Chapter Text
Peter’s class began to fill the medium-sized conference room. The first person that the class saw was Pepper Potts, the current CEO of Stark Industries, sitting at the front table. The moment her eyes met Peter’s, she quickly patted the seat next to her, which was the center seat in the front table, motioning him to come sit.
Peter instantly obeyed. He knows he’s in deep trouble. He can sense the fuming vexation that his mother is trying to hide at the moment. As he sat down, all of his classmates’ eyes are on to him. He sighed and looked at his mom, hoping to get reassurance.
Pepper caressed his shoulder gently. “Pete, I’m not saying that what you did is right and I can assure you we’re going to have a talk about this bullying with your Father later but right now, let us handle things, okay?”
Peter gave her a meek nod. “I thought you’d be much angrier with me.” Peter forced a sad smile, refusing to look back at her again.
Empathy began to fill Pepper’s features as she cupped his face, forcing him to meet her eyes. “Oh, Pete. I didn’t want to talk about it right now but if I could be painstakingly honest with you, that one punch isn’t even enough to avenge all of the things he did to you during school.”
“You sound just like MJ just no– wait–” His eyes grew wide. “How did you kno–“
Pepper let out a bitter laugh, releasing her hold on Peter’s face. “–Know about the physical bullying?” Peter stammered trying to find another loophole, another excuse to make it seem that she’s mistaken but Pepper cut him off. “When you told us about the verbal abuse, we knew it wasn’t the full story. You’re our son Pete. Of course, we knew you left something out. Knowing your father, he wouldn’t rest until he finds out the truth. So he somehow got cameras placed around the school facilities.”
Peter gulped and he let Pepper continue. “So when he saw that Flash kid beating you up after you won that science fair 2 weeks ago, I had to call Rhodey and the others to physically stop him from leaving the room in his Iron Man suit.” Pepper let out a small laugh. “Somehow, I convinced him to not act on it or to confront you about it since you haven’t told us yourself. We don’t want to seem like we’re those helicopter parents that has you on lockdown 24/7.” Pepper took a moment to ruffle her son’s hair. Peter leaned into the touch, soaking in all the comfort he possibly can. “So I purposely proposed this field trip. So that we can catch him in the act but instead you attacked him.” Pepper stifled another laugh and Peter feels like sinking down his seat.
“I’m really sorry for doing that. I didn’t mean to use my powers against him. I never actually intended to.” Peter bit his lip, feeling the anger surge in his body again. “He insulted Dad. I couldn’t just stand there. I– “
“I know Peter. It’ll be okay. I promise we’ll handle it from here.” Pepper gave him a reassuring smile.
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Of course, baby.” Her features soften. “Now let’s just wait for your Father to set hell loose.” She snickered. The class wasn’t too stunned to see Pepper Potts and Peter interact. They all knew that Peter knew the Avengers so it’s only fitting that he knows the CEO of the company that he’s working under but nevertheless, everything that happened during the tour hasn’t sunk in in any of them yet.
After approximately 20 minutes of quiet murmuring, Tony Stark entered the room.
“Alright. Thanks for calmly waiting. I had to make sure someone fixes up the boy in the med bay and somehow got a mouthful lecture from Dr. Cho.” Tony chuckled. “Can the professor that handles this class come forward, please.” He then turned to Pepper and gave her a small signal.
Prof. Harrington did as he’s told. Tony then said something to Peter’s teacher privately as they proceed to walk out of the room, ruffling Peter’s hair as he passes by.
It was Pepper’s turn to speak up. She stood up and cleared her throat, maneuvering everyone’s attention on her.
“Everyone, eyes on me please.” She smiled warmly. “Now to compensate for the event that happened earlier, you’ll be given time to have a meet and greet with the Avengers.”
Everyone cheered, not bothering to hide their excitement. Pepper cleared her throat again as the noise died down. “There will be a question and answer portion and one group picture with the Avengers. FRIDAY, please assemble everyone.”
As the Avengers entered the room, everyone began fawning over the heroes. Pepper turned to Peter and said “Go to your father dear. I’ll have everything under control here. He took your teacher in his office.”
Peter made his way to the penthouse as slowly as he could. His walk to the penthouse took about 20 minutes mostly because he asked Friday to slow down the elevator. As he reached his father’s office FRIDAY immediately spoke up. “Sir said you can come in, Peter.” Peter hesitantly went inside. He saw his father sitting on his office chair while a paused clip of Flash beating Peter up in the hallways was shown on the big monitor wall behind Tony. Professor Harrington was sitting across his father on the other side of the table.
“Hey, Underoos. Come sit with us, kiddo.” Tony gently smiled at him. Peter quickly complied and approached the free chair on the other side of the office table where his teacher sat.
“Peter.” Professor Harrington greeted him in a professional tone. “I’ll let you and your father talk. You don’t have to go back to school with us, considering that you’re already home, that is.” He paused for a moment and looked at Peter as if he was guilty. “I’m gratefully sorry.” With that, he excused himself and exited the office.
“Am I in trouble?” Peter shrunk to his seat as soon as they were left alone.
“Pfft,– no kid. If I were you I would’ve done the same thing.” Tony light heartedly laughed.
“Yeah, I figured.” Peter shot back. “Knowing you, you’d be the bully, not the one being bullied.”
“Hey!” Tony faked the harshness in his voice, and dramatically put his hand on his chest like he was hurt by Peter’s statement. They laughed for a short while until it slowly faded, dragging them back to the current situation at hand.
“Peter, I told you before right, you can tell me anything,” Tony said, he lightly gripped Peter’s shoulder as a form of comfort. “Why didn’t you tell me that he was hurting you? I could’ve sued them if you asked.”
“I don’t want him to hurt anybody else and besides, I can’t fight back. I’m just scrawny little Parker, they might be suspicious if I suddenly had the guts and strength to fight back. That’s why I endured it. I never want to tell you because if I did, then eventually everyone in school will know that I’ve become a Stark. Well, hypothetically speaking, you’d go to my school to address the bullying then everyone will figure it out.” Peter paused to catch a breath. “It’s not that I’m embarrassed about being a Stark or anything, I just don’t want others to treat me differently than before just ‘cause I’ve become your son… ya know?”
“Also I didn’t want to make you go the extra mile just for me. I don’t want to burden you more than I already have.” Peter frowned. “Also please, no suing.”
Tony snickered at the last thing Peter said but he soon looked at him with incredible fondness. “Kid, sometimes, you’re too pure and kind for your own good.”
“So, what happens now?” Peter asked curiously. Honestly, he’s really lost. He thought Tony would be disappointed in him for using his powers against an innocent-though-not-so-innocent person but here they are, Tony is worried about him and currently addressing his well-being in school.
“Well, I’m sorry bud, but your worst nightmare is gonna come true but on the bright side, that bully Flash is all fixed up.” Peter rose an eyebrow, clearly in a state of confusion. “Your beautiful Mother and I are going to go to Midtown on Monday to speak with the principal. We can’t just let this bullying go on forever.” Peter’s face fell, his eyes quickly shifted to his lap and Tony felt like he’s doing parenting wrong. “I’m going to make sure he doesn’t bully anyone else. So, you don’t have to worry, Pete.”
“Okay, I understand,” Peter said. “Thank you, Dad.” Peter looked up to smile at his father.
Tony’s worries suddenly disappeared as soon as he sees his son’s smile. He stood up from his seat, walked over to Peter and pulled him into a tight and reassuring hug.
They walked out of the office to see Pepper bringing out a huge fluffy comforter and flopping it down to the couch. There are also loads of pillows and snacks all around the living area. They were having a movie night, Peter quickly went to his room excitedly to change to his pajamas and so did Tony.
Peter came back to the Avengers in pajamas, all scattered in the living room, animatedly chattering and bickering. Peter stared for a while. His family might be odd, a handful, and a little bit cruel (mostly because they enjoy embarrassing the little spider) but this was his family, and Peter Benjamin Parker-Stark wouldn’t want them in any other way.
END.