Chapter Text
Tony has never had a family, not like this atleast. He has a private life ofcourse, a very special and beautiful Pepper but this is something different. This shows the vulnerable side of him, revealing the soft corner of his heart. When he gets injured, he stands alone and stitches himself up or in some cases, Bruce does it for him and prays to escape death just once more.
Today the tables are turned. He isn't the one who is injured or fighting to stay alive. The man is waiting with baited breath as two of Strange's assistants work on Peter who is struggling to close the doors of death which are inviting him without hesitation.
Peter has been writhing on the stiff bed for more than an hour now. The boy was rushed by Ironman after their particularly-nasty fight with an unknown alien who had entered earth after it was being chased by Dr Strange frim another universe. The cut where the alien's poison had entered Peter's body wasn't even that big, just a nick on the upper arm but still it kept oozing blood. Funny that such small wound could do so much damage.
The poison is like a dangerous fever, burning Peter up from inside out
Tony has never seen these assistants before but he prays they would be able to save Peter. Dr Strange had to go behind the alien who had now entered another dimension so he wasn't available to treat Peter, sending his best people to help Peter with the poison "Why is he still in pain?" he asked unable to see Peter writhing in agony
"Our serum does seem to be taking effect but it will take time for poison to completely leave his body" explained one of the men as he pressed one of Peter's failing arm to the table "We did what we can. His fever should come down soon. All we have to do is keep him cool and hydrated"
Tony looked at the boy on bed, so small and innocent. He was still moaning and sweating enough to dampen the pillow, twisting his heart in an indescribable way. His hands automatically reaches for a small white towel and starts to dab gently on Peter's face "Hang on kid. It's going to be okay"
"You can take a break Mr Stark. You've been here for a long time, we will watch over..."
Tony started to shake his head "No! There's no way I'm leaving Peter. I don't care if I've to stay here for a whole day or night. I'm not moving until I see him awake and healthy"
The man smiled "Okay then. I'll monitor his vitals and keep you informed"
Tony sat down next to Peter's bed, taking his small hand in his large palm. After a mintue Peter's eyes flutter. He squirmed, head turning from side to side, face pinched in pain as Tony struggles to keep him down "Ssshh.. it's okay Pete. You're safe.. we're home now. Calm down baby"
The slits of Peter's eyes that are visible and hazzy, incomprehending the pain he finds himself in "Nnngh..."
"Sshh." Tony kept repeating, now rubbing soothing circles on inside of Peter's wrists in an attempt to keep him calm "Rest kiddo. It'll soon be okay"
"Dad"
Tony is paralyzed. With a buzz in his eyes, the man stares at the child on the bed who is still looking at him with half lidded eyes "Dad.."
Tony is in shock to reply. Why was Peter calling him Dad?
One of the assistant, came forward and placed a hand on Tony's shoulder "Sir, your son is calling you. Talk to him, your voice will calm him down"
Tony felt another jolt to his chest. Now this man, a stranger, was assuming Peter was his son?
"Pleas..don'... go.. Dad.. it hurts"
This time Tony forces himself to reality and scoots closer to the boy, running his calloused hand over his hair "Right here Pete. Dad's here now... I'm here"
"Make it stop" Peter's pleading voice was painful to Tony's ears "It will go away baby. You're strong boy right. A fighter"
Peter squeezed his eyes shut only to open them again partially and look at Tony "Love you.. Dad" he drifts off again, jerky motions slowing down as his breath evens out
"I.. I love you too son" Tony says but sounds more like a confession. He took a huge shaky breath. Nothing what he said was wrong. He does love the kid as his own who has changed his world, who has given him a reason to live, to survive, to face every person who dares to even think of hurting this innocent soul
"You're a wonderful father Mr Stark" said the assistant "He looks much better than before. A father's presence is all he needs"
Tony doesn't even need a mirror to see how wide he was smiling.