CHAPTER ONE; HOMECOMING

❝ we do not meet people on accident, they come into our lives for a reason we simply do not have the awareness to know it at the time ❞

･ ｡ﾟ☆

❝ new york, queens ❞

EVERYWHERE WAS THE SAME TO Alina, all places had the same clueless people filling its streets and yet they were the ones making all the decisions. In her opinion the world was an unkind and cruel place, it wasn't meant for the pure of heart. Though the world was filled with them, they never made it far before the world tour them apart or stole their good hearts. It was a matter of circumstance that at the ripe age of 16 Alina Draganov had lost all her faith in the human race. To her it was unredeemable and no one could change her mind, which only furthered her anger when Tony told her she would be attending high school while in New York.

Not only would she have to relocate despite wanting to stay where it would be easiest for Steve or Natasha to find her, but she would stuck lying about who she was to everyone she would now meet. Any hopes of a new life were marred by the undeniable fact Alina would have to lie about every single detail about herself and childhood. "There's no need for the silent treatment Alina," Tony said as they sat in the back of a limo on their way to her apartment.

Turning her head she finally spoke up after literal hours of silence on the drive down from upstate, "No need to send me off to be someone else's problem to please a bunch of corrupt and dull-witted politicians either — yet here we are."

Tony sighed tossing his head back reiterating once more, "'Lina, how many times do I have to tell you it's for your own good?"

Alina could only bring herself to laugh at the idea, she sharply offered him a response for his ignorant questioning, "You could just, not talk, but given who you are...I say until by some miracle I believe you." There was a beat of silence before Alina turned towards him telling him exactly how she saw everything, "You're putting me here because it's easier for you. Don't pretend like you care about me, it hurts me. It makes everything you did, or claim you're doing seem disingenuous. It makes me think all along you took care of me because you all just didn't want me to go off like a nuke. You all failed so now you're pawning me off on your little pet, who by the way, we both know you played like a violin to get what you needed out of him in Germany and now again with me."

The long winded rant took more air from Alina's lungs than she had even realize until she stopped speaking and her lungs fought for air. Her eyes focused back out the widow of the rainy city lights becoming blurred in the raindrops. Parts of what Alina was saying were true, Tony knew it, but he also knew there was just so much she could not see. She didn't see how even Natasha and Steve hadn't come back for her because even they saw the value in what he was offering her. Alina never had a chance to make her own choices, live a life like any other teenager. With a weakness in his voice that had rarely been heard by Alina, Tony said, "It must be so exhausting to live your entire life like that."

"Like what," she bit back as the car jerked slightly as it stopped outside the apartment building in queens that would now be her own little silver of paradise. Tony and Pepper had wanted, even offered to stay there with her while she got settled, but she didn't want them around more than they had to be. Not now at least.

Never missing a beat, much like Alina in that way, Tony answered, "Like everyone is going to hurt you even when they just want to help you." The bitter realness of his words made Alina swallow hard, "Why won't you just let people in instead of pushing them away," he questioned not even realizing how those same words had been repeated back to him so many times before.

Swift as ever, Alina's words went for blood as she told him, "For the same reason you and your raging Daddy issues make you the cynical dick that just had to ruin the avengers." Before he had a chance to say more Alina opened the car door taking her bag slamming the door with such force he was shocked the glass hadn't shattered.

"Fun talk," Tony mumbled watching as Alina took her bags from Happy giving him a softer hug and smile for a goodbye. Just before her small figure disappeared behind the building doors she couldn't help but look back at Tony. He hid his hurt and offered her a weak but true smile and wave; he was willing to bare the weight of her hate to help her have a new life. However she didn't want to hate him, she wanted him to stay being that big brother or uncle figure in her life who made her life, who helped her get into trouble. Now here he was dropping her off to be someone else's trouble, it was enough to break her heart all over again. 

So despite the better angels she had telling her to wave goodbye, Alina simply turned her back on Tony. It was only fair, Alina thought, he had just turned his back on me.  As hard as it proved to be, Alina continued to walk up the stairs heading to the apartment number Tony had given her, 14B. The one silent thing she was going to be grateful for was that Tony had agreed to paid for everything she may need, granted Alina did't need much, she was happy to have things of her own. Especially since it would be so empty, she wouldn't have people walking in, or in Visions case, going through the walls.

There would be no more nightly teas with Natasha and Wanda, she loved those most of all. There was a silent understanding when she was with the two of them during their nightly chats that other people could not give to her. No more morning jogs where she would make Steve tired even. She wouldn't hear laughter of the sounds of the parties Tony would throw for them in the tower. All Alina would have was empty space and her, so she was happy the least she could have was the billionaires credit card.

Alina used the key Stark had given her unlocking it walking in seeing fairly spacious loft space for her. The second the door opened far enough for her to see inside she was met with an incredibly decorated brick loft walls fully furnished. It was clear that they had taken inspiration from her rooms at the tower and compound. Especially given that from just a general scan from the doorway she could see certain things made the cut to make it to the loft.  

The lighting was warm yet colorful with shades of red orange and purple blending together to give the living room a unique glow to it. "At least he pays attention," Alina muttered impressed shutting the door rather lightly behind her. 

Beginning to really take in her new home, Alina saw a wide space in the middle of the living room closed in by two couches on either side. Her hands traced the pieces of her chessboard she played with vision mostly set on a leather foot ottoman paired in front of the matching love seat.

Tears wanted to fight their way to the surface but out of spite she stood moving her attention away from the board not allowing herself to shed another tear. A small smile replaced her frown when she noticed how in the corner was a led light fixture made into the shape of an astronaut, which was on one side of her window. On the other side in the middle of both windows? A warm orange light coming form the shape of a popcorn, and against the wall closest to the windows, a map of the world mate of a cool metal that had a purple hue built in behind it.

Underneath it was her desk with a laptop waiting for her already and photos of herself with familiar faces that beckoned her out of the room. She followed along the dark wooden floors passing various plants as she made her way towards the first bedroom. Alina was unsure which was supposed to be her main bedroom, but upon entering she assumed it couldn't have been this one given how much smaller it appeared. 

Despite its size it was no less beautiful with shades of purple scattered everywhere. There was a rather large window giving someone a view out onto the street with a full size bed right in front of it. And littered throughout the entire room? All of Alina's books that were about pretty much everything and anything. 

At least her books had found their way to her as well, most of the books were the only things she wanted to take from her first life with Hydra. As she exited the room searching for her own bedroom, she ended up passing by the open door of the bathroom.

There was a half frosted wall that separated the tub from the sink and the toilet. As she peered her head behind the wall she saw an older fashioned tub that had one of those tables that went across the tub and pillows for someones head. Both of with made her hum satisfied before walking to find her bedroom. 

Tony or Pepper had to have seen to a decorator because the apartment was almost entirely furnished. Making her way down the hall she found the bathroom. It had the same dark wood with an oval bathtub in the corner next to the sink and mirror hanging over a large portion of the wall. 

The sight of which did not fail to leave her in awe, Tony had to have painstaking made them pay attention to detail and create a masterpiece there for her. Suppose it was his way of trying to make her feel welcomed enough to stay put. Alina hated how it had been working; the room was perfection. A grand bed with large wooden pillars holding its silk purple covers up. The walls were a darkened wooden purple paneling with weaving along the rims meeting the ceiling. But the best thing of all? The ceiling of her room had been made to appear almost as if one of her spells has given her sight upon the universe.

Time and time again Alina had been caught on the roof of the tower, or compound telling the others she felt too trapped inside to breathe let alone sleep. It seemed his solution was to place the stars along her ceiling so that whenever she looked up she wouldn't feel so trapped. This image of the perfect room was enough to make Alina shut the door on it; her rage would not be shade with just one pretty loft.

No matter how beautiful everything, even the kitchen she fled to appeared. Other than the bedroom for her, Alina was fairly certain this room had been given the most attention. In the middle of the room was decently sized table that could sit up to six. Hanging over the table were dozen of colorful and clear lights dangling from the ceiling. Her windows showed the small terrace just outside which she would be able to look at whenever she did the dishes. 

And happily enough, Tony had gotten a TV big enough she would be able to see it from the kitchen even when she cooked. Sometimes Alina hated to admit just how much she had loved watching television. Perhaps it was the ability to imagine she was somewhere else that it gave her, or it could have the pure entertainment of it all, she didn't know. What she did know, was that laid against the spices on the table was a note addressed to her, picking it up she saw that it was from Tony.

Make yourself at home, kid. Everything you may need is here, and if there's something missing tell Happy. 

And remember, even though you hate me don't get caught using your powers.

-Tony

"Yeah right," Alina mumbled before she used those same powers to crumble the paper and throw it into the trash closet to her.

An almost instant form of karma, a voice behind her suddenly said, "Wow..." Swiftly the Dranganov turned on her heels a boy round her own age standing in her lofts doorway. His brown hair was messy, but not in a way that didn't look good on the boy. To the untrained eye he seemed unassuming, and even to Alina's trained eyes he might slip pass had his voice not been so familiar to Alina. She knew it from the airport, this was the Spider whose web Alina almost got caught in. 

Which was humbling for her to say the least, especially with who she saw standing before her now. He didn't look like he'd blow over in the wind or anything but he did appear too wide eyed for someone who had been around this world for any longer than, and this was generous in Alina's mind, a year. Not sensing any immediate threat from the boy she eyed him curiously asking him, "How did you get in here?"

Realizing what he had done the boy quickly explained himself, "Oh, right, I'm sorry. I'm your neighbor from down the hall, and I came by to say Hi. I just didn't know someone could make these rooms look so nice, Mr. Stark did a lot of renovating in here for you." As his words finished the boy didn't fail to notice how mention of Tony had stiffened the girl, so he swiftly moved the conversation along, "Hi, I'm Peter Parker."

"Okay, Peter Parker. How the hell did you get in my loft," Alina repeated this time her voice sterner.

Practically falling over himself he explained to the girl before him, "Right, I knocked, and you didn't answer, the door was open so I figured I should let you know."

She stayed silent for a moment, which seemed to make the boy nervous given how he swallow hard under her gaze. Slyly Alina walked around him and with the slightest touch of their crossing hands she felt Peter jolt upright. Inexperienced as she was with peers of her own age Alina could tell Peter was not a boy used to being this close to a girl. "And let me guess, Tony Stark told you how I would be arriving today," she poised sauntering off towards her kitchen.

Following her with his eyes as she moved about the loft, Peter admitted, "Yes, Mr. Stark told me you were coming."

The brunette sighed leaning against the frame of her kitchen archway, "So you're his latest toy," Alina mocked her voice light despite how much she despised the idea of him becoming Stark's next toy soldier after her. In truth Alina wasn't sure if her anger was at Tony or Peter for it either; was she jealous of no longer being the shiny protege? Or what she angry at Tony for creating another kid who would be used by their government? She started to believe it was somewhere in-between and all over both reasoning.

Her clear judgement was meant with mere curiosity in the boy as he returned with, "What do you mean toy?"

His refusal to engage with her prodding only made Alina dig her heels in deeper, "I mean that Tony is using you to do what he doesn't want to do, or can't do. In this instance, he has you watching me and me watching you. A little two birds one stone scenario if you will."

"So you're saying I am more capable of handling you than Mr. Stark is," replied the Parker boy an air of arrogance to his statement he hadn't reveled in until he was reaching the end of his statement.

It was a clear reverse of her ow tactic that forced a grin on her face which she had to remind him, "Given I didn't hit you hard enough back at that airport to cause memory loss, I'd say we both know you're wrong." Her acknowledgement of Germany stunned the boy, it was as if he had not allowed himself to even think of it in fears of mentioning sore topics of history for her. The stunned look on his face was enough confirmation for her to carry on, "It's okay pretty boy, you're not the only one he uses for your abilities."

Alina lifted her hand causing the familiar blue to find its way to her hands, Peter walked closer to examine it, "That was you? He told me you refused to sign, I didn't think they were going to let you go after Germany."

"I could write a book on the things Tony neglects to mention," bitterly Alina remarked pulling her hand down.

"Peter," a woman's voice called out drawing closer to them inside the loft, instantly making Alina pull away from the boy. Not a second later the woman entered the apartment, she was maybe around 50, 53 and very pretty in Alina's opinion. With a warm smile her eyes landed upon Alina and she greeted, "Oh hi honey, I'm May Parker. You can call me May."

The older woman moved closer to Alina automatically making her move away on instinct. From the moment she was rescued and well before that, she hadn't done well with meeting new people. They unsettled her with their unknown intentions however it hadn't seemed to offend May. The older woman carried on without missing a beat, "You must be Alina, Tony told me all about you."

With as friendly of a smile as she muster up Alina replied, "That'd be me."

Sweetly May explained to her, "Well, we will be right down the hall if you need us for anything. Tony said you and Peter will be going to the same school, so I'll leave you two to talk." May began walking out and before Alia saw her, she mouthed to Peter, "She's gorgeous."

Peter gave her a look filled with urgency and once she was gone Peter could finally breathe enough to admit, "I'm sorry about her, she's a bit...awkward, but I love her."

Alina shook her head assuring him with a wave of her hand, "Its fine, she's nice. I'm just not particularly good with meeting people so I come off a bit...standoffish."

"Why's that," Peter asked instantly making the brunette stiffen.

Evasive as ever Alina told him, "Never really had many kids, or people around for that matter to socialize with."

He wanted to pry and ask for a more specific reason, but if she was being evasive he figured there was probably a reason for it. So instead he carried the conversation along, "Oh I get it. I don't talk to people at all, and that's not just because no one is willing to talk to me."

"Their loss," she muttered fighting her humorous laugh.

As the two stood in silence, Peter began glancing around the open space of the loft. He didn't see pictures of Alina with anyone, nor did he see signs of anyone other than her living there. Curiosity getting the better of him he did have to wonder, "Are you staying here alone?" Hearing how harsh his question sounded Peter immediately stuttered, "Sorry, I didn't mean to sound so––"

"Harsh," Alina replied appearing as stoic as ever which made Peter increasingly nervous. The Draganov teen assured, "It's fine, but yes, I am staying here alone."

"Why," Peter asked harmlessly.

Alina hesitated to try to figure out the correct way to tell Peter why she was alone but anything she said just seemed like a sad story. "Who needs people when you know Tony Stark," she deflected to the best of her abilities before quickly adding, "I'm tired though, so maybe we talk another time?"

"Oh, yeah, sure," Peter agreed kindly before telling her, "I'll see you at school then." Alina nodded silent as he walked out of her apartment presumably going home. Once he was gone, she sat on her new bed having a horrible realization. She had to go to high school tomorrow and pretend to be anything other than herself –– what could go wrong?

Alina's outfit next chapter

Alina's apartment

[ her bedroom ]

the guest bedroom 

bathroom 

kitchen

living room