The Spider

Sensory Details

We all exchange looks across the table.

Nat, Vision, Wanda, Thor, and Bruce are obviously on my side. Tony is clearly not, but Captain seems more neutral than anything.

Captain is the first to speak, "Okay, Spider, why don't we begin with how you got your powers? Dr. Banner said something about a spider bite?" 

I shift uncomfortably in my chair. I was going to have to say something about the school trip which would ultimately tell them I was, in fact, a kid, "It was a radioactive spider. I got bit by it on a field trip. I didn't know what had happened until one day, I woke up with twice as much muscle as I went to bed with, the ability to stick to things, and extremely heightened senses."

Tony cuts in, "You say that like it's a bad thing. What could possibly be wrong with heightened senses?"

I bite my lip. I can't tell them about one of my only weaknesses. If they knew about sensory overload, they could use it against me. So, instead of answering, I turn to Bruce and whisper in his ear, "I can't answer that. Not now at least."

He nods his head and turns to the table, "We would prefer to not answer that right now. The Spider here, has a right to keep some information from us, strangers."

Everyone nods their heads, except for Tony. No one takes notice and they continue the questions. How long have I had these powers? When did I learn to make the fluid? Does anyone else know my identity? All relatively easily questions.

I can tell that Nat, Wanda, and Vision were feeling like they were walking on eggshells. Bruce was staying on my side, filling in for when I couldn't. Tony was trying to make the situation as uncomfortable as possible, and he was kind of succeeding at it. Captain was trying to hold Tony back. But what really caught my attention, was Thor's response to the situation. The god looked more uncomfortable than I felt. And that was saying something.

Finally, Thor cut Tony off from asking (yet another) testing question, "So Person of Spiders," the god began, "Why was my idiotic sibling meeting with you in that parking garage?"

Good question. One problem: I don't know.

And that's exactly what I say, "I don't know."

Cap shifted his weight in his chair, "He had to of been discussing something with you. What was said?"

I sigh to myself. Captain Rodgers wasn't insistent on most things so far. But I knew I needed to answer this for him, "He just kind of showed up. I went looking for him because I heard he was spotted in Queens. He ended up finding me instead. Although, I really shouldn't say he. You see, Loki showed up as a woman at first. It felt like he was making fun of me, but they swore they were just as confused as I was. I don't know..." I trail off. What was I supposed to say?

Thor just nodded his head like he understood. He waited a few moments before elaborating, "Loki has always been different. From the time we were young he, they, or sometimes she, would change they're form. It is normal for a god to be able to manipulate their skin to a certain extent, but none have done so in the same way as Loki. Loki never talks about gender identity. There was never a need for it. But I believe that if Loki did choose an identity, it would be that of your own, Child of Spiders. Why don't you go ahead and explain that to us, because so far, we have been basically forced to assume?"

And another sigh from me. I really don't want to get into this but the longer I'm here, the more aware I become that I don't have much of a choice, "I'm gender fluid."

That's all I say. I don't say anything more. Nothing to help them understand. Not a word.

Tony, being Tony, says, "Well you have to elaborate on that kid. Does that mean that you turn into water when you get asked about gender? Because we gave janitorial staff for this set of floors the night off, we don't need any spills."