A Slice Of Life, Death And Everything In-Between

Mortals' Chiefest Enemy

Peter nods, a blush heating his cheeks when Tony gently ruffles his curls. "If it wasn't for Peter here, I'd probably just be a handsome splat on the wall, huh?"

"What is he doing here?" Steve buts in, finally breaking free of the circle of heroes and making his way in-front of Peter, crossing his arms. He looks the spiderling over, his blue eyes narrowed. "I thought you told him to stay home, Tony?"

"Of course I did, Rogers." Tony snaps, pulling Peter even closer to his side. "He just didn't listen, like always."

"Hmm." Steve studies Peter for a few more seconds, before his mouth quirks up in a small smile. "Well, good work then, son. Thanks for helping out."

"Thank you, uh, Mr. Captain America, uh, sir." Peter stutters, face heating in a blush and he ducks his head, blushing even harder when Tony presses a proud kiss against his temple.

"Call me Steve, kid. It's only fair for a future official member of our team." Steve grins again, patting Peter on the shoulder before he straightens, face becoming serious. "We were able to find the stash of alien weapons, by the way, Tony. They hadn't managed to figure out how to use them, thankfully."

"Which proves just how dumb they all were," Bruce says, having finally transferred down from Hulk. His clothes are tattered and he leans against Thor, the blonde supporting him with an arm around his waist, pressing a kiss against his boyfriend's cheek. "I swear, all you need to do it make sure the electrons are alined--"

"-- so the atoms can form an even stronger bond." Peter finishes, before snapping his jaw shut, his eyes wide. "Oh, s-sorry, Dr. Banner, my bad."

Bruce, however, just smiles. "Oh, it's quite alright, Peter. Thank you, yes, as I was saying, it's--"

"--Time to get back home, it's been a long, surprising day." Steve cuts in, all members of the team migrating as one toward the entrance to the warehouse, Peter still tucked against Tony's side.

No one speaks as they make their way toward where the Quinjet is parked, hacking through the overgrown trees and bushes around the property. Peter, squinting in the darkness of the now-fallen night, wraps his own hand around Tony's shirt sleeve, the billionaire having recalled the suit once outside.

"You doing okay, buddy?" Tony whispers, leaning in close. "Your arm alright?"

Peter nods, swallowing. "Y-Yeah, it's fine, that's not-not what's bothering me, I don't think."

Tony nudges Peter's good arm with his own. "What's up then?"

"When I saw those men, uh attack you?" Peter starts, swallowing. Above them, the silver glow of the moon drifts through the trees, illuminating the ground in bursts of green-white. "It made me so mad, I just couldn't think. Everything got all red and, and I accidentally activated Instant Kill Mode. For just a second."

"Oh, bug." Tony sighs, gently leading Peter into the open Quinjet ramp once they get closer, Bruce pausing for a second to check on Peter's arm before both father-and-son making their way to the far seats. "It's okay, really."

"You're not mad?" Peter asks, glancing up at his mentor through the artificial lights around them, watching as Tony's eyes soften.

"No, bambi, of course I'm not mad." He says, then holds up a finger. "About the Instant Kill thingy, not about you skipping school and sneaking on a dangerous mission and completely disobeying what I said. That I'm mad about."

"I just wanted to help--"

"--and I want you to be safe, Peter." Tony grabs both of Peter's shoulders, ducking his chin until he can meet the boy's eyes. "Any mission we have that you go on, bubba, it's planned . I plan for you to be there, for ways to keep you safe, what to teach you and guide you on. It's a learning experience, not just you being thrown in the heat of things."

"Oh," Peter swallows, blinking away sudden stinging tears and Tony gathers him close, curling his arms around the teen. Peter nuzzles underneath the billionaire's chin. "I'm sorry, Tony. I didn't mean to mess everything up."

"You didn't mess anything up, baby, and honestly? You did amazing, I'm so proud of you." Tony whispers, brushing Peter's curls back with a hand, his other cupping the spiderling's chin. "Not really proud of the way you ended up here, but you held your own and you saved me - even when I didn't need saving - and that takes a lot of guts, kid."

"Really?" Peter looks up at his dad, eyes wide. "Wow, t-thank you."

"Don't thank me, pumpkin, it's true." Tony kisses Peter's temple again, speaking the words against the boy's hairline. "You've got a beautiful heart and a genius brain, Peter, don't forget that."

Peter nods instead of verbally answerings, bringing his legs up into the seat beside him and leans fully against Tony, cuddling up against his father-figure's chest. Tony, for his part, just gathers him even closer, rocking them slowly with the motion of the jet. His voice, when he speaks, is a deep rumble in his chest, comforting against Peter's ear.

"You remember what I said earlier, about having you and May over for dinner?"

"Uh-huh," Peter smiles. "That sounds awesome, by the way, we should make it a weekly thing."

"Yeah, we should." Tony pauses for a second, adjusting Peter in his arms. "Anyways, that's still happening, by the way."

"That'll be awesome--" Peter starts, his grin growing, feeling Tony brush back another stray curl. "I can't wait!"

"And she's going to hear all about this little stunt of yours."

Peter huffs. "I knew there was a catch."

"Yep, well," Tony laughs, swiping his thumb softly across Peter's red-tinged cheek. "If we're going to do this co-parenting thingy, me and May gotta stay on the same wavelength, buddy."

"Ugh," Peter says, grimacing. His heart blooms in his chest at the words, however, and he can't stop himself from wrapping his own arms around his mentor's torso, nuzzling closer. "I'm gonna be so grounded, huh?"

"Oh yeah, sweet spider-baby of mine," Tony practically coos. "Most definitely. 6-feet under, in the shit hole, however you want to say it."

Peter sighs, tightening his grip around his father-figure and feeling Tony do the same to him. Despite the impending Aunt May-Freak Out that's in the future, the boy can't feel anything besides the love in his heart for the man he would have risked Insta-Kill for.

And he would do it all again, if that means that his dad comes home, safe and sound.

A/N: Thank you so much for reading! ❤️💙❤️💙