Work Text:
May Parker was exhausted.
This was her first day off in a long time, God knows she should’ve taken one sooner. It was just a flurry of events in which her coworkers were absent, she needed the extra hours, and Peter needed some space. So, she worked long hours which made the days ever so more taxing.
She knew something was up with Peter, that boy was an open book. Even when he was a kid, it was easy to get him to confess to his crime. Yet, with this, it was somehow different. May noticed the changes in behavior, but she hoped that he’d find his way back. That the sneaking out at night would stop. Of course, it didn’t. Ben was always the better parent; her husband always knew what to say, he was perfect. She on the other hand was just barely making it through.
The nights leading after his death were the hardest moments of her life. Dealing with her grief on top of her kid's grief was an insurmountable task. She remembered holding him tight in her bed as he cried himself to sleep. It wasn’t long after that she would silently cry herself to sleep, trying desperately not to wake Peter and break into pieces.
Let’s just say, May was no stranger to challenges. However, this was tested when she walked in on Peter in his Spiderman costume. That had tested her in ways she hadn’t thought possible. The first thing she had done was hug him as he began to sputter out reassurances, but all May could think of was the danger he had put himself in the past couple of months. All of the foiled robberies and burglaries were instances that her very own nephew had put his life on the line.
It was then the “Stark internship” excuse popped in her head prompting her to make a very important call. Surprisingly enough, Stark remained quiet as she bashed him for taking her kid out of the country to fight superpowered humans. He was patient with her as she let him have it all because no one messes with her kid and gets away with it. After she hung up a very apologetic Peter promised to do all his chores and even stop complaining about the wedding they had to attend.
Her world had changed but she realized at that moment that Peter was still Peter nothing had changed. He was still genuine and caring. In fact, so caring that he used his powers to help others in need just because he could. Tears once again welled up in her eyes and she just soaked in his presence. Her greatest fear had been messing him up as if her parenting would make him turn into a serial killer or something. In all her years of medical school, never before had she felt so blind. Parenting was trial and error but felt much more like Russian Roulette. One bad choice and everything was going to be blown to pieces. Against all odds, she had trudged on making a life for herself and Peter.
These thoughts were disrupted when a knock came at the door. One she had closed only a few minutes ago practically shoving her nephew out the door in hopes of him making his train on time.
“Peter, do you need a ri-.”
“Mrs. Parker, do you have a moment.” His tone is ever so respectful as he meets her gaze. She’s quite the sight wearing Ben’s old black and red plaid robe along with her cat slippers. Nevertheless, he greets her with a warm smile.
“Tony. I wasn’t expecting company.” Her candor cracks a genuine smile out of him, not that she was aiming for that.
“Yes, I’m sorry to bother you, but this was the only day you have off.” He gestures if he can enter, and May nods internally, slapping herself for disregarding basic manners. She redeems herself by offering beverages but he refuses as they sit at the dinner table. Again he apologies for interrupting her day which she immediately dispels.
“It’s no problem at all. I was just-wait, how do you know my schedule?” Her easy-going mood falters as she remembers his words.
“Right, the kid rambles a lot when he’s nervous. He said he was really looking forward to tonight. I hear you are quite the scattergories master.” She blushes, momentarily forgetting her disdain for the man standing before her.
“He’s like that. He couldn’t even keep Ben’s surprise birthday party a secret. The poor thing broke down in the mall after thirty minutes.” She smiles fondly at the memory of Ben acting surprised. Peter had tried his best but it was only a matter of time until he had blabbed.
“I could see that. Pepper turned him against me on my takeout habits.” Tony let out a soft chuckle, his eyes twinkling as if he were talking about his own child.
“So, is there something you needed to talk to me about?” Her oatmeal is glorious cinnamon oatmeal is waiting for her on the bed stand, getting colder by the minute.
“Yes, I know we haven’t been on great terms so I wanted to clear that up. My mom always said if you apologize, do it in person. To show the person you are truly sorry. So I came to apologize about Germany. I was not in the right frame of mind as it was wrong of me to even think let alone bring Peter into such a dangerous position. My priority was catching Steve before he did something too stupid but my priorities have shifted. I want you to know Peter is my priority. I see a lot of potential in him and would love to set up an on-the-books internship for him. This would look great on college applications but also I want to keep an eye on him-superhero wise. Of course with your permission.” He sputters out and tries to backtrack on his words. It’s as if he’s trying to make a good impression.
“Stark, he’s too good for this world. Hell, I don’t even know if I’m doing any of this right. But he idolizes you and as much as I’d like to keep him away from Spiderman, it’s part of him. Just like how vital Iron Man is to you.” May is overprotective but she also knows her baby. If Peter could work under another superhero he’d have someone to turn to about things she couldn’t even comprehend. Chewing her lip, she surrenders to the sinking realization that Peter’s life won’t ever be normal. That didn’t mean she couldn’t try and fight like hell to keep him safe. “You have my blessing for the internship. Send whatever paper I need to sign when you get the chance. I want your word that you’ll do everything in your power to keep him safe.”
“I will. That is my utmost priority.” Stark’s statement holds in the air as she lets that embrace her. Someone else is looking out for her baby, she thinks. His fidgeting draws her attention as he pulls out an ordinary coin. Well, at least she thought it was until she saw the engravings. “I know it may seem like empty promises but I am working towards being a better person for Peter. He deserves someone better and I’m trying.” His determination permeates through the air and she swears she can feel it in her bones. “I hope you’ll see this as a token of my promise.” He hands her the coin that has engravings marking his sobriety for 2 months. “I am serious about being a mentor figure in Peter’s life,” He points the coin looking her dead in the eyes as he states “I know I have made a lot of mistakes but meeting him wasn’t one of them. He is the best of us, much more deserving of the title hero than I. Which is why I promise to not let him down.” It is way too early in the morning for this, May thinks.
“Tony, thank you. I can’t help but worry about him.” Her voice breaks as she thinks about the everlasting fear that has kept her up at night.
“It’s really no problem Ms. Parker.” He smiles again, something she’d barely seen in the news lately. “I should take my leave, I’ve got to be in a board meeting on the 15th.” He glances sheepishly at his watch. An action that reminds her of Peter so much. She nods and he turns to leave, pushing in his chair like a gentleman, and strides towards the door.
“Wait, you forgot your coin!” She holds it out towards him, surely he’d want to display it or give it to his finance.
He doesn’t miss a beat, he effortlessly turns to look at her: “Keep it, they’ll be more coming your way.” And within a few seconds, he’s gone as if he hadn’t been there.
She sighs and throws herself down on the couch holding the coin. Maybe she wouldn’t have to do this alone. Maybe Tony Stark wasn’t a bad ally to have.
“It’s okay Ben. I won’t have to do this alone.” May whispers into the air, her voice shaky but she’s far from weak. She lets it sink in: she’s no longer alone.