Summary:
After the death of his wife because of an unwanted accident, Tony decided to move away with his son from the great big city of New York and instead settled in Oregon.
What he didn't expect was the rumors of his neighbors being murderers. What will he do now?
The town is peaceful and the people there are very nice and friendly. Nothing to complain about but there's something going on with his neighbors.
"I'll see you later, dad!"
Tony barely managed to drag his gaze away from the toaster he's tinkering with. He waved at the teen dashing through the door, "Be careful out there, Peter."
At the slam of the door, the man let out a sigh, 'I swear to God, that kid doesn't listen at all.'
The man dropped his screwdriver and the screws onto the glass table in favor of rubbing his face. They just moved here last week and he already felt like dying with nothing productive to do.
He looked down at their toaster before snorting. This is the fifth time he had done this and Peter already got tired of complaining about it.
He considered getting a job but that will probably be out of boredom rather than needing money. He was an engineer and an architect once so money has never been a problem before.
Tony stood up and walked over to their kitchen to pour himself a new cup of coffee. While drinking his daily liquid, he took his time observing his surroundings before settling on the yellow note stuck on their refrigerator.
He walked over and plucked it away before reading:
Hey dad, if it isn't too much to ask, can you get some milk from the local convenient store in town? Thanks! =3
Tony smirked and shook his fondly. Peter and his precious milk.
He downed his hot coffee as if it's gonna be the last he'll ever drink.
As much as Tony hates doing errands, he needed a distraction and if doing grocery shopping can help him with that, he won't mind it that much.
He placed both the note and mug on the counter then went upstairs to take a shower because it would be a shame if he were to go to the store looking and smelling like a hobo. That would leave a bad impression on him and Peter and that's the last thing they needed.
Tony felt refreshed after the hot shower and he immediately dressed up. He wore a simple plaid shirt and faded jeans, nobody should care about his style, screw fashion.
The man checked himself in the mirror one more time before snatching the keys dangling from behind the front door and walking out of the house.
After locking the door, he turned and stopped to look around the neighborhood. This is the first time he actually checked out the other houses since he doesn't go outside much.
He knew that his chosen home looked somewhat flashy but it's nothing compared to the house in front of him.
Not only that it's the single house in the street that has no garage, it also has a porch that look suspiciously vintage. It would have no doubt looked very beautiful if it weren't for the fact that the paint looked damaged and faded. The lawn had been overrun by tall grasses that may or may not be the same height as your knee.
In other words, the house looked like it came from a horror film.
How can he miss something like this?
Tony sighed. There's no way that anyone's living in there.
He instead went to his garage and started the car. He maneuvered it out then proceeded to drive towards the town.
Tony arrived at the convenient store all awhile pushing the lingering thought of the house from his mind.
He parked at a respectable distance then got out of the car. Just grab some milk then go home.
Once he entered the place, he took note that there were no people present.
The beautiful redhead by the counter gave him a once over before going back to reading. She seemed to be the only one here.
Tony went to where he knew the cold beverages are displayed. He took two cartons of fresh milk and was about to go the counter when the frozen goods caught his attention.
He saw bags of mashed potato bites that Peter loves so much. He'll get some of those as well.
Then he noticed the variety of ice cream inside the freezer and he knew he had to purchase them.
"You can place the the carton of milks on the counter if you're going to buy some more."
Tony was startled by the amused voice of the redhead. He glanced behind him and sure enough, she's there with a smirk adorning her face.
The brunet flushed a nice hue of red, "W-Well I-"
"Alright give it to me." She rolled her eyes playfully at the confused look she received, "Don't get the wrong idea, I'm just really glad that someone actually decided to visit this place."
He gave the other the cartons and she walked back over to the counter, "Hopefully you'll find more and if you're interested, we're selling fruits."
Tony glanced at her back in disbelief, "What convenient store sells fruits?"
She turned her head then winked, "This one apparently."
The brunet found himself laughing, "Unbelievable."
He opened the freezer and gathered at least four bags of mash potato bites. He placed it on the counter first before going back to get three gallons of ice cream; vanilla, chocolate and double dutch.
The female snorted when she saw the gallons, "Huge family?"
Tony smiled and shook his head, "Me and one teenager."
He explored the store some more and found the fruit section. Huh.
He took crap-ton of blueberries and a bunch of apples and oranges. The genius also found the aisle of chips and decided to take a couple of them.
The redhead's smile seemed to grow continuously, "You done?"
"Last one for today."
She nodded while starting to scan the barcodes of his purchases. The fruits were priced differently for obvious reasons.
"So, you're new here?"
Tony took out his wallet, "Yeah."
"Where you from?"
"Manhattan."
She whistled lowly, "I'm assuming it's for a good cost?"
He raised an eyebrow at her and deadpanned, "Wonder how you came up with that deduction, Sherlock."
The redhead laughed, "Just observing. No need to get pissy, Watson."
Tony shook his head before glancing at the amount he needed to pay. He presented three 100 dollar bills.
"Where did you settle down?" She asked as she took the money.
He thought for a while, "I'm sure it's Martinez Street."
Her demeanour immediately changed and he noticed how she paled.
"Please don't tell me you live in 2710 Martinez Street." She sounded so serious and worried.
Tony blinked at her in shock, "That's exactly our address."
She swallowed then remained silent as she packed his purchases.
Maybe she remembered the creepy house in front of theirs.
She finished soon enough and Tony grabbed the plastic bag with the fruits and chips. The other bag was snatched by the redhead.
"Let me help a valued costumer."
Tony nodded and went outside of the store before walking over to his car. He opened his trunk and they placed the groceries inside of it.
He turned to her and smiled, "Thank you."
"Please call me Natasha." The other informed.
"Sure and my name's Tony."
The redhead placed his hands on his shoulders, "You seem like an okay guy and I hope you don't get yourself in trouble."
Natasha sighed, "My advice is to be...friendly."
"I'm working on that, Tash."
She looked like she wanted to say so much more but she smiled at him instead, "You better come back here, Tony."
"Definitely."
He bid his farewell to the female and got inside of his car.
One thing's for sure, Natasha is unsettled by the house across them and he doesn't know if he wanted to know why.
Tony parked his car inside of his garage and sighed after turning off the engine.
He got out and walked towards the trunk to retrieve his groceries but a blond guy sitting by the porch of the obviously empty house caught his attention.
Tony openly gawked at the man. Where did he come from?
The guy was wearing a neutral expression on his face and Tony felt himself shuddering slightly when he caught the other's eyes. The intensity in his blue eyes made it look like he's trying to see through his soul and Tony finds himself agreeing to that no matter how cliché it sounded.
The brunet took a deep breathe, 'Just be friendly...'
Tony managed to smile a small and genuine one then waved at the guy from across the street.
The other didn't respond. He didn't even blink.
This confused the genius but he didn't want to make the situation more awkward and just opened the car's trunk. He took the bag with frozen goods inside it first then turned to walk towards his house. Curiosity made Tony glance back across the road but the blond was suddenly gone.
Nope, that's totally not creepy at all.
Tony entered his house and left the plastic bag on the kitchen table before going back to get the last batch of the groceries.
He secured the bag on his left arm then tried not to slam the trunk close. He brought down the door of the garage too.
His heart skipped a beat when he caught sight of the guy from earlier.
The blond still had the same blank look on his face and the intense glint in his eyes but this time he's standing and a huge garden scissors was in his hands.
Tony blinked at that then glanced around the tall grasses adorning the lawn of the other house. He huffed and despite the uneasy feeling that settled in his stomach, the brunet managed to call out, "Hey, if you're going to cut the grasses, you might as well use a lawn mower! That'll be easier, trust me!"
To his surprise, slight confusion replaced the guy's neutral expression as he peered down at the gardening tool he's clutching.
Tony didn't know what might have happened after that because the next thing he knew he's walking over to his door and slamming it close.
After a few seconds, it registered in his mind and the brunet mentally slapped himself. That was definitely not friendly at all.
He wasn't sure why he did that but his body suddenly decided to have a fight or flight moment. He fled obviously. Whether if it's from the way the man stared at him or the huge garden scissors glinting dangerously or the creepy house, he's not sure.
What Tony's sure of though is that there's not only one pair of eyes on him but two.
He shuddered once more, what the heck is wrong with this neighborhood?
Tony glanced at the clock by the door and sighed. It's already 4:30, Peter should be home soon so he should probably start dinner too.
"I have a new a friend, his name's Ned and he's really awesome, dad!"
Tony snorted, "Are you sure you're calling him awesome because he really is or is it because he likes Star Wars as well?"
"Dad!"
A chuckle left the brunet's mouth, "I'm just kidding. I'm glad you're happy here, Peter."
Out of the two of them, Peter's coping at a steady pace. Usually during dinner, Pepper's the one to listen to their son's stories because he's either busy tinkering or having stacks of paperwork to sign. He wouldn't have here if Peter's live is in danger.
"-are you, dad?"
Tony was brought out of his thoughts, "Hm?"
Peter sighed and shot him a concerned look, "I said how about you? Are you happy here?"
The brunet nodded and lied, "Of course I am."
The teen pursed his lips but didn't say anything.
He chewed on the last piece of mashed potato bite while avoiding his son's knowing gaze.
Peter should be worrying about his own health and studies. He feel so guilty not being able to be there at the hospital with his wife. Pepper died without him saying goodbye or stating how much he loves her. His son shouldn't have been alone as he witnessed how his mother fought for her life and how she took her last breath.
Tony shouldn't have went to that stupid Gala that night. He shouldn't have declined Pepper's offer to come. He shouldn't have left her-
"Hey, dad, hey it's okay." Arms wrapped around the tense brunet, "Shh, calm down."
That's Peter. He's with his son.
Tony let out a shaky sigh and leaned against the hug. He performed the breathing pattern his doctor told him if he ever felt his chest constrict.
"I-I'm," he stammered dryly, "I'm sorry."
"It's okay, dad." Peter tightened his hold and choked out, "I forgive you and you know mom did too."
He breathed out in a tight voice, "It's not your fault."
Tony grasped his son's forearms and nodded, "Okay."
They stayed like this for a while. What an ironic situation this is and to think that only a decade ago, Tony was the one holding Peter whenever the kid have a nightmare.
This is too tiring.
"I think I'm okay now, sport." Tony patted the other's forearms, "Thank you for that."
Peter reluctantly removed his arms, "That's good."
The older brunet felt the calm starting to lean towards awkwardness so he tried to stand up, "I'll go wash the dishes-"
"I think you should head to bed, dad." Peter moved around the small table to get the dishes, "I'll handle this."
Tony wanted to protest but he can't deny the fact that his body ached to rest. He'll listen to the kid this one time.
"If you say so." He stood up from his chair, "Just let me use the bathroom."
Peter walked up to his father and left a kiss on his cheek, "Remember that'll be here if you ever want to talk about something."
"You too kid." The genius ruffled his hair, "Goodnight, Pete."
The teen giggled then swatted the hand away, "Goodnight, dad."
Tony left the kitchen and walked up the stairs, "Don't stay up too late, you have school tomorrow."
"Sure thing." He heard the other called out.
He got upstairs then went inside the bathroom to get cleaned up. He didn't bother to shower this time and after tending to his hygiene, he entered his room.
Tony moved the books from his bed to his study table near the window. He'll probably reread some of them tomorrow.
He was about to get in his bed when he suddenly felt chills running down his spine. He glance accusingly at his window but he bit back a yelp when looked outside.
He can see two figures sitting by the porch of the house in front of them. Tony can't see their faces clearly but he somehow knew that their gazes were on him.
The brunet hastily closed the curtains. He doesn't need more things to haunt him, thank you very much.
He got in his bed and tried to sleep off everything about the house.
Hopefully, something good will happen tomorrow.