"No no I think you should totally exclude me from this job" Happy Hogan lamented in hushed tones, "Babysitting the kid is not a part of my resume."

A waiter passed between them carrying a slaver decked with glasses of champagne. A wariness crept into Tony's eyes as for the briefest of moments they were no more in the opulent hall but cradled in the midst of a distant hazy memory- a teenager wandering around alone in one of his father's parties, the ridiculously expensive silk tie stained in red wine, a glass of amber liquid held by clumsy fingers as he would down the alcohol being served around or being poured out for him.

"Happy, my forehead of security" he began now, approaching a different tactic, earning a groan from the one addressed, "You know that the kid is my responsibility now, and anything happens to the kid, his scary Aunt would kill me. So taking care of the kid does fall under your job title as it implicitly or explicitly translates to keeping me safe."

"Ugh..."

"Come on Haps, it would be nothing herculean. Just look after the kid while I give my little presentation and go around making some dull, mandatory, small talk."

Happy glanced behind Tony, a few feet away from them, the back of a dark brown tousled head could be seen leaning against a chair. They had come away to have an 'adult' discussion about looking out for the kid who had been understandably left behind at their table for a while.. He smirked ever so slightly before looking back at Tony.

"Looking closely, it is indeed nothing of a herculean task" Happy proceeded to say ,"The kid is way more well behaved than you ever were in all your life."

Hogan knew very well that Peter with his super hearing could hear every word spoken. He noticed Peter's head stiffen succeeded by a well nigh imperceptive tilt in their direction.

"Hey Happy, that is not fair" Tony retorted before hissing his next words, "You know the kid can hear all this..."

He could not stop the triumphant grin from spreading across his lips while his boss narrowed his eyes at him.

"So that was your plan!" Tony exclaimed indignantly, "Betrayed by my own bodyguard."

"I am not your bodyguard. Not anymore." Happy grumbled.

"Yeah. Of course, Iron Man has no need for a bodyguard." Tony shot back, a goofy grin plastered across his face as he strode over to Peter, "But spiderling certainly needs one."

"What the hell" the head of security of Stark Industries cursed under his breathe. Tony had hit the thr right nail tapping onto Happy's mostly unexpressive fondness for the sole high school 'intern' of the company.

"I am Spider Man" the youngest of the little group muttered.

"Oh no man you are not, Petey" came Tony's immediate response while he combed his fingers through the boy's hair.

Peter did not protest any further, knowing very well that those would be in vain and he would not deny the truth that statement carried despite all his efforts. He smiled softly at the two older men, mentally replaying their little argument he had not really meant to eavesdrop.

"Where is your other cufflink, kid?"  Happy queried after sometime, rolling his eyes good naturedly when Peter got all flustered about it, "That's okay kid. Nothing that I have not experienced with this boss before."

"That's called being a spoilsport, Haps" Tony deadpanned, "Now Peter I have to go get to business. You stay here with Happy. Don't go anywhere without him."

Tony readjusted his collar, waiting for him to respond. Somehow the kid had a knack of getting himself into danger regardless of how safe any place or situation be, and the only person he could ever trust with Peter's safety was the only person he trusted with his own life- Happy Hogan.

"Sure Mr Stark" Peter answered beaming at his mentor, " I can't wait to hear you speak!"

Happy's disbelieving grumble stood out in the chuckles of the two geniuses.

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"Mr Stark you can't be serious?" Peter Parker squeaked, wincing the next instant at the loudness of his own voice further exacerbated by the absolute silence of the dimly lit corridor.

"I wouldn't be groping my way in here had I not been" Tony answered, taking cautious steps, his one arm firmly hung around the boy's shoulder.

"But this is no different from stealing, Mr Stark!"