Previously:

It's at this moment, seeing everything and everyone seeming so perfect... that I decide it's missing something. One last thing to tie everything together, complete the family picture. It's something I'd probably be more scared about doing if I weren't so buzzed off the medication, but I know it had to happen sooner rather than later.

I reach my hands up.

Curious heads turn my way.

I pull off my mask.

Aka: Peter decided that its time to be sentimental and wholesome and unmask in front of everyone because he's finally decided he can trust them with the information.

(Not that they didn't already know May is his aunt and could have found out his identity if they really tried to, but we don't need to talk about that).

Refer to the last chapter for Hiccup's recollection of the recent events

This is mainly very in-your-face fluffy

like seriously it's borderline cringe

so I understand if it makes you skip the chapter lmfao I would too

Now:

I stand there, my mask in my hands, as everyone stares. A lump forms in my throat and I do everything I can to stay calm, but no one is speaking and I'm so scared. What if this was a mistake? I've had countless nightmares about my identity being revealed. I really hope I'm not about to relive them.

But then Natasha Romanoff, the godsend, says the five words that make everything instantly better. "Welcome to the Avengers, Spider-man." She gives me a tilted nod and something in-between a smile and a grin.

Her approval seems to stop the silence that had taken over the room and everyone cheers—I hear some confused and reluctant cheers amongst the crowd, but don't pay attention as drinks are raised in toast and various praises ringing out from around the room.

Relief floods through me and I let it show, exhaling in relief. If the least trusting of the Avengers is being the first to welcome me, then I probably have nothing to worry about, right?

A few notable voices are:
"Yes, man of spiders!" From Thor.
"That's a kid. It's fine. Totally." From Bucky. "Uh, yay, I guess. I'm totally not going to lie awake over this."
"Yeah!" Even Hiccup cheers.
"Why are we yelling?" Tuffnut yells above everyone else.
"Whoo!" Yelena raises her glass, "now I don't have to stalk you, Spider-man!"

"Peter." I admit, wanting everyone to hear me so they can put a name to the face. "My name is Peter."

At that people cheer again, making me exhale in relief. What was I even afraid of?

"Would you look at this!" Mr Stark exclaims, taking his sunglasses off and grinning. He walks next to me and ruffles my hair before clapping me on the shoulder. After a beat he claps my shoulder again. "Proud o' ya." He mutters casually. I grin wider, pride hammering in my chest. He just told me he was proud of me oh my god how do I proceed oh my—

"Does this mean I can interrogate you?" Natasha raises an eyebrow.
I laugh nervously. "Uh... I guess it does?" Please don't.

"Absolutely not, I want everyone partying and getting stupidly drunk." Mr Stark objects. "In fact, I might go ask Pep what the moral implications of throwing a party are..." he claps my shoulder and walks off in search for her.
"I'll lay off today, but I eventually may want to know everything. Like how old you are exactly." Natasha informs me.
"Well I'm flattered, but I'm taken!" I joke. I make a mental note to find a way to introduce MJ to her, It'd be a little terrifying but at least I'll get some brownie points.

She gasps and swats my shoulder. "I'll have you grounded."
I chuckle, shaking my head. I look around, and see Aunt May standing in the kitchen entrance. She catches my eye and we grin at each other. I'm so glad she's okay.

"So, Peter, man of spiders!" Thor slides up next to me, drawing my attention away from May. "Hows it feel to finally be one of the big ones?" He grins. I shrug, sheepish. I could argue that I pretty much already was, but decide not to.

"You couldn't possibly be talking about yourself, could you brother?" Loki snarks.
"Well I am the... strongest avenger." Thor shrugs, ever the modest.

Voices ring out from around the room.
"What?!"
"I beg to differ!"
"You?"
"Yeah, that's not what the quinjet said!" Dr Banner adds.

"Oh!" Thor points are him and laughs nervously. "I... beat you. It doesn't count. Cause I'm stronger."
"Then the big guy? Sure." Dr banner huffs sarcastically. "It just so happens that there were no witnesses too this fight, Huh."
"Er... no, there was a whole stadium?"
"No one here." Dr banner corrects.
"What is Loki? 'Chopped liver'?—as you mortals say." Thor protests. Looking around, I spot Loki has moved off to the side to inspect the monopoly game. If I see him moving a few pieces with magic I don't say anything.

"I'm not taking his word for it." Dr banner scoffs.
"C'mon, Loki's not—" Thor begins to protest, but Loki interrupts as he returns.

"He's just scared of me." Loki smirks. "Aren't you, Bruce?" He coos.
Dr Banner stares at him silently, and then side steps away. Loki's smirk widens.

"Oh you don't have to—" I hear Aunt May speaking, and look over to see Mr Stark gently pulling her into the room.
"It'll be fine," he faces her and walks backwards as she continues protesting, before turning and grinning.

"Everyone! This is May. She raised Peter." He announces. "She'll be joining us, I hear her party days were wild. She's welcome anytime. So be kind or I'll kick you out. Whatever. Because apparently my tower is a B&B." He mutters the last sentence, then walks off to grab a drink.
"We'd never be rude," Steve protests kindly. "Welcome, May. Nice to see you again."
"'Never be rude'." Bucky mocks. "You picked a fist fight with a guy twice your size every day because you felt like it."
"Oh come on, that's—"
Bucky cuts off Steve's protests. "If I turned my back for two seconds you were trying to sign up for the army!"

"Buck." Steve whines, "I was young."
"And stupid."
"They were bullies—"
"I know you jump out of planes without parachutes."
Steve's eyes widen. "Oh. Would you look at that. Someone's calling me. From across the room." He rushes off.
Bucky crosses his arms and watches him go, shaking his head. He then grins and looks at me. "You should have seen him pre serum. Not even half his size, tiny. Pent up with patriarchic anger. Like a Chihuahua."
I chuckle in amusement, "I wish I could have been there to see that."

Mr Stark walks up to me with May and Pepper. May pulls me in for a hug and I smile, hugging her back tightly.

"I'm so glad you're okay." She says. Mr Stark goes to open his mouth but I widen my eyes at him, begging him to leave it for now. He rolls his eyes but let's it go.
"Me too, May. I'm glad you're safe." I respond.

"Figured it wouldn't be a Pete-friendly party without your parental figure to keep you in line." Mr Stark says once May let's me go.

I chuckle, faking offence at the implication of needing to be kept in line because I am a golden child and have never once done anything wrong I don't know what you're talking about. I then glance at May, and she gives me a knowing smile back.

I look at Mr Stark, nervousness taking over. "There's..." ok I've already started talking, no going back now. "There's uh, there's room..."

My face heats up. I'm a stuttering mess but I refuse to bail. If I don't do this now I'll never do it. "There's room for more parental figures. If—if you both want to...?" I look over at Pepper too, who looks pleasantly surprised.

After a long second that feels like years, Mr Stark looks down at me and pulls his sunglasses off. It might be a trick of the light, but his eyes look a little misty. "...Sure, Pete." He smiles. If his voice sounds strained, like he's trying not to cry, no one mentions it. How is this my life?!

Pepper comes forward and pulls me into a hug. "Of course!" she exclaims warmly. When we pull back she smiles at May and hugs her too.

"I suppose we should be saying 'welcome to the family' and vise versa." May chuckles.

I grin. Mr Stark takes me in a slightly awkward one-armed hug. I subtly lean in, drinking in the moment.

How sweet. I want to gouge my eyes out.

Jk.

It's been a while, sorry. Life's been a bitch.

See you next chapter...

we have not long to go.