Getting Close
Telling Aunt May that he got a job from the Tony Stark was the most exciting thing he had done in a while. May’s smile was wide, reaching her eyes, as Peter explained the man called him a genius and begged him to come and join his staff. She always did call him her little genius so, it was nice to have someone else confirm the hypothesis.
Peter’s first day as an intern was everything, and more, that he could’ve wished for. Happy, who didn’t really live up to the name, brought him in. The car he drove was the fanciest thing Peter had seen and the boy couldn’t help but marvel at the design. His fingers traced the bottom of the window, as the car drove past the near-by hills on the way to the tower. Conversation was dead so, it was the best he could do to keep his mind working.
As the vehicle pulled up in front of the tower, Peter’s eyes sparkled at the sight. It was the biggest building that he had ever seen. The top of the tower was blurry, Peter wasn’t sure if he could even see it from where he was stood. The design was perfect, however, and the boy couldn’t really believe that he was there.
Happy took him through the reception. Security was tight, it had to be. He was given a pass, something he could use every time he came in. As he walked through security, he blushed underneath Friday’s sensors as the AI announced his clearance (somehow it was the second highest in the building). He noticed how some people looked over at him; they were confused why someone so young could walk through the building as if he was an avenger.
When Tony saw him enter the penthouse, he was sat with his best friend Rhodey. He noticed how Rhodey’s eyebrows shot up, confused as to why a young boy with school bags was entering Tony Stark’s private floor.
“Mr Stark!” Peter greeted him.
Peter’s hair was flopping over his face. He was in need for a haircut but, May didn’t have the time to go with him (or the money to pay for one). He wore a t-shirt with one of the worst science puns that the billionaire had ever seen. The fit was slightly too big, making him look younger than Tony remembered. However, his smile was more relaxed than it had been at the Gala. It was infectious and before Tony knew it, he was smiling in response.
“Hey kid,” Tony said, walking over to him. He took the bag from the boy’s hand and placed it on the table close to the entrance. “Good to see you again.”
“It’s good to see you!” Peter said, the excitement slipping from his tone of voice. He makes sure to place an emphasis on the word ‘you’. “I’m SO excited. I’ve been looking forward to this for ages; I know we only planned it last week but, honestly, I feel like I’ve been waiting for years! My friend Ned was so jealous when I told him! Oh, Uh, was I allowed to tell him? I really don’t know how this whole thing works. He’s good at keeping secrets-,”
“Take a breath, Peter,” Tony chuckled, walking him into the main room. “It’s okay. You can tell people. I don’t have a habit of hiring secret interns.”
“He doesn’t have a habit of hiring interns at all,” Rhodey said, putting his hand out for Peter to shake. “Names Rhodey, kid. Who are you?”
Peter looked at the hand for a minute, freezing up. He couldn’t really believe he was in a room with the biggest bromance duo in history. He took the man’s hand, shaking it with all he had. Rhodey grinned at the kid’s excitement, the smile he wore blinding the man.
“I’m Peter Parker, sir! Wow, it’s so awesome to meet you!” Peter said, still shaking his hand as he spoke.
“Release him, kiddo,” Tony laughed, gently taking the kid’s hand away from Rhodey’s.
The two men laughed at how Peter’s face turned red. Tony put his hand’s on Peter’s shoulders, as he stood behind him. “This is my genius intern, honey bear. He’s smart and wonderful and on payroll.”
“Good luck, Peter,” Rhodey grinned. He gave the kid a pat on the back before saying goodbye and leaving the two, going back down to the Avenger’s common room.
Peter dreamt about what Tony Stark’s personal laboratory would look like but, nothing compared to the real thing. The room was massive. It was about the size of Peter’s apartment, two times over. Equipment covered the walls. Things that Peter had never seen before littered the room. Iron Man suits were everywhere. He couldn’t believe the detail close up. Tony’s intelligence really blew Peter out of the water. People never gave him enough credit.
Peter Parker, a Tony Stark stan, stood with his mouth wide. “Mr Stark,” He said, letting out a breath. “It’s incredible, sir.”
“Isn’t it just, Mr Parker,” Tony grinned, showing him around.
Peter sat on the most comfy chair that he could’ve imagined, watching in awe as Tony showed him how he worked. The hologram surrounded them both. It was interactive, working around Tony as he showed Peter a design for one of the Iron Man suits.
Peter was scared to say too much with Tony. He’s not sure what to do and what he can say. His breathing was fast and frequent as he watched Tony work. Sitting down at his own desk, he wasn’t really sure what to do. He played with the edge of his pencil, not knowing what to write. Tony glanced over at him, a little worried that the kid didn’t look as happy as he did when he arrived. “Peter?” He questioned him, a little frown forming on his face when the kid jumped out of his skin.
“Ye-yes?” Peter jumped, “What is it? Do you need help?”
“Are you okay, kid?” Tony said, walking up towards the desk. Peter nodded quickly but, the billionaire didn’t quite believe him. “I think that’s a lie, Pete.”
“It-It’s not!” Peter stuttered. “I swear!”
“Hmm,” Tony mumbled, not sure what to say. He decided to let the kid keep his secret, changing the subject quickly. “Come on, Pete. I think that our first session is done now. It’s bedtime now.”
Peter went over to Stark Industries every Tuesday and Thursday after school for the next four weeks. Getting to know Tony was the best thing for Peter Parker. Both of then were incredibly close. Tony was frightened to admit it, really.
Tony was sat in the living room with Peter by his side. They ordered some Chinese food in and had it set all across the table. Peter was wearing a t-shirt, the hot sun blaring outside. Tony’s eyes fall onto the kid, frowning when he noticed a harsh scar covering his forearm.
“What’s that, kid?”
“Oh,” Peter sighed. “It’s a scar from the c-crash, Mr Stark.”
As soon as those words leave his mouth, he noticed the guilt form in Tony’s eyes. Peter took a deep breath, staring down at the plate in his lap. His mind is transported to the moment the plane fell. He remembered how the plane trembled, how his mother screamed and held his hand. The burn of impact was something Peter could never forget. The scar on his arm was a reminder, something physical to show that he was a survivor.
“It’s not your fault, Mr Stark.” He said, pushing his memories away.
“I passed the plans for those damn plans, kid. I let that plane fly. I blame myself for each and every person that lost their life that day. I ruined your life, Peter. Your parents-,”
Tony’s hand shook, making him drop the glass he was previously holding. The sound of the glass shattering made him flinch, the liquid falling over the floor. Peter went to help him pick it up but, Tony takes his wrist and stops him.
“I don’t want you to get hurt more because of me-,”
“Mr Stark,” Peter frowned. “I don’t blame you, it’s not your fault.”
“Then who is at fault then?!” Tony snapped, standing up from the couch. “Kid, please. I can’t- I,”
“Mr Stark, please just listen to me!” Peter said, gently taking the man’s hand. “I know that we’ve only known each other for three weeks b-but, you’ve been there for me. You’ve given me a job, something to direct my mind to and- well, you’ve just been so nice to me.”
“Your damn optimism is going to be the death of me,” Tony mumbled. “I don’t know how you can’t blame me here.”
“Because you didn’t crash the plane, did you? It was like a one in a million chance, Mr Stark. You can’t blame yourself for it more than I can blame myself for a random car crash on the street.”
Tony sighed, rubbing a hand through his hair. “Come here, kid.”
Peter stood up, stepping over the glass on the floor. He stepped into Tony’s personal space and widened his eyes as the man took him into a hug.
“Don’t get used to these, I don’t give them out a lot. Not even to Pepper.” Tony said, hugging the kid tight. “I promise that I’ll make it all up to you, Pete.”
“Don’t need to, Mr Stark,” Peter mumbled with a soft voice. “But thank you.”
Tony let go and sighed, smiling down at the boy’s face. “I’m glad that I met you, buddy.”
Peter’s face lit up at the words. His smile grew wide. He never thought he’d find another father figure since Ben’s death.
Ever since that moment, the two of them got even closer. When May went on holiday with her friends for a week, she contacted the billionaire and asked him to take the kid for the time. Peter originally begged her to say no but, as he sat in the room with his head against Tony’s shoulder, he realised that she had the best idea.
Peter Parker had a secret.
When he fourteen years old, Midtown Tech went to Oscorp. Peter got lost. His tour group left him behind and he ended up in some secret labs (he hd an affinity for sneaking into famous scientist’s labs, even if he didn’t mean it). Bitten by a radioactive spider, he developed powers.
The pain he felt in his head the day after burnt. He didn’t know that he could feel pain like it. He woke up and could see perfectly. It was weird. Before that morning, he couldn’t see a thing without his glasses over his face. He looked into the mirror. It looked like he had gone through five growth spurts overnight.
Finding out he could climb walls was terrifying. He was afraid of heights, from the crash, but he knew that shouldn’t stop him from turning himself into a hero. He lost his Uncle days after the bite, to something he knew that he could’ve stopped now. He climbed to the top of his apartment building and cried underneath the stars as he mourned another family member.
Tony didn’t know about his secret. But, he knew Spiderman. After Tony met him at the gala, Spiderman ran into Iron Man during a patrol. Peter thought the genius had found him out but, he just wanted to take him into SHIELD. Peter refused, swinging away faster than he ever did. He didn’t want an adult to know, they’d make him stop what he did.
Back in the Avengers compound, Peter was sat with all of the team. He felt out of his depth, surrounding by some of the most famous people in the world. He sat close to Tony, a bit nervous to make conversation. However, the man made sure he fit into the puzzle that was the Avengers family.
Steve wouldn’t stop smiling down at him, looking a little like a proud uncle as Tony wrapped his arm around him. Natasha sat on the otherwise, her hand gently falling into Peter’s curls at times. Nobody knew but, the woman always wanted a child of her own. Sitting with Peter made her heart swell.
Peter managed to convince FRIDAY to lie to Tony about his location. He snuck out of his room he was staying in, dressed in his Spiderman suit.
The whole patrol felt off that evening. He felt buzzing in his ear, something telling him to go back to the tower. Danger shouted in his head but, he continued.
He realised what was wrong when he was surrounded by some of the team he had met only the night before. Captain America locked eyes with him underneath the mask, stepping forward. Peter tried to swing away but, his webs were cut by a shield. He fell to the floor with a yell.
Peter struggled in vibranium handcuffs, trying to break free. He sat in the back of the van, wanting to jump out. Tears burned in his eyes from the pain.
He was taken into SHIELD custody. He was placed down into a locked room, his handcuffs still on. Tony wasn’t with the group when they took him in but, suddenly he was stood behind the wall alongside Nick Fury.
“Why on earth have you captured a hero? Surely he’s good for us?” Tony asked, opening the door and looking down at the boy in spandex.
“He could be dangerous. We need to know his identity,” Fury told him, walking over to the boy sat on the floor. He took the mask in his hands.
“Wait,” Tony told him. “Come on. It should be his choice.”
“I’m afraid that’s not how it works in the real world, Stark,” Fury told him, annoyed at Tony’s resistance.
Steve, Bucky and Clint stand next to them, smiles on their faces from the successful mission. They do look slightly guilty, however, as the vigilante does look like he’s in pain on the floor.
“Do I have to be here for it? I don’t want to be involved. The kid’s at home so-,”
Peter coughed. “H-He’s not there,” He stuttered out, his hand falling over his stomach. He winced from the pain. He fell down quite far after swinging and he could tell that bruises were forming over his body.
“What?” Tony said, walking closer. “What do you know about my kid?” Peter stayed silent. “Come on! You better not have touched him!”
Fury had enough of the shouting, deciding to make a move. He took the mask in his hand and ripped it off.
Oh shit, Peter thought.