Peter limped down the hall after Danny. His thoughts seemed to be miles away. He glanced at Danny's back now and again.
"I can feel you staring, Peter." Danny said. He stopped in front of a basic metal door, just the same as every other boring door in the joint.
"I'm sorry." Peter muttered. He stared at the spot just below Danny's nose, unable to meet his eyes.
"You don't need to apologize." Shock laced Danny's voice. This was not the same brazen, happy, and carefree boy he had once spent his days within Kun Lun.
"I missed you, Danny." Peter said. He seemed withdrawn standing there in his S.H.I.E.L.D. issue scrubs and guilt danced across his face.
"I've missed you too, Little Brother." A smile spread across Danny's face at the shocked and hopeful look in Peter's eyes. Suddenly, the boring metal door slammed open with a crash and the three young superheroes tumbled out of the room in a heap.
"We weren't eavesdropping! I swear!" Nova yelled.
"Idiot! You don't say we weren't eavesdropping! That's even more suspicious than just admitting it." White Tiger said. She playfully batted at the back of Nova's head and disentangled herself from the heap of limbs.
"Leave Peter alone. If he wants-" Danny started saying. A chuckle interrupted him from none other Peter.
"Wow. Bug Boy can actually laugh." Nova said.
"Sam, it would be wise of you to be silent and think before you speak." Danny's voice was low and agitated.
"Wow. Bucket Head actually has a sense of humor." Peter said. All eyes were on the Spider once more.
"Finally! A guy that can take a joke!" Nova exclaimed as the two boys themselves up off the floor.
"Welcome to your new home." Power Man gestured for Peter to enter the spacious room beyond the door. Peter peered into the room. A large room dotted with chairs, couches, and soft looking rugs lay on the other side. He hesitantly took a step into the room and glanced around again.
"Luke, have they set up his room yet?" Danny asked. Power Man nodded once and headed toward a long hallway.
"I have a room." Peter said. His voice was soft and stunned. Danny, Luke, Sam, and Ava glanced at each other. Peter followed Luke toward the hall.
"Yup. You have a room all to your self." Sam whistled. They all meandered down the hall, to the last door on the left and Luke pushed a button on the side of the door. It swished open without a sound. A plain room with a single bed, closet, and desk were revealed.
"Thank you." Peter said. He strode into the room carefully glancing at all the corners of the windowless room.
"Do you want to rest some more?" Danny asked. He easily followed Peter into the room and started to open the closet. A neat row of light blue button downs, white shirts, and jeans lined the interior.
"I don't think he needs help picking clothes, Danny. He's like sixteen." Ava said from the doorway.
"Nonsense. My little brother may not need the help but he's getting it anyway." Danny said. He pulled one of the white cotton shirts and a pair of sweatpants from the closet and handed them to Peter.
"Get changed and then you can come to play video games with us." Luke said. He dragged Ava and Sam out behind him and slammed the door closed behind him. Danny pressed the clothes into Peters' hands and moved to leave the room. Peter dropped the clothes and grabbed Danny's wrist.
"I meant what I said. I'm sorry. For abandoning you in Kun Lun and dragging you into this mess." Peter said. He stared directly into Danny's eyes before dropping his wrist.
"You didn't abandon me or drag me into this, Peter. Please don't ever think that. You're my brother. I will always want to protect you." Danny assured him. Sensing that Peter needed a moment, he stepped out of the room only to find the three other teenagers huddled against the door. The three teens scattered down the hall in an instant.
"I'll meet you in the common room when you're ready, Peter." Danny said before he left.