Chapter Text
What felt like half a lifetime ago, from beyond the grave, Howard Stark had said Tony was his greatest creation.
(He'd said it after imbibing copious amounts of alcohol, but it still counted, right?)
No. Tony had never quite believed it. He
couldn't
believe it. Years upon years of emotional neglect from his father prevented it. He floated in a sea of his own misery, stubbornly ignoring the lifelines cast out to him. He would find the proof of his worth in others, he told himself. In Pepper, and Happy, and hell, even Steve Rogers before that shit hit that particular fan. It was never enough.
And then there was the kid. Peter Parker, who looked at him with wonder and awe and even a little trepidation, who considered Tony larger than life but still saw the human beneath the armor.
He would never, ever, admit this out loud, but it was Parker's wide-eyed admiration which stirred long-dormant feelings within Tony. He'd long ago abandoned the dream of children. He wasn't built for it. He had too much baggage, too much bitterness and unresolved feelings towards his father that becoming a parent in his own right was such a darkly hilarious concept. But then, as if the universe was so desperate to prove him wrong, Peter fell into his life. And everything changed.
He wouldn't pretend he was a perfect role model. But Peter was still
his
kid, at least in spirit, and he would be damned if he was going to let him go without a fight.
As it turned out, that was exactly what would happen.
"Mr. Stark? I don't feel so good."
He wasn't sure how long he sat there after the kid vanished. Long enough for Titan's sun to begin to set. He could still feel ash and dust (Peter, that was
Peter
oh God) itching the back of his throat. He held one hand over his mouth, as if terrified that exhaling would blow away the last remnants of his kid.
In Peter, he had seen the future. It was beautiful, and like a fool, he took it for granted.
"You are, and always will be, my greatest creation."
"No, Dad,” he whispered, wet eyes squeezing shut as reality drove its knife deeper and deeper into his soul. "You were wrong."