Can't Ask, Don't Need, Won't Acknowledge

Chapter 36: Mutual understanding

Natasha sighed and ran her fingers through her hair, “Let’s just put pause on this, it’s late, we are all tired, and we have a lot to discuss in the morning.”

Wanda narrowed her eyes but left the room, and retired to the bedroom.

……………………

It was a tense house the next morning as they all sat around the table. Natasha had called the kids in sick to school, realising that they all needed to stay home today.

Peter was avoiding eye contact with everyone. They all just sat there waiting for someone else to talk.

“How are you feeling Peter?” asked Natasha softly but the undercurrent of anger was noticeable to everyone at the table.

“I’m ok,” whispered Peter.

“Good, I just needed to check you were ok before I kick your teenage miscreant ass,” said Natasha firmly.

Peter visibility cringed, “I’m sorry Aunty Nat…I was just trying to be helpful….”

“Do not finish that sentence,” exclaimed Natasha angrily. “You weren’t doing this to help others. You were being incredibly selfish and stupid. What if you have been killed last night? What if that knife had hit you somewhere vital? Why didn’t you call us the second you were hurt?”

“I called Wanda,” was the weak response. Natasha was starting to lose control.

“Peter, we just don’t understand it. You know we have to stay incognito and you dressing in all black and swinging around a major city does not do that. Tony and Pepper are working to resolve the accords and you go and do that??”

Wanda snapped “Stop trying to guilt him! That’s not helping anything.”

Natasha turned in a rage to the teenager, “You stay out of this, I will get to you shortly, little girl.”

“Peter you understand you are in serious trouble?” asked Natasha continuing to speak.

“I am sorry…”

Natasha softened slightly, “We know Peter but we need you to think before you act my little spider.” She finished with a term of endearment knowing the teenager needed that reassurance in that moment.

Wanda huffed from her seat, “Right can I go now?”

“No, You are grounded Wanda.”

“Why am I grounded?” asked Wanda the rage was almost visible as the red tendrils of her powers lashed the air around her. “I saved him! You should be thanking me!”

“You still left the house without permission, you know the rules,” explained Natasha realising she needing to defuse some of the obvious tension.

“How did you know I left but you didn’t know Peter left?” asked Wanda bitterly.

Natasha spoke up, “I have your room monitored.”

“Why? Do you trust me that little? Am I not entitled to my privacy Natasha?”

“We give you privacy, we aren’t spying on you Wanda. It just alerts us if someone enters or leaves your room,” replied Natasha honestly.