Growing Up

10 Years Old: Part 2

Tony met the team and Peter right outside the gate, handing them each their passes but keeping Peter's. After Peter declared he wanted to hold it until they got through the gate, Tony hesitantly handed Peter's pass to him. Holding onto it tightly, Peter made sure not to let go of it and accidentally lose it. The last thing he wanted was to get to the gate only to find out he couldn't get in. The second they were through the gates, Tony took Peter's pass back and put it in Steve's backpack.

As they got swept away in the crowd, Peter didn't need to be reminded to stay nearby. His grip on Natasha's hand became iron and he stayed glued to her leg as they walked.

They were halfway down Main Street when the first person recognized them. As the crowd surrounding them became thicker, Bruce disappeared and Peter held onto Natasha even tighter. The more people that crowded around them, the more panicked Peter became. A glance down at Peter told Natasha all she needed to know about how comfortable he was. Smacking Clint's arm, she drew his attention to Peter's growing panic. Clint looked down at Peter only briefly before scooping him up on his shoulders.

"Better, kid?" Clint asked.

Peter nodded, glad to be out of the crowd, and Natasha nodded at Clint. Several minutes later, security dispersed the crowd and the team was able to regroup and continue into the park. When Tony noticed Peter on Clint's shoulders, he paused.

"How'd you get up there?" Tony asked rhetorically. Peter grinned.

"Uncle Clint picked me up," he answered. "Can we go find Mickey Mouse now?"

"Sure, kiddo."

He glanced at the map he had managed to snag at the front gates and looked at it for a moment before exclaiming, "This way!" and leading them off in the direction Mickey Mouse was supposed to be.

* * * * *

It was 11pm when they finally returned to their rooms after late-night shows and a long day of exploring. Peter had fallen asleep on the car ride back, so Steve carried him up to the hotel room. Trailing into the Stark suite after Tony, Steve laid Peter in the single bed in Tony's room. He uttered a quiet goodnight and walked through the adjoined door into his and Bruce's room. From the hallway, Clint and Natasha muttered a goodnight as well before walking into their room across the hall.

"Daddy?" Peter whined from his room, eyes still closed.

Tony flicked off the lamp and stood in the doorway.

"Yeah, buddy," Tony replied, smiling softly. "Did you have a good day?"

"Mmm," Peter hummed. Tony smiled and let Peter fall back asleep.

* * * * *

The week they spent at Disney World was what Peter said to be the best week ever. Sure, school was starting in two days and his birthday was actually the day they were flying back to New York, but Peter didn't mind. The entire flight back to New York, Peter talked non-stop about the trip and insisted on staying at the Compound with the team for another night together. While they did stop at the Compound, they didn't stay long. Only five minutes after sitting on the couch by Steve, Peter fell asleep so Tony called Happy to come pick them up.

Pepper met Tony in the penthouse living room. When she saw Peter fast asleep in Tony's arms, she decided to wait just a bit longer before scolding Tony for all the work he had missed.

Taking his time, Tony tucked Peter in his bed (even if it was only 3:00 in the afternoon) then returned to Pepper. There were stacks of files on the coffee table and a list of things she needed his opinion or approval on, but even Pepper couldn't hide her small smile at the sight of Mickey Mouse ears on his head. Some vacations—no matter how troublesome—were worth it.