Man in a Can: Tony Stark (PTSD Recovery)

Chapter Seven: Like Father, Like Son

(Title Art Credit: chase2452 | Pinterest?)
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"Jesus, who taught you how to shave?" Tony asked, a look of disgust on his face.

Peter looked up at Tony, small scruffy patches on his upper lip and chin. "Steve did, remember?"

"It really shows."

"Why do you think he grew the beard?" Sam joked.

"To hide his babyface." Bucky smirked.

"To be fair, you were busy," Peter said.

Tony's smile faltered. "Righttt. Sorry about that."

"Oh, it's okay. Really. Steve's a good teacher. He just.. he didn't exactly tell me how often I should." Peter rubbed at the fuzz on his upper lip. "I guess I didn't notice how bad it got."

Tony shook his head. "C'mon."
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   "Kid, it's either all hair or no hair."

   "What?"

   "Simple. Either have it full, or shave it off."

   "Like a beard?"

   "Like a beard. Or a mustache." Tony gestured to his face. "Or a goatee. As long as it's full. Patchy is pathetic."

   "Tony, I don't think I can grow out a goatee anytime soon."

   "Which is why you should be clean shaven until you can. That is, if you decide to have facial hair."

   "Yeah, that makes sense."

   "You want to look clean," Tony said, razor gliding across his cheekbone, mouth twisted to the side. "And put together."

   "Put together. Clean. Got it." Peter started copying Tony's motions.

   "See? Easy."

   "Yeah, easy," Peter said, nicking his skin. "Ow!"

   "Toilet paper."

   "What?"

   "Put toilet paper on it."

   Peter gave him a look. "Am I hearing you right?"

Tony huffed. "Here," he said, ripping off a tiny piece of toilet paper and putting it on the small nick on Peter's face. "Now what did you do here?" Tony asked in a quiet, absentminded manner, licking his finger and rubbing off a smudge of dirt on Peter's chin.

Peter stood still, confusion on his face.

Realization came over Tony, pausing like a deer in headlights. "Oh god." He pulled a hand through his hair. "All this time I've been given the title of your father figure, and it turns out I'm your mother."

A confused grin flickered across Peter's face.

Tony gave a lopsided grin.

The two burst out into laughter.

"What's so funny?" Steve asked from the doorway.