Rush 🔞

Thirty-Four

A few hours later and everyone  aside from Steve and Wanda, were in the main room, Peter was sat with his head back on the couch, wincing as May just scolded them both. Pen sighed, as she shook her head, on Pietros lap... 'May, I know you hate to think of either of us out there fighting, but it's who we are now. Peter is a hero, you know that. Yes he's young, but I promise he isn't doing any big missions..'

'Im just looking out for the little guy..'.. He lifts his head to look at their aunt... 'Friendly neighborhood Spiderman..'

'Does anyone else know about you?..'.. May asked from the other couch, sitting next to Nat.

'Ned knows, but only because he caught me..'.. Peter said, and he gave May a small smile.

Pen watched May sigh... 'I don't like it, but I can't stop you, either of you. Just promise me you'll be safe..'.. She looks between her niece and nephew, who both nod at her.

'Now that's settled, who's hungry?..'.. Pepper asked, as she stood up, smiling at everyone. There were a few who chimed in that they were.

'Are you ok?..'.. Pietro asked her quietly, and she felt his hand run up and down her back.

'Im fine. Just hope that I'm not controlling you..'.. She whispered back, looking at him. He tucked her hair behind her ear and smiled at her.

'I already had feelings for you, before I fully knew you, you're not controlling me. I want to be here, with you, and when this is over, take you out on another date..'.. Pen felt herself blush at him words, and bit her lip as she fought a smile... 'Dont hide from me..'.. He tilted her chin up so she was looking at him again.

'Ok lovebirds, you can be all smoochy later, we need to go over all the files Cho had on you Pen..'... Tony says, and Pen heard the 'dad' tone, giggling into Pietros shoulder.

'Ok, we can do that after dinner. Wanda is using her powers to read Helen at the moment anyway, so whatever she's been hiding, Wanda will find out..'.. Pen got up and headed to the kitchen to help Pepper, and May joined in, despite Peppers insistance she rest up.

The three of them quickly whipped up dinner for everyone, and they all took their seats at the table, just as Steve and Wanda came back in. Pen noticed the solem looks, and she paused, hovering over her seat as she looked between the two... 'How bad is it?..'

'Dinner first..'.. Steve says, not giving anything away. Pen wanted to know, but if it was extremely serious, either one would've said. Sitting between Pietro and Pepper, she gave her aunt across from her a small smile.

'So, can I ask about this?..'.. May asks Pen, gesturing between her and Pietro. Pen blushes, focusing on her plate.

'I love her, she loves me, that's all..'.. Her head whipped to Pietro beside her, and she felt everyone's eyes on her.

'Wh-wait, wh-what? Y-you love me?..'.. She stuttered out, and he just gives her that damn smirk of his as he looks at her.

'And you love me..'.. He says, tucking her loose strands of hair behind her ear... 'Am I wrong?..'

Pen didn't know what to say. She thought it over, she didn't know what she felt, it wasn't love yet, was it? She stared at him, and he chuckled, putting a hand to her knee and giving it a gentle squeeze... 'Eat your food, you need it..'.. He guestured to her plate with his chin.

Pen just went on autopilot, and finished her food, not able to talk, or look at anyone. The others began talking about random things, and Pen hardly heard them, too lost in her own thoughts about what Pietro just said.

'I think he broke her..'.. Bucky whispered to Nat, as they both glanced to Pen at the other end of the table.

'I don't think she was expecting to hear that, not in front of everyone at least..'.. Nat sighed, shaking her head... 'Men, honestly. Sometimes I wonder how you manage to remain alive with all the stupid shit you do..'

'Thanks, love you too..'.. He nudged her with his leg, teasing.

'Do you think I should talk to both of them, separately?..'.. Nat asked him, and Bucky looked back over as t them again.

'No, just let them sort this out between them. What we need to focus on, is what's got Steve and Wanda tense..'.. He looked across at the pair, and caught Steve's eye.

Steve shook his head, and whispered the words 'not now', that Bucky heard, and nodded back at him. Soon, everyone was finished with their food, going quiet, waiting to hear from Steve and Wanda about what they found out.

'You going to keep us in suspense, or what?..'.. Tony rests her arms on the table, as he looks down to Steve.

'Her parents were taken..'.. Steve sighed... 'Hydra knew that Pen would somehow join us, after Wanda and Pietro did. They had been watching, waiting. They started seeing a new person come back and forth..'.. He nodded to Pen... 'And recognised her..'

Pen slipped her hand down to Pietros on her knee, interlocking her fingers with his as she listened... 'As Helen is pretty much the doctor to all avengers, they thought she would be the best one to get intel from. They have her parents as a bargaining chip, but she slowly began to sway to their side..'

'She says she's sorry, but her curiosity is taking over. She wanted to know what makes Pen tick, and the full extent of her powers, so she could manipulate Pen into freeing her parents and Cho hoped that she could infuse Pens blood with hers, so that she could have those powers..'.. Wanda finished, sitting back in her seat, glancing down at Pen.

'Why can't I just be left alone? I don't want this, I don't want any of it..'.. She shoved back from the table, and ran off, back to her room.

'I got her..'.. Pietro says, rushing off after her. Tony watches the two of them go, and shakes his head.

'I don't get it..'.. Peter frowns... 'What exactly do they think she can do? I meant she can alter perception, telekinesis, fly, and shield, but what more is there?..'.. He looks around at everyone.

'She can control people, manipulate them, without even realise she's doing it..'.. Tony tells him, and Peter looks confused.

'Ok..'.. He said slowly... 'And that's bad because..?..'

Nat took a deep breath... 'Because that power is linked to her fears. What nightmares she has, starts to come to life..'.. She glanced to Steve... 'Who she sees as a bad person, will do exactly what she fears they will do..'

Peter looked over to Steve, and it hit him... 'Thats why you were acting all weird..'

'Yeah kid..'.. Steve ran a hand over his face... 'Im ok now, I promise. But she's afraid that she's controlling all of us, especially Pietro..'

Peter feels a sucker punch to his stomach. He knew that his sister would feel extremely guilty about it all, and blame herself, he just hoped, it did overwhelm her.

😘