Chapter Text
Tony could tell, clear as day, that Peter was unhappy. He could see the way the kid had been struggling since coming back; how his shoulders were tense and his smiles were more for show than anything genuine. He could see, he just didn’t understand why.
Well, that wasn’t completely true. He understood why, sort of. It had been over six months since The Battle of Earth, since Peter had come back. And not from the snap like everyone else, no, from a whole other universe. One that Peter wasn’t too keen on talking about. Tony had discovered that he had to be in a very specific mood to talk about his other family, otherwise he was tightlipped with the details.
He understood that Peter was having a hard time; his aunt was gone, and his friends were frozen at sixteen. Like he was supposed to be , a bitter part of Tony thought. But, it had been six months and Peter didn’t seem to be getting any better. He didn’t seem like he wanted to get any better.
Peter went through the motions but there was an emptiness that caused alarm bells to start ringing in Tony’s head. A perpetually tired look on his face and weary set to his shoulders that were obvious if you knew where to look. Tony knew where to look. It made his chest ache. It was… concerning, to say the least.
Peter had been living with him and Pepper at the cabin since he’d been brought back, his apartment having been sold during the blip. It was… okay.
Don’t get him wrong, Tony was overjoyed to have Peter, his son, back. It was like a dream come true, a weight lifted off of his chest. But something was just wrong . Peter played with Morgan, spent time with Tony in his lab, cooked meals with Pepper, went out as Spider-Man. ( He went out as Spider-Man and the people of New York rejoiced, even if he was wearing a different suit. )He stepped back into their lives mostly with ease, almost like he’d never left. Almost. There was just this gap between them, minuscule but oh so present, and so far it seemed impossible to breach.
At first he’d thought it was that Peter was stuck in the cabin all day everyday with nothing to do but even after Peter began attending college classes, the gap persisted. The man had bemoaned about how he’d been less than a year from graduating before being brought back. Bile filled Tony’s throat. Peter had gone to college and Tony hadn’t been there.
After that didn’t work, they’d moved back into the Tower, hoping the familiarity of New York City would be soothing to him. They’d completely gutted and redone the penthouse, making it more family friendly before moving in. He thought it would help. He was wrong, very very wrong. Peter only got worse, the bags under his eyes darkening and the scowl on his face appearing more and more.
He was still Peter, still smiley and friendly, rambling away every chance he got. Still calling him Mr. Stark in that same tone laced with respect and care. But now it seemed… forced. Like he was desperately trying to be what he thought Tony expected. It wasn’t working. Sometimes he would get this look on his face, so lost and hopeless. He would go quiet, forgetting to speak for hours, staring blankly into the distance. Tony noticed.
At this point, He was at a loss for how to help and he knew that he would do anything, anything to see that familiar relaxed edge to Peter’s grin instead of the half grimace that was most popular nowadays. He didn’t expect this to be the reason Peter finally looked relaxed and happy. Shit. Tony let out a heavy sigh. This was not how he thought his day would go.
A few hours earlier…
Tony looked up with a soft smile as Peter ambled into the living room. The kid was still in his pajamas, hair a wreck. He was visibly tired, bags under his eyes, face pale. Friday had told Tony that he didn’t come in until four in the morning.
“Breakfast is ready.” Peter said, his voice weak.
Morgan jumped up with a bright grin on her face, racing out of the room and hugging Peter’s legs quickly as she passed. Her little footsteps were loud against the hardwood floors. The silence left in her wake was louder than it ought to be.
Peter forced a smirk, tilting his head. “You coming, old man?”
Tony gave a scoff and stood, wincing when his knees popped. Peter, the little shit, snickered and turned around, walking towards the dining room.
“Who are you calling old, Underoos?” Tony called out, shaking his head as he jogged to catch up.
He was surprised to find himself slamming into Peter’s back as the kid’s footsteps came to an abrupt halt. The hairs on the back of Tony’s neck stood on end when Peter stiffened, his body going eerily still. He spun around, darting around Tony with his arms held out defensively. He stared at a spot in the center of the living room with unnerving intensity.
“Pete?” Tony called out worriedly.
“-ony! Peter! What’s taking you so…“ Pepper paused in the doorway, taking in the scene. “long.” She finished, eyes wide.
“Peter? What’s going on?” Tony tried again. Peter didn’t answer, he didn’t need to. Because a fucking portal opened up right where Peter was standing and spat out… nine ( ??? ) people in costumes. They landed on the floor in a tumble of bodies, groans sounding through the room. Tony, Pepper, and Peter were all frozen as the people oriented themselves.
“Intruder Alert! Intruder Alert! Intruder Alert!” Friday repeated loudly, her voice obviously startling the group.
“We know, Fri.” Tony murmured under his breath, knowing she would hear.
“Ugh, what the hell is that?” A woman in a purple suit groaned, sitting up and rubbing her head.
“Oh my God, I think it’s Friday!” A boy around Peter’s age, wearing a cape, gasped excitedly.
Tony blinked in shock. What the actual fuck was happening? Peter seemed to have snapped out of his whatever the fuck and was staring at the group with wide eyes filled with… was that hope?
“Steph? Tim?” Peter said shakily, still staring at the strangers. All eyes snapped towards Peter, the people freezing as their eyes caught onto his form.
Tony counted again. Nine. Nine people in suits and masks. He had a feeling he knew exactly who had just popped up in his home. He didn’t like it. He didn’t like it at all.
“Thank God.” The man in the black and blue suit breathed, voice sounding wet. “Peter.” He sighed out the name like he was desperate. The man stepped forward. Peter stayed frozen. Tony frowned.
“Pete?” The man repeated, sounding a little confused now.
“D-Dad?” Peter asked shakily, eyes wide with tears.
It felt like a punch to Tony’s gut. His eyes shot back towards the man, who smiled widely. He had nice teeth, Tony noticed. Straight and white. He had a nice smile too, dimples. Tony wanted to punch him. He hated that feeling.
“It’s me, squirt.” The man- Dick, he remembered Peter saying the man’s name was, said warmly, taking another step forward. The rest of the group stood still, watching the two like hawks, their bodies frozen like they might mess something up if they move.
“Oh my God.” Peter choked out, gaping. His mouth flopped open and closed like a fish, tears streaming down his cheeks. “Dad!” Peter cried, leaping forward into Dick’s arms, a sob leaving his lips.
Tony felt Pepper’s hand reach out to grab his own, trying to pull his attention, but he couldn’t tear his eyes away from the scene in front of him. His child, was bawling and clinging to another man he was calling ‘Dad’. Who was he kidding? The kid still called him Mr. Stark.
“It’s okay, squirt. I’m here.” Dick soothed, rubbing Peter’s back and holding him like it was nothing. Tony shifted uneasily. He couldn’t do that. Peter had never tried to cling to him like that. Someone in the group let out a cough. “We’re here.” Dick amended, shooting a glare over his shoulder.
Peter let out a sniffle, detaching himself from Dick. He looked over at the rest of the intruders with wonder written all over his face. “I can’t believe- I never thought- how did you get here?” He stumbled over his words, voice choked.
The boy Peter had called Tim, stepped forward, smirking. “Well, I was going through your files-“
Peter’s mouth fell open. “Those are protected!” He squawked indignantly.
Tim gave a droll look. “Your password is LittleLegsIsTheCutest123.”
The guy in the red helmet barked out a crackling laugh. Tony blinked in surprise. Jesus, kid, really?
“Anyway.” Tim continued smoothly. “I found one of your projects. You know, the one to travel the multiverse. The one you said you scrapped, by the way.”
Peter’s face paled. He took a step back, shaking his head. “I-“
Red helmet guy stepped forward, arms crossed. “Why didn’t you tell us, Little Peter?”
Peter looked down at his feet, fidgeting with his hands. “I didn’t want to leave.” He admitted after a moment.
Another punch to the gut. Tony stepped back, pulling his hand from Pepper’s. “Y-you knew how to get back?” He asked somewhat hysterically.
Peter looked away shamefully, ducking his head. “I-I didn’t know if it would work. It was never tested.”
Tony’s face twitched and he gestured sharply at the visitors. “Looks like it works.” He said, voice trembling.
“What’s happening?” Morgan’s voice cut through the tense air as she stepped into the room, cheeks puffed up indignantly. Her eyes narrowed as she saw the strangers in the room. “Who are you?” She asked harshly, though it came out more adorable than threatening. He knew better than to underestimate the little demon though.
Pepper stepped to side, standing in front of Morgan protectively. She held her hand out in front of her, stopping their girl from stepping forward. “It’s okay, sweetheart. It’s Peter’s family. From the other place.”
Morgan’s lip wobbled and oh lord, Tony could see the tantrum coming from a mile away. “But we’re Petey’s family!” She cried out.
“I know, sweetie. But so are they.” Pepper said softly, petting the top of Morgan’s head. She shot a wide eyed look at Tony, also seeming to sense their impending doom. Even Peter looked worried, when Tony could bear to glance at him.
“No! Petey’s ours!” Morgan argued, tears building in her eyes. “We’re his family. They can’t have him back! They can’t! He’s ours! Not theirs! I don’t want him to go away again!”
Tony sighed, wiping a hand over his face. Before he could say anything, Peter was rushing forward, kneeling in front of the little girl. “I’m not going anywhere, Morgs.” He soothed, rubbing a hand over her back. An invisible weight lifted off of Tony’s shoulders. Peter would never promise that to Morgan if it weren’t true.
“Y-You’re m-my b-b-brother! I want you to stay!” Morgan cried, stomping her foot. “T-They can’t have you.” She turned towards the group with a scowl on her face. “I hate you!”
“Hey. Hey.” Peter hummed, directing Morgan to look directly at him. “Shhh. Nobody is taking anyone. I’m not leaving, okay?”
Morgan scrunched up her face, looking down at her feet and not answering. Tony darted a look over at the group who had begun taking off their masks but were now just watching Peter and Morgan with wide eyes. They did not look happy, not one of them.
“Morguna.” Peter scolded, hooking a gentle hand under the girls chin. “I want you to repeat it back to me. I’m not going anywhere, okay?”
“Okay.” Morgan sniffled, a frown stretched across her face. She studied Peter for a moment before abruptly launching herself into his arms, sobs wrecking her whole body.
Peter’s eyes went wide and he stood, Morgan held securely in his arms. ‘What do I do?’ Peter mouthed, panic written across his features.
“Just hold her, talk to her. She’ll fall asleep any minute.” Tony whispered and Peter nodded, beginning to rock the girl in his arms as he paced back in forth.
For a very tense five minutes where the only sound to be heard was Morgan’s cries and Peter’s soft voice, they waited for the girl to cry herself to sleep.
Once she was dozing, Peter quickly left the room and set Morgan up in the girls bedroom. When he left, Dick turned towards Tony, eyes concerned and lips turned down. Tony braced himself for whatever the man was about to say. He prepared for a lot of things but not, “How has he been doing, really?”
Tony’s eyes widened, and his mouth flopped open and closed.
“Because I know he won’t really tell me the truth when I ask. You know how it is with him. I’m just worried because, no offense to you I’m sure you’re doing a wonderful job but, he looks sick.” Dick rambled, waving his hands and God it wasn’t hard to see where Peter had gotten it from.
Tony continued to gape uselessly so Pepper stepped forward. “He is… struggling with the transition. He is going through the motions but he doesn’t seem… happy. It’s like something’s missing.”
Red helmet guy who had taken off his helmet nodded. “Pretty much how he was the first few years with us. Walking around like a ghost.”
“Jason!” The oldest man scolded, his blue eyes narrowed.
Red helmet guy who was called Jason scowled. “What? It’s true!”
“It is true.” Peter’s half amused half exhausted voice called out from the threshold. Jason looked sheepish and Peter waved a hand. “It’s okay, Uncle Jay.”
“Hey kid, how’s the little miss?” Jason greeted, tilting his head curiously.
“Fast asleep.” Peter said, blowing out a tired breath.
“Yeah, uh, who was that?” Another kid around Peter’s age asked nervously, lifting a hand like he was in class.
“My sister.” “My daughter.” Peter and Tony answered at the same time, Tony shooting Peter a surprised look.
It wasn’t the first time someone had referred to Morgan as Peter’s little sister but it was rare that Peter did it himself.
Dick’s eyes softened. “You never mentioned a sister.”
Peter gave a small laugh. “Well I didn’t exactly know about her then, given she was still in Pepper’s stomach.”
Dicks mouth fell into an ‘o’ shape and he nodded slowly.
“Is nobody going to mention what he said?” Tim spat out after it was silent for a few seconds.
“What are you talking about?” The same kid asked, blinking in confusion.
“Really, Duke? He just said he’s not going anywhere. You know, not coming back with us?” Tim practically hissed the words.
”Tim.” The older man rumbled, voice as disappointed as his face. He would guess this is the Bruce or Grandpa B that Peter had mentioned once or twice.
Peter’s own face blanched. “Timmy-“
“No, shut it, Parker.” Tim snapped, arm cutting through the air.
“I can’t just leave!” Peter blurted, ignoring his… uncle’s (?) words. “This is my home!” He didn’t sound like he believed himself.
“I thought we were your home.” Steph spoke up sadly.
‘Both home. Two Families.’ An asian girl with a black bob signed. It caught everyone’s attention, all eyes shooting towards her. For someone so silent, her words were very loud.
“She’s right.” Peter said firmly. “I love you guys but I can’t just leave. ”
“I-It’s okay, Peter. We-“ Dick spoke up shakily, his arms wrapped around another man with red hair.
“Tt. There is an obvious solution.” The youngest boy sneered, accent lilting. He was shaking his head and tutting in disappointment as he spoke.
“Oh yeah? What’s that, Baby Bat?” Peter asked, smiling charmingly and batting his lashes at the teenager.
Tony leaned forward, eager for any kind of course of action to follow. He was lost.
“He shall simply travel back and forth between universes.” Damian(?) stated calmly, folding his hands in his lap.
“Like fifty-fifty custody?” Peter asked incredulously, huffing and crossing his arms.
“Do you have a better idea, Parker?” Damian said snidely.
Peter gaped for a beat before slowly shaking his head. “Not really.”
“Would that work?” Dick asked, looking at Peter hopefully.
“I-I don’t see why not.” Peter mumbled. “I could- but- oh yes…” He began muttering furiously under his breath, calculations and formulas that even Tony couldn’t follow.
“Okay, math time later.” Steph stood, clapping her hands. “How about you show us around this city you call home, eh ?” She said the last word with distaste, earning an offended look from Peter.
Pepper cleared her throat, cutting through the sudden excitement of the group. “Breakfast first.” She said sternly, spinning and walking back towards the kitchen, her heels clicking against the floors.
“I think she might be scarier than Alfie.” The man, was it Wally(?), who was wrapped around Dick muttered, eyes wide.
“She’d definitely scarier than Alfred.” Peter nodded firmly, huffing out a laugh.
Tony blinked as the group followed Peter to the kitchen, leaving him standing alone in the living room after all that. Tony stood, gaping at the empty room before Peter’s head popped back through the doorway and a bright grin spread across his face, eyes sparkling. “Come on, Tony! I’m starving!” And then he was gone again.
A warm feeling spread through Tony’s chest. Progress.