Glad you enjoyed your bonus chapter. Thanks to those who reviewed.

A long chapter, I am on a roll at the moment.

This appears on the surface to be simply family life but there is more to it: a few hints as to what might be coming.

I enjoyed writing this chapter. Peter is a contradiction, a moody almost teenager one moment and then a little boy the next, as befits his age- 12 year old boys are a conundrum. That is fun to write.

Hope you enjoy it! Let me know.

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Peter sat bolt upright as Tony walked through the door. He opened his mouth to speak.

''Do not say anything, nothing! I am warning you, you stay quiet and you may still attend this school tomorrow. You kiddo can expect the worse when we get home, now get up and don't you dare mouth off, do you understand me?'' Tony left no doubt how annoyed he was.

Peter nodded as he stood.

''Good,'' Tony knocked on the closed door.

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''What were you thinking? I cannot believe you did this!'' Steve tore into Harley the moment he stepped out of the elevator.

Happy looked at Sam who shrugged, yes Captain America was furious and he had every right to be.

''Pops, Ellie was upset. She had a fight with her Mom and was going to run away. I had to go, she needed me,'' Harley presented his defence.

''And did she?'' Steve crossed his arms and Harley gulped.

''What?''

''I said Harley Rogers Stark, did Ellie run away? Or was it just melodramatic teenage angst? It is not a difficult question,'' Steve was taking no prisoners.

''Hmmmm, you're being kind of harsh Pops. She was upset at the time,'' Harley shuffled on his feet awkwardly. What his father said made it appear as a huge over-reaction which Harley was now starting to realise it was. Ellie had made up with her mom within hours.

''And I am upset, Dad is upset, you tried to fly across the country alone and you stole my credit card!'' Steve was now shouting.

''Sorry,'' Harley mumbled, dropping his eyes to his feet.

''Go to your room now!''

Harley hesitated, trying to think how to placate his angry father.

''I said now! Move!'' Steve left no room for argument. Harley left.

''Where's Tony?'' Happy asked missing the frantic cutthroat gesture from Sam.

''Tony is at Peter's school, hopefully talking the principal out of expelling our youngest son because he blew up the science lab. I am having a Brandy, who wants a Brandy?''

''Oh shit,'' Happy exclaimed as Sam grimaced at him. The kids were really testing their parents which did not make for a happy household- you could cut the tension with a knife.

''Do you think?'' Steve found the Brandy.

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''You will pay for the repairs?'' Principal Bailey asked and Tony nodded.

''Peter, this behaviour cannot continue, you have one last chance. If you step out of line this seriously again then I will have no choice other than to expel you which will put at risk your chances of going to Midtown with your friends. You only have a week of this year left; please behave for another week. Then you can start next year afresh. Can you do that?'' Bailey just wanted this to go away and for Tony Stark to leave his office.

''Yes sir,'' Peter nodded.

''Good, I will see you next week. Please use the next two days considering your behaviour and how you can improve it,'' Bailey stood up.

''Oh he will, believe me?'' Tony shook the offered hand perfunctorily then gripped the back of Peter's neck firmly.

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''Seriously Potassium? You know how volatile that is,'' Tony gripped the steering wheel in an attempt to control himself.

''It was a dare,'' Peter mumbled.

''I'm sorry, what did you just say?''

''Nothing,'' Peter sniffed back tears.

'' I thought for one moment you said it was a dare but I told myself that can't be it, because that would be the stupidest thing ever in a long history of stupid things you have done wouldn't it?''

''I guess,'' Peter whispered.

''You guess? That is the best you have? You are not stupid Peter; you are about as far from stupid as it is possible to be. Yet you continue to do stupid things and this ranks right at the top of that list. So you Smalls are getting a spanking that you will not forget for a long time so maybe, just maybe you will think again next time you consider another stupid stunt,'' Tony was very clear and Peter looked at him in shock.

''From Pops right?'' Peter considered him the best option at that moment.

''Oh no, not this time. This time it will be me and if you think I am the soft option, you are about to find out how wrong you are,'' Tony put the fear of God in Peter just as he intended.

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Steve looked up as the elevator opened, Tony walked out holding a very chastened Peter by the arm; the disgraced boy kept his eyes fixed down, avoiding meeting Steve's eyes.

''Peter and I will be unattainable for the next fifteen minutes or so,'' Tony said abruptly.

''Okay right,'' Steve said as they disappeared down the hallway.

'' So looks like Tony has Peter covered, poor kid, Iron Man is fuming. What are you gonna do about Harley?'' Sam was blunt and Steve sighed, took a moment then got up.

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''Harley?'' Steve stepped into his room and Harley stood.

''Pops, I'm sorry okay? It was a dumb thing to do and I won't do it again. I won't,'' words tumbled out of the teenager's mouth.

''I hope that's true and yes it was a dumb thing to do. It was dangerous and anything could have happened to you. Don't you ever put yourself at risk like that again. You are too important to this family and we love you so much. Never again Harley, do you hear me?''

''Yes Pops, I hear you, loud and clear,'' Harley almost broke his neck nodding so hard.

''Come here,'' Steve waved him over.

''Why?'' Harley asked nervously.

Steve quirked an eyebrow and Harley blushed. Oh no, not that! He had really done it this time, pushed his luck way too far. He'd always believed he was too old for this sanction- he was obviously wrong.

''But Pops, I won't do it again. I won't.''

''Now Harley, do not make me come get you,'' Steve had to instil this message loud and clear, he could not allow his children to get hurt, it was his duty to protect them.

Harley walked over slowly and Steve tucked him under his arm, delivering six harsh swats to his butt.

Then he stood his son up and looked in his tear filled eyes.

''You never go anywhere without permission from either me or Dad. Do you understand?''

''Yes sir,'' Harley said quickly and he meant it. That had hurt and he did not ever want a repeat performance.

''Good,'' Steve hugged him then kissed his head.

''Dinner will be in about half an hour. Take a shower,'' Steve left and Harley sat on his bed with a flinch and covered his face.

The spanking was bad but the look of disappointment in Pop's eyes hurt far more.

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''Is he alive?'' Steve asked Tony who was busy draining vegetables. It was team dinner night and that required a huge amount of food.

''Yes he is alive but he is one sorry little boy with a very sore butt which is exactly what he deserved. As my co-parent I should tell you that I used a hair brush and he cried a lot; which was shit but necessary as he could have killed someone,'' Tony was clearly shaken and Steve took the pan from his hand.

''I am sorry, I should have run that by you first but I..'' Tony placed his hand on his forehead and sighed.

''It's okay, I trust you. If that was your decision then I support you,'' Steve wrapped comforting arms around the distraught man.

''These fucking kids Steve, they're gonna kill me with all this stress before they're grown. I just…'' Tony faltered.

''SSShh, it's okay. This is what every parent feels sometimes; comes with the territory. I just spanked Harley so we can feel guilty together,'' Steve made Tony smile wryly.

''Yeah I guess we can,'' Tony gathered himself.

The elevator pinged and Thor appeared holding his arms aloft.

''We are triumphant yet again. Where's our celebratory feast?'' he shouted.

''Sorry big guy, no feast but we have spaghetti and meatballs,'' Steve laughed and Thor grinned.

''That is a satisfactory feast. Now where are the mini Starks? I wish to greet them!'' Thor sat at the table and devoured a bread roll in one bite.

''Yeah, where are the kids?'' Clint sat beside Thor. Wanda and Vision brought up the rear whilst Sam and Bruce wandered in- it was almost a full house for once. Happy was on salad duty.

Rhodey was out of town- Natasha conspicuous by her absence.

Steve and Tony looked at each other, not sure how to reply.

''Oh they have incurred the wrath once more. What did the little scoundrels do this time? High jinks of the highest order no doubt!'' Thor roared out.

''Don't think uncontrolled explosions in the school lab can be classified as high jinks,'' Tony replied sarcastically.

'' No, no, quite right, not to be encouraged, although creating mayhem is a useful skill to possess,'' Thor shrugged. Clint diplomatically distracted him with a bowl of meatballs.

''Is it?'' Tony griped.

''Is Peter okay?'' Natasha made him jump as she spoke quietly from the shadows.

''Yes he's okay, why wouldn't he be okay?'' Tony replied defensively and Natasha gave him a hard, questioning stare.

Steve was carrying food to the table so it was just the two of them.

''I spanked him Natasha and he deserved it. He could have seriously hurt some-one, do you have a problem with that?'' Tony challenged and there was a stilted silence then Natasha shook her head.

''No, I have no problem with that,'' she walked away towards the table.

''Great, I am so grateful you have no problem with me disciplining my own child,'' Tony muttered to himself.

''FRIDAY, tell the boys to come to dinner and yes, they have to be here,'' Tony called out as he sat down.

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Harley walked into Peter's room; his brother was curled in a ball under his comforter.

''Dinner bro,'' Harley was unsure what the problem was. He didn't know what had happened, too involved in his own drama.

''Go away, I'm not hungry,'' came the muffled reply.

''Dude, what's wrong? You heard FRI, we gotta go to dinner, Dad said so,'' Harley pulled down the cover to reveal Peter's tear stained face.

''He can go to hell; he's a son of a bitch. I hate him!'' Peter said vehemently.

''What did you do?''

''Nothing, I didn't do anything,'' Peter buried his face in a pillow.

''Harley go to dinner,'' Steve said from the doorway. Harley looked over at him in surprise.

''Now kiddo,'' his father flicked his head and Harley left very reluctantly.

''Go away! I hate you! And I really, really hate Dad!'' Peter turned over to face the wall as Steve walked over; he sat down on the edge of the bed.

''Peter watch your mouth okay? No calling Dad bad names,'' Steve reprimanded him and Peter sighed loudly.

''I'm not talking to him or you and you can't make me,'' Peter was sulking, he was really sulking.

''You still have to come and eat your dinner even if you are taking a vow of silence. Sorry but you do,'' Steve placed a comforting hand on his little boy's back. Peter wriggled grumpily away making his father smile.

''Come on kiddo, you misbehaved and you got punished; if you don't want that to happen then maybe don't destroy science labs,'' Steve pointed out gently.

''I didn't destroy it, it was just a little…'' Peter trailed off.

''A little what? I can't hear you.''

''Dad over reacted. I can't come to dinner, I can't sit down, I won't ever sit down again!'' Peter hiccupped and Steve bit back an amused chuckle at the melodrama.

'' Bubba, what you did was very serious and that warranted a serious consequence so Dad did nothing wrong,'' Steve rubbed Peter's heaving back- this time he allowed the comfort which was an improvement.

''He used a hair brush and it really hurt, that's barbaric and child abuse,'' Peter turned an indignant face towards Steve.

''Sorry Bubba, no it isn't. It's a proportional response, remember that conversation?'' Steve pushed back sweaty bangs from Peter's eyes.

''It hurt! It really hurt!'' Peter knuckled an eye and Steve melted, he was so adorable.

''I know, come here,'' Steve held his arms out and Peter moved into them, burying his face in his father's safe, warm chest, starting to cry again.

Steve waited a few minutes- he stroked his baby's back and he settled down, an occasional sniffle signifying the end of the melt down.

''Come on otherwise Thor will have eaten everything,'' Steve stood up and placed Peter on his feet.

''Is Uncle Thor here?'' Peter perked up at that news.

The God was far and away Peter's favourite Avenger and Thor loved him just as much; Tony said it was because they were emotionally and intellectually around the same age. Steve was kinder, believing Thor enjoyed a strong connection with kids, especially this kid.

''Yes, Uncle Thor is here. Now go wash up and you can call your lawyer after you've eaten,'' Steve pushed him gently towards the bathroom.

''Pops,'' Peter giggled as he turned on the faucet.

''He's washing his face and will be here in a minute,'' Steve answered Tony's unspoken question as he sat down and reached for the salad.

''I hope you didn't mollycoddle him,'' Tony said in a low voice just for his husband's ears.

''No, I didn't molly coddle him but he was upset Tones. I just calmed him down,'' Steve replied, a distinct edge in his tone.

''He could have killed someone Steve,'' Tony was defensive again.

''I know that and I was not criticising you. I was just telling you what I had done because you asked!''

The men met eyes; this was fast developing into an argument.

''Tones, we are a team. Sometimes you are the bad guy and sometimes I am. It's what works for us,'' Steve was conciliatory. He squeezed Tony's hand who didn't respond immediately

Then he smiled, nodded and turned back to Bruce.

Peter slipped in next to Steve and his father put a plate in front of him.

''I saved you some,'' Steve winked and Peter grinned up at him.

''Thanks Pops, you're the best.''

''You're welcome.'' Steve ruffled his hair evoking a giggle.

Tony heard the exchange and couldn't control the pang of jealousy in his stomach.

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Peter jumped on Thor's back and he roared in mock outrage as he threw Peter on the couch and began to tickle him; the boy squirmed, thrashing around as he laughed uncontrollably.

''Stop it! Stop it! I'm gonna throw up!''

Thor picked up Peter and held him up above his head.

''Put me down! Put me down!''

''Starkson, you forgot the magic word!'' Thor teased as he span around.

''Please! Please put me down!'' Peter managed to choke out- he was near hysterical now.

''Don't you just love when the favourite Uncle or Auntie visits and sends the kids into a frenzy just before bedtime?'' Clint said caustically as he loaded the dishwasher.

''I don't know what you are talking about,'' Natasha replied as she rinsed dishes.

''Of course you don't'' Clint rolled his eyes.

Thor went towards the balcony doors.

''Oh I shall put you down, I think this is an appropriate place!'' Thor stepped out on the balcony and began to swing Peter as if to throw him into the night sky.

The boy screamed in fake terror.

Steve walked in; he cringed at the high pitched squealing.

'' Hope you weren't expecting Pete to go to sleep anytime soon,'' Clint imparted the bad news.

''Oh great!'' Steve shook his head; he had fully intended to put his youngest son to bed but that was impossible now.

Harley was down in the lab with Tony and Bruce leaving Steve and the team free to enjoy a glass of wine watching a grown up movie for once. Natasha had already chosen - Primal Fear which they all insisted Steve had to watch.

''Can we build a bonfire and have S'mores?'' Peter bounced towards him, vibrating with energy and tell-tale smudges of chocolate around his mouth so an over-dose of sugar was in the mix as well.

''What is that around your mouth?'' Steve grabbed some kitchen towel and wet it.

''Nothing, absolutely nothing,'' Peter used his sleeve to wipe away the evidence, spreading the smears around.

''Your nose is growing милая,'' Natasha tapped the cute little button.

''No, it isn't,'' Peter giggled.

Steve took his chance and grabbed the hyperactive little rascal by the back of the neck; scrubbing his face none too gently, a method utilised by parents the world over.

''Ow! Ow! Get off!'' Peter emerged clean but with a grouchy expression.

''Looks like you have had your fill of sugar for today Bubba,'' Steve threw the paper towel away.

''Thor, did you give my child chocolate just before bedtime?'' Steve asked the approaching God who looked sheepish.

''My Captain, I would not do such a thing. I am wounded by the mere suggestion,'' Thor clutched his chest as Peter sniggered.

''I'm too old for a bedtime,'' Peter felt that needed to be pointed out.

''Oh no you are not and its way past it. So let's go,'' Steve waved his arm.

''Awww Pops come on, I'm not tired and I don't have school tomorrow,'' Peter protested.

''Which is not a vacation, it's a punishment remember? You have homework and then chores, an awful lot of chores so you need to rest up,'' Steve pointed at his youngest son who looked sideways at him, then took off in a flash.

''Not going to bed, you're gonna have to catch me first,'' Peter yelled just before he ran down the stairs that led to the rest of the building.

Steve rolled his eyes and glared at Thor.

''This is your fault so you are helping me find him,'' Steve told the God as he walked towards where Peter had disappeared seconds earlier.

''Captain, can I be of any assistance?'' Vision asked from the couch where he and Wanda had been watching Downton Abbey with Happy. They really were a very strange collection of characters, and not just in the more obvious ways.

''Thank you Vis, yes you can. FRI where is Peter?'' Steve called.

''Peter is in his bedroom sleeping,'' came the very unhelpful reply. Thank you Ned!

''You have got to be kidding me!'' Steve muttered.

''There is a small heat source at the outside pool area,'' Vision was much more helpful.

''I will take the fast way. I will meet you there my Captain,'' Thor leapt off the balcony.

Steve walked across the dark lawn towards the pool where he could see two figures crouching down, one very large, the other small- they were staring at something- Thor's protective hand on Peter's back. It was a warm and balmy evening; Summer taking hold.

''Hey Daddy, we got fireflies. They are so cool!'' Peter stood up, a glowing jar in his hand- his face alight with awe.

''These are fascinating little creatures, shining beacons,'' Thor was equally as reverent and Steve cracked a smile, it was so touching; the close bond between his son and the God of Thunder was tender and pure- they simply adored each other.

''Bubba, you cannot run off. Now we are gonna let these guys go and you are going to bed,'' Steve scolded mildly.

''Sorry Pops,'' Peter fluttered his eyelashes at him.

''Cut it out you little trouble maker! Here,'' Steve took the jar and opened the lid; the beetles flew upwards creating a shower of sparkling orbs around their heads before they dispersed.

''Wow, that's so awesome,'' Peter looked up in wonder.

''Yes, awesome,'' Thor echoed, just as enchanted.

''Bedtime,'' Steve picked up Peter before he could run off again; the boy wrapped himself around his father and laid his head on his shoulder with a contented sigh. His breathing evened out, already half asleep despite his protest that he wasn't tired. He'd had an eventful day.

''Starkson is an extremely beautiful child and I love him very much,'' Thor touched Peter's head, his eyes glistening.

''Yeah I know you do big guy but no chocolate before bedtime okay?'' Steve said and Thor nodded.

''Yes, yes, no chocolate before bedtime,'' he repeated. They both knew he would completely disregard that instruction, but played along anyway.

''Jeez, can we watch this movie already,'' Steve came in and flopped on the couch; Peter was tucked in, Morgan was asleep, Harley was with Tony, all his children were safe and accounted for so he could finally relax.

''Here, I figured you could use this,'' Clint handed over a cold glass of Chardonnay and FRIDAY started the movie.

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