Chapter Text
"All kids need is a little help, a little hope, and somebody who believes in them”-Magic Johnson
Finding a nice park was hard. Seriously, it was! In Manhattan, they had lots of nice parks but they were all too loud, or too many people which were big factors for Viz. Tony had trusted that Vizzy knew his own limitations when it came to sensory overload. He recalled that day, about a month ago, when V had presented him with his ‘pitch’ for this park. He fumbled listing all his reasonings like how it was close enough to not be a hassle but because of where it was located it didn't get too much foot traffic, that there was a sandbox for Peter, and J.A.R.V.I.S could find 3 days a week in Tony's schedule to take them because “Play was really really good for their development you know” . He loved his oldest son, but it always caught him off guard that Viz thought he'd ever even consider saying no if Vision truly advocated for it.
As long as they were safe and not harassed by his status, Tony'd give them the moon if he wanted it, 'actually Vision does have that moon rock from Rhodey's astronaut friend...' he chuckled to himself. Baby Pete was a bit easier to please, he was a sticky boy who loved different feelings like slime or plush in his little pudgy palms but that boy would be the first to come waddling when he heard the bath start to fill. He was grateful for his usually well-behaved children... but they had their difficulties too.
If Vision was having a bad day, it was hard to separate Peter from him. He loved his big brother and could be irritable without him in sight. Sometimes when it was too much V would need his quiet room and peter would spend most of his day outside the door waiting got Viz to emerge. Vision was hypersensitive to ambient stressors; so smell, noise, even touch could become paralyzing. Although this new park had been doing wonders for his oldest’s mood lately.
Vizzy was an observer at heart and loved watching all the other kids. He liked to weave them in stories or every so often he’d want to talk about something he learned and plunged into with J.A.R.V.I.S for more information. But while the park was his idea, Vision could do without it if they need. Really this was for his youngest. Vision loved Peter and Peter loved the park, so V nosedived into finding a park perfect for his little brother that he could enjoy too. Petey craved social interaction with other kids due to both of his babies being homeschooled. Park days were a chance for Peter to babble with someone other than his Papa, Miss Jane and Miss Darcy, or V. Most of the time it was his best friend Wade or another boy also named Pete if Tony remembered correctly.
So the usually Wednesday plan was going like clockwork. At 2:30 lessons were done, Vision got the snacks and made sure Peter had his shoes and sunscreen on then they were off to the park by 3, stayed for 2 1/2 hours then grab takeout from good old Bamontes (who only did takeout for them because V once had a full conversation with the owner about that Bamontes is the only place that makes perfect food) before going home to eat, bath time, then bedtime for his boys.
They got to the park and Peter insisted that he needed Tony there to give his gift to Willy and so Tony let wait for him for just a second. He watched the strangely formal proceeding of Petey giving this kid a molded bucket to make towers with. Soon he was dismissed by his cheeky 4-year-old and turned to jog back to his bench. He spotted V talking to someone that was NOT another kid.
The guy had a man bun and sweats on, but before he could really get a look at the guy he saw Viz getting more and more upset. Quickly he scooped up his baby, sometimes things don't go according to plan. He knew the situation change was stressing his kid out so they turned around back to Peter and sat near the sandbox.
'Crisis averted' he thought as Vision did his breathing exercises and provided a list of positive things about their new spot. Dr. Banner had advised these steps when change occurred and it warmed Tony to see his kid take them to heart. They spent their usual time at the park with Viz looking over to the man on the bench a few too many times, not that Tony hadn't snuck a peek or two. 'He is good-looking, sue me. It doesn't hurt to just take a gander.' because it was true, the bench thief was attractive. He had a strong jawline and pretty fair-colored skin. He was tall, from what Tony could figure out and the tight t-shirt did little to hide his toned stomach it almost distracted Tony from the fact the man didn't have a left arm.
The guy had his empty sleeve hanging loosely from mid-bicep. It threw Tony for a loop before wondering why he didn't have a prosthetic. Between his and his son's watchful eye on the stranger, Park Time flew by and soon the alarm rang for them to head to Bamonte's. Later in the comfort of the penthouse, minds far from the hiccup at the park, Tony dug into another culinary masterpiece. Fettuccine Alfredo with scallops that Peter had deemed not a favorite and scooped the soft mollusks onto V's plate, mixed in with a quick lesson on where scallops come from (with lots of help from J.A.R.V.I.S.) the Stark Household was peaceful as ever. Soon dinner was followed by a quick "shower pow-wow"-he was so grateful Pete was starting to like showers because bath’s every night did nothing for his knees- and suddenly it was bedtime. Sleepy Pete hobbled into bed was fast asleep as soon as his head met pillow.
Unlike his youngest, Vision was not ready for bed just yet. He waited until his Pa had tucked his little brother into his own bed before pulling him close. "Do you think il ladro will be there on Friday?" he mumbled in Tony's shoulder, "The thief? That isn't very nice baby... he might be, so let's think about it ok?" He needed Vision to work this out as independently as possible. 'Banner would be so proud'. Along with V's therapy, the Doctor had advised a few parenting books specifically aimed at parents with children similar to his own.
"ok... he is there. He is sitting on our bench."
"Not our bench hun, try again"
"Sitting on the bench... that we like to sit on. What are our options?"
"Well, we can try a new place to sit?" Tony offered only for the boy to shake his head "no, he could follow us to a new place." he gave the boy a minute to sort his thoughts while he picked out their clothes for the next day.
"We cannot ask him to leave can we?"
"Nope, that would be rude. We don't know him enough to ask him for anything".
"Why was he on the bench?" he heard V mutter more to himself before scooting more under his covers.
"Goodnight kiddo"
"goodnight papa" and with that Tony made his way to bed.
Being a parent had tamed him to be used to normal functioning hours now. Before, time was just an invisible enemy he conquered with a laugh but now-a-days he felt it wear on him.