Peter was working in the lab with his dad, writing an update for Karen and trying to figure out how to create a voice modifier. Theo had told each family member the story of how he had played with Spider-Man at the park, but now he was in bed so Peter was able to peacefully plan for Theo's birthday. Harley was at his own desk, working on homework instead of lab work, and their dad was updating his suit. Peter had thought about asking his dad how to create a voice modifier, but that would raise questions and Peter didn't want more questions than he was going to get when he told his parents tomorrow morning he couldn't go to Theo's birthday party.

"What's the chemical formula for adenine, guanine, thymine, and uracil?" Harley asked. Tony glanced at up Peter, knowing his oldest would know off the top of his head.

"Adenine is C5H5N5, but the structure is all weird," Peter said, writing down a quick note for Karen's update. "Guanine is the same but with one oxygen at the end. Thymine is C5H6N2O2. Uracil is C4H4N2O2. Do you need the structure too?" Peter asked. Tony just looked at him in awe, shaking his head and returning to his Iron Man suit. Peter had definitely spent a lot of time with Bruce growing up.

"No thanks, Einstein," Harley said, trying to write down the four formulas before he forgot. Peter didn't look up from his work, opening up some files on the Iron Man suit FRIDAY kept available on the Stark Family private server.

"It's Miescher, actually," Peter corrected. Harley rolled his eyes, finishing his homework sheet and closing his textbook. Peter looked at the clock, surprised to see it was already 10:39PM.

"I'm headed to bed," Harley announced. Peter sighed, knowing his dad was going to send him upstairs too. He locked his hologram computer and grabbed all his notes.

"Alright," Tony said. Harley walked out of the lab and Peter followed. "Goodnight, boys!"

"Goodnight!" they both called back.

* * *

Peter woke up the next morning to FRIDAY telling him breakfast was ready. His window panels were opening and Peter covered his eyes with his arm. FRIDAY just raised her volume and Peter groaned, glaring at the ceiling and throwing his covers off. The second his feet hit the floor, FRIDAY stopped and he stumbled down the hall to the kitchen. His dad had just made coffee and Harley was helping himself while neither parent was paying attention. Peter knew better. His spider senses would drive him insane if he drank the stuff, so he was stuck with just waking up naturally. He hated it.

"Good morning, Peter," Pepper said. Peter kissed her cheek as usually and muttered a good morning. She handed him something to take to the table and he did. Soon Theo joined them and Harley brought over the last breakfast dish. After Peter had eaten a bit, he was more awake and forcing himself to find the courage to tell his parents he wouldn't be at Theo's birthday.

"I'm not gonna be at Theo's party!" he blurted suddenly. Pepper and Tony both looked at him and he realised he'd interrupted them. "Sorry," he said quietly. They forgot about their conversation, though, more interested in why Peter thought he could skip Theo's party.

"Peter, I know it's been the same theme for years, but you can't just ditch," Pepper said. Peter shook his head, eyes wide.

"No, it's not that!" he insisted. Tony motioned for him to explain and he did. "MJ scheduled a Decathlon practice Thursday after school."

"Tell her to change it," Tony said as if that was final. Peter glanced at Harley who just watched him like he was watching a TV show.

"I did," Peter lied. Great, he thought. Now he was making lies up on the spot. That never led to good things. "She said Mr. Harrington is requiring it since otherwise we will have gone a week without practice."

"Strange," Pepper commented. Peter gulped and Harley struggled to keep the interesting look off his face. "It's the end of the school year. Of course you won't have practice." Peter shrugged as casually as he could.

"That's what I said," he told her. Pepper looked doubtful. This wasn't going well. "He said he wants us to be even more prepared for next year."

"I guess," Pepper said. She glanced at Theo who didn't seem to realise this was going to affect his party in two days. "Just, try and make the end of the party, okay?" Peter nodded quickly.

"I will," Peter promised. Pepper still seemed upset, but at least she wasn't angry with him. Peter could deal with disappointment; it wouldn't last very long anyway. Anger, though, often led to keeping him from being able to do Spider-Man and he was always worried his parents would piece two and two together. So far they hadn't, but Peter wasn't sure how long that would last after Theo's party.