What Was Once

Chapter 5- Michael

After we opened presents, we sat in the living room talking and waiting for Aunt Natasha and Uncle Bruce to come for dinner. We've done this every year on the first day of school. It's like a family tradition. One I wish, at times, didn't exist. Colleen is the perfect child; straight A's all her life, never argues back, and sticks up for what she believes in. Sixteen years old and keeping her V-card in tact. Jessica: she volunteers as much as she can at any animal shelter she can find. And when she can't find an animal shelter that needs volunteers, it's orphanages. As for Robin, well, she's Robin. She's the baby in the family but she does have a soft side. We get this huge yearly allowance at the beginning of every year- call it spending money if you will. Whatever Robin doesn't use for the year, she either saves up for college or donates it to this retirement center that doesn't get much love from the government. With that money, they've been able to build more rooms, have more activities for the seniors, and even get better furniture. And she's only thirteen.

Then there's me, who is in fact older thank you very much. But who am I? What makes Michael Anthony Vincent Stark so special? Absolutely nothing. There's nothing special about me. I'm not a straight A student, I do argue back, I don't believe in anything strong enough to fight for it, my V-card is not in tact, I don't volunteer anywhere, and I don't donate my money to retirement centers that aren't loved. I'm just me; a person who loves playing video games and hanging with his friends and despises his twin sister because she's so perfect. But when you come from a family of superheroes, being just you isn't good enough.

While I was too busy feeling bad about myself, Jessie was running her fingers along the design of the helmet whereas Colleen was tracing every design and calculating every angle on mom's staff. She was practically mesmerized by it. Robin had simply put the choker on and continued talking to the adults in the room. I hadn't noticed how deep in the conversation they had gotten until I started listening again.

". . . and this one elderly lady, she's so funny, we pretend we're these wacky made up characters that host fancy tea parties or are in this super secret organization and we're on a mission." Robin started laughing. "They seem to love it when I come visit." She concluded. Uncle Thor was smiling brightly.

"Sounds like quite the adventure, darling Robin." She smiled faintly. "Continue enjoying your adventures." She nodded. Mom noticed the other two drooling over their presents.

"Why don't you four go put your gifts in your room?" He suggested. We all nodded before walking upstairs and putting our stuff away. I met up with Colleen on our way back. She looked at me before rolling her eyes and scowling. I rolled mine as well.

"Alright, say your theory is true." I prompted. "How are we going to prove he is who you say he is without tipping him off?" Colleen stopped and completely turned to face me. She shrugged, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I don't know." She stated. "We could try getting him to talk about is parents." She suggested. "Or mention Captain America and see how he reacts. Or you know, there's always the possibility of. . ." She looked to the floor. Whatever she was about to say, she didn't want to say it. "Telling him about us." My eyes widened.

"Are you serious?!" I hissed. "We haven't told anyone about us! Not even your boy-toy!" Colleen went to go correct me but then thought better of it.

"Well, it was just a suggestion." She remarked.

"A really stupid suggestion." I countered. She rolled her eyes and continued forward. I rolled my eyes before continuing downstairs myself. We both noticed that the front door was swung open and dad was standing there greeting the person on the other side. "Who's there, dad?" Colleen glanced to me before shaking her head and moving to sit next to Robin on the couch.

"Aunt Natasha and Uncle Bruce." Dad answered as he stepped away so they could walk in.

"Aunt Nat!" Jessie screamed as she ran and gave her a hug. I walked over and gave Uncle Bruce a hug. Colleen and Robin stood behind, waiting for their turn. I know it sounds wrong, but the four of us, well, we kind of favor a person in our family more than the rest. For Colleen it's Uncle Thor, for Jessica it's Aunt Natasha, for Robin it's our sister Hela, and for me it's Uncle Bruce.

"Guys, let them walk in all the way." Colleen ordered. I rolled my eyes and pulled away, so did Jessie. Aunt Nat and Uncle Bruce fully walked into the house. We all walked over to the living room and sat on the couches.

"So, how was the first day of school?" Aunt Natasha asked. I opened my mouth to answer but Colleen beat me to it.

"It was fun." She said. "After, of course, first period."

"What was wrong with your first period?" Uncle Bruce questioned. Colleen shook her head. He raised an eyebrow.

"Long story short: my first period class is Norse Mythology and no one in that class has forgiven mom for New York." She summed up. "Even though that a few years shy of twenty years ago!"

"Well, not everyone has-"

"Gotten over it. Yes, I know." She cut off, crossing her arms over her chest and leaning back in her seat. The room fell silent for a few moments.

"I met a boy." I brought up. Colleen glanced to me before smirking. I glared at her.

Not one word out of your mouth. She held up her hands playfully.

"What's his name?" Aunt Natasha asked.

And here's when Michael Stark realizes he fucked up. I looked to Colleen. She glanced between the redhead and brunette on the couch before looking back to me. You wanna tell our ex-Avenger aunt and uncle that the new guy you met is Barnes and Rogers' kid? My eyes widened.

"Michael?" Uncle Bruce pressed. I looked to him, blinking away my startledness.

"Neil." I answered. "His name is Neil."

Nice cover up, dumbass.

"How nice." Aunt Natasha commented before turning to Jessie. "What about you, Jessie? Robin? How was your first day of school?"

Robin shrugged. "It's seventh grade. Nothing new." Jessie was bouncing in her seat.

"High school is amazing!!" She exclaimed. "There are so many clubs I can join and so many new students." Everyone started to laugh.

"Do you two have any classes together?" Uncle Bruce asked us.

"Just math and lunch." Colleen answer. Aunt Natasha pouted slightly.

"That's a bummer." Colleen and I shrugged. Neither one of us actually cared. "Maybe the news Bruce and I have will cheer you up." I resisted the urge to roll my eyes; we didn't need cheering up. Instead, I smiled cheerfully.

"And what's that Natasha?" Mom asked. The couple looked at each other before Aunt Natasha continued to speak.

"I'm pregnant!"