Chapter Text
After a while, Peter began to become more aware of the smile that bloomed on Mr Starks’ face when he noticed his presence. It happened all the time- when he walked into the lab, or the kitchen when Peter was training with Natasha who quickly became like family to him, just like Tony had.
He noticed it in the subtle shift in expression, his feigned annoyance as worry when Peter arrived back lightly shot or stabbed. He recognised the fond eye rolls of the avengers when they saw it and tried to ignore the mutters that reverberated around him like they had forgotten he had enhanced hearing. “Here comes the sun,” -Or Son, even. Ironic, considering Tony didn’t really like The Beatles. More ironic was that Tony introduced Peter to them just like Jarvis had to him.
One day Peter walked in on Tony and Colonel Rhodes in a heated argument, and noted the way the anger seemed to melt off him with the distraction, and after Rhodey left, Peter couldn’t hold it in any longer. “What?” He barked, the question coming out more sharp than he had intended. “I mean- why do you keep looking at me like that? Like I hung the moon or something.”
Tony shook his head. “Oh, kid.” He reached a hand to ruffle Peter’s hair, which he accepted, rubbing away the bruise that he had gotten on his arm from training with the pad of his thumb. “I’m just so glad that I could help you. I know I'm not good at this mushy gushy stuff, but I would hang a thousand moons for you.”
Peter snorted. “That is not what the saying means.” He paused, before continuing, his voice almost too quiet to be made out over the air-conditioning unit. “Not that I deserved your help, anyways.”
Tony raised a concerned eyebrow at Peter who was absentmindedly circling the button on the surface of his stomach. “What are you talking about? Of course you deserve help, Peter. I know you didn’t want it but if you just-”
“That’s not what I mean! It’s not-” Peter interrupted, calming himself before continuing. “That’s not what I mean. Before- when we thought that the problem was that me and May couldn’t afford enough food for my metabolism, not just that I couldn’t keep up with it- I don’t-” Peter paused again, trying to regain his composure.
“Mr Stark I wasn’t the only child going hungry. There are lots of people who are not making enough money to eat sufficiently, and yet you are a literal billionaire. You are sitting on piles of money whilst other people are starving . They deserve it more than a kid with an enhanced metabolism because if I wasn’t enhanced, I wouldn’t be going hungry. That's what I mean, Mr Stark. That’s the issue.”
The air felt heavy with silence as the sentiment hung in the air dripping like honey into Mr Starks’ pores. Peter watched as his expression twisted, his mouth half hung open in an O like he wasn’t quite sure how to compose himself, or respond to Peter’s outbursts.
“Do you even care?” Peter asked timidly, voice small and cracked with pain. “You don’t know what it’s like to go unwillingly hungry- you didn’t grow up making soup out of vegetables that were about to go bad, because you can’t afford to throw them away. It’s just not something you like- get.” Peter sunk down in a stool, his shoulders slumping with a sigh.
Mr Stark closed his mouth. “I don’t get it, Peter. You’re right.” He said. “And yeah, I’m probably too greedy with my money, as well, but I’m not with my employees. I pay staff above the average wage, and I pay my interns. We have a scheme for people who come from disadvantaged backgrounds-”
Peter interrupted again. “When I was a kid, May and Ben had to pay medical bills for when I broke my arm. From my bedroom at night, I listened to her cry about how she wasn’t sure if she would be able to pay the rent this month when she thought I was sleeping. I don’t care how much you pay your employees, because you are still a billionaire at the end of it, and People are still in poverty.”
Mr Stark sighed again. “You know what kid? You’re right, and I’m sorry. I don’t like that you’re upset with me about this, so I want to change this. I guess I could make more charitable donations, maybe start up some projects to help and stuff.”
Peter smiled. “I don’t like that you're doing this for me, Mr Stark, but I’m glad you’re doing it. You are so much better than Jeffree Bezos.”
“Kid, I will always be better than Bezos.”
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Stark Industries has announced that they will be doing more to help people in poverty, by introducing a foodbank and donating money to various charities that help the poor and the homeless. He has also revealed his investment in a new housing scheme, which will allow people to have better quality housing at a more affordable price by subbing some of their rent and medical bills. Stark says that Spider-Man was a big influence on the decision. You can check if you are eligible for the scheme and find out how to apply on our website. More news at ten.
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The Avengers were spotted showing their support by visiting children at New-york Presbyterian hospital, however, people have taken to Twitter to debate whether the avengers are really doing good, or if this was just a publicity stunt, as controversy still surrounds the morals of the team. If you want to hear our opinion, visit our website where we discuss the topic in more detail.