It took 7 tries for Peter to even properly talk to Erik - Magneto, or something like that.

The first time he tried, Magneto was busy trying to end the existence of the world by ripping it apart. Later, he thought. When he's not too busy trying to kill everybody.

Then, there was that time after the war, when they had just returned to the X-Mansion, or what was left of it. Magneto was busy rebuilding the school, and he was watching in awe. Not exactly the best time to approach an issue like that.

Oh, and then there was that time when Magneto was leaving the school - Peter tried to chase after him, but with a broken leg, it made things just a tad difficult. Another time then, Peter thought. He'll come back at one point or another.

That "one point or another" came just months later, when the X-Men were called in to fight Magneto for one reason or another. Maybe when he's not throwing shards of metal at me, he thought.

Of course, he could have told him when they captured him and locked him in a room at the house (although really, how would that be a good idea when he had just tried to kill the majority of them?)

Really? Still haven't told him? Mystique had asked, but in his own defense, he hadn't really encountered Erik at a good time, ever. Mystique had simply rolled her eyes and walked away. Apparently, she thought that telling Erik could help him "join the X-Men", or "become a better person". Even Peter himself wasn't sure about that. Then again, he'd spoken to the man a total of three or so times.

The next chance comes when he's trying to catch Erik yet again. This time, he's trying to escape the X-Mansion, and as the fastest mutant there, he's tasked with chasing after his father. Well, woop-de-doo. It's all going well, except for the fact that his own flesh and blood had just flung a metal door at him - ouch. Yeah, another time then.

Things die down a little after the escape. Erik visits once more - apparently he's friends with Charles again. (Peter can never keep track of their relationship, they fight and make up more than an on-again off-again couple)

Peter catches Erik right outside of Charles' office.

"Need something, speedster?"

Peter freezes in his footsteps. He's not sure exactly what he should say, he imagines a handful of scenarios and all end in him getting the iron in his blood ripped out of him by Erik. Not exactly the type of death he was hoping for.

"If you're not going to talk, Peter, please move out of my way.

"Just tell him, Peter." Mystique snorts as she walks out of Charles' office moments later.

"Tell me what?"

Peter opens his mouth, tapping his foot at superspeed. He's not sure how to stall anymore, so in one quick breath, he lets it all out. "You see like maybe twenty twenty five ish years ago or so you knew this really nice lady who was very nice and shes really awesome and you and her did the deed and you left her and now you have me and I have a twin sister too so I presume you also have her although really I haven't seen her in forever so I'm not sure where she is or what she's up to but she has some pretty dope powers too okay goodbye."

Peter zips away as quickly as he can, but Mystique somehow catches the back of his shirt before he can get very far at all. (Deep deep down, he knows it's because he doesn't actually want to leave).

Erik's face twists in a state of confusion as he's processing what the boy just told him.

Oh. Oh. OH.

Maybe this was his second chance. Maybe this was his way to redeem himself. Maybe -

Erik was suddenly pulled in to an awkward, one arm hug.

"Okayy. Nice talkin' to ya dad. But I gotta jet off, ya know. Class and stuff. Bye."

It took Peter 7 tries to get those words out of his mouth, and now that he did, a huge weight was lifted. He's not sure how the future will pan out, but hey, he tried. And to top it all off, he didn't even get in trouble for stealing his father's wallet.