Chapter One
Tony Stark could be labeled a lot of things, but patient wasn't one of them. People had always had a habit of falling all over themselves to get any attention they could from him. It was extremely rare to have someone deny him their time and attention. While he had long accepted that lack of behavior from the other Avengers and Pepper, there was one person who he could not accept it from.
Peter Parker.
The boy had spent the last eight years avoiding him and anything to do with him. Spider-Man had even taken up avoiding any fights that involved The Avengers and if he did join, he left without a word once it was over. The spider themed hero had even turned down multiple offers to join the team, much to their disappointment. Of course, Tony would never admit he most likely was the cause behind his refusal. No, Peter Parker was making it very clear his involvement with any thing Tony Stark related was over completely.
It was driving Tony insane.
From the moment he had met the 15 year old, he knew he was something special. Tony had no doubt he could mold the boy into an amazing hero. Everything had started off so well, that was, until Peter's idol worship vanished under a collapsed building. Peter Parker no longer wanted Tony Stark as a mentor.
The suit Tony had made him was returned as soon as the Vulture had been taken care of. Tony found it on his desk with a yellow post-it note explaining it, and anything else Tony could offer, wouldn't be needed or accepted again. At first Tony had assumed Peter had just been overwhelmed by what had happened and needed some time to deal with things, so he left him alone. A month went by before Tony decided Peter had had enough time and as he prepared to call the boy, a news flash caught him by surprise. A fire in an apartment building in Queens was being reported by the local news. As firefighters gathered and people crowded around the building there was a shout of surprise. Tony watched in shock as Spider-Man swung into the building, quickly flying back out with an infant in his arms. He lowered himself to the ground and handed off the baby to a sobbing, thankful mother. Tony was rooted to the spot as people notedly praised the return of their local hero. His new suit was similar in extent to the one Tony had given him, but it obviously wasn't Tony's suit. No, this suit had been created by someone else. Tony's heart clenched.
Tony kept close watch on the hero for the following few months. His fighting skills had dramatically increased and so had his confidence. It occurred to Tony that Peter was most likely training with someone on the side. Whoever it was, they were very good.
Hell's Kitchen. Daredevil. Spider-Man. The words were being connected more commonly than not as Tony kept a close eye on Peter's nightly movements. While none of The Avengers ever paid much attention to the vigilante from the area known as Hell's Kitchen, Tony suddenly found himself very invested. It was well known Daredevil stuck prominently to that part of town, it had Tony wondering how Spider-Man had become involved. He tried hard to ignore the grim thoughts that Peter had taken up with the man to get the training and mentorship he was no longer interested in from Tony. The thought was depressing. All his grand plans for the growth of both Peter and Spider-Man were quickly slipping through his fingers.
Looking out over New York from his office in Avenger's Tower, Tony sighed as his call went straight to voicemail. It didn't matter how often Peter changed his phone number, he would keep trying. He knew he hadn't exactly done best by the kid, but damnit, he was trying to make amends! If Peter would just stop acting like a child and answer his calls, everything could be worked out and be fine. Peter would get the even more improved suit Tony had made and then accept The Avenger's offer. If Peter would only answer his phone!
~~
Peter Parker had not missed Tony Stark in the past eight years. It didn't help that the man was persistent in trying to talk to him. After Vulture had been taken care of, Peter had had a long talk with May and then returned Tony's suit. He had debated returning to being Spider-Man at all, but May had insisted he not let Tony keep him from what he felt was right. She had quoted his Uncle Ben's advice that with great power came great responsibility. While Peter took to creating technical elements for his new suit, May had worked diligently to help put it together. The two had many discussions about Peter's return to the streets before May finally asked if Peter knew anyone he could get some hero advice from. Knowing how much she worried, Peter set out to find someone he could confide in. His first stop was Reed Richards. The Fantastic Four were well known for their heroic efforts, but Spider-Man was considered a vigilante, and Reed had suggested he find someone that better fit that role. It was then he had been sent to find a man known as Daredevil. Their first meeting had been rocky, but after finally getting to tell his story, the man had quickly taken Peter in. He offered all the advice and training he could to the new, and young, hero. As time went on, Peter and Matt had revealed their identities to each other, and developed a close relationship. Matt had become the closest thing to a father figure since Ben had died. May had been thrilled.
Over time, Peter began to let the fear that Tony would out him to The Avengers, and use it to force him to join, eased. It nagged in the back of his mind the longer the years went on, but the severity of it had decreased. With the decrease in concern came the increase in freedom. No longer worrying about impressing Tony left room for Matt to push Peter to do his best and if he messed up, just learn from it and do better next time. There was no pressure from Matt to be perfect on the first go.
It didn't stop the dance Tony and Peter seemed to be having though. Stark Industries could often keep Tony busy for months on end, which Peter was always thankful for. Time would pass and Peter would begin to think Tony had given up, then he would receive a call or an email. After eight years Peter had yet to figure out why Tony kept reaching out to him.
It had been a month since Tony's last call. The call was followed by an email later that week. It wasn’t really usual for Tony to try to get ahold of him so close together. Peter looked at the large tower in the distance. His legs dangled over the edge of the building he was sitting on. He pulled his mask up just above his nose and blew out a breath. It had been a pretty quiet night and for once he was thankful. He was still nursing a heavily bruised side from a recent fight gone bad. A soft thud, followed by a sweet smell came from behind him.
"Evening Spider. Word on the streets is Daddy Warbucks is growing testy about his little prodigy avoiding home." the silky voice held a tone of amusement. Peter turned to take in the green eyes twinkling with laughter behind the black mask. Felicia Hardy made her way towards him, her hips swaying as her skin tight leather outfit left very little to the imagination. She smiled as she sat down beside him.
"Well he can get over it. Annie is doing just fine." Peter rolled his eyes and leaned back on his hands.
"He's causing the other Avenger's to take a heighted interest in you. If you keep up this avoidance game, you may find yourself in a forced confrontation. They know you're involved with Daredevil, and that you've been seen with me."
"Seriously Cat? He's gonna send a barely recovered team to retrieve me?" Peter frowned.
"They're far from broken Spider. You really need to start paying attention to the biggest group of heroes in the city. They're even more united now and it's really putting a damper on business." Felicia pouted and tossed up the middle finger towards the large Avenger's Tower. Peter chose to ignore her complaints that her endeavors were being thwarted.
"Well, I want no part of Tony Stark and that includes The Avengers."
Felicia sighed as she turned back to him.
"You know I'm completely behind your decision, but it doesn't mean I don't worry. If The Avengers do decide to bring you in, you may not be able to keep that pretty face hidden. They'll want to know since none of them kept their identities secret from each other."
Peter took another deep breath. "Tony's not a monster. I may not be his biggest fan but I don't think he'd hurt me that way, at least not anymore. However, if he thinks having The Avengers get involved in trying to force my hand is a good idea, he's mistaken. I don't have time for someone who thinks taking away a suit would stop me from being Spider-Man. I have a permanent scar on my back as a reminder the suit isn't what makes me able to fight. My brain is my biggest asset. If I had been less focused on the suit and how I needed to impress Tony, I probably could have handled things better. I was Spider-Man before Tony Stark, and I've remained Spider-Man after him."
The two sat silently for a moment before Felicia spoke.
"I don't disagree with you Spider. I just want to make sure I'm free for a fight if it comes down to it." She winked.
Peter paused and studied her face. Felicia had become a staple in his life the past three years. Their first run in had been him stopping her from robbing a jewelry store, which had only led to her amusement. Over the next few months she had taken to trying larger heists just to lure him out. The longer they interacted, the encounters started to shift until they eventually found themselves in bed together. They revealed their identities to each other and dated a year before calling it quits and becoming friends with benefits.
"Don't even start Parker." Felicia frowned, interrupting his thoughts. "I know that look and I'll rat you out to May and daddy Daredevil if you try to take all this on alone." she said crossing her arms.
"Sometimes it worries me how much you talk to May and that you feel comfortable enough approaching Daredevil to tattle on me."
Felecia chuckled as she ran her finger down his cheek and on to his chest.
"Together or not, you'll always be my spider. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a date to get to." She grinned as she placed a quick peck on his lips and stood up.
"Kiss and run? You tease you!" Peter grinned at her.
"Oh you know where I am anytime lover." she smirked over her shoulder and slapped her ass with a giggle. "Now go do that deep thinking you do whenever I bring you big news. I'm going to have some fun."
Peter watched as she disappeared over the side of the building. He didn't feel like putting thought in to what she had told him this time. Stretching slowly to avoid aggravating his bruises, he decided to call it a night. Maybe he needed to follow Felicia's lead and try dating again. As he swung off the building back towards Aunt May's, he knew that wasn't going to happen though.