Spiderson & IronDad One-Shots

Hard Times Call For Family

     Tony sat in his lab as he rubbed his tired eyes. Insomnia had haunted him all night. What time was it? He groaned when he heard someone enter.

"Pepper, I'm not going to bed. I'll only stay up longer," Tony said, not daring to look up.

"I believe if I were Pepper that you would listen better."

Tony's head shot up and he saw Steve Rogers. Tony sighed and rubbed his eyes more. Steve came over and took a seat across from the playboy.

"Tony, we haven't talked in a bit. You've been distant with everyone. Peter hasn't been to the tower recently either. What's going on?" Steve was sincere, his jaw tight and his face flowing with worry. Tony winced at the sight. He hated getting emotional. The only times he could do that was around them though, his family.

"I can't sleep, coffee doesn't help. I'm having . . . flashbacks, nightmares," Tony's voice was wavering as he spoke. "The nightmares I've lived. The way I've treated others. Alcohol. It's all a big mess. I'm forty-eight, Steve and I'm not getting younger."

"Tony, what do you mean flashbacks? Is it . . . Civil War," Steve asked, he shifted uncomfortably and noticeably shifted back from the man a bit.

"N-no, Steve. I-It's Thanos. It's the nightmare that Wanda had me live."

"Tony-," Steve started as he felt sympathy run course through his body.

"Steve, I watched you die and it was my fault. Thanos was my fault! Peter died in my damn arms all because I could never finish a fight! IT ALWAYS FINISHED ME!" Tony stood and threw a stack of papers across the room. Papers flew everywhere.

"Tony! Calm down! It's not your fault, it's not," Steve was up to and was inching closer to the confused man.

"It's all my fault Steve. It's all my damn fault," Tony was sobbing, shoulders shaking in defeat. "I can't even hold myself together anymore. Pepper says that I have nightmares every night. It scares her! I can't look at the woman I love because it hurts too damn much to see her pain for me. I hate it! I hate that people love my dumb ass! Pepper deserves better. She wants kids but not with me because of this stupid hole in my chest. I have it because I think I still need it. I don't," He was crying and hiding his face.

"Tony, Pepper loves you. Don't hate any of us loving you because you feel like you don't need it. You do. You've sacrificed everything to save everyone. What did it cost?" Steve was close enough to grab the man into a hug.

"Nothing," Tony answered. He risked everything and it had costed him everything. He stayed and loved, it costed him nothing.

"You're going to get through this. We're all here," Steve assured.

"How am I going to get through this Steve?"

"We're going to get through it together. It's always been together."

"Oh god, I've pushed the kid away," Tony wiped his face. Steve frowned and came closer and grabbed the man into a hug. Tony didn't ignore it. He returned it.

"M-Mr. Stark? M-Mr. Rogers?" Peter asked from the doorway. He was soaking wet with his backpack hanging from on shoulder. His clothes he wore to school cling to his body from the rain.

"Oh kid, what happened?" Tony asked as he left the hug.

"I-It's raining, I'm sorry am I interrupting something?" Peter frowned.

"No, come here." Tony said. Peter squeaked his way to Tony.

"I-uh- I didn't get your floor wet, I promise. There's papers on the floor here though and I don't want to get them wet," Peter mumbled as he stood right in front of Tony. "Happy said that I needed to come to the tower. You wanted to talk to me?" Peter was nervous. Was he in trouble? Did Tony not want him to help him anymore? Did the Avengers have a problem with him?

"Kid, I can see things going through your head right now and you are not in trouble," Tony sighed as he wiped his face again.

"Were you crying? Mr. Stark what's wrong? D-Did something happen?" Peter was now in an instant worried about his mentor.

"I'm fine, Kid. Come here," Tony opened his arms.

"I'm wet-"

Tony grabbed the boy and hugged him. Peter hugged back. "I love you Pete, please don't ever think otherwise," said Tony.

"I-I love you too, Tony." Peter looked over Tony's shoulder to see Steve smiling at them. Peter smiled back. Tony let go and ruffled the kids hair.

"Alright, I don't need to get anymore soft. I'm already getting fat, let's go eat." Tony wrapped an arm around the boy. "And get you some dry clothes."

Steve watched the two walk out. Tony shot a look at Steve that screamed "thank you," along with a warm smile. Steve nodded.