As they sat by the lake, Tony felt a wave of gratitude wash over him. The laughter of his children echoed in his ears, a sound that somehow made the harsh realities of their lives seem distant. Morgan and Peter were more than just kids to him; they were his lifeline, his reason to keep fighting the good fight.
“So, what’s next on the agenda for our day off?” Tony asked, breaking the comfortable silence. “Ice cream? Mini-golf? Or perhaps a round of ‘how many times can I embarrass you in public’?”
Morgan perked up, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Ice cream sounds perfect! And I’d love to see you embarrass Peter in front of his friends. That would be epic!”
Peter groaned, playfully rolling his eyes. “Thanks, Morgan. Just what I need—a social media highlight reel of my most cringe-worthy moments.”
“Hey, you’ve got to embrace the awkwardness! It builds character,” Tony chimed in, his voice laced with amusement.
They made their way to a nearby ice cream parlor, where the sweet smell of waffle cones wafted through the air. The place was bustling with families and friends, all enjoying their own moments of bliss. As they stepped inside, the colorful array of flavors displayed before them felt like a treasure trove waiting to be explored.
Morgan immediately dashed to the counter, eyes wide with wonder as she scanned the selections. “Dad! Can we get the cotton candy flavor? Please?”
“Only if you promise to share,” Tony said, raising an eyebrow in mock seriousness.
“Deal!” she shouted, bouncing on her toes.
Peter chuckled as he stepped up to the counter. “I’ll take mint chocolate chip, please.”
After ordering their ice creams, they found a small table outside, where they could enjoy their treats under the warm sun. Laughter and chatter surrounded them, creating a comforting background as they dug into their cones.
“This is amazing!” Morgan exclaimed, her face lighting up as she took a big bite of her cotton candy ice cream. The blue and pink swirls dripped slightly, and she quickly caught the melting ice cream before it could escape.
Peter laughed, shaking his head. “You’re going to get brain freeze if you eat it that fast.”
“Worth it!” she declared, sticking out her tongue, which was now a vibrant blue.
Tony watched the two of them with a smile, feeling his heart swell with pride. It was moments like these that made the chaos of their lives feel manageable. No battles, no enemies, just family. He took a deep breath, savoring the simplicity.
As they finished their ice creams, the sky began to darken slightly, clouds creeping in from the horizon.
“Looks like we might have a storm coming,” Tony said, glancing up at the sky. “Let’s head back to the Tower before it hits.”
Reluctantly, they made their way back, still chuckling and teasing each other about their ice cream choices. The atmosphere was light, and for the first time in a long while, Tony felt a sense of normalcy settle over them.
---
Back at Stark Tower
Once inside the Tower, the comforting glow of the evening lights enveloped them, a stark contrast to the brewing storm outside. The tension from the morning seemed to dissipate, and they all sank into the couch in the common area, content to just be together.
“Anyone up for a movie?” Tony suggested, reaching for the remote. “I think I have a few old classics we could revisit.”
“Only if it’s not a superhero movie,” Morgan teased, crossing her arms dramatically. “I can only take so much ‘dad humor’ in one day!”
Peter laughed. “Then we’re definitely watching a superhero movie. It’s tradition!”
They settled in for a marathon of old action films, laughter and popcorn flying as they enjoyed their time together. However, as the evening wore on, Tony couldn’t shake the feeling that something was lurking beneath the surface, just waiting for the right moment to strike.
But he pushed those thoughts aside, choosing instead to focus on the present—on the warmth of his children’s laughter, the light in their eyes, and the love that surrounded them.
---
A Storm Approaches
As the first raindrops began to fall outside, Tony’s phone buzzed on the coffee table, breaking through their lighthearted banter. He reached for it, glancing at the screen.
It was Nick Fury.
Tony’s heart sank slightly. He knew that a call from Fury wasn’t typically good news. He quickly silenced the phone, not wanting to worry Peter and Morgan.
“What was that?” Peter asked, a hint of concern in his voice.
“Just work stuff,” Tony replied, forcing a smile. “Nothing to worry about.”
But as he looked at the storm brewing outside, he couldn’t shake the feeling that their moment of peace might be short-lived.
---
The family continued to watch their movie, but Tony’s mind was elsewhere. He couldn’t ignore the responsibility that came with being Iron Man, and the thought of leaving his children unprotected weighed heavily on him. He would do everything in his power to keep them safe.
Suddenly, the calm before the storm felt ominous, and he knew that whatever awaited them next would test their strength as a family.
YOU ARE READING
His Protective Dad (Starker FF) Completed ✓
Hayran KurguA story of Peter Parker (Stark) and his sweet, dangerous yet loving dad Tony Stark. A story where a 16 yrs old boy loves his father dearly, who can do to make his son smile. But what happened when his dad found out about him (peter) getting bullied...
