Ahhh no long time no post much? I'm sorry, I've been super busy and unmotivated. I've had a lot of writers block this year. To think it took a whole pandemic to actually get me posting again is really quite sad. I guess I don't really have anything else to do these days, so I have no more excuses to NOT post weekly. Hope you enjoy! Please review!
Tony:
''Alright what have we got here?'' Tony asked, taking a seat next to Peter at the counter. Peter held up the StarkPad Tony had given him to make a list on. ''Kiddo there's nothing on here,'' Tony pointed out.
''I know, I just feel weird making you buy me stuff,'' Peter admitted, fighting the urge to set down the device and twist his fingers together.
''Okay,'' Tony answered thinking for a minute. ''Well, will it help if I look for things too?''
Peter just shrugged and glanced down at the countertop.
''Let's just look at this and see if anything sounds good okay?''
''Kay,'' Peter replied moving closer and resting his head on Tony's shoulder.
It was moments like these that reminded Tony how far the two have come from when they first met. Heck, he wouldn't even hug the boy back then. That seemed silly now, as he wanted nothing more than to wrap his arms around the kid and never let go.
After giving him a small fond smile, he directed his attention back to the device. ''Alright, let's see. Pepper's wants me to get something healthy, so I guess we'll look for that first.''
Peter gave a small nod, his eyes fixed on the screen as Tony scrolled through the options.
''Here, why don't we start with the produce. You got any favorite fruits?''
''Um, I like all of them.''
''Okay, well what's your favorite buddy?'' Tony pressed. It was a simple question, right? Heck he could just name a random fruit, add it to the cart and move on. ''Look, we've got apples, bananas, melons, berries, oranges and the list goes on.''
''Really Tony, I like all of them.''
Tony sighed in slight annoyance. He wanted Peter to ask him for something. Then he got an idea. ''Okay, that's cool, I'll get all of them.''
''What? Tony that's way too much!''
''Is it? I thought you wanted all of them.''
''No, I said I like all of them,'' Peter argued, then let out a small sound of defeat. ''I like all fruit, but strawberries are my favorite. I never really get them because, because May's, well she was allergic.''
''Yeah? Pepper's allergic too. But she's fine as long as she doesn't eat them,'' Tony explained eyes twinkling with pride. ''You want to get a few more fruits before we move on?''
''Can I?''
''Of course.''
...
Peter:
He started out pretty uncertain, but soon enough him and Tony had created a full list of groceries that were on their way to the compound.
''See, that wasn't so bad now, was it?'' Tony asked, placing a hand on the kid's shoulder. ''Now about the clothes.''
''Right.''
''What are you thinking, like a shirt and jeans?''
''Well I'm certainly not going to show up in a dress.''
''I don't know kid. You did walk through that door in braids and purple heels yesterday.''
''There was one braid! And I was just messing around.''
''If you say so,'' Tony teased, before turning serious again. ''Do you know what size you are? We can look online for an outfit I suppose. But I'll have to take you shopping sometime for more.''
''Um, I don't actually know, May usually buys my clothes off this cheap online site.'' He didn't even realize how often he still spoke of May as if she were still alive.
''Is it okay if I check the sizes?''
''Yeah?''
''Come here,'' Tony beckoned, as Peter stood from his seat and took a few steps across the kitchen, closing in the distance between the two. ''Turn around, I'm gonna check what size this shirt is. It fits fine.''
''Okay.''
Peter stood still as his mentor carefully flipped the top of his tee.
''There we go, thank you. Can I check your jean size, or do you want me to wait, and you can go check?''
''Oh, no it's fine, you can check,'' Peter assured. Really it was no big deal.
''You sure?''
''Yes. I trust you.''
Tony starred at him.
''What?''
''Nothing, nothing, sorry I just, I guess it's nice to hear that.'' He said before turning the kid around and flipping the top of his jeans. ''Alright, got the sizes, let's go find you an outfit.''
About twenty minutes later Peter had selected a plain grey top and a new pair of jeans. It was simple but decent enough for a first date. ''Thanks for helping me Tony. I don't know what I would do without you.''
It was true. He didn't. He didn't even want to think about where he would be now if Tony hadn't taken him in.
''Aw kid,'' Tony breathed tilting his head slightly and looking fondly at the teen.
Peter cleared his throat softly and turned his gaze towards the kitchen entryway. Tony turned as well but after seeing nothing he quickly shifted back towards Peter with a confused expression. ''Pete? There's nothing there buddy. What are you looking at?'' Tony questioned; his voice grower soft as Peter only continued to stare off to the side. ''Are you, are you okay?'' He asked now concerned at the far off look in his kid's eyes.
Finally, Peter turned back to look at the man, though he still didn't seem to have heard him.
''Hey,'' Tony spoke tapping the Peter on the knee twice. ''Can you answer me?''
''About what? Sorry I think I spaced out,'' Peter replied casually.
''Yeah, no kidding. You okay?''
''Yeah? I'm fine,'' he answered. He just spaced out, why was that such a big deal? ''I'm gonna go see if the stuff is here, I need to get ready for tonight, if that's okay.''
Tony looked like he wanted to say something, but instead he gave Peter a quick nod and got up himself to follow the kid out. Once they were out of the room, they both went their separate ways, Peter to the elevator and Tony down the stairs to the lab.
…...
Tony:
Once locked inside the lab he flopped into a desk chair, only to stand back up and begin pacing around the room.
Something wasn't right. He could feel the stress rising from his chest as he walked. The vision of the kid just starring off like that played over and over in his head. It wasn't like his normal spacing out, this felt, it felt different.
There was a small voice in his head saying, maybe he was being a bit dramatic, perhaps the kid really did just space out and that was it.
Suddenly the voice grew louder and louder, and he began feeling ridiculous. The kid had merely spaced off for a bit and here he was pacing his lab and freaking out. What had gotten into him? Peter was fine, he was okay, Tony told himself repeatedly as he made his way out of the lab and towards the upstairs lounge.
He half expected it to be empty and was ready to relax onto the sofa and turn on the tv. But as he entered the room he found it full, with almost all of the team.
''You good Tony?'' Natasha asked kindly.
''Just fine, what are you all doing in here?''
''Just hanging. Where's your kid?''
''What Peter?'' He asked stupidly.''
''You don't have any other children, do you?''
''Right, sorry. Um Peter's just getting ready for a date tonight.''
''Peter has a date?'' Clint asked, a small smirk forming on his lips.
''OoOOoo, what's his name?'' Rhodey teased.
''Okay first off, her name is Mj. Pete likes girls Rhodes.''
''Two words Tones. Purple. Heels.''
Please review! Your comments are the best motivation! Stay safe and healthy guys! I'll be posting on my oneshot series soon too! Sorry to those who have been waiting, and thank you to those who are sticking here with me!