Fury did spend a long time looking for him.
He tried tracers, spies, even using force to unmask the hero. None of it worked.
An especially careless mistake of his, one that Fury wouldn't tell, led him to a boy in a cemetery.
His agents told him with a small "Please, sir," not to go, but he did anyways. No one was fond of the idea, especially his scientists. All they thought of him was a smart kid who had gained Fury's interest. Nothing more than that.
He was much more than that.
There was rain pouring down on him — Peter had been there for hours, and it was obvious he hadn't planned to move anytime soon.
What he had thought Spider-Man, the very man who had escaped him so many times, to be — well, it wasn't what he saw. It wasn't a shaking teenager with tears streaming down his face. It wasn't a snotty-face. It wasn't a child.
Fury didn't say anything when he stepped up. At first, he wasn't sure if Peter had noticed he was there. Fury's fingers were reaching around a gun, one filled with tranquilizers, but the kid shot a web at it. He dropped the gun a few feet away from him. So, he had noticed him.
When Peter looked at him, Fury wasn't sure what he saw. Traces of hope, maybe, but overall, he saw big, sad eyes staring back at him.
"Spider-Man," Fury began with a tone, and Peter knew who he was. Peter's body tensed. "I'm with SHIELD. I know what has happened to you—"
"Then you should know to stay away," Peter mumbled while staggering to his feet. When he walked away — and Nick let him walk away — he shook in his step.
The next time Fury saw him, it wasn't so different. Peter's face was blank, no expression. His walk was wobbly, again.
He sitting on a bridge with his feet dangling over the ledge. Fury wouldn't let it go if it wasn't for the note in his hand.
His pen wasn't moving. No one to write to.
He sighed suddenly. He stands up and teeters over the edge.
Peter jumps.
Nothing slows down for him.
He's falling and falling, soon enough he's going to hit the water.
The cold air stops swirling around him, and he feels a warmth around him. When his eyes opened, he's in the arms of an unamused man.
"Spider-Man," the man said, dropping him to the ground. He's wearing a jet pack, and Peter's interest spiked. "I'll make you a deal: you come back and work with me."
Peter fell back. He shook his head. "I wasn't asking," he said.
He took Peter back with him that night. When they landed on the helicarrier, agents were buzzing around. Peter was handing off to Coulson.
"Peter Parker," he said, "you're going to like it here."
Coulson was told little about Peter. He figured the rest out on his own.
Peter was a bright kid. He worked in the labs without ever saying a word. But some things did go without saying. There was a way Peter's face lightened up just a little bit more when he saw Fury enter the room.
No one ever heard him say a word. He never seemed to meet anyone's eyes. Except for Fury. He was always the exception.
You could say Peter got attached to him during his stay. Cause, in all honesty, he totally did.
Living hurt just a little bit less when he was with Fury.
But, then, Fury cast him aside. Fury dropped him off in the Tower all alone in the world.
He liked Fury. He really did.
But Fury keeps secrets, and Fury is not touchy feely.
This was all part of his plan. His "Get-Rid-Of-Peter" plan.
Peter didn't like that plan, but he understands.
Fury was only a man in his way. In a way, Peter saw him as an enemy.
He saw himself as a threat, a danger, to those around him. That's why Fury, the one keeping him alive, is so much more dangerous.
Tony is the one that comes to him in the morning. There was shuffling, the sounds of objects being pushed into bags, and the quiet footsteps of one who is determined not to be caught.
A bag is being pushed onto him. Tony Stark is before him.
"Look, I don't think you're a bad kid," he said. "And I certainly don't think you belong here." He unlocks the door. "So you can go."
Peter slides the backpack on his back.
"I won't keep secrets for Fury."
Peter slipped out the door.
"Traitor!"
"Come down here and fight me!"
"No, it's a trap."
"Agents…"
Everyone fell short.
Fury had walked into the room.
Clint dropped the nerf bow behind him. "Not what it looks like," Clint mumbled. He jumped off of his perch.
Natasha went ahead and fired a nerf gun at Fury, who didn't bother to block it. He slowly looked down at the velcro dart and slowly picked it off and dropped it. "Toy gun battles aside, I'm here for Peter. I assume you've played along well?"
"Peter's still asleep," Steve said. "But he's had his ups and downs while here. Tony, didn't he pull a knife out on you?" Tony had just walked into the room and nodded.
"Really?" Fury asked, voice dry of amusement. "Doesn't sound like him."
"Interesting kid," Natasha mused. "You never did explain it to us."
"You'll be seeing more of him," Fury said. "Hopefully soon."
"What does that mean?" Clint sighed. "Fury, where did you get this kid? Please, explain to Tony that he is not your son."
Fury slowly turned to face him. "Really, Stark?" Tony shrugged.
"He could be adopted," is the only explanation Tony gave.
Fury took a seat at the island. "He's not my son," he explained. Sam slid him a piece of cake. "He's a smart kid. The same can't be said for his decisions."
Tony grinned. "What's a few parties to you?"
Fury challenged his gaze. "He tried to take his life."
Tony's grin was gone. "What?"
"That's how I found him," he said, which wasn't entirely true. "He's reckless, which is why I needed you to keep a close eye on him. I'll go get him."
Tony grabbed his arm. "Wait!"
He didn't turn around. "What?"
"We'll watch him a little bit more," he said. "I bet SHIELD is just waiting for you! Go on. We'll watch him."
He raised an eyebrow. "Stark, are you drunk?"
"No, no," he was quick to explain. "Definitely not. He's been fun. Good cook."
Tony pushed him into the elevator. "Bye!"
He turned around to face questioning Avengers.
"Guys… I messed up."
No kidding.
"Stark, start talking. Now, " Natasha growled, stepping closer. She grabbed ahold of his collar and tugged him close.
"I might've let him go," Tony replied in a rushed tone. "But just a few minutes ago. We could get him like that." He snapped his fingers.
"Suit up," Cap ordered.
"Oh, please," Stark said. "How far could he have gotten?"
Really far, apparently.
Who would have guessed it'd take the entire Avengers team to find one little boy?
They checked everywhere.
In the subways, in the streets, in the parks — every possible place he could be. They found nothing.
There was no trace all over New York.
Sam had landed on top of a building. Hawkeye was beside him. Tony Stark hovered in front of him. "Stay on the rooftops," he ordered. "Hold on. Hey! Spidey!"
A few feet away, Spider-Man turned around slowly. Tony made his way towards him. "Spidey, haven't seen you in a while. Are you doing anything right now?" He didn't wait for a response. "Can you keep an eye out for a kid? Brown hair, brown eyes. Quiet type." He pulled up a photo.
Spider-Man observed it, then nodded. "Kay, good," he said, boosting off.
Hawkeye kept on the rooftops while Falcon and Iron Man flew over the city. It was hard to see since it was night time, but Hawkeye made due.
Spider-Man inched nervously away from Hawkeye, then went on in a different direction than the Falcon.
Spider-Man ducked in an alleyway, and he ok off his mask. slipped his mask off. He looked to his right, then left. He let out a relieved sigh.
He started walking, in civilian clothes, towards a building he's been to before. The first times were just passing through. The last time had been for a fight.
The clock tower where Gwen Stacy lost her life is what stood before Peter.
Well. He never thought he'd see this place again.
