Beyond Control (PJO/HoO + Avengers Crossover)

Chapter 16

"Mr. Stark, can we please please leave?" Peter said once he heard the drunken voice of May.

"Was that your aunt? Why does she sound so wasted? Does she not know where you are?" Tony looked down at the window of Peter's bedroom, and held Peter up with both of his arms. When he didn't answer and just swayed, Tony picked him up and took him to the rooftop, the distant sound of May's yelling in the distant. When he looked back, he saw her silhouette smashing a beer bottle. 

When Tony looked back to Peter, he was back on the floor with his head tucked into himself, making him look like a ball. His hands were gripping his hair, and his head was shaking. "Please, please can we just go? Please, please I- I can't do it."

Tony put his hand in Peter's back in an attempt to calm him down, but when he did, Peter grabbed Tony's arm and put it in a position where if he was to bend it just a little more, the arm would be broken. "I- I'm so sorry Mr. Stark," Peter dropped the arm and ran his hands back through his hair.

"It's okay kid, you did your instincts again. I'm pro-"

Peter looked up at Tony, awaiting the words he had waited to hear so long from anyone. But, he was cut off.

"PETER IS THAT YOU? I CAN HEAR YOUR GABBING. IF YOU'RE GONNA RUN AWAY YOU OUT TO BE SMART ABOUT IT."

The echoing of May's voice through the stairway was worse than the sound of Ben's screams when he was shot. Peter knew what he was in for, and he didn't want Mr. Stark to stick around for it.

"You better beat it, Mr. Stark. She sounds mad. I don't want-"

"Are you crazy? Pete, I had no idea May was such a... whatever. I don't have the details. But I want them, ASAP. So, wherever you go, I want to go. I got your back kid."

Peter's eyes started to tear up. He appreciated Tony, he really did. But, the ugliness was simply something Tony didn't need to know about.

Before he could say anything, May slammed the door shut. A broken beer bottle was in her hand, her spare fingers wrapped around a near empty case of cigarettes that had a lighter peeking through the lid. In the other hand, she held a belt and a fresh bottle of booze. Her hair was a mess, and her eyes were bloodshot. May's pupils were huge, and her under eyes were purple. Safe to say, she didn't look very good. When she made eye contact with Peter, he quickly looked away. "Why you little-" She started walked towards Peter, but Tony stepped in front of him. "Oh, hi Tony."

He punched her in the face.