Chapter Text
“I packed you your favorite lunch, you know, the tortillas I told you my abuelita used to make and some chicharron,” Luis explains as he rushes around the kitchen. “It’s on the counter, so’s your backpack and your gym bag. I wi-”
Luis stops and sighs as he notices Cassie hasn’t eaten any of her breakfast.
“Cassie, honey, you need to eat your breakfast,” he starts as he kneels down next to her chair. “Today’s a big day, it’s your first day of school! You know how hungry you’ll be between classes.”
Cassie puts the fork she was using to pick at her pancakes down.
“I know, I’m just not really hungry now.”
“You’re thinking about your parents?”
She nods silently.
Luis looks down. “Yeah, me too.”
At this moment, Dave walks in carrying a briefcase, which he sets on the other side of the kitchen table.
“I got everything ready for the presentation today Luis,” he informs, then seeing Cassie, changes the subject. “What’s wrong kid? Oh no, don’t tell me: Kurt burnt the pancakes again. I’m telling you Luis, the cooking lessons are not helping.”
Luis stands up and continues rushing around.
“The pancakes are fine, I think,” Cassie responds.
“She’s not hungry right now. Not very excited about school either,” Luis helps.
Dave pulls out a chair and sits in it. Quickly checking with her to make sure it’s ok, he takes Cassie’s pancakes and begins to eat them.
“Not excited about school? What, aren’t you going into like 9th, no, 10th grade?”
Cassie shakes her head, a small smile forming on her face.
“Oh, don’t tell me it’s your junior year. You’re growing up too fast girl!”
This time, Cassie giggles. “I’m going to fifth grade,” she finally corrects.
Dave swallows before speaking again. “Well, I think you’re smart enough to get into high school if you wanted. Point is, first day of school, super exciting! Nothing to worry about, they don’t give you any hard assignments till next week.”
“Yeah, I’m sure it’s gonna be so much fun to see who died and who didn’t,” she says sarcastically.
Dave glances at Luis, who makes his way to Cassie’s seat again.
“Oh, don’t say that. It’s true, it will be tough. Things have changed…”
Dave nods. “Everything is going to be different. Just remember, everyone is going through the same thing as you, ok? You know what Cap says on TV, if we give up…”
Cassie waits before she finishes his sentence. “Thanos should’ve killed all of us.” She looks at the two men in the room. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”
“No no no, always tell us how you feel. Never keep it inside,” Luis says worriedly. “You know, my cousin’s buddy, he used to work with this lady at a Burger King right? Lady was super freaky by the way, she used to wear huge hoops, 5 inch long acrylics, and sparkly eyeshadow. To Burger King! Anyways, she had a son, he was like 12 years old, he actually played on the same soccer team as my sister’s boyfriend’s son. Apparently he wasn’t…”
Dave looks at Cassie as Luis keeps rattling away.
“Maybe don’t let everything out, otherwise you’ll end up like this guy,” he says as he jerks his thumb towards the talking man. Cassie laughs while Luis looks at them both, annoyed.
“My point is, he didn’t let his feelings out, and it didn’t end well for him or his family.”
“It is important,” Dave agrees. He lets his fork drop on his empty plate. “Well, I think it’s time for us to go. I’ll drive you to school today, if you don’t mind missing the bus.”
Cassie nods, jumping out of her seat. She pulls off the camo sequin denim vest from her chair and slides it on.
“Nice jacket! Whoever bought that has good taste,” Dave comments.
Cassie rolls her eyes as she takes her lunchbox, backpack, and gym bag off the counter. “ You got it for me, for my birthday.”
“Oh that’s right, I did, didn’t I?”
Luis pulls Cassie into a hug and kisses her head.
“Have a good day, mama. I wanted to drive you, but I really got to get to work.”
“It’s ok, Dave will have to do.”
Dave fakes a hurt gasp as he walks out of the room, accidentally bumping into Kurt - who seems like he just woke up and has the bedhead to prove it - in the process.
“Woops, didn’t see you there sleepyhead,” Dave apologizes.
Kurt yawns and ruffles Cassie’s hair.
“Wait,” he says mid ruffle. “Wasn’t I supposed to drive her to school today? And you were supposed to stay behind and do dishes?”
Dave’s eyes widen. “Uh, snooze ya lose. C’mon Cassie, we’ll be late for school.”
He dashes out the front door and Cassie follows.
“Hey! What about deal? We had deal!”
“The pancakes were great!”
Cassie shrugs as she walks out the door. Once it’s closed, she sighs. This is how it’s been almost everyday since her parents died. Sure, of all the things that could’ve happened, she’s glad she ended up with Luis and Dave and Kurt. But they aren’t like the family she’s used to having. She guesses it’s good and bad in it’s own ways. On one hand, they are fun and they watch out for her. They have a job to support them. They love her.
On the other hand, none of them had any experience with kids besides the times they visited her and her dad. They try their best, but they don’t quite understand all her emotional needs and- they’re all guys. Even at ten, Cassie knows this is gonna bring a whole new set of problems in the future.
Of course, it all comes down to the fact that they can never replace her parents.
“You ready for this, Miss Avenger?” Dave says as soon as she’s put her bags in the trunk and jumped into the passenger’s seat. “Don’t worry, I know you. You can handle anything. ”
Maybe they can’t replace them, but they can be something new. They can still be what she needs.
She smirks as she slides on her sunglasses.
“Tell me something I don’t know.”