His Protective Dad (Starker FF) Completed ✓

Facing The Shadows

The next morning, Peter sat at the breakfast table with Tony, Steve, and the Dynamic Six, who’d stayed the night after last evening’s revelations. Peter’s face was less tense, though a hint of worry still lingered. It had felt good to finally let the truth out—to admit he was struggling. But now, with Tony and Steve by his side, he felt a new resolve growing. He wasn’t alone in this. And that made all the difference.

Tony poured himself a fresh cup of coffee, casting a serious glance in Peter's direction. “Listen, kid, you’re not getting back on that campus until we make sure you’re ready to face people like Jason.”

Peter’s head shot up, a bit alarmed. “What do you mean? I don’t want to hide just because he—”

“Oh, you’re not hiding,” Tony interjected, his tone firm but warm. “You’re going back stronger. And, you’re going back with a little extra support.”

Steve leaned forward, his gaze steady. “We know you’re Spider-Man, and you’ve got the skills. But sometimes, all it takes is a reminder of what you’re capable of. And…maybe a few upgrades.”

Peter raised an eyebrow, a bit of a smile starting to form. “Upgrades?”

Tony smirked, setting his coffee down and gesturing for everyone to follow him to the lab. When they arrived, he revealed a new suit he'd been working on—a suit specifically designed to help Peter feel empowered, both in and out of his Spider-Man persona.

“This,” Tony said, “is designed to help you tackle anything, from alleyway thugs to… well, you know, the usual ‘saving the world’ type stuff. It has reinforced plating, upgraded web shooters, and a new tracking system to keep you connected with us if you ever need backup.”

Peter’s eyes widened as he examined the suit, the anxiety in his chest loosening slightly. “Dad… Pops… Thank you,” he murmured, feeling the weight of their love and support.

Steve placed a reassuring hand on Peter’s shoulder. “Let’s suit up, son. You’ll train with Nat and me today, just to remind yourself what you’re capable of. And then… we’re heading back to campus.”

---

Later That Day: On Campus

Peter walked through the crowded college hallways with his friends, feeling a surge of confidence he hadn’t felt in weeks. The Dynamic Six flanked him, their expressions a mix of support and determination. He knew they had his back—and, now, he felt like he had his own strength back, too.

They didn’t have to wait long before they spotted Jason lounging by his locker, laughing with a couple of his friends. Peter took a deep breath, recalling Steve’s advice from their training session earlier: “Fear is only as strong as you let it be, Peter. Face it head-on, and it’ll shrink to a size you can handle.”

As they passed, Jason shot Peter a mocking smirk. “Hey, Stark! Still hanging around your little fan club, I see. Guess you need all the help you can get, huh?”

But this time, Peter didn’t flinch or shrink away. He stopped in his tracks, meeting Jason’s gaze head-on, his posture calm yet assertive.

“Actually, Jason,” Peter replied evenly, “I don’t need any help handling people like you. But it’s nice to know I’ve got backup when I need it.”

Jason’s smirk faded slightly, and his friends shifted uncomfortably. He hadn’t expected Peter to respond with such confidence—or to have a whole group standing behind him, silently showing their support.

MJ, standing beside Peter, folded her arms. “You might want to back off, Jason. Unless you want to find out just what he’s capable of.”

Jason muttered something under his breath, clearly annoyed, but he didn’t push further. The strength in Peter’s voice, combined with the unwavering support of his friends, had thrown him off balance. With a frustrated glare, he turned and walked away.