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Tony "Iron Man" Stark ([personal profile] kindacatchy) wrote2018-07-14 08:01 pm
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First your words, now your soul

[Tony looks at his watch as he's waiting by the car in front of the compound. He could finish his day early, so he got here a bit early for his and Peter's celebratory dinner.

After they have found out that they are soulamtes, Tony went to Pepper and asked for advise. It was panicked, it was all over the place, but thankfully she could sort it out. She had advised him to just grow accustomed to the idea of a soulmate, and to the idea that it is Peter and only then pick a date about the press conference. The age difference could be an issue, but thankfully not too much with soulmates. People just accepted the fact that whoever your soulmate was, then that's it. It was written on your skin, so that person was for you, regardless of gender, age, or... anything else. So Pepper was very positive in that aspect.

Tony was happy that they still had time before all the madness would arrive. He also had to sort out his feelings about it all too. He's always thought of Peter as a very precious student of his and now he turned out way more. Tony just has to find out how much more exactly.

For their celebration he has picked an out of town pizza place. He rented it all out so no others would be there when they go and have some pizza, milkshakes and good talks.]
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[personal profile] madeupname 2018-07-26 01:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[Peter is trying really hard not to get ahead of himself for the benefit of them both. With the exception of his friendship with Ned, he's never really been in a relationship that wasn't built on family ties. Getting to know Tony, first as Iron Man and lately as more of a friend, is still taking some getting used to. And he knows—or thinks that he knows—it must be strange for Tony to be getting close with someone Peter's age.

His smile softens a little when Tony doesn't move away from the touch, and Peter easily continues with the conversation to keep everything feeling casual. It kind of grinds to a hault when Tony suggests that Peter be in charge of a charity event.]


M-me? No, no, Mr. Stark I have no idea what goes into, like, running a c-charity! I'll just, you know, take credit for the awesome name and maybe drop by to eat some pizza with you. Or not! The whole not-going-public thing you talked about.
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[personal profile] madeupname 2018-07-27 09:45 am (UTC)(link)
Oh. [He blinks rapidly before bursting into laughter.] That makes sense! You're probably too important for that kind of thing, right? Which doesn't sound so bad, you know, being able to do good thing but also just relaxing and eating pizza. Or whatever charities events have for food.

[His smile fades when Tony sighs, and Peter wishes that he could stop bringing up reminders of how difficult this is going to be. He likes Tony, probably more than he's admitted even to himself, and has valued the friendship that's been growing between them. But it's potentially a big jump to soulmates, especially when it's really possible that Tony still sees him as a kid.

Nodding, he looks down at where his hand is still wrapped around Tony's wrist, wondering if it feels confining when really he'd just been too shy to go for full-blown hand holding.]


Right. And I talked to May. She freaked out, because she freaks out about everything. Usually that makes me freak out, but... I dunno, I guess I've seen enough shit in the last few years that I just waited for her to calm down. [He ducks his head down when he thinks about her speechlessness followed by threats to call up Tony and give him a piece of her mind. Peter had reminded her several times that the only thing to blame was fate.] I think she's worried I might change, you know? But I've only changed for the better since meeting you, Mr. Stark.
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[personal profile] madeupname 2018-07-27 03:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[Peter tries to be subtle about the sharp inhale he takes when Tony slots their fingers together. It shouldn't be a big deal, and really it isn't for a lot of reason, but he's also getting used to these tiny touches from a man how had struggled to physically comfort him for a while at the start of knowing each other. Tony always seems tense about touching, and Peter just hopes that maybe, eventually, that can go away between them.]

No, no! Not that I'll be like you, there's nothing wrong with you. I mean, sometimes you're a little too distant with the mentor thing, but that's gotten better since I moved here. [He bites his tongue to stop himself from rambling.] No, I think May's worried that I might forget my roots. She thought the same thing when I left Queens, but I don't care about money, Mr. Stark. Tony. Sir?

[Smacking himself with his free hand, he drags it down his face and hopes that Happy's announcement was enough to distract Tony from his ramblings.] Sorry, this whole thing has me feeling a little out of it.
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[personal profile] madeupname 2018-07-30 05:34 am (UTC)(link)
[Peter makes a soft noise, conflicted and sad, and it doesn't help that he has to let go of Tony's hand so they can both climb out of the car. He hadn't meant to bring up the past, especially after all that Tony has done for him, and he's confident that the only reason it had slipped out was that May had been talking about it just this morning. As soon as Peter is out of the car, he hurries back to Tony's side and grabs his hand, squeezing tightly.] You've done so much for me, Mr. Stark, really. And you trusted me when I was still a pretty dumb kid.

[Head hanging, eyes on his feet, he wonders if he'll be able to salvage the night when he could have just ruined the good mood for the both of them.] Guess I'm still a dumb kid in a lot of ways.
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[personal profile] madeupname 2018-07-30 11:18 am (UTC)(link)
[Peter is just relieved that Tony doesn't pull away. He hadn't been looking for any compliments or for Tony to tell him he wasn't a dumb kid, just wanted to apologize and maybe self-deprecate a little after saying something unkind about Tony.

His nerves melt somewhat at the touch to his hand, squeezing back and smiling.]
And I trust you, Mi— Tony. For a lot of reasons.

[Grinning at getting permission to call Tony by his first name, Peter allows himself to be pulled inside of the restaurant. He takes a look around, greeting the waitress and glancing to Tony for a cue as to where to sit.]
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[personal profile] madeupname 2018-07-30 12:07 pm (UTC)(link)
You've done a lot for a lot of people, and for me. And you're, you know, super smart and nice and yeah. [Handsome comes to mind, but that doesn't have anything to do with being trustworthy. The thought does make his cheeks turn a deeper shade of red, though, so he's happy to hand Tony's attention off to the wait staff.

He misses the weigh and warmth of Tony's hand in his but soon he's more focused on his ability to charm anyone with a few short sentences. Blinking out of his stupor, he nods and follows along, sliding into the booth. Once they've ordered and are alone again, he leans in and drops his voice.]
How do you do that?
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[personal profile] madeupname 2018-07-30 01:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[Peter has always admired how easily Tony seems to adapt to situations, and while he knows that a lot of it has to do with experience, he can't help finding him to be charismatic. Even during their first meeting, when Peter had been more anxious than he could remember ever feeling in his life, Tony had a calmness to him that soothed his nerves. Looking back, Peter wonders if that should have been a sign that they were soulmates.]

Talk to people, yeah, but talk to them like that. Make people smile so easily.
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[personal profile] madeupname 2018-07-31 01:32 am (UTC)(link)
[Peter finds himself mirroring the smile, unable to help himself. When Tony smiles, really smiles, it's an amazing transformation from a man with the weight of the world on his shoulders to someone far more relaxed. Even if it's pretense, Peter likes seeing that smile.]

Smiling is pretty easy! I mean, I do it a lot most days. But it'd be nice to learn how to be, I don't know, charming I guess?

[Sipping his drink, his legs bounce beneath the table. The smell of food is energizing him, making him eager to eat mixed with the excitement of being out with Tony—and only Tony.] So, have you been working on anything cool lately?
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[personal profile] madeupname 2018-08-01 11:29 am (UTC)(link)
U-um. [Peter's mind stops working for a moment, because for someone like Tony to call him charming goes against everything he believes about himself. He likes to think that he's kind, and not too difficult to talk to once he's comfortable with someone, but charming?] A-are you confusing me with another Peter Parker? It's probably, y'know, a kinda common name.

[It's so much easier to push aside the current topic of himself and focus on both Tony and his innovations. Mentions of Shuri, the Wakandan genius, makes his eyes widen as does the thought of anyone teaching Tony anything about mechanics.] Nanotech is so awesome, do you know what you'd want to use it for on the compound? Medical? Training? Cleaning up the mess everyone leaves? [Grinning, and blushing faintly at being caught, Peter shrugs and leans back in his seat.] I mean, if there going to be a next update? The suit is already amazing, what else would you even add?
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[personal profile] madeupname 2018-08-01 01:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh. Then, of course! [He laughs, and even if he's still not entirely sure he agrees with Tony, he at least knows enough not to argue with the genuis.] Thanks, Tony. I promise to run away if anyone else calls me charming, though.

[Chewing on the end of his straw, Peter looks up at the waitress returns with their food. He's starving, the smell of pizza and nerves of a date with Tony making it hard to resist instantly falling upon the pizza. But May has taught him manners at least, and he'll wait for the waitress to leave the table before grabbing a slice.] I'd say healing first, you know, since that's a little more life-threatening than dirty dishes in the sink. Are you going to have FRIDAY run everything, or would it need a dedicated AI?

[He shifts in his seat, excited to be talking about engineering as well as possible updates to his spider suit. It's already a dream, especially when compared to the "onesie" that he'd had before. It had gotten the job done, and he's still proud of being able to create the web shooters and goggles out of dumpster parts, but the functionality was laughable. Plus, he liked having Karen to talk to when he's on missions.] Tony Stark, learning about nanotechnology from an African princess. That's probably the craziest sentence that's ever come out of my mouth.
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[personal profile] madeupname 2018-08-04 08:44 am (UTC)(link)
Is it? [His tilts his head to one side, picking a piece of pepperoni off his slice and popping it into his mouth.] I mean, I guess I'd be happy, too. L-like if you ran away from people flirting with you.

[Quick to take a big bite of pizza, mostly to stop himself from talking, he nods to show that he's still following the conversation even if he's too flustered to participate for the moment. He likes being able to talk to Tony about science and engineering as a couple of the things that they've bonded through, and obviously even before meeting, Peter had admired the mind behind so many brilliant inventions.

Swallowing his mouthful, he washes it down with a gulp of soda before answering.]
Maybe a dedicated medical AI so that nothing gets slowed down by having them run simultaneously. If FRIDAY is split between Iron Man and healing, it might eat up a lot of her RAM. [Fiddling with his straw wrapper, he absentmindedly ties it into a knot while thinking aloud.] And dedicated AI make it harder to hack the whole system. But they'd have to communicate so battle data could be used for medical procedures, right?

[Realizing he's talking a lot, he laughs and rubs at the back of his neck. Tony's eyes are sharp as they watch him, but he doesn't feel like he's under scrutiny as much as he's just the center of Tony's attention.] Well, I do talk a lot during fights. I guess "just a typical homecoming, on the outside of an invisible jet, fighting my date's dad" was pretty crazy, too.
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[personal profile] madeupname 2018-08-05 12:34 pm (UTC)(link)
[Peter instantly perks back up when Tony accepts his logic, brightening at the chance to share some verbal theorizing with someone of Tony's level of intellect. Even though there are plenty of people who have admired Tony Stark as Iron Man and as a billionaire, Peter thinks that it's a shame so many seem to forget that he's also the smartest mind in his field.

Leaning forward, visibly excited, his jaw went slack at the suggestion.]
Me? Work on an AI w-with you? Wh-wha-what could I even bring to the table? [He can't help smiling at the name, though, knowing that May would be over the moon if that became a reality.] June is a good name, though. It could stand for... "Judicious and Ubiquitous Nanotech Executive."

[Proud of himself for being able to come up with that off the top of his head, he finishes his slice and quickly devours another. He frowns at the comment about his spider-fueled escapades, nodding a little.] I know, and it's dangerous, but still. Being a superhero is crazy! Why every bad guy needs some kind of animal-themed gimmick I'll never understand. It's not like they got bitten by radioactive vultures, right?
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[personal profile] madeupname 2018-08-08 11:19 am (UTC)(link)
Haha. [He smiles even as he laughs sarcastically, always a fan of Tony's teasing because it makes him feel like they're on the same level. A lot of adults tended to sound condescending because they were so busy trying to be good role models or authority figures rather than feeling like a real person around Peter.] I don't have a lot of tools, Mr. Stark. I swear I just use the same one screwdriver for everything.

[He sat up a little straighter when Tony praised his choice in name, and he wasn't about to tell him that it had been suggested in complete jest. His attention moves to Tony's wrist as he glances down at it, and he can't help wondering what he was thinking about regarding it. Peter had thought about a million things since the previous night, especially how their lives might have been different if they had realized they were soulmates much earlier. Somehow, Peter can't imagine Tony helping him with his role as Spider-Man if he had known then what he knows now.]

I saw someone online claiming the same about superhero names. Spider-Man, Iron Man, Ant Man, how they're all the same. To be honest, I did kind of take inspiration from you...
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[personal profile] madeupname 2018-08-11 03:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[Peter snorts at that, highly doubting that there's anything Tony might need or want but not have. He nods, though, smiling at the sentiment.] Alright, my one screwdriver versus the world. It actually sounds pretty epic!

Dude, don't worry. I know how to handle online comments. [He smirks a little, knowing he can take the kind of words that people feel safe sharing behind anonymous usernames and disabled IP logging. It was easy to take out aggression on the internet the same way it was easy to be more outgoing when people had all the time in the world to formulate their remarks, both positive and negative.

Blushing as the topic turns back to him, he quickly inhales half a piece of pizza just so he can't start stuttering again. Even though they've been working together for some time, both as scientists and as superheroes, praise from Tony was still the highest form available in Peter's humble opinion.]
It's an awesome name! Totally catchy, and it makes me think of that really old rock song.
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[personal profile] madeupname 2018-08-12 11:37 am (UTC)(link)
[The wink makes him blush and duck his head down as he laughs, pulling some toppings off his pizza and popping them into his mouth.] I kinda doubt that you started with one screwdriver, Tony.

[His smile drops at the reply, stomach rolling at the thought of his thoughtless comment. The difference in their ages is definitely the biggest point of contention with their bond, and even if they're soulmates it doesn't entirely erase the fact that Tony is so much older. Chewing his lip, he reaches across the table to hold Tony's hand.]

Sorry. It's... Not that old.

[It's a weak cover, and he tries to think of something else to say to ease the tension. Luckily, Tony is much better at that part of conversation, and Peter quickly looks back up at him when he's asked his opinion. Smiling softly, Peter glances around and nods thoughtfully.] It's nice. Great pizza! But, uh, not sure about the bathrooms? Why, why would Mr. Happy care about that?
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[personal profile] madeupname 2018-08-16 03:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[Peter wasn't uncomfortable about Tony's wealth, it was just something that he found impossible to wrap his mind around. He'd never had much, and he didn't mind dumpster diving for retro tech—it was even a little thrilling at times—so he's still working on understanding and accepting Tony's lifestyle and resulting generosity.

When he notices Tony looking at their hands, he worries that it's just another misstep in this sudden disaster of a date. But then he holds his hand, and Peter's stomach flutters and his cheeks warm and he wonders if he's always going to act like a kid with a crush when touching his soulmate.

Stuttering, both verbally and mentally, he tries to catch up with the conversation again.]
M-me? Ask Happy about bathrooms? No way, Mr. Stark, I'm pretty sure he low-key hates me.
Edited 2018-08-16 15:46 (UTC)
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[personal profile] madeupname 2018-08-18 05:22 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh. I guess that, uh, makes me feel a little better? If he hates everyone, he must really love you. [He could tell that Happy worked hard to impress Tony, something that seemed to be true of just about everyone around him. He was the kind of person that you wanted to make proud, in Peter's opinion; more than that, Peter wanted to stop Tony from worry about so much.

Snorting at the thought of bonding with anyone over bathrooms, he tries to think of something else he and Happy could talk about but only comes up with Spider-Man and Tony himself. Blushing a little at the thought of discussing his soulmate with his bodyguard-turned-driver-turned-who knows what now, Peter brightened at the suggestion of dessert.]


Hell yeah! May says I've got a sweet tooth. Do you like sweets?
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[personal profile] madeupname 2018-08-22 04:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah right. [Peter playfully rolls his eyes, not buying it for a second. Sure, Tony and Happy seemed to butt heads a lot, but it all seemed to come for a place of concern for each other. It was sort of the modus operandi for Tony in his relationships, as far as Peter can tell. There's always plenty of teasing, but with genuine affection at the heart of it.

Clearing his throat, choosing not to continue pursuing the topic of his aunt, he picks something on the menu and puts it down to signal that he's ready to order when Tony is.]
Lots of people! Sometimes you want something salty, you know? But that's why french fries in milkshakes are the best. [He smiles up at the waitress when she chuckles at his comment, blushing through his order and then quickly busying himself with his drink.]
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[personal profile] madeupname 2018-08-28 02:26 am (UTC)(link)
[Instantly he regrets taking a sip of his soda because he's choking on it, half laughing and half sputtering at Tony's comment. He's just happy that the waitress has left the table by that point, even if she's close enough to look over her shoulder and raise an eyebrow at him. That just deepens the blush that's crept onto his cheeks.] S-sorry, sorry, but was that millennial humor? Am I rubbing off on you? [Because he doesn't want to voice the less appropriate alternative meaning that had also popped up in his mind.]

What? No, I'm not charming! Just nice. There's a difference, I think. One can be way more awkward.
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[personal profile] madeupname 2018-09-06 11:08 am (UTC)(link)
[Peter pouts slightly at Tony pleading the Fifth rather than answering the question, but he suspects it’s something he’ll have to continue dealing with. They’ll get closer, he hopes, and not only because of being soulmates—he genuinely likes Tony as a person, both because they have a lot in common but because he’s so naturally charismatic.

The dessert is good enough to keep him silent, though, licking his spoon clean and sighing happily at his full stomach. He tries and fails not to blush when Tony takes his hand, squeezing softly but otherwise not drawing attention to the touch just in case it makes Tony stop. His other hand raises in a thumbs up before he bursts into laughter.]
No, it was great! And even if it wasn’t, it would take more than one bad date for me to consider ditching you, soulmates or not.