"First, you cut class, then you tear up the skin on your wrist purposefully, next you run off to an area you know is very dangerous, and for the final touch, you try to get yourself killed! Peter, what the hell is running through your head?!" Tony ranted, throwing his hands in the air as he spoke. Peter sat silently on his bed, staring down at his feet.
"Well? Do you have any explanation for yourself at all?" Peter fussed with the bandages on his wrists, unable to think of anything to say. Tony sighed and headed towards the door.
"I didn't deserve to be here anymore," Peter whispered brokenly. Tony turned to face the teen.
"Why?" Peter wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.
"Because, I'm more trouble than I'm worth, Mr. Stark." Tony sat down next to him and placed his hand on Peter's shoulder.
"Peter, that's not true."
"If I wasn't Spider-Man, would I have been your intern still?" The question took Tony by surprise. He wasn't sure how to answer. Peter continued before Tony could even begin to respond.
"The whole intern thing is a front. It's not real. The only reason we even know each other is because I'm of some use as Spider-Man; Peter Parker is useless." Tony's chest panged with heartache.
"Pete, you're working projects with me that most of your peers couldn't even begin to comprehend—"
"Flash was right about this. The internship is just a favor because you're getting something from me." Tony looked away with guilt, Peter wasn't entirely wrong.
"You're looking at this the wrong way, kid. You got here because of Spider-Man, but you're staying here because of Peter Parker." The teen shook his head and stood up, beginning to pace the room.
"I'm here because you took pity on me," Peter insisted. Tony stopped Peter's pacing with an embrace (he was getting much better at them).
"You're here because I care about you like you're my son." Peter's breath hitched, the words echoed in his ears.
"Y-your son?"
"My son." Peter couldn't hold back his tears any longer. Tony rubbed circles in the teen's back while Peter openly cried.
"I'm sorry! I'm so, so sorry!" Peter rasped between his sobs.
"Shh, don't apologize. I was never mad, just terrified to lose you," Tony tried to console him.
Peter debated going home to Aunt May that night and calling off everything. The internship, Spider-Man, the bonds he had made with the team. But, Tony's words played on repeat in Peter's head. "My son." So, Peter stayed.
Months later, graduation was approaching and Peter was called to attend another Stark Industries meeting. He dressed formally: a white button-down, black slacks, shiny black dress shoes, and a tie that was the same shade of blue as the Stark Industries logo. He made an organized folder of their latest project reports, grabbed his Starkpad, and headed to the meeting room. When he arrived, however, there was no meeting. Instead, it was only Tony sitting at the giant glass table with a neat stack of papers in front of him.
"Where is everyone, Mr. Stark?" Peter asked with confusion.
"Everyone attending the meeting is here," he responded with his "haha, I got you" grin. Peter took the seat to Tony's right as he always did.
"Then what's this all about?"
"Think of it as a graduation present. You don't have to accept, but here's my offer. A job. Stark Industries needs to be passed down eventually and I know I can trust you, kid. So, partners until I retire. A 50-50 split of the company and its profits." Peter was dumbfounded. His mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water.
"Mr. Stark I—" Tony held out his hand, waiting for Peter to shake it. The teen proudly did so.
"Now that we're partners, you'll have to call me Tony. We're equals." Peter nodded and hugged Tony tightly. The older man laughed and patted his back.
"Thank you, Mr. S— er, Tony. Thank you!" Peter thought of all the good he could do for and with the company. He also thought about his aunt, who would never have to worry about money again.
"Now you just have to sign the agreement," Tony stated as he passed the stack of papers to Peter.
After a year, Peter knew every employee in the Tower by name and held office birthday parties. After 2 years, Peter started a mental health program that covered therapy and rehabilitation fees. It also offered full coverage vacations for employees whether they were single or had families. Within 5 years, Stark Industries was named the top company in employee satisfaction internationally. Tony finally retired after 7 years and started a family of his own, with whom Peter frequently visited for dinners and holidays. Stark Industries became the leading researcher in cures for genetic diseases, such as Huntington's disease. That research department was led by none other than Dr. Bruce Banner. The thriving company also donated millions of dollars annually to financially unstable families in Queens. Finally, Peter understood what Steve had told him that night in the kitchen all those years ago. "You don't have to put on a mask to be a hero."
