Accidents Happen

Chapter Eighteen-He's Okay With It

The week after Halloween went smoothly, if you don't count the small interrogation from the guidance counselor. After all the rumors floating around, she wanted to know if it was true. She was surprised, to say the least, but at least they weren't expelled.

And then, Thursday, November 10, Peter was hit with the sudden realization that there was still one other person he had yet to tell about this whole thing.

The genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist himself; Tony Stark.

After what had happened with Steve Rogers and Tony in Germany, the Avengers Compound was almost always empty. It was strange, all that space and only about three, sometimes four, even five, souls occupying it (other than the soulless business people).

Sometimes, when Peter had more free time than usual, which was less often due to the pregnancy and all, he'd go Upstate, maybe train a little, maybe just talk with Mr. Stark about school. Recently, the older man's been trusting him more with... all this superhero stuff, so he's reined the helicopter parent thing back a few notches, now really only tracking Peter's suit just in case.

Tony also made it to where Peter didn't have to go through Happy to get to him. It was nice, being trusted, Peter mused. It made him feel like a grown-up. Almost like a real Avenger. He would be one, one day.

But backing off a bit meant that Tony was significantly less aware of Peter's social and school life. Which in turn meant that Tony didn't know about a little thing called "Peter got his best friend Michelle pregnant and they're keeping the baby instead of listening to her dad and also that baby may or may not have spider powers."

Yeah, Peter had maybe possibly forgotten to mention any of that. It's not his fault though. He was just waiting to be able to see the man in person, who was currently out of the country doing some super-top-secret Avengers stuff, so he was really, really busy, and this hardly seemed like the information that was appropriate to give over the phone or text.

It absolutely had to be done in person.

That was it.

Not that he was afraid.

No, not at all.

If Michelle's not afraid, he sure as hell can't be afraid.

Also, ev en though Michelle had told the decathlon team, meaning the whole school knew it was true, Peter still wasn't sure if the 'only tell if they ask' rule had been terminated. And so far, Tony hadn't asked.

At this point, Peter was just making up excuses for himself, the real reason he hadn't told Mr. Stark being that he was utterly terrified of what his mentor's reaction would be. Tony was pretty proud of how far he had come as Spider-Man. How would he react when he found out?

He can't keep it a secret forever. He will eventually just have to tell him. Or he'll find out when Peter is forced to tote a baby with him to the compound, or can't work as Spider-Man because he has to watch his kid for the day.

Now seems like the best time to tell him.

Ah, fuck it.

Without thinking, Peter pulls his phone from his pocket, goes to the contacts, and clicked on Tony Stark. Then, he quickly pressed the call button. He instantly regretted it.

After a few short rings, the older man picked up the phone. "Hey, kid. What's up?"

With a short, clipped exhale, Peter replied, pressing the phone to his ear. "Hey, Mr. Stark." Then the conversation ceased, as Tony waited for Peter to state the reason of his phone call. When he didn't, the older man began talking.