Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

“Hello?” Tony answered, softly climbing out of bed so as not to wake Pepper.

“Mr. Stark? This is Gregory Shaw.” The man on the other line explained. 

“Oh. How did you get this number?” Tony asked. He didn’t remember anyone by that name. 

“You and your wife went through the training and process to be foster parents. I’m a social worker, and I was calling because I have a child who needs a place to stay.” 

“We did that before we knew Pepper was pregnant. I thought she called to update you. We’re not really in a place to take on more kids.” Tony ran a hand down his tired face, glancing down the hall to Morgan’s nursery. He didn’t want this call to wake her. She was in what Pepper called a sleep regression. 

“She did. I am running out of people to call, and I was just hoping you’d give it a shot. No one else will even hear me out. I get it. It’s late. No one wants to take in a teenager, but he’s still a child, and he still deserves a home.” Gregory Shaw cleared his throat, “Sorry. It’s not your problem.”

“Wait.” Tony didn’t know why he paused, “Tell me more.”

“He’s fourteen. He goes to that STEM school in Queens. Crazy smart.” The social worker cleared his throat, “And traumatized. He’s been in four other homes, and none of them stick. They always say it’s the kid, but I’m telling you I don’t see it. He’s such a good kid when I talk to him. I just want someone to give him the family he deserves, even if it’s temporary, while I find something more permanent.” 

“Traumatized how?” Tony wanted all the info.

“Parents died at four. Uncle and aunt took him in. Uncle was killed in front of him when he was 12.  Aunt died of a car accident a year ago. This won’t be an easy case. If you’re not sure you can take this on, I want you to say no. I want to try to find the right fit for Peter this time. He’s had enough upheaval.”  

Peter. Tony tucked that name away. “When do you drop him off?” 

“Wait. You’re serious?” Gregory was sure his mouth was hanging open. 

“I don’t know why, but yes. Maybe this is just the right place for him.” Tony was sure Pepper was going to murder him, but something in his gut told him this was how he could start atoning for all of his mistakes. 

“Could I drop him now? I know that’s a lot to ask, but I have him sleeping on the couch in my office. I wasn’t prepared for an emergency removal from his previous home.” 

“I’ll leave the porch light on.” 

~

Tony opened the door a little after 4 a.m. to a man with graying hair and a bit of a belly but a kind smile and a boy who looked much younger than the fourteen-year-old Tony had been told on the phone. The child looked practically emaciated. “Come in.”

Both individuals stepped inside. The older man held out a hand, “Greg. We spoke on the phone.”

Tony shook his hand, “And this is Peter?”

Peter glanced up at the use of his name. It was then that he noticed who was staring at him, “You’re Iron Man.” 

Tony laughed softly, “I just go by Tony here, and I’m retired.” 

Greg passed over a duffel bag, “This is Peter’s stuff.” 

“Do I need to pick up the rest of it somewhere else?” Tony took the bag.

“This is all he has.” Greg glanced at Peter with a soft expression, “Maybe you can get him settled, and I can call tomorrow and answer any questions that come up.” 

“Of course.” Tony easily agreed and soon was alone with a teenager, “So I wasn’t fully prepared for this—“

“—I can sleep on the couch or the floor.” Peter offered. 

“What?” Tony frowned, “No. You will have a room with a bed. It’s off the kitchen. It’s normally a guest room. There is a room upstairs we can redo as yours, but it’s storage right now, so nothing is set up.” 

“Anything is fine.” Peter rubbed his arms. It was cold for April. He never felt warm, though. He was worried he’d never feel warm again. 

“Thanks for understanding.” Tony led the way and opened the door to the room. Pepper had decorated with family in mind. There were pictures of the Avengers lining the wall all in black and white. A board on the wall for people to leave a message when they stay. A basket with little things like toothpaste, floss, and toothbrushes. 

Peter ran a hand down the white comforter. It was softer than anything he had ever felt. “It’s perfect. Thank you.” 

“I should let you get some rest.” Tony started to head out of the room, but heard Peter’s stomach rumble. The teen’s cheeks went red. 

“You’re hungry. Sorry. I should have asked.” Tony knew Pepper would have been on top of that, “Cereal?” 

Peter wasn’t picky, “You don’t have to. I’ll be fine until morning.”

“It is morning.” Tony reminded him, “And I’m hungry, so let’s eat.” 

~

Pepper woke up to Morgan crying a little after five. She reached over to Tony’s side of the bed, “You’re turn. I got her yesterday.” 

She realized he wasn’t in bed, though, when her hand hit the air. She sat up frowning. He hadn’t been the type to stay awake all hours since Morgan was born. He wanted to show up for her. She got out of bed, wrapping herself in her robe. She slid her feet into her slippers and went to get Morgan. 

She picked up the six-month-old cooing at her, “Good morning. Should we go find daddy?”

Morgan dribbled in response. 

“I’ll take that as a yes.” Pepper wiped the baby’s mouth with her sleeve.

Pepper went downstairs and found Tony sleeping on the couch. She went and ran a hand through his hair, “Hey, babe. Wake up. Your back will hate this.” 

Tony groaned, “Already does.” 

“What are you doing downstairs?” Pepper came and sat down next to him.

“I have to tell you something.” Tony knew it was time to face the music. He started to explain the call he had gotten and how he had tried to say they had decided not to foster, but then just knew he needed to say yes. 

“He’s fourteen?” Pepper rocked Morgan; she was starting to get fussy. “And he’s already here?”

“I should have asked, but Pep, I just felt like it was the right thing.” 

“It’s not the worst decision you’ve ever made. I do wish we could have made it together but we’ll figure it out.” Pepper passed Morgan over, “I need to go get her a bottle.” 

~

Peter wandered out after staring at the ceiling for hours. It was crazy how many ceilings he had slept under at this point in his life. He cautiously opened the door to the room he was staying in. He saw the kitchen was clear, so he stepped out into the kitchen. He could hear noises from the backyard. People laughing and talking. 

He glanced out the window. The Avengers. They were here. Of course, they were here. This was Iron Man’s house. He didn’t know what he was supposed to do. They hadn’t talked about anything, and it was a weekend. He should have asked. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. I’m going to get kicked out in record time. No one wants this. No, no one wants me. 

The door off the kitchen leading to the backyard opened, and the War Machine walked in. 

Peter stepped back.

“Oh. Hey. You must be Peter!” Rhodey smiled at the teenager who looked like he wanted to be anywhere else but here in the Starks’ kitchen, “We’re enjoying the slightly decent weather if you want to join us. It’s the team’s first time meeting Morgan. That’s Tony and Pepper’s daughter.” 

Peter shook his head.

“You don’t want to join us? Cool. No worries. You can make yourself at home though. Watch TV. Steal the good snacks. 

Peter just looked at the man.

“You don’t know where the good snacks are!” Rhodey snapped his fingers, “I can fix that.”

Peter followed him into a walk-in pantry where Rhodey started pulling out snack options.

“You like any of these?” Rhodey asked.

Peter shrugged. He was lucky to get meals, let alone snacks.

“Well, I’m going for favorite uncle, so if you want, we can sneak away to McDonald’s?” Rhodey raised an eyebrow. 

Peter couldn’t help the smile from spreading on his face.

“You like McDonald’s!” Rhodey pumped a fist in the air, “Let me find my keys, and we can go.” 

~

“You don’t talk a lot, do you?” Rhodey passed a bag of food over to the kid, “That’s okay. Tony talks enough for both of you.” 

Peter took the drink offered.

“Well, eat. Don’t worry. I’m not weird about food in the car.” The car’s screen lit up with a call from Tony.

“Where is the kid?” Tony’s voice was hard, “I asked Friday and she said you took him somewhere.” 

“Calm down. We went to McDonald’s.” Rhodey gave Peter a look that he hoped said best friend’s, right?

“I’m legally responsible for him. Please talk to me before driving into town. His social worker is going to call sometime soon, and what if he wants to talk to him?” 

“Well, Peter doesn’t even like talking, so I suggest you try to avoid that.” Rhodey glanced at Peter, who just kept eating.

“He talks.” Tony insisted.

“Sure. But he hasn’t spoken to me, and we’ve been hanging out for a while now. But it’s fine because I’m learning to read his facial expressions. Right now, I think he’s trying to say War Machine is better than Iron Man.” Rhodey teased. 

“He isn’t saying that.” Tony practically hissed.

Peter did the motion for Spider-Man’s webs with his hands.

“Oh. Spider-Man! He says he likes Spider-Man!” Rhodey grinned. 

“As long as Iron Man is number one.” Tony heard a beep alerting him to another call, “Get home. This is his social worker on the other line.” 

~

Peter followed Rhodey back into the house after they got back. He really liked Rhodey. He kept up conversations and never cared if Peter actually answered. It made him feel safe to just stay inside his own head if he wanted to. 

“You’re back.” Tony walked over, “Peter, your social worker wanted to check in, but I explained the situation, and he said he can call tomorrow. I told him I would handle the school and update them that you’re staying with us.” 

Peter nodded.

Tony frowned. The kid talked the day before. Maybe it was the Avengers. They were a loud group, “Guys, start packing up. Morgan’s never going to sleep with all the stimulation.” 

Once everyone had left, Peter started to pick things up with Tony.

“You don’t have to clean up.” Tony threw some paper plates in a garbage bag. “I can handle it.”

Pepper came back into the living room after laying Morgan down, “Hi, Peter. I’m Pepper. It’s nice to officially meet you.” 

“You too,” Peter answered softly.

“So it was the Avengers!” Tony lit up, “They can be a lot for anyone to take in.”

“What was?” Peter asked, throwing another plastic cup in the bag Tony held.

“The reason you were being quiet.”

Peter cleaned up for a bit quietly before answering, “No. Sometimes I just have a lot in my head, and it’s easier to keep it there.” 

“Easier for who?” Pepper asked, “We want to hear your thoughts, sweetie. If you want to share them, that is.” 

Peter paused for a second before continuing to help clean in silence.

~

“Peter, sweetie. I hate to do this.  Would you do me a huge favor and keep an eye on Morgan? I need to log on to a Zoom call, and Tony’s running behind because of traffic.” Pepper felt terrible asking even, “You know what? I can cancel.”

“I can do it.” Peter held out his arms for the baby.

“You know how to hold her?”

“Yes, ma’am. I’m good with babies.” Peter nodded.

“It’s Pepper, and you’re a lifesaver.” Pepper smiled at the two kids in front of her, “But if you get overwhelmed or don’t want to do it anymore, you can interrupt me. I won’t be mad. Tony should be home in like five or ten minutes.” 

Soon, Peter was left with a baby. He turned on the TV and cuddled Morgan close, “Want to watch Star Wars? It’s the best movies ever.”

~

Tony went inside the house and found Peter explaining the Star Wars movie in detail to his baby. He just stood back and watched for a bit. “You want me to take over, kid?”

Peter jumped a bit, scaring Morgan. He started to soothe her right away.

“Sorry, Peter. I should have made more noise.” Tony walked over, “I just don’t want you to feel like you’re a built-in babysitter.”

“I like Morgan.” Peter smiled at the baby, “And she likes me, I think.”

“I know she does.” Tony sat in the living room chair since the kid was spread out on the couch. “So you like these movies?” 

Peter nodded.

“What do you want for lunch? I can heat up Morgan a bottle and make you something.” 

“Lunch?” Peter tilted his head at the man.

“Yeah, the midday meal.” Tony teased.

“Oh.” Peter nodded, “Right. Duh.”

“You don’t normally eat lunch.” Tony tried. Maybe the kid wasn’t hungry.

“Well, you have to earn meals,” Peter told the older man, “I didn’t do anything to earn it.”

Tony did not like where this was going. He was starting to understand why the kid was skin and bones, “So we don’t earn food. It’s just something you get. If you’re hungry. You eat. We will never be upset about that. If you need something and we don’t have it, you put it on the list or ask Friday.” 

Peter thought about it for a bit, “Any food? Any time?”

“Yep.” Tony grinned, “Simple. Also, your social worker called while I was out, but I told him you could call him back. Do you want to do that now?”

“Um. No.” Peter shook his head, “I really don’t.” 

Tony laughed, “Fair. I like to put things off, too. Lunch first.”

~

“Dude!” Ned whispered when he walked in, “You’re almost late! And you didn’t text me back.”

“Yeah. My phone broke.”

“Oh.” Ned’s face fell. It was their main communication line. “We’ll figure out a way to get you another one.” 

Peter nodded and gave his attention to the teacher. 

~

It was lunch time before he knew it, and Peter realized he had no option for lunch. His last foster home hadn’t given a damn if he had food. It wasn’t like this was new. Peter sat down and put his head on the table. 

Ned opened his lunch and started passing him half of everything. This was their routine. Ned would never eat in front of Peter, even though Peter protested often enough. 

“Thanks.” Peter started eating the taco in his hand. He was starving. He knew Tony said he didn’t have to do anything to get food, but he and Pepper were busy this morning, and he hadn’t wanted to just take something. He had just skipped breakfast.

“Anytime, man. Tell me what happened on Friday. How did you break your phone?”

Peter felt his breathing speed up.

~

Peter walked into his foster home after school. He kicked off his shoes by the door and went upstairs to put his backpack in his room. If you could call it that. It was a twin bed squeezed into the laundry room. This was an upgrade from the couch he had at his foster home before this. 

“Peter! You didn’t do your chores this morning!” Mrs. Lee yelled after him, “You know what this means.” 

He did. No dinner. It didn’t matter that he had done his chores. If he argued, it would only get worse. 

“Come downstairs and clean now! I want this place spotless.” 

Peter went to do as he was told. He started on the dishes. He then wiped down counters and the table, swept the floor, and took out the trash. He came inside and washed his hands, ready to go upstairs and do his homework. He found Mr. Lee waiting for him, though with his belt, “I didn’t do anything.”

“Just take your punishment without whining. You’re too old for that.” Mr. Lee walked toward him. 

Peter pulled out his phone. He wasn’t taking this beating. He dialed his social worker’s number and heard him answer right before Mr. Lee took the phone, throwing it against the wall. Peter tried to make himself small. He wished he could just disappear, and then this wouldn’t be real. He wouldn’t be real. 

~

“Peter!” Ned said louder this time, “Are you okay?”

Peter shook himself out of it, “Sorry. Yeah. Fine.”

“So what happened to your phone?”

“Mr. Lee broke it, but Mr. Shaw got there before he broke me.” 

Ned’s face softened, “Want to go egg his house tonight?”

“I don’t think my new fosters would like that.” 

“Are they nice?” Ned asked. 

“I think they are.” 

“Otherwise, we can hide you in my room.” 

“Always good to keep your options open.” Peter took a spoonful of Ned’s rice.

~

Peter walked into the Starks’ home after their friend Happy had dropped him off. He liked Happy. The man stayed quiet the whole drive. He was able to just let his thoughts race. He found Tony sitting in the dining room with his social worker.

“You forgot to call him back, Peter.” Tony motioned him into the dining room. 

Peter started to hyperventilate. He’s going to take off his belt and beat me.

“Whoa.” Tony held his hands up in surrender, “No one’s mad. He just wants to see how you’re settling in.” 

Of course, he won’t beat me while my social worker is here. That would be stupid. He’ll wait until he leaves. Peter realized with dread.

Chapter Text

Peter took a seat next to his social worker, wiping his hands on his jeans, “Hi. Mr. Shaw.” 

“Hi Peter. I was just talking to Mr. Stark about how your last couple of days of staying with them have gone.” Mr. Shaw smiled at him, “How do you like it? The house is on the lake. It’s so quiet here. Must be so nice compared to the noise of the city.” 

“We wanted to raise Morgan outside of the public eye. We do still have a residence in the city if needed.” Tony clarified. He didn’t know why he wanted this man to like him. He never cared about that. 

“It’s fine here.” Peter told his social worker, “May I go do my homework?”

“Sure thing,” Tony told him. He was getting a weird vibe from the kid, but maybe all teenagers were like that. 

“Is it really fine?” Greg asked him, “I haven’t been able to keep him in a home for more than a couple of months.” 

“Peter’s great.” Tony answered honestly, “He has moments where he shuts down and doesn’t talk much. He also has issues with food security that we’re going to work on. This is what I’ve learned over the weekend. We’re still getting to know each other.” 

“Has he snuck out at night? A family mentioned that as a concern.”

“No. Friday would know.” Tony frowned, “Right, Fri?”

“Mr. Parker has not left the residence once without permission,” Friday confirmed.

“That is so weird.” Greg laughed.

“You get used to it.” Pepper came downstairs with Morgan and held out a hand, “Sorry for the delay. I was on a work call with Miss Ma’am here.” 

“Nice to meet you. We were going over any concerns you or your husband have with the first couple of days of Peter being here.” Greg explained as Pepper took a seat. 

“Concerns? No, Peter is lovely. We love having him.” Pepper reassured. 

Peter listened in from his room and smiled. Pepper liked him being here. 

~

Tony knocked on Peter’s door. “Need any help with school?”

Peter knocked over his book trying to get as far away from the door as possible, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I’ll do better!” 

Tony didn’t know what was happening, “You’re not in trouble. What’s going on, kid?”

“Please don’t hit me.” Peter was practically pressed against the furthest wall from Tony. 

Tony took a step forward to reassure him, but then Peter closed his eyes. No good. He needs space. “No one is going to hit you. If you were in trouble, which you are not, we would talk about it. You might get grounded. Lose phone privileges and whatnot. I’m not 100% sure, since I’ve only been a dad for 6 months. I do know one thing, though, and that’s we don’t solve problems by hurting others.”

Peter opened his eyes again, trying to see if Tony was being honest, “I deserve it.”

“Because you forgot to call your social worker? That’s on me if anything. I should have reminded you.” 

Peter slowly edged back toward his desk, picking up his math book that had fallen off the desk. “You can’t take my phone.”

“Okay. If this ever comes up, we’ll figure out a solution other than taking your phone.”

“No, I don’t have one.” Peter refused to turn away from Tony. He didn’t want to chance him changing his mind while he wasn’t looking, “So you can’t take it.” 

“Can I sit?” Tony motioned to the bed.

“Okay.” Peter nodded.

Tony sat on the bed, “We can get you a phone. I don’t want you to not have one. I want you to be able to call us if you need us.” 

“You don’t need to.” Peter finally sat down on his chair while keeping an eye on Tony. 

“Well, I’m going to.” Tony shrugged, “You can choose if you use it or not. How was school?”

Peter shrugged.

“Favorite part? Let me guess lunch.” Tony knew that it had always been his favorite.

“I did share lunch with Ned. I do like that.” 

“You guys swapped options? I remember doing that.” 

“No.” Peter shook his head, “Ned always shares his lunch because I never have one.”

Tony opened his mouth, then closed it again. “I’m confused.” 

“About what we ate? He brought tacos, rice, and beans.” Peter listed them off, counting on his fingers, “Oh, and we shared a cupcake his mom packed him.” 

“Nope. Not what I’m confused about. One sec.” Tony got off the bed, and Peter waited for him to return. 

Tony returned with a brown paper bag with Peter’s name scrawled on the front. “What about this lunch Pepper packed last night. You didn’t want this option?”

“I didn’t know she packed me a lunch.”

“One sec.” Tony got up off the bed again. 

Peter tilted his head in confusion. 

Tony came back with a sticky note, “This was on the fridge.” 

Peter, 

I packed your lunch. Please eat anything you want for breakfast. There are frozen options in the fridge, like French toast sticks, and cereal in the pantry. We have fruit on the counter and in the fridge. Call me if you need anything, 

Pep.

He met Tony’s gaze, tears in his eyes. “She packed me lunch.”

“We didn’t know what you like but we figured a sandwich, chips, and fruit’s a good option. We added money to your school account, but it takes a bit of time to process, and we didn’t want you to go without. You didn’t eat anything besides breakfast and what you shared with Ted?” 

“Ned.” Peter corrected, “And I didn’t know I was allowed to eat breakfast. I didn’t see the note.” 

“No breakfast and almost no lunch.” Tony nodded, “We are killing it as stand in parents.” 

“No one’s packed me lunch since my aunt died.” Peter looked at his hands, “So I don’t think you’re doing too badly.” 

Tony passed the lunch, “Eat this. We probably won’t eat dinner until later. I bet you’re hungry.” 

“It’s fine. We can save this for tomorrow. I can wait. I’m used—“

“—To it. I know. Things are different here. Eat. You’ll still have lunch packed tomorrow unless you want to buy lunch. You let us know.” 

Peter must have had a look on his face because Tony held up a hand. 

Tony realized the kid would never say what he wanted unless they brought it up,“We’ll make a plan for the days you want to bring lunch or buy. If you forget lunch for whatever reason, then always buy it. I’ll keep the account loaded.” 

Peter nodded, “Okay.” 

“So we’re good? Lunch, phone, and no beating kids ever?” 

Peter nodded again. 

“Cool story.” Tony got up and walked out. 

“How’s he doing on homework?” Pepper asked from the dining room.

“I forgot.” Tony groaned, “But good news—He knows we won’t beat him.” 

~

Peter wandered out to the smell of food, later abandoning homework, “Smells so good.” 

“Oh. Peter.” Pepper turned around to smile, “I’m making broccoli and cheddar soup. I also have homemade bread. Does that sound okay?”

“I’m not picky.” Peter came over to look at the soup. “Is it hard to make?”

“I can teach you sometime.” Pepper stirred the soup, “Or we can cook something together tomorrow if you want.” 

“Okay.” Peter nodded. 

“Want to go drag Tony out of the lab in the garage?” Pepper started pulling down bowls, “He’s been tinkering for a while.” 

Peter looked toward the garage.

“Go on. It’s fine.” 

~

Peter walked into the lab quietly, “Pepper said you have to come eat.” 

Tony glanced away from the screen in front of him, “Did she?” 

Peter turned in a circle looking at everything, “This is amazing.”

“It’s not as cool as my lab at the tower but Pepper didn’t want the lake house having a lab at all so this is the compromise.” 

“If you’re retired why is there an Iron Man suit here.” Peter pointed. 

“Old habits die hard.” Tony shut down his screens, “Also why did your social worker say you used to sneak out at night?”

“Oh.” Peter was still looking around, “I’m Spider-Man.” 

Tony grabbed his phone nodding, “Makes sense—WAIT. WHAT?”

Peter shrugged, “I have to tell you. I can’t Spider-Man from here even if I did sneak out. It’s too far from the city.” 

Tony sat down on his stool exhaling slowly, “You’re going to send me to an early grave. I have a heart condition. You’re Spider-Man.”

“I thought you were a genius.” Peter sat down on the stool across from him, “I just told you that.” 

“Prove it.” Tony crossed his arms over his chest.

“Here?”

“Right now. Walk on the ceiling.” Tony demanded. 

“Calm down.” Peter rolled his eyes and jumped up hand attaching to the ceiling. He adjusting until he was walking on the ceiling, “Believe me now?”

Pepper walked in, “I thought I sent Peter to get you.” 

“Yeah. Yeah.” Tony nodded and pointed up at the ceiling.

“What is my life?” Pepper groaned, “Peter Parker get off the ceiling right now and explain yourself.” 

~

Peter knew telling Tony and Pepper the truth was a risk. He figured if this didn’t work out he would just disapear and CPS would never find him. He couldn’t give up Spider-Man and it was too far from the city to swing so there had only been one option. Overall, they had handled it okay. They hadn’t demanded he stop. Tony had said there would be rules and Pepper had said, “A lot of rules.” But no talk of rules had happened yet. 

He got ready for school and made his way out to the kitchen. 

Pepper was working on her laptop at the counter, “Morning, honey. I made eggs and sausage. There are some in the pan.” 

Peter hesitated for a moment before deciding it was safe to eat, “Pepper?”

“Yes?” She glanced up.

“Would it be okay if I had French toast sticks too?”

Pepper smiled. He’s starting to relax. “Yes. Eat us out of house and home. Permission granted.” 

Peter laughed and went to heat up his breakfast.

Tony walked in holding Morgan, “Little miss is ready for the day.”

“What is she wearing?” Pepper crinkled her nose. 

“This is a cute outfit!” Tony started to defend himself, “polka dot leggings cute. Stripe top cute.” 

“My poor baby.” Pepper held out her arms, “Mama will fix it later.” 

“I’m wounded.” Tony feigned hurt. 

Peter just watched the interaction. He loved that they just lived life as normal with him added into the mix. It was like they didn’’t notice anything different to their routine. 

“Happy’s going to be here in 15 minutes.” Tony looked at his watch, “You think you can eat that quick?”

“I can inhale food.” Peter explained, “I’m always starving.”

“We’re working on that though.” Tony reminded.

“Right.” Peter took another bite.

“What are you not saying?” Pepper asked, “I know avoidance when I see it.”

“No. It’s fine.” Peter grabbed the lunch Pepper packed from the fridge, “Don’t worry about it.” 

“Stop.” Tony told him and pulled out Peter’s new phone, “For you.”

“Thanks.” Peter took the Stark Phone, “Is this even out yet?”

“Nope.” Tony grinned, “I am going to have you test it for glitches.” 

“That’s your job.” Pepper rolled her eyes. 

“I don’t mind.” Peter checked his phone, “I have to go.” 

“Have a good day.” Pepper told him. 

~

Peter was thrilled to pull out his packed lunch at school, “Look! My fosters packed me lunch.”

Ned smiled. He was genuinely happy for his friend. He deserved all the good things, “What did you get?

Peter pulled out a thermos and opened it up, “Chicken nuggets, chips, grapes, and a granola bar.” 

“My mom packed me a sandwich. I think she’s catching on that we’re sharing because she packed one for you too.” Ned passed it over and started pulling out sides. 

“We can share!” Peter grinned. He finally had something to contribute.

“Oh. She forgot my drink.” Ned frowned.

“Oh. I have funds on my student account now.” Peter rubbed his arms, “I can get us something.”

“Must be some good fosters.” Ned mused. 

~

“I’m back!” Peter called out when he got home.

Tony was rocking Morgan who was refusing to calm down, “Sorry, kid. She’s been in a mood all day.” 

“You want me to take a turn?” Peter put his backpack down, “Maybe she can feel your stress.” 

“You know what, I’ll try anything.” Tony passed Morgan to Peter who started to rock and sing to her. He watched as his daughter betrayed him and closed her eyes, “Traitor.” 

Peter continued to rock for a bit until he was convinced the baby was asleep and then transfered her to the swing in the living room, “Where’s Pepper?”

“She had to go to the office.”

“Oh. I wanted to tell her about lunch.” Peter grabbed his backpack from the floor, “But I’ll go start homework.”

“Peter?” Tony called after the teenager, “I’d love to hear about lunch.” 

“You would?” Peter smiled.

“I want to know everything about your day.” Tony loved getting to see Peter come out of his shell slowly. 

~

Tony checked into Peter’s school portal later that evening after everyone had gone to bed. He was shocked when he saw 32 missing assignments. Here he was thinking that Peter was doing so well and adjusting and meanwhile the kid was failing school. 

They were going to be discussing this in the morning. No, he was going to set a meeting with Peter’s teachers. That’s what responsible parents do. Right? Right. Should I check with Pepper? No. I’ve got this.

Tony wrote off a message to Peter’s teacher requesting a meeting as soon as possible and then texted Rhodey he may need him to fly in to babysit. 

“Happy lives there.” 

“I’ll send the jet.”

Rhodey rolled his eyes, “Just call me once you know more.” 

~

“You’re failing your classes?” Tony waited until Peter came out of his room the next morning.

“Huh?” Peter rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

“You’re. Failing. School.” Tony said again. 

Peter shrugged, “I’ll figure it out. It’s not that deep.”

“Not that deep? It’s your future!” Tony was getting mad.

“What future? I’m an orphan. I can’t pay for college. None of this matters when you’re starving and just trying to stay alive!” Peter raised his voice too. 

“Boys.” Pepper came into the kitchen, “It is six am and if you wake Morgan I am going to start yelling too.” 

“Peter’s failing his classes.” 

“Which one?” Pepper opened the fridge pulling out eggs.

“All of them.” Tony crossed his arms over his chest.

“All of them.” Pepper nodded, “Yikes. Okay. I’ll call the school.” 

“I sent emails last night. We meet with his teachers this evening to start sorting out this mess.” 

“Okay. Text me the time so I can be there. Peter, go get dressed for school please. Do you want bacon?” Pepper asked the teenager.

“Why are you being so chill?” Peter wanted her to get mad like Tony. 

“This is fixable.” Pepper came over and pulled him in for a hug, “And we’re going to help.” 

“I can’t believe you’re letting him off easy. No, give me your phone. You’re grounded.” Tony held out his hand.

“You’re not grounded.” Pepper told him and turned to Tony, “Let’s talk later.”

Tony threw his hands in the air, “Going to the lab.” 

“Should I pack my stuff?” Peter asked. He’s so done with me. 

Chapter Text

Tony was pacing the classroom. This was the final meeting, and he was ready to go home. All of the teachers said the same thing. Peter was incredibly bright and just lacked motivation. One of the teachers thought the time Peter started failing lined up with the time frame of his aunt's passing. He felt restless, and Pepper just sat calmly, taking notes and asking questions. 

“Tony, sit. Pacing won’t change the information.” Pepper motioned to the chair next to her. 

“If someone knew he was struggling a year ago—Why did it go on this long?” Tony sat down.

“Who were they going to talk to?” Pepper asked, “His foster parents that didn’t feed him?”

The door opened. “I apologize for the delay.” A woman walked in. 

“Mrs. Kent?” Tony stood up and offered his hand, “Thank you for meeting us.” 

Pepper shook her hand as well, “We’re hoping to help Peter get caught up on assignments, and we’re trying to figure out the best way to do that.” 

“Peter’s gotten himself into a tough situation. I’ve talked with him numerous times about his grades, the possibility of losing his scholarship, and how this will affect his chances of getting into college. He doesn’t seem to take anything I say seriously. He hasn’t turned in the last few assignments, and the ones he turned in before that were lackluster. It’s like he’s given up. Maybe public school would be a better option. There are more supports in place.” 

~

“The nerve of that woman!” Pepper was now the one steaming, “Peter is plenty smart enough for that school. He’s clearly just been going through a bunch of stuff.” 

“She has a point. He’ll lose his scholarship if his grades aren’t better before the end of the year. We can’t fix that. He has to.” 

“Then we’ll pay tuition.” Pepper crossed her arms over her chest after putting her seatbelt on, “We’re billionaires.” 

“What if he’s not living with us at the end of the year?” Tony approached the subject they were skirting around. 

“What do you mean?”

“We just need to be aware that we don’t know how permanent this is. If something comes up for him and it’s a good opportunity, we need to be supportive. And what if that family cannot afford the tuition?” Tony glanced at Pepper at the red light, “I know you don’t want to think this way, but he’s not ours.” 

Pepper sniffled, “He feels like mine.” 

~

“So what’d you do?” Rhodey asked Peter, “Just so I know what our defense is when they get home.” 

“Nothing.” Peter grumbled, “I didn’t do anything.” 

“Right. Denial. I like it. But let’s just say you did—“ Rhodey encouraged. 

“No. That’s the problem. I didn’t do something. I didn’t do my homework.”

“That feels like a lie because I’ve heard Tony say you were working on homework while we were on the phone a couple of times.” 

Morgan started to fuss in her swing.

“You should get her.” Peter motioned to the living room. 

“I will. Keep talking.” 

“I have been working on homework. Almost nonstop. It’s just that I dug myself into a pretty deep hole. It’s hard to get out.” Peter followed Rhodey, “And what was I supposed to do? Tell Tony and Pepper?”

“Well, yes. Tony only freaked out because he thought you were hiding it.” Rhodey picked up Morgan and cuddled her close, kissing the top of her head. 

“I’ll heat up her bottle.” Peter started toward the kitchen.

“This isn’t over,” Rhodey called after him. 

~

“In order to explain, I need you to promise you won’t tell anyone what I tell you, other than Tony and Pepper. Not another soul.” Peter sat next to Rhodey in the dining room, where he was feeding Morgan her bottle. 

“I swear,” Rhodey promised. 

“I mean it. I’ll suffocate you if you tell.” Peter warned. 

“Oddly specific. I won’t tell anyone what you say besides Tony and Pepper. Now talk.” Rhodey told him. 

“So I got bitten by this weird Spider on a field trip. After that, I got really sick. My aunt and uncle were really worried, but after a few days, I woke up, and I was better—More than better. I could see without my glasses, hear things far away, and get this, I got abs. So I decided to become Spider-Man—“

“—You’re Spider-Man? The guy who can catch a bus with his bare hands?” Rhodey raised an eyebrow, “And what you chose to focus on with this story is the fact that you got abs?”

Peter rolled his eyes, “Anyway, I decided to become a superhero, so I quit some clubs and focused on protecting the little guy. At this point, I wasn’t missing assignments. I just wasn’t doing extra at school anymore.” 

“Makes sense. Being a superhero is a tough gig on its own.” Rhodey put the empty bottle on the table and moved his niece to lie against his shoulder so he could burp her. “When did things start going downhill?” 

“My uncle and I got into a fight one night. I left the apartment, and he came looking for me. He ended up in a store being robbed and was shot. I tried to help, but I was too late. He was gone before I could do anything. I was right there outside, and I froze.” 

Rhodey didn’t interrupt this time. He just kept listening. 

“So I started to struggle in school, but my aunt kept on me about grades and that I needed to keep living, and Ben would want me to be happy. But after she died, there was no one there. I had no support system. The homes I got put in weren’t the best. No one wants a teenager. I had to focus on day-to-day and survival, and that left very little room for school. It wasn’t until I came here that I was able to start focusing on homework again, but now it’s so bad I don’t know how to fix it.” 

Rhodey put his hand on Peter’s, where it rested on the table, “I’m so sorry, Kid. It sounds like you’ve had a really rough go of it. Have you thought about talking to someone about everything?” 

“Who was I supposed to talk to? No one cared.” Peter wouldn’t meet Rhodey’s eyes.

“I know a guy. I think it could help. You can’t fix things overnight, but I think it’s a good starting point.”

~

Tony walked into the lakehouse and threw his keys onto the table by the door. 

Pepper picked them up and hung them where they belong, “We’re home.” 

Rhodey came out of the kitchen holding Morgan, “Peter’s innocent. I have our defense prepared.” 

“Where is Peter with this said defense?” Tony asked. 

Pepper reached for her baby and hugged her close, “How was she?”

“An angel. They are both angels. This is part of my defense.” Rhodey rolled his eyes. 

“Peter?” Pepper called out, “I know you’re a perfect angel, but can you come talk to us?” 

“She gets it.” Rhodey elbowed his best friend. 

“You are impossible.” Tony sighed.

Peter came out, “When does Mr. Shaw come to pick me up?

“Why is he holding his duffel bag?” Rhodey whispered to Tony, “You’d better not be kicking him out.”

“I don’t know why his bag is packed. I didn’t tell him he had to go, and I’m not planning to.” Tony pinched the bridge of his nose. “Peter, why do you have your stuff packed?”

“Everyone always tells me to leave when I don’t serve a purpose any longer.” Peter shrugged, “So I just assumed it was time.” 

“I’m going to kill those motherfuckers.” Pepper blurted out.

“She said a bad word.” Rhodey pointed out. 

“I need a glass of wine.” Pepper headed to the kitchen.

“We’re not kicking you out, kid.” Tony reassured, “But let’s go sit in the living room and talk.” 

“Can Rhodey be my lawyer?” 

“You don’t need a lawyer.” Tony rolled his eyes, “Just a talk.”

“You’re sure you won’t beat me?” Peter took a step closer to Rhodey. 

Rhodey’s eyes went wide, and he put an arm around Peter, “Did he do something? I’ll kick his ass.” 

“No. Not yet.” Peter explained, “He said he doesn’t beat kids even if they’re in trouble.” 

“I knew you were a good one.” Rhodey grinned.

“You didn’t sixty seconds ago. Peter. Today. Please. I beg of you.” Tony rolled his eyes and found a seat in the living room. “I just want to talk about what we discussed with your teachers.”

Peter finally made his way to the couch, “I know what they said. I’m a bad kid.” 

Tony’s face softened, “You are not a bad kid.”

“But they think that, right?” 

“They have concerns. I told them we’re going to work together to get caught up. I don’t want you to lose your scholarship or change schools, so we need to lock in. It’s your life, though. I can’t make you want to do better.” 

“You think it’s about wants?” Peter’s eyes flared with anger, “Nothing is about what I want!” 

Pepper came in with a glass of wine, “We’re yelling again. Fantastic. Peter, sweetie. We just want to help you.” 

“Well, stop helping. God!” Peter walked out of the room and went into his room, slamming the door. 

“I don’t understand why there is all this yelling. Peter and I were able to talk about this calmly while Morgan was eating. Neither of us yelled.” Rhodey came into the living room, “Maybe you should have provided snacks for this meeting. Snacks make people feel better.” 

“He talked to you about this?” Tony’s eyes flew to his best friends.

“Calmly?” Pepper added.

“Yep. I know what’s going on.” Rhodey nodded, “Peter was doing well in school. Straight A’s, he was in a bunch of clubs. Then he became Spider-Man, quit some clubs to patrol, and watched his uncle die. He started struggling, but his aunt was very encouraging and helped him stay on track. His aunt died, and he didn’t have a support system any longer. Moral of the story. He was never given space to grieve and was in shitty homes. Anyone would be failing in school.” 

Tony just blinked at his friend, “He told you he’s Spider-Man?”

“Yeah, but only after making me promise not to tell or he’d kill me. Something about suffocation.”

“What did you guys talk about for a solution?” Pepper asked. 

“Oh. Simple. I talked to him about chatting with Sam because he seems to have a lot on his mind. I think if we can get some of that stuff under control, he’ll feel well enough to do school without anyone pressuring him or making him yell. But I’ll be honest: this isn’t going to be an overnight fix. He’s been on his own,  figuring out stuff that would overwhelm most adults, and he’s a kid. I think we need to be patient with him and focus on what is really best for him rather than what everyone else wants him to do or be.”

~

Peter didn’t wander out until his stomach forced him to. He had ignored the knock on his door for dinner. He found the downstairs dark except when he brought a snack into the living room, Tony was sitting on the couch, researching something from the looks of it. He cleared his throat. 

“Hey, kid.” Tony glanced up from the tablet, “Did you find something to eat?”

Peter held up the chips and dip in his hands.

“That’s not really dinner. We saved you leftovers.” 

Peter shrugged, sat down, and started to eat.

“I’m not even surprised that you’ve shut down communication again. I was talking to Rhodey, and we think it might be helpful to talk with our teammate Sam. He helps a lot of people with PTSD. I don’t want to ask him without you’re okay, though.” 

Peter just dipped another chip into the container.

“So that needs a response.” 

Peter glanced at Tony and gave a thumbs-up.

~

“Morning. I made pancakes.” Pepper greeted him the next morning, “Fruit salad is in the fridge.” 

I yelled at Tony. I should skip breakfast as punishment.

Pepper watched the teenager go sit at the dining table without food. Two steps forward, one step back. 

“Pepper, I’m going to meet Sam for breakfast to talk.” Tony came into the kitchen, walking right past the sullen teenager. 

“Okay.” Pepper kissed him good morning, “Don’t be gone too long. It’s Saturday.” 

“He’s not eating?” Tony asked quietly.

“I offered.” Pepper glanced at Peter in the dining room, “He didn’t respond or make an effort to get food.” 

Tony sighed, “Peter, you have to eat.” 

No response. 

“Just go. We’ll be fine.” Pepper hoped this was true.

~

“It’s like he’s just shut down again. He’s not eating. He won’t talk to us. Any progress we made is gone.” Tony took a drink of the coffee he had ordered. 

Sam contemplated it for a minute, “I don’t think the progress is gone. Healing isn’t linear. You can’t expect him to always move in the direction you want. That isn’t how trauma works.” 

“He can’t not eat, Sam.” Tony practically growled. 

“No. So what are we waiting for? Let’s go talk with Peter.” Sam stood.

~

Peter sat at the dining room table with Sam. Pepper had forced Tony and Morgan out of the house to give Peter privacy despite Tony’s protests. He had appreciated that. 

“So Peter—Tony’s told me a little about you. But I’d love to hear about what’s going on from you directly.” Sam was sitting casually in the chair.

Peter just looked at his hands.

“Why don’t we start with something easy. Your best friend’s name is Ned, right?”

Peter nodded.

“Tell me about him,” Sam asked. He let the silence continue. It didn’t freak him out like others. 

“Ned?” Peter asked softly, “He’s my guy in the chair. I go to him when nothing is right anymore. He’s always there, and he always helps.” 

“You go to him when nothing is right. What has that looked like recently?”

Peter debated just shutting down and refusing to talk, but Rhodey had been nothing but kind to him, and he thought this would be helpful. He had to try. “Like when I didn’t have food to eat. He’d share his lunch.” 

“I’m glad you had him. What did that feel like—Not having food?” Sam was prepared to sit here and talk this out as long as Peter needed.

“Bad.” Peter shrugged, “But it was my fault.”

“Your fault?”

“I wasn’t good.” Peter wanted to talk about anything else, “Can we change the subject?”

“Does talking about food make you uncomfortable?” 

“I just don’t want to.” 

Sam nodded, “I think we should. You’re not eating.” 

“For now.” Peter told him, “Not forever.” 

“Until you make up for whatever it is you think you did?” Sam knew about the issues with food from Tony, so he could ask more direct questions.

“I yelled at him,” Peter whispered.

“Tony? He has a way of getting under people’s skin. He means well. He doesn’t want you to avoid food, though. I doubt he even thinks about you raising your voice at him. He’s just worried.” 

“He should be mad.” Peter answered, “And I’m mad.”

“Ahh. There it is. Because of the situation with school?” Sam asked.

“Because he thinks it’s so easy and it’s not!” Peter snapped.

“Maybe you should explain it. They just want to help.”

I can’t just tell them everything.

~

Peter moved the mac n’ cheese around on his plate during dinner, “It makes me angry that you made it seem like I just didn’t do my homework.” 

Tony and Pepper paused their quiet conversation. 

Pepper put a hand on Tony’s stopping him, “But it was more complicated than that?”

Peter looked at his plate before nodding, “You know about Maslow’s hierarchy of needs? You can’t do anything until your basic needs and safety are met. I didn’t have any of that. I’m not proud of letting my schooling drop, but I survived. That matters a lot more than grades.” 

“You’re right.” Tony agreed.

Peter’s head shot up from looking at the table to looking at Tony, “What?” 

“I’m glad you focused on surviving.” Tony continued, “But now that you’re in a safe place, I’m hoping we can start working on things. Not just school. I want you to keep talking with Sam, or if you don’t like Sam, we’ll find someone else. You’ve been through more than I can even start to understand, and I don’t want you chilling in your head with no one to talk to and all the scary stuff circling.” 

“Am I really going to lose my scholarship?”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll make sure you can stay at your school.” Tony would ensure it, even if it meant creating a scholarship for Peter himself.

Peter finally put a bite of mac n cheese in his mouth. 

~

Peter wandered out on Sunday and found Pepper on a call in the living room. Morgan was starting to fuss in her swing, and he could tell Pepper’s focus was split. He went to the swing and picked up Morgan. “Should we find a bottle?” 

Pepper watched Peter hold Morgan so carefully. She didn’t know how they would say goodbye someday. It felt like he had always been meant for their family. I need to do what’s best for Peter. 

Peter heated up a bottle and carried Morgan to the lab, where he figured Tony was. He wasn’t wrong. He just hadn’t expected to see screens filled with details about him. Well Spider-Man. “Morgan’s fussy, and since Pepper’s on a call, I got her and made her a bottle.” 

“Thanks, kid. I got distracted.” Tony flicked away a screen he didn’t want Peter seeing. He had been researching Peter’s previous homes before focusing on Spider-Man, “Want me to take her?”

“No.” Peter moved to sit on a stool while he fed Morgan, “Why are you looking at my suit?”

“Your Underoos?” Tony teased.

“I worked within the budget I had.” Peter rolled his eyes.

“You need a serious upgrade. Pep’s never going to let you go out in that.” Tony started opening up more screens to show Peter his plan, “I’ve watched a million videos to get an idea of what you need in a suit, but you would know better. Maybe you want to help create it?”

“I would love to help.” 

“Great. Come over here and look at this.” Tony started pointing things out on the screen.

Peter came over, still holding Morgan, glancing at things. He starts naming off things that may not work. He had never felt like this before. Supported. Maybe I won’t be alone for the rest of my life.  

Chapter Text

Peter was getting back from patrol. Tony and Pepper had drilled rules into his head before he went out. The most important one being, “If you’re ever in over your head, then you need to ask for help.” They had agreed to stay in the city on the weekend so he could, as Tony liked to say, “Do his Spidey thing.” 

“How did it go?” Tony asked when he came into the lab window, “Any injuries?”

“This suit smells like a new car.” Peter pulled off his mask, “And we built this together, so I know the AI would alert you if I had injuries.” 

“Just checking.”

“I stopped a mugging, helped a lady who was lost, and found a lost cat.” Peter wiped the sweat off his face with his hand.

“Disgusting. Go shower.” Tony shuddered. 

“I will, but can I eat a second dinner? I’m starving.” Peter wouldn’t meet Tony’s eyes. He knew the Starks wanted him to eat, but he felt bad that he ate so much. 

“Eat whatever you want, kid.” Tony flipped a screen away. 

“What was that?” Peter paused, not leaving the lab.

“It’s nothing,” Tony told him. 

“It was something.” Peter crossed his arms over his chest, “And that something had my name on it.” 

“Can we let it go?” Tony groaned, “It’s better if we let it go.” 

Peter didn’t budge, “No. Sam told me secrets hurt people. He said I should talk to you guys, but how can I do that if you’re keeping secrets too?”

Tony motioned for the chair next to him. Peter walked over and sat down. 

“There is no way you’re going to keep your scholarship. Your grades dropped too low this year, and even if we turn everything in, we can’t change that. I was making your tuition payment so you can stay at your school.” Tony hadn’t wanted to bring it up because he was sure Peter would internalize it.

“You can’t do that.” Peter stood up, “I can fix it. You don’t have to do that.” 

“Peter—It’s fine. I’m not worried about the money.” Tony watched the boy start to pace, “How about we practice breathing as Sam said?”

“No, because exhaling for six seconds isn’t going to fix this!” Peter snapped. 

“How can I make you feel better about this?”

“You can’t.” Peter shook his head, “I have to fix this. How much was it?”

“Just $15,000.00.”

“How am I supposed to pay you back $15,000.00 dollars?” Peter sat back down, “I’ll be in debt for life.” 

“Probably, but not because of this.” Tony opened his arms, “Alright, bring it in.” 

“Bring what in?” Peter frowned.

“I’m offering comfort.” Tony raised an eyebrow. 

Peter got off the chair, “Are we there yet?”

“No idea. Sam said something about the happy chemical in your brain and hugging.” Tony was really winging this. Morgan was the easy child at this point. 

Peter stepped into the hug and finally exhaled. 

“There it is.” Tony rubbed Peter’s back, “You don’t have to worry about this. I am not asking you to pay that money back. I don’t expect anything from you. You’re a child. A child in my care. It’s my job to take care of you.” 

“You don’t have to—“ Peter sniffled. 

“—I want to take care of you,” Tony reassured. This kid. 

~

Peter started tossing and turning in bed that night. He wasn’t going to sleep. This was stupid. Rules were stupid. He had never followed rules with any other foster family. Why shouldn’t he go out as Spider-Man and do some good? “Friday, are you a snitch?”

“It depends on what protocols are in place?” Friday answered.

“Can I go back out to patrol since I can’t sleep?” 

“Technically, I have no protocol in place to stop you from doing this. I do recommend staying in the tower, though.”

That would not be happening.

~

And that is how he ended up trying to find a cat in a burning house. He was going to die because he couldn’t handle the child outside, losing her mind over the family pet. “C’mere kitty.” 

Yes, the cat’s name is Kitty. He hadn’t had time to tell the child that it was the worst name. He pulled out his mask. It was too hot. He was having trouble breathing.

“Contacting Tony Stark.” The AI told him. 

“Don’t. I need a few more minutes.” 

“Your vitals are at an emergency level. I am unable to honor your request.” 

Shit. Tony is going to be pissed. 

He needed to find that cat quickly.

~

By the time Iron Man landed on the scene, Spider-Man was nowhere to be found. He found him a couple of blocks away on a roof. No mask hacking up a lung. 

“Saved the cat.” He said before another round of coughing, “Almost died doing so.” 

“You’re supposed to be in bed.” Tony’s face mask lifted, “Why am I getting a call from your AI that you’re in imminent danger?”

“She’s so nosy.” Peter’s eyes were watering nonstop. “You should really fix that.”

Tony was not amused. “We’re going to the MedBay.”

~

Peter was an oxygen and listening to the doctor tell Tony that Peter should not have been in that building, and it’s a safety issue. How Tony needed to be more aware of what the teenager in his care was up to. 

He waited for the doctor to leave and pulled the mask away, “Sorry.” 

“She’s right.” Tony sighed, “You should not have been there. I thought we were in a good place with this, Peter. We talked about the rules to keep you safe. You agreed. Now you’re breaking rules.” 

“I couldn’t sleep.” Peter realized it sounded stupid now.

“So you watch TV or read a book!” Tony exhaled angrily, “I’m trying here, kid. I really am, but I’m frustrated. This was not cool.” 

“Should I go pack?” Peter picked at the skin by his fingers.

“Peter. You are not something to throw away like trash. You’re part of this family. We’re not getting rid of you when you make mistakes.” 

Peter teared up, “I’m sorry. So sorry.” 

Tony pulled him in for a hug, “I know.”

~

“Peter? I left a new sweater on your bed. We’re going to dinner tonight.” Pepper called out as he was walking back from tinkering with Tony in the lab. 

“Oh. I don’t need to. I can stay here.” Peter didn’t even realize he was hugging himself until Pepper opened her arms in invitation. He stepped into her hug. She smells like vanilla. The smell alone was like comfort at this point.

“Why would you stay here?” Pepper rubbed his back, “Are you not feeling well?”

“No. Um. I just don’t want people to ask you guys questions about me. It would be embarrassing.” 

“For whom?” Pepper clarified, “Because I’d love to talk about you to anyone who asks.” 

“You would?” Peter glanced up at her. 

“Oh. Yes. Huge fan of Peter Parker.” Pepper ruffled his hair. 

“Why do you both love messing with my curls?” Peter rolled his eyes, but secretly he loved it. He hadn’t felt a sense of belonging in so long. Tony and Pepper acted like they wanted him. 

~

They were eating at a smaller Italian restaurant that Tony and Pepper had loved since they first started dating. Pepper was talking about a story from work last week. Tony was adding commentary. Morgan slept in her car seat. Peter was soaking it in. He was going to miss this when he left. 

“I’m going to use the bathroom,” Peter announced, standing up. 

“Okay, kiddo. If the waiter comes back, do you know what you want?” Pepper glanced his way.

“Oh. I didn’t think about it.” Peter started breathing heavier. “I can figure it out before I go.” 

“No. We can ask for more time.” Tony reassured, “Go, take care of yourself.” 

Peter turned slamming right into someone. 

“You idiot!” The man yelled, “Look at what you did. You spilled my wine all over my shirt.” 

“I’m so sorry.” Peter took a step back. He could feel Tony coming to stand behind him. Tony’s hands went to his shoulders in support. 

“You!” The man’s eyes filled with rage, “You’re the brat we housed for the worst month of our lives.” 

Peter recognized him now, “Mr. Grimward.” 

“Makes sense, you’re still a fuck up.” The man grabbed a napkin and started wiping off his shirt. 

“Enough.” Tony said, “Accidents happen. He didn’t know he was going to run into you. You don’t get to treat him like shit over it. He’s a child.” 

“Our child.” Pepper stood up, crossing her arms over her chest. 

“This kid is yours. You’re brave.” The man laughed, “He’s a mess.” 

Tony pulled Peter against him gently, knowing the kid was reading into the man’s words, “We think he’s amazing. Your opinion means nothing. You’re just a mean and bitter man.” 

Pepper walked over, passing him twenty dollars, “For your shirt, since it’s such a big deal. Now leave our family alone.” 

Peter watched the man walk away. He couldn’t make himself move. His whole body was shaking now. 

“Hey. I’m right here.” Tony reminded him, “We’ve got you, kid.” 

“He’s right.” Peter started to cry, “I am a mess.” 

Tony turned him for a full hug, “Not true.” 

Pepper came to join the hug, “Not true at all.” 

“You needed to go to the bathroom. You think you want to do that.” Tony suggested. 

Peter glanced toward where his old foster parent was sitting, “Will you come with me? I’m worried.” 

“Of course.” At this point, Tony was convinced he would do anything to keep Peter safe and cared for.

~

“Oh. Mr. Shaw.” Peter put his backpack on the hook by the door. Pepper was a stickler for it. She said she was tired of cleaning up after her boys, “What are you doing here?”

“Just checking in.” Greg smiled at the teenager who finally seemed to be doing better, “Tony had to go get Morgan. She was waking from her nap.” 

Peter sat down in the chair next to him. “I started therapy.” 

“I heard. How is that going?” Gregory hadn’t seen Peter this lively since—Well, he had never seen this side of him. 

“I think it’s going well. It feels good.” Peter shrugged, “I don’t feel as lonely here.” 

“I’m so happy to hear that.” 

“Roo, you’re home.” Tony came back into the room holding Morgan, who was red-faced from crying. 

“Just got home.” Peter told the man, “I’m going to do homework in a minute. I promise.” 

“Great. I’ll come help you when I’m done talking with Greg here.” Tony ruffled the boy’s hair.

“Tooonnnyyy,” Peter whined, “You ruin my hair when you do that.” 

“I’ve got whiny kids today.” Tony teased. 

Peter got up and stuck out his tongue at him, “Can I have a snack? No, three snacks?” 

“Have whatever you want, Kid. Don’t forget we’re working on one of your missing assignments tonight when Pepper gets home.” 

Tony waited for Peter to disappear to his room by the kitchen before sitting back down, “Sorry, where were we?” 

“I actually think I’ve heard everything I need to. You and Pepper are doing an amazing job with him. He seems happy.” Greg closed Peter’s folder, “But please call me if you need anything, and I’ll be checking in.” 

“He just fits in so well here.” Tony’s expression softened, “We love having him.” 

~

Pepper was getting Morgan ready for bed. She could hear the boys talking in the dining room about the assignment they were working on while she rocked her baby. Tony was calmly explaining everything, while Peter asked questions or got quiet. Pepper could picture his face of concentration when he got quiet. She wasn’t a genius. Not like Tony and Peter, but she knew one thing with absolute certainty. I love Peter Parker. No more or less than Morgan, who was born from her very body. I don’t think I can watch him leave someday. 

“How do we convince Daddy that Peter is staying?” She rubbed Morgan’s cheek, “I’m open to ideas.” 

~

Peter took the slip his teacher was handing out on the way out. Field trip. Great. One more thing he could not afford. 

“Your fosters will pay for it, right?” Ned asked while they walked to their next class. 

“I don’t really want to ask them. They do so much for me already.” Peter shoved the paper into a trash can, “Besides, I don’t want to go that badly anyway.” 

“I think it’s worth asking—“

“—Ned! Drop it.” Peter pushed open the classroom door a little too forcefully, drawing all eyes to them. “Sorry.” 

“We were talking about Star Wars. He’s super passionate. I called Grogu Baby Yoda. My bad.” Ned shrugged. 

~

“Hey, Roo. Have something for me?” Tony asked as the boy came into the lake house from school.

“No?” Peter hung up his backpack. “Did you tell me to stop for something, and I forgot, because if so, Happy forgot too.” 

“No. Your school portal shows a permission slip for a field trip.” Tony cut the sandwich he had been making for Peter in half and put it on a plate before sliding it in front of the boy, where he now sat at the table. 

“Oh.” Peter wouldn’t meet Tony’s eyes. “I threw it away.” 

“Because you hate learning?” Tony sat down next to him.

“No. It’s expensive.” Peter took a bite of the sandwich.

“And Pepper and I are suddenly broke, and we weren’t informed?” Tony stole the other half of the sandwich, taking a bite, ignoring Peter’s look. 

Peter just kept eating.

“Roo.” Tony tried again.

No response. 

“Okay. Sam’s coming over in a bit, so why don't you focus on eating, and we’ll come back to this later.” 

No response.

~

“So how are things going?” Sam asked Peter. They had taken over Tony’s lab for this session. Tony thought Peter might do better be able to work on something while they talked today. 

Peter was messing with his webshooters, “They keep getting jammed.” 

Sam looked at them, “I’m afraid I can’t offer any advice in that area.” 

“Do you think I need to adjust my webbing formula?” Peter looked at him, “Or maybe—“

“—Peter. We’re talking about you.” Sam reminded gently.

“Sorry. It’s fine. I guess.” 

“Tony said you’ve been doing better. But you’re saying it’s fine. Where’s the disconnect?” 

Peter pushed a button, and a web shot out. He gave a nervous laugh, “My bad.”

“Disconnect?” Sam raised an eyebrow. 

“Fine doesn’t imply bad.” Peter pointed out that while he went to find the solution to dissolve the mess he had just made. 

“For you it does.”

“Some days I feel like I’m part of this family and other days I feel like I have one foot out the door.” Peter sprayed the solution on the mess.

“Why do you think that is?”

Peter took a deep breath, pushing back the feeling of tears building, “Maybe I don’t let myself settle in fully. We have this field trip coming up, and instead of bringing home the permission slip, I threw it away. It’s expensive, and I already feel like a burden to the Starks, but then Tony asked about it, and I don’t know what to tell him.” 

“You could start with the truth. It’s okay to have conflicting feelings.”

“Pepper called me her kid at the restaurant.” Peter shrugged, “I liked it but—“ 

Sam waited. 

“It’s not true. And that kills me.” 

Chapter Text

“How did it go?” Tony asked Sam later that evening.

“You know I can’t tell you anything. Privacy is important for therapy. If he can’t trust me, he won’t talk to me.” 

“I understand.” Tony reached for the coffee pot, offering some to Sam, who shook his head, “I just hate it.” 

“You and Pepper are doing the right things. Just keep doing that. See you next week?” Sam confirmed. 

“Yes, thank you for doing this.” 

“Anything for Peter.” 

~

“Morning, sweetie.” Pepper greeted Peter, where she stood with Morgan in a baby sling against her at the stove, “I have a few meetings today, but I was thinking I could pick you up and we could go to the store and find a few new outfits after school.” 

Peter grabbed a bowl and poured cereal. 

“Not feeling like talking today?” Pepper couldn’t blame him. She imagined that therapy the night before was enough to keep him in his head for a while. She didn’t know what they had talked about, but when they were done, Peter had walked right past everyone and slammed the door of his bedroom hard. 

Peter went to get the milk, poured it in, got a spoon, and started eating. 

“Let’s plan a different day for shopping.” Pepper ran her fingers through his curls, “I don’t want to overwhelm you today.” 

Tony came in from the lab, “Morning, family. Peter, don’t forget to turn in that assignment we worked on a couple of nights ago. Oh, and I was able to email the field trip permission slip, and the cash is in an envelope in your bag. Give that to your teacher or the office.” 

Peter just took another bite.

“Got it. One of those days. I’m just glad you’re eating.” Tony grabbed a mug and poured coffee into it.

“Morgan has her pediatric appointment coming up, and I was thinking we should get a check-up for Peter, too,” Pepper told Tony. “He probably shouldn’t see a regular doctor, so how about reaching out to Dr. Cho? Oh, and a dental appointment! I’ll call about that this afternoon.”

Peter crinkled his nose at this.

“No one likes the dentist, kid. One of us will be with you, though.” Tony glanced at his youngest, taking a moment to coo at her. 

~

“You okay, Peter?” Happy asked from the front seat. The kid just seemed off. 

Peter just stared out the window.

Tony had texted him that Peter was having a day and to just give him space. Happy couldn’t put his finger on it, but there was more to this. He was used to Peter’s bad days. This felt different, “I’m here if you need me. No matter what it is. Okay? Can you blink so I know you hear me?” 

Peter looked toward the front, blinked, then stared out the window again. 

~

Peter was sitting in class. Everything was weighing on him. Losing his whole family. Foster care. Not having a place he truly belonged. No one that felt like his. He pulled his hoodie on and laid his head on his desk.

“Mr. Parker. Pay attention, please.” 

Peter ignored him. 

“Peter Parker. Eyes forward or you will go to the Principal’s office.” Mrs. Kent warned once more. 

She waited a minute, “Please go to the office.” 

~

Peter wasn’t talking to the Principal either, and he could see the man growing frustrated. 

“Peter, please. I don’t want to call your foster family. I am trying to work with you here.” 

Peter just kept his eyes on his lap. 

Principal Morita sighed, “Okay. I’m going to call them because I don’t even know what’s going on with you.” 

Peter listened to his conversation and knew Tony had answered right away. He heard the principal explain what was going on, and Tony said he’d be there as soon as possible. 

“You know your foster parents are very busy, right?” Principal Morita told him. 

I’m a burden. I’m a burden. I’m a burden.

~

Tony walked into the office and found the teenager in question ignoring the Principal’s attempts at communication. Tony gave a gentle shake of his head. This wasn’t the way to get Peter out of his head. “Hey, Roo. I hear you’re having a rough day.” 

Peter glanced at him but didn’t answer. 

Tony held Morgan out, “Want a cuddle?”

Peter’s lips twitched into a smile before he could smother it, and he took Morgan and held her close, kissing the baby’s head. 

“She’s a little crabby. You want to go walk the halls with her while the Principal and I chat?”

Peter didn’t waste a minute before walking out. 

Tony took his seat. “Forcing him to talk will never work.”

“I understand, but he can’t just sleep during class and ignore the staff. We want to be understanding. We know he’s been through something. He wasn’t like this in his previous foster home.” 

“What are you implying?” Tony crossed his arms over his chest. 

“I just wonder if you are being too gentle with him.” 

“With a child whose lost everything? What would you like me to do differently?” Tony was trying to stay calm. This was not how he had expected this meeting to go. Clearly, the staff was no longer star-struck. 

“His last foster family had great success with what they described as a reward system. Peter was a lot more pleasant at school during this time.” 

Tony scoffed, “You have no idea. That reward system was the only way he got to eat. I think if your meals depended on you being pleasant, you would show up at school at your best every day, too. We’re not doing that.” 

“I didn’t realize—“

“How could you? You only care about him if he’s not being a problem.” Tony stood, removing himself from this conversation was the only solution before he exploded, “We care about him no matter what. I’ll sign him out for today.” 

~

Nobody loves me. I’m alone. I have no real home. Everything is temporary.” Peter laid his hand against the window where he sat in the back next to Morgan’s car seat. 

“Hungry?” Tony asked as he pulled into traffic. 

I’m a burden. I don’t know who I am anymore. Everything hurts.” 

Tony turned on some music quietly.

I lose everything. No one wants me. They are just stuck with me. 

Tony pulled into a McDonald’s drive-thru and ordered a bunch of random stuff. He passed it back to Peter, “Save me a cheeseburger. Anything else is free game.” 

Burden. Burden. Burden. 

~

Pepper knocked on Peter’s door later that evening, “Hi, kiddo.” 

Peter was under his covers on his side. Facing away from the door. 

Pepper went inside and sat down next to him, rubbing his shoulder, “I don’t know what you’re thinking about, but I just want you to know we’re all here for you. You don’t have to talk to us. You can talk to Rhodey, Sam, or Happy. We all care about you.” 

Peter turned to lie where he could see her. 

“I’m going to make dinner. I was thinking lasagna soup. Remember, we made that together your first week here?”

Peter blinked. 

“You think you’ll want to join us? I think Morgan misses you.” Pepper brushed the kid’s curls out of his eyes, “I’m convinced her first word will be Peter.”

No response. 

“Well, if you decide to join us, we would love to have you, but otherwise I’ll leave dinner in the fridge for you later.” 

~

Peter grabbed out his phone and sent off a text, “SOS.” 

Sam responded right away, “You want me to come over? Or you want me to call?” 

“1.” 

“On my way.” 

~

Tony and Pepper were eating in the dining room when Sam walked in, “Did we?”

“No. Peter texted. Mind if I go to his room?” Sam took off his rain jacket and boots. It was pouring outside. 

“Please.” Pepper nodded. 

Sam went through the kitchen and knocked on the kids’ door. No response, he opened it. He was invited after all, “Pete? It’s me.” 

Peter sat up and hugged a pillow. 

Sam grabbed the chair from the corner of the room, moving it closer to the bed before taking a seat. “What’s going on?”

Peter started crying, burying his face in the pillow. Don’t cry. You’re being stupid.

Sam got comfortable. This had been building for a while: “It’s okay to cry.” 

Peter wiped at his cheeks, “Hurts.” 

Sam nodded, hoping the boy would continue. 

“Nobody loves me.” Peter started to cry harder, “I don’t have a home. I’m a burden. I don’t fit anywhere.” 

“I wish you could see how untrue that is.”

~

Sam wandered out a while later, “He’s asleep.” 

“He was crying.” Pepper stated, “How do we help. We are trying so hard.” 

Sam sat down, “You’re serious about this? Helping Peter.” 

“We wouldn’t have him here if we weren’t.” Tony felt like his whole body was tired.

“Pull him out of school. I don’t care what you have to do. Have him test out, homeschool. It’s two months of the school year, give or take. This kid needs to be around people who consistently love him. He needs space to heal. That won’t happen there.”

Pepper was already making notes on her Starkpad, “We’ll figure it out.” 

“Peter gave me permission to talk about this with you, but he feels like everything in his life is temporary. Nothing feels safe. It’s like he walks around believing everything can be ripped away from him in seconds.” Sam sighed, “I’m not judging. You’ve had a lot going on since taking Peter in, but he's been living in a guest room. This just amplifies that thought process.” 

“I’ll go get paint tonight. We’ll start re-doing the room upstairs.” Tony offered, “We should have already started.” 

“This is not me telling you guys you’re doing everything wrong. He feels safe enough to completely lose it. You did that. You gave him permission to not be okay.” Sam told the couple, “He needs you even more now.” 

~

Peter left his room late at night and put the soup in the microwave. He set the time and lifted himself onto the counter. You have Tony, Pepper, Morgan, Rhodey, Sam, and Happy. Not alone. Not alone. Not alone.

Peter abandoned the food and went upstairs to Tony and Pepper’s room. He didn’t knock. He could tell from their breathing that they were asleep. He pushed the door open a crack and went to Tony’s side, shaking him awake. 

Tony opened his eyes instantly, “Peter?”

“Can you take me somewhere?”

Tony closed his eyes for a second before nodding, “Yeah. Give me a few minutes. I’ll meet you downstairs.” 

~

Tony stood with Peter, where he knelt by his aunt and uncle’s graves. His parents are on the right side. The kid’s whole family was gone before he was an adult. He couldn’t imagine that pain.  He didn’t say a word. This wasn’t for him. It was for Peter. 

Peter wiped at his tears, “I haven’t been by in a while. Sometimes I think you’d be disappointed. I started to fail school. I allowed people to mistreat me. I know you hated that. You always said if someone treated me poorly, I should run in the opposite direction. It took me a while to really listen to that advice, though. I was afraid of what was on the other side, I think. Telling my social worker may have saved my life in more ways than one. I’m safe now. I don’t know how long it will last, but I have people trying to help me. You would have hated Tony—“

Tony tried not to, but he snorted. 

“—But you would have loved Pepper. And I have to think you would want this for me. People. Community. So I’m trying. I wish you were here every day, though. You’ve got all my love.” 

Tony opened his arms for a hug when Peter stood, and the teenager walked into them. He rubbed the teen’s back as he cried. He would do anything to make his kid feel better. My kid. Mine. And nobody’s going to hurt him.

~

Tony felt like his head had just hit the pillow again when he heard Morgan cry on the monitor. He groaned because Pepper had left for an early meeting. He made his way out of bed and to his daughter’s room, picking her up, “You have excellent timing, dear.” 

He changed her diaper and put her pajamas back on before sitting in the rocking chair with her against his chest. He was only going to close his eyes for a second. Yeah. One second.

Nobody told me just how tiring being a new parent really was. 

~

“Tony?” Peter shook him awake, trying not to wake the baby. “There’s a big package on the porch.”

Tony blinked his eyes open, yawning, “What time is it?”

“I’m missing school.” Peter shrugged, “But I don’t really want to go.” 

“We need to talk about that.” Tony shifted so he could stretch, “We think it might be better for you to test out or homeschool for the rest of the year. Your spot is secured for next year. It’s paid for. We just want to give you space right now.”

Peter didn’t hesitate, just reached forward to hug Tony, “You’d do that for me?” 

“Almost anything, kid. Pepper was reaching out to the school to see what would work best. We’ll give her a day or two to handle it. The package on the porch, though, is your new bunkbed for the room upstairs. You think we can carry that up and put it together while Pepper is at work?” 

 “Yes! I’ll bring it up now.” Peter grinned. 

“Okay. I painted the room already. It should be dry now. You’ll have to tell me what you think.” 

Morgan started to fuss. 

“I’ll get her a bottle, and then we’ll build the bed.” 

~

Tony and Peter were eating leftover Chinese when Pepper came home.

“We finished the bed.” Tony pointed out.

“I see. It looks great! Now we just need decorations.” Pepper pondered for a second, “Maybe some Star Wars posters.” 

“And an Iron Man one.” Peter said softly, “I had one in my old room.” 

Tony gave a soft smile, ruffling the kid’s hair, “Whatever you want, Roo. This is your room.” 

“How’s my other baby?” Pepper picked Morgan up from her bouncer, “Did you have a good day with daddy?”

The baby dribbled some spit out in response. Pepper wiped it away gently, “I’m going to give her a bath before bed. Peter, don’t stay up too late. You get to sleep in your new room tonight.” 

My room.

~

Peter was lying in his new bed. He had dragged the bedding up from the guest room because the bedding Pepper had ordered was in the wash, and she insisted it could not be used until it was freshly cleaned. He didn’t mind. He was just so excited to have his own space again. Maybe he could invite Ned and MJ over. Don’t get ahead of yourself. They aren’t your parents. They are Morgan’s mom and dad. I am charity. 

Peter rolled over, tracing the new blue walls with his finger.

Because your suit is red and blue. 

It was hard to pretend they didn’t care when it felt like they did. They paid attention to him. They knew his favorite colors, what he liked to eat, and how to get him to open up when he didn’t want to. He felt tears trickle down his cheeks. I’m getting attached. The day I have to leave this home will be the worst day of my life. It will hurt more than any time he had been beaten up in a previous home.

~

“Pep.” Tony spoke up in the dark, quiet of their bedroom: “I have to tell you something.” 

Pepper could sense he was nervous and rubbed his arm in support, “What’s wrong?”

“No. Nothing is wrong.” Tony couldn’t believe he was tearing up, “It’s good. I love Peter. I don’t want him to go.” 

“Thank Thor!” Pepper slapped his arm, “Morgan was trying to figure out how to get you on board!” 

“Morgan, huh?” 

“That’s her big brother after all.” 

Chapter Text

“So go in, take the exams with the guidance counselor, and clear out your locker. I’ll be back in a couple of hours.” Happy told Peter.

Peter just looked at the building.

“You need me to go in with you?” Happy wasn’t sure why the boy wasn’t moving.

“No.” Peter unbuckled his seatbelt, “I’ll text you when I’m done.” 

“Okay. Good luck.”

~

Peter had finished his exams and was cleaning out his locker when he felt his Spider-sense go off right before a hand smacked his shoulder. He sighed.

“Penis. I hear you’re running away for the rest of the year.” Flash laughed, “If you can’t keep up, just say so.” 

Peter rolled his eyes, “I’m taking my final exams early. I’m sure I’ll pass with flying colors. This has nothing to do with keeping up. If anything, I continue to raise the bar.”

“Tell yourself that to help you sleep. Oh, wait. Do you even have a home? Poor little Peter Parker,” Flash and his friend snickered, “No one wants you now that your aunt is dead.”

Peter closed his locker, having put everything into his backpack, “Go to hell, man.”

Flash shoved him against the locker, “Shut the fuck up.” 

“Boys!” A teacher yelled, “Get to class.” 

Flash backed off, “I’ll be here when you’re back. Don’t forget that. This isn’t over.” 

~

Tony watched Peter walk inside the house, take the stairs two at a time, right before he heard the kid’s bedroom door slam shut. Fantastic. I should have gone with. 

Happy walked in, shaking his head, “He won’t tell me anything, but I know he’s mad.” 

“I should have gone. Morgan has a slight fever, and I didn’t want to take her out of the house.” Tony ran a hand down his face, “I’ll give him a few minutes, and we’ll talk.” 

“Good luck, man.” Happy didn’t envy him. A sick baby and an angsty teenager.

~

Tony tried knocking on the door later, “Pete. Can we talk?”

No response. 

Tony sighed. He just needs more time. 

~

Peter wandered downstairs when the excessive crying would not stop. He found Tony walking back and forth with Morgan, trying to soothe the baby. It wasn’t working. Morgan was red in the face. 

Tony glanced Peter’s way, “Sorry. I’m doing everything I can to get her to stop crying. I know it’s a lot.”

“Maybe a bath? It could help her fever, too.” Peter sat on the last step, “She loves bathtime at night.”

“Good idea. What’s going on with you today?” Tony kept rocking Morgan, who was still crying. 

“Don’t worry about me right now. Morgan needs you.” Peter stood up, “We can talk when Pepper gets home.” 

“Peter. It’s okay if you need me too. I can multitask.” Tony switched to bouncing the baby.

“It can wait.” I can wait.

~

Tony found Peter in the lab later that evening, writing in a notebook, “Web fluid formula issues?”

“Huh?” Peter looked up, “This isn’t science. It’s a journal for therapy with Sam.”

“Oh. Want to talk about school now?” Tony pulled a stool over by what he had now deemed Peter’s work station, “Because you were steaming when you got home.” 

“There’s this kid who always bothers me. He bothered me extra today.” Peter shrugged, “It’s not a big deal.” 

“Bothers you with his words or physically?” Tony didn’t like the idea of Peter getting bullied. He would be handling that before the next school year.

“Mostly words. I just wish he would shut up sometimes!” Peter broke the pencil in his hand. “Sorry.”

“It’s a pencil. It’s fine.”

Peter opened a drawer at his work table to reveal many more broken pencils. “I am still working on controlling my strength, and it’s tougher when I’m mad.” 

“You’ve got to find a way to release all of this pent-up emotion. This isn’t healthy.” Tony thought about it for a second, “Actually, I have an idea.”

~

Pepper went to remind Tony that Peter needed to get ready for bed. She found them in the lab dancing to Meghan Trainor’s song Hush. She just backed out slowly, reminder forgotten. They were clearly working through something she did not understand. 

She smiled when she heard Peter start giggling. This was more important than bedtime.

Pepper made a mental note to tell Tony he should not shake his stuff when the beat drops. 

~

Peter groaned as he woke up. His head was aching. He pulled the blanket over his head, closing his eyes again, hoping to go to sleep and wake up not dying of the cold Morgan tried to kill him with, “Friday? Do I have a fever?”

“You are running a temperature of 101.1.” Friday confirmed, “Rest and fluids recommended.” 

“Yep. Rest.” Peter was trying to go back to sleep when there was a knock at the door, “C’min.” 

Pepper popped her head in, “Morning, sweetie. It’s late. You want to come down for breakfast?”

“Don’t feel good.” Peter poked his head out to glance at his foster mom, “I don’t think my stomach wants food.”

Pepper moved further into the room, putting the back of her hand against Peter’s forehead, “You are warm. I’ll bring up some water for you.” 

~

“Two sick kids?” Tony had just gotten Morgan to sleep in her swing when Pepper came to tell him the news, “We’ve got this, right?”

“I hope you do. I have that board meeting today, and one of us needs to be there.” Pepper leaned against the living room wall, closing her eyes. She had been up way too often with Morgan the night before, “And I assume you don’t want to go.” 

“I’ll take my chances with the kids. Maybe you can grab dinner on your way home, though?”

“If I stay awake that long.” Pepper teased.

Tony would hug her, but he was covered in questionable body fluids that he assumed were vomit.

~

Peter found Tony hours later, asleep, holding Morgan on the couch against his chest. Morgan was sleeping contentedly. Peter grabbed the remote and turned on the TV at a volume most humans could not hear. He couldn’t sleep, and he didn’t feel up to doing anything else. 

He wrapped himself in the blanket that had been left on the chair by someone else. The movie started to play as his eyes began to droop. How could he still be tired? He couldn’t help but glance over at Morgan with Tony. What must it feel like to have a parent when you’re sick?

Focus on the movie.

Tony woke up an hour later to find Peter struggling to keep his eyes open, watching a movie, “Roo, Just let your body rest.”

Peter looked over, “Not tired.” 

Tony frowned. The kid was clearly exhausted. Why fight sleep when you’re sick? “Pete. You're clearly tired.”

Peter felt irritation right, “You don’t even know me. How would you be able to tell if I’m tired or not?” 

Tony closed his eyes. Was he really going to fight with a teenager? Was this his life now? At least Morgan was still asleep, “Fine. Stay up. It doesn't hurt me.” 

Peter just turned up the TV volume. 

~

Peter heard Morgan start to wake up. Tony had left her in the swing before disappearing upstairs. Peter went back to his movie until the baby started to cry harder. He moved to pick her up, “I’ve got you. Don’t worry. I know the world is a big, scary place.”

Morgan reached up toward his face.

“That’s my nose.” Peter teased, “And you can’t have it.” 

Morgan’s lip wobbled. 

“Okay. You can have it.” Peter relented, “But you have to return it before I go back to school, or I’ll be an even bigger freak.”

“She’s up again?” Tony came downstairs, “I’ll make her a bottle.” 

“And she needs a change.” Peter crinkled his nose, “Bad.”

“Switch?” Tony reached for the baby, “You think you can help heat up a bottle?”

“I can do that.” 

“And Peter?” Tony stopped him.

“Yeah.”

“You are not a freak.”

Don’t let yourself get invested in this. They are going to leave.

~

Pepper found her family asleep on the couch when she got home. She kicked off her heels and went to heat up some soup for dinner. She was humming along to music when Peter came into the kitchen. “Feeling any better?”

“Not really.” Peter shrugged, “But it’s fine.” 

“I can find you some cold medication.” Pepper stirred the chicken noodle soup she had stopped at the store for.

“It won’t work. My metabolism is crazy fast. I burn through everything.” Peter yawned. 

“Does that include food?” Pepper set the spoon down, “Because we want you to eat enough. If you need more, we should know.” 

“I don’t want you to worry about me.” Peter went to the fridge to get some water. “I’m not your problem.” 

“Pete, what do you mean by that?” 

“I just mean Morgan is your child. I’m just here right now.” Peter wouldn’t meet Pepper’s eyes, “And I don’t want to get used to someone caring about me to have it ripped away.” 

Pepper tugged Peter into a hug, “Oh, kid. Tony didn’t talk to you, did he?”

“We’ve been a little busy.” Tony came into the kitchen, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, “And your daughter keeps puking on me.”

Pepper ignored the stains on Tony’s shirt. “We want you to stay.”

“What?” Peter leaned back out of Pepper’s hug, “But for like how long?”

“We were thinking forever.” Tony grabbed a bottle for Morgan, who was sure to be up soon, and started warming it up, “But obviously it’s your decision. Becoming a Stark means being in the spotlight for the rest of your life, and we won’t blame you if that is not something you want.” 

“You want me?” Peter teared up, “Forever?”

“Why is that so crazy? You’re amazing, Peter.” Pepper hugged him tighter, “And we love you.” 

“You love me?” Peter started to cry.

“So what do you say, Roo? You want to make it official and join this crazy bunch?”

Peter nodded rapidly. Family. Parents. Forever. All of it. 

~

“He isn’t getting enough food,” Pepper told Tony that night as they cleaned up the kitchen.

“He eats nonstop.” Tony dried a plate in his hand.

“He said his metabolism is fast and he burns through things quicker. Medication doesn’t even work for him. We need to figure out a solution for that. I think you should text Bruce.”

“I’ll call him after I talk with Peter. It’s his secret identity. I don’t want to out him to anyone without permission. We need to talk about something else, too.” Tony dried his hands off on the towel, “I think we need to consider moving back into the city. Peter is Spider-Man. He’s had enough taken from him. I want him to be able to go do his thing, and I want to be close in case he needs backup.”

Pepper wrapped her arms around Tony in a hug, “You’re a good dad.” 

I’m nothing like Howard.

~

“Hey, kid.” Tony tossed a balled up piece of paper at Peter across the room in the lab, “Question for you. Can I talk to Bruce about your spider-ness so we can work to make medications for you?”

“Can he keep a secret?” Peter shocked himself by connecting two wires and ignored Tony's knowing look. 

“I know he can. I’ll let him know it’s important that you decide whom to tell after this.”

“I guess it’s fine.” Peter put down the tools in his hands, “I’m going to get a snack.” 

“Kid, more than one snack!” Tony called after him, “Pepper told me about the Metabolism thing!” 

~

“Tony?” Peter was wringing his hands the next day, coming into Morgan’s nursery where the man was reading a book to Morgan. 

“What’s up, Roo?” Tony turned a page, and Morgan reached for the book, trying to bring it to her mouth. 

“There’s a problem in my room.” Peter wouldn’t meet Tony’s eyes, “And I may need help.” 

“What’s the problem, Kiddo?” Tony gave up trying to stop Morgan from doing what she wanted with the board book. 

Peter just kept looking at the ground.

“Peter, I’m not going to be upset. You heard Pepper, right? We love you.” 

“I woke up from my nap, and I was tangled in the blankets, and I threw up in bed. I was going to fix it myself, but I wasn’t sure where to find new sheets.” Peter finally answered. 

“Still feeling gross then?” Tony stood up, holding Morgan with one arm wrapped around her, “I’ll help you change your sheets, but you have to help me keep an eye on Miss Ma’am here. She is trying to eat everything.”

“She’s just teething. It’s normal.” Peter followed Tony to his room. “Besides, she’s just a baby.” 

“Remember that when she breaks something of yours when she’s a toddler.” Tony teased. 

I’m going to be here when Morgan is a toddler. She’s going to be my sister.

~

Peter pulled out his phone that night and sent off a message to Ned, “Update. I’m staying.”

“For how long?”

“Forever.” Peter typed back, “So maybe you want to come over sometime and meet the people who will be my new parents?”

“Any day, any time,” Ned responded quickly.

“But don’t be weird. I’ve kind of been avoiding telling everyone, but my foster dad is Iron Man.” 

Peter’s phone lit up with a video call from Ned that he answered right away, “I said don’t be weird.” 

“DUDE!” Ned yelled. 

“Peter! It’s past your bedtime.” Pepper called out, “Talk to your friends tomorrow.”

“Is that Pepper Potts?” Ned screeched. 

“Chill. I’ve got to go to bed. Talk tomorrow?”

“Dude.” Ned was smiling as he ended the call.

Chapter Text

“You have got to relax.” Pepper passed Morgan to her husband, “He’s having a friend over. No big deal.” 

“Not just any friend.” Tony allowed Morgan to chew on his finger. Better than her crying because her gums are killing her, “His best friend. What if he doesn’t like us?”

Pepper smiled, shaking her head, “Not possible. He’ll love me for sure.” 

“Hey!” Tony feigned like he’d been hurt, “I’m Iron Man.” 

“You’re retired.” 

“Mama wounds me.” Tony kissed the top of Morgan’s head.

~

“You texted his mom the address, right?” Peter put down the journal he was writing in to prepare for his session with Sam.

“Yes.” Tony turned his attention from the screens in front of him to look at Peter, “He’ll get here when he gets here, kid.” 

“I just miss him.” Peter sighed. 

They went a few more minutes in quiet, “But when do you think he’ll get here?”

“PETER!” Tony snapped, “Get out of the lab. Go do something else. You’re making me crazy.” 

~

“He’s here!” Peter jumped off the couch, scaring Morgan, who was enjoying tummy time on the floor, “Someone should handle that!” 

Pepper picked up Morgan, shhing her, “Your brother didn’t mean to scare you. He’s just excited.” 

Soon, Peter was dragging in another teenager, and Pepper turned to the two with a smile.

“Pepper, this is Ned. Ned, Pepper.” Peter was smiling as big as Pepper had ever seen. It was clear this friendship meant the world to him. 

“Nice to meet you. We’re so happy you’re here.” Pepper lifted Morgan up a bit, “This is Morgan. Peter’s baby sister, whom he just so happened to make cry moments before.” 

Peter cringed. He walked forward to kiss Morgan’s cheek, “Sorry, Mo.” 

“She forgives you.” Pepper ruffled Peter’s hair, “Why don’t you go show him your room. I think we’re going to order pizza for dinner.” 

“Yes!” Both boys responded. 

~

“Who knew teenagers had so much energy?” Tony worked to clear the table from dinner, “I don’t think that Ned kid took a breath the whole conversation during dinner.”

“I like him.” Pepper came back with a rag and cleaner to wipe down the table. “He makes Peter happy.” 

“He is happy, right?” Tony paused in his walk to the kitchen to throw some trash away.

“I think so. We’re doing our best. That’s all we can do, right?”

“Yeah. You’re right, dear.” 

~

You’re making me crazy. Peter tossed.

Leave the lab. Peter turned. 

Just be less annoying. Peter sat up, groaning. He was never going to fall asleep. 

“Peter? I can’t sleep if you keep tossing and turning.” Ned said from the bottom bunk.

“Sorry. I’m going to get some water.” Peter jumped from the top landing effortlessly. 

Peter didn’t go get water. He went to wake Tony. He shook him gently. 

“Peter, not even your sister wakes me this much,” Tony mumbled. 

“Sorry. I’ll go.” Of course, he needs to sleep. Just leave him be. God, Peter. Think.

“Peter, I’m teasing.” Tony sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, “What’s wrong?”

Peter sat on the end of the bed, “I keep thinking about earlier, and I can’t sleep.” 

Tony frowned. He couldn’t think of anything happening that would be causing this kid to be awake and overthinking. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, kid.” 

“I was bothering you in the lab. You said I was making you crazy. I don’t mean to do that.” 

“Oh, Pete. All kids drive their parents crazy at times.” Tony tugged him in for a hug, “I was working on stuff for SI, and I should have just put it away. It’s the weekend. If anything, I was the problem in that equation.”

“So you’re not mad at me?” 

“No. You think you can sleep now?” Tony was willing to lose sleep for either of his kids, but he was really hoping for a solid four hours that night. 

“Maybe.” Peter agreed, “Do you like Ned?”

So he wasn’t going back to sleep anytime soon. “Let’s go downstairs so we don’t wake Pepper.” Tony swung his legs over the bed feet on the floor. 

“If you insist. We could find a snack and talk.”

“Oh, I do insist.” Tony grinned. 

~

Tony started brewing some tea. “What else is going on in that head of yours?”

Peter leaned against the counter, “I think I just overthink a lot. It’s been a while since I was wanted.” 

Tony was sure he heard his own heart break, “Well, we want you. If you need that reminder every day, let us know.”

“Ned has always been there, though.” Peter didn’t meet Tony’s eyes, “I think that’s why I want you guys to like each other.” 

“I like your best friend just fine, Pete,” Tony reassured.

“What else you got tonight?” Tony prodded.

“What if, come next school year, I can’t handle it?” Peter decided to bring up one of his worst fears. 

“You tested fine. I think it’s going to be okay, but if it isn’t, Pepper and I will be there to help.” Tony poured tea into a mug and passed it to Peter before making one for himself. 

“Flash is still a problem.”

“What kind of name is Flash?” Tony cringed. 

“His real name’s Eugene.” Peter stirred some honey into his tea. 

“We’ll handle him. If I have to call the principal myself.” Tony took a sip of his tea. It wasn’t coffee, but at least it was warm. 

Peter nodded. 

“You’ve got something else going on. I can tell.” Tony reached over to poke Peter, “Spill.” 

Peter put down the mug and hugged Tony. 

Tony knew it was a distraction. Peter didn’t want to talk about whatever it was. He’d wait him out. One of these nights, he would open up about it. 

~

“Tony?” Peter walked into the lab later that week, “You think we could go into the city so I could Spider-Man tonight?” 

Tony cussed when he shocked himself connecting two wires, “Let me think about it.”

“What if I just go stay there by myself? Happy can drive me.” Peter sat down on the stool by Tony’s workstation. 

Tony snorted, “Good luck convincing Pep on that one.” 

“But I’m totally responsible!” Peter whined. 

“Go convince Pepper then. If she goes for it, then it’s fine.” Tony knew his wife would never approve of this. He didn’t have to worry about that for a second. But he would gladly let her be the bad guy this round. 

Peter ran out of the room to go find Pepper. He found her in Morgan’s room, going through Morgan’s clothes, “Pepper, can I go to the tower tonight so I can patrol? Happy can drop me.” 

Pepper was changing out Morgan's 3-6 months’ clothes for 6-9 months’ clothes. “By yourself?” 

“Yeah. I’ll be fine.” Peter sat down in the rocking chair, “Promise.” 

“Well, if you promise.” Pepper rolled her eyes. 

“So I can go?”

Pepper placed a pile of clothes into a storage bin, “Absolutely not. You are a child. We don’t need you getting injured while out being a superhero, and we’re too far away to help.”

“But—“

“—My answer is no,” Pepper said more firmly.

Peter huffed out a breath before getting down on the floor by Morgan, who was trying to lift herself up to crawl, “You can do it. Just keep practicing.” 

Morgan fell back onto her stomach.

“That’s okay. We all fall at times.” Peter lay down by his sister, “It’s about how we pick ourselves back up.” 

“Not even being an amazing big brother will change my mind, but I will prioritize getting there this weekend for you.” Pepper pushed a full bin toward him. “Can you help me carry this downstairs?” 

Peter flexed his muscles, “I think I can handle it.” 

~

“Can I ask you for a favor?” Tony was sitting at the table with Peter as he ate breakfast, “And you can say no.” 

Peter’s spoon full of cereal paused mid-way to his mouth, “Okay.” 

“Would you be willing to watch Morgan for a few hours tonight so I can take Pepper to dinner? We haven’t had a date night in a long time.” Tony had already texted his go-to people, and no one was able to come over. 

“I think I’m capable of watching my baby sister for a few hours.” Peter went back to eating. 

Tony loved that Peter called Morgan his baby sister. It was clear he loved her. He just hoped that, at some point, the kid would think of him and Pepper as his parents, too, “And we won’t go far that way if something comes up, we can come home.” 

Peter poured more cereal into the bowl. “We’ll be fine.” 

~

Peter was finishing up Morgan’s bath time when he realized he didn’t have a towel. The clean laundry was downstairs. He remembered seeing it folded on the couch. Pepper must have left it there in a hurry. I can’t leave a baby in a bath, but she’ll be cold if I don’t have a towel.

“Fri? Can you keep an eye on Morgan while I run for a towel? Like, don’t let her drown.” 

“I will alert you if there is cause for concern but I cannot physically stop her from drowning.” 

“Okay. Mo. You just stay here and play and be good and don’t drown.” Peter told his sister before taking off at lightning speed for a towel. 

“Peter, Morgan is attempting to pull herself to a standing position in the tub.” Friday explained, “I think you should hurry.” 

“She’s never done that before!” Peter snatched a towel from the couch, heading back upstairs. He knew something was wrong when he heard crying. 

He found Morgan bleeding. It looked like she had hit her chin against the faucest. I’m the worst big brother ever. 

Peter picked up Morgan and wrapped her in the towel. He took her to her room to get a better look at the cut on her chin, “That looks deep.” 

“I do believe it requires stitches.” Friday agreed. 

Peter felt anxiety flood his body. He was never going to get adopted now. He had let Morgan get hurt on his watch. “What do I do,  Friday?”

“I believe you should contact your parents.” Friday chirped up. 

Morgan’s parents.

~

Tony’s phone lit up with a call, “It’s Peter.” 

“Take it.” Pepper squeezed his hand.

Tony walked away from the table to a quieter area of the restaurant, “Roo?” 

“Morgan got hurt, and it’s all my fault.” Peter rushed to say, “Friday thinks she needs stitches.” 

Tony went into parent mode, “Tell me what happened, Kiddo.” 

“She fell in the tub. She hit her chin.” Peter was trying to stay calm, “I am holding a paper towel to the cut, but it’s pretty deep. I’m a terrible big brother.” 

“I’m sure this was just an accident and could have happened to anyone watching her. I’m going to come home, and we’ll take her in to get stitches, okay?”

~

Peter went to his room and started throwing things into his duffel bag after Tony and Pepper had left with Morgan for the ER. It didn’t matter if Tony and Pepper didn’t seem mad. He would never forgive himself. 

He zipped up his bag and grabbed his notebook to leave a note, but his phone lit up with Rhodey’s picture. He was video calling him. 

“Hi?” Peter answered, sitting down at his desk chair. 

“Hi Pete. Tony said to call. He said there was an accident with Morgan, and you might be beating yourself up.” Rhodey was just getting home himself. He juggled the things in his hand to unlock his apartment door, “So this is me doing that.” 

Peter just stared at the phone for a bit. 

“Not feeling like talking?” Rhodey started setting stuff down, “You know, accidents happen with kids, and Morgan’s going to be just fine, right?” 

“She got hurt because of me.” Peter teared up, “What kind of big brother lets that happen?”

“The human kind.” Rhodey opened his fridge, “It won’t be the only time either. Morgan’s got her dad’s personality. She will find trouble.” 

Peter looked at his duffel bag. He wasn’t going to be here to see that anymore, “Thanks, Uncle Rhodey. I love you.” 

Rhodey frowned, “What are you doing?”

“Nothing. I’m going to shower and get in bed.” Peter lied. 

“Peter, don’t do anything stupid.” Rhodey warned him, “I’m going to be pissed if you had the chance to ask me for help and you don’t.” 

“Gosh. Chill. I’m fine.” 

“Okay. Love you too. Get some good sleep.” 

~

Tony and Pepper walked into the lake house late, having been at the ER with Morgan for hours. Morgan had taken her three stitches like a champ and had long since fallen asleep. 

“I’m going to take her to her room. Will you check on Peter?” Pepper whispered. It was dark and quiet, so they were assuming he had long since gone to bed. 

“Yep.” Tony took the stairs two at a time and quietly opened the door to Peter’s room. He found the room empty, though. Maybe he went to my room.

Except no one was there. 

Tony searched the whole house. Peter wasn’t home. 

Chapter Text

Tony had called Peter numerous times. No response. He had texted him to come home and said he wasn’t in trouble either. No response. By morning, he had no choice but to contact the kid’s social worker. It would look worse if Tony didn’t know where the kid was and didn’t reach out. He just hoped this didn’t hurt their chance of adopting him. 

“When was the last time you saw or heard from him?” Gregory asked from where he sat at the dining room table, “Did something happen? Did you call his friends?”

“Ned!” Tony’s eyes lit up, and in seconds, Friday had the kid’s number for him. The phone rang for a bit. 

“Hello?” Ned’s voice sounded confused. 

Tony realized how early it was, “Hey, kid. It’s Tony. Sorry to call so early.” 

“Oh. I figured you’d call.” Ned was starting to sound more awake, “But I don’t know where he is. I got a vague message that he was safe and he would get in touch when he could. What happened? Did you kick him out?”

“No. Of course not. There was an accident, and Morgan got hurt, and I think he internalized it.” Tony yawned. He didn’t know how many hours he had been awake at this point. “Please tell him to come home if you hear from him. We just want to know he’s safe. No one is mad.” 

“I’ll tell him if he calls, but I can’t do anything to betray his trust.” 

“I understand.” 

~

“I want to try to avoid making this official a bit longer. I think he’s just scared. I want to keep this off his record if possible. It’s already so difficult to place teenagers.” Greg was already on his phone, reaching out to some contacts in the police department.

“He won’t need to be placed again. We want to adopt him.” Tony explained, “We were going to tell you the next time we talked.” 

“You want to keep him?” Greg got a soft smile, “Then we really need to find him. He can’t lose this family because he’s scared.” 

“I’m going to call in some resources, too.” Tony texted a couple of Avengers. 

~

Peter pulled his hoodie over his head. He knew by this time someone was looking for him. He needed to lie low until his train got here so he could get on it and start over. He’d have to come up with a new alter ego. Spider-Man would die with Peter Parker. 

~

“This is my fault.” Rhodey walked into the lake house, “I knew in my gut something was wrong. He called me uncle and told me he loved me. I just didn’t think he’d do something this stupid.” 

“He’ll be grounded for life when he gets home.” Tony bounced Morgan to keep her happy, “But the team is going to bring him home. There is no other option.” 

“Who else is coming?” Rhodey glanced toward the backyard where Peter’s social worker paced on the phone, “Because we know that if this kid wants to disappear, it’ll be easier for him than an average teenager.” 

“I called in you and Nat. We don’t want the Avengers hunting throughout the city and letting him know our hand before we’ve played it. Nat’s already on the ground.” 

“Where do you want me to start?” Rhodey was ready to go find his nephew and give him a piece of his mind. 

“The only starting place I can think of is his aunt’s old apartment.”

“I’m on it.” 

~

Peter found his seat on the train and lay his head against the window. He was running away from his last chance to have a family. But he loved the Starks enough to do what was best for them. There was no time to be selfish. He did regret not soaking it in more. He had felt so loved. This was going to be the loss of his life.

~

“Bad news.” Nat told Tony on the phone, “I think he got on a train.” 

“The trained spy on our team couldn’t stop him from doing that?” Tony said through gritted teeth, “What’s the plan now?”

“I need to figure out where he was going. I’ll call you when I know more.” Nat hung up. 

~

Peter wasn’t dumb. He knew Tony and Pepper had endless resources at their disposal. This is why he got on a bus after arriving at his stop. He took his seat and settled in. He figured he was in the clear until the person sitting by the window cleared their throat, “Shit.” 

“Steve would say that’s a bad word,” Natasha told him. 

“I’m not going back.” Peter crossed his arms over his chest, “It’s for them. They just can’t see it clearly right now.”

“So where are we heading then?” Natasha leaned back in her seat, closing her eyes.

“We?”

“Well, you can’t just live on your own, so if you refuse to come home, I guess I have to come with you,” Natasha explained without even opening her eyes. 

“You can’t do that! You have a life in New York.” Peter stood up, motioning to the door, “You need to get off the bus and go home.” 

“I’m not super attached to New York. I’m with you, kid. We get off the bus together, or we stay on the bus together.”

“You don’t even know me.” 

“You’re Tony’s family, and that makes you mine as well.”

Shit.

~

Natasha followed Peter into a hotel in Washington, D.C. She hadn’t been sure Peter was going to get off the bus, and the other passengers had thrown a tantrum, but one look from the Black Widow had silenced them. 

Peter walked up to the desk, “We need two rooms.” 

“One room. Two beds.” Natasha corrected, “He’s a flight risk.” 

“You make it sound like I’m a criminal.” Peter whined, “All I did was run away from home.” 

The employee’s eyes darted back and forth between the two, “So one room?”

“Yes.” Natasha handed over her card, “Please.” 

“This is stupid.” Peter looked toward the ceiling as if begging someone to intervene.

“We could have disappeared together.” Natasha reminded him, “You decided to go home.” 

“You’re too well known. Tony would have found us either way.”

“No one would find me if I didn’t want to be found,” Natasha smirked, “I don’t leave trails behind like you.”

~

“Tony is on the phone.” Natasha came back into the hotel room and held out her phone to Peter, who was lying on the bed. 

Peter looked at the phone but didn’t make a move.

“He’s refusing to take the phone. One sec.” Natasha put the phone on hold, “He’s coming with the jet tomorrow. There is no way out of this conversation.” 

Peter huffed out a breath and took the phone, unmuting it, “Hey.” 

“Hi kiddo.” Tony kept his voice extra warm. No need to spook the flight risk, “You okay?”

“Just yell at me already.” Peter told him, “I know you want to.” 

Tony was throwing stuff in a bag to go get his kid the next day, “You’re thinking of Rhodey.” 

“You should be mad. I hurt Morgan, and then I left.” Peter heard his own tone rising, “So where do we go from here? Should I plan for a new family when I get home?” 

This kid really thinks he’s disposable. “No. You are probably grounded, and I may not trust you alone at home for a while, but you’re our kid. We don’t just toss you out when you make a mistake. I don’t know how many ways I can tell you this.” 

“I’m not worth it.” Peter teared up, “Just forget about me.” 

“I can’t.” Tony felt a lump in his throat, “Because I love you.” 

“Why?” Peter started to cry, “There is nothing to love.” 

“I’ll spend the rest of my life proving you wrong on that one.” 

~

Peter woke up to a knock on the door the next morning. He knew Natasha had gone in search of coffee. He opened the door, and Tony pulled him in for a hug right away. 

“Don’t ever scare me like that again. I have a heart condition.” 

He then saw Rhodey behind him, who looked furious.

“Square up, friend. We are going to fight.” 

“I can’t kick your ass today. I have plans.” Peter stepped back from the door so Tony and Rhodey had space to enter the room.

“Language.” Tony warned him, “And Rhodey, I told you that you could come if you could behave.” 

“He just makes me so angry.” Rhodey crossed his arms over his chest.

“You once called me an angel.” Peter reminded him.

“I regret that day. You’re clearly a menace. The news thinks so too.” Rhodey crossed his arms over his chest. 

Tony elbowed him, “Stop.” 

“I see we’ve all arrived.” Natasha came down the hall, sipping coffee, “I was hoping we could get breakfast before going home.” 

Peter's stomach growled loudly at that moment. “She might not be wrong.” 

“We’ll find a drive-thru. Pepper is waiting, and she is not going to relax until you are physically in her sight.” Tony stepped into the room, “Let’s get your stuff and go.” 

~

Pepper was sitting on the couch when everyone got home. She set her book on the table, prepared to go hug Peter, but the kid bolted up the stairs, and she heard his door slam, “Way to de-escalate the situation, guys.” 

“Rhodey and Peter kept fighting.” Tony went to the living room and laid on the couch Pepper had just abandoned, “I’m so tired.” 

“He’s being dramatic.” Natasha came into the living room and sat on the chair, closing her eyes, “But I do agree about the tired thing.” 

“Is no one else hungry?” Rhodey asked by the door, “All I can think about is my stomach.” 

“I’m going to check on my kid. You’re all adults and capable of figuring out food for yourself.” Pepper went upstairs and knocked on Peter’s door gently. She waited for his quiet come in before opening the door, “Hi, kiddo.” 

Peter sat up on his bed, hugging his pillow, “Do you hate me?”

“Hate you?” Pepper sat on the bed, “No, I’m confused. I thought we were in a better place than you just leaving.”

“I hurt your child.” Peter refused to meet Pepper’s eyes, “I figured it was better if I left after that.”

“Peter,” Pepper put a hand on his hand, “You are my child too.” 

“But not really.” Peter started to cry, “You and Tony just got stuck with me.” 

Pepper pulled Peter into her arms for a hug, “I actually think the Universe gave us you just like it gave us Morgan.” 

~

Peter waited for the house to quiet down before going downstairs. He had his hand on the front door to open it when he heard a sharp, “Stop.” 

Tony turned on the light in the living room. “Running away twice in a row is not cool.” 

“I wasn’t.” Peter came into the living room, “I was going to sit on the deck and breathe. Besides, I’m sure Friday would rat me out at this point if I got one foot off the property line.” 

“My protocols have been updated for this purpose,” Friday confirmed. 

“I’m suffocating, so I thought some air would help.” Peter gestured to the door, “So can I go?” 

“You need company?” 

“No.” Peter pulled the door open. “I want to be alone to think.” 

~

At breakfast the next morning, the family was quiet. Peter ignored any attempts at conversation. Morgan babbled along, grabbing at the fruit Pepper had cut up and put on her tray. Tony sipped coffee while Pepper signed some documents and ate. 

“Maybe we should talk consequences—“ Tony started, but Pepper shook her head. 

“We can’t not talk consequences.” Tony heard the frustration in his voice, “He ran away.” 

“We’ll talk together. You and I,” Pepper explained, “Let’s just get through breakfast.” 

“But—“ 

Pepper just glared at this attempt.

“Okay.” Tony grabbed the bowl of fruit from the table. “We’ll just eat breakfast.” 

~

“Grounded.” Tony suggested later, when they were in the lab away from super ears, “No phone, no lab, and no Spider-Man.” 

Pepper was sitting on a stool thinking, “What if we give him a pass? He’s been through so much. I don’t think he had malicious intent when he ran away. He was scared. Do we ground him for being afraid?”  

“Pepper, I can’t believe we’re having this conversation. Of course, we’re grounding him. He really fucked up. I had to use the Avengers to bring him back.” Tony was now pacing in frustration, and Pepper looked calm, which only made his need to pace greater. 

“Can’t you see why he did it, though?” 

“Because teenagers make stupid decisions?” Tony raised an eyebrow. 

“No.” Pepper rolled her eyes, “He wasn’t sure his place with us was secure. Foster care taught him that. It taught him he isn’t allowed to make mistakes or he loses his home.” 

“Why do I feel like you’re going to win this conversation no matter what I say?” Tony finally sat back down. 

“Just say yes, dear, and it’ll be easier for you.” Pepper teased. 

~

“Pepper says I’m not supposed to ground you.” Tony plopped down on the couch next to Peter, “But just know that what you did was not cool, and we expect better from here on out. If you are upset or worried, you need to come talk to us. You cannot just run away.” 

“I thought I was helping you.” Peter paused the show he had been pretending to watch, “Because I knew you would never tell me to go, but I thought that’s what you would want after Morgan got hurt.” 

“You’re right about one thing: I will never ask you to leave.” Tony grabbed the blanket from the back of the couch and leaned back, closing his eyes. He was seriously sleep-deprived from tracking down a certain Spider kid. 

“But what if I keep messing up?” Peter picked at his finger as he asked this. 

“Then I hope you always come home so we can help you problem-solve your mistakes together.” Tony opened his eyes a slit, “Because that’s what families do, kid.”