Rising From the Ashes • COMPLETED ✓

32.) Don't Do What I Do: Tony Stark

TONY STARK - IRON MAN

July 16th, 2017, Stark Tower

"Tony, you are a horrible cook," Pepper nudges my shoulder, her blonde hair turning white with confectioners sugar and flour, her eyes and nose wrinkled from laughter.

Looking around the kitchen, I see that almost everything is covered with baking ingredients, just like Pepper and I. I think there's more outside of the mixing bowl than inside, I realize with a frown. Pepper's chuckle keeps on taunting me. I sigh dejectedly as I flip another pancake. "I know, I know." Her laugh only increases at my surrender. Just then, the familiar melody of my cell phone goes off; interrupting the chaotic mess that I created.

"Go answer your phone, businessman. I'll try to salvage the rest of the batter." Pepper gently ruffles my hair and plants a kiss on my cheek, waving me off with flour-caked hands. I wipe my own dirty palms and fingers on my apron and hurry off to the living room.

"Stark. Who is this?"

"Hello, Tony. How is everything over there?"

My eyes widen at the familiar and gentle voice. "May? Long time, no see."

"Yes, yes. I assume you're extremely busy. Anyway, how's Peter and Africa?"

Peter and Africa? What? "Excuse me?" I couldn't have heard her correctly. 

"You know, your mission in Africa that you needed Peter for. He's been sending me pictures of the sunsets and animals there." A slight pause. "How is everything, Tony?" May repeats, her tone taking on a slightly suspicious light. 

Slowly, I start to piece two and two together. Steve has him. Not wanting to cause any more trouble, I clear my throat and play along. "Of course, sorry. Parker is doing wonderfully. He's a true superhero, always making me proud."

A happy sigh comes through the other end of the phone. "That boy. He's got me worried and anxious every second. It's good to know how he's doing. Can you put him on the phone? I talked to him today but—" 

Panic rises as I quickly interrupt her. "Oh my, May! There's an emergency. I have to go," Nice save, Stark, I roll my eyes at myself. 

"Okay, goodbye Ton—"

At this, I instantly press the hang-up button and sigh in relief as the screen turns black. Africa. I take a deep breath and let the fresh air in my veins help circulate thoughts into my brain. The flip phone Steve gave to me lies on my desk. It has two unread messages, both from him.

I don't know if I will ever open them.

Pressing a few numbers on my phone, I decide it's time to talk to Peter. I know that he's safe with Steve, but my gut urges me to call the kid. Where's all this sudden worry and dread coming from?

"Hey, Mr. Stark!"

I smile at the excitement in his voice, remembering when I was his age. But my smile dissolves into a grim line. "Peter, I know you're in Africa with Steve."

A small silence. "I'm sorry, Mr. Stark. Please don't be mad at me. I was going to tell you, but..."

"Mad? I'll never be mad at you, kid. Unless you do something I would do." I think of my father and all the times he yelled and lectured me. I made a vow to myself to never treat my own children like my father did to me. 

Peter chuckles, then clears his throat. "Mr. Rogers and Ms. Romanoff disguised as Mr. Hogan and you." Of course they did, I think with a shake of my head. "I got into the limousine with them, and after learning who they really were, I figured that they wouldn't hurt me. They need my help here in Africa, Mr. Stark. I promise I won't do anything you would do."

I sigh, "Alright, Parker. Just keep yourself safe and happy, okay, kiddo?"

"Will do, Mr. Stark. Do you want me to tell Mr. Rogers you said h—?"

"No."

"Okay, gotcha. I'll be sure to give you a souvenir, like a toy giraffe or something. Bye, Mr. Stark!"

"Farewell, Peter."

I stay on the phone for a few extra seconds, happy that he's safe and well-off, then hang up. Letting out a deep breath, I walk back to the kitchen, a weight that I didn't know was weighing me down now off my shoulders.

"Did you figure everything out?" Pepper asks me, her lips curving into a teasing grin.

"Yes, yes I did," I smile back at her. "Now, let's get back to making these pancakes, shall we?"

Pepper walks over and kisses me on the cheek. "If you call these burnt disasters pancakes," She laughs. I smirk back and nudge her in the ribs. I think of Peter. His favorite type of pancake is chocolate chip. After mixing the base for the batter, I walk over towards the pantry and pull out a bag of dark chocolate. 

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