Chapter 2
Happy pulled up to the compound a little after 4am, the car slowing to a stop before exiting the car to open the door for Tony, his mind alert despite the late hour as he looked around assessing dangers that could be hidden. Tony gently pushed his closed fist against Peter's knee before motioning for the teenager to follow him out of the car. Moving so that Peter could stand up as he exited, Tony led him towards the front door. Warmth flooded Peter's senses as he dully looked around before his mind caught up with him, "Mr Stark, y-you can t-take me home, I'll be f-fine". Tony eyed the boy in front of him before shaking his head, "no can do, Pete. You're stuck with me tonight; do you want anything to eat?" Peter shook his head, levelling his eyes with the floor as a dull flush crept up into his cheeks.
Tony nodded to himself before leading Peter through the compound and asking FRIDAY to take them up to the sleeping quarters as they stepped into the elevator which hummed to life. Peter barely registered the movement and seconds later they exited onto the landing where Tony proceeded to point out a room nearby. "This is you, kid, bathroom included! I'm in the room opposite, if you need anything have FRIDAY call me or knock on the door, right?" Watching Peter for any sign of life, he accepted the brief nod offered to him before Peter pushed the door open and walked in looking dejected. Turning around, eyes downcast Peter added quickly "T-thanks, Mr Stark… I r-r-really appreciate it", Peter found he couldn't quite meet the other man's eyes before adding "I'll just… night Sir" before closing the door.
Tony released a slow breath he didn't realise he had been holding as his hand crept up to run through his messy hair. Making his way to the room opposite, he entered his bedroom and shut the door before calling Pepper; they needed to talk. Peppers silence echoed in his head as he briefly filled her in on the situation before she raced into action, "so we want to secure temporary guardianship before moving for full?" she asked without hesitation. Smiling to himself briefly at her haste, Tony told her he loved her which she returned before his thoughts turned serious. "What am I going to do, Pep? I'm not good with… this" Tony trailed off, listening to Pepper's even breathing down the phone before she spoke. "You don't have to be, you're good with him. That's what he needs, someone who understands his needs right now… I know you can do this" Pepper's response came, her voice soothing Tony's thoughts before she told him she had to set up everything with the Lawyers. After they hung up, Tony got dressed for bed as his mind turned into total chaos. May was gone, Peter was a mess and him? Well, he wasn't exactly the first person you'd give a kid to. He could be better though – he would be better – for Peter. Frowning to himself, Tony turned over shutting his eyes when a thought crossed his mind. "FRIDAY, if Peter wakes, alert me". Once FRIDAY responded her assent, Tony drifted off into a fitful sleep.
In the room opposite, Peter had taken a few steps forward before pushing himself against the wall near the bottom end of the single bed. Looking around, he noted the sparsely furnished room with hues of blue, the furniture had a beached wood effect. He found it somewhat soothing, sitting in his little corner in the dark and he stared into space, his back pushed as hard against the wall as possible. His thoughts jabbed wickedly at him, May was gone, he was alone, and he didn't know what would happen to him. He hadn't liked that Amanda, he found her too nosy and he didn't appreciate her sticking her nose into his business. May was gone, like Ben, like his parents, she was gone… His eyes blurring suddenly, a few rogue tears streaked their way down his face as he roughly wiped them away with his hand. Sniffling, the dread filled him until he felt like he couldn't breathe, and he bit down hard on his lip to keep himself from crying out in anguish. His breathing picked up and the tears continued to flow as he brought both hands to his hair and gripped, a silent scream threatening to fall from his bloody lip and his chest felt like it would burst at any moment with the grief threatening to drown him. He was alone, he would always be alone.
Tony's alarm went off at 7am and he forced his eyes open as FRIDAY gave him the stats on the weather and turned the lights up in the room slightly. Grunting tiredly, he pushed himself up and noticed a message from Pepper – the paperwork would be waiting for Amanda and he probably owed the Lawyers an extra bonus this year. Texting a quick response thanking her, he got dressed before asking FRIDAY where Peter was – "Peter is in his room, boss" – before making his way to the elevator and downstairs for a mug of coffee. Tony startled as Steve entered the room, fresh from his jog around the grounds. Spluttering at the sudden intrusion, Tony coughed before Steve's hand clapped him on the back trying to help. "Jesus Spangles, forgot you were here!" Tony managed to choke out, his eyes watering as the other man watched him. "Turned up last night, remember?" Steve responded, eyeing Tony with mild concern. "You look tired, in your lab again?"
"No, but now you mention it, we got company…" Tony replied quietly as he stole a covert glance to the doorway behind him to make sure nobody else was around. Steve raised his eyebrows as he waited for Tony to elaborate. "There's – this kid, Peter. He's my intern… he's staying here a while, we picked him up last night. His guardian… well, she passed Cap. Kid's a mess, gonna need you to be quiet about this one" Tony finished, looking at Steve with an unfathomable look. Looking saddened, Steve nodded before asking how old their guest was. "15… he doesn't know anyone's here yet".
"Tony, it's nice you've taken in some kid but… you don't have interns, what business do you have with this Peter?" Steve asked politely, watching Tony's reaction as his eyes darkened.
"Need to know Cap, the kid's with me. Let's just leave it at that" Tony responded, willing himself to calm. Watching Steve's eyebrow furrow before he nodded, Tony drained his cup and headed back to his personal floor before pausing outside Peter's room.
Peter jumped as a steady knock at his door interrupted the chaos in his mind, clearing his throat he called out a soft "yeah?" before Tony opened the door and looked around before his eyes landed on Peter's crouched position in the corner. Frowning to himself, he called out asking if Peter was okay and if he got enough sleep. Peter mutely nodded and Tony beckoned for him to come down for breakfast, he left Peter to gather himself and briefly headed back into his room and shut the door. Frowning, Tony demanded "FRIDAY, how much sleep did Peter get last night?"
"Peter hasn't slept, boss. He stayed in the same position all night" came the cheerful response. Fuming, Tony demanded why FRIDAY hadn't thought to inform him of this. "You said if he wakes, boss. He was already awake" came the even reply again, Tony pinched the bridge of his nose and rolled his eyes, "new rule FRIDAY. If Peter isn't sleeping, tell me. If Peter wakes up, tell me. If Peter stubs his toe, you tell me", he ground out in frustration before turning on his heel and exiting his room muttering to himself. Turning around after he shut his door, he found himself face to face with a dishevelled looking Peter. "C'mon kid. Cap's doing breakfast" he added as he led the way back to the elevator. Peter's eyes widened and he asked what Tony meant – last he'd heard, the rogue Avengers were far away from here.
"They're back kid, well… sort of. This is the first time Cap has visited the compound, Nat's away on a mission, Clint's with his family and the others, well we're trying to sort things" Tony offered, still unsure how he felt about the whole situation. Despite the new information, Peter found he didn't care that much and shrugged in response, the dread settling like a hard lump in his stomach since the night before.