Disclaimer: I own nothing belonging to Marvel or Disney.

Non-Canon compliant to WandaVision, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness, and The Marvels.

Barton Homestead, Iowa

Early Morning

Peter is being stirred by the feeling of lips against his neck. He slowly opens his eyes and sees his girlfriend and partner, Kate Bishop, trying to wake him up in a tender way as their bare bodies are mostly concealed by the comforter, still undressed from last nights...intimate activities. As she sees him awake, she pulls back and smiles.

"Merry Christmas," she says.

"Merry Christmas," Peter can't help but say back. He looks at his phone and sees that it is only 7:05. "Not that I'm complaining to seeing this when I wake up, but does it have to be this early."

Kate just chuckled. "Laura is already making coffee and breakfast and we have to let Lucky out, so it is best we get up now."

"Okay, fair enough," Peter just groaned as they both got out of bed to put some clean clothes on.

They both exit the barn suite that was put in on the upper levels for guests and went downstairs to let Lucky out to relieve himself before they all went in the house.

Once they entered the house, they indeed saw coffee made and Laura was making enough breakfast to feed a platoon. Clint was on the couch with half-closed eyes nursing a large mug already.

"Morning, guys," Laura smiled at them as she was making pancakes.

"Morning," Kate greeted back.

"Morning, Mrs. Barton," Peter also greeted.

Laura rolled her eyes good naturedly. "Peter, please, call me Laura."

Peter smiled a little anxiously as he entered the kitchen and made himself a cup. "Sorry, force of habit."

"Please tell me that barn suite is in one piece," Clint pleaded with them as he had a good idea what they had done last night.

Peter turned beat red. Kate blushed but could not keep the smile off of her face as she answered her mentor, "Yes."

Laura could not help but be amused. "Clint, leave them be."

Clint just hummed to himself before giving Kate and Peter a warm smile. "Merry Christmas, you two."

"Merry Christmas," Kate and Peter said back as they occupied the love seat.

A few minutes later, they saw Bucky and Wanda come down the stairs and helped themselves to coffee before they joined Clint, Kate, and Peter in the living area.

"Merry Christmas, guys," Peter greeted with a smile.

"Merry Christmas," Wanda replied back with a genuinely happy smile.

"Merry Christmas," Bucky said with a slight smile which only grew when Wanda scooted closer to him and put her head on his shoulder as he put his right arm around her.

While Laura was still cooking and the kids had yet to awaken, everyone else was talking quietly.

"Thanks for having us, Mr. Bar- I mean, Clint," Peter said to his new mentor.

Clint gave him a smile. "It's no problem, kid."

It hadn't been long after losing May and having his identity erased that he ran into the archer. Clint was visiting Kate when he decided to look into Spider-Man after seeing some not-so-polite headlines about him. Clint really wanted to shove an arrow up J. Jonah Jameson's ass for his judgements against all heroes. It had taken a little while, but Clint was still one of the best spies in the world and knew how to find people. When Clint had met Peter at his apartment, and Peter explained everything from Tony "recruiting" him to the multiverse mess. As a result, Clint had, with Laura's agreement, taken Peter home and took the vigilante under his wing with proper guidance. Peter was hesitant as he didn't want to intrude on their lives, but the entire Barton family welcomed him with open arms, and he eventually opened up to them.

This led to Peter meeting Kate and while Peter missed MJ, he had let her go. Sparks immediately flew between them, and it was only months ago that they entered an official relationship.

Eventually they encountered Bucky and Wanda. Both of whom were dealing with their own trauma and finding their place in the world after coming back to life. Due to their own similarities, they opened their hearts to each other and were semi-retired. Only helping when needed. Otherwise, they were living the peaceful life as they lived in close proximity to the Bartons.

"Hey Bucky, how's Sam doing?" Peter asked.

"He's alright. I talked to him a couple days ago," Bucky answered. "He's at his sister's for the holidays and grateful for the break."

Clint nodded. "Heavy lies the head that wears the crown."

"Yeah," Bucky agreed. "He was struggling taking the shield. There is a lot of weight to it, but he's handling it well now. Steve made the right choice for a successor."

"Absolutely," Wanda agreed.

One minute later, the rush of footsteps could be heard as Nate was rushing down the stairs as he dragged his brother and sister with him. Cooper and Lila were both still drowsy, but they couldn't help but chuckle at the antics of their youngest sibling.

"Presents!" Nate yelled excitedly.

Laura shook her head at her youngest child. "Ah ah ah, food first while its warm."

Everyone chuckled as Nate pouted.

Clint got off the couch and picked up his son. "Your mom is right. Let's eat first."

Everyone agreed as they got up and went to fill up their plates before sitting at the dining room table.

They all dug in through an assortment of breakfast foods and none went to waist, especially given that Peter and Bucky both had enhanced metabolisms and had to eat much more than the average human.

By the time Laura cleaned up with Kate and Wanda's help, everyone was ready to open presents.

Cooper and Lila got an assortment of gifts ranging from clothing to some sport equipment. Nate got an assortment of new toys.

Wanda had gifted Bucky with a set of first editions of Tolkein's works.

Clint and Laura had gifted Kate with a brand-new tactical katana as she was interested in carrying something besides her bows for close range fights.

Peter was not expecting anything as he was content to have people in his life again. However, Clint already had something in mind for his new protege.

Clint presented a large sized wrapped gift in front of Peter.

"For me?" Peter asked. Clint nodded with a smile. "You didn't have to."

"Its Christmas," Clint shrugged. "Open it"

Peter slowly unwrapped the gift and saw it was a case. He looked at Clint who nodded in encouragement. Peter opened the case and saw that it was a Mathews Apex 7 compound bow. Peter picked it up and couldn't help but feel amazed.

"For me?" Peter asked with a smile.

Clint nodded with a smile. "It's one of my old bows. I hardly ever used it much. Most notable time was in New Mexico when Thor tried to get his hammer to get his powers back. I was on security detail and Coulson needed someone on overwatch in case something happened. It's a good thing he told me not to shoot."

Wanda's eyebrows rose at this as she had never heard that story. "Really?"

"Oh yeah," Clint nodded in confirmation at her before turning back to Peter. "Anyway, I figured you could use it. Whether it be to keep your aim sharp, or to blow off some steam."

Peter nodded in appreciation. "Thank you. I appreciate it."

"You're welcome, kid." Clint nodded at him as he put a comforting hand on Peter's shoulder.

Peter just sat back and kept looking at the bow and Kate nestled up against him as she too, admired it.

Bucky, Clint, Laura, and Wanda got up to leave the younger ones be for now as they were all content to have a quiet, but content Christmas with each other.

Afternoon

Cooper and Lila were still in the house relaxing quietly while Nate was taking a nap.

Outside, Bucky and Wanda were nestled up on the porch swing as they conversed with Laura and Kate as they all looked on as Clint gave Peter pointers on archery.

Peter managed to hit a bullseye after a little concentration and was feeling some satisfaction at his progress, and Clint looked on with approval.

From afar, Kate let a beaming smile cross her face as she watched her boyfriend. When she had first met Peter, he was still in grief for all the loss he was forced to endure. However, he still chose to take responsibility for who he is as Peter Parker and Spider-Man. And, somehow, Peter was able to find new people who would care for him and support him with whatever direction he chose even if he decided to just stick to the streets as the Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.

There was a lot taken from Peter, but he was able to gain too. The Barton Homestead would be open to him as a home away from home. Clint, while retired from active duty as an Avenger, would give him guidance. Kate would support him in the field as a partner and hold his heart as his lover.

Peter was his own man now. However, he was far from alone.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I just wanted to keep this short and simple. Just enough to get the point across.

Lately, I've been thinking of having Clint as a mentor for Peter as I find him better suited. I don't want to insult Tony, but I will say that he made too many mistakes with Peter. The way he [Tony] was written in Civil War and Homecoming, he was ill suited to be what Peter needed in a teacher.