The Aftermath
Tony’s POV
Tony is used to dealing with the press. They can ask him any question, and he will, like a magician, have the perfect answer hidden under his sleeve. If one of his teammate’s stumbles over their speech, he can quickly recover the crowd and exploit it whilst they get back on track. He’s pulling the press by a string, knowing their every move because he’s dealt with them since he knew how to walk and talk. However, despite all this, he still can't seem to convince anyone that Peter Parker is not his son.
He had his days as a playboy. He slept with a lot of people...he’s the first to admit that. He did not, however, father any children. At all. Well, he hopes so. Moreover, he had never even heard of Peter's mother before he met him. From what he understands about biology, he’s sure that he would have to meet her to father her child. Nobody, however, paid much attention to that fact. They saw the photo, remembered Tony’s reputation, and put the wrong puzzle pieces together before he could even tell his story.
If he had to be a dad to any kid on this planet, then he’d one-hundred percent pick Peter. He’s everything he’d want in a son. Funny, smart, and sarcastic, he gets why the comparison is easily made. If he wasn’t any wiser, even he’d think he accidently reproduced. But he hasn’t, and that’s what makes it so annoying. Even his closest friends have started to question him.
Rhodey called him when Peter was asleep on the lab sofa. He gave him that look that Tony recognised as ‘you’re not telling me something’. Tony just scoffed, rolling his eyes before going into a familiar conversation over Peter Parker’s family history that did not include him in any way whatsoever. He wasn’t sure if Rhodey believed him, which hurt a little, but he couldn’t be angry when Peter woke up and laughed so sweetly that Tony forgot why he was even annoyed in the first place.
Rhodey’s been dropping subtle hints ever since that conversation. And by subtle, Tony means completely obvious. He’ll gift Tony ‘dad’ gifts, call Peter his nephew, and go as far as plucking one of the kid’s hairs of his head to attempt a DNA test. Which Tony stopped before it proceeded by telling Rhodey it was rude and morally wrong to pry in on someone’s DNA without their consent. Plus, Peter had a superhero identity he needed to protect.
Tony loved Rhodey but he wasn’t just going to spill Peter’s secrets to him. He was a good ‘dad’ like that.
Pepper advised him to avoid Peter for a while. Not in a malicious way, but for both of their benefits. If he isn't seen with Peter again, the rumours may go away on their own, and everything will return to normal. When Tony takes up the phone, though, he can't help but dial Peter's number. When he hears Peter's voice, his heart flutters, and he realises there’s not much he can do.
Even when Tony goes on TV to promote their newest products, nobody cares about the new Stark phone. All the interviewers do is lock eyes with him and stare as they ask him very personal questions which he very clearly told the producers to avoid. He tried his best not to get angry when he reiterated the truth for what felt like the one-hundredth time, but all the audience did is laugh and ‘aww’ at Tony’s ‘denial’.
And some point he wonders if the entire world is trying to prank him. No matter if it’s a prank or people are just too stupid to understand the truth, it gets a bit tiring after a while.
He tells Pepper when he gets home that they’ll just have to deal with it. What’s the problem with the world thinking he’s got an awesome son anyway? It’s better than them thinking he’s out to destroy the planet with his ‘mysterious technology’ (as said by many protesters outside Stark Tower one evening) … so, in a way, it’s a big win on his part! He hopes Peter feels the same way.
So, the ‘ignoring him until everything goes away’ plan was quickly thrown out. They’d have to find another way (and soon), because Peter Parker was in Tony Stark’s life for good. No press vultures were going to stop that. Tony realises that even if Peter’s not biologically his… that doesn’t mean he can’t be an awesome fake dad until the truth eventually comes out and everything goes back to normal.
Let’s just hope that comes soon.
Peter’s POV
Peter’s gone to the compound every day in the last week. He’s been seen with Tony outside, and people in his class haven’t stopped pestering him about his ‘dad’. Asking questions like “how long have you known?” and “why didn’t you tell me?” He’d like to say, “because the only time we’ve spoke is when you’d bully me and he’s not even my dad,” but because Pepper’s told him the best way to avoid speculation is to keep quiet (somehow) he’s just shrugged and walked on. Plus, Ned was right. It really has made them the most popular kids in school.
He's not sure if he likes popularity. Everyone has to know what you’re doing, when you’re doing it, and who you’re doing it with. Peter’s swarmed as soon as he steps foot into school and he’s seriously considering asking Happy to chaperone him to the front door to make sure he’s not crushed to death. Not that Happy would do it, but it’s nice to ask, nonetheless.
Teachers start to give him a pass for everything, fearing the reaction of the most powerful man on earth. Girls are suddenly extremely interested in him. Ned says it’s for the money and the legacy of being a Stark. Which is true but, ouch, it does sting a little. It’s funny though. Because out of everyone in their entire school Peter probably has the least amount of money. Hell, it’s a surprise his apartment hasn’t flooded from the leak that remains there to this day.
That leak, behind May, Ned, MJ, Cooper, and now Tony, is the most persistent thing in his life right now. Which says it all really.
Speaking of Tony… Peter is still annoyed at him for his over-the-top reaction to the whole ‘Spider-man’ reveal thing. And he’s not one to let him live that down. Peter doesn’t like to hold a grudge but watching Tony blush out of embarrassment from his overreaction is really gratifying. Tony’s tried to apologise with cars and money, but all Peter wants is time in the lab. So, that’s what he gets. And maybe a nice day out every now and then.
For example, right now Peter’s stood eating the nicest bubble-gum ice cream on the side of the street as Tony pays the star-struck employee. Peter scrolls through his phone with one hand, licking the ice cream (and thanking his sticky hands for allowing him to easily multitask) at the same time. He reads some articles about more kids being kidnapped for money and wonders if Tony could help him take them down one day. But for now he focuses on finishing this lovely treat.
Tony gets his own ice cream (cappuccino flavoured) and then gently pushes Peter forward towards their car. He’s an expert at knowing where the cameras will be (although Peter wishes he saw them when they got that photo of them hugging), ducking his head down and telling Peter to do the same as they turn the corner.
When they get in the car, Happy’s waiting. He turns and waves, and Peter wonders (since there was no rude remark this time) if he’s accepted that Peter’s going to be around from now on. Even if they still bicker… now and then, he feels as if they’re not enemies anymore.
“Sorry Happy. Mr Stark didn’t think that you’d want one,” Peter says, finishing off his ice cream and pulling his seatbelt on. “Wasn’t my idea. If I had the money, you would’ve had one. Guess sometimes Mr Stark doesn’t think about other people’s feelings.”
Tony rolls his eyes but has a fond smile on his face. “Jesus, kid,” he laughs. “You’re really one to hold onto things, aren’t you?”
“Sounds like someone else I know,” Happy says from the front, pulling away from the curb and driving down the street.
Peter meets Happy’s eyes in the front mirror and for once they share a smile. For that moment he feels a weird rush in his stomach. Tony’s sat beside him, his hand resting near Peter’s. Happy’s taking his time to drive them around the city without rolling his eyes every time Peter speaks. Cooper and Ned are waiting back at the compound so they can have a movie night, and May’s finally able to spend some time with friends instead of picking up another shift after Tony paid their rent for that month (Peter and May were too proud to accept more). He’s got so many people in his life who he loves, and he realises life can’t get much better than this.
“Oi,” Tony says. “Whose side are you on, Hogan?”
“The one who gets me an ice cream.”
“Oh, okay. I see how it is.”
Peter laughs. He rests his head on Tony’s shoulder and tries not to let this weird feeling overtake him. He’s so happy that he’s almost tearing up. It’s weird how he feels emotional at the thought of having a normal life and people around him. But when you’re bit by a radioactive spider, having something normal and steady is out of the ordinary. He notices Tony looking at him with worry, but he doesn’t move. He closes his eyes and sleeps soundly for the first time in ages.
By the time he wakes up, they’re pulling into the compound. Tony shakes him once and he opens his eyes, wincing slightly from the light as it pools through the window. Tony smiles as he sees him, and Peter feels like he’s coming home. He steps out of the car and knows the way, walking beside Tony and waving to the employees he’s come to meet during his time here.
“How do you get everyone to like you?” Tony laughs as they go towards the main building where all the Avengers hang out. Cooper’s waiting there, as well as the team. “Is it one of your superpowers?”
“It’s called being charming, Mr Stark,” Peter tells him, shrugging. “I know, it’s hard to comprehend… but I’m taking over. Next thing you know I’ll be CEO of your company.”
“I was already planning on that, kid,” Tony winks, “way to ruin your surprise!”
“What?!”
Tony walks forward and ignores him. He waves off Peter's large eyes and quivering bottom lip, laughing in his face as Peter bounces in front of him to attempt to grab his attention. He wants to know what he means, but Tony strides over to Steve once they walk into the room before he can stop him.
Peter, having given up hope of becoming Stark Industries' future CEO, rushes over to Cooper and greets him. Ned is sat beside him already, looking completely starstruck. Peter can't help but giggle as Ned’s eyes dart from one avenger to the other. He doesn’t know who to focus on, being the biggest fan of everyone in the room.
Peter greets the team, who he’s become acquainted with over the last few weeks and sits down in between Ned and Cooper. They speak to the group for a while (well… Ned’s trying his hardest to engage but short circuits every time the conversation comes back to him) before they decide they want to go for their movie night.
Every good movie night needs the best snacks. There’s a small shop a mile away from the compound that’s full of the best snacks anyone could think of. They’re cheap, and not too far away. Peter can already see ‘no’ coming out of Clint’s mouth before Cooper even opens his mouth to ask if they can go. Peter realises he’ll have to get Tony on their side to even think about going by themselves.
“Dad, we’re going to get some snacks from the shop. Is that okay?” Cooper says, standing up and pulling Ned up with him. Ned still looks in shock that he’s here, looking like an animatronic that Cooper’s able to control. Peter snaps his fingers in front of his face but that doesn’t seem to do much.
Clint frowns. “Is there not any in the compound you can have? I don’t like the idea of you three going out by yourselves.”
Cooper rolls his eyes. “Dad, please? We won’t be long. Plus, it’s still light outside.”
Tony looks over, meeting Peter’s pleading eyes, “Happy can take them,” he says, “I mean, if that’s okay with you.”
Clint sighs. “I guess so…,” he says, “but be careful. And come back as soon as you’ve got them.”
“Will do,” Cooper grins, grabbing Ned’s arm and pulling him out of the room.
Peter says goodbye to Tony and promises to bring him back something from the shop as a thank you for having him over again. Tony tells him it’s okay, and that he doesn’t need anything but, as Peter’s told him before, he’s charming. Sometimes getting the people you love a little gift just to show your appreciation is fun. So, that’s what he wanted to do.
Happy, who looks like he just wants to take a break, drives the three kids to the local shop. It’s small. Peter swears it looks different then it did before they got some snacks with Clint before. It’s blue and white, with glass doors welcoming them in. Inside is normal. There’s one person stood at the counter, who Peter recognises from somewhere he can’t place, with two other shoppers wandering the aisles. They pick up pieces and throw them in their baskets, listening to the soft music escaping the many speakers fitted across the walls. So, if it all seems so normal, why are Peter’s senses going wild?
“I don’t like this,” Peter whispers, looking around in every direction.
Cooper looks over at him with a furrowed brow. He looks over at Ned as their friend pays for his food. Ned calls out that he’ll meet them in the car, leaving them behind in the shop as he walks over to Happy. He gets there fine, slipping into the backseat of the car. Ned’s okay, so are they in danger? Or is his spider sense acting up?
“Peter? Are you okay?” Cooper says, coming closer to him.
Peter looks around. The two shoppers are gone, and the lights are flickering. The man at the counter is staring them both down with a fiery gaze with his hand in his pocket. Peter blinks and tries to figure out what the hell is going on when he remembers where he recognises the man from.
It was one of the men that was with Tombstone in the restaurant. The same person that had a gun to multiple kid’s heads, which would’ve caused some severe damage if Peter hadn’t stepped in and saved the day.
Peter looks around, trying to find the best way out, but there’s guards at the door. Happy doesn’t seem to notice. Ned’s speaking to him and he’s looking the other way, probably annoyed that Tony has put him on ‘babysitter’ duty again. He has no idea what’s going on inside this building, and Peter can’t say anything because he shouldn’t know they’re in danger. He shouldn’t recognise their faces. They have no idea that Tony’s ‘son’ is the same person that thwarted their plan not that long ago.
“We need to get out of here, Cooper,” Peter whispers, grabbing his upper arm and pulling him to the side of the shop.
Cooper’s looking at him like he’s crazy, but he doesn’t get it. The two of them are ‘kids’ of famous people. Cooper, obviously, is Clint’s and with everything going on right now, they think Peter is Tony’s. So, it makes sense that the men who are kidnapping famous and rich kids for money would come after them. Peter just needs to get Cooper safe and then he can handle them. But how does he do that without revealing his identity?
“Peter, what the hell?” Cooper says, keeping his voice low as he searches the building without moving his head. His eyes move from side to side, only focusing on Peter again when he doesn’t see anything suspicious. “What’s going on?”
“N-nothing…,” Peter stutters, unsure of what to say. He walks around, pretending to put stuff in his basket. “I’ll pay for this, why don’t you call your dad and ask if he wants anything? I’m sure he’ll be happy you asked.”
Peter hopes his, less than subtle, hint got through to Cooper. Using his phone to call Happy would alert their ‘bodyguard’ to danger and hopefully get him in here. From then on, they have a better chance of getting away. Peter fakes a grin as he pretends to put more snacks in their basket. He must look like he has a big appetite (which he does) since he unloads more and more until their plan has a chance to work.
Cooper talks on the phone. Peter makes eye contact with Happy and breathes a sigh of relief when he sees him walking up to the building towards them. He passes the two guards, who hopefully don’t see him as a threat, and walks straight up to them.
“I’ll meet you boys outside. This is my treat,” Happy says, taking the basket away from Peter.
Happy doesn’t know Peter’s Spider-Man. So, he’s definitely not going to leave Peter here to be kidnapped. So, Peter tries to think of a plan. He walks out of the shop with Cooper and lets Happy pay. Whilst they’re stood by the car, he looks back and forth and tries desperately to just think of something. Then he hears the first gunshot and his heart drops.
Happy’s surrounded. Peter needs to get in there, and he needs to get there now.
“Shit,” Cooper exclaims, fishing through his pocket to grab his emergency phone he always kept on him. He almost drops the phone in a panic, his hands shaking so much at the sudden drama. Ned sits inside the car oblivious, headphones on. He’s most likely listening to high school musical. “I need to call my dad! But- god, what if they kill Happy? I-,” Cooper says, going into his contacts.
“Cooper?” Peter says, grabbing his shoulders. “Look at me. I need to tell you something.”
“What?! How are you this calm? And is this really the right time to be telling me something?”
“…I’m Spider-Man,” he says, running back into the building before he can hear what Cooper says, or before he can even see the face of utter shock as his friend freezes on the spot.
Happy has his revolver drawn when he enters the building, but he is surrounded by all three men. The henchmen are dressed in garish, out-of-style outfits. Their jackets are overly broad, and their pants are pulled up by diamond belts, giving them the appearance of 1960s pimps. He feels like he's been thrown into a gangster movie, one so absurd that even the most tolerant critics would rather watch 'Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2' 10 times over before seeing it again.
Peter walks up on the man nearest to the door and kicks the gun out of his grip. All the guns are suddenly raised against him and his ‘cover’, which lasted only a few seconds, is blown. Happy, who looks like he’s just seen a puppy being shot, stares and visibly panics that Peter’s in here with him. He rushes over, caring little about to the henchmen and the fact he could be shot at any second, and attempts to shove him out the door.
“Peter, get out,” Happy says. He holds him by the shoulders, but Peter doesn’t budge. “Please, buddy- I- I mean- Tony would really kill me if I let you get hurt.”
“You know, Happy… you really don’t have to pretend like we’re not besties now,” Peter grins, flipping them around so Happy’s by the door.
Happy is pushed out the door by Peter. Happy stumbles to his feet, a puzzled expression on his face as he wonders how the kid managed to outsmart him. As he tries to figure out what just occurred, Peter grabs the nearest shelf, which is made of a hefty substance he doesn't have time to examine, and pushes it against the entrance, preventing anybody else from entering or leaving. He hears a fist crashing against the glass doors as Happy tries to burst through, but it's in vain.
All of this happened so rapidly that the two men who were still carrying their guns merely stood there and watched. They didn't seem to mind that Happy had left the room. They were relieved to see it, to be honest. This led them to believe it would be a simple capture. And if they could get Tony Stark's son, they could demand the most outrageous sum of money imaginable. And that sounded perfect.
They all ran towards him, with the man close to the door grabbing a different gun behind the counter, but Peter was aware of their every move. He had the upper hand, ducking beneath their legs and leaping onto shelves. His identity needed to stay secret so he made sure he didn’t use all of his strength, but it was hilarious to watch the 'professionals' fall as a 'regular' teenager managed to outpace them.
“Would you just stand still?!” one of them yells. “You have nowhere to go!”
Peter looks at them with a smirk on his face. “What? So you can kidnap me? Doesn’t really sound like the best option for me, does it?” he climbs on top some of another shelf, getting himself to a height and making all the items fall into them as they try and chase him. He’s having quite a bit of fun. He feels like he’s the main star of home alone. “You guys are crap at this. You know you have to actually get me for it to class as a kidnapping, right?”
Peter gets down and incapacitates two out of three of the henchmen by smacking in the head from their own gun. Too proud of himself, he makes a mistake. He doesn’t see the last one coming.
“He’s too much like his father,” one of them mumbles, grabbing his foot before Peter has time to react. He’s pulled to the floor and suddenly has a gun to his head by the big boss before he has a chance to breathe. “Sorry that took so long boss…”
“You guys are idiots,” Tombstone groans. He grabs both of Peter’s arms and pulls them behind his back as he attaches a pair of cuffs to them. “Was it really that difficult to grab one boy? I swear I need to hire some more competent men soon.”
Peter is having a hard time. He knows he has the strength to break free from the cuffs. However, everyone is keeping an eye on him. If he gets out of here, they'll realise something's odd, and his secret could get out. Then he thinks to himself, "Does he even want to get out of here?" He can take them out from the inside if he can gain access to the inside of their operations. He has the power to put an end to it once and for all. Sure, he'd have to act as if he'd been abducted, and Tony (and others) could be concerned for his life... However, it is for the best. He'll be fine. The other kids? Not at all.
Tony won’t be too worried if he’s only gone like a week at most.
Sometimes being a superhero is about taking one for the team. So, that’s what he does. He’s thrown into the back of a dodgy looking van, which they have parked out the back. There’s one other kid in with him who looks so terrified that he doesn’t even look back at Peter.
“Don’t worry,” Peter whispers, “I’ll get us out of here. I promise.”
He hopes this isn’t the first promise he breaks.