AN: I would like to dedicate this chapter to my first story reviewer, hanbins, you made me so happy, I literally danced around for about 5 minutes. Comments really do help me with my motivation. I would also like to thank the guest that reviewed. Sorry, I meant to have this up like 2 months or so ago, but college got me busy. Now that finals are done, hopefully I can get back on track.
Even after Kitty and Lance officially broke-up, they decide to stay friends and she would still come over to the Brotherhood house every once in a while, seeing as the boys had gotten used to her presence there. (Wanda isn't in this)
Pietro stays back again when the boys go off to school. He sets out baby-proofing the entire house. Anything sharp, deadly, poisonous or chock-able is put up high and out of her reach. All sharp, hard edges are covered. Every outlet is given a plastic cover and all chemicals are under lock and key. Then he goes through the entire house, minus the boys' bedrooms, and cleans away any stains, dirt and possible signs of mold. Finally, after feeding and changing the baby, the two fall asleep on the couch with Pietro completely exhausted.
When the boys get home, they spilt their separate ways, with Fred and Todd leaving for their rooms. Lance is about to follow in suit, but stops when he spots the two figures lying on the rickety couch. A small smile creeps upon his face as he nears them. Then, he carefully reaches for the baby on the speed demon's stomach and picks her up, cradling her frail body against his chest. He is so busy staring sweetly down at the beautiful girl that he doesn't notice Pietro cracking an eye open and smirking at the leader.
"Can I have her back now?" the boy questions softly. His smirk only widens as he watches Lance jump back in surprise.
The said boy looks sheepishly at Pietro as his tanned cheeks dust red. He easily hands the sleeping bundle back to the albino. Pietro smiles, cradling the girl against him, before drifting off, back to sleep.
Pietro is awoken by the sudden smell of freshly baked muffins, which is quite odd since he knows that they don't have the money for muffins. Blinking his eyes open, he sluggishly raises his head towards the door of the house, to find Kitty happily chatting with Lance, a silver tray filled with the deliciously enchanting muffins in her hands.
After a moment, he rises off the couch, holding the child against him easily, and makes his way over. "What are you doing here Pryde?"
Kitty turns her head at the sound of his voice, rolling her eyes at his rudeness. "I just decided to stop by, and bring you some muffins," she responded. "Ororo made them," she glowered after seeing his face scrounge up at the thought of her cooking. She has been banned from cooking them anything after last year's incident when she baked them charcoal brownies that were as hard as rocks and tasted like dirt.
Pietro just huffs, switching the baby to one hand, before snatching up a muffin and dashing into the kitchen. "Mm, blueberry," is heard from the sink, as the boy stuffs his face while he prepares a bottle for the cutie in his arms.
Kitty just rolls her eyes at Lance, who laughs and joins his fellow teammates in the kitchen. "What are you cooking, Freddy?" Kitty asks as she seats herself at the wobbly table, setting the tray in front of her. Before she can even blink, two muffins are being whipped away by a disturbingly long, green tongue. "Ew, Toad, don't do that!"
Snickering is heard from the hallway, along with light thuds as the frog-like teen scampers back up to his room.
"Well, Lance just restocked the food, so I'm making spaghetti," Fred replies calmly, as if there had never been an interruption to the conversation.
"Yeah Pryde, so we don't need your little pity treats," Pietro sneers lightly after seating himself at the table to feed the child, earning a smack to the head from Lance as the brunette munches away at a muffin.
Kitty pouts angrily at the albino teen, "they're not pity muffins, Maximoff. It's just like, not any fun to bake anything at the mansion, because there are like, too many people and everything's gone in seconds."
"Yeah, and we like her pity treats," Lance agrees with a smile, groaning as pain shoots up his leg from the kick Kitty sent him under the table at calling them pity treats.
"Would you like some Kitty?" Fred asks politely as he places the noodles on the table.
But, Kitty just shakes her head, "No thank you Freddy. I already ate at the mansion."
"What a little salad?" Pietro snorts as he puts an old rag over his shoulder to burp the child.
"Shut up Pietro." She glares venomously at the teen, but he just ignores her and piled his plate with food. She had been quite surprised the first time she had seen the boy eat. The sheer amount of food that he could ingest is awe inspiring. And, when she had asked him how he didn't get fat, he simply replied that he had a very fast metabolism.
Half-way through dinner, the baby starts to get fussy. Pietro stands up, glaring at the others as he does so, "Don't even think about touching my food," he growls, before speeding up the stairs. Within minutes, he is back at the table, without the baby. The group carries a light conversation through out dinner. Kitty animatedly talking about life at the X-Mansion. Lance complaining about his job and Fred discussing school. Pietro mainly listens, adding a comment here and there as he stuffs his face. When dinner ends, Kitty returns to the institute and the boys ago about their usual business.