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The case was not worth it. No matter how much he paid, Skip Wescott was guilty. Matt sighed as he heard the man’s heart skip as he told the story. Matt had to defend him. They agreed to this.
“Her mom said her son reported you to her, are you sure you didn’t do it?” Matt said, knowing Skip’s gonna lie his ass out of this.
“I am sure! He was just telling some story he saw on TV!” He defended, Matt made a disgusted face as he heard the man’s heart beat faster.
“Alright, we’ll get you out of this.” He said, his voice strained in distaste. Foggy glanced at Matt, then back at Skip, understanding that Matt didn’t believe him. Fuck. He thought as he escorted the man out of the office.
“I’m killing that mother fucker.” Matt growled out as soon as the man walked out.
“Is he guilty?” Foggy asked, already knowing the answer, his face scrunched in disgust.
“Very.”
“Mr. Hawkeye! On your left!” Peter called out as he swung around and kicked a trainer bot down. Clint nodded and shot an arrow, piercing the bot’s head with practiced ease. Peter landed next to him and panted.
“Whew! That was a good run Mr. Hawkeye!” Peter smiled, wiping sweat off his forehead.
“We’re out of costume, Pete. Call me clint, and drop the Mr. You make me sound so old.” Clint said as he tested his arrow’s string.
“Of course… Clint.” Peter scrunched his face as the name rolled off his tongue, feeling like he just violated several laws.
“Don’t force yourself, kid.” Clint sighed, patting the teen’s back. He stretched out his arms and legs as the simulation ended.
“Great run guys, Clint, you could use some work on your left. You’re kinda weak in that area.” Tony said, snarky, making the archer click his tongue at him.
“Sorry about him.” Peter signed, making Clint less angry.
“Don’t apologize. Assholes are assholes.” Clint signed back, throwing an arm around the teen and smiling. He’s been losing his hearing in his left ear and found it refreshing when Peter signed to him.
“Don’t talk shit about me with your made up language.” Tony snapped, making Peter turn around and salute.
“Aye aye, Sir!” Tony rubbed his nose bridge and shook his head.
“Alright Pete. You have homework, rest up.” The teen obeyed, rushing towards Tony and following him to the lab, rambling about some movie he watched. Clint tuned them out as he gathered his arrows.
“We can drop the case, Matt.” Foggy said, rubbing the lawyer’s neck.
“No, we signed the contract and got paid, we have to at least… try.” Matt said, disgusted by his own words. Foggy sighed, looking at Karen for help. She shrugged and shook her head.
“He’s gonna kill the mother fucker.” She quoted, taking a sip of her coffee and she went through paperwork.
“Karen! Ugh, Matt?”
“We’ll try to save him. Even though a pit in hell is reserved for him.” Matt sighed, getting up, “drinks?”
“So then, he was like, ‘Luke, I am your father.’ And my jaw dropped!” Peter rambled as he did his work. Tony hummed along, even though he watched the movie before Peter was even born. Tony liked listening to Peter rambling , even if he will never admit it. Clint walked in with one of his arrows.
“Tony, you think you can make this one a flash bomb?” Clint asked, putting the arrow down. Tony glared at him and nodded. Peter finished his work and shoved his homework in his backpack.
“Oh! I saw this show where the arrows turned into foam to save them from falling! Can you try doing something like that?” Peter suggested Tony taking a notepad and jotting it down.
“Sure, kid.” Tony dismissed.
“Good idea, Pete.” Clint said as he looked at the notes. Peter giggled and shook his head.
“Aw shucks!”
“Avocado!” Foggy yelled as Karen and Matt laughed. They went out for drinks, but it’s been hours and they’ve been circling bars around Hell’s Kitchen.
“No, pear!” Karen corrected. They were trying to guess what fruit Karen was thinking of, and they lost the first round.
“Damn it, Kar. I’m gonna go broke!” Foggy said as he placed the money on the table.
“Well, you didn’t guess the fruit, so now you pay for our drinks!”
Matt went drinking to forget about the case, but now that he’s got alcohol in his system, it’s all he could think about.
“What’s on your mind Matty Babe?” Foggy said as Karen continued laughing.
“Thinking about the stupid case we have.” Matt sughed, taking a swig of his beer.
“We’re here to forget so, forget!” Foggy laughed, throwing his arm around Matt.
“Sure.”
“Maybe the foam was a bad idea.” Peter said as they failed their last twenty batches of foam.
“No, this can work.” Tony said, not wanting to give up. Once he has his mind set on something, he will get it. Peter appreciated this of him, but it was pushing twelve o’clock and he had school the next day.
“Maybe try tomorrow? Sleep helps you gather your thoughts!” Peter suggested, pulling Tony away from the lab bench.
“No, no, no. I can do this.”
“I know you can Mr. Stark, but you need rest!” Peter pulled Tony, who sighed and followed him.
“Fine. Tomorrow.” He said in defeat as a yawn escaped his mouth. Peter smiled and walked with Tony to the elevator.
“I was thinking about this idea that Mr. Clint can use with Mr. Thor, using a metal arrow as a conductor to electrocute the enemy!” Peter beamed as he got onto the elevator. Tong yawned and nodded, bringing them up to the sleeping quarters. Peter walked through the hallway, spouting his ideas as he got to his room.
“Anyways, good night Mr. Stark!”
“Night, Spider-baby.” Tony replied, sleep deprivation controlling his actions. Peter smiled and entered his room. Tony watched and as the teen got in he walked to his, yawning and slumping onto his bed.
“G’afternoon Mr. Clint!” Peter cheerfully said as he put his backpack down on a lab bench and pulled out his homework.
“What’s today’s homework, Pete?” Clint asked as he looked down at the kid’s notebook.
“We’re starting to go over movements of objects and I was just going to brush up on some things.” Peter said as he flipped through his notebook.
“Good luck, Einstein.” Clint said as he ruffled the teen’s hair. Peter freezes at the nickname. His stomach dropped quickly and his hand started to shake uncontrollably, but he tried his best to stop it. It happened years ago. He thought as he felt his heartbeat racing.
Clint paused, his hand still on his head. He felt Peter shaking, making Clint worry about what he said. Maybe he was bullied with the nickname? Peter looks up at him, his face carrying a shaky smile.
“Thanks, Mr. Clint.” He said. Clint was taken aback from the sadness in the teen’s voice.
“Pete? Are you ok?”
“I’m great. I promise.” Peter singed as he averted his gaze back to his notebook. Clint hesitantly nodded and walked away, feeling like something bad was associated with the nickname.
Peter clicked his pen, this tumb started getting numb but he couldn’t help it. Tony looked at him with a furrowed brow, confused.
“What’s going on, Pete?” The words rang in Peter’s head as he fought back his lunch. He swallowed, hoping the lump would disappear.
“Nothing. Don’t worry.” Peter smiled. Tony knew better. He really did. But he couldn’t bring himself to press the kid, he was stressed enough as it was. If bringing up the topic would stress Peter out, maybe it was best to not bring it up.
“Alright…” He reluctantly dismisses. Peter looked back at his work. The words on the page spinning as he clicked away at the pen. He couldn’t hold it anymore. He rushed to the garbage can and emptied his stomach. Tears left his eyes as his lunch left his stomach. Tiny rushed over, so did Clint.
“You feeling ok, kid?” Tony asked the obvious.
“Obviously not, he just threw up!” Clint snapped back. He rubbed Peter’s back as the teen draped against the trash can .
“I’m so sorry. I’m not feeling too good.” Peter said with a wavering smile. Clint frowned as the teen held back tears. He sighed and grabbed his car keys.
“I’ll drop him off at May’s.” He told Tony as the latter packed up Peter’s schoolwork. Tony nodded and waved them goodbye.
“What happened back there?” Clint asked as he drove. Peter looked ill, his face was green and looked as if he was holding back another puke session.
“Nothing. Just stress!” Peter said as a gag came out. Clint sighed and pulled over to a nearby parking lot.
“I know I’ll come off as pushing, but you need to tell me what really happened. I’m worried, and I know damn well the jerk is, too.” Clint said, turn to face Peter. The teen looked away and shook his head.
“It happened a long time ago. It doesn't matter anymore.”
“Pete.” The sternness made Peter turn back to Clint.
“I don’t want to worry you about it. It happened so long ago, it doesn’t matter anymore.” Peter insisted, Clint feeling slightly annoyed but choosing to stay patient. He wasn’t really a patient person, but that’s what Peter needed right now.
“Well I am worried, so just tell me what happened.”
“I- I can’t.” Peter said, his voice sounded so desperate. Peter couldn’t tell Clint. It happened a long time ago and he didn’t want anyone to worry. What if they think it’s stupid and think he’s childish? What if it was just a waste of their time? That’s what he always said. If he told Aunt May, it would be childish and waste their time. He didn’t want that. Aunt May had done so much for him, she worked double shifts and was always working. He didn’t want to bother her with stupid, childish stuff like this. He didn’t want to waste her time, what little time she had. That’s why she hired him. To babysit Peter and take care of him.
“Peter, it’s ok. Just tell me what happened.” Peter dug his nails into his hand. He’s wasting his time asking. It’s immature and stupid. Clint stayed, waiting for Peter to be comfortable enough to tell him, “I just want to know what’s troubling you?” Peter held back his tears, but they disobeyed him. They fell onto his fists as he shook his head.
“It’s stupid. Really. I’m just wasting your time.” Clint frowned.
“Nothing is wasting my time. So tell me what’s going on.” Peter bit his lip and took a deep breath. Maybe he could tell Clint?
“I had a babysitter when I was 9. He used that nickname with me.” He signed, Clint furrowing his brows knowing Peter wasn’t telling him the full story.
“What did he do?” Peter let out a shudder, Clint had a feeling where this was going, but still let the spider explain.
“He… he was 16.” Peter stopped. His hands were shaking and his throat felt dry. He couldn’t explain. The memories were too painful to remember.
Clint sighed, he had a feeling, and with how Peter was unable to explain, it made his heart sink. Peter’s eyes flowed with tears as Clint held out his hand. Peter looked at the man and sobbed, pulling him close and clutching his back. Clint hugged him back, feeling rage flow through him. How could someone do that? He was 9. Clint gathered the teen into a hug as he let him sob.
“That child molesting asshole.” Matt snarled out as the man walked out of their office. Foggy glared at the door, his anger rising, “How the hell does he not feel guilty!?” Matt shrieked as he kicked a chair, Foggy jumped and wrapped his arm around Matt’s shoulders.
“Hey, hey. We’ll put him behind bars, alright?”
“Our job is to not get him behind bars.” Matt growled. Kicking the chair and leaving a huge dent in it. Foggy shivers and squeezes Matt’s shoulder. Matt pants and comes down, fixing his suit and taking deep breaths.
“I hate this.”
“Can you tell me his name?” Clint asked as he drove. Peter sniffled and wiped his nose. He hesitated for a moment, the name bringing back horrible memories. He took a deep breath and swallowed the lump in his throat.
“Skip, Skip Wescott.” Clint gripped the steering wheel as the turned towards Aunt May’s apartment.
“Alright, take it easy.” Peter nodded as he grabbed his bag and opened the door, “And Pete?” Peter looked back, “You’re not a waste of time, don’t let anyone ever say that to you. If they do, tell me. Also, I’m sorry for earlier.” Peter nodded, getting out of the car. He paused in front of it, before rushing towards Clint and giving him a hug.
“Thank you.” Peter whispered as he headed inside. Clint drove away, his blood boiled and his head reeling in anger. He takes out his phone and dials.
“Y’llow?”
“Wade? I’d like to order a hit.”
The punch landed right on the attacker’s nose. He kicked the man as he was on the floor, the attacker groaned in pain as Daredevil kicked him. He spat out blood onto the alleyway’s floor, the lady rushing away, clutching her purse. Daredevil was not having it. He got on top of the man and punched him, harder than he needed too, but it felt good. The man’s head bounced off the floor and straight into Matt’s fist. He got up and scoffed, walking away and leaving the beaten and unconscious man on the floor.
“Double D!” Spider-Man called out, waving from a rooftop on the border of Hell’s Kitchen. Matt met with him and smiled, the refresher he needed.
“Spider-Man. What’re you doing here?”
“I was just swinging around and saw you!” The teen smiled, but Matt frowned. He heard the sadness in his heart, even if his voice was cheerful.
“Does Tony know you’re here?” Peter winced and looked away.
“… No.” the teen answered as he sat next to Matt, laying his head on the vigilante’s shoulder, “I was just clearing my head, I’m sure he won’t mind.” Matt sighed and shook his head.
“Spidey- you know he doesn’t like me. Why do you stick to me?” Matt sighed, letting the teen rest his head.
“You’re like my big bro! I’m sure Tony likes you, just doesn’t know it.” Peter laughed, it sounded hollow, making Matt’s frown deepen.
“You wanna talk about why you’re clearing your mind?” Matt asked. Peter loved how Matt could see right through him, but not tonight.
“Nothing. It’s just something stupid.” Peter brushed off.
“Pete, don’t lie.”
“I’m not! It’s just some stress from school.” Peter brushed off, Matt not believing it. They look over at the city and Peter rambling about some school project. Matt listened over the city, only to have his mouth taste bitter when he heard his voice going into a bar. Peter tenses up, his throat closing and the bile coming back up. He sees him. Laughing and smiling as he holds a girl's waist and guiding her into a bar. Peter’s heart spikes, his hands shaking and his vision tunneling. He gags but holds it back, the anxiety rushing through him. Matt picks up on this and places a hand on Peter’s shoulder.
“Pete?”
“Don’t touch me!” Peter snapped, his voice shaken and his heart racing. Matt backed off, giving the teen space. Was it his fault? Matt tensed as he listened to Peter’s quickened heartbeat and breathing. He was hunched over on himself and held his legs to his chin. Silent sobs left his chest. So quiet no one would hear him, but Matt could. He could hear all the shudders in his voice and the quiet sobs.
Peter bit his lip and closed his eyes, maybe it wasn’t him? Maybe it was someone who looked like him? He tried to reason as he clutched his legs against him. A tear fell from his eye and he sniffled. He took deep breaths and tried to stop the shaking.
“Sorry.” Peter said weakly, his voice cracking. Matt frowned, sighing through his nose.
“Are you ok?” Matt asked, still keeping his distance. Peter nodded.
“Yeah, rough day.” Matt shook his head.
“No, what happened?” Peter bit his lip. Matt was worried, he wasted someone else’s time about this stupid, childish, thing. It wasn’t fair to the others. It was childish to panic at the sight of him.
“It’s fine. Really, I’m ok.” Matt didn’t want to push, but had a feeling he should.
“Please.” Peter looked up at him and the sobs flew out. He pulled his mask tk his nose and wiped his tears. Why did it have to happen today? It’s been years, it doesn’t even matter anymore.
“Peter, please.” Matt was desperate, he never saw Peter cry, nor did he think he could even cry. But Peter was human, they have emotions. Peter sniffled and sighed, he didn’t want to waste Matt’s time worrying about him, but remembered what Clint said. He took a deep breath and told Matt.
He was going to kill the child fucker. He was going to do some very TV-MA violence towards the man. Scratch that, Dark web level. Wade packed his duffle bag, feeling rage seep into his blood. He growled as he shoved as many weapons he could into the bag.
“That fucking bastard.” Wade muttered as he rushed out of his safe house and into the streets of New York.
He got the call a few hours ago and rushed over. When he heard what the man had done to his Petey Pie, he rushed over, having gone through the same experience. He carried the duffle bag as he headed into the bar his informant gave him. He sees the white hair peeking through the crowd and his blood boils. He headed towards him, seeing his informant talking with him and buttering him up. She looks over and signals to him, making up an excuse and leaving the man. Wade takes her spot, it sees and leans against the bar.
“Hey, what’s going on?” It asked, Wade smiled, setting up a trap that the thing fell for immediately. Having alcohol in his system made this whole hit easier.
Matt held Peter’s hand as the teen sobbed, unsure if he was welcomed for a hug, when he felt Peter’s arms wrap around him.
“I wasted your time. I’m so sorry.” Peter cried. Matt hugged him back, rubbing his back.
“You didn’t waste my time, Pete. You never will.” Peter’s head rested on the man’s chest as he used his heartbeat to ground himself. He took a few breathes and leaned against Matt’s chest, calming down and feeling his surroundings. A few minutes later, Hawkeye lands on the roof, a smirk on his face.
“Spidey, I thought I told you to take it easy?” He said softly, Matt letting go of the teen. Peter got up and nodded.
“I’m sorry.”
“No, don’t apologize. Go head back and rest.” Peter nodded, feeling the tiredness take over his eyes. He swung away, leaving the two on the roof.
He reached the window to his room and opened it, scared to wake Aunt May up. He changed out of his suit and curled into his covers as he felt the warmth engulf him.
Wade pulled him into an alleyway and it started for him, throwing himself at the mercenary. Wade smirked and pushed him off, glancing at the roof, Matt and Clint watching the scene unfold. Wade smirked as it cried out. He was gonna have so much fun.
He threw a punch and watched as blood dripped onto the concrete. He pulled him deeper into the alley and continued. Matt jumped down, his head down as Hawkeye joined him.
“Daredevil! Help, this man attacked me!” It cried, only for Daredevil to slide in and get a punch himself. Clint threw a punch as well, Wade laughing maniacally as they beat him up.
Peter couldn’t sleep. He looked into Aunt May’s room to find her still at work. He was about to curl back into the sheets, when someone knocked on his apartment door. Once he opened it, he was pleasantly surprised to find Morgan smiling at him with a blanket and teddy bear in hand.
Pepper and Tony followed, smiling and in pajamas.
“Sleepover?” Morgan asked as she jumped into Peter’s arms.
“Sleepover!?” Peter exclaimed, theatrically to get Morgan to laugh, which worked. He snuggled Morgan and carried her into the apartment. Pepper put a hand on his shoulder and Peter put Morgan down.
“Tony was worried and thought this could cheer you up.” She whispered, Tony looked appalled and shook his head.
“Uh, no. I wasn’t worried, I didn’t come here to comfort you-“
“Thank you.” Peter said, smiling at the three. He felt happy, it was what he needed.
Morgan made a pillowfort and only allowed Peter tk crawl in. When he did, she laughed and hugged him.
“Big brother!” Peter felt his heart flutter as he scooped her up and laughed.
“Little sister!” Morgan smiled and kicked her feet. Tony smiled, Pepper smirking as they drank some juice Morgan poured them.
“How’d you know he needed this?” Pepper asked, leaning back on Tony, who shrugged.
“I didn’t, Clint called me here.” Pepper shook her head and grinned.
“Well, he’s happy now. Are you done stressing over him?” Tony shook his head and chuckled.
“When am I ever “done” with stressing over him?” Tony snarked back, making Pepper laugh.
“Skip Wescott was sentenced 20 years in jail…” the TV ran as Peter was cooking breakfast with Tony. May was pleasantly surprised to find Morgan and Peter asleep in his room with Tony and Pepper chatting on the couch. She joined for a bit before turning in. She woke up to Peter humming and cooking while Tony sat with coffee in his hand while he chatted with the cooking Peter. She smiled and can over, giving Peter a kiss on the forehead and asking about what he’s cooking. Tony grumbled as Pepper and Morgan came out of the bathroom, Morgan ran to May and giving her a hug.
“Hey Morg Pie!” She smiled as she scooped the child into a hug.
“This case was so fucking worth it.” Matt sighed in relief as he saw Skip getting cuffed and sent to jail.
“He did plead guilty. If the cuts and bruises on him indicate anything, I’d say the devil gave him hell.” Foggy chuckled as he put papers into his briefcase. Matt chuckled and nodded.
“Got his eyes plucked out by a hawk and his ears bursted by a megaphone.” Matt chuckled as he followed Foggy out of the courtroom, finally getting justice.