Payback
The room seemed to freeze in the small room. With his sharp eyes, Peter noticed the comical widening of Mr. Thompson's eye and the stiffness of Mrs. Thompson's jaw. Surprise would be putting the look on their faces mildly. Mr. Davis' eyes became wide as copper bells, clearly almost not believing who's standing by the door.
"Mr. Sta... Mr. Stark!" Mr. Davis opens, seemingly forgetting his ability to speak. "It is an honor for you to visit our school." the question accompanied by a bang from his knees hitting the top of the table with his abrupt action to stand and beeline towards Mr. Stark. "Although Mr. Stark, I think it is a bad time to visit my office. why not I call one of the teachers here and let her entertain you for a bit?"
Mr. and Mrs. Thompson seemed to have gained their ability of self thought and resumed to a more respectable stance, albeit surprise still occupying their faces. After flashing flattering smiles toward Mr. Stark, Mr. Thompson rushes to the front of the man, ready to introduce himself.
Peter just feels doomed. Why in the multiple dimension and all the gods in Asgard, did Tony found the urge to visit Midtown High. Who contacted him? May would never? Or would she?
"Its May underoos." As if gaining the ability to read minds, Mr. Stark answered the questions swirling in his mind. Not even giving a side glance to the extended hand offered, crossed the room and walked towards Peter. “So, this is it?” Tony’s voice, amplified by the quiet tension, boomed through the room. “The Midtown High kangaroo court? Because I’m pretty sure I’ve got a better lawyer than whatever this is.”
With that statement, Mr. Thompson seemed to set aside his plans on flattering Mr. Stark. "With all due respect Mr. Stark, this does not concern you."
Mrs. Thompson, a woman whose pearls seemed to vibrate with barely controlled rage, bristled. “Mr. Stark, my son, Flash, was brutally assaulted by this… this delinquent!”
“Assault?” Tony scoffed, his eyes narrowing, "Madam, take it from me who's always "assaulted" by aliens, extremist mutants, dominating robots, and planet killing disasters, this does not even hit a mark on my Richter scale." He turned his attention to Peter. “Peter, sweetheart, did you, in fact, assault Flash Thompson?”
Peter mumbled, “No, sir. I swear I didn’t.”
“Of course you didn’t,” Tony said, his voice softening slightly as he addressed Peter. He turned back to the Thompsons, his tone hardening. “Let’s be clear. Flash is a… less-than-stellar individual. A bully, to be precise. And I’ve seen the security footage. There’s nothing showing Peter even near Flash when he supposedly broke his arm.”
Mr. Thompson, a man whose face seemed permanently etched with displeasure, interjected, “But the witnesses…”
“Witnesses who happen to be Flash’s sycophants?” Tony interrupted smoothly, yet his eyes beginning to show traces of anger, "Mr. Thompson, compared to the supposed to be damage taken by your son, do you want me to show you what I found in the last 20 minutes or so?" His last words coming out through gritted teeth.
Peter let out an almost inaudible wince to that. Just what were those things he found out? It couldn't be those times, is it? He sneaked a glance towards Mr. Stark and didn't miss the trace of hurt by that fleeting glance.
Tony tried to inhale as to control the rising bout of anger, and in this case, he's reasonably angry. Very, very angry. Catching Peter's guilty looks only amplified it. But he can't help consider not to escalate things further. Now, he needs to be begrudgingly forgiving. Almost forgiving.
“Let’s just say their testimony is… questionable. Besides, I’ve got my own witnesses. And they have far better things to do than hang around Midtown High.” He paused, a playful glint in his eye. “Like, you know, saving the world.”
The Thompsons sputtered, their carefully constructed narrative crumbling under Tony’s withering gaze. The principal, a nervous man who looked like he’d rather be anywhere else, cleared his throat repeatedly, but said nothing.
Tony turned back to Peter, his expression softening. “Look, kid, I know this is frustrating. But let’s not waste any more time on these… people.” He gave the Thompsons a pointed look. “We’ll handle this legally, and they’ll learn their lesson.” He leaned closer to Peter, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “But… you know, sometimes, a little payback is in order.”
Peter blinked, surprised. He hadn’t considered that. The idea of retribution, usually something he avoided, suddenly held a certain appeal. A slow smile spread across his face.
“I have an idea,” Peter said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Something… subtle.”
Tony grinned. “Subtle is my specialty.”