All The Stars Align

Peter dumped out his legos on the floor, preparing to build a replica of the Compound from memory alone. 

It had been his plan as of ten minutes ago and he was doing it. 

Tony put his phone away and leaned over to watch Peter. He loved watching Peter build his legos, getting to see the concentration on his face and watch his imagination come to life. 

He picked up a red base and held it out for Peter. “If you use this on the main structure, it’ll hold better.” 

Peter looked at the piece as he thought about it. “No, because then it’ll put too much pressure in the middle and it’ll collapse. I’ll use it as a wall.” 

Tony was always so impressed by Peter and everything he does. He sat back and just decided to watch Peter but then an alarm was going off. Tony knew what that was. It was the Avengers alarm. 

Peter covered his hands over his ears and turned towards Tony, eyes wide and terrified. Peter already knew what that meant and he wasn’t letting his dad leave. He couldn’t. 

“Alarm off, FRIDAY.” Tony ordered and stood up to leave. He had a responsibility as Iron Man, he didn’t go out in the suit much anymore but at times like this, he didn’t have a choice. “You’re staying here.” He ordered Peter. 

Peter grabbed onto his dad’s hand and stuck his feet to the floor. He was much stronger than Tony when he wanted to be and right now, he didn’t want his dad to go. “Don’t leave.” 

Tony tried to walk but Peter was using his extra strength on him. He leaned down so he was in Peter’s face and used his firm dad voice. “Don’t you dare use your spidey powers with me.” 

Peter didn’t like that voice so he immediately let go. “Don’t leave me. Please! Please, daddy. Don’t go!” 

“I have to and you have to stay here.” Tony walked into the elevator and turned around to look at Peter. “I’ll be okay.” 

Peter fell to his knees and screamed. He wanted to go with his dad as Spider-Man if Tony wasn’t going to stay with him in the penthouse. He didn’t want to risk his dad getting hurt and him not being there. 

The elevator doors shut and Tony was taken to the Quinjet. Peter gagged on his crying then ran over to the elevator and pressed the button but it didn’t open. “Open the doors, FRIDAY!” 

“As per the babysitter protocol, I cannot do that, Peter.” FRIDAY responded in her robotic yet lifelike voice and Peter screamed, banging on the elevator doors. 

He didn’t know where his suit was. After his accident and him dying, his dad probably burned it. Peter hadn’t seen it or even cared to know where it was but now he needed it. 

So he ran into his dad’s office and logged onto his computer. He already knew the password was his birthday since he saw Tony type it in back when his dad was still Mr. Stark to him and not dad. 

Once Peter was on, he pulled up the babysitter protocol and turned it off. Peter hoped that did the trick. He ran out of his office and down the stairs to the lab, simply opening up the glass door to be let in. 

He remembered once when coming down to this exact same lab used to be so much fun and made him beyond happy but now he felt that way wherever his dad was, now, his dad was about to fight with the Avengers and Peter needed to help. 

He looked around the lab for his suit when he found a glass, body like casket. He stepped onto a stool and looked inside, his eyes widening. 

It was his Spider-Man suit but it was brand new. 

Peter quickly took off all his clothes, only keeping on his underwear and socks and then he opened the glass casket and carefully pulled the suit out, stepping into it. 

Once he had it on, he didn’t feel the same rush of excitement he usually felt. He felt more dread. Like a heavy weight was weighing on his shoulders. He ignored that for now, he had to get to the battle. 

Peter put his mask on and ran back upstairs to look for a way out. 

“Welcome, Peter. Where are we headed today?” Karen greeted him warmly. 

Peter missed Karen. “I gotta help my dad. Can you track his suit and tell me where he’s going?” 

“He’s on fifth street. I don’t suggest going there. The Avengers seem to be outnumbered by enhanced individuals.” Karen said but Peter didn’t care, that was just all the more reason to get to his dad. 

He climbed to the top of the bay windows and pulled the screen out then climbed outside the tower. “Woah. I never noticed how high up we are, Karen.” 

Peter tried not to look down but it was kinda hard to do. He crawled a few floors down, just so he was low enough to shoot a web and swing onto the other buildings and then he was on his way. 

.

.

.

Tony looked over the files they got. 

This was serious. 

“Dharma Initiative. I’ve never heard of them before. What do they do?” 

Steve put the jet on autopilot and stepped out to the group. “They’re a research team. They believe they can harvest certain energy points using scientific research to manipulate the environment in order to change any one of the core factors of the Valenzetti Equation. If successful, they would change the Equation's result resulting in changing mankind's destiny.” Steve explained in detail then grabbed his shield. “Better suit up, Tony. We’re landing in thirty seconds and they’re expecting us.” 

Tony put the tablet on the bench so he could step into his suit. “If they’re trying to gather outputs of energy for an entirely different purpose, how are they super soldiers?” 

“Perhaps they found a way around it.” Natasha shrugged, stepping behind Steve so she can jump out after him and go inside the building. 

Tony was glad he got a full eight hours of sleep last night since he was gonna need his energy. They landed and as soon as the doors opened, all hell broke loose. 

Men dressed in a black bodysuit, much like the Spider-Man suit with black masks only covering their eyes and forehead. It was quite nightmarish to fight. 

Tony shot a repulser at one of the men but it only slowed him down for a second before he was getting right back up and charging at Tony so Tony flew above him to attack from behind. 

“Stay out of this, Iron Man.” The man said with a strong New York accent so Tony wondered where the hell these guys came from. 

“Oh, so you know who I am. I’ve never heard of you guys, enlighten me.” Tony grabbed him by the neck and pinned him to the ground, knocking him out. “Guess I’ll have to ask someone else.” 

He flew up and spotted Captain America struggling to hold off one of the men. That was new to Tony. Steve was by far the strongest enhanced Tony had ever come across, he was lucky Steve was on his side or they would have a real problem. 

“Need a hand, Cap?” Tony asked, flying down. 

“Nice… of you to ask!” Steve strained to get the guy off of him as he spoke. 

Tony flew down and grabbed the guy off, dropping him but before he could shoot his repulsors at him, he was gone. “What…?” 

“Stark,” Tony immediately groaned at that voice. He hated that man. “so nice to see you out in the field again.” 

“Nick Fury.” Tony said through gritted teeth, watching the man’s own Quinjet fly down and land next to theirs. “How bout you join us? We could use an extra hand?” 

“I’d rather not. I’m just here to chat with you guys after.” 

Tony flew above his jet and watched Fury get out of his and head into the Avengers one before Fury’s jet flew off. Tony groaned. That meant they were taking him back to the tower. 

Steve was struggling to get two black suited men off of him. It was definitely an equal battle between both their strengths and that meant a threat to the Avengers. He went to aim a punch when something red and blue flashed on the corner of his eye. 

He looked up and saw Spider-Man swinging into the flight. Since Steve wasn’t paying attention to the enhanced individuals, he was punched but he recovered quickly. “Stark, why’d you let him join the fight?” 

Tony didn’t know what Steve was talking about. “Who?” 

He didn’t wait for Steve to answer because just as he knocked out one more guy, Peter swung down from a street lamp and landed on his feet next to him. 

“Hi.” 

Tony didn’t know how to react. He felt his heart speed up, unlike anything he felt the whole time he was out there because now Peter was there too. “What the hell are you doing here?” 

“I wanted to help- ahhhh!” 

Tony saw the black suited man run at Peter so he grabbed his arm and flew into the air. “You’re useless in this fight. You’re useless during every Avengers fight because you’re not an Avenger!” 

Peter felt like he wanted to immediately cry but he didn’t because that would be proving his dad right. “Shut up. Let me go. I don’t need you. I don’t need your help!” 

Tony never heard Peter talk to him like that before. He flew down to the Quinjet and opened it. “I don’t need your help either. Stay in here.” Tony walked in throwing Peter onto the bench before leaving, having the door shut automatically behind him. 

Peter screamed behind his mask. He kicked the bench and it dented. 

“Bad day, Spider-Man?” 

Peter snapped his head to look at the voice speaking. His Spidey sense didn’t warn him anyone was in there with him meaning they weren’t dangerous so he paid him no mind. 

He banged at the door but it didn’t budge so he turned to the man with the eye patch. “Open the door! Open it!” 

Fury didn’t seem phased. “Relax kid. You’ll see daddy soon.” 

Peter narrowed his eyes at him. “Don’t call me kid, old man. Open these doors or I’ll kick them down.” 

Fury actually laughed in his face. “I’d like to see you try. This Quinjet is high quality, made up of vibranium metals. Captain America can’t even kick these doors down if he tried his damn hardest.” 

Peter looked away from him. He needed to see his dad and know if he was okay or not. He bounced on his toes, psyching himself up then he kicked the door, feeling it dent. 

Fury stood up, completely astonished. 

Peter fell onto his butt after the second kick and used both his feet to break down the door. “AHHHHHH!” 

The doors bursted open, sending them a few feet into the air before crashing into the side of the building. Peter caught his breath and locked eyes with his dad who turned to look at him, pausing mid battle to watch Peter kick the doors down of something no man or machine was ever supposed to break. 

“Peter?” Tony whispered, somewhat concerned but mainly appalled. He knew Peter was strong, it was common knowledge Spider-Man was strong but what Peter just did… it was impossible. There was no way. 

Even behind the Iron Man mask, Peter could read his dad’s facial expression. He stood up, getting off the floor of the jet and walking out, towards his dad. 

Steve even stopped to stare at Peter. “Did you see that?” He asked Bucky. 

“I saw.” Bucky said just before he turned and saw an army truck heading towards them in the road, pushing cars out of the way. “Is that… a slovenian army truck?” 

Steve turned to see it. “It is. How did they get that?” 

It sped up and Bucky jumped out of the way but before Steve had time to get out of the way, he lifted his shield up to try and stop it but his feet kept sliding and whoever was driving it kept going faster. 

Tony turned and saw the truck heading towards him and he went to pick Peter up and get out of the way but one of the men wrapped a metal cuff around the Iron Man suit. Tony tried to pry it off but it didn’t budge. 

He looked at Peter who was still standing in the middle of the street, right in line with the army truck. “Run! Get out of the way!” 

Peter stared at his dad. He felt frozen with fear. He didn’t know what to do and he couldn’t move. Bucky ran towards him, trying to get Peter out of the way in time. 

Bucky grabbed Peter, holding him like a football and jumping out of the way but it was too late for Tony. The army truck hit him, running him over in his suit. 

Peter turned and saw his dad under the truck and screamed. He wiggled his way out of Bucky's arms and went to run towards his dad but someone grabbed his arm and yanked him back. He thought it was Bucky at first but when he turned to see, he saw it was one of those black suited men. 

“Who are you?” He asked, holding Peter so he couldn’t go anywhere. 

Peter grabbed the masked man’s wrist and bent it until he let go of him then kicked him back, sending him flying a hundred feet and onto a car. 

He ran towards the truck and squatted down. “Dad? Dad… please…?” 

Five of the masked men surrounded him. Peter noticed that they each had a pocket knife in their hands. “Get this OFF!” Peter repeatedly smacked the truck, wanting it off his dad. 

“No point. He’s dead. No way he survived that.” One of them said, Peter didn’t care which one. He ripped off a piece from the truck with a grunt and threw it as hard as he could at one of them, stabbing him in the shoulder. 

The other four came at him so Peter grabbed the bottom of the truck and lifted it up, feeling the metal dig into his palms. He groaned under the weight of it and then attached webs to the bottom and then on the side of a building and kicked it, sending the whole truck into the air and smashing against the side of the building. 

Peter was terrified of himself. He never knew he could do something like that. He didn’t know he had so much power. He stood up and backed away from his dad, terrified that he was dead. 

“Karen… is-is he… is…” Peter couldn’t say it but thankfully Karen understood. 

“Heartbeat detected. He is alive and has no injuries aside from bruising on his ribs.” Karen replied and Peter sobbed out a relief. 

“D-dad?” Peter whispered. 

Tony rolled onto his back with a groan of his own. “Hey… I’m fine.” 

Peter hated his dad for scaring him. 

Tony lifted his face mask up so Peter could see his face just as Steve yelled to warn them. “Look out!” 

Peter turned just in time to see one of the black suited men aiming a gun at them. He fired the gun and Peter screamed and fell to his knees, waiting for the bullet to hit him or his dad but nothing happened. 

He peeked an eye out and jumped back when he saw it. Around both him and his dad was a blue and red orb. Peter reached out to touch it but it shocked him. “Ow!” 

That’s when he looked up and saw everyone on the ground. Peter tried to find Steve or Bucky to see if he hurt them too but then they stood up and slowly approached them. 

“Dad! What did I do?!” Peter looked at his hands. Did he do this? He was so scared of himself at that moment, it was like he got so mad and he couldn’t control his strength. 

Tony sat up, still feeling like he had broken every bone in his body when it was just a few bruised ribs. “Yeah… it’s okay. Just… calm down and it’ll go away.” 

Peter took his mask off and fell onto his hands and knees again, gasping for air. “I’m dying!” 

“You’re not dying. Just breathe.” Tony looked at the orb around them. It was probably the best design he added to Peter’s new suit upgrade but of course he couldn’t take full credit since he got the idea from Doctor Strange and his… weird magic. 

Peter sucked in a breath of air and grabbed onto his dad’s hand. “This is all your fault! Why did you leave me?!” 

Tony was extremely disappointed and mad at Peter, he didn’t even think he could put it into words right now. “Get up. You have no idea how much trouble you’re in. Stand up.” 

He forced Peter to his feet and grabbed his mask from his hand to put it back on him then grabbed Peter’s wrist to deactivate the orb protecting them. He let go of Peter’s wrist so it didn’t look like he was dragging his kid who is supposed to be Spider-Man back to the Quinjet which was destroyed. 

Steve walked up to them but Tony didn’t want to hear it. “Save it, Steve. I didn’t let him come, he came by himself.” 

Tony didn’t hear Peter walking behind him so he turned and saw Peter with his arms crossed over his chest, showing his age to the cameras and people that were definitely watching them. 

He didn’t want to risk anything so he turned to Natasha. “He’s scared of you, can you tell him to come.” 

Natasha walked over to Peter, not having to go close. “Get on the jet.” 

Peter hesitated but reluctantly forced himself onto the new jet that arrived for them. Tony didn’t have energy left in him, his body was sore and he couldn’t stop thinking about all the what if’s. 

His kid could have gotten hurt again. 

Tony got out of his suit and sat down just as Peter ever so slowly walked on, eyes narrowing in on him. The door was shut and Steve went to fly it back but Peter didn’t move from his spot. “Get your ass over here.” 

“No.” 

Tony didn’t waste any time arguing with him. He stood up and grabbed Peter forcefully by his upper arms, leaning down to be at his height. “When I tell you to do something, you do it. Go sit on that bench. Right now!” 

Peter quickly made his way over and sat on the bench, pulling his knees to his chest. He tried so hard to cry but he couldn’t help himself. He didn’t want to make a sound so he bit his tongue, tasting blood. His body shook with each sob and it gave him away. 

Tony knew Peter was crying but he wasn’t going to comfort him. Peter had to learn. 

Fury was sitting across from Peter, staring at him. Tony sat back and eyed Fury. “Stop looking at him.” 

Fury looked at Tony this time. “I had no idea Spider-Man was so strong. What’s his count? How much can he lift?” 

Tony wasn’t answering this. Mainly because he had no idea, he was Peter’s father and he just found out Peter could lift a freaking army truck and break open reinforced vibranium doors. “I’m not telling you shit.” 

“Fine.” Fury looked back at Peter who had pulled his head out from between his legs and stared at Fury. “How much can you lift, Spider-Man? Just how strong are you?” 

“Don’t answer him.” Tony warned. Peter turned his back to him, pouting because Tony yelled at him, but he knew Peter would listen to him now. If only he listened before too. 

“Someone as strong as he is, especially at that age, needs to be tested, Stark. What happens when he’s twenty? He’s only going to get stronger.” Fury said and Tony was trying so hard not to explode but Steve spoke up. 

“Enough. The fight isn’t about Spider-Man, we’re dealing with a real threat here and that’s the dharma initiative.” 

“Yeah, and the only one who took them out with no problem was Spider-Man.” Fury said, bringing the topic up again. 

Peter jumped to his feet. “Why do you keep saying Spider-Man like that? Like I’m not any good or something. I didn’t see you out there fighting any bad guys.” 

Tony loved to see Peter stand up for himself, especially in front of Fury but he didn’t show it. 

Fury took to the challenge. “I didn’t belong in that fight just like you didn’t. There’s a reason we don’t allow twelve year olds to run around playing superheroes.” 

Peter felt like crying again. “I’m fourteen.” He whispered, voice cracking with tears. 

Fury chuckled. “Same thing. What, barely a two year difference-” 

“Enough. I told you not to talk to him, Fury.” Tony grabbed Peter’s arm and forced him to sit back down. He wanted to get this ride over with as soon as possible. 

It was a painfully long seven minutes later and once they landed, Fury spoke up like Tony expected him to. “Debriefing in the conference room in ten.” 

“Yep.” Tony mumbled then stood up to leave but Peter didn’t move. Tony walked back and grabbed his arm. “If you’re gonna sit here and act like a baby then I’ll treat you like one.” 

“No.” 

“Then stand. Up. Now.” 

Peter stood up, trying to yank his arm out of Tony’s grasp. Tony could tell Peter was using no powers since Tony was able to easily drag him out. Everyone went down to their rooms to change and have a quick shower. Usually Tony did the exact same thing but he couldn’t with Peter. 

He dragged Peter all the way into the elevator and once they were alone, Tony yanked Peter’s mask off and stuck his pointer finger up in Peter’s face so he listened. “Stop this behaviour and walk. You’re acting like a toddler right now. Enough.” 

Peter couldn’t stop the sob that escaped him. “You’re mean to me!” 

“You are absolutely ridiculous. You have no idea how much trouble you’re in, Peter Benjamin Stark.” Tony didn’t let go of his wrist the whole time and when the elevator doors opened and Tony went to walk but Peter didn’t move. “Walk.” He picked Peter up by his arm and leg but Peter arched his back so Tony flipped him over and gave a warning slap on his butt once. “Stand up and walk properly.” 

Peter let out a scream but stood up, pulling away from his dad as he stomped his way upstairs to his dad’s bedroom. Tony was going to tell him and that he had to go to his own room but he didn’t want to incorporate Peter’s room with punishment. 

Once Tony got in his room, he shut the door and locked it so Peter couldn’t get out. “Take off the suit and give it to me.” 

Peter ran to the corner of the room and tried to crawl under the bed to hide. “Peter, stop. I have to go for the debriefing now so get out.” He grabbed Peter by the ankles and pulled him out. “Are you going to take the suit off?” 

Peter shook his head so Tony pressed the spider emblem on the front and the suit came off so Tony pinned him down and took his arms out first. 

The door was opening behind him and at first Tony thought Pepper came back for some reason since only her and two other people could open up his bedroom door but it was Rhodey. Tony turned back to Peter and moved down so he could take Peter’s legs out, all while Peter screamed, cried and kicked him. 

“Woah. What’s going on?” Rhodey asked, stepping into the room to watch the scene unfold. 

Tony ignored him. He put the suit over his arm and wiped the sweat off his face. “Stay here. I’m not gonna be back anytime soon.” 

Peter sat up and screamed at him. “I hate YOUUUU!” 

Tony didn’t take it personally, he tried not to but it still hurt. “Yeah yeah.” 

He left his bedroom and shut the door, locking it. “FRIDAY, lock it and don’t let Peter out.” 

“Yes, Boss.” 

Tony rubbed at his eyes and left down the hallway. He had to get a coffee and wash his face first. Rhodey followed him but Tony didn’t want to comment on it. 

“Why every time I come, he’s crying bloody murder and you’re screaming at him? Is it always like that?” 

That got Tony thinking. It was very rarely like that. Just a few hours ago, him and Peter were having such a good time but now, this. “No. It’s just… he snuck out.” 

“I heard what happened. Do we know anything else about this group?” 

The two of them walked down to the conference room that was on the seventeenth floor. Tony didn’t want Fury or anyone else that came to his tower anywhere near Peter. They were the last ones to arrive which was no surprise. 

“Rhodes, so nice of you to join us too.” Fury said then looked at Tony. 

“Yeah, I was already on my way over here and I heard the Avengers got called to a mission.” 

“Stark, where’s Spider-Man?”

Tony rolled his eyes and sat down. “He won’t be joining us. Let’s make this quick.” 

Fury sat down as well but didn’t drop it. “I’d like to know the full capabilities of Spider-Man.” 

“That won’t be necessary. He isn’t an Avenger.” 

“Well, he sure did fight with them today.” Fury argued and in hindsight, Tony should have seen this coming. 

“That doesn’t mean anything. He’s not an Avenger.” Tony argued back. 

Fury pulled out a computer and clicked on a few keys before turning it to Tony. “This is video footage from the last battle Spider-Man joined in on. He was barely able to get the robots off of him and today, he’s breaking through Vibranium doors and tossing army trucks into the air like it’s nothing. He’s fourteen and he has this much power, what’s he gonna be like a year from now? Five years from now? I need to know.” 

Tony pressed pause on the video. “Spider-Mans a minor and he’s untouchable so he stays out of this.” 

“He was untouchable until he joined the fight today and showed us what he’s made of.” 

Tony slammed the computer closed. “He’s a child. He stays out of S.H.I.E.L.D’s databases.” 

“Rogers and Barnes were both tested to see how strong they are and what they are capable of. As such, they get tested every so often. Spider-Man needs to be tested too.” Fury narrowed his eye at Tony and Tony felt the urge to rip off his eye patch. 

“Spider-Man is too young to consent. Like I said, he’s a minor. He won’t even understand what he’s consenting too.” 

“I thought you said he’s smart? I mean, I just got the impression that he was smart.” 

“He’s smarter at his age than you’ll ever be.” Tony said through gritted teeth. He hated this man so much. 

“Tony’s right.” Said Natasha. “The kid’s fourteen, he won’t understand what’d he be consenting to and will only say yes or no depending on what Stark says so it doesn’t matter anyways.” 

Fury grumbled. “He’s still an enhancement that needs to be put into the system.” 

“He is in the system.” Steve said. 

“As Spider-Man. Not as Peter whatever his middle name is Stark, age fourteen and so on and so forth.” He looked at Tony, waiting for an argument. 

“I don’t give a fuck what you want. He’s my kid. Not yours. Spider-Man is mine. I own him and no one has to know differently. All that people know is that Spider-Man is supplied by Tony Stark and it’s gonna stay that way until I say otherwise.” 

Fury stood up and started pacing. “Then put him on a tight fucking leash because he can’t join an Avengers battle again. If he does, I will have my guys arrest him.” 

Tony stood up and walked towards Fury, getting in his face. “If you even lay a hand on him, I will tear you apart.” 

Fury stayed silent for a few seconds. Tony expected the man to argue with him on it but he didn’t. 

“I want him tested. All that’s gonna happen is I’ll have my guys come here and have him lift a few things.” Fury demanded, walking away from Tony. 

Tony sat back down. “No.” 

“What are you afraid of?” He asked, seeming to try and read Tony. “I saw the way you turned to look at him when he broke through that door. You didn’t even know he was capable of that. His own strength surprised you too.” 

Tony didn’t say anything because Fury was right. 

“I’m willing to bet if he were put up against Cap, he might stand a chance. Given a little training.” 

Tony didn’t believe that and no one else seemed to either. “He won’t stand a chance against Steve. The reason why Steve can’t break down the Quinjet door is because he never tried because there was no reason to. Put him in that situation and give him a reason to and he will.” 

“Peter had no reason to. Now I don’t know much about kids but I’m pretty sure what I saw was baby Stark having a temper tantrum because daddy said no and he doesn’t like being told no.” 

Tony wanted to punch this man in the face so hard. He didn’t know why he hadn’t already. “It’s not that simple.” 

“Oh, but it is.” 

Tony scuffed. If only Fury knew. 

“The kid got mad and lashed out. He even surprised himself. I saw the look on that mask. He scared himself with his own strength and powers. I think you’re scared too, you’re scared of what he’s capable of so let me help you.” 

“The only person you want to help is yourself. You just want to satisfy your own curiosity.”

“I want to help the boy. One day, I’m guessing sooner rather than later, he’s gonna get curious about his powers and try to figure out the wrong way just what he’s capable of.” 

Tony was done with this conversation. “You have no fucking right to come in here and accuse me of being a bad father, acting like I’m gonna ignore the fact that my kid has powers and wants to learn more about them.” 

“I want him-” 

“Okay. Enough.” Rhodey said, daring Fury to speak about Peter again. “He’s Tony’s kid and it doesn’t matter what he does with him, you’re not gonna get your way and win this fight so stop.” 

Tony appreciated it but he was so done now. 

Natasha was sitting across from him and he watched her eyes widen and then point behind him so he turned and saw Peter walking towards the doors. Tony immediately stood up to get him. 

Fury looked pleased to see Peter. He stood up as well and walked towards the doors. “Look who came to join us. Let’s pull up a chair.” 

Tony opened the door and walked towards Peter. “Why are you here? How are you here?” 

Peter wiped desperately at his eyes. “You’re already mad at me so I don’t even care. Just wanted to see you.” 

“Peter.” Fury said, walking closer to Peter and Tony. “So nice to see you out of that Mask. Want to join us?” 

Tony tried to block Peter from Fury’s view. “Leave him alone, Fury.” 

“You’re a big boy, Peter, you can make your own decisions. Wanna join us?” 

Peter looked up at his dad for permission. “No, we’re actually leaving now. You guys have fun.” Tony said and grabbed Peter by the arm to bring him into the elevator and off the floor, away from Fury and the rest of the Avengers. 

He had to have a long talk with Peter. 

Once they were in the elevator and away from prying eyes, Tony let go of Peter’s arm and ran his hand down his face. If only Peter listened to him then he wouldn’t have to deal with any of this. He could have come home and wrapped Peter up in his arms and they could’ve spent the day together but now they couldn’t do any of that. 

Tony had to punish Peter but he actually had no idea how to do that. 

When the doors opened up, Tony walked out but Peter didn’t move so Tony turned back to look at him. “Get out of that elevator right now. You’re already in huge trouble, don’t make it worse.” 

“I don’t want to be in trouble.” Peter whined, crossing his arms over his chest and walking out of the elevator anyways. 

“Yeah, you should have thought about that before you decided to leave the tower, after I told you to stay here.” Tony didn’t want to say anything that would damage his and Peter’s relationship but this couldn’t happen again. He couldn’t go easy on Peter this time. 

Peter kicked the couch but Tony grabbed it so it couldn’t go anywhere. “Hey! Stop that. Stop kicking things because you’re angry.” 

Peter glared at him. “If you didn’t leave then I wouldn't had to have followed you!” 

“You’re not putting this on me, I’m Iron Man and an Avenger so it’s my responsibility-” 

“I’m Spider-Man.” 

Tony scuffed and crossed his arms. “I can easily take that away from you. I don’t know why I’m not after what you pulled today. You disobeyed me and put yourself and the rest of us in danger.” 

“You’re mean!” 

Tony nodded. He didn’t care if Peter called him the devil. He wasn’t going light on this. “Call me whatever you want. What you did today will never ever happen again. When I have to leave for Avengers business and I tell you to stay, you stay!” 

Peter crossed his own arms, daring him to speak. “And what if I don’t?” 

Tony thought about it. He couldn’t use Peter’s separation anxiety from him but he didn’t know what else to say. He was scared that he was going to say something bad and ruin their relationship. Part of him wanted to use a threat against him but he stopped himself. 

He sighed, knowing he was being a bit too hard on Peter. He felt bad, he hated this bipolar emotional roller coaster of being a parent. Tony sat down on the couch and held his arms out for Peter to sit next to him but Peter didn’t go so he slowly lowered his arms. 

“Peter, what you did was incredibly dangerous and bad what you did today. Do you understand that?” Tony asked slowly so he didn’t scare Peter off but he could still see the anger in him. 

Peter crossed his arms tighter around himself. “Yes! It’s your fault. I-I asked you not to go and you went so-so I had to go too.” 

“No, you didn’t. I told you to stay and you should’ve listened to me. That isn’t up for debate.” 

Peter turned his body away from him. “You were rude to me and hurt my feelings.” 

“You hurt my feelings too. You disobeyed my trust when I thought I could trust you. Now all that trust is gone.” 

As soon as Tony said that, Peter’s whole demeanour changed. His eyes filled with tears and his arms fell to his side then he released a loud sob. Tony’s heart broke like it did every time Peter cried real tears. 

“Do-do you h-h-hate me now?” 

“No, I could never hate you but I’m very upset with you.” 

Peter fell onto his knees and cried harder. “No.” 

“Yes, I am.” 

“No!” 

“Peter-” 

“No!” 

Tony sighed. “Peter, stop it. Let’s talk about this.” Peter didn’t say anything so Tony stood up, picked Peter up by his arms and forced him to stand up. “Look at me.” Peter looked at him, sniffling. “No legos, no tv and in bed by eight for a week. Do you understand me?” 

Peter shook his head. “No, I need my legos.” 

“No, you were bad and this is your punishment.” Tony let go of Peter and checked the time. It was just past seven and he still had to feed Peter and get him up to bed. “I want you to understand that I still love you but you also need to understand that when you’re bad, there are consequences.” 

Peter smacked him. “No.” 

“Hey, stop hitting.” Tony grabbed his hand and slapped it. He had no idea what else to do. He made a mental reminder to get more parenting books for himself. He had a staring contest with Peter then stood up straight and walked into the kitchen. “You’ll eat dinner and go straight to bed.” 

“I’m not hungry.” 

“It’s your choice whether you decide to eat or not. You’re the one who will go to bed hungry.” Tony said even as he began making some quick KD. Whether Peter ate it or not was up to him. 

Peter stood in the same spot for the whole ten minutes while Tony cooked the food. He didn’t comment on it though. After he was done, he put it in a bowl, only filling it up less than halfway because he knew Peter wasn’t going to eat it and he was gonna save the rest for later when Peter did decide to eat it. 

“Come eat.” 

“I don’t want to.” 

Tony looked at him and pointed to the stairs. “Then go to bed.” 

“Nooo.” Peter quickly ran over to the kitchen island and climbed up on the stool to take one bite. 

8pm was way too early for him to go to bed but that also meant an early morning for him when Peter woke up. He decided to just be tired so he made himself a coffee. 

“I don’t wanna go to bed early.” 

Tony shrugged. “Then you shouldn’t have snuck out.” 

Peter frowned and looked down at his bowl. 

Tony tried to say something else. He was still getting the hang of this whole parenting thing. “I understand that you snuck out because you wanted to help but it was dangerous and I told you no.” 

Peter looked at him. “But I wanted to.” 

“I know you did but sometimes in life being told no sucks but you still have to listen. Now, no tv, legos and an early bedtime when we could have been having fun if you just listened. That’s the consequences.” 

Peter pushed his bowl away. “You’re rude.” 

Tony shrugged. “Are you done with your dinner? You only took one bite.” 

“No! I took two.” 

“That’s still not enough. If you’re telling me that you’re done then we’re gonna go upstairs and you’re gonna brush your teeth, shower and get your pyjamas on then straight into bed.” 

Peter thought about it. He didn’t want to eat. He was regretting what he did but only because he didn’t want his dad to be mad at him so he was more upset that Tony was mad at him for joining the fight. He slid off the chair and went to kick it but stopped himself and looked at his dad. 

Tony raised his eyebrows at Peter, just waiting for him to kick that chair. When he didn’t, he began walking upstairs. “Let’s go.” 

“I don’t want you to help me.” Peter said, stopping at the bottom of the stairs and hanging off the railing. He was hurt by the words Tony said to him so he didn’t want the man’s help. 

Tony didn’t expect Peter to say that. It kinda made him a bit sad since he did like to help Peter, knowing those days were running out because Peter was growing up but it was Peter’s choice. “Alright. I’ll come up and say goodnight to you when you’re done.” He turned and went to walk towards the couch. 

Peter didn’t want his dad’s help tonight but he still wanted him there. He sat down on the steps and chewed on the tip of his thumb, watching his dad walk away from him. 

“Are-are you still coming up?” 

“I thought you didn’t want my help?” 

“But… I still want you to come with me.” 

Tony walked back to the stairs and waited for Peter to follow him up. He didn’t say anything and neither did Peter. Tony hated this, he really wished Peter didn’t sneak out. 

Tony sat on the edge of the bed to wait for Peter. 

Peter hated himself for sneaking out. He was really regretting it right now. He walked into the bathroom and stared at the bed where his dad was. He felt incredibly guilty but he wasn’t thinking at the time, all he knew was his dad could die and it drove him insane. 

He didn’t want to look at him and feel bad anymore so he slammed the door and stripped out of his clothes then got in the shower. He couldn’t stop the tears that came while he showered but no one was there to make him feel better. 

After his shower, he quickly brushed his teeth and wrapped a towel around himself. He was scared to tell Tony what he did but he knew he had to or else he wouldn’t be able to calm down. 

He wiped his tears and walked to the edge of the bed to stand in front of his dad. “I’m-I’m sorry. I-I took off-off the-your protocol so I could leave. I’m sorry.” 

Tony figured as much. He had special protocols to protect Peter from doing certain things like going down to the lab and leaving the tower without him. Peter did both those things by himself so Tony had an idea Peter removed his protocols but he didn’t have the chance to confirm it yet. 

“I know. I appreciate you telling me and not lying to me again. Do you understand that you’re not to do that again?” Peter nodded. “And why not?” 

Peter chewed on the corner of his towel. “Because-because then I have to go to bed early.” 

“That’s a consequence of your bad behaviour. You can’t do that again because you put yourself,” Tony tapped Peter’s chest. “and others in danger.” 

Peter didn’t want to hear it. “You’re not my friend anymore.” 

“That’s right. I’m not your friend. I’m your parent.” Tony said, not caring if Peter threw a fit with what he had to say. “Sometimes… like now, I’m going to say things to you that you don’t want to hear because I am your dad, I’m not your friend, and sometimes I’m gonna do things that are going to upset you, like make you eat your dinner or tell you no and I only do these things because I am not your friend, I’m your dad.” 

Peter didn’t like that. He crossed his arms the best he could while still holding up his towel. “No.” 

“But I love you more than any friend would ever love you.” Tony pulled Peter forward so he could hug him. He didn’t want to put Peter to bed angry. 

Peter resisted at first but he eventually gave in and accepted the comfort, still feeling really guilty about the whole thing. He stood on his tippy toes so he could jump up. Tony got the hint and picked Peter up, setting him on his knee so he could hug him. 

Peter wrapped his arms around his dad’s neck and laid his head on his shoulder. He was content to stay there for the rest of the night. 

Tony held Peter for a little bit longer but he had to follow through on his punishment still so he patted Peter’s back. “It’s bedtime.” 

“No, it’s not eight.” Peter whimpered, trying to hug his dad tighter. 

“It’s…” Tony checked his watch. “Eight thirteen, bud.” 

Peter whimpered louder. He didn’t want to go to bed yet. He wasn’t even tired. He slid off his dad’s leg anyways and wrapped his towel around him, trying so hard not to cry. He watched his dad grab clean pyjamas for him and a pull-up and set it on the bed. 

“Are you gonna stay?” Peter asked as he grabbed the pull-up first and stepped into it, pulling it up on his waist. 

“I’ll come to bed later. It’s too early for me.” 

“It’s too early for me too!” Peter yelled, crossing his arms over his chest. 

“I told you, this is part of your punishment from your behaviour today so put your pyjamas on and get into bed.” Tony ordered him. He could see Peter wanting to argue back and say something but he didn’t. 

Peter put his pyjamas pants on and threw his top, he didn’t wanna wear it. “This top is stupid! I don’t wanna wear it.” He then crawled into bed. 

“Uh Uh Uh. Come back here.” Tony pointed to the thrown pyjama shirt on the floor. “If you don’t want to wear it then that’s fine but you don’t throw it. Put it away nicely.” 

Peter slid out of bed and picked the top up, putting it on the table nicely. He then turned and looked up at his dad to see if he did a good job. 

“Good. Go into bed now.” Tony sat on the edge of the bed while he waited for Peter to crawl in. “Close your eyes and sleep. I’ll come up to bed later.” 

Peter let his dad kiss him before speaking. “Can I have milk in my water bottle? It’s-it’s not gone away ‘cause my punishment, is it?” 

Tony brushed the curls off Petey’s forehead with his fingers. “No, it’s not. You need it so I’ll go get it for you and be right back.” 

Peter watched his dad leave. He threw his arms above his head and sighed. He really missed his dad falling asleep with him but he didn’t want to get in any more trouble than he already was. 

When Tony walked into the room next, Peter made grabby hands for his bottle of milk. Tony handed it to him and laid down, holding his head up with his arm. “Lift your head up so you don’t choke while you drink it.” 

He put a pillow higher up under Peter’s head and watched him for a bit. There was no way he could stay mad at Peter, it was mainly his worry speaking for him. 

Peter lifted his hand up to twirl his curls then he kicked the blankets off him halfway just to put his legs over his dad like he always did when he drank and was content. Like now. 

Tony planned on leaving right after but he couldn’t. He had to stay, even just for a bit. It was a weird day. A very weird and scary day but Tony was glad it was ending on a good note. 

He waited until Peter was done drinking and then pressed a kiss to his forehead. “Try to fall asleep. I’ll see you later.” He carefully tucked Peter’s legs back into the blankets and gave him another kiss before leaving. 

“Wait- don’t go.” 

“Buddy, I’ll be downstairs. You sleep.” Tony knew Peter didn’t want him to leave but he had to. 

When he got downstairs, he spotted Rhodey sitting on the couch and looking at Peter’s legos. He looked up when he heard Tony walk down the stairs. “I’ve been waiting here for like forty minutes.” 

Tony rolled his eyes. “I was just down here to get Peter milk and you were not here.” He walked into the kitchen to make himself a coffee. 

“How’s the kid?” 

“Uh… crying, whining, yelling. Nothing new.” Tony shrugged and took a huge chug of his coffee when it was made. “Oh, that’s hot.” 

He left the kitchen to go to his office but Rhodey was following him. “You know what Fury said is all bullshit, right? There’s no way he can arrest Peter.” 

Tony chuckled. “Obviously I know that. But Peter isn’t going to be joining the Avengers ever again.” Tony sat down in his office chair and took another sip. 

“Will he though? I think I remember a conversation with you saying the exact same thing weeks ago.” Rhodey sat down in the chair on the other side of the desk. 

“I’m trying. Usually people get kids who can’t walk or talk yet and they learn these things along the way but I get a kid who can swing from the ceiling.” Tony loved Peter but it was hard being a dad. 

“You and Peter belong together, man. You’ll figure it out. Then when he’s in college, you’ll look back on these days and miss them.” Rhodey said, grabbing a picture frame off Tony’s desk and turning it around to look at it. 

It was of him and Peter from a few weeks ago. They were sitting on the couch during a movie night, Peter was tucked under Tony’s arm and lifting his feet up towards the camera. It was so innocent and so simply perfect. Tony loved that picture. 

“He’s a cute kid.” Rhodey observed and put the frame back on the desk. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he actually was your kid.” 

Tony laughed. “He’s not blood related in any way. I already did a paternity test like a week after I met him.” 

“I know. I’m just saying.” 

Tony had to put the protocols back up but he had no idea how Peter even took it down. “He’s smarter than I give him credit for. Sometimes I think he’s in his own world, not paying any attention to me but then he’s proving me wrong. He must have seen me type in the protocol here at some point but I can’t remember.” 

“Kids are like sponges. My niece is four and she figured out how to start her mom's car just from watching her. They pick up everything.” Rhodey explained but it wasn’t like Tony didn’t already know that. He had Peter, he knew. 

“Yeah.” 

“So, did you know?” 

“Did I know what?” 

“Your kid has the strength to rip off Vibranium doors?” 

Tony had no idea. That scared him. “No. And it’s not like he trains. He barely eats during the day and sleeps like two seconds.” 

“Are you saying I have to call social services for child neglect?” Rhodey teased but it wasn’t funny. 

“No. He doesn’t want to eat unless it's a certain food in a specific way and he sleeps like two minutes at a time. Actually last night he slept the whole time.” That was a win for him. He slept throughout the whole night as well. 

“Why?” 

Tony shrugged. “Ask Peter next time you see him. I don’t know.” 

Rhodey chuckled. “How long till you’re done here?” 

“I don’t know. Ten minutes.”

He finished fixing the protocol that Peter took away and added another safety lock on it. The reason why Peter was able to get through it was because Tony didn’t want to limit Peter to the penthouse if there was an emergency and he had to get out by himself. 

God forbid a home invasion or a fire or something that required Peter to get out. 

He ran a hand down his face, pretty exhausted but glad to be done just as Peter walked into his office, holding his bear against his chest. “It didn’t work.” 

“What didn’t work?” Tony asked, holding out an arm as Peter made his way around the office desk, over to his dad. 

“Sleep.” Peter answered simply. 

“Sleep?” Tony laughed and looked over at Rhodey. He then brushed the messy curls out of Peter’s face, knowing that he had been rolling around a lot since it was all over the place. “You need to try for longer.” 

Peter looked over at Rhodey and then buried his face in his dad’s chest. “Can you come?” He mumbled in a whisper so Rhodey couldn’t hear then climbed onto his dad’s lap and put his legs on either side. 

Tony rubbed Peter’s back as he checked the time. It was 9:47pm, already past Peter’s bedtime. “I’ll come if you want. Say goodbye to Rhodey.” 

Peter peeked his eyes out at him and rubbed his fist over his eyes. “Bye.” He grabbed onto his dad as Tony stood up because he didn’t want to walk and wanted the comfort from Tony. 

Rhodey stood up as well and walked a bit in front of Tony to point at Peter’s pull-up sticking out of his pants, making a confused expression at it. 

It wasn’t like it wasn’t obvious Peter was wearing one. Tony knew Rhodey knew Peter wore one so he didn’t know what the face was for. Tony hoisted Peter up a bit as he answered Rhodey. “He still needs them.” 

Peter lifted his head up and looked towards the kitchen. “Needs what?” 

“Nothing. Let’s go to bed.” 

“I’m hungry.” Peter kicked his legs to be put down so Tony put him on his feet and walked into the kitchen to look for something to feed Peter. He didn’t want him to eat so much so late at night but he knew Peter didn’t eat any dinner. 

“I’m gonna make you some waffles quickly with your milk. Good?” Tony hesitated, waiting for Peter’s approval before putting the waffles in the freezer. 

“Yeah.” Peter sat on his knees on the stool, watching his dad fill up another water bottle with milk. 

Rhodey took a seat next to him. “So, Peter, why don’t you sleep?” 

Peter didn’t understand. He did sleep. He turned to Rhodey and stared at him. “I do.” 

“But why do you wake up so much throughout the night?” He asked, trying to tease Peter for a funny response. 

If it were anyone else, anyone other than Pepper, Tony would tell them to fuck off but he knew Rhodey meant no harm. He poured the milk and slid it across the counter for Peter. 

“I don’t know. I just do sometimes if I wake up.” Peter took a sip while still staring at Rhodey. 

“Do you wake Tony up after too?” Rhodey chuckled while asking that, basically laughing at Tony not being able to sleep through the night because of the milk drinker beside him. 

“Uh huh.” Peter coughed a few times from drinking while talking then spit some out, watching it run down his bare chest. 

“Peter,” Tony tossed a dish cloth on the table. “Wipe it up.” 

“So, Petey Pie, are you gonna eat all your food?” Rhodey teased him again but Tony felt bad, Peter didn’t understand that he was being made fun. 

“Rhodey bear, stop or I’ll whip this at your face.” Tony held up a wet rag, hinting back to the days when he used to purposely whip Rhodey with a wet towel in college. Rhodey was never amused. 

“Fine.” He put his hands up in surrender but looked back over at Peter who was chugging half the bottle of milk. “Kid, no ones taking it from you. Slow down or you’re gonna be peeing all night.” 

Peter stopped drinking and took a gasp of air, catching his breath. “It doesn’t matter anyways.” 

Rhodey raised his eyebrows at Tony. “No wonder he’s still wearing those things. You feed him like fifty gallons of milk every night. Even I don’t drink that much before I go to sleep, and I didn’t lose half a kidney.” 

Tony placed his hands on the counter and looked at Rhodey. He knew his friend was honest but to say those things in front of Peter… “First Fury now you, is Pepper gonna walk in next and comment on my parenting too.” 

Peter looked towards the elevator doors then back at his dad. 

Tony rolled his eyes. “And weren’t you literally just saying kids pick up on everything. Thanks for that. Really.” He put the waffle on a plate with syrup in a separate bowl, just the way Peter liked it. “Come, bud. We’re gonna eat upstairs then go to sleep.” 

Peter grabbed his bear and milk then followed his dad upstairs. He didn’t really understand why his dad was so upset about Rhodey’s comment. It was about himself and Peter wasn’t upset. 

He knew Pepper and even Rose wasn’t okay with it but he needed to and his dad stopped saying no. 

Once they got upstairs, Peter jumped onto the bed and began eating. “Are you mad at Rhodey?” 

Tony walked into the closet to grab pyjama pants and a tank top. “No, what he said was just unnecessary though.” 

Peter took another bite. “Are you gonna not let me drink my milk anymore cause he said that?” 

“No, baby. He’s not your dad, I am and I decide what’s best for you.” 

Peter smiled. “And milks best for me.” 

“Yes, baby.” Tony pressed a kiss to Peter’s hair. “I’m gonna go shower. I’ll be back. Don’t make a mess please.” 

Peter watched his dad leave then finished his waffle quickly so he could be ready for cuddles, knowing he was going to get some when Tony’s done in the bathroom. 

He laid down and balanced the water bottle on a pillow so he could drink it without holding it. Tony walked out, chuckling at Peter’s little invention. He snapped a quick picture then crawled into bed. “You’re too cute.” 

Peter shrugged and pulled his knees to his chest before kicking his legs out. 

“Do you need to pee?” 

“Uhuh.” 

“Remember if you need to go, you have to try to get up to go to the toilet. This,” Tony tugged on the pull-up sticking out of Peter’s pyjama pants. “is for accidents.” 

Peter dropped the bottle and rolled onto his side. He sat up and leaned on his dad’s chest. “You’re comfy.” 

“Hey,” Tony patted Peter’s butt. “I mean it.” 

Peter kicked his legs out. “I know. I don’t need to pee anymore.” 

Tony raised his eyebrows at Peter. “Anymore? Can you please go try, you drank like twelve ounces of milk in an hour.” 

“I told you I already went.” Peter lifted his legs up so he was lying fully on his dad’s body with his head rested on his chest. “Sorry.” 

Tony rubbed his back. “Peter, that’s not good. It’s starting bad habits.” Peter shrugged. “I need you to try not to.” 

Peter didn’t understand why it mattered. He didn’t have to leave his dad’s side all night so it was a win-win situation. He nodded anyways. “I’ll try. Starting now.” 

That was the best Tony was going to get. He rubbed Peter’s back some more and rolled Peter off him so he could cuddle him better. 

Peter turned so just back was pressed against his dad’s chest. “I’m sorry… for today and for being bad.” 

Tony wrapped an arm around him. “I know you’re sorry. I'm sorry for some of the things I said but do you understand why you can’t do those things?” 

Peter nodded. “I do. I’m sorry, daddy.” 

“As long as you understand that what you did was not okay then it’s okay.” He couldn’t stay mad at Peter even if he tried. It was impossible. He kissed his neck. “I love you, my baby boy.” 

Peter grinned and rolled onto his back, grabbing his milk to finish it. “I love you too, my daddy.”