Chapter 4
Peter fidgeted nervously at the café table, his oversized hoodie pulled tight around him. He was early—fifteen minutes early, to be exact. The coffee shop was small and cozy, the kind of place Peter imagined scientists like Dr. Cho and Dr. Banner frequented.
The bell over the door jingled, and in walked Dr. Cho, elegant and confident, followed by Dr. Banner, who looked casual yet slightly out of place in the bustling café. Peter stood, awkwardly raising a hand.
They both scanned the room before their eyes landed on him. Confusion flickered across their faces.
“PWBP?” Dr. Cho asked, approaching cautiously.
“That’s me,” Peter said with a small wave, “Uh, but you can call me p-Peter”
Dr. Banner froze mid-step, blinking in disbelief. “You’re…you’re a kid.”
Peter’s stomach dropped. “Uh, yeah. I mean, I didn’t say how old I was in my emails, but I thought…” He trailed off, his voice barely above a whisper. “I thought it wouldn’t matter.”
Dr. Cho exchanged a glance with Dr. Banner before sitting down. “Peter, we assumed you were…older. The work you’ve shared, the questions you’ve asked—it’s remarkable. But you’re what, twelve?”
“Almost thirteen,” Peter muttered, his cheeks flushing.
Dr. Banner chuckled softly. “Well, that’s one way to make us feel inadequate.”
Dr. Cho leaned forward, her voice gentle. “Peter, your intelligence is extraordinary. But why reach out to us? What’s going on?”
Peter hesitated, staring at his hands. He couldn’t tell them everything—about the spider bite, the powers, the fights. But he could share a piece of his truth. “I just…needed people who’d understand. People who wouldn’t look at me like I was some kind of freak.”
Dr. Banner’s expression softened. “You’re not a freak, Peter. Far from it. You’re…special.”
The conversation continued, with Peter deflecting questions about his home life and steering the topic back to science. By the time they left the café, he felt a mix of relief and dread. They hadn’t pried too much, but the concern in their eyes was unmistakable.
---
Later that evening, Dr. Cho and Dr. Banner stood in the sleek, high-tech lab of the Avengers Tower. Tony Stark was tinkering with a new piece of armor and listening to loud ass ACEC when they approached.
“Bruce! Helen! What brings you to my humble abode?” Tony asked, not looking up from his work.
“We met someone today,” Dr. Cho began, her tone serious.
Bruce nodded. “A kid. A genius kid.”
Tony finally looked up, one eyebrow raised. “A kid? You’re telling me there’s a baby genius out there? And you didn’t tell me? What’s his deal—robotics, AI, quantum physics?”
“All of it,” Dr. Cho said. “His name’s Peter. He’s twelve, Tony, and he’s asking questions most people with PhDs wouldn’t even think to ask.”
Tony leaned back, intrigued. “Twelve, huh? What’s his deal?”
Bruce hesitated. “That’s the thing. He’s…holding something back. There’s something about him, Tony. I think we need to keep an eye on him.”
Tony smirked. “Well, now you’ve got my attention. Let’s see what this kid’s made of.”
---
Peter was exhausted. The fight earlier that evening had been brutal—a group of armed thugs trying to rob a warehouse. He’d barely managed to web them up before taking a hard hit to the ribs. His suit was torn, and he was limping as he swung aimlessly through the city.
Without realizing it, he’d wandered into Hell’s Kitchen. The dimly lit streets and looming buildings felt oppressive, but Peter was too tired to care. He landed on a rooftop, collapsing against a wall. His vision blurred as he tried to catch his breath.
“Kid,” a voice said, startling him.
Peter’s head snapped up to see a figure in red standing a few feet away. Daredevil.
“How did you…?” Peter began, but Daredevil held up a hand.
“I can hear your heartbeat. It’s fast—too fast. You’re hurt.” He crouched down, his voice firm but gentle. “And you’re young. How old are you?”
Peter hesitated, his mask hiding his expression. “Old enough.”
Daredevil sighed. “Look, I don’t know what you’re doing out here, but you’re not invincible. You need to be careful.”
“I’m fine,” Peter muttered, trying to stand, but his legs wobbled. Daredevil caught him before he could fall.
“You’re not fine. Let’s get you patched up,” Daredevil said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
As he guided Peter to a safer spot, Peter felt a strange mix of frustration and gratitude. He wasn’t used to anyone looking out for him, but something about Daredevil’s presence was comforting.
For the first time in a long while, Peter didn’t feel so alone.