Paranoia

Peter’s blood ran cold as his thoughts spiraled out of control. There is no doubt in his mind that Leon is looking at his little sister as if she were a juicy steak hung in front of an animal. He could practically hear the sick thoughts running through the man’s head, his eyes showing exactly what he was thinking about. 

Looking at Tony and Pepper, Peter wonders if they are seeing what he sees. Can they tell that Leon is looking at Morgan the way Skip used to look at Peter? Can they see the disgusting lustful gaze that flashes every time Leon glances at Morgan? Can they see the predator right in front of them, his eyes set on their daughter as his next target?

Because Peter sees it. It’s like a neon sign above Leon’s head saying ‘I’m a pedophile’. The man may as well have admitted it right then and there, that’s how obvious it is to Peter. 

He subconsciously clenches his fists, trying to stop himself from attacking the man for even looking at Morgan. He would be damned if he lets anything happen to this sweet little girl. The trauma that comes from Peter’s experiences is not something he wants to see Morgan experience. She is too small, too pure, too innocent for something like that to break her young spirit.

As Tony led them to the dining room, Peter didn’t miss the way Leon lingered a little longer so that he could walk beside Morgan, causing Peter to snap out of his spiraling thoughts. Leon started to say something to Morgan, but Peter cut between the two of them, quickly taking Morgan’s hand and rushing her ahead. He cast a glance toward Leon, trying his best to send a warning to the man with his deadliest glare. 

At the table, Tony and Pepper took their seats with Tony on one end and Pepper to the right of him. Peter surveyed the three open seats, wanting to make sure Morgan stayed as far away from Leon as possible. He sat Morgan to the left of Tony, planning on taking the open seat next to her but Tony stopped him. “Pete, how about you sit next to Pepper? It will be easier for us to talk business.” 

“But- “ Tony raised an eyebrow, silently telling Peter not to argue. “But To- “ 

“Peter, come sit next to me.” To anyone else, Pepper’s voice would have sounded gentle and motherly, but Peter could hear the warning undertone. 

Peter’s shoulders slumped, knowing that he wasn’t going to win this battle. He knew why Tony assigned the seats the way he did. It was to make sure Peter was close enough to him or Pepper in case he started to panic. They are looking out for Peter, wanting him to feel as comfortable as possible. Little do they know, by protecting Peter, they are putting Morgan closer to the danger.  

Leon takes his seat next to Morgan before they begin eating, the business conversation starting almost immediately. Peter barely pays attention to his food, instead focusing on Morgan, making sure Leon doesn’t try anything. Even with Tony and Pepper right there, Peter doesn’t trust Leon. 

“I think that is a wonderful idea!” Pepper’s enthusiastic voice caught Peter’s attention. He forcefully tore his gaze away from Morgan to look at Pepper. “What do you think Peter?”

“I’m sorry, what?” He hadn’t been listening to the conversation, more interested in protecting his little sister.

“Leon suggested we have a carnival to promote the family-centered aspects of Stark Industries.” Tony answers. 

“A lot of people are still hesitant to associate with Stark Industries because of its past. A carnival would help reshape the image of the company from the weapons manufacturers that it used to be, to the friendlier tech company that it is working to be.” Leon further explained. 

“Why? I think Stark Industries is doing just fine by itself.” His clipped tone was harsher than he meant it to be. Peter narrows his eyes at Leon, seeing the facade behind his seemingly innocent eyes. Sure, this idea could benefit the company, however Peter knows that there is an ulterior motive behind it. He can’t figure out what it is, but he knows it’s there. “Are you saying that Stark Industries is doing a bad job at promoting its rebranding? Tony and Pepper haven’t worked their assess off to rebuild this company, do you really think a stupid carnival is going to fix what they haven’t been able to fix?”

“What? No- “ Peter cut off Leon’s protest, enjoying the slightly panicked look on the man’s face at Peter’s accusations. 

“Or is it something else? Is there another reason why you want to have this carnival? I know your type! People like you are always looking for opportunities to satisfy your disgusting desires! But I won’t let you. You’re a fu- “

“PETER!” Tony roared, silencing Peter mid sentence. “That is enough.” Peter turned to Tony, ready to continue his rant about how Leon is a repulsive, evil person. “I think you are done for tonight. How about you go to your room? Now.” Tony’s tone left no room for argument, a tone that he has never directed at Peter before. 

Peter huffed, trying to calm himself down. “Only if Morgan comes with me.” He said through gritted teeth. 

“You are not in a position to argue about this Peter. Go to your room.” Tony answered. 

Peter knows he is pushing his limits, but he is not going to leave Morgan while Leon is in the room. Treading lightly, so as not to break the eggshells that he’s currently walking on, Peter tried to convey his desperation. “Tony, please. I need Morgan to come with me.”

Tony opened his mouth to argue, but Pepper beat him to answering. “Fine. Morgan, you go with Peter and we will finish up here.” 

Pushing back from the table, Peter’s chair screeched loudly against the floor. He quickly lifted Morgan into his arms and carried her out of the room as fast as possible. Once they entered his room, Peter let out a breath that he had been holding. For the first time since he noticed the way Leon was looking at Morgan, he felt like he could breathe properly. 

Now that he is away from Leon, the reality of what Peter just said came crashing down on him. He doesn’t regret what he said to Leon, but the way he treated Tony was eating away at his conscience. He shouldn’t have been so rude, he was just trying to protect Morgan. 

“Petey?” Morgan’s sweet voice grabbed his attention. “Why did you yell at Mr. Leon like that?”

Peter pulled Morgan onto his lap, holding her securely in his arms. He still felt a little on edge and physically touching Morgan reminded him that she is okay. “I don’t like him.” Peter answered softly.

“But mommy says that you still have to be nice to people that you don’t like.” Her response emphasized just how young and naive Morgan is. If he were to explain that Leon is a pedophile and predator, it would just go over her head. She is too innocent to understand the evil that is all around her.

Before Peter could explain, the door opened to reveal a fuming Tony and disappointed Pepper. “Morgan, let’s go get ready for bed.” Pepper said, leading the little girl out of the room. 

Tony all but slammed the door once the girls were further down the hallway. “Peter Benjamin Parker, I swear to all that is good in this life, you better have one hell of an explanation for what you did!”

“I was just trying to protect Morgan.” Peter explained, defending his actions. 

“How the hell does insulting our guest translate to protecting Morgan?”

“He wanted to hurt her.”

“What do you mean?”

“I saw it. In his eyes, the way he looked at her.” Peter started. “It is the same look that He used to give me. He was looking at Morgan like that.” 

Tony’s eyebrows furrowed, his mind trying to decipher what Peter is saying. After a few moments a look of understanding passed through Tony’s eyes as he sighed. “Kid, look.” Peter knew by his tone that Tony still didn’t truly understand. “Maybe we should have waited a little longer before trying to introduce you to new people.” 

“What? No, Tony, you don’t get it.” 

“I think I do, Pete.” The pitying look Tony was giving Peter showed just how much Tony thought Peter was crazy. “You’re still scared, and that’s okay. The stress of meeting someone new was messing with your mind. It tricked you into seeing something that wasn’t really there.” 

“No- “

“Where is the proof, Peter? Don’t you think Pepper and I would have seen it too? If it was really there?” Tony questioned. “I think I would have noticed if Leon was looking at Morgan the way you claim he was.”

Peter felt something in him breaking. He trusted Tony to believe him, no matter how unbelievable he sounded. He trusted that Tony would have his back and support him. Tony had never once made Peter feel guilty for not having his PTSD under control. Peter had never seen Tony give him a look of pity that so many others have given him. 

Until now. And it hurt more than Peter thought it would.

“I think I should leave.” Peter whispered, fighting back the flood of emotions threatening to break through. 

“Oh, come on Peter. That’s not necessary.”

“Yeah, no, I-I haven’t seen May in a few days.” Peter stumbled around his room, throwing random pieces of clothing into a duffle bag. His mind kept supplying excuses to leave, his mouth echoing his thoughts without much control. “I’ve stayed here too long, y-you and Pepper probably want a break from me. I’ll just stay with May for a while. You know, I think she is a little lonely by herself in that apartment.”

Peter couldn’t stop himself from rambling. The more he talked, the easier it was to stop himself from breaking down. He was solely focused on getting out of the penthouse as he ignored Tony’s attempts to stop him. 

“I’ll text you or something.” Peter muttered as he stepped on the elevator, his eyes glued to the floor as the doors slowly closed.