Chapter Text
Tony was sitting and pretending to listen to whatever the Board members were arguing about at the most recent Stark Industries meeting when he got the call. He shot an apologetic look at Pepper and got out of there as quickly as he could. Ever since the entire Homecoming incident he made sure not to miss any calls from the kid.
He picked up the phone expecting to hear the kid thank him for returning the suit. What he did not expect however was to hear a very angry May saying, “You son of a bitch.”
Now he knew he wasn’t her favorite person but he couldn’t, for the life of him figure out what he had done but before he could let out even a single word she was making it very clear it to him.
“Do you mind explaining to me why my 15-year-old nephew is running around the streets of New York serving vigilante justice in a suit you gave him.”, May almost screamed into the phone without taking a single breath.
“Oh! So, he finally told you.”, was all Tony could think to say. He could hear Peter in the background telling his aunt that it wasn’t Tony’s fault but he doubted May would ever see it that way.
“No, I wish I had that privilege. I had to find out by walking in on him standing in his room wearing the suit.”, May said furiously.
Tony sighed and said, “You know for such a smart kid he can be really stupid sometimes.” The minute he finished the sentence, he knew that had been absolutely the wrong thing to say.
“That’s all you have to say for yourself”, May asked in the same tone Pepper always used when he screwed up really bad. He realized he should go and talk to May about this personally so he called for his car and started for Queens.
In a contrite tone Tony said, “No, I’m sorry. Look, I’m already on my way and then we can sit and discuss this properly.”
“Okay”, was all May said.
The entire ride over Tony kept thinking about how he could justify not telling May about Peter being Spiderman but he realized there was none. She was his guardian and he should have insisted she know.
He reached Queens in record time and was surprised to find himself actually nervous at the prospect of facing May. He knocked tentatively expecting to find May glaring at him on the other side of the door.
Instead he saw a disheveled looking Peter with red eyes. The knowledge that Peter had been crying tugged at his heart. Before he could say a single word, Peter started talking a mile a minute.
“Mister Stark, I’m so sorry”, he said while motioning for Tony to come inside. “I told her not to call you because you’re busy and that this isn’t your fault but she was really upset and she kept saying that since you were the adult you should have known better. I’m sorry you had to drive all the way ….”
Tony held up his hand before he could go any further and Peter started looking down as if he was ashamed.
“Hey Pete, I am the adult and she’s not wrong I should have known better okay. How are you holding up?”, he asked because somehow his first priority had become to make sure the kid was okay.
“I’m okay.”, Peter said even though he was far from it.
Tony didn’t want to push him so instead he asked, “Where is your unusually attractive aunt anyway?”
That got a small smile out of him and the sight of it warmed his heart.
It was quickly wiped away however as Peter said,” She went out to get something to eat. She said she needed to clear her head before you came over. What will I do if she doesn’t let be Spiderman anymore, Mister Stark?”
Tony understood this was a possibility but he didn’t want Peter to feel worse than he already did so all he said was,” Why don’t we just sit down and wait for her to come home before thinking about all that.”
Peter led him to the sofa and slumped down on one end of it. Tony sat closer to him than he normally would have because he knew Peter needed his support at that moment.
They talked about for a few minutes about school and what Tony was currently working in his lab but they both froze when they heard the key turning in the lock.
May entered the apartment and narrowed her eyes the minute her gaze landed on Tony. She set the bags she was carrying on the counter and made her way to where Peter and Tony were sitting.
She took a deep breath and turned towards Tony and simply said,” Explain yourself.”
Tony braced himself and said,” Look May, I understand why you are upset with me and you have every right to be but trust me I only want what’s best for Peter. I did give him the suit because it offers him the kind of protection that no other suit can. It also lets me know if he is ever in danger and I can be there to help him out.”
May sighed and said,” All that’s well and good. What I don’t understand is why he has to go out there and do all this anyway. He is just 15. How can he fight against actual criminals?”
Peter who had been quiet until then spoke before Tony could answer. “May I have told you, after the spider bite I got these powers. My reflexes are like crazy fast, all my senses are heightened and I am much stronger now. I mean you saw the video of me stopping that car.”, he said in a placating manner.
“Yes, I did and it nearly gave me heart attack”, May snapped.
When she saw Peter flinch at her tone she softened her voice and said,” Look sweetie, I can understand your need to help people. Ben was like that too but you never learned how to fight. What if the suit is damaged in a fight and you can’t rely on it anymore? What are you planning to do then?”
Peter opened his mouth to speak but he couldn’t think of anything to support his argument so Tony spoke for him. He said,” I can help with that. I mean, I am an Avenger. Me or someone else can teach Peter everything necessary for him to hold his own in a fight if that scenario occurs.”
Tony wasn’t sure if that was the right thing to say but when he saw the way Peter was smiling at him, whatever doubts he had disappeared.
For the next couple of hours, they calmly discussed everything until May was satisfied. She imposed some rules which Peter would have to follow if he wanted to continue being Spiderman. Peter readily agreed to all of them.
The first was that school had to come first. He wasn’t allowed to go out until he was done with his homework. The second was he would have a curfew. It was 12 am on weekdays and 1:00 on weekends. The last was that he would spend every afternoon on the weekends at the compound for his training.
Tony recognized the rules as fair and supported May in her decision. May then went to prepare dinner. They invited Tony to stay but he figured he should give them time as a family and decided to head out.
While walking Tony to the door Peter said,” Thank you so much, Mister Stark. I doubt I could have gotten her to agree without your help. I’m sorry you had to come all the way out here and for the training sessions. Not that I wouldn’t love to train with the Avengers but- “
Tony interrupted him before he rambled on. He said,” Kid if I didn’t want to train you I wouldn’t have offered to okay. And I’m glad I could help out and if you need anything you can always call me.”
“Thank you, Mister Stark.” He said while fidgeting with his clothes.
Tony could tell the kid wanted to hug him but since the he had been shut down the last time he had tried he wasn’t willing to try again.
Tony sighed and wrapped his arms around the kid and couldn’t help but smile as he felt Peter hug him back tightly. He stepped back and ruffled his hair before leaving.
As he was driving back he realized that he couldn’t wait for next weekend.