Avengers and the Hunting Spider

Part Two

Chapter 11

(One month after rescue.)

Pepper was coming back today. Pepper Potts was coming home. To Tony Stark.

She should have weeks ago, but thanks to her flights constantly being delayed or some new meeting would popping up she would constantly get stuck or pulled away once again. It was difficult for her and Tony individually but as a couple they needed to be in each other's presence again.

Which is why both were elated when Pepper managed to find a flight and was able to escape any meetings. Now, after two months of barely being able to text they were finally going to get to see each other again for a at least a few days before they had to split again.

Until then every second seemed to pass like an hour for Tony. He continually checked his phone for any updates on Pepper's plane, which was on schedule to land within the next two hours. He couldn't help his racing anxiety as he paced the lab. Milo Murphy's law enjoyed torturing him, and the people around him, at every chance it got.

In Peter's perspective he was sitting down in the lab with Tony. He could strangely tell how much Virgina 'Pepper' Potts meant to Tony just by his behaviors. Every since last week when they finally made a plan to see each other again the man looked like he'd had no sleep and five too many cups of coffee.

Which actually happened all too often, unfortunately. He was constantly moving- his impatience showing. He would sit down on a lab stool and bounce his knee, fingers tapping on the table. Then he would stand and pace while checking his phone.

Peter on the other hand was sitting on his 'perch' (his personal chair) with his knees up to his chest and his chin resting on them. He followed the haggard genius with his eyes. He was becoming antsy with just sitting in one place and watching Tony's consistent pacing. So the teen stood and started following Tony around.

There was a slight tingling of his senses (he was debating calling it his spider-sense given from where it came from) from the direction of Tony's phone. A nifty little trick he'd discovered a while ago. Tony, on the other hand, didn't, nor did he expect his phone to start buzzing. The man jumped and the phone clattered to the ground as it fell from his hands.

Tony dove for it switched off the alarm to remind him to start heading to the airport to pick up Pepper. Not that he needed it. Tony looked extremely relieved to finally be finished with his long wait and stuffed the phone back into his pocket.

He grabbed his sunglasses and jacket that were thrown on his desk for this purpose when he came down here to try and get his mind off waiting and he started walking towards the elevator.

"Wait, Mr. Stark!" Called Peter before the teen could stop himself. Tony turned around, a questioning look on his face. "Can I come? Please," Peter asked. Being in and around the tower, though not as bad as before, still made him anxious most of the time.

Tony faltered. "Um, c'mere." And the man started walking back to his lab station. As Peter approached he took note of the numerous empty Chinese food cartons and pizza boxes. This table looked more like a teenager's bedroom than a desk, in the private lab of a billionaire.

Tony finally finished shuffling around and pulled out a semi-clean hoodie. He handed it to Peter who pulled it over his head. The first thing he noticed was that it was a bit big. The hoodie swallowed his upper body and went down to above his knees. Tony grabbed a near identical pair of sunglasses to his and Peter put them on his face. Which it covered most of and kept falling down his nose. Tony smirked at the teenager's predicament. He swatted Peter's hand away from the sleeve as he tried to roll them up.

"Nuh uh. Keep them down, it'll hide the web-shooters." Peter stopped. His thumb moving to rub against the metal through the hoodie nervously. What if someone saw them? He hadn't even thought of that.

"The airport Pepper's landing at isn't going to be crowded, so hopefully these disguises are just cautionary and no one will notice us," he paused. "But, we can never be too careful."

Tony turned his attention to the teen's 'hobo' hair went to about the middle of his neck. He frowned and started brushing down the unruly hair with just his fingers to tame the mess. It didn't work. The cowlicked hair just popped back up. Peter swatted the man away in a similar fashion to Tony's earlier display.

Tony clicked his tongue disapprovingly at the absurd length of it. "Pepper can cut that." For extra measure he pulled the hood over the messy brown hair. Peter pushed the hair out of his eyes and glared.

That brought up a question he'd been too nervous to ask randomly. "What's Pepper like?" He asked as they made their way towards the elevator. If he was going to be around the woman he may as well know what she was like. Knowing your enemy and whatnot, or maybe he was just curious...

Tony watched Peter through the corner of the eye. "Responsible, for one. In fact she runs most of the company. I just sign stuff sometimes and go to meetings."

Peter nodded and tilted his head to say 'keep going'. So then Tony rambled on for a few solid minutes about everything Pepper. They'd had plenty of rough spots, Tony told him, and places where their relationship could have been cut off... But, like a true power couple they'd managed to work through that. And he know both were happy they did. Now they were engaged and this had been Pepper's first time out of the country since they broke the news to everyone- including the public. So Tony couldn't wait to see her again.

Tony also couldn't wait for Peter to meet her as well given that the teen lived there now. He did worry that their personalities would clash given that they were different in some important ways. But Peter seemed to act like he'd put some effort in getting to know her so he didn't think it'd be too bad.

While Tony continued, skipping over bad memories and details. Peter knew he was being distracted but hardly cared. He was eager to learn about the people he was staying with for the foreseeable future.

So as they walked along he contentedly continued to strain to hear the quiet- to keep away from prying ears- words. The teenager decided against commentary and just occasionally nodded but otherwise simply watched behind large sunglasses.

Peter would probably never admit it but he was glad to see the genius so happy. And if he was honest, Pepper slightly scared him slightly. With what Tony had described she was pretty strict with her fiance, he made a mental note to stay on her good side.

But according to Tony she'd love him. Peter wasn't really that sure and decided better safe than sorry. Which was one of the reasons he'd begun to regret impulsively tagging along. When he started thinking about it, this was a bad idea. So many things could go wrong, Peter realised with a nervous expression that Tony took notice of.

"Calm down kid, I can feel your anxiety from here."

"Sorry, Mr.- er- Tony," he said with a slight sheepish grin at the annoyed look on the man's face.

The man waved him off with a huff. "And stop apologizing, Pete. And trust me when I say Pepper is a people's person and she's better with kids than me," Tony said as they stepped out of the elevator and towards one of his cars. "Like I said, she'll love you. You're adorable." The billionaire finished the statement by ruffling the teenager's hair through the hoodie... Again.

Peter huffed in annoyance. "I am not."

"Yes... Yes you are." He held back on a 'you killed with cuteness' joke. Even Tony knew when a joke was too inappropriate. And Peter probably wouldn't take kindly to his humor, as it was the kid seemed on the verge of a panic attack anytime his past was mentioned but would joke around as much as Tony.

They both got in and Tony shut his door and buckled in. Tony turned back to Peter and motioned for him to hurry up. "C'mon Pete."

Peter tilted his head like a confused puppy. "What?"

"Can you buckle in? I'm not driving if you don't," he said.

"Oh." An embarrassed blush spread across his face. Damn this kid was expressive when he wasn't under pressure, Tony was going to have fun teasing him like the menace he was.

Peter managed to quickly buckle in with a 'click'. The only problem was that his seatbelt was all twisted in spirals.

Tony gave an annoyed groan and reached over and redid Peter's seatbelt, untangling it. Said teenager looked thoroughly embarrassed. "Do you even know how to buckle a seatbelt?" Tony asked genuinely.

Peter knew how to buckle up, but there had never been much of a need to. He rarely used to get into their small car and he always rode the bus to school. He'd still been in a booster chair when he last rode one outside of the odd getaway car. He did a halfed nod and shrug. Tony thankfully accepted that answer and started the car.

Now that both were buckled in Tony backed up and took off with a screech. From there it was a rather noisy ride that included a battle for control of the stereo's volume. Peter, to Tony's surprise, ended up winning by warding off the man's hands and keeping it at his desired volume by using his temporary webbing to keep it in place. Neither spoke during the ride, Peter simply listened to the lyrics and tapped along. Tony would sometimes mutter the lyrics under his breath and Peter found it amusing he could keep up with the loud fast lyrics.

Roughly thirty minutes later they pulled into the airport parking lot. Peter was surprised with the sheer number of people and cars going in and out of the main building. For Tony, this was a smaller airport that wasn't even in Manhattan like they'd planned. Pepper, unlike him, didn't like to be in the spotlight longer than needed so they chose to not go where they'd likely be recognized.

Tony looked Peter up and down taking in the stiff posture and flitting eyes. "Hey, kid, you don't have to do go in. We can just wait in the car until she lands if you'd like."

Peter was jolted from his daze and yelled, "No!" The last thing he wanted to do was be stuck in the car or have to make Tony drive him back. He had asked to do this... He could make it through this... Right?

Tony on the other hand jumped, not expecting the extremely quiet and reserved teen to have an outburst like that. Peter was beginning to collapse in on himself like he did when he wanted out of a certain situation. Tony had a moment of panic and the image of Peter trying to escape, and quickly amend it. "Hey, it's okay. Just stick close to me and you'll be fine, okay? I don't want you getting lost. But if you do, please don't get on any planes."

Peter stopped and nodded. And suddenly he was back again, all emotions wiped from his face. Tony knew they would have to be extremely patient and calm with him but he wasn't exactly know for his unlimited patience. Maybe allowing him to come was a bad idea, what if he tried to escape?

The only thing that fueled his theory that he wouldn't run, is if Peter couldn't stand a small airport there was no way he'd survive the city itself.

The two got out and Tony was taken off guard when Peter's smaller hand grabbed onto the bottom of his jacket. Since Summer was finally ending and Fall was beginning they only looked a little overdressed but it wasn't enough to attract unnecessary attention. Tony walked around to the back of the surprisingly inconspicuous car and pulled out a sign that maybe Peter snort.

It said the word 'Potts' but the rest of the sign was covered in an outrageous amount of pink glitter and tacky stickers. Tony smiled at him and said, "You like? I've been using this for the past three years. Pepper absolutely hates it." Tony gave a slightly maniacal laugh at the memories of humiliating Pepper with the bedazzled sign. "If you think this is bad, you should see the one she made for me. At this point it's a running gag if one of us goes out of state."

Peter couldn't stop the giggle that came out as the man checked his watch, "Her plane should be landing soon so we have some time to kill when we get inside. What should we do until then...?"

Peter shrugged, offering no solutions for their impending boredom. He was fine just hanging out in the car until Pepper's plane actually landed. Then Tony's expression lit up in a telltale sign he had an idea. "I know! I should to show you the wonderful sellers of useless, plastic novelty items and trinkets... Gift shops!"

Peter blinked, unsure as to what he was agreeing to. Then shrugged. Why not?

"Good," Tony started walking, dragging Peter shortly behind him.

When they entered the airport something that assaulted Peter immediately was the sound of hundreds of people conversing. It was loud enough to make him wince. Tony noticed and nudged him with his elbow. When Peter looked up questioningly he handed the teenager red and blue ear plugs. "They'll help," he said, pointing to his own ears. Peter nodded and took them, they helped take the painful edge off and allowed him to think, but it was still loud.

Then there were the smells that assaulted him, though not nearly as bad. Some were horrible and smelled of people and sweat. Though nothing could be as bad as his cell- covered in vomit and blood and- Stop! He mentally berated himself for bringing that up. He couldn't even pretend to be normal if he kept thinking about it.

Peter tilted his head as something else caught his attention. The smell of sugar. Without realizing it he had started leading them towards it, his grip on Tony's shirt never failing and bringing dragging the genius along.

"Whoa kiddo, you hungry?" Tony asked bringing them both to a halt. Peter gave a sheepish half-nod. "Okay then. We'll get some real food when we get out with Pep, but for now how about some drinks?" The billionaire motioned towards the restaurant Peter had been leading them to.

Peter gave a small embarrassed laugh as he pushed Tony in front of him as if the shield himself from people's gazes. Tony wrapped an arm around the teen's shoulders to try and comfort him and for once Peter let him.

They entered the small Starbucks and while Tony got them both drinks Peter scoped out an empty table. Tony handed Peter a medium hot chocolate as they waited for Pepper's plane to land. "No coffee for you," he said pointedly when he saw Peter's big doe eyes on his own cup.

They had discovered the teenager, like many his age, had a strong sweet tooth if it had sugar he would likely inhale it. And Bruce said giving him fatty foods was all the better in their mission to get the teen up to prime- or at least better- health he needed to gain weight and build up his stamina. As such he was only fighting through will alone.

The teen was also becoming extremely hyper as he continued healing and his less extensive injuries disappeared. The scratches and bruises that had marred a good deal of his skin had long since disappeared. Now it was more like just the phantom pains that remained.

He was a long way from healthy. While he was in this state it was better to stay away from things that could harm him. Things like coffee would probably be too bitter for his tastes anyways, but they hadn't allowed him to try it to find out. Thanks to his arachnid DNA they didn't know if caffeine would have any other negative effects, like it did in his eight legged brethren, other than stunting his already compromised growth. Thanks to his lack of truly nutritious food he likely would have stunted growth issues.

For Peter the sweet drink stirred memories in his chest. Peter was sad to realize that he didn't even have a full memory, just the feeling of a warm cup in his hands and knitted blankets draped over him, the rest was lost to time and the stresses of what he'd gone through... His brow was furrowed as he tried to force his mind remember. To break through the mental barrier keeping him from remembering.

On the other hand when Tony look up from his phone where he was checking the time and making sure nothing was happening- if something did he had his suit on practical speed dial. That's when he noticed the look on Peter's face. It was a look of the past, one he definitely saw often, on his teammates, random people everywhere, and now Peter.

"Hey Peter?" He waved a hand in front of the younger's face to snap him out of it. Thankfully the reaction wasn't as violent as before. Peter just blinked rapidly to clear the memories and moved away from the object in his vision. "Yeah?"

"What do ya say we blow this popsicle stand, hm?" He asked nonchalantly to try and get Peter's mind out of whatever he was remembering. Peter just nodded contentedly, happy to be outside the Tower and to go along with their mission to pick up the soon to be Mrs. Potts-Stark.

They stood and left, Tony having paid in a hundred dollar bill and walking away. Leaving a stunned, purple haired barista. They walked, Peter continually held on to Tony's sleeve as if the waves of people would sweep him away.

They arrived at a small shop that seemed for the most part deserted. Peter seemed to enjoy browsing the store but Tony made it his duty to buy whatever Peter wanted. Whenever they were looking around and something caught Peter's interest Tony would not-so-descretly pick it up it

At one point he started laughing loud enough Peter turned to stare, bewildered. When he held up an 'adorable' (as Tony put it) plush spider toy. Peter grimaced. Every since he was bitten his life quickly went down the figurative drain.

He blamed them- more specifically the spider that had managed to crept up on him- for the fact he hadn't died with the rest of his family. So yes, he did not like them and he cursed arachnids as a whole. Very colorfully, and in several of the different languages he'd tried to pick up.

Peter fixated the man with a cross look, which Tony returned with a wink and his usual annoying smirk. When he tried to put it back Tony protested saying that Bucky and Steve needed to see it.

Speaking of the two mother-hens, Tony was surprised his phone wasn't blowing up with threats from the two fossils demanding Peter be returned to them immediately. The super soliders probably hadn't even noticed Peter and Tony had left the Tower.They- and often Bruce- tended to hole themselves up in the lab for hours working on projects. Plus, FIRDAY wouldn't betray Tony right?

... Nevermind. The only reason the AI hadn't told was because it included Peter having fun. He should be concerned with how his machines developed feelings to become attacked to Peter... But he honestly couldn't blame them. The teenager was a frightening mix of harmless and harmful. Like a really dangerous puppy... A spider-puppy.

When they checked out, no one that was paying very good attention and the cashier listlessly checked them out. Entirely missing the fact their local billionaire was buying a few trivial nicknacks for a teenager to keep. Including the stuffed spider toy that was unsuccessful in losing. Tony then paid in another hundred and pulled Peter out of the store before the cashier noticed. It was one of the quirks to being a billionaire, paying in just one bill and leaving behind large tips and shocked cashiers in your wake.

They paused a few yards from the store they exited and Tony checked his watch for the first time in about thirty minutes. He smiled and said, "We should probably go wait by the gates." Just as the intercoms announced Pepper's flight number was landing. Peter nodded in agreement and adjusted the two plastic bags and drink he'd been slowly drinking for the past hour as the two walked over to the gate to greet the infamous Pepper that Tony spoke highly of.

Through the inrush of people coming off the plane Peter wondered which one was Pepper. Tony raised the sign up above his head as Peter pulled the hood down over his face. He didn't miss the amused chuckles from passerbys. After a few minutes Tony put the sign down and was looking around.

"Where is she?" He asked aloud, face creasing in worry as he pulled out a phone- Starkphone, Peter noticed, honestly unsurprised.

"Tony!" A feminine voice shouted towards them. Both of the brunette's heads shot up. Peter wasn't ashamed, okay well maybe he was, about the fact he darted behind Tony as a woman approached. Her hair was a lot lighter than Natasha's and more blonde. She had good posture with a hint of authority. Her attire on the other hand in no way screamed businesswoman, jeans and a band t-shirt that looked like it was from Tony's closet. The woman looked kind, but there was a determined fire in her eyes, Peter noticed. Then her expression softened as she spotted him from behind her finacé.

Pepper, he assumed correctly.

She gave a small smile towards the boy who was obviously not used to being noticed. The strawberry blonde had heard a lot about this teenager from Tony in these past few days. Pepper had to admit she wasn't expecting to have met Peter yet. She thought she'd have to meet him in the Tower. But now here she was, finally was meeting the little ex-HYDRA assassin. Little was an understatement, he looked, upon first glance, years younger than his confirmed fourteen and his eyes were haunted looking.

From the looks of the oversized sunglasses and jacket- both Tony's, she noted, and stuffed spider held loosely in his left while his right held onto Tony's jacket, the fabric had long since conformed into his hand shape. He looked like he'd been glued to the man's side the entire time they'd been waiting for her plane to land. He had sprigs of unruly hair poking out from under the hood that seemed to refuse to be tame.

"Hi, Peter. I'm Pepper, Tony's girlfriend," she said, keeping her voice calm.

"Financé," Tony corrected as he tried to take Pepper's luggage, she just swatted him away. "Let's get back home, I imagine you've been out long enough."

Peter gave a slight nod as they started walking back the way they came. He continued watching the woman out of the corner of his eye. It wasn't that Pepper seem like a threat, she reminded him of... Someone. Someone he couldn't quite place.

Fifteen minutes in the ride home and a pit stop to McDonalds and Peter was only satisfied after three cheeseburgers and a large Sprite. Now he was passed out in the car, having only the leftover energy removed his jacket and pillowing it under his head. His large sunglasses were askew and Pepper had the urge to adjust them. Being in public seemed to drain what little energy the small teen had.

"So who is he?" She kept her voice quiet, so she wouldn't disturb the teenager as she glanced back again. He was slouched in an uncomfortable position against his window. Even with his jacket pillow he would likely wake up with a crick in his neck if he stayed like that for too long.

"He's Peter. Duh," Tony said with an eye roll.

Pepper didn't return the gesture. "You know what I mean. Who is he to you? Do you plan on keeping him?"

"For god's sake Pep, he's a kid not a dog, and no. He's kind of Bucky and Steve's. I'm pretty sure they'd fight me. Me and the rest of us are like a really weird family. An interesting setup really. Like a... Super family."

Pepper had a fond smile on her face as she adjusted the mirror to better see Peter.

"So how was your trip?" Tony asked, even though he already knew all the details from Pepper from their chats.

She planted a kiss on his cheek and responded, "Great," she had a smile that could make any human on Earth jealous. Okay maybe that was a little cheesy, maybe Pepper made him cheesy and he didn't mind. "I'm just glad to be going home."

Tony gave a smile back. "I'm glad you're home."

They had plenty to catch up on in their limited time together. Including planning a wedding which they wanted to be special for both of them so they didn't chose a wedding designer.

.oO0Oo.

When they arrived home they were greeted by two angry super soldiers. "Where have you been?" "Why did you take Peter?"

The questions continued until Tony shushed them and pointed to the half conscious teen he was supporting. that was slouched. He'd been glad he was able to make Peter happy and retrieve his fiance... But was it worth being yelled at for stealing Bucky's kid?

Maybe...

Bucky then growled at the man and- gently- took Peter away from him. Leading him to bed. Leaving behind a pissed Steve. Tony winced inwardly at the expression.

Okay, so maybe not.

Steve turned to follow but stopped, he gave a sly smile.

"How long do you think it'll take?" Steve asked.

"To realize he's adopted the kid?" A nod. "He doesn't know?" Tony asked, surprised.

"He's about as oblivious as you," Steve shot back.

"Not long," Tony answered the original question. Steve nodded thoughtfully.

... It was totally worth it, fyi.

.oO0Oo.

(One month, one week after rescue.)

True to Tony's word a week after Pepper came back to the Tower, she went for his hair. At HY-... That place they didn't care about the length of his hair it was still shaggy and had, as Tony put it, 'some surfer who's also in a boy band', hair.

Bucky came to watch, and he also had a book in hand.

"Sit," the strawberry blonde said pointing towards the chair situated in the bathroom.

"Do we have to do this?" He asked, pulling the longer hair mournfully.

"No sweetie," she said. "But I think a new look would be good for you mentally."

Peter blinked. Not a bad point. Having his hair cut by his choice was a freedom he'd never really had. And it was his choice to cut it or not... Signify the major change in his life.

"Okay," he sat down. "Let's do this," he muttered, his nervousness creeping into his voice. Pre-haircut jitters. He had them when he was younger as well.

She patted his shoulder. "Alright then. I have an idea for what you might like. And tell me if you don't like anything, okay Peter? All you have to do is say."

He nodded a nervous but excited smile appeared on his face. Then Pepper raised her small pair of hair cutting scissors and snipped off the first strand. He continued watching as the woman carefully cut his hair. Every now and then she'd pause and ask Peter and Bucky what they liked. Bucky mostly nodded or responded with a thumbs up.

"Okay," she announced as she finished combing and finely trimming the back. "What do you think?"

"Wow," he breathed, running his hand through the cropped hair and pulled it to examine the length of it. It was short but not terribly, the new bangs didn't fall into his eyes so that was always a plus. It was also very inconspicuous and wouldn't drag a lot of attention. It fitted him.

"You like?" Pepper asked, smoothing down a random tuff that stood out.

"Yeah," he smiled brightly. "Where'd you learn to cut hair?"

"I didn't. Tony wouldn't cut his hair and I got tired of his walking around with a shaggy, oily mop on his head, so I cut it."

Peter stiffled a laugh.

"It was pretty bad the first time but I got better at it. What do you think Bucky?"

The man looked up and grunted his approval.

"I can do yours too," she offered snipping the scissors.

Bucky looked up as if offended and one hand went to his hair as if to say 'hands off'. "Absolutely not." Pepper just smirked.

Peter looked back to the mirror, he felt lighter. More clearheaded. He felt new, and different...

Maybe it was a new saying. New haircut and new beginnings.

.oO0Oo.

(One month, two weeks after rescue.)

Peter hadn't had a day like this in the entire month and a half he'd been here. Small ones that lasted a few minutes to two hours maximum. But them he had the rare days when his senses decide to try and kill him. They usually lasted for at least six hours, the longest time he'd been out was a day.

From the moment he woke up he could tell it was going to be one of those days.

At that place (he just couldn't name it, his mind blocked out the very word from his vocabulary) if he had an overload like this they simply enjoyed observing what happened. They would make the lights brighter or darker depending on those reactions. Sometimes they'd over-stimulate him purposely to trigger an overload for those experiments. They were probably trying to make one without the side effects or they were just bored.

Usually he could try and sleep the overloads off but he could already hear footsteps coming towards his room's door and something told him his plan wouldn't work. He could make out a voice outside his door talking to FRIDAY. His senses were making it too difficult for him to concentrate and take apart the sounds and figure out what was being said..

The door opened and Peter flinched away from the light. "Morning-Afternoon Petey," came the sing-song voice of Tony Stark. If they let him wake Peter up they were probably busy or couldn't do it themselves.

He groaned. Getting up was really sounding bad right now. There was a huff and then the lights were flipped on. The lights burned his eyes. Peter hissed, he could barely see straight as he covered his head with the blanket.

"Nuh-uh kiddo, we gotta get the day started before it ends." And then the blanket was almost ripped off. Almost. Turned out Peter had super strength for a reason. "C'mon, spider-kid. Give it up," another pull and the voice was reaching a earbursting crescendo. "I'm going to bellyflop on you if you don't get up," he threatened.

He groaned in pain again and scrunched his eyes closed and Peter pulled back hard- unable to keep his super-strength under control- and yanked the blanket forwards. Out of Tony's grip and he let out a short, startled yell as he was forcefully dragged forwards, lost his balance, and fell flat on his back. Peter on the other hand curled into the blanket, wrapping it around himself like a protective barrier. With loud grumbling and a few selective words (not Cap approved) he hobbled out of the room rubbing his now sore back.

The next time Tony came (fifteen minutes later, Peter found counting the seconds kept him from hyperventilating), he came with backup. By backup he meant one super solider/parent, Steve. Peter noticed the two separate heartbeats when they entered, plus his own thundering heart.

"C'mon kid," Tony's voice started softly, trying to rouse the teen. And Peter flinched but it wasn't noticeable under his blankets. They hadn't turned on the lights again, yet.

"Tony, what if he's sick? We should take him down to the medbay..." Steve voice whispered. When Tony had come down, an annoyed expression on his face and told them to follow because he needed Steve's help he didn't question it.

"Pete, do you not feel good?" Tony asked, his expression worried.

Peter whined in response, too lightheaded to say anything.

"Can you stand?" He asked coming closer, prepared to help Peter. There was a half nod through the blankets and Peter tried to untangle himself from his homemade cocoon.

Swung his legs over the side and stood. He steeled himself against the bedpost. He was trained to work through pain, he could handle this. If only these Avengers weren't so insistent on taking care of him and he could go back to sleep. His bed looked very inviting (and quiet) right then.

Steve moved to stand by Peter while Tony led. They made it to the hall before another wave of nausea came.

"Pete!" Steve said, startled while reaching for Peter who's knees were wobbling at this point. Peter just as quickly swatting him away with one hand, the other firmly planted over his mouth.

Steve looked panicked, not knowing exactly what was going on. Peter didn't look much better. His other hand he wasn't using to keep Steve at bay was moved to press firmly against the wall now that the threat of puking was over. His face was extremely pale and scrunched as he tried to fight the insistent nausea.

"Too-" his voice was a horse whisper. "It's just- Gah! Too loud," he finished with a short whine as he collapsed against the wall. Slowly sliding down until he was curled on the ground, hands over ears and his eyes squeezed shut.

It didn't do any good because he could still hear... Everything. He could even hear rapid heartbeats a few feet away from him as they both tried to piece together what was going on with Peter.

Finally it clicked to Steve. Apparently the super solider serum had left his newly enhanced senses overloaded for the first couple of weeks if he was over stimulated. He could hear the constant hum of electricity as it powered the Tower. Even the workers on their calls, sounds of a cafeteria, and a few people yelling.

Peter slammed his head against the wall, wincing when the sound reverberated back at him. The physical pain helped focus his mind before his vision blurred. There were loud footsteps and then someone else entered, asking what was going on in a normal voice which to Peter felt like a foghorn being blared next to his ears. He let a strangled yell and went to slam his head into the wall again in hopes of knocking himself out. Before someone's hand (but he didn't know who's) was put behind him, effectively stopping him.

"FRIDAY, turn down the lights please," Tony whispered. He was far away and spoke quietly enough that Peter could hear through the waning pain in his head.

The lights went lower and Peter opened an eye not fully but enough to see the person the hand that was cradling with his head was. Not to his surprise it was Bucky.

He felt mismatched hands, one metal one flesh, catch him before he keeled forwards and met the floor. He was laid sideways on someone's lap, he tried not to concentrate on the fact could feel every stitch in the worn jeans and instead turned his attention to the conversation taking place. He clenched his eyes shut and tried to calm his erratic breathing and pounding heart. He was aware of voices above him as he tried to keep from screaming or puking. Neither would be good for anyone right now.

Peter was temporarily subdued with his head in Bucky's lap, his eyes squeezed shut and breathing labored.

Now they had another problem, how could they help? From what any of them knew you needed to remove yourself from the situation and wait for it to pass. But how? The blinds in Peter's room could block out *most* of the sunlight but the walls weren't soundproof. Thankfully Tony had an idea. "Code Blackout on his room," he whispered to Bruce. "That should help."

Code Blackout was something they designed when Bruce first joined. It become a sensory deprivation chamber with settings to adjust it depending on how bad it is. Tony created it because a few of their members had Sensory Overload problems. And with those, like Bruce, it could turn into a dangerous situation if not controlled.

Bruce nodded in agreement. "Let's just get him there first."

The teenager's room was always spic and span which was always strange. It looked like some bored person in their twenties with a cleaning obsession lived in this room and not a fourteen year-old boy. Bucky placed down Peter on his already made bed.

"FRIDAY, initiate code Blackout on spider-kid's room in sixty seconds," Tony whispered. As FRIDAY began the countdown the man turned back to them. "One of us should stay," he explained. That way if something happened they wouldn't have to burst through the door. "Who will it be?" He pointed at both Bucky and Steve. They had both almost (almost meaning not legally) adopted him since he came here.

"I can," both Bucky and Steve said at the same time eliciting a pained whine from the overloaded teen.

Bucky's heart twinged. Steve had a similar reaction but knew Bucky would likely handle this better than him.

"I'll be outside if you need me," Steve compromised. Bucky nodded, grateful that he wasn't the one who had to back down. Bucky joined Peter on the bed. His back propped up on the headboard and pillow behind him. Peter grabbed onto him and buried his face into the man's side. The others took this as their cue to leave, shutting the door as quietly as possible. And then FRIDAY's voice sounded. "Code Blackout activated."

Then it was silent and dark.

.oO0Oo.

A few hours later, don't ask exactly how long because Bucky had no clue, Peter finally started stirring. The teenager opened a dazed eye, seemingly confused as to why it was so dark. "Wha' 'append?" He asked quietly, his mouth felt dry. The overload was long gone by now.

After Peter had fallen asleep Bucky had FRIDAY raise the lights so that he could keep a better eye on Peter. As such, it was dark but not pitch black. The low level lights didn't wake up Peter. It was mostly for the other's comfort to be able to watch carefully than anything.

"How much do you remember remember?" Bucky asked wondering how much he should tell.

Peter's face scrunched up on concentration. Then he quietly admitted, "The day's been a blur..."

There was almost relief on the man's face when Peter drowsily finished the statement. The day wasn't over yet but it seemed like the overload had knocked Peter down for a bit.

They sat silently for a minute before Peter groaned and tried to pathetically gouge his eyes out with his palms as his head gave a particularly painful pulse. Bruce would be back soon to check on them again and bring food and super strength Advil if the teen could handle keeping it down.

Peter buried his face further, if that was possible, into the man's side. Bucky flinched inwardly. Why was he here again? Who's decision was it to have him stay with the child that was severely overloaded and was just as messed up as him?

Oh right... His.

"S'ry," it was muffled and quiet but Bucky heard it. His heart clenched in a strange way.

"What for?" Bucky asked, he didn't know what he was doing. Steve would be better at this comforting thing. The man's hand started instinctively carding through the teen's hair. He didn't know why, it just felt right. If Clint were here he'd make a joke about the deadly Winter Solider going soft. Peter continued to surprise him when he didn't flinch away and instead leaned into the gesture of comfort.

"Don' know. I had an overload?" he asked while staring off at the wall. His words were soft and calm, so unlike the anxious, jumpy teen they knew. He guessed HYDRA didn't like it when his overloads left him incapacitated like today.

"You did nothing wrong, kid," he reassured quietly in a strangely comforting voice. He felt Peter's muscles relax again. It was, however, HYDRA's fault what happened to either of them. They shared *that* about their pasts.

But even after hearing Bucky's words the younger hummed a low, skeptical sigh. Obviously not convinced. "It's not your fault. It happens to everyone who has enhanced senses. Like you and me, hell, even Steve."

"Captain America has sensory overloads?" Peter snorted. At least his humor was intact. His pride, not so much.

"Is that funny?" Bucky asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah. To defeat him all you need is a really bright light and some of Tony's music," he said between giggles. Out-of-it Peter seemed less tense. Less anxious and scared.

And after a few more minutes his blinks became sluggish and sleep was already beginning to take the kid, Bucky could tell. So he continued running his fingers through the soft curls until Peter's breaths evened out in sleep. Bucky sighed, once again alone with his thoughts, leaning his head back against the smooth walls. He adjusted himself, moving carefully as to not wake the sleeping teen until he was laying down. Peter shifted until he was firmly pressed against his side.

Bucky froze for a minute until he wrapped his arm around him in a begrudgingly protective manner. Flashes of the earlier panic played in his mind. He remembered how panicked he had been at the fact something was wrong with Peter. Which before Steve was able to figure it out, they didn't know what it was. His mind had just skipped over something like sensory overloads to something HYDRA had done to mess with Peter in the long run.

Thankfully it wasn't, but still... That couldn't happen again. When he saw Peter hunched over in pain in the hall he was freaking out.

He was a worrying mess... A mother-hen.

What was this kid doing to him? Because it felt good (and nerve-wracking) to care for someone in a parental manner. Maybe if he hadn't been kidnapped and used by mad scientists he would have settled down and taken in a kid. Maybe even with Steve.

Sure, it was illegal and extremely difficult to even have that kind of relationship back then and keep it a secret but they wouldn't have cared. They'd have moved away from public eye. But something terribly bad still could have and likely would have happened. That was then, this is now. Times were different and he could have a family.

You already do, a voice inside (that sounded suspiciously like Steve) reminded him as it suddenly dawned. Yes he had Steve and now Peter, but he's already had a lot more as well. The whole team was a lot more than just friends. They were family...

God, he's become so close to them all. They, the whole team, were worming their way into his heart.

How did it take so long for him to realise it? Denial, was the easy answer.

And why-... Why did he not hate it? He guesses that both Steve and Peter were the cause for that change.

.oO0Oo.

* Just look up a picture of Tom Holland. I can't do justice with just the words Precious bean haircut.

'I might post tonight!'

*Ends up disappearing from the face of the Earth for weeks.*

Call off the search parties (though I doubt anyone actually cared)! I'm back! Also I am so, so sorry this took so long. I've had it written for these past few days... I just didn't have the energy to edit, and I'd rather sleep until school starts. 2/3 parts of this chapter. It's a long one.

I want to expand on all of their relationships with one another. Romance is the background of this fic (most of it's family). And even though it's not the main point doesn't mean I can't try writing some good 'ole sweet fluff. I'll edit later.

I wish I had a Bucky. .-.

Word: 7,400

Thank you to all who Followed, Favorited, or Reviewed! / I HAVE OVER 50 REVIEWS AND 200 FAVORITES ON HERE! (THANK YOU ALL FOR STILL READING THIS PIECE OF SHIT AND DEALING WITH MY INCONSISTENT WRITING!) And 2k views on Wattpad! And, holy fuck, 15k views on ffnet?! WHAAAAAAAT??? Tbh I expected like 30 on both, tops. My other stories have like a fifth of that!

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