Chapter 3
Peter stayed clingy to Tony for the next two days. Tony had to put in a lot of effort to convince the kid that he was safe.
Tony was in his lab.
"Friday, play the footage of the attack," Tony said.
The video started playing, and Tony carefully observed each moment. When the portal opened, Tony said, "Pause here."
He could see the face clearly—it was Stephen.
"Friday, isn’t that Stephen, or am I being delusional?" Tony asked.
"96% facial match with Doctor Strange, boss. You are correct," Friday replied.
"Is he using magic?" Tony asked.
"It appears to be some form of sorcery," Friday answered.
Tony kept looking at the footage.
"Boss, Doctor Banner and Miss Romanoff are coming," Friday said.
Tony quickly dismissed the holograms.
"Tony, are you busy?" Bruce asked as he entered the room, Natasha following behind him.
"No, just killing time," Tony replied.
"Strange. S.H.I.E.L.D. is trying to track down the mysterious man. Has Friday recorded anything?" Bruce asked.
"I didn’t take my glasses to the park," Tony said.
"That’s odd. You always take your glasses with you," Nat remarked.
Tony didn’t respond.
"Does Peter know anything?" Bruce pressed.
"No, he doesn’t. Did Fury send you here to interrogate me?" Tony asked, rolling his eyes.
"Tony, I’m just asking," Bruce said calmly.
"Even if you are, I don’t have any answers for you," Tony said.
"Okay, Tony. We’re leaving," Bruce said as they both left the lab.
Natasha and Bruce went to the S.H.I.E.L.D. tower where the other Avengers were gathered.
"What did he say?" Fury asked.
"Tony is lying. I could see it in his body language," Nat replied.
"What are you saying?" Bruce asked.
"I think he knows who that man was but doesn’t want to reveal it to us," Natasha said.
"But why?" Steve asked.
"I don’t know. We have to figure it out," Natasha said.
"However, that man didn’t seem like a threat, so why should we be concerned?" Bruce asked.
"Banner, that man was using magic—magic we don’t understand. It’s S.H.I.E.L.D.’s duty to monitor such activity. What if he becomes a threat to humanity?" Fury explained.
"But the real question is, why is Tony trying to protect him?" Steve added.
"We’ll figure it out," Fury said.
Later, Tony was reading a story to his son, trying to get him to sleep.
"Daddy?" Peter called.
"Yes, Pete?"
"When is Papa coming back?" the boy asked.
"Papa will come back one day to see you," Tony said, though he wasn’t sure about it himself.
"Did Papa leave because he doesn’t like me?" the boy asked, his voice small.
"No, Pete. He loves you more than anything in this world. But Daddy did something terrible that made Papa upset.
That’s why he left," Tony said, still regretting his actions.
"Didn’t you say sorry?" Peter asked.
"Peter, some things can’t be fixed by just saying sorry,"
Tony replied quietly.
"Why are you asking me about Papa now?" Tony asked, curious.
"I saw a dream about him," Peter said.
"Oh? What was it?" Tony asked.
"Papa, Daddy, and Pete were on a ferry," Peter said.
"That’s a nice dream," Tony smiled.
"Pete, can I ask you something?" Tony said.
"Sure."
"Did you see the face of the man who saved you?" Tony asked.
"Yes, Daddy. And that magic man knew my name!" Peter said excitedly, sitting up.
"What?" Tony asked, surprised.
"Yes, Daddy. He called me Peter and kissed me here," Peter said, pointing to his forehead. "Then, I don’t remember anything else."
Tony was now sure it had been Stephen. But he needed answers—why had Stephen left their infant son and not come back to see him? And why was he reappearing in their son’s life as a magic man?
The next day, Tony personally took Peter to school and then returned to his lab.
"Friday, scan Stephen’s face and try to track him down," Tony ordered.
"We’ve done this many times, Boss. But there’s never been a positive result," the AI replied.
"I have a feeling this time will be different. Do it," Tony insisted.
Friday began scanning.
Meanwhile, Stephen was walking towards Peter’s school. He didn’t know what he was doing—like Wong had warned, his emotions were dictating his actions. But he couldn’t help it. He couldn’t watch his son from a distance any longer. He wanted to hold him, to listen to him talk about his day. He wanted to be in his son’s life.
Using magic, Stephen entered the school compound unnoticed. Peter was playing in the playground.
"Hey, Peter," Stephen called softly.
Peter turned, a confused look on his face.
"Do you know me?" Stephen asked, kneeling in front of the boy.
Peter thought for a moment and then squealed, "Yes!"
Stephen’s heart swelled with warmth. His boy recognized him.
"You’re the magic man who saved me!" Peter said, grinning.
Stephen felt a tinge of disappointment but smiled.
"Yes, I am. Were you hurt?" Stephen asked, checking Peter with concern.
"Yes, here," Peter said, pointing to the cut on his forehead.
"I’m so sorry," Stephen said softly.
"I’m okay. Thanks for saving me!" Peter said with a big grin.
"Always," Stephen replied, gently caressing his head.
"Peter, can you do something for me?" Stephen asked.
"What?" Peter asked curiously.
"Don’t tell your dad or anyone else that I came to see you," Stephen said.
"But I tell my Daddy everything," Peter said, frowning.
"Please, Peter. I shouldn’t be here. It might get me in trouble," Stephen explained.
"Okay," Peter said, reluctantly agreeing.
"Thank you, Peter. Take care of yourself, okay?" Stephen said, his eyes teary. He kissed Peter’s forehead and left.
Back at the lab, Friday’s scans yielded no results. Tony had lost hope and was lying on the couch when Friday spoke.
"Boss?"
"What?" Tony asked, disinterested.
"One match found."
Tony quickly sat up. "Where?"
"Near Peter’s school," Friday informed him.
Tony sprang to his feet, rushed to his car, and drove quickly to the school. Once there, he hurried to the office.
"Where’s Peter?" he asked urgently.
"Mr. Stark, all the kids are in the playground. Is everything okay?" the woman at the desk asked.
Tony ran to the playground and saw Peter playing.
"Daddy?" Peter shrieked, running to him. "Why did you come early?"
"Did someone come to see you?" Tony asked.
Peter shook his head no.
Tony scanned the area, searching for Stephen, but saw no one. "I’m taking you home," Tony said, lifting Peter into his arms.
Back at the Sanctum, Wong was waiting for Stephen.
"You went to see Peter, didn’t you?" Wong asked, glaring at him.
"Yes, but nobody recognized me, and I didn’t use any magic," Stephen said defensively.
"Stephen, the whole of New York is talking about you," Wong said.
"What?" Stephen asked, confused.
Wong turned on the TV. The news was covering the incident at the park. Several kids were giving testimonies.
"The magic man saved me by making a golden ring and taking us out of the fire. He was wearing a red cape," one child said.
"Thank you, magic man!" another kid said, holding up a poorly drawn picture of Stephen.
Stephen chuckled at the sight of the drawing.
"Seriously, Stephen?" Wong glared.
"Calm down, Wong. Nobody’s going to recognize me from that drawing," Stephen said, laughing.
"No, but the world now knows we exist. S.H.I.E.L.D. will be after us for sure," Wong said, concerned.
"Why should we be worried? We and the Avengers are doing the same thing," Stephen said.
"No. Our duty is to protect this reality. Exposing ourselves to the world will bring unwanted attention and threats," Wong said sternly.
"Even if S.H.I.E.L.D. tracks me down, I won’t say anything about Kamar-Taj or other sorcerers," Stephen said softly.
"You’re missing the point," Wong said, rolling his eyes.
"I get it, but I need my son back in my life. I want to see him, even if it’s just occasionally," Stephen pleaded.
"I understand, but I don’t want you in trouble," Wong said gently.
"I won’t be. I promise not to bring any harm to Kamar-Taj," Stephen reassured him.
Wong nodded and left.
Later that evening, Tony sat on the couch with Peter.
"So, tell me, Pete. How was your day?" Tony asked.
"It was good," Peter replied, sipping from his bottle.
Tony knew something was off. Usually, Peter would share every little detail of his day, but today, he kept it brief.
"That’s it?" Tony asked, raising an eyebrow.
Peter looked at him guiltily.
"Pete, talk to me. You know you can tell Daddy anything," Tony said, pulling him onto his lap.
"But I promised him I wouldn’t say anything," Peter pouted.
"Promised who?" Tony pressed.
"I can’t say, Daddy. He said he’d get in trouble,"
"Pete, don't you trust me?" Tony asked, gently placing his fingers under Peter's chin, tilting his face up to meet his gaze.
"Yes," the boy said softly.
"Do you think Daddy would cause trouble for anyone?" Tony asked in a tender voice.
"No, Daddy is nice," Peter replied.
"Then tell me, who was that? And what happened?"
"It was the magic man who saved me," Peter whispered.
"What did he tell you?" Tony inquired.
"He checked my oowie, and he said sorry. He told me to take care of myself, then kissed my head," Peter explained in a small voice.
"Did he say he would come to see you again?" Tony asked.
"No," Peter said.
Tony knew it was Stephen. He wanted to meet Peter, but why the secrecy? Stephen could have just walked into the tower and demanded to see Peter. Tony knew Stephen hated him and didn't want to see him again, but why stay away from Peter?
Tony was lost in thought when Peter spoke up.
"Am I in trouble?" Peter asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"No, baby. Thank you for telling me. Peter, you can tell me anything. We don’t need to keep secrets between us," Tony reassured him.
"Okay," Peter nodded.
"And next time, if he comes to see you, you should tell me. I want to meet this person," Tony added.
"Why?" Peter asked, curious.
"Because I want to thank him for saving you," Tony said.
"Okay, I'll tell him that," Peter said, excited.
"No, no. You shouldn't tell him anything," Tony corrected quickly.
"Okay," Peter said, confused.
"So, shall we watch cartoons?" Tony asked, switching the subject.
"Okay, Daddy," Peter said, snuggling into his chest.
Tony played the cartoon and hugged his son closer. He held onto a tiny hope of seeing Stephen again. Maybe Peter could get his Papa back. After all, Stephen was still his husband, officially. Stephen couldn't deny that.
When Peter fell asleep, Tony headed back to his lab.
"Fri, keep me updated if there are any traces of Stephen," Tony ordered.
"Sure, boss," Friday confirmed.
Tony leaned back in his chair, dragging old photos onto the hologram. It was their wedding photo.
Memories flooded back. The first time he met Stephen at a gala. The way they used to clash with sarcastic comments or playful insults. How they found excuses to linger near each other. The moment Tony realized it was more than just camaraderie, and he kissed Stephen, grabbing his hips. Stephen had reciprocated with passion.
Their first date, and the many that followed. The day Tony proposed, and Stephen said yes with happy tears. Their intimate wedding with only close friends.
How Stephen supported him through his darkest times after Afghanistan. How Stephen accepted his superhero life. And the day they found out they were expecting Peter. Stephen had happily taken a break to carry their child, sacrificing his career. The day Peter came into their lives, bringing even more joy.
But then Tony remembered that cursed night, when Stephen had the accident. The devastation of losing his hands. Their home filled with yelling and shouting.
Stephen spent all his fortune trying to fix his hands, and Tony had tried to stop him, which only led to more fights.
That was the night Tony did the unforgivable—he cheated on Stephen. After a particularly terrible fight, Tony attended a gala, got drunk, and made the worst mistake of his life.
Stephen had been an amazing husband, but Tony wasn’t. If he had been, he would have stayed by Stephen’s side through his struggles. But he didn’t.
It wasn’t until Stephen left that Tony realized how important he was. Not a single night passed without him thinking of Stephen. He wanted him back, but he had no right to ask after what he’d done.
Still, Peter deserved his Papa.