IronDad & Just Dumb Stuff

Career Day

Tomorrow was career day at Midtown School of Science and Technology. Also known as "bring your parent(s) to school" day. Nobody really liked this day or took it very seriously, but Peter Parker was anxious. If he brought Aunt May her job as a waiter would only make Flash bully him more. If he brought Stark, he would think that Peter thinks of him as his father, which he does but he can't let him know that. He could also just not bring anybody, but then if they found out they'd think he's embarrassed by them! And what if someone wanted to go but Peter asked to someone else instead? Would they be mad at him?

Peter was casually in the middle of a crisis when his best friend, Ned, nudged him with his elbow and asked if he was okay. Peter replied with a flat toned "Just peachy.". Ned gave him a skeptical look but didn't question further.

Eventually the school bell rang signaling the end to a day that seemed to last forever. As Peter was about to stand to leave Ned put a hand on his shoulder and said "What's on your mind Pete.".

Peter looked at his friend, he couldn't say no to him, "I don't know what to do for career day." He said, "I have too many choices, all of which with a reason of why I would rather not."

Ned's eyes widen, "Are you going to bring the Avengers to career day?!" He asked a bit louder than Peter would have preferred.

"Shhh!" He shushed his friend while franricly looking around the emptying classroom to see if anyone noticed. "I don't know!" He whisper-shouted at him while standing to leave, Ned doing the same. "I don't know if you've noticed but they're all insane!" He continued to whisper-shout.

"Aren't you insane to then because you're part of the team?" Ned asked as they left the classroom and made their way to the exit.

Peter thought for a moment. "Yes." He decided. Ned and him chuckled at that and pushed open the double doors that let outside.

"But seriously, who are you bringing?" Ned asked sounding like an excited child on Christmas.

Peter sighed and looked at the cars that passed them as they began their walk home. "Aunt May is my biological adoptive Guardian, it would make sense to bring her. But Tony Stark has taken me under his wing, I see him as a father figure. However, I'm like 99% sure he's dating this wizard guy named Dr. Strange, so he would be there too. Captain America is a pretty good guy, it would be okay to bring him but then I'd get tackled with questions of how I know him. At least I can explain Mr. Stark with the 'Internship'.". Peter looked at Ned, who offered him a kind smile, before continuing. "I could also just not bring any of them. But then if they found out, I feel like a shitstorm would be headed my way.". He shrugged. "And what if Aunt May found out I was Spider-Man?". He took a breath "I don't know man, I might just not even come to school.".

Ned nodded for a moment then said "Okay, what if- and hear me out- you just rolled a dice. Or took a name out of a hat for made them draw straws or something.". His offers made Peter smile.

It was quiet for a bit. "You could just bring all of them..?" Ned asked, his voice rising near the end of the sentence.

"That'd be a sight to behold." Peter said with a smile. The two boys walked in comfortable silence until they had to part ways. Peter waved his friend goodbye as he entered his apartment building. He took the route he took everyday to get to his apartment. He dropped his stuff on the kitchen table as usual as he greeted May.

She asked how school was and Peter replied with a vague answer then headed to his room.

Peter sat on his bed, he held the Spider-Man mask. He rubbed the fabric between his thumb and index finger, a smile on his face as he remembered how Tony had believed in him when it seemed no one else did. Tony inspired him to do better, to be better.