"No one's being weird," Peter blurted.
"You literally just said Scott should 'live his truth.'"
"Which he should!" Peter flailed. "He should live his—look, he's nodding!"
Scott was indeed nodding slowly, chewing thoughtfully. "I am, in fact, pro-truth."
Tony raised his brow from the other side of the room. "If anyone sets the place on fire, I'm blaming Peter."
Vicky laughed—genuine and clear, the kind of sound Tony had been waiting to hear again. She smiled at Peter, tilting her head. "Is this about the mysterious paint hands from yesterday?"
Peter's heart stopped for a beat. "No?"
"You're a terrible liar," she teased, flicking his shoulder. "But fine. Keep your secrets, Frodo."
He grinned at that. "You're the best."
"I know."
And while the others kept arguing about crust thickness and whether pineapple belonged on pizza, Vicky's mind wandered just a little. She didn't know what they were planning—or if they were planning anything—but it was enough, for now, to just feel surrounded. She didn't realize how much she needed that until today.
Tony was still watching. But when Vicky turned to him, he smiled softly—and looked away.
Just in time for Pietro to mutter, "She taught Bob 'roll over'? Are we sure she's not actually secretly like, a witch?"
And Wanda whispered back, "Honestly, at this point, I'm not sure of anything."
⸻
Later that evening—too late for it to be a normal time to text anyone—Peter sat on the edge of his bed, thumbs hovering over his screen. Then, finally, with a deep breath and the kind of expression someone might wear before jumping out of a plane, he hit "send."
Peter Parker [22:37]
okay. listen. tomorrow, all of you either get out of the tower or stay in your rooms and pretend to be completely, totally deaf until at least 12PM. no exceptions. please. thank you.
He waited.
And then—predictably—chaos.
Tony [22:38]
...what.
Clint [22:38]
is this like, a prank? are we doing pranks now? because i already lost a bet to thor once and i'm not reliving that
Thor [22:39]
I REMEMBER THAT BET. YOU WORE A FROG COSTUME FOR SIX HOURS.
Bruce [22:39]
Peter... what's happening?
Steve [22:39]
Should I be concerned?
Sam [22:40]
Too late, Cap. I'm already concerned.
Kate [22:40]
wait. wait.
why isn't Vicky in this chat.
Kate [22:41]
WHY ISN'T VICKY IN THIS CHAT.
Pietro [22:41]
Ohhhh no. Oh no oh no.
Clint [22:41]
YEP. THIS IS A THING. THIS IS A THING.
Natasha [22:41]
Is he proposing
Peter Parker [22:42]
WHAT
NO
THAT'S NOT WHAT'S HAPPENING
NOT EVEN CLOSE
EVERYBODY CALM DOWN
Kate [22:42]
You made a group chat and EXCLUDED your GIRLFRIEND
Pepper [22:42]
Sweetheart. That's suspicious behavior.
Peter Parker [22:43]
okay but i'm asking NICELY
i just need the morning. until noon. please. just TRUST me. it'll be worth it
YOU ARE READING
Inheritance of ash
FanfictionSixteen-year-old Vicky never asked to fall through a green hole in the sky and land in the middle of the Avengers' lives. She's mysterious, sharp-tongued, and hiding scars-some visible, some not. The team doesn't know where she came from, and neithe...
Unwanted answers
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