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“Peter, I never thought in my life that you would be the one to betray me like this.”
“It is nothing personal, Mr Stark. You have to know I am only doing what I have to. Now move.”
“Peter, please, it’s me!”
“Don’t force my hand, Mr Stark. I would manhandle you if necessary.”
“Why Captain America? Why him? Of all the superpowered beings of the nation, why is there only a Captain America Diner?” Tony whined like a kid being forced to eat his green vegetables.
“Don’t tell you’re not the least bit curious?” Peter looked at him with his big browns and it was as if all his complaints disintegrated from existence. Along with the super strength of a spider, the kid also had the convincing strength of a puppy.
Tony rolled his eyes to hide his adoration and let Peter drag him into the tacky Captain America diner complete with a replica of the Captain from the 40’s, back when he didn't have the style and function expertise of one genius billionaire.
It was a regular patrol update from Peter where he happened to mention his lack of plans for the 4th of July. Ted (He knows it’s Ned) was going to his Lola’s, MJ was on a father-daughter weekend road trip and May had to work overtime on her shift at the hospital (you would be surprised how many people don’t know basic fireworks safety measures, May had told him). Tony was free that weekend, so he took the kid to Universal Studios Orlando.
Tony tried his best not to stand out, clad in a Shrek meme t-shirt with Luna Lovegood glasses, and a Hulk cap. He had sent Bruce a selfie with the caption “Felt cute, might Hulk out later” (Peter’s idea) safe to say, he was not amused. The Kid was wearing an Iron Man hat with a Spider-Man t-shirt (gotta rep our brand right?), squealing every time he caught someone wearing anything spidey-related. It was like hanging out with an excited… well, teenager. He really couldn’t complain.
“I am just saying! How about an Iron Man shawarma restaurant?”
“I think it's like a copyright issue.”
“That’s so stupid.”
“Heh. I know, right? Wait,” Peter paused in his tracks and gasped “Lightbulb. How about Hulk Smash Burgers?”
“Knew I kept you around for a reason.”
After they’d had their food, they roamed around the amusement park. Getting the tame rides out of the way first, munching on churros and pretzels, taking goofy selfies, spamming them to May and Pepper, and having just the best time.
“Oh my god!” Peter exclaimed. “Mr Stark!”
“What? Who’s dying?”
“... dude.” Peter showed his phone to him and pointed frantically at the screen like a maniac, “The Velocicoaster wait time just dropped to 20 minutes we need to go. Now!”
Before Tony could protest, he was already being dragged by the superhuman kid with a sugar rush. He had asked Peter if he’d like the express passes but Peter had claimed that waiting in line was part of the “experience”. Personally, Tony would’ve preferred not being baked alive by Orlando heat but who was he to rain on the kid’s parade? They were doing this trip the kid’s way.
They got in line, thankfully indoors and air-conditioned.
“So, what’s so special about this ride anyway? Wanna let me know?” Tony asked, leaning against the wall beside him, admiring the decor.
“It’s sick! Makes the Incredible Hulk coaster look like a Merry-go-round!”
Colour immediately drained from Tony’s face.
Now, yes Tony faces death as often as he faces the drive thru at Burger King. Yes, People’s magazine called him the bravest man of his generation. Yes, he kills the occasional cockroaches in his home.
But truth being said, Tony was terrified of rides that tilted. It’s one thing being thousands of feet in the air with a suit he had created with his prowess. He has control of all systems, he has a safe net, he is literally encompassed in eight hundred kilos of titanium-gold alloy.
In roller coasters however…
Peter noticed the abrupt change in demeanour of his mentor. He had seen how queasy Mr Stark had become in line for the Hulk coaster. And this one was only ten times scarier. On one hand, he cared about him and didn’t want him to be uncomfortable. But there was another part of him that-
“Of course, it doesn’t go very high or has any loop-de-loops. Its speed is really the thing that makes it unique.”
He felt terrible. But at the same time, giddy with mischief. This would be the first time he would see Mr Stark actually afraid of something. It was cynically satisfying. Like a professional athlete, fumbling on live television. He needed to see it through.
Soon, it was their turn, and as luck would have it, they got the front row seats. The theme park employee came around to strap them in their seats.
“Oh, just a lap restraint, oh, okay,” Mr Stark gripped the bar, testingly, “How bad can it be, right?”, he chuckled haltingly. Peter had to use all the restraint he had in him, to not start roaring with laughter right then and there.
“This your first time?” the employee smiled at both of them, while securing Peter.
“Yeah!” Peter nodded, enthusiastically.
“Nothing better than a father-son trip, huh? Have fun,” and with that the employee whisked away leaving both Peter and Tony in a blushing, stuttering mess.
“Oh what the heck, Peter?” Mr Stark looked over at him, resting his hand over Peter’s on his bar, “Do you see me as a father-figure?”
“No!” he lied, totally panicking and immediately regretting what he said. The only solution he saw out of this was, “If anything, I see you as a bother figure, cuz’ you’re always bothering me. Heh. Brooklyn nine-nine?”
Tony looked at him with a mix of bemusement and confusion. He opened his mouth to retort, but right then the ride started.
Saved by the bell.
It started slow, taking them out of the indoor doom and into the open. Peter licked his lips and grinned. This was either gonna be so badass or so bad.
“Um, Peter?”
“Yes, Mr Stark?”
“That looks like a loop-de-loop.”
“Yes, Mr Stark.”
Tony whirled his neck to look at him with wide eyes, only to see Peter grinning ear-to-ear.
“Parker, you little shit-”
And with a roar of the Velocirapor, they were off-
They went up… and immediately upside down.
“Peter BENJAMIN PARKER!”
“Woohoo!”
The ride was awesome. They were practically inverted the whole time. Apart from the fact that Mr Stark was gonna kill him, it was so exhilarating. It was everything Peter liked about Amusement Parks. They were twisting and turning and speeding and diving and do not even get him started on the launch that took them straight ninety degrees up into a tophat giving the most intense, insane, outrageous moment of airtime that could put even his Spider-man activities a run for their money.
Finally, after a surprisingly long time, the ride stopped.
They got out of their seats and went outdoors and started walking towards Hogsmeade.
Peter was starting to get concerned, now. Mr Stark had been silent throughout the ride, except the initial scream and wasn’t speaking to him. Did he go too far? He felt immensely guilty. He started blaming himself.
“Wasn’t that great Mr Stark?”
“Hm.”
“What do you wanna do now, Mr Stark?”
“Anything's fine.”
“Should we eat something?”
He didn’t reply.
That was it. Peter grabbed both his elbows, forced him to face him, and as he does whenever he freaks out, starts rambling, “Mr Stark, I’m so sorry. I was an idiot. If you didn’t want to ride, I should’ve accepted it. Instead I lied to you and basically coerced you into going. I feel terrible. I can’t even imagine how you must feel. I broke your trust and-”
With surprising strength, Tony pushed him away.
Ouch?
And found a trash can to throw up in.
Oh.
“Oh shit-” Peter ran up to him, rubbing his shoulder and placating him ,”Let it out, big guy. There you go. You’re good.”
“I loved the ride, Peter,” Mr Stark said between dry heaves, “My stomach not so much,” And another round of yak followed.
“I didn’t wanna ruin your fun, kid.” Mr Stark breathed heavily, energy completely spent. “How did you get away with riding on a full stomach while I’m still throwing up?”
“Sorry, I think that’s my metabolism.”
“I just wanted to be like you.”
“Aw don’t worry, you’ll get there,” Peter tapped him on the shoulder, before wrapping his arm around him.
Tony leaned into the hug-
“That’s not a hug, I’m just grabbing the water bottle for you,” he handed his mentor the bottle of water, with the biggest shit-eating smirk on his face.
“I… respect that.” Mr Stark smiled bashfully. “Hey, you never answered my question. Do you see me as a-?”
“Wanna go on another ride to find the answer.”
“I’m good, thanks”
Peter laughed and grabbed Mr Stark’s arm and wrapped it over his shoulder.
“I threw up, I’m not injured. I can walk, you know,” Mr Stark said, tightening his grip on Peter.
“Not taking any chances.”
“Fair enough.”
“Do you think this is all because of that Cap’s Diner food?”
“Now that you say it! Watch me sue them.”
“I was kidding, Mr Stark!”
“I’ll sue Steve Rogers’ I don’t care.”
“Mr Stark, no-!”
“Mr Stark, yes!”