Chapter Text
FIRST TIME
The restaurant was nearly empty now. It was well past four in the afternoon and the aromatic mixture of spices that had wafted in from the kitchen had all but disappeared. Usually Tony wouldn't arrange a meeting in a restaurant but his client was leaving town and insisted to have lunch while they talked about their next proposal. The only thing bugging Tony was the fact that there was a fifteen year old kid waiting for him outside the restaurant.
Peter had a holiday at school so he decided to spend the day with Tony. The boy was having the best time in the lab where they ordered snacks and had a heavy brunch. Everything was going smoothly until Tony got a call from his client and had to go for lunch. He asked the kid to join but Peter denied saying he wasn't hungry and would stroll around in a mall next to the restaurant and then wait for him outside.
"Thank you Mr Stark for taking time out for this meeting. We know you're a busy man"
Tony tried to keep his voice modulated as he spoke "Atleast we got the deal final so it's all well and good here"
"Okay then. I'll soon send my secretary with all the legal documents"
Tony nodded and then shook hands with the man "It was nice meeting you. Now please excuse me, I've to leave"
"Don't you want to eat? I've noticed you barely touched your food"
"I wasn't hungry. Infact I just had a brunch before I came here" Tony explained politely "I shall take my leave Mr McLouth" with that he started walking towards the exit leaving McLouth standing in confusion
"Why is Stark in such hurry?"
Outside Tony peered around the area searching for Peter. Upon not spotting the boy, the man's forehead creased in worry. Where did Peter go? He said he would wait for him outside. Tony walked towards the small garden area and stopped short thinking BINGO! Because there he was, his favorite boy, sprawled on a bench, dead asleep with a tiny drop of drool dripping from the corner of his mouth. Snorting Tony padded over to Peter and crouched down, reaching out a hand and gently nudging the kid
"Kiddo I don't think this wooden bench can be considered as a good bed" Tony whispered shaking Peter's shoulder "C'mon wake up"
Peter hardly twitched, save for his eyebrows crunching together just slightly
Tony sighed and tried again "How can you fall asleep with the chilling wind blowing around. Pete?"
That elited a response, though it came out rather slurred "Very easy... I close m.. ey'ss"
"Care to open them again so we can leave?"
"M' tired"
A chuckle poured from Tony's lips, eyeing the darkening orange sky above them "Then let's go home buddy"
Peter didn't say anything, he only hummed tiredly. He didn't even move from his place. Tony blew out an exasperated breath. Maybe the kid was really tired from all the lab work and strolling in the mall. He tried to wake him one last time but the boy refused to even open his eyes.
That's when Tony made a decision
Worming an arm underneath Peter's neck, Tony gently lifted the boy into sitting position. Keeping him propped upright, Tony wrapped Peter's legs around his waist. He supported him with his arm circled securely around his back and then Peter did rest of the work. The teen groggily lifted his arms up and wrapped them around Tony's neck and tucked his head on the man's shoulder with a small smile painted on his face
Tony paid little mind to the passers-by around him. Peter's right leg dangled as he made his way towards his car, shaking his head at the fact that Happy had to take a day off just when he was needed. Peter mumbled nothing in particular under his breath and nosed into the junction of Tony's neck, breathing out a quiet sigh. Tony huffed, rubbing his hand up and down Peter's back. Pursing his lips, the man thought no fifteen year old should be this adorable. He lifted his chin a little to press on the boy's head "What did I do to deserve you kid"
A woman in her early forties who was pushing her stroller, stopped to look at Tony and smiled "Sir I'm sorry to bother you but I was observing you for quite a while..can I just say your son is adorable?"
Tony almost lost his hold on Peter as he choked on the blood that made it's way up to his throat "What?" he squeaked, unconsciously rubbing the boy's back when he began to stir
The woman giggled looking down at her own daughter who was sleeping in the stroller "You're really a sweet father for carrying your son at this age. It's nice to see such a close duo of father and son. My husband would've just woken up our daughter if she slept like that"
'Go with it Tony, just go with it or else it would be just too weird to say he's not your son. How will you explain a stranger why are you carrying a fifteen year old on your hip'
Tony cleared his throat and smiled "Ye..Yeah I do love my son a lot"
Wow, it really doesn't sound weird at all
And then he added "Your husband is an idiot if he doesn't love his kid"
The woman smiled, not feeling offended "I think that everyday actually. You know what, I'll surely tell him about you. Who knows it might change his whole perspective"
"I hope so too"
"I won't bother you long. It was nice meeting you. Have a nice day"
"You too"
The lady began pushing his stroller but then again turned around "I forgot to ask your son's name"
Tony bit his inner cheeks to stop the proud smile that still crept on his face. His hand softly squeezed Peter's body "Well he has lots of names... just to name a few would be Kid, Buddy, Baby, kiddo...I sometimes like to call Bubba.. then there's Pete and Oh yes he also loves when I call him Undero.." he paused, face turning into deep shade of red when the woman smiled amusingly "It's Peter"
"Peter is lucky to have a father like you" the woman began walking after she waved a goodbye
Tony stood there, holding Peter securely in his arms, wondering why calling the boy as his son felt so right to say.