Chapter Text
There are times in your life which feel absolutely unfair. Peter had his first of such memories way too early when his parents died. He was barely old enough to understand what grief meant but managed to grasp that he won’t be seeing his mom or dad again. Then it was Uncle Ben when he was ten. Aunt May when he was thirteen. On the worst of days, it was hard not to feel like he was the problem. The one to blame. Four deaths with one come factor: Peter Parker.
Then he looks around himself, sees the orphanage, the string of failed foster families, and thinks maybe the world has a way of getting even after all.
But it’s not always so bad. His life is not a plain tragedy. Because there are also times in your life which feel too good to be true. That Christmas with his first bike. Meeting Ned Leeds on his third day of kindergarten. Scoring an internship with Tony fricking Stark.
That last one’s gotta be a wish granted by his genie. Or a glitch in the matrix. Cuz come on! An internship with THE Tony fricking Stark?!
***
JARVIS unlocks the lab door without Peter even having to prompt him, which in on itself is a privilege and too awesome of a thing to not feel giddy about. But then it gets even better when Tony looks up from his StarkPad and gives a soft smile. “Hey, kid. How was school?”
“Hi, Mr. Stark. School was good. Aced the chemistry test I was stressing about.”
“If I was a better man, I wouldn’t say ‘told you’.” Peter enthusiastically reciprocates a fist bump. “But I’m not a better man, so told you!”
“It was 10% of my grade, Mr. Stark. I couldn’t not stress about it.”
“But its introductory organic chemistry. You can list all the functional groups in your sleep. You have listed all the functional groups while barely awake.”
“Aldehydes and ketones always mess me up”, Peter mutters under his breath as he pulls a StarkPad towards himself. This is their routine – which, wow, him and Tony Stark have a routine! Peter comes over every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and they brainstorm and tinker and create and bicker. It’s good. It’s wonderful. Until Friday evening comes, and Peter feels a lump rise up his throat as the elevator descends down to the lobby. But Wednesday always comes around once more and he gets to do it all over again.
“I’m gonna pretend the genius intern of a genius engineer didn’t just say he confused his aldehydes with his ketones.” Peter opens his mouth to continue the banter, but Tony keeps going. “Especially not when we are about to start a super-secret new project today with a special guest.”
“We are starting a new project?” The light in Peter’s eyes is enough to power the whole of Stark Tower. “We’re gonna have a special guest? Oh my god is it Dr. Banner?”
“Wrong doctor, kid. Plus you have worked with Brucie multiple times already, so he’s not exactly special guest material anymore.”
“But Mr. Stark! You have read his paper on anti-electrons collision theory, right? That single-handedly makes him forever special.”
Before Tony can reply, JARVIS’ voice surrounds the lab. “My apologies for interrupting what’s about to be a very passionate speech on how you are cooler than Dr. Banner, sir. But Dr. Stephen Strange is waiting for you in the conference room.”
In Tony’s humble opinion, his ability to program an A.I. to have this much sass should be the thing that single-handedly makes him forever special.
***
Tony has seen Dr. Stephen Strange before, of course. His string of impossible surgeries and multitude of ground-breaking research papers landed him on magazines, news networks, and even some conferences funded by Stark Industries. But this is the first time they are meeting face-to-face.
And boy oh boy was Tony Stark not ready.
Standing in the conference room, he looked like he owned the place. Clad in an all-black suit, the doctor was casually leaned against the large mahogany table, eyes locked on the floor-to-ceiling windows. It’s a pleasant September evening and the sun is about to set, casting rays of gold and blues and coral on the man. And they make him look unreal. A little magical.
Feeling a nudge on his side from Peter, Tony cleared his throat loudly as he walked up to Stephen. “Doctor Strange.”
If the sudden noise had startled him, not a hint was shown on the other’s face. Turning around, he smoothly shook the hand offered. “Mr. Stark.”
“God, please, not that. Somebody has made that word my worst fear and I’m not gonna name names, but it’s Peter Parker.”
“Mr. Stark!”
“Case in point.” Feeling weirdly triumphant about bringing a smile onto the doctor’s face, Tony ushers the kid over. “Dr. Strange, meet the culprit. Genius, my personal intern, and the one who doesn’t know his alkanes from his alkenes.” Even as he teases, there’s a little bubble of pride swelling in Tony, getting to show off the boy. “And Pete, meet Dr. Stephen Strange. Our special guest.”
Shaking the doctor’s hand, Peter lets his words flow out. “It’s a pleasure Doctor Stephen Strange, sir. Your research on stents and how patients don’t have to worry about their aneurysm coming back is, wow, so awesome. And it feels weird to call Mr. Stark ‘Tony’ cuz he’s Mr. Stark, and I gotta be professional too you know, since I’m technically working for him! And it’s ketones and aldehydes. I got the hydrocarbon backbones down.”
By the end of his monologue, Stephen looks mildly stunned and appropriately fond. “It’s a pleasure to meet you too, Peter. And I’m not a big fan of organic chemistry either.”
“Oh, wow, that’s very cool. Like, that’s super chill of you.”
“Alright, before I have to hear another teenage lingo out of you, we’re gonna get started.” Without having to say a word, a hologram of their new project file lights up above the table. “Neural sensory feedback for the control of prosthetics. Dr. Strange gets to alter the human nervous system, while you and I build shiny metal arms.”
***
It’s been two weeks and the project’s faring better than what Tony would have bet on. It was evident by the second day that the lab was not large enough to contain the egos of two geniuses. In the span of eight hours, there had been four arguments, three stare-offs, and way too many Peter-inappropriate words. If it had been just the two of them, the research would have shut down before it even began. But then Wednesday came, bringing Peter with it. Like magic, all conflicts were resolved.
It wasn’t anything the kid deliberately did or said to ease the situation. He simply… existed. He came running into the room, breaking about six different lab safety rules, and gushed about winning a decathlon tournament in barely comprehensible English. Then noticing the presence of Stephen, he proceeded to blush and shyly apologized for monologuing with another monologue. And before they knew it, the two adults humored him with more questions about the event, unknowingly progressing through their project without another hiccup. With the surprise of their accomplishments for the day, Tony said, “See you tomorrow.”
Then on Thursday, they progressed more. And now, it’s been two weeks and the project’s faring better than what Tony would have bet on.
Currently, however, they are taking a break. It’s not one they purposefully scheduled. It just… happened because Peter has an AP English essay to submit, and somehow that calls for the input of a neurosurgeon and a mechanic.
“I still believe you should argue about how Victor is the real monster.”
“Yeah but everybody argues about that, Strange. That point was basically spoon fed to us in the book. That’s why the real challenge will be to argue ‘the monster’ is the real monster. Play devil’s advocate. Ruffle some feathers.”
“Oh that is nothing revolutionary. Have you seen any movies with the monster in it. He is always the villain.”
“Uhmm question”, Peter spoke as he slowly raised his hand. “Why do you two know so much about Frankenstein?”
“I had to take AP English too, Pete.” A new dataset of neural output appeared on Stephen’s StarkPad, and he absentmindedly gave the command to plot it.
“Hooked up with a literature major in college.” The plot popped up on Tony’s Starkpad too, and he ran it with his electrical input measurements. “She was a talker.”
“Watch your mouth, Stark.”
Ignoring his blush, Peter went back to jotting down ideas. “I’m just gonna argue about how Victor was an asshole who never showed any character development.”
“Watch your mouth, Parker.”
***
The new foster only lasted two weeks.
The timeframe’s getting shorter.
It’s okay, he’s fine.
Peter’s fine.
***
“Stark.”
“Strange.”
“There’s a giant hole in your ceiling.”
“I’m aware.”
The lab was a mess. There are pieces of metal everywhere, an alarming amount of empty coffee cups, a strange buzzing noise from one corner, and an empty space where more ceiling should be. But in the midst of this chaos, Tony looked at home. Stephen’s heart did a stupid flip. Sighing, he walked closer to the other, but stopped before he came in contact with the white powder showering down. “Breathing concrete dust isn’t a very healthy choice. Might have to report to the HR about hazardous work conditions.”
“I needed more voltage but didn’t have the right generator in the lab. Thus the giant hole in the ceiling and the wire waterfall.” Setting down his soldering iron, Tony looked up. “Need something?”
Crossing his arms, Stephen leaned his back against the worktable. “Trial one results were a failure. We’re gonna have to recalibrate.”
Letting out a deep breath, Tony took a second to process that. “JARVIS, run through the prosthetics’ outputs again.” Turning back to Stephen, he stared for a second. His stupid heart did another stupid flip. “Gotta ask you, doc. What’s your deal? Why this project?”
“I’m one of the few in America with the research experience and surgical skills to make this project happen. I don’t see why not.” The answer might be egotistical, but it was the truth. Why sugar-coat? “Plus I like a challenge.” Tony chuckled and nodded his head like he understood. He probably did. “Gotta ask you. What’s Tony Stark doing parenting a child?”
“It’s called mentoring, Strange.” Despite the sure tone he said it with, Tony still dropped his gaze back to the worktable and opened his StarkPad. “Nothing new. Partied too hard in Vegas, got myself into another scandal. Pepper staged the Stark internship as a PR stunt. Peter showed up. He’s a good kid. Always got the brightest smile despite living in an orphanage.”
“Peter’s an orphan?”
“Yeah. Lost his parents and guardians in one freak accident after another.” Sighing, he closed the StarkPad and looked up.
An odd mix of vulnerability and conflict glazed Tony’s eyes. Stephen stared back unflinchingly and it took him a second to understand the unspoken. Carefully choosing his words, he muttered, “There’s a solution for that.”
The look in Tony’s eyes intensified and he swallowed a few times, as if something was in the way of his breathing. He took his time replying. “He’s a good kid. Can’t fuck that up.”
Stephen wanted to argue back, as he always did with Tony, but this felt inappropriate. So, instead, he took a step closer and lifted one hand up to the mechanic’s hair. “You need a shower.” He ran his fingers through the curls once, brushing off some of the cement. Then ran his fingers through them once more. “Tony.”
“Stephen.”
***
Peter looked over his shoulder one more time to make sure nobody from school is following him, before approaching the not-at-all subtle Audi parked by the side of the road. Part of him thought it was a prank when Tony sent a text about picking him up from school. Because come on! It’s Tony Stark! But now that he’s sliding onto cool leather seats, he feels guilty for doubting. He looks up and – “Why are you two in suits?”
“Lunch”, said Tony at the same time Stephen said, “Date”.
“Alright…” Peter watched as they shared a glare, despite twin blushes rising up their necks. “I’m just gonna translate that to ‘lunch date’.”
Letting out a huff, Tony starts the car. “How was school, kid?”
“Horrible. I was on the verge of falling asleep the whole day. Stayed up last night finishing a biology assignment.”
“Why were you rushing to finish that last night? Don’t you have two more days to hand it in?”
Hesitating, Peter slowly said, “I’m gonna be busy tomorrow.” By now Tony knows that’s code for “I’m gonna be shipped off to another foster family”, so he simply hums and doesn’t push. Moments like this, Peter is extremely grateful for the bond they have been able to build. But it’s also moments like this that are the worst for his heart. So pushing that warm feeling down, Peter gleefully asks, “So how was the date?”
“Stephen likes broccoli in his pasta.”
“Dr. Strange! That’s a literal crime.”
Peter tries to head for the lab as soon as they get to Tony’s place, but a hand on the small of his back steers him towards the living room couch instead. “Uhh… what are we doing, Dr. Strange?”
“We are not doing anything, because you are gonna lie down and get some sleep.”
Peter immediately tries to get back up. “No, no, no. I’m good. I’ll sleep tonight. Plus this is my internship. I can’t sleep at my internship.”
“Um yes you can. Cuz your boss says so.” Tony walked up to Peter and wrapped a blanket on him, before pushing the boy to lie down. “And you better not be up until we wake you.”
***
It’s just 3 P.M. when Tony gets the call. Him and Stephen are in the lab, going over the second trial results. It’s significantly better than the last and in his joy, Stephen leans over and plants a soft kiss on Tony’s lips. Before the mechanic could even process it, JARVIS alerts him about an incoming call from Peter. “Put him through”, Tony mutters without taking his eyes off Stephen.
“Mr. – Mr. Stark?” Peter’s stuttered tone catches both their attention.
“Kid? What’s happening?” Tony’s voice pitches higher as his heart races. He’s grateful for the hand Stephen places on his back.
“I know it’s not an internship day, but can I come over? Just for a little bit?”
“Of course. I’m coming over to get you.” Tony rushes to grab his car keys, Stephen hot on his heels, before he pauses. “Aren’t – aren’t you supposed to be with your new foster family right now, Pete?”
“They don’t want me either, Mr. Stark.”
Tony and Stephen are driving across town in the next minute.
“Pete.” It comes out as more of a breath than word, but the boy springs up and into Tony’s arms all the same. The sight of him sitting on the orphanage stairs, as they drove up, broke Stephen’s heart. And now the sound of his sobs is not making it any better.
“I’m – I’m sorry for making you come here. I’m usually better at shaking it o – off when the foster families don’t work out, but this time they send me back in two days. I’m – I’m so tired of this. I don’t wanna do it anymore, Mr. Stark.”
Peter starts shaking, so Stephen steps closer and rubs his back. Tony locks eyes with him for one, two long seconds, before he gently passes Peter into his arms. And then he’s marching into the orphanage. Peter looks like he needs another moment to calm down, but he immediately runs after his mentor with Stephen.
Inside, a middle age woman stands frozen in front of Tony as he says, “I’m adopting Peter Parker. Right now.”
“Mr. Stark no – ”
“This is not a rash decision, Pete. I have been thinking about it for a long time. Stephen knows.” And then strangely vulnerable, he turns to Peter. “Unless you don’t wanna come with me. Which is perfectly fine too. I’ll figure something else out, I promise.”
“Of course I wanna come with you, Mr. Stark. But I can’t have you – ” Regret this. Reject me too.
“I want this, Peter. I can’t be more sure about it.” Turning back to the woman, he asks, “So? What do I have to do?”
“I – Mr. Stark. We highly appreciate your generosity, but it’s not that simple. There’s a process. Paperwork. Formalities. Plus, you – you have a drinking problem. And you’ll be a single parent. I don’t know if this will work out.”
“First of all, I’m eleven months sober. And second, clearly, all the other non-alcoholic, happily married families you have been counting on haven’t been a beacon of success.”
Stephen can see this is a losing argument. So, he reacts before he can overthink. “Plus we’re adopting Peter together. I’m Dr. Stephen Strange. Can’t find better parents than a billionaire and a neurosurgeon.”
Stephen sees the way Tony and Peter freeze up simultaneously, but he keeps a calm face. He knows he is skipping many steps, but strangely there’s no hesitance in his heart.
Pulling himself together, Tony takes out his StarkPhone. “JARVIS, get Pepper and my lawyer here, immediately.”
That night, the three of them stand around Tony’s living room, staring at each other. It’s too quiet, but none of them know what to even say. And then –
“What the fuck just happened?”