Throwing Caution to the Wind

Chapter 21

May went home after dinner telling them she had an early morning shift the next day. That left Peter Mr Stark and Pepper alone. Although he was comfortable with both of them, it was still a bit weird for him being so casual with them.

A few minutes later Mr Stark announced that he had some things he needed to finish up in the lab. Peter wanted to come, but since he was in a wheelchair he stayed behind.

Pepper, clearly picking up Peter not wanting to be alone, set up shop with her laptop on the other couch.

"How are you feeling Peter" Pepper asked a few minutes later.

"I've been better, bullet holes don't generally make it a good time" Peter said with a chuckle.

Pepper let out a small laugh at that.

"I'm sure. Tony's had more than a few bullet wounds in his time. Although he's never tried to hide them" she raised an eyebrow at him.

"I-uh, I thought I had it under control" Peter scratched his head sheepishly.

"Just don't do it again. He's trying to look out for you, and he can't exactly do that with you just hiding serious things like this" she reminded him gently.

Pepper, like May, had the uncanny ability to make Peter feel bad withour making him feel guilty. It just made him want to be better.

"I'll do that" he said.

The room descended into a comfortable silence after that. Peter alternating between scrolling through Reddit and texting Ned.

He was waiting on Mr Stark to confirm when Ned could come tomorrow. It helped since the school was closed for the week.

Speaking of the devil.

Mr Stark walked out of the elevator a few seconds later.

"I've started some schematics for the future suit. There are some features that I'm giving you but you'll have a choice on most. And you'll also be able to help me make the thing. May called me while I was down there, and we've agreed that you're not going out without the need suit" he announced.

"Wow thanks Mr Stark. You don't have to though, I've been doing fine with my current suit" Peter exclaimed.

"Kid, I'm Tony Stark, I don't do anything I don't want to do. And I want to give you a suit. I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if I didn't."

Pepper raised an eyebrow.

"Well, less than I already do" he amended.

"Oh, when do you want Ned to get here tomorrow" Peter asked remembering the exited text messages he had been bombarded with for the past hour.

"Anytime he can make it" Mr Stark replied.

"Cool, maybe he could get here at 11" Peter proposed shyly.

"Works for me kid."

Peter texted Ned to tell him to get his fanboy butt over there by 11.

"Do you want to watch a movie Pete" asked Mr Stark from the kitchen. Peter heard the kettle turn on and  was making what he assumed to be coffee.

"Sure" he replied.

Pick a movie, the remotes on the armrest.

Peter set up Zootopia, he was just in the mood for it.

A few moments later, Mr Stark got to the couch 2 mugs in hand. He handed one to Peter.

"Really, that movie" Mr Stark said wrinkling his nose