Whumptober day 13; “stay”
“So,” Peter asks, leaning against the doorway of the kitchen, “does it get the Tony Stark seal of approval?”
Tony keeps his hands in his pocket, surveying the kitchen. “Your shower doesn’t have warm water. I think there’s a rat in your hall closet. The light in your bedroom doesn’t work.”
“All fixable things. I can talk to my landlord,” Peter says quickly.
“You know my offer still stands, right, kiddo?” Tony says like Peter is still the 15-year-old kid he recruited years ago. But he’s not. He’s almost 24. He’s an adult, buying his own apartment for the first time. “Your room in the Tower– I can split my floor with you. I wouldn’t mind the company.”
“You’ve got Pepper and your own actual child to worry about.”
Tony looks up and pauses before answering, “You’re my child too. Aurora, she’s my baby girl, but you’re still my kid.”
Peter feels his cheeks heat up. He’s always seen Tony as a father figure of sorts. He never expected the feeling to be mutual, even though it’s obvious. He’s part of the Stark family by now. “I know. I know I’ve got somewhere to go in case this doesn’t work out, but this is something I’ve gotta do.”
Tony nods his head. “Yes. I suppose it is. Can’t have you living with your parents forever– though, I really wouldn’t mind keeping you around.” He smirks. “I could always use a babysitter.”
Peter laughs. “I’ll still be around. And I’m closer now than I was at MIT. You’ll be seeing a lot of me.”
Tony sniffs. “Good. Aurora would start to miss you. Though I’m not sure why. You’re tolerable at best.”
Tony waves his hand. “Yeah. All that mushy stuff. I’m just here to make sure you’re sleeping somewhere habital. Just to ease Aunt May’s nerves.”
Peter raises his eyebrows, crossing his arms over his chest. “She stopped by this afternoon.”
Tony looks surprised he was caught in a lie, but recovers easily. “Doesn’t hurt to have a second opinion.”
“So, does it pass then?” Peter asks, holding his breath.
Tony looks around once more before saying, “Yeah, kid. As far as first apartments in Queens, I think you picked a good one.” He walks closer to Peter and claps him on the shoulder. “I’m proud of you, Pete.”
Peter doesn’t know why his eyes start to burn and he feels a lump grow in his throat. Maybe because it’s one of those things his dad or Uncle Ben were supposed to be there for. But just like the night of his 21st birthday, Tony is here to make sure he’s got someone. Except, instead of handing him his first beer, he’s checking over his apartment. “Thank you.”
Tony squeezes his shoulder with a small smile. “You’re welcome, squirt.” He sniffs again and turns his head. “Well, I better get going so you can get some sleep.”
He knows Tony doesn’t like showing tears. The only time he cried without hiding the tears was the morning Aurora was born. But this is taking a toll on Tony tonight and he doesn’t want Peter to notice. Peter nods, suddenly wishing he chose to move into the tower where it wouldn’t be so lonely. “Yeah, guess so.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Pete,” he says before walking out and towards his front door. Peter hears his footsteps get further away and then his door opens and shuts.
Now he’s actually alone and nothing feels right. He realizes that this is the first time he’s spending the night alone. Even in college, he always had a roommate. But now it’s just him in this big empty apartment.
He’s faced horrifying things throughout his years of being Spider-Man, but nothing scares him as much as the thought of going into his room and sleeping here alone.
Before he realizes it, his feet are taking him to his door and he’s hurrying to pull it open. He’s ready to run down the stairs and chase after Tony, but he’s there outside the door. He jumps slightly, not expecting Peter. “Oh, Pete, I was just–.”
“Stay,” Peter says because he knows Tony won’t say it with his emotional constipation. “Please stay the night. I don’t…it’s scary being in there for the first time alone…with no one else there.”
Tony smiles at him, his shoulders relaxing. “You want me to spend the night?”
“My couch isn’t bad– I can’t sleep there. Or my bed, it’s a queen. We could both fit or you could take it. I don’t mind– just to make sure, you know…” Peter trails off, realizing how stupid he sounds. He sounds like a baby.
But the hand is back on his shoulder and Tony’s chuckling softly. “C'mon, buddy. Let’s go check under your bed for monsters. I’ll call Pep and let her know we’re having a first night sleepover.”
Tony ruffles his hair as they walk back inside and Peter laughs. “You better check my closet too. Uncle Ben used to scare ‘em all away.”
“Oh, yeah? Well, I better get my scary face on. Though, it’s gonna be impossible to fill his shoes.”
Peter considers his words and he knows he’s talking about more than the monsters in his closet. “You don’t have to. I never expected you to. I know you never try to.”
“I don’t deserve to even be compared–.”
“He would have liked you. I think he’d be happy to know you’re looking out for me.” He tilts his head as he thinks. “May always tells me I have a big heart…I think it’s just because I’ve got to make room for so many dads.”
Tony freezes and looks at Peter with wide eyes. “Peter…”
“Yeah, yeah. Mushy stuff. Don’t worry, I won’t tell Happy you cried. Now, go scare away my monsters.”
“You know I always will.”
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