It was a gorgeous Sunday afternoon when they arrived at the Monaco Grand Prix. One of the most important and prestigious automobile races in the world held each year at Circuit de Monaco. Due to its demanding tracks, it is considered a dangerous track to race into. All the rich and famous VIP gather and watch at Hotel de Paris. The people waited with excitement for the long awaited race event of the year. Stark Industries is one of the sponsors of the race and Tony Stark himself owns a race car that will be included in it.
Peter stared outside the window as they drove past their way to the hotel. He can see crowds of people sitting at the benches waiting for the race. It is his first time to be in Monaco and witness the race. They were with Pepper and Happy wearing their semi-formal neutral outfits to match the event. He saw his Father sitting next to him chugging down a green liquid once again. He can sense for months now something's wrong, but kept quiet about it. It is unusual to see his Dad on constant hangovers and almost drown himself everyday drinking the green drink, so he knew Dad's not telling him things. He's just waiting for Dad to say the words. To tell the truth. To really know what's going on. Dad's peculiar decisions of late bother him but are usually blocked by Ned's advice ringing in his head. There's no need to worry, he's more than alive, he can protect himself.
"We're here." Happy announced that stopped his trail of thoughts.
"All right. Let's go Pete." Dad made his peace sign for the people cheering for him, arms around him then they all went inside. Happy's carrying the Iron Man suitcase in case as a precaution.
Dad whispered something to Pepper, "Just go with it." to which she was confused for a second until she saw what he is talking about. Disbelief overflowed her.
"Mr. Stark. How was your flight?" Natalie welcomed as they stepped inside.
"Hey. It was excellent." Dad said nonchalantly bracing for Pepper's annoyance.
"Mr. Peter Stark. You look very handsome." Natalie leveled with him and smiled.
His cheek flushed. "Thanks Ms. Natalie. Please call me Peter."
"Very well, Peter."
Natalie turned to Dad and Pepper. "A photographer is here from ACM if you don't mind?"
They all posed for the camera smiling, he giggled while Pepper grills Dad with questions about Natalie. I hope Dad can handle her.
"Right this way." Natalie hold Peter's hands while she leads the way. Dad and Pepper followed and Dad insisted on the corner table he wants, so Natalie talked to the man in charge for it to be reassigned to them.
"Come, Pete. Let's get something to drink." Dad held his hand while he talks to Pepper. They went to the bar and carried him at the high-stooled chair between them.
"What do you want drink sweetheart?" Pepper softly said, always so gentle with him.
"Hmm... I want orange juice."
Dad shot a questioning look. "What happened to your favorite?"
"I had grape juice yesterday already."
"All right. Orange juice and Mimosa's, yeah?" Dad called to the bartender and they were interrupted by a familiar voice. The guy tapped Dad's shoulder.
"Anthony, is that you?"
"My least favorite Person on Earth." Dad turned to the man and sarcastically smiled. Annoyance can easily be observed in his voice and he put his arms around Peter protectively.
"and you brought your kid, I don't think we met. Justin Hammer." Justin gestured for a handshake Peter accepted.
"Peter Stark. Nice to meet you Mr. Hammer." He smiled while Dad watched Justin with displeasure.
Mr. Hammer then introduced the annoying reporter from before, Christine who asked Pepper for an interview as the new CEO. Both women excused themselves.
A photographer came to them and Mr. Hammer put his arms around Dad to which he tried hard to evade like a disease. Peter chuckled watching his Dad's reaction.
"God, that's so awful." Dad snickered in all sense disgusted.
Dad tries to escape, assisting Peter down his chair, and they walked but Mr. Hammer still follows.
"I heard you're a smart kid, Peter. Inventing something at seven years old. Wow." The statement picked Dad's attention. Apparently, news travels fast.
"Um, thank you Mr. Hammer." Peter doesn't know what to say. He's getting uncomfortable with the tension between his Dad and Mr. Hammer. Obviously, Dad doesn't want him getting close to suspicious guys.
"Matter of fact, he can even build better stuff than your attempts of replicating my suit." Dad voiced out proudly. They all sat at a nearby table.
"I'm sure he can. He got it from you anyway. The truth is, I'm actually hoping to present something at your Expo."
"Well, if you invent something that works, I'll make sure I get you a slot."
"Your corner table is ready." Natalie's voice relieved them. Saved by the bell or rather an angel. He carried Peter down his chair and held his hand as they walked.
"Thank God, that's over." Tony exasperatedly said while drinking his Mimosa.
"Relax Dad. You avoid him like the plague."
They both laughed. "I'm just trying to get him away from us, bud. Those guys, you can't trust." Tony gave a menu to Peter. "Here, pick something you want to eat while we wait for the race."
"I'm still full from lunch. Oh, your car!" Peter gazed at the race car on the TV screening the live event.
"Oh, she looks gorgeous." The feed shows the Mechanic's testing the system and still checking the tires.
"Do you want to go outside and see it?" Tony knew his kid had an interest in cars as well.
"Yes please!" Peter's eyes glowed with excitement. He knows a thing or two since he always watch his dad fix and customize one of their cars. He wants to see the car personally instead of just watching the race on TV.
Right then, Pepper sat beside them.
"So how was it?" Tony playfully asked seeing how irritated Pepper is at Christine.
"A rather delightful spread at that. Thank you very much." Pepper sarcastically said holding out the menu now. "So what are you boys up to now?"
"I'm gonna let Peter see the race car, then we'll come back before it begins." Tony started to stand up but Pepper stopped his arm and whispered to him. "Tony, don't do anything stupid. Please."
"I'll try." Tony winked at her and both father and son stood up.
"Dad can we go first to the bathroom?" Peter asked clutching his Dad's suit.
"Yeah. Of course."
Staring at the mirror bitterly, Tony checked his palladium levels soaring higher at 53% now. Sighing at his slow ruin, he buttoned down his shirt to see the lines now enveloping his entire chest slowly getting up to his neck. He buttoned it up before anyone else can see it. An idea he had for a while now, still pushes him. He wants to race, to drive once again before the worst comes. There might not be a next year, and this time, his son got to see it.
The cubicle door opened, and it brought forth a handsome little boy with brown curls and chiseled jaw even at a young age. He carried him so he can wash his hands and sat him at the couch of the bathroom while he dries his hands.
"I was thinking, if I race the track, Pete."
Peter looked up at his Dad confused.
"Like drive?" Dad's not asking permission, he's saying it. And Peter's afraid he doesn't have the power to stop it. Dad's obviously hiding something and he wanted to ask but he can't. He's afraid of what will it be. He wants to know the truth but he's afraid of knowing it.
"Uhuh." He saw Dad's hopeful eyes and knew he really wanted to drive.
"Be careful, please." Peter finally said after a few seconds.
Dad smiled that made him smile too. He knew it was a bad idea but it is as if anything bad's gonna happen. Dad has driven race cars before. He just hope everything goes well. They went outside to see the car and Dad talked to his staff. In a few minutes everything's ready. Dad's already in his racing suit and ready to drive.
"I love you Peter." Dad hugged him before letting him go. They can hear the fans screaming but are blocked by their bodyguards so no one can interrupt them.
"I love you too Dad. Be careful." Peter forced himself a smile and hugged his father.
"I will, Pete. Wait for me, okay?" He said caressing his face.
"Okay."
"Go inside right after the race begins."
Happy came to them afterwards. "Hap, you take my kid to Pepper after, alright?"
"Copy that Boss."
Dad jumped to the barricade after. The cameras surrounded him; he gave them a quote and stepped inside the car. His father winked at him before closing his helmet. A few moments later at the sound of the engines revving, the race took off.
"Peter- Happy! Ms. Potts been looking for you. Right this way." Natalie said as they stepped inside. Peter got confused as to why Natalie sounded panicked. The entire guests are talking loudly staring at the Television screens when they went to the table.
They watched in horror as a man dressed in orange holding a lightning whiplash walked at the middle of the track.
Peter immediately picked up what's going on."Happy, let's go." He shouted and grabbed Happy's hand startling all of them.
The lightning whips strike the first car, made it fly and crash so horribly at the ground.
"No, no, no. Peter!" Pepper said terrified and stopping him. "Your father will kill me if I let you inside that track!"
He completely ignored her and ran at the car parked outside. Pepper and Happy have no choice but to go after him. They all went inside the car. Pepper knew she cannot drag Peter out now. The kid is as stubborn as his father.
"Go! Go!" Peter cried out.
Happy had no choice but to drive the car quickly.
"Seat-belt, sweetheart." Pepper quickly put on Peter's seat-belt and hers.
"Hang on." Happy crashes the car through a barrier onto the track heading the opposite way to the race cars.
"Dad's car might've been hit by now." Worry shrouded his heart. Panic now creeping up because the man with the lightning whip is clearly here for his father. They might be too late when they get to him.
"Give me the case." Pepper said.
"Here, take it." Happy gave them the case at the backseat.
"Where's the key?" Peter asked.
"It's in my pocket." Happy looked down for a moment to tell Peter where it is.
"Car!" Pepper screamed and they dodged a race car that's about to hit them.
Peter searched for the key in Happy's pocket while driving then quickly unlocked the case. They saw lots of cars sliced into half. As they were nearing, he saw Dad's car already hit.
"Oh my God." Pepper mouthed in distress. They saw the Whiplash man wreaking havoc and his father about to be hit and electrocuted.
"Brace yourselves! Protect Peter!" Happy shouted and Pepper protected Peter's head as Happy drove faster, running Whiplash into the fence and Tony climbing up before getting hit.
Tony jumped down and went to Happy's side.
"Are you okay?" Happy asked Tony then looked at the rear-view mirror to check on Peter and Pepper at the backseat.
"Yeah."
"Dad!" Peter looked up from Pepper's grasp and Tony was taken aback, his eyes widened.
"Peter? What are you doing here?" This is the last thing he wants his child to be into. "What the hell, Happy! Why is my kid here! Pepper! He's not supposed to be here!" Dad shouted at them. He's now scared for his son, as he might get involved on the chaos that's been happening.
"Are you out of your mind? Get in the car right now!" Pepper yelled loudly at Dad.
"Let's get my kid out of here. NOW." He walked over the side of his son.
Dad opened the door on Peter's side. Peter quickly noticed when he saw the Whiplash man move "Dad, look out!" The door was cut into half.
"Oh my God!" Pepper shrieked and Happy started reversing the car then hitting Whiplash again.
"Peter, Football!" Tony signaled the case for his son to give it to him. Peter's about to throw it when he was interrupted by Happy again hitting the car at the fence.
"Stop banging the car!" Pepper screamed at Happy, and Whiplash continued trying to slice the car. Happy's airbag already popped out.
Whiplash suddenly sliced the whole side of the car almost hitting Peter with it.
Peter squealed terrified and curled at his seat.
"Fuck! Goddammit! Not my son!" Tony screamed angrily.
"Come on Pete, give me the case! Please, You can do it!" He said to his son.
Peter, with all of his strength threw the case at his father's feet. Tony stand on it, and the suitcase started to assemble into him. In a second, Tony Stark came to life as Iron Man. The crowd gaped and started cheering as they watched. Pepper's clutching Peter in her arms when Iron Man kicked the car, for it not to be included in the fight. The fight begins and Whiplash's hits Iron Man leaving more damage to the suit but Iron Man managed to pull the lash close enough ripping out the Arc Reactor, shutting off the man's suit.
"You… You lose. You lose Stark." The beaten man managed to say laughing, his mouth flowing with blood as the Police took him away.
The Iron Man suit opened soon after he destroyed the arc reactor, and he stepped outside of it. He came immediately to Peter, checking and carrying him in his arms. He closed his eyes; relief washed over him and kissed his head. "Peter, I'm sorry baby. I'm sorry. You're safe now." He murmured at his child hugging him tight.
"You can't be that reckless again, Tony." Pepper softly said looking stressed and worried. They are in the jet now on the way to California. The news erupted of the chaos that happened in Monaco. The senate now criticizing Tony of the Arc Reactor technology now being used in bad ways. A technology that was used believe to be far from being replicated now have been worn by a terrorist.
"Why did you let Peter in there?"
Tony put his fingers in his temple massaging it. A headache already forming. They all have been checked by medics after the fight and they're all okay. Except for Tony, who only accepted help for his cuts and bruises. Peter's sleeping in his chest soundly. He never let him go after the incident.
"I didn't. I tried to stop him, but he ran to the car and dragged us with him. Your son was fearless and stubborn as you are. We had no choice. We're running out of time. You needed the suit."
Tony sighed and kissed Peter's forehead. There have been more similarities to both of them as he would've liked. He's proud of his son being courageous but not enough that it will put him in danger. He just wants his son to be safe. It was only good fortune that they arrived on time for him to put in the suit. There are times he regrets that he told the world he's Iron Man. Wondering if they would have had a more peaceful life than what they're having now. His son was put in danger once again because of him and he won't ever forgive himself if something bad happens to him. He was arrogant to think carelessly of the future. He hadn't thought about the future of his son's safety once his secret is out. And now there's no turning back.
"Thank you, Pepper." He knew Pepper will be bombarded with work once they arrived. It will be a mess of sorts. The Stark Industries once again taking a hit of the blame because of him. Pepper has been with him, understanding and supporting him ever since she knew his condition. She's been the perfect companion for everything he's going through. He pondered if he deserves all these people in his life.
Pepper reached out and hold his hand. Getting upset with him would do him no good as of now. He blames himself for what happened and his affliction worsens by the minute to which she knows she can't do anything about it but give him the support he needs and to handle the press and the company for him.
"We'll get through this."
The stars sparkled as he opened his eyes. The dim lights of his room welcomed him. It's seven in the evening and already dark outside. He's still wearing the change of clothes he wore after the fight. The ocean glistened at the sound of peaceful mellow music. He saw the familiar sight of his room, the glow in the dark stars of his ceiling, his Lego sets displayed, Star Wars and Iron Man action figures, different board games, books and picture frames of him and his Dad.
"Good evening young master Peter. You're awake now. Would you like me to call Mr. Stark.?"
The voice of JARVIS slightly startled him.
"No, Jarvis. Thank you. I'm fine. I'll go downstairs later."
Peter started to get up and he went to the bathroom first to change clothes wearing his pajamas then headed downstairs. The talking voices echoed across the room. He saw Pepper and Natalie talking at their phones busily typing on their laptops. Pepper sounded aggravated, talking to the woman at CNN shown at the TV screen.
He saw Uncle Rhodey coming up from the lab who immediately saw him and came to him. He leveled with him, and hugged him. "Hey, champ! How are you doing? I saw the news." Uncle Rhodey rubbed his arm, a look of worry in his eyes.
"I'm okay now, Uncle Rhodes. Dad protected us." He said smiling. Peter was startled and terrified by the whole slicing thing, watched as his father fought the bad guy. But when his dad carried him, he slowly felt relieved. The assurance of his father that they're safe now calmed him down.
"I heard what happened, that was so brave Peter."
"Dad needed it. We had to be there."
"You're too good for us, you know that?" Uncle Rhodey patted his hair.
"Are you staying?"
"No, kid. I have to go now. I just dropped by to check on all of you. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" He winked at him and hugged him again.
Peter bid goodbye and watched his Uncle leave the house.
He then went to the dining hall and sat there. There are bunch of foods already prepared. He took a bite of his favorite, a peanut butter sandwich. Pepper and Natalie saw him and he waved at them. Moments later, Dad came upstairs and immediately went to his direction.
"How are you feeling?" Dad caressed his face and hugged him, kissing his forehead.
He hugged back and smiled. "I'm okay now, Dad. Your eye."
He cupped his Dad's face examining the side of his eye now in a bandage.
Dad looked straight into his eyes. "You scared me out there, bud. That's brave, but don't go running into dangerous situations even if I'm involved. You can't do that."
Peter just nodded. It was instinct that pushed him to do what he had to do, even for a kid, he can't just sit there and watch as his Dad gets hit by a murderer.
Dad sat beside him eating some blueberries. He observed his Dad's face. He looked tired, stressed, and exhausted. He noticed the unusual blue lines formed in his neck that looks like almost alien like.
"Dad?"
"Hmm?"
"What's that?" He pointed at the lines.
Dad looks like he was caught off guard. "A nasty rash, Pete."
Peter didn't believe it even for a second. "That's not. I know what a rash looked like. That doesn't look good. Are you okay?"
Peter's now worried. He knew what a rash looked like, and the lines forming doesn't really looked like it. He already had a guess of what is it but doesn't want to entertain the thought.
"I'm always okay." He can clearly sense his Dad lying.
"Stop saying you're okay. What are you not telling me, Dad?"
Peter gave his father a chance to really tell the truth now even if he knows he's not ready for it. For month's he had a hunch of what's happening to his Dad, but he's too afraid to ask. He's afraid to even know it, even if he had a sense of what it really is.
Dad came closer to his side tapping his shoulders, assuring him. "Hey, it's nothing, buddy. Don't worry about it."
"Stop lying." He's trying hard not to cry hoping he's just wrong.
Dad kneeled in front of him and sighed. He knew it. Tears quickly formed in his eyes unknowingly.
"No no no, don't cry Pete. I hate it when I see you crying."
The room fell silent. Pepper and Natalie heard the conversation across the hall.
"You don't really have hangovers. Right? The green liquid you always drink, the Chlorophyll, you needed that for blood building, decrease the metal in your bloodstream." It's not that hard to figure out, the clues are all there. But Peter just don't want to believe it. He can't absorb it, not until now that he saw the symptoms screaming at his face.
His voice broke, blinking back tears. "You're dying."
Please... Please tell me you're not." Peter tried to stop himself from sobbing.
Dad's eyes glossed and hugged him, trying to calm him. "Shh... Peter."
"You promised me you wouldn't leave me again Dad. You can't die." His head and heart hurts. He can't accept it. He doesn't want to believe it. But it's the truth. His Dad will die soon and there's nothing they can do to stop it.
Peter ran to his room. He just wants to get away from everyone and not see him like this.
"Peter..." Tony tried to followed his son but was stopped by Pepper.
"Tony, let him go. For now. Let him calm down. You can't do anything about it now."
Tony massaged his temple, and Pepper hugged him. Knowing he can't do anything to stop it, he resigned himself and let his tears fall.