Work Text:
Michelle Jones, also known as MJ, had another nickname. Shelley. If anyone at Midtown ever found out about this, she’d deny it.
Michelle was one of five siblings, the middle child actually. All of them called her Shelley.
Michelle chose not to talk about her family much, it wasn’t that she didn’t love them, because she certainly did, it was just the fact that her family was her soft spot. She didn’t like people knowing she had a soft spot.
When she started dating Peter, she knew he’d eventually want to meet her family. She felt bad denying the opportunity, considering what little family Peter had. She was sure that they’d welcome him as one of their own, but it still scared her. There wasn’t any logical reason for it, she presumed it was natural to be scared to introduce your boyfriend to your family.
One Tuesday, something provoked her to say “Do you guys want to meet my boyfriend?” over their dinner.
The table fell silent.
“Of course Shelley.” Her mom, Lola responded.
“Cool.” Michelle said. “He’ll come here Thursday.”
That was that.
Thursday came along, much sooner than Michelle had hoped for.
While Michelle and her older sister Alicia set the table, Michelle’s five year old brother Micah had an important question.
“Can I show him my LEGOs?” Micah wondered.
“Of course Mikey, he loves LEGOs. He’ll probably even want to build with you.” Michelle promised.
Michelle’s other older sister, Lydie was next to ask a question.
“Where’d you even meet this boy anyway?”
“Decathlon. He’s on the team. We were in Europe together.”
“Was he with you in DC?” Alicia asked.
“Neither of us were in the monument Licie. He was….sick.” Michelle hesitated slightly. Alicia raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.
“What time will he be here?” Lola asked.
“I told him 6:15, but he’s never been on time to something in his life, so I’d assume 6:30.” Michelle responded.
True to her word, at 6:30 on the dot, Peter knocked on their front door.
Michelle opened it. “You’re late.” she teased.
“I’m sorry Emmie….Lost track of time patrolling….” He mumbled.
“You went patrolling right before meeting my parents?” Michelle gaped.
“Er….yes?” Peter said. Michelle rolled her eyes.
“Mommy, Daddy, Peter’s here!” She called.
Peter raised his eyebrow, mouthing ‘ Mommy ?’ “Not a word.” Michelle hissed.
Peter followed Michelle into their living room.
Micah, Alicia, Lydie, and her little sister Aiyana didn’t bother to hide their stares as she dragged him towards the couch.
“I’m Michelle’s mom, Lola.” Lola said, introducing herself with an extended hand. Peter awkwardly shook it.
“I’m Peter.” Peter squeaked.
“You seem nervous.” Alicia noted.
“Licie!” Michelle hissed.
“What? He does!” Alicia protested. Lola gave her a stern look.
“ ‘M Alicia by the way.” Alicia added.
“That’s Micah, he’s five, that’s Aiyana she’s nine. I’m Lydie, I’m 19, Licie’s 18.” Lydie said, taking the liberty of introducing Peter to everyone else.
“Do you want to see my LEGOs?” Micah asked.
“He’s been waiting all day to show you.” Michelle said.
“Of course.” Peter responded.
Micah dragged Peter down the hall towards his room.
“He’s so white. ” Alicia said, the second they were out of earshot.
“Alicia Jones!” Michelle’s dad Cooper said.
“He is!” Alicia retorted.
“Are you guys going to harass him?” Michelle asked.
“Yes.” Lola, Cooper, Alicia, and Lydie said in unison.
“Can I tell him about your crush on Spider-Man?” Aiyana asked.
“God no.” Michelle said.
“Oh then I’m definitely telling!” Aiyana giggled.
“Aiyana!” Michelle protested. He’d never let her hear the end of it if he found out.
A few minutes later, Michelle went to go find Peter and Micah so they could go eat dinner.
Walking into Micah’s room, she saw the two of them working on a set.
“Dinner time boys.” She said.
“But Shelley ! Peter was telling me about building the Death Star!” Micah protested.
“He can tell you about it later Mikey, it’s time for dinner.” Michelle promised.
They all were seated around the table.
“So, Peter, tell us about yourself.” Lola asked, encouragingly.
“Um...I go to school with MJ?” Peter mumbled.
“More than that!” Michelle elbowed him.
“I...have an internship with Stark Industries?” Peter added.
Cooper raised his eyebrows.
“I know how MJ feels about Stark Industries and Tony Stark, and I understand completely where she comes from.” Peter said, in response to Cooper.
“He does good stuff there, stuff that benefits the people.” MJ explained.
“That’s lovely Peter!” Lola said.
“What about family? Any siblings?” Lydie asked.
“Um...I’m an only child. My parents are actually dead.” Michelle’s family’s eyebrows rose slightly. “I’m sorry.” Lola said soothingly. “ ‘S ok. I live with my aunt, May.” Peter added.
There was obvious tension between everyone. Peter took a sip of water.
“Did you know Shelley has a crush on Spider-Man?” Aiyana announced.
Peter’s face reddened and he began to choke on his water.
Michelle stifled a laugh. He was spluttering and spat the water all across his lap.
“I’m so sorry.” He said, bright red in the face.
“Pete has a crush on Spider-Man too.” Michelle said.
Peter’s jaw dropped. “What? I do not!” He protested.
“I wonder who he really is. Imagine the abs .” Alicia fanticized.
“ Tell me about it .” Michelle whispered, causing Peter to have another choking fit.
“Jesus Peter.” Michelle groaned.
“I’m going to go get Peter a change of pants.” Michelle announced.
“5 minutes Shelley.” Cooper warned.
“My gosh dad!” Michelle protested.
She grabbed Peter and brought him to her room.
The walls were covered in her drawings, many of which were of Spider-Man.
“So….Spider-Man huh?” Peter teased.
“Shut the fuck up.” Michelle threatened.
She tossed him a pair of sweatpants.
“Put these on.” She said. “And be quick. I’m pretty sure my entire family, minus Micah, thinks I’m giving you a blow-job right now.” She added.
Peter waggled his eyebrows. “You can’t be serious.” MJ sighed, already on her knees.
Exactly 3 minutes later, they arrived back at the table, Peter in MJ’s sweatpants.
“So...Spider-Man huh? What are your favorite Avengers?” Peter asked, in an attempt to make conversation.
“Is Spider-Man an Avenger?” Micah asked. “For sure.” Peter responded.
“Mine’s Black Widow.” Lydie said.
“Captain America. He’s so hot.” Alicia said.
Peter struggled not to choke on his water, but this time successfully drank it.
“Mine’s Iron Man.” Micah piped up. “Mine too.” Peter agreed.
“Mommy, Daddy, and I all like Black Panther.” Aiyana said.
Michelle gave Peter a glance that said no . Peter responded with a pleading look.
“What are you two whispering about?” Alicia accused.
“Princess Shuri.” Michelle sighed.
“As you should.” Lydie said.
Dinner went smoothly, until Cooper said “So Peter, how would you like to see some old family videos?”
“Daddy no!” Michelle pleaded.
Cooper pulled out some old DVDs and turned them on.
“You were the princess last time!” A 5-year old Alicia protested. “Well I’m the pwince.” 3-year old Michelle said. “Shelley’s always the prince.” 6-year old Lydie complained. Michelle started to cry.
Peter laughed. Michelle buried herself into the couch.
“Happy birthday dear Michelle, happy birthday to you!” Cooper and Lola sang. The candles on the cake indicated that it was her 5th birthday. “I don’t wanna blow them out.” Michelle protested. “I will!” Lydie said. “NO! You can’t! They’re MINE!” Michelle yelled. “Then BLOW THEM OUT!” Lydie yelled back. “No.” “Shelley baby, please blow them out.” Lola pleaded.
“Can we be done?” Michelle asked.
“Fine. It was lovely having you over Peter.” Cooper said.
“It was nice meeting you all. I’ll have to come back soon to play LEGOs with Micah.” Peter grinned.
After Peter left, Alicia and Lydie dragged Michelle to their room.
“He’s so white. He seems like the exact opposite of any person I’d ever expect you to be with. He works at Stark Industries . He’s a white male .” Alicia protested.
“I know. I never expected to date anyone like him, but here we are.” Michelle sighed.
“Good for you Shelley. I’m happy for you.” Lydie smiled at her little sister.
“So have y’all had sex?” Alicia asked.
“ ALICIA!”