Work Text:
Peter walks into Avengers tower one day
The rain barreled down over New York City making Peter ever so thankful for Happy picking him up from school that day. Hoping in the car, he soon began to excitedly speak about his day until Happy wound up the window separating the two. Giving a dramatic sigh, Peter pulled out of his phone and started messaging Ned and MJ until he saw Stark tower come into view. Quickly jumping out of the car he made sure to thank Happy profusely as he raced past the bottom floor pressing the elevator buttons to met with Mr. Stark.
Peter had now been an intern with Stark Industries for four months now and they had been the best months of his life. During this time he had gotten to work with Mr Stark and Mr Banner, he had met all the Avengers, even the recently unbrainwashed Winter Soldier or better known as Bucky Barnes. Peter was quite fascinated by his metal arm and he had even helped with the design of his new arm. To say he was happy would be an understatement.
The elevator door opened and Peter collected himself as he walked out onto the Avengers main floor to find it empty apart from Steve sitting on the couch half watching the TV in front of him. Peters’ bag accidently slipped off his shoulder, slightly startling Steve until he saw who made the noise.
“Queens, good to see you.” Steve welcomed him in from his seat on the couch watching him walk over in his direction.
“You too Mr. Rogers. Have you seen Mr. Stark anywhere? He told me to meet him here after school and had Happy pick me up.” Peter replied still with a small stumble in his words.
“You can call Steve, I may be 95 but I ain’t no Mr. As for Stark, that I’m not sure of, though it has been too quiet today for him to be here.” Steve chuckled to himself as he gestured for Peter to sit down on the one seater next to him. As Peter sat down, Steve asked FRIDAY if she knew where Tony was hiding.
“Mr. Stark seems to be caught in a business meeting in Brooklyn and with this weather and traffic he may not be back at the tower for a minimum of one hour.” She answered in her AI voice.
Peter sat on the seat feeling somewhat awkward as Steve turned down the TV, the only thing that provided a constant sound on the floor. Whilst he had met the team before, and they knew he was Spiderman, he hadn’t had much one on one time or even two on one time with anyone but the mad scientists that resided at the tower. Steve was nice, of course he knew that, but how much in common with the old war veteran did he have? From his knowledge the only thing he knew was how they were both bullied and that was not a way to start a conversation with Americas’ hero.
“Hey, I like the pin on your jacket. Rainbows are just so cool aren’t they? Almost as good as the rain.” Steve started the conversation pointing to the rainbow pride pin on Peters’ jacket. At the notice of that his stomach dropped and his mouth dried. Could he explain to Captain America that this was not just a rainbow but a symbol for queer people? Would he even know what queer people are? He had to say something and if he had to, why not educate him.
“Actually, it’s a flag for LGBTQ+ people.” He answered, staring mainly at his hands waiting for the typical old people's lectures he got when he mentioned what it really was. A short silence overcame them but one that felt like it lasted a lot longer. Peter slowly looked up to see a curious look on the captains’ face instead of an angered one.
“Could you… maybe… explain that to me? I’ve heard about LGBTQ people but I'm not fully sure what it means.” Steve looked at the younger boy sheepishly as he carefully spoke trying to get his words across. Peter looked at him with a hopeful glisten in his eyes at his words. He gave a quick and fast nod as he grabbed out his phone for more flags and a way to explain it to him.
“Okay, so LGBTQ+ is an acronym for non-straight people, to put it simply. L is for Lesbian, which are women who love women. G is for Gay, men who love men. B is for Bisexual where you love two or more genders. T is for Transgender. That is people who were born a girl but know deep down they are a boy or vice versa, so they change their gender to align with how they feel. Q is for Queer which is an umbrella term really. There are many more but those are the main letters.” He excitedly explained showing Steve each ones’ flag as he talked. “I have the pin because I am bisexual which means I like both boys and girls.” He gave a small smile as his heart pounded in his chest at telling Steve such a close and personal thing to him. Steve looked between the phone, the pin and Peter slowly nodding as the information ticked through his brain, almost like watching the mechanics in a robot work.
“Thank you for telling me something very personal to you Peter. More importantly, thank you for trusting me.” Steve placed a comforting hand on top of Peters’ shoulder with a warm smile that made him calm down and glad that he could now be himself around more people. “Could you tell me a little bit more. It’s just very interesting and good for me to learn about ways the world has changed.” He asked, rushing in a quick explanation.
He moved back to where he sat on the couch following the demeanour of a small child in school. Peter gave a small nod and looked at what else he could teach the Captain about his community. With a quick text to Ned, he decided to talk about famous queer people. He started with celebrities he knew well, which then led to a discussion about Freddie Mercury, Elton John, Lady Gaga and George Micheal. Steve grabbed out his notebook from his pocket he carried around and wrote down their names as well as the top songs Peter recommended to pick out. For the next thirty minutes they sat in the common room with snacks as Peter was teaching Steve about Queer people and history.
“... there are a lot of rumours of people like Leonardo Da Vinci, Frida Kahlo and even the spy during world war II Joseph Baker as well as many other historical figures being queer themselves.” Peter was now sitting cross legged on the couch next to Steve as he got his laptop out of his bag and taught him about queer history. He had talked about stonewall, the first gay uprising, the first pride week and parades but no matter what he went to Steve kept asking back about one thing.
“Peter, how did you know you were bisexual? If you don't mind me asking.” Steve asked as well as making sure he wasn't asking too much of the younger boy.
“It's okay. I'm not quite sure when I knew if I'm being fully honest. My parents died when I was only young but no matter who raised me I've grown up in a supportive household where talking about queer people was normal. One day I guess I noticed guys in the same way I had girls and so I looked up terms and thought bi fit me best.” Peter simply shrugged as he rested his hands on his legs, copying the posture of the man in front of him. It was all true what Peter was telling him. He was thankful that no matter what he had a safe place to call home and people that loved him no matter what as well as growing up in a time where being queer was easier than it had been decades ago.
“Oh, okay.” Steve replied in a whisper as he furrowed his eyebrows as if he was himself in deep thought. “So bisexual means that you could be with either a man or a woman?” He asked slowly more to himself than to Peter, but being respectful he still answered.
“Yup, and with the Supreme Court nearing the end of their Obergefell vs Hodges case it is looking like gay marriage will be legalised over the whole country.” He spoke with excitement and a smile spreading across his face. Steves’ expressions temporarily lightened up showing agreement with Peter but then back into his thoughts.
Loud footsteps and small mumbling was heard just outside the stairwell doors, as Peter turned his head to see what was causing the noise. The door flung open as Bucky was having trouble tying his long hair back, causing it to fall in his eyes.
“Hi Mr. Barnes.” Peter greeted with a small smile and wave to which Bucky reciprocated.
“Kid, I told you it's just Bucky. Just cause I'm 96 doesn't mean I am a Mr.” He replied walking over to where the pair sat. Steve was still oblivious to the conversation around him as he rested his head in his hands looking down on his lap. Bucky placed his right hand on his shoulder bringing him back into the now. Peter sat there as he saw the way Steves’ face lit up at the touch and presence of Bucky. His facial expressions grew softer and younger as he greeted his lifelong friend. His blue eyes went from a clouded grey to a warm sea blue with a glistening sparkle coming to the surface. A smile appeared on his face, more real and welcoming than just the polite one he had just given Peter. His hand had gone up to reach Buckys’ holding it there for a second whilst the burgundy colour flushed up on his face, bringing in a youthful appearance.
“Bucky, hey. Peter was just teaching me about LGBTQ+ people and it's very interesting.” He told him with parts of his Brooklyn accent coming back through.
“Oh thank you Peter for teaching the old man something.” Bucky joked as Steve playfully slapped him in the stomach as he walked away. Sitting there Peter looked between the two analysing the interaction that had unfolded in front of him.
A dawn of realisation filled Peters’ face as Steve was still watching Bucky from where he sat. It all started to make sense. That's why he had asked him to explain the new world of queer people, on what each letter meant, the history, the people, his own experience and why he kept circling back to bisexual.
“Steve.” Peter started bringing Steves’ attention back to him. “Do you think you're bisexual too?” He asked in a sort of whisper in hopes the other super soldier wouldn't over hear them. Steve looked between Peter then back to Bucky, then once more. Fiddling with his thumbs, his shoulders slumped whole his bottom lip started to pout out as he gave it a thought.
“Yeah, I think I am.” He answered meeting Peters’ gaze before turning to look at Bucky who smiled over at him while walking over with more snacks.
Tony ended up being stuck in Brooklyn due to road closures of the storm hailing down on New York that day. He had rung Peter apologising before letting him know he could stay at night at the tower and how he had already checked with Aunt May, but he would still have to ring her. Sitting in his room getting himself ready for bed a soft knock came at the door. He shouted a ‘come in’ and Steve poked his head in with a bright smile on his face. Walking in, Peter nodded and told him he could sit on the edge of the bed as he put away his homework for the night.
“I just wanted to say thank you. I told Bucky that I was bisexual and he told me that I was the last one to know and he is probably right.” Steve chuckled as he continued on. “But he told me he was gay too and we talked and figured out we both have feelings for each other so now we are dating? I think it would be the right term. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you because if you hadn't explained it to me it probably would have been another 70 years before I figured it out.” Peter brought Steve into a hug, taking the older man by surprise first before settling into it and hugging him back.
“You're welcome.” Peter muttered against Steves’ shoulder. He couldn't wait to tell MJ and Ned about the interesting and great day he had at Stark Tower.