A Bad Day
While they had occupied his mind for the past nine years, even longer actually, Tony never really let the thought of them consume him.
Yet, there was a picture he forgot about.
It sat in his hands like something dangerous.
He hid every aspect of his relationship, buried it in that locked drawer so only he could find it. Never telling anyone about it.
Yet he stumbled across a picture in an old wallet of his. He was throwing it out when the picture came tumbling out.
It was Peter’s third birthday. They were all sitting on the couch with him, and his little hands were reaching for the camera, as the rest of them laughed.
And it ached because Tony knew that a week later, he had to leave. This was the first picture they sent him after he left. So he’d have something to remember them by, so keep close.
And seeing it, this last perfect moment…
He wasn’t okay.
And that day, he was moody. He didn’t want to talk to people. Even when Peter was around, he was in this mood, and it killed him to be so bitter when his kid was around.
“I’m sorry Peter. I’m having one of those days, you should head home early.”
Peter picked at his sleeves, looking at his hands. “If you need to talk, I’m here. I know I probably won’t understand, but sometimes venting helps.”
Tony quirked a brow, but sighed, pushing back in his chair. “Alright. I lost two of the most important people years ago. And sometimes, I wake up consumed with grief.”
“Like today?”
He nodded. “I think it hurts more knowing I can’t talk about them. Everything about us was a secret, and I agree with the reason why, but I want to talk about them.”
“Why can’t you talk about them?”
Tony paused, looking at his hand. “They had a kid. A wonderful kid. Absolutely wonderful,” Tony started. “My life is in the cameras. If anyone found out, that poor kid would be forced into the spotlight. I couldn’t do that to a kid.”
“So what did you do?”
“I gave up,” Tony admitted. “I watched their life in pictures like I used to watch them sleep. I miss them. And I guess today wanted to remind me that I did.”
Peter kicked at the ground, trying to find the words to say. And he did. “When my parents died, I thought I’d never be okay. I was just a kid. And they were everything to me. It still hurts, it probably won’t stop. But I have Aunt May and Uncle Ben. I have you, the avengers, my friends, Vanessa, Serena, Oscar and Andrew. I have new people. And while they can’t replace my parents, they can show that my life won’t stop without them. I still miss them. And I’ll always love them, but they would want me happy.”
God, Tony wanted to bawl. His kid was suffering, just like him, and he knew exactly what to say. “Yeah. I guess, I’m scared I’ll never love anyone as much as them. I thought I loved Pepper, and I do, just not the way I loved them.”
“You’ll find someone Mr. Stark. You do so much for others, you deserve happiness.”
“You do too kid. And you have some pretty amazing people looking at for you.” Tony reached out and ruffled Peter’s hair. “Thank you. I didn’t realize I needed to hear that today.” He still ached. But Peter was right. Mary and Richard would want Tony to be happy, just as they would want their son to be happy.
Peter grinned wildly, spinning in his chair. “What we’re they like?”
“Huh?”
“The people you loved. They had to be pretty fantastic to leave such an impression.”
Well. They were. “I never expected to be part of their lives. It was a convention, and we got to chatting. Ned thing I knew, my world was them. Making dinner together, dancing to slow songs. They weren’t supermodels, or super rich, but they were perfect. They saw me as me. And you can imagine how hard that is.”
“They sound pretty amazing.”
“They were.” Mary and Richard were the best thing to happen to him. And then Peter was. The three of them cared about their kid more than anything, and if they could see him now… damn it, they’d be proud.
Peter was amazing. He was unabashedly kind, and loyal to a fault. Even when he had no reason to try and cheer Tony up, he did. He grew up into the man they always wanted him to be. And he was a hero too.
Who would’ve expected that the little boy, who’s first words were “hero” would become one? Maybe it was destiny. Peter was destined to save people, in one way or another. The spider bite gave him the abilities to do it on a grander scale. Even without it, Tony had zero doubts that Peter would’ve found another way to save people.
“Do you still want me to go home early?”
“How about we watch a movie. It’s a weekend, right?”
Peter nodded.
“I’ll invite your aunt and uncle over. And if they let you, you can spend the night at the tower. That way, you have more time training and with the lab. And, you can also help me pick up Harley tomorrow.”
“The genius kid with a potato gun, right?”
“That’s the one,” Tony confirmed, chuckling. “You two will get along great. Though, I pity the lab, he blew it up last time he visited.”
“What?”
Tony laughed at Peter’s horrified expression. “He has some explosive ideas.”
Peter’s face was still outright horrified. “And we’re supposed to be friends?”
“I’m not going to force you two to be friends,” Tony assured. “Though, despite what I say, he’s a good kid. His sister is too, but she never visits.” Well, she did, but it was once in a blue moon. Tony still adored them both, they just didn’t have the same plans in life. Harley wanted to come down, his sister didn’t. “Give him a chance. You’ll probably have another person to help you overthrow the goverment.”
“Why do you remember that?” Peter groaned. “May said it as a joke.”
“Because I fully believe you could overthrow the government if you wanted to. Hell, I hate Ross, i’d probably help.”
Tony called May and Ben, and agreed to let Peter stay over. They happily came over as well. Tony grabbed some of the Avengers, mostly Wanda, Vision and Bruce, and they all watched movies together. Sometime during it, Wanda, vision and Peter all fell asleep on Tony, who was the first to pass out.
It made enough sense. He made the three of them feel protected and safe. Vision didn’t need it, but he appreciated how Tony tried. He cared about everyone.
Bruce, May and Ben smiled at the tired display and finished the movie. When it finished, they woke tony and the others up to help them sleepily walk to their rooms.
Even Peter, who had a room at the tower. Tony had made it well before he knew Peter. At least, we’ll before Peter was going to enter his life. But he remembered what Peter liked, and put it all in a room. And after tony said a sleepy goodbye to May and Ben, he went to his own room to sleep.
And the couple went home, saying goodbye to Bruce and telling them to thank Tony for looking after Peter.
A bitter morning had turned into a delightful night, surrounded by some of Tony’s favorite people.