I have moved Peter's birthday, I know its August in the MCU, but it suits my story to move it to later in the year- forgive me! All the kids have their birthdays around the same time as it fits my arc better that way.
Thanks for the reviews. I hoped for more on the last chapter which was one of my favourites, so a huge thank you to those who did review.
A couple of guests, plus Liz and Belelliot5. Huge thanks.
Thank you to Daisy for pointing out an error on chapter 28- I have fixed it.
Hopefully, I will get more reviews with the coming chapters; reviews really do feed the creative process so please take a moment.
This is somewhat of a setting up the story chapter, so I may post tomorrow to move things on. Depends if I have the time.
Salutations
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Steve walked into the garage and placed a plate of sandwiches and jug of lemonade on a nearby table.
He waited for someone to notice him; Harley and Tony were bent over the engine that was on the work bench, talking intensely.
''Sweetheart, you're back. How did it go?'' Tony saw him first and came straight over, wiping his hands on an oily rag.
''It was good, very good actually,'' Steve nodded; Tony's eyes asked an additional question.
''He handled it well Tones, he did. It was hard for him but he stepped up,'' Steve's eyes were filled with his pride and Tony nodded, satisfied with the de-brief.
''So what have you guys been doing?'' Steve asked and Harley beamed.
''I just reconditioned a carburettor, '' he said proudly and Steve laughed.
''Did you? Well that sounds like progress. Good job!''
''It is the first of many important steps but this big guy is a natural, instinctively understands engines,'' Tony slapped Harley on the back.
''So kiddo, how do you feel about disassembling the engine block?''
''Awesome!'' Harley was in heaven.
''You require sustenance motor heads. Over there, sandwiches and lemonade, please stop and refuel,'' Steve waved his hand and left.
''Dad, is my mom okay?'' Harley asked as he washed his hands.
Tony paused, how to answer that question.
''I am gonna be honest kiddo, as you know already. No Harls, she isn't but we have tried to help her,'' Tony poured two drinks for them.
''What sort of help?'' Harley picked up a sandwich.
''Well we have got her into a shelter that helps with substance abuse, it's up to her now kiddo. It's not on you, it's on her and you have to concentrate on you okay? Work on your grades; enjoy your football, that's all you worry about okay? Oh and this car, this car is of utmost importance,'' Tony smirked.
''Shall I tell Pops you said the car is as important as grades?'' Harley cracked and Tony pointed at him.
''That is not what I said. I will deny it anyway,'' Tony winked.
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Peter came into the kitchen, his hair wet and a towel around his neck- he had been swimming with Thor, Clint and Sam, which involved a very competitive game of water polo that had no real rules. He was exhausted and starving hungry.
He made himself a huge sandwich and a chocolate milk shake, before collapsing in front of the TV. He was still allowed TV as long as it was in the family room.
He inhaled the food in seconds and sat back, feeling much better.
''Hey you!'' Nat flopped next to him, she was avoiding Steve who was apparently looking for her- she had an idea why hence she was avoiding him. So her visit was a little risky as this was his and Tony's penthouse- their family home.
''Hey Aunt Nat, you okay?'' Peter was considering what to watch. He thought maybe Harry Potter, some magic and make-believe seemed appropriate after his day.
''Do you know how to throw a knife?'' she asked and Peter looked at her as if she had lost her mind.
''So you've met my parents right? The over protective, helicopter ones. You think they would teach me that?''
''Would you like to learn?'' she asked and Peter was then convinced she had gone nuts.
''Sure, I guess but I don't think they would let me,'' Peter answered honestly.
''Our little secret then. Come on,'' Nat tapped the side of her nose as she stood up, holding her hand out.
''Okay.'' Harry Potter could wait- this sounded way more fun.
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It was team dinner night and Steve dragged Tony out of the garage to help him; he was making meatloaf, well five meatloaves and needed assistance with the mountain of mashed potato required.
''Harley asked me about his mom,'' Tony said as he peeled a mound of potatoes.
''What did you say?'' Steve knew that would have been difficult.
''I told him the truth, he seemed okay with it. I have had the best day; teaching Harley reminds me how much I love engineering, getting my hands dirty doing the simple stuff and its great spending time with him. He's a funny and interesting kid,'' Tony seemed more relaxed than he had for a long while although he was still jumpy- only Steve would sense that.
He had slept better last night, despite still suffering the ill-effects of Peter's latest near death experience, maybe it was that? Steve wasn't convinced- there was something else.
''That's great babes, really great. You wanna pass me that dish?'' Steve waited, knowing he would tell him if he was patient.
''So Harley's gift is ready, he's gonna love it. We are going to have a blast riding cross-country,'' Tony handed it over.
''Do you think Pete will be jealous? He has asked for a dirt bike so many times,'' Steve was concerned.
''Babes, he's three years younger, he can't do all the things Harley can. He is too young for a dirt bike; Peter will have his chance when he is old enough. It's tough but that's life. It's not fair to deny Harley in case Petey- Pie is jealous, the kid is hardly deprived is he?'' Tony countered and Steve saw his point.
It just felt like it was a little much straight after the car although the car was not planned- it was an unfortunate coincidence and bad timing.
''Pepper got the papers?' Steve asked and Tony nodded, his eyes shining.
''All signed and certified. She's bringing them over tomorrow so we can give them to him at his birthday breakfast.''
''So he's ours, all ours. No-one can take him from us ever,'' Steve was relieved- ecstatic that their position as the parents of three children was finally secure.
The two men embraced each other, enjoying this very special moment- their family was safe.
''Where are the band aids?'' Peter walked in holding his hand.
They released each other with a secret smile- they never got much alone time these days however it was a little churlish to complain.
''Why do you need a band aid?'' Steve asked instantly.
''I just do, where are they?'' their son was not forthcoming.
''Hey Pops asked why so tell him why!'' Tony said loudly.
''You know Dad; all you ever do is tell me off even when I haven't done anything. I just want a band aid, forget it I will find them myself,'' Peter stropped off and Tony groaned.
''That's true isn't it?''
''Yeah Tones, it is getting that way. Why?'' Steve was greasing tins.
''I don't know, I don't. Too much drama maybe? I always feel like he's lying, hiding something or about to run headlong into disaster- it makes me tense. So I jump on him, I know it doesn't achieve much but I've done it before I can stop,'' Tony was honest.
''Well, he has lied a lot so it's not that surprising you feel that way. And we both know he is hiding something don't we? That making you tense?'' Steve asked and Tony nodded.
''Yeah it is, it really is. It's like waiting for the other shoe to drop.''
''So we are gonna have to talk to him, try to find out what it is,'' Steve went for straight up- it had been worrying him as well.
''He won't tell us, he won't. I am considering searching his room,'' Tony had been fretting far more than Steve realised.
''He will never trust us again if you do that,'' Steve was not in agreement.
''I know, I won't do it. I just said I was thinking about it,'' Tony knew Steve was right.
''We will talk to him, but after tomorrow. Harley deserves to enjoy his birthday without family stress, '' Steve said firmly.
''Yeah, we'll talk to him cos that always goes so well,'' Tony mumbled.
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Peter ran his bleeding palm under the tap- he enjoyed his session with Aunt Nat but the knife slipped and sliced him- her knives were very sharp.
He wasn't having much luck around sharp things at the moment!
Natasha had fussed, fussed far more than Peter had ever experienced, she was usually all about walking it off.
''Let me see,'' Aunt Nat appeared behind him.
''It's okay, it will be gone by tomorrow,'' he insisted.
''Let me see! That needs a dressing,'' she said as she looked at the long wound that was bleeding profusely.
''If you do that then Pops or Dad will ask what happened and that is a shit storm,'' Peter tried to pull his hand away.
''You let me handle that. I am going to dress it whether you like or not,'' Nat was adamant so Peter nodded reluctantly.
''Then how about we play some video games in my room? Another little secret,'' she suggested.
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''Starkson, sixteen so you can have a wee dram yes?'' Thor put his arm around Harley's shoulders and held out his hip flask.
''No, no he really can't,'' Steve took the flask away quickly.
''No corrupting the kids big guy, strictly twenty one in this house,'' Tony said firmly and Thor laughed.
'' You have many rules for your children; I find it very touching how protective you are. What is for dinner?'' Thor said down and beamed at everyone, he was always at his best when anticipating food.
''My mom's meatloaf,'' Steve set dishes on the table.
''Oh yeah, your mom's meatloaf is awesome,'' Clint was equally as happy.
They all sat down, Steve frowned at the two empty seats.
''Do you want me to go look for Pete?'' Tony noticed the problem.
''No need, we are right here,'' Natasha said with false bravado. Steve narrowed his eyes at her- immediately suspicious.
Peter sat down and looked straight at his aunt as she sat next to him.
''Nat, I was looking for you earlier, have you got some time after dinner?'' Steve asked and she nodded.
''No problem Cap,'' she replied as she dished up food for herself and Peter, which was not usual.
''Thanks,'' Peter said and lifted his fork and began to eat.
Steve shook his head, he was being paranoid. She knew how important it was Peter ate regularly so was helping out.
''So Starkson, I am very much looking forward to seeing your version of Football. I am not sure what all the pads are for but it appears to be a game for warriors so a worthy pursuit, '' Thor was jocular as always.
Peter rolled his eyes as he dropped his head, great so Harley was Starkson now as well. This just got worse and worse.
''Yeah my friends are stoked to meet you but don't smelt anyone okay?'' Harley teased.
''I will try my best but are your friends annoying because if they are?'' Thor winked.
''No smelting children Thor,'' Steve warned.
''Indeed my Captain, I will restrain myself. This is exceptional meatloaf, very acceptable!'' Thor guffawed.
''So Harley, private box huh? The view is real good and you are gonna learn so much watching the professionals close up,'' Sam joined in and before long they were all talking football with the exception of Tony and Bruce who of course were engaged in their science gobbledygook.
Peter told himself that this was what he wanted, he wanted his brother to feel a part of the family but he didn't actually expect that he would feel so left out. Don't be a brat, don't be a brat! He told himself over and over.
''You were very skilful with the knives,'' Nat said quietly in his ear, and he smiled at her.
''But I cut myself,'' He was puzzled by her praise.
''Oh that's part of learning but you were exceptional Peter,'' she pushed back his bangs gently.
''Thanks,'' he blushed, appreciating that she was comforting him.
Steve stopped talking as he watched her, then he glanced at Tony who was staring too, a grey hue to his skin.
''How was the hospital?'' Nat asked.
''You know about that?'' Peter was surprised.
''Sam mentioned it,'' she said and Peter felt a flash of temper. Why did he know? Why did they all know everything about him? It was none of their business.
''Hey малыш, don't be mad, I'm interested,'' she whispered.
''It's not that, it's just that Sam shouldn't know. It's my business,'' Peter was really aggravated and he wasn't sure why.
''I think your Pops mentioned it when they were running. It's no big deal,'' Natasha consoled him.
''Thanks Aunt Nat, sorry,'' Peter smiled as her and she tapped his nose.
Steve felt the security he believed they had attained only an hour ago shifting beneath him.
He looked again at Tony who appeared frozen.
The rest of the table had started to notice the growing tense atmosphere and the chatter quietened considerably.
'' So kid, what outrageously expensive present are you expecting tomorrow?'' Clint effectively steered the conversation which broke the moment.
''I don't know Uncle Clint, I already got a car,'' Harley replied.
''You did not get a car, you got a shell of a car and that was not your gift,'' Tony made the point succinctly.
''Dad's right Harls, that wasn't your gift,'' Steve was still staring at Natasha as he spoke, she said something to Peter and he laughed. Steve pushed it away- it was impossible; he was imagining it, Tony would have told him that.
Nat was Peter's aunt, she had known him all his life; of course they were close.
''So I don't know- a surprise I guess,'' Harley couldn't think of one thing he wanted, he literally had everything he had ever dreamed of right here.
''Peter have you hurt yourself?'' Bruce asked; his voice louder than usual.
''What? No, no, it's fine. I just cut myself making a sandwich and I couldn't find a band aid so Aunt Nat helped me,'' Peter tucked the offending hand under his arm.
Steve and Tony both felt guilty- they had given him a hard time for wanting a band aid. They really should have checked why.
''It's nothing Bruce, I took care of it,'' Natasha dismissed his concerns.
''You had your knives out why?'' Sam was more canny; Peter blushed and looked at Natasha in panic.
''Are you kidding me?'' Steve was furious but stopped there; it was Harley's birthday tomorrow he reminded himself and he did not want to spoil it by creating tension.
''You need to mind your own business; I am nothing to do with you!'' Peter rounded on Sam, who chose not to reply.
Instead, he looked over at Steve.
''Hey stop it! Don't be rude! Apologise to Uncle Sam and go to your room. Get ready for bed, you have school,'' Steve said coolly.
''Sorry,'' Peter sounded about as far from sorry as it was possible to be.
He shovelled in the last of his dinner which he had been enjoying and stomped away.
''You didn't have to do that, he is a little boy and I am the adult. It is my responsibility,'' Natasha was scathing.
''He is our little boy and we make the decisions. Let's enjoy the rest of our dinner, we will talk afterwards,'' Steve refused to engage with her in front of the team.
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''You cannot undermine us like this. Peter had a tantrum after you tempted him with pizza and ice-cream; then you let him play with knives, what are you thinking Natasha?'' Steve held his temper with difficulty.
''Natasha, he is our son,'' Tony said, backing up his husband with no hesitation.
''I know that but you are too hard on him. What is wrong with him having pizza? He was badly injured- I was trying to cheer him up. As for the knives, I did not let him play with them, I was teaching him. I want him to be able to defend himself,'' Natasha was fiery and did not back down.
'' So you think we are bad parents? We are not too hard on him! You know how he is, he needs clear boundaries and you are blurring them,'' Steve was offended.
''I did not say you were bad parents, but you could cut him a break sometimes. He calls you helicopter parents did you know that?'' Natasha was infuriated.
Steve took a deep breath and looked at the floor as he crossed his arms- attempting to control himself.
''Natasha, I am not debating this with you. You don't teach our son to fight with knives or to fight at all unless we okay it and you don't undermine us- he is our son and we set the rules. If you don't like how we are raising him, that is your opinion but you keep it to yourself,'' Steve was icy in his delivery- he was not tolerating this interference in his family.
''Do you feel the same?'' Natasha stared at Tony.
''Yes I do, absolutely and totally. I am going to remind you again he is our son Natasha,'' Tony's eyes glinted with steel.
''Fine,'' she gave in and walked briskly away.
''What is going on Tony?'' Steve asked.
''Nothing, just Romanoff overstepping,'' Tony shrugged.
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