Hope you all had a great Christmas, Christmas is a long affair in the UK spanning at least a week. Its been fabulous, one of the best although its getting much colder now.
We have our snow in January and the signs are all there.
Happy New Year, short chapter, sorry but next one is long. Reviews release chapters.
Thanks for the reviews, writers need them to keep going so a heartfelt thank you.
Cap is back!
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They went to an Activity Centre, rock climbing, zip lining, ropes through trees. Peter was in his element although he kept it under control but his parents noticed; the strength, the agility, it was way beyond normal parameters even when he was holding back.
"I am going to need to test him further; I have to understand this better so we can protect him effectively. Plus we really don't know why this happened, how he got these powers," Tony said and Steve nodded.
He hated the idea of his little boy fighting criminals, he wanted to forbid it but he knew that wouldn't work, although it didn't mean he had to like it. His only choice was to trust Tony to build a suit of armour around him.
"Where's Bruce?" He asked, Tony was missing his science buddy and his input would be vital.
"Back in the next few days, he's been doing relief work in India; Vision and Wanda are due home as well, they have been travelling. We all needed some space from each other," Tony relayed.
Wanda had been able to return before Steve; Ross was so obsessed with Steve that Tony had been able to slowly bring the others back one by one.
"Clint and Sam will be in New York as well, they want to stay. Is that okay?" Steve glanced anxiously at Tony.
"Always," he replied but didn't look at him.
The truth was that Tony was nervous around the rogue Avengers, so much had happened but he knew that he had to face up, handle it. Set an example for his children.
Steve understood Tony's reticence but was more concerned about Peter's reaction to Vision and Wanda. It may not be a problem, although Steve thought it probably would be.
Tony knew for sure it would be; Steve was yet to see how Peter behaved around Natasha- she had been away working with the UN but was returning the next day.
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Peter and Harley were fighting as they walked towards them.
"Shut the fuck up Harley!" Peter said very clearly.
Several moms waiting in line looked at him, disapproval in their eyes.
Tony turned to Steve who grimaced, very aware he was on Peter duty. It was now or never- time for normal service to be resumed.
"Yeah alright, that was not okay. Peter, come here right now!" Steve ordered and several of the mom brigade smiled at him in approval.
It helped he was devastatingly good- looking but right now he was just a father struggling with his badly- behaved child.
"Uuum no," Peter stopped abruptly aware he was in hot water- although he was surprised it was Steve who had called him over. He gulped; Pops had his hands on his hips and did not look happy.
Harley walked by Steve smirking, enjoying his golden child status, the grin died on his lips when Tony glared at him.
"Fine, not a problem," Steve strode up and took Peter's arm.
"Don't, just don't!" Steve said sternly and Peter hesitated for a split second then he walked. This was old school Pops and Peter knew better than defy him- that never ended well.
"Sorry ladies, but the struggle is real right?" Steve gave his most charming smile as he walked past them, holding Peter by his side.
They giggled and nodded, a PR disaster averted- it may not make the news.
"You swear one more time today and you will regret it. I am done with the bad language, enough Peter! You are grounded for another week! "Steve swatted Peter hard twice once they were in private, then lifted him in the car before he could talk back.
Peter was sheepish- that hurt, he forgot how much that hurt!
"You do not behave that way in public ever again do you hear me?" Steve pointed and Peter nodded
"Good! I mean it Peter, no more swearing, we clear? Otherwise I may rethink how I feel about washing out little boy's mouths with soap,'' Steve warned and Peter nodded again, instantly chastened.
"Verbal response please,'' Steve ordered.
"Yes Pops," Peter whispered.
''Good, put your seat belt on,'' Steve turned around.
"And you behave too!" Steve swatted Harley who was being too smug for his liking, the teen moved fast, jumping straight in the car.
Tony grinned at his husband, his eyes alive with lust.
"What?" Steve was bemused.
"Nothing babes, but you in angry dad mode is always so hot," Tony made him blush.
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They went to a diner, a normal diner and had cheeseburgers; the boys played Top Trumps and it was easy; comfortable and familiar.
Tony handed some money to the kids for a video machine, buying some alone time.
"God I missed you, missed this, just us and the kids," Steve reached out his hand and stroked Tony's cheek. He caught it and placed a soft kiss on his palm- Steve felt desire surge through him
"Me too babes, never again okay?" Tony asked, his eyes plaintive and needy, exposing his vulnerability to the one person he allowed that close.
"Never again I promise," Steve slipped his hand to the back of his husband's neck, caressing the soft skin with butterfly fingertips- Tony sighed in pleasure.
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"Get off me Harley, you prick," Peter froze. Oh no he shouldn't have said that, his brother was laughing having finally got a rise out of him and Peter looked over at Pops, maybe he hadn' t heard him?
Steve was sharing a bottle of wine with Tony in the kitchen deep in conversation; he had got away with it.
The boys continued to squabble over what movie to watch.
"No, I am not watching Star Trek again. I have seen it a million times thanks to you," Harley shook his head.
Peter flicked his eyes over towards their Dads, they were absorbed and ignoring them.
"How about Saw? They won't notice if we go to the screening room, they are way more interested in each other than us. We can have popcorn," Peter suggested and Harley nodded.
"You won't have nightmares?" Harley teased.
"Shut up!" Peter shoved him.
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"The kids are real quiet," Steve suddenly realised, he looked at the clock, the ticking clock he insisted upon, it was nearly ten. Peter should be in bed.
Tony stood up.
"Where did they go?" He looked around.
"Fri, where are the boys?" Tony asked.
"They are in the screening room and Peter is in some distress," came the answer.
"Scary movie?" Steve said as he rose, comforted by the familiar.
"Yeah scary movie, three of us in our bed tonight then?" Tony laughed as they walked to the back of the huge penthouse.
"Yeah kinda looks that way," Steve agreed.
He took a moment; this was surreal kidding about his kid's fear of horror films, so normal, so ordinary. His world had shifted back to perfect again, and he was ecstatic.
Peter could not watch horror films, they completely freaked him out and he always had nightmares; night terrors when he was younger, it was however something he refused to accept. The only way he could ever sleep afterwards was to seek refuge in his parents' bed.
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Steve walked into the black to be confronted by someone having their throat slit and blood fountaining.
"Friday off, turn the movie off now!" Tony said abruptly and the film shut down.
"Friday, always check with one of us before you play a movie for the kids," Tony had programmed that into Friday long ago.
Yet somehow it had been over ridden, he would need to look into that- no doubt Ned again. Tony really needed to have a serious conversation with that boy.
"Yes sir," Friday responded.
Harley was asleep, popcorn strewn around him.
Steve crouched down next to the cowering figure who had his sweatshirt draped over his head.
"Hey Bubba, " Steve said gently and mournful brown eyes peeked out.
"Hey Daddy," replied a small voice.
"It's bedtime kiddo," Steve pulled the sweatshirt down, Tony was busy waking up Harley.
Peter nodded his head, his face drawn, his eyes wide with fright, Steve smiled.
"Okay, here you go," Steve lifted him into his arms effortlessly. He was small and light, a scrawny little kid with enhanced strength and immense skills, but he was also just a little boy. A little boy who was scared rigid by a scary movie and needed a cuddle from his daddy.
"I missed you Daddy, missed you an awful lot," Peter whispered as he clung onto him and Steve rubbed his back in an attempt to stop the trembling.
"Missed you too Bubba," Steve kissed his head and Peter sighed. "See you soon," Steve nodded at Tony as he walked away. He felt Peter fall asleep, his body relaxing against him.
He got Peter into his pyjamas whilst he was virtually comatose, he had done it many times before and it took mere seconds. He pushed away the nasty memory of the last time he did this; enjoying the closeness with his youngest son, his body slumped against him, exhibiting complete trust and unconditional love- something he thought he had lost forever.
What was he thinking risking this?
Never again, he would never leave his family again; they were his whole world and he had been bereft and broken without them.
He tucked Peter into the middle of their bed, stroked back his bangs, kissed his forehead and went to take a shower.
He came out to find Tony staring at their youngest son as if he was the most precious thing ever, which he was in their world.
''You okay?'' Steve came up behind Tony and enfolded him in his arms- he nodded.
''Yes, couldn't be better,'' Tony turned and kissed him.
He went to take a shower whilst Steve settled into bed, the huge bed; he pulled Peter under his arm.
The boy wriggled in complaint, Steve blew in his ear.
''Stop it Daddy,'' Peter giggled and snuggled deeper into his side.
''Night, night Bubba,'' he whispered, Peter smiled in reply.
Steve relaxed and sighed, then fell into a peaceful, contented slumber.
Tony stopped, his heart skipping a beat.
''Photo Fri,'' he requested softly.
''Done sir.''
Tony climbed into the bed behind Steve, spooned around him, then fell asleep immediately enjoying a completely nightmare free night for once.