𝙼𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝙼𝚊𝚗𝚒𝚙𝚞𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 ~ Steve Rogers

Bonsoir Spider-Man ~ 12

Peter and Sam re-enter the compound, with Peter having changed into more casual attire. The group, minus Steve, patiently occupies the recreational room, awaiting their return. Sam, having already received a briefing on the situation, smoothly positions himself between Vision and Natasha. Meanwhile, Peter deliberately slows his steps as he traverses the room, casting curious glances at everyone present.

"Why does this feel like I'm about to have an intervention?" he remarks, his gaze fixating on Stark.

"We need uncover the truth about Eva, Peter," Tony responds with a hushed tone, his countenance softer than when discussing Peter's friend earlier. Peter instinctively leaps to her defense.

"Eva doesn't want to be fo-"

"Found?" Tony swiftly interjects, cutting off Peter's argument. Peter scowls at the interruption. "Yes, we already know. But she wanted to be found by Rogers. He's meeting her now," Tony informs the group, all of whom had made an educated guess earlier about Steve's sudden departure.

"What?" Peter's response is subdued, tinged with disbelief. Once again, he turns to the group, seeking additional answers.

"Peter, I think it's best that you sit," Natasha comments from her seat, casting a sympathetic glance toward Parker.

"I don't want to sit down," he retorts sternly, earning a defeated eye roll from Natasha.

"Parker, just sit down," Tony commands. With a moment of reluctance and an unimpressed expression from Peter, he complies, taking the furthest seat in the seating area away from the group.

"We have reason to believe that Eva-" Wanda begins, walking over to Peter. However, she pauses as the lingering effects of Evangeline's compulsion test her own telepathic abilities. With a sigh, she tosses a notepad she's holding, and Peter catches it effortlessly with one hand, looking down to read.

"Eva can manipulate minds, Peter. She manipulated Wanda's, so she can't say what she has written down in those notes," Sam adds to the conversation, causing Peter's eyes to narrow as he skims the pages. "We believe she's been manipulating yours too."

A long and uncomfortable silence ensues as Peter continues to read the notes. The group exchanges tense glances until he speaks up once more, his eyes still focused on the current page. "Ultron?" he questions, finally, his voice low and almost a murmur.

"Wanda saw a glimpse inside Eva's mind accidentally. She saw Ultron. We aren't sure what all of this means yet, but figuring out what she might've done to you could help us," Tony responds, looking solemn but earnest as the team collectively strives to unravel the mystery surrounding Eva.

"To me?" Peter's head finally snaps up to look at Tony. "Eva hasn't done anything to me! We are frie-"

"Friends?" Once again, Tony cuts off his protégé before he can finish his sentence. Another silence descends, and the team gazes at Peter with pity in their eyes. He stands, a deep sigh escaping him as he strives to maintain his composure.

"I'd know if someone was messing with my mind," he asserts, swallowing as his mouth feels unusually dry throughout the conversation. "Wanda knows that Eva manipulated hers? I would too." He looks to Wanda, but her eyes still hold pity, compelling him to look away. Tony leans back in his chair in exasperation, but this time it's Vision who offers Parker an answer.

"Wanda's mind knows how mind manipulation works. It's likely possible to understand why; her mind is aware of the control, but any other mind would not," Vision offers his deduction on the last couple of hours, his thoughts in constant overdrive as he tries to piece together what's happening.