Then Again

Chapter 5

Peter and Percy were thick as thieves and the two stayed at each other's place so many times that all of the guardians were on first name basis. Bunk beds were featured in both kids' rooms, and they had many movie nights together. Aunt May and Uncle Ben had many days where they had a cup of coffee with Pepper Potts, or did yoga with Bruce Banner, and some days they could not believe that was their life.

Besides Tony and Bruce, Peter was close with James the most out of everyone. He adored the soldier, asking question after question about his metal arm, and it was obvious that James was charmed by the boy if the way he willingly answered his questions was any indication. If the soldier was around, Peter was following him around like a duckling, gazing at him like he hung the moon and stars. Percy usually followed the other boy because he was bored and thought it was funny. It was entertaining to watch the three of them walk around the tower while James did some of his tasks around the place.

Percy had started school once more and had now started his second grade classes. He had proven to be smarter than anyone realized and had been able to join the class meant for children older than him. He thrived in that environment and always made sure to tell his favorite people about everything he learned. He was always happy about everything and used big gestures to describe anything that he wanted to say.

It wasn't uncommon to see Peter and Percy doing homework together even though both were on different academic levels at the moment. They were always adamant about doing their school work before anything else, which was a blessing for their guardians, and always helped each other study. Peter assisted Percy with his addition and subtraction, and the seven year-old helped by reading out Peter's flashcards and putting aside the ones the older needed to work on.

"He's like a whole different person." Tony observed from where he sat in the living room with some of the other Avengers, watching as the two children built something out of LEGO. "For a while, I was really worried about him."

"They're perfect for each other." Natasha spoke as she laid across the love seat she claimed as her's. She had originally had some concerns for their friendship only because of the age difference. She was scared that their mindsets wouldn't mesh well together and there would be spouts of arguments, but it appeared that her fears were unfounded. The closest they had come to an argument was when they were fighting over the last cookie and it was only because they wanted the other to have it. "It's one of the cutest things I've seen."

Tony hummed, nodding. "Percy's been interested in going to a summer camp. Apparently, some of the kids at school have been going and told him all about it."

James nudged the genius' arm with his shoulder, his hands too busy with the scarf he was attempting to crochet. "And? What do you think?"

"From what I read up on, it's pretty great. The camp itself is active year-round but they offer summer classes to kids, so there's an option to sign them up full time or partial. There's studying opportunities, extra curricular... Every instructor is background checked, and even JARVIS approves of them."

"So, why do you sound so nervous?" Steve piped up, holding James' yarn so it wasn't just sitting on the floor. "Don't want him to go?"

Tony sighed, nodding. "It's a great opportunity for him, but I guess I'm just nervous with everything going on. I think I'm going to talk with Ben and May, see what they think. I'd feel better about this if Peter was going, only because they're always hanging out together anyways."

"Even if Peter doesn't go, it'd be a good thing for Percy to get more comfortable with other kids, too."

"You're right, I guess I'm just being..."

"A dad?" Natasha grinned, waving a hand in the air. "Welcome to parenthood, Stark. Let the kid go to the camp. It'd be a great thing for him."

Tony let out an even heavier sigh, and he looked like he could melt into the couch if James and Steve weren't in the way. "Fine, fine. I'll tell Percy after I talk to Ben and May and see what they think."

Ben and May agreed to Peter accompanying Percy to the camp, especially when they heard about the learning benefits offered to children of different ages. At first they were hesitant only due to the potential costs, but Tony assured them that he would foot the bill for them without a problem since it was his idea to see if Peter could go in the first place.

The first day they went, the boy would not stop telling their favorite people everything they loved about it. They said they hadn't really talked to the other kids due to both of them being on the shyer side, but they thought that a lot of them were really cool. They were excited to go back the next day, and Percy even said that he wanted to make a lot of friends so he could invite them over for a sleepover.

It took the occupants of the tower a bit to adjust to not having the ball of energy running around the place but, eventually, they managed. Tony managed to get a lot of work done for his company and always looked forward to hearing Percy's stories afterwards as a way to wind down after having to talk in numerous board meetings. A few of his newer inventions were centered around being children-friendly, which made his points soar as many parents clamored to get his items. He made sure to make them more affordable because he would hate to see a parent unable to help their child because a lack of funds. He had thought about making a program to help struggling parents, but he was still trying to get the board members to agree on something on that front.

James, on his part, found himself reading more books and watching movies after he adjusted to not having his duckling follow him around the majority of the time. He and Steve made it so they went to different restaurants once a week and watched a new movie every night of different genres. It was their way of getting used to the twenty first century without having to rely solely on Tony and JARVIS' help. Surprisingly, it was beginning to look successful, and Tony looked shocked when James quoted The Princess Bride at him at one point.

Eventually, everyone managed to get into their own routines, which allowed hobbies to be found and bad habits to be worked on, like Tony's overworking tendencies and Steve's self loathing. Peter and Percy made a few friends at the camp, though Percy went to said camp more than Peter did due to the fact that Ned's parents wouldn't let him sign up for it. At first, Percy had been nervous about going without him, but he quickly adjusted and made sure to introduce the older boy to anyone he met while he was gone.

"I'm really happy." Percy hummed from where he sat between Tony and James as they watched a Disney movie in the living room. He pulled the blanket on his lap closer to himself, yawning as he leaned more on Tony's side. "I love you."

The adults smiled fondly at the boy, and Tony brushed a hair out of the child's face as the boy drifted off to sleep. "We love you, too."

xx

words: 1,276

song:  안아줄게요 (아이엔) Hug Me - Stray Kids (I.N) (Audio)