Tony knew without a doubt that he was in love with London. In fact, ever since he was a child, he knew he loved London. Some of his favorite memories were him as a child, young and impressionable, gazing out his father's flat window onto the bustling city. Something about London was different from any city in America, like Los Angeles of New York City. London possessed a certain grace and elegance; the people living in it seemed wiser and more beautiful. Tony didn't think he'd ever stop loving London. In a way, it was his home.

He walked over to the window of his flat, the same one his father owned, he peered out the window, down at all the busy, bustling people.

Wow . . .

A small smile spread across his face.

"Hey Tony, what shoes should I wear to the show tonight?"

Tony turned to Peter, who was standing in front of him. He was wearing black slacks and a white shirt, hanging untucked. He had slung a blue tie over his neck, and held a pair of shoes in each hand.

As much as he hated to admit it, Peter was making Tony proud. The way he handled their last mission and they was he became a favorite of Queen freaking Elizabeth! His training also was coming along smoothly, and much to Tony's chagrin, he actually helped him update his Iron Man suit. Peter seemed like a different person: strong, mature, and brilliant. However, personality-wise, he stayed the same old Peter. He possessed a certain air of awkwardness and goofiness that sometimes made Tony smile to spite himself. Peter made him proud. Peter was special. He was . . . something.

Damn it! Don't go there, Stark!

"Uh, Tony?"

"The black shoes, Parker. The Black ones. Why the hell would you wear navy shoes with black slakes? Stupid, Parker, stupid!"

Peter's face showed a little bit of hesitation, a little sadness, but, unlike before, his face hardened up a bit. Guilt immediately flowed over Tony, and he wanted to scream. Why did he feel the need to be cruel to Peter constantly? What was it about Peter?

A burning image of Rhodey's disapproving face flashed in front of his eyes, making his stomach flop around inside of him. He gulped nervously.

"I'm gonna call Mary Jane. Tell when it's time to leave."

Tony and Peter were going to see the West End production of Wicked. A British government official gave him tickets, so he felt obligated to go see it. Unfortunately, musical theatre did not hold a place in his heart like certain things—Pepper, science, Stark Industries, Rhodey—but not people dancing and singing on an stage. Never the less, he was going.

Peter, on the other hand, was pumped. Apparently Mary Jane loved Wicked, so she had demanded autographs and a Playbill. Quite honestly, Tony hadn't the slightest idea if Peter actually liked musical theatre, but if Mary Jane liked it, so did Peter. Something about Mary Jane sent shivers down Tony's spine, and not in a good way. From how Peter described Mary Jane, she seemed naggy and all around irritating. Tony groaned. He, Tony Stark aka IRON MAN was worrying about Peter's girlfriend like a crazy, over-protective mother!

He glanced over at the ornate clock hanging on the wall, and grimaced.

Time to go!

"Parker, get your ass off the phone! We gotta go!"

One Hour Later . . .

The lights slowly stared to dim in the theatre, making Tony heave inwardly.

This is gonna be a long ride.

Three Hours Later . . .

Tony watched Peter curiously. Shortly after the curtain call of Wicked, Peter dragged Tony to the stage door so that he could get all the actors autographs for Mary Jane. Not wanting to do it but not wanting Peter to complain, Tony obliged and stood outside the stage door for a little over two hours, shivering in the cool London evening. Peter got Elphaba's, Fiyero's, The Wizard's, Madame Morrible's, Nessa Rose's, Boq's, Doctor Dillamond's, and all of the ensemble's autographs except for the women who played Glinda the Good. The stage door security guard finally informed everyone that it was the actress's birthday and was going on a date with her partner, so she was unable to sign autographs for everyone waiting. Tony watched Peter's face fall at this announcement. Peter obviously wasn't too pleased with this arrangement, but hey! What could they do about it?

Now, back in the limo, Peter was talking to Mary Jane on the phone, telling her about the show.

"Oh, it was great! We should go see it together when I get back to New York—Yes, I'm sure Mr. Stark will get my tickets for the front row!"

Tony opened his mouth in mock indignation, and chuckled inwardly.

"Yes, I got almost everyone's autograph for you! Yeah—yeah—oh no, Glinda didn't come out. She had a date or something—Hey, I'm sorry. I couldn't do anything about it—No, I'm not going to use the fact I'm Tony Stark's friend to force her to give me an autograph—Damn baby, she's probably already on her date so I can't go back—Don't get mad! I'm so so sorry!—Mary Jane—Mary Jane—"

Peter dropped the phone into his lap and groaned.

Oh my god! She hung up. Well, welcome to the world of women, Parker.

Tony glanced back over at Peter; the poor kid looked miserable. In his hands was Mary Jane's playbill, covered with scribbles from all the actors and actresses. They had waited for hours just to get a handful of signatures from a bunch of stage actors, and yet . . . that wasn't enough for Mary Jane. Tony grimaced.

Images of Pepper flashed in his mind. Pepper was strong, and sweet, and loved theatre too. However, he couldn't imagine her throwing a piss fit over a signature. Hell, she probably wouldn't insist that he should get her a Playbill because she knew he hated musicals and didn't want to make him do something he didn't like. It was a small sacrifice she had been willing to pay.

Although Pepper wasn't currently his girlfriend (he planned to get her back somehow), it had been one of the best, most important relationships he ever had. It was really the first time he truly loved a women for who she was and not as a toy.

Tony shook his head.

An urge to console Peter filled him, but he bit his lip, refusing to talk. He didn't want to get on buddy terms with Peter, especially over something like girls. Although he had some decent advice (imagine that!) cooped up inside his head, his pride refused to let him spit it out.

Come on, Stark! He looks like he's about to cry! Damn it, say something! You don't want him to be sad over something as stupid as a girl!

An overwhelming tidal-wave of compassion consumed him, knocking him over with a weird sensation of grief, one that wanted to make him break down into tears and give Peter a hug.

Tony got his first DUI when he was around Peter's age. When his Dad came to pick him up from the police station, Tony grimaced at the disappointment on his father's face. Howard Stark looked tired and upset, but not in a loud, obnoxious, throw things at the wall kind of way. It was a more silent, thoughtful way.

On the car ride home, Tony had stared silently out the window. Finally, he was not able to take the silence anymore so he begged his dad to say something.

"What is there to say Tony," Howard had whispered softly "You're in a low spot, and I'm grieving for you."

Lost in memories, tears stared to well up in his eyes. Was this the same grief his father had talked about all those years ago?

Is this what it feels like? Is this what it's like to be a dad?

"Mary Jane is a bitch."

Peter's head jerked up, and he stared at Tony is complete and utter disbelief.

"Excuse me?"

"Mary Jane is a bitch!" Tony repeated, more loudly than the first time.

"No—No! She's not a bitch! How could you say that?"

"She was talking so loud I could hear here! Parker, she was crying and yelling about an autograph! That's kinda bitchy if you ask me."

"Well," Peter said reluctantly "The yelling wasn't necessary but she was just disappointed—in me."

"Peter, if she was disappointed in you because you didn't get one of fifty names on a Playbill, you're the one that should be disappointed in her! Look here, you should be here priority, not a dumbass signature."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying she's not worth it."

"It's not really your business."

"Hmm yeah, well, I'm making it my business."

"What are you suggesting? That I should dump her?"

"I'm not suggesting it. I'm saying it."

"Tony, I have been pinning after her since elementary school and now, that's she finally mine, you think I should just drop her?"

"Pinning after her doesn't mean you know her. Peter, you've created this idea in your head and it's not true. This Mary Jane you've invented isn't who she really is and you're too blinded by this story you've invented to see it. Peter, I've listened to your phone calls with her, and she's always yelling and upset. She's always accusing you of a bunch of crap!"

"Were you spying?"

"Uh, that's not the point! The point is that whenever you are done talking with her or spending time with her, you're unhappy. You're all "bah humbug" and all that jazz. It's not good, man. When you love someone, they should make you happy and not all depressed and boo-hooish. Think about it, okay?"

"Okay."

They rode home in silence . . .

Tony prayed silently for the first time in years, begging whoever was up there to give Peter the courage to make the right decision.

Dear God, please make him happy. Figure out a way to make him happy.

Author's Note:

I'm sorry that this one is a little shorter than normal, but what did you guys think? Tony's really starting to warm up to Peter, huh?

I picked Wicked as the show because I saw the show recently on Broadway and I'm obsessed. I've been a fan for years but now I'm a super fan! ;p I'm probably going to publish some Wicked one-shots soon, so if you're a fan of the show, watch out for those!

Please leave reviews and suggestions! Reviews really inspire me to update more frequently!

Much Love,

gotmoreissuesthanvogue