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Tony stark liked to think he's come A long way since his wild party days. He's settled down with a long term girlfriend (who is also the ceo of his Company and a badass business Women). Somehow ended up with an enhanced teenage boy living part time with Him. Co parenting with said teens hot but incredibly scary aunt. (now he thinks of it why are all the women in his life lowkey terrifying) overall living a strangely domestic lifestyle he had never expected to have.
It was a Monday morning when he got the phone call. The morning had started off as it normally had for the last 18 months or so. His alarm woke him up at an ungodly hour and immediately started running around his room. Yes you heard that right. His alarm ran around his room. He had Peter to thank for that. And himself partly for encouraging the teen to challenge himself and make something that wasn't a Web shooter. In order to turn it off he had to actually get out of bed. So he did…ever so reluctantly.
He threw on a jumper over his pjs and headed down the hall to the kitchen to make breakfast for his kid who stumbled into the kitchen 10 minutes later dressed in a nerdy science pun top, hair sticking up at all angles possibly, defying gravity. He throws Peter a comb knowing it would most likely have absolutely no effect on the teens unruly hair. After a cup of coffee Tony’s back feeling half alive and able to look at some of his emails whilst Peter finished getting ready for school.
By the time 8:15 rolls around Pete’s throwing his homework in his school bag and is rushing out the door. Tony looks up from his emails to call out some last reminders. “Homework?” “Yep” “lunch money?” “Yes” “coat?” Tony raises his eyebrows and is met with a groan and eye roll. So he has to put on his best ‘adult in charge’ voice. “Put on your coat underroos. You know your thermo regulation is nonexistent after the bite” Peter throws his head back in classic over dramatic teenage fashion but does as he’s told. ”Have a great day genius child” “I’ll try, bye Mr. Stark!” Now it was Tony’s turn to groan. “You know it’s Tony kid!” Peter giggles and ducks away from Tony’s attempt to ruffle his hair.
With the kid now successfully fed and on route to school it was time for Tony to get some work done. Weekends are great because Peter stays with him. He comes over after school on Fridays for lab time and stays for the weekend. He didn’t used too. It just kind of evolved that way. Both Tony and Peter easily loose track of time especially when they’re working in the lab. By the time they looked up it would be 11 o’clock, dark outside and Peter would still have to go all the way back to his and Mays apparently in Queens from the compound. So May said it would make more sense for Peter to stay over than travel home. That led to a friendship developing between Tony and May that Tony personally had never thought possible.
Pepper and May also became very close. Like bestie level close. Grabbing brunch and gossiping regularly. During this time May mentioned that an opportunity had come up for a promotion in her job. It was the job May had originally wanted and she was put forward for it. It would change her shifts. Allowing her time off during weekdays but make her weekends more hectic. Pepper talked to Tony that night. Bringing the idea of Peter staying weekends allowing May to have her shifts over by the time the weekdays roll around.
Since Ben died Mays dreams had been put on pause. She had been doing life alone and she didn’t need to anymore. Now she was part of a new family unit. When Pepper first brought it to May she was hesitant. Both Pepper and Tony had already done so much for both Parker’s but after some reassurance from Pepper that both her and Tony loved having Peter over she agreed.
For Peters birthday they did a room makeover to really make Peters room at the compound his. They also got him clothes and all the other stuff he might want or need so he doesn’t need to carry a bag of his clothes from house to house. Both houses were his homes, not guest rooms.
Pepper always says Peter helped Tony just as much as Tony helped Peter. Turning a workaholic who forgets too eat and sleep into a man who eats 3 meals a day and sleeps at least 5 hours a night. Now Tony actively makes sure there are snacks and drinks in his lab aswell as healthy food for Peter to eat.
The next hurdle they faced was mainly a school bassed problem. One day Peter needed to be picked up early from school for a dentist appointment . May was busy so Tony went to collect him at Mays request. It took an hour to check him out because the school needed May as his guardian to give consent for her kid to be picked up by an adult that isn't her. This led to them being very late to the dentist.
It was also a problem one night when Peter got hurt on patrol. A bullet wound To his leg. Tony rushed him to medbay only to have the kid almost bleed out because yet again only his legal guardian could make medical decisions. May decided there and then this was too dangerous of a problem to ever happen again. She had come to really trust Tony to care for her kid. She brought the problem to Pepper who agreed and found a legal way to declare Tony the second guardian Of Peter Parker allowing Tony to be an emergency contact. Pick Peter up from school, take him abroad, make medical decisions ect.
Tony was hesitant at first. Not because he didn't want to but he didn't want to step on any Toes. He had no biological claim, the kid already had an uncle he loved, why would anyone want him as co guardian. After some therapy because yes even the almighty Tony Stark needs help sometimes especially when it comes to worries about turning into his father. It also allowed Tony to pay child support wich he was thoroughly delighted by.
All in all life was good. Not predictable, never predictable but stable. Until a phone call Came along and rocked his world. 8:25 am he’s sitting in his office getting some work done and then his phone rings. His work number. All requests come through his secretary who approves or more often doesn’t approve before they get sent to the man in charge. Tony.
That being said it wasn’t often a call comes through. His secretary’s are under strict orders to never bother him unless it was important or urgent. So he picks it up putting on his businessman voice.
“Tony Stark what can I do you for?” A forced cheery woman’s voice answers him. “Hi Mr. Stark, my name is Sussie. I’m calling from the department of child protection services regarding a Aria Conners”. Now this is confusing. Tony can’t seem to recall that name or anyone else with the second name Conners. Still if it got through the secretary’s it must be something important. So he’ll play ball. He hums in acknowledgment prompting this lady. Sussie?. To continue.
Her voice fills the line again. Tony has a feeling she’s reading exactly from a file in front of her. “Aria came into our service after an accident involving her mother left her with no guardian. This was 3 years ago. Since then she’s been in a couple different homes. Yesterday her current foster family moved out of country leaving her here again. To get to the point Mr. Stark a dna test was carried out and only one match was found. You.”
Silence. No that can’t be right. This is definitely not the first child who was allegedly biologically his. But it is the first to get through all the bullshit filters Tony built into his life. Another minute of silence. Trying to remember. To place a face to A ‘Conners?’.
“Mr Stark are you still there?”. He snapps out of it. Clears his throat and forces himself to answer. “Yup still here. Could you please send me on the tests and all relevant documents. Also if this child has been in your systems for three years why am I only hearing about this now?”
“Good question. As I’m sure you understand the system is overloaded with children. Some times things like this slip through the cracks. Especially with kids like Aria. I’m not quite sure how to say this and it’s definitely not a good excuse for this terrible situation. Aria is not an easy child. Her teachers and past families have voiced concerns about possible undiagnosed neurodivergent traits.
The night she came to us after her mother’s death she was very upset. To avoid adding more stress to her after seeing her reaction when people attempted to carry out a dna test.
Instead they went through her mothers file but failed to find any relitive or family friends. Her mothers will was not updated and the birth certificate had no name of a father. Through the years she’s been with us her contact with the medical world has been short and few. She doesn’t tolerate that stuff very well. Keeping an eye out in case she starts showing signs of illness has been the priority. Wich she never has shockingly. I’m sure this has all been a lot at once and a real shock. Feel free to contact me with any questions. You do not need to decide right away. If you do decide to apply for custody we will help you through the process. Have a good day Mr Stark.”
With that she hung up. Leaving him alone with all of. That.
His computer dinged. Alerting him the documents have been sent over. Just then the love of his life walked into the room. Peppers face said she was already aware on the situation. He was expecting her to be mad. Or maybe disappointed maybe. Instead she pulled up a chair to join him. She placed her hands over his. Giving him a reassuring squeeze.
“I heard you’ve had a busy morning”. He was tempted to scoff. Understatement of the year. But he remembered all the work he’d been doing with his therapist. Not to lash out on his loved ones. He loved and respected Pepper, she didn’t deserve his anger.
“I’m sure your well aware what’s happening.” He says. The way her face doesn’t change tells him his guess is correct. She nods “Friday recorded the call. All the files were sent to me as well”. For some reason the fact she knew had him letting out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. He didn’t have to do it alone. “What do you think Pep? Any way it was all a mistake?”
“Sorry hon I’ve already checked. All files check out. No fakes here.” He places his head in his hands. Just trying to process. Pepper runs her hand up and down his back. He breathes through the panic attack. After his heart regained a regular rhythm he turns to Pepper. “What are we going to do?” His voice breaks. Thick with emotion.
“It’s up to you. We will all be here for you through it. After looking through some of these files. Gosh Tony I feel so bad for this little girl. She’s only 10. She’s got undiagnosed, un helped disability’s. Barely any medical files. I mean it can’t be legal. She needs a home with time and patience and money.” Tony listens nodding along.
Now it’s his turn to voice his opinions.
“I agree. All kids should be treated with love and respect but if she is mine who’s to say I could even give her that. It would also mean she’s a product of my….party years.” Peppers face doesn’t waiver. “you know well that I am not threatened by your party years. You didn’t cheat we weren’t together then remember. You’ve changed a lot. Now your a dad to an enhanced teenage boy. I think if you do decide to step up as a father to her you won’t be doing it alone. Bottom line is it took two people to make that girl. I’m not mad it happened but I really hope you’ll consider taking her in.”.
Ouch. Fair but ouch. The next step he supposes is a chat with May then Peter. With that decided, Pepper leaved to arrange a meeting with May. Even with all that was going on he still managed to get his work done and shower. Now he was waiting in the living room for both ladies to arrive. He shouldn’t feel so nervous in his own home but it isn’t like he doesn’t have a reason. Pepper and May fall in the door laughing. May has store brought cookies, Pepper has coffee. They both hug him and sit down.
“Pepper brought me up to speed on the situation. How are you feeling?”. Tony wasn’t sure why, but the kind un judgmental tone everyone was taking with him almost had him in tears. “I’m feeling a little overwhelmed to be honest. I know I didn’t purposefully abandon her. I didn’t know she existed. The women who called said she’s not an easy kid. Are we really ready for that?”
Pepper looks like she’s debating saying something but May beat her too it. “ Tony I get that. I really do. I was the same with Peter. But when it’s family you make it work. We will all be here to help.” Not going to lie that was very comforting to hear. That he wouldn’t be alone. May breaks the tension in the room by changing the subject for the second.
“Anyway how’s our boy doing? Get up to anything exciting this weekend?” When she first started saying stuff like that it took him by surprise. Our boy. Our kid.
Like he wasn’t just some random dude but someone deserving of having a kid. She’d been saying our kid for months now but it still gave him butterflies. Feeling a bit lighter he responds happily to her subject change. “You know Pete, he managed to teach Dum-e to wield a lightsaber.” All adults laugh at that.
Just as the laughter started dying down May added in a light voice. “He always wanted a sibling. Ben and I were too old when we took him in. We had no plans to have any kids at all but we love our Peter and I for one think he’d make a great big brother.”
Tony didn’t know what to say. On one hand he was stuck on the implication that he was a father to Peter. It was an honour he wasn’t sure he deserved. Pepper interrupts his self conscious inner monologue. “Aw I for one think Peter would make a wonderful big brother.” Tony smiles then. It’s hard not to when he thinks about his kid. He has no doubt Peter would make a wonderful big brother.
Tony speaks next. “I know Peter would make a great big brother. Before we go through with this we have one more person we need on board.” All adults share a knowing look. Peter. May thinks, than turns to Tony.
“I know it’s my turn to have Peter but how about you go get him from school today and bring him for a little spin. Chat it out. I’m sure he’ll be onboard. Go get some ice cream.” Tony sighs in relief. He knows Peter will most likely be okay with it but the chance to make sure so soon is a relief. Pepper nods in agreement “and whilst you and Pete are off chatting we’ll get in contact with our lawyers to start the process.
Now feeling so lucky he’s surrounded by his loved one’s he gathers his thoughts and stuff and heads to the garage getting into one of his navy-low attention attracting cars. He drives to midtown tech, mind going a million miles an hour. 25 minutes later he’s in the pickup line in front of Peters school.
His kid walks out of the school with his two best friends on either side of him. Ned was rambling. As he usually was. Peter was nodding along completely engrossed in whatever Ned was talking about. Mj rolled her eyes but had a fond smile on her face. Ned spotted Tony first. He stopped dead in his tracks causing a pile up of teens behind him. He turns to Peter to say something wich makes Peter blush and hurry through his goodbyes jogging over to the passenger seat in Mr Starks car. In typical teenage fashion Peter threw his bag in first then hopped in. Giving Mr Stark a suspicious look.
“What are you doing here?” He blurts then quickly realises how that sounds so adds “not that I’m not happy to see you sir.” Wich gets a groan from Tony and a giggle from Peter who knows calling Tony things like ‘sir’ and ‘Mr Stark’ annoys him.
After the giggles settle down Tony takes a deep breath and hypes himself up for the conversation ahead. The change in atmosphere does not go unnoticed by Peter who sobers up quickly giving Tony his full attention.
“So Pete… when you where in school today I got a call” worry wash’s over Peters face immediately. “ what kind of a call? Is May okay. Omg she’s not is she that’s why you picked me up isn’t it” Shocked momentarily from Peters panicked ranting it takes Tony a second to catch up but when he does he places a free hand on peters hand giving him a reassuring squeeze then puts the hand back on the wheel.
“No Roo it was nothing like that don’t worry. Everyone is safe and happy. The phone call was a shock for a different reason. I don’t really know how to say this. How much do you know about what I was like 10 years ago?” At this Peter looks out the window. Quietly contemplating. Like he knew the answer but didn’t know how to say it without it hurting Tony’s feelings.
“It’s okay your not going to hurt my feelings. I’m a big boy I can take it.” That earns a smile from Peter. For a moment he really wonders what he ever did to deserve having Peter in his life. Now more comfortable he’s not going to hurt his Da-I mean mentors feelings Peter answers the question. “Just that you liked Party’s and alcohol and girls i don’t the details. Plus the kind of person you where doesn’t define the kind of person you are now.” Tony almost melts hearing how confident his kid is in the kind of person he is. Now time to ruin that. Tony thinks to himself.
“Well as a result of my party days multiple women claimed to have been impregnated by me. I’ve always take those claims very seriously and have the best legal and medical team verify the claims with evidence. DNA test etc.” Peter nods along still not sure where this is going.
“Anyway, the call I got today was from the child protection service regarding a 10 year old girl who’s dna had matched with mine. After this was verified the woman explained as best she could why I was only finding out about it now.” He pauses to catch his breath and allow Peter to process a bit. Seeing Pete still seemed confused by the whole situation he went on explaining.
“She told me my name was never on the birth certificate so when the mother passed away three years ago they couldn’t find a father. She also told me that this little girl has suspected neurodivergent traits. A fact that did not help when it came to any kind of clinical situations. Seeing as the little girl was already so distressed about her mothers accident they just went through all of the mothers files instead of poking and prodding her.” Peter finally said something.
“Okay well that kind of makes sense. The thing I don’t get is her mothers been gone three years, how did she not have any check ups since them? I’m no child life specialist but surely it’s not ment to be that long between visits.” Tony nods at that. Also frustrated with the systems fuck up. Still being the adult he had to try explain how something like this happens.
“It’s definitely not meant to be that long. The reasing she gave me is the system is massively overloaded. Things slip through the cracks. This little girl has sensory issues and the system simply doesn’t have the time and manpower to get her through an appointment. Now I think that’s bullshit. Healthcare is a human right.” Peter nods equally as frustrated. Tony smiles for a second thinking Peter looks every bit the big brother he’s about to become.
After allowing both of them a while to quietly think by themselves Tony turns to Peter.
“How do you feel about a little sister?” If the massive grin on Peters face was any indicator things might work out okay.