(A/N look... I named the chapter Peter Barker. You're welcome, children. Also! Would you guys mind if I make mini-chapters of just the characters texting? It'd make the book longer but idk if that's a problem for readers.)

His eyes felt heavy as he slumped over the table. The only feeling he had was 'tired'. Bret has decided to be very helpful and just poke at the boy till he got a reaction.

Which he didn't. It just ended up becoming a pastime. His pokes would get aggressive and then immediately softened as his focus was mainly on his phone. The two had managed to finish up their day's work early so Peter took the opportunity for a possible nap while Bret attempted to focus on whoever he was texting on his phone.

Peter groaned now flopping over on the cool desk. "What're you doing?" He asked, giving up on sleep.

"What? Besides poking you?" Bret replies casually as he readjusted his hand to type better.

"Yeah! Who're you texting?" Peter meant genuine curiosity not realizing how nosy he might've seemed so he quickly added "if you don't mind me asking of course," receiving a smile from Bret.

Bret seemed to debate something as he looked at Peter then towards his phone screen. A small smile that Peter could only assume was from a message he just received as he texted something and then finally answered Peter.

"My partner," his answer was casual and light.

"Partner?" Peter questioned. He was never sure if Bret was married and it was never brought up. However, every once in a while would the teen notice a necklace around Bret's neck that held what seemed like a wedding ring. Besides that, the only other clue Peter got of Bret being married is a worn-out picture in his boss's wallet that he got a glimpse of from the many times he's pulled it out. It was of two men one being Bret and the other he wasn't familiar with. Bret had his arm wrapped around the other and nestled right next to their legs was a large dog looking very pleased but calm.

Peter knew the dog. He was shown a few videos and pictures by Bret and they both gushed over her. It was clear both their weak spots were dogs.

"Yep," Bret swiped on his phone, his smile was replaced with a frown as he stood up. "I gotta take this," he excused himself a look on his face that Peter couldn't understand. But he just nodded.

So the boy was left on his own. Boredom seeping in as he tried getting his mind off of what happened that week. His headaches were back and not something he enjoyed dealing with. He's also realized his bruises and cuts healed much slower now. And to top it all off his senses would go off at the most unnecessary times causing panic. And yet dulled out when needed. He was a mess.

He needed to talk to Mr. Stark.

(*Line Break*)

Peter
Hello Mr. Stalker

Tony
Hi Flower

Peter
I see you fixed the sink

Tony
Yep did it last week

Peter
How much did it cost??

Tony
That's for me to know and for you to not worry about

Peter
I feel bad though... it's not like I MEANT to break it

Tony
I know kid just don't worry about it

It was nothing, I could buy a whole room of sinks and it'd be no big deal

Peter
If you say so

Tony
Shouldn't you be working?

Peter
Me and Bret finished early

What about you?

Tony
Working

Peter
On?

Tony
Stuff

Peter
What kinda stuff

Tony
Important stuff

Peter
Important you don't want to be bothered important or important as in Tony Stark important?

Tony
Everything I do is Tony Stark important

Peter
Including texting me?

Tony
Of course, you're my number one on important things

Don't tell Pepper

Peter
:)

You've yet to answer my important question

Tony
...

Are you outside right now?

Peter
...Maybe

Tony
Why won't you come in?

Peter
If you were doing important stuff I didn't wanna bug you

Tony
Get in here

Peter
O k a y

(*Line Break*)

You could only imagine Peter's surprise when he walked in to see what Mr. Stark was working on.

"Hey Mr. Stark," he greeted walking over to him watching him study the hologram screen. He received a soft distracted hum.

It took him a moment to register the very familiar pattern design in front of him. It was his spider suit... but better? Tony noticed his expression in return.

"You like it? It's still a work in progress but I couldn't have a hero be known as underoos," Tony looked smug at the moment. Peter was struck with amazement, a look of wonder in his eyes. Mr. Stark was making him a suit? Does that mean he's actually going to work with the avengers? However, his expression quickly dropped at Tony's words.

"What? No one calls Spider-Man Underoos," he frowned, looking up from the device and at Tony.

"Oh, so you know him?"

Peter went quiet for a moment before answering. "Yeah, I've seen a few YouTube videos on him." Just avoid eye contact is all he could tell himself.

"Right... well, I'm stuck upgrading Web's suit and you have nothing to do so you can help me." It wasn't an offer. But Peter was happy to oblige.

"Only if I can pick the music?"

"Deal."

(*Line Break*)

Peter had to keep reminding himself that Tony didn't know. That he couldn't freak out about the new gadgets Tony decided to install nor about how he did his own suit. And Tony had to pretend not to be amused with the sparks in Peter's eyes every time he learned something new about the suit. The kid wouldn't admit it but he was good at this gadget stuff... who knows what he's built in the past.

However in the midst of Tony helping Peter figure out the mechanics of one of the gadgets they were interrupted with Friday's voice coming from above.

"Sir you have a visitor coming up."

"A visitor? Who?"

"Colonel Rhodes."

"Oh, send him up." Tony backed away from the gadget moving into his own screen. Tony knew, either way, Rhodey would've come in if he wanted him in or not.

And with that, the door swung open hitting against the wall with a loud clash causing Peter to jump.

"TONY!" There stood Rhodey a stern look that was immediately aimed towards Tony. The tone didn't surprise him.

"What's up Rhodey?" He turned as if he was used to these outbursts. And at this point he was. Peter had gone unnoticed which he was fine with as he worked away with what was going to be his future suit.

"Since when?!" He couldn't place the emotion. Was it shock, betrayal, or anger? He just knew it as loud, a soft ringing starting in his head.

"Since when what?" Tony abandoned his work at that point picking up his mug that Peter could only assume contained coffee.

"Tony don't play this game with me," Rhodey's voice was firm as he began to wave his finger around.

"I honestly have no clue what I did... this time," this caused a small snicker from Peter who was no longer constantly glancing up.

"I've seen the news! How long were you planning to hide that you have a KID?!" It didn't take long for Peter to catch on that he was talking about the articles that were written from his very clever April fools prank.

"What? I don't have a k-"

Tony was abruptly cut off with a burst of giggling. And with it, Rhodey finally noticed the other presence in the room. Peter made eye contact with the colonel who was now analyzing him skeptically.

And then very abruptly without breaking eye contact, he whispered stunned "is HE the kid?" Peter only offered a grin and a wave that Rhodey returned slowly and in confusion.

"Rhodey I don't have a kid."

"Then who's he?" It was clear Rhodey meant the teen casually sitting in Tony's lab tinkering away at whatever.

"I'm the kid," Peter chirped in.

"I KNEW IT! Since when?!"

Peter got a glare from Tony as he caused Rhodey to believe the rumors online.

"I. Don't. Have. A. Kid." Tony tried again. However, Rhodey only waved his arm towards Peter.

"I- I don't even know him!" Tony spluttered in frustration receiving a very audible gasp. Peter had a hand over his chest and dramatic expression to go with it.

"You know exactly who I am!"

"Do I?"

"Yes!"

Rhodey was looking back and forth trying to understand what was happening right now.

"I'm sorry so who's the kid?" Rhodey attempted to clarify.

"Yeah who am I?" Peter turned to Tony fully now, the small gadget in his hands forgotten.

"He's Peter-"

"So you do know who I am!"

"Pshh... Peter? Peter Barker yeah?" Tony pushed in his acting.

"I'm offended."

"Peter Barker?" Rhodey questioned his confusion growing compared to when he first walked in.

"It's Parker," Peter corrected.

"Barker." Tony countered.

"Barker it is," Rhodey nodded.

"You shouldn't treat your kid like that," with that comment Peter earned another glare but it softened after a moment.

"Just to make sure- he's not your kid?" Rhodey was much calmer as his hand went from Tony to Peter to back to Tony.

"He only wishes," Peter confirmed with a nod earning a scoff from Tony.

"Yes how I wish Barker- who broke my sink- was my dear son," there was heavy sarcasm but deep down it was true.

"Oh! You're the dude who broke Tony's sink?" Rhodey clapped as if realizing. Peter's face went red, his head whipping around to Tony.

"You told him?!" The teen sounded betrayed.

"You broke my sink. I had a right," Tony had an innocent smile. Rhodey laughed before walking over to Peter who immediately stood up. Rhodey held out a hand and Peter shook it.

"It's a pleasure colonel Rhodes," Peter smiled.

"The pleasures all mine Peter Barker," he returned the smile.

"It's Parker," he murmured which ended in laughter between the three.

(A/N I went through my followers and cleared them out so I can follow more peeps aka y'all. I also cleaned out my 500 books to 90. Whoop!

Also to the fam fam- yes there's a discord if you'd like to join reply to this and I'll pm you the link!)