Because He Loves Me

Surprises at Dinner 3

15 minutes ago, in Kassidy's room

Kassidy had filled up almost ten pages of straight insults, not even entirely directed at Steve. Kassidy really wanted to throw the book she was writing into the wall on the other side of the room, but she didn't want her mom to hear the bump and then get even more mad. So instead Kassidy bit the book in her rage, and then felt very stupid for doing that. She sat in silence, digging her short fingernails into the book until she heard Peter's muffled voice saying, "Please mom, I'll be good!" And Kassidy wondered what Peter was getting. 

There was no doubt he was getting his mouth washed out, Kassidy heard him curse on the way upstairs. But since neither of them was really in the wrong, Kassidy thought she would be able to weasel her way out. Knowing full well she wasn't supposed to be on any electronics at a time like this, Kassidy glared at her phone for several minutes, before sending angry texts to some of her friends, severely irritated with her parents. Her friends all responded with "sorry to hear that" or "I know right" or "that sucks". Kassidy threw her phone onto her desk chair.

"One minute Peter." she heard her mother's voice say. Ugh, Kassidy wished she went first so she didn't have to wait. The suspense was more painful than anything. Unfortunately, Pepper and Tony both knew that Kassidy hated suspense, so they always put her last for punishment. 

Much to Kassidy's surprise, her bedroom door flew open just as Kassidy had gone to her window and started glaring at the stars and trees.

"Hi, mom." Kassidy said in an irritated voice.

"It's not mom." said her dad's voice. Kassidy let out a breath of annoyance, she hadn't wanted her dad to punish her, he was harsher. Kassidy didn't break her glare but she could sense Tony picking up her phone off her desk chair and sitting down.

"What was that about?" Tony asked.

"I hate him. He's mean and he doesn't deserve to be here." Kassidy said. Tony chuckled quietly.

"That's what Peter was saying when I passed by his room." Tony said.

"Excellent." Kassidy said. "My theory is confirmed."

"No, you just have similar opinions." Tony replied. Kassidy's eyebrows narrowed, but she kept looking out her window.

"Look at me, Kassy." Tony said. Kassidy ignored him. "Kassidy, now." Kassidy sighed loudly and then turned to look at him, shutting the window in one swift motion. "That was completely unacceptable. I know you and Peter were trying to defend me, but I don't need my children to fight my battles. I know how to deal with Steve. I am an adult, you are a little girl." Tony said.

"He was insulting you and Peter. I will never not defend you, and I will never let anyone talk that way to Peter." Kassidy said.

"Why the emphasis on Peter but not on me?" Tony asked. Kassidy shrugged.

"He's my brother. I've protected him at school, too, it's just more sensitive I guess." Kassidy said.

"Why have you had to protect Peter at school?" Tony asked.

"Because high school sucks, and Peter doesn't know how to retaliate to girls. Girls who are MEAN!" Kassidy said, yelling the last word.

"Shhh, okay. I know you're frustrated, but you don't have to yell." Tony said. Kassidy turned back to the window. "I sorted things out with Steve, but Pepper will be here to talk to you in a few minutes. Stay off your phone." Kassidy gave him a side glance. Did he know? Tony just left. The door swung open three seconds later and Pepper was standing there.

"Hi, honey." Pepper said, sitting on the bed. Kassidy decided to get it over with faster so she went to the bed and sat down next to her mom.

"What did Peter get? Is he okay? Can I see him?" Kassidy asked. Pepper smiled.

"I know you want to go protect Peter, but he's with Tony and you and I need to talk about what happened down stairs." she said. Kassidy sighed.

"Kassidy, Peter only got his mouth washed out, because of his cursing. But you didn't curse. I'm not going to wash out your mouth, but you're grounded for a week. Tony's telling Peter that he's grounded as we speak." Pepper said. Kassidy nodded. "Stand in the corner for ten minutes while you think about the apology you're going to give when you go downstairs."

"Okay, can I see Peter first?" Kassidy asked. Pepper smiled.

"I'll bring him here." she said. And five minutes later the door opened again and Peter, Tony and Pepper were standing there. Peter and Kassidy ran to each other, then hugged. Pepper smiled and Tony whispered in her ear, "he was begging me to see her." Pepper nodded. "Kassidy was too." Kassidy looked at Peter, his eyes are red and there are dried tear streaks on his face, but new ones were crossing them.

"Okay, Kassidy has some corner time, Peter you have some too in your room. Think about your apology." Tony said. And with that the three left Kassidy in her room. Peter did think about what he wanted to say, but Kassidy was only thinking about how embarrassing the apology would be, and how undignified this corner was making her feel. 

When Pepper came back ten minutes later, she walked Kassidy to meet Peter and Tony, who were right outside the lounge where the Avengers were. Neither could remember the last time they had felt so childish, and though the apology had been haunting Kassidy's mind for several minutes now, the embarrassment and dread was only beginning to creep up on Peter, who was now shifting from foot to foot. Pepper went to sit down, so now Kassidy and Peter were alone in the front of the room with Tony. 

Tony put his hand on his son's shoulder and pulled Peter in front of himself. Tony could feel the tension on Peter's back, so he let his son lean his back on him. Then he wrapped his arms around him, which seemed to relax Peter a little bit. Tony knew that Peter was now embarrassed for both his actions and that he was being forced to apologize. He also knew that both children knew exactly what they had done wrong the second they had done it, it had just taken a little punishment and a little talk to make them realize it completely. 

Kassidy appeared to be handling it very well. She knew that she, unlike Peter, did not look like she had been crying - which she hadn't been - and since her mother wasn't behind her, she looked very strong and defiant standing by herself, away from her father and brother. Kassidy was on the inside, however, very scared, and didn't want to do this at all. The only thing she was in and out was unapologetic. She was not only not sorry at all, but she didn't look like she was either.