Work Text:
MIT Annual Family Weekend!
Come join us for an array of programs with the faculty, students, and families from all around the world!
Peter Parker drew his eyes away from the flyer that had been posted in the common room of the dorms. Ever since the announcement had arrived in their emails, there had been non-stop talk about the family weekend.
Stories were passed around from older students on what the weekend was like and what they were looking forward too again. Sign-up sheets to be volunteers over the weekend were spread around and Peter had wanted to put down his name, but the faculty had encouraged those who were attending the college for the first time to take the opportunity to enjoy the family weekend and that there would be time in the future for them to sign up.
As the weekend approached, the excitement for the family weekend only grew. It was the topic of discussion around the campus. Even Ned was getting into the excitement and Peter couldn’t help but grin and get swept away in the excitement.
“Mum’s going to bring her famous casserole,” Ned had told Peter as they left their class, heading back to their dorm. “She’s making one for each of us.”
“Wicked,” Peter grinned.
While the food was amazing at MIT, sometime Peter missed having a home cooked meal. Ned’s mum made the best casserole, and he was looking forward to putting some in the mini fridge he had stashed in his dorm room (something that Rhodey and Tony had told him would be essential).
Peter was looking forward to the weekend and going through the activities with Ned. There was a small part of them though that was deeply sad that May wasn’t going to be there to enjoy it with him. Ned had been supportive, being there for Peter when they news had first dropped and letting Peter have a cry on his shoulder.
“May so would have made you guys matching t-shirts,” Ned had said.
Peter had burst into watery laughter, agreeing that it was something that May would have done. It warmed his heart knowing that she would have been proud of Peter and the ache of grief settled over Peter. He had come to terms that May’s death wasn’t his fault, but grief had a way of sneaking back into Peter’s heart in moments like this.
May wouldn’t have wanted him to be sad so he made a silent promise to her that he would enjoy the day. Ned had of course offered for Peter to come spend the day with him and his mum and Peter had happily agreed.
On the day of the family weekend, Ned and Peter made their way through the campus to go meet Ned’s mum. As they walked, Peter took in the campus. It was already streaming with people, families reuniting everywhere. Peter grinned at the sight. The air was full of joy and excitement and it was hard not to get caught up in it.
“Mum said she should be here soon,” Ned said, looking at his phone.
Peter nodded, excitement building up inside him.
“PETEY!”
Peter whipped around at the familiar shout of his name. Peter gaped as he watched Morgan Stark come running towards him at full speed. His breath stuttered when she launched herself at him, Peter catching her easily. He swung her up into his arm, letting her wrap her arms around his neck and hug him tightly.
Peter blinked as he watched Tony, Pepper, Happy, and Rhodey all make their way over to Peter, following Morgan at a more casual pace. They were all grinning at Peter as they came towards him. When they finally reached him, Peter could only continue to stare at them, his heart fluttering widely in his chest.
“Hi sweetheart,” Pepper said, swooping in to plant a kiss on Peter’s cheek. “Sorry we are late.”
“I – what are you doing here?” Peter gaped.
“It’s family weekend!” Morgan cheered happily.
“Dude,” Ned beamed at Peter, giving him a nudge. He held out his hand to Morgan who happily slapped it in return. “Hi!”
“Hi Ted,” Tony greeted.
“Ned,” Peter corrected on auto piolet. “You’re here.”
“Of course we are,” Happy said, frowning. “Why wouldn’t we be?”
Since May had passed away, it had been Tony and Pepper who had taken Peter into their home. They had helped him with all the funeral arrangements and had been there for him as he came to terms with her death. They had gotten him through the difficult days and had been there to celebrate with him when his MIT acceptance letter had come through.
“I – I didn’t know you were coming,” Peter said, holding Morgan close.
Pepper shot Tony a look who winced.
“Ah, my bad, kid,” Tony said. “I forgot to tell you that we were coming for the family weekend.”
“Tony,” Pepper admonished, shaking her head. “Sorry Peter. Tony was meant to text you last week about it.”
“I’m sorry,” Tony apologised. “But like there was any way we were going to be missing this.” Tony spread his arms wide and beamed. “First family weekend!”
Ned nudged Peter again, giving him a bright smile.
Peter heart fluttered in his chest again and a smile stretched across his lips. “Thank you so much for coming.”
“Of course,” Rhodey smiled. “We wouldn’t have missed this. We are proud of you, Peter.”
“May would be too,” Happy added, a soft, sad smile on his face.
Peter nodded, feeling the sting of tear in the back of his nose. He cleared his throat, hugging Morgan tighter.
“Ned, is your mother joining us too?” Pepper asked, easing the moment forward.
“Yeah! She should be here soon,” Ned nodded.
“Excellent,” Pepper smiled. “We’ll wait for her and then you boys can lead us to the first activity.”
“I’m hungry,” Morgan chimed, twisting in Peter’s arms. “Petey! We need the snack bag.”
Peter chuckled, joy crashing through him waves. Since living with the Stark’s, Peter and Morgan had come up with a snack bag for whenever the two of them were playing at the Lake House. It was a child size backpack that Peter would fill with snacks so that the two of them didn’t have to keep ducking into the house whenever they were playing outside.
“Here we go,” Tony said, opening the pink My Little Pony backpack that Peter noticed he was carrying. He handed over a piece of fruit to each of them.
“What about me?” Rhodey asked, giving Tony an expectant look.
“I’m not your dad,” Tony scoffed. “Get your own snacks.”
“Rude,” Rhodey huffed, a smile tugging at his lips. “I’m going to remember this the next time your ass needs saving.”
Peter watched the bickering, a bright grin on his face. He had missed hearing the playful bickering of Tony and Rhodey. Although he messaged Tony nearly every day, it was different not seeing him so often. He had missed the time he had spent with his little sister, and he was so happy that she was excited to see him. He made a mental note that he needed to head home more often, so he didn’t miss out on any more family time.
“Ned! Peter!” Mrs. Leed’s called in the distance. She hurried over them, a smile on her face. When she reached them, she pulled Ned into a tight hug and Peter quickly put Morgan down so he could be swept into a hug too.
“So good to see you,” Mrs. Leed’s said. “Sorry I’m late.” Her gaze landed on Morgan and her smile widened as her gaze then darted to Pepper, Tony, Happy, and Rhodey. “Oh! Hello! You made it too!”
With his family surrounding him, Peter beamed at Ned who grinned right back.
“Alright boys, where are we heading to first?” Tony asked, slinging an arm around Peter.
As they headed in the direction of the first activity, Peter knew his cheeks were going to be sore by the end of the day. He should have known that there was no way that Tony would let him go through family day alone. Peter had a family, and it was right there with him. And even though May wasn’t there to be with him, he knew thar wherever she was, her and Ben were watching over him too, proud of who he had become.