Chapter 11
Once the kid had fallen asleep, Tony took a moment to process the conversation they'd just engaged in. He additionally had to stave off his own oncoming panic attack from the overload of information. Panic attacks had always been a thing for him and had only got worse after Afghanistan, but he scarcely had to calm someone else down from one.
Seeing Peter like that had been scary but he recognised that acting as he had likely caused him to feel vulnerable and his body probably didn't know what to do.
Everything that had been said was horrifying. Tony had thought of the possibilities but really hearing some of them confirmed and even some exemplified had made him want to cry. Instead, he just listened as the boy screamed and winced at some of the information, especially about the children.
Tony wasn't certain if Peter had ever had a proper outlet to tell all this. Barnes was his first thought but from the sound of it Peter had needed to harbour secrets from him to. He also didn't think May or Ben Parker were aware of the situation so they were out of the question as well.
When the kid had finally calmed down the sight of him apologising to everyone but still clinging to his hand traumatised him. His mind must be a mess, struggling to be independent but also clinging to him for comfort. He didn't even seem aware of what he was doing.
It had made Tony really question the age of the boy. If he was taken during the forties then he was around seventy yet he acted how he looked most of the time. To Tony it made sense, HYDRA had somehow discovered him at a young age and to do that he was sure they would also have to stunt brain development. The poor boy was probably still stuck in puberty.
Peter likely doesn't know how to properly process the things he's done because his brain isn't developed enough for it without all of the things that puberty did to it. Everything must be confusing apart from what had been drilled into him by HYDRA. Honestly, it was impressive to Tony that he had any individual thought at all but he supposed he could thank Barnes for that.
That was exactly why he resolved to treat Peter like a kid. Maybe not fully because there was no way that seventy odd years of forced killing experience didn't make him qualified to do what he wanted now he was out. More that he would just be there for him, willing to listen to him talk about his day at school and such. He’d also need to figure out what to do about May at another time but he'd work that out later.
For now he just told the kid a simplified version of his thoughts and tried to be as comforting as possible as Peter tried to rationalize it. Tony couldn't quite keep the confusion of his face, however, when Peter said he liked acting like a kid. Why would he do all the vigilante business if all he wanted was to be a kid? When he posed the question to the kid, he seemed to close into himself slightly and he was about to backtrack when Peter answered.
The logic made sense and it reminded him of the withdrawal he felt from alcohol. The kid had probably felt like he was going mad because he went cold turkey and it was surprising that Peter hadn't already had some sort of big outburst.
Tony continued with the questions, hesitant and careful with the phrasing of each so as to no upset Peter. His explanation as to how he wasn't hurting before Spiderman sounded like it would make sense but when he paused and asked Tony to promise not to hate him he was taken aback. He didn't believe that anything Peter said would be bad enough to warrant that.
The hesitance of Peter’s answer proved how much he didn't believe that but Tony followed through, let Peter hold his hand the whole time. It didn't surprise him that much to find out what Peter had done nor did he feel any particular empathy for the woman which helped him remain calm and reply to the boy.
Inviting the boy to sleep had been slightly impulsive but he could see how much it was needed, especially when he climbed into Tony’s arms willingly. He had glared at all the Avengers, some having come out of their dumbfounded states enough to produce a smile — even if it was minuscule — at the picture they presented.
Natasha’s voice penetrated the silence of the airport, “So,” she drawled, “The kid was HYDRA. Makes sense why he doesn't like me, especially if he planned on keeping it a secret.” To Tony and Rhodes this was apparent but the others seemed curious as to what Romanov was talking about. Not that he flet like it was important enough to talk about.
“Yeah, yeah but that ain't really what we need to be talking about right now.” Tony was quick to interrupt, certain if he didn't then this conversation would get off track quickly. He turned to face the rogues, “What are we going to do with you?” It was posed like a question but Tony made sure to inflict enough derision into it so they knew it wasn't really directed at them.
Clint and Wanda looked defensive, Steve taken aback and the others seemed unsure. He didn't blame them; this wasn't their fight really, just like it hadn't been Peter’s. Tony was certain that if needed Peter would have retreated to save his own skin in fact, he looked ready to do so during his talk with Barnes.
“Peter’s coming back with me,” He held his hand up when they looked concerned, “he doesn't know any of you, nor do I really trust you to keep his best interests in mind.” For a second he paused before tilting his head and looking directly at Steve, “He most definitely does not like you either.” The comment actually seemed to make Rodgers upset but he was good enough at masking his emotions that most likely wouldn't have noticed it.
“Fair enough Tony.” Steve seemed to take a breath before his next sentence; “But what about us?” The question pained him from the look on his face, and he could assume why. Barnes was the reason that Rodgers was a wanted criminal along with the other rogues. Maybe it was partially because of the accords, but they all knew that Barnes was the main cause behind Roger’s revolt. Tony had to respect that loyalty, even if he’d rather it was directed towards him.
“I- uh, Pierce only gave me another day to bring you in but,” He paused in his stuttered speech to sigh in a self-deprecating way, “I really don't want to be doing that.” It was easy — and honestly upsetting — to see surprise and hesitant hope grace them. Tony still wasn't sure how their team had got so messed up to the point where him not wanting them all incarcerated could be surprising.
“That's great Stark, but what else can you do? Technically we’re all criminals, war criminals even.” The Falcon guy, Sam, he’d established was the one to voice this. It was a fair concern, but he could see on some of their faces that they didn't quite agree. Considering everyone that looked like that knew him quite well it wasn't surprising, if Rhodes or Natasha even entertained the thought that he couldn't do something as simple as trick the government he would be slightly pissed off.
“I know we don't know each other well, Birdy, but I like to think my reputation speaks for itself.” He flashed a likely inappropriate smirk at the man in question only to turn it into a smile when his face flushed with frustration. Sam took a moment to compose himself before explaining himself.
“I just mean that, uph, how are you planning to hide five of the most wanted individuals of the American government on your own? Especially while under suspicion yourself.” The confusion that underlined every word made Tony huff a small laugh before turning so he could face all the rogues.
“Don't you worry about me; I can take care of myself. But, to answer your first concern, I’m a billionaire. People and foreign governments alike owe me favours. With Peter here's help, I’m reasonably sure we could hide you from almost anyone.”