Chapter 2
Three years later.
Tony walked into his son’s room. His baby was sleeping soundly, hugging his plush toy. Tony hadn’t seen him for the past week because he had been busy fighting terrorists. Peter didn’t know about Tony’s superhero identity, and Tony intended to keep it that way. He wanted to shield his son from the dangers of his world.
Gently, Tony caressed Peter’s hair. Peter slowly stirred, squirming on the bed.
“Daddy?” the boy asked, squinting his eyes.
“Yes, baby. Good morning,” Tony said, kissing his head.
Peter rubbed his eyes with his tiny fists. Tony lifted him onto his lap, and the boy leaned against his chest.
“You’ve been away for a long time. I missed you,” Peter said in a small voice.
“I’m sorry, Pete. I was busy with work. But today, I’m spending all day with my Petey pie,” Tony said, hugging him close.
Peter giggled, looking at his dad’s face, noticing the black eye.
“Daddy? Are you hurt?” Peter asked, concern in his eyes.
Tony realized he had forgotten to conceal the bruise.
“It’s nothing, Pete. I just got hit by a door,” Tony said.
“Does it hurt?” Peter asked.
“No, not anymore,” Tony said with a reassuring smile.
Peter seemed relieved.
“Okay, tell me, how was my Petey’s week without daddy?” Tony asked.
“Daddy, I got full marks on the class test!” Peter said, his excitement bubbling over.
“Wow, good job, Pete!” Tony said, matching his enthusiasm.
“Also, me, Ned, and MJ were selected for the school play! May helped me learn the lines,” Peter added.
“I’m so proud of you, Pete,” Tony said, kissing his head.
“Thank you,” Peter said, grinning wide.
“Daddy’s going to take you to the park today, and we’ll play as long as you want,” Tony said.
Peter squealed with happiness, making Tony chuckle.
“Come on, let’s get you ready,” Tony said, lifting Peter onto his shoulders.
Peter kept chatting about random things, making Tony laugh even more.
“No, Steve. I won’t be attending any meetings today. I want to spend time with my son,” Tony said on the phone.
“Fury can kiss his own ass. I’m not coming, even if it’s a world-ending situation,” Tony added, ending the call.
“Daddy, I’m ready!” Peter called, running toward Tony.
“Come on, champ. We’re going to have so much fun,” Tony said, tossing him playfully into the air.
Tony took Peter to the park, where they played together. He noticed paparazzi taking pictures. The world didn’t know about Tony having a child, though there had been rumors. He figured the truth would come out soon, so he didn’t care.
Tony’s phone began to ring. He glanced at it—Steve was calling. He ignored it, but Steve kept calling, so Tony finally stepped away from Peter to answer.
“What do you want, Rogers?” Tony asked, annoyed.
“Tony, are you at Central Park?” Steve asked.
“Yes, I am. Why?” Tony responded.
“Tony, you need to move Peter away from there. There’s a chance of an attack,” Steve warned.
“What?” Tony asked, alarmed.
Suddenly, a booming sound erupted. Explosions shook the park. Tony’s heart sank as he saw Peter and other kids trapped in the chaos. He wasn’t wearing his arc reactor because he didn’t want to scare Peter, and now he regretted it.
Peter was crying, calling for him. Other children were also screaming for help. Tony rushed toward the fire to save them, but before he could reach them, an orange shield appeared.
A strangely dressed man created a portal to the other side of the park, allowing the children to escape. The man picked Peter up in his arms. He had a familiar face—one Tony knew and loved.
It was Stephen.
Stephen kissed Peter’s forehead, then walked through the portal, placing the boy down safely before disappearing.
Tony couldn’t believe what he had just witnessed.
The attackers continued their assault, but soon the Avengers arrived. Tony rushed to Peter and the other kids, scooping his son into his arms.
“Pete, wake up, baby,” Tony said, tapping his cheeks.
“Tony, is he okay?” Steve asked, running up to them.
“I don’t know,” Tony replied, his voice tense.
“Take him to the tower. We’ll handle things here,” Steve said.
Tony nodded and hurried to the tower with Peter.
Peter lay unconscious on the bed, a wound on his forehead. Tony’s heart broke seeing his son like this, his eyes welling with tears.
“Mr. Stark, Peter is alright. He was just scared and inhaled some smoke. He should wake up in a couple of hours,” Dr. Cho reassured him.
“Thanks, doc,” Tony said.
The Avengers returned to the tower shortly after.
“Tony, how’s Peter?” Steve asked.
“He’s okay. Poor kid got scared,” Tony said, gently stroking Peter’s hair.
“Who were the attackers?” Tony asked.
“They were Hydra. Fury had intel about the attack, which is what the meeting was about,” Steve explained.
“We caught them all. They’re being interrogated now,” Natasha added.
“But something strange happened. A magical portal opened, and that man saved the kids. We’re investigating who he was,” Clint said.
Tony had seen him. It was Stephen. Or was he just imagining it? Ever since Stephen left, Tony had searched for him in every crowd. Maybe he was just delusional.
“Fury will be here to debrief,” Steve said.
“I’ll join,” Tony said.
“No, you should stay with Peter,” Bruce suggested.
“No, I want to be there,” Tony insisted, standing up.
“May, please take care of him,” Tony asked.
“Of course, Mr. Stark,” May said.
“Friday, let me know if Peter wakes up,” Tony said as he headed to the meeting.
Fury was already there.
“How’s your son, Stark?” Fury asked.
“He’s fine,” Tony replied.
“We’ve captured the attackers, but we’re here to discuss the mysterious figure who appeared. Did anyone get a look at his face?” Fury asked.
Everyone said no. Tony stayed silent.
“From the CCTV footage, it looks like he saved the kids. He carried Peter. Stark, when Peter wakes up, can we ask him if he saw anything?” Fury asked.
“No, my boy was terrified. I don’t want to make him relive the incident,” Tony said.
“Stark, this isn’t the time to be selfish. Your kid could help us,” Fury pressed.
“I will be selfish when it comes to Peter. I’m not dragging him into any danger. So forget about it,” Tony snapped.
“Boss, Peter is awake,” Friday informed.
“I should go,” Tony said, leaving the room.
“Daddy,” Peter said when Tony arrived.
“Hey, baby boy. How are you feeling?” Tony asked with a smile.
“Pete was scared,” Peter said, pouting.
“I’m sorry, baby. But you don’t have to be scared. Daddy will always be here to take care of you,” Tony said, kissing his head.
Peter hugged Tony tightly like a little koala. Tony kissed him again.
“Stephen, have you lost your mind? You weren’t supposed to go there and expose us like that!” Wong scolded Stephen.
“People were in danger, Wong. How could we just stand by and do nothing?” Stephen argued.
“The Avengers were handling it. We’re not supposed to interfere with low-level threats. We’ve maintained a low profile for thousands of years, and you’ve jeopardized that,” Wong said sternly.
“There was my kid in danger, Wong. My Peter. I couldn’t just stand by,” Stephen said.
“Stephen, you’re the Sorcerer Supreme. You can’t let emotions dictate your actions. You have greater responsibilities,” Wong reminded him.
“I can’t help it, Wong. I want my son. It’s been three years since I held him,” Stephen said.
“If you go to him, you’ll have to explain everything to Tony, which will lead to SHIELD knowing, and we won’t be able to keep a low profile,” Wong warned.
“I miss him, Wong,” Stephen said, tears brimming in his eyes.
Wong’s expression softened.
Stephen retreated to his room and gazed at a small photo frame. The picture showed Stephen and Tony holding little Peter in their arms, all smiles. Those were happier times. Stephen had been so content, but he had to leave that life behind. He couldn’t go back.
Tears rolled down Stephen’s face as he clutched the photo tightly.