Sequel to I'm Your Dad. Just some more Peter & Tony, Father-Son moments, along with Pepper, May, and Happy.
This wasn't supposed to be so long, but I kept getting more ideas and it just kind of happened. So..anyway, hope you like! :)
Chapter 1
The last nine months had been the best of Peter's life. He had a dad now. A dad who loved him, and hung out with him all the time. They watched movies, worked together in his lab both at the house and at SI, built more LEGO sets together, and just talked. Alot.
Then one weekend as they were working at the Tower, Tony surprised Peter with his own lab.
"This is mine?" Peter looked around gaping at the huge lab that ran almost the whole length of the floor, almost as big as his dad's. Full of high tech computers, equipment and even Dum-E. He chirped happily to see Peter.
"Yep." Tony murmured excitedly as he rocked on his heels watching Peter's reaction; "All yours. Now you can work on your own projects, use whatever tech and supplies you want. Of course I'll happily help, we can work on things together, or you can work on your own. Whatever you want to do."
Peter rushed forward to hug his dad, squeezing him tight; "Thanks dad! I love it! This is the best gift ever!"
Laughing Tony ruffled his hair; "Of course buddy. Now there are some rules." He pulled back to look at Peter firmly; "Anything dangerous you can't use unsupervised. FRIDAY will monitor you to make sure you don't blow yourself or the whole building up when I'm not here, and there are some protocols in place..."
"Of course." Peter rolled his eyes but was still smiling. Too excited and happy.
"Have to keep you safe Underoos. But come on let's check out your lab."
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It was still very new of course.
Peter's 16th birthday had only been a couple of months ago, and they were both still coming to grips with their new father-son relationship.
Tony wanted to know everything about Peter, about his childhood, what he liked and disliked. It really touched Peter that his dad cared so much. So Peter showed him some photo albums and home videos of him as kid, hoping that would help. In return, Tony told Peter some more about his own past, although Peter knew he was sometimes cagey about it. Not wanting him to know specific details. Peter got the impression his dad didn't like talking about his past, which Peter understood and let go. He didn't like thinking about his own past either, now that he knew that for 15 years his dad was out there and he had no idea. Peter preferred to enjoy the present, and every moment with his dad.
As soon as Happy stopped the car outside his dad's, Peter shoved the door, and flew towards the front door. Either Tony sensed him, or FRIDAY alerted him to Peter's arrival, Peter wasn't sure and didn't care. Because when Tony opened the front door, Peter didn't break stride as he rushed at him, tackling him in a hug; "DAD!"
"Woah!" Tony chuckled stumbling back from the force of the hug; "Steady there buddy." He wrapped his arms around his son in return. Closing his eyes, relishing in the moment.
Peter grinned as he hugged his dad, feeling so happy to see him. May and his dad had agreed on an arrangement of alternate 4 day weeks for Peter to stay with them. And he had just been with May for three, so he got to be with his dad for four now. It was great, and to see him again finally, after a few days of not seeing him, Peter felt overjoyed.
Tony ruffled his hair as Peter pulled to look up at him in elation; "It's good to see you too buddy."
Tony wrapped his arm around Peter's shoulder to lead him in, as he turned to shut the door nodding in thanks at Happy.
"So how was school kid?"
"Great yeah. Had a pop quiz in math, but I think it went ok." Peter said shrugging modestly, and Tony just looked at him quizzically. His son had to be the one kid in the world who actually loved school.
"No doubt about that bud." Tony clapped him on the back and carded through his hair. He was adamant about showing Peter praise all the time, knowing all too well what it's like to have a father not care about anything you did. And he knew that Peter was an insecure child who needed lots of praise and affection. He was only too happy to oblige. He loved being there for his son.
Peter slid his backpack off and set it on the hall table, before heading in towards the kitchen. He grinned as he saw Pepper sitting at the kitchen island on a laptop.
"Hey mom!" Peter greeted rushing over to her.
"Peter!" Pepper turned to him warmly, immediately turning to hug him tightly.
Tony paused and watched his two most favourite people hugging. Hearing Peter call her mom, it still got to Tony every time. How could he get to be so lucky?
"You thirsty honey? Hungry?" Pepper offered moving over to fridge.
"It's ok I got it." Peter insisted; "Can I get you something?"
"Oh. Why thank you sweetie. A water will be nice."
Tony watched in awe as Peter moved to the fridge to grab a bottle of water, and a soda. Pepper side eyed Tony with a broad smile. Peter had such nice manners, it made Tony so proud.
"Dad?" Peter turned after handing Pepper her water.
"I'm good bud. So." He clapped his hands together grinning; "What do you want to do to first?" Tony said dramatically; "Watch a movie? Lego? Hang out in the lab?"
"Lab!" Peter replied instantly his eyes lightening up.
"Thought so." Tony chuckled at Peter's enthusiasm; "Come on bud. I'm working on some new specs for my suit and want your opinion."
"Oh. My. God." Peter's jaw literally dropped; "Seriously? You're going to let me work on your suit!"
"Yeah of course Peter. Thought it would be fun."
"Best day ever!" Peter grinned before charging off towards the lab.
Tony soon following cheerfully after Peter. His joy and enthusiasm was contagious, enough to lift Tony's darkest mood. There was no doubt about it, Peter was the best thing that ever happened to him.
"Don't let him do anything stupid and blow the house up!" Pepper shouted after them, as she turned back to her laptop.
"I won't." Tony responded with an eye roll.
"I was talking to Peter!"
Tony just stopped and turned to glare at Pepper, but there was no heat behind it. She just smiled and winked at him, and Tony couldn't help but smile back. Especially hearing Peter laughing at the joke.
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"That's amazing dad!" Peter said in awe as they looked at the round arc reactor, and wristbands laid out on the table. Their insides on display. The way that his dad had used nanotechnology to compress his suit parts to fall in on each other into such a tiny space.
Tony pausing in his soldering and turned his head to look at Peter beside him. Seeing the pure look of fascination and excitement in his eyes, it made Tony happy, to see his son happy. But then he saw Peter hesitate and look away. As if guiltily.
"What's up bud? Something wrong?"
"No no." Peter said quickly smiling again at his dad.
"No come on. I told you, you can talk to me about anything. What is it?"
"Well..." Peter avoided his gaze as he then pointed inside the arc reactor at something; "I was just thinking maybe you could add another power regulator here. It might speed up the way the suit materialises."
Tony's eyes widened as he followed Peter's gaze and then looked at Peter in shock and amazement. His boy was a genius.
"Wow! I never even thought of that!"
"Oh sorry." Peter said embarrassed.
"No don't apologise." Tony said fiercely; "You can make whatever suggestion you want. Even if they're the most ridiculous in the world. I want to hear them buddy." He bent to catch Peter's eyes, seeing that his insecurity around him was still present. Tony clearly still had a lot to make up for. And he was going to do whatever it took to reassure Peter, and make him happy; "And this..." Tony pointed at the inside of the arc reactor with a screwdriver and grinned; "Is a genius idea. You should be proud. Don't be embarrassed by being smart. Embrace is Peter."
Peter smiled shyly and nodded.
"You're more like your old dad than you know." Tony added with a wink, reaching to ruffle Peter's hair.
That did it. A grin formed on Peter's face. A true smile that lit up his eyes. Tony had come to know Peter's expressions very well, and this was the face he loved the most. Seeing Peter upset it was like it physically hurt Tony. He didn't want to ever see him upset.
Peter watched as Tony got back to work, following his suggestion, and he studied his dad for a moment. He still felt a pang of hero worship. How could he not? This was his dad! And he was Tony Stark, and Iron Man. At first that was all he saw, and what he couldn't shake when they learnt they were father and son, but now...now Peter saw his dad. And spending time with him, like this, it meant everything to Peter. He had a dad, and he wasn't going to let him go again.
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Later that evening, Pepper, Tony and Peter were snuggled together on the sofa. Peter in the middle, and them either side of him. They had agreed on watching the Lord of the Rings, deciding on a marathon. Peter was quite surprised at that, especially Pepper wanting to watch them. But apparently it was her idea, she was quite the fan. And so was Tony. It just made Peter realise how cool his parents were.
Parents.
That was still new to him.
Pepper had a blanket across her legs, her feet tucked under her. Tony had his feet propped up on the coffee table, munching on popcorn before the film had even started.
Sitting cross legged between them, Peter looked at them both contentedly. The lights were dimmed like a cinema, but it created a nice warm cosy atmosphere. Happy. Safe.
"Are you going to hog that all night?" Pepper quipped drawing Peter's attention, and he turned to her as she were glaring at Tony.
Tony just dramatically grabbed a large handful of popcorn, and turned to her shoving them all in his mouth.
"Sorry. Did you want some?" Tony mumbled with his mouth fall, some pieces falling out into his lap.
"Ew gross dad!" Peter laughed out loud, and Pepper soon followed. It made Tony grin broadly, hearing the most beautiful sounds.
"Very mature honey." Pepper commented with amusement and love in her eyes.
"You know I am a growing boy dad." Peter said putting on his best puppy dog look, and pouting dramatically as he looked at his dad, and then the rest of the popcorn bowl; "And as Spider Man, my metabolism requires me to eat a lot more food to stay functional."
Tony paused, munching on the popcorn in his mouth, and raised an eyebrow at Peter; "Really kid? That's low. You know I can't resist the puppy dog face." He moaned sadly. Because it was true. Every time Peter made that face, it made his heart clench. It was the sweetest face ever, and Tony he would do anything for his son seeing that face. And then to hear Peter say how he needs the food to function, well that was it. Because he always feared Peter wasn't getting enough food.
"I think that's the point Tony." Pepper said chuckling, but trying to hide it by covering her mouth. It was clear already that Peter had Tony wrapped around his little finger.
Peter just grinned fluttering his eyes at Tony.
"Oh my god kid!" Tony said dramatically shoving the bowl into his lap.
Giggling, Peter started munching away.
"It's ok." Tony shrugged as he settled back into the sofa, and then reached over the edge and pulling out another bowl, and setting it on his lap; "Got another way anyway." He said smugly.
Peter gasped a handful of popcorn halfway to his mouth.
"What?" Tony said innocently; "You think I would deprive my son of such delicious popcorn? Or my wife." He clutched his hand to chest in dramatic hurt. He then pulled out another bowl and handed it to Pepper.
"Oh." Pepper said surprised, smiling lovingly at him; "Thanks honey."
"And..." Tony dramatically pulled out a tub of ice cream with a spoon stuck in it, and reached across Peter to wave it in front of Pepper's face tauntingly. Watching as her eyes widened.
"Is that...?"
"Mint chocolate chip. Yep." Tony grinned emphasising the P.
Pepper snatched it, and spooned out a chunk into her mouth, moaning in happiness; "I love you."
"I hope that's to me and not the ice cream." Tony joked with a raised eyebrow.
Pepper just smiled slyly as if to say he will never know.
Rolling his eyes he turned back to Peter, watching as he eyed the ice cream hungrily.
"Oh seriously kid? You too?" Tony laugh then pulling out another tub, and held it out to Peter.
"Double chocolate caramel?" Peter said in awe, taking it like it was a treasured possession, and practically inhaled it.
"Take it easy kid. I don't want you getting a sugar high or throwing up later." Tony said in warning but reached over to ruffle Peter's hair. He wasn't going to give Peter this food all the time, but he wanted to treat him.
The movie soon started, and they all snuggled down to enjoy it.
It was some half an hour to forty minutes later, when Tony finally noticed something. Peter would shift towards him, not quite leaning on him, but right beside him. Tony sensing that Peter wanted to lay against him, would move to accompany him, and Peter would immediately flinch back away. As if scared about getting close to him, like he thought Tony would yell at him or something.
It broke Tony's heart. Even now Peter was still scared of getting rejected. Sometimes he forgot just how insecure and touch starved Peter was. It pained Tony greatly that Peter felt that way, he would hug the kid every day if that's what it took to make him feel better.
When it happened again, Tony had finally had enough. In one quick move, he lifted his arm, and put it around Peter, silently tugging him against his side. He felt Peter stiffen to start with, and squeezed his shoulder to reassure and comfort him.
Peter was shocked, and too stunned to move or breath when his dad put his arm around him. He had been trying to dredge up the courage to lean against him himself, but was scared to. They had hugged sure, but Peter wasn't a little kid, and maybe it would be crossing a line. They were still getting to know each other, and defining their father-son relationship, so Peter was unsure what he could and couldn't do or say.
But when he felt his dad squeeze his shoulder, he relaxed instantly. Feeling a rush of love and happiness that his dad was ok with this contact. Taking a chance, Peter snuggled further against his dad's side, pulling his feet up under his legs for a better position. Smiling, when he felt his dad rest his cheek on his head, he relished in his dad's warmth and comfort.
Tony too was grinning as he felt Peter give in, and closed his eyes as he rested his head on Peter's. Having Peter here, at his side, safe and sound, and happy. It meant everything to Tony.
Sensing he was being watched, Tony lifted his head to turn to Pepper, seeing she had her phone pointed at them. As she saw him staring, she lowered her phone, tears in her eyes and a smile on her face. He just smiled back at her mouthing, send to me.
He wanted as many pictures with Peter as he could get. It would be great to frame some for his labs here and at the Tower, more than that he wanted to put loads around the house so he could look at them every day.
They stayed like for a while watching the movies. It was half way during the second movie, when Peter's arm made it's way around Tony's torso. And not long after that, Peter's head was soon slipping down to Tony's chest, his arm becoming limp. Then he shifted, and was soon laying down, his head on Tony's leg.
Baffled for a moment, Tony looked helplessly at Pepper, who just sat there smiling fondly. Then he looked back down at Peter's face seeing he was fast asleep. Tony just smiled tenderly. Peter was adorable when he was asleep. So innocent, and looked much younger than 16. It gave Tony a glimpse of Peter as a child. His child.
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Peter stirred feeling someone gently running their fingers through his hair, and he felt totally warm and comfortable. Like he was in a cocoon. He snuggled further into the warmth, never ever wanting to get up.
A hand on his arm, was soon followed by a soft soothing voice.
"Shh. It's ok bud. I got you."
Dad?
Peter finally recognised it was his dad's fingers carding through his hair.
Stunned, Peter blinked his eyes open, and soon he saw the TV was now off, and the room was still dark. But what stood out most was the fact he was lying down. On his dad's lap, on a pillow on his lap. A blanket was draped over him, and he realised he had his legs and feet in Pepper's lap too.
He didn't even realise he had fallen asleep. His face flushed in embarrassment, and he stilled. Wondering if he should get up.
But then Peter and Pepper started talking which made him stop.
"Should I put him to bed?" Tony whispered to Pepper, hesitantly, not taking his eyes off Peter, or stopping in moving his fingers through Peter's hair gently. He loved Peter's wavy wild curly hair; "I don't want to wake him. He seems happy here."
Pepper leant her head on Tony's shoulder; "He's happy because he's with you Tony. Just...let him sleep for a bit longer. Then we'll put him to bed." She kept her hand on Peter's shoulder, using her thumb to rub up and down in a soothing motion. Looking lovingly at Peter, she felt her heart swell; "He's adorable." Getting to know Peter, Pepper didn't know it was possible to love this much, next to loving Tony. He was her family too her. Her son.
"He is my son." Tony retorted and Pepper snorted before looking at Tony with a simple.
"Our son now."
It made Peter smile as he listened.
"It suits you, you know." Pepper added, and Peter paused curiously; "Being a dad. With Peter. Like this. You're a real natural."
"That's a relief. I still fear I'm going to do something wrong, and ruin his life. But when it comes to him, I don't know it's just instinct. Guess it helps I already saw him as my son before I knew he actually was." Tony turned to kiss her briefly resting his forehead against hers; "You're a natural too you know. I love seeing the two of you together. My two favourite people in the whole world."
Peter's heart swelled. He had no idea that his dad cared like that for him before they became father and son. And hearing Pepper calling him her son too...he felt his eyes tear up. He didn't know how he deserved to end up with two amazing and loving parents.
"You'll send me the photos right?"
"Already done. And FRIDAY'S been recording all evening." Pepper added in a soft chuckle.
Photos? Video? Now Peter felt self conscious.
"Good. I wish we could all just stay like this."
"Me too. I love having Peter here. He's so..." Pepper struggled to find the right word.
"Happy? Inspiring? Amazing? Frustratingly exasperating at times? Adorable?" Tony offered with a raised eyebrow and a smirk on his face.
"All of the above." Pepper replied exhaling contentedly, and Peter felt tears in his eyes hearing such love coming from them for him; "It's like I have a terrible day, but I come home and see you and Peter together. Then he smiles and he hugs me, and it's like..." Pepper sighs; "I don't know he has this energy about him, it's impossible to feel anything but love and happiness around him. He always makes me feel so much better just being around him."
"Yeah he's like that. Worms his way under your skin and into your heart without you knowing." Tony said laughing; "I tell you Pepper aside from you, he's the best thing that ever happened to me. He is the purest person I've ever met, not a single bad bone in his body. Just being around him, makes me a better person, and dad. Every day he surprises me, and I love him more and more. I didn't think it was possible to feel this way."
"That's parenthood Tony. Nothing is stronger than the love for a child. And Peter is certainly loveable."
"That he is."
Peter closed his eyes after that, a broad smile on his face, and tears in his eyes. Just listening to them talking, their voices comforting and soothing, it sent him right back to sleep.
Peter didn't wake when his dad picked him up, and carried him to his room. Or when he tucked him in. He didn't even stir when Tony and Pepper kissed him goodnight. But he did dream about them, a smile still on his face. He had two loving parents, and a loving aunt. He had a family. Finally.