Chapter 10
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"So you're a kid. Like a literal actual child." Clint says when they all get back to the building, Kamala is with them but she hangs back quietly just shifting nervously, Kate is next to her, a shoulder pressed into Kamala's for support and she looks entirely unworried while Kamala is the opposite, she is obviously very worried but Kate is there with a friendly supportive presence.
Peter kind of wishes he had that right now.
"Uh.." Peter stutters out nit trying to delay but he honestly has no clue what to say "Yeah.. uh.. yes sir.. and I am sorry .. I know just having me here puts you at risk since I'm a minor with no guardian.. but I can't go back into Foster Care.. it's.. bad.."
Here Daredevil tilts his head and clinches a fist asking "Bad how?"..
"Um.. just.. uh.." Peter tried to think of a way to cushion the truth without turning it into a lie .. "I think maybe certain people shouldn't be here for that kind of disclosure.." Peter says.
"Uh huh.." Clint says "and just who all should we send out of the room?"
"Mooney, Deadpool, Yelena, Bucky, Logan.. Actually the only one that might be safe to stay is Daredevil because he doesn't kill .."
"Okay I've heard enough." Logan says gruffly his claws sliding out with a snicking sound "Who do we get to gut?.."
"This is exactly why I didn't want anyone to know anything about me.." Peter says with a shake of his head "Plus there's still people I care about that i wanna keep safe.. and people knowing my identity could endanger them.. god this is so messed up.. "
"Why did you show me your face?" Kamala asks finally braving the tension and asking as she breaks away from the support of Kate by her side.
"You were scared.. and I didn't want you to feel alone." Peter replied "You thought you were the only kid... uh.. young person.. out there and told me you were just a kid.. you thought you were telling a grown up.. telling someone that could actually do something that could help you or comfort you or protect you and I was none of those things I couldn't be the grown up you were seeking.. but in that moment I could be the same as you.. vulnerable.. scared.. young.. maybe I... maybe I didn't wanna feel so alone anymore either.. I mean you were the same as me.. I finally had someone that understood what it's like." Peter whispered the last bits his voice getting quiet as tears take over..
Kamala ran to him, haphazardly pushing through people and hugged Peter tight..
Peter returned the hug then broke the embrace..
"I can't go back to Foster Care.. but.. I can't ask to keep staying here either especially since my presence risks the freedom and safety of anyone that knows my identity now especially since I'm a runaway child.. I can go back to living on the streets like before.."
"On the streets?!" Everyone exclaimed in unison.. "absolutely not!"
"It really wasn't that bad." Peter tried to reassure them all.
"Oh fuck that.. Steven Grant has a squeaky clean identity and I will adopt you so that doesn't have to happen Jacob and Khonshu can just get over it.. Steven won't mind, he already thinks you hung the moon." Marc says.
"Well my identity is clean I can adopt him." Daredevil chimes in
"Or me.. there's nothing holding me back from adopting now that my name is cleared of all wrongdoings." Bucky adds.
"I'm literally Captain America.. I'll adopt him.." Sam says.
"I'm older than anyone here and know the most about enhanced kids since I actually helped run a school full of them, I should be the one to adopt him." Logan butts in.
"Well it's my building and he is living here with my permission and is technically under my care already so I think I'll be the one to adopt him." Clint says firmly.
Peter, Kamala, Kate and Yelena stood back as the other tenants bickered about who would get to adopt Peter..
A few moments later Venom and Eddie arrived to the others still bickering and just also had to throw their own hat into the ring on who should get to adopt Peter and why..
Yelena being the oldest of the younger people guided the younger trio into the kitchen for snacks while they waited for everyone to realize what dumbasses they all were being.
A few moments later Deadpool joined them "So, Peter.. Who do you want to adopt you?"
Everyone froze at Deadpool's question and it was a good thing too because Frank, Logan and Marc looked ready to break into an actual physical fight.. then they all looked sheepish because of course it should be Peter's decision..
"Uh.. I can't.. choose.. I mean I care about all of you and I just never thought that any of you'd ever want to actually adopt me.. I mean I'm not exactly a kid most people would want to adopt.. I eat a lot and sometimes I forget how strong I am and break something and .."
"Kid.." Clint interrupted "You've been probably one of the best people I know since day one.. any single one of us would be lucky to have a kid as good as you.."
"And.. I would be lucky to have any of you as my parents.." Peter said "I mean Mister Castle and Mister Deadpool cook and bake and make sure we all eat.. Mister Barton takes care of all of us.. Mister Steven is a wealth of knowledge and he's great at comforting people. Mister Marc, Mister Logan, Mister Castle, Deadpool Captain Wilson and Sergeant Barnes are all fun but also protective in a really sweet way. I know Mister Daredevil doesn't like killing but I know he'd come close to killing to protect any single one of us... Mister Jake and Mister Khonshu might seem scary to some people but the people in this building are probably the only people they've ever let themselves care about and I don't think they're really as bad as they try to seem I think they more like pretend to be bad and scary so they'll scare people off rather than run the risk that someone gets hurt trying to protect them but also to protect themselves because if they can scare people away then those people can't hurt them by letting them get attached to people and then those people die on them or worse find a reason to be scared of them later and then reject them just as they've gotten attached.. Mister Brock and Mister Venom always know how to cheer up anyone in the building that's feeling bad or down about something.. Miss Yelena always makes sure that we all take breaks sometimes and remember to do fun things.. Yelena and Kate are like the big sisters I've always wanted .. you all were already family with one another and then you all accepted me without even knowing the kind of chaotic dumpster fire mess you were letting into your lives.. you let me in.. let me be a part of the family you've all made.. so.. you're all already my family.."
"Aw hell kid.." Clint said with his eyes misty as he pulled Peter into a hug, which was a sentiment apparently shared by everyone as there wasn't a dry eye to be seen and everyone gathered round to make the boy feel equally seen, known and loved..