Just so you know, Bruce Banner never left.

~~~~

Three

"Alright kid, it's time to meet everyone. Ready?"

"Yeah, lets do it," Peter nodded following Tony into the elevator.

When the elevator doors opened to the common room Tony could almost feel the nervous rolling off of Peter in waves. He gave Peter a reassuring smile as he led the way out of the elevator and over toward the group.

"There you guys are," Rhodes called with a wave. "Chinese just got here."

"Well put the food down for a sec," Tony told them. He turned slightly to see Peter was hanging back so he hurriedly waved the boy forward. Peter shuffled forward quickly and uncertainly to Tony's side. "Everyone this is Peter Parker."

A chorus of hellos came, but Steve was the first to make his way over and greet Peter personally.

"Y-you're Captain America," Peter said slowly his eyes wide.

Steve gave the kid a smile and held out his hand for Peter to shake, "Call me Steve, nice to meet you Peter."

"Nice to meet you," Peter echoed shaking the man's hand.

"Tony has told us about you, it's nice to actually meet you in person."

Tony watched as Peter looked up to him with confusion evident on his face, "You talk about me?"

Tony nodded, "Course why wouldn't I?"

Peter didn't say anything else, but he blushed slightly.

Steve standing up seemed to move everyone else into motion and one by one they came to introduce themselves, and Tony found himself slightly amused by Peter's reactions to each.

To Sam, Clint, and Rhodes he seemed a bit shy but not uncomfortable. Peter seemed to marvel at Vision, the boy's eyes glued to the stone in Vision's Head. As Peter said hello to Wanda, Tony couldn't help assume the two would get along perhaps because they were closer in age than the others.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Natasha Romanoff."

Tony came out of his thoughts about Wanda and Peter as Natasha introduced herself. Peter shook her hand and stood almost rigidly as he did so. Tony resisted the urge to smile at her unintentionally intimidating the poor kid, when he smiled anyway he turned to the Chinese food, "Lets eat!"

It was about fifteen minutes later that Bruce walked in and Tony was able to see Peter's best reaction.

"Hey everyone," Bruce greeted.

"Bruce," Tony called. "Like to introduce you to Peter."

Bruce made his way over and extended a hand, "Nice to meet-"

"You're Bruce Banner!" Peter said jumping up and shaking his hand enthusiastically. "You're amazing!"

Bruce looked taken aback, "Uh- thank you. I-"

He was quickly cut off as Peter kept rambling about "amazingly awesome" things Bruce had accomplished as he continued to shake the man's hand. Tony left a laugh escape when Bruce looked over to him with a look which said that he was wondering if any of this was for real.

Tony gave a shrug in reply.

"How about we talk a bit more later?" Bruce suggested.

Peter stopped mid word and seemed to realize he had been rambling, a deep blush hit his face and released Bruce's hand and instead began rambling apologies.

"It's alright," Bruce assured him. "Let me just get some food first, okay?"

Peter nodded and sat back down to eat his food as Tony took a bite of his food to resist the urge to laugh.

~~~~

The evening had been going well for the most part, everyone talked to Peter and the boy didn't seem overly shy.

Tony had risen from the couch to grab a drink, when Clint followed.

"He's tired," Clint stated.

"What?"

"The kid's tired," Clint said again.

Tony frowned and glanced over to where Peter was talking to Wanda, "How can you tell?"

"I can see it in his eyes."

"They just look brown to me."

Clint shrugged, "Maybe it's because I have kids." With his opinion stated Clint went back to the group, and after a pause Tony followed.

He sat back down and glancing to Peter. The boy seemed fine to him, but part of him wondered if Clint was right.

"Tony?"

"Hm?" Tony asked looked to see Rhodes getting his attention.

"Were you listening to anything I said?"

Tony glanced at Peter in time to see the boy give a large yawn. "Nope," Tony said looking back to Rhodes. "Think I'm gonna head to bed." He stood up ignoring the semi confused looks he got, he wasn't usually one to turn in early.

"Oh Peter," Tony said turning to him trying to make his words sound like an afterthought. "I should uh- I should show you where a few more things are before I do."

"I guess I should just sleep too," Peter shrugged standing. "It was nice meeting everyone."

"So what do you think of all of them?" Tony asked when they were back in Peter's room.

"They're really cool," Peter smiled opening his backpack and searching through it for clothes to sleep in. As he did Tony couldn't help but take in the boy's dingy and worn clothes.

"We can go shopping to get you some clothes tomorrow," he decided.

Peter looked a bit embarrassed by his statement, "I'll- I'll be fine. You don't have to go out of your way. You're already letting me stay here."

Tony paused in thought before he shrugged and turned to leave the room, "Guess I'll just go with Bruce, and Cap. We were planning on going shopping tomorrow anyway."

"You were?" Peter asked quickly. "Well then, I guess I might as well tag along."

Tony smiled and turned around, "Great. Just shout if you need anything, F.R.I.D.A.Y. Will let me know."

"Goodnight Mr- Goodnight Tony."

"Night kid."

~~~~

"You do realize your in over your head right?" Rhodes commented when Tony headed back.

"I'm probably gonna drown," Tony nodded. "But maybe I can keep the kid afloat."

"We'll help you out Stark," Steve assured him. "Just tell us how."

Tony paused, "Well... how about you and Bruce go shopping with Peter and I tomorrow. I'll even throw in a free makeover."

Bruce frowned, "You already told him we were going didn't you?"

"Great, we can leave around noon."

~~~~

"I'm starting to feel insulted. You don't like anything I pick out for you."

"I don't want to dress like you Tony."

"At least try on the T-shirt. It's a cat dressed as you!"

"I'll pass."

"Fine, maybe Bruce or Peter will appreciate me."

"I doubt it."

"Where did those two go anyway?" Tony asked looking around.

Steve pointed without looking, "They went to look for pants."

"So in other words, Peter is most likely rambling to him?" Tony smiled taking the cat shirt for himself.

Steve chuckled, "Well I don't know Peter at all, but I think that's a pretty good guess."

"I don't even know that much about Peter," Tony shrugged.

"And you took him in anyway?" Bruce's voice asked as he walked over. As Tony's confused look he added, "He went to the changing room."

Tony nodded slowly, "And yeah I took him in. The kid needs a place to stay."

"How long had he been on the streets?"

"I don't know."

"How did he end up there?"

"I don't really know the details, I can only make guesses."

Bruce frowned, "So what do you know about him?"

"His name is Peter Parker, his fifteenth birthday is in about a week, and he's a smart kid with a lot of potential. In other words, I know everything that matters about him."

"What's his favorite cake flavor?"

"That's not important."

"Well we'll need to buy cake if his birthday is coming up," Steve chimed in. "Or maybe you can do half chocolate and half vanilla."

"Should I get a present before we leave the mall?" Bruce wondered aloud.

"I was going to give him a present," Tony informed them. "I'm almost down with it. Just a couple more tests."

Steve frowned, "Why am I worried?"

"Because you enjoy overreacting," Tony answered easily.

Steve seemed ready to disagree, but instead he shook his head, "What are you getting him?"

"Well Peter- has finally returned!"

"You make it sound amazing, I just tried on pants," Peter said.

"Well if you're done let's ring you up," Tony told him leading the way back toward the front of the store.

"You don't have to get me anything for my birthday," Peter said suddenly.

Tony cursed (earning a disapproving look from Steve), he had forgot about the kid's super hearing.

"I don't have to do many things," Tony told him with a carefree shrug. "So where should we go next? Maybe Spencer's ? Cap, I would pay to see walk through that store."

"I'll be sure to avoid it," Steve replied.

Tony crossed his arms and turned away from him as if he took offense, "I'm starting to think you hate shopping with me."

Steve didn't say anything, but Tony assumed he had made a face of some sort in response judging by the fact he heard Peter laugh. And in that moment he was surprised to learn how much he enjoyed the sound.

~~~~

Tony nodded at the group gathered. "Good, you're all present for roll call. Step one accomplished."

"You still haven't told us why we're having a roll call," Rhodes pointed out.

"Now that Peter has been here two days, Ms. Evans is coming in the next few hours," Tony informed them. "She's Peter's social worker and she hates me. So you all need to be on your best behavior. So for one Vision no walking through walls."

"Ah yes, I have been trying to improve on that," Vision nodded.

"Bruce no science talk, if she hears anything about chemicals she'll think it's bad. Or she'll start asking about the lab and safety."

"Do I even have to be present?" Bruce asked.

"Yes, she's gonna want to meet everyone who's gonna be around Peter."

"Wanda," Tony continued looking to her. "No magicy stuff. I don't even wanna get into that with her."

Wanda frowned, but didn't comment.

"Nat, Clint no weapons, Sam no weapons or wings."

Tony ignored their protesting and continued.

"Rhodey you should be fine. We've known each other forever tell her some good stories about me or something."

Rhodes gave a smirk, "I don't have many."

"Find one. Finally Cap? You just be yourself."

Steve nodded, "I can do that."

"Wait no- be yourself but don't say anything bad about me."

Steve chuckled, "We'll all behave Tony. Right now I think you could calm down though."

"I'm fine," Tony protested walking off. "I need to go make sure Peter is dressed." He stepped in the elevator when he remembered, "And remember to tell her, but not Peter about the birthday party!"

"God if he's this way and Peter's a teen imagine if the kid was baby," Tony hear Sam comment, he resisted the urge to reply as the doors began to close. But before they closed he was able to hear Natasha's response.

"I can't wait until Peter starts dating. Tony's going to be so high strung."

There was a pause before Tony frowned, "F.R.I.D.A.Y. add dating to the Peter list."

"Would you like it added to the 'Peter Safety List' or the 'General Peter Worries'?"

"The second one."

~~~~

"Ms. Evans," Tony greeted when the woman walked through the Tower's front doors.

"Mr. Stark," she replied, eyes scanning the lobby.

"Shall we head upstairs?"

She nodded, "I'd like a tour of your living quarters, and then to speak with Peter."

"Of course."

Despite Tony's nerves things seemed to be going well. Ms. Evans inspected the rooms, spoke to the whole team, spoke to him (during which he gave perfectly well structured answers regardless of what others said), and now she was currently talking to Peter alone.

"You should drink some water," Rhodes suggested.

"I need coffee," Tony disagreed.

"I cut you off an hour ago."

"But it's been an hour."

Rhodes rolled his eyes.

"They're still talking," Tony frowned. "Still."

"Well while Peter's distracted, why don't you tell us more about the birthday party you're planning?" Natasha suggested. "You only told us it's next week, so how old is he going to be again?"

Tony sighed, "Fifteen, and you can all come right?"

"I might be a bit late," Rhodes told him.

"Who all is coming?" Sam asked. "Does he have friends?"

"Sort of. So, besides us," Tony started. "Lee will be there, and considering it's gonna be at KJ's some of the kids who are regulars there will come, then Happy and Pepper. Oh, and I invited Ms. Evans. I don't think she'll come, but I did."

"And the super secret birthday present?" Bruce asked.

"I'm still working on it. But I'll have it done on time. I don't plan on giving it to him until we get back anyway."

"But what-"

"Boss, Ms. Evans is on her way down and Peter is walking her out," F.R.I.D.A.Y. announced.

Tony frowned, "Is it a bad or a good thing that she didn't say bye to me?"

"She may just be in a rush," Clint offered.

Tony didn't reply and he watched the elevator door and ignored the conversations around him as he waited.

"How'd it go?" Tony asked once Peter stepped out of the elevator.

Peter shrugged nonchalantly, "Fine."

Tony tried not to show his annoyance or worry at the one word response, instead he tried, "Did she say anything I should know?"

"Uh, just that next time she wants to talk to you about school and paparazzi."

Tony released a breath he hadn't realized he had been holding, if Ms. Evans was planning on topics for their regularly scheduled meetings, then that meant things so far were going to plan. Today had been a success, meaning he could focus on the birthday party.

~~~~

"Surprise!"

Peter jolted in shock and stared ahead at the people in KJ's.

"Happy Birthday Peter," Tony told him clapping the kid on the shoulder and pushing him ahead slightly.

"Uh- wow, thanks,"Peter replied shyly. "Thanks everyone."

There was a pause in which everyone seemed to be waiting for Peter to do something, but he didn't move.

"Well Peter, what do you want to play first?" Lee asked him.

Peter smiled up at her before he turned to Tony, "Hmmm, Mist- Tony what haven't I beat your high score in yet?"

Tony couldn't stop himself from laughing, "I'm not going to go easy on you, just because it's your birthday."

"You'll still lose either way."

"You can try."

Peter smirked and led the way to Terminator Salvation, the first game the two of them had ever played together, and picked up one of the guns. Tony inserted his quarters then picked up the other and held it at the screen ready.

"Thank you," Peter told him after they had been playing for a moment. "You didn't have to do this for me. Thank you."

"No problem, it was Lee's idea anyway."

"No it wasn't."

"What makes you so sure?" Tony asked glancing at him.

Peter's eyes hadn't left the game, "Lee wouldn't suggest it, she's suggest taking me for food or something. This is you, very you, so thank you."

Tony gave a small smile, "Your welcome, and don't use up all your thank yous. I haven't even given you your present yet."

"What is it?"

"You'll see when we get home."

"Fine... but what flavor is that cake?"

"Vanilla and chocolate- hey stop trying to shoot me!"

"Me?" Peter asked and Tony could hear the smile in his voice. "I would never."

~~~~

"Ready for this present? The most amazing present of all presents?" Tony asked setting down the box in front of Peter with a smile.

The kid looked ready to jump off the couch in excitement (though maybe it could be due to the amount of sugar he had eaten during the party earlier). He picked up the box and gave it a shake listening.

"Just open it," Tony encouraged.

Peter tore into the wrapping paper and opened the box and his mouth dropped open as he picked up its contents.

"A suit?" Peter asked in disbelief his eyes sparkling. "Oh my God! This is amazing, thank you!"

Tony nodded in the direction of the bathroom, "Go try it on."

Peter jumped up and took the suit with him as he ran from the room.

"I didn't think you were making him a suit," Natasha commented. "You seemed to be making a big deal about everything else he does after all."

Tony shrugged nonchalantly, "I know he's gonna go out to be Spider-Man regardless if I tell him not to. So if he's wearing that, at least he has all of the safety protocols that I installed."

"Wait the kid is Spider-Man?" Sam asked in surprise.

Rhodes frowned at him, "Yes, where have you been?"

Sam shrugged, "Not here apparently."

"What kind of safety protocols?" Steve asked Tony.

"Parachutes, tracking device, there's the Training Wheels Protocol," Tony said ticking things off on his fingers. "There's also-"

"Tony this is awesome!"

Tony turned to see Peter rush in wearing his suit and mask. "Looks good," Tony nodded.

"It's more than good!" Peter shouted before he did an excited backflip. "This is the most awesome thing ever!"

"Alright calm down before you hurt yourself," Tony laughed.

Peter didn't do another flip (thankfully) rather he pulled off his mask to reveal the giant smile plastered on his face.

"When can I go test it out?"

"Not tonight," Tony said quickly.

"Oh come on!"

"Nope, it's been a long day and you start school in a couple days."

Peter gave a groan, "When then?"

"Maybe the weekend after-"

Peter ran forward and grabbed Tony in a tight hug, "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

Tony's arms were pinned to his sides but he smiled nonetheless, "I said maybe."

"Better than no," Peter replied not letting go. "Also thank you for the best birthday."

"Don't say that, that means I have to outdo myself next year."

Peter pulled back slightly and looked up to him with hopeful eyes, "Next year?" He repeated slowly.

Tony nodded, "Course, unless you already have plans for next year."

Peter shook his head and then hugged Tony tightly again and Tony could see the smile on his face, "Thank you so much Tony."

Tony smiled back, "Happy birthday kid."