Spider-Man Oneshots || Peter Parker

Graceless

Peter glares at himself in the mirror while trying to adjust his tie so it wasn't so lopsided, yet after the fifth attempt and fail he lets out an annoyed huff and starts over. Before he can get very far however, he is distracted by a knock at the door.

"You ready to go Pete?"

Peter looks at himself again, determined to look as presentable as he can. Tony had invited him to a huge press event, and Peter had literally bounced off the walls when he had nonchalantly asked him to be his plus one. While he wasn't exactly sure how he had even been considered to attend the gala, he was grateful nevertheless.

"Yeah, yeah- uh, yeah, just give me a minute." He says while scrambling to fix his tie, and he groans when the fabric once again falls apart.

"Everything okay in there?"

Peter offers a noncommittal hum, and he hears Tony give a small sigh through the door.

"Alright, I'm coming in."

"Wait no- it's okay-"

In mere seconds the door swings open and Tony barges into the bathroom. He examines Peter's appearance, with his hair neatly gelled over with a ridiculous amount of product and his blue tie swinging around his neck haphazardly.

Tony doesn't bother to hide his endearment.

"Need assistance?" He asks with a shit-eating grin.

Peter lets out an embarrassed chuckle, then nods his head hesitantly.

"If you don't mind... May usually does it for me."

Tony walks over and completely starts over, looping the tie together so it hung securely around his neck in the matter of seconds. He comically peers down at his handiwork, placing his fingers against his chin and rubbing at his goatee.

"Not too shabby if I do say so myself." Peter lets out a real laugh this time and Tony notes with pride at the way the kid's shoulders seems to loosen, and he appears more relaxed than a few minutes prior.
He then makes a show of checking his watch.

"Alright, if we head out now we'll approximately be one hour late," Tony pauses and shoots Peter a wink, "Happy's waiting for us outside."

With that Tony turns and begins to make his way towards the elevator, yet pauses when he hears no footsteps trailing behind him.

Peter is staring at his reflection with a skeptic look, brushing invisible wrinkles off of his suit jacket. Tony lets out another sigh and trudges back so he's right behind Peter. He then clamps his hands on each of his shoulders and gives them a soft squeeze.

"I'll be by your side the entire night, you don't have to worry about a thing."

A combination of trepidation and relief glistens in Peter's eyes, and he glances at Tony with a calculated look through the mirror, "are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure."

Peter considers this for a moment, and he must hear the genuineness in Tony's words because he stands taller after that. Then, he lets out a smile that reaches his eyes, and Tony swears he'll never get used to the sight even after all these years.

"Okay, I'm ready."

~

At first, the event goes much better than Peter had expected.

Tony keeps his promise and stays by his side, always formally introducing Peter to whatever businessman they were chatting with and sometimes even tucking an arm around his shoulders, offering silent comfort.