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Damn Tony Stark had wrecked his life again. Adrian Toomes never imagined that he could hate a man so much. But after an accident in which Elizabeth had been injured, he had discovered that she was not his daughter. Doris, she had confessed to him that years ago she had had an affair with Tony Stark, it was just one night, but from there Elizabeth was born.
Adrian Toomes had been raising the daughter of what he considered his greatest enemy, because although the Vulture was Spiderman's enemy, Tony Stark had destroyed his life and he had been sacrificing himself for Elizabeth, so that she could attend a good school and nothing was missing.
He and Doris had argued, and for Elizabeth's sake, he had been the one to walk out of the house he had paid for with his labor.
Quentin, always ready to listen, had offered to stay at his house, so he wouldn't have to spend the night in his lab. For some strange reason, both he and Parker turned to Beck when something happened in their lives and they needed advice. But Beck was comforting, nonjudgmental, and good advice, and he listened carefully. He's probably the best therapist and friend Adrian has ever had, but that was mostly because Mysterio was such a terrific actor.
Elizabeth had broken up with Parker months ago and started dating Harry Osborn. Adrian wanted to laugh, because unbeknownst to his daughter, he was dating the son of the Green Goblin, the biggest psychopath of Spiderman's enemies. He felt sorry for Parker, he liked the boy, despite the times they had clashed over the years.
Adrian could never be angry with Liz, he had seen her grow up and had taken care of her all these years. Feelings like that, and the deep honor to his family, didn't vanish overnight. Sitting in the living room with Beck, they had decided to drown their sorrows in alcohol.
"What are you doing here?" he heard Beck murmur. Adrian readied his gun, they weren't expecting any visitors.
- Liz called me, we still keep in touch.- answered Parker's unmistakable voice.- She said She didn't know where his father could have gone, so I came to ask you for help to find him, but I see he's here. Hello Mr Toomes!
The boy was a real nuisance. He appeared when you least expected it, when you wanted to be alone and isolate yourself from the world, he overwhelmed you with his tireless and charismatic company and no matter how bad you were or how bad you were, Parker was always there, with you, accompanying you in every situation.
"This isn't a Spiderman issue, kid," Adrián said. "I'm not causing any problems, I just want to be alone."
- I know all that.-Parker answered, sitting next to him. Apparently the boy wasn't very good at taking hints.-Do you have anything to drink? I may already be a legal adult, but I don't like the drink, it clouds the mind and the judgment and someone has to be sensible tonight.
"What do you want, Pete?" Beck offered. "I only have water."
"I'll take that, thanks, Quentin." Peter answered happily. As Beck left, Peter looked at Toomes. For some strange reason, Toomes felt evaluated, although there was no pity in Parker's eyes, Toomes couldn't help but think that maybe Parker did feel sorry for him, that's why he was there. "I know you probably don't want to hear it, Mr. Toomes, but Mr. Stark has really changed and doesn't do those things anymore. He is now married to Pepper, so men can stop fearing for his wives and daughters.
Parker's attempted prank would be hilarious if it were under different circumstances or with someone else, but the truth is that Adrian wasn't just mad at Stark. For there to be infidelity, both people had to participate. Doris had participated willingly, because if Adrian knew anything about Stark it was that he liked willing women. And Doris, like every woman in New York, was attracted to Stark. The worst had been when Ella Doris had claimed that she had slept with Stark on their honeymoon. She was newlyweds and she had already cheated on him. How could She have done this to him? Before marriage, there would be no problem, but Adrian valued marriage. According to his values, it was much more than a contract between two parties, marriage was the bond that strengthened the union of two people. How can you trust someone if She is already not honest with you? In all these years She couldn't have told him? Was that why Doris adored Iron Man, being her favorite superhero? Why did she remember the night of passion they had had? And the worst thing was that Stark probably didn't even remember all the daughters he could have out there, or all the marriages he had dissolved. He had already asked Doris for a divorce and as much as it hurt to see her cry, deep down, he knew it was the best thing for him. He couldn't trust Doris anymore, even though she would still be a part of Elizabeth's life, because even though She wasn't his biological daughter, he still considered her her daughter and the relationship she had with Osborn he was going to watch very closely.
In a way, he was grateful for Parker's presence, the boy offering him some company and comfort. Maybe that's why he treated the battles between the Vulture and Spiderman as a game, a rival that he had to overcome and not an enemy to kill. Because, maybe it was Parker's innocence and youth, or that he had been close to his daughter, but Parker cared about his villains. With Beck and Parker, the night was not as depressing as he had imagined. He knew that Quentin would stop him if he tried to drink too much and with Parker there, he had to go easy on himself because he had to be careful what he could tell. But he wasn't worried, he knew those two wouldn't let anything happen to him.
- Knows? It's probably a bad idea, but I've talked to my Aunt May. She reminds you of school reunions. You made a good impression on her, Mr. Toomes. She says that you can stay with us in the guest room, for as long as you want.
"And do you agree with that?" Adrián asked, looking at Parker intently. "Don't you think it would be strange if your enemy lived with you?"
- Oh no. I actually stopped considering it weird given how many times Octopus has visited my aunt. She is delighted, although She knows that he is a supervillain, she says that he is charming and a true gentleman. Actually I think it would be a good idea for her to live with us, Mr. Toomes, no offense, but you are a family man and you would never hurt her. In fact you have my approval if you are going to marry her, I prefer it to be you and not Otto.
Adrian stared at Parker, Beck was laughing out loud and Parker looked ashamed. How much would he have drunk? He looked at Beck, waiting for an explanation.
-He's real, friend.-said Quentin.-I'll have to inform Otto that he has competition, so that he takes more care in courting the lady, although you already have the approval of her nephew, you'll be doing something right.
- My aunt also says that you can visit her whenever you want, Mr. Beck.-Parker said.-And that you wear your suit. She's wanted to have dinner with Mysterio for a long time.
Quentin Beck was oddly flushed, and for the first time in Adrian's knowledge of him, he had fallen silent.