Ikea
"Where are we going?", Peter asked excitedly as Stephen put the blindfold onto him.
"Don't throw that away. We will need that again", Tony added, looking at the thing.
His partner glared at him with annoyance.
"It's the kid's special day. What are you implying?"
"Blindman's buff! I was only implying to play blindman's buff with the kid and you."
"Hey! That's awesome!", the boy exclaimed without any orientation.
"Yes. Awesome", the doctor mumbled while he shook his head.
"Alright, let's go."
Tony led Peter to the backseat of the car and put the seat belt onto him. The kid was chuckling the entire time. He was adorable. For his age this boy was still such a pure and innocent soul. Stark opened the door to the passenger seat very gentleman-like. Gentleman-like. Overly dramatic would be a better word. With a sigh the sorcerer sat down and turned to look if Peter was sticking to the rules.
"No peaking, yeah Peter?"
"Promise, doctor Strange!"
It all had started as a mere idea. A conversation about this. But Stephen got more and more insistent every single time it was brought up.
They drove for a good hour with Peter in the back making them go crazy with
"How long till we're there?"s and "Is it Hogwarts?"es.
"Kid, I feel like stopping and just throwing you out onto the side of the road until a stranger finds you with your blindfold and throws you into his truck to bring you far far far away from me."
Strange turned his head slowly with an expression that was a mix of understanding empathy, horror and disagreement.
"You look like you're having a stroke", the billionaire said to him.
"You sound like you're having a mental breakdown."
"How long till we're there?"
"Kid!"
"Ten minutes, Peter", the sorcerer tried deescalating the situation.
And really, after just ten more minutes, they pulled up in front of their destination.
"If I don't get a parking spot right now, we will drive back home."
"No, Tony. No. I will kill you with my bare hands if you do."
It was the engineer's turn to give Stephen that look.
"Having a stroke yourself I see. Look, there's someone parking out."
"That's a Toyota MINI, Stephen. I'm driving an Audi R8. How am I going to park in this shit hole of a parking space?"
"With skill?"
"Well, fudge you."
"Nicely saved."
It took them an additional 15 minutes to finally get a parking spot and by the time Tony turned the car off, he was on the edge of losing his last nerve. Stephen looked at him calculatingly and took his hand.
"Hey", he smiled overly happy.
"I'm sooo proud of you. My darling. You love of my life. You did so well, sweetheart."
"Daddy for you."
"No, get out", Stephen said, opened the door of the car and got out himself too.
He opened the car door for Peter as well and took his hand, unbuckling his seat belt.
"Okay. Just to clarify one last time: Is it Hogwarts?"
"Just to clarify one last time, if you ask this once more, I'll send you there alone without a returning ticket."
"What Tony wants to say is that he loves you very, very, very much but that he's and old man who gets frustrated whenever he can't drive like the world is his own and there is no other people around."
"Do you two want to move out? Into a flat for rent or something? Somewhere in Texas where I never go and I will never have to pick you up again? Huh?"
"Tony, I don't know if you are aware but a neurosurgeon earns good money. I think I'd be able to afford a living for the kid and I."
"Can someone enlighten me now?", Peter asked, trying to peak out from under his blindfold.
"Yes", the sorcerer chuckled and freed the kid.
"Woah!", he jumped up and down instantly.
"Shopping? Really?"
"Yes. Tony wants to tell you something. Right, Tony?"
The other cleared his throat and nodded.
"Yeah, kid. We- I- You-"
"He, she, it", Strange continued and earned himself a hit onto the arm from his partner.
"What I'm trying to say is that my mansion is huge and you still sleep on the couch because all the stupid guest rooms feel like hospital rooms and I don't want that. You basically live with me in a way. And you should have your own room. A place you feel wanted and welcome and home. I was scared of changing anything because I thought I was incapable of you seeing me as more than a boss on the Avengers team."
"Oh", Peter breathed out with big eyes.
"But I am more than that. And I treat you like more than that. So you should know that you're more than that."
"I- really?"
The billionaire just nodded and managed to smile at the kid. He forgot all the stress from the car ride and Stephen just was a spectator of a father-son-bonding.
"And that's why we are at Ikea."
He turned to Stephen.
"I still don't know why we went here. I have expensive as hell furniture around everywhere."
"Well, Tony, because Peter here is teenager and your furniture isn't cool in any way shape or form for a sixteen-year-old."
"But Ikea is the way to go, or what?"
"Yes, dear. This is where normal young people buy normal furniture that they take home in their normal cars and build up by themselves with a manual that was written by google translate and doesn't make any sense at all until you take a piece of paper and try to understand those hieroglyphs. And once you're done, you are so damn proud of yourself for doing that with your own hands."
"And in your old rich-kid-flat you had Ikea furniture?"
"No. No, but here and there hospital furniture breaks or is just old. And then Josh, Christine and I sit in my office and build up new Ikea cupboards or tables or chairs or wardrobes. Whatever really. And then we perform three brain surgeries and before we go home, we once again tell each other how good we did with that Ikea manual."
"Wow. The world without you three would fall."
Peter just laughed the entire time. He found these two so adorable.
"And now the boy, you and I will sit in Peter's room and I will let you be part of that fun. If we can't make it, I can always call Josh or Chris."
"That's- terribly sad. This will be my new scandal. Tony Stark buys Ikea bed - the end of a billionaire. I can already see the headlines. Everywhere."
"Jesus, go."
Strange pushed him forward and put his arm around Peter.
"And you pick, yes? Whatever you want. And then we will make Tony eat meatballs."
"I don't want Ikea meat balls. I will eat balls at home, thank you."
"We have meatballs at home? I love meatballs with spaghetti!"
"Yes. And that is entirely what Tony meant."
"For fuck's sake. Now I have to make meatballs at home because you can't take a fucking dirty joke and let the boy be traumatized for a second. Life is life. Live and let live. I don't want to cook, I want balls without having to reassure the kid."
"Mister Stark?", Peter asked as Stephen almost died from laughter.
God, this man would be the death of him. And Tony probably still thought he was the only one dominating this relationship. Right now this man was nothing but a bundle of frustration and helplessness. And all because of Ikea and meatballs.
"He is fine, boy. Just ignore it. Believe me. It's for the best."
The doctor took his boyfriend's hand and smiled at him. The other had to turn his eyes in adoration and smiled back. It was all so perfect. They'd grown a real family. A wonderful family. Just a short walk in, the three reached the right department.
"Alright. There is something though. You don't get anything Ironman related. I am aware that there is duvets and beds and desks and lamps and carpets with my bloody face on it and I am a narcissist but I don't want you to sleep in a room filled with me. I get that you love me and I love you too but that goes too far."
"Deal", the boy nodded and hugged the man.
"And you love me?"
"Yes. Of course. Don't doubt that. Look where I am. Look what we are doing."
"Yes."
The first people were starting to get very aware of them and Stephen took his distance to Tony. They looked like the two men were on a very weird and questionable business meeting really. It was hard being anything but colleagues in the eyes of the public and it pained Peter a lot. How these two were so obviously made for each other and devoted and in love but they played their game with media and the crowds. He looked around curiously, trying to distract himself and really, the boy quickly found very beautiful furniture. The first thing he was 100% sure about was the bed. He had fallen in instant love with it and it was understandable. It had an adjustable everything and drawers under it. It was nice, practical and comfortable. And would be a challenge to build up. Family fun and tears assured. The closet and a desk for him that matched the bed were easy to find too and the rest really just fell into place. The colors of the room, big surprise to anyone, would be black, white and red. And yes, Peter had good taste. Even if he was so young. It just fit him. Tony got an employee and told him all they'd buy. He nodded and explained to him, he'd get someone to take care of it. Stark smiled and told Peter to wait for the man as Stephen and him would go pay for everything. The kid nodded and waited for the other worker to come. And he did just two or three minutes later. The young man was around Peter's age, maybe a few years older.
"Hello. I have some furniture to bring here, is that for you? Or better your parents I assume?"
Peter nodded and frowned.
"Hey, I know you from somewhere."
"Really? I used to live in Tennessee. Only recently moved here. But we were playing football in New York a few times."
"That's possible! Did you ever play in Midtown High School?"
"I didn't only play there a few times, I also won with my team whenever we had a game."
"I recall that! It's so nice seeing you!"
"Likewise. What's your name?"
"Peter. Peter Parker."
"Nice meeting you, Peter. My name is Harley Keener. I'm new here and this job is- you know. Just to bring in some money. I want to become a police man or spy or agent. Sounds stupid, I know."
"No, not at all. You should go for it. Follow your dreams."
"That's hard being almost broke and unable to afford much."
"Maybe I can help."
"Don't get me wrong, Peter. I appreciate it. But I'm twenty. I have nothing. Really. And you are what? Eighteen?"
"Sixteen."
"Even worse. You have to look after yourself, not some stranger."
"But my dad can help! And his- friend."
"Your dad and my boss will probably kick my ass for casually talking to you about my problems."
"No. Please. At least wait for them."
"I have to anyways. As you're not an adult yet, I need the signature of one of your parents to give you all the stuff."
The young men talked a bit and quickly realized that they had a lot in common. They enjoyed the same school subjects, had the same interests, the same movies they liked an the same dreams about becoming something great. Peter didn't say anything about his superhero persona though. Tony had told him to be quiet about it. Or the media would be on his heels too. Peter should have a relatively good and normal childhood although that wasn't really the case anyway.
"There they are!", the younger exclaimed and pointed towards the two men approaching them.
"Tony?"
"Yeah. Tony Stark. You probably know him from the news."
Tony stopped in the middle of the aisle. Even Stephen frowned at him. The billionaire shook his head and approached the two youngsters.
"I'm sorry, you seem- familiar."
"Fucking hell, Tony. I missed you."
"Harley?"
"Yes. Yeah."
"God, boy."
Stark pulled the young man into his arms and honestly, he could have sobbed.
"What are you doing here? You grew up so much. Christ, you're a man now, huh?"
"Tennessee isn't the best place for a young adult to see the world."
"True. Where do you live?"
"At the moment? A room in some shit building fifteen minutes from here."
"Stephen?", the billionaire looked at his partner with begging eyes.
"What? Sure. It's your mansion", he shrugged confused.
"Harley, do you need a place to stay? Honest offer."
"Really?"
"Fuck yes. I missed you so much. I thought I'd never see you again."
"You're mad."
"Tell me something new. Yes?"
"Yes!"
"Alright. Pick- Some furniture I guess?"
"For real?"
"Yeah. I think you know even better how this system here works. Peter, Stephen and I will wait here for you. Tell me when to pay."
Harley nodded and looked between Stephen and Tony until eventually the engineer got the hint.
"Oh. Sorry. Stephen, this is Harley Keener. We met when he was- thirteen?"
"Yes."
"Yeah, I broke into his garage for food and shelter."
"Oh", Stephen nodded as if that was the most natural thing ever.
"Yeah, he helped me out. After he threatened me with his self made weapon."
"It wasn't real, it was a toy."
"I almost had a heart attack. We stopped some mad attacks and this boy survived hell of a lot. I left him in Tennessee because I didn't want him to be in danger again. And now he came after me."
"In a way", Keener chuckled.
"And that's doctor Stephen Strange, Harley."
"Yes, I know doctor Strange. I do have a TV."
The youngster shook Stephen's hand.
"It's a pleasure meeting you, Sir."
"My pleasure, Harley. I hope you will feel well and at home."
"Oh, I'm sure. This is probably the best day of my life."
"Go and pick your furniture. Don't hold back. I brought the big wallet."
"Do you ever bring your small wallet?"
"No."
Harley hugged Tony again and then jogged to pick out some things. As soon as he was gone, Peter took the billionaire's hands.
"I'm getting a big brother, I'm getting a big brother, I'm getting a big brother!"
"Yes. Now- Yeah, you are. And you get a second kid", he said to Stephen.
"I- What? I didn't sign up for that!"
"You wanted to go to Ikea."
"Fair. Okay. Fine.j To pick out furniture, not sons."
The doctor smiled widely and caressed through Peter's hair. They waited for Harley and payed for him too. By now, they had a truck full of furniture and two boys to bring home. And they did. In the end everyone and everything arrived safely at the Stark mansion.
"Now we build it together and see whom it belongs to. That will always be the surprise now."
The two boys had bonded instantly. By the time everyone and their stuff were in the mansion and the worker who had driven the truck was gone, they already were best friends.
"Okay. Look through the guest rooms and each of you pick one. Stephanie and I will- try and make some sense of this mess."
"And Stephen and you are-", Harley gestured between them questioningly.
"Peter will happily inform you. Give the good man and me a second, okay?"
Keener smirked as Peter took his hand and pulled him towards the tract with the guest rooms.
"That wasn't the plan."
"Come on, we cook something."
"Cooking? With all this mess here?"
"I'm hungry and so are the kids. And you have to eat something too. Then we build whatever we can and then we spend some time just you and me", he added and took the blindfold from the couch where he'd thrown it, giving it to Stephen.
"Fair. And what are we cooking?"
"Do you even have to ask?"