Disclamer: this takes place after Homecoming but before Infinity War. This will soon be available on Quotev

Key:

Hey Mr. Stark - flashback

"Hey Mr. Stark." - talking in the flashback

'Hey Mr. Stark." - thinking in the flashback

Hey Mr. Stark - present

"Hey Mr. Stark" - talking in the present.

'Hey Mr. Stark' - thinking in the present.

Peter opened the door to their apartment with his right hand, his sience folder in his left. One he opened the door, he took his bag and shoes off, leaving them next to the door. "Hey May!" Peter said, faking his smile as usual.

Peter was half way to the kitchen when he noticed the well known billionaire sitting on the couch next to his Aunt trying her meat loaf. Peter was a fan of Tony, but his depression stopped him from loosing his cool. For once he was greatful for being mentally tired.

"Oh, hey Mister Stark." Peter said plainly, grabbing a glass from the cuboard and filling it a quater of the way full of water. "So, Mister Stark. What brings you to Queens? It's a long way from upstate." Peter asked emotionlessly.

Tony frowned at the state of Peter. From the clothes that he was wearing, to the greasy, tattered, mop of a hair on his head, from the obvious black bags under his bloodshot eyes, to his personality and the way he acted. The most simple way to put it was emotionless, lifeless, tired, hurt.

Tony knew what it was like to be like Peter. He knew what it was like being depressed. It hurt Tony every time he looked at the boy. And he was only going to get hurt more.

Tony knew the kid was depressed, he knew since homecoming. But Tony was always too busy to talk to him about it.

May stood up, leaving the house. She seemed upset. Was she crying? Peter tried to follow after when Tony grabbed his arm, causing him to wince at the sudden pain his cuts gave him. Tony noticed the boys pain and frowned.

"Sit." He said plainly to the boy. "But Aunt Ma-" Peter protested. "It's about her Peter." Tony said sadly. The very little colour in Peters face drained.

Tony led Peter to where May was sitting just moments before. He sat down next to Tony. "W-what is it? What's wrong with her?" Peter stuttered, worry radiating off him. "She's sick Peter." Tony said quietly. "H-how s-sick?" Peter asked cautiously. "Cancer sick. It's lung cancer. It can't be treated, Pete. I'm sorry..." Tony said quietly, answering all of the questions that were still to come his way. "B-but you're T-Tony Stark... You're Iron Man. Y-you have to d-do something." Peter said shaking. "P-please. She's all I have left..." Peter pleaded. The voice crack in the word 'please' hurt Tony more then anything.

Peter Parker, Spider-Man, the fifteen year old boy who lost his parents at the young age of four and his Uncle at the age of thirteen. He was about to loose his Aunt too. All in the short space of fifteen years.

Tony was all the kid had left. And he didnt even know him that well. But Tony saw himself in the boy, the boy who lost his family. Tony too lost his parents although, he wasnt as young as Peter at the time. And he lost friend, after friend, after friend. He knew what it was like to go through it alone, he didnt want that with Peter. It would ruin the kid even more.

"I'm so sorry kid, but there's nothing I can do, the cancer is too advanced now. You're going to come live with me. Okay?" Tony told the kid slowly. He realised the kid had started crying, he didn't blame him.

He pulled Peter into a tight hug. Peter tried to pull away, not wanting to get Tony's expensive suit wet with his tears. But Tony only held on tighter. He knew Peter needed comfort and support, and Tony was determined to give him that.

Peter gave up on pulling away from Tony, he was too tired to fight. Instead he held onto Tony's jacket like it was his lifeline. Silently telling him that he didn't want Tony to leave him either. Tony caught onto this quickly. He rubbed small circles on his back with his right hand while he tangled his fingers in Peters hair, not caring that it hadn't been washed.

Tony noted it had gotten longer then the last time they met. Too long. The Parker's were always low on money, and now that Ben was dead, they were struggling even more. Tony made a mental note to take the kid to the barbers when he felt like Peter was ready to face the world.

Peter pulled away from Tony sighing. Tony wiped the rest on Peter's tears away with his thumb. "S-sorry..." Peter apologized. "Shh. There's no reason to apologize." Tony said, wiping the remainder of the kids tears away.

Tony put an arm around the kids shoulder, pulling him into a side hug. Peter rested his head on his shoulder, he eventually fell asleep.

Tony woke the kid up after about an hour, May came back five minutes ago and Peter still had to pack. "Peter, Pete come on. You got to get up now bud." Peter groaned, sitting up. "Come on, I'll help you pack." Peter groaned again, standing up. Tears treating to fall from the teens eyes. If May wasn't there, he probably wouldn't have held them back.

Tony followed the kid upstairs to his room. As soon as Peter heard the bolt of the lock slide shut on his door, he broke down. "I-I cant do t-this anymore! It h-hurts!" Peter said inbetween the sobs that were pulled from his throat.

Tony's POV

I shut Peters door and locked it, figuring the kid wouldn't want May to walk in on him.

As soon as we heard door lock, Peter's crys for help filled his small room. I walk to him slowly. "I-I cant do t-this anymore! It h-hurts!" I heard the teen say inbetween his sobs. My heart broke. I wasn't sure what he was implying. I didn't know if he was talking about suicide or seeing May and pretending everything was okay.

I sit on his bed, loud creaking following behind me. I wrabbed my arms around the boy, lifting him up and placing him on my lap. "Please don't say that Pete. You can do this, I know you can." Peter hugged me as tight as I hugged him.

"Your strong. Stronger then me in some ways." I said comforting him, stroking his hair. 'The first thing this kid is getting when we get back is a shower.' I thought to myself.

After about fifteen minutes, Peter calmed down enough for me to let go. He was in no state of mind to move from the comfort of his bed so I packed his things, despite him protesting.

Pete didn't have much, just two pictures, two sets of clothes, his Spider-Man suit, toothpaste and a toothbrush. I smiled as I looked at the pictures. One has Peter, his parents and May.

For once I got to see a real smile on Peter's face. Even if it wasn't the Peter I knew now. Still though, the sparkle in Peters seemed to lighten me. I hoped I could get Peter back to that happy state again.

The second picture was all the Avengers from the fight in Germany. The fighting ended there. (Author: Yeah, I'm changing civil war. It works better with the story). I had gotten close to the kid during that battle, taking hits for the kid I didn't seem to know very well then.

Steve got quite close to the kid too apparently.

Peter managed to stop everyone from fighting. But not without a cost. He took countless blows from Bucky's iron fist for me. Not even bothering to fight Bucky back.

Thinking back, his eyes were dull. He was tired of everything, mentally and physically. I only talked to the kid once, but he had brought up suicide quiet a bit. Was it a suicide attempt? He shook at the thought of it.

Everyone stopped fighting immediately as I shouted Peter's name. Bucky immediately stopped once he realised what he was doing, his eyes wide from the realisation.

Peter fell into my arms and Rhodey, having some medical experience started to get to work patching the kid up.

I stood up and begged Steve to sign the accords, knowing full well by the way he fought Peter that he cared about the kid and didn't want him hurt too bad.

"Steve please! I know you care about the kid! Look at him. Please! I don't want him hurt anymore. I know you don't either." Steve shook his head. "You know I can't To-" "Steve please! Peter could die today!" I said, tears falling freely down my face.

Steve was silent. Shocked. Pale. I walked back to the kid, picking him up. It was clear he was in pain. I stroked his hair, hoping it would somehow ease his pain.

"T-Tony?" Peter said weakly. "I'm here." I said quickly. "It's me." I continued to stroke his hair, he leaned into the comforting touch. "A-are you hurt?" He winced, even talking was agony for him. I sighed. Of course he'd be worrying about others first. It was who he was. "No, I'm fine Pete." The new nickname just slipped out my mouth. But I didn't care. He opened his eyes, smiling in relief. "Good." He whispered.

We heard an aircraft landing, people coming to take Peter away to be treated. Banner came out the aircraft as Peter spoke. "T-Tony, please don't g-go." His please broke Caps heart. "I'm not going anywhere bud." I said as he was lifted on a bed, I stood up, lightly grabbing his hand for reassurance. "I promise."

"-r. Stark? Sir. Tony!" Peter said getting my attention. "You okay?" He asked, concern showing, lacing his voice. "A-are you hurt?". There he goes again, worrying about everyone else and not himself. "Oh, yeah. Sorry, just distracted."

In the end, Steve and his team signed the accords, luckly. Once Peter was somewhat better, we all took a picture together. Every single one of the Avengers. Even the ones that weren't at Germany. And of course, Ant Man was there too.

"You sure you're okay?" Peter said worried. "Pete, I'm perfectly fine. You should start worrying about yourself." I paused, taking in Peters state. "Look at you..." I finished. "Mr. Stark, I'm fine... I promise." Peter replied quietly, looking down.

I choked up slightly. "Pete. Look at me." He didn't move. "Peter." Still nothing. "Peter Parker." Still nothing. "Spider-Man." He looked up slightly. "I know you're not okay." I choked, pulling the kid into a hug. Peter hugged back, burrying his head in his shoulder, but he didn't cry. He was too tired to cry.

We broke the hug and I finised packing Peter's stuff. I followed Pete down the stairs, my hand on his shoulder, trying my best to reassure the kid.

Peter's POV

I walked down the stairs, Tony never took his hand of my shoulder. I guess jt made everything less overwhelming. Knowing i wasn't alone.

I walked downstairs into the kitchen where May was. She gave me a hug. "I love you." she whispered. I was speechless. I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out. 'Come on Peter! Say something!' but I couldn't. I just stood their, hugging her, nodding my head. She broke the hug. "Be good for Tony." I only nodded my head again. 'Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Say something! This could be your last chance!'

She smiled softly, and walked over to Mr. Stark. He gave her a hug. "You did Good May. You did fantastic." Tony reassured her. "Thank you. Look after him Tony. He needs you." She replied. "Of course May." Tony easily agreed. "I won't let anything happen." "I can feel it Tony, it hurts." She admitted quietly. I felt a stray tear run down my cheek. Causing Mr. Stark eyes to water "Crying doesn't make you less of a man Peter" Tony reassured the teen. "You're still a hero". "It will May. We can stay if you want? So you're not alone." Tony suggested. "No!" She raised her voice. "I don't want Peter to see." She said more quietly.

She broke the hug with Tony. "Thank you." she whispered. I walked to her. Giving her a hug. "Don't go. Please. I don't want you to go." I said. "I-I love you.", I stuttered. "I love you too sweet heart. But there comes a time where I have to go." She replied. "N-No! Tony can help." I said turning to Tony. "Right?" Tony only turned away. "Peter, I'll be fine, I'll have Ben." She said turning the attention back to her. "But I won't have you..." I said quietly. "You'll have Tony." I pulled away nodding. I knew it had to happen.

I swung my backback over my shoulder. Then suddenly, May dropped to the floor. I could tell she wasn't breathing. "May? May!" I shouted running towards her. But two pairs of arms held me back. I look at them. Clint and Steve. I look at Tony. Hoping she was alive. Hoping he was calling an ambulance. But he was crying. He was on the phone, calling someone.

Tony's POV

May dropped down. Dead. I let the tears flow freely. I rang an ambulance, the kid starring at me. "Hello? Ambulance please. I-I'd like to r-repot the d-death of May P-Parker."

As soon as said the word "death" I heard Pete's screaming and shouting being pulled from his throat. His screams of "No!" and "May!" broke me.

I quickly gave them the address and hung up. I signalled for Clint and Steve to let Peter go once I was stood in front of May. The kid ran into my arms. I spun round so he couldn't see May over my shoulders, and hugged the teen tightly.

When the ambulance came, I dragged Peter to the car. Even with the help of Steve and Clint, the task was still difficult. Steve climed in the front as Peter, Clint and I climmed in the back, Peter in the middle. I hugged him all the way back to the tower. The kid ended up falling alseep for ten minutes before waking up frantically from a nightmare.

Once the long trip was over, I led Pete into the tower. Once in the room everyone was waiting in, we were greeted eith sympathetic looks. "You want me to show you around?" I asked. "No, I just want to be left alone." Peter said sadly. I frowned. "Okay, follow me." I said, leading thr kid to his room. I opened the door and let him in. He made a beeline for his bed. He lay down, on it. I could already see a tear run down the side if his face. I said my goodbye and shut the door. I could immediately hear Peters sobs from behind the door.