The Unassigned Mission

Clearing

Peter wrung his wrist as he stood by Tony explaining the situation to the cops. He wasn't exactly tuned in to the whole situation. He was lost in thought as things whirred by.

He's sixteen and just murdered a man. Peter has accepted it was self defense and Maxwell was a cruel human to everyone, especially the one person who he should've loved unconditionally.
Yet, Peter can't rid that awful feeling in his stomach. The fear that this will be his eternity; killing people and brushing it off like it's nothing like they're crushed bugs and you shouldn't feel remorse because you can't comprehend the depth of that creatures life before it was abruptly ended. You don't know their interests, their occupation, their family...the only knowledge is that of their crimes; that should be enough reason for your actions. Maybe that doesn't exactly apply to bugs but this death doesn't sit well because Peter does know Maxwell's family. His Aunt and him are housing her and Peter cares for her deeply.
God, Sophia is going to be devastated to realize that two men in her life are capable of vicious intentions.

"Peter," KAREN buzzed through his ears, which sounded like a comforting tone "you're overthinking. Please take a breath, you haven't in a while."

Peter sucked in some air and Tony, in his Iron Man suit, paused his conversation to look at him.

"Alright there, buddy?"

"Y-yeah, I'm gonna-.." Peter motioned to the street and started walking as Tony turned back to the cop.
Peter didn't walk far, this was his mess that Tony was cleaning up, so he had to stay close to know when it was over. Although, with the circumstance that played out earlier flashing in his mind, it might never be over.

"Peter?" Aunt May got out of her car and a door slammed shut to signify Sophia was here too.

"Aunt May," Peter paused and looked at the metal head distracted with important matters. "Did Tony call you?"

"Well of course! We both know for some ludicrous reason you wouldn't have. He was actually using his head. He actually is keeping an eye on you, something I need to do more of apparently-.."

"This is a crime scene," a cop protested, cutting May off but Tony got out of his suit as he saw the situation start.

"No worries, Brent. This is the victim's daughter," he motioned to an approaching Sophia.

"Victim?"

Peter was thankful he was wearing his mask because the guilt and the fast color loss to his face was very obvious.

"Your father attacked Spider-Man and it didn't end well for him."

Sophia looked at Peter as she brushed passed Tony to approach him,
"You did this?"

"It was self defense, I swear"

Sophia noted the sorrow in his voice and grabbed at his shoulder. She pulled him in for a hug and buried her face into his already dried suit.

"I mean I can't say it's okay but I'm glad you're alright," she whispered to Peter.

Momentarily, Peter actually did feel alright. He was comforted by yet another hug; this was a brand new experience for Peter and Sophia may not know what Tony does about crime fighting but she does understand humans, just like him. Every human needs reassurance when they're hurting. Which is ironic because Sophia never got that growing up but she doesn't hesitate to do it for other people.

_______________________________

Peter kissed May on the cheek after an hour of her coddling him and whispering that everything will be okay; Peter can't argue that it certainly made him feel better. He wouldn't mention that part of tonight to Ned though, for obvious ego busting reasons. May did mention that maybe Peter should take a break; hang the suit up for a month or so. Just so he can find himself again. She may not be his mother but she's amazing at noting shifts in Peter's mood, as well as just knowing that a traumatic event like this could change someone.
Either way, Peter was considering her words as he walked back into his room. Spotting Sophia sitting on the short window sill, looking out at the darkened Queens below her.

"Penny for your thoughts."

"What I'm thinking may cost more than just a lousy penny."

"Okay, a dollar then," he smiled softly and leaned on the wall adjacent to her.

"I just wish I got that one last vengeful speech in at the trial. He needed to hear me explain my pain to him one last time. Then he would be dragged to prison to rot. Or my words would just fall onto deaf ears. He never cared about me after mom died, I think he loved my suffering. I was his rag doll that he tortured and brushed me off afterwards while I screamed and pleaded to be helped."

She was crying now, her hair tucked behind her ear and the hall light mixed with the street lights, illuminated her face. The tears shimmering and her scars prominent. Peter sat down on the floor and grabbed at her hand gently.

"I'm not mad at you for killing him, Peter. I don't honestly think I could ever be truly mad at you. You've done so much for me but-.." she slid off the small sill and crumpled next to him. "I wish I got to see him suffer."

Peter was taken aback; he did not know how to respond to that honesty. She was not joking around and rightfully so, she was mangled by her father so the hatred for him isn't that shocking. Pun.
No wait, shit.
Peter shook his head to himself and pulled her into a hug,
"At least he's gone and I'm sorry for taking that chance away from you. You really deserved your hate fueled goodbye. I had no right to kill him, I just was completely unaware I was doing so."

Sophia nodded against his shoulder and rubbed his arm but she didn't say anything. Peter didn't try to further the conversation either. They just sat there. Holding each other and comforting the other. It was pleasant and calming for both. They soon fell asleep like that.