Author's Note: This chapter's a little shorter than the previous ones but the next one will probably be longer. Anyways, I just thought I'd update in honor of Sebastian Stan's birthday.
I also want to tell people not to binge-watch Handmaid's Tale all at once which I've been doing during the past two days. It's an amazing show but super depressing and not the kind of show to watch by yourself one episode after another. I really love it though but it has this really sad effect on you.
emmagnetised: I just want to make it clear that Steve and Bucky aren't sexist. They were only being that way because it was Emma. They're just incredibly protective of her. Especially Bucky. Emma doesn't really care about their slut shaming either way. She thinks they're being stupid anyways.
scrapingskies: I think Bucky would've reacted a little differently if he hadn't seen what he saw. It was a little too overwhelming and terrifying for Bucky. Bucky's still going to be an ass in this chapter but he'll come around eventually. I'm glad you like the new story. I'll try to have a new chapter out soon. Hopefully tomorrow or the next day.
extremeninja09: I don't think Emma would be okay with Peter and Bucky sparring for that reason. It would kind of be like she was their property or something. The reason Ross hasn't come knocking down their door is sort of explained a bit in this chapter. He's probably a little bit hesitant at the moment considering all the people currently staying at the compound.
nathan19bane: I can't believe it's been almost a million words either. This is the longest thing I've ever written and we're not even at the other storylines I have planned for it yet. There's still along way to go.
Bashsister23: A meeting between Steve, Bucky, and May will happen but I can't exactly say when because I don't really know. There's a lot of stuff going on with Hydra right now. I'm not sure if I'll wait until after all that stuff's over or before. I'm still trying to figure some things out. Hopefully I'll know for sure soon.
Lovelybaka: I'm always happy to gain a new reader. Bucky's still not going to cope with Emma and Peter in the way we want him to but he'll come around soon. Just not in this chapter. He needs a little more time. Although...I really recommend you watch the Marvel movies because they're the best thing ever. I might be a little biased since I'm obsessed with them but you should definitely give them a try.
CheekyLove: I'm not sure if I'll include the characters from Cloak and Dagger. I haven't caught up with the show in a while. I've missed a few episodes. There's already so many characters in this fanfic and I don't feel comfortable writing Tandy and Tyrone since we haven't seen much of them yet. I do really love the show though.
Wakanda 4ever: I wasn't going to write a Stucky ship in this story because I really love their friendship throughout the movies. I'm also too much of a fan of Steve and Peggy which is one of my favorite Marvel romances. I know it obviously can't work out which is super sad but Steggy forever. Steve and Bucky probably do need to get laid. At least Emma thinks so that they focus on something other than her and Peter. She's very possessive of them but I feel like she would let that go in order for her and Peter to have some time alone.
A Guest I guess: Emma, Peter, and Shuri will have more interactions in the upcoming chapters while the others are away on the mission. Emma might be a little suspicious of Shuri at first but she'll come around. Emma's really suspicious of new people.
Mabel: They will find out what Emma did to Betty soon but I won't say how.
Abigail Z: I'm not sure when I'll be able to update Rose Garden Dreams. I'm literally always working on this fanfic so it's not really possible right now. I do want to continue the story but I'm not sure when I'll get the chance.
Anna: I might go into a little more detail over Peter's origins but I'm not sure when. Peter doesn't talk a lot about that time in his life because he wasn't the person Emma loves now and he's afraid she might feel differently. He's talked about it a little with her but not a lot which I'm guessing is what you mean. She also doesn't talk to him a lot about Hydra and all her more violent missions probably for the same reason as he has. There's probably going to come a point soon where they have a more serious talk about their pasts.
Purplestan: Your question will be answered in this chapter funnily enough.
Caribou: So glad you're enjoying the story. I didn't always write such long chapters but it's kind of turned into that now. My writing's improved a lot since I first started writing the story. I'm actually trying to re-edit the earlier chapters. Nothing major. Just some minor errors and typos.
readeratheart8128: I'm always happy to get a new reader! The reason Emma loves vinyl and old movies is probably because I do. People don't watch old movies anymore which is sad. I saw this Paul Newman movie called 'Harper' recently and it was the funniest movie I had seen in a while. Mostly there's just the stoner humor kind of movies(Seth Rogen movies for example) around now which I don't find that funny. Harper was classically funny. I wish there were more leading men like Paul Newman around too. Paul Newman was so cool. He's got great pasta sauce too.
anonanon: A table of contents actually sounds like a great idea and I'll try to do that when I get some time on my hands but I'm not sure when that will be.
Thanks for all the reviews, favorites, and follows. I'm sorry for not answering every review but I did happen to read them all so thank you. I hope you enjoy the chapter.
Bucky couldn't get the image out of his mind. Emma with…that boy. The image kept causing the bile to rise in his throat and Bucky didn't even know he could still get sick like that. It wasn't so much of what he caught Emma and the boy doing…well, that was kind of a problem too but his point was that Emma had a boyfriend. This was something Bucky could've never have predicted. A boyfriend. Why did Emma have go and get herself a boyfriend? Bucky just didn't understand it.
The only thing that had kept him going these past couple years on the run was the thought of Emma. That she was somewhere out there waiting for him. Bucky always dreamed of the day that he would be able to return to her. He never imagined he'd ever get the chance without somehow being arrested. Now, however, he was free to be with Emma…at least until Ross came for him and Steve.
Bucky remembered spending the entire plane ride from Wakanda to the compound going over what he was going to say to her. Of course everything left his mind when he saw her standing there next to Steve on the landing pad. It was so unbelievable how much she had grown up. He could still remember the first time he ever saw her even though there was still a lot of regret and self-loathing he had left over from that first meeting.
Emma had been so small back then. She hadn't even come up to his hip at the time. Her eyes were so wide with innocence and fear. Bucky knew he was partly to blame for corrupting her…for teaching her how to take lives and inflict pain and horror. He knew he had been brainwashed but he still regretted it.
This was why it hurt him so much to find out what Rumlow did to her. Bucky was supposed to be there for her. He was supposed to protect her but he hadn't been able to. Hydra had him under their control. They put him in the Cyro-Chamber which Rumlow had been counting on and the pervert made his attack. Rumlow had probably been waiting for Bucky to be put back in the Cyro-Chamber. That sick fuck had been biding his time. Bucky wondered how long Rumlow had been waiting to strike. The very thought made Bucky sick to his stomach.
The guilt was eating away at Bucky because there was nothing he could do to fix what had been done to her. He hadn't been there for her when she needed him most which was something that was going to haunt him for the rest of his life. Now that he knew she was with that boy it just made it a million times worse.
How was Bucky supposed to protect her from the depravity of men if she was so adamant about ignoring him. What if that boy did the same thing that Rumlow did to her? Why did Emma seem so attached to the boy that she would stand against him and ignore his command? She always listened to him in the past. Emma had never even defied him once yet she did it so easily over some boy.
"Have you calmed down since last night?" Steve asked Bucky as he stood in the doorway of Bucky's room. The former Winter Soldier, now White Wolf, had been staring out one of the large glass windows as he brooded in a manner not so different than Emma. Bucky clenched his jaw but refused to look back at his friend, still angry that Steve hadn't backed him up last night.
"Is Emma still with that boy?" He retorted and Steve rose an eyebrow.
"Yes." He replied.
"Then no." Bucky stated stubbornly as he continued to glare at his own reflection in the glass window.
Steve sighed tiredly before walking into the room. It had been a long time since him and Bucky fought like this and he wasn't counting the time Bucky was still under Hydra's control. Steve didn't think Bucky and him had been angry at each other over something since they were kids. Even then, it was probably something trivial. However, it didn't surprise Steve that they were in disagreement over Emma. Steve wanted to be more strict with Emma and raise her to be a normal person. Bucky seemed to encourage her bad habits and was way more laidback about her behavior…except for this instance where he seemed anything but laidback.
"I hope you know you embarrassed yourself last night." Steve told him and Bucky glared at his best friend.
"Embarrassed myself? Me?" Bucky asked in disbelief. "Was it not our daughter who was caught in bed with some horny idiot?"
"You overreacted." Steve told him seriously and Bucky scoffed. "We both did."
"I did not overreact! Considering everything that's happened to her, I think I was justified in what I did and said." Bucky argued, not seeming to regret last night even a little.
"I talked to Emma after you stormed off…which you seem to be in a habit of doing these days. She told me about Peter and how they came to be…and I think I'm okay with it." Steve admitted and Bucky stared at him in disbelief.
"What?!" He questioned and Steve nodded, holding his ground against his best friend.
"She really loves him, Bucky. You should hear the way she talks about him. It's love and I think he might be good for her." Steve explained much to Bucky's disbelief and horror. "Of course, I need to have a long conversation with him before I can be completely okay with it but I think this is a good thing."
"How is it a good thing? She's only sixteen and you didn't see what I saw. They weren't having sex but they weren't too far from it either." Bucky said and Steve forced himself not to flinch at the thought of Emma having sex.
"This is why I'm making rules for them. They're teenagers so of course they're going to be curious about sex." Steve told Bucky as he tried to talk his best friend into accepting Emma's new relationship. "All we have to do is to keep a close eye on them. It's that simple."
"I don't trust him." Bucky snapped and Steve fought the urge to groan in frustration at his friend.
"This is why I'm going to talk to him…to get to know him a bit. So I can see if he's trustworthy before I make any hasty judgements." Steve told the former Hydra assassin but the man just shook his head stubbornly.
"He'll just feed you a bunch of lies so he can have his way with Emma." Bucky said and this time Steve actually glared at him.
"What's your problem? Did you hear what Emma said? He makes her happy." Steve told him, feeling a bit annoyed by his friend's attitude. "You have to be willing to try to get to know him better."
"Emma's sixteen. She doesn't know what she wants." Bucky argued and Steve scoffed.
"Wasn't it you the other day who was telling me to go easy on her? To trust her judgement because she's had to grow up a lot in her short life?" Steve threw back at him and Bucky gritted his teeth.
"That was before I saw her in bed with some stupid kid. Now I don't trust her judgement at all." Bucky stated, showcasing just how stubborn he could really be at times. Steve forced himself not to blow up at his best friend as he tried to proceed calmly.
"Look, I don't like the idea of Emma having a boyfriend at her age either. She's really young for this kind of commitment but there's nothing I can do now." Steve told him, a sincere look in his eyes. "We were gone when she needed us most but Peter was here. He's been there for her when we couldn't be."
"So?" Bucky said although Steve could see a look of regret on his face. Maybe Bucky was starting to cave in, after all.
"So I'm just saying that we have to accept this. We have to accept this because he makes her happy." Steve told him solemnly as Bucky just listened to him silently. "We were gone for a long time, Buck. A year is a long time in a teenager's life. You were gone longer. Her life was never going to be the exact same as when we left."
"You're actually accepting this? Despite everything that's happened to her." Bucky asked him quietly and Steve nodded.
"I have to accept this because of everything that's happened to her. She's had a sad and miserable life." Steve said and he could start to feel himself get a little choked up at the thought of everything that happened to Emma. Things that Steve would always blame himself for. "I've tried to make her as happy as I could in the past but there was always something missing. This boy offers her something we never could…normalcy." Steve paused briefly before he elaborated.
"I tried to give her that but how could I in a place full of superheroes and constant danger? This life she has now is better for her. She has friends, school, and a…boyfriend. She even wants to go to art school." Steve said as he smiled at the thought of Emma going to college. "Do you know how many times I tried to convince her to consider college? It's a goal of hers now."
"She doesn't seem as angry and bitter anymore either. Granted, she still loves to argue with people but she wouldn't be Emma if she didn't argue." Steve said as Bucky watched him carefully. "I'm not sure what it is. If it's having friends, a somewhat normal life…or even this boy who she's in love with now. But I'm convinced that this could be good for her."
"You might be able to accept this but I can't. You've gotten to spend years with her outside of Hydra. I've barely had a week." Bucky told him, sounding terrified and Steve just looked at him incredulously. "You and her are all I have left." Bucky then paused for a moment before a more serious and almost angry look crossed his face.
"Her and this boy…I won't have it. I can't accept it." Bucky told him adamantly. "I waited years to see her again. I deserve to have time with her and I'm not going give her up for some stupid kid that'll never understand her like I do. He doesn't deserve her. She's too good for him." It was silent for a moment before a furious look crossed Steve's face as he glared at Bucky.
"You're a lot more selfish than I remember." Steve told him angrily and Bucky, in the midst of his anger, gave Steve a confused look.
"Excuse me?" He questioned and Steve just shook his head in disbelief.
"You would rather break Emma's heart than have her be happy with this boy. She has a chance at a normal life but you don't care." Steve told him and Bucky was taken back by how pissed Steve sounded. He hadn't seen him this angry since…well, since they were back in their own time.
"That's why I think she should stay away from him. She'll only end up getting hurt." Bucky argued and Steve scoffed.
"You're not thinking of her. You're only thinking of yourself. This isn't the Bucky Barnes I know. The Bucky Barnes I know wouldn't be such a selfish bastard." Steve told him and Bucky glared at him.
"I'm not the same person anymore. Neither are you." Bucky retorted and Steve heaved with anger. He didn't understand how Bucky could be so selfish. Yes, Steve was concerned about Emma and this boy but that didn't mean he was willing to hurt her just so she wouldn't grow up so fast.
"That might be true but at least I'm not willing to break Emma's heart just because I'm afraid of letting go." Steve told him and Bucky glowered at him but didn't get a chance to say anything as Steve continued. "You don't know a thing about parenting, Bucky."
"What are you-" Bucky started to say but Steve interrupted.
"Parenting is about putting your child in front of your own interests. It's about doing what's best for them. It's not about what you want." Steve lectured as Bucky just stared back at him.
"I haven't gotten enough time with her." Bucky said quietly and Steve just shook his head sadly.
"I hope you know how selfish you're being. You're not thinking of Emma. You're only thinking of yourself." Steve said sharply and Bucky looked away from him stubbornly. It became clear to Steve then that Bucky was still as stubborn as ever. He wasn't going to back down.
"I won't allow it." Bucky told him and Steve clenched his jaw.
"I don't care because I am allowing it." Steve told him much to Bucky's disbelief and anger. "Emma's my flesh and blood. I'm going to talk to this boy soon and if I approve of him then I'm going to let it happen with or without your approval." Bucky's eyes widened in disbelief before his eyes narrowed into another furious glare.
"Your flesh and blood?! I raised her in that base! I loved and cared for her!" Bucky told him furiously and it was clear to Steve that Emma had picked up a lot more from Bucky than he originally thought. They seemed to share almost the same temper. Emma really did learn a lot from him…which was kind of unfortunate in this particular circumstance.
"I protected her! I know I messed up a lot but I did the best I could. I love her like she's my own. She's just as much of my daughter as she is yours." Bucky argued passionately.
Steve swallowed hard as he saw the unshed tears in Bucky's eyes. It was clear to him that Bucky loved Emma just as much as Steve did. He really hated fighting with Bucky but he had to do this for Emma. He had to do what was best for her and he honestly believed that this boy and the new life she had made for herself was good for her.
"Then start acting like it." Steve told him harshly. "I'm going to go talk to Peter and while I'm doing that I want you to think about how selfish you're being." Bucky didn't say anything as he just glowered at Steve. If it was another circumstance it would've been amusing since Bucky resembled a pouting child.
"I also hope that you don't think you can attack that boy or yell at Emma again. I don't want Emma seeing that kind of behavior from you." Steve told him almost like a parent would scold a child. "You should at least have some of your dignity intact so she doesn't lose all respect for you if she hasn't already."
"You really need to grow up, Bucky." Steve told him seriously. The blonde super soldier shot his best friend one last scathing look before he turned around and stormed out of Bucky's bedroom.
Bucky watched him leave with a bitter look on his face, a million thoughts going through his mind as he brooded over what Steve told him. He couldn't believe Steve was actually on that stupid kid's side. How the hell did that little dork get everyone wrapped around his finger? First Emma then Steve and now he had even heard some of the others saying nice things about him too. Not Sam which meant that this was probably the first time Sam and him actually agreed on something. That was a miracle in itself.
However, Bucky was unwilling to budge in his opinion on Emma's relationship with that boy. Steve might've been stupid enough to trust this kid but Bucky wasn't that naïve. That boy was up to no good and Bucky didn't trust him one bit with his daughter. What a smug little asshole, Bucky thought to himself. The way he seemed so sure he was going to have Emma all to himself. Bucky felt himself trembling with anger at the memory of the kid mouthing "I love you" to his daughter. Bucky always knew something was wrong with that boy. He just didn't understand why no one was listening to him.
"The sky looks so blue here. It's beautiful." Emma murmured as her and Peter laid across the soft lush green grass, staring up at the blue sky. There didn't seem to be a single cloud in the sky and it was a perfect day. The weather wasn't too hot nor was it too cold. The soft breeze in the air was enough to make it even a little bit peaceful. Peter smiled at Emma as he looked over at her.
"Yes, but I think you're more beautiful." He told her softly and Emma rolled her eyes like she always did whenever she thought he was being cheesy and ridiculous.
"You're a dork, Parker." Emma told him but Peter just grinned at her.
"But you love me anyways, don't you?" Peter said teasingly and Emma smiled at him, torn between being amused or adoring.
"Maybe." Emma retorted although the smile on her face told him all he needed to know. Peter was about to lean over to kiss her when he felt a heavy weight on one of his fingers. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he lifted his hand up to examine it. Peter was mystified by the Ring Pop resting on his hand. Strawberry…his favorite flavor.
"Emma, when did I get this Ring Pop?" Peter questioned and Emma raised an eyebrow at him.
"When we got married, dumbass." Emma told him and Peter quickly turned back to look at her in shock. He thought he might've misheard her…at least until she lifted up her own hand where a Blue Raspberry flavored Ring Pop rested on one of her fingers. Peter watched her as she smiled and showed off the Ring Pop. It was then that he realized what this was.
It was a dream.
Peter knew this was a dream because he knew there was no force on heaven or earth that could make Emma actually wear or eat a Ring Pop. He doubted that she even knew what it was and he could just picture the look on her face if he ever gave her one in real life. No, this was a dream. The Ring Pop proved it.
"Married?" Peter questioned and Emma nodded.
"Yes." She confirmed and Peter just shook his head in disbelief.
"When did we get married?" He asked her and she gave him an odd look.
"Yesterday. Don't you remember anything, Parker?" Emma said to him but Peter was just confused. He was more than sure this was a dream because Emma made it pretty clear in real life that she would never marry him. Peter wasn't hurt or anything by her rejection because he knew he had years to convince her to marry him. However, it was kind of cool that they were supposedly married in this weird dream.
"Where?" He asked her and she rolled her eyes at him.
"The Millennium Falcon. Where else?" Emma told him and Peter fought the urge to jump up and down in excitement. Him and Emma got married on the Millennium Falcon? He knew this only a dream but this was already the best dream he ever had. Did Han Solo officiate the wedding? Peter hoped so.
"Where we are we now then?" Peter asked her and Emma just looked at him like she thought he was being ridiculous.
"On our honeymoon, of course." Emma informed him with a small smile on her face.
"So you're my wife? You're Mrs. Parker?" He asked her and Emma nodded.
"Duh. We just got married. What do you think?" She said sarcastically being her usual self. Peter had a goofy smile on his face as he looked back at her. Even though he knew it was only a dream, Peter was going to enjoy this as much as possible. However, it wasn't until then that Peter realized that she was wearing the dress from their first date. He had always loved that red dress and wished that Emma would wear it again. He'd ask her but he felt too shy.
"I like your dress." Peter told her quietly and Emma just smiled at him like she already knew this.
"I know you do." Emma said as she then proceeded to suck on the Ring Pop. Peter watched her intently, afraid that he would miss something if he happened to look away from her right now. He watched the way her lips wrapped around the Ring Pop and admired the way the blue from the Ring Pop stained her lips. Now Peter really knew it was a dream. There was no way this was real.
"You shouldn't do that, Emma." Peter told her and Emma smirked at him as she pulled the Ring Pop away from her lips.
"Why not?" She asked him.
"Because it does things to me, Emma. You do things to me." Peter said honestly and Emma then moved closer to him with a teasing look on her face.
He swallowed hard as she learned in closer to him. She gently pressed her lips against his, kissing him soft and slow. Peter mentally groaned at the taste of her Blue Raspberry Ring Pop which was still on her lips. Peter realized in that moment how insanely hot it was when Emma sucked on a Ring Pop. He kind of wished she'd do that in real life but he had a feeling she'd either tell him to fuck off or laugh. He never knew with Emma.
"You know this is our honeymoon, right? You don't have to hold back anymore." Emma said flirtatiously when she pulled away to look at him. Peter could feel his heart hammering inside his chest. He realized that dream Emma was just as much of a flirt as real Emma. Peter knew her too well.
"A-Are you sure, Emma?" He asked her nervously, his eyes wide and Emma nodded with a smile, seeming sure of herself. Peter blushed although he felt the excitement coursing through his veins.
"Make love to me, Peter." She whispered to him.
"Okay." Peter said quickly and he didn't need to be told twice as he gently placed a hand on either side of her face before moving in for another kiss. This kiss was more heated than the last one. It really didn't take much at all for Peter to get turned on at this point. Especially when Emma unzipped his pants.
"You're so beautiful." Peter told her in between kisses and Emma returned each of his kisses with an equal amount of passion.
"I love you." She told him, sounding a bit breathless from all the kissing. Peter smiled against her mouth.
"I love you too." He said softly and the two young lovers began taking their clothes off. Since this was only a dream, Peter had to use as much imagination as possible since he hadn't seen Emma naked yet. Using his imagination Once they removed all articles of clothing from each other, Peter looked at her…all of her. Emma looked back up at him, a look of love on her face.
"You're beautiful." He told her and Emma smiled at him softly.
"You've already said that." She told him and Peter smiled goofily at her again.
"Well, it's true." Peter said as he leaned down to kiss her again and just like that, he started making love to her. As they moved together Emma moaned softly which drove Peter crazier with desire. It was a sound that Peter could never forget from their many steamy make-out sessions. Peter was so distracted by him and Emma finally being together that he didn't even care if it was a dream. He just knew that this was the best dream he ever had.
This wasn't the first time Peter dreamed of him and Emma having sex although this was the first time he dreamed of them having sex on their honeymoon. Sometimes when they had sex in Peter's dreams they were in really cool places like Disneyland or Naboo but never were they married in his dreams. This was the first time.
Peter also had to be pretty creative about the dreams since he had never actually had sex before. He usually just based it off stuff he saw in movies. Either way, dream Emma seemed to enjoy it a lot so Peter guessed he was doing something right. Peter was so caught up in him and Emma making love. He barely even cared about the fact that they were having sex outside in the open and none of it was real.
He was so caught up in Emma, matter in fact, that he didn't even notice that they weren't alone. A figure walked upon the young couple as quiet as a mouse in the night. Peter only paused in his movement when he heard a swishing sound behind them. He stopped what he was doing and Emma stopped kissing him, looking up at him in confusion.
"Peter, what's wrong?" She asked him quietly, looking concerned.
Like it was straight out of a horror movie, Peter slowly looked behind him and Emma only to see something from his worst nightmares. It was none other than Jason Voorhees, Hockey mask and Machete in all, standing there looking down at them. Peter could even hear the iconic and terrifying theme music playing in the background.
Oh, no. Why did he have to have sex with Emma in this dream? People who had sex in horror movies always ended up getting murdered. God, one look at Emma in her red dress and every logical thought went out of his head. Well, she didn't even have to wear a pretty dress to do that. The moment her dad walked in on them was evidence enough of that.
"Who the hell is that, Peter?" Emma asked, sounding frightened. That was odd. He didn't really know Emma to be the type to be frightened of a serial killer from a horror movie. Peter was the one who should be scared. Him and Ned had seen Friday the Thirteenth when they were little even though they weren't supposed to. Peter had nightmares about the movie for a month. He had to sleep on Aunt May and Uncle Ben's bedroom floor for a very long time. Which was probably why Jason Voorhees was in his dream. Maybe Emma's fear was only a projection of his own fear?
"What do you want?" Peter asked demandingly as he got off of Emma and positioned himself in front of her even though he really just wanted her to protect him instead because he was terrified. It was kind of ridiculous he was still terrified of Jason Voorhees even though he had super powers that could allow him to easily kill the villain. The childhood fear never went away, he guessed. Jason Voorhees waved his machete through the air threateningly before actually speaking in an un-Jason Voorhees like manner.
"I told you to stay away from my daughter." He said in a familiar voice and Peter stiffened when he heard the voice. Why the hell was Jason Voorhees referring to Emma as his daughter? Wait…why the hell did that voice sound so familiar?
"Uh…what?" Peter said in confusion.
"But instead I catch you having sex with her." He continued to say, ignoring Peter. However, it was what happened next that surprised Peter like nothing else. Jason Voorhees took off the hockey mask revealing none other than Emma's father.
"So I guess I'm going to have to kill you now." Bucky Barnes told him, a look of pure evil in his eyes. Peter's eyes widened in fright as he looked at someone who was a lot scarier than Jason Voorhees. It was clear to him that this nightmare was a lot more terrifying than any Friday the Thirteenth nightmare he had before.
"Emma, tell him to-" Peter started to say as he turned to look at her but he stopped when he saw that she was no longer where he had left her. His eyes quickly scanned the area around him but he couldn't see any sign of her.
"Emma?" He asked, quickly becoming even more terrified by the second. Where was Emma? Where did she go? There couldn't possibly be a worse moment for her to disappear. Who was going to save him from her dad now?
"I'm going to make sure you never lay your hands on my daughter again." Her dad told him and Peter knew he was really screwed now. There was no Emma to save him this time. Bucky swung the machete through the air threateningly and Peter didn't waste any time getting up from the ground before breaking into a sprint.
Peter ran as fast as he could but he didn't seem to run as fast as he wanted to because he could hear Emma's dad right behind him with that machete. Peter had never been more terrified in his life than right in that moment as he ran naked through the night with Emma's dad chasing him down with a machete. Why was her dad so scary? Oh, that's right. Because he was only a former assassin who had probably murdered hundreds of people but who also wanted to break his streak of goodness to murder Peter too.
"You can't run away forever, you little asshole!" Emma's dad yelled and Peter was running for his life. He was going to be killed for having sex with Emma. He knew she would get him killed one of these days. Well, Peter wasn't going to lie. Emma was totally worth being murdered over. He was a hundred percent sure of that.
"Parker?!" Peter heard Emma's voice say in the distance. He just didn't know where she was.
"Emma? Where are you?" He asked in confusion. He really needed her now. Her dad was dead set on killing him.
"Parker, wake up!"
"Peter, wake up!" Emma said and Peter immediately woke up from his nightmare, struggling to catch his breath and his eyes wide with fear. Peter wildly looked around the room trying to spot any sign of her dad. Where was he? Where was the machete?
"Where is he?!" Peter demanded as he continued to search for her father. Emma gave him a confused look even though she was very concerned for him. He was sweating really bad and he looked scared out of his mind.
"Where is who, Peter? Are you okay? You're sweating so much." Emma told him and she felt his forehead in concern. She was scared that he was sick or something. Peter just shook his head.
"Your dad, Emma! He was trying to kill me again!" Peter said, still scared beyond belief. "He was Jason Voorhees and he was chasing me down with a machete and I was naked then he-" Emma immediately interrupted his rambling as she always did.
"You mean you had a nightmare?" Emma said and it was obvious by her tone that she thought he was being ridiculous. Peter searched his bedroom for any sign of her dad but he couldn't see him. Emma was the only one in his room as she sat on the edge of his bed looking at him with a raised eyebrow.
"I-I don't know. Where's your dad? Is he here?" Peter asked, still searching the room for her father. Emma just shook her head.
"Peter, Papa's not here." She told him but she was still very worried about him. He wasn't one to have really bad nightmares. She was the one who always had the bad nightmares.
"Where is he?" He questioned and Emma just scoffed.
"Hell if I know. He was being a real asshole last night so I don't care to see him any time soon." Emma said bitterly and the terrified look faded from his face. A concerned look took its place.
"What?" He said and despite the angry look on Emma's face, he could tell she was hurting inside.
"Did you guys fight last night?" He asked. Peter didn't know what happened with Emma, her father, and grandfather last night. He had tried waiting up for her but then it got so late that he fell asleep.
"I tried to tell him what you mean to me…that it wasn't what he thought." Emma informed Peter and he could tell she was sad. Her eyes weren't as happy as they had been last night when they were alone together. "He wouldn't listen to me."
"So is that it?" Peter asked her, his eyes wide with fear again but this time he wasn't scared of his nightmare. He was scared at the thought of losing Emma. "Do they not want us to be together"
"Papa doesn't want us together." Emma told him and Peter felt hurt. He was hurt by the fact that Emma's dad didn't think he was good enough for her. Emma's dad thought he was undeserving of her. Her dad didn't like him. Peter wasn't used to not being liked. Adults always trusted him and the teachers at school thought he was a model student. No one had ever disliked him the way Emma's dad did and it made him feel like shit.
"So he's forbidding us from being together?" Peter asked her and Emma quickly shook her head.
"Well, not exactly. While Papa was being an ass and stormed out of the room, Steve and I had a long conversation." Emma told him seriously and Peter stared back at her, trying to decipher what she meant by that.
"About what?" Peter asked her and Emma shrugged as she locked eyes with him.
"About us." She said quietly. "I told him everything about us. How we met, how we got together, and how much I love you."
"And what did he say?" Peter asked and Emma shrugged.
"He seemed to be okay with it." Emma said truthfully and a hopeful look came into Peter's eyes.
"Really?" He said hopefully. Emma nodded. "He's okay with us being together."
"I think so." Emma told him and Peter smiled before he wrapped Emma up in a hug. She smiled as he wrapped his arms around her and held her close, momentarily forgetting about her father.
"Emma, this is good news." He told her as he then chastely kissed her before pulling away to look at her. Emma was happy to see the goofy smile on his face. She could tell this news made him happy. "Your grandfather approves of us."
"Not so fast, Parker." Emma told him, trying to get him to calm down a little. "That's actually why I'm here."
"What do you mean?" Peter asked in confusion and Emma sighed.
"He wants to talk to you." Emma said seriously and Peter swallowed hard. He couldn't tell if this was a good thing or bad thing yet. Captain America wanted to talk to him? Peter didn't think he had spoken to him much other than the first time they met. He always wanted to talk to the older man but he had been scared he'd spill something about him and Emma. Although that didn't seem to be a concern anymore.
"Me? He wants to talk to me?" Peter questioned and Emma nodded.
"I guess he just wants to get to know you better. He seemed okay with us last night though so I think we'll be alright." Emma said to Peter and he nodded, still seemingly overwhelmed by this news.
"When does he want to talk?" Peter asked, not knowing what else to ask in a time like this. Emma shrugged.
"He said he was going on a jog before the mission and he wants you to join him." Emma said seriously and Peter looked a bit taken back by the suddenness of it all. A jog? He was going to go on a jog with Emma's grandpa? Peter also realized that Emma's grandpa was probably one of the few grandpas in the world who was in shape enough to go on jogs.
"When exactly is this jog?" Peter inquired.
"Now." She replied and Peter's eyes widened.
"Now? Now as in right now?" He asked her and she nodded.
"He sent me to tell you." Emma informed him and Peter swallowed hard before nodding. Okay, so this was really happening. Emma's grandfather was going to give him the dad talk. He kind of already got the dad talk from Tony but Peter didn't think that counted. Tony obviously never enforced any of the things he told him.
"So I'm supposed to go now? Well…does he seem mad? Like your dad?" Peter questioned and Emma shook her head.
"No. He seems concerned which is why I think he wants to talk to you." She said to him and Peter nodded once more. "Although don't think he automatically trusts us. He sent Natasha with me. She's waiting outside your bedroom door which is supposed to remain open at all times, I guess."
"Why is she here?" Emma rolled her eyes.
"To make sure we're not having sex." Emma told him and Peter blushed at her blunt statement.
"Oh…" Peter said awkwardly.
"Anyways, I should probably get going so you can have that talk with Steve." Emma told him as she got up from the bed. Peter looked up at her, a worried expression on his face.
"What do I even say to him, Emma?" He asked her and she just looked down at him thoughtfully.
"Just be yourself, Peter." She told him honestly.
"What if he doesn't like who I am?" Peter told her and Emma smiled softly at him.
"He will and even if he doesn't it's not going to change how I feel about you." Emma told him as she looked at him lovingly. "I love you, Peter Parker." Peter smiled back at her.
"I love you too, Emma Rogers." He told her, not feeling as frightened as he did before. He really wanted her grandfather's approval but he also knew it wouldn't mean the end of them even if he didn't get it. He'd still have her in the end and she'd have him too.
"Rogers, you better not be having sex with your boyfriend in there." Natasha called from the hallway. "Steve's not going to like that." Emma rolled her eyes.
"I'm coming." Emma told her in an annoyed tone.
"I really hope you're not." Natasha said teasingly and Emma couldn't believe Natasha actually said that with Peter in the room. God, that woman always loved embarrassing her and she was going to milk this boyfriend thing for all it was worth.
"You're so funny." Emma said as she started to leave the room although she noticed Natasha's sexual innuendo went right over Peter's head. Her boyfriend could be really innocent at times which Emma found adorable. Right before Emma left the room, however, she turned back to look at him as she remembered something he said earlier.
"Hey, what did you mean earlier when you said you were naked?" Emma asked him and Peter gave her a slightly bewildered look.
"What?" He asked her, completely confused.
"You said you were naked in your nightmare. Why?" Emma asked bluntly and Peter blushed, knowing fully well why he had been naked in the nightmare. He hadn't told Emma but the nightmare hadn't been entirely a nightmare. The first part was actually great…perfect even.
"Um…no reason." Peter lied horribly and Emma looked at him as she processed his answer for a moment. It only took her about two seconds to know he was lying. Emma wasn't sure why he was lying but she knew he was. She gave him an amused smirk.
"Sure, Parker. Whatever you say." Emma told him, giving Peter one last smile before she walked out the door. He heard her and Natasha chatting amongst each other as they walked down the hall but Peter couldn't help the feeling of worry and fear that washed over him.
It finally hit him. He was going to have to face Emma's grandfather. Peter inwardly prayed to whoever was listening up there for Emma's grandfather not to kill him. He just hoped that someone heard him because he actually wanted to live long enough to tell Captain America how much he loved his granddaughter. Hopefully her grandfather listened.
"You're not half bad, Peter." Steve Rogers told the teenage boy as their finished their morning jog. He had spent the past hour running multiple miles and Steve was impressed at how well Peter could keep up. The only people who could keep up with him tended to be Emma and Bucky. However, Peter seemed to run just as fast.
"Thank you, Mr. Rogers." Peter told him politely as he struggled to catch his breath. Peter could truthfully run faster than Captain America, which he found out that morning, but he mostly held himself back in the jog. He didn't want to risk somehow insulting Emma's grandfather. He wanted to get on his good side. Although…he noticed that her grandfather didn't seem to have any trouble catching his breath like Peter seemed to be doing. He noticed that with Emma too although sometimes when they were alone together he could make her breathless. Not that he should be thinking about that right now. The earlier part of his nightmare, the good part, was still stuck in his head as it would seem.
"Please call me Steve." The former super soldier insisted as he looked down at the boy. Peter gave the man a nervous look.
"Are you sure?" He asked hesitantly and Steve gave him a kind smile. He could do this. He could be nice to this boy despite what Bucky walked in on. Emma was in love with this boy so he could try and get along with him for her sake. Maybe this boy wouldn't so bad…hopefully.
"Of course." Steve promised and Peter smiled at him, feeling a bit better than before. So Emma's grandfather didn't seem to be angry. That was a good sign. Steve then grew more serious as he decided to finally have his talk with Peter. There wasn't really any way around it. "Walk with me, Peter."
"Oh um…okay." Peter said, a little taken back. Steve started walking and Peter didn't have any other choice but to join him. Peter followed him although he felt incredibly nervous. He didn't know what was going to happen. He didn't know if Steve would like him or hate him.
"I'm not going to lie you, Peter." Steve said, not wanting to beat around the bush. "I'm not completely sold on this relationship between you and Emma. Don't get me wrong. She seems happy and that makes me happy too but I can't be sure this is what's best for her. Not until I talk to you at least."
"That's okay. I understand." Peter told him quietly and he did understand in a way. He was sure this was all so very overwhelming for Emma's grandfather. To come back and find her here with a boyfriend that he didn't even know. Peter didn't blame him for being worried.
"We had a long talk about the two of you last night." Steve informed him as they continued to walk. "She told me everything."
"She did?" Peter asked him although he kind of already knew what Emma told Steve…or the gist's of it at least. Emma only told him a few details about her talk with Steve.
"Yes." Steve replied.
"Is Emma in trouble?" Peter asked worriedly and Steve gave him a curious look. "I wouldn't want her to get in trouble because of me."
"Emma might be looking at a grounding when this is all over but she'll be okay." Steve assured him although Peter still felt bad at getting her into trouble.
"I just don't want you guys to be mad at her because of me." Peter told him and Steve was even more curious now. This boy seemed worried about her even though Steve knew that Emma didn't care whether or not they were mad at her. Emma did what Emma wanted.
"I'm not mad. I promise." Steve told him sincerely and Peter stared at him for a moment before nodding. Steve sighed. "I just…well, I'd like to know how you feel about Emma. She already let me know how she feels so I just want to get some more perspective on this whole situation." Peter swallowed hard.
"I suppose that's fair." Peter admitted before he prepared himself to give Emma's grandfather an honest answer. "I don't know what else to tell you other than the fact that I'm completely in love with your granddaughter."
"Are you now?" Steve asked, still looking curious and Peter nodded confidently. There wasn't a lot of times that he felt that confident but there was nothing he was more confident about than the love he had for Emma.
"Yes. I wasn't lying when I said I wanted to marry her." Peter said before he blushed. "Sorry. I know that seems crazy but if it helps you feel any better, Emma doesn't want to marry me so it probably won't happen for a while." Steve gave him an amused look.
"Yes, she told me the same thing last night." Steve said as he continued trying to figure the boy out. "But in all honesty, I guess I'd like to know why." Peter gave him a confused look.
"Why what?" Peter asked him and Steve shrugged.
"I want to know why you love her." Steve told him and Peter looked at him in surprise. He certainly hadn't been expecting a question like that although Peter felt kind of offended by her grandfather's question.
"What do you mean why I love her? How can I not love her?" Peter questioned, sounding offended but Steve just gave him an amused smile.
"I didn't mean to offend you, Peter. I just want to know…for my own sanity." Steve told him. He didn't mean anything by his questioning. He just wanted to know if this boy really cared and love Emma like he claimed to. He just wanted to be sure.
"I love her so much, Mr. Rogers." Peter told him seriously and Steve could see that he went back to ignoring his plea to call him Steve. "She's such an amazing person…your granddaughter, I mean. She's the best person I know." Peter only briefly paused before he continued while Steve listened to him avidly.
"Emma always says the right thing. She loves people and things more passionately than anyone I've ever met." Peter told him honestly and Steve felt a bit choked up because he was starting to realize that this was really happening. Emma and this boy were the real deal. It was becoming so clear to him in that moment as the boy talked that there was doubt in his mind that the boy was completely in love with Emma. " She can be so kind too. Emma doesn't show many people but she's nice. Just don't tell her I told you that." Steve chuckled a bit at Peter's last comment.
"She's beautiful and funny too but for some reason she loves me. I don't know why but she does." Peter said to Steve as Steve stared back at him thoughtfully. "Sometimes she can be really stubborn and she also loves to argue but I love her more for it. I don't know what I did to deserve her but I'm just glad that it's me she loves."
Steve realized then that this boy was head over heels in love with Emma. He knew that Peter's feelings were as genuine for her as Emma's feelings were genuine for him. Steve just heard everything he needed to know. Peter really did love her and that's all that Steve could ask of him. He just wanted her to be loved and for her to be happy. It was difficult to think that this meant that he would have to let her go eventually…that she wasn't going to be his forever but he knew that this was what was best for her. This was what Steve wanted for her, after all. He just wanted her to be happy.
"Tell me about yourself, Peter." Steve said as he changed the subject. Peter was immensely confused. He didn't know what Steve wanted from him.
"What do you want to know?" Peter asked him and Steve shrugged.
"Your hobbies, your family…life after high school." Steve listed off and Peter nodded furiously. He had no idea where this was going. He didn't know if this meant that his answer about Emma was good enough. Peter had no idea what was going through Steve's mind. Maybe he was just as tough to figure out as Emma was. Peter wasn't sure.
"I uh…live with my Aunt which I think I mentioned before." Peter told him and Steve nodded. Steve also recalled Peter mentioning that his parents were dead too. Steve knew how hard it was to lose your parents. He knew Emma knew how hard it was too which might've been something that helped the two bond.
"May, right?" Steve inquired and Peter smiled.
"Yeah. May's great. She's the best actually." Peter told him. "She's been really happy about Emma and I."
"You have an uncle too or…" Steve trailed off and a sad look crossed Peter's face.
"Aunt May and Uncle Ben both raised me. Uncle Ben was really amazing. Everything I could've asked for in a father." Peter said before his tone became more sad. "He died about a year and a half ago. It was a mugging."
"I'm sorry to hear that." Steve said sincerely and Peter shrugged.
"It was a while ago." Peter told him. "I still miss him but it gets easier after a while. Besides…I still have May and now I have Emma too. I do wish that she could've met him. He would've loved her."
"Still…I know how hard it is to lose people." Steve said, looking very sympathetic. Peter just nodded before he decided to change the subject. It was hard talking about Uncle Ben. It was even hard talking about him to Emma which was why he didn't do it often.
"I like science." Peter told Steve suddenly and the man gave him a confused look. "You asked what my hobbies were…I like science. I'm interested in a lot of different fields but mostly chemistry and physics. I'm thinking about majoring in one of the two in college."
Peter was mostly making the last part up. He hadn't given much thought towards college. He knew now that he wanted to go. Peter didn't before because he thought his whole entire life was going to be Spider-Man. However, Emma, among other things, made him realize that he was also Peter Parker. He realized that he desired a normal life too.
College seemed to be a good way to go and not to mention it would allow him not to be a homeless superhero bum who'd mooch off of Tony Stark for the rest of his life. Emma deserved a lot better than that and so did Aunt May. He wanted to go to college, maybe work for Tony, hopefully marry Emma, and then they'd buy a nice house with a yard so their kids and dog could have fun and play. Peter had always wanted a house with a yard. He never had one.
"That's great. What college are you going to go to?" Steve asked him and Peter tried not to wince because he honestly had no clue. That's the same question the counselor at school asked him and Peter really didn't know. Tony suggested MIT but Peter didn't think he wanted move that far away. His whole life was in New York. Home, Spider-Man, May…Emma. Besides…there were a ton of great schools in New York. Columbia, Empire State University, and those were only the top two that Peter thought he'd apply to.
"I'm not sure. Either Columbia or Empire State." Peter told him nonchalantly. "I'm still thinking about it."
"That sounds amazing but I have to be honest with you, Peter. I was never really science oriented…even in high school." Steve told him with a smile on his face. Peter smiled back at him.
"I know it sounds lame but it's fun to me. I mean, it's super useful to me too. That's how I made my webbing." Peter told him and Steve realized that this kid must've been really smart. No wonder he caught Tony's attention.
"That's impressive." Steve told him and he meant it. Then he chuckled once he thought of something.
"What is it?" Peter asked him and Steve just shook his head.
"It's funny to me that you're so interested in science when Emma's the exact opposite." Steve told him and Peter smiled in amusement.
"She's really smart though. You should see her on the Decathlon team. She's such a great addition especially when it comes to language, history, English, and art." Peter told him, boasting about his girlfriend's intelligence even though he was momentarily forgetting the fact that this was Emma's grandfather who was well aware of his granddaughter's intelligence. "I've actually kind of been tutoring her in chemistry this past school year. If she really pushes herself, she can really do anything. She's good at math and science when she wants to be."
"That sounds a lot like Emma." Steve remarked quietly and Peter smiled softly.
"She's the smartest person I know." Peter said, agreeing with Steve. Steve sighed because he thought he heard enough. Now it was time to be serious with the boy. He needed to make sure that Peter knew the seriousness of this situation.
"So, Peter, if I'm going to be okay with this I just want to make sure you know a few things." Steve told him seriously and Peter's eyes widened before he nodded furiously. Steve was going to be okay with this? Peter could hardly believe it.
"Okay. What should I know?" Peter asked with a calm and steady voice. Well, he faked a calm and steady voice. Fake it until you make it.
"I want you to be sure that this is what you want." Steve told him, no longer smiling as he looked down at Peter. "I know that Emma might be difficult for someone your age to love. Well, I just want to make sure that you're not going to leave when it gets too hard."
"I wouldn't do that!" Peter argued defensively. Steve hadn't meant to insult him. He just wanted to make sure Peter was serious about all of this…that he thought everything through.
"I'm only asking because if you change your mind someday along the road, I don't know what it'll do to Emma." Steve said, locking eyes with Peter in an attempt to convey how serious he was about this. "She's been through a lot. More than the average person. It's miracle that she's survived all that and still managed to maintain her sanity. She's strong but I'm afraid that she's grown very attached to you. If you leave it might break her heart."
"Mr. Rogers, I'm not going to leave her." Peter told him fiercely, his eyes narrowed into a glare. He wanted to somehow convince Emma's grandfather that he was here to stay. "She's stuck with me. I love her and I'm not going anywhere. You and her father aren't going to scare me away. I'll be here for as long as she'll have me."
Steve was silent for a moment as he watched Peter silently. Peter thought he might've gone too far for a moment as he looked back at Steve, his anger fading. However, it was true. As scary as he might've found Steve and Emma's father to be, he wasn't about to leave. Emma and him were in this for the long haul. He wouldn't stay away from her just because they told him to. As long as Emma would have him, he'd be there for her. Peter was then surprised to see a smile come across Steve's face.
"I'm glad to hear it then." Steve told him and Peter just stared at him. "I guess I approve then. Not that Emma would care whether or not I approve. She'd still do whatever she wanted at the end of the day."
"You mean you're okay with me dating Emma?" Peter asked him, eyes wide with hope. Steve nodded.
"Yes. You seem like a nice young man and I think you're good for her. Just don't prove me wrong, Peter." Steve told him and Peter nodded furiously.
"Of course, Mr. Rogers." Peter told him seriously. "I promise that I won't let her down."
Steve just continued to smile at him, finally satisfied with the knowledge that Emma was happy and that she found a good guy. He had been worried that Peter might not have had the best intentions when it came to Emma but he was glad he was wrong. Peter was a good person. Steve could see that now.
"I believe you." Steve told him honestly before growing serious once more. "But I should warn you, Peter. There are going to be rules now that I'm back. Especially after what Bucky witnessed yesterday in Emma's room." Peter blushed but he nodded nonetheless.
"That's okay. I completely understand." Peter said, fully intending to follow any rules Emma's grandfather gave him. He was just lucky Steve seemed to approve of him.
"I already told Emma this but I want to make sure you know that I better not catch you in bed with her again." Steve said sternly. "I know you're young and in love…and teenagers are curious but I won't have that kind of behavior from you."
Peter was a bit taken back by Steve's statement. It was almost like he was accusing Peter of seducing Emma or talking her into something. Still…Peter didn't say anything because he was Emma's grandfather and he was fully within his right to tell Peter what not to do. Peter just wondered if Steve knew deep down that Emma was just as "curious" as he was. He looked at the older blonde man who looked slightly disturbed. Peter realized then that he did know. Steve just didn't want to think of Emma wanting that.
"All I ask is that you act like a gentlemen and treat her with respect. That means no inappropriate touching, no taking her out all night, and no closing the bedroom door. Understand?" Steve said demandingly and Peter was quick to nod his head.
"Yes, Sir." Peter told him but Steve didn't stop there.
"When school starts again and we go back to the city, Emma's also going to have a curfew." Steve informed him. "If you take her somewhere I also want to know where."
"Yes, Sir." Peter repeated and Steve locked eyes with him, trying to see whether or not he would back down. Much to his approval, the teenage boy did no such thing.
"Good." Steve told him, a smile coming back over his face. He then extended his hand and Peter looked down at it in confusion at first. "You're a good kid, Peter."
"Um…thanks?" Peter said, sounding unsure and Steve nodded towards his extended hand. Peter finally got the picture. "Oh, right. Sorry."
Peter then shook Steve's hand and didn't fail to notice how firm of a grip the man had. It was like he was really trying to squeeze all the bones in his hand or something. However, Peter just decided to tough it out. Steve was just doing his job as Emma's parent. He didn't blame him.
"We should go back to the compound. I still have to leave for that mission." Steve told him as he subsequently let go of Peter's hand.
"Yeah, we should start heading back." Peter agreed. Peter and Steve then began walking in the opposite direction, heading straight for the compound. It was quiet for a while before Steve finally spoke up again.
"While I'm gone on this mission you'll look out for Emma, right?" Steve asked him as he looked over at the teenage boy. "Not that she can't take care of herself but I just want to make sure there's someone who'll watch out for her. Someone who will make sure that she doesn't do anything stupid."
"Of course, Mr. Rogers." Peter told him honestly. "I'll always look out for Emma. She's safe with me."
"Thank you, Peter." Steve told him and Peter just smiled at him.
"You don't have to thank me." Peter said happily and he turned his attention to the path in front of them, looking away from Steve. Steve just looked at the boy and he found himself smiling as well. He was right. This would be good for Emma. Maybe Steve didn't have to worry so much, after all.
"Look, they're walking now." Sam said as he practically pressed his face up against the window. The others were in similar positions as they all looked out the window, spying on Peter and Steve. Emma just shook her head in disbelief as she looked through one of Darcy's stupid fashion magazines. Emma wasn't really interested in the magazine but she just needed a distraction from the idiots she lived with.
"It doesn't look like he wants to kill him. I think it might be going good." Darcy observed.
"True but maybe Steve's just testing the terrain first before he goes into Captain mode." Natasha told her and Emma rolled her eyes.
"You guys are a bunch of pathetic losers, you know that?" Emma told them bitterly. Sam, Clint, Darcy, and Natasha stood there watching Steve and Peter outside. Emma couldn't really believe that Natasha was a part of this. She thought she was smarter than that.
"Well, forgive us if this is the first real entertainment we've had in a while." Sam told her as he looked back at the blonde who was sitting on the couch. "Life on the run can be pretty boring believe it or not."
"I'm sure it is." Emma muttered and Sam finally turned away from the window to smirk at her.
"I'm just shocked by all of this." Sam told her and Emma raised an eyebrow at him, finally looking up from her magazine.
"Shocked by what?" She asked him and he gave her a smug look.
"That you were able to get yourself a man." Sam told her teasingly. "Who would want to date you? I have to seriously judge that boy's sanity." Emma sneered at him.
"You're hilarious, Wilson." She said sarcastically but Sam didn't seem bothered by the look on her face.
"In all honesty, I'm actually surprised you would date him." Sam told her pointedly and Emma gave him an odd look, not knowing what he meant. "Come on, Emma. He's a little creep. I caught him staring at your ass the other day."
"So?" Emma said and Sam just stared at her.
"What do you mean so?" Sam said to her in an agitated tone. "That boy obviously has more on his mind than just his chemistry homework. Steve mentioned something about Barnes catching you and your little boy toy in bed together." Emma groaned in frustration.
"Oh my god. You guys sound like a broken record player." Emma complained as she closed her magazine. "I already heard the same stuff from my father so I don't need to hear it from you too."
"Relax, kid. I'm only asking." Sam said as he began to realize that she was a little sensitive where the boy was concerned. "But if that boy ever messes around or anything. Let me know. Barton and I can take care of him just fine." Emma scoffed.
"Peter knows better than to mess around. Trust me." Emma said, sounding more than confident with herself. Emma would never hurt Peter even if he did do something, which she knew he never would, but those hypothetical girls were a different story. No girl would get their grubby little hands on Peter. Not while Emma was around.
"I don't doubt it." Sam told her although he was still in a bit of shock that Emma was actually dating the boy. No wonder the kid looked so smug the other day.
Clint just watched the blonde silently as he tried to gather his thoughts on the situation. He had been very quiet during all of this but only because he was thinking about what Margot would've thought of all of this. Would she be happy? Maybe. Margot was a generally happy person and he could see her getting all excited because Emma was dating. He imagined the bubbly redhead helping her daughter pick out the perfect outfit for her date. She'd ramble on about what her first date had been like and Emma would just smile and nod. That was what it would be like in a perfect world but this world wasn't perfect. This world no longer had Margot in it.
"We should get going for the mission." Steve announced as he and Peter walked into the room. Everyone stopped and looked at them.
"He's still alive?" Sam asked him and Steve just chuckled as he patted Peter on the back.
"Peter's a good kid. He'll do just fine." Steve said as he smiled down at him. Peter smiled back at him and Emma was just relieved that things seemed to have gone well between the two of them. Even though she was sure that Steve would love Peter, a part of her had been afraid as well. Emma would still be with Peter no matter what but having Steve's approval would be nice. She was glad to see that Peter seemed to have it.
"I'm not going." A voice announced. Emma narrowed her eyes at her father who stood in the doorway of the room, casting a suspicious glance in Peter's direction. The smile fell right off Peter's face and was replaced with a cautious look. Peter didn't know if he was going to attack him like last night or not.
"What?" Steve questioned as he looked back at his best friend.
"I'm not going on the mission." Bucky said as he still stood in the doorway. He looked between Emma and Peter as if he were emphasizing his point. "I think I'd rather hang around and keep an eye out."
"If you're sure." Steve said awkwardly and Bucky nodded. There wasn't anything in the world that would let him leave Emma alone with that boy. Bucky wasn't going leave her alone with him. He didn't trust him.
Emma couldn't believe the nerve of her father. He was actually going to hang around the compound just to spite them. Why was he being such an asshole? Why couldn't he just accept the fact that Peter was a part of her life now? She always knew he wouldn't be exactly happy about it but she never thought he'd actually go this far. She just didn't understand him.
"I'll take his place then." Tony said as he walked past Bucky into the room. Steve stared at him in surprise.
"Really?" Steve asked and Tony nodded as he smiled although it came out a bit forced.
"Yeah, I was thinking about going anyways. Mini Cap mentioned that it was about time I got off my ass and actually did something for a change." Tony told him and Steve nodded, casting an amused look in Emma's direction before looking back at Tony.
"Are you sure? Ross is probably going to realize that you're not keeping us captive here if you go with us on the mission." Steve told him and Tony shrugged.
"Ross can go to hell." Tony told him and Steve just nodded.
"Right so we've got Sam, Maria, Natasha, T'Challa, Vision, Rhodey, and you which means…" Steve trailed off as he did a head count of who was staying and who was going. "Emma, Peter, Clint, Wanda, Okoye, Fury, and…Bucky will be staying here."
"Is that alright with everyone?" Sam asked as he looked around the room.
Everyone in the room collectively nodded as Peter quickly went to sit down next to Emma on the couch. He gave her a comforting smile before slipping his hand into hers and giving it a squeeze. Emma smiled back at him but Bucky didn't appear to be that amused. He glared at the two teenagers as he clenched his jaw. He made a promise to himself that he wasn't about to break. Bucky was going to stay at the compound to ensure that Emma was safe. From Hydra as well as that boy.
"Steve, wait!" Emma said as she ran to catch up to her grandfather. Everyone was already boarding the Quinjet as Emma ran across the landing pad. He turned around in surprise to see her running towards him with his shield in hand.
"Emma?" He said. Natasha only briefly eyed the two before she decided to board the Quinjet with everyone else and give them their privacy. Emma stopped once she reached him.
"I wanted to give you back your shield." Emma told him as she held out his shield to him. Steve eyed the familiar artifact carefully before he looked back up at her.
"I can't, Emma. It's yours now." Steve told her and in a way that was true. Everything Steve had was hers. She was his granddaughter, after all. The shield belonged to her just as much as it belonged to him.
"No, it's not. It's Captain America's shield and I'm certainly not Captain America." Emma told him and a sad look crossed Steve's face.
"I'm not sure if I am either." He replied in a melancholy tone. Emma frowned.
"Of course you're Captain America. What are you even talking about?" Emma questioned and Steve swallowed hard before locking eyes with her.
"I've let a lot of people down, Emma. I'm not sure if I made the right decision. I let everyone down. The Avengers…you." Steve told her solemnly and Emma just shook her head.
"You didn't let me down." Emma told him honestly. "You were only doing what you felt was right."
"But you don't think I was right?" Steve asked her and Emma just looked back at him.
"I do think you were right. I'll always believe in you, Steve." Emma said softly. "I just wish that we could've done everything differently." Steve nodded.
"I do too." Steve whispered and Emma allowed herself to give him a small smile.
"Besides…red, white, and blue aren't really my colors." Emma told him and Steve laughed.
"No, they're not." Steve agreed and Emma just smiled at him.
"So take it." Emma said as she handed the shield over to him. Steve hesitantly took it from her hands and held it in his own. It had been over a year since he had last held it in his hands and the last time hadn't been a pleasant experience. He noticed that it still had the scratches from T'Challa's attack. Steve didn't really realize that he had missed the shield until now.
"Thank you." Steve said as he finally tore his gaze from the shield to look back down at her. Emma continued to smile at him.
"Don't thank me. It was always yours." Emma said to him and Steve just nodded, grateful to have his shield back at last. A more serious and worried expression came over Emma's face as she prepared herself to say what she really wanted to say.
"Please be careful." Emma said to him in concern as Steve looked down at her. "I don't want something happening to you on this mission. I almost lost you once."
"I'll be fine, Emma." Steve promised.
"Just please be careful." Emma pleaded and Steve's gaze softened as he nodded at her.
"I will. Don't worry. Nat will take care of me." Steve told her and Emma just smiled before she hugged him. Steve took a step back in surprise. He was still getting used to this side of Emma…the side that seemed to have no problem with hugging. He quickly returned her hug, taking comfort in the feeling of Emma in his arms, before he leaned down and kissed her forehead softly.
"I love you, Steve." Emma told him and he smiled softly at her.
"I love you too." He replied, completely meaning it. Emma looked up at him with the same blue eyes he had.
"Thank you for what you did with Peter. I really appreciate it." Emma told him and Steve just shook his head.
"He's a nice guy. I like him." Steve told her which made Emma all the more happy. Steve liked him. Steve liked Peter. This was the best news she had received in a while. It almost made her forget the fact that her father didn't feel the same way.
"Thank you." She said again and Steve just gave her a loving smile.
"You stay safe too." Steve made her promise.
"I will." Emma told him. He just nodded at her as he gave her one last look before turning around and walking up the ramp of the Quinjet. Emma watched him leave, feeling both happy and worried. Happy that Steve had been so accepting of Peter but she was also worried for his wellbeing. She had only just gotten him back and she was so scared of losing him again.
The door to the aircraft shut a moment later and Emma was quick to back away as the Quinjet began to take off. He would be okay, she told herself. Steve knew what he was doing and not to mention he wasn't in it alone. Tony, Vision. Natasha, Sam, T'Challa, Maria, and Rhodey were on that Quinjet with him so she was sure Steve would be safe. They would retrieve the weapons and whoever was at that base then they'd be back in no time.
Some of the others thought Rumlow would be at the base but she doubted it. He was never one to hide in plain sight. She knew him too well for that. Rumlow had something that he was saving for them. He wasn't about to show them all his cards quite yet. No, he was hiding somewhere like the little sewer rat he was. Wherever he was, it wasn't going to be at that base in Mexico. He was waiting for her somewhere else.
For now, as it would seem, she was going to have to go back inside the compound and wait until everyone returned. Emma hated sitting and waiting but she had promised Peter…and Steve. The only thing she wasn't looking forward to was crossing paths with her father. He was being an ass and Emma preferred for him not to be one. It looked like Emma was just going to have to put up with her father's behavior until he decided to finally remove his head from his ass.
Who knew when that would be.