He did not want to hide it from Hermione. With that girl's brains, he would not be able to keep it from her for long anyway.
But the kid was still a high school student. If his identity got out, it would mean both trouble and danger.
Noticing Tony's hesitation, Peter spoke first.
"It's all right, Mr. Stark. There's no need to hide my identity from Miss Witch."
Peter straightened his back, lifted his chin, and fixed his gaze with determination. All he needed to do now was stand up and give them a twirl.
Look at you, putting on airs and acting all mysterious. Anyone who didn't know better would think you were one of the Celestials... Hermione rolled her eyes.
Tony let out a breath, his shoulders relaxing.
He would have told Hermione if she insisted, but it was certainly better for Peter to volunteer it himself.
"Then let me formally introduce you. This is the spider kid who fought alongside me at the airport against Steve and his bunch."
At those last two words, Peter slumped.
"It's Spider-Man, Mr. Stark." He turned to Hermione, deliberately lowering his voice a couple of notches. "Hello, my name is Peter Parker. I'm Spider-Man."
After that, he quietly straightened up again, apparently trying to look taller and more composed.
Watching Peter do his best peacock impression in front of Hermione, sneaking glances at her with a faint blush on his face, Tony and Pepper exchanged a look. How could they miss what he was thinking?
One raised an eyebrow, while the other pressed her lips together to hold back a laugh.
The two exchanged a knowing glance.
Hermione remained indifferent, not even flickering her gaze.
She gave him a perfunctory nod. "Oh, right, you. The one who wouldn't stop talking at