It's Been Two Years
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The group arrived at the Tower, where Peter was hugged by those that could stand and scolded by everyone for being gone so long.
“You know how it is,” Peter shrugged, brushing off Sam’s threats to keep constant tabs on him, “I go wherever the story takes me.”
“Well, how about going down to the infirmary and visit Clint and Natasha?” Steve ordered.
“Already on it, sir,” Peter saluted.
Peter went down to the infirmary where Clint was in a chair next to the bed Natasha occupied. Peter paused for moment. In his twelve years of knowing Natasha he had never seen her look so small. She was surrounded by various monitors and IVs and her bandages looked freshly changed. Peter smiled weakly at thought of what she would say about all this fuss when she wakes up.
“Are you coming in? You’re letting in a draft.”
Peter came fully into the room so Clint could see him; he felt a slight stab to the heart when he realized that Clint was staring behind him not at him.
“Why don’t you get some light in here Uncle Clint?” Peter tried to joke, “I don’t think ‘Tasha’ll notice.”
Clint shrugged, “Do what you want, it doesn’t help much these days anyway.”
Peter frowned usually his uncle had all the jokes in the world, his ability to brush off anything serious with some sarcastic comment came second only maybe to Tony. Maybe Peter had been out of touch for too long.
“Trade places with me for a bit, Pete. I need to talk to Katniss about something.”
Peter almost just nodded before remembering, “Okay.”
Clint got up and slowly made his way out. Peter sat down and took his aunt’s hand.
“Hey, ‘Tasha, you and Uncle Clint were right about Budapest.”
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Peter stayed with Natasha until a little after 7:30, remembering the plan only because Katniss came in to remind him.
“Hey mom,” Katniss whispered, “I’m going out for bit with my friends. Yes, I promise to kick the ass of anyone who messes with me.”
A beep from one of the monitors was the only response she got. Peter put his arm around her.
“How did you do it, Peter?”
“Do what?”
“How did you keep going after your Uncle Ben died? After Gwen died?”
Peter turned to face her directly.
“Well I didn’t at first. I cried, kept to myself, broke a lot of things, all those movie clichés that are actually true.”
The corners of Katniss’ mouth twitched.
“But then I realized- well more Uncle Ben told me, but that’s beside the point- that life still goes on. ‘With great power comes great responsibility’ and all that bullshit. The world still needed Spider-Man and you guys still needed Peter Stark-Rogers. I’m just sorry it took two years and my family getting shot to for me to get over myself.”
Peter laughed, “Besides she’s not dead yet, it takes a lot more that to kill a Black Widow.”
Peter started tickling Katniss’ right side just under her ribcage, “We spiders are stubborn as hell!”
Katniss was clinging on to Peter because she was laughing so hard. He was the only person besides her parents that knew her weak spot.
“Stop it, Peter! Quit it!” she giggled swatting his hand away, “We- we have work to do!”
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At 8 pm sharp, the kids arrived at the spot the Doctor had requested a few hours previously.
“What did I tell you Doctor? Pride will always be the weakness of humans,” Sasha said smugly, “And especially of gods.”
“Watch your tone, Main trash! We fight in place of our parents and to protect this planet.” Sarna bristled, “Not for our own sick amusement.”
“Main?” Howard whispered to Sarna.
“I will fill you and our friends in later.”
Sasha looked amused, “At least one of you has done their research. Come.”
The gang followed the Main into the TARDIS and into a large room.
“Before you ask, yes, this is your training room, I thought a bit of familiarity might help,” the Doctor answered, looking at Katniss.
“I knew it!” Peggy exclaimed.
“Get off your high horse Peggy, everyone does,” Katniss rolled her eyes.
“AS I WAS SAYING,” the Doctor continued, walking and pointing at rooms, “Over there’s your archery practice room, next to it is hand to hand, and Sarna can practice her magic-”
“Gender-neutral pronouns, please Doctor,” Sarna said.
“Sorry, Sarna can practice hir magic in there!” the Doctor corrected himself.
“This,” he stopped outside of a short hallway, “Is where you’ll be starting.”
“I wish to see how you fight individually first,” Sasha said, “Through this hall there are five separate doors with each of your names on them. Go through them and fight what you see.”
Sarna looked around and narrowed hir eyes at Sasha, “And how will you know how well we are fighting? I see no cameras or other means of surveillance.”
Sasha smiled and waving them into the hall, “I have my ways, Asgardian.”
Peter, Sarna, Peggy, Katniss, and Howard went to their respective doors.
“I wonder if it is too late to say no,” Sarna joked.