Chapter Text
"The lab, please FRIDAY." Peter spoke politely. He was happy Tony invited him to come work on his suit today, he had the longest day at school.
"As you wish, Mr. Parker."
The elevator doors opened to the vast lab where Tony had already begun tinkering with the suit.
"Hey Mr. Stark!"
"Hey kid, glad you could make it. I wanted to go over some of the new safety protocols I've added since you've been patrolling more..." Stark went on and Peter listened intently as he did to everything that came out of his mentors mouth.
The two of them had been spending more and more time together lately and regardless of whether he'd admit it, Tony was growing very fond of the kid. Hence, new safety protocols. He doesn't know what he'd do if Peter ever got hurt on his watch.
"So kid, I'm hosting a charity gala tomorrow night. I want you to come, you'll have fun."
"Really? You want me to come? I mean you don't have to invite me or anything, you probably have plenty of people you could bring and I don't want to-"
"Kid. I want you to come, alright? You'll like the event, it's done up all fancy and if you're at the gala I'll have someone I actually tolerate to talk to."
"Wow uh okay. Thank you, Mr. Stark." A wide smile spread on Peter's face. The party sounded great and not to mention Tony wanted him there? Said he tolerated him? That was the best part.
"Wait what am I supposed to wear? I don't have a suit or anything..." He trailed off awkwardly.
"Don't sweat it, I'll call my guy, get you hooked up. It'll be on your bed by tomorrow morning."
"Thank you, Mr. Stark!" Peter tried not to sound childish in his excitement and keep it contained but man he was excited.
They continued working on the Spider-man suit for the next few hours before Aunt May wanted him home. Tony insisted on Happy taking him since it was getting late despite the fact that Peter was literally Spider-man.
He got in the limo and saw Happy was already in the front seat.
"Hey Happy! Thanks for taking me home."
The only response he got was a small grunt of acknowledgment which, granted was more than he used to get so Peter saw it as progress. He knew the older man thought he was an annoying kid but he couldn't help that he was a chatter box.
"Are you gonna be at Mr. Stark's event tomorrow? He just invited me, it sounds like it's gonna be awesome. I'm excited to hang out with Mr. Stark but I've also never been to a gala so I'm looking forward to that too. And also-"
"That's enough." Happy replied dryly, he couldn't help it he just hated kids.
"Oh. Right sorry."
Okay fine. Happy still hated kids but Peter along with his smile practically deflated may have made him feel a little guilty.
"Although... it does sound pretty cool."
The smile might as well never have left for how quickly it bounced back. Happy just sighed, man did Peter Parker bug him.
Just as promised, there was a suit folded nicely on his bed when he got home from school. A very expensive one at that, Peter needs to remember to ask if Mr. Stark expects it back which he would assume he does.
The gala was at 7:00 P.M. and Happy was supposed to pick Peter up at 6:45 P.M. so he had some time to get ready.
He hopped in the shower, wanting to look his best for the gala.
"Pete? Are you home?" Aunt May called from downstairs.
"Yeah!" Shoot. Peter forgot to tell his aunt about where he was going tonight. "May? Could you come here for a second?"
"You come here I just got off work!"
The teen huffed a sigh but got dressed and obeyed. He bounded down the stairs, not wearing the tux yet.
"How was your day at work?"
"It was alright, tiring as always. Now what is it you need now?" Her tone was jovial but Peter was nervous to see how she'd feel about him going to a big event like this.
"I wanted to see how you feel about me going somewhere tonight." May's eyebrow was already raised. "It's Mr. Stark, he's having a gala and he wants me to go with him- as an intern."
"Peter...I don't know. I'm not sure if that's a good idea."
"Come on May, please! I'll be with Mr. Stark the whole time nothings gonna happen. It's part of my position as an intern to shadow him for events like this!"
She pressed her lips together in thought and Peter held his breath as he waited for her decision.
"I suppose if Tony stays with you the whol-"
"Yes! Thanks May!" Peter turned to run up the stairs and get dressed in his suit when his aunt called after him.
"I mean it Pete! You stay with him, you never know what people can be at these things!"
The young hero shook it off, Mr. Stark wouldn't have invited any bad people to his own party.
It was 6:38 P.M. when Peter dashed down the stairs, more careful this time as to not muss the new suit.
"Ah hon you look great! So grown up already." She patted his cheek and the boy dodged with a chuckle as she went to pinch it.
"May! You do know I'm not seven anymore right?"
"Debatable. You'll always be a baby to me!"
Peter groaned, with no real anger behind it before hurrying out the door. He saw the limo already parked outside, Happy in the drivers seat.
"Have fun! And be safe! Stay with Mr. Stark!" Her nephew cut her off with a wave as he hopped in the car.
"Hi Happy!"
Happy sighed, he had better things to do than drive Tony's little mini me around like a chauffeur. Good lord, the kid looked even more like a damn puppy than usual. "Hey."
"So how many people are gonna be at this thing? Not that I mind I mean I like people, I was just thinking you know cau-"
"Probably a couple hundred. Tony knows how to pack a house."
The kids eyes widened slightly, "Wow. A couple hundred. That's a lot. I mean that's fine I'm sure it'll be grea-"
"Pulling in."
"Right right, pulling in. Gonna be fun." He mumbled the last part to himself and Happy heard it, biting down a small smile.
The car stopped and there was an awkward few moments of silence.
"You get out here."
Peter eyebrows shot up, "Oh! Right, sorry. You're not coming?"
The unspoken message was there, You're not walking in with me?
"Nope. I have to park and go in a different way."
Peter looked at the window and shifted forward in his seat, searching for something unknown to Happy.
The bodyguard sighed, he can't believe this kid is making him feel bad. "You're gonna be fine kid. Tony'll find you and God knows he won't let you out of his sight."
"Oh yeah yeah I uh I know, I trust Mr. Stark. It's just y'know...well thanks Happy."
Peter stepped out of the car and brushed off his jacket before heading towards the entrance. He handed the ticket his mentor had given him to the gate attendant and stepped inside.
The bodyguard watched him all the way. He better be safe cause slowly but surely, the kid was worming his way to Happy's heart.
Holy crap. The venue was huge, even for one of Tony's gatherings. It was huge and still filled up with people. Peter took a deep breath before going all the way in and looking around for Mr. Stark.
The man told him to find him when he got there but how was he supposed to do that? He considered texting the other but didn't want to bother as he was probably busy.
Peter walked further in and had to swerve out of the way of a server moving very swiftly with a plate of drinks. If not for his enhanced reflexes he would've been crashed right into. The problem was that in his dodging, he slammed right into another dude.
"Shoot, sorry man!"
The guy looked him over and it took the teen about .2 seconds to realize how drunk he was.
"Hey what's a pretty thing like you doing here?"
Peter was surprised at his words and quickly made his leave, disappearing into the crowd and deciding to definitely text Tony.
Mr. Stark
Hey, I'm here towards the entrance where are you?
At the front. Coming your way
He breathed out a sigh of relief, apparently it was not fun being alone at these things. True to his word, the billionaire emerged from the crowd and his eyes began searching for the vigilante.
He locked eyes with Peter and narrowly avoided getting sucked into conversation as he pushed through the crowd.
"Hey kid! You becomin' a party animal over here?"
"Mr Stark! It's possible. This place is, I mean it's...humongous." The boy tried to hide his relief at not being alone anymore, not wanting to seem childish.
Tony chuckled, "Yeah, we use this building for bigger events like this one. Come over here with me I have people I have to talk to and some I want you to meet."
The genius then reached across the brush a wrinkle out of Peter's suit shoulder, who thought it was a hug and instantly returned it. Tony leaned back, patting his shoulder, "Just fixing your jacket, kid."
"Oh. Sorry."
The man brushed him off and they fell into step through the large mass of people.
Damnit. Every time.
It had been probably around 20-25 minutes and Peter couldn't wipe the smile off his face. He had met a bunch of Mr. Stark's "friends" (in quotes since apparently he doesn't like them all) and some of them were actually very interesting and he was having the best time meeting them.
"C'mon kid let's go get a drink."
"I can't Mr. Stark I'm still underage."
Tony gave him an amused look, "Peter I know how old you are, we serve more than alcohol."
"Oh perfect." He hadn't realized how thirsty he was until just then but man a drink sounded good.
They walked over to the bar and Tony ordered his own drink before getting a soda for Peter.
"Thank you Mr. Stark."
"No problem kid." His watch buzzed and he looked down at his phone. "Alright, this isn't ideal but I need to go handle something. Don't wander too far and get Happy if you need something. FRIDAY get the suit."
"Wait this is Iron Man stuff? Can I help?" As much fun as the gala had been, he'd still pick going on a mission with Mr. Stark.
"No, nothing important. You stay, have fun." With that, he turned and went up the stairs to suit up.
Peter turned to the crowd, feeling a little more lost than he'd like to admit. He didn't see any of the faces he'd made familiar tonight so he took a seat at the bar.
He ordered another soda and drummed his fingers on the glass, trying not to look out of place.
"All alone?"
A man, probably in his thirties, slid into the seat next to him, wide smile on his face.
"Oh uh yeah I guess."
"You seem a little young to be here? What are you 15, 16?" He was leaning heavily against the counter and it took Peter around .2 seconds to see how drunk he was.
"I'm 15, sir. I'm an intern for-" A familiar tingle shot up his spine and he cut himself off, maybe he should get away from this guy."
"An intern huh? So you are smart. What's your name genius?"
So you are smart. The teen repeated it in his head, what does that mean? He took another sip of his soda.
"Peter, and sorry to cut this short but I'm expected to be over-"
The man grabbed the spider-like boy by the wrist and his whole body shuddered with an overwhelming signal from his spider sense.
"Now, now don't go running from me. I have someone you should meet."
Peter went to protest but found himself struggling to form the words. His head felt extremely clouded, unusual given his physical enhancements. He blinked his eyes hard, trying to shake off whatever this was.
"Right over here, he's excited to meet, well, more like see you."
He refocused and realized the guy had dragged him off to a secluded corner and there was a door that it seemed they were headed for.
Peter tried to pull away but found himself stripped of his usual strength and his head fog kept him from coming up with any escape. The panic registered and he tried telling the guy to let him go but he wouldn't listen, Why wouldn't he listen?
" 'lease jus' leave me 'lone. I need- I need-" His words were all slurring together and he wasn't even sure what he was trying to say. He just wanted to get away and he really wanted Mr. Stark.
"Don't worry, the drugs'll kick in stronger soon."
Peter wanted to throw up.
The door was pulled open and Peter was shoved inside. He couldn't see that well but he could make out a couple small tables and a couch, What was this room for?
"Shut up kid. Here, I got you the boy now where's my money?"
What? What is going on?
"I'll get you your money after you complete what I'm paying you for. Now watch the door and don't let anyone in."
No. No no no. It couldn't be.
"Hey Einstein, long time no see." Peter heard the voice and felt it like a layer of cold dread and fear washing over his entire being.
Skip. He can't be here. No no no. Mr. Stark wouldn't invite someone like him this can't be happening.
He hadn't seen Skip Westcott since he was ten years old and finally told Aunt May what was being done to him. What Skip, his babysitter, was doing to him. It had started small, touching him when it wasn't necessary, making Peter sit on his lap to do his homework. Then it escalated. The sexual abuse happened for almost a year before he was brave enough to tell May. And now he was back.
"I have to say, Pete, I thought you'd be happier to see me. Although I sort of expected it, that's why i couldn't go get you myself. You've grown up beautifully I mean you were an adorable kid but fuck this is something else." Skip palmed his cheek with his hand and Peter cried out and fell in his effort to lean away.
He noticed the other guy had moved away, who knows where. Peter couldn't think about that just the fact that he was trapped in the same room as Skip fucking Westcott. He felt nine years old again. Nine years old and helpless, scared, and confused.
Peter tried to sit up and grabbed his phone out of his pocket and clicked on Mr. Stark's contact. He really didn't want to bother the man with something like this that was out of his realm of Peter problems he had to deal with but he was so scared and he needed someone to get him out of here.
He started trying to type out a message but he hardly had control of his hands and he wasn't sure what he managed to spell out before Skip reached and grabbed his phone. Peter hit send on reflex just in time.
"Really, Einstein? You don't need help, and you certainly don't need to be contacting Tony Stark in front of me. The nerve you have, kid I swear."
"What did you just say? Why would that kid text Tony Stark?" So the other guy was still there.
"Because, Petey here is an 'intern' for him. Anyone can see by the way they're attached at the hip that there's other motives for having a pretty boy like this around."
What is he talking about? Mr. Stark isn't- he couldn't, wouldn't-
Even Peters thoughts were jumbled and he found himself fighting off the urge to pass out.
"What the hell, Skip?! This is the Stark kid? Do you have a damn death wish?!"
"Oh come on. I'm sure he won't mind sharing, just for an hour or two, plus he was mine first. And it's not like Stark cares about him for real anyways." At that, Skip leaned down and lifted Peter up before flopping him on the couch.
Peter wanted with everything in him to get away and fought with every bone in his body but whatever that guy had put in his drink was strong.
"You're insane! And when he finds out about this I'm not going down with you!"
Skip ignored him and played down on top of the teen and pressed a kiss to his mouth. There were tears running down Peter's face as the older man forcibly removed his suit. All he could think of was how he forgot to check with Mr. Stark if he had to return it, and if he did it was getting ruined. Skip unbuttoned his dress shirt and flipped the kid onto his stomach to pull it off.
An audible sob left Peter's mouth but it was only answered with a chuckle.
"Skip c'mon man how far are you going with this?"
"Shut up Jeff. No one said you had to watch."
He started moving his hips against Peter and groaned loudly before reconnecting their lips even as the boys weak form tried to lean away.
Peter felt himself slipping away from consciousness and began wondering if he'd ever get out of this damn room. He just wanted Mr. Stark to come find him.
Tony's heavy metal boots clanked as he landed on the top of the building. He couldn't believe he got pulled out of there just for some stupid false alarm call, Thor needed to figure out how cell phones worked.
Normally it wouldn't be a problem, he had parties all the time, but this time specifically he had brought Peter. Peter who was young and seemed nervous to be there even though he tried to hide it and who Tony was not too keen on leaving alone.
"FRI, any messages?" He asked as he stepped into the building.
"One message from: Peter Parker, Boss."
He hesitated in his step, the kid was probably just checking on what was going on but it still made him a little anxious.
"Read the message, baby."
"It's not very legible but I believe it was suppose to say, 'Help please come get me' "
Tony's head snapped up, "What?! Where is he? What's happening?" He moved quickly into the building and didn't even think to take the suit off or anything before running down the stairs.
"Searching the cameras now, Boss."
"And call Peter, now." He had reached the large room where everyone was stationed and scanned rapidly for his kid. Nearly every head turned at the sight of Iron Man but Tony couldn't care less, his kid was in danger.
"He didn't answer. But the last place Peter was recorded on the cameras by door 5 on the left side of the room."
Tony was already moving over there, his thrusters flying him through the air at what was an alarming rate to the guests, eliciting loud gasps. He told FRIDAY to initiate 'Empty House' to clear the other people.
He was hardly breathing with how terrified he was, please say Peter's alright.
As the man got to the door of the room he heard it. Small, pained cries like he'd never heard before. Tony didn't hesitate before he crashed straight through the wall.
"Shit, Skip the guys calling him." Jeff sounded scared shitless but Skip hardly grunted in response.
"Decline it."
Peter was still pinned beneath his old babysitter who had taken to holding his wrists above his head, something Peter could have usually easily broken free from.
He felt tears rapidly streaming down his face as he cried. Skip pushed between his legs, spreading them to the side.
Peter tried to buck him off but the drugs, rather than wearing off, seemed to be getting stronger and it didn't have much strength to it which led Skip to his next comment.
"Fuck baby I knew you liked this. Gonna fuck you so good." He pressed his groin harder against the younger boy and pushed a hand down his boxers carelessly shoving two fingers inside him.
I'm gonna die in this room. Peter was genuinely considering that as a better alternative than what was happening currently and he was breathing so heaving and labored he was scared if Skip kissed him again he'd pass out from lack of oxygen.
As he faded in and out, wishing for his mentor to notice his absence Skip's words flashed in his head, "And it's not like Stark cares about him for real anyways" It was probably true, all he did was make messes for his mentor to clean up.
His thought was interrupted as a loud crash sounded through the room. Without even thinking, Tony used his repulsor and blasted Skip off Peter.
"Get your hands off my fucking kid!"
Jeff sprinted out of the room but it was no use, FRIDAY already had his data down and they'd find him.
Skip screamed and tried to run like the other guy but Tony shot another blast in front of him so he couldn't move as he stalked towards the man.
He couldn't contain the fury burning through every part of him. That disgusting man had a kid, his kid pinned under him trying to-trying to-. Tony couldn't finish the thought. He picked the man up by the collar, metal fist repeatedly connecting to his jaw.
"How dare you lay a damn hand on him. I swear to God I'd kill you right now if I didn't think it would upset him."
"I didn't... I didn't...know..know he was..your-" Skip struggled the lying words through blood and they only pissed Tony off more.
"So that what makes it okay? Molesting a fucking child?!"
The blonde haired man had apparently given up on looking for sympathy, "Oh wha'ever you're jus' pissed someone borrowed his as-"
He was cut off from his garbled words by a left hook that knocked him clean out. Tony raised his fist to hit the bastard again when something interrupted him.
"Iro' Man?"
Peter. The masked man whipped around and hurried over to the couch. His boy was lying down exactly as Skip left him, shirtless and his trousers were bunched at his knees.
When Tony reached him a pained noise got caught in his throat. How did he let this happen? His responsibility, his kid, and he let him get assaulted and nearly raped. What if he hadn't gotten there in time? What if that guy had-
"Want Mr. Star' please, can you ge' him please? Wan' dad."
Tony came to three realizations at that moment. One, he saw Peter as a son, he supposed he already knew that one inside himself, he called him his kid all the time, but he'd never thought about it. Two, Peter saw him as a dad. His dad. Three, that psycho drugged his son.
Understanding that the teen wasn't connecting the dots between Iron Man and himself in his woozy state, he stepped out of the suit after telling FRIDAY to get Happy to come get the guy.
"Hey kiddo, it's me. I'm here now, and I won't let anyone hurt you." He crouched down on his knees next to the couch, speaking as softly as possible.
"Mr. Stark?" Those were the first coherent words Tony had heard Peter speak since he last saw him, it made his shoulders relax just a little.
"I'm right here, bud. No ones gonna hurt you." He wanted so badly to pull the boy to his chest and hold him, keeping him safe, despite his usual aversion to affection like that. The only thing stopping him was that Peter may not respond well.
"'m sorry, didn't mean to cause trouble."
"Woah woah woah no, kid. You didn't cause trouble, none of this is your fault at all, you hear me? None of it." Tony took a chance and ran his fingers through Peter's hair gently.
"I...I think 'm gonna pass...pass out."
"No kid, c'mon stay with me. You can sleep as long as you want once I get you checked out. We got a figure out what's in your system."
Right then, Happy ran in through the hole in the wall from earlier.
"Tony? What's going on?"
The man in question held a finger to his lips, gestured to Peter and the pointed at the beaten and nearly unconscious man against the wall.
Happy's eyes only widened for a moment before he went to work, it was astonishing how he kept his cool sometimes.
He swiftly moved over to where Skip was and roughly dragged him out the door. While Happy was gone Tony realized there were silent tears streaming down Peter's face.
"It's alright, kid. I'm gonna get you out of here in a minute, everything will be okay." His hand continued to move through the kids hair and he leaned into the touch so much that Tony tried for an arm around him which made Peter practically curl into his chest
Screw being sore in the morning, as long as he was needed the billionaire would be stationed on the ground comforting his kid. It was moments like this when he was reminded of the teens true age. I mean he was only 15, too young to be under the pressure of being a hero and definitely too young to deal with this. No one should ever deal with this. Especially not Peter fucking Parker who wouldn't hurt a fly.
Tony was zapped out of his monologue by Happy bursting back in the door.
"What the hell did that guy do." His voice low and thick with anger. Tony had fixed Peter's pants but the boys clothes were still disheveled.
The obvious protectiveness his bodyguard was feeling would made him smile or chuckle in any other situation than this one, it was clear how Peter had wormed his way to his heart.
Tony hesitated, he didn't know if he get the words out without the overwhelming anger taking over or further upsetting the kid who still had his head buried in the man's chest, sobs still audible.
"I'll explain everything later, I'm not even entirely sure. But I need to get him home. To the tower I mean."
"You aren't entirely sure? You mean you weren't with him? Tony I told him-"
"I know Happy, okay? I know. I fucked up and it's my fault and I-"
Peter tried to push away from his chest to speak but his arms were practically jelly so his voice came out muffled, "Not your faul' Misser Star'"
Tony gently pulled the boy away from him, holding him steady, "What was that, kiddo?"
"No'..not...faul'...not yours."
His heart physically hurt. It was all his fault. It was his responsibility to keep Peter safe, to protect him, and look what he let happen. The kid was sure to hate him when he regained consciousness. Scratch that, Peter didn't hate anyone. He just wouldn't trust him which felt worse.
"Alright, c'mon kid. Gonna get you to the tower, everything's gonna be okay." Tony couldn't tell if he was saying it to assure Peter or himself.
"'m really scared Mr. Star'"
"It's okay buddy I promise. You're safe with me."
He gently pried the boy off him and stepped back into the Iron Man suit. As he approached Peter to pick him so they could fly home the kid flinched back and Tony realized he still didn't understand that the large metal suit was his mentor. Tony lifted the face plate.
"Hey Pete, it's just me. I'm gonna lift you up and fly us back to the tower, is that alright?"
"Mhm. Don' wanna be a bother." Peters eyes were starting to fall closed again and Tony felt that spike of fear in his chest. For a drug to hit him that hard with his enhanced metabolism it must've been strong. He needed to get this kid to the medbay.
"You're never a bother, kid. Let's get you out of here." Tony, careful as could be picked Peter up off the couch and held him close.
He turned to Happy who couldn't seem to tear his eyes away from the kids troubled face. "Meet us at the tower?"
"I'll be over a little later. I need to deal with someone." He gestured to where Skip was no doubt tied up harshly in the lobby.
Tony nodded, he wishes he could spend a little time on that himself but Pete needed him to be present. Maybe he'd call Nat later.
He flew off with Peter, keeping him as steady as possible to try and keep him calm.
"We're gonna have to get you checked out once we get to the tower, I promise it won't take too long and I'll get you to bed."
After Peter absently nodded he texted Helen Cho through FRIDAY to be at the tower asap, briefly summarizing what happened without using names so she'd have the right supplies.
They landed on the platform and Tony deemed it easier to just carry the kid inside rather than try and make him walk.
"Mr. Star'?"
"Yeah, kid?"
"Did I ruin your par'y?"
He didn't think his heart could hurt anymore this night. "No, bud. None of this is your fault alright? The only person at fault is him." And me. "It's over now I promise, I'm gonna get you taken care of."
"M'kay."
Tony held him impossibly closer, wishing he could just wrap him in a bubble away from the cruel world. Unfortunately that was impossible, and they still had a long night ahead of them.