"i'll always protect you"
The Streets of New York City were bustling with activity as Natasha Romanoff and Peter Parker walked side-by-side down the sidewalk. Natasha had offered to take Peter out for lunch, wanting to check in on the young hero who she had grown so close to over the past few years.
Ever since Peter's Aunt May had passed away and Tony Stark sacrificed himself to save the universe, Natasha had taken Peter under her wing. She became like a mother figure to him, and Peter had started affectionately calling her "Mom." Their relationship reminded Natasha of a fierceness and love she had never experienced before. She would protect Peter at all costs, and she knew he would do the same for her.
"How's school going?" Natasha asked as they turned a corner.
"Oh, you know, same old stuff," Peter replied with a shrug. "Classes, decathlon practice, constantly getting distracted by thoughts of being Spider-Man."
Natasha smiled. "You know I just want you to be a normal kid too sometimes. It's okay to give yourself a break."
Peter nodded. "I know, Mom. It's just hard to turn it off, you know?"
"I know," she said, putting her arm around him reassuringly. "But remember what I always say..."
"The mask doesn't make the man, the man makes the mask," Peter recited, having heard it many times before.
"That's my boy," Natasha said proudly.
They continued chatting lightly as they walked, unaware that they were being watched. A black van slowly crept up behind them, filled with HYDRA agents under strict orders to capture the two heroes.
As Natasha and Peter turned down a deserted alleyway as a shortcut, the van suddenly screeched to a halt, blocking their exit path. Before they could react, over a dozen HYDRA soldiers poured out, surrounding Natasha and Peter with weapons aimed at them.
"Look out!" Peter yelled, shooting a web to yank a gun out of the nearest agent's hands. Natasha had already drawn her batons, smacking one across the head of an oncoming attacker.
"Stay behind me!" Natasha ordered, even though she knew Peter was perfectly capable of defending himself. Her maternal instincts kicked in and all she could think about was protecting her boy.
Peter flipped backwards to avoid gunfire, shooting webs at the HYDRA agents to disarm them and stick them against the alley walls. "Get back! Don't make me hurt you!" he threatened.
Natasha fought ferociously, utilizing her expert combat skills to incapacitate one agent after another. But more kept coming, replacing their fallen comrades.
Eventually the sheer number overwhelmed them. Two agents grabbed Peter from behind despite his super-strength. Three more struck Natasha with electrified batons until she finally collapsed.
"No! Let her go!" Peter shouted, struggling furiously. But a needle was jabbed into his neck, and his world started going dark. "Mom..." he murmured weakly before slumping over unconscious.
Natasha's heart broke hearing Peter call for her right before the drugs knocked him out. "Peter..." she rasped, trying to crawl toward him before a baton struck her temple, making everything fade away.
****
Natasha awoke some time later in a dark cell, her head throbbing. It took her a moment to get her bearings and remember what had happened. When she did, she jolted upright in alarm.
"Peter!" she called out anxiously.
"I'm here," came his shaky voice from across the cell. Natasha's eyes adjusted to the dim light and she could make out Peter's huddled form. She quickly crawled over to him.
"Are you okay?" she asked, checking him over for injuries. "Did they hurt you?"
Peter shook his head. "I'm alright. Just feel woozy from whatever they drugged us with. What about you?" His voice was filled with concern.
"I'll survive," Natasha said with a pained smile, touched by how much he cared. She may have been the adult, but Peter had inherited that hero's heart from Tony. He would always put others first. "Any idea where we are or why HYDRA took us?"
Peter looked around the barren cell. A heavy metal door with no handle was the only way in or out. "No clue. But I'm guessing it's not for anything good."
Natasha's expression hardened with determination. "Then I guess we'll have to find our own way out before we find out."
For the next few hours, Natasha and Peter systematically went over every inch of their cell, looking for potential weaknesses or anything they could use to their advantage. But the cell had been designed well, with nothing that could help them. Even the ventilation shafts were too small to crawl through.
Peter let out a frustrated sigh as their last idea failed. "There's gotta be something we're missing. Some way to get a message to the other Avengers that we're in trouble."
Natasha kept pondering, when suddenly her eyes lit up. "The other Avengers...Peter, what about Wanda?"
Peter looked confused. "What do you mean?"
"You told me a while back that you and Wanda had somehow formed a psychic connection after everything with Thanos," Natasha explained. "Have you ever tried using it intentionally?"
Peter's eyes widened, remembering. "I mean, we've never really practiced it. But I guess it's worth a shot!" He closed his eyes and focused his mind, trying to will his thoughts to Wanda. Sis, mom and I need your help...
Hundreds of miles away, Wanda Maximoff was making lunch in the Avengers compound when she suddenly gripped the counter as Peter's voice echoed in her head. She could feel his fear and urgency.
"Peter?" she thought back, alarmed. A vision flashed through her mind - Peter locked in a dark cell with Natasha. Wanda gasped and ran to find the other Avengers.
"Steve! Something's wrong, I just heard Peter calling for help!" she exclaimed. "He and Nat are trapped somewhere."
Steve Rogers looked up sharply from the mission report he was reviewing. His face creased with worry. "Are you sure? Can you tell where they are?"
Wanda concentrated again but all she could get was darkness. "No...but they're in danger. We have to find them!"
"We will," Steve assured, standing up and going into Captain mode. "Suit up, we're going after them. Sam, contact Barton and Rhodey and have them meet us at the quinjet."
Within minutes the Avengers had assembled and were speeding off, determined to rescue their missing teammates.
Back in the HYDRA cell, Peter's eyes flew open. "It worked! I got through to Wanda. The team is on their way!"
Natasha allowed herself a small smile of relief before growing serious again. "That's good, but we can't rely on being rescued. We need to keep trying to find a way out of here ourselves."
Peter knew she was right. Who knew what HYDRA had planned for them and when they would return? They had to keep fighting.
Suddenly the heavy door unbolted with a loud clang. Peter protectively moved in front of Natasha as two HYDRA guards entered, followed by a man in a lab coat.
"The Black Widow and Spider-Man," the man mused. "What an opportunity to acquire new assets."
"We'll never work for HYDRA," Natasha spat.
The man laughed coldly. "My dear, you won't have a choice. But first, we need information. Bring them," he ordered the guards.
Peter shot a web to try and block the door but one guard used a shock baton to stun him while the other roughly grabbed Natasha's arm.
"Get your hands off me," Natasha hissed, elbowing the guard in the ribs. But more appeared and restrained them both.
"Mom!" Peter cried out as he was dragged away from her.
"Peter!" Natasha fought with all her strength against the guards holding her, desperate to stop them from taking him. But it was no use.
Peter struggled futilely as they were brought to an interrogation room and strapped down into chairs. The man in the lab coat approached Natasha first.
"Now, tell me everything you know about the Avengers' operations," he demanded. When Natasha stayed silent, he brought out a knife. "I can do this the easy way, or the painful way."
Peter's heart raced, terrified for Natasha. He couldn't let them torture her. "Wait, stop! I'll tell you whatever you want, just please don't hurt her!" he begged.
Natasha's eyes flashed as she vehemently shook her head. "Peter, no! Don't tell them anything!"
But the man just laughed. "How noble. Unfortunately we need intelligence from both of you. So we'll start with what Spider-Man has to offer." He stepped toward Peter, twisting the knife menacingly.
"Don't you dare touch him!" Natasha strained furiously against her bonds even as a guard pressed a gun to her head in warning.
Peter's voice shook but he jutted his chin out bravely. "I won't betray my friends. So if you're gonna hurt me, just do it."
The man shrugged. "Have it your way." He slashed the knife down Peter's arm, making him cry out in pain.
"PETER!!" Natasha screamed.
Tears sprang to Peter's eyes but he clenched his jaw, refusing to give the man satisfaction. Natasha's heart shattered seeing Peter endure torture meant for her. She desperately wracked her brain for any chance of escape.
The man ripped Peter's mask off and gripped his hair. "You can make this stop. Just tell me about the Avengers." He held the knife to Peter's throat.
"N-never..." Peter choked. He locked eyes with Natasha, trying to convey without words that it was okay. That she shouldn't give in either, no matter what happened to him.
Suddenly an explosion rocked the building. Alarms blared as the sounds of fighting erupted outside. The interrogation room doors burst open and Captain America charged in, hurling his shield at the man and knocking him away from Peter.
"Get away from my friends!" Steve roared.
Relief surged through Natasha at the sight of the team. Sam swooped in guns blazing, while Wanda's magic made short work of the guards. Clint and Rhodey guarded the door, picking off any reinforcements. In seconds the HYDRA forces were subdued.
Steve smashed apart Natasha and Peter's restraints. "You guys okay?"
Natasha hugged Peter tightly, blinking back tears. "Now we are." Peter hugged her back just as fiercely.
Clint trotted over and squeezed Natasha's shoulder. "Let's get you both out of here."
The Avengers rushed their injured teammates onto the quinjet and headed home. Natasha refused to leave Peter's side as Bruce tended to his injuries, cleaning and bandaging the knife wound on his arm.
Steve briefed them on how they'd tracked HYDRA's signals to the facility. "Soon as Wanda told us you were captive, we moved out. Just glad we reached you in time."
Peter gave Wanda a grateful smile. "Thanks for getting my message. You saved us."
Wanda squeezed his hand. "Of course. What are superhero siblings for?"
Natasha pulled them both into an embrace. "I'm so proud of how you looked out for each other."
They soon arrived safely back at the compound. That night as Natasha tucked Peter in, fussing over him, he said quietly "I was really scared today. But I tried to be brave like you."
Natasha's eyes glistened and she cupped his cheek. "You were so brave. But it's okay to be scared sometimes. That's what makes us human." She kissed his forehead. "Get some rest now. I'll be right here when you wake up."
Peter's eyes drifted closed, comforted by her presence. Natasha stayed by his bedside, keeping watch over her son. Their unbreakable bond had been tested today, but not even HYDRA could tear apart this family.
The quinjet touched down at the Avengers compound, returning Natasha, Peter, and the rest of the team home safely after the harrowing events with HYDRA.
As they walked inside, Natasha kept one arm wrapped protectively around Peter's shoulders, while Wanda held his hand supportively on his other side. After coming so close to losing each other, the two women were staying right by the boy they loved like family.
"Let's get you checked out in the med bay," Natasha said, leading Peter there so Bruce could examine him again.
"I'm okay, really," Peter tried to assure her, even as he winced from his injured arm.
Natasha gave him a knowing look. "Humor me."
After Bruce declared Peter would be fine with rest and time to heal, they joined the others in the cozy living room of the residential wing. The team gathered around, relieved to have their youngest member back safely.
"You really scared us, kid," Rhodey said, ruffling Peter's hair. "Don't go getting kidnapped again."
"I'll try not to," Peter said with a small smile.
"What happened out there today?" Steve asked gently. "Only if you feel up to talking about it."
Peter took a shaky breath, comforted by Natasha's hand on his back. "Well, Natasha- I mean Mom- and I were walking downtown and then these HYDRA agents just swarmed out of nowhere..."
As Peter recounted the ambush and waking up imprisoned, his voice started breaking. "T-they were gonna hurt Mom to try and get intel from me. But I couldn't let them..."
Seeing Peter getting overwhelmed, Natasha picked up the story, sparing him from reliving the worst parts.
"You were so brave, Peter," Wanda said when they finished, hugging him supportively.
"We're just glad you're both home now," Steve said.
The others echoed their relief and praise for how Peter and Natasha handled the situation. Peter gave a tired but grateful smile.
"Thanks, everyone. I think I'm gonna head to bed now."
"I'll walk you," Wanda offered. At the door to his room, she hugged Peter again. "Get some rest, little brother. I'll always be here if you need me."
Peter hugged her back tightly. "Love you, sis."
After Wanda left, Natasha sat on the edge of Peter's bed. "How're you holding up, baby?" she asked softly, brushing his curls back.
Peter leaned into her touch. "I'm okay. Still kinda shaken up, but...I'm glad you were there with me today."
Natasha's eyes glistened as she pulled him into a warm embrace. "I'll always protect you, Peter. I love you so much."
"Love you too...Mom," he whispered, relaxing into her comforting arms.
They stayed like that for a long moment before Natasha tucked him under the covers like she used to do for him after May passed. She kissed his forehead tenderly. "Goodnight, мой паук. Sweet dreams."
Peter's eyes fluttered closed, feeling safe again. "Night, Mom."
The next day, Peter trudged reluctantly to school, his arm still sore. He hid it under a long sleeve shirt, not wanting questions. The school day went by without a hitch, and Peter thought it was his lucky day.
Unfortunately, at the end of the school day, his tormentor Flash noticed Peter was moving a little slower than usual. "What's wrong Penis Parker, you trip over your own feet again?" he jeered as they crossed paths to their lockers.
Peter ignored him, too drained to engage. But Flash followed him to his locker.
"I'm talking to you, wimp. Did you go cry to your mommy after failing another test?"
Peter clenched his jaw, grabbing his books. Ever since May...he didn't have a mom to go home and talk to anymore. Flash's taunts cut deeper than the bully realized.
Flash leaned against the lockers, smirking. "That's it, ignore me. It's what you're best at."
Just then, a fiery voice interrupted. "Leave him alone, Flash."
They both turned to see Wanda glowering at Flash, crimson energy swirling around her hands. Behind her, Natasha stood with arms crossed, staring Flash down.
Flash's cocky expression melted. "I, uh, was just joking around," he stammered.
"Sure sounded like bullying to me," Natasha said coldly. "If I ever see or hear of you harassing my kid again, we're going to have a serious problem. Understood?"
Flash nodded hurriedly. "Yes ma'am. I'm sorry." He turned and all but fled down the hall.
Peter sighed in relief. "Thanks, I don't know how much more of him I could take today."
Wanda squeezed his hand. "That's what family is for. No one messes with my brother."
Natasha smiled and kissed Peter's head. "Let's go home."
As they left school, Peter said "I really owe you both for dealing with Flash. It means a lot that you have my back."
"Anytime, Peter," Wanda said supportively. "He won't bother you again if he knows what's good for him."
Natasha nodded firmly. "We'll always be here to protect you. Through anything - big or small."
Peter smiled, heart filling with love for his two favorite heroes. "You guys are the best family ever."
He climbed into the backseat of Natasha's car, feeling truly cared for. With his mom and sister by his side, he knew he could make it through anything life threw his way.