Chapter 2
The Husbands.
Steve: Boys.
Steve: Have you seen the video?
Tony: Video? What video?
Steve: Petra was mobbed by this paparazzi guy
Bucky: What?!
Tony: Are you fucking kidding me? Who is this guy? I’m going to make his life a living hell
Bucky: She came back home an hour ago and didn’t say anything.
Bucky: She’s in her room doing homework. Should I talk to her about it? Should I wait for you guys to get home then talk to her?
Steve: I don't think we need to do anything.
Steve: Just watched the video
Steve: *has attached a link to a youtube video*
The video opens up to a shaky camera with panting sound in the background as the paparazzi man chases up to a young girl, not more than fifteen. Petra was wearing her hoodie over her trademark science pun T-shirt and jeans. The man caught up to her and shoved a camera in her face, clearly startling her. Furrowing her brows, she removed her headphones and gave the man a confused look.
“Petra Parker?” he asked, voice sounding annoyingly smug.
Petra looked him up and down, frowning. “No, sorry. You got the wrong girl” she said, trying to walk away. But the guy blocked her path.
“No- I mean- I know you’re Petra Parker! Good to meet you.”
“Who are you?” Petra asked, clearly uncomfortable with the whole situation if the way she kept eyeing the camera was anything to go by.
“Oh, my name’s Carter Pryce from Tech.Co. Publishing. Just wondered if it might be cool if I ask you a couple of questions, just have a nice little chat.”
“No thanks.” Petra said, trying her best to shut him down but of course, the man didn’t back down.
“What do you think of the rumors that are spreading around about you and your relationship with Tony Stark? Cause it’s some pretty heavy stuff.”
“Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s bullshit.” Petra said.
“Right, right, but I have to admit, it sounds pretty plausible. What are your thoughts on that?”
“I stay away from social media so I honestly don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Carter continued, “So,I mean…” he said, dragging his words, “ The rumors are that someone as young as you...interning for Stark…and how you managed to land the job~”. Clearly trying to imply something, it was evident in his voice that he was grinning, taking some sick pleasure out of the situation, but Petra stood her ground.
She stopped walking and looked directly at him. She had her pride and her resolve so when her talents were brought into question, it was no wonder that she got defensive.
“What?”
“Hey, that’s what people have been speculating-”
“Look buddy,” Petra interrupted, her expression cold and unimpressed, clearly having understood his insinuation but not giving him the satisfaction of a response, “If you want to accuse me something, come out and say instead of jumping around the topic like a pussy.”
The man stuttered, clearly not expecting her to curse at him but he continued, “OK, but if I say it, you can't get mad at me.”
Somehow Petra’s disgusted expression became worse, “We’re not friends.” she stated, “I don't owe you anything. Now out with it.”
“Well...people are accusing you of sleeping with Tony Stark to get that internship.” he finally said
- Video is paused -
Tony: Are you fucking KIDDING ME???
Tony: Someone had the balls to talk to my baby like this????
Tony: Who is this fucker? I’m going to kill him
Bucky: According to the description, his name is Carter Pryce. We can get Jarvis to find his address.
Bucky: I am going to break his neck.
Steve: That’s not going to be necessary. Just keep watching
Tony: What else is there to watch?
Tony: Some baby-dicked fuckbucket thought he had the right to harass my daughter
Tony: And he’s going to pay the fucking price for it!
Steve: Trust me babe, keep watching.
- Video is playing -
Petra raised an eyebrow, “Who are these ‘people’” she asked, accompanying the word with air quotes.
“Uh...people online-”
“How many?” she interrupted.
“Uh-”
“What are their names? What is their relationship to me or to Mr.Stark?”
“I don’t...know.”
“OK. So a bunch of random people said stupid shit on the internet with no evidence or facts and you think that's enough reason to come up and question me about it.” she said, sarcastically.
“But still!” he defended, “It makes sense that people have this question.
Petra’s eyes went stone cold, “...Makes sense?”
“Yes, I mean, come on.” the guy said, chuckling, “No offense sweetheart, but this is Stark industries we’re talking about. The smartest man on Earth and he took you as an intern? Obviously there must be something going on behind the scenes.”
Petra took a second to breathe before saying:
“Is that all you think women are capable of?”
“What?”
“Do you think the only way women can succeed is if they sleep with men?”
“I-”
“Of course! Because women aren't smart enough, right?” Petra said, clearly angry, “Women don't have the brains to get a great Stark internship so of course, you think we need to fuck our way to the top.”
“Hey! Don’t make this a gendered thing kiddo,” he poorly defended, “I was referring to your age.”
“Tony Stark was younger than me when he joined MIT.” Petra stated, “Are you going to accuse him of sleeping with his teachers?”
“Wh- of course not-”
“Of course not.” Petra repeated, condescending, “Why is that?”
“B-Because…” he trailed off, not knowing what to say.
“Because you think that women are not capable of being smart enough to be associated with Tony Stark, well let me break your bubble,” she took another breath, “Fifty percent of the people working in Stark industries are women. Majority of the products that were released were made by women. The latest Stark phone was made by a whole team of talented people, the head of who, was a woman. Pepper Potts, the CEO of a multi-million dollar company is, guess what? A woman.”
The man didn't reply, the camera shaking slightly. Out of embarrassment or anger, no one knows but Petra still continued. She moved a bit closer, bringing a finger up to point at the guy,
“I’ve earned my place as an intern there.” she said, “I’ve proven myself over and over again and you can choose to believe that or not, I do not care. But that does not give you the right to run up to me and accuse me of doing disgusting things. Not only are you harassing a minor,” she pointed to herself, “But I don’t think you realize that you’re accusing Tony Stark of committing a serious crime. You’re lucky if you’re not fired after this.”
Done with the whole situation, Petra made a show of fishing out her headphones.
In a last ditch attempt, he yelled out: “If I get fired that’s proof that you’re sleeping with Tony Stark.”
“Nah dude,” she said, “That’s just proof that he’s a decent human being.” with that, she put the headphones on and walked away, and this time, the man was smart enough to not stop her.
- Video end -
Steve: See? She handled him like a champ.
Bucky: She sure did.
Tony: How was she when she got home, Buck?
Bucky: She seemed fine. Still smiling and cheerful as always.
Bucky: And you know how awful she is at hiding her emotions, so I think she is OK.
Tony: Right, OK.
Steve: She’s fine, Tony. You saw how she fought against that asshole. Just like her Dad.
Bucky: We are all her dad, Steve.
Steve: Yes honey, but you know what I mean.
Tony: Speaking of assholes, I still want to find that guy and make him regret he was ever born.
Steve: Oh, you don't need to do that.
Steve: - Steve sent an article written by a news blog titled: Sexist reporter gets fired after harassing Petra Parker. The internet rallied and made sure justice was served -
Steve: Turns out, the video got leaked and a whole bunch of people came forward in support of Petra.
Steve: The overall demand that the reporter gets fired was so huge the company had no choice but to comply. They even issued an apology statement.
Steve: Safe to say, he won't be working anywhere for awhile.
Tony: Have to say that I'm a bit bummed that I couldn't do it myself, but this is a nice option too.
Bucky: Well, I mean, he could be caught in an ‘accident’ that leaves him with multiple broken bones…
Steve: Bucky, no.
Tony: Bucky, yes.
Steve: Can we not focus on that bastard and instead focus on our daughter, please?
Tony: …
Tony: Yeah, you’re right
Tony: Don't want to give that piece of shit the satisfaction of even thinking about him.
Bucky: Should I go talk to her?
Steve: I think that would be nice. Tell her how proud we are of her
Tony: Tell her I'm going to smother her with affection and food when I get back
Steve: We all are
~~~~~
“Guys, stop! You’re embarrassing me!” Petra whined weakly as Steve kissed her cheek for what seemed like the fiftieth time. The man laughed, giving her another tight hug before he let her go.
“Take pity on your old men.” Bucky said, ruffling her hair affectionately, “We just want to tell you how proud we are.”
“I know and I appreciate that, but I’m not five anymore, you don’t need to smother me.”
When Tony and Steve arrived home, Petra was called into the living room where they proceeded to tell her that they saw the video and that they were so proud of her, a sentiment that she liked but couldn't help but feel embarrassed by.
“You know, just because you said that, I'm coming in." Tony said with a grin.
“No- no- aaagh!” Petra groaned as Tony tackled her, pushing them both down onto the sofa. She couldn't help but laugh as her father basically lied down on top of her, always the dramatic.
“Ugh- do whatever you want, I’m looking at my phone.”
“OK great, I can see who you're texting.” Tony said, moving his head appropriately.
“...Never mind.”
Bucky laughed as he leaned down to place kisses on her forehead. Even though they were smiling and laughing, Petra knew that the men couldn't help but feel like they had to overcompensate. Being the child of three fathers, there was no stable mother figure in Petra’s life. So when cases of harassment or sexism came up, issues that they couldn't personally relate with, they did their best to show Petra that they were there for her and would support her no matter what. It was their way of showing her support and she couldn't be more grateful.
Even though the affection she was receiving was a bit over the top, she took it with a smile, knowing that no matter how many sexist assholes were thrown her way, she had her fathers to protect her if needed.