Chapter 63
The funerals were scheduled in conjecture of the Tuesday following May and Ben's death. It hadn't given them very long to plan, but luckily for her she'd had people around her who were more than capable of organizing funerals. And well, Ben and May had also filled in certain provisions in their wills for what they'd like in case they happened to pass.
Which meant Toni had nothing but free time to stay with Peter and help him grieve.
It hadn't been easy. The day he'd come home with her from the hospital after May passed, he hadn't said a single word. She could tell he blamed himself for it. She knew that he thought that maybe if he'd kept the news from her or found a different way to tell May about it then maybe May would still be here.
She didn't know how to tell him that he was wrong. That he wasn't responsible for May's death any more than Ben's. And what words could she even find to tell him? When her parents had first passed, she'd blamed herself. She thought her father had been behind the wheel drunk. She thought that if she'd asked her mother not to go then she'd still be alive. Or if she'd stopped her father from driving that day, they'd still be alive.
She stared at her reflection in the mirror. She was wearing a black dress, artfully cut, and a pair of pumps. She wished she was just dressing up for a meeting or another day at work. Not for the funeral of the couple she'd come to consider family over the last few years.
"You look beautiful," Steve told her, as he came up from behind her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed a kiss to her cheek.
"I love you," she said as she held onto his arms.
"I love you too, Darling," he said. "What's on your mind? You've barely said a word all morning?"
"His Aunt and Uncle wanted me to take care of him if something happened to them," she murmured. "I don't think they knew something like this would happen. But with what happened to Richard and Mary Parker, they wanted to be prepared. What if they made the wrong choice?"
"In asking you?" he asked, and she could only nod.
"Our lives aren't stable Steve," she said, breaking away from him so she could turn around and gesture around her. "And even without Iron Woman, I'm the CEO of Stark Industries. Peter's life is going to be thrust into the spotlight whether he likes it or not. He'll never be able to have a normal life ever again. He's such a good kid, and he deserves to be one still. He should have to grow up because of any of this."
"I know," he said with a sigh. "But his Aunt and Uncle chose you because they knew you care about him. They knew you'd give him a good loving life. They didn't make a mistake in choosing you, Toni. They made exactly the right choice, and even with you just worrying about Peter now, it shows they were right. He doesn't have any family left. Just us. And at the end of the day, you're not going to be alone in this. I'm right here by your side. You have Ava and Harry, as well as Peg and Daniel. And not to mention Rhodes, Pepper, and Bucky, as well as all the Avengers. Peter will always be surrounded by people who love him."
"I just wish he didn't have to go through any of this," she said, with a shake of her head. "He deserves so much better than any of this, and if I could make sure he never hurt another day in his life again, I would."
"We can do our best," he promised her. "To make sure he has the best life he can. But that's all we can do."
She pressed a kiss to his lips lightly.
"Thank you, Steve," she said, as he pushed a strand of hair out of her face. "I should go check in on Peter. See how he's doing with everything."
He nodded, and she walked out of their room towards the one she'd set up years ago for Peter.
She knocked on his door and heard a quiet sob. "Peter, can I come in?" she asked, and she heard him quietly answer yes.
She entered the room carefully, and saw him standing there, dressed up, but tie around his neck, a bit garbled.
"Is everything okay?" she asked, as she saw him look frustrated.
"Uncle Ben always tied my ties for me," Peter said, trying to hold in his pain. "Aunt May would buy him the funkiest looking ties she could find and it almost became a running joke between the two of them. And sometimes when I needed one, he'd let me borrow his favourite black tie. It was the first one she'd ever gotten for him, for their first anniversary. And he'd tie it carefully around my neck, always telling me I looked so much like my dad each time."
She let him speak, as he paused to sniffle.
"What am I going to do without them, Toni? Who's going to tie my ties for me? What's going to happen to me?"
"I'll tie them for you," she said, moving in front of him. She carefully began knotting it. "There was a time in my life where I liked to wear pantsuits to SI meetings, with a tie and the entire getup. I wanted to show them that I could wear what they wore and look better while doing it. That I could do their job better than anyone they wanted to appoint instead of me. I learned a thing or two at that time."
She finished tying it and brushed off his suit. "Peter, I want you to know that Steve and I are here for you. You're not going to be thrown into the system, not if I have anything to say about it. We're going to fight to keep custody of you."
"Why?" he asked, sounding unsure. "You've done so much for me and my family already. You don't need to take care of me too. Not when I know that's far more complicated than you just spending time with me every few weeks. You don't need to do that too."
"I don't need to," she said, "But I want to. Peter, you're family. And if you think I'm going to stand by and let you navigate through any of this alone, you have another thing coming. You've had a home here for years already, and you'll continue to have one here, no matter what happens. Steve cares about you. I care about you."
He hugged her suddenly then, and she wrapped her arms around him tightly.
"You aren't alone, Peter," she promised him. "No matter what happens, you're not alone. You'll never be alone. We're going to be here for you, every step of the way. No matter what happens. Okay?"
"Thank you," he sniffled then.
"Any time, Kiddo," she said with a soft smile. "Are you ready to go?"
"Yes," he said after a moment. "I wish we didn't have to go, but I'm ready."
She wrapped her arm around his shoulders, as they walked into the kitchen.
"Ready to go?" Steve asked, and she nodded. The others were already gathered around.
"Are all of you coming?" Peter asked, a little surprised.
"Of course," Ava told him with a gentle smile, "You're family, Peter. We all want to be there to support you."
"It's a closed event," Harry promised him, "So we won't attract media attention. And we'll make ourselves scarce. People won't even realize the rest of us are there."
Peter gave them all a nod, and she led them all downstairs to where Happy was waiting with her limo. She knew it was hardly inconspicuous, but it was the easiest way to transport all of them there.
They arrived at the funeral home shortly before eleven, giving them some to look over the arrangements. Steve, Ava and Harry had delegated themselves to do just that, while she sat with Peter.
"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked, as she slid in beside him. The room was beginning to fill up with all the people May and Ben had known. Officers from Ben's precinct. Nurses from May's hospital. Friends, neighbours, people they knew and people they cared about.
"I miss them," Peter said, looking down.
"You don't have to give the eulogy if you don't want to," she told him gently. "I know how overwhelming all of this must be. I can give it for you, or we can have one of their friends give it. You don't need to give it, Sweetheart."
"No," Peter shook his head quickly, "They've done so much for me. They loved me and raised me. This is the least I can do for them. I owe them this much. And I know I'll always regret it if I don't give this eulogy."
"Okay," she said, rubbing his back gently.
The Pastor of the congregation stood up then, and music began to play. May and Ben were religious and had wanted their funeral to take place at their church, and so she'd obliged. This day was about them after all.
He spoke a few words of welcome as he started some prayers that all went straight over her head. She was busy watching Peter, trying to make sure he was doing okay. When the time came for Peter to give the eulogy, she watched him stand and make his way to the podium. She offered him a gentle smile as Steve took her hand in his own.
"I was young when I lost my parents," Peter opened. "I can barely remember the funeral. I remember Aunt May crying a lot and Uncle Ben holding me tightly. I remember not knowing what was happening and being confused about what was happening and why I wouldn't be able to see my parents again. My Aunt and Uncle raised me, from the time I was a child, to now. They were my parents, in every sense of the word. They loved me, they cared for me, and they gave me a good life. Aunt May would sit with me after school, and ask me about my day, no matter how dull some of my days must have been. Uncle Ben always cooked dinner while Aunt May and I tried our best to help, no matter how bad we were at it. They were the best parents I could have been given in my circumstances, and I love them so much for everything they've done for me. I know they were so much more than that. Uncle Ben was a detective and he made sure the streets were a little bit safer each night. Aunt May was a nurse and worked tirelessly to help people in pain. I hope I can be like them. To make the world a little bit better, a little bit brighter. And I hope the two of them, are together and are happy."
The room clapped for him, as Peter came back down from the podium, tear stained face, and he leaned into her as the ceremony went on.
The funeral didn't go on for much longer, for which she was grateful. The bodies in the caskets were carried to the plots Ben and May had purchased years earlier, and Peter insisted on helping carry them. He'd been torn between which relative to be a pallbearer for, so Steve had told him he'd help with Ben if she and Peter did May.
Her heart broke for Peter. He shouldn't have to go through any of this pain. Shouldn't have to deal with any of this.
The world was unfair. It was cruel and harsh. To force this boy whom she loved more than life to go through such pains. It was unfair for him.
The bodies were lowered carefully into the ground, and she stayed by his side through it all. The group moved towards the cars afterwards. She'd arranged for the reception to be held at her tower, not wanting Peter to be far from home if it ever got to be too much for him. She wanted him to feel comfortable through all of this.
He didn't say much in the car ride back either, and she didn't press him to talk about his feelings. Not when she knew there was so much going through his mind at that moment. The eulogy he'd given had been beautiful, and she wanted nothing more than for him to be free of all the pain he was currently feeling.
She watched as the reception went on, and Peter tried his best to make small talk with those who wanted to come and talk to him. But it wasn't until a boy his age came up to him that Peter looked like he could completely relax.
"Hey Peter," the boy said, "I'm so sorry to hear about your Aunt and Uncle."
She could see the newcomer's parents hovering slightly close by, to give the boys a chance to talk, but to also be there in case anything was needed, and she felt a sense of gratitude towards them.
"Thanks, Ned," Peter said, naming the kid whom he'd told her many stories about throughout the years.
"What's going to happen now?" Ned asked, as his parents came closer then. "Where are you going to stay?"
"Peter, you're more than welcome to stay over at our place any time you need to," Ned's mother said as she began fussing over him. "David and I have been talking and we can try and apply for custody. I don't know how difficult the process will be, but we can't stand the thought of you in the foster system."
"The offer is appreciated," she said, stepping in then as Peter looked unsure of how to respond, "But May and Ben named me as his guardian in the case that something happened to him."
"Ms Stark," Mrs Leeds said, looking a bit surprised. "I was unaware of your close relationship to the Parker family. I must admit, I didn't completely believe Peter had an internship here."
"It was all unofficial," she said with a shrug, "However I've been thinking of changing it to be more formal now that Peter has college applications in a few years. Couldn't hurt to add some experience to his application. But Steve and I are meeting with Social Services later this week to go over the formalized agreement, and if all goes well, Peter will be transferred into our custody. Of course, he is welcome to continue with his sleepovers with Ned if that's alright. I know Peter enjoys staying over, and Ned is more than welcome to come visit."
"Here?" Ned asked, looking awestruck. "I get to have sleepovers at Iron Woman's house?"
"If it's alright with your parents, of course," Toni said, giving the Leeds family a warm smile.
Mrs Leeds looked flustered, while Mr Leeds studied her carefully.
"We'd have to get to know you a bit better," Mr Leeds said after a moment, "You must understand, we were unaware of this relationship until today. I think most of the guests here are surprised you are the one hosting the reception and that the Avengers were all at the funeral of a family they thought they knew well. But if we can establish that, then I don't see any reason why the boys shouldn't be able to continue with their current regular get togethers."
"Of course," she said with a nod. "I look forward to getting to know the two of you better, as well as Ned. I've heard many stories about your adventures, and since Peter is going to be staying here, I'd like to get to know more about his closest friend."
"The Toni Stark wants to know more about me?" Ned said, sounding a bit frazzled, and Peter laughed at that.
She glanced over at the boy; it was one of the first times she'd heard him laugh since everything had happened, and for a moment, she could see him forget about everything that had been happening in his life. She glanced at him with a sad smile, recognizing the exact moment he seemed to realize his situation once more. And his fleeting smile vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
"I'd love to get to know more about you," she offered the boy who'd made her, well, Peter, laugh, even if just for a moment. "Peter, how about you and Ned spend some time together now, while I make some rounds, how does that sound?"
"Okay," Peter said, giving her a nod. "Ned, wanna go to my room for a bit?"
The Leeds nodded at her, understanding that she wanted Peter to have a few minutes away from all of this, even if it was just for a bit. She could hold down the reception and keep it together for him.
"Duh!" Ned said and Peter grinned as he led him towards his room.
"I know you're worried about him," Mrs Leeds said after a moment, "I must admit, I was sceptical about your relationship. That you were using him as some sort of publicity stunt, but it seems like you really care about Peter. So I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt. We've known Peter since he was a small child, and he'll always be like family to us, so don't think we won't fight for him if we need to. You might have all your lawyers and money, but Peter means the world to us."
"Of course," she said, not offended. She knew the family loved Peter as well, and she didn't blame them for wanting the best for him. Not when that was what all of them wanted. "Peter's a good kid. He means a lot to all of us, and none of us want him to ever get hurt. It's very unfortunate what happened to him and his family, and he deserves to have people in his life that will take care of him. And that's what I want to do for him. I want him to know that he has a home here, regardless of what else happens in his life."
"You sound like a mother," Mrs Leeds said, and raised her hand when she tried protesting, "I've been one for fourteen years, I know what a mother sounds like. Good. You care about him, and that's what's important to me. We'll let you get back to making the rounds, but I want you to know that we're here for Peter, and we'll be here for you too, if you need us. Just say the word."
"Thank you," she said with a smile as the couple walked away from her then. She glanced around the room with a sigh and decided to talk to everyone who'd come to say goodbye to the Parker family.
"Dude, do you know how cool it is that you're gonna be living with Iron Woman and Captain America?" Ned said, as Peter flopped down onto his bed in exhaustion. "Flash is gonna flip when he finds out."
"He's not going to believe it," Peter scoffed, "Toni's trying to keep it quiet for now, so the press don't start hounding me about it, but even if it gets out, do you really think he's going to believe any of this? If anything, he's going to use this as an excuse to make fun of me more."
It wasn't like Peter couldn't stand up for himself now, if he needed to. Whatever happened at Oscorp meant he had superpowers. And he knew that if he wanted to, he could probably fight Flash back and win.
Uncle Ben always said violence didn't solve anything.
But Uncle Ben was dead, because of an unnecessary act of violence.
"Who cares if he believes you or not?" Ned asked after a moment, "I think what happened is horrible, Peter, and I want you to know that I'm always going to be here if you want to talk to me about any of it. But you have to admit, it's pretty awesome that I just witnessed Toni Stark talking to my mom about arranging sleepovers for us. Like it's common place. I know you've known her for years and don't have as much hero worship as you did when you were like six, but Iron Woman is your guardian now! Do you think she'll let you fly around in the suit? Or shoot a repulsors? Or shoot one of her missiles?"
He gave Ned an unimpressed look.
"Okay fine not the missile or repulsor but can you at least fly around in it? That would be awesome," Ned said, looking at him eagerly.
"I definitely am not allowed to touch the suit," Peter told him, "She only lets me and Harley play around with the tech if it's been stripped of all it's weapons. She doesn't even let weapons lie around the lab when I'm there. So I hardly think she'd let me fly around in any of her current suits."
"Harley?" Ned asked, a bit confused.
"A kid she met during the Mandarin incident. He's come over a few times and we've worked with Toni on different projects. He's pretty cool. Next time he comes to visit, I'll definitely introduce you to him."
"As long as I get to always be your best friend," Ned said, and Peter grinned at him.
"Duh, is that even a question? Who else would I get to build legos with? You're the only one who would be willing to spend hours with me to do that, and the only one with the patience to do it," Peter reassured him. "You'll always be my best friend, Ned, and nothing is going to change that regardless of what happens."
"Good," Ned said with a nod. "Now wanna hear about what's been going on at school? It's been insane man, and like obviously I'm glad you've been taking some time to heal, but there was a fight in the cafeteria the other day between the mathletes and the science fair kids over the fact that Jane on the mathletes dumped Ronny for spending too much time on his science project and not enough on her and now she's dating Jared and you wouldn't even believe it. Mr Harrison had to break them apart and he wasn't pleased at all. All of them got a week's worth of detention."
He let Ned rattle on as his brain went blank. It was hard to pay attention to something like high school drama, given the circumstances. He knew Ned was doing his best, and trying to distract him because of how upset Peter was and take his mind off of everything, but it didn't really help. Not when everything in his life seemed so small in comparison to death. When his family was dead. His mom, his dad, his uncle, and his aunt. They were all gone.
He stared down at his hands, thoughts racing in his mind. He had superpowers now. He had superpowers and he couldn't stop his uncle from dying, when if he just stopped the robber then his uncle would still be alive. His aunt would still be alive.
It was too late for them. Too late to stop them from dying.
But he still had these powers. Still had strength, enhanced senses, the ability to climb up walls. He was fast.
He could be a superhero. He could stop other people from getting hurt or from dying, and he could stop them from being in pain. He just needed to try.
He was given these powers for a reason, and with great power, came great responsibility. And was it not his responsibility to at least try?
Ned didn't seem to notice that he'd zoned out, and he was grateful for that, as it gave him the space to process everything.
He lived with superheroes. He knew how it worked and what it entailed.
And he was tired of watching people in his life get hurt. Maybe it was time he did something to stop it.
