Chapter Text
The growing dusk caused a significant drop in the temperature in Queens, forcing an uncomfortable shiver shimmying up Peter's spine. Although, Peter did enjoy the September month; it always meant he could wear his sweaters and hoodies without gaining weird looks from his classmates or even his Aunt for that matter. Peter also loved October, which basically solidified the "hoodie weather" time of year since the temperatures dropped even further then.
His mentor was the one who gave him the strangest of looks when he wore his hoodies in 70 degree weather.
"Kid, aren't you boiling underneath that thing? You're making me sweat just by looking at that." Tony huffed, pointing at his maroon hooded sweatshirt, but hinted a smile at him.
"No, Mr. Stark! Hoodie weather is here! It's time to embrace it." A smirk crossed over Peter's lips, watching Tony's priceless reaction.
"Pete, it's the middle of August, you're going to overhea-"
"Ah ah!" Peter wiggled his finger in front of Tony's face, earning himself a concerned frown. "It's actually August 31st, which means technically September starts only in a matter of hours... Also known as the start of Hoodie Weather!" Peter crossed his arms and closed his eyes, a cheeky grin plastered over his features.
Tony let out a sigh slash chuckle and closed his eyes as if to pretend he was somehow disappointed or even embarrassed. "Ah, kid, what am I going to do with you?"
Peter perched on a rather small, rusty light pole hanging over the never-ending bumper-to-bumper traffic in the streets of New York City. Dry, bright colored leaves rustled and whirled around along the side-walks. Even though it was only mid-September, most of the leaves on the trees had already transformed into bright shades of reds, oranges, yellows, and even some purples.
A small, childish giggle snapped him out of his trance. His chocolate-brown eyes wandered down to see a little blonde-haired girl with a baby-blue jacket, and typical Santa hat covered her head and ears. This little detail made Peter let out a small, almost inaudible chuckle. It was just a little bit early for the Christmas season, but her spirit and obvious excitement for the holiday washed out any oddness of the sight. Her bright, hopeful, and adorning blue eyes gazed up at him as his legs swung back and forth in the breeze. A smile crept across his lips, even though the little girl couldn't see it.
Peter tilted his head slightly to the girl, observing her carefully to make sure she was physically alright. The girl tilted her head as well, and scrunched up her little reddened nose. "Hey there," Peter spoke softly, the smile he had could almost be heard in his tone.
The girl giggled and shielded her eyes with her little hands. She couldn't be more than 5 years old, and with that thought, Peter looked around for any signs of her parents or someone who would be given the responsibility to look after her. But, there was no-one.
Peter blinked, and hopped down from the pole as gently and carefully as possible to not scare the little girl. Once both feet touched the cement, he knelt down to her level and spoke softly. "Do you know where your parents are? Are you lost?" Peter's voice sounded higher than usual as he spoke to her, but he couldn't care any less about that.
She peeked through her little fingers that were still covering most of her face, but a bright smile still emitted from behind them. After a few moments, she lowered her hands a little to reveal her rosy cheeks and bright blue eyes. She shook her head, her body swinging with the action. But then, her little smile faded and her brows creased, "I don't have a mommy or daddy anymore," Her shaky little voice sounded.
Peter's heart crumpled a little, he knew what that was like. He very clearly knew. He was about to open his mouth and say something to comfort her, but she spoke before he could.
"Where is your mommy and daddy?" The innocence in her voice as clear as day.
Peter wasn't expecting that at all, and was actually taken aback as he drifted into a world of memories.
Although, he didn't really know his parents very well before the accident since he was very young, but he could remember bits and pieces about them. He would always rush up to his mother, Mary Parker, when she came home from work, and she would pick him up and brush his wild curls out of his eyes. She would tuck him in every night, pressing a kiss to his forehead and place all his stuffed animals around his pillow. She would tell him that they were 'watching out for him' while she and dad were away. He could always rely on his mom, and he knew that he loved her dearly.
His father, Richard Parker, wasn't home as much as his mother was. But, when he did come home, Peter would drop anything that he was doing and run as fast as he could to see him. He would crash into his leg and wrap his arms around him. His father would pull him up and poke his nose soon after that. They would always watch movies together, and eat popcorn and lots of other junk food. They would bundle up on the couch, Peter resting his head against his father's side while beginning to dose off. Richard would sometimes fall asleep during a movie as well, and Mary would have to wake him up so that they could actually put Peter in a real bed.
Everything changed when the accident happened, when they were killed in a plane crash on a business trip. He remembered being put in a car seat in Aunt May and Uncle Ben's car, constantly asking where his parents had gone. "We'll talk about it when we get home, honey, try to get some rest." She would say, giving him a weak smile although filled with what looked like emotional pain and sadness.
He didn't truly understand his parents' death for a good while until after a few months of settling into May and Ben's home. Since he was little, it didn't seem to register as being real, but it didn't hit him as hard as a family death would hit him as a teenager... Which was what happened with Ben not a few months after becoming Spider-Man.
Ben's death ripped at the seams of his heart, and he never truly recovered. Nothing was worse than watching May's crumple to her knees at the news of Ben's passing. He had felt so useless, so helpless when she most needed someone to be there.
But, it had gotten better over time, and he swore to always be there for May. She was the only person he had left, and the same went for her. He needed her, and she needed him. It was so obvious how much they relied on one another, and he loved her dearly.
He was reminded of his current position as the girl tilted her head, still waiting for an answer from him.
"Well," Peter gave her a small, sympathetic smile from beneath his mask, "I don't have a mommy or daddy either,"
The little girl's jaw hung slightly, as if shocked that THE Spider-Man could have something in common with her, "You don't?" she replied in her squeaky little voice.
The spiderling shook his head, and there were a few moments of silence before he spoke up again, "I'm sure they loved you very much,"
She giggled, pulling her hands back over her face in a shy fashion.
Peter smiled, shifting positions on the ground so he could lift some weight off of his feet, "What's your name?"
The girl's voice was muffled from under her hands, but he could still make out what she said, "Olivia," She then peeked through the spaces between her fingers again and blinked at him.
"Olivia," Peter spoke quietly, "That's a very pretty name," He nodded at her, and the comment earned him another small chuckle. "Why don't we get you back home then?" He reached out his hand, giving her an option to take it, but didn't force her to in case she wasn't comfortable with it. But she immediately took it, bouncing around as Peter got to his feet.
Olivia then pointed with a small finger far down the street to an apartment building, "Gramma lives there," She sniffled, the unfamiliar colder air must have been getting to her a little bit, so Peter knew it was probably best if he got her home as soon as possible.
Peter nodded and started padding down the street at a pace that she was comfortable with, but quick enough to get her home in a matter of a few minutes.
When they reached the apartment building, he could see an older woman with a small blanket wrapped around her shoulders, looking desperately in all directions and calling out her name. That must be her.
Olivia suddenly let go of his hand and rushed towards her. He heard her squeal out her name and the woman whirrled around and gasped, bringing her hands up to her mouth, her eyes brimmed with tears. As soon as they reached one another, he could hear the woman's quiet, muffled sobs as she buried her face into her granddaughter's small jacket.
Peter watched, keeping a good distance and respecting their privacy. The woman then picked the toddler up in her arms, her teary eyes caught sight of him. A bright, thankful smile washed over her features as she whispered, "Thank you, so much..."
Peter nodded, unable to hold back his smile.
He made sure they made it back inside before letting out a sigh of relief, and shooting out a web to the nearest building and plopped down on the roof. His suit's eyes adjusted to the now gleaming city lights displayed before him. New York was beautiful at night, he had to admit he loved just looking at the city lights. He could honestly just watch them for hours.
A small vibration sent him back into reality, and he pulled out his phone, which displayed a message from Tony.
From: Tony Stark (10:47 PM)
Hey, kiddo. Dangerously close to your curfew aren't ya? Better get home before you get a whoopin'.
Peter snorted, shaking his head in disbelief. Of course Tony had to know about the curfew. May must have told him about it.
From: Peter Parker (10:48 PM)
Okay mom, yikes
From: Tony Stark (10:48 PM)
Hey now, if you are passed your curfew then it's not just you getting put in the doghouse by your Auntie.
From: Peter Parker (10:49 PM)
Don't worry, Mr. Stark, I'll make it in time. :)
From: Tony Stark (10:50 PM)
Oh and before I forget, you still up for tomorrow at the compound? I've got some Iron Man updates we can work on and I could use some bouncy teen energy around the place.
From: Peter Parker (10:52 PM)
Oh! Yeah, sure!
From: Tony Stark (10:52 PM)
Great, see you then kiddo.
Peter had to admit how glad he was for Tony looking out for him and checking up on him. Even though he often complained about the "Baby Monitor" protocol and all the live footage tracking, he still was honestly glad to have the extra safety precautions. He knew Tony was just looking out for him, and Peter really did think of him as his father-figure.
Ever since Ben's death, there had been a gaping hole that left Peter feeling numb, but ever since Tony had met him at his apartment, that hole had started to fill.
Peter smiled down at his phone before pocketing it once again, safely in his suit. He shot a web at the nearest building in the direction of his own apartment building, knowing he only had a few minutes before time would strike 11:00 PM.