The Secrets We Keep

“Tones are you insane?” Rhodey asked with skepticism and anger.

“No, I’m a genius remember?” Tony said, rolling his eyes.

“That plan is anything but genius,” Rhodey argued. After Tony revealed his plan to take Peter to Malibu on Friday, he came to ask Rhodey to fly them out late Friday night.

“I thought you would be supportive.”

“That is the stupidest idea you’ve ever had. No way it will work.”

“Yes it will.”

“Pepper is going to kill you. Then she’s going to kill me.”

“She will not.”

“Have you met your wife?”

“Okay fine she might get a little mad,” Tony admitted. “But nowhere near as mad as I was when she left.”

“Oh my god, you are an idiot.” Rhodey rolled his eyes.

“Well, what else am I supposed to do? Pepper can’t forgive me! She doesn’t trust me, and she definitely doesn’t fully trust me around Peter.”

“Then you gotta show her that she can trust you. That you would do anything for her or Peter.”

“I would!”

“She needs to see that. Taking Peter on a ‘vacation’ will just piss her off.”

“Do you have any better ideas?” Tony asked.

Rhodey shook his head. There was no way he could tell his friend no despite how idiotic the plan was. Maybe he could help Tony improve the plan so that it wasn’t so idiotic. So that it would actually work and Pepper would forgive him. But how?

“Yea I didn’t think so. So you’ll fly us to Malibu?” Tony asked.

“Fine. But I take no responsibility.”

Tony grinned.

“You’re the best Rhodey.”

“Yea, yea, whatever man. Let’s go see what Cap is up to, I heard he came up with some insane workout regimen.”

--

Pepper sat in the living room of the penthouse with Peter and Happy sitting on the floor. Peter was happily playing with his new Legos. Pepper had scolded Happy for buying so many. She again had to reprimand Happy when he had bought Peter even more sets, specifically, much more advanced Lego sets after Peter finished all 10 of the Lego Duplo’s sets that Happy originally bought. Some of the new sets said 12+. Peter could choke on the pieces, so Happy promised her that he would watch him closely whenever they pulled out the Legos.

“So I put this piece with this one?” Happy asked Peter.

“No no no no no!!!” Peter grabbed the piece out of Happy’s hand. Peter instead handed Happy the instructions manual and pointed to the page they were on. “See?”

“I see, but I don’t get it.” Happy complained.

“Did it!” Peter exclaimed putting the correct pieces together.

Peter loved building things, so Pepper understood why he loved Legos. Even if the toy was technically for older kids, clearly Peter was ahead. She supposed he got his brains from his father, but she wouldn’t want to admit it. That confession would go to Tony’s head anyway.

Peter continued to follow the instructions to put together the Disney Castle. Happy on the other hand started to put random pieces together, much to Peter’s annoyance.

“No dats wong!” Peter scolded.

“My bad,” Happy apologized, but Peter looked at him like he didn’t fully believe Happy. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’ do dat.” Peter lectured.

“Sure kid,” Happy said rolling his eyes.

Before Peter could scold him again, the elevator dinged. Pepper and Happy both looked up, expecting to see Tony, but it was a man neither had met before.

Both Happy and Pepper exchanged a confused glance, unsure of who the stranger was and why he had access to their floor.

“Buce!!!!!!” Peter jumped up and ran to his favorite friend. Peter ran into his newest friend and hugged his legs.

“Hey Peter,” Bruce greeted and patted his shoulders.

“Who are you?” Happy asserted, as he stood up and tried to look menacing and protective.

“Oh hi, I’m Dr. Bruce Banner, I’m looking for Tony, Rhodey said he might be up here,” Bruce explained nervously as Peter continued to hug his legs.

“Why do you want Tony?” Happy demanded.

“Oh um, Avengers stuff,” Bruce explained, not really wanting to get into it. He just had some suit upgrades to show Tony but he didn’t know where he was.

Peter pulled on Bruce’s pant leg to get his attention. Bruce looked down to see big brown eyes staring up at him. Peter lifted his arms up, demanding to be picked up.

“Ummmm…..” Bruce wasn’t sure if he should pick up the kid. The man in front of Bruce was staring him down. This man looked like he would cut Bruce's head off if he touched the kid. The woman on the couch was staring too, but it was less ferocious. But she was still watching with an apprehensive and protective look.

“Pweaseeeeeee,” Peter begged.

“It’s fine, Happy,” Pepper nodded for Bruce to pick up Peter as she stood and walked over to join Happy and Bruce.

So Bruce did, much to Peter’s delight. Peter squealed and hugged Bruce’s neck then buried his face in Bruce’s shoulder.

“I’m Pepper, Peter’s mom,” Pepper explained, extending her hand.

With his free hand, Bruce took her handshake.

“I’m Bruce, I work with Tony on the Avengers Initiative.”

“Really? You don’t fit what I pictured when Tony explained it,” Happy commented.

“Well, I’m definitely no Steve or Thor. But I uh had to join, they needed my brain I guess.”

“So you didn’t want to join?” Pepper asked.

“I didn’t ask to be here,” Bruce admitted quietly and looked down at Peter.

Pepper knew the feeling all too well.

“Sorry about that.” Pepper felt the need to apologize.

“Not your fault.” Bruce didn’t necessarily want to talk about why he was forced, especially since the Hulk isn’t known for being gentle and he was currently holding her precious child. Thinking about being forced into joining made him angry, so on principle, he tried to avoid thinking about it. Whatever he could do to avoid losing control and letting the Hulk take over he would do.

“I gotta ask, how do you know my son?” Pepper asked.

“Oh, he’s snuck into my lab a few times this past week,” Bruce admitted, not thinking it was a good idea to mention how they originally met in a room filled with weapons and armor that could’ve killed Peter.

“He’s been sneaking into my office and Tony’s,” Pepper admitted.

“He likes science, I’ve been working on a few projects and he understands everything I’ve explained to him. He’s a smart kid.”

“Yea he gets it from his father,” Happy explained, and Pepper shot him a glace.

“I appreciate it, Dr. Banner. It’s nice of you to let him in your lab, but you didn’t have to do that. Don’t feel obligated,” Pepper said.

“It’s no problem at all, it’s safe in my lab I swear and it’s fun to have him around. He’s welcomed anytime.”

“Hear that Peter?” Pepper asked. Peter giggled and hid his face in Bruce’s neck.

“Huh, he really likes you.” Happy commented, the surprise evident in his voice.

“Peter, is Bruce your friend?” Pepper asked.

Peter looked up and grinned. “Buce my Fren!”

The adults all chuckled softly.

“Lego!!!!”

“Where do you want to go?” Bruce asked awkwardly.

“No Lego!” Peter explained, pointing to the toys on the ground.

“Oh are those your Legos?” Bruce asked, but really stated it, since it was clear that no one else in the room was meant for the Legos. So Bruce lowered Peter to the ground, thinking he wanted to go play.

Peter started to walk towards his Legos, but he turned around to make sure his friend Bruce was coming. When he realized Bruce wasn’t coming, he ran back to Bruce, grabbed his hand, then led him to his Legos.

They both sat down, and Peter crawled onto Bruce’s lap. Peter started to put together the Legos, happily perched on his friend’s lap. Oblivious to the world.

And they sat like that for a while. Pepper and Happy joined them, but sat on the couch, as they talked to Bruce. They asked about his work and about all his PhDs, and Bruce happily dived into his work while Peter remained completely focused on putting together his castle.

They were still talking about Bruce’s research in gamma radiation when the elevator doors dinged open. Bruce stiffened, worried that Tony might enter and be pissed about the Hulk being so close to Peter. But it wasn’t Tony.

It was Nat.

“Hey Nat,” Pepper greeted.

“Hey Romanov,” Happy joined.

“Hey Pepper and Peter and Happy. Oh hi Bruce.”

“He-hey Nat,” Bruce said blushing. He felt like a schoolboy all over again, being all nervous around his crush. Nat smiled softly and walk over to stand over Bruce and Peter.

“Bruce, what are you doing up here?” Nat asked softly.

“Oh you know, came looking for Tony,” Bruce admitted and Nat genuinely smiled.

“No clue where he is,” Nat said patting his shoulder.

Her hands lingered on his shoulder, and Bruce felt like the spot she was touching was on fire.

“Eh he’s around here somewhere,” Happy grumbled.

You make a new friend?” Nat asked, her hands still resting on Bruce.

“Yea, Peter and I get along well.”

“We frens.” Peter explained while continuing to connect Legos, not even looking up.

“That so Peter?” Nat asked.

“We play in da lab!” Peter grinned thinking of all the fun he had with Bruce.

“You bring him to the lab?” Nat asked in amazement. No way Tony knew about that. Or wanted to share Peter.

“Yea he shows up from time to time. I show him what I do. It’s harmless and he seems to like it. Right, Peter?”

“I sci’tist!” Peter giggled. All the adults smiled.

“Yup, you are,” Bruce agreed.

“huh I guess two Starks are obsessed with you and your work,” Nat said, moving her hand up to brush Bruce’s hair.

Bruce’s cheeks turned a dark red.

“Damnit,” Happy said as his phone went off.

“Dam’it,” Peter parroted.

“Don’t say that kid, your father will have my ass,” Happy warned as he stood up and walked away from the group to take the call.

“Assssssss,” Peter parroted again.

“I’m telling Tony that you taught him those words Happy!” Pepper called out to him.

“Please don’t, Pep please,” Happy begged, the fear evident in his face.

“Then watch your language,” Pepper warned and Happy waved as he left.

“Bye-bye Hap-hap!” Peter waved back from his spot in Bruce’s lap. Upon leaving, Peter sighed and leaned back against his friend Bruce. Peter grabbed Bruce’s wrist and started playing with his watch. Bruce let him, and he even put his own hand in Peter’s lap to give him easier access.

“He really has you wrapped around his little finger huh?” Nat observed and twirled a curl on Bruce’s head with her fingers.

“He got me with those Bambi eyes,” Bruce admitted smiling down at the Legos sheepishly, unable to meet Nat's gaze.

“He knows how to use what he has to get what he wants,” Pepper added and Nat joined her on the couch where Happy had just left.

The adults watched as Peter played with the watch on Bruce’s wrist. Peter babbled, saying something none of the adults could understand.

“Nat, can I talk to you?” Pepper asked, then paused and glanced at Peter and Bruce. “Privately.”

“Sure,” Nat agreed and nodded her head towards the kitchen.

“Oh I can go,” Bruce said, starting to stand up.

“No no noooooo,” Peter wined. “Stay!”

“You can stay Bruce, please,” Pepper told Bruce. “We will be quick.”

“Alright,” Bruce agreed and watched the ladies walk away.

“Peter?” Bruce whispered.

“Wha?” Peter whispered back.

“What do you think of Nat?”

“Da wady?” Peter pointed to where his mom and Nat disappeared too.

“Yea her,” Bruce said.

Peter paused before responding.

“She a ninja,” Peter explained as if it was obvious.

“Oh, okay,” Bruce said. Did Peter really pick up on her hand combat skills?

“What makes you say she’s a ninja?”

“She figh' like pow pow pow!!” Peter explained, making fists and punching the air. “An' she kic' and twow da knife,”

“Huh I guess you did see her throw knives during training,” Bruce commented.

“Bu she nice wady! She gib me cookies!”

“Wow cool,” Bruce agreed. He had a hard time reading her. In fact, Bruce detected a bit of flirting coming from Nat, but he had always had trouble in the past. He was always an awkward nerdy kid. Now he was just an awkward nerdy adult. And Natasha, well she was beautiful.

He had no chance but to just blush like an idiot thinking about her.

--

“So what’s up?” Nat asked.

“I need your help,” Pepper explained.

“You know I can’t help you escape right now.”

“I know,” Pepper sighed. “I just, I need to see May.”

“May Parker?”

“Yes, I need to know she’s okay.”

“You know how risky it’ll be? There’s no easy way for me to sneak you out of the Tower without Tony catching wind.”

“Please, even if it’s just for like 10 minutes. I need to know she’s okay, and I need her to know that I’m okay.” Pepper explained.

“I can track her down and just tell her you’re fine and report back how she is.” Nat offered.

“No, no I need to see her myself. Apologize for what happened to Ben.”

“You know that’s not your fault.”

“It kinda feels like it is.” The guilt had been eating Pepper alive.

“It’s not your fault. I can get a message to her.”

“No please Nat, please,” Pepper begged. “I- I – I feel so guilty. Please I took everything from her.”

“Then don’t you think it’s not a good idea to see her?”

“Please Nat, she has no one else but me and Peter. Please you owe me.”

“I’ll think about it, but it’ll have to be when Tony’s on a business trip.”

“He told me he has no plans to fly anywhere unless it’s with me and Peter!” Pepper complained.

“What do you expect me to do?” Nat asked, starting to get annoyed.

“Look at it from my perspective! Can you? Her husband is dead because of me! I killed her husband. I did.” Pepper admitted with tears in her eyes.

“You are not a murderer Pepper!” Nat complained.

“Do you even know how it feels to know someone is dead because of you?” Pepper asked.

Nat could see the blood dripping down all her victim's faces. She could see their wide, scared eyes. She could hear them take their last shaky breaths. She could smell their piss and blood mixing together.

She remembered everything about the hundreds of her victims. All the people Tony ordered her to kill took their dying breath in front of her. The approval she got from Tony after she reported each mission successful and the power she gained after killing them merciless was intoxicating.

She knew exactly how it felt to kill. She had no regrets.

“No I have no idea,” Nat said, her voice cold and face expressionless.

Pepper did not need to know. Ever. Those deaths would go with Nat to her grave.

“So you’ll help me?”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

--

It was late in the evening on Friday. Peter blinked his heavy eyes open, or at least he tried to. Pepper was towel drying Peter who could barely stand up. It was close to bedtime for him, and she could see that playing with Bruce wiped him out. After she towel-dried his hair and moved down to dry his back and shoulders, Peter laid his head on his mommy.

Peter felt tired. He just wanted to cuddle. Not just stand there cold with a towel. So he wrapped his wet arms around his mommy, trying to show her how cold he was.

“Col’,” Peter complained.

“Peter you’re all wet, let me dry you.”

Peter wined. Pepper could tell how tired he was, so after deciding he was dry enough, she quickly dressed him in his diaper and pajamas, and lifted him up into her arms.

He immediately clung to her like a koala, wrapping his arms around his mommy’s neck and burying his face in her hair.

She carried him out of the bathroom and looked around the empty apartment. It was quiet without Tony. Part of her wished he would never come back. But the other part of her wanted him to come home earlier. But she knew what he was up to, and she had absolutely no influence over what he did. Tony Stark did whatever he wanted. And he always got what he wanted.

She sighed and walked past the couch into Peter’s room. It was filled with everything Peter could ever want, but it was missing one thing.

May.

Peter had asked about May and Ben a lot this past week. He asked where they were and why he couldn’t go play with his aunt and uncle. She didn’t have the heart to tell him he won’t see her for a while. And she definitely didn’t want Peter to think about Ben and what Peter had seen. If anything, she wanted her son to forget the murder he witnessed. All she wanted to do was protect her baby from this world.

And she failed.

Pepper sat down on the rocking chair in Peter’s room. She gently rocked him back and forth, cradling his head against her shoulder. She could feel his soft breaths on her neck, comforting her and reminding her how much her little boy needed her. He needed her to be strong, now more than ever.

“Mommy,” Peter wined.

“Yes, honey?” Pepper whispered into her little boy’s hair.

“Tell me a stowy,” Peter asked, “A I’nman one.”

“You know more Ironman stories than I do Pete.”

“Noo,” Peter complained, rubbing his face against Pepper’s shirt, “I wan da secret one.”

“The secret story? What?” Pepper asked confused.

“How you luv I’nman,” Peter explained.

“I-,” Pepper had no words. “I haven’t said I love him in front of you.”

Peter pointed to her eyes. “Buce says da eyes tell da stowy.”

Pepper stared into her little boy’s eyes. Peter saw what she had been denying the entire week.

Thinking of Tony, her blood boiled. Tony pulled her into his orbit of evil. He forced her to come back to a life she so desperately wanted to escape in order to protect Peter. And she hated Tony for how selfish he was. Tony was the sun. He pulled her in with his warmth, but he burned those that got too close.

But she knew. She knew deep down, a part of her would always love Tony. No matter what. She knew her heart forever and always would gravitate towards her sun.

She was trying as hard as possible to suppress her feelings. To avoid the urge to love him again. His sunshine had burned a hole into her heart, and no matter how hard she tried, he would forever have a hold of her heart. She couldn't help it. How she felt lonely and dark the penthouse when he wasn’t there. How relief flooded her at the park and washed away her fear when he arrived. How even in her sleep, gravity seemed to pull her towards him as she leaned into his touch and let his strong arms pull her close. But she kept trying as hard as possible to hide it.

She thought her love for Tony was a well-kept secret, kept even from herself. It wasn’t.

“Mommy,” Peter wined, tears forming in his eyes.

“Shhh, baby it’s okay,” Pepper cooed and rocked him.

“You luv I’nman,” Peter whispered.

“I- I – I,” Pepper stuttered, unsure of what to tell her son.

“Mommy,” Peter whispered.

“I love you Peter. You’re my son. And Tony, err, Ironman, well, he’ll always have a place in my heart.” Pepper said, never taking her eyes off of her baby.

“I luv you mommy,” Peter agreed and snuggled closer to his mommy. Pepper hugged him closer and closed her eyes.

Pepper continued to rock her baby, gently resting her cheek on her son’s head. She rocked him until she was sure he was asleep.

Pepper took a deep breath and opened her eyes again. Peter was sound asleep. As she went to stand, she looked towards the door and saw Tony standing there. He was watching intently, still fully dressed in his suit.

“How long have you been standing here?” Pepper whispered.

“Long enough,” Tony admitted.

“You look tired,” Pepper noticed. The bags under his eyes had bags. The light in his eyes was long gone. He looked like he was ready to collapse from the long week. Pepper knew he had been busy with Avengers stuff, he usually came home well after she was already asleep and was gone before she woke up.

Tony just nodded.

Pepper lowered Peter into his crib and gently tucked him in. She leaned down and kissed his forehead. She stood back up and walked over to her husband.

Pepper took Tony’s hands in hers. She held them lightly and rubbed her thumb over his knuckles. He pulled her in closer so that their faces were centimeters apart.

“I love you Pep,” Tony whispered, his breath tickling her nose.

“Common let’s go to bed,” Pepper ignored the part of her that wanted to say it back. She ignored the urge to kiss him. She ignored how much she hated yet also loved herself for not being able to forgive Tony.

Pepper pulled at his hands gently guiding him out of Peter’s room. Tony followed, but he was stuck in a daze. He was confused. Pepper could tell their son that she still had a place for Tony in her heart but couldn’t admit it to his face?

It destroyed Tony. It extinguished his flame, smothering his soul with emptiness and pain.

When he had heard Pepper confess to Peter how she felt, it made him want to cancel his plans for tonight. But he couldn’t. Especially after this stab to his heart, he couldn’t cancel. She had a lesson to learn, and after hearing her confess her love to Peter and not to him, he knew she needed to learn the lesson. To never leave him. To openly love him.

She let go of his hand when they entered their bedroom. She watched him stand there expressionless and unmoving. She started to untie his tie. He watched her, his eyes never leaving her face. She looked up to see him watching her and she blinked.

“Tony?”

“I’m going on a business trip tomorrow.”

“Oh.”

“I’ll be leaving early before you wake up.”

“Oh, um okay,” Pepper said, trying to suppress her anger. Why did she feel angry about him leaving? She had been pushing him away since he had found her. And with him gone, she could see May. Maybe she would even be able to take Peter.

She was getting what she wanted, so why was she so disappointed?

--

Tony hadn’t fallen asleep. He had gotten into bed and waited until Pepper fell asleep. Tony slipped out of bed as quietly as possible. At the doorway, he glanced back to see his wife’s form under the sheets. He hoped more than anything this would work. He hoped that this would fix everything. He hoped that the next time he saw her, they could love each other the way they used to. He had no other ideas on how to fix his marriage, but he would do what he had to. And his heart told him that this was the only way.

Tony quietly crept into Peter’s room. He gently pulled his son out of the crib, into his arms, and tucked him into his chest. Peter didn’t even stir.

Tony brought him down to the garage and was met by a grumpy Happy.

“You’re late. And you seriously had to fly now?” Happy grumbled.

“That’s funny, I thought with it being my plane and all, that it would just wait for me to get there.”

“Hmmm, you can put him in his seat then,” Happy said, motioning to Peter.

“I can and I will,” Tony agreed and slipped Peter effortlessly into his car seat.
Tony climbed in next to his son, and Happy took off.

“So Rhodey’s flying you out?” Happy asked as he turned out of the Tower garage.

“Yup.”

“Poor bastard.”

“What else is a consigliere for?”

“You know Pepper is going to kill every single one of us.”

“She’ll learn.”

“Alright boss,” Happy agreed. Happy was there to help Tony. Always. And there was no reason to argue with the boss. Ever. Happy knew when it came to Pepper or Peter, Tony had a short temper and was not about to listen to anyone. Everyone who knew about the plan provided their undying support, no matter their true opinion.

When they arrived at the hanger, Happy waved them goodbye. When Tony stepped onto his plane, he felt excited. Some time with his son was all he needed. Maybe he could even get Peter to finally call him dad. He adjusted Peter into his booster seat for the plane. The plane doors had already shut, and the new flight attendant had already put his suitcases into the back of the plane. Once he was satisfied with Peter’s seat, Tony headed up to the cockpit to greet his consigliere.

“Hey Platypus, thanks again for your help with this.”

“Oh, you have no idea how happy I am to be helping you Stark.” An unfamiliar voice said.

“Who the hell are you and where the fuck is Rhodey?” Tony demanded, pulling out his gun.

“I’d put that away Stark, or I’ll have our flight attendant blow that little boy’s brains out.” He gestured for Tony to look back, only to see a woman point a gun to his sleeping son’s head. She didn’t even seem fazed that she was pointing a gun at a child, her face was blank and her hand was unmoving.

“Don’t,” Tony growled. His hands were shaking, but Tony lowered his gun.

“That’s a good boy Stark. Go sit down, we are preparing for takeoff.”

“No,” Tony seethed, his heart beating rapidly. He could hear each heartbeat in his ear, warning him of his impending doom. “Who are you and where is Rhodey?”

“My name is Stern, and I swear to god I’ll have that boy killed. Now, go. Sit. Down.”

“Wait, Senator Stern?” Tony asked and when Stern smiled, Tony knew he was correct.

“Sit. We have a destination to reach.” Stern warned, and glanced at the flight attendant. Their silent conversation went unnoticed by Tony.

“Who sent you?” Tony demanded, his voice filled with rage, shock, and disgust.

Stern ignored his question and grinned.

“Afghanistan is lovely this time of year.” Stern wickedly laughed.

Noiselessly, the flight attendant crept up behind Tony and pricked Tony’s neck. Tony was unconscious before he plummeted to the floor.