Fill 4: No

[innitmarvelous_og]

"I said, 'no', Ethan," Pepper said, a serious look on her face, "And I meant NO."

Ethan's jaw was tight as the eleven year old tried to hold back the clever retort that was running around in his head. He had his father's patented look of frustration on his face, and it wasn't a look that held any sway over his mother.

"But... but you said that I could go yesterday, he muttered, and folded his arms, "Dad even even said that it was fine!"

Pepper's voice was a leveled calm but gave me no hope that she'd relent, "But that was before I saw your math test score. You got a sixty-two, Ethan! Sixty-two! That's far from fine!"

Ethan turned his head, cheeks turning red, "It was harder than I thought it was going to be."

"I don't doubt that it was. Your teacher says you can retake the test to improve your grade, and your Dad will be helping you study for it. But you going to a party over getting started on being responsible for your school grades is not how things are done in our house. You're going to have to miss the party."

"But Mom, that's not fair!"

"Hey! Don't use that tone with your Mom," Tony said in a rare firm, no nonsense voice as he came into the room.

Ethan opened his mouth, closed it, then looked away, "Yes, sir. Sorry, Mom."

She nodded, "Thank you. Here, take a look at this." She handed the test paper to Tony.

A few seconds later, his eyebrows shot up, "Ethan, you got a sixty-two on this?"

The boy nodded.

"Did you study?"

"Sorta."

"What do you mean by 'sorta'?"

"I... I looked at it the night before the test."

"Ethan!" Tony said.

Pepper went further with, "Ethan Walter Howard Stark!"

Ethan winced when he heard his full name come from his mother's mouth and saw the look on her face that said he was in trouble.

"I know," Ethan mumbled, his gaze looked on his shoes.

Pepper's voice and gaze softened just a little as she said, "Ethan, you know we're not trying to be mean to you, right? It's just that your education is very important, and we want you to take it seriously. You know that you Dad and I have to work hard at the things we do everyday, and we both expect to see you put forth the same kind of effort in your schoolwork."

Tony nodded in agreement, "Tell you what, champ, let's make a deal. You study, really study with me every night this week for the retake of your test, and if you can bring your grade up to at least a B, then we can plan something special to do next weekend. Maybe we could go hit that new indoor sporting place you've been wanting to check out."

Ethan's face lit up, "Really, Dad?"

"Really," Tony confirmed, "But you really need to put forth your best effort and this should be the last time that either Mom or I have to have this conversation about you not studying like you're supposed to. Deal?"

Ethan bit his lip then nodded, "Deal. And Mom, I am sorry about my attitude and for not studying like I should."

Pepper smiled as Tony ruffled his hair, "That's my boy. Now, go get your math book because you and I have some work to get done before your bedtime comes around."