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com / moctopus =============================================================== Tony and Peter had been lying in the same spot for seven hours and were beginning their fourth animated film.
The decision to hold a Hayao Miyazaki marathon had been spontaneous.
They had been sitting in the laboratory when Peter made a joke about Ponyo and, to his horror, discovered that Tony had never seen the film in his life.
Seriously, how was that possible?
At least he had watched My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away.
Peter supposed he should be grateful for that much.
Peter’s enthusiasm for working on Natasha’s new weapons was therefore severely damaged.
Tony noticed the kid’s outrageous indignation—it would have been difficult not to—and agreed to watch ‘that fish movie.’ Then he remained on the couch for another couple of films.
That was what always happened with Peter.
Pepper texted that she would be back any minute, so they decided not to start another movie without her.
Probably because Tony felt slightly guilty about leaving almost all the work to his wife.
Only slightly.
Everyone knew Pepper enjoyed what she did.
She might never admit it, but she did not deny it either.
Enjoyment did not prevent exhaustion, however, so Tony and Peter prepared for her arrival by bringing a blanket, heating dinner, and making a large cup of tea.
Perhaps they overdid their effort to please Pepper just a little.
They stole half the fruit from the Avengers’ floor, and Tony lost at rock-paper-scissors, which meant he had to run to the nearest grocery store and urgently buy assorted sweets.
He may also have accidentally returned with five bags.
So they overprepared.
Who cared?
Pepper would be happy.
She emerged from the elevator smiling brightly and waved in greeting.
F.R.I.D.A.Y.
had announced her return fifteen minutes earlier, but after work Pepper always went to her room first and changed into something comfortable.
Tony and Peter were used to the routine and even knew approximately how much time they had before Her Majesty appeared.
Pepper climbed onto the couch between them, took the blanket, and wrapped both of them in her arms.
“Hello, my favorite boys.” She had an extremely sweet habit of calling them that.
Tony always waited for the words and the welcoming kiss on his forehead.
Peter would never admit it, but he loved them too.
“What have you been doing?” “Waiting for you.” Peter handed her the tea.
“Have you seen Hayao Miyazaki’s films?” “Of course.” Pepper smiled while Tony muttered something indistinct.
“I hope you didn’t watch Kiki’s Delivery Service without me.” Peter shook his head and selected that exact film.
Pepper’s word was law.
Peter loved evenings like this.
Sitting quietly in Pepper’s or Tony’s arms, laughing at animated films, eating sweets, and watching Charlie and Darkness play was perfect.
Everything became so warm and comfortable that, during moments like these, he simply slipped out of reality.
Halfway through the film, Tony reluctantly admitted Peter had been right and that he had missed a great deal by not watching these movies sooner.
He suggested rewatching Totoro next.
The idea was received enthusiastically.
Pepper joked that Tony was setting a terrible example by allowing so many cartoons.
Hardly breaking news.
When the film ended, Tony volunteered to carry all the dishes to the kitchen and promised to return with more tea.
Peter noticed that Pepper had become lost in thought.
Definitely not about the forest spirit.
Peter had actually noticed it several days earlier.
Pepper had begun behaving differently.
She often twisted the edge of her sleeve and watched them thoughtfully whenever she believed no one could see.
Peter had the impression she was trying to say something and could not make herself do it.
That was completely unlike Pepper.
“What are you thinking about?” Peter climbed out of her embrace to retrieve another supply of gummy candy, then tucked himself back in.
Pepper smiled and ran a hand through his hair.
Tony’s terrible habits had spread to her.
“Are there problems at work?
You’ve looked worried for a few days.” “No, sweetheart, everything is fine.” Peter knew the best way to make Pepper or Tony speak was to remain quiet and allow them to gather their thoughts.
It worked.
He heard Pepper’s pulse quicken slightly.
“Actually, there’s something I wanted to tell you and Tony, and I was a little worried about how you would react.” So that was it.
Peter hugged her.
He thought he already knew what she wanted to say, but she needed to do it herself.
“You know Tony and I are always on your side.” Peter smiled gently.
“I can’t believe you’re frightened of our reaction.
Pepper, Tony would make the Earth rotate in the opposite direction if you asked, and you know that.
Yet you’re still worried?” Pepper giggled quietly and messed up Peter’s hair.
She knew she should not be so anxious, but she could not help it.
Tony returned from the kitchen and set the cups on the table with a clatter.
Pepper decided this was an ideal moment.
Everything was quiet and peaceful, and Peter’s questions had already opened the subject.
She only needed to wait until Tony sat down.
He had a heart condition, after all.
“Don’t start the movie yet.
I need to tell you something.” Pepper smiled softly and gathered her courage.
“All right, boys.
I didn’t expect this to happen so soon, but I’m pregnant.” Peter smiled.
He had known it.
Tony had no idea what was happening.
He froze, then looked suspiciously at Pepper’s stomach.
It did not seem any larger.
Pepper glanced at Peter with a smile and a hint of anxiety.
Peter decided Tony needed a little time to recover from the shock.
“You obviously don’t know whether it’s a boy or girl yet.
It’s only been two weeks,” Peter said thoughtfully, catching Pepper’s surprised stare.
“I suspected.
This will sound extremely strange, but when I came back from Asgard, I noticed your scent had changed.
Spider things.
I could explain it scientifically with hormone names, but let’s simply say people acquire that scent when they’re having a baby.” “Wait.
Are you saying you knew before I did?” Pepper’s eyebrows rose in surprise.
“And you didn’t tell me?” “It would have been strange if I walked up and said, ‘Hi, Mom.
According to your smell, you’re pregnant.'” Peter smirked.
“Besides, I thought you should discover it yourself.
And I only suspected.
I didn’t know for certain.” “And you…” Pepper hesitated.
“You aren’t upset?” “Upset?
Are you joking?” Now it was Peter’s turn to be surprised.
So that was the reaction she had been afraid of.
“I’m incredibly happy for you.
For both of you, I mean.
And for myself too, actually.
Just so you know, I’ve dreamed of having a little brother or sister since I was three.” Pepper smiled with relief.
The tension visibly left her when she heard his answer.
How could she ever have believed he would be unhappy?
Tony finally emerged from his trance and pulled Pepper into a tight embrace.
He blew lightly into her ear, making her laugh, then narrowed his eyes as though remembering something.
“Can we name them Morgan?” Tony smiled when Pepper and Peter nodded at the same time.
“Damn, I hope it’s a girl.
I want a girl.” Pepper exchanged a look with Peter and gave an adorably puppy-like sigh before explaining to her whining husband that the decision was not entirely theirs.
Peter thought it would soon be very strange to hear the baby’s heartbeat.
Strange and adorable.
The baby did not even exist properly yet, and Peter already adored them.
*** Tony announced that since Peter knew Totoro almost by heart, he had another task: go and delight the Avengers.
That way, this time they could not complain that Tony had once again forgotten to mention a child.
Pepper only laughed, apparently resigned to Stark’s intention to tell the entire universe about the baby.
Literally.
Peter did not object.
He shared Tony’s desire to tell everyone in existence about the future beautiful little one as soon as possible.
There was no doubt the baby would be beautiful.
Upstairs, Tony had already activated full overprotective mode and was attempting to convince Pepper to spend the entire pregnancy in Alaska, far away from work.
Naturally, she refused and suggested that Tony merely lighten her company workload by handling most of it himself.
He agreed, of course, because Pepper’s wishes—especially pregnant Pepper’s wishes—were law.
Now he was dealing with the consequences.
And possibly crying.
Tony would deny it, but F.R.I.D.A.Y.
had cameras.
Almost every Avenger was in the common room today.
Surprisingly, they behaved even more reasonably than usual.
Some watched a film, some played Monopoly, some ate the fruit left after Tony’s raid, and the rest simply wandered around doing whatever they liked.
They became more animated when Peter arrived, greeting and hugging him.
Sam watched suspiciously, probably afraid Peter had come for the remaining fruit.
Even if he had, they would hardly have been able to stop him.
“Tony sent me.” Peter finished hugging everyone and earned an even more suspicious look from Sam.
“Remember when we first met and you were shocked that Tony forgot to tell you about me?
To prevent that happening again, I was sent to announce that Pepper is pregnant.” “Wait, what?” Peter smiled as everyone in the room froze and stared at him in complete shock.
“Pepper is pregnant.
They’re going to have an awesome little baby.
Do you understand?” Peter laughed while the room remained profoundly stunned.
Wanda recovered first and rolled her eyes theatrically.
“God, another Stark.
The Earth will not survive.” She smiled, then, to Peter’s surprise, asked gently, “And how are you?” “Why is everyone so worried about me?” Peter was genuinely confused now.
He had just told them about an amazing baby, and they were asking the wrong question.
Pepper had worried about him too.
For some reason.
“How do I explain this gently?” Natasha apparently realized he did not understand.
“Aren’t you worried about what will happen to you when Pepper and Tony have another child?” Oh.
So that was what Pepper had meant.
Fine.
Perhaps Peter was slightly slow sometimes.
Or completely incapable of reaching the conclusion at all.
“I’m not worried.” Peter shrugged carelessly.
“The only thing that will happen to me after the baby is born is that I’ll have a little brother or sister.
I’m extremely excited about that.
Also, I should go.” Peter waved goodbye and jumped into the elevator to return to Pepper and Tony.
God, what a strange situation.
Why was everyone convinced this would trouble him?
The baby’s arrival was an incredibly wonderful event, and it was unlikely to change his relationship with Tony and Pepper at all.
He should probably tell them that directly before they continued worrying.
They were not allowed to worry: Tony had a heart condition, and Pepper was pregnant.
“Hey, by the way, they explained why you were worried about my reaction.” Peter smirked, dropped beside Pepper, and climbed back into her arms.
“Basically, I’m not afraid you’ll suddenly get rid of me or anything once you have another child.
First, because you aren’t those kinds of people.
Second, because I’m awesome.
Third, Tony isn’t ready to part with Charlie and Darkness, and I would definitely take them with me.” “Pepper, our child is awesome.” “Yes, I noticed.” Peter grinned and returned to the movie.
They still had a great deal left to watch.
*** uknowwhoIam @tonystark One more problem… thecutestpuppyever @peterparker Stop calling the baby and me problems.
We’re already cooler than you, @tonystark.
uknowwhoIam @tonystark You are my problem, @peterparker.
What else am I supposed to call you?
thecutestpuppyever @peterparker Fair.
But the baby isn’t your problem yet.
uknowwhoIam @tonystark Remember that the child is a combination of me and Pep, and realize that this is not only my problem.
It’s yours too.
And the entire planet’s, because this little one is guaranteed to be incredible.
thecutestpuppyever @peterparker Oh yes, this baby will be able to conquer the world.
And I’ll definitely be happy to help.