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"Aw, look at this. What a cutie you were." Tony gushed, pulling out a photograph of Peter as a toddler. He was holding onto a kite with the biggest smile on his face. Part of Peter's heart ached as he stared at the photograph, wishing he was that young again without a care in the world. Everything was so much simpler.
Peter pushed those thoughts down with a smile on his face, snatching the photograph from Tony's hands. They were sorting through Peter and May's storage room, preparing to officially move out. They were planning on moving somewhere closer to the compound now that Peter had finished high school, much to Tony's delight.
"Shut up, man." Peter blushed and stuffed the photograph in its assigned box.
"This is my new favorite activity. Going through photos of baby Peter." The man mumbled to himself as he pulled out more. Peter's face reddened even more as he came across photos of younger Peter, dressed in an Iron Man costume.
Tony, however, beamed at the photo and read the words at the bottom.
"Peter B. Parker, Halloween: 2007." Tony let out a laugh and cooed. "Adorable. I'm keeping this."
Peter groaned. "I'm begging you to stop."
Tony chuckled. "Never." He rummaged through some more boxes and pulled out the Iron Man helmet that Peter had as a kid.
"I hope you still wear this."
Peter's face heated up again and snatched the helmet away from the man.
"Mr. Stark!" He whined.
Tony pulled out a small grey shirt. He was about to coo at it to embarrass Peter more, but then he read what it said on the front.
'Stark Exposition, 2010'
Tony faltered and cast his mind to that year. All he could think about was Hammer, and the suits, and the wreckage...and Peter.
He turned the shirt around to show Peter.
"You were at the expo?"
Peter stared at the shirt. He had completely forgotten about that. (Well, he had forgotten about the shirt, not the expo. He would never forget the day that Tony saved his life, after nine year old him made a very stupid decision).
"U-Uh...yep, I was." He hoped that was the end of it, but it wasn't.
"You...hold on - nine year old you was at my expo in 2010? The one where people died?"
"I didn't get hurt, if that's what you're wondering." Peter reassured him. "I actually...uh...I wore my Iron Man helmet. It was just a fun idea at first, but I guess it kinda protected me in a way."
Well, fuck. Tony's heart was ready to explode with love and adoration now.
"Cute, kid." He tried to shrug off. "I actually saw this kid in an Iron Man helmet there. The little guy thought it was a smart idea to try and blast one of those freaky Hammer drones with his fake repulsor." Tony laughed at the memory.
Then he froze.
He turned slowly to look at Peter, who looked like he was trying not to laugh.
"You little shit. It was you, wasn't it?"
"Umm...maybe?" Peter scoffed out a laugh that he tried not to let out.
Tony didn't even know what to say. "You - You know what? Why am I even surprised? Of course little sacrificial you would try and kill a drone even though you couldn't." Tony covered his distress with humor, just like he always does. He couldn't bear to think that he put Peter in danger. Because of his own stupid decisions. Well...maybe he could put the blame on Justin Hammer.
"Don't get mad!" Peter exclaimed, sticking his hands up in defense. "I'm fine now. Besides, you saved me! You were my hero, Mr. Stark. And you still are." He gushed.
Tony tried his hardest not to smile from the confession, but he failed. Peter smiled back.
"Good job, kid. That's what I said to you." Tony said, shaking his head at the memories as he stared at the Iron Man helmet.
"I remember."
There was silence for a few moments.
"You were nine? You looked like you were, like, six! You really do develop late."
"Hey!"