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If somebody had told Tony at the age of sixteen that he was going to be a father one day, he would've laughed in their faces. Tony had a small heart. He wasn't the only one who knew it, either. A heart that only held room for himself and a one-night stand. A heart only big enough to fill with alcohol and women for a night all before needing to be emptied before the next night. Tony wasn't a dad. He wasn't soft, kind, gentle, or loving. He was a man made out of iron. His own father made sure that he made an iron heart. It was the only thing his own father made sure of.
An iron heart.
And men made out of iron do not become fathers. So, color him surprise when he got word that one of his one-night stands gave birth to a little boy. Then the next day filed for child support. When Pepper and his lawyers heard they were quick to dismiss it- but Tony had an itch. An itch that just wouldn't disappear. He vaguely remembers the women he met at a bar in New York. She was beautiful; with dirty, wavy, blonde hair and blue-eyes. Her voice was laided with a southern accent. He doesn't remember what she said having been too drunk to catalog the words said in sweet love.
He does the DNA test and aftwards his stomach rolls. Not because he knows that he now has a son- he's not surprised. No, his stomach rolls because when he holds his son, he doesn't want to let go. He can't differentiate the reason; If the reason was because his iron heart is cracking or because while he's holding his son and looks up, the mother has a wicked and evil glint in her eyes. While holding his son- Harley- he swears his heart grows. It starts to break. Before he knows it, he's in a custody battle. To his surprise he's fighting for Harley. Just like the itch, Tony just knows- knows that Harley isn't safe with his mother. There's just something about the women that sets him on edge. He begs the judge to give him custody. The judge grants him two years- and only over the summer. He growls and he wants to argue- but the judge states that the reasoning is he's not mature.
That his son, Harley is safer with his mother.
That night Pepper holds him as he bawls. Heart breaking for the first time since he can really remember. He didn't break when his parents died. It's the first time in years that he's cried. First time that he sobs. It's the first time since he was young that his iron heart was softening. It was breaking, all because of a little bundle of joy. Pepper murmurs sweet things in his ear. Whispers promises that he can't bring himself to believe them.
A few months later he got a second chance at being a father. A hospital in Queens called him. They said one of their mothers just gave birth and said that the baby boy was his. The nurse said that the mother and her boyfriend had died and because he was the father, he had the option to take the baby. ( He doesn't know how they knew- if they did a blood test or if the future Aunt and Uncle knew.) If not, the baby would go to the boyfriend's brother. Tony didn't hesitate to claim the baby. He asked for the name and was given to him.
Peter .
The baby in his arms was named Peter Anthony. Tony cried. He kept the baby with him. He was terrified. Not knowing if he could really take care of the child. He had no clue how to take care of a child. All he knew was that he was suppose to keep it. Peter, just like Harley, was his. They both belonged to him and he was going to be a great dad. After all, he had Mama Rhodes and Pepper to come and help. And just like that, Tony had two bundles of joys. He was connected to them both and he would remain that way.
Soon enough the boys started to grow. Per court orders, Tony got to see Harley over phone calls and video feed. No matter what Heather wanted. As Harley got older, Tony listened to his babbling and introduced him to Peter as soon as possible. Harley's eyes sparkled with happiness and Peter babbled back. As babies- as toddlers- they seemed to be okay with each other.
Tony was afraid that Harley was going to hate his little brother. However, upon first meeting in person (at age 2 for Harley and just sly of 2 for Peter,) they became inseparable. Their babbles filling the house. They played with each other and laughed. Tony's heart squeezed and his family cooed at them. When naptime came around, Tony placed them in two separate cribs and closed the door. Keeping a baby monitor around him at all times. A few minutes later, when he went to check on them, he found that Harley crawled out from his crib, only to fall into Peter's. Harley then proceeded to drape an arm around Peter and both boys were soundly asleep. Tony took too many pictures and sent them to his family.
As they grew older, they became not only brothers but best friends. Peter would call Harley every weekend. They talked and chatted about their week. What subjects in school they had. Peter would talk about how most of his classmates didn't believe him when he said he had a brother. Harley would talk about the funny things that happened in town. They would talk about school bullies and Peter would ask when they would actually see each other. That always broke Tony's heart and he kept fighting for custody. Never did he tell the boys. Tony didn't want to get their hopes up. Sometimes Peter would show Harley their dad or anyone else in the room at the time. Always talking to Harley about what each person was doing. Other times Harley would be in a closet and they could hear yelling from his side. Harley would grimace and side eye the door.
" Don't worry," Harley told them, " She can't get in. The door's locked."
Peter wouldn't stop furrowing his brow though. Even after the call. The youngest of the two wanted so badly to talk to their dad about some of the conversations that they had. About how sometimes, Harley would appear with a black eye or a split lip. How he'd flinch when he adjusted himself. Almost like he was hurt.
" 'M okay, Bubs. Promise. Nothin' I can't handle." He promises, before his eyes flicker up to their dad, " I promise."
So that's how their family worked. Every two years during the summer Harley would come and visit. During that time Pepper and Tony had gotten closer, Tony got kidnapped and announced he was Iron Man. That was a hayday for Harley. Having called immediately after and asking for Peter. Tony had gasped and given him a hard time about no love for him. Truthfully, Tony was glad. It was stressful enough having Peter near. Knowing that Harley was miles away eased something in his heart. Tony had two sons looking up to him. (Not that he didn't already know that,) Harley stayed in Tennessee, helping from afar. Being a big brother.
Then one day Harley calls him. It's not odd of him to reach out to his dad. There are days he calls just to talk to him specifically. Usually it's to update him on his mom and what she's doing or what she wants from him. (She uses Harley as a messenger. She knows that it riles Tony up.) This time, however, Tony knows it's not to update him on his son's mom. Not when his boy chooses video call and not when his son is sporting bruises. Not when he can hear a banging coming from his side.
" Dad-" Harley flinches, " I want to come home."
Tony immediately went to Pepper. Staying on the line he bursted through the office doors, startling his CEO. She looked up and saw the panic in his brown eyes as she took in the muffled yelling and the banging. Sniffling and gasps of desperation. Pepper pursed her lips and took the pad from Tony's shaking hands. She turned the pad towards her and gasped herself.
" Pepper." Harley sniffed, " Help."
Pepper looked up at Tony, fire in her eyes, "Is this being recorded?"
Tony nodded, hands still shaking. His mind is spiraling. His thoughts and wondered why he didn't fight harder. He knew this was going to happen. Knew that Heather had an agenda that was evil. He should have tried to convince the judge. He definitely didn't fight hard enough for his son.
"You'll come home, Sweetie. I promise." Pepper spoke with finality in her voice. It was then that Tony realized that the banging on Harley's side ended.
"Here's your dad, Baby."
There was a sniffle and soon Tony was holding the device. It was when he was looking at the screen that he realized that his eyes were misty and tears were coming down his face. He watched as Harley wiped away the tears with his sleeves and shuddered. All Tony wanted was to go through the screen and wrap Harley up in a hug. To never let him go.
"Can you be strong for me, for a little while longer?" Tony choked out looking the boy over. The response was to bite his lip and nod.
"I'll get you out, Baby. I promise. I love you."
" I love you too, dad." Came the tearful response. Harley ended the call and the device was taken out of his hands. Slender arms wrapped around him as he hid his face in the crook of Pepper's neck. The women had stuck with him through thick and thin. Even now, she was there.
"We'll get him back, Tony." The " I promise" went unsaid.
Pepper kept her word. She had reached out to local authorities and they pulled his son out of that house. Peter begged to go down with them, wanting to not only see his brother- but help him. Tony shook his head, telling Peter he didn't want to overwhelm Harley. It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the full truth. Tony didn't want Peter to see Harley so broken.
So hurt.
They compromised, Peter would stay in New York with Rhodey, May and Ben, and Tony would video chat every night. Updating him on the progress. While everything was being hashed out by lawyers and small town judges, Harley stayed with Tony. Only because Harley refused to go with anyone else. Harley ended up on the queen bed, laying down with his head on his dad's chest and Tony's hands running through his shaggy hair. When they video called- Harley brightened up. A smile on his face as Peter and him talked. It warmed Tony's heart. As the talking continued and with safety near Harley would eventually doze. His hands curled in the fabric of his dad's shirt and soon soft snores escaped. Pepper would come in after hearing the call end.
"Need anything?" Pepper asked, cooing at the sight. Tony simply shook his head.
"I'll be in the other room." She'd take her leave after giving Tony a kiss on the cheek.
What seems like months, was only days and finally, finally Tony gained full custody of his son. That day, they hopped on the jet and flew to New York.
Happy was there waiting for them and the very minute Harley stepped off the plane, the back passenger door opened. Barreling out came a short, skinny kid with floppy chestnut brown hair. Tony would have been jealous if the sight hadn't made his heart stutter. Peter barreled into Harley with enough force to cause Harley to stagger backwards. Lanky arms wrapped around the returned brother and Tony watched as Harley's arm's circled around his baby brothers. His head bent down so his face was covered by Peter's velvet curly locks. Tony looked up at Happy and from where he stood, he could see the smile on his face.
After five minutes of the two boys standing there in a hug, Harley finally pulled away. Peter looked up at him, eyes shining with tears ready to fall. The younger boy sniffled and looked over at their dad.
"Best early birthday present ever."
Tony laughed and came up to them. One hand on each of their shoulders, he filed away the flinch from Harley- but gave them a reassuring squeeze and pulled them into a hug. The boy's wrapped their arms around him and Tony never felt more elated. He had both his boys.
Then Peter pulled away and looked over at Harley.
"I've got lots to tell you!" He said, as they broke apart. Harley smirked at the excitement in his brother's eyes.
"And what would that be?" Harley asked. Peter looked up over Harley's head with an excited grin.
"Dad's dating Pepper!" Peter said, excitement in his voice. Harley froze, eyes blinking and darting from Peter to Tony. Their dad shuffled and looked over at Pepper who was walking up to the three boys. She looked at them gingerly and Harley turned around, still pressed against his dad and looked up at the women.
"I knew something was up in Tennessee. Usually dad leaves somebody capable to stay with Pete."
"Hey!" Peter punched him. And Tony furrowed his brow.
"You knew?"
"I am a genius." Harley quipped.
Pepper snorted and her blue eyes flickered up at Tony. He looked at her and they shared a smile. His stomach swooped at the look in her eyes. His heart beat a bit faster as she came up to the three of them. Her hands graced both Peter and Harley's cheek before she leaned forward to pressing her lips against his.
"Ew." Harley scrunched up his face in digust.
"Gross, I'm going back to Happy, maybe he'll take me for burgers." Peter said as he pulled away from his dad.
"Good idea," Harley agreed, then looked over at Happy, "Hey, Happy! Can we go get burgers? Make dad and mom find their own ride home."
Tony and Pepper pulled away and turned to look at the older boy. Pepper then looked back at Tony, shock replacing the happiness. Tony looked just as mystified as Pepper, when they looked back that the two boys, they saw Peter smiling. When their eyes met Happy's he even gave a big smile.
"I-"
"What do you say? Want some burgers?"