I am so sorry for the long wait. I'm a very slow writer, and schoolwork and AP exams have just caused me to write even slower. I know the chapter is short, but I felt bad about making you guys wait, so here's chapter three in the meantime!

Chapter Three: Red and Gold

"Loneliness leads to nothing good, only detachment. And sometimes the people who most need to reach out are the people least capable of it."

― Joss Whedon

Cleaning out the house was the worst part. Family photos, clothes, heck, even the freaking kitchen utensils were a harsh reminder of just how alone I was now. It probably should have only taken a week or so to clear everything out, especially with the help of the Watsons, but sometimes I couldn't help but just sit alone in one of the rooms, ranging anywhere from minutes to hours, happy memory after happy memory just flashing before my eyes in synchronization with the dull tick tock of the clock on the nearby wall.

Today was the day I was supposed to meet my new family. They've told me absolutely nothing about my new parents except that they were both male; not that it would even bother me in the first place. The nice social worker had just given me this knowing smile and told me that it was a surprise. I just scoffed with annoyance in reply.

Why the hell I would even be remotely surprised about some random homosexual couple living in Manhattan beats me.

I'm just glad I wasn't sent off to some horrible foster home. The agency had simply told me that my case was special when I had brought up the subject last week. I spent the next couple of nights lying awake on the Watsons' living room couch, wondering why I was an exception.

I decided it was probably because my aunt was killed by some crazy drugged-up psychopath.

It was early in the morning, and I had just finished off my usual early bird patrol in the city when I arrived at my house for the last time. Dressed in regular clothes, I slowly walked into the living room, the blank walls saying nothing, staring back at me.

The scratches on the wall, the chips of old paint, the faded floral wallpaper curled slightly at the corners, ripe with age, all gone. Even the gray skid marks from when I had accidentally dragged the wheels of my skateboard against the wall, dents where the board had slammed into. Every small little tick that made this house pure Parker had been cleaned and refurbished.

Standing in the center of the room, I closed my eyes, wanting to pretend for one last time.

The sound of pots and pans clanging and ringing drifted gradually into the room, the scent of tomato sauce following soon after. Smiling faintly, I softly whispered, "Spaghetti and meatballs. Since when did you not like spaghetti and meatballs?"

The only reply was the uncontrollable sob that echoed throughout the entire house, empty and void of life.

Steve sat on the edge of the couch, anxiety gripping at his heart and forcing him to fidget uncomfortably. Tony was busying himself by pacing back and forth in the large living room, one hand clenched behind his back, the other rushing up to his face to scratch at his chin only to move back in front of his eyes to check the time on his watch. Just when Steve thought he couldn't wait any longer, Jarvis' voice soon filled the room, causing him to immediately jump to his feet in surprise.

"Sir, Miss Avery Middleton has just arrived at the building with Peter Parker. Shall I let them in?"

They turned to stare at each other for a brief moment, eyes wide and sparkling with excitement. "Of course, let them in!" Tony practically yelled, rushing toward the door.

Steve, breathing deeply, hesitated slightly before following his husband, hands smoothing down his perfectly ironed shirt and running fingers through his hair in an attempt to look unflustered.

He managed to reach Tony just has he was opening the door, his trademark smirk plastered on his face when he saw the blindfold on the kid's face, who stood there with obvious discomfort and scorn at the cloth tied around his eyes.

Steve raised an eyebrow in question at Avery, who simply mouthed the response, "He doesn't know." Nodding, he took the teen's hand and led him into the living room, social worker and husband close behind him. Reaching towards the knot, Steve swiftly untied it, then stood next to Tony as the exasperated teen grabbed the blindfold and ripped it from his face, blinking rapidly as his vision cleared.

When his eyes landing on the couple in front of him, he just stood there, staring in total and utter shock, mouth agape.

"Holy shit."