Like Father, Like Son

[Joseph Stone]

(OCC: Couldn't resist. I NEEDED to RP Joseph and Mike. January 9th, around the afternoon)

Joseph was terrified. But he kept pushing on. He couldn't help but feeling he was getting too old for this. But he couldn't help but be heartbroken that during Mike's lifetime he'd be forced to deal with the aftermath of war. That is if his son was still alive. Regrets were constantly spinning in the man's mind. Terrified his son was missing or dead, Joseph was hell-bent on searching for his son. He searched for his wife too, but there was much less sign of her. And he grieved for a time, but it made him understand that his arguments with Mike were far less important. And the fact he needed to appreciate his son more before crisis' occured. The minute he found his son, he'd make it up to him. If he found him that is. He turned to see a small little house, but it looked quite more advanced if given a closer look. He then saw a young man... Looking precisely like his son. He raced, despite the hurting leg and replied with worry "Michael? Mikey? Mike! Is that you?!"

[Detective Mike Stone]

Mike paused hearing a familiar voice and froze. It was his father and the memories he'd been trying to forget came flooding back.

"Why can't you understand? This is my job." said Mike.

Mike was so angry he wasn't even listening to what his father was saying as he glared at him.

"I can't believe you would do something like this. I hate you!" said Mike, shouting those last three words.

He turned and ran out slamming the door in the process.

Tears rolled down Mike's cheek before he turned to face his father.

"That's a very cruel joke you're playing. Pretending to be my father. I don't know what game you're playing Loki. Or did you not want to risk yourself and send one of your flunkies? Well if your job was to hurt me it worked. Congratulations. My father's dead. So get the hell out of here." said Mike.

(ooc: Couldn't resist Mike not believing it was him at first. In his mind he'd already come to grips with his father possibly being dead. And the guilt of his final words to him has haunted Mike to boot.)

[Joseph Stone]

(OCC: ALL THE FEELS)

Joseph would've lied if he said he expected Mike to deny so quickly. But considering how long he'd been gone, he wasn't surprised his son was in denial. Hey, he was in denial for a while until rumors spread around about Mike's condition. The older man listened at first wanting so badly to hug his son but feeling unable to after his words. Mike always had the ability to be venomous with his words. Today wasn't a exception. Joseph wanted so badly to hold his son again. Joseph shook his head "Mikey, kiddo, it's really me. I'm not that crazy son of a bitch" He held Mike's hand, softly in case Mike wanted to pull away "Son, I want to say I'm so sorry about before. I can't believe it took the destruction of New York to say this but..." Joseph took a deep sigh, admitting his faults wasn't always easy. But he would do it if he managed to prove to his son that he was here. Joseph sighed, tearing up replying "I was wrong to try to stop you from doing your job"

He sniffed again "I know you wouldn't stop doing your job, that's why I was so scared when criminals were showing up to your house. I wanted to forbid you but you weren't a baby anymore. I was wrong to try to make you feel like that" He teared up "I can't believe that I let my pride control me enough to not speak to you for days until this happened" He let out a sob "I nearly lost my only boy all because of paranoia" He looked up at Mike and replied "Mike, I'm really dad. I won't go down without a fight. I'm here for you son. Honestly I am"

[Detective Mike Stone]

Mike heard him speak and shook his head.

"Stop. Stop lying to me. Stop your mind games. My father's dead. I might as well have killed himself. I knew he was getting old. I shouted at him. He probably had a heart attack or he and mom were killed in one of those stupid riots. I'd want both of them back so much it hurts. How dare you mock me?" said Mike.

He clenched his fists in anger before the imposter spoke more and Mike felt his resolve lessoning. How would Loki or an accomplice know so much about them?

"This has to be a trick. You're reading my mind or something right now." said Mike.

It was when his father started to sob that something was starting to click.

"Dad? Is it really you?" asked Mike, sounding so hopeful but so bitter at the same time.

He paused dropping to his knees as the tears started to flow.

"I can't lose you again if this is some trick. I barely pieced myself together the last time. I don't think I can do it again." said Mike.

[Joseph Stone]

Joseph was a bit hurt but he tried to keep remembering his son wasn't a naive boy. He was pretty cynical and immensely stubborn. Apple didn't fall far from the tree, Joseph supposed. Joseph held it together, knowing getting angry was not going to help his case. Joseph held his hand to his chest and replied sincerely "Michael. I swear on your mother I'm real. I wouldn't come all this way for you if I wasn't" He then sniffed again, wiping tears off his face "I shouldn't act so surprised. You've always been so stubborn and smart. Ever since you were a kid. Just like me" He sighed, trying not to cry anymore not only because he didn't want to embarrass his son but because he wanted to be strong. He had been desperate to be strong for his son for so many years. Ever since Mike was little, Joseph was the strong one for the boy. Even when Mike hurt his feelings, Joseph held strong.

He then turned to see Mike try to claim it was a mind trick. It was then Joseph started to lose his patience, he replied insistently "Oh really? Then what about the time you broke your leg on the beach? That I picked you up and rushed you to the hospital on foot because the ambulance took too long? Loki wouldn't remember that!" He knew that only he and Mike would know this memory. He hoped it helped his case. He hoped Mike would finally realize it was truly him. It seemed to work as Mike fell to his knees and begged that this wasn't a trick. That he couldn't lose his father again. Joseph immediately dropped to his knees in humility and held his son, regardless of the end result, Joseph wanted his son to know he was here. Joseph mumbled sadly "I'm here, Mikey. I'm here. I'm not lying. I wouldn't do that to you"

(OCC: Hope you're okay with the memory. Thought it'd help Joseph's case a little lol)

[Detective Mike Stone]

Mike paused at his words.

"You don't know how much I want to believe that. But Loki and others have impersonated people before. There are shapeshifters and magical powers that can do it quite easily." said Mike.

He saw him crying and it pained him to see him like that but he had to be sure this was his real father. When his father spoke he was really starting to be convinced it might be him as he told a story from their past. When his father hugged him Mike let the tears flow hugging his father back.

"You're really here. It's really you." said Mike.

He paused realizing what his dad said.

"Don't call me Mikey." said Mike in an annoyed yet happy tone.

[Joseph Stone]

Joseph nodded weakly, tearing up again, feeling hurt at his son's hurt "I know you've been hurt son. But I'm telling you the truth, it's me, I'm dad" He then hugged his son tightly as his son finally hugged back. He finally felt relieved as his son finally saw that it was him. Joseph let the tears flow in return since his son was seeing him as his father at long last. It seemed the story seemed to finally convince him. Among with his emotions. Mike and him weren't exactly fully healed from this but this was the start of something good for them at last. "Of course it's me, mike" Joseph held him close "I will never lose you again" He then laughed a little as Mike demanded not to be called mikey "Right, sorry, forgot bout that. I just am so glad to see you, son"

He looked at Mike and held his face "How'd you escape Loki's clutches? Those nutcase people of his are all over the place!"

[Detective Mike Stone]

Mike paused as he dropped to his knees and hugged his father tightly as if he was afraid to let go and it'd be an illusion or a dream.

"I thought you were dead. All I can remember is yelling at you and telling you I hate you for not understanding. I thought you died thinking I hated you." said Mike.

Tears were flowing down his face but he didn't care as he held his father.

"But you're alive. You're here." said Mike.

He paused and shook his head.

"Escaped in the confusion. I was never one of Loki's targets anyway. Tom's here too Dad. And..."

He paused blushing realizing he had to tell him about his boyfriend.

"I've been seeing a guy here. Well, he kind of is a superhero and has two personalities. I'm sure you remember my old shrine in my room. I'm dating Bruce Banner and Hulk now. I hope you like him." said Mike.

He paused looking up at his father not letting him go.

"What about Mom? Is she with you?" asked Mike.

(ooc: and now i just have the mental image of Joseph threatening Hulk like you hurt my son and you'll regret it and everyone else shocked. xD)

[Joseph Stone]

(OCC: Literally joe don't give a damn he will threaten anyone who messes with his boy)

"I thought the same. I thought you were dead without me having the chance to tell you how sorry I was" Joseph replied sadly. Although it crushed him to hear mike say he hated him, joseph didn't hold it too much against him. After all, when angry the two of them tended to say harsh things. It hurt his wife ellen more than it hurt him. She would always demand joseph to talk to mike, to work it out. But like mike, joseph was a prideful man and tended to not speak about his feelings. So he was most likely going to hold it in for at least a few more weeks before allowing himself to finally make up with his son. It was a typical routine that happened, he and mike would fight only for Ellen to pull them both into a room to make up. Then the disaster happened and he vowed from now on to do that himself. Especially since... well.. she wasn't here most likely. He held mike tightly, falling to his knees too in union with his son. Secretly vowing to never, ever lose sight of him. "Of course I'm here. I always will be. I'm so sorry for everything son" What everything was joseph wasn't sure but he was sorry for it.

"Tom's okay too? Oh thank jesus. I've always liked that boy" Joseph said in relief knowing tom, one of mike's close friends, was alive himself. Then mike confessed something special. The hulk, one of mike's true idols, was mike's official boyfriend. Joseph knew mike adored the hulk and bruce ever since the first discovery of the creature. The old shrine was a riot to him and ellen. It was a bit of a inside joke. But joseph was actually impressed that mike managed to be dating him. Joseph grinned, relieved that his son found a other. Joseph had suspicions his son was gay but never bothered asking due to worrying it would bother mike. Joseph gave him a proud pat on the back "About time you started dating, son. Hey if he's dating you he really is a smart guy. As long as you're happy son. I'm real happy for you" It was true. He was. Mike could jump jumping jacks and joseph would be proud of it. He then joked "Hey, you let him know if he hurts you, you're not the only one he has to deal with alright?"

Suddenly the conversation got sour. Very quickly. For ellen finally came up. Tears start to form. His other. His love. His wife. Ellen was gone. How mike was gonna handle it he wasn't sure but he was heartbroken himself. He held his breath as mike asked the question before trying to calm down. He looked away, not wanting mike to see his tears but they were there. "Son. Mike. Your mother was at the house at the time of the attack, she was trying to call you before a huge explosion separated us. She... she's gone mike. God I'm so sorry"

[Detective Mike Stone]

(ooc: You want to bring in bruce and/or tom in a few rounds to meet mike's dad? Or wait for another thread? xD)

Mike held his dad close, tears flowing freely.

"I'm glad we were both wrong. I'm so glad you're here." said Mike.

He stopped wiping tears from his face so he could see his father more clearly.

"I don't know if Tom's family is ok. Did you see signs of his family or anyone else?" asked Mike.

Mike grinned.

"Thank you. I can't wait till you meet him." said Mike.

Mike chuckled.

"Bruce would never hurt me. And Hulk well sometimes he doesn't know his own strength. If he hurt me by accident I could never be mad at him for that. In some ways he's like a little kid you know." said Mike.

He paused as his dad spoke saying his mother was inside at the time and explosion separated them as the tears came back.

"No. She's really gone." said Mike.

He was sobbing this time as he curled into his father's arms feeling almost like a little kid where he'd get hurt and come to one of his parents who'd hold him and help things better. But this time there was no way to fix things. He held his father too tightly.

"We lost her. It was hard enough thinking you were both gone but I got you back only to really loose her for good. We need each other more than ever." said Mike.

[Joseph Stone]

(OCC: We can bring in tom AND bruce after a few posts. Joseph will meet other people through new threads we make in the future. But I want joseph and bruce and tom to all be here in this thread. Especially since mike's mom is gone. So like after a few posts we'll have them come)

Joseph smiled as his son expressed gratitude for his arrival "So am I, son. I'm so glad to see you. I'm so glad you're okay. I wouldn't know what to do if I lost you" It was true. Joseph, despite himself, did adore his son above everything else. He wanted to have more kids but it was always hard for him and ellen so mike was the best they would have. And he was the best for joseph period. He then sadly sighed about tom's family, shaking his head "No. No sign of tom's mom. Poor boy must be beside himself with worry over her. I haven't seen tom's mom at all" He wished he could give tom some peace but it was pretty clear tom's mom also was a victim to the tragedy of domination by loki.

"I can't wait either. Is he as nice as some people say he is?" Joseph couldn't help but be curious about bruce. Not that he disapproved, just that like any parent he was curious to the person that won his son's heart. He tried to restrain himself from asking so many questions. He also tried not to appear too worried. And in some ways he wasn't but bruce had the hulk and it was the hulk part that he was kind of concerned about. His questions were somewhat answered by mike's next part of conversation "Oh so he's not completely aggressive and out of control? The papers would say he was. But I guess that's the media for you. Can't judge a book by it's cover. Still just stand your ground and be careful is all I ask" Joseph said, with a approving grin.

Joseph then pulled mike in for a tender hug as he started to cry for his mother. He felt the same pain as his son. Maybe more than his son. He knew ellen for a majority of his life and she was really the glue that kept joseph together. He didn't really know what to do without her. Other than be here for mike, he felt like there was nothing to it left. Still, he needed to comfort his son and he nodded insistently at his son's choice of words "You're absolutely right son. We need each other. Your mom would want us to stick together. I am not gonna let my selfishness get the better of me anymore. I promise I'll be here for you son"

[Detective Mike Stone]

(ooc: sounds good.)

Mike smiled.

"I can't believe you survived out there on your own. And you were worried about me. You're tougher than you look." said Mike.

He sighed.

"So only the two of us and Tom from our neighorhood made it here?" asked Mike.

Mike smiled.

"Both of them are." said Mike.

Mike shook his head.

"Well he's getting better. I mean he was pure rage for so long. But he did kind of attack some of my friends who were helping me train. I stopped him though and kind of yelled at him. I probably stunned everyone including Hulk. He apologized and we made up. I don't think anyone's really stood up to him like that. We may get into fights again like other couples. Or I may fight with Bruce. But we'll work it out." said Mike.

Mike held his father close as he cried. He knew that they'd gotten into a few fights lately but his mother had alwaysr been the peacemaker to help them calm down and make amends. And now she was gone. Not only had he lost her he feared the next time they fought might be their last.

"No matter how angry we get we can't let it get bad like our last one. I couldn't even remember everything I said to you in our last fight. I don't want you to ever think I hated you." said Mike.

[Joseph Stone]

"Well you know, the stones are a tough bunch" Joseph replied with a small smile. He then sighed softly about mike's questions. That the majority of the neighborhood they lived in was decimated or at least was part of so much destruction. Joseph shrugged "Seems like it. As far as I know our neighborhood was really part of the crossfire. Targeted town I suppose" He shook his head. The thought of tom's mom worried him, tom was a boy with very few people in his life, having his mom be gone was no doubt a huge blow to him. Mike then corrected him, saying both were kind and that the hulk had his issues but overall meant well and was good to mike. That they would no doubt have mistakes in their relationship but that was normal. Joseph widened his eyes a bit and laughed amusedly as mike explained he stood up and yelled at hulk during a attack. Joseph patted his son's back "That's my boy! Standing up for himself. I mean if you can stand up to me or that hulk, you can pretty much fight anyone. You always had a spirit"

Joseph then held Mike close, listening to his words. Joseph understood mike's pain. He couldn't bear the thought of ellen being gone. It was a harsh burden. He was also a tad concerned with his behavior getting the better of him again. They didn't have ellen to help them anymore. They had to actually be responsible for their relationship. He rubbed mike's back a bit before replying softly "Ah I never thought you really hated me. Granted it was a harsh thing to hear but I knew deep down you didn't mean it. That whole fight shouldn't of happened. I need to realize you're a adult. We gotta talk about these things like adults now" Joseph then pulled him away to look at mike's eyes "I honestly don't remember everything either, which shows that it wasn't worth us breaking apart. I'm sorry about that night, son. I promise I'll do my part to make sure it doesn't get that bad"

[Detective Mike Stone]

Mike grinned.

"Of course we are." said Mike.

He sighed.'

"I guess if anyone else shows up they got lucky to not be in the neighborhood at the time. Vacation, shopping or whatever. But then again with the riots, the takeover, and everything else going on I'm surprised there's many people left out there." said Mike.

Mike grinned.

"I was more angry at the time, but later was grateful Hulk didn't get mad. I don't know if I could have hurt him if he lost his temper. He was my idol once but I'm really in love with him dad. I think Bruce and Hulk could be the one." said Mike.

Mike sighed holding his dad close as he nodded.

"I guess when we're mad we always do or say things we don't really mean. But I'm so glad to have you back. Even if it means more arguments in the future. Although I plan on winning them." said Mike, with a grin.

[Joseph Stone]

(OCC: A couple more posts and I'll bring bruce and tom in)

"You and me both son. One might say it's a damn miracle we have as many survivors as we do. Maybe this is a sign that maybe we can find a way to defeat that loki guy. At least I can hope" Joseph replied. His son was right. It was really interesting that many survived or escaped loki's wrath. But it made joseph honestly relieved. Maybe there was hope. Maybe even after all this they could make it. Maybe his son could still have a relatively decent normal life underneath all this chaos.

Joseph then listened as mike explained that his anger was what made him confident in standing up to hulk. He then explained that he wasn't sure if he could hurt him if needed. Because he was in love with him. That he was the one mike had been searching for. Joseph couldn't help but smile warmly at that "Well son. I couldn't be happier for you. Go with your instinct son. If he's the one, then you have my blessings. I want you to be happy" He then replied jokingly "Just don't get me grandkids just yet. Give me time to get to know bruce first"

"Yeah. Suppose so. When you're pissed you say or do things you normally wouldn't do. But I'd rather just try not to get so heated in the future" He then listened as mike said he planned to win any future arguments they might have. Joseph laughed hard then "Whoa now mike. Don't get too confident now. I'm a pretty stubborn fighter myself. Don't say you'll win just yet" He laughed some more

[Detective Mike Stone]

Mike nodded.

"I'm so glad you're here. And yet feel so guilty too. There's a kid here Peter Parker. Apparently, his parents died when he was born and his uncle died a few months ago... And the attacks here killed his aunt. So he has no family left. His girlfriend's here but that's it. I feel lucky to have you and yet guilty some don't have theirs." said Mike.

Mike grinned.

"Thanks dad. Just try to be nice to him when you meet him ok?" said Mike.

He blushed at his words.

"Probably would just end up adopting but no rush on that." said Mike.

He nodded.

"We should try to talk things out more before things get too heated. Maybe we could have avoided that last conversation too if we tried to talk more calmly and more often." said Mike.

He laughed at his father's words.

"We'll just see about that." said Mike.

[Joseph Stone]

Joseph listened as mike expressed guilt for at least having his father when peter had no one. Joseph replied, calmly and thoughtfully "Well that kid can have a family within this rebellion. He's safer with this team ya got then with that crazy bastard" He was referring to loki. A person joseph had a lot of problems with. A lot. For killing his wife and ruining his home. He then nodded as mike asked him to be nice "I'll be nice. Just as long as he's nice to me" He smirked amusedly before sincerely replying "I'll be nice son don't worry"

He then nodded satisfied as mike said he wasn't in a rush to have kids. He then replied "Yeah best to communicate and not get so heated. Calm normal convos from here on out" He then laughed a little as mike challenged him before he replied "So what do you say you show me to bruce, and hopefully I get to see tom? I just want to see them"

[Detective Mike Stone]

Mike nodded.

"That's true. I'm glad you're here though." said Mike.

He chuckled.

"And why do I have the feeling you'll give him the third degree even though I'm the cop in the family?" asked Mike.

Mike nodded.

"I'd probably have to adopt anyway. It's not like either of us can have kids anyway." said Mike.

He nodded.

"I'm not sure if they're free but we can check. Tom will be really glad to see you." said Mike.

[Joseph Stone]

(OCC: Here's bruce and tommy boy!)

Joseph smiled at his son's words, holding him a bit closer "Believe me, I'm glad too, son" Joseph then smiled amusedly, shrugging playfully "I mean, I'm the dad, dads gotta keep a eye on their boys. Even if their boy is stronger than they are" Joseph shrugged again "Besides, it wouldn't be the third degree, it'd be like second degree if he did anything hurtful" Joseph chuckled, nodding "Don't worry about that, son. Adoption or otherwise, just give your old man some time before you decide to have kids"

Joseph nodded as Mike said he'd try to find Bruce and Tom. Joseph sighed, nodding "I always like Tom. He's a good egg" Joseph walked with Mike, looking around as he did so. It wasn't a horrible place but it was definitely left to be polished. Still it had a roof that was stable and a comfortable area. It'd have to do for now. Joseph looked to see Tom walk out and Joseph opened his arms "Hey! Tommy boy!" He hugged Tom, smiling bright "Ah, I'm glad to see you too, you have no idea"
XXXX

Tom went to get a cup of coffee, as he was doing some research. He had been determined to do more research as the team finally got better technology. He had been assigned to be one of the main researchers. As he was a law firm secretary for a while. He was going to return to his office when he saw Mike. He also saw a man Tom felt extremely close to. It was none other than Joseph Stone. A man that had become like a father to him also. Tom replied, shocked "Mr. Stone! It's you!" He raced, hugging Joseph with utter relief "You're alive! You're alive! I am so glad to see you!"
XXXX

Bruce heard some cheers and got curious. He noticed Mike and was about to say hello when he saw a touching reunion between Joseph and Tom. He didn't want to ruin the scene too much, so he just smiled at the scene. Waiting for his chance to introduce himself.

[Detective Mike Stone]

Mike chuckled.

"I guess I can't stop you from looking out for me." replied Mike.

He grinned.

"Well I'll try." said Mike.

He grinned seeing Tom and Bruce arrive.

"Yes, he made it Tom. But mom..."

Mike trailed off unable to finish the words as fresh tears came down his eyes.

He paused leaning into Bruce and smiled.

"Bruce. This is my father Joseph. Dad, this is my boyfriend Bruce. Well one of them. The other one is Hulk but he's not around at the moment." said Mike.