A Tragic Beginning.
It was late night, Peter had spend almost the entire evening with Ned, making a Lego Set of Stars Wars of 3500 pieces all while they talked about scifi movies and school, it was Ten thirty when Peter decided he shouldn't break curfew Tony and May had put on him so he went back home, he made a technical stop at a Donuts store for a box, he ate them almost all on the way home but he made sure to leave May some of it, when Peter got home he inmediatly noticed something wasn't right, they were a lot of cops and ambulances outside and he didn't understand what was happening until a policeman spoke to him...
-Do you live here? -he asked-
-Yes -Peter said- what happened?
-Someone broke inyo the building -he said- he had military weapons...
-No! -Peter exclamed- May!
-Are you talking about May Parker? -the cop asked-
-Yes! -Peter said- she's my aunt is she alright?!
-Am afraid she's not -he said- an ambulance took her to the Mercy hospital an hour ago she looked bad...
Peter inmediatly ran all the way across the street, the box of donuts long forgotten on the floor and the talking from that cop out of his reach, he went at a speed that could almost challenge Captain America, nothing of the clumsy Peter Parker he ussually pretended to be in front of the others... he needed to get quickly to the hospital and know that May was gonna be alright, when he get the he asked for May on emergency, the place was full of people, victims and other persons of his building and from the neighborhood...
-Excuse me -Peter said to a nurse- can you tell me something about May Parker? She was brought here an hour ago...
-She's on surgery right now -she said- one of the bullets was really close to her heart...
Peter felt his world crash right in front of his eyes, May was in surgery, she had more than one gunshot y everything because he wasn't there to protect her Spiderman couldn't protect what he most wanted and now probably he wasn't gonna see her anymore...
-Is someone here for May Parker? -a young doctor asked-
-Me -Peter said- I'm her nephew...
-The bullet didn't reach her heart but it broke an important artery, we did what we could to repair it but there was too much internal bleeding coming from the other bullets I'm really sorry kid...
The doctor put a hand on his shoulder in a comfort signal but that did nothing to alleviate the suffering and the blame he was feeling on that moment, Peter just ran to the bathroom that thanks god was empty and sat on the floor, he really didn't know what to do, he didn't had no one but May his only living relative and now she was dead...
-Peter? -Ned asked- what's up men? It's midnight.. you're not kicking asses are you? May's gonna kill you...
-Ned... -Peter said in a broken voice- something really bad happened Ned...
-Peter my god are you alright?! -he exclamed- are you hurt?! Did someone shoot you?
-No -he said trying really hard to not burst in tears- is May Ned... she's dead... someone shoot her Ned...I'm scared...
-Oh Peter I'm so sorry men....did you called someone? -Ned asked Peter said no- you gotta call Happy or Mr. Stark before they discover you got sixteen or they're gonna call social services... Peter?
He ended the call went out of the bathroom, there was a woman in heels already there waiting, he ran to the back door and sat on a bech on a park nearby then called Happy, praying to any god he knew the man picked up his call...
-What's up kid? -he asked- you're lucky I'm not busy or I wouldn't have asnwered you...
-Happy I need help -Peter said in a trembling voice- something really bad happened...
-Are you alright? Where are you? -Happy asked really worried-
-In a park mear the Mercy hospital -he said- May was shot... she didn't...she didn't make it Happy...
-Oh my god you gotta try to breath alright Kid?
-They called social services that's why I ran out...they don't know where I am -Peter said- I'm scared Happy...
-Peter listen to me -he said- I'll be in a minute with Tony ok? Stay where you are and don't sign anything...
-Alright -he said-
When Tony got the call from Happy saying it was urgent and about Peter, his heart stoped, the last thing that happened had been on the homecoming when Peter fought the vulture and ended up badly hurt, Happy explained him everything briefly and the billionaire was out of the bed in a second, he changed and then called Pepper and ask her to call all the good lawyers they knew including a custody specialized one, Steve was on a mission with Natasha so he decided to not bother him...
When Happy parked the car in front of the Park Tony got out and saw Peter sitting on a bench he was hugging his knees to his chest and his face was hided between them...
-Hey Peter... -Tony said- everything is gonna be alright okay? I'm here I won't let you...
Peter looked up at Tony and the billionaire could see how that usually shining green eyes, where empty, with a guilt and pain on them...
-Let's go buddy -Tony said softly- Happy is in the car...
Peter did as he was told without refuse leaving Tony worried because he never did that before, Peter never stopped talking he was always rambling about something but this Peter was too much quiet, both entered the car and Tony heart cleched because once Happy started driving Peter hugged him like a lifesaver and broke down in cries and sobs the realization that May was indeed dead finally catching up with him...
-I'm sorry Mr. Stark -he said between sobs- It's just...I'm really sad...
-Shhhh...shhh... -Tony slushed him- it's okay...let it out... it's fine
His mind traveled to his past and he remembered everything he lived when his parents died and he and he had to go to the hospital, make a funeral, everything was so painful of Jarvis hadn't been there maybe he wouldn't be alive today...
-It hurts -he said- it's really hurts...
-I know Peter -Tony said- believe me I know...
Tony started to draw circles on Peter's back while he kept repeating smoothing words waiting for Peter to finally calm down...
-Where boss? -Happy asked-
-Avengers compound -Tony said- call Pepper and see what she got... and see if Steve is back too...
-Mr. Stark whats gonna happen to me? -Peter asked-
-Don't worry about that just yet? -Tony said- I'll take care of everything...
-Thanks -Peter said finally closing his eyes-
When Tony arrived the compound, Steve was already there waiting for him, he helped him take Peter to a room, they already had a room for him near Vision's room but Steve made an improvised one near he and Tony's room so they could keep an eye on him, Steve carried him to his room and Tony took away his shoes and covered him with a blanket, then both went to their room...
-What happened Tony? -Steve asked-
-May is dead -he said- there was a shooting in Peter apartment...
-Oh my god... -Steve exclamed- poor kid...
-I'm gonna adopt him -Tony suddenly said-
-Tony... -Steve exclaimed-
-Listen Steve... Peter had already lost so much... first his parents, then Ben and now May...I know he's wounded I know that he needs help and I want him to feel loved and safe... and I understand if you don't want to sign the papers but I...
-You didn't let me finish Tony -Steve said getting closer- I was about to say that I'm want to do this trip with you... Peter is a really sweet kid and I want to help him too...
-Steve -Tony said- thanks you... really...
-Let's get some sleep -Steve said- Peter's gonna need us tomorrow...
Next day when Peter woke he almost freaked out because he wasn't at his home, then remembered that he was at the compound and what had happened yesterday and hugged his pillow bursting into tears again, he loved May so much, but deep inside he felt guilty he was Spiderman he should been there to save her like he saved peoples everyday... he heard the door of his room open but he didn't care to look who it was he wasn't in the mood to talk right now, suddenly strong arms pulled him into a hug and he just kept crying leaning on the comfort this person was offering him feeling soft pats on his back like people did with little babies it was embarrasing but comforting... after a while he stopped crying and cleaned himself up with the sleeve of his pijamas then looked up and saw no other than Steve Rogers a.k.a Captain America smiling at him...
-Hey there Peter -he said-
-Captain Rogers -Peter said-
-Call me Steve -he said- I don't like formalities...
-And Mr.Stark? -he asked-
-Tony is in a meeting with Pepper -Steve said- he asked me to take care of you...
-You don't have to -Peter said- I'm fine...
-Yeah sure you are -Steve said- listen I have lost family basically everyone I knew is dead so...I know how it feels... you feel guilty you feel like that's on you...
Peter eyes filled with tears again but this time Steve wiped them with his thumbs...
-But you don't have to feel like that -he continued- you didn't knew something like that it was gonna happen... and most important you're not alone... you got Tony and me... and Rhodey, Pepper, and all the avengers...we're all willing to help and if you let us I can promise you're gonna get through this...
-Okay... -Peter said- I think that would be good...
-In that case I did chocolate chips pancakes -the blonde said- if we go now we could eat a bunch before Sam and Bucky arrive...
-That's sounds good...
Both smiled and went downstairs, Steve showed Peter the compund and told him where everything was including every avenger room the bathroom, the medbay, the investigation place the library and of course the labs Peter was surprised to see that one had his name on it...
-Ups... -Steve said- Tony is working on it... and you weren't supposed to see it... but you can pretend to be surprised...right?
-Yeah no problem -Peter said smiling-
The rest of the day Peter spend his time in Steve company he still felt sad for May's dead but with the blonde company it felt a tiny bit better and he had hopes that his life was gonna be fine and that May was always gonna be there on his heart... It was almost 2:00 pm when Tony came back Peter was sleeping on the couch his head on Steve lap he was puffy like he had been crying but looked better than the day before...
-Uff... -Tony exhaled as he ploped on a chair-
-Long morning? -Steve asked-
-Very long -he said- I hate lawyers...
Steve chuckled...
-How is Peter? -Tony asked-
-He is getting better -Steve said- but he still got a long way... cried twice today...
-Well the first step is this -Tony said showing him a paper-
-The adoption papers? -Steve asked-
-Yes -he said- we can talk to Peter about it later...
The rest of the evening Peter stayed on his room most of the time sleeping there Tony and Steve respected that but told Friday to keep an eye on him and alerted then of anything that happened... It was after dinner when Tony and Steve called Peter to the room the avengers usually used to discuss their missions, Tony and Peter took their respective seats and they told Peter to take Clint seat as the archer was at home...
-Peter you remembers I told you to not worry about anything and that I would fix up things? -Tony asked-
-Yeah I remember -he said-
-Well after the meeting of this morning and discussing things with a bunch of lawyers -he said- you're not going to the system...
-For real? -Peter asked, Tony nodded- wow...thanks Mr. Stark really...
-I made a promise -Tony said- maybe you didn't know but I promised May that would never leave you alone... and I wont let you...
-So what's gonna happen now? -he asked-
-Well -Steve said- we have something to purpose you...
-We have adoption papers -Tony said- we would be your legal guardians and we would take care of everything related to you or your health, or school stuffs... also avengers related stuffs...
-That of course if you want to -Steve said- we wont force you to anything you don't want...
-You could also be emancipated now that you actually have a job as an Avenger -Tony said- that means you would be on your own and you would take care of your own things...
-But of course we will be there if you need us for anything... -Steve said- either way you wouldn't be alone...
-And you don't have to answer right now -Tony said- the lawyers gave me a week...
Peter eyes filled with tears, a part of him wanted to say yes because he didn't want to be alone, but other part felt sorry because he didn't want to replace May with Tony and Steve...
-Hey...-Tony said hugging him- I'm sorry... did we went to far?
-It's just I don't want to replace May...
-We're not here to replace her kiddo -Steve told him softly- she's always gonna be in your heart we just want to help you.... and if you don't want the adoption just take the emancipation...
-I don't want the emancipation -Peter said- it's too much just for me... I need help...
-It's okay Peter we will help you -Tony said- and remember you don't have to make a decision today...
-Okay -he said- I'll think about it...