5
“What’s wrong with you?”
Tony scowled and shook his head as he walked gingerly over to his desk, nodding a greeting to Pepper as he sat carefully in his chair.
“Nothing.”
His CEO smiled, knowing that whatever it was, it couldn’t be that serious. Tony looked sore and stiff, but he wasn’t carrying any signs – that she could see – of being hurt in some kind of altercation. If he hadn’t been in a fight with someone, then it probably wasn’t an Avenger assignment gone wrong kind of thing.
“Are you going to be up for our meeting?”
He hesitated. If he told her no, then he could get out of the meeting, and he didn’t really want to be in the meeting if he could avoid it. But if he said no, then he knew that she might push back, just a little, and ask him why he was too sore to be in the meeting, and that would mean admitting, eventually, to why he was sore. Tony didn’t really want to do that.
“Yes. I’ll be there.”
Pepper smiled, again.
“Good.” Having been given the answer that she wanted, she turned her attention – and the conversation – to other, more personal topics. “How’s Peter? Has he exhibited any new abilities?”
Pepper was aware of Peter’s newfound talents. She had to know, because she needed to know why Tony was so preoccupied with Peter, recently. Beyond the fact that he was Peter’s daddy and the boy had been sick from the bite, obviously. With Peter’s permission, Tony and he had pulled Pepper aside and told her what they’d learned about Peter’s sickness – and then what had happened, after. She’d been as amazed as everyone else who knew.
“No. Still walks up walls. Still super strong, over sensitive to pretty much everything – including the cold, it turns out – sees pretty well in the dark and quick reflexes. Same old, same old.”
It made her chuckle.
“That must be making things pretty interesting…”
“You don’t know the half of it.”
No one did – and no one would, if Tony had his way. Peter was still learning how to control his newfound strength and it was carrying over to their sex life. In deference to his sickness and any potential undiscovered issues with his health, Tony hadn’t done too much more than cuddle and love his baby, tenderly. The evening before, Tony had been eager – and Peter had matched his ardor – and in his building excitement, Tony’s baby had arched against Tony’s embrace and tossed him off the bed and across the room.
The boy had been mortified – and terrified that he’d hurt Tony. And he had, of course. But not so badly that Stark hadn’t been quick to comfort and reassure. He held his baby, crooning assurances as they sat on the floor. Once Peter was sure he wasn’t injured beyond a few painful bumps and bruises – and a bit of a carpet burn in a most uncomfortable area – Tony had brought the boy to his feet and had taken him back to their bed. Their loving had been satisfying, but with an understandable undertone of caution. Peter was inhibited, now. Tony had smiled, though, in the dark, as he held his baby, and had assured him that they’d figure it out. His baby was amazing – he'd always known that right from the first day they’d met – and more incredible, now. He was (of course) worth the effort of figuring out how to make sure they could still love as easily and with as much abandonment as they had before the spider bite.
“Is he alright?”
“He’s fine, Pep. Thanks.”
“Is he still going to be your baby?” she asked, raising an eyebrow, slightly.
Tony frowned.
“Of course. Why wouldn’t he?”
Pepper shrugged.
“He doesn’t really need you to support him, now, does he?” she asked. “With what he can do, even if he doesn’t decide to join the avengers, he could probably make decent money playing some professional sport – or doing tricks at the circus or something…”
Rather than be annoyed (or worried) Stark smiled. She was right, of course. He leaned back in his chair.
“He’s never needed a daddy,” Tony told her. “Not for financial support, anyway. Even when he lived in Seattle – before I met him – he was holding his own. Paying his bills and eating regularly. Now that he’s graduating? With his brains, he could work anywhere and command huge salaries.” Obviously the billionaire was proud of him. “He doesn’t want that, though,” Tony said, knowing it was true. He and Peter had discussed it more than once – especially recently. “He’s going to do some undergraduate work, stay with me, learn how to mesh his talents with the avengers’ needs.”
“Doctor Parker?” she asked, smiling. “Billionaire scientist genius…?”
“Why not? He can get rich, and then I’ll retire, and he can be my sugar daddy.”
Pepper snorted, amused.
“I have things to do. Don’t forget about our meeting.”
“Right.” He watched her leave, closing the door behind her. “FRIDAY? Call Peter.”
Yes, he’d seen the boy only a couple of hours before, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t call him, right? To see what he was doing. Or if he needed anything. That’s what a daddy did, after all.
A moment later Peter was answering, looking surprised by the call but cheerful, as well – telling Tony without words that he’d been right to call him.
“Hi, daddy.”
Ugh. Tony thought his heart would just pop out of his chest at the greeting – and those wonderful eyes that looked so pleased at something that was as minor as a surprise call in the middle of the morning.
“Hi, baby. What are you doing?”
“Deciding what to make for lunch. What are you doing?”
They’d eaten right before Tony had left for his office, but another side effect of those new abilities of Peter’s was that the kid ate more. A lot more.
“Getting ready for a meeting. Do you need anything?”
Peter shook his head.
“What could I possibly need?” he asked. “I have everything.”
Another soft smile from the billionaire. Stupid, adorable baby; making Tony feel all mushy inside. He couldn’t go into the meeting, right away, not when he knew without looking in the mirror that there was a goofy expression on his face. One that no one but Peter could ever be allowed to see.
“I love you, baby.”
“I love you, too, daddy.”