"Are you alright?"

Peter started – unheard of for him, really, since people didn't sneak up on him very often, of course. He looked up at Tony, who had walked over to where he was sitting. Peter also noticed that while he was daydreaming, the movie had ended without him noticing. It was getting pretty late, after all. The billionaire was watching him with concern, and the boy nodded.

"What? I mean, yeah. I'm good. Just thinking."

Stark sat down beside him. They'd had dinner, and went to fetch their ice cream as a group, which was always entertaining. And not just for Peter. They'd even decided to eat there, at the little restaurant, which had been exciting for the few patrons who were there having their own treat. A room filled with superheroes? Who wouldn't be excited by that? It didn't take long for the people there to get the photos and selfies that they were eager to get, and then they'd left the group to eat their ice cream.

When they were done and had returned to the compound, the others thanked Peter for the treat, but had errands and things to do, leaving him alone with Tony and Pepper. They'd gone to their quarters for a quiet evening of movie watching and Pepper had excused herself after the first one to go finish some notes for another merger she was working on. Leaving Peter and Tony to amuse themselves. Which was easy enough, really.

Tony had needed to make one call – the headlights for the Pontiac were still AWOL and he had the CEO of the company on the phone to ask what was going on. While he was, Peter had zoned out, a little, thinking about the power stone – and also thinking back to the conversation he'd had with his folks, and May.

"Thinking about what?" Tony asked, brushing his hand against the boy's forehead – even though he'd checked him half a dozen times for fever that evening and he seemed to be less heated than before. "Secret Avenger things?"

Peter smiled.

"Can I ask you a question? You don't have to answer it, though…"

"You can ask me anything."

"What would you say to your mom and dad…? I mean, if you saw them like I saw mine…"

Tony didn't even look surprised by the question, and a moment later Peter understood why.

"I was wondering that, myself," Stark admitted. "When I saw yours. I'd probably get all moody with my mom; try to tell her I love her but have something else pop out, instead, that I didn't mean."

"Oh."

"Not because I didn't love my mom," Tony added, quickly. "I did. More than she probably knows. But she was in a rough spot; torn between the two men in her life who just didn't get along, no matter what she tried."

Peter knew that Tony's relationship with his own father had been a rough one. It was one of the reasons he counted himself so lucky that he and Tony were so close. Among a million other reasons, of course.

"That must have been hard."

Tony nodded.

"If I could see my dad?" he added, knowing that he hadn't answered the boy's question, yet. "I don't know, son. With so many years between now and all the animosity, I'd like to think we could get along. Maybe he'd even tell me that he was proud of me." The billionaire gave him a shrug. "It took me a while, but I think I turned out alright."

Peter smiled.

"I think you're amazing."

Tony blushed. He couldn't help himself. There was no hero worship in Peter's expression. Nothing but total sincerity and absolute love. To have such unconditional love tossed at him so easily by someone who was as great as Peter was? He wanted to hug him. But he didn't. Instead, he turned to humor to diffuse the surge of emotion that wanted to break free.

Another reason he and his dad probably hadn't gotten along so well, he supposed. He knew Peter would understand, though.

"You're just saying that to get me to unground you."

Peter smiled at that. Tony was right; he completely understood. Even more, he was willing to play along.

"Is it working?"

"Nope. Still grounded."

He shrugged.

"It was worth a shot."

"Anything else I need to know about?"

Peter hesitated, but shook his head.

"Not yet."

"Which means there is?"

"Yes. But I'm not ready to discuss it, yet."

"And when you are…?"

"You're the first person on my list."

"Is it dangerous?" Tony wanted to know, not quite ready to let the topic drop. "Or do we need to warn Natasha you might end up in her bed?"

"I don't think so. I was thinking about it, earlier, and slept just fine."

"Is it Shuri?"

Peter smiled, and the lack of any kind of blush told Tony that he wasn't even close. Or that the boy was still clueless. Which was probably closer to the truth.

"No. She's fine. I got an email from her, earlier, telling me that she's allowed out of bed, now."

"That's good news." Now it was Stark's turn to hesitate. "Since I have you here – and you'll probably hear it from your princess…"

"Yeah?"

"T'Challa and the Wakandans want to have a celebration in your honor. For what you did. For their country, and people – and the rest of the world, even though no one else really knows the part that you played in it."

"Shuri mentioned it," Peter said, shaking his head. "It's dumb, really; I did the wielding the stones thing, but they – and the others and you guys – actually kept the attack at bay to buy me time. It should be your celebration. Or Shuri's, since it was her tech that did so much damage to Thanos."

"Did you tell her that?"

"Yes. She hasn't replied, yet."

"Let me know what you hear, will you?"

Peter nodded, and now he gave Tony a sly look.

"I could talk to her, easier, if I had my phone back…"

"And in another however many days, that's going to happen. For now, emails will have to do."

Meh. It had been worth a shot.

"You don't even know how many days I have left?"

"It's hard to keep track when it keeps getting changed," Tony said, defensively. "Besides, Pepper's keeping track for us."

"That's disconcerting…"

Tony smiled and leaned over, pressing a kiss that wasn't really a kiss against Peter's temple. God, he loved the boy.

"You can ask her in the morning if you need to."

"I'm going to bed."

"I think I am, too. Natasha and Clint should be back before you and mom get home, and the lights are guaranteed to be here, tomorrow, if the guys has to drive them over here, himself."

"Thank you."

"Do you need anything?"

Peter shook his head.

"I have everything."

"Now you know how I feel every day."

That made the boy smile.

"I'll see you at breakfast."

"Good night, son."

He got to his feet, but not before he hugged Tony, as hard as he safely could. Just to make sure the man knew how much he loved him. Then he went to find his kitten so he could go to bed without wondering what destruction was being wrought over night.