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As Happy pulled the car up to the curb, Peter couldn’t help but flinch at the flashing lights of the photographers. He swallowed down the mix of nerves inside him, his stomach fluttering.
“You okay, Peter?” Tony asked, peering at Peter over the seat. His expression was filled with concern, and it made Peter’s insides feel warm.
“I’m good,” Peter said, his voice a little shaky but his smile real.
Beside him, Pepper gently took his hand, giving it a squeeze. “You’re going to be great, Peter. Just be yourself and have fun.”
“Pep’s right,” Tony said, shooting a smile over his shoulder. “You’re here to have fun, Peter. You’ve got this.”
When Tony Stark had asked him to attend a benefit that Stark Industries was throwing, Peter had hardly been able to contain his excitement and nerves.
“Really?” Peter had asked, staring at Tony with awe.
“Of course,” Tony smiled at him, all soft and paternal. “You’re my intern and a valued employee of Stark Industries. Of course you are invited.”
“But I don’t have anything to wear,” Peter had said to Tony.
Tony had grinned back at him. “Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.”
Peter had tried protesting, but it had been no use. He was now the owner of his very own custom suit that he was too scared to ask how much it had cost. Peter had carefully dressed at the Tower, heart hammering in his chest. When he had emerged from his room, Tony was already dressed and waiting for him.
He beamed at Peter, carefully taking the limp tie from Peter’s hand, and doing it for him. Something warm and happy had fluttered in Peter’s chest at the act. Pepper had joined them a moment later, her dress the prettiest thing Peter had ever seen, and they had made their way down to the car where Happy had been waiting for him.
“Ready?” Happy asked from the behind the driver’s seat.
“Ready,” Peter had nodded.
Tony had exited the car and a second later he was opening the door for Peter and Pepper, helping them out of the car.
“Mind your eyes,” Tony had said as the photographer’s swung their cameras towards them. “Just relax and smile. Don’t worry about them.”
Bracing himself, Peter leaned into Tony’s side as he wrapped one arm around Peter’s shoulder’s, the other around Pepper’s waist, and led them up the stairs and to the doors. Flashes went off around them, people yelling Tony’s name as they went past them. It fell away as the doors opened for them, Tony guiding them inside.
A string quartet filled the large room with wonderful music. It weaved seamlessly with the chatter that echoed around the room, highlighting the stylish setting and the beautifully dressed people. Peter gazed around the room, taking it all in as Tony led them through the room.
It seemed like everyone stopped to say hello to Tony as they tried to make their way into the room.
Tony smiled at the politely, said hello but kept guiding him and Pepper through the crowd and towards the bar that sat at the back of the room.
“Mr Stark!”
“Why don’t you and Pep get a drink,” Tony suggested to Peter, carefully removing his arm from his shoulder. “I’ll join you in a moment.”
“Come on,” Pepper said, expertly hooking her arm around Peter’s.
Allowing himself to be tugged along, he followed Pepper to the bar, leaving Tony to be swarmed by a group of older men with greying hair. They stepped up the bar where a bartender greeted them promptly.
“What can I get you?”
“A glass of champagne and a coke,” Pepper ordered smoothly.
The bartender nodded and moved swiftly. In no time they had their drinks and with her free hand, Pepper placed her hand on Peter’s shoulder and started guiding him away.
“Miss Potts.”
A young-looking man stood before them. He was handsome, hair slicked back and an easy smile on his face that made the hair on Peter’s arms raise.
“Mr. Ware,” Pepper greeted cordially. “I see you managed a pass tonight.”
Mr. Ware’s smile grew sharper. “I did. Funny, the things we do to move up.”
Peter frowned at the implication, something sharp twisting in his stomach. Did Mr. Ware forget his manners tonight? Or was this how he always talked to people?
“Have a good evening, Mr. Ware,” Pepper said. She started to move Peter forward, but Ware stopped them by stepping closer.
“How does tonight’s benefit show that Stark Industries has been flourishing under the new direction of the CEO?” Ware asked.
A reporter. A bad one at that, Peter thought as he features shifted into a scowl. “Are you new?” the words flowed out of Peter before he could stop them.
Ware’s attention shifted to Peter, eyebrows raised.
“Miss Potts has a BA in finance,” Peter said. “Everyone knows that SI only hires the best in their field, which it’s a shame that journalism doesn’t.”
“Excuse me –“ Ware spluttered.
“And if you were good at your job, you would know that Stark Industries has been flourishing under Pepper’s leadership,” Peter continued. “Stock levels have risen, SI has exceeded their prediction of reducing emissions and all offices only use clean energy and have for the past year. Did you even do any research before accusing Miss Potts of being a bad CEO?”
Ware shifted from foot to foot, glaring at Peter. “And what would Stark’s illegitimate child know?”
“Wow, you really are a bad reporter,” Peter said, shaking his head.
“And are of no value to tonight’s events,” Pepper said. She turned her head and nodded once.
Seemingly from nowhere, security appeared at Mr. Ware’s side, crowding in close.
Ware spluttered. “You can’t – hey! Let me go!”
Heads turned as Mr. Ware was escorted form the party, whispers breaking out and Peter felt his cheeks flushing hot. He hurried to take a sip of his drink, mouth feeling parched. He gulped down half his drink before Pepper was gently taking the glass from his hand and handing his and her own to a nearby server.
She guided Peter towards the dance floor, and he felt his stomach flip as she placed one of his hands on her waist, the other in her hand. Her other hand came to rest on his shoulder, and they started swaying back and forth among the other dancers.
“Thank you,” Pepper said.
Peter felt himself flush again. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have – I just – it just came out.”
Pepper laughed, shaking her head. “You don’t need to apologise. I appreciate the kind words you said, even though you didn’t need to.”
“He was being mean to you,” Peter frowned. “Why can’t they see that you are amazing?”
Pepper smiled at him sadly. “There are always people looking to tear others down.”
“You’re awesome,” Peter declared loudly.
Pepper’s smile grew softer. “And so are you. And, while you may not be Tony’s biologically, you are his kid.”
Peter ducked his head. “I know and he’s my dad.” Peter peeked up at Pepper, giving him a shy smile. “And you’re the coolest mum ever.”
Pepper beamed brightly, her eyes shimmering in the light. “I’m honoured you think of me that way.”
Peter’s heart flipped in his chest, his smile stretching his face. They continued to sway back and forth while others danced moves that Peter was sure would make him step on Pepper’s toes. When the song ended, the crowd applauded, and a new song started to play.
“Mind if join?” Tony asked, appearing at their sides.
“I’m going to make my rounds,” Pepper said. She pressed a kiss to Peter’s temple, smiling softly at him. “Have fun.”
Peter gaped as Tony took up Pepper’s position and started dancing him around the room.
“I heard you defended Pepper,” Tony grinned at Peter as they danced.
“I – he was being mean to her!” Peter spluttered.
“You really are the best kid,” Tony said, looking at him softly. “You did a really brave thing, kiddo. I’m really proud of you.”
“I’m not in trouble?” Peter asked.
Tony snorted. “No kid. Ware is the one who is in trouble. He wasn’t even supposed to be here tonight. Snuck in hoping to look for a story.”
Peter frowned at that.
“And Pep can handle herself, but it’s nice for her to see that she has us in her corner,” Tony continued.
“She’s awesome,” Peter said.
Tony winked. “That she is. And you are too.”
Peter grinned back. “Thanks for inviting me.”
“Thanks for sharing this with me, kid,” Tony said.
The rest of the party would go smoothly, and Peter would be introduced to many people who would shake his hand and ask lots of questions. Tomorrow he would wake up to a news article about Tony introducing his kid to the world. Peter would flush but not deny it. He didn’t mind people knowing that he was Tony’s kid. He wanted everyone to know what an amazing man he was and how amazing Pepper was too.
As Tony whirled Peter around the dance floor, uncaring of those who watched on and whispered, Peter felt for the first time that he was the luckiest person on earth.