TW: attack, violence

*Time Jump of 1 month*

I eyed Peter suspiciously. The Avengers were all over for a movie night, snuggled into one large pile on the floor surrounded by pillows and blankets, and every single one of them—Tony included— had been doting on Peter all evening. It was reminiscent of how one would treat an invalid, or someone recently recovered from a major injury or disease, except that Peter seemed to be in perfect health, and had been since that day him, MJ, and Ned had all missed school. Sure, he'd had a few absentee moments but I hadn't seen him cough or anything, not even once.

I put my popcorn aside and excused myself, going up to my bedroom. Locking the door behind me, I pulled out my Peter Observations notebook.

• Gave me an answer to a question about physics I'd mumbled under my breath

• Bruises all over his one arm, even though Flash is away on holiday

• Picked up the living room couch one-handed while trying to retrieve a lost lego piece

• Disappeared in the middle of third period, back for fifth period

• Seems to be babying his left side—Flash still away

• Extended workshop time with Tony

• Bunch of cuts on his face-Flash still away

• Left during sixth period, but was late to his afterschool workshop time

• Overheard Tony checking up on him at 2am when I was up getting a glass of water

• Mocked Steve's 'Language' commentary when Tony swore—even though he was two rooms away and Tony had said it quietly

• Another really long workshop time with Tony—both seemed sore the next day

• Saw him win a hand-to-hand combat session, where it seemed to be him vs Natasha, Uncle Bucky, Steve, Clint, and Thor

• Got detention for falling asleep in class (apparently it was the third time this week)

• Skipped out on detention—but wasn't at the workshop or at home (I asked FRIDAY—who apparently is always tracking his phone?)

I sat staring at my notes, trying to make it all make sense. I thought back to a conversation I'd had with FRIDAY, hoping that might help. I'd asked the AI to show me surveillance of lab time with him and Tony, but she'd refused, citing it as 'restricted'. I'd gotten the same answer several times when I'd asked her where Peter was during his school disappearances, and a few times during his workshop hours. And it wasn't that his location was always restricted to me, because there were times she would answer, telling me he was in the tower, or at school, or at home, or out shopping. The biggest tip-off that there was something major going on, was when I'd asked, in a moment of rhetorical musing, what Peter's secret was. FRIDAY had answered, commenting that that too, was restricted.

All that had done, was confirmed that there was indeed something Peter was hiding, and FRIDAY confirmed that all the Avengers, Tony included, knew about it.

I stared sulkily at my notepad. Why wasn't I allowed in on the secret? Tony had used the argument that everyone already knew Bucky's story, so there was no reason he should keep it from me. And yet, that same scenario was playing out again, and yet there was no indication that anyone seemed inclined to loop me in.

I had tried getting some information out of Tony, but he was adept at changing the topic and distracting me. Uncle Bucky would just clam up, repeating 'Nope" until I gave up, or he did and just ran away. I still wasn't talking to Steve, I knew Natasha would never give up any secrets, Bruce would just stammer and make an excuse to leave, and I hadn't any opportunities to ask any of the others yet, so here I was, just left wondering.

I also didn't want to be too obvious, which is why I hadn't asked Peter, Ned, or MJ yet, but I was seriously starting to think that may be my only option.

I sighed, added tonight's odd behaviour to the list, put the notebook back away and trudged downstairs to rejoin the others. I paused in the doorway, watching the scene.

Pepper was running her hand through Peter's hair and Tony was rubbing his shoulder. Natasha was handing him a new mug of hot chocolate, a look of concern on her face. A look that was echoed on the faces of Uncle Bucky, Steve, Rhodey, Sam, Wanda, Vision, and Thor. Everyone was focused on Peter. They looked like a family.

I stepped backwards again, hiding in the shadows as tears formed in my eyes. I knew it was stupid, Peter had been around a lot longer than I had, but he was also supposedly just an intern—so why did he get this family? When I, Tony's daughter and Uncle Bucky's great-niece, was still often kept at arms-length? He not only got to be with them in their downtime, but I'd also noticed he always seemed to be aware of whatever Avengers business was also going on. He helped Tony with Avengers and Spiderman stuff in the lab. I'd even heard him talking about Spiderman a few times like he knew him personally, even though Tony refused to let me meet him. I sniffled, freezing in motion when I saw Peter's head still, then shift to begin turning to look at me. Almost as though he could hear me. I retreated even further down the hall, heading back to the private penthouse.

I sent Tony and Uncle Bucky texts telling him I remembered I had some homework I needed to do, so wouldn't be coming back.

I paused before the turn to my room, where no homework actually awaited me. Just silence. I looked back towards the long out-of-view family scene in the main area, sniffling again. I didn't need any more silence and alone-time. I needed out.

I went quickly to my room, grabbed a jacket and my small crossbody purse, then went to the staircase I'd taken months ago to avoid seeing Dad (I still hadn't called him that out loud, but would find myself thinking it sometimes) after our fight. I took them down the 15 flights to the next accessible floor, then the elevator to the below ground parking lot. I eyed the line of expensive cars, wondering whether Tony would notice if any of them left. I sighed. Even if he didn't, FRIDAY would definitely tell on me. As it was, I had to hope she didn't alert them I was leaving the tower.

As I took the narrow stairs leading to the outside, into a private garden, the A.I. made its presence known. "Y/N, you are not supposed to leave the property without supervision."

I rolled my eyes. I wasn't a toddler for crying out loud. I pasted a fake smile on my face and looked towards the ceiling, "I'm not leaving the property, FRIDAY, just going outside for some fresh air."

"Fresh air is accessible from the penthouse, would you like me to lead you back?"

I grit my teeth, "Yes, but it's not quite the same. I like being on the ground and around trees, can't do that from the penthouse pavement paradise."

"Very well. Shall I tell Tony where you're going?"

"Not necessary, I don't want to interrupt his evening."

"Okay, enjoy your outdoor time, Y/N."

"Thanks."

I pushed open the door and took a deep breath in, coughing it back out as the exhaust from some nearby revving car filled my lungs instead of fresh air. Oh, it was moments like this I hated the city, it invaded everywhere, even the Tower's gardens. I went to the back of the immaculately groomed space, the snow crunching beneath my steps, and slipped behind a small waterfall (with heated water so even now in the winter, it continued to flow) to access the emergency exit. There was a small viewing hole, so I could make sure no one occupied the little alley on the other side of the door. No one was there, so I stepped through, exhaling nervously as the door shut silently behind me. It was a door that only worked one-way, I wouldn't be able to use it to get back in.

It wouldn't matter that I'd have to walk back in the front doors, since knowing that despite my assurances to FRIDAY, the second I didn't reemerge from the waterfall she'd likely be telling Tony I'd left. I turned my phone off since I didn't trust that Tony wouldn't try to track it, but I still wanted it with me in case I needed it.

I exited the alley, heading away quickly, since if FRIDAY did tell Dad I left, then he'd probably be coming after me fairly soon—I had to get distance between us. It was 9pm on a Friday, probably not the best time to be alone in NYC, but people did it all the time, I'm sure I'd be fine. As I briskly walked down the sidewalk, doing my best to exude 'I'm a local, don't mess with me, I got places to be' and to avoid any of the bigger puddles of muddy snow slush, I frantically thought of a place to go where I'd be difficult to find.

A thought crossed my mind and I smiled, rerouting and heading towards Times Square. It wasn't a far walk from the tower, and in about ten minutes I was surrounded by what felt like thousands of people. I'd never been allowed to come here at night, even with someone. I stared in awe at all the light-up billboards around me, noticing where I'd watched the ball drop every New Year's on TV. Huh, guess I could watch that in person this year. I let myself be carried by the wave of people as I took in everything, my eyes skipping along from store signs to pubs to a billboard to a street actor to another billboard and more stores and restaurants and all sorts of tourist traps. This was great, because the crushing amount of bodies around me would make it extremely difficult for Tony to find me. However, the crushing amount of bodies around me, was also, well, crushing. I was quickly becoming overwhelmed and realized the flaw in my plan. I caught sight of a subway sign and immediately headed for refuge below the city. Just as I reached the platform, a train whooshed into the station, headed towards Queens. I knew Queens somewhat thanks to a few after-school adventures with Peter, MJ, and Ned, so shrugged and jumped on, making sure I scanned my pass first.

The train was full of nightlifer's, with almost everyone dressed up and done-up, though there were also some tired looking people headed either to or from work. I grabbed a pole and hung on as the train sped through the tunnels. Remembering my professed desire to FRIDAY for trees, I got off at a stop I recognized as being near Flushing Meadows Corona Park. I wound my way through the streets, merging with the flood of pedestrians, until I found my destination.

I lit up with excitement as the glittering lights and array of tents reminded me that there was a night market here. While it was usually only open until October, they were piloting a winter season this year. It was teeming with people, though thankfully nowhere near the amount that had been in Times Square. I milled around with the crowd, pulling my jacket tighter around me to ward off the chill. There were dozens of stalls for food alone and I gratefully purchased a hot chocolate to sip on while I wandered, looking over the many options, which included items from a variety of cultures, such as Persian, Indian, Turkish, Cambodian, Mexican, Jamaican and more. Content with my drink for now, I moved on to the other vendors, thinking I might be able to do some Christmas shopping while I was here. There were a lot of niche stalls, selling all sorts of art, knickknacks, accessories, and other small items.

I found a bench and sat down to people watch, seeing others walking around on their own, some couples walking hand in hand or stealing kisses under the twinkle lights, lots of families, parents struggling to keep children under control or just letting them run about freely in front of them. A few ran past my spot, giggling happily before faceplanting into a nearby pile of snow. Gradually the crowd began to thin, and it eventually occurred to me that I should probably check the time. I looked at my watch and swore quietly under my breath. It was just after 11 pm.

I frowned, looking at my still turned-off phone. Had FRIDAY not actually noticed me leave, or just hadn't said anything? Had they been unable to find me? Or did no one actually care that I left the Tower?

I sighed, and turned the phone back on as I began to make my way back to the subway station so I could leave Queens and get back to Manhattan. My phone always took a few minutes to turn on, and I kept checking the screen to see if it had achieved function yet. About a block away from the station, it began dinging like crazy, all the missed messages flooding in, mostly from Tony and Uncle Bucky, some from Peter, and even a few from Natasha. Questioning where I'd gone (FRIDAY had indeed snitched), demanding I come back home, increasingly panicked messages asking for my location, anger over their inability to track me (knew they'd try it!)—and the realization I must have my phone off. As I scrolled through the messages, I took the next few turns towards the station.

"Hi there, Miss., you lost?"

I startled and glanced up, swearing internally when I realized I must have taken a wrong turn while distracted on my phone. Instead of being on the main street, I was partway down an alley. An alley with a dead-end.

I gave my best fake smile to the man in between me and the alley exit, "Not at all, was just making a small detour, you know, gotta get in those extra steps."

The smile he gave me in return made me think of a wolf. I felt a cold sweat begin on the back of my neck.

"Have to be careful around these parts which detours you take, girl. Never know who you might encounter in a dark alley like this." He took a step towards me, and it took everything in me to not take a step backwards.

Don't let him see your fear. Don't let him see your fear.

I forced extra brightness into my voice, using the shadows to try and hide my movement as I slid a hand into my purse, searching for my pepper spray, "Noted, thanks for that."

I took a step towards him, and slightly to the side, trying to get a better angle to get past him, "I'll just head back that way then."

His teeth glinted in the dim light as he laughed, "No, girl, I don't think you'll be doing that just yet."

I gulped, closing my hand around the pepper spray as I stared him down, "I think I will be."

He shifted his hand, revealing a sharp looking knife, "Not without handing over that purse," he looked me up and down, "and maybe getting to know each other a bit better first."

He took another step towards me, and I froze, trying to remember everything Natasha had taught me but my brain had turned to mush. Another step closer.

Another step. So close I could see the tattoo snaking up the side of his neck, exposed by his open jacket collar.

One more. I could reach out and touch him now if I wanted to. I eyed him warily, still willing my body to go into action.

He gave me a crooked grin, "Aren't you a brave one." And he made his move.

I screamed, my voice piercing the cold air, as my body finally listened and I dodged, avoiding the grab of his hand, bringing my own hand up to aim the pepper spray in his face. I pressed down on the release button, but he reacted quickly, closing his eyes, knocking my hand away and grabbing my wrist, twisting it painfully so I was forced to drop the canister.

I screamed again, yanking on my hand trying to pull out of his grip. He laughed and I brought my leg up, kneeing him between his legs. When he bent over, I brought my elbow down on his head and twisted my body around to get out of his grasp, running for the street exit.

So close. I could see the gleam of the street light on a patch of mushy well-trodden snow. Just three more steps—

He yanked on my hair, pulling me backwards and making me cry out in pain. He pulled harder, throwing me to the ground, then advanced on me, knife ahead of him, anger in his eyes.

"Hey, that's not how you make friends!" A voice called from…above?

My attacker looked up in confusion, there was a quick flash of movement, and suddenly someone landed in a crouch in front of me— one palm on the ground and leg extended outwards. Even in the bad lighting, I could make out the red and blue of his outfit, the silver threads glistening slightly. Spiderman.

Before Spiderman could even finish straightening back up to a standing position, the would-be-mugger swore, muttered a quick 'sorry', then went to run off into the night. He didn't make it far before a web shot out and wrapped onto him, bringing him down to the ground.

Spiderman tsked at him, "You really thought I'd let you just run off like that? I thought we were going to talk a bit, maybe I could have given you a lesson on friendship," a pouty tone entered his voice, "But I guess you don't want to hang out with me, so you'll just have to settle for just…hanging around."

He webbed the man to the wall with a quick, "Don't worry, you won't have time to get lonely, the police will be here shortly."

Then he turned to me, white eyes narrowing in concern, "Are you okay?"

I nodded, still a bit in shock. He seemed to realize this, extending a hand to help pull me up. "Let's get out of here, c'mon."

He led me passed the webbed-up mugger and out onto the main road, down a little ways to where there was a bench, rambling on, asking if I was hurt, if I wanted a hot chocolate or some food, or anything else.

I just shook my head to all his questions, my brain struggling to focus, even as another thought niggled at me, why did he seem so familiar?

"Are you sure you're okay, Y/N?"

He was sitting next to me on the bench, eyes wide and focused on me, scanning for injuries. Wait a second.

"How do you know my name?"

His masked expression froze, "Ummm, lucky guess?"

I narrowed my eyes at him, "Try again."

"The Force?"

Ohmygod, he actually tried a second time to give me an excuse…hold up, was that a Star Wars reference? It was like talking to Peter or Ned….PETER.

My mouth fell open and I leaned in, whispering cautiously, "Peter?"

There was an audible gulp and the eyes on his mask widened comically. His voice came out in a little squeak, "Nope. No Peter here, don't know what you're talking about."

I crossed my arms and gave him an 'I'm not stupid' look. He sighed, dropping his head, whispering. "Yes, it's me."

I nodded, pieces falling into place. Why he was so close with the Avengers. Why he got all the special access. All his strange behaviour.

"MJ and Ned know?"

He nodded.

I sighed, thinking of how the Avengers had been hovering over him all night. "Are you injured right now?"

He shrugged, "Tiny bit, but my healing factor takes care of most of it. Tony would never have let me out of the tower if he thought I wasn't okay to patrol—well, actually usually even at this level he'd have tried to insist I stay in, but with you out here somewhere, I got a pass. So thanks for that, haha, he's finally found someone to be more overprotective of."

I dropped my head in my hands, "I don't suppose we can keep how you found me between us?"

He winced, "Sorry, no can do. Karen—my suit's A.I.—already reported it to Tony. In fact, we should probably start heading back," even with the mask on, I could tell he was grinning as he continued, "Up for a swing?"

I was laying on my bed, staring up at the ceiling in the dark room. Tony had been super mad when I'd gotten home, and so was Uncle Bucky. The other Avengers had gone home instead of returning to the tower—all of them had gone out into the city to try and find me. Bruce had been the first to see me, since Tony wanted me to get a medical check-up to make sure I was okay. He hadn't lectured me or anything, but was more quiet than normal, and it was clear he was disappointed. Once he'd given me the all-clear, I'd gone upstairs to face my dad and uncle. They'd started off in some weird tag-team of yelling at me, but partway through Tony's face crumpled and he started crying, pulling me into a tight hug and begging me to never do that again. When he released me, I noticed some wetness in Uncle Bucky's eyes, but he'd just given me another gruff reprimand, a softer 'I'm glad you're okay', and then left. Tony had lectured me for another half hour, sternly grounding me, and then sent me off to bed. Which is where I was now.

Yes, it had sucked getting yelled at, but it also made me feel kind of warm inside seeing how everyone had cared about my well-being and where I'd gone. Plus, now I was in on Peter's secret, though I was still salty about not having been told about it previously.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, and Peter's hushed voice, "Hey Y/N, I can tell you're still up, can I come in?"

I walked over and opened the door, ushering him in. We sat down on my bed, cross-legged and facing each other.

I tilted my head, "How'd you know I was still up?"

He shrugged, "Super senses."

I raised an eyebrow, "So what exactly can you do as Spidey?"

He grinned, "Lots of stuff!"

He excitedly told me all about his biological enhancements, such as heightened senses plus his spidey sense, stickiness, increased speed, strength, reflexes, and his very-important healing factor. Then he told me about the web fluid and shooters he'd developed, before beginning to extol all the virtues of the suit Tony had made for him, and that they were continually upgrading.

I sat in stunned silence, nodding along appreciatively. He finally came to an end, "Soooo yeah, that's Spidey."

I leaned back on my forearms, "Wow, that's pretty impressive. Consider me impressed," then narrowed my eyes, "Is that why you let Flash…you know?"

His giddy expression died down a little and he gave a serious little nod, "Exactly. I could punch him into next week, but I couldn't before, so I shouldn't now, you know? And I heal fast. And if he's focusing on me, he's not bothering others."

"Very self-sacrificing of you."

He shrugged.

I pursed my lips and made a noncommittal hum.

Our conversation went no further because Tony knocked on the door and sent Peter away to go to bed, and told me to do the same, saying we both needed our sleep. He gave me one more hug and pressed a quick kiss to my temple before leaving, pulling my door shut behind him. I stared at that closed door for a moment. He'd never given me a kiss before, and I was momentarily stunned, shocked to find tears coming to my eyes.

"I sense emotional distress, Y/N, would you like me to inform someone?"

I glared at the ceiling. "No, I'm fine, FRIDAY, you traitor."

"Very well, Y/N. Though I'm not a traitor, I merely follow my protocols."

"I know." I muttered, then went to bed, falling asleep with the ghost sensation of Tony's kiss echoing on my forehead.