Chapter 6
“I’m not sending you anywhere. She should have never spoken about you like that.”
Peter rolled his eyes, “If you think that’s bad you’ve got a huge surprise coming for you. I’m not exactly “liked” by society.”
“You’re not a bad person Pete, and you don’t deserve to be treated like one.” Tony stepped closer to Peter, who backed away ever further.
“Of course I am. But at least I know it’s not my fault. What’s your excuse?” He crossed his arms over his chest.
Noticing Peter’s reaction to him getting closer, Tony sat down at the dinning room table and placed his hands flat on that table. “I can’t undo my past, all I can do is try to be better for you. And the first step is to get you to give yourself a little more credit. I don’t care what Alice was saying, you aren’t a bad person.” Tony repeated.
“How can you say that?” Peter’s suddenly raised voice caught Tony off guard. “Didn’t you hear what she said? I beat the crap put of Skip! I was in juvie. My social worker just warned you to keep your kids away from me. Are you really stupid enough to ignore all that?”
“You were 14 Peter. Whatever happened wasn’t your fault, I’m sure of it.”
“WHY?” The word thundered as Peter shook. “Why would you think that? Haven’t I proven that I’m trouble? Look at how I’m treating you, how I treated your family. The first chance I got, I ran. Why are you so convinced you know me better than all those other people?”
“Because like it or not, you are my son. I know what runs through your veins. I know what pain and fear can do to a person. So no matter how hard you try to change my mind, I am not giving up on you. I already made that mistake once and I have zero intention of doing it again.”
Peter scoffed and shook his head. “God you really are an idiot. I’m going out.” He walked over towards the elevator.
“Hold on, take this.” Tony grabbed a cellphone from the table and handed it to Peter, who took it with a wary look. He examined the phone and the red case. “It’s yours. My number is in there. So is Pepper’s and Happy’s, my chief of security. Call if you need anything. Please. And stay safe.” Tony knew that it wouldn’t do anyone any good to try to stop him from leaving.
Peter slipped the phone into his pocket. “Don’t wait up.” Then he got into the elevator, leaving Tony in complete silence.
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By the time Peter returned to the Tower, it was half past midnight and Tony was a ball of nerves. He had sent Peter a text at 1 asking if he had eaten anything, then again at 5 telling him they were planing on having dinner at 7 but could hold off if Peter was planing on being back. Both texts went without a reply. Tony had desperately wanted to track his phone, but resisted, knowing that if Peter found out, he’d be furious. So he waited, trying to distract himself, but still finding himself checking his watch every 5 minutes. When he heard the elevator doors open, Tony stayed firmly in place, pretending to read a news article on his tablet and sip at his coffee.
“There’s a plate for you in the fridge. I made lasagna but I’m fairly certain there’s a frozen pizza in there if you’d prefer.” He called out as casually as he could manage. He had yet to see Peter eat and the anxiety was building.
Peter passed by him as he headed to his bedroom. “I ate while I was out.”
“Oh, good. Where’d you go? I’m always open to local food recommendations.” Tony placed the tablet down next to him.
Peter paused and turned to Tony. “Delmars. Best sandwiches in Queens.”
“Maybe you can take me sometime.”
Peter shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “Why are you still awake? I told you not to wait up.”
“I wasn’t. Sleep and I have never had a great relationship.” It was half true at least.
“Hm. Well, I’m going to sleep, I’ve got an early shift tomorrow.”
“Do you want a ride to work?”
“No.”
“Alright then, have a goodnight Pete.”
Peter gave him a look that Tony couldn’t quiet understand before he shuffled off to his room.
Once he was gone, Tony let out a sigh of relief. That had been the first conversation they had ever had without someone yelling. It wasn’t much, and Tony knew they were far from past the awkwardness and anger they had experienced in the past two days, but it was still precious to Tony. It was a glimmer of hope. And he was going to hold tight to it.
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The bell above the door dinged as Peter was clearing a table that had just been vacated by a group of high schoolers. “I’ll be right over with some menus.” Peter called without looking up.
“Take your time sexy, I’m in no rush.”
Peter smiled and glanced over his shoulder. “If you think flirting with me is going to get you a free order of fries, you’ve got another thing coming.”
Skyler laughed and took a seat at the counter. As Peter walked past her with the load of dishes, she kissed him on the check. The diner was empty, and Peter knew that it wouldn’t get busy again for at least another hour, so he dropped the dishes off in the kitchen, poured two mugs of coffee, and took a seat besides Skyler.
“How was school?” He slid the mug over to her.
“Fine I guess. Mr. Hill is making us do these stupid group projects and of course, I got put into a group with three best friends so I’m a total outsider. Plus they’re all like, mega genius’ so I’m like, “The Dumb One”.
“Babe, Midtown Tech is literally a school for genius. If you were in anyway “The Dumb One”, they wouldn’t have let you in.”
“But-“
“Do not say that it’s because for your dad. You got in on your own merit, not because he’s on the board.”
“Whatever. I told them to meet me here so we can work on it.”
“Good, you shouldn’t go to a strangers house.”
“I know Pete, you’ve given me this lecture a hundred times.”
“And I’ll keep giving it because I love you.” He said lightly before leaning in and kissing her. He pulled away when the bell above the door chimed.
Skyler looked over, “Hey guys, grab a booth, I’ll join you.”
Peter turned around and saw a tall black girl, short Asian guy, and another boy with dirty blond hair that looked somewhat familiar. Then it hit him.
“Harley?”
The boy looked at him furrowed his brow, “Peter?”
Then simultaneously they both said, “What are you doing here?”