"you made this old spider's heart feel young again"
Natasha took a deep breath as she stood outside the apartment door, still unsure if she was making the right decision. When Tony had first approached her about recruiting Spider-Man, she had been hesitant, but willing to follow his lead. Now that she was face-to-face with the young hero, doubts crept in.
Shaking them off, she raised her hand and knocked firmly on the door. A moment later, it swung open to reveal a teenage boy with messy brown hair and wide eyes.
"Uh, h-hi," he stammered, looking both shocked and starstruck to see her standing there. "You're...you're Black Widow!"
Natasha gave him a small smile. "And you must be Spider-Man. I'm Natasha. Is it okay if I come in? We need to talk."
"Y-yeah, of course!" he said quickly, stepping aside. As she entered the small apartment, he gushed, "I can't believe you're here. In my apartment! I, uh, would've cleaned up if I knew you were coming."
She glanced around at the rumpled blankets on the couch and school books spread across the coffee table. "It's no problem," she assured him. Looking at him now, seeing how young he was beneath the mask, her doubts grew stronger. But she had a mission to complete.
"So, um, can I get you anything? Water? I think we have some stale chips..." he offered.
Natasha smiled kindly. "I'm fine, thank you." She gestured to the couch. "Why don't we sit?"
The boy nodded and perched awkwardly on the edge of the couch while Natasha sat across from him. She observed him for a moment, taking in his nervous energy and wide-eyed excitement. He was just a kid. A smart, capable kid, if what she'd heard about him was true, but still just a kid.
"I'm here because Iron Man asked me to recruit you for a mission," she began gently. "I know you're aware of the Sokovia Accords?"
The boy - Peter Parker, she recalled his name was - nodded. "Yeah, all enhanced people have to register and work under U.N. oversight now. It's pretty controversial."
Natasha nodded. "It is. And it's dividing the team. Captain America doesn't want to sign. But Iron Man thinks it's necessary, after...after what happened." She didn't have to clarify which tragedy she meant. Peter's face softened with understanding.
"Anyway," she continued, "there's going to be a confrontation about it. Captain America and those who support him on one side, Iron Man and his allies on the other. It's likely to get messy. That's why I'm here." She met Peter's eyes. "Tony wants you on our side."
Peter's mouth fell open. "Whoa. I mean, I'll totally help Mr. Stark if he needs me. But wow...I can't believe I'd be fighting the Avengers." His voice filled with worry.
Natasha studied the anxious teen thoughtfully. "Before you agree to anything, you should know what you're getting into. This isn't a game or training simulation. It's a real conflict, between teammates and friends. People you look up to." Peter gazed at her uneasily as she went on.
"Iron Man will have me, War Machine, Vision, and likely some others. On Cap's side is Falcon, Hawkeye, Scarlet Witch, Ant-Man and the Winter Soldier." Saying their names out loud gave Natasha pause. These were their friends. Their family. And they were asking this wide-eyed kid to fight them.
Peter fidgeted with his sleeve, looking deeply conflicted. "I just want to help, you know? But...hurting any of you guys, that would be awful. There's gotta be another way."
Natasha regarded him sadly. "I wish there was. But both sides are convinced they're right. That's why Tony wants you there, to tip the scales in his favor."
"To tip the scales," Peter repeated slowly. He met her eyes. "Ms. Romanoff - can I call you that? Ms. Romanoff, I'll come to Germany if Mr. Stark really needs me. But not to tip any scales. To help remind everyone that we're still a team, a family. And families can get through anything if they face it together."
Natasha was struck by his words. The conviction and hope in his voice. This young hero saw the good in people, even when they had lost sight of it in themselves. Moved by his sincerity, she made a decision - she wouldn't let Tony send this kid into battle. Not like this.
"You really believe that, don't you?" she asked softly. "That we can work this out, if we try."
Peter nodded eagerly. "I do. My aunt always says most conflicts just need more communication and understanding. Maybe if I go and help explain things, from a new perspective..."
He trailed off hopefully. Natasha gave him a sad smile. "I admire your optimism, Peter. And your heart's in the right place. But some fights can't be avoided with words. As much as I wish it were that simple."
The young hero looked crestfallen, but still determined. "Yeah. Yeah, you're probably right. But...I can still come and try? At least give them a chance to listen?"
His pleading eyes swayed her. He deserved the opportunity to be that voice of idealism, of unity - before reality might dash it. "Okay," she conceded. "We'll do it your way first. But you stick close to me out there. Deal?"
Peter grinned. "Deal! Don't worry, I've got your back." His eagerness made her heart twinge. She only hoped she could keep him safe when the time came.
The air was thick with tension when they arrived at the German airport. Natasha stayed close to Peter's side, protective instincts on high alert even before the fighting began. Looking around, she spotted familiar faces - Steve, defiant and resolute, Bucky brooding and wary, Tony encased in his Iron Man armor, hiding any doubts behind the mask.
"They're here," she murmured to Peter. "Once this starts, there's no going back."
He nodded, squaring his slim shoulders. "I'm ready." Yet beneath the bravado, she heard the quaver of nerves.
Steve's voice called out first, loud and commanding. "Stark, we don't have to do this. Just give me and Bucky time to get to the truth."
"I wish I could, Cap," Tony shouted back. "You know what's at stake here."
Natasha moved instinctively in front of Peter as the two sides gathered, posturing and raising weapons. The child had no place here.
"Don't," she said in a low voice. "You wanted to talk to them first. Go."
Nodding, Peter removed his mask and stepped forward shyly. "Um, hey everyone. I'm Spider-Man."
The reaction was immediate - surprise, discomfort, disbelief. No one had realized how young he was. Steve lowered his shield slightly, frowning.
"Who brought the kid, Tony?" Sam called out angrily.
Tony raised his hands defensively. "He came willingly. Thought we could use back-up."
Peter cleared his throat. "Actually, Mr. Stark just asked Ms. Romanoff to recruit me. I came...because I thought maybe I could help." He glanced around anxiously. "I know you're all convinced you're doing the right thing. That it has to be this way. But...could it hurt just to talk first?"
Steve's eyes softened as he looked at Peter. Natasha held her breath. Then the Captain sighed and nodded. "Alright, son. You've got a point." He shot Tony a reproachful look. "Recruiting a minor, that's playing dirty. But I'm willing to listen."
Slowly, reluctantly, both sides lowered their weapons and approached to talk. Peter's face lit up, relieved. As the heroes gathered in a tense circle, Natasha moved beside the boy, squeezing his shoulder.
"You did it," she said warmly. "Now let's see if we can end this before it goes too far."
For the next hour, she stood by as Peter facilitated an impassioned, much-needed discussion. Compromises were proposed, perspectives shared. It was tenuous, but cracks were appearing in each side's self-righteous certainty. Watching the young hero appeal to their conscience, Natasha felt that long-buried flicker of hope.
Finally, Steve shook his head and extended a hand to Tony. "Alright, Shellhead. We'll give your plan a shot - with some adjustments." Tony clasped his hand, relief evident even through the suit.
"Glad we could work this out." As the rest began murmuring agreements and farewells, Tony walked over and clasped Peter's shoulder. "Knew you'd be an asset, kid. You've got a gift."
Peter flushed. "Just trying to help, Mr. Stark." As Tony headed off, the boy turned to Natasha with a grin. "We did it!"
Impulsively, she pulled him into a hug. "You did," she said warmly. He had done the impossible - found a path to reconciliation when the rest of them had given up. Over his shoulder, she met Clint's knowing gaze. Someday, she hoped, her friend could understand how this boy had cracked through the fortress around her heart.
As Peter hugged her back, impossibly young and impossibly brave, her thoughts flew unbidden to another lifetime. One where she had a child of her own, whom she would have shielded at all costs from battles like these. Emotion clogged her throat.
After they separated, she mussed Peter's hair gently. "I'm proud of you, Peter. The way you brought us back from the brink...that was extraordinary. Don't ever lose that light."
The young hero flushed at the praise. "I just said what I hoped could help. But it means so much that you listened. That any of you did." He hesitated, then confessed, "I know it's crazy, since we only met today. But talking with you, it kinda felt like...like I do with my Aunt May, you know? Safe. How awesome is it to have the Black Widow feel like family?" He laughed self-consciously.
Natasha's breath caught. Family. It terrified her, how easily this child had slipped past her defenses. But the word didn't scare her as it once might have. Looking into his bright, trusting eyes, she understood - sometimes family found you, whether you believed yourself worthy or not.
"Not as crazy as you might think," she said softly. Impulsively, she pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead. Then she stepped back, heart full. "Let's get you home. Your aunt's probably worried."
As they headed out together, she knew this makeshift family they had forged was more fragile than she'd like. The Accords would still divide and test them. But now, she had hope they would find a way through. If they could see each other clearly, as Peter somehow had helped them to do, maybe their fractured bonds could mend. And whatever else came, she would protect this brave, kind-hearted boy who felt like home. With this unlikely yet extraordinary kid at her side, she believed for once, they might just get through it together.
Three Months Later
Natasha stepped out of the elevator into the Avengers Tower common room and paused, a small smile coming to her face. There on the couch, Peter was gesturing excitedly as he told a story to Sam and Bucky, who were listening with amused interest.
"...so then I used my webs to slingshot right between its jaws at the last second!" Peter was saying. "I gotta admit, almost getting eaten by that giant lizard monster freaked me out a little. But I got him in the end."
"A giant lizard, huh?" Sam raised an eyebrow. "And here I thought you were just a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man."
Peter rubbed the back of his neck self-consciously. "Yeah, well, some pretty crazy stuff happens in Queens. But I handled it!"
Bucky ruffled the kid's hair. "No doubt about that. You ever need back-up though, say the word. Can't have you getting eaten on our watch."
"For sure!" Peter agreed eagerly. "Man, getting to team up with you guys would be epic."
Natasha cleared her throat as she approached, and Peter's face lit up when he saw her. "Nat!" He jumped up and gave her an enthusiastic hug which she returned warmly. Ever since the clash over the Sokovia Accords months ago, she and Peter had grown incredibly close.
"Hey маленький паук," she greeted, using the Russian nickname she'd taken to calling him. "Regaling the guys with more of your death-defying adventures?"
Peter pulled back, looking excited. "Yup! Oh man, wait till I tell you about this car chase last week..."
As he launched into the story, Sam shot Natasha a knowing grin over the kid's shoulder. Their unspoken bond had become clear to the rest of the team by now. Though no one would have expected it, the infamous Black Widow had taken young Spider-Man under her wing. For his part, Peter practically worshiped her.
Natasha settled on the couch next to Peter as Sam and Bucky excused themselves. "Alright, let's hear this car chase tale," she said indulgently.
Peter's storytelling skills brought the whole escapade to life. She listened attentively, hiding her concern at some of his riskier maneuvers with an impassive spy's face. He was a brave kid, if reckless at times. Qualities which reminded her all too much of herself.
When Peter finished, she raised an eyebrow. "Daredevil would be impressed," she said wryly. "But maybe don't make a habit of hitching rides on speeding cars."
"I know, I know." Peter held up his hands. "I'm being more careful, honest." He hesitated. "That's, um, kinda why I came by today, actually. I was hoping we could...train together?" His voice pitched hopefully on the question.
Natasha blinked in surprise. Since revealing his identity after the clash over the Accords, Peter had taken to spending time at the Tower after school and missions. She knew Tony had been helping upgrade his suit and tech. But this was the first time he'd asked her for training. The request sent a surge of warmth through her chest.
"Of course," she said, brushing his hair fondly. "I figured you could use some tips beyond webs and spandex."
Peter flushed. "Hey, it's a high-tech suit!" But his eyes shone with excitement. "I kinda want to be prepared, you know? For...for anything."
His voice took on a more solemn tone, and Natasha's expression softened. She knew he was thinking of the fight at the airport. Of watching Earth's Mightiest Heroes nearly tear each other apart. It had affected the kid, seeing the Avengers so divided.
"That's smart," she said gently. "I can teach you ways to use an opponent's strength against them. How to be quick, clever, turn a fight to your advantage." Skills she fervently hoped he would never need to use against their allies again.
Peter nodded, looking grateful. "That would be amazing. I know I've got a lot to learn."
Natasha smiled and pulled him in for another hug. "You're doing just fine, маленький паук. But stick with me, and I'll make sure you can handle anything they throw at you out there."
And so began their training regimen. Three times a week, they would spend hours in the gym as Natasha taught him hand-to-hand combat forms, grappling techniques, and agility drills. To her surprise, she found she was actually enjoying it. Passing on her hard-won skills to someone so eager to learn was fulfilling in a way she hadn't expected.
Peter was like a sponge, absorbing everything she showed him with near-endless enthusiasm. Sometimes they would chat easily as they worked, bonding over funny mishaps on missions or debating suit upgrades. Other times they would train in comfortable silence, punctuated only by Natasha's instructions or praise for a move well-executed.
She marveled at how innate his spider abilities made combat skills come to him. But she also pushed him, not going easy even when he took his inevitable lumps and bruises. Because she knew one day his life might depend on mastering a move flawlessly.
When they weren't training, Peter seemed to spend every free moment at the Tower. He would work in the lab with Tony, watching movies with Sam, playing video games with Bucky, attempting cooking lessons from a patient Vision. And often, he would seek Natasha out just to talk, keeping her company even with small mundane tasks.
At first, she worried the teen might eventually grow bored hanging around so many adults. But if anything, Peter seemed happier than ever to spend time with his heroes and soak up their mentorship. For them, his enthusiasm and humor were a breath of fresh air in their high-stakes world.
Soon it became an unspoken understanding that the kid was under their collective wing. Peter had woven his way into all their lives in little ways. His science pun T-shirts mixed with Bucky's sweatshirts in laundry. His leftover Thai takeout boxes cluttered Tony's fridge. His movie choices dominated the Netflix row.
For her part, Natasha found Peter's presence grounding. On difficult missions, she would remind herself that the brave boy was waiting back home, relying on her. She had someone counting on her to come back safe. It was strange how the teenage superhero had become such a touchstone, a sense of family she had never expected to find.
One evening, after a long day of meetings in the city, Natasha returned to the penthouse exhausted. As she stepped out of the elevator, though, she saw Peter curled up asleep on the couch, textbook open beside him. He must have waited up for her. Smiling softly, she draped a blanket over him and brushed the hair back from his forehead.
Peter stirred, blinking groggily. "Oh hey, Nat," he mumbled. "You're back."
"Get some rest, маленький паук," she said gently. "We'll train tomorrow after your classes, okay?"
He nodded, already drifting off again. "M'kay. G'night. Love you."
Natasha froze, heart skipping a beat. Love. That specific word had not passed between them before, though she had come to care for Peter deeply. To hear him say it so freely, so unguardedly...it left her unexpectedly overcome with emotion.
On impulse, she bent and pressed a feather-light kiss to his hair. "I love you too, Peter," she whispered.
As she stepped back, a soft sound near the kitchen made her glance over. Clint stood watching them, an understanding smile on his face. Of all people, he knew how seldom she let anyone get so close. Natasha met his gaze, feeling unexpectedly vulnerable.
But Clint just crossed the room silently to squeeze her shoulder in wordless support. With him, no explanation was needed. Then he moved to lift Peter, carrying the teen easily to the guest room he often occupied these days.
Left alone, Natasha took a shaky breath, wrapping her arms around herself. She had not let herself even dream she could one day find the family she had shut out for so long. Love had no place in the life of an assassin. And yet...here was Peter. Slipping effortlessly through her defenses with his good heart, offering connection she thought she had forfeited.
Was this chance at love - at a kind of motherhood - something she could allow herself? After so much red in her ledger, she had sworn off any claim to a normal life. But how could she turn away when Peter so clearly needed her? When she needed him just as much if she was honest with herself. Her emotions whirled, leaves in a storm, too much to process.
Seeing her inner turmoil, Clint had come back and now drew her gently into his arms. She leaned her head against his shoulder, taking comfort in her best friend's solid presence.
"It's okay, Nat," Clint murmured. "I know it's scary for you. But this? What you've found with that kid? It's good. Really good."
She let out a shaky breath, clutching him tighter. "I'm not cut out for this, Clint. I don't know how..."
"Hey." He pulled back, hands firm on her shoulders as he met her eyes. "Don't do that. Don't pull away from something amazing because you think you don't deserve it. Peter needs you. And that boy? He's got you wrapped around his little finger, Romanoff. I see how you are together." His expression grew earnest. "You're allowed to be happy, Nat. It's time."
His words hit her like an arrow to heart, ringing true. Time and time again, Clint had been there when she needed him most. Saving her from herself. She managed a tremulous smile.
"You always could see right through me, Barton."
He bumped her shoulder lightly. "Part of my superpower. Now c'mon, get some rest. We've got an early training session with Spider-Kid tomorrow, remember?" His tone was playfully scolding, but his eyes shone with understanding.
Natasha swallowed the sudden lump in her throat as she looked back at him. In Clint's steady gaze, she could see herself - and understand, finally, that she was someone Peter could be proud to love. The realization left her humbled, and profoundly grateful, for this family she had found.
"Yeah, can't be late for that," she agreed. As they headed back up the hall together, she added softly, "Thanks, Clint. For everything."
He just slung an arm around her shoulders and squeezed. No more words were needed. She had taken the leap, and he would be there to catch her. With him, and with Peter, she was finally starting to feel she had a place called home.
Over the coming months, Natasha made a conscious effort to embrace the role Peter had shown her she could have. When they cooked dinners together in the Tower kitchen, she let herself enjoy feeling like family. Driving him to school on her way to SHIELD headquarters, she would crank up the radio and laugh freely at his dance moves.
Ruffling his hair as they passed in the hall, she let the natural fondness show on her face. And echoing back the "Love you" now casually tossed between them, she let herself believe it. Let herself feel, for the first time in so long, that she was living, not just existing.
On Peter's 16th birthday, the Avengers threw him a surprise party. The kid was moved to happy tears when he saw the packed room and custom-decorated cake. Laughing and joking with his heroes, he looked so at home it made Natasha's heart ache.
Later, as things wound down, she drew Peter aside and handed him a small wrapped box. He tore into it eagerly to reveal a sleek watch with web patterned band.
"Whoa, this looks awesome!" He fastened it on his wrist eagerly. "Thank you, Nat!"
She ruffled his hair. "Made a few modifications of my own - tracker, mini scanner, encrypted comm link. Figured my Spider-Kid should have some extra tricks up his sleeve."
Peter threw his arms around her. "You're the absolute best, really," he mumbled into her shoulder. Holding him close, Natasha had to blink sudden mistiness from her eyes.
When he pulled back, he hesitated, then spoke tentatively. "Could I...ask you something?"
"Of course." She perched beside him on the couch. "What is it?"
"Well..." He fidgeted with his web watch. "With the way things are now, with me being around so much, and how close we've gotten, I was wondering..." He glanced up hopefully. "Would it be okay if I called you Мама Паук?"
Natasha went very still, pulse pounding in her ears. Mama Spider. Hard as she tried to maintain her composure, she could feel tears pricking her eyes.
Peter's face fell at her silence. "Sorry, that was dumb," he said quickly. " Forget it, I know you're not actually my..."
"Peter." She grasped his hand, voice thick with emotion. "I would be honored if you called me that."
"Yeah?" His whole face lit up again.
Natasha cupped his cheek gently. "I'm so proud to be your Мама Паук, Peter Parker."
With a joyful whoop, he threw his arms around her again. As she held him tight, tears slipped down her cheeks. Her heart had never felt so full.
True to his word, from that day on Peter happily called her "Мама Паук" whenever they were alone. Hearing it never failed to make Natasha feel she had truly been gifted something precious.
In the months that followed, they settled into an easy rhythm together. Natasha taught and mentored him on missions, trusting him to handle more solo but watching closely all the same. They kept training together as Peter continued honing his skills. During quiet downtime, he would curl up beside her on the couch and she would run her fingers absently through his hair as they read or simply talked.
Some days his upbeat energy grated on her after long weeks of tense SHIELD operations. Occasionally his recklessness in the field frustrated her rigid self-control. But they had developed an instinctive understanding and compassion that allowed them to navigate any rough patches without losing the harmony they had found.
On one such afternoon, Natasha returned to the Tower feeling drained after a difficult off-the-books mission. Needing time to process alone, she avoided the common areas and headed straight for her bedroom. To her surprise, when she opened the door, she found Peter seated cross-legged on the floor beside her bed, intently wrapping something with scraps of red fabric.
"Oh, uh, hi Мама Паук!" he exclaimed, shoving the items hurriedly out of sight. "You're back early."
She raised an eyebrow. "Would you care to explain what you're up to in my room, little spider?" Though her tone was stern, she couldn't help the flicker of amusement at seeing him caught out.
"Okay, okay." Peter held up his hands in surrender. "I was making something for you. For your birthday tomorrow. I wanted it to be a surprise but..." He shrugged sheepishly. "Surprise?"
Natasha blinked. With her missions and SHIELD work, she had nearly forgotten her birthday was coming up. Trust Peter to not only remember, but plan something heartfelt. Her expression softened as she sat down beside him.
"I appreciate you keeping the secret, but you know you don't have to make me anything, Peter."
"I know. But I wanted to." He hesitated. "After everything you do for me...I wanted to make you feel special. Like you always do for me, Мама Паук."
A swell of emotion rose in Natasha's chest at his sincerity. She drew him into a tight hug. "You have a heart of gold, little spider. Just having you in my life makes every day special." Pulling back, she smiled. "Now how can I help you finish this top-secret gift?"
Peter's face lit up. Together they sat wrapping and taping misshapen scraps of fabric around various lumpy objects. As they worked, Peter chattered away about his classes and patrolling adventures, grounding her again in the moment. Natasha marveled at the ability of this boy - no, young man now, she had to remind herself - to sense when she most needed lightness or comfort. He had come to know her heart as few others had.
The next evening, all the Avengers gathered in the common room after dinner to celebrate. There was wine, talking and laughter, and an impressive superhero-themed cake baked by Vision. Finally it was time for Natasha to open gifts. She was touched by her friends' thoughtfulness - rare books from Bruce, custom widow's bite bracelets from Tony, a handmade quilted blanket from Laura Barton.
Then Peter handed her his messily wrapped present, practically vibrating with anticipation. Unwrapping it carefully, she found inside two small plush dolls. One was a little black spider wearing a red hourglass on its belly. The other was a redheaded doll in a sleek black suit, belts crossed in an X over her chest.
"I made us," Peter explained eagerly. "As spider partners, you know? Do you like them?" His eyes were so hopeful, she had to smile.
"I love them," she said sincerely, hugging the toys to her chest. Only those closest to her would understand how much this symbol of partnership meant. She leaned over to kiss Peter's forehead. "Thank you, маленький паук."
He flushed with pleasure at her reaction. The party continued late into the night until finally people began drifting off to bed. As Peter started to clean up leftover cake and presents, Steve approached Natasha where she sat nursing a final glass of wine.
"Quite a family you've built here," he observed with a smile, hands in pockets.
Natasha's gaze traveled over her teammates - her friends - faces worn but happy. "It really is something," she agreed softly. Her eyes landed on Peter, who was laughing with Bucky as they gathered plates.
Steve followed her gaze, expression fond. "That kid thinks the world of you. We can all see it." He hesitated. "And I know it wasn't always easy for you, letting someone in like that again."
Natasha glanced down, hand smoothing over the plush spiders in her lap. "No," she admitted. "It scared me at first. Still does sometimes, if I'm honest. But Peter..." She smiled slightly. "He makes it easy."
Steve nodded understandingly. He had come a long way himself recently in learning to build connections outside of work. "You're doing right by him, Nat. Giving him what we all needed at that age - a family."
"I didn't picture it either, trust me," she admitted. "That boy has enough heart for all of us."
Steve nodded, expression tender as he watched the teen. "You gave him something he really needed. And I think maybe he did the same for you." He gave her shoulder a supportive squeeze. "It's good to see you so happy, Nat."
She ducked her head self-consciously. Was she truly happy, in a way she had never dared to hope for? Glancing again at her team, her family surrounding her with care and laughter, she felt a rightness settle into her bones.
"I am," she said with quiet certainty. Meeting Steve's kind eyes, she added, "Thanks for being part of this family too."
He clinked his glass to hers, eyes crinkling. "Wouldn't miss it."
His simple response to her meant more than she could express. But before she could respond, Peter bounced over. "There's one more special present from your favorite spider!" He handed her an envelope, grinning excitedly.
Natasha opened it curiously - and froze. Two tickets for an upcoming Russian ballet tour. Impossibly scarce, for one of the few troupes she still followed religiously. She could hardly find words. "Peter...how did you...?"
He bounced on his toes. "I remembered you said they were your favorites! So I cashed in a bunch of favors, did some negotiating with ticket brokers. I know you miss it sometimes, being able to see Russian ballet live." His eyes were bright with hope and affection. "Do you like it?"
Overcome with emotion, she could only nod, pulling him into a fierce embrace. So often lately, she had marveled at how this boy seemed to see into the very heart of her. "It's perfect," she finally managed. "You know me so well, little spider."
Peter hugged her back tightly. "Of course I do. You're my Мама Паук." He said it like the most obvious thing in the world, and she had to blink back sudden tears.
After a moment, she cupped his face in both hands. "I'll always do my best to make you proud, Peter Parker." It was as solemn a vow as she had ever made.
His eyes searched hers. "You already do," he said simply. And though she would never feel worthy of this bright soul who had trusted her with his, the sincerity in his voice washed over her like redemption.
As the night wound down, Peter found Natasha alone on the balcony, looking out at the city lights. Wordlessly, he tucked himself against her side and she wrapped an arm around him. They stood that way in comfortable silence for awhile, her cheek resting atop his head. Just breathing in the quiet moment together.
Finally Peter mumbled, "Did you have a nice birthday?"
"The best I've had in a very long time," she assured him honestly.
He hummed contentedly at that, leaning his head on her shoulder. Then he said, "I know I said this earlier. But thank you, Мама Паук. For everything. For...for being my family."
Natasha had to close her eyes against the swell of emotion. Not trusting her voice, she just pressed a fierce, protective kiss to his hair and held him close. They had come so unexpectedly far, found something so extraordinary in each other. She still found it incredible that this bright, loving boy had ever seen her as someone worthy of calling family. Certainly she had never pictured herself as anyone's parent. And yet...here they were.
Finally, when she could speak around the lump in her throat, she murmured, "Thank you for being my family too, Peter Parker. My brave little spider." He nestled closer with a happy sigh, and her voice wavered with sincerity.
"I'll always be your Мама Паук. No matter what comes. You've made this old spider's heart feel young again."
She cradled the back of his head as he hugged her waist tightly. They stood that way for a long time, the rest of the world falling away. Just mother and son, together.
A fierce protectiveness rose in Natasha, a bone-deep need to shield the tender heart that had found its home with her. She knew there were battles ahead; life with the Avengers was far from safe. But Peter had helped her realize that with love, any darkness could be faced. And she would move heaven and earth to keep her makeshift little family together.
For now though, they had this quiet moment under the stars. And Natasha breathed deep of the cool night air, so grateful for the extraordinary gift of family she had never expected to find. With Peter by her side, the future didn't seem quite so frightening anymore. Whatever came next, they would have each other.
Later that night, as Natasha got ready for bed, her gaze fell on the two plush spiders sitting on her nightstand. Impulsively, she hugged them close for a moment, heart brimming with love for the boy who had gifted them to her.
Whatever doubts plagued her about the life she never dreamed she could have, Peter himself was a gift she would never take for granted. With him, she had found family against all odds. And with every new day they had together, she hoped she could give him the same sense of belonging he had given her.
Smiling softly to herself, she placed the spider dolls back on the nightstand, then clicked off the light. As she drifted off, she could almost imagine two guardians watching over her, threads entwined.