run

that's all he ever did

run from your past

run from all your troubles

don't let it catch you

that's what he believed

7 years old. That's when his life changed. Him and his mother had always had trouble. Being homeless wasn't easy. She told him to run. 'it was just like last time, why now? '

His mom told him to go.

To not turn back.

So he ran.

Peter stopped a few blocks later. He heard a gunshot. He flinched, praying that it's not what he thought. He hid behind a few boxes as multiple footsteps ran past.

"Hey! I think that brat ran this way."

"Find him. He should join his poor little mommy."

Peter froze. 'No. This can't be happening. Mommy please'

He waited for them to leave. When the coast was clear he ran back. He sobbed quietly when he saw his mom's bloody and beaten body. He collapsed to the floor and held his mother's limp hand.

"Mommy?....mommy please. Please wake up. ..mom?"

He knew she was gone. They had been chased so many times and gotten away he never thought this would happen. He heard the men's footsteps coming back in his direction. So he did the only thing he knew how to do.

He ran.

13 year old Peter walked throughout the alleyways of Queens. He ran up to the Bakery at the edge of the corner street and grabbed a loaf from the table Mr. Baguette left out to show off his amazing bread every morning. He quickly grabbed a loaf and booked it.

"You little ass-hole!! Not again!!! GET BACK HERE!"

Peter turned the corners sharply for the next few blocks losing the man quickly. Sure, he felt bad about stealing but it was the only way he could get by.

But he knew he would need money soon.

So he went back to his habit of pick-pocketing.

Peter walked down the street nearest to the Avengers tower. He knew that the people who worked there had a good amount of money so he chose to pick someone right as they came out. He walked around for a bit until he saw a man in sunglasses and a suit walk out. 'This guy probably has a good amount on him. Sorry bout this'

He walked right in front of the man "accidentally" tripping right there and then. He swiftly slipped his hand into the mans suit grabbing the wallet and getting it into his own.

"Hey? You alright kid?"

"Yeah, I'm so so sorry about that. I wasn't paying attention."

"Yeah no problem kid."

And Peter walked away.

Tony walked into the cafe he planned to meet the Avengers at.

"Hey guys."

He sat down as they all ordered lunch. They chatted for a awhile about old missions and possible revamps for the tower. They finished eating when Tony offered to pay.

"Hey guys it's fine I got it-, wait. Where the hell is my wallet. I could've sworn I grabbed it."

He patted down his suit only to find nothing.

Bruce said it was alright and paid instead.

So they all went back.

Tony looked all over for his wallet only to find nothing. "FRIDAY? Did I grab my wallet this morning? Or did I drop it?"

Then where did it go?"

Tony sighed. It wasn't too much anyways.

}•••{

'Holy shit.'

Peter couldn't believe his luck. That man had $500 dollars in his wallet. He knew he had to spend the money wisely so he only planned to get food when he needed it.

For the next few weeks he paid little for food and water and his life was going pretty good. Until he got attacked.

"Look Joe! There's a wimpy kid over here. Looks like he's got some cash"

The two men circled around Peter until he was pressed against the alley wall. Peter struggles against the man's grip but to no luck. "Come on guys. Can't you leave me alone?"

The men looked at each other greedily before one of the two punched Peter right in the gut. The wind got knocked out of him before he collapsed to the ground gasping for lost air. The two men continued to kick and punch at the helpless boy on the floor showing no mercy. They grabbed the wallet inside Peter's coat before running off. "Thanks kid. You're a real hero to me!"

Peter laid on the dirty floor of the alley. His breathing was now ragged and blood dropped from his head. 'I think I cracked a rib or something.'

The last thing Peter remembered was a man walking towards him and then calling for help.

—————

When Peter came to, he didn't know where he was. He was in a nice bed, which was really nice considering he never had one. He heard a beeping of a machine, looking over to see he must've been in a hospital.

A man walked into the room. He had brown hair with a bit of grey streaks. He had glasses and was wearing a lab coat.

"Oh! Your awake. You took quite the beating. Do you mind telling me your name? I'm Bruce Banner."

"Uhhh...yeah. I'm Peter...Parker. Wait? Bruce Banner? Your that scientist guy right? Your work is awesome."

"You actually understand that stuff? Wow. Tony is going to like you."

Bruce did a checkup of Peter's injuries and told him he would have to stay for a bit longer. He asked why Peter was so malnourished, but didn't get an answer.

He told Tony about the kid and both did some research, considering that a kid with brains like his must be in a good school. The only thing that came up was a news article.

Woman Murdered.

A woman identified as Mary Parker (formally Mary Fitzpatrick) was found dead in the alleys of Rain and Willow street. She seemed to be beaten to death and the act is being looked over by authorities. It was said that she had been seen with a young boy, presumably being her son but was not found at the scene. Police are searching for the young boy. If seen please contact the police.

Both men looked at the article in shock. This kid was homeless. Both felt a pang of sympathy and they went back to his room.

"So this is Peter-wait you're the kid I ran into a few weeks ago. What a coincidence!"

'Holy shit. I pick-pocketed Tony Stark.'

"Yeah. I'm still sorry about that." Peter said sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his neck.

Bruce walked in and asked Peter if he could solve an equation for him which the kid excitedly accepted. Him and Tony watched in fascinating as the kid solved it in no time.

"So, Peter. Would you like a job here?"

"Huh?" His eyes went wide.

"Would you like a job?"

"REALLY? YES!! Thank you so much Mr. Stark." Peter started to sob happy tears at a new chance.

And this new chance was the beginning of a new life.

He didn't have to run anymore.

my past won't haunt me

I can finally rest

I don't have to run

I can stay.