Title: The Red Headed Stepchild
Fandom: MC2
Characters: Reilly Tyne, Mary Jane, and most of the Parker family.
Summary: AU. Starting over again was hard enough. Living with the Parkers? That may prove to be the biggest challenge of all.

Reilly tried to ignore weight of several eyes and pretend he didn't notice. This was worse than being stuck in demon form and made him feel like an even bigger freak. Long story short: he lost his other "residents" and powers. Was sick for awhile before being cured (he was out for most of it.) Now he was stuck as a teenage boy waking up in the Parker household. He didn't want to be there, well he sort of did but it made him feel on edge. The staring certainly didn't help.

To his right May sat trying to carry on her mothers' conversation but getting sidetracked at the sight of her now completely human cousin. He could tell she had a lot of questions and KNEW she'd ask them once they were alone. If he let her, which he wouldn't. He already plotting ways to avoid it.

To his left April outright stared, barely acknowledging the prompts the others were trying to get her focused elsewhere. For some reason his very existence seemed to fascinate her. So much so that she completely forgot about her earlier complaints of May getting everything once he entered the hallway. Now she was more subdued and eager to see what he did.

Before he had a chance to make his excuses Mary Jane had conned him into coming down for breakfast where they would discuss his options now that his life was over. Okay she put a nicer spin on it but he didn't like it one bit. Once again his life was in an upheaval and he was a kid with no say in his own life. Everything he worked towards gone in one night. He didn't know why everyone else seemed so pleased with the outcome.

She had dragged him to the table Peter was sitting at with surprising forcefulness. In her other arm her son gurgled happily reaching for his cousin. Peter glanced up and saw him setting up their current awkward situation quite nicely. The thing with his uncle was that he didn't know how to talk to him any better than Reilly knew how to be part of a family. He stumbled over his words careful not to unintentionally insult his nephew (again), his every movement heavy with guilt. In a way Peters' reaction was worse than Aprils'.

The mans' eyes roamed his face repeatedly looking at him almost as if in awe. The intensity of his gaze bothered him. He knew that Peter was searching for traces of his father in him and Reilly wasn't sure he wanted to know what the conclusion was. Out of all of them his uncle seemed the most desperate to spend time with him. Reilly tried not to let his discomfort show. Uncles-his uncles-all tended to be overbearing and hurt him in some fashion. Just because this one was expressing regret didn't mean that he wouldn't get burned again. No matter how much he wanted the mans' approval he couldn't get over the past that quickly.

Despite her forcefulness Mary Jane was the one he felt most at ease with. She wasn't demanding answers to uncomfortable questions or looking for a person he doubt he would live up to. His aunt was a little like Merry Urich, talkative and nice. Not that it would last for long.

"Are you like us?" April asked ignoring the harmlessly bland conversation of politics at Peters' work.

Normally Reilly would answer such a question with a number of sarcastic retorts. This however was not normal circumstances. Not only did he feel as if he was being judged but he always tried to take it easier on April than on May. Simply because unlike her "sister" April didn't know any better.

"April..." Mary Jane warned.

"Hey I just want to know, alright? His flame-y creature of the night bit is over. Might help if he has some powers to fall back on." Although he couldn't see Mays' expression he heard her straighten in her chair. No doubt interested in discussing how much alike they could be or a million other things he hadn't even considered.

Peters' irritation at her bluntness had taken a sudden shift. Curiosity lit his eyes, likely pondering the scientific aspect of him. Those thoughts were all too transparent to Reilly. If Bens' cells which had been killing him also allowed him to inherit the family powers then it fitted into another piece of the puzzle. Great, now he was a different sort of freak. A science project.

"That's enough young lady!" His aunt (thankfully) chided. "This is breakfast not an interrogation session."

April glowered into her eggs stabbing one extended tendril viciously into a sausage link. (He managed not to flinch at her symbiotic displays by sheer will power.) Next to him May sagged in her chair while her father visibly deflated and guilt once again crossed his face. Was it bad that he was longing for his old arguments with Kaine?

The clone had apparently refused to leave the boys' side for three of the days he was unconscious. Only on the fourth had he grudgingly left for a mission. Reilly had heard Peter arguing with him on the phone through the vent before he left the guest room. Maybe another fight would break out if Kaine did return to the house, Reilly mused almost wistfully. At least fights he understood.

"Where'd Benjy go?"

At Mays' question all eyes (finally) swiveled away from him to the high chair the little boy had previously been in. Peter leapt up with surprising grace telling everyone to check all the rooms. April went to the basement mumbling about leaving the door open, the former Spider-man went to the attic and May frantically searched the first floor. All the doors going out were locked and the windows were shut so Reilly figured the little bugger was still inside. Climbing the stairs to the second level the boy stopped in the middle of the hallway. Luckily he had learned a lot from Matt, powers wouldn't do all the work for you. Sometimes a spider sense couldn't lead you to the answer but common sense could. Closing his eyes Reilly focused on any telltale signs.

A constant dripping emitted from the bathroom, likely from Aprils' leaving the tap running (which seemed to be a great source of annoyance to May.) Down the hall someone, likely Mary Jane was searching the master bedroom. The little guy could get around pretty quick. Down in Aprils' room the ceiling fan was running on full blast. THAT got his attention even if there wasn't any danger-yet.

Sneaking a peek Reilly had to do a double take at the clothes sewn around the room. He never got why she was such a clothes hog given her ability to change her appearance at any moment. The girl to his knowledge never actually wore any of the outfits outside and was given to impulsively change her look on the spot. Maybe it was another sisterly rivalry or to get an idea of her own taste. Sometimes Reilly wondered if his father ever had periods when he would rebel against being Peter Parker. In the end the two generations of clones were vastly different because of two simple facts. Ben and Kaine had Peters' memories and their own experiences. April had neither and no direction. And, well a symbiote too. That was one thing he really didn't want to think too much about.

A giggle drew his attention to the ceiling fan above. Benjy had managed to stick onto the blade (somehow) without being injured. Seemed he was enjoying the ride. Still no tingling which meant the little boy was alright but he somehow doubted the Parkers would like this. Turning off the switch Reilly watched the tiny form slow down, hoping that the little tyke wouldn't get sick from above. Craning his neck the toddler spotted his cousin turning his pout into a full fledged grin.

"Come on..." Benjy crawled two steps towards Reillys' out stretched arms before stopping. "Don't make me come up there."

The toddler only giggled in reply. The kid must already know english and was just messing with him. With a sigh Reilly leapt up to the ceiling. His little cousin greeted the display with a clap. Scooping Benjy up he hopped back onto the floor trying to ignoring the prodding curious chubby hands that were persistently demanding his attention. So focused on making sure that Benjy was safe Reilly didn't pay attention to the mild buzz warning him to another presence.

Mary Jane smile fondly. "Cancel the search party guys, he's okay!"

"What-?" May (he's pretty sure it's her not April) called up.

"Let me have a moment with Reilly, hotshot." Giving him a meaningful look his aunt walked off indicating that he was to follow. Which was never a good sign in his experiences. She led him to her sons' room motioning for him to sit in one of the two chairs in the room. He placed Benjy on the floor before choosing the chair that didn't rock.

"I know that your life has changed a great deal and our home is more than a little chaotic-especially when no one's had their coffee yet. But I want you to know a few things. I will respect your privacy and never force you to talk about anything that makes you feel uncomfortable. If you choose to tell me anything it will remain between the two of us."

For a brief moment his aunt looked commanding, a force of her own. Regal and gentle. The sort of woman he always hoped his mother would be like. Part of him wanted to believe it was as easy as she made it sound. He...he just couldn't.

"I used to hate it when people would tell me everything was alright like they knew how I felt. They made everything seem so trivial and simple when it wasn't. Now I'm not saying that I understand what you've gone through. I doubt I could. I just know that it's hard to build trust when you have no reason to believe in someone."

Benjy crawled into his mothers' lab yawning widely."I do trust all of you." Stroking his head Mary Jane didn't seem to hear Reillys' answer at first.

"There are different kinds of trust. You might trust May with your life but with the truth? That's another animal. Just take your time. Oh and before I forget-" Shifting her son in her arms Mary Jane leveled a no nonsense look at her nephew. "You are not a burden to us, you're family. I know you're used to living own your own, fine. But you will not be paying us rent."

Peter had seemed particular unnerved by Reillys' offer to thank him for the room and board while he was recovering. What else could he do? His first uncle was annoyed with having to put up with him, Kaine preferred stalking to actual child care and Peter had hated his guts when he was Darkdevil.

"You have two daughters and a son. Five people under one roof. Don't you think it's crowded enough?" He was prepared to find a place of his own. Perhaps even returning to the streets if he had to, he could take care of himself. It was easier for everyone if he didn't disrupt their lives.

"Ha! It wouldn't be our home if it wasn't constant havoc with the girls arguing over something, Benjy playing around with his powers and Peter losing his patience. We'd love to have you. Consider yourself officially drafted mister." Finally getting up from her seat Mary Jane placed her sleeping son in his crib.

Not sure what was the proper response Reilly settled for his old stand-me-by. Sarcasm. "Oh, so I'll be the red headed stepchild?"

"Naturally, and I'll let you in on a secret." Lowering herself down she whispered into his ear. "I love all my children dearly but I always wanted another red head. Besides I'm pretty sure Peter loves having the testosterone level in this house balance out again. Plus you can speak so you have the edge on Benjy."

She sighed melodramatically prompting a small grin to form on the boys' face. "Yeah I'm sure I'll love the male bonding sessions involving burping him in the mornings."

"No, just diaper changing."

Reilly made to get up. "Huh. The motel is looking very appealing right about now."

"Hey better stick with the devil you know."

"Very funny."