You Are Not Tony Stark

When Your Husband And Son Are Superheroes... 3/3

"Why are you on your way to London?" Pepper asked hysterically. They were supposed to be on their way home!

"Someone has to stop the madman. By the way, Edith has not been lost. Beck stole her."

So, yeah, her last days were hell. Now she waited for Tony to arrive home with Peter. She would go to the airport with him, but she knew that as soon as she saw her son she would lose it. Finally, there was the clink of the elevator, and she immediately ran into the corridor.

"Uh, hey, mom," Peter said nervously. Visually, she could not tell that he had suffered any injury due to his rapid healing. Pepper was glad for that. Looking at him when he is hurt is too much for her.

"You're so in trouble," she murmured, hugging him tightly.

"I know, but I'm fine!" he whispered, returning her embrace.

"Well, at least one of us is. Tony and I almost died worried about you!" she said with tears in her eyes and stepped away from him.

"I'm sorry, Mom, but someone had to stop him!"

"And that someone must have been you, didn't you?"

"I don't know what you want me to say. I didn't mean to, but that guy was about to destroy London and I was closest. What was I supposed to do, let people die there? Let my friends die there?" he said in defense. Tony just stood there, knowing better. There was no point in interfering with their conversation.

"I know you couldn't, I just wish it didn't have to be you."

"It happened."

"Just so you know, no Spider-man while we're in Malibu," she said, and Peter gave her a disbelieving look.

"What?"

"You heard me."

"But I just found my lost power to put on a suit! I'm not afraid that whenever I put on a suit, I die, anymore."

"But I am! Don't you understand? If it was for me, you would never wear that suit again!" she snapped.

"Then I'm glad it's not up to you!" he cried.

"You know what? Fine. Do what you want," she retorted and was gone before he could say anything.

"So I think we should talk," Tony said after a moment of silence, leading Peter into the living room where they sat on the couch.

"She can't make that decision for me," Peter murmured as they sat down.

"I know this, Pete, and believe me she too, and that's why it's harder for her. If it were up to her, I would never wear a suit again too. But she realizes it's part of us. She will never want us to give up this. In return, we must understand something. Sometimes Pepper is somewhat hysterical, but you must realize how much she has to experience with us. How many times she thought I died. How many times she got into danger because of me. How many times she was worried about you. You died. And that was hard for all of us, but she watched you turn into dust. And there was nothing she could do about it. And then she was alone. And she stood. She is so strong. I think the real hero is her, not us," he explained, and Peter felt terrible. Of course, he knew all this.

"I know, dad. I'll go talk to her," he said, getting up from the couch.

"I'll order something for dinner so far. We're going to Malibu tomorrow."

Peter nodded, then started up the stairs. He found Pepper in her home office sitting at her desk looking out the window.

"Uh, I want to apologize for screaming," he murmured as he slowly walked to the table.

"An apology is accepted," she said in a monotonous tone, still turning her back to him.

"Can you look at me? Mom, please," he rasped.

"Sometimes I think I'd rather have an ordinary husband and an ordinary son," she said, turning to him.

"Wouldn't it be boring then?" he asked nervously.

"Maybe, but imagine how much stress and nerve would save me."

"I am sorry."

"Don't apologize for who you are. Would it be nice to have a normal life? Maybe. But I wouldn't trade mine for anything," she said with a small smile.

"I know it's not easy for you, and as long as I have something to say, I'll make sure my dad and I always come home."

"I want to believe you, Petey, really. But after all the years I live with Tony, I know this promise is not fulfilled. And that's all right, hun. I know what life I chose."

"You know I love you, don't you?"

"And I love you, Pete. It doesn't change the fact that you don't take your suit to Malibu. Spider-man has appeared in Europe, and if it appears in Malibu, it may be of interest to anyone. And we don't want that."

"Yeah, okay, that makes sense," he murmured.

"You should go pack your stuff."

"Well, I will, but so far I have just received a hug for greeting. Where is my kiss?" he asked teasingly. Pepper finally smiled fully and got up from her chair to kiss his forehead.

"Now go," she said and she ran fingers through his curls.

***

Wow, we had a couple of stress parts right now, so we'll have some more fluffy next time. I don't know when the next part comes out, because even though writing this makes me really happy, I don't have as much time as I would like. Plus, November and December are not exactly my best months. Be safe <3