Chapter 10
It was a rare Saturday morning where Peter was actually home. Even rarer, he was sitting in the kitchen, sipping his coffee while texting on his phone. Tony sat across from him, scrolling through the news on his tablet. After Morgan was born, Tony found it impossible to sleep past 5:30, never being able to go back to his normal schedule once she started to sleep through the night. The rest of the household were late sleepers, so Tony was used to being the only one up of hours in the morning. Which is why Tony had been surprised to learn that Peter was an extremely early riser, even if he didn’t have to go into work.
“So, we were thinking of having some friends over later today.” Tony started awkwardly. He hadn’t expected it to catch Peter’s attention like it did. His head shot up and he stared at Tony.
“Who?”
“Rhodey, obviously. Steve, which almost always means Bucky and Sam even though they’re not officially invited, Bruce, Natacha if she can make it. And Clint and his family. He’s got a son that’s a little younger than Harley and a 14 year old daughter.”
“Do you really think it’s a good idea to have them over when Morgan is here? Harley and I can take the kids to the park or the library. I doubt your friends want a bunch of kids running around. I didn’t mind taking them somewhere.” Peter’s tone was somewhat pleading and it confused Tony. Why was he so desperate to get them all out of the house?
“The kids can hang out in the game room if the adults are too boring for them. It’s too dangerous to have a bunch of kids wondering around the streets at night. I know you and Harley feel safe in the city, but Morgan is too young, and the Barton’s are country kids, they aren’t used to the city.”
Peter frowned, and Tony, assuming it was because he didn’t want to hang around with the kids or Tony’s friends, said “It’s ok if you don’t feeling like being with everybody. No one is going to be offended. But you are welcome to invite Skyler over so you’d have someone you know to hang out with.”
“Yeah, maybe I’ll see if she’s free.” He muttered as he stood up. “I’m going out. Be back later.”
Tony smiled, “Sure, be careful.” To anyone else, Peter’s words would have been indifferent, boarding on rude, but to Tony, they were proof of huge progress. A month ago Peter couldn’t speak to Tony without yelling. Now he was almost using full sentences.
Pepper joined Tony in the kitchen not long after Peter left. Tony slid her a cup of coffee, which she gratefully accepted. “So, did you talk to him about this afternoon?”
“I did. He seemed, I don’t know, worried? He wanted to get the kids out of the house for the night. He was practically begging.”
“That’s strange. But he’s probably just stressed about so many strangers in the house. He isn’t really used to meeting new people.”
Tony hummed noncommittally, but his conversation still nagged at his mind. There had to be more to it. The way Peter had acted, almost, scared? Was that it? Peter would normally never ask Tony for anything. But this, this small thing, was what would make him roll over? No, it was something deeper, darker. He didn’t know what, but he had a bad feeling about it.
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By the time Peter came back home, Skyler in tow, it was nearly time for the guest to arrive.
“They’ll be here soon and they’d all love to met you. But if you’d rather just chill in your room that’s fine, just make sure you grab some food or have FRIDAY let us know and we’ll bring some to you.” Tony called after them as they slipped passed.
Peter and Skyler lurked in the hallway as Tony’s friends came in, peeking around the corner to see each new arrival. Sky felt Peter’s back tense every time someone walked in. And when they would hug Harley and Morgan, she had to wrap her hand around his arm to keep him from interfering.
“It’s ok. They’re fine.” She said gently.
“It’s a lot of guys.” He muttered back, and Sky’s heart ached. She had her fair share of bad experiences with men especially “friends” of her fathers, but she had Peter. Peter also had a lifetimes worth of trauma and she knew that he didn’t just worry about himself, but her as well. And apparently Harley and Morgan.
“It will be fine. You’ll make sure of it.” She reassured him.
Clint was the last one to arrive, Cooper and Lila in tow. “Laura couldn’t make it but she sends her love.” He announces. Cooper and Lila make a beeline for Harley and Morgan. Instantly they were all talking a mile a minute. Peter watched them, and Skyler watched him. She knew the thoughts that were racing through his head. Is this the life I could have had? Will I ever be able to be as carefree as they are? When will they learn they can’t trust the world? And the biggest question of all: How can I keep them safe?
“Let’s go say hi.” She whispered, tugging at his hand to pull him out of his head and back into the penthouse.
All eyes turned to them as they walked into the living room. Tony grinned widely, “Peter, Skyler, I’m glad you could join us.” He went around and introduced them. Skyler didn’t let go of Peter’s hand the entire time and he wasn’t sure if it was for his benefit or hers. Not that it mattered. They relied on each other, both needing whatever support the other could give.
“Come on, let’s go to the game room. We’ll let the adults talk about taxes and scrabble.” Harley said. Peter rolled his eyes. If only that was all that was on men’s minds.
The kids followed Harley into a large room filled with toy and video games and a ping pong table. Morgan instantly dragged Lila over to a huge dollhouse.
“Come play Barbies Skyler!” She called out. Skyler looked over at Peter.
Go, I’ll be fine, he whispered. She nodded and followed the girls to a corner of the room that was covered in Barbie and Disney posters. Harley and Cooper settled in on the oversized sectional in front of the biggest TV Peter had ever seen. As Cooper powered up a game system, Harley offered a controller to Peter.
“You wanna play? We can take turns.”
Peter shrugged self consciously, “I don’t know how. I’ve never really played video games before.”
“Seriously dude? Have you been living under a rock?” Cooper laughed in surprise.
Before Peter could reply, Harley launched a pillow at Cooper, “Don’t be an idiot. Plenty of people don’t play video games.” Looking back to Peter he said, “We can teach you if you’d like, or you can hangout and watch for a bit and let us know if you want to try.”
“Um, yeah. I can watch first.”
Peter watched the boy for a while, trying to figure out how to play. It was some kind of racing game, and it didn’t look to complicated, so when Harley offered his controller again, Peter accepted it. He wasn’t instantly amazing at it, but he wasn’t terrible, and after a couple rounds, he even managed to bet Cooper. Eventually the girls joined them. Skyler settled into Peter’s side and slid her legs onto his lap.
“You wanna try?” He asked, passing her the controller. Lila stole her brother’s and the two of them played a few rounds. They started to all take turns, even letting Morgan try. They were all laughing and teasing each other and just like at the diner, Harley was taken aback by how normal Peter seemed. Gone was the dark, broody guy he had met a month ago. In his place, was a happy teenage boy playing video games with his friends. Harley knew in theory that people were complex, but be around Peter, he was able to experience first hand just how true that is.