"you never have to face anything alone"
Peter sighed as he looked around Tony's lavish penthouse apartment, watching the other Avengers and various guests mingling and chatting with drinks in hand. The thumping bass of the loud music was already starting to give him a headache, and the constant assault on his enhanced senses from the sights, sounds and smells of the crowded party space was quickly becoming overwhelming.
He knew Tony meant well throwing this celebration in honor of the team's latest victory against a group of rogue Hydra agents, but social events like this were Peter's worst nightmare. Ever since the spider bite gave him super-heightened senses, crowds and noise tended to sensory overload for him pretty quickly. He usually tried to avoid big parties, but he didn't want to be rude and skip Tony's event either. However, as more people flowed into the penthouse and the music grew even louder, Peter started to regret his decision to come.
Peter squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, taking deep breaths as he focused on not losing control. He jumped when he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Hey Pete, you doing okay?"
Peter opened his eyes to see Natasha Romanoff standing there, a concerned look on her face. Out of all his fellow Avengers, Peter felt most comfortable around Natasha. She had a nurturing, maternal aura about her that made Peter see her as the caring mom he never got to have.
"Y-yeah, I'm okay," Peter said, trying to sound casual despite his building anxiety.
Natasha raised a skeptical eyebrow. "You sure about that? You're looking a little pale."
Peter hesitated. He didn't want to ruin everyone else's fun by admitting he was struggling. Loud laughter erupted from the nearby kitchen area, the sound piercing Peter's sensitive eardrums like needles. He visibly winced.
Natasha's sharp eyes caught his reaction. She studied his tense posture and the faint sheen of sweat on his brow, easily deducing the problem. "Sensory overload?" she asked gently.
Peter bit his lip and gave a slight nod, embarrassment washing over him.
Natasha gave his shoulder a comforting squeeze. "It's okay, I understand. Why don't we step out on the balcony for a bit? It'll be quieter there."
"O-okay," Peter stammered, relief flooding through him. Natasha always knew how to help him in these situations without making him feel weak or inadequate. He followed her through the glass doors leading outside, the cool night air already helping clear his head.
"Is that better?" Natasha asked once they were alone on the spacious balcony, the party noise now muffled behind them.
"Yeah, much," Peter said, leaning against the balcony railing and taking deep breaths. "Thank you. I didn't want to make a scene in there."
"You're not making a scene, Peter. It's okay to need a break when your senses get overwhelmed," Natasha said gently. "Do you want me to get you some water? Or maybe have Friday turn down the music volume a bit inside?"
Peter hesitated. He didn't want to be more of a burden than he already felt. "No, I'll be okay out here for a little bit. You don't have to miss the party because of me."
Natasha waved a hand. "The party doesn't matter. Making sure you're alright does." She moved closer, her keen gaze searching his face. "Talk to me, Peter. What's going on in that head of yours right now?"
Her genuine concern and desire to help caused Peter's emotions to rise rapidly to the surface. The sensory onslaught combined with his anxiety and embarrassment over the whole situation suddenly became too much. Tears pricked his eyes that he desperately tried to blink back. "Мама..." he simply pleaded.
"Oh sweetie, it's alright," Natasha said gently, carefully pulling him into a comforting embrace.
Peter instantly melted against her, clinging to her like a child as the tears started falling. "I'm s-sorry," he choked out. "I don't know why I'm s-so...overwhelmed..."
"Shh, you have nothing to apologize for," Natasha soothed, rubbing his back. "Just let it out. I've got you."
They stayed like that for several minutes, Natasha holding Peter close as he released all the pent-up emotions the sensory overload had stirred up. She didn't say anything else, just emanated calm, maternal energy as she let him cry against her shoulder.
Finally Peter's tears slowed, and he pulled back a bit sheepishly. "S-sorry about that," he mumbled, swiping at his eyes.
"Don't apologize, I told you it's okay," Natasha said, smoothing back his hair in a tender, motherly gesture. "I know how painful sensory overload can be. There's no shame in needing to step away from the stimulation and decompress."
Peter nodded, already feeling calmer now that he wasn't trying to bottle up his anxiety anymore. But there was still a lingering ache inside his chest. Wordlessly, he moved back into Natasha's arms, holding onto her like a child seeking comfort from a parent after a bad dream.
Natasha seemed to sense his need and simply cradled him close again without question. "I've got you, little spider," she murmured. "You're safe."
They stayed like that in silence for a few more minutes, Peter soaking up the maternal love and comfort he'd craved for so long. With his face pressed against Natasha's shoulder, he whispered something that made her heart swell with emotion.
"I love you...Mom."
Natasha had to quickly blink back tears of her own. Though she'd never given birth, being there for Peter and Wanda had awakened powerful maternal instincts inside her. Hearing Peter call her 'Mom' triggered feelings too profound for words.
She pressed a fierce, protective kiss to the top of his head. "I love you too, my sweet boy. So much."
After another minute Peter reluctantly pulled back, looking a little self-conscious again. "S-sorry, I didn't mean to get so emotional on you..."
Natasha grasped his shoulders firmly. "Peter, you never have to apologize for your emotions with me, understand? I'm always here for you."
Peter managed a small, grateful smile. "Thanks... Mom. For everything."
Natasha smiled back, but still sensed some lingering distress in him. "Of course. Now, is there anything else I can do to help you feel better?"
Peter hesitated. There was one thing, but he felt childish asking.
Natasha seemed to read his thoughts. "Wanda?" she guessed gently.
Peter bit his lip and gave a shy nod. Ever since Wanda had joined the Avengers, she and Peter had bonded almost instantly. Her vibrant, playful energy perfectly complimented Peter's sweet, earnest nature. Wanda also understood Peter's traumatic past in a way the others never could, and Peter's compassionate, protective spirit reminded Wanda so much of Pietro. The two had grown incredibly close, relying on each other as beloved siblings.
Natasha completely understood the special dynamic between them. "I'll go get your sister for you," she said, smoothing Peter's hair again. "Just wait here and try to breathe, alright?"
"Okay, thanks Nat," Peter said gratefully. After one more quick hug, Natasha slipped back inside.
A few minutes later, the balcony door slid open again and Wanda rushed out. "Peter!" she cried, hurrying over to him.
"Hey Wanda," Peter said with a tentative smile that quickly faded, tears shining in his eyes again.
"Oh Peter, come here," Wanda said, immediately pulling him into a tight embrace. Peter clung to her like a lifeline, fresh tears escaping down his cheeks.
"Shh, it's alright младший брат," Wanda soothed, holding him close and rubbing his back. "I've got you."
They stayed locked in the embrace until Peter's tears slowed again. When they finally pulled back, Wanda tenderly brushed the moisture from his cheeks with her thumbs.
"Natasha told me what happened," she said gently. "I'm so sorry this party caused you sensory overload, Peter. I know how awful that can be for you." Her large, soulful eyes radiated empathy and understanding.
"Yeah, it just got really overwhelming with all the people and noise," Peter admitted.
"I can imagine," Wanda said sympathetically. "I wish you'd told one of us sooner it was getting to be too much. We could have helped before it got this bad."
"I know, I just didn't want to ruin everyone's fun," Peter mumbled, looking down.
Wanda grasped his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Your well-being is more important than any party, Peter. You know none of us would ever want you to suffer in silence."
Peter managed a small smile. "I know. Guess I still have some work to do on asking for help when I need it."
"Well, I'm always here whenever you do," Wanda said gently. "We all are. You never have to face anything alone, my little brother."
Hearing her refer to him as her brother brought fresh tears to Peter's eyes. He knew how much Wanda had loved Pietro, and being likened to him, even just through a sibling term of endearment, meant the world.
"C'mere," Wanda murmured, pulling him into another warm hug. Peter clung to her, the ache inside him easing at her comforting presence. For so long he'd craved the loving family bonds fate had denied him, and being embraced as a brother by Wanda and as a son by Natasha filled those empty spaces in his heart.
"I love you, sis," Peter whispered.
Wanda had to swallow down her own lump of emotion. Though she and Peter weren't blood relatives, the powerful kinship between them went beyond genetics.
"I love you too, little brother," she whispered back. "So much."
They stayed in the embrace a few moments longer before Peter finally pulled back, wiping his eyes again.
"Thanks, Wanda. I think I'm gonna be okay now."
Wanda smiled, affectionately ruffling his hair. "I'm glad. And I think there's still some time before the party ends if you wanted to come back inside. I can always telekinetically 'request' people to give you some space if you start feeling overwhelmed again," she added with a playful wink.
Peter laughed, comforted by her protectiveness. "I appreciate the offer, but I think I'm just gonna call it a night. Don't want to push my luck sensory-wise."
Wanda nodded understandingly. "That's probably wise. Natasha and I will walk you to your room."
Peter started to protest but the two women gave him a look that clearly said arguing would be futile. He acquiesced with a small smile, allowing Natasha to wrap a motherly arm around his shoulders as they headed inside.
After saying goodnight to Tony and the others, Wanda and Natasha walked Peter down to his bedroom in the private residential wing of the Tower. At his door they pulled him into one more warm, lingering hug.
"Get some rest, Peter. And if you need anything at all tonight, you know where to find me."
"Thanks, Mom," Peter said, truly grateful for her doting care.
Natasha smiled and kissed his forehead before finally leaving him to get some much-needed sleep.
Peter changed into comfy pajamas and curled up under his covers, emotionally and physically drained but also feeling loved in a way he hadn't experienced since his parents died. The comforting bonds with Natasha and Wanda filled an ache inside him he'd carried his whole life.
As Peter drifted off surrounded by the quiet darkness of his room, his heart was full and the lingering anxiety from the party finally faded away. For the first time in a long time, he truly felt at peace.