And Then There Is You

Tony sits on the pool chair watching his son come out of his shell more and more. 

After May died, Tony was afraid that he was never going to see Peter smile again. But he made it his mission to make the boy smile at least once a day. Then that turned into two times a day, then three, then four… 

And now, although Tony knows Peter isn’t fully healed, because Tony knows he never would be, at least to the extent that he was before May had died, he’s so happy to see that Peter is laughing and smiling. Tony always wants to see him this happy. 

But they still have some bad days, which is to be expected. 

He watches Peter walk down the steps into the pool, going up to his waist then Tony’s mother scoops him up, walking around the pool and holding onto him while nuzzling her face into Peter’s neck. He loves how comfortable they are with each other already, showing Tony that he made a really good decision to take his son here. 

Tony watches on. She was a good mother to him. But she always agreed with Howard, only giving him comfort when he was a young child who was crying in his bedroom after being yelled at by his father. 

Tony knew she wanted more children, always had, but Howard didn’t and so she listened to him, following him as always. Tony didn’t know about it at the time to feel bad but now, watching her with Peter, Tony smiles but it’s bittersweet. His mother deserves better. He wishes he knew at the time, he wouldn’t have treated her so badly as a child but he can’t change the past. 

He’s just grateful that he gets to give his mother a grandchild and his son a grandmother. 

Tony stands up and walks closer to the edge, squatting down just by it. “I’m glad to see you two having so much fun.” 

Maria kisses Peter’s cheeks, dipping him into the water before lifting him back up. “He’s mine now, Antonio. Thank you for bringing him to Italy. You can go home now.” 

“Ha ha, mom, but he’s all mine. Nice try.” 

Maria walks Peter to the stairs so he can stand up, then she sits down next to him, pushing his curls off his face. “You’re so handsome. Such a good looking little face. You’re going to get all the girls when you’re older.” 

Tony stands up to walk onto the first step of the pool. “I agree with that. But not yet. Stay my little boy for a bit longer.” 

Peter sits up on his knees to rest his chin on his dad’s knee, soaking his pants. “If you say so.” 

Sitting there and looking at his face, Tony wonders how he got so lucky to end up with such a beautiful boy. “I love you. And I hate to end the fun, but you need to get to bed. It’s getting late.” 

“But we’re six hours behind. So technically it’s only like 4pm for us.” 

Tony smiles weakly. Now the excuses are going to start. 

“Technically you’re right. But we have also been up since 5am and you didn’t sleep at all on the plane. So it’s time for bed. Come out.” 

Peter moves down a step, away from Tony. “It’s fine, dad, I’m not even tired.” 

“Buddy, we have two weeks to go swimming. Come out.” Peter shakes his head. “I’ll show you my old bedroom.” 

“Where are you sleeping?” 

Tony holds his hand out for him. “Let’s go pick a room. There’s about ten empty bedrooms in this house.” 

Peter looks up at the house, sinking down into the water, just enough that his mouth is out of the water. “That’s kinda scary, dad.” 

“Pete. Come out.” Peter shakes his head again so Tony stands up and grabs two towels, holding one out. “Mom, can you bring him closer?” 

Maria hesitates but gently grabs Peter by the underarms and brings him close enough to Tony for him to lift him out of the water and wrap him in a towel, lifting him into his arms and kissing his cheek. 

“I’m not tired, dad.” Peter insists. 

Tony hands his mom a towel and walks into the house. “Mmhmm. We’ll see about that. I want to show you my bedroom after we get ready for bed.” 

Maria follows them upstairs but stops at the top. The hallway split off into three different directions but she’s going the other way. “I’ll come say goodnight to you guys soon. I’m glad you’re here, Antonio and Peter. See you soon.” 

“Ci vediamo presto.” Tony walks in the other direction than his mom, heading towards one of the many spare bedrooms but it has the best bathroom so they will take that one. 

“What did you say to her in your language?” 

“I said that I’ll see her soon.” Tony pushes open the door and turns the light on, shutting the door behind them. Their suitcases are already in there and Tony knows it was because his parents knew he would take that bedroom. 

He sat Peter on his feet and opens the window, admiring the view. “Come see this.” 

“What?” 

“Come here.” 

Walking over, Peter sits up on his knees on the window bench and looks out. “I can see the ocean. I didn’t even see it from the backyard.” 

“That’s because all the trees blocked it. Isn’t it beautiful?” 

“Yeah. It’s really beautiful.” 

Tony’s looking at Peter now. “I’m glad I get to show this to you.” 

“Yeah. It’s a beautiful view.” 

“Yeah… but I mean this. My home. Italy. My parents. I’m glad I get to show it to my son.” 

Peter turns to look at him briefly, his chocolate brown eyes full of so much admiration, then he throws his arms around his dad’s neck, hugging tightly. “I love you, dad.” 

“I love you so much, Peter.” He pats his back and pulls away. “Now, you go shower and brush your teeth and I’ll get your pyjamas out.” 

Slowly, Peter pulls away and heads into the bathroom. Once Tony hears the shower water turn on, he zips open the suitcase and pulls out his pyjamas, Peter’s and their toothbrushes. 

Tony places the toothbrushes on the counter and waits for Peter in the bedroom where he appears wrapped in a towel ten minutes later. “How was your shower?” 

Peter walks over to the edge of the bed where Tony is sitting and shrugs. “Good. Just like the one at home. Although this one had a bigger window.” 

Tony smiles and picks up his pyjamas with a nighttime pull-up sitting on top. He sees Peter look down and spot it then take a step back so Tony reaches a hand out to stop him from going anywhere. 

The daily nightmare struggles are happening once again. “Buddy-” 

“Dad. I don’t need to wear one tonight. I’m not going to pee the bed tonight, dad.” 

Tony sighs and pulls Peter closer. “Peter. You don’t know that. And if you don’t, then that’s great. But if you do, it’ll be fine because you can just take this off in the morning and there’ll be no messes.” 

Peter shakes his head. “Please. Not here. I-I don’t need it.” 

“Peter. I’m sorry. But there’s no mattress protector on the beds here.” He cups Peter’s face. “Just put it on. You can put your pyjama pants over it and no one has to know but you and I.” 

Peter groans. “This is stupid. I’m so stupid.” 

“Hey. You’re not stupid. It’s a totally normal body reaction to everything that’s happened to you. You’ll grow out of it when you start puberty or maybe even before.” 

“Or maybe when I stop having nightmares every night.” 

Tony sighs. He knows a part of the reason why Peter refuses to sleep was because of the nightmares. “Is it every night? You told me it was only some nights?” 

Peter shrugs. “It’s… sometimes I guess. Some nights. Not-not every night.” 

“Okay. Can you tell me when it happens so we can tell your therapist? Please.” 

“Yeah… okay.” He shrugs, looking anywhere but his father. 

Tony kisses his forehead. “Do you want help or do you want to put it on by yourself?” He asks, opening up the pull-up and holding it between Peres and himself. 

Peter shrugs. “I don’t care… maybe… help…” 

Tony gives him a reassuring smile and squeezes his hand then takes his towel and the pull-up, holding it open for Peter to step into. He then pulled it up on his slim frame and handed Peter his shirt to put on first followed by his pants. 

It’s hot and the air conditioning only works on the main level so Tony knows both clothing items would be coming off tonight but hopefully by then Peter wouldn’t care so much. Tony was sweating just sitting there but he also missed the heat. 

He pats Peter on the head and stands up, taking his pyjamas into the bathroom. “I’m going to shower now. Stay here and I’ll be out soon.” 

“Dad?” 

“Yeah?” 

“Am… am-am I gina sleep with you tonight?” 

“Do you want to?” 

“Y-yes. I mean… yeah.” 

Tony crosses the distance between them and braces Peter’s face in his hands. “Peter. You don’t ever have to be ashamed of wanting to sleep with me. I don’t care. I’m not going to judge you. Plus I like sleeping with you.” 

“You do?” 

“Yeah. Wanna know something?” 

“What?” 

“I always sleep better when you’re in my bed.” He caresses his cheek and goes into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him. 

While Tony is showering, Peter doesn’t know what to do with himself. He doesn’t have his phone and he doesn’t know where Tony’s phone is so he lays down in the middle of the bed and watches the ceiling fan spin around until there is a gentle knock at the door. 

He sits up immediately. “Um… come in.” 

It’s just Maria. 

“Hi, honey. Where’s your dad?” 

“Um… he-he’s in the shower.” 

Maria sits down on the bed and rubs his leg. “I’m really glad you’re here. I was so excited to meet you, my only grandbaby. Mmm.” She gently pinches Peter’s cheek, causing him to squirm and sit up more. 

“Yeah. I'm glad to be here too. My dad showed me pictures of you. But you’re taller than I thought.” 

Maria laughes. “Ohh, am I? Well, you’ve definitely got that Stark charm, don’t you?” 

Tony walks out at that moment, not totally surprised to find his mother here. “You’re still here.” He said to Peter. “I thought your grandma would have stolen you by now.” 

“I haven’t gotten there yet, Antonio.” 

Tony laughs and joins them on the bed, sitting down on Peter’s other side and pulling Peter into his arms when the boy crawls over to him. 

He pulls down his shirt to cover the pull-up but he knows his mom already saw it, judging by the knowing look on her face. He kisses Peter’s cheek. “I’m going to go get some warm milk. Can you wait here?” 

“I can come.” 

“No. Keep the bed warm. I’ll be two minutes.” 

“Mmm fine. Be quick.” 

Tony pulls the blankets back and leaves the room, not saying anything to his mom until they reach the stairs. 

“So does he sleep with you every night? Or just because he’s in a new place?” 

“Every night. Basically. At least he always ends up in my bed but it mostly doesn’t start out that way.” They reach the bottom of the stairs and Tony turns to face his mom. “If I don’t fall asleep in his bed first while I try to get him to fall asleep.” 

“Is it that bad?” 

“A cup of warm milk helps. Sometimes.” 

“I saw the pull-up, Antonio. Don’t you think that so much liquid before bed is the reason he wets the bed?” 

Tony sighs. She doesn’t know anything. It isn’t her fault but it’s so much more complicated than that. “Mom. He’ll wet the bed whether he has milk or not. He wet the bed every now and then since he was a little boy. But after his aunt died, it started happening every night. He’s embarrassed by it so can you not mention it? At least not in front of him.” 

“Did you tell his doctor?” 

“Mom. He’s fine. It’s childhood trauma. He’s literally lost everyone. But me.” 

Tony opens up the fridge to pour some milk into a cup then puts it in the microwave. 

“If Peter’s drinking that, it’s not healthy.” 

“Milk?” 

“No. Heating it up in the microwave.” His mother grabs a bowl from the cabinet and fills it with tap water then puts that in the microwave. “Have you been doing this the whole time?” 

“No. Usually I heat it up on the stove top but I told him I wouldn’t be long.” He takes the bowl out of the microwave and places the cup of milk in it to heat it up.

His mom rubs a loving hand up and down his arm. “Antonio, you’re doing a really good job with him. I can see that you’re really tired. But I’ve also never seen you happier.” 

“I didn’t think I could love someone this much. He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me, mom. I’m just afraid that I’m not good enough for him.” He admits, feeling safe enough to do so with his mother. “He hates that I’m Iron Man.” And I hate that he’s Spider-Man. 

“That makes two of us.” 

Tony hums, taking the milk out and feeling that it is hot enough. “He’s a good kid. He doesn’t deserve everything that’s happened to him.” 

Maria only knows some of it. Tony’s briefly told her but he knows she will be having more questions soon. “Does he ever talk about his parents? His biological father?” 

Tony hates how he felt jealousy wash over him upon hearing about Peter’s father. The man was dead and had been for most of Peter’s life so Tony doesn’t know why the thought of the man makes him feel so intimidated. Maybe because he knows Peter would leave him for his real father if the impossible chance ever happened. 

“No, mom. He doesn’t remember them. He was only three years old when they died.” 

“How did they die again?” 

Tony stops at the bottom of the stairs, worried about Peter hearing them if he walks up any further. “They died in a plane crash.” 

“Wow. And his Uncle and Aunt took him in right after?” 

“He was in foster care for a few weeks after. I’m not sure how long. Then he went to live with them.” Tony explains in a rush. “Please don’t talk about this in front of him. I don’t need these questions being asked to him on this trip, mom.” 

“Alright, sweetie. I understand. Can I say goodnight to him one more time?” 

“Sure.” Tony and his mother walk back upstairs and into their bedroom, sitting on the edge of the bed and handing Peter the cup of milk that Peter takes but doesn’t drink. “Grandma is here to say goodnight to you once more.” 

Peter gives her a shy smile. “Okay. Goodnight.” 

“Goodnight, honey.” Maria gently squeezes Peter’s leg and leaves, shutting the door behind her. 

Peter immediately turns to face his dad and lays down, facing him. “Can I play on your phone?” 

“No.” 

“Please? Where is it? I’ll get it.” 

Tony gets comfortable in the bed, pushing Peter over so he actually has room. It is a massive bed yet somehow, despite how much space the beds have, Peter almost always ends up sleeping pressed up against Tony’s side although Tony doesn’t mind it. 

“No, Peter. You can play on my phone tomorrow but right now it’s time for bed.” He reaches over to shut the light off but the moon shining through their window is acting like a nightlight on. He reaches over and runs his fingers through the kids' soft curls. “Tomorrow we can drive to the market and buy some fresh fruits. The strawberries here are the best you’ll ever have.” 

Peter smiles. “Is that why you try to have them sent here? I mean to New York?” 

Tickling his side, Tony chuckles. “Exactly why. Wait until you try them after they’ve just been freshly picked.” 

Peter sits up. “Can we go now?” 

“No. We need to sleep or we won’t go at all.” 

Now Peter us getting frustrated. He throws himself onto the bed. Whining into the blankets, he kicks his legs out, almost hitting Tony in the face. 

“Peter. You’re tired and that’s why you’re acting like this.” He grabs his ankle so he doesn't get kicked in the face. “Drink your milk before it gets cold.” 

Sitting up, Peter throws the cup across the room, it hits something and both fall onto the floor with a loud thud. “I’m sorry!” 

“It’s fine. Just come lie back down.” 

Peter shakes his head, his curls bouncing in the moonlight. “Dad. I’m not tired. Believe me.” 

“I don’t believe you. I know you’re over tired and frustrated. So just try to sleep.” Tony knows if he actually puts his head down, he’ll be asleep within minutes but getting Peter to actually relax is very hard. 

He stares at him, not saying anything so Tony stares back. 

“Want a hug?” 

“No. I want you to believe me cause-cause I’m not tired.” He says even as he rubbed a fist over his eyes. 

Tony sighs. He doesn’t know what to do. Part of it is probably that they are in a new place as well. So Tony sits there for a few minutes, looking outside and hearing the ocean waves crashing into the shore in the distance then he gets an idea. 

When he was a little boy, Jarvis used to help him fall asleep this way. 

He sits up and gets out of bed, holding his arms out for Peter. “Come here.” 

“Why?” 

“I want to take you somewhere.” 

“To a new room?!” Peter asks, terrified that his father is sick of him. He grabs fistfuls of the blankets, sinking into the bed. 

“No. No, Peter. I want to show you something. Together. I’m not leaving you.” 

Peter hates surprises. “Where?” 

“Outside.” Tony pulls him to the edge of the bed and grabs onto his shirt. “Lift your arms.” 

Lifting his arms, Peter still needs to know why. “But why? Those are my pyjamas.” He falls onto his back when his dad takes his shorts off of him as well. “Oof.” Tony scoops him up, holding him at his side and leaves the bedroom, heading downstairs. “Where are we going, dad?” 

“To the ocean. When I was a little boy, Jarvis used to take me there to help me fall asleep when I had trouble.” He hoists him up higher and walks outside, heading towards the path to the beach. It is hot and sticky out so Tony is glad he took off Peter’s pyjamas. 

Laying his head on his dad’s shoulder, Peter yawns. “You couldn’t sleep?” 

“I struggled too.” Then he discovered how good alcohol makes you sleep at 19 and he will do everything in his power to make Peter not follow in his footsteps. “Jarvis helped me. We don’t live next to the beach back home, obviously, but here we do.” 

Peter yawns again, almost falling asleep with the movement of his father walking. “Yeah.” 

Tony makes it through the trees and down to the beach, walking along it to find the beach bed swing. It isn’t the same one but Tony knows a new one is there. 

Upon hearing the ocean, Peter lifts his head up. They can barely see the water since it is so dark but it is there. “Can I swim in it?” 

“Not now.” 

“Can I walk in it?” 

Tony hesitates but he can't say no. “Okay. But don’t get your pull-up wet.” 

“Why?” 

“Because it absorbs liquid, Pete.” He places him on his feet, taking Peter’s hand and walking up to their ankles in the warm ocean water. He loves hearing Peter’s giggles. “Do you like it?” 

“Yeah. Can I please go in further?” 

“Tomorrow, buddy. I promise. It’ll be a lot more fun in the daytime. Let’s get some rest.” 

“Here?” 

Tony takes his hand. “It’s a bed swing on the beach. Now if you don’t fall asleep here, I think I’m going to have to toss you in the ocean and let the mermaids have you.” He teases, kissing his head to let him know he was teasing him. 

Tony gets comfortable on the bed and pulls Peter into his arms, letting him get comfortable too. “Dad?” 

“Hmm?” 

“Do-do you think grandma will teach me how to swim in the ocean tomorrow?” 

Tony runs gentle fingers up and down his back, finding the action comforting to him too. “If you ask her, I know she will. But maybe start in the pool instead.” 

Peter hums, laying his head down and within minutes, he is out. 

.

.

.

When Tony wakes up, it is to the sun rising and considering they went to bed late, it still isn’t enough sleep for Peter so Tony uses one of the blankets to cover Peter’s eyes, making sure he can still breathe. 

He ends up falling asleep again and wakes up the next time to Peter talking to someone. 

Tony squints at the sunlight shining right on him and sits up, immediately looking at Peter. 

“Hi dad. Grandma brought us breakfast in bed. Look? French toast and a coconut. Straight from the coconut!” Peter shoves one in Tony’s face. “Try some.” 

Tony takes a sip, sitting up more. “Mm. That’s good. Good morning, mom. Did you pick this?” 

“I thought you guys left us overnight. I woke up and found the bedroom door open and empty.” She laughs, squeezing Peter’s cheeks and accidentally making him spit the coconut milk out, dripping down his chin and bare chest. “Oh. I think you should just go rinse off in the ocean, messy boy.” 

Tony ruffles his hair. “Thanks for breakfast, mom but we should go get dressed first.” 

Maria pulls Peter onto her lap, kissing his cheek. “Nonsense. You’re on vacation. No one gets dressed before breakfast.” 

Tony is hungry and the food does look good but looking at Peter’s pull-up and seeing that it was full made him get off the bed swing and hold a hand out for Peter. “We’ll be back, mom. I need to change him.” 

Peter jumps into his arms. “Carry me, dad.” 

“Alright.” He holds him on his hip, holding a hand underneath his bum. “Did you go in the ocean this morning?” 

“No. I didn’t.” 

“Okay. Just wondering because you’re fuller than usual.” He walks into the backyard, walking up to the house. 

“Cause,” Peter lays his head on his dad’s shoulder. “I woke up and usually the bathroom is right there but… it wasn’t. So I just went. Are you mad?” 

“Buddy, no. That’s my fault. I took you down to the beach.” He opens up the back door, leaving it open when he sees two cats wanting outside. “Look, Pete. Two more cats.” 

“Put me down. I want to pet them.” Once he is set on his feet, he chases the cats, managing to grab one and pick it up, carrying him onto the grass to sit down and pet him. “You’re so cute. And fluffy.” 

“Tony. Sleeping in as usual.” 

Tony rolls his eyes at his dad, not taking offense to it. “Good morning to you too, dad. We’re six hours behind you guys, remember that.” 

Howard looks over at Peter then back at Tony. “I want to take your boy on the golf cart today. Can he drive?” 

“What? No. Dad, he literally just turned thirteen last week. He doesn’t know how to drive.” Tony shouldn’t be surprised, it is how his dad treated him after all at that age, expecting him to be more grown up than he was and getting annoyed at him when he wasn’t. 

He is used to it, unfortunately, but he doesn’t want Peter to be around that. 

Tony’s father doesn’t look impressed. “I still don’t understand why you didn’t bring him here for his birthday. If it was last week, why couldn’t you have come last week.” 

Tony isn’t going to get into this. Especially with Peter sitting just a few feet from them. “Because, dad, it was his first birthday without his Aunt and my first birthday with him. He didn’t want to celebrate it so him and I spent the day doing a small celebration. That’s all he wanted.” 

Howard mumbles something and walks over to the pool chairs and sits down. “Peter? Come join me over here for a second.” 

Looking over, Peter picks one of the cats up, holding it close and goes to go see what his grandpa wants. “Yeah?” 

“Sit sit.” 

Sitting down, the cat wiggles out of his arms so he lets it go, sitting on his butt at the end of the pool chair the older man is sitting on. Tony sits down on the pool chair beside them, listening. 

Howard pays his son no mind however. “I was thinking, how about you and I go drive a golf cart? Ever driven one before?” 

Peter perks up. “Really?! No. I’ve never driven one before!” 

“Well, go get some pants and a shirt on and let’s go. I’ll wait in the car out front.” 

Peter jumps up, standing in front of his dad. “Can I go, dad? Please.” 

Tony can’t believe his father is getting Peter’s hopes up before even talking to him about this, despite their previous conversation. “Where is this place, dad? I doubt there’s such a thing as a golf cart racing rink.” 

Howard sits up, grunting. “Don’t be ridiculous. It’s just a golf course, Tony. It’s private and over 100 acres of land privately owned. I take my men out twice a week. It’s great fun.” He stood up and ruffled Peter’s hair. “Now, Peter, go put on some clothes and let’s go.” 

Peter tries to walk away but Tony is holding his hips. “Dad.” 

Reluctantly, Tony lets Peter go, watching him run inside. He sighs but walks inside right after, following him upstairs. He is okay with letting Peter go but he doesn’t appreciate his father not asking for his permission. He is Peter’s father after all, does that not mean anything to him. 

He walks into their bedroom, shutting it behind him and approaches Peter by the bed as he squats on the floor and digs through their suitcase. 

“Dad. I can’t find my favourite shorts. Where are they? Did you pack them? Or did you forget?” 

Tony spots them right away and picks them up, grabbing Peter’s wrist when he quickly snatches it from his hands. “Wait. I want to talk to you for a second.” 

Peter quickly gets a shirt on. “But grandpas waiting for me.” 

“He can wait.” Tony pulls him closer, feeling Peter pulling away. “I just want you to be safe. I’m not so sure I’m okay with you driving a golf cart. They’re still dangerous. This isn’t Mario Kart.” 

Peter rolls his eyes and begins putting on the shorts but Tony stops him, tugging on his pull-up. 

“Oh. Right. Where’s my underwear? Did you forget to pack me underwear?” 

Tony pinches the bridge of his nose, losing his patience before he grabs Peter, lifting him up and sitting him on his lap. “Just… relax for a second. I want you to listen to grandpa, but if you don’t feel comfortable or if you feel unsafe, don’t be afraid to tell him no too.” 

Peter wiggles out of his fathers lap. “Dad. Don’t worry. It’s exciting. I’m gonna be a better driver than you after today.” 

Unable to stop himself from smiling fondly, Tony ruffles his soft hair. “We’ll see about that.” He picked up a pair of underwear for him and grabs the package of wipes. “If you need help, let me know.” 

Tony waits for him to come out of the bathroom and when he does, he runs straight to Tony, so fast that he pushes them both over. Falling on top of his dad, Peter kissed his face, smiling. “Thank you for taking me here. I never want to leave.” 

Tony chuckles, feeling both happy and sad. He wishes that Peter and him can stay for longer but school is starting soon and they need to fall into a routine. 

After debating for a long time if he would homeschool him or send him to finish his last year of elementary school, Tony eventually made the decision to send him to school. The familiar routine would be good for him. 

Plus his old school was ten minutes closer to the tower than it was to Peter’s old apartment so it kinda worked out perfectly. 

Tony just kisses his forehead, sitting up. “You’re so welcome. Let’s make the best of it. You have fun today but promise me you’ll stay safe. I don’t want to get any calls that I have to meet you at the hospital.” He says, rubbing their noses together. 

Laughing, Peter wiggles out of his father’s lap. “Promise you.” With that, the two head downstairs. 

Tony walks him out front, heading to his truck to take Peter’s booster seat out. When he walks back over, he spots Peter sitting in the driver's seat, pretending to drive the pick up truck. While Tony lets Peter do that at home every so often, he doesn’t fully trust that his father wouldn’t actually let Peter drive the truck if he asks. And he will ask. 

“Look at you.” He comes over to say, putting a hand on his thigh. “Hmm… I’d say about seven more inches than you’ll be able to actually touch the petals.” 

Peter leans forward until his back is fully lying on the seat and his feet are touching the petals. “Now I am.” 

“Now you can’t see the road.” He squeezes his thigh. “Hop out. I’m going to put your car seat back here.” 

His father walks over and pats Tony on the back, moving to stand by the driver's seat. He grins. “Eager to learn to drive, I see. Like father, like son.” 

Peter grins and hops out. “Did my dad drive your car when he was my age?” 

Tony finishes securing the car seat in and crosses his arms to wait for his father’s response to that. 

“Close enough. Let’s see if you’ll be driving this by the end of your trip.” 

“Dad. He’s thirteen. He’s not driving a pickup truck.” 

Howard only laughs and pats Tony on the shoulder. “I’m only joking.” He winks and Tony rolls his eyes, not wanting to fight in front of Peter. 

“Dad? When I come back, can we go swimming?” Peter asks, leaning against Tony’s legs and looking up at him with puppy dog eyes. 

“Of course.” He picks Peter up and sits him in his car seat but Peter screams and arches his back. 

“Noo. I want to do it by myself.” He slides back out, a pout on his face and then climbs in himself, getting his seatbelt on and the smile of back on his face. “I did it.” 

Tony knows better than to question it. Peter’s mood can literally change at the drop of a hat sometimes. “Good job. Be safe. Don’t drive like a lunatic. I love you.” 

“Okay, dad. Bye. I love you too.” 

Tony shuts the door but stays in the driveway to watch them drive away. Once they're out of sight, he turns to walk inside, finding his mother standing at the door, looking at him. 

“He’s got a bit of a temper, does he?” 

Tony chuckles. “A bit? He can go from zero to one hundred in seconds.” 

She rubs his arm, taking it in hers to walk along the stoned pathway at the side of their house. “Because his Aunt died? Or was this before?” 

Tony tries to think back and he remembers clear as day. “I mean, he’s a thirteen year old boy. He’s going to have some temper. But he’s a really great kid. So well behaved, so well mannered. So kind and considerate. He has the kindest heart out of anyone I have ever come across. But if he doesn’t get his way or he hears the word no, it’s world war 3.” 

“Did he act that way with his Aunt? Before she passed on.” 

“I used to only pick Peter up from school every Monday and Wednesday. Then it went to Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. Then to every day after school. Then he started spending weekends at my house. We were still getting to know each other and although I witnessed him whining a few times over being told no or that he had to go to bed, he always listened to me eventually. Then he would go home to his Aunt and she would deal with everything else.” He explains to his mom, remembering how Peter acted when he was still so shy around him. 

“She told me how she sometimes struggles with getting Peter to do something he doesn’t want to do, but it was never that bad. I’ve only ever witnessed it once, then  May took Peter home. But… since his Aunt died, his behaviour has definitely gotten really challenging at times.” 

His mom squeezes his arm. “What have you been doing to help him?” 

“His therapist says that it’s completely normal. That him lashing out means that he feels safe and loved enough by me to do that. That it means he knows I’ll always love him for it. But it’s still hard.” 

“He’s such an adorable boy, Tony. It’s so heartbreaking that he’s been through so much. And yet he’s so happy, always smiling.” 

Tony smiles upon hearing that. “I’m so proud of him. I didn’t even know it was possible to love someone so much.” 

His mom leans up to press a kiss to his cheek. “Welcome to parenthood. Now, I want to surprise Peter with a blow up swim floaty. Help me pick one out.”