Out Of The Mask
Young.
To young.
It was the first thought that filtered through Tony's head.
This kid. This kid, was Spider-Man?
Jesus! How old even was he?
Far younger than what was expected.
How did these two adults never catch this kid sneaking out? How did they never notice the bruises and marks, that didn't come from them of course, that littered his body after some of their fights?
How could they look at this poor kid and do....how?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Neglected.
Abused.
In desperate need of love.
Adorable.
Pepper's mind ran with words to describe the small boy before her. Tucked between the man and woman, he looked so vulnerable.
Vulnerable and miserable.
Yes, he tried to act like he was fine, but his large hazel eyes couldn't hide the hurt behind them.
Yes, he might be Spider-Man, but Pepper knew from experience that even super heroes needed saving sometimes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It took Wanda and Pietro everything they had not to dive across the room and scoop up their perfect little soulmate. It was obvious Peter wasn't being properly fed, nor was he sleeping well. His cheeks had a slightly sunken look to them, and his eyes carried dark bags underneath them. His shirt was rumpled and his jeans had a small rip in the knee and didn't cover his ankles. How had no one else noticed his neglect? Did no one care about him?
Pietro grabbed Wanda's hand as her fingertips started to tinge red. He wasn't happy with what he saw, but they couldn't risk causing a scene. Wanda and Pietro were already controversial additions to the team, and while they had earned a lot of public praise, one wrong move could bring it crashing down.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Peter." Pepper smiled softly at him. Her heart strings pulled tight at the obvious tension in his body.
"Y-You too Mrs. Potts." Peter replied, voice strained.
"We were talking with your guardians about offering you an internship at SI."
Peter opened his mouth to reply and winced as Kathy pinched the back of his arm roughly.
Wanda's eyes narrowed at the slight movement. Slowly, Pietro leaned back a little further, pushing the back of her short sleeve shirt just enough to see a bright red mark on her skin.
His jaw tightened in an effort to keep from lashing out at the woman. How dare she sit there and pretend to be innocent while she hurt their soulmate!
"Th-that's very nice, but I'm su-sure there's someone who deserves it more. I-I'm not anyone special." Peter said, fixing his gaze on a point over Pepper's shoulder.
"Not according to your school grades." Tony said, flipping his phone around to show the grades on Peter's parent portal.
Why was it so easy to hack into school records?
"I mean, with these grades you'll definitely be valedictorian when you finally graduate. SI would love to set a precedent with it's high school intern program. It sounds like he'd be a pretty good 'fit' to me." Tony grinned smugly.
"Yes, the person who recommended Peter definitely knew what they were talking about." Pepper smiled, fully intent on admonishing Tony later for his impromptu law breaking.
"Yes, Peter is a gifted kid," Kent said, voice strained, clearly not comfortable with offering Peter any amount of praise. "But he's a trouble maker and he knows it. That's why we don't think we can let him take the internship."
"I know someone who would be perfect for it though. Good grades and a good child!" Kathy smiled widely.
"Umm, no." Tony replied flatly. "I want that kid right there."
"Mr. Stark, I must ask you to reconsider this-"
"Pep, are they questioning me? Are they questioning my judgment on something involving Stark Industries?" Tony asked, looking at Pepper in mock disbelief.
"We're not questioning you Mr. Stark!" Kent rushed out.
"No! We're just offering you someone who would be better!" Kathy finished.
The room grew tense as Tony's patience started slipping. Just how stupid were these people? Anyone in their right mind would be chomping at the bit to have their kid intern at SI while in high school! Did they not realize how this made them look? How much of their real attitude towards Peter this gave away?
"I find that hard to believe while looking at these grades. I highly doubt I'd find another student on par with him. I'm aware of the reputation of the school he's attending." Tony scoffed.
Yes, he knew all about the school Peter was attending. Kids who came from uppity families with money. Kids who seemed more concerned with their social status than their grades. You didn't even have to know those details though. You could guess that based on the average overall grade of the student population.
No, there wasn't another kid there that would compare to Peter Parker.
"Tony," Pepper said, placing her hand on his arm. "Why don't we have Wanda and Pietro take Peter outside while we talk with Mr. and Mrs. Matthews."
Peter felt Kathy and Kent stiffen next to him. He knew that was the last thing they wanted, not that he wanted it either. He knew what this was. Tony being here wasn't an internship offer based off his grades, he was here because he knew he was Spider-Man.
The one promise he had had Tony make, and it was broken.
The new suit must have been rigged to activate a tracker when Karen went online.
This wasn't what he wanted. He was supposed to be cutting ties with the Avengers, not getting closer to them!
Especially after what had happened earlier.
Peter jumped and gave a slight hiss as the back of his arm was pinched tighter than before. He turned to look at Kathy who then bent down close to his ear.
"You're not taking the internship. We'll entertain this until they leave. Keep your mouth shut while you're with those two and remember," she hissed, pinching harder. "You don't want your punishment to be worse than what it already will be."
Peter nodded as Kathy turned loose his skin and shoved him to stand up.
He swallowed hard as he looked over at the now standing Wanda and Pietro. The two smiled warmly at him, Pietro holding out his hand.
Peter knew what it was. It was the request to initiate the bond between them like the one he had with Wanda. With an internal sigh, he took Pietro's hand, the familiar warmth spreading through his body as he was lead to the front door and out the house.
As soon as the door was shut, Peter felt himself pulled into a warm hug. The twins held him tightly, both placing a kiss on the top of his head.
"Don't worry Peter," Wanda said, her voice cracking. "We're going to get you out of there."
Surprised, Peter pulled back, looking back and forth between the brother and sister.
"Wha-"
"We know, Peter." Pietro said, his gaze firm. "We know what's been going on here."
"And you know it. You've always known we'd know."
Peter frowned, looking off to the side. No, he didn't know how they knew.
No one knew.
"I...I don't..."
Wanda frowned at the confusion on Peter's face. Did he not experience the same connection they did? They knew every time Peter got hurt, did he not know when they did?
Deciding to test her theory, Wanda reached out, pinching Pietro's arm.
"What the hell?" Pietro yelped, rubbing the bright red spot. "What was that for?"
Wanda looked as Peter's arm stayed perfectly normal.
"He doesn't share that connection with us." she said, motioning towards Peter's arm.
Pietro looked, surprised by the lack of physical response.
"What connection?" Peter asked, a growing discomfort in his stomach.
"Peter, would you mind pinching your arm?" Wanda asked softly.
Peter's eyes narrowed. Why would he voluntarily hurt himself when he was already facing a severe beating later?
"You were pinched on the back of your arm. Right here." Pietro supplied, pointing to the spot on the back of his own arm.
It was obvious Peter wasn't going to allow them to give him a physical demonstration.
"You're healing factor has already gotten rid of the evidence, but we had the mark too."
Peter frowned. Soulmates didn't share that kind of connection. Emotions, yes. All soulmates could feel the emotions of those connected to them, but a physical connection like that was unheard of.
"You are beaten on your back often. Sometimes whipped and cut." Wanda said, her eyes watering.
"You got a black eye just the other day." Pietro continued.
Peter took a small step back, distrustful of what looked like concern in their eyes. No one cared what happened to him. Why would they? Why would anyone care that useless orphan Peter Parker was regularly beaten? It wasn't like he deserved the care anyway. Definitely not from them.
Why would they want a broken soulmate?
Peter took another step back.
He couldn't get close to them. He couldn't let them know how desperately he had once wanted to meet and love his soulmate or mates. That was a long ago lost dream. He knew now how unworthy of one he was. How dangerous he could be.
Everyone he had loved died.
Those he didn't love weren't looking to become any better off.
"Peter..." Pietro frowned, a sad expression on his face. "Don't back away from us. We just want to protect you."
Peter shook his head, taking another step back. His breathing picked up, his anxiety spiking.
"You're going to be ok." Wanda assured. "We're going to take you from here and show you the love you deserve."
Another step back.
This wasn't happening! It couldn't happen! They couldn't know how unlucky they were to have him as their soulmate. How embarrassing it would be for them if word ever got out.
How quickly they would leave him once they knew.
How all the Avengers would hate him for being such a disappointment and upsetting their teammates.
"Peter..." Wanda started, slowly reaching out her hand.
The sound of a car pulling into the driveway drew their attention. Peter recognized the couple that got out as friends of Kathy and Kent, which meant more would be arriving shortly.
The couple paused as they caught sight of Peter, Wanda and Pietro on the porch.
"I thought they were getting rid of the little trouble maker for the night." The woman hissed to her husband.
"I thought they were smart enough to keep the brat's 'friends' away. Apparently, we were wrong on both accounts." The man replied.
"Surely he's not staying." the woman frowned. "We have.....things to discuss."
"I doubt the brat is staying. Isn't that right worm?" the man sneered, ignoring the porch's two other occupants.
Peter hung his head in shame as Wanda and Pietro stood up straighter. Did these idiots not know who they were insulting?
Before they could confront the couple though, the front door of the house opened and Pepper and Tony emerged with Kathy and Kent close behind.
"Oh, company?" Tony asked, raising an eyebrow at the new couple and angry twins.
"Yo-you're Tony Stark!" The woman gasped.
"Mr. Stark! It's an honor!" The man rushed.
"I'm sure." Tony replied, turning to Peter. "Alright kid, we'll be back to get you bright and early in the morning. Make sure you have what you need."
Peter looked up, catching the slight wink Tony threw at him.
Pepper walked over to him, her smile warm.
"Bright and early, Mr. Parker. We look forward to seeing how your first day goes. We see a great deal of potential in you."
"And no one can spot genius material like me, kid." Tony smirked.
Peter nodded his head slowly, unsure of the right response with Kathy and Kent giving him a hard stare.
"Alright wonder twins." Tony said, motioning to Wanda and Pietro. "Let's go. I have some things to take care of before Mr. Parker comes to play tomorrow."
The twin's faces fell at the fact they wouldn't be taking Peter with them. How could they be expected to leave him behind? Here. With his abusers!
A look passed between the four before Wanda and Pietro nodded glumly and made their way off the porch, both throwing longing looks over their shoulder as Peter backed further off to the side of the porch.
"It was...lovely to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Matthews." Pepper said, her jaw tight. "Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to work with Peter. Who knows, maybe this is just what he needs."
The husband and wife nodded stiffly as Pepper turned and followed Tony, Wanda and Pietro to the car.
With a final look back and a smile from both Pepper and Tony, they all climbed into the car and left.
Peter watched as they disappeared out of sight, then turned to Kathy and Kent.
"Carl, Tammy, why don't you two head on inside while we talk to Peter.
Still stark struck over who had just left, Carl and Tammy quickly made their way inside, leaving Peter alone with the Matthews.
"You listen to me you little shit." Kent hissed, getting in his face. "You're getting tomorrow, and tomorrow only. You're going to go, show them what a little pain in the ass you are, then we're going to send them on to my boss's kid. Now go upstairs and get whatever you were planning on taking and get lost."
"Just make sure you're back before dawn so you're here before Mr. Stark comes to get you." Kathy scoffed. "I can't believe he was so pushy about you. They say he's a genius but I clearly question that status since he seems to want something to do with you. Those grades he seemed so impressed by, he's not going to like realizing you most likely got them on your knees. Disgusting little liar."
Peter felt the tears prick at his eyes. He was a lot of things, but he would never do something like that!
"Did you hear me boy?" Kent grunted. "Get your shit and get out! I don't want anyone else arriving and seeing you here!"
Peter nodded, rushing inside and up the stairs to grab his backpack. He threw the new suit and old suit inside since there was no reason not to. Tony now knew who and where he was, so it wouldn't take him long to get the rest of Peter Parker's story.
He'd come get both the suits on his own, probably before the night was over.
He'd find him while out, take the suits and call of the internship.
Because that's what happens to Peter Parker. Everything bad and nothing good, but he didn't deserve them anyway.
Tossing his bag over his shoulder, he rushed back down the stairs and out the door, barely catching Kathy and Kent telling how the internship was some sort of trail program for troubled kids but Peter would most likely be the first and last.
Running down to the sidewalk, Peter barely avoided having to see the rest of Kathy and Kent's guests.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"We couldn't just take him with us." Tony said, looking at the frustrated faces of Wanda and Pietro.
"We don't have that authority." Pepper agreed. "But we'll figure it out."
"But he's stuck there until we do!" Wanda cried, tears rolling down her cheeks.
Pietro tucked her into his side and ran his fingers through her hair, catching sight of his newly changed mark under his sleeve.
"Not for long, I promise." He told her, kissing the top of her head.
"Definitely not for long." Tony said, engrossed in his phone.
"Why do I have this feeling you're doing something else that's illegal?" Pepper asked flatly.
"I'm doing a public service Pep!" Tony defended. "People like that don't deserve to be out on the street, much less have access to children!"
"You won't be able to get them on child abuse Tony, not unless you use Peter's obvious lack of proper food and sleep as evidence. Even that isn't likely to do it. Lot's of kids refuse to eat and have trouble sleeping. You can't really make an abuse case hold without some major proof. Peter's abilities won't give you that." Pepper frowned.
Wanda's tears increased. The odds of getting Peter away from Kathy and Kent seemed less and less.
"What good is having two highly trained spies on our side if we never let them have a little fun?" Tony smirked, turning off his phone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Natasha shoved her phone in her back pocket as she moved swiftly to the common room, snatching Clint up off the couch.
"Hey!"
"Come on, our kids need a little help." she said, pulling him behind her and leaving the others behind in surprise.
"Wanna fill me in?" Clint asked, buckling in as Natasha peeled out the parking garage and towards the road.
"Apparently there's more going on with our little spider than just the abuse."
"What do you mean?"
"He's a kid Clint. A child. He's only 15."
Clint looks at her, studying the side of her face.
"You're kidding."
"Tony just sent me the kid's information. He said the he's completely different outside the suit. Quiet, withdrawn. He said the kid's thin frame isn't just from his active lifestyle. He's also a foster. Kid's lost every family member he had."
"How are Wanda and Pietro?"
"They're upset. They wanted to take him with them. Unfortunately, there's nothing that can be used against them to take Peter immediately and put the foster parents away."
"Peter?"
"Yeah. Peter Parker. Our little Spider-Baby." she smirked.
"Oh, now we'll have Spider-Mom and Spider-Son!" Clint grinned.
"Well then, I guess we should have our own little look at these 'guardians'."
Natasha rolled her eyes, but not really minding the title of Spider-Mom. Spiders had to stick together after all.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tony sighed as he fell into bed. After returning to the compound, Wanda and Pietro had immediately went to their room, not speaking to anyone on the way.
It had been a tense conversation when Tony and Pepper had filled the others in on Peter and his situation. Everyone had been furious to hear how the man and woman had actively tried to talk them out of giving Peter his "internship".
He wouldn't lie about his surprise by the severity of Steve's rant about Peter, who was only 15, only had his vigilante secret as something good in his life. The idea the kid put his life on the line to only go home to a beating he couldn't fight back against, was not something he could stand.
He had eventually stormed out to go work off some steam in the training room.
Having spent a good portion of his life taking beatings he couldn't win against, hearing that Peter had to suffer his own hit the super soldier hard.
"I don't think I've ever seen Steve so mad." Pepper said, laying down next to him.
"Good 'ole Captain America." Tony snickered.
Pepper swatted his arm before pausing.
"Should your phone be blinking like that?"
Tony lifted his head, looking over at the night stand where his phone sat, a little light winking. Grabbing it, he flipped over on his back and held it above his head.
"The kids on the move." he frowned. "He's pretty far out from his current residence."
Tony refused to call where the kid was staying a "home".
"Maybe that's normal. You've never really tracked where he goes before."
"Maybe." Tony said, messing with his phone.
"What are you doing?"
"Just curious how long he's usually out. I'm clocking his time."
"Just how much did you do to that suit?" Pepper asked, raising an eyebrow.
"More than what he'd be happy knowing about."