Back to the Future

1995-

Tony woke and grabbed the coffee from the table Peter made him, gulping it down in one. It felt weird, almost domestic, that this kid was getting up before him and making him a drink. The feeling of having somebody that cared about him made his heart skip a beat. Nobody had cared this much in a while. Nobody had a reason to.

He walked down to his lab, throwing the empty cup in the bin as he walked past. Watching Peter work for a minute or two, he decided to get back into action. He needed to create something new for his company otherwise the investors were going to get on his back.

Peter was oddly quiet. Usually the kid rambled on and Tony had trouble making him stop talking so, hearing nothing from him was disturbing. Tony decided not to say anything. It was better for the both of them if they didn’t talk emotions, it wasn’t important.

Tony didn’t say a word when he left the lab. He walked over to the guest room, hoping Peter had come up for a rest as he had been in the lab for a long time. Instead he found plans. He traced the blueprints with his finger. It took him a while to figure out that the kid was trying to create a time machine.

An uneasy feeling fell onto Tony’s shoulders. He wasn’t sure if he read the plans right or if he could keep trusting the kid. A time machine wasn’t exactly normal and the fact that he didn’t tell him what he was doing out right was making Tony feel a little uneasy. So he decided to do what he always did; he decided to look the kid up.

Typing ‘Richard Parker’ in Jarvis’ database, Tony didn’t find much relating to the kid who was sat down in his lab. Most of the people that he found were much older than what the kid looked like and didn’t look anything like him. Well, one did. A Richard Parker who worked at Oscorp. A Richard Parker that looked like an aged up version of the boy he knew. Why he hadn’t done this before confused him. He should’ve known the kid was lying to him. Everyone did.

Tony found himself walking down to the lab before he could process the information. He wasn’t letting a spy take his work. He wasn’t letting anyone make him feel used again.

Walking into the door of the lab, Peter’s smile lit up when he made eye contact with Tony. Tony listened to his greeting. The chirpy ‘hello’ made him feel weird. He wanted to yell at the kid and confront his lies but, something stopped him. He didn’t want to be horrible to the kid...

“Mr Stark?” Peter asked, watching Tony’s face zone out.

“I’ve made a discovery, Richard,” Tony told him. “Although, should I really call you that? That’s not your name, is it?”

Peter’s face fell. “Shit,” He whispered to himself. “I can explain, Mr Stark.”

“Don’t bother, kid. Just pack your stuff tonight. Whatever you’ve found to give back to Oscorp, just go ahead with it. I can just develop more.” Tony told him, going to turn around to leave.

“Wait, what?” Peter asked, running past Tony to stop him from leaving. “I’m not working with that company, sir! I never would!”

“I found a picture of the real Richard Parker in my database. You can’t lie to me. The man in those photos might look like you but, you can’t fool me. One, he’s older. Two, you have different eyes.”

“Yeah,” Peter sighed. “I have my mother’s eyes. I do look like Richard Parker because, he’s my dad.”

“So, you lied? You lied to me that your parents were dead? What kind of sicko does that?!” Tony said, finally letting himself feel angry. He tried to pass Peter but, he felt himself stepping back as the boy stepped forward.

“I didn’t lie! They are dead.. just not yet! J-Just let me explain,” Peter stuttered out.

Peter’s hands started to shake. The only time he ever argued with Tony was on the rooftop after he failed with the ferry. He would always remember how scared he felt as the mentor yelled at him, fear and anger in his eyes. This Tony, however, was different. He didn’t have the relationship with Peter that his Tony shared with him. He didn’t have a reason not to shout, he had no attachment to Peter. It wasn’t his boy, it was just some random kid that he thought was stealing from him.

“What? Did you hire a hitman on them or something? What do you mean ‘yet’?! Jesus, you’re crazy. I let a crazy child into my home. I bet your parents are looking for you. Should I give them a call? Let them know that their kid is stealing from me?!”

“J-Just listen!” Peter shouted. “Please,” He said, letting out a breath to calm himself down. “I can explain, I just need to show you something.”

Peter reached into his pocket and took his favourite polaroid photo out. The photo was one of the earliest photos of him and Tony, during the opening of Stark Industries’ intern program. Tony’s arm wrapped around the kid’s shoulder, pulling him in. Both of them wore huge smiles, looking at each other rather than the audience.

“I-I just want to go home,” Peter whispered, passing the photo over.

Tony looked down at the photo, frowning. The man with this kid looked just like him. He was just older. A hint of grey shimmered through his hair. His beard that Happy made fun of was filled out. His doppelgänger wore a fancy suit and looked put together. Better than anything, He looked happy. He looked happier than he had ever been in his life.

“What is this?” Tony asked, staring at the photo. Tearing his gaze away, he looked up at Peter who was looking at him with wide eyes. “Are you - wait, this isn’t possible...,”

“I’m from the future, sir. I couldn’t just say it out right. You wouldn’t believe me,” Peter said, his voice stumbling. “Do you? I mean, do you believe me?”

“This, I mean- it does look like me. The building looks like some of my future plans... so, uh, I think?” Tony sighed. “I don’t have a clue why I do. But I believe you. I shouldn’t. I definitely shouldn’t but, I do? I think.”

Tony couldn’t really believe how much he rambled as he spoke. He never really lost composure like this but, time travel? It was a scientific breakthrough. This kid did something that people never believed to be possible. His train of thought halted as he looked back down at the photo. The love in his future self’s eyes baffled him. He must’ve cared for Peter, just like he was starting to do.

“Are you my son?” Tony asked, scared of the answer.

“Well, that’s a complicated question. You’re obviously not my biological father as, uh, we’ve spoke about that whole situation. My parents are dead. But, kinda? I mean, I hope you feel like that. I live with my Aunt but, um, I do stay with you over the weekend. I sure hope you think of me as a son otherwise I’d be really upset.” Peter said. His eyes looked down to the floor of the lab. If he looked up at Tony, he’d start to cry. He was far too scared of the man’s response.

“I-,” Tony didn’t really know what to say. “Fuck,” He mumbled, “I see why you came to me then, huh? I should probably know your actual name now, shouldn’t I?”

“My name’s Peter, Mr Stark. Peter Parker.”

“Suits you,” Tony said. “Hey, kid. Look at me.”

Peter’s scared eyes lifted up to look Tony in the eye. He stared at him, watching Tony’s facial expression as he looked at him. A small smile came onto the man’s face. It wasn’t as big as his Tony’s but, he could see that he was happy (ish) to be with Peter (he hoped so, anyway).

“I’ll help you. We’ll get you home.”

“You will?”

“If future me looks at you like that then I know he’s having a hard time without you. Also, Peter, I’m a scientist and I’m not losing the opportunity to say I invented time travel.”

The two of them worked into the night together. Eventually giving up, they both walked up into the living room. The room was wide and modern, similar to the interior of the tower. Looking out through the double doors, Peter stared up at the moon. They worked hard and Peter didn’t even realise the day was over.

Peter’s Aunt May used to tell him that if he ever missed her at night, that all he had to do was look at the moon. She’d always be on the other side looking back. He just hoped that was true.

“Kid,” Tony said, “Come on, I’ve got a film going.”

“Film night?” Peter said, his heart almost bursting. “I-I miss those.”

Tony walked over to his sofa, sitting down. He looked over at Peter who took his spot on an armchair. “Did you and future me do this a lot, then? I’ll tell you what, kid, I really don’t sound like myself.”

“You’ve changed quite a bit, Mr Stark. I don’t think that you’d even recognise yourself if you had a conversation,” Peter chuckled a little. “He always let me choose but, I don’t think some of the films I like to make him watch are even out yet.”

“Huh, that’s weird,” Tony mumbled.

Tony’s eyes looked over to Peter more than the film they had on the TV. He couldn’t believe that he had a son. He was a parent. Peter looked happy, didn’t he? He must have done a good job for the boy to remain so optimistic. He always thought he would mess a kid up, considering his own insecurities and issues with Howard. The kid sought him out. He came to him in a time of need and thought that he’d help without question. The kid clearly loved future him and it made him feel weird, it made him yearn to be loved in the same way. It made him, almost, want to be a father.

“Peter?” Tony said, half an hour later.

“Yeah?” Peter replied, his whole body tucked into one of Tony’s comfy, expensive, blankets.

“Would you say that, uh, I do a good job? You know, in the future. Would you say that I’m a good dad?”

“I’ve never called you dad before,” He said. He couldn’t help the smile that came on your face. “I’ve wanted to, though. I think you wanted me to but, I’ve always been too scared,” Peter sighed. “But, yeah. You are. You’re the best.”

“Oh,” Was all that Tony said back, shutting up for the rest of the evening.

When the billionaire sat down in his own bed that evening, he stared outside of the window rather than laying down in his bed. He needed a drink. This situation was insane. He had a time travelling teenager in his spare room that told him that he was like his son.

Tony Stark’s life could never be normal. Not even for one day.

2018-

Tony sat in the back of a car. His team insisted to him that he needed to get back into a normal routine. He sat beside Pepper, who looked gorgeous in a long, emerald, flowing gown with a slit up the leg. Her hair and makeup looked flawless. Tony wore a deep blue suit, with the matching waist coat underneath. They were off to one of the fanciest restaurants in town.

Tony was always given the VIP treatment wherever he went. But when Peter brought him to one of his and May’s favourite places, nobody batted an eyelash at him. All of the workers flooded over to Peter, asking about how he was. They spoke to him for a while before leaving the duo alone. The billionaire was surprised at how much the waiters liked Peter but, watching him interact with strangers made him realise why. His smile was bright and welcoming and Tony never saw the flicker of a frown on his face. He was the kindest person he knew.

Tony felt guilty. He was acting as if life could go on. He kept thinking of the kid in past tense like he was actually gone. He missed him more than anything.

Stepping into the restaurant, the couple was escorted to the best table in the house. Their waiter was young, probably only a few years older than Peter. His eyes were the same shade of brown as Peter’s and in a certain light, Tony could almost pretend that was his kid. That was until the boy spoke. He sounded nothing like his Pete. This boy had a British accent, breaking Tony’s fantasy. All he wanted to do was act normal for Pepper but, Tony couldn’t help how upset he felt whenever that waiter was around them.

“This w-was a bad idea,” Tony stuttered out aa soon as the food was in front of them. “Pep- I, I can’t do it.”

“Tony,” She sighed, taking his hand. “I’m sorry that I’ve made you so this. I just wanted to make you happy for one night.”

“You do-,” Tony said, “You always do but, Pep, he’s my son. It’s like I’m suffocating without him, I can’t breathe whenever I look down at a photo of him. Every damn thing is reminding me of him. I- I didn’t know losing him would do this-,”

Pepper looked at her husband with sad eyes, squeezing his hand in an attempt to comfort him. She watched how he stared at the young boy who served them, how the kid’s face made tears well up in his eyes. His leg bounced underneath the table; she had never seen him this anxious.

“We’ll get this to take out and go back home. Is that okay?”

All Pepper got in response to her question was a soft nod and a guilty expression. Tony dropped his wallet onto the table and walked out of the restaurant, his whole body closed off with his hands tucked into his pockets. When she paid and got outside with the food in a paper bag, Tony was crouched over the hood of their car with his head in his hands. In front of him there were photographers, taking photos of Tony’s breakdown. Rage filled up in her body as she rushed to her husband’s side, helping him into their car and away from prying eyes.

“I’m so sorry,” Tony cried out, sitting in the back of the car, the first tear of the night dropping from his eyes. “I’m weak.”

“No,” Pepper shook her head, taking both of his hands in hers. “I love you, Tony. You’re not weak for showing how upset you are. It’s a human emotion. You’ve lost a kid. You’re going to be upset.”

“He’s not even mine- I-,”

“Tony, no. He is. Just because he’s not biologically related to you doesn’t mean he’s not yours. Peter’s your son.”

Tony dropped his head, looking down onto the car seat cushions. He cried a little harder and frowned, his whole body shaking as their driver took them back home. “I love you,” He managed to whisper, holding onto his wife tight.

Tony couldn’t let go of Pepper as they got out of the car. She had to pass over their food to one of the staff as the man’s grip on her hands didn’t let up. She held him as they walked in silence. They walked up to the penthouse and into their bedroom, shutting the door softly behind them.

Tony sat on the bed in his suit and looked at Pepper. She looked beautiful, something out of this world. She was reminiscent of a princess from a different world, so full of love and forgiveness for the beast that Tony saw himself as since Peter’s departure to the past. Tony bit down on his lip, watching her looked out the window with a sad look. Guilt ate him from the inside. He felt like he was ruining their relationship all over again by spending all his time in the lab, just like did years ago.

She walked over to him, sitting next to him with a bounce. Wrapping an arm around his shoulders, she wiped a tear away from his face. “Stop thinking, sweetheart. I’m not upset with you.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, honey,” Pepper whispered, holding him close. “We’ll get him back. You know that, right?”

Tony took a deep breath. “I hope so,” He mumbled. “I just hope that he’s okay, wherever he is.”

“I’m sure he is, Tony. I’m sure he is.”

Kissing him on the cheek, Pepper got up and changed into her pyjamas. She threw some comfy clothes at him and told him to get changed and meet him downstairs. Picking up those clothes and walking into their bathroom, Tony stared at his reflection.

“Peter,” He said, out loud. “I’m looking for you, buddy. I’ll always find you. Dad’s here for you, wherever you are. I won’t rest until you’re back. I love you so much.”

Tears streaming down his face, he changed into his clothes. He went downstairs and took a plate from Pepper, sitting down on their sofa to watch a movie. Peter was on his mind throughout it but, it helped. Sitting with Pepper, he started to calm down. He was still thinking about how he could help his kid but, for now, he knew that he’d want him to sleep and take care of himself. He had changed for Peter and he wasn’t going to throw it all away. He had to be the man Peter would be proud of when he returned.

When the night came to a close, Pepper was on his shoulder. She had fallen asleep during the movie. He picked her up and put her into their bed. He slipped under the covers with her, cuddling up into him.

Right now, most of his family was right in front of him. He needed to be more present with her. She was so supportive and loving to him and he wasn’t going to let that go.

“I love you Pepper,” He whispered, kissing her on the forehead. He closed his eyes and let sleep consume him.

1995-

Peter stirred in his sleep. Something was wrong, he knew it. He sat up in the bed, hearing a noise down the hallway. He jumped out of bed and ran to see if someone was breaking into the house.

Tony stumbled through the door, the smell of alcohol surrounding him. His arm was around a woman, her body over his on the sofa. The both of them were laughing at something, their hands grabbing each other’s bodies in the dark.

“Mr Stark?” Peter said, yawning. He turned the light on in the living room and widened his eyes at the sight in front of him. His hands whipped up to his face, covering his eyes. “Holy shit, sorry!”

“You have a kid?!” The lady said, jumping up from Tony. “Uh, you didn’t say that!”

“I don’t-,”

“Who’s that then?” She said, staring at Peter (who still had his hands over his face).

“He’s just-,”

“No way. I’m out,” The woman said, jumping off him and grabbing her coat. She left the beach house, running away.

“Fuck sake! Why are you awake?!” Tony shouted at Peter, sitting up on the sofa. His words were slurred as he spoke.

Peter slowly lowered his hands from his face. “I-I just heard something crash and I-,”

“Oh fuck off, kid. I’m not your father, I don’t care about you!” Tony said. “I just wanted to have a good time and you come and ruin it! I bet your Tony is glad he got rid of you.”

As soon as his words left his mouth, Tony regretted what he said. He didn’t mean it, he didn’t want to hurt this kid. He just felt so trapped and alone, so scared of his past and his father that he took it out on this boy. He had drank two bottles, left to a club and picked up that girl in only a few hours. His mind was scrambled and he didn’t mean the words. When he saw the kid’s face drop, his own heart dropped. He needed to sober up, to apologise before it was too late.

“Kid, I didn’t mean-,”

“No, it’s okay. I get it,” Peter said. His voice was scared and hurt.

The crack in his voice just reminded Tony that this was a kid. Years before (not too long ago, a time he could remember) he was that scared kid. He would stand in his own bedroom, tears streaming down his young face. Jarvis was the only person in his life that he could rely on. His mother loved him but, she was never around to remind him. His father was cold. He was never in the house either but, when he was Tony never felt safe. The constant verbal abuse wore Tony down into the person he was today.

“I’ll go, Mr Stark. I’m sorry.”

“Peter-,”

Before Tony could step forward, the teenager ran out of the room. Tony should’ve ran after him but, he couldn’t. He leant back into the sofa and ran a hand over his face. He cursed underneath his breath. He couldn’t believe that he messed up, again. He heard the slam of his front door only moments later.

When he woke up in the morning, there was no coffee on the kitchen table. He checked Peter’s room. The boy was gone.

“Fuck,” He whispered, looking at the messed up sheets. “I’m sorry, Peter.”

Meanwhile, Peter was curled up in an alleyway. It was freezing. He had no idea how he was going to get back now. He had no help and no materials. He was going to be stuck in 1995 forever. This Tony might could be right. His Tony hadn’t got to him yet. He might not even be looking. He could be thriving without him, free from Peter’s clutches. A free man.

As soon as Peter started to cry, the clouds opened. Rain flooded down to the streets. Peter winced, not able to get away. His curls draped over his face as the rain fell onto him. At least nobody would know he was crying. He felt camouflaged into the background as unknowing people walked past the entry to the alleyway. They went on with their lives as the boy from the future sobbed about his problems.

Peter Parker felt truly alone but, this time, he was scared that it was going to be for the rest of his life.