Peter sighed when Tony ended the call. He stared out at the beautiful stars that shined above the city, it was a sight to see.

The peaceful night was suddenly disrupted when a man in a red suit of armor came speeding through the night sky.

Peter sniffled, squeezing his eyes shut when he landed next to him.

"Kid..?" Tony's spoke softly as he stepped out of the suit. "Pete, are you alright?"

Peter wanted to answer, tell Mr. Stark everything but he couldn't speak.

If he spoke he felt like he wouldn't be able to stop and he would become a burden.

Tony let out a quiet sigh, he knew that the kid was grieving. Tony, himself, had grieved multiple times but he didn't know how to help someone grieving.

But he had to try. It hurt Tony to see the kid on such a vulnerable state.

The broken man slowly crouched down to the broken kid, he stared at the kid for a few moments.

He saw something he never wanted to see.

Ever.

He saw himself in this kid.

The kid has lost four parental figures within 15 years yet he still smiled everyday.

Tony failed to do that. Tony turned into a stereotypical drunken and rich man.

Tony shook his head. He didn't see himself, he saw a better version of himself.

"Underoos, talk to me." Tony whispered, "Please."

Peter let out a defeated sigh and mumbled, "Don't wanna be burden."

Tony felt like his heart shattered. He was never close to the kid and he never knew what was going on in his head.

But he did know the kid never talked to anyone about how he felt except his aunt.

"Kid, you aren't being a burden." Tony whispered, "I'm offering to help you. Please talk to me."

Tony knew he had to be patient with this kid but a small part of him was getting frustrated.

"I... What am I supposed to say, Mr. Stark?" Peter whispered, quietly. "My last living parental figure just died and I don't know what to say. Stupid, stupid, stupid. I'm not fine, obviously and I'm not going to lie because that doesn't end up well."

Tony sighed, he had no idea what to do. Was he supposed to hug the kid and tell him everything was going to be fine even though it was not.

Peter shook his head, burying his face in his hands. Choked sobs escaped his lips, his fragile figure began to shake uncontrollably.

It was heartbreaking enough to hurt the happiest person in the world.

Tony froze at the sight of Peter, he never thought he would witness this kid cry like this.

Tony slowly crawled over to the kid, embracing him in a hug. He felt the kid freeze in his arms but after a few seconds, he fell into Tony's arms.

"I feel so insignificant and unloved right now but I know that that's not true." Peter whispered, so quiet that Tony was surprised he heard it.

"Oh, Pete." Tony whispered, as he began to run his fingers through the kids curly hair. He felt relieved that the kid was at least talking but he felt worried at what the kid had said.

He pulled the kid closer to him, Tony felt Peter nuzzle his head into the crook of Tony's neck.

Tony's heart fluttered at the gesture, just a second ago he had been saying he was unloved.

The duo stayed like that for hours, while Peter explained how he felt.

—

"Pete, come on." Tony whispered, "You can stay with me for the time being."

Peter suddenly jerked up, Tony expected him to be excited but he eyes said otherwise.

Peter looked like he was a little scared, scared of what?

"I don't want to be a burden, Mr. Stark," Peter spoke quickly, energy surging through him. "I can live out here, I mean I have money and I won't die. I think."

Scared of being a burden.

"Nope, you are coming with me." Tony declared, staring down at the kid. "Rhodey will be there and so will Pepper. We have room for one more."

"I couldn't..." Peter whispered, "Couldn't.... Intrude."

Tony basically let out a quiet snort, "Intrude? I'm literally inviting you. Not even, forcing you to come with me."

Peter let out an exasperated sigh, but got up anyway. "Alright... fine..."

"Alrightie, come on now." Tony smiled, have winning the kid over.

He wouldn't admit this to anyone but he loved the kid.

—

Once the pair arrived at Stark Industries, Tony spoke again, "You can stay the Avengers Compound when you go back to school, so like next week."

"Wha... what? Really?" Peter spoke, not even attempting to hide the surprised tone in his voice.

"Yep! Okay, let's go in." Tony declared, leading Peter into the mansion.

Peter nodded, taking in everything before him. It was absolutely stunning. (Me? Not going into detail? It's more likely than you think).

"Wow," Peter whispered.

Tony let out a small laugh, as the two got into the elevator. "Okay, so... Pepper hasn't actually met you yet but she knows of your existence. Oh, and Rhodey! Yeah, well you kind of met him."

Tony was quiet for a second, "I'm so dead. Oh boy, they're going to kill me if they find out you are Spider-Man..." Tony mumbled to himself.

"Oh well. Not my secret to tell." Tony spoke again, "You should tell them. I mean you are going to live with them. Pepper knows though, because... well yeah she knows."

Peter laughed at Tony's ramble, staring up at his mentor.

"Okay, kid, let's go in." Tony suggested, wrapping his arm around Peter's shoulder.

"Yeah... lets go in,"

you like this? yeah, me either. i wrote this on my phone within 20 minutes. it's pretty bad haha.