All The Stars Align

Peter walked downstairs and dumped his legos on the living room carpet then sat down to start building.

Tony had sent him upstairs to get dressed so he looked at his choice of outfit and cringed. He didn’t say anything about the mismatched colours and went back to sending some emails on his computer. 

Peter pulled at his pants, not liking the way it clung to him. He tried to sit with his legs bent sideways but his pants were tight and didn’t let him sit like that so he straightened his legs and kicked them out. “Noooo.” 

“What’s wrong?” Tony asked, looking at him. 

Peter tried to continue playing even though his pants were getting him angry and annoyed. “My pants… it’s uncomfy.” 

Tony nodded, not knowing what to do about that. “They’re fine.” 

Peter went back to playing but his pants were driving him crazy and he was already annoyed at everything so he kicked his legs out and fell backwards on the floor so he was lying down now and kicking his legs out. 

Tony put his computer away. “Peter? What?” He leaned forward on the couch to give his full attention to Peter. Maybe it was the fact that Tony was having a hard time last night and had to wake Peter up… or maybe it was Peter being his typical self. He would normally think Peter was still tired from waking up but it was almost lunch time and he was still cranky. 

Peter picked up a handful of legos and threw it. “You woke me up. Now I’m tired.” 

That was Tony’s fault and he was definitely feeling bad about it. “Okay. I’m sorry, Pete.” He didn’t think about it at the time and how he would ruin his sleep and make him cranky the following day… now he was regretting it a bit. 

Peter threw more legos and rubbed his eyes aggressively. “That’s your fault. You did that and now I’m so tired.” 

Tony knew it was his fault and of course he felt guilty about it but the problem was that last night, in the moment he couldn’t help it. He was having some sort of internal panic that he had to wake Peter up just to see his eyes and remind himself that he was okay and alive. 

Tony needed to get a handle on himself. “I know. And I’m really sorry about that. We can do whatever you want, does that sound good?” 

Peter honestly thought about it but the only thing that he wanted to do was sleep. His eyes were dry and it was hard to keep them open and on top of that, his body felt like it just wanted to sleep. 

Of course he didn’t say that. He kicked his legs out, causing the legos he was playing with to go flying and then he threw himself to the ground and screamed through his teeth. 

Tony was so surprised. He kneeled down and rubbed his tummy but Peter pushed his hands away. “What? I don’t know what you want, bud? Look, I’m really sorry I woke you up. I feel bad about that but…” but what? Nothing. I needed to wake you up because I physically couldn’t breathe until I saw that you were okay. I physically can’t breathe without you. I can’t live without you. 

He looked down at him. 

Tony couldn’t live without Peter. That much was obvious. He knew that but he never stopped to really think about it. 

It was a fact. 

Tony lifted Peter into his arms and rubbed his back, rocking him side to side a bit. “Shh. Shh. I’m here. Dad’s here, baby. Dad’s here.” 

That seemed to calm Peter down a bit but now Tony could only think about the reality of what his life was… he already knew he didn’t want to live without Peter but that wasn’t the truth, if he ever lost his boy, he wouldn’t be given a choice, he would die. 

Tony didn’t want to think about that because Peter wasn’t going to die. Everything was alright. Sure, he already died in his arms but he recovered from that. Peter recovered from that, Tony, not so much. 

He was trying to be better for Peter. That was all he wanted, to be the best he could be for his child but it was hard when he had crippling anxiety with the thoughts of him ever losing Peter. 

It was amazing really, Tony Stark was tough. No one could break him. Maybe Pepper but no one needed to know that and then here comes this little boy who wormed his way into his heart and there was no way he was letting go. Tony didn’t mind. He loved Peter. He just needed to work on his anxiety. 

He stood up and hoisted Peter up higher in his arms then started walking towards the stairs, making sure not to step on the lego as he walked up. He nuzzled his face in Peter’s neck. “Let’s go up to my bed. We can watch a movie and just relax, yeah?” 

Peter pulled away. “Our bed.” He corrected. 

“Oh. My bad. How could I forget that.” Yet another thing they had to work on but Tony found that he didn’t care. He was in zero rush for Peter to move back into his own bed and grow up on him. 

It was no one’s fault that he missed out on Peter’s entire life besides for the last two years… he just wanted a longer childhood with him and that was what he was going to get. 

They walked into the bedroom, well, Tony walked, then he laid Peter on the bed and got onto it beside him. Peter immediately crawled over to him to cuddle into his arms. “Tickle my back.” Peter ordered. 

Tony began doing that by pulling up his shirt to have better access to his back. “I love you so much, do you know that?” 

He needed Peter to know that. 

Peter moved his head so he could look into his eyes. “I know that, dad. And I love you too.” Peter sat up on his knees. “And also you’re my best friend.” He grinned. 

Tony loved the sounds of that. “You’re my best friend too, buddy.” It was true. Although Rhodey was also his best friend and so was Pepper, Peter was his absolute best friend. He didn’t care if he was a little bit too obsessed with spending time with Peter, he loved him and he wouldn’t want to change how they spent their days. 

Although there was still the problem with the separation anxiety… on both ends. Plus the fact that Peter associated wearing pull-ups with him staying even though he didn’t necessarily need them anymore, and the fact that Peter still slept with him every night and wasn’t currently in school, okay, they definitely had a lot to work on. 

He looked over at Peter who was lying down and looking at him so Tony smiled. “Close your eyes and sleep, baby. I’ll be here. You don’t need to worry, I’m not going anywhere. I promise.” 

With that promise, Peter feels safe enough to shut his eyes to get some sleep and with his dad right there with him, he’s out in a few minutes, leaving Tony alone with his thoughts. 

It wasn’t that Tony was necessarily worried about Peter and the progress they had to make, it was that everyone else was worrying him. Tony, of course, didn’t know what went on behind closed doors, he assumed Peter wasn’t the only fourteen year old still sleeping in their parents bed every night, it wasn’t all that odd in Tony's eyes, although Peter was definitely the only fourteen year old who was going what he’s going through so yeah, Tony was going to allow him to take comfort in sleeping with him every night and clinging onto him and acting a bit like a five year old if that makes him feel somewhat safe. 

He sighed and brushed the curls off Peter’s forehead with his fingers. Peter was the only boy in the world who’s been through what he’s been through, losing two sets of parents, becoming Spider-Man and then getting Tony Stark slash Iron Man as your father. 

He wanted to be the best for Peter and even though he’s stepped back from being Iron Man to stay and be there for his son, he still has a responsibility to be the world's best defender and to leave when he gets a call for Iron Man. 

That was hard on Peter… and him. But mainly for Peter since Peter didn’t know if he was going to come back or not and end up leaving him an orphan again. 

Tony did everything in his power to prevent that. He sighed again because he was stressed with all his thoughts taking over and he just wanted Peter to be awake and hang out with his boy. 

Maybe he should call Rose and book an appointment for her to come. 

He hadn’t been keeping up with that and it was no one's fault but his own. The problem was that something always came up and they didn’t feel up for it, well, Tony was the one who was supposed to actually encourage Peter into seeing Rose. He felt guilty now. 

Dad guilt was extremely difficult. 

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Peter woke up a little over two hours later. 

He definitely needed the sleep since Tony had woken him up the night before after his anxiety attack. 

Tony was frying grilled cheese on the stove when Pepper walked down and walked up beside him, giving him a bit of a jump scare. “Oh. I didn’t expect that.” 

She smiled. “Sorry. So I’m gonna fly out to Malibu soon. I have to go back to work and I can’t continue it here anymore.” 

Tony was upset to hear that if he was being honest. Pepper and Peter were the most important people in his life and he liked it when they were both with him together. His two P’s. Two peas in a pot. He smiled to himself but then remembered she was leaving. 

“Oh.” He nodded and flipped the grilled cheese. He was an expert at making them the way Peter wanted now. “Do you know how long you’ll be gone for this time?” 

She grabbed a sliced grape from the bowl and ate it. “I’m not sure. Maybe a month. I can try to come back at the end of the month for a week.” 

Tony looked at her. That was a long time. “Can you try to come back sooner?” 

“It’s hard because I don’t like flying out here to only stay the weekend. It’s hard for me to leave you and Peter after that.” 

Tony could understand that. He flipped the grilled cheese again. “I would um, I’d take him to Malibu to see you since we currently have no plans but I actually want to create a routine with him and start school. Online school. But still. Rose said a routine is important for kids or something.” He already knew that, he didn’t know why he was acting like he didn’t know it. 

“That’s good, Tony.” Pepper sounded genuinely happy for them. Tony liked that. “It’ll be good for him and for you to get into a routine. And I know you’re stressing about him wanting to wear pull-ups still and sleep with you but I wouldn’t worry about it. Just reassure him that you’ll be there for him and take it day by day.” 

Tony honestly did feel a lot better. “Yeah. Thanks. Uh, Peter will be upset when you tell him you have to leave. He likes having you around.” While Peter never called Pepper mom and he was sure he never would, he knew Peter thought of Pepper as a mom. Maybe one day in the future if they got together again, Peter would call her mom but it didn’t matter. 

All that mattered was that Peter had a motherly figure in his life because that was so important for a young boy to have. Although Tony wanted to be the first most important person in Peter’s life and he was, so he was happy about that. 

He grabbed the plate and a glass of juice then walked into the living room where Peter was quietly playing with his legos. Tony always loved watching him play, before he had a kid, the idea of watching one play was creepy to him but now he did it on a daily basis and loved every second of it. 

He placed the plate and glass on the coffee table then sat down, leaning over. “Hey.” He looked at Pepper. He had to tell him and he was actually quite nervous to say the least. Pepper was getting closer with Peter and it was hard on him when she had to leave, it was hard on Tony as well but he handled it well. He was an adult who knew how to handle his emotions. 

Unlike Peter who cried at the drop of a hat and definitely had some emotional issues he needed to work on… if it ever resolved itself. 

Tony often wondered what the long term effects of Peter’s childhood were going to have on him. 

He did everything in his power to make it better but it was still hard since Tony was still new at this whole parenting thing. He felt like he was struggling with each phase then as soon as he got the hang of it, Peter moved onto the next stage. It was difficult. 

Peter took a bite of his grilled cheese with the crust cut off and turned to look up at his dad. “Hi. What?” He asked, getting the impression that something was wrong. “What?” 

“Well, Pepper has to go back to Malibu soon, buddy, and we’re not going to see her for a few weeks.” He automatically ran his fingers through Peter’s curls when he saw the way his face fell. 

Peter looked down. He liked it when Pepper stayed. He looked at his feet. “Oh.” He thought about how he was going to miss her and then he couldn’t stop the tears from falling. His face scrunched up and he lifted his arms up to his dad, crying. 

“Oh buddy.” Tony accepted him into his arms and held him close. “It’s okay. She’ll come back,” He turned to face Pepper. “Right, Pep?” 

She got the message and stood up to move seats, sitting next to Tony and rubbing Peter’s back. “Yeah. And I’ll FaceTime you and we can talk.” She looked to Tony, feeling bad for essentially making his son cry. “Then I’ll come back and it’ll feel like no time passed at all. And I’ll even bring you a present.” 

Peter peeked his head up at that, causing both adults to chuckle. “A present?” 

Even though his father was a billionaire and could get Peter whatever he wanted, Peter was still so precious and excited at the idea of getting a small present. 

Pepper nodded and Tony shifted him so he was sitting on his lap but facing Pepper instead. “Yeah. But only when I come back. In one month.” 

Peter laid his head on his dad's shoulder. “One month is so long.” 

“It’s not that long.” Tony agreed with Peter though. It was a long time. Although he knew it would go by fast, they were going to be extremely busy during that time. “In the meantime, you’re gonna start school.” 

Peter gasped and shoved his face in his dad's neck. “Uh Uh.” 

Tony looked at Pepper, shaking his head slightly. This is going to be very hard, he thought to himself. “Yes. You have to start school again, baby. I know it sucks but you have to.” 

Peter knew he had to start the online school but he hated the idea. He liked to be with his dad 24/7 and online school was going to take up at least five hours out of his day where he couldn’t be with his dad. He groaned. “No. I want to stay with you.” 

“You will. That’s why you’re in online school and not going to the actual school, buddy.” 

Peter still refused and so Tony didn’t think right now was a good time to talk to him about all that. 

He patted his back and lifted him back onto the carpet. “Okay. We’ll talk about it later then. Can you say bye to Pepper? Tell her we’ll see her soon.” 

Peter hated saying goodbye. He preferred not to say goodbye. Maybe it was because of the fact that he didn’t say goodbye to his parents, or his uncle or his aunt. He stood up to throw himself into Pepper’s arms anyways. “Bye. I’ll see you soon.” He repeated what his dad told him to say as he tried to hold back his tears. 

Why did everyone in his life have to eventually leave him? Why couldn’t everyone just stay? 

He turned to look back at his dad. Tony wouldn’t leave him. He hoped not. Because if he did, Peter wouldn’t survive that. He simply wouldn’t. 

“Why can’t we drive you to the airplane?” He asked as he pulled away and went to go back into Tony’s arms. 

Tony pulled him close, finding comfort in Peter close to him as well. 

Pepper stood up and grabbed her purse. “Happy’s going to drive me.” She forced a smile. The truth was because Tony knew Peter was going to cry and he knew paparazzi would be at the airport like they often were and he really didn’t want them to witness Peter like that. He didn’t want them to witness Peter in any state actually. 

He stood up, lifting Peter into his arms and walking Pepper to the elevator. “This is as far as we go. Call me when you land.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek, pulling her in for one last hug with Peter squished between them before she got onto the elevator and the doors shut, taking her away for a month. Maybe longer. 

He walked back to the living room, hugging Peter close to himself. “I love you so much. I’m not going anywhere.” 

It was almost like Tony could hear his thoughts. Peter wrapped his arms around his neck and laid his head on his shoulder. He really appreciated that. 

It did make him feel a bit better about the situation. 

As long as it wasn’t Tony leaving him for a month. If that was the case, Peter would have screamed and begged Tony to stay and he wouldn’t stop until he did stay. 

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It was nearing nighttime now. 

The two of them had a lazy day, just like Peter wanted. And Tony for that matter. 

When Pepper used to leave him, he used to pretend he was okay with it and then go and tinker in his lab until he passed out from exhaustion. 

Although now that he had Peter, it felt a lot better to be able to not hide his emotions and to cuddle with his boy on the couch, watching Craig of the creek all afternoon. 

Now, however, it was almost bedtime which meant showers, teeth brushing and getting into pyjamas to settle down. 

Tony and him were just about to go upstairs when the Avengers alarm went off. 

Tony and him looked at each other, fear written all over both of their faces. Both for a different reason however. 

“Alarm off, FRIDAY. Tell me what we’ve got.” Tony looked at Peter and began walking upstairs so Peter chased after him. 

“You’re not leaving!” Peter demanded. He wasn’t going to be left here alone after Pepper left him. Now his dad was leaving him, no way! “Dad? Dad?!” 

Tony looked at him again as he listened to FRIDAY explain briefly what was going on. “Movement was found at an abandoned Hydra Base. The team will meet you at the Quinjet in five minutes.” 

Tony hummed. “So not abandoned anymore then.” 

Peter smacked his arm. “I’m talking to you!” 

“And I hear you but I have to go.” Tony told him as he walked into his closet and took off his shirt to find a different one to put on. “I have a responsibility. This is my job, Peter.” 

Peter felt his eyes burn with unshed tears. “No. Stay here. You don’t need to go.” 

Tony sighed and grabbed a shirt to put on then grabbed Peter by his shoulders and leaned down so he was at his height. “It would be the same if I were a surgeon and got a call to leave in the middle of the night.” 

Peter pushed his hands off of him. “Surgeons don’t go and die in the middle of the night!” He cried and stepped away from his dad. 

He hated this. He hated having to worry about whether or not the Avengers alarm was going to go off and if it did, he hated staying back and waiting just to hear if he was still going to have a dad by the end of the night. 

Tony sighed. This was so hard. “This is my job, Peter. It’s scary and dangerous but I’ll always do everything in my power to come back home to you.” 

“That’s not good enough!” He yelled, anger and anxiety getting the better of him. 

Tony didn’t know what to say. He had to go. “Peter-” 

“No. Stay here. Please. Please please please-” 

“I have to go.” 

“Then I’m coming. Let me get my suit.” Peter went to run out of the closet but Tony grabbed his arm. 

“You haven’t been Spider-Man in months, Peter. You’re not coming on an Avengers mission because you aren’t an Avenger.” And if I have a say in the matter, you never will be. 

Peter wiped aggressively at his tears. He was so angry and frustrated that he just wanted to scream or punch something. “Why can’t I be an Avenger?! You are. Why can’t I?” 

Tony actually laughed at that question because the answer was so obvious and he didn’t know how Peter didn’t know that. “Because you’re a child. I’m an adult. Don’t you see that, Peter. C’mon. You’re a smart boy but right now you’re not acting like one.” 

Peter saw that he was about to walk out the closet door so he grabbed onto the door and slammed it shut then used his Spidey powers to rip the door handle off, essentially preventing Tony from going anywhere. 

Tony took a step back and watched Peter. 

He was both amazed and a bit frightened. He knew Peter would never hurt him, that wasn’t what he was afraid about, he was afraid about the fact that Peter had the strength to do that and he didn’t know how to control it. 

“Get away from that door. Right now.” 

Peter backed away. He didn’t mean to do that. He wasn’t thinking. Now he was going to get in trouble. 

Tony attempted to get the door open but he couldn’t. He turned back to look at Peter who sank to the floor when they made eye contact. “You wanna know why you can’t come? Because you do something like this! You’re too strong for your own good and it isn’t safe. You need to learn to control your powers, Peter. Not lock me in a room to prevent me from going.” 

He called his suit from his watch to get them out. 

“Boss, Steve Rogers is asking where you are.” 

“Tell them to go without me.” He growled and saw the way Peter’s face lit up a bit. “I’ll catch up once I get out.” 

Peter wiped the tears from his eyes. “No.” 

“You think doing this is acceptable. When I get back, you and I are going to have a long talk. Until then, think about what you did.” 

The fact that Peter was actually looking forward to that conversation was a bad thing. He didn’t want to get yelled at, but he wanted his dad alive and with him. So he would take getting yelled at. 

His suit pulled the door off so Tony stepped out of the closet and into the suit. Peter watched it close around him. “Don’t even try to follow me.” 

With that, he was gone. 

Peter let out a loud sob as he watched his dad disappear. He hated that. He hated him. Then he felt bad for hating the person who took him in and loved him so he hated himself. 

After a few minutes of crying alone in his dad's now destroyed closet, Peter managed to pull himself to his feet to cry on his bed instead. At least now he had his dad’s pillow to smell and pretend like he’s close to the man. 

As Tony entered the ground of the abandoned Hydra base, he flew through the air and thought about the last conversation he just had with Peter. He felt bad. Of course he felt bad because he yelled at him and made Peter cry but Peter had to understand his powers and that he couldn’t do things like that. 

Tony was just so worked up and he couldn’t keep his attention focused on one thing. 

He tried to. 

That was a part of the job; putting aside personal matters so that you aren’t distracted and don’t get yourself shot or blown up during the fight. 

He was distracted though and that’s why he didn’t see the laser beam coming straight at him, sending him flying out of the air and hitting the ground. 

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Peter didn’t remember falling asleep but he must have. 

He rolled onto his back and rubbed his eyes, seeing a black shadow sitting at the edge of the bed and looking at him. 

That startled him so he quickly sat up. “Oh. You scared me.” The black shadow came into view so Peter could make out their face. “Pepper? Wha-what’re you doing here? I thought you left…” She was staring at him and it sent a shiver down Peter’s spine. “Pepper?” 

She shook her head and reached out to hold his hand although her hand was freezing. “I’m sorry, Peter. They did everything they could but… Tony’s dead.” 

Peter yanked his hand out of hers. “What?” 

“Your father died thirty minutes ago.” She repeated with no emotion in her voice. 

Peter shook his head in disbelief and kicked the blankets off of him since he felt like he was suffocating now. “No. No no. You’re lying.” 

“Peter-” 

“How-how did he die? How-how-” He couldn’t breathe. He was going to die now too. 

“Peter.” 

He collapsed onto the floor and grabbed at his throat. The last conversation he had with his dad was a fight. He couldn’t… 

“Peter.” 

Peter snapped his head to look at Pepper because her voice sounded awfully strange. “What?” 

“Peter, wake up. Peter.” 

Peter snapped his eyes open and sat up in bed, panting heavily. He pushed away the hands that were grabbing him only to realize it was Tony. “Dad?” 

Tony was sitting on the edge of the bed, watching Peter sleep when he noticed he started having a nightmare so he woke him up so he didn’t have to suffer through that. “Hey.” He forced a smile. He was exhausted and his left arm was killing him. 

Peter blinked. “But… you died. You died and-and you left me alone and-” 

“I’m right here. You just had a nightmare. I’m here, Pete. I’m right here.” Peter threw himself into his arms, earning a grunt of pain from Tony but he wrapped his arms around Peter anyways. 

He was a bit concerned about the fact that he and Peter were both having nightmares of the other one dying. That definitely wasn’t good. He held Peter tighter. 

“I’m here. I’m here, baby boy. And I’m sorry for yelling at you.” Tony knew it wasn’t really the time to apologize. Peter was barely coherent and had just woken up from a nightmare where he supposedly died. He just didn’t want to wait any longer because he felt awful for leaving Peter even though it was his job to go. 

Peter clung onto him just a little bit tighter and shook his head into his shoulder blade, causing Tony to grunt at the pain. He landed hard on that arm and even with the suit protecting him, he was almost positive it sprained it, or maybe he just needed to rest it. 

“Don’t leave me again.” Whispered Peter in a small, sad voice. Tony rocked him. He felt awful. He wanted to have a better system in place for when he has to leave but the problem was that it was always so random and so sudden. 

He just wanted to go to sleep now and wake up in a better mood. “Let’s go to bed.” 

Peter pulled away to look at him. “I said not to leave me again. You just ignored me.” He was working himself up. “You’re planning on leaving me again?!” 

“What? No. No, Peter. I’m not leaving you. I want to go to bed. It’s late and I’m tired and you’re tired.” He got off the bed to fix the messed up blankets and pulled Peter’s leg towards him. “I’ll be quick. Then we can sleep.” 

Peter watched him for a few moments then turned around and grabbed a pull-up from the box, trying to place it in Tony’s hands. Tony saw it and sighed. He knew Peter didn’t need to wear them and only turned to them for comfort. 

“You don’t need to wear it anymore.” 

Peter grabbed his hand to open it up so he’d take it. “I want to wear one.” 

“Baby. You’re not hurt anymore. Right?” He asked because he was curious what Peter would say. Peter leaned heavily against him. 

“Mm. I just want to.” He mumbled. 

Tony sat down and pulled Peter to stand between his legs then he caressed his face. “I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.” 

Peter tugged on his pants, whining low in his throat. 

“Peter-” 

“I just want to wear it. Then you won’t go anywhere.” 

With another sigh, Tony grabbed the waistband of his pyjama pants and tugged them down, surprised that Peter even decided to get changed into them by himself. 

He opened up the pull-up and slid it between his legs. “Just because you’re wearing a pull-up, isn’t going to stop me from going anywhere, anymore or any less.” He pulled up the front and did the sides up then pulled the ruffles out between his legs and got his pajama pants back up, lifting him up and laying back down with him. 

Peter whined at what he said then turned to face his dad, reaching a small hand out to touch his facial stubble. “It stopped you before.” 

Tony got the blankets over them and melted into the mattress. He was exhausted but there was no other place he’d rather be than with Peter. He moved his head back slightly to look at his innocent facial features and wished he could keep him in a bubble and protect him from the cruel world for the rest of his life. “I didn’t leave you before because you were sick… and hurt badly.” You died in my arms. 

Peter rolled onto his back and lifted his arms above his head. “Are you choosing your work over me?” 

Tony was taken back. “Absolutely not, Peter. You’re the most important person in my life. You’re my son. You come before anything and anyone else.” 

Peter rolled onto his stomach now, pushing himself up on his elbows. “Even Pepper?” 

“Even Pepper.” Tony didn’t have to even think about it. He could live without Pepper. At one point in his life, that was a very different story but, now, he couldn’t and wouldn’t live without Peter. Peter was his everything. 

Who knew Tony Stark’s heart would be owned by an eighty pound boy who clung onto him and never let go. Tony would do anything Peter asked him, he loved him beyond worlds. 

Peter grinned. “I like Pepper. But I love you.” 

That made Tony smile. “I love you so so much, Peter Stark.” 

Peter loved that name. He giggled when his dad pulled him in for a kiss so he turned his face away from the tickle attack and managed to break free then push himself up on his knees. 

Tony didn’t mean to get him wild up. “Hey. Come lay down. I’ll tickle your back.” 

Peter grinned mischievously and went to crawl to the other side of the bed but Tony grabbed his ankle and tugged, accidentally causing Peter to land on his face and pulling his pajama pants off. Tony tossed them off the bed and sat up now. “Come, my baby. Don’t you wanna cuddle?” 

Peter pushed himself up and turned to look at him. “Well, with you, obviously.” 

“Then come over here.” He reached forward and grabbed his arm but Peter fell back with a giggle so Tony grabbed the back of his pull-up and pulled him until he was close enough. “Ah ha. I got you now.” 

Peter fixed it so it was straight then collapsed against Tony’s sturdy chest. 

“You’re comfy. And you smell good.” 

Tony laughed. He showered once he got home but he definitely didn’t smell good before that. He smelt like sweat, blood and grime. “Thanks. You smell good too.” He took a swiff of his hair. “Hmmm. Delicious.” 

“That’s what you say about food.” Giggled Peter then he sat up to get more comfortable with his legs out of the blankets. 

Tony pulled him against his chest. “And I can say that about you because I love you so much.” 

Peter loved the reassurance. He loved feeling what it felt like to be loved by someone who didn’t let him question it. Aunt May loved him but he believed that she only loved him because he was family and it was her job to love him. She said it to him occasionally, like when he left for school or before bed but that was about it. 

He loved the way Tony would randomly say it to him during the day and when he held him close and let Peter know it once more. 

He turned onto his back again and smiled weakly, getting tired now. “I like it when you say that.” 

“What?” He asked for clarification. “When I say I love you?” Peter nodded in affirmation. “Then I’ll say it one hundred more times.” 

Peter rolled back onto his side so Tony could pull him against his chest again. “How about we just sleep now. Cause I’m tired. And I want to wake up faster so I can play in the snow.” 

Tony hadn’t taken Peter outside in a few days and he felt bad about that. “Okay. Close your eyes. I’ll be here the whole time.” 

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And he stayed true to his word. 

The two of them slept until the late hours of the next morning. 

Peter was sprawled out on the bed like how he always was and Tony stayed in practically the same spot all night, like how he always was. 

He was so used to waking up with a foot in the face or a butt that he simply pushed Peter away or turned over and went back to bed. So when he woke up to Peter pressed up right against him, he wasn’t phased and instead wondered how he would ever get Peter to sleep in his own bed. 

Although he didn’t want to think about that difficult transition right now. 

Tony laid there and looked at Peter’s peaceful sleeping face and cooed. It was definitely weird to watch someone sleep but after having a kid, it was perfectly normal to Tony now. 

He ran his fingers through his sweaty curls to wake him up slowly. 

Peter moaned and pushed Tony’s hands away then rolled onto his stomach to get away from the hand but Tony rolled him back over. “Good morning, Petey. Actually, good afternoon. It’s almost noon.” 

“Mmmm!” He moaned again and rubbed his eyes, opening them up to squint at the bright sunlight coming in. He remembered it was closed so he assumed Tony opened it at some point. “Huh.” 

Tony chuckled and tugged on his full pull-up. “Let’s get this off you.” He was a bit concerned that it was wet when he knew Peter would have stayed dried if he wasn’t wearing one. 

Peter stretched some more. “Mmm! Can we go to the park?” 

“Now? We just woke up.” He grabbed wipes from the nightstand table and stood up, patting the bed in front of him but Peter didn’t move and instead, looked at him then looked the other way. Tony sighed. “Pete. You want a rash?” 

That got his attention. 

“I didn’t think so. Come so I can get it off.” 

“No. I want a rash.” He lied to get a laugh out of Tony. 

“Why? That’s painful and uncomfortable.” 

Peter sat up and crossed his arms over his chest. “So? I want one.” 

“Don’t be ridiculous.” He reached across the bed and grabbed ahold of Peter’s ankles, and pulled him towards himself, causing Peter to fall back. “I don’t want you to have a rash so lift your legs up.” 

Peter did as he was told and reached over to grab the package of wipes beside his head to read the labels but Tony undid the sides and pulled down the front of the pull-up then grabbed it from his hands. “Hey.” 

“I need it.” He took two out and handed it back to him. “Here.” Peter flinched at the cold sensation but didn’t say anything about it while Tony finished up. “All done.” 

“You took so long.” He complained and stood up, debating what to do next. 

“It’s called being thorough which also means no rashes.” He patted the top of his curls and walked into the bathroom to throw out the garbage. When he walked out, he held his hand out for Peter. “Wanna head downstairs and eat some breakfast?” 

Peter latched onto his awaiting hand. “Yeah, but I want to play in the snow.” He let Tony lead him downstairs but he pulled out of his grasp as soon as he saw the bright snow in the window so he raced up to it and pressed his face against the glass. 

Tony snapped a quick picture, thinking it looked absolutely adorable and beautiful at the same time with the snow falling down outside. He sent a picture off to Pepper, smiling to himself at what her reaction would be. 

He sat down on the window bench next to him. “If we eat breakfast now, we can be outside in an hour.” 

Peter gave his signature head tilt towards Tony, grinning at his request. “Yes! Make breakfast fast.” 

“Yes, boss.” He joked and stood up to go get started on some homemade oatmeal with a side of strawberries. 

Peter was fascinated by the snow from all the way up there. He loved watching it fall and even tried to keep an eye on the same snowflake the whole way down but he couldn’t. Tony placed the bowls on the table and walked over to him. His childhood innocence was something he wanted to save in his mind forever… and in his phone. 

So he pulled out his phone and called his name. “Peter.” Peter looked over at him with a curious look on his face so Tony snapped the picture. 

“Yeah?” 

“Nothing. I just love you so much.” He sat next to him and took another picture that Peter rolled his eyes at. “Breakfast is ready.” 

“Yay! I’m just excited so then I can get my snowsuit on. You know where it is?” He asked, standing up on the bench and holding his arms out to his dad. Tony was grateful the windows in the tower were only one way so no one could see in. 

He grabbed him with one arm around him and carried him off to the kitchen. “Yeah, it’s in the hallway closet.” After sitting him on the kitchen stool, he sat down next to him and brushed the curls off his face with his fingers. “You need another haircut soon.” 

Peter shook his head, his curls flopping everywhere. 

“Alright then. Just eat.” 

Tony looked at him, watching him excitedly eat his oatmeal, he hadn’t ever seen someone so excited to eat oatmeal but he knew it was because Peter was excited to be going outside in the snow and Tony had to admit that he was too. 

They’ve been locked up for the past few days and after everything, especially last night, Tony wanted, no, needed to get out of the tower with Peter. 

So that’s where they found themselves that cold, snowy afternoon. 

Tony had to admit that his anxiety was rising the minute they stepped out the door. He always hated the looks and questionable stares he got whenever he left the tower with Peter. He never actually cared that much before Peter came along, why would it bother him? He grew up with that life, but now, he had a son and was protective over him. 

Looking back, Tony didn’t understand why his own father wasn’t phased by the cameras flashing in his face. His dad didn’t care if he was plastered all over the news when he was a child. Now, Tony looked back and didn’t understand how his own father didn’t feel protective over him, Tony was the exact opposite with Peter. 

He held him close as they walked down the street to get to the giant fielded area and couldn’t imagine it being any other way. 

Tony squeezed his hand. “I love you, Pete. And I'm really sorry for how I left last night.” 

Peter leaned against him. “It’s whatever. I’m used to it.” 

That didn’t make Tony feel any better. “I don’t want you to be used to it but that’s how it is. I wish it didn’t have to be but it is.” 

Peter swung their hands as they walked to help with the uncomfortable conversation that always made him want to cry. “That’s what happens when Iron Man is my dad. But I don’t want anyone else. I want you to be my dad.” 

Tony stopped and pulled Peter to stand in front of him. “I’m not going anywhere. I think-I want to work in a way so that it isn’t so hard on you when I have to leave. And so you don’t go breaking doors.” 

Peter rolled his eyes. “Then maybe you just shouldn’t leave me.” 

“Peter-” 

“What? It’s not fair that I have to worry about you when you go out as Iron Man. I-I can’t…” Peter turned away to look at the snow. “I can’t lose you too! I-I lost May. And Ben. And-and my parents when I was a baby. And-” Peter broke off in a sob so Tony pulled him against his chest. 

“Oh Peter. You’re not going to lose me. I promise I’ll be here for you.” 

Peter’s voice was small when he spoke next. “For-forever?” 

That was an impossible promise to make but Tony was going to do his darn hardest to stay alive for Peter when he was Iron Man. “I promise.” 

Peter sniffled and pulled away. “I hate that you’re Iron Man.” 

Tony hated it too but he couldn’t stop. Pepper tried and failed way too many times. He once chose Iron Man over her… 

“That’s my responsibility.”

“I stopped being Spider-Man because you didn’t want me to! Now I want you to stop being Iron Man!” He shouted, anger and frustration taking over. 

Tony looked around to see if anyone was looking at them. “Shh. Keep your voice down. You want the whole world finding out you’re Spider-Man?” He whispered. 

Peter groaned. “Dad. I want you to stop being Iron Man. I hate it when you leave me! And-and I never know…” This was hard for Peter to say. “I never know if you’re gonna come back to me.” 

Tony’s heart was breaking. “I always will, Peter. I know it’s hard. Let’s figure out something that works for us for when I have to leave because I’m sorry but I can’t stop being Iron Man. It’s who I am. It’s my responsibility as an Avenger.” 

“Spider-Man was who I was too.” He said, quietly this time. 

Tony sighed. That was far from the truth. “Peter. No it isn’t. You’re fourteen years old. You’re a child. Spider-Man doesn’t define you. When you’re older, and you’re mature, then that’s a decision you can make. Spider-Man isn’t who you are.” 

“Not anymore.” Peter looked at his boots in the snow. He didn’t miss Spider-Man. He felt guilty for not helping people but he also felt relieved. He looked up at his dad. 

“Peter. My baby. He never was. Be a child. Enjoy your childhood.” Tony never got the chance to enjoy his childhood. He was thrown into the spotlight and forced to grow up. He was doing everything he could to protect Peter’s childhood innocence. 

Peter wrapped his arms around his dad. “Okay. And I love you too.” He looked up at him, his chin just under Tony’s ribs. “You said it before and I didn’t say it back, so I love you too.”