Two years later

Sunlights filter through the curtains, the setting sun casting the evening sky in a glow of pink and orange. Few brown pelicans flying away to their home while singing their melody, the soft sound of waves crashing nearby provided a calm background as Nora hummed, a classic piece of piano reverberating through the speakers.

The sound of the gate opening reached her. She smiled, placing a glass lid over the pan from which a delicious tangy smell was rafting through the air, she walked out of the kitchen while wiping her hands with a towel, "Welcome home, Tony," she said as she placed the towel in its place, a bright smile on her face. A smile that still crosses her face whenever he comes back, even though they were now living together for almost two years. "I have just made you fa- Peter, oh my god, is that you?"

And if that was possible, her smile just softened more.

Softened with a maternal edge.

"Yes, sweetheart, spider boy from all the way to queens," Tony said with a grin that melted her heart, as she walked over giving him a quick hug and a teasing brush of her lips just near his. With mischief twinkling in her eyes she pulled away, before taking Peter in a warm embrace, her hand smoothing down his hair.

"Kid, but seriously, what are you doing here? Not that I am not happy seeing you or something. Because you are undoubtedly my favourite boy in this whole world, but still, from all the way to queens? " she said, leading him to the couch with a smile.

"Wow, so classic Nora, now he is your favourite huh?" Tony said with a mock scoff, as he plopped down on the couch with a pout.

"Oh please, Tony, you passed the boy stage long ago," she said, rolling her eyes, though there was no real contempt behind it, just playfulness.

Peter watched the theatrics between them with a smile of his own, a warm genuine curve of his lips. He had met Tony a few months before he and Nora moved to Malibu, and it would be a lie if he would say that they both hadn't filled the void in his life in those few months– leaving it open once again when they moved to Malibu.

Those late nights or early mornings when he would spend his time with his idol, his mentor- Tony Stark were undeniably the most exhilarating time of his day or well, life. The time when he would be the most elated working beside his one and only idol, the one who had– god knows how made him a part of his life. Those days were filled with his sarcastic remarks or humor, with the occasional arrogant comments but they were still what Peter had held dear.

Maybe it was because he had unknowingly fulfilled the role of a father in his life.

Maybe those gentle moments when he would show genuine worry about him, when he would tell him to not throw himself in front of danger irrational and contact him.

Or maybe when he would see similar emotions in Tony's eyes, similar to how they light up when Nora would walk in.

Miss Nora.

Oh, how she had become someone he had always needed but never knew?

If Tony was always there beside him with his tough love– which leaned more on equipping him with recent tech and edge cutting technology, giving his school fees without even telling him. Giving him days off with a nonchalant wave of his hands and a few dollars– well, a few hundred dollars to be honest– saying he needed some 'me time' to brainstorm.

Then Nora was there with her gentle love– like a warm embrace when she would see he was worrying himself over something, his favourite food when she would bring lunch to their lab, her firm presence when they would hang out in the market, buying ice cream or clothes for him. The soft ruffle she would give his hair when he would show her his new A+ grade or the firm reassurance when he would have an idea of tech but wouldn't be sure if he should tell Tony.

When exactly had she become like a mother to him?

"-Peter, kid, back to earth,"

He blinked, snapping out of his memory lane as he looked toward Nora expecting a face and Tony's encouraging one, "Tony said you wanted to meet me," she said as she sat beside him tilting her head, "what happened? Everything is alright?"

"Oh y-yeah," he stammered, before his fingers that were playing nervously with the thread on the paper bag in his hand, forwarded it to her, "I want to give it to you," He watched as she took the bad with furrowed eyebrows before her expression dropped to more of a surprise, as she hold the small flower bouquet inside and the delicately wrapped photo frame. "And I know, this is not much or expensive or anything but-...well, I guess, what I want to say is, Miss Nora you have filled a void in my life that I never knew was missing, you have given me a person who I can think and refer as-...mom, so well, Happy Mother's Day,"

Nora was stunned to say the least, looking at the beautiful flowers in her hand and the photo frame which held a photo of her and Tony beautifully decorated with mirrors and decorations. Of course, she also saw Peter as a son– she had looked at him like that since the start to be honest, but to think he too would think so.

To think he also thinks like that, think of her as a mother. Well, least to be said, it provoke emotions inside her that she was sure she didn't know.

Who would have thought that a kid would see her hands which had spilled blood of countless peoples, as something which can nurture and help?

"Oh, kid, this is beautiful, thank you so much," she said as she wrapped her arms around him, giving him a gentle squeeze.

"Okay, I am kind of offended here," Tony said, although a hint of a smile played at his lips seeing his family so happy, "why didn't I get anything for Father's Day?"

"Isn't that obvious?" Nora said, not giving Peter a chance to go into a rushed nervous apology about how he couldn't get to Queens at that time, about how now only he could be here because Aunt May had gotten some work here and how he didn't wanted to send something online because first, he just didn't knew what to get a person who had everything and second, since Tony had mentioned how he was not fond of online gifts. "I am the favourite one here,"

Tony narrowed his eyes at her teasing grin playfully, "Oh, is that so, now?"

"Yup,"

"Now, now, now," she said, as she placed the bouquet in a new vase while swirling her glowing palm filling it with water, "why don't you both sit at the dining table I have made something delicious,"

Peter nervously glanced between Tony and her, as he stood up, rubbing his neck. "Miss Nora, I really don't want to impose-"

"Kid, you just told me you see me as a mother. Your presence is welcomed here,"

"But I have to get back to Aunt May-"

Nora narrowed her eyes, her voice taking a more firm turn, "and you are not going anywhere without eating first, what kind of mother figure I would be if I send you back empty stomach,"

"But-"

"Kid," Tony interrupted, as he shrugged off his jacket hanging it off the chair before sitting stretching his hands, "just sit and eat, if she made her mind about something there is no way you can win an argument against her,"

"Oh well okay," He said, as he sat on one of the chairs.

"Great," Nora said, as she brought the hot steaming spaghetti out on the table, meanwhile Tony arranged the dishes, getting them out of the kitchen, "And I present you, Bucatini all'Amatriciana. In simple words, a variant of Italian spaghetti. Come on Dig in now!"

Peter dug into his plate hesitant at first, but as the first bite of Nora's cooking melted on his tongue, his face lit up.

"Miss Nora," he mumbled between bites, "this is amazing. Like, Michelin star amazing."

Tony smirked, twirling his fork dramatically. "Told you, kid. She's a wizard in the kitchen. Not that I ever get the credit for helping her hone those skills. Who was it that built her a state-of-the-art kitchen, huh?"

Nora rolled her eyes fondly. "You built it, Tony, but don't pretend you ever stepped inside it without ulterior motives—like sneaking bites before dinner."

Tony feigned a gasp, clutching his chest dramatically, "The betrayal. After all I've done for you,"

Peter laughed, the warm sound echoing through the dining room, easing any lingering nervousness he felt. For a moment, the world outside—Queens, Aunt May's worries, and the weight of being Spider-Man—faded away. Here, he felt like just Peter.

***
Nora walked Peter to the door, Tony trailing a few steps behind.

"Take care of yourself, sweetheart," she said, pulling him into another hug. "And don't be a stranger. You're always welcome here."

Peter nodded, his throat tightening slightly as he returned the hug. "Thank you, Miss Nora. For everything."

Tony clapped him on the shoulder. "Don't be too heroic out there, Spiderling. And keep me updated on that new web shooter."

"I will," Peter promised, smiling as he stepped out into the cool Malibu evening.

As Peter's figure disappeared down the driveway, Tony turned back toward the house with a dramatic sigh, slipping an arm around Nora's waist. "Finally," he drawled, pulling her close. His eyes gleamed with a familiar mischievous spark. "I was starting to think Spiderling might never leave. Now, where were we?"

Nora arched an eyebrow, trying to stifle the blush creeping up her neck. "What do you mean, where were we?"

Tony tilted his head, feigning disappointment. "Don't play coy, sweetheart. You didn't kiss me when I got back."

Her lips parted, caught somewhere between amusement and exasperation. "I did! On the cheek, Tony. Peter was standing right there."

"That wasn't a kiss," he said, his lips curving into a slow, mischievous grin. "That was a peck. And I think we both know I deserve a hell of a lot more than that."

She rolled her eyes, though the heat creeping up her neck betrayed her. "You're ridiculo-"

But her words were cut short, when Tony pressed her flush against him. His lips captured hers in a searing kiss, the kind that left no room for argument. His mouth moved against hers with a fervor that made her knees weaken, his grip tightening to keep her steady. She felt herself melting into him, her hands instinctively clutching the lapels of his shirt, as she tilted her head, her lips responding to his with the same love and passion.

When he finally pulled away, to let her breath his lips turned into a wicked smile seeing her flushed state, "See, now this is what you call a proper welcome home,"

"You are insufferable, Tony, " she commented though the smile on her lips betrayed her words.

"And you're irresistible," he countered, lips curved into a sly smile, his eyes darkening with desire as he scooped her up into his arms.

"Tony!" she yelped, clutching his shoulders.

"What?" He smirked, carrying her toward there with ease. "I'm just ensuring you don't get distracted with another excuse. Tonight, Ms. Reyes, you're all mine."

Her blush deepened but she didn't protest, just shook her head in while resting it against his chest, "Insufferable, indeed,"

***
The room was dim, illuminated only by the soft glow of moonlight streaming through the windows, casting silvery patterns across the sheets. The air was thick with the lingering heat of their shared passion, their breaths still uneven from the hours they had spent tangled together, exploring one another with an insatiable hunger.

Nora lay curled against Tony's chest, his shirt draped loosely over her frame, the sleeves far too long and the fabric slipping slightly off one shoulder. Her skin glowed, a soft flush still present, and her hair tumbled in wild waves across the pillow. Tony's arm was wrapped protectively around her, his fingertips lazily tracing invisible constellations along the curve of her waist, making her shiver despite the warmth between them.

"You're cold?" he asked, his voice a deep rasp tinging with concern, that sent a fresh wave of warm tingles through her body.

"No," she shook her head, her voice soft but teasing, "you warmed me up quite thoroughly Tony Stark,"

He chuckled, his thumb brushing against the curve of her waist, pressing a lingering kiss just below her ear. "It's my specialty, Ms. Reyes. I'm a man of many talents."

"Hmm," she hummed, arching slightly under his touch, her hands softly tracing patterns on the skin near his arc reactor, "That's certainly one way to put it. Though I seem to remember a certain genius getting distracted earlier."

He raised an eyebrow, his lips quirking in amusement. "Distracted, huh? Pretty sure I made up for it. Thoroughly."

She smirked, her cheeks tinting pink at the memory. "Debatable. I might need another demonstration later."

"Later?" he echoed, his lips grazing hers again, his voice dropping even lower, "Why not now?"

Her laugh was soft and breathless as she playfully pushed at his chest. "Because I'm exhausted, and someone kept distracting me with his so-called talents all night."

"You don't look too tired to me," he teased, his fingers sliding up to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "But if you insist..."

"Just let me sleep now," she said with a laugh- so soft that it made his heart melt. Some moments of silence passed, before she again spoke up, her lips formed in a small smile, "You know, if you're trying to lull me to sleep by tracing stars on my waist, it's not working."

Who said I'm trying to put you to sleep?" he countered, burying his face into her hairs taking in her familiar comforting scent, while his lips twitched into a smile, "Maybe I'm just plotting the next constellation to name after you."

Her laughter was soft, her breath tickling his chest. "That's smooth, even for you."

"I aim to impress," he said smugly, then added, "But I wasn't kidding. You're my North Star, Nora. You always guide me home."

Her heart clenched at his words, and she tilted her head to meet his gaze, her own eyes brimming with emotion. "And you're my everything," she whispered, her fingers brushing over his jaw. "The one who taught me to believe in love again, in myself again. Who made me believe that maybe just maybe I also deserve this, you, everything," For a moment, neither of them spoke, the weight of their emotions wrapping around them like a cocoon. Then, almost shyly, she murmured, "I love you. I love you so so much, that I think there are no words to contain it, let alone define it,"

His lips curved into a soft smile as he tightened his hold on her. Feeling his heartbeat in a synchronized rhythm with hers, feeling whole– all the broken pieces fitting perfectly with hers, being smoothened out like she was the one who was made to fill the gap, feeling like he had the world in his arms, which he had.

He pressed a lingering kiss on her forehead before murmuring, "I love you more– more than words, more than this life. A lot more than you'll ever know. But I aim to tell you that everyday, to make you feel the depth of, well what you mean to me," He pulled just enough to gaze in her eyes which sparkled like galaxies, his hand gently brushing over her cheek, cupping her face. "My heart has fallen so much into you that it feels like infinite, the depth so deep that it felt like it is spiraling through galaxies... to the edge of the universe, if there is one."

She let out a soft, tearful laugh as she curled up against him, her fingers tightening their hold "well, then I think we both are lost together,"

"Forever," he said, his voice firm and laced with promise, "Because nothing in this world–no actually universe, is worth more than you,"