Thaw

With great power, comes great responsibility.

TRIGGER WARNING: SEXUAL HARASSMENT. 

The next day.

"This is Astrid, she's new and will be joining the team, I want everyone here to give her a warm welcome." I gave a small wave and shifted on the balls of my feet. A few people nodded and smiled while others just looked at me with a curious expression. I was introduced to everyone, and after, when the decathlon began to take out notes and quiz each other, I took a seat beside MJ, and Ned who I was pleased to find out was also on the team.

"Did Peter answer your calls?" I asked him taking out my own books. At the name of Peter, Ned tensed up, he didn't have the usual smile and happiness radiating off of him.

"Yea, he did thanks, Astrid."

"Is he okay? He didn't look so good, I wanted to ask him but I didn't want to pry." I said turning my full focus to him.

"Yea, he'll be okay. Just, someone in his family passed away." He said sadly, not meeting my eyes.

"Oh my gosh, I had no idea..." I trailed off, feeling awkward. I didn't have much experience with family and death, how do you respond to someone you love dying. I couldn't imagine how hard it would be if Tony or any of the Avengers passed away, and I've known them for less than a year.

"I remember you, you're that girl who bumped into me the first day." Flash pulled out a chair and sat down across from me.

"Oh, yea...." I remember that day like it was yesterday.

"You should be more careful, other people aren't as forgiving."

"Don't be absurd, it was an accident." I scoffed, wanting this conversation to be over.

"Alright, alright," He put his hands up in defeat.

"So you're kinda cute, wanna go out?" he said shamelessly exactly 1 second later.

"Fuck off Flash." MJ spoke up, not bothering to put down her textbook.

"I wasn't asking you was I Michelle?" MJ put her textbook down intimidatingly and I quickly said something to end this.

"I'll pass thanks," I said and passed my study notes to Ned so he could quiz me. I watched out of the corner of my eye as he walked away muttering something under his breath.

"That was awesome!" Ned smiled.

A few days later.

 I pulled myself half way onto the roof before stopping. It was 10 pm and I came up here to clear my head. I wasn't expecting to find him seated here but wasn't mad about it. His head whipped towards the sound of me coming up.

"I'll go, " I said, remembering he was dealing with a death in his family.

"No, it's alright, you can uh, you can stay." He replied, shoving something red in his pocket.

"Alright." I pulled myself up the rest of the way and walked towards him,  taking a seat.

"A-are you okay?" I asked softly turning my head to check over him.

"Been better." He shrugged.

"Whatever it is you're going through, will pass." I said after a moment.

"I-I know, I just, It's just, my uncle, he... he passed." His voice cracked.

"I'm so sorry.... that must be awful." I really shouldn't be a therapist, I have no idea how to comfort someone, do I hug them? Pat their back?