Chapter Text
Chapter 1
Matt Murdock isn't surprised to find Peter Parker waiting for him on the rooftop of his apartment building a little over seven hours after the news breaks about SHIELD being infiltrated by HYDRA. After all, it's not the first time he's come home after a night of fighting crime as Daredevil to find Spider-man waiting for him, though it doesn't happen often and usually only when Peter comes seeking advice. Unlike most fifteen year old boys, Peter doesn't want advice about girls or school. Peter comes to Matt for advice about fighting adversaries who can turn their bodies to sand or mother-and-daughter teams who combine their powers to cause explosions. The truth is, Matt often doesn't know what to say about some of the problems Peter brings to him. Mostly, he listens, the way Father Lantom listens to Matt talk about the things he does as Daredevil or the work he does in his legal practice. Occasionally, Matt talks to Father Lantom about Peter and together, they pray for him. Not by name, of course. Never by name. Secret identities are as sacred as what's discussed in the confessional.
"I had a feeling you might show up," Matt greets Peter. "Foggy and I started reviewing the leaked documents --"
"And they all call me 'the minor'. Fury made sure my identity wasn't on record, but now the whole world knows I'm not exactly Spider-man." He says the last word with extra sarcastic emphasis. "That's gonna suck. There wasn't much on you though, from what I could tell."
Matt knows and has already promised himself he will give an extra tithe to the Church because of it. "We should be celebrating then. I think I might have some hot chocolate mix --"
"Matt." There's a choked note of fear in Peter's voice. "It's not just the data that leaked. The Triskelion's been compromised. There are people locked up in there -- that I put there -- who hate me. Or maybe they're not in there because that Helicarrier thing crashed and the place is on fire and...ugh, I don't know and that's what's worrying me."
And there it is. The problem Peter came to talk about. "These people you say hate you... I'm assuming that would be Norman Osborn and that Octavius person, correct?"
"Yeah," Peter says softly. "Those two are the most dangerous because they know who I am, where I live, about my aunt a-and...Osborn knows about Mary Jane."
Not a lie but not the whole truth, either. "What does he know about Mary Jane?"
"Huh? No! God, no! It wasn't like that. H-he --" Peter goes silent and his heart is racing.
Matt knows Steve has tried a few times to get the full story about Osborn out of Peter and he's been unsuccessful. Unlike Steve, Matt doesn't pry. If Peter wants to tell the story, he will and in his own time, the same way Matt goes to Confession when he has the need to talk. Still, Matt's clammed up in Confession and Father Lantom, bless him, has a trick that works every time. "It's all right, Peter. We don't have to talk about it."
"He tried to kill her."
Sweet Christ. Now he knows how Father Lantom feels when Matt shares details about being Daredevil. Matt stifles the 'what' and instead waits patiently for Peter to decide whether to go on or not.
"Matt, I-I don't want to talk about it, if that's okay."
"That's fine." It isn't but then again, Matt isn't sure he could handle hearing the full details anyway. Instead, he changes the subject. "Who else do we need to worry about?"
"Remember that guy who could turn himself into a sandstorm?"
Matt curses under his breath and he knows Peter can hear him because they've been practicing with Peter's enhanced senses. "Who else?"
"Electro, Kraven and I think also that Vulture guy I nabbed the other week. He was just wearing some kind of suit with wings, no powers or anything but SHIELD took him and Agent Carter wouldn't tell me why." Peter blows out a sigh. "Am I being paranoid if I think all these nutjobs escaped and decided to partner up to come after me?"
"I'd say you're being realistic," Matt tells him, "but then, I've been accused of being paranoid myself. Peter, did you try contacting Steve or talking to Tony or Clint to find out if these men actually did escape?"
"I asked JARVIS. He said the data was incomplete and his sources were down."
Matt curses again and doesn't bother doing it softly this time.
"Also," Peter continues, "Steve's in DC with Natasha in the middle of that mess. You know Fury's had him based down there for the past month, so...uh...whatever. And Clint? Man, the guy's career SHIELD. He's got bigger issues than dealing with my stupid problems ...And, um, I guess I just felt more comfortable coming to you instead of Tony." Peter mumbles the last bit then adds, "Sorry to dump this on you, Matt and I don't expect you to go after any of these guys if they did get out. I mean, you're, uh, well, you're not delicate or anything but these guys are super dangerous and --"
"You may not expect it but if they come after you, you can count on me," Matt tells him firmly, even as he hears Foggy in his head, yelling at him for being stupid and taking unnecessary risks. "You're not dumping on me, either. You're seeking counsel and fortunately for you, that's why they call lawyers 'counselors.' We're trained to listen to problems and think of ways to solve them." He tilts his head to the side, inhales deeply and he can just about smell the incense coming from Sacred Heart. "Sometimes, I seek counsel, too."
"Really? From Steve?"
"From God."
"Does it work?"
"One way or another, it always does." Matt reaches out and rests a hand on Peter's shoulder. "Is Clint still at the Tower?"
"I think so."
"That's our first stop, then."
"And our second?"
"Butcher's Mass at Sacred Heart."
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"You just missed him." Stark is two sheets to the wind, sitting at the bar in the Tower's common area and toasting SHIELD's downfall. "Wouldn't say where he was going, either."
Peter's shoulders slump because he really, truly does not want to discuss this with Tony. He likes Tony. How could he not? During the past six weeks, they've spent hours in Tony's lab, talking science, tinkering with Peter's web shooters and Tony's armor and having the kinds of discussions he's always dreamed of having with someone who could keep up with him. Of course, in these discussions, he's the one struggling to keep up with Tony. But talking science is one thing. Talking about Norman Osborn and the mess that is Peter's life is another. Because Tony? His gut reaction to that kind of situation is to armor up and start shooting stuff.
Tony cocks his head to the side at Peter's less than enthusiastic reaction. "Buck up, junior, this is a good thing. Do you have any idea what those guys were doing? Of course you do. You're a direct result of Fury's attempt to mass produce Capsicle." He takes a swig of his drink. "You're welcome, by the way. I hacked their data when you showed up on our doorstep and wiped your name from their files. Same goes for you, Murdock."
Matt shifts beside Peter, focusing the attention that Peter knows has been focused elsewhere back on Tony. "You did that?"
"Yup." Stark pops the 'p' at the end of the word. "I can't say there aren't paper files or people running around with the information in their heads, but at least it's not floating around in the public domain." He refills his glass and eyes Peter. "No thank you for your Uncle Tony? And not even a smile. You're a tough audience, kiddo."
"Tell him," Matt says, his voice soft and insistent.
"Uh-oh. I smell a problem statement coming on." Stark shoves his glass towards Peter. "Have some Dutch courage, kid."
Matt makes a disapproving noise.
"Don't get your knickers in a twist, Murdock. The kid has Cap's kind of metabolism which means if he gets any kind of buzz, it'll only be for a few minutes."
Peter shakes his head, nudging the glass back towards Tony.
"Really?" Tony asks incredulously. "A kid your age should be sneaking off with the whole bottle and his girlfriend--"
"A kid my age doesn't have dangerous people who want to kill him locked up in the Triskelion," Peter snaps. It comes out mean and he instantly regrets it. None of this is Tony's fault, except for the fact he's incapable of having a normal conversation. "Sorry."
Stark sits up, looking a lot more sober than he led them to believe. "Shit. Shit shit shit. Kid, oh shit, kid... JARVIS, please tell me the prisoners at the Triskelion are still locked up. Start with Magneto and work your way down."
"Magneto's whereabouts are unknown, sir, as are those of Norman Osborn, Otto Octavius, Flint Marko, Max Dillon and Adrian Toomes --"
"Who?" Peter asks.
"Mr. Toomes is a former SHIELD agent, Peter. He was calling himself the Vulture when you recently apprehended him," JARVIS explains.
Peter swallows hard. He's looking up at the ceiling, not trusting himself to look at either Tony or Matt. The latter is just foolish because he knows Matt can tell he's seconds away from having a full blown panic attack. "What about Kraven?"
"He is in critical condition at George Washington University Hospital with multiple gunshot wounds and electrical burns."
"Stay here," Tony orders Peter. "It's the safest place for you."
"My aunt and Mary Jane --"
"They can stay here, too."
"His aunt doesn't know he's Spider-man," Matt puts in, "and this might not be the best time to tell her."
Peter wishes Matt could see the grateful look on his face but maybe Matt can tell just from his breathing or something.
Stark scrubs a hand over his face. "This is why secret identities are a problem, boys." He raises his hand, silencing them before they contradict him. "Yes, I know all the pro arguments but this is one hell of a con. Look, Iron Man flying around in Forest Hills is going to attract too much attention, but I've got tech I can put in place to keep an eye on things. I can give you trackers for your aunt and your girlfriend. And for you, too, Parker. You're the real target. I want you in constant contact with JARVIS and..." He gets up and walks over to Peter, laying his hands on Peter's shoulders. "I want your permission to share all of this with Rhodey."
"War Machine?" Peter's mind is racing. Of course Tony knows War Machine. The guy is wearing Stark tech, for crying out loud. "Um..."
"You can trust him and he's in the best place to get intel with SHIELD gone and our people in the wind."
"Okay, yeah. Yes."
"And what do we say?" It's meant to be a joke but it rubs Peter the wrong way.
Still, Peter gives him what he wants. "Thank you, Uncle Tony."
"You're welcome, Peter," Tony says, releasing him. "You should tell your aunt, kid. It's only a matter of time before the public finds out. About both of you. You're not the only ones whose identities were in SHIELD's data and believe me, the day of reckoning is coming sooner than you think. I'd get ahead of this one if I were you --"
"You're not us," Matt cuts him off and the sharpness of his tone surprises Peter. "Peter is a minor who cannot support himself. Even if he goes through the process of emancipation who'd hire Spider-man if they know he's a walking target?"
"But he can be charged as an adult for the things he's done, which I remind you are illegal acts of vigilantism." Tony's voice is as sharp as Matt's. "I don't have to remind you that you're not a minor, Murdock, and you've caused plenty of serious bodily injuries along with doing a lot of things we both know aren't exactly legal in your pursuit of justice for all."
"Then arrest me, Tony." Matt holds out his hands as if Tony might cuff him then and there.
"Neither of us wants it to come to that, Matt," Tony says softly as he turns towards the elevator. "Believe me."
"Oh, I do. I believe you far too much," Matt says, just as softly as the elevator doors close behind Tony. "Come on, Peter. Let's go to church."
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Butcher's Mass is a tradition in Hell's Kitchen, dating back to the days when the Meatpacking District really did have places that sold meat instead of the couture designer boutiques that currently line the streets. Hell's Kitchen was mostly an Irish Catholic community back then and many of its sons were butchers and some, like Mick Ballou were a little more. Mick is semi-retired from running numbers, loan sharking and running crews to steal shipments of high priced items. Most days, the Butcher's Boy as he's known in the neighborhood, can be found at his bar, Grogan's Open House. Some mornings, Ballou comes to Mass wearing his father's bloodstained butcher's apron and Matt can tell that the blood on the apron is fresh. Most of the time, when that happens, some troublemaker from the Kitchen vanishes. For that reason, and maybe also because of Ballou's generous donations to the St. Agnes Orphanage, Matt leaves Ballou alone, though he still pays attention.
Ballou isn't here this morning when Peter sits beside Matt in a pew in Sacred Heart and tries to follow along with the service. He dutifully copies everything Matt does and sits quietly, listening to Father Lantom delivering Mass. Matt lets Lantom's words wash over him and he feels the knot of tension in his chest loosen slightly in anticipation of introducing his young companion to the kind priest.
"I see you've brought a friend," Lantom says by way of greeting.
"Peter, this is Father Lantom."
"Uh, hi. That was, um, a nice service."
Lantom is nothing, if not perceptive. "Your first?"
"What gave it away?" Peter asks.
"You didn't fidget, not even once," Lantom teases. "Latte for you and your friend, Matthew?"
"Please, Father." He takes Peter's arm, even though all of them know he doesn't need to be helped anywhere, especially in this very familiar place. The muscles beneath Peter's cheap, scratchy sweater are firm but it feels like Peter's found solace in the Church as well because they aren't nearly as tense as they were before the service. "Peter is like me."
"Like you?" Lantom pauses in the doorway to his office.
"I'm Spider-man," Peter tells him without hesitation. Matt explained about lattes, confession and Lantom's trustworthiness. He hadn't expected Peter to be so open with the priest and he feels a surge of pride in Peter's faith, both in him and in Lantom.
"Oh," Lantom says. "I see. It's to be that kind of latte this morning, then."
Peter shifts slightly, the muscles under Matt's hand tensing. "Is that okay? I mean, I'm not Catholic. Or, I guess, I kind of am. I was baptized but I never had Communion because my aunt and uncle didn't...uh..."
"It's fine," the priest tells him kindly. "All are welcome here to seek counsel, solace and sanctuary." Then he adds with a chuckle, "And I promise not to try to bring you back to the fold."
They follow him into his office, where Lantom fiddles with the machine and produces three lattes. Conversation stalls and they drink in companionable silence.
"Do you want me to wait outside?" Matt asks Peter, breaking the silence. "Or leave altogether?"
"No. Stay. Please." Peter sucks in a deep breath, holds it and then asks, "How do I do this? Am I supposed to say, 'Bless me, Father' and that I've sinned or something?"
"All you need to do is to speak from your heart," Lantom tells him. "We can worry about the formalities later."
And Peter does.
A little over an hour later, Matt has become privy to the details of Peter's life during the seven months he's been Spider-man. No fifteen year old should have to bear those kinds of burdens. No adult should, for that matter. Matt also becomes privy to something else that touches him deeply. Peter thinks of him as an older brother and Matt is quick to let the boy know that the fraternal feeling is mutual.
Lantom, however, is troubled and that's never a good thing. "Shall I assign you penance and have you perform an Act of Contrition with me leading you?"
"Uh...do I want that?" Peter asks Matt.
"Only if it would be meaningful to you."
"Oh." Peter thinks about it. "I'm not sure, Father."
"We can do that another time then," Lantom says, gently. He inhales and Matt knows he's about to give counsel. "Peter, you have a great weight on your shoulders. Your belief that with great power comes great responsibility is very much in line with the teachings of the Church but it's a sin of pride to believe that you need to carry that responsiblity by yourself." He pauses and lets Peter reach his own conclusions about who can help him. "I can't tell you whether or not to share the truth with your aunt. I remind you that lying is a sin and so is omission of the truth. I ask you consider the pain you cause her by not telling her and the pain you would cause if you did. She may be stronger than you think and you should never underestimate the powers of forgiveness and love. Finally, Peter, I remind you that your actions now cause her distress. You've been out all night, haven't you?"
Peter entire body slumps. "Yes."
"The Church is a sanctuary, Peter. We offer shelter and help to those who need it, including young men like yourself, seeking relief from the troubles in their lives. I'll call your aunt myself and tell her you've been here, seeking sanctuary and solace. May I also tell her that you're exploring a relationship with the Catholic Church?"
There's a beat and a rustle of fabric. The direction of Peter's breathing means he's looking at Matt. When he speaks, it's not a lie. "Yes, Father. I-I think I'd like that. Just... I'm not planning on entering the priesthood or anything."
Lantom bursts into laugher. "No, most boys your age are not." He gets to his feet. "You're a remarkable young man, Peter. I do hope you come back again. Please know that you're always welcome for latte, conversation or should you need sanctuary."
"How do you feel?" Matt asks as they step out into the sounds of Hell's Kitchen starting its day.
When he speaks, Peter sounds lighter in spirit than Matt's ever heard him. "Like I can deal with whatever's coming."
Matt smiles. "Amen."