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Peter didn't know what he was doing until it had already happened. He was having a bad day, and Flash's usual taunts and comments were getting on his nerves slightly more than they normally would.
Plus, he was getting a little more creative in what he was saying. Things about Tony, things about May...and then he implied that Tony and Peter were...doing things to each other. And that's why he got the job as his intern.
So...Peter punched him in the face. And of course, the bully was knocked out immediately.
Peter was practically sweating in his seat, trying to avoid the angry glare of Flash's mother. He wasn't prepared to face a livid Aunt May. She was always so angry at him whenever he got in trouble at school, because it wasn't something he would usually do. She would always storm over to the school, pick Peter up, yell at him until they're home, make up, and then go out for Thai. That's how it always went.
So you could imagine his shock when he saw Tony walk into the principle's office.
He was definitely sweating more now. God, he was screwed.
"Mr. Stark? What are you doing here?" He asked nervously.
"May got a call, but she couldn't make it in. So she sent me instead." Tony looked...normal. He didn't look angry, or annoyed...maybe a little shocked. But not angry at all. Peter let out a sigh of relief and relaxed in his seat.
"You're not off the hook yet, mister. May made sure to tell me exactly how to handle this situation." He warned the boy. Peter tensed again. Great. Tony turned around to greet the principle, but his eyes fell on Flash before he could. He was sat in the seat opposite to Peter, mouth agape at the sight of Tony Stark in the room. Tony was used to getting that look. What did surprise him, though, was the black and blue bruise around the boy's eye. Tony turned back to Peter, eyebrows raised in confusion and disappointment. Of all the reasons why he got called into Peter's school because of his behavior...he didn't expect it to be this. Peter turned red and looked away from Tony.
"Mr. Stark. Thank you for coming." Principle Morita greeted, completely unbothered that Iron Man was in his office. He already knew that he was one of Peter's guardians from previous encounters. "I hope I didn't drag you from an important meeting."
"Don't worry, you didn't catch me at a bad time." Tony said, sitting down. "Dare I ask what happened?" Peter regretted ever feeling relieved that Tony was there instead of Aunt May. This was much, much worse.
Morita let out a sigh. "There was an incident between Peter and Flash at lunch. From the information I've received, they were having a bit of a heated conversation, an argument maybe, when things got out of hand and Peter punched Flash."
Tony's eyes widened slightly. This was really not something Peter would do. Tony opened his mouth to talk about the consequences when Peter cut in.
"An argument? Please, it was barely even a conversation! He was harassing me!"
"No I wasn't!" Flash lied.
"Flash, don't let him get under your skin. He's only trying to manipulate you." Flash's mom whispered in her son's ear. Peter and Tony were able to pick up on it since Tony was the closest and Peter had enhanced hearing. Morita was completely oblivious to it.
Tony felt anger rush through him. How dare she say that Peter is a manipulator?! Peter never lies, so Tony instantly believed him when he said that Flash was harassing him.
"Mr. Parker, even if Flash was taunting you, that doesn't give you the right to initiate violence. That is highly frowned upon in this school." Principle Morita said to stop their arguing.
Peter wanted to scream.
"I'm sorry, Principle Morita, but do you actually know what Flash was saying to make Peter feel so angry? Because I'm pretty sure that you know how bright this kid is. You should know how unusual it is for him to act like this." Tony cut in.
"Yes, I have taken this into consideration." Morita looked like he was thinking before he spoke again. "Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, could you please exit the room for a few minutes? I would like to speak to the boys individually."
Mrs. Thompson pursed her lips in annoyance, but nodded her head and walked Flash out of the room. Peter somehow felt even more uneasy.
"Alright, Peter. Would you like to tell me what exactly happened?" Morita asked.
No.
God, this was embarrassing.
"This isn't fair." Peter mumbled, turning to look at the wall.
"Peter..." Tony half whispered.
"Okay, we can start with that. Why do you think this is unfair?" Morita asked. Peter turned back to the principle.
Yep, there was the anger. Loud and clear.
"Are you kidding me? Flash has been giving me a hard time ever since I set foot in this place! Now I finally stand up to myself and you say I'm in the wrong?!" Peter knew he was getting way too worked up, but he didn't care.
Tony grit his teeth, half because he hated how fucked up this school system was, and half because Peter was yelling and...it was strange. He didn't like it.
"Peter, I never said that you were in the wrong."
"Yes you did!" Peter yelled, face turning red.
"Peter, calm down." Tony mumbled, placing a hand on his shoulder. Peter immediately stilled and flushed again.
Morita waited until Peter settled down before he spoke. "Flash has been giving you a hard time since the beginning of the year?" He asked for conformation.
"For three years, actually...it's usually just insults and taunting. At most, he'll shove me, trip me or push me into the lockers." Peter confessed, deliberately not looking at Tony, even though he could feel the man's eyes burning into his head.
"He's violent with you?" Morita asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah. I'm surprised the school didn't catch onto it since violence is so incredibly frowned upon." Peter said, voice drenched with sarcasm as he rolled his eyes.
"Peter, I'm trying to help you and understand what's been going on between the two of you. I would like it if you stopped with the attitude." Principle Morita warned. Peter finally looked at Tony, hoping for some backup. But all he got back was the same look. The look that told Peter that Tony was on the principle's side for once. Peter's face flushed for the third time and he looked back at Morita.
"Sorry." He mumbled. Tony sighed but didn't comment. It was good enough.
Morita nodded, then continued. "What made today so different? As far as I know, you didn't retaliate before."
Peter shook his head, eyes glued to the floor. "No, I-I've never retaliated. I guess I...I just had a bad day, and then Flash was...um, yeah."
"Okay, you've had a bad day. We can work with that. I doubt that it's the only reason, though. Surely you've had other bad days in the past three years." He added.
"Well...I guess it was because of what he was saying." Peter shrugged, knowing full well that it was entirely because of what Flash said.
"What does he usually say to you?"
For a second, Peter completely forgot Tony was in the room. "Just like...that he's smarter than me and...I'm a nerd...and then there's the thing about my whole family being dead." Peter mumbled.
Morita looked disgusted. "I'll deal with that topic afterwards." He said. "What did he say to you today that made you punch him?"
This was when Peter remembered that Tony was sat right next to him. He shot him a nervous glance, only to be met with a reassuring look. The boy let out a shaky breath and stared at his lap.
"I-I don't want to say." He choked out.
"Peter, if you don't say, then I can't help you."
Peter chewed on his lips nervously, wishing that he had never punched Flash. He really didn't want to tell Morita what happened. Especially not with Tony in the room. It was awkward and embarrassing because...Tony was practically his Dad.
Peter also didn't want to say it because it brought back memories of what happened to him when he was younger.
"Peter?" Tony dragged Peter out of his thoughts with a soft voice.
The boy blinked as he looked at both of the men, staring at him and waiting for him to answer. "U-Um...he said that...I-I did...things with...someone in order to get a job at Stark Industries..."
Tony suddenly felt his stomach churn. This better not be what he thinks it is.
"I'm going to need you to elaborate, Peter." Morita said.
No you don't.
Peter whined. "He said that I've been doing...sexual things with someone. Otherwise I wouldn't have gotten the job." Peter just knew that his whole face was like a tomato.
At this point, both Tony and Morita knew who that someone was. It made Tony feel sick.
"He said what?!" Tony growled. "If you don't expel this kid, then I'll buy the school and do it myself." He spat at Morita.
The Principle looked incredibly disgusted, but wasn't as angry as Tony. "Unfortunately, I can't expel Flash for saying something offensive. I can, however, suspend him. Given that what you're saying is actually true, Peter."
The boy was shaking. He hated this. Hated it. Hated it. Hated it. Hated it. Hated it.
"It's true."
"Alright. I think it's best if you take the rest of the day off. I need to speak with Flash next, hear his side of the story. After that, I'll decide on punishments."
Tony wanted to argue, but he kept quiet. He stood up abruptly and pulled Peter out of the room, before he got a chance to say bye. The man also made sure to send a threatening glare at Flash on their way out.
The car ride to the compound was quiet and awkward for the first twenty minutes until Tony decided to talk.
"Kid, I just want to let you know that...I'm not mad or disappointed. Honestly, I would've punched him too. Hopefully you knocked some brains into him."
Peter looked away from the window that he had been staring out the whole time. "Really? You're not mad?"
"Not at all." Tony smiled. "But...you could've told me about Flash. I didn't know you had a bully."
"That's because I knew you would make a big deal out of it."
"What? That's not true!"
"Oh really? So you wouldn't have stormed into my school in the middle of the day to yell at him? Or contact all of my teachers to let them know?" Peter shot back. "And did you not just threaten my Principle? Saying that you would buy the whole school to expel Flash?"
"That was...totally justifiable."
Peter scoffed. "Just admit it."
"Fine...you're right. But I would only do all of that because I care about you, Pete. I know I don't say it much. But I do." Tony said as they arrived at the compound.
Peter smiled and took a deep breath. "Thank you, Mr. Stark."
Tony's smile dropped. "You little shit."
Peter furrowed his eyebrows. "What?"
"You're not going to say you care about me too?"
Peter's concern washed away and he laughed. "You're such a man child."
"No I'm not-!"
Peter ended up getting suspended for three days for getting physical with another student, whereas Flash was suspended for two weeks. Peter was content with that. Tony wasn't.
He still wanted Flash to be expelled.