Chapter Text
The sun filtered down through the gentle waves, casting shimmering beams of light that danced across the ocean floor. Tony relished the sensation of the warm water surrounding him as he swam alongside Peter. He always enjoyed these moments of freedom with his son, far from the complicated politics of the sea and the lurking dangers of both land and water. Here, it was just the two of them, father and son, exploring the forgotten wrecks that dotted the seabed like ancient relics.
"Bet I can get there before you!" Peter called, a teasing grin splitting his face as he shot ahead.
Tony rolled his eyes, smirking. "You’re on, kid."
With a powerful flick of his tail, Tony surged forward, cutting through the water with practiced ease. He wasn’t about to let Peter get too far ahead—not that Peter didn’t always give him a run for his money. His son’s speed and agility were impressive for his age, something Tony was not only incredibly proud of but also put his mind just a bit at ease. After all, in the ocean, speed could be the difference between life and death.
Peter darted ahead, weaving between jagged beams of wood that jutted out from the wreckage like the ribs of some long-dead sea beast. Tony followed at a leisurely pace, letting Peter have his moment. He could hear his son’s laughter echo through the water, the pure joy of discovery. It was the kind of unrestrained happiness that Tony treasured. Being a father had its challenges, but moments like these made it all worth it.
Peter spun in the water, flipping backward to face Tony. "Come on, Dad! You’re getting slow!"
"Slow?" Tony arched an eyebrow, amusement bubbling up inside him. "Kid, I’m just letting you have your fun."
"Sure," Peter teased, swimming backward and laughing. "Old man Stark, can’t even keep up with a teenager."
Tony pretended to huff. "Old man? I’m in my prime, thank you very much."
Peter’s laughter echoed through the water, a sound that made Tony’s chest warm with pride. They reached the sunken ship, a massive galleon half-buried in sand, its wood half decayed by saltwater. Barnacles clung to the surfaces, and colorful fish darted in and out of the nooks and crannies. Seaweed swayed gently in the current, giving the whole scene a feeling of peaceful stillness.
Tony floated next to Peter, his gaze sweeping over the wreck. "Look at this beauty. You can almost imagine what it was like in its prime, before it sank."
"Yeah," Peter agreed, his eyes wide with wonder as he peered through a cracked section of the hull. "It’s amazing. Do you think there’s treasure inside?"
Tony chuckled softly. "Always thinking like a pirate, huh?"
Peter grinned sheepishly. "Maybe a little. But come on, Dad—there has to be something cool in there."
"Well," Tony said, crossing his arms with a mock-serious expression, "I suppose we could take a look. But don’t touch anything unless you’re sure it won’t trigger some ancient curse or trap. I’ve had enough excitement in my life, thank you very much."
Peter snorted, shaking his head. "Ancient curse? You sound like Ned."
"Just being cautious," Tony said, though his playful smile told Peter he wasn’t too worried. They often found strange, forgotten artifacts in wrecks like this, but nothing too dangerous. Still, he liked keeping Peter on his toes.
Peter swam ahead, slipping into a small opening in the hull. Tony followed more slowly, watching as his son carefully maneuvered around the sharp edges of broken wood and rusted metal. Inside the wreck, it was dimmer, but light filtered in through the cracks and gaps, illuminating small pockets of the once-grand ship. Fish swam lazily around them, and Tony could make out the outlines of long-abandoned cannons, crates, and tattered remnants of sails.
"Whoa," Peter said in awe, his voice hushed. "Look at all this stuff."
Tony nodded, feeling the same sense of awe every time they explored a new shipwreck. There was something hauntingly beautiful about these sunken vessels—memories of lives lived long ago, now claimed by the sea.
Peter swam down to a nearby chest, brushing away the layer of silt that had settled over it. "Think there’s anything inside?"
Tony shrugged. "Only one way to find out."
Peter tried to pry the lid open, but the rusted hinges wouldn’t budge. He huffed, giving it another good tug before looking back at Tony with a helpless shrug. Tony swam closer, a smirk on his face as he gave the chest a sharp nudge. The hinges gave way with a creak, and Peter’s eyes lit up.
Inside the chest, however, was nothing more than some old, waterlogged fabric and what might have once been a map, now too faded and worn to be legible.
"Not exactly treasure," Peter muttered.
"Treasure’s not always gold and jewels, kid," Tony said, laying a hand on his shoulder. "Sometimes, it’s just about the adventure."
Peter’s face softened into a smile. "Yeah, I guess so."
Tony gazed around the wreck, his senses prickled with unease. It was subtle at first—just a shift in the water’s current, a faint shadow that passed overhead. He turned, scanning the area, but nothing seemed out of place. Still, that feeling remained, crawling up his spine.
They swam out of the ship’s main hull, back into the open ocean. A School of fish darted past, startled by their sudden appearance, while beams of sunlight filtered down, casting dancing patterns across the seabed. But instead of being met by the soft sounds of the sea—the gentle murmur of waves, the rustle of seagrass in the current, and the distant echo of whale song, they were met with an eerie silence.
That’s when Peter yelped, his body jerking back as the net sprang around him.
Peter’s startled yell rang through the water, freezing Tony in place for a split second. His heart raced as he turned, eyes widening at the sight of Peter tangled in the thick, coarse ropes of a net. The intricate weave wrapped around his son’s arms and tail, pulling him up slowly to a previously obscured ship rocking on the surface.
Tony shot forward without hesitation, adrenaline flooding his veins. "Peter!" His voice cut through the water, sharp with worry. Peter’s panic was evident in his wide eyes and the frantic movements as he tried to free himself.
Tony’s jaw clenched as he reached Peter. "Stay still," he ordered, trying to keep his voice calm despite the alarm rising inside him. "I’ve got you."
Peter’s breaths were coming in short, sharp bursts, his young face tight with fear. "Dad, I—I didn’t see it. I’m sorry, I—"
"It’s okay. We’ll get you out of here. Just breathe, kid." Tony’s fingers worked quickly, tugging at the thick ropes. The saltwater had hardened the fibers, making them tough to pull apart, but Tony wasn’t about to let some lousy net hold his son captive.
The ropes strained as Tony pulled with all his strength. His muscles burned, but slowly, he began to loosen the net. Peter struggled less now, trusting his dad to free him, but the tension in the water was palpable.
Just as Tony felt the last of the ropes give way, a dark shadow passed over them, and another net dropped, faster and heavier this time, and before Tony could escape, it wrapped around him, tightening its grip with brutal efficiency. His tail thrashed, muscles straining against the rough fibers as he tried to break free, but the more he struggled, the tighter the ropes pulled.
He froze, his senses immediately sharpening. He looked up to where these nets were coming from, squinting against the shifting light of the water’s surface.
Pirates.
Tony pushed Peter away best he could while tangled in the net, his voice urgent. "Peter, swim. Swim as fast as you can."
Peter’s eyes widened in alarm. "What about you?"
"I’ll be right behind you, but you need to go now!" Tony’s voice was firm, brooking no argument. There wasn’t time to explain, not when he was already so close to the water’s surface, not when he could see another net being thrown overboard. He had to keep Peter safe.
Peter hesitated, fear and uncertainty flashing in his eyes, but Tony gave him a sharp nod. "Go, Peter!"
With one final look, Peter kicked off from the wreck, his small frame darting through the water like a blue streak. Tony watched him go, relief washing over him for a brief moment. Peter was fast, and he knew how to hide when necessary. He’d be safe. He had to be.
But Tony wasn’t so lucky.
His head broke the surface, and he was yanked violently onto the deck of the pirate ship, gasping as the cool air hit his face. Rough hands grabbed at him immediately, yanking the net away but keeping his tail bound tight with heavy rope. Tony twisted, trying to fight them off, but there were too many.
"Well, look at this," one of the pirates sneered, his face a mixture of cruel amusement and twisted fascination. He had a thick beard and a scar that ran from his temple to his jaw. His eyes glittered with greed as he stared down at Tony’s tail. "A real live mermaid. We’re gonna make a fortune off this one, boys."
Tony glared up at him, chest heaving with effort as he tried to fight against the bindings. "Let me go," he spat, his voice low and dangerous.
The pirate just laughed, his teeth yellow and rotting. "I don’t think so. You’re coming with us."
The pirates worked quickly, their hands rough and unkind as they bent Tony’s tail into an unnatural position, tying it tightly so he couldn’t move. The pain flared through his body as the muscles in his tail strained against the forced position, but the ropes held firm. They were used to dealing with creatures such as him, it seemed.
His arms were next, bound tightly to his torso, leaving him completely immobilized. He cursed under his breath, twisting and jerking, but there was no escape. Every move made the ropes dig into his skin, the rough fibers burning against his flesh.
"Feisty, huh?" Another pirate, tall and burly, grabbed a handful of Tony’s hair, yanking his head back to force him to look up at him. "The captain’s gonna like you."
Tony bared his teeth in response, but the pirate just smirked and released him with a shove, causing Tony to hit his head painfully on the deck. The pirates dragged him toward a large wooden crate, dumping him inside with a splash of water. His tail flopped helplessly against the wooden bottom, the small amount of water inside barely enough to keep him comfortable, let alone allow him any freedom of movement.
The lid slammed down, plunging Tony into darkness.
He heard the echoing creaks of the ship as it began to move, and the muffled voices of the pirates above. His heart pounded in his chest, a sickening mixture of fear and anger churning inside him. Trapped. Powerless. And worst of all, he didn’t know if Peter had escaped.
The ship rocked beneath him as they moved below deck, and Tony’s mind raced. He had to get out. He had to find Peter. But in the cramped space of the crate, with his tail bound and his arms pinned, there was little he could do.
For now, he was at their mercy.