Stephen Strange
It was a complete accident that Peter Parker came out as transgender to Doctor Stephen Strange. The doctor had merely been passing by his room when he heard random muttering in a slew of languages in which the doctor most definitely understood. He could tell Peter was nervous, and frankly was surprised the kid wasn’t shooting webs everywhere.
“You okay, kid?”
And with that Peter had jumped, accidentally sticking to the ceiling.
The doctor walks in the room, looking up to make eye contact with the anxious Spiderling. “I’m sorry to intrude, I truly am. I just heard you ramble on about something. You sounded nervous.”
Stephen didn’t let onto the fact that he had heard, and understood, everything. That the kid was worried as hell about being at school and being a trans guy. And that asshole ‘Flash’, whoever the fuck that was, who, in Strange’s opinion, needed to leave his-…the kid alone.
“How much did you, uh…hear, Mr. Strange? And be honest.”
“All of it. You do know I speak more than one language, right?”
That caused Peter to panic and fall off the ceiling, gladly landing somewhere not the floor nor Stephen Strange.
“Kid I didn’t mean to cause panic…hey, out of all I heard, it’s okay. Really. The only thing I’m pissed about is that that Flash kid won’t leave you the hell alone.”
“So you’re not mad that I’m trans?”
“I could never be mad, kid. Really. I’m sorry you couldn’t tell me how you would like to, but, well, you still have that chance.”
“Really?”
The doctor nods, sitting across from the toy Spider-Kid on the couch.
Peter was nervous despite Doctor Strange already knowing the thing he was going to say.
“I’m transgender, Mr…Doctor…Strange. I wanna go by Peter instead of Penny and be referred to as a guy and use he/him pronouns and just be Spider-Man.”
“Peter…hm…nice name, kid. Truly. And I won’t say a thing to anyone who you don’t want knowing just yet.”
“Mr. Barton…uh…Clint…he…he knows. And my aunt and MJ and Ned. They’re the only ones who do…amd I’d like to tell the others when I’m ready, y’know?”
“Yes, I do. Sorry I busted your opportunity to come out to me on your own terms.”
“This is my own terms…maybe not my ideal terms, but my terms nonetheless. I told you officially because I want you to know, Dr. Strange.”
“Call me Stephen, kid, really.”
“Maybe. But, thank you for being accepting.”
“Of course. And if that Flash son-of-a-bitch ever bullies you again I will send him to Dormammu.”
“He won’t stop.”
“Then I’ll send him to Dormammu. My Spider-Kid isn’t gonna be bullied by some transphobic asshole.”
“Your Spider-Kid?”
“Collective Avengers’ Spider-Kid, Peter.”
Peter scoffs. “I’ll be fine, Mr. Strange. Flash has done a lot worse.”
“Like what, Pete?”
“I…I’d rather not say, but he’s been horrid.”
“That’s it. I’m sacrificing the kid to Dormammu.”
“No, Mr. Strange. Don’t. Please.”
“And why should I not?”
“Because…Dormammu, for one. And Flash…hasn’t done anything like that since the…one time.”
“I don’t even know what happened but that is one time too many kid. I will promise you I won’t sacrifice the kid to Dormammu or any other…being…unless he does something insanely horrible like he already has. And please tell me or any of the others if he does. No detail needed, just tell us.”
“I will do my best. I make no promises.”
“Just…we don’t want to see you get hurt more, Peter.”
“I know. So, I’ll try and tell you if anything happens. But I’ve been through a lot. I can take it.”
“I don’t doubt it. But just because you’re Spider-Man doesn’t mean you always have to be this big strong man or some shit. Just because you’re a trans guy doesn’t mean you have to be hyper-masculine and pretend that you have no emotions. Gotta say, even cis guys need to learn that. I learned the first lesson after my accident. And the latter half of the second. Not like this has anything to do with me.”
“I get what you’re saying, Dr. Strange. And thank you, really.”
“I’m glad I could be of service. But I am still not budging on the sacrificing-Flash-to-Dormammu thing.”
“Protective.” Peter laughs. “But thank you.”
“You always got someone to back you up, Peter. Always. And I can’t speak on the being-trans-in-school thing considering I am very much a cis guy, but I know you have people who have your back and will protect you, so just be your normal geeky self.”
“Like that’s ever worked.”
“Maybe it hasn’t, but, moral of the story: just don’t be a dick.”
“Can’t be what I don’t have.”
“Very funny Pete. but in all seriousness, you’re gonna be fine. But if anything bad happens, you better let us know.”
“I will.”
“Promise, Spiderling?”
Promise.”