TONY STARK & PETER PARKER TIMELINE/MINI ANALYSIS
SO MUCH of their development as a pair happens offscreen, so I made this timeline that outlines Tony and Peter’s relationship development (as I see it) throughout the movies:
CIVIL WAR —> Originally, Tony saw Peter as a means to an end. He knew he would lose to Team Cap, so he recruited him.
CW AIRPORT BATTLE —> When Tony saw Peter on the ground after the airport battle he realized “oh shit, this is a kid who can get really hurt by the situations I’m putting him into”. He pulls away and cuts off contact, fearing that he’s bad for him.
POST CIVIL WAR into HOMECOMING —> Tony believes he’s a bad influence, so he hangs back. He assigns Peter to Happy to make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid.
END OF HOMECOMING —> Tony realizes that, no matter what he does, Peter will continue to use his powers to fight criminals (and get in trouble). He decides to bring him to the Compound so he can mentor him better and keep a close eye on him. He steps up and accepts his role as mentor.
Aunt May finds out Peter is Spider-Man. A PERIOD OF TIME PASSES, about 2 years.
My theory is that, with the added facet of Peter being Spider-Man, the relationship dynamic between May, Peter and Tony shifts and May defers to Tony to help mentor Peter. A new level of trust sort of develops, as well as a pressure for Tony because he starts to understand that he’s dealing with someone’s child and has the responsibility of mentoring him and keeping him safe. Only NOW does Tony truly start to develop into a sort of father figure.
INFINITY WAR —> It’s obvious they’re more familiar and they’ve fought together (the NY battle in the beginning), and it’s obvious that Tony cares more for Peter as a person (trying to send him home before he can get on the alien ship).
I believe that Peter’s death scene would’ve been more impactful if we had known even just a little more about their past over these last two years. Even a slight reference to something between the two of them, like an inside joke or a reference to a past mission earlier in the movie.
ENDGAME —> The final metamorphosis of their relationship; a sort of passing of the torch, if you will. Specific evidence includes the kiss take (ifykyk) which was cut from the reunion scene, and Peter calling Tony “Tony” for what is likely the first time as he dies.
POST ENDGAME —> Tony leaves Peter EDITH. He trusted him and cared enough about him to leave this tech to him. Like… bro
I would love to hear ur guys’ thoughts and theories!
what sort of things do u guys like to imagine they did between Homecoming and Infinity War? any favorite fics u recommend?
anyway rant over have a lovely day nerds 😎