Inescapable

Ch. 44

A/N: I am so sorry for taking so long to update!! It has been a lot of personal stuff that have gotten in the way. I have in no way forgotten about this story and still have so much more for you all. This one may be a little short, but I promise to make up for it soon!Enjoy!

2023... 6 years later

Tony scratched his beard as he waited for the coffee to brew in front of him, the smell slowly permeating the air and helping him further from his tiredness. When the machine beeped, he poured himself a generous cup and had to practically stop himself from taking a huge gulp and burning his throat in the process. He was exhausted, not because he spent hours tinkering away at the lab like his former self would have, but for a more fulfilling reason. To which said fulfilling reason he heard running down the hallway at what is probably a reckless speed. Tony hid behind the counter, smirking when the running produced a little brown hair menace opening up a pantry cupboard. He schooled his face to a serious one and slowly rose without a noise before clearing his throat and saying, "Anthony James Stark... what do you think you're doing?"

The boy froze up and Tony had to bite back a chuckle as he watched him stiffly turn around to face him. His small face was downcast to the floor so that all Tony could see was his brown chestnut hair, so reminiscent of his very own. "AJ, look at me squirt." Tony said softly, to which AJ slowly raised his head to look at his father in the eye, eyes that were so much like his mother's.

When they had found out that they were going to have a son, Tony worried he would become his father and that the same story would repeat itself. But Y/N eased his worries and reassured him. Once AJ was born, Tony lived and breathed for that kid. There wasn't a doubt in his mind what type of parent he was going to be after that.

"Sorry dad..." AJ mumbled, looking upset. Tony ruffled his son's hair as he spoke, "You know your mother likes to make sure you have a balanced breakfast." AJ nodded as he spoke, "I know dad. But I really wanted some Pop Tarts." Tony patted his shoulder and led him back to the pantry, grabbing a Pop Tart package off the shelf. He tossed it and AJ catched it, face lighting up. "Don't tell your mother."

"Don't tell his mother what?" Y/N called out, and both Tony and AJ jumped, like two kids with their hands literally in the cookie jar. Tony bent down and whispered to AJ, "run!" He didn't have to say it twice, the boy bolted fast, leaving his father to take care of it for him. Tony quickly turned to look at his wife, making sure to turn up his sexy swagger.

"Hunny..."

Her eyebrow was raised, and she was looking at him expectantly. "Tones..."

Tony swaggered his way over, wrapping an arm around her waist, pulling her in close. "Good morning sweetheart." He pulled her closer, lips coming to touch hers. She smiled into the kiss and was smiling when he pulled away. "Good morning, Tones, now do you want to explain to me why our child just ran out of here with a cheshire grin?"

Tony blew out a small puff and waved his hands in the air, turning back towards the kitchen as he spoke, "Nothing Hunny. Let the boy be a boy."

He looked back to his wife to find her staring at him with one eyebrow raised and a smirk on her face. "Sure thing Tones. I'll just make sure to send a hopped up on sugar AJ to the lab later for you to deal with." Tony grimaced a little, his act of kindness to his son coming back to bite him in the ass. Nevertheless, he held his ground and changed the subject. "Sooo... what's on the agenda today sweetheart?"

Y/N saddled up next to him, preparing herself a cup of coffee. "I've got a meeting with Pepper regarding the SI and Avenger partnership fund tomorrow in Cali. I'm heading out on the jet this afternoon."