"we're all still family"
Natasha crouched low behind a stack of wooden crates, her eyes fixed on the abandoned warehouse across the street. Peter was at her side, practically vibrating with excitement.
"You ready for this, Spiderling?" she asked, a hint of amusement in her tone.
Peter nodded enthusiastically. "You know it! This is gonna be awesome."
Natasha smiled indulgently. The kid's enthusiasm was infectious. She was glad to have him at her side for this mission.
They were staking out an illegal weapons deal that was supposed to go down any minute now. Natasha's intel said two rival gangs were meeting here to exchange a large cache of alien tech weapons. S.H.I.E.L.D. wanted the deal stopped and the weapons secured.
Peter and Natasha watched as several sinister looking armored trucks pulled up outside the warehouse. Large, heavily armed men piled out and took up positions around the building's entrances.
"Looks like our friends have arrived," Natasha murmured. "You ready for this, маленький паук?"
"Let's do this!" Peter said, thrumming with excitement.
Natasha chuckled. "Patience. We wait for my signal."
They observed silently as more vehicles arrived. Soon the street was filled with an small army of armed goons. Natasha's eyes narrowed as she spotted the leaders of both gangs arrive, along with a set of large metal crates she guessed contained the weapons.
"Alright, that's our cue," she said. "You web up any stragglers trying to escape. I'll secure the targets."
"Yes ma'am!" Peter gave a mock salute.
Natasha rolled her eyes but couldn't help an affectionate smile. She was growing rather fond of the overeager spiderling.
They crept towards opposite sides of the building, easily slipping past the patrolling guards unseen. Natasha reached her entry point, a side door left conveniently unlocked. Amateurs, she thought derisively.
"Ready on my mark," she murmured into her comm. "Three...two...one...go!"
Natasha kicked the door in and flung herself inside in a blur of motion. Cries of alarm went up immediately. She engaged the nearest guard, dropping him with an electro-disc to the chest. More converged on her position. She twisted and spun, dispatching them with ruthless efficiency. Across the room, Peter leapt into action, webbing up three men before they could even react.
"It's the Black Widow! Spider-Man!" one of the gang leaders bellowed. "Kill them!"
Chaos erupted. Natasha fought her way through a sea of enemies, her Widow's Bites and batons crackling as she whirled and struck. Peter was a red and blue blur, webbing and dodging attacks with superhuman agility.
They were making swift progress towards the leaders and the weapon crates. Natasha grew confident they would wrap this up quickly. Then her danger sense flared, making her instincts scream. Something was very wrong.
There was a thunderous BOOM that seemed to shake the whole building. Natasha was flung off her feet by the concussive force. Her ears rang as she hit the concrete floor hard. Over the din she heard Peter cry out in alarm.
Natasha shook off the disorientation and assessed the new threat. Several large mechanized suits had stepped out from concealment within the warehouse. Heavy duty mech armor equipped with dangerous looking cannons and guns. The gangs had been prepared for unwanted guests.
Natasha swore violently. She should have anticipated they might have these kinds of countermeasures in place. But it was too late for regrets. She had to end this, now.
The mech suits opened fire as she dashed and rolled for cover. She felt the heat of the energy blasts passing dangerously close. Across the room, Peter yelped as he frantically dodged heavy cannon fire. The gang members cheered and jeered, emboldened by their new advantage.
Natasha's mind raced. She had to take down those mechs, fast. An idea formed. Risky, but it was their best shot. She sprang out from behind her shelter.
"Peter! The crates!" she yelled. "Web them up!"
Peter understood instantly. He swung up towards the stack of weapon crates. Thwip thwip! His webs latched onto the containers, yanking them into the air. With a mighty heave he flung them directly into the path of the approaching mechs.
The heavy crates smashed into the mech suits, exploding on impact in a tremendous discharge of energy. The mechs reeled, circuits fried and armor plating cracked. Natasha seized the opening, sprinting forward to engage her reeling foes directly.
She leapt atop the nearest mech, ripping open a damaged chest plate to expose the wiring beneath. She drove her wrist stingers deep into its innards and discharged a massive electric burst. The mech shuddered violently then collapsed, smoke pouring from its joints.
Natasha leapt clear. Only two mechs left. Across the room, Peter was harassing the remaining two, peppering them with webs and staying frustratingly out of reach of their cannons.
"Peter, duck right!" Natasha called. He immediately complied. She flung an electro-disc straight into the mech's targeting sensors. It stumbled, blinded. Before it could recover, Natasha planted a Widow's Bite on its back. 50,000 volts surged through its systems. The mech crashed to the ground, disabled.
One left. The final mech had wised up, keeping its distance from Natasha while trying unsuccessfully to blast the agile Spider-Man. Natasha circled around, looking for an opening. There! Its knee joint was damaged from one of Peter's hits. She sprinted forward and slid between its legs, jamming her batons into the weakened joint. Sparks flew as she discharged her weapons point blank into the sensitive mechanisms.
The mech's leg gave out. It toppled sideways with a resounding boom. Natasha rolled free of the collapsing behemoth.
"Yeah!" Peter cheered from his perch on the wall. "We got 'em!"
Natasha allowed herself a tight smile. The immediate threat was neutralized. Now to wrap this up.
What was left of the gang members were beating a hasty retreat towards the exits. Natasha surged after them, Peter on her heels. She spotted the two leaders trying to slip away in the chaos. Oh no you don't, she thought viciously.
In a burst of speed, Natasha caught up to them. She crushed the first one's windpipe with a savage strike before he could react. The second she took down with a knee to the gut and a chokehold that left him unconscious.
Peter had trapped most of the remaining gang members in a large, tangled web. Natasha quickly secured the two leaders with restraints. Mission accomplished.
No sooner had she finished the thought than everything went spectacularly wrong.
One of the damaged mech suits suddenly activated, cannon swiveling towards her and Peter. Natasha's eyes widened. "Look out!"
She tackled Peter a split second before the mech fired. The hyper beam blast sailed over their heads and slammed into a stack of crates, triggering a massive explosion.
The shockwave sent Natasha and Peter flying. Natasha curled protectively around the boy as they crashed to the ground. Debris rained down around them.
Natasha's ears were ringing. She shook her head to clear it and quickly checked Peter for injuries.
"You okay?" she asked urgently.
"Y-yeah, I'm okay," he said shakily.
Natasha helped him to his feet. Flames and smoke were spreading rapidly as a result of the explosion. They had to get out, now.
Natasha activated her comm. "Hawkeye, we need extraction! Warehouse is coming down!"
"Copy that, Widow," Clint responded tersely. "Quinjet inbound."
"Can you walk?" Natasha asked Peter. He nodded, looking dazed but unharmed.
They moved quickly towards the nearest exit. The fire raged behind them, the building groaning ominously. They were almost there when Natasha heard the unmistakable sound of guns cocking.
She whirled around. Half a dozen gang members had gotten free and retrieved their weapons. They had Natasha and Peter pinned down in the burning warehouse.
Natasha stepped in front of Peter, shielding him with her body. She silently cursed herself for not securing the scene properly. Another amateur mistake.
"Nowhere to run now, spiders," one of the thugs sneered. "You're dead."
Natasha tensed, ready to make her final stand. Then a series of small objects shot from the gloom and attached themselves to the gang members' hands and weapons. Spider tracers. Natasha's eyes widened in understanding.
An instant later the tracers detonated in perfectly timed sequence, blasting the weapons from their hands in a series of small explosions. Before the men could react, a red and blue blur shot from the shadows and laid them out in a flurry of blows.
Peter straightened up from his handiwork, giving Natasha a cheeky salute. "Had your back, Mom!"
Natasha huffed a laugh, relief flooding through her. "Not bad, kid."
The building gave another dangerous creak around them. They had wasted enough time. Natasha took off for the exit, Peter right behind her. They burst out of the flaming warehouse just as the Quinjet screamed down from the sky. The ramp lowered and Clint's voice rang out.
"Get in, now!"
Natasha and Peter leapt into the jet. The ramp had barely closed before Clint gunned the engines, lifting them away from the conflagration below.
Natasha finally allowed herself to relax slightly. Another mission successfully completed, despite some unexpectedly hairy moments. She turned to check on Peter, intending to compliment his quick thinking with the spider tracers. But her mouth snapped shut when she saw the way he was leaning heavily against the jet's interior wall, one arm curled around his stomach.
Natasha was at his side in an instant. "Peter? What's wrong?"
"Ah, well... here's the funny thing," he said weakly. Before Natasha could react, his legs buckled. She caught him as he collapsed, panic lancing through her.
"Peter!"
Natasha lowered him gently to the floor of the jet. To her horror, she saw blood coating his hand where it pressed to his abdomen.
No no no, this couldn't be happening. Peter groaned, face gone white beneath his mask. Natasha's heart seized.
"Clint, get us back to the Tower now!" she shouted. "He's been hit!"
Clint cursed violently. Natasha heard the engines kick into overdrive. She turned her attention back to Peter, peeling up his suit to assess the wound.
A piece of shrapnel from one of the explosions had embedded itself low on his right side. Blood flowed steadily from the wound, soaking his suit. Natasha's hands shook as she applied pressure.
"Just hold on, Peter. You're going to be okay," she said urgently. Please let that be true, she prayed.
Peter's breaths came in pained gasps. "Hurts...can't..."
"I know, I got you," Natasha soothed. She pulled his mask off so she could see his face, brushing his sweat-soaked hair back. His pupils were dilated with pain and shock. Natasha felt sick.
"Eyes on me, Peter. Stay with me, baby." She tapped his cheek urgently. "You're not going anywhere, understand?"
Peter's glazed eyes found hers. "Mom..." he mumbled.
Natasha's heart clenched. "That's right, sweetheart. You stay awake now. We'll be home soon."
She kept up a steady stream of encouragement mixed with threats, trying to keep him conscious. Inside she was screaming.
Finally the jet touched down on the Tower's landing pad. Med team was waiting with a gurney as the ramp lowered. Natasha helped them get Peter onto the stretcher, refusing to leave his side.
As they raced towards the medbay, Peter thrashed in pain. "Mom! Don't...don't leave..."
Natasha grabbed his hand. "I'm right here, Peter. I've got you, паук."
They burst into the medbay, transferring him to an exam table. Bruce and Dr. Cho descended immediately, barking orders. Natasha tried to stay close but was firmly steered back by a nurse.
"You need to give them space to work," she insisted gently.
Natasha strained to keep Peter in her sight as they cut away his suit and inserted IV lines. His panicked cries for her tore at her heart. She pushed past the nurse.
"Peter, I'm here!" She managed to grasp his flailing hand again. "I'm not leaving baby, I promise."
His frantic eyes met hers for a moment and he quieted slightly, clinging to her hand like a lifeline. Natasha let out a shaky breath, blinking back tears.
Finally Bruce looked up. "We've got him stable for now. Helen is prepping for surgery."
Natasha exhaled in relief. Peter was still conscious, wavering on the edge of shock. His half-lidded eyes tracked her as they prepped him to be moved into the OR.
Natasha brushed the hair back from his forehead. "You're going to be just fine, Peter. I'll see you soon, okay?"
"Mama, don't go," he pleaded weakly.
Natasha's chest constricted. "I have to stay out here, but I'll be right nearby the whole time. I won't leave you." She squeezed his hand tightly.
Peter whimpered but allowed them to wheel him away. Natasha watched helplessly until the doors swung shut, blocking him from view.
Exhaustion and adrenaline crash hit her all at once. Natasha's knees buckled. Clint was instantly at her side, easing her into a chair.
"Whoa, take it easy. He's in good hands now."
Natasha buried her face in her hands. "This is my fault. I should have cleared the scene. I missed something and now he—" Her breath hitched as she pictured Peter's ashen face and blood-soaked suit.
Clint gripped her shoulder. "You couldn't have known. Don't do this to yourself, Nat."
Logically she knew he was right, but that did little to ease the sick feeling in her gut. Peter was like a son to her. If anything happened to him...
The other Avengers trickled in over the next hours as they returned from their separate missions, having gotten Bruce's call about Peter. Natasha barely registered their presence, consumed with worry for the kid fighting for his life just rooms away.
Finally after hours of agony, Bruce emerged looking exhausted but relieved.
"He pulled through," he reported. "Helen was able to remove all the shrapnel and repair the internal damage. We'll need to keep a close eye for infection, but I'm optimistic."
Weak with relief, Natasha asked immediately, "Can I see him?"
Bruce nodded. "He's still unconscious, but you can sit with him."
Natasha was through the doors before he finished speaking. Her breath caught when she saw Peter. He looked far too small and pale against the hospital bed, hooked up to monitors and IVs. But he was alive. Natasha released a shuddering breath and sat gingerly at his bedside.
She reached out to brush the hair from his forehead. "You really scared me, little spider," she murmured.
Peter didn't stir, but his chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm. Natasha contented herself with watching the heart monitor beep regularly, reassuring herself he really was going to be okay.
One by one, the other Avengers stopped in to check on him, each reacting to the kid's close call with worry and relief. Natasha barely acknowledged them, not wanting to leave Peter's side even for a moment.
As evening fell, Peter finally began to rouse. He came to slowly, bleary eyes taking in his surroundings. Natasha leaned forward anxiously.
"Peter? Can you hear me?"
His gaze found her face. "Mom?" he rasped.
Natasha's eyes stung. "Yeah, it's me. You're okay now, Peter. I'm here."
"Stay...please..." His eyes were already slipping closed again.
Natasha squeezed his hand. "I'm not going anywhere, котенок."
Over the next day, Peter drifted in and out of consciousness. When coherent, he was clingy and anxious, constantly reaching for Natasha's hand to reassure himself she was there. Her heart ached at his distress.
When Tony arrived with little Morgan in tow, Peter managed a weak smile at the sight of the girl he considered a little sister.
"Hi Petey," Morgan chirped, clambering up to sit on Natasha's lap so she could look at him. "I'm glad you're not too ouchy now."
Peter huffed a tired laugh. "Thanks, Mo. I'll be better real soon."
Morgan nodded seriously. "Yup, and then we can play with Legos again!"
Natasha ruffled her hair affectionately. After they left, Clint showed up with his whole family in tow. Peter brightened immediately at the sight of them.
"Hey kiddo, gave us a scare there," Clint said, clapping a hand on Peter's shoulder.
Laura hugged Natasha tightly. "How are you holding up?" she asked knowingly.
Natasha gave a tired shrug. "I'll feel better when this one is back to his annoyingly hyper self," she said wryly. But her hand rested protectively on Peter's arm.
Clint's kids crowded around Peter's bed eagerly. "I made this for you!" Lila announced, holding out a sloppily colored picture.
Peter took it solemnly. "This is awesome, thanks Lila!"
Four-year-old Nathaniel crawled right up on the bed to poke curiously at Peter.
Natasha smiled as Nathaniel crawled onto the bed to inspect Peter closely, his little brow furrowed in concentration.
"Does it hurt a lot?" the four-year-old asked, poking gently at the bandages swathed around Peter's middle.
Peter winced slightly. "Not so much now. Your Auntie Nat is taking good care of me."
He shot Natasha a grateful look. She brushed his curls back and gave his shoulder a light squeeze.
"Wow, cool!" Nathaniel said, eyeing the IV line with great interest. "Can I have medicine too?"
Laura swooped in quickly. "Alright my little explorer, let's give Peter some space to rest." She scooped up her wandering toddler and planted a kiss on Peter's cheek. "Feel better, sweetie."
"We'll come back tomorrow for more visits!" Lila promised. Clint ruffled Peter's hair affectionately before herding his brood out the door.
Peter's eyes were already drooping again. Natasha smoothed his blanket and murmured, "Get some sleep, Peter."
He mumbled something unintelligible, already more than half asleep. Natasha settled back in her chair, keeping silent vigil at his bedside.
Over the next few days, Peter improved steadily. He was able to stay awake for longer periods and complained insistently of boredom, which Natasha took as a good sign despite the headache it gave her.
True to their word, Clint's family visited daily, brightening Peter's spirits and providing Natasha with some much needed distraction. Laura was a calming presence, helping Natasha remember to eat and rest when she refused to leave Peter's side.
The kids were a lively bunch, keeping Peter entertained with games, drawings and light bickering. Cooper and Lila competed constantly for their "brother's" attention, each trying to outdo the other's gifts and stories.
"Petey, look! I made this for you!" Lila announced, holding up a lopsided clay figure. "It's you as Spider-Man!"
"Whoa, awesome!" Peter praised. "This is going right on my nightstand."
Lila shot a smug look at her older brother, who scowled. "Yeah well, I brought a new video game for us to play, you in?" Cooper countered, brandishing the game case.
"Oh sweet, set it up!" Peter said eagerly. Natasha just managed not to roll her eyes. Kids.
Nathaniel was content to crawl all over Peter, who bore the poking and prodding with admirable patience, even when the toddler accidentally ripped out his IV line in enthusiastic play.
"Oopsie," Nathaniel said, blinking wide eyes up at Peter.
Peter just laughed. "No big deal, buddy. Looks like you've got a future as a nurse ahead of you."
He shot a mock glare at Natasha as she snorted in amusement. She ruffled Nathaniel's fine hair. "I think you'll make an excellent nurse one day, малыш."
The little boy beamed and scrambled into her lap, babbling happily about all the sick patients he would fix. Natasha's heart melted. She was growing rather attached to these Barton kids. Or rather, already grown to these kids.
At one point, Lila sidled up and whispered loudly, "Is Peter your son now?"
Natasha froze for a moment before replying honestly, "In every way that matters, yes."
Lila nodded thoughtfully. "So you're like his mom, and since you're Auntie Nat, does that make him our... cousin? Or brother? Family's confusing."
Natasha felt her throat tighten with emotion. "Yes," she said softly. "He could be either, but we're all still family."
Peter's eyes were suspiciously bright as he said, "The best family a guy could ask for."
Laura met Natasha's gaze, giving her a knowing look and squeezing her hand in support. Natasha had to blink rapidly to dispel the prickling in her eyes. When had this ragtag group become so important to her? But she wouldn't have it any other way.
In the evenings, Wanda would stop by, bringing snacks she'd attempted to make in the kitchen. The results were mixed, but Peter always ate them with relish.
"Mmm, delicious," he proclaimed through a mouthful of a misshapen brownie. "Seriously Wanda, you're getting so much better."
Wanda laughed. "You are a terrible liar, but thank you." She perched on the end of his bed. "How are you feeling today, little brother?"
Peter huffed indignantly. "Hey I'm only two years younger than you!" But he grinned at the nickname. "I'm good though. Nat says I might be able to start training again soon if I keep healing well."
He shot Natasha a hopeful look. She raised an eyebrow. "Only light training at first. You're not going to be flinging yourself off buildings for at least another week." Peter pouted but didn't argue. He knew better than to challenge the Black Widow's directives.
Wanda smiled fondly at their exchange. "I am glad you are recovering well. We were all very worried." Her expression darkened. "When I find who did this, they will regret it dearly." Scarlet energy briefly flashed in her eyes.
"Hey hey, no going full witch mode on my account," Peter said quickly. "I'll be back to normal patrols before you know it."
Wanda looked unconvinced but allowed the subject to drop. She turned to Natasha. "And how are you holding up through all this, Nat?"
Natasha gave a tired half-shrug. "Ask me again when this one isn't trying to give me more grey hairs on a daily basis."
Peter squawked indignantly. "Hey! I am an absolute delight and you know it." He shot Natasha a cheeky grin.
Her stern look wavered. "Боже мой, the sass on you," she said with fond exasperation. But she dropped a quick kiss to the top of his head. "I suppose you're not entirely insufferable," she allowed.
Peter fist pumped. "Knew you loved me."
Natasha just shook her head, the hint of a smile playing on her lips. She met Wanda's knowing gaze. The girl had become almost like a daughter over the years. Natasha was struck again by how this unlikely family had come to mean everything to her. She silently vowed she would protect each and every one of them with her life.
Over the next week, Peter continued to improve. His enhanced healing finally seemed to be kicking in properly. Though still on bed rest, he was going stir crazy from inactivity.
"Ugghhh Mom, I'm dying of boredom," he complained dramatically after Wanda left one evening. "Isn't there anything I can do besides just sit here?"
Natasha glanced up from cleaning her weapons—more for the comfort of the familiar task than actual need. "You can rest and let your body finish healing."
Peter flopped back against his pillows sulkily. "But I feel fine! See?" He attempted to sit up rapidly. The blood drained from his face and he immediately sank back down with a groan.
Natasha was at his side in an instant, face tight. "Peter!"
"Okay, maybe not 100% yet," he conceded weakly.
Natasha gentled her tone, brushing the hair back from his clammy forehead. "I know you're going stir crazy, котенок. But you really need to take it slow, baby."
Peter sighed. "Yeah, I know. I just hate feeling so useless, you know?"
Nat looked at him sympathetically. She understood that sentiment all too well. An idea occurred to her.
"Tell you what, since you're so desperate for something to occupy that hyperactive brain of yours..." She pulled a deck of cards from her pocket. "How about I teach you a few tricks?"
Peter perked up immediately. "Like sleight of hand?"
Natasha allowed a small, sly smile. "I may have...acquired a few skills over the years."
Peter pushed himself upright eagerly. "Yes, show me!"
Natasha chuckled at his obvious excitement. "Alright, pay close attention..."
She walked him through some basic techniques—pallets, shuffles, forces. Peter was a quick study, hands moving rapidly to mimic her motions. His enhanced reflexes gave him an edge, but he still had much to learn. For hours they practiced, Natasha offering pointers as Peter became swiftly proficient.
"Like this?" He fumbled the double lift, dropping the card.
Natasha gently repositioned his fingers. "Relax this hand...but keep this one stiff...there you go."
Peter beamed as he smoothly turned over two cards as one. "I did it! This is so awesome." He glanced up, eyes shining. "Thanks, Nat."
Warmth bloomed in Natasha's chest at his sincere gratitude. She cleared her throat lightly. "You're a natural, kid."
By the time Peter could hardly keep his eyes open, he had picked up an impressive repertoire of techniques. Natasha discreetly pocketed the deck before he could ask to practice more.
"Alright spiderling, time for you to sleep."
Peter mumbled a half hearted protest but was already mostly asleep. Natasha smoothed his blanket, lips curving fondly.
"спокойной ночи, little spider," she whispered.
The next day Peter received another expected visitor. Tony strolled in, looking unfairly well rested compared to Natasha's haggard state.
"Hey kid, heard you've been driving your poor handler crazy," he greeted with a smirk. Morgan skipped in behind him clutching her Iron Man plushie.
"Hi Petey!" she exclaimed, clambering up to give him a careful hug.
"Hey Mo," Peter said, grinning and ruffling her hair.
Tony held up a small device. "Brought you something to combat the boredom. It's an upgraded StarkPad, loads of movies, games, books, anything you want."
Peter's eyes lit up. "Whoa, awesome! Thanks Mr. Stark!"
He eagerly took the pad, immediately immersing himself in the contents. Tony shook his head fondly before turning to Natasha.
"And how are you holding up? You look terrible, no offense."
Natasha scowled. "Gee, thanks." But there was no real heat behind it.
Tony looked back at her, smirking. "Kidding. Mostly. When was the last time you took a break, Romanoff?" His tone softened with real concern.
Natasha shrugged evasively. Breaks were pointless when there was someone who needed her.
Tony eyed her knowingly. "At least let me send up some real food. FRIDAY said you've been surviving on protein bars for days." He pretended to shudder. "Disgusting."
Despite herself, Natasha felt a rush of gratitude. She was too tired to keep up her usual stoic facade.
"Thank you, Tony," she said sincerely. "I appreciate that."
He waved a hand dismissively. "Don't mention it. Can't have you wasting away. The kid needs you at full strength." His expression turned uncharacteristically serious. "You're doing good with him, Nat. Trust me, I get it."
Natasha swallowed thickly and gave a small nod. Coming from Tony, that meant a lot.
They both looked over as laughter rang out. Morgan was keeping up a rapid fire narration of her week while Peter listened attentively, making exaggerated gasps and oohs at all the right moments.
Tony shook his head wryly. "Hate to break that up, but nap time calls."
Morgan pouted but allowed herself to be scooped up. "Feel better Petey!" she called over Tony's shoulder.
Peter grinned. "Thanks Mo! Go be good for your dad now."
After they left, Natasha retrieved the promised food delivery. Over fresh sandwiches and fruit, she was amused to discover Peter had picked up some of the sleight of hand techniques. He laughed in delight when he managed to palm a grape right under Nat's watchful gaze.
"Not bad, kid," she praised. "But don't think you can pull one over on me that easily."
Peter just grinned cheekily. Natasha felt a swell of pride and affection for this bright, resilient boy who had come to mean so much to her. She silently renewed her vow that nothing would ever harm him again if she had any say in it.
Over the next several days, Natasha finally allowed herself to relax as Peter continued to recover well. The worst was past. Her boy was going to be just fine.
When Bruce at last cleared him for release from the medbay, Peter whooped in relief. "Freedom!" he cheered, pulling Natasha into an impulsive hug. "Thank you for everything, Mom. Seriously."
Natasha returned the embrace fiercely. "I'm just glad you're okay, мой паук," she murmured.
She kept a watchful eye on him as they made their way to his room, ready to steady him if need be. But despite still being a bit pale and shaky, Peter was fully mobile again.
He paused outside his door, glancing back hesitantly. "Um, actually...could I maybe stay with you tonight, Mom?" He looked embarrassed by the request. "I just, uh, don't really want to be alone right now?"
Natasha's expression softened. "Of course." She hadn't missed the lingering signs of trauma; the nightmares and panic attacks he tried to hide. Her room was just across the hall from his anyway.
Peter's shoulders slumped in relief. "Thanks, мама паук."
Once settled comfortably in Natasha's room, Peter seemed content just to have her close by. Natasha set herself up at the desk to work on mission reports, keeping half an eye on the boy sprawled on her bed watching videos, falling asleep peacefully.
The peaceful atmosphere was shattered when Peter abruptly lurched upright with a gasp, eyes wide and panicking. Natasha was at his side instantly.
"Peter, you're safe. Look at me." She grasped his shoulders firmly until his glazed eyes found hers. "I've got you, just breathe."
Peter sucked in a shaky breath, reality slowly returning to his gaze. "S-sorry. Bad dream."
Natasha's heart ached for him. "Don't apologize, baby." She gathered him close, rubbing his back as the tremors passed. "I've got you," she repeated softly.
Exhausted and still recovering, it wasn't long before Peter slipped back into sleep, though fitfully. Natasha stayed near, ready to soothe him through any more nightmares. Gazing at his finally peaceful face, she sent up a silent prayer of thanks that she had not lost this bright, precious boy who had become like a son to her. She would never take one moment with him for granted again.
Over the next week, Natasha mother-henned Peter relentlessly, watching for any signs of setback. But with ample rest and TLC, he seemed to be healing well mentally and physically.
The day Natasha finally cleared him for light training again, Peter whooped in delight.
"Yes! I'm gonna do so many backflips!"
Natasha made him start off slowly, monitoring him sharply, but even she couldn't deny his obvious joy at being back in action. She had to smile as Peter crowed over nailing a new aerial twist.
"Did you see that flip? I totally stuck the landing!"
"Not bad, паук," she praised. Her tone turned serious. "But remember, take it easy. No unnecessary risks."
Peter paused in front of her, face sobering. "I'll be careful," he promised. Impulsively he hugged her tight. "Thank you for taking care of me, Mom."
Natasha returned the embrace just as fiercely. "Always, little spider." She held him at arm's length, expression soft. "I'm proud of you, Peter Parker."
Peter's face lit up like she had given him the moon. Natasha's heart clenched. She would move heaven and earth to keep him safe and happy.
"Wanna see me stick to the ceiling?" Peter asked eagerly, back to bouncing on his toes.
Natasha laughed. "Alright Spider-Baby, show me what you've got."
Peter whooped and scampered up the wall. Watching him reclaim his abilities with obvious joy, Natasha finally relaxed fully for the first time since this whole ordeal began. Her kid was going to be just fine. And she would always be there to have his back, whatever came their way next.