Our Son

***** NOVEMBER 19th *****

-So, everything is here? Everybody ready? (Steve)

-Yeah, love. Let's go. C'mon, Pete, c'mon.(Tony)

Peter hasn't said anything the whole day. Not one word. But it's okay, they think, he'll come out of his shell and be strong.

The drive there is also painfully silent. There's no conversation whatsoever. Just silence. Just a silent noise of thoughts.

They made Peter wear one of his fancy clothes to give a good impression. He hates it.

*****

When they arrived, Peter started trembling. Steve notices and puts one arm around his shoulders and kisses his head.

-You're gonna be okay. I promise, baby. You're okay. He won't hurt you anymore.. It's okay.

He just nods. Peter doesn't answer, can't answer.

They encounter with Pete's lawyer.

-Hi, hello, Peter. How are things? Everything okay? (The man energetically shakes his hand)

And all he can do is nod.

Both Tony and Steve have one hand holding Peter's shoulder. Peter doesn't like it. He doesn't like the way his clothes are feeling on his body. He doesn't like the brief stare his lawyer gives him every now and then. He doesn't like the air he's breathing. The world feels too small for this. He can't do it.. He can't!

-I can't do it! I.. I can't! I won't.

They stop walking.

-I'll leave you alone (Lawyer)

-Peter.. (Tony)

-No! I can't do it! I don't want you to hear me say the things I did! That he made me do!

-Peter, it's okay. We're not gonna judge you. There's nothing to be embarrassed about, no matter what happened there. And we believe you. Every word you say. Alright? Let's go, kid. We're almost there. You can do it. (Steve says touching his face)

-O—Okay.. Sorry..

-No need for apologies for this. Not your fault. Let's go.

They enter the room. Peter can feel a freezing wind go through his spine. It's terrifying. 

He later understands why, it's because Skip is staring at him.

Tony notices and puts himself in front of Peter so the perp can't see him.

They all sit down, with Peter in the middle, laying his head on his Daddy's shoulder.

-You got this, spiderling. (Tony)

-Thanks, Daddy.

After a while, the judge arrives. The atmosphere is even more tense now. It's awful. Peter doesn't know if he'll be able to talk without vomiting.

-Peter Stark-Rogers Parker.

-Go there, love. You can do it. We're gonna be right here. (Steve)

They both kiss his forehead.

Peter sits on the big chair. He can feel the looks of the juri. It doesn't feel like they're gonna believe him at all. 

-So, Mr. Parker, can you tell us what happened that night?

He looks at his parents waiting for a reassuring look, but he gets only scared looks. He's on his own.

-Ahm... I.. I went to Ginny's birthday party.  

-Did you drink?

-N—No, I.. I don't drink.

-Did you know Ginny was Mr. Wescott's daughter?

-Y—Yes..

-Tell me what happened later.

-I... I asked Skip... Mr. Wescott

Peter hates calling him Mr.

-I asked him where the bathroom was. He said he would take me there. When, he... he showed me the room and I noticed it was actually a bedroom, I turned around, thinking I had understood wrong, and he was already locking the door. He punched me in the face and then in my stomach. I... I fell on the bed. 

He stops for a moment.

-And?

-And... And... I'm sorry, I can do it, just.. Just give me a moment.. Please.. I... I can... I can't...

-Recess, You Honor!

-15 minutes. Control your client, Mr. Rodrigues.

-I will, Your Honor. C'mon, Peter, get down. Let's get you some water.

-Oh, sweetie.. 

Tony was going to hug him.

-P—Please, don't touch me.. Please..

-Okay, okay, kid. I'm very sorry... Sorry..

They all went outside while the lawyer got some water for Peter. They sit down on a bench.

-Breathe, kid. You gotta breathe. (Steve)

-I can't do it, Dad, I'm sorry!

-Yes, you can! In and out. C'mon, let's do it together. C'mon.. In.... And.. Out. C'mon, kid, don't to this. In... And out... That's it. One more, one more. In and out. Good.. You did good, baby.. It's okay. You're alright.

Mr. Rodrigues comes back with a glass of water.

-Here, kid. It's okay. These things happen. It's completely normal. It doesn't change anything at all. I promise.

After 15 minutes, they have to come back and start the testimony once more.

But Peter is already crying again. Hard. 

-I fell on the bed.. He punched me some more until I couldn't move, I couldn't breathe.. 

Then, he uh... Started kissing me. For a long time. Then.. he.. he took his own clothes off.. 

He.. he made me touch him... And.. I.. I've never done that before.. S—So.. So.. he took.. my clothes.. and... t—touched me. So I can learn.. how to do it to him. After.. I... I came... He made me touch him again. I still... 

He needs one more pause.. He didn't want his parents to hear it. Not this

-I still couldn't get it right... So... he... wanted another thing. He... God... He... he mouthed me... Down there... And... I... my body reacted.. So, he said that he was glad I was enjoying it. That he knew I was gay.. Then.. he made me do it to him. He.. He came. And said if I didn't.... swallow.... he had a knife and he would kill me and my parents... After he was finished... He.. punched me again and put me on the bed... And he just........ He just... God.. I... I'm sorry.. Daddy, I'm so sorry...

Tony can't help himself and he just goes there to hug his child and sit with him. Nobody seemed to want to intervene.

-Shh.... Shh... Baby, you're almost there. You can do it. You're doing great, sweetie. You can finish this. I'm right here. I've got you now.. Shh...

Tony holds him as tight as he can, kissing his head for a while and then resting his chin above it. Also crying a lot. The place is just quiet, all you can hear is Peter, Tony and Steve's cry. 

-O—Okay.

-Okay? Good.. I'm gonna be right here. You're almost there, you can do i. We believe in you. 

-And then... And then...... Then he r—raped me... he raped me. It hurt so much I thought I was going to die. I could.. feel my blood coming down my tighs. I could feel his sweat, his breath and his smile, his laughs. He.. was moaning... He sounded like a pig.. And I'll never be able to see myself the way I did before. You're always gonna be a part of me and I hate you but I hate me even more. You ruined my life. Forever. You... you raped me... Raped me... You raped me... You...

And he starts crying again. Tony just holds him closer.

-You can get down.

-C'mon, kid. Let's get the hell out of here. C'mon, Underoos.

Peter's legs are failing him. So, Tony kinda has to hold him and help him walk.

They sit down beside Steve again, as he holds his son very tight, kissing the side of his head.

-I'm so proud of you, cub. So proud.. You did it. We love you so much, love. So much.. Shh.. It's over now.. You're okay.. I've got you...

-Thanks, Pops.

After a long and painful trial, the result is finally here.

-We considered the defendant not guilty.

And that's the first fime Peter sees Steve and Tony actually angry. They got up so fast to scream bad words at the judge and at Wescott. But not him, he just stayed there, as everything moved in slow motion. There was a loud sound inside his head. And the next thing he knows, he's on the floor, fighting to keep his eyes open.

END OF CHAPTER