{Your Morals = Justifying Your Wrongs, Right Cap?}

Request by Zaria_Lianna on ao3: Okay first of all, i love your fics, i binged most of them the other day after discovering them, and i reread several today.

Also, i do not know where you are accepting prompts, so i hope it is okay if i do it here. Also, I think it focuses a little more on Team Cap Salt than most of your other works, if that's okay.

The Rogue Avengers come back, and are not happy shen they eventually find out Spider-Man is underage. They try everything they can think of (and morally agree with) to get him off the team, but nothing works.

Eventually, Steve "anonymously" tells the media who Spider-Man is, thinking it will be a consequence-free way of making him stop. Instead, the story breaks while Peter is at school, and a recently either released or escaped convict attacks his home and almost hurts Aunt May.

Possibly with online reactions too.

Fun fact: I was cleaning out my ao3 inbox and found nearly 25 requests I hadn't noticed! I also replied to 650+ unreplied comments but it was worth it bcs I love and appreciate yall 😌

TW: Patronization. Not Team Cap friendly.

**********

The Rogue Avengers were in his tower. And Tony was NOT happy about it.

They were currently in the living room, the Rogues sprawled around in the couches and Tony leaning against the wall, staring them down. The only good thing about their presence was that none of them could look him in the eyes.

God bless his Spider-Baby who compiled all the evidence that proved that all the accusations piled on him by the Rogues were only somewhat true, and not completely his fault. They all were involved in it, especially Ultron which he made with Bruce due to Wanda's influence. When this compilation was released to the public (without his permission, mind you), the public opinion on the Rogue Avengers only worsened.

He smirked as the young witch avoided his eyes, her gaze fixed on her lap.

"Mr. Stark," Vision's soothing voice came as he floated through the door, "I must inform you that-," his voice died when he noticed the Rogues and his eyes landed on Wanda.

Wanda sat up hopefully, staring at him with big brown eyes.

"What is it, Vis?" Tony asked, tilting his head.

"Never mind," Vision ignored Wanda and glided out of the room, "I shall talk to you later, Mr. Stark."

Tony had to suppress another smirk when he saw Maximoff's crestfallen face and Natasha patting her shoulder.

"So," Tony drawled, finally breaking the silence, "I hope you remember the conditions under which I allowed you to entire my tower."

"Yes," Steve nodded, glancing up at him with his baby blues as if hoping that he would take back those conditions.

Hell to the no.

"Repeat them for me," Tony said firmly, "I want no misunderstandings."

Bucky spoke up at this, and Tony had to look away and grit his teeth. Now that his anger had melted off somewhat, he only felt pity for the poor guy, and he hated himself for it.

"We won't bother your employees. We won't go out in public without your permission. And we won't contact the media without your permission," he listed off.

"Correct," Tony rolled his eyes when he saw the displeased look on Natasha's face, "These are the rules, Romanoff. Accept them or get out of my tower."

The Rogues were somewhat shocked. Yes, Tony has always been assertive, a leader, but he has never been this unrelenting and firm with them.

Before anyone could speak up more, there was a knock on the window across the room and Tony immediately relaxed, a smile forming on his face as he walked over to open the window.

"Hey Mr. Stark!" they all heard a familiar voice say excitedly, "What's popping?"

They all turned around in their seats to watch Tony interact with Spider-Man.

"Nothing much, kid," Tony said warmly, then his eyes widened when Peter retracted his mask. He immediately turned around to block Peter with his body but the damage was done.

"That's a CHILD!" Steve exclaimed, standing up. Peter froze at his voice.

"What are they doing here?" he whispered to Tony who had his eyes closed and teeth clenched tightly.

"Fury," Tony said as an explanation, "How did you not sense them?"

Peter pointed at his ears and Tony needed no other explanation. He had his earplugs in, and hell Tony would never blame his kid for wanting peace and quiet sometimes.

"Time to face the storm," Tony murmured and turned around, tugging Peter over to the couch.

"What were you thinking, Stark?" Clint growled, his hand reaching for his bow.

Peter's eyes narrowed and he shot out his hand, webbing Clint's hand to the armrest, "If you dare to point your weapons at Mr. Stark, I will use my webbing to cover you head to toe, and leave you to slowly suffocate."

Peter was bluffing, of course, but it did the trick and caused them to move their hands firmly where he could see them. Tony squeezed his shoulder.

"How could you?" Sam asked, aghast, "How desperate would you have to be to turn a child into a hero?"

"Woah woah woah!" Peter held out his hand, growing more agitated, "He didn't turn me into a hero! I already was a hero before Mr. Stark found me and gave me better and safer equipment."

"He shouldn't have enabled you!" Steve yelled in all his self-righteous fury, "He should have taken away your suit, heroism is not the job for a kid."

"I did take away his suit once," Tony said, shaking his head, "The kid just wore his old suit, without the protection and technology the ones I gave him had, and fought a criminal."

All the Rogues were bristling in their seats. Well, all except Bucky, who had remained quiet and was staring at Tony and Peter with a muted sort of understanding.

"This is not your business," Tony said firmly, rubbing a hand up and down Peter's arm since his kid was growing more agitated the longer he stayed near the Rogues, "Peter and I have a system developed, and he is spider-manning safely. Stay out of this and focus on regaining your reputation."

Then again, when have the Rogues ever listened to what Tony has to say?

**********

"Don't you want to experience a happy childhood?" Clint asked.

Peter sighed noiselessly. He had been peacefully making himself a sandwich in the kitchen when Clint snuck up behind him, probably expecting to startle him.

Too bad they were underestimating his senses. He could hear the other Rogues hiding around the corners, withing earshot.

"Can I help you, Mr. Barton?" Peter asked, raising an eyebrow as he turned around to stare at the man.

"A happy childhood," Clint persisted, "Don't you want that?"

"I don't know," Peter shrugged, narrowing his eyes, "Didn't you want a happy family? But didn't you abandon them to get out of retirement and run around with Captain?"

"I didn't abandon them-" Clint started indignantly but Peter cut him off.

"Don't sugarcoat it to save your ego. You abandoned them, plain and simple," Peter took a bite of his sandwich and made his way out of the kitchen, "Ross was targeting them, you know?"

Clint froze, his breath hitching. Targeting... his family? But- no he would, it's Ross.

"Mr. Stark saved them. Transferred them to a safe house," Peter resumed walking away, "Miss Laura wants nothing to do with you now. Worry about your family before worrying about my childhood."

Clint watched Peter walk away, then staggered to lean against the counter. He felt a hand on his shoulder and didn't even have to look back to know it was Natasha.

"Laura... My kids...," Clint murmured, closing his eyes and regretting for the first time in a while.

**********

"Do you know about hero complexes?"

Peter suppressed a groan and turned around to stare at Sam, who was sitting across him on the dining table.

"I am a counsellor you know?" Sam said when he didn't reply, staring at him with something that looked a lot like pity, "I can help you."

"Hero syndrome is a psychological disorder that causes a person to seek recognition for heroism," Peter said, turning back to continue his homework, "It is driven by the need for approval, recognition, or feeling needed and valued."

Peter smirked at the shock on Sam's face.

"No, I don't have a hero complex, Mr. Wilson. Mr. Stark has me go to weekly therapy sessions, and this possibility has been brought up and thrown away," he pointed his pen at the door, "If you could leave now, I would really like to finish my homework before dinner."

**********

"My brother died," Wanda tells him one day when he's peacefully watching TV alone in the living room, "Because he was being a hero."

Peter tilts his head back to stare at the Scarlet Witch, "I'm sorry about your brother," he simply says, "But I'm not sure where you're going with this."

"You could die too," Wanda said insistently, "This line of work is dangerous."

"Oh gee," Peter sarcastically said, "I thought it was sunshine and rainbows, thank you for letting me know."

Wanda scowled at him, her eyes starting to glow, "Control your powers, Miss Maximoff," Peter turned back to his show, "Or you'll be shipped to prison for using your powers on a 'civilian' minor."

He heard silence, then stomping feet retreating.

He was tired of this, and he wasn't going to justify himself to soothe their fragile minds any longer.

**********

"Think about your family, son."

'Ah, the final boss,' Peter thought as he stared at Captain America, "I am not your son," Peter said, staring at the elevator and praying that it moves faster.

"What about your family?" Steve said, frowning, "They'll be devastated to know that their child is putting himself in danger every day."

"I don't have parents," Peter shrugged and shifted uncomfortably, "And my aunt knows I'm Spider-Man. Your concern is appreciated and rejected."

He thanked every God he knew when the elevator opened and walked inside, holding eye contact with the Captain till the elevator doors shut.

That look of disappointment on his previous idol's face hurt, but Peter steeled himself. They weren't the same people he idolized, and they had hurt Mr. Stark.

No one hurts Mr. Stark.

**********

"I'm sorry about them," Bucky said.

Peter shot a small smile to him as he worked on his metal arm, "It's not your fault."

"Still," Bucky shook his hair away from his face, "I tried to stop them, but they refuse to listen to me, telling me I'm still recovering. Nat's been trying to but they're stubborn."

This caused Peter to pause, "They're treating you like a patient," he said, frowning, "Do you like being treated like that?"

"Not particularly," Bucky shrugged, staring at the open panels of his arm, "But what can I do? They're the only ones who'll take me in without being scared of my every move. And I can't just abandon Steve."

"Sometimes holding on does more damage than letting go," Peter said quietly.

Bucky stayed silent, then said, "I know," his nails ran along the length of his thigh, as if trying to ground himself, "I've been wanting to apologize to Mr. Stark too, but Steve stops me. This... he's changed for the worse."

The door opened and Tony walked in, a strange look in his eye, "Am I interrupting?"

"Of course not, Mr. Stark!" Peter said cheerfully, "I was just fixing Mr. Barnes' arm."

"Yes about that," Tony cleared his throat and stared at Bucky, "Come on, Manchurian Candidate, let's fashion you a new and better arm, Stark Industries special."

Bucky thanked Peter and followed Tony to his lab, seeming fascinated and grateful, almost disbelieving.

Peter packed his supplies and hid a smile. Looks like his plan worked.

**********

"You're Spider-Man, Peter?" Cindy shrieked as she stared at her phone. Peter froze, his heart dropping.

"What are you talking about?" MJ stepped up to stand in front of him like a shield, "You think this loser is Spider-Man?"

"It's in the news!" Abe yelled, shoving his phone in Peter's face and MJ dropped the act, staring at Peter with worried eyes.

Ned handed Peter his phone and he stared down at the screen, feeling horror dawn on him.

"We have an anonymous source reveal the identity of Spider-Man!" the news reporter said, "And it is none other than Queens' young citizen, Peter Parker!"

The screen shifted to show various shots of Peter retracting his mask in alleys... footages that Mr. Stark had deleted.

"The anonymous source said that they were worried a young man like Mr. Parker was fighting crime on a daily basis-"

"Captain," Peter hissed, handing the phone back to Ned. The anger was overwhelming him, threatening to choke him.

"Peter!" the use of his first name from MJ made him snap out of it, "Peter, you need to check on May!"

"Oh my god, Aunt May," Peter dropped his school bag and ran out, tapping his web shooters. The Spider-Man suit engulfed him and he swung faster than he ever had.

"Please let her be safe, please let her be safe, please-"

His heart dropped to his feet when he heard a piercing shriek from his apartment. His arms burned as he pushed himself to move as fast as he could.

When he shot inside the apartment, breaking the glass of the window, he saw Aunt May holding out a kitchen knife towards a steadily advancing convict who he vaguely remembered handing to the police.

His entrance did two things:

1. It caused Aunt May to lose focus to stare at him.

2. It startled the attacker into lunging at her.

"NO!" Peter's web flung out and wrapped around the man (a smidge too tight) and yanked him away.

Only a second too late.

Peter ran across the room to his collapsed aunt, holding her in his arms, "Aunt May, Aunt May!"

May groggily opened her eyes, holding her head, "I'll be fine," she said weakly, "Just a head wound."

"Hold on tight, I'm getting you to the hospital," Peter said, picking her up and running to the window to swing out again. He paused and stared at the convict who was wriggling desperately in the webs.

Seconds later, he swung out of the window, holding the attacker in one hand and Aunt May in the other.

He dropped the convict carelessly in front of the police station, vaguely yelling, "He attacked my aunt!" then continued swinging to the hospital.

He felt his eyes burn as he watched Aunt May being wheeled into her hospital room, sedated and sleeping.

"Karen... call Mr. Stark please."

**********

"Kid!" Tony ran to Peter, hugging him tightly, "Oh tesoro, I'm so sorry this happened. How's May?"

"She'll be fine," Peter said hoarsely. He could hear cameras clicking, videos being recorded, but he honestly couldn't care less when he spotted who walked up to him. Captain America, Steve Rogers.

"Are you happy now?" Peter snarled, stalking up to the man. His mask retracted but he couldn't care less. His identity was revealed anyway, why bother?

"Son," Steve started, looking like a kicked puppy, "I did it for your good-"

"My good?" Peter repeated, "MY GOOD?! You revealed my identity which I worked so hard to conceal! You put me in danger! You caused Aunt May to nearly die because of the enemies I have," Peter was nearly screaming by the end of his words.

He felt a hand press against his shoulder and he sagged against Tony, hiding his face in his chest and starting to cry.

"We'll deal with you later, Rogers," Tony said coldly, running a hand through Peter's hair, "Get back to the tower, and if you even try to follow me out again, I will throw you to Ross."

Steve bristled but seemed to notice this was a fight he wouldn't win. Even the people in the hospital were frowning at him. He slowly walked away and Tony kissed Peter's forehead.

"Calm down, kiddo," he said soothingly, "We'll shift May to my tower, she can stay there. And my PR team will handle this reveal."

He held Peter in his arms for hours, till Aunt May awoke and found her arms full of a sobbing Spider-Child.

**********

The videos of Peter and Tony's confrontation with Steve were uploaded online by several people present in the hospital at the time.

Twitter Reactions:

hanging_with_my_gnomies: cap really messed up big time 😡 he should've never exposed Peter's identity like that! #ProtectPeter #ProtectSpidey

hoosier-daddy: OMG, my heart is breaking for Peter! 😭 He didn't deserve to have his identity revealed like that. #ProtectPeter #ProtectSpidey

googlewasmyidea: Tony Stark is the father figure we all need ❤️ Also, screw you Cap! #ProtectPeter #ProtectSpidey #Irondad

HairyPoppins: I'm in awe of Peter's strength and bravery. 💪 Despite everything, he still manages to protect Aunt May and keep his head up! You go Petey, I'll always support you! #ProtectPeter #ProtectSpidey

JoeNotExotic: Can we talk about the real hero here? 🙌 Tony Stark, stepping up to protect Peter and Aunt May. That's some serious dad energy! #ProtectPeter #ProtectSpidey #Irondad

AllGoodNamesRGone: Seriously, can't believe what Steve did. 😤 He's supposed to be a symbol of justice, not endangering innocent lives #ProtectPeter #ProtectSpidey

KnightInTinfoil: Steve better watch his back because the entire internet is coming for him after what he did to Peter and May Parker #ProtectPeter #ProtectSpidey

anonymouse: I'm not crying, you're crying! 😭 This scene between Peter and Tony is so emotional, I can't handle it! #ProtectPeter #ProtectSpidey #Irondad

YouTube Reactions:

IYELLALOT: Steve better apologize big time for what he did to Peter and Aunt May. 😤 This is not the Captain America I know

unfriendme: Peter is the real hero here! 🕷️ His strength and resilience are inspiring

buh-buh-bacon: I need a tissue after watching this! 😭 My heart goes out to Peter and Aunt May!

fluffycookie: I can't believe Peter's identity got revealed like that, what the hell Cap??

Babushka: Can we appreciate Tony Stark for a second? 🙌 Like GO IRONMAN!!

baconandeggz: Tony Stark is the ultimate dad goals! ❤️ His bond with Peter is so heartwarming

kentuckycriedfricken: OMG, this needs to be a movie scene! 😱 I can't believe the drama between Peter, Tony, and Steve

(this comment has the most dislikes and replies)

FartinLutherKing: Steve messed up big time. 😡 How could he put Spidey and his Aunt in danger like that??

Instagram Reactions:

kim_chi: I just want to give Peter a big hug! 😭 He doesn't deserve all this stress!

bigfootisreal: Tony Stark is the ultimate dad goals! ❤️ His love for Peter is so heartwarming

nachocheesefries: Tony Stark is the real MVP! ❤️ His support for Peter is everything!!

justaharmlesspotato: 😭 Peter and Tony's bond is so precious

avocadorable: The NICKNAMES!!!!??? T E S O R O??? I'm s o f t

PaniniHead: Cap, you messed up big time! 😡 Putting Peter's identity at risk like that is unforgivable

catsordogs: Shoutout to Tony Stark for being the best mentor ever!

B.Juice: Steve, you need to make this right! 😤 Apologize to Peter and Aunt May, pronto!

**********

"Tony please reconsider," Steve pleaded one last time as he stood before the helicarrier.

"No," Tony said firmly, his arms crossed, "You hurt my kid, you leave. Go enjoy Wakanda, Rogers."

Natasha shook her head and grabbed Steve's arms when he tried to speak again. The Captain wilted and looked at Tony guiltily, "Is his aunt fine?"

"None of your business," Tony curtly replied, "Run off now."

Steve sighed and slowly dragged his feet to the helicarrier, followed by the rest of the Rogues. Tony stopped Bucky, "You can stay. If you want."

Bucky froze, then tilted his head as he stared at Tony.

"Come on, Bucky!" Clint called from the helicarrier.

"You won't be uncomfortable?" Bucky ignored Clint to give all his attention to Tony.

"I wouldn't have offered otherwise," Tony huffed and looked away... were his cheeks red?

A slow smirk spread across Bucky's face and he nodded, "I would love to stay, doll. Let me talk to Stevie first."

Bucky jogged off, and Tony tapped his sunglasses, "Fri, baby, he just called me doll, didn't he?"

"Yes he did, boss," Friday replied, amused.

Tony watched Steve and Bucky argue, Steve getting extremely agitated, then sad, then pleading. Bucky remained firm and stepped out of the helicarrier, watching it rise and drift off.

"Come on, Buckaroo," Tony turned around to walk off, "We have a Spider-Baby to spoil."

Hours later, Bucky had a lapful of a tiny sleeping Spiderling, Tony sitting beside him as he soothingly ran a hand through Peter's hair.

Bucky couldn't stop smiling as he felt the billionaire's hand brush against his.

Yes, he would be just fine here.