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The other Avengers were holding a pool party. Mr. Stark had tried to get out of it but one puppy dog eyed look from Peter and he had relented. They were set to go in about an hour but the thing is Mr. Stark had been acting weird all morning. By weird, he means the man had been really subdued, not even making a single joke. Peter stayed the night and usually Mr. Stark made pancakes but instead it was boring old eggs. Which, by the way, Peter isn't ungrateful! It was just weird. Then throughout breakfast, he didn't eat and instead answered emails. Mr. Stark never did that willingly! It was worrying Peter. Does Mr. Stark really not want to go that much?
Peter slowly slid onto the stool next to Mr. Stark.
"Heyyyy, Mr. Stark."
Tony made a 'hmm?' sound and then looked over, "Hey, Pete."
Peter could see his eyebags from this close and wow, they were way worse than normal.
"Are you okay? You've been acting kind of…strange."
"Yeah, no, I'm totally okay. My mind is just still focused on a project. You know how it is."
He did know how it is. But usually when Mr. Stark is thinking about a certain project, he's rambling about it, not deep in thought and looking like someone killed his puppy.
"Is it because of the pool? We can do something else and tell them I got stabbed or something."
That startled Tony out of his stupor, "Kid, you are not telling anyone you got stabbed. Except me. And only when you actually get stabbed. "
Peter rolled his eyes, honestly it was only time. Or two. Or three. Or- okay, that's not the point of this conversation.
"C'mon, Mr. Stark. What's wrong?"
Mr. Stark still didn't seem all that talkative.
Peter continued, "I'll get Pepper if you don't tell me what's wrong."
That was always an effective threat. Plus, Pepper probably knew what was wrong.
Mr. Stark yelped dramatically, "Fine! I'll tell you."
Peter watched him put a hand on his face and rest it there, breathing deeply.
Mr. Stark sighed, "I just…I have a lot of scars, alright?"
Peter titled his head, "The arc reactor scars? All the Avengers have seen it. They have plenty of scars too. Ms. Natasha has this badass katana scar."
It was a pretty badass scar. She said it was from a mission with some old school Japanese ninjas. He didn't know they still existed!
"I know she does and don't swear."
Peter said sorry instinctively.
"It's not about the arc reactor. It's something different."
Now Peter was even more confused. See, Peter was somewhat of a fanboy and he had followed Mr. Stark in the news since he could read. If any scars were reported or even any incident that would cause a scar, Peter would've heard about it. Maybe in Afghanistan? There wasn't actually a lot of information on it…
"What-what is it? I mean, you don't have to tell me! I just want to help you."
Mr. Stark looked at him, "Kid, calm down. I-I'll tell you. I don't think you'll judge."
Peter adamantly shook his head, "I won't. I promise."
"I know, Pete. You're a good person."
Peter preened.
Mr. Stark shot him a small smile then continued, "It's a little more personal for me. And by personal, I mean I literally made them."
Then Mr. Stark rolled up his sleeves to reveal little pink lines all up his arms. They were familiar, very familiar. Mr. Stark took in Peter's shocked expression and started to roll them down.
"Pete, are you okay? I probably shouldn't have shown you that. Don't tell your aunt, kid. She'll probably-"
Peter cut the man off by rolling up his swim trunks. Mr. Stark's mouth opened as he looked down.
Peter smiled, "We're Scar Buddies, Mr. Stark!"
Mr. Stark took a few moments to comprehend that then he grinned slightly, "I guess we are, huh?"
Peter started to let all his excitement out, "It's really cool that we match! I mean, obviously not the circumstances but just the fact that the Tony Stark is like me is- I don't know- it makes me feel less alone."
Tony tackled him in a hug. Peter attacked back with full force.
"Jesus, kid. How are you this sweet?"
Peter could feel his shirt getting damp.
"May says I was born like that."
Peter happily embraced his mentor until it was time to leave.
-
And if Peter made sure his shorts kept riding up in clear view of the Avengers when Mr. Stark decided to forgo his shirt, well who cares?