Chapter 10
The drive back to his tiny slice of heaven was both swift and very slow at the same time. The recent chat with Steve had been a cathartic release, liberating him from the last strings that hold him back. Tony couldn’t wait to see Logan again, and each passing moment intensified his need to share everything with his new partner. The good as well as the bad.
Tony would have to come clean about everything. A large portion of his identity had been hidden from the very beginning. Their new relationships could not be built on shaky ground, even if Tony’s prior omissions were driven by a self-preservation instinct. That particular conversation would not be easy either, but Tony was confident that everything would be for the best.
Everything about the town was just as he had left it. Time seemed to move slowly in these parts of the world. This was strangely soothing for someone who had frequently lost his mind in the future possibilities. The town and its people had, over time, become the anchors of Tony’s existence, giving him a sense of belonging he had never really felt before.
Tony found his way directly to the café, just like he had done on his first day. Life wasn’t repeating itself, it just rhymed. But this time, Logan was prepared for him, waiting for him with bated breath. As soon as the genius passed through the door, the bell tingling lightly, Logan turned his head to his direction, a bright smile appearing instantly. The café owner went straight to work, preparing a drink. Tony didn’t have to look to know it was a mug filled with the famous hot chocolate. The ideal welcome gift.
Logan refrained from asking questions. There was an unspoken understanding that Tony would share the details of what had happened when he was ready. Logan respected the boundaries, recognizing that there was no need to put any pressure on the other man. The simple fact that Tony had chosen to come back to him was enough. Questions could wait. Tony had done his best to put the past behind him. It would be preferable if everyone focused on the future.
Rather than delving into the hard conversation just yet, Logan chose to tell Tony with the gossip and funny stories he had missed while in the big city. As usual, the kids had embarked on yet another round of shenanigans that were just hilarious. The two men laughed together until they had tears in their eyes. Tony hadn’t even been gone that long, but he had missed each and every one of them dearly.
It felt great to just laugh at those things that were so insignificant for others but so important to Tony. He could feel how much Logan loved his town and the kids just by the way he was recounting those stories.
Despite the fatigue that clung to him after his journey from New York, Tony was eager to not only stay longer with Logan but to wait till school was out. Tony took his time to savour his hot chocolate, staying at the counter so he could chit chat with Logan. He had not slept all that much lately, but it wouldn’t be the first time he went days without rest. At least, this time, it was for the best reasons ever.
On his way back, he had to pull over for a minute since he had almost forgotten to tell Pepper he was leaving New York again. His schedule had always been quite chaotic and he would often forget about informing people around him of those small pieces of information. Pepper was no stranger to his erratic communication habits. She was used to hearing from him at all hours of the day and night.
It wasn’t that late for once and fortunately, she was still awake when he dialled her number. As the phone rang, Tony half-expected a hint of reproach in her answer. To his relief, Pepper’s response was quite the opposite. She seemed pleased with what he had just done and where he was going now. In that moment, Tony felt a surge of gratitude for the support of his friends, especially as he was beginning this new chapter of his life.
"Mr. Stark! You're back!" Peter's exuberant shout greeted Tony as soon as he saw him in the café, his enthusiasm echoing through the air.
"Peter!" came simultaneous hisses from Harley and Laura, their synchronised disapproval cutting through the moment.
"What?" Peter responded, utterly clueless to the shared expression of dismay of his friends.
The unmistakable ring of “Mr Stark” from Peter’s lips reverberated in Tony’s ears, causing his mind to start racing at an incredible speed. The kid, as it turned out, was unable to keep a secret for long. Tony couldn’t help wondering about the implications of their apparent knowledge. When had they discovered the truth? This has to be a recent discovery. Would it make a difference with Logan? Naturally, it would.
The Stark name, and everything that came with it, had a tendency to sway the delicate balance of any relationship, and Logan was no exception. Tony was always prepared to extend a helping hand to anybody who deserved it. Money was not an issue. People expecting it from him on the other hand was a problem.
Tony’s thoughts took a darker tone. He knew from past and recent betrayals that people often wanted him for his fame and fortune. Tony hated himself for thinking this way. It was a cynical reaction at this point. He had wholeheartedly trusted Steve, but the artist had taken advantage of him. The wounds were too fresh. What if Logan knew who he was from day one? What if, like Steve, he had his own agenda?
Trusting people had never been something that came easily for Tony. His father had taught him not to believe in strangers’ sweet words, but Tony never really learned. He wanted to be loved more than anything. He had met good people along the way but they were too few and far between to build his confidence in humanity. And yet, Steve was the recent proof of his need to find someone who would love him simply for himself.
"I don't know what's going on in that pretty head of yours, but it doesn't change anything. I have no intention to use you for your money or whatever," Logan assured Tony, breaking through the dark thoughts that were pulling him down once more.
"I wasn't thinking…" Tony began to respond.
"It's okay, Tony. You're allowed to be wary of those things. I'll have to prove myself to you," Logan interjected, his smile radiating confidence.
Logan was trying to reassure Tony, and Peter, sensing the tension, was attempting to apologise in his endearing awkward manner. The young boy felt the weight of having unintentionally revealed a secret not his own, and he thought he had betrayed the adult’s trust. His little depressed figure would have softened even the strongest heart, and it wasn’t really his fault. Things were going faster than what Tony had been ready for but that didn’t mean they were bad.
"You didn't do anything wrong, Peter. I should have been honest from the start. It's not always easy being Tony Stark," Tony admitted, a weight lifted from his shoulders.
"It doesn't matter if you're Tony Stark or someone else. We just want to build rockets, learn about science, eat together, and..." Peter trailed off, expressing the simplicity of the things the children wanted from Tony.
"Hey guys, I like it too. So if you'll have me, we can carry on doing just that," Tony responded with a reassuring smile.
While Peter was happy enough with that answer, Harley and Laura were not convinced. Tony felt terrible about disappointing the kids with that little white lie. He hadn't intended to hurt anyone, especially those who had become an integral part of his life.
"So you're going to leave again to go back to your life in New York or Malibu and forget about us?" Harley was always the one to tell it how it was.
Once, Tony had asked Harley about his dad. The boy had made it clear that his old man had left his family without a look back. The genius never believed he was significant enough in the kids’ life for his absence to be an issue. Children had an exceptional ability to form attachments quickly. Tony was no longer going to lie to himself. He adored those kids to pieces.
“I wanted to look for a place around here cause I love Miss Florence’s house, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t know how much more I can take off the flowery wallpapers…”
Harley nodded sharply at him. Tony could almost see the boy's little smile tugging at his lips. Everything would be OK. Laura was the only one who was a little unsure. She was highly protective of her father and most probably worried about the relationship with Tony and the genius wasn’t sure what to tell her to make her understand. Perhaps he would have to prove himself as well.
The next few days were busy with looking for a place for Tony to call his own. Miss Florence was saddened to see him leave, but she understood. Tony was never meant to be in her house indefinitely. It just so happened that the garage he was already renting could be purchased. And, of course, there was a flat above. Most shops seemed to be built that way. The two-bedroom flat, with a nice kitchen area and plenty of natural light was just what he needed.
All the habitants of the small town had always known his true identity. Tony was famous enough to appear on television on a regular basis. Being a little town didn't mean they were completely disconnected from what was going on in the rest of the world. They were a considerate and respectful bunch who understood the need for privacy. So be it if Tony Stark decided to pretend to be Tony Carbonel.
That way of thinking was new for the genius. He was used to the tabloids and the journalists following him around. Tony just hoped that his presence would never break the peace and quiet he had found there.
"That one!" Peter declared.
"Not everything has to be NASA blue, you know," Harley said, rolling his eyes.
“I just like blue. It’s a nice colour,” Peter pouted.
The kids had insisted on helping Tony set up his new home. They had to buy almost everything, from bed frames to plates. Tony had rented a truck, but considering it might not be enough, Logan decided to go with them with his own car. Tony felt a little bad for removing the man from his diner, but Logan was having none of it. Laura was excited about the trip to the big city and wanted to turn it into a day of exploring, complete with visits to restaurants and ice cream shops. To be fair, they would probably need the entire day anyhow. It was a win-win situation for everyone.
“Let’s make it fun! Pick a colour each, so when you come around, each of you has your own!”
Tony couldn't care less if his plates and bowls were all different shapes and sizes. Everyone was aware that he practically lived at the café. He didn’t really care anyway. A plate was a plate no matter what colour it was, and the kids loved the idea. He was growing into a big sap, but he didn’t mind.
"Dad!" Laura exclaimed eagerly, "You've got to choose your colour too!"
Tony felt a flush of embarrassment at the suggestion. It suddenly felt very intimate, like something a couple, perhaps newlyweds, would do. Logan gave him a questioning look, seeking unspoken approval. Tony nodded, trying not to betray how pleased he was at the idea. Once Logan made his choice, which was plain white with a line of black on the rim, Tony took another of the same style for himself.
Both grown ups were blushing but also smiling brightly. It was the small details that truly mattered.