"Dad, where are we?"
Peter wondered aloud as he stepped out of their sleek orange Audi R8. Before them stood an old but robust American cabin, nestled nearby a vast lake that glistened under the sunlight, framed by a lush canopy of trees. The soft breeze danced through, caressing the leaves with a whispering melody.
As Peter cast a fleeting glance back at his father, who leaned casually against their car, he couldn't help but notice the smile gracing his dad's lips as he observed Peter's expression.
With a sense of curiosity, he made his way toward the wooden walkway that offered a panoramic view of the tranquil lake. The serene atmosphere enveloped him, bringing a sense of calmness and contentment.
"Like it? What do you think?" Tony asked, joining Peter on the walkway with a smile.
As he stole a glance at his father, who stood beside him, lost in the captivating scenery ahead.
Inhaling the crisp, refreshing breeze, he remarked,
"This place feels perfect. What is it?"
"Summer house, Winter house. Basically, just a safe house for us to rewind and relax. Off the grid."
Peter was overcome with a sense of tranquillity as he gazed upon the serene scenery. It felt as though time had slowed, and the worries of city life melted away, replaced by a deep sense of peace.
Tony gently tapped his son's shoulder, directing his attention toward their cozy cabin, "Come see what's inside. Then let's go fishing later."
Peter observed intently as his Dad impaled a wriggling worm onto a hook,
"When did you learn how to do this?"
Mimicking his father's movements, Peter took his turn, hands careful as he threaded the bait onto his own hook.
Tony's eyes crinkled with a hint of nostalgia, "Back in boarding school, believe it or not, on a yacht with some friends. We used to sneak out and do all sorts of boring and crazy stuff. Ah, good ol' days."
With the bait now secured, Tony effortlessly cast his line into the water, the motion fluid and practiced. He then turned to assist Peter, guiding him through the motions with patience and encouragement.
"That's it?" Peter's voice dripped with disappointment as he watched his Dad settle into one of their folding chairs, cracking open a cold bottle of beer. Taking his place in the neighbouring seat, Peter retrieved his grape juice, the vibrant purple liquid a stark contrast to his father's beverage.
"Yeah, we wait," Tony replied, fixing his polarized red sunglasses and relaxing in the serene atmosphere.
Peter fidgeted, struggling with the concept of patience. Each passing second felt like an eternity. The constant hum of gadgets and technology had defined his existence ever since he was four. He was used to instant gratification, the ability to access information or entertainment with a simple swipe.
With a heavy sigh, Peter muttered, "I think it's gonna take us forever to catch something, Dad."
His gaze drifted to the waters before them, the stillness mocking his restlessness.
Tony chuckled at his son's whimpering. They'd only been waiting for five minutes, yet Peter already seemed convinced that the world was about to end, unsure of what to do next.
"Dad, do you think Dr. Banner's already dead?" Peter blurted out suddenly. Stories had been circulating for over a year now that Banner might be dead since they still couldn't locate the Quinjet. Not even a single sighting had been reported.
"If you think about it, there's a large possibility he's still alive," Tony reassured him.
There was a brief pause before he continued, "I think he's just not in this world, Pete. I installed a tracking device on that quinjet, and if it were still on Earth, we would've found it by now. If it had exploded, I would've known. The Hulk is practically unkillable. Bruce himself said so."
Tony gazed heavenward towards the blue sky, contemplating the vast unknown of the universe, "He's out there somewhere. There's so much about this universe we don't understand." He paused, a flicker of hope crossing his features, "Let's just hope he can cross paths with sparkle fingers."
Although Tony missed the entire Avengers gang, deep down, he felt as if he had come back to the life he led before the Avengers came together. He spent his days tinkering with his inventions, upgrading his suits, attending company meetings, giving academic lectures, and cherishing moments with his son. Despite the absence of the team's camaraderie, he found comfort in this routine.
"Your graduation's coming soon," Tony said, turning to his son, "Do you want to stay in Midtown or change schools?"
"I'll stay in Midtown, Dad," Peter replied without hesitation. He had already made a pact with Ned to remain at Midtown until high school.
And leaving New York and his Dad behind didn't seem like an option he was willing to entertain.
"What about college? Where do you want to go?" Dad's voice broke through Peter's thoughts, pulling him out of his reverie. His eyes squinted as he processed the question. It felt too early to dive into discussions about his future.
At that moment, his father's extraordinary academic achievements flooded his mind. Tony Stark had entered college at only the age of 14 and was lauded as Summa Cum Laude at just 17. The pressure to match such exceptional standards weighed heavily on him. He knew his father harboured high hopes for him, aspiring for Peter to follow in his footsteps, preferably to also attend MIT.
"The President of MIT called me. He used to be my professor, way back then," Tony continued, interrupting Peter's thoughts. "Well, he's asking if you'd be interested in joining the Engineering Department's accelerated program."
Peter's eyes widened in shock, his mind racing to process the unexpected news.
"That's sick! I mean… that's incredible," he stammered, his voice laced with a mixture of astonishment and uncertainty.
Deep down, he couldn't shake the daunting prospect of stepping into his father's formidable shadow, yet the lure of such a prestigious opportunity was undeniable.
"They've been keeping an eye on you ever since we patented your invention, and with your candidacy for Valedictorian, they've seen your academic prowess— they're genuinely impressed." Dad's smile beamed with pride, leaving him uncertain.
At just twelve years old, MIT was already interested in him. The MIT, the dream University for every tech junkie. It's a remarkable opportunity, and anyone in their right mind would jump at it. But he felt as if caught in between. He's unsure if he can ace the Valedictorian spot among his peers, knowing Liz, Ned, or even Flash might surpass him.
Tony noticed Peter's struggle to respond and quickly reassured him, "Hey, bud, no pressure. I'm just telling you. I'm just sharing the news. You've got two years to think it through, just let me know when you're ready, alright?"
No pressure but he felt only pressure building up.
Feeling the weight of expectation bearing down on him, he let out a nervous sigh and forced a smile, "Thanks, Dad."
Then, almost impulsively, he blurted out his question. "Did Grandpa and Grandma also want you to go to MIT before?"
Tony chuckled, "Oh, they wanted me to go to Harvard. Because Harvard was the number one back then. Since your Dad's such a rebellious teenager, I went to MIT instead, much to your grandpa's dismay, but it turned out to be a perfect fit since MIT focuses on tech. And wouldn't you know it, MIT rose to the top since then."
The corners of Tony's eyes crinkled as memories flooded back,
"Back then," he began, "it seemed like nothing I did was ever enough for your Grandpa. He was always cold and calculating, quick to point out my mistakes rather than recognize my achievements. I used to dread returning home to New York during sem breaks, the only consolation was when Mom's around."
Peter furrowed his brows in confusion, "New York? I thought your old residence was in Miami?"
Realizing he hadn't mentioned this before, Tony sighed inwardly. "We actually had a mansion in New York, bud. That's where I grew up, and now it's where Stark Tower stood. But after my parents passed away, I couldn't bear to stay in that huge mansion anymore. So, I packed it all up and moved to Miami with mom's stuff."
Each time Tony revisited the memory of his parents' passing, a wave of remorse engulfed him, as if he were trapped in an unending cycle of regret. The suddenness of their departure haunted him, especially the missed opportunity to bid goodbye to his mother. Each recollection pierced his heart like a jagged shard of glass, reopening wounds that refused to heal.
His thoughts drifted towards his strained relationship with Howard, his father. Despite the passage of years, Tony couldn't shake the burden of unresolved conflicts that lingered between them. Regret gnawed at his insides as he replayed moments of confrontation, wishing for a chance to rewrite their final chapter.
Beside him, Peter listened intently to his father's words, his own thoughts swirling in a whirlpool of emotions. Curiosity lingered with worry as he trod carefully around the fragile topic of family history. He wanted to delve deeper, to unravel more of his roots, yet he sensed the weight of his father's unspoken pain.
"Dad?" Peter's voice was soft as he gently nudged his father's hand, "Are you okay? Sorry, I asked."
"Yeah, of course, I'm okay, bud. It's no problem," Tony managed a smile, though the grief lingering in his eyes was hard to conceal from Peter's observant gaze.
Silence settled between them, heavy with unspoken truths and lingering regrets. Perhaps, Peter mused, it was enough for today. He understood the fragility of his father's heart, the wounds that still bled despite the passage of time.
As they sat in quiet contemplation, a silent pact formed between them— a promise to navigate the waters of the past together, one shared memory at a time.
As Peter watched his bobber begin to twitch, anticipation surged through him. With a quick movement, he stood up, feeling the tug of the line.
"Oh, oh! I've got one!" His voice rang out with joy as he glimpsed the fish drawing near, his heart racing with each pull of the line. Almost unable to contain his delight, he danced on the spot, overcome by the thrill of the moment.
So this is how it felt when a good thing came from waiting patiently.
"Great catch, buddy! Your first one!" Tony's voice broke through as they carefully unhooked the fish. "Looks like we've got dinner!"
Peter came to an abrupt halt, his expression incredulous. "Dad, seriously? Is this all we're gonna eat?"
He glanced around at the forest surroundings, his mind racing with questions. Were they going to revert to primitive hunting and fishing methods, like cavemen? If that's so then he really wanted to go back now to New York.
Tony roared in laughter at Peter's alarmed face, "You don't seriously think we're going to catch everything we eat out here, do you? Relax, buddy, Pepper made sure we're not going to starve. The fridge is fully stocked."
Relief flooded over Peter as he let out a deep sigh, "Oh, thank goodness."
Tony chuckled, still amused by Peter's reaction. They waited until Tony managed to catch some fish, then headed back to the cabin to prepare their fresh catch for dinner.
"Dad, it's not gonna clean itself. Unless you toss it back to the lake," Peter said, a grin tugging at his lips. He glanced over at his father, who seemed to be transfixed by the fish in the sink.
In fact, Tony had never cleaned a fish before, or any animal for that matter. Back in the day, it was always his friends who handled such tasks while he focused on other amusements, such as hacking the Pentagon on a dare from his friends.
However, since Peter had entered his life, Tony found himself embracing activities he had previously shown little to no interest in, such as cooking.
"Know what, let's ask Friday," Tony suggested, referring to the AI embedded within the cabin's sophisticated technology.
Despite the rustic charm of the wooden interior, the cabin boasted state-of-the-art amenities tailored to Tony's needs. With Friday's assistance, Tony accessed a tutorial video on fish cleaning techniques and set to work, the unfamiliar task surprisingly engaging.
Soon, the aroma of freshly cooked fish wafted through the air, mingling with the other delectable scents emanating from the kitchen.
Peter busily set the table as Dad maneuvered around the kitchen. The twinkling lights of the Christmas tree cast a warm glow, complementing the crackling fire in the nearby fireplace. Soft Christmas carols hum in the background, adding to the cozy atmosphere.
Turning to his dad, Peter asked, "Are we going to spend New Year's here?"
Tony paused, a thoughtful expression on his face, "Do you want to? I know it's our tradition to watch the ball drop in New York, but we can celebrate right here if you want."
Peter considered for a moment before posing another question, "Will the team visit the Tower?"
The memories of the last holiday season flood back— the original Avengers, reunited one last time. It had been their final gathering before going their separate ways.
Peter hadn't heard much about the new Avengers since the Ultron crisis, but Tony still kept tabs, continuing to support them financially.
"They're actually in the Middle East looking on a new mission, so that's a no."
"Oh, okay," Peter replied, feeling a faint pang of dismay. He had somehow missed them, wondering if he and Dad should visit the compound once the new Avengers were done with their mission.
Peter glanced at the picture frames displayed on a nearby side table. Portraits of him and Dad, alongside Pepper, Dad, and Happy, as well as the entire Avengers gang from the party, adorned the table. A warm smile spread across his face as he took in the familiarity of the images. Everywhere he looked, the cabin felt like home.
His gaze landed on a picture of him, his mom, his stepdad Richard, Aunt May, and Uncle Ben. Flashes of emotional memories flooded back as he stared at the photo. Or was it just his imagination? It had been so long ago. Try as he might, he couldn't recall specific memories involving them in his life. He had been too young when they had all passed away.
With care, Tony arranged the steaming dishes on the table, the delectable scent permeated every corner of the house, enticing anyone within sniffing distance.
"Alright, time to dig in! But before that, let's make sure those hands are clean."
As Tony approached Peter, he noticed his son lost in thought, his gaze fixed on a picture frame.
"Hey there, bud. Everything okay? You seem a bit lost in thought," Tony asked gently, observing Peter's fingers tracing the edges of the frame.
"Nothing." Peter placed the frame back into place, his movements deliberate yet hesitant.
Tony's gaze drifted to the photograph Peter had been staring at, a silent question lingering in his eyes,
"Can you still remember her, bud?"
Peter locked eyes with his dad before dropping his gaze, consumed by guilt,
"Um, honestly, I can't. When I look back I can only remember you and Pepper. I can't even remember how it felt when they died. It's all a blur now."
Tony sighed, understanding the haze of distant memories.
"Early childhood memories tend to fade as we grow older. It's normal for them to become a blur," he explained, reminiscing about his own fragmented recollections of childhood moments.
"Hey, look at me," Tony gently lifted Peter's chin, meeting his teary eyes. "Just because you can't remember them vividly doesn't mean you've forgotten. Your heart remembers, right?" He pointed to Peter's chest. "They live in here, that's what matters."
Peter's eyes glistened with unshed tears as he nodded, feeling the weight of his dad's words sink in.
"Yeah, they do," he whispered softly.
Tony smiled, planting a gentle kiss on Peter's forehead. "Now come on, let's eat before dinner gets cold."
As Peter settled into his seat, a wave of gratitude washed over him. He couldn't help but reflect on the immense love and care Tony Stark, his father, had showered upon him throughout his life.
Losing his mother and guardians at a tender age had left a void, but Dad had been there, a constant pillar of support. His father had played an irreplaceable role in shaping him into the person he had become.
Every act of tenderness, every word of encouragement, had formed a bond of love that Peter treasured above all else.
At this moment, as they sat together, he couldn't imagine a more profound source of gratitude than the unwavering presence of his dad.
Peter stood at the podium, taking a deep breath to steady his nerves. His gaze swept over his classmates, their parents, and the teachers gathered on the football field of Midtown Tech.
"Well, we've definitely done it. Middle school was no doubt a tough journey," Peter began, his voice carrying with confidence born from shared experiences. All eyes were fixed on him, parents and teachers alike, as he continued his speech from the stage, "We faced changes and challenges that required us to step up and own our decisions, even if the end outcome can result in failure. We learned that even if we fail, we learn. We learned not to follow in footsteps, but to create our own. But one thing is for certain, we would not be where we are today without the help and support along the way,"
He paused, acknowledging the contributions of their teachers with a grateful nod, "The vast amount of knowledge that we hold today is credit that we owe to all of our teachers."
A ripple of laughter swept through the audience as Peter's words turned to gratitude for the parents, "Thank you to all of our parents who have always been there, always behind us, always having our backs, no matter the trouble we go through."
Amidst the light laughs from a few troublemaker students, Peter caught sight of his Dad sitting proudly among the parents across from the rows of students. A warm smile spread across his face as he met his father's gaze, a silent exchange of pride and affection passing between them,
"Thank you Dad for supporting me, for instilling in me to stay curious, for being my number one hero, not just for being our own Iron Man, but for being my Dad. I am not who I am now without you."
Joy danced in Tony's eyes, a reflection of the pride and love swelling in his heart for his son, Peter. In this moment, words fall short of capturing the depth of Tony's immense pride in Peter.
"The next chapter of our lives lies ahead of us. With the next four years to define who we are once more. So as this chapter ends, we are more than ready to begin the next."
The entire auditorium erupted into a resounding standing ovation, with students and parents alike clapping proudly and enthusiastically,
"The batch Valedictorian of Midtown Middle School Class of 2013. Peter Stark."
Principal Morita, with a warm smile, presented the medal to Tony, who then made his way onto the stage as part of the cherished tradition where parents hold the honour of bestowing the medal upon their child,
With a beaming grin, Tony delicately placed the medal around Peter's neck, his heart swelling with pride as he pulled his son into a tight embrace. "I'm immensely proud to call you my son, Peter," he whispered.
Peter's face lit up with gratitude, "Thanks, Dad."
As the weight of the medal settled against his chest, Peter couldn't help but feel a surge of accomplishment and joy.
He glanced out at the sea of faces before him, each smile and applause fueling his sense of pride and gratitude. This was a moment he would cherish forever.
As Peter stepped out of the elevator, a sudden explosion of confetti caught him off guard, causing him to nearly jump in surprise. He was met with a chorus of boisterous cheers from his friends gathered at the Tower, their faces beaming with joy,
"Congratulations, Peter!" they exclaimed in unison.
Peter's mouth fell open in astonishment, a wide grin spreading across his face as he took in the sight before him.
Pepper and Happy stood at the forefront, their proud smiles reflecting the sentiment of the entire group. Among them were the new Avengers- Sam, Uncle Rhodes, Natasha, Vision, Wanda, and Steve, all gathered to celebrate his achievement.
Feeling overwhelmed by their heartfelt welcome, Peter couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for their unwavering support."
"Sweetheart, oh." Pepper enveloped Peter in a tight embrace. "Your efforts have truly paid off. I couldn't be happier for you."
"It feels like just yesterday when you were obsessed with Legos," Happy chimed in, his voice thick with emotion as he embraced Peter. "Well done, Peter. You've made us all incredibly proud."
"Oh, he's still playing with those, Hap," Tony interjected with a grin, eliciting laughter from the group.
Uncle Rhodey placed a reassuring hand on Peter's shoulder. "You make it all look effortless, champ."
"Well done, Peter," Steve added, his smile warm and genuine as he gave Peter a congratulatory pat on the back. "You're one of the brightest minds I've ever known."
"I always knew you were destined for greatness, little Stark," Natasha said, pulling Peter into a tight hug.
"Man, Genius really runs in this family," Sam exclaimed, prompting another round of laughter.
Feeling overwhelmed by the outpouring of support, Peter struggled to find the words.
"Oh my god. Uh, thank you all so much. All your presence means the world to me."
Peter couldn't be happier than how he was right now.
Pepper then extended a warm invitation for everyone to gather around the dinner table, marking the occasion with a delicious meal and furthering their joyful celebration.
"So, how was it?" Peter asked, settling into their first-class seats on their first day of freshman year.
"It was awesome! Oh my god, it was the best summer of my life, Peter." Ned exclaimed, pulling his chair closer to Peter with a burst of energy that caught the attention of some nearby classmates.
Peter chuckled, watching Ned's eager reaction. He knew the internship at Stark Industries Science Division, a graduation gift from his dad, had been the perfect present for his best friend.
"I learned so much stuff. There's so much tech in there, from commercial use, and medicine to space tech advancements. And you didn't tell me! Your medical glue was already being manufactured and now being used by hospitals!"
"Hey, keep it down! You signed an NDA." Peter whispered, reminding Ned of the confidentiality agreement, "And it's not that big of a deal."
It is mandatory for each of their people even the interns that an NDA be signed, because Pepper and Dad wanted to make sure their tech is protected, not let any of the bad guys use or even know about it.
Ned's voice dropped to a whisper, "Not a big deal? Do you know what that means?"
Peter scrunched up his face, "What?"
Ned leaned in, excitement evident in his voice, "You invented something at seven and it's already turning a profit. You could practically stroll into MIT and they'd hand you a diploma. Some of their grads even struggle to come up with original ideas for their thesis. You're killing it, man."
Peter rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of expectations, "That's not how it works Ned."
Ned shrugged, "Maybe not to you, but to the rest of us mere mortals, it's impressive as hell."
Peter couldn't suppress a chuckle as he rolled his eyes, unable to shake off the comparison to his father's achievements. In his mind, his own accomplishments seemed trivial compared to his dad's. At just 12 years old, Tony Stark had already built his own circuit board and motor engine. Meanwhile, Peter found himself merely experimenting with chemicals in the lab and occasionally hacking JARVIS.
Their conversation was unexpectedly interrupted by a voice that cut through their chatter, "Inventing something at a young age doesn't qualify as obtaining a degree. That's why we have universities to complete our academic understanding. It's a process."
Peter's eyes squinted and Ned's brows drew together in confusion as they both turned towards the source of the interruption.
They hadn't even noticed someone listening to their discussion amidst the hubbub of their classmates.
Their heads swivelled to where the voice had come from and landed on a curly-haired girl engrossed in a book, "Your whispering's still a little too loud, you know."
"Who're you?" Ned asked, his curiosity evident as he squinted his eyes.
Peter observed that the girl was one of the new students.
The girl's gaze bore into them, "Michelle Jones. My friends call me MJ."
"Oh, okay. I'm Ned Leeds." Ned said, introducing himself with a carefree smile stretching from ear to ear.
"I'm Peter—"
"Stark. I know." she interrupted, before returning her attention to her book.
Peter furrowed his brows in confusion. This girl was certainly peculiar, with the most disinterested facial expression he had ever seen.
As Peter prepared to ask MJ where school she came from, his attention abruptly shifted as he caught a glimpse of Liz approaching. At that moment, time seemed to slow to a crawl.
Her hair bounced as she walked… Had she grown taller? and leaner?
She's so beautiful...
Lost in his daydream, Peter was jolted back to reality when Ned lightly slapped his cheeks,
"Hey, what was that?"
"You're stupidly smiling like a dog!" Ned whispered as Liz came to a stop in front of them.
"Hi, Peter. Hey, Ned. I hope to see you both at Decathlon Club orientation later, okay? Don't be late."
Her voice even seemed melodious and her smile...
Oh my god, what's happening to me.
Peter's heart raced, and he felt his face flush, "Uh, yeah, Liz. We'll be there," he stammered.
"Great, see you then," Liz replied before walking away, her graceful movements drawing Peter's gaze until she disappeared into the crowd.
Turning back to Ned, Peter realized they had been staring like lovesick puppies,
"We're hopeless," he muttered.
"Wow, you guys are losers," MJ's smirk brought them back to reality as their Advanced Chemistry teacher finally came to their classroom.