Chapter Text
After getting to the lake house everyone was exhausted. Luckily Tony had predicted this and had Pizza already on the way. He told the others it was going to be there in twenty minutes, so they all went to their rooms to unpack a bit and take a quick shower. Peter was surprised when he got to the door Tony had directed him to. The door had a sign on it, Peter’s Room , the words were yellow, written in Star Wars font, and had stars surrounding them. He now had a room at the tower, a lab at the tower, and a room here. Again he reminded himself, you are wanted, yet still, there is a small voice in his head trying to remind him that he has never been wanted before now. Peter Parker was never wanted, left by his parents (he knows they died, but that is still leaving), living in an orphanage that doesn’t care about you, and then taken by Hydra where all they care about is experiments, powers, and missions. The Spider was wanted, Peter Parker was not. But just maybe things have truly changed.
He shakes all of the negative thoughts away and steps into his room. It is a cozy room, with wood floors and blue-painted walls. There is a queen bed with an Avengers bedspread, a dresser with a TV on top, a desk next to the closet with an array of tools as well as a digital camera sitting on top. There were shelves on the wall above the desk filled with lego sets and material to make his web fluid and shooters. Lastly, there is a cute little nook in the corner, next to the bathroom door where there is a blue padded bench with pillows, a window with thin curtains so the sun could get through, although there was a shade that could come down in the evenings, and a small bookshelf built into the wall filled with all kinds of books (science books, fantasy books, comic books, coloring books, etc). He went to unpack his bag but found more clothes in his size inside the chest of drawers and closet. Mr. Stark thought of everything. He freshened up and came out when he smelled pizza.
Although tired, they all still sat together and ate and talked about what they were going to do over the weekend. After dinner, they turned in as they planned to wake up early the next day. Tony had many plans for the next day, one he was both very looking forward to, and yet was nervous all the same.
Bucky and Peter slept separately but the older still stays with the boy until he fell asleep. After that, he went into his shared room with Steve and cuddled up to his boyfriend. Bucky always felt safer as the small spoon and Steve had no problem holding his love. They both fell asleep feeling happy and safe.
This was the first night that no one had a nightmare.
__________
In the morning Peter woke up to the sun shining. The window in the little nook area was perfectly placed so that the sun would come through and yet it would not be close to the head of the bed so Peter would not be blinded. Instead, there was just a soft glow to the room as the sun woke up. After waking, Peter came out of his room, padded down the hall, and met the others for breakfast in the kitchen. They all had waffles and bacon for breakfast in their pajamas. Even Steve had some, but for the most part, he stuck to his simple toast. Tony stocked up on bread to make sure Steve had enough. The man would probably go through five loaves alone this weekend, so Tony bought ten to be safe.
After breakfast, Tony asked if they wanted to go for a walk in the woods. He told Peter he could bring his web-shooters and swing around if he wanted to as there were no neighbors for miles. Peter was ecstatic and ran to his room to grab them. The others were left chuckling at his antics as they cleaned up breakfast and went to change clothes. Peter changed into jeans and a new pun t-shirt he found in the chest of drawers that had him laughing out loud. It said, Why don’t The Avengers use The Hulk to advertise their services? He’s essentially a giant Banner. Below it there was a cartoon Hulk with the words, Need Help? Call the Avengers! on his chest. He then slipped his web shooters on, grabbed the new camera on his desk, and went back into the kitchen.
All the rest had already changed and were getting their shoes on by the backdoor located in the kitchen. Tony snickered at the T-shirt once he saw the kid, Bucky smiled amusedly, and Steve turned to Tony, “Really?”
“Hey I think it’s funny.” he turned to the kid, “You’re wearing that next time you see bruce kid.” Peter blushed but nodded. He did want to see what the scientist thought about the horrible pun. “Ready to go?”
They all nodded and left through the backdoor which led to a porch, a small private beach, and a wooded area. While the three walked Peter swung beside them. More accurately, Peter Swung circles around them as they walk leisurely, he was more a blur than anything else. Peter was swinging and taking pictures. The camera sat securely around his neck by a strap. “Say cheese!” he called. The three barely got a second to prepare before they were blinded by a flash. “Uhh, come on, all of your eyes are closed!” He whined.
“Give us more warning then,” Bucky called out trying to hide a laugh.
“Fine,” Peter huffed. He came to a stop in a tree a few yards from them, perched on a thick branch. “Ok ready?” He asked this time, they nodded and huddled together putting their arms around one another. Steve was on the right side with his arm around Bucky who was in the middle and had his arm around Tony who was on the left. “3, 2, 1!” Peetr called out, and then there was another flash.
“Set the timer and come and join us Pete!” Tony called out. Peter did so and quickly made his way to the three. He stood in the middle crouching down a bit. He smiled brightly and the flash went off...
The bright light reminded him a bit too much of the unnaturally bright surgery light he was under for… he doesn’t even remember how long. The light that made it hard to see anything to the point where he could never predict where the next cut would be, the next injection, the next break, etc. He would only know by the pain. Strapped down, unable to do anything to stop it. He remembers wishing the agonizingly bright light was the light you were supposed to walk into when you died. But he never got that mercy, just more pain.
He didn’t realize he zoned out until he felt something heavy around his shoulders. He looked up to see a worried Bucky Barnes wrapping him in the red and blue weighted blanket. He must have run back to the house to grab it.
“You with us Pete?” Bucky asked as he stepped away.
“Yeah, yeah sorry.” Peter with a shaky breath as he looked down, ashamed.
“Hey, you don’t have to be sorry.” Tony’s voice came through, “Do you want to talk about it?”
Peter considered this, he knows he should. “It was the flash,” he admitted. The others nodded but said nothing. “I-It reminded me of the l-light above the metal table.” Tony could picture it clear as day in his mind. The surgery light that was above the boy when he found him.
“Is there anything we can do?” Steve asked from beside Bucky, his eyes filled with sympathy and worry.
“No, I-I’m okay now, thanks. J-Just a bit rattled.” He let out a shaky breath.
“How about we rest, have lunch, and then sit on the beach for a little,” Tony asked.
Peter smiled and nodded. He shot a web at the camera still in the tree and yanked it back to himself. “Alright, ready.”
They changed into bathing suits and sat out on the porch to have lunch. They played Uno as they ate turkey sandwiches, although Tony had to explain the rules to all three of them as none of them had played before. Peter admitted he might have when he was younger, but didn’t remember. As for Steve, the game came out while he was in the ice which means Bucky was at Hydra. After the game ended, which surprisingly Steve won, they went to set up beach chairs and towels so they could sit in the sun, only after Tony made sure Peter put on sunscreen. “You missed a spot,” Tony said as he rubbed some sunscreen onto Peter’s cheek.
“Okay! Okay! I can do it myself!” Peter batted Tony’s hands away weakly as the old man laughed. Peter acted like he hated it, but it warmed his heart that the man actually cared enough to make sure he wouldn’t get a sunburn. After that Peter looked at his camera and the pictures he had taken in the woods. “Hey, at least the picture was worth it.” Peter held out the camera so the others could see the photo.
Tony’s did not think the picture was worth it. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, well the hollow distant look in Peter’s eyes after the flash went off, defied any words. No words can describe how Tony felt as he tried to talk to his kid and having Peter stare straight through him, lost in some horrific memory from the past. The kid’s demeanor reminded him of the hollow empty boy he got back from Hydra a few weeks ago.
Still, looking at the picture Peter took did bring some relief. All four of them in the photo were all, really and truly, smiling. No hint of falsities or worry. It was the glorious calm before the storm, but that calm and happiness was captured in the picture for all time. Tony had plans to frame a few copies to put in the tower and the lakehouse. Maybe his wallet as well.
After another thirty minutes, Steve spoke up. “I think I’m going to go for a dip, anyone wants to join.”
Peter really did, but he had yet to go swimming since Hydra. He knew how, since they had to teach him for missions, but he had never been for fun. “You don’t have to.” Tony broke through Peter’s thoughts as he saw the kid's nervous gaze as he stared at the water.
“I-I want to,” Peter replied.
“We can go slow.” Bucky offered and Peter nodded. They slowly made their way to the edge of the beach, their feet sinking into the sand with every step. Peter let out a small startled gasp as the cool water touched his toes. “You okay?” Bucky said by his side, his hand intertwined with Bucky’s metal one.
“Yeah, I’m good.” He wiggled his toes to get used to the temperature and then slowly walked forward, Steve just a head and Tony by his other side. Each step brought the water closer and closer to Peter's head, but the comforting presents of the three other men kept his panic at bay. He trusted them, he knew nothing would happen. It took a while, but they walked to the point where the water was up to Peter’s shoulders.
“You don’t have to put your head in.” Tony reminds him.
“I know, but I-I want to.” Peter was still pretty petrified about his head being dunked under water, for obvious reasons, but he wanted to prove he could. Prove it was safe.
“How about we go together?” Bucky asked.
Peter nodded gratefully. Tony also doesn't love dunking his head in water, for the same reason as Peter, but for his boy, he would do anything. “On three.” Tony said. “1, 2, 3!” All four men dunked their heads under the water. Peter came up with a gasp and a small shiver, it was easier and less scary than he thought. The other resurfaced just as Peter shook his hair out and it reminded Tony of a dog shaking out its fur. He smirked at the thought.
Slowly Peter became more comfortable. In under an hour, Peter’s worries melted away and they were playing chicken fight. Peter was on Tony’s shoulders while Bucky was on Steve’s. It was a long arduous game full of giggles and lame trash-talking. In the end, Peter and Tony won. Tony suspects that Bucky let Peter win, but then again Peter was pretty damn strong.
They only decided to get out once Peter started shivering and the sun started to set. Steve also opted to get out when the water turned colder. Cold water never sat well with him, again for obvious reasons.
In the evening they all got into comfy pajamas and had dinner outside around a fire pit Tony set up on the beach. The man kept a tote bag under his chair but tried not to give attention to it… for now. They ate mac and cheese and Peter had his first smore. Bucky and Steve were curled up on a beach chair together while Peter sat next to Tony in his own chair. Although there were moments when no one spoke it was peaceful, just the crickets chirping, the water hitting against the sand, the leaves rustling in the trees, and the fire crackling. Peter and Tony looked up at the Stars together. Peter had never seen so many at a time. Once in a while Tony would point out a constellation and Peter would look to where the man was pointing, memorizing the clusters of stars and their names.
“Look a shooting star!” Peter announced excitedly as he watched a ball of light dash across the sky.
“Quick, make a wish!” Tony called out. Peter makes a wish as the star goes out of sight. “So… What did you wish for.” Peter opened his mouth but was cut off before he even made a sound.
“Don’t tell him Pete!” Bucky said quickly, lifting his head from Steve’s chest. “If you say it out loud it won’t come true.”
“He’s right, you know.” Steve agreed.
Tony rolled his eyes, “That’s a superstition.” Peter looked a bit conflicted, he really really wanted his wish to come true. Tony saw this, “You don’t have to tell me kid. I was just messing with you.” Peter relaxed again.
A few minutes later Tony cleared his throat which got the attention of all three. Tony eyed the weighted blanket in the empty chair beside him and then turned to Peter, “Listen kid,” He decided to do this with the others there in case Peter needed them, especially Bucky, “I brought something, but I don’t want to bring it out until you are prepared.”
Peter looked at the man warily, “What is it Mr. Stark?”
“I found something when I was packing.” Bucky and Steve sat up a bit at this, “It’s from when we first found you.”
Peter looked confused but he knew it couldn’t be anything good if it was from then, “W-What is i-it? C-Can I see it?” He was getting more and more nervous.
“Of course, but can you take a deep breath for me kiddo?” He could hear Peter’s breathing start to pick up. Peter nodded, he took a breath following Tony, who was taking over exaggerated ones. “Okay, ready?” Peter honestly wasn’t sure, but he wanted to know so he nodded. Tony reached under his chair and grabbed the tote bag, he reached in and grabbed one of the two items inside. As soon as he pulled the object out Peter's breath hitched and Steve and Bucky’s eyes went wide. They couldn’t understand why on earth Tony would bring the horrible device.
Peter stared at the muzzle in Tony’s hand as tears glazed over his eyes. “W-Why?” Peter whispered.
Tony had no idea one word could break his heart, but it did. He was starting to think this wasn’t a bad idea, but he couldn’t take it back now. “I spoke to Sophie and she agreed this was a good idea.” He tried to defend.
Peter broke his eyes away from the metal and looked up at Tony, “W-What is?” he shuddered.
“Burning it.” He stated and Peter’s eyes went wide.
“What?”
“I was going to destroy it, but I thought it was your right, not mine.” Peter was silent as he looked back down at the contraption that had kept him silent as his freedom, or what had been left of it, had been ripped away. “You don’t have to I just thought that-”
“I want to.” The strength and determination in the sentence through them all for a loop. Two seconds ago he was shuddering, but now he has a fierceness to his eyes and his voice, “I want to destroy it.” he said again.
Tony gave him an encouraging smile and he held out the device. Peter took a deep breath that shook just a bit at the end before grasping it. He looked it over and his eyebrow came together in anger. He stood up and walked towards the fire. He took another breath, holding it over the fire which made the skin on his hand feel hot. One more breath, and then he dropped the horrid muzzle into the flames. Luckily it wasn’t made up of Vibranium like most of Hydra’s creations. Instead, it had had a failsafe which Tony had disabled when he got Peter back to the tower all those weeks ago. Peter watched as it started to melt. He watched as the last piece of his captivity melted away. He took one more freeing breath and sat back down.
“How does it feel?” Bucky asked after a moment.
Peter looked over at him and took another breath. His shoulders sagged and it looked like a thousand pounds had been lifted off them, “Liberating,” He looked back to the stars as all three men smiled.
They once again sat in comfortable silence, stargazing, warmed by the fire. Around half an hour later Bucky and Steve decided to turn in. Peter got up and gave them each a hug goodnight before sitting back down next to Tony, who was fidgeting a bit in his seat.
It was now or never.
He looked over to Peter who was gazing at the stars in wonder. Looking at them like they are the most important thing and with such focus, it’s as if he was worried they could disappear at any second. The way Peter looked toward the twinkling lights in the sky is almost identical to the way Tony looks at Peter. One, with wonder, knowing he will always learn something new about the kid and the boy will never stop teaching him and making him proud. Two, with a bit of apprehension, as if he could disappear in the blink of an eye. It had happened before, so it wasn’t far from reality. And three, like he is the most precious, amazing, most wonderful thing in this world. Not like , but is the most wonderful thing in this world and the best thing that has ever happened to Tony.
The man clears his throat, suddenly a bit nervous. He doesn’t know why though, what he is about to ask is the only thing in his life that he is completely sure about and feels right, “I have something for you.”
Peter tears his eyes away from the sky. He looks at the other man questioningly. “I’ve thought about this for quite some time,” Tony continues, “no matter what though, this is your choice. I won’t be hurt either way, it’s only what you are comfortable with.” Okay, so that was a lie. If Peter refused he would be very hurt, just because he loves the kid so much, but he would never show the hurt outwardly.
Peter looks even more confused now. Tony bites the bullet and reaches down beside him where the tote bag was laying. He grabs the remaining item inside which happens to be a neat pile of papers held together by a paperclip. He looks at the paper after he takes it out for one moment, staring down at the title written on top. He then takes a deep breath and hands them over to Peter.
Peter takes the papers and stares at the writing for a minute incomprehensibly. Tony unintentionally holds his breath. “I-Is this for r-real?” Peter's small voice breaks the suffocating silence. “You really want to-” He doesn’t finish the sentence as he looks to his right and stares at Tony with wide unbelieving eyes.
Tony lets out a breath, ”Of course Peter, why wouldn’t I?” Peter just shook his head not knowing what to say, although his brain is repeating the same phrase over and over You are a burden. Even if he recently started believing that he is wanted . Luckily the first sentence is replaced by Tony’s next words, “You are everything to me Peter.” He lets a laugh bubble from his throat, it feels wrong in the moment, yet he can’t help it, “For Thor’s sake Pete, you are the Sun, the Moon,” he gestures to the sky, “and the Stars to me.” He is shaking his head like it is the most obvious thing in the universe. Apparently not.
Peter can’t help the warmth that blossoms through him and the small turn-up of his lips. He then looks back down at the piece of paper in his hands.
Certificate Of Adoption
It was already filled out, there was just one spot blank. A spot for Peter to sign. Peter let the smile fully form on his face as his eyes set into determination mixed with love. He turned to Tony, who was still looking anxiously at Peter, his hands fidgeting in his lap, “Do you have a pen?”
And like that all the tension left Tony, replaced by pure and utter joy. He immediately got up, Peter doing the same, and wrapped his arms around his son tight. “I love you Peter. I love you so much and I will never stop loving you.”
This time Tony did not have to say,
I promise
, Peter knew. He knew he was loved.