edit (december 6th 2023): this has been getting a lot of notes - thank you for the love btw! - so i just wanted you to know that this idea has a full story! it's right here. thanks again!
tony is checking his notes while he works, when he hears the door opening.
"oh peter, is that you?" he says, a little relieved but also annoyed. "care to explain why you haven't replied to any of my messages-?"
when he looks behind him, though, there's nobody in the lab.
... the meow startles him.
tony finds the black cat sitting on his notebook, and doesn't appear to plan on getting off.
"seriously?" tony groans. "friday, why is the little black hole in here?"
"he is boss jr., isn't that correct?" the A.I. replies rather smugly.
the man glares at the ceiling. "very funny." then he turns to the cat. "why are you like this. i thought cats liked to be alone. but i guess you just love bugging me."
the cat doesn't reply. he dares to lie down, refusing to let tony work. before they settle on yet another glaring contest today, the older man's phone vibrates on the desk, much to the cat's curiosity. tony quickly takes it and sees he has new text messages from peter.
peter: sorry mr stark, i can't come over today
peter: i have a decathlon meeting and i can't miss it
tony audibly groans. yeah, of course. obviously.
then peter sends another one.
peter: how is tony jr? is he behaving?
tony aggressively texts back.
tony: that is not his name. and no, he's being a little menace, alright. he ruined my couch, he knocked my favorite mug over, and now he won't let me work.
peter: aww mr stark, he just wants attention!
tony: yeah, but he doesn't have to be such a little shit.
peter: stop being mean to him!!!
tony: he's being mean to me.
tony: so what, i'm gonna be stuck with him for another night?
the teen spends a while writing the next text, which becomes many of them, probably indicating he's anxious.
peter: look mr stark i'm sorry i forced you to look after him
peter: i just couldn't leave him in the cold and aunt may already has a lot in her plate
peter: but i didn't mean to make you mad either
peter: i promise i'll try to come over as soon as i can to take him to the shelter
tony's anger fades. he sighs it out.
tony: kid, it's fine. i get it. you have a good heart and i'm proud of you for that. i just wasn't ready to have a stray cat home.
tony: but this isn't your fault, okay? you did the right thing.
he almost texts more but decides not to.
peter: ok mr stark
peter: i'll try to get him to the shelter by the end of the week
tony: no pressure, kiddo.
when he thinks it's over, peter sends yet another one.
peter: hey mr stark? could you take a pic of him? i miss his little face 🥺
tony rolls his eyes and positions the starkphone in front of the cat. the little feline seems to notice it and looks back. and he tilts his head almost instantly. though tony knows it's not out of confusion - it's like he's posing for the photo.
the hero sends it to peter.
who in turn, replies with several stickers of people exploding with heart emojis.
peter: omg!!!! bby!!!! i would die for him!!!!
tony: please don't.
peter: aww he even posed!
peter: guess he rlly takes after you 😊
tony: he is still not my cat.
peter: still... just be good to him until i get back ok? he just wants some company
you don't get it, pete. i'm irresponsible and i ruin everything i touch.
tony doesn't send that.
instead, tony looks at the cat deep into his golden eyes.
his hand approaches the little void. he expects to get bitten or scratched like he has been all day. but worse...
i ruin everything i touch, and i'm going to kill another innocent creature. i'm going to kill him. i'm going to kill him.
...
the cat is snuggling against his hand, purring.
then he lets tony pet his whole body and his tail touches his fingers.
indeed... all the cat ever wanted was love and attention. the things he never had in the past.
with a relieved smile on his face, tony finally answers peter.
tony: okay.
just a simple reply. but many promises.
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