Left Behind

The thing about money is that Peter doesn’t know what it’s like to have it. Tony Stark, on the other hand, is a regular at the VIP bank- or at the galas with men and woman of the upper-class dancing in fancy dress as the poor beg for a dollar across the street. Peter doesn’t blame Tony for what he has. After all, he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Peter is the opposite of that spectrum. He hasn’t had anything from day one.

So, that is, when the limo (although that might be dramatic of him to say) pulls up by his apartment, he’s shocked. He sits by his window, snaps a few photos of it for Ned, and takes three deep breaths before spraying some aftershave and fleeing the flat before May asks any questions. He taps on the front window of the car, startles the man inside, and sits awkwardly in the back seat by himself.

“There’s some sweets in that box,” the man in the front says (Happy, was it?), turning around in his seat to point at a cardboard box that’s been wrapped with a nice bow. When he looks closer, the name tag says, ‘to Peter’. “Boss ensured it was here for you. I’ve taken his suits in briefcases across country and I’ve never seen the man more paranoid. So, guess that means ‘count yourself lucky’. Seems to like you a whole lot.”

“Really?” Peter asks, wide eyed. He grabs the box and places it in his lap, carefully trying to take the bow off so it retains the nice quality. It doesn’t budge, so Peter gets annoyed and rips it off. Shoving it in his pocket for the memories, he checks inside. “Wow. These are all my favourite sweets,” he says, as the car sets off. “Mr Stark is so kind, isn’t he? He really is different to all of those news articles. They paint him in the worst light. I’ve only known him for like a day and he’s already sending me a car so we can hang out, and he’s getting me my favourite sweets. I mean- this must be a lot of money. A whole bunch. But I guess it’s not worth much to someone like Mr Stark… He’s got all the money in the world-,”

He talks for a lot longer than that, rambling about how amazing Tony is and how much his best friend is insanely jealous of this whole situation. Then that point diverged into how Ned’s dad booked them a limo for his 10th birthday party. That was the party where Flash started to hate him- said he was ‘acting’ too smart- when, really, the truth is that Peter’s always known more than Flash. Which, yes, does sound egotistical but Peter has a 4.0 GPA whereas Flash gets too interested in trying to beat him that he doesn’t focus enough and therefore has a 3.7. Which is good- but- come on! It’s not Peter’s 4.0, is it?

But Flash doesn’t mean to be horrible, Peter’s sure of it. Compiled with a rough childhood, and consistently falling below par, Flash is… tired? If that’s the right word. And that point then circled around to how Flash was jealous he got to give Tony a tour- and, oh my god, wasn’t Tony lovely that day!

Peter stops as hears his ‘driver’ sigh. “Kid,” he says. “Please, just give me one second to think.”

“Oh, I- sorry?” Peter says, putting his fifth candy wrapper in the box as he picks up another. He shoves that in his mouth, looking over at Happy and doesn’t wait until he’s finished when he starts to speak again. “Do you think Mr Stark will like having me over?”

Instead of answering, Happy pushes the dividing screen up in the car so he doesn’t have to see Peter’s face or hear his voice… which is… rude, to say the least. Peter responds by eating more of the candies to try and drown in his stress. So, by the time they arrive at the Avengers compound, there’s more wrappers than candy left, and he feels as if he’s edging on a sugar rush. Well, he’s not sure if it’s that or the anxiety that’s making him shake- but something definitely is.

The car park is huge, far beyond what he could ever imagine. Even the tech here is further than most places- though, he’s sure it doesn’t out-do Wakanda. Peter and some of his friends have wanted to go there for ages, ever since it was revealed to the outside world. For now, Peter’s sure this could be a good stand in.

He goes to open his door but when he puts his hand on the handle, Happy’s already there and opening it for him. Maybe he’s not too scary. Peter takes his bag, throws the box of candies in, and steps outside into the frigid wind. Mouth agape, he finally looks up and sees the building in all its beauty… and, wow, it’s stunning. It’s far better here then it is on google maps anyway.

“Wow, Happy- ha-ha! This is so cool!”

Peter swears he sees a glimpse of a smile on the man’s face as he says, “Come on, kid. Tony’s waiting.”

Peter scurries past crowds of visitors, of whom are only allowed in a few rooms. And as the doors open to the area which is ‘invited guests and employees only’ he can’t help but feel a little smug. He’s taken through long corridors and beautiful labs- until they get to an elevator that says ‘strictly of limits to persons below clearance level 10’. And, sure enough, Peter looks down at the badge which Happy gave him when they walked in and saw in bright, big, writing ‘Level 10-ALPHA’.

“…Wow,” he whispers. “Am I dreaming, Mr Happy?”

“Mr Happy,” Happy scoffs, rolling his eyes rather fondly. Peter thinks… anyway. “It’s just ‘Happy’, kid. It’s a nickname, not my last name. Makes me sound like a children’s presenter.”

Peter pouts. “Well, that’s a shame.”

“And no,” Happy says. “It’s not a dream. If you can believe it.”

Happy nudges Peter gently with his hand on his lower back, pushing him into the elevator they’re stood in front of. They step inside but when Peter looks around, he’s more confused than before. There’s no buttons. At all. He goes to step outside, thinking they got in an unfinished model- and wondering why Happy didn’t know his way around- when an arm pushes in front of him and Happy starts to speak.

“Friday- can you take us up to Tony please?”

“Huh?” Peter says, as an AI speaks up at the same time.

“Certainly, Mr Hogan. Taking you up to the Avengers communal room now. Sir is sat alongside his teammates and is now aware of your arrival.”

“…This is the best place on Earth,” Peter whispers underneath his breath.

Tony

Tony’s sat comfortably on the sofa, texting Pepper, and asking when they’re back from her business trip so he can see Morgan (their nanny went too, although Tony’s not sure why Pepper didn’t just leave Morgan behind with him. She wouldn’t have known that he was a mess… or maybe she did). His legs are up on his footstool and Natasha is leant against him, working on some sewing (it’s a hobby she apparently picked up after Thanos. Tony wishes he could have a nice hobby instead of drinking, although it’s been two days since he’s done that now). Thor was sat with Clint on the other sofa, both bickering as they play their fifth game of Mario Kart. And Bruce and Steve were having a nice, calm, conversation at the back of the room over a lukewarm cup of tea; their conversation was far too intriguing to take a break to have a sip.

He's engrossed heavily in a scientific paper now, too much that he doesn’t even realise the time. Then, he hears: “Sir,” from Friday. He hums, not bothering to look away from his phone. “Happy Hogan and Peter Parker are on their way up.”

Tony could’ve flung his phone in the air. The team’s eyes turned to him as he jumps up from where he’s sitting, causing Natasha to fumble and fall a little in the sofa cushions. She doesn’t seem too agitated at being pushed over, only concerned about Tony’s sudden outburst. But he didn’t care! He wasn’t ready to introduce Peter to everyone here yet. He didn’t want to scare the kid off!

But it’s too late.

He composes himself, stepping forward to the lift and smiling as Peter’s eyes go comically wide at how big the room was. Tony steps forward, gives Happy a quick hug, and thanks for him for driving out. They say their goodbyes, and his attention flicks back to the kid who looks like he’s just deep dived into his wildest, most unimaginable, dream.

“Hey, kid,” he smiles.

“Hey, Mr Stark,” Peter grins. “Thanks for the candies. I ate one, and then another- and then… well I ate most of them, to be honest. Kind of feel jittery right now. Could jump all over the place, if I’m honest. But it’s not because I’m nervous! Because I’m not! I swear.”

Tony laughs. He wraps his arm around Peter’s shoulders, guiding him towards the room. He remembers when it was just the two of them here before. When he stands there with Peter by his side, it’s like he’s right back to the day they met. The day he shunned Peter back into the streets- where it was possible that he’d get stabbed at any moment. Which did happen. A lot.

Peter was the one that pushed their relationship in that ‘timeline’, he’s the one that got Tony to do things. It wasn’t meant to be this way. Tony wishes he could have all their memories back, but would that mean losing all his family again? Because as much as he loved the kid, he couldn’t do that.

Peter’s eyes, if ever possible, grew wider at the sight of the Avenger’s lounging around. But much like he did back in the day, he wasn’t going to let them think he was anything but strong. Puffing out his chest to make himself look taller, although the fact that he stood shorter than Tony didn’t put him in a good light in that department, he waits for someone else to speak first.

“There’s someone here I’d like you guys to meet,” Tony announces.

Clint looks around, and then looks back at the TV thinking he wouldn’t be interested in whatever or whoever was by Tony’s side. But then he did a double take, “you have another child? Hah- no way! I knew it!”

Natasha rolls her eyes, “No you didn’t, idiot.”

“So did,” Clint mumbles.

Thor stands up, and Peter manages to keep his cool for a total of a second as the God of thunder approaches him. “I, however, did not know! I was unaware you had a son!” he beams, taking Peter’s hand and shaking it. He seems surprised, one eyebrow raised, as Peter matched his strength. “A good handshake. Mustn’t get it from your father!”

“He’s not my-“

“I’m not his-“

They try and tell the group in unison that they’ve got it all wrong. But the questions keep coming. Soon enough, Natasha’s complaining how such a big fact from Tony’s life slipped through her eyes. Clint’s then complaining that he didn’t introduce them at the same time as they met Morgan- because as much as his kids love their baby ‘cousin’ so to speak, they’d like an older kid to play with too. Thor’s complaining that they’re being too loud as he tries to speak to Peter. Bruce… well, Bruce doesn’t get involved. Steve doesn’t either, the conniving prick, even though he knows the truth.

“Guys,” Tony shouts, stopping all of the chatter as Peter obviously gets a bit too overwhelmed with the noise. Sensory overload… he’s seen it before. “He’s not my son, and you’re scaring him.”

“It’s fine- they’re not- I-,”

“Kid, I know you. The noise is too much. Here, look. I made them last night when I knew you were coming over,” Tony says. He fishes in his pocket and gets out a pair of headphones that look similar to a normal pair of airpods. “Here,” he smiles, putting them into Peter’s hand. “Drowns everything else out for a while. Helps you relax.”

Peter looks down at them, smiles, and throws himself into Tony’s arms for a hug. “Thank you, Mr Stark,” he whispers into Tony’s chest.

“Yeah, well, it’s just what I do, kid,” Tony whispers, hugging him back tightly. It’s been a while since he’s been able to do this and he’s going to make sure he indulges in it. “Got you a new pair of the latest airpods as well.”

“Mr Stark! You didn’t have to do that!”

As Peter backs away, Tony chuckles. He doesn't try and explain that he didn't have to do it for the kid, but that all he wants is for him to be happy—because he must know that by now. Instead, Peter gives the headphones a closer look and raises them to his ears to test them out. Tony encourages the kid to go down to the lab, which is only one floor above from where they are presently, before putting both in. If he gets lost, Friday will get him there, he makes sure to say.

Not dropping his smile until he knows the kid is in the lift and far enough away that he can’t hear what they’re saying- he finally turns to the Avengers with a look that could kill. It even makes Thor shudder, although Natasha doesn’t seem that bothered. But she does seem guilty, crossing her arms over her chest in a way Tony has ever seen her do when she gets uncomfortable.

“Are you trying to traumatise that kid? God, I’ve seen you do worse in actual interrogations. The poor thing looked like he wanted to bolt any second!” Tony tries to pretend as if he’s not actually agitated, but his fists are clenched and he’s redder than the paint work of one of his suits. He huffs, running a hand down his face. “Look- it’s important that the kid’s comfortable here. He’s one of my main priorities, okay? And I want him to feel like he can come here whenever he wants.”

“…Tony, are you sure there’s nothing you have to tell us?” Natasha says, walking up to him and placing a comforting hand on his bicep. She’s kind and caring, her face a picture of uncertainty. She’s not sure if Tony wants them to know this secret part of his life. Even if there’s nothing here for her to uncover, Tony’s still touched by how calm she’s being with him. Her hand tightens slightly as he struggles to find the words to explain the situation. “It’s okay- we won’t go near him, it’s just easier if we know what’s really going on around here. And if you want us to properly meet him without those questions- we can forget we ever knew.”

“Nat- I promise, he’s not mine. God, if he was- I’m sure he wouldn’t have turned out like he is,” Tony laughs. He bites his lip. “But- it’s not my secret to tell,” he ends up saying- connecting his friendship to Peter with his other identity makes more sense then telling them all that he met the kid through an alternate timeline where they all died. He’s sure they’d get the breathalyser on him otherwise. “And, of course, I want you to meet him. I just- don’t want to spook him off- he’s like a scared little mouse when it comes to you guys. He adores you- but I don’t think he’s quite ready to be on speaking terms with all the Avengers at once. You know?”

“Well- whenever the young man is ready!” Thor smiles, “Mjonir and I will be first in line to meet him. If he means as much to you as you say- we look forward to it.”

Tony smiles, rolling his eyes to himself over Thor’s attachment to that hammer. “Okay, buddy- thanks. Anyway- I should… you know, he might be touching things he shouldn’t be. I’m sure it’s against healthy and safety to keep kids on their own in labs so… I’ll be off.”

Peter

As soon as he’s down in the lab, Peter finally feels as if he can breathe again without the feeling of something pulling on his lungs and trapping his airways. Sounds dramatic, but that’s how it felt surrounded by all the Avengers. Grilling him on why he’s here, and if he’s Tony Stark’s secret love child- which he’s not, by the way, it felt suffocating and if Tony hadn’t intervened and gave him those headphones, he’s sure that he would’ve been crying on their waxed, and perfectly tiled, floors. Which really isn’t the first impression he wanted to give.

He collapses into one of the chairs in Tony’s lab, leaning back as far as the chair went. Staring at the ceiling, he practices breathing techniques he was taught in the one session of therapy they could afford after Ben’s death. After that he tried to follow YouTube videos, but nothing ever worked as much as the first technique. He takes a deep breath in, counts to ten in his head, and makes sure to mentally note things he can sense. He does that until his breathing is steady. Sure, his heartrate doesn’t drop back- but he can blame that on the sugar intake, right?

Once he’s calmed down, and Tony’s still not followed him, he sits upright and looks around the lab. On Tony’s desk he spots photos of a young girl- probably Morgan Stark- and of Pepper Potts. The photos are in wooden frames and are periodically placed along the desk as if they’ve been picked up and put back down multiple times before.

His eyes fall to a piece of paper that’s in the centre of the desk. There are a pair of scissors and an empty frame next to it, suggesting Tony was in the middle of making another one of those framed photos to look at whenever he needs motivation to keep working- or maybe, in fact, to finally take a break. Picking it up, his eyes widen when he realises it’s a printed photo of them. His classmate- of whom he can’t remember their name- took this photo after they finished the interview. Tony’s hand is around his shoulders, and Peter’s smile is so big he doesn’t recognise himself. They look natural- as if they’ve known each other for years. If it wasn’t them in the photo, he would’ve thought it was a nice photo of a father and son.

“Well, that’s embarrassing. Isn’t it?” Peter hears a voice from behind him. He drops the photos immediately, and spins around in the chair to see Tony looking down at him. “I swear I’m not a stalker,” he adds, trying to joke- but there’s a look in his eyes that suggest he’s worried he’s coming onto to heavily.

Peter shakes his head, “even if you were, Mr Stark, I think it would be an honour.”

Tony bursts out laughing. He walks over and sits in the chair next to Peter (why Tony had two chairs there in the first place made him wonder- was he waiting for Peter to come back? Did they work in the lab together in this ‘place’ where Tony knew him? He had so many questions). “I don’t know if you should say that kid. Stranger danger, and that- you know how it all goes.”

“But you’re not a stranger,” Peter sighs. “At least- I’m not to you.”

Tony smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes like it had before. He looks down at the photo, and then at Peter. “Kid, I have to say one more time- these memories… not all of them are good, and I don’t know if I want to put you through it all again.”

“…We’ve been through this, Mr Stark. My whole body knows I’m missing something- and that something has to be you. It has to be all that time we spent together- and I just feel… empty. I need those memories- especially if we were this close that you’re willing to put my photo up next to your child.”

“You were like a son to me. And even if it’s painful for you- and if I can never be whole again because I don’t have you- you have to listen, Pete, I’d never put you through any kind of pain. I- I can’t do that,” Tony shakes his head. He gets up, hands clenched together anxiously as he begins to unnecessarily pace across the lab’s floor. “Maybe this is a mistake- I can’t… I mean, look at your smile in that photo. What if- what if I wipe all of that once it all comes back?”

“What do you think you’re doing right now? Stopping me from knowing it all- from remembering who I really am- that’s causing some of the worst pain I’ve ever felt before in my life,” Peter snaps. He gets up, stops Tony, and looks him properly in the eye. “Please, Tony. I want to know.”

“…Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Yeah,” Tony nods. “We’ll do it, and-“

Then suddenly, as if someone else was a part of their conversation all along, a portal opens beside them and Dr Strange walks out- clearly exasperated. Mug in his hand, cape floating behind him as if somehow the wind was constantly on him, he looks at the two of them and smiles. “Finally, Tony,” he says, “took you long enough.”

And then, he says, “Well, should we get started then?”