Tony couldn't help but sigh as he lay in bed, he had managed to get a few hours of sleep but he knew he wouldn't be getting anymore tonight. He was nervous about the rogues coming back, he hadn't seen any of them since the fight in the airport and now they were staying in the tower for three weeks as upgrades were being done in the living quarters of the compound. It was true the entire team had at one point all lived in the tower but it was no longer possible, he wanted to keep Stark Industries separate from the Avengers but more than that he had a family now, a real family and despite Peter being a superhero he didn't want him exposed to the risk of living with the Avengers, he also had a huge workforce in Stark Industries and he felt it a disservice to put them and New York City as a whole in more danger than necessary.
He looked over at his fiancée next to him in bed a soft smile on his face as he did so. He would never know what he did to deserve such a loving family but he knew he would do anything to protect them. As if she could sense his stare Pep opened her eyes lazily and smiled up at him.
"You okay?" she murmured still half asleep, "why are you awake?"
"ssssh nothing Pep, just thinking, go back to sleep love. I love you."
He grinned softly as she closed her eyes once again and was asleep in seconds before he climbed out the bed careful not to jostle her. Grabbing clothes blindly from the wardrobe he made his way to the kitchen for coffee. Surprisingly a child coming into his life had made him cut down on his caffeine intake and improved his sleeping habits. He had honestly never felt better than he did now, he was physically in better shape than he'd been in years and he had been seeing a therapist weekly for months now, since he had agreed to go if Peter went. He was, for the first time in a long time, truly happy and that was why he was so worried about the arrival of the other Avengers in just a few hours. He was worried he himself wouldn't be able to cope but also he was worried about his son. He was worried the others would hurt him in some way…it was illogical sure but still he couldn't get the thought out of his head, also he didn't want to admit it but he was insecure. He was terrified when the others arrived Peter would see Captain America and change his mind about having him for a dad, he was worried he would lose his son to the Rogue Avengers, and that was what was keeping him up.
"Dad? Why are you here? Are you okay?" Tony nearly dropped his mug he was so surprised, he usually knew whenever someone else walked into the room but he had been too deep in his own head."I'm fine Pete, I just couldn't sleep. What are you doing up?" He sighed as his son just shrugged in response but put down his now empty cup and lifted his arm so Peter could curl up next to him. He smiled softly as he rested his chin on the teenager's head. He knew the boy would speak up soon with what was bothering him so he simply made himself comfortable and waited silently.
"Dad….do I have to like them? Because I don't think I can. Well maybe Falcon and Hawkeye are okay and that giant man but I don't have to like Captain America do I?"
Tony withheld a sigh and held his son tighter against him as if his hug could keep him safe from anything and everything that could possibly hurt him. "No. You don't have to like him. You don't even really have to see him, they are all staying two floors down on the spare one below Bruce and Nat. You'll have to see them at some point though, you can't just hide away."
Peter nodded into his dad's chest unable to hide his relief as his whole body relaxed. At one time he had been a huge fan of Captain America but after seeing what he had done to his dad he couldn't stop the anger from bubbling up inside him each time the man was mentioned.
"Pete, you don't have to like any of them, but you have to be polite okay? They are my colleagues….friends even, just please don't do anything rash." He felt Peter nod once again into his chest, "how about we rest for a little longer? We can make breakfast for Pep in a little while."
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"Send a photo of that to my phone Fri" Pep ordered as she walked into the lounge to see her two boys curled up together on the sofa. She had been worried Tony had gone to the lab which could be almost impossible to get him out of again when he hadn't come back to bed but after checking Pete's room she knew they had to be together. They both took comfort and strength from each other and she was sure the two of them needed both of those in spades today. It was now half eight and the Rogues were due at ten, she had already contacted the tower security teams who said it was getting busy outside the tower as people and press arrived to get a glimpse of the returning heroes and had made sure rooms would be ready for everyone.
"Hey, it's time to get up"
Tony grumbled in response to his fiancée's statement pulling his son in closer while Peter peeled his eyes open. "Five m're minutes mom."
"I've made bacon rolls."
She grinned as both her boys shot to their feet almost tripping over each other to get to the kitchen first.
"Once you're finished you both need to get dressed…." She held her hand up before Tony could interject "no Tony, you can't meet the others in sweats, think about how that will look…no it doesn't have to be a three-piece suit, just wear a t-shirt and a jacket." She ignored his grumbling as she looked at their son "Pete, we'll be gone for an hour tops okay, Uncle Rhodey will come up straight after the press conference to see you while we get them settled. He knows you're grounded so undoubtedly has some sort of gift for you."
Peter grinned at her words, as much as being grounded sucked his Uncle often gave him a gift so he had something to do while he was on restriction. Obviously, he had to endure another lecture more often than not but for new Lego kits it was probably worth it…well actually he had really hurt his dad this time it probably wasn't, Uncle Rhodey had the disappointed stare mastered.
"It's fine Pete, don't look so worried, he won't tell you off too much." Tony assured the boy correctly guessing what he was feeling, he himself had been the recipient of Rhodey's disappointed looks and his lectures could reduce anyone to tears. "Go get dressed and remember you're already grounded so I want your best behaviour."
"Ugh yes dad." Peter replied rolling his eyes at his dad's words as he turned away then yelping as his dad smacked him.
"What was that for?" He demanded angrily turning to look up at the man.
"Really? You're really asking that? Watch the attitude Pete, just because you're nervous about our guests doesn't mean you can give us attitude young man."
Peter blushed as the anger left his body and he looked down at his toes. "Sorry dad. I'll be on my best behaviour." He replied as he gave him a quick hug before turning to head back to his room to change.
"Peter," he stopped and turned as his mom shouted his name "you need to tidy your bedroom before they get here, we've let it go so far but it's a pigsty in there."
Peter sighed and rolled his eyes once again as he mumbled to himself, "why does my room need to be tidy? Is anyone staying in my room? No. Will anyone see my room? No…"
"Do you want to come back here and repeat that Underoos?"
"No sorry dad. Won't happen again, I'm tidying now."
Tony rolled his eyes at his son's words not truly angry. "He's something else our son. What do you think the others will say when they meet him? Wait do they even know about him? You told them about Pete didn't you Pep?"
"What no? I thought you were telling them?"
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Peter sighed as he picked his dirty socks up from the floor, he didn't get why he had to clean his bedroom but he definitely didn't want a scolding from his parents when they returned…he had been in trouble the first time he met Uncle Rhodey and when Bruce and Nat first arrived at the tower, he didn't think his mom and dad would be impressed if he went three for three. Well he hadn't been in trouble first time he met Thor and Loki but then again he hadn't really been capable of speech he was so star struck by them. With that in mind he grabbed his muddy trainers and left them in the cupboard by the front door, he was sure his mom couldn't have seen those, last time he wore muddy trainers in the house she made him wash every pair of shoes he owned and then the carpets he tracked mud into…and the ceiling incident didn't bear thinking about.
Twenty minutes later his room was tidier than it had been in quite a while…huh maybe mom was onto something about it being a pigsty he thought to himself. Knowing he couldn't use anything connected to the internet without his parent's presence he grabbed a bag of chips from the kitchen before jumping over the back of the couch and making himself comfortable so he could watch the Rogue's arrival.
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Tony tightened his grip on Pepper's hand as he stood on the small stage that had been set up for the other's arrival. He zoned out as Secretary Ross droned on about the newly revised accords and all the hard work he had put into them…which was absolute bullshit, the man had kicked up a fuss at every tiny change put forward and if it wasn't for the UN outvoting the man he was sure his teammates would not have been coming home today. With a sideways glance at Bruce who he could see he had also zoned out as Ross continued to prattle on he smiled and looking to his other side he had to suppress a snort, at least Bruce tried to look like he cared, Thor (who had arrived literally seconds before they all came out to stand here) was yawning rather dramatically and waving at a small group of children in the crowd. He was jealous of Peter to be honest, the boy didn't need to be here, after all Spiderman wasn't an Avenger and the general public had no idea himself and Pepper had adopted him, so yeah the kid was probably having a great time not being here…actually Pete couldn't use the labs or internet or really anything so maybe not.
Finally, after what seemed like an age, Ross stopped talking and Tony stepped forward to say a few words of his own. He knew the car the others were arriving in was just minutes away and he couldn't really decide how he felt about it. Apprehensive? Excited? Nervous? Relieved? Taking a steadying breath, he moved to stand behind the podium.
"I would just like to thank you all for being here today. It has been difficult in the aftermath of what has been dubbed the Civil War…who came up with that by the way? The Walmart parking lot fight sounds sooo much better." He had learnt about that from Peter months ago and he absolutely loved it…Civil War was so intense and violent….which to be fair it kind of was but still…technicalities. "As everyone undoubtedly knows in the past months we have all worked hard to make changes on the accords and now today the Avengers are here to reunite as a team once again." He couldn't help but grin as the audience cheered at his words and everyone seemed to turn as one as a car turned the corner seconds later carrying 'Team Cap'. He felt Pepper hold his hand and turned to give her a quick kiss as he waited to see the others for the first time in what seemed like forever. So much had changed since he had last seen them after all. He was a different man now.
Pepper felt Tony's grip tighten for a second before he dropped her hand and took a step forward as the door opened and Steve stepped out. She wasn't sure how she felt about the man to be honest, she could understand his actions to a degree but she would never forget what he had done to her man. His actions could have killed Tony and by extension the life they now lived, her, Tony and Peter. She made sure her emotions didn't show on her face however, she was a professional after all, she dealt with people she didn't particularly like or agree with on an almost daily basis and she knew the importance of showing a united front today.
Tony felt his breath catch as Steve stepped out of the car but he stepped forward regardless and shook the man's hand, he looked the same as ever, T'Challa had mentioned a beard last time he spoke to the King but there was no sign of one now. A more genuine smile crossed his face as he saw Clint step out next, as much as they often argued he was still fun to have around and not to mention a fellow dad…although Clint didn't know that yet but still. He pulled the man in for a half hug before letting go so he could make his way to Nat, god forbid anyone that tried to keep the spy twins apart for much longer. He exchanged pleasantries with Scott, after all he didn't really know the man although from his file he knew he was an engineer of some kind and currently out of a job so he would probably look more into that later on. He gave Sam a brief hug before giving Wanda a familiar kiss on the cheek, he wasn't particularly comfortable with her and still had the occasional nightmares from the visions she gave him although now they included his son as well but he knew better than to appear anything other than friendly in front of the press. "Vision was doing some last minute work in your rooms, he's waiting for us upstairs" he assured her when he saw her eyes began to roam around looking for the android and let a small grin cross his face as she gave a heartfelt thanks. He could see the tension leave her body, he knew he would have been extremely distressed if he came home after months away and Pepper wasn't there to greet him.
Once hellos had been exchanged he moved back towards the podium to stand next to Steve knowing this was the photo that would probably be on the front pages tomorrow. Himself and Steve, standing together shoulder to shoulder….well sort of…god he hated being tiny sometimes. They stood for several more moments as the press took photos before Steve thanked everyone again for coming and supporting them with a promise nothing would divide the Avengers again…which to be honest was a bold statement to make but he supposed it was what the people wanted to hear and also one he himself hoped was true. With a final thanks and wave to the cameras the team, together for the first time in a long time made their way inside Stark Tower.
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Peter turned off the TV when everyone walked inside, he wasn't particularly interested in hearing what the people on it had to say about the Avengers being together again after all. Also, they kept saying his dad and Rogers were like brothers, but he knew no one would treat their brother the way Rogers had his dad. Himself and Ned were brothers as were dad and Uncle Rhodey or Uncle Happy and dad, Loki and Thor too….well that was different but now they seemed like brothers, as far as he knew Loki hadn't tried to stab Thor for like a month and for them that was amazing.
Moments later he hears the elevator opening and backflips over the couch to face it having heard his Uncle's leg braces from two floors away.
"If your mom catches you doing that she'll be the one flipping Pete."
"She prefers it to when I jump onto the ceiling actually, so…."
"That's because that's fucking creepy kid and it took forever to get those footprints off the roof."
Peter waved away his Uncle's words supressing a shudder at the memory of his mom's face when she saw the dozens of footprints he had left on the ceiling, that was the primary reason for the shoes off at the door thing…speaking of which. "Your shoes are still on Uncle Rhodey, mom will definitely flip if she sees that." He raised the pitch of his voice in a poor imitation of the woman as he continued "I cannot believe you would wear dirty shoes in this house Rhodes! You know better!"
Rhodey snorted at his nephew. "Petewe both know you have a higher voice than your mom" he said laughing as the boy pouted adorably and crossed his arms making him look much younger than his fifteen years.
"Anyway, I've got a gift for you my favourite nephew."
Peter rolled his eyes "I'm your only nephew! Saying that won't make me say you're my favourite Uncle…although maybe if you don't give me the stare of disapproval you could be."
"Nice try kid. Tones already spoke to me, you're off the hook with me but don't do anything like that again. You hear me?" When he received a nod he opened his bag and threw a box at the teen.
Grinning at his uncle now he knew he wasn't be in any trouble with the man Peter took a look at the box in his hand and almost dropped it in surprise. "Oh my fucking god! No! Oh my Jesus and all that is holy." He didn't even blink when his Uncle cuffed his head for his language as he looked at the Lego Spiderman set in his hand like it was a precious treasure. "This is awesome! Can we do it now, yeah? This is so cool, how did I not know about this?"
