Chapter Text
The recently pardoned Avengers returned to the compound with mixed feelings of relief and anxiety. Even after everything that had happened, the compound still felt like home. And It was, in many ways, good to be home.
Still, they felt some anxiety about being back. They worried about the reception they would receive from Tony and from the SHIELD staff at the compound. The team had come a long way in reconciling. The Accords had been revised and amended until all the Avengers agreed to them. Even so, there were sure to be some tense times ahead.
However, Tony greeted them at the door, with a smile and a sincere “Welcome back”. He was anxious as well, but genuinely happy to have the team back together.
The compound was a flurry of activity and people, much to the surprise of the returning Avengers. Tony explained that SHIELD was rebuilding and the compound was now one of the organization’s main locations. So there were SHIELD personnel on staff at all hours. As a result, the offices and labs had been expanded and redesigned.
Tony gave them a mini tour of the other changes in the facility after the latest remodel. The mess hall had been redesigned to accommodate the larger onsite staff. The common lounge areas had new furniture and updated decor.
The training facility has always been a point of pride. It was huge, with unique features designed specifically for the team. But it too had several undergone changes. There was a new physical therapy space and equipment for Rhodes. The parkour course was expanded and now included a lot more aerial features. The pool had a new, taller high dive platform. But the most shocking change was that the indoor track now included a lane that ran up the walls and across the ceiling.
“How does that work?” Sam asked, as they stared at the gravity-defying lane.
Tony chuckled, “That’s Spider-Man’s lane. Wait until you see him run it.” His voice had a hint of pride.
Steve nodded. “The aerial additions to the parkour course and the new high dive - are those for Spider-Man too?”
“Yep,” Tony replied, popping the P.
“That’s a lot of changes for just one guy,” Natasha remarked.
Tony shrugged. “Lately he’s been the main person using the training spaces, so it just made sense to add things to challenge him.” The team couldn’t argue with that. “And I made some changes for Rhodey too,” Tony pointed out.
The group made their way to the living quarters, which were mostly unchanged except for new paint throughout, new carpet in the common areas, and updated appliances in the kitchen. Their rooms had been left mostly untouched, although they had been dusted and vacuumed regularly.
“Where’s Spider-Man’s room?” Steve asked as they made their way down the hall.
“He’s in my wing. I converted one of my guest rooms for him,” Tony answered.
“Why your wing?” Steve asked. “Why isn’t he with the team?”
“Originally, I planned to put him in the room next to Vision. But Vision and Rhodey weren’t here much of the time, so the place was rather empty. Spider-Man’s young and it didn’t seem like a good idea to let him get too lonely. He’s good company for me, so it just made sense to have him into my wing.” Tony explained.
“Where is he anyway? Is he here?” Sam asked.
“No,” Tony replied. “Spider-Man isn’t a full fledged Avenger. He’s got...family….in the City. He lives there most of the time. He’ll be here this weekend. You’ll meet him then.”
Tony didn’t want to tell them too many details about the Kid before they had a chance to meet him. He was worried about how the team would react to Peter’s young age.
“A family?” Clint said to Natasha in a low voice. “Do you think he’s got a wife and kids too?” Natasha just shrugged. They would find out soon.
“What’s Spider-Man’s name?” Scott asked. “I mean, his real name? We can’t just keep calling him Spider-Man.”
Tony decided he could tell them that much. “It’s Peter. His name is Peter.”
—————
On Saturday morning, Steve went for an early run, then met Clint in the mess hall for breakfast. The mess wasn’t crowded, but there were a fair number of SHIELD personnel there, having breakfast before starting their morning shift.
They got through the breakfast line quickly, since nearly all the SHIELD staff insisted that the two Avengers cut in front of them. There was a huge variety of breakfast foods and the two piled their plates then carried their trays to a somewhat secluded table in the corner.
A teenager approached them, his tray piled high with food and several glasses of juice. He wore jeans and a science themed tee shirt, with an unzipped hoodie over it.
“Hi, I’m...I’m Peter.” The boy placed his tray on the table and held his hand out. Steve smiled at him and shook it gently. Clint did the same. “Do you mind if I sit with you?” The teen asked.
The question startled them. It wasn’t common for the SHIELD staff members to bring their kids to the compound, but it happened from time to time. After all, working parents sometimes found themselves in a bind. So a kid being there wasn’t completely unheard of. Usually parents gave their children strict orders to not bother the Avengers, but it appeared like this teenager had missed the message.
“Uhm...sure...have a seat.” Steve said, too polite to deny the boy’s request. Clint snickered a little. The boy smiled and sat down, then started arranging his several plates of food.
“I’m Steve. This is Clint,” the super soldier said unnecessarily. He gave the boy a wide smile. Everyone knew that Captain America was good with kids.
“Are you getting settled in Ok?” Peter asked. Tony had told him to be friendly with the returning team members, to make sure they felt welcomed.
Steve thought it was an odd question to come from a random kid they just met. He and Clint exchanged amused glances.
“We are. Thanks for asking.” Steve replied politely.
Peter tasted his food and smiled. “The omelettes here are really good today. Make sure you get some.”
The boy seemed familiar with eating in the facility’s mess hall. “Do you come to the compound often?” Clint asked.
Peter nodded. “As often as I can. When I don’t have school or other stuff going on.”
Steve and Clint were both surprised that a staff member would bring their kid to the compound so frequently.
They made small talk, asking Peter about his school. They learned he was fifteen, which he admitted a bit reluctantly, land that his favorite subject was science. He told them about his academic decathlon team. Neither of the men were familiar with that, but seemed impressed when Peter told them about their competitions. The boy was well mannered, and although he seemed a little nervous, but had an unusual casualness about being around the Avengers. The two men were amazed at the amount of food the boy ate - it was even more than Steve.
Peter looked at Clint. “You should bring your kids here sometime. There’s a pool and a gym and all kinds of stuff to do. They would have a great time.”
Clint was immediately alarmed. “How do you know about my kids?” His voice was low and dangerous. He still kept knowledge of his family a secret from most of SHIELD.
Peter blinked and physically recoiled. “Uhm….sorry. I...I d-didn’t realize I wasn’t supposed to know.”
Clint had an angry glare and was about to interrogate the boy, but he was interrupted by Tony Stark entering the mess hall.
“Spiderling! There you are. I was wondering where you wandered off to. We have a full schedule today.” The billionaire said playfully. He sat down in an empty chair next to the boy.
“I was hungry, Mr. Stark.” Peter told him with a sheepish smile. “And then I met Captain America and Hawkeye,” he added.
“I see that,” Tony replied, nodding to his teammates. He looked at the many empty plates with a small laugh. “Did you get enough to eat?” He placed a gentle hand on the boy’s shoulder.
“Yeah, the omelettes were great today.” Peter smiled and nodded enthusiastically.
“I’m glad you approve,” Tony said with amusement.
Steve and Clint didn’t know what to make of this exchange. Sure Tony interacted with kids from time to time. They all did, signing autographs and posing for pictures. This was different. Tony seemed to really know this kid. More significantly, Tony seemed to actually like him.
“Spiderling?” Steve repeated the nickname in a shocked voice. “Are you Spider-Man’s kid?” That would certainly explain the boy’s casual behavior around the superheroes and his familiarity with Tony.
Clint looked doubtful. “I don’t think Spider-Man is old enough to have a teenage kid.” He pointed out.
Tony looked at Peter, “You didn’t tell them?”
Peter looked confused. “I thought they knew. I thought you told them.”
“You said you were going to introduce yourself,” Tony countered.
“I did,” the boy insisted. “I came over here and said, ‘Hi I’m Peter’ and asked if I could join them.”
Steve suddenly remembered that Spider-Man’s name was Peter. He looked from the billionaire to the boy with a sense of dread. “You’re not Spider-Man’s kid.” Clint was frowning deeply, apparently having realized the same thing.
“No,” Peter replied shyly.
Tony gave a nervous laugh. “No, he’s not Spider-Man’s kid. He’s Spider-Man.”
“What?” Steve said harshly. He had already reached that conclusion, but hearing it out loud was still shocking.
“That has to be a joke,” Clint said, after all this boy was barely older than his own son.
“No joke,” Tony insisted. “He’s Spider-Man.”
Steve stood abruptly. “FRIDAY. Call a team meeting. Conference room. Five minutes.”
Steve glared at Tony angrily.
Oh yeah, this was going to be fun. Tony thought.