the teenage disaster
Natasha sighed as she heard yet another exaggerated wail come from the living room of the Avengers compound. She put down the spoon she was using to stir the pot of chicken noodle soup on the stove and made her way towards the source of the noise.
"Peter, what's wrong now?" she asked as she entered the spacious lounge area.
Peter was sprawled out on the largest couch, one side of his face swollen and stuffed with gauze. He turned his head towards Natasha, his eyes glassy and exaggeratedly wide.
"My faathe ith numb," he lisped around the gauze packing his mouth.
Natasha had to resist the urge to roll her eyes. Ever since Tony had dropped Peter off this morning after his wisdom teeth removal, the kid had been an absolute mess. The anesthesia seemed to have some strange lingering effects on his enhanced metabolism, leaving him loopy and overly emotional.
"I know, that's normal after wisdom tooth surgery," Natasha said gently as she perched on the edge of the couch beside Peter's legs. "The numbness will go away in a few hours."
"But it'th tho weird," Peter complained, reaching up to tentatively poke at his puffy cheek. "I can't feel anything!"
"Don't touch it," Natasha admonished, pulling his hand away. "You don't want to disturb the stitches."
Peter's eyes suddenly widened impossibly further, his lower lip beginning to quiver.
"I have thtitcheth?" he asked tremulously, his speech garbled around the gauze. Natasha inwardly cringed, recognizing the beginnings of another hysterical fit.
"Just a few dissolvable ones to help close the extraction sites," she explained soothingly. "Nothing to worry about."
But it was too late. Peter's face crumpled as fat tears began leaking from his eyes, rolling down his swollen cheek.
"It hurth tho bad," he whimpered pitifully. "My mouth hurtth and I can't talk right and I hate thith!"
Natasha quickly gathered the crying boy into her arms, letting him bury his face in her shoulder as he released loud, gulping sobs. She rubbed his back gently, murmuring reassuring words.
"Shhh it's alright," she soothed. "I know it's uncomfortable right now, but it'll feel better soon. The worst part is over."
Peter responded by clinging to her even tighter, his gangly limbs wrapping around her like a koala. Natasha adjusted her position to support his weight, continuing to pat his back consolingly. She caught sight of Tony's daughter Morgan hovering in the doorway, watching them with a concerned expression. Natasha gave her a small smile and beckoned her over with a tilt of her head.
"Come help me cheer Peter up," she said, shifting so Morgan could crawl onto the couch next to them. The little girl immediately wrapped her small arms around Peter's heaving shoulders.
"Don't cry Petey," she entreated sweetly. "Auntie Nat and I are here to take care of you."
Peter turned his head to look at her, sniffling pitifully. "But it hurth so bad Mor-Mor."
Morgan smiled encouragingly. "I know, but you're Spider-Man! Spider-Man is super brave and strong. You can get through this."
Peter hiccupped, rubbing at his leaking eyes but seeming to calm slightly at her pep talk. "Yeah, I gueth I can try to be brave."
Natasha used her sleeve to tenderly dab the moisture from his cheeks. "That's the spirit," she praised, relief sinking through her at having averted another hysterical meltdown. She knew the anesthesia was wreaking havoc with Peter's emotions, but his extreme reactions to every little discomfort were testing even her seemingly endless patience.
After a few more minutes of cuddling and reassurance from both her and Morgan, Peter had settled down again. Natasha gently guided his head back to the pillow and stood up from the couch.
"Rest here for a bit. I'm going to check on lunch - chicken noodle soup okay?"
Peter gave her a loopy smile, already snuggling back into the blanket Morgan had wrapped around him. "Yummy," he agreed dreamily.
Natasha returned to the kitchen and checked on the soup, giving it a final stir before turning off the heat. As she ladled some into bowls, she smiled softly to herself. When Tony had first asked her to watch Peter while he recovered from his surgery, she had been hesitant. Now that she was retired from the Avengers, she was still figuring out this new civilian life. Playing nursemaid to a loopy teenager recovering from dental surgery hadn't seemed like the most exciting prospect.
But she found she didn't actually mind as much as she had anticipated. Underneath all the exaggerated crying and dramatics, Peter was a sweet kid. She could tell the pain and side effects were really bothering him, even if he was expressing it a bit histrionically. And little Morgan was an absolute ray of sunshine, cheering Peter up with her innocent optimism and joy.
Natasha carried two bowls of soup out to the living area, blowing gently on a spoonful before offering it to Peter.
"Here, try and eat some of this."
He obediently opened his mouth, slurping up the warm broth. He let out a dramatic sigh, smiling blissfully.
"It's tho nithe and thoft," he said after swallowing the bite. "My mouth feeleth so weird and fluffy."
Natasha grinned. "That's the gauze packing they put in the extraction sites. It'll help with healing."
She alternated feeding Peter and Morgan spoonfuls of soup until Peter suddenly gasped, nearly upending his bowl as he sat straight up.
"What'th wrong?" Natasha asked in alarm.
"I jus remembered!" Peter exclaimed, turning to her with wide, earnest eyes. "I can't use a thtraw!"
Natasha blinked, realization dawning. "Oh. Right, no straws for a few days after wisdom teeth removal."
Peter's eyes once again filled with tears. "But I love thtrawth!" he wailed tragically.
Natasha had to suppress an exasperated sigh. It was going to be a long day.
Over the next few hours, she patiently handled each new mini crisis and complaint as Peter cycled through the various stages of wisdom teeth recovery. He bemoaned the loss of his smoothies and Spider-Man ice cream treats, since he couldn't use a straw to drink them. He became irrationally upset when Natasha pureed his pasta into a soft paste, crying that he wanted to chew his food. When she gave him pudding instead, he complained that he was tired of soft foods.
He whined about the numbness in his face, then about the throbbing, aching pain that replaced it. Anytime Natasha checked on his gauze packing, he whimpered at even her gentlest touch to his tender swollen cheeks.
Through it all, Natasha remained calm and compassionate on the outside, while internally praying for strength. She was considering asking Tony to let Stephen Strange cast a sleeping spell on the kid when Friday's voice interrupted her musings.
"Miss Romanoff, there is someone at the front entrance requesting entry. Shall I allow her in?"
Natasha furrowed her brow. They weren't expecting any visitors. "Who is it Friday?"
"Facial recognition identifies her as Michelle Jones, aka MJ," the AI informed her helpfully.
A slow smile spread across Natasha's face. MJ was Peter's new girlfriend that he often gushed enthusiastically about. Her surprise visit was sure to cheer him up immensely.
"Let her in please, and direct her here," Natasha requested, ignoring Peter's sudden pleased exclamation of "Emjay ith coming?!"
A few minutes later, footsteps approached down the hall followed by MJ's amused voice. "Wow, you weren't kidding about him being a little loopy."
Natasha stood from where she was sitting beside Peter on the couch. "Thanks for coming, MJ. I think seeing you will do wonders for his mood."
MJ smiled affectionately at her woozily grinning boyfriend. "Happy to help. Though he looks pretty adorable like this, I gotta say."
She came over to perch next to him on the couch, giggling when he immediately wrapped her in a cuddly embrace.
"MJ! You came to thee me!" he exclaimed happily, snuggling against her.
"Of course I came, dork," she said fondly, gently brushing his hair back from his forehead. "Couldn't leave my guy to suffer alone."
Peter smiled dopily up at her for a moment before his eyes suddenly filled with tears.
"You're juth tho nithe and thoughtful," he warbled emotionally. "I love you tho much!"
He buried his face in her shoulder as he broke down in loud sobs. MJ blinked in surprise but quickly recovered, rubbing his back soothingly.
"There there, I know the drugs are making you a little sappy," she said with a grin.
Peter shook his head ardently, pulling back to look at her with complete sincerity shining through his watery, reddened eyes.
"I mean it!" he insisted fervently. "You're the motht amazing, thmart, funny, beautiful girlfriend ever and I love you tho, tho mutch!"
He dissolved into a fresh wave of tears, clutching MJ tightly. "I juth love you tho mutch," he repeated in a choked whimper.
MJ glanced over his head at Natasha with a mix of amusement and touched affection in her gaze. She dropped a kiss to Peter's curls, hugging him close.
"Love you too, you sentimental mess," she said gently.
They sat wrapped up in each other for several long minutes, MJ whispering soothing words while Peter sniffled against her neck. When he finally pulled back, scrubbing at his flushed face, MJ gave him a soft smile.
"Feeling a little better?"
He nodded sheepishly. "Yeth, thankth. Thorry, the drugth make me kinda emotional I gueth."
MJ patted his cheek lightly. "I think it's sweet."
Peter gave her a loopy grin. "You're thweet."
Natasha watched the whole interaction with a fond smile. Aspredicted, MJ's visit had significantly boosted Peter's mood. The lovesick pair cuddled together on the couch, Peter interspersing gushing declarations of adoration with complaining to MJ about his various aches and pains. But his tone held much less distress and self-pity than before.
Morgan joined them after a bit, crawling into Peter's lap and chattering about her day. She turned her big eyes up to Peter earnestly.
"I drew you a get well picture, wanna see Petey?"
"Of courthe!" he said enthusiastically. "I bet it'th amazing."
Morgan scampered off and returned minutes later with a crayon drawing depicting her, Peter and Nat all holding hands with a big heart over their heads. The figures were stick figures with exaggerated happy faces, surrounded by flowers and sunshine.
Peter's eyes once again welled up when she presented it to him. "Oh wow, Mor-Mor I love it!" he choked out. "It'th tho pretty, thank you!"
He tried to wrap the little girl in a hug, but the awkward angle strained his tender mouth. He whimpered in pain, fresh tears springing forth, but these born of discomfort rather than emotion.
MJ and Nat exchanged a knowing look, both moving to help untangle Peter and Morgan before he could really start bawling.
"How about we get you an ice pack for your cheek, huh?" Nat suggested soothingly, plucking Morgan off his lap and redirecting her back to her coloring book across the room.
Peter sniffled pitifully. "Yeth pleathe."
Natasha fetched an ice pack from the fridge, wrapping it in a towel before gently pressing it to his swollen cheek. He sighed in relief, letting his eyes slip closed.
"That feel better?" she asked.
He gave a small hum of affirmation, not opening his eyes. Natasha couldn't help but notice how young he looked in that moment, his lashes fanned across his pale cheeks, hair curling softly against his forehead. She gently brushed a lock of hair back from his face, a surge of affection warming her chest.
"Try and rest a bit," she encouraged gently. "The ice will help with the pain."
"'Kay Mom," he mumbled, already drifting towards sleep.
Natasha froze, glancing sharply down at him, but Peter seemed completely unconscious of what he'd just said. She carefully schooled her features, adjusting the icepack against his cheek before quietly moving away.
In the kitchen, she busied herself cleaning up the remnants of lunch, smiling softly as she replayed Peter's sleepy endearment in her head. She knew it had just been the drugs making him confused and disoriented. But she couldn't deny the rush of warmth the slip had brought, a tenderness that caught her off guard.
Shaking her head wryly, she finished the last of the tidying up before heading back out to the lounge. Peter was still asleep, head slumped onto MJ's shoulder. The girl sat next to him, absently playing with his curls while she and Morgan spoke in low voices.
Natasha crossed the room and perched on Peter's other side. He shifted slightly at the movement, mumbling something incoherent before settling again with a soft sigh.
"How's he doing?" Nat asked quietly.
MJ smiled down at her sleeping boyfriend. "Seems much more peaceful now. I think he just really needed rest."
"The crying jag with you probably helped too," Nat said with an amused quirk of her lips.
MJ laughed. "Yeah, he's a pretty emotional guy normally. Throw in some anesthesia and pain meds and you've got a recipe for hysterics."
Natasha grinned. "That's an understatement."
They passed the rest of the afternoon chatting comfortably, occasionally fielding Peter's groggy questions and complaints when he surfaced briefly from his naps. Natasha prepared another simple soup for dinner, letting Peter sip it slowly between bouts of dozing.
It wasn't until late evening, with Peter deeply passed out and Morgan tucked into bed, that Natasha finally felt herself fully relax. The long day of tending to Peter's dramatic reactions had drained her. But glancing down at his sleeping form beside her on the couch, she decided it had been worth it.
She gently shifted his head from her shoulder to a pillow and stood, stretching stiff muscles. MJ looked up from where she was curled on an adjacent armchair, scrolling on her phone.
"I should get going soon. My parents will be wondering where I am," she said, though she made no move to get up.
Natasha waved a hand. "No rush. We've got plenty of guest rooms if you want to spend the night."
MJ smiled gratefully. "That'd be great actually. I told my parents I was staying at a friend's anyway." She glanced down at Peter fondly. "I don't really want to leave him yet. I know he's feeling awful."
Natasha nodded in understanding. "The company will be good for when he inevitably wakes up at 2am complaining of pain."
MJ laughed. "Too true. I swear that boy can't sit still or stay quiet even when unconscious."
They shared an amused, exasperated grin. After assuring MJ that Friday would show her to a room whenever she was ready, Nat made her own way down the hall towards her bedroom. She paused at the doorway though, glancing back towards where Peter still slept peacefully on the couch. On impulse, she grabbed a blanket from a nearby closet and made her way back over to him.
Tenderly spreading the blanket over his lanky form, she gently brushed his curls back and pressed a feather light kiss to his forehead.
"Sleep well маленький паук," she whispered.
Peter shifted slightly with a mumble, turning his face towards her touch. A tiny smile curved his lips though his eyes remained closed.
Natasha quietly slipped from the room, her own smile lingering as she finally headed to bed.
Over the next two days, Natasha continued to diligently care for her young charge, accompanied now by MJ who refused to leave Peter's side. She endured many more teary meltdowns and complaints from the dramatic, loopy boy, but also shared tender moments with him in his more lucid periods.
MJ was endlessly patient with him, handling his emotional swings with good humor and compassion. Morgan constantly tried to cheer Peter up, crafting get well cards and suggesting movies to watch together. And Natasha found herself growing genuinely fond of them all.
So when Tony returned from his trip early in the morning on the third day, walking into the living area to find the little makeshift family all cuddled together asleep on the biggest couch, he simply pulled out his phone to snap a quick photo before gently rousing Natasha awake.
She blinked up at him sleepily from where she was tucked against Peter's side, the boy's head resting on her shoulder.
"Hey, welcome back," she greeted through a yawn. "How was the trip?"
"Productive," Tony answered, smiling down at the domestic scene before him. "But clearly not as exciting as what you've had going on here."
He nodded towards the still sleeping teens and his daughter. "Seems like you've been busy playing superhero nursemaid. Pete's looking less swollen, so I'm guessing he's on the mend?"
Nat shrugged the shoulder that wasn't currently serving as Peter's pillow. "The worst is over I think. He's still pretty wiped and emotional, but handling it better than that first day at least. MJ's visit helped a lot."
Tony smiled affectionately at the curly haired girl tucked under Peter's other arm. "I'm glad she could provide moral support. And seems my little troublemaker was in good hands with you as well."
He reached down to gently ruffle Peter's hair. The boy mumbled incoherently, nuzzling further into Natasha's shoulder without waking.
Tony grinned. "Still feeling no pain apparently. His metabolism must still be working through the last of the drugs."
He stepped back and held out a hand to help Natasha extricate herself from the pile of sleeping teenagers.
"Let's let the kids rest. You can catch me up over coffee."
Natasha accepted the hand up gratefully, pausing to pull the slipped blanket back over Peter's shoulder. He hugged one of the throw pillows to his chest with a contented sigh as Natasha dropped a light kiss to his curls.
"Sleep well, little spider," she whispered fondly before following Tony from the room.
They chatted in the kitchen over mugs of coffee, Natasha recounting some of Peter's more dramatic reactions and emotional episodes.
Tony shook his head in amused exasperation. "That kid's always been prone to exaggeration. Throw in some drugs and voila - instant theater kid."
Nat chuckled. "It tried my patience at times, but honestly I didn't really mind. He's a good kid." She smiled softly. "They all are."
Tony smiled knowingly. "You like having them around, don't you?"
When she just shrugged, he pressed on. "It's okay to admit it, Romanoff. I know three rambunctious kids aren't always a walk in the park, especially with Pete all loopy and dependent."
Natasha traced the rim of her mug contemplatively. "It was definitely a challenge sometimes," she conceded. "But also...really nice. Caring for them, being needed - it felt good."
She glanced up almost shyly. "Does that sound strange?"
Tony's eyes were understanding. "Not at all. I forget sometimes, you never got to experience this stuff growing up. The whole nurturing maternal thing. But clearly you've got an instinct for it."
Nat shrugged self-consciously, but a small pleased smile played on her lips.
They finished their coffee in comfortable silence. When they returned to the living room, the kids were all still fast asleep. Tony extracted Morgan from the pile to get her cleaned up and take her home, while Natasha gently shook Peter and MJ awake.
Peter was significantly more coherent, though he still spoke with comical garbledness around his swollen cheeks and the gauze packing. He gave Natasha a lopsided, still somewhat loopy grin.
"Morning Auntie Nat! Fank you taking care of me."
Nat ruffled his hair fondly. "Of course маленький паук. How are you feeling?"
"Lot better," he said. "Still weird and hurty but not as bad now."
MJ wrapped an arm around his waist and kissed his cheek. "I'm glad. You were pretty pitiful for a while there."
Peter ducked his head with an abashed laugh. "Yeah, I cry way too easy on the pain meds. Did I totally embarrass myself?"
Natasha smirked. "Only a little bit." Her expression softened. "But don't worry about it Pete. You weren't yourself with all those drugs in your system. I know you were really hurting."
Peter blinked gratefully up at her. "Seriously, thank you for putting up with me being such a disaster. You're the best, Auntie Nat."
Before Natasha could respond, he suddenly gasped and slapped a hand over his mouth.
"Oh man, I called you Mom yesterday didn't I?" he groaned in mortification. "I'm so sorry!"
Nat laughed, surprise and warmth swirling in her chest. "It's okay, you were loopy and half asleep." She nudged him playfully. "But hey, I wouldn't really mind, you know. If you wanted to call me that."
Peter's eyes went wide. "R-really?" He ducked his head again, but smiled shyly up at her through his lashes. "I kinda always think of you that way. But didn't want to assume or make you uncomfortable."
Natasha wrapped an arm around his shoulders, hugging him to her side. "I think I'd like it," she said sincerely. And she found it was the truth.
Peter immediately hugged her back tightly. When they separated, he scrubbed a hand across his damp eyes.
"Ugh, sorry," he laughed wetly. "Still emotional I guess."
Natasha just smiled and pulled him close again.
Over the next week, as Peter healed and returned to his usual exuberant self, Natasha settled contentedly into her new role in his life. It turned out she didn't mind the "teenage disaster" chaos as much as she'd first feared. And the sweet, heartfelt moments in between made all the difference.
Having people to care for, a family of her own to nurture - it filled a need inside her she hadn't fully realized was there. And she knew the love and connection flowed both ways.
So as Peter chattered away to her and MJ over a dinner of comfortably soft foods, affection and laughter flowing easily between them, Natasha knew she wouldn't trade these moments for anything.
One Week Later
"Hey Mom, check this out!"
Natasha looked up from her book to see Peter hanging upside down from the ceiling of the lounge area, shooting imaginary webs from his wrists. She shook her head in amusement.
"I see someone is feeling like their old self again," she commented wryly.
Peter flipped down from the ceiling, landing lightly in front of her. "Yup, all healed up!" he confirmed with a grin. He opened his mouth wide. "See, no more swelling or stitches."
Nat peered obligingly at his mouth. "Looking good. How's the pain been?"
"Totally gone," Peter assured as he plopped down on the couch beside her. "My powers took care of the last of it a few days ago. It's nice to finally eat normal food again too."
He snatched a handful of pretzels from the snack bowl on the coffee table, popping them in his mouth with relish.
Natasha smiled, wrapping an affectionate arm around his shoulders. "I'm really glad you're feeling better, Peter."
He leaned into her embrace with a happy hum. "Me too. And seriously, thanks again for taking care of me. I know I was a total mess."
"You were," Nat agreed wryly. "But I didn't mind. Much," she added teasingly.
Peter groaned. "Ugh, I can't believe I cried so much. That was so embarrassing."
Nat laughed. "Maybe a little. But it was also kind of sweet." Her voice softened. "You've always been free with your emotions. It's part of what I lov-"
She broke off abruptly, ducking her head. Peter peered at her curiously.
"What were you gonna say?"
Natasha shook her head, avoiding his searching eyes. "Nothing, just glad you're feeling better."
"No, it sounded like you were gonna say you...love that about me?" Peter said slowly.
When Nat didn't respond, he nudged her gently. "Were you?" he pressed softly.
Nat let out a breath, finally glancing up to meet his earnest gaze. She gave a small, vulnerable smile.
"Yeah, I guess I was," she admitted quietly. "Is that okay?"
Peter's eyes went wide and suddenly shimmery. "Of course!" he exclaimed. "I-I love you too, Mom."
He surged forward to wrap his arms tightly around her. Natasha froze for a split second before hugging him back just as fiercely. She turned her face into his curls, swallowing past the lump in her throat.
They stayed locked in the heartfelt embrace for long moments until Natasha finally pulled back to cup his face in her hands.
"I never thought I'd get to have this," she confessed, voice hushed with emotion. "A real family."
Peter leaned into her touch. "Well now you're stuck with me," he said cheekily, though his tone held a thread of thickness.
Natasha chuckled wetly. "Such a hardship," she quipped, thumb stroking over his cheek. Her expression melted into adoring sincerity. "I love you, Peter. I'm honored to be your...Mom."
Saying the word out loud still sent an unexpected rush of warmth through her.
Peter's eyes spilled over at that, a few tears tracking down his smiling cheeks. Natasha gently brushed them away.
"Getting emotional on me again?" she asked teasingly.
Peter huffed a watery laugh. "Sorry, you know I'm just a big sap."
He scrubbed at his damp face before giving her another tremulous smile. "But really, thank you for - for everything. For taking care of me, and just - being there. I always wanted..."
He broke off on a hitched breath, fresh tears rising. "After May died, I didn't know if I'd have this again, you know? A family."
Nat nodded understandingly, lightly combing her fingers through his hair. "I know exactly what you mean," she said softly. "But we've got each other now. However makeshift and patchwork we are."
Peter grinned through his sniffles. "The best kinda family."
Natasha's heart melted all over again. She drew him in for one more lingering embrace, dropping a kiss to his curls.
"I love you, little spider," she whispered.
"Love you too, Mom."
Over the following week, Natasha treasured the casual intimacy that had developed between her and Peter. He sought her out constantly, whether it was to show her a viral video, chat her ear off about the latest Lego set he was building, or just cuddle up next to her on the couch.
Nat soaked up every minute, realizing how deeply she had craved these simple domestic moments.
One afternoon while Peter napped with his head in her lap, she scrolled idly through her phone with one hand while carding the fingers of her other through his hair. The soothing motion lulled him into deeper sleep, his face perfectly relaxed and content.
Gazing down at him, Natasha marveled again at the unexpected gift she'd been given. A ready-made family to love and nurture; the very thing she'd always assumed would be forever out of her reach.
Peter shifted slightly, mumbling something under his breath as he burrowed further into her lap. Natasha huffed a soft laugh, thumb brushing over the crinkle between his brows.
"Shh маленький паук, just sleep," she soothed.
He settled again with a peaceful sigh and Nat went back to scrolling her feed one handed. After a few more minutes, soft footsteps had her glancing up to see MJ hovering in the doorway.
The girl held up her hands apologetically. "Sorry, didn't mean to disturb you guys. Just got here a little early to pick up Peter for our date."
Natasha smiled, waving her closer. "You're not disturbing. Pete's just getting his pre-date nap in."
She nodded to where he was still fast asleep curled on the couch.
MJ came over to perch on the edge of the cushion beside his legs. "Aww, he looks so cozy." She smirked down at her snoozing boyfriend. "I almost hate to wake him, but our movie starts in an hour."
She reached out to gently shake Peter's shoulder. "Wakey wakey, sleepyhead."
Peter scrunched his nose, blinking his eyes open blearily. They widened when they landed on MJ's smiling face.
"MJ, you're here!" he exclaimed, sitting up quickly. He ran a hand through his mussed curls. "Oh man, did I sleep too long? Are we late for the movie?"
MJ laughed, patting his knee reassuringly. "No dummy, you're fine. I'm just early."
Peter slumped in relief before leaning in to give her a quick kiss. "Phew, okay. Just lemme splash some water on my face real fast to wake up."
He hopped up from the couch, pausing to drop an impulsive kiss to the top of Natasha's head.
"Thanks for letting me use you as a pillow, Мама паук," he said, using the Russian endearment with a cheeky grin.
Natasha swatted his shoulder playfully. "Get out of here, маленький паук. And have fun on your date."
"We will. Love you!" Peter called over his shoulder as he trotted from the room.
Natasha shook her head, unable to keep the besotted smile from her face. She glanced over to see MJ watching her with a knowing look.
"What?" she asked self-consciously.
MJ just grinned. "Nothing. You two are just really cute, is all. I've never seen Peter so openly affectionate and clingy with someone who wasn't his aunt."
She tilted her head thoughtfully. "I think he's always wanted more family in his life, beyond just May. And now he has that with you."
Nat ducked her head, touched. "I think we both needed it," she said softly. "I never realized how much I wanted...this. A kid to take care of. But with Peter..."
She trailed off, then huffed a quiet laugh. "Anyway, it's been really nice. Despite all the wisdom teeth drama."
MJ chuckled. "Well you handled him at his worst and came out the other side, so I'd say you passed the test."
"He wasn't that bad," Nat protested with a smile.
"Oh he was definitely a mess," MJ laughed. "But yeah, even sloppy and emotional, it was kind of cute seeing him let you take care of him."
She reached out to squeeze Nat's hand. "I'm really glad you guys have each other now."
Before Natasha could respond, Peter came bounding back in looking bright-eyed and alert.
"Ready for our date!" he announced, offering a hand to MJ to pull her up from the couch.
MJ clasped his hand, moving in close. "Think you can stay awake through the whole movie?" she teased.
Peter rolled his eyes. "Yes, Mom, I'll stay awake," he shot back playfully.
"Hey now, I'm the only one who gets to be called Mom," Natasha interjected in mock affront.
Peter's face softened. "Of course, you're the best Mom ever," he said sincerely, coming over to wrap her in a quick hug.
Natasha held him tight for a moment before shooing the pair towards the door. "Alright lovesick puppies, go have fun. Peter, curfew is midnight."
"Yes ma'am," Peter laughed with a jaunty salute.
Natasha watched fondly as they walked off hand in hand, Peter already chattering a mile a minute about the movie. Her heart felt so full she thought it might burst.
Over the next few days, Natasha found herself thinking more and more about the future. Specifically, about finding a place of her own so Peter could have a room for all the times she knew he'd want to stay over.
The compound was nice, but it had always felt more like Avengers headquarters than an actual home. And now that she was retired from the hero life, she was craving something cozier. More personal. A place that was truly theirs, outside of Tony's lavish tower.
She brought up the idea one evening while making dinner with Peter, keeping her tone purposefully casual.
"So I've been thinking of getting my own place. A house or apartment, somewhere smaller and homier."
She slid him a sidelong glance. "Maybe with a guest room. For sleepovers."
Peter's head jerked up, eyes lighting with excitement. "Really? You - you'd want me to be able to stay over a bunch?"
His uncertain hopefulness made Natasha's heart clench. She bumped his shoulder playfully.
"Of course, silly. Why do you think I suggested an extra room?"
Peter's face split into an elated grin. He threw his arms around her in an impulsive hug, nearly upending the bowl of salad she'd been mixing.
"Thank you," he mumbled into her shoulder. "I'd love that, Мама паук."
Natasha set the bowl down to properly return the embrace. "Me too маленький паук," she murmured warmly. "We'll start looking for places this weekend, okay?"
Peter pulled back to beam at her. "That sounds awesome!"
True to her word, that Saturday Natasha piled Peter and MJ into one of Tony's more lowkey cars and they spent the afternoon scoping out apartments and small houses for rent.
Peter was bouncy and enthusiastic about every place they toured, though he tried to rein it in whenever Natasha looked less than impressed with a tiny kitchen or dubious structural integrity.
MJ helped keep his excitement grounded too, pointing out chipping paint or questionable mold spots that he overlooked in his eagerness.
It was in the last place they visited, a cozy 2 bedroom house near the park, that they all finally fell in love. It had a beautiful modern kitchen, a sprawling backyard perfect for gardening, and warm, homey touches like a stone fireplace and built-in bookshelves.
Peter practically vibrated with excitement as he pulled Natasha through the rooms.
"The guest room could be mine!" he exclaimed. "We could paint it blue and get posters and stuff to decorate it and I can keep some clothes and textbooks here for school nights when I stay over and..."
He rambled on enthusiastically about all the ways they could make the space their own while Natasha listened with an indulgent smile. When he finally paused for breath, she squeezed his shoulder affectionately.
"I take it you like this one?"
Peter nodded hard enough to give himself whiplash. "Yes! It's perfect, Mom." He turned his pleading puppy eyes on her. "Can we get it? Please?"
Natasha pretended to consider for a moment before breaking into a smile. "We can definitely get it, baby." she agreed warmly.
Peter whooped, pumping his fist. MJ looked equally excited.
"This place is awesome! I call dibs on sleepovers too," she declared with a grin.
Peter slung an arm around her shoulders. "Of course! We can have movie marathons in the living room."
He turned his bright gaze back to Natasha. "And we can all cook together in the kitchen and eat at that big wooden table. It's gonna be so great!"
Natasha's chest swelled with warmth and contentment. "It really is," she agreed softly.
The three of them spent another hour discussing ideas for decorating and breaking in the new house before finally piling back in the car, tired but buzzing with anticipation.
Natasha secured the rental agreement the very next day, and they started the process of packing up her belongings from the compound and shopping for new furniture.
Peter and MJ were heavily involved, picking out cushy armchairs for the living room, stools for the kitchen bar, and fun knickknacks to decorate shelves.
For Peter's bedroom, they painted the walls a cheerful robin's egg blue and found posters of starry space scenes and classic movies to hang up.
Natasha indulged his excited rambling about everything he wanted to do in the new space, like build Lego sets on the floor and read comics sprawled across the double bed they picked out.
Seeing how eagerly he was embracing this house, planning to make it as much his own home as hers, filled Natasha with so much joy she thought her heart would burst.
On moving day a few weeks later, Peter arrived early to help lug boxes and arrange furniture. Natasha set him and MJ who also came to help unpacking the kitchen while she dealt with the living area.
They took occasional breaks to hype each other up, blasting upbeat music and whirling around the rooms together. Laughter and playful bickering rang through the little house.
Late that afternoon, after everything had found its place and they collapsed across the couches in exhaustion, Natasha looked around at their combined efforts with deep satisfaction.
"It's really starting to feel like home," she said. And it was true - the place already felt warm, welcoming, full of their combined personalities and touches.
Peter craned his neck upside down off the couch to smile at her. "It's the best home ever," he declared sincerely.
Natasha's eyes went soft with emotion. On impulse she sat up and grabbed her phone off the coffee table, flipping the camera to selfie mode.
"Here, let's commemorate this moment."
Peter and MJ crowded in on either side of her with bright smiles as Natasha snapped a few shots. She laughed as Peter threw up bunny ears behind her head in the last one.
"Perfect," she proclaimed, flipping through the pictures happily. "I'll get these printed and framed for the mantel."
"Ooh, can you send them to me too?" Peter asked, craning his neck to see. "I want one for my wallet."
Natasha ruffled his hair. "Of course, baby."
She scrolled back through the photos, heart brimming with love and contentment. Her gaze caught on one where Peter was looking up at her, not the camera, eyes soft with adoration and joy.
That was the one she chose to print and frame for them both, placing it proudly on the mantel beneath the playful group shot. Gazing at the two pictures daily as she passed by filled her with immeasurable happiness.
Over the next few weeks, they all settled comfortably into the new house. Peter stayed over at least a couple nights a week, sometimes with MJ for movie marathons, sometimes just Natasha and him cooking or reading together in cozy silence.
Natasha cherished every moment, from late night conversations tucked on the couch to lazy Sunday breakfasts still in pajamas. Their little home quickly became a sanctuary - the family haven she had never dared dream she could have.
One night after Peter had fallen asleep sprawled across her lap, Natasha gazed down at his sleeping face with a heart full to bursting. She carded gentle fingers through his curls and whispered into the quiet room.
"Thank you for being my family, little spider. For making a home with me."
Peter shifted slightly, a small smile curving his lips though he didn't wake. Natasha just cradled him closer, contentment washing over her.
This right here, their patchwork family woven together by choice and love, was everything she had never known she needed. And she would forever be grateful to the sweet boy who had gifted her this profound joy. Her home. Her son.
A Few Weeks Later
Natasha smiled to herself as she listened to Peter puttering around in the kitchen, pulling out pans and ingredients. She set down the book she'd been reading and made her way towards the cheerful clattering sounds.
Leaning in the doorway, she took in the endearing sight of the teenager gathering mixing bowls and measuring cups, brows furrowed in concentration.
"Planning on baking something, baby?" she asked amusedly.
Peter glanced up with a grin. "Yeah! I found this cookie recipe I want us to try."
He held up his phone, screen open to a site with a photo of chocolate chip cookies. "They have brown butter in them which is supposed to make them extra gooey and delicious."
Natasha crossed her arms, arching a teasing brow. "And the several batches of cookies we made last weekend weren't enough to satisfy your sweet tooth?"
Peter ducked his head sheepishly. "Maybe not. But Mommmm, baking stuff with you is fun!"
He shot her a pleading look. "So can we please make these?"
Natasha pretended to consider for a moment before breaking into a warm laugh. "Of course we can sweetie, as long as I get to lick the bowl."
"Deal!" Peter chirped happily, already gathering the rest of the ingredients.
Natasha watched him fondly for a few minutes before moving to help. They fell into smooth teamwork, chatting and joking as they creamed the butter and sugars together before adding the eggs and dry ingredients.
Peter insisted on being the one to fold in the chocolate chunks, sneakily popping a few in his mouth when he thought Natasha wasn't looking. She just hip-checked him playfully, stealing a morsel of chocolate for herself.
Once the dough was formed into balls on the cookie sheets, Natasha slid them into the oven and set the timer. Dusting the remnants of flour from her hands, she leaned back against the counter.
"Tony, Pepper and Morgan are coming over later to see the place," she mentioned casually. "I figured we could order pizza for dinner."
Peter's face lit up. "That sounds awesome! I can't wait to show Morgan my room."
He fidgeted excitedly. "Ooh, is it okay if I invite MJ over too?"
Natasha smiled. "Of course baby, the more the merrier."
She studied the eager teenager fondly, thinking about the conversation she wanted to have with him later. The decision she'd firmly made after weeks of his belongings slowly migrating to her house, his bright presence filling its rooms more often than not.
She cleared her throat slightly. "But um, there's actually something I wanted to talk to you about tonight too. Just the two of us."
Peter glanced over, brow furrowing. "Oh yeah? Is everything okay, Mom?"
"Everything's great," Natasha assured him with an affectionate shoulder nudge. "Don't look so worried, sweetie. It's a good talk, I promise."
Peter relaxed, smile returning. "Oh, cool!" He tilted his head curiously but didn't push for more details.
They chatted comfortably about other things while waiting for the cookies to bake, then pulled the trays from the oven when the timer dinged. The aroma of warm, chocolatey goodness immediately filled the kitchen.
Peter took an exaggeratedly deep inhale. "Mmm, that smells so good!"
He reached for one of the still-steaming cookies only to get his hand lightly slapped away by Natasha.
"Patience, my child, they need to cool first," she chided.
Peter sighed dramatically. "Fiiiine."
He occupied himself putting away the leftover ingredients while Natasha transferred the cookies to a rack to cool. Once finished cleaning up, they migrated to the living room couch to wait impatiently for the treats to be ready.
Natasha let Peter control the remote, smiling indulgently as he flipped through channels before finally settling on an episode of Mythbusters. They only made it halfway through before Peter was shooting pleading glances towards the kitchen.
Natasha held up a hand before he could say anything. "Yes, we can have a couple cookies now if you want."
"Yesss! Thank you Mom!" Peter pumped his fist, vaulting over the back of the couch and returning seconds later with two steaming cookies.
He passed one reverently to Natasha before taking a greedy bite of his own. His eyes slipped closed as he chewed blissfully.
"Oh man, these are so good," he mumbled around the mouthful. He swallowed thickly. "The brown butter makes them almost caramel-y."
Natasha took a small bite of her own cookie, humming appreciatively at the rich flavor. "These turned out great." She bumped Peter's shoulder. "Might be our best batch yet."
Peter beamed proudly before taking another huge bite. Natasha just laughed, settling back comfortably into the couch cushions.
Later that afternoon, the rest of their little family arrived, voices and laughter filling the house. Morgan made a beeline for Peter's room, grabbing his hand to tug him along.
"C'mon, show me all your toys!"
Peter let himself be pulled happily along. "Okay sweetface, let me give you the full tour."
Pepper and Tony joined Natasha in the kitchen, Pepper oohing over the cookie tray while Tony snagged one for himself.
"Place is looking good, Romanoff," he said appreciatively around a mouthful.
Pepper made a face at his crumby chewing but smiled at Natasha. "It really is lovely. So cozy and welcoming."
"All thanks to Peter, really," Natasha said, nodding towards the distant sounds of the kids playing. "He helped make this place feel like home."
Tony brushed cookie crumbs from his goatee. "The kid does have a knack for brightening up a room," he agreed fondly.
The three of them chatted comfortably, catching up on life and superhero gossip until MJ arrived. Natasha directed her back to Peter's room before turning back to Tony with a serious expression.
"Can we talk privately for a minute?"
Tony raised a brow but followed her out to the back patio curiously. "What's up, Nat?"
Natasha folded her arms, suddenly feeling self-conscious. "I wanted to run something by you. It's about Peter."
At Tony's prompting look, she continued. "He's been spending more and more time here, and most of his stuff has migrated over at this point. Not that I mind," she added quickly. "I love having him around. But it made me realize..."
She took a breath. "He doesn't really have a permanent home anymore. Not since May."
She glanced up hesitantly. "So I was thinking of asking him to just live here officially. Make this his permanent base."
Tony was quiet for a moment before a knowing grin spread across his face. "You want to take him in full time."
Natasha gave a single nod. Tony reached out to squeeze her shoulder.
"I think that's a great idea. Lord knows the kid could use some stability. And clearly you two have built a real family here."
Warm relief flowed through Natasha at his support. "I'm glad you think so. I just want him to have a place that's really his."
Tony nodded understandingly. "He'll be thrilled. That boy absolutely adores you. I mean, the kid calls you Mom!"
He tilted his head. "When are you going to ask him?"
"After dinner, when it's just us." She shrugged self-consciously. "Wanted it to be a private conversation."
"Smart move," Tony agreed. "He'll get emotional for sure. Fair warning, you'll probably get waterworks."
Natasha huffed a laugh. "Wouldn't be the first time. I know my kid."
They shared a grin before heading back inside to collect the kids for pizza.
Dinner was a lively, boisterous affair. Morgan chattered excitedly to "Petey" about everything in his "super cool" bedroom, including demands that he have a sleepover with her there soon.
MJ and Peter were their usual adorable, bantering selves, sharing private smiles and elbowing each other playfully. Watching Peter so at ease, surrounded by his adopted family, made Natasha even more certain she was making the right choice.
After dinner wound down and everyone dispersed to lounge comfortably around the living room, Natasha tapped Peter's shoulder.
"Hey hon, want to take a quick walk with me?"
Peter glanced over curiously from his perch on the couch arm beside MJ. "Yeah sure."
He extracted himself from his girlfriend's cuddly hold despite her dramatic groan of protest, dropping a placating kiss on her hair before following Natasha outside.
They strolled in comfortable quiet around the back yard, traces of sunset still streaking the sky with color. When they paused beneath the large oak tree, Natasha turned to Peter with a slight smile.
"So that talk I mentioned this morning...no time like the present I guess."
Peter shifted to face her more fully, hands coming up automatically to fiddle with his shirt hem.
"Mom, is everything really okay?" he asked. "You seem nervous, which is making me nervous," he added with an uncertain huff of laughter.
Natasha reached out to still his fidgeting hands, squeezing them gently. "Everything's fine baby, I promise. More than fine." She took a steadying breath. "I know you've basically been living here already these past few weeks. And I've loved every minute of it."
She met his gaze earnestly. "I was hoping we could make things more official. This house, your room...they could be permanent. If you want."
Peter's eyes went wide and shiny. His voice came out choked. "You - you mean you want me to live here? For real?"
Natasha smiled, blinking back her own sudden sting of tears. "Yes. I'd love for this to be your home, Peter. Our home."
Peter let out a sound halfway between a laugh and a sob. Before Natasha could react, he had flung himself into her arms, hugging her fiercely. She returned the embrace just as tight, one hand coming up to cradle the back of his head.
They stood locked together as Peter shook with overwhelmed emotion. Natasha rubbed his back gently, waiting out the storm.
When he finally pulled back, his cheeks were damp but his smile was brilliant. "I can't believe you want me here all the time," he rasped.
Natasha cupped his face, thumb swiping across one wet cheek. "Of course I do. I love you, Peter. This house is as much yours as mine." Her eyes softened impossibly further. "You're my family. You're my son."
Peter's lower lip wobbled. "I - I don't know what to say," he whispered thickly. "Except thank you, Мама паук. For giving me a home again."
He scrubbed a hand over his eyes, laughing wetly. "And way to warn me about the waterworks. You knew I'd be a mess."
Natasha huffed out her own teary chuckle. "I had a hunch." She reeled him in for one more fervent embrace. "I love you, little spider. And I can't wait for this to be our home together from now on."
"Me too," Peter mumbled into her shoulder. "I love you so much."
They stood wrapped up in each other until the chill evening air had them both shivering slightly. Natasha rubbed Peter's arms briskly.
"C'mon, let's head back in before we turn into popsicles."
Peter giggled, swiping away the last traces of his tears. "Yeah, good call."
They walked back inside hand in hand. Tony shot them a knowing look from his spot on the couch but didn't say anything.
Peter reclaimed his spot next to MJ, who immediately curled into his side with a content hum. He dropped a kiss to her hair as he wrapped an arm around her. Natasha felt her chest swell at the cozy domestic scene. Her family, all together.
She retook her own seat in the cushy armchair, accepting the glass of wine Pepper passed her with a grateful smile. The conversation ebbed and flowed comfortably around her as Natasha let her gaze drift over the room.
Morgan was splayed on the floor scribbling in a coloring book, while Tony and Pepper chatted softly on the loveseat. MJ and Peter had their heads bent together, smiling softly as they conversed in low voices.
Looking at the kids she loved like her own, Natasha felt peace settle over her like a warm blanket. This right here was everything she had barely dared dream she could have.
A family woven together by choice and love to fill the lonely holes in each other's lives. A boy who had gifted her the profound joy of nurturing the maternal side she'd never known she possessed.
This little house that contained every hope for the future, every possibility of comfort, laughter, togetherness. Their haven. Their home.
Natasha smiled, taking a slow sip of wine. She knew without doubt that the years to come would only bind them closer together. Strengthen the foundations of family they had built.
And she couldn't wait to share every moment of this joyful journey with the incredible boy she was honored to call her son.