Chapter4
Peter was taken to one of those rooms that looked like a typical interrogation room, like in police series or something. And it was fine, if the only thing that he needed to do was prove that he didn't have anything to do with all of this. He was fine. Hank may have been a drug-selling alcoholic who liked to punch his foster child, at least he never made Peter take drugs. So could he even complain?
He had done drug tests before, they made all the boys in the orphanage do it randomly sometimes, 'you can never be too sure with all of those troubled boys'. Then, or after a "drugs are bad for you" seminar. Those mostly just consisted of Matron yelling at them and showing them scary pictures of what would happen to them if they ever used drugs. Matron never really interrogated them though, so this should be a fun new experience.
She never did say anything about selling drugs. But Peter knew the repercussions of ever being caught selling drugs, Hank had made that part very clear. It was clear he had to lie, there was no doubt about it.
He was not just going to throw his whole life away by just confessing to selling drugs. That would be really bad right? On the other hand, if he confessed now, he might get a reduced sentence. Though, he rather had no sentence at all. And with Mr Stark in the waiting room, with the promise of a place to sleep... Could he really confess right now and resign to sleep on a bench in a prison cell?
"So Peter, you were Hank's foster kid, correct?" The police officer on the left had a deep voice, clearly not up for jokes, only business. Luckily, Peter was also not really in the mood for jokes.
Peter just nodded.
"Okay, just for the record, it would really benefit you right now, to tell the truth. This way we can still help you okay? If you lie for your foster father, you are also an accomplice to the crimes he committed" He waited for a bit, maybe to make sure that Peter really understood him, took a breath, and went straight for it "So, we just arrested your foster dad on the grounds of drug possession and drug trafficking"
"Did you know about any of this, about the drugs?" The left police officer finished.
Did Peter even deserve to sleep somewhere comfortable if he knew that he was technically a criminal? Even though confessing would probably not make him less of an accomplice to the crimes, he still didn't want to lie "Yes… I knew"
"Could you please elaborate Peter?" the policeman on the right asked as if he was actually asking and not just telling.
"Uhm, I know he would hide his drugs around the apartment" He hesitated a bit before continuing, the policemen looking at him intently "He also made me drop off packages sometimes"
That was it, it was out. It was all in their hands now. If he was arrested now, or if he would be considered a victim. It doesn't matter. All that mattered now that he didn't lie, and that he didn't have to live with the terror of being found out or arrested for the rest of his life.
The police officers were clearly well trained. They didn't really show their reaction on their faces. They didn't look disappointed, they didn't look like they already expected this. "What kind of packages?"
"Drugs, I think." At this point, Peter kind of forgot to stay scared, everything was going to be out anyway, nothing he could do about it anymore "But I never looked inside, and he never actually told me what was in them" He added "I just figured"
"Did you ever meet people to give it to them?"
"No… I just had to leave the packages somewhere, I think other people would come to pick it up later"
"You do know that distributing drugs is a felony right?"
"Well...yeah, 'course" Peter frowned.
"Why would you help him anyway? Like, what did he give you in return?"
"I just did it so he wouldn't be angry and punch me. At days I did the drops, he mostly left me alone for the rest of the day"
The police officers were pretty stunned at the brutal honesty. Peter just figured that if he was snitching on Hank anyway, why not just tell the whole truth.
"Okay, I'm not gonna lie, kid, even though that's horrible, it does help your case. Maybe it will be enough for you to not end up in jail, together with your clean drug test, but you have to understand the gravity of the situation, distributing drugs is not something to be taken lightly."
"Yeah, but of course we can't decide on this. A judge will have to do it" The police officer felt it necessary to add. "We just have to figure out where you can stay in the meantime," He said, already thinking about options for Peter.
"Wait, so I don't have to stay in a cell or something?"
"No, kid, we're not putting you in jail just yet"
"Do you have any family where you can stay?"
"No" why do people keep asking him if he has a family? He was just at a foster home, nobody with family would go there. He didn't tell them about Mr Starks offer. Afraid that the man had changed his mind in the meantime and Peter saying that he was staying with him would only complicate things.
"Right, sorry," The left police officer said, looking like he now only realised he was talking to an orphan about this foster father, there clearly was no family to speak of. "then we need to find some home where they can keep an eye on you, make sure you don't do anything weird"
Peter didn't have to say anything about that, about how much he would hate to go to someplace like that, knowing where it would probably take him, or about the offer because Mr Stark already walked in, a woman in tow.
"Hey, Pete. Nice to see you again. This is my lawyer. She will talk to these lovely police officers over here and you and I will get going" he then turned to the police officers in question "I hope you've asked all your questions because that's all for now"
"Uhm Mr Stark" the one on the left stammered "I don't think you know what you're getting into"
"And what's that supposed to mean?"
"Well, you see, Peter here should be under supervision. If he would have parents he could stay with them but now he would have to go somewhere they can control him"
"I don't think Peter here needs much controlling, he's not exactly a threat or something" Mr Stark still looked calm and composed, even though he was clearly not enjoying this conversation "honestly look at him" he gestured to Peter
"But sir" the right police officer tried to interject.
"I don't know what you are going on about, but I am taking Peter with me. The paperwork is being set up right now so you don't have to worry about that"
The right police officer didn't really know what to say to that, clearly, nobody was going to stand in the way of Tony Stark, what would you expect. "Okay… but you do need additional forms, to make sure he's properly supervised"
"Why are you going on and on about supervision, he did nothing wrong"
Peter wanted to sink through the ground because of the confidence Mr Stark had in him, the confidence that he was not a bad person was about to be destroyed and so would be the chance of sleeping in a comfortable bed tonight.
"Uhm… sir you got that wrong"
"Wha.."
"He is a suspect of distributing drugs, sir"
"Kid, is that true?" Mr Stark looked at Peter with piercing eyes, searching for the truth. But Peter looked at the ground and that was all the confirmation that Mr Stark needed.
"Well... shit" Mr Stark sighed
"We did do a proper interview so he can go home, but given that he has none, it's going to be a bit more difficult"
"Alright, alright" Mr Stark took a moment to collect his thoughts and then said something made Peter's eyes bulge out of his sockets in surprise "so what do I have to do to get to take him with me right now?"
"Well, I'm not an expert on this, you would have to talk to the secretary, but I think it's just a matter of more forms"
"Thank you and goodbye, my lawyer will stay here and get that all settled" Tony walked out of the room, but paused and looked back "Kid, you coming?"
"You still want me to come?" Peter asked in a squeaky voice.
"Well, uh, yeah, I'm not just letting you stay here. And contrary to popular belief, I'm not completely heartless" he saw Peter hesitate and decided to add "Promise I'm not gonna murder you, I am a superhero after all"
Even though the line was cheesy, it did get Peter to move. Still a bit wary, like he couldn't really believe it. Which was pretty logical when Tony actually thought about it, but that's not the point.
Tony needed to leave his signature at the front desk, together with his lawyer and stepped out of the police precinct and into his car in no time. Peter in tow.
Tony introduced Peter to Happy, who looked at Tony with a look that clearly said 'what the fuck Tony', but he didn't let that bother him. Peter was only looking around in wonder, clearly amazed by the inside of such an expensive car.
"I really save your ass back there, didn't I?" Tony asked
Peter jumped and quickly said "Yes, thank you so much, mister Stark"
"Don't sweat it, kid"
"I really... thank you, it means a lot, it does, but… Uhm" he seemed to contemplate for a bit before saying "... why are you doing this?"
"Just thought you might appreciate it, that's all"
"I do, thank you"
"I also think you don't deserve to be put in some orphanage for troubled kids or something" Tony added, "Even though you do need to tell me about the smuggling drugs because really?"
"Sorry, I know…"
"That being said, I do truly believe you are a good kid"
"Why? You don't even know me"
"That's true, but, I am a good judge of character, and I think you deserve a second chance" He wasn't going to even think about all the times he was the opposite *cough* *cough* *Stane* *cough* "So this is it, your second chance"
Peter was silent for the rest of the trip to the tower, Tony figured he was just taking everything in what had happened today. But in all reality, Peter was just really, and I mean really confused by everything. What was even happening to his life? One moment he was an orphan living with his foster father and the next he was in the back of a really expensive-looking car sitting next to Tony friggin Stark!
When they did arrive at the tower, it wasn't through the front doors where Peter had once walked through on a field trip a couple of years ago, but through what seemed like a secret garage. And honestly, what would you expect, would the Tony Stark just walk among the normal people, I think not!
Peter was staring out of the window of the car, amazed by the things he was seeing. He was pretty sure that the existence of this garage was not public knowledge and therefore even cooler. Ned was really going to flip if he told him about this.
That brought Peter back to reality, Ned, would he even be able to go to the same school? What was going to happen? Would Mr Stark be done with him in a couple of days and give him to an orphanage anyway? Would he go back to Matron or would they send him to an even worse one? That would really suck.
When Happy stopped the car, Peter didn't even notice, he got stirred by Mr Stark telling him that they had arrived and could get out of the car now.
They took the elevator to the top floor where Peter was greeted by the sight of a home. Not a home he was used to, but a very expensive and well-furnished home, not that Peter was such an expert in how homes are typically decorated.
Mr Stark stepped out of the elevator and Peter followed. "So kid, this is the penthouse, this where you will also live from now on" Peter didn't answer so Mr Stark just kept talking "You must be exhausted, I'll bring you to your room. Or do you want to eat something first?"
"Uhm.. I'm not really hungry" That was a lie, but honestly Peter was so exhausted he could barely tell he was hungry anymore.
The room Mr Stark showed him was big, far bigger than any of his previous bedrooms, maybe even bigger than Hank's apartment, but that might be a stretch. It housed a big bed, a desk and even a little couch. What he would need that for was beyond Peter but he loved it anyway.
"This is amazing"
"Yea, and it's all yours, we can get someone tomorrow to make it a bit more your style but it should do for tonight" Mr Stark seemed puzzled "Do you need anything? There are toothbrushes and everything in the bathroom and I think Pepper left some pyjamas on your bed, I hope they're your size and if you need anything just ask FRIDAY, that's my AI and otherwise just come and get me, my bedroom is just at the end of the hallway and if I'm not there I'm probably in the garage and okay, I'm rambling. Just know that you can ask for anything okay?"
It was a lot of information at once, but Peter nodded anyway. He understood. Mr Stark nodded in response and walked away, albeit a little awkwardly. Peter closed the door behind him and shuffled to the bed, barely able to slip on the amazingly soft pyjamas before falling asleep. He just registered the blinds coming down and the lights dimming, must be the AI, Peter thought.
AN: quite a long chapter this time, hope you enjoyed it! We are really starting the story now! Yay!
Thanks, everybody who reviewed on the last chapter, it really helps me to keep on writing so keep em coming! Hope you all have a wonderful evening/ day! Byee
