**This is fanfiction. All characters are over the age of eighteen.**
Maybelle Parker was waiting patiently at the kitchen counter top. After a comical amount of indecision, she finally decided on herbal tea. She closed her eyes as the kettle rumbled to a boil. She was feeling soft and fresh after her evening bath. Under the open belted robe, May chose the simple comfort of her favourite thin-strapped tank top and a pair of silk shorts. The heated floorboards under her toes made her think of Tony. She remembered the day when the crew of workmen wearing Stark uniforms poured into her apartment and went to work. One of them had slipped her an unsigned note -- obviously from Tony himself -- explaining the generous upgrades her home was about to receive. She had been quite perturbed about the men tearing her apartment to pieces, but within a few hours, and with the help of Stark technology, the place was looking better than ever. New windows had blocked out the sounds of the city -- when they were shut at least.
May's lips curled into a faint smile. It was exactly the kind of brash, obnoxious thing that only Tony could have gotten away with. She sniffed the pink, silk robe. Another gift from him. Her fingers burrowed down her shorts. He had been a good man and a fine lover. The kettle clicked off. She always felt a little bit better knowing Tony was around to protect Peter. But Tony was gone forever, and so worries about Peter getting hurt, or even worse, flooded her mind once again. The elastic waistband snapped as she withdrew wet fingers.
"Fuck it," she muttered, taking a wine glass down from the cupboard.
New York -- and now the world -- loved Spider-Man. But May had begun to think that Peter's serendipitous duty was no more than a cruel curse.
She tilted the bottle of Merlot and red liquid tumbled into her glass. As alcohol went, red wine was about the only type she allowed herself to have. That, along with her regimented workout routine and strict diet, May was determined not to look anywhere near her 49 years of age. She always believed that not having kids took ten years off her. A happy accident, she supposed.
"Here's to you, Tony," she said, raising her glass to the cupboards in front of her and drinking. "My Iron Man."
May heard the familiar whoosh and thump coming from the adjoining living room. She didn't need to turn around to see who it was. It was his favourite way of arriving home. Whether it be in the middle of her lunch, a work-out, or even a post shower stroll, she'd simply gotten used to his random entrances. Superheroes didn't exactly clock in and out like most people do. On this occasion, however, she really didn't expect Peter to be home until much later. Perhaps morning even.
"Home already?"
Her night robe flung open as she spun around to greet him. She hung her long, dark hair over her chest to hide her poking nipples.
"I thought you'd be out partying tonight after finishing up the exams?" she said.
"Hey, Aunt May," Peter said. "Yeah...ugh...we finished up a little early. MJ was feeling a bit tired."
May rolled her eyes. 'That little bitch,' she thought.
"You know, Peter, you're still allowed to enjoy yourself. God knows, you of all people deserve it."
"It's okay. We can do it some other night," he said, heading for the hallway.
"Well, at least have a drink with me?" she said, casually tucking some hair behind her ear and away from her chest. "Unless I'm not cool enough...or something."
Peter stared at the woman for a few seconds.
"Yeah, okay. Though you know I'm not quite 21 yet?" he joked.
"So, you're a year away. Big deal! I'm pouring you a glass anyway. I guess I'll just have to live with being a really bad aunt!"
They both chuckled.
"Cool. Be back in a minute," Peter said as he disappeared down the hallway. "Just gotta take a piss."
May turned the corner lamp down low, and set their wine down on the glass table. Sinking into the sofa, she pondered on his words. He never usually cussed. She crossed her smooth legs. Feeling quite amused, she figured he must have had a couple of beers before coming home. 'Good for him.'
***
She let her robe fall open. In her relaxed state, she didn't feel any immediate need to cover up. Peter's eyes stayed on her as he returned from the bathroom.
"So, you mean to tell me, that in all those Avengers' parties you never drank so much as a beer? C'mon, now. Don't lie to a girl."
Peter swallowed a mouthful of wine before responding.
"I mean sure...maybe I had one or two beers."
May anchored her elbow to the sofa back and rested her head in her palm. With a raised eyebrow and a wry smile, her poor nephew could do nothing but continue his story.
"It's not fair. Steve, you know, Captain America -- "
Still wearing the smile, May nodded her head.
"He can't even get hangovers. But I'm sure I've seen him drunk."
They both drained their glasses. Peter spoke as he filled them again.
"I remember, one time, Natasha got so drunk that she started to..."
May let him stress for a moment before gently squeezing his arm.
"It's ok, Peter. You don't have to tell me about everything that goes on there. Sounds wild. Sounds fun."
