AN: I have been reading a lot of comments for my previous chapters that I was like "Yep, beautiful" and answering nice, happy comments to, particularly in the last chapter. All the time, I wrote one (though still true) answer to each while my insides screamed "I my God, they are all soooo gonna hate me when they read the next chapter!" Well, fair warning, guys: This is it! And I understand if you guys wanna stop read now, but the truth is, it is a realistic portrayal if have seen in real life more than once. I am sorry, but this is how it is. So, I am sorry. But this is how my story continues.
Ch 7: Some Conffusing Clearance - A Complication in the Compound
It was once again morning and Rhodey heard the sound he heard on his first day back: the clings and clangs of kitchenware and sound of talking and laughter at about five in the morning. This time, though, Rhodey did not expect any danger and did not feel like there was anything to worry about. And while his agenda hardly seemed changed, it was a meaningful difference to Rhodey: He wanted to find out more about May and Tony, particular in relationship to Tony and Pepper. It was quite surprising for Rhodey how enamoured Pepper was with May and Peter considering Peter was Tony's and May's kid and May stole Tony from Pepper in a sense. It was worrisome how much he must have missed not to know how this started.
"Hey, FRIDAY?", Rhodey requested.
"Yes, Colonel?"
"Who is currently in the kitchen?", he enquired. "And who is all awake? What is everyone doing?"
FRIDAY answered quickly: "Miss Potts is currently in the kitchen preparing breakfast for everyone while on the phone. Mr Parker and Miss Parker are preparing themselves for the day in their rooms. Boss is coming back from his office where he was dealing with an emergency situation at SI on the phone. Mr Hogan is making his way up to the kitchen from the parking lot. Do you want me to take a message? Maybe request a specific breakfast item from Miss Potts?"
"No, thank you. I prefer to go to the kitchen myself. I'll be there soon."
Rhodey did not bother to shower or put on clothes, he immediately went to the kitchen in his pyjamas. He heard laughter and went to the door, to feel like someone punched him in the gut with an Iron Man suit.
Tony and Pepper stood in the middle of the kitchen, kissing each other on the mouth, hugging tightly, clearly in love. Clearly back together.
Rhodey felt sick. He always loved Tony like a brother. Like something so deep, he never would have seen this like this. He saw all of Tony's mistakes. He knew his faults and weaknesses better than anyone else on the planet. He would have never expected Tony to be a cheater. He had been a playboy with no safe relationship, hardly trusting anyone, after everything he went through. Ty in particular had broken Tony, a situation Rhodey had not forgiven himself to miss for so long, even if he had been in another country. But Tony was clear on his relationships: he either was a clear and obvious playboy, no strings attached, or he was 100% with either Pepper or now May.
Or so Rhodey assumed. But now, Tony was kissing his ex-girlfriend while his current girlfriend was in another room in this house, preparing herself and their son for school. Tony was having an affair. He was cheating. It was impossible for Rhodey to fit his head around this clear fact he could see in front of his eyes. His stomach felt queasy, ready to give in. His best friend, his brother in all but blood, was cheating on Rhodey's nephew's mother with Rhodey's other best friend who happens to be Tony's ex. Rhodey did not know what to do. Whom should he protect first? His two best friends or his nephew and his potential sister-in-law? And how would he do that? What can he do at all? What are his options? He cannot just betray his best friend, his brother in all but blood, can he? But it is about protecting his nephew and his nephew's mother!
Rhodey felt lightheaded. It was what felt like the biggest dilemma in his life. He always loved Tony and Pepper as family, higher than he could ever even explain to anyone. He loved them like he loved Beck and Sammy. He felt like he needed to protect them. But he started to love May and Peter, too. Loved them like he loved Tony and Pepper, in a way. He felt just as responsible. He felt he needed to protect them. Like he should have protected his younger brother. They should feel safe and supported like his sister should have always felt but hasn't in decades. He wanted to do what is right for them.
But what is right in this situation? Could he just tell May and Peter what his father is doing to their family? What the woman they adore and Peter treats like a second mother is doing to them? He had to, right? But he had to protect Tony and Pepper, too? He loved them. And they deserved happiness, and it is acceptable to want it from each other, is it not? But should Tony not break up with May, then? She deserves to be able to move on. Maybe he doesn't because of Peter? Rhodey could imagine Tony to try and protect his son like this. But Rhodey was not sure that was the right choice. Peter is a child, he needs stability and safety. He does not need this stress and fighting in his family.
God, what shall Rhodey do?
While Rhodey was standing in the kitchen entry trying to calm his mind and breathing, Happy arrived upstairs, sitting with them at the table.
"So, what is the situation? Am I to stay with them or will you?", he wondered.
"I'll know in a minute. Until then, let's make sure everybody is ready, ok?", Pepper replied.
Rhodey could not hear an answer and assumed Happy nodded, though he could not be sure. He could solely imagine what is going on. Rhodey took a deep breath and decided to think more about it later before he entered the kitchen.
"Morning, Rhodey!", came the chorus of Pepper, Happy and Tony immediately when he entered the kitchen.
"Listen, Rho, Pep and I gotta talk to you later. Properly. There are some – "
"Morning, guys!", came the voice of May, entering the kitchen.
"Good morning!", Peter added.
"Morning, May, Peter!", Tony and Pepper answered, while Happy blushed and nodded. Rhodey's mind was to full of other problems to make more than a mental side-note of this. Happy crushing on Tony's girlfriend is nothing compared to just the new stuff today. He could look at this later. "Come eat! Everything is ready!"
Tony quickly hugged and kissed May and Peter, before turning back to the stove, dishing out some plates of something for everyone. Rhodey sat down next to Happy, starting to eat. Trying to understand what is going on. Trying to decide what to do. Trying to understand what is going on. What he could do to help in this situation. Anything for them to do what is necessary. To protect. To be what he needed to do. For his family. For those he loved.
A phone rang and Tony answered it.
"Damn, really?", he groaned into it after a second. "Well, what would be the next step? ... Yes, I understand... Yes, we will be there soon. ... About fifty minutes, I guess. ... Sure, we can make it in thirty, but no guarantees. ... Yes, we will be there in twenty... Yes, we can do so, no problem..."
With those words, Tony hung up. "Sorry, kiddo!", he apologized immediately. "We have to go, SI emergency! Sorry!"
Pepper Potts hurriedly packed her laptop and files into her fashionable leather tote bag, while Tony Stark grabbed his suit jacket from the coat rack. The couple exchanged worried glances as they prepared to leave.
"FRIDAY?", May wondered. "What is going on? Where do they need to go for the emergency? How long will they be gone?"
"There's been a data breach. Someone has accessed some highly sensitive information from the SI servers. There is nothing much that can be done from here, so they need to take the Quinn jet to SI Headquarters. According to the flight data given, the Quinn jet back would be on standby from three hours from now anytime until five days from now. There is no clear situation, Tony and Pepper have tried everything from a distance they could, Miss Parker."
Tony and Pepper rushed to say goodbye to Peter and May and Happy and Rhodey, as quick as they could.
"Hey, kid," Tony said, ruffling Peter's hair. "Sorry we have to leave early. You'll be okay with Happy, right?"
Peter nodded, looking a little nervous. "Yeah, it's just... I'll miss you guys."
Pepper squeezed her son's hand. "We'll be back before you know it. Who knows, we might even be back before you come home from school! And we'll make it up to you, I promise."
"Okay, we'll call you as soon as we get there", Pepper said to Happy.
"Got it, Pepper", Happy replied, ever the loyal employee. "I'll make sure everything's taken care of while you're gone."
Pepper took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. She was anxious about leaving Peter and May alone for potentially another extended period of time, even without Tony, but she knew they were in good hands with Happy.
"You're the best, Happy. Thank you!", Tony said, patting Happy on the back.
"Of course, Tony. Anything for the boss", Happy said with a grin.
"I'll see you downstairs in four, Tony", Pepper yelled, before kissing him and rushing to the elevator... in front of May ... Who just smiled... As if nothing happened at all... As if her boyfriend cheating was the most normal thing... And Peter reacted no more than her. Rhodey felt his mind racing more and more.
And everything inside him begged that this means he did not misjudge his friends... Please, let them behave not as cheaters! Please, let there be a proper explanation! Maybe they are all just polyamorous, it would be better than cheating! Sure, he did not think of Pepper and Tony as polyamorous, but it was not like he truly knew. He just hoped that this was not a fault his best friends had, or worse even, shared. May did not react, not really. She therefore knew about it. Rhodey couldn't help but hope that this was because it was consensual in some way, like polyamory, rather than her just already knowing about the cheating of her boyfriend. With the way May and Pepper interacted, the way they joked, and hugged and laughed, it seemed realistic that May and Pepper were together. And seeing how obviously May and Tony are together, and Pepper and Tony are kissing unabashed, maybe it just was a polyamorous relationship? He couldn't understand why Tony would be cheating on May with Pepper and why May would be okay with it. He also couldn't understand why Pepper would be dating May if she was with Tony. It all made no sense at all.
Rhodey felt sick at the pure idea of Tony and Pepper having an open affair in front of May. The three of them already raise Peter together, it seems, Pepper probably being something like a godmother to Peter or something. It had been apparent that May was Peter's primary caregiver with the way everyone looked to her and her approval about Peter's life and any decisions and situations regarding him. He could not believe the idea that they would hurt each other like that. Someone else, maybe, would have done that to May after she took their ex-boyfriend, but Pepper was never out for revenge. Pepper had never felt the need to hurt somebody. Even when she hurt, she was gracious and good. She might not be as kind, but she was never unkind. She was just different, more polite-cold than mean-cold. She was professional. No matter what.
It was painful to even allow the thought to enter his mind. Rhodey was not ready to allow this thought to enter him. He loved Tony and Pepper. He knew all the steps Tony always made to ensure Tony would not hurt anyone. Even though it often caused himself significant pain or moved so strongly, he hurt people differently instead. He would not do something so openly.
It did not take long for Happy to go take Peter to school and May and Rhodey to stay in the kitchen alone. Rhodey felt uncomfortable. Rhodey was starting to feel like he was living in a soap opera. Every time he thought he had the dynamics of the group figured out, something else would happen that threw him for a loop.
--
Rhodey went to do some training for a while, working out his frustration against a punching bag, and training to get his physical capabilities back up. His mind was racing about the issue and what he should do. Was there any sense in talking to May if she apparently already knew about the affair? And why hasn't she broken up with Tony? Was it maybe some open relationship? Rhodey could not see Tony enjoying that. Maybe May wanted one and Tony got Pepper at the side because he did not want her to be the only one? Maybe he did it out of spite? Rhodey hardly knew May, it might all be! As far as Rhodey knew, she was a horrible cheater and Tony went with an open relationship to not lose her!
But what shall he do in any case? Sure, he needed more information, so he needed to talk with them about it all, but this is no conversation over the phone. This needs to be done face to face. And there was no guarantee that the conversation would get Rhodey anywhere.
Happy returned shortly after, having dropped off Peter at school and run some errands. Rhodey stayed in the training centre, unable to deal with anyone. His mind was just running around. Besides, as he contemplated, he heard May ask Happy if they could grab some coffee. Happy nodded and the two left the room, leaving Rhodey alone with his thoughts. It was not like they needed his company. So Rhodey stayed a while longer. Until a call ripped him out of his mind.
Rhodey was on his way to Tony's office. Tony forgot his phone in the morning, and he needed it soon after the board meeting was over. Therefore, Rhodey had been tasked with going through to the office and open Tony's phone to check for any important missed emails or notifications. It was a task he was all too familiar with, as Tony often left his phone unattended and unlocked in his private protected zone when he had meetings too long for Tony to check on himself once the meeting was over. A lot of these notifications can be quite urgent. Of course, for something like the Chitauri or ULTRON, a different notification would be sounded. Technically, most times it would be an alarm. Usually, Rhodey would sit down on a table or couch until the time is up and play a game, only checking Tony's new notifications. To be fair, Rhodey never planned on doing any more than that. But that was before he opened the first notification and found Tony's phone to be far more interesting than ever before. Usually, there would be nothing but work chats and Avengers related chats, and of course, Pepper and him.
As he scrolled through the received messages, he couldn't help but feel a little confused. He scrolled through the notifications this time; an unusual chat caught his eye. It was a conversation between Tony and "My Kid", obviously having to mean Peter. The profile pic was of Peter, on some sort of field, wearing a blue logo pullover. Rhodey felt like this was the ultimate proof that Rhodey needed to be clear on Peter being Tony's son. Rhodey loved what he saw far less than he would have thought. Tony and Peter were talking in a way that made it seem like they were father and son. Rhodey had no idea that Tony had a child for so long. It was not a misunderstanding. Tony had kept Rhodey from his son and still denies him to Rhodey even after he already found out. As he scrolled through the messages, he was taken aback by the tone of the conversation. In front of Rhodey's eyes, Rhodey could see their relationship changing. The further up Rhodey got in the chat, the further he went back in the past, the less familiar and more polite the conversation was. The messages were filled with laughter, jokes, and a level of familiarity that Rhodey had never seen between Tony and anyone younger than him all over, but the start is far more so than a message months earlier. It was just as sweet as the start, but in a different way. At the start, Peter seemed just exited to be in contact with his dad, later there was a real rapport, and a real care portrayed that came from the shadows. As he read through the messages, Rhodey began to piece together that this Peter seemed to be someone Tony cared deeply for.
Rhodey's eyes widened as he read through the messages. Had he missed so much in that short time? Had he missed the entire start of their relationship, the love, and the details? He had just met Peter a few days ago, and he couldn't shake the feeling that there was something he was missing. Had Tony kept this secret from him all this time? Was Peter really his son?
As he scrolled through the conversation, more and more messages revealed a deep bond between the two. Tony shared stories about his own childhood and offered advice about school and love, all while offering encouragement and support. Rhodey couldn't believe what he was reading. This relationship was beautiful. Rhodey really wished to have been able to see this, meeting his nephew earlier than that. The more Rhodey thought about it, the more convinced he became that Peter was Tony's biological son. It would explain the secretive nature of their conversations and the deep connection that seemed to exist between the two.
"Hey, kiddo. How was your day?", read at least one message a day.
"It was okay, Mr Stark. I think I aced my science test.", would be an answer four months ago, with Tony reacting with "That's great, Peter! I'm proud of you."
The answer a few days ago, on the other hand, read "Ugh, bad day. Flash was annoying as always, and classes took forever! At least I'll be going to Ned later!"
As he continued reading through the messages, he saw that Tony and Peter had a close bond, one that almost seemed too close for comfort. Rhodey wanted to be with Tony when he starts being a parent, even if he always doubted it would happen.
"I can't wait to see you, Peter. It's been too long.", would be written at random periods, usually once or twice a week.
"I miss you too, Mr Stark. I can't wait to show you my Millennium Falcon.", was one of the responses from Peter.
Rhodey knew he had to confront Tony about it again, had to make sure Tony would talk to him, but he didn't know how to do it without sounding accusatory. But he still needed to have this conversation.
Though Rhodey did not know this would not be the only thing the conversation would be about. Not yet anyway.
Sighing, Rhodey took the phone upstairs, having achieved quite an appetite, hoping to find some lunch he could get. He made it out of the elevator towards the kitchen door to meet Happy there.
He decided to approach Happy, who was also part of the "Parenting Peter" chat, to ask him about it. Happy was surprised to hear Rhodey's theory and denied that Tony was Peter's biological father. He explained that Tony had simply taken on the role of a mentor and protector, seeing potential in Peter, and wanting to guide him through life. The entire answer sounded rehearsed.
"But why would they act like father and son then?" Rhodey asked sceptically. He knew his friend to well. Tony would never be parental to any child unless absolutely forced to. Not because he doesn't want to be a father, but he was too afraid to turn out just like his own dad, a brutal and cruel man.
"Because they're close," Happy replied. "Tony sees himself in Peter, and Peter looks up to Tony like a father figure. It's all about love and respect."
Rhodey nodded, understanding what Happy was trying to say, though not believing a single word. It sounded like an excuse given to people they could not hide Peter from, a lie Rhodey needed to learn to protect Peter as well. It made sense, and he could see the bond between Tony and Peter was genuine. He could learn any lie necessary to protect the boy. It was as simple as that. He will find out the truth. Or, well, make them tell him.
"Listen, I gotta go pick Peter up! See you later!", Happy said after they finished an awkward lunch with small talk. Rhodey sighed and nodded.
"See you later, Hap!"
--
After this failure, Rhodey decided to go to someone more in the centre of action.
"May, I have to ask you something. Is Peter Tony's son?"
May's eyes widened in surprise. "What? No, of course not. Peter's parents were killed a long time ago, and as far as I know, Tony never knew them. Why do you ask?"
Rhodey hesitated, not wanting to betray Tony's trust. But he also knew that he couldn't keep this to himself any longer. "I don't know. It just seems like they have a special connection. Tony talks to Peter like he's his own son, and you guys have the group chat called Parenting Peter... I know it sounds crazy, but I can't help but wonder."
May looked thoughtful for a long moment. "I see what you're saying, but that's not the case. I think Tony just sees himself in Peter, and they've become close because of that. Can you imagine what it would be like for Tony, to have someone he can mentor and teach like that? It's a way for him to pass on his knowledge, and I think he gets a lot of joy out of it."
"Yeah, I guess you're right. Sorry, I didn't mean to make it seem like I was accusing anyone of anything.", Rhodey said, backing out. It seemed that nobody wanted to tell him the truth.
"It's okay," May said, giving him a small smile. "I think it's good to ask questions sometimes. But in this case, I really don't think there's anything to worry about. Peter's lucky to have someone like Tony in his life, and I think Tony feels the same way about Peter."
Rhodey left the conversation feeling disbelieving and sceptical. It was possible, sure, ... But then again, there was that nagging feeling. That doubt that wouldn't leave him alone. Even though he knew he shouldn't, Rhodey mentally went back to the Parenting Peter chat once more. This time, he scrolled through more of the messages, looking for anything that might prove his suspicion right or wrong. It all seemed too real. And Tony would not step into such a role without a biological connection.
Rhodey had always known that Tony Stark was a man of many secrets It was simply part of his nature - the billionaire genius philanthropist was always up to something always working on some new project or scheme that he wanted to keep under wraps until the perfect moment. That is something Rhodey started to realize about his friend, and he can accept that. He did not like it at all, though. Tony hid his son from Rhodey.
After a while, Rhodey went back to the kitchen, when he heard it.
"How is it? Being engaged, married, all that? I never was that deep in a relationship. Never found someone to be that deep with.", Happy questioned.
"It feels nice. You have someone to depend on, someone to help you through the hard times, and support you when you want to try something new. You are never alone, you feel like you have family and friends and a protector, as well as someone to protect. Someone everything is worth doing for."
'Hmm, I wonder what that is about?', Rhodey thought. 'Was May a divorcee? A widow? Was she imagining a wedding already?' Rhodey felt it was far to early for them to get married. Rhodey hardly knew that woman! Tony was probably just speeding through because of the split between Pepper and him after such a long time pinning for her and for his son. Rhodey did not feel like this was the right choice. Maybe he should find out more about this?
Rhodey's stomach churned as he continued listening to May and Happy talk. May is looking forward to a marriage soon, if Rhodey understood her cheer-talk, and Rhodey knew he could not allow that! He needed more information if he wanted to stop a wedding before his friend was ready. He just hoped Tony knew better... He needed information about how far along the relationship was... May obviously does not live here yet, so hopefully a wedding would take some time... But asking was something Rhodey could do, carefully... And there was one person he could go to: Tony's and May's kid!
Rhodey found the boy sitting on the floor in the Avengers Common Room, building something out of Lego.
"Hey, kiddo!", Rhodey tried, but he could hear how strained he sounded. Well, he could look at it later. Maybe apologize to the kid.
"Hello, Mr Colonel Rhodes!", Peter answered nervously. Rhodey tried to smile to put the boy at ease.
"What are you building there?"
"Oh, it is the R2 D2 set Mr Stark got me!", Peter explained excitedly. And Rhodey just let him talk about Star Wars until the boy ran out of steam what seemed like hours later. Then, he made the attack.
"So, kiddo, how is everything going along?", Rhodey asked as casually as he could muster (which was quite a bit).
"I don't know a lot. I mean, Mr Stark has asked me to be ring bearer for the wedding, just like Happy is the groomsman. Says he wants me there and everything. My aunt would be the bridesmaid and everything. Maybe if the rest of the Avengers can get back in time, they can get roles, too! Currently, I don't think they want to make any more decisions until they have to, or the entire group is all together again.", Peter babbled on. "At least that is what Mr Stark said. And I mean, it makes sense. Half the family is missing, and they don't know where they are or whether they would come back anytime soon. Mr Stark is working quite deli- "
"Wait a second!", Rhodey interrupted the boy. Rhodey stood up from the couch, his eyes wide in disbelief. "You're telling me Tony is engaged with that woman, and I only just met her?! I'm his best friend!"
Rhodey's heart skipped a beat at the news. He had always wondered when Tony would finally settle down and find someone to spend the rest of his life with. But a woman Tony had not even bothered to introduce Rhodey properly to? A woman he knew for a few days? Rhodey felt like this was his worst day! Why did it have to be this stranger Tony proposed to? Why could it not have been Pepper? Rhodey hated it, and it did not look like a healthy relationship... Tony was already cheating on his fiancée with his ex! Why did his life end up like this? Why was it all so much chaos in horror? God, Rhodey felt like he needed to stop the wedding. His friend could not marry someone he was already cheating on. His friend could not marry someone he felt too embarrassed to introduce to him! He had to do something! Rhodey wanted May out of the picture immediately!
"I thought you knew Miss Potts forever?" Peter piped up from his spot on the floor, looking confused.
Rhodey turned towards Peter, his expression still stunned. Did he hear that right? "Wait, he is engaged to Pepper?"
"Well, yeah?" Peter replied, looking even more confused now. Rhodey could not believe his ears. The fight immediately left his body.
"He is not engaged to your mom?" Rhodey asked, needing to clarify.
"How could Mr Stark be engaged to my mom? She died ten years ago! Never mind that she was married..." Peter trailed off, looking down at his hands.
Rhodey's eyes widened even further. "Wait, May is not your mom?"
"What?! No, she is my aunt!" Peter replied with a small laugh.
Rhodey felt a little grossed out at the idea of Tony impregnating Peter's mother to now be together with his aunt. The family relationship was close and definitely not exactly engaging. But if it is true love, and considering what he saw, it seems that way, this should maybe not stay in their way. He will get used to it eventually. They love each other.
Rhodey needed to remind himself that Tony was about to marry Pepper, not May. There is apparently no love between May and Tony, not in that sense anyway. It was hard to allow this thought to set. His mind just kept reeling since coming back home. It just all felt weird and wrong and unfitting. Every time he thought he had a clear picture of what is going on, everything is crumbling and reorganized again, and he is floundering in the world the way it currently is. How could the eight months of absence lead to this much confusion and damage? What had he done wrong to end up here, the way everything is right now? Why is everything so confusing? How could he not have noticed that Tony kept things of this proportion from him? He knew his friend better than this, at least he thought so. Now, he wasn't sure. He thought he would notice it. Sure, he thought he knew that what Tony was hiding, and that it was only his worry about loosing the Avengers and the pain from finding out... well, everything in Siberia... But it was so much more he had been hiding, and Rhodey had missed it all.
"Tony and May are not together?" Rhodey asked, needing to double-check. He needed to wrap his mind around everything. May was not Peter's mom, but his aunt. Tony and May were not together. Everything was the opposite of what Rhodey knew.
"Ew, no!" Peter exclaimed, scrunching up his face in disgust. He looked as grossed out at the idea as Rhodey felt.
"So, May is engaged to...?" Rhodey trailed off, not liking where this conversation was headed.
"Aunt May is single," Peter replied, looking at Rhodey as if he had grown an extra head.
"Single?! But I thought... She talked about... What?!" Rhodey was thoroughly confused at this point.
"Er... She used to be married to my uncle? He died last year..." Peter explained, his voice trailing off as he remembered his beloved uncle.
"Damn, kid, I'm sorry," Rhodey said, looking chastised.
"Yeah..." Peter replied, his voice soft.
"So ... Tony and Pepper?", Rhodey tried to change the subject. He felt the pain of the kid. Rhodey has lost a lot of people. Losing his uncle must not have been easy. Though it was not exactly something unusual. Considering the way earth had been going for the last decade, it was almost the average experience to lose someone. It was something too many people could bond over, Rhodey and Peter now apparently included.
"Yeah?", Peter murmured, insecure.
"Not your aunt!", Rhodey exclaimed, feeling the hunch in his nephew's shoulders reduce, which Rhodey felt relieved about.
"Gross, stop talking about her with Mr Stark!" Rhodey laughed at the look Peter had on his face. The grief seemed to have almost disappeared.
"Sorry, but you gotta admit, they work good together!", Rhodey pushed, hoping to end all of the pain in his nephew's face.
"Mr Rhodes, stop!"
Rhodey couldn't believe it. Tony, engaged to Pepper? And they had a kid together? How much had he missed in his best friends' lives? He couldn't believe how out of the loop he was. It was like his best friends had a whole different life that he knew nothing about. Rhodey realized that he had a lot to learn about Tony and Pepper's lives. He had assumed too much and was now paying the price.
"Ok, they are back together, too. Tony is engaged. Pepper is engaged. They are engaged with each other. They have a kid. How much did I miss in my best friends' life?", Rhodey thought dejectedly. When did that happen? Why had he not noticed any of this?
--
It was lucky that the SI emergency only took a few hours. And while Pepper and Tony only came back after Peter and May already left for the day, it was a perfect opportunity to talk with Pepper and Tony.
"We need to talk!", Rhodey, Tony and Pepper said at once after barely entering. They went to the living room.
Rhodey followed her, feeling a little apprehensive. "What's going on?" he asked, settling into a chair.
Pepper took a deep breath, her eyes locking onto his. "Tony and I are engaged," she said, watching for his response.
Rhodey's eyes widened in faked shock. "What?" he said, his voice rising. "Since when?"
Pepper shrugged, looking a little sheepish. "A few months now", she admitted. "We didn't know how to tell you. How did you find out? You did not know yesterday!"
Rhodey sat back. "I had a little conversation with Peter." he explained, feeling a little overwhelmed.
Pepper's expression softened, and she reached out to touch Rhodey's arm. "We both love him so much."
"I'm sorry," he said, feeling a little emotional. "I had no idea."
Pepper gave him a small smile. "It's okay," she said. "We just wanted to make sure you knew."
Rhodey nodded, feeling a little better. He had a lot to process, but at least he knew now. "So, when's the wedding?" he asked, trying to lighten the mood.
Pepper grinned, her eyes sparkling. "We haven't set a date yet," she said. "But we'll let you know."
Rhodey chuckled, feeling a little relieved. Maybe things were going to be okay after all.
Tony put his arm around Pepper. "So, are you going to be my best man?"
Rhodey smiled. "I would be honoured."
Rhodey felt a sense of relief wash over him at the clarification. So he decided to go for it. "Okay, but then how does Peter fit into all of this?"
Tony's face softened as Pepper answered: "You know, Rhodey, Peter is an amazing kid. We care about him a lot."
Rhodey nodded, not really getting the answer he was looking for. "He is your son?"
Tony's face lit up with amusement. "Rhodey, I can't believe you believe that. No, of course Peter isn't my son."
But Rhodey wasn't convinced. "Then why do you talk to him like you're his dad?" he asked, almost accusingly. Though he did like whaat he saw, he had missed a lot. And he felt horrible about that.
Tony sighed and looked Rhodey straight in the eyes. "Look, I know it's weird. But Peter doesn't have a lot of people in his life, and I just want to make sure he knows he's cared for. Plus, he's a great kid, and we have a lot in common."
Rhodey wasn't sure what to make of that explanation. "But the group chat? Why are you, Pepper, Happy and May in it?"
"Oh, that. Well, I figured we could all learn from each other. May knows how to deal with teenagers and a real parent, Happy's great at practical stuff, and Pepper and I can provide some diverging experience the boy needs. Plus, it's just fun to chat with friends."
Rhodey felt like he was going crazy. None of this added up, but he didn't want to push the issue. "Right... well, good luck with the chat, I guess."
Tony grinned. "Thanks, Rhodey. It's actually really nice to have friends who care about each other like family."
"Rhodey, listen to me!", Pepper insisted. "Peter is not biologically related to either of us. Not me, not Tony, not May! OK"
Tony nodded along.
The way Pepper, and Tony said it finally had him convinced that there was no biological connection, but there was something else there still, something deeper and more intimate than just a mentor-student relationship. It was like Tony was trying to make up for lost time, trying to be the father figure Peter had never had. This could not be faked or hidden. It was clear to Rhodey, even though it did not seem clear to Tony, that there was something more. Rhodey knew about the love that was plainly visible for anyone who saw anyone of the group interact. Rhodey might have mistaken some things for something else, yet this was unmistakable. Sure, it might not have been the love of biology for Peter or romantic love for May, but it was love between family members.
Rhodey felt unbelievably stupid for thinking the entire time that Peter was his nephew and treating the boy this way. All he saw now was a random child that took part in some of his family's activities. A boy that was not Tony's son, nor Pepper's or May's, not even Happy's! Speaking of May, if she was not together with Tony but rather single, and Peter's aunt, and Peter was but a street kid with no connection to Rhodey's family, that would mean she was irrelevant for his family, too, wasn't she? They were basically strangers.
There was some relieve and some sadness in Rhodey thinking that he only got to know some distant relations of Tony and Pepper, nobody of importance, not the son or girlfriend. They were some nobodies like he was often introduced to by Tony or Pepper or Steve at parties or functions or when meeting at the streets by any chance. Sure, they were at the Compound far more regularly, but it was still nothing more than that. It was a relieve to know he did not have to help Tony through such a mental situation and that he did not lose fifteen years of the life of his nephew.
Tony ran a hand through his hair. "It's complicated. Peter's life is complicated. He's got a lot going on right now, and I don't want to make things worse for him."
--
"Mr Stark?", Peter asked, hardly able to control the emotions in his voice.
"Yeah, kiddo?", Mr Stark answered, worry in his tone, as he turned towards Peter.
"Is ... is everything okay with Mr Rhodes?", Peter muttered, unable to really say it properly.
"I think so. Why?"
"I don't think he likes me being here all that much." At those words, Mr Stark moved over to Peter and pulled him in a tight hug.
"Hey, no! Peter, this is nothing! He just needs to find his role in your life, and he is insecure where it is, ok? This is not on you! He loves you, Peter! Everybody does! He'll just take a few days to know how to be himself with you! You remember, he is new to the family! Remember how hard it was for May to accept me? Or how long Pepper needed to find her place? It is normal. This is just how it works. We'll find the correct dynamic!"
"Thanks, Mr Stark!", Peterwhispered in Mr Stark's arms, but he could not stop feel the insecurities. Afew days ago, he would have agreed. Rhodey had seemed like someone trying to findout where he belongs and where everyone belongs in this set. But this seemsdifferent. He had seemed warm and curios, now Rhodey seemed cold and distant,save in his position, secure, and unhappy about Peter being there. It was likeRhodey had decided on a judgement for days and found a solution now. He decidedPeter did not belong. Rhodey decided Peter was not good for Mr Stark and MissPotts, and that they should leave. That Peter is a fault, mistake to erase andcorrect. And Peter could not help but wonder if he is right. Should Peter notkeep his circle small? He was not exactly well-liked; he cannot be worth it.And with all those deaths already in his family, in addition to the danger ofSpider-Man... Maybe he should just accept that he does not belong here? Maybe heshould distance himself? Maybe Mr Stark had it right at first?
AN: Well, now that you read this chapter, I want to tell you simply I am sorry for how Rhodey has turned, but I could not see this story continue with Rhodey being Mr Perfect the entire time without a severe misstep like this, especially this. It is a sad fact I have seen in the real world a lot that people falsely believe family to amount to blood, instead of looking beyond. Even people who have found family relationships. It is idiotic, but it is real. In fiction, people accept this too easily, ignoring how much e.g. adopted kids are looked down upon, how much abused people are pushed towards their abuser for the mere blood connection, or other such things. So I had to let Rhodey deal with that kind of falsity, too. I hate it as much as you do.
Not to forget, write what you know. This is not just a long-term thing. Writing something that is within your mental state is far easier and more sophisticated than writing scenes outside your emotional stage. With my life being pretty shitty right now, my mind has gone a bit dark, and my story will grab onto the more serious aspects quite a lot. That is a simple fact I wish I could tell you is not the truth, but it is. I am trying to keep up humour and the sweet fluffy stuff, but my mind is quite into the dark stuff lately. And the serious things have to be properly portrayed, too.
Honestly, I cannot believe I am being apologetic and trying to justify a decision I made before I even started the plot layout and have had never felt the need to question...
About Tony's behaviour to Rhodey in the previous and current chapters:
Btw, Tony does not mean to be a bit of a jerk to Rhodey and to keep him out of the loop or anything. For the main part, he does not actually realize how much Rhodey is out of the loop. He has lived his live this way for months, and had hardly made a conscious effort to keep Rhodey out. He just has a tendency to be overprotective, so (partly subconscious) left out a lot of things he has been dealing with while Rhodey was dealing with potential paralysation. He is not aware how much he needs to catch Rhodey up on. And let's be honest, he is an idiot in denial, seriously. We all know he is your son, @canonTony!