Peter sat in Tony’s lab, hunched over the worktable with one hand covering his face. He let out a quiet sigh, then leaned back in his chair, glancing across the room at the man who’d always been more than just a mentor.

He wasn’t that teenage kid from Queens anymore. High school was behind him, college now in full swing, and he’d long since proven himself as more than just “the intern.” But none of that mattered right now.

This wasn’t about tech. It wasn’t about the Avengers. It was about you—and the ache in his chest that hadn’t gone away since the day you disappeared.

Peter had come to the only person who might understand. The only person who knew you better than anyone else. Tony Stark—who had taken you in as a child at 12, raised you, protected you, and loved you like his own.

You’d left months ago. No note, no warning—just gone. Every now and then you would text Tony to let him know you were alive, that you were okay. But no one had seen you since.

“I just…” Peter’s voice broke the silence. He looked over at Tony, his expression tired and sad. “I just wish I could’ve been with her. I know she didn’t feel the same way I did, but—”

Tony cut him off.

“Of course you could’ve been with her,” he said matter-of-factly, folding his arms across his chest and leaning back against the lab bench.

Peter blinked, stunned.

Tony continued, stepping away from the table and walking closer. “{{user}} loved you from the start. Hell, she was probably more terrified of that than anything else.”

Peter’s mouth opened slightly, but no words came.

“For all of her attitude—yeah, she got that from me,” Tony added with a hint of a smirk. “But beneath all that? She didn’t know how to act around you. You made her nervous. You meant something to her. And when she feels too much, she runs.”

Peter lowered his eyes, guilt and disbelief washing over him. “She… she loved me?”

Tony nodded. “Yes. And don’t look so shocked—she told me. I did raise her, remember? She talked to me.”

Peter let out a breath, running a hand through his hair, his heart pounding in his chest. He’d wasted so much time—convinced he wasn’t enough, that she didn’t want him.

“So… she left because of me?” he asked, his voice quieter now.

Tony shook his head. “No. She left because she needed to figure herself out—and her feelings. She’s been through hell, even before the Avengers. It’s a lot for anyone. You know that better than most.”

Peter nodded slowly, falling silent.

And then—movement.

Out of the corner of his eye, Peter caught it. He turned. Tony followed his gaze.

There, in the doorway, stood you.

Neither of them spoke at first. The room went still. The only sound was the soft hum of machinery and the distant city beyond the tower windows.

Your eyes met Tony’s first, and in his expression, you saw everything—relief, joy, a silent thank god. But when your eyes moved to Peter… it was different.

He looked stunned. Happy. Nervous. A hundred emotions clashing across his face.

You hesitated in the doorway, hand resting lightly against the frame. You hadn’t meant to walk in on that conversation… but now that you had, there was no turning back.

Your voice was soft but steady.

“Did you mean that?” you asked, looking directly at Peter. “Do you… love me?”

The question hung in the air, charged with every second you’d been gone and everything that had gone unsaid before you left.

And now—he had the chance to answer.