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After second snap people thought that everything will be back to normal, that families will be happy together once more. That after all this time, all that war, all that madness everyone go through will finally be over. And for many it was.
But in reality many people that came back from Thanos' snap actually suffered in more painful way than being turned into dust. For them it was only five hours in nowhere. For world it was five years. And people that grief tend to move on.
Peter was more than happy to be back home from Titan. To be finally with his aunt, friends and Mr. Stark so they all could rest. But few things shocked him. First thing was that apparently Tony got married to Pepper. It wasn’t that much of a shock, he knew Tony wanted to propose to her before Strange asked him to help with Thanos. But apparently Tony has a daughter? Peter met her. Her name’s Morgan.
Other major thing was fact that this aunt, May, started dating again. Peter remember she was quite against it after uncle’s Ben death. For Peter it was shocking, so sudden, but in reality May started taking two years ago. Three years after Peter disappeared, and she must have been lonely… and decided that it’s time to finally do something about her life.
She met a man three years younger than her, so around fifty one years old. His name is Henry and he’s an attending physician. Peter figured they met at work considering May is a nurse. After he shook off the initial shock, he was excited to meet the man, to know what kind of the person he is. He was pleased. Henry seemed kind and could cook which was a pleasant surprise.
But as time passed Peter started to see something that concerned his already anxious and traumatised mind. Aunt May had Henry and she seemed to really move on with her life. Not like the teen could blame her. Five years is a lot of time but it didn’t change the fact that Peter felt like was put on the side. Did he tell her that? Of course not. Because who he is to ask for attention from his aunt?
Similar situation seems to be happening with Mr. Stark. Of course he still spends time with him but it’s been… shortened, because of Morgan. And can he blame him? No… of course not. He’s not his biological kid after all…
Peter knew he needs to understand that but it’s just difficult. Whole world spun around in matter of 5 hours. And now he feels lost. Because suddenly his aunt isn’t on his toes all the time. And Tony isn’t always by his side.
But he needed to learn that. To move on with it.
he didn’t want to.
This was another day at the tower. Usually Peter would stay at home with his aunt but at the weekends he is staying with Tony, sometimes at the tower and sometimes in the house by the lake. Today was the tower.
He was supposed to be in Tony’s lab, tinker with something, talk and just spend quality time with him. But now he’s standing in the shade of doorway to living lounge. Mr. Stark was on the ground, entertaining his daughter, Pepper by their side, reading something on her tablet, probably a stark industries document.
Peter just stood there, in the doorway. He watched quietly as the only person he called a father figure is being taken away from him by… his own daughter. Teen wanted to walk in there, to talk, to spend time with them, but the sigh was so domestic… so… odd. So new for him he felt like he isn’t allowed to interrupt it. To burden it with his presence. So with slow, quiet movements, he took a step back. And another, until his eyes started to burn and prickle as in corner of his eyes wetness appeared. With another few steps he quietly turned around and moved back to the room that was assigned to him in the tower.
He quietly entered the room, closing the door behind him. It felt odd. Nothing changed in the room. Nothing was ever moved for past 5 years. This place didn’t change but at the same time Peter felt like he didn’t belong in here anymore. Should he go back to May? But it’s weekend, and probably she’s spending some quality time with Henry.
What should he do? What should he do?
Gym. He can still be at the tower, not run away but at the same time he can run out his stupid emotions. He saw Captain Rogers do just that several times. Whenever Mr Rogers was angry or needed to get off some steam he was seen in the gym, punching several punching bags till they broke and spilled sand all over gym floor.
Teen isn’t the one to fight off his emotions, but treadmill sounds great at the moment.
After taking several deeper breaths to calm down his nerves JUST in case someone will be at the gym, he stands up and leaves his room to go to elevator.
It didn’t take him long to get there, he knew this tower in and out. He remembers it better than his family house. To be honest he didn’t even bother to change into gym clothes. He was already dressed in sweatpants and shirt, what’s more needed?
Peter stepped on the treadmill, clicked correct controls and walked. He walked so then he could run and when he started to run he just ran. He was so deep in his through while running in one place that he haven’t realised when Natasha entered the gym. She expected it to be empty but she doesn’t mind some company.
Except Peter still haven’t realised that she’s here and it’s completely out of ordinary. Is his sense not working? She thought to herself before stepping a bit closer and taking a look. Now she could see that kid seemed troubled. Eyes sunken, looking down, dark circles around them and slight red irritation on the skin in the outer corners. Tear burns. He was running through a finish line. Usually when she would run on treadmills with him or with other avengers, like Steve, Barnes or Sam they would make a bet or set specific goal of miles.
Kid was running just to… run. And it’s not usual for him either.
Natasha cleared her throat and stepped closer. Finally she spoke.
“Hey baby spider” She said with gentle smile. Peters eyes widened and he stumbled a bit before maintaining his pace.
“Hi momma spider…” He said softly, a little out of breath considering for how long he has been running. Natasha smiles a bit warmer under her nose. These names were something they picked up some longer time ago on dual mission, and it kind of sticked, and stayed.
Nat tried to stay cool but she really wanted to know what is going on with the kid. “What’s up? You seem troubled…”
Peter hums before responding softly. “Nothing, I’m fine.” She just rises an eyebrow at him and after glancing at her he sighed. “Okay, I’m not fine, but I don’t want to talk about it.”
That made Natasha sigh but she respected it. She, too, doesn’t always want to talk about her problems and/or thoughts. She nodded before jumping on the treadmill that was on his right. “Kay, we don’t have to talk about it…” She said quietly before staring her own machine.
They run for 45 minutes before Natasha admits that she needs to catch her breath. She’s not in her top shape but it’s not surprising at all. People age, and she went through a lot of shit, even time travel. Besides 45 minutes? Great run, fast pace, intense. Good.
Meanwhile Peter haven’t shown any signs of stopping. He was sweating so much now, and at that point Natasha realised he haven’t brought any water with him.
“Kid, off the mill. You need to drink something.” She ordered in her 'no nonsense' tone, at the same time handing water bottle filled with electrolytes to the teen. It was her bottle but definitely Peter needs it more than her. After all she doesn’t even know for how long he’s been running for but definitely longer than her.
Peter didn’t halt to stop, he didn’t even turn his head towards her. That was it. Natasha stepped up beside his treadmill and slowed it down before turning it to stop. Before the teen could protest she took the power cable out. That made the kid whine softly.
“Come on kid. Drink.” She ordered. Peter sighed deeply before grabbing the water bottle and drinking from it. After a short moment he gave the bottle back and and wiped his mouth.
“Thank you…” He mumbled softly. Nat just nodded and smiled gently before speaking.
“So… you’re sure you don’t wanna talk about it?”
“Nope.” Was all she got back from the teen which made her sigh. Slowly she nodded her hair with small grimace.
“Okay… but if anything is going on… and I mean anything, good, bad, exciting, boring… you can always go speak to me. Or to Steve if you wanna.”
“Captain Rogers?”
Nat nodded her head before explaining. “Yeah, he’s most down to earth in this building I believe. And I know if that if you have trouble you would go to Tony, but you don’t so… it’s a trouble with Tony?”
Peter froze at that. He could expected it since she’s the best spy to ever exist in his mind. She sees through this better than anyone. The kid just sighed and shook his head.
“No matter… I don’t want to talk about it.” He mumbled as he finally jumped off the turned off treadmill and started walking out of the gym. It was rude to leave her like that but he just couldn’t handle these things. He wanted to just forget about it.
Maybe it would have been better if he just stayed gone?
…
Where that came from? No, he doesn’t want to die. But technically he didn’t die if he came back. He was just gone. No, these are not the thoughts for today.
Days passed but he didn’t feel better. At May’s he felt like a inconvenience, at Tony’s he felt burden. This left him with no real places to go. Not like he would go somewhere without them knowing, wouldn’t he?
It was another one of these days. He was supposed to go to Mr. Stark home but suddenly he got a text from him. As his phone pinged, he picked it up to see message from Tony. It read something about Peter better not coming over since Morgan is sick with some kind of stomach bug and he doesn’t want him to catch it.
He understood it, but at the same time May is busy got the weekend. He can’t just tell her that he needs to stay at home. Even if it is his home. Last thing he wants is to be an… inconvenience for his aunt.
Ned wasn’t available and he doesn’t think MJ will take him in since she has some kind of girls night. Whatever that ment coming from her. So Peter couldn’t think of any place to stay. So he didn’t think. He just grabbed his bag, packed few essentials and put on his Spiderman suit under his normal clothes. He knows that suit has a heater. Days are warm but… nights? Will he stay out for the night? But it’s whole two nights, it’s not good. Screw that. He been through worse.
For two whole ass days he was just swinging around the city and walking around park. Just to kill time. Till Monday it is.
Saturday evening Peter could let himself sleep outside again. Today was cold and damp because it rained for two hours straight before 8pm. So benches were drenched and wind was cold with high humidity.
When he finally entered his house he could hear laughs. One belonged to aunt May and other to Henry. Slowly he entered in he way he hoped he won’t be seen but that was quickly bummed.
“Petey? You’re back quick. I through you’ll stay with Tony for whole weekend?” She asked with gentleness and curiosity in her tone. The teen turned towards her and saw that she’s sitting on the couch. Henry standing beside the coffee table, holding plate with sandwiches. He was looking at Peter too.
“Um… Morgan got sick and Mr. Stark said it’s better if I go home…” It was a half lie. After all Morgan is sick and Tony told him to STAY home so… it’s almost truth. May just nodded gently before speaking.
“Well, okay...”
“Are you hungry, kid?” Henry asked. Peter nodded quickly without even realising how eagerly he responded. May huffed softly at that with slight smirk.
“Whoa, Tony didn’t feed you or what?” She asked with a gentle chuckle. Kid rubbed the back of head nervously.
“I’m just… I’m just hungry.” He admits softly and looks up at them. Henry nodded and then pat May’s shoulder before going to kitchen.
“I’ll fix you something real quick and you go wash up.” At that Peter looked down to look at his clothes. He looked a little dirty, he needs to admit that. With nod of his head he quickly moved upstairs to his room, grabbed clothes and moved to the bathroom. After long, warm shower he went back downstairs in his pyjamas.
He could sense a wonderful smell of cooking food which made his stomach rumble.
“It smells so good…” As he entered the kitchen he comments quietly as he steps closer towards Henry. The man smiled at him gently and with soft hum he spoke.
“I’m glad. I hope you like spaghetti the same way your aunt does.”
“Oh I LOVE spaghetti!” Peter said with more enthusiasm than ever. He was awfully hungry, but he wouldn’t admit it.
***
Basically that’s how it looked like. Bouncing from one place to another. Somehow fitting but never fully.
It was another one of these days when he stayed with Mr. Stark in the tower. But Tony started to see some things. Peter isn’t as talkative, and as present. But he blamed in on the fact that teen in most likely traumatised after what he went through. With that thought, he didn’t asked. He wanted to give kid space.
Oh what a mess it turned into.
The day when teen’s emotions were too much to handle came not too long after all these events. He was sitting on the rooftop of the tower. Alone, he just wanted to be alone. He not really wanted it but he didn’t want anyone to see how much of a mess he is at the moment. Soft hiccups and tiny sniffles escaped from him as he couldn’t hold back any longer. The though of him being put to the side hurts much more than he would want to admit. Why him? Why can’t he have a dad. Why can’t he be someone’s favourite? Does he doesn’t deserve to be taken care of? Should he grow up already? He’s sixteen. He’s a god damn child. He wants someone by his side. To love him for who he is. For just being him. Not for power, for his intellect, not for his achievements. For him.
Tears rolled down his cheek, one after another before he couldn’t catch a full breaths. With hiccups and chokes he sobbed into his arm, still sitting on top of the roof. He was so distracted by his painful thoughts that even his spider sense didn’t picked up that doors to the roof has been opened.
Steve peeked his head out to look around. In reality he didn’t expect Peter to be here. He froze for a moment before realising that the kid is crying. Slowly he took a careful step forward, towards the teen on the roof.
“Queens?…” Steve’s words startled the teen a bit. He quickly started wiping his eyes and looked around to see the tall man.
“Mr. R-Rogers- I-” Peter tried to find his words quickly to not come off as a weak kid that is crying alone on the roof. Steve sighed softly and walked a bit closer towards him.
“You’re okay?”
“Y-Yeah.. I’m- um- what are you doing here?” The teen tried to change the topic, put the attention away from him so he could get at least few more moment to get his shit together.
Steve noticed that and nodded internally, understanding that he needs to give Peter a moment. In that case he answered his question honestly.
“Well… I was looking for Buck. He felt a bit down earlier and when he does so he goes to the roof. Just for some solitude and fresh air I guess.” With gentle smile on his face he slowly kneels down beside the teen to even their faces a bit. “Is it same with you?…”
Peter sighed deeply, wiping his face from drying tears. After a bit he nodded softly, admiring that he did the exactly same thing.
Steve hummed softly before turning more towards the teen. “Do you, want to talk about it?…” His voice was soft, lacking any kind of sarcasm or mocking towards valid emotions of the teen. Peter just shook his head, still keeping everything bottled inside he just wrapped his arms around his legs and put his chin on his knees. The man gave him a moment to rethink if he actually doesn’t want to talk about what’s going on.
They sat there together, in silence for so long that suddenly doors to the roof opened once more. This time it was Bucky who probably didn’t expect anyone to be here. Which he worded out quite confidently…
“What the fu- what’s going on here. It’s my spot to be a little whiny bitch here.”
“Bucky! You can’t speak like that in front of a child!” Steve almost gasped at Bucky’s words. Surprisingly the slight barter between these two men made the teen chuckle softly through almost dried tears. Rogers saw that and hummed softly before looking back at Bucky. His eyes were a clear indication that there is something going on with spider kid.
Bucky took few steps before nudging anxious teen with his foot. Once, then twice.
“Come on bud. Since you took my spot let’s talk Stark into getting us some food, huh?” The oldest man offered with a monotone voice and a hint of hope that kid will help him buy over the billionaire of the house.
But to their surprise Peter quickly shook his head as he felt fresh set of tears burning at his eyes as he tries to hold them back. In this exact moment Steve and Bucky realised that this is something going on with Stark for sure. They shared a silent stare before Bucky sat down on the other side of the kid.
It took them long to even get any words out of Peter but when they finally did it was nearly not enough to understand what is going on. They decided to help him up off the roof and took him back to the living quarters of the tower. Steve did brought something to eat for the kid, because to be honest he was looking slimmer than few months ago.
After another useless try at getting information out of the troubled kid they just gave up on it and decided to keep him company, which seemed to help. They wrote down internally in their minds that quality time is beneficial for him.
After that evening Steve decided to figure things out on his own, without pressuring young hero. So he did the only reasonable thing to do in this situation.
“Naaaaaaaaat! Natasha are you there?” He shout out in the gym before he was hit straight in the face with rubber exercise band.
“Don’t shout like a coyote at night. Whatya want?” She mumbled from the floor as she was on a training mat. Steve realised she was in the middle of her rehab exercises for her knee. She messed it up pretty badly after last mission.
The man hummed before walking closer and handing her back the rubber band.
“Do you know anything about the kid? I mean… he’s so… closed off. And well, you’re the eyes of this tower so I wondered if…” He tried to lay it down slowly just in case if she didn’t see anything, and he wants to respect Peter’s privacy and emotions and not spread around the word.
Natasha hummed before speaking. “Actually yeah. I tried to talk to him on several occasions. He really doesn’t want to talk about it but I believe there’s something going on between him and Tony. I tried to confront him about that but Tony said that he thinks it’s because of trauma, which is… fair. Like kid been in space, at the war against aliens, and he’s… a kid.” She stood up from her mat and wiped sweat from her forehead. “I just think there’s some miscommunication between them, as always.”
“But it seems more serious, really. Kid is constantly-“
“Crying?” She cut him off suddenly at which Steve looked at her a bit surprised.
“Yeah…”
“I know… he has like these little tear burns in the outer corners of his eyes. Cause tears are salty and all that… natural eyeliner but I don’t want little spider to be sad.”
He nodded quietly, taking in all information he had gotten from her and all he knew to make it into one piece. It’s about him and Tony. Kid is sad, Tony is giving him space. Everything have slowed down. He rubbed bridge of his nose before looking at Natasha with risen eyebrow.
“Eyeliner…? It’s the… dark line over the eyelid..?”
“I sometimes forget fact that you were born in the 20’s and never experienced 80’s” She deadpanned.
Tony couldn’t handle the pressure anymore. Natasha asked him lately so many questions about Peter and/or how he’s rising Morgan. Rogers came over more often to check on young vigilante but he was still closed off. Even he once caught Barnes staring at his kid! What the hell is going on?
All these thoughts were running through his mind as he was slowly rocking Morgan to sleep. She sometimes had nightmares and Tony tried to keep a close eye on her. It’s not like she demanded constant attention but in times of fear he always stepped up.
After he made sure and checked several time that Morgan was asleep and breathing well in her bed he quietly left the room. He went to living room where he found his wife, and love of his life, Pepper.
“Morgan’s asleep…”
“Good…” She looks up at him with a smile that quickly falls off her face. “Oh… something’s wrong…” It wasn’t a question but a statement. She knew him well enough to know when Tony is anxious or overthinking.
Man just nodded. He knows better than to lie to her as there’s no use in that.
“I’m worried about Peter… something is wrong. And I think I really need to talk to him. Like not just ask but maybe even… pressure him a bit to tell me what is going on.”
“Pressure him?”
“I don’t want to do that but… Pep we haven’t even changed a word since he arrived on Friday… he didn’t act like that.” With quiet footsteps Peter moved towards living room but his steps halt to a stop when he heard Tony speaking. The man continued.
“Pep, that’s not my kid.” Was all he heard. Peter’s heart dropped to his feet and throat squeezed. Fresh tears burned as his chocolate eyes. He quickly turned on his heel to walk back to his room. Quick Steps swiftly turned into a run as he wanted to shut himself behind closed doors. To bad he was constantly wiping away tears from his eyes because he didn’t even really knew where he was running. Or rather he know but he didn’t realise the obstacles.
When with full running impact he hit against something firm he tripped on the ground. With hiccups and sniffles he wiped his eye before looking up. It was Steve Rogers. He run into him while having full blown breakdown. Great.
Peter tired to stand up and quickly run past him but he was quickly caught and picked up slightly, so his feet wouldn’t be able to touch the ground and run.
“Hey hey, no. You’re not going anywhere in this state.” He wanted to protest. To get out of his steel strong hold. But the more he struggled the weaker he felt, and more tears fell from his eyes. Slowly he stopped struggling at all and he surrendered to Steve’s hold. A hiccup after hiccup followed as his breathing became harder with each passing second. “Kid, don’t do this to me. Deep breaths. Hey. Come on. Shhh… Shit.” He mumbled under his nose with distress. He looked around but there’s no one in the hallway to help him. “Come on Queens, speak to me. What happened?”
After few choked out breaths the young one finally managed to find words and speak. “H-He doesn’t- he- he said I’m- I’m not-“ Words were shaky and not easy to understand but Steve did his best to listen and figure out what he’s speaking.
“Who said what?” He asked softly. His grip never left the kid in fear he will run away once more.
A sniffle turned into a cry before he could continue. Peter felt his throat tighten and hurt, it as like if he had swallowed a whole God damn tangerine at once and it would have stuck in his throat. He could breathe, barely, but pressure was still there.
“M-Mr. Stark- H-He said I’m n-not… I mean-n.. I-I’m not- n-not really b-but-“
“Queens. Deep breath. Tony said you’re not…?”
“I-I’m not his k-kid.”
Steve froze. He couldn’t believe that Tony would have said that to Peter. This kid was, in fact, Tony’s kid. Always was and was supposed to always be. After all Peter was the main reason Tony invented time travel. He stated it firmly that he’s doing it, all of that, the world saving, to bring back his kid. So what happened. What changed?
Steve grabbed Peter’s shoulders and turned him around so he could face him, look him in the eyes and ask.
“W h a t ?”
Kid sniffled softly. “H-He said I’m not his k-kid…” He repeated but this time his voice sounded much more hurt even tho it was more controlled. Steve shook his head head in disbelief at what he’s hearing.
“Are you sure he said that? He said it to you?”
“I-I w-was walking t-towards living room a-and he w-was talking w-with m-miss P-Potts… h-He told her that I-I’m n-not his k-kid… I-it’s stupid of m-me because I-I never r-really was b-but I thought I-I- That I maybe…” Before he had a chance to finish his shaky response, suddenly he was pulled into a tight embrace. Peter didn’t knew what to do before he slowly leaned towards the hug. His cheek resting against man’s shoulder. It felt good. It felt… paternal in a way. And for past months it’s all he wanted, all the kid wanted.
“It’s okay kiddo… I do believe it’s big misunderstanding… really. But you need to calm down for now. Come on…” With that, kid was taken moved out from hallway and taken to Steve’s and Bucky’s room so he doesn’t feel lonely. Especially now.
This evening was finally the day of confrontation between these two. Peter and Tony really needed to talk. Problem is that Peter didn’t want to. He was just talking about he needs to leave and go back to aunt May’s house and how he wants to go there. Natasha figured it was because he felt safe here and none of them would be there so they can’t make him talk with Tony. Too bad she was really tired with all that bullshit, so she tricked both of them to walk into one room and before realising what was happening she locked both of them in there.
“You will talk it out and none of you will leave until everything is settled!” She called out before stepping away from the door.
Tony and Peter looked at the door confused before looking at each other. Peter quickly looked down to avoid any eye contact while Tony took a real good look at him. He gasped quietly and gently reached toward him.
“Kiddo, how much have you been crying?” He asked with worry but his hand was pushed away the moment he made contact with his cheek. He stilled for a moment before slowly withdrawing his hand. Tony really didn’t understand what was going on with his kid. “Hey… what was that for?…” Peter stayed quiet. Not really wanting to start any conversation after everything he heard.
Tony hummed nervously and rubbed his face against o clear his mind. Then he looked back at Peter with even softer but much more concerned look.
“Okay… I did something… something that clearly upset you, and it’s not about this… war we had but something that happened after all of that. But you need to tell me… because I really don’t know what is going on.” Tony once more tried to reach out towards the kid but once more he was met with smack on his hand to pull away. Kid never pushed away physical affection. Tony knew how much this kid starved for paternal physical touch most of his life. This wasn’t normal. Tony sighed deeply and rubbed bridge of his nose to think about how to do that.
And then he just sat. And watched. He waited but all his attention was on the kid. All his attention was directed towards Peter. He didn’t check his phone when it pinged. He even silenced it when someone was calling him. He was looking only at him.
Slowly the teen looked up at his mentor. His eyes were a tiny bit red considering the amount tears he unleashed just few hours ago. He sighed softly before trying to speak again to the teen.
“Capsicle told me you wanted to pack your stuff and leave… why?…”
At that Peter finally took a breath before sniffing a bit. His voice was so shaky, like his whole body would crumble with just one blow.
“You don’t want me a-anymore…”
Tony froze. His eyes widened as he looked at Peter like he had grown a second head right here, right there.
“What?!” He quickly covered his mouth before maintaining his confusion and shock. “What…?” He repeated more softly before adding. “Kid… where the fuck did you get that idea from?”
Peter quickly wiped his tears in confusion and sniffled softly. It took him hot second to respond in which Tony gave him a tissue to blow his nose into. He still sniffled tho. “You said it yourself…” He whimpered out.
Tony froze once more, this time to look deeply into his memory to find where the hell he ever said this kind of stupidity. But no matter how much he looked through it he never found any clues.
“Please, kid, I need you to tell me crystal clear what I’ve said, word for word, that made you think I don’t want you.” Tony grabbed his shoulders firmly, not letting him to get away from this situation. He needed to know where he fucked up.
Peter looked at him. He felt his throat tighten once more. The boy was… confused. A bit lost even. “You said ‘that’s not my kid’ to miss Potts…” He managed to whisper out. “A-and it’s not like it’s not r-right… I-I’m not really your kid. I-I never was.. it’s just.. I-I. I thought that maybe y-you’ll… s-see me as one a-at some p-point…” Peter was tripping over his own words but Tony didn’t stop him. Kid was quiet for such long time, he wanted to hear every little bit that concerned or troubled the teen. He wanted to listen. To know more.
So Peter continued. With each word more and more tears poured into his eyes and out on his cheeks. “A-And now you have M-Morgan. I-I thought you won’t w-want me anymore s-since you h-have a r-real k-kid o-of your own. A-and after I saw how you a-act with her and all I thought I-I was burdening you… that I don’t fit.” He started wiping his eyes as he couldn’t even see anymore though his tears, but words never stopped coming.
“And I was distancing myself t-thinking I-it’s for the better b-but it hurts! I wa-ant you… and want to be around you and miss Potts… and I want to meet Morgan better… I want you to still mentor me… to show me around s-so I can learn from you… b-but it’s- I…” He took several deep breaths. This was moment we’re Tony realised he needs to step up or kid will hyperventilate if he doesn’t calm down at least a bit. Slowly he pulled him pulled him closer and wrapped his arms around the teen.
Peter froze for longer moment before trying to pull away, just to have a look at Tony. But man didn’t let him. He held him close, as close as he could. Just to finally feel that teen was finally calming down. His breathing evening out. Only after that he let Peter pull away slightly from his embrace. He looked down at him and kid looked up at Tony. Peter closed his eye when he felt man’s hand wipe his cheek.
At that moment teen realised that Tony actually had tears in his eyes too. Not as much but his eyes were glassy. This made him gasp quietly.
Tony gently pulled the kid closer once more, resting his cheek against boy’s head. Softly, he spoke.
“Never… every think like that again… you are my kid… you were my first kid… and I’ll never, ever want you think that I don’t want you. Okay?… I really see great things in you… and not only things that you will do in the future but just you being you… and for gods sake I don’t mean only that times when you’re nerdy and sweet, but also when you feel overwhelmed, sad or mad… You’re not build a bear kiddo…”
Peter puffed up his cheeks as he tried to finally force himself to stop crying. He felt overwhelmed with many emotions but he didn’t want to cry anymore, really.He pulled away from the hug, he looked up at Tony once more and spoke. “But I’m not your kid…”
“Yes you are.” Man protested.
“No, I’m not… you said that yourself.” Peter responded with a bit more sharpness in his voice than he wanted it to.
Tony sighed and shook his head. “Listen… if you would have eavesdropped whole conversation, you would have realised that what I meant is you’re not acting like my kid… I mean- like you did before everything happened. You were so closed off and quiet and avoided me… avoided US. But I pushed it off as that you need space after everything what happened.” He looked at this kid more carefully, holding his shoulders tightly, but thumb was grubbing gentle circles on kid’s skin.
“You’re traumatised for sure… You were sixteen, on alien spaceship... fighting titans on another planet. Then DIED in my own God damn fucking hands and I couldn’t do anything…” Tony felt his words turning into a squeak as his throat tightened. He looked away for a second to collect himself before looking back at the boy. “… Then you came back and in… for you five hours but actually after five years… fought once more, survived, adapted and… and I thought you need time…”
Considering everything he said Peter knew he was a mess but he just now realised that Tony went through this hellhole too. It was scary for Tony as much as it was scary for him.
Teen couldn’t find any words so slowly he just leaned into Tony once more, wanting this closeness more than ever right now.
“So… you don’t hate me… you want me to stay… you want me as your kid… and you still want to teach me what you know…?”
“Yes… shit, yes. I really do want to… kid… please..”
Peter eyes widened at the clear plea coming from Tony. It was so unexpected. He didn’t knew how to react. He just pulled away from him to look once more at his face.
Man on the other hand was looking at the kid, at his kid, so intensely Peter was worried his eyes were about to dry out right now. Softly the teen continued.
“And… you won’t replace me?…”
“Never. I wouldn’t even dare.”
“Promise?…”
“Promise… you’re no less of my kid than Morgan.”
Peter wanted to cry. He was as much of Tony’s child like Morgan was. Like his blood born daughter. He quickly pulled his palms up to cover his eyes as he was about to burst into tears again. This time happy ones.
Tony hummed and pulled him into a tight hug once more.
“Besides. I already have it written in my will, just in case, don’t judge me, that if anything happens I want you to go into Pepper’s footsteps and be next CEO.”
That made Peter squeak as he pulled away from Tony once more. This time fast and sharp, driven by shock.
“WHAT?!”
“Huh? What ‘what’? Why are you surprised? I was planning it for past few years… I mean… for past year you were present, but you know. The hell you thought protégé means?”
“Um- a usually younger or less experienced person why receives guidance from some sort o-of a mentor.” Peter set out a textbook definition. Tony nodded and motioned with his hand for him to continue. Boy furrowed his brows. “I tought you mean like follow your footsteps into being a hero and engineer!”
“No- I mean- Yes! But also I see you as future of SI. Kid, that’s why Pepper gave you so many lessons bout how to act with press, showed you around her office…”
“I thought it was in case my identity was revealed…”
“Oh boy…” Tony chuckled softly and gently combed his hair. “Oh you’re still so young… you’re my kid…”
When Natasha came back to check on them she, to her pleasure, realised that the father-son duo finally was a father-son duo once more. So to keep her promise she finally let them out of the closed room.
For the rest of the night Tony took Peter to Pepper and explained everything that happened, what Peter thought and why he acted the way he acted.
They were just happy to be all together again. And none feels left out anymore.
And just to be honest: Peter and Morgan will be menace duo of siblings. Menaces towards everyone.