Ok, I just finished my Valentine's Day story for you. How do I submit it? Here? I'm so sorry it's late and I really tried. It's probably not what you wanted, but hopefully it's ok?
Tony watches as Peter’s eyes glisten in the soft blue glow of the hologram in front of him. The younger man stares intently at the latest schematics for his Spider-man suit, studying the newest upgrades from all angles and mentally taking notes for additional ideas. For Tony, there is something so enthralling about Peter when he’s deep in thought. He is simultaneously serious and focused, but also innocent and unguarded. Seeing him like that made something flutter and spark in Tony’s chest. That dangerous flutter has been happening more and more lately whenever Peter is around and it makes Tony nervous, despite the undeniable thrill that comes with it.
Lately Tony feels like he’s in a constant battle with himself over how he feels about Peter. He is supposed to be a mentor and a guide, and in his head he knows this and reminds himself regularly. But the more time the two of them spend together, and the closer they are becoming as friends is making it harder and harder for his heart to listen to what his head is telling him. Peter is young yes, but he is also impressively smart, endlessly brave and achingly kind. In spite of the obvious reasons why Tony’s newfound feelings for Peter are wrong, there are also plenty of reasons why they are right. The two of them share experiences as superheroes that most people will never understand, as well as a mutual love of science and technology that often leads to hours-long conversations and brainstorming sessions. To an outside observer Peter is the antithesis of Tony in so many ways, but Tony knows that’s why they work so well together. Even in the face of what he has already been through, Peter isn’t damaged by the world yet like Tony is. He isn’t weary and jaded and he doesn’t break everything he touches. Peter provides a balance to Tony that he so desperately needs.
And as time goes on, Tony knows his head is losing the battle with his heart. Regardless of the protests from his logical mind he just can’t stop the pull he feels whenever he’s in Peter’s orbit. He is helpless against it. He often finds himself standing closer and closer to the younger man while they work. Leaning over just so when explaining something or while listening to Peter describe a new idea. Tony just needs to be near him, needs to touch. Even if it’s just a hand on his shoulder, there is something about Peter that makes Tony feel solid, grounded, and real. Peter is good, and Tony needs more good in his life. Especially after everything that happened in Germany, the fragmented state of disarray the Avengers find themselves in, and the final break in his relationship with Pepper. In a seemingly endless stream of bad, Tony is very much craving something good.
Nevertheless, Tony remains determined to keep their relationship above board and appropriate. Peter is too important to him to screw this up. But he also knows his resolve is waning a little more each day he spends with Peter because it is quickly becoming more and more obvious that Tony isn’t the only one with new feelings. While Peter has never said anything outright, there have been too many times Tony has caught him staring, only to look away when Tony’s eyes meet his, teeth pressed into his bottom lip biting back a smile and cheeks blushing softly. It’s a look that sets Tony’s heart racing and sends a rush of heat surging through his entire body. It’s an excitement he hasn’t felt in a long time. Exhilarating and terrifying in the best way.
Suddenly, Tony hears the sound of Peter clearing his throat and realizes he’s been lost in thought for too long and is staring blankly at Peter through the hologram of his suit. He quickly pulls himself back to reality and tries his best to distract from what he’d been doing,
“What’s up kid?” He tries for nonchalant, hoping Peter doesn’t question his actions.
“Uh, I was just saying that I’ve um, I’ve gotta probably head out. I’ve got, you know, homework and May doesn’t want me to miss dinner.” Peter replies as he awkwardly shifts his weight from foot to foot, seemingly anxious under Tony’s gaze.
“Oh, yeah, no problem.” Tony smiles, “Wait, she isn’t cooking is she? Because I don’t think I could, in all good conscience, send you off to something like that. I save people Peter, not the other way around," he declares, feigning seriousness.
Peter lets out a breathy laugh and his smile beams as it reaches his eyes, “No, don’t worry. There’s actually a new Moroccan place that she wants to try. She’s been looking forward to it.”
“Ok, well I’ll allow it then,” Tony says with a wry grin. “You gonna come back tomorrow? I’ve got something for your web shooters I want to show you.”
“Oh, um, well I have academic decathlon practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but uh, I could, maybe..” Peter fumbles ineloquently.
“Hey, no. School stuff first.” Tony cuts him off before he can finish. While Tony enjoys spending time with Peter, he doesn’t want to interfere with his schooling or his friends. “How about Friday then? Unless you’ve got a hot date or something?” Tony questions, waggling his eyebrows comically for emphasis.
Peter’s mouth drops open slightly at Tony’s suggestion and he stares with a somewhat dumbfounded expression, “I, uh, no I don’t, but um, I mean, don’t you?”
“What? Me?” Tony chuckles, “No, sadly I haven’t had any hot dates in a long time, kid.”
“Oh, ok. I just thought that maybe since it’s you know, Valentine’s Day and all, but um, yeah, I can come back on Friday.” Peter’s voice carries a hint of nervousness in it.
Tony’s hands pause on the piece of equipment was working on. He hadn’t realized the date. It was an honest mistake, but he wants to give Peter an out just in case he feels uncomfortable about it. “Oh, um, I didn’t realize that was Friday. Well, hey, you go do something fun then. I can show you the thing with the web shooters anytime. I’m sure there must be someone special in your class you’d like to spend Valentine’s Day with?” Tony forces another smile, but tries to keep his voice casual.
Peter’s mouth opens and closes a few times as if his brain is struggling to form words. “I uh, no, there isn’t. I mean I do, or there is, just not…not in my class.” The last part of his sentence is barely above a whisper, but Tony catches it just the same and instantly feels the flutter in his chest go wild, but he tries his best to keep his composure. He considers pressing Peter for more information on this mystery person, suspecting he already knows who it is, but ultimately decides not to push it.
“Ok, well then I guess I’ll see you Friday.” Tony turns his attention back to the machinery in his hand. Out of the corner of his eye he sees Peter’s shoulders slump slightly at the realization that Tony wasn’t going to question him further, but he can’t tell if it’s from relief or disappointment. As Peter grabs his backpack and turns to head for the lab door, Tony can’t resist having a bit of fun, while also testing a theory, and calls out “It’s a date!” as Peter steps into the hallway. The younger man jumps slightly in surprise, turning back and Tony can see the smile tugging at his mouth and his face flushing a deep crimson.
Once he is gone, Tony puts down the piece of equipment in his hands and braces himself against the lab table in front of him, dropping his head down between his shoulders and letting out a deep breath. "What are you doing?" He admonishes himself under his breath. Tony knew he was playing a dangerous game, but the more he thought about the smile on Peter’s face at the suggestion of a date between the two of them, the less he found he cared about the consequences.
Peter returns on Friday afternoon as planned and Tony can’t help the flip-flop his stomach does when he sees the younger man enter the lab.
“Hey Mr. Stark, uh, how’s it going?”
“Hey kid. Good, you? Get any valentines today? Any secret admirers?” Tony hopes he sounds playful and not like a prying parent.
Peter blushes slightly, looking bashful and laughing nervously, “What? No…no way. But that’s ok. I didn’t expect anything though so, you know, it’s no big deal.”
Tony feels an ache in his chest and his heart breaks a little at the thought that Peter didn’t even expect someone to like him or simply notice him. But he knew the other kids at Peter’s school just didn’t know him like Tony did. They didn’t know the amazing person behind the safety goggles and science pun t-shirts. They didn’t know what they were missing.
Tony is pulled from his thoughts when Peter speaks up again, “So, uh, what did you want to show me with the web shooters, Mr. Stark?” His ochre eyes meet Tony’s and the sparkle there is enough to make the breath catch in the older man’s throat.
Tony quickly glances over to where he’d left the shooters and he immediately feels a pang of fear over what he’s done. Did he over step? Would Peter think it was too much? The idea came to him after Peter left the other day. After Tony’s “it’s a date" declaration. He had meant it as a joke, mostly, but ultimately figured if he was going to be monopolizing Peter’s Valentine’s Day, he might as well do something nice for him.
“Uh, yeah, yeah. They’re right here.” He picks up the devices and somewhat hesitantly hands them over to Peter. “I uh, I figured out a way for them to hold more web fluid without adding more bulk, so, you know, they’ll still be light and flexible, but you’ll be less likely to run out of webbing during a fight.”
Peter turns the wrist pieces over in his hands while he listens. “Whoa, that’s awesome Mr. Stark. Thank you! But, uh, why do they look different? What is this metal you used?”
Tony runs his hand over the back of his neck nervously, feeling a bit embarrassed under Peter’s gaze. “I uh, it’s an iron-copper-magnesium alloy.” Tony explains while Peter’s eyebrows scrunch a bit in confusion, “It’s from Mark I, actually. It’s um, some of the pieces I recovered from the rubble of my house in Malibu.” Tony looks at Peter warily as realization crosses the younger man’s features.
This is from your first Iron Man suit? The one you built in that cave in Afghanistan?” Peter asks in shock. “Wha…oh my god Mr. Stark. I didn’t even know you were able to save any of it.”
“Just a few pieces. I couldn’t believe there was anything left at all to be honest.”
“Oh well I, I can’t take this from you. It’s too important and if you only have a little left…” Peter rushes out, trying to hand the shooters back to Tony.
Hey no, no.” Tony pushes Peter’s hands away gently, “I want you to have these. That suit…that suit was the result of the worst thing that’s ever happened to me, but…but in the end it turned out to be the best thing because it changed my life in the most incredible way. Iron Man is a part of me and now…and now so are you, Peter Parker.” Tony smiles and tries to gauge what Peter is thinking.
Really? I mean, you feel like I’m…I’m a part of you?” Peter asks hopefully.
“Of course, Peter. You’re amazing, and smart, and you tolerate me way better than pretty much anyone else, and I…I can’t imagine my life without you in it.” Tony winces slightly at his sudden admission, hoping it wasn’t too much, despite it being the truth.
“Mr. Stark I…thank you. Thank you so much. I don’t know what to say.”
“Happy Valentine’s Day, Peter.” Now it was Tony’s turn to blush. He looks down to the floor, trying to hide his burning cheeks.
“But, wait,” Peter says, “I didn’t get you anything.”
Tony laughs quietly, “You don’t have to get me anything Pete. Don’t worry about it.”
He starts turning away to head back over to his computer when he hears Peter moving quickly behind him. He feels the younger man’s hand on his shoulder, spinning him around and before he can register what’s happening, he feels the warmth of Peter’s lips softly pressing against his own. It’s gentle and unsure, but also electrifying and perfect. As they separate, Peter takes a small step back and looks up at Tony with impossibly wide eyes. He smiles sweetly before whispering,
“Happy Valentine’s Day, Mr. Stark.”
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