"Dude! Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God!"
"You heard the news."
"Your Dad's Iron Man? He's a superhero now?" Ned immediately called Peter when he heard the news.
"Yeah he is. A bit of late for you to know, you know."
"Having a vacation in the country with no signal sucks and that's crazy!"
"Yeah it's insane."
"I gotta meet him!"
"Dude you already met him, he's my Dad."
"Yeah! But not in the suit! I haven't met Iron Man!"
"Ned, Iron Man and Dad - Tony Stark, they're the same."
"Alright, but I gotta go there and meet him again in his Iron Man suit! I miss California, and it's freezing here. Let's swim again, maybe jump off that cliff this time."
"and what? Die?"
"Peter, c'mon."
"You can come with me at the Expo."
"What expo?"
"The Stark Expo, the one Grandpa created a long time ago for exhibition of new tech and inventions. Dad decided to open it again there in Queens in six months. We're gonna be making a lot of trips to New York. We'll be there."
"That's awesome dude!"
"Yeah, I gotta go. I'm almost done with my Iron Man helmet!"
"Oh my God! You know I'm so jealous right now. Can you build me the boots?"
"Even Dad won't allow me that. Talk to you soon! Bye!"
Peter hang up the phone from his room and ran towards the lab. It's only been a week since the big reveal. For the past week, while his Dad's tinkering with another suit, he's designing his own Iron Man helmet. The whole world was abuzzed and shocked to know that the great Tony Stark is the Iron Man. The first superhero to reveal his own identity publicly. He's still the number one topic in the news. People around the world started to idolize him. His fans from around the world are growing in numbers.
"Hey bud, you ready for this?"
"Yeah Dad! Let's rock and roll!" He tried the prototype if it fits his head. Since he still has little hands for building, most of the hardware are cut out by Jarvis but the tech behind it was done by his programming. Dad just monitors all of his codes and make sure he doesn't get clumsy.
In a few days, he's already done and it is the exact replica of Iron Man's mask except JARVIS isn't integrated in it.
Peter tried it on for the first time, and the blue lights flickered scanning the area with diagnostics, longitude, latitude and the works.
All of those that can be seen from the mask is also recorded into Tony's server, and is called the Baby Monitor Protocol. He can also tracks his son in it.
"Yes! It's working Dad!" Peter said to his father standing opposite him.
"Yeah, and now I have an Iron-baby."
Tony lowered his head in front of Peter and tapped his shoulders. "I'm proud of you bud."
"Thanks Dad! This is like what you see when you put on the suit. So cool!" Peter started to go on the full length mirror to see himself.
"I am Iron Man." Peter said impersonating his Dad as he said the words.
Tony laughed and smiled adoring the silliness of his son.
"I'm not gonna take this off. I'll design gloves next that looks like your hand blasters!" Peter said excitedly. Clearly, Peter has been the number one fan of Iron Man ever since, and his Dad his number one fan.
"Steady there Iron-baby. How bout we take a break? Want some hotdogs? Let's grab some hotdogs outside."
"Are we gonna fly out there Dad? Let's fly please."
Oh no, he's giving that pleading look again.
"Uh oh. No Pete, that's too fast for a young kid, can't do that. I'm gonna hear again from Pepper."
"Please Dad. Please... I'm wearing the mask, it has an oxygen system right?"
"Of course it is."
Peter's still putting that puppy dog eyes Tony couldn't resist.
"Oh fine. You're gonna put us in a lot of trouble young man. Let's suit up. Wear your Jacket."
"Yay!" Peter jumped in joy. He's going flying for the first time!
"Hang tight, kid."
In a few minutes, Tony suited up and flew up from the mansion, carrying Peter in his arms wearing the mask on. Peter's eyes went wide with excitement and happiness. He's flying for the first time with his Dad! The view from the above is amazing!
They went to the best hotdog joint in the city, and bought it for take out. They then went to the Hollywood sign to sit there and eat, giving them the full panoramic view of the city.
"So how's your first flying lesson?" Tony said as he took a bite.
Peter's eyes said it all. "IT WAS AMAZING! Dad!.. that's - the view, the feeling! That's so much fun!"
"Glad you liked it bud."
Peter took a bite. "and this hotdog sandwich is so good." Peter said sighing happily at his view. He rested his head on his Dad's side while his dad's arm rested on his shoulders.
"Really? Mine tasted weird."
"Huh? but we had the same order."
"Yeah.." That's weird, Tony thought. His taste-buds are in a wrack these days.
"Thank you Dad for taking me flying today."
"Well, I couldn't resist those eyes now, am I?"
Peter laughed, "No, you couldn't."
Tony finished another suit in a couple of days. It has now been a month. He's been trying to sleep for a fixed eight hour sleeping time but can only get three to five hours. He can't sleep, so he tinker. He's also working on a more mobility on his suit, so he can just suit up anywhere.
"Dad, are you okay?" Peter asked. He heard a barfing sound somewhere and it came from his Dad's room so he went to check.
"Oh God." He felt like he's gonna die. He's dizzy and his head's spinning. Tony's at his bathroom, experiencing the worst nausea ever and he doesn't know why. He's spilling out vomiting everything until he can almost vomit his stomach at the toilet. He just had a glass of scotch last night to induce sleep. This can't be a hangover. Who even has hangover from a glass of scotch? He had a lot of drinks before and never had this worse of a hangover.
"Peter, don't come in here. I'm fine." Tony called. "Go downstairs and eat your breakfast. I'll be there in a minute."
He almost can't stand from the pain. A migraine and nausea. What the fuck is happening to me?
"Are you sure? Do you want me to call Pepper and 911?" Peter asked worried. He has a feeling something's wrong.
"No, no. Don't call anyone. I'm fine. I'm sure." Tony tried his best to stand, to wash his face and gargle a mouthwash. Is it something he ate? No, the food from last night's dinner, he had it before.
He fought his way to stand up and headed downstairs and immediately drank lots of water. He sat beside Peter at the breakfast table in their terrace that has a lovely view of the ocean.
"Dad?"
"Yeah?"
"Your eyes are red."
"Just eye strain from staring at the computer so much."
"But you don't have it before."
"It's nothing, your Dad's just getting old, bud." Tony patted his son's head. There's no need to worry him more.
"Don't overwork yourself Dad."
"I won't buddy. Don't worry about it, alright?"
"Will you drive me to school today?"
Tony always drives his son to school every morning. Since he came back he wants to make up from the lost time they should have. Now, even if he wants to, his senses are askew from the dizziness. He doesn't want any accidents happening from that.
"Not today, bud. I'll have Happy drive you just for today." He started to call Happy to come at the house.
"Okay."
Tony tried to eat from all the delicious food at the table, but all he can taste is bland nothingness. He almost cursed at his breath. After breakfast, Happy already came at the house to pick up Peter.
"I love you Pete" Tony said while they're at the front door before he let go of Peter to school.
"I love you too Dad.." Peter said smiling but his eyes worried. He hugged his Dad.
"I'll see you later okay. I'll pick you up after school." Then he kissed his son's forehead and hugged him. Waved them goodbye as the car drove away.
He headed to the lab afterwards. He extracted blood from his arm to a vial and put in a blood scanner for blood monitoring.
"JARVIS, check my blood and scan my body. Is it food poisoning? Stomach problems?" Tony waited for a few minutes, it can't be something bad.
"Sir, my diagnosis is that you are experiencing signs of Metal Poisioning, specifically Palladium Poisoning."
"The core." Tony put up the pieces together. He checked the arc reactor and found the Palladium core decaying completely. "It has been eroded by the neutron bombardment, realeasing..."
"Poison, Sir. The core that has been keeping you alive, unfortunately is also the one that is killing you."
"Can we, - Uh, can we run full diagnostics to every known element that can replace the Palladium."
"Right away, Sir."
"Thanks JARVIS."
Tony slumped back to his chair. He can't make sense of what's happening to him. He's alive... he came back, he's home, and now.. he's dying AGAIN? Is it that fast enough? Is that it? He can't leave his son alone again. He can't.
"Is there anyway we can counteract the symptoms?"
"Chlorophyll has been known by its ability to bind to and remove toxic heavy metals from the bloodstream, Sir."
"An antioxidant, right. To increase the quantity of red blood cells, reducing inflammation. Order the finest liquid chlorophyll, JARVIS"
"Yes, Sir."
Tony then began to replace the destroyed Palladium core with a new one he stocked to reserve. He didn't know he's going to need a few more so he began to work with new palladium cores to be stored. He also started the permutations to every known element that can replace the palladium core of the arc reactor.
He can't give up hope unless there really isn't a cure for this.
"Dude, how does it feel like to be the son of the Iron Man?"
Peter and Ned are drawing sketches and coloring their drawings in Ned's room. Peter visited his bestfriend while Tony and Pepper headed to Flushing to observe the Stark Expo grounds being renovated for a more futuristic design.
"What? Ned, he's my Dad, he's just my Dad to me." Peter said looking incredulous.
Ned looked like a total fangirl earlier when Dad dropped him off at Ned's house.
"Hey, Ned. You're growing up pretty fast now huh. How are you?" Dad said to Ned tapping the boy's shoulders when they went to their house.
"I-Iron Man! Mr. Stark! Hey, um, I'm okay. Super okay." Ned said gushing as if it's his first time seeing Tony Stark.
Peter rolled his eyes. "C'mon Ned, let's go. You're embarrassing me in front of my Dad."
Ned just completely ignored Peter and still stared at Iron Man while handing him a drawing. "Can you sign my drawing of you?"
"Yeah, yeah sure of course. So Peter's gonna stay here a while. We'll pick him up tomorrow." Dad said to him while signing the drawing of Iron Man punching Iron Monger.
"Yeah, No problem Mr. Stark. I'm happy to have Peter here."
"Here you go, kid."
"Wow, Thank you. Thank you Mr Stark." Ned stared at the signed drawing. His eyes sparkled with joy, while Dad patted Ned's head. Meanwhile, Dad talked to Mrs. Leeds for a moment.
"Your Dad's really so so cool, Peter. Can we exchange Dad's?" Ned whispered to Peter.
"You're crazy Ned." and Peter once again rolled his eyes, sighing.
"Okay you two, have fun." Dad said going to them. "Pete, I'll see you tomorrow, okay? I love you bud." Dad said and kissed his forehead.
"Thanks Dad. I love you too." Peter hugged his Dad before his car drove off.
"Okay, let me rephrase the question, how does it feel like to be a son of a superhero?" Ned asked while coloring his new Iron Man drawing.
"Well, it's awesome with all the cool stuff, but..." Ned looked up to see Peter's eyes with a hint of worry.
"I thought it's okay with you? You said your Dad asked you if it's okay with you and you said okay, right?"
"Right, it's okay with me."
"but what?"
"but I don't know, Ned."
"Makes sense, you're always worrying about him. But you don't need to now Peter, do yourself a favor and relax. He's more than alive now you know and he's more than capable of protecting himself and he's going to protect you."
"Yeah.."
"So why're you still worried?"
"Something's wrong about him Ned, and I don't know why."
"Why? Like what?"
"Like his eyes are often red and he's often at the toilet vomiting. It looks like he's sick and he says that he's not. He said his Doctor said he's okay. Sometimes I can feel he's sad. Isn't that weird?"
"That's probably nothing Peter. You mentioned before he drinks alcohol right? Maybe hangover?"
Peter shrugged his shoulders.
"Yeah. Pepper always gets mad with him if she catches him like that."
It's been two months now since he first heard his Dad feeling sick at the bathroom and there have been frequent moments when he saw it again like that. His Dad tried to assure him nothing's wrong and he's perfectly okay, but the feeling just won't go away. His Dad's been spending quality time with him since then, they've been to random trips abroad for vacations on weekends. Pepper has been getting upset with Dad not being able to attend work meetings. She always reminds him that he's still the CEO of his company and he needs to be responsible but Dad just kept being stubborn, leaving most of the work with Pepper. They mostly have spontaneous fly out trips that surprises Peter. He can't say he's not loving it, but there' a feeling of why Dad's been doing this.
"Oh, you went to your Dubai house last month right?"
"Yeah what about it?"
"How was it?"
"We rode a camel and Dad almost fell out of it." Peter laughed, he remembered his Dad suddenly went nuts and almost lost his balance when the camel started to stand up suddenly after kneeling, it caught them off guard while the're riding on it's back.
"then we went to the Desert safari riding a 4x4. It was scary but fun! It's almost like falling at the edge of the cliff! The desert is so large, there's literally sand for miles and miles on end. Then we met their King there."
"Whoa. God, you're so lucky. Can I also go there someday?"
"Yeah, we can arrange that. Dad likes you, he'll be glad if you come with us."
"Yes! Then he'll have us flying carrying us in his Iron Man suit!"
"Oh Ned." Peter said as he make a face palm.
They finished their drawings afterwards.
"Oh wait, I forgot something." Peter rushed downstairs. When he came back he's carrying a paper-bag in his hands.
"Here Ned, this one's for you."
"What's this?"
"A birthday gift. Dad and I picked it out."
Ned started to open up the paper bag and pull out its contents.
"Oh my god, Peter." Ned stared in awe of the Lego Set of Iron Man and a set of gloves that looked like the hand blasters.
"Dude, thank you! You're the best!" Ned hugged Peter.
"No problem, Ned."
The next hours was spent building the Lego set of Iron Man and Peter wore his Iron Man helmet the entire time. Ned asked to try it but it unfortunately doesn't fit, since Ned's a bigger kid.
"Dude, that's so cool. What does it do?" Ned saw the blue lights of the screen though even if he hadn't tried the mask.
"It just measures location, tells weather forecast, time. Scans the room, and you can see better in the dark. JARVIS isn't integrated in here unlike in my Dad's"
"and you programmed that all there?"
"Yeah, with a few help from Dad."
"Awesome! Teach me how to Program."
"Uh okay." Peter started teaching Ned the basics of Programming in his computer in which his bestfriend has a difficulty understanding at first. The rest of the night they spent practicing on how to get better at it. Ned has somewhat got inclined to Programming the day after.
Peter somehow realized after that he gave his bestfriend a new found hobby and skillset that may even come at par with his skills someday.
"All establishments are ready. The DOD is Okay with the opening and I'm sure your speech is ready. The press, guests, the show and list of presenters all lined up and finalized. So far, everything's good to go." Pepper said as they walked along the Japanese styled Garden of the large dome at the Stark Expo. It's the day before the Grand Opening. They're already done visiting every establishment for Opening Day while Peter and Ned are sight seeing with Happy on the Hall of Legacy and Hall of Mobility.
"Thanks, Pepper. It's all coming together now." Tony said as he gazed upon the peaceful garden. The sound of the river waters passing through relaxing him.
"But honestly Tony, for you to run this thing for a whole year is such a waste of money and time."
"Doesn't really matter now. About time we show Stark Industries as a fun and frolic tech conglomerate. Past that terror weapons manufacturing shit, right?"
"Tony, what going on?" Pepper asked. She's been getting stressed out from all the decisions his boss has been doing in his life and mostly she's the one who works and compensate for it all.
"Going what?" Tony asked. He's been drinking his liquid chlorophyll again like his life depends on it.
"Why are you always drinking that thing?
"This? Oh this is Chlorophyll."
"Really? Giving me that excuse for months then I see you at the toilet spilling your guts out from a hangover? and what? to just to avoid your meetings? Then you fly out at the jet with Peter every weekend." She's trying her best not to lose her patience. There must be a reason why Tony's been doing this.
"I want to spend quality time with him Pep. Make sense for lost time. You know that right?"
Tony spend every waking up thanking that he has another life yet to live. Ever since he knew his demise will be soon enough with no clue of a cure yet, he had spent every moment of his life, spending it as much as possible with Peter. Doing the things they've never done before. Going to different places that gives them new experiences. He wants Peter to remember all the good times. They take pictures every now and then even if it's just an ordinary day. He always take a video and pictures of Peter all safely stored in an album.
"I know that, and I'm not saying you avoid spending time with your son, but you're also needed at your own company Tony. I'm trying to run your company and there's only so much I can do."
Tony felt guilt riding over him. He wanted to come to the meetings most of the time but was often times stopped from the painful symptoms he's been getting. He's been drinking almost three liters of liquid chlorophyll everyday, and from that he can keep the symptoms at bay but not always. Aside from extreme nausea, he also experiences fibromyalgia and migraine headaches that worsens by the minute. He still experiences some of that sometimes when his blood toxicity doubles putting on the suit. Over time the symptoms may get worse that may start on his liver or kidney.
"And you're doing an excellent job at doing my job Miss Potts."
"Tony... Really. What's wrong?"
"I got cooking lessons with Peter. Figured I'd teach myself how to cook for him."
Tony tried to sway the topic. He's almost as close to spilling Pepper everything. He's been carrying a burden so hard to accept, everyday he's worried he's just gonna lost it. Everyday he's afraid he's just gonna die without even saying goodbye to his son. He's not even ready. He still wants to see Peter grow up to a fine young man. To see him off to college and one day take over the company if he likes it. To more days with his little one, that's what he wants.
For the past week, Tony and Peter went to a cooking lesson. They're taught by a chef from a famous culinary school. Mostly it's just Tony doing his best to not burn stuff up and not to curse on every slip up. Eventually he got it with practice without burning the whole kitchen down. He can now make omelette's, perfectly cooked waffles, and even a good seared steak.
"What? You hate cooking."
"Well, just for a change. I can cook an omelette now. A perfectly cooked Omelette. You like that?"
"That's great, but seriously, what's going on?" Pepper looked him straight at his eyes, pondering what's going on as if she can read his soul. They stopped at the river bridge of the garden.
"I'm dying." He babbled out unexpectedly. He didn't know he had already said it out loud. Just the way Pepper's eyes look at him have momentarily hypnotized him into telling the truth.
"What?"
"I- uh. Nothing." Tony went back to his senses. Stupid. I shouldn't have said that.
"You're dying? How are you dying?" Pepper now looked dubious. Does she heard it right?
There was a silence that followed afterwards and Tony sighed. He guessed there's no turning back now. He can't sway the topic no more. Pepper's not gonna let go of it.
"I'm dying Pepper." He finally disclosed.
"You're kidding right?
I mean you just almost died TWICE, and now you're dying... AGAIN?" Pepper can't believe the words she just heard from his boss. The love of her life... is dying. Her system can't absorb it. She haven't even told him her feelings yet.
"I have no cure for it this time." Tony sounded defeated.
"You're serious?"
"I wish I'm not."
"Oh my God... Tony." Pepper felt her knees going weak and she quickly grabbed Tony's arm for support.
"Alright, let's sit here." Tony quickly lend a hand and they went to a nearby bench and sat.
"How did this happen?"
"Well, my Arc Reactor has a Palladium core that turns out to be slowly poisoning me. I've searched for every known element that can replace this but there's none so far."
"Are you sure?"
"Uh nope I'm not. C'mon Pep, I'm sure." Tony looked as if he's wondering why she even have to ask.
"That's why - the stark expo, spending time with Peter, your hangovers are not really hangovers?"
"Pepper, ever since I had Peter in my care. I only drank occasionally during events or when I can't sleep. A glass of scotch won't really do that much of a hangover."
"Then why didn't you tell me!" Pepper said hitting Tony in his arms.
"Aw, Ouch Pep! Why-"
"You could've told me!" Pepper almost shouted but her voice broke. She's at the brink of crying already and a few tears have already ran down her cheeks.
"If I knew this was going to be your reaction. I really shouldn't have told you." Tony laughed ad he brushed some of her tears, he doesn't want to see her like this, then Pepper start hitting Tony again while the man just laughed.
"Okay, Okay. C'mon Potts. Calm down."
"How can you.. How can you even laugh right now?"
"You're funny. But seriously, there's no point in telling. and I was hoping I can get a viable replacement before everything turns to shit."
"Does Peter know this?"
"Oh God, No. He can't know any of this. I've worried that little kid too much already. I'm just - I'm not ready Pepper. I can't leave him alone again. Promise me you'll never tell him." His eyes glossed with unshedded tears, his heart always hurts by thought of leaving Peter alone.
"I promise Tony." She hugged him afterwards, giving each other the comfort the both of them needs.
"DAD!" They were interrupted by that loud call and sound of footsteps running towards them with a sight of a little boy ecstatically smiling.
"There's my little spawn." He was welcomed by his father's open arms hugging him.
"I miss you bud." Tony said while hugging his son, sniffing his powder scented hair.
"Look at this Dad! and there are so many Iron Man attractions in here. It's so fun!" Peter had an Iron Man shaped waffle in his hand. "Try it."
Peter feed it to hid dad, who took a bite out of it. He also feed Pepper a bite.
"Hmmm, that's quite good" Tony said and Peter laughed.
"You're so sweet, sweetheart. Thank you." Pepper said pinching Peter's nose.
Happy and Ned then came along. Happy looks exhausted.
"These two's gonna kill me boss. We went around the whole Expo and they never seemed to lose energy." Happy grunted sweating profusely.
"Uh oh, you guys broke Happy?"
"Thanks Hogan, you can relax now. It's my turn for these two."
"Thanks boss."
"Alright, boys, where do you want to go next?"
They spent the rest of the afternoon just going into different attractions of the Stark Expo until the boys got tired. They dropped off Ned first in Queens then went to the hotel they're staying in Manhattan.
"How long have you known?" Pepper asked at the edge of the bed. Peter's sleeping soundly in Tony's arms, just caressing his son's hair. Giving gentle kisses on his head.
"Five months ago."
"Oh Tony, I'm so sorry."
"Yes, I'm sorry too."
"I'll let you two alone. We'll talk tomorrow."
"Thanks for everything Pepper."
"OH GOD, I can't. I'm not gonna make it." Tony vomited his guts out at the toilet.
"Oh God!" He cried exaggeratedly by the pain of it all, his emotional state gaining control over him. He's laying his head on the toilet from the exhaustion.
Pepper opened the door of the bathroom. They're at a military plane. It is the night of the grand opening of Stark Expo. His big surprise before his Opening Speech. Peter's at the Pavilion waiting for him.
"I'm serious, give me some space. Don't see me like this."
Pepper sighed.
"I told you not to do this and you insisted. There's no turning back now. So, get up." Pepper commanded.
"I can't get through it." Tony struggled to get up. He's wearing his Iron Man suit.
"We don't have time for this. We have to go. Peter's waiting for you." The name of his son somehow gave him motivation to stand-up.
"Oh God, you don't want to see that." He pulled some tissues to wipe his mouth and flushed the toilet, closing the lid. Finally standing up.
"Do I look weird?" Tony asked as they walked, Pepper assisting him carrying his Iron Man helmet.
"You look like everyday Tony. You look like you just came from a hangover."
"Here. Drink that." She handed him his chlorophyll drink and he sat on one of the folded chairs.
"I'm beginning to think this ain't working anymore. God! Why! Give me some-give me some Advil."
"I don't have Advil. I've got Motrin."
"Pepper, there's something seriously wrong with giving a grown man Motrin." Tony said his voice getting higher.
Pepper started to lose her patience. They began shouting at each other quarreling again.
"What! It's a brand name Tony. It's Ibuprofen!"
"I'm out of my cycle Pepper!"
They shouted at each other that looks like a petty fight of a husband and wife.
"For God's sake!" Pepper motioned for Tony to stand up already holding his arm assisting him.
"Abort mission! Tell them to stop! We're dropping!" Tony called shouting.
"We're not! We're not aborting the mission! Do you have any idea the amount of effort we made for the DOD to approve this!"
"Send them flowers." He breathed deeply trying his best to tone down his growing headache.
"We're over the drop zone."
"What?" They locked eyes with each other.
"Yes."
"Let's do this baby." Tony said now determined and Pepper can't help but smile. Their sudden mood swings are their thing.
The hangar slowly opened and the harsh wind blows through.
"I know I can be selfish sometimes and I know I don't say it enough..
but how's my hair?" He said to Pepper leaning her close into his arms.
"You said that before."
"I know but this time I mean it. Do I need more product? You like wind blown look?"
"Yeah, You look good." Pepper smiled at that familiar silliness.
"Okay, give me a smooch for good-luck. I might not make it back."
Pepper instead kissed the Iron Man helmet and tossed it from the plane.
"Go get it boss."
Tony jumped from the plane and said "You complete me!" before he plummets down dodging the fireworks from the Expo.
Author's Note:
Thank you guys for still reading this. Thank you to those who reviews, favorites, and follows this. I included the Alternate Opening of Iron Man 2, I think it's so much funnier if they included it in the movie. Happy Reading!