( PARKS AND RECREATION )

WHEN CHERRY'S HALF-BROTHER CALLED HER AND TOLD HER THAT HIM AND HIS FAMILY WERE IN MALIBU, CHERRY HAD NEVER BEEN MORE GLAD THAT SHE HAD THE DAY OFF. She had been basically ready to lounge around her apartment all day with Scottie, her jeans old and well worn, her t-shirt comfy. But, with John's call, she was more than happy to slip on a pair of sneakers and meet him at the diner before heading to the park. Since they didn't see each other often because of work schedules and Vivian (Cherry's niece) school, it was a rare treat when Cherry could either pop in to see the family of three, or have them visit. 

What Cherry wasn't expecting was to open her apartment door after petting Scottie goodbye to see Tony stood on just the other side, hand raised to knock. They stared at each other, Cherry with her key in hand and purse over her shoulder, Tony in some nice jeans, nice shirt, and a sports jacket. His eyes scanned over her person, before he was dropping his still-raised hand, "If this is a bad time, I can come back." 

That's when Cherry noticed the drink tray in his other hand, the Starbucks logo clear against the white cup and the aroma of coffee distracting. As much as Cherry had had her morning cup of coffee, she would never say no to more. And, plus, she liked spending time with Tony. "Uh- My brother is in town and I'm going to spend time with him. You're more than welcome to come, Tony," Cherry watched Tony open his mouth to probably protest, so she gave him a reassuring smile, put her hand on his arm a told him seriously, "You wouldn't be imposing, I promise." 

Tony opened his mouth again, before he shut it and then was just nodding his head in agreement to come. Cherry gave him a beaming smile before she was taking the Starbucks up that didn't say black on it and was chucking the drink tray into her home where she's sure Scottie will tear it up before locking her door behind them. Cherry lead Tony out of her building before she was starting the twenty minute walk to the diner that she knew John, his wife Anne, and Vivian were. Tony and her made small talk as they walked, Cherry glad that the paparazzi seemed to be taking a day off because no camera flashes where blinding her. 

Upon entering the diner, a small shriek of happiness flooded the silence and then Vivian was rushing over to her with a yelled, "Auntie Cherry!" When she was close enough, Vivian threw herself into Cherry's arms, the woman bracing herself and picking the girl up in a tight hug. Vivian looked at Tony in curiosity when she was done squeezing the air out of Cherry, looking between the blonde and Tony before he took up her complete focus. Cherry watched Tony give her a small wave, which spurred Vivian on and she reached out for him. Tony's eyes widened but didn't decline when Cherry couldn't control Vivian's weight and was pushing herself into Tony's arms. "Hi, I'm Vivian, I'm five. Who are you?" 

"Tony Stark," Tony told her after a pause, in which Cherry started to lead them to a booth that John and Anne were occupying. Vivian squirmed from Tony's hold when they had arrived, climbing onto the bench where her drink was positioned. Cherry climbed into the opposite bench, smiling at her half-brother and his wife. 

"John, Anne, this is Tony Stark, you've probably seen him in the media," Cherry introduced. John held his hand to shake over the table and Anne just waved. Vivian pushed her drink to Cherry and Tony's bench before she was crawling under the table and inserting herself in between the two of them. Cherry rolled her eyes but messed up her hair by pushing a hand through the curls. 

Everyone watched as Vivian grab at Tony's hand, who was looking at her with surprise in his eyes, before the little girl was ranting about everything and anything. They listened as she told Tony about her kindergarten class and how her best friend Delaney had been mean the other day because she didn't want to share her markers. But, the person that sat on her other side had the smelly ones, which were better than Delaney's and he had shared so it had all worked out. When she started talking about the pancakes that Anne had made her yesterday, Cherry had gave her a look that made her snap her jaw shut. 

"John, how has work been going?" Cherry asked, trying not to notice that Tony had slung his arm over the back of the booth and she could basically feel the warmth that was radiating off of him. The answer she got from John was one that was dull, only because he was having a bit of a slow time at the firm. Being a private detective wasn't all exciting, especially when he had no good cases that were getting called in for him to look into. Anne also spoke up about her daycare and how they had a lot of good kids and that she was always happy to see Vivian playing with them as they spent their day doing fun activities on the weekends. 

The waitress came, asked for Tony and Cherry's drink order, gave them some menus, before smiling and telling them she'd be back in a bit for their orders. John gave them a minute to look at the menus, then his curiosity got the best of him and he was asking Tony about some kind of weapon. Cherry had wanted to listen, but Vivian had grabbed onto her shirt near her hip and gave it a tug for attention. The older woman looked at her niece, who motioned for her to come closer so Cherry did as told, leaning down so that Vivian could whisper in her ear. 

"Is Tony your's?" Vivian got a confused look from Cherry, making the young girl sigh exaggerated and glare at Cherry in annoyance. "Like Daddy is Mommy's. Is Tony your's?" 

Cherry felt her eyes grow wide, looking up at Tony, who was talking very animatedly, his hand not staying still as he spoke of something to do with Stark Industries. She looked back at Vivian, who was now staring pointedly at the arm that Tony still had basically wrapped around Cherry's shoulder. Cherry felt herself turning red, before she was rolling her eyes and patting Vivian on the head. "You're clever, you know that? But no, Tony is not 'mine'." 

Vivian blinked, "Why not?"

Cherry opened her mouth to answer, to tell her that it wasn't that simple, but was thankfully cut off when the waitress came back to take their orders. She ordered herself some eggs and bacon, taking a sip of her coffee and clearing her throat because Vivian was still staring at her with intense laser focus. The little girl obviously wanted an answer, which meant that Cherry would have to think about it for a little bit. 

Grateful that Tony was so animatedly talking about whatever the topic switched to thanks to Anne, Cherry was able to avoid getting an answer out to Vivian for the duration of their meal at the diner. John had insisted they pay, as a treat for Cherry, but Tony still left an outrageous tip that probably covered the next two meals for random people. Once they got out of the restaurant, Vivian ran up to Tony and put her arms up, making the man look at Cherry in confusion. 

Cherry shrugged, not sure what Vivian wanted, before watching with silent shock as Tony lifted the five year old up and place her on his shoulders with ease, making sure to have a grip on her hands so she wouldn't fall. Vivian let out a laugh of glee as they walked to the park nearby, pointing out things she hadn't been able to see when her feet were planted firmly on the ground. 

John kept pace with Tony, the two of them talking, Vivian interjecting only when she had something very important to say about a street or a sign or a person. Anne found herself hooking arms with Cherry as they walked a couple paces behind the boys (and Vivian). "So, Tony Stark? You're the one that's settled him down?"

Cherry snorted, shaking her head. Though, she kept her eyes on Tony, watching as he still talked with his hands a little, Vivian's tiny hands moving along with whatever he was saying. The little girl had taken to resting her chin on the top of his head in what looked to be a slightly uncomfortable position. When she leaned forward to peer at Tony's face, Tony was able to bare the weight of her tilting forward and stuck his tongue out at Vivian. "No, Tony's actually my boss. I'm pretty sure I'd be breaking some kind of rule."

"Oh," Anne made a face, a smirk on her mouth as she nudged her shoulder into Cherry's. "A forbidden romance, how... hot! I bet the sex is going to be amazing." 

Cherry turned red, Tony looking over at her before winking and then doing something that made Vivian erupt into shrieking laughter. She really hoped he hadn't heard what Anne had just said. If he had, Cherry would promptly die from embarrassment and somehow dig herself her grave right in the entrance of the park. 

They found themselves a clear patch of grass, Vivian being set back on her feet to go play. Almost immediately she ran over to Cherry, grabbing onto the older girl's hand and tugging. Cherry had no choice but to follow, sending a smile to Tony as Vivian lead her to behind the tree that was close by. When she did, Vivian shoved up the side of her shirt, revealing the scar that was still there since the last time she check. The little girl visibly pouted as she traced over the pink line, tracing over her pants when she hit the fabric on how far down on her thigh it went. "Are you always going to have that owie, Auntie?" 

Cherry pulled her shirt down, squatting so that she was eye level with the girl. She ran a hand through her curls again, using her other hand to poke at her niece's belly. The action elicited a laugh from Vivian, who swatted at Cherry's hands so she wouldn't do it again. "It doesn't hurt now, honey, so please don't worry. I'm fine, I promise."

"Where did you get it again?" Vivian asked, curiosity plain on her voice. And as much as Vivian wasn't doing any harm in wondering, Cherry really didn't like thinking about how she got that scare.

"You know what?" Cherry asked,not even trying to be subtle about the change in conversation. She peered around the tree, spotting where John, Anne, and Tony were all standing around and talking. "Tony looks like he would be a great person to tag to start off." 

Vivian perked up at the words, leaning out to glance at the man in question, "You think?"

"Oh," Cherry said, nodding with a smile on her face, "I know." 

Vivian went to take a step and then narrowed her eyes at her, "But he's yours, why do you want him tagged?"

"Because, sweetie," Cherry fixed Vivian's shirt, not even in the mood to fix the fact that Tony wasn't hers right now. She just wanted to see him surprised and watch him run after the little girl. "He's had a hard week and you playing tag with him will surely cheer him up." 

Vivian nodded, squaring her shoulders, then peered around the tree again. In a second, she was darting out, as fast as her little legs could take her, smacking Tony on the hip when she rounded him and yelled "Tag, you're it!" 

Cherry watched with a smirk as both John and Anne shared a look, before running away, Vivian giggling as she rushed away from Tony herself. Cherry ran from her spot as Tony took a moment to realize what was happening, before he took off after John and Anne. That's how the five of them were caught in a game of tag, the adults slowing down whenever Vivian was it or tagging the small girl. And yes, Cherry might have been competitive enough to trip Anne when John was about to tag her, but she would deny that if anyone else asked. 

The game ended when Vivian plopped down, breathing hard, waving off John's attempt to tag her. Cherry found herself standing beside Tony, their shoulders brushing with each breath. So what if they were breathing a little hard, it was a competitive game of tag for the adults. His fingers found their way around her wrist, giving it a squeeze and Cherry felt her skin start on fire. The hand moved from her wrist to the small of her back, tugging her a smidge closer with her shirt, Tony using her shoulder as a headrest. 

Anne gave her a look. Cherry pointedly ignored it. 

"Can we get some ice cream, Daddy?" Vivian asked, propping herself up on her elbows to look at John. And that's how the five of them found themselves in an ice cream parlor, licking on various types of ice cream that Tony had paid for. Insisted paying for because they had gotten the diner and it was only fair that they let him pay for his 'intrusion'. Though, with the way that John was smiling at him, Cherry's pretty sure she'd have to fight her own half-brother on matters of the heart if he wasn't married. 

Due to Tony's contribution to Vivian's ice cream addiction, she had planted herself right on his lap after she had gotten her ice cream. Everyone watched her as she licked up trails of melting ice cream as fast as she could, everyone making small talk. 

Cherry got up and used the bathroom, handing her cone off to Tony after he had held his hand out for it. When she was drying her hands after washing them, an employee came into the room and smiled at her, "You and Tony are really cute with your daughter!" 

Cherry smiled in confusion, nodding, walking out of the room. When she got a glimpse of Tony, she understood the compliment. He was staring at Vivian, who was balancing on his lap still, a dot of ice cream on her nose. He then gave one to himself, making a funny face that made the little girl giggle loudly and try to swipe it off, stating something about how she was the only one allowed to have a special nose. 

Cherry felt her chest warm at how cute the two of them were, smiling as she made her way back there. Once she took a seat and got her ice cream back, she swiped her finger through it and dotted her own nose, sticking her tongue out at Vivian. She watched the little girl pout, but the soft look she got from Tony was worth the slight attitude she got from Vivian after. 

____________

___

it's been a hot minute since i update this, but enjoy the flufffffffffff

tony was a dad back then too, lbr, i mean, look at dum-e. he just wasn't ready to have his own kids because obviously everything with howard still fucks my boy up. gah. i love him.