All The Stars Align

Tony watched Peter pick apart his cheese string and noticed he had been smiling the whole time while staring at his boy. 

Whenever he looked at Peter, his heart felt so full and he couldn’t help but smile at him. 

The past two weeks have been really good. 

Tony was incredibly proud of his boy for accomplishing so much in such a short span of time. Working with Rose was helping a lot, she was working on the separation anxiety with Peter and although Tony knew, and had conversations with Rose about it, that Peter’s separation anxiety from Tony wasn’t ever going to go away, at least not in his childhood. 

It would improve and Tony could see a massive improvement, although the separation anxiety was still there. 

The way Peter always looked to him to make sure he was still there, how Peter always hesitated when one of them had to leave the room without the other, and how it always took a long time to get Peter to sleep by himself at nights. 

As long as Tony helped him to fall asleep, Peter was good for the night, besides for the odd time he woke up but that was becoming less and less now. 

Tony had to admit, as proud as he was of Peter for coming such a long way, part of him, a selfish part of him, was sad that Peter didn’t need him so much anymore. He knew Peter was always going to need him, but not to wipe his butt anymore, literally. 

He put his computer off to the side and leaned forward. “Hey.” He said to get Peter’s attention. Peter looked at him. “So, remember how a few days ago we were talking to Pepper and we were talking about flying out to Malibu to visit her?” 

Peter nodded, a tiny smile growing on his face. He missed Pepper but he also missed Malibu and the hot weather. Plus he wanted to get away for a bit with his dad but part of him was a bit nervous to leave. They had such a good routine going, what if he started to fall back into old patterns. 

It didn’t feel good to constantly need Tony with him. He didn’t like the way his heart hurt when Tony left and how he worried about him so much that he was physically sick sometimes. 

Tony rubbed his knee. “We’re gonna fly out tonight. I was talking to Pepper on the phone last night so we’re gonna go there for about a week.” 

Peter smiled. He was excited despite the worries he felt. “Are we gonna stay at her house again?” 

“Yeah. Do you want to?” Tony could sense some worry. 

“Yeah.” 

“What’s wrong? We don’t have to go if you don’t want to-” 

“No! I do. But… but what about my school?” 

Tony already had a plan for that. “Well, since it’s online, you’ll take your computer there and your textbooks.” 

“So… I’ll just do my school there?” 

“Yeah. Pete, we don’t have to go if you don’t want to.” Tony wrapped an arm around him and pulled Peter against his chest so Peter melted into him. “Okay?” 

“I want to go. I miss Pepper.” He quietly admitted. “I’m just… what-what if I start wetting the bed again? Rose, she said routine is important and-and that… I don’t know.” 

Tony squeezed him, pulling him impossibly closer. “You’re not gonna wet the bed. And if you do, it’s okay. But you and I both know you won’t because you were using those pull-ups when you were awake.” 

Peter shyly hid his face in his dad’s neck. He felt comfortable and safe wearing them so why not. Now he was kind of embarrassed over the whole thing. “…Yeah.” 

“How about we go upstairs to start packing then we can eat something before we leave. Or would you rather eat on the plane?” Tony didn’t mind making something on the plane himself but if it was going to be a whole meal, he would have to have the stewardess on the plane and he preferred not to. 

Peter shrugged. “Here I guess.” 

“Okay, let’s go pack our bags first.” 

The two of them headed upstairs and while Tony was grabbing a suitcase out of his closet, he spotted the box of pull-ups and debated on packing a few just in case but he felt like by packing some, he was expecting Peter to wet the bed and he didn’t want Peter to see them and discourage him. 

He was proud of the progress Peter made. 

He didn’t want to ruin that. 

.

.

.

Peter yawned and opened up the window block on the private plane. He was feeling really restless and wanted to finally arrive in Malibu but supposedly they still had another hour to go. 

He groaned loudly and laid on the floor and when Tony didn’t hear him, he groaned loudly again. 

“What’s up?” Tony put his phone away and stood up to walk around and stretch his aching back. 

Peter groaned again. “I’m bored.” 

Tony was bored too. He didn’t want to do any work like he usually did on planes to kill time so he was relying on Peter to keep him company and Peter was relying on him. 

“Me too. I should’ve packed board games or something. I forgot you have the mental capacity of a fourteen year old.” He fondly rolled his eyes, causing Peter to sit up and glare at him. 

“Hey. Rude.” 

“What? It’s true.” He chuckled and sat back down. Peter’s attention span was very short, Tony learned that earlier on when he first met the boy. 

Peter sat up to walk over and straddle Tony’s lap. “That’s so funny.” He leaned forward, trying to unbutton Tony’s shirt to grab his necklace out. “Pepper gave you this?” 

“Yeah. A few years ago.” 

Peter liked it. It was pretty. He liked his necklace more only because his dad gave it to him. “I like mine more.” He pulled his out of his shirt and touched it with Tony’s. “And I like my bracelet.” 

It was actually a tracker disguised in a bracelet so Tony knew where he was at all times and keep an eye on his heart rate as well. It helped Tony maintain his sanity and relaxed when Peter left his eyesight, which wasn’t very often these days. 

Peter grabbed his hand. “Your bracelets are for your Iron Man suit?” He looked at them and tapped the small screen, grinning. 

“Silly boy. It will only work for my fingerprint.” 

“Oh.” Peter tried to lift his other hand up to touch it. “I want you to call your suit to you.” 

Tony pulled his hand away. “Nope. I don’t need it.” 

“Can you make it go to me?” 

“If I tell it to.” 

Peter smiled. “Yay. Make it go to me.” 

“I don’t need to. Let’s keep it that way.” He pushed the curls out of his face and pressed a kiss to his cheek. 

“That tickles, dad.” He playfully pushed him away so Tony flipped Peter, pretending he was going to fall back then lifting him back up. Peter’s laughter was his favourite sound in the entire world. 

He wrapped his arms around Tony’s neck so he couldn’t do it again. “I just wanted you to call Iron Man to me.” He laughed. 

“Why? I am Iron Man.” 

“No.” He shook his head. “You’re just dad.” 

“Just dad. Huh. I’m okay with that.” Tony couldn’t stop being Iron Man but he definitely wanted to, he wanted to lock his suits away and be done with it but he couldn’t stop. 

“Will you ever move back to Malibu?” Peter randomly asked, getting more comfortable on his dad’s lap. 

Tony didn’t expect that random question. “You mean us. You go where I go, Pete.” He tucked a curl behind his ear. He needed another haircut soon. “And I’m not sure. I don’t think so. I like New York. Malibu was in my past.” 

Peter nodded against him. “Yeah. But it’s warm there.” 

“Oh, yeah, you like the heat. If I didn’t know you, I’d think you were raised in a hot place. My wild boy.” 

Peter shyly grinned. 

Tony loved him so much. He was excited to see Pepper but he was mainly excited to get to take Peter to the beach and spend some more time with him that wasn’t at their tower. Don’t get him wrong, Tony loved the tower but he and Peter were there day after day, week after week, it was definitely time for a nice break; a mini vacation. 

He brushed the curls off his face, smiling at him. “What’re you thinking of?” 

Peter shrugged. “Nothing. Just really excited to land so I can see Pepper.” 

He liked her. She was a bit intimidating at first, even Tony was when he first met him, but after a while, he grew to know them and obviously love them. It was weird to think that. That there was a time not too long ago where he called his dad Mr. Stark, and was even afraid of asking him if he could use his bathroom. 

That felt like a lifetime ago. 

But then again, it kinda was a lifetime ago. 

Peter felt like he’s lived three lives in a short fourteen years. First with his biological parents, then with his Aunt and Uncle before they died and now Tony. He loved Tony more than anything but he did miss his Aunt and Uncle at times, not that he’d ever want them back, that part of his life was over now and he’d always love them but he was Tony’s now. 

He would like to miss his biological parents a bit more but he didn’t know them enough. 

There were only two or three memories he has of them, and he wouldn’t even remember their faces if it weren’t for pictures and videos of them. 

He wrapped his arms around Tony’s neck tighter. “I love you.” 

“Oh, baby. I love you too.” Tony would never stop loving the way Peter told him he loves him at the most random times. And he would never get over the love he feels towards his child. His child. His son. Peter. 

Everything just felt so right with him. 

The two of them cuddled on the plane for the remainder of the flight. 

It wasn’t a long plane ride but it was long enough for Peter to become restless and wanting to get up and move around more so Tony started counting down the minutes until they were there. 

“Pete, come look out the window. You can see the land since we’re starting to descend.” He pulled Peter onto his lap and pointed towards the ocean that they could see. “Can you see it?” 

“Yeah. Is that the ocean we’ll swim in?” He asked, eyes wide with wonder. 

Tony had his arms wrapped around his stomach, holding him like a seatbelt as the plane began coming in for a landing. “Yeah, but it’s on the other side. Pepper’s house is on the other side of the plane. We can’t see it from here.” 

Peter looked towards the other side. “Oh. And Pepper’s coming to pick us up, right? Or will we… walk?” He laughed at his ridiculous question. “No. Not walk.” He laughed again. 

“We’re definitely not walking. If we did, we’d get there and immediately have to turn around and go back.” He brushed the curls out of his face again and continued holding him until the plane landed and Peter was jumping out of his seat. 

“We’re here!” He could already feel how hot it was. “I want to take my shirt and track pants off.” He said, looking up at his dad for his permission. 

Tony didn’t think there were any paparazzi at the airport. No one saw them get on the plane in New York and no one knew where they were so he hoped no one took Peter’s picture. If they did, Pepper would stop the pictures from getting out. “Alright.” 

Peter stripped down to his underwear, not even bothering to put any shoes on either. 

“Let’s go! I wanna see Pepper!” He pulled Tony’s hand out of the plane and ran down the stairs, jumping onto the pavement but it didn’t take long for his feet to start burning so Peter squealed and quickly jumped onto his dad’s shoes. “Ah! It’s so hot!” 

Tony didn’t even think about that. He would have told Peter to put shoes on if he did. 

“Yikes, Pete. Come here then.” He grabbed his arm and lifted him onto his hip, already having spotted Pepper and making his way towards her. “Hey.” He wrapped his arms around her, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “I missed you.” 

She hugged Tony back tighter. “I missed you too.” 

“What about me?” Peter tried to get in on the hug, wrapping his arms around Pepper's neck. “You smell good.” 

“Oh. Why thank you. You smell good too.” She laughed, taking a sniff of his hair. 

Tony loved smelling Peter. He would have thought that was weird a year ago but now, it was perfectly normal. “He does, doesn’t he.” 

“And I’m not one bit surprised to see you in clothing optional.” She fondly shook her head at him, pinching his bare thigh. 

“Yep. That’s my boy for you.” He carried Peter over to Pepper’s SUV and opened up the back seat, putting Peter inside. “Buckle up. We’re heading to Pep’s house now.” 

“I wanna sit in the front seat with you.” He whined, giving Tony his best puppy dog eyes. It usually worked, at least it did in the beginning but not so much anymore. 

Tony pinched his chubby cheeks. “Nope.” He smiled and shut the back door, getting into the driver's seat so he could be the one driving. 

They had the perfect opportunity to visit Pepper for a week so Tony wanted to enjoy the time they had since he knew it was going to pass by way too fast. 

Ever since Peter came into his life, Tony realized just how quickly time was passing and no money could stop that. Peter was growing up way too quickly right in front of his eyes and Tony wasn’t okay with that. 

He knew he was going to look back when he’s older and miss the age that Peter is at but he definitely wanted more time with him at this age, so, no matter how stressful it may be, Tony was going to love every second of it. 

Peter stuck out his bottom lip, waiting for Tony to look back at him. “Dad!” 

“Yes?” 

“Nothing. I just wanna be there already.” He tried to lean forward so he could look at Pepper in the passenger seat. “Pepper? When we get there, can we go swimming in the pool?” 

“I thought you guys would want to go to the beach for your first day here.” She turned around to look at Peter. “Your hair is getting so long. I think you need a haircut soon.” 

Peter giggled as he pulled on a curl that went past his nose. “No. I like it long. Plus dad does too. Right dad?” 

Tony liked the curls. 

He especially loved when Peter woke up and had an extreme case of bed head. He got a lot of pictures of that to always remember. 

“Yeah, I love your curls. You’re definitely not getting them cut anytime soon.” He looked at Pepper, rolling his eyes fondly at the look she was giving him. “What? The kid says he doesn’t want a haircut. I’m not gonna force him to.” 

Pepper chuckled with him and pulled out her phone, pulling up photos of when she first met Peter and got comfortable enough to take pictures of him. It definitely didn’t take long, Peter was such a sweet boy so when she met him, she practically fell in love right away. 

She pulled up a picture of him lying on the couch with Tony, tucked under his arm. 

“Look.” She showed Tony at a red light. 

He melted at the sight. “Oh my god. Look at my baby.” He cooed. Peter looked so young and that was only a year and a bit ago. Peter’s hair was shorter and he even had more of a baby face back then, Tony hadn’t realized it until he looked at him now. 

“I wanna see.” 

Tony passed the phone back. “Look how cute you were.” 

Peter zoomed in on his face and then Tony’s face. “You look the exact same.” 

Both adults laughed. “That’s because I’m an adult and you’re a child.” 

“I’m fourteen.” 

Tony shrugged as he pulled up to Pepper’s penthouse. “Same thing. We’re here, you gonna help me bring our suitcase upstairs?” 

Peter was already getting out of the car before Tony even stopped it. “No, I just wanna go swimming. Okay? Then we can unload the car. Please.” 

“It’s just two suitcases.” Tony grabbed Peter’s arm and pulled him towards the truck then hoisted him into his arms, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “Mmm. I love you so much. And you smell really good. Why do you smell so good?” He pulled away, raising his eyebrows at him. 

“Uh cause you bought me more body wash. Remember?” He grabbed Tony’s face, holding his head in his hands. “Did you bring it?” 

“No, but I told Pepper to get you some.” 

“Get you what?” She asked, walking around to join them and then smiled at the sight of Peter in Tony’s arms. 

She was so proud of the man Peter turned Tony into. 

She always knew Tony was capable of loving someone so much but she wasn’t sure if he ever would love someone as much as he did Peter, it was a beautiful look on him. 

Peter was the only one capable of pulling the good like that out in Tony. She had tried for years and years but it never worked, he was too broken and kept pushing her away whenever she tried. 

Pepper eventually gave up, knowing Tony didn’t want to fully open up to her or anyone for that matter. 

And then Peter came along and changed everything. 

“You guys are too cute.” 

Tony turned to her. He definitely didn’t want to be called cute, she was right about Peter though. “I think the word you’re looking for when describing this guy is adorable. Look at this face.” He squeezed his cheeks together as Pepper got a picture of it then they all laughed. 

Tony definitely never wanted to leave. 

He was so happy with the two of them but he knew Pepper was always a phone call or a plane ride away. He learned to live without her. Peter was his life now and he couldn’t live without him. 

The three of them made their way up to Pepper’s floor, Tony carrying Peter half the way up. 

“Okay,” He sighed heavily and placed Peter on his feet. “rides over. You’re definitely heavier than you look.” 

Peter grinned up at him as he fixed the wedgie he got from getting carried up. “Maybe you’re weaker than you look.” 

“Huh?” Tony playfully pushed his head away as he walked passed. “Maybe I’d take you seriously if you didn’t have your hands down your pants.” 

“Hey!” Peter turned to pout at him and at Pepper who was now laughing. “It’s not my fault you carried me up so tightly.” 

“I was trying to stop you from sliding off. You made me do all the work.” 

Pepper smacked Tony with her bathing suit. “Stop arguing with him like a child.” She laughed and he caught a glimpse of the bathing suit. 

“Why are you wearing that one? I like the blue one with the, you know,” He smirked at her as he gestured to her chest. She rolled her eyes but left to grab another one anyways. “Pete, go get yours on.” 

“I don’t know where it is.” He shrugged. He was too busy sitting on the suitcase and trying to get it to roll. “Plus I’m just wearing my undies. I wanna wear these at the beach.” 

Tony thought about it but decided against it. “No. You’re gonna wear your bathing suit. When we go swimming in the pool, you can wear whatever the heck you want.” 

“My birthday suit.” 

Tony laughed out loud. “Yeah?” 

“Yeah.” Peter laughed along with him. “Are you coming with me into the bedroom to change?” 

Tony grabbed his own bathing suit. He didn’t know how Peter was going to be in relation to his separation anxiety here. He was making a huge improvement back home in New York but that was his safe and familiar place. 

Now, he was here at Pepper’s house and Tony hoped he didn’t fall back on the old habits they were working on. 

If they did, Tony knew he couldn’t be upset over it. He was doing everything he could to help Peter work on his separation anxiety but he couldn’t put life on pause just because of that. If he wet the bed, he wet the bed. And if he did it again, Tony would put him back in pull-ups until they went home but he had a feeling he wouldn’t need to. 

He grabbed his hand. “Yeah. I’m coming with you but you can get your bathing suit on by yourself, got it?” 

Peter nodded, a bit unsure. 

Tony hadn’t needed to help him get dressed or undressed in weeks. He hoped he wasn’t falling back on their progress now. 

They walked into one of the spare bedrooms that they stayed in last time and Peter immediately ran towards the bed to jump on it. “Save your energy. Let’s get our bathing suits on so we can hurry up and go to the ocean. Don’t you wanna swim in the waves?” 

“Uh, yeah.” 

“Good. So I’m going to go change in the bathroom and when I come back out, you better be ready.” He pointed a finger at him then disappeared into the bathroom, taking his time so that hopefully gave Peter enough time to actually get changed. 

Peter sat on the bed, slowly attempting to pull down his underwear while not bothering to sit up on the bed. He saw Pepper walk in with a tiny chocolate in her hand. “For me?” 

“Yeah. Once you have your bathing suit on.” She took a seat on the bed and held it out of Peter’s reach. 

“I need help.” He looked to her, seeing if she would help him. He didn’t think so. His puppy dog eyes usually only worked on Tony. Usually. 

Pepper placed a hand on his thigh. “I heard you were working on that with your dad.” 

Peter didn’t really want to talk about that. He didn’t really know what she knew so he threw himself back on the bed. “I want to eat the chocolate now. Can I have it please?” 

“I think your dad will want you to get your bathing suit on first. You do want to go to the beach, don’t you?” 

“…yeah. I also really want chocolate.” 

Tony walked out of the bathroom, not one bit surprised to see Peter still not in his swim gear. He looked at him as he walked to stand at the edge of the bed and pulled Peter’s feet down. “What’s this about chocolates?” 

Peter gasped. “How did you know we were talking about chocolates?” 

“Because I’m your dad. I know everything.” He chuckled at the face Peter made then tugged on the waistband of Peter’s underwear. “What happened to taking this off?” 

Peter used Tony grabbing it to buck his hips and get it off then he turned to crawl towards the headboard but Tony grabbed his ankle and pulled him back so Peter giggled. “Peter. I’m not laughing.” He was actually trying hard not to laugh right now but he had to nic this in the butt now. “No. Stop. Listen to me.” 

“Not if you’re gonna yell at me, poo poo head.” 

Tony grabbed Peter and forced him to stand up in front of him, holding his hands together. “Stop. We were doing so well back home. I know you’re excited to be here but let’s keep up our good work. Okay?” He grabbed Peter’s bathing suit. “Put this on.” 

“I need help now.” 

“Try by yourself.” 

Peter looked at Pepper and then narrowed his eyes at Tony, grabbing the bathing suit from him. “Fine. Stop looking at me!” 

Tony didn’t look away. “Stop acting like a baby.” 

“I’m not!” 

“Peter. It’s not a big deal. Just put it on and we can go and have fun.” 

Peter seemed to think it over then pointed at Pepper. “She’s looking at my butt! I don’t want her to.” 

Tony stiffened a chuckle then turned Peter around so he was facing her. “That better?” 

Pepper laughed but apparently that was the wrong thing to do because Peter wasn’t happy about that. 

“Hey! Stop laughing at me. She’s laughing at me!” He wiped at his dry eyes and Tony was losing his patience and laughing at the same time. 

“We’re laughing at you because you’re being silly. Put your bathing suit on, Pete.” He placed it on the bed and waited for Peter to make a move but he didn’t. He looked at where Peter was looking and saw the chocolate in Pepper’s hand. “You want it?” 

“Uh huh.” 

“Then put your bathing suit on.” 

“Fine.” Peter grabbed it, easily putting it on and getting himself situated then he held his hand out to Pepper, grinning at her. “Please now.” 

“Here. Are we ready to go?” 

“Do we have to drive there? Or run?” 

Tony grabbed Peter’s hand. “Uh, how about we walk? Does that sound good?” 

“Yep.” He happily ate his chocolate while they made their way outside. Tony and Pepper began talking to each other about stuff that didn’t interest Peter so he focused elsewhere, only budding into the conversation when he felt necessary. 

Once they arrived at the beach, Peter gasped and turned to Tony. “Oh! I’m not wearing any sunscreen.” 

“It’s okay, look, the sun is going down now.” He brushed the hair off his face. “We’ll put some on tomorrow when we come earlier.” 

Peter let go of his dad’s hand and smiled back at him as he ran freely towards the water. No matter what, Tony wanted to always find the time to bring Peter to the water. 

It wasn’t possible to bring Peter to an ocean like this in New York but he wanted to take Peter on a vacation again soon or take him here to see Pepper. Tony knew it was important for him to have a woman figure in his life and Tony was forever grateful to Pepper for that. 

Tony stepped into the waves, feeling the warm water crash at his feet. He looked up to see Peter jumping in the waves and getting knocked over by them. His protective dad instincts wanted to prevent Peter from his head going under but he knew it was all a learning experience. 

A big wave crashed over him at that moment and Peter tried to sit up but another wave came and knocked him back under so Tony stepped in and grabbed him by his arm, lifting him up. “Ohh, are you good? Stand up.” 

Peter caught his balance and wiped the water out of his eyes. “Yeah… I-the waves smacked me. Like pow!” 

Tony chuckled. “I saw that. It was funny.” 

Peter purposely fell onto his knees and sat in the water that was barely past his waist. He patted the spot next to him. “Dad. Sit down with me. I wanna sit with you.” 

“Are you getting tired?” He asked as he sat down in the water and immediately had Peter jumping onto his lap and scooping a bunch of sand onto him. 

“Never. Are you?” 

“No. But we do have to head back soon, baby. The sun is going down and then all the crabs will come out and eat your toes.” He teased him, looking up at Pepper who came to sit next to them in the water. 

Peter leaned against his chest. “And eat your toes.” 

“Nope. They only like to eat little kid toes. It’s bite sized.” He grabbed Peter’s foot, tickling him and causing Peter to throw his head back and jerk his whole body. 

Peter examined his toes compared to Tony’s then looked over at Pepper. “Guess what?” 

“What?” 

“You have to guess.” 

“Okay. Let me think,” She smiled at Tony. She had no idea what it could be. Knowing Peter, it could be anything. “You ate candy on the plane.” 

“No.” 

Tony laughed. He didn’t even know what it was. 

“Umm…” 

“Okay. I’ll tell you then. It’s that I haven’t wet the bed in two weeks!” 

“Wow, Peter. That’s amazing.” She already knew that, Tony had kept her up to date but she was still going to be proud of him. To Peter, that was a big accomplishment. 

“Yeah. I don’t wear pull-ups to bed anymore at least. Right?” He turned to face his dad, grinning at him. He was proud of himself and proud of his dad too. 

Tony caressed his cheek. “Yeah, baby. No more pull-ups or wet beds for you.” 

“And I won’t wear one tonight either, right?” 

“Do you want to?” Tony asked curiosity. He felt like he encouraged it so he was a bit nervous for a wet bed tonight but it wasn’t the end of the world if Peter did. 

Peter shrugged then shook his head. “Not now. Cause I don’t need to.” He looked back at Pepper. “I don’t need to.” He clarified that with her then slid off of his dad’s lap to sit between them, burying his feet in the sand followed by a yawn. 

“Is someone ready to head back and get ready for bed?” 

With a nod, Peter stood up and waited for Tony to stand up before lifting his arms up for him, a silent demand to be carried back. 

Tony didn’t hesitate to pick him up since he knew it was going to be one day hopefully later rather than sooner that Peter was going to stop asking to be carried. So he hoisted him onto his hip and pressed a kiss to his face. “You’re lucky you’re light. Or else you’d be carrying me.” 

Peter cuddled against him. “You’re too heavy.” 

Tony knew Peter was capable of lifting a car, maybe more, so he knew he’d have no problem picking him up. But he didn’t say anything. 

They walked in comfortable silence on the way back up to Pepper’s penthouse. Tony kicked off his shoes and walked straight for their bedroom, heading into the bathroom. “Okay. Bathing suit off and go in a quick shower then bedtime.” 

Peter shivered at being placed on his bare feet on the cold tile floor then looked towards the bedroom and back up at his dad. He had been doing so well sleeping by himself at nights, in his own bed and he was so proud of himself for that. 

But the thought of sleeping alone in an unfamiliar place was traumatizing for Peter. 

He’s been to Pepper’s place before but not enough to fully be comfortable sleeping alone. It wasn’t home. 

He tilted his head at his dad. “Can-am I gonna sleep with you tonight?” 

Tony was already planning on that. “Do you want to?” 

Peter shrugged. Tony could already tell that Peter wanted to sleep with him. Tony just wanted Peter to admit it. He didn’t want Peter to feel like he couldn’t ask or say he wanted to sleep with his father. 

“Yeah… cause I don’t wanna sleep alone here. Just-just in my own bedroom.” 

Tony understood that. “Of course you’re sleeping with me. Gotta make sure you don’t sneak away to go swimming at the beach.” 

Peter giggled. “I wouldn’t. Ever.” 

“Okay, I’m glad to hear that.” He gently pushed Peter towards the shower. “Shower. Then we can sleep.” 

Once the both of them were showered and in pyjamas, Peter got under the blankets, kicking the sheets down and getting comfortable. “Hurry up and lie next to me.” 

“I’m coming.” He sat down on the bed and was about to get in but Pepper walked in. “Hey.” 

She smiled. “Hi. Are you boy’s heading off to bed 

now?” 

Tony wished he could spend more time alone with Pepper but he knew Peter needed him here for the first night. “Yeah, if this one doesn’t go to bed now he’s gonna get overtired and refuse to sleep so… I’m doing myself a favour.” He chuckled at the face Peter was making then got into bed, dragging Peter closer to him. 

“Alright. You guys sleep well. And tomorrow we’re gonna spend all day by the beach.” 

“And the pool!” Peter added, followed by a yawn. 

He was so ready for bed. So with his dad there to keep him safe and cuddle up against, the two of them fell asleep in no time. 

.

.

.

Tony sat on the pool chair in the shade, drinking a glass of homemade lemonade that Peter and Pepper made this morning. 

He was closely watching Peter swim in the pool and was actually pretty good at it. He wasn’t the strongest swimmer but he was definitely improving. 

“Dad! Watch this. Are you watching?” 

“I’m watching.” He hadn’t taken his eyes off of Peter since he jumped into the pool. He watched Peter run along the edge and then pause before jumping into the deep end. Even though he had on a life jacket, Tony still wouldn’t leave him alone when there was water around. “Wow, baby. Good job.” 

Peter popped his head back to the surface. “Did you see?!” 

“I did. I’m so proud of you.” 

Peter went off to go jumping back into the pool when Pepper walked out and took a seat down next to Tony. Before Peter woke up this morning, they got to spend some one on one time together and Tony had really missed that. And needed it. 

It was hard not having Pepper around everyday and he missed her a lot of the time. 

She watched Peter for a few moments. “You know, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say he looks exactly like you.” Tony shook his head fondly. Peter wasn’t his biologically. He did three tests just to make sure. “Yeah. He’s got your brown hair, although his is curly. He’s got your button nose, your brown eyes. Never mind the personality.” 

Tony smiled. “Okay that I can say he got from me. But he was already a lot like me before I met him.” 

“He was made for you.” 

Tony liked that idea. Him and Peter found each other when they needed each other the most. 

Tony wouldn’t want to have it any other way. 

Sure, he met Peter because of Spider-Man but he fell in love with Peter, not Spider-Man. 

“Yeah…” He couldn’t wipe the fond smile off his face as he watched Peter play in the water. He loved him with every fiber in his body. “He’s definitely a special kid. And he’s all mine.” He loved that part the most, that he got to be the one to raise Peter and the one Peter turned to for everything. 

“He’s such a good kid, Pep. I mean you know that. But really, Sometimes I look at him and I think, how are you mine. Like what did I do to deserve this beautiful boy and I just can’t wrap my head around that sometimes.”

Pepper knew Tony felt that way about Peter. 

She saw it on his face every time he looked at the boy. 

“I’m glad you guys found each other, Tony, and I’m also glad that you guys are working on his separation anxiety and talking to Rose. That’s so important for him. And you.” 

Pepper had been telling him for a long time that he had to fix this or do something about it and Tony was always so scared to and then he thought he was a bad dad. He was grateful that he started though. He could already see a huge improvement in Peter. 

He knew it wouldn’t be fixed overnight or within a weeks time or even months time, but they were slowly working on it, going at Peter’s pace. 

Tony heard wet footsteps making its way towards him so Tony looked over to see Peter making his way towards him, arms open and ready. 

“Oof!” Tony groaned when Peter jumped on him. “What’s up?” 

“Nothing. I just wanted to sit with you.” 

Tony was complaining about that. He pressed a kiss to the side of Peter’s head. “Are you tired from swimming already?” 

“Never.” He reached for Tony’s lemonade. “But I do want this.” 

Tony grabbed it and held it up to his mouth so he could take a sip. “Here you go.” 

“Mmm. I’m so good at making lemonade. I’m gonna open up my own lemonade company.” 

“Wow. That would be amazing. You’ll need to plant a lot of lemon trees to keep up with demand.” 

Peter giggled. “Probably like one thousand lemon trees.” 

“Yeah, buddy. Wanna go swimming with Pepper now?” 

“Yes!” Peter jumped to his feet so Tony stood up with him then turned to Pepper. 

“Should I throw him in the water?” He teased and saw Peter about to make a run for it out of the corner of his eyes so Tony quickly grabbed him and lifted him into his arms. “Too late. I got you now!” 

Peter was laughing too hard to get away. He was thrown into the pool and then floated back to the surface. “Dad!” He laughed. “Now you jump in.” 

Tony did. 

And they spent the rest of the day by the pool. 

.

.

.

Tony was so tired. 

He and Peter got home from Malibu a few hours ago but they were too tired to do anything but cuddle on the couch together while they munched on cheese puffs, Peter’s favourite snacks. Well, one of his favourites. 

They had an incredible week with Pepper in Malibu and as sad as Tony was to have to leave, he was happy to be back at home. 

Pepper was planning to come visit them within two weeks so Tony was looking forward to that but right now, he was ready to go to bed with Peter. 

He unwrapped his arm from around Peter’s shoulders, getting a groan out of the boy. “I know. I know. But it’s bedtime. Let’s go up.” 

Peter arched his back. “Why can’t we sleep here? It’s so cozy.” 

Tony patted his butt. “Because this isn’t a bed. And we have two beds upstairs for us.” 

Peter stuck out his bottom lip. He slept with his dad every night in Malibu and he loved it. But now they were back at home and he knew he should be sleeping by himself, he knew he could but he just didn’t want to for tonight. 

He stood up and grabbed onto Tony’s much larger hand, giving him puppy dog eyes. “Daddy?” 

Tony hummed. He already knew what Peter wanted. He wanted the same thing so who was he to deny the boy some extra cuddles and comfort. 

“Can I sleep with you tonight?” 

Tony ruffled his hair. “You don’t have to ask me, baby. Just tell me. I don’t mind.” 

Peter shrugged. “I know. But… I feel like I should be sleeping by myself.” 

“And you do. But it’s okay to want to sleep with me every once and a while.” He grabbed his precious face in his hands. “Don’t think you can’t ask me, okay? And that goes for everything too.” 

Peter thought about it. It felt good to know that although he was already extremely open with his dad. “Okay. I know.” 

“Good. Let’s head upstairs now then.” The two of them made their way upstairs and while Peter was in the shower, Tony made the bed and laid out Peter’s pyjamas on the bed and brought a towel into the bathroom for him. 

“Pete, I’m putting a towel on the counter for when you’re-oh.” Peter opened the glass door and jumped up, awaiting the warm towel. “That was quick.” He wrapped him up tightly, making sure he was warm. 

“Yeah. I’m tired so I showered super quickly. Like a fox.” He waddled into the bedroom and crawled onto the bed, waiting to air dry before putting pyjamas on. 

“You stay here. I’ll be quick.” True to his word, Tony was in and out of the shower then finished getting ready for bed before shutting off all the lights and closing his bedroom door. 

Peter yawned. “Dad.” 

“Yeah?” 

“Nothing.” Peter sleepily smiled. “I just love you. And I like saying your name.” 

Tony didn’t know how it was possible to love Peter even more but in that moment, he did. 

“Oh, baby. You’re too precious.” He got into bed with him and pulled him into his arms. “I love you beyond words can even describe.” 

That felt good to hear. Peter cuddled against him more. “Mmm. Me too.” 

Tony rubbed his back. “But how about you put some pyjamas on, naked butt.” 

Peter giggled as he slid off of his dad’s lap and reached for his cozy pyjamas at the bottom of the bed, putting them on by himself and being proud of that. “I did it without any help.” 

“Good job, buddy. I’m so proud of you. Did I ever tell you that?” He teased him. He told Peter that multiple times a day. 

“Uh, I don’t think so. You can tell me again if you’d like.” Peter smirked and waited for Tony to lie down so he could get under the blankets with him and lie against his side, tucked safely against him. 

Tony ran a hand up and down his back. “Well, I am so proud of the person you are. You’re the sweetest, kindness, most caring person I’ve ever met. And cutest. Did I tell you you’re cute?” 

Peter blushed. “Yes, all the time.” He smiled at him. “What else?” He liked to hear that. It felt good to hear. 

Tony could write a book on how much he loves Peter. It was scary how much he loved him. 

“You’re mine. And I love you. I love that I get to watch you grow into the most beautiful little man I’ll ever know. But promise me you won’t grow up too fast. I need you to stay my little innocent boy for a lot longer.” 

Peter giggled. “Okay, daddy. Just build a time machine so I can never grow up.” 

“Sounds good to me.” He pressed a kiss to Peter’s cheek. He adored him. “I love you so much, Peter.” 

“I love you too, dad.” He rested his head on Tony’s chest, listening to the sound of the comforting heartbeat of his father and he knew he was safe. He’d always be safe when he had Tony standing behind him. 

Tony held him a little bit tighter. 

Things weren’t perfect but that was okay. 

As long as they had each other, everything would always be okay. 

He loved Peter so much and it was as if all the stars aligned so that they could be together.