Bless The Broken Road

Crazy Conclusions

They still had one hour left of the flight and Tony was starting to wonder if maybe he should've turned the jet around despite the kid's threats. When he'd caved and promised to take Peter (because that was the kid's name apparently— he tried to ignore the irony that he'd gone to DC to find Peggy's Peter and found this one instead) back to New York, the boy had cheered with delight.

And then he'd not stopped talking. Tony was petty sure the kid hadn't even breathed for 2 minutes straight at one point when he started talking about all his favourite things (his mummy, Mr Bear, nightlights and maths). It had been almost endearing at first before it crossed into annoying. Not even the kid's bright eyes had dulled the ache in Tony's chest as it demanded alcohol.

"Mr Stark," the flirty blonde flight attendant walked over to the pair a little while after the kid had finally passed out on the seat. It seemed talking for so long had tired the poor child out. "We're landing."

Tony gave her a smile to show he acknowledged her words. He quickly downed the rest of the amber liquid and sighed as the jolt of the jet reaching the ground didn't even manage to wake the kid up. The boy was snoring quietly, his head tilted to the side and his tiny lips parted slightly. (It was almost cute Tony had to admit.)

"Oi kid," Tony shook Peter's shoulder gently. "Get up, we're here."

Peter was out like a light, his eyes remaining shut no matter how loud Tony got in telling him to wake up. After his fourth failed attempt in getting the kid up, Tony let out an annoyed huff. Apparently this kid really was competing for the biggest pain in the ass award today.

"Would you like some assistance?" Another flight attendant was looking at Tony weirdly— no doubt wondering why the hell genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist Tony Stark was travelling with a child in tow.

"I'm good," Tony grumbled as he ducked down, lifting the boy into his arms. Peter had told him that he was actually 4 years old, which Tony could see now with how small and light the kid was in his arms. It didn't even strain his back to carry Peter off the jet.

Happy looked like someone had slapped him in the face when he saw his boss walk off his private jet with a sleeping child in his arms. He opened the door for Tony without saying a word but the billionaire could see the confusion and shock written across his face.

"No i did not get myself a kid while i was away," Tony sighed when they were both sitting in the car. For a brief second, Tony got scared about there not being a carseat for Peter to be safe in before he pushed those thoughts away and just strapped the kid in.

Happy cleared his throat. "You, uhh, could've fooled me, Boss."

Tony rolled his eyes, enjoying his driver's dry humour. "The kid snuck aboard my jet, i'm calling for his . . . guardians to pick him up when we get back."

"You didn't think to turn the jet around and take him back yourself?"

"The kid is surprisingly good at threatening people," Tony mumbled as he stared out the window. It was nighttime in New York now, all the artificial lights blinding him as they drove through the still busy streets to his Tower. Despite the few hour journey it took to get back, the kid was still fast asleep in the seat beside him when they arrived at Tony's penthouse.

"Do you want some help Boss?" Happy looked like there were a million things he would rather do than help out but he stuck around anyway.

"No i got this," Tony sighed as he lifted Peter into his arms again and headed towards the elevator. "Take a few days off Happy, i'll call if i need anything."

"Sure thing Boss," Happy waved before driving off again. Tony wondered how long it would take for his driver to snitch on him to Pepper. Given Happy's track record, Tony expected an angry call from his PA any second now.