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It was a perfectly sunny fall day, there was not a cloud in the sky. Tony walked up the path of a meadow on a hill. The grass was a perfect shade of green and he could see each blade of grass sway lightly with the crisp fall wind. As Tony walked, he could feel the breeze in his hair and the sun shining on his back. Tony continued to walk up the path to the top of the hill. When he reached the top, he took a deep breath and inhaled the crisp yet warm fall air. He closed his eyes for a second and tilted his head to the sky as if to let the sun soak into his skin. When he opened his eyes again, he took a deep breath and looked around. There on the grass about 10 feet away from him was a boy sitting. The boy had curly brown hair and was looking off at the forest below the hills. The boy seemed content looking off into the horizon, almost as if he was looking for something.
As if he sensed Tony’s presence, the boy turned. His big chocolate brown eyes stared up at Tony, his smooth skin glistened in the warm sun.
“Dad?” The boy asked.
--
Tony Stark is the richest man in New York. Scratch that. He’s the richest man in the world. CEO of Stark Industries. He created Ironman. In his own words, he successfully privatized world peace. Everyone knew his name. His fame, intelligence, and wealth made him the equivalent of a god. Since Peter Parker was little, he worshiped Tony Stark. He would sit on the floor of his aunt and uncle’s tiny apartment in Queens and watch every press conference in awe. Tony Stark gave him hope in a world that kept trying to take away any resemblance of hope. From losing his mom and dad, to losing Ben, to being so poor that electricity was shut off last month, Peter knew he had a hard life. But seeing Tony Stark on TV saving the world with his technology gave Peter hope that one day he too could use his brain for good, just like Mr. Stark.
Today, Peter didn’t think of his hardships. He didn’t think, oh poor Peter Parker. No, today was only happy thoughts. Because today, Mr. Harrington’s class was touring Stark Industries. He was going to be in the same building his hero created. Just the thought made his heart beat a little faster. Not only would they get to check out labs and the Avenger’s history floor, but they were going to be entered into a competition to pitch their ideas to real Stark Industry employees. Their own original ideas! Peter had thought about what he wanted to pitch since the day the field trip was announced. The best part about the competition was whoever the winner was, they would receive a cash prize. Cash!! Peter could only dream of winning; he and his aunt could really use the money. All he had left was his aunt. And she couldn’t afford to buy him a new backpack. Or a winter coat… and winter in New York was cold. If he won the competition… that could change everything for him and May. Just another reason Tony Stark gave Peter hope.
And that’s how Peter found himself sitting on the bus next to Ned. Peter wore his nicest outfit. He tried not to think about how there were holes in his socks or that the white button-down shirt had stains on it, courtesy of the previous owner. Instead, Peter thought about how he was going to present himself. He knew exactly what he wanted to pitch. Ever since he lost his parents, he felt a need to help people. He was going to pitch a robot that could understand emotions, especially grief and sadness, and could help children cope with complex feelings. He even had some preliminary coding done, and a sketch of the robot. It would be something he knew Stark Industries could manufacture cheaply and would be invaluable to social workers and physiatrists.
“Dude hello?” Ned, waved his hand in front of Peter’s face.
“Sorry man,” Peter said to his best friend, “just got lost in my thoughts.”
“Do you think we will get to meet Tony Stark?”
“That would be so awesome dude.” Peter said, his eyes glazing over in the thought of seeing his hero in person.
“Haha good luck Penis. Even if he showed up at our tour, there’s no way he would want to talk to you,” Flash tormented. Flash was Peter’s least favorite person in the school, and probably the entire world. His family was wealthy. He had a fancy car and nice clothes. And he had parents.
“Shut up Flash,” Ned defended, “Peter is just as smart if not smarter than you.”
“Look at how he’s dressed! He looks homeless.” Flash scoffed, and his goons laughed.
“Don’t listen to them Peter,” Ned whispered. “Flash is just an idiot.”
“What did you call me lardo?” Flash sneered.
“He called you an idiot, which you are Flash,” MJ interjected. “You’re the entire reason our Academic Decathlon team lost nationals last year.”
Peter winced at that. Because Peter couldn’t afford the trip to DC for nationals, Flash, who was always just an alternate, took his seat. And they lost nationals. Peter blamed himself for that. Luckily, MJ’s comment shut up Flash.
“Thanks, MJ,” Peter smiled at her.
“No problem loser,” MJ said and turned back to her book.
As the bus bounced along Grand Central Parkway, the students dreamed of meeting the one and only Tony Stark. They all iodized him because the whole world thought he was perfect.
But nobody is perfect.
Beneath all the hype and perfect persona the media portrayed, Tony Stark wasn’t just the richest man in the world. He was also the loneliest. And that loneliness ate him alive. No matter what he seemed to do, no one ever stuck around. His parents were killed. Rhodey stopped talking to him. The Avengers only called him when it was time for a mission that required Ironman. Even Pepper only talked to him when it was essential for Stark Industries. He dreamed of having a family, but no woman could ever put up with his bullshit. Pepper couldn’t, and she was the strongest woman he knew. Besides, he wanted a child that was completely his. Maybe it was his need to have full control, maybe it was his selfishness, or maybe it was the fact his father ruined his ability to ever develop deep emotional connections, but Tony knew the only way for him to be a father was to find the perfect child. He wouldn’t go for artificial insemination, or adoption, god no. None of those options guaranteed him the perfect child.
In fact, he had already seen his child. On the anniversary of his parent's deaths, he was so drunk he couldn’t stand. When he passed out next to the empty bottles on his penthouse floor, he had a dream. He dreamed of a boy with big brown Bambi eyes, a mop of curly hair, and a smile that made Tony smile for the first time in a long time. Even though it was just a dream, Tony knew this boy was real. This boy came to him in his dream. And he kept coming to Tony in his dreams. In meadows, at board meetings, the boy was in every dream. Tony knew that was a sign – this boy was meant to be his son. The boy was the light at the end of the tunnel and Tony would do everything in his power to be with his son, no matter what he had to do.
Which is why when Pepper informed Tony that a school was touring Stark Industries this morning and to stay away from the children, he only scoffed. As if any of those children mattered. None were his son. But just to be safe, he checked the security feed as the school bus rolled up to the front of the building. He watched the students pour out and only hoped none of them would touch anything in his labs.
Tony’s jaw dropped as the last student bounced excitedly off the bus. Familiar brown curls bounced with each step. Familiar Bambi eyes looked up at the tower, which coincidently meant he looked directly into Tony's camera. In those familiar eyes that plagued Tony's dream, Tony could see the admiration and excitement bursting from those big brown eyes.
Today just got a whole lot better.
--
Peter could not believe he was in Stark Tower. After going through security and leaving their backpacks and phones, their tour guide came to collect them. The tour guide told them everything about the Tower, from the history of Stark Industries and the building to safety features. They walked through the Avenger’s museum and Peter was completely fangirling. He got to see real Ironman suits up close! There was even a replica of the Ironman suit Tony Stark built in the cave in Afghanistan. Peter also got to admire the replica of Captain America’s shield, Black Widow’s spider bites, and Hawkeyes arrows.
“Dude this is the best day ever,” Ned said, eyes wide as the friends stared up at the wall with Ironman facts.
“Best day ever,” Peter agreed wholeheartedly.
“We are so close we could almost touch one of the Ironman suits!” Ned giddily said.
“I wish we could!” Peter excitedly admitted. “But I think an alarm would go off.”
“For sure, this is Tony Stark’s tower after all,” Ned agreed.
The two continued to worship everything, from the rest of the museum to the labs they got to see. The demonstration from one of the lab assistants on how the arc reactor works was breathtaking. Peter had so many questions. But Peter’s questions were extremely complex, so complex the lab assistant couldn’t answer them. The lab assistant even told Peter that only Tony Stark would be able to answer those questions, which caused the class to erupt into whispers about the man.
Peter wondered where Mr. Stark was. Was he in the Tower? Or was he out on an Avenger's mission? Maybe he was meeting with the president or working in one of the private labs the tour guide talked about. Peter continued to think about the man, wondering if he would ever have the chance to meet his hero.
As they walked out of the lab and down the corridor, Peter looked up. The wall in front of him had a 20 foot holographic of Tony Stark himself. While the rest of the class walked by, Peter stopped and looked up. His eyes looked up and met the eyes of his hero, who seemed to be looking down at him with a soft smile. Was the hologram smiling at him? Peter could only stare up with wonder at the hero he dreamed of meeting.
--
Tony watched his son’s every move in the Tower. He told Pepper he wasn’t feeling well and to cancel all of his meetings for the day. Luckily she did, no questions asked. Instead, he was looking for the perfect opportunity to go steal his kid away.
Running facial recognition, Tony found out everything he needed to know about his son. Peter Benjamin Parker. His heartbreaking background made Tony’s love grow even more for Peter. His poor boy lost so much already. But he was about to gain so much more with Tony. And the aunt he currently lived with… well, Tony’s nose scrunched up in disgust. She clearly couldn’t care for his boy the way he deserved to be cared for. Especially with her shitty credit and having the electricity turned off. No, Tony was doing the right thing bringing his son home. He learned about the boy’s love of Star Wars through a paper he had written in the school’s newspaper, and ordered everything Star Wars for his son’s room in the penthouse. Happy, his bodyguard and chauffeur, was sent off to go pick up everything and was ordered to set up the room without any explanation as to what he was doing, other than it was essential. And Tony also told Happy that he needed Happy to stage a hit and run. Happy agreed to do everything, no questions asked. It was his job after all, and Tony Stark often had obscure demands. This request wasn't any different than any of the other eccentric requests.
Which is why Tony knew the perfect time to interject was during the competition, specifically the winner's announcement. He watched intently as Peter presented his idea. It was thoughtful and sweet and brilliant, just like the son he always wanted. Tony watched the judges debrief, and Tony was not surprised when he watched the judges quickly agree that Peter was the winner. It made his heart swell with pride.
And that’s how Tony found himself lurking in the shadows watching the winner's announcement.
“Alright students,” one of the judges clapped his hands, silencing the students who were nervously chatting, “it was a really difficult decision, but one student really stood out. The winner of our $1,000 prize is… Peter Parker!”
Peter’s head shot up as the clapping began. He looked at the judges stunned for a second, the reality of it sinking in as his eyes grew wide with excitement. He stood on his nervously wobblily legs and shuffled to the front of the room to shake the judges' hands.
“Congratulations,” The male judge said and shook Peter’s soft hand. Peter’s brain finally caught up and he realized he actually needed to return the handshake, not just limply hold the judge’s hand.
“Very well done Peter,” the female judge said and Peter turned to face her. They shook hands, and she handed him the check.
‘Holy shit, May will be so proud,’ Peter thought and stared at the check. One thousand dollars! That was more money than Peter had ever seen! It was more money than his aunt and uncle had ever had in their bank account at any time. Peter smiled, thinking about how he could help May by getting the electricity turned back on and could buy his own winter coat.
“Peter, I am very proud of you,” a new voice said, interrupting Peter’s thoughts. The voice was familiar, like Peter had heard it a thousand times on TV.
Peter slowly lifted his head. When Peter looked up from the check, he found himself standing face to face with his hero.
Tony Stark stood in front of Peter in one of his many expensive suits. His signature sunglasses were placed on his head, and he confidently smiled at Peter.
“Mr. – Mr. Stark!” Peter’s eyes bulged. His hero was here! Talking to him. Peter reached out his hand hesitantly “Hi, I’m Peter.”
“Tony,” Tony smirked proudly and grabbing his son’s hands, and not letting go.
“What-whatare-whatareyou-whatareyoudoinghere?” Peter rushed out.
“It’s about time we met, common let’s go for a little walk, shall we?” Tony asked and turned and pulled Peter to leave. Peter let Tony tug his hand, and Peter’s legs followed him on autopilot. Peter was so stunned that he was going to talk to his hero privately he didn’t turn around to see the shocked faces of his classmates.
When Peter’s mind finally caught up, they were standing in the elevator. The private elevator for Tony Stark and the Avengers that the tour guide pointed out just hours ago.
“I’m – I’m such a huge fan!” Peter blurted out as the elevator began to move. “I always wanted to be a scientist because when I was little, I saw you on TV talking about your arc reactor and Ironman and now I’m obsessed with nanotech and I really want to become an engineer.”
“Well, I’m happy to let you tinker on my suits with me in my lab.” Tony smiled and watched his son light up. He would do anything to see his boy that happy. Tony’s dreams were right, Peter was truly his son. No other boy Tony had ever met matched Tony’s enthusiasm for science. No other boy filled the loneliness that had plagued Tony for years with just one smile.
“Wow Mr. Stark it would be an honor,” Peter beamed.
“Good, I’m glad,” Tony said as the elevator doors opened. Tony strode out confidently, pulling Peter along with him.
“Where are we Mr. Stark?” Peter asked.
“Home,” Tony stated.
“Home? What do you mean home? Is this floor your home?”
“It’s the penthouse. It’s your home too now, part of winning means you get to come to live here. You proved how brilliant you are, which means you are meant to be my son.”
Peter stopped dead in his tracks and let go of Tony’s hand. How long was he holding Tony’s hand? The world was starting to spin.
“Mr-Mr. Stark I can’t, I have an aunt. This prize means so much to me and I would really love to be able to come back after school some days for like an internship but- “
“No Peter, you don’t seem to understand. You’re not leaving.” Tony said, his eyes darkening.
“No, no Mr. Stark you can’t do that. My entire class knows you just took me and my aunt will come looking-”
“Your teacher is being informed that I released you from the Tower to go walk home right now. My driver Happy is currently staging a hit and run that will make everyone think you, Peter Parker, are dead. I know this is a big change but Peter, this is for the better. You are now Peter Stark,” Tony reached out and put a hand on Peter’s shoulder to calm him.
But instead, Peter staggered back.
“No no, you can’t do that! That’s illegal! I won’t let you! I want May!” Peter cried.
“Thing is Pete, I can do whatever I want. I am Tony Stark after all. And you are my son,” Tony warned with Mark 42 powering up and standing guard by the elevator
“No, no no no,” Peter cried, the tears openly flowing now. There was no escaping.
“Shhhh, baby, it’s okay,” Tony cooed, pulling Peter into a hug. Peter tried to struggle out of his grip, but Tony was much stronger. He was an Avenger after all who fought alongside Captain America. And Peter… well he was just Puny Peter Parker. He hadn’t eaten since yesterday because money was tight and he was weak. His frail arms were no match for Tony’s much stronger ones.
And that’s how Peter found himself sobbing into the chest of his lifelong hero, now turned kidnapper. Peter was smart, he knew that there was no chance he could physically fight his way out of Tony’s grasp, and even if he did, Mark 42 would stop him. And he had seen footage of what the Ironman suits could do. It made Peter shudder in fear.
No, if he wanted to escape, he had to outsmart the genius.
So Peter let Tony hold him while he cried. He let Tony rub his back, whisper sweet nothings into his ears, and even gently rock him back and forth until his crying slowed into a hiccup. He let Tony lead him into the kitchen, let Tony situate Peter at a barstool, and let Tony push a plate of food in front of him. He even let Tony wipe the tear stains off his face.
Peter pushed the pasta on his plate around. He passively listened to Tony ramble on about the safety features of the tower. The more he said the more Peter realized he was totally, 100%, fucking screwed. There was no way he could outsmart the all-knowing AI called FRIDAY, who would be watching his every move. There were also security guards at the Tower, and Tony would instruct all of them to take a bullet for Peter if there was ever any danger. In Tony’s words, that’s what they were paid to do.
“… and Pete, as my heir, I have so much to teach you about SI.”
“Wait, your heir?” Peter asked.
“Peter, you’re my son. I’m your dad. Of course, you will inherit all my wealth. My business. Everything.”
“What?” Peter asked flabbergasted getting angrier and angrier. “before today you didn’t even know me. Now I’m your son?”
“You still don’t understand, do you?” Tony asked, and chuckled at his son’s scrunched-up face, “I had a vision of you long before we met. In that dream, I saw you and I knew you were my son. I was just lucky you showed up on my doorstep. Sure, you deserved to win that competition. But in reality, I would have taken you home no matter what. I have been looking for you since I first saw you, and I will never let you go. I am your father.”
Peter would have made a Star Wars joke about Luke Skywalker if he wasn’t so fucking screwed. Instead, he suppressed the rage he felt boiling inside of him and slowly nodded his head.
"Great, now that that's settled, let me give you the tour." Tony grinned and took away Peter's plate. He came over to Peter and hovered over him, gesturing for Peter to stand. He did, and Tony was quick to wrap an arm around his son. Peter wondered why he felt the need to since there was no way he could escape.
So Tony showed him everything, from the living room to Tony's office and personal lab, to the bedrooms and bathrooms, Tony showed him everything. If he wasn't currently kidnapped, Peter would be worshiping every corner. How many other people got to see inside the private residence of the most powerful person on the planet?
"And this is your room," Tony said, opening up the door. Peter's jaw dropped. The room was huge, way bigger than the entire apartment he and May shared. From the king bed to the gaming setup to the massive desk with a bookshelf full of science books to the boxes upon boxes of Legos, Peter was stunned.
"This... this is all for me?" Peter asked in a small voice.
"Of course, only the best for my son. Anything else you want, I will get you. Anything. Nothing is out of the possibility." Tony grinned.
'Except freedom,' Peter thought, but didn't dare say.
"Thank you," Peter acknowledged, unsure of why he even bothered to thank his kidnapper.
"You're welcome son. I love you." Tony said, pulling Peter into a hug. Peter stiffly stood there unwilling to return the hug. It was just really weird. His hero loved him? Peter had no idea how this day turned out to be so fucked up.
Tony pulled back from the hug.
"I understand you're probably not ready to say I love you back dad. But that's okay. We will get there." Tony commented, ruffling Peter's hair.
Peter stared at him in shock, unsure of what to say to that. 'No way in hell will I ever love someone who kidnapped me and took me away from my Aunt,' was on the tip of his tongue but Peter remembered the Mark 42 suit wasn't far away. Tony could easily call the suit and make him shut up. Peter was so lost in thought he didn't realize Tony was still speaking to him.
"Peter?" Tony called, trying to get his attention.
"Oh, yea?" Peter asked nervously.
"Did you hear what I said?" Tony asked.
"Uhh..."
Tony chuckled.
"No problem kiddo. I'm sure you're tired. Big day and all, what with you unexpectedly coming home. I asked you to get ready for bed, I'll come to tuck you into bed in a bit. I just gotta take care of something first. Some protocols to protect you, you know?" Tony explained and walked to the door to leave.
"Oh um, sure." Peter agreed, ignoring the fact his captor wanted to tuck him in like a 5-year-old. Peter wondered if installing protocols meant the AI would be down and if he would be able to try and escape.
"Oh and Peter," Tony said as he opened the door and locked eyes with his son, "if you try anything, anything at all to escape, I won't hesitate to have that Aunt Hottie of yours killed. You're mine now, and I will do whatever it takes to keep it that way."
Tony quickly left the room shutting the door behind him, not giving Peter a chance to respond. Peter stood in the middle of his new room, surrounded by all the things he used to dream of having, confused and scared all because of his lifelong hero.
There really was no escaping.