Chapter 1
The subway moved its way through the city as Peter Parker stood on it, scrolling through his phone, full of messages he sent Happy. He let out a deep sigh. Some things never do change- he didn’t know why he thought what happened on homecoming would ever change his relationship with Tony Stark, but he was disappointed nonetheless. All he wanted was the man’s attention, but he understood Tony had more important things to worry about.
Tony cared about was Spider-Man, which made sense… Why would he care about Peter Parker?
Peter stepped out of the Subway, debating whether or not he should go out as Spider-Man today. He was exhausting, and afraid that if he left to be Spider-Man, he wouldn’t be able to do a good job of it.
Peter sighed, as the piercing cold, winter air pinched at his face, thinking about how he should have a larger coat. As he walked home, a headline caught his eye:
Tony Stark Gone Into Hiding.
Peter gulped. As disappointed as he felt with Tony, Peter really did hope he was okay. He continued watching the screen, as the words danced across it.
“Tony Stark has gone into hiding, after a major threat was sent to him. We have no idea where he’s hiding, or who he’s with but we will keep you updated.“
Peter rolled his eyes, at the last sentence. Why couldn’t people understand that when people hide, they don’t want others to be updated. He made a mental note to text Happy when he got home to check on Tony’s well being. He felt a ding on his phone.
May: Peter, are you almost home?
Peter told her that she was going to Delmar’s, and shoved his phone back in his pocket, ignoring the extra ding. He walked into Delmar’s and got his usual- after arguing with him. He also pet his cat.
He looked at the television, as the newscasters continued to talk about Tony’s planned disappearance. Peter hated to say it, but he wasn’t at all surprised that people wanted to kill Tony- the man had a lot of baggage, after all. The only question Peter had was why, out of every threat Tony had gotten, is it only now a problem?
Peter pulled out his phone and texted Happy:
Is Mr. Stark okay?
He then checked May’s notification.
May: Hurry home today.
Delmar came out with his sandwich, to which Peter thanked him for, and gave a large tip, as usual.
Peter did not hurry home. He honestly didn’t think there was any rush, and he wanted to finish his sandwich. The snow began coming down hard, as Peter wrapped himself up more. He heard his phone go off again, and Happy responded.
Happy: I thought you would know.
Peter was confused by this statement, but just assumed that Happy was being sarcastic. Peter sighed, feeling himself shake in fear. It already sucked that Tony didn’t see him as a son in the same way as Peter saw him as a father, but it sucked knowing that Tony could die not knowing Peter felt this way.
Peter climbed up the steps to his apartment building, but he wasn’t expecting what he saw when he opened the door: Tony Stark sitting in his kitchen, helping May cook dinner, as the two snapped their heads up to look at Peter.
“Peter!” May smiled nervously. “We have a lot to talk about…”