Hello!

My apologies in the delay in updating! I have family visiting me at the moment and I haven't seen them for about 2 and a half years so I've been spending all my time catching up with them :) It's been so good to see them so I haven't had the time to write. But I am still invested in this story and will be continuing it but my updates will be slow :)

My apologies for any mistakes and I hope you enjoy :D

Chapter Six – Foster Parent

"I'm sorry, it sounded like you just said you want to become a foster parent," Pepper Potts said over the phone. The confusion in her voice was evident and Tony didn't blame her. Tony had asked a lot from Pepper over the years but nothing as crazy as fostering a child.

"You heard correct," Tony said. "Not just any kid either. I have a specific one in mind."

"That does nothing to alleviate me of my concern, Tony," Pepper said. "What the hell is going on?"

"Peter Parker," Tony said, staring at the profile in front of him. "He is currently staying at the Queens Youth Homeless Shelter while his case worker looks for a new foster family for him. I'm taking him in."

Tony had caved and had run a search on Peter. FRIDAY had found his case file and Tony had spent the last half an hour reading over it. His heart broke as he read through everything, and he wished that none of this had happened to the kid. Peter didn't deserve this. No one did. He hoped Peter would forgive him for looking him up, but he refused to let the kid spend another night in that shelter.

"Why?"

Tony sighed heavily. "Peter is Spiderman."

"I'll have the lawyers contact Peter's social workers in the morning," Pepper said after a beat. "It will take some time, but you should be able to foster Peter."

"I want to look into adopting him too," Tony said, the words tumbling out of him before he could stop them.

"I'll have the lawyers look into what that will take too," Pepper said, her voice soft and non-judgemental.

"Thank you, Pepper," Tony said sincerely.

"How did you find out who Spiderman was?" Pepper asked.

"Kid's DNA is screwing him over. The cold weather is making him dormant," Tony explained quickly. "This stays between us, Pepper. No one other than Stephen knows the kid's identity."

"I know how to keep a secret," Pepper sniffed. "Just, tell me he will be alright."

Tony smiled at Pepper's concern. She too had fallen under the kid's spell and often spent time with him when she could. "He'll be fine."

"Good. I'll contact you in the morning," Pepper said. "Don't do anything stupid in the meantime."

"When am I ever stupid?" Tony asked. Silence met followed his statement and he frowned. "Fine, I won't do anything stupid."

"Good," Pepper said. "What has Stephen said about all this?"

"If I don't do it, he will," Tony snorted.

"Hmmm," Pepper hummed. "Sounds like a good opportunity for you to tell him how you feel so you can co-parent Peter."

Tony rolled his eyes. "See you in the morning, Pep."

"Good night," Pepper said and then she hung up.

Tony leaned back in his chair and turned his gaze from the monitor with Peter's information to another monitor that had the Medbay camera feed up. Peter had fallen asleep, Stephen still there and checking on him regularly. The sight made Tony smile and his heart flop in his chest.

Tony knew he would have the full support of Stephen behind him. Pepper's words floated through Tony's mind, and he leaned back in his chair. Tony knew he couldn't do this on his own but had no doubt that Stephen would be there to help him. They would be spending even more time together and that thought made Tony smile but also something sharp flicker through his chest.

Tony couldn't tell Stephen how he felt. What if they didn't work out? What if Stephen didn't feel the same way? It would be awkward for both their personal and professional lives, not to mention how it would affect Peter as he adjusted to his new home. No. It would be best if Tony kept his feelings to himself. Besides, Tony would have his hands full trying to work out how to raise a super powered teenager.

"Morning Underoos."

Peter blinked awake at the voice and squinted at the blurry figure of Tony standing over him. Peter snuggled back into his blankets and closed his eyes.

"Five more minutes."

Tony barked a laugh and tugged the blankets off Peter. "Nice try Underoos. Come on. We have a meeting with your case worker."

This woke Peter up. He sat up, wiping his eyes. As his eyes cleared of sleep, Peter looked around the Medbay. It was empty apart from him and Tony and there was a set of new, warm, looking clothes for Peter to put on.

"Miss Barkley is waiting for us kid and we have to sneak you back into the shelter before anyone realises you weren't there," Tony said. "So, get dressed."

"Wait," Peter jumped off the bed, his sock covered feet slipping on the ground. "Doctor Strange wasn't joking last night?"

Tony gave Peter a confused look.

"He asked about me wanting to stay here," Peter said, the words tumbling out of him in a breathless rush. "That you were taking care of it."

"That's right," Tony nodded, giving Peter a serious look. "He wasn't joking, Peter. If you want to, I'd like to foster you."

Peter opened his mouth, the words failing. Emotions flooded through him at the gesture. Not knowing how else to express himself, Peter flung himself at Tony, hugging him tightly.

Tony caught him with a small 'oof' but wrapped his arms around his shoulders, hugging him tightly.

"Thank you," Peter whispered sincerely.

"You're welcome, Peter," Tony said, squeezing him tighter. He held the hug for a beat before pulling away and clapping Peter on the shoulder. "Now get dressed kiddo. The Wizard is getting you something for breakfast."

Peter did as he said. He pulled on the clothes (and they were so soft and warm that Peter all but melted into them) over his Spiderman suit and as he was pulling on the soft jumper (holy shit was this cashmere?) Doctor Strange entered the medbay through a portal.

He was holding a coffee cup and a brown paper back. Peter sniffed the air, and he could smell a bacon and egg muffin, making his mouth water.

"Good morning, Peter," Stephen said, striding over to him. He held out the cup and paper back to him. "Breakfast. Eat up before we go."

Jumping up onto the bed, Peter took a sip from the cup, hot chocolate flooding his mouth. He hummed happily and tore into the paperback, pulling out the bacon and egg muffin. He devoured it, wiping the crumbs from his jumper, and sculling down his drink. He grinned sheepishly at Stephen when the doctor arched a brow at him and handed him the empty containers.

"Ready Underoos?" Tony asked, stepping forward. He reached out and brushed off a few crumbs that Peter had missed.

"Ready," Peter said as he jumped to his feet. He swayed where he stood as a wave of uncertainty went through him.

"Peter?" Stephen asked.

"What if Miss Barkley says no," Peter asked quietly. He tugged at the sleeve of his jumper, avoiding looking at Stephen or Tony.

Tony squeezed Peter shoulder tightly. "Don't think like that Kid. I've got everything covered. I promise."

Peter nodded even as his stomach filled with nervous butterflies. While he believed Tony had this, his luck had proved that it was far more powerful. Past experiences had stopped Peter from believing that good things would happen for him. His luck would find a way to ruin this too.

"Time to go," Stephen said. "Miss Barkley will come and collect you before school."

"Do I act like I don't know you?" Peter asked.

"No," Tony shook his head. "Cover story is that you applied for my summer grant program. I was so impressed with you application I came down to your school to meet you."

Peter nodded. "Got it."

"Deep breath, Peter," Stephen smiled. "Everything is going to work out."

Peter nodded and did as the doctor suggested.

Stephen opened a portal, his room at the shelter appearing on the other side. With a wave, Peter stepped into the room. The chill of the air hit him quickly, but his clothes were warmer than what he had been wearing last night so it wasn't as bad. The nerves in his stomach only seemed to grow though. He turned, Stephen and Tony watching him carefully.

"See you really soon, kiddo," Tony grinned at him.

Peter tried to smile back. "See you soon."

The portal sparks faltered. They grew smaller and smaller until they were gone, and Peter was left alone in his room. To keep himself busy, Peter started to pack his backpack for school. He checked over his homework, correcting the mistakes he had made. The knock on the door came just as he was finishing up. Peter stuffed his homework into his backpack and hurried to open the door.

Miss Barkley was smiling on the other side of the door, her face lighting up even further as she saw Peter.

"Good morning."

"Morning Miss Barkley," Peter said.

"How did you sleep?"

Peter nodded. "Good."

"Excellent," Miss Barkley beamed. "I know you have to get to school but today you are taking the day off."

"Oh?" Peter blinked at her wide eyed.

"I have some very exciting news, Peter," Miss Barkley said. Her excitement was coming off her so strongly that Peter felt himself starting to get excited. "I've found you a foster home. One I think you will really benefit from."

"Are you sure?" Peter blurted out, his nerves still making his stomach churn.

Miss Barkley's face softened. "Yes, Peter. I'm going to take you there to meet them now. If you are ready?"

Peter took a deep breath, just as Stephen had instructed him, and told himself this time would be different. "I'm ready."

Has he arrived yet? – S

Not yet. Should be any second now – T

I'll be at the Kamar-Taj but text me when you find out – S

You'll be around for the celebration, right? -T

Wouldn't miss it – S

Tony grinned at his phone. He looked away from his phone when he felt Pepper's stare.

"Yes?"

Pepper smirked back at him. "Tell Stephen I said hello."

Tony slipped his phone into his pocket and glared at Pepper from behind his sunglasses. "No."

Pepper chuckled softly and before Tony could come up with a witty retort, the door opened. Tony sat up straighter as Miss Barkley entered the room, Peter following in behind her. Peter looked surprised to see Tony sitting there and the genius fought back a frown.

"Hey Pete," Tony grinned instead.

"Hey Mr. Stark," Peter said as he took a seat.

"Mr. Stark mentioned that you had met before," Miss Barkley said as she took a seat next to Peter. "Peter, you didn't tell me about your grant application."

"I, uh, wanted to be sure," Peter stammered out the lie.

"Well, that's fantastic," Miss Barkley seemed to by Peter's lie.

"Is this about the grant program?" Peter asked, looking between Tony and Miss Barkley.

"Not exactly," Tony answered. "This is about you coming to live with me."

Peter's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. His surprise looked genuine, and Tony's heart clenched at the sight. The kid still didn't believe that Tony wanted to foster him. He would have to change that.

"Hi Peter. I'm Pepper Potts, CEO of Stark Industries and Tony's handler," Pepper introduced herself.

"Hey!" Tony protested, grinning when he saw Peter snigger.

"Peter, Tony is a registered Foster Parent and today we are here to talk about you living with him," Miss Barkley said.

Peter looked at Tony. "Are you really serious?"

"As a heart attack, kiddo," Tony promised. "You're a good kid, Peter. Your smart, kind-hearted, and deserve a place to call home."

"I'd like that," Peter said, looking at Tony shyly.

The sight made Tony melt and deep down inside him he knew that he was doing the right thing and that this was the greatest decision he had ever made.

Happy reading :D