"I can't do it, Steve! I don't know how to raise a child! It would be hard enough with a normal kid!"
"Tony, you need to calm down. I understand how you feel but we can't talk about this rationally if you work yourself into a state."
Peter clung to the ceiling outside, head bowed to his chest.
Please.
"I'm calm, okay? I'm calm. I'm just telling you, it'll be better for him if he wasn't around me. I feel for him, I really do. The way he lost his Uncle... And now his Aunt? That sucks. It really really sucks, but I can't raise him. I can't."
Peter trembled.
"No-one's asking you to raise him, Tony. And they're definitely not asking you to do it alone. We'd look out for him and we'd do it together. He's a good boy, it's not like he'd be much trouble."
There was a sigh and some shuffling as the two of them moved to sit down.
"I'm not disputing that. He's a good person, obviously. A snarky little brat but still. I just... What could I give him?"
"What could we give him."
"Right. Yes. Fine. We."
"Well, a home, for one. Hot meals. Support."
Peter's knuckles were turning white and tears were sliding along his cheeks into his hair.
Please please please.
"Support? I don't know if you've noticed this but we both sort of leave the country on a fairly frequent basis. Sometimes the planet."
"And so does he. He's not normal and you know that. You think he wouldn't get that neither are we? He's smart. He's strong, and I don't just mean physically. All he needs is somewhere safe."
"He needs somewhere he feels safe-"
"Which is right here. Fuck, Tony. He's been coming here for months because he likes this place, he likes you, he trusts you and now he needs you. And I don't think you're gonna turn your back on him."
There was silence. Peter pushed himself deeper into the corner.
Please.
"...You'll help?"
Peter's eyes flew up and he took a deep, shuddering breath.
"I promise. I'll even deal with Fury."
Tony let out a small chuckle.
"Okay. Okay. He can stay here, if that's what he wants."
"Oh, he wants."
"Should we go ask him now?"
"In the morning, I think. He needs his sleep."
"And I need a drink. A very strong one. You want anything?"
"No, thanks."
Shaking, Peter slowly made his way down the hallway to his bedroom. He was safe now. He would be safe here. He could sleep.