- Mr. Iron Man!
His thoughts were interrupted by a little boy's voice calling for him. Peter was racing back to him, his hands filled with what looked like Lego racing cars. Peter was almost there when one of his feet got caught on one side of the carpet and the little boy started falling, face forward to the floor and no hands available to catch himself. Tony jumped into action and quickly caught the kid before he could face-plant on the carpet.
And in that moment, with a little kid in his arm, kneeling on the softest carpet he had ever seen, soft curls tickling his face and little pieces of Lego poking his chest, Tony finally felt complete.
***
Little giggles escaped from Peter's mouth as he tried to stand on his feet again.
-Mr Iron Man, you caught me! Is it because you are a superhero? I am sure that's why. You are used to saving people all the time.
Tony laughed softly with him.
- I will always catch you Peter. Now, show me what you got!
The boy pushed himself away from Tony's chest and waved the Lego excitedly while explaining to the older man what it was.
- It's a spaceship! I made it myself. Do you like it?
Tony took the "spaceship" in his hands and studied it with attention. He could feel Peter's stare as he awaited the genius's opinion.
- Where did you get the pieces from? It kind of look like two cars smashed together.
The little boy's expression immediately changed to one of sadness.
- It is what I used to do it. We don't have Lego spaceships so I took the pieces from the Lego cars we have.
Tony was impressed that the little boy even thought of that and even more by the practical design he had given to his ship. It looked a lot like a real one but Peter seemed to believe the opposite after hearing Tony.
- It's alright. I know it's not really great anyway. And you're like, the best inventor in the world, so it's normal if you find that my ship isn't good.
Peter's voice had dropped to almost a whisper and his voice sounded like he was about to cry. Tony rapidly shook his head and put a finger under Peter's chin to force the little boy to look at him as he spoke again.
- I am very impressed Peter. Your ship is very realistic. Especially if you only used car pieces to build it. I just couldn't believe you had made that, I am pretty sure I couldn't make such a great ship.
Peter's face instantly light up at these words and he jumped in Tony's arms and quickly wrapped his arms around the man's neck. Taken aback, Tony froze, unsure how to react to the little boy's hug.
- Thank you Mr Iron Man, mumbled Peter, but I know you could do it too. Would you like me to show you how I did it?
- Of course, I would love that!
And so, the two spent the next hours looking over the different features of Peter's spaceship. The little boy even opened the encyclopaedia to show Tony what ships he used as a model for certain part and Tony asked a hundred questions to Peter about how he thought the spaceship would function if it was a real one and which features he would like to add. The older man was listening very seriously to the little boy, never interrupting him but also adding his opinion when he felt like it was needed.
***
In this moment, sitting down on the floor, his legs stretched in front of him and covered by the encyclopaedia and multiple Lego pieces, as he build a new spaceship with Peter at his side, giving directions on how to assemble the different pieces, Tony forgot everything. The rest of the world, the Avengers, Stark industries, how lonely he was, his past mistakes, his miserable childhood. All that mattered was here and now, the beautiful voice of the little boy filling his ears and the very important task at hand.
However, the two inventors were interrupted by someone clearing their throats. Snapping his head up and looking around, Tony realised that the room was now empty saved for Peter and him and it was also dark outside.
How long had he and Peter be building spaceships for? The silent question was answered by Sarah.
- Peter, it's almost dinner time. Please put the toys away and go clean your hands before joining the other children in the dining room.
Her voice was gentle but firm, she wasn't giving the little boy a choice and Peter nodded his head, a little upset that he had to leave his spaceships and Mr Iron Man. Tony understood him completely, he would have gladly spent the rest of his night building more spaceships with Peter. But he quickly got up and helped Peter put away the Lego and placed the encyclopaedia back on the bookshelf. Before Peter left the room however, he turned toward Tony and seemed to hesitate.
- What is it kid?
Tony's voice was gentle, he had quickly learned that the boy reacted badly to being rushed.
- Thank you Mr Iron Man, I had fun with you.
Tony smiled but he could tell Peter wanted to say something else so he crouched in front of the kid and looked directly in his eyes, waiting silently for the little boy to speak again.
-Would you... would you like to... maybe... if you want... would you like to come visit me again?
Peter's voice was so small yet so full of hope that Tony's eyes welled up.
- I would love to Peter. I had a lot of fun too.
Peter's smile was so big, Tony was pretty sure it was hurting his face.
- Thanks Mr Iron Man. Bye!
With that, Peter ran out of the room and Tony was left with Sarah. She gave him a kind smile.
- There is someone waiting for you by the front door.
Well, that was not what Tony had expected her to say.
- Someone waiting for me?
-It's Captain America, explained the young woman with a blush colouring her cheeks.
Another thing, Tony was not expecting her to say. He thought maybe Happy would have somehow found him and come to pick him up, but Rogers? What was he doing here? After thanking the woman for everything again and making sure he had the orphanage's details in case he wanted to come back to see Peter, Tony walked slowly to the front door. As the billionaire stepped out of the building, he spotted Steve leaning against the fence, looking over the water.
Tony walked to him and leaned next to his friend looking in the same direction as him. Brooklyn was standing there, just on the other side of the river.
- I went looking for a place in Brooklyn today.
- That's great, did you find anything you like?
The two men were talking quietly, still not looking at each other.
- Yeah, but nothing in my price range. Life is definitely more expensive in this century.
Tony chuckled.
- You know you don't have to find a place. You can stay at the tower for as long as you wish.
- I know Tony. It's just that, I think it would be good for me to have my own place again. I can't expect you to shelter me forever. And even if it's not the same, Brooklyn is still were I come from, were my roots are.
