Chapter 1: Why Don't You Do Right?
Tony Stark stepped into the old cloudy apartment complex, the floors were covered in what appeared to be dust and some form of feces; the air felt stale and musty, one wouldn't be able to stand in the building without fear of the roof caving in on them. Tony walked around the room attentively, pacing the floor so feverishly that dust once again began to reclaim the room; Tony stopped and turned to the realtor who stood alongside his son, Peter. A smirk grew on Tony's face as he stepped back over to the salesman; he moved so quickly it was almost as though he'd glided across the floor, stunning both Peter and the realtor. "Well, would you look at this" Tony said, right before he grabbed Peter's arm and pulled him in close, putting his arm around him. "So whaddya think?" Tony said. Peter, disheveled from his aggressive displacement, took a moment to collect himself and looked around, only to look back at Tony with skepticism and disbelief. "You're kidding me right?" "No, no I'm not. Well, not any more than usual. Look, it's spacious and it's got plenty of room." "Yeah, if you like broken wood, creaky floors, and a nice broken roof to keep you warm at night" Peter said, wandering around the room. "Don't be such a wet blanket, this is a blessing in disguise. You just don't know from nothing." The realtor stood between the two in confusion, jaw agape unsure of what to say or how to even say it. "S-so" the realtor said, doing his best to steer the conversation back in his direction. "What do you think Mr. Stark?" Tony, in the midst of his discussion with Peter, turned his attention the timid man.
"What do i think?" Tony replied, almost as if he was offended by the realtor's question "What do I think? Pete, you hear this guy? He wants to what I think." Tony's voice grew louder and held far more disbelief than before. The salesman quaked in his brown lace up oxfords out of utter fear; sure he knew his ham fisted attempt to get back to the sale was bad but he surely didn't mean to offend the man. He was unable to form a coherent sentence as the tall dark gentleman moved over to his direction. He seemed a lot taller than the realtor last remembered, maybe it was the fear itself that created this illusion "You're askin ME, what I THINK?" Tony now loomed over the salesman. "Y-yes, i-i'm sorry if I of-fended you, I only meant tha-" Tony burst into a fit of laughter at the man's pathetic display, leaving both the Realtor and Peter with a dumbfounded look on their faces, making Tony's laughing fit even worse. "Pe-Peter do you hear this guy?" Tony said. Peter, getting fed up with the Tony's shtick, sighed loudly in hopes of getting his attention and more importantly ending this bit. "Come on old man, you're scaring the guy, you pill" Peter said, slapping Tony on the back. Tony sighed, wiping tears from his eyes, before he pulled the realtor in for a good laugh. The realtor wasn't sure what to make of the situation, he tried to laugh but it just came off as insincere. "Lighten up, will yah? I was just razzing you, no harm done." "O-oh, o-of course my apologies. So about the price-" "Don't worry about it, you'll get your 105,000 clams" Tony said, as he brushed the salesman aside. Peter followed suit as he and Tony headed towards the door. The realtor chased after them. " ! I'm well aware of your situation but-." Tony stopped on his heels, the air felt far tenser than it did earlier. "Oh I am well aware of my situation, as well as yours." Tony said, and the salesman stepped back as Tony's glare stared daggers into him. "I am well aware." Tony stepped toward the man. The realtor fell back on his ass in a desperate attempt to get away from him; Peter looked back over his shoulder. "Tell me, do you know what sort of situation you're in?" Tony waited for a reply; the silence felt like an eternity, Peter held his breath in hopes the man answered correctly. "I-I'm a-a-aw-" "Good, I'd hate to have to take yah for a ride. "The man sat on the floor in silence. Peter sighed, but it wasn't a sigh of relief. "Come on Peter, I'd hate for you to Miss Amos 'n' Andy." Tony ruffled Peter's hair, but Peter swatted Tony's hand away and walked to the car. "Had I known who this man was, I wouldn't've given in so easily." Peter got in the car and Tony drove them away.
It had gotten to be around 6 o'clock when Peter and Tony got back to the manor. They both stepped out the car and headed up the cobblestoned path to their estate, the silence was awkward and uncomfortable. "So, you excited about the new business?" Peter didn't reply; instead he seemed to be picking up his pace in hopes of distancing himself from the man and closing his window of opportunity for a discussion. Considering Tony's strides were far longer than his own, Peter's efforts were all for not. "You've been really quiet lately. Is this gonna be a new thing? I like it." Peter continued his brisk pace. Tony sighed and stepped in front of the young man "Hey" Tony put his hand in front of Peter's chest to stop him and get his attention. Peter, now annoyed with Tony's behavior, glared up at him "What do you want?" "What's with the attitude? What's eatin ya?" Peter didn't feel the need to answer the man, nor did he wish to speak. Peter tried to sidestep Tony but he only found himself in the exact same situation he was in before. Tony cocked his head to the side, waiting for Peter's answer; "Come on, spit it out, freezin' my ass off out here." "Well then go inside" but once again Peter was stopped by Tony. It was now clear that the only way he was going to get out of this was to answer him. "Okay, how about the fact that you threatened that guy earlier?" "Hey, come on, that wasn't a threat, that was simply a business transaction." Peter rolled his eyes and continued on the path to the house. "Hey, what do you want from me?" Peter stopped on the porch "I adopted you and put a roof over your head, what's the problem?" "THE PROBLEM IS, YOU'RE AN ASSHOLE! You don't know when to quit." Tony, shocked at the accusation, stood there eyes wide. "I'm going to bed." Peter went up the stairs, slamming the door behind him. Tony sat on the porch, reflecting over the day's events, unsure what to make of it all. "Come on, the kid's just being dramatic I'm not that bad." Tony sighed, tired and exhausted, unsure of why he ever adopted the kid. He missed the days when Peter wasn't so moody. Just as he was getting up to go inside, a man came running up the path. Tony clenched his hidden browning, model 1922, in his coat, unsure of what to make of the situation. "Tony?" he recognized the voice and sighed in relief. He let go of his gun and sat back down on the porch"Hey Steve." Tony, even though he was out of it, managed a smile on his face. "What's wrong? Why're you out here?" Tony didn't wish to stir up the old emotions he had just sorted through. He stood up once again, holding the door open slightly "You thirsty? I'm thirsty. Come on, let's go get drinks." Steve, unsatisfied with Tony's answer, followed him into the house in hopes of shedding some light on the situation. The house was cozy and well laid out; the living room had a couch and two other chairs, a rug and fireplace, which hadn't been started for a while, judging by the wood. Steve followed Tony into his study; he gave tony a look of anticipation, waiting for the answer to his question, but to no avail as Tony continued to wander around the room, muttering on about something Steve couldn't understand, nor did he care to know. "So get this, the guy has the gall to-" "Tony!" silence reclaimed the room and they both stared at each other for a moment. Tony sighed and sat down at his desk; he looked like a wreck. It looked as if the day had taken more of a toll on him than he cared to admit. Steve sat on the edge of his desk "Come on, what's wrong?" this time it held a lot more power behind; it felt more like a demand than a request.
"God, that kid" Tony said, laying his head on his arms. Steve figured that was the case and chuckled a little at his presumption "I figured" "I mean I don't get it, I give him any and everything he wants, he goes to a good school, not to mention all those damn gadgets" "Look, Peter is a good kid, i know because I was kind of like him and I don't think that's the problem." "Oh please, what isn't the problem?" Tony got up and headed over to his hidden stash, he pulled out what looked to be bourbon and two shot glasses; He slid one over to Steve, who rolled his eyes in disbelief. He slid off the table and walked over to Tony "You know I could arrest you for that." Tony knew it was a bluff and proceeded to drink his shot in Steve's face. Steve sighed, "come on Tony" "No, you come on" Steve, fed up with Tony's careless behavior, snatched the glass out of his hand "now look, I've busted my ass to cover you and your little operation; whatever the hell it is but we can't keep this up. I can't keep this up." Tony knew this was coming, Steve came over almost every week to get on his soapbox and drone on about Tony keeping his nose clean from here on out, He'd listen but only out of courtesy for the bull. Tony didn't have the heart to quit and somewhere deep down Steve must've known this, because he stopped lecturing tony and waited for a response;" Tony things are getting worse, the other families are getting ambitious, people, your associates are popping up dead in the streets I can't keep looking the other way anymore." Tony took his glass out of Steve's hand and slammed it back on the desk "I CAN'T PROTECT EVERY SCHMUCK WHO COMES CRYING STEVE!" Steve looked at the man standing before him and saw the pillar of New York's Mafia crumbling at his feet. "Look I didn't mean t-" "No I got it you're right I'll be more careful" it was obvious Tony was done talking. He sat on the edge of his desk, Steve joined him they sat there in silence for what felt like hours "Tony I-" "god still?" "No it's not that, I just don't want to see you end up dead is-" "Steve I've been doing this for years-" "yeah and in those years you've gotten careless now come on hear me out. You've got a good thing going alright? With Peter and your organization I'd hate to see you end up dead over some blood feud." Tony turned his gaze to the floor and contemplated on what Steve had just said. "I got it" Steve looked as though he was going to lean in for a kiss, but Tony got up before he could seal the deal. "Yeah nice try but maybe another time,y'know when the boy isn't so unruly and the law isn't so nosy." Steve snickered and made his way to the door "if you end up dead I'm going to raise hell in the streets." Steve smirked "Good night Mr. Stark" and he left for the evening.
Not even enveloped in his wool blanket could Peter keep warm. It was always like this. The cold morning air seeped through the cracks in the wood sending chills down his spine; waking him up. Peter lived in the attic of the house, Tony had the roof and the attic refurbished he assumed as a token of goodwill and a welcoming present. Peter sat in his bed for a majority of his mornings reflecting, and thinking about his past and soon to be future; it all scared him he knew what was to be expected of him in the near future, Tony while he never stated it explicitly expected peter to take over the "family business" and the thought of that chilled him to the bone. Peter wasn't stupid, he knew that his position as the boss would come sooner and far more violently than he expected or wanted it to. To have such a huge responsibility thrust upon him made him want to run away. Peter slowly but surely got out of bed, he figured he'd get some work done to take his mind off of it all. Peter's room was filled to the brim with books. Peter flicked on the light hang from his ceiling the sketches of his elaborate contraptions now illuminated. The pictures covered his bedroom wall like scales, while searching through his books and sketches for this week's homework he came across a photo; old and tattered not to mention a bit blurry, Peter could barely make out the words on the sign he let out a slight chuckle when he recognized the picture. There stood a fourteen year old peter alongside his friends of the orphanage it felt like forever since he thought about that place.
Peter remembered the first time he rode up to the orphanage it was a decent sized home with many windows. The curtains billowed in the cool autumn breeze. Outside he saw a woman her hair was a dark brown with strands of grey. Her eyes didn't seem to have a distinct color at least not that peter could recall. She sat on the stairs watching children play in the yard. Their clothes were peculiar; looking back now they were most likely donations or hand-me-downs. The cop who had stayed by his side after his traumatic event came around the car to let him out he guided him to the house. The sidewalk was cracked and uneven; the yard enclosed by a white picket fence-by the looks of it they were as old as the house. The walk must've not been long because before he knew it Peter stood before the woman. "Go on, say hello" little peter peered from behind the young police officer unsure of what to make of the middle aged woman, she laughed at the sight of the frail boy. Her guffaws only made him all the more reluctant to greet her. She knelt down and smiled waiting patiently "hello…" peter's voice was so low it was drowned out by the wind. The nice woman stood back up "he's very polite" "thank you ma'am, isn't that right peter?" Peter nodded as he no longer wished to speak "would you like to go play while me and the police officer talk?" while she was far too forward he knew she only had good intentions. Peter nodded and ran off somewhere they couldn't see; the yard was a lot larger than he anticipated as he found himself disoriented and turned around. Peter must've been gone for a while because he saw the officer heading towards his car. He chased after him ready to leave when the man stopped him from getting in "this is where we part ways little man." Peter didn't understand and made another attempt to get back in the car only to be stopped once again. Peter grew angry now Mr. Hemingway has played many games with him before but this was not fun, he wanted answers but he couldn't find the words to speak instead he cried face red shaking his head side to side. "Look buddy she's a real nice lady and there are plenty of other kids'-" "no don't leave!" the officer surely had done this many times before because he was quick to nip his tantrum in the butt. The officer sat peter on his lap and gave him a very generic speech that was not all that memorable. He was sure he'd given it many times to many others, but regardless, the officer's speech gave him hope and comfort, that which he hadn't felt since the day his parents died. Peter waved the man goodbye eyes red from sobbing his shirt he remembered clung wet to his collarbone. A hand slowly crept onto the boy's shoulder snapping him back into reality; teary eyed he turned to meet the woman's gaze. "Come on Peter I promise you'll be alright" she held out her hand ready to take him inside, but peter was unable to move. The woman sat down on the curb putting her almost face to face with peter. He finally gave in and collapsed onto the woman in tears hugging, and clinging to her to assure himself this was real. It very much was. The reality of it all sent the world crashing around him. She simply said "we'll be okay peter, we'll be okay"
The smell of smoke brought Peter back to his senses, in a panic he rushed down the stairs to see where the smell was coming from; only to see Tony desperately fanning the pan on the stove. Only 5 in the morning and the geezer is burning the house down. Peter quick on his feet trotted over to the kitchen grabbing an oven mitt on his way, he grabbed the pan with haste putting it in the sink while simultaneously turning on the water. Tony busy cutting off the stove chuckled at the spectacle "good morning". Still upset about the other day Peter continued to ignore Tony's attempts to strike up a conversation but much to his chagrin he continued to speak. Oh come on still? "Peter look I-" "I got to go or I'll be late." Peter threw down the oven mitt and headed toward the stairs; a few moments passed before he came back down ready to head off to school, Peter headed towards the door "I'll see you later" granted it was only a few words, but it still gave Tony a sliver of hope. Peter checked his watch, around 7:45 am he had plenty of time to get to school but he picked up his pace just in case. The morning air had a slight chill; the sky a plethora of oranges and blues it was almost surreal that such a display existed in the world, Peter must've been lost in thought because he didn't notice the officer heading his way, both were on a mission walking furiously to their destination so furiously that they ran into one another. He hit the ground with a harsh thud now back in reality peter's initial response was anger as to who would harass him this early in the morning, the officer taken aback soon remembered where he was and got up with haste "Sorry kid" offering to help Peter up, Peter immediately changed his tone as the officer obviously meant no harm in all fairness he wasn't watching where he was going either then it suddenly dawned on both of them. "Steve?" Steve's eyes grew wide looking at the man standing before him; Steve pulled Peter for a hug "Look at you, you're looking great I haven't seen you since I left you with" "Mr. Stark" Steve took from the tone that peter was displeased with the arrangement it almost made him laugh just imagining the two interacting. Peter was unsure of what to say to him he hadn't seen Steve since he was ten it was now 6 years later and he had all but moved on since then. "Hey want to catch up later tell me what's going on I've missed so much" "I'd like that" they stared at each other unsure of what to do next, Peter checked his watch 10 minutes had passed "oh jeez! I got to go I'll see you later!"
The air was thick and musty the rain and sweat clung to Steve uncomfortably as he carried out the casket the handle cold and heavy, his chest hurt as he passed by his fallen comrades family. Though his wife did her best to keep her composure for her children she still wore her emotions on her sleeve. it hurt far more now than it did when Steve found out, Steve's mentor of three year had passed; suicide. In his old Ketchum home, Steve always knew Ernest suffered from depression but he never thought Ernest would let it get the best of him. He didn't remember the ceremony very well not that it mattered, Steve took over the Ernest's case files when he came across a tattered picture of a little boy. His hair was in his face and it looked unkempt, he wore cartoonish large glasses and he had the look of someone who had just pissed the bed. Steve was sure Ernest had only two children one of which he met, he flipped the picture over in hopes of shedding light on this situation. Steve's hands must've still been wet as he smudged the first half of the name, the back of the photo read "Never forget _ Parker visit him every week." Then that would mean Ernest was a week late on that visit. Steve took it upon himself to go and carry on where Mr. Hemingway left off, He guessed it was his way of making up for not being there for him as well as he should've.
Steve watched Peter as he ran off to school before making his way up the stairs, he let himself in; the house was smoky and smelled of burnt food he could only assume that it was another poor attempt at, Tony trying to cook he fanned the air in hopes of getting rid of some of it. as he hacked and coughed he squinted the smoke burned his eyes Tony came out of the kitchen in some sort of makeshift apron, Steve was honestly at a loss for words and could give, Tony only a confused stare "good morning" Tony took a bite of some burnt piece of food before spitting it back in the pan "Here" Steve slid some papers across the counter "what's this?" "It's an estoppel certificate for the apartment complex you just bought" Tony picked up the papers signing each with quick succession. "So what's the building for?" Tony remained silent only smiling with a deceitful grin, Steve suspected as such and sighed in disappointment- granted he didn't expect much though. "I saw, Peter earlier. He looks good, sweet kid you did better than I thought you would." Tony snickered at the notion unsure of whether or not Steve was being sincere or just having a laugh at him, "yeah, thanks for that." He left the room throwing his apron on the counter, Steve casually followed him into the living room to see Tony sitting on the sofa; the pattern on the couch was unfitting for the entrepreneur, and made him stick out like a sore thumb. Steve sat down on the chair halfway across the room, neither Tony nor Steve really knew what to talk about granted they could have acknowledged the elephant in the room but tempers would most definitely flare; this they both knew to be true. Sometimes silence is best. Although even with this information Tony still broke it "He really likes you Steve" Steve was happy to hear this, but the pain that trembled behind Tony's voice when he said it hurt him all the more. Steve tried to make Tony understand "You know that I didn't mean t-", but He didn't want to hear it "Look I got it alright, what are yah going to do?" It was clear Tony was trying to write this all off as quickly as possible. "He's not like that Tony, he's just having a rough time coming to terms with your-profession." The desperation in Steve's voice only angered Tony even more he wasn't asking for his pity he had hoped, Steve would at least try to see this from his perspective and empathize, but it was evident that he was unable to reach such conclusion on his own. "You know I've been hearing a lot about Peter, and don't get me wrong love the kid but have any of you stopped for just. Just a fraction of a second to just." He couldn't say it, the words caught in his throat his face grew hot and the frustration ever worse, Tony was battling his demons alone he didn't have to, and Steve did everything in his power to make it clear he didn't have to do this alone, yet Tony refused ever still. Steve knew trying to console him would only send him into an even greater fit so he remained objective "Tony I'd like to take custody of Peter."