Tony was sprawled out on the couch watching The Titanic with Natasha, Clint, Steve, and Bruce. Pepper had plenty of SI meetings in Europe so she was gone. Thor wasn't present because he was in New Mexico with Jane. Bucky was in Wakanda, doing what Tony doesn't care about, as long as he wasn't in his tower. Vision and Wanda were off galavanting somewhere in Europe. Scott had gone home to his family, and apparently Sam just didn't feel the need to join the Avengers in their new living space.

As for Peter, it had been 5 months since homecoming. After Peter turned down Tony's offer to be a part of the Avengers, they had kind of lost contact. And Tony wasn't gonna deny it, he missed the kid. Alot. But he was proud of the mature choice he had made, and hoped if Peter needed something he would reach out.

So there they were. Five of the first Avengers sitting together having a movie night to try and get back some of their lost friendship. Of course it had been Steve's idea, some sort of team bonding crap that Tony thought was cringe-worthy, but in all honesty, Tony didn't mind. It was a way to be with the team without really having to be with the team.

They were just getting to the part of the movie where they hit the iceberg when Tony got the call. It was an unknown number, but Tony never even got telemarketers or anything. FRIDAY knew how to filter his calls into only important people or business calls. So Tony figured he should answer it. He excused himself to the kitchen where he answered the call.

"This is Stark."

There was a pause, almost as if the person on the other end of the line did get the wrong number.

"Who is this?", Tony began.

"Oh, sorry Mr. Stark. I'm Claire Dremlow from Child Services. I am sorry to inform you that May Parker has recently passed away from a severe case of internal bleeding. We have checked Ms. Parker's will and found that you are the person she chose to take custody of her nephew Peter. I'd assume that you are still willing to take this responsibility?"

Tony didn't know what to think. It was all so much information to take in at once. He was so caught up on realising that May is dead that it takes a bit longer than normal for his brain to process everything.

He remembered the day May changed her will. She called him a week after homecoming and asked him. Of course he said yes, but he never realised that he would actually ever take on the job. He figured May would be the one there for Peter at his own funeral, not the other way around.

Now it was Claire's turn to speak up. "Mr. Stark?"

That snapped Tony out of his thoughts. He realised that he had sat down and quickly jumped up. "Where is he?"

"We are located at Queens Memorial Hospital." She said, sounding slightly displeased as Tony wouldn't answer her question.

Tony quickly ended the call and called his suit to him.

"FRIDAY, call Happy and tell him to bring a car to Queens Memorial immediately." He said just as his chest piece attached to him.

"Of course, Sir." She replied.

Tony was running out to the balcony with parts of his suit following him when Steve said, "Tony what's going on?"

He took that moment to pause in the doorway, as the rest of the suit attached.

Oh shit. He thought.

The team doesn't know about Peter. What if Peter doesn't want them to know about spiderman? What if I don't want them to know about spiderman?

The suit was on him now, and he didn't even take the time to answer as he blasted into the night sky.

That doesn't matter right now. Peter does. Peter, Peter, Peter. Get to Peter.

000

Tony burst into the hospital doors with much more force than necessary. He had sent the suit home while making a mental note to pay for the damage to the doors later. He was making a beeline for the front desk when a voice called out, "Mr. Stark! I'm glad to see you made it."

Tony turned to see- (what was it, Claire?)- looking flustered. She almost looked surprised to see him there, like it wasn't even him on the phone. " , I am going to need to discuss what your situation with Peter will be. We want to know if you will be-"

Tony quickly cut her off. "Look, I'll give you my lawyers card and you can talk to them tomorrow when things are sorted out. Where is Peter?"

"Sir, I understand your worry but I can't let you leave until we come to an agreement."

"And what are you going to do, tie me up? Bring me to the kid or else I will tear down every wall in here to find him!" By the end of that sentence he was yelling, and that's when Claire took the time to notice everyone watching them.

"Very well. Right this was Mr. Stark." She led him across and out of the waiting room, bringing him down a long corridor, and then they took a right and walked to the end of another long hallway. "Right in here. I will be in the waiting room when you are done."

Tony quickly pulled out his lawyer's card and flicked it towards her. "Don't be. Contact my lawyer tomorrow night at 7 once I've figured things out. No sooner." He turned the doorknob and stepped in without another word.

The sight he saw immediately made the hair on the back of his neck stand up. Peter was hunched over a very pale looking May, silent tears dripping down his face. He didn't even seem to notice Tony's entrance. Tony turned and shut the door behind him and noticed that Claire had decided to leave. Good choice.

The movement seemed to grab Peters attention as he turned back and saw Peter staring back at him with wide, doe eyes. God, how Tony wished he could take the pain from them. Tony took another step into the room, giving Peter a half smile. Peter quickly ducked his head as more tears started streaming down his face. "Oh, kid," Tony sighed as he closed the distance between them, pulling Peter into a tight hug. "I'm so sorry."

That's when Peter let out his first sob. "Mr. S-Stark." He stuttered out as he continued his sobs. "P-Please don't m-make me go. Please I d-don't wanna go into t-the system. P-Please." He managed to say, cries not slowing down.

Tony quickly rushed to hush him. "Shhh Pete, I won't make you go anywhere. You can stay with me. You're okay."

"She's g-gone. She's really gone." He paused to stutter in a gasp of air. "I d-don't want her gone."

This made Tony's heart snap in half. "I know Pete. I'm sorry kiddo. I'm so sorry." He whispered into the younger one's curls.

Peter's knees then buckled and Tony slowly lowered them to the floor. He pulled Peter onto his lap with his head right where the arc reactor used to be. He slowly rocked them back and forth, whispering coos to the kid as he waited for him to calm down.

They sat there for about 15 minutes while Peters sobs turned to gasps of air, and then to small sniffles as the tears stopped. Tony quietly heard the kid say, "Can we…", But his voice trailed off

"Do you want to leave kiddo?" Tony whispered, not wanting to upset the kid any more than already done.

Peter slowly looked up to the bed that May's body lay on. He nodded as he shifted off of Tony's lap and onto his feet. "Are you sure? There's no rush buddy." The older man said, sensing hesitation from the kid.

Peter was quick to nod. "Please. I don't want to be here anymore."

Tony joined Peter on his feet and put his arm around the kids shoulders. "Alright then. If you're sure."

Peter gave a slight nod of his head before glancing over to May. "Goodbye, May." He said.

Tony looked back and sadly repeated, "Goodbye, May."

Peter and him then walked out the door without another word. Tony led him down the long hallways with his arm around the kids shoulder the whole time. Before they entered the waiting room, Tony grabbed a pair of glasses and handed them to Peter. The kid took them without a second thought, and without Tony being able to read anything off of his extremely blank face. Tony figured it might seem suspicious if he was caught taking a teary eyed kid out of a hospital at 11:00 at night, so he made as well try to keep the kids identity safe.

Once Peter had them on, they continued through the doors and into the waiting room. They passed everyone without so much as a glance, even though Tony could feel multiple pairs of eyes burning holes through them.

Tony kept Peter close to his side as they left the hospital, walking to the black audi pulled up by the curb. Tony opened the door for Peter, almost having to lift the kid inside as he was so zoned out after his breakdown.

Once Peter felt a seat under him he snapped back to reality, looking up to see Happy looking at him through the mirror with concern. The door next to him was slammed shut, making him jump from fear. He then remembered it was just Tony and fell back into his seat. He waited for the passenger door to open and for Tony to hop in, but was surprised when Tony instead got into the other side of the car right next to him.

"To the tower, Hap." Tony said as the car started to pull away. The billionaire then reached forward and hit the button for the divider to go up, and Peter watched as the black sheet came smoothly into view. Tony reached his hand over and placed it on Peter's thigh, soothingly rubbing it back and forth.

Tony watched as Peter leaned into the touch, shifting his body just the slightest bit closer to his mentor. It was enough for Tony to ask, "Do you wanna lay down kiddo? It's gonna be a bit of a car ride to the tower."

Peter just shrugged, not really being able to think about the question much. He then looked over to see Tony shifting in his seat so that his back was leaning up against the door, and he moved his legs so they were in the seat between him and Peter. "C'mere kiddo." The billionaire said. He reached forward to guide Peter towards him, pulling the kid over so he could stretch his legs out. Then he leaned the kids back up against his front, and let the kid rest the back of his head on his shoulder.

Peter tucked his face under Tony's neck when he started to feel tears dampen his eyes. He started sniffling and heard his mentor say, "It's okay kiddie, just let it out. I'm here." And felt him wrap his arms around Peters stomach so they were bound together.

Peter let the tears fall, hoping Tony wouldn't be too upset with him crying on him for the second time today. His breath hitched as he started crying again, listening as his mentor cooed him while entwining their hands together. This just made Peter cry harder, knowing that Tony was here for him after all of this time. He figured Tony was mad at him for turning down his offer on the Avengers, and that he didn't want to be around someone as ungrateful as him.

He realized he must've said that out loud as Tony said, "No, no, no, kiddo. I am so proud of the mature choice you made, and you could never do anything that would make me not want to be around you."

Peter took a moment to think of what to say, but only came up with, "I'm s-sorry." He gasped out, not wanting to say anything more to provoke himself into more tears.

"Shhh, you have nothing to be sorry for kiddie. Nothing at all."

Peter decided not to respond to that, instead just letting out the tears that were falling so often today.

Once Peter's tears had turned into sniffles, Tony whispered, "How about you try to get some rest kiddo? It's been a pretty rough day."

Peter's hands suddenly gripped Tony's like he was his lifeline, the only thing keeping him from falling.

"Hey, hey, hey, it's okay, I'm not going anywhere. I'll be here when you wake up." This was enough for Peter's shoulders to release the tension he didn't realise they suddenly had. He just burrowed his face further into Tony's neck and let out a sigh of contentment. He then noticed just how tired he was and let consciousness slip away.

Tony just lay there with the kid, his kid, fast asleep in his arms, as he watched the scenery pass by. He himself was starting to get drowsy enough that he didn't notice when the car pulled into the tower's parking garage.

When Happy opened the door by the pairs feet though, that's when Tony realised where they were. He saw Happy watching them fondly when he whispered, "Hey boss, what's going on? I'm guessing it's not the best news."

Tony gave Happy a look saying 'tell me about it' when he whispered back with a soft sigh, "May died from internal bleeding."

You could visibly see the sadness wash over Happy's face when he said, "Oh my god, that's horrible. What are you going to do?"

"What else would I do? I'm not letting him go into the system Hap. I-" He took a moment to think about this, but just decided to go for the truth. "I'm gonna adopt him."

Tony watched Happy's face, waiting for some sort of disapproval to show, but all he found was fondness. "Well I'm glad someone will be there for him." Happy said with a sad smile.

"Me too." Tony replied, showing off a real smile, one of those you don't see often from Tony Stark.

They both just waited there for a moment, watching Peter sleep peacefully when Happy broke the silence. "Are you gonna wake him up or do you want someone to carry him?"

"I should be able to carry him up. Wanna come over here and open the door for me so I can get out?"

"Sure thing boss."

Tony leaned forward a bit so he wouldn't fall out when Happy opened the door. He carefully untangled their limbs and hands, and slowly slipped out the door once Happy opened it. With Peter leaning against the seat, Tony took a moment to stretch out his body before leaning down towards the car and lifting Peter out. He wrapped the boy's legs around his waist and put one arm under his waist before supporting his back and head with the other arm and slipped Peter out.

Peter gave a half groan, half whine before Tony hushed him. "Shhh, go to sleep Pete." He whispered. "You're okay."

Peter rested his head on Tony's shoulder but didn't show any other sign of fully waking up.

"You got him, boss?" Happy asked, making sure Tony's trip upstairs wouldn't be too rough.

"I got him Hap. Thanks for coming so quickly. You can head home." Tony said with a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry about it. Glad I could help." He said, giving a smile in return.

"Night Happy."

"Goodnight."

With that Happy got back in the car and drove off, and Tony got in the elevator to head up to the penthouse.

000

With all of the chaos the night suddenly sprang at him, Tony completely forgot about the 4 Avengers waiting upstairs in the penthouse.

He stepped out of the elevator, planning to head to his room when he heard Bruce.

"Tony, thank god! What the hell happened?" Tony looked up to see four confused faces looking at him. Or rather, what was on him.

He was lucky enough to look down and see that the yelling didn't seem to disturb the sleeping teenager. "Shhh, have some respect will you?" He said in a harsh whisper.

"And who might this be?" Natasha said in a happy, but quiet tone, making Tony look up once more.

Tony weighed out his options. Either have to leave Peter when he is awake to go and tell the curious Avengers why Tony brought home a teenager they had never seen in their lives, or do it now when it looks like the kid won't be waking up and get it over with. He decided to go for the latter.

"If you must know, this is Peter. He is my intern that is ridiculously smart and I like to have him around because he can actually carry a conversation with me. One out of two people." He figured if he has the chance, he might as well brag about the kid a little. "Long story short, me and him are close, his aunt changed her will for me to take custody of Peter if something were to happen to her, and that little fantasy came true. Now if you will excuse me, I have some things to do."

He made it about a step and a half before Clint stepped in front of him. "Tony, wait. You're just going to bring this kid in without a second thought? You should think this through more. I mean, I get you like the kid but given the fact that we haven't even seen him in the past 3 months of living here, you can't be that close to him."

Tony took a moment to show a look of displeasure before saying, "You know what Barton, the kid and I had a bit of a fall out for 5 months for reasons that aren't your business. But his aunt just died. His last living family member. The last out of four in the past 10 years. And believe it or not, I love this kid. If you don't approve of him living in the tower then you can pack up your things and get your ass out of here."

Tony was expecting an argument to come back, but all he got was smiles. All four of the others were smiling, even Natasha had a small smirk on her face, a big change from her normally unreadable expression.

Clint raised his hands up in mock surrender and said, "Just testing ya." While letting the smirk grow wider on his face.

Tony rolled his eyes, and caught Steve's eyes out of the corner of his. "So," Steve started.

"I got detention?", Peter asked sleepily, sounding genuinely confused.

The whole room let out small giggles, not wanting to wake the boy. They had all teased Steve about his Captain PSA's for a long time.

Once Tony was sure he wouldn't laugh, he said, "No, no Pete, your good. Go to sleep."

Steve started again, "Like I was gonna say before," He paused to send a smirk the kids way. "I guess we have two dads in the house now."

Clint and Tony both huffed at this and Tony replied, "Go to your rooms. And stay there for the rest of the night."

He walked past the four smiling superheroes and went into his room. When he turned in the doorway to shut the door he saw them all looking fondly at him.

As he moved to shut the door Natasha spoke up. "Hey pops, if you need any help with your kid, we'd be happy."

Tony gave her a soft smile, showing thanks, and he knew she saw it when she gave a nod back. He shut the door behind him, quite relieved because he knew how terribly that could have gone.

He moved to put Peter on the bed so he could change his clothes when Peter mumbled, "Mis'r S'rk?"

Tony figured to take the moment to see if the kid wanted to change out of his jeans and t-shirt so he could sleep more comfortably also.

"Yeah Pete. I'm here." Peter opened his eyes to see Tony looking at him a couple of feet away from the bed.

"M'kay." Peter replied sleepily.

Tony sat down on the edge of the bed and rubbed Peter's arm. "Hey kiddo, do you wanna change into some more comfy clothes?"

"Don't got none."

"That's okay, you can borrow some of mine."

Peter opened his eyes he didn't realize were shut again, and looked at his mentor for the joke on his face. He couldn't find one though, all he found was a reassuring smile. "Really?" He asked.

"Of course kiddo. As long as you're not scared of catching my cooties." Tony said with the smirk showing in his voice.

Now it was Peter's turn to show a little smile. "Lets just hope my Spidey DNA can fight them off."

Tony gave Peter a pat on the arm and got up. "I'll find you something to wear."

All he got was another sleepy, "M'kay."

Once Tony found an older pair of sweatpants that were a bit smaller than his normal size, and a MIT sweatshirt he wears in the workshop, he headed back out to Peter. "Here you go buddy."

Tony tossed the clothes over to Peter on the bed. Peter looked at the sweatshirt and Tony couldn't quite read what the boy was thinking. He then looked up to his father figure and said with shiny eyes, "Thankyou, Tony." For everything.

Tony smiled back at him, a little caught off guard with the first name calling, and said, "No problem kiddo." My pleasure.

The both looked at each other for a moment after that when Tony broke the silence and said, "And hey, if you really are thankful for this, show it by sticking to Tony."

"I'll try my best." Peter said with a smile.

"Alright kiddo, I'm gonna go change in the closet and you can slip those on out here." Peter gave a nod of agreement, and without another word Tony turned away.

000

When tony was changed into the same comfy attire that Peter was in, he walked back out of his closet to find Peter sitting on the couch in Tony's room, looking somewhat unsure of himself.

"Something wrong kiddo?" Tony asked as he climbed into bed.

"N-no I'm fine." Peter replied, not meeting Tony's eyes.

"Well what are you doing then? Come hop in bed." Tony said while starting to lie down in bed.

It took a few moments, but soon enough he heard Peter get up from the couch and shuffle to the bed. He stopped at the edge though, unsure of what to do next.

Tony helped him out by lifting up the comforter and patting the bed. Peter realized just how tired he still was and quickly climbed in.

Tony wrapped an arm around Peter once they were both lying down as a signal for him to scoot closer. Peter just finally looks up at Tony with wide, bambi eyes and Tony watches a tear slip down his cheek. Tony took the moment to scoot closer to Peter himself and take his head in his hands. He wiped away the tear with his thumb and leaned forward to place a kiss on Peter's forehead.

Once Tony realised what he did he quickly pulled away from Peter, looking at his face to find disgust or anger, but saw the kid with his eyes shut, slightly smiling from the contact. Tony couldn't help but smile himself, just happy to see his kid smiling again. Peter then opened his eyes again to look at Tony's. Tony smiled a little bit bigger, and said, "Everything will be alright, Peter. I'm here, always."

Peter smiled as Tony laid his head back down, and then Peter cuddled close to his side, resting his head on Tony's chest.

"Goodnight, kiddo."

Goodnight, Tony."

Tony pulled Peter just a little bit closer and tucked the blanket further around the boys shoulders as he quietly said, "Lights, FRIDAY."

And with that, the both of them let consciousness slip away.