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Peter sat atop the building, his legs swinging childishly over the edge, his hands gripping the cement beneath him with every little bit of his super strength. He had been sitting there for 30 minutes now, looking over the city. Not on his own accord, of course. He had already tried to get down, tried to move. He was freezing to the bone and Peter wanted to go home to Tony and Pepper, and sit in front of the fire. Then he could apologize for running away like he did after the argument.
But something was keeping him there, a tight hold on his body both physically and mentally that wouldn't allow him to move.
Don't you want to die, Peter?
"No, that's absurd. I have so much more to do, so many more things to accomplish!" Peter rushed out with a shake of his head.
But no one wants you here, remember? Tony even replaced you with Harley.
Peter winced at the flashing images going through his mind. Every time Tony chose Harley over him, every time Tony believed Harley over Peter. All the times Tony pushed Peter away so he could be with Harley. The many times when Harley and Tony said something they both found very funny, and then claimed it to be an inside joke. Something Peter wouldn't understand.
Maybe Tony had replaced him? Probably, considering Peter's part in the tower had also been taken over.
He was no longer the adored kid who everyone looked out for. That was Harley now, except they treated him with respect. Not like a child. Peter no longer had the adoration of the Avengers he didn't realize he relied on.
Peter no longer had a place at the dinner table, Harley took that too because Peter 'didn't often show up to dinner anyway'.
Peter was no longer the smart one, Harley was. Because Harley was a year older, and had more experience in situations than Harley did. Peter no longer had a place with Mr. Bruce and his research in his lab.
Peter was no longer Tony's lab partner since Harley came. They blast music to their heart's content and use Peter's workspace as if it were theirs. Peter no longer had a place in that lab either.
Hell, Peter didn't even have a bedroom anymore. Harley took it because there was no where else to stay. And because Peter needed to learn to share and be more selfless with the people around him. Maybe Peter really was unneeded now that the perfect Harley was here to save the day.
Despite all that, Peter shook his head. "Mr. Stark isn't a cruel man. He would never do that."
I can read your thoughts, Parker. I can tell what you want, what you need. You don't need to stay here any longer. Just jump, stop your suffering.
Peter felt his body slide forward slightly before he got a grip and held back once again. Every time he let this psycho take over his brain and actions, he slid closer and closer to his death.
"This is manipulation,” Peter growled. "I'm not folding at the likes of you."
And what am I exactly, Peter? Am I a monster? Am I an enhanced from hell? I could have forced your body off that building the second I got you under my hold. I could have forced you to fall to your death.
Peter shook his head. "That doesn't make you any better." Peter looked down at the ground, almost 50 floors down. He'd surely die if he fell from this height. "Is this a good show? Do you enjoy trying to convince me to jump? Have you done this before? Is this entertaining to you, you sick bastard!"
I'm sitting back with a glass of wine, does that answer the question?
Peter squeezed his eyes shut. "Damnit!"
"Mister Parker, I am FRIDAY. Tony Stark's personal advanced AI. I have hacked into Karen with a message from Mr. Stark. It says, 'I am sorry about the fight, I shouldn't have yelled, I shouldn’t have said all that, I should have heard you out. I shouldn't have ever told you to get out, your home will always be here. Please come home.' Would you like to respond?" FRIDAY asked.
Peter nodded, "tell him that-"
Peter's mouth was forcefully closed by an invisible force immediately.
Can't have you giving up my plans, can I? Anyone I've ever spoken to like this is either dead, or proven to be insane. You can't be the first to escape.
Peter shook his head and tried to open his mouth.
Not so fast, Mr. Parker. Now, where were we? Ah yes. Let me remind you, Peter, Tony Stark specifically said Harley was better than you. Do you remember that? Should I pull up the memory?
Peter's sob wrenched it's way through Peter's tightly sealed lips as he frantically shook his head. The response he got was his eyes being forcefully closed and the memory of the fight playing on repeat.
"Why are you like this?! I brought Harley here because he was having trouble with his life in Tennessee! Can't you think about anyone but yourself for just one goddamn minute?!" Tony yelled.
"This was supposed to be our summer break Tony. We-we were supposed to spend it together eating burgers and pizza, and having movie nights, and spending days in the lab. You promised it would be just us after the hectic year we've had.."
"Why can't you except him?!" Tony yelled back. "Is it because he's gay? Is that why? Are you homophobic just like the rest of his asshole town?!"
Peter frantically shook his head, tears springing to his eyes. "No! I swear!-"
"You know what, this is why Harley will always be better than you! You don't deserve the title of my son if you're going to be judgemental towards people like Harley who have done nothing wrong! Get out!"
Peter shook his head. "M-mister Stark?"
"I said get out, get the hell out of this tower until I find a place to put you! Get away from me!"
"D-dad.."
"Harley is the only one with the right to call me that."
Peter sobbed as the memory replayed, fresh in his mind. At some point, it became apparent to him that he could open his mouth again but he couldn't think about FRIDAY. The only word that came from his mouth was 'stop'. He wanted it to stop.
"Mr. Parker, if you are not going to response, I will be forced to inform Mr. Stark of your whereabouts due to safety measures." But FRIDAY was drowned out the Peter.
Tony didn't mean it, Peter knows that Tony didn't mean it. But it hurt, it hurt to watch it on replay like he was in a theatre and this was a drama show.
You see? Tony doesn't want you. Tony doesn't need you. Tony wants you gone, he hates you. He loves Harley. Stop trying to get in the way of their relationship.
Peter shook his head again.
It won't be painful, Pete. It'll be ok. It'll be like you're flying, and your death will be quick. The voice was softer in Peter's mind, like it knew Peter was seconds away from agreeing with the voice. You won't have to deal with the betrayal anymore, and Harley and Tony can finally be happy. That's all you've ever wanted, right? Is for Tony to be happy?
Peter nodded. That's all he ever wanted. Even after Tony adopted Peter due to May's death in an accident, Peter never wanted to inconvenience Tony. Never wanted to bring him down.
He just wanted Tony living his best life.
Tony will be happy afterwords. Tony will finally get the peaceful life he deserves.
"R-really?" Peter whispered.
Why would I lie to you, Pete?
And so Peter stood, his feet balancing nimbly on the edge of the building rail. He couldn't find it in himself to care that his mask was off, thrown to the side somewhere. When he died, everyone would know who he was. Everyone would figure it out.
And for some reason, Peter didn't care. Didn't care that Flash would put of a sappy apology on Twitter about how he was sorry for bullying Peter Parker. Didn't care that the press would care more about his secret identity than his death. Didn't care that people would notice Spider-Man's disappearance more than Peter Parker's, because Peter Parker was a no one.
He just didn't care. And to prove it, he leaned his body forward, falling before he could stop himself.
"I'm sorry.."
—————
Pepper did nothing to soothe Tony, who was practicing breathing exercises while pacing. She was more than mad at Tony, downright disappointed was the word she was looking for. Going off on Peter for such innocent questions and then demanding he get out? Peter had done nothing wrong in the equation, he was simply confused. And the minute he voiced those confusions and negative emotions like Pepper and Tony had always wanted Peter to do, Tony yells and assumes things?
That's not how their family has ever interacted during a fight or disagreement, and Pepper intended to keep it that way.
"Boss, the message has gotten through to Mister Parker,” FRIDAY cut through the thick tension.
"Has he said anything?" Tony asked back.
"It appears Mister Parker is in severe distress, he won't answer the message," FRIDAY informed after a few minutes of nothing.
"His location, FRI?" Tony asked. He was already setting up his suit and getting ready to go. Rhodey was in his suit long before now and Pepper had a suit on stand by just in case. Tony forbid Harley from leaving the tower, but the boy also had a suit as a last - last resort.
"16th street. He appears to be on top of the newly built tourist hotel that goes as high as 50 floors. Mister Parker is exhibiting concerning behaviors and won't move away from the ledge. According to Karen, he hasn't for almost 45 minutes."
Tony was already flying, took off with Pepper and Rhodey right behind him when FRIDAY disclosed 16th street.
"Y-you're joking," Tony sputtered. "It was one fight, he isn't seriously going to-"
"May I remind you that within that one fight you told him Harley was better than him - knowing he has self esteem issues, you said that he no longer had the right to call you dad after having lost two other father figures and two mother figures, assumed he was homophobic after admitting to me months ago that he was bisexual, and told him to get out of the tower until you found some place to put him," Pepper supplied helpfully, the endless amounts of anger showing clearly in her tone.
Tony ignored the jabs, which he fully deserved, and addressed FRIDAY. "FRI, unlock mark 52 for Spidey and autopilot to the top of the building. Override any command he tries to initiate."
"Will do, boss."
"You know giving him a cool new suit and saving his life won't make this right, right Tones?" Rhodey asked. He was only seconds away from snapping at Tony himself, but Tony needed to understand. If Peter was really doing this, Tony needed to understand what to do. What was at stake.
They came closer to city limits by the second, passing the big sign with a gust of wind.
"Yeah I know, Rhodey,” Tony said curtly.
"Mister Parker is falling off the building, boss,” FRIDAY updated.
"Full power to thrusters. How are we doing on that suit, FRI?" Tony felt himself bursting forward much faster than before as FRIDAY answered.
"It has enclosed around Mister Parker's body, and is flying to the top of the building now, boss. He hasn't said anything."
Tony sucked in a breath, the hotel coming into sight. The minute he stepped foot on that roof, he spoke once more.
"That'll be all FRI. Get this suit off of me." The suit opened up and let him free, allowing him to walk forward. The clicking of heals (how Pepper wore heals in the suit was beyond him) became apparent, along with another steady pair of steps. Rhodey and Pepper had obviously stepped out from their suits with the same objective. Get to Peter.
"Peter?" Pepper spoke softly, gently kneeling at his side. "Do you think we can get this suit off of you without you doing anything darastic?"
"M-mom-" Peter sobbed, trying to raise his hands but was ultimately stopped by the suit. "I-it wasn't m-me! I swear! I wouldn't-wouldn't do that.. i-it was someone else- h-he was in-in-inside my head! Twisting m-my thoughts! H-he made me want t-t-to- y-you have t-to be-lieve me..!"
"Yeah, of course, baby. I believe you. I'll always believe you. Let's get this off of you so we can get you home,” Pepper said gently. With her command, and the override code which Tony would change later, the suit around Peter opened and out came the suited up teenager, who was unmasked and sobbing. He leapt towards Pepper, wrapping his arms around the woman.
"It wasn't m-me! I swear! I swear- I swear- I-I-I s-swear!" Peter repeated.
"Of course it wasn't you darling, I know. I believe you."
Rhodey kneeled down next, rubbing a hand up and down Peter's back as the only comfort he could offer right then and there.
"He made my th-thoughts all weird! And-and he had c-c-complete control ov-er m-me and he wouldn't l-let me go! And-a-and he said that I should just be g-gone because th-th-that would b-be less painful for e-everyo-one!" Peter frantically searched as to who was rubbing his back. "Y-you believe me, right U-Uncle Rhodey?!"
Rhodey nodded, smiling slightly. "Of course I do kid. Of course I believe you. You would never lie about something like this, I know that. I've always known that."
Apparently that's exactly what Peter needed to hear because he switched from Pepper to Rhodes, throwing his arms around Rhodey's shoulders and wrapping him in a tight, desperate hug.
And then it was one who had yet to take an attempt at comforting Peter.
“Hey Pete,” Tony said gently, kneeling down a few feet away from Peter. His voice was trembling and his hands were shaking as his sides, but he didn’t move. He wouldn’t move until Peter wanted him to.
And apparently Peter didn’t want to be hearing Tony, if the violent flinch he gave was anything to go off of. Pepper held Peter gently, running a hand through his hair, and shot Tony a glare. “It’s alright honey, it’s alright.”
“No.. no no no, I don’t have anything wrong with him! I don’t! He’s a good person! I just wanted to spend time with you! We never s-spend time together anym-more!” Peter sobbed frantically, searching for Tony on the roof.
Rhodey had to hold him still so he wasn’t putting any of them in danger, and damn if that wasn’t the most heartbreaking sight Tony had ever seen. Peter, his 15 years old, superhero son being held down by his adult best friend.
“You just wanted to spend time with who, honey?” Pepper asked gently, trying to still Peter’s head turning so they could make eye contact.
“D-da- Tony! I wanted to spend time with h-him but I won’t- he’s always with Harley and he won’t-“
Tony sucked in a breath at Peter’s slip up. God, he shouldn’t have said that. They had just gotten Peter comfortable with this family dynamic, comfortable with calling Tony and Pepper his parents. Comfortable with sleeping in and waking up late, comfortable with doing everything without asking permission beforehand. And Tony just took that all back, yelling such awful things at Peter like that.
“Hey, hey buddy,” Tony said from his spot, hoping to grab Peter’s attention. “Buddy, it’s alright. I’m sorry, I’ll spend more time with you if that’s what you want, I can you that. I promise.”
Peter finally met eyes with him, his wide and frantic while Tony’s were attempting at a more calm look. He didn’t know if it was working or not because Peter went from frantic to breaking down in tears at the sight of him all over again. “I didn’t mean to- Harley’s a good person- I-I don’t have anything wrong with him- he’s-”
“Buddy, buddy, it’s alright,” Tony whispered, reaching his arms out for Peter and Peter once again flinched back. Tony moved away from Peter with a heavy heart.
“I swear I don’t- I swear I didn’t-” Peter sobs seemed to be echoing off of the hotel roof, and Tony wouldn’t be surprised if someone notified the authorities because of it.
Rhodes seemed to have the same idea, moving to grab a small trank dart Tony installed in the suits. “Peter, I’m going to give you some medicine, to help you calm down, ok?” Rhodey informed, moving a little closer with the dart and grabbing Peter’s hand.
“I like him- I swear I like him I didn’t mean to- to..” Peter’s voice tapered off, the medicine working through his system quickly.
They were originally meant for people like Thor, or The Hulk when he wouldn’t calm down. But with the research they had been doing lately, and Peter metabolism being almost faster than Cap’s himself, they started realizing that things like protein bars and medicine originally synthesized for Bucky or Steve, Bruce, Thor, and anyone else like that also worked on Peter just fine.
And the dart was no different, sending Peter into an empty sleep.
Rhodey worked to pick Peter up and bring him home while Pepper glared at Tony. “Great going, Stark.”