Sorry for missed updates. Unfortunately I caught the flu last week, I developed some nasty complications and ended up in hospital. Nasty experience, ironic during this crisis that I would fall victim to the everyday flu- turns out its a lot more dangerous than I realised.
There could be some typos in here as I am still recovering.
Thanks for the reviews- I agree Tony is not being the best Dad at the moment but at least he realises that.
Enjoy and let me know what you think.
This is an extra long chapter as an apology. I will still update Wednesday.
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''Is it okay if I put Peter to bed tonight?'' Tony asked and Steve nodded, they usually took it in turns but recently for a variety of reasons it had been mostly Steve.
''Oh Tony, he may be playing his Switch,'' Steve remembered they hadn't discussed that.
''Why?''
''He made a friend at the hospital. His name is Mason and he has Leukaemia, he asked Peter to play Switch with him so I said yes. It's restricted to an hour, plus he has to do his homework first. I couldn't say no, sorry I couldn't,'' Steve explained and his husband nodded.
''No you couldn't, that was the whole point wasn't it? Give him a taste of real life although maybe that's a bit too much real life,'' Tony's over protective instinct kicked in.
''No it wasn't, he handled it really well. Ask Peter about it, you may be surprised what he says. He built a Princess Lego for a mini Elsa, first time for everything,'' Steve chuckled.
''Wonders will never cease,'' Tony laughed as well.
When he walked into Peter's room, it immediately struck him was how tidy it was; his son was standing in the middle of the room laughing his head off as he played Mario Kart.
''Smalls, its bedtime,'' he called softly and Peter looked at him in surprise.
''Pops said I could,'' he stuttered clearly expecting to be scolded which upset his father- some TLC was required here. He cherished this little boy and never wanted him to believe otherwise.
''I know, he told me but you have school tomorrow kiddo,'' Tony smiled encouragingly.
''Is that Ironman?'' a voice came over the games system.
''No, it's my Dad!'' Peter corrected.
''Also known as Ironman duuuh!'' the voice replied.
''Sorry, he's kind of an idiot,'' Peter said to Tony with a shrug.
''Hey Mason, Ironman here, time you were in bed buddy,'' Tony couldn't resist.
''Oh yeah right, night Pete, night Ironman,'' Mason stumbled over his words.
''Night Pal,'' Tony turned off the Switch.
''Dad! You can't tell him to go to bed!'' Peter grimaced.
'' Seems like I can, mind-blowing a kid who does what I tell him. I had no idea they existed,'' Tony's eyes twinkled.
''I do sometimes,'' Peter put down the controller.
''Bedtime,'' Tony collapsed on the end of the bed and pulled back the comforter; Peter got in and plumped up his pillows.
''Why are you here?'' he asked suspiciously.
''Because smartass..'' Tony rubbed Peter's Ironman plush in his face, tickling him into a squealing wreck. He released him, the boy panting, his face flushed and Tony experienced a flashback of toddler Peter; his arms raised, calling to be picked up, his strong little limbs wrapping so tightly around him.
''Whasamatter Dad? You look weird,'' Present day Peter called him back from his cosy, warm memory.
''Because smartass, I haven't seen you all day and want to spend some time with you. You okay with that?'' Tony threw the plush to one side, pulling his son into his arms, smothering him with kisses.
''Stop it Dad! Stop it!'' Peter emerged, his hair a tumble of curls.
''Right, let's take a look at this hand,'' Tony began to unwind the bandage.
''Its fine, only a small cut,'' Peter tried to pull his hand away but Tony didn't let him.
''That's nasty, it requires amputation,'' Tony was none too happy when he saw it although it was healing.
''It's almost gone,'' Peter disagreed with his assessment.
''No it has to come off,'' Tony tickled him again. Peter wriggled away from him and waited, he knew what was coming next.
''Okay Smalls, let's get the grouchy part over with; you don't play with knives and you don't speak to Uncle Sam like that. We clear?'' Tony scolded him very mildly.
Peter considered arguing but decided not to; his dad would never concede so best he accepted it although if Aunt Nat offered to let him throw the knives again- he was going to say yes anyway. Consequences be damned, it was way too much fun.
''Yes sir,'' the boy said.
''Good, now tell me about your visit to the hospital,'' Tony settled his baby in his arms and pulled out a strawberry fruit roll up, unwrapping it then taking a bite.
''You'll be in big trouble with Pops if he sees that,'' Peter said and Tony shook his head.
''Oh no Smalls that is where you are wrong, I will only be in trouble if I share this delectable and oh so delicious candy with you. As I have no intention of doing then I am safe. Now proceed,'' Tony waved his hand making Peter giggle just as he intended.
''Seriously you are going to eat that in front of me?'' Peter sat up and wrinkled his nose grumpily at his father.
''You brushed your teeth yet?'' he checked and Peter shook his head.
''Oh okay, here then, but do not rat me out to your father. He will give me some spiel about sugar staying active in the mouth for a gazillion years even if you brush your teeth,'' Tony handed Peter half the roll.
''So Mason, tell me about your new buddy.''
''He's got Leukaemia,'' Peter said through a mouthful of sugar.
''I didn't ask you to tell me about his illness, I asked you to tell me about him. You like him, you were laughing up a storm when I walked in so why do you like him?'' Tony conveyed his subtle message effectively and Peter nodded.
''He's cool, funny, great at Lego, an expert on Star Wars and an idiot.''
''I raised you well as being an idiot is a sound quality in a twelve year old, not great in an adult but required at twelve,'' Tony nodded.
''I will remind you that you said that next time I do something dumb,'' Peter was quick witted and smart, too smart; Tony loved him with every cell of his body.
''Yeah lets not do that ever again okay Petey-Pie? Daddy can't handle the stress,'' Tony kissed his son's head.
''There was a little boy; I think he's gonna to die. I walked out of the room and I feel bad, I wasn't brave Dad,'' Peter mumbled.
''That's tough for anyone, that is not a measure of being brave; it just shows you are kind and have a good heart. Pops was real proud of you today. Heard you built Princess Lego?'' Tony teased him as a distraction.
''Dictator Elsa was very persuasive,'' Peter yawned.
''Time to go to sleep, teeth-brushing forthwith,'' Tony sent him away in the right direction with a gentle push.
He tucked the comforter around Peter and carded his fingers through adorable auburn curls.
''Dad, why won't Pops let us touch his shield? He lets all the kids in the hospital,'' Peter asked as he knuckled an eye.
''You know why sweetheart, it's not a toy,'' Tony continued with the carding and Peter eyes drooped.
''I just want to hold it,'' he murmured.
''Yeah right, you will take it sledding and we both know it,''
''Night, night Daddy,'' Peter turned over and his breathing evened out.
''Night, night baby,'' Tony kissed his head, checked the comforter one last time and left the room quietly.
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Steve put the finishing touches to Harley's birthday breakfast.
''Looks great sweetheart, he's gonna love it!'' Tony came in, Pepper and Coulson following.
''Hey guys!'' Steve greeted them.
''I come bearing gifts,'' Pepper held up a large envelope.
''You wanna open it?'' Tony looked at Steve who shook his head.
''We'll do it together.''
They both stared at the piece of paper, this one piece of paper secured their family's future and was something to behold.
''That's it then, we are now officially outnumbered,'' Tony laughed then he kissed his husband gently on the mouth. Steve embraced him and they stood for a while relishing each other.
Pepper and Coulson exchanged indulgent glances- it was heart-warming to see their friends so content after all they had been through to reach this point.
''I think we have been for a while Tones, sure feels that way,'' Steve joked as he stepped regretfully away; wiping away happy tears.
''I think we are doing a good job; they're all still alive aren't they? That's a result in the circumstances,'' Tony made light of a serious issue.
''Well the press agrees with you. Another gift,'' Pepper dropped a copy of The Daily Bugle on the counter.
''What is this?'' Steve scanned the front page.
''Are you kidding me?'' He thought they were covered by the cast iron NDA that applied to his charity work.
''Kids aren't covered by the NDA, under 18,'' Pepper didn't seem bothered, the exact opposite actually.
''Oh wow,'' Tony looked up from the headline that read.
''MY TWO DADS, EARTH'S MIGHTIEST HEROES!''
It detailed Peter's conversation with Mason, including a quote from Mason which read
''Peter said that Thor likes Princess Movies and Elsa is his favourite, which sucks.''
''It's very sweet and touching, plus amazing publicity- you couldn't buy such good press,'' Pepper stole a Blueberry.
''The internet is positively gushing, the fact that Peter has to clean his room and that you ground him causing much discussion, mostly good. Parents seem the happiest, you have provided them with the ammunition they need when their kids complain. Apparently, they are overjoyed they now have a response to 'other parents don't do that', because they can say Captain America and Ironman do. You are the darlings of parents the world over,'' Pepper shrugged.
''What did they think we would be like?'' Steve was a little bemused.
''Well the consensus was that your children would be indulged, spoilt brats with servants catering to their every whim,'' Pepper laughed at Steve's appalled face.
''I think that's probably on me, I was that spoilt brat,'' Tony raised his hand.
''You weren't Tones,'' Steve was hurt on his husband's behalf- he knew that was far from the truth. Tony had every material possession as a child but was in fact neglected, left to be raised by paid staff.
''They did at least hide his face, they weren't brave enough as that would definitely have resulted in a law suit,'' Pepper referenced the photo, which showed Peter building Lego with a boy linked up to an IV and mini Elsa. His face obscured by his hair.
''Should we issue a law suit? Do we have grounds?'' Tony went for familiar territory unsure how else to react.
''Hell no, why would you issue a law suit? You guys come out of this smelling of roses, did you read that headline? Enjoy it; bask in the glory of being presented as perfect parents. I think that's an exaggeration but you are quite good at it you know,'' Pepper smiled and they all laughed.
Tony shared a furtive glance with Steve- it was actually pretty awesome to be acknowledged that way.
''Guys, you know this was inevitable, the boys are getting older and you can't hide them forever. There was going to be something in the press about the game tonight anyway; you are taking them out in public with all the Avengers, this is a great precursor for that,'' Coulson reassured them further.
''He is right,'' Tony said, they had discussed the implications and decided they would go ahead; take a risk to fulfil Harley's birthday wish.
''It's all good guys, relax. Enjoy your kid's birthday, he's sixteen so make it a memorable one,'' Pepper advised them.
''Yeah, let's make it a memorable one!'' Tony clapped his hands.
'' Kind of need the birthday boy for that,'' He added as he headed off to rally the troops.
The Avengers arrived in a noisy rabble, tumbling out of the elevator clutching large, brightly wrapped presents.
''Where is the elder Starkson? I have to administer his birthday beating!'' Thor boomed.
''No Thor, we don't do that. No beating our kid,'' Steve rolled his eyes.
''Really? That is most disappointing!''
''Come on big guy, Cap's pancakes will help you get over it,'' Clint cuffed the back of the God's head.
''Arrow man, that is an inadvisable action. As it is Starkson's birthday, I will not rip you limb from limb but be warned!'' Thor said with a smirk as Clint paled slightly.
''Where is the kid?'' Sam took his place at the table gazing at the feast with hungry eyes.
''Right here,'' Tony led in a hesitant and embarrassed Harley, who gazed around in astonishment.
''You're all here, all of you!'' he said in disbelief.
''We are and we are hungry so get over here so we can eat,'' Clint waved his hand.
Harley was congratulated and patted on the back as uproar enveloped the penthouse.
''Happy Birthday Harley!'' Steve gave him a hug, lingering for a moment, winking when he saw tears in his son's eyes.
''Sit! Sit!'' Tony guided him to the head of the table.
Nat was quiet, she gave Harley a kiss and hug but did not join in the raucous behaviour.
''Hope you haven't eaten everything. I have been craving Cap's pancakes, '' Rhodey came from the elevator.
''You're late hunnybun, but you are lucky we couldn't get Birthday boy out of bed, so haven't started yet, '' Tony greeted him with a hug.
Steve went to fetch Morgan, passing a morose Peter in the hallway.
''You okay Bubba,'' he ruffled his hair and was met by guilty eyes.
''I didn't mean to, they just asked and you didn't say I couldn't. I'm sorry, I am,'' He said in a jumble.
''It's no problem Bubba, you are right, I didn't say you couldn't. You did nothing wrong, forget about it,'' Steve touched his face.
Steve knew he should address how Peter knew about the story; he must have access to technology but decided to leave it for now.
''I'm not in trouble?''
''No you're not in trouble, well not with me or Dad. Uncle Thor I'm not so sure- you're on your own with that one!'' Steve joked and Peter bit his lip.
''Oh shit!''
''Language! Hurry up or there will no food left,'' Steve swatted his butt to get him moving.
''Ow! You said I wasn't in trouble,'' Peter was aggrieved.
''Scoot Bubba,'' Steve chuckled as he opened Morgan's door.
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''These are all mine?'' Harley stared at the mountain of presents.
''Yep, and you had better get opening as you have to go to school soon,'' Tony sat on the arm of the chair next to him.
''Mine, mine,'' Morgan walked over and grabbed a gift.
''No baby girl, not yours. Harleys,'' Steve took it from her and her bottom lip wobbled.
''Morgs, come here. We'll play okay?'' Peter slipped onto the floor and beckoned her; holding up a brick set.
''Play! Play!'' she toddled to him and sat on his lap.
Harley began to open his presents, the first was a wrench and socket set alongside a tyre pressure gauge, then a set of screwdrivers. Soon, he had a complete set of tools. He was touched: his first full set of tools- it was okay using his dads but these were his.
''Thanks guys,'' he smiled shyly at them all.
''These are from all of us,'' Sam handed over two large presents. They contained; a full set of leathers with a Captain America emblem on each shoulder and the coolest crash helmet Harley had ever seen; it was red and gold of course.
Peter narrowed his eyes as he put two and two together, they haven't, please tell me they haven't. He'd been asking for a dirt bike for as long as he could remember and the answer was always the same- a resounding no.
Harley looked at the gifts; he gulped as realisation dawned- so maybe actually there was one more thing he wanted after all.
''So your gift from me and Dad is in the garage,'' Steve said as he handed over an envelope.
Harley was stunned as he pulled out the registration of a top of the range Honda dirt bike and a photo- it was red, white and blue- a customised paint job.
''Sorry, your helmet doesn't match but we both wanted to be represented. We did rock, paper, scissors for the colours. Pops won,'' Tony said slightly grumpily.
''But we can always change it,'' he stage whispered with a wink at Steve.
''Hey, it's beautiful as it is, don't touch it!'' Captain America protested.
Harley couldn't breathe, he couldn't breathe!
''This is mine? You got this for me?'' Harley checked and Steve nodded, his reaction was poignant- he was so appreciative, not spoilt at all.
''You like it kddo?'' Tony prompted.
''Like it? I love it! I totally love it! Thank you!'' Harley jumped up and almost knocked Tony onto the ground with the strength of his hug; then it was Steve's turn followed by every Avenger; several of whom had shining eyes which they were attempting to hide.
Peter felt sick, he genuinely felt sick- Harley hadn't even asked for a dirt bike plus he just got a car. Only last week, Peter had asked for this very thing for his birthday next month and yet again, a firm no.
He looked at the present lying beside him- it was a Jets jersey with Rogers Stark on the back. He felt dumb giving it to his brother now; he would leave it on his bed to find later.
It was chaotic so Peter was able to slip away, he didn't want to look like a spoilt brat which is how it would appear. This was his brother's day and he wasn't going to spoil it because he was a baby.
He took the stairs; it was early so he could get the subway to school.
As he walked across the foyer- a hand stopped him.
''You okay?'' asked Aunt Nat.
''Yeah, yeah. I'm fine,'' Peter wiped away some treacherous tears.
'' It's natural to be jealous, it's a big change but your parents mean well. They are trying to make up to Harley for his past so are spoiling him,'' she said gently and Peter nodded.
''I get that, I do but I've wanted a dirt bike for , well forever and they always say no. Then they get one for him, it's like they're rubbing my face in it. Do they hate me or something?'' Peter revealed his true feelings.
''No they don't hate you, it was just insensitive,'' Natasha felt a pang of guilt, aware that she shouldn't have said that but said it anyway.
''I have to go to school Aunt Nat,'' Peter just wanted to leave.
''Okay, I'll see you later. Have a good day,'' she kissed his cheek and walked back to the elevators.
Peter watched her with a sense of disquiet in his chest; Aunt Nat had been so odd recently.
He was distracted by a text from Ned, offering to meet him in the arcade- they had time as it was early.
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''What is this?'' Thor stared at the newspaper and scanned the room.
''Where is mini Starkson? I have to kill him!'' he roared and they all froze, staring over at him.
''Now big guy, let's not over react,'' Tony tried to pacify him.
''What's happened?'' Sam asked and Pepper sniggered.
''Peter told a kid at the hospital that Thor likes Princess Movies and that Elsa is his favourite, the Bugle published it.''
They all collapsed in hysterics and it was mayhem for ten minutes.
''The kid was only telling the truth big guy,'' Clint pointed out.
''That is true!'' Sam confirmed breathlessly.
''Indeed it is not, I have moved my allegiance to Mulan, she is more worthy,'' Thor added to the mirth as the laughter started up again.
'' Mulan is technically not a princess Thor,'' Vision had no idea why that evoked even more laughter- it was the truth.
''I think you will find she is,'' Thor puffed out his chest, deeply offended.
''Regardless, I must kill your youngest son. My profuse apologies my Captain, Stark but it cannot be avoided,'' Thor gave himself away with the twinkle in his eye; they were all very aware he would never harm a hair on Peter's head- he loved him too much.
''You have our permission but maybe just some mild torture?'' Tony replied and Thor nodded.
''As you wish, I shall merely throw him off the top of the building.''
''That's fun to him, you know that right?'' Sam chuckled.
''Is it? I did not know that!'' Thor guffawed, the twinkle intensifying.
''Where is Peter?'' Pepper noticed he was gone.
''He went to school, I saw him off. He's getting the subway, something about meeting Ned. He left this for you Harley,'' Nat walked back from the elevator and handed over a gift.
Steve blew out an irritated sigh, she did it again. They spoke about this and she immediately does it again. Steve looked over at Tony who made a placating gesture with his hands; now was not the time. He held up the very important envelope.
''One last thing kiddo,'' Tony put the envelope in Harley's lap.
''More? You can't give me more!'' Harley shook his head, this was too much.
''Well I hope this is the best one,'' Steve said nervously.
Harley's delighted face when he opened the envelope confirmed that it was, by an extremely long way.
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