Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.
Written for Lin, as incentive for them finishing their paper XD You rocked it!
Wrapped Around His Finger
"Really, Sour Patch? You come into my home, on the day—"
"You're an idiot."
Tony huffed, but held his hands out impatiently for the little bundle in Rhodey's arms. Rhodey rolled his eyes, but carefully handed the baby off.
He couldn't help but smile at the way Tony's face immediately melted into the softest, most tender expression he'd ever seen on him. He marvelled at it the same way he had every time he'd seen it happen.
Rhodey had always believed adopting Peter had been the making of Tony; until little AJ had been born and Tony had fallen in love the moment the little boy had wrapped his tiny hand around Tony's pinky finger.
Tony had been wrapped around AJ's finger ever since.
"Where's Pete?" Tony asked, finally looking up from his sleeping grandson.
"Gone to get some food with MJ," Rhodey replied. "I told him we'd be able to handle the rugrat for a few hours."
Tony grinned.
…
"Daaaaad," Peter whined, making Tony laugh.
"You know that hasn't worked, um, ever?" Tony asked, raising his eyebrows.
Rhodey snorted. "You're a lying liar who lies," he said, pointing at Tony with the wooden spoon he'd been stirring the pasta sauce with.
"Honeybear! Such a baseless accusation that I take offense to!"
"Uh huh. Remind me what you did when Peter asked if he could have netflix."
Tony had the grace to look down, though Rhodey could see a smile playing on his lips. He nodded.
"That's right. You bought him Netflix."
Tony waved him away with a flap of his hand as he turned to Peter. "What was it you wanted, Kid?"
"Can you keep AJ tonight?" Peter asked, nodding at the little boy, fast asleep in his pram. "It's our anniversary."
"Of course," Tony replied. "I don't know why you even bother asking. You know you can drop him off with me whenever you want."
"Thanks, Dad."
…
"Don't tell your Da how much we spent, okay, Spiderling?" Tony murmured conspiritally to the little boy.
AJ clapped his hands and shouted "DA, NO!"
"That's it, kid," Tony agreed. He turned back to the cashier. "If you can have it all bagged up, I'll have someone here to pick it up in about twenty minutes."
"Of course, Mr Stark."
Tony grinned and pushed the pram from the shop, listening to AJ prattle away, only pausing occasionally to gnaw on his fingers.
"You want ice cream, Kid?"
"ICE CREAM!"
Tony nodded. "I thought you'd be pleased with that idea."
…
"Grandad!"
Tony looked up from where he'd been oiling DUM-E and grinned when AJ ran across the workshop, his little legs carrying him as fast as they could.
"Hey kid," he greeted, pressing a kiss to his cheek when AJ reached him. "I wasn't expecting to see you today."
Peter strolled into the workshop a moment later at a more sedate pace. "Hey Dad," He greeted, waving as he flopped down onto the worn sofa.
"Hey Pete. What are you doing here?"
"Oh, we were in the park and AJ spotted the Tower. Wouldn't go home until we dropped in to see you."
Tony looked back at AJ and smiled. "Atta boy."
…
"What if they love the new baby more than me?"
Tony blinked down at AJ and frowned. "Is this why you've been so quiet all night?"
The two of them were cuddled up on the sofa under a blanket watching an old Disney classic. Since Peter had dropped him off in utter panic because MJ was in labour, AJ had been suspiciously quiet.
AJ nodded silently, biting his bottom lip as tears filled his eyes.
"Oh, baby boy, no," Tony said, wrapping his arms around him. "Just because there's a new baby, it doesn't mean your mum and dad love you any less. It just means that everyone's heart grows a little to fit both of you inside, nice and equal."
"Really?"
"Of course! I'm a genius kid, if I say it, you know it's true."
AJ looked doubtful for a moment before he nodded. "If the new baby is too noisy, can I come and live here with you and Uncle Sour Patch?"
Tony chuckled. "I think that'd upset your mum and dad, sweetheart, but you know you can come see me anytime, right? If your mum and dad are busy, I'll always come get you. Okay?"
"Okay."
…
"I hear you got in trouble in school?" Tony asked, when he walked into the living room to see AJ slumped on the sofa.
The young boy nodded silently.
"Wanna tell me what happened?"
AJ twisted his lips and then said, "Bobby said that you're not a hero anymore because you stopped being Iron Man."
Tony blinked. "And you hit him?"
AJ nodded. "I don't care if you're Iron Man, Gramps. You're still my hero."
"Aww, Kid, you're gonna make me cry," Tony replied. "Hey, listen, we both know the truth, eh? So if he says anything again, just tell him he's only jealous and walk away, yeah? Kids like that aren't worth getting yourself in trouble for."
AJ sighed but nodded again. "Kay, Gramps. M'sorry, I know I'm not s'posed to fight."
"How long did your mum ground you for?"
"Only the weekend," AJ replied. "S'fine. She said I can be grounded here instead if I want."
Tony smirked. He knew it was MJ's way of saying she approved of what AJ did, even though she knew she couldn't outright condone it.
"I'm sure we can find something fun to do around the place," Tony said with a small smile.
…
"Happy birthday, Gramps!" AJ shouted, when Tony stepped into the restaurant.
Tony chuckled when everyone else said it together a few seconds later, making the young boy blush.
"Oops?"
"I appreciated it, Kid," Tony said, wrapping his arm around AJ's shoulders. "You're getting tall now, you little brat. Stop growing."
"Dad says I'm gonna be taller than you."
"Dad's grounded," Tony replied, looking over AJ's shoulder to eyeball Peter. Peter just grinned at him.
"I got you a present," AJ said, pulling him towards a table laden with wrapped boxes. "You should totally open mine last though, because it's the best and the rest will only be a let down after."
Laughing, Tony shook his head. "You're a riot, kid."
…
"... New Yorkers were treated to a rare sight this afternoon, when Tony Stark flew the skies in his Iron Man armour," the newsreader said, while behind her, video footage of the armour soaring across the sky played. "It later transpired that the reason for his outing was his Grandson, Anthony Jr Parker being kidnapped on his way home from school."
In the living room of the tower, Tony lay on the sofa with his eyes closed, AJ splayed across his chest fast asleep. Rhodey, Peter and MJ sat on the chairs around them.
AJ whimpered, and Tony opened his eyes just as AJ woke, tears filling his eyes.
"Hey," Tony murmured, stroking a hand up his back. "You're home with us, Kid, you're safe. I promise you, you're safe."
"You came," AJ whispered. "You came and got me, Grandpa."
"I'll always come for you," Tony replied certainly. "I promise you kid."
AJ nodded and lay his head back down on Tony's chest. Tony looked across the room to see Peter watching on.
When their eyes met, Tony winked at his son.
It had been a day, but they were all home, safe and sound and Tony would do his damnedest to make sure it was always that way.
He'd do anything to keep his family safe.