The Hunting Spider

Chapter 13

(I'm editing and rewriting stuff in this chapter so it may seem weird and choppy until I'm done. It will probably take a while, I think I published this a little prematurely. But the basic idea will stay the same.)

Part Two

Chapter 13

.oO0Oo.

If there was one thing Bucky had a love hate relationship with, it was always silence. The silence that had filled his mind while he awaited orders. Or his cell, silent enough to hear his own heart beating.

But for now the silence was calming. Peter still had the signed adoption papers in his hands. Adoption. Peter was his kid- legally now!

Holy crap, Peter was Bucky's kid. He felt the air silently rush from his lungs, leaving him lightheaded. Peter hadn't even hesitated with agreeing to be his kid.

It seemed like it should be a terrifying prospect to the man. A broken soldier man, who for the longest time was unable to even care for himself, was now responsible for a smaller, impressionable human being.

And it was, for half a second; before he remembered the fact it wasn't just some kid. It was Peter. And Peter had already been his kid for a while. With or without the papers Tony and Fury had scrounged up. Maybe Fury would finally just be satisfied enough to leave Peter alone, at least for a little while.

Bucky watched the show in front of them without really paying attention to it. The volume was low enough it wouldn't wake up Steve, who would probably be going out for his run pretty soon. But the television was still high enough Peter could hear it. He was content to allow the rest of the morning go uninterrupted in silence just sitting next to his- his- kid.

Then the silence was interrupted.

"There is one thing I need to do..." Peter let his soft words trail off with a side glance.

Bucky hadn't noticed the anxious glances Peter had also been sending him, too focused on the loud thoughts in his mind. But now worry for Peter took priority. Bucky watched the teen for a moment, observing. Peter still looked constantly on edge, eyes darting anytime something in the Tower creaked. Like Peter was looking for an excuse to look away.

But the teen seemed to be searching his guardian's expression for permission to continue. Bucky simply tilted his head towards Peter dubiously and he looked away again, wringing his hands in his oversized shirt nervously. But after a couple moments of silence, the teen still gave no attempt to finish what he was saying. And it seemed like he wasn't about to speak without prompting.

"Pete," Bucky said and Peter's head immediately shot up, but he feigned looking the man in the eyes and was trying to look anywhere but.

Peter could sometimes manage fooling the others, he didn't know how, the boy was a terrible liar. But Bucky could always tell when he was trying to avoid speaking his mind or just trying to stay afloat when clearly he was drowning in what he was thinking about.

"I meant what I said kid. I'm here for you and so is the rest of the team. Pretty sure Tony has already given himself title of Uncle." He didn't need to also mention how the others had already decided they would be his protectors and family, however hesitant they were in the beginning.

Peter never seemed to retain that fact. They had to remind him by doing small things (favors, gifts, just hanging about with Peter and allowing him to seek their company), but it would sink in eventually and maybe someday his mind wouldn't jump to the worst for their intentions.