Chapter 1
Steve Rogers was in the middle of working on a car in his auto shop when he gets a call from his daughter's school.
“Hello is this Steve Rogers father of Mary” Steve sighed rubbing his eyes. “Yes is she in some sort of trouble?” He already knew the answer. Mary had quite a temper and was as stubborn as her father.
“She got into a fight with another student during recess, we need you to come to the school right away.” Steve got up from under the car grabbing a rag trying to clean off the sweat from his face. "I'll be right there." He looked in the rusty mirror shrugging at the way he looked. His pants had spots of oil and his shirt had a more than few rips.
He grabbed his jacket zipping it up and got on his bike riding to Mary’s school as he had done in the past.
Walking up the stairs into the elementary he saw a cop car parked in front of Steve’s bike. Steve scoffed and walked into the school heading to the principal's office. He saw Mary sitting in the chair with a scratch on her face while 2 other boys sat in different areas of the office. He already knew one of them, the usual cause of Mary going to the Principal's office, Austin Rumlow. He walked over to Mary who was sitting with her arms crossed and had her usual angry face. He looked at the kid next to him who looked like he was seconds away from going into a panic. He reminded Steve of himself as a kid.
Steve crouched down to Mary’s level and cupped her face taking a look at the scratch. “What happened this time sweetie.” He asked softly. Before she could say anything Brock Rumlow strolled into the office. Steve stood up looking directly at him with a glare that intensified by the second. He watched as Rumlow passed his kid giving him a high five.
“Ah of course if it isn't Rogers. What’d your daughter do this time to get my son into trouble.”
Steve walked up to him getting very close to knock him out then and there. “What’s wrong want to show these kids what real fighting looks like rogers?” Brock tilted his head to the side challenging Steve.
The head secretary, Ms.Hill stood up leaning over the desk. “Gentlemen do I need to put you in time out as well or can we handle this like adults?”
Brock scoffed, cocking his head and walking over to his son. Steve walked back to Mary and asked her the question again. What had happened.
“Austin was being mean to Peter again, but this time he pushed him off the monkey bars. I told him to stop being a jerk and I pushed him but then he scratched my face.” She pointed to the red lines across her cheek. “I was gonna hit him, but Miss. Foster stopped me.”
Steve was looking over at the Rumlows who acted like the kid had done nothing wrong. He caressed the side of Mary’s face which had a scratch and looked over at the kid who Mary tried to help. Suddenly the doors busted open again and a man in what looked to be in a very expensive suit rushed in. “Oh my god Peter! Are you okay!?” He rushed over to the kid and hugged him. Steve took notice of the way the guy looked, he looked oddly familiar. He had brown hair with an almost perfectly shaved goatee, his face wasn’t bad to look at either. Steve shook his head off those thoughts and put his attention back on Mary.
It wasn’t long before the Principal walked out, Mr.Fury, or as he liked to be referred to as Director Fury. “Gentlemen come in, you kids stay out.” He opened the door fully and stuck his hand inside gesturing for them to go in. Steve walked in second after Brock last in the Man he didn’t know.
“I need to get some records and paperwork, I’ll be back in a few moments, try not to rip each other into threads.” He made the comment directed towards Steve and Brock.
He closed the door and left, the room was silent, at least until Brock opened his mouth. “Don’t even know why we’re here, we all know who’s kid is the problem here.” Steve turned and stuck his finger out, “say one word about my daughter and I’ll make you regret it.”
Brock didn’t look so fazed, but he grabbed his badge off his belt and shined it, “Rogers I’d watch it, I can have you arrested for threatening an officer faster than you can even think of. Now I don't think CPS would like that, would they?” Steve turned his face around crossing his arms just like Mary. The door opened and in walked Fury holding folders with paper. “Alright let’s get this over with. Now from what the kids said Austin pushed Peter off the monkey bars. Which caused Mary to insert herself into the situation. She went after him resulting in what appears to be a scratch on her face. Ms.Foster said she had to forcefully remove Mary off Austin.” He looked up at all the men waiting for comments.
“Well, boys will be boys won’t they” Brock said shrugging it off.
“God a crooked cop that encourages his son to bully. Who would have guessed it.” The brown-haired man spoke up crossing his leg.
“It’s not my fault your sons weak”
“Oh listen here, buddy-”
“Mr.Stark, Officer Rumlow if you don’t mind me saying this, shut the hell up” they all got quiet and all Steve did was connect the dots now realizing who the man was. He was the billionaire who owned and created Stark Industries. That explained the high-end wardrobe.
“Now Officer Rumlow, Austin will face classroom consequences alongside facing an in-school suspension in my office for a week.”
Brock rolled his eyes and waved him to stop, “Alright whatever I have to leave considering I’m on duty. I’ll be taking my son with me, and I just hope you’ll give Mary equal punishment if not more.” Steve bit his tongue stopping himself from saying anything. Brock left without saying anything leaving the two remaining fathers.
“Mr. Rogers, Mary has been having these outbursts for the past few years now.” Steve watched as Fury opened Mary’s file which had too many referrals, more than a 7-year-old should have. “Just last month she punched a kid in the face.” Steve stopped him, “ “Hey she did that because they were picking on another kid and you know damn well Mary never hurt anyone purposely.”
Fury sighed and closed the file, “I understand, but it’s one too many times that she used violence to help people. I have to give her out of school suspension.”
“Are you kidding me! That Austin kid terrorizes kids every day, but NO he gets IN school” Steve was beyond angry. “If I may, he’s right. My kid comes home crying at least once a week and I know for a fact it has to do with that demon child. That little girl doesn’t deserve to get punished for trying to help him. I won’t allow it, Fury.” The way Stark said those words is almost as if Fury owed him a favor.
Steve turned to him and Stark gave him a nod. “I can’t just let her off, but I’ll find something else to do instead of suspension. Now I think they’ve waited long enough so you can leave and take your kids with you.”
They said their goodbye’s and Steve thanked Fury for Mary. Once they were out the door Steve turned to face Stark, “Thank you Mr.Stark for what you did for Mary.” Tony shook his head, “Call me Tony and it’s no problem. Plus I should be thanking your daughter more so. From what I’ve heard she put up a fight for my son and from the looks of it I see where she gets it from.” Steve smiled, turning his head to see Mary next to Peter making sure he was okay.
Tony called for Peter and as did Steve for Mary. They walked next to each other leaving the school. Steve shot back some glances at Tony catching his eyes a few times. Steve watched as a long black car drove up to the front next to Steve’s bike. He saw Tony tell Peter to get inside and looked like he was waiting to tell Steve something. “Mary go on and get the helmet on I’ll get on in a second.” Mary nodded and walked over to the bike, putting on the little pink helmet she got as a birthday gift.
Steve walked to where Tony stood, “It was nice to meet you Tony.” he put his hand out to shake Tony's. He took his hand and Tony gave him a somewhat cocky smile, “Ditto, Till we meet again…”
“Oh uh Steve, Steve Rogers”
“Well till we meet again Steve” With that Tony walked away into the black car. Steve could tell he was probably turning awfully red from blushing. Who wouldn’t that man had charm.
He picked Mary up and set her down behind him as he got onto the bike. He put his helmet on and started the bike up. “Papa and Mr.Stark sitting in a tree K.I.S.S.I.N.G” Mary said giggling and Steve got flustered. “Shut it, kid, now let’s go I have to finish up a car for a client by tonight.”
They drove off back to the shop and spent the night talking away and eating leftovers like they usually did. Steve couldn’t help but think about Tony, especially what he did for Mary.
~
Tony took one more look at the gorgeous blonde man before he headed into the car. Peter was sitting next to him already putting on his seatbelt. "What happened is Pete okay?" Happy his driver asked looking into the mirror to see a shaken up Peter. Tony ruffled Peters's hair helping him to calm down. "Yeah that kid that keeps being mean to him pushed him off the monkey bars. That little girl with a beauty of a father tried to teach him a lesson." Peter giggled at the comment his father made. Happy shook his head, " Refrain from making lewd comments in front of your may I remind you, 7-year-old son." Tony dramatically covered Peter's ears making sure he wasn't gonna hear him, "All I'm saying is if I had the chance I would not mind taking the place of that motorcycle." Happy shot him a glare while Tony chuckled letting go of Peter's ear. Peter innocently tilting his head wondering what his dad was laughing about.
Other than a banged-up knee Peter was okay so Tony took him out for Ice Cream before heading back to the tower, where they lived. While making their way back home Tony couldn't help but think about that damned Steve Rogers.
~
Steve woke up early to go on a run before Mary woke up as he did every morning. He got back just in time to make her a quick scrambled egg. They lived above the auto shop in what used to be an office/breakroom. Steve turned it into a small but comfortable place to live. It wasn't much, but it was home for them.
Mary was in her usual grumpy, 'I don't want to go to school', mood. Steve ignored it and had her eat so he could go drop her off. While they were leaving Mary turned to him and asked, "Are you gonna meet with Mr.Stark again?"
Steve's head whipped down to lock eyes with Mary. "Why would I meet with him again?" She rolled her eyes with the utmost sass a 7-year-old has, "You like him I can tell." Steve shook his head and put his hand on his hips. "I just met him yesterday and no I don't like him now hurry up we're gonna be late. Don't need you in any more trouble." She huffed and stayed quiet all the way to school. When Steve left her at the front of the school he saw her have a devilish smile when saying goodbye. Once she was all the way inside he spoke to himself chuckling, "She's gonna be the death of me."
~
Mary walked into her classroom after having a conversation with Miss. Foster about how she can't play outside in recess anymore and has to have lunch with her instead of in the cafeteria. Mary didn't really care she was just happy Austin had to spend his week with Director Fury.
She sat down next to Peter who was reading a book about spiders. "Hi Peter" he gave her a small smile and waved back, "Hi Mary thank you for yesterday". Mary just shrugged smiling, "It's no problem."
She crossed her arms waiting for Peter to say something else, but she knew she probably had to be the one to say it. Peter was always a quiet kid.
"I think my dad likes your dad" she blurted out whispering it slightly. She was surprised when Peter threw his book down and responded, "I think my dad likes yours too!"
"Really!" Mary happily said as they continued to talk. "Yeah after we got into the car yesterday I heard him say your dad was an um oh! a beauty." Peter said while they both giggled. "My dad kept blushing after speaking to yours. It's obvious they have crushes on each other", Mary spoke.
"We should help them get together. Adults are very dumb sometimes." Mary said grabbing a piece of paper and marker out. "How are we supposed to help them?"
"We make a plan duh!" Mary rolled her eyes and uncapped the marker and thought for a moment. "They need to see each other again, but how?" Mary snapped her head, "Oh I know! I'll hit you in the face so then they get called again just like yesterday!" Peter's eye's widened shaking his head, "I don't like that idea let's think of something else."
"Well my dad fixes cars. Does your dad need to get his car fixed?" Peter thought for a moment shaking his head no, but then he got an idea. "I can try and break it though! Then he'll have to go to your dad to get it fixed."
"Yes that's a perfect idea!" Mary wrote it down step by step.
1. Peter break car
2. Peter dad take car to dad works
3. dad and dad fall in love
Mary smiled down at the plan as did Peter. She ripped part of the paper and wrote down. 'The Captains auto shop' Steve had Mary remember how to spell his work in case of emergency alongside his number. She gave Peter the paper with the name, "Make sure your dad sees this!"
"How do you know he'll go though"
"Tell him Steve works there and if we're right about the crush he'll run there."
Peter nodded and put the note in his pocket to keep it safe. Miss Foster calmed the class down and started to teach. Throughout class they giggled to one another thinking about the plan.
Peter went home after school and since Tony was working on one of his projects Peter thought this was his chance. He snuck into the garage where his dad kept his fancy cars. Just like his father he was good at building things, but Peter was better at destroying things.
He slowly took little parts of the car apart bolts here and there. He cut little wires he found in the car. It was fairly easy since it wasn't a high-end car like the ones Tony usually drove. It was an old-timey car his dad never really drove around.
After a while of trying his hardest in making it look some bad shape he heard footsteps into the garage. "Pete hey are you in here? I was thinking since it's Friday we get the favorite, cheeseburger what'd you think?" Peter got up as quickly as he could and ran off to the other side of the garage where some of his toys were. "There you are kid. So like I said cheeseburgers?" Peter nodded and smiled. "let's get you to your room and wash up."
Peter took his hand as they were walking out he pointed to the car, "The car it's broken!"
"Pete what are you talking about oh what the fu- uh fudge happen!" He let go of Peters's hand and ran to the car which had wires cut with bolts all around it. There were marks on the tires as if someone tried to poke a hole in them. "I don't have time to fix it myself" Tony dragged his hands through his hair.
"Peter do you have something to do with this." He asked turning to his son who was reaching for his pocket.
"Uh I don't know, but I know where to fix it!" he grabbed a ripped piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to him. It looked like a kid's handwriting, but it wasn't Peters. "The captain's auto shop?"
"Uhm I found it on- on the street Steve works there. Mary's dad."
Tony crossed his arms, "If you found it on the street how'd you know who works there." Peter was fidgeting his hands looking down. Tony didn't want to yell at Peter so he just sighed and had him go to his room. He had an inkling on what was going on so he thought 'what the hell'.
"I guess I'll be paying this auto shop a visit tomorrow," he said quietly to himself. He put the paper in his pocket and headed to Peter's room.
Somehow he knew this was probably set up in some way, but he didn't mind. He was gonna get to see that blue-eyed beauty again, and he wasn't complaining.