Little

Chapter 27

Back at Kamar-Taj, Stephen had reunited with Peter, who was overjoyed to see him. He had no idea how long he'd been standing there, or if the time loop had affected him.  But that didn't matter.  If Peter was happy being with him, then he was happy.

He used the Eye to fix the ruined London Sanctum, and also the ruined main room at Kamar-Taj. Once he was done, he debated what to do with it. As if understanding, the Cloak let go of him and gave him space. Stephen sighed as he took off the Eye and put it back on its pedestal.

"Wise choice," Wong said, coming from behind him. "You'll wear the Eye of Agamotto once you've mastered its powers. Until then, best not to walk the streets wearing an Infinity Stone."

"A what?" Stephen questioned. It sounded important.

Wong only looked at him. "You might have a gift for the mystic arts," he said. "But you still have much to learn."

He looked up at the projection of the spinning Earth. "Word of the Ancient One's death will spread through the Multiverse," he said, grimly. "Earth has no Sorcerer Supreme to defend it. We must be ready."

"We'll be ready," Stephen assured him.

"Fight more bad guys!" Peter interjected enthusiastically.

"No, not for you," Stephen said, chuckling. "And not for me either. At least now."

"Then what?" Peter questioned.

"We take a break," Stephen said, scooping him up into his arms. "Then we figure out what to do."

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One month later...

It was now close to Christmas. Stephen had taken Peter back with him to the New York Sanctum, and now they were living there, along with Wong. Stephen had questioned as to what Peter wanted for Christmas, but Peter couldn't think of anything besides meeting Iron Man. So Stephen took matters into his own hands.

Two days before, he left the Sanctum and told Peter he was "going to do something important," which Peter didn't seem to understand but accepted. On Christmas Eve, it took a while for Peter to be tucked into bed, expecting something great and grand for Christmas the next morning.

When he did wake up, though, Stephen was sitting on the edge of his bed. He motioned for Peter to come sit next to him. What Peter saw was a bunch of papers.

"Iron Man?" Peter questioned hopefully.

Stephen chuckled. "Not Iron Man," he said. "Something better."

Peter didn't look too convinced as he took the papers from Stephen and started to read them. It took him a while to read through the entire thing. Then he read through it again.

"Adopt?" he questioned. "I heard that word...what does it mean?"

"It means," Stephen said, "You can call me Dad now."

Peter's eyes widened. "What?"

"Like Vader said to Luke," Stephen said. He lowered his voice for an effect. "I am your father."

"Really?" Peter asked.

"Yes," Stephen said.

"Forever?" Peter asked.

"Forever and ever," Stephen concluded, ruffling Peter's hair.

Peter's face broke out in a huge grin. He leapt up towards Stephen and landed in a hug. "I love you," he said to Stephen.

"I love you more," Stephen said.

"No," Peter protested. "I love you the most."