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Disclaimer: I don't own Marvel. I wish.
It's another sleepless night for Tony. Okay, he never really sleeps that much, but tonight he has a brand new reason for that. He doesn't know what to do with a juvenile superhero. And no matter how hard he tries, he just can't figure out what the best solution could be. Maybe because there is no such a thing like that at all.
If he calls the authorities, they might take away Peter who knows where. The kid would definitely hate Tony for betraying him and ignoring his decision to live by himself, but that's the least of the man's worries. If he believed this would be the best for the kid, he wouldn't hesitate to do it. Who cares if there's one more person in the world who hates him? Nothing new there.
But then Peter might never be able to go out as Spiderman again. Which would be bad, of course. But even worse, he might be put into a foster home that wouldn't make him happy. He might have to live with people who would make him feel miserable. He might even get depressed. And Tony doesn't want that on his conscience.
Then what? Should he just let Peter leave and go on with his lonely life on the streets? In the middle of winter? He might be enhanced and get along under dire circumstances, too but he's also just a kid. He needs more than a warm bed and food. He needs a loving, caring family, too.
Geez, could he expect Peter to make a mature decision in this situation? And speaking of mature decisions, could Tony come up with one?
Not for the first time tonight, the man knocks both of his fists to his forehead. Somebody just tell him what to do! Please!
Next morning, Tony is sipping his tenth coffee in a row, when Friday's voice breaks into his thoughts.
"Boss, Peter would like to know if you have a few minutes for him. He wishes to say goodbye before he leaves."
The man immediately jumps up. "What? Now? What time is it?"
"It's 6.28am. Peter says he wouldn't like to be late for school."
Of course he wouldn't. The little nerd with his excellent grades.
Tony hurries down to the med bay. He can't stop yawning despite the barrels of coffee he has drunk. He spent all night in his lab trying to distract himself with some upgrades on his suit. His thoughts kept going back to a certain minor superhero, though. Work was a real struggle last night.
In his room, Peter is already in his red and blue suit again and keeps fidgeting with the mask in his hands. He looks nervous, but his face lights up as soon as he notices Tony.
"Hello, Mr. Stark," he smiles. "I just want to thank you for everything you've done for me."
The man doesn't want to remind him that he has thanked him like a thousand times already. The boy obviously has way better manners than Tony.
"You're welcome, kid. You're leaving already?"
Tony can't help glancing at Peter's side where the incredibly fast healing gunshot wounds were. He can spot two holes in the suit and dark patches around them. He winces. Then he suddenly notices several other spots where the suit is torn or has a darker shade. Most of the splits are poorly sewn together. He knows they're reminders of the kid's old injuries and he suddenly feels sick.
But Peter doesn't notice that, he must be too eager to leave. "Yeah. Dr. Banner says I'm good to go," he announces cheerfully. "And I have to get back to school, so-"
"Just one more question, Peter," Tony holds up a hand.
The boy keeps looking at the window and doesn't seem very happy that the man is holding him back. But he must be too polite to say anything and just nods waiting for Tony to speak.
"You're not leaving through the window, kid," Tony says firmly.
"Actually, I was thinking of the roof, Mr. Stark, if you don't mind," the boy grins.
For a long moment, the man can't decide if the kid is joking or not. But it's not that he could just march through the lobby while wearing that suit, right?
Tony shrugs. "Okay, that actually makes sense. But that's not what I wanted to say. I just want to know who else knows you're Spiderman, kid."
"No one," Peter replies quickly, looking surprised as if the answer is obvious.
"Not even your friend at school?"
Peter laughs. "Ned would freak out if he knew."
"No shit. I wonder why," the man rolls his eyes.
"Is that all, Mr. Stark?" the boy asks looking really impatient now.
Tony groans. He knows Peter wants to leave because of the school, but he's not quite ready to let the kid go. Still, he gestures for the boy to follow him and they walk toward the roof.
"Okay, kid, I want you to know something before you leave. If you get injured, you will come here. If you are cold out there, you will come here. If you are exhausted, you will come here. If you are hungry, you will come here. Got it?"
Peter dutifully nods.
Tony sighs with his hand already on the handle of the door to the roof. He looks into the boy's eyes.
"Whenever you need help with whatever, you can always come here," he confirms once again and opens the door.
"Thanks, Mr. Stark!" Peter smiles and puts on his mask. Gosh, those goggles look ridiculous!
The kid suddenly starts running toward the ledge and in the next moment, he leaps over it.
Tony's heart stops. Did Peter really? Did he just jump off? How fast can he call his Iron Man suit?
He hurries to the ledge and leans over it. He can see the kid falling but then he shoots a web to a neighboring building and swings away. In mid-air, he turns back to Tony and waves at him.
The man could swear the kid's grinning under his stupid mask.
"You little shit," he murmurs and waves back smirking.
Spiderman returned to Queens, Tony remained in Manhattan and they both lived happily ever after. The End.
Just kidding, we're far from the end :) I mean I can continue if you're interested ;) Let me know.
Thanks for reading!