Tony held Peter close to him as the child napped. He was still getting used to being back and he was getting used to having an Arc reactor in his chest. He had JARVIS run a full scan and show him all the damage that was done.

He would live, he decided after looking over the information, all he needed to do was improve it, and maybe one day he would get it removed. What really concerned him was how Peter was going to react to it.

Right now he doesn’t mind it, thinks it a pretty blue, and is entertained by the color but clearly, he won’t always think that. One day he’ll be older and think differently of him, maybe he will think his father is some kind of freak, some sort of embarrassment.

Tony never wanted that for his son, never wanted Peter to think of him as something shameful.

Tony shook those thoughts away as Peter shifted in his arms only to settle again. Peter wouldn’t be like that, he was showing much of his mother in him and Mary was a sweet woman, never judged, never sought out for attention, she loved Tony just to love him.

Of course, things don’t last forever and Mary had left because of all the hatred and rude comments she was getting. Tony understood because if he was in her, he would leave too. He hoped Peter would be much like his mother, kind, caring, forgiving, passionate. If Peter got one thing from him, it would be to smarts but nothing of his reckless behavior.

“Sir, I would recommend some rest. You haven’t slept in the past 48 hours, and taking care of Peter won’t always be naps, he has become very active in your absence.” JARVIS spoke up when he saw his creator spacing out. Tony sighed and closed his eyes. J was right.

"Alright." Behind his eyelids, he saw the red armor he's been hiding in his lab. The same armor he used to kill the terrorist that tried to split families, the one that almost gave out when the U.S. air force came after him. The same one Rhodey disapproved of but covered for him anyway.

He opened his eyes, looking around the now dim room, wondering what his next move would be. He wonders of sending Pepper to look through Obadiah's computer, Tony had a hunch that Obi might have been up to something. Especially with the ten rings, maybe he was trying to protect him? Still, he needed to know.

"J, call Pepper."

____

Obi smiled darkly at him as he twisted the Arc reactor out. Tony could only think of Peter upstairs, sleeping and safe in his bed. At least he was alright and wouldn't ever have to go through this.

As Obadiah left, Tony knew he had to get up and go get another Arc Reactor but would he make it?

He was barely able to make it to his lab but he thanked Dum-E for grabbing his Arc reactor and shattering it near him.

While fighting with Obi he wondered again if he would survive this. If he would make it home to his lovely son or if he would die.

Of course, he would, he decided. He had to because Peter needed a father, he needed a parent and Tony couldn't abandon him just like his parents did.

He had to protect the world for Peter, he had to keep Peter safe.

____

Peter had seen Iron Man on the news lately, and he fell in love with the hero, telling his dad about the mysterious idol.

But Iron Man wasn't Peter's favorite hero, no that was his dad. His dad was his favorite hero and that would never change.

So as he sat with his Uncle Rhodey and saw his daddy say he was Iron man Peter giggled and pointed. " 'Ove 'addy!" Peter smiled up at his uncle.

Rhodey smiled. "Yeah, I love Tones too." Rhodey was kinda proud of his friend, but he was mostly worried.

But he knew this was all for Peter.