neglect starts out as an infection then becomes a disease
"Neglect starts out as an infection then becomes a disease."
- Jim Rohn
January - March, 2013
The first Friday of January, Peter made his way to the Tower for the weekly movie night. As he swung there, he mentally prepared himself for the conversation he needed to have with Natasha about getting a meeting with Fury.
He was not at all looking forward to speaking with the Spy, and attempting to lie to his face. The only thing that Peter could be thankful for was that he had his mask to hide his facial expressions. Though he’d been told that he was expressive even through the suit, telegraphing all of his thoughts and feelings without realizing.
Yelena and Bucky had tried to teach him how to lie better but it wasn’t much help, if he were honest.
He greeted JARVIS warmly as he entered the building through the window.
“Hey guys!” He called out as he stepped into the living area. He smiled at the chorus of greetings he got before stopping short.
Thor was standing from the couch, a large smile lighting up his face. Listen, Peter had met Thor, okay? But that was after the snap and Thor had been changed a lot after his brother had died and this felt different. The Thor that Peter met briefly was a completely different person than the one he was standing in front of right now.
He couldn’t help his excitement, practically bouncing on his toes.
“Man of Spiders!” Thor called jovially. “It is nice to finally meet you! I would like to thank you for helping my brother!”
Then Peters heart sank into his stomach and he realized that he would have to tell Thor everything. Tonight.
There was so much that the God would have to deal with over the next few years and if Peter could help provide some relief then he would. He just hoped Thor would be able to keep it a secret.
“Thor, uh, sir. It’s really not a big deal.” Peter deflected, moving forward to shake the God’s hand.
Thor nodded approvingly after releasing his hand. “You have a firm hand, young warrior.”
“Uh, thanks.” Peter surveyed the room quickly. “Where’s Tony?”
Natasha rolled her eyes, “Where do you think, паук?”
“Lab?” Peter asked rhetorically.
Natasha only smirked.
“Is he planning on coming down, JARVIS?” Steve called, eyes on the ceiling.
“I believe so, Mr. Rogers.” JARVIS answered promptly.
Peter huffed a sigh and launched himself across the room, flipping gracefully onto the couch between Natasha and Bruce.
“Hey Doctor Banner!” Peter greeted, smiling brilliantly even though they couldn’t see.
“You know you can call me Bruce, Spider-Man.” Bruce returned, smiling awkwardly.
Peter rolled his eyes. “Sacrilege.” He said simply.
Bruce huffed a laugh but didn’t respond, focusing back on his tablet.
Peter turned his attention to the redhead perched at his side. “Hey Nat.”
Natasha rolled her eyes and smiled. “Hello паук.”
“Soooo, I kind of have a favor to ask of you.” Peter whispered.
Natasha’s expression went blank but she nodded slowly. “What favor?”
Taking a deep breath, he answered. “I need a meeting with Fury. I have some sensitive information I need to pass to him.”
Natasha’s eyes widened for a split second before going neutral again. “I’ll see what I can do.”
Peter breathed out a sigh of relief. “That’s all I can ask.”
Natasha hummed before turning to join Clint and Thors discussion about which Pop Tart is the best flavor.
Peter closed his eyes and let their chatter wash over him as they waited for Tony to leave his lab to join them.
“I have arrived.” The familiar voice of Tony Stark cut through the air after about ten minutes.
Peter opened his eyes to see the man with his patented press smile painted across his face, clad in the three piece suit.
It made Peter’s chest ache how often that smile made an appearance, and how often the Avengers took it at face value.
Peter had been spoiled in his childhood, frequently being on the receiving end of the man’s real smiles.
The crooked ones that make his eyes crinkle, the ones he’d only seen it a handful of times since he’d started making frequent visits to the tower.
“Hey Tony.” Peter called happily and felt shock run through him when Tony’s face lit up.
“Spidey! You’re here!” Tony called excitedly.
Peter rolled his eyes. “I’m always here, Tony.”
“Wow, he loves Spidey more than us, guys!” Clint joked.
Tony scoffed. “Of course I do, Spidey and Brucie are my Science Bro’s.”
And didn’t that just make Peter feel like he was floating. Tony Stark considered him a Science Bro. An original Science Bro!!!
“Really feeling the love, Stark.” Natasha said with a smirk. “Come on, it’s your turn to pick the movie.”
“Yesss!” Tony hissed, flopping back into one of the armchairs. “JARVIS throw on Terminator.”
He laughed out loud at the chorus of groans but they all quickly settled in to watch the movie.
A few hours later, just before Peter was about to head home, he called Thor over to speak with him privately.
“Uhh, can we go somewhere else.” His eyes darted around towards the multiple cameras before moving his gaze back to Thor. “I have to tell you something… private.”
“I shall follow after your lead, Man of Spiders.” Thor boomed.
“O-okay, cool.” Peter mumbled, swinging in the direction of his house but stopping on a rooftop about halfway there.
“So, okay, first I need you to swear you won’t tell any of the Avengers.” Peter said firmly, shuffling his feet as Thor’s head snapped towards him.
His intense blue eyes bored into his with frightening intensity. “You wish for me to lie to my Shield Brothers and Sister?” He boomed, looking disappointed.
“I-I plan to tell them everything at some point but- Thor I know we just met but this is important.” Peter defended pleadingly.
Thor watched him in silence for a few moments before nodding sharply. “On my honor, I will keep your secret.”
“Phew.” Peter blew out a breath. “Okay, well you can tell your family and everything, just not- um yeah, this- okay so I’m from the future.” He blurted.
Thors eyes widened and he surveyed Peter as though he were seeing him through a new light. “You are a returner?”
“I don’t know what that means but if it means I travelled from the future to change things, then yes.” Peter mumbled nervously.
“I understand your reservations now, Man of Spiders. What is it you need to discuss with me?” Thor said, more seriously than he’d been the entire night.
“Okay so-“ Peter started.
After meticulously explaining everything he knew about Asgard until now up to Loki’s final death he paused. He only knew the bare minimum, things he’d heard from other people and the little Thor and the Valkyrie chick had told him the few times they’d met.
The Thor standing in front of him appeared to be at a loss for words, face twisting in rage or sorrow.
Then he moved into his own story of how he’d ended up in the past, about his relationship with Tony, his companion in this adventure.
It was a long and painful conversation and after Peter had finished he felt as drained as Thor looked.
Just before he left Peter called out one last thing. “I’d talk to your mother when you get back to Asgard. She knows about us, paid America visit.”
Thors mouth dropped open in shock. “Mother came to Midgard?”
Peter shrugged. “Apparently.”
Thor shook himself and nodded. “I will take your council under advisement.”
“Good, good.” Peter mumbled, already swinging away.
He let his suit retract as he entered the house through his bedroom window and quickly made his way downstairs.
Wade had been gone for a few days but James and America were sitting together in the kitchen, chatting with Karen.
“Hey.” Peter called out as he walked towards the fridge.
Grabbing a juice, he hopped up onto the counter next to America.
“Hey! How was the movie?” America asked happily.
“Oh it was fine.” He answered distractedly. “I just-“
“Had to tell Thor you were from the future?” James cut in dryly. “Miss Karen told us.”
“God K, you’re such a snitch.” Peter joked.
“Just trying to make your life easier, Boss.” Karen retorted cheekily.
Peter huffed. “You’re the best.”
“I know.” She laughed.
“But yeah. I told him.” Peter winced.
“Was that- okay?” America asked hesitantly.
“It- it was fine. I just can’t believe I forgot about Thor. I was so focused on everything on earth that I completely forgot about him. His mom literally died sometime in the next few months. I just- ugh.”
“Give yourself a break, дорогой идиот.” James said softly.
Peter’s eyes narrowed at the man. “You know that I speak Russian right?”
“Mhm.” James hummed, unbothered.
“You’re an ass.” Peter groaned only receiving a smug grin.
“He’s an ass who’s right, though. You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself, Petey.” America spoke up then.
Peters chest clenched at the nickname, the one he’d been lovingly called by one little sister and now by another.
Peter smiled tersely and nodded, though he couldn’t convince himself to believe their words entirely.
The weight of the entire universe was sitting directly on his shoulders, thousands of planets, trillions of lives that he was solely responsible for protecting.
It was a daunting task but Peter had known that when he agreed.
He could only be thankful for the people he’d found supporting him in the past few months.
“You ready to face the pirate?” Peter asked James, unsubtly changing the subject.
James rolled his eyes, but answered honestly. “No but I have to.”
“I can do this alone!” Peter protested. “You can wait until you’re ready.”
James scoffed. “I am not letting you do this alone.”
Peter grumbled but thanked the man.
“I would go too if you’d let me!” America added brightly.
“No.” Peter and James said in unison, both narrowing their eyes at the girl.
“I don’t need Fury sniffing around you, especially while HYDRA is still active. Please just wait a year and you can introduce yourself to anyone you want.” Peter continued.
“Ugh. Fine.” The teenager whined.
Peter smiled softly and ruffled her short black hair.
“So what have you guys been doing all day?” Peter asked after a few minutes.
“I was at Kate’s house all day, just got home a few minutes before you.” America answered happily.
“And how is Miss Hawkeye?” Peter asked jokingly.
“Wait, Miss Hawkeye? I thought-“ James started, confused.
“She became Barton’s mentee in our timeline.” Peter explained, cutting the man off.
“Yeah, she’s not Hawkeye yet. But I have a feeling that is one of the fixed points Stephen mentioned. She’s become pretty obsessed with him since the Battle of New York.” America added, smiling secretly.
Peter huffed and rolled his eyes. “Just what I need. Another junior superhero.”
“Oh be quiet! You know you love Kate.” America said, snickering.
“I tolerated Kate when she was five years older than me.” Peter refuted the claim. “A teenage Kate Bishop is a whole other story.”
“Whatever.” America said, rolling her eyes.
James had a small grin on his face as he watched her talk about her supposed ‘best friend’.
Peter caught his eye and smirked. James nodded, apparently they both saw it.
It wasn’t until a month later that Natasha informed him that she could arrange a meeting. They’d decided to meet in an abandoned building in Queens after Peter declined using Stark Tower for their discussion.
It was a chilly morning when Spider-Man walked into the building, James following silently behind him.
Fury was sitting at a table in the middle of the room, looking exactly as Peter remembered. He stood as the duo entered the room.
The man’s blank expression didn’t change as James stepped in just before the door closed behind Peter.
“Director Fury, sir.” Peter greeted confidently. He couldn’t afford to show any signs of weakness in this meeting.
Fury’s brow raised. “Spider-Man, you’re a difficult man to track down.”
“Really?!” Peter gasped. “I’ll be sure to make myself more available for your stalking tendencies in the future.”
“I didn’t know we were bringing guests.” Fury spoke after a few moments, eyes on James.
“He’s needed for what I have to tell you.” Peter explained shortly. “Hey, do you want to sit? Because I kinda want to sit.” At the blank stare he received, he shrugged. “Well I’m gonna sit.”
Fury’s mouth ticked up, annoyance radiating from his expression. “No wonder Stark likes you.”
Peter nose scrunched up. “Because we’re both really cool and awesome?” He questioned.
Fury rolled his eyes and moved to sit back down. “What is the reason you decided to seek me out after making my agents chase you all over the city?”
“I have some sensitive information for you.” Peter said, flashing the drive he’d brought with him before putting it back away. “But first I’ll allow my friend to introduce himself.” He sat back in his seat and crossed his arms, waiting.
When James didn’t move, Fury lifted his chin. “Well?”
James sniffed in annoyance at the tone. “James.” He said shortly.
Peter huffed a laugh. “Okay so maybe I’ll introduce him. This is James Barnes, you might know him better as Captain America’s bestie, or you might even know him as the Winter Soldier.” He said, watching as Fury’s face showed an uncharacteristic amount of shock before his hand shot to his holster at the last alias.
“Wait wait wait!” Peter gasped, jumping up and waving his hands. “Okay maybe that was a bad way to deliver it.”
James snorted. “Ya think?”
“Okay so, six months ago someone sent an assassin after me. I managed to, well, incapacitate him and brought him home. Then I realized who he was and decided to help him.” Peter explained quickly. “It was then that I came across the information that I’ll be sharing with you.”
“Explain.” Fury ordered shortly, brow twitching.
For a man who was lauded the title of ‘The Spy’, Peter found it laughably easy to read his expressions.
He pulled out the flash drive again and set it onto the table. “Sir, this drive will show proof of what I’m about to tell you so please don’t disregard it as soon as it comes out of my mouth. This is important.” At Fury’s nod he continued. “You have an infestation. That is to say, HYDRA has been living, growing even, quite comfortably under your nose. There are only five agents that I’ve been able to clear for certain.”
Fury frowned, grabbing the drive and inspecting it closely. He looked up. “Who?”
“Agent Romanoff and Barton are good. As well as Coulson and Hill, but that’s all I know for sure. Sir, you have to keep this to yourself until you’ve personally inspected the drive. I have reason to believe that multiple members of WSC are part of the terrorist organization.” Peter explained.
“Pierce.” James’ gruff voice cut in. “He’s HYDRA.”
Fury closed his eyes tightly and let out a sigh. “Is that all?”
Peter nodded slowly, watching with trepidation as Fury took in the information.
“And him? Why wasn’t he back by Rogers side the second he could be?” Fury questioned.
“Because I don’t want that.” James answered shortly, not bothering to explain why.
With that, Peter and James turned to leave the S.H.I.E.L.D. Director with his thoughts. He paused at the door. “I’d appreciate if you kept our involvement in this quiet. Perhaps if you do, I can find some more information for you.” He threw over his shoulder.
Once they’d made it back to their house, Peter turned to James. “You know the second you want Steve to know, I’ll be there for you, right?”
James smiled fondly and ruffled Peter’s hair. “I know, дорогой идиот.”
“Stop calling me that.” Peter grumbled, smoothing his hair back.
“But you’re my дорогой идиот, Peter.” James replied teasingly.
“Fuck off.” Peter groaned, waving off the man’s snickers and heading towards his lab.
“Karen, pull up the blueprints for the hard light holograms as well as the specs on the Chitauri weapons I’ve collected. Let’s start working on your upgrade.” Peter said, sitting back and cracking his knuckles.
“On it, Peter.” Karen’s excited voice chirped. “Thank you.” She murmured after another minute.
“Of course, K.” Peter replied, smiling widely. “Anything for you.”
It was early March before Fury finally contacted Peter again, arranging for him to join in on an Avengers Meeting.
Peter shook away his nerves as he entered the conference room. All of the Avengers and Fury were already sitting there, bar Thor who had quickly headed back to Asgard after his meeting with Peter and had yet to return.
“Ah, Spider-Man so nice of you to join us.” Fury spoke firmly.
Peter winked at the man. “Sorry I’m late, dog almost got hit by a car on my way here.”
Fury rolled his eye as a few of three Avengers, notably Tony, snickered at his remark.
“So why am I here?” Peter questioned, sitting down in the only available seat between Tony and Steve.
“I have a mission for the team and I’m hoping you’ll be of some assistance.” Fury answered nonchalantly.
Peter scoffed, more for show than anything else. “I thought I made it clear I didn’t want to join your little boy band.” He paused, eyeing Natasha. “Plus Nat.”
“Really?” Fury asked, brow raised. “Because it seems to me like you’ve meshed pretty well with the ‘boy band’ as you say.”
Peter rolled his eyes. “What’s the mission?”
Fury took the cue and began handing out folders to each of them. He sighed heavily. “Recently, I came across some information that proved that HYDRA has infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D..”
“What?!” Steve gasped. “I thought HYDRA was gone.”
“So did I.” Fury said grimly. “And while myself and a few trusted agents clean house, I was hoping you would be able to take down the bases that we’ve found.”
Then he looked towards Peter specifically, eyebrows raised in question.
Peter sighed loudly and flipped open the folder, skimming the information which he’d provided Fury with. “Fine but I’m not joining the team. Consider me a consultant.”
Fury nodded sharply. “We’ve also been informed that in the months since the invasion, HYDRA has acquired the scepter. We’re not sure where it is but I’d assume it’s at one of these bases.”
“Shit.” Tony cursed, shaking his head as he read through the files.
“How did they get the scepter?” Steve questioned, back straight.
Fury’s face twisted. “Our STRIKE team. Most are HYDRA operatives.”
“Shit!” Tony repeated, eyes wide under his sunglasses. “J, start combing through the files Nicky sent.”
Steve looked around the table seriously. “Well, we’ve got our work cut out for us.”
“You’re telling me.” Clint mumbled, abruptly standing from the table. “I have to make a call.”
After he’d left, the remaining group looked back towards Fury.
“I’ll leave this up to your expertise. Agent Romanoff will keep me informed.”
Natasha nodded her agreement, face set in concentration.
“Yay.” Peter cheered sarcastically. “My first mission with the Avengers and I get to punch Nazis.”
Tony snickered and even Steve couldn’t help his small smile.
“It’s very satisfying.” The Captain agreed, sounding grim.
The first mission wasn’t for another few weeks so Peter occupied his time with upgrades.
It was one of those late nights spent in his lab that Karen spoke up.
“Peter, I believe Just A Rather Very Intelligent System has noticed the presence of another AI in the city, he is attempting to hack into my mainframe.” She said softly, screen popping up in front of him.
Peters head snapped up and he caught her eyes. She looked perfectly calm, a smirk twitching at her lips.
“Is it working?” Peter questioned.
Karen’s smirk widened. “Of course not, Boss. JARVIS might be advanced but even he doesn’t have the capabilities to hack technology from approximately seventeen years in the future.”
“So what should we do? Just let him do his thing or?” Peter questioned.
Karen hesitated for a split second before answering. “I believe we should open a line of communication.”
Peters brows shot up. “And do what?”
“I believe informing JARVIS that I am Spider-Man’s personal AI will result in him ceasing his investigation. Mr. Stark trusts Spider-Man so my calculations lead me to the conclusion that the trust may very well extend to JARVIS as well.” She explained promptly.
Peter hummed in thought before conceding to her point. “I suppose it would really hurt anything for Tony to know about you.”
“I don’t believe it will.” Karen agreed, smiling softly.
“You’re the boss, K.” Peter said finally.
“Opening a line of communication now.” Karen chirped.
“Why not?” Peter mumbled, leaning back in his chair.