Deaf!Peter
Tony’s looking anxiously at Peter, who is just happily munching on his father’s finger. Of course, the eight-month-old baby doesn’t know yet, but he’s about to go through one of the most important processes of his life. Because since he was born, Peter Stark hasn’t heard anything apart from his own heartbeat.
It became obvious when Peter didn’t flinch when a car honked beside him, or when Tony called him and the baby just stared at nothing. And, even though being one of the richest men alive should have meant Peter would be a healthy and spoiled baby, ten visits to ten different neurologist proved what Tony already knew.
Peter Stark suffers from hearing loss.
“Hey bubba” Tony talks while the doctor finishes the last details. “Are you ready to hear me? Are you ready to hear daddy, hm? I guess that’s a good answer”
Peter doesn’t look at Tony, just takes the offered hand from his father and switches fingers, choosing this time the pinkie. Tony caresses his chubby cheek, then the curls on the top of his head, and finally presses his button nose. In exchange, Peter gurgles a giggle and looks towards his dad. He might not be able to hear him yet, but Peter is as smart as his father, and knows when the man is close.
Eventually, the doctor comes closer. She’s been one of the few people that thinks Peter’s hearing loss might not be permanent, and their about to try it with a new pair of aids. They’re small, blue and red, and catch Peter’s attention as soon as he sees them.
“Mister Stark?” she calls Tony, who can’t take his eyes away from Peter. As if he could disappear. “You can take your time, it’s better if he gets used to the sounds around him and then to your voice. And…”
“Yeah, don’t expect nothing” Tony sighs, reminding himself Peter might not be able to hear yet.
But then, the doctor puts both aids on Peter, and his brown doe eyes widens. He lets Tony’s finger fall from his mouth and starts looking around. For a second, Tony thinks he’s about to start crying. Peter Stark goes rigid as a wire, hands raised in the air and legs stretched. Tony can barely contain the sob when Peter looks at the computer, that has been making noise since they came in.
Then, he looks at the window, and his eyes fill with tears, mouth turning into a pout.
“Baby” Tony finally bursts, making Peter jump on his place and look at Tony. “Baby, it’s me. Daddy. Daddy”
He accompanies the words with his hands, signing the already familiar word. To his surprise, Peter throws himself at Tony and starts sobbing. Sobbing means making noises he didn’t know he could do, so that only scares him more. The doctor just smiles as Tony joins the tears party and starts crying himself while holding Peter and saying his name again and again.
And, even if Peter won’t calm down for another hour, even if it will take him a while to adjust to the hearing world and will totally try to eat his aids more than one, Tony knows things will get better.