Tony's face was cleaned up, the small wound still raw, but not bleeding. Him and Steve were out on the couch, with some other Avengers, watching a random show that was being displayed on the t.v.. They have all been quiet, mostly focusing on the show, but the two men gave quick glances to each other, almost as if they want to start talking, but didn't know how. Luckily no one noticed, or if they did, they did mention it.. Almost as if on cue, the door gave three pathetic knocks, and then a live camera showed off a kid who was banging on the door.
Tony quickly got up, opening the door and letting his son in, chuckling softly as the kid brushed passed, complaining that he didn't have a key, or voice recognition so he had to knock.
"Relax, we'll put your voice in soon" Tony smiled, following the kid into the large kitchen.
Peter kept his head down, frantically pacing everywhere, not knowing how to shake off his dad. "Well I have homework, so if you don't mind" The kid brushed his shoulder against the old band shirt Tony was wearing, stopping once the older man's hands landed on Peter's side arm. Pulling the kid in front of him, he put his free hand under Peter's chin, raising it up slowly to reveal a black eye.
"What happened to you?" Tony questioned, suddenly panicked.
"What happened to you?" Peter returned, taken aback by the mark on the older man's cheek.
"Lab accident, now answer mister" Tony commanded, sounding stricter then intended.
"Tripped" Peter suddenly jerked his arm out, rushing to his room, not wanting to talk to anyone anymore. Tony quickly followed after him, wanting more information. As the two passed the living quarters, he saw the rest of the squad turning their heads, confused by the rash movements. Tony quickly gave a shrug with wide eyes, expressing his knowledge on the sudden outburst. When he saw Natasha stand up he silently mouthed the words 'stay here' and continued towards Peters room. Once he was in front of the closed door, he knocked, and asked to come in, only to be presented with no words. Now sitting on the floor, he continued.
"Listen kid, I know it's hard to open up, believe me, but it feels so good once you do, it's like that satisfying sound when you open a soda" Tony questioned where he was going with this. Nat rounded the corner, wanting to know what was going on and looked at him confused as to why he was talking about beverages while he was outside his son's door. Quickly giving another shrug, he continued. "All the carbonation get's build up, but once you open the seal, or in this case your heart, everything that was once build up inside, the pressure, the drama, the problems, is now released. giving you the fresh feeling" He put his head in his hands, embarrassed for the lousy pep talk he just gave. "Pete?" Tony questioned again, trying to get any form of response.
"Please just leave" A small whisper came, trembles could be heard afterwards, and the kid trying to steady his breathing. Tony now biting his lip and harshly closing his eyes from the heartache he just retrieved, he nodded silently, knowing that Peter could'nt see it though. Nat walked closer, holding Tony's arm and helping him up and into the living quarters once again, rubbing his arm the whole way there.
The teams confused whispers turned into sympathetic looks as the saw the heartbroken man in front of the them. Nat gave them all a warning glare, then helped the man sit down, giving a reassuring smile, even though his eyes were still closed. Feeling the pressure of everyone's stares on him, Tony slowly started to open his eyes, only looking at the ground and taking deep breaths.
"What happened?" Natasha whispered in his ear, trying not to push him.
"I-I don't know, he came in, and wouldn't slow down and was just rushing everywhere. And then I finally stopped him, and he had a black eye!" The last part was more of a whisper scream, to not let the teen know that he was talking about him. "And when I asked what was wrong, he just said he tripped and went to his room and asked me to go away. I'm being too dramatic aren't I? I need to trust him when he said he fell, because he wouldn't lie" He looked around to everyone, soaking in all the expressions they gave, which so far is dumbfound or looking at the man like he just said he would drive the Hawaii. "What?" Tony asked, utterly clueless.
"Uh, he obviously didn't trip Tony" Sam spoke, looking at the so called 'genius'.
"What do you mean? He lied?"
"He's a teen, he was covering up, he hopefully just got in a fight" Sam continued to explain, trying to keep Tony calm.
"Hopefully?" The whole team now looked at Sam confused, not sure if he had made a mistake or was just an idiot.
"Listen, he's spiderman, so if he got into a fight, you know the other guy lost, easily" He started to explain, but it made Tony wince, suddenly remembering what Peter had told him about what happened to the guy in the alley. "Also it could be worse, a fight means he got payback, but if he had gotten beaten up, the other guy is fine, which isn't what we want for them touching your precious Pete" Everyone started relaxing, realizing that the once crazy man was now wise, but Tony was still uneasy, thinking about those two options.
"I guess, but I'm going to go to bed, it's already 4:32..." Tony tried making it sound late, but instead he just sounded like a grandma.
"Whatever T-iron" Sam yelled, smiling at the pathetic nickname that he thought was catchy and fantastic.
Tony quickly gave the weirdo a well deserved objectified glance, then continued to his room, which wasn't too far of a walk. Once he got into his room and closed the door though, he didn't know what to do, all he wanted was cry, but he knew it wouldn't help. He desperately looked around the room for things to keep his mind light and off of Peter. Nothing popped up so he decided to dig himself a deeper hole and go on the internet. He swiftly typed in a few search words, consisting of 'how to help teenagers' and 'what happens when your son won't talk to you about things'. He read, and read, for hours, until he got so frustrated he almost snapped his lap top in half. Setting it aside so it wouldn't harm it, he sat on the floor, now feeling worse than before. He put his back to the wall, hunching over so his tears were caught by his sleeves that curled around him. He heard movement outside his door, and then hearing doors open and close, knowing it was everyone going to their rooms to sleep, relieving him that they wouldn't be able to hear the sobs. But after a few moments of silence there was a small crack appearing from his door, being open slowly to reveal Steve, looking around for the man who was on the floor.
"How come I keep finding you on the floor recently?" Steve lightheartedly chuckled, closing the door and quietly walking towards the fragile man.
"Because you come to me after my business hours" Tony returned the soft humor.
Steve sat down next to him, looking over to his lap top that was left cracked so light rebelled off. Picking it up and examining it, he read through the few sentences it had already pulled up. "17 tabs?" Tony slowly nodded, almost ashamed. "Tony, I think you did this one to yourself this time" All the man did was give a small noise of acknowledgement. "Well I guess you just need another speech" Steve stated, trying to trigger an action, which he received. After the eye roll Tony gave, both men looked at each other, Steve with the biggest goofiest grin.
"Did you know when you smile you look like a child in a candy store?" Tony snorted, his old personality soon returning back to him.
"I'll take it as a compliment" Steve looked back down to his lap where the endless articles were held. "You know this isn't okay though right? This is self destructive, Peter is going through something and it's going to be harder to go through it when the only person you trust is suffering too."
"I know" The shameful look returned.
"But it's good that you're doing research, just don't do this much, and this intense. I know you're a nerd and all, but still, learn to slack off" A punch in the arm was earned from the light insult, but both just smiled afterwards. "Give Peter time, I'm sure he'll be alright, he's a tough kid, he can do it"
"Thank you" Tony's eyes were starting to droop, the tiredness clear in his relaxed facial expressions.
"Of course, come here" Steve motioned him into his arms, squeezing the back of Tony and holding on like his life depended on it, but not too hard to hurt the man. "You good now?"
"I think so" Steve got up, holding out a hand to Tony, and helping him up. Once both men were up Steve gave a little nod before turning towards the door. "Wait!" Tony held out his arm, holding the other man in place. "I feel like I'm just going to be more destructive tonight, so could you sleep in here to stop me? Almost like a sleepover?" Tony felt embarrassed for suggesting it, but he knew he needed supervision right now.
"The one and only Tony Stark invited me to a sleep over? I would love to" Steve smiled cheerfully, chuckling a bit during his sentence.
I just got teeth pulled and did a ropes obstacle course and I'm literally dead lol. But I like the comments, so keep those coming darlings. Also which is better, the Captain America movies, or Iron Man movies?