(Edited)

This is a serious one shot where Tony Stark gets protective of our favorite spider and occasionally forgetting that he's Spider-Man and can take care of most of his enemies. Meanwhile Peter gets more and more upset because he thinks that he's being treated like this because he's not strong enough and is a burden to the team. Some arguing, feels, then making up at the end.

Feels. Probably. Most likely. Definitely.

ON WITH THE ONE SHOT!!!

Tony Stark POV

"I told you to not go and what do you do?!" I exclaim, watching Peter land on the small office building we agreed to meet at after the mission. "The building was burning for crying out loud! Why did you even go in?!"

   Peter didn't look at me, and chose to reply softly,"That kids dog was in there. I couldn't just leave it. It was the last thing they're mom gave them."

"It was a stuffed animal Peter! You risked your life for that! If it were a real dog or a person, then I would understand but this?! Are you kidding?!" I said, wanting to explode. My blood boiled, thinking of the fear I felt when he dove in without a word to me. The anger that he would throw his life away like that, after all it took to bring him back. I bent time and space to bring him home, went through hell and stood tall to be sure he would be alive, and he'd throw all that away?

   Peter was silent, fidgeting under my gaze. No, he wouldn't throw all that away, not this kid. The issue is that Peter is so goddamn selfless, he couldn't hurt someone's feelings to save his life. Well, except when he was saving other lives, in this case, because I'm definitely hurt. That doesn't change the fact that that building was collapsing, and that he could've very well died. Again.

Peter stood shakily, sighing and turning away. He began to slowly stumble away, stopping at my voice.

"And just where do you think you're going? We aren't done yet." I said, still very much angry. Regardless of how selfless he is, he still could've died. And I wasn't going to let him off the hook for that quite yet.

He turned slowly and muttered, "I don't regret what I did. I risk my life every day Mr. Stark. That wasn't really any different."

Ok, that's enough. I walked over to him and put my hand firmly on his shoulder, turning him to face me. "It's fine to be a good person Peter, but that was a TOY. I can't let you put your life in danger because of that. What do you think would happen to your Aunt?! To your friends?! What do you think would happen to me?!" His face was shadowed, taking in my words.

"I didn't want to do this, but it's clear I have no choice. You're grounded. No Spider-Man for a week." I said, knowing it'd take more than my words to convenience him to quit being so willing to throw his life away.

He looked at me in shock, saying,"Wait! You can't do that! It isn't fair. You aren't my dad!" The words came out before either could really think, but the effect remained the same. Wether Peter knew it or not, he'd really messed up this time. I knew I couldn't afford to be this soft.

"Go home Peter." He opened his mouth to argue, but I beat him to it, "Just.... go."

He lingered a moment longer, regret in his eyes. He then stumbled away, shooting a web and swinging off into the night. I sighed, taking off my mask and sitting down, rubbing my temples. Well, the kid confirmed my fears. Great, perfect, I'm an idiot for caring, I should've realized that. Part of me wants to just brush it off, to just put up my mask again, emotional and literal, and move on. But then that damn emotional part of me gets in the way, just as it does time and time again.

   He probably wants me gone. Again and again, I'm reminded of the consequences of caring.

Peter Parker POV

I found a quiet place to sit down, and not to sulk because I'm more than capable to handle myself, thank you very much. I felt angry, stupid, sad, and guilty all at once, my mixed emotions causing frustrated tears to form at the corner of my eyes. What was I thinking? I should have never said that. I see Mr. Stark as a father figure, wether I like it or not, and I went and ruined our relationship, whatever it was to him.

   But he probably doesn't care. After all, I'm pretty much just a burden. I proved that with Thanos, with Civil War, and with literally every other fight with the Avengers. He probably hates me for putting him through so much, if he cares at all.

   Besides, if I never existed his life would be 10 times easier. He wouldn't have had to bring me back. He wouldn't have had to give me the suit. He wouldn't have had to babysit me, as he put it. I'm a mistake, aren't I? It'd probably be better for everyone if I never existed, yet here I am.

I heard a window break a few blocks away, the noise shattering my thoughts. I pulled on my mask and went to investigate, swinging shakily with my wounds from the fire. I heard Karen's voice say, "Peter you are injured, and I have also been informed that you've been grounded. A better course of action would be to listen to Mr. Stark."

  "Sorry Karen, I can't, not when someone's in trouble. It's my job to help." I said. "Even if Mr. Stark thinks that I can't."

   Karen paused for a minute, seeming to process what I said. Karen then said, "Your emotions apper to be conflicted. Should I contact Mr. Stark?" I paused at that. "I... don't think he would really care about that. Just don't bother him."

  I swung into the scene and stopped. Right there was the notorious new villain known as the Shocker. He looked big, with a remote control in his hand. He had on a cheesy store-bought costume of some sort. He sells people shock collars disguised as necklaces or other things then rob them. If they tried to stop him, they got shocked. Not killed, thank god or Thor or whoever is in charge at this point, just shocked. He was good at hiding his identity, so people around here weren't sure who he was. Most everyone stopped buying necklaces and other jewelry from shops, but he tricked someone again. He must have changed his methods. Lovely.

  "Hey big guy! It's not not nice to shock people! Your sales will go down!" I yelled, walking over, hiding my stumble as best as I could.

  He turned, grinning maniacally, "Ahh.. Spider-Man. My new arch nemesis."

  I snorted, "Your WAY to late for that title. I already have a million more arch nemesis's. Gives me a headache just thinking about how many I have. But I'll come up with a title for you, don't worry! No one gets left out here. So let's see. Arch Arch nemesis? No, no, the Vultures got that one. Hmm, this will be tricky, what about-" I guess he got impatient, because he lunged at me, trying to tackle me. I dodged easily, and said,"Hey, don't interrupt me when I'm giving you a name, that's rude! Anyway where were we. Oh yeah!" Dodge, punch. "How about newbie nemesis?" Kick to wall, cracking bricks. "Nah, that isn't very good." Punch to face, them web hand with the shock controller. "Hmmm, this is tough! What do you think, new guy?" But he was already knocked out. Oh well, that wasn't very hard. I tied him up, leaving a note for the cops, and swung out, a smile on my face.

  While I was swinging, Karen said, "Mr. Stark won't be very happy when he finds out you disobeyed him." My good mood quickly went south again, and I groaned and said, "Well, he can't get too mad. I stopped the Shocker. I did good work, right? I mean, he is proud of me, right? What do you think, Karen?"

  "I think he would have been prouder if you followed his orders." She said robotically.

   I sighed, "Yeah, your probably right. Who am I kidding anyways..."

   Proud of me? Again, I literally proved I'm useless in Civil War and with Thanos. Who would be proud of me? I couldn't get that damn guatlet off, and save the world. I shouldn't be an Avenger. I don't deserve it. I don't deserve to be called Spider-Man. I couldn't even save myself, what kind of hero am I?

   I stopped at a deserted building, and sat on it, observing the city. It was quiet now. I barely ever get a break. If only someone else was here, to help out in the city. It would make my job plenty easier. I observed the city quietly.

   That is, until I heard thrusters behind me. Anddddd time for a lecture.

Tony Stark POV

  Damn that kid. He can't even go home when I ask him to. Not to mention he went up against the Shocker with burns and injuries of his own. Care or not, I couldn't very well let Peter die. But I sure as hell could lecture him.

   "Mask off." I said, and Peter sighed, obeying me begrudgingly.

   "So, you disobeyed me already." He didn't turn to look at me. "I was heading home, but there was some trouble on the way. But I fixed the problem." Peter said loud enough for me to hear.

   I sighed. This kid is way to good for this world. I'm gonna get gray hairs at this rate. "Kid, I told you to go straight home. You've done your part, so get back to your aunt."

   He stood up slowly, turning to face me. He took a deep breath before exclaiming, "Look, am I a burden to you?! Do you actually care?! Because I'm trying my best out here but you keep having to clean up after my mistakes. So can you just come out and say it?! Do you hate me?!"

   His words stopped me. Is that really what he thought? "Kid, what-" He cut me off, turning away and waving his hand wildly. "No, it's fine. I get it. I've proved myself useless in every fight I've been in with the Avengers. I should've stayed on the fucking bus, instead of being a burden. I should've fought harder during Civil War, taken that more seriously, You wouldn't have had to do so much. So I'm just going to do what you won't for whatever reason, and get out of the way. Because it's clear I'm not capable enough to be a hero. Especially since I'd go save something that isn't even alive! So I'll leave, and then you'll finally be done cleaning up after me!"

  "Kid wait-" I said, but he was gone, pulling on his mask and swinging away into the night. He really felt that way? Like he was a burden? Jeez, I knew something was up but this? I probably should've seen this coming, with my own anxiety and what not. But I know how to fix this, I have a plan...

~~1 day later~~

  Peter Parker POV

  I walked out of the school. I guess Flash was busy with other people, cause I didn't get a new black eye today. Not that I was complaining. After all, that's one less "no you can't kill Flash cause it's illegal" speech to give to the team. That was probably fake too, thinking about it.

   Then again, it doesn't explain why Mr. Stark looked that way when I told him he's not my dad. I'm still guilty of course, cause that's how I saw him (though if anyone asks, he's my mentor), but I've ruined that for myself. Not that it matters, considering he's finally rid of me.

  Anyways, I was walking, when I saw Happy's car. Weird. Mr.Stark never has me around on Wednesdays, but I walked over anyway. No, now that I think about it, Mr.Stark is probably gonna take my suit away. That's it, it's a multimillion dollar suit, he's not just going to let me keep it. I sighed then got in the car.

  Happy was obviously in a bad mood, so I left him alone. I usually tried to find out what was wrong, but I don't think I would do any good by talking, so I let him be. He probably didn't want to pick me up at all, considering what I said yesterday.

   He looked at me through the mirror.  "No black eye today, huh." He said. I nodded, surprised that he noticed. "Hmph. Good. Kid must've got our message."

   I shot up, mortified at the prospect of what they might've done. "Wait what?! Please tell me you didn't do anything." I begged, looking back at the school.

   Happy smiled. "He looked intimidated enough. I don't think he'll bother you again." I stared. "You confronted him?!" I exclaimed, mortification making my face go red.

   "We went to his house, kid." I started to freak out.  And then I started to ramble on about how that wasn't fair and how they can't just do that. Before I knew it, we were here. "Hey Happy... why did you and the others do that?"  Happy looked over. "Because we care, duh. Now get your ass up there and help out your dad." I got out of the car and then realized what Happy said.

   I yelled after the car, "Wait what?! My dad as dead?! What do you mean?! Happy!" But he was gone. I stood there for a second, shocked. What just happened?

  I shook it off. Maybe it was a mistake? I went up to the door and scanned my pass. Friday chimed "Peter Parker, access level 10. Hello Peter. Boss has been informed of your arrival. He is in the lab." I responded, "Thanks Friday. What does he want anyway? I usually come Monday, Thursday and Friday. Why does he need me now?" Friday chimed "You'll see. Don't worry."  Now I was worried. Then I asked, "Friday, Happy called Mr.Stark my dad today. What do you think he means?" Friday responded, "Maybe you should ask him yourself." I thought about that. "Maybe." I said, lost in thought.

  I arrived to the lab. Mr.Stark was there already. We stood there, watching each other for a moment. The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife. I started, "Mr. Stark, I'm-" but I didn't get to finish, because he hugged me. He then said, "You aren't a burden Peter. I wish you would see that. I think of you as my son, Peter. And I know, you might not think about me the same way, but I need you to know, you're important. And I want to help you.." I paused. Then I hugged back. "You have no idea how much that means to me. I think of you as my dad.. so you aren't alone." Mr. Stark chuckled a little.

  "Good to know, Kid."

-End-

1867 words, guys! Hope I can do more of these, but life gets in the way sometimes. Anyway, hope you like this. Bye!

-SiederTree Studios-