I had nodded at the virtual sketch of the base, feeling sure of myself. Of course I couldn't tell Stark the whole plan, oddly enough I was unable to remember all of the rooms. But he had assured me that it was fine, the rest he can figure out with bugs, whatever these are.

“Hey dude.” the shorter man greeted me happily, trying to sit on the stool next to mine. Hint the word trying, he nearly sat on the floor, thanks to his fast reflexes he caught himself with ease and sat on the stool, chuckling nervously. I stared at him quizzically, wondering why was Peter Parker sitting next to me.

He cleared his throat, clasping his hands in front of him as if he was trying to look more serious. It was kind of funny to watch, but I kept quiet.

"so...” he trailed off, as if expecting me to say something. “Atlas.” I said bluntly, wondering if it was my name he was waiting for. His grin widened as he grabbed my hand, shaking it frantically. “Yeah, I know! But nice to meet you, again. I mean, Mister Stark has been quite caught up trying to figure out what exactly made you like this. No! I mean it's cool! Your superpowers are so awesome dude! Man, I'd give my right arm and my dignity so I could turn into a dragon. I've never seen you on the field, I wasn't allowed to come, but I saw it all from behind the cameras and dude you're so rad!” the boy babbled, making me blink at him in surprise.

“cool.” I had learned that from Pietro, he said it often when he didn't know what else to say. Peter seemed to accept my answer, or maybe he didn't even hear it. “I also heard that you ran away with Quicksilver? How did it work out for you? Considering he is fast and... Well, I'm assuming you are too, just not that fast. So, how did you get out? And where did you ran away from? I'm assuming somewhere else?”

I leaned back, scoffing at the thought of Pietro doing all the work. Yeah, right, as if that would happen. “no, Loki got us out with his magic.” I said quietly, my voice even and still surprising to my ears. I caught a hint of accent, or at least, it sounded differently compared to everyone else. “he got us out and I flew us over the ocean, we ended up here.”

Peter's brown eyes widened as he stared up at me as if I was the answer to all of his questions. “you flew both of you and Loki here? What? That's insane bro!”

I frowned, tilting my head. “no, just me and Pietro. Loki dissappeared.” he shrugged. “still, was the flight hard? And how come nobody caught you?”

“it was... Fine. I don't know, I believe I was lucky.” I said, doubt creeping into my voice. Because we had been caught in the end, or at least I had. I looked back at Peter when he cleared his throat and leaned his elbows on the marmor table, ignoring Steve who was cooking again and giving us curious looks from time to time.

“So, Mister Stark said you've been scooped up here for a whole week? He thinks it'd be good idea if youd go outside for some time, you know, get a breath of fresh air.” I really wanted to tell him how awful the air outside really smelled, but something  told me he was trying to be nice and wasn't really conserned about the bad air outside. “my classes end about 4pm tomorrow, if you think you're not busy we could go outside and I can show you around bit? My friends will come too if you're not against the idea, we can go skating, or lazer zone? That should be pretty cool! And-- oh, thank you Mr Rogers, but I really can't, Aunt May has probably already c--”

“just eat it Peter, I'll pack some for your aunt as well, no one here really eats those unless Thor is here.” Steve said, placing a piece of sweet smelling food infront of us. Peter did not need to hear it twice as he dug in. I was more sceptical. I looked up at Steve who was cleaning his workplace, frowning at him.

“Apple pie, if you don't like it's taste, I don't get offended. My mom used to make very good apple pie back in my time, that's her receipt. It's cheap and still tastes like hundred pucks.” he said, a sad smile on his lips as he offered me a fork.

And I trusted Steve and his mom's apple pie. It really was a great decision, considering I had inhaled the piece of pie in seconds.

"oh my god Atlas! I can't believe it! I just ate apple pie made by the Captain America! Oh boy thats--”

“Parker! Your aunt is calling you nonstop, I think you should pick up before she comes here and breaks down the door.”

“oh shoot! I'll get going, it's so late already she's gonna kill me. Thanks guys, it has been fun, see you tomorrow Atlas!” the doe-eyed young man hurried out as he grabbed his school bag and a box that Steve offered him, like a whirlwind he was out the door and gone, not giving any of us time to say bye.

Awkwardly I turned to Steve who was placing someing in dishwasher, trying to shoo away one of Tony's bots as its long arm was trying to take away Steve's job without hurting the man. So, it was quite odd sigh to behold. The bot kept tilting it's head whenever Steve stepped on its way, not letting the boy work as it has been programmed to do.

I gently took Peters plate and headed towards the machine, tensely holding the dishes as Steve held his hand out.

“no, I must help.” I said, manoeuvring away from the bot who was probably cursing us in codes.

I placed both of our plates neatly, trying to get rid of the tension in my shoulders. Steve thanked me and turned the machine on, making the bot wheel itself out of the kitchen, it looked almost as if the bot was sad as it left back to the garage.

“I heard you and Parker speaking, I wasn't trying to eavesdrop or anything, but considering you two sat behind the table I cooked...” he trailed off, a sneaky smile on his lips.

“yes, we spoke.” I told him quietly, wondering where he was getting at.

“You're going to hang out with him tomorrow?” he asked, leaning against the table as he crossed his arms. There was no accusation in his voice, just plain curiosity.

And I trusted Steve, he was one of the good guys.

“y-yes. He offered to show me around and-and meet his friends, I don't-I didn't know if--”

“easy kid, it's fine. I won't hold you back, I think it'd do some good to you. I'm quite surprised it was actually Tony's idea. But just on security terms, I suggest you take someone along hey? Someone like Clint, he's had some experience with younger folk, besides, I heard he's taking Lucky with him tomorrow.” Steve said placing his hand on my shoulder, making me sigh in relief. So far so good.

“yes, we will ask him”

“I don't think you'll need to ask, I think he'll come along anyways.” he said chuckling as I followed him to the living room.

I noticed Wanda and Pietro talking quietly in the corner, they seemed to finally get along. Better than I and Wanda that is. I felt glad, secretly, without anyone knowing I touched both of their minds.

Wanda was happy, finally. She was so ecstatic that feeling emotions like these from her, felt quite unreal. She had always felt moody and dark, but talking to Pietro makes her feel cheerful.

Pietro was still a bit hesitant, but he felt peace and at home. That in turn made him feel dazzled and confused. How could he feel at home near someone he barely knew?

“Hey punk, shouldn't you get some sleep? Heard you're gonna have a long day tomorrow.” Bucky had replaced Steve's place next to me, and I didn't mind his cold and cool demeanor. It felt like home.

“I should. But I can not remember which way to go, everything looks the same here.” I confessed, frowning at the icy eyed mentor.

“Come on, I'll show you which hallway. I was quite confused as well when I came here so don't worry, you'll get the hang of it soon.”

Side by side we left the living room to Wanda and Pietro, the siblings who had been separated for so long.

I felt glad that they were getting along, but deep down, the beast that often felt blood lust and need to kill, pushed forwards the jealousy feelings. I mentally growled at it, forcing them down. It was not my place to separate the siblings again, I shouldn't even think like that, knowing Wanda was capable of entering my mind.

“Mr Barnes, sir, will you come with us tomorrow?” I asked out of the blue, stunned at my own voice. Bucky seemed as well as he peeked at me over his shoulder looking gobsmacked.

Immediately I could feel the hesitation and shame oozing from him in waves, I knew his answer.

“I would like to come, but unlike you, Atlas, I don't feel quite ready yet.” he said, his voice tight.

“it's fine, sorry I asked.” I said tensely, feeling as if I had stepped over the boundaries.

“no, you can ask me anything, remember? I'm sorry I just... I don't trust myself out there, I know what I'm capable of. I can't be let loose in a city buzzing with civilians, kid. I'm not that stable, at least I don't feel that stable. But please, get out there and taste the freedom like you always wanted, and once you come back, you can tell me all about it, deal?”

He offered me a smile that quite didn't reach his eyes as we stopped at my door. “deal.” I said awkwardly, surprised when Bucky's flesh hand pulled me in for a hug as his metal one messed up my outgrown hair, I didn't protest this time.

“I'm glad you're safe here now punk.” he whispered in my hair, and I didn't mind the hug, I felt like he needed it. I sighed once again, closing my eyes as I hugged the man back, I too felt like I had needed that hug for a long time.

“I'm glad to be here, Bucky.”

“get some shut-eye, Fury won't let you off the leash easy tomorrow. I-- I didn't know we had a cat here? I never liked cats” Bucky frowned when he peeked in from the door I had opened. Indeed there was a sleek black animal feeling comfortable on my pillow.

“anyways, see you in the morning, good night.” he said and disppeared down the hallway, into his own room.

I closed the door and turned towards Loki.

And I never liked humans either, Buchanan. He said smoothly, jumping off my bed and turning back into the God of Mischief. He was wearing sleeping clothes and a robe over them as his midnight black hair was pulled back into a bun.

“What are you doing in my room, Loki?” I asked him suspiciously, crossing my arms just like Steve had done in the kitchen.

The tall man didn't look impressed as he too, crossed his arms. “weren't you the one who wished to learn how to read? I know you don't sleep much, what better time to teach when everyone's asleep? Unless, of course, you wish to study in the living room, in the middle of the day and be a laughing stock to all of those peasants in this building?” he asked matter of factly, making me drop my arms and glare at him in annoyance.

“I, uh, yeah, sure.” I stuttered m, feeling ashamed as he grinned smugly. “but first, I think you need to shower, you stink like a skunk.” he said and sat down on the couch, turning away from me as he dismissed me with the wave of his hand.

I nodded and moved towards the bathroom.

I hope you're not expecting me to hug you like Barnes did, because that is not going to happen.

I rolled my eyes as I locked the bathroom door, feeling annoyance at the God's mocking tone.

A/N

Merry Christmas you all, are you exited for 2019? Because I'm not.

And, uh, for those who wanna know how my vacation went...

It went alright, we rode camels, and ATV-s in the desert... And I ended up in the hospital due to a high fever. So, I guess it went alright! I'll probably go to England in January or February, but we'll see.

Some shots I took in case you wonder.

Overall I hope you had nice Christmas and you're all doing okay.

What do you think of the chapter?

Love you all and thanks for reading! Sorry for the long wait xx