Chapter 5
‘Karen, where is that green guy at?’
‘You are close to him now Peter. He is near your school are.’
Peter spotted the guy and swin1ged to him. He kicked him in the ribs. The Goblin flew away a little before striking back at Peter, hit him hard in the face. Peter could taste blood and fell to top of a building. His body hit the floor hard. Peter winced, his bones were hurting. The Goblin followed Peter; they were standing at the roof of an apartment.
‘Peter, I have to inform Mr. Stark, you are hurt.’ Said Karen.
‘No no no no no. Don’t you dare, Karen. Besides he is out own town.’ He panicked.
‘I don’t have choice, Peter.’ Tony was going to kill Peter.
A robotic voice spoke
‘So nice to meet you properly this time, Spiderman.’
‘You won’t be this happy when I hand you over to cops.’ Peter was back on his feet now. He jumped towards the Goblin with his fist in the air, ready to launch. Peter’s fist collided with the metal of his suit, crushing it inwards.
‘Super strength huh, great.’
‘Incoming call, Mr. Stark would like to talk to you.’ Shit.
Goblin came to stand before him. ‘I can’t wait to see what else you can do.’ He tried to punch Peter but he was quicker, caught his fist in the air.
‘Peter?! Answer me right now.’ Tony’s voice came to the suit.
‘Once again, didn’t fail to amaze me.’ Said the Goblin.
‘Shut up.’ Peter kicked him in the stomach.
‘Did you just told me to shut up?!’ Peter’s eyes widened.
‘NO. Mr. Stark I wasn’t talking to you. I am just dealing with some stuff here.’
‘Oh I’ve heard. Go home right now. I will be there in a few minutes.’
‘No. I can handle this I promise. Don’t come please.’
The Goblin shook his head. ‘I don’t want visitors Spiderman. We better finish before your visitor arrives. You're coming with me.’ He caught Peter’s arm, twisting it to his back.
‘Ahh.’ Peter hit the Goblin with his head ‘No way I am not coming with you.’
The voice of Tony’s jet boots could be heard now, Peter tilted his head and saw the Iron Man suit flying towards them.
‘Well hello there. I heard there was a party going on here.’ He launched to the roof top. ‘And I thought who better than Tony Stark to bring fun.’
‘This is not done here Peter Parker.’ Said the Green Goblin before throwing a pumpkin bomb to Peter and flying away. Tony was about to follow him but then he glanced to Peter who was surrounded by fog. He went to his side.
‘Peter?’ He went inside the fog and took Peter in his arms to carry him out of the fog. Peter coughed. ’Breathe kid.’ Tony took his hand to take of the mask but Peter stopped him.
‘N.no..Someone can see.’ Tony sighed and flew away with Peter in his arms.
---
Peter was back to normal, free from the effects of the smoke. He was sitting on the living room sofa with Pepper by his side.
‘TELL ME PETER! WHY DID YOU GO AGAINST MY WORDS?’ Tony’s heart ached. God, he was old for this.
‘Tony, lower your tone a little.’ Said Pepper.
‘..You could have died Peter. Do you know how stupid that was? Tell me one good reason to justify your actions.’
‘I-I thought I could-I mean..’ He felt tears falling from his eyes.
‘AND HE KNEW YOUR NAME!’ And that was what scared Peter the most.
Pepper decided to put an end to this ‘Okay, how about we talk later, when everyone is calmer.’
‘Whatever. I need to make some calls to deal with this mess.’ Said Tony and left. Peter didn’t say anything.
‘Why don’t you take a warm shower Peter. I am sure it will help you relax. I will calm Tony down.’ Her hand went to her stomach.
‘Are you okay?’ Asked Peter with his eyes fixed on her stomach. Pepper followed his gaze and smiled.
‘I am fine. Don’t worry.’ Peter nodded and left.
---
Tony came to Peter’s room a few hours later.
‘Peter, can we talk?’ Peter knew there was no running from this talk. At least he is not that angry anymore, Peter thought.
‘Sure.’ Tony sat next to him on the bed.
‘I am sorry I yelled so much. I was worried. I still am.’
‘I know, I am worried too. The guy knows my name. What am I going to do?’ Peter looked at Tony with a concerned look.
‘I don’t know. Did you tell anyone about being Spiderman?’
‘No. I promise.’
‘I am looking for that weirdo, I will figure something out when I find him. Until then there isn’t much we can do about it.’ Peter nodded. ‘Are we on the same page about how reckless your behaviors were?’
‘Yeah... I am really sorry. Just wanted to clear my mind...’
‘From what?’
‘I…congratulations Tony, on your baby. Pepper told me.’ So that was what this is about?
‘Damn, I wanted to tell you myself. I guessed you might be a little upset about it. But you don’t need to be, okay? This won’t change anything.’
‘How?... I mean you will be a father now and when the baby arrives you won’t have time for me and eventually you will send me away….’
‘No...I already feel like a father kid. Don’t get me wrong I am not saying I am your father. I would never pressure you into something like this. It’s just how I feel.’
‘R.Really?’ A tear fell from Peter’s eye.
‘Yes really. In fact, I sometimes think about making this guardianship a temporary thing...like adopting you. But don’t worry I wouldn’t do that. I know you would prefer things this way.’ He shuffled Peter’s
hair.
‘Y-you want to adopt me? Really?’ Peter decided to summon his courage and tell what is in his heart. ‘I-I would really like that Mr. Stark.’
‘What? You would?’ He was smiling now. Peter returned his smile. ‘Okay. Alright. I-I will make that happen.’ Even Tony stuttered.
He looked directly into Peter’s eyes. ‘Your sister is so lucky to have you as a brother, Peter.’ He wrapped his arms around Peter.
Peter was crying again. He had a family again, this was his second chance. He didn’t say anything. Just hugged Tony.
---
‘Why did you tell the kid you’re pregnant Pep? He thought I was going to put him into the system.’ Tony went to his room after his talk with Peter and found Pepper reading a book in the bed.
‘Oh no. I am so stupid. Is he okay now?’ Pepper felt so bad.
‘Yeah. I guess. Pepper I am going to adopt him.’ Pepper smiled.
‘I knew this would happen someday. And I am glad it is now, maybe it would help him feel more like a part of this family.’ She took Tony’s hand and put it over her stomach.
‘I think the same.’ He rubbed her stomach. ‘So about our wedding, I was thinking we could do it in the summer maybe?’
‘Summer is great.’ She kissed him.
---
2 MONTHS LATER
The sun was rising; Norman sat down on his desk with a black coffee mug in his hand. He couldn’t sleep all night thinking about ways to capture his little spider. He needed to get him alone without
getting the attention of Tony. From their previous meeting Norman concluded that Stark would probably always learn about Peter’s condition whenever he was in the suit. After all Tony built that suit and
he was sure there were trackers in it. So he would have to get Peter when he is not in the suit.
This whole situation was making him extremely happy, not only because he was going to finally have his spider but also because of the feelings it would cause to Tony. His mind traced back to the time in which the civil war has taken place. God, he was really happy when he heard that stupid boy band was done. Now, this was going to be the final touch up to make sure Tony would never get back up.
He looked outside from the big window before him and spoke to himself. ‘A few more days, my spider. A few more days and we will be together.’
---
‘Pepper I was thinking, since today is Saturday and the kid doesn’t have school, maybe we can go on a little family vocation.’ Tony was lying in bed with Pepper with his arms wrapped around her.
‘Honey, I don’t know. Peter probably has homework to do and I also have to work. Summer is coming soon, we can do your little vocation plan when we are more free.’ She caressed Tony’s cheek with her hand.
‘Pep, the kid can do his homework in Malibu. And for you, you know how I feel about you working so hard. I can handle the work until little baby Stark is here.’
‘Oh my God, did I hear wrong or did you just seriously wanted to take responsibility from work, voluntarily?’
‘Very funny. So it is set then. Get ready, I will wake the kid up and make sure the jet is waiting for us.’
Pepper nodded smilingly.
---
Tony knocked on Peter’s door and he answered immediately ‘Come in.’
Tony got in and saw Peter sitting on his bed with a book in his lap. ‘Hey Tony. What’s wrong?’
Tony made a wry face ‘Nothings is wrong. Why would anything be wrong, can’t I just come to my kid’s room to check on him.’ Peter smiled at that.
‘Sorry. I just know you have been very busy this week and it is very early. I saw you coming in late last night, you should still be asleep.’
Tony sat next to Peter. ‘I know. I am really sorry kiddo. I told you I was going to be busier for the following months but I should have still made more time for you.’
‘I-I didn’t mean it like that.’
‘Like what?’
‘Like I am blaming you. I am not.’ Tony smiled.
‘You can, Pete. I wasn’t home a lot this week.’
‘You are just trying to protect your baby Mr. Stark…’ Peter hated himself for still feeling angry and sad about the baby. He could only hope Tony didn’t catch those feelings from his tone.
‘That is no excuse to not spend time with my other baby.’ Peter’s eyes flew to Tony’s face with the biggest smile on his lips. He couldn’t hide his surprise.
‘I am not a baby Mr. Stark!’ Tony chuckled.
‘Right. So, to make it up to you I have surprise for you which is actually why I am awake this early. We are going to Malibu for the weekend. I have a beach house that you will love.’
‘Whaat? I have never been to Malibu before, that is awesome…But, I can’t come Mr. Stark, I got homework.’
‘Oh no not this again.’ Tony smiled thinking about the day he met Peter and how he said the same thing about going to Germany. ‘There is no law in Malibu about not doing homework. Get ready, we are
leaving in 30 minutes. You can eat your breakfast in jet.’
---
‘Wow Mr.Stark this place is awesome! I can’t wait to tell all about to May. Maybe I can show her some pictures.’ Peter has been wandering in Tony’s beach house for the past 15 minutes while Tony was
relaxing on the beach with Pepper.
‘Sure kid. Now sit down so I can put this sunscreen on you.’
‘Do I even need sunscreen?’ Tony shrugged.
‘I don’t know but Pepper asked me to do it and I know not to cross with her. You know how she has been lately.’
‘ANTHONY EDWARD STARK! I am right here!’ Peter laughed which caused Pepper to soften.
‘Just kidding honey.’ Said Tony while putting on the cream.
Pepper rolled her eyes at Tony while Peter got up and started to run towards the sea. ‘Don’t go too far Peter!’ He turned back towards her and gave her a thumbs up. Pepper smiled. ‘How is the adoption
process going?’
‘Good. I think it will be finalized next week.’
‘I am so happy for you guys.’ She held his hand.
‘He is going to be yours too, when we get married.’
‘I know Tony and ı couldn’t be happier about it. I can see how much you’ve changed ever since you met Peter.’ She tapped her hand on his knee.
Tony was aware of the change. He never saw himself as the best father figure but he was all Peter got so he had to try his best. The kid seemed happy, so he was doing something right.
They were lying silently on the sand, sunbathing for 15 minutes until Pepper remembered about an invitation she received.
‘Honey are we going to the Mr. Harrison’s birthday party tonight. You know how much he insisted.’
Tony sighed. That stupid Harrison guy was a friend of Pepper’s and also a business partner. ‘Can’t we just skip, Pep?’
‘Well, I would rather if we didn’t...’
Was the guy following their moves and decided to throw a party just on the day they came to the town? ‘Fine, If it’s going to make you happy, then I guess we can go for a few hours.’
‘Go where?’ Asked Peter, standing right before them, water dripping from his body.
Tony extended a towel to him as he answered ‘A friend of ours who lives in Malibu is throwing a party tonight. We are just gonna go to make the guy happy.’
‘Oh. Okay I can watch movies or something until you guys come back.’
‘No no, you are coming with us. This is a family vocation so whatever we are doing, we do it together.’
Peter nodded with a frowned face on but inside, he was feeling happy, happy to hear Tony is considering them as family.
---
The party was at a yacht that was bigger than Peter’s old apartment in Queens. He tried his best to hide his awe but it seems he wasn’t very good at it. ‘You know if I knew you liked yachts this much I
would have taken you to my own instead of the beach house.’
‘You have a yacht like this?’ Peter turned to Tony. ‘
‘No, nothing like this. Mine is a lot bigger.’ Tony saw Peter’s eyes growing as he continued ‘We will use it for the next vocation.’
‘Oh, there is Mr. Harrison is over there, let’s go say hello.’ Said Pepper in a cheerful voice. Peter wished he was as happy as she was. He was really nervous to meet with their friends. What if they didn’t like
him, what if he doesn’t fit in? He could already feel people’s eyes on himself.
Tony looked over to the direction Pepper pointed and saw the person he least expected to. ‘Oh, you have got to be kidding with me. What the fuck is Osborn doing here?’ Peter also turned his head there
after he heard the name ‘Osborn’.
‘I didn’t know he knew Harrison. Tony promise me you won’t cause a scene.’ Pepper show Tony a very serious glare.
‘When did I eve-?’
‘Now Tony.’
‘Fine. Promise.’
Peter wondered if Harry was also here. Maybe hanging out with him will make this whole experience easier.
After 30 minutes of meeting new people, Peter lost his hope; Harry was nowhere to be seen. He didn’t answer his phone calls either. Here comes another person, Peter thought as a stranger approached
them.
‘Hello Tony, Ms. Potts, how nice it is to finally see you two again? Congratulations on the baby.’ Now that Pepper’s belly was showing the rumors that magazines were writing about were facts to the world.
There was no more hiding it.
‘Thank you so much. How have you been?’ Pepper was polite, more patient towards people.
‘Same as always, dealing with my teenage son’s problematic behaviors, aren’t they the worst?’ The guy laughed as he looked at Peter. If Peter wasn’t feeling bad already, he most certainly was now. Why
does everyone on this boat have to hate him? ‘Now that you got yourselves a brand new teenager, you can understand my situation.’
‘Peter is not like other teenagers. He is very mature.’ Tony decided to answer this one. Peter found it hard to believe, he wasn’t mature at all.
‘Yeah sure, maybe he hasn’t reached his puberty yet. No wonder his face looks like a 12 years old’s.’
‘I don’t like the way you are talking about my son so you better get your ass away from here before I do something I’d regret.’
Did Tony just call him his son? Peter felt something hot inside his chest as he involuntarily scooped closer to Tony’s side.
The man was shocked, he looked at Pepper for any reaction but she just stood there with a blank face, so he decided to leave after murmuring a quiet goodbye.
Peter wondered what Tony would do if he heard all the things he has been hearing from people ever since they arrived? Why did Tony take this weird kid in, is he going to be a heir for Stark Industries
some people even said he was probably Tony’s biological kid and the adoption was fake. Well, Tony would most likely set this place on fire, Peter thought to himself. A figure waving at him from a distance snapped him out. Was that Harry? Thank God.
He gave his attention to Tony and Pepper who were in argument. From what Peter heard, Pepper was scolding Tony for acting like a child. He decided to step in now to save Tony out of his misery.
‘Uh, guys? Can I go watch the sea a little? I will be back soon.’ He didn’t want to tell them he was going to see Harry. He knew Tony didn’t approve their friendship.
‘Sure kid, at least one of us can have peace.’
Pepper rolled her eyes before saying ‘Be careful honey.’ Peter nodded and left their side.
---
‘Harry! You have no idea how happy I am to see you here. This place is suffocating me.’
‘Yeah I can understand why.’ Peter looked at him questioningly. ‘I just heard people talking… They are meaningless forget about it. These people are always like that.’
‘I just feel like I don’t belong here, you know… Even this suit feels foreign.’ Harry would understand, he always does.
‘You will get used to it. After all this is your life now Peter. You will probably take over Tony’s company one day.’ Harry’s phone beeped making him check it. ‘Whatever, follow me, I know how to cheer you
up.’
‘If you say so.’ Said Peter as he was following Peter towards the back of the boat. ‘Where are we going?’
‘You’ll see.’