Three AM
Tony groaned as the world came into focus. The first thing he knew was pain...pain in his head that throbbed in time with his heartbeat. Taking a slow, deep breath, he tried to focus. Where was he? The last thing he remembered was a mission. A mission with the Avengers. And then...that was it. He tried to bring a hand up to his forehead but found that it was being held in a very strong, very small hand. He blinked himself awake, sighing as he once more found himself staring at the medbay ceiling. He’d been in this room too many times since taking up the mantle of Iron Man.
Turning his head a little, he startled when he saw the bed right next to his, Pepper curled up under a blanket, and, in the chair between the two beds was Peter, asleep with his knees to his chest, his hand gripping Tony’s. Bringing his free hand up to his face, he sighed when he saw that it was wrapped in a cast. “Great,” he grumbled, trying to lift his other hand, but Peter held it firmly. He squinted at the boy, frowning when he got a better look. Peter was pale, with dark circles under his eyes, and he looked...skinny. Skinner than Tony remembered. He squeezed Peter’s hand gently, rubbing his thumb over his knuckles.
“Tony?” the soft voice startled him and he looked up to find Rhodey in the doorway, looking as tired of Peter. Walking around the bed where Pepper slept, he glanced first at Peter, then perched on the edge of Tony’s hospital bed. “It’s three in the morning. How are you feeling?”
“What’s wrong with Peter?” Tony asked instead of answering, and Rhodey sighed.
“I swear, the two of you...he hasn’t left your side in three days. Had a breakdown when Pepper tried to convince him to go to school yesterday. He just sticks to your bed and screams. We can barely get him to eat...he’s terrified, Tony.”
The man sighed, squeezing Peter’s hand again. “Oh, buddy,” he murmured.
“You didn’t answer my question. How are you feeling? Besides worried for your kid?”
“Headache. Tired. The usual.” Tony shrugged. “I’ll be fine. But…”
“Peter’s going to be fine too,” Rhodey assured him, heading him off before he could say it aloud. “As soon as he sees that you’re okay, he’ll be back to normal.”
“His dad is a superhero, Rhodey. He has spider DNA. He’ll never be... “ Tony cut himself off, shaking his head. “What if something happens to me? What…”
“Don’t,” Rhodey cautioned softly, eyes cutting over to the boy. “Peter is already terrified that something is going to happen to you.”
“Of course he is! So am I! And...and what about when he gets older?”
“What are you talking about, Tones?” Rhodey asked gently, reaching out resting a hand on his arm.
“What if he follows in my footsteps? He already has superpowers. What if he...what if he wants to do this too and I have to sit at my son’s bedside after he gets hurt?”
His friend sighed, squeezing his arm and smiling a little. “Tony, you’re spiraling.”
Tony dropped his head against the pillows, squeezing Peter’s hand and fighting the urge to wake the boy. It looked like Peter needed the sleep. But he wanted to hold his son. Wanted to kiss his head and tell him how sorry he was...how sorry he was for putting himself in danger all the time. For being a superhero. For setting the example he was setting.
Rhodey cleared his throat. “Even if something were to happen to you, you know I’d take care of him.” Tony lifted his eyes and his friend tried for a smile. “I’m his godfather. And I love him. I’d take care of him like he was my own son. And if he suddenly decided to become a superhero...then...I’d do everything I could to protect him. But Peter is your son and I know better than anyone there’s no way to stop a Stark from doing exactly what they want.”
He had to chuckle, and finally, the little boy at his side shifted, uncurling a little from the chair and blinking heavily. “Uncle Rhodey?” he asked.
“Hey, buddy,” Rhodey murmured, a soft smile lighting up his face. “Look who’s awake.”
“Huh?” Peter rubbed his eyes with his free hand, then blinked at his dad who watched him, waiting with his own smile. “Dad?” he asked, voice breaking a little, and Tony tugged on his hand a little.
“Hey, buddy. Are you…”
Before he could finish the question, Peter was jumping into his bed as carefully as he could, throwing his arms around Tony’s neck. Tony lifted his good arm, rubbing Peter’s back. He closed his eyes, sniffing when Peter sobbed into his neck. “Oh...baby...I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“Are...are you okay?”
“I’m okay, Spiderling. I just need a little more rest and I’ll be just fine.”
“I was afraid...afraid you wouldn't...wouldn’t wake up!”
Tony felt his chest clench as he held the boy as tightly as he could. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Pete.”
“I..I know your job is really important but…” The boy pulled away a little, huge, teary brown eyes staring into Tony’s. “But I…”
“Hey,” Tony murmured, reaching up and running a thumb over his cheek. He pulled him close and pressed a kiss to his forehead. “I’m going to take a little time off, okay? We’ll do something. Just you and me and Pepper. Go back to the beach for a little while so I can get better.”
Peter sniffed, and Tony knew that he was letting him down. He should quit. He should give it up. But he couldn’t. And he suspected his son knew that too. But the little boy managed a smile, reaching up and wiping his face. “Can Uncle Rhodey come too?”
Behind him Rhodey chucked, and Tony laughed a little too as Rhodey reached out and patted his back. “Yeah, buddy. Uncle Rhodey can come too.” Pulling him close once more, Tony kissed his son’s hair and let the boy wrap his arms around him, always careful not to squeeze too hard. “I love you so much. So, so much, Pete.”
“I love you too, Daddy.” And then the boy’s eyes were drooping, and Tony shifted him so that he could lay beside him on the bed, Rhodey moving the covers so that he could tuck the boy in.
“Get some sleep, buddy.” Closing his eyes, the boy did, but Tony lay awake for the rest of the night, holding his son and praying that a day never came when he couldn’t.