Archive of Our Own

“Why’re we splitting up?” Peter asked curiously as he brushed down the coat of his mare Karen, readying her for a saddle and the journey they were about to undertake.

“Our haul’s too big now to keep carryin’ around with us, so we’ll offload em’ across different hideouts,” Tony’s voice was quick to answer. “Less chance of getting stolen that way.”

Scoffing lightly, Peter teased “Who’d be stupid enough to rob the Avengers?”

“You’d be surprised kid,” Tony smirked as he walked past the stableboy with a playful ruffle of his hair.

“Yes, like those foolish ‘Ravagers’ that tried to ambush us once,” Thor’s voice boomed across the camp with glee. “They weren’t so keen to dance once we had run them into the canyon, hey?”

“Or how about that mangy Hammer crew?” Clint chimed in from where he was loading up a cart with chests of silverware and stolen jewellery.

A scowl pulled at Tony’s features just at the mere mention of the rival outlaw, spitting both verbally and literally into the dirt “Don’t remind me of that chicken-hearted little fuck, Barton. He’s lucky to still be breathing.”

“Especially after he tried to woo ya girl, eh?” the archer added with a mischievous quirk of his brow, only to scramble back a few steps when Tony rushed upon him like a deadly storm.

Before the famed Iron Bandit could get his hands on the equally as notorious Hawkeye though, a familiar redhead stepped between the two and fixed them each with a hardened stare, like a mother hen scolding her chicks. Peter couldn’t help but snicker under his breath at the sight of the two toughest criminals in the land cowering back from the Black Widow’s disapproving frown. “As much as I would love to see you boys throw a few rounds in the dirt, we’ve got work to do,” she said as calmly as ever. If there was anybody who could pull the rag tag set of outlaws into line, it was Natasha Romanoff.

And sharing one last defeated glance with each other, Tony and Clint parted ways without another word, knowing that there was no point in fighting the likes of Widow on the best of days. Scuffles amongst the team weren’t a rare sight to Peter. He’d been with them for almost eight months now and had witnessed more bickering and brawls than expected from the country’s most fearsome team of outlaws. But underneath the bouts of anger and frustration that came with living in constant proximity with each other, there was always a sense of comradery. An understanding that nobody would ever truly want to hurt the other, regardless of whatever stupid insult was thrown or disagreement held.

The Avengers were dangerous for a reason, and that’s because their individual strengths had come together to create something powerful and fierce. Their teamwork had made them invincible. And like any good team, they would fight and argue and tease, but at the end of the day they would always have each other’s back.

Peter still found it hard to believe that by some crazy fortunate stroke of luck, he had become a part of that team too…

“Snap out of it, Buckaroo,” a familiar voice cut through Peter’s thoughts, and with a shake of his head, the boy glanced up over Karen’s back to see the famed outlaw fixing him with a teasing smirk from the other side. “Daydreaming again, huh?”

“Sorry,” Peter chuckled, relishing in the fact that he was actually free to laugh these days without the fear of punishment. Without his joy getting drowned out under the wave of dread he felt every time he fell asleep in that rickety old stable…

No, he could smile and tease and be happy as much as he wanted now. And Peter was determined to make the most of it.

“So, do I get to join you for your adventure today?” the boy asked cheerily as he laid the blanket out and lifted the saddle on top of it.

“I assumed you would be,” Tony said nonchalantly, though it made Peter’s heart swell with an unexpected sense of belonging. “Unless of course you wanna go join Bird Brain or Ice Cap for a change of company?”

There wasn’t even a moment of hesitation before Peter shook his head and replied, “I’d like to stay with you- if… if you don’t mind…”

The sheepish twinge in Peter’s voice had the bandit softening for just a moment, before he concealed it behind a sharp sniff and said, “Alright then. The sooner we saddle up, the sooner we can head out.”

“And where are we going to this time?” Peter asked excitedly as he began fitting the saddles on with practiced hands.

An uncharacteristically fond smile flashed across the bandit’s features before he replied simply “Home.”

…

After an uneventful two days of travel spent taking every winding backroad and unpoliced route possible with their cart of unspoken treasures, a small town appeared along the horizon and had Peter perking up in curiosity. “Is that the one?” he asked like he had asked at the dozens of other towns they passed along the way, expecting the same little shake of the head that Tony always did, only to startle at the nod he received instead.

“Really?!” he said, now sitting up straight with a new flood of energy.

“Yep,” Tony smiled warmly. “My hometown.”

“Whoa…” Peter gawked, now taking in every detail of the quaint little village ahead of them with fresh eyes. It was barely a street wide and the buildings had obviously seen better days, but from what the boy could see, it looked like a peaceful little place to live. He wondered how a character as tough and as fierce as the Iron Bandit could have grown out of such a docile little place at first, but then he remembered what Natasha had once told him about assumptions and how they could be the blind spot that got him -or worse, somebody else- killed if he wasn’t careful. So not wasting any time, Peter pushed all of his racing thoughts aside and savoured the calm of their ride into town for now.

Wiping off the sweat that had formed thanks to the blazing sun above, Tony added “We’ll stop at the saloon first since I’m sure you’re hungry for a decent meal.”

“Oh yes please!” Peter grinned. He hadn’t eaten a meal that wasn’t hunted by Clint’s arrow or roasted over a campfire in so long, his mouth was just watering at the idea of what the saloon might have to offer. Roast beef. Fresh, steaming soup. Maybe even a custard pie like the one that his mom used to make every blue moon…

The thought of his old family sent a spear of sorrow right through his heart, and even though it had been years since he had seen any of them, he still missed them dearly. As much as he tried to hold on to the memory of their faces, their voices, their love, it still felt like they were slipping out of his grasp with every passing day, and all he could do was try and immortalise their spirit in writing and journals. That way even if the smell of Ben’s cigars or the hum of his May’s lullabies began to fade, he would still have something to remember them by. A part of his family that could never be taken away…

Something landed on Peter’s head with a gentle drop and pulled him away from the thoughts of his fallen family, knowing before he even looked up that it was the familiar black hat of the Iron Bandit from the scent of smoke that clung to its every fibre. When Peter glanced over at the man riding beside him, he managed to catch a flicker of concern in Tony’s warm, brown eyes before the outlaw turned back to face the road ahead as if it had never been there to begin with. “You’ll get burnt in this sun,” he muttered out casually, though Peter couldn’t help the smile that warmed his features as he lifted the oversized brim over his eyes.

“Thanks,” he replied and hoped that the gratefulness he felt was conveyed well enough through his voice alone. Not just for the protection from the blistering heat, but from his own spiralling thoughts too.

And judging by the subtle tilt of a smile on his lips, Tony seemed to understand.

He always did.

So riding across the trail upon their valiant steeds, Tony and Peter reached the town dead on noon and gazed across the practically deserted main street with caution. The heat must have driven everybody inside for shelter, but Peter couldn’t help the twitch of unease he felt at the empty sight before them. If he didn’t look closely he might have thought the town was completely abandoned, but the shifting of silhouettes behind windows and clatter of noise from the nearing saloon was quick to prove otherwise.

They pulled up by the side of the saloon without passing a single soul, and as they jumped down from their mounts Peter was quick to gravitate towards Tony’s side, fiddling with the brim of his hat anxiously. If the outlaw noticed then he didn’t mention it, and if he was worried himself it didn’t show anywhere on his carefully composed features. Peter doubted there was anything that made Tony nervous though, which made him all the more relieved when the bandit let him hover a step closer than normal as they walked up to the entrance doors.

With a confidence in his step that the young stableboy could only dream of, Tony pushed his way through the swinging doors and walked straight up to bar, ignoring the curious gazes across the saloon that followed them along the way. “Ahh, if it isn’t my favourite bartender in the whole wide world,” Tony called as he flashed a sharp smile to the bartender behind the countertop.

With a roll of his eyes and an unimpressed grunt, the man replied, “Flattery doesn’t pay shit here Tony, you should know that by now.”

“Wow, here I am just tryin’ to pay you a compliment,” Tony scoffed as he pulled out a cigarette and lit the end with one of the nearby lanterns. “What crawled up your arse and died huh?”

“Might wanna choose your words again wisely boss if you don’ want me to water your glass down for the hell of it,” the man shot back just as quickly. It almost reminded Peter of the other Avengers with how easily the banter flowed between them.

Chuckling past a breath of smoke, Tony replied light-heartedly “Alright, you got me Happy. I surrender.”

Considering the permanent frown that seemed to be etched into the man’s forehead and the unenthused gleam in his eyes, Peter wondered how such a person could be described as anything close to happy, but was wise enough not to voice such a thought in front of said, grumpy bartender.

“So, what’ll it be?”

“Whiskey, and a glass of milk for the kid,” Tony said as he pushed a handful of cash over the countertop which was received with a flash of gratitude and… fondness?

Peter didn’t have a chance to process the unexpected sight though before the man turned to fetch them their drinks, returning with a glass in each hand and shouting an order to the kitchen without Tony ever asking for a meal. There seemed to be a lot of conversation that was happening without words, but Peter didn’t question it, knowing that the outlaw had everything under control as they took their seats at a quiet little nook inside the saloon. Tony naturally let Peter take the seat against the wall -knowing how much Peter preferred to be able to see everyone in the room at once- and took his own seat across from the boy, a shield between Peter and whatever threat would dare to challenge the famed outlaw.

Before long the not-so happy bartender returned and placed two bowls of fresh, steaming stew in front of them, which Peter wasted no time in digging into with his ravenous hunger.

“Ah, I remember having an endless stomach back in the day,” Tony mused across the table.

“Guess it runs in the family,” Happy scoffed playfully as he left the two to their meals.

At first the comment had Peter freezing in the middle of his wild mouthfuls, eyes flickering between Happy’s retreating form and Tony’s somehow nonchalant posture as he tried to process what had just happened. But before his thoughts could spiral too far out of control like they always tended to do, Peter reasoned to himself that Happy must have been talking about somebody in Tony’s family. They seemed to know each other fairly well, and this was their hometown after all, so maybe Happy had grown up with the outlaw, and hence knew all his family’s habits too.

Yeah… yeah, that was definitely the reason Tony had no reaction to such a comment. No other reason…

So they ate in companionable silence, and after Peter had polished off his own bowl and stared longingly at Tony’s enough to be gifted the last third of his too, both stableboy and outlaw relaxed fully into their seats and enjoyed the calm atmosphere that surrounded them. Peter got the sense that the saloon would be far less peaceful when the sun went down, but for now, it was nothing but the hum of gentle conversation and laughter. A different -but, pleasant- change from the lonely wilderness they were more familiar with.

But just when Peter’s guard was about to fall down completely, he caught sight of the figure stepping through the doorway with a worn, brown hat and shiny metal badge pinned to his vest. A badge that could only mean one thing. And having been half-way through drinking his glass of milk, Peter’s attempt to warn Tony was immediately thwarted by a choking fit, catching the attention of the man -of the sheriff- that had just entered the saloon.

“Shit kid, you right?” Tony asked as he laid a hand on the boy’s shoulder to steady him.

“Sh- Sher…” Peter coughed viciously, his panic only increasing when he noticed the lawman beginning to walk over to them with a focused gaze. So forcing the spasms in his chest to still, Peter collected his voice and whispered as urgently as possible “There’s a sheriff comin’ over!”

“A sheriff?” Tony perked up unexpectedly and turned to face his opponent without so much as a flinch.

As soon as their eyes met though a devilish smirk crawled onto Tony’s lips and he rose up to face the man, seemingly unphased by the two guns that were holstered against his belt. Sure Tony had his own pistol too, and sure he was one of the best shooters in the whole team -second only to Clint who never missed a shot-, but that didn’t stop the fear from gripping Peter’s heart in a vice. Didn’t stop the memories of his uncle lying lifelessly on the kitchen floor from flooding back…

“Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in,” the sheriff scoffed as he seemingly sized Tony up with a glare.

“A criminally handsome gent, you mean?” Tony teased, which only made Peter’s anxiety spike that much further.

Shaking his head exasperatedly, the sheriff replied, “Just a criminal, I’m afraid.”

“God damn, first Happy had a stick up his arse and now you?” Tony actually laughed. How on earth could he be laughing at a time like this? When the one who could arrest and even kill him if he desired was standing right in front of him?!

Pushing on though with apparently no regard for his own safety or the heartrate of the boy that sat behind him, Tony added on with a bright, mischievous grin “Come on dearest, we can both be honest here. You missed me, didn’t you?”

“Jesus Christ…”

“No need to deny it, Rhodey. I know you did!”

Shaking his head with a sudden smile of his own, the sheriff glanced up at Tony with the same burst of fondness that had appeared across Happy’s features earlier as he opened his arms wide and snapped “Just get your arse over here already man.”

And with no further prompting, sheriff and outlaw fell into a fierce embrace as if they had done it a hundred times before, grinning like idiots and patting each other roughly on the back like old friends. And after shaking away his initial shock, Peter realised that that was exactly what they were. Friends. Just like the bartender had obviously known Tony from their childhood, this sheriff probably grew up right alongside the famed outlaw and knew him far greater than Peter could even dream of. It was obvious in their laughter, their strong hold, their unfiltered joy at seeing each other that these were friendships that ran far deeper than even that of the team.

Peter wondered what it must be like to have a friend like that…

“So, who’ve we got here?”

Blinking owlishly at the sheriff and outlaw who were now staring over at him, Peter shuffled up to his feet and joined the pair with a nervous smile. He tried to speak but his mind drew a blank on what to say, grateful when Tony just dropped a hand onto his shoulder and introduced warmly “Rhodey, this is Peter. Pete, this is Sheriff James Rhodes.”

“A pleasure to meet you son,” the sheriff replied with a kind smile, holding out his hand in greeting.

So remembering the manners that May had drilled into his mind all those years ago, Peter returned the smile and quickly shook his hand. “You too, sir.”

Settling his hands back on his hips, Sheriff Rhodes glanced between the two before him and asked with a glint of humour in his eyes “So, what might a fine young man like yourself be doing hanging around a scoundrel like Tony here?”

“He’s lettin’ me travel with him and his team, sir,” Peter explained.

“Ah, fair enough,” he nodded, before asking with a smirk “I sure hope Tones hasn’t been roping you into any of his illegal doings now, has he?”

“No, no! Of course not!” Peter rushed to assure the sheriff in a panic. “I don’t do any of the stealing- No wait! I mean- th-the Avengers don’t steal, they- uh… they-“

“I’m only teasing kid,” he chuckled, patting Tony on the shoulder as he said lightly “I know exactly what the Avengers get up to, and I ain’t gonna stop it. This one’s been at it since he was fourteen, after all.”

Blinking in shock, Peter glanced up at the outlaw with wide, awestruck eyes. He’d only ever heard rumours of how Tony became the infamous outlaw he was today, and none of them had mentioned that he was so young at the beginning- only two years older than Peter was right now! He wondered if he might get to grow up to be as strong and as fearless as Tony was at his age…

But before his hopes could get too high, Tony’s brows lowered into a playful glare as he said, “Don’t get any ideas kid.”

Peter’s posture deflated almost instantly, but the hearty laugh that burst out of Sheriff Rhodes was quick to pick him back up again. Despite his initial panic at the sight of the lawman, Peter felt nothing but warmth radiating from the man now, and the gentleness of his gaze made Peter relax that much further. They had only just met but even the stable boy could tell that Sheriff Rhodes was a good and safe person to be around, which was only reinforced by the trusting smile that Tony would shoot his way.

And if Tony trusted him, then so did Peter.

“Speaking of thieving, I see you’ve got a new haul sitting outside,” Sheriff Rhodes said as he gestured out towards the doors.

“Sure do,” Tony replied proudly. “Wanna take a look?”

“You know I do.”

“Come on then,” the outlaw replied as he ushered the two outside, one arm resting over Peter’s nimble shoulders on his left and the other dragging Sheriff Rhodes close on the right. The air still sizzled with heat as they stepped out of the saloon but the sun had thankfully moved across the sky and provided them with the faintest bit of relief under the shadows of the afternoon. A light breeze had even swept in to join them, kicking up the dust around their boots as they made their way towards the stolen treasures.

It seemed that Sheriff Rhodes wasn’t the only one who was curious however as a small crowd had appeared out of nowhere and gathered at the back of the cart, inspecting the contents from a distance and murmuring to each other excitedly. While the adults waited patiently away from the wagon though, the children were eagerly trying to climb up and see what was inside, only to scamper away when their parents barked a warning at them. The cooling temperature had coaxed the townsfolk out of their homes but the sign of a new visitor must have drawn them in like moths to a flame, and the energy only heightened when they noticed the approaching outlaw.

Sudden calls and shouts flooded Peter’s senses, and after so many months spent camping out in the wild, uninhabited landscapes of the country, he flinched back at the wall of noise before him. But with a calming squeeze of his shoulder, Tony pulled the boy closer into his side and assured “They mean no harm kid.”

“Sorry…” Peter murmured, cheeks dusting pink as the humiliation washed over him. Here he was getting tripped up by some loud voices while Tony had been out there robbing trade routes and shooting lawmen at almost the same age…

“Don’t be sorry,” Tony was quick to cut in though. “They’ll quiet down in a moment.”

Nodding his understanding, Peter took comfort from the little pat that dropped over his shoulder and moved to help Tony without prompting as he started to unload the cart. Sheriff Rhodes was at their side before long and inspecting each object with a careful eye, handing them off to some of the adults in the crowd who thanked all three of them with wide smiles. Though nobody cared to explain to Peter what was going on, it didn’t take long for him to realise that the sheriff was giving out the treasures in a very calculated way. Silks and furs to the seamstress. Priceless gems and stones to the jeweller. Leather to the cordwainer. Medicines to the doctor with a strike of grey through his black hair. Books to the scatterbrained teacher who was desperately trying to usher the children away from the bandit and his loot.

Glancing over at Tony as they continued to unload the cart, Peter couldn’t help the extra burst of admiration that swelled up in his chest as he finally realised why they had come all of this way. Why the bandit had opted to take some of the less valuable items from the Avenger’s haul, and why they hadn’t dropped off the loot at the hideout before coming into town. Because the town was his hideout. The people -the friendships he’d forged from long past- were his real treasure, not the objects he stole alongside his teammates.

Peter really shouldn’t have been surprised considering how generous the bandit had been in letting him tag along in the first place, but still, it made him all the more grateful that he was side by side with him now. Maybe his luck wasn’t all bad after all.

Halfway through emptying the cart though, a new voice chimed in that had Tony turning around with an expression Peter had never seen before. It was mischievous and admiring and nervous all at once, the brown eyes that were usually so sharp now melting like a candlestick in the summer. It was only when he turned to find the owner of the voice that had caught the bandit’s attention so that Peter finally understood.

“Mister Stark,” the woman greeted with a similar expression to the outlaw, her strawberry blonde hair pulled up into the curve of her lace bonnet and her dress formal but not lavish like the rich folks the Avengers would usually steal from. “To what do we owe the pleasure?”

The outlaw shifted forward like a marionette pulled by its strings, and with a coy smirk, the man replied, “The pleasure is all mine when I get to see you, my dear.”

Peter visibly cringed at the new tone that Tony’s voice had taken on, though he rushed to cover it when Sheriff Rhodes just burst out in laughter beside him, patting him sympathetically on the shoulder as they went back to unloading the cart.

“Usually it doesn’t bode well for a mayor’s reputation when they’re caught fraternising with a criminal,” Peter heard the woman reply through a smile, explaining her finer clothing and proper manner.

“Good thing I’m a much-loved criminal then, huh?”

“Depends on who you ask, Mister Stark.”

“And if I asked you?”

“Jesus Christ Tones,” Sheriff Rhodes cut in with an amusement snort, gesturing to the boy beside him who had recoiled with disgust as he called, “Put us out of our damn misery already!”

Seemingly coming back to himself at the sight of the pair behind him, Tony’s expression softened into something far more familiar and he moved back to stand beside Peter with a reassuring smile. Peter’s unease immediately calmed at the silent reassurance, and with the tension in the air now swept away, Tony ushered the boy forward to meet the mayor in the same friendly nature as he had introduced Sheriff Rhodes.

“Pete, this is Virginia- but that name’s shit so I call her Pepper instead,” he announced jokingly. “She’s the mayor of this fine town, and she does it oh so well.”

“Always a master of flattery,” Pepper glared playfully at the outlaw, only to shift demeanour completely as she turned to Peter with a gentle smile. “It’s lovely to meet you- Peter, was it?”

“Yes ma’am, it’s nice to meet you as well.”

“Ooh, a gentleman too,” Pepper praised kindly. “Better take notes Mister Stark.”

Rolling his eyes, Tony gave the boy a gentle shake and teased “Only been here for five minutes and you’re already stepping me up kid.”

“That’s not very hard to do,” Rhodey chimed in from Peter’s other side, which was met with an icy glare from the outlaw.

But before Tony could fire back a retort, Pepper clasped her gloved hands together and said politely “Well, I won’t hold you up any longer. Perhaps I’ll see you three this evening if you plan on staying the night?”

“As always,” Tony smirked, fondness shimmering like diamonds in his eyes.

“Very well then Mister Stark,” Pepper said warmly, before to Peter’s great surprise, she turned to face him with a mischievous quirk of her brow and said, “Keep this rascal in line, will you Peter?”

Laughter burst out of Rhodey at the same moment that a scowl sounded off from Tony, and the boy in between them couldn’t help but chuckle along as he nodded to Pepper with confidence. “Of course ma’am.”

“That’a boy,” she said, shooting him a playful wink before nodding her goodbye to the other two. “Take care boys.”

All three waved as Pepper made her leave down the street and disappeared into one of the numerous humble stores, though Tony’s gaze lingered after her far longer than anyone else’s. For a moment Peter thought he might have even seen some form of sorrow- maybe even longing in the depths of the bandit’s gaze. But when the outlaw noticed Peter’s stare from the corner of his eye, he was quick to brush it off and scoff instead “Women. I’ll never understand ‘em.” Even as Tony turned to start unloading the cart again though, Peter didn’t miss the little smile that still tugged at the corners of his lips.

Yep, there was no denying it. The outlaw was lovestruck.

At first the thought made Peter recoil, but then he remembered the same doting look that May and Ben would share when they danced together on the porch. The way Ben’s eyes would trail after his wife with such wonder it was as if she had hung the very stars in the sky. The way May would press a kiss to her husband’s cheek after a long, thankless day of work. Now that was love. That was something that Peter could understand.

And seeing the same flash of warmth in Tony’s eyes that he had witnessed in his uncle’s all that time ago, Peter thought that maybe it wasn’t so bad after all.

So the three went back to work until the cart was completely empty and the townsfolk had retreated back to their homes to store away their gifts. The further the sun pulled away the more the street began to buzz with activity, and where Peter had felt overwhelmed before, his nerves now eased at the lively atmosphere that had swept across the town. It was gentle and upbeat. It was nice, and really, that was all that Peter could ask for.

As he was brushing the dust off of Karen’s coat though while Tony and Rhodey were talking, Peter startled at the ball that suddenly skipped across the ground towards him, staring at it blankly for a good heartbeat or two as it rolled to a stop in the dirt. It was only when an unfamiliar voice called out from across the street that Peter tore his gaze away, surprised to find that the owner of the voice -a boy that must have been roughly the same age as Peter himself- was waving over at him excitedly.

“Hey!” they called with a beaming grin. “Can you kick it back please?”

Lost in the shock of a stranger actually wanting to speak to him, it took Peter a few moments to unscramble his mess of thoughts and rush over to the lost ball, kicking it back awkwardly and cringing when it swerved off to the side. He hadn’t had much time to play with other kids back when he was younger, what with his family always in need of extra hands around the house. And back at the stables, well… he tried not to think about that time.

But despite Peter’s unsuccessful pass, the boy was quick to run after it and trap it beneath his boot with a grateful smile. “Thanks!” he called, about to turn and leave, before he glanced back at Peter and asked warmly “Hey, want to play with us?”

Shock rippled across Peter’s face like a stone that had been tossed into a still pool of water, and emotions crashed over him so fast he could barely decipher them all. Surprise. Confusion. Joy. Concern. Panic. Unlike Tony who had obviously made allies in every corner as a child, Peter had never had a friend before. Had never been someone… worth knowing, at least not until Tony had come along and turned his whole world upside-down for the better.

So glancing over at the one who always had his back, Peter met Tony’s familiar gaze -already watching, already looking out for him- and searched for the clarity that only he could provide. As expected, it only took a single glance for the outlaw to understand Peter’ violent whirlwind of thoughts. He could see it in the way Tony’s eyes creased with sympathy, and how his lip twitched up into an encouraging smile that soothed Peter’s fears in a heartbeat.

“Go ahead, Young Buck,” he called fondly. “You’ve earnt a break.”

And with that final reassurance, Peter felt the doubt that had once claimed his heart burn away like the morning fog, making way for the joy that shone out of him like sunshine. “Thanks Tony!” he grinned before sprinting over to join the boy who waited with an awestruck smile of his own.

“Whoa, are you with the Iron Bandit?” the boy asked in a whisper, like it was some precious secret to keep.

“Yeah, I… I’m travelling with him,” Peter replied sheepishly as they began to make their way down the road. In the distance he could see a group of kids running around and hollering energetically, probably trying to entertain themselves while they waited for the ball to return and running circles around their poor teacher who was trying desperately to reign them in.

“That’s amazing! I wish I could travel with an outlaw. I bet you get to go on the best adventures!” the boy rambled on in pure glee. “Oh- oh! Is it true that the Iron Bandit sleeps with his knuckle dusters on in case an attacker tries to get’m in the night? Are the Avengers as incredible as everyone says they are, or are they even better? Do you-“

The words continued to rush forward like water from a broken dam, and remembering how he had approached Tony all those months ago with the same excitable curiosity, Peter’s features softened with fondness. He could already tell they were going to get along swell. And who knows, maybe one day they might even be friends…

Shaking himself out of his spiral, the boy suddenly turned to Peter with a bashful smile and said “Sorry, uh… y-you can tell me to shut up. I talk way too much.”

“No, no, it’s okay,” Peter quickly assured. “I talk a lot too.”

The boy’s embarrassment shifted into relief at Peter’s words, and two shared a smile as if they had known each other their whole lives.

“I’m Peter by the way. You?”

“Edward, but you can call me Ned.”

…

After clearing out the cart and tending to the horses, Tony went and sat down on the front steps of the sheriff’s office to escape the sun’s unforgiving reach. He’d considered asking Peter for his hat back when he could feel his cheeks starting to burn, but when he’d glanced up to see the boy joyfully running around with the other kids in a game of tag, he couldn’t bear to interrupt. It was good for Peter to spend time with his peers. As much as Tony cared about his fellow Avengers, he knew they were all an unruly and impulsive lot. The last thing he wanted was for those bad habits to rub off on Peter, or for their unlawful lives to rob him of the last shreds of childhood he had left.

Seeing him here -safe, accepted, happy- gave Tony a sense of relief he didn’t even know he needed.

“So, what’s the story then?” Rhodey’s voice chimed as he came to sit down next to Tony on the wooden steps.

“What story?” Tony asked.

“Don’t play dumb with me,” Rhodey said light-heartedly. “You show up three months later than your usual drop-off with a kid in tow and no explanation? I’m gonna need a bit more detail than that, Tones.”

Deliberately taking a prolonged drag of his cigarette, Tony replied curtly “We’ve been taking less risky targets since the kid tagged along. Took longer to get a full stash together like we usually do, that’s all.”

“You know that’s not what I’m asking about,” Rhodey said, his tone growing sharper. “You being late? I expect that. You having a kid tag along with you though? Now that caught me off guard.”

Tony kept his gaze on the horizon and his features carefully composed, stating bluntly “He needed help, so I helped him.”

“And what kind of help does a twelve-year-old need from a dangerous outlaw like yourself?” Rhodey pried cautiously.

“Justice, that’s what,” Tony spat, the first hint of emotion cracking through his mask.

“And what do you call justice, huh?”

Head whipping around to face his friend, Tony bit back “Saving a kid from a shithole that he didn’t deserve. Giving him a better life, one where he’s safe- one where people actually give a shit about him.”

To Rhodey’s credit he didn’t once flinch at the outlaw’s fierce tone, gaze as steady and as calculating as ever. If anybody could read Tony, it was his best friend since childhood. He knew every detail, every defining moment, every locked away nightmare of Tony’s life. There was nobody else in the world who understood the outlaw in the way that Rhodey did, so it was really no surprise that after a few more moments of careful searching, Rhodey’s eyes softened in realisation.

“Reports of a murder were spreading around like wildfire eight months ago,” the sheriff started gently, analysing Tony’s reaction which remained eerily blank. “They said the injuries were so severe that his wife didn’t even recognise the body when she found him in the stables. It didn’t take long to realise who’d done it. There ain’t nobody else in the land with knuckle dusters like yours, Tony…”

The outlaw’s heart clenched painfully in his chest as he waited for the judgement to flash across Rhodey’s features, but all he could see was understanding. Patience.

“You haven’t killed anybody like that since Stane…”

Tony didn’t speak- didn’t even nod, but Rhodey knew. He knew what that connection meant.

Dropping his gaze in remorse, Rhodey asked softly “He was beating the kid?”

“Worse,” Tony spat like venom. “And if I could kill that fucker again, I’d do it in a heartbeat.”

Silence passed over them, allowing Rhodey a moment to gather his thoughts, before he glanced up at the outlaw with a fire burning bright in his eyes. “I’d be right beside you, Tones,” he said with a sharp, approving nod.

The tension immediately unravelled from Tony’s bones as he let out a deep sigh of relief. Of course Rhodey would stand by him. He didn’t know why he had ever doubted his friend to begin with. Rhodey had been there for him every step of the way; from the days they would play-fight with sticks as children, to the day Tony reclaimed his freedom and set his future in stone as the fearsome Iron Bandit. He never judged Tony for the things he’d done or the things he knew he would do. He just stayed like the loyal friend he always had been, and not a day went by where Tony wasn’t grateful for that.

“I can tell you really care about him,” Rhodey said as they both turned their gazes back towards the cluster of children down the street, picking Peter out by the familiar black hat and joyful smile that plastered his face as he listened to another boy talk.

“No kid deserves to be unsafe… to be alone,” Tony replied after a moment. “I’m just trying to give him somethin’ better than before.”

“Well, you’re doing a great job Tones,” Rhodey was quick to assure.

“Sometimes I wonder,” Tony muttered softly. “Not much of a life out there for a kid like him, is it?”

Dropping a hand over his shoulder, Rhodey said calmly “You’re keeping him safe, keeping him feed, and keeping him happy. That’s all that matters in my books.”

Tony nodded slowly -not exactly convinced but comforted by his friend’s words nonetheless- and reached over to pat Rhodey’s hand in gratitude. A proud smile flashed across Rhodey’s features before the two lapsed back into silence, warm and serene like the breeze that swept through the town and brushed across their sun-kissed faces. The main street had barely changed from when they were children themselves, and it gave Tony a strange sense of nostalgia to see Peter roaming around the buildings and the people that he had known all his life. Blending in as if he had always meant to be there.

So now that he had met all of Tony’s dearest friends, there was only one person left for Peter to be introduced to- the most important person of all.

Tony’s family.

…

Unlike the town which had been lost to a far simpler time, the house that Tony and Peter rode up to on the nearby hill had changed drastically from the outlaw’s old memories. Where there used to be empty whiskey bottles and shattered glass along the front porch were now rows of flowerpots and blooming plants. Where the fence had once been broken and worn away by neglect it now stood strong with clean, sturdy pickets. Where furious shouts had once echoed from the kitchen was now the gentle hum of birdsong from the trees.

It was cosy, and safe, and serene. It was everything it hadn’t been when Tony was a child, and everything he’d dreamt it could be when he returned as an outlaw.

It was home.

So pulling up beside the front gate, Tony jumped down from his horse and tied the lead to the familiar, wooden fence. As he was pulling off the satchel that hung from Jarvis’ saddle, Peter finished securing his own horse to the fence and walked over to join the outlaw with a curious tilt of his head.

“What’s this place?” the boy asked as he peered over at the charming, double story house.

“It’s where I grew up,” Tony answered simply, lifting his hat off of Peter’s head just in time to see the boy’s eyes widen in awe.

“Really? You… you lived here?”

“Sure did.”

“Whoa!” Peter practically beamed. “It’s huge! Your family must’ve been rich.”

Shrugging his shoulders, Tony unlocked the front gate and let it swing open on a set of rusty hinges. “The Starks used to be the most famous blacksmiths in the country. Folks would travel for days just to see our work, and they would pay through the roof to own a piece themselves. We were respected and renowned,” Tony explained, before he added bitterly “At least we were, until my father threw all our money on the bottle and dragged our name through the fucking mud."

In the corner of his eye he noticed Peter wincing in remorse, his voice following a moment later as he said “I’m sorry… I didn’t realise.”

Tony quickly shook the creeping memories away and glanced over at Peter with a gentle smile. “It’s fine kid, really. Ancient history at this point,” he assured.

With a sympathetic glance, Peter hovered by Tony’s side as they walked up the gravel pathway towards the house, admiring the garden that was painted in bright reds and oranges from the dipping sun. After traversing barren deserts and rocky plateaus for months, it was a nice change of scenery for the two travellers.

But before they could even make it halfway up the path, there was a loud clatter from the side of the house and a familiar, irritating bleat that had Tony rolling his eyes in exasperation. “Watch your feet kid,” the outlaw warned in jest as the culprit barrelled into view, black fur rippling like an ocean as they swung their horned head towards the pair.

Peter blinked in surprise at the set of bright, amber eyes that stared right back at him and asked dubiously “A… goat?”

“Unfortunately,” Tony sighed as the creature kicked the dirt with a huff and charged forward on wildly unstable legs. Tony -used to their little greeting ritual by now- bent his legs in preparation and caught the goat’s horns just before they could ram into his stomach, wrangling the little beast back to the ground and glaring him down for good measure.

“Annoying little shit,” Tony grumbled as he shoved the goat away, only to catch it by the horns again as it charged back only a second later.

A muffled laugh sounded from behind as Tony continued to wrestle with the goat, glancing over his shoulder just long enough to see Peter’s eyes shimmering with amusement as he watched the scene unfold.

“Yeah, yeah, laugh it up kid,” Tony scoffed. “Won’t be so fun when it’s you he’s tryin’ to trample.”

“Aw, he doesn’t seem that bad,” Peter chuckled and offered his hand out to the goat who was still pushing against Tony’s hands with a disgruntled bleat. As soon as those slitted pupils fixed onto the boy though, the goat stopped his unsuccessful attack and turned to inspect Peter more carefully, ears drawn back in suspicion. Undeterred, Peter stepped forward and cooed gently to the goat, smiling when the animal began to sniff his fingers and nudge against his palm in what Tony could only describe as affection.

“Well I’ll be damned,” Tony muttered as he watched Peter scratch the head of the suddenly docile goat.

“Told you he wasn’t that bad,” Peter replied with a hint of snark in his voice.

“You’re an animal whisperer or some shit, that’s an unfair advantage,” Tony defended lightly.

Glancing up at the outlaw with a shit-eating grin, Peter said “Or they just like me better than you.”

Yep, definitely been around the Avengers for too long, Tony mused fondly.

“So, does he have a name?” the boy asked before Tony could retort any further.

“Pain in my arse?”

Peter’s eyes narrowed into a playful glare, causing the man to laugh and say honestly “No idea kid, we just call him Dummy.”

“Dummy, huh?” Peter said as he returned his attention back to the goat with a mischievous smile. “That’s okay, they might call you names, but you got epic horns to kick their butt with, right?”

Dummy bleated proudly and pushed his nose further into Peter’s palm, soaking in the affection that the boy was more than happy to provide. And as much as Tony claimed to loathe the pestering little goat, he couldn’t deny that he looked pretty damn wholesome leaning into Peter’s hand like that, staring up at the boy with shimmering amber eyes. Whether Peter knew it or not, he was obviously a natural at winning over allies- both humans and animals alike.

After a few more moments of playing with the goat, Peter followed Tony up the gravel path and stood beside him on the cosy, plant-filled porch, admiring the song of the nearby windchime. When Tony knocked on the sturdy wooden door, he did so with far more reserve than he had earlier in Happy’s saloon. After all, this wasn’t a place for arrogance or sarcasm- Lord knows that would get smacked out of him deadly fast here-, it was a place of rest. Of safety.

And as the door swung open to reveal a woman with greying blonde hair and familiar brown eyes that honed onto him with surprise, Tony knew he was home again.

“Hey mom.”

“Tony…” Maria breathed through a growing smile, wasting no time in stepping forward to embrace her son in her arms. And even though Tony was taller than her now, she would always slide her hand up to cradle the curve of his neck as if he were still that fragile little baby she’d held all those decades ago. It never ceased to make the feared outlaw weaken in relief.

“You’re late,” Maria laughed into his shoulder, hugging him a little tighter.

“Just wanted to surprise you, that’s all,” Tony said and leant his head against her own.

Pressing a kiss to his cheek before she pulled away, Maria gazed up at him with bright, adoring eyes and teased “I think you’ve given me enough surprises to last a lifetime, dear.”

“Well, somebody has to keep things interesting around here.”

Humming fondly, Maria rested her hand against Tony’s scarred, stubble laden jaw and replied, “I would expect nothing less.”

Tony smiled and leant ever so slightly into his mother’s touch, as warm and as soothing as it had been when he was just a child. No matter how many years went by, no matter how ruthless he had to be in his life as an outlaw, he would always be grateful that she was still here. That he was lucky enough to have a part of his family still alive and well in the world.

Not everybody was as fortunate as him, and as Tony remembered this, he turned towards the boy who was waiting patiently behind them with a saddened smile of his own. Maybe he was remembering his own family. Maybe he was beginning to doubt the lonely path of an outlaw. Whatever it was, Tony didn’t give either of them a chance to dwell on it for too long and ushered the boy forward with an encouraging pat on the shoulder.

“Mom, this is Peter,” Tony said, saving the kid from having to introduce himself. “He’s been travelling with me and the gang for a few months now.”

“Oh! Well, it’s lovely to meet you dear,” Maria smiled, immediately turning all her attention to the boy who shifted with nervous energy. “I imagine it’s been an… interesting time for you travelling with this wild lot, hm?”

“A little bit ma’am, but I wouldn’t change it for the world,” Peter replied sincerely. “I don’t know where I’d be without them, especially Tony.”

A burst of pride swelled in the outlaw’s chest as he smiled over at the boy, and fixing Peter with a doting gaze of her own, Maria said “My son has always been a good man, regardless of what reward they put on his wanted poster.”

Tony’s smile softened even further at his mother’s praise, but his attention was quickly recaptured by the excited gleam in Peter’s eyes just beside him. “I know what you’re going to say kid,” Tony said with an unimpressed frown. “And the answer’s no.”

Peter’s face dropped like a stone. “But Tony-!”

“You are not getting a wanted poster.”

“Why not? Everyone else has one!”

“Because, mister,” Tony smirked, poking the adorable little crease that had formed between Peter’s brows in jest. “You’re no outlaw.”

Pushing out a disappointed huff, Peter kicked his heel against the wooden planks below and said defiantly “I could be someday. I could be just as good as you!”

The smile on Tony’s features cooled like a firepit doused with water, and he tried not to let his hands falter as he shoved them into the pockets of his jacket. Don’t be like me, you’re so much better than me, he wanted to say, though the words never made it out of his mouth. Instead all he could do was stare off towards the horizon and try to fight back the dread that was pooling in his stomach, the fear that someday Peter might go down the wrong path. Get himself hurt. Get himself killed…

But like the observant mother that she was, Maria was quick to divert the conversation by inviting the two inside, urging them to take a seat at the kitchen table as she readied them a pot of tea. Though the house was large in size, the space within was filled with a host of trinkets, decorations and projects. His mother had always been a talented sewer, and he could see from the new dress design hanging from a nearby rocking chair and the stitched blanket thrown across a wooden chest that she had been busy at work in the months he was gone. It was nice though. Made the house cosy, feel alive.

“So boys, how was your trip over?” Maria started casually as she boiled the kettle.

“It was fine. No dust storms this time for a change, and we didn’t run into any trouble along the way,” Tony replied.

“Well, that’s very odd for you.”

“Exactly what I thought.”

Smiling over her shoulder at her son, Maria slowly shifted her attention towards the boy sitting ramrod straight in his seat just beside him, wide brown eyes fluttering over every nook and cranny of the family home while seemingly trying to take up as little space as possible in the room. The curiosity was clear, but the reluctance was even more so, which really shouldn’t have surprised Tony considering Peter probably hadn’t been in a house since tagging along with the Avengers. Rocks and dirt and wide-open landscapes would have been much more his style now- and honestly? Tony couldn’t blame him. There was something about nature that had a certain pull to it, a safety in the expanse.

But if there was anywhere that Peter could grow comfortable in, Tony had no doubt that his hometown would be it. Secure, secluded and rearing with opportunities for a young boy like him, the town would welcome Peter in with open arms, and Tony knew he would thrive all the more for it. He’d have friends here, an education, a real home…

But those assurances didn’t stop the slight twinge in Tony’s chest when he thought about Peter not being by his side anymore. A sensation that he was neither ready to nor inclined to delve into right now.

“So Peter, how did you two meet?” Maria asked innocently as she poured a cup of tea for each of them, regardless of whether they had asked for it or not.

“Oh, um… I-I…” Peter stammered before desperately glancing over at Tony for support.

Not missing a beat, Tony leant back casually into his chair and said “He saved me Mom. Had a nasty bullet wound in my leg and he patched me up good as new.”

“Tony!” Maria scolded upon realising he’d been shot. It wasn’t something he usually admitted to his mother since he knew how much she hated seeing him hurt, but the relief that shimmered in Peter’s eyes was worth her chiding any day.

“Please tell me you got it seen to at least?” she asked, brows creased in concern.

“Of course I did, there was a local doc nearby who did all the clean-up,” he assured.

“A real doctor, or a self-proclaimed one?”

“Most doctors are self-proclaimed Mom, not every town has a degree-waving prick like Strange.”

“Language,” Maria warned, making Tony cower ever so slightly under her glare. “And I’ll have you know that Stephen Strange is a wonderful man.”

“Wonderful at throwing insults maybe,” Tony huffed.

Arching her brow, Maria retorted “And you aren’t?”

A burst of laughter slipped out of Peter’s mouth before he could catch it, and after shooting the boy a betrayed glare of his own, Tony glanced back towards his mother and replied defeatedly “Touché.”

Smiling out of the corner of her mouth, Maria gazed over at her son with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, one that reminded him where his snark had truly been inherited from. Blinking back over at Peter though who had eased up ever so slightly across the table, Maria continued “I owe you a great debt of gratitude for saving my son then, dear. It’s a relief to know there are still kind souls out there in the world.”

“Oh- it was nothing ma’am, truly,” Peter replied warmly. “It was such an honour at the time to meet him, and I- I can’t thank Tony enough for letting me join his crew. Exploring the world, living out on the land- it’s been amazing!”

“I can see you’ve got the heart of an adventurer,” Maria smiled, to which the boy nodded joyful in response. “Tell me, what have you enjoyed the most?”

Like the night sky that shimmered with endless stars, Peter’s eyes beamed in pure excitement at the question, a sight Tony recognised from when the boy would ramble about his newest discovery to one of the Avengers throughout their travels. It was one of the most calming sights of all in Tony’s opinion. To see it meant that Peter was happy, that he was being himself. And as the boy began to recall all of his favourite memories to Maria -explaining each one with growing enthusiasm and passion-, Tony eased back into his seat with an easy smile on his lips and a serenity in his soul.

Yeah, they were home…

The evening passed by in warm chatter and gentle smiles, exchanging stories across the table so casually that one would have assumed Peter had always been there. And just like Tony had witnessed with his unlawful crew and dear childhood friends, Maria was easily hooked by Peter’s endearing presence, her eyes as soft as honey as she listened fondly to the boy recall his new host of adventures. Her immediate affinity didn’t surprise Tony in the slightest. After all, Peter had done the exact same thing to him when they first met, and Tony wondered if the boy would ever realise just how many allies he had made with his smile alone.

As the last wisps of sunlight disappeared over the horizon, Tony got up to light the nearby candles and brighten up the shadowed house. Supposedly that small task had been enough time for mischief to surface between Maria and Peter though as Tony returned to the table to find his mother midway through retelling some of Tony’s own childhood memories. And knowing his mother, they were bound to be the embarrassing ones too.

“You can’t be serious,” Peter laughed in disbelief.

“Dead serious boy,” Maria smirked. “Only seven years old and he was already getting into mischief.”

Dragging a hand down his grinning face, Peter asked “And all because he wanted to see Sheriff Rhodes?”

“It sounds crazy, but it’s true,” Maria confirmed fondly. “Before he was a sheriff, James’ family owned a farm just a few properties over. And even though they would spend all day together, Tony would still sneak out of the house at night to try and visit him.”

“And he didn’t get caught?” Peter quizzed.

“Well, the thing about trying to cross multiple farms in the night is that it’s very hard to see,” Maria replied with that familiar twinkle in her eye. “He’d made it over a few times on sheer luck, but then one night I found him standing in the hallway absolutely covered in mud, from head to toe!”

A burst of laughter filled the air as Peter asked “Really? How did that happen?”

“It’s called a pig pen,” Tony interjected with a fake glare at the two who just gazed back at him with innocently amused smiles. “And I’ll tell you right now, falling into one face first in the dark is definitely not recommended.”

“Oh geez- that’s the best,” Peter forced out through his chuckles.

“Not exactly the word I would use for it,” Tony said, rolling his eyes. But as much as he acted exasperated, he had to admit it always eased his mind to see the boy laughing like he was now. And judging by the affectionate little smile that graced his mother’s face, he obviously wasn’t the only one to think so.

“Well, before you go destroying any respect the kid has left for me Mom, I’d like to show him the shed for a moment,” Tony announced lightly as he picked up the satchel that had been laying idly by the table.

“Of course honey,” Maria replied. “I’ll go set up one of the spare rooms for Peter, I’m sure you must both be tired after your big journey.”

There was no hesitation from Tony to nod -he would never refuse the chance to get a decent sleep on a real bed-, but Peter rubbed his arm sheepishly and said “If it’s too much trouble Mrs Stark, you don’t have to-“

“It’s no trouble at all dear,” Maria cut in with a gentle smile. “In fact, it’s a pleasure.”

Blinking in surprise, Peter stared at the woman for a few stunned moments, as if searching for any hidden grievances in the depths of her wise eyes. When he came up empty handed though, Peter finally dipped his head in gratitude and rose to join Tony by the backdoor, probably knowing as well as the outlaw did that there was no point in arguing with the likes of Maria Stark.

So as the three went their separate ways -Maria further into the house and the boys out onto the creaking porch- Tony made sure to grab hold of a nearby lantern and started guiding Peter through the dusty, moon-washed fields. There was no clear path through the sparse patches of dirt and sturdy grass, but Tony knew the path as clearly as the back of his scarred hands. He could probably walk there in his sleep if he really tried hard enough.

But unlike the many trips he had taken to the weathered, rickety shed in the past, this one was accompanied by the calming echo of footsteps just beside him- the beaming curiosity that shone through Peter’s eyes even in the weak flicker of the lantern’s flame. And for a reason that Tony couldn’t really explain, he felt his chest growing tighter with every step closer towards the shed. It wasn’t that there was anything to worry about. No, this was far more uncommon. This was something to be excited about, which made the anxiety that accompanied it even more confusing to the outlaw.

But before he could ponder on it for too long Tony realised they had reached the old, wooden door, pulling out a key from a hidden panel in the frame and feeling his heart beat just a little bit faster as he let Peter inside. With the lantern in Tony’s hand it didn’t take long for the shadows to scatter and reveal a plethora of tools, inventions and unorganised plans across every viable surface. But where others might see chaos, Tony saw possibilities. New ideas just waiting to come to life, old metals just begging to be reforged. The one place where he could create instead of destroy…

“Whoa…” Peter’s awed whisper echoed across the shed. “This is amazing!”

Jolting ever so slightly in surprise, Tony asked hesitantly “You, uh… you think so?”

“For sure!” Peter assured with unfiltered excitement. “This has to be an old forge, right? I’ve always wanted to see what it looks like from the inside!”

Chest blooming with relief, Tony dropped a hand lightly onto the boy’s shoulder and said, “You know how I told you that Starks were the most famous blacksmiths in the land once?”

“Yeah?”

“Well, this is where they made their name,” Tony explained, finally feeling a strike of pride for his family history instead of the disgrace he usually felt when he was reminded of his father.

“Whoa, really?” Peter asked with wonder-struck eyes. “That’s even better! Is this all your old family’s work then?”

Smirking, Tony stepped towards the bench littered with notes of his fine handwriting and said, “Actually kid, this is all mine.”

If Peter had been excited before it was nothing compared to the astonishment that washed over his features right now, practically leaping over to join the outlaw and inspect the sea of plans and sketches before them. “I take back what I said earlier, this is the best thing ever,” Peter said with a beaming grin. “I didn’t know you were a blacksmith!”

“Eh, it’s more of a hobby than a profession now,” Tony shrugged.

“Doesn’t matter, it’s still amazing!”

Glancing over at the boy with an odd fluttering sensation in his ribcage, Tony replied warmly “Thanks kid. I haven’t even shown you the best part though.”

“There’s more?” Peter gasped, reminding Tony once again of just how young he truly was.

“Yeah, check this out Buckaroo,” the outlaw said as he waved the boy over towards the wall of seemingly mundane barrels. Rolling one of them aside though, Tony got down to his knees and lifted up a loose floorboard that had been concealed beneath it, the only one that wasn’t nailed down like the panels beside it. Peter -who was now crouched down next to him with wide, curious eyes- watched as the outlaw pulled away the board to reveal a secret, underground compartment stacked with locked boxes and carefully wrapped parcels of untold treasures.

They were the few spoils from across the decades that Tony had chosen to keep for himself, ranging from bars of gold and silver to the odd journal or two about the latest discoveries in engineering. It was an eclectic collection to say the least -one Tony was sure the other Avengers would scoff at in comparison to their own stashes- but something he treasured nonetheless.

 “Whoa, what’s down there?” Peter asked with an inquisitive tilt of his head.

Pulling the satchel closer, Tony opened it up for Peter to see the new riches that were about to join the collection and explained “Most of my share I give over to the town, but it doesn’t hurt to keep a little stashed away in case of emergency. And heck- sometimes just for fun.”

Peter chuckled at the last part but gradually sobered as he watched Tony close the satchel up and lay it down next to the rest of his spoils. “Tony?” he said with a hint of hesitance in his voice.

“Yeah kid?”

“Why… why do you give so much of your share up?” he asked, meeting the bandit’s gaze with gentle, searching eyes. “Why not keep it for yourself? You risk your life everyday just to get it.”

Letting out a sigh and sliding the floorboard back into place, Tony replied simply “I have no need for it. Never have. This town- these people, they’re what kept me alive when I had nothing. The least I can do is return the favour.”

“How so?” Peter asked.

“Well- years ago, there used to be a massive mine out East of the town,” Tony explained. “It brought most of the business here. Provided jobs, encouraged trade, all that good shit.”

“What happened to it?”

Shoving the barrel back into place with a little more force than necessary, Tony replied shortly “Owner died, and the mine was quickly abandoned. With it went the town’s primary flow of money, and it became much harder to live out here than it had before.”

With those words, Peter’s face seemed to dawn with realisation and he offered the outlaw an understanding smile. “You keep the town alive,” Peter said in what Tony might even dare to call admiration.

Rolling his shoulders nonchalantly, Tony muttered “Try to, anyway.”

As the two pushed themselves back up to their feet though, the soft lantern glow cast over Peter’s features as he smiled up at the outlaw, eyes shining not with the excited wonder or bursting awe he was used to seeing, but something deeper. Something like respect.

“I think that’s great Tony- really,” Peter said. “They’re lucky to have a friend like you.”

As if a blanket warmed by the midday sun had been wrapped around his shoulders, Tony felt his chest loosen with a sigh of content, one he quickly tried to mask with a classic smirk instead. “Yeah well- don’t go round sharing the word Buckaroo, you’ll ruin my reputation.”

“Can’t have that, can we?” Peter chuckled along.

“Absolutely not,” Tony said, giving the boy’s hair a teasing little tussle before he gazed back across the shadowed forge and added fondly “Maybe someday I’ll show you what this place looks like when it’s in action.”

“Really?! You would let me watch?” Peter asked as he shifted from foot to foot excitedly.

“If you’re lucky, I might even let you give it a shot yourself,” Tony smirked, knowing exactly how his words would make the boy implode and not at all disappointed when Peter bit his lip in a feeble attempt to contain his utter glee. It was one of the few times he had seen the chatterbox of a child completely speechless.

Chuckling to himself, Tony wrapped an arm around Peter’s shoulders and guided them back towards the door, enveloping the forge into shadows once again as they locked it up behind them. That could be a story for another day. A skill Tony could be proud to pass on. For now though, they walked side by side up to the house and enjoyed the pulsing hum of the crickets along the way. When they made it back into the safety of the kitchen Maria was there to greet them with a warm smile, gesturing over to the stairs as she said, “Your rooms are both set up when you’re ready.”

“Thanks Mom,” Tony hummed before dropping an encouraging pat on Peter’s shoulder. “Better get some sleep Young Buck, it’s been a long day.”

Finally seeming to notice his own weariness amidst the fading adrenaline, Peter rubbed at his eyes in defeat and offered Maria a grateful smile. “Thank you Mrs Stark.”

“You’re very welcome dear,” she practically cooed. “It’s the first room on the left when you go up the stairs. There’s extra blankets in the wardrobe if you need them too.”

So with a tired nod and a gentle wave goodbye to the two Starks, Peter disappeared up the stairs for a much-deserved rest. Tony had to admit, he was surprised the kid had held out for as long as he did. Travelling for days straight, discovering a new environment, meeting a host of new faces - it was a lot to process. Obviously Peter had enjoyed it though if the smile that had been plastered across his face was any indication, and Tony was glad to see that everyone had warmed to him as quickly as he’d hoped.

Not that he had any doubt of course, but still… it was reassuring to know that they would be there if Peter ever needed them.

“And here you said I’d never have any grandchildren,” Maria teased, snapping Tony out of his thoughts as she fixed him with a knowing smile.

And even though the statement earnt a roll of his eyes, Tony couldn’t quite bring himself to dispute it either.

…

Eventually the time came for Tony and Peter to meet back up with the Avenger though, saddling up their horses in the early hours of the morning and sharing their bittersweet goodbyes with old and new friends alike.

“Please travel safe boys,” Maria said as she pulled her son into a tight embrace. “You’ve got water? Enough food-?”

“Yes Mom, we’re fine,” Tony couldn’t help but chuckle. No matter how old he got or how many decades passed, she always found a way to worry about him.

Pulling back with a gentle smile on her lips, Maria said “I know you are, but I like to be sure.”

With an understanding hum Tony leant forward and pressed a quick kiss to her cheek. “We’ll be back before you know it,” he assured.

Maria’s eyes crinkled with love as she gave the outlaw another tight squeeze, and turning to face the boy waiting beside them, she said with an equally adoring gaze “Take care dear, I hope we’ll see you again soon.”

“Same!” Peter replied cheerily. “Thanks again for letting me stay at your house.”

“Of course, it was a pleasure to have you. And I bet Dummy will be looking forward to your next visit,” Maria added in a chuckle. “He’s taken quite a liking to you.”

The mention of said goat elicited a wide smile out of Peter and a bemused scoff from Tony, just about to open his mouth with a retort when a new set of faces joined the crowd.

“Thought you could leave without saying goodbye huh?” Rhodey called, feigning offence.

“Wouldn’t even dream of it,” Tony grinned before he wrapped his friend in another solid embrace. “I could never leave without saying goodbye to my honey bear.”

“Damn right you couldn’t,” Rhodey just chuckled, unphased by the roster of nicknames that Tony had graced him with throughout the years. And pulling away with a half joking, half warning glare, Rhodey added “Be safe- and I mean it. Don’t do anything stupid, alright?”

“You mean anything more stupid than he usually does?” Happy’s voice trilled from just over Rhodey’s shoulder.

Lips stretching into a teasing smirk, Tony strolled up to his other dear friend and said “Ahh, I see what’s going on here. You’re jealous, aren’t you big guy? Want a hug too?”

“You’re a little shit,” Happy deadpanned.

“Ahh, but you love me.”

The claim was met with an eyeroll, but it didn’t stop Happy from embracing him just as tightly as the outlaw pulled him into his steady arms. When they finally pulled away Tony could see Rhodey talking to Peter out of the corner of his eye, and knowing that he was in safe hands, Tony turned his attention towards the last person waiting to say their farewells.

“Miss Potts,” Tony smiled and gently pulled her hand into his own to drop a kiss across her fingers. “It’s been a pleasure, as always.”

Giving his hand a soft squeeze as she stared upon him with barely disguised fondness, Pepper replied “That is has been, Mr Stark. I hope you’ll take care on your journey.”

“Always,” Tony smirked. “Don’t miss me too much while I’m gone, alright dear?”

Though her eyes flashed in a mixture of exasperation and amusement, it was quickly softened as her gazed wandered over to the boy talking idly with Rhodey and Happy just behind them. “I hope you’ll bring your young ward again next time,” she said warmly. “He’s been a joy to have around.”

“Yeah, he sure is,” Tony smiled, glancing over his shoulder to admire the warmth radiating off of Peter like sunshine, before he grew sombre at the reminder that his comforting presence might not always be there. If Peter found a place that he couldn’t bear to leave or a home that he loved enough to stay in, his days of adventuring beside the Iron Bandit would draw to an end. And even though the thought of Peter starting his life afresh should have made Tony happy, he couldn’t help but think about the absence the boy would leave in his wake.

“He decides where he’ll go, where he’ll stay…” Tony murmured distractedly, before he turned back to Pepper and added with a weak shrug “It’s just my job to take him there.”

Tilting her head as if to search his gaze better, Pepper’s features softened as she replied encouragingly “I have no doubt that under your watch he’ll make it very far indeed.”

“Ooh, looks like I’m not the only master of flattery here,” Tony smirked, warmed by the sentiment but always keen to keep conversation light if possible. He faced enough trouble out there on the run, he didn’t need his own internal spiral to add to the headache.

“I guess there’s still some things you’ve yet to find out about me,” Pepper said with a teasing wink.

“I’ll make sure not to be late next time so I can find out.”

Laughing quietly behind her hand, Pepper gave the outlaw’s palm a final, soothing squeeze before letting go completely, already making Tony yearn for her presence once again. “Till next time, Mr Stark,” she smiled.

“I look forward to it,” he replied and dipped his head in farewell.

Turning back around to face Peter and his crew of admirers, Tony let the boy hear one more of Rhodey’s plentiful -and might he add wildly exaggerated- stories before he gently nudged him in the shoulder. Peter blinked up at him with a strike of disappointment in the wells of his deep brown gaze, but as much as they both loved this town- these people, it was time for them to move on. At least for now, that was…

So nodding his head in acceptance, Peter turned back to Maria, Rhodey and Happy with a wide smile and said “Thanks again everyone. It- it was really nice getting to meet you all.”

“You too kid,” Rhodey replied while Happy let out a soft grunt just beside him, a sound that Tony knew to be a sign of fondness after years spent growing up alongside the man.

“You’re welcome here anytime dear,” Maria chimed in shortly after. “And we look forward to hearing about all your new adventures the next time you visit!”

Those words alone were enough to make the boy beam like a dazzling new star in the sky, and leaning ever so subtly into Tony’s side, he offered a final wave that was returned with equally as encouraging farewells. But before either of them could start walking towards their horses, the panicked slam of a nearby door and the rapid patter of boots skidding across the dirt had everyone turning to face the unexpected guest with bewildered stares.

The only one who wasn’t surprised however was Peter, whose face immediately brightened up into a grin as he ran forward to embrace the stranger in his arms. “Ned! I was worried you wouldn’t make it!”

“Sorry- sorry, I was trying to grab something before I came here,” Ned -who Tony now realised was the same kid Peter had been hanging out with throughout their stay- eagerly explained as they locked each other into a fierce bear hug- much like the one Tony and Rhodey just a few moments ago.

“What was it?” Peter asked as they pulled away, excitement still racing across each of their faces like lightning.

“Well, I know you said you liked to read, so I wanted to give you this before you go!” Ned announced proudly as he revealed a clearly much-loved book from behind his back with the title Peter Parley’s Tale of the Elephant imprinted across the front. And while Peter could only stare in shock at the awfully generous gesture, his friend was quick to push the book into his hands and say with an endearingly joyful smile “It was one of my favourite books growing up, and I bet you’ll love it just as much! It’s heaps of fun!”

Shaking himself out of his stupor and gripping the book nervously in his hands, Peter said “Ned, I… t-this is too much. I couldn’t.”

“It’s fine! I even asked my mom, and she said you could have it,” Ned assured him and nodded his head fiercely to reinforce the point. “Seriously, you should take it! And next time you visit, you can trade it in for different book to read!”

Having finally met his match in the face of unobstructed optimism, Peter glancing down at the book and dragged his teeth nervously across his bottom lip, thinking -or overthinking- in the way that Peter had always done. After mulling it over for another moment or two Peter finally glanced up with a guilty flash of his eyes, asking hesitantly “You… you’re absolutely sure?”

“Yep! I want you to have it,” Ned answered in less than a heartbeat.

So with that final confirmation, Peter rushed forward to embrace his friend in a bone-crushing hug and said fiercely “Thank you Ned! You’re amazing!”

“Don’t have to thank me, just come back so we can hang out together again, okay?” Ned asked and hugged the boy back with just as much affection.

Thanks to his life as a criminal, Tony had learnt quickly to be choosey about who he trusted. It was the only way to keep himself alive in a world that was gunning to snuff him out, and finding the rare gems like Rhodey and Happy didn’t happen all that often. Friendships like those needed to be treasured, because in the end, they were the only ones that could withstand the trials of life. And as Tony watched Peter and Ned break apart and ramble at the speed of a train about what they would do the next time they saw each other, he smiled knowing that Peter had finally found one of those rare, life-long friendships for himself.

So after another heartfelt farewell had been shared, Tony and Peter climbed upon their awaiting steeds and waved their last goodbye to the friends and family who sent them off with a flood of encouraging words and loving smiles. The memories of their voices and laughter brought comfort to the two travellers long after they had begun their journey, even when the town was nothing more but a speck on the horizon again.

“Thanks for bringing me along Tony, I had so much fun!” Peter eventually said, breaking the content silence that had fallen over them as he glanced at the outlaw with a grateful smile.

“I thought you might,” Tony replied fondly.

“Do you think you’ll go visit them again soon?”

Shrugging, Tony answered honestly “Not sure. It depends on what we haul in, but I try to swing by at least twice a year.”

“Oh, nice…” Peter said, voice trailing away with an unspoken question that only Tony could hear.

“You want to join me again next time Young Buck?”

Features immediately lighting up like embers that had burst into flames, Peter nodded so eagerly that Tony worried he might lose his head in the process. With that enthusiasm though came the familiar trickle of doubt in Tony’s mind too, pooling in his stomach like a pit of tar that threatened to drag him into the darkness.

What if he doesn’t want to stay? What if he’s tired of being here? What if he’s ready to move on to a better life…?

But just as Tony mustered the courage to ask such a question, Peter -reading happily through his new book- mentioned casually, “I can’t wait to tell the others about all of this! It feels weird being apart for so long… I’ve really started to miss them.”

And just like that, the worries slipped away as quickly as they had crawled in.

Maybe someday Peter would find a place that he could call his own, with people he could call his family like Tony had the fortune of doing now. And when that day came, Tony would be nothing but happy for him, and he vowed to do whatever it took to get him there. But right now, Peter was content by his side, and Tony was lucky enough to have him there.

There would be time to worry about what the future held another day. For now, he would just be grateful for the friends and the family that he could call home today…