Author's Note: Hello, hello, my readers! Welcome back to another chapter of Raise Me Up! We are now on CHAPTER 9! Peter and MJ get to talk for a bit as Peter breaks the news, and we get a little more of Tony and Peter bonding! I really hope you all enjoy it! But before we get to it, REVIEW REPLIES!

xSapphirexRosesxFanx: Thank you! And yes, I loved seeing that lake in EG! Perhaps, it will!

Nerdywriter07: Lol, yay indeed! All the yay's!

CaptainMarvel123875: Yay, I'm glad you loved it! Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm so glad you're enjoying this story! And as for the adoption…you'll have to keep reading to find out! You're welcome! Thank you for reading!

Disclaimer: I do NOT own anything related to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.


Chapter 9

A few minutes passed before Peter was finally ready to go back into the compound, and Tony gladly took his charge back into the building. Thankfully, Rhodey and Vision didn't try to pry as to what happened. However, they both sent Tony questioning looks, to which Tony responded with a small smile and a nod as if to say that Peter was okay. The rest of the afternoon continued nicely as they played Mario Kart together, and the competition ended after four rounds with Peter winning the last two and Tony winning the first two rounds. Once Peter got over the adrenaline rush, he realized that he forgot to call M.J. like he said he would.

Once he excused himself to make the call, he went into the hallway just outside the common room and called M.J.

"Hey," she said after two rings. She obviously knew who it was.

"Hey, M.J," Peter said. "What's up?"

"Not much," she replied, "just doing some research on the Black Dahlia."

"Black Dahlia?" Peter asked furrowing his eyebrows together. The name sounded familiar because MJ mentioned it before to him and Ned.

"You know, the murder," MJ replied.

"Oh, right," Peter said nodding, "the one with the girl, who—"

"Yeah, that one," MJ interjected.

Peter chuckled at the memory of when she first told him and Ned. As bizarre as it was, it felt somewhat normal. Like Tony, MJ was so far keeping him grounded despite what was going on.

"So, what's going on, Parker?" she finally asked after a moment of a slightly awkward silence. "I have a feeling you didn't call me just to chat."

"Oh yeah, right," Peter suddenly said. "I'm sorry. Umm…I…uh…I need to talk to you about something that happened."

"W-What are you talking about?" The teenaged vigilante heard the concern in her voice.

He wasn't exactly sure how to tell someone like MJ about his aunt dying the night before and him staying with Tony Stark himself, but like with Ned, he figured it was better to just get it out of the way and to just break the news. "Umm…" tears started to form in his eyes, "m-my aunt May and I…we…we were in a car accident last night."

"What?! Oh my god…are you guys okay?! I mean…Ned said you were going to call me today, but…I…I thought it was…I mean…I don't know…"

Never in his life had Peter ever heard Michelle Jones so speechless, but he was thankful that Ned at least gave her a heads up before he could call. "Uhh…well…that's what I had to tell you," he replied as he slid down the wall to sit on the floor. "Umm…my…my aunt didn't make it last night. She…she…uhh…was hurt pretty badly…and…umm…she…didn't make it."

"Wow…" MJ sighed as if someone punched her in the stomach. "Oh my god…Peter…I'm so sorry to hear that."

Peter could feel the tears brimming in his eyes yet again, but for some reason—whether it was because Tony told him it was okay to cry or because he trusted MJ to not judge him…maybe both—he didn't make a move to wipe away the tears. "T-Thanks…" he replied.

"So…wh-what's happening with you now?" MJ suddenly asked after a moment of silence. "I-I mean, you're obviously not at the hospital because Ned would've told me if you were, and…you said May was all you had left."

This was obviously MJ's way of asking what was going to happen to him now…if he was going to be placed in the system or if he was going to have to leave. Also, it just showed more and more how smart and observant she was. Of course, Ned would've said if Peter was still at a hospital. "Well…uh…see, long story short: before this happened, May named Mr. Stark as a back-up guardian for me in her will," he replied, "and Mr. Stark is taking me in."

"Are you serious?"

"Yeah, crazy, huh?"

"She must really trust him. That's…that's great, Peter. So, I guess this means you won't be leaving Midtown. I mean, Ned would miss you a lot."

Peter couldn't help but smile. "Yeah, Ned doesn't have to worry," he replied. "I'm not going anywhere. Tony said so himself."

"Good, it would suck to not have you on Decathlon next year. I need help keeping Flash in line."

Peter laughed yet again. As much as he loved talking to Tony and hanging out with the Avengers, it felt good talking to MJ. He wasn't sure if it was because she was his age or because of her way of lightening the mood somewhat, but it helped.

"Ummm…so, listen, Parker," she finally said after a moment, "m-my parents will want to know the arrangements, so…"

"Oh, yeah, yeah…I'll give you those once Tony gets all that together."

"Good, and if you ever want to hang out or anything, you know I'll be around over the summer."

"Yeah, I'd like that. Thanks, MJ. Maybe, you can tell me more about the Black Dahlia murder."

"Definitely, so, will I see you at school on Monday?"

"Of course, I wouldn't miss the last day of school."

"Good, I'll see you then."

See you, MJ."

With that said, both teens hung up, and Peter was able to rejoin Tony, Rhodey, and Vision with a smile on his face. However, he didn't miss the smirks on Tony and Rhodey's faces when he said that MJ suggested hanging out over the summer. He just rolled his eyes and went on with the rest of the afternoon.


About an hour or two later, Peter and Tony said their goodbyes to Rhodey and Vision promising to meet up again on Monday after Peter would get home from school. Tony and Peter hopped into the car and took off making their way back to the city, and the billionaire was able to see that Peter was in a better mood. The grief was still there. It was always going to be there under the surface, but it was easy to see that the kid needed the distraction today. Quite frankly, he needed it too. He needed the confidence boost from Rhodey. He needed the moment…that hug with Peter to give him a boost in thinking that May made the right choice in naming him as Peter's guardian.

Rhodey was right. Yes, mistakes would be made, and there would be some bumps in the road. However, like Rhodey also said, he and Peter trusted each other and had been through a lot together, and like he himself told Peter this morning, they were a great team. They could figure out this new situation and whatever came at them along the way…just as they had been for the past year. Besides, Rhodey had another valid point. If she didn't think that Tony was capable of taking care of her nephew…her entire world, she wouldn't have asked him. She would've made sure that they never interacted again if she thought Peter was in any danger. Maybe, he got this after all. Only time would tell.


"Hey, Tony?" Peter suddenly said as they rode the elevator to the penthouse.

"Yeah, bud?" Tony replied turning to the teen standing next to him.

"Umm…I was kind of wondering…if maybe we can watch a movie or something," Peter suggested sheepishly.

Tony smiled and wrapped an arm around Peter holding him close to his side. "Of course," he said. "How about we get changed and order up some Schwarma's?"

The teen nodded and smiled wrapping an arm around Tony in return. The elevator opened up in the penthouse, and as soon as Tony told FRIDAY to order from Schwarma's, both he and Tony went to their respective rooms to change into their pajamas. As soon as they were ready, their order finally came, and they made themselves comfortable in the living room on the couch with their food in the front of the T.V. They then finally decided on a movie…a Star Wars move at Peter's request, which Tony didn't mind at all.

'There's…something I wanted to tell you, buddy," Tony said as the movie continued.

Peter picked up his head to look at Tony. They had finished their dinner about a half hour ago, and they were now sitting together on the couch with Tony's arm around Peter and Peter's head on Tony's shoulder. Both of them had their feet resting on the coffee table. "Yeah?" he asked.

"Uhh…I didn't want to say anything in front of Rhodey and Vision," the billionaire replied, "but the hospital called me while you were on the phone with MJ. They…uhh…moved May to the funeral home, so at some point, we have to go over there."

Peter didn't say anything as he nodded. Tears formed in his eyes as he realized what that meant. It was getting closer to when he would have to say goodbye to May forever. He and Tony would have to make decisions on her coffin…the flowers…her outfit. He sighed as he leaned on Tony's shoulder as the tears flowed down his cheeks. "I can't believe this is happening," he said in a whisper. Before Tony could even say anything, he sat up realizing how that sounded. "Please don't take that the wrong way. I-I just meant that—"

"Relax, relax, kid," Tony quickly said keeping his arm around Peter. "It's okay, I know what you meant."

"I really appreciate what you're doing for me," Peter continued, "and I'm glad I get to live with you. I-I just…with May…I—" He sighed a shaky breath as Tony let him finish, "M-May…I…After my uncle died, I always thought it would be just us…you know? And now…" He closed his eyes as more tears flowed.

Feeling his heart breaking even more for his charge, Tony gently tugged Peter back down so that the teen was resting his head on the former's chest, and without much hesitation, he wrapped both arms around Peter holding him tightly. He felt pretty bad for bringing this up, but he knew that he would've felt worse if he sprung this on Peter tomorrow. Peter needed time to process this and to come to terms with everything.

"I'm going to take care of everything, buddy," Tony finally said after a quick minute. "You're not going to be alone in this. I'm sorry, I wanted to tell you beforehand."

"No, no, it's okay," Peter replied sniffling. "I'm glad you told me." When Ben died, May tried her hardest to be strong for him, and while he appreciated it, he wanted to help in any way he could. Now, Tony was telling him what was happening, and while the billionaire said he would take care of things, he was making an effort to keep Peter in the loop, which the teen appreciated.

"Are you sure?" Tony asked.

Peter nodded as he hugged his guardian tightly.

"Okay," Tony replied returning the gesture, "but if you don't want to make any of those decisions, just tell me, okay? Pepper and I could always do it."

"Thank you…thank you so much, Tony," Peter said after a moment, "for everything. You really don't have to do any of this."

"It's not because I have to," Tony replied. "I want to, kid. I want you here. I want to help you and to be there for you."

Peter felt his heart swell hearing Tony say that he wanted to help him and to be there for him. More importantly, he said he wanted him here living with him. He knew Tony wanted him as a mentee and an intern, and the billionaire had proven that time and time again. Now, however, if all went well, Tony would soon officially be his guardian and charged with legally taking care of him, and it was a great feeling to hear that this was something he wanted. "Thank you…again," he said.

Tony chuckled. "You don't need to thank me, kid," the billionaire replied. "Now, what do you say we finish the movie?"

Peter smiled. "Sounds good," he replied.


The movie continued on, as they stayed wrapped in each other's arms, and soon enough, as the end credits rolled on the screen, Tony felt Peter's head slowly move down his chest. Tony furrowed his eyebrows together.

"Kid?" he asked softly.

Peter didn't answer, but Tony barely missed the soft snores coming from the teenager.

Tony chuckled. Whenever Peter stayed over for the weekend or overnight for a movie night, it usually ended with one or both of them falling asleep on the couch. Usually, they would wake up and just go to bed, but something stopped Tony from waking up his protégé. The kid only had a few hours of sleep the night before after the hospital, and then they had a day at the compound. He couldn't bring himself to wake Peter up and decided to take over measures. Knowing the couch wouldn't be all that comfortable, Tony slowly but surely gathered Peter into his arms carrying him under his back and knees, and then Tony slowly stood up with Peter sleeping in his arms and slowly walked toward Peter's bedroom—it was no longer a guest room; it hadn't been for a while.

As soon as they were in the room, Tony gently placed the kid on his bed and brought the covers up to his chin. The billionaire sighed as he sat on the edge of the bed trying not to wake Peter up. He couldn't help but notice how peaceful Peter looked while asleep…completely shielded away from the harsh reality. He knew Peter was thankful that his mentor was taking him in, and he knew that Peter trusted him. He also knew that Peter was grieving his aunt—his last living relative…his family, and that was something that would never go away.

As for himself, he was glad to have Peter with him. He was grateful that he would get to see Peter everyday, but given the circumstances…how could he be happy when it resulted because of a death? Perhaps, like everything else, he would figure it out. Both he and Peter would figure this situation out…together. Like he said to the kid, they were a team no matter what, and he wasn't going to give up, that was for sure.

With that thought, Tony slowly reached forward and ran ahead through Peter's soft curls careful not to wake him. "I promise, May," Tony whispered. "I'm going to be there for him. I'll keep him safe…just as I always have been, and Pep, Rhodey, and Happy will help too. Our Peter will be just fine."


Author's Note: Annnnnnnnnd that's all for Chapter 9, boys and girls! I hope you all enjoyed it! It was a little short, but the next few chapters should be a little longer! Onto Chapter 10, which might be…a little late by a day because I have another project to work on! Either way, it will be up soon! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and I look forward to seeing you all in CHAPTER 10! Thanks again, guys!