IronDad// A Peter Parker Short Story

Chapter Three: Starbucks

Warnings: Depression?

Word Count: 857

2 Weeks Later

Peter just got home from Aunt May's funeral and things were not looking good. He cried himself to sleep every night and had closed himself off from the outside world. 

He tried drinking to drown his sorrows, but he couldn't stand the taste so instead, he just drank juice boxes and sulked around. He felt lonely and as if everyone he ever loved had left him. 

He blamed himself for her death just like when Ben died. What if I never left, what if I didn't show up at all? All the what-ifs slowly killing him from inside. 

His phone had been shut down the whole time and people were starting to get worried. Ned and Tony called the most. Peter was also about to be evicted and couldn't afford rent.

Everything had already been packed up, and the town is wondering where spiderman is. He did leave Karen on to help him with his constant panic attacks, of him reliving the moment over and over again.

"Peter, Mr. Stark is calling again. You should answer."

"No Karen please don't. 

"I'm sorry Peter, he is overriding my system."

"Pete, answer the phone, please. Everyone has been worried sick, you aren't returning our calls." Tony said softly. 

"I'm fine."

"No.You're not fine, I know your hurting but it gets better. Please at least talk to someone."

"I'm talking right now," he answered sarcastically.

"Kid." Tony sighed. "You've gotta get out of the apartment. Why don't we meet for coffee or something? Besides we really need to talk."

"I don't know."

"Peter. Tonight. 8 pm. Starbucks on Broadway. I'll pay."

"Fine."

"Thanks, Pete. Happy will pick you up, see you soon."

When 8:00 finally came, Peter dragged himself down to the lobby. The first time he'd been out of the house since her death. When he heard the expensive car pull up he knew it was Happy in the red convertible. Tony knew how much Peter enjoyed rides with the top down and hoped it might cheer him up. Only a few minutes later the pulled up to the empty Starbucks and Tony was there waiting.

"Mr.Stark why is it empty?"

"Oh I wanted some privacy for our talk so, I rented the whole place out."

"Really? You didn't have to do that for me."

"Of course I did, now here are 50 bucks, go order. I'll have what you're having," he said handing Peter a fifty dollar bill. "I'll meet you there in a minute."

Peter walked into the empty Starbucks to see one barista waiting for him with a smile on his face. "Hello Peter, what would you like?"

"Uhm, hi? I'll have two venti cappuccino with one pump caramel, and two chocolate. And 2 chocolate chip cookies."

"Okay that will be $12.80 please" Peter handed her the money, she gave him his change and stuff. He went to a booth in the back and sat down. Meanwhile Tony was outside on the phone with Pepper.

~~~

"So are you finally going to tell him?" Pepper asked.

"I think so? It just depends on how everything goes. Sorry, I gotta go he's ready. Love you."

"Hey Mr. Stark I got you a cookie and a cappuccino I hope it's okay?"

"It's perfect, thank you." He said before taking a long sip of the drink. "So how have you been holding up lately kid?"

"I don't know. I'm fine I guess."

"Peter you know you can talk to me, right?"

"Yeah. I uh. It's been really hard. I-I've lost everyone, everyone leaves me. It's all my fault." Peter said with his voice cracking.

"Peter, that's not true you know that's not true, you have me, Pepper, Steve, Bucky, Natasha, you have so many people that would love to talk to you. You just need to let them."

"That's not the same, she was my only family left."

"Well about that." He said as he took a bite of his cookie. "That's what this is about." '

"What do you mean?"

"You're being evicted next week, what are your plans?"

"Uh, I haven't actually thought about it. Why?"

"I could pay your rent if you wanted. But, well, a few weeks ago, your aunt and I had lunch, and she talked to me about something special."

"Uh, what. What did you talk about?"

"Your aunt asked me to become your guardian, if something happened to her she wanted to have someone to watch over you... And.."

"And??"

"What I'm trying to say is that, if you want, Pepper and I would love it if you want to come live with us."

"Really..?" Peter said as he ran over and hugged Tony. "Thank you, Mr. Stark. Thank you."

"No problem kid," Tony said as he hugged Peter back.

"If you want, you can come over now. I'll send some people to get your stuff tomorrow." "I'd love that, thank you so much, Mr. Stark."

"Call me Tony."

~~ And there it is chapter 3! I told you it gets better! I hope you enjoyed and don't forget to comment and vote! ~~