A Slice Of Life, Death And Everything In-Between

The Perfect Surprise

A/N: This chapter is dedicated to one of my wonderful friends on Instagram @iron_and_washing_dads, who requested a fluffy ficlet to help her get though a rough day 💖 I hope that you enjoy this hon and I hope that you have a better day tomorrow! Keep your chin up okay, you're amazing and deserve the world!

To everyone else, I hope that you also enjoy and please let me know what you think, comments seriously motivate me to write more and I love hearing what you think!! You are awesome!! ❤️💙❤️💙

Disclaimer: I do not own Spider-Man or any related materials.

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"Okay, kiddo, I'm gonna need you to close your eyes."

Peter blinks, frowning in confusion. In front of him, Tony stands, one of his mentor's hands behind his back, his other now reaching out to gently cover Peter's eyes. His palm is warm against the teen's forehead, and Peter resists the urge to lean into the comforting touch.

"What? Why? Mr. Stark --?"

"Shh, bambi, just --" Tony seems to shift back on his heels, lifting up his hand once he sees that Peter has finally closed his eyes. "Good, okay, yes. No peeking though, mister, you'll ruin the surprise."

"Not that I'm complaining or anything," Peter says, listening as Tony shuffles around in front of him. "But why am I getting a surprise?"

"Remember a few weeks ago when you brought home all A's on your report card? And me and May took you out to dinner?"

"Yeah, and you both also embarrassed me in front of the entire restaurant and made the waiters sing "Happy Birthday" - when it wasn't even my birthday - to me while you recorded and laughed?"

"First of all, you looked adorable in that gigantic party hat, kid." Tony says, reaching out with his free hand to boop Peter's nose. The spiderling laughs, swatting his father-figure's finger away. "And second of all, you got free ice cream out of it so --"

"I mean, true but you were paying anyways so everything was free for me."

Peter can practically hear the way his mentor rolls his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, you only keep me around for my money, huh bud?"

"Duh," Peter says, trying to keep a straight face. He ends up laughing, however, when Tony pokes at his nose again, struggling to keep his eyes closed. "Can you just show me the surprise, please."

Tony shifts again, seeming to turn around and Peter subconsciously leans forward to follow, chest jumping in a sudden zap of anxiety. Tony must sense this, however, because he's back and cupping Peter's cheek before the boy can say anything, smoothing his thumb across Peter's pulse point before pulling away again.

"Anyways, like I was saying, after dinner that night, while you were passed out in the back seat of the car from your sugar-high - me and May have plenty of pictures of that, by the way - we talked about giving you a little bit more responsibilities."

"I'm Spider-Man, though. Isn't that enough responsibilities?" Peter asks, frowning.

"Of course, buddy, but I mean, like --" Tony cuts himself off with a small huff. Through this though, Peter can make out what sounds like a tiny heartbeat, much softer than both his and his father-figure's. "Responsibilities isn't the right word, I mean more support, kiddo. To help you deal with stuff."

"Like therapy?"

"Sort of." Tony reaches out, palms warm as he gently guides Peter's hands up, into a small bowl-like shape. "Just stay still. No peeking."

When the fuzzy ball of fluff finally gets sat in his hands, Peter has no choice but to open his eyes with a gasp. A tiny kitten sits, looking up at him with huge, green-yellow eyes, their black fur puffed out in all different directions.

"Oh," Peter gasps, bringing the cat up closer to his face, a beaming smile stretching his cheeks. "Oh my God, wow, I-I just -- I don't know what to say."

"It's okay, bubba, take your time." Tony says, his own grin in place, his dark eyes as soft as melted chocolate when Peter finally forces himself to look away from the now purring kitten in his arms.

"My apartment, uh, it doesn't allow pets." Peter frowns.

Tony chuckles, gesturing to the penthouse floor around them. "Don't worry about that, bud, you've got this place too, you know, and the Stark Tower always welcomes any member of the family, even the ones with four legs."

Peter laughs, blinking away sudden, stinging tears. The little bundle in his arms meows, arching up into his hands when he strokes down their back.

"She's awesome." Peter says when he feels he can speak without sobbing, gently patting the cat on their little head, laughing when they lean up against his fingers. "Thank you so much, Tony, seriously."

"You're welcome, bambi." Tony says, reaching out to carefully tug Peter against his side, pressing a kiss against his unruly curls. "And she's a he, by the way. He doesn't have a name yet, though."

"Hmm," Peter studies the kitten, feeling his little feet dig into his palms as he slowly clambers up, finally coming to rest against the spiderling's chest. He nuzzles closer to Peter, resting his head against the teen's heart, another small chirp escaping. "What about Ben? For his name?"

Ben.

"I think that's perfect, baby." Tony whispers, pressing another kiss against Peter's temple.

He steers them all over to the couch, sitting down beside his kid when the boy gets situated against the cushions, leaning into the other superhero's side. Ben, his bright eyes now closed in slumber, snores softly, his tiny heartbeat echoing through Peter's ears and the boy sniffles, rubbing his thumb across the kitten's fluffy ears.

"Where did you get him?" Peter asks after a few seconds, glancing back up at Tony.

His dad smiles, smoothing back his hair with a brush of his hand. "One of May's co-worker's cats had babies a few weeks ago. We were thinking of getting you a kitten for your birthday this year anyways, but she really needed someone to take him in. He was the last one out of the litter, the runt I think, and we knew he'd be perfect for you."

"Thank you again, Tony." Peter says, nuzzling himself underneath his mentor's chin, feeling the man's arms wrap around him in response, squeezing gently. "I love you."

"I love you too, bambino ." Tony whispers, his voice a deep and soothing rumble against the spiderling's ear. "I'm so glad you like him."

Peter smiles, smushing his own face against Ben's soft fur, feeling the kitten squirm slightly, curling up tighter against him. "I love him, he's great."

"I hope you also love cleaning out litter boxes, kid."

"Ew, really?"

"Yep," Tony pops the 'p,' ignoring Peter's whine of protest. He does, however, cuddle the teen closer, speaking the words against Peter's curls. "I change my mind about the responsibility slip from earlier, it totally still counts."

"Well," Peter glances down at Ben with a sigh, watching as his tiny mouth opens in a yawn, his sharp baby teeth a flash of white. "At least you're cute."

"That's what I say about you all the time, bug." Tony says, his voice rising on a yelp when Peter pokes his side. "Hey, it's true! You're adorable, and a little shit. An adorable little shit."

Peter just laughs.

A/N: Thank you for reading! 🥰