So things are completely nuts here in London, we are in total lock down- everything is closed and my city is eerie. We are all being ridiculously polite about the whole thing, standing back ( we have to keep a two metre safe distance) and saying after you all the time. Plus as is our national pastime, we keep saying sorry. I don't know why we do that but it is ingrained from birth!
Regarding my story, I am seeking refuge in writing. There seems to be a lot of people who think Steve and Tony are terrible parents, I would disagree. I think they are good parents, they may be too tough sometimes ( usually motivated by fear) and make bad decisions but parents do that, children don't come with a manual so mistakes are inevitable.
They love Peter deeply and are trying to handle this very challenging situation as best they can.
After some reflection, I have decided I will write this story my way
For those who do like my story, thank you for your amazing support. You are all brilliant!
Nikki 555 mentioned there are unresolved plots- thank you for the review. That is my style-slow burn, I am aware of all the loose ends, I promise all will come to fruition.
Enjoy, please review and comment.
I vow that I will refrain any further author's notes, I have used my allocation for a year with this one!
Stay safe!
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Peter stared at the blue glowing rock in his hand- what was it?
He was going on an overnight field trip to DC the next day which gave him a window of opportunity. He had his suit; he had smuggled it out of the compound the previous weekend.
He ignored the warning about going to his parents with adult situations- it was a rock, what was the worst that could happen?
He would patrol in Washington, they would never know.
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What a complete disaster! Well not entirely, he had saved his friends but it was all over the news; Spiderman in Washington being a hero, something he was not supposed to do- had been forbidden to do. He was in so much trouble yet again!
He stepped off the bus, there were news cameras and several of his friends giving interviews. This just got worse and worse.
He looked over and saw Happy standing waiting for him; he knew his parents couldn't be there, not with all the reporters.
''Hey Happy,'' Peter muttered as he walked over.
''Hey squirt, so this is not great is it?'' Happy smiled tightly.
''I didn't mean to,'' Peter started to cry, the last two days suddenly too much.
''Kid, don't cry,'' Happy embraced him and Peter held onto the solid man, he felt like home.
''You want to get some ice-cream Pete?'' Happy asked kindly and Peter looked up at him.
''Can we?''
''Yeah kid, we can. I think you could use a real big ice-cream,'' Happy nodded.
They went to their usual place.
Peter knew he had to ask, he had eaten two huge bowls of ice-cream, finding solace in sugar but he had put it off long enough.
''Are they mad?'' he sniffed back yet more tears.
''I could lie but you know anyway. Yeah Pete, they're mad, very mad. You risked your life with no back up. Not the best choices pal,'' Happy relayed and Peter sighed.
''I couldn't let my friends die Happy,'' Peter said softly and Happy sighed.
''Pete, your dads know about the Chitauri rock, they know you took it to Washington, that this whole disaster happened because of your decision. Why didn't you tell them? Let them handle it? It's their job kid,'' Happy dipped his head and tried to catch Peter's eye, he looked guiltily at him.
''I'm not a kid Happy.''
Happy pushed back his flare of anger, what was it with this boy? He had so many people who loved him, people who would be absolutely destroyed if anything happened to him yet he just would not see reason.
''Okay Peter James you listen up, yes you are a kid, you are a child. I do not subscribe to this young adult crap. You are a child, a little boy and you do not have any place getting involved with alien weapons. Your parents are scared to death on your behalf. You did not see the destruction in New York, your Dad protected you and you have no idea how bad it was. So I don't care what enhancements you have, you do not have the judgement to handle that yet. So now you stop! Stop right now! We are all watching you; that's enough Peter, enough!''
Peter gulped, he had upset everyone; they would all have their eyes on him now which was overwhelming.
''Sorry Happy, didn't mean to make you mad,'' Peter bit his lip and cast mournful doe eyes at his uncle.
Happy rolled his eyes and then ruffled his hair- he totally adored this little boy and could not remain mad at him for long. He held Peter minutes after his birth, helped to care for him his whole life and they had a deep, abiding bond. He loved him as if he were his own son.
''You can charm me all you want kiddo , but your dads are not gonna fall for it; so on the way home you had better figure out an acceptable explanation cos your butt is toast if you don't have a damn good reason for what you did,'' Happy was harsh because he had to be.
Peter stared mournfully down at his melting ice-cream.
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''So what the hell do we do? Why didn't he tell us?'' Tony was pacing the bedroom, beyond reason and venting big time.
''Because he's twelve, has enhanced powers and thinks he can save the world. He's a child Tony and he thinks like a child, this is a cartoon to him,'' Steve was much calmer, now he knew Peter was safe he was calm.
He had actually suffered a severe panic attack whilst the whole drama unfolded; Sam had worked with him to bring it under control.
''But it isn't. He could have died Steve, he did nearly die,'' Tony was distraught.
''I knew he wasn't listening, that he didn't get it. We both knew he was hiding something,'' Tony was angry with himself.
Somehow, the conversation about Peter's secret hadn't happened, there was a mission and Morgan got an ear infection, they just didn't get around to it.
Which had now come back to bite them big time!
''Come here.'' Steve stood up and pulled his husband into his arms.
''I just can't, I just couldn't..'' Tony was overcome at the mere thought and Steve comforted him as best as he could.
Once Tony had calmed down, they sat together.
''So what do we do?''
''Well you remember what Felicity said, be consistent, so we are consistent. We take the suit and put it under lock and key. He can only use it to train with us, it's too much of a temptation, once we are confident then we let him have it back under strict supervision,'' Steve paused and Tony blushed.
He had made that suit, at the time he thought he was protecting his child but now he saw it entirely differently; it emboldened Peter, made him foolhardy- put him at risk.
''We train him- teach him how to be part of team- prepare him. This is going to be his life and we have to accept that, so we get him ready, protect him until he is ready. Everyone is on alert, Peter will be constantly monitored. That is all we can do Tony, it's the best we have. It will be enough; the entire team are on this now. Peter is clever but he's not that clever,'' Steve reassured him and Tony nodded.
''He did well Steve, he saved his friends. He deserves credit for that, his moral compass is spot on but it's his maverick go it alone approach that's faulty,'' Tony flinched as he spoke, very aware of his hypocrisy.
''I know, it's time for a change, we have to stop fighting reality and be more supportive,'' Steve conceded- Peter was not an ordinary twelve year old kid and adjustments had to be made.
In the distance, Morgan started to cry.
''I will go,'' Tony rose and left the room.
Steve sighed and tried to breathe deeply, warding off the suffocating anxiety that yet again threatened to engulf him.
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Peter walked into the family room with his eyes down and dread in his stomach.
Silence descended and he felt many eyes glaring at him, which was too much.
He turned tail and walked quickly towards his room; he would wait until they had all calmed down.
He walked straight into an immovable object; he raised his eyes reluctantly and was met by Pops, he expected him to be furious but that wasn't the case- his father's eyes looked sad which threw the young boy.
''Oh hey,'' Peter stepped back and smiled nervously. Steve returned it, his face drawn and tense.
He pulled Peter into his arms and hugged him, stroking his hair with a comforting hand. Peter smiled against his father's chest – he felt safe again, the jittery feeling in his stomach allaying.
''Shower, pyjamas and I will be there shortly,'' Steve let Peter go and propelled him with a gentle push.
'' Any remorse?'' Steve asked Happy who smiled awkwardly.
''Kid wants to save the world!'' he replied with a helpless shrug.
''Right,'' Steve was resigned, yes Peter wanted to save the world but he couldn't do that alone.
He disappeared towards Peter's room.
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Peter came out of the shower, wrapped in several towels, and stopped abruptly; Pops was leaning back against his desk, his arms folded, eyes guarded.
''Pops, look. I didn't know what it was okay? And I didn't know it was gonna do that!'' Peter began to defend himself.
''Where did it come from?'' Steve asked and Peter paused, considering carefully how to answer that.
''Do not lie to me Peter, I think you have lied enough don't you?'' Steve waited and Peter blushed bright red. Yes, they were adjusting their stance towards Spiderman but lying was still not okay.
''I found it,'' He told half the truth.
''Where Peter? Where did you find it?'' Steve pulled open a drawer and threw Peter some PJs.
He caught them and stared at his father.
He's going to kill me if I tell him but he probably knows anyway.
''Okay so it sounds worse than it is. I didn't know what it was. I didn't,'' Peter played for time.
''Peter James Rogers Stark, tell me the truth right now!'' Steve yelled and Peter flinched. Great, the whole building probably heard that.
''I found it after I fought with the guys selling the weapons,'' he said very quietly.
''Yes I know you did, plus I have also seen the recording of you suggesting they shoot you. Goddamn it Peter, this is not a video game. Do you have any idea the danger you put yourself in?'' Steve threw his arms up; it was so precarious that it left him searching for adequate words.
It didn't help that Steve felt stupid; they had not reviewed the footage from Peter's suit of the lake incident night until the previous evening. If they had, this whole sorry situation could have been avoided.
''Uuuuuh yeah, I think I know that real well after yesterday,'' Peter regretted it as soon as he said it, why did he say that?
''You are being a smart ass, now you are being a smart ass!'' Steve had to control an overwhelming urge to throttle his son.
''I take that back,'' Peter panicked as he saw the expression on his father's face.
''We are done talking. Get your pyjamas on and go brush your teeth then straight to bed. We are going to continue this discussion in the morning,'' Steve thought he could have a calm, reasoned discussion but his over protectiveness kicked in and with it- anger; he had to calm down first.
Peter nodded and ran for the safety of the bathroom.
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Steve came into the kitchen / family room; he spoke to no one, got a beer and walked out onto the balcony, slamming the door after him.
Everyone looked expectantly at Tony who jumped up and went after his husband.
''You alright?'' he asked tentatively as he stepped out into the warm evening air.
''No I'm not, I am really not alright,'' Steve replied through gritted teeth.
''Okay,'' Tony said very slowly. Steve was wound like a spring and appeared about to blow so required careful handling.
''He doesn't get it Tones. He just doesn't get it; it's a game to him. I love that little boy, I love him so much; but right now I would happily kill him which is totally counterintuitive, '' Steve took a big gulp of beer.
''Steve- and don't throw me over the edge for saying this- but a wise man once told me that this is how being a parent feels a lot of the time. Comes with the territory and all that,'' Tony smiled nervously. Steve stared at him then sighed.
'' Sounds like a very wise man indeed. I am not going to throw you over the balcony. Come here, I could use a hug,'' Steve smiled and held out his arms.
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Peter opened his door and listened, it was quiet. Everyone was still asleep, he padded towards the kitchen; he was so hungry it felt like his throat had been cut. He was healing having suffered several bruises and contusions, nothing serious but his body didn't seem to differentiate between major and minor injuries.
He stopped dead as he was confronted by Clint and Sam making protein shakes- they had been running.
''Oh,'' he exclaimed in surprise.
''Well little man, always with the drama huh?'' Sam pointed at him and Peter blushed.
''He's real unhappy with you. Good luck with that,'' Sam gestured towards Clint then walked away clutching his drink.
''What did I say to you?'' Clint got right to the point and Peter stepped back.
''It was an accident. I didn't mean to,'' Peter gave a childish response; then he recalled the warning and went white.
''You lied Peter, do you understand that people, your friends, could have been killed?'' Clint ground out and Peter nodded, too scared to do anything else.
''So kiddo when I make a promise I keep it,'' Clint utilised the element of surprise and took Peter's arm before he had the chance to run away.
''Wwwwhat?'' Peter stuttered then Clint swatted him several times on the behind.
It didn't hurt that much, nothing like Pops; it was more a gesture than anything else.
''This stops, it stops now. I don't care that you have enhanced powers, you are a little boy and you do not throw yourself into battles with no back up. Do you hear me?'' Clint shook his arm and Peter nodded, speechless for once.
''Shit kid, please get this. We all love you and if you got hurt it would destroy us okay?''
Peter stared at him with wide doe eyes and Clint groaned as he pulled the boy into his arms.
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''So in an interesting development Legolas has done our dirty work for us,'' Tony said to Steve as they lay in bed together.
''How?''
''Well I have it on good authority that Petey Pie pissed off Clint almost as much as us with his latest perilous stunt so he took it upon himself to kick Spiderling's scrawny little butt on our behalf. Word has it that said little Spider is very apologetic and keeping a low profile, well he was until Thor made him train with him which I suspect is not going to be much fun. Then Sam is planning to take him on a long run, a really long run. God only knows what Nat has planned, I think it is fair to say lessons are being learned,'' Tony smiled as Steve looked up at him in shock.
''They love him too babes,'' Tony shrugged.
Steve nodded.
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