Peter felt it in his chest most days. He didn't have what he wanted more than anything else in the world. A mother to comfort and sooth, a father to guide and protect, a life to cherish and live. His father was deadbeat and narcissistic. His mother was schizophrenic and controlling. He barely functioned on most days. He wanted to live, but god not like this.
Peter cried numerous times, hiding in his room, bruises littered all over and bleeding everywhere. Nowhere was safe, but the room was better then everything else outside his door. He hid under the covers and sobbed for an angel.
_____________
He liked his new life. He loved it. He had skincare to pamper himself with, so many things to wear, lots of Legos, an absolutely monster sized Godzilla statue, a dream room, amazing inner circle, everything anyone could ever want. Coming from where Peter came, it was a golden opportunity, or a gold and red opportunity. An opportunity to build the family and life he's always wanted for himself, above all to be loved.
Peter didn't know when things started changing. But he felt it when the way Tony looked at him changed. The older man's brown eyes started looking gooey and loving behind his usual disastrous self. He looked at Peter like he wanted to squish him and demand adoption rights, which is exactly what happened after sometime. Peter had people now. Tony, Happy, Rhodey, Bruce, Pepper, MJ, Harry, Ned. His inner circle.
He loved eating meals together with his family. He loved how Tony made sure to tuck him in every night cause he falls asleep every other way but properly. He loved Rhodey taking on the 'cool uncle' role. He loved that he could get hugs and cuddle so much and feel safe. He loved how his family protected him and cherished him. He loved how anyone would buy him his anxiety and depression medication when he ran out ("kid's out of drugs. Onwards Harold!". "I hate you"). He loved taking care of himself finally, his body and face recovering and feeling so so comfortable. He loved the financial security. He loved that he could buy things without feeling like the worst human ever or without him being hurt over it, truth be told he still felt like that from time to time. He loved Tony coming to pick himself up more often ("can't bother Happy too much kid"), lies. He loved living life and doing things with his friends. Oh he loved he loved he loved.
His life was a dream. A dream he always dreamt but never dared to hope, yet craved so bad. He used to hurt all over. Now his aches were soothed daily with loving hands and tender words. Peter's internal monologue was till going when his phone rang. Video call.
"Hello?"
"Kid, Pepper has some friends coming over and it's going to be like a dinner thing. You coming? Or we can ditch"
"You're just using me to hide from the fancy ladies"
"Fancy and annoying Pete. Plus, I get to hangout with my favourite baby. It's a win win"
"I'm not a baby!"
"You are Petey piee"
"On second thought with how old you are I probably am a baby"
"I'm revoking your cuddle privileges"
"I'll tell Pepper"
"Who taught you all this huh?"
"You. And I love you"
"Love you too Bambi"
_____________
It was a fact that Tony smiled more when Peter was around. Peter would ride around on Tony's back, sleep between him and Pepper at night, get good morning and goodnight kisses from both of them (and whoever was around to fall victim to Peter). Peter, Tony and Pepper checked up on eachother throughout the day. He felt so so loved. And he felt even better seeing how it lights up Tony and Pepper's world.
The hardest day wasn't when they had to go to court, wasn't the first day of therapy. The hardest day was when Peter explained everything that was done to him and all the horrible things he had to go through. The hardest part of it was not actually revealing everything, it was how Tony broke down and started sobbing all over his hands. And how he pulled Peter into his lap and cradled him, vowing into his hair that he'll protect him and keep him safe.
______________
By the time christmas rolled around Tony, Pepper, Rhodey, Bruce and Happy were conspiring. It was very annoying. But all that melted away the morning of Christmas Eve.
"Baby, me and Tony have a Christmas gift for you" Pepper said getting out a wrapped gift that looked like a laptop or something. "Omgg. What is it?. Gimmie!" Peter eagerly tore the paper off. "Paper? This is to certify that Peter Parker is to officially be adopted- Tony!" The younger cried and jumped into Tony's arms. "What've you done?? You want me? Officially? Pepper too? Why?"Peter managed to question, trembling with something so complex he didn't quite understand.
"Petey pie what do you mean why? You are our son, our spider baby. We can't imagine our lives without you kiddo. You already call me dad. You call Pepper mom. Heck Rhodey, Happy and Bruce are in 'umcle' category. We wanted to make it official because that's the least you deserve. You deserve a family kid. And I plan on getting there registered by law, by pure hearsay and by our hearts. Pepper and I talked about it a lot before coming to a decision so this isn't hastily thought okay?" Tony explained, soothing Peter's hair.
"If you want this all you have to do is sign the papers sweetheart. You'll be ours and nothing can change that" Peter nodded rapidly, Pepper's voice ringing in his ears.
"I have a family. A legal family. I could cry"
"You are crying kid"
"Shut up old man. It's my tear ducts. They hate -sniff- me"
"Sure Pete"
______________
The universe gave Peter a metal angel, And he planned to love and be loved.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
