Chapter 1
Tony and Rhodey were sitting on the main couch in the living room of the Avengers common floor whilst the recently-pardoned-Rogues were occupying the remaining seats opposite of them.
To say that Tony was uncomfortable was a massive understatement – as they were discussing the rules and conditions for their living in the tower (read: Rhodey was doing the talking and Tony was trying to breathe normally) all he could think about was for the kid, no HIS kid, to come home from school so they could hole up in the lab and tinker till the morning. Plus it was Friday, so no school the next day! Tony was brought back from his thoughts by the ‘Ding’ of the elevator.
The room stayed quiet except for the small shuffle of feet coming from a browned curly-haired teenager with his eyes barely open. They observed in silence as the kid dropped his bag on the floor by the couch then unceremoniously fell on the couch between Rhodey and Tony, then proceeded on dropping his head onto Rhodey’s lap, only to bring it back up almost instantaneously whilst muttering something along the lines of ‘Tha’s no’ Da’… Sorry M’ssr sir…’ followed by ‘Fri?’.
On your left Mini Boss.
‘Than’s’
Peter then dropped his head on a very amused and slightly concerned Tony, who was ignoring the questioning and confused stares coming from the other occupants of the room.
‘Long day kiddo?’ he asks whilst carding his hand through his kid’s curls.
‘Hmmm’
‘How was your last test?’
‘Hmm’
‘Peter? Pete?’ The amusement now gone, he shared a concerned look with Rhodey before asking Friday ‘Hey Fri, how much sleep did Pete get?’
According to Karen’s data and mine, Mini Boss has slept a total of 11 hours and 27minutes (-What?) since Sunday night.
Tony swore whilst Rhodey said ‘Damn kiddo, you really are taking after your old man’.
Mister Stark, if I may?
The rogues jumped slightly at the new voice coming from the speakers (except for Natasha of course).
‘What is it Karen ?’ Tony replies without taking his eyes of his charge.
Peter has not eaten anything since dinner last night.
‘Shit. Honeybear can you go grab a soda from the kitchen and one of his protein bars?’
‘On it.’ Rhodey makes his way to the kitchen while Tony tries to wake up his son.
‘Hey Petey, can you open your eyes for me? Come on kiddo, show me those beautiful bambi eyes of yours’
‘Hgmm’
‘I know you're tired kiddo but you have to wake up for me now, then we can cuddle as much as you want’.
After insisting a little by tapping on his cheeks a little, his eyelids start to flutter. ‘There we go. That’s it Roo.’
At the same time, Rhodey came back from the kitchen and dropped his items onto the couch next to Peter. They helped peter sit up whilst holding his shoulders so he wouldn’t slide back down again. Now that Tony was holding his kid up, Rhodey opened the soda can and brought the straw up to Peter’s lips and gently, but urgently, coaxed him into drinking it. ‘Drink it Pete – all of it’. Almost instinctively, Peter started drinking when the straw touched his lips. By the time he finished the drink, he was still pretty out of it.
‘You did great buddy. Now I’m gonna need you to eat this okay kiddo?’.
‘Whaaa?’
‘It’s one of your energy bars. The ones you made with Dr. Cho remember?’
Tony was holding the bar for Peter whilst Rhodey was keeping his head up so he wouldn’t choke. By the time Peter was done with the bar he fell completely limp against the couch.
‘Fri??’
He fell asleep Boss. He’ll be okay now.
Hearing this, both Rhodey and Tony sighed in relief, and Tony carefully laid Peter back down on his lap. ‘Dammit Petey, you know I have a heart condition’. The room was still silent.
Rhodey was taking in the scene of his best friend and nephew with a loving smile on his face, silently thanking Peter for coming into their lives and breaking down Tony’s walls.
The silence was broken by Steve clearing his throat. At this, both Tony and Rhodey snapped their heads up, suddenly remembering that they were not alone in the room.
The rogues had various expressions on their faces: Clint and Scott, the fathers, had sad smiles as the interaction between the two geniuses reminded them of their own families who they haven’t seen in a while. Wanda looked confused by the caring and affection displayed by Tony as well as concerned for the child in his arms (why wasn’t he sleeping or eating?). Bucky and Steve had a mixture of guilt and concern. Natasha, though it was almost indiscernible, was looking at the pair on the couch with slight confusion and concern (how did she not know about this child? And is he okay?). None of the Rogues missed how Tony reflexively tightened his hold on his charge and how Rhodey moved slightly forward as if to shield them.
After relaxing minutely seeing as their was no imminent threat, Tony shared a look with Rhodey, having a silent conversation, before they both relaxed again into the couch. Tony took several deep breaths, and looked back down at his kid before saying: ‘Everyone, this is Peter. My kid’. Rhodey quickly added, with a proud smile on his face ‘My nephew’. Tony shook his head fondly at his best friend.
‘Is he okay?’ asked softly Wanda. Looking up to give her a small smile before sighing once again, Tony replies: ‘ He is now. This adorable idiot has no sense of self-preservation and his goal in life is giving me grey hairs’. Despite the words, he had a loving look in his eyes as his hands were gently carding through the messy curls. ‘Speaking of’ ,he muttered quietly, ‘Karen, why didn’t Peter eat anything today?’
He slept through his alarm and was late for school so he skipped breakfast. Ned has the flu and MJ had a family emergency so they weren’t at school today. Peter was studying for his test during lunch break so he didn’t eat.
Hearing this, both Tony and Rhodey sighed in understanding. ‘You really need to take better care of yourself Pete.’
‘He’s cute’ said Clint. This time it was Tony who looked up with a goofy proud smile whilst Rhodey was shaking his head fondly – ‘That he is’.
Seeing this new side of Tony, one where he isn’t afraid of showing affection and emotion, had all the Rogues smiling softly. The tension in the air was still palpable but it was nothing compared to before Peter’s entrance.
‘How old is he?’ asked Scott.
‘Fifteen’ replied Tony. ‘And he’s already got more common sense than you’ added Rhodey. ‘Hey!’ was the indignant reply from Tony.