Peter Parker is the son of James Parker. A famous billionaire who specialises in tech. And who happens to be one of Tony Stark’s biggest rivals ever since they were children. It’s not as if Peter was keeping this a secret from Mr Stark, he just never asked, therefore Peter didn’t think he should say anything. Peter spends enough time at his Aunt May’s that if Tony was looking for him he’ll probably be there since it gets quite lonely at his own place with his dad often on business trips.
However this hasn’t stopped Tony from nearly finding out about him countless of times. Because the rich world is a small place, and when your dad and mentor are two very important people, they often have to be at the same place at the same time. Fortunately because he’s the son of the ‘world famous’ James Parker, people often focus on his dad more than Peter, who just gets to linger in the background. Even when his dad walks up to greet Tony, if Peter keeps his head down and wanders off in the opposite direction, Tony won’t suspect a thing.
I mean why would Peter Parker, James Parker’s son, who is often seen dressed in the latest designer clothes hanging around in Manhattan, be the Peter Parker that Tony knows who’s a lower class nerd that happens to be Spider-Man.
If you look at it all together, Peter may be trying to hide the fact that he’s James Parker’s son. The thing is if Peter was to tell Tony this, Tony may refuse to help him with his Spider-Man stuff and hate him because Tony hates his dad. Which Peter doesn’t want to happen. Since firstly his dad doesn’t know he’s Spider-Man, if he finds out he’ll be grounded for life and secondly his dad also doesn’t know that he hangs out at Mr Stark’s lab every Tuesday after school, if he finds out about that he’ll also be grounded for life. If his dad finds out about both of those things, he’ll be dead.
“Parker…” Someone says, breaking Peter out of his daze.
“Hmm…Yeah Happy…That’s cool.” Peter says, sinking a bit more into the medbay’s bed.
“You have a concussion, a broken rib and several nasty cuts.” Happy states, “It’s not cool.”
“I know but I really need to get home,” Peter replies. It’s a Friday which means his dad’s home earlier than normal, hence the reason he doesn’t go out to be Spider-Man on Saturdays. But when vulture is your homecoming date’s dad and he’s planning to hijack Mr Stark’s plane Peter forgot it was Friday.
“Don’t worry about it kid, I called May to tell her your staying at the tower for the night.” Happy replies leaving no room for an argument. He just hopes May will cover for him before his dad comes bursting into Stark tower demanding his son back. Knowing Mr Stark, he’d probably refuse to let Peter go out of spite.
“Don’t look too happy kid, you get to spend the night in the biggest and softest bed you can imagine.” A voice to the side of him says. He tilts his head to the side to see Tony Stark himself looking down at him.
He knew Tony said that to joke about his aunt being working class which makes him frown a bit but he already has his own ‘biggest and softest bed you can imagine’ in his and his dad’s Manhattan penthouse. Tony’s only seen his bedroom at his aunt’s place which consists of a single bed and a desk that’s standing on it’s last legs. Peter’s dad always talks about offering Aunt May money for all she’s done for them but May’s always turned the money down.
May has always been there for them since her sister died, Peter’s mum, and she tries to fill in when his dad can’t. It doesn’t upset him though because he knows his dad tries as much as he can, when he isn’t working he’s with Peter, Peter’s pretty much all he has.
“What do you say Pete?” Tony questions.
“I guess, if it’s no problem or anything,” Peter replies, knowing Tony wouldn’t take no for an answer.
“Your never a problem kid and we need to have a little talk about safety,” Tony says, sternly.
Tony and Happy both escort him from the medbay to an actual bedroom. Happy leaving as soon as he gets Peter to his destination, leaving Peter and Tony in silence. Peter sinking into the comforter of the bed, Tony sitting on the edge.
“I’m sorry.” Peter says, breaking the silence. Tony head shoots up to look Peter in the eye.
“You have nothing to be sorry for, if anything it’s my fault for taking the suit.” Tony states.
“About the suit…” Peter says.
“I’m giving it back.” Tony says, “I shouldn’t have taken it away in the first place.”
“Thank you, Mr Stark!” Peter says. Peter knows he could of made another suit anyways using his dad’s tech but he wouldn’t be able to make it as good as Mr Stark could. And it would come with the risk of his dad finding out he’s Spider-Man.
“I think we should give it a few upgrades though, we can get started on them on our Tuesdays together.” Mr Stark say.
“Can we add like electric webs, it just seems cool and we could also add…” Peter rambles on, causing Tony to chuckle.
“We’ll think about it Tuesday, kid. You need to rest up you’ve had a building dropped on you and have been in a plane crash in the span of a few hours.” Tony replies, while walking to the door to leave.
“Night kid.” Tony says softly.
“Goodnight, Mr Stark.” Peter mumbles sleepily.
Peter woke up to the constant buzzing of his phone. He groaned and turned his head to the side to see the word ‘Dad’ glowing up on his phone. Panicking, he smashes the decline button. His home screen shows 23 messages and 12 missed calls from ‘dad’.
“Morning kid,” A voice from the door says. Mr Stark was standing in the doorway, holding two steaming mugs.
“Morning, Mr Stark.” Peter replies, “When do you think I can go home.”
“According to Bruce, you should be pretty fine besides a few bruises and scrapes,” Tony says, while handing a mug to Peter. Peter glances into the mug to see a milky, brown liquid with a few marshmallows floating on the top.
“We’ll head to May’s after you get dressed and drink,” Tony states, “I should probably apologise to her for kidnapping her nephew.” Peter knows for a fact that there’s a ninety percent chance, that his dad will be there. But what can Peter say yeah James Parker is there by the way. Oh why? Because he’s my dad and you two hate each other which is why I did’t say anything.
“Yeah, that sounds cool Mr Stark,” Peter mumbles into his hot chocolate.
“Then, I’ll leave you to it,” Mr. Stark says, exiting the room. Peter’s in deep trouble.
Peter walks out the tower to see a shiny, black Audi with Happy sitting in the driving seat. He slides into the car to see Mr Stark sitting besides him.
This is the big moment. Where Peter’s dad is going to ground him for life and Mr. Stark is going to hate him. And Peter can do nothing to stop it from happening.
There’s idle chatter during the car ride through Manhattan, they pass James Parker’s penthouse, Peter’s home, causing Tony Stark to scoff and Peter to hold in a laugh at how ridiculous this situation is.
“Parkers man… such know-it-all assholes.” Tony scoffs. “Nothing against you and May of course.”
Peter sees himself as quite luckily to have such a common last name, even if he knows technically Tony is on about him. He’s quite use to listening Tony ranting about Peter’s dad and getting annoyed at his dad’s business deals.
“His son too.” Tony says, causing Peter to stiffen besides him. Mr. Stark always rants about his dad but never even mentions him. “I heard he’s quite a smart one. They say once he takes over the family business it’s going to be the best supplier in the world.” Pride welled in Peter’s chest even if Tony wasn’t directly addressing him. He’s been told this countless times from people like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and other influential people. But it feels different when Tony’s saying it.
He looks out the window to see May’s apartment building and black Bugatti parked outside standing out amongst all the other cars. His dad’s car. This is actually happening right now. The big moment. Stark lets out a low whistle from beside him.
“Quite an expensive car to be in Queens,” Tony says. Peter agrees with him, it’s one of the reasons he doesn’t walk around Queens in expensive clothes, because it increases the chances of him being robbed.
Tony and Peter get out the car and start walking to the apartment doors. The big moment is about to happen. He knows his dad is in there probably worried about him but it doesn’t stop his urge to just run back down the stairs. Before Peter knows it he’s standing in front of his Aunt’s door and Tony’s knocking on the door. He hears rush voices and the door is thrown open. With James Parker standing right in front of him.
For a moment everyone just freezes.
“Hey dad,” Peter mumbles. Peter feels a body enveloping him into a hug and a soft kiss being pressed to the temple of his head.
“Where were you? I was so worried. Something was off with May’s text so I come here and then your not here so I…” James rambles.
“Dad…I’m okay.” Peter reassures, cutting of his dad’s rambling. He glances behind him to see Mr. Stark standing awkwardly behind them his mouth agape in shock. Noticing Peter’s glance, James straightens up.
“Stark.” James addresses, firmly.
“Parker.” Tony replies, in the same tone.
“Is there any reason you are escorting my son to his aunts covered in bruises and quite a few nasty cuts may I add?” James questions.
“Umm…” Tony says with a lost of words.
“Why don’t we all come inside for coffee and tea?” Aunt May says from the doorway, opening the door wider.
“Of course,” James and Tony say at the same time, none of them wanting to seem rude and both entering the apartment, Peter trailing behind them.
Peter has had some weird moments in his life but drinking tea with Tony Stark and James Parker, his dad, in a very ordinary apartment, has got to be number one.
The three of them sit in an awkward silence, May leaving to give them some privacy, nobody daring to be the first to talk.
“Soo…I was helping Peter with Spider-Man related issues.” Tony says awkwardly.
“Excuse me!” James exclaims, “Spider-Man!” Tony shoots Peter an apologetic look, while James glares down at his son.
“I assumed you knew,” Tony replies, “But I mean if your own son didn’t tell you and happened to come to me instead…,” Tony says smugly.
“Enough!” Peter exclaims. “I understand you two don’t get along very well, because of some business rivalry. But I need to speak with both of you.”
“I’m listening,” Mr Stark replies.
“I guess, I am too,” James says, through clenched teeth, “But this doesn’t exclude you being punished.” Peter turns to look his dad in the eyes.
“Dad…I’m Spider-Man.” Peter states. James gives him a look that Peter couldn’t pinpoint but doesn’t say anything so Peter carries on, “Mr. Stark took me to Germany to fight the avengers.”
“You did what?!” James shouts, standing up and sending the chair below him clattering to the ground. “You took my son to GERMANY! To fight THE AVENGERS! My FIFTEEN-YEAR-OLD SON!”
“Well when you say it like that…” Tony trails off being silenced by a glare from James.
“Dad, let me finish,” Peter pleads. James takes a deep breath but picks up the chair and sits back down in it silently.
“He took me to fight the avengers and then we started doing weekly meet ups and Mr. Stark would help me with my suit and any Spider-Man related problems that I couldn’t really talk about with anybody. It helps me be a better superhero. A better avenger.” Peter says, silence filling the room.
“Why didn’t you tell me? Or come to me for help? I would’ve helped you with suit.” James asked, a guilty look on his face.
“Because you wouldn’t have helped me. You would’ve kept trying to talk me out of it and refuse to help me make a suit,” Peter replies, sympathetically.
“Your right. I wouldn’t have helped you..” James accepted, “But you have to understand that it’s because I need to protect you.”
“I know you do, your my dad, it’s your job.” Peter reassures, “But it isn’t Mr. Stark’s job, so I went to him.”
James nods his head slowly and gets up. “I need a second…too digestive it all,” James mumbles.
Both Tony and Peter watch him walk out, then turn to look at each other.
“Soo…” Tony says, expectantly. “Where’s my explanation? I get why you didn’t tell your dad. Because well…he’s your dad. And he may be an asshole but he seems a good enough father. But why didn’t you tell me he was your dad?”
Peter looks down, ashamed. “I didn’t want you to think of me differently,” Peter mumbles, refusing to make eye contact.
He hears Tony get up and Peter thinks this is the time he’s going to leave Peter forever. Tony crouches down in front of him, Tony’s hand gently squeezing Peter’s knee in a comforting gesture.
“Look at me, kid.” Tony orders. Peter’s eyes lock with Tony. “You are one of the smartest kids I know, well your one of the only kids I know… but anyways, your are your own person. You are not your dad and who your dad is doesn’t effect who you are, I learnt that in the long run but I’m telling you now.”
Before Peter knew it, he was throwing himself into Tony’s arms, he felt Tony stiffen but then instantly wrap his arms around Peter. An awkward cough from the doorway caused them to break away and both Peter and Tony to stand up, Tony throwing a casual arm over Peter’s shoulders in the process.
“I’m sorry.” James says. Peter goes to interject but James beats him to it. “I’m sorry you felt like you couldn’t come to me or tell me and I understand why you went to Tony for help instead.”
“Technically, Tony came to me…” Peter says, but James cuts him off with a glare.
“Don’t ruin the moment Pete,” Tony mumbles.
Nobody says anything for a few minutes, the trio just standing awkwardly in silence.
“Soo…we all done here?” Tony asks.
“Thank you, Tony.” James says, causing Tony to stare his eyes bugging out his head in shock.
“I’m sorry, did you just thank me?” Tony says.
“Yes I did. You took care of my son and stepped in when I couldn’t. I owe you.” James says, sincerely.
“Owe me? Does that mean you can now lend me those materials I asked for last week, that you refused to give me?” Tony ask, “If it makes you feel better, I’m using them for some of the avengers’ suits and that includes your son’s suit.”
“I suppose so…” James says, causing a grin to break out on Tony’s face.
“You could help you know? Your good with tech, I’m good with tech, Pete’s good with tech. We’d make a fantastic, power trio in the lab.” Tony suggests.
“Really?” Peter asks, practically vibrating with excitement.
“Maybe,” James chuckles.
“Great.” Tony says, “Now that’s all sorted. How about shawarma? Go ask your aunt to join us Pete.”
Peter walks out the room with a grin on his face. Peter’s had one of the worst and stressful days of his life but it may have just turned into his best. Peter’s glad he’s gotten everything out in the open. The big moment happened and Peter couldn’t have been happier.