I Had A Dream
Tony bolts up in his bed, wincing when Pepper rolls around to face him but doesn't wake up. He slips out, careful not to disturb his sleeping wife, and heads into the bathroom.
Tony hasn't recognized himself since Peter's death. He feels empty, lifeless and he knows he shouldn't because he has a family. He has a family that Peter never got to be part of. A family that didn't really know about his dead son other than the occasional mention. Tony has his own daughter, his own biological daughter that is his world.
Peter Parker is his galaxy. Peter was every star in the sky, he filled the role of every planet and solar system. Peter was every single atmosphere and gasp of oxygen that filled his lungs. His life was replenished while Peter's was withered in front of him. Peter Parker was the dirt under his feet and the most beautiful blue parts of the day skies. Peter was his grounding factor. He understood what being a hero was. He knew sacrifices, and Tony felt like he still didn't. One of the only lives Tony actually cared about was pried right from in and in front of him, particularly in his own arms.
"Tony?" Pepper mumbled from the other side of the door. "Is everything alright?"
No. Tony opens the doors and heads back into bed, not before Pepper interrogates him.
"Is everything okay?" She whispers, running his smooth fingers across his beard. The touch makes him shiver.
"I had a dream." Tony says back, willing his voice not to break. "We had a son."
Pepper smiles softly and closes her eyes. "Lets not get too ahead of ourselves. May is quite a handful."
May. It was the first name on Peter's list, barely decipherable in his messy handwriting. Tony begged for this to be their daughter's name and when Pepper agreed he was overjoyed. Reading through the other names, there were better ones, but May was his favorite. Peter would have cried and thanked him and Tony would have been there to hold him and say, it's all for you.
"He was smart, Pepp. A genius. He had this- this hero complex that was undeniable." Tony chuckled softly. "He was adorable, jittery, a giant nerd."
She smiles. "Sounds like someone I know."
"He was so much better." The words were bitter on his tongue.
Pepper smiled and closed her eyes again, Tony took this as a sign to shut up.
"Tony?" Peter calls.
"I'm here, Pete."
The kid was bouncing, his smile was sickeningly sweet. "Guess what?" He said, holding a ripped envelope.
Tony tried not to let on but his heart was pounding. He knows whats coming. He raises his eyebrows and kills the smile hoarding his face.
"I got accepted into MIT!' Peter practically yells, shoving the paper in Tony's face.
"That's my boy!" Tony says, ruffling his hair and allowing the smile to take him over.
Peter crushes him in a quick hug, the paper crumpling in his tight hold. "I couldn't have done it without you."
Tony takes a deep breath, letting his eyes flutter shut.
"His name was Peter Parker."