(AN:im so sorry i havent updated in ages. ive been training on a new position at work so ive been having a lot of late nights and ive been starting some new sewing projects and planning out my trip so all my time and attention has been taken byb other things so i am really sorry for anyone that has been waiting and im sorry that this update is really short
ill do my best to get more of this story written and posted soon)
"Petey, come get dressed, please."
"No!"
Steve sighed, watching as Peter tried to climb up the bookcase again, wearing nothing but his socks, underoos and Tony's hoodie.
"How many times have I told you not to do that. Come here and put your pants on!"
Peter wasn't interested in listening to what Steve had to say and continued to climb, kicking books off their shelves as he went.
"Not Daddy!"
Steve rolled his eyes and plucked the toddler off the wall as he tried to make it to the ceiling. "I know I'm not. But Daddy's busy right now and I'm in charge."
"No, you not! Petey is!" He squealed in that ear piercing way that only unruly children could and squirmed in Steve's hold.
"You're not in charge, you're in trouble. Do I have to call someone else in here to make you behave?"
Peter did his best to shove the super soldier away but Steve held on tight and lay him down on his bed, trying to wrestle some overalls on.
"NO!"
"Yes! Peter, stop!"
"NO! NO PANTS!"
Peters chubby toddler legs kicked out wildly but Steve had quick hands and caught his ankles. He shoved the socked feet into their respective pant legs and yanked them up to Peters tummy even as the boy whined, leaving the top half of the dungarees hanging down.
Steve was not one to yell at people, especially not children but he was losing patience and his voice was growing hard. "If you don't behave I'll have to tell Tony that you don't deserve to play with Ned. Is that what you want?"
Peters wide eyes found Steve's stern expression and suddenly his bottom lip was wobbling.
"No. Petey sowwy."
He sniffed, eyes welling up as his breaths became choppy and whined and Steve regretted his tone immediately.
"Oh, Pete."
Peter squeezed his eyes shut and cried, hoodie sleeves so long where they dangled from his hands that they just flopped around as he wailed.
Steve felt terrible and scooped the poor boy into his arms for a cuddle, cooing into his hair as he rocked from side to side.
"Shh, shh. I'm sorry for yelling, kiddo. What's wrong? Why are you so upset this morning?"
Peter snuggled against his neck as Steve rubbed his back. "I sad."
"Why?" Steve was sure there were plenty of things to make Peter unhappy but the more specific he got the easier it would be to fix.
"Daddy's not better." He couldn't fix that.
All Steve could do was hug him tighter, heart aching. He was sad too.
"I know. But he will be and right now we can help him by being there when he does his press conference. He's a little nervous about it. It would be good to have you there to make him happy."
Peter looked up at that, round eyes blinking away his tears. "Petey make Dadda better?"
Steve kissed the boys crown of curls and set him back down on the bed. "That's right. You can make him feel better after his speech but for now that means getting dressed. So, we have to take this off."
Steve gestured to the giant hoodie Peter was wearing but the boy just shook his head, pouting again. "No."
Steve dipped his chin with a sly grin, tapping a finger on Peters cheek. "Use your manners."
Peter let out a huff and tried again, raising his face just enough to hit Steve with the full force of his bambi eyes. Peter may have been two but there was nothing on earth that could withstand the force of that gaze. Of that Steve was sure.
"Peas, Petey have Daddys hoobie."
Steve was weak, folding like a house of cards without a single second of resistance. "Pete...you can't wear it but you can hold it. How about that?"
The spider wasn't happy about the compromise but he didn't want to come up against the threat of having his play date with Ned taken away so, he nodded.
"Otay, Unca Steeb."
Peter hauled the bottom of the hoodie up, the piece of clothing so big on him he only managed to get tangled and whined until Steve rescued him. But even after trapping the toddler he didn't want it too far and grabbed it as soon as it was off.
"I need your hands to put through your new top, buddy."
Steve watched curiously as Peter shoved his nose into the folds of fabric and inhaled, rubbing it against his cheek before carefully laying it down.
The super soldier pushed an orange dinosaur t-shirt over his head before clipping the overall straps over Peters shoulders. The millisecond Peters hands were free he grabbed Tony's hoodie again and pressed it to his chest, cuddling it and sticking his thumb in his mouth as Steve slipped some socks and his trainers on his tiny feet.
He honestly had no idea what kind of answer he would get but he had to ask. "Why do you like that hoodie so much?"
Peter held it to Steve's face in offering. "Smell like Dadda."
Steve took a sniff, noting the distinct smell of Tony's very expensive aftershave and that ever present lingering smell of motor oil and grease. That was Tony alright.
He smiled and scooped the boy into his arms to carry from the room. "You hold it tight then. Don't want it to get lost."
::::::::::::::::::::
Tony took a shaky breath as Pepper held his hand, walking him out to the stage. They were on the edge of it now, just about to go out but Tony wasn't sure he wanted to.
There had been so many rumors about what had happened. Some saying he was dead, others saying it had been a failed assassination attempt and some claimed it was all a cover up for a bad night of drinking. He needed to set it straight. But that meant walking out in front of a crowd of cameras and reporters and talking about something personal and traumatic and he...he really didn't want to.
He turned, trying to leave the way they came, tugging on Peppers hand to follow. "I'm not doing it. They can think what they like, I don't care."
Pepper pulled him back, free hand cupping his cheek and pulling his face close to hers, voice soft. "Hey, take a deep breath. I'm right here. Look, you don't have to do it if you dont want to but Tony...you said you wanted to let everyone know you were okay. All those letters you got from those kids and the ones you got from the children in that hospital you visited? You're their hero, they just want to make sure you're still fighting like they are. You can encourage people, Tony. Don't walk away."
Anxiety curled tight in his chest, wrapping around his lungs but Peppers warm hand on his made it loosen just a little bit.
"Okay. Thanks, honey."
"Daddy!" A squeal pulled his gaze to the spider barrelling towards him, arms out and ready for a hug.
"Spider-Baby!" Tony crouched, feeling Peppers hand on his back in case his legs faltered, as he caught the boy and swung him up into his arms. "I'm glad to see you. Dad's feeling a little nervous about his speech."
Peter sat on his hip, still holding Tony's hoodie to his chest as he smiled like it was a joke, dimples showing as he stroked his gentle fingers across the mans stubble. "Nooo. Daddy's brave. Always brave."
Although it was far from true Tony found himself smiling and he thought that maybe he knew what the kid was trying to convey. No matter what else happened, no matter how many times he'd had to admit his weaknesses to the world he always put up a jaunty facade. And it always worked. Okay, so maybe that's not what the two year old was trying to say but it was what Tony was going with.
"You really are the smartest kid I know, huh?" He bounced the boy in his arms, heart soaring at the peal of giggles it elicited from Peter.
"Yes."
Tony laughed again and found that all his anxiety was gone, smashed to pieces on the wake of one child's blinding smile, soft curls and unwavering faith in his hero.
He pressed a kiss to Peters forehead before handing him over to Sam as he took Peppers hand again and prepared to go on stage.
He slipped on a pair of his trademark sunglasses, ran his hand through his hair and slipped his persona on, smirking as he set out. "I got this."