Peter Parker - the Flash Thompson Problem
Declaration of Independence
Peter Parker was a sweet kid.
He was also agonizingly independent.
Not something normal to gripe about with kids, but it gets to be a problem when said kid desperately needs help and still tries to insist he can do it himself.
It’s not like the kid is oblivious either.
Peter knows he needs help, the kid just refuses to let him.
Which is why Tony was stuck at an impasse.
Eugene Thompson.
Now, don’t get Tony wrong, he knows the kid couldn’t actually put Peter in danger. Peter was dedicated to keeping his identity secret, but the kid still had at least a few self-preservation instincts that even he couldn’t override.
But Tony’s personal tolerance for bullying was zero.
That kind of behavior easily spirals and worsens. Tony knew how easy it was for that kind of behavior to shift and mature into much more life-ruining behavior as the kids became adults.
The world doesn’t need any more manipulators or abusers.
Okay, so maybe that was the explanation that he was rehearsing to give to Pepper, but Tony’s point still stood.
Eugene Thompson was hurting his kid. And Tony was more than willing to bet 750 grand that Peter wasn’t the only victim.
“Do you know how easy it would be for me to snap?” Peter hissed, fists clenching. “How quickly I can break bones? How quickly I can take someone down so they never get back up?”
Tony hadn’t ever seen Peter this angry before, and certainly not ever directed at him.
“Mister Stark, I don’t need you to fix all my problems. I’m not as incapable as you seem to think.” Peter spat.
“I’m not saying you’re incapable, Pete.” Tony spoke carefully. “But that kind of behavior should not be excused. That kind of behavior has killed people.”
Peter’s jaw clenched and unclenched, but he didn’t refute him.
“Even if not for you, then for your peers, his behavior needs to be addressed.”
Peter looked away, and when he spoke it was almost too low for him to catch. “His parents don’t even look at him. They leave him alone with tutors and matrons because they’re too busy.”
This kid.
“There are healthy ways to cope, Peter.” Tony sighed. “I’ve known quite a few bad ways. And I promise you, letting someone destroy themselves is not the heroic thing to do.”
“Shame and anger worsens the problems.” Peter countered, eyes narrowed.
Tony pinched the bridge of his nose. “Kid, you can’t sacrifice your well-being for someone else, especially someone who is trying to hurt you.”
“Isn’t that what makes someone a hero?”
Tony met the kid’s eyes, and said, “That’s why heroes die young.”
Peter couldn’t maintain eye contact.
He continued. “There has to be a balance, Pete. You have to put up boundaries to keep yourself safe. It isn’t all or nothing. The world isn’t that black and white.”
“He deserves help.”
“I’m not saying he doesn’t.” Tony held up a hand. “What I am saying is that help isn’t going to come from sitting there and taking that behavior.”
Peter huffed. “Reporting him isn’t going to change anything. It’ll just make things worse.”
“Well what do you suggest then, Peter?” Tony crossed his arms. “Because letting yourself get picked on and taking the hits isn’t going to fly for me.”