Chapter Text
When Rhodey walked into the one of the Compound labs Friday evening to talk to Tony about some details regarding about changes to the the Sokovia Accords he expected to find the genius billionaire conducting some experiment or other so when he found a teenager hunched over a textbook the Colonel did a double take.
On the teens part, he did nothing to acknowledge the shocked adult. Instead, he stared intensely at the book with dark brown eyes, biting his lip, and occasionally highlighting a small section, the Colonel decided it was safe to venture farther in.
“Hello?” Rhodey asked hesitantly as he drew closer but stopped when the teen jumped back startled with a “holy shit!”, nearly tipping over the table and got into a defensive stance with his arms stretching out. He scanned Rhodey, his eyes guarded but curious, then they widened.
“Your-your War Machine,” the kid relaxed and went to pick up his textbook, which was titled Advanced Physics and sat it back on the table and turned back to the other then gave an awkward wave with a small smile.
“It’s um it’s nice to meet you.”
Rhodey blinked.
He thought the kids voice sounded familiar, do they know each other? Well, the kid must know Tony someway if he is in here.
“Does Tony know your here?” He asked calmly, the kid already looks like a deer in headlights Rhodey doesn’t want to frighten him even worse.
The kid fiddles with his jacket and nodded. “Ye-yeah um Mr. Stark went outside to um to take a phone call of some sort, i don’t really know what it’s about but I caught the word about something to do with Wakanda? Um I don’t—“ The kid blushed and looked down with a muttered “sorry”
Rhodey assumed there was something in his facial expression that made the kid stop and felt a stab of guilt.
He gave a reassuring smile at the kid, “don’t be sorry, your alright,” he came closer to the kid and held out his hand, “call me Rhodey, and may i ask who you are?”
The kid shook his hand in a quick surprisingly firm grasp “I’m Peter, I’m an uh I’m an intern,”
Rhodey stepped backed and furrowed his eyebrows, as far as he knew Tony doesn’t hire interns, even if he did they wouldn’t be this young, the only SI internships open are for college students, which the Colonel knew Peter was wasn't.
“How old are you, Peter?”
Peter, who was fumbling with the textbook, looked back up at Rhodey.
“I-I’m sixteen,Mr. Rhodey, s-sir,” the kid replied.
Rhodey nodded, still shocked, why would Tony give an internship to someone so young? Unless Tony is very attached to this kid, but how?
Maybe...
Rhodey drew a sharp breath.
He heard Peter, whom didn’t seem to notice the older mans panic,even if he did the kid didn't mention it, mumble “I uh gotta finish my homework” and the teen sat back down.
He nodded again and looked back at the kid. Peter looked similar to Tony, and with both of their ages it wouldn’t be a surprise if they were father and son but why wouldn’t Tony tell him? Also what happened to the kids mother? He need to find Tony. He told the kid he will be right back and headed towards the door outside.
When he reached outside he found Tony walking back to the lab.
“Hey Tones!” He called towards the other, Tony looked up and smiled.
“Hey Rhodey, thought you were DC having a meeting with Secretary Ross, well, anyways it’s good to see you again,”
“You have a kid?” Rhodey blurted our puzzled.
Tony looked at him blankly “What the hell are you talking about? Don't tell me you saw that in a tabloid, i swear.”
“The kid in the lab.” The Colonel pointed out suspiciously.
Realization washed over the genius' face. “Oh, Peter,” Tony laughed, “he’s not my kid, he is sorta my intern, smart, goes to a smartsy science school, bright future ahead of him. The internings a new development, but don’t worry Honeybear, I will have enough time for you too.”
Rhodey rolled his eyes then studied Tony for a moment, “are you sure though? He looks strikingly similar to you.”
Tony raised an eyebrow. “yes I am sure, but I will have the doctors perform a DNA test if that makes you happy.”
Rhodey nudged Tony with his shoulder and let the subject drop, for a while.