Hey everyone thanks for tuning in and the reviews, plus suggestions. Just watched Age of Ultron and it is awesome. Some things I would keep out or put in but yeah. Can't wait to see what I'll do this summer with this fanfic. Please constructive ideas, any input and reviews will help. I also will need some info a little on Ms. Marvel. Hey I am so sorry that I haven't updated in a long time. I have a confession to make. You see when the spring semester was ending I was and still am depressed and need to have some counseling. It's been a really tough time for me. Piece of advice if you are ever in a funk, it's actually good to admit that and admit that you need to talk to someone about it. I'm at a point where I didn't care to pretty myself up like I used to. So focusing backing on fanfic writing has really helped and working at my job too. So again for the delay. Hey can you give prompt suggestions on working a family relationship between Peter and Bucky. Oh and can someone volunteer to be my proof reader please.
Peter POV
"Hi Aunt May," I started but she didn't waste any time to open the screen door to pull me into a hug. I wrapped my arms around her tightly but minded my strength. She began to sob into my shoulder as I try to calm her down without breaking down as with only a few tears escaping.
"Its okay aunt May. I'm here. I'm home now," I told her softly while stroking her head. After she had finally calm down she pulls to wipe away stray tears and cups my face in her hands smiling. She then looked at the visitors behind me and immediately went into her hostess mode.
"I'm sorry it's been a rough night."
"It's alright ma'am. We came without notice. My name Steve Rogers and this my friends here James Barnes and I'm sure you remember Ms. Romanoff."
"Why yes I do. Please come in. I was cooking something up. I have coffee ready too." She showed everyone in.
"Aunt May this is the girl I told you about yesterday. Angelica Jones, Aunt May. Aunt May, Angelica Jones."
May's face lit up as she looked at Angelica. Angelica stretched out her to greet her.
"It's nice to meet you ma'am whoa!" she stopped as May went past her hand and gave her hug instead.
"It's nice to meet you too. Peter has told me much about you. Come. Everyone please sit while I get coffee."
"I'll help," offered Natasha, getting up along Angelica to the kitchen, leaving me and the rest of the guys alone in the living room.
"She's seems nice. She reminds me of mom a little," said Bucky.
"You know calling her Aunt May is just something I grew up with and just called her. She's really been more of a mother to me. And I don't see her any different."
Bucky and Steve smiled and nodded in understanding.
"So are you going to tell her?"
"I don't think I have much of a choice. She deserves to know at least."
"Okay well we're here for you."
The girls came back and we sat down with a mug in each hand while Steve and Natasha told Aunt May what happened. Hydra came for me because I may know how to understand my father's formulas and his work. I was held hostage with other students that had value to them as well. The Avengers picked up on this after their visit last night to her. Which reminds that I need to get my back pack back from Banner. The police don't know anything about the kidnappings anymore since it draw too much attention to us. And that the head detective will come by later to the tower to explain what happened. By the time they're done I realize the time to whether or not tell her that I'm Spiderman is now.
"Hey Aunt May…"
In transit to the tower.
We finished our coffee and began driving back to the tower. Aunt May was silent the whole time looking at the window, with a concerned look on her face. There was no room in the car. Steve and Bucky offered to take a cab but instead Natasha and Angelica decided to take a cab together for some girl time. It worried me a little because I didn't want Angel-I mean them exposed out there so soon after being rescued from Hydra.
"Don't worry, we'll be fine. We'll see you at the tower."
Driving into the tower, I look back on the conversation we had with Aunt May.
"Aunt May I'll be moving out soon from here. Probably by next week. And I think you should leave too."
"What! Why Peter?"
"Aunt they knew where to find me. The came for my not caring you were here. What if you got caught in the crossfire? I can't risk that these people are ruthless. This is temporary."
By the time I finish she is crying. I grabbed her mug before it spills and place ours on the coffee table.
"It's sort of me already moving out for college. Just different reasons. And I don't want you in the crosshairs. We'll figure this out."
"Crap!" shouted Angelica. We looked at her like there was something wrong.
"Oh, nothing major. I can tell later."
"Ok. Aunt May we need to start going to the tower. The detective will be there soon."
She nodded and got up to leave with us. While Natasha and Angelica wait in front of our house to hail cab. In the end I couldn't really say it. Maybe later on when I'm ready. But it's not...maybe not the right time.
When we made it to the tower we see Natasha and Angelica outside of the building getting out of the cab.
Steve immediately scoffed and mumbled something about Natasha's uncanny habit of getting the crazy cab drivers to get somewhere sooner. I glanced to Aunt May and saw her looking at our family picture when all of us were last alive. Hopefully now that we do have help, we can get through this.
On the Avengers floor.
When the elevator opened up on the residence floor, I saw a couple new set of people in there. Next to Ava with an arm around her shoulder is a tall man that shares a couple resemblances with her. Lucas is over close to the window with a man and a woman whose faces I couldn't see. It must be Ava's uncle and Luke's parents.
Danny and Sam are sitting down on couches along with Dr. Banner and Rhodey with Howlett, Kinney and Wade sitting across from him. Sam is over at the corner with Prof. Xavier. I see Stark with Summers and Dr. Grey in the lab. They look like they are arguing about something.
After introductions were made and some of the surprise worn off from revealed parentages we decided to get our stories straight to tell the detective. If it wasn't for the news then we could've thrown this more under the rug. But the only thing that all of us can pull without any further suspicion is that it became a federal case and became extremely classified due to it's nature and the players involved. By the time we became agreeable to our stories, the detective in charge of my abduction case arrived by elevators.
All of us went with the bag over our heads. We didn't really see anything and were asked questions on about our homes and parents which we didn't answer to. The only reason the Avengers came busting through was that they've been pursuing Hydra since they came out of the shadows and finding us was kind of a coincidence.
After the detective took our testimonies he agreed to hand over the case. He gave us his number incase anything else came up. He left and we released a breath we didn't realize we were holding.
"Oh my God! I need a vacation already and the semester hasn't even started yet," I groaned rubbing my hands over my face.
"Tell me about. We have to go back to our loft to get our stuff and look for a new place to live. We have like forty eight hours to do that before the semester starts," said Lucas. The rest groaned with him as well. I thought back to my plans with Flash to move into an apartment with him right off campus. Now thanks to this crap fest I have to call him to tell him that it can't work. It's not safe anymore.
"What's wrong Peter," asked Aunt May.
"Well thanks to this, I don't want to endanger Flash into getting hurt or killed being involved with me. Yet I don't what excuse I can give him."
"Hey you being abducted was on the news why don't use that to say...to say...to say..." Sam drifts off with nothing to come up with.
"Mr. Parker," sounds off Jarvis "You are receiving a call on your Skype account from an account under Flash T."
"Oh great it's him. What am I gonna say?"
"Ooh! I have an idea!" jumped Angelica. "Weren't you also applying to Dr. Richards? Didn't you mention that if you get a job with him that you also get an apartment within the building no exceptions?"
I jumped up with her pointing my finger to her. "Yes perfect! Uh Jarvis can you patch him through on a phone."
"Yes sir, I'm patching in the call to the phone on the counter at the bar area."
"Thank you," I answered heading over to the bar. "Hello?"
"Hey Pete! I heard what happened on the news! Are you okay! I mean I heard from a snippet on the news that it was gross prank from idiotic gangsters and that you are okay. Was it those guys that tried to shove and that kid from the Bronx?"
"Nope. Some idiots who tried to make a name for themselves. But I'm okay and I didn't get hurt or anything and didn't want to go in front of any cameras. I'm fine and so is Aunt May."
"Okay. And hey I have some good news. I got accepted into a scholarship program of kinesiology and physics at E.S.U. There's a catch though."
"Okay. Congrats on that. But what's the catch? It's not similar what the team had you do when you joined right?"
"No! No, uh you see, the scholarship program requires that we live with together. It's similar to a health project and recording our exercise and diet thing. I know we discussed about getting an apartment for next year but this project will last for a whole year too. I can find something else to do."
"Nah, don't worry, I got actually got some job offers from The Baxter Building and Stark Industries. I think the Baxter Building offers living quarters and they're not far from the university. I could answer them for it."
"Okay so good. I'm glad you're okay. So see you at tutoring session this Sunday evening?"
"Yeah I wouldn't miss it. Alright see you. Bye."
"Girlfriend?" asked Stark with a smug face on. I literally cringed at the comment.
"Uh, no. That was a good friend of mine from high school and college. He and I were going to be roommates for our sophomore year but he got into a program where he's assigned to live with a group for a nutrition study for a year."
"Oh, nice and why did you say you were going stay at the Baxter Building?"
"Well for starters, I didn't say that. I said was going to look for other options and by that may respond instead to Dr. Reeds offer but I need to talk to Dr. Banner about what we need to do."
"And it's simple," he said putting a hand on my shoulder. "Live here."
"Say what now?"
"I said 'live here'," he said happily with a grin too wide for my liking. "Besides you technically work for me and work for Bruce, so it makes sense and I would to extend that invitation to all of you. And to your aunt."
Aunt May looked happy and began to speak. "Thank you Mr. Stark-,"
"But we aren't exactly comfortable with the idea well me in particular."
"Why not? You still live in New York and get to be awesome gadgets and labs. Plus you're staying with us. The Avengers. You'll be safe."
"I don't see why not Peter," said Aunt May glaring a little at me cutting her off and not accepting Stark's offer. Bucky and others just sat there.
"Aunt May, they'll look here for me and the others here. The Avengers found us and we are nowhere else. It makes sense for them to look here. And you need to be somewhere safer."
"Peter Benjamin Parker, I may not look much but I will not leave you alone in this mess! You're my boy! You're all I have!"
"And you're all I have! Aunt May we just need to do this for a while. It won't be forever. They're going to try to get me by you." I shrugged Stark off and knelt down to hold her hands. "Hey we're Parkers. It's just our luck."
"Hey I said you can still stay here. I mean I have top security here. It's safe."
"Will you stay out of this for a second?"
"Uh how about no. Look kid it's a dangerous world out there and turns out, you're not capable of being safe as you put it out there. As your boss I assume full responsibility of looking out for you guys."
"Why are you imposing on my life? I'm grateful, but can you let me get a handle on this?"
"And you don't need to. Why are you so insistent on not staying here?"
Not able to take anymore of I placed my head on Aunt May's hands and groaned finally coming to a conclusion. "Screw it!"
I stood up and thwipped some webbing to Stark's mouth effectively shutting him up. He looked a little between a shock and a daze before realizing he couldn't open his mouth. He began muffle at me and looked like between panic and angry. I heard some clapping looked behind me to see Howlett, Bucky and Natasha clapping. Banner was snickering along with Rhodey, Steve and Barton, while my classmates were barely holding it in. I looked to Aunt May who had a surprised look on her face. But she looked calm.
"Well at least you don't have to lie about the laundry anymore."
"What? You knew?"
"Well I suspected and wanted to wait for you to trust me and tell me. I mean goodness sakes! Ever since Spiderman came out you've been coming home with bruises and limps that don't look like it's from bullying. And coming home late and tired. And who washes the American flag with their laundry?"
"No one washes the American flag!" yelled Barton.
"Well it's hard coming up with excuses sometimes!"
"Mm mm mmmmmm!" muffled Stark. I sighed and turned around to take off the webbing. More like ripping it off.
"Owww!"
"Oh I'm sorry did that hurt?" I sassed, making him glare at me.
"I have a solution that will have to work out until the semester is over," said Dr. Banner. "Before you came back I was discussing your guys' situation with Hydra and seeing that you don't want to give up your civilian lives, we agreed that we should contact Dr. Reed and set you guys up to stay at their building until this blows over. That way you can be safe and feel a little less restricted though I suggest don't continue any vigilante work."
"Uh doc. I sort work with the cops so it's actually an extracurricular activity I don't want to give up."
"But you are going to be exposing yourself and everyone to more danger."
"Is it anymore that certain neo-fascists that know we have particular gifts and go to the same college together. Besides it's kind of dumb to go ahead to tell someone that they should stop serving when the going gets bad. It's not like Peter has to go in hiding like you did so stop worrying about him," said a very annoyed Ava.
"Ava has a point,"said Natasha. "We should just wait on Dr. Reeds to set these kids up at his building. We can start making some calls now."
"Okay until he gets here let's go back to the loft and see if anything is salvageable from there," groaned Luke.
"I'm praying that my ink set wasn't destroyed," mentioned Danny as they got up.
"Hey mind if I tag along? I could help."
"Are you paying for pizza?" asked Sam.
"Sam!" scolded Angelica.
"It's alright. Where do you live?"
Later at the Baxter Building.
"You know I'm fine walking from the pizza place to the loft you know." I told James who was trailing behind me. I guess it's his protective side kicking in. When we left James decided to tag along wanting to keep an eye out for us. Me in particular no doubt. Meanwhile Clint and Natasha were outside with a moving a truck ready for us. T'Challa and Luke's parents were also helping them pack. Before leaving I found out Murdock left to go to work and contacted Dr. Reed and told him what happened. He agreed to let us stay as long as we want at his building and will make sure that the rooms will be available by the afternoon. After packing there things into the moving van, we started heading towards the Baxtor Building. The X-Men were going to go back to the institute but made an offer to hide Aunt May there until things settle down. It took some convincing but we managed to get her to agree to stay at the institute. They went with her back at the house to gather her things. She and I had a moment though to say our goodbyes
"I'll miss you Peter." She reached in and pulled me into a tight hug I returned but also mindful of my strength.
"Me too Aunt May. And don't worry I'll try to contact you as much as I can. Okay?" I pulled back and gave her my usual optimistic grin. She smiled and also laughed wiping away her tears.
"I guess it's a little hard for me to accept that all grown up and need to make your way into the world already. Are going to be alright here? I don't think they'll mind."
"Yeah but I'm needed here. You go on ahead with them. Love you."
"Love you too Peter."
After that we went our separate ways. She left with Prof. X and others. Kinney was invited to go with them but she wanted to stay for now and wait for the summer. She decided to get her things from her safe house. Dr. Reed was kind in greeting us and listening to our situation. He was surprised when we explained to him our alter egos, me especially. He and Sue led others to the top floors where we would settle in. He turned out to be very okay with having more people added to the building. Johnny and Ben were at Altantic City blowing some steam so we won't see them until tomorrow.
"Dr. Richards, I sorry that we had to come to you like this."
"Don't worry about it. It'll be nice to have some more company in the building. I was also hoping that I could still consider you for hire. Or has Stark struck again?" He asked nervously.
"Actually I'm considering not working for Stark Industries anymore. I mean the baddies would guess that's where they would look for me and everyone else. And one day with the Avengers makes me less optimal for privacy despite them rescuing us from Hydra. I need to speak with Doctor Banner actually about that. I meant to but a lot things were going on at the moment."
"Well I will hold the position then for you. Now I'm not trying to pity you with this opening but I do want to hire you. You have a very genuine approach to your interest in science and I would love to have you as my assistant. Just let me know."
"Thank you sir. And I need to ask you for one more thing. Some company will come by in a bit for a short goodbye. My aunt May is among them. And don't worry about food tonight, we're chipping in and ordering Papa John's."
"Then take the time necessary. And a Canadian bacon please," he said passing me a ten dollar bill. He left to finish preparing the building for us to settle in. I decided to go get the pizza.
"Okay so I'm going to go get the pizza."
"I'll come with. Besides I don't think I've ever been in a pizza parlor." Bucky said getting up from the sofa we were sitting at.
Stepping out of the building it was a nice day with sun shining and the birds singing. Hey that makes me feel...who am I kidding? I still feel crappy from last night. I want to just crash. What's even worse I don't know what to say to him! I'm probably overreacting. Okay. I need to stop thinking to myself.
"So what did you do for fun back in the forties?"
"Oh I dated a lot. Me and Steve would go to Coney Island. Do some sketches. I was finishing art school at the time when the war broke out. I wanted to try my hand at comic strips to boost the morale but life had my hand tried at something else," he said bitterly.
Bucky POV
"Oh sorry. Well do you still draw now?"
"Some. When I was keeping a journal for things I might remember and leads, I began to doodle and next thing I know I'm sketching places I have been to. Stark Expo, home, London apparently since I have been stationed there as a base of operations for the SSR. I can show them to you later if you like."
"Sure. I do photography on the side though it doesn't compare to drawing from scratch."
"Mind if you show them to me?"
"Sure. Can I say something?"
"Sure."
"I don't know how to do this! I mean until last night I was the last male family member left and then you showed up! I'm not saying I'm ungrateful but I was sort of at peace with the solitude. I'm afraid that the moment we become "buddy, buddy", someone will coming swooping through to kill you and I can't protect you and...whoa," he looked pale all the sudden and bent over a little.
"Peter?"
"I can't...can't...breathe...," he gasped. Crap. He's having a panic attack. Everything from last night and this morning is crashing back to him. I look around to find a place for to sit. Luckily we there was a bench nearby and I sat him on there.
"Peter listen to me. You need to start taking deep breaths. Okay. Good. Keep doing that." He began to breathe more slowly but I made sure he kept his head down until he finally has calmed down. He let out a couple more breaths before leaning back into the bench still a little pale from his episode. I noticed he is a probably at a point to where he would experience post traumatic stress but it was all bottled up to this point.
"Peter I need you to listen to me. I'm not going anywhere. Heck a lot of people have tried to kill me and believe me the ones that have suck at it. We share the same blood Peter. We're always going to be stronger than what the world throws at us. You know I remember something Steve told me and the commandos when were pinned real badly at a raid. 'You get hurt him back. You get killed, walk it off."
He began to smile a little after telling him that, some healthy skin color was finally coming back.
"I have to ask, do you want to stay because you want to or because of me? Down the line purposes, I rather just get it over with," he grumbled now looking at me questioningly. That's a good question actually. Will I stay? After gathering the pizzas we began walking back to the building in silence. But it was a comfortable silence none the less.
When we reached the commons floor it swung open to someone roughly brushing past us and going downstairs. We opened the door to find Sam and T`Challa fixing the clothes together as if they were in a scuffle and a door slamming.
"What happened here?" I asked them. Sam, who was finishing tucking in his shirt in, looked mad as if he wants to hit someone.
"An old acquaintance of Angelica's with a nasty attitude demanding to see her. She refused and we had to have him escorted out," said T'Challa re-buttoning his shirt in order. Sam gestured us over to a kitchen counter to set the food and thanked us. Then it dawned on me on who it was.
"Sam was that Van?"
Sam stared hard at me with surprise. "How do you know Van?"
"I don't know him so much by face but rather what Angelica has told me about him. She said there was a falling out between them when they broke up. They barely spoke to each other since then and she wants to keep her distance from him. "
"Uh, yeah something like that happened. I'm friends with him. Sort of right now. It's tense if they are in the same room with each other. So the more distance the better."
I nodded my head in understanding, feeling mad that Van had the audacity to go see her and to upset her in the process.
"Hey you brought Papa Johns? Dude you just bought your ticket into our super team!"
"Really? I don't think Tony would appreciate hearing that. I could tell he had that look in his eye that wanted us to join his band of supers."
"All the more reason for me to jump at the opportunity. So what do you say?" He asked putting his hand on my shoulder giving it an encouraging shake.
Well what's the harm I'm sure that I could slowly try to be part of a group that kind of understands me. Maybe this will prevent Stark from trying to recruit me. "Sure. But!" I raise my hands to stop him from getting overexcited.. "I'm currently trying to start work back in with the NYPD and Rescue services. It's been months and I actually have to meet the commissioner at noon tomorrow to discuss my being back on working the streets and what's changed with procedures and... Am I saying too much because you have that 'that's quite a mouthful' look there."
He held his hands up and laughed. "Uh, no I just that I heard that you are a dedicated guy to what you do but man you are really into this stuff and uh, can more people come," he asked the last in a whisper.
"Uh maybe don't know. I have to make or ask for another time. Why?"
"We want to do the same but we don't know that much crap like you. I mean in the world of enhanced joes brave enough to dress up like we do, I think you are the only one about our age who has he most experience."
"''Kay. Well we can work on that. Where's Angelica?"
"Well the door slamming earlier was her. I should go check on her and call everyone else for lunch."
"Don't worry I'll go check on her. Uh, Natasha and Clint are outside with the truck. Can you let them know?"
"Sure." He turned to go, leaving me and James in the kitchen. The last time she was bothered by Van was phone call from him in the beginning of the semester and he turned out to be drunk. He took out his frustration on her when she tried to calm him down. It made me feel angry that he could not get it through his thick head that she wants to live her life the way she wants to. Besides he broke it of with her in the first place. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't hear James talking to me until he shook my shoulder a little.
"Pete I know you're tired but please calm down, I'll get everyone served while you check on Angelica. And no funny business I'll be checking on you two as well," he said with a smirk, wagging his finger in front of me. I playfully push his finger away in a mock frown and walked to where the bedrooms are at. I saw Ava leaning back against the wall with one foot door to a door.
"Has she come out yet?"
"No. She hasn't. And she won't let me in."
"I can hear you know. I'll come out when I'm ready, I mean I told him off so I don't feel that bad."
"You mean I missed you telling him off? I feel sad now." I added with a tad hint of comedy, Ava wacked me on the arm, which actually hurt. Angelica giggled from behind the door, before opening the door to us. She wiped her face a little before coming out into the hall with us. She and Ava hugged before she went to hug me.
"Thank you Peter."
"No problem, and I'm sorry."
"For what?" she laughed pulling away to look at me.
"For missing you beat up a guy."
"Aww, well don't worry about it. Now let's go eat pizza."
We sauntered down to the dining area and ate pizza, talking about class. Dr. Richards assures us we are not going to pay for rent. Of course since getting grants and sponsors for these projects from the NASA and the government, there's more than enough on the side for living costs. Bucky decided to move as well and got his own room while all of picked our rooms and got roommates. Laura, Ava and Angelica decided to share a room. Danny and Luke shared while Sam and I got our own rooms. Sam was okay and we share our friendship with Angelica and wise cracking jokes, so good pick. After turning in for the night, I couldn't sleep so I decided to go the kitchen for some warm milk, which I found out recently always works. We have less than 48 hours left to relax before the semester starts and Dr. Richards said to take it easy while he and Dr. Banner checks us out for health reasons.
Before I turned around the corner which led to the kitchen I heard voices. Easing up my pace, I crept in closer to listen to whether or not I should go in and of course eavesdrop.
Bucky POV
Unable to feel even tired after we turned down, I decided to head to the kitchen for some warm milk. Apparently after the Helicarrier incident at the Triskelion, I stopped at a coffee shop late one night while they were closing. The owner was very kind and offered me warm milk. After that when I have trouble sleeping, I go for a warm cup of milk. While going into the kitchen I notice someone there. I crept along the wall to see who it is.
"It's me Bucky."
"Steve?"
I came out from the shadows to see Steve next to the stove. Stark and Banner were sitting on the table while Natasha sat across them reading a book.
"What are you guys doing here?" I asked getting milk out of the fridge and started heating it up on a stove.
"Oh well we came to check in on you guys and stuff. So how was moving day?" asked Stark playing with what I assume is his phone. Now why they are here at the middle of the night is a big question. I know ever since getting intel also on the Avengers, especially Stark. He may have some good intentions but he has spent most of his life being very ambitious. He wants something.
"It was alright. The kids got their stuff from the loft and settled down with their roommates. I have to get early tomorrow so Peter and I can gather his things from his house. They have a busy week ahead of them. They are nervous though of the medical check up tomorrow too. What time is that anyway?"
"It's at two tomorrow," answered Bruce.
I nodded and poured myself a cup of the heated milk leaving a good amount left in there for seconds or thirds.
"How is Peter. I mean is everything okay between you guys?" asked a curious Steve.
"Well we haven't gotten in a brawl with each other so I say okay. We talked a little when we went to go get pizzas. We're still trying to get our heads wrapped around the fact that I'm his great grandfather and he is my great grandson. And he is dealing with a lot of stress."
"Yeah coming back to Peter. I want to know if he is thinking about joining the Avengers anytime soon," mentioned Stark.
Yep, I had a feeling he would ask that. "Why? And if you want to ask Peter then you should also ask the others too. I don"t think it would be fair to them and set them apart right off the bat."
"But they look like they don't have enough experience. Peter as Spiderman does. He can do a lot of good."
"But you would then have to ask him yourself since you're so adamant about that. But don't you think he has good reasons to not join the Avengers?"
"He may have a point you know. I have my reasons," said a familiar voice. We turned our heads to see Peter leaning against the wall frame with his arms crossed, looking tired and very unamused at Stark. He looked to the cup in my hand and to the stove. "Is that warm milk?"
"Yeah. Do you want some some?"
He nodded heading over to a seat at the kitchen island, sitting down as I handed him a cup of milk.
"Mr. Stark how has it been since you have become Iron Man and kept that secret?"
"Obviously not long. What is your point?"
"My point is that most us survive and even thrive on anonymity. Unlike you we have secure towers to live to keep people from going after us. And even if there was protection offered from being part of your group then what about privacy? I mean I would love to help out on emergencies but I'm not interested in having your lifestyle. Right now it would be too demanding and I'm trying to get some control of my life right now."
"But I have heard about what you have done I mean your baddies are kind of up to the level of our baddies and yet you face them by yourself. I'd say your Avengers material there." Wow he does not let up. Peter took a sip and sighed before answering.
"Perhaps but all the more reason for me to stay here then. I mean I'm already meeting with the commissioner tomorrow to go over papers to make things more official for a status in the law enforcement and he is already familiar with the fact that I have a life outside than Spiderman and I have to maintain that kind of cover. He doesn't know who I am but acknowledges why I'm not entirely full time. And I just found out about my classmates and I already agreed to be part of a team with them."
"Damn it!" muttered Stark. Ha ha. "Okay but you'll be doing global law enforcement and taking down baddies with us. So what is your point of not joining us?"
"Reason one is higher chance for less privacy. And since I was hoping to keep this out of the conversation, I know I need to say this to drive my point. Harry Osborn had a hand in killing someone I really cared about. He somehow put two and two together and managed to restrain me from being able to save my girlfriend. To this day he doesn't feel guilty about it and actually helped Hydra finding me with more interest. That's how I ended up being kidnapped. They knew who I am." The room was so quiet you could hear the silence. Stark looked shocked at Peter's revelation and kept quiet, hopefully accepting Peter's refusal to join.
"Reason two. I like serving the public along side the cops and everyone else. I mean the world is getting crazier everyday and being out there helping makes me feel that I could still make a difference in my hometown. So you have your answer Mr. Stark," he finished, drinking the last bit of his milk. "And I need to get some rest for tomorrow. G'night." He walked off after rinsing his cup.
We sat there for a couple more minutes not saying anything. I was sad for Peter to reveal his grief to rebuff Stark but I felt proud of him for standing his ground. We talked a little more about what to do tomorrow before saying our goodbyes. Walking back to my room I saw Peter coming of the bathroom with toilet flushing. I know my answer now.
"Hey Peter." He stopped and looked at me curiously for a moment before walking the small distance to me.
"What's up?"
"I just wanted to answer your question from earlier today. Yes I want to stay. I...Hydra has taken so many things from me in the last seventy years. I lost chance to get help when I fell off that train. To go home and marry Alice and raise our little boy. To grow old and happy as a normal human being. But I didn't get that. Ever since snapping out of Hydra's trance on me, I have been still in a nonstop mode from being the Winter Soldier. All I saw was an objective to complete and that was to destroy Hydra as best as I can and regain my life."
"I understand you but where are you going with this James?"
"I'm saying that me having these kind of objectives was helping me hold on to some sort sanity and to reality. I had nothing to to look forward to and I was actually dreading the day when Hydra is gone despite how much I wanted that to happen. But since I found out about you, I have more reasons to hang on to life now. I want to be there for you Peter. I want to help you in whatever you need to succeed. Get to know you. I think we both owe it to ourselves to do that. I know it's been a strange 36 hours but I know for certain that this is what I want to do. You made me realize that I need to step back a little and start enjoying my freedom as a person. I want to thank you for that."
He just looked at me with this unreadable expression then smiled a little before giving me a small punch to my right arm. I returned the gestured as we both chuckled.
"I have to ask, what is your impression of me?" he asked.
"I'd say you're someone who feels responsible for other people and knows how to take jackasses down a notch or two. You stand up for what you believe in."
"Uh thanks. So see you bright tomorrow?"
"Yeah, we better get some sleep."
We went back to our respective rooms. I still couldn't sleep though not because I was afraid and mad for once. It was because I felt excited.
Wow. Please reviews and critique suggestions they help.