Chapter Text
"Mh" muttered a sleepy Peter.
"Shh, this will only take a moment," said Tony unbuckling Peter from his car seat and taking the boy in his arms.
Tony quickly closed the car and went to Peter's apartment to take everything the boy might need for a night in the tower. He had taken the keys out of Peter's backpack earlier, so he entered the apartment without a problem.
He closed the door behind him with his foot and looked around the apartment. It was somewhat cluttered, but hardly surprising considering that a child lives here.
"Hey, Pete, can you wake up for me for five minutes?" the man lightly massaged the boy's back.
"No, I'm still asleep," howled Peter.
Tony giggled slightly and began to gently toss Peter up and down, which after half a minute caused the boy to open his eyes.
"Tell me Pete what clothes you want to take and where you have them," asked Tomy entering Peter's room still with the child in his arms.
"In the dresser, bottom shelf."
"Sure. Here you have T-shirts," Tony looked inside. "Two are enough for you for tomorrow?"
Peter nodded in confirmation, so Tony grabbed the third one as well. Sorry very much, Peter got dirty suspiciously easily, and Tony had no other clothes to change for the boy.
"Now the pants."
"The penultimate drawer."
"Okay, which ones do you want?"
And so they packed the whole bag together. Tony turned off the light, left the apartment and closed the door behind them.
***
Tony knew he shouldn't take the kid to the tower without asking. But what else was he supposed to do! May had left the little boy alone all night and morning!
As soon as he left, Tony made sure Peter was asleep in his car seat before telling FRIDAY to call May Parker.
By now Tony was so angry with the woman that he could barely concentrate on driving. May answered only the second time.
"Hello?" She said in a tired, rough voice.
"This is Tony Stark speaking."
"Oh, Mr. Stark," May revived. "Is Peter all right?"
Tony felt he had to bite his tongue to avoid saying something he would regret. He would have a moment of satisfaction, but then May would take Peter away from him, and that was the last thing he wanted.
"Actually, it's not right. I found out that Peter stays home alone for more than 12 hours. This is unacceptable, considering Peter's age."
"Peter is very mature for his age, Mr. Stark" she said. "I assure you that this would not be a problem for him."
"I'm sure it is otherwise. Anyway, I'm taking Peter to the tower. Do you have anything against it?"
"I don't want to impose," gasped May.
"Nonsense, I'll drop him off tomorrow at 7:30 pm and you'd better be home" Yes, Tony just threatened her.
May wanted to yell at Stark, because what the hell was he thinking deciding about Peter as his son! She was the one who had custody of the boy!
"All right, I agree, you can take him," she said after a moment's thought.
May knew that if she wanted part of the billionaire's cash, she had to make concessions sometimes. But Peter will answer for all the fuss! What an ungrateful brat...
"Wonderful, have a good night," said Tony sarcastically and rudely hung up.
"Who was that?" asked sleepily Peter rubbing his hand over his eyes.
"Nobody important, go back to sleep, because we have an amazing night ahead of us..."
***
"Here we are," said Tony, exiting the elevator with the boy on his hip.
What was disturbing was how much Peter fit against his chest. It was as if he was the one missing there. Tony shook off the thought and put Peter down on the couch.
He figured it was still early, so he would let Peter sleep for another half hour and then wake him up for two hours, because he was selfish and wanted to spend as much time as possible with the boy.
His peaceful half hour had to be interrupted by his own artificial intelligence.
"Boss, it seems that Ms. Natasha Romanoff wants to see you."
"She? What is she doing in the tower? No, FRIDAY, tell her I'm busy."
"It's too late Sir, Mrs. Romanoff is almost on your floor."
Tony bolted from the couch. After all, she couldn't see him with the kid in his arms, she would still think it was his! He quickly picked Peter up and ran with him up the stairs to the bedroom. He put him on the bed, covered him with a blanket and hurriedly returned to the living room.
However, it was too late. Natasha Romanoff was already exiting the elevator, her eyes narrowed suspiciously and her brow furrowed.
"Hello, Romanoff!" exclaimed Tony too happily to be considered normal.
"Why are you panting, Stark?"
"I was exercising."
"At home? After all, you have your own gym downstairs."
"Hm, yes, I exercised before, but..."
"Spare me the nonsense. What did you do?"
"Why does everyone immediately assume that I did something? A person can't just go from corner to corner out of boredom..."
"You never get bored, Tony. And if you do, it's bad for humanity, because then you usually build something radioactive. So, what's the point?"
"It's really not important, Nat. Besides, it's none of your business," Tony knew he was being a bit unkind, but on the other hand Nat was terribly nosy, and Peter was none of her concern.
Just as Nat was about to let go, she suddenly heard quiet footsteps on the stairs. She looked up and to her surprise there was a little boy standing at the top of the stairs looking at her curiously.
"And who are you?" Natasha asked in a soft voice.
At these words Tony turned on his heel and looked at Peter. Of course, he just had to walk in at that moment. Peter slowly made his way downstairs looking then at Tony then at the Black Widow.
"This is Peter, my intern," said Tony putting his hands on the boy's shoulders.
"Hello," said Peter shyly.
"I'm pleased to meet you. You're a bit young for an intern. How old are you?"
"8!"
"Oh boy, then you must be a genius to get Tony's attention."
Peter blushed, but didn't deny it. They chatted for a while more, until FRIDAY told everyone that Steve had made dinner and invited them to share the floor. Peter hurried to the elevator, so the adults had a moment to chat in private.
"You're somehow suspiciously quiet, Nat."
"What do you mean, Tony? I understand your decision."
"Wait, you don't think he's mine?"
"Come on, who would want you?"
"Thanks a lot Nat, really," said Tony rolling his eyes.
"Are you coming or not!" screamed Peter nudging the elevator door, so they ended the conversation.
***
"Steve!" shouted Peter and literally jumped on Steve.
"Pete!" Steve instinctively reached out to grab the boy and plant him on his hip. "How is my favorite little guy?"
"Hey, I'm not little!" exclaimed Peter with indignation.
"Hey Nat, Tony."
"Wait a minute. Why weren't you so happy to see us?" asked Tony jokingly. Steve rolled his eyes.
"I made dinner, so sit down at the table."
***
After dinner, Tony decided it was late, so Peter must get ready for bed. Tony barely dragged the boy upstairs. Peter and Steve apparently became friends, not wanting to leave each other's side.
"Sorry Petey, but you have to go to bed. If you want we'll come back tomorrow."
After much persuasion, Peter agreed to go upstairs.
"Okay, but carry me"
Tony chuckled as he carried the already half-asleep boy to bed, tucked him to sleep, read him a story and kissed his forehead."
"Good night, Petey. FRIDAY, watch over him."