I'm Just Human

Chapter Three

"Have fun at school, Peter!" Tony says, pressing a kiss to the kid's temple before ushering him onto the waiting school bus.

"Bye, Daddy!" Peter shouts, giggling loudly as he skips up the steps of the bus.

"I can't remember a day when I was happy about going to school," Carol laughs when Tony re-enters the house.

Peter's been going to school for about three months and it's been easy between the family. Tony's still working at the grocery store, fixing cars, and starting his new business. Carol has been promoted up a floor in her government building but is still a secretary. Rhodey has enlisted for the military but probably won't hear back for another couple months.

"I still can't believe he's already so old," Tony says. There's a hint of melancholy behind his voice despite the teasing tone. "He's going to be graduating before we know it."

"Graduating kindergarten, yeah, but he's never leaving high school if I have any say about it. He's going to stay little forever," Rhodey says, walking down the steps.

"I wish," Tony sighs. He knows that the older Peter gets, the more expensive it'll get. New clothes and hobbies and more food. But they'll have better incomes then and it'll be okay. At least he hopes so.

"What are your plans for today?" Carol asks, heading into the kitchen to finish eating her breakfast.

"I've got work all day. I'm heading out in a few minutes," Rhodey replies, checking his watch quickly. It's a shitty knock-off watch that he's had since he started University. Tony's had to fix it at least a dozen times since then, but he refuses to buy a new one.

"Same here," she says, shrugging as she checks the clock over her shoulder. They only have one car to share between the three of them, normally saved for Saturday Groceries and picking up Peter because gas is expensive. "My ride's going to be here any minute."

Carol always carpools to work with a nearby co-worker. She doesn't have to pay her friend anything if she brings coffee occasionally with her. Rhodey takes the city bus out.

"I've got a short shift at the grocery and then a car to fix this afternoon before picking up Peter. I'm having an appointment with the bank tomorrow after work, so could one of you pick the kid up at two?" Tony says.

"We're both working, Tones," Carol says with a sigh. "I can get off early, though and get him."

"You're the best," the mechanic says, kissing her on the cheek before following Rhodey out the door to the bus station.

*

Tony's almost finished his four-hour shift at the grocery store, mostly spent restocking shelves and helping cashier's when they need it. Cash spots are better, but they're reserved mostly for students so Tony doesn't mind restocking instead.

"Um, excuse me?" Tony turns to find the source of the voice and his jaw almost drops. Before him stands a tall man with short blond hair, sparkling blue eyes, and a kind smile.

"Yes?" Tony forces himself to say, schooling his expression into one of nonchalance like he wasn't just internally drooling over the customer.

"Could you help me find your soup? I'm looking for chicken noodle, but I couldn't find any with the rest of your soup," the man says, running his fingers through his hair nervously.

He easily stands half a foot above Tony, making him feel smaller than he normally does, so he flashes a confident smile.

"We have a display right now in the produce section for it. Come on," he says, waving his hand in a gesture to follow as he leads the way into the produce.