Bringing the kid back would most definitely was not my idea, but it was very convenient. I needed extra hands around the lab (well, extra extra hands) and Tony needed someone for errands and the occasional publicity to make him look like a saint. It was perfect.
After talking with a thoroughly confused adoption agency, we had arranged a time for Peter to be picked up by Tony. Then Tony and the Spider-ling would fly back via helicopter, because Tony Stark is, above all else, a sucker fir theatrics.
Getting him back had been much, much easier than I had expected. Apparently no one had wanted to adopt him yet. Now my heart didn't leap with joy imagining him in an overcrowded room full of kids he doesn't know (which probably triggered his senses a lot), but I sure as hell am not going to cry over him. He's just not worth it.
💻☕🚛Time Skip💻☕🚛
Once I heard the whirring of the helicopter I stepped out onto the landing pad. Both Tony and Peter came out of the helicopter. I smiled at Tony, then turned my gaze on Peter, frowning now.
"Did Tony explain the new rules to you?" I asked, eyebrows raised. Peter nodded.
"Yes, he did. I understand." His voice, or lack thereof, came as a shock to me. Peter was such a rambunctious kid, it was odd to see him this quiet. Not that I was complaining.
I also didn't see Peter being much of a problem. One of the rules was "No more Spiderman" because if he gets in trouble, it'll be a whole ordeal. And to add that on to the very promenint very dark circles under his eyes, slouched poster, and overall broken appearance, he would be perfect.
"Well Peter, you'll be staying in your old room. Nothing has been touched, so it should be fine."
"Ok. Thank you."
"Oh, and also EDITH will let you know who you will be assisting all day every morning." Peter nodded.
"I understand."
"Then you'll also understand," Tony said, eyebrows raised even further "that if you cause any... disturbance or annoyance of any kind, I will not hesitate to send you back."
Peter's entire body went rigid, and his numb composure completely fractured.
"Please." he begged "Please don't send me back there. Everything is so loud, and everyone is awful." He started fidgeting with his hands, obviously trying to distract himself from the tears forming in his eyes. "Mr. Stark please don't make me go back there please."
Tony, unbothered, looked at Peter with what could only be described as movk pity.
"Then Peter, please please don't give me a reason to." Peter nodded frantically.
"Ok, ok I won't. I promise to be quiet you won't even know I'm here. Well obviously you'll know I'm here but I'll be so so so quiet I promise Mr. Stark just please don't send me back there-" Tony cut him off by placing his hand on Peter's shoulder.
"Be quiet Peter. I don't know where you got 'mindlessly ramble' from 'be quiet'." I could see Peter's shoulder tensing under Tony's hand. "Peter, I would never hit you. You're not worth it. But Otto..." he glanced to me "doesn't give a damn."
Peter gulped, his hands shaking severely and his face looking like he was on the brink of tears.
"I understand Mr. Stark."
"Good." Tony slapped Peter on the back, making him wince "because there's one more person I need you to meet."
