Work Text:
Peter padded into the kitchen on bare feet, soaking up the warmth of the sun-lit floors. Thick rays of light filtered through the windows, and Peter approached them with a tired smile on his face, pushing open the windows to allow the fresh morning air to fill up the home. It was cool on his face, in juxtaposition to the heat emanating from the sun that stood high in the sky, embracing Peter with its beams.
He relaxed where he stood, enjoying the chirping of the birds nesting in the nearby trees, and wondering when he’d transitioned from a city boy to an outdoorsman. Though he missed the hustle and bustle of city life once in a while, he had to admit that he loved living in the secluded woods, with the man of his dreams at his side and no one around to bother them.
He glanced at the ring adorning his left hand. This was his happily ever after, and he couldn’t be happier.
“Why aren’t you in bed?” a gruff voice huffed from the doorway of the kitchen, and Peter turned to admire its owner, taking in his ruffled eyebrows and matted hair.
“It’s noon,” Peter said simply.
“And we have nowhere to be,” Tony reminded him, coming closer until he was crowding him against the window frame.
Peter placed a hand on his chest, shamelessly stroking it before pushing at it with a gentle firmness. “Your breath stinks. Go brush your teeth.”
“You’re so romantic,” Tony cooed, their noses brushing together before he placed a kiss on the corner of Peter’s mouth.
“I wasn’t joking about the breath.”
Tony released him reluctantly. “I’m coming for you once I’m done brushing my teeth. I need my morning kiss.”
“Afternoon kiss,” Peter corrected, lips twitching at the middle finger Tony brandished in his direction before he left.
Peter busied himself with making a late breakfast as he waited for Tony to finish getting ready for the day. They had no plans and no one to see, so he took his time, cutting up fruits with slow precision and boiling eggs in a pot. By the time Tony came back, the blender was roaring, chunks of the aforementioned fruits flying around in it.
“What’s the surprise combo this time?” Tony wondered, snaking his arms around his waist and dropping his chin onto his shoulder.
He tilted Peter’s head towards his own to kiss him, and was met with no complaints this time. Peter pulled away eventually to respond to his question.
“Just try it and tell me if you like it,” Peter switched off the blender and poured its contents into a tall glass. He detached Tony from himself and handed him the glass, watching him sniff it with expectant eyes. “Then, I’ll tell you what’s in it.”
Tony took a cautious sip. Ever since he found out that Tony enjoyed drinking smoothies, Peter had been experimenting with numerous ingredients, and the results weren’t always good. There was a good chance that it would be delicious, but he’d also been exposed to several unpleasant smoothies he’d had no choice but to swallow down in his attempts at convincing Peter that his concoctions were good.
He didn’t want Peter to stop making him smoothies, even on the occasions that they didn’t turn out well. He didn’t think Peter always believed him when he said that they were good, but then, Tony wasn’t always honest about them. Still, it was the thought that warmed Tony’s heart.
The smoothie tasted good. It was creamy and sweet, and Tony had no issue with gulping down what remained in the glass.
“That was good,” Tony finally said to Peter, who beamed at him with a brightness that rivalled the sun he was gazing at earlier.
“It has butternut squash and dates.”
Tony blanched. “That doesn’t sound pleasant.”
“But it tastes pleasant, doesn’t it?” Peter took the empty glass from him with a knowing leer.
Tony watched him switch off the stove burner, on top of which the eggs had finished boiling. “It does. You’re getting better at this.”
“After six years of marriage, I would hope so,” Peter snorted.
Tony seated himself at the island, a gentle smile making its way onto his face. “It feels like less.”
“Sick of me yet?” Peter glanced at him, and for a moment, Tony caught a glimpse of the man he used to be — insecure and doubtful as to whether the love he was given was deserved.
“Never,” Tony vowed, and found that it was the easiest thing in the world to do, because it was true.
Loving Peter was easy. His flaws balanced out Tony’s, and were easily worked through in comparison to the problems Tony insisted he was bringing to the table. Tony had never been able to imagine himself living the domestic life, and here he was, residing in a secluded area with his partner of nine years, and husband of six. They didn’t need anyone else. They completed each other.
Peter ducked his head, his cheeks red despite the countless times he’d heard Tony say the same thing. It never got old. “I love you.”
“I know.”
Peter groaned. “Way to ruin the moment, Tony.”
“I think I made it better.”
“That’s debatable.”