Cop au where tony finds peter at a drug bust in a corner crying and shaking, his clothes ripped and his hair greasy and messy, tony feels terrible and volunteers to take him in and take care of him
Whoo, this one kind of just took off - please enjoy though!
Warnings: Depictions/descriptions of violence and gross stuff; hurt/comfort, Peter!whump
Of all the raids Tony had the displeasure of being apart of, this one was the worst. The place smelled, like the usual, drugs and dirty laundry, but mixed in with death and blood. Like these thugs hadn’t bothered to clean up after murdering the homeowners. Every room was filthy, and had at least one body lying in it. Most of them were alive and higher than a kite. Then they found the room where they’d stashed their murder victims. Insects buzzing all over, reeking of decay and must. Tony watched two of his guys throw up, and then they cleared the basement.
Dark, damp and stinking of sewage - Tony was surprised to find anyone alive down there.
The boy was chained to the old water heater, hair matted with blood, tears steadily streaming down his gaunt, pale face. He was thin, covered in loose rags of clothing, and covered in grime from the basement. He jumped away from Tony and the other officers, shoving up against the wall and whimpering. Tony pulled the riot mask from off of his face, and crouched down to get on the boy’s level. “Hey, it’s okay,” he said, “We’re police officers, we’re gonna help you. My name’s officer Tony Stark, okay?”
“Bolt cutters,” his partner, James Rhodes, said. He handed them over Tony’s shoulder. The kid stared at him with those wide brown eyes, like a scared little animal. More tears streamed down his cheeks. “I’m gonna cut you free,” Tony explained. He positioned the bolt cutters and snapped the chain loose. He pulled each one free from the boy’s wrists and ankles. “Come on,” he motioned for the boy to take his hand, “Lets get you out of here.”
Hesitant, small hand shaking, the boy took hold of Tony’s glove. He let the kid get closer before Tony picked him up. He carried the kid in his arms, fragile body tucked against his chest.
“Already waiting,” James replied.
He took out a camera and began snapping photos of the scene they’d found the boy in. Tony carries the boy out to awaiting medical help. The boy stuck to him, refusing to let go when the EMTs tried to check him over.
Tony sighed and set Peter down on one of the mobile medical beds. “Let’s make a deal,” he said, “You tell me your name, and I’ll say right here to hold you hand while these nice doctors help you?”
The boy nodded. “Peter...” he mumbled.
“Peter,” Tony repeated. Peter Parker, son of the people who owned this place - the people they’d found dead. Tony could guess why they’d kept Peter alive, based on the bruising all over his body.
Peter obediently sat through his initial exam. Tony rode with him to the hospital, since the kid had a vice grip on his hand. They had to separated at the ER, but Tony promised he’d be waiting. He radioed James, and then his boss, explaining the situation while Peter was taken care of by the medical staff.
He waited until a nurse came to get him. Tony filled out some paperwork and followed the nurse back to the boy’s room. He briefly spoke with Peter’s attending physician about his condition. Malnourished, dehydrated, multiple contusions and cuts, burns, and a signs of sexual assault.
Tony entered the room with a soft knock on the door. “Hey, kiddo,” he greeted when he saw Peter was awake.
He received a small smile, finally. “Officer Stark...” Peter replied.
“Feeing better?” Tony asked.
Peter weakly shrugged. He was hooked up to a slow IV drip, swallowed by his pillows and blankets, still looking like a ghost.
“Think you could eat?” Tony asked.
Peter nodded, though his eyelids dropped a little. The kid was probably exhausted. Tony went over to the tray bed tray with a covered plate on it. He knew hospital food wasn’t going to taste the best, but he didn’t think Peter would refuse. He fed Peter until the kid could no longer hold his head up and fell asleep.
By that time, James and the boss had showed up, so Tony went out of Peter’s room to talk to them. Tony met the appointed social worker. Peter had no next of kin, but they were still searching. She was suggesting he be placed in a psychiatric ward for further care. And then Tony was arguing with her. He didn’t want the kid to get locked up in a hospital after just getting free. “I’ll take him,” Tony said. He earned disbelieving states from all of them. “He needs someone to care for him more affectionately than a mental health staff will. I’ll take him home, help get re-socialized.”
“He needs a therapist, Tones,” James said.
Tony shrugged, “So I take him to one. Every week.”
The social worker sighed heavily, but simply told Tony he would need to fill out extra forms and provide reason, and doctoral agreement that Peter will be better off in his care. He told her none of that would be a problem. After the woman and the chief left Tony rejoined Peter, this time with James.
“You sure you know what you’re doing?” James asked as he stared down at Peter, who was still sound asleep.
“I have to do something to try and help,” Tony answered. “He has to know that someone cares about him.”
“Your heart’s big, Tony,” James replied. Tony slid into a guest chair near Peter’s bed. He nodded in agreement with James’ words.
When Peter woke up, James was already gone and Tony was sleeping in his chair. Peter reached over for him, hand gently touching the man’s hair. Tony opened his eyes and snapped his head up with a sharp inhale. Peter jumped a little.
“You’re up,” the man yawned.
Peter nodded. Tony took his hand and stroked it gently. “So... Peter,” the man began, “When you’re feeling ready to stand, I was thinking you’d come home with me.”
Peter’s eyes widened a little. His fingers squeezed Tony’s own. “If you want,” Tony added, sensing the boy’s unease.
Peter gave him that timid little smile again. “I would like that,” he murmured. “Very much.”
Tony grinned and stand from his seat. He stroked Peter’s tangled curls, “I’m gonna take care of you,” the man promised, with a whisper, “I’ll keep you safe, from now on.”
Peter leaned into his touch, shoulders visibly relaxing at Tony’s words. “I would like that too,” he agreed.
