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Glass clinks tended to be the only things that accompanied these types of events. He was Harry’s friend, that’s how they introduced him. Harry’s friend, who sat in the corner and talked him out of drinking champagne, who was only brought out when Norman really wanted to impress someone, he didn’t need Harry for that.
It was a charity gala this time, Peter clad in Uncle Ben’s old suit. Long gold chandeliers hung from the middle of the Osborn hall, serving light for those in the centre of the room. He tended generally not to focus on the politics of who held what when, he knew it was a big deal for it to be in the Osborn mansion this year though, because said owner of the house was now dragging Harry round like a show pony.
The fact someone had a room this big in their house was insane. Like, how much more money did it cost to buy a freaking ball room on top of everything else? The return rate can’t be that great, y’know? Like how often does someone hold a function with this many rich-
And someone had sat down next to him. Peter tried not to speak to anyone, but Harry, alone at these kind of things so this was not really on the agenda for tonight. The plan was more to do his physics homework in his head.
“So,” it was hard to tell if it was casual or awkward. “Who’s son are you?”
The guy had to be drunk. The flute in his hand was already half empty, Peter doubted it was his first. The man slouched in his chair, sunglasses on in the middle of the night, whilst inside. Of course, Peter recognised him.
“N-No ones.”
Tony Stark took another sip.
“Really? Because this definitely isn’t the funnest party to gate crash, kid.” There was a drawling sarcasm to the statement, he seemed to have thought he’d caught him out.
“I’m Harry’s friend.”
“Harry’s friend?” He raised an eyebrow above a sunglass lens.
Peter pointed to where he guessed Harry was at the moment, the actual image of him swallowed by a crowd of taller businessmen.
“Ah,” he took a further sip. “The elusive Mr Parker.”
Shit. He did not need to be on Iron Man’s recognition list, in fact he needed to be so far down that list that Mr Stark was more likely to recognize his local bodega owner, Mr Delmar, or the cat who kept stealing out of the bird house May kept putting on their fire escape. He definitely did not want to be called ‘elusive’ especially with, well you know.
“You know me?”
That was way too high pitched.
Stark snorted.
“Your name’s on your backpack.”
Peter looked down to where his bag was resting below his feet. Right, made sense.
“But I’ve heard of you.”
Peter looked up.
“Anecdotally of course. I don’t tend to go around learning the names of Osborn’s stray interns, or teenagers in general, God knows what a tabloid would do with that.”
The sounds of the room seemed to punch through Peter’s chest. God, this guy was playing some weird version of emotional ping pong. When he replied it was quiet.
“I’m not an intern.”
“I knew it!”
He didn’t know why he expected Tony Stark of all people to be quiet. He glanced around to make sure they weren’t drawing to much attention, luckily, they were all too absorbed in their own dealings.
“You’re probably not half as smart as he says either.”
“Rude,” Peter muttered Oh shit, did he say that out loud?
“Did you say something, kid?
Peter hastily looked around for something to say before catching his eye on the same woman Mr Stark now seemed to be staring at.
“I-”
“Looks like my cue to leave.”
The woman, who was clearly Pepper Potts but peter felt that announcing that in his head would only make him panic further, was glaring at the very non-sober man, who Peter had also elected to stop calling by his name because holy shit if Tony stark knew who he was…
“See you around, kid, or probably never see you again. It’s the sentiment that counts anyway.”
Sunglass man stood up, patted Peter on the shoulder a little too hard, Peter suspected he might’ve been trying to regain his balance, and walked away in what mostly resembled a straight line. It was a convincing act to everyone, it seemed, except Pepper Potts and Peter Parker, who briefly locked eyes before the later looked away embarrassed. He did, for a second though, see the apology written there.
Peter returned to his physics prep, he had long lost track of question seven and was now going to have to restart.
“Peter.”
Never mind, question seven was going to have to wait. Harry had collapsed down into the newly vacated seat.
“Hey Harry.”
“I’m done, let’s leave.”
Right. Back to babysitting.
Harry wasn’t usually like this, well… ok, he wasn’t always like this, but it seemed as soon as his dad was involved he was forced into forms of petty rebellion to exert any form of freedom, and his dad liked to stick his nose in everything.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“It’s not like anyone would notice.” He spun the stem of his champagne glass between his fingers.
“Your dad said you only had to stay till eleven.”
He raised it to his lips, and nearly missed.
“God, what’s he paying you to say that?” He gave an ironic snort.
And that kind of hurt. Peter wasn’t entirely sure why, it’s not like it’s something Norman wouldn’t do. Maybe, it was the fact Harry liked to bring up their economic divide when he was being an ass, or maybe it was just the insinuation that Peter would except the money. Yeah, that was probably it.
“Harry, maybe you’ve had enough.”
The glass touched the table.
“Sure,” the word pulled tight, “you want to finish it.”
“Harry stop.” Peter voice was barely above a whisper.
“You’ve been doing nothing else all evening, might as well, right?”
The glass had spilt, a light puddle now drying into the tablecloth. Harry didn’t notice it, or if he did he didn’t care.
“Harry.” It was slightly louder, that was a start.
“Sure.” He leaned back in his chair, the front two legs off the floor and his arms crossed. He looked, very slightly, like a toddler throwing a tantrum.
“Harry-”
“Peter” He was interrupted by an even more recognizable persona than the one before, well at least for him. A regular person was probably more inclined to know Iron Man but we’re here now.
And, even more annoyingly, he had been just about to start a very well planned out conversation with Harry that would literally solve all their problems and probably cure world hunger. Just don’t ask him to do it now, because, well, he was interrupted.
“Peter,” Norman said jovially, placing a hand on his shoulder – was that just a rich guy thing, it was getting to a point where Peter kinda felt like a dog everyone was patting.
Norman Continued.
“There’s someone I want you to meet.”
“Oh, um, right.” He hesitated. “Sir, do you think maybe Harry could leave? It’s just-”
“Harry your excused.” He offhandedly waved his hand.
Harry glared at Peter before turning and leaving. So much for attempting to help him, he was going to have to sort that out later.
Norman his hand on Peter’s shoulder as he led him over to, oh shit…
“Peter, I’d like you to meet Tony Stark and the lovely Pepper Potts.”
Pepper looked like she wanted to strangle both men.
“Norman you need to stop introducing me to people I’ve met already, I’ve already told you I’m more connected than you.”
Norman turned to Peter.
“He found me in the corner,” he muttered.
Pepper sighed as Norman and Stark started an argument next to them.
“Yes, I wanted to apologise on his behalf for that,” she stated.
“Oh, it’s fine, let me procrastinate my homework.” It was a lame joke.
“I didn’t see any paper out?”
Peter blushed.
“I, um, I was just doing it in my head.”
Pepper smiled kindly.
“No wonder Oscorp snapped you up, we’ll have to keep our eyes out for you in the future.”
“oh I don’t work for Mr Osborn, I’m just Harry friend.”
“You’re not interested in working there?”
Peter laughed awkwardly. “Yeah, no, this isn’t really my scene,” realising what he said he added, “no offense, I just, I’m not used to the whole champagne flute vibe.”
“Honestly, I think that makes you smarter than everyone in this room.”
Tony intuupted their conversation, probably in an attempt to win the argument, or prove a point or something.
“Hey, non-intern kid, if you ever want an actual job at an actual company here’s her number.” He nodded towards Pepper and handed Peter a card.
“Apparently your smart,” he added.
He gave one final glare at Osborn then sauntered off.
Pepper gave Peter a smile, “Have a good evening Mr Parker, Mr Osborn,” then followed after him, probably in an attempt to stop him knocking over a table or starting a war. Peter figured those where on the same level to someone like him – sounds like hell.
Peter stood there awkwardly as Norman looked at his phone.
“You should focus on your studies.”
Peter looked at him.
“Harry told me that your English grade is dropping. You shouldn’t let other people distract you.”
“Yes sir.”
“Good. You should go check on Harry.”
Peter nodded.
“Thank you for having me.”
“You’re a good kid Peter, with a bright future. You shouldn’t let people like him ruin that.”
“Right.”
oooO0Oooo
Peter placed his key in the lock with a metallic clunk, then click as he turned it.
The apartment was mostly dark, illuminated by the TV showing some random reality show that Peter was sure his Aunt wasn’t actually watching – it was just background noise.
“Hey May.”
The women on the sofa let out a tired breath.
“Hey sweetheart, the party finish early?”
It was 11:30pm.
“Yeah, Harry managed to wriggle out of it.”
May gave a small laugh.
“Good for him. I’m hoping you ate there?”
“Yeah, I did.”
He didn’t.
“Good.”
There was a small pause.
“Right,” May got off the sofa with some effort. “I’m off the bed.”
“When’s your shift?”
“Six Thirty.”
“You didn’t need to stay up.”
She started folding her blanket to place back on the sofa.
“I like making sure your safe, plus I only just got home myself.”
“You took another late shift?”
“You should go to bed too, you’ve got school tomorrow.”
“Right. Night.”
“Night Peter, I love you.”
“Love you too.”
oooO0Oooo
“Ms Potts, I hope I didn’t wake you.”
“No, it’s fine, I wasn’t planning to go to sleep anytime soon. Who is this?”
“It’s, um, it’s Peter from the gala thing.”
“Right.” She sounded genuinely pleased to hear from him.
“I’m glad you called. Was there something I could do for you?”
“Uh, yeah. I was wondering if that job offer was real? I wasn’t sure, ‘cause, um, he seemed pretty out of it.”
There was a sort pause as Pepper made a decision.
“Are you free Wednesday afternoon?”
“Yes.”
“Tony has a gap in his schedule. Come for three thirty, Friday will tell you where to go.”
Peter had no clue who Friday was, but he guessed it was the receptionist.
Peter took a breath.
“This is kind of an awkward question, but, um, does it pay? Not that I’m not thankful for the opportunity, it’s just…” he trailed off.
“Never apologise for looking out for your future, Peter. And yes, it does. I’ll send a contract over to you on this number before Wednesday.”
Peter let out a sigh of relief.
“Thank you.”
“And Peter, thank you too, for calling.”
She hung up, and Peter was left with a warm feeling in his chest.
He put his phone down, pulled his mask over his face and slipped out the window, quietly sliding it shut behind him.
It was 12:30pm.