Wolf Spider

Peter Couldn't Deny It

-Peter's P.O.V-

Peter was the youngest person he had had an actual conversation with in years. If you could meet yourself, he would be the youngest person you would meet. He could barely remember having to play with kids around his own age, but Peter could barely remember his parents, let alone the conversations he had with other four year olds.

So yes, Peter would say he was the youngest person he knew (although knew was a bit far fetched in his eyes) and he didn't expect that fact to change anytime soon. Of course, he also didn't expect to be fed and to have the privilege to speak. Things change.

This particular change occurred on the second Tuesday Peter arrived at the Compound. He was lying on Natasha's bed this Tuesday, turns out these meetings were a weekly thing. Wanda was plucking out a random melody on her guitar, Natasha painting the other female's toenails, while Peter was sitting criss cross on Bucky's back while the man did pushups.

"Scott's bringing Cassie here tomorrow. She's been wanting to come over for a while," Natasha informs everyone.

Peter looks at her, expression carefully masked to conceal his worry and anxiety. There were so many changes lately, that Peter was racing to catch up. "Who's Cassie?" Peter asked.

"Scott's daughter. She's young, eleven I believe," Wanda answered. "She's adorable. She's bringing over her pet as well."

"Pet? Stark's gonna love that," James snarked with a chuckle.

There was continued conversation about Cassie and her mystery-pet, but all Peter could think about was the fact that the Avengers were letting an eleven year old into the Compound while he was here. A child. Who had a pet. What was Peter even doing when he was eleven? Definitely not having a pet.

"Peter?" Natasha interrupts his thoughts with an arched eyebrow. James had paused his workout, twisting his neck awkwardly so he could stare at Peter. Wanda was staring with a worried look on her face, guitar strings still. "Are you alright, Маленький паук?"

Peter nodded, "Yes, sorry. What was the question?"

James looked at him, obviously not believing that Peter was alright, and tapped Peters leg. Peter climbed off, while James spoke, "No question. You just didn't seem okay."

"I am fine," Peter answered, albeit a little stiffly. At the other's disbelieve gazes, Peter winced. "Just... you're letting me near... a kid?" There was silence, and Peer instinctively made himself seem smaller. Had he done something wrong?

James put a hand on Peter's knee, "Cassie is good. She does not judge based on your past."

"We trust you to know when you need to get away for a bit, Peter," Wanda comforted with a smile. "Besides. Cassie is nice. She'll like you."

Peter breathed deeply, that wasn't the problem. The problem was that he could easily hurt Cassie, doesn't matter if he meant to or not. Cassie was an eleven year old girl with a pet. Her dad may have been a hero, but that didn't mean the she could protect herself.

"Маленький паук," Natasha started, "If it helps any, Scott doesn't let Cassie go two rooms over from him unless it's to the restroom. He thinks it's to dangerous here. He thought that even when you weren't here, so you will never be alone with her."

Peter nodded. That may have made him feel better about the whole situation, but he still thought it would be better if he wasn't near Cassie at all. He was dangerous, and the others didn't seem to be understanding that. "I'm dangerous," He tried once again. I wasn't that he wanted to avoid everyone while the eleven year old was there, but he knew it was the safest solution.

"We all are," James said, wrapping an arm around Peter. The fifteen year old leaned into the touch slowly.

Wanda nodded, "Everyone in this tower has the power to kill someone."

Peter sighed, and leaned into James' touch completely. He didn't try to rebuttal the fact. It was true, and Peter couldn't deny it.

-Wanda's P.O.V-

Wanda was sitting next to Vision on the couch in the common room with the others, except Tony, Bruce, Peter, and Shuri who were down in the labs, when the elevator set off its familiar ding. The three turned their heads to the elevator, and Wanda gaped. There was a large... ant in the elevator. "What..." Wanda heard Vision breathed beside her.

"Uh, hey guys," Scott said awkwardly with a sheepish wave. "You guys remember Cassie. This is her Ant."

"Dude, I know you're Ant Man and all, but this is a bit... excessive," Sam chuckled, making Scott sputter in response.

Cassie giggled, making Wanda smile. She had always liked children. Back when she was younger, one of her neighbors had a small eleven month old that Wanda loved to play with. Wanda stood, making her way over to hug Cassie, "Hi, Cassie, how have you been?"

Cassie's grin grew, "Great! At school I got a prize for best drawing in Art!"

The conversations went from there. No one really commenting on the Giant Ant that seemed to follow Cassie around. Cassie had been talking to King T'Challa for a several minutes before the elevator dinged once again.

Tony and Bruce filed out first, stopping sharply once they saw the Ant. "What the hell..." Tony mumbled.

Shuri and Peter popped their heads around the adults, "Woah..." They said at the same time.

"Hi!" Cassie smiled. She walked towards Shuri and Peter with a smile, and the Ant a couple paces behind her. "I'm Cassie," She stuck her hand out for the teens to shake.

Shuri smiled, and shook the eleven year olds hand with a greeting. "Er- Hi," Peter murmured awkwardly, and shook Cassie's hand. "I'm Peter."

Cassie smiled, "This is my Giant Pet Ant."

Shuri giggled, "I can see that. How did you get him to be that big?"

Cassie straightened up proudly, "I'll tell you if you two come play with me. I wanna play Jenga."

Wanda didn't even need her powers to sense the anxiousness that grew within Peter. Ever since the day before, Wanda was worried about how Peter would react when Cassie arrived. Would he just lock himself in his room for the entirety of Scott and Cassie's stay?

"I- uh, I d-don't know how to- to play," Peter excused.

Cassie looked at curiously for a second before shrugging. "That's alright, I'll teach you," She leaned in closer, gesturing for Peter to meet her half way down. Peter did so, and failed to hold back a small grin when Cassie stage-whispered, "I beat my parents at it all the time, so you'll be learning from the master."

Wanda smiled as Cassie led Peter and Shuri over to the table. Peter ended up next to the Giant Ant, and awkwardly patted it on it's head.

After dinner, Peter sat down next to Wanda, and side glanced at her, before looking back at Cassie who was playing Connect-4 with Clint. "Are all eleven year olds like her?" He asked in a hushed tone.

Wanda sent him a curious glance, "No, not all. Why do you ask?"

"Cause she's so accepting," Peter replied. "She asked no questions, even though it was clear as day that she wanted to."

Wanda smirked, "She has you wrapped around her little finger."

Peter thinned his lips, and nodded his head sharply. Although the blank look on his face said otherwise, she could tell that Peter didn't really mind.

AN: I have no excuse for the wait on this chapter, other than the fact that writers block has been kicking my butt lately. Sorry for the wait, and the poor quality that is this chapter. Thanks for reading, and don't forget to leave a kudo, comment, and all that fun stuff. Until next time.