#for context uhmm how do i explain this

[cherrirui-official]

"You know... You didn't have to take that with you."

"But I promised him I'd take him out to see the ocean one day."

[graceful-starker]

You’re More Than Just a One Night Stand (Redo)

OG Prompt: Uhmm I dont know if this might make u uncomfortable, but I was thinking about a married!Tony cheating Pepper with Peter (he loves her but they are not in a good moment), and Peter accidentally (or not) leaves a hickey maybe too visible

Summary: Tony Stark and Pepper Potts have the most famous on again-off again relationship in the world. Peter Parker sees his opportunity and takes it. 

Warnings: Cheating, unhealthy relationships, emotional manipulation, angst with a (starker) happy ending, alcohol mention, angst.

Notes: This is part of my New Years’ Resolution project (Guess what my New Years resolution is next year? To finish this list :P ) Anyway, people really liked this one, but thought that it would be better if I redid it now, because of how much my writing has improved over the years. 

Word count: 7,714

~~~

Tony groans as he’s shaken awake, feeling the ache in his back before he even opens his eyes. Falling asleep at his desk is no longer a manageable task for his body, it would seem. 

He stretches and blinks slowly, wincing at the fluorescent lights. “Oh, god,” Tony groans again, turning to look at who woke him up. “Hey, kid,” he sleepily greets Peter. 

Peter smiles sadly at him. “You fell asleep in the lab again, Mr. Stark,” he states. And if the worry in Peter’s eyes didn’t look so real, so much like he actually cared, Tony might have snarked him for stating the obvious.

Instead, he just gives what he hopes is a reassuring smile and straightens up. “Pep kicked me out again,” he explains. He stands and starts to shuffle towards the coffee maker he keeps in the lab. “We’re broken up. Again. I give it twenty-four hours, honestly, this was a stupid reason to get mad at me, all things considered.” He was rambling, and he knew it. He always tries to keep his problems away from Peter, to not worry the younger man. He has a feeling he’s embarrassingly bad at it. 

He’s surprised when he turns around and sees Peter right behind him, brows furrowed with a mix of worry and something Tony couldn’t quite decode in this context. Tony almost spills his coffee over Peter, but manages to steady the cup with a gasp. “Kid? What the hell-”

“This isn’t healthy,” Peter says softly. “She can’t keep doing this to you.”

Tony shrugs and looks just over Peter’s left shoulder, taking a sip before responding. “She puts up with my bullshit, I sleep in the lab sometimes. It isn’t as bad as it looks.”

“She’s hurting you,” Peter says, hesitating before touching Tony’s arm gently. “Not just emotionally, either. Your back hurts for days after you sleep at your desk.” The fact that the kid even knows that means Tony is as terrible at hiding his problems as he thought he was. 

Tony shrugs again, but doesn’t move away from the comfort the boy is providing. “It’s real sweet of you to worry, Pete, but I’m really okay. ‘sides, she’s the only one that’s been willing to put up with me for more than a night,” he tries to turn the mood lighter, teasing himself so Peter will smile. 

Instead, the worry is replaced with a mixture of anger and...and that emotion Tony can’t make sense of. “That isn’t true, Mr. Stark. I would--I know tons of people who would kill for a chance to be yours. And she’s taking advantage of it...she’s taking it for granted, acting as if you’ll always be there to take her back.”

Tony works his jaw. Emotions aren’t his strong suit, and being vulnerable is his worst nightmare. “Well, I will. I love her. There’s no one else.”

Peter swallows thickly, eyes flickering between Tony’s. “What if there was someone else?” Peter whispers. 

Tony shakes her head. “There isn’t. No one else would put up with me, so it’s fine if she hurts my feelings every once and a-”

“I wouldn’t ever hurt you, if you were mine,” Peter says boldly, staring deeply into Tony’s eyes. Ah, that’s what that emotion was. “I wouldn’t ever give you up, even for one day. I wouldn’t ever make you feel anything less than my god damn sun, my universe.”

Tony’s mouth drops open, lips slightly parted as he takes in the words. He puts his coffee mug down, crossing his arms over his chest as he looks Peter over. “But I’m not yours, I’m hers.” He doesn’t want to hurt Peter, but it’s the truth. He and Pepper both know a break up is only temporary. 

A flicker of hurt at the dismissal, but the kid is quick to regain his footing. “Not right now,” Peter whispers, stepping closer, getting bolder. “You’re single right now. You don’t have to take her back, when she calls for you. You’re single.”

“Not for long,” Tony protests weakly. 

“You’re single,” Peter repeats, his lips a mere inch away from Tony’s. “Aren’t you?”

Tony lets out a shaky breath, looking down to Peter’s lips. The earlier words were so beautiful, so perfectly what Tony has always wanted to hear from Pepper. And his lips are so enticing, so pink and beautiful, and...and you know what, Pepper did break things off between them, didn’t she? She can’t be angry at anything he does anymore, he’s a free man. Right?

Fuck it. 

Tony leans in that extra inch, connecting their lips softly. He waits for the feeling of guilt to leech into his brain, for the need to be loyal to Pep to hit him.

But it never does. 

Peter wraps his arms around Tony’s shoulders, gently resting them so he isn’t holding on or pushing away. Tony isn’t as gentle. He wraps his arms around Peter’s waist, pulling him flush against his own body. 

Peter gasps softly into the older man’s mouth, one hand sliding up to tangle into the older man’s hair. Tony releases a contented sigh, allowing the younger man to slide his tongue along Tony's lips. 

Eventually, Tony opens his lips and allows Peter in, enjoying the feeling of their tongues gliding together. They both get lost in it, time seeming to exist outside of them. 

Tony only comes back to his senses when Peter starts to kiss down Tony’s neck. The older man is breathless, both from the kissing and the way Peter’s lips feel against his neck. “Oh, fuck,” Tony breathes, grinding their hips together. 

Peter whines at one particularly rough thrust, biting down where Tony’s neck meets his shoulder. Tony groans softly in Peter’s ear, pulling roughly at his hair. “Careful,” Tony warns. 

Peter licks over the mark in apology, sucking a mark right above it instead. Tony sighs in half annoyance, but doesn’t want the boy to stop. 

He simply enjoys the attention, enjoys the touches, enjoys the memory of the words Peter had murmured earlier. 

It wasn’t until Peter started to rub at Tony’s cock through his pants he realized he needed to stop this before it got too far. If he hasn’t fucked it all up already. “Pete,” he whispers.

“No,” Peter argues, moving his lips up Tony’s neck. He kisses at Tony’s jaw instead. 

Tony sighs, pulling away gently and kissing Peter’s lips. “I can’t do this to you, Pete. I’m always going to choose her. And you’re too important to me to lose.” He cups Peter’s cheek, rubbing his thumb gently over Peter’s jaw. “We should stop while we still can.”

Peter scoffs at that, keeping Tony’s hand cupped to his cheek by cupping his own hand over Tony’s. “I’m not like Pepper, I’m not holding my mere presence as a bargaining chip to get what I want.”

Tony pulls away at that, sighing heavily. He doesn’t like Peter insulting Pep, but the words still make him feel warm inside. Knowing he doesn’t have to be afraid of Peter leaving him...is this what Pepper feels like? 

Tony kisses the boy once more, and sighs softly. “My point still stands, Peter. I’m going to end up with her, sooner or later.”

“And I’ll be here,” Peter starts, finally pulling away but holding Tony’s hand. “Waiting for when she dumps you again.”

~

Tony has started to feel more and more guilty the longer he doesn’t tell Pepper about Peter. 

When she first called him back to the penthouse, telling him he was forgiven and they could get back together, he had hesitated. 

Pepper had shifted uncomfortably. “Well?” she had pushed.

Tony had sighed, and pulled down his shirt. It was just far enough to show the hickeys. “I don’t know if we can keep doing this, Pep.”

Pepper had simply sighed in annoyance. “So you got a one night stand while we were broken up, so what? Is she worth ruining everything we have over? Are you not going to take me back because of some whore that spreads her legs for you as soon as you ask?”

Tony had ground his teeth together, but made a quick decision not to out Peter. “No, Pep, that isn’t what I...I mean...Pepper, I can’t keep doing this. I can’t keep feeling like I’m absolutely nothing to you. I can’t do this anymore.” Not now that Peter has shown him what he wants in a committed relationship.

Pepper had rolled her eyes. “Did she tell you that shit? She just decided I treat you like shit, huh? You’re going to let that whore tell you about our love life?” Pepper walked over and sat in Tony’s lap, her arms resting gently over Tony’s shoulders while one hand slides up Tony’s neck and cups the back of his head. “I love you, and I always will. No matter what happens. No matter what we go through, no matter how much you or I fuck up. None of that matters. The only thing that matters is that you and I belong together. Forever.”

Tony had melted into the words, looking up at her with adoration, but was unable to keep the conflict off of his face. “Pep...”

“Just tell me you love me too, and everything else goes away,” she had whispered.

“I love you,” Tony had said easily, and he had meant it. He did love her. He just...he knew he betrayed her. Far more than she thought he did. He didn’t have a one stand stand with a whore, he made out with a close friend. Someone Pepper has met multiple times, someone who has come up to their penthouse and had dinner with them. Someone Tony spends a good chunk of every day with. 

And then there was Peter, too. He had said he wasn’t going to hold Tony’s momentary weakness over their relationship, but Peter can’t help himself. He can’t help the longing stares, or the lingering touches, or the way his eyes light up whenever Pepper dumps Tony again. 

“Peter,” Tony had finally said one day, when the hand Peter had on Tony’s back slipped downwards. “You gotta stop. I’m sorry, but you gotta stop.”

Peter had only sighed, and pulled his hand away. He scratched the back of his neck with it. “You’re single again,” Peter whispered. 

Tony didn’t say a word, only rubbed a hand over his face. 

“You’re single again,” Peter said louder. “So what’s the harm in a one night stand?”

“The harm,” Tony said loudly, putting both hands on the desk a bit harsher than necessary. But then sighed and lowers his voice, looking into Peter’s wide eyes, sadness taking over his own. “The harm is...you’re more than just a one night stand, Peter. I can’t do this, because once I do, I’ll never stop. And the only thing I’ll do is hurt one or both of you, more deeply than any person should ever be hurt. And I don’t want to be that kind of monster.”

Peter had accelerated his breathing with every word, until he was practically gasping for air by the end. “You love me,” Peter accused. No, not accused...begged. He begged Tony for the words to be true, both with his eyes and his tone. 

Tony hung his head, shoulders slumping in shame. “Don’t do that. Because I’ll still choose her, and you’ll still be heart broken.” He looks up at Peter again, feeling broken already. “And if you break, I’ll break.”

Peter just stared at Tony, looking both dejected and sad. “I want you, Tony. All the time. Every second of every day, I want you. And I won’t throw you away when you piss me off. I won’t reject you when you need me the most. And I’m not going to stop loving you just because you can’t love me back.” Peter’s voice breaks, and he steps forward, into Tony’s space. “I’m right here. Come and get me.”

Tony’s breath hitched, and then his resolve crumbled. He pushed forward, crushing their lips together in a kiss that was infinitely more intense than their first kiss. The first one was sweet, slow, gradually increasing in passion. This kiss was raw, hungry, and desperate. 

Tony is a terrible person. He’s hurting Peter, even if the younger man insists he isn’t. And he’s hurting Pepper. He’s hurting her in a way she doesn’t deserve, even after all the shit she’s put him through. 

But he can’t take it anymore. He loves them both, and he wants them both. And right then, in that short period of time, he could. He could have Peter, and the day after, when Pepper got bored of her little games, he would have her again. 

And he will hate himself for it, every second of every day.

~

Tony knew it was a mistake before he even slept with Peter. But now, all he can think about is the beautiful young man. The way his back arches when Tony nails his prostate right on. The way his face screws up in pleasure, and his nose scrunches so cutely when he’s just about to cum. The way his curls feel around Tony’s fingers. The way Peter’s body gets so warm, it feels like fire when Tony rubs against it. 

And now he knows. He knows what it’s like to be with Peter. He knows what it’s like to be with the man he loves. 

And he knows how god damn awful it feels to crawl out of his sweet, warm embrace and right into Pepper’s waiting arms. 

“You have more,” Pepper had said softly, pushing lightly on one of Peter's bite marks. 

“You left me,” Tony says back, but he keeps his eyes closed. If she looks into his eyes, she’ll know. He knows she’ll know. 

“I know,” she says softly. “Still.”

Tony shrugs. “If you leave me, I can do whatever I want. You don’t want me to, don’t leave me.”

Pepper kisses his cheek, before rolling over and turning off the light. “Just because we’re on a break doesn’t mean you don’t come back to me. You and I both know it isn’t a real break up. Tell yourself what you want, but when you sleep with whores, you’re still cheating on me.”

Tony bites his tongue. He bites, and he bites hard, until he tastes blood and he hears her even breathing. “Not a whore, honey,” he whispers, knowing she won’t hear. 

~

Tony was guilt ridden. Pepper’s words had bothered him more than he thought they would. But she was right; they both knew it was just a game for Pepper. They both knew they weren’t really broken up. So Tony was a cheater, for sleeping with Peter. 

Tony nearly jumps out of his skin as Peter enters the lab, reviving him from his thoughts. He turns his guilty eyes on Peter, and suddenly he doesn’t feel as bad. 

Because Peter walks in, and he’s glowing. He’s whistling as he struts in, a giant pep in his step as goes to his station. Peter looks so beautiful, it makes Tony’s stomach drop. 

And then Peter puts his stuff down and turns those big, bright doe eyes on Tony. And a brilliant grin splits across his face, and he looks so genuinely happy that Tony can hardly help but to breathlessly smile back. 

“What’s got you so happy, kid?” Tony asks, fiddling with his wrench. 

Peter laughs softly, and it’s music to Tony’s ears. “I dunno, I just feel good. I feel great, actually. I have since Friday,” he says, unsubtly hinting to their affair. 

Tony laughs softly, but the guilt is starting to return. He doesn’t want to ruin this moment, to ruin Peter’s happiness for even a second. So instead of saying anything, he just stares at Peter with a smile on his lips and love in his eyes. 

Peter starts to blush after a moment and looks down, laughing softly once more. “What are we working on today, Mr. Stark?”

Tony allows himself to look just a few more seconds, before he tears his eyes away to look down at the plans. “Mark III for your suit. I think it’s finally time to give you a suit that never had training wheels, don’t you think?”

Peter had lit up again, this time in excitement instead of happiness. His face is just as beautiful. “Awesome! Lemme see,” he says, coming over and getting in Tony’s space. He looks over the plans, and Tony fights the urge to wrap an arm around the kid’s shoulders to make everything easier and less awkward. 

It’s going to be a long day. 

~

Tony laughs bitterly, rubbing a hand over his face. “What’s the reason this time, Pep? Did I skip a meeting? Did I forget to do the dishes? Did I not bring you flowers when you wanted them?”

Pepper snarls at him. Usually Tony just sighs and gets out, he never questions her. “Just get out,” she says, flicking her wrist dismissively. 

“No!” Tony says, standing up from where he had been sitting. “No, not unless you give me a reason, Pep. I’m tired of playing these games, they aren’t funny anymore.”

Pepper scoffs. “Of course they aren’t funny! Fine, if you want to know--yes, you missed a meeting. An important one, because you were too busy playing in the lab with the kid.”

Tony’s nostrils flare, and he stares her down. “Playing?” he asks, voice low and dangerous. “That’s what you call my job?”

Pepper scoffs again. “Yes, playing! Because you aren’t making anything for SI, you’re making his suit-”

“You know what?” Tony snarls, cutting her off. He grabs his coat, slipping it on and grabbing his keys. “We are done. We are done, Pepper. I’m done.”

She’s stunned into silence, and he’s gone with the door slammed before she unfreezes. 

He gets in his car and drives, drives and drives and drives until he’s gotten all the anger in his system out and all he’s left with is a bitter sadness. 

The truth is, he had always known, known, he was going to end up with Pepper. He wanted to marry her, and have kids with her, and always stay with her. But he just can’t take it anymore. The games, the hurt, the uncertainty. It’s all too much. 

Before he knows what he’s doing, he’s parked in front of Peter’s building. He shouldn’t do this, not when he’s hurting. Their first time had been so beautiful, filled with only want and desire, not guilt and sadness. He doesn’t want to ruin what he and Peter had over this. 

But he didn’t drive away in time. Because there was Peter, tapping on the passenger side window with a concerned look on his face. Tony sighs and rolls down the window. “Hey, kid,” he greets. 

Peter frowns, unlocking the door and getting in. Tony glares half-heartedly, knowing he wouldn’t actually be mad in any universe. “Mr. Stark?” he asks softly. “What’s going on?”

“I shouldn’t have come here,” Tony admits softly. He puts his head in his hands, pulling at his hair in frustration. “I didn’t actually want you to see me like this.”

Peter doesn’t say a word, only gently rubs at Tony’s right shoulder. Tony can practically feel the frown on the younger boy’s face. He shouldn’t be here. Peter is too good, too perfect for this. He’s too kind to hear what Tony needs to say.

“I think it’s really over this time,” Tony says, voice breaking. He shouldn’t be here, but he is, and he’s about to hurt Peter. 

Peter makes a sympathetic noise, letting his hand slide down Tony’s arm until he can carefully pull Tony’s hand away from his hair. He holds onto it, and Tony finally has the courage to look up at the younger man. “What makes you say that?” he asks softly. 

And Tony doesn’t deserve Peter. Because here Tony is, broken hearted over the woman who was keeping Tony from Peter, and he’s not celebrating. He isn’t pushing Tony to think it’s a good thing, or making a move. He’s just listening. Comforting. 

Tony doesn’t deserve this. 

“Because I told her I was done. And then I walked out.” He sniffs, and looks sadly at Peter. “I don’t know anymore, Pete. I feel both like I’m done and like I can’t live without her. What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I...why can’t I just be normal? Why can’t I just decide I’m done with her, and be done? Why does it hurt this much?”

Peter doesn’t say anything again. He just leans over and hugs Tony, petting his hair softly. “Maybe you aren’t done,” Peter says softly, voice breaking. “Maybe you love her enough to put up with things you wouldn’t for anyone else.” He pulls away then, still holding Tony’s hand and looking deeply into the older man’s eyes. “I would understand that.”

He knows Peter wasn’t trying to hurt him with those words. But he did. Because Tony is an asshole, and he is treating Peter like shit. Peter is dealing with things from Tony he would never, should never deal with from anyone else. He shouldn’t deal with it with Tony either, but he has decided to. 

Just like Tony is with Pepper. 

“Peter, “ Tony whispers, holding back sobs. “Peter, I-”

Peter shakes his head, squeezing Tony’s hand. “I know,” he whispers back. “You don’t have to say it. I know.”

Tony sniffs, thinking again about how much he doesn’t deserve Peter. “Invite me up,” he asks, sounding desperate and broken.

Peter laughs softly, sniffling himself and shakes his head. “Not tonight, Mr. Stark. I think you need to go home tonight.”

Tony looks away, down at the steering wheel, fighting the tears again. “Peter,” he begs again.

Peter only squeezes Tony’s hand, leans over to kiss his cheek, and opens the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Mr. Stark,” he says. 

Tony lets out a shaky breath, slamming his head into the wheel. He stays for another ten minutes after Peter goes back up, before going back home.

~

He and Pepper have been back together for a solid three months, longer than they ever have been before. And Tony has been happy, these last few months. He feels like Pepper was so scared by Tony leaving, she doesn’t want to push it.

The bad news is, he misses Peter. A lot. And Pepper isn’t pushing it, so he doesn’t have any excuses to sleep with the younger man. 

Peter has been more reserved lately. Ever since the night Tony parked in front of Peter’s apartment, he’s been more reserved and more...timid. 

Tony misses the carefree laughter. The blindingly bright smiles. The love in Peter’s eyes when Tony gives the man attention. 

Until one day, Tony just breaks. He can’t stand the lack of brightness in Peter’s eyes, and he misses Peter, and he just...snaps. 

“Peter,” Tony says softly, making the younger man look up from his project. 

“Yes, Mr. Stark?” He asks, looking up. And that does it for Tony. He can’t see the sadness there anymore. He doesn’t want to, and he knows how to fix it. Tony walks around the table, getting into Peter’s space. Peter’s breath hitches, and he looks up at Tony with wide eyes. “Mr. Stark?” he whispers. 

Tony puts his hands on Peter’s hips, swallowing the guilt he feels towards Pepper. “Peter,” he whispers back. 

Peter’s hands rest gently behind Tony’s neck, crossed at the wrists. His breath comes quickly, and his eyes light up. “Did you break up again?” he asks softly. 

Tony swallows, looking at Peter with hungry eyes. “No,” he says honestly. “It doesn’t matter anyway.”

“Tony,” Peter whispers, eyes a conflicted mess. Tony knows Peter wants this, but he also feels guilty. Just like Tony.

“Kiss me,” Tony begs softly. “I want you, I want...I need you.” He doesn’t push the younger man, not willing to risk pressuring him. 

Peter looks like he’s fighting himself, his eyes conflicted. But then the want wins over, and he surges forward.

Tony holds onto Peter’s hips harder, pulling the younger boy closer to him. Peter moans into the kiss, tongue exploring Tony’s mouth. They grind into each other, until Tony lifts the younger man onto the desk and then Peter grinds into Tony’s stomach. 

Tony pants into Peter’s mouth, using Peter’s hips to encourage the grinding. He pulls away from the kiss, and Peter’s hands curl tightly into his hair. Tony shivers, kissing his way down Peter’s jaw and neck. The whines and moans the other man sings go directly to Tony’s core, and makes him feel even crazier and more desperate. 

They pull apart only long enough to take each other’s shirts off, and then they attack each other’s mouths again. 

Tony is momentarily distracted by the fierce kissing, but he eventually pulls away, panting into Peter’s mouth. He grins evilly, kissing Peter again once softly before falling to his knees. The action hurts more now than it would have if he were younger, but he doesn’t care that much. The gasp of happy surprise Peter emits is more than worth it. 

They spend hours together. Hours of making each other feel good, of moving together, of being one. All over the lab, every which way. No surface in here is without a memory now. No where in his lab is just the lab anymore. 

They end on the couch in the corner, Peter laying on top of Tony, panting together. Tony smiles up at Peter then, kissing him softly. He runs his fingers along Peter’s neck, satisfied with the marks he left behind. He asked Peter not to leave any where Pep could see, because he doesn’t want to deal with her knowing just yet. But he got to leave as many as he wanted on the younger man. 

“Tony,” Peter whispers, shivering at the touches. 

“Hm?” Tony asks softly, smiling happily up at him. Tony hasn’t felt so contented and happy in so long. 

“I love you,” Peter says softly. He takes Tony’s fingers, kissing them softly. 

Tony’s grin falters for just a moment, but he’s sure Peter caught it. He gets the smile back quickly, although it's slightly more bittersweet. “I love you too” he tells Peter truthfully. “I shouldn’t tell you, I shouldn’t do any of this to you...but-”

“It’s okay,” Peter lies, leaning down and kissing Tony again, feather light. “It’s okay. I’m always going to be here for you.”

Tony sighs softly. “I don’t deserve that. I don’t deserve you.” 

Peter blushes and smiles at that, as if it was a compliment and not a warning. 

It had taken them a surprisingly long time to get up the energy to get up and dressed again. They were so happy in their little bubble. 

Little did Tony know that Peter ran into Pepper on his way out of the building. And even though Tony has no marks, no evidence on him that anything happened, Peter does. In plain sight. And Pepper had almost let it go, but then Peter had looked her up and down and smirked, and she knew. 

~

A few months after their affair started, things felt calm for Tony. Like for once, everything was going right. He had Pepper, he had Peter. Everything felt calm and nice and lovely. 

But of course, it couldn’t last. 

Tony sighs in annoyance, rubbing at his eyebrow. “Pepper.”

“I don’t want to hear it!” Pepper shouts, arms in the air. “I want you out, we’re done!”

Tony sighs and stands up, scratching at his beard. “Over a missed meeting?” he confirms. 

“Yes,” Pepper hisses, eyes narrowed. “Among other things.”

Tony shakes his head. “I thought we were past this, Pep. I thought we were done with the games.”

“And I thought you loved me!” Pepper shouts, tears in her eyes. 

Tony sighs again, and his obvious disinterest grates on Pepper. “I do love you, Pep. I skipped a meeting, that doesn’t mean-”

“I know who you’ve been cheating on me with,” Pepper finally says, eyes full of tears. They fall, and she looks downwards, crossing her arms over her chest. “You didn’t just skip a meeting, you were with your little whore.”

Tony grates his teeth together, eyes narrowing. “See, I know you’re full of shit, because if you knew who I used to cheat on you with you wouldn’t-”

Pepper scoffs, looking up again. And that’s it, that’s the look. Tony knew he was going to do nothing but hurt her. And somewhere along the way, he stopped dreading it. 

The pit of guilt in his stomach makes itself known now, though. And he, almost subconsciously, reaches out to touch Pepper, to comfort her. She leans into it, shaking her head in anger. 

“I know who it is. I know. I don’t want you to spend time with him anymore.” Pepper tightens the cross of her arms. 

“Pepper, you can’t...you can’t expect me to just...” Tony’s breath comes quicker, and he realizes the idea of losing Peter; not just giving up on the idea of bing with him, but never seeing him again...it makes him feel hollow inside. 

“You don’t love me anymore!” Pepper accuses yet again. “You’d rather have that little skanky intern of yours over-”

“Peter is not a ‘skanky little intern’” Tony growls, pulling his hand away. “You like Peter, you’ve always called him smart and a hard worker-”

“That was before I knew he was a home wrecker-”

“What home?!” Tony yells, voice breaking. He almost regrets the words, but he sets his jaw and takes a deep breath. “You left me every other day. You made me feel like shit. You made me feel like I was worthless, like I didn’t mean anything to you. I have never felt safe or secure in this relationship, how can you call that a home?”

Pepper has tears streaming down her face, and her mouth is set in an angry frown. “And Peter...what? Makes you feel like you have a future with him? A pretty little thing half my age, who sleeps with the boss as soon as there’s trouble in paradise, you see a future with him?” She uncrosses her arms and starts to stalk Tony into the wall. “That’s the future you envisioned for yourself?”

“No!” Tony says, eyes full of anger and sadness and loss. “I pictured you and me. I pictured you marrying me. I pictured us having kids. I pictured building you a house, and raising our kids in it. I wanted to marry you! But you kept leaving me, and I didn’t feel-”

“Yes,” Pepper says, eyes wide and breath rapid.

Tony blinks in confusion. “What?” he asks, sounding dejected. 

“Yes, I’ll marry you. And you can build me a house and knock me up and we can go far away from here. Just you and me. Yes, I’ll marry you.” Pepper leans forward and connects their lips softly. 

Tony shakes his head when she pulls away. “I wasn’t done, I wasn’t pro-”

“I don’t care,” Pepper says, wiping her tears. “If you want that future, marry me. I’ll get word to the press, it’ll be the headlines tomorrow. Do you still love me? Do you still want me? Do you still want that future?” She cocks an eyebrow, lashes still wet with former tears. 

Tony swallows heavily, unable to deny the truth. “Yes,” he whispers. 

Pepper nods. “Then I’ll marry you. And you’ll get rid of the skank.” She turns on her heel, phone already to her ear, as she walks into their bedroom area. 

Tony lets out a heavy breath, putting his head in his hands. 

~

Pepper was right, of course. Every single headline in every single news network was about the world’s favorite on again-off again relationship finally committing to each other and tying the knot. 

Tony is sitting at his desk in the lab, head in his hands. Every time he looks up, he sees somewhere he and Peter did something together. Every time he thinks about it, he misses Peter. And then he thinks about how he will never see the boy again, and he’s trapped, and he doesn’t know what to do anymore. 

He winces as the door opens, and sighs heavily. “I said I want to be alone, Pepper, just leave me alone!” He can’t help the agony in his voice. He knows he’s being terrible to his future wife, but she was terrible first.

“Mr. Stark,” Peter’s voice breaks on his name, and Tony’s head shoots up.

Peter has obviously been crying. His eyes are red rimmed, and his hair is a mess. Tony’s own tear filled eyes meet Peter’s, and they both just stare for a moment. 

“Peter,” Tony croaks, taking in all of Peter. It feels like this might be the last time.

“You’re marrying her,” Peter accuses. Because that’s really the only word for it. It’s not a statement or a question. It’s an accusation. 

Tony takes another gulp from his tumbler, finishing off the glass and pouring himself another. He doesn’t like getting drunk anymore, but it feels like an understandable exception. “Apparently,” Tony answers. 

“You don’t have to,” Peter says, tears still streaming down his face as he gets closer. “You can leave her.”

Tony rubs at his forehead, trying to think. “I know. I don’t know. I just-I...I don’t know.”

Peter goes closer, pushing Tony away gently from the desk and climbing into his lap. “Tony,” he starts, throat thick with tears.

Tony shushes him, kissing his shoulder softly. “I know. I know, baby.”

Peter shakes his head. He cups Tony’s cheeks, forcing the older man to look into his eyes. “I’ve been patient, Tony. I’ve waited for you to realize how much you don’t like her. I’ve sat aside while you went back to her every single time you left my bed. I supported you, and I gave you good advice, and I put you back together again when she broke you.”

Tony has his own tears in his eyes now. “Peter-”

“I can keep being patient,” Peter sobs, putting their foreheads together. “I can stay. I can wait. I can handle this, I can-can....” he hiccups, and lets out a shuddery breath. “I know I can do this, Tony. But I...marriage is so final, Tony. I don’t think you’ll ever leave her if you marry her. I’ll always be here, but is marrying her what you want? Is being stuck with her what you want?”

Tony closes his eyes, his own breath ragged with the pain he’s going through. “I love her,” he tries to desperately explain. 

Peter takes a deep breath, leaning back just enough so Tony can look up at the younger man. “Then I’ll stay,” Peter says, wiping away his tears. He’s trying so hard to put on a brave face, and it breaks Tony’s heart. 

Tony looks down after that, rubbing his thumb into Peter’s hip. “No...” the older man sniffs, looking up sadly at Peter. “She said I can’t see you anymore, if we get married. She found out it was you specifically, and she...she wants us to move away. She wants me to never see you again.”

Peter stiffens, and pulls Tony away. He looks into Tony’s eyes with fear. “No.” he shakes his head, sniffling loudly. “No, you can’t let her do that!” 

Tony lets out a shaky sigh, leaning back in for a kiss. “I don’t know what to do anymore,” Tony admits. “All I did was hurt you both. All I did was ruin everything. Just like I knew I would.”

“Don’t marry her,” Peter begs through a sob. “Stay with her if you need to but don’t--please don’t marry her.”

“She won’t stay with me if I don’t marry her,” Tony says brokenly. “I’ll lose her, and I...” Tony shakes his head, looking away from Peter’s fearful eyes. “I love her.”

“You love me too,” Peter begs. And the fact that he sounds even a little unsure makes Tony hate himself more than words can express. “Don’t you?”

Tony surges up then, capturing the younger man’s lips in a fierce kiss. It feels a lot more like their second time than their first. Full of desperation, need, want. He pulls away before it can get too far, nosing at Peter’s neck. “I do. I do love you. So god damn much, Pete. This would be so easy, if I didn’t love you.”

“Then if you love me, you-”

“Peter,” Tony says, sounding as agonized as he feels. “You don’t deserve this. I don’t deserve you. You deserve so much better than me, so much better than what I’ve done to you.”

Peter pulls Tony back again, standing up and pulling Tony with him so they can be eye level. “I know. I know I deserve better, but I don’t care. I chose you, a long time ago.” His voice trails off, and he leans closer to the older man. “I can’t live without you, Tony,” he whispers. “Can you live without me?”

Tony opens his mouth to immediately deny it, but Peter shushes him. “No. Think about it. Can you live without me? Can you be happy without me? Can you marry her, and have kids with her, and never see me again?”

Tony closes his eyes, picturing that life. He can see most of it. Him and Pepper getting married. Him and Pepper holding a vague faced baby. Them living in a cabin. Away from it all, away from the Avengers, away from Peter.

But even in his make-believe, Peter free scenario, he can’t help but picture his favorite picture of them in the house. The one with Tony giving Peter the Stark Internship.

“No,” he says honestly, opening his watery eyes. “No, I don’t think I can.”

“What about her,” Peter prompts softly. He doesn’t look like the man he loves just told him he can’t live without him. He looks unbelievably sad. “Can you live without her?”

He tries again, this time replacing Pepper with Peter. Marrying Peter. Holding a baby with Peter. Living in the city with Peter. Raising a family with Peter. Seeing Pepper in every SI meeting, every call, every surface in the penthouse. She would be everywhere, even if they broke up. 

Tony hangs his head, wanting to just disappear. Wanting the floor to open up and swallow him whole. “She’s the CEO of my company,” he softly reminds Peter. “I would have to leave SI to avoid her.”

Peter laughs bitterly. “I’m not asking you to cut her out of your life, like she is me. I’m asking, can you see yourself happy with just me? Can you live without her as your lover, your girlfriend? Could you be happy with just me?”

And it’s like a lightbulb goes off in Tony’s head. His head shoots up and his eyes fly open.

Because yes, yes he can live with just Peter as his lover. If he doesn’t have to cut Pepper out of his life, he can happily belong to Peter and Peter alone. Because Peter has never given him ultimatums. Peter has never made Tony feel stuck, or trapped, or broken. Peter has only ever made Tony feel safe, and wanted, and respected, and loved. 

Tony surges up into Peter’s lips, holding the other man as close to himself as possible. Peter gasps into Tony’s lips, protesting for only a millisecond before melting into it. Tony pours all the love, adoration, and thankfulness he feels into the kiss. Because for the first time in...in maybe his entire life, Tony feels sure. 

He finally pulls away after what could have been minutes or hours, staring up at Peter in awe. “Yeah,” the older man says softly. “Yeah I can. I...I can.”

Peter sniffles, looking at Tony with teary, suspicious eyes. “Does that mean-”

“I’m not going to marry her,” Tony says quickly. “I’m going to end things between us, for good this time, and I’m...I’m going to leave her. And if you still want me, I want-”

Peter crushes Tony in a hug, eyes wide with both surprise and excitement. “I didn’t think you would choose me,” Peter gasps, burying his face into Tony’s neck. “I didn’t get my hopes up.”

Tony sobs once, and then laughs in relief. “I love you, Peter Parker. I’m so...I’m so sorry it took me so long to realize what I-”

Peter cuts him off with a kiss, then hugs him tightly again. “It’s okay,” Peter promises, sniffling as he does. “Worth it.”

Tony laughs softly, kissing Peter and pulling him close. He kisses the younger man deeply, but not too intensely. He doesn’t want it to get out of hand just yet, not when he’s still-

“This is why we are moving away,” Pepper’s low, warning voice sounds. 

Peter practically flies out of Tony's arms, unable to look Pepper in the face. 

But Tony can. 

Tony sighs in annoyance at Peter’s warmth being ripped away from him, and turns his gaze to her. “Didn’t I tell you not half an hour ago to leave me alone?” he asks coldly. 

Pepper mistakes his hostility for something it isn’t. She takes it as her winning, as Tony being upset his ‘last meeting’ with Peter was interrupted. “Sorry Tony, didn’t realize you and your little home wrecker were in the middle of something,” she sneers at Peter, and the younger man winces. 

It makes Tony see red. “Actually-”

“But if you don’t mind, slut, my fiancé and I have a lot of planning to get to. Planning the wedding, planning the house we’re going to move to, planning what we’re going to name our kids. My fiancé and I have a lot to do, so I’m going to have to cut your little seduction act short for the day, okay?”

Tony works his jaw, seething in anger. “Actually,” Tony says, louder this time. “There is no wedding to plan. We’re done.”

Pepper scoffs and rolls her eyes. “That’s what you said before you proposed to me,” she dismisses. “No more games Tony, let’s-”

“You’re right,” Tony cuts her off. “No more games. We are done, we are not getting married. I’m not choosing you, I choose Peter. I’m not living without him, and you aren’t taking him away from me.”

A spark of fear lights up Pepper’s eyes, and she darts her eyes from between Peter to Tony and back again. “No,” she says. “No, you agreed to marry me. You said you wanted to marry me.”

“I did,” Tony says, and his voice softens just a bit. No matter what she’s done to him, and no matter what realizations he’s had in the last few minutes, he can’t just turn off his love for her. The woman he was in love with for over a decade... “A part of me still does,” he admits. “But I’m not going to. I can’t do this anymore, I can’t do these ultimatums and these games and the manipulation. We’re not getting married.”

Pepper’s nostrils flare in anger. “Fine, we won’t get married. But you can’t see Peter anymore, I need you committed to me.”

Tony smiles sadly, scooting closer to Peter and wrapping an arm around his waist. “No,” Tony says. “I’m not giving up Peter. Ever. I’m giving up you. We are done, Pep.”

Pepper’s breathing quickens. “Tony, you can’t just-”

Tony shakes his head, kissing Peter's hair. “I can. I love Peter, and I want to be with him. We’re done.”

Pepper’s hands shake, and she shakes her head in denial. “Fine, keep your little whore! Just don’t throw away what we-”

“Stop calling him a god damn whore,” Tony growls, sympathy slowly dissipating. 

“Keep us both,” Pepper says, ignoring Tony’s outburst. “Please baby, I love you! I’ve loves you for years, we belong together, remember? That’s all that matters, is that we love each other.” She steps closer, a hand outstretched in offering. “Please, baby, we love each other.”

And it’s so perfectly delicious. So perfectly exactly what he’s wanted for almost a year now. A nice, juicy worm wiggling away right in front of Tony’s face. 

But Tony isn’t a fish, and he knows the hook is attached. He knows it won’t last, and the games will begin again. Until she manipulates Tony again, and until she hurts Tony again. 

The older man looks down at Peter, seeing the building tears and the worry on his face. And Tony is again reminded of how perfect Peter is, and how much he doesn’t deserve such a beautiful, kind, loving person. 

Tony smiles at Peter, and then looks back to Pepper. “No,” he says softly. “I want Peter, and I want him alone. I love you, but I don’t want you anymore. I want to feel safe, and loved, and wanted, and secure. I love Peter, and I want him. I choose him. You told me to choose, I choose him.”

“Tony,” Pepper says, barely a whisper. 

“Effective immediately, our relationship is strictly professional. You are the CEO of my company, and I hold a lot of respect for you. But that’s all. Our relationship is no longer romantic or sexual of any nature.” Tony kisses the top of Peter’s head, pulling him even closer. 

Pepper shakes her head, her eyes brimming with tears. “Don’t do this.”

“It’s already done,” Tony says with an air of finality. “Goodbye, Ms. Potts.”

Pepper scoffs, tears finally falling and she turns on her heel. She doesn’t say a word as she exits, slamming the lab door behind her.

Peter turns to Tony, looking at him with wide eyes. “Tony?” he whispers. 

Tony breathes, smiling down at the younger man. “That wasn’t as hard as I thought it was going to be.”

Peter sobs in relief, throwing himself into the older man and connecting their lips with a mixture of relief, happiness, hope, and love.

And Tony kisses him back, with equal intensity, feeling more sure than he has in his entire life. 

[cofyicfaqrserte]

How Enjoy More Sex Tonight

Over 88% of men admit that they want more sex with their wives. And the other 12% are either too stressed out, simply don't care or are gay. If you have "settled" for an average sex life or are frustrated to the point of having an affair or hiring an escort, don't despair. This is a lot cheaper and you'll avoid having to explain how you picked up the HPV virus from the steam room at the gym. Follow these 3 strategies and she will be begging for you sexually every day.

1.      Know Who You Are. There are different personalities and characteristics in men. Some of the emasculation of men in Western society has really screwed us up! Being in touch with our 'feelings' and showing our sensitive side was supposed to help matters-right?

Wrong. Stop watching Oprah, for starters. It doesn't really help you get more sex. While it is important to not be so dominant that you are cocky, it is important to retain, build and nurture your confidence and stature. It's been said that the "bad boys" get all the chicks. Not necessarily. According to ScienceDaily, women prefer mates who are recognized by their peers for their skills, abilities, and achievements, while not preferring men who use coercive tactics to subordinate their rivals. Indeed, women found dominance strategies of the latter type to be attractive primarily when men used them in the context of male-male athletic competitions.

Women are sensitive to men who display domineering behaviors. For example, the traits and behaviors that women found attractive in athletic competitions were unattractive to women when men displayed the same traits and behaviors in interpersonal contexts. Notably, when considering prospective partners for long-term relationships, women's preferences for dominance decrease, and their preferences for prestige increase.

Tip: Be strong, confident and charming, but leave the "I don't care" attitude on the playing field. Women love confidence and strength, but they don't really want to be treated poorly. It's just that most men can't balance the two and women are seduced by those charismatic bad boys.

2.      Date Her Forever. Of all the mistakes married guys make, this one is the easiest to fall into and the easiest to correct. As hunters, we stalk our prey and relish in the hunt. Our rewards during those Neanderthal days were a great feast and permission to make more people. Nowadays, our conquests consist of getting the newest PDA or earning a raise. We make up for the lack of hunting with sports and other trivial pursuits. Once you have romanced your woman, proposed and wed, many men forget how much FUN it was to pursue her, knock her down and drag her back to the cave. In fact, the hunt is always more gratifying than the meal. It usually lasts longer and makes the victory that much more satisfying.

The same holds true for our relationships. After you've paid the mortgage, taken the kids to soccer and cut the lawn, why should you have to seduce your wife for sex! You've earned it! After all, there is food on the table and she gets her hair done twice a month. Put out, baby! Uhmm....How's that working so far?

Both genders have DNA and instincts that have not evolved that much. We need the pursuit and a woman needs to be pursued. It makes her feel desired, sexy and fertile. It makes you feel strong, masculine and important.

Tip: Continue to date your wife. Girlfriends are sexy; most moms could use a makeover to become sexier and more alluring. It is up to the man to create the environment of seduction, sensuality and excitement. You are the leader, so lead.

3.      Give Her Variety. Nothing shows you care for your woman more than to continually surprise her. I don't mean surprising her that you remembered to lower the toilet seat. That is probably asking too much. I am referring to the surprise card you gave her, the flowers you sent for no reason or the naughty text you sent out of the blue.

Women like surprises as a general rule and the more you appeal to her sense of wonder the more she will wonder what got into you! Boredom in marriages doesn't usually hit you in an instant. Rather, it creeps up on couples over months or years. Complacency and settling for your circumstances become routine and many people just assume that that's the way it is. Yuk.

Your sex life can be the catalyst for incredible love, friendship and stimulation. This isn't going to happen by doing it twice a month in the missionary position. Get a few books on sex including some titles that would make most women blush. These are readily available online or in stores, but just be sure to not order "Barney Goes to the Circus" along with your copy of "The Low Down on Going Down." If your kids open that box, you may have a few therapy sessions to pay for.

[mollymerula]

cyb tagged me for this Bigge Thinge which i will put under a cut!! thank u cyb i love you

1. Are you named after someone? kind of named after Molly Ringwald bc my mom was like “wow that’s a nice name!!” and also one of my middle names is after a great-grandma on my dad’s side

2. When was the last time you cried? ?? too long ago (i don’t mind crying as long as it’s for a good reason but i haven’t been able to lately really) but i teared up p good when explaining to @lingthing last night how i had made friends thanks to fma

3. Do you like your handwriting? nngndhfjg it’s pretty unremarkable and painful at times but i discovered last weekend that my handwriting in hiragana/katakana is nice (that’s a weeby thing to say isn’t it)

4. What is your favorite lunch meat? i’m a vegetarian now but i used to really like roast chicken sandwiches!

5. Do you have kids? nope, just 500 fictional adopted ones!!

6. If you were another person, would you be friends with you? haha hahah ahaahahah h ha (also that depends on like who i was bc...if i were another person who also likes Briggs i might consider it)

7. Do you use sarcasm? not...a lot?? sometimes when i get really salty especially at myself

8. Do you still have your tonsils? yep!! my dad has had his out like 3 times tho

9. Would you bungee jump? YEA!!! as long as i knew it was gonna be okay that is...so in actuality probably not?? but i would love to if i knew the outcome would be fine

10. What is your favorite kind of cereal? umm i really like cornflakes but it’s super hard to find ones that don’t have barley malt in them

11. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? nah i have zippy flower boots!!

12. Do you think you’re a strong person? physically i’m stronger than i logically should be!!

13. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? chocolate or coffee but it has to have chunks of stuff in it like chocolate sauce, nuts, etc.

14. What is the first thing you notice about people? uhmm I DON”T KNOW

15. Red or pink? it depends on the context!! and the shade of red or pink!! i like both

16. What is the least favorite physical thing you like about yourself? my face and utter lack of any aesthetically pleasing curves in my torso ˙ ͜ʟ˙

17. What color pants and shoes are you wearing right now? NO SHOES?? i’m wearing blue tones socks my mom knitted last week and black pants with grey skulls and crossbones on em

18. What was the last thing you ate? spanish rice with fajita seasoned tofu!

19. What are your listening to right now? runescape ambience lmao i left myself logged in

20. If you were a crayon what color would you be? ???????????????????????? idk probably the white one they put in there for some reason and you can’t get to show up on any paper

21. Favorite smell? i could make a whole post about these but right now i can’t stop thinking about this honey-scented lotion one of my coworkers was wearing yesterday

22. Who was the last person you spoke to on the phone? my dad before he came home from work!

23. Favorite sport to watch? @bisexualwinry tearing apart Bad Discourse Posts that make me upset (in private messaging of course not publicly lmao)

also Ashley reblogged an ice skating video the other day and it was really cool to watch i wanna be good at that

24. Hair color? Bad

25. Eye color? Rly Dark Blue™

26. Do you wear contacts? noN!! i have glasses

27. Favorite food to eat? All

but especially Mexican food

28. Scary movies or comedy? i guess comedy bc i’ve never watched a horror movie in my life but there are a lot of comedies i can’t stand lmao

29. Last movie you watched? oh it was...Princess Mononoke i think?? i hadn’t seen it in like 8 or 9 or 10 years so i decided to give it another try and it’s not quite the thing for me i guess

30. What color shirt are you wearing? black tank top

31. Summer or winter? WINTER

32. Hugs or kisses? HUGS

33. What book are you currently reading? none actively dshfjdgshfjg

34. Who do you miss right now? my friends i’ve never met in person and my cousins ;v;

35. What is on your mouse pad? there is no mouse pad, only a lot of grime from my mouse

considers various mouse pad possibilities and sweats audibly

36. What is the last TV program you watched? u h

maybe jojo???

37. What is the best sound? there are lots of best sounds but i love thunderstorms and also the complete absence of sound when there’s fresh snow on the ground at night

38. Rolling Stones or The Beatles? NEITHER WHOOPS

39. What is the furthest you have ever traveled? hmmm...does it count that i moved from wisconsin to california when i was younger? and back again?

40. Do you have a special talent? if i do it’s not a good one probably

41. Where were you born? wisconsin!