Wanda/Peter Parker

*** I own nothing. I'm just having fun. ***

Peter had never seen the inside of Stark Tower before, had never even dreamed he would. Not as himself, at least. Sure, maybe as Spider-Man one day Tony Stark would take an interest in him and invite him for a visit, but to walk in as himself was... inconceivable. Yet here he was, and he still couldn't believe his good luck.

This was a dream come true.

He tried not to gawk too obviously as he waited in the lobby, absently rubbing at the soul mark on his wrist, which had been itching all afternoon. His instructions had been clear that someone would be meeting him here, but vague about who that person would be. SHIELD agents went about their business around him, and he kept one eye peeled for any of them who might be approaching.

"Mr. Parker?" a familiar voice said from behind him. Familiar?

Peter turned to see the Black Widow herself, Natasha Romanoff, standing before him. He swallowed hard and tried to smile. Be cool, Parker. They invited you.

"Uh, hi. I'm Parker. Peter. I'm, uh, Peter Parker."

"I know," she said, giving him a friendly, if somewhat amused, smile. "Come this way."

She led him to an elevator tucked unobtrusively into the corner. A palm scan and voice confirmation got them into it, and Peter tried not to stare. How could he be standing so close to the infamous Black Widow? He followed news about the Avengers, and she was at the forefront of the stories nearly as much as Tony Stark. For an ex-spy, she certainly wasn't afraid to put herself out there. She was strong and opinionated and afraid of nothing.

Plus, she was like, super hot.

Peter tried to calm his racing heart, which was no small feat. This woman had been the subject of a fair few of his more... intense... fantasies, and he certainly didn't wanna make a fool of himself here. She looked relaxed enough, but if he insulted her in any way she could dismember him in a heartbeat, Spider-Man or no Spider-Man. It didn't help that his soul mark was itching even more fiercely now. It was all he could do not to scratch at it.

"Do you know why you're here?" Ms. Romanoff asked.

"Uh, not really. Something about a tutor?" Signing up as a volunteer tutor had paid off big time, apparently.

"Your grades are excellent and your teachers have vouched for your behavior. Your school is one of the top in New York, so your grades are sort of a big deal, and we need someone who has tutoring experience and patience. Lots of patience."

"I- I'm flattered. Really. Who am I supposed to be tutoring?" Why would any of the Avengers need that?

Ms. Romanoff's expression hardened and she sighed as the elevator door opened. "Follow me."

Peter couldn't help but gape as he entered the private area of Stark Tower, the area held just for the Avengers. This was definitely by invitation only, not open to the public, like, ever, and his head spun as he tried to take in everything at once. He was so distracted that he didn't notice Ms. Romanoff stop in front of him and he walked right into her.

"Oh my god. I'm sorry! I'm so sorry," he said quickly, horrified. Nice knowing you, Peter. He waited for the swift ass-kicking he deserved.

Ms. Romanoff's lips just quirked up into a tiny smile. It did nothing to soften her expression, but it made Peter feel better. She gestured him into a room where a young woman sat at a table, arms crossed over her chest, looking like she'd rather be anywhere but there.

"This is Wanda," Ms. Romanoff said. "She'll be your student for the foreseeable future." The girl's face soured even further at that. "We've had her tested, and she's pretty far behind."

"You make me sound like a dog with a disease," Wanda said. Wow. Her accent was... amazing.

"And if you behave yourself, maybe you'll get a treat later," Ms. Romanoff said to Wanda with a smirk. Wanda's glare was enough to probably destroy a lesser mortal, but Ms. Romanoff seemed completely undisturbed. Peter's nerves were back in full force.

"Don't let her get to you," Ms. Romanoff said to him. "Her bark is worse than her bite." He didn't really know if that was true. The growl coming from Wanda at that moment sounded pretty dangerous to him. "I'll let you two get to it," Ms. Romanoff said. She patted him on the shoulder and closed the door behind her, leaving him alone with a girl he was pretty sure could and would rip his throat out.

He swallowed hard and squared his shoulders. Man up, Parker. Never show fear.

Acting like she was a dog probably wasn't gonna help him any.

They were both silent, Peter casting around for something to say and trying to ignore the almost painful burning in his soul mark. He'd need to get it looked at later. Something was obviously wrong with it, but he just couldn't deal with it right now. His spine ached from the tension in the room.

Then she spoke.

"I know you," she said slowly, her eyes narrowed on him, and Peter's soul mark Flared sharply and then finally, finally, settled. The itch and pain faded as if they'd never been. Peter tore at his watch, ripped it from his wrist and bared his newly-Flared red mark to his gaze. You've gotta be kidding me.

"You are that Spider Boy on the TV." Peter was barely listening to her, disbelieving, unable to process.

"Stark has been looking for you. He will be very happy," she continued, and Peter's head finally snapped up, panicked eyes meeting hers.

"You can't tell anyone!" He realized what he'd done half a second after he said it. His face went scarlet with embarrassment. Great job, Parker. You made her wear those words all her life? You're a moron.

Her green eyes were large, shocked, and her head lowered in slow motion as she looked at her wrist.

"Damn it," Peter gritted out. "I'm sorry. I am so, so sorry." That seemed to shake her, and her head came up as she blinked.

"Why are you sorry?" she asked.

"Those were just... really stupid words to have on your wrist all this time," he said.

"And 'I know you' was so much better?" she replied, smiling a little. He liked her smile. It softened her face. She didn't look nearly as unapproachable now.

"Well, with my 'job' it kinda made sense." He grinned ruefully. Her smile widened and his heart skipped a beat.

"Come and sit with me," she said, motioning for him to join her. He slid into the seat next to her and took the opportunity to look at her more closely. She really was beautiful. "What is your name?" she asked.

"Peter. Nice to meet you."

"It is nice to meet you too, Peter. You are younger than I expected." His face flushed again at that comment, and he wondered if he was about to be let down easy.

"Sorry," he mumbled.

"Stop apologizing," Wanda said, taking his hand. "Perhaps we can begin as friends. There is much you need to know about me, and I wish to know everything about you. Other things, those can come later if we want, okay?"

That took a weight off Peter's shoulders that he hadn't even realized was there until that moment. He wasn't ready for this, for any of this. Her eyes were surprisingly gentle as she watched him, seeming to understand, and he smiled at her, grateful beyond words. Maybe it was just that they were meant to be, but he felt close to her already, like the longer they sat there the more it felt like he'd known her forever. He'd never known anything like it before, and a warmth suffused his chest.

"Thank you," he said simply, reaching out to hug her. She wrapped her arms around him, fitting into his embrace like she belonged there. And she sorta does. She turned her head to brush a kiss over his cheek, and the spot still tingled when they parted.

"You have my permission to teach me," she said teasingly, and Peter had to shake his head.

"You're gonna be so much trouble."

"You like trouble, I think." He was going to deny it, but she smiled so sweetly and he couldn't bring himself to argue.