Peter sat on the rooftop of the old Avengers building, staring down at the bustling city of New York. But despite the constant hustle and bustle, his mind could only flash back to what Fury said in his office.
A1 truly means Avenger One. In this case. The first Avenger, which is Steve Rogers.
Steve Rogers was his father.
Steve Freaking Rogers.
Captain America is his father.
Did May know?
Of course not, his brain protested. She would have told you in the letter.
Peter's mind flashed to the older man and their interaction back at the compound. The way he seemed to be concerned on whether Peter ate the food or not. The way he seemed to stick up for him during Tony Stark's ridiculous interrogations. Did he know?
Yeah, he knew and gave you up for adoption.
The mere thought of that sent Peter's heart racing. His brain started swirling with all sorts of ideas as to why the first Avenger might have given him up. Maybe he just didn't want a kid, his brain reasoned.
Shaking his head, Peter tried to clear the intrusive thoughts to allow room for the sounds of sirens to enter. Standing, Peter peaked over the edge of the building to see the street below. The sounds of crime swirled all around him as he tried to focus on something that would take his mind off the current situation. Putting his mask on, Peter transformed into Spiderman. Climbing on the edge, he listened as the sound of someone screaming filled his ears. Jumping off the ledge, he allowed gravity to take over before he shot a web and swung in the direction.
Vanessa and her escorts entered the forest long ago before they managed to make it to the only safe haven they had for now.
Her cabin.
"Nobody except James, Bucky and Frank know that it exists," she assured the other two avengers. Natahsha and Sam nodded before they left to canvas the area for escape routes if anything happened. Bucky stood guard by the door while Vanessa watched him from behind. Her eyes raked over his entire being as if she were trying to burn it into memory.
"Stop staring." The deep voice interrupted her as her eyes came up to the back of his head. "I can feel you staring. Stop."
Vanessa chuckled slightly before shaking her head. "I've been locked up for a while, I'm just enjoying the scenery."
"Then look out the window," Bucky suggested without turning around.
"Okay."
Standing, Vanessa made her way to the object and glanced out of it at all of the trees. Silence swayed around them. It seemed to last an eternity before Vanessa finally broke it. When she spoke, her voice was low, so low Bucky had to strain just to hear it.
"You're mad."
"No, I'm not."
"Then why have you not looked at me?"
"Because I'm busy."
Turning away from the window she crossed her arms and gave him a look. "No you're not. You're avoiding me."
"If I was avoiding you, I wouldn't be talking to you."
"I'm sorry."
Bucky remained quiet as her apology found its way to his ears. He tried his best to remain silent but a chuckle escaped as he shook his head. "I can't believe I'm about to say this but, you slept with my best friend."
Vanessa's eyes traveled to the ground as shame filled her body. "It was only once," her mouth said. "He was-"
"Spare me the details, please."
"I know your mad, and I'm-"
Bucky spun around and set a glare on her. "I told you, I'm not mad."
"James-"
"You want to know what's funny. I knew I was at a Hydra base. I was their prisoner. When you started coming around, I figured it was a trap, a way to make me break. But nothing happened. After a while things progressed. Still nothing happened, but I kept my guard up. You told me that you loved me. Again, nothing happened. I told you I loved you, and still nothing happened. For months, hell for an entire year it was back and forth but nothing ever happened. We fell into a routine. We became friends, lovers who needed one another. Still nothing happened. I figured at this point, maybe this could happen. This could work out. Who knew that through all that time, you were dating and screwing my best friend."
Vanessa allowed his words to fill the space between her ears as her chest started to tighten. With each word it felt as if something was sitting on her chest and it was getting heavier. "James, I really am-"
"Then you disappeared, and now Steve is mad at me about something and I know it has something to do with us. I could very well be losing my best friend right now. So no Vanessa, I'm not mad. I'm fucking pissed!"
After a moment of silence, Vanessa opened her mouth to try and soothe the flames that burned in the man. "I am sorry. I really didn't mean to hurt you."
Bucky snorted before turning around to guard the door again.
"I know this won't matter to you or anything, but for what it's worth, I really was hoping that Peter was your son."
Spiderman clenched the crying child tight as he launched himself towards the hallway. Flames licked the air as smoke clouded his vision and entered his nose and mouth as he tried gasping for air.
"I want mommy," the child cried as Spiderman tried to find the stairs that he took to get up here.
"I'll get you to your mommy, I promise," he replied, unsure if the child heard. Glancing around at the smoke, Spiderman dropped to his knees and looked around as his eyes landed on the railing that would lead to his target. The only problem was, a thick wall of flames blocked his path. Shifting the child's weight, Spiderman backed himself into the room and shut the door. Placing the child on the ground, he looked around.
Of course the child would be in the only room with no windows, his brain huffed. Spiderman looked down at the black soot decorated his face. His red hair framed terrified face as he looked up at the boy who was solely responsible for saving him.
"Don't worry buddy, I'm gonna get you outta here."
The boy nodded to Spiderman signaling that he heard. His innocent eyes stared at the older boy with all the trust in the world. Spiderman stared around the room trying to figure out a way to get them both out of the building before they burned to death. After a moment, Spiderman turned to the boy.
"Is there a blanket in here?" The boy nodded and pointed at the requested object that sat in a chair nearby. "Good," he said as he grabbed the object. "Wrap this around you."
Once the boy did as he was told, Spiderman lifted him up and placed his small frame against his body. "Okay, buddy. I need to stay still and try not to move too much. Okay?" When he felt the boy's head nod in the affirmative, Spiderman sent a silent prayer to the heavens before opening the door.
Flames and heat greeted him. Taking a deep breath, He grabbed the wall and hoisted himself and the boy up. Allowing the small hairs on his hands to do all the work, He climbed slowly so he didn't drop the child that was now sandwiched between his body and the wall.
Step by step brought the party closer to the ceiling and away from the tip of the flames that decorated the walls. "Luck is on our side today bud," Spiderman mumbled as he continued to climb. Slowly, he used the wall and the ceiling to make his way down the hall. The flames teasingly brushed against his back as he moved.
Hurry up, his brain shouted as it sent a signal to the rest of his body. Not needing to be told twice, Spiderman climbed faster until he came to an opened room he passed by earlier. Using the doorframe and the wall, he entered the room and nearly sent kisses to the Gods as a window greeted him. Dropping to the ground, He ripped the blanket away and practically threw the child onto his back. Picking up a trophy that sat not too far away, he threw it at the window and watched as it broke.
"Alright, kid. Let's go see your mommy."
"Okay."
Spiderman climbed out the window with the child on his back and shot a web at the building next to it. With a warning to hang on, he gripped the web tight and jumped into the air and the screams of the spectators below. The little boys let out a scream as his grip got tighter.
Slowly, Spiderman brought the both of them down near the ambulance that sat waiting. A few firefighters approached immediately and took the boy.
"I couldn't find anyone else," Spiderman informed them. One nodded before he turned to leave only to stop. He quickly looked at the boy before giving him a brief thank you. Spiderman nodded and watched as he turned and left.
Another job done, the human spider started to leave when a voice stopped him.
"Spiderman, place your hands on your head and get down on the ground."
Spiderman turned to see a man wearing an NYPD jacket with a tie. He had his hand placed on his gun, but he never pulled it. His blond hair sat neatly styled on top of his head as his eyes burned into the white eyes of the mask. "Get down," he repeated.
"Sorry, I can't hear you. I think I have smoke in my ears."
The man shook his head slightly before responding. "Listen son, I'm trying to not cause a scene, okay. I just need you to come with me."
"You're not arresting me."
"No, I'm not. I just need to ask you a few questions."
"About?"
"I think you know."
"No officer, I don't."
"I need to ask you questions about the Foster Seven, and it's Captain."
Foster Seven.
Spiderman's mind immediately flashed to the three remaining kids that were still living in the tunnel. The same ones who he had not visited in days.
"Shit."
"I'm sorry?" the captain asked as he stepped closer.
"Look Captain, I got to run."
"I can't allow that."
"You don't have a choice."
Spiderman lifted his hand to shoot a web when the man interrupted him. "At least tell me they're okay."
Spiderman raised an eyebrow at that. The police captain elaborated. "I have a daughter around their age. Naturally, I'm concerned."
"Yeah, they're fine," Spiderman replied after a minute. The captain nodded before he let go of his weapon and backed up.
"Okay."
Spiderman looked at him in confusion. As if sensing that the man shook his head. "I would give nothing more than to bring you in, but there are too many people who could get hurt since I'm assuming you won't go quietly or willingly."
"Right you are."
The man nodded. Spiderman stared at him a little more before he brought up his arm again only this time for something to slam against him. Spiderman looked down only to see a mop of red hair. A woman came rushing up but stopped when she saw him and the captain. The captain nodded her head to let her know that all was okay.
The red hair disappeared as a face came up to greet him. It was the boy he just saved. "Thank you."
"No problem buddy."
"Steve."
"What?"
"My name is Steve, not buddy."
Steve.
Of course it is.
"Well, you're welcome Steve." The boy smiled widely before running over to the woman. Lifting his arm once more, Spiderman looked at the captain.
"I'll see you around, Captain…"
"Stacey. Captain George Stacey."
"Right, see you around Captain Stacey."
"Yes you will."
Spiderman traveled a bit before dropping into the tunnels in order to avoid detection. The darkness greeted him before the shadows gave away and his eyesight adjusted. Keeping to the walls, Spiderman traveled deeper through the tunnel to the place where he left the food. It didn't take long.
"You guys okay?" he asked as he approached slowly to avoid having an object thrown at him. What he was greeted with was silence. Stepping closer, he looked around as his eyes fell on one out of place object. Something that should have not been there.
The food he left.
The bag still sat full against the wall, signaling what his brain already registered.
The blankets sat neatly folded along the wall. Nothing had been disturbed since he had last been down here. Meaning only one thing.
Savannah and her brothers never came back.
