How did I not post this? The days are long without him, but at least Peter can see Tony at night on the talk shows and galas. And his daddy always, always makes sure to face time even if it's for five minutes. There are no stylists, no reporters, no nosey neighbours peering at their phones; just Tony and Peter. And Tessa.
"How's my baby," he goes to respond, ducks his head to avoid the light seeking his blush out, when Tony continues, "how's my precious little Tessa?"
The croon sets his skin on fucking fire, but it's not arousal making Peter's stomach roll. The puppy by his side barks, eager because Tony's there! Right there in her brother's hand! Daddy's here! Peter loosens, unable to be angry at such a happy display. Doesn't mean he's not jealous though.
"Peter, sweetheart, you spaced out on me. What's going on inside that fluffy haired head of yours, kid?"
He didn't plan on blurting it out, it just slipped and "We were watching you. On the tv. Daddy."
Great, give the man an even bigger ego, why don't you. Tony grins at him slowly, proudly, all sharp teeth and a flicker of a tongue that knows exactly what to do to get him singing. Jesus, Peter really has to start turning the temperature down when they facetime, his blood just drops, insistent on leading him into a night that he cannot have. He has a test tomorrow.
A very, very important, Tony glances down, rakes his eyes over his collarbone with the fading purple blotches, drinks in Peter's skin peeking out over the covers and shit. That's all it takes. A smile, some attention and he's done. Ready to go. They're really doing this. How could they not when he's so turned on absolutely nothing could ever
"Yeah, does pretty Tessa miss me a lot?" The phone screen cracks under his hand, fifty thousand dollar gift splintering so quickly there's only a nanosecond between unharmed and fingers dripping red. He doesn't even flinch, too angry Tony never gives him a break before making Peter work for it. Just once, he wants to be taken care of without the billionaire's mid life crisis getting in the way of a good time.
Tessa comes over, gently licks his wounds with the flat of her tongue in order to make him feel better, to make him happy. Peter flexes nimble fingers, sighs when the skin stitches back together seamlessly. It used to take him hours to heal, even little things like scratches. But when you've got all the time in the world thanks to Tony Stark, you pick up hobbies.
He presses a kiss to the puppy's nose, giggles when she harrumphs and seeks out his lips once more. When he looks at the screen, Tony has the most fond expression Peter's ever seen in their four years together. "You ok, baby?"
It's an apology, based on the soft lilt to his voice and concerned words. Mid life crisis or not, his boyfriend loved him, would never do something if it meant Peter got uncomfortable. Yes, he'd tease, make his lover blush all shades of pink. But he stopped once it was clear Peter wasn't in that mind set, wasn't looking for that dynamic.
Inhale, "We both miss you, Tony", exhale.
"Oh doll, I love my pretty babies equally." Tony doesn't glance at him while he says it, eyes on Tessa instead just so she yips and spins around, intent on crashing into Peter and licking all over him since daddy isn't here and she's judged him a worthy substitute. She may not understand exactly what's been said, but she has enough foresight to make Peter laugh and forget about the dried blood on his fingers.
"I love you, Peter. With all my heart."
"I know, Tony. I love you too." A piercing howl. " Ok, ok! We love you too. "