“Are you certain about this, Peter?” Tony asked, concern etched on his face. He looked at the young kid, who fidgeted with the hem of his shirt.
“Come on, they fought Spider-Man. Might as well know who they *really* fought,” Peter offered a grin, though Tony frowned at his attempt at levity. “Besides, how bad could it be? You announced ‘I am Iron Man’ to the world, and that wasn’t so terrible.”
“Minus the terrorist attacks and the constant threats on my life,” Tony retorted dryly.
“Mr. Stark, it’ll be fine.”
“They don’t even know you *as* Peter yet!” Tony threw his hands up in exasperation. Peter’s eyes widened, attempting a puppy-dog look. “No, no, don’t do that.” Tony swatted playfully at Peter, who chuckled softly.
“We just have to hope they’ll be okay with it,” Peter said with an encouraging smile. Tony returned an uneasy grin.
“Fine, freaking kids,” Tony grumbled under his breath before leading the way into the room where the Avengers were gathered, talking amongst themselves.
“Mr. Stark, you go first,” Peter all but shoved Tony forward, causing the Avengers to glance up curiously at the stumbling man. He straightened his shirt and clapped his hands together. “Hello, friends and acquaintances. Remember that red and blue arachnid kid? Well, he’s here in person and wants to introduce himself.” Tony gestured for Peter to come forward. He’d been anticipating a dramatic entrance—swinging from the ceiling, perhaps—not a simple walk into the room. “We need to work on your entrances.”
“Mr. Stark, not now,” Peter said, a touch of exasperation in his voice.
“This is Spider-Man?” Steve Rogers asked, confusion evident in his tone.
“I’m Peter Parker,” Peter replied, his voice quiet.
“You’re a child,” Steve corrected, his gaze fixed on Peter. Tony glared at him. Peter shrank in on himself and glanced at Tony for some help.
“Yeah, but he kicked your butt,” Stark added with a grin, knowing Peter wouldn’t say anything to correct him.
“How did you get your powers?” Natasha Romanoff asked, her eyes fixed on Peter. Peter’s eyes widened at the fact that she was talking to him.
“Um, a spider bit me,” he blurted out, blinking stupidly at Natasha, who nodded with unconvinced skepticism. This wasn’t how it had played out in Peter’s head at all.
“How old are you?” Wanda Maximoff asked, staring curiously at the new superhero.
“I’m sixteen.”
“He’s about my age,” Wanda turned her head to give a stare at Steve. “I must be a kid then, too.”
“You look twelve,” Clint Barton pointed out, and Peter resisted the urge to blush. Tony wrapped an arm around Peter’s shoulder, sensing his discomfort with all the stares and questions.
“Tony, are we really bringing more kids into this?” Bruce Banner questioned, his words not an insult, but a genuine inquiry.
“I’m not an Avenger,” Peter corrected. “I just help out the little guys.” Natasha almost gave him a look of respect at his words.
“I dropped a semi-truck on you,” Steve said, his voice laced with guilt and anger. Peter wasn’t sure to whom those emotions were directed.
“Yeah, but I’m fine,” Peter opened his arms as if to show the fact that he was indeed unharmed.
“Man of Spiders,” Thor boomed, and Peter’s mouth snapped shut. “I have heard you are a good warrior, is this true?”
“Not really—” Peter began, but Tony nudged him gently, silencing him.
“He’s great,” Tony answered for Peter, who looked unconvinced. Tony noticed, once again, Peter’s discomfort. “You’re great.” He directed this to Peter, who nodded gratefully.
“Is he your kid or something?” Clint asked. Wanda slapped his arm saying something about how he was being rude.
“No,” Tony rolled his eyes. “I wouldn’t let my kid get bit by a radioactive spider. I’m much better than that.”
“Is that so?” Pepper Potts walked in, instantly drawing Tony’s attention.
“Yes, it is,” Stark grinned flirtatiously at Ms. Potts. “I’d be a wonderful father.”
“You forgot to turn the oven off this morning,” Pepper pointed out accusingly. Peter looked at his watch and his eyes widened.
“Um, I gotta go! Aunt May is going to kill me! If I’m not home in five minutes she’s definitely taking away my computer—”
“That dinosaur of a thing? You care about that?” Tony asked with a smirk.
“Yes, I do,” Peter replied quickly. He turned to the Avengers and waved. “Bye!” He turned to Tony, who pulled him into a hug. “Bye, Mr. Stark.” The kid then sprinted out of the room, leaving the others in stunned silence.
“He seems nice,” Natasha observed.
“He’s smart, a genius,” Tony smiled proudly. Bruce perked up.
“A genius?”
“Yes, he helps me all the time down in the lab.”
“Nerds,” Clint scoffed mockingly. Tony rolled his eyes at the childish adult.
“Can I ask why he isn’t an Avenger?” Wanda asked, raising an eyebrow at Tony.
“I don’t want him put in harm’s way.”
“What she said was totally outrageous,” Tony waved his hands in the air.
“Tony?” Natasha stared unamused at the billionaire.
“Yeah?”
“Stop lying to yourself.”