For a hc, I was thinking pepperony's first date, or what happens when pepper realizes who Tony really is and the fallout from that, or pepper's first time babysitting Peter like her first mom moment. You guys are amazing btw!!!
I went with Pepper’s first time babysitting Peter because that idea is so SOFT and some of these we’re saving to be full out oneshots ;)
(This is partially based off of my immense babysitting experience lol)
“Are you sure you can handle this, Pep?” Tony asks, fumbling around the apartment for his keys. “I usually bring Peter with me to these things, but he’s always bored out of his mind and—“
“Tony,” Pepper interrupts. “I already said I’d be happy to. Me and Peter will have tons of fun, right little guy?”
Tony smiles. “Okay, Petey, just remember: not too much TV, brush your teeth, and when Miss Potts says it’s time for bed, you gotta listen. Okay?”
“Okay daddy,” Peter says sweetly.
“Atta boy,” he turns to Pepper. “You’re a godsend, really. I don’t get sitters for Peter much so let me know if he’s a total pain.”
Pepper laughs. “He won’t be. Now go! You don’t want to be late.”
“Kiddo, I’m heading out now, can I get some kisses?”
Peter runs up to Tony and gives him a big kiss on the cheek. Tony wraps him up in a big bear hug.
“Alright buddy, be good. See ya, Pep!”
They both wave until Tony walks out the door, the chime of the bell signaling his exit.
“Alright, Peter. Wanna head back upstairs and play some games?”
Peter turns and gives her a big, crooked smile. “Yeah!”
Hours later, Pepper is absolutely exhausted. She’s played every game she can think of with Peter, her only rest being the blessed hour of cartoons he watched halfway through the day. Other than that, it’s been the non-stop hyperactivity only a five-year-old can muster. By the time it’s seven-thirty, it’s all Pepper can do to keep her eyes open.
“Okay, Peter, I think it’s time for bed.”
Peter’s expression immediately drops, it’s like a switch is flipped and all of a sudden his eyes are filled with tears.
“When’s Daddy coming home?” he asks in a wobbly voice.
Pepper panics. “He’s not coming home until late tonight, but as soon as he’s home he’ll come in and give you a big kiss, okay? Until then… do you want to pick out some bedtime stories and get your PJs?”
“Okay,” Peter nods slowly, the mention of stories distracting him for now.
Pepper helps him brush his teeth and get him into his PJs and he picks out three books that he wants her to read. They snuggle up in his small bed and by the time Pepper is on the last book, Peter is almost out. However, as soon as she closes it he’s on high alert once again.
“Daddy?” he asks in a high-pitched whimper.
“Not yet, honey,” Pepper sighs. “Soon, okay? If you go to sleep it’ll seem like no time at all.”
“I miss Daddy,” Peter cries.
“I know,” Pepper hugs him. “But he’ll be back very soon. Do you want me to keep the door open a crack?”
“Yes please,” Peter sniffles.
“Okay sweetie, you got it,” Pepper tucks him in tight and shuts off the lights. “Goodnight, Peter.”
“Goodnight,” Peter replies. “I love you.”
Pepper is so taken aback by his easy affection that she pauses as she’s closing the door.
“I… I love you, too,” she smiles and leaves the door open a crack.
Around an hour later, Pepper hears keys jingling and then Tony is entering the small apartment.
“How was the squirt?” he asks when she stands to greet him.
“He was great,” Pepper smiles, smoothing out her clothes and running her fingers through her hair. “Man, I don’t know how you do it every day. Little kids have endless energy.”
“Don’t I know it,” Tony chuckles. “I don’t know how I do it either. Was there any trouble?”
“No, he was a doll,” Pepper replies. “But he really missed you by the end of the night, he was crying for you when it was time for bed, you should probably go check on him.”
“What a drama queen,” Tony laughs. “Thanks, Pep. I really owe you one.”
“It was absolutely not a problem,” Pepper beams. “Anytime you need me, seriously.”
Tony pulls some bills out of his pocket. “Well, here’s some money for your trouble—”
“Absolutely not!” Pepper pushes the money back towards him. “I refuse to accept that. I did this because I wanted to, seriously Tony. I meant it when I said I was happy to.”
Tony looks uncomfortable at the idea of not compensating Pepper for her time, but they both know she makes way more money than he does. She didn’t babysit for some extra cash, she was helping out a friend. And if she thought of him as more of a friend… well, he didn’t need to know that part.
“Tony,” Pepper says, looking him in the eye. “Really.”
Tony sighs. “Okay, fine. I should… probably go say goodnight to Peter.”
“You do that,” Pepper nods. “I’ll head out.”
She begins gathering her things and is heading to the door when she hears Tony quietly say, “And Pep?” She turns around and cocks her head.
“Peter really loves spending time with you,” he says, sounding uncharacteristically vulnerable. “As you know, his mom isn’t in the picture, so… it’s nice to have a female presence around for him. I appreciate it more than you know.”
Pepper swallows. She thinks about how Peter said he loved her and wonders if she’s the first motherly figure he’s ever had. It makes her heart swell to think about.
“Thank you, Tony. I’m glad to hear it. Will that be all?”
Tony smiles, the vulnerability in his face melting away. “You are dismissed, Miss Potts.”