I'm Just Human

Chapter Seventeen

Thanks, @SunflowerPoppy for the help and to everyone who was so very kind to me on the last chapter, Thanks for your support and kindness :)

*

Tony knew it was a mistake. The suit sitting on the lab bench staring back at him.

He shouldn't have taken the suit. He shouldn't have called off their mentorship. He shouldn't have gotten angry and shouted at Peter and made him feel like this was all his fault.

It was a mistake.

If you're nothing without the suit, you shouldn't have it!

The words he shouted echoing inside his head. It was a mistake. He'll never be able to get his kid's face, hurt and confused and angry, out of his head, matching the image of Peter's young face, hand tucked in Cat's as she led him out of the house.

He shouldn't have done any of the things he did, but he was riding on pure parental protectiveness that he hasn't felt in over a decade and never as bad as it was standing up on the rooftop.

Because Peter could've died.

His child, the one who's grown up with a tougher life than he deserved, the one with bright eyes and the biggest heart, the one Tony lost, he could've died. Tony could be cradling his dead child right now, not contemplating calling him and apologizing for overreacting.

Peter could've died. And Tony can't get past that. He can't lose his kid. He can't.

Tony would prefer to die than to ever see his kid hurt. He couldn't bear it.

So, rationally, he took the suit from the kid- an actual child. A baby, in Tony's eyes, out there trying to save the world. Not okay- to make sure he stays safe. Peter will just focus on school and his aunt and maybe, after a few months, this will blow over and Tony can get Peter some proper training and a better suit and protection. That way, Peter won't ever get hurt like he nearly did on the ferry. That way, Tony won't have to harbour any guilt for letting his kid out there in a stupid fucking onesie. That way, Tony can be sure his kid is okay.

And that's that.

Except, Tony didn't account for the fact that his kid is an absolute moron who decided that fighting some crazy villain, suitless and alone, was a good idea.

He didn't account for the fact that this crazy villain would try to steal his plane and that the kid would stop him from doing it without even considering the other possibilities.

*

"Where's the Spider-kid?" Tony demands Happy as soon as his feet hit the sand. "Where is he?"

"We don't know, Tones. He- He left a note, but his webshooters were both here as well," Happy explains, gesturing to the mess of webs and police officers surrounding the man in the wrecked suit. "He couldn't have gotten far."

"Fri, I need to find him," Tony tells the suit waiting idly nearby. "Find him."

"Yes, Boss." There are a long few moments of silence before she responds. "I believe he's by the Ferris Wheel."

Tony steps back into the suit before turning back to Happy. "Make sure he spends the rest of his life in prison. The kid and the douche are top priorities, I don't care about inventory."

"I don't care, Hap, I just need the kid and I need this asshole locked away forever for laying a hand on my kid, you understand?"

"Yes, Boss. Let me know if you need anything."

"Call the other kid. Whatever his name was, Ted, or something, let him know his friend is in safe hands," Tony instructs, and without waiting for a response, takes off towards the Ferris Wheel.