Work Text
The streets of Greenwich Village were bustling, like any other clear, bright fall day packed with tourists and busy locals immersed in their daily routines. In a wave through the people, cameras raised as their attention elicited excited cheers from onlookers at the spectacle of none other than Peter Parker, donned in his iconic Spider-Man suit, half covered by a large overcoat.A burst of excitement was in the neighborhood at the sight of Spider-Man gracefully swinging into view, a red and blue streak against the sunny sky. The gentle chill of the weather making the jacket understandable. That skintight suit must have been cold.Everyone, momentarily pausing their daily routines, marveled at the acrobatic prowess of the masked hero. Peter swung from building to building, he happily greeted community below.Peter Parker continued his web-slinging route, his pulse quickened with each swing on his way to his destination at 177A Bleecker Street, dropping off a web to the street as he arrived at the doorstep, hoping to find a one Doctor Strange.Peter hurriedly greets the citizens on the sidewalks before he opens the door to the Sanctum Sanctorum, the ancient aura of mysticism envelops him. It’s less than inviting. Huge. Dark. Quiet…“Hello?” Peter’s voice joins the quiet before he announces himself louder, nervously standing in one place before approaching the large staircase.Wong, the stoic guardian of the sanctum, acknowledges Spider-Man's arrival as he appears at the top of the stairs. "You seek the Doctor Strange?" Wong inquires, his gaze scrutinizing Peter's intentions, already knowing them to the teenager’s surprise.Peter shifts where he stands, rubbing at his shoulders and back of his neck, trying to find words even if he stumbles over them. He looks worried, scared, in need. It radiates off of him in droves.Wong, sensing Peter's nervousness and genuine need, softens his expression. "Fear not, Spider-Man. The Sorcerer Supreme may have answers for you," Wong reassures.Understanding Peter's predicament, he guides him deeper into the sanctum, leading towards the room of ancient artifacts where Doctor Strange was at work.“Is it true, about Doctor Strange?” Peter’s voice is small as he follows Wong deeper into the sanctum, expressing his gratitude as well, trying to find footing in his train of thought.Curiosity overcoming him, Wong answers Peter's question. "Yes, the rumors are true. Strange is expecting a child," Wong confirms, becoming suspicious as he glances back at Peter who doesn’t seem to know what to do with his hands. They stop walking for a moment, Wong turning to face him.Peter's voice trembles with nerves as his eyes scrutinize him and he confesses to Wong, "I am too."The admission hangs in the air, the weight of unspoken fears a heavy echo through the mystic corridors.Wong, perceptive to the underlying tension, softens. It dawns on him that Peter is only seeking refuge in the sanctum for his familiarity with Strange, and the circumstances that swallowed them both. Understanding Peter's plight, Wong continues to guide him towards Doctor Strange, hopeful that the Sorcerer Supreme can provide the guidance needed.In the dimly lit artifacts room, Wong leads Peter to where Doctor Strange is engrossed in studying an ancient tablet from Kamar-Taj.The air is thick with mystic energy as Strange weaves a binding spell around the earthen slab, brought by a mystic arts student. Peter watches in amazement.In the tense silence, Wong waits until the spell is complete before announcing their presence as the artifact is encased in a display box locked with a protective enchantment.Doctor Strange turns, meeting them with a suspicious gaze. Peter, visibly shocked, instinctively edges closer to Wong. Strange's raised eyebrow toward Peter, and he acknowledges Wong with a respectful nod. His questioning glance at Peter stiffens, "What can I do for you, Parker?" he asks, the weight of the knowledge Strange doesn’t have hangs in the room.Wong would revel in it had it not been serious.Peter is visibly nervous and startled by Strange's appearance, he stumbles over his words in an attempt to convey the urgency and reason for his unannounced visit. Despite Peter's prior knowledge of Strange's pregnancy, Wong's reassuring squeeze on his shoulder still serves as a silent encouragement for him to go ahead and speak, but still Peter hesitates.His gaze shifts down, where the round and unmistakable swell of Doctor Strange's pregnant stomach catches his eye. The belts around his waist struggling for space and placement.Peter stumbles even further into nonsense chatter and hesitates in his words that are actually directed to Strange and not just about the trouble it took to get here, and the criminal he apprehended along the way.Strange, displaying impatience, sighs audibly, prompting Peter to start and stop his sentences nervously. Frustration builds in Strange as he asks Peter to hasten the conversation. Wong, contrary to his usual demeanor, scolds Strange, urging him to exhibit kindness, patience, and understanding. It’s something Strange hadn’t expected to hear, and Wong furthers his directions by telling him to summon a more compassionate bedside demeanor.Strange stares, agreeing quietly and Wong leaves the room for other important matters, leaving behind an expectation of kindness."D-Doctor Strange...” Peter speaks up after a few beats. Still troubled and nervous."Stephen," Strange gently interrupts, having had this moment with Peter before."I - I just- I'm — I need to talk to... you..." Peter's voice falters, breaking under the weight of his emotions. He just wants to cry. He wants someone, Stephen, to understand everything …without having to say anything.Strange softens, recognizing the sincerity in the young superhero's plea. There was something wrong. Something he couldn’t just come out with, for whatever reason. Peter was fragile with vulnerability."I came here because I don't know where else to go. I can't tell Mr. Stark... I don't know what he'll do," Peter confesses, the weight of his words hang in the air.Strange's brows furrow in concern, and he steps closer, a protective instinct rising within him. "Are you alright, Peter? Are you in danger?" he inquires, his tone filled with genuine worry, a surge of responsibility to protect Peter evident in his demeanor. His fingers curl out of that same instinct, ready to charge forward into whatever Peter needed.What could be so bad he wouldn’t tell Stark?Tears stream down Peter's cheeks, and in a moment of empathy, Strange reaches out with a shaky hand, gently wiping them away. "Talk to me, Parker," he urges, his voice carrying a mix of concern and compassion. What wouldn’t he tell Stark that he would come here and say?Or not say, as it were.Peter sniffs loudly, holding back tears, and bravely shrugs out of his large green coat, revealing a new Spider-Man uniform that Stark made. The golden accents seemed to match Stark’s suits.His blue eyes trail down Peter’s body, the small bulge of his belly is noticeable, just starting to round out. In contrast, Doctor Strange's stomach is already prominently swollen, ready to pop, even within the confines of his usual mystical robes.The visual contrast speaks volumes about what Peter couldn’t say."How long?" Strange asks, his voice carrying a weight of shock."Four months," Peter replies quietly.Stephen guesses it’s why he’s come, and offers up his own changed form to lighten the mood, patting his own significantly larger stomach. His hips, thighs and rear have had a significant spread, too. He’s widened all over and feels ridiculous."Almost six months," Strange reveals, his gaze still traveling up and down Peter, a question simmering in the air.Peter looks terrified at growing as big as he is.Strange’s entire tone changes, like he should have expected this. He sounds like a disappointed mother who knew better than this, "Let me guess who the father is…" Strange's annoyance reaches a boiling point, evident in the sharpness of his tone.A stressed sigh escapes him, the weight of the situation bearing down. He already knows the answer; it's been the subject of hushed conversations among the Avengers, all attempting to shield Peter from something exactly like this, or heartbreak.Stephen thinks he rather be comforting a heartbreak.Peter visibly shrinks under the weight of Strange's words, the tension in the room escalating. As Peter visibly shrinks, it’s only confirming Strange's suspicions, the Sorcerer Supreme is visibly upset but despite his own distress, he puts on a strained grin, trying to bear the weight of the situation for Peter's sake.Thats what any parent would do."Peter, we told you not to mess with him. He's at least 20 years older than you. It's wrong," Strange chastises, his words carrying a mix of disappointment and concern. The room echoes with the clash of emotions."No, he isn't..." Peter's voice holds a hint of defiance, suggesting that the age difference might not be as drastic as assumed. Strange, however, rolls his eyes in exasperation. "I'm almost 19.""You're too young," Strange asserts, leaving the matter at that. The room is charged with the weight of acknowledgment — what's done is done. Stephen couldn’t stop it, and for whatever it was worth, Stark couldn’t either. He kind of wants to laugh in his stupid, handsome face.Peter defies the tension and questions Stephen about the person he slept with, pressing for information on their whereabouts since his own pregnancy, Wade, is still present in his life. They had breakfast this morning, eggo chocolate chip pancakes and orange juice. Wade even bought the kind of juice Peter preferred. He was doting on Peter happily since they realized he was pregnant.It was… nice.Strange is momentarily startled, caught off guard by Peter's question. "It doesn't matter," he adds with a stern tone. "I am an adult, Peter.” He regrets his next comment, petty and angry, “And not afraid to talk to Stark."Peter's eyes well up with emotion, and Stephen begins to grasp the inappropriate nature of their argument, of his own words. He was the adult, he just wasn’t acting like it. He couldn’t argue back like a child. He wasn’t Peter’s peer.Realizing the need for composure, he offers an apology, expressing his commitment to be there for Peter. He means it, he’s sincere and really, truly concerned.Leading them out of the artifacts room, he guides Peter to his bedroom, where the atmosphere shifts to a more intimate setting. Peter takes a seat on the large ornate canopy bed, the air still heavy with the aftermath of their confrontation.Strange begins to share details of the encounter, trying to bring himself to Peter’s level, try to look like an equal. He starts by admitting it was at a party with an old coworker he admired. Peter, relieved it wasn't something more exotic from another dimension, tries not to dwell on the possibilities."Wade knows," Peter confesses quietly, "but I'm starting to show more, and the suit doesn't hide it.""I can see that," Strange responds, recognizing the challenges Peter faces. He retrieves an old "Metro-General" shirt and a pair of sweatpants for Peter, emphasizing the need for caution. "You shouldn't be out fighting even the pettiest of crimes in your condition, Peter." It’s a vulnerability he can’t afford.As Peter begins to change, Strange turns away to give him privacy, the tension palpable in the air. His cloak, with a flourish, leaves his shoulders, gathering Peter's suit and jacket for Strange to hang them on a rack by the door. He guesses he should give the suit back to Stark, for now, but settles on keeping it hidden himself.Peter, clad in the blue sweatpants, hesitates, holding the tee shirt in his hands. "Can I ask... something personal?" he looks at him, voice small again.Strange, with a nod that carries both suspicion and questioning in his tone, responds, "Go ahead.""You haven't been around the others... hanging out, I mean," Peter observes. It was longer than the usual amount of isolation.Strange's eyebrows raise, acknowledging the truth of his distant relationship with his fellow Avengers, but why was it a concern?"I've seen Stark on occasion. And, I might add, I have no reason to be there.""I kind of thought you and Mr. Stark had a thing for each other," Peter attempts a light tone, but the smile he conjures appears fragile, born out of a desire for something that he doesn’t want to find no longer exists."That's over now, isn't it?" Strange responds, a palpable regret underlying his words. Peter, realizing the echoes of regret, easily picks up on the shared pain."C-can... could... can you make this go away?" Peter asks, the weight of guilt and turmoil evident in both their voices.The room is filled with the somber realization of the inability to erase the consequences of their actions."Are you asking me what I think you are?" Strange inquires, his approach closing the distance between them. Peter, clad in the hospital sweats and now shirt, emanates vulnerability and a touch of innocence that contrasts with the complexity of their situation.Strange finds himself wishing Peter's path aligned more with his own educational pursuits than with Tony's.Sitting beside Peter, Strange places his marred hand over Peter's, and the two heroes share a moment of silent contemplation. The room is heavy with unspoken words and heavy feelings that don’t need words to be spoken, the weight of their struggles hang in the quiet stillness that envelops them.Peter nods, tears streaming down his face. "I've ruined my life. I should have listened to Tony, to you, to Cap... everyone told me. I don't know what to do."Strange sighs, the expanse of his own massive belly a sign of the shared burden they carry. He spreads his legs just to accommodate the heaviness. Peter can’t imagine being so large.Pulling Peter into his arms, he lets him cry into his chest, offering solace and understanding. Offering a family and home. Strange knows that Tony doesn't know yet, and Peter’s body has only just begun to reveal the choices he's made. They both bare the weight of regrets, evidence of what they’ve done, the consequences."Please, make this go away," Peter pleads, openly sobbing into Strange's chest, his desperation evident in the way he clings to the Sorcerer Supreme. His fingers turn white from the intensity of his grip on the blue robes, as if holding on for dear life.Strange remains silent, understanding the severity of Peter's request. He gently moves his hands to hold Peter even closer, offering comfort and a silent embrace for the young hero in the face of an uncertain future."I just want to go to school, I want to be with Wade, I love him, but I'm not ready for this," Peter confesses, the conflict evident in his words.Strange nods in understanding. "Anyone could understand that. Have you discussed this with him?"Peter nods in response. "He's happy, he's excited... but I don't know," he admits, “He’s not really… responsible..” uncertainty clouding his thoughts. Could Wade actually parent something? He’s not sure he would get a goldfish around him. "Could I really start a family? I'm supposed to be going to MIT, I... I can't," Peter voices his concerns, the conflicting dreams evident in his words, even the ones he didn’t voice, like his friends, and being a superhero — being an Avenger."Peter," Strange's voice shifts to its normal stern and serious tone, reassuring and authoritative. "You have the entirety of the Avengers team behind you, and you should know that Tony won't let anything prevent you from your goals. Or being a kid," The heaviness in the room is filled with a renewed sense of support, a weight off of Peter’s shoulders, the words, the promises offering Peter a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty of his future."How do I tell him what's happened?" Peter asks, desperation in his voice as he searches for the right words. "He'll kill Wade.""I'll fucking kill Wade," Strange growls, a rare display of anger that contrasts with his usual demeanor. The protective instinct surges within him, fueled by a sense of responsibility and paternal concern. Tony wasn’t the only one who would rip Wade Wilson into pieces.Despite Peter being legally an adult, Strange still views him as a child, akin to his own. Knowing Tony has taken Peter under his wing as his own son too only intensifies Strange's determination to shield the young hero from the consequences of his choices."I do love him," Peter confesses, and Strange makes a growling sound, but Peter’s tone has a shy yet sincere plea for understanding, it’s even evident in his wet eyes. "Please, Doctor...""Stephen.""Please, Stephen," the adjustment still sounding unfamiliar to both of them. Awkward. “I care about him. He's the love of my life. Who I'm meant to be with...""You're a child. You haven't lived long enough to have a love of your life," Strange groans, the romantic idealism that seems too pervasive around him. Everyone is desperate for ‘the one.’ Even he had been, so he knows it’s a relentless pursuit of nothing gained and everything lost."Did you love him? The guy that did this to you?" Peter asks, the question loaded with emotion, seeking understanding. Trying to pretend the answer was going to be ‘No, I love Mr. Stark.’Strange's unexpected laughter cuts through the moment Peter is having in his own mind."No. Of course not. We barely knew each other. We were drunk. I could barely walk. I don't really remember, but I know I wasn't in love over some …admirable medical techniques I learned in my residency.""Oh... What about Mr. Stark? Have you talked recently?" Peter inquires, his tone carrying a hopeful and shy quality, like a child yearning for the reunion of estranged parents and he couldn’t bare or under the divorce.They hadn’t even really been an item."In case you haven't noticed, Peter, I'm nearing six months pregnant, with some other guy's kid. You think Tony wants to deal with that?" Strange's tone is arrogant and laced with sarcasm.Peter finds it heart-wrenching. He wipes his own tears on the sleeves of Strange’s shirt."No," Peter responds quietly, the words settling heavily on his shoulders. He has a bitterness and sorrow wrapped around his heart. The harsh realities of their choices and the shattered expectations that Peter had for himself and Stark."Maybe when this is all over?... He likes kids," Peter suggests, desperately trying to piece together a future that holds some semblance of happiness for the doctor and Stark."Peter, no. I'm sorry," Strange replies, a heavy sadness in his voice. He’s come to term with his own mistakes. The memory of that embarrassing night, fueled by too much alcohol and immature admiration during his residency.He hopes Peter’s version is romantic and sweet, fun. That Wade made it a wonderful night for Peter. Something real, something good.Strange. Waking up next to someone he barely knew, didn’t have that much luck. The shame of his actions lingers on his body. It was probably the most embarrassing night of his social life, he had gone because Christine needed a friend to go to the party with, and Strange had probably made a fool of himself. At least he doesn’t remember anything. He wishes he didn’t remember waking up next to the other doctor, who was readying to leave the hotel room. He feels shame just thinking about it."Does he even know?" Peter's question is bold, pushing the boundaries of their conversation, but Strange accepts it with a heavy sigh."No. I never saw him again. I don't plan on it. He doesn’t need to know. No one needs to know.""The team knows.""Because I look like an elephant," Strange groans, the self-deprecating humor attempting to mask the underlying pain.Peter laughs nervously, his hand gently resting on Stephen's substantial baby bump, marveling at the unexpected enormity of it."I want to have a family with Wade, not now... but I guess it's happening," Peter sighs, his struggle for happiness evident.Stephen allows Peter to feel his baby bump, a gesture reserved for a select few. Wong. His cloak.“Am I going to look like this in two months?" Peter asks, terror flashing in his eyes."I think it's multiples, you'll be fine Peter, I was already bigger than you are when I was four months along" Stephen smiles, offering reassurance. "You don't have a lot of time left to make a choice about keeping this or not, you know that, right?”Peter nods, staring at his own belly. Moving his hands to it, he feels grateful for its current size compared to Stephen's, finding a small comfort in its adorably cute appearance."Wade is so happy..." Peter smiles, his thumb gently caressing his belly, a moment of genuine joy breaking through. Stephen can see the change."Like I said, we will help you, and you know Tony will go through any lengths to help you care for the child and care for you," Stephen assures. Peter, finding newfound hope, smiles, realizing that perhaps, despite the circumstances, they could navigate this journey together. He did have a family behind him."But you and Mr. Stark?" Peter pleads, pressing the subject with a hint of desperation."I'm sorry, Peter," Strange responds, his tone revealing a lack of understanding about the necessity of pursuing anything further. Their interactions had been limited to a few dates that fizzled out, with no indication of a deeper connection.Contact was maintained solely around matters concerning the city's safety.Peter emits a sad, whimpering noise, a manifestation of his dashed hopes. He truly believed the two Avengers could find happiness together. For Peter, Tony's happiness is a priority, and he envisioned Stephen as the one who could bring that joy to Tony's life. He still does.“Can I ask… what you’re going to do?” Peter says, folding his hands in his lap, looking at Strange’s belly.“I’ve already spoken to Christine. She knows someone who was already looking to adopt, what better than someone with my pedigree? Of course, she won’t know it’s me.”Peter nods at every other word, stunned, unsure if he could ever bare doing the same thing, but Strange was going to make someone else’s life feel complete with love and family."Look, just relax, okay?" Stephen struggles to stand up, his heavy belly weighing him down. Peter chuckles, offering a helping hand, and the cloak comes over to provide additional support to Stephen's on shoulders, levitation proving an excellent aid.Stephen carefully settles Peter into bed, ensuring his comfort. He adjusts the bar cart by the bed, stocked with crackers and easily digestible things to nibble at. Wong has taken care to keep it well-supplied, anticipating Strange’s needs.Strange contemplates his own condition, the struggle not to lose weight but to manage the increasing size of his growing belly and widening hips.The room becomes a sanctuary in a sanctuary, Peter can feel it in his bones. Care. Love. Family. The room becomes a cocoon of safety as they prepare to face the challenges that await them outside its comforting confines."Where are you going?" Peter asks, hesitant to be left alone in the lavish room. He’s opening a small packet of tea biscuits. "Can... could you call Tony?""That's what I was going to do," Stephen replies, heading toward the door. His belly so heavy on his hips that Peter can see him waddling and arching his back to steady his gait. "I'm going to break this as gently as possible. You can stay with me until the heat on Wade dies down." And Strange thinks about that for a minute, of the invitation, “Wade can sleep on the doorstep if he wants to see you.”Stephen anticipates the coming storm that will follow, the likely repercussions of Tony Stark discovering the situation. The only thing he truly expects is for a drone attack on wherever Wilson is in the city or upstate. Tony Stark wasn’t going to go light on him just because Peter was a dumb teenager in love.Maybe he could pick off his own consort on the way.