It was a rare quiet afternoon in the Stark Tower penthouse, and Tony was, for once, taking a break from his usual whirlwind of activity. He sat on the couch, feet up on the coffee table, flipping through a tablet filled with data from his latest tech developments. The world seemed calm for the moment—a rarity in their line of work—and he intended to enjoy it.
Just as he settled deeper into the cushions, he heard the familiar sound of the elevator doors sliding open. A moment later, Peter walked in, looking a little worse for wear, his hoodie pulled up and his shoulders slumped. Tony raised an eyebrow, immediately sensing that something was off.
“Hey, Underoos,” Tony called, setting the tablet aside. “You look like you just fought a pack of alien invaders and then ran a marathon. Everything okay?”
Peter hesitated for a second, then shrugged, giving Tony a tired smile. “Yeah, just... a long day, you know?”
Tony watched him closely, noticing the slight limp in his step, the bruises peeking out from under his hoodie, and the exhausted look in his eyes. He didn’t need Friday’s sensors to tell him that Peter had been through the wringer.
“Right. Long day.” Tony gestured to the couch. “Sit. Talk to me.”
Peter hesitated again, but then, with a small sigh, he crossed the room and dropped onto the couch next to Tony, pulling his hood down and rubbing his eyes. Tony waited, letting the silence hang for a moment, knowing that Peter would talk when he was ready.
“I just... I don’t know,” Peter finally said, leaning back against the cushions. “I feel like I’m failing at everything lately. Balancing being Spider-Man, school, and now being married—it’s like I can’t catch a break. And I don’t want to let MJ down, but sometimes it feels like I’m already doing that.”
Tony frowned, his expression softening. He knew that feeling all too well—the constant pressure of trying to balance everything, the fear of letting down the people you love. It was a burden that came with being a hero, but it was also something Peter was still learning to manage.
“Kid, I know what it’s like to feel like the world’s sitting on your shoulders. You’re trying to keep everyone safe, be a good husband, student, hero—it’s a lot. But listen, you’re not failing anyone. Least of all MJ.”
Peter’s gaze remained fixed on the floor, his hands fidgeting with the fabric of his hoodie. “It just feels like... no matter what I do, it’s not enough. I don’t want her to feel like I’m shutting her out or not making time for her. She deserves better than that.”
Tony leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he looked at Peter. “You know, when Pepper and I first got together, I was a complete mess. Always working, always distracted. She used to remind me that being present mattered more than trying to fix everything all the time.”
Peter glanced at him, listening intently.
“The thing is, MJ married you knowing you’re Spider-Man. She knew what she was signing up for. What she needs from you isn’t to be perfect—it’s to be honest. Let her in, even when it’s hard. Trust me, that’s what keeps you grounded.”
Peter nodded slowly, taking it in. “It’s just... sometimes I feel like I should be able to handle all of it, you know? Like if I can’t, then I’m failing as Spider-Man and as Peter Parker.”
Tony chuckled lightly, shaking his head. “Kid, if anyone knows about feeling like they have to do everything, it’s me. But you’ve gotta cut yourself some slack. No one—no one—expects you to handle everything perfectly. Not MJ, not me, not the city. You’re doing more than enough. And when you need help, you ask for it. That’s how this works.”
There was a long pause before Peter spoke again, his voice quieter this time. “I just don’t want to mess things up. MJ means everything to me.”
Tony’s expression softened further, and he reached out, placing a firm hand on Peter’s shoulder. “You won’t mess it up. You’re a good kid, and you love her. That’s what matters most. The rest? You’ll figure it out, together. But you’re not alone in this, alright? You’ve got me, Pepper, Happy, the whole team—and MJ’s right there with you.”
Peter looked up at Tony, the weight in his eyes easing just a little. “Thanks, dad. I... I guess I just needed to hear that.”
Tony gave him a small smile, squeezing his shoulder. “Anytime, kid. That’s what I’m here for. And hey, if things get really bad, you know where to find me.” He grinned, gesturing around at the penthouse.
Peter smiled back, feeling a little lighter than before. It wasn’t often he allowed himself to rely on Tony for advice like this, but in moments like these, he was glad to have him in his corner.
Tony leaned back into the couch, letting the moment settle. “Alright, now that we’ve had our heart-to-heart, how about we get you patched up? Those bruises aren’t going to heal on their own.”
Peter laughed softly, nodding. “Yeah, that’d be great.”
As Tony stood up to grab the med kit from the kitchen, Peter watched him go, feeling a surge of gratitude. Tony had always been more than a mentor to him. Over the years, he’d become like a father—a guiding figure who knew when to push and when to listen. And in moments like this, Peter realized just how much he needed that.
When Tony returned, he tossed Peter an ice pack and grinned. “You know, you’re lucky you’ve got me. Not everyone gets personalized Stark Industries medical care.”
Peter caught the ice pack, rolling his eyes but smiling. “Yeah, I guess I’m pretty lucky.”
As the two of them settled into a comfortable rhythm, with Tony patching up Peter’s wounds and cracking jokes the whole time, Peter realized something important: no matter how tough things got, he wasn’t facing them alone. With Tony by his side, and MJ supporting him, he knew he could handle whatever challenges came his way.
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His Protective Dad (Starker FF)
FanficA story of Peter Parker (Stark) and his sweet, dangerous yet loving dad Tony Stark. A story where a 16 yrs old boy loves his father dearly, who can do to make his son smile. But what happened when his dad found out about him (peter) getting bullied...
