Cries And laughs
“What do you mean you can’t make it?! I’m paying you extra to MAKE IT! A family member died? Oh.. I'm Sorry to hear that.. It was… a GOLDFISH!? YOU CAN’T MAKE IT BECAUSE YOUR GOLDFISH DROWNED!?” it was around 8 in the morning.. And Tony was yelling at his phone. “God knew it wasn’t a good idea to work with 10 year olds.” he mumbled hanging up the phone. “Maybe I can try calling that orphanage again, maybe that Ella girl would be willing to help.” he thought, dialling the number to the orphanage. The one he had gotten Peter out of..
Ella was one of the girls who lived there, she had taken care of Peter with her sister when they were together, at least tried to that is. Now-a-days she tries to visit Peter as much as Tony would allow them to, they’ve set up little playdates and such for Peter and the girls as well.
“Sorry Mr. stark… Emmaline has skating, Ballet, and soccer practice today, and I have my tutor classes today along with dance practice art classes and the Drama club, and we have girl scouts later… plus it’s our week to look after the twins.” The girl answered sadly, “Oh.. well, it’s okay. Thanks for helping out kiddo. Bye..” Tony replied, hanging up. ‘Shit, shit, shitt. Who do I call now???’ he thought, rubbing his temple, placing it down on the counter. ‘I got it!’ quickly grabbing his phone again to dial one last number, (or a few) hoping they’d be up for the job.
★♡★♡★♡★♡
“Daddy.. Where are you going…?” It hadn’t taken Peter long to start calling Tony dad, seeing as he was the only parental figure in Peter’s life.
“Peter hey kiddo.. Okay so, i have a meeting today… and you can’t come this time.” Tony said, kneeling down to face the kid, who had just woken up “But why not???” Peter asked gripping Benjamin, his little stuffed bunny. Tony had asked him once why he didn’t just name the bunny Peter after Peter Rabbit, Peter had only smiled saying ‘because he’s a rabbit! Plus he’s really brave and cool, my bunny is a little scared..he’s still a bunny, He’s gonna become big and strong someday! I’m just waiting for that day.” leaving the older man to go play with his other toys.
“Kiddo, I’m gonna be very busy today. I have to go be Ironman and save some people too. But hey! I have some people coming over to look after you!” he had answered, picking him up. *Ding!* “and it sounds like they're heree~” He had said, spinning Peter in his arms all the way to the elevator.
As the door opened Peter let out a little gasp seeing who had come to take care of him, “it's Captain America!!!” Peter squealed, seeing the soldier. “Here you take him,” Tony said, handing Peter over to the man. “Nice to see you again Peter! How have you been? How are your ouchies?” Steve asks, ruffling Peter's hair. Peter only looks back at Steve, and replied with “They aren’t ouchies! I’m a big boy now!” pouting.
“You knew about his situation?” Tony looks at Steve, a little taken aback by the information. “No… I didn’t. I had met Peter at a foster home around a year back, I guess you could say it was community work, anyways. I found him crying in one of the rooms, and asked him what happened, he kept shaking and stuttering, but in the end he just told me he was going to come see me but ran into the door and got sad. But seriously, how is he doing?” Steve had replied quietly, shifting his gaze from Peter to Tony. “Uhh, well.. The doctor said that he had bruises all over his stomach and abdomen, a small concussion he may have gotten from a few months ago, and cuts all over his body.. And yea.. That’s about all he told us” the man said, reaching over to place his hand on Peter’s face, who slowly drifted to sleep, trying his hardest to stay awake.
“Where are the other’s by the way? I thought you were all coming together?” Tony said, changing the topic quickly, showing his hands in his pockets. “Huh? Uh- Oh! Yea, they said that they’d come in the bit. Because they didn’t want to be third wheels? not sure what they meant.” Steve said, clearing his throat.
“But don't worry about them! You go, I’ll take care of this little guy” He had said, smiling softly at Tony. “ughhhh! For the last time ! I’m a big boy! Gosh I see what everyone means by how dense you too are of each other” Peter yelled, throwing his hands up in frustration. “Haha. but anyways, I’m off then. I’ll see you later kiddo be good.” Tony laughed dryly, kissing Peter’s head. “And you.” he said pointing at Steve, “Be careful.. And Gentle.” to be returned with a nod, “okay then. Oh! I'm late! Bye Peter Love you, Bye Steve, tell the others I said hi!” He quickly rushed kissing Peter’s head one more time, and then Steve’s (ayo?), quickly rushing out the door and down the elevator.
“Bye Daddy..” Peter yawned, waving at the elevator, quickly turning his head then to face Steve’s “so.. Mr. Steve, Daddy calls you Steve. Can I call you Steve too? Or should I also call you Daddy?” Peter asks the older male, breaking him out of his daze, “huh? Oh! No kiddo, Steve is just fine. I’m sure you only want one Daddy too.” He replied, Patting Peter's head once again. “Why can’t I have two daddies? I think you and Daddy would make nice daddies.” Peter asked, tilting his head, only to smile the next second.
“That's a talk for another day Pete, how about we head to bed? It’s 5 am and you look like you’re about to fall” He laughed softly, taking Peter with him to Tony’s room, “wait!” the young child had shouted quickly “I.. don’t wanna sleep..” Peter squeaked out softly, fiddling with his hands. Steve could only smile at the boy, understanding what he meant. “It’s okay to be scared Peter… Here, how about I lay in bed with you?” he said softly, walking to the bed.
Peter could only nod to his words. Once Steve had tucked Peter in he got in himself, letting the boy come close to him, hug him tight. And slowly, drift off to sleep.
Peter had held him close throughout the entire night.- Or should I say morning?
★♡★♡★♡★♡
“Sorry we’re late! Thought we’d let you two have your moment first~” a voice rang from outside the room, “Yea, it gets sorta awkward having to third wheel without you two even knowing it-” another one had said. Slowly as silence filled the room, “Hello..? Anyone here?” It was the third one this time. Not finding anyone in the large area they both decided to look around.
No one in the living room, no one in the kitchen, the guest bedrooms, the rooms for the avengers, they had even checked Steve's room to see if he was there. But no, no one was here at all. But finally, they had checked over in Tony's room, to be met with a scene that filled your life with eternal happiness. There lay Steve fast asleep holding a young boy close to his chest in his arms, who they expect to be Peter, lay there facing Steve, Holding only his shirt, trying to keep him as close to Peter as possible.
“Well.. I guess I'll get started on their brunch. They’re gonna be in for a while, and I know it.” the third one had spoken up, leaving the room for the boys to sleep. “Alright bet $80 that..” the first one spoke up, taking a quick glance at his watch, which read ‘6:15’ “Steve won’t make up at 7!” he continued. “Fine, I guess I'm in. how about you?” the third replied, nodding towards the second man there, who simply nodded smiling.
It was around 11:45 am when Steve had walked out the room with an up and ready Peter in his arms, face fashed, clothes changed, “About time, I didn’t think you guys would make it, and that I’d have to take care of Peter alone.” Steve had simply put, chuckling a little. “Yea well, sorry for not wanting to have to deal with you and Tony flirting without even knowing it.” the first one grumbled.
“Ok first! We don’t flirt! He’s just a friend, and second! If I did flirt I'm sure I'd know about it.” Steve pointed out, holding out a finger, earning a giggle from Peter. He then walked over to the third and second one that had arrived. “Peter, I’d like you to meet my friends” Steve said, which made Peter turn his head in curiosity, and a loud *gasp “Meet Bucky, my best friend, and-” he had started only to be cut off- “I know you! You made those books about sciency stuff and gammas and thingies!” Peter squealed, pointing at Bruce in awe.
Bruce was a little taken aback that a kid knew about his books, more than the big green guy in him. “Wait- you read my books???” Bruce quickly asked, mouth open. Peter could only shrug at his question “I was bored, so I asked Mrs. Carson if i could go outside so she threw a book at me.. I just read that book” Peter replied, smiling at the gentlemen in front of him. “Peter, why did she… throw the book at you.?” Bucky had asked, wondering why anyone would do that to such an innocent kid.
Peter had started to fiddle around with his hand, and looked down in shame. “I.. I was hurt. I broke a plate when I was setting the table.. Mr. Carson got mad.. And.. I- Mrs. Carson said that if I went outside looking like that, nobody will take me ever again.” he had said quietly, but quietly enough for only them to hear.
The boys had sad looks in their eyes, knowing Peter had to go through something like that. Steve only brought Peter closer to him, patting his head softly, and gave him a kiss on his head. They stood like that for 3 minutes, in a comfortable silence. “Is anyone gonna help me out with your brunch or no!?” the first voice yelled angrily, throwing his hands in the air. “What's wrong with him??” Steve asked, pointing to the guy. “He’s just mad because he lost a bet and he and Bruce owe me $80 each, speaking of owe me, I think I'll get that other $50 now Clint!” Bucky smirked, walking over to Clint, who handed him another $50, mumbling about how they’re gonna rob him clean of his money.
“What did you bet on?” Steve asked curiously, “Oh you know, at first it was that you’d wake up late, Clint bet you’d wake up at 7, I bet you’d wake up at 10, and Bucky said you’d wake up at 11, which he wasn’t wrong about.” Bruce replied, earning an ‘ahhhh’ from Steve.
“Wait, so what was the other thing they bet on?” he asked, confused. “Oh, well. Bucky said that once you woke up, you would probably go on about how long it took us to get here, and that you don’t flirt with Tony and are just friends. Clint said you wouldn’t even ask.” he had replied once again.
“You bet on me and Tony!?” Steve yelled, flabbergasted. Peter could only giggle at that. “Yea, yea whatever. Now get over here and help me set the table.” Clint threw back, still grumbling. Steve had set Peter down by the table to go help, Peter had also then quickly rushed over to help them with the dishes. Grabbing two plates as he rushed over to the table again, but he was way too small to reach the top of the table.
That was until he had felt himself being lifted off the ground to be able to set the plates. He looks back to see who it was who helped him up, to be met with Burce once again, smiling softly at peter. At the set Peter down, the boy had quickly hugged Bruce's legs before running off again to help.
★♡★♡★♡★♡
It was now 3 Pm, Steve, Peter, Clint, Bruce, and Bucky were now on their way to the park a few blocks down from the building. Once they had gotten there, Clint went over with Peter to help him make friends, while Bruce had set up a sheet on the ground for them to sit on later.
Half an hour had passed, Peter was now playing manhunt with Clint, Steve, and Bucky. Him being the fastest for the one with the smallest legs was very shocking, but nonetheless Peter had a lot of fun, finally having people to play with.
“God he’s fast, I- can’t keep- going much- longer.” Bucky had panted, taking a moment to catch his breath with the other two, “I’m sure, we’ll get him sooner or later. I’m not about to lose to a 5 year old. But… I think i need a break first” Clint had replied, through short breaths, going to sit down with Bruce, under the tree shade, followed by Bucky and soon after Steve, who had had just told Peter they were going to sit for a moment.
“God, I don’t know how Tony had put up with this for a week before finally calling us..” Clint had mumbled, looking at the kid in awe. “Well, seeing the way the kids are coming along I think Tony is doing just fine.” Steve smiled softly at Peter, balancing on the frame of the park. “Yea and that's obviously what you’d say, you're practically falling head over heels for the man.” Clint threw back at Steve, who’s face only reddened before he yelled, “what! Hey- I'm not ‘Head over heels in love’ with Tony-” turning his face the other way.
The two had gone on for about 25 minutes talking about how ‘Steve is a stupid romantic who'd do anything for Tony’ and Steve replying with ‘no, I'm not. It's anyone. It’s Bucky and Sam!’ only to then get yelled at by how they know that, and he’s just dumb. That was, until they had heard a yell come from the park. As they all quickly turned their heads, they all saw Peter, crying on the ground, with bloody knees, and a small boy towering over him.
Steve had quickly rushed over, picking up the fragile boy, trying to sooth him. Before he quickly turned his head to look at the boy, who had turned pale in the presence of ‘the’ captain america. “No way.. Monster Parker knows Captain America.. Come on, let's get out of here.” another kid in the back said, right before running away with everyone else.
The hero had then taken the small boy over to where the rest were, still holding onto Peter while sitting, careful to not hurt him. “Hey, Pete.. what happened? Do you know those kids?” Steve had spoken up through the silence, only to earn more sobs and sniffles from the boy, who was now digging his head into the man’s shirt. Steve had tried to calm Peter down a little by hushing him, patting his back and rocking him a little. Thankfully it had worked, and the boy now calmed down, still letting out a few sniffles and whimpers here and there.
“I know what will help!” Bruce had quickly said, earning a look from everyone as he shuffled through his bag. “Tadaa!” he let out in an ‘exciting’ sorta tone. Peter's eyes had lit up a little, Clint had started laughing, and Bucky could only slap himself on the head. Bruce was holding bandaids. More precisely, Avengers Band Aids. “what? If you’re gonna send me to Babysit, I gotta be prepared.” Bruce just shrugged.
“Can I have the ironman one?” Peter asked shyly, getting a smile from Bruce who started digging around for those exact bandaids. “Oh.. sorry kiddo, seems I only have one Ironman band aid-” Bruce had replied, holding out the one band aid. “Oh. That's okay! Can I have a Captain America one then?” Peter asked, picking at the hem of his shirt. “Sure kiddo” He laughed, as he began to put the band aids on Peter.
“I think that was enough park for one day, can we go home now?” suggested, looking up at Steve with the world's most adorable eyes. “Sure kiddo, let's go home.” he smiled, as they got up, said their goodbyes for the others, and headed home.
★♡★♡★♡★♡
“I’m back ! Sorry I’m so late.” it was 10 pm and Tony had finally arrived home, placing his stuff down. Unable to find anyone he decided to look around, bedroom? No, laundry? No, kitchen? No, dining room? No, at this point Tony was starting to get worried they weren’t hom. That was… until he had checked the living room.
There layed a tired look Steve, with a small boy in his arms, who cuddled up close to Steve, also sound asleep. Tony had of course thought they must have had a long day, not wanting to disturb them, he had only gone to put a blanket over them. As he tried to walk away, he felt someone grab his arm and pull him down. Once he had opened his eyes, he saw Steve’s face in front of him, and a small boy now curled up close to him. (if you don’t get it, I mean, Steve is on the right side of the Sofa, Peter in the middle, and Tony on the left side.)
Tony could only smile, before sleep had taken over him too.
They slept peacefully throughout the entire night. ♡