Get ready for some mentor-mentee bonding time! This is a purely Irondad hurt/comfort chapter and I'm so excited to let it loose! Not just that, but the next one has some too 😏 Apologies for not responding to last week's comments yet, I'll get there as soon as I can!
Also, I am obligated to say this chapter is dedicated to my reasonably cool best friend, Kat whose old phone likes to tell her to go for a fucking walk the moment it hits midnight, and inspired some of this chap!
Have fun and stay safe ❤️️ 💛💚💙💜
Chapter Eighteen: Heart-to-Arc
"I'm here, Mr. Stark!" Peter calls into the workshop, taking out his earbuds and setting down his backpack. One of these days, someone is going to point out how he carries a backpack when school isn't even in session.
"For fucks sake!" Tony yells in frustration. Peter stalls slightly, his eyebrows coming together in suspicion, and walks further into the room. He notices Tony sitting at his workbench, working on a project in one hand and shaking the other.
"Uh…you okay?" He suppresses a laugh when Tony spins around with a scowl on his face.
"This is a fate worse than death." As Tony speaks, he continuously shakes his wrist without so much as flinching. He sets down the tool in his other hand to face the kid.
"So, we're being extra dramatic today?" Peter innocently asks. Despite Tony's narrowed eyes, he sits on the vacant stool.
"The world's against me," Tony continues. "I have no allies." The melodrama is usually his schtick, but Peter is curious as to what caused it this time.
"You gonna fill me in or are you gonna keep shaking your wrist?" he prompts when he gets no explanation. Tony huffs and finally lets his hand relax.
"Pep had the great idea of getting me out of the shop more. Something about not being healthy or getting enough exercise. So she got me this," he holds up his hand to show off his wrist, "crappy ass fitness watch that screams at me when to walk. I'm in the middle of working and these damned beeps are trying to tell me to walk." He pauses for a breath, but he certainly isn't finished. His determined gaze bores into Peter, who finds this unbelievably entertaining. "It isn't even phrased nice. 'Try going for a walk?' Passive aggressive piece of shit." The annoyed comments into aggravated muttering.
"And you're shaking it because…?" Peter fishes for a full explanation. Luckily, Tony lowers his arm to show a number on the watch's screen.
"See that?" Peter nods, noting the number 6,713. Then, Tony aggressively shakes his wrist a few times before bringing it back into view. This time it says 6,748. Peter laughs purely out of amusement.
"You're faking your step count?" he questions, almost baffled. The only thing keeping him from being shocked is that it's Tony. Nothing about Tony surprises him anymore.
"Desperate times call for desperate measures," Tony counters seriously. Well, as seriously as he can while vigorously shaking an appendage.
"Or you could just, y'know, go for a walk," Peter counters with a knowing smile. Instead, he looks over what Tony was working on. It looks like something Iron Man related, which isn't out of the ordinary. The man in question scoffs indignantly.
"Taking a walk doesn't get work done, now does it?" he inquires rhetorically, nudging Peter's curious fingers away when they get too close to his project. "Ah ah, no Spidey hands. Off limits."
"She's gonna find out," Peter warns in a sing-song voice.
"And how do you know?" Tony raises an eyebrow expectantly, awaiting an answer.
"Because Pepper finds out everything." Well, neither of them can refute that. It's definitely true, but that would mean Peter wins so he changes the subject.
"Nuance. How you holding up now that you're famous?" He smirks knowingly, which causes Peter to groan.
"More like infamous," he corrects. "I feel like there's gonna be a mob chasing me down next time I patrol. I mean, why does this guy hate Spider-Man so much? I didn't even know him before he was attacked and now he's writing about how much I suck." Tony eyes the mopey teen with consideration.
"Want me to take it down?" he casually proposes.
"The article?"
"The site." Peter just about chokes, but quickly shakes his head…even though he's very tempted.
"It's really okay. Freedom of speech and that stuff, right?" He rubs the back of his head sheepishly and averts his eyes. Tony shrugs his shoulders, he thought it was a great offer.
"Ready to get to work? Planning and preparing and being responsible and all that?" After all, the reason Peter is here is to work in upgrades. They've been interrupted one too many times, but this time they're finally going to crack down and make some progress.
"Yes sir!" Peter exclaims with a precious amount of enthusiasm. His goal is to get as many upgrades done before the next big fight as possible. They have all kinds of alerts set for the next sign of a Scorpion attack, since they realized that all seeking him out did was cause more harm than good. The last thing he ever wants to do is make even more damage, so he's helping the best way he knows how: his brain. He might not be physically stronger or faster than Scorpion, but he knows he's smarter. Now he just has to implement that. One improvement at a time.
Tony, on the other hand, is having an internal battle with himself as Peter gets to work. He has to tell the kid…but does he really have to? No, we talked about this last night. Pep thinks it's a good idea, so you think it's a good idea. He needs to know or he'll just be pissed he was kept in the dark. Get it over with. Quicker you get it out of the way, quicker it's done. It takes about a half hour of conversing with the kid and psyching himself up to finally talk about it.
"We have to talk about something." Alright, he admits that probably isn't the best way to start, especially for a teen with notable anxiety. When Peter's posture stiffens, he quickly clarifies, "You didn't do anything wrong, kid. It's just some business." Sure, Tony. Make it sound like a chore. Peter carefully lowers his suit and forceps, his eyes shifting to Tony.
"Is everything okay? Is it about Pepper's trip?" he asks, as perceptive as always. Is it about Ross? is implied. He knows a decent amount regarding the Accords, thanks to Ned, and how Ross has been giving Tony a hard time about the rogue Avengers. Wait, if Ross found out about Captain America and Falcon stopping by, does that mean we're in trouble? Did we break the law or something? Tony takes a breath with nothing but exhaustion and stress behind it.
"Yeah, it is," he confirms. Peter notes the sobriety in his voice and the tension suddenly occupying the space. "Remember how we talked about the Sokovia Accords? What they meant?" Peter instantly nods.
"Of course. It made it so that superheroes can't have a secret identity. The government has to know your name and your powers, right?" He knows there's more to it, but that alone sounds incredibly intrusive.
"Yeah, bud. That's why Ross and I are…arguing so much." Tony chooses the polite approach, but Peter scoffs anyway.
"More like tearing each other's heads off over the phone," he points out with a slight smile. Tony chuckles and sees no point in disagreeing when it's true.
"Well, it's not only about Steve and his gang." He gauges the reaction to those words alone before he continues. There's no outward change to Peter's curious gaze, but he can feel that knot start to form. That same sensation he feels while swinging, minus the adrenaline high. It's just the uneasiness. The fear. "He's been trying to convince me to reveal your identity." He can practically feel the blood drain from his face.
"He, he wants to know who I am? But, but he, that can't be something he can do, Mr. Stark!" His voice cracks from the onslaught of panic flooding his system. He nervously rakes both hands through his hair and swallows thickly. "It's none of his business, y'know? If people knew who I was then I'd, I'd be putting May in danger and Ned and MJ. I can't let that happen." He looks up at Tony, almost desperately pleading for the issue to disappear. Hoping for it to just disappear into thin air. Tony would do that in a heartbeat if he could. Instead, he does what he can do and grounds the kid by placing firm hands on his shoulders.
"Eyes on me," he orders gently. Peter complies, but the anxious rambling turns into heaving breaths. He feels like he's just overreacting, but the mere thought of being forced to publicly reveal his identity is terrifying while someone like Scorpion is on the loose. Villains have shown time and time again that they're willing to hurt people to get what they want. He doesn't want May to be one of those people. He can't let that happen. "We've gotten through this before, we'll get through it again. Deep breaths. You don't have to do anything you don't want to, you got that? If you don't want to say who you are, then I'll take it to the grave. This is your decision." Tony makes sure his voice is calm to help soothe Peter's nerves and never breaks eye contact. He allows Peter to grip his wrists to stabilize himself. It's been a while since he's seen Peter like this, but he knew it wouldn't disappear overnight. He knows the spike of fear that comes with the thought of losing another loved one.
"I'm, I'm okay. It's okay," Peter reassures them both, maintaining eye contact. "I don't want to say anything." Tony nods in understanding and squeezes his shoulders in comfort.
"Then we won't. I support you, alright?" Peter's jaw is firmly set as he tries to suppress the familiar panic. It reminds him far too much of the flashbacks he's been getting recently during the fights with Scorpion. That's probably an important thing to mention.
"I, uh, I have to tell you something too," Peter starts off with a shaking voice. Tony can't help but show his concern that feels to be permanently etched into his features. "These things have been happening during the fights? They seem like, like flashbacks but I'm not sure." His heart drops. Peter wasn't supposed to have flashbacks. The PTSD is heartbreaking enough, but flashbacks? This poor kid doesn't deserve any of it. Surprisingly, he feels his eyes begin to water.
"Do you want to talk about them?" he offers, voice tight. He files the emotions away for a later date. Listening is more important than getting emotional. Peter minutely nods and takes a shuddering yet determined breath.
"It's hard to explain, I guess. First it happened when I was fighting Scorpion at the boardwalk and he had me pinned down. It was at Coney Island which is where, y'know-"
"You crashed my plane."
"Exactly! So it was the same beach and I was pinned and his claws dug into my shoulders just like with Toomes! Then, then, it was weird, I could actually feel the fire from the plane crash but I knew a plane wasn't there and, and the green looked like Toomes' eyes and it was insane!" He stops to catch his breath, his chest once again rapidly expanding. Tony's grip tightens. "I felt crazy, Mr. Stark. And then it happened again at the secret sewer lair place. It wasn't the same type of flashback because I was on my stomach and Scorpion was practically standing on my back and…I couldn't breathe…and the concrete…" Peter hopes that he doesn't have to say it and that Tony gets the gist, which he of course does.
"Right." He nods thoughtfully, then stays silent to urge Peter to continue.
"Right. The only things that snapped me out of it were you and Flash. Do you…" Peter's eyes lower to the ground, "do you think I'm too messed up to keep doing this? I mean, if I keep getting these things it could put people in danger. I might not be fast enough to react." His hands fidget nervously. He doesn't want to stop being Spider-Man, but he doesn't want anyone getting hurt because of his issues either.
"Kiddo," Tony carefully considers his words, "you aren't messed up, alright? All us superheroes know what you're feeling, so you're not alone. That doesn't make it less of an issue, but it means we've got your back. We'll figure it out. I'll see what connections I have, maybe call Bruce, and we'll sort this out. I won't let anything happen to you. Not if I can help it." He stares at Peter, conflicted about how much he should say. He knows exactly how the kid feels and decides to say what he always wanted to hear when he felt like this. "You're safe." Peter's trusting, resilient eyes stare back. The teen tiredly leans forward and rests his head on Tony's shoulder, his eyes squeezing shut.
"Thanks," he whispers genuinely. Tony places a hand, albeit reluctantly, on the back of Peter's head. The other rubs his back in what he hopes is comfort.
"Anytime," he promises. "You tell me if anything like that happens again, capisce?" Peter hums in acknowledgement and sighs. It's nice just to be able to relax. Trust in someone. He trusts May no matter what, but he hates worrying her at the same time. With Tony, he can be a bit more vulnerable. Tony knows what it's like to be traumatized…and came out the other side stronger, even if he doesn't realize it. Peter needs that kind of strength to hold him together sometimes.
"We should probably figure out what we're gonna do," he mentions in a mutter. Tony purses his lips thoughtfully, then glances down.
"That'd be a productive direction. Got any ideas?" With his prompting, Peter goes over their options.
"Well, we found Scorpion's secret hideout, but he probably won't go back now. And we can't go searching through hundreds of miles of sewers all day." He begins with the obvious, mentally checking off those options.
"Where does that leave us?"
"Nowhere good," he grumbles realistically. Tony snorts in amusement, yet makes him sit up again.
"What happened to that Patented Peter Parker Optimism?" His joking earns himself a slight, lopsided smile.
"Still in the sewers. Or at the bottom of the Narrows," Peter chuckles softly and looks appreciative of Tony's lighthearted humor. "We don't know where he is, but we could figure out where he's gonna attack next?" he offers. Scorpion is much more predictable than Mysterio was, especially since he says who he wants to kill every five seconds.
"There's the Brainiac I know." Tony ruffles Peter's curls, who just crinkles his nose in response. "What's your best guess?"
"Well, I mean, Dr. Stillwell's kinda out of the picture, so that leaves Mr. Jameson. But getting information out of him is like pulling teeth." Peter winces at just the thought of hearing more of Jameson's yelling.
"Nothing yet?" Tony asks, but Peter shakes his head.
"He seems nicer? I dunno. Maybe he just needs more time but Scorpion doesn't exactly have a lot of patience." The two sit in momentary silence as they think of solutions. Tony is the first to come up with something, emanating that typical pompous aura.
"Peter Parker isn't making a dent, but have you asked your good pal Spider-Man?" Peter stares at him skeptically, eyes narrowed.
"You want me to talk to Mr. Jameson…as Spider-Man…" He pauses, looking for any sign of a reaction from Tony. When he doesn't see one, he adds, "Voluntarily…?"
"Yeah," Tony concurs without hesitation. "Problem?" Well, Peter doesn't exactly know where to start on his list of problems.
"I don't know if you've noticed, Mr. Stark, but Mr. Jameson kind of hates Spidey. Loathes is probably a better word," he reminds with raised eyebrows. There's no way Tony could've forgotten Jameson's passionate hate for Spider-Man. It's kind of all over the internet right now.
"Sometimes people need a bit of a push. Don't know til you try, hm?" Tony makes a good point, but that doesn't make Peter any less reluctant. "If he knows inside info, then you need it." Peter groans, but knows he makes a valid argument.
"Which means he might know where Scorpion will attack next," he begrudgingly deduces as well. Tony beams proudly with a triumphant grin and clasps a hand on the kid's shoulder.
"Why don't we focus on the upgrades for now, come up with a solid plan of attack, and talk to him tomorrow?" he suggests with his usual confidence. Peter brightens up a bit at this, happy to be going back to tinkering instead of dealing with some angry guy.
"Sounds good! As long as I'm not home late, tomorrow's the first day of Hanukkah!" Reinvigorated with a new plan and hope for the future, he sets out on preparing himself as well as his suit as best as possible for his hopefully final encounter with Scorpion.
This can only possibly go well and I'm sure you have nothing to worry about :')
Thank you for reading! ❤️️ 💛💚💙💜
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