Chapter 15

That evening, Peter made a quick visit to see May and Happy, before coming back to his dad's house. They settled in the blanket fort watching Jurassic Park, and Peter huddled up to his dad.

The film had barely started when Tony heard some light snoring and looked over to see Peter was out like a light. Today must have tired him out.

Kissing the top of his head, Tony made sure the blanket was pulled up to his chin to keep him warm, and kept his arm tight around him. He then turned to Pepper beside him, and gestured silently at Peter.

Merely smiling, Pepper laid her head down on Tony's shoulder murmuring quietly; "I think today went well. He seems really happy."

"Yeah I think he enjoyed it." Tony trailed off staring down at Peter's sleeping face; "But I still don't get why he didn't just tell us what he was feeling. He's still holding things back from me Pep." Shaking his head, he combed a hand through Peter's hair; "It's like I have to beg or force him to finally open up. I thought after that whole Sensory Overload episode at his school he had finally stopped keeping things bottled up. But...God knows what else he's keeping from me."

"This is still new for all of us Tony." Pepper reasoned softly lifting her head to look at him in sympathy; "I'd say we're all still adjusting. It's going to take some time to settle in to a father-son relationship. You have to remember everything Peter's been through. He's lost almost every family member he's ever had. His parents, his uncle. May was the only person he had, now he has two parents, and Happy. It's probably a little overwhelming."

"Shouldn't that be more reason for him to open up? More people there for him?"

"Think about how you were after you lost your parents."

That made Tony pause. Up until he became Iron Man, he had been an ass. Avoiding his feelings, refusing to have any meaningful relationship so he wouldn't have to deal with that kind of pain again. Of losing someone he loved.

Maybe Pepper did have a point..

"So...you're saying Peter is keeping everything bottling up because he's...scared of getting close to me. Because he might lose me, and everyone else." Tony looked skywards as it finally clicked, and looked sadly down at Peter.

"You mean the world to him Tony. I see the way he looks at you. I think if he lost you, it would break him."

It would break him too. God Tony couldn't live with Peter now.

He should have realised the same was for Peter.

"He's never had any real parents." Pepper continued; "They died when he was a baby. He hasn't known what it is to have parents there for him, it has to be a lot for him to deal with. Having us all of a sudden in his life when he's grown up only with his Aunt. He must be terrified he's going to lose us."

Tony had no idea that Peter may have been feeling like this. He felt like a terrible father he hadn't seen this sooner. He should be there for his son for things like this. Peter shouldn't have to deal with this alone.

He turned to Pepper in awe; "How are you so good at this? You're already a better mom to him, than I am a dad."

"No Tony that's not true." Pepper insisted hurrying to shift to face him, cupping his face; "You are the best dad you could be to him. You're there for him when he needs you, that's all it takes. And he thinks the world of you Tony." He was truly touched by her words, and hoped she was right. He didn't want to fail Peter as a dad.

"Besides, I only know this because May told me."

"May talked to you about this?" He frowned.

"We have lunch sometimes."

"You do? How do I not know this?"

Pepper chuckled; "It just sort of happened really. But it's nice. She only mentioned that in passing. After Ben died, Peter was devastated. He sort of shut down for a little while. Didn't speak for a week, and refused to talk to her. But eventually he got through it. May knew she could only be there for him when he was ready to talk, and he did. The way she tells it you were a bit part of helping him cope."

"Me?"

"Well Iron Man."

"Because I saved him." Tony nodded in realisation.

"Iron Man was his hero, you are his hero. You gave him hope, helped him realise he wasn't alone. I think that's why she didn't think to tell you about this, because she wasn't worried. You're the one person who Peter will listen to Tony, who he needs more than anything. You're the only one who can reach him, to get him to open up. You'll get through to him. It might take some time. But I have faith. All we can do is be there for Peter for when he's ready. Show him we aren't going anywhere, and hopefully he'll know he can come to us if he need us. Be patient Tony."

"I love you." Tony murmured leaning over to kiss her. Putting an arm around her as well, keeping both his wife and his son close to him. Terrified to let them go. There had been too much loss for both him and Peter. It had to stop. They were a family now. Tony wouldn't let anyone hurt his family, and he was going to fight like hell to make sure he didn't lose them.

0o0o0o0oSPIDERMAN0o0o0ooo

Tony and Pepper were dressed and making breakfast the next morning. It wasn't super early, but still Tony found himself looking at the clock waiting for his son to wake up. He didn't want to waste a minute that he could be spending with Peter.

"Should I go wake the kid?" Tony murmured still eyeing the clock.

Pepper snorted; "You having some separation anxiety honey?"

Tony mocked glared at her; "Just impatient. There's a lot we have planned today. How long does he really need to sleep for?"

Plating some bacon, she turned to him softening as he glanced towards the stairs; "He's not going anywhere Tony. He'll be up soon. Let him sleep in. Growing boys needs their rest. Or do you want to go drag him out of bed whilst he's still half asleep?"

"Ha ha Pep." Tony grumbled grabbing his cup of coffee, but knowing she had a point.

As if somehow Tony's wish was granted. Peter suddenly padded into the room barefooted, yawning widely as he ran a hand through his messy bed hair.

Tony instantly melted inside at how adorable Peter looked.

"Morning kid." Tony couldn't help but grin at the sight of his son finally awake.

"Morning honey." Pepper greeted setting a plate onto the island beside Tony.

"Morning..." Peter mumbled yawning again, and stretching, and then grinned at his parents blinking the sleep away.

"Sleep well buddy?" Tony murmured chuckling as Peter wandered over.

"Yeah actually, like a baby." Peter agreed sliding onto the stool beside his dad.

"A spider baby." Tony corrected, making Peter look down blushing.

But then Tony started when Peter's feet grazed his pant leg as he swung onto the stool. His absolutely freezing feet that felt like blocks of ice. He frowned deeply, whipping around and grabbed Peter's leg.

"Woah dad!" Peter said having to grab the island to stop from falling off the stool, and looked at him stunned as he was grabbing his feet; "What are you doing?"

Gaping, Tony looked at Peter's face, dropping his feet and clasping his hands together; "Your feet are absolutely freezing!"

"Oh yeah. I have cold feet. It's just my thing." Peter shrugged turning back to his food, picking up the fork to eat.

"Is this part of the fact you can't thermoregulate?"

Peter paused tilting his head thinking between mouthfuls; "I had cold feet before being bitten by the spider. I guess my spider DNA just made it worse."

Tony stared at him shocked for a moment, and Peter blinked gulping his mouthful of food, looking anxiously between his parents; "What?"

"Why the blazes aren't you wearing socks if your feet are cold? Or slippers or something?" Tony demanded looking at Pepper to see if she agreed. She was sent him an amused look carrying on making breakfast, staying out of the conversation.

"I dunno. Just forgot I guess." Peter shrugged grabbing his glass of orange juice; "Besides my socks aren't that thick so they don't help much."

His dad continued to stare at him, his jaw hardening. Peter shifted self consciously not understanding what the big deal was. He was used to having cold feet, he didn't really think about it much.

"It's actually pretty common." Peter added slowly, side eyeing Pepper seeing if she was worried too, she merely leant against the island sipping her coffee and sent him a reassuring smile; "I saw some doctors when I was a kid, they say it's nothing to worry about."

Tony suddenly pointed at him catching Peter by surprise; "You sit right there and don't move." Then he was climbing off the stool and rushing off.

Peter watched him go utterly baffled and turned to him mom pleadingly.

Pepper just held up her hands; "I have no idea honey. But it's best to just humour him. Is your breakfast ok?" She asked changing the subject.

"Great thanks." Peter smiled again, and start munching away. Devouring some bacon, pancakes and toast all before his dad returned.

Suddenly, someone was grabbing his foot again.

Peter jumped, wondering how he hadn't sensed this, and turned accusingly; "Hey!" But it was just his dad. Kneeling on the floor by his stool, slipping some socks onto his feet.

"There!" Tony said proudly as he stood, grinning proudly.

Blinking utterly stunned, Peter looked at him and then his socks. It took a couple of glances before it finally clicked that his dad had put Iron Man socks on his feet. And as he wiggled his toes he realised they were really warm, and fluffy inside.

"Wha...you got me Iron Man sock?" Peter mumbled quietly, looking dazed at his dad.

Slipping back onto his stool, Tony replied firmly; "I noticed a few weeks ago you had some holes in your socks. They looked pretty old and run down. I wanted to get you some more. But I wanted to get you some you liked, and because of your whole unable to thermoregulate thing," He gestured with his hand; "I wanted to get some that actually kept you warm. If I'd known before hand about your cold feet, I would have bought some thicker ones before."

"These are very warm actually..."

Tony brightened, smiling as he looked down at Peter's feet feeling very satisfied; "Good."

"You...bought me Iron Man socks." Peter repeated, still trying to process what was happening.

"Oh. I also got some Spider Man socks as well." Chuckling, Tony addressed Pepper as well; "It's amazing how much super hero merchandise there is out there. But it took a while to find some thermal socks. Anyway, I was going to surprise you with them at Halloween but well here we are..."

All Peter could think about was that his dad bought him Iron Man socks. And Spider Man socks?! Because he didn't want his feet to get cold. Dad thought about stuff like that? And he actually took the time to sit down and look for socks for him that would keep his feet warm, and that he would like. His dad had a busy life, running his own company, building tech, but he had taken the time to look for and buy him socks. Peter was beyond touched and in awe for what his dad did for him.

"You bought me Iron Man and Spider Man socks."

At that, Tony turned to Peter raising an eyebrow, finding he sounded very much like a parrot. But then he stilled seeing Peter tearing up. He looked panicked at Pepper, watching as she faltered, instantly becoming concerned.

"Honey? What's wrong?"

"Do you not like them?" Tony instantly kicked himself, of course they were stupid; "Are they itchy or something? What's wrong kid?" Tony was instantly reaching over to squeeze Peter's shoulder in reassurance.

Peter shook his head, more tears falling. He felt embarrassed and silly crying over socks. But well no one had done something so nice for him. May bought him socks sure, and nice presents sometimes. But she was busy a lot, and they couldn't afford much. So mostly she just bought the cheapest and first pair of socks she saw. It just made him realise how much his dad really did care for him. To do so much research and go to so much trouble. It finally sunk in that his dad would really do anything for him. He would buy him anything he asked for, he would be there whenever he needed him, he actually had a dad. It was weird, it was like Peter knew that before but it was only just sinking in. It made Peter realise maybe he had been holding back a little from his dad, and mom, scared to get close to them. In case they did wake up one day and decide they didn't want him. But they wouldn't do that. Peter knew that now. And he felt like the luckiest kid on Earth.

"Come on Spider baby what's wrong? You got me worried here?" Tony said frantically, leaning down to try and catch Peter's eyes. The kid had been quiet for far too long. He had no idea what was happening.

Tony was startled when Peter suddenly lunged forward, practically jumping off his stool as he tackled Tony into a hug. Thankfully, he didn't fall off his stool.

"Woah bud!" Tony quickly wrapped his arms around Peter to steady him.

"I love you dad." Peter murmured burying his head into the crook of his dad's neck. Closing his eyes as he held onto him tighter, just relishing in the comfort and love he felt from his dad's embrace; "You're the best dad ever!"

Utterly stunned, Tony looked at Pepper, seeing the awe'd expression on her face.

Tony instantly softened, hugging Peter back, and ruffling his hair; "I love you too spider baby." He then chuckled; "It's amazing I buy you all the LEGO sets you want, give you the best Stark tech, practically have to force them down your throat to get you to accept them. But I buy you a pair of socks and you practically ambush me in a koala hug! I'll buy you hundreds of socks if you want. All you had to do was say."

Peter just chuckled, grinning broadly. His heart swelling with love.

They stayed like that for a few moments, Tony sensing Peter needed the reassurance and wanted to do whatever it took to make Peter feel better.

Finally, Peter's grip on him lessened as he pulled back sniffling, wiping his hand over his eyes.

"Feel better?" Tony murmured softly reaching up to wipe away the remaining tears.

Peter bobbed his head smiling at the sweet gestures.

"You want to tell me what that was about? I didn't expect such a reaction about socks." Tony quipped.

"It's just..." Peter sighed trying to put what he wanted to say into words; "You bought me socks."

Tony snorted at the parroting again before Peter sent him a look and he stopped; "Sorry. Carry on."

"I realised how much you cared for me." Peter murmured shyly.

"Of course I do Underoos. I love you." Tony replied slowly.

"I know but...it's hard to explain. I know you care, and that's why you do all this, and buy me all that stuff, but still I couldn't help but be hesitant to talk to you about stuff, or tell you when I'm sick or injured. Because I fear that I might take you away from something important, that I bother you."

Tony's eyes widened so big, Peter was surprised they went that wide.

"Hey don't you ever think that." Tony said reaching forward to grab his hands firmly; "You listen to me buddy. There is nothing. Nothing more important in this universe to me than you."

"And mom?" Peter murmured quietly.

Pepper let out a small aww, covering her mouth as her own eyes watered.

Tony just smiled; "And mom." He corrected looking warmly at Pepper. Then he turned back to Peter, rubbing his thumb on the back of Peter's hand becoming serious as he remembered what Pepper said about Peter pulling away; "Peter. I promise you that I am not going anywhere. And neither is your mom. We love you so much. There is no where I would rather be than with you. The rest of the world bothers me, but hanging out with you, just listening to your cute little rambling," Tony chuckled making Peter smile; "Hearing about your day at school, or what happened on patrol, or working on LEGO or tech with you, or watching movies in our blanket forts. Hell those are just a few things I can think of. But spending time with you is the absolute highlight of my day. I can't go a day without seeing you, actually probably make that a few hours. You are singularly the best thing that ever happened to me. I would do anything for you. So you can come to me with anything, even if it may seem like the most ridiculous or embarrassing feeling or thought ever. I will never judge you or turn you away. I'm not going anywhere. Ever. I'll always be here for you. You're not getting rid of me spider baby. Ok?" Tony emphasised locking eyes with Peter to make sure the message got through.

Peter was left speechless so just nodded ferevently, his heart filled with love and comfort. He got the message. It wasn't going to be easy though, Peter was used to dealing with a lot of stuff on his own. It was easier that way than having to talk about stuff. But he wanted to talk to his dad about stuff, knowing that he was there for him and he wasn't going anywhere. It really helped.

It was in that moment that Peter finally realised something. His dad had first said it when Peter found out he was his dad, that he didn't want the press to know about him to protect him. Because the press would hound him. And Peter had seen what the press said about his dad, from his playboy years, and his childhood. How harsh they had been. That's why his dad still hadn't told the world about him. To protect him.

Peter felt so loved for that. And he quite loved being in their own little bubble, just him, his parents, May and Happy. No press getting in the way of that, hounding them day after day, criticising them. Criticising him. And Peter knew he wasn't perfect. Hell he was just a poor kid from Queens, nothing special. Certainly nothing special compared to the infamous Tony Stark. The press would have a field day looking into his life, saying bad things about him. How he wasn't a real Stark. Peter had enough fearing that himself, he didn't need the whole world to think it too. Especially if it made his dad finally realise how pathetic Peter's life truly was. But not anymore. Now Peter had a real family, real parents. Now he didn't feel so alone anymore. He was loved.

Rushing forward, ignoring the feeling of embarrassed at being so clingy. Peter hugged his dad again. Feeling more love than he had ever felt before.

"I understand dad." Peter managed to murmur after finally finding his voice, and then whispered to him; "I just...I-I...don't want to lose you. I can't lose you dad. I'm scared."

Tony wrapped his arms around Peter, his heart breaking at how scared and small Peter sounded. He rubbed slow circles on his back and covering his head; "I know buddy." He whispered back; "I'm scared of losing you too. But I'm not going anywhere. I promise. And I'm going to fight like hell to make sure nothing happens to our family ok. I can't live without you bud. I'll always be here for you. I love you spider baby."

Soon Peter felt another hand tenderly cover his head, and he shifted seeing Pepper standing there looking at him tear eyed. Peter reached out a hand and she quickly grasped it. Hanging onto it tightly.

Tony simply pulled her into the hug as well. Kissing the side of her face and then the top of Peter's head. His family.

And it was in that moment Tony realised he finally got through to Peter. As his dad, he had known what to say, to comfort him when he needed him. Pepper had been right. Tony didn't feel like such a failure anymore about being a dad. He already was Peter's dad, and he had been a while.