Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

(Peter): Hey May, it’s been 3 months since you and Ben passed. I miss the small things you would do to cheer me up when I’m feeling low. Mr. Garland is not that nice but I know he didn’t sign up to take care of me. Soon I’ll be in a new foster home. I miss you May. (- Not Delivered)

(Peter): Hey May. It’s been 5 months now since you guys passed. I hope wherever you are, you are happy with Ben. I hope I’m making you proud. I’m trying my best in school and trying to make friends but it’s hard. I love you. (- Not Delivered)

(Peter): Hey. It’s been almost 9 months since you’ve passed. I’m sorry for not texting more but I barely have free time anymore living with the Hendersons. They are okay, but I miss you. I love you May. (- Sent)

(May <3): Who is this? I think you have the wrong number.

(Peter): OMG I am so sorry. I didn't know they would activate the number this fast

(Peter): im Peter

(May <3) is typing….

(Peter): im so sorry for bothering you. You can block me or whatever 

(May <3): I never said you bothered me. I just wondered who was texting me.

(Peter): wait so i wasnt bothering you??

(May <3): No I’m stuck at work anyways so no harm lol. How old are you, kid?

(Peter): how do i know you are not a pedo :0

(May <3): is typing….

(Peter): im just kiddingggg

(Peter): im 13 y?

(Peter): also what do i call you?

(May <3): Just wondered. That’s classified, kid. 

Peter changed (May <3) to (Mr. or Ms. >:))

(Mr. or Ms. >:)): It’s just Ms. >:) to you…

Peter smiled at the sassiness as he changed it.

Peter changed (Mr. or Ms. >:)) to (Ms. >:))

(Ms. >:)): Shouldn’t you be in school right now?

(Peter): i am! We are on a field trip right now! 

(Ms. >:)): Where to?

(Peter): Oscorp! Im really excited to see all of the things they sampled in school 

(Peter): i heard mr osborn will be there himself!

(Ms. >:)): You like science?

(Peter): yeah! I love all things science, engineering, biochemistry, etc :) 

Natasha smirked as she realized how much this kid reminded her of Tony. “You got something to add to Romanoff?” Tony’s voice cut her thoughts. She flipped him off without looking up and continued texting. “Are you on your phone?” He asked, not surprised by the bird she flipped. “That’s my thing!”

“Yeah, well, this is more interesting than the meeting you brought together, that’s for sure.” She said while the kid gave his name. It was Peter. Peter continued to rant without Natasha even texting back a response before it was paragraphs upon paragraphs of information on different types of engineering, radiation, and even Tony’s inventions. 

“First of all, that’s just rude.” He said half offended she was not paying attention to the layout of the compound he was planning on building within the next month, “And secondly, who is so important that they got you smiling and smirking. It’s just scary when you smile like that.”

(Ms. >:)): Sorry Peter. ‘Boss’ is whining about me being on my phone. Brb.

Peter watched Ms. >:) type her last message and he immediately felt bad. Did I get her in trouble?  

(Peter): OMG im sorry you got in trouble

(Peter): ill stop texting now 

(Peter): again im so so sorry Ms. >:) i didnt think about you being at your workplace

There was a few minutes of nothing before Peter sent his last message as he got off the bus to the Oscorp building.

(Peter): gtg ill brb later

“Tony! You made my texting buddy overthink!” Natasha hit him upside the head before Tony yelped in pain.

“Who the hell is your texting buddy?” Everyone collectively was interested in what she was going to say. This was more interesting than Tony’s presentation. Even Pietro had stopped messing with Wanda enough to concentrate on Natasha’s answer.

“His name is Peter.” She said with a small smile, thinking of the kid’s rambling one more time.

“Peter?” Tony paused before giving Natasha a look, “You mean Peter from space? That Peter?”

“What? No! This Peter is a teenager.” Tony gave an “oh” in response before almost blowing up.

He gave an exasperated look, “Wait,” he pinched the bridge of his nose, “you’re telling me. That a child. A literal fetus was texting you and was more important than my stuff?”

“Oh, I’ve got to meet this kid.” Sam said jokingly, but mostly serious as he leaned in his chair as Steve smacked his arm.

“Why the hell were you even texting a child?” Tony said, Steve winced at the use of the curse.

Natasha gave Tony a deadly glare before speaking, “First of all, Peter texted me first because, from what I could tell, the number was his dead relative, most likely his mother and the phone number was activated recently.” Tony shut up with a look of guilt on his face as she continued, “And secondly, he clearly has more manners than you. The kid apologized for everything and anything in the chat while calling me Ms. ‘happy angry face’.”

Bucky looked confused, so did Steve, “What is “happy angry face”?” Steve asked with hesitance, he did not want to get put in the limelight of not knowing what trending things were.

“It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you.” She pointed her finger into Tony’s chest, right at his arc reactor, “Made him think I was in trouble for texting.” Tony looked scared at this point, not wanting to face Natasha’s wrath over a kid.

He put his hands up in surrender, “What’s his phone number, I’ll make sure he knows you aren’t in trouble.” That must have won Natasha over because she lowered her hand before sending him the phone number, “Nat.”

“Just make sure not to actually tell him who you are.” She said before taking her seat again.

“Nat.” Tony looked at his phone, as did the rest of the gathered team members, “You sent it to the group chat.” 

“NO!” She practically screamed as half the team ran out of the room with their phones, already texting Peter. “I’m going to kill all of you if you mess with him!”

All she heard was multiple people laughing maniacally.

Chapter Text

Peter had been busying himself with the sample research paper he was assigned during their lunch break during the field trip when his phone was blown up by multiple conversations.

(???): Hello

(Peter): Hi! Who are you?

(???): Im a friend of Ms. happy angry face.

(Peter): ohhh! You mean Ms. >:)??

(Peter): Wait what should i call you?

(???): you can call me Fe

(Peter): Okie! Mr. or Ms.?

(???): Mr.

Peter changed (???) to (Mr. Fe)

(Mr. Fe): btw im Ms. >:)’s boss and was threatened to tell you she was not in any trouble :) 

(Peter): le gaspe she threatened you!? 

(Peter): im going to change her name to Ms. Scary brb

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Peter changed (Ms. >:)) to (Ms. Scary)

(Ms. Scary): I like it >:)

(Peter): AHHHHHHH

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Peter was called to attention as his group was pulled from lunch to their last stop; the labs. He texted both his new friends he had to go for a while while he walked behind everyone through the double doors to the laboratory. 

Natasha managed to hunt down Steve, Clint, and Scott as they attempted to get their phones back to text Peter. “Give it back! Give it back!” Clint screamed as he ran around the couch she was dodging the others.

“No! He’s busy!”

“Fine then! Truce? We won't text him until school’s out.” He sucked in a harsh breath trying to steady his breathing from the marathon he was running. “I’m getting too old for this.” Natasha agreed, handing the phones back to the trio while giving the ground rules.

“One, no one texts him until school is over.” She glanced at the clock, “Which is only in another two hours. Two, do not tell him who we are, just give him a nickname or something. Three, no stalking.” She glared at Tony who was in fact, already trying to find Peter.

“That little shit has a firewall on his phone! I can’t even get through without being forced to watch a rick roll video!” He threw his phone at the wall.

“He did message me a billion messages on different tech, inventions, and other science or engineering things so I’m not surprised he has a firewall.” She chuckled at Tony’s defeat, “I'm just surprised a 13 year old beat you at your own game.” 

“Wait, wouldn’t it be smarter to make a group chat with everyone in it?” Scott spoke softly while eating a random bag of doritos. “That’s what most people do when inviting someone to their friend group.” 

“Are we seriously inviting a random child into our ‘friend group’?” Steve said with a confused and skeptical tone. Natasha sent him a look that shut him up, “Nevermind.”

“Yes, we are. I get the feeling Peter needs people in his corner. I mean the first text he sent was to his dead relative, he’s gotta be lonely.” Natasha said sadly, making everyone nod in understanding. Steve looked guilty as he fumbled with his phone.

“Okay, I made the group chat. I’ll invite him when school ends.” Tony spoke, whipping the dust off his screen from the wall debris. “Man, my phones are good.” He boasted. It was true. The latest StarkPhone could withstand most bullets, how durable they are, it almost beat Nokia phones.

The second the time came when school ended, Tony send an alert to everyone and immediately went to invite Peter. He faintly heard Natasha yell in the distance about not being patient. He snickered as he sent Peter a text and invite.

(Mr. Fe): Hey would you want to join the group chat we have?

(Peter): :0 

(Peter): sure!! Man i had only one contact on my phone before today! Im so excited :DDD 

Tony smiled while adding Peter to the group chat.

Mr. Fe has added Peter to ‘group chat’.

(???): OMG he’s finally here!

(Peter): Hi!!

(Peter): wait you all were expecting me??

(Ms. Scary): Yeah, they wouldn’t stop talking about it since knowing about you.

Peter was somewhat shocked that random strangers were more excited to meet him and talk than his new foster placement. It made him both happy and sad.

(Peter): Thank you all <3 <3

(Peter): Before everyone starts talking, list the first thing you think of when thinking of yourself.

(Peter): Go!

(???): I wanna be Robocop

(???): Purple

(???): Freedom!

(???): Birds

(???): Freedom meant ‘Old’. for me its magic >:)

(???): I am offended 

(???): Sam

(???): you arent supposed to give your real name idiot!

(???): Uh i mean jay

(Mr. Fe): ??? is my wife so do Mrs. Fe

(Peter): Awwwwww okie one sec

Peter changed (???) to (Gandalf)

Peter changed (???) to (Birb)

Peter changed (???) to (Samuel L Jackson)

Peter changed (???) to (Robocop)

Peter changed (???) to (Microwave *Beep* *Boop*)

Peter changed (???) to (Barney)

Peter changed (???) to (Mrs. Fe)

Peter changed (???) to (stinky)

(stinky): wait why am i ‘stinky’!?!?

(Peter): bc you didn’t give me anything to put so you are now stinky

(stinky): how dare you!

(Gandalf): oh i am loving this already

Peter changed Peter to (Overlord >:))

(Overlord >:)): Mwahahaha now i control these chats

(Mr. Fe): wait kid how did you log me out of perms

(Overlord >:)): ILL NEVER TELL

(Mr. Fe): haha, no but seriously… how

(Overlord >:)): it was easy, took me less than a minute

(Mr. Fe): WHAT how did you pass all my firewalls! What the fuck

(Gandalf): Language!

(Birb): Language!

(No Knees): Language!

(No Knees): Come on guys, that was forever ago. Let it go.

(Mr. Fe): are we just going to skip the fact that he broke into my firewalls and called it easy…

(Birb): yes. Yes we are

(Overlord >:)): it was easy! 

(Mr. Fe): is typing….

(Overlord >:)): oop gotta go, home now ill ttyl!!!!! 

Tony was still typing when he read Peter’s message. He turned to the snickering team next to him in the common room, “How the hell did a child lock me out. I can’t even pass his firewalls!” He screeched.

“Maybe you’re forgetting he goes to Midtown and is at the top of his classes?” Natasha said without looking away from the coffee she was brewing, “The kid’s smart, maybe even smarter than you Stark.” She teased him as he looked more into the kids' records.

“Damn,” Steve sighed, not even attempting to interject him because of the curse, “his GPA is over a mine when I was that old.” Half of the group's eyebrows creased at the information.

“Don’t tell me he’s a nerd, nerd.” Clint begged from his seat, getting smacked by Wanda who passed him to start on dinner. “What! We already have plenty of nerds here.” He defended while rubbing the stinging spot on his arm.

“Well, my company doesn’t have enough.” Tony said with a devious look. Natasha snapped her gaze towards him about to speak before he went on, “I’m going to go get something set up. I’ll be in my lab if you need me!” He ran from Natasha, who was now using the coffee maker as a weapon.

The elevator door slammed in her face. She stalked back to the room, now without the coffee maker. “What was that about?” Scott spoke confusedly.

“He’s going to hire Peter.” Wanda said bemused, she wondered what it would be like in person rather than texting through a screen. She wondered if Peter would have the same personality. 

Steve caught up to speed, “Wait what!” He almost jumped from his seat to charge after Tony, “But I thought he didn’t hire kids. Also wouldn’t that get rid of the disguise that we are nicknames in the chat?” He was gently pushed back into his seat by Bucky who somewhat laughed at his thoughts.

“Stark does what he wants half the time, hell, all the time.” Natasha sat down next to Clint who was now focused on getting Mario Kart up and running for the night’s activities. “Plus I feel like we could keep it hidden from Peter. If we can’t then how am I one of the most deadly assassins in the world?” She kicked her feet up onto Clint's shoulders, who did not even hesitate to allow her to.

Chapter Text

(Overlord >:)): guys!! We get to go to Stark Industries next week!!!! I already told Ms. Scary about oscorp but we just got invited to tour stark industries too!! This is my dreammmmm

Tony had been waiting for the kid to text about it for two days now, He laughed in Sam’s face when he complained about Peter being a nerd. “See. The kid clearly has more braincells than you! I knew he’d be excited.” He smiled.

(Mr. Fe): on a scale from 1 - 10 how excited are ya?

(Overlord >:)): LIKE 10000000000000000000/10 EXCITED 

(Overlord >:)): do you think the avengers will be there?! I think we are only going to the labs and a few other floors

(Mr. Fe): maybe… speaking about avengers, whos your favorite?

(Overlord >:)): is typing….

“Twenty bucks says Iron Man.” Tony stated to the few fellow teammates near him. 

(Overlord >:)): i gotta say… bruce banner!

(Mr. Fe): What! How? How is the hulk better than the others! Especially Iron Man

(Overlord >:)): noooo not the hulk. Dr. Banner is my fav bc of all his work on gamma radiation and theories that test what we know today! I mean all his papers are up to par with becoming the most renowned scientist of this generation!

Bruce smacked Tony, demanding 20 dollars with a grin, “I’m just as surprised as you are. He’s 13?” Tony nodded.

(Barney): Wait, did you read those papers? How many did you read?

(Overlord >:)): ALL OF THEM i ran out a while ago but cant wait until he releases his future ones! 

(Overlord >:)): WAIT DO YOU THINK DR BANNER WILL BE THERE?

“Don’t type anything yet. He might piece things together. Especially after Tony here fanboyed over himself. Why did you have to name yourself Fe? He loves science and might eventually realize it means Iron.” Natasha glared at him from the kitchen. “I’m going to distract him.”

(Ms. Scary): so when is your field trip?

(Overlord >:)): uh i think next thursday but i have to ask mr henderson if he could sign the form

(Ms. Scary): why wouldnt he sign this one? He did with oscorp right?

(Overlord >:)): welllll maybe, i totally didnt forge the signature…

(Ms. Scary): PETER

(Birb): ooooo shes gonna ground you

(Overlord >:)): it was one time! He didnt even know I was gone!

Natasha and Clint glanced at each other. “What kind of parent doesn’t realize their kid is on a field trip?” Clint spoke.

“He’s a foster kid, and I don't know. Maybe the foster parent is busy?” She hadn’t thought about looking into his foster placement, but she might after today. 

(Overlord >:)): he wouldnt even care if i did it again just that i make it to curfew 

(Birb): well when is curfew?

(Overlord >:)): 9 from monday to thursday and then none the rest

(Ms. Scary): no curfew Friday to Sunday? Man ur lucky

Clint knew she was typing to relate more to Peter to get him to open up. He hoped it would work.”

(Overlord >:)):  maybe but i get bored sometimes

Ms. Scary and Birb is typing….

(Overlord >:)): he just got home so i gotta go goodnight!!! 

“I don’t have a good feeling about that.” Clint spoke in thought on everything Peter said and acted like. Hit a little too close to home. Both Natasha and him started to dig into Peter’s foster placement.

“Peter! Start cleaning this mess up!” Mr. Henderson spat while reaching for his second beer of the night. “And go to your room after.” Peter sighed to himself. This would be the fourth night without dinner. 

“Yes, Sir.” He made sure to hide his phone from him, stuffing it in his backpack as he placed it next to the closet he slept in. He got to work quickly, not making any mistakes like last time. 

The sixth night staying at Mr. Hendersons was the worst. He had accidentally spilled water on the floor and was cleaning it up when Henderson first hit him. It was sudden but powerful, leaving a mark on his cheek he brushed it off as running into something on the way to school to his classmates. That night was the first night he started not trusting Mr. Henderson again.

Once he finished cleaning the counters from the dirt and grime they collected in the small amount of time Mr. Henderson walked in the door, he started sweeping the hallway of the mud the man tracked in. Peter knew this placement would be temporary, his social worker made sure of it. But until they found a qualified family to take him in he was stuck with him.

He finished the chores assigned to him and did not speak when he passed the living room to the closet. He shut the door behind him with a small click, hoping Mr. Henderson would not lock it for the night. 

Peter sat on his old torn jacket for a comfortable seat in the too crowded space. He wished he quickly found sleep but knew he wouldn’t for a while, especially when Mr. Henderson was still awake. He hated sleeping when he was awake. He put his phone on do not disturb and crawled towards the small area he could fully fit in lying down. He gripped his backpack and placed it as a pillow as he waited for sleep to come.

He woke up in the middle of the night in sleep paralysis, he felt as if someone or something was watching him. He could barely see in the dark closed and surely locked closet. He wished his body to move for his phone to use its flashlight but was stuck. He attempted to speak, or make a noise to know if it was a sick dream or not. Hopefully not one of his nightmares of May or Ben. 

After a moment of nothing, he felt something crawling on his skin. He felt its little, but many legs crawl and move against his skin near his elbow. It gradually made its way down his arm towards his hand before the tingling sensation stopped. The bug must have left him, he thought after a minute of nothing happening. Then the worst thing happened.

It bit him.

Chapter Text

Peter had yet to respond to the ongoing messages that the group chat had been sending since Friday night. He was too busy feeling the harsh effects of the spider bite he received in the closed and locked closet, unable to see anything while being in agonizing pain but having to keep quiet. If he were to annoy Mr. Henderson, he would most likely be in more pain than the fire that spread through his veins and icy feeling that crept up his neck in a cold sweat.

The grip on his dilapidated backpack had long since been futile in helping his pain, after the first hours of pain everything started to shut down in feeling. He closed his eyes, begging for the sweet release of sleep, he had no idea it was not just a normal sickness. He thought it must have been an allergic reaction to a bug bite, not the awakening of mutated genes he was born with that were dormant. He kept his eyes closed for what seemed like days until he heard Mr. Henderson walk across the floorboards in front of the closet, it must be morning. He didn’t sleep throughout the entire night. 

When he opened his eyes he could see around him. The darkness had no effect on him anymore, he saw straight through the crammed, dusty closet. He wondered if he was hallucinating at this point, like the times he hallucinated Ben and May in the first week after they passed. He waved his hand in front of his face, testing the idea of night vision. He saw every crease and etch in his skin as he focused on his hands. He looked at the corner of the closet full of dust particles and could see every individual particle that floated around. He wondered if he was dreaming, if he passed out and was lured into this false sense of reality.

His thoughts were cut short by the gruff voice that echoed through his head as it boomed in his ears. “Time to get up, brat.” Mr. Henderson’s voice sounded more resonant in the halls, it bounced through the air before being amplified, causing Peter to clutch his sensitive ears. He hoped it would pass. The feelings he had never felt before were creeping up on his skin. The way his hoodie roughly brushed against his wrist and neck as the undershirt was too tight around his thin form. He knew he should not be feeling this bad due to a common sickness. He had never dealt with anything like overstimulation, but he knew this is exactly what it felt like.

The lock of the door unlatched in time for Peter to act asleep, “I said,” There was a kick to the door frame, Peter contained the flinch, “Get up!” Peter could feel the air around him swirl in anticipation. The sweat that coated his face and neck, how it inched its way down towards the floor. He prayed that either Mr. Henderson would be too stupid to realize Peter was awake, or that he had enough strength to hide his flinches from the man. “This is what I get taking in a brat like you?” Another kick from the man at the door frame, Peter could hear the frame’s edges splinter in microscopic pieces. There was a consistent buzzing in the back of Peter’s skull, or more like his neck that was uncomfortable. Thinking it was a headache he ignored it, focusing on the man getting angrier by the second. 

The buzzing came to an apex before a hand roughly grabbed Peter’s arm and forcibly dragged him out of the closet, he kept his face relaxed and neutral while he kept his eyes closed. “You know,” He took a shaky breath, likely due to the amount of cigarettes the man smoked before continuing, “You’re lucky I have work in an hour, otherwise I would beat you right here, right now.” His breath stung Peter’s nose as it contained last night's alcohol and other unhealthy habits he had. He threw Peter to the ground and stomped away upstairs, assumingly to grab his work clothes, or the object he frequently used on Peter. Peter wished it was still all a dream. The pain had become dull during the distressing moments with Mr. Henderson next to him, but was growing back in his absence.

Peter layed on the floor without moving a muscle, he felt like he would shatter like a vase if he did. Mr. Henderson at one point stood next to him before walking away into the living room for his keys and leaving through the front door. He knew it was at least 10 in the morning based on Mr. Henderson leaving for work.

He stayed on the ground until the pain passed. It was hard for him to judge what time it was on the ground, the sun barely could come through the blackout curtains Mr. Henderson had put up in the time he had Peter. It hindered Peter’s ability to know when he came back home too by taping the curtains with duct tape to the corners. He had to find a clock or get his phone if he wanted to check the time. Slowly, and agonizingly, he crawled back to the closet for his phone.

It had been 3 days since Peter had said goodnight to the team when the group chat finally was read and messaged back by him.

(Overlord >:)): hey

(Overlord >:)): sorry for not texting in a bit, been busy and am sick atm :( 

(Ms. Scary): That’s okay. I can speak for all of us when I say we hope you feel better.

(Overlord >:)): thank you, me too 

(Overlord >:)): it feels like my insides are melting and the world shifted on its axis D:

(Barney): Did you go to the doctor?

(Overlord >:)): no im fineee the burning stopped a little bit ago

(Overlord >:)): i just have a headache and am hungry rn

(Barney): You should see a doctor, it is not normal for you to feel like you are burning. When did you last eat?

(Overlord >:)): uh, i think Friday night

Peter thought back on it and realized he did not even eat dinner that night, he shrugged it off.

(Ms. Scary): Peter! That was 3 days ago

(Barney): Peter, you really need to eat. You’re 13 and need food to grow.

(Mr. Fe): Wait, you're sick? Are you still able to go on the field trip?

Natasha wanted to throw something at Tony for immediately thinking about him to connect at this moment, but was thinking about the fact Peter admitted that Friday was the last time he ate. It didn’t sit well with her.

(Overlord >:)): OMG IT'S IN TWO DAYS??

(Overlord >:)): i slept mostly for the past few days since i was sick

(Overlord >:)): yeah im def gonna go

Peter remembered about the permission slip he had to sign himself. He sighed, thinking about the idea of going to the Tower and hiding all his problems from his already skeptical classmates and teachers. They all noticed how he had changed in person since moving with Mr. Henderson from Skip’s. No one knew why and Peter tried to bury that deep down so he didn’t either.

(Ms. Scary): Did you get it signed?

(Overlord >:)): maybe… i forgot to ask 

Peter felt bad lying about it, but he knew he had to in order to not raise suspicions. He felt like Ms. Scary could read his mind if he ever met her. He wondered if she could read his mind currently with the blunt and direct messages she sends.

(Overlord >:)): im gonna go and try to eat something now bbl!

Natasha really didn’t like the way he worded that. ‘Try to eat something’ could mean a numerous amount of things. He might be a picky eater. Lying just to end the conversation and do something else like most teenagers do. Possibly food insecurity with his new foster placement. She did not like it one bit.

Peter found himself sitting in the kitchen, wondering about his newfound ability. He had gone to pick up a spoon to eat cereal, the only thing Mr. Henderson allowed him to eat without supervision when it stuck to him. He shook his hand, over and over again with no change. He pulled it off his hand, but then it was stuck to his left hand instead. He thought about how this had to be a dream, this was not real. He thought about not sticking to it, and it worked. It fell with a clatter on the ground where he sat, back against the kitchen counter.

“Cool!” He said. He felt like he was already getting ideas with the newfound adhesive ability.

He looked around, testing the stickiness with different objects. First the cereal box, it stuck like a glove until he placed it back down and willed himself to unstick. Next he tested something heavier, the toaster nested in the corner between the microwave and refrigerator.

With concentration plastered on his face he put his right hand on the object, he hoped it was no longer a dream as he lifted it easily. He unplugged it and lifted it with just the tips of his fingertips as far as he could above his head. Smiling to himself he plugged it back in and went to the next item on his list, the sturdy chair at the dining table.

Over and over again he used his ‘power’ as he called it to pick up various items and objects around the first floor of the house, this included a coffee table, reclining chair, and even the big television with ease. Now he was eating the cereal that was available wondering what else is different. 

He understood the vision difference. The darkness no longer had a paralyzing hold from fear over him since he could see through it as he tested it in the closet. He could read letters and numbers from across the house as he read the cereal box’s nutrients fact sheet. As he sat down in the living room and thought about everything he wondered what could have caused all of it. It must have been the insect that had bitten him.

He made his way back to the closet in hopes of finding the bug and understanding what it is to know exactly why it had such effects on him. Peter spent the next few minutes, clearing everything from the closet that could be hiding the bug, but found nothing. He silently wondered if it was all a figment of his imagination, all conjured up from a dream to excuse the idea he was different and presented powers.

It was well in the afternoon and he was immensely better than in the morning. His cold sweat had stopped an hour after Mr. Henderson had left as well as the dizziness that plagued his mind. Slowly he became aware of the things around him. The buzzing of someone’s AC unit somewhere near the house. A car honking that seemed to be blocks away. He concluded, after an hour of observations, he had enhanced hearing as well. 

He soon began to wonder what he didn’t have.

It had only been thirty minutes since he last had a filling bowl of cereal, but he felt like he was starving on the inside. The ache carried its way towards his chest and made him nauseous. He quickly got another bowl of cereal, easing the feeling of hunger. He went to put the cereal away when he heard a car stop outside, Peter immediately recognized it as Mr. Henderson. Peter made his dashing escape back to the closet to not anger Mr. Henderson more. He could tell by his breathing he was angry about something. 

The door opened but the sound of the creaking was cut off by Mr. Henderson’s voice, “Parker! Get out here, I have something to tell you.” His tone made no room for negotiation as he quietly stepped out and faced him. The consistent buzzing from the morning was pressing against the same spot at the base of his neck, as if a warning. “I was assigned to review a branch of the business in Maryland for at least a week so Skip will be taking over here.” He cut off Peter’s attempt to speak his mind with a gruff tone, “He will be here tomorrow sometime after noon. I expect you to not disobey him while he is here.” Mr. Henderson knew about Skip’s personality, and Peter learned it quickly after meeting the man. He shuddered at the thought of Skip being fully alone with him for at least a week. He forced Peter to look at him with a tight grip on his chin before speaking again, “Is that clear?” 

Peter wanted to say no, to defy with all his being but he knew the consequences, especially when Skip’s involved. “Yes, Sir.” He roughly shoved Peter away, making him stumble a little but did not fall. He wondered if his newfound powers also helped his equilibrium. Usually the action of pushing Peter, no matter the power behind the force, would cause him to fall or trip, but today was different.

Mr. Henderson kicked off his work shoes and demanded a beer to be brought to him. Peter obliged by scurrying off to the kitchen with the key to the lock on the fridge. He grabbed a beer and gave it to him with no issue while Mr. Henderson told him to go to his closet for the afternoon unless he said otherwise. Peter sighed, but obeyed. “Yes, Sir.”

He had stayed in the closet with the thoughts of his new powers still in his mind. He wondered if he had already discovered all of them, but didn’t know how to test them out with Mr. Henderson being there and Skip going to be there soon. He scrolled on his phone, it was almost seven in the afternoons, he was starving and hoping Mr. Henderson would allow him to eat something tonight.

In the meanwhile, he thought he would pass the time texting his new friends. He smiled to himself when looking through their last conversation about how UNO affects mental health. They were silly sometimes, but it made Peter happy.

(Overlord >:)): heyyyy 

(Ms. Scary): hello Peter

(Ms. Scary): feeling better?

(Purple): Did you have a chance to go to the doctor?

(Overlord >:)): nah, didn’t feel bad after noonish 

(Overlord >:)): what are yall doing rn?

Majority of the team were lounging in the common room living room. Those with their phones active looked at each other planning on spewing white lies on their activities, they agreed they had to in order to keep their identities hidden.

(Mr. Fe): im on a date with Mrs. Fe ;)

(Overlord >:)): ewwww jkjk

(Mrs. Fe): Peter… I am offended :( 

(Overlord >:)): i was joking!! Im sorry :(( 

(Mr. Fe): It’s okay lol

(Overlord >:)): I didn’t say it to you Mr. Stinky

(Mr. Fe): Mr. STINKY? Take that back!

Overlord >:) changed (Mr. Fe) to (Mr. Stinky)

(Mr. Stinky): NOO

(Ms. Scary): Haha that’s what you get 

(Mr. Stinky): hey why didn’t you change Mrs. Fe?

Overlord >:) changed (Mr. Fe) to (Mrs. Lovely)

(Mrs. Lovely): Oh I'm keeping you

(Mrs. Lovely): You made Mr. Stinky cry

(Overlord >:)): what?! Why??

(Mrs. Lovely): He tried bypassing your firewall and was locked into a rick roll video

(Overlord >:)): mwhaaha my firewalls are superior >:))

(Mr. Stinky): No but actually how smart are you kid. I should be able to hack into anything let alone a fetus’s firewall.

Natasha threw an apple at the man at the over the top egotistical text he sent. He hissed in either pain or just teasing the spy.

(Overlord >:)): i dont know ive never really done anything like an IQ test before so idk

Tony had a smirk on his face, adding an IQ test to the list of things to do for the field trip for Thursday. “You better not be doing something nefarious Tony.” Natasha said, trying to look over his shoulder to get a glimpse at what he was typing.

(Overlord >:)): i just hope im at least a little smart like my idols Dr. Bruce Banner and Tony Stark, their work is revolutionary and outstanding 

The few team members were looking both at the text and Tony with suspicions that he slipped up and Peter knew they were in fact the Avengers. Luckily the next message lowered their suspicions.

(Overlord >:)): i wonder what its like being them being that smart while everyone knows who they are with the things they do to help others

(Mr. Stinky): Are you talking mostly about the scientist in them or the Avenger side in them?

Everyone wondered, but Tony was the only one that was able to put it into words conveying their thoughts.

(Overlord >:)): both but with the avengers side like the abilities that they have and the others

(Overlord >:)): like the way they use it for good. It makes me happy to see their successes and them saving people around the world while also being scientist to help other causes 

(No Knees): That’s very wise Peter. There are people out there that do not believe in that sentiment.

(Overlord >:)): my uncle always said with great power comes great responsibility, so seeing Avengers follow that makes me think its true yk?

Peter wiped the few tears that started up away from his eye thinking about his Uncle. Soon his thoughts spiraled into thinking about May.

(Ms. Scary): He was very wise Peter. He would be proud of your kindness.

Peter couldn’t help but feel his heart spike in the emotions that were swirling through him from the conversation. It took him a few minutes to compose himself and type a message back, it did not go unnoticed by the rest of the group.

(Overlord >:)): Thank you Ms. Scary :) I really appreciate it

(Ms. Scary): so what have you done today?

Natasha was trying to direct the attention of Peter from emotions and memories of his family towards something else, Peter had not noticed the intention as he answered.

(Overlord >:)): nothing much, i was at the house today all day just testing things

(Mr. Stinky): testing things? Like what things?

(Overlord >:)): nothing just things for school, for biology and science 

Peter technically was not lying. He knew something had changed his biology from the fact he was currently stuck to the wall with his new powers. He wondered about it and finally heard that Mr. Henderson was snoring on the reclining chair so this was the perfect time.

(Mr. Stinky): ah so you are a little scientist huh

Peter smirked at the comment, he thought about how he could use his powers for good. After the conversation with the group chat directed towards the idea of the Avengers using their abilities for good, Peter soon thought he might be able to too.

(Overlord >:)): yes i am >:) im an evil little scientist

Pepper cooed at the idea of Peter evilly rubbing his hands together saying that, she smiled at the thought.

(Mrs. Lovely): Aww you’re so cute.

(Overlord >:)): i am not! I am evil >:)

(Purple): You’re just proving everyone you are adorable Peter.

(stinky): Oddly adorable

(Gandalf): agreed 

(No Knees): Yes.

(Ms. Scary): little baby adorable

(Overlord >:)): take that back! >:(((

(Birb) nah you dug this hole yourself

(Samuel L. Jackson): Even robocop here thinks you are and he doesnt have emotions half the time hahahaha

(Robocop): That is not true!

(Samuel L. Jackson): Yes it is, hes right next to me trust me Pete 

(Overlord >:)): le gaspe are you two a thing?

There was silence around the room of the Avengers. They all paused at the idea Peter was both either thinking Sam and Bucky were together while also the possibility that he might not be supportive of the idea.

(Overlord >:)): sorry for being intrusive but if so i should do Mr. Robocop and Mr. Jackson instead since you are together.

Sam and Bucky had not come out to the public as a couple, especially with the press, they would have a field day. Peter stating the obvious was both adorable and funny to Tony who was laughing his ass off until he started choking on his coffee from the death glare Bucky had given him. “Shut up Stark.” Sam threw a pillow at him.

(Robocop): Yes… but if we are doing that. Do Mr. Bad Cop for me and Mr. Good Cop for Sam.

(Overlord >:)): awwww okie :) 

Overlord >:) changed (Robocop) to (Mr. Bad Cop)

Overlord >:) changed (Samuel L. Jackson) to (Mr. Good Cop)

(Overlord >:)): There! 

(Mr. Good Cop): so you are okay with that?

(Overlord >:)): with what?

(Mr. Bad Cop): With us being gay…

The team collectively sucked in a breath hoping Peter was not homophobic.

(Overlord >:)): of course! Why wouldn’t I be??

(Ms. Scary): well there are people out there that do not agree with the idea of liking the same gender

(Overlord >:)): that just wrong! You love who you love and no one should say anything different

(Overlord >:)): I just dont understand why people can judge or hate off of things like that

Everyone was glad to see Peter’s response and perspective on it. He was all too pure for this world. Too innocent.

(Overlord >:)): i gotta go now and go to bed goodnight!!!

Everyone said their ‘Goodbyes’ and ‘Goodnights’ as Peter typed his last message before turning off his phone.

(Overlord >:)): if anyone messes with you guys ill beat em up for ya >:)) goodnight!!

The team laughed at the idea of a small teenage boy beating homophobic people up to protect Sam and Bucky without even knowing them. The funniest part to everyone was the fact they were all Avengers and Peter had no idea they could defend and fight for themselves.

“He’s something else.” Bruce said while saying his farewells and returning to his room.

Sam nodded, “Yeah most people now are not like him, he seems too good to be true. I just hope it's not a lie.” He patted Bucky on the back before he headed to their shared floor. “Come on Buck.” Bucky followed shortly after trying to stand his ground but failing.

“Peter’s too adorable and honest to be anything but genuine.” Pepper said, scrolling through her StarkPad looking at business contracts and documents.

Before Natasha walked away from everyone that was left on the couches and scattered chairs she said something quick but serious, “If I find out anyone hurts him in any way,” She paused slightly for dramatic effect, “I will hunt them down.”

Everyone knew why she acted the way she did with Peter, and no one disagreed. There were a few murmurs of agreement as she walked away.

“Goodnight!” She called out towards the group she left with a smile on her face. She loved scaring Tony.

Tony was still sitting there with a slight look of timidness as he drank the rest of his coffee. “Well that was scary.” He got up and stretched, “I’m going to the lab.” He thought about the things that would be taking place during the field trip in less than 60 hours. He was excited to say the least.