Home By Five || P.P · Y/n story by @Alex

The New York afternoon sun cut through the grime of the McDonald's window, casting long rectangles of light across the sticky linoleum floor. The lunch rush had dwindled to a few scattered customers. Businessmen on phones. A teenager ignoring her milkshake in favor of scrolling. An elderly couple sharing fries in silence.

???

...so then Oliver said the Tyrannosaurus had feathers. But Miss Chen said no, it was mostly scales, but some might have had proto-feathers for warmth. So Oliver said she was a proto-feathers. It was very rude.

The boy sitting across from him was small. Four years old, maybe five. Brown hair, enormous brown eyes, a smear of ketchup across one cheek. Clutched in one chubby fist was a half-eaten chicken nugget. The other hand was waving emphatically.

???

nods seriously Then Miss Chen sent him to Mr Harrison's office.

The young man made a low whistle, lips quirking.

???

That's serious. Did he apologize?

The young man paused. Looked up. Studied his kid's face. A slow smile spread across his features.

???

So you're telling me... you can tell when someone's lying... by their eyebrows.

Outside on the pavement, Tony Stark had frozen mid-stride. His sunglasses had slipped down his nose. A half-empty shawarma wrapper dangled from one hand. Behind him, Sam Wilson had walked directly into his back.

Sam Wilson

rubbing his nose Tony, what the—

Tony didn't answer. He was staring through the glass. At Peter Parker. At Peter Parker casually sitting in a McDonald's. At Peter Parker having a lunch date. At Peter Parker saying "Dad."

Clint Barton

looks up, squints Wait. Is that—

Sam Wilson

voice flat That's Peter.

Inside, the child said something that made Peter laugh. A real laugh. The kind Tony had maybe heard twice in the years he'd known him.

???

voice carries through the glass, high and clear Daddy, can I have a McFlurry?

The question drifted through the window. Muffled. Undeniable.