Rhodey smiled when he saw his best friend and could only hold him as Tony rested against him and all the billionaire could think about was his baby back home.

After getting cleaned up and taken care of, he was finally put on a plane home. Rhodey stayed by him the whole time, concerned by the silence that hung in the air. "Is-is Peter okay?" He asked an hour into the flight, voice shaking.

"Stressed. He's missed you, goes from your office and room, and searches the house." Tony sighed this time, closing his eyes and the Colonel wondered if he had said the right thing. "He's going to be happy to see you." Tony smiled at that.

"We have some things that need to be done first. Tell Pepper to keep Peter a bit longer." Rhodey nodded.

He never expected Tony to stop making weapons.

_____ Hours after the conference and arguing with Stane____

Tony didn't know what to expect when he came home that night. He was away for three months and now he has an arc reactor and his kid was just a couple steps away.

But would Peter be scared of him? Of his arc reactor?

He hoped not.

He walked to the door and before he could even touch the door handle, it flew open and Peter came running out, Pepper walking calmly behind him. Tony crouched down, spreading the arm that wasn't in the sling, out. Peter launched him into his father's arm, hugging him tightly, crying. " 'ove 'ou." Peter cried out and Tony smiled, tears falling down his face.

"Love you too Tesoro. I love you too." Tony sat there on the pavement, hugging Peter close to him, hoping to shield him from everything in the world. Tony wished he could take away all the bad in the world and keep him safe, give Peter and all children a wonderful world to live in. But he can't. He can only try.

"Come on let's go inside," Tony whispered and gently maneuvered him so he can pick him up correctly. He stopped to hug Pepper. "Thank you for taking care of him." She nodded, wiping away tears from watching them. Tony sat Peter down, taking off the sling and coat before sitting down. He held Peter, just hiding the kid in his chest as he sat on the couch.

Rhodey, Pepper, and Happy watched the two, worried but relieved at having a Tony home. Tony sat there for hours, only moving to cover Peter with his coat when the child fell asleep. Other than that he stayed, gently speaking in Italian, probably some lullaby, and wrapping Peter up slightly when the kid stirred. "Tones?" Rhodey spoke quietly, giving him a gentle smile when he jumped. "Want some dinner?" He asked. Tony only shook his head.

"I think imma head to bed, I'll see you all in the morning." They nodded and watched as he left. Tony brought Peter to his room, laying him down gently on the bed before grabbing clothes from his closet to change in the bathroom.

"Welcome back Sir." JARVIS had spoken when he entered the bathroom and Tony smiled, happy to hear his AI's voice.

"Hey, J. Miss me?" He asked, very hesitantly reaching to turn on the water, panicking slightly. He only calmed down when JARVIS spoke.

"Incredibly sir. Would you like me to show you emails and missed calls tomorrow?" He asked, wanting Tony to rest before throwing work at him. Tony shook his head.

"Delete everything. And start a new project." JARVIS had to admit he was intrigued by this new project. Sir had said he was no longer making weapons. "Name it Mark two." He finished. JARVIS did as told and decided he would ask later.

When Tony came back Peter was still asleep so Tony just laid down on the other side, bringing Peter closer, and hid him once more. "J?" He asked for his AI once more, the one person who he knew must have watched over Peter the most. "How was he?"

"He was stressed, Sir," JARVIS spoke gently, almost hesitantly as if he was wrong and was using the wrong word. "He asked and search for you. Would you like me to show you the video?" Tony shook his head and sighed.

"No. I'm hoping you took care of him?" JARVIS knew he hadn't done a lot. He couldn't do everything, Miss Potts or Colonel Rhodes.

"To the best of my abilities." Tony nodded. He gently stroked Peter's head before closing his eyes. "Good night Sir." Tony smiled.

"Good Night J. And thank you"

JARVIS promised himself to protect both of them better. He had to because they were his family. "Of course sir.