Breaking Iron Will

Peter closed the door to his locker with a sigh. It had been a very long day and Peter knew it would be an even longer night. It had been a month since the fight, the fight that the media dubbed “Civil War”. Peter’s dad hadn’t been the same since Siberia. He came home a broken man, and over the last month Peter has tried his hardest to pick up the pieces. Tony’s physical injuries had healed for the most part, but his emotional and psychological ones still cut deep. Peter hoped someday his dad would find his way back, no matter how long it took Peter would be there waiting. Just like Tony had been there waiting for Peter to climb off that same ledge of grief when his aunt and uncle had passed away.

“Hey, Peter!” Ned’s cheery voice broke through Peter’s weary thoughts. “Hey, Ned what’s up?” “What are you up to tonight? I got a new Lego set I could really use your help on!” Ned shifted the strap of his backpack. “Unless you are busy with Spiderman or something.”

“No man, dad had his last check up today. He never texted me, so I know I’m going to have to go beat it out of him.” Peter grabbed his bag and headed to the doors. “Rain check?” Ned gave a solemn nod. “Yeah man, I understand. I just miss you is all. Tell Tony I hope he is feeling better.”

Peter felt his chest tighten with guilt. “Thanks Ned, I promise we will hang out soon. I’ll text you later!” Ned gave a final wave to his friend before Peter spun on his heel and ran for the door.

Avengers Tower~

Tony stared at the medical papers in his hand, he was finally on the mend. The damage to his heart was healing but not as fast as he hoped. The doctor said with rest and minimum stress he should get back to normal. Normal for Tony Stark anyway. He wanted to be done with these doctor visits, done with his son treating him like a wounded animal, done feeling broken. Hearing the dinge of the elevator bell Tony set the papers in front of Peter’s spot at the table. He knew his son would want to see them, it would be the only way to convince his son that he wasn’t hiding anything from him.

“Hey dad, I’m home!” Peter called hurrying into the kitchen. Peter eyed his father intently, trying to gauge the results of the doctors visit by his appearance.

Tony noticed and smirked, pointing to the papers. “Everything you need to know is right there, champ.”

Peter gave his dad a suspicious look before snatching the papers from the table. Scanning the papers quickly, Peter felt a grin spread across his face. “Dad this is great news! Why didn’t you tell me?”

Tony smiled at his son. “I wanted to surprise you, besides now you can stop worrying about me so much.” Getting up Tony moved to the counter and poured himself a fresh cup of coffee.

Peter glared, walking over to his dad and grabbing the cup from his hands. “I will never stop worrying about my family.” Ignoring his dads protest he dumped the coffee down the sink. “Besides who else would remind you that you are still on a strict no caffeine diet!”

Tony pouted, watching the precious liquid circle the drain. “The doctor said I could have one cup!”

Peter did his best to mask his amusement with annoyance. “Yeah dad, I was there when he said that.” Peter moved to dump the rest of the pot ignoring his dad’s pained groan. “But I also know you, and you’ve already had more than one today.”

Tony gasped, stunned. “How could you think that of me?” Peter gave his dad an unamused look. “Really?” Tony held up his hands in defeat. “Ok, ok, that’s not the point. But come on champ, I’m feeling so much better!” “And I want you to keep feeling better. So please dad, just listen to the doctor and when you are cleared, I’ll buy you all the coffee you want.”

Tony snorted. “You’ll buy me coffee with my own money. Gee, what a great offer.” Peter grinned. “And it’s the only one you’ll get.”

Tony let out a laugh, his son was truly incorrigible. Pulling his son into a giant hug. “Thanks, Pete. I know this last month has been a challenge but I’m alright. We’ll be alright”

Peter buried his face into his father’s shirt breathing in his comforting sent. “No matter what, you’ll always be my hero.” Tony’s breath hitched, the kid always knew just what to say to turn him into a ball of emotion. Reaching up he brushed the moisture from his eyes, pulling away. “Ok kid, enough of the emotional stuff. Let’s go watch a movie and order take out to celebrate.”

Peter grinned. “Can I pick the movie?” Tony let out a fake pained groan. “I’m going to regret this, I already know it.” Tony watched as his son let out an evil whoop and sprint off to the media room. “Anything but Star Wars!” Tony called after him. Knowing that his request fell on dead ears, Tony picked up his cell phone, giving a tired chuckle he began to dial.

3 hours later~

Tony shifted on the couch trying to find a more comfortable position without waking the sleeping teen. Peter fell asleep as soon as they started Return of the Jedi. Tony was able to shift far enough that Peter’s head now rested on his chest and Tony was able to stretch out his legs. Peter let out a muffled sigh before snuggling further into his father’s chest. Tony’s heart melted at the sight, he really would be lost without this kid. Running his hand through Peter’s curly brown hair, his mind drifted to the last month. The physical pain had been excruciating, but the personal pain was on a completely different level. People that he thought were his friends had betrayed him, he had trusted these people with his life. And then they had been the ones to almost take it. Tony would be the first to admit that he hadn’t handled the situation the best way. But the deaths of his parents completely blindsided him, but what made it all the worse was Steve slamming his shield deep into his chest and leaving him to die. Sure, he and Cap didn’t always have the best relationship, but he had believed that they were friends. Clearly Steve had not shared that same belief. Tony’s eyes drifted to the flip phone sitting on the side table, thinking back to Cap’s note. Yeah, the Captain had apologized, but what was Tony really supposed to make of that. The super soldier had left him to die in that icy building choosing Bucky over him, allowing Peter to become and orphan once again. Deep in his heart Tony had already forgiven Bucky and Steve for his parents. Some days the wound still stung but his parents had been gone for years. What Tony hadn’t forgiven was what could have been Peter’s future should Tony died. Tony tore his gaze from the phone. It didn’t matter. Tony saw no reason to ever need the phone. What was done was done. The Avengers no longer existed and there was no threat. Tony would keep Steve Rogers secret out of respect of their old relationship. No matter what the super soldier may believe of him he was not an evil man.

“Dad?”

Tony gave a startled jump and looked down at his son. His hair was disheveled and sleep still filled his eyes. “What’s up kiddo?”

Peter rubbed his eyes and yawned. “Are you ok? You are staring at that phone like it is going to explode.”

“Yeah, Pete I’m good. You know how I get when the sun goes down.”

Peter nodded. Night was always a bad time for his father. His mind would become flooded with bad memories and regrets. If those didn’t keep him up his dreams that were plagued by nightmares did.

“Anything I can do to help?” Tony gave his son a soft smile, wrapping his son in his arms and pulling his closer to his chest. “You already are buddy. More than you know.”

The two settled back in to finish the movie, both knowing that everything would be ok as long as they had each other to lean on.

~~~~

“Wake up Bambi it’s time for school!” Tony watched Peter startle awake smiling when his son almost went head first off, the couch.

“What time is it?” Peter cringed when the harsh sunlight met his eyes.

“It is time for school. Now hurry up, breakfast is almost ready, and you still need to change.”

Peter scowled as he watched his dad whistle over the stove. The smell of bacon filling the room. “Why are you so unbelievably chipper this morning?”

Tony laughed. “Can’t I be in a good mood?”

“You are never this happy in the morning. Who are you and what did you do to my father?”

Tony gripped his chest and let out a fake gasp of pain. “Way to wound me, you ungrateful child.” Peter continued to stare at his father until Tony let out a sigh of defeat. “If you must know, last night was the first night in over a month that I slept with no nightmares.”

Peter grinned. “So, this has nothing to do with a coffee binge, thank the gods!”

Tony set the bacon down on the table giving his son a disbelieving look. “You really don’t trust me do you? What have I done to deserve this?”

Peter let out a muffled laugh, his mouth full of food. “You would be lost without me!” Glancing at the clock, Peter let out a curse. “Damn, I am late!”

Tony sat back watching his son run out of the kitchen only to return a minute later dressed. “Have a good day Pete and stay out of trouble!” “Yeah, yeah, I think I should be saying that to you.” Peter said, before giving his dad a quick hug goodbye. “See you later dad! And no coffee, I’ll be checking with Friday!”

~Tony

Peter had only been gone for a few hours and Tony had found himself on his way to his workshop. “Alright Friday, what should we work on today?” Tony asked as his machines began whirling awake to his presence. As the lights all flickered on Tony noticed a dark suited figure sitting in his chair. “Friday?”

The figure in the chair twisted to face Tony. “Sorry Mr. Stark, you’ll find that your AI is currently unreachable.” The suit pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his hands. “We need to talk.”

“Business hours are every other Friday from 8 to 5. But for you I will make a special offer of never and go to hell.” Tony picked up a wrench and gripped it tight. “Now get out of my house.”

The man chuckled as he stood. Reaching in to his pocket he pulled out his phone. “I don’t think you understand, I’m not asking. If you don’t come with me right now, your precious son won’t live to see another hour.” The man flipped the phone to show Tony the screen. It showed Peter sitting at lunch laughing with Ned.

Tony felt his world stop. “Who are you? What do you want?”

The man tucked the phone away, straightening his jacket. “I work for a very powerful group of people and they have some questions for you.” The man eyed the wrench in Stark’s hand. “And if you don’t come with me, I won’t hesitate to give the order to have your son executed. And who knows how many other kids will be collateral damage.”

Tony’s heart raced, he knew this man meant business. He knew if he went with this man he may never come back. But if he didn’t go Peter would be killed along with countless other students. Tony clenched the wrench before dropping it with a clatter. There really was no choice, he would never put Peter in danger. “Fine, as the kids would say, take me to your leader.”

The suited man grinned. “Come now Stark, you know it won’t be that simple.” Before Tony could blink a sharp pain exploded across his head and back as two men attacked him from behind. Falling to the ground the only thing Tony could do was curl into a ball. Using his arms, Tony did his best to shield his head as blows continued to rain down on him. Tony could feel his world start to shrink. “You didn’t honestly think we would take Iron man in without making certain he couldn’t fight back.” The suited man laughed, landing a kick square to Tony’s chest.

Tony huffed, spitting blood onto the floor. “Your employer must really be scared if he had to send 3 men to jump an unarmed man.”

“Not afraid, just smart.” Suit responded, kicking Tony onto his back. “Come on boys, load him up. And make sure he is tied up nice and tight.” Tony’s last thought was of Peter. He wishes he could apologize to him and make sure that the suits had kept their promise. But most of all he hoped that Peter would forgive him, after all no father ever wants to leave their son all alone.