<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#99ff99">"I don't mind talking to them -- or the school," Tony insisted.  "I think it's part of the gig as your guardian.  And for Einstein's sake, kid -- call me Tony."  He ruffled the boy's hair then -- because there was nobody here but Bruce to see him do it -- kissed his temple.  Then he let Peter fall back into the safety of science, and didn't try to pull him out again until bedtime.<br/>
<br/>
Tony knew how valuable the hours of nothingness were, the hours when your brain was busy and you didn't have to <i>feel</i>.  He also knew how important it was not to stifle Peter's brain while trying to protect his heart.  Tony knew down to his bones that letting Peter go to school tomorrow was a bad idea -- he knew it more deeply than he knew his own name.  Hell, if he could get away with it, he'd be going <i>with</i> Peter to school the following day... but he knew damned well that wouldn't work.  Maybe Natasha would go.  She was good at being unobserved.</span></span>