare at Pepper and she glared back. Tony decided to do a tactical retreat and leave the room.

~~~

“Tony, wait!” Happy called after him. “Look, I just wanted to talk about Peter.” That grabbed Tony’s attention.

“Is he okay? I didn’t get any-“

“No, no, he’s fine, I just wanted to talk about him. And you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I talked with May and she noticed that as well and he spends a lot of time with you.”

“If you want me to stop h-“

“I don’t want you to stop, there’s just a building full of people who also want to spend time with him.” Happy’s words were rushed and he seemed out of breath.

“So what do you want me to do, throw him out of the workshop?”

“Tony, just don’t go around complaining that he’s currently doing something with someone else.” Happy made a placating gesture and continued, “Look, I know you love him, I do too , but you can’t monopolize all his time.”

Tony opened his mouth, but no sound came out. He thought about his interactions with Peter for the past couple of months. Yeah, he liked the kid, liked teaching and helping him, a lot of his Spider-Man’s adventures had raised his heart rate and had given him a few gray hairs, but love? Nope, he didn’t need it and the kid didn’t need it.

He finally found his voice, “I don’t l-“

“God, you are an emotionally stunted idiot.” Happy shook his head. “Everyone sees that. Talk with Pepper.”

“Oh-okay,” Tony replied in confusion.

~~~

Pepper and Tony were laying in bed, the former reading a book, the latter looking at some blueprints.

“Happy said that I love Peter,” Tony dropped suddenly. The woman closed a book and turned on her side to look at him.

“And you don’t agree with that,” she stated.

“Well, it’s not like I don’t agree with it, but…”

“Tony, you literally started learning a new language to help him. And you also do your paperwork, while he does his homework, because you want to set a good example. You also started sleeping and eating regularly, for the same reason.”

“I just want to be a good example.”

“I also know something else.”

“Hmm?”

“Your will.”

“Oh.” Tony had, in fact, updated his will a month before and made Peter his sole heir. Peter wasn’t aware of this fact as Tony waited for him to be eighteen. May, as a legal guardian, and Happy, by extension, were the only ones informed about it. “But you know, he’s clever.”

“Would you do that to every clever kid?”

“…no.” Pepper smiled and picked up her book. Tony stared at the ceiling, thinking. After a minute he said, “He also said that I spend too much time with him.”

“Happy said that?”

“Uh-huh…”

“Tony… He just means that you are fairly annoying, when Peter spends time with the team and you come dragging him to the workshop.”

“I don’t drag him anywhere.”

“You know what I mean,” Pepper responded disapprovingly.

“Okay, okay, I know.”

After the beat of silence Tony spoke again, “You know, we could make our own kids.”

“You already have one.”

“He’s Happy’s and May’s, I just borrowed him.”

“And after we make our own, you are going to give him back?”

“Ehh, no, he grew on me.” Tony blinked, realizing something. “Wait you said after? Does that mean-“

“Good night, Tony.” Pepper turned off the lights.

“But you don’t dismiss the idea…”

“Good night.”

~~~

He did make it weird. They were five minutes into their usual lab time and Tony couldn’t stop staring at the kid and recalling conversations with Happy and Pepper. Peter , currently unaware of the turmoil inside Tony , was sitting at his workstation, chewing on a pencil and focusing on calculus homework. Tony sitting with his own pile of papers moved his eyes to the sheet of paper before him. ‘ Article 5c…' What the fuck am I reading? He looked on the desk, where read pieces of paper were laying. Apparently it was a contract. He didn’t recall its content at all. He looked at Peter again. Still chewing on a pencil.

“Hey, don’t chew on that!”

“What?”

“You’ll destroy your teeth by chewing on pencils.”

Peter scrunched his eyebrows.

“Seriously?” He looked at the pencil and at Tony. “Why are you so weird today?”

“I’m not weird.”

“You are looking at me.”

“Maybe I like watching you.” As soon as those words left his mouth, Tony winced internally at them. Great, now he is a creepy, rich guy, who likes watching teenagers. “Or maybe not.” Peter’s eyebrows raised in question. “But I still like you.”

“You are being really weird,” Peter said, unsure of what he should do.

“Do you like being here?”

“Sure, why wouldn’t I?”

“You are not feeling obligated to do so? You wouldn’t prefer to spend time with Steve right now?”

“I don’t understand…”

“It’s a simple question, Pete.”

“Yeah, but I don’t understand why you are asking me that.”

“Just answer it, kid.”

“No , I don’t feel obligated to spend time here. I wouldn’t prefer to spend time with Steve right now” Peter replied, confusion and nervousness clearly visible, with how he started playing with the pencil.

“Yeah, yeah, that’s good, good talk, go back to your homework.” Peter looked at him quizzically for a moment, then he shrugged and went back to calculus. Tony started going through the contract. Except after five lines he lost his focus again and started thinking about Peter again. Emotions were always confusing for him and it didn’t help that everything about a situation was complicated. He couldn’t exactly Google ‘my bodyguard is dating a woman with a kid and I think I kind of love that kid, but I’m not sure what to do.’ Happy and Pepper both said that it’s okay and their only complaint was he tries to keep Peter to himself too much. And he was willing to admit that they were in fact right. But that was followed by the doubts if Peter actually wants to spend time in the workshop or if he just a pressured poor kid, who didn’t feel like he could refuse. Even if he wanted to spend time with him, where would he draw the line ? He had May and Happy as, well, parental figures. So what did it make Tony?

“Why are you staring at me again, Tony ? ” Peter’s voice startled him. He didn’t even notice when he moved his gaze from paperwork before him to kid again.

“I’m not.”

“Yeah, you are.”

Tony moved his eyes to the ceiling and sighted.

“Okay, I am. But I want to talk to you about something and I don’t know how.” Talking about feelings. Apparently a mature thing to do.

“Oh. Did I do something wrong? Because-“

“No, no, no, you didn’t do anything wrong.” Tony quickly denied. “Wait. Why did you think that you did something wrong? Did you?” He stared intensely at Peter.

“No, I just, you know…”

“Okay, never mind, we’ll talk about this later.” Tony took a big breath and started, “I talked with Happy. And Pepper. They both thi-“ A ping from his phone interrupted him, he looked at it and swore. “Okay, looks like we need to postpone our conversation.”

“What’s going on? Is that a mission? Should I-“

“Not a mission, stay there and do your homework, I’m going to be back soon or I’ll send Pepper.” Tony quickly left the workshop and once he was out of hearing range, he said, “FRIDAY, what’s going on?”

“There was a shooting at Central Park. Happy Hogan and May Parker were involved.”

“Are they okay?”

“911 reports say that Mr. Hogan was injured.”

“Send location to the suit, I’m going there. Divert the ambulance with Happy to the Tower, inform Cho and Pepper of the situation.”

“What should I tell Mr. Parker?”

“Don’t tell him anything yet.”

May and Happy had a date tonight, they should’ve been safe. But something happened and Tony had to do damage control quickly.

~~~

There was already the police and an ambulance departing the scene. Tony couldn’t see neither Happy nor May anywhere. He hoped that they were both in the ambulance that he saw leaving. He landed and immediately saw the crowd turn to him. He didn’t have time for fans and questions, ignoring them, he confidently strode towards NYPD officers, the crowd parting like the Red Sea.

“What’s going on, where’s May Parker and Happy Hogan?”

“Excuse me Mr. Stark, but you have to stand behind that tape.” one of the officers pointed with a finger.

“Mr. Hogan is my employee and has close ties to the Avengers and as such, that case falls under our jurisdiction,” he quickly replied, leveling the cop with a stare. It was a young looking man in uniform. His eyes widened and he opened his mouth in shock.

“Okay, I know that you are here to just keep the crowd away. Just bring me to someone, who is in charge here,” Tony quickly added more calmly. This worked, because he quickly found himself in the company of Detective Morrison and Detective Slater. Both of them were tall, unimpressed looking men.

“I understand Mr. Stark that you are nervous, but we are currently questioning the witnesses.” Morrison crossed his arms over the chest. Tony looked at his phone. Steve was trying to get that case handed over to them, but there’s only so much that can be done in five minutes and without any proof that it was an Avengers-level threat. Happy was admitted in the Tower’s med bay, unconscious and with a bullet hole. May Parker wasn’t with him and Tony was currently trying to locate her.

“You don’t understand. I just need to talk to a woman. May Parker. This high, brown hair, wears glasses. She was with Happy Hogan and probably will know what happened here.”

“I’m sorry, but there was no woman matching your description among people on scene when we arrived.” Finally Tony got confirmation of what he suspected all along and could act on that. He unblocked his phone and chose the number.

“Rogers, shooting in Central Park, May Parker wasn’t on scene when authorities had arrived, she’s possibly missing.” Then he turned to the Detectives, “We’ll need the witness statements that you’ve gathered.” He handed them a business card.

~~~

Back at the Tower Tony immediately rushed to the workshop. Peter was still there, having finished homework, he was preparing a web fluid.

“Hey, kid,” Tony started. Peter jumped in surprise and spilled the chemicals. He moved to clean it, but Tony stopped him

“Leave this. We need to talk.”

“Uhh, yeah, you'd said that before you left.”

“About something else, actually.” He placed his hands on the kid's shoulders and pushed him gently in the direction of a lab stool. “Sit down.” Peter complied and turned his attention to him.

“I left, because FRIDAY informed me of… shooting in Central Park. Happy and May were involved in it. Happy is currently in surgery and we don’t know where May is.” Tony decided to be short. As he watched Peter’s expression morph from neutral to disbelief and then pure shock and fear, he thought that maybe being more gentle and less direct was a better idea.

“What? No! That’s not… Please…” Peter’s breath quickened and started coming in short pants. He swayed on the unstable lab stool. Tony caught him by his shoulders.

“You need to breathe, kid or you’re gonna pass out.”

Fortunately Peter was able to get his breathing under control on his own and didn’t work himself into a full-blown panic attack. After a short silence filled only with the sound of his inhales and exhales, he feebly said, “I want to help.”

“Absolutely not,” Tony answered sternly and moved back.

“It’s May!”

“That is exactly why you won’t be doing anything!”

“You don’t understand!”

“Yes, I do! You won’t be able to keep your cool and you will be a liability not help! We can’t afford that!”

“Well, you can’t stop me!”

“Oh, yes I can. FRIDAY, Peter is not allowed to leave the Tower or access any files on the case.” Tony gave his orders to AI and looked at Peter. The teenager was fuming.

“You have no right!”

“If you think I’m the bad guy here, you can talk to Steve, he’s going to tell you the same thing.”

“I hate you!” Peter pushed him and stormed out of the workshop.

“FRIDAY, tell him that he should go to med bay to keep Happy company,” Tony barked out and then sighted, sat down by the desk and put his head in his arms. Somehow he managed to destroy everything in two minutes. Well, at least he knew where he stood. He rubbed his face and got up. Team was waiting for him in one of the conference rooms.

~~~

Avengers got permission to handle the case with the NYPD. So along with the team, there were two disgruntled detectives that Tony had met before. Steve led the meeting. After an hour of talking that had led them exactly to nothing he summed up, “For now, we have first responders and witnesses reports, none of them actually saw what happened, most of them heard the gunshot and saw only the result. Nobody recalls seeing May. FRI (DAY?) is running facial recognition, but to no avail. She’s also reviewing all of the footage from the nearest cameras to the scene and flagging anything unusual.”

At that moment Bruce entered the room.

“I have an update on Happy,” he started. ”GSW to the stomach, although nothing vital was hit. Cho’s using her regeneration cradle, so he should be able to tell us what happened when the anesthesia wears off.”

The team nodded at that.

“How’s Peter, Tony?” Natasha turned to him.

“He said that he hates me, because I didn’t let him help us,” Tony said dryly.

“He doesn’t really hate you, Tony,” Clint reassured him. “He’s just frightened that he’s going to lose the closest thing he has to a mother.”

“You need to talk to him,” Natasha stated.

“Yeah, I need to check on him anyway. FRI, where is he?”

“I am unable to determine Mr. Parker’s location.” Blood in Tony’s veins froze in an instant. The whole room went quiet, you could hear the pin drop.

“What… What do you mean?”

“Mr. Parker left the Tower approximately 30 minutes ago.”

“What?! I told you not to let him out! Track him!”

“The protocol has been overridden. Current protocol prohibits me from tracking him.”

“How?”

“I believe that the current protocol was created by Ned Leeds.”

“Fuck.” Wow, letting the kid’s friend in the lab bit him in the ass for the second time.

“Tony, what’s going on? Who’s-“

“Peter and his friend hacked FRIDAY to sneak out and they added coding that makes it impossible to track him. I’m going to fix that.”

It was a long night. Tony spent hours fixing FRIDAY’s programming. At the end he was seriously considering whether it’s better to kill or hire Ned. Unfortunately after removal of the offending code it was too late to find Peter. He disappeared into thin air. His spider suit and phone were left at the Tower. He had changed his clothes in a back alley nearby and he wasn’t caught by any cameras, so they didn’t have anything to go on. At 4 AM it started sounding a bit surreal. Man gets shot and a woman goes missing in a public place in broad daylight. Teenager runs away and doesn't leave any trace. Everything in the span of two hours. Now they were just waiting for something. Clint and Sam played cards quietly. Steve and Natasha were going through everything they’ve managed to gather for an umpteenth time. Bruce went back to med bay to help Cho. Bucky just fell asleep on the table. The two detectives had left. Tony just stared at the screen no longer understanding what he was seeing, his mind exploring horrifying scenario number 78, where they find two mutilated bodies in a river and Happy dies because Cho missed something.

“Mr. Parker was registered by a street camera near the Tower, five minutes ago.” FRIDAY’S voice cut the silence. “He seems to be heading here.”

“What? Where’s he now?” Tony jumped to his feet.

“Mr. Parker just entered the Tower,” FRIDAY announced. “He’s going to the penthouse level.”

~~~

Tony for the past few hours imagined the lecture that he was going to give Peter when he saw him again. Something that would make the kid regret the day he was born. But when he saw him standing by the elevator, all of the anger had left him and immense relief washed over him. Peter was pale and shaking like leaf, but according to FRIDAY was unharmed

“Thank god!” That was all Tony said before pulling him into a hug. Peter, stiff at first, melted into him and started crying. His legs gave out and they both crumbled to the floor.

“I don’t hate you, I don’t hate you, I don’t-“

“Sh, sh, I know, it’s okay, I know, kiddo, I know,” Tony instinctively shushed him and started rocking them back and forth. He looked up and saw Pepper in pajamas, who was woken up and drawn there by the noise and he shook his head a little. She quickly understood and left for their bedroom.

Tony didn’t know how long they sat there but his legs went numb. Eventually Peter calmed down and said, “I thought you would chew me out for running.”

“I thought too. I’m still going to, after you get some sleep.”

“Hmm…”

They sat like that in silence for some more time. Finally Tony moved and helped Peter up.

“Come on, you still need to sleep.”

~~~

Peter looked better after the shower. Not so pale. Tony pushed him into bed, turned off the light and was about to leave, when the small voice called, “Can you stay?” Tony turned towards the owner of this voice. In the darkness he could only distinguish the lump on the bed and curls peeking out from beneath the covers. He moved closer and sat on bed next to Peter, leaning against the headboard.

“Only until you fall asleep,” he said softly. He didn’t exactly know what he’s doing, comforting someone was completely uncharted territory for him. He remembered something that Jarvis used to do for him, when he was little. He put his hand on Peter's head and started running fingers through the soft curls. Peter sighted and leaned closer.

“I’m sorry for running away,” he mumbled.

“You should be.”

“I just wanted to do something…”

“And what did you do?”

“I just wandered around. I didn’t have any plan and I realized that I won’t help. I was scared that you would be mad, so I didn’t come back immediately.”

“I was mad, I still am, but I was mostly afraid, kid. You can’t do things like that.”

“I know, I’m sorry.”

Peter finally closed his eyes and relaxed a little. Tony thought that he was asleep.

“Do you think you’re gonna find May?” Peter asked quietly, startling Tony, who looked down and saw wide eyes staring at him. ‘ He’s just frightened’, he remembered Clint’s words.

“I don’t know. I hope so.” Peter closed his eyes again and pressed his cheek against Tony’s thigh. Tony kept playing with his hair until his breaths evened out and face and shoulders relaxed completely. He stayed like that for a moment before standing up. He stopped in the doorway, looked at sleeping form and whispered, “Sleep tight, kiddo.”

After that Tony went to the kitchen, where Pepper waited for him.

“How is he?”

“Physically? Good. Mentally? As well as he could be in that situation.” He moved towards a coffee machine.

“I handled CPS. He can stay here, for now.”

“That’s good, good.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Coffee. And then go to the team and see if there’s some progress. Find May eventually. You?”

“I’m going to make sure that nothing burns in the process.” she smiled at him softly.

“FRIDAY will let me know when he wakes up, but can you keep an eye on him?” he looked at her.

“I’ve already cleared my schedule.”

“What would I do without you?”

~~~

When he entered the conference room everyone was a bit agitated.

“What happened?”

“A witness came forward, she saw a van and some men in ski masks near the scene,” Natasha started explaining. “One of the traffic cameras caught a vehicle matching the description. We have a license plate.”

It turned out that their excitement was short-lived. Sam and Bucky found the van in an alley a couple blocks away. Police forensics examined it. They would have to wait for the full results, but for now it seemed that it was cleaned. The only noteworthy thing they discovered were traces of blood, presumably May’s. All of the nearby cameras recorded many other cars at the interesting period of time and it was impossible to tell which one belonged to kidnappers. The owner was a kind old man, named Stan, who reported the van's theft a week before. The investigation on that also hit a dead end. They were in process of reviewing the material gathered by the police and made FRIDAY find footage from the night of the van’s theft, but it didn’t seem to go anywhere. They also found May’s phone, or rather what was left of it. They were working on two theories, first one that someone noticed that she spends lots of time with Happy and kidnapped her for information, second one that she was kidnapped for a ransom. They had thought that maybe Happy would say something groundbreaking, but his story didn’t tell them anything that they already knew or suspected.

“There were three men in ski masks and non-descript clothes, with guns. They tried to grab us, one of them shot me. I think they got scared and took only May. I don’t remember much more.”

That left them to wait and look into the enemies' of Avengers, SI and Spider-Man recent activity. Honestly with the amount of material they had, they should have made some progress.

24 hours have passed and they managed to hit a dead end. No one saw anything, no camera registered anything. Tony looked at the clock in the conference room accusingly. First 48 hours were the time when most of the missing people were found. After that chances started to diminish. They’d already used half of that time. Tony should probably go find and comfort Peter instead of sitting and not doing anything, but he couldn’t make himself leave the room in case something happened. Besides, finding May would be probably the most comforting thing they could do.

His train of thoughts was interrupted by an email notification. He looked at the new message and felt his heart drop immediately.

“Fuck! Guys?”

~~~

Everyone in the conference room sat in silence as the video was playing. This time apart from two detectives, there were ransom specialists joining the team. Video featured the kidnappers beating up May and making demands. It looked really bad, with two men punching and kicking her without even looking where. She already had some bruises and what looked like a broken nose. Hits were leaving red marks that would soon turn into bruises. What raised the biggest concern was that May barely reacted. She probably already had a concussion or was drugged.

“Mr. Hogan, we have your girlfriend. In exchange for her, we want 5 million dollars. We are sure that you can get that amount easily from your boss. We give you 48 hours, or we will have fun with her.”

Tony immediately took his phone to organize the demanded amount of money in cash.

“Tony, what are you doing?” Steve asked him.

“Getting them what they want, what do you think I’m doing?”

“I think we should make a plan first,” Bucky joined calmly.

“What plan? They said, what they want, we give them that, we get May back!”

“Excuse me sir, but you shouldn’t do that,” one of the K&R specialists interrupted. “This video doesn’t count as proof of life, so we don’t know if that woman is still alive. A phone call would be preferable. Also, in ransom negotiations the first offer generally should be declined.”

“Am I the only person in this room that actually watched this video? You didn’t hear what they wanted to do? Didn’t see what they were doing?”

“It is not in the kidnappers interest to kill her quickly if they want ransom. They just want to show the power they have over you.”

“Besides, the more we communicate with them, the more we have to track them,” Natasha added. “Also you shouldn’t negotiate. When they get to talk with the billionaire Tony Stark, they are immediately going to raise their demands.”

“It’s also going to be a press nightmare if the media get a sniff on this.”

“Fine!” Tony threw his arms over the head. “Do whatever you want.” He left the room slamming the door.

~~~

Tony went to med bay to inform Happy about the recent development. Peter and Pepper also were there. They sat on plastic chairs, Pepper hugging Peter. Happy laid in bed. He woke up, when Tony entered the room. Tony sat down heavily on the chair in the corner.

“Anything has changed?” Pepper asked. Tony sighted and gave them an extremely watered down description of the video content.

“Those specialists tell me that paying immediately is a mistake and the team says that I shouldn’t get involved.”

“They’re specialists for a reason,” Pepper reasoned.

“I want to see that video,” Happy said.

“Trust me on this, you don’t want to.”

“Tony…”

“You focus on getting better, Hap,” Tony cut him off and turned to Peter. “Have you eaten?”

“Yeah.”

“A sandwich a couple of hours ago,” supplied Pepper.

“You have to eat more with your metabolism, kiddo,” Tony said seriously. “Come on. We’re going to the kitchen and then there’s bedtime for Spider-babies.”

“I’m neither hungry nor tired.”

“Yeah, I’m not explaining to your Aunt, why are you starved and sleep deprived.”

“If you will have someone to explain to,” Peter mumbled under a breath.

“Yeah, you're not talking like that. We’ll get her back and you are going to eat.” Tony put his arms under Peter’s armpits and pulled him up. “If you don’t cooperate, I’ll use a suit to drag you to the kitchen.”

~~~

Tony managed to coax Peter into the kitchen, without dragging and made him blueberry pancakes. (“Pancakes? But that’s breakfast food.” “Yeah, and you are going to eat them at 10 PM.”) They repeated the routine from yesterday. It also calmed down Tony and he started accepting that specialists and the team might be right. He came back to the conference room, where everyone was except for Clint and Natasha.

“FRIDAY tracked the kidnappers, they didn’t cover their tracks well.” Steve’s voice greeted him. “Clint and Nat are doing reconnaissance right now.”

Clint’s and Nat’s intel helped them develop a plan. There were four kidnappers, holding May in a suburban house. They were armed, but definitely weren’t professionals. This didn’t work in the team’s favor, because their lack of experience made them unpredictable. With the hostage present they really couldn’t afford a fight, even though they outnumbered the opponents. So they formed a plan, when they would try to take the criminals one by one.

It was just an ordinary house at the outskirts. The whole neighborhood was peaceful and unaware of horrors currently happening in one of the houses. Well maintained, clean area, small streets and wide sidewalks, a playground nearby. With a shining sun and birds singing cheerfully it looked like a suburban dream. It was really weird, that nobody had heard anything, but on the other hand it was the kind of neighborhood where the residents would leave their homes in the morning for work and come back in the evening.

“It just really creeps me out, this place,” Tony started wondering. “It looks perfect and beautiful, but no one has any idea what neighbors are doing.”

“Do you know what our neighbors are doing, Tony?”

“I have FRIDAY monitoring for any suspicious activity in the nearby buildings.”

“You're a stalker.”

Tony chuckled as he watched people getting to their cars and leaving. They had been observing the house since wee hours of morning waiting for the best moments to strike. Right now any action was out of the question. There were too many people on the street and any Avengers action would attract a lot of gawkers.

“One of the kidnappers went out for a smoke, he’s at the back. I think we could take him out without attracting any attention.” Natasha’s voice carried through the comms.

“Do not engage. Neighbors haven’t already left, we can’t risk being seen,” Steve ordered. “Tony, how’s the front of the house looking?”

“The guy with a nose from the house on the left is having a polite conversation with the fat guy from the house in front,” Tony relayed what he could see from his car.

“Guy with a nose?”

“It’s seriously big, trust me.”

“Seriously, you would think that people at 7:30 in the morning would hurry to work and not engage in conversations with neighbors,” Clint complained. Three yelling children came out from one of the houses.

“Oh and now the guy with a nose is packing his children to the car and the fat guy looks like he’s about to go,” Tony updated and relaxed into a seat. He took a sip of a coffee and choked, when someone suddenly knocked on his window.

“Yeah?” He asked, rolling down the window.

“You can’t park your car here!” a middle aged blonde woman started yelling at him. Peter called those ‘Karens’ as he recalled.

“It’s not a no-parking zone,” he replied.

“You cast a shadow on my flowers.” Tony looked at the sad excuses for plants and immediately thought that they need water more than sunlight. Before he could share his idea, comms cracked and he heard Steve saying, “Tony, do not argue with her, we can’t afford her to recognize you. Just drive around the block, maybe she’ll leave.”

Crazy plant lady didn’t leave and Tony was forced to find another observation spot.

Finally, the neighborhood emptied and quietened.

“That guy is smoking in the back again.”

“Okay, the neighbors have left, you can take him out now.”

Tony looked at the stream from the camera Clint had on himself. Natasha and Bucky moved in complete silence. She stepped behind the kidnapper, and with surgical precision pressed a spot on his neck. Bucky immediately caught the man, before he could fall and make a noise. They dragged him into bushes and hid there.

“One out, three to go.”

“Okay, now we wait.”

Couple of minutes later another criminal appeared.

“Clint, go.”

An arrow soundlessly flew through the air and hit him in the shoulder. Bucky appeared and again caught and dragged the guy into bushes, where Natasha was keeping an eye on the first one.

“He’s out. Two more to go.”

“Attention guys, the remaining two kidnappers moved from the basement to the kitchen.”

“Uh-uh, people on the street,” Tony warned. “Someone with a kid, I think. I can’t see clearly.”

Two NYPD officers in civilian clothes appeared and herded the newcomers to where they came from.

“Okay, all clear now.”

“Good. Nat and Bucky, you are guarding the back door and kitchen window, Tony and me from the front. Clint stays watching those two taken out guys, Sam, survey the area from the air. Bruce, move the ambulance here.”

Tony got out of the car and went to the front door, where he met Steve. He activated the nano gauntlet and leaned on the door. Steve looked around while the lasers from the gauntlet were destroying the lock.

“Okay, the door is unlocked, we’re going in.”

“Copy that.” i

Tony pushed the door and let Steve in first. He activated his whole suit and immediately followed the man. They were in a hallway that opened at the end to the living room, connected to the kitchen. On the right there were the stairs. They moved quietly toward s the living room. Tony gestured to Steve that he wants to enter first and stun both remaining criminals with his gauntlets. Steve nodded. Tony smoothly went to the room and fired at the unsuspecting kidnappers. He hit one of them, standing by the counter, but instead of the other he hit the cupboard full of tableware. The cupboard like in slow motion fell on a criminal, emitting an ear-splitting noise of breaking glass. Cracking and clanking reverberated through the room for what I seemed like an eternity. It made both men stop and just watch in shock what was happening. Steve regained his bearings quicker and ran towards the man buried under the glass and porcelain.

“He’s dead.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah, his brain is on the floor.”

Tony didn’t wait for more. He retracted the suit and ran towards the basement.

“May, May?! Oh, shit…”

May was slumped in the chair, which she was tied to. Her face was covered in dried blood and bruises.

“Hey, May, wake up,” Tony said while looking for a pulse. He jabbed his fingers to her neck and prayed quietly. Fortunately, he felt slow beats.

“Get a medic here ASAP, she has a pulse, but it looks really bad!” he shouted at the comms. “Hey, wake up, Peter’s waiting for you.”

This seemed to do the trick.

“Pet’r?” she slurred.

“Yeah, he really misses you. And Happy’s okay.”

“Mmm…”

After that everything went rapidly . Suddenly the place was swarmed by medics and NYPD officers. Tony was pushed back as they put a collar around May’s neck and an oxygen mask on her face. She was placed on a stretcher and pushed into an ambulance that left soon.

“Jesus.” Tony slumped against a car and slid down, so he was sitting on asphalt. After the stress of the past few days left him, he felt exhausted. “I need a coffee.”

“You need a sleep.” Steve materialized from nowhere.

“Everyone needs that. I need to talk to Peter, Happy and Cho.”

“ The NYPD wants us to stay here. But… Maybe nobody will notice your absence.”

“Steve Rogers, goody two shoes, encouraging me not to cooperate with law enforcement? How can I refuse?”

“Drive safe, Tony.”

“I will.”

Tony got into a car and started the engine. He drank the rest of the now cold coffee and started driving in direction of the Tower. There were still a lot of things to do.

~~~

Couple of days later Happy was allowed to leave med bay on condition that he will have plenty of rest. May was cleared by Cho the day before that as the biggest issue was concussion. Steve and Bucky were preparing a big dinner since everyone finally could participate and even Rhodey managed to leave DC and was joining them. They were very secretive about the chosen dishes and had forbidden everyone from even getting near the kitchen. Tony honestly just hoped that they wouldn’t set the building on fire. He holed up in the workshop.

The elevator ding announced somebody’s arrival. Tony turned and saw Peter lingering on a doorstep.

“Hey, what are you doing there? Come here.”

Peter looked at the floor, shuffled towards the workbench and stood there awkwardly. Tony got up and approached him.

“Did you forget that you usually sit here?”

Peter sat down and started playing with the hem of his shirt.

“Okay, what’s going on?”

“Before… Before all this, you said that you need to talk to me.”

Honestly Tony hoped that Peter forgot his attempt at the serious conversation.

“You were weird that day and then, you know what happened, and you were nice, but not there, and then again weird.”

Tony cleared his throat and said slowly, “I’m sorry that you felt that way. I spent most of the time with the team, because I thought that finding May was what you needed the most.”

“I mean, it was. I just felt lonely. Happy was on strong pain meds and Pepper is nice, but…”

“Yeah, I get it, I’m really sorry. And for being weird. Happy told me that I spend a lot of time with you and butt in your time with others and I started questioning how you are feeling about this.”

Peter suddenly moved and wrapped his arms around Tony and with a muffled voice said, “I don’t mind, seriously.”

“I know now.” After a moment he added, “You know, I just don’t want to replace anyone.”

“You’re not. You are just Tony, not Happy, or May, or...”

“Just Tony, huh?” Wow, where did the hero worship go?

“Titles don't matter, only that you care.”

I care so much , he wanted to say. I want you to be safe, I want to see you grow and learn. Instead he just said, “I do.” Peter didn’t respond. Tony broke the silence, “You know I’m not good at emotions. Happy called me an emotionally stunted idiot.”

“I know.”

“You little shit. You were supposed to say, ‘You handled this very well, you are great!'” Tony broke a hug and ruffled his hair. Peter beamed at him

“Miss Potts asks if Peter got lost in the workshop and if she has to come and get you to the dinner,” FRIDAY interrupted them.

“Wait, you were supposed to tell me the dinner is ready?”

“Maybe.” Peter smiled sheepishly.

“You really are a little shit. Come on. I’m starving.”

When they got to the kitchen everyone was waiting for them. Pepper, with crossed arms, scolded Tony, “What did you do in that workshop of yours? Everyone was waiting for you and it’s extremely disrespectful to Steve and Bucky!”

“I’m really sorry, Pep, but we needed to have a conversation. And someone-” he looked sternly at Peter- “didn’t tell me that dinner was ready.”

“I’m sorry, really, it just happened,” Peter frantically started explaining himself. Something in Pepper’s face softened.

“I guess it’s fine, you two really needed it, but next time maybe find a better moment, okay?”

“Okay, okay!”

They finally sat down at the table. Steve and Bucky really put a lot of effort into the meal. The main course was salmon with asparagus. They also prepared garlic bread and a salad as side dishes. They even chose the right wine for a fish, but Tony suspected Natasha’s or Pepper’s help here. Conversation flew freely and they made their way to the dessert, in an amiable atmosphere. Pepper started conversing with May, which brought his attention.

“You know, maybe you could move to the Tower.”

“I don’t know really…”

“Peter and Happy spend most of their time here anyway and you too were here a lot, even before.”

“Plus, you know, Happy already has an assigned private floor, so it’s mostly a question of packing and moving stuff from your apartment,” Tony joined them. “And you would have the help of superhumans and Pepper Potts to plan everything.”

“Oh, the last thing makes the best argument. How’s wedding planning going anyway?”

“Well, it would go better if Tony listened to me. We have a cake tasting scheduled next week.”

“You know, we could just take Peter, feed him cakes and ask him which one he likes best. It would be faster. I swear his stomach has no bottom.”

“What?” Peter turned towards them at the sound of his name.

“Only if you are dealing with his sugar high, Tony,” May chuckled

“Hey, guys, I can hear you!”

Before they could continue they heard Steve clearing his throat. He got up and looked like he was about to give a speech.

“Last week was very hard for all of us,” he started. “We are very pleased that everyone important is able to be here. Me and Bucky have some important news to share and we are glad that you are the first to hear that. Without further ado, we decided to get married.”

Cheers and questions erupted immediately. Everyone congratulated and the toasts started.

Tony looked at the large table. Maybe titles didn’t matter. But the only thing that he could think was that after all these years, they became a family somewhere along the way. Big, loud and unconventional, a patchwork family, that wouldn’t make sense to a stranger. There were still a lot of issues that needed to be solved in the long run, but at that moment they were the happiest people on Earth.

#fanfiction #mcu fanfiction #marvel #spiderman #may parker #peter parker #happy hogan #tony stark #iron dad #the avengers

1 note · View note

robinskey · 5 years

Text

The Hair (Steve Harrington x Henderson! Reader)

When Steve “The Hair” Harrington started hanging around your little brother, you were skeptical, to say the least. Steve was always a jerk to you in high school. Like, always. He rarely spoke to you, but when he did, it was to make some comment about your wacky shoes or frizzy hair, which you could never keep under control. You’d seen the way he treated girls. It was the exact opposite of the way you wanted Dustin to act when he started dating. But you figured you had time to counteract Steve’s influence on your baby brother. After all, Dustin hadn’t ever really expressed a whole lot of interest in the opposite sex. Thus, it came as a big surprise when he returned home from summer camp, talking nonstop about his new girlfriend.

“Her name is Suzie,” Dustin told you the next morning at breakfast, shoveling a spoonful of scrambled eggs into his mouth. “She’s Mormon, so her parents wouldn’t really approve of me-on account of the fact that I’m not Mormon and all. But she’s hotter than Phoebe Cate, and so nice, and, like, the smartest girl ever-ouch!”

Your mother eyed you suspiciously from behind her huge round glasses, but she didn’t question whether or not you had just delivered a sharp kick to your brother’s knee under the table.

“Hey, look, you’re smart, sis, but Suzie is, like, a genius.”

“Right,” you said, rolling your eyes. “She’s as beautiful as Cindy Crawford, smarter than Einstein, and as real as my college acceptance letter.”

Dustin glared at you, his thick eyebrows furrowed into a unibrow. “I thought you got a rejection letter.”

“Exactly.”

It was your turn to receive a painful jab in the leg. He angrily stabbed the last piece of sausage on his plate and shoved it into his mouth.

“She’s real,” he said with a mouthful of half-chewed food.

“I believe you, Dusty,” your mother piped up, reaching over to pat your brother’s arm.

“I don’t.”

With that, Dustin stood. His wooden dining chair protested with a screech against the dining room tile. Under his breath, he mumbled something about how Harvard would probably be knocking on Suzie’s door when she turned eighteen. Then, he stomped down the hall, slamming his door shut. Rock music started blaring almost immediately.

“Real mature, Dusty!” you called after him.

As soon as you returned to your food, you felt your mother’s tear-filled eyes on you.

“What, Mom? We both know she’s not real,” you said.

Your mother removed her glasses, setting them on the tablecloth in front of her. She dabbed at her eyes with her napkin, then reached across the table for your hand. Her palms were calloused, wrinkly, and oily from excessive amounts of lotion. As it drifted up to your nostrils, the scent of sweet pea mixed with the odor of bacon grease.

“I know the last month has been tough for you, sweetie, but it’s been a rough year for Dustin. I haven’t seen him this happy in a while,” she said. Mom lowered her voice before adding, “Even if this girl is just imaginary, if she’s making Dusty smile again, isn’t that all that really matters?”

Jeez. Your mother knew exactly what to say to make you feel guilty.

That’s how, less than ten minutes later, you ended up at the door to your brother’s room, practically begging for forgiveness.

“Go away!” he screamed over the booming music.

“No. Not while you’re still mad at me,” you yelled back.

“Well, then you’re going to be standing there for a while.” Behind the door, you heard a few footsteps, and for a split second, you thought he might actually unlock the door. But then the already-eardrum-splitting volume of the music increased.

“Come on, Dustin,” you whined. “I didn’t mean it.”

The lyrics of Bohemian Rhapsody was the only response.

“Please, Dusty. You just got home. I don’t want to be fighting with you already,” you said, pressing your hand to the door. It vibrated with the beat under your palm. “I’ll take you to the mall if you want. We can get ice cream.”

Faint footsteps, then a slight decrease in the music’s volume.

“Can we go to Scoops Ahoy?”

“I’m pretty sure that’s the only ice cream joint in Starcourt Mall, so yeah.”

The door swung open so fast that your balanced faltered, and you nearly fell forward. Your little brother beamed up at you with his not-so-toothy grin.

“Go get your wallet, loser.”

***

Thirty minutes later, Dustin held open the glass door to the little ice cream joint in the mall. You had already started rifling through your purse for change. Dustin could eat a lot, and he certainly wouldn’t worry about making a dent in your babysitting money. You were honestly just hoping you could make it out of there with enough to pay for the bus fare home.

As you entered the shop, the sound of children giggling mixed with the chime of the bell above your head. Though the nautical theme was a little obnoxious, the store had a cute aesthetic. Blue and white stripes lined the walls behind the backs of red booths. Once you walked in, it was a straight shot to the cash register. An off-white sign announcing all the ice cream flavors hung above a faux window. Two familiar faces were situated behind the tiled counter. The first was Robin, a freckle-faced girl and one of your fellow band geeks. She was chatting with a lanky boy in a hideous blue sailor’s shirt and a dorky white cap that smashed his infamous shiny locks. Even in such an out-of-character outfit, he was instantly recognizable. His eyes lit up when he saw your little brother.

“Henderson? Do my eyes deceive me, or is that you?”

“Steve!”

Your little brother completely forgot his manners and let the door go. You leaped forward, nearly avoiding getting hit as it swung shut. Dustin sprinted toward the counter, his blonde curls bouncing underneath his baseball cap. Steve practically leapt over the counter to greet him.

As you watched, they proceeded to perform the dorkiest handshake in the world, then indulged in a bro-hug.

“How have you been, man? I’ve missed you,” Steve said, his hands still resting on Dustin’s shoulders. He turned to his coworker. “Robin, get this kid a sundae, will you?”

“I didn’t know your legs were broken, dingus,” Robin said, but she complied with his request, anyway.

“We have so much to catch up on,” Dustin said. He slid into the booth nearest to the cash register.

“Yeah, we do,” Steve agreed, taking his place across from Dustin. “Did you have a good time at camp?”

“It was sick, dude. I ate so many s’mores while I was there…”

You walked up to the counter. You didn’t really know Robin well, but you certainly weren’t going to join Steve and Dustin.

“Welcome to Scoops Ahoy,” Robin droned, her back to you as she poured hot fudge over a scoop of vanilla ice cream. “I’ll be with you in a minute.”

You hummed in response. Behind you, Dustin had launched into his Suzie speech-about how she was Mormon, a genius, and hotter than Phoebe Cate. Steve, who you’d never seen with his mouth shut for more than thirty seconds at a time, appeared to be listening intently. He mumbled a few comments, and you strained your eardrums trying to catch them. What was “King” Steve saying to your baby brother?

Robin turned around a few seconds later, clutching a styrofoam cup. The sudden movement startled you so badly that you visibly jumped. Luckily, Robin was too preoccupied to notice. It took a great deal of focus to balance an overfilled ice cream cup.

“Hey, Y/N. What’s up?” She set the ice cream on the counter.

“You know, just buying my brother’s love. The usual.”

Robin chuckled and called, “Order’s up!” Steve’s fluffy mane sprung into motion as he turned his head to face his coworker.

“What, you’re not going to deliver to our table?”

“They don’t pay me enough for that,” Robin said. Her bright blue eyes twinkled with mischief. She turned back to you, a faint grin still dancing on her lips. “Sixty cents, please.”

You returned to the depths of your bag to search for loose change. You managed to scrounge up a few pennies before raising your head once more.

Steve studied you with a curious gaze. He scrunched up his face in what could have just as easily have been confusion or disgust. Then, a visible “lightbulb” moment clicked in his head.

“You’re Dustin’s sister, aren’t you? Y/N Henderson?”

“That would be me,” you said.

Your heart beat heavily against your ribcage. Did intense hatred upset the cardiac rhythm? You didn’t think so-but then again, you never paid much attention in Biology. Steve was partially to blame for that. It’s really hard to pay attention to Mr. Wilson lecture about the functions of the sympathetic nervous system when Steve “The Hair” Harrington sits in the desk right in front of yours, and all you can think about is running your fingers through those thick, shiny curls. Regardless of its owner’s personality, hair like that is impossible to avoid fantasizing about.

“Can I have my ice cream now?” your brother piped up, jolting you from your thoughts.

As you opened your purse, Steve pulled out his wallet. Your lips parted in protest. However, before you could say a word, he passed three dollar bills to the girl behind the counter.

“This should cover the kid’s,” Steve said, “and, of course, whatever the lady wants.”

“No, you don’t need to-”

“You’re Henderson’s sister. I want to,” he said. “Does a vanilla milkshake sound okay?”

You couldn’t conceal the smile that tugged at the corners of your mouth.

“I prefer chocolate,” you said.

“Smart girl,” he said with a wink. “Make that two chocolate milkshakes, please, Robin. I’m going to take my break now so I can catch up with Henderson, okay?”

“I thought you’ve been on a break for the last ten minutes,” Robin said with a roll of her eyes. The cash register popped open, and she inserted the cash. She held the change in her palm for a few extra moments, studying it. “I could probably cover for you a little longer, though, if you let me keep this as a tip. I’ll even deliver to your table.”

“Deal,” Steve said. Robin tucked the coins into her pocket.

Steve grabbed Dustin’s sundae and returned to their booth; the Suzie conversation automatically resumed. Robin ducked into the back room to use the malt machine, and you watched as the translucent door swung shut behind her. You hoped she would return promptly to save you from the awkwardness of lingering around your little brother and his newfound mentor.

“Hey, Y/N, aren’t you going to come sit with us?” a voice asked behind you.

Steve had swiveled around in the booth. His lips were curled upwards into a sweet, unexpectedly shy smile. Your heart skipped a beat, and your feet carried you to the table before your head could tell them to stop. You barely noticed your brother roll his eyes.

“Scoot over, dork,” you ordered.

Dustin swirled his spoon around the cup, turning the pure white ice cream topped with dark chocolate into a light brown mixture. He was clearly unhappy with you infringing on his “guy time,” but he would get over it. Your brother huffed in protest before sliding to one side of the booth to make room for you.

“Anyway,” he sighed, once you were all settled, “before we were so rudely interrupted, where was I?”

“I think you were talking about how she was the most beautiful girl you’d ever seen, and you couldn’t believe you didn’t notice her sooner,” Steve said, chocolate eyes still trained on you.

“Oh, right. So, it’s funny. There were so many campers there, and we were in different groups, so a week actually went by before I talked to Suzie for the first time…”

Dustin’s voice faded into the background. You were too busy thinking about how maybe, just maybe, Steve Harrington didn’t suck quite as much as you once thought.

445 notes · View notes

caps-lockdown · 5 years

Text

Candy Corn Blues

Hey everyone here’s another one shot for Spooktober! It’s short and sweet (pun intended) hope you all enjoy it!

Pairings: Steve Rogers x Avenger!Female Reader

Ratings: PG 13 (Language, booze). All Fluff, already established relationship with Steve.

Words: 2,447

Summary: Why does everyone have to pick on Steve about his candy choices?

(Don’t own anything, except the reader. This was not endorsed by any candy companies. No beta either, so have fun finding mistakes. I’m sure there’s some.)

Candy Corn Blues

It was the second week in October when you arrived home from a mission with Steve. It had gone easy enough. Some minor cuts and bruises, but you returned to the Compound with the information you needed to stop a known terrorist from blowing up another building full of important people at another important gala in Washington. You’d care more if they hadn’t gotten so predictable lately. You were happy to do the job, but this mission was cutting into your favorite time of year. That bugged you.

You were entering the loud living area after a much needed shower, smile on your lips as you overheard your teammates continuing the discussion from earlier in the Quinjet.

“I’m telling you guys, Snickers is OBVIOUSLY the best Halloween candy.” Bucky rolled his eyes, sipping from his mug of coffee. How that man could drink that sludge this late was beyond you. But then again, it had been a pretty long night for all of you. And it’s not like alcohol would do anything to him. Sam remained firm in his opinion, shoulders tense as he stood his ground.

Tony scoffed, “Again you’re wrong Wilson, Reese’s pumpkins are by far the better candy for this time of year.” You high fived the man as you took the seat next to Steve on the overstuffed couch, giving him a quick peck before settling into his side, his arm going over your shoulders as if it had a mind of its own. “See? Y/N’s got the good sense to agree with me! Always knew you had good taste.”

“I see the debate is still in session.” You giggled as Steve fake groaned, leaning into you and resting his head on yours as you cuddled on the couch. You hadn’t really gotten a lot of time to each other the last couple weeks, the Avengers splitting up to help cover more ground on this terrorist situation. “I’ve missed you.”

The blonde man sighed into your hair, trying to ignore the scene behind him. “And I you Sweetheart.”

“Seriously Stark? Reese’s? Those taste like sawdust coated in those cheap chocolate candy melts and then left to rot for a year before they’re put on shelves.”

“Oddly descriptive Sam, “Nat pulled a face, reaching for a beer Thor was holding out for her. “Do I want to know just how you know what sawdust tastes like?”

“Har har, very funny. Just admit it, I’m right.”

“I have to disagree Samuel, I quite enjoy the taste of a Three Musketeers bar.” Thor shrugged, Bruce clicking his tongue between his teeth as he shook his head.

“Nah man, you guys are forgetting about Milky Ways!” Wanda nodded enthusiastically, not having said much most of the day, but you figured out pretty quickly she hadn’t actually eaten a lot of the candy that had been in the conversation.

It was Tony’s turn to make a face. “Banner those are almost as bad as Snickers. They might as well be sister-wives in the family of gross.”

“What about Sour Patch Kids! Ya’ll are sleeping on a classic!” You piped up from your position with your beau, the group collectively groaning and muttering “no”. “Well screw you too.”

“Hey we haven’t heard from Mr. Perfect teeth yet.” Tony jolted the man next to you out of his dozing mindset, a sheepish grin covering his face as he refused to speak. “What’s up Cap? Y/N got your tongue?”

“Crude Tony, but no. My favorite candy is none of your business.” You turned your head to look at him, swallowing his comment in your brain. You had no idea what his favorite candy was, not that he was a huge fan of sweets to begin with. You hadn’t even been dating that long, but you were certain you hadn’t asked him. “Don’t look at me like that Y/N, I’m not telling you.”

“Oh come on darling,” You cooed, trying to bait an answer out of him. “It can’t be that horrible. I’ll keep the big bad Stark away from you if it’s Snickers.” You rubbed his large forearm soothingly, the man’s face turning a slight shade of pink as he took a deep breath.

“Alright,” he sighed out the breath as if it was his death warrant, shutting his eyes to avoid everyone else’s as they waited. “It’s chicken feed.”

Your face was priceless. “Uh, what?”

“Sorry, it hasn’t been called that for awhile now I guess,” He chuckled, “Candy corn. I really love candy corn.”

The chorus of “WHAT?” and “THE FUCK ROGERS?” was deafening, Steve’s jaw tensing as he kept his eyes shut.

“Jesus Steve I know they didn’t have much back in the forties but my man, some things you can leave in the past. I wish they had left those travesties back in the eighteen-eighties.” Sam groaned out, Bucky laughing at his friend’s miserable features as Tony fake gagged.

“For once we agree Sam. Candy corn is the absolute worst thing to happen to this world since the black plague.”

“It’s just so…basic! Bland! There’s nothing to it! It’s like they made all of it back in nineteen twelve and have just been selling that one batch this whole time!”

“Pretty sure dirt has more flavor to it.”

Your face tensed as the men continued to berate your boyfriend’s choice, your hand coming over his to squeeze it gently. You knew he would shrug it off, but it still managed to get under your skin, even if they were right. “I’m sorry I asked, I don’t know how you can eat that stuff.”

“It reminds me of a simpler time. I mean there wasn’t tons of great tasting candy that was cheap back then. My ma always managed to get her hands on some and it’s just another way to remember her.” Your heart swelled as he smiled at you, blinking his eyes open. “I know it isn’t incredible, but I don’t need a bunch of ingredients or gimmicks. It’s just candy.”

“You’re sweet enough as is Rogers, I promise you that.” You muttered, watching his smile widen as he gave you another cavity inducing kiss.

Another two weeks went by in a flash, before you knew it Steve was leaving with Bucky, Sam, and Nat to go take out the terrorist. You had elected to stay behind with Tony, not feeling up to the adventure and it was going to be over too quick anyway. You had been nice enough to send him pictures of candy corn on the thirtieth, as it was the national day for it. He was quick to rub it in Sam’s face. Snickers didn’t have a holiday after all. You didn’t want to be parted from Steve, but you also didn’t want to risk missing movie night. Especially when Nat, Pepper, and you had all decorated the Tower in scary lights and creatures. Hell, Steve didn’t even want you to miss that, knowing this was your thing.

So they went to catch the bad guys while you, Pepper, Tony, and Peter Parker all sat crunched together on the sofa, watching everything from Hocus Pocus to Saw. You laughed when Pepper and Peter clung to each other, you and Tony egging on the classic slashers and cheering when teenagers met their end in terrifyingly awful and supremely dated ways.

“Holy shit!” You jumped, quickly dissipating into laughter as FRIDAY announced the team had stopped the terrorist, your heart rate calming at hearing everyone was fine and would be back tomorrow night after a meeting with the president. You opened the text window on your phone, smiling as Steve had sent you a picture of him with the team, all carving pumpkins in their hotel room a few hours later.

“Wish you were here Pumpkin.” The caption read, you snorting into your handful of popcorn, quick to take a picture of a woman mid scream on the T.V and sending it back with the attached text.

“You’re a real scream Sweetheart. See you soon.”

“Have a dreadfully good evening Doll.” Was in your window less than two seconds later. He was getting faster with his texting. Tony huffed a louder than needed “ahem”, drawing your eyes back to the T.V to watch Jamie Lee Curtis limp towards the safety of a closet.

“Man fashion sure has changed for the better hasn’t it Mister Stark?” Peter asked, the older man looking at him as if he was crazy. “What? You were alive in the seventies right?”

You and Pepper were in tears as the outraged Tony threw popcorn at the young man.

The next day you were helping Pepper take down the decorations in the tower, humming some Halloween tune to yourself as you placed the giant fake spiders and bats back in their correct boxes. The team would be back early morning tomorrow and you couldn’t wait to get some cuddle time with Steve. Tony had promised you two some R and R and you were going to have it. Even if the holidays were approaching like a bullet train. Picking up your phone you pressed the green icon next to your favorite Captain’s name, his voice coming in within a ring and a half.

“Hey Doll, you have a good night last night?”

“Yea, you? Looks like you were up to your hips in pumpkin guts.” You laughed, imagining him covered in the sticky substance.

“It was a lot of fun, you would have made it better though.”

You could feel the smile in his voice. “Well duh, this is me we’re talking about. I make everything better.”

“That you do. Going to go ransack all the stores of their Halloween clearance?” The blonde asked, frowning from his own position on the globe as yet another store didn’t carry his preferred candy. That was the fourth store. Had they stopped making it? “Hmm. This isn’t right.”

“You know me too well.” You smiled as Tony jingled the keys to his car at you, throwing you a pair of flats as you balanced the phone on your shoulder. “What’s not right?”

“I can’t find any candy corn. I was going to pick some up to hold me over til the Christmas kind comes out.”

“Awww poor baby.” You could hear Sam’s sarcasm from the other side of the line, stifling your own laughter as you got in the car. “I see they actually have sense here in Washington. Which is a big deal when you think about it.”

“Shaddup Sam,” Steve’s tone had a frustrated edge to it, and you were beginning to suspect that this was not the first comment Wilson had made during your boyfriend’s plight. “I can’t wait to see you , I’ll let you get to shopping. Tell Tony we’re gonna have pizza tomorrow so you don’t have it tonight.”

“But it’s Pizza Friday.” You complained weakly, knowing the older man was bound to throw a fit over a change in the routine.

“He’ll get over it. He likes you the most anyway, so he won’t be angry if you tell him.”

“Man you are so lucky you’re cute.” You muttered, Steve chuckling into the receiver.

“Don’t worry doll, I’ll make it up to you.” Your heart shuddered at his promise.

“You better. Sorry about your candy corn blues.”

“S’alright. Maybe you were right about me being sweet enough already.”

The two of you said your goodbyes and hung up, an idea popping into your head as you buckled your seat belt, admiring the leather of Tony's expensive car. You were even more excited to go shopping now, the billionaire almost looking worried as you bounced in your seat all the way to the first store.

The next day Steve and his team dragged their exhausted bodies from the Quinjet, the mission that took nearly a month to complete heavy on their minds as they decompressed from the stress. The press event with the President had been worse. How that was possible none of them knew. To say they were happy to be home was an understatement. Rogers had actually dreamt of his bed the last couple nights, more specifically the woman who was in the bed. You hadn’t been dating for more than six months yet but he was already head first and heart deep in love with you. Everything you did was so effortless and gentle. You always thought of him, putting him and others before yourself. He admired your strength, as you didn’t need serum or powers to kick ass. He always had a weakness for powerful women though.

He didn’t bother turning on the light when he entered his room, stripping off his clothes and promptly passing out on his bed, taking note you weren’t there to greet him. Probably smart for you to sleep in your room, as it was nearly three in the morning.

He woke up to the biggest shock of his life.

The light streamed into his room like the sun had made it its own personal mission to make sure Steve would go blind. Standing up, he yawned, rubbing his eyes before they widened in surprise.

His room was crawling in candy corn. Containers and bags of it flooded his floor and chair next to his bed. There were even a couple of bags on his bed. How could he have slept through all of this? He must have been more tired than he thought. There was a pumpkin shaped container nearly overflowing with the sugary confection on his nightstand, little packets meant for trick or treaters hanging out of his shoes. A knock at his door startled the man, Steve carefully stepping over the obnoxiously bright orange bags on the floor as he opened the door.

You lowered a large pillow in the shape of his favorite treat, large grin on your face. “Morning. Do you think this will hold you over til Christmas?”

He laughed hard at that, pulling you into his arms as he kissed you breathless.

“Doll, you’re the absolute sweetest. Thank you.”

“Anytime Captain. Now as I recall you have some making up to do.” You whispered suggestively, Steve taking the hint and closing the door behind you, smile never leaving his eyes.

The End.

Taglist: @kaytizzle @cuffski @giggleberts @pies-wands-and-more

#steve rogers x reader #steve rogers x you #steve rogers fanfiction #Steve Rogers #captain america fanfiction #captain america #avengers fanfiction #marvel fanfiction

111 notes · View notes

shotsbyshae · 5 years

Text

Rock & Roll (Part 3)

Warnings: Vomit inducing fluff, angst

Words: 1.6k

Pairing: Peter Parker x Fem!Reader

A/N: Takes place post Endgame, so spoilers. For those who have age issues, Peter is over 18 in this scenario.

Song: Rock & Roll by Led Zeppelin

It's been a long time since I rock and rolled.

2025

The warmth from the coffee mug in your hand is a soothing comfort as you make your way down to the lab, the music coming from there drawing your attention. You smile as you see Peter working away in the same place you left him last night, his Zeppelin playlist still going strong. You had simply asked him about a suit, after all, yours had seen some wear and tear over the last two years. That hadn’t meant staying up all night working on it. Stopping in the doorway, the nostalgia takes over as you stare at the man before you.

2017

You walked into the lab and spotted the boy with his arms folded under his head on the table, a science book and notes open and scattered around him. You gently nudged his shoulder and he jolted awake, hair mussed, and eyes squinted as he focused on you.

“Hi,” you said quietly as you offered him your coffee.

“Sorry,” he looked embarrassed as he took the mug from you, sipping the caffeine. “I have a mid-term on Monday.”

“I don’t miss those days,” you remarked as you glanced through his notes. “Want me to help you study?”

“Oh – you don’t have to,” he shook his head.

“It’s fine,” you said with a smile as you pulled up a chair. “I don’t have to train with Natasha for another hour. I’m all yours.”

You had mourned Peter after the snap, well everyone really, but you and he were friends. Then he came back, five years later – five years older than when he left – he came back, but you lost Tony and Natasha that day and there was no time for celebrating everyone’s return, not even Peter Parker.

2025

You approach the table as he glances over at you, reaching up to scratch the back of his head shyly, “Oh – hi.”

“Looks like you didn’t sleep,” you offer him the mug, after all, he probably needs it more than you, and he graciously accepts it.

“Yea, I got sidetracked,” he replies, before sipping the coffee slowly, savoring the caramel flavor you've added. “That's good.” His face lights up with excitement as he places the mug on the table, “I came up with something new.”

“I didn’t want something new,” you shake your head. “The same design was fine Parker.”

The suit was Tony’s idea, a deep violet color with black accents. Peter knows what the concept means to you, that’s why he didn’t change Stark’s original plan, only the color scheme.

“I thought it might be time for a change,” Peter begins, working with device in his hand. “Someone should carry on the legacy – it can’t be me.”

“Parker, no,” you shake your head vehemently, not liking the idea of what he’s talking about. “I’m nothing like he was – I – I can’t.”

He smiles at you warmly as he flicks the device in his hand, causing a case on the wall closest to you to slowly open, revealing the suit he's been working on all night. Your hand covers your mouth as you look at it in surprise.

“You admired him – yea – but that’s not who really trained you,” Parker says. Tears well up in your eyes as you stare at the solid back suit that resembles Natasha’s. Her customary red accents now a deep violet color as are the Widow’s Bite bracelets which adorn both wrists. “I suggested it to Rhodey first, and he agrees, so do the rest of the guys.” He follows with you as you approach the suit, reaching out to run your fingers along the Kevlar material.

You clear your throat as you try to wipe the tears from your eyes without him noticing, “I don’t know.”

“I do,” Peter nudges you with his shoulder. “You’re her legacy.”

“Thank you.”

It’s the first time he's seen you look genuinely happy since you've returned, and he can't help the smile that crosses his face as you glance up at him. He feels a rush of endorphins as sees the glint of admiration in your eyes for him and that look alone would be worth a week of sleepless nights spent in the lab.

“I love it Parker,” you add before moving closer to inspect the utility belt and thigh holster.

***

It was supposed to be a simple run, take down a biker gang who were running guns across the border.

Nothing is ever simple in your world though.

You use the Widow’s Bite bracelets to electrocute the man who has you from behind. Parker is busy disarming a few of the other men and webbing them up when you see one of them break free from his webbing as if it’s nothing and your eyes widen in shock. He jerks two of the henchmen free from their webbing as well and they grab weapons.

“Enhanced,” is the only word you can get out before the man launches a table across the room at you, knocking you to the ground. Peter turns quickly, sensing the oncoming assault and ducks, grabbing the man’s fist as he swings, engaging in one on one combat with one of the assailants while the enhanced individual stalks towards you.

Gathering yourself from the floor, you shoot a taser from your wrist into the man, but it does nothing against him as he continues towards you. Using your boot, you kick one of the already broken legs off the table, severing it and you grab for it clumsily.

The simple mission has just turned into a fight for survival as Parker dodges bullets, his webbing depleted, and you face down an enhanced individual. Ninety-five percent of the time missions are successful with no casualties – no blood spilled – unfortunately this is that five percent.

***

You glance from the blood on your hands to the bodies on the floor, Parker moves slowly towards you, limping visibly from the bullet you saw graze his calf.

“Are you okay?” He pulls the red mask from his head, his dark eyes full of concern and his hair a chaotic mess.

“Yea,” you reply as he glances at the blood on you, “it’s not my blood.”

“Let’s get out of here,” Peter states.

Back on the quinjet, you scrub your hands clean as Parker places the controls on autopilot. He watches as you dry your hands angrily. It’s not like it’s the first time he’s had to kill someone, nor will it be the last. He doesn’t like it, but sometimes, it’s necessary in this line of work.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” He questions you again quietly.

“I’m sorry,” you reply. “I’ll talk with Wilson about this. The intel should have been better. They had an enhanced individual and we should have known that. We shouldn’t have been put in that position, I’m sorry you had to – you had to do that.”

“Hey,” Peter tries to calm you. “It’s okay. It happens.”

“No,” your voice is louder, “it’s not okay. You’re just a –” You catch yourself and stop.

“Just a what?” He raises an eyebrow. “A kid?”

“That’s not what I meant,” you begin, but he interrupts you.

“Is that what you see when you look at me?” He questions and you shake your head quickly as he folds his arms across his chest. “Then what do you see?”

“I see,” you begin, noticing how much he fills out the red and black suit. “you, Parker – like always.” He’s staring at you intensely. “Why? What do you see – with me?”

His dark eyes never waver, adrenaline from earlier still coursing through his veins, “I see the girl I’ve had a crush on since Berlin.” You tilt your head curiously, waiting for him to say he’s joking, but he begins to walk towards you. “Is that really what you see when you look at me?” He asks, hearing as your heart rate increases with each step he takes. “That awkward sixteen-year-old kid?” You move backwards as he advances until your legs bump the table. He’s far from the teenager you knew back then and even if your mind is having a hard time registering that, your body is screaming it.

You tense up as he moves closer to you, the table preventing you from getting away, “We were kids Parker. I was supposed to watch out for you.”

“We’re not kids anymore.” His eyes are full of sadness as he reaches up and brushes your hair behind your ear gently. “We watch out for each other now.”

His touch sends a shiver down your spine and your throat goes dry as he takes a step back, turning away from you. The words he said replaying through your mind, he’s had a crush on you since Berlin. Your hand flies to his arm instinctively to stop him, “All this time?” You question as he turns back to you slowly. “Why didn’t you say something?”

“You needed time to heal – we both did,” he responds. “I was waiting for you to come home.”

The muscles in his arm ripple underneath your touch as his hand moves to your waist, your voice doesn’t feel like your own as you say softly, “I’ve been home – what are you waiting for – Peter?”

His lips crash against yours – hot and hard – urgent as he drags you closer to him. There’s not an inch of space between you as your fingers tangle in his hair, heat flaring from every pulse point.

“Peter,” E.D.I.T.H.’s voice comes across the loudspeaker in the quinjet causing the two of you to pull apart slowly.

“Yes E.D.I.T.H.,” Peter acknowledges the AI.

“Mr. Stark’s protocol for this situation requires me give you a message,” the voice begins, the tone changing to a more serious one. “Took you long enough kid.”

You close your eyes, burying your face into Peter’s shoulder as you try not to laugh. Peter, however, does laugh a little as he pinches the bridge of his nose before saying, “E.D.I.T.H. initiate privacy mode please.”

“Yes, Peter.”

#peter parker #spider-man #spider-man far from home #spider-man fanfiction #avengers fanfiction #fanfic #fanfiction #marvel #mcu #avengers #peter parker x reader #iron dad #fluff #angst #tony stark #avengers fanfic #peter parker fanfiction #peter parker fanfic

128 notes · View notes

icymapletree · 5 years

Text

#18: halloween party

second avengers civil war?!?

Read on Ao3

#1 on Trending

second avengers civil war?!?

peter parkour - 4.5M Views - 5 hours ago

The video opens on a young man with brown curly hair and large doe eyes.

“Okay, guys, Mr. Stark doesn’t know I’ll be trying to catch some funny moments at the Avengers halloween party-”

A door creaks open in the background and Peter stops talking.

“What’re you doing?” A gruff voice asks.

“Just making a little video of the party,” Peter says innocently.

“You know you can’t show that to anyone, right?”

“Yeah, I know.”

[cut]

The lighting has changed and Peter is in a different location. He begins speaking again like no time had passed. “So, the whole team is going as different Disney characters - I’m going as Tigger, duh - and we are all just gonna have a grand old time. The party’s in about an hour, so I’ll bring you guys with me!”

[cut]

Peter is wearing a Tigger onesie when the filming resumes. This time, he is holding the camera and laughing can be heard in the background.

“The party started around half an hour ago - oh, look! There’s Mr Stark already.” Peter flips the point of view of the video to capture Mr Stark. “Say hi to YouTube, Mr Stark!” Peter says as the man approaches.

“This is cute,” the older man said, tapping the lense of the iPhone camera with his nail. He was wearing a green hat with long black ears hanging from it, paired with an orange shirt, black vest and blue jeans, perfectly embodying Goofy.

“Tell them who you’re dressed as!”

“You know who I am,” he deadpans, looking directly into the camera before walking away. Peter flips the camera again so it faces himself, laughing nervously.

“He’s usually more affectionate, I swear.”

[cut]

“Ohmygod, Bucky and Cap did Sully and Mike!” Peter gasps, showing the audience the two men leaning on the kitchen island near various refreshments and halloween candies. Cap is decked out in a large fluffy purple and teal suit, taking up more than half the open air in the kitchen. Bucky is wearing a green oversized t-shirt with an eyeball on it and tight green pants. His long hair is tied up with a scrunchie.

“Bucky’s a VSCO girl,” Peter says breathlessly before calling out, “Bucky! Say sksksksk!”

Bucky looks around for the source of his name while faintly saying “Sksksk.”

Peter doubles over laughing, the camera being aimed towards the floor.

[cut]

“Pepper,” Peter whines, “stop mom-ing me.”

The camera is pulled back slightly, bringing the gorgeous CEO and her two strawberry-blonde colored braids into frame. She has a magenta cloak placed over her shoulders and her resemblance to Anna from Frozen was uncanny.

“You have to make sure your costume looks nice for the picture,” Pepper sighs.

“It looks fine!” Peter complains. Sam Wilson can be seen turning to Bucky in the corner of the frame.

“See, Bucky? Isn’t he just a problem?” Sam teases, the video panning to meet him halfway before he’s done talking.

“Hey!” Peter protests. Sam smiles at the camera then adjusts his Mad Hatter Hat.

[cut]

Peter is holding the camera like he’s about to take a selfie, smiling and looking at something off screen. Natasha approaches him silently from behind. She is wearing purple and pink stripes with a tutu and cat ears. She doesn’t even need a prop to make her grin as wide as the cheshire cat. She slowly inches towards him, Peter still watching whatever was going on beyond the lense.

Finally, she is directly behind him. She taps him on the shoulder, calmly saying, “Boo.”

Peter shrieks and Natasha laughs softly, Peter soon joining her laughter with his own soft chuckles.

[cut]

Tony, Peter and Rhodey are sitting on the couches in the common area. Rhodey is draped over an entire couch. The camera is being held from a spot under the crook of Tony’s arm.

“This is the worst Halloween costume ever! I can’t even get up,” Rhodey complains as he throws his head back.

“Don’t look at me,” Tony scoffs, “it was your idea.”

“Because it was a great idea! I thought it would be funny, ‘cause my legs or whatever...” he gestures to the green mermaid tail he’s wearing.

Tony glares. “Not funny. But you do look hot in a red wig, honeybear.”

“Gross,” Peter mumbles behind the camera.

Tony looks down at the phone lense during Peter’s squawk of indignation. “Well, this is an unflattering angle.”

[cut]

The footage is shaky, but it perfectly frames Cap and Tony.

“Good evening,” Cap nods.

“Rogers,” Tony nods back.

“Is that seriously fruit flavored candy over there?”

“You can read wrappers, Rogers. Of course it’s fruit flavored candy.”

“What did I tell you,” Cap threatens, “would happen, if you got fruit flavored candy instead of chocolate?”

Tony tilts his head. “I’m a little foggy on it, but I believe it was something like raining down hellfire.”

Cap narrows his eyes. “That’s right,” he grumbles.

“Well, here I am without an umbrella.”

“I feel a storm rolling,” Cap said gruffly.

The two exchange eye contact for a few seconds. Peter screams and drops the phone. Laughs from everyone, including Tony and Cap, can be heard on the audio.

[cut]

Comments - 11k

I’m a Chiken nugget

Is anyone else woried this is real ?.

Teagan Parrish

Nobody:

Not a Single Person:

Steve Rogers: I feel a storm rolling

fefi

like the serial killer james buchanan barnes is a vsco girl smh

NyanCat 1907

Okay, but like Peter Parker’s curls

…that’s it. That’s the comment.

Doritooos

Can Pepper Potts please mom me?

Meghan Massman

I agree that James Rhodes is hot in a red wig.

#irondad fic #13 nights of halloween #peter parker #spiderman #tony stark #irondad

7 notes · View notes

those70scomics · 5 years

Photo

Links to the Rest of the Story: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 5, Outline for the End

Disclaimer: That '70s Show copyright The Carsey-Werner Company, LLC and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, LLC.

CHAPTER FOUR THE SQUARE

Donna, Hyde, and Fez had taken the alcove in trigonometry class. That would hide them from Ms. McGee, but Eric managed to hide himself from them. He'd sneaked into a desk behind the alcove, to the left of Fez. They were so distracted by their own conversation that they didn't spot him. “She's gonna interview the moron,” Hyde said. “What, like a job?” Donna said, and Eric kept his head down and pretended to take notes. The angel had warned him this morning to listen. Convincing Donna he was a sociopath took two days. He had five days to undo that damage. Hyde flicked his pencil against his desk. “Dating Jackie's not a job, man. It's slave labor.” Donna laughed, but Fez said, “We can't let them get back together.” “Yeah, we gotta sabotage that 'interview,'” Hyde said. “Jackie's like a termite. She's gonna chew on our house 'til it collapses.” “I think you're mistaking her for my new neighbor,” Donna said, and the tip of Eric's pencil broke. His fingers ached from holding onto the pencil too hard, and he rummaged in his backpack for a pen. “He's a psycho. Certifiable.” “Forman?” Hyde wrote something in his notebook. “He's harmless.”

“Harmless people don't spread rumors,” Donna said and wrote in her notebook. Ms. McGee must've given a vital piece of trig info, but she might as well have been absent. Eric's focus was wholly on his friends who weren't his friends. “He didn't do that,” Hyde said. “He just told Jackie that garbage about Kelso, just like I tried to warn Forman about Jackie. Looks like he didn't take my advice, though. Timmy saw them foolin' around in the make-out alcove yesterday.” Eric's stomach clenched with nausea, and he pressed his knees together to keep from defending himself. Him and Jackie fooling around? How could these people have such a total lack of understanding of who he was? Because in this life, he was closer to making them his enemies than his friends. The line between like and dislike was thinner than he’d imagined. Maybe that was why Donna rejected his promise ring in their other life. He'd crossed the line inside her mind from love to, “Sometimes I see you in my future, and sometimes I don't.” Fez slammed his palms against his desk. “She was Frenching Junior? So she will make out with the skinny new kid but not the lovable foreign kid?” “Wait a second,” Donna said. “Why is she ‘interviewing' Kelso if she's swapping spit with Eric?” “Maybe 'cause Forman's a lousy kisser. Probably scared her back to Kelso.” Hyde puckered his lips and made kissing sounds at Donna. She planted her hand on his cheek and shoved his face away. “Are you trying to scare me off?” “Don't judge something 'til you've tried it.” “Whatever,” she said, but she was chuckling, and Eric silently thanked God. She and Hyde hadn't kissed. They weren't together, not yet. The school bell signaled the end of class. Eric left his desk and bolted from the classroom. If Donna learned he'd spied on her discussion, it would only confirm her suspicions about him. She didn't have the context for his actions, his reasoning. He'd been worthy of her affection once, but she wasn't offering any opportunities here. He had to make them. In what seemed like an extra-long homeroom, Mrs. Bridges droned the school announcements. Eric had moved behind Jimmy Headgear after roll call. Jimmy was twice the width of Eric, like many people were, but Eric used their difference in size to conceal himself. He didn't need Hyde giving him crap for “fooling around” with Jackie. “Forman.” Eric groaned at Hyde's voice. Hiding in the science lab was impossible. A tap on his shoulder followed, and he turned around. “Hyde.” “Your girlfriend's gonna take Kelso back,” Hyde said. “My girlfriend?” Eric had to play dumb. Hyde couldn't know how much Eric already knew. “The chick you shared tongues with yesterday.” Bile rose on Eric's throat. “What are you taking about?” “You know what I'm talkin' about...” Hyde grasped his belt buckle and widened his stance. “And even though it sickens me to give you this bit of intel — 'cause you're only gonna end up screwing yourself — we want the same thing: Jackie and Kelso to stay broken up.” He glanced behind himself, as if worried someone was eavesdropping, and he lowered his voice. “If you plan on fighting for the girl of my nightmares, go up to the art studio after school.” “Thanks?” “No problem — and we never talked.” He punched Eric on the arm lightly before leaving him. Eric rushed from the science lab after homeroom, and people whispered to on another as he strode down the hall. That rumor about him and Jackie had probably spread through school. If anyone was a sociopath, it was Timmy Wilson, Point Place High’s version of a town crier. But Eric had to finish what he'd started, to help Jackie see Kelso's true nature. By doing that, maybe Donna would finally realize who Eric actually was.

Double-English consisted of an hour-and-a-half of Fez's angry stares. Eric couldn't prove he hadn't kissed Jackie, not without Jackie herself denying it, so he didn't bother responding. Instead, he wrote down all he remembered about Donna: her favorite food, music, and TV shows. The social causes she was passionate about. The bizarre crap her parents had pulled during her childhood. He continued his list during study hall. Donna had another class, and he didn't see her again until lunch. In the cafeteria, he spotted her in the serving line. She must have caught his gaze because her mouth opened slightly, and she looked away. Posters for the school's extra-curricular assembly were taped to the walls. The assembly would take place on Friday in the gym. If Donna wasn't talking to him by then, he'd have to take drastic measures. She'd find out just what she was missing.

“Hey, Buddy,” Eric said at Buddy's table. The seat across from him was empty, as if Buddy had saved it purposely. “Mind if I...?” “It's yours.” Eric sat and pointed at the macaroni and cheese on his tray. “Do you think this is safe to eat?” “If it isn't, we're both in trouble.” A blob of yellow balanced on Buddy's fork. He stuck it into his mouth, and his face didn't contort as he chewed. The flavor had to be decent, and Eric began to eat. “So,” Buddy said, “you struck out with the redhead and decided to go for a brunette?�� “Man!” Eric dropped his fork. “I didn't kiss Jackie Burkhart.” “Are you sure?” Eric jerked back his head, as if Buddy had kicked him in the balls. Of course he was sure. Why the hell wouldn't he be sure? Unless the angel was tampering with his memory. Buddy laughed. “Relax, Eric. I'm messing with you. I mean, if brunettes are what you're into...” He gestured to his own hair. “Not even a question,” Eric said. “I'd kiss you over Jackie any day.” Buddy glanced down at his mac and cheese, but a smile slid across his lips. The table was full of the same people as yesterday, all rich and popular. Timmy's gossip-mongering must've reached them, too, but they acted like Eric and Buddy were in a Cone of Silence. Eric's alleged lip-lock with Jackie couldn't be that interesting to them. She was a sophomore, and he was new.

Eric drummed his fingers on the table and scanned the cafeteria. Pam Macy had to be sitting somewhere. He didn't have history today, and that was their only class together. Confirming their deal would settle his mind a little, but his debt to Buddy tugged on him like the Force. Because he did owe Buddy. His friendship these last few days — and even now — was keeping Eric sane. “Hey, is there anything I can do for you?” Eric said to him. “You've been really nice to me, kind of like a guardian angel—” He smirked, hoping the angel heard that. “And I want to repay you.” “Actually, there is something,” Buddy said. “We'll probably have our first lab in chemistry today or tomorrow, so how about being my lab partner?” “You've got it.” Eric swallowed too-big a bite of mac and cheese. It got stuck halfway down his esophagus, and he forced it into his stomach with some water. “Speaking of Mr. Frisch,” he said, rubbing his throat, “have you noticed how gets sidetracked? Like yesterday, he was talking about about the atomic weight of helium, and then he went into how he used to work with weather balloons.” Buddy hit his forehead with the heel of his hand. “Jeez — yeah! He's a rambler. That's why I need you as my lab partner. Someone has to teach me chemistry.” Eric chuckled but slouched in his seat. His shoulders were more tense than they'd ever been, but the familiarity of their conversation was soothing. In his other life, he and Buddy had talked many times. He absorbed this moment. Took solace in it. Because, for these few minutes, he wasn't lonely. Losing Donna had a brought an isolation he'd never experienced, and that was just the first night. Worse, the isolation had followed him here, like a bad odor he couldn't wash off. If he went back to his other life without that kiss, what would become his friendships? Would Hyde, Kelso, and Fez feel torn between him and Donna? If they did, who would they choose? Buddy's gaze rose above Eric's face. Eric looked over his own shoulder, but a pair of breasts blocked his view. They were clothed in a tight-fitting blouse, and Pam Macy's voice floated into his ears: “Do you have it yet?” She meant her history homework, and Eric said, “Yes, and you'll get it when you meet me at the designated time and place.” “What?” she said. He sighed. Deviousness didn't always translate into other kinds of intelligence. “The art studio after school. Uphold your end of our bargain, and I'll uphold mine.” Pam left without a word. Eric's gaze lingered on her backside as Buddy said, “And that was about...?” Eric turned toward him. “It's all very tangled.” “Gotta say I'm impressed.” Buddy tapped his fork on his tray. “You move fast, making a deal for a quickie in the art studio.” “I didn't—” Eric leaned his head back and inhaled through his nose. His whole body was buzzing, but he'd never act on his physical attraction to Pam. It was an unconscious, chemical reaction. He was seventeen. Thoughts occurred to him, but Donna owned the landscape of his mind. With one word, she'd laid it to waste. With one kiss, she'd restore it.

Eric explained what he could to Buddy in chemistry class, told him about the Rundgren tickets. They did have their first lab today, and they'd partnered up.

“So you sold your soul for a concert?” Buddy said.

“Pretty much.” Eric had copper wire in his hands, and he wound it into the shape of a ball. “But those tickets are my way out of hell.” Buddy didn't question him. He measured nitric acid in a beaker, and they focused on the experiment. On their way to Spanish class, though, he said, “Tell me how it goes with Eric's Angels tomorrow.” “Sure.” Eric wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans. He was less than two hours from guaranteed Rundgren tickets. But he tried to prepare himself mentally for any mishaps. Pam might flake out on him — or Kelso might flake out on Jackie. But after Eric sat at his desk, Kelso charged into the classroom and headed straight for him. “You,” Kelso said and gripped the sides of Eric's desk. “Don't follow me around today, or I'll kick your ass.” Fez's face appeared by Kelso's shoulder. “Yes, don't follow him.” Buddy stood up from the desk beside Eric's. “You kick his ass, and the whole football team will kick yours.” He jabbed his thumb at his chest. “Guess whose dad funded their new uniforms this year?” “Ai...” Fez scurried to the other end of the classroom, but Kelso glared at Eric on his way to his desk. He should've kept his eyes forward, however, because crashed into Mr. Soto. “Sorry,” Kelso said. “En español,” Mr. Soto said. “Lo … sorry-o?” Mr. Soto scratched both his hands through his short-cropped black hair. “¿Cómo te metiste en mi clase?”

“I walked,” Kelso said. Mr. Soto waved him away and muttered to himself in Spanish. Kelso sat at his desk and seemed to forget Eric for now, but Eric leaned toward Buddy and whispered, “Thanks for the backup.” “De nada,” Buddy whispered back. Eric wiped his palms on his jeans again and several more times throughout class. It was a futile endeavor. By gym class, he was coated in sweat, and Coach Ferguson hadn't even started drills yet. Students were still entering the gymnasium. New arrivals palled around with people who'd come earlier, and several minutes later, Coach Ferguson blew his whistle. “Everyone get in your squads!” Students scrambled to arrange themselves in their preassigned groups. Eric's squad was lined up beside Kelso's, and Kelso nudged Eric's shoulder. “I told you not to follow me around!” Eric didn't respond, except to avoid Kelso as much as possible during the torture inflicted on them. Coach Ferguson had them sprinting around the gym, tossing basket balls from ridiculous distances, defending the hoop from classmates who were taller and more muscular. The matches were uneven and unfair, but, “Life is unfair, you pansies!” Coach Ferguson often reminded them. Class ended with Eric wanting to collapse. Coach seemed more sadistic in this life, or maybe Eric simply wasn't slacking. His lungs burned as he climbed the stairs to the art studio. His legs were shaking, and after three flights, his quads began to spasm. He stopped and gripped the banister. Kelso needed more of a head start anyway. Pam was waiting for him on the fifth floor. She'd changed tops. Her breasts were now clothed in a blouse made from thinner material. Their shape was easily distinguishable, not that the blouse's neckline left much to imagine. “Only one girl is in there,” she said, gesturing to the art studio door. “I thought this was a contest.” “The other girls will be here soon,” Eric said. He pushed open the door and let her go ahead of him. “But you're sure to win.” At the center of the studio, Kelso and Jackie were sitting on stools. A row of easels acted as a barrier, cordoning off the pottery area from the painting area. Kelso and Jackie had to be deep into the interview. Neither of them reacted as Eric led Pam toward them. “Stand here,” Eric said and positioned her by a canvas-drying rack. It was directly in Kelso's eye-line. “—an astronaut,” Kelso said, finishing an answer to one of Jackie's questions. Only the back of Jackie was visible to Eric, but the stoop of her shoulders revealed enough. She wasn't pleased, and her tone grew strained as she asked another question. “If I take you back, and I caught you kissing another girl, what would you do?” “Uh … boobs,” Kelso said. He’d discovered Pam. His gaze was squarely on her chest. “'Boobs'?” Jackie repeated. Kelso nodded while looking at Pam. “Big ones.” Jackie waved her hand in front of his eyes. “Michael, I asked you a question.” “Just a second, Pam—” Kelso's eyes widened, and his gaze shot to Jackie. “I mean Jackie!” “This is your chance,” Eric whispered to Pam. “Kelso's one of the judges. Woo him.” Pam strutted toward the center of the art studio. She walked around Jackie and brushed her hip against Kelso's arm. “Hi, Kelso.” He jumped off the stool. It fell in the process, and Eric cupped his mouth as Kelso smashed his body into Pam's. She stumbled back a step, but he put on a deeper voice and said, “Hey, Pam. What's going on?” “Michael!” Jackie stood and shoved Pam aside. “Oh, my God, you would have cheated on me, you — you cheater!” She slammed her foot into Kelso’s shin and fled the studio. He doubled over as a cacophony of, “Oh!”s and “Ouch!”s rose from behind the easels. Shoes Eric recognized filled the spaces between the easels legs. Jackie and Kelso had been watched by an audience, and Eric said, “Okay, time to come out!” Hyde, Donna, and Fez emerged from their hiding spot. Hyde was laughing, but Pam strode to Donna and looked her up and down.

“So, you were checking out the competition?” Pam said and glanced back at Eric. “She should be disqualified.” Donna squinted. “Disqualified? What?” But Pam continued talking to Eric. “It doesn't look like any other girls are coming, so who won?” “You,” Kelso said and rubbed his shin. “You totally won.” “Won what?” Hyde said. Fez clutched his heart and frowned. “Jackie may be a spoiled, whiny princess, but she has won my heart.” He slapped the back of Kelso's head. “You don't deserve her, you sonuvabitch!” He poked Eric in the chest. “Neither do you, Junior from Janesville!” He darted from the art studio, probably to chase after Jackie. Kelso, though, seemed to have forgotten Jackie altogether. He stood up straight and closed the distance between himself and Pam. “Pam, would you do the honor of making out with me behind the gym?” Pam stared at Eric, and Eric said, “Yeah, yeah. Chemistry homework. You're the winner.” He pulled Pam's history notebook from his backpack and passed it to her. “You've earned this.” Pam gave him a snotty smile and grabbed Kelso by the shirt. “Let's go.” “All right!” Kelso said.

He followed her like a puppy out of the art studio, and Eric pulled on his collar to air himself out. His dirty deed was done. With any luck, Kelso would leave him alone the rest of the week. “Don't you see what's going on here?” Donna said to Hyde. “Eric brought Pam here on purpose to sabotage Kelso.” “And it worked.” Hyde offered Eric a high-five. “Good job, man.” Eric accepted the triumphant, stinging slap to his palm, but it didn't feel like victory. Donna was scowling, and she smacked Hyde's arm. “Aren't you pissed?” she said. “Why? He did what we were planning to do, only he had an actual plan.”

She seemed unconvinced and turned toward the easels, and Hyde said, “Forman didn't force Kelso to stick his face in Pam's rack. He did that all on his own. He proved Forman right.” “I guess so...” She ran her finger along the top of an easel. Maybe she’d listen to Eric now — and understand he wasn't a headcase but someone who tried to help people. He willed Hyde to leave him and Donna alone, but Hyde slung his arm around Eric's shoulders instead and thumped him on the chest. “You are one sneaky bastard. Knew I liked ya for a reason. But if you go after Jackie, you're dead to me.” “I told you,” Eric said, keeping his gaze on Donna, “I don't want Jackie. I'd rather make out with a steaming-hot furnace.” Hyde's arm dropped away from him. “Then what was that crap in the make-out alcove?” “Jackie shoved me there for a private conversation, and that's all we did. Talk.” Eric indicated the art studio and everything that had just happened there. “All this was her idea. She wanted to see for herself what Kelso's like around other girls. I said fine because I'd already interfered in her life...” and because Jackie agreed to get him Rundgren tickets, but he left that part out. Donna struck an easel, and it clattered on the floor. “I don't believe you,” she said and marched past him. “You're not just a sociopath. You're a pathological liar.” “Hey, hold on a minute—” He got in front of her before she could leave the studio. “Why don't you ask Jackie before you pronounce me guilty?” “Man's got a point,” Hyde said. “Shut up.” She side-stepped Eric and disappeared through the door. Pressure built up in Eric's chest. He inhaled a few non-calming breaths, found the nearest stool, and tossed it to the floor. “Damn it!” “Don't take it personally,” Hyde said. “She can be a hothead.” “She hates my guts. Doesn't get more personal than that.” “She'll come around, especially with me vouching for ya.” Hyde righted the stool Eric had thrown. He did the same for the one Kelso had been sitting on — and for the easel Donna had hit. “Sorry for bein' a dillhole yesterday. Turns out Kelso's a moron and a cheater. Jackie's better off without him … and we're sure as hell better off without her.” Eric's throat hurt. His voice was sure to squeak if he spoke, so he stayed silent. This Hyde was so much like Eric's, but enough differences existed to be jarring. This Hyde seemed to take school more seriously, to respect it. That had to be Donna's influence. Hyde slapped a stool as if it were a conga drum, creating rhythmic beat. “Say, you ever smoke-up in Janesville?” “All the time,” Eric said. The high-pitch of his voice sent blood into his neck. Hyde probably thought he was lying. “Me and my friends used to have circles once a week.” Hyde quirked up an eyebrow. “How'd you like to have your first circle in Point Place?”

Hyde's house was as disheveled as Eric remembered. Stuffing spilled from the couch. Dirty clothes were strewn on the floor, and cockroaches skittered over them. Hyde's mom was out at a bar. She wouldn't be home for hours, Hyde said, but Eric's answer to him came much later. His lungs and mind were saturated with pot, and he coughed out white smoke. “You should come live with me,” Eric said. “This place is a wreck. You'll like my basement a lot better.” Hyde pulled the joint from his mouth and laughed. “Man, you're stoned as shit.” He was sitting in Bud’s old armchair while Eric had the couch. They seemed to be hundreds of yards apart, but that had to be an affect of the pot. “Stuff in Janesville ain't as good as this, huh?” Hyde said, nodding at the joint. “No, I mean it, man,” Eric said. Someday Hyde's mom was going to leave him forever, but Eric had enough sanity to change topics. “I once told my girlfriend I love cake.” “You have a girl?” Hyde pinched the end of the joint, extinguishing it. “What's she like?” “Smart. Probably too smart. We broke up.” “Sorry to hear that, man. Your love of cake have anything to do with it?” Eric leaned back on the couch and stared up at the peeling ceiling. “We both wanted different things. That's how I ended up here.” “Your whole family picked up from Janesville 'cause you broke up with a chick?” Hyde chuckle-coughed. “Don't buy it.” “Oh, yeah? Would you buy that an angel came to me a few hours after D — after my girlfriend gave back my promise ring? That he sent me to a different version of my life to win my girlfriend back?” Eric sat up straight when Hyde didn't answer. Hyde had propped his legs on the foot stool, and his hands were clasped over his belt buckle. He didn't seem to be breathing. His chest didn't rise and fall, and Eric got off the couch and approached him. “Hyde?” Eric said, but Hyde didn't appear to hear him. If he was asleep, Eric couldn’t tell. Hyde’s eyes were hidden behind his sunglasses. A lone lamp lit the living room, but the bulb was dim. Eric snatched the sunglasses off Hyde’s face, and Hyde didn’t react at all. His eyes were wide open and unblinking.

Eric staggered backward and tripped on a rumpled T-Shirt, but his body remained upright. He should've dropped to the floor. “What the hell?” “Try what the Heaven,” the angel's voice said behind him, and Eric turned around. “You can't go telling people an angel sent you here. Didn't I mention that?” “No.” “Well, I'm mentioning it now.” The angel took Hyde's sunglasses from Eric and replaced them on Hyde’s face. “So — what? You froze time?” Eric shut his eyes and pressed his palms into them. This couldn't be real. None of it was. He had to be dreaming one very long dream. A sharp, tickling sensation spread over his chest, as if a thousand spiders were crawling on him. Donna couldn't have broken up with him. She was still wearing his promise ring on her finger and happy about it. He sprinted to the front door and flung it open. The air outside was crisp and stung his lungs as he inhaled deeply. “Wake up!” he shouted on the porch. “Wake up, damn it!” “You are awake,” the angel said beside him. “Bull!” Eric grasped the angel's white suit jacket. “Send me back to my life, the one where Donna and I are together.” “I can't do that. You and Donna broke up.” “We didn't.” “You did.” The angel glanced down at Eric's fingers. “Jostle me all you like, but it won't change what happened between you and her. You have free will, Eric. So does she. If she doesn't want to be with you in this life, in that life, then you have to accept it.” “No!” Eric shoved the angel, but the angel remained where he was. Eric, though, flew backward and fell on his butt, near Edna's potted plants. “I couldn't keep her,” he said, and the pain in his voice rose to his eyes. “I tried everything, and she still left!” The angel moved closer but didn't offer him a hand. “Did you really try everything?” “I...” Eric swallowed the wet lump in his throat. He hadn't tried everything. Giving Donna that promise ring was supposed to lock her down, but she was like a tiger. Caging her would only piss her off, make her gnash at the bars, bite off his hand. “I have to make myself indispensable to her.” “Hmm.” The angel cupped his chin and looked at Eric as if he were a toddler having a tantrum. The disapproval burned through the haze in Eric's head. He stood up and went back inside Hyde's house. He sat down on the couch, clutched his knees, and said, “I pushed, and she reacted. All of this here — and all of that over there — is her reacting to me closing in on her.” “You're getting warmer,” the angel said in Eric's mind. Eric wiped his eyes with his sleeve and cleared his throat. “Thank you.” “You're welcome,” Hyde said, and Eric’s shoulders jumped. Life had shot back into Hyde's body without warning. “So why'd you really move to this crap-hole of a town?” “They shut down the auto-parts plant in Janesville,” Eric said. “But my dad got transferred to the one here. He's the best supervisor they've had, according to him, so...” “Thousands of people got laid off, but your dad caught a break.” Eric nodded. He'd caught a break, too. He had four more days to do better by Donna and get her back.

#That 70s Show #That '70s Show #Eric Forman #Donna Pinciotti #Steven Hyde #Fanfic #One Difference: The Angel Offers Eric Another Choice #Buddy Morgan #Fez #Eric x Donna #Michael Kelso #Jackie Burkhart #Eric and Donna

12 notes · View notes

not-close-to-straight · 7 years

Text

Flags (Part Three)(#PrideFic)(Spideypool)

(Keep in mind reading this chapter, that this is my own personal view of my pansexuality and sexual identities--filtered through Wade Wilson’s mouth, so take it with a grain of salt-- and it might not line up with other peoples view or definitions, but that’s the beauty of different sexual identities, we all live them a different way.)

Part One Part Two ******************** “So.” Peter took a bite of the ice cream Wade offered him. “So pansexual means you are attracted to everyone.” “No.” Wade shook his head. “No it means I can be attracted to everyone. Lots of people assume pansexuals are real easy, that we will sleep with anything with two legs but that's not true.” He shrugged a little. “I once dated a girl with one leg. No problem.” Peter burst out laughing and Wade leaned down to press a cold kiss to his lips. “Love that laugh, baby boy, glad you enjoy my jokes.” Peter's lips tingled a little from the unexpected kiss and he looked up shyly. “So you can be attracted to anyone? I guess I don’t see how--” “It's like this.” Wade slipped a thick arm around Peter's waist and steered him through the small crowd. “If I had seen you from the back, and fell in love with this ass--” He patted Peter's butt lightly. “when you turned around and I got a look at the rest of you, it wouldn't matter if you were a guy, a girl, non binary, gay, straight, asexual, bisexual, polyamorous, whatever it wouldn't matter. I'm already attracted to you so that's just that. It’s not that I WILL be with anyone, its just that I could be with anyone because I’m attracted to---” he thought about it for a second. “--I’m attracted to people beyond their gender or sexuality. Does that make sense?” “Asexuals? Are they a real thing?”

“Good god, its a good thing you’re cute.” Wade laughed and booped his nose. “Yeah, of course they are real. What does that even mean?”

“And you’d be with someone who was like that?”

“Yeah. Why not?”

“But… even like, trans-- um trans...people?” Peter hesitated. “I don't know the right word, I guess. Or people who look like... like one and then identify as another? What about them? “Petey what's your favorite physical thing about a girl?” Wade asked and Peter made a vague motion around his chest. “And your favorite thing about a guy?” Peter didn't answer and Wade tried hard not to laugh. “Alright, so imagine being with someone who has both those qualities. It's fun and exciting and… fun.” He shrugged a little. “

“And I realize maybe that sounded bad, but its not a weird kink or anything like that, its not that I prefer men with breasts or women with--” Wade raised his eyebrows suggestively. “Really it doesn’t have anything to do with what’s in their pants at all. Its more than that. Sexuality and gender is no hindrance for me when it comes to choosing partners. I can be with whoever catches my eye or piques my interest. If I’m kissing someone and oh hey, they haven’t been able to afford bottom surgery yet? No worries. Maybe they wear a binder and I can’t tell until I get their shirt off? Who cares? It doesn’t bother me. Being pansexual is...its an attraction to people beyond that whole physical thing. “That sounds… freeing.” Peter admitted. “It is. But so is deciding on your sexuality, no matter what it is.”

“I guess I'm just not comfortable with a label yet.” Peter reached for the ice cream, but Wade held it out of reach and tapped his lips. Peter had to stand on his toes to reach but he placed a shy kiss on Wade's mouth. “There you go.” Wade handed him the ice cream. “You don't have to label yourself, Pete. That's not what being comfortable with your sexuality means.” “But earlier you said to pick a flag and fly it proudly.” Peter argued. “That doesn't mean you can only have one flag.” Wade prodded him towards a bench in a lesser lit part of the park. “I don't know what that means.” “Look.” Wade sat heavily on the bench, clasping his hands loosely between his legs. “A lot of people think of sexuality as something that can't change. You're either straight or you're not. You're either gay or you’re not. It's like your height. You can pretend to be tall, but you either are or you aren't, right?” “Okay….” “But it doesn't have to be like that. Sexuality can be more like… your weight. Alright? Sometimes you’re big, sometimes you’re small, most of the time you're somewhere in between. Some people are small their entire lives. Some people are big their entire lives. Sometimes you're small and edge towards big as you get older. Sometimes you dive right into being big. Other times you watch from a distance because you're scared to be small.” “That's--” Peter scrunched his nose. “A lot of words. But it makes sense. I think.” “What I'm trying to say is, just because you want to kiss me today, doesn't mean you have to be upset because you want to kiss that hot blond at the ice cream store tomorrow. Sexuality doesn’t have to be a solid thing, it can change as you grow as a person, just like our weight changes. Sometimes it changes day to day, sometimes it takes years. Don’t let labels freak you out. Just be who and what you want to be on any given day.” “But when people ask what I am, what am I supposed to say?” “You tell them that you're smart and pretty and rock skinny jeans like nobodies business. Your sexuality isn't something that has to be talked about. Basically, unless they are trying to get in your pants, why is it any of anyone's business who you prefer to kiss?” “Oh.” Peter blinked. “I never thought about that.” “People attach their sexuality to descriptions like it matters. ‘Oh that's Ron. He's gay and an accountant.’ They wouldn't ever do that with anything else. ‘That's Alicia. She has a brother and is a nail tech.’ Or ‘That's Michelle, she has hemorrhoids and works at Starbucks.’” Wade shook his head. “Its stupid, you know?” “Nobody cares about your sexuality. And if they do, they are either trying to judge you, or trying to fuck you, you know?” he jabbed Peter in the thigh playfully. “You don't have to announce to the world what side of the rainbow flag you identify with, baby. You don’t have to come out as anything to anyone if you don’t want. As long as you know.” “As long as I know.” Peter repeated and licked his lips to get the last bit of ice cream from them. “Thank you, this… this helps.” “Pansexual Man is always here to help the citizens.” Wade teased and relaxed back against the bench. “I realize my advice or whatever might not be what you would get from anyone else, but it's what helps me. When I said to pick a flag, I don't mean it has to be trailing behind you like a cloak as you go about your day.” “You mean like you?” Peter retorted and Wade grinned. “Well, I absolutely pull off the cape and cowl look. I'm practically Batman. Except you know, rainbow flavored.” Peter cracked up all over again and Wade scooped him right off the bench and onto his lap. “Oh!” Peter exclaimed and Wade bumped their noses together. “Pete. Not to ruin this educational little moment, but every time you laugh I feel like it like a legitimate fucking ache in my body. Let me kiss you some more, huh? Please?” “Oh now you're asking?” Peter raised an eyebrow, but he was blushing, dark eyes sparkling and Wade could barely handle it. “I seem to recall you taking a few kisses already.” “And I should have asked.” Wade confessed. “Consent is huge for me, shouldn't have even touched you without permission. I got a little caught up with all this and wasn't asking. I'm sorry.” “You don't have to ask.” Peter mumbled and wiggled a little closer. “I'm going to anyway.” Wade said, tilting his face up. “Can I kiss you?” “God, yes.” *****************

Closer to the end of Pride Month ***************** “Where the hell is Parker? Why is that kid never around when I need--” “Mr Jameson.” someone interrupted. “Peter just walked through the front door. If you would like I will--” “Send him to my office! Irritating. Kids a damn genius, can't even be at work when I want him to.” Jameson was puffing on a cigar irritably, pacing in his office. “Do people not own watches anymore?” “Mr Jameson.” Pete ducked into the office, closely followed by Wade. “So sorry, I was halfway across town when you called me and--” “Who the hell is this?” He interrupted, pointing at Wade “Are we just bringing visitors now? Does this look like bring- your -personal-trainer- to -work day? I don't like new people in here, you know that! What took you so damn long to--to---” his voice actually trailed off when Wade took a step forward and laced his fingers through Peter's, pulling the younger kid back against his chest. “You're interrupting our date.” Wade narrowed his eyes. “So maybe you stop yelling and start--” “Wade.” Peter murmured, trying not to show how thrilled he was about protective Wade. “Sorry sir. What did you need from me?” “Nothing.” Jameson dropped into his chair, still looking a little shell shocked. “You know what, forget it. It's not important. Go enjoy a nice day with your boyfriend. Um--” he scribbled something on a receipt and shoved it at them. “Give this to the girl out front. Happy Pride Month, boys.” “Um, thank you.” Peter said quietly, confused, and quickly tugged a still glaring Wade out of the door and to the secretary. “Heya Pete.” She said with a smile and took the receipt. “Oh. Congratulations.” Her eyes twinkled down at their hands. “Jameson has a soft spot for new love.” “Oh.” Peter blushed a little and took the check she handed him and Wade just grinned. “So all that bluster and bullshit and your editor turns to goo when he sees us holding hands?” Wade opened the door and pushed Peter through to get outside. “Yeah, he's got a real thing for Pride Month.” Peter said, glancing down at the 300 dollar bonus check. “Nobody really knows why.” “Well don't argue about it when the man is giving us money.” Wade wrapped an arm around his shoulders. “Let's go get some Mexican food and go back to my place.” “Yours?” Peter stammered, because they hadn't made it past kisses and holding hands these past couple weeks and going to Wade's place sounded like it could be… more. “If you want.” Wade shrugged and squeezed him a little tighter. “We can just watch a movie, eat some dinner no pressure Petey-pie. Just because I want to plant my flag and stake my claim on you doesn't mean that has to happen anytime soon.” He dropped a kiss on Peter's head, relieved to hear him laughing. Sex had been something they had only talked about in passing, and Peter had been fairly sure that he wasn't ready. Wade was fine with that. He'd hold hands and kiss the shit out of this beautiful boy until Pete was ready for more. “I'm not opposed to you planting your flag.” Peter said then, so quietly that Wade had to ask him to repeat it. “Are you serious? You think you're ready?” Wade's eyes lit up and Peter bit his lip nervously. “I--I think so. You'll take care of me, right?” “Baby boy, of course I will. Of course I will.” Ignoring the people shooting them dirty looks for standing in the middle of the sidewalk, Wade snuggled Peter close to his chest. “I'll take such good care of you, honey, if you're going to gift me with your first time, I'm gonna treat you like gold.” “Like gold?” Peter repeated and Wade cupped his jaw to lay a soft kiss on his lips. “Like gold, baby. At least until you're comfortable.” His dropped into a growl, right against his ear. “And once you're comfortable with me and with us, I'm gonna fuck your goddamn brains out.” “Shit.” Peter thought his knees would give out and Wade chuckled a little. “Oh but wait.” Peter pushed him away enough to look up him. “What if I want to fuck your goddamn brains out?” Wade's blue eyes were practically glowing, a flush racing up his neck and his hands clenching into fists in Peter's shirt. “You--you--want--” Wade dropped to one knee with a dramatic sigh and clasped Peter's hand to his heart. “Marry me, photographer man.” “Ask me again next Pride Month.” Peter laughed. “Come on now, I think you promised me Mexican food.” Wade jumped to his feet and tossed Peter over his shoulder. “Pansexual Man awaaaaaay!!!!!” ********************

#spideypool #pride fic #pansexual wade wilson #bisexual peter parker #pride month

373 notes · View notes