Kid, tell me what happened: The Sequel

till infinite's end

Summary: Tony goes on a mission with Steve and Thor, and Natasha is on babysitting duty for Peter. Everything goes well until Peter eavesdrops on Natasha’s phone call where the mission went horribly wrong. 

TW: assumed character death (not really) and panic attack

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Tony’s arms were wrapped tightly around his thirteen year old son holding him tight to his chest, “I’m going to be fine, don’t get all worked up with Nat okay? But you can bother her, not that you do, pure child. Dad’s gotta go now bud, alright?” Peter breathed out, “I just feel that something’s going to happen.” The older man shook his head with a promising smile on his face, “I’m Iron Man, I’m going to be fine.” The thirteen year old nodded his head slightly pulling himself out of a hug and closed his eyes as his dad planted a kiss on the top of his head as his suit ignited a bright blue and he soared through the crystal skies.  

The thirteen year old softly collapsed onto the sofa, fingers drumming on his thighs when Natasha threw a pillow on him. He turned with a sheepish expression on his face and Natasha explained with one of her iconic smirks, “Pillow fort?” The answer was an obvious yes. 

The two had spent the remainder day making forts and watching endless Disney movies when the two decided that they should have some dinner before they fell asleep, especially with Peter’s quick metabolism. The two settled on some waffles, hey, dinner is anything, and who said that pancakes were necessarily breakfast?

Afterwards Natasha sent Peter to bed staying up just in case anything happened along with the force of habit, little did she know that it was a good thing she chose to stay awake. 

Around ten pm her phone rang and she was a bit surprised to see the caller ID being Steve, wasn’t he on a mission with Tony? Before she could even reply she heard Steve’s jaggy breathing as if he had run fifty laps and had asthma speak, “Nat, it’s bad, Tony’s hurt, he’s not breathing, he might not make it, I don’t think he’s going to make it Nat, there’s a lot of blood and his arc isn’t working.” Natasha spoke tightly, anxiety and the idea of what Steve was looking at, “He’s going to be okay Steve. He’s Iron Man, just get him to med, and get to the Tower.” Steve let out a huffed okay and then hung up. Natasha pressed the phone against her chest worry building up in her chest as she couldn’t help the worst thoughts consume her. 

What she didn’t know was the thirteen year old boy hiding in the shadows who had heard every single word. The thirteen year old boy blinking back tears spoke in a wavering tone, “Aunt Nat?” Natasha turned surprised to see Peter trying not to cry. He threw his arms around her waist sobbing as he spoke, “Is Dad going to be okay?” Natasha didn’t want to lie, but she didn’t want to tell him something that would only crush him, “He’s going to be okay, he promised you right? Tony doesn’t break his promises. He’s going to be fine.” Peter sniffled, nodding his head, “Can I sleep with you, please?” Natasha nodded, carrying the light boy back to the sofa and holding him as tight as she could as he failed to fall asleep. 

Steve had returned eyes somewhat glossy, blurring even more seeing the panicked expression of Peter despite him being sound asleep. He spoke to Natasha who looked like she had stayed up all night, and most likely did, “Get some rest, I’ll stay with him.” Natasha looked like she was going to argue, but then decided against it, carefully getting up without waking the sleeping child next to her. 

Steve gently sat down pulling his nephew close to his chest making sure he was warm and alright. Not too long later he felt movement against his chest and saw Peter sound asleep thrashing. He was mumbling incoherent things but Steve could make out a few phrases.