Chapter Text
Tony was working on the new Stark phone in the lab late at night. He wasn’t avoided other problems in his life like Pepper and Rhodey had seemly implied earlier. He was handling it all. He was staying on track of meetings and deadlines for Pepper, handling Avengers stuff, and trying to avoid the public eye as much as possible. He was fine. Peter was fine. So why did it feel like everything was seconds away from falling apart.
He sighed. He needed to stop overthinking and go to bed. Peter’s class was coming to SI for his field trip in the morning. Pepper had handled all the details and he was confident it would go smoothly but he knew Peter was going to fight him on going as he had down every day leading up to it since Tony had come home. There were moments Tony wanted to cave but he also knew there were going to be other moments in the kids life he’d want to get out of things too and he couldn’t always let him. There had to be a line drawn somewhere.
He shook his head. Nope. Five more minutes.
~
“Dad, I know you already said no but I want to ask one more time—“
“—No.” Tony continued scrolling on his tablet, “Just like I said the last twelve times you asked.”
“I really don’t think I should have to go tour the same place I spend almost all of my time.” Peter grumbled as he went to find food for breakfast.
Tony didn’t respond. There was nothing to say that he hadn’t already said numerous times.
“Now you aren’t even listening.” Peter rolled his eyes.
“I’ll sign you out when it’s over so you don’t have to go back to the school just to come here again. You also don’t have to take the bus. I told them you would meet the class in the lobby.”
~
Peter made his way to his classmates as they were scanning into the building. Ned and MJ saw him right away and came to update him on everything he had missed while they made their way to SI via bus.
“Your dad didn’t cave I see?” Ned asked.
“I don’t know why he is insisiting I need to be here for this. It’s like he hates me.”
“Or he wants you to be a well rounded individual.” MJ suggested.
“Everyone! My name is Sophia! I am your tour guide and will be here to assist with answering any questions you may have along the way. We will be visiting a couple of different areas. I do ask that you keep your visiter badges visible. We take security very seriously. If you do remove your badge I’m afraid you won’t be allowed to continue on this tour. Is everyone ready to get started?”
Heads nodded all around.
“Very well.” Sophia led the way to the elevator, “We will start in the Avengers Museum.”
Peter wandered around with Ned and MJ. He tried to smile and nod at the right moments.
“Dude. What’s going on with you?” Ned whispered.
“Are you this miserable?”
“No. It’s fine. Why do I need to be here?”
Ned rolled his eyes, “I don’t know but you might as well try to make the best of it or it’s going to be a really long day for the both of us.”
Peter felt some guilt at this. He didn’t want to ruin this for his friend. He just wanted to be at school or in the penthouse.
~
They made it to the cafeteria for lunch and Peter scanned his badge and loaded his tray. He didn’t care that it was over the amount Sophia had mentioned to the group. Tony was his guardian after all.
He was shoveling food into his mouth when Sophia walked over.
She sat down, “Hi Peter. I noticed you aren’t wearing your badge. I thought we talked about that.”
“Oh. I mean. I guess I never wear it.” Peter shrugged.
She smiled gently. “Right. It is the rules though. You also broke the rules for lunch and I know this probably doesn’t make sense to you because you have free rein of this building. I do need you to set an example for your classmates though.”
Peter rolled his eyes, “This is stupid. I don’t need to listen to you.”
Sophia tried to keep the hurt off her face, “I’m sorry you feel that way. I think I’m going to need to talk to your teacher about having a parent pick you up.”
“Do it then. In fact—Why don’t we just call good ol’ dad down here. Right, Friday?” Peter didn’t know why he was getting so heated. He just felt like he was losing control of his emotions.
“I’ve alerted the boss to the situation. He should be down momentarily.” Friday responded.
Peter felt nervous now. Tony was not going to be thrilled at the way he had treated Sophia.
~
“Peter Parker.” Tony sat down at the table with him and Sophia, “You owe Sophia an apology. We don’t treat people the way you just did.”
Peter knew he should just apologize while Tony was cool headed about this. He wasn’t yelling and he didn’t sound angry. He seemed more disappointed than anything. He just dug in his heels and glared though.
“Okay. I’m so sorry Sophia. I don’t know what’s gotten into the kid but I’ll be taking him with me.” Tony motioned for Peter to follow him.
“I’m not done eating and I need to tell Ned what’s going on.” Peter didn’t even look at his dad.
“You can bring your tray. Text Ned and MJ that you’re grounded and you’ll talk to them at school next week.”
~
By the time they got up to the penthouse Peter expected Tony to pop off but he just set his keys and phone on the counter and went to get something from the kitchen.
He came back with a soda, “You want to explain?”
“Nothing to explain.” Peter mumbled.
“You treated a Stark Industries intern like she was garbage. There is definitely something to explain. This isn’t you.”
“This isn’t some crisis! I didn’t even want to go on that stupid field trip. You made me so this is your fault.”
Tony nodded, “Go to your room. We’ll talk more about this later.”
Peter stomped off and Tony heard his door slame seconds later.
~
Tony waited untl Pepper got home to talk to her about what happened with Peter, “That’s not my kid, Pep.”
“Maybe he’s just being a rebelous teenager and that’s normal?” Pepper suggested.
“No. He was outright rude.”
“He’s a kid. It happens. He’s grounded. Let him deal with the consequences and if it continues we get worried.” Pepper hugged him, “Have you had lunch?”
“No. I’ve been stress eating the kids favorite cookies.” Tony admitted.
Pepper laughed, “I’ll make us something.”
~
Peter snuck out of his room later and found Pepper on her Stark Tablet in the kitchen with ice cream opened next to her and two spoons. He sat down next to her picking up one of the spoons, “Mad?”
“Nope.” Pepper didn’t glance up, “You already know that can never happen again.”
“I just lost it, Pepper.” Peter took another bite of the ice cream, “I knew I should stop but I just kept going. I don’t even know why. I’ve never abused the privilege of being Tony’s kid and expecting special treatment.”
“Maybe the next you feel yourself rising to that level you can ask for help before snapping at interns?” Pepper suggested.
“Yeah. I’ll try. Sorry I did that, Pepper.” Peter smiled when she ran a hand through his curls.
~
“He just apologized?” Tony sighed, “That easy?”
Pepper laughed, “I think he just loves me 12% more.”
Tony rolled his eyes, “Sure, he does.”
~
Peter went to the lab the next morning and found his dad clearing his throat, “Dad?”
“You are grounded.” Tony reminded him, “No lab time.”
“I know. I just wanted to come tell you I’m sorry and I’m going to find Sophia on Monday and apologize to her in person.”
Tony opened his arm and Peter went in for a hug, “See, There is the kid I know.”