Chapter 2
The closer the team got to the restaurant, the dumber they thought their idea was. Who the hell was going to have their restaurant open after what just happened?
To say they were lucky was an understatement. The shawarma joint was still open, even sustaining some damage. Though it was minimal, damage is still damage. Tony made sure to add in a very generous tip when they’re done eating. Very generous.
While eating, the Avengers learned a lot about Peter. They could obviously see that Peter was a Star Wars fan, but he really let them know how big of a fan he was. They also learned that he shared this passion (more like obsession) with his ‘bestest friend in the whole wide world’ Ned, who was a neutral with little tendencies. It comforted Steve to know that Peter might still have someone in his corner after all of this.
Alongside that, they learned that Peter was actually fourteen years old, not the mere eleven they mistook him for, and was a Freshman at Midtown School of Science and Technology. Bruce was pleased to hear that Peter had a keen interest in biochemistry and quizzed him on how much he knew.
They all had a good laugh after Peter explained the ‘Godforsaken’ Captain America PSA’s that were state mandated.
After that, the only person who was able to keep up with Peter’s excited ramblings was Thor. A battle like this was just another common occurrence in the life of an asgardian warrior. Thor was just somehow able to match Peter’s childlike energy almost perfectly.
When Thor had Peter’s undivided attention while recounting his many adventures throughout the nine realms, Tony decided it was best to pull Steve aside then. Jarvis had just notified him of the news he knew would come, but he didn’t want to come to terms with.
“She’s dead Steve. The kid’s aunt, May Parker. She’s gone,” Tony said, not beating around the bush, “and he’s got no other family left. No parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nothing. At all.”
Steve said the first thing that came to mind, “What about his friend Ned? Can he stay with him?” because when Steve’s parents passed, Bucky was there. Bucky was always there, like a good friend would be.
“Not everyone can take in a teenage boy at moment's notice, a teen aged little at that. We can’t ask the other kid’s family to do that. Everyone has their own life, Steve.” Tony pointed out.
But Steve thinks if Ned was even half as great as Peter said he was, then I'm sure his friend wouldn’t mind taking him in, right? Steve voiced these thoughts, but was once again, Tony countered that with the fact that things aren’t as easy as they were back then. It isn’t his friends responsibility to decided something like that either.
Of course, Steve still didn’t understand why Peter couldn’t stay with his friend, but he had to focus on the problem at hand. If there was no one for him to stay with, where could Peter go?
Steve took a quick glance at the boy laughing with Bruce chuckling with him, at what is now Thor telling stories, with Clint adding in hand motions and sound effects. He of course had to improvise because he has never seen or heard of any of the alien creatures that Thor was talking about, nor did he plan on it anytime soon. After seeing the boy's precious smile, Steve knew he couldn't let Peter be left under just anyone's care, especially not under the state's care.
Natasha walked towards them, gauging their sour looks. She could tell that Tony’s earlier deduction was completely right and from the last bits of conversation she overheard (yes, overheard), they (Tony) didn’t think Peter's was a viable option as far as his living situation goes.
Before Natasha suggested anything, she wanted to hear what Tony and Steve thought to do with him.
“We can’t give him to the state,” Steve immediately stated, “from my experience with them, they’d do more harm than good for him.”
“Let’s be honest here Steve, your experience is 70-year-old one,” Tony countered once more, “there is no way the system hasn’t improved by now,”
“Actually Tony,” Natasha interrupted, “Steve might have a point there. When have you ever heard anything good coming from a kid turned to the state?”
Tony contemplated the question, but realized, “He isn’t ours to keep though. You guys have to understand that. He isn’t our little...” he trailed off. Of course, Tony would do anything within his power to find him somewhere to go, but he just wasn’t sure what exactly he could do.
“We at least owe it to him to find him a nice family. After all, we are the reason he doesn’t have one anymore.” Natasha ground out, trying, but failing to conceal the guilt she felt. Though she rarely felt it, she couldn’t help it. She had never seen the direct results of her actions laid out right in front of her like this. Of course, if she were to hear about something like this she'd feel somewhat sorry about it, but seeing it, right in front of her, really hit her.
“How about letting him stay at the tower? Until we find a family for him, at least,” Steve suggests. From what Steve saw of Stark tower, even after all the damage, there has to be room for Peter. "But let's still try his friend."
Natasha nods her agreement while Tony glances towards Peter, contemplating the idea. The boy seemed to be nodding off in his seat. Poor kid must be exhausted after the day he’s had, he thinks.
“I guess we can have him over for a bit. But not for long, only until we find him a family. CPS is going to think the avengers kidnap kids if we keep him too long.” Tony sighs to himself, notifying JARVIS to order some things for Peter while getting all the information he could on his friend Ned.
While finishing up that conversation, Peter was finally conked out, cheek lying on the table right next to his finished shawarma plater. Drool already began to pool next to him. The avengers took that as their cue to leave.
As Thor lifted Peter out of his chair and maneuvered his limbs to fit around him, Natasha and Steve filled him, Clint, and Bruce in on what happened to his aunt and what they decided to do with him. As he promised himself, Tony left as considerable of a tip as he could, along with personal reminder to return with his checkbook.
After the Avenger’s bid thanks and farewell to the restaurant staff, they exited the joint in silence that was periodically interrupted by Peter’s soft snuffles.
They had no idea what they were in for.