"This is where you zip it! the adult is talking!" Tony snapped, though instantly regretting it upon seeing the sadness in the boy's eyes
Stephen sighed as he composed himself and stepped through the portal that led to that very rooftop, both Tony and Peter looked at him, Peter in relief and shock more than anything as Stephen had just witnessed Tony snap at his son, well..their son, however, he was certain Tony didn't know. Stephen embraced his son and glared at Tony
"Stephen?..S-Stephen i-" Tony started
"HOW DARE YOU YELL AT HIM!" Stephen shouted, "you have no right, you know he's just a boy! all he's ever tried to do was impress you! make you proud! you've abandoned me and i'm stopping this before you do the same to him, i thought i was doing some good by letting him at least know who you are but I regret it more than anything, i never want to see you again, stay away from us!" Peter's head was buried in his father's chest the entire time as he was led to the portal.
"Stephen wait-!" Tony started, only earning himself a cold glare
"only my friends and my family get to call me Stephen.." He spoke before the portal shut and they were gone, leaving Tony in deafening silence. he didn't know what to say, how to react, memories were suddenly flooding back to him, his heart ached in his chest. Stephen..god it had been so long since he'd seen the man, he looked so different..he needed to talk to him as soon as possible, he didn't even know what he'd say or if Stephen would allow him to say anything. so many years had gone by, Stephen deserved an apology and so much more, but for once in his life..Tony was at a loss for words.
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as soon as they returned to the sanctum, Stephen turned to Peter
"thank god your okay!" Stephen cried, holding his tear-stained face "are you alright? what happened? who did this to you!?" Stephen pulled Peter in for another hug, embracing him tightly as he shook with worry "who did this to you? please just..please tell me, i've been worried sick because you didn't call, didn't text, didnt tell me where you went as you haven't been home for hours!" he sobbed "I've been so worried, please you can talk to me, your my son and i love you so much, i gave birth to you and raised you since you were just a baby because you are everything to me Peter..please talk to me."
"d..dad, im okay i just.." Peter's eyes squeezed shut as more tears fell, Stephen was quick to wipe them from his sons cheeks as his lip quivered, "i...i haven't been honest with you pa, i-i lost the Stark internship, i mean he gave me this suit he knew i was spiderman and im so sorry i should've-"
"Peter..i already knew. I figured it out a long time ago and just wanted to find away to talk to you a-about it all..I'm so sorry honey" Stephen's hands shook against Peter's face, watching as his sons hand reached up to take his.
"he...he took my suit, and..pa I just wanted to be a hero, like you.." Peter sniffled "i never knew who my father was but what i do know is that h-he was an asshole for leaving such a caring, loving, and sweet person like you and I wanna be like you, who wouldnt want to be like you? i wanna help people i wanna be a hero like you but..m-maybe im just not cut out for it...."
Stephen was quick to shake his head, kissing Peter's forehead "Peter, you are more than capable of being a hero, of helping people, Stark..doesn't define that path for you, i will help you learn honey i will help you grow as i always have, he doesn't have to lead you or help you on your journey because he never did, he abandoned you now and..."
Peter held onto his father quietly, looking up at him with teary eyes, "pa..when you said Mr.Stark abandoned you, h-have you met-"
"yes, i have, years ago..its because...because he's your father Peter. we met at a party his company was hosting, he took me to dinner and after that, we started seeing each other, but after i got pregnant and after the accident, he visited me constantly because we were both so happy, but he got consumed by his work, and when he went missing for months at one point, eventually he just..forgot about me. forgot about us. as i was pregnant i went to Kamar-Taj and earned the powers i have now because i wanted to give you the best life i could provide and because i could no longer be a doctor and your father was no longer in the picture..i tried so hard for you, everything i've ever done was for you, and now we have a home and we're happy, and i did it all for you. i-i would have told you sooner but..god i didn't know what you'd think. please, if you can, find it in yourself to forgive me Peter.."
Peter paused, it was so much information at once..he didn't know how to take it. he looked up at his father who stared back at him with fearful eyes. all Peter did was embrace him "so..Mr.Stark, is my father?"
"yes..he is..."
"well..that may be true but pa, you raised me by yourself for the longest time, and Mr.Stark left for..whatever reason, but please don't be scared because i love you, dad, im not going anywhere because you've done so much and sacrificed so much for me, i can't stay mad at you and...im sure at one point, when Mr.Stark was himself..he loved you too."
Stephen held his son close as Peter allowed him to cry onto his shoulder, he rubbed gentle circles into his fathers back as he cried. so much weight had been lifted from Stephen at once, he was truly blessed to have a son like Peter. and part of him hoped that one day..Tony would see that as well