Bab 6: Chapter 6
May was acting strange.
Ever since she came home from dinner with Happy at Mr Stark's, Peter noticed how jumpy and distracted May was. He was worried that something happened and she broke up with Happy. But then he showed up that morning with flowers for May, and an offer to drive him to school.
Peter was confused at first, but shrugged it off as Happy trying to do make an effort with him because of May. He didn't really need a lift, but he took it not wanting to cause a fuss for May.
So Peter let it go. And everything was normal at school. In fact, it was great. M.J. spoke to him at lunch today and sat with him and Ned. Which was progress. He had a surprise chemistry test which he aced. And Ned managed to score a new Star Wars Lego set off Ebay.
"May! I'm home!" Peter said as he strolled into the flat, dropping his backpack to the ground, and heading to the kitchen as he took out his noise cancelling headphones. He wasn't really listening to music. It was more to block out all the other sounds. Ever since he got his powers, his senses were dialled to like 11. Most days it was ok he could block everything out. But there were some days, when he woke up with a pounding headache, and his senses went into overdrive and he could smell everything, hear things from blocks away that were so loud he thought his eardrums would explode, everything was suddenly way too bright, and his skin felt like it was on fire. Today wasn't too bad, just a little too noisy. But then again so was New York. And his headphones worked. Most days.
"Hey honey. How was school?" May called out from somewhere.
Peter paused to get out a soda can from the fridge; "Awesome. I had this Chemistry test which I aced. Ned got this new Star Wars Lego set. And M.J. finally sat with me at lunch and.." Peter turned towards the living room and froze seeing Mr Stark sitting on the sofa with May. He had a wave of deja vu from the first time this happened and he first met Mr Stark.
"Mr Stark!" Peter said surprised and let out a nervous chuckle; "Er hi. What...what are you doing here?"
It was like Mr Stark was as nervous as he was, because he looked at Peter for a moment before smiling.
"Well May thought it was only kind to return the favour and invite me over for dinner." Tony said thinking quick. This was the first time seeing Peter since he found out he was his son, and it was like seeing him in a new light. This was his kid! His son!
"Oh ok." Peter bobbed his head; "Is miss Potts coming? Er Mrs Stark? Or Happy?"
No it's just us tonight." May said quickly; "We thought we could get takeout. Is that ok?"
"Sure yeah. That's fine." Peter replied, feeling awkward. He half expected never to see Mr Stark again.
"Good. Why don't you go wash up and help me set the table?" May suggested.
Peter nodded locking gazes with Mr Stark who was still staring at him. Then he blinked and nodded; "Right."
Tony watched as Peter picked up his bag, and hung up his jacket without even being asked to. And with no complaints with May's request to set the table. He really was a good kid.
When Peter left, May turned to Tony studying him.
"Last chance. Are you sure?"
It's true. Tony could back out now, and just be Peter's mentor. Then tell Peter when he was 18. But Tony didn't want to just be Peter's mentor. He realised that now seeing him again. There was no doubt in his mind he wanted this. To be his dad.
"I'm sure. So how about Chinese?" Tony suggested with a smile.
0o0o0o0o00o-SPIDERMAN-0o0o0o00oo
Peter relaxed during dinner. It turned out Mr Stark was pretty down to earth to talk to. He was telling Peter about what it was like hanging out with the Avengers and his latest SI project. He even told some funny stories from back when he was in high school.
"...didn't anyone ever find out it was you?" Peter said shocked, hearing how Mr Stark had hacked the school's computer network and sent an email to tell all the students that they had the day off.
"They did." Tony said slowly; "Because my dad ratted me out."
Peter's eyes widened; "He did? Why?"
"To teach me a lesson. I was suspended. Almost kicked out of school. But I learnt never to do it again." Tony paused gesturing his fork at Peter; "I'm not telling you this to give you any ideas. Don't ever do that."
"Yeah." Peter nodded; "But it's kinda cool."
"But wrong." May warned; "If you ever did anything like that you'll never live to see another day."
"Right I wont. I swear." Peter said quickly knowing May was serious. And she sent Tony a warning look.
"Yes listen to your aunt. Stay in school."
May rolled her eyes and Peter smirked at Mr Stark's lame attempt to be serious.
"This has been fun." Peter said as he looked at Mr Stark; "It's nice hanging out with you."
Tony paused halfway through taking a drink and he looked at May. Wondering if this was his opening. She just looked at him, saying it was his choice.
"I'm glad you said that actually." Tony said clearing his throat, turning in his seat to face him; "Because there is something I need to tell you."
"Something we need to tell you." May rephrased quickly.
Peter sensed the seriousness in their tones and he tensed; "Ok?"
Tony considered explaining about the blood test and FRIDAY and the paternity test, but his heart was racing so much he wasn't sure he would be able to go through with it if he dragged it out. Maybe it was better to just blurt it out then explain.
Ok here it goes.
"Peter." Tony gulped; "I'm your father."
Peter blinked at Tony for a moment before he burst out laughing.
Tony frowned instantly and looked at Mary startled.
"That's good. Almost identical to the movie."
Oh for the love of...Tony huffed, Peter thought he was quoting frickin Star Wars!
Peter looked at May and Tony, but they weren't laughing. Their faces were serious. He trailed off laughing and looked confused at them; "Why aren't you laughing?" Then he faltered; "This is a joke. Right?"
"I'm serious Peter." Tony said; "No jokes. I really am your father."
Peter looked at Tony, trying to process that, and he paused to look at May for confirmation.
"He's telling the truth honey." May whispered.
"No." Peter looked down shaking his head unable to process that; "My parents died in a car accident." He looked at May; "That's what you told me, and I saw the news article." Peter snapped his head to Tony; "How can you be my dad?"
Tony saw the confused sad look on Peter's face, and he feared if he told Peter the truth it would just hurt him more.
"I er met your mother at a tech conference in Belgium in 2000." Tony started.
Peter nodded before he stopped; "Wait." He turned to May; "I thought mum and dad were married in 1997." Peter turned to Tony and Tony saw the realisation cross his face as he leant back in his chair.
"It's not what you think." Tony said quickly; "I didn't know your mother was married at the time."
"I don't understand." Peter murmured; "Were you dating her? Did they split up?"
"No it was just one night." Tony said quickly before thinking. He was more worried Peter thought he had an affair and broke up his parents marriage.
"Tony!" May hissed before sighing turning to Peter.
"Honey. At the time your parents were...having a difficult time. They were separated."
"They were?" Peter furrowed his brow wondering why..
"Then your mother met Tony at the tech conference."
"And slept together." Peter mumbled angrily, and Tony cringed not liking talking about this with his teenage son; "What happened after that?"
"Your parents got back together and made it work. Then she got pregnant and had you." May smiled.
"So have you known all this time?" Peter said looking scared at Tony. His dad. Did he know all this time and just didn't want him?
"No." Tony held up his hand seeing the hurt on Peter's face; "God no. If I had...I just found out a few days ago when FRIDAY got the results back from your blood sample."
"How did FRIDAY know?"
"She ran a Paternity test." Tony replied before seeing Peter needed more; "She found commonalities in our blood and ran the test."
Peter nodded slowly trying to process everything.
Tony Stark was my father?
Peter was finding it a little hard to believe.
"But...ok so you didn't know. But you said mom and dad got back together after. So she must have known. Did dad?"
May cleared her throat; "Your mother wanted to make it work with Richard so she thought it best...not to tell him."
"Wait did you know about this?" Peter asked looking at May in shock; "Have you known all this time?"
"Not about Tony." May said reaching across the table for Peter's hand; "Your mother wanted to protect you. She thought it would be best to wait to tell you the truth until you were 18. Then you could go find your real father on your own."
"So she lied to him? And to Mr Stark? And to me?" Peter snapped feeling angry; "You've been lying to me." He pulled his hand away hurt. Everything he knew was a lie. His parents had only gotten back together because of him, and he wasn't even Richard's son. And May knew all along that he had a dad out there! She knew how much he wanted his parents back. He felt betrayed.
I was just trying to protect you and honour your mother's wishes."
Peter looked away feeling so angry. May had been lying to him about everything. Making him believe someone was his dad when he wasn't. He was just some stranger. Peter had a picture of them, and he had visited their graves. He had missed them. May knew how much it hurt that his parents weren't in his life and to hide the fact he had a father out there in the world. To keep the truth from him.
"You had no right to keep this from me." Peter looked at May in disbelief. They were meant to be a team, it was always them against the world. She was all he had. Or so he thought. Now he was wondering what else she had lied about.
"Peter..."
"You've been lying to me my whole life. I trusted you. I thought...I thought you were the one person I could rely on. I thought we were a team."
May's eyes watered; "Honey..." She reached for his hand but he pulled it away.
"Peter. Your aunt didn't meant to hurt you, neither did your mother." Tony reasoned.
Peter turned to him frowning; "Aren't you mad? You were lied to as well."
"Yes I'm angry. I missed out on 15th years of you life. But I'm here now. And I want to be your father. If that's ok with you?" Tony added quickly.
Peter stood up quickly his heart and mind racing. This was all too much. He could feel his senses start to overload. The noises from outside were starting to get louder.
"You know actually I think I need some air."
Tony and May stood up.
"Peter..."
"I think we should talk about this." Tony could see Peter was about to bolt. This was going downhill fast.
"I'm sorry. I don't know what to believe anymore." Peter looked between Tony and May warily; "I need time to think." Peter said quickly rushing to his room.
"Peter!" May shouted but then Peter slammed his door. May flopped back down in her chair covering her face.
"I knew this would happen."
Tony sighed running a hand over his face; "But you said he'll get over it. Right?"
May looked at him and Tony saw the uncertainty on her face.
"Maybe I should check on him." Tony murmured and rushed to Peter's bedroom.
"Hey kid?" Tony knocked on the door; "Kid?" He slowly opened the door and looked around but...the room was empty. Then he looked to the open window.
"Dammit."
Tony rushed back to the living room as he slipped on his SI glasses; "FRIDAY can you track Peter's suit for me?"
May looked up alarmed; "Why? What's wrong?"
"Peter's gone." Tony confessed slowly knowing how she was going to react. She would blame him, and hell she was right. This was all his fault.
"Gone? Gone where?" May shouted before rushing to Peter's room, but found it empty; "He's gone? Oh my god he's run away."
No we don't know that yet." Tony said quickly; "He said he needed some air and time to think. Maybe he just went for a walk and he'll be back."
May shook her head pacing; "I knew this would happen. I knew we shouldn't have told him. Now if anything happens to him."
"Nothing is going to happen to him."
"No it's not." She turned to him her expression wild and angry; "Because you're going to find him. You go find him and bring him home right now."
"Yes of course."
"Boss." FRIDAY interrupted; "I have tracked Mr Parker's suit to the corner of Halston and Reed. Still in motion."
"Ok good send his route to my suit." Tony paused to look at May; "I'll find him."
Tony rushed to the window with a fire escape and climbed out onto it, then he tapped the arc reactor on his chest twice and his suit complied from it forming around his body. Then he took off into the air.
FRIDAY displayed Peter's route and Tony rushed to follow, calling Pepper along the way.
"Tony. Hey how's it going?"
"Peter's gone."
"What? What happened?"
"We told him the truth. He got upset and ran to his room. Now he's gone. Pepper this is my fault. I never should have told him. May was right. Pep you should have seen how hurt he was that he was lied to."
"Ok calm down. Peter was probably just overwhelmed. He doesn't seem like the type to just run away. I'm sure he's just gone to cool off and he'll be back in an hour or too."
"Maybe but I can't take any chances. I have to find him. I'm in my suit and FRIDAY'S tracking Peter's suit."
"What are you going to do when you find him?"
"Bring him home. May's worried crazy and I'm going to give him hell for running like that."
"Tony! You can't yell at him. His whole world just got turned upside down. He's upset. He doesn't need you to yell at him and make him feel worse. You want to be his father, then be his father. Be there for him."
Tony's anger deflated as he realised she was right; "What if he doesn't want me to? What if he ran to get away from me?"
"I don't think you really believe that Tony."
Suddenly he saw he was nearing Peter's location; "I got to go Pep."
"Ok but call me when you get him home. Let me know he's ok."
"Ok I love you."
"Love you too."
As soon as he hung up, FRIDAY alerted him he was closing in on Peter, who had suddenly stopped on one of the roofs.
Tony slowed down as he approached, spotting Peter sitting on the edge of the roof, with his legs dangling down. He flew down landing a few feet away and had the suit open so he could climb out.
Peter turned to look at him as he did, he didn't look surprised to see him, but Tony stopped seeing the tears in his eyes. Then Peter turned away.
Tony sighed bracing himself before walking over. Then he sat down beside Peter mirroring his position. He was just trying to think of what to say to Peter when Peter spoke first.
"You come to take me home?"
"Your aunts worried about you. So am I."
"She's not my aunt. Not really." Peter snapped before instantly regretting it. Whilst it was true, technically, May had married Ben who was Richard's brother, and now Richard wasn't Peter's dad. They weren't really related anymore. Not by blood. But did that mean she wasn't his aunt anymore?
Tony turned to Peter, his first instinct to snap back, but then remembered what Pepper said; "I know you're angry. I am too. But we both know you don't mean that. She is still your aunt."
Peter sighed playing with his mask in his hand, knowing he was right. He was angry. But May had still been there for him, raised him, even though she knew he wasn't blood related; "I know. You're right. Sorry."
"Kid. You have nothing to apologise for. We're the grownups. We should be apologising to you for all this." Tony paused; "Do you wish we hadn't told you?"
Peter snapped his head to Tony surprised; "No. I'm glad you did. It's just..."
"A lot to take in?" Tony finished.
Peter studied Tony for a moment. This was his dad? His real dad? Peter looked for similarities, he'd never really thought about it, but maybe there was some similarities.
But god. Tony Stark was his father! As a kid he'd loved Iron Man. He had all the toys, he had t-shirts, and he fantasised about him rescuing him one day and saying he was his real dad. But he was just a kid at the time. He'd grown out of it because he knew it was never going to happen. Tony Stark was a legend and Iron Man, and Peter was well just Peter. Like he would ever have a cool a dad as Tony Stark. Except he did...
"You're really my dad? I'm your son?"
Tony saw the terrified look on Peter's face, and he wondered if Peter hated him and didn't want him for a father. Tony didn't blame him if he did. But he wanted to show Peter he could be a better dad to him.
"Yeah kid." Tony finally murmured; "But nothing has to change if you don't want it too. I'm just going to follow your lead on whatever you want to do."
Peter nodded slowly understanding, but he didn't know what to do. A part of him was excited about having a dad, and having Tony Stark for a dad was awesome. But the rest of him just still couldn't quite believe it. He was nothing like Tony Stark. How could he be his son?
"What do you want?" Peter glanced at him uncertainly; "I mean you must have been freaked out when you found out. Do you even want to be my dad?"
That shocked the hell out of Tony. Such honesty and vulnerability behind that question.
"I'll admit I was freaked out at first." Peter turned away hurt but Tony continued; "But that's only because I don't know how to be a dad. I want to try though. I do want to be your dad. If that's ok with you?"
He seemed sincere. But Peter wasn't sure if Tony was just humouring him. He couldn't exactly tell him outright he didn't want anything to do with him.
Peter was so confused. He wasn't sure what to believe. May had lied to him. What if Tony was lying too?
In the end Peter just nodded, not wanting to lose Tony by saying no; "So we can still hang out and stuff sometimes?"
Tony nodded smiling relieved; "Yeah whenever you want kid."
"That would be cool."
"Like I said I'm just going to follow your lead kid. We can take it slow. I'm not going to push to be your dad straightaway."
"What do we do now?"
"Now. You go home. May's worried about you. And you need some time to process this."
Peter nodded; "Ok." He started to get up and Tony let out a sigh of relief. They'd made progress. Peter had agreed to hang out with him, and didn't seem totally upset about him being his dad.
Tony stood up; "Do you want me to give you a lift?"
"No it's fine. I can make my own way back." Peter replied and caught Tony's concerned glance; "I swear I'm going to go straight home."
"Good. Because you know I'm going to track you." Tony said with a smirk.
Then a thought occurred to him. If the press found out about Peter, they would follow him and investigate his life. They wouldn't leave him alone and his life would be ruined. He was just a kid he didn't deserve that. Peter deserved a normal life. Tony didn't want to bring this up now, but if Peter was about to go home, Tony wasn't sure when he would see him again and if he told his friends.. who then told the press.
"Um you may already know this, but it's probably best you don't tell anyone about this. Atleast not yet. We don't want the press finding out."
Peter froze and turned to Tony, and instantly Tony realised how that sounded and by the hurt look on Peter's face he had just screwed up.
"You think I'm going to go tell the press?"
"No kid I didn't mean..."
"Why would I do that?" Peter continued his anger flaring up again, like Tony was telling him he couldn't be trusted to keep a secret; "You think I'm going to use it to what... blackmail you or something? Like I'm after your money." Peter scoffed at how ridiculous that sounded.
But then Tony paused for just a second, only a second, wondering why Peter would bring that up.
Peter looked at him when he didn't say anything and saw his face; "You do? You think I'm after your money?" Peter stepped back and Tony saw the pure look of shock on his face. He looked so young and so upset and Tony realised what an ass he was to even consider Peter acting like that. He would never.
"No." Tony said firmly; "I don't. I know you wouldn't kid. I'm sorry."
"But you have to make sure." Peter said sharply, shaking his head; "Well don't worry Mr Stark. I don't want your money. I don't want the whole world knowing I'm your son anymore than you do. Can't exactly be Spider Man then can I?"
Peter slipped his mask on and Tony had to admit he was hurt hearing Peter say he didn't want the world knowing, like he didn't want Tony to be his father.
"Peter I didn't mean it the way it sounded. I'm just trying to protect you."
"I'm sick of people trying to protect me." Peter snapping before running towards the edge of the ledge and he jumped before Tony could stop him. Tony watched Peter swinging between the buildings, and he feared it would be the last time he might see Peter. After what just happened, Peter might never speak to him again, and Tony wouldn't blame him.
He knew he would screw this up. He was such an idiot.
Tony considered going after Peter, but knew he would only make it worse.
Sighing, Tony got back into his suit; "FRIDAY. Track Peter's suit. Let me know when he get's home."
"Yes boss."
"Call May Parker."
"Calling May Parker." FRIDAY replied as Tony took off in his suit.
"Tony?" May answered almost immediately; "Did you find Peter? Is he ok?"
"Yes he's on his way home now. He was pretty upset, I managed to calm him down but..."
"But what?"
Tony sighed; "I may have made things worse."
"What? How?"
"I told him that it would be unwise to tell the press. Not because of me." Tony said quickly before she got the wrong idea; "Because I was worried about him. I didn't want the press to be hounding him or you. But he took it the wrong way. I'm sorry."
"Oh Tony. I get what you were trying to do. But he's just a kid and he'd only just found out the truth. He wasn't ready to hear that."
"I know. I really screwed up. But I didn't mean to upset him. I swear. I'm going to make it right."
"I know you want to, but maybe you should just give him some space for now. This is a lot for anyone to handle, and he's just a kid. Give him some time."
Tony hated to admit she was probably right. He couldn't push Peter on this. He might already have ruined it.
"Ok. But just tell him I'm here if he needs me. I'm not going anywhere, and when he is ready to talk I'll be here."
"I will Tony."
By the time May hung up, Tony was already home. Pepper was probably going to give him hell over what happened.
"Tony?!" Pepper spotted him as soon as he landed in the yard, and came out of his suit, it condensing back into his chest arc. She stood up as he walked, looking surprised he came by suit; "What happened?"
"I think I lost the kid."
"Boss?" FRIDAY interrupted before Pepper could say anymore; "Mr Parker has just returned to his residence."
"Thanks FRIDAY."
Tony then explained everything that happened including what happened on the roof.
But instead of berating him, Pepper just hugged him wordlessly. And he was grateful for that. Thankful for her. He couldn't live without Pepper.
"It's not your fault Tony."
"How is it not?" Tony pulled away to look at her; "You should have seen his face when I mentioned the press. He looked so hurt. And he said he didn't want the press to know he was my son anymore than I did. Maybe he doesn't want me to be his father."
"You said something and Peter misunderstood. It happens. And given the situation it's understandable. He said he wanted to hang out with you, that's good."
"That was before I put my goddamn foot in my mouth. Now he'll probably never talk to me again."
"I don't think that's true. Peter doesn't seem like the kind of kid to hold a grudge, and you know how much he looks up to you. I think May's right. Just give Peter some time to work things out."
"So what I just sit around and do nothing? Shouldn't I go back over there and try to explain? Maybe tomorrow."
"No Tony. I know you want to have a relationship with him, but if you try and move too quick it might just push him further away."
Tony huffed flopping down into a chair in defeat; "I knew I would be a bad father. Who am I kidding? Just look at who I had for a father."
Pepper walked over to Tony, standing behind him as she put her hands on his shoulders from behind; "Oh Tony. You're not Howard. Just look how you've been with Peter already. Howard wouldn't have done that."
"No." Tony admitted. His dad had been cold and distant, never there for Tony or supporting him in anything. He never told him he loved him, or even liked him. Like there was never anything he could do to make him pay attention or make him proud. Later he learnt his dad did care about him, but it was too late really. It didn't make up for all those years Tony thought his dad didn't care. Tony swore he would never do that to his kids. He would be better than his dad.
"But what if I can't escape being just like him?"
Pepper ran her hands down to his chest as she put her head on his shoulder. Tony put his hand on her arms, pulling her closer.
"You're not Howard Tony." Pepper repeated; "The fact that you don't want to be, and you want to be better for Peter, shows you aren't."
"I just want to make sure he's ok." Tony murmured; "He needs to know I didn't mean what I said."
Pepper paused thinking; "Maybe you could text him. And explain. Atleast then he would know."
"I could call him." Tony countered.
Pepper shook her head; "You can try but I don't think that's following the space May talked about. If you text him you can still explain and it gives him the chance to think about what you said, and then he can text you back."
"What if he doesn't?"
"He will when he's ready."
"What do I say to him?"
"The truth."
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone