Peter stared at the ground, his stomach was grumbling and he was focusing on not giving into the need and leaving school as he had intended before Flash ruined his day.
Peter was burning with anger. Principal Morris was overreacting. Flash deserved it and honestly so much more, after all the hell he had inflicted on Peter and Ned over the years, along with plenty of other kids. He knew his parents were going to be mad, okay maybe furious. But, there was no way he was apologising. He had done nothing wrong.
He heard the office door open but didn't bother looking up. They could all go to hell. He was not sweet, geeky Peter anymore. He was a superhero now, and he was going to act like one.
"Peter." his Pop's voice interrupted his seething.
"What?" Peter glared up at him and Steve recoiled at the look in his son's eyes.
"I was about to ask if you were okay but clearly you are. Lose the attitude buddy," Steve scolded.
"Whatever, have you got any food? I really need some food, like now." he snarled and Steve looked at Tony, who raised his eyebrows.
"No Peter. I don't have any food. I am more concerned by the fact thatyou assaulted someone," snapped Steve, his patience being sorely tested.
Peter snorted with derision.
"You young man are on thin ice. If you don't want to earn a spanking you will still be feeling on your next birthday, I would stand up, drop the attitude and show some respect," Steve said in a low voice, stepping into stern parent mode.
Peter stared at him briefly, and he considered ignoring the order. But all rebellion aside, when your father was Captain America, destroyer of nazis, not ever Spiderman had the guts, even in his current very rebellious stage. So, Peter reluctantly got to his feet.
"Good choice," Steve nodded.
Turning to the principal's door Peter caught his dad's eye. Tony gave a half smile and squeezed Peter's arm.
"Just let us handle this okay Pete? Keep quiet," Tony kissed his surprised son's forehead and steered him into the office behind Steve.
They endured the security tape, and it wasn't pretty. Peter sank further and further in his seat as it begun to dawn on him that he was in a lot of trouble, so much trouble.
Unfortunately, it had audio, albeit not top quality, but audio none the less and Peter saw his dad place a calming hand on Steve's arm as the air filled with Peter's expletives.
There was silence as the tape ended and Principal Morris looked at his parents.
"Do you have anything to say?" The principal asked looking between Peter and his parents. Steve opened his mouth to speak, but Tony got there first.
"Obviously, Peter's behaviour is completely unacceptable and he will be severely punished. We can assure you that this will not happen again."
The other three occupants of the room turned and stared in shock at Tony. None of them had expected calm acceptance and contrition from the usually... well, prickly billionaire. Screaming and threats were far more Tony's usual speed.
Tony quite enjoyed the effect of his words, very aware it was not his usual reaction but he was carrying out damage control and so he was taking the path of least resistance. He just wanted to get Peter out of there so they could deal with this themselves, in the privacy of the tower.
"He could be expelled," Morris stuttered.
"Well, as long as every first time offender is always expelled then that is acceptable. If that is not the case then we will sue you and we have very good lawyers. Shall we say a three day suspension?" Tony remained calm and issued his threat. With only a trace of menace.
Steve had to hide his smile, he was filled with pride at how well Tony was handling this and for once, he got the opportunity to sit back.
"Yes, that seems fair and an apology to Eugene of course," Morris nodded, always afraid of the Stark temper.
"No." Peter said and the adults all stared at him.
"Of course, you will apologise Peter," Steve said, Peter had tried to strangle the boy.It was the least he could do.
"No. No, I won't and you can't make me. Flash is a dick and he deserved it. So no Pops, no Dad, no Principal Morris. I will not apologise, not ever." Peter narrowed his eyes at Steve, who was speechless, Tony however was much more proactive.
"Okay, I'm done," Tony turned to Peter and snapped his fingers.
Peter sent a quick glare Tony's way before turning his eyes back to the ground with a scowl.
"Here, you look at me and you listen, Peter," Tony snapped his fingers again and Peter looked up. He was met by an expression that while he was familiar with. It was very rarely aimed at him, his dad was angry, very angry. Peter gulped.
"I am done with the attitude. You will apologise to Principal Morris and you will apologise to Flash. You will do this Peter, because I am telling you to. You got it?" Tony stared at Peter, they were locked in a stand off and Peter broke first.
"Sorry Principal Morris, I'll apologise to Flash." Peter caved, his dad meant business. It was not often that Tony behaved that way with any of the children, it was usually Steve who was left to deal with the bad behaviour. Tony's sudden step into assertion had shocked Peter into submission.
"Thank you Peter. I am sorry but I have to ask this. Are there any problems at home? After all, this is the second time this week that one of your children has been involved in a fight," and with that Principal Morris overstepped the mark.
Steve grasped Tony's arm stopping the inevitable outburst. Principal Morris flinched under the glare from the darker haired man but the expected tirade did not materialise.
"No, Principal Morris there are no problems. Thank you for your concern," Steve said coldly. He stood up, this meeting was over.
Steve cast Peter a stern look and the boy stood up instantly, Steve took him by the arm and frog marched him from the office.
"Pops, I..." Peter started to speak as they walked across the parking lot.
"No young man, not a word. I do not want to hear a word from you. We are going home where I am going to give you a spanking you will not forget for a long time, then, maybe then, you can give some sort of justification for this behaviour although I am at a loss what that could possibly be. Now get in the car," Steve opened the door and pointed.
"Dad," Peter tried to appeal to Tony.
"What he said," Tony replied as he put on his sunglasses.
Peter slumped into the car, his stomach grumbled and then he remembered that he was still hungry.
