Chapter Text
You entered the empty library at the end of the school day where the rest of the decathlon team was already sitting. Everyone except Liz whose family moved away, not even wanting to wait for the school year to finish. While no one else knew the truth behind the move, you and Peter felt bad for her knowing none of it could be easy. Mr. Harrington called everyone’s attention.
“Congrats national champions! Now I’m a little ahead of the game but we’ll need a new captain and I nominate Michelle.”
“Actually… my friends call me MJ.”
MJ looked at you, Ned, and Peter with a smile. Mr. Harrington nodded and dismissed everyone saying there was no need to start practicing for the new season right away and that you guys should enjoy the afternoon. As a small shock to your friends, you stopped walking with Peter and hooked your arm around MJ’s instead— the two of you slightly ahead of the boys.
“Here’s the place! The reviews are supposed to be really good,” you said as you stopped in front of the paint shop.
The bubbly receptionist greeted the four of you.
“Hi! I called earlier, um, Wilson-Rogers?”
“Of course. Let me just check.”
The receptionist looked in her ledger for your name and you realized when she didn’t look very hard that it was an act for your sake because she already knew who you were. Less than ten seconds of looking and she led you and your friends towards the back of the store where the studio was set up with lots of tables and chairs. She directed you guys towards your table in the center of the room with the little chalkboard label that read Wilson-Rogers inside a large star. The four of you grabbed snacks and drinks and sat back down while people slowly started piling in for the class. Lots of people greeted you as they entered but were kind enough to leave it at a simple hello before sitting at their own seats. The teacher came in and clapped to start the class, setting the music low and turning on their mic so everyone could hear.
“Hello! It’s nice to see familiar faces and as always a welcome to our newbies whether it’s a one time thing or you like it so much you come back, we are glad to have you here. I’m McKenna, your certified Bob Ross for today’s class…”
Some patrons laughed and you assumed that this must have been something McKenna always said at the start of class.
“And for today, we’re going to be painting a full moon over the ocean. Not too hard, lots of fun. If everyone would squeeze out a glob of each paint tube on the station provided and grab the largest brush, let’s get started!”
The first part was easy. But once all the paint was squeezed onto your little palette, you realized it was almost all blue and purple. McKenna called for everyone to dip their brush in the darkest blue, mentioning it was the Royal Navy color for those who wanted to keep track of paints they wanted to buy and take home. MJ watched as Peter, her, and Ned got started but you just looked at the palette. Three colors appeared to be visibly darker than the rest of the paints so you just had to narrow down and make a guess as to which was the Royal Navy.
Your brush hovered tentatively over one of the shades and almost dipped in before you pulled it back and went to the other one, now unsure. MJ gently grabbed your hand and moved the brush over the correct color, not saying anything. When you went to look at her, she was already staring at her canvas again, coating the bottom of it in the dark paint. It went like that for the rest of the class. Each time McKenna would call out a blue or purple color, MJ would move your brush over the correct one and then go back to her own canvas. The class ended and there was a thirty minute period to hang out while the paintings dried up enough to be put into cars and taken home.
“Thank you,” you said to MJ as you all compared your four paintings.
“They mentioned it in a history book I was reading.”
She left it at that. You and Peter parted ways with Ned and MJ to go back to the compound— well, MJ thought Peter was going home. Since he didn’t even want Ned to know, he was trying to stall MJ and his Aunt May finding out he was Spider-man for as long as possible. You and Peter walked hand in hand to the juice bar near the painting shop that you told Happy to pick you up at. Peter wouldn’t let you pay for the drinks, insisting on it since you had paid for the paint session. You heard the click as Peter handed you the drink. You both looked over to see multiple large cameras.
Evading paparazzi was something you were relatively good at— mainly because they weren’t allowed on campus so as long as you and Peter walked straight to his house, you usually didn’t run into anybody. All the Avengers were subject to the tabloids and social media but you, Vision, Wanda, and Clint were harder to find everywhere. You gave them a small, unsure smile in hopes that would appease them since no one had actually stepped into the juice bar. It seemed to be enough for now because as Happy’s car pulled up, they started to leave and you and Peter raced into the car in case someone tried to come back.
Happy complimented the two paintings and you guys headed back for the compound. You debated whether you wanted to get in a round at the punching bag or not before starting a movie. Instead of going to the residential floors— that were empty of almost everyone since they were doing office work downstairs until at least seven pm— Happy led you and Peter to outside the conference area where Tony was typing away on his phone. He looked up as you two approached and jogged over.
“Sorry I took your suit. I mean, you had it coming. But actually it was the perfect tough-love moment that you needed, right? To urge you on? Wouldn’t you think?”
“Uncle Tony, not amusing.”
“Well, let’s just say it was. Point is I also screwed up a little with you two, we all did. You both are assets to the team. Welcome back to the Avengers, Sarah. And congrats on becoming the newest official member Peter.”
Tony pressed a button on a remote he was holding and a panel in the wall slid open. It revealed two mannequins dressed up with you and Peter’s suits on them.
“Woah,” Peter said as he looked at the new design.
“What did you do to my suit?”
“It’s— this is better, I improved it,” Tony said defensively at your scrunched up nose.
“Is my old suit still around?”
Tony gave you a face before giving up and answering.
“Your dad put it back in your closet. So after Peter’s press conference, Happy will show you your own room Spiderling, you’ve already seen the compound.”
“Press conference?” Peter asked, confused.
“Show you to the world as an official—”
“Aunt May. I can’t do this if it’s public. She can’t know right now.”
“... okay, secret member, now you two get lost.”
“Come on, Dheaidí just bought more Ben & Jerry’s.” You grabbed Peter’s hand to start heading up to the residential floors and your apartment. He could pick out a room later, it’s not like he didn’t spend half his time at the compound anyway— the rooms weren’t going anywhere.
“My Rocky Road there?”
“Yeah if Dad didn’t already eat it… oh Uncle Tony, if it makes it better, I like the pink half mask makes me look badass like Uncle Jamie.”
Tony huffed out a mix between a snort and a laugh but smiled anyway. At least Peter liked his suit and Tony guessed he could settle for the consolation prize that was your half mask. He and Happy watched like the proud uncles they were as you two ran to the elevators with a quickness.
“Where’s the kid?” Pepper asked. “Did you guys screw this up?”
“Ran off with Baby Wilson-Rogers, probably halfway through a tub of ice cream though I’m pretty sure they’re both lactose intolerant.”
“Tony, what?”
“I know, those two are cra—”
“Tony! Everybody’s waiting. I’ve a room full of people in there looking for some announcement. What am I supposed to tell them?”
“Think of something, how bout um, Hap. You still got that ring? The engagement ring?”
“Been carrying it since 2008.” Happy threw the ring to Tony while Pepper looked on in absolute shock with a glint of joy.
✿✿✿
Bucky stopped in the doorway of Steve’s office.
“Oh good, you’re here too,” he said to Sam who had come in moments earlier to file a mission report.
“I don’t like the look on your face.”
Sam quickly caught the phone that Bucky threw at him. Both he and Steve looked down to see he had it open to Twitter. You were the top four hashtags trending: AmericasDarling, Gemstone, DarlingsDarling, and SarahRogers. They were confused considering nothing special had happened that they were aware of. Sam clicked on one of them to see lots of people commenting and tweeting all with pictures at the bottom of each tweet. Every picture was of you and Peter inside the juice bar. One was of you two holding hands while waiting in line, the other included Peter laughing at something you said. Another was of you accepting the drink Peter handed to you.
“You think they know?” Sam asked.
Before Bucky could answer, you and Peter came into Steve’s office— ice creams in hand. Steve gave you a face as you sat on top of his desk with little regard for his paperwork. Peter took the small office chair. You handed Steve your phone that had the same tweet pulled up that was on Bucky’s.
“I think they know,” Steve said to the other two men.
“We’re not dating, Dheaidí. Just thought I’d say that before you found out from the press.”
Sam chuckled. “Trust me, if you two were dating, we’d know.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Spiderling’s got a mouth on him,” Steve answered. “Speaking of Spiderling, got an alert about one of Tony’s old weapons being sold tonight around your area. You wanna take it, Queens?”
“Is this a test?”
“Not a test. You two are back on the team fully, this doesn’t seem to be too hard for a first mission. I thought you might want it.”
“Y-yes sir.”
“Better head out now, deal’s happening soon. Details will be sent to your suit.”
“Thank you, Captain.”
Peter saluted to Steve, making you and the other three men laugh. Peter capped the lid on his ice cream and ran out the room. He was back in less than a second to give you a peck on the cheek— this wasn’t new to Steve, Sam, and Bucky but after the Twitter posts they just saw, the three of them couldn’t help but look at the gesture a little differently.
“Last day of school’s a half-day at Midtown,” he told you. “Want to finally catch that improv show for lunch?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Parker, weapons, clock’s ticking,” Steve interrupted.
“Right, weapons. On it.”
Peter ran out again, grabbing his new suit, and left to go handle his first official Avengers’ mission.
Peter ran out again, grabbing his new suit, and left to go handle his first official Avengers’ mission. He smiled to himself as he heard your last statement to the three men in the office.
“If Peter and I were dating I definitely wouldn’t call him my darling. That’s so lame Darling’s Darling, ew. He’s more of a bae, you know. Ha, Spider-bae… ugh, why am I even talking about it to you three? Probably don’t even know what bae is,” you muttered as you jumped down from Steve’s desk and went back upstairs.
"How old does she think we are?" Bucky asked.
✿✿✿
“She found out?” you asked Peter as he grabbed the last of his books from his locker.
The last day was full of people cleaning out their lockers and signing yearbooks, everyone making sure they got you to sign theirs. Peter was telling you and Ned about last night. He had stopped the people trying to sell Tony’s weapons with no real effort but didn’t expect May to walk into his room to see if he had come back from the compound. You and Ned laughed as he recounted the very long conversation including two phone calls to both Tony and Steve for confirmation.
“Guess I can tell MJ now. I’m just hoping no one else finds out.”
“No one else finds out what?” MJ asked as she came up behind you.
“Peter is Spider-man,” Ned blurted out.
“Ned!”
“Oh, I knew that already,” MJ said causing you, Ned, and Peter’s jaws to drop. “Anyway, you two dating? It’s all over the timeline.”
“Still?” you asked, looking at MJ’s phone.
“Everyone’s trying to figure it out. My personal favorite tweets are the ones that call Peter your darling.”
You cringed. “Those are my least favorite.”
Peter chuckled as he closed his locker. “Yeah I heard you in the office. Spider-bae, really?”
Ned and MJ both laughed, MJ wiping literal tears from her eyes.
“Spider-bae, I’m not letting that one go.”
Peter rolled his eyes as he swung his backpack over his shoulder. His hand automatically found yours making both Ned and MJ look with raised eyebrows since they noticed neither you or Peter ever answered MJ’s first question. Peter looked at the two of them and then at you.
“Should we invite them? You know, in case, there are more cameras?”
You nodded. “Ned, MJ. Do you two want to come for lunch and an improv show with us? It won’t look as weird if we’re in a group.”
“I’ve got nothing to do so sure,” MJ agreed.
“I’m down,” Ned said and the four of you left the school.
“You know my dads still won’t let me get social media even though Uncle Jamie got one! What’s he even going to post? Deadass, the only people on the team without them anymore are me and Vis,” you complained to your friends on the way to the show.
“Yeah I follow the whole team,” Ned said. “Your father posts a lot of pictures of his cooking.”
“Yeah, he’s proud of himself for that. I think he likes the validation from people that’s not Avenger related. Wanda keeps trying to get him to post thirst traps.”
The other three started laughing, asking if you were serious.
“No, for real. His response is always, and I quote, Wanda?! I am a married man… with a child.” You pretended to clutch your pearls in the same fashion that Steve did any time Wanda brought it up.
“He does know his gym selfies are all over your dad’s account, right?”
Ned showed you the accounts of everyone on the team while you guys got on the bus. You were laughing at some of the interactions between Clint and Nat and Tony versus Bucky. Wanda’s account was by far your favorite, she liked to post artsy photos that she took.
Like Peter had speculated, there were cameras at the building the show was held in when you guys got off the bus. You guys darted in but you were sure they had still gotten pictures before you and Peter had thought to separate your hands, ensuring a whole new round of pictures out. The PR team hadn’t released any statements yet considering they weren’t sure themselves.
The whole building held a meeting while you and Peter were at school about it and decided it was best to just hope that the situation died down— especially because if you two said you were they had to decide how to navigate the fact that Peter wasn’t out as Spider-man to the rest of the world. They had announced Spider-man as the newest Avenger but everyone was trying to figure out who the man behind the mask was. They also weren’t in a rush since Peter was a good kid that didn’t do anything. To them, it didn’t really matter if the public found out his name from the photos because he didn’t tarnish your “Darling” reputation.
✿✿✿
The improv show was hilarious. You thoroughly enjoyed the show, almost choking on your drink when the audience suddenly suggested you and other members of the team as characters for the actors to play in a skit. When the show ended, you guys decided to go back to Peter’s for a little bit to hang out before going your separate ways. MJ had suggested baking dessert and Ned suggested turning it into a competition. MJ asked if she could film it since she had a YouTube channel. It was small and mainly just her reviewing books in her general MJ tone but she found that she enjoyed filmmaking and editing. You agreed after sending a text to your dads asking if you could. To your pleasant surprise you got a separate text from Bucky saying that the PR team was trying to sweet-talk Sam and Steve into letting you have Twitter like the rest of them.
“This is going to be all professional,” MJ said as she pulled two cameras from her backpack— one big one and a small vlog one, handing the small one to Ned. “Like the British Bake-Off or something. Team Darling versus Team Parker.”
“Wait, why do I have to use my nickname?” You asked as both Ned and MJ started to film you and Peter.
“Because Wilson-Rogers is a mouthful. So what are you two making?”
You and Peter thought for a moment.
“Red velvet cupcakes,” Peter answered. “They’re easy.”
“If he’s doing cupcakes then I guess I will too, um, dang, I can’t think of anything else. Scratch that, I’m making apple pie… oh that is so traditional, I’m turning into my father, oh no,” you gasped dramatically.
MJ followed Peter while Ned followed you around the store as you guys picked your ingredients— taking longer than necessary for dramatic commentary as well as getting sidetracked in the store. You guys finally made it back to Peter’s apartment, excited that May was there so she could judge alongside Ned and MJ making it an odd number for the panel. You threw flour at Peter’s face, telling him to go faster so his cupcakes could go in the oven first and finish since they had to bake at a lower temperature than your pie.
Peter claimed you were trying to sabotage him by having his dessert be cold while yours would be nice and warm. He threw flour back at you before May yelled that any flour on the floor was being cleaned up by you two. Since MJ commented that the music couldn’t be something with copyright, they listened to your ballet playlist while baking. Ned and MJ occasionally turned the cameras on each other as well as May to get some judges’ feedback as they watched the competition. After Peter iced his cupcakes, you still had to wait a little for your pie to finish. There were still chunks of apple leftover and MJ got footage of you sitting on the counter and throwing chunks of apple at Peter for him to catch in his mouth until your pie was done.
“A tie?” you and Peter questioned at the same time.
You shook your head in protest. “Mutiny. This is mutiny.”
“I’m the real winner.”
“Excuse you, Peter Parker. The title of best baker is mine.”
“You didn’t win.”
“America’s Darling, I always win.”
You and Peter were arguing— MJ keeping the camera recording while Ned and May just ate their bits of dessert enjoying the show in front of them. MJ, being MJ, thought this was probably funnier than the entire competition and made a note to keep the argument in her final video. The argument led nowhere so you and Peter dropped it, both claiming that you won in your heads. After cleaning May’s kitchen, you gave all your friends cheek kisses and left with the announcement that you would be gone for the first two weeks of summer on a mission and then trip to see Shuri in Wakanda.
✿✿✿
Peter was already at the compound training when you came back. He had finally picked a room and started spending half his time at May’s and half with the Avengers as if they had dual custody over him. Knowing that you had come back, Peter stopped his training and headed up to your apartment.
Some point during you and Peter’s probation period, he had started coming over so much that he had his own pair of house slippers in your apartment. You were startled to see Peter on the couch as you came out of your room ready to ask your dad what he was cooking since the smell had wafted down the hall. You excitedly waved to your friend who had pulled up an episode of Everybody Hates Chris.
Since you two had finished Friends and Living Single, you moved onto Everybody Hates Chris and Boy Meets World. Sam had once jokingly asked if you two watched anything from your generation to which you both responded Game of Thrones and after the first relatively graphic sex scene came on the screen, Steve, Sam, and Bucky immediately got up and left the room— feeling extremely uncomfortable at watching any of that with two minors in their presence. The team ended up watching Game of Thrones separately but on the same schedule as you and Peter, enjoying the discussion and theories but without having to acknowledge the sex scenes.
Sam, Steve, and Bucky were discussing work in the kitchen while Steve was finishing up dinner. You slipped past your uncle to pour yourself some tea since Bucky had a kettle on the stove before sitting down next to Peter. He hadn’t started the episode yet and looked over when he sensed you staring down the side of his face.
“What?”
“Nothing.” You pursed your lips and looked at the screen that was still paused.
It was silent for three agonizing moments. You side-eyed Peter. The three men watched as you suddenly straddled him. Steve made a move but both Sam and Bucky held their hands out to stop him, silently agreeing that they should let it play out a little more before rushing into anything. You took Peter’s face in your hands.
“I’m not moving till you admit that they liked my apple pie better.”
Bucky had to bite back a laugh while the other two rolled their eyes. All this over a competition? You definitely had Steve’s competitive streak and air of pettiness.
“It’s been two weeks, you’re still on this?” Peter asked.
“Because I won.”
“Um, excuse you, I was the winner. So get off so we can start the episode.”
“I don’t think you understand. Even if May calls and says you need to come home, you won’t leave until you surrender.”
“Bold of you to assume I want to go home.”
“Ugh, just say I beat you.”
“Ned didn’t vote.”
“Because Ned’s too nice but we both know the vote would’ve gone to me.”
“He was practically moaning at my red velvet cupcakes. You got a satisfied smile at best… are you ticklish?” Peter asked with his eyebrow raised.
“What?”
Your body lurched as Peter proceeded to tickle you in attempts to get you off of him— not giving you any mercy. You sunk back in laughter but refused to let go as you moved your hands from his face to his shoulders in attempts to hold him to the couch. Peter gave up and rested his hands for a moment, keeping them on your waist.
“Why are you so strong?”
“Flattery will not distract Miss Wilson-Rogers’ agent.” You upturned your nose in jest.
“Did you just quote Hairspray?”
“Just admit it.”
“That you lost?”
“I didn’t lo—”
“You lost, Sarah, shut up and deal with it.”
“Make me.”
Peter paused for a moment and then decided to press a peck to your lips to the shock of you and the three men still watching in the kitchen. You suddenly became very aware of Peter’s hands on your waist. Your fingers drummed along his shoulders. You tilted your head and observed him, Peter keeping eye contact. He would’ve been worried that maybe the kiss was a mistake but you weren’t the only enhanced any more. He could easily hear your heartbeat and if he really focused using his spider vision he could see the slight tinge of pink on your cheeks underneath melanin that wouldn’t be detectable to others.
“Still owe you two more times.”
Your eyes darted back to his mouth. Peter leaned up to peck you on the lips again, pulling away just slightly to press a slightly longer peck the third time.
“Hi, Peter Parker,” you said stupidly. He chuckled a bit at your sudden malfunction.
“Hi.”
“Okay, new rules need to be established.”
Your head shot up and Peter tilted his back over the end of the couch to see both Bucky and Sam hit Steve’s biceps.
“You couldn’t let them have a moment, punk?” Bucky asked.
“Yeah, babe, teen love’s already awkward as it is.”
“What?” Steve asked. “Might as well get it over with now.”
“Dheaidí,” you waited until he looked at you. “It’s Peter.”
“Who’s no longer a friend I’m assuming,” Steve said with his Captain's voice.
“I won’t cross any boundaries Mr. Captain Wilson-Rogers America Falcon sirs. I, I mean I’d like to kiss her— NOT making out that’s probably a boundary cross…”
Peter’s head came back up and his eyes went to where his hands were on your waist. He all of a sudden threw you off him— you landing on the couch with a bounce— and stood up to face your parents, wringing his hands awkwardly.
“I just like your daughter,” Peter mumbled.
“Look what you did, Steve.” Sam laughed at the whole incident.
Steve smiled and dropped the Captain act. “Didn’t mean to scare you like that, Queens. I trust you, Peter, you’re a good kid… hands equator and north.”
“You know my boobs are north of the equator,” you couldn’t help but mumble.
Both Steve and Peter’s faces got red. Peter shot his hands up in a surrender.
“Hands equator and north, sir, but not the um, the, um…”
“Himalayan Mountain Range,” you offered, making them all look at you as you shrugged. “Just sticking to the geography metaphor.”
“You spend too much time with Tony.”
“I’m pretty sure I get that from you, Dheaidí.”
“Really, Babydoll?”
You flopped over the back of the couch, resting your chin on your hands, and batted your eyelashes dramatically.
“I could do this all day.”
<Sarah. You and Peter—>
“Uh, Peter’s been learning to sign. You might as well just say it.”
Steve tried to keep up his father act but he was smiling internally that Peter was actually seriously learning your second form of communication. Sam stepped in to help.
“You two are young, no need to move fast at all. Take your time and just enjoy each other okay. And remember you were friends first, don’t throw that away. Peter, don’t hurt our little girl.”
“Understood, sir.”
“Thank you, dad,” you said extra sweetly.
“Anytime, sweetheart… and if you two do choose to do something anyway, please for the love of God use protection.”
“Sam!” Steve yelled as he followed the other man out of the kitchen.
“They’ve already slept in the same bed, what would we be stopping Steve? Rather them be safe than sneaking around and a teen pregnancy on our hands.”
“Okay fine but,” Steve turned back to face you two, pointing a finger. “Just don’t have sex in the first place. No heavy petting either!”
Bucky was the last to leave, waiting till Steve was out of earshot. He leaned in close and dropped his voice.
“Pressure her into anything…”
He didn’t finish the threat verbally. Instead, he flexed his metal arm so the plates would shift and whir under the pressure. Peter gulped and nodded. Bucky clapped him on the back acting like nothing happened, causing Peter to cough from the amount of force behind it. He shakily sat back down on the couch once everyone had left. You moved closer to him.
“I like you too, Peter Parker.” You pecked him on the cheek.