Disclaimer: I do not own anything.
A/N: Just an FYI before we begin, for the sake of the story Peter is fourteen and hasn't yet been bitten by the spider. Superfamily is end game but I am reluctant to just kill Aunt May off to move the story forward so we'll have to see how that goes.
Also Avengers have been together for a while now.
Enjoy! :)
Peter lay on his side, a pillow over his ear to blot out the yelling downstairs. He always tried very hard to both ignore and listen, just waiting for Jeff to snap and lash out at Aunt May and ready to take the brunt of the beatings when he did.
Peter had to admit that Jeff was smarter than he looked, he knew how to keep his spouse and step-nephew in line, just hurt one to get to the other.
That was the only reason he put up with Jeff's crap. He didn't want Aunt May to get hurt.
Eventually the sound of fighting died down and Peter heard their bedroom door close. He breathed a sigh of relief.
Peter removed the pillow and slowly sat up, ears straining to hear any tell tale creaking that would signal a midnight visit.
Hearing nothing, Peter carefully, oh so carefully, started tip toeing towards his window, opening it inch by agonizing inch.
It wasn't a long drop by any means but it still turned his stomach every time he sat on the sill. All it would take was one broken bone and it would all be over. No more freedom, no more taste of normalcy.
He leaned over the edge and loosened his grip, aiming for the little shrub by the front door.
WHAM!
Peter's bedroom door hit the wall and Peter was startled onto his back, his breath leaving him as he hit the carpet.
"Where do you think you're going?" Jeff thundered.
Peter recovered quickly. He stood up and let himself be grabbed roughly by the scruff of the neck. It never did any good to struggle.
Jeff repeated his question.
"Nowhere." Peter stuttered, cringing against the hold on him.
"Really?" Said Jeff sarcastically.
"Because if I didn't know any better, I'd think you were sneaking out."
"I'm not, I promise - "
The first slap always surprised him. Peter fell to the floor in a heap but quickly stumbled back onto his feet. A clumsy headbutt sent him back down.
Tears sprung to his eyes as a sharp pain in his nose started to throb. His hand came away bloody.
"You little shit. Did I say you could go out?" A kick to the ribs.
Peter curled inwards, trying to suck in air. He didn't bother trying to reply, at this point the questions were only rhetorical.
A kick to Peter's back left him breathless.
It took a moment for him to regain his senses. Almost thankful that Aunt May had at some point run in and was subtly cajoling Jeff away from Peter.
When Jeff looked safely appeased Peter stood up, careful to keep his head down, looking contrite.
Jeff grunted. "Well, since I can't trust you to behave in your own room I'll have to sort something out in the morning. Till then . . . "
Jeff grabbed Peter by the front of his shirt and dragged him towards the closet.
Peter let himself be tossed in and shook his head minutely when it looked like Aunt May was going to argue. Thank God he wasn't claustrophobic.
Peter listened as his dresser was dragged in front of the door and relaxed, knowing it would take some effort on Jeff's part to attack Peter again.
Peter whipped his phone out for some light and made a makeshift bed out of a box of old clothes.
He settled down, trying not to poke at his throbbing nose, knowing from experience that it would make the pain worse.
He sent a quick text to Gwen, apologizing for not turning up as planned and wishing her and Harry a good time at the expo.
Peter drifted off into a shallow sleep, too tired to dread what Jeff had promised tomorrow.