Shifter

When you wake up, the sun is just starting to peek through the white blinds on Peter’s window. Your eyes flutter open slowly, and you realize that you and Peter are wrapped around each other once more, fitting perfectly together. He groans slightly, pulling you closer to him as he shifts, and you smile as your eyes scan over his room. Old bits of circuitry, a few posters, his bookbag in the corner, and your duffel bag next to his. Slowly but surely, you reluctantly untangle yourself from his body and pad over to the corner of the room, grabbing a set of clothes and your toiletries and heading to the office to get changed. As you close the door, the only sound in the small apartment are Peter’s quiet snores that travel down the hall.

When you are finally ready for the day, you enter the kitchen to find May brewing some coffee and putting toast on a plate. “Good morning.” She greets, a cheeky smile on her lips. You narrow your eyes slightly, tugging your sleeves farther down your arms as you walk over to help.

“Morning.” You reply, grabbing some mugs from the shelf and placing them on the table.

“How’d you sleep?” She asks, that glint still in her eyes, and you warily reply

“Well.”

She smirks, going to pour the coffee, and nods. “I came in to wake Peter up about a half hour ago, but you two looked so comfortable I figured I’d let you sleep in.” She says, and your eyes widen as your cheeks tinge pink. A small chuckle escapes her lips, and she shakes her head, brown strands ruffling.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Peter like this. He seems…” She pauses, eyes scanning your face for a reaction. “Genuinely happy.” She finishes, and you duck your head to stop yourself blushing more. You thank her, and she smiles, sliding a plate of toast over to you and filling your mug with coffee. “Now eat, you have a busy day ahead of you. I got a text from Tony-” Her eyes widen and she clears her throat. “From Mr. Stark, saying that you are going to school with Peter today.”

You chuckle slightly, eyes narrowing. “Are you and Tony…” Your voice has a questioning tone to it, and the way May blushes and looks away confirms your suspicions. “Oh my god you are!” You practically squeal, and she shushes you.

“We’re only texting! Besides, you can’t talk – I’ve seen how you stare at Peter, and I know how much of a crush you have on him.”

You pause. “What?”

She smirks, shaking her head. “Did you think I wouldn’t notice? I mean, the way you two look at each other, and then there’s the fact you’re still wearing his hoodie…” She wiggles her eyebrows, just as something moves in the corner of your eye.

“What’re you guys talking about?” Peter slurs, rubbing his eyes as he enters the kitchen. Your eyes widen, dropping to your plate of toast and shoving a piece in your mouth. May notices, and chuckles, but looks up to Peter and greets him, adding,

“Due to Mr. Stark’s request, Y/N here is going to school with you today!”

You smile sheepishly, chewing on your toast as Peter comes to sit next to you.

“Really?” He asks, and his tone of voice makes you frown slightly — he sounds almost disappointed. You nod, taking a sip of coffee, and May begins to explain.

“Mr. Stark wanted her to start school straight away — don’t worry, I think you’ll do just great.” She adds, placing a gentle hand on your arm, but Peter clears his throat quickly.

“Don’t you think it’d be better for her to – well, have a day – a day off, first?” He stumbles over his words, nervous, and May shoots him a half-glare but shakes her head.

“Mr. Stark said so, so that’s what we’re going to do.”

He doesn’t say anything, just reaches for the toast and begins to eat. Your eyebrows furrow slightly at his reaction, but you try to ignore it and ask him about school. “So, um, what should I expect?” You ask, trying to sound cheery, and Peter glances up.

“Well… I mean, it’s hard to explain what school is like.” He shrugs, mouth full, and May rolls her eyes.

“It’ll be fun. I take it you’re being homeschooled?” She asks, and you nod hesitantly.

“Um… Something like that.” In truth, it wasn’t so much schooling as it was you parking yourself in the lab and demanding that Tony or Bruce explains what exactly they’re doing, or asking Steve to tell you about the 1940s and the war. Or having Thor explains Asgard. Really, your education was solely based on insanely complex theorems, World War Two timelines, Norse Mythology, and some martial arts from Clint – that and a basic understanding of Russian, courtesy of Natasha.

After breakfast, Aunt May was eager to send the two of you off, lest Peter is late “for the 140th time in a row”, a comment that made him groan and you chuckle. The two of you walked to the train, and despite trying to uphold a conversation, Peter too tired, and you were too busy watching New York fly through the train windows to bother. The tall buildings and busy people were all so interesting, and before you know it, Peter and you are standing in front of his high school, which he has to practically guide you into as you are so in awe of everything happening around you.

Your eyes widen dramatically as the doors swing shut between you and Peter. So this is what high school is like. White hallway, bustling with students your age, and constant background chatter. Peter places his hands on your shoulders, steering you through the hall towards the row of lockers at the end. He parks you in front of a locker, opening it and pulling out textbooks. “So you have calculus first, and I’ve made sure we’re in the same class for everything. So we should be okay.” He says, and you finally speak your mind.

“Do you not want me here?” You blurt, arms coming to cross over your chest. He stops, turning to face you.

“What?” He asks, and you shake your head.

“Well, it really didn’t seem like you wanted me to come to school at breakfast, and now you seem like you’re trying to keep me out of sight.” You say, head tilted slightly. His brown eyes soften, the way you’ve grown so fond of in the past few days, and he sighs.

“No, no – I didn’t mean it like that, Y/N. It’s just – I hate high school. I know this is new and exciting for you, but I’ve had some of my worst times here, and I didn’t want it to be like that for you.”

You blink, mouth parted slightly as you take everything in. “Oh.” Is all you manage, and Peter chuckles.

“Hey.”

A voice comes from behind you and you jump, wheeling around to be met with a girl your age, but tall, with dark skin and a really messy ponytail, a book clutched in her hand. “You’re new.” She states, and you nod.

Peter sighs. “Michelle, Y/N – Y/N, Michelle. Y/N is my… Uh, my cousin.” He says, and though she raises an eyebrow she just nods.

“Okay. Well, Pete’s cousin Y/N – you’re gonna be late on your first day.” She says, gesturing to the ceiling, and a second later the bell rings out. “See you.” She calls out, turning and walking away, and Peter groans, grabs your wrist, and whisks you away. Oh, crap.