"i'll always come back to you"
"You ready for this, маленький паук?" she asked, a hint of concern in her voice.
Peter nodded as he pulled his mask over his head. "Yep, all set!"
Natasha frowned slightly, her protective instincts on high alert. When she had first met Peter in Germany, she could tell right away that he was young and inexperienced. Barely a teenager at the time. Over the years since then, she had kept tabs on him and tried to look out for the kid whenever she could. He had heart and determination, she had to give him that. But she worried he was getting in over his head too often, putting himself in dangerous situations.
Which is why when she got a lead on an illegal weapons deal going down, one likely involving alien tech, she decided to bring Spider-Man in on it rather than handling it herself. She knew Peter would want to be there to help stop it and confiscate the weapons. But she also intended to keep a very close eye on him and intervene at the first sign of real trouble. Whether he liked it or not.
They exited the Quinjet and crept across the rooftop, locating a sky window they could peer through. Far below was a large group of armed criminals, at least two dozen, gathering around several stacks of large crates.
"This is big," Peter whispered. "We gotta stop them from getting these weapons out on the streets."
Natasha nodded. "We'll take them by surprise. I'll drop down first and you web up as many as you can. Then we'll converge on the middle and take down the rest. Stay close to me."
Peter gave her a mock salute. "You got it, Agent Romanoff!"
Despite her game face, Natasha felt her protective concern rising. She knew Peter was capable, but these were seriously dangerous people with illegal alien firearms. She would have to keep an extra close watch over the kid.
Taking a deep breath, Natasha leapt through the window, rolling into a crouch on the warehouse floor. In a blur of motion she swept the legs out from under the nearest criminal, leapt upwards to deliver a devastating punch to another, then spun and kicked a third man flying backwards. From the corner of her eye she saw Peter swoop down, webbing up three men at once and yanking them off their feet.
Good kid, she thought. But no slacking on her part. She had to watch his back. Natasha sprinted towards a cluster of criminals, unleashing her wrist tasers to stun them all at once. As they convulsed and dropped, she spotted two men raising alien rifles towards where Peter was twisting between more enemies.
With a surge of protective fury Natasha flung herself into a diving roll, hurling electric discs to knock the men's weapons flying. No one threatened her spider kid on her watch. She vaulted back to her feet and dropped the men with a vicious clothesline.
By now the remaining criminals were converging on Natasha and Peter at the center of the warehouse. Back to back, the two heroes battled the encircling foes. Natasha lashed out with powerful kicks even as she continued scanning for threats to Peter. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted a scrawny guy leveling a Chitauri energy rifle at the boy. With lightning reflexes she snatched a gun from a downed criminal and threw it with pinpoint accuracy, knocking the alien weapon from the man's grasp.
"I got you, Peter!" she called out.
"I know, I know!" he yelled back in a frustrated tone as he webbed up two attackers at once.
Natasha felt a pang of guilt. She knew she was being overprotective. But she couldn't help it - she cared about his safety. They just needed to get through this fight in one piece.
In minutes they had taken down the remaining criminals. Peter did a quick web sweep to make sure they were all contained while Natasha hurried to examine the crates of weapons, determining the best way to confiscate and dispose of them safely.
Peter joined her, breathing hard. "We make a pretty good team!" he said with a grin she could hear through his mask.
She smiled back. "We do. You did well, Peter." She placed a proud hand on his shoulder.
He shifted uncomfortably under her touch. "Uh, yeah. Couldn't have done it without you watching my back - like literally every single second," he muttered.
Natasha blinked, surprised and a little hurt. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing, nothing." Peter turned away. "Just, you've been SUPER overprotective this whole time. I had it under control."
"Pete, I was just looking out for you," Natasha said carefully. "These guys had very dangerous weapons. I wanted to make sure you were safe."
Peter whirled back to face her. "I've been in dangerous situations before, you know. I don't need you babying me like I'm made of glass! I can handle myself!" His outburst echoed through the warehouse.
Natasha set her mouth in a firm line. She spoke low and calm. "I know you can. But it doesn't hurt to have someone watch your back. You're young, you still have a lot to learn-"
"Ugh, you ALWAYS say that!" Peter yelled, getting in her face. "I'm sick of you treating me like a little kid! I'm an Avenger too now, I don't need you hovering over my shoulder every second!"
Before Natasha could respond, one of the supposedly unconscious criminals stirred and grabbed an alien rifle near his hand. With a grunt of effort he lifted the heavy weapon, aiming it towards the heroes.
Natasha's eyes went wide with terror as the rifle discharged. "PETER, GET DOWN!" she screamed.
But it was too late. The blast struck him in the left shoulder. The force of the impact sent him flying backwards with a cry of pain to crumple in a heap.
"NO!" Natasha howled. Her heart froze in fear. Then rage took over. She snatched her own guns and strode towards the criminal who had dared fire on HER spider child. Her vision went red as she fired multiple shots, ensuring the scumbag would never harm anyone again.
Only when she confirmed he was dead did Natasha sprint for Peter's unmoving form. "Peter! PETER!" she cried out. She slid to her knees beside him, hands hovering, afraid to touch him.
Peter groaned weakly. "Ow, ow..."
Natasha blinked back tears of relief. He was alive. Thank God. "Just stay still, stay still," she told him firmly. Inside she was shaking. She spotted the alien blast wound on his shoulder, seared and blackened flesh visible through his burned suit. He needed medical attention immediately.
But first she had to secure the situation. Natasha forced herself to take several deep breaths, pushing down the panicked maternal feelings threatening to overwhelm her. She had to keep it together. For Peter's sake.
"I'll be right back," she said, squeezing his good hand. Then she stood and moved methodically around the warehouse, triple checking that every single criminal was dead or safely webbed into submission. She used cord from the Quinjet to tightly bind the few that were still alive. They had information she could extract later.
Finally certain the site was secure, Natasha ran back and dropped down beside the weakly moaning Peter again.
"Okay, okay, I'm here now," she reassured him, keeping her voice steady with some effort. She inspected his wound, her stomach clenching at the sight of the gruesome burnt flesh. Applying a field dressing, she said, "I'm getting you back to the Quinjet. Just hold on."
As gently as she could she slid her arms under him and lifted him in a bridal carry. Peter let out a gasp of pain but stayed quiet as she hurried for the exit.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," Natasha found herself murmuring as she moved. She blinked back more tears. "I never should have let you get hurt. This is all my fault..."
Peter lifted his good arm to squeeze her shoulder. "No...s'not your fault," he said weakly.
Natasha just shakes her head, overcome with guilt and worry and protective fury at whoever had caused her kid pain. She swore angrily in Russian under her breath.
Back on the Quinjet she lay Peter on a stretcher and worked quickly to cut away the rest of his burned suit so she could clean and properly bandage the wound. Peter endured this with muffled groans but no complaints.
"OK...looks like it just grazed you. Doesn't seem to have hit bone," Natasha murmured almost to herself as she inspected the blast impact. "I'm just glad it wasn't a full direct hit. I'm taking you back to the compound so Dr. Cho can patch you up properly."
Peter gave her a pained but grateful smile. "'Kay. Thanks Nat."
Natasha secured him for takeoff then piloted them away from the site, keeping one eye back on Peter the whole time. As the Quinjet soared through the night sky, her adrenaline wore off, leaving her drained and exhausted. But the guilt still gnawed at her.
"Peter...I'm so sorry I let this happen," she said quietly without looking back. "I should have protected you better. I just - I worry about you, котёнок. It's only because I care so much. But that's no excuse for smothering you. You deserve freedom to be your own hero..." She trailed off, swallowing hard.
"It's okay," Peter said gently. She heard him shift on the stretcher. "I get it. I know you've got my back. And it's...it's nice having someone watching over me. I know I don't always act appreciative of it. But I do like knowing you've got me. That you care."
Natasha blinked rapidly and had to focus intently on flying for a minute before she could respond.
"I'll always have your back, Peter," she said in a tight voice. "I promise I'll do a better job shielding you, while also giving you space. I just...I can't lose my...my kid." She froze. Had she just...?
Behind her, Peter drew in a sharp breath. "Wait. Did you say...your kid?" he asked tentatively.
Natasha's grip on the controls was white-knuckled. She kept her eyes fixed straight ahead. "I only meant...you're like...you know what I..." She took a deep breath. "Yes. I said my kid. Because that's how I see you, Peter. Like you're...you're my..." She couldn't quite get the word out.
There was a long silence. Natasha didn't dare turn around. What must he think of her ridiculous slip-up? She had no right to claim him as...as hers...
"Nat?" Peter finally said softly. She heard him shifting again. "Could you...could you come here a sec?"
Natasha hesitated. Then she reluctantly set the autopilot and moved back to crouch beside the stretcher. She kept her eyes down. "Peter, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"
"Natasha," he interrupted gently. He reached out to cup her cheek in his good hand, guiding her face up to look at him. His eyes glistened slightly. "I'm glad you said it. Because...I've kind of been thinking of you...like that too."
Natasha's eyes widened in hope and wonder. "You...you have?" she whispered.
Peter gave a small nod, his mouth curling in a warm smile. "Yeah. I mean, you've kind of been like...like..."
"Like a mom to you?" Natasha supplied nervously. Saying the word out loud made her feel suddenly vulnerable. This boy held her heart in his hands.
Peter's smile grew wider. "Yeah. Like a mom." He leaned forward to wrap his good arm around her shoulders. After a moment, Natasha hugged him back gently, mindful of his injury. She turned her head to press a fierce, protective kiss to his hair.
They stayed like that for a long moment, mother and son embracing. When Nat pulled back, Peter grinned up at her. "But I'm still calling you Nat."
She laughed, wiping at her definitely not teary eyes. "Wouldn't have it any other way, котёнок." She smiled down at him, heart swelling. Her kid. Hers to love and protect with everything she had.
"Now try to rest," she said, brushing his hair back. "We'll be home soon. I've got you, Peter. Мама паук is here."
Peter's eyes were already drifting closed, exhaustion overtaking him. But he smiled at her words. "Love you...Мама паук..." he mumbled.
"I love you too, sweetheart. So much," Natasha whispered. She leaned down to gently kiss his forehead before returning to the pilot seat. As she flew them steadily homeward, she kept one hand reached back to hold his, maintaining that connection between mother and son.
The Quinjet touched down smoothly on the landing pad at the Avengers compound. As the engines spun down, Natasha was already moving to Peter's side.
"We're home, котёнок," she said gently, brushing the hair back from his pale sweaty face. He gave her a pained smile. Natasha carefully lifted him again, one arm under his knees and the other supporting his back, avoiding his bandaged left shoulder.
Peter leaned his head against her as she carried him down the ramp of the jet. He was nearly fully grown, almost too big for her to easily carry, but Natasha didn't even feel his weight. She was laser focused on keeping him safe in her arms.
Striding swiftly across the landing area, she called out "Friday, notify Dr. Cho and prep the medical bay, we have an injury. Gunshot wound to the left shoulder."
"Right away, Agent Romanoff," the AI responded promptly.
Natasha felt Peter stir slightly. "M'okay, Nat, you don't have to carry me..." he mumbled.
Natasha hushed him. "It's no trouble, sweetie, just rest." She held him a little tighter and picked up her pace towards medical.
As she walked through the residential wing, Steve Rogers popped his head out from the common room area. "Hey we thought we heard...whoa, what happened?" His eyes went wide at the sight of Peter's bandaged and bloody shoulder.
"He's hurt, we need to get him to Dr. Cho," Natasha said tersely, not slowing.
Steve hurried after her. "Here, let me-" He started to reach for Peter.
Natasha twisted away sharply, shielding Peter with her body and glaring daggers at Steve. "I've got him," she snarled. Steve threw up his hands and backed off immediately at her ferocious protective reaction.
Natasha felt Peter shift weakly again. "S'okay Nat, Steve can help..." But she shushed him again, holding him close and continuing on her way. She trusted Steve, but right now her arms were the safest place for her wounded boy. No one was taking him from her until she got him proper medical care.
In medical, Dr. Cho was waiting with a prepared bed and equipment. "What happened?" the doctor asked briskly as she helped ease Peter onto the bed.
"Alien blast wound to his left shoulder," Natasha reported. As Cho cut away the bandages and field dressing to inspect the injury, Natasha hovered right at Peter's side, holding his right hand. He gave her a dazed little smile which she returned, gently brushing his hair back from his forehead.
"Laser burn, but it missed major arteries and bones," Cho muttered. "I'll need to debride and clean this before bandaging it again." She glanced curiously at Natasha. "What's his pain level?"
"I'm okay..." Peter started weakly.
Nat ignored him. "He's clearly in severe pain, give him something for it," she ordered the doctor sharply.
At Cho's incredulous look, Natasha took a breath and softened her tone a fraction. "Please. He needs pain relief."
Cho raised an eyebrow but pulled out a vial and syringe. "This is a heavy dose anaesthetic and sedative," she explained, prepping Peter's IV. "It'll put him out for a few hours so I can properly clean and close this wound."
Peter gave Nat's hand a faint squeeze as Cho injected the drugs into his IV line. "You'll...stay...?" he mumbled, already sliding away under the medication's effects.
"I'll be right here when you wake up, sweetie. I promise," Natasha soothed him, gently stroking his hair as his eyes fluttered shut. She continued the tender motion even after he was fully unconscious.
Cho gave her another look but didn't comment, instead focusing on carefully cleaning out the ugly burnt wound. Natasha kept hold of Peter's hand with one of hers while her other gently combed through his hair in a comforting, maternal motion. She knew the drugs had him fully out, but she hoped on some level her touch would soothe him.
About ten minutes later, Steve poked his head in. "How is he?" the super soldier asked with concern. Behind him Natasha could see Sam and Bucky peering over his shoulders.
She gave them a brief update on Peter's condition, keeping her voice low and her eyes on his sleeping face as she stroked his hair. She was vaguely aware of the men's gazes moving between her and Peter with curiosity and surprise, but she didn't care what they thought. Her kid needed her comfort right now.
Sam cleared his throat awkwardly. "What exactly happened out there?"
Natasha sighed, the mission events replaying in her mind, including her own failure to protect Peter from harm. "We raided a weapons deal. It was supposed to be an easy in-and-out. But it went south." She shook her head. "I should have been more alert. I let him get hurt." The admission tasted bitter on her tongue.
"Not your fault," Steve said kindly. "You got him out and home safely. That's what matters."
Natasha just nodded, not fully believing it. She refocused on Peter's sleeping face, running a gentle hand over his hair.
After an awkward beat, the three men quietly slipped out. Natasha settled in to keep vigil at Peter's bedside, one hand holding his, the other softly carding through his hair or soothingly stroking his cheek.
Some time later Cho finished suturing and re-bandaging the wound. She assured Natasha that Peter would make a full recovery with rest. Natasha thanked her sincerely. The doctor gave her another odd look, but merely reminded her to have Friday alert her when Peter woke.
Alone again, Natasha shifted her chair even closer to Peter's bedside. She found herself murmuring gentle reassurances and endearments to him in Russian as he slept, even though she knew he couldn't hear. Still, she hoped her voice and the feather-light kisses she pressed to his forehead would bring him some comfort.
After a while, Tony strode briskly into medical. He stopped short at the sight of Natasha hovering protectively over a sleeping Peter, her fingers carding softly through his hair as she hummed an old Russian lullaby under her breath.
"What the hell happened?" Tony demanded. "Friday told me the kid got shot. Is he okay?"
Nat glanced over and quickly explained the mission and injury. Tony's face clouded with anger and guilt. "He shouldn't have been there in the first place," the billionaire muttered, moving to Peter's other side. He gently brushed the boy's hair back, frowning. "Poor kid. But he's gonna be okay?"
Natasha nodded. "Cho said he'll recover fully." Peter stirred slightly with a faint whimper. Nat immediately soothed him, caressing his cheek until he settled again. Tony watched this with an unreadable expression.
"Well, good," he finally said gruffly. "Glad you got him back safe." He gazed down at Peter with soft fondness. "He's a great kid. Doesn't deserve this."
Natasha's chest constricted. "No. He doesn't," she agreed quietly. Impulsively she leaned down to brush a gentle kiss over Peter's forehead, feeling Tony's surprised gaze on her. She didn't care. Her sweet boy needed all the love and comfort she could give.
After checking Peter's vitals, Tony patted his shoulder lightly. "Call me if anything changes. I'll check in later." With one more searching look at Natasha's openly protective posture, he left.
Alone again, Natasha spent the next couple hours maintaining her patient vigil, keeping physical contact with Peter and talking or singing softly to him whenever he stirred at all. The maternal love and tender protectiveness she felt for him flowed unchecked now. This boy was the most precious thing in her life, and she would move heaven and earth to keep him safe.
Finally, Peter began to shift and mumble as he woke. Natasha leaned close, gently cupping his cheek. "Shh, it's alright маленький паук, I'm here," she soothed.
Peter's eyes blinked open, blearily focusing on her face. "Nat?" he croaked.
"I'm right here, sweetie," she said, smiling down at him. Unable to resist, she pressed a kiss to his forehead. "How are you feeling?"
"Mmm...fuzzy," he murmured. He was clearly still affected by the sedative drugs. Natasha kept stroking his hair and face, offering soft comforting words as he gradually woke up. His uninjured right hand came up weakly to cling at her sleeve.
"You're safe, I've got you," she told him gently. On impulse she sat on the edge of his bed so he could curl against her side. Peter immediately snuggled closer with a contented sigh, tucking his head under her chin. Natasha adjusted carefully to avoid his injured shoulder, then wrapped both arms around him, one hand rubbing his back.
"M'tired..." he mumbled into her shoulder.
Natasha dropped a kiss to the top of his head. "Then rest, sweetheart. I'll be right here."
Peter gave a sleepy little hum, already drifting off again. "Mmhmm...love you, Мама паук..."
Natasha had to blink sudden tears from her eyes. She hugged himclose with utmost tenderness. "I love you so much, my little spider," she whispered into his hair.
She stayed there long minutes, Peter cuddled trustingly against her like a much younger child seeking comfort from his mother. Natasha was more than happy to provide that nurturing shelter for her hurting boy. She stroked his hair and back slowly, humming that Russian lullaby again under her breath.
Footsteps at the door made her glance up sharply, arms tightening protectively around the sleeping Peter. But it was only Bruce. He froze in the doorway, blinking at the sight of Natasha tenderly cradling an asleep Peter on the hospital bed. His eyes flicked between them questioningly.
Natasha gave a small shake of her head, touching a finger to her lips. Bruce nodded and moved quietly to check the equipment readings, giving Peter's arm a gentle pat. His eyes were still full of curiosity, but he mercifully didn't speak. With a sympathetic smile at Natasha, he slipped out again.
Settling back against the pillows, Natasha let her eyes close, secure in the knowledge that she was exactly where she needed to be - wrapped protectively around her wounded little spider. Exhaustion finally caught up with her, and she drifted into a light doze.
Some time later, soft voices and footsteps roused her. Natasha blinked awake to see Pepper Potts and May Parker approaching Peter's bedside. She sat up hurriedly, moving to slide off the bed, but May waved a hand.
"It's okay, stay there," the boy's aunt said with a kind smile. Her eyes were knowing as she took in Natasha's protective hold on a sleeping Peter. "I'm just glad he has you to watch over him."
Pepper handed Natasha a blanket, and she nodded thanks as she carefully tucked it around herself and Peter. The boy didn't even stir, lost to the world in medicated sleep. She dropped a featherlight kiss to his hair. Over his head she gave May and Pepper a fuller recap of the mission and subsequent medical treatment.
"Poor sweetie," Pepper sighed, brushing back Peter's hair. "But it seems he's in the best hands." Her smile took on a teasing edge as she glanced at Natasha.
Natasha ducked her head, feeling suddenly self-conscious about the openly maternal way she was treating Peter. But May just squeezed her arm.
"I'm thankful he has you looking out for him," the older woman said sincerely. "It's good for Peter to have more strong women in his corner." Her eyes were knowing but also a little sad. Natasha realized that with Peter's mother gone, May had been trying to fill that void alone for many years.
On impulse, Nat reached out to clasp May's hand. "You've done an amazing job with him," she said quietly. "He's so special."
May's eyes turned a little glassy. She patted Natasha's hand. "Thank you. That means a lot." With a tremulous smile at Peter she added, "I'm glad he has someone else who loves him like he deserves."
Natasha could only nod, overcome with emotion. She and May shared a look of perfect understanding about this precious boy asleep between them. Together they would make sure he never doubted he was cherished.
Pepper tactfully changed the subject to discussing Peter's recovery plan and school accommodations. The three women spoke in hushed tones, frequently pausing to fuss over Peter's blankets or stroke his hair when he stirred at all. He remained deeply asleep, though he did nuzzle into Natasha's side a few times with a contented little sigh that made all their hearts melt.
Over the next few days this scene replayed many times as Peter's various guardians stopped in to check on him. Natasha remained a constant presence at his side, making sure he knew she was there when he woke. She let him cuddle against her without hesitation, offering all the physical comfort and affection he needed in his groggy, vulnerable state.
And if the other Avengers shot her surprised looks at this uncharacteristically soft behavior, she ignored them. She was well past caring what anyone thought. Her only concern was caring for the boy who had come to mean everything to her - her kid, in every way but blood.
When Peter was finally awake and lucid, propped up on pillows and chatting happily with Ned about new Lego sets, Natasha slipped off the bed with a discreet squeeze of his hand. Before she could make it two steps toward the door, Peter's voice stopped her.
"Wait, where are you going?" He gave her a plaintive look that tugged at her heart.
She came back and perched on the edge of his bed, brushing his hair back. "Just stretching my legs, sweetie. I'm not going far."
Peter bit his lip. "But, will you come back?" The unspoken plea was clear in his eyes - he still needed her close.
Natasha smiled softly, cupping his cheek. "Of course, маленький паук. I'll always come back to you." She leaned in to kiss his forehead tenderly.
Peter's face split in a brilliant smile. He wrapped his good arm around her in an exuberant hug. "Love you, Мама паук," he said happily.
"Love you too, baby," she whispered into his hair. Over his shoulder she saw Ned and the others grinning at this open display of affection. She winked at them as she stood up.
"I'll be back soon," she promised Peter. "Ned, make sure he rests." With one last fond hair ruffle that made Peter whine playfully, she slipped out, heart warm and full.
Her kid was going to be just fine. And his Мама паук would be right by his side, for cuddles or crime fighting or anything else he needed. Always.