His Protective Dad (Starker FF) Completed ✓

Shadows of Fear

A Few Days After the Beach Trip

The bright sun streamed through the windows of Peter’s college classroom, yet the warmth of the day did little to lift the heavy weight of anxiety that settled in his chest. The memories of the beach trip had brought a fleeting sense of joy, but they quickly faded as reality crept back in. The shadows of his past loomed large, reminding him of the darker moments he had tried to forget.

As the professor droned on about advanced calculus, Peter found it increasingly difficult to concentrate. His mind was replaying the harrowing events that had unfolded in the alleyway just weeks before. The brutal attack by Jason and his gang had shattered his sense of security, leaving behind scars deeper than any physical injuries. The hospital stay that followed had been a blur, filled with sterile smells, worried faces, and the haunting silence that accompanied his isolation.

Now, even the thought of stepping onto campus filled him with dread. Peter had managed to keep his distance from Jason, avoiding any potential run-ins. But that day, he felt the familiar knot of fear tightening in his stomach as he entered the bustling hallways of the college. The laughter and chatter of his peers felt distant, like echoes of a world he no longer belonged to.

He continued to avoid Jason, but today, his luck was not in his side, as he unwantedly crossed his path with Jason.

The hallway seemed to close in around Peter as he found himself face-to-face with Jason. He hadn’t expected this encounter, especially not today, not with the Dynamic Six—his friends—standing nearby. Jason’s cruel smile twisted his face, and Peter could see the malice in his eyes.

“Well, well, if it isn’t the little Stark,” Jason sneered, his voice dripping with venom. “How’s it going, Peter? Still got those bruises? I bet you think twice before playing hero again.”

Peter stiffened but didn’t respond, his hands clenched tight at his sides as he felt his friends' eyes on him. Jason leaned in closer, his voice just loud enough for the whole group to hear.

“What’s the matter? You were all cocky before, weren’t you? Thought you could handle me and the guys?” Jason scoffed, his laughter sharp and cutting. “Guess all that ‘Stark’ money can’t buy a backbone, huh?”

Peter’s face burned with shame, but he held his ground, choosing silence over confrontation. Normally, he’d have a witty comeback, something to keep Jason from getting the last word. But the fear that had been building since that night in the alley kept him quiet, his mind flashing back to every punch, every cruel word, every moment he felt utterly powerless.

His friends—MJ, Ned, Harley, Wade, and Morgan—watched the scene unfold with concern, exchanging worried glances as Peter’s lack of reaction left them uneasy. This wasn’t the Peter they knew. He’d always been the one to stand his ground, never one to let a bully get to him. But here he was, shoulders slumped, eyes averted, taking Jason’s insults without a word.

Jason finally walked off with a mocking laugh, leaving Peter standing in the hallway, his friends watching in stunned silence. Harley was the first to speak.

“Peter… what was that?” he asked, his voice a mix of concern and disbelief. “Since when do you let jerks like him walk all over you?”

Peter forced a weak smile, trying to brush it off. “It’s nothing, really. Just didn’t feel like dealing with him.”

But his friends weren’t convinced. As the group walked to their next class, they exchanged suspicious looks, sensing something deeper was wrong. MJ couldn’t shake the feeling that Peter was hiding something serious, and Morgan’s frown only deepened with each step.

Later that evening, the Dynamic Six made their way to Stark Tower. They knew there was only one way to get to the bottom of things—by talking to Peter’s dads. Tony and Steve welcomed them inside, their smiles fading as they noticed the somber expressions on the teens’ faces.

“Alright, what’s going on?” Tony asked, folding his arms as he looked at each of them in turn. “You all look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“Actually, it’s Peter,” MJ spoke up, glancing at her friends for support. “He… he isn’t acting like himself. We saw him with that guy, Jason. And, well, Peter just… took it. He didn’t fight back or stand up for himself.”

Tony’s face darkened, while Steve placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “We noticed something was off after the hospital, but he wouldn’t tell us much,” Steve said quietly.

Determined to get answers, Tony and Steve found Peter in his room, sitting quietly at his desk, lost in thought. They exchanged a look before Tony stepped forward, his voice gentle yet firm.

“Peter,” Tony said, “we need to talk. Your friends told us about what happened with Jason today. And we’re not leaving this room until you tell us everything.”

Peter’s face fell, his usual defenses crumbling as he met his dads’ worried gazes. He took a shaky breath, finally letting down the walls he had been holding up for so long.

“It’s… it’s about that night,” Peter began, his voice barely above a whisper. “When Jason and his gang… they didn’t just beat me up, Dad. They made it clear they’d come after me again if I tried to fight back. I… I couldn’t sleep, couldn’t stop thinking about it. Every time I see him, I feel that fear all over again.”

Tears stung his eyes as he struggled to keep his voice steady. “I used to think I could handle anything. But after that night… it’s like I lost a part of myself. And I… I don’t know how to get it back.”

Tony moved closer, wrapping his arms around Peter, pulling him into a protective embrace. “Peter, you should’ve told us,” he whispered, his own voice laced with emotion. “You don’t have to face this alone. We’re here for you. Always.”

Steve joined them, placing a gentle hand on Peter’s back. “Fear doesn’t make you weak, Peter. It makes you human. What happened to you was traumatic, and it’s okay to feel afraid. But we’ll get through this together.”

Peter nodded, the weight of his secret finally lifting as he let himself lean on his dads. With their support, he began to believe that he could face his fears—and one day, reclaim the strength he thought he’d lost.