Thread to expand on my thoughts and this goes for any neurodivergent character but Pepper is the example:
-Saying they need a adoptive parent/parent figure implies they lack skills to be an adult on their own merits.

-Saying Blot as a big brother or friend works better without ripping away the equal ground the ep built them having.
-They would not have gotten close to winning without Pepper's contributions.

-A brother or friend can provide advice without bringing down Pepper's character. She is smart! She sees angles and things Blot did not.

-Parenthood is not the equal ground the ep ended on. Blot being her adoptive dad means there's an imbalance once again in their dynamic.

In the end if you want to see it that way, that's up to you. I'm not gonna seek out people to agrue with on this. I just wanna toss my thoughts on it out.