Bullies & Ballparks
“FRIDAY, why did you lower my music? I told you I didn’t want to be disturbed for the next hour,” Tony said, not looking up as he continued to tear apart one of his older-model jet boots.
It was a Tuesday, which meant that Peter would be coming over to act the part of the over eager intern that he officially was now. For today’s project Tony planned to have the kid put the boot jet back together from scratch. After months of lab safety training sessions and age-appropriate engineering projects, Tony felt that the kid was finally ready to start working on more advanced tech, namely his own Iron Man suits. He couldn’t wait to see the look on Peter’s face when he came over.
“Sorry Boss, but you have received a call from Midtown School of Science and Technology in regards to a situation involving Peter. I put them on hold, should I put you through?” FRIDAY asked calmly.
“What? Of course, and put it through to my phone,” Tony ordered, dropping the mangled boot jet on the lab bench as he stood up to retrieve his nearby phone. He quickly grabbed his phone and put it to his ear. “Hello? Who is this?”
“Hello, my name is Ken Morita, I am the principal of Midtown School of Science and Technology,” a serious sounding voice intoned. “This number was listed as the emergency contact of Peter Parker in the case that his guardian could not be reached, however it was listed with a fake name. May I know to whom I am speaking to?”
“This is Tony Stark. And yes, it really is him,” Tony answered. There was shocked silence on the other side, but where Tony would usually feel some sort of cynical satisfaction all he felt was impatience and a touch of fear because of course something had happened to Peter. At this rate the kid was going to give him a full head of grey hair by the end of the year.
Morita coughed on the other side in obvious surprise before continuing, “Uh, well hello Mr. Stark, I wasn’t sure if Peter was being serious or not, but I can see now that he was. Anyway, I need either you or May Parker to come and pick up Peter as he is being suspended for fighting with another student.”
“Wait, what?” Tony asked, now his turn to be surprised. Of all the things that he was expecting, this was not even on the spectrum of things that he thought would happen with Peter. The kid was so gentle and light-hearted that Tony had never even seen him truly get angry, not even against the criminals he fought on a daily basis. Annoyed sure, sometimes even pissed, but never truly angry to where he would start a physical altercation. “Are you sure we’re talking about the right Peter Parker? Fluffy brown hair, kind of short, literally one of the most well-behaved teenagers on the face of the planet?”
“I know it may seem shocking, Mr. Stark, but I can assure you we are talking about the right Peter Parker,” Morita responded wryly. “However, as I can guess you want to know the full situation, I would suggest you to come down to the school at your earliest convenience as I can better explain what happened in person.”
“Alright sure, I’ll be there in a half hour,” Tony promised, grabbing his suit jacket as he ran to the garage for a car. He silently thanked his luck that he was in his new Queens building today instead of the Avengers compound. If he sped just a bit he could even get to Peter’s school in twenty minutes.
“Perfect, when you come in please use the visitor’s entrance,” Morita advised. “See you soon Mr. Stark.”
Unlike the Avenger’s compound Tony didn’t keep too many cars in the Queens building. He kept his favored R8 in the garage (mostly because Peter loved to practice driving in that car, to the point where Tony even considered giving it to him, though he was sure May would throw a fit if he did that), along with four more cars that didn’t draw as much attention. Tony briefly thought about taking his most inconspicuous vehicle, but finally decided to take the R8 since it was his fastest car.
He practically lept into the car as he started it with the wireless remote. Where normally Tony would appreciate his favorite car for a moment before driving he now instead put it into gear and sped off towards Peter’s school. He needed to make sure his kid was ok right now.
Just like Tony thought it didn’t take him a half hour to get to Midtown High School. It didn’t even take him twenty minutes. In fact, Tony managed to get there within fifteen minutes by speeding and breaking most traffic laws.
He parked his car nearby to the school and got out. He spotted the visitor’s entrance and smoothly went up to the secretary inside. She looked pretty young, most likely still in college.
“Hello, I’m here for a meeting with Principal Morita,” Tony informed her.
The secretary, who hadn’t looked up from the paperwork in front of her, hummed in acknowledgement before replying, “Mr. Morita is currently in a meeting with another set of parents at the moment. You’ll have to wait a moment.”
“That’s fine, but I would like to see my…” Tony trailed off as he realized he didn’t quite know how to address Peter as. It would seem odd to say intern because it seemed so formal, but he couldn’t exactly say son either. Finally, he finished lamely, “Kid before the meeting. His name’s Peter Parker, and Morita told me he got into a fight, so I just wanted to make sure he’s alright.”
“That’s fine, he’s in another room waiting to speak to you and Mr. Morita. I’ll take you to him.” The secretary finally picked up her head, and Tony could see the moment when she realized exactly who he was. Her brown eyes widened as she breathed, “Holy crap, Tony Stark?”
“In the flesh,” he winked. “Now take me to my kid, please.”
To the secretary’s credit she merely nodded before leading him down the hall to what looked like a lounge area. From the window on the door Tony could see Peter laying down on a couch, a hand lifted to his face to hold a bag of ice against his left eye. Before he entered, he turned to the secretary and said, “I would really appreciate it if you didn’t inform too many people that I’m here. I’d like to keep it on the down-low, for Peter’s sake at least.”
The secretary smiled slightly and inclined her head. “Of course, I understand completely. I’ll come get both of you when Mr. Morita is ready.” She turned to walk away before she hesitatingly turned back. “And Mr. Stark? I know it’s not my place to comment on situations like these to a parent or guardian, but go easy on Peter. The fight wasn’t his fault, the other boy was teasing him and his friend. Pete’s normally such a well-behaved boy, but I can’t say the same about the other student.”
Tony blinked at the secretary before giving her a real smile. “Thank you so much for telling me that.”
“No problem, Mr. Stark, tell Peter I hope his eye is feeling better.” With that the secretary turned on her heels and walked back down the hall.
Glancing once again to Peter, Tony took a deep breath and opened the door. By the time he closed the door behind him Peter had gotten up to sit in an upright position. He also took off the bag of ice from his eye, revealing a deeply bruised left side of his face, and Tony could feel his anger rise because someone had hurt his kid.
Before Tony could even address Peter the kid spoke up first. “I am so beyond sorry they called you, Mr. Stark,” Peter said, eyes downcast as he fidgeted with the bag of ice in his hands. “They tried calling May first but she didn’t answer because she’s working. I told them you were probably busy, too, but they didn’t really believe me when I said you were actually Tony Stark. I don’t know why May put you as my emergency contact, I think she couldn’t think of anyone else to put down. But I swear if I would have known I wouldn’t have handed in the stupid paper because I know you’re always really busy and don’t have time to deal with stupid school emergencies and stuff. I’m really sorry for making you deal with this,” Peter babbled, voice wavering and breathing coming out quick.
“Hey, hey, kiddo calm down, it’s ok,” Tony soothed as he went to sit down next to Peter. He tentatively put his left arm around the kid’s shoulders, and squeezed when he felt Peter lean against his side. “I was the one to suggest to May to put me down as your emergency contact.”
“Huh?” Peter blinked up at him. “Why would you do that?”
“What do you mean ‘why,’ kid? For someone so smart, you sure can ask some pretty dumb questions,” Tony groaned with a shake of his head. “Pete, if something happens to you, I would want to know, especially if your school couldn't get into contact with May. I told May to put me down because I know you two don't have anymore family in the area, and even if I wasn't in the city I could always just fly out here in the blink of an eye. Don't ever think I'm too busy to help you, kiddie.”
“Oh,” Peter said shyly, looking down at his feet as he gave a small smile. “Thanks Mr. Stark.”
“No need to thank me, but what I would like is your side of the story because I know you, and Peter Parker doesn't just get into a fight in school for no reason.”
Peter bit his bottom lip, one hand fidgeting with the bag of ice and the other clenched tightly with his nails digging into his palm. Tony noticed what Peter was doing, and gently unclenched the boy’s hand before he could draw blood from himself. “We talked about this kid, no using your nails on your palm.”
“S-sorry,” Peter stammered, “it just, y’know, grounds me to the moment.” He took a shaky breath as he closed his eyes. When he opened them he stared dully at the wall opposite of them. “The fight was my fault.”
Tony knit his eyebrows. “That wasn't what the secretary told me outside. She said whoever beat on you was teasing you first. So how about you start your story there, and no blaming yourself while telling it.”
Peter frowned, but nodded. “It was lunch period. Ned and I were sitting in our usual place, just talking and stuff. And then, well this kid name Flash came up to us to ask if Ned could do his Matlab homework for him. Ned being Ned said no, but he offered to help Flash do it, but, uh, Flash got really pissed. He started to call Ned a fatty, and told him the reason he couldn't get a date to the spring fling was because he was so fat and stuff like that. I know that hurt Ned, so I told Flash to back off. I don't know, I guess stuff started escalating because all of a sudden Flash said…” Peter grimaced as he trailed of. He went back to staring at his hands, but Tony could see the tears glistening in his eyes.
“What did he say?” Tony asked seriously.
Peter didn't speak for a moment, just breathing in a way that told Tony the kid was trying to keep the tears at bay. Tony squeezed the boy’s shoulder in what he hoped was a comforting gesture. It seemed to work as Peter’s breathing grew less heavy. He sniffled slightly as he continued his story. “Flash has always been bothering me, since eighth grade. I don't know why, but it's always me. But he’s never been so, um, cruel before because he said… He said the reason why my parents and Uncle Ben died was because they didn't want to be around some freak like me. That I'm cursed, and everyone I love is gonna die one day and leave me all alone.” By the time Peter finished he was whispering, but Tony could still hear the hurt in his voice.
“What the actual living fu- I mean frack,” Tony seethed, barely managing to censor himself. He could feel his gut clench anger as he mulled over Peter’s story in his head. “So you’re telling me some little asshole said that crap to you, brought up your dead family to hurt you, just because your best friend didn't want to help him cheat? That's bullshit, if you look like that I hope the other kid looks much worse.”
Peter’s eyes widened. “No! Don't say that! I shouldn't have hit him. I mean, I only punched him the one first time and that's it.”
Tony couldn't help himself, he had to get up and pace. “You didn't even try to defend yourself? Why the Hell not!”
“Because I’m just Peter Parker!” Peter snapped, also getting up. Before Tony could argue back the kid continued, “In school I’m just Peter Parker, not,” Peter paused to lower his voice considerably, “I’m not Spider-Man. Before the bite I couldn't defend myself and just had to take Flash’s crap. And yeah, now I can defend myself. I know I could have knocked him down with one shove, but guess what? That's something Spider-Man would do, not Penis Parker,” Peter spat out the name like a curse. “If I couldn't defend myself before the bite than I shouldn't be able to defend myself now.
“Plus, even if I did disregard that, what if I actually hurt Flash? Because when I first punched him I completely blanked out. It's like one second he said that and the next the cafeteria is silent and Flash is holding his cheek. I’m lucky I didn't hurt him badly, what if I can’t control my strength completely Mr. Stark? I don't want to hurt anyone, not even him. That's why I let him knock me down to the floor, and why I let him just do this,” Peter gestured to his face, “to me. I can’t use my powers irresponsibly, even to defend myself against someone like Flash.”
A moment passed where Tony and Peter stared at each other before Tony rubbed his face. “Ah, geez kid, you're going to be the death of me one day. Sit down and listen to what I have to say.” Peter opened his mouth to protest but Tony just pointed to the couch. “Sit.” Peter pursed his lips but ultimately did as he was told.
Tony stood in front of him, arms crossed and face set in stone. “Now you listen here, kid, I don't care about whatever warped sense of responsibility you've got going on in your head. You can’t just lay there and let someone try to break your face in! You have to defend yourself. I know it’s hard to hold back your full strength, but I know you can do it. If you could do it while fighting criminals at night you can definitely do it against some punk ass kid that’s messing with you. You defending yourself is not being irresponsible, it’s being smart. And if you need some training on hold back your strength then just tell me, I know some pretty great trainers who have worked with enhanced individuals and I’m sure they can help you too.”
Throughout Tony’s little speech Peter stared at his converse-clad feet, before glancing uncertainly at the window facing the backfield of the school. He sighed deeply. “I just- I don’t want to hurt anyone, Mr. Stark. I don’t want to be a freak.”
“Aw, kiddo, you’re not a freak,” Tony assured him quickly, sitting back down next to him. “I don’t care what some snot nosed kid said, or what anyone else thinks. You are the furthest thing from a freak. Yeah sure, is it weird that you sometimes sit on the ceiling while doing homework? Or that you can lift a bus with one hand? Yeah probably. But just because you have some kickass powers doesn’t make you a freak.”
It finally seemed that what Tony was saying made it through Peter’s thick head. The boy’s shoulders lost most of the tension they previously had, and he even managed to give a shadow of usual smile. “Sitting on the ceiling is not weird, Mr. Stark, you should try it sometime. Maybe you’ll actually get some good ideas for once.”
Tony narrowed his eyes in mock outrage. “That’s it, this is the last time I try to make you feel better you annoying child.”
Peter laughed, and Tony couldn’t help but laugh along with him. He would never admit it to anyone, but he loved the kid’s laugh. It was carefree and innocent, two things that Tony hadn’t been in a long time, since before his parents’ deaths. Peter smiled brightly, and was about to say something when someone knocked on the door. The two looked up, and the secretary that Tony had met before walked in. “Mr. Morita can see both of you now.”
Tony could see Peter’s previous tension return to his shoulders, so he deliberately teased, “Let’s get this show on the road, kid. We have a big project to work on later this evening.”
The duo got up and followed the secretary to the Principal’s office. On the bench outside say three people, a woman, man, and a boy Peter’s age in between the two. Tony made sure to keep his poker mask in place, but inwardly he curled his lip in disgust. It didn’t take a tech genius to realize that this was the same kid who had bullied Peter.
The boy, who had been staring at a phone on his lap, looked up, and his face lost all colour as he realized who was in front of him. “Oh my God, it’s actually Tony Stark. Parker wasn’t lying.”
Tony so badly wanted to snark back at the boy sardonically, but he felt Peter pull on his jacket sleeve to get him to enter the office. Probably for the best, Tony thought, the press would have a field day if they found out Tony Stark screamed at a minor.
“Hello Mr. Stark, Peter,” a man who Tony assumed was Mr. Morita greeted them. “Just take a seat please.”
“Hi again, Mr. Moriata,” Peter said, eyes downwards. “I told you I wasn’t lying about my emergency contact being Mr. Stark.”
“I can see that, Peter,” Morita chuckled. “I’m very sorry that Mrs. Abels and I doubted you, but you wouldn’t believe how many times students have written down a celebrity as their emergency contact.” Morita turned towards Tony next as he said, “I’m assuming Peter told you what happened between him and Mr. Thompson today at lunch. Am I correct?”
“You are,” Tony confirmed.
“Well, as I’m sure you are aware, Midtown High has a strict zero tolerance for violence on school grounds, even if it may have been slightly warranted,” Morita said, glancing at Peter in quiet apology. “Because of that I do have to suspend Peter from school.”
“So wait, even though the other student basically tried to cheat and bully one student, and then bully Peter for standing up for his friend, Peter’s the one that’s going to get in trouble? How is that fair,” Tony scoffed.
Morita sighed as he leaned forward across the desk. “I’ll be frank with you, Mr. Stark: my hands are tied. I know what Mr. Thompson said to Peter, and while violence is never the answer, I also know that even kids have a snapping point. What Mr. Thompson said was completely out of line, and in terrible taste. And I can assure you that Mr. Thompson is not only being suspended for two weeks for the bullying and violence, but he is also being given a zero on his Matlab project for attempting to cheat. However, because of Midtown’s zero tolerance for violence, I do also have to punish Peter for throwing the first punch.”
Before Tony could protest further Peter spoke up. “It’s ok, Mr. Morita, I get it. I shouldn’t have let Flash get me so wound up, or punch him in the face. Is he ok?”
Mr. Morita smiled warmly at Peter. “He’s perfectly fine. You didn’t even leave a bruise on him.”
Peter bobbed his head in relief. “That’s good. I’m really sorry about all of this.”
“Don’t worry about it, Peter. But let me just apologize that you didn’t feel comfortable going up to me or any of your other teachers in regards to Mr. Thompson bullying you at any point before today. Mr. Leeds told me this has been going on for a while now.”
“Seriously, Peter?” Tony turned to stare incredulously at the kid. “You should have said something to your Aunt or me earlier, it’s what we’re here for, bud.”
Peter bit his lip. “I thought I could handle it.”
“Peter, please promise me that in the future, if Mr. Thompson bothers you or anyone else again, you will come directly to me or a staff member,” Morita implored. “I don’t want a bullying issue at this school.”
“I promise to try, Mr. Morita,” Peter agreed.
“Thank you. And because you have cooperated with me today, along with the circumstances surrounding this altercation between you and Mr. Thompson, I have decided to give you the most lenient punishment I can. You’ll only be suspended for the rest of today. So think of it like a free day off,” Morita joked.
“Thank you so much Mr. Morita,” Peter said, a relieved smile lighting up his face.
“Not a problem, Peter.” Morita turned to look at Tony. “Do you have any further questions or concerns Mr. Stark?”
“Call me Tony, please,” Tony chuckled. “And nah, thanks for being fair with Peter. But since he obviously has communication issues, if he ever has bullying problems again please let either me or May know.”
“Mr. Stark!” Peter groaned.
“Sorry kid, should have told us about it before,” Tony smirked.
Morita laughed. “He’s got you there, Peter. I’ll keep in touch in the future Tony. You can sign Peter out with Ms. Stolt at the visitor’s entrance. See you Monday, Peter.”
“Bye Mr. Morita!” Peter chirped, while Tony just nodded his thanks to Morita.
The two left the office, and Tony couldn’t help but glare at Flash who was still sitting outside. The boy paled and his eyes widened, and Tony felt a surge of petty victory as he walked away. He wondered if it would be frowned upon if he visited that little asshole in full Iron Man armour and told him to leave Peter alone. Eh, Pepper could deal with the fallout, Tony mused to himself.
“Now what?” Peter asked as he got into the passenger seat of the R8.
“Now you put on your seatbelt,” Tony advised, putting on a pair of sunglasses as he smirked at Peter’s over-exaggerated eye roll.
“You’re so annoying,” Peter grumbled as he clicked the seatbelt into place. “I meant what are we gonna do now? I mean it’s like only 1, I wasn’t supposed to meet with you until 4. I can go home and patrol for now if you’re busy?”
“Hm, great suggestion but I have an even better idea,” Tony announced as an idea came to mind.
“What did you have in mind?” Peter asked curiously.
“Just wait and see, kiddo,” Tony smiled as he turned onto Flushing Ave.
“How’d you get us the best seats so quick?” Peter marveled breathlessly, taking in the view of Citi Field from behind the seats of Home Plate.
Tony couldn’t help but laugh. “When are you going to remember that I’m one of the richest men in the world?”
“Shut up,” Peter mumbled, with no real heat in his voice as he stared in amazement at the players on the field.
“Did you want anymore things from the store?”
“No!” Peter answered quickly, playing with the hem of his new Mets jersey in one hand while he straightened out his Mets cap on his head with the other hand. “I mean, thanks so much for buying me all this stuff, but you spent way too much! It’s cheaper at Modells or something.”
Tony rolled his eyes fondly. “Again, kid, billionaire. I could buy the Mets for you and it still wouldn’t put a dent in my wallet. In fact, how would you like to own the Mets? Your birthday is coming up.”
Peter’s eyes widen as he sputtered out, “Mr. Stark, that's beyond way too much, Aunt May would literally kill you.”
“Hm, that is true, not even I would cross your aunt intentionally,” Tony jokingly shivered, earning a full laugh from Peter.
“In all seriousness, thanks Mr. Stark,” Peter said shyly, fiddeling with the hem of his jersey. “Not just for bringing me to the game or buying me new Mets gear, but for picking me up and dealing with everything. It means a lot.”
Tony just smiled affectionately down at this kid who managed to become such an important part of his life. He slung an arm around the teen’s shoulders and promised, “Anytime, kiddie. I’ll always have your back.”