Heir to the Demon
Peter had spent the past couple of months hiding from the League in an abandoned shack far up in Queens. He didn't tell anyone where he was going, and everyone, even his Dad, kept their word and didn't try to find him.
Peter was out scouting for food when he saw Pepper on some news channel playing on a TV in an electronics shop. He walked closer and smiled fondly at his kinda-mom. His smile vanished when he noticed the black figure in the background, too well hidden for someone without the training he had to notice.
His eyes widened when he saw who it was. She smirked, almost like she knew he was watching.
So this was how they'd smoke him out. Peter hated his former bosses sometimes. With a sigh, Peter hopped on the nearest bus and started towards Stark Tower, fingering the vial of antidote he had in his pocket.
oOo
Michelle Jones held her suitcase tightly, eyeing the people around her apprehensively. Years of experience taught her to never trust people based on what you could see.
She noticed a little boy staring at her, looking fascinated. She shot him a wink as she walked forward and checked out her passport. "Stand in front of the camera," the TSA agent said, sounding bored. MJ stepped in front of the camera, taking off her hat. She tried not to smirk too hard when she saw the warning pass up, and the man's eyes widen.
"I'm so sorry, there was an issue. I'll be right back." She nodded once as he stumbled away. She grabbed the sword at her side, waiting for the inevitable.
"Hey!" someone yelled behind her. She smirked on the inside. Only four? This would be easy. She drove her blade into the nearest attacker, throwing her knife at another. In a matter of minutes, MJ stood with a pile of bodies. She sheathed her weapons and strutted out of there.
I'm coming for you, Beloved, she thought to herself. I'm coming for you.
oOo
Peter ran up the stairs as fast as he could. If he was right, then he only had so long until bad things happened.
He froze when he saw a black blur by the window. Right before it disappeared, he could've swore he saw a wink. He turned back to Pepper when he saw she was, sure enough, dying.
Peter gently shifted her up so she'd swallow the antidote. He calmed when she gasped and started in her arms.
She froze when she saw him, and Peter was quick to disappear when he was sure she'd be fine.
Peter jumped out as soon as his father came rushing in.
oOo
Tony was clutching Pepper's hand and she lay unconscious on the hospital bed. Tony had no idea who attempted to poison her, but would be damned if they got away. He started when she gasped and clutched his hand.
"Tony," she breathed, looking relieved.
"Hey, Pep," he said softly.
"What happened," she asked, rubbing her forehead with a hand.
Tony quickly recounted her almost poisoning. "It was a foreign poison. Someone delivered the antidote to you before I got there."
"I'm gonna sound crazy," Pepper said, eyeing Tony cautiously. "But I saw Peter."
Tony froze. "What?" he choked out.
"It was probably a hallucination, but he looked so real. It was like he was the one giving me the antidote," Pepper breathed, tears forming in her eyes.
"Hmm," Tony said, squeezing her hand and letting her go. "You mind if I look at the security footage from the event?"
"Of course," Pepper sighed, wiping the tears from her eyes.
Tony stepped out into the hallway. Instead of going for the footage, he dialed a number on his phone. A number Harry Osborn gave him. "Put my son on. I know he's there," he added as he heard the hesitance.
oOo
Peter was nervous as he made his way to the old Chinese restaurant his Dad requested they meet up at. He knew his Dad knew that he was there, because he forgot to disable the security cameras.
Peter opened the door, and saw his Tony at a secluded table in the back. He walked over, his Dad turning and smiling at the sight of him. He got up and embraced Peter, pressing his head on top of Peter's. Peter relaxed into his father's arms. "I can't stay for long," Peter said once they separated.
"I don't want to take up too much of your time," Tony said, pouring Peter a glass of tea. "Pepper almost died, but a mysterious benefactor saved her."
"That so?" Peter mused, sipping his tea.
"She swore that it was you," Tony said, his piercing gaze stuck on Peter.
Peter swallowed the lump in his throat. "I couldn't just let her die."
"I know, Petey," Tony said, reaching forward and grabbing Peter's hands. "I know."
They were silent for a few minutes. "But maybe it's time we start facing your demons together, Pete," Tony said. "As a family."
Peter smiled sadly. He got up and hugged his Dad once from behind, before walking out of the restaurant. Tony sighed, but jumped and ran outside when he heard a thud.
Tony already had his gauntlet out when he saw Peter with a lance drawn, looking for a threat. Suddenly, a woman tumbled right in front of Peter. Neither of them moved for a second. The woman slowly approached Peter, and Tony got ready to fire. She stopped when their noses were almost touching.
Tony took a step backwards when she grabbed his neck and pulled him down so their lips connected. Tony immediately averted his gaze, feeling confused. Was this against Peter's will? He glanced at them to see Peter's arms wrapped around her tightly. So both of them were into it, then.
Tony started when Harry Osborn landed next to him. "Who the hell is she?" Harry muttered under his breath.
Peter suddenly pushed the woman away. Not being deterred, the woman pressed their foreheads together. "Sorry," Peter breathed. "I didn't know what you were going to do."
"Neither did I, to be honest," she laughed softly. "You're here. Peter, come home," she pleaded.
"I can't go back, MJ," he said sadly. "I can't take the killing anymore."
Harry stormed towards them, and the woman disappeared.
oOo
"Peter, who the hell was that?" Tony seethed.
"She's the daughter of the man who leads my former employers."
"So she's trying to get you to go back to the League?"
"Not exactly," Peter said, biting his lip. "She's trying to get me to go back to her."
"Is she your ex?" Tony demanded.
"Uhh, well, we never technically broke up, so she's technically still my girlfriend," Peter said nervously.
"Great," Tony muttered.
"I do love her, Dad," Peter said. When Tony didn't say anything, he sighed. "You're mad at me."
"Honestly, considering the hell you've been through, I'm just glad there was someone there for you," Tony said. "Even if it is a murdering psycho."
"MJ isn't a psycho," Peter said. "She's just hurt. And with good reason."
"So what are you going to do?"
"She asked me to meet with her at a park we used to go to," Peter muttered. "We being me and Harry."
"Take back up," Tony ordered.
"She won't attack me, Dad," Peter reassured. Just then, Harry stomped in.
"Why the hell didn't you tell me you were dating the future leader of the assassins?" he growled at Peter.
"I was trying to leave it behind," Peter said softly. "I didn't want you to know."
"Well, now she's here, and she's not going to quit unless you go back with her," Harry half yelled.
"Let me meet with her," Peter pleaded both Tony and Harry.
"Fine, but I'll come, too," Harry muttered.
oOo
"I was beginning to think you wouldn't show," MJ murmured when Peter showed up.
"You know me and my tardiness," Peter said, grinning sheepishly.
MJ scoffed and directed beside her. "Walk with me."
Peter got in step with her easily. There was silence between them for a moment. "Peter, why'd you leave?" she finally whispered.
"i told you, Em, I just couldn't do it anymore. I was dying inside."
"And you left me with nothing. . ."
Peter froze and grabbed her shoulders. "Do you think I was with you because you saved my life?" he breathed out, sounding horrified. Her silence confirmed her answer. Peter pressed her head to his chest and hugged her tightly. "MJ, I was with you because I love you. I still do, I just can't go back."
"Well, then," she choked out, pushing Peter away. "I guess I'll have to force you."
A black clad figure landed next to Peter, and Peter was forced to divert his attention as MJ ran off. Tony and Harry rushed in right as Peter forced the guy into a chokehold.
"What do you want?" Harry yelled as the guy began mumbling under his breath.
"What's he saying?" Tony questioned, eyeing Peter warily.
"He's praying," Peter breathed. "NO!" he suddenly yelled as the guy swallowed something. "DON'T YOU - !" It was already to late.
oOo
Tony came back to Stark Tower with a headache. When he made it to the medbay, he froze when he saw Pepper's bed empty.
He rushed in and grabbed a note he noticed on the bedside table.
If you want her back, give me him.
-M
oOo
Peter was standing in front of his gravestone when Tony approached him, holding the note. "She took Pepper, right?"
Tony nodded, unseen by Peter. He swallowed, fingering a second vial in his hand. "I have a plan."
Just then, Tony got a call from a blocked number. Peter snatched the phone from him and pressed it to his ear. "MJ, you don't want to do this."
"You're right," she said. "I don't. But maybe I should. So you know what it feels like. To have someone you love leave your life so suddenly."
"MJ. . ." Peter pleaded.
"But I won't, as long as you turn yourself in."
Peter bit his lip. "Fine."
"You have one hour." The call disconnected.
Peter eyed Tony, both looking equally grim.
oOo
Peter and Tony showed up to the abandoned warehouse Pepper was being held in. Right before they went inside, Peter downed his vial of poison. Tony didn't notice.
First, Tony went storming inside, holding up a gauntlet in defense. "GET AWAY FROM HER!" he shouted, stumbling a little when Pepper gripped him tightly.
He felt Pepper freeze when Peter entered.
"Peter. . ." she breathed, looking astonished.
"Hi, Pepper," Peter said, smiling sadly.
"Peter," Pepper choked, walking towards him slowly as though he was a mirage that would disappear if she moved too fast. She cupped his face before clutching him tightly. Peter wrapped his arms around her and hugged back.
Peter slowly pushed her away and went towards MJ, ignoring how his heart cracked at every one of her pleas to come back, don't leave us again
Peter stumbled as he reached MJ. His legs gave out, and he passed out right at her feet.
MJ quickly sank next to him, clutching his face and noticing the gold specks in his eyes. "No," she breathed. "No, no, NO!"
"I'm sorry," Peter choked out.
Tony let go of Pepper and ran over to the two of them, paling at the sight of Peter's face, obviously dying in front of him. MJ wouldn't let go of him. "Go into my bag," she commanded, her voice devoid of emotion. "There will be a vial of antidote."
Pepper scrambled to the bag and dumped out the contents. She ran over to MJ and Tony and shoved the vial towards MJ. She angled Peter's head up, and gently poured the antidote down his throat.
No one breathed for an instant. Then, Peter shot up and gasped, and MJ choked out a sob and clutched Peter tighter.
Peter passed out fast, but MJ assured Pepper and Tony that was normal.
Tony carefully picked Peter up and led him to the Audi they both came there in. To Pepper and Tony's shock, MJ slid in the back with Peter. Her eyes dared them to object.
They didn't.
oOo
Peter woke up in the Tower's medbay, MJ clutching his hand and fast asleep. Peter smiled and pushed her hair away from her face. Almost instantly, she snapped awake. She relaxed at the sight of Peter awake.
"What were you thinking?" she demanded in lieu of greeting.
Peter bit his lip. "MJ, I can't go back," he said softly.
MJ pursed her lips, before sliding in the bed and cuddling into Peter's chest. Peter adjusted himself so he was spooning her, smiling as they fit together as well as they did the first time they tried this. "I don't want to go back, either."
"Then don't," Peter urged softly. "Stay here, with me. We can go to college, and get degrees, and get married and do a bunch of other things we couldn't over the pond."
MJ still looked hesitant. "MJ, you're the heir to the demon. If anyone can leave, it's you."
She smiled at Peter. "All I want of my life is to be with you."
"That's all I want, too," Peter said softly.
"So we're gonna stay," she said, pressing her head to Peter's chest and listening to his heartbeat.
"Yeah," Peter said.
"Glad you kids cleared that up," Tony said, whirling his way inside.
"Were you spying?" Peter demanded, grinning widely.
"Nah, not much," Tony said, smirking at the affronted look on his face. "Peter, you and MJ can take your old room."
"You'll let me stay here?" MJ asked.
"Of course," Tony said, his eyes softening at the sight of her and Peter cuddled up. "What kind of monster would let a woman who by no doubt saved his son's life multiple times live on the street?"
"Hey," Peter grumbled.
"I've saved his life more times than you can count," MJ said, smirking at the offended look he shot her.
Tony grinned and settled on the chair MJ was previously occupying. "Tell me more."
Peter couldn't help but smile widely when MJ started getting ready to embarrass him with the multiple times that she saved his ass. With his girlfriend in his arms and his father across from him, Peter couldn't help but feel that everything would be okay.
No matter what.