Chapter 4
"Romanoff, any update on that magic man?" Fury asked.
"No, we have tried everything. There is no trace of him," Natasha said.
"There is only one person who can find him. It's Tony," Clint added.
"Yes, but he won't help us for some reason," Steve said.
"We could ask him again," Bruce said.
"No, Banner. If he doesn't help us voluntarily, we'll wait for him to help us in another way," Fury said.
Tony didn't stop his efforts to find Stephen. He continued scanning for him, sure that Stephen would visit Peter again. So, he focused on the places where Peter was—his school, May's house, and his friends' houses. He was 100% sure Stephen wouldn't come to the tower.
Peter was at the park with May and Happy. Tony had told Peter he was busy with some work, knowing that if he was there, Stephen wouldn't show up. From a distance, Tony kept his eyes on the boy, who was playing in the park.
"Stephen, where are you going?" Wong asked.
Stephen was wearing a casual T-shirt and jeans.
"For a walk," he said, shrugging.
"Why do I have a feeling you're going to be in trouble?" Wong asked, squinting.
"What? A man can't go for a walk?" Stephen said, frowning.
"It better be like that," Wong said.
Stephen rolled his eyes and walked outside.
He knew Peter was at the park. He thought he could take a look at him, maybe say hi, and leave. That's all he wanted. He knew it could bring danger, but the parent in himself couldn't help it.
When he reached the park, he saw the boy playing alone with a ball. May and Happy were sitting on a bench far away from him, deeply involved in conversation. Stephen knew this was the time. He could say hello to his son.
Stephen walked over to him.
"Hey, Peter," Stephen said.
The boy turned to him.
"Hi, magic man!" the boy said, excited.
"You didn't come to see me for many days," Peter said.
"I was busy with something. How are you?" Stephen asked, kneeling in front of him.
"I'm good. My oowie is gone," Peter said, pushing his brown curls back to show the mark.
"That's great," Stephen said, smiling.
He watched the boy, who was a mini-Tony. When he was born, everyone said that, and with each passing day, Peter looked more and more like his father.
"I brought this for you," Stephen said, handing Peter a storybook.
The boy took it, his eyes shining bright.
"Wow, The Little Prince! I was asking Daddy to buy this, but he always forgets," Peter said.
"You can ask me if you want anything. I'll bring it for you," Stephen said.
"But Daddy said not to take things from strangers," the boy said, frowning.
Stephen's heart clenched when his son called him a stranger.
"Pete, I'm not a stranger," Stephen said in a hurt voice.
"Go on, Stephen, tell him who you are and why you left him," Stephen was startled by the sudden voice.
He turned to see the man he didn't want to meet again, the man he loved so much—his husband.
"Daddy!" Peter called and ran to him.
"I should go," Stephen said, ready to leave.
"No, you shouldn't. I know you owe me nothing. But what about Peter? He deserves to know the truth," Tony said, grabbing his wrist.
"Stark, let me go now, or I'll make you," Stephen growled.
"Are you going to attack me with your magic? I'm ready for that, Stephen. But I won't let you go until I get answers," Tony said.
Stephen relaxed a little. He didn't want to use his magic and scare Peter. Wong had specifically told him not to draw attention.
"Stephen, I just want to talk. Please," Tony said.
But before Stephen could say anything, the Avengers surrounded them. Both Stephen and Tony were startled by it.
"Stand down, or I'll shoot you," Fury said, pointing a gun at Stephen.
Peter got scared and started whimpering.
"Daddy, tell them to stop," the boy said.
"Stark, all this was your plan to capture me? You used Peter as bait?" Stephen scoffed, but his eyes were teary.
"Stephen, I didn't know..." Tony said.
Natasha and Clint handcuffed Stephen. He could easily break free and leave, but he didn't want to scare Peter, so he conceded. They took him to the vehicle.
"What the hell were you doing?" Tony snapped at Steve.
"Tony, we didn't know it was Stephen. It was Fury's order," Steve said.
"You were spying on me this whole time?" Tony sneered.
"Yes, because you weren't willing to help," Steve said.
Tony was about to say something when his son hugged his leg, crying.
"Peter," Tony said, kneeling in front of him.
"You promised me you wouldn't let them hurt him," the boy said, sobbing.
"Peter, he's not in trouble. I'll bring him back. Please stop crying," Tony said, hugging him.
The Avengers had already left with Fury and Stephen. Tony took his boy in his arms and followed them.