A/N: Hey guys! It's been awhile, I know, and I apologize! School work has been rough and I would like to emphasize this isn't a scheduled story, just whenever I get free time. I took your advice and opinions into consideration and have decided to do a mixture of both Irondad/Spideyson fluff and a story's villain after Peter! Please excuse all grammatical and or spelling errors, take into account I wrote this in substitute of sleeping, and I hope you enjoy. Also, please review! Feedback helps tremendously! Thank you!
"Hello, Dr. Bruce Banner speaking."
"Yes, hi."
Banner groaned for the fifth time as the Stark house phone rang, once again May Parker being the caller. Taking Friday's advice, Bruce allowed the call to ring out before he turned his attention back to the unidentified caller and took a breath, "How can I help you?"
"I um," the deeper, more masculine voice started, "I'm in a bit of a predicament at the moment involving a serious and aggressive stage of cancer. I do believe I have found an alternative approach to treating it rather than surgery and radiation."
This caught the doctor's attention. Cancer was something that was still a mystery to the medical field, though research's being conducted every day towards a cure, towards its cause. Radiation worked to an extent and in many cases treated the illness, but Banner was looking for a vaccine. Looking for the antidote. "I'm so sorry to hear about those unfortunate circumstances Mr..."
"Valvick. Dylan Valvick."
"Mr. Valvick, but please, by all means, share your idea."
"Mr. Banner, I have the supplies and other ingredients towards this mixture I believe will cure not just cancer, but every other illness internationally, however, I am missing one final ingredient I believe is in your possession."
Bruce sat at the edge of his seat in anticipation, eyes wide in curiosity, "Sure, anything. Just tell me what it is and I can guarantee its arrival to you within three to five business days."
The voice scuffed up something from the back of his throat again and paused for a beat before responding, "Spider-Man's blood."
Banner let out an involuntary laugh, "I'm sorry, I beg your pardon? Is this some sort of joke?"
"This is no time for hysterics, Mr. Banner. These are serious topics and I'm proposing a very serious suggestion. I do need Spider-Man's blood, every ounce in that being's body, to confirm my theory."
The doctor's chuckles died down into silence before it dawned on him that this man on the other phone was indeed, not kidding. "You've got some bolts loose, my friend."
"I know you've seen what he can do. How fast his metabolism works, how quickly he regenerates and heals... it's extraordinary! Imagine... imagine the DNA in his blood. Imagine how quickly his cells duplicate to seal wounds and think of how strong his white cells are. Now just toy with the idea of placing that... that super blood against cancer cells, against the entire illness completely. Imagine how many people we'll save with his blood."
Banner pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration and disbelief as he absentmindedly began tiding up his workspace and folding paperwork.
"Look-"
"Plus," Valvick cut off, almost as if sensing Banner's next words would be that of rejection, "think of the money. Bruce Banner, Dylan Valvick, founders of the first cure towards cancer. Think of how famous we'd be, how- brilliant of doctors we'll look. And I get it, leading your friend to his demise, that's probably hard on one's conscious. Try to imagine it as leading a lamb towards slaughter. I'll make it fast too, he won't feel a thing."
"Thank you for the call, Mr. Valvick, but I think we're done here. Don't call aga-"
"Let me rephrase, Dr. Banner. I'm currently watching you place those papers into a folder and into a cabinet."
Bruce stopped his shuffling and sorting of the flimsy assignments as his jaw opened slightly and his eyes scanned all three glass-walls of his office for any person looking in.
"I've got an appointment to derail a train which is expected to have close to 120 passengers on it in four days if I've not received Mr. Spider-Man within three days. I also," Banner was beginning to hear the sadistic and insane tone in his voice as Valvick laughed, "have little birdies who've told me of Spider-Man's... disadvantage. I have reason to believe his current state and is only temporary and by the time I am expecting his arrival, he'll be a few hours from good-as-new.
"So," He chuckled once more, "I'm going to hang up now. Remember, you have exactly three days from today- now- to get Spider-Man's blood, or the man himself, to the address I'll be sending to your phone otherwise 120 innocent lives plummet to their death. And if it's any consolation, he's DNA will be helping others. Goodbye for now."
The phone line cut off leaving an irritating buzz in its wake as Banner stood in shock, trying to comprehend the words.
Well. That took a turn.
Grabbing his jacket, he bulleted towards the door, demanding to Friday that once Tony Stark steps foot in Stark Industries that she informs him of the situation.
Except, unfortunately, by the time Stark is told of the happenings, it's far too late to save anybody.
oOoOoOoOo
His fingers drummed to the beat of the song that distantly hammered a deep bass. Peter was long since passed out in the back of his pile of pillows and Tony was growing content with the soft music and blaring of angry drivers in desperate need to get home. His favorite part was just about to play when an incoming call stopped his thought process and his pretty awesome, at least in his opinion, drum solo.
"Hey, Pep," Stark answered after picking the phone up and seeing his wife's name on the screen.
"Hi, Tony," She greeted in response, though it wasn't as enthusiastic as usual.
"What's wrong? Is something wrong? Are you oka-"
"Yeah, yeah, don't worry, everything's fine. I just..." There was a slight pause and a quiet breath before she spoke, "I know... I know you've been busy with Peter because of his... predicament, but I tried to reschedule the gala again and Jordan Jay wouldn't have it-"
"Galla? Jordan Jay?"
"I went over this with you yesterday, Tony. The gala, you know, that party celebrating yet another massive milestone for Stark Industries after the release of your product with Jordan Jay, CEO of Jay Ceuticals?"
"Right," He mentally slapped himself in the head, "right, yes, of course. W-Why were you rescheduling again?"
She let out another heavy breath, "I was trying to reschedule but I couldn't. Jay refuses to wait around for yet another gala that'll most likely be postponed. I've already called a raincheck twice now."
Those once calming car horns were beginning to grow irritating, Tony noted as his fingers grew into an impatient taping rhythm on the steering wheel, "Okay, so where does this leave us?"
"Well, this leaves me calling you to make sure you're on your way to the mansion to help set up and meet some of our important guests. Steve's been helpin-"
"Wait, woah, hold on. It's tonight. Weren't you just in New York? And why is Steve helping you." He still didn't forgive the man for manipulating Peter into liking the Captain America onesie over the Iron Man one.
"Yes, Tony, it's tonight and I need you here now! I flew in a few hours ago, I thought Happy told you all of this."
Tony scoffed gently, "It's Happy's day off. Did you know I gave those? Days off? I didn't know that." He took a small breath and arched his neck to look behind and around him as his car sat idly in the growing traffic before swallowing, "I'm on my way."
"How far are you? Thirty?"
"Yeah, about, but I'll make it twenty. I'll see you in a bit."
"Hey-" She cut in as he was about to hang up, "I love you."
Tony bit back a stupid grin before humming, "I love you too."
The call disconnected and he found himself stupidly sitting in the lines of cars as more and more added to the trails of vehicles. Looking through his mirrors once more, he took a sharp breath and tugged on the steering wheel so the car jerked to the left and out of the line of still automobiles. From there, he pulled the steering wheel once more in a deadly U-turn and onto the other side of the highway so he was now driving in the opposite direction and dismissing the loud, angry horn blares, he'd consider that a successful, illegal, but successful driving move.
oOoOoOoOo
The mansion doors bust open and Tony stands in the entrance carrying a sleeping child in his arms. A few official looking people stand around the ballroom as designers placed the last bits of decoration around the room, being directed by his one and only. Grinning, he strode up towards his wife who was deeming herself quite bossy and picky as she scolded one man for placing the wrong streamers up in one place and criticizing another for not evening the banner.
"You keep yelling like this and you won't have a voice left for tonight," Tony smirked as his one hand snaked around her waist and announced his arrival.
"Tony, oh thank God, I thought you'd miss Jay Jo... oh my God, look at him!"
"Wha- oh, okay then."
Before Tony had any time to process the change in events, Pepper had plucked Peter from Tony's arm and brought him into her own. She admired him against her chest as drool shined against his lips and his chubby cheeks smushed against her shoulder. His fuzzy hair felt so soft against her neck and she almost melted then and there, "Tony, look at him."
He was looking all right, just not at him.
Though she didn't have much makeup on nor her gala dress she'd be wearing tonight, she looked absolutely stunning and seeing her cradle Peter, that specific little baby boy, into her body so motherly almost made Tony lose his balance. Her blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders and her bright smile made his heart skip a little, the slight laugh she had when something so absolutely adorable came into view she just couldn't stand it- every factor that made Pepper Pepper came crashing down on Tony and made the urge to kiss her almost irresistible.
That was until he felt a large hand rest against his shoulder and he turned to see Steve Rogers. Right.
"Hey, Tony. Glad to see you could show up."
Stark wasn't sure if that was passive, aggressive, or passive-aggressive, but decided to leave it be and nod with a tight smile.
"I needed to tell Pep that they were asking for her advice in the kitchen on meals. I'll take Peter from you if you'd like? I know Tony's supposed to be talking with Jordan Jay soon."
Pepper smiled again at Steve, the way she smiled at Peter, and Tony was about to make a comment on how she really shouldn't be smiling like that at someone like that but was stopped short by her handing Peter over to Steve.
"Thanks, Steve. I'll figure out what's going on, just make sure Peter stays safe all night."
"Woah, woah, Steve? Pep? When did you two get to be on first name basis?"
Pepper just rolled her eyes with the lingering smile still gracing her lips before she turned and walked away leaving Tony to stare blankly at her retreating back and then to Steve, "If anything happens to that kid, even that shield of yours won't help you. Got it?"
Steve just, similarly to Pepper, rolled his eyes and walked away leaving Tony to stand there by himself. The man scoffed in disbelief and straightened himself up, about to shout a rude comment towards Steve before he was addressed by deeper voices behind him and shook hands with someone he didn't know. The two began to talk and that began a long two hours of introducing himself and having short conversations with people he didn't really care to know before the gala was going to begin. Thankfully, about a half hour, before it was supposed to start, Pepper stole him away from his dreadful conversations on recycling diapers and told him to tidy up, get changed into something more proper, and to be ready by 7 PM.
35 minutes.
oOoOoOoOo
He could hear the murmuring voices outside of the heavy wooden doors as he straightened his suit and swatted off some excess dust from the clothing. It was definitely expensive material as it fit his body perfectly and felt beyond comfortable, though he never found official clothing remarkably flattering. It made him feel like his father and that was the last thing Tony Stark wanted to be.
Taking a small breath, he walked out onto the risen area of the ballroom so people's eyes locked on him and a small smile toyed at his lips at people began to clap. His eyes searched for Pepper, then for Steve with Peter, and then for someone else, he may be recognized. He saw Rhodey cheering in the back and caught a glimpse of Bucky Barnes, but the lights on him as he walked did a lot to prevent his view.
"Good evening, everyone! How are you guys doing tonight? A bit muggy outside if I'm being honest, could use a little less humidity."
This earned him a good roar of laughter in the audience and a few toasted glasses in his direction.
"I'll make this short and sweet. I want to personally thank all of you for showing up tonight and supporting Stark Industries as well as Jay Cueticals on our latest project." A warm clapping spread through the crowd as some people whistled and others continued small conversations. "I'd also like to than Jordan Jay for showing up tonight and for allowing the combination of both parties to come together and create this new advancement. And lastly, I'd love to give a huge shout-out to my beautiful wife, wherever she may be, for planning this entire event and making this place absolutely stunning, am I right?"
Another thunderous, unison shout of agreement followed by loud and collective clapping hit Tony's ears and caused him to grin once again. With a short bow, music began to play, soft but evident, and Tony made his way off the elevated platform and onto the recently waxed floor where couples sat eating, people stood talking and laughing, and others slow-dancing with their significant other in the center. Speaking of...
"Tony!"
He turned at his name and his face momentarily lost all strength as Pepper blessed his eyes. "Jesus, Pep, you..."
She wore an elegant black dress that enveloped her body perfectly, emphasizing her gorgeous curves and flattering her already drop-dead stunning body. The dress itself displayed her fair shoulders and complimented her lighter hair and worked so damn well with her that he found himself staring. When she got closer though, that was another story. She was always breathtaking, with and without makeup, but the makeup she'd applied tonight, the type that only amplified what was already there.
Tony found himself glancing at the other women who, compared to Pep's calculated and perfect makeup, looked like clowns with their seven-pound facemasks of makeup and scrunched his nose slightly. Casting his eyes back to Pepper, he couldn't comprehend how... How'd he get so lucky?
"You look very flattering yourself, Mr. Stark." She whispered playfully as her hands locked onto his collar and maneuvered it a bit before going to straighten his tie.
A slower song came on and Tony couldn't help but smirk at the almost poetic timing. He extended his hand in a gentlemanly-gesture and bowed slightly, "Mrs. Potts, would you care to join me in this dance?"
She gave a slight chuckle and shook her head in disbelief at his joking stupidity before nodding her approval.
He guided them towards the dancefloor and began speaking of something involving his machines downstairs in his basement, maybe he mentioned something about Dum-E or U, she wasn't sure. By the time they reached his desired location, he was still speaking, but Pepper wasn't paying much attention. He may have been rambling about new ideas for his suit or ways to improve his colleagues', the Avengers, suits, but all Pepper could tune into was the decor around the gala and the sever's freshly ironed tuxedos.
It wasn't that she didn't care for what Tony was saying, it was just that she hadn't had much time to fully admire what six months of planning looked like and now as he stood talking, she couldn't help but notice it. To see if finally unfolding, six months of slaving over paperwork and making calls and-
"Pep?"
Her eyes snapped to Tony's warm ones as their bodies began to sway and she hadn't even realized he'd taken her one hand into his own and had his other resting on her waist. She bashfully looked down as heat rose to her cheeks in embarrassment like they always did when Stark called her out on something because despite being married for- how long?- she still got butterflies around him. Stupid, she knew, but it made it all that more appealing as well as endearing.
"What'cha thinking about?"
"Nothing important," She replied gently and placed her head against his shoulder as he tugged them closer, his hand dropping hers and landing on her waist as her other hand looped around his neck.
"You sure?" He whispered into her ear, his eyes shut in contentment at their relaxing, swaying motion.
Pepper nodded. The gala was going well. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.
And in that moment of time, she can't seem to care about anything and everything.
oOoOoOoOo
Steve Rogers, after his mutation, never needed help with the ladies. They had swooned and gawked and blushed at a simple glance and that was just back in the day. Now that he was in the present, it was almost as if all the women had gotten more... attentive? Maybe that was the word? He wasn't sure. The makeup they wore covered their features and made them look kind of fake in his opinion, and unlike Peggy who would wear simple lipstick and maybe some mascara, they wore heavy concealer and drawn eyebrows and fake eyelashes... he couldn't reciprocate those admiring looks. Instead, he smiled politely and glanced back at Bucky who chugged away at his beer.
Steve never needed help attracting women, again, after his mutation, but with Peter in his arm and the baby cooing and giggling and laughing hysterically at the bartender doing flips with the bottles, the ladies just would not leave him alone.
Some even asked him if they could buy him a drink.
"No thank you," He'd repeat quietly, "I don't drink. Plus, I gotta watch after this one."
Peter sported a tiny Captain America onesie Pepper insisted she put him in before the gala had officially began and holy crap was Peter Parker an adorable ass baby.
"Gee, kid, you might even look better than Steve does in that suit," Bucky had chuckled as Steve walked over to the bar and sat down.
"No doubt about it, Peter's a lady-magnet."
"Speaking of, what are you doing over here? Go talk with someone, go mingle. God knows you haven't done that in like 60 years."
Steve scoffed and sat down, placing Peter on his lap as he shook his head in disbelief, "Like you're one to talk, Buck, when's the last time you hung out with a lady? Before enlistment? 65 years? 70?"
They both laughed as Bucky swatted the side of Cap's head and took a swig of his drink.
Valvick sipped his own drink subtly in the corner of the room as he quietly observed the two and the child. His motive had never been to show up and kidnap the child, no- that's what he blackmailed Banner for. He only showed up with the intentions of scoping out the Avengers, how they worked, how they spoke, how they moved. From what he'd gathered, Cap was concise and proper; walking with perfectly straight posture and being as polite as possible.
Bucky remained reserved and calculated, watching everything with a very keen eye and seeming alert at all times. The only time he'd seen Bucky relax was with Steve Rogers sitting beside him. Next was Romanoff and Barton who stood laughing hysterically next to each other. Natasha wore a very pretty dress that cascaded down her legs and flattered her structure and Clint wore a fitted suit that looked rather dashing on the man. Something Valvick did note was that he seemed smaller in person.
Something else he noted was that on more than one occasion Nat had thrown someone into a wrist lock or pinned another against a wall out of instinct when the men had grabbed her by her arm/waist and asked to dance.
Last was Tony Stark, the playboy genius who slowly danced in the center of the gala with his wife, Pepper Potts. Yes, she was a beautiful woman and Valvick could see why so many men stood in awe, others in jealousy. Iron Man, the famous Howard Stark's son, the man he feared pissing off the most due to his very... strong connection with Peter.
With a heavy sigh, Valvick allowed his attention to return to Steve and Bucky who were laughing so hard they were wheezing. Peter sat next to Steve in his small carrier on his own stool and seemed very occupied with the dangling animals and decorations from the roof of the little shelter.
Like stated before, he hadn't shown up to the event with the intentions of kidnapping the child then and there. No, that seemed too... too straight-forward, and not much fun. And though he was, he supposed, a "bad guy", he did keep his word and he had promised Banner that if the doctor got Spider-Man-Baby-Child to him within three days, he wouldn't derail the train. Valvick would stay true to that promise until the day he died, but because he was said "bad guy", he didn't see the harm in stealing the baby for himself and then derailing the train anyway because Banner hadn't succeeded.
And sure, this entire situation is twisted into him becoming the bad guy, but why should he give two shits about those... those monsters- people!- who refused to help him with cancer... refused to work and try and do something to help with his issue. They didn't do anything, not because he couldn't afford it, but because they couldn't afford it. They couldn't afford the time, or the money or the research to come up with a cure and now his five-year-old daughter would die because they didn't do anything.
His fists clenched.
Dylan Valvick would not let that happen. Not when there's something he can do. Not when there's a cure that is only a good twenty yards from him and can save his baby's life.
Not when the death of an irrelevant child-hero can fix Sylvie's body.
He hadn't realized tears were stinging his eyes until he blinked for the first time in what seemed like minutes. A hot trail of water trickled down his cheek in which he quickly wiped away and shook his head clear of emotions. Not now, he's too close to screwing this up.
His eyes shifted towards Tony Stark once more who was being torn from Pepper and back onto the stage. With the billionaire's mind everywhere but on Peter, Valvick looked to Steve and Bucky who were clashing their bottles together and drinking recklessly, not drunkenly, but just stupidly. Steve had his back turned on Peter's carrier and though Bucky would probably notice Valvick's approaching figure, Dylan assumed when Tony called everyone's attention Bucky would turn and then both Cap and Barnes would be facing away from the now sleeping baby.
And, fortunately, that's exactly what happened.
Dylan couldn't find it within himself to care for what Stark was rambling about, he heard something of "suit" and "advancements", but his main priority was weaving quietly through the tables and guests and towards the bar. Even the bartender was dazed into what Tony was saying, it seemed like the entire building was. Slowly creeping towards the carrier, Steve made no movement or indication he'd turn around and so Valvick quickly snuck behind him and hovered above the carrier.
A breath in, a breath out.
His heart hammered in his chest as his hands delicately but precisely fell into the carrier. The roof had been extended outwards to cover most of the infant's body, but Valvick maneuvered it soundlessly and grabbed ahold of the sleeping child.
His heart slammed faster, his adrenaline making the muscle skip beats. Even the wrong breath could alarm Steve into turning around and catching the thief in action. Valvick gently picked the child up in an attempt to not only not wake Peter up, but to also not make any noise; whether it being Peter's foot hitting the side of the carrier or the carrier itself moving against the stool and creating a sound.
Breath in, breath out.
The weight in his hands felt odd, but familiar- the way Sylvie felt when she was a good seven months old. A small smile fell on his lips as he hoisted the baby into his arms and onto his shoulder, his breaths coming out soft but frantic as he then shifted his feet slowly away from the scene.
The board- the fucking board... the wooden plank within the gala's walls made a creaking noise as Valvick's weight was placed on it and he immediately released the wood of pressure as his eyes widened and stared at Steve's head.
Please.
Please don't turn around.
And he didn't.
Valvick held his breath the rest of the way towards the exit and let out a heavy sigh of relief once they'd made it out the gala doors and into the hallway of the huge mansion. Now to find the exit.
oOoOoOoOo
A solid eight minutes had passed since Tony had gotten on stage and was thanking a few higher officials for donations and support towards Stark Industries when Steve realized he hadn't heard Peter in a while. Stretching his back, a small smiled toyed at his lips as he turned. God, he swore this child was the cutest thing on earth. "Hey there, baby," He cooed gently as he undid the extended top- only for his heart to drop into his stomach and his face to lose all sense of blood.
His head swung towards Bucky who sat in a trance by what Stark was saying and Steve slammed his arm against Bucky's shoulder, "Barnes, where's Peter? Do you have him?"
Bucky turned and shook his head, "He's in his carri-" His eyes widened as he stared at the empty carriage, "Well, shit."
Steve stood up so quickly the stool he sat on crashed backward and caught the attention of a few people- scratch that, a lot of people. So many people in fact that Tony noticed heads turn in the direction of the bar and his eyes squinted against the bright lights to see what was happening. "Cap?" He sighed, "Cap, buddy, you're kinda' taking my spotlight, man, can you just turn it down a good three notches or..."
"I can't... he's..." Steve responded in shock, not being able to form sentences as his head whipped side to side.
"Steve's had one too many drinks, am I right?" Tony laughed as the audience began to chuckle in response, "Why don't you sit down, Cap. You seem a bit out of it."
"I can't find him."
"What?" Tony chuckled into the microphone, "Bud, you're gonna' have to speak-"
"Peter's missing!" Steve shouted in panic as he stood on the stool and looked around.
Tony's chest constricted and his jaw went slack as he froze in place. His eyes glued to Steve who stood worriedly and searched frantically and then began to notice the curiosity and speculation among his guests as they began to look around and at each other in surprise. "I'm sorry, y-you're going to have to repeat that one more time because either age is getting to me or you just said you lost my fucking kid."