Chapter Text
Peter loved his dog.
Tessa really was one of the best things to ever happen to him. She was always there when his senses were going crazy, her soft fur giving something to ground him. She was there when he needed something to hold onto when he woke up screaming from a nightmare about collapsed buildings or red dust. She’d even saved his life when he ate peppermint without knowing he was allergic.
And he knew Tony loved his dog.
Tessa had taken to Peter like peanut butter to jelly. She honestly took to everyone like that, though she definitely loved Peter best, so he hadn’t been surprised that she loved Tony. However, he had been pleasantly surprised with how much Tony had taken to her.
“So she goes out every morning and every night, Tony. And she gets one cup of kibble three times a day.”
“I know kid,” Tony chuckled. “I’ve seen you do it a million times when you stayed here that one week while May was out.”
Peter looked up from where he was crouched next to his dog, his arms around her neck. “I know, I know. It’s just...she’s-”
“Your baby, I know.” The two cocked their head at him the exact same time and the same direction, and Tony couldn’t help but smile. “I’ll take good care of her, I promise, bud. And I’ll send you pictures every couple hours!”
“Would you?” Peter’s eyes were so wide and hopeful, adding to his resemblance to his faithful pup. And Tony couldn’t say no to the puppy dog eyes from either human or canine.
“Of course,” he rolled his eyes affectionately. “Now go, bud. You and May have a good weekend, and don’t worry one bit about Tessa-girl here. Morgan and I will take good care of her!”
So that weekend, he found himself in the company of the sweetest dog in the universe. Morgan was thrilled! Tess played tea party with her (complete with a pink hat), ran outside and played ball with her, watched her favorite shows with her, even slept with her. Tony made sure to take a picture of everything and send them to Peter. He especially loved the one of her and Morgan curled up on Morgan’s bed like a ying/yang symbol.
But every night without fail, she would push open Morgan’s door and follow Tony to his bed, her nails click-clacking on the wood as she trotted behind him. He was grateful for the company, as Pepper was in California for a couple days for an SI meeting. Tessa’s warm presence helped him fall asleep and stay asleep.
Soon, Peter was back. Tessa whined at the door, her body wiggling like a worm, her tail like a helicopter blade. Tony opened the door and she shot out, leaping over the steps.
Peter wasn’t having more luck containing his excitement. Practically falling out the door, he ran to meet his dog halfway, and soon Tessa was all over him, licking his face, his ear, his sweatshirt.
“I see where I rank, uh huh. You get a dog, and soon you’re too cool to give your old man a hug,” Tony griped, playfully.
Peter stood to hug Tony, and the tightness of the boy’s arms around his middle assured Tony that he was still very very loved. “Hey, Tony.”
“Hey kid. Did you have a good time?”
Peter stepped back, and his hand dropped to rest on the top of Tessa’s head, rubbing the soft fur there. “Yeah, but I missed this girl. Did she behave?”
“Of course. She’s an angel in a dog’s body!”
And Tony looked at Tess, his eyes soft and crinckly around the corners, like they were when he looked at Peter and Morgan and Pepper. He really did love that dog.
And so, Peter got an idea.
***
“He really seemed to like having Tess around,” Peter said, and at the sound of her name, Tessa's ears perked up and she let out a curious little boof . “Yeah, that’s right. We’re talking about you!” Peter said, scratching her ears. “But only good things about the goodest girl, don’t worry.”
Pepper chuckled through the phone. “I mean, it’s hard not to love having her around. She is a very good girl.”
Peter smiled down at said good girl. “Yeah, she is. And she seemed to help Tony when he was anxious after his nightmare. I think having one of his own would be a good idea. Do you think he’d like one? Would you be okay having a pet in the house?”
“I mean, sure. I love animals, and Tony cuddles with Tessa whenever she’s around. I know for a fact that she slept on my side of the bed while I was gone. We all know Gerald’s not fulfilling the cuddly aspect of being a pet,” Pepper chuckled.
“That’s true! He’s one crazy alpaca. I swear last time I was up at the lake house, he purposely hid around corners to freak me out.” Peter shuddered slightly at the memory.
“Sounds like something he would do.”
“Well, thanks Pepper. I just wanted to get your thoughts.”
“Of course. I think it’s really sweet of you to think about that. Let me know if you find any good shelters or breeders or anything. I’m happy to help.”
Peter nodded, bid her goodbye, and hung up the phone. He turned to his dog, who was laying on the floor at his feet.
“Well, I got my work cut out for me.”
***
The whole next week, Peter thought constantly about getting Tony a pet. He researched shelters, benefits of various animals, even had a few dreams about Tony having a pet.
The answer finally came, and not in a dream. No, Peter was very much awake, and very much wishing he was in his bed with Tessa, warm and comfortable and dry instead of wet and miserable and shaking from huge claps of thunder that shook New York City.
He really wished he had Tessa. He didn’t like thunder at all.
His senses were also going crazy, thrown out of whack from the storm. He wasn’t normally so jumpy, but as he walked through the alleyway he always used as a shortcut, something bumped his leg. He jumped nearly 3 feet in the air, somehow managing to move sideways, and ended up sticking to the brick wall.
He felt a little silly when he saw the kitten that had caused the whole mess.
She (or he. Peter hadn’t checked yet) was a tiny thing, looking about as miserable as he was. Water from the rain was running down its matted orange coat, and Peter could see the poor thing absolutely shaking. He slowly made his way off the wall, trying to not to spook the kitten.
“Hey,” he cooed. “Come here, sweet thing.”
He crouched, offering his hand, and the kitten cautiously approached. As it butted its hand against his outstretched fingers, Peter scratched behind its ears, continuing down its back. He giggled as it arched its butt to more thoroughly enjoy the scratches as cats often did, it’s tail curling around Peter’s wrist.
“You’re a sweetheart, aren’t you?”
The cat purred in response, and Peter just had a feeling deep in his heart that this cat was meant to be. This was Tony’s pet.
“Well, little one, why don’t you come home with me?”
Peter gingerly picked the kitten up, wary of its claws, but it didn’t mind being held. He carried it through the alley and up the stairs to his apartment.
Tessa was on top of him the instant he was through the door, which was her usual routine, but this time she was more interested in the orange tabby in her master’s arms than said master himself. Peter’s slight worry at introducing his dog to a cat (she was a perfect dog, but he wasn’t sure if she was used to other animals) disappeared at the sight of her happily thumping tail and her warm, excited eyes.
The cat, however, wasn’t so easily convinced with Tessa, letting out a hiss that was more adorable than ferocious and tried to scramble up Peter’s shoulder.
“It’s okay, baby. That’s Tessa. She’s nice, see?” Peter grabbed the kitten in one hand and crouched to scratch Tessa’s ears with the other, Tessa grinning happily from the attention. The kitten seemed to understand and blinked slowly at the dog, sniffing curiously. Tessa happily licked the little cat's orange fur.
“Awwww, kisses, huh?”
“Peter?” May’s voice startled the kitten, who let out another hiss and again tried to climb Peter’s body like a scratching post, making him wince as its claws dug into his arm. “What’s that?”
“Uh...Tony’s emotional support kitten?”
May blinked. “Okay, then. Where’d you get it?”
“The alleyway right behind us. It, uh, found me, actually.”
“Well, let’s get her dried off. Wait, her or him?”
“I haven’t checked yet,” Peter answered, lifting the cat up to look, eliciting an indignant meow. “Sorry,” he murmured to the cat, then turned to his aunt. “It’s a boy!”
May came over to scratch the kitten’s head. “Hey little guy,” she said softly, as helpless against his charm as Peter was. “He kinda looks like Oliver from Oliver in company.”
And so the kitten got his name.
“I need to call Pepper!
***
“Ready Oliver?”
Mroooow
“Good kitty. Let’s go meet your new dad!” Hopefully.
Peter had talked to Pepper about the kitten and gotten her approval. She was almost as excited for Peter to give the kitten to Tony as Peter was!
He really did love Pepper.
Tess followed Peter and May and her new furry friend, who was quietly yowling from the inside of her carrier, to the front door. Tess loved the car, they’d taken the drive to the lake house many times, but this was Oliver’s first time and, like most cats, he was not happy about the situation.
“You’re going to be fine, kit cat,” Peter said, soothingly as humans and animals piled in.
After the hour and a half long car ride, Peter was nearly in tears from Oliver’s yowling, but May was adamant about not letting him out, pulling the guilt card of not wanting him to get hurt to keep Peter from giving in. Finally, they made it.
Tessa bounded out of the car and straight to the front door, barking to be let in. Morgan was out in a flash, and she sat down on the step, snuggling close to Tess. Peter pulled Oliver out of the crate and the kitten immediately curled up in his arm purring, happy now that he was finally free of his cage. The plan was for Peter to sneak the little one into his room until after dinner and surprise Tony.
Unfortunately, Oliver didn’t cooperate with the plan. Peter was able to sneak past while Tony was talking to May and put the kitten on his bed (the cat contentedly went to kneading the Iron Man pillow, purring) and Peter flipped the light on and shut the door.
And for such a little kitten, Oliver had a very loud meow. And, as evidenced from the gut wrenching car ride, he did not like being left alone.
“What was that?” Tony narrowed his eyes suspiciously, immediately looking at the two children in the room.
“Why are you looking at us?!” Peter asked, indignantly.
“So it was you. Alright, watcha hiding Pete?”
“Nothing!”
Tony looked at Tess. “What’s he hiding, girl?”
Tessa, ever the helpful canine, bounded up the stairs to Peter’s bedroom. Tony followed, with Peter right behind him, rambling helplessly as they got closer to the yowling coming from his room. Tony opened the door.
“Why is there a cat in your room?” He asked after a moment of tired silence.
“Well, he kinda found me, and I thought maybe...you might like a service animal, too, or something. And when there was no owner to claim him, I thought it was meant to be. Pepper said it was okay, too-” Peter was rambling now, but Tony hadn’t said anything, and the words wouldn’t stop.
Suddenly: “Wait, you...brought him for me ?” Tony’s voice sounded very small.
Peter smiled, and scooped up the little kitten to show to Tony. “Yeah. His name’s Oliver.”
Tony scratched Oliver’s head, his eyes huge, and Peter could tell he was trying to contain his wonder at the little animal. Peter could see it in his eyes. Nobody was immune to the cuteness of cats, not even Tony Stark. Peter placed the orange furball in Tony’s arms and watched as Iron Man melted in the face of a tiny kitten.
“Hey, Oliver,” Tony cooed. Oliver purred and butted his head against Tony’s, sticking out his rough tongue to lick the man’s cheek. Tony answered by kissing the top of the kitten’s orange head.
I knew this was a good idea.
Tony seemed to agree, cause the next thing Peter knew, he was being crushed in a one-armed hug.
“Thanks, kid,” Tony whispered, and he quietly sniffed back a tear. Peter felt time slow as Tony placed a kiss on his head, a warmth filling him at the gesture. Tony pulled back, his eyes widening in panic. “Sorry, I don’t-”
Peter cut him off by hugging him again. “It's okay. I don’t mind.”
And he felt Tony kiss his head again, then heard him place another kiss on Oliver’s.
Tessa barked indignantly.
“You feeling left out girl?” Tony asked her, crouching and patting the dog, and leaning forward to kiss her nose. “I love you too, you goofy girl.”
He stood and slung his arm around Peter’s shoulder as they headed down to join the others.
“I was thinking maybe Stark Junior would be a better name for this little fella.”
Peter laughed. “Sorry, he already answers to Oliver!”
Later that night, Tony pondered how he had not expected to get a cat. And he really hadn’t expected to get emotional about said cat, but here he was, staring at the little bundle on his lap purring away in time with Peter’s snores, and he had tears in his eyes.
Well, he decided, there were worse things than tears.
***
Cat things started creeping up around the house. There was a jingly ball here, a toy mouse there, and fur absolutely everywhere . But Tony found he didn’t really mind it.
Especially when, one Saturday morning, he woke up with the worst pain in his right arm. Which sucked, because he no longer had a right arm. He’d sacrificed it to save the world.
Lucky though he was that he hadn’t had to sacrifice more than an arm, phantom pain was...well, a very nasty word that Tony was trying really hard not to use anymore with a little one who liked to repeat all the naughty words.
He groaned, and forced himself out of bed, careful not to wake his wife up. He stumbled to the bathroom, fumbling around the medicine cabinet for some painkillers, and then to the kitchen for some water. He cursed his clumsiness, but praised whatever god was listening that nobody had woken from the noise.
He sat down heavily on the couch after downing two pills, just wishing the pain would go away. It would take a little while for the painkillers to kick in, and even then, Tony knew it was going to be a bad day.
He curled up, and whispered to Friday to play The Great British Baking Show. Nat had been on a kick of the show, and he had sat down one day while she was watching it and found it surprisingly very soothing. He was hoping it would help now.
It did.
But what helped even more was the little orange ball of fur that joined him on the couch while he watched. Tony had read about cats purring being at a frequency that stimulates healing and pain relief (part of his “I’m a cat dad, what now?” Research) but hadn’t found enough evidence for it, really.
But now he was pretty sure it was working.
The kitten settled on his chest, purring loudly. The comforting weight he provided, combined with the purring and peaceful music on the show, finally lulled Tony back to sleep.
Pepper took a picture and sent it to Peter with the caption: I think you did good 💜
And yeah, he had.