You and Me, Kid

○ Chapter 08 ○

Upon returning, Pete was exhausted but made his way to the hanger where Penny was waiting with Autumn in her arms. Grinning, he quickly pulled the little girl into his arms, spinning around as she giggled. Penny laughed, pulling the captain into a hug as the others made it into the hanger, smiling at the domestic scene. "Someone's excited to see us," Javy chuckled, taking Autumn from Pete and lifting her up like in Lion King, Mickey kneeling on one knee and bowing his head, hands placed together in a prayer as they rose above his head. Pete watched for a moment, confused, before shaking his head.

"She is," Jake agreed, slightly weirded out by what the two dark-skinned males were doing, "why don't you get off the floor, Fanboy? We're getting weird looks, mate."

"Do I care?" Mickey started as he got up. "No."

Huffing out a laugh, Pete quickly pulled out his phone and saw that Slider was calling him. "Sorry, gotta take this," he apologised, walking off to the side of the hanger, an excited grin on his face as he answered the phone. "Heya, Slider."

"Heya, Mav," Ron greeted back. "Mer and I should be in Miramar in a couple hours. Viper wants to meet in the bar before going to his house."

"Alrighty, and-" A loud bang cut Pete off, the man turning to look quickly, concern flashing in his green eyes before a sigh of relief left him when he realised it was one of the mechanics dropping something. "Sorry. That sounds good, I'll bring Autumn with me so you guys can meet her."

"Sounds good, also was that concern I heard in your voice?" Sam teased, Pete feeling his cheeks heat up slightly.

"No!" He exclaimed, leaning against the wall as he smiled slightly hearing Sam and Ron laugh, teasing him. "Oh shut up. Need I remind you of our third mission together? When you idiots began singing that stupid song?"

"You joined in!" Sam exclaimed, offended. Pete threw his head back, laughing as Sam continued to shout about him being the one who joined in before Ron had.

"I did not join in before Slider!" He shouted back, smile still on his face. "Slider, tell him."

"Nah, you joined in before me, mate."

Pete gasped dramatically, hand going to his chest in mock offence. "Slider, you traitor! I thought you were on my side!"

"Nope," the grin was clear as day in Ron's voice. It was silent for a moment before the trio began to laugh again. "Well, see ya in about an hour and a half, Mav. Say hello to your team for us!"

"Will do, see you guys later." After bidding goodbye to the two and pocketing his phone, Pete made his way back over to the team, taking Autumn into his arms. "You're gonna meet Uncle Slider, Merlin, and Grandpa Viper soon." He murmured, smiling when she made a cute little babbling sound. "Yeah, you excited?"

And he said he's not good with kids, Natasha thought with squinted eyes as she watched the man interact with his... daughter? Niece? Grandchild? Didn't really matter. Handing Autumn off to Penny, the team hit the showers and shared jokes, Pete joining in on a few of them this time around which the group thoroughly enjoyed.

After showering, Pete hopped into Penny's car with Autumn in the back in a baby car seat, heading to the bar. It wasn't his usual choice of vehicle to drive, but with Autumn he couldn't exactly drive his motorcycle. At least, not until she was older. Besides, Penny was in the passenger seat of the car since she had work. Soon enough they made it to the bar, Ron and Sam pulling in after them. Before going to see his two friends from way back when, Pete got Autumn of her car seat, holding her on his hip as he went to greet the duo. "Hey, been a while."

"That it has," Sam grinned, hugging the pilot in a one-armed hug as Ron waved at Penny who quickly entered the bar. "This Autumn?" Pete nodded, handing the baby over to the man who grinned just as Mike also entered the parking lot.