Without a Home

Age is a Number

(PETERS POV)

When I pulled my mask off, well let's just say there were mixed reactions. For instance, Mr Floaty Man said "Ah, a youngster" with the least amount of emotion possible.

Ms Widow said "My baby spider!" which came as no surprise.

Mr Stark said "Well, you're young..." which yeah, I thought I was too.

Ms Red Magic Girl said "Finally! Someone my age!" and finally...

Mr Rogers screamed "WHAT THE HELL!? HOW OLD ARE YOU?"

I winced at that last comment. /They're gonna kick me out! Where will I go? Back on the streets?/ I start to panic. It becomes hard to breathe, but don't I need to answer? "Um-wel-um-god uh, wha? I-I'm S-Six-Sixteen." I wheeze out before Mr Winter Soldier helped me calm down once more. /I need to get this under control.../ Everyone crowded around my bed.
"Listen kiddo, calm down. We have an extra room, so we will let you settle. It's about, 6pm right now, dinner's at 7:30. Feel free to join us."
I was helped to my feet and followed Mr Stark to my room. It was pretty plain, until I noticed he had brought all my stuff from my box in the street to my seemingly permanent room. /But I can't stay. Can I?/
"It's not much, but your stuff is here. Welcome home kiddo." He touched my shoulder and I flinched away. /People who touch me, hurt me./ I run to my bed and plug in my cracked and dead phone. It lights up. Good. Mr Stark left me alone, and I curled up on the bed, crying until I fall asleep.

I was woken up by a voice. "Master Spideyboy, dinner is ready, and it's mandatory." I groan as I sit up. I quickly change into some of my normal clothes, before shuffling towards what seems to be the kitchen. When I enter, I see all the avengers sitting around a massive table, with only one empty chair left, obviously left for me.
"Come sit, son. There's a seat beside Bucky and Nat. We're having pizza."
I shuffle over and sit in my seat. I notice about 35 pizza boxes to the side, with another 10 on the table. Everyone digs in, and I take a slice of pizza and place it on my plate. I wait to be told to eat. Bucky nudges me and I flinch.
"You can eat Kid!"
I feel tears brim in my eyes.
"I can?"
"Of course! As much as you need."
I have 3 slices of pizza before I decide I'm full. Soon we all move to the massive living room, where I just stand behind the couches. I don't need to sit, so I don't get a seat.
"So, could you tell us your name?" Mr America asks. I shake my head. He whispers something to Mr Stark, before they seemingly made a decision.
"This is how it's gonna work." Mr Stark started. "You're gonna pick someone you trust out of us, and  you will tell them your life story, then they can tell us. Now pick."
Oh god... /How am I meant to pick?/ I point to Mr Winter Soldier. Together we walk to presumably his room.
"Feel free to start." He says in a calm voice. "And call me Bucky." I nod.
"So I'm P-Peter Parker. I'm 16, and I'm also Spider-Man." I take a deep breath. Here we go. "When I was 4, my mum and dad died in a plane crash b-beca-because of HYDRA." I wiped away some stray tears. I've never talked about this before. To anyone. "I was left with my uncle and aunt, but they weren't very happy with me. Um" I take more deep breathes as Bucky draws me close. "They-they hurt me. I went on a field trip to OSCORP, and got bitten by a spider, and so Spider-Man was born.And then Ben died, I could have stopped it!" I got quite angry, clenching and unclenching my fists. Buck rubbed my back supportively, and I didn't push him away. "I was 14 at the time. A few months later, May went on a holiday without me, leaving me with someone named S-Sk-Skip as my babysitter. He... ra-rap-raped me?" That sounded like a question. Fuck. "And When May came back, she did too. God I was so stupid!" I start to cry more. "B-But then on my 15th birthday, May died, and I was on the streets until you guys found me, and... Oh! It's my birthday today." I took even more deep breaths and turned to face Bucky. He had tear tracks down his face.
"God Kid, you're so strong." He hugged me, and I stiffened. He departed from the hug.
"I'll go tell them, go to sleep."