Chapter Text
“I don’t want to go.”
Peter looks up at Tony. He feels the uncomfortable rock face digging into the back of his head. Mr. Stark’s arm is under his back, supporting him. It’s comforting, to say the least. It helps him feel less alone. And that would be just what he needed after the battle that they just lost, that he just lost. Except… despite its trying effort, he can feel his body giving up, letting him turn to dust as just as the others had.
‘It isn’t your fault. I’m the one who didn’t get the gauntlet off,’ he wants to say. He knows Mr. Stark will blame himself, but he’s pretty sure he won’t have time to say it, so he settles on “I’m sorry.”
He is sorry, that’s the one that he knows for sure. There’s nothing left for him to do except to agonize over where he went wrong and what he could have done better.
He’s left with only his failure, as the last thing Peter sees is the look of pain and grief written on Mr. Starks face before he fades into dust.
-
For a moment, he feels nothing…
There’s no pain, there’s no guilt, there’s no suffering.
Then, he feels everything.
-
For the slightest second, all he can feel is pain, as if his brain is being bounced around his skull like a bouncy ball as it hits him full force.
Then, after only a moment, it's gone, and Peter is left with only a small amount of nausea. He can feel the familiar fabric of his suit still pressed tight against him. A light breeze pushes against him, and when Peter opens his eyes, he can see blue skies above him with the sun beating down on him. Even through his mask, Peter can feel the warmth of the sun on his face, and it's refreshing; after everything he's gone through, he wouldn't be sad if this was how he was to spend eternity. Except, there are voices in the background, and after a moment, Peter realizes he is standing which causes him to wobble since he hadn’t been standing five seconds ago.
Peter looks downwards, and after he fully takes in his surroundings, he almost loses his footing.
He's at the airport, the only airport he’s ever been to, surrounded by people he thought he would never see again. He looks even farther down and recognizes that he’s holding Cap's shield, a symbol of hope that, moments ago, he would have never imagined seeing again.
Out of nowhere, he trips himself, mostly in shock, partly from his natural clumsiness, and falls off of the little truck he is on. After a brief moment of weightlessness, he lands on Cap’s shield, which digs into his side. He quickly gets to his feet to see most of the Avengers staring at him.
"I -I don't..." Peter mumbles.
What the hell is even happening? One second, I’m turning to dust on an alien planet after losing to a terrifying, giant, purple raisin, and now... he looks around, Now I’m back on Earth? In Germany?
"Underoos? You okay?!" Tony asks, eyebrows furrowed.
Peter's heart stops at the sound of his mentor. The mentor who is supposed to be in space, where Peter himself is supposed to be, well, was supposed to be, before he… died?
He looks over at Tony and sees none of the grief he himself had seen in his mentor's eyes just moments ago.
"Tony, shit, what's wrong with this guy?" Rhodey asks.
"Mr. Stark?"
Does he know...?
As he fully takes in Tony, he can see that he’s a couple of inches taller than he had been a couple of minutes ago. Wait, no, I'm a couple inches shorter...
This is so wrong. This is... fuck. Germany was in- was in freshman year. This is two freakin years ago?! Did I just travel through time?! That's insane, just so insane… and dangerous. Fuuuuck, I’m in trouble.
Peter's breaths become more quick and shallow as he looks to the surrounding Avengers, most looking at him in concern.
"Crap... I'm… in big trouble."
"Kid, I need you to calm down. Are you ok?" asks Tony.
Peter puts his hands on his knees and tries to slow his breathing.
Tony comes up to him and puts a hand on his shoulder. "Listen, kid, breathe with me. Okay?"
Tony starts taking deep, exaggerated breaths, and Peter uses him as a guideline. After a minute or two, his breathing calms down. He glances behind Tony to see some of the Avengers gathered around Steve, arguing with him.
"Okay, this is clearly too much for you. Go back to the hotel, and I'll have Happy take you home."
Peter's eyes are immediately drawn back to Tony's.
"What!? No! I'm- I'm fine! I just needed a minute. Uh, Cap's shield was heavier than I thought," he lies.
Tony gives him a once-over. "Mhm, sure. Fine, just if this does turn into a fight, which I expect it will; let me know if you need out. And remember what I told you." Tony lowers his voice and says, "Just web them up, keep your distance; we don't need you getting hurt."
Peter's eyes widen. Mr. Stark doesn't know. I- I should tell him. Or at least keep them from fighting.
He opens his mouth to say something, but before he can, Steve interrupts him.
"Stark, why did you bring a vigilante here?" asks Cap warily. "We do not need to include outsiders in this."
"Hey, you brought the Incredible Shrinking Man!" Peter exclaims, trying to defend Tony despite his new situation.
"How'd you know that?" Steve asks slowly.
Oh shit...
"Uh, I could feel him climbing me and saw the YouTube videos of the whole Pym fiasco and, uh, pieced it together," Peter explains, only somewhat untruthfully. He could feel Ant-man climbing on him, even the last time he was here, he had just figured that Mr. Stark brought him last second or something.
Steve looks at him for a second before looking resigned.
"Well, Lang, I guess you can grow full size then." Scott jumps off of Peter and presses the button on his hand. He grows to full size and greets them. "Hey everyone!"
While Scott and the other Avengers talk about who else is there, Steve's use of Clint and Wanda, Peter tries to figure out what happened.
So whatever happened, didn’t happen to Tony or anyone else? He looks around at the Avengers surrounding him. No one looks out of place or is looking at him weirdly other than a few concerned glances.
Maybe they weren’t dusted away. Maybe they survived, and only the dusted were time-traveled? Wait. Wait- I... Holy crap I-I… died. I think. I mean, that was Thanos' plan. Although, I doubt this is part of Thanos' plan...
Was it the dusting that brought me here? Could it be magic? Wait no, that doesn’t make sense cause Dr. Strange died before me.
Peter’s eyebrows turn down in confusion under his mask. He starts pacing, fidgeting with the gloves of his suit as he thinks.
Could it have been Thanos? Using the Time Stone to reverse his loss with his attempt to get Vision’s stone? Or maybe the other fighters? After they lost, they were able to get the time stone and reverse what happened… But why me? Dr. Strange said there was one event where we won. Is this it?
He faintly registers Cap shuffling towards him, likely to get the shield but he isn’t too concerned about it at the moment.
Why here? Now? Is this the event that leads us to lose? The Avengers splitting up? I mean, maybe we would have won on Titan if we had Ms. Maximoff and Antman and everyone else. If I could keep everyone together, then maybe we could win. Peter stops pacing and looks over to the arguing Avengers. Crap, I have my work cut out for me.
Well, it's the best plan I have. I guess I should try to keep the Avengers together so that we have a better shot at defeating Thanos this time around; if I even get to stay here, that is. I can't do it alone, not to have a shot at winning, even though we almost got the gauntlet off. We could have done it if I’d been faster. He notices some curious glances aimed at him and some gesturing from Mr. Rhodes.
I can't tell them what just happened... had happened? At least, not yet. I need them to all be on the same page, but not sounding crazy is going to be really freaking hard.
He stops pacing and interrupts the argument that’s about to turn into a fight. “I’m trying to keep you from tearing the Avengers apart,” Tony says.
“Uh guys?” Peter tries. He’s ignored so he tries again, louder this time. “Guys.” Still nothing. Cap takes a step towards Tony. “You did that when you signed.”
"HEY!” They all turn to him, shocked at his outburst. He extends his hands in a placating motion and says, “I'm sorry, but I need to talk to all of you about something.”
”Kid, I’m sure you mean well, but now is not the time,” Tony snaps. Steve takes a deep breath and says, “Tony, I understand this probably looks like I’m just being irrational, but this needs to be done. People's lives could be in danger if I don't go”
”Then we can handle it, the people on the right side of the law,” Tony says, taking a step forward.
Steve is about to say something when Peter interrupts. “Listen, Captain, um. You don't need to go, actually. Those other Winter Soldiers, t-they’re already dead.”
‘I think.’
“What did you just say?” Steve asks.
"The winter soldiers you are going after, they're dead. So, you don't have to go after them," Peter restates.
He watches as Steve presses down on his comm and whispers, “Hold up. Come out here.”
He hears a faint reply, “You sure?”
”…Yeah,” Steve says.
Tony speaks up, “Uh, what the hell are you talking about?”
“Listen, you just have to trust me. Which I get is hard since none of you know me but whatever. We also probably shouldn't do it here, can we go inside? It’s gonna be a long explanation, and I’m feeling kinda nauseous.” Peter's stomach is churning still, either from the time travel or nerves, who knows, but it is a bit better.
“How about we stay here, and you tell us why you think they’re dead,” Natasha says evenly.
Memories of Tony telling him what happened after Germany and Siberia flash through his head. It came out from a pained Tony while they drove to his apartment. It was quick and coated in humor, but Peter could tell that the betrayal had really hurt Mr. Stark.
Peter hears footsteps behind him and turns to see Bucky and Sam walking from the building he had fought them in the last time he was here.
“Okay, yeah, fine, here works. It’s just, it’s gonna be a lot, okay. And I know it’s gonna sound crazy, especially coming from me since most of you don’t know me, but just- just listen.”
She nods, and he sits down on the truck he had fallen off of moments ago. Sam and Bucky walk up next to Steve, and Peter can hear Sam whisper in Steve’s ear, “Found their Quin-Jet. Hanger five, north runway if we need it.”
Peter ignores them and moves on. ‘God I’m gonna sound insane. I really need them not to fight, though, so I think this is my only option.’
Peter takes a deep breath and says, “So... okay, just wait for me to be done. Okay?”
No one speaks, and a few of them nod, so he continues on. "I’ll- start from the beginning. Mr. Barnes is innocent of the bombing. The real culprit is a man named Helmut Zemo, who was the quote-unquote psychiatrist that was interviewing Mr. Barnes.” Peter uses his hands to mimic the quotations.
“He was the one who set this whole thing up to tear apart the Avengers because his family died in Sokovia, and he blames you all. He set off an EMP on the power grid of the JTC and said the Hydra code words to Mr. Barnes to use Hydra's coding on him."
Remembering what Mr. Stark told him what happened in Siberia, Peter pauses and says, "Actually, I think everyone should put their weapons away before I go on. I’m just, yeah, deactivate your suits and stuff. Please.”
He can see Natasha staring at him, not unkindly, but more curious. Actually, everyone is staring at him.
”I didn’t want this to be a fight anyway.” Tony says, interrupting the momentary quiet. “ As long as your explanation takes less than twelve hours.”
T'Challa leans up against the truck behind him but has not stopped staring at Barnes since he came over.
“I’m sorry, what? You were all set to fight, and then Mr. Blue and Red comes out, and you’re all, ‘Okay, peace and love?’” Clint asks, sounding kind of ticked off.
Peter's eyes raise under his mask; he hadn't even realized Mr. Barton had walked over. Same with Wanda, who was hovering behind him. Not magically, just like, standing behind him.
Tony nods, and so do most of the other Avengers as they start stowing their weapons. Well, the few that actually have weapons. Clint shrugs and mutters under his breath, “Maybe I actually can pick up my kids from school today…”
He puts his bow on his back and Peter is about to let out a huge sigh of relief until he looks over to Steve and his little trio. Steve and Bucky still look cagey, with Sam looking between the two groups, hand hovering over Redwing's controls.
Peter can hear Tony whisper to Friday, "Find everything you can on Helmut Zemo," while everyone stows their weapons and Tony leaves his suit. The suit folds into a small portable briefcase, which he picks up and carries.
Tony turns in his direction, eyebrows scrunched. "Kid... how do you know this? You weren't even there, and I know I didn’t tell you any about the JTC.”
”I’ll- I’ll tell you later, Mr. Stark.”
’Shiiiiiit. I’ll have to think of something, cause there's no way he’s gonna let this go. Maybe there are cameras or microphones or something in the Siberia bunker thing.’
Peter looks around, panicky to see whether he can get away for a minute to look for the Bunker using Karen, when his eyes rest on Vision, who's on top of the airport's parking structure. Vision, Peter realizes, instead of looking confused or annoyed like everyone else, looks content with this turn of events. Well, besides Clint and Natasha, who kind of look ticked off. Maybe that’s just their resting bitch faces?
Well, and Mr. Rogers looks off. He still looks like he wants to leave, probably to confirm Peter’s earlier statement.
"Mr. Captain Rogers, sir, do you mind letting me explain before you head to where you are going and doing what you are about to do? I know you think it is for the best, but believe me, more people will be hurt if you leave than if you don't. "
Steve looks like he’s contemplating a difficult math problem before he asks, "How old are you?"
“Why does no one seem to grasp the concept of the mask?”
"Kid?"
"That's none of your business. Now, could you just wait and listen, or you won’t be getting your shield back." Peter snaps, scolding Captain America like he’s a child who knocked over another kid's blocks. "Sure, kid," Steve mumbles under his breath, but nods for him to start explaining.
Peter takes a deep breath while most of the Avengers surround him in a semi-circle.
"Boss, I have information on Zemo," Friday says. Peter watches as Tony walks to the side for a moment.
"Go ahead," says Tony quietly.
"Baron Helmut Zemo was a Sokovian nobleman, a former Colonel of the Sokovian Armed Forces, and a commander of EKO Scorpion, which was a Sokovian covert kill squad. He dropped off the grid after the events of Ultron when his family died in Sokovia and hasn't been seen since."
"Start a facial recognition algorithm for him on all security cameras in the U.S. and Europe since Sokovia happened," Tony instructs.
"Already started, what do I look like?" Friday asks.
"Uhh, I don't know, I've been picturing a redhead," replies Tony.
"I wonder why," replies Friday, not phrasing it as a question.
Tony moves back to the group and notices the rest of the Avengers were, staring at him.
“Wanda, I’m a little hurt you chose Cap over me.”
She looks at him for a moment but ultimately ignores him as Peter starts to explain.
"So Mr. Rogers..." Peter says while glancing over at him, "You know what happened in Siberia with Mr. Barnes, right?" He asks, mostly for the benefit of starting the conversation as he already established that, yes, there were other winter soldiers.
Steve looks confused. "Yes, but again, how do you?"
Peter ignores the question and asks his own, "Do you want to explain the whole thing to Mr. Stark and his team, or shall I?"
"You can, I want to know how much you know," says Steve. Bucky and Sam nod in agreement.
Glad he's improved in how well he's able to lie over the years, he starts speaking, letting his actions catch up to his thoughts when he's ready.
"I hacked into the microphone in your comms and listened into your conversations." He blurts out
Cap turns to Tony, but Peter jumps in before the accusations can start. "Mr. Stark didn't help; it was all me. I wanted more information before I jumped in and started attacking Avengers, and when I heard your point of view, I knew what to do."
"As soon as we got here, I realized we were all assembled, so I'd be able to get everyone on the same page." Everyone looks at Peter, waiting for him to explain, mostly impatiently. "So let me start from the beginning.”
Peter webs Tony’s foot to the concrete and just apologizes, explaining that it’s a necessary precaution. "Back in 1991, Mr. Barnes was under the control of Hydra and was ordered to retrieve the super-soldier serum prototype Howard Stark was carrying in his car's trunk." Almost everyone looks at Bucky and then back at Peter, and he continues.
"He was also ordered to leave no witnesses, so he caused the car to crash, then after taking the serum prototypes..." Peter remembers the video Mr. Stark reluctantly showed him, "he killed Howard and Maria Stark."
Peter turns to Tony only to see him turn his watch into an Iron gauntlet, blast off the web holding him down, and start moving over to Bucky, who raises his arms, ready for a fight, but both Peter and Steve get there first to block his path. "Move!" Tony shouts at the pair. Peter doesn’t move.
"Tony, stand down. It wasn't him! It was hydra." Steve tries. “Take a deep breath, Mr. Stark.” Peter puts his hand on Tony’s shoulder. Tony is breathing heavily and has Bucky in a death glare, but one look from Steve and Bucky stands down. Bucky backs up and puts his arms down. “Mr. Stark?” Tony ignores him. Peter taps Tony’s gauntlet off and puts his fingers on his wrist. Tapping to the beat of Back in Black. Tony untenses and looks at Peter, confused.
Wow, that actually worked? I guess the school's mental health training wasn't as useless as everyone said.
"Again, Mr. Stark, Mr. Barnes was under Hydra's control, and he had no control over his actions! Do you really think that Mr. Barnes wanted to kill his friend from the war? Kill all those people? Does that sound anything like the best friend of Captain America? You really think he wanted to kill them?"
Bucky clears his throat and looks at Tony. "It's true, Stark. After I escaped from Hydra's control, after being trapped in my own body, being forced to watch myself murder countless people for Hydra… I was just trying to hide in Bucharest. That's it. I just wanted tobe alone. I was looking for... well, I was looking for a way out of this life.”
"Buck..." Steve starts but doesn't seem to know where to go.
Tony's face was blank for a moment before it twisted again with anger.
"But- he killed my mom!" Stark shouts angrily, pointing at Buckytrying to take a step but finding himself still bloked by Peter.
”I know. I know, Mr. Stark, I don’t want to invalidate what you're feeling, but you're on a deadline; well, we're all kind of a deadline, so you and everyone else are going to have to stay calm and let me talk, okay?” Tony nodded slowly and took a step back, still glaring at Bucky but his glare started to waver as Peter explained.
”So the serum the Winter Soldier took was used on a handful of other people, assassins, who volunteered for Hydra. But they're kinda now dead. Helmut Zemo killed them when he got to Siberia, which is where they are stored.”
There was a moment of silence before Steve asked, "And how do you know that?”
This is again the time for Peter to start lying. “When I heard about Siberia, I looked for anything with a sufficient enough energy source to be Hydra, and I found it. It took a while, but I hacked into their cameras. Why they have them, I don't know. I saw Zemo shoot the other enhanced people. They were all frozen in weird pod things.”
"Okay, kid… say we believe you…” Rhodes says, “Do you have any proof?”
Dang it. I knew this was gonna happen. Ummmm- oh
“Yeah. Mr. Stark, can you unlock the training wheels protocol, please?” He asks with a tired smile.
“Kid, how do you know about that?! You’ve had the suit for like an hour?” Tony says, confusion heavy in his voice but Peter saw a spark of admiration glint in his eyes.
“Sorry, Mr. Stark, it’s not that I don’t trust you, but anything cool and techy I put on my body, I check out,” Which wasn't exactly true as the only out of ordinary tech he'd received were the suits from Tony but now that he thought about it, that's not really a bad habit to keep.
Tony says, “Fine,” and unlocks the protocol with a wave of his hand. Peter’s new AI chimes in, but Peter ignores her for the moment. Peter then goes to the globe on his HUD with his eyes and blinks to zoom in on Siberia.
“Mr. Barnes, can I have the coordinates, please? It took a while last time, and I didn't write them down.” Peter's voice cracks but Bucky still provides the location.
Peter then bypasses the camera's security and finds the feed from earlier today. He then uses the projector that had his Spider-Man logo and puts up the feed on a nearby surface.
Everyone had different reactions. Peter could see Bucky had a slight smile which Peter could suppose was faur after seeing the horrible people that tied him to his horrible past be removed from the equation. Vision, Natasha, and Clint look on with neutral expressions. Wanda and Scott look upset after seeing people die, even if they are bad people.
Sam, Rhodey, and Steve don’t react much, but Steve nods with confirmation. T’Challa and Tony look concerned, clearly still thinking of Zemo. Peter didn’t watch the clip. The sound was enough. He watched the others, and when they seemed ready, he moved on.
“Anyways, someone will have to send someone to pick up Zemo, but in the meantime, we still need to talk about the Accords."