Pepper was worried about Tony, even though she loved hearing his voice over the network. There was no denying he was in danger, even if he tried to assuage her fears. Still, she needed to keep herself together for the kids in her life – one of those kids being Peter Parker. She only knew him for a year or so, but he wormed his way into her heart and she loved him like her own child so she desperately wanted to make him feel better about Tony’s situation. Pepper knew Peter was spending a lot of time in the lab so she asked FRIDAY to alert her when Peter showed up there.
She dropped everything when the alert came to bring him some chocolate chip cookies from Cath’s bakery in New Asgard. She didn’t need to knock, because she had automatic clearance to the facility’s labs. “Hi, honey,” she greeted him as she set the cookies down. She turned and opened her arms. “Where is my hug?”
Peter had just settled down to the computer to start running some diagnostics and get started when Pepper came into the lab. He’d been running himself a little ragged--the plan was to just stay in Little Wakanda, hiding under a blanket in Sabrina’s bed… but she’d lost someone, too. And as much as it hurt that Tony was missing, Peter knew he had to buck it up so he could be there for his girlfriend.
And then they heard from Tony. Peter’s world turned upside down again, and he threw himself into the lab, supporting Darcy and Babs and the others in their searches.
When Pepper held open her arms, he climbed up from his chair and wrapped his own around her, pulling her into a big hug.
Pepper squeezed him tightly, while rubbing his back. “How’s my favorite spider doing, hmm?” She gently disentangled herself enough so that she could cup his chin. He looked tired, which didn’t surprise her. “How is Sabrina and Little Wakanda?”
Peter definitely felt tired. He pulled back enough to look up into her face, and gave a gentle shrug of his shoulders. Losing Ned had been a blow, and then losing Tony after that? Peter wasn’t sure how much more he could take. “I’m okay. She’s all right. She lost someone, too, so we’re… just being there for each other.”
Pepper nodded. “I saw the alert about Ambrose. Please tell Sabrina she’s welcome here should she need anything from us.” Pepper leaned in and kissed the boy’s forehead. “We will have dinner just as soon as Tony is back so we can get to know her better.” She shot him a teasing smile. “You are being a perfect gentleman, I hope?”
“I will. She’s really happy with her coven over in Little Wakanda, but I’ll let her know if she wants to come back she’s got a room here.” Peter went a little pink at the kiss to his forehead. He grinned softly, shyly, and nodded. “I’d like that. As soon as Mr. Stark’s back through the portal, we’ll make it happen.” He cleared his throat. “I… think so? What do you mean?”
She finally released her grip on him and walked over to where she set the cookies on the desk. She picked up the plate and held it out to him with her best “you better take it” look. “Oh, you know,” she said. “Holding doors open and talking sweet to her.”
Peter wasn’t like Tony--he didn’t mind being handed things. He accepted the plate and lifted one of the cookies off of it right away to take a bite. “Oh! Yeah. Of course. I think Aunt May would kick my a--butt. My butt. If I didn’t. If I wasn’t.” He went a little pink, but stuffed his mouth full of cookie to stop himself talking.
Pepper was glad to see him eating, even if it was just cookies at the moment. She chuckled when he corrected his cursing. “Don’t worry, I won’t wash your mouth out with soap for swearing,” she teased. “And I bet May would. She raised you right, honey. You are a good young man.” Her eyes grew more serious then. “We are all very proud of you, you know.”
Peter took a deep breath in, his mouth full of cookie, then let it out slowly. It took him a moment to chew his mouthful, and then he swallowed. “Thanks, Pepper. I… I want to make you proud.” He paused. “Before all of this happened, I was going to work on the fleet in New Asgard. I met this man, Poe Dameron. He works on the spacecraft out there… he said maybe I could help. I know they need me on Team Science, but… do you think Mr. Stark would approve of me working on spaceships?”
Pepper’s heart went out to Peter. The poor kid wanted Tony’s approval so badly. She stepped forward and placed her hands on his shoulders. “Tony…your dad...he’d want you to use that big brain in any way that makes you fulfilled.” She squeezed his shoulders. “None of us want you running into danger headfirst, but we know you are growing up and you are a superhero and we trust you to make good choices.” She smiled gently. “Work on the ship, honey. Tony is already so proud of you. You believe me, don’t you?”
Peter nodded, looking up into Pepper’s face. But then it was a bit too much, and he felt emotion welling within him. He cleared his throat, his nose burning. “Yeah. No, yeah, I do.” He turned to set the plate of cookies down on his desk. That was his dinner plan, for sure. Then he lifted a hand to rub at his eye. “They need me in the lab, but… maybe when we get Mr. Stark back… I hope he’d be proud. It’d be cool to work on spaceships.”
She let him compose himself without interfering. Poor thing. “You know, sweetheart, Tony loves you. He may not say it, but he shows it, hmm? You don’t have to worry about disappointing him. I bet he’ll want to see the spaceship.” She grinned. “I know I do. And I’m sure May will too.”
Peter nodded. It felt weird. He felt… a lot younger than eighteen. He took a deep breath and composed himself, wiping once more at his eyes before turning back to her. “I’ll show you. That is… if they let me apprentice out there. I’d like to help, and to learn. You should have seen the droids that Poe guy has. They’re amazing.”
“I’ll have to ask to visit them,” Pepper responded. “Just don’t tell Dum-E. I don’t want him thinking I’m replacing him.”
Peter actually laughed at that. “I’ll make sure to tell Dum-E how much he’s loved and respected around here. I’m sure he’ll enjoy that. After he’s done accidentally knocking things off the table.”
She liked hearing that laugh again. It had been too long. “Knew I could count on you.” She glanced at her watch. “ I have a meeting and I should let you get back to work. You’ll call me if you need anything?” She wrapped her arms around him again and kissed his cheek.
Peter nodded, flushing again at the kiss to his cheek. “Yeah. Yes, I’ll call you,” he said softly. “I should get back to work myself. Thanks… thanks for the cookies. And for everything else.” He grinned a soft grin, then slipped back into the chair at his lab station.
Pepper was mollified for the moment. Peter had eaten some cookies and shared some feelings. She couldn’t ask for more under the circumstances. “Bye, Pete,” she said before slipping out the door.