Tony's life wasn't all that great before Pete showed up. Sure, he had Pepper, Happy, and Rhodey but those people just gave him small glints of happiness. Don't get him wrong, he loves his girlfriend and close friends. They just... had their own happiness without him. He's definitely a confident guy. Like, c'mon, he's THE Tony Stark. But sometimes he likes having someone around who isn't overly concerned about his money, like lots of past girls and guys he's hung out with.
To be honest, he never thought he'd be a good mentor. But when Peter looks up at him after figuring out yet another way to improve his web fluid, he can't help but feel proud. The pure joy and happiness that Pete radiates is infectious. It's definitely left a lasting mark on Tony.
So, when said ray of sunshine comes into Tony's lab looking gloomy and beat down, Tony can't help but be concerned and confused.
Tony watches as Peter comes in like he does every Thursday after school. Something is different today though, Pete has an unusual sag in his shoulders and deep bags under his eyes.
'Okay, somethings wrong with the kid. Let's fix it.' Tony thinks to himself. "Hey, kid. Everything alright?" he asks, swiveling his spinny chair to face Peter. "Hm? Yeah, just tired." Peter says, taking a seat next to Tony. Tony thinks for a moment, 'Okay, he's not going to open up immediately. Let's try having a normal evening.' he sighs.
"So... how was school?" Tony says, not used to being the one to start up their conversations. Peter shrugs "Fine" he doesn't look up from the hologram of web shooters that he's editing. "Fine? Just fine?" Tony asks, raising an eyebrow.
Peter's days are never just fine. He never just leaves it at that. Tony usually struggles to get Pete to stop talking. Not that he minds when Peter rambles.
"Yeah. fine." Peter says, with the slightest bite to it. That's what really tipped Tony off that something was up. Peter never gets an attitude with Tony. never. Tony turns to face Peter, turning off the hologram Peter was working on. Peter huffs, turning to face Tony "Is there something I can help you with, Mr stark?" Peter says snidely.
Wow, attitudey Judy over here needs to calm down before Tony forgets who he's talking to and snaps at the kid.
"Yeah, actually, there is, Pete" Tony huffs "Mind telling what the hell got you so screwed up?" he doesn't mean to come across as snippy but the kid is starting to get on his nerves. Not because he's being moody but because he won't tell Tony what's wrong. Tony hates not knowing. "Nothing. Just had a shitty day at school." Peter mutters, gaze shifting down to his sneakers. "Okay, I definitely know something's up. You just cussed. You never cuss. What happened?" Tony sighs, looking the kid up and down.
"Well... it was normal at first. The usual teasing from Flash but then all my books fell out of my locker, I was late to class, I spilled my lunch tray, then tripped in the gym, and May called and said that she is working late tonight. So im going home to an empty apartment. May is gonna sleep in late and then go back to work so I'll be alone all tomorrow. I'll be by myself on a Saturday. How pathetic is that? Both Ned and Mj are busy so there's no chance of me not being alone." Peter mutters, not looking up from the ground.
Poor kid, he just wanted to not be alone this weekend.
"I guess I can just go patrolling all day tomorrow." he adds. Tony sighs "Okay, kid. You had a bad day, that sucks. You are not going to patrol a bunch tomorrow, im not letting you overwork yourself like that. You can come hang out here tomorrow, yeah?" he asks, patting the kid's shoulder.
Peter smiles "Really, Mr stark? Are you sure I wouldn't be bothering you?" he asks. Tony laughs "You could never be a bother to me, Pete." he gives Peter a small side hug, patting him on the back.
"Thanks, Mr stark" Peter smiles, still a little down but his spirits have been lifted a little. Tony turns his chair back to the workbench, Peter pauses "Can you put my web shooter design back up?" he mumbles. Tony nods and turns them back on, returning to his own project.
They sit in peace for a while, peter talks about his new comics, maybe not as much as usual but it's better than silence. Tony appreciates it.
Tony doesn't know what he'd do without his light, his ray of sunshine, his kid.
((originally posted on Ao3: triplets_love_Brooklyn99))
