CHAPTER SEVENTEEN; HOMECOMING

❝ we didn't know it then, but the end of this story simply meant the beginning of a new one ❞

[ songs to listen to during this chapter ]

❝ heat waves, glass animals / wished I loved you in the 90's, tate mcrae / this is trying, taylor swift / the great war, taylor swift ❞

･ ｡ﾟ☆

❝ midtown high [ art room ] ❞

ALINA WOULD BE LYING IF SHE DENIED that when she first awoke the next morning she wasn't sore. It amazed her, she could heal from the harshest wounds yet still feel sore from them. Thought Alina was use to walking through her pain so no one even noticed when she showed to school two days after the battle in Queens.

The fallout from which allowed her and Connor to at least look at each other without her looking so angry. She still hadn't said or even looked at Gwen though, even with how much she missed her. Gwen was always fun to be around and was always thinking of interesting things for them to do. Now Alina had to redesign how she acting in life, again, in such a short time.

This had at least offered her, Sabrina, Michelle, Peter, Ned, and Malik more time to hang out together. She had even joined her own club, art club. She didn't have to talk to anyone and she go and key to work on projects after school. Which was where she had spent most her weekend and that morning working on a new sculpture.

She was trying her hardest to make a teapot, Michelle had given her the idea seeing how much tea she drank and now Alina could'n't get the idea out of her mind. The Dranganov teen was so focused on getting the curves just right she didn't hear Liz calling her name through her headphones. Realizing she couldn't hear her, Liz gentle tapped her shoulder forcing her to pull out her buds. "Liz, hey," Alina greeted wiping the wet clay on her apron, "What's up?"

Ever since her fathers arrest Alina had been avoiding her, she didn't know how to look at her knowing what she did. And feeling the true anguish Liz now walked around with since then was too hard. "I wanted to say goodbye. I know we didn't get to hang out all too much but, I wish we could've," Liz told her offering the best smile her face could muster as she held herself with her crossed arms.

"I wish we could've too," returned Alina before offering, "But who knows, maybe we'll go to the same college in a couple years and get a chance. Where are you going?"

Liz chuckled replying, "Somewhere far away, a new school. My mom isn't sure yet, we're just going to family for now. Hopefully we get that lucky, cause then I'll get to see if you and Peter ever really became something or not."

Alina stuttered on her words, "We aren't –– Peter and I are –– we're just friends. Believe me all he talks about is you."

The taller girl winced her disagreement, "I don't think he or you even notice it –– how much you guys are in sync." Alina didn't know what to say to her, "I think he did like me, until he met you. He never looked at me the way he looks at you, and don't think he ever will."

"I don't think I see him that way either," reasoned the witch rubbing her fingers into the palm of her hand.

Liz's shoulders moved up and down uncertain, "Maybe you guys never will, but I would mind you calling to keep me updated. On whatever it is you want."

The brunette nodded softly telling her, "Okay, and you can call me. It may not be right but I do love gossip, even if I won't know a soul you're talking about."

"I'd like that," said Liz opening her arms offering a hug. She never knew Alina to be particularly affectionate but, this was probably the last time they'd ever see each other for awhile. And she was right, Alina wasn't one for physical affection much at all, but she would make an acceptation here. The smaller brunette wrapped her arms around Liz hugging her for the first and probably last time.

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·

❝ midtown library ❞

Alina quickly found out that leaving the decathlon team wasn't going to be an option, not after Liz left. She felt to guilty just walking away from people she was growing to call friends. But that did sadly mean her and Peters Sunday mornings were taken up with practice. Mr. Harrington had placed the Decathlon trophy to a table of students.

Proudly speaking to all the students before him he announced, "Congratulations, Decathlon national champions." The group all spoke with varying cheers as he added, "I'm gonna have to put this back in the trophy case soon, but just for motivation right now at this practice. I'm a little ahead of the game, but we will need a new team captain next year. So I'm appointing Michelle."

Excitedly Alina turned to the brunette sitting beside her wearing eyes like a deer in headlights saying, "Congratulations Michelle!"

Michelle looked around while everyone cheered and congratulated her, she managed to stutter out, "Uh, thank you." She paused a beat before sitting up announcing to them all, "My friends call me M.J."

There was a brief silence before Ned reminded, "I thought you didn't have any friends."

Michelle swallowed hard admitting, "I didn't."

Just as they moved to begin, both Peter and Alina's phone vibrated simultaneously. They shared a look before looking at their phones reading;

UNKNOWN NUMBER: Go to the boys bathroom.

Before Alina even spoke Peter beat her to it, "Um, Alina and I gotta go."

MJ looked at them each curiously, "Hey, where you going?" Peter froze trying to think of an excuse, but he was not very good at dodging suspicion. Which was exactly what MJ was beginning to feel as she wondered, "What are you two hiding?"

Peter's lips fell open, but no sound came out, Alina just watched the train wreck happening before her. Suddenly, a grin broke out on Michelle's face as she laughed, "I'm just kidding. I don't care. Bye."

Deciding to give them a permanent alibi again, Alina offered the perfect lie, "Well in case you cared Mr. Harrington we got our Stark Internship back so we're on horrific shifts."

"Okay, I'm glad you kids are committed to being worried about your futures," he told them while they two quickly grabbed their bags. While they walked away, Michelle watched with curious eyes. She couldn't look long because soon the walls blocked her from seeming them at all.

Just as the two of them rounded a corner entering the bathroom. The second they entered they found Happy waiting for them, "Hey, Happy. What, uh... What are you doing here?"

"I really owe you one. I don't know what I would do without this job. I mean, before I met Tony-"  Before he could finish, a toilet flushed and cuts him off. Quickly Alina closed her fist appearing invisible before they while they awkwardly stood when Tiny McKeever came out. He starred at them both wondering what in the world they were doing there before he washed his hands quickly wiping them before leaving.

Once he was gone, Alina allowed herself to be seen again, "Hot tip, if you want a clandestine meeting you should probably check if anyones around," she offered sarcastically with a twinge of amusement.

Just as amused Peter asked, "And, uh, how long you been here?"

Happy looked dead behind the eyes confessing, "Long enough to be awkward. Boss wants to see you."

Peter's eyes went wide whispering, "Is he here too?"

Pointing at the stalls he repeated, "In the toilet? No, he's upstate."

"Upstate? Like, upstate-upstate," confirmed Peter.

Alina's whole persona changed completely softening, "Home," she repeated not having been to the compound since she was sent to New York.

Happy nodded telling her, "Yeah, let's go."

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·

❝ avengers compound ❞

Alina could jump out of Happy's car but for the sake of both his and Peter's sanity she figured it was best to choose otherwise. She sat partly in front of the window allowing Peter to look over her shoulder at the giant building the the iconic A on the side of the building. "Take a look. It's pretty impressive, huh," he asked mainly Peter knowing Alina had seen it more than him, "They just finished remodeling the whole thing."

Her utter excitement plus being able to noticing vividly Peter's butterflies in his stomach made the look of awe on each of their faces priceless. Especially while they watched the Quinjet taking off, part of her wanting to fly alongside it. She would always tease Steve that one day she would just to freak him out. The supernatural and odd things she, and others were capable of always left him confused and intrigued. Which always left Alina extremely amused, "You don't see that every day," remarked Happy.

As soon as the car stopped Alina got out of the car, "I'll meet you guys in a minute!" Before Peter even had a chance to say okay, she lifted off from the ground remembering just where her room was. Alina was elated flying through the air landing on the top floor balcony. As soon as she landed she saw agents walking about the compound, "Hi," she greeted letting them see she wasn't a threat.

In a spilt second Alina was running down the halls to her bedroom, which she found in the same spot she remembered. Tony could've moved it, but he never met to make her feel she shouldn't consider this as much home as New York. He just knew what she didn't, she would never live a full life if she stayed behind.

All her things were still there, she had been given new covers and bed frame, along with new flooring. But mostly it was the same as she left it, all her things were in nearly the exact same spot. Slowly the Dranganov teen entered the room tracing her hand across the purple blanket cast on top the bed. Her hands moved to the purple and white canopy draped over head. The bookshelf had her skulls and experiments she was trying with plants out of boredom. She wasn't partially good with herbs so it took trial and error.

She could tell her long lasting fertilizer for her orchid had worked, that or someone was keeping perfect maintenance of it. Sitting on the shelf behind it was more photos she had taken and framed with mainly Natasha and Steve. They were the ones she saw the most, she had a few of Thor when he would pass by, none of Bruce, and a decent amount of Clint and Tony. "The prodigal daughter returns," said Tony entering her room causing her to turn around.

"Tony, sorry I meant to wait but I was excited to see everything again," she said.

Tony shook his head assuring her with a dismissive wave, "It's your home still Alina, you don't have to check in before seeing it."

She paused only nodding before she said "Um, I wanted to say I'm sorry." A wave of shock flooded Tony as she chuckled, "You just wanted to help me have a life, I just didn't want my life to change all over again."

"I only did it because I knew you could handle it," said Tony before he added, "But we should probably go find Parker. Got some exciting news for you two I should share."

"Okay," agreed Alina following hi out of her room shutting the door behind her.

They headed down the spiral staircase finding Peter standing with Happy talking. "Oh, there they are," said Tony before asking them both, "How was the ride up?"

Happy spoke up saying, "Good."

"Give me a minute with the kids," ordered Tony.

The bodyguard looked taken back, "Seriously," he confirmed.

Tony nodded confirming once more, "Yeah. I gotta talk to the kids."

"I'll be close behind," offered Happy only willing to go so far from him.

Standing between both teens Stark replied, "How about a loose follow? All right? Boundaries are good." Tony playfully punched Peter in the shoulder, before wrapping his arms around both teens briefly. Speaking directly to Peter at first he said, "Sorry I took your suit. I mean, you had it coming. Actually, it turns out it was the perfect sort of tough-love moment that you needed, right? To urge you on, right? Wouldn't you think? Don't you think?"

"Yeah, yeah, I guess," stuttered Peter.

Walking them further down the hall Stark said, "Let's just say it was."

Alina shook her head, "It was mildly thought provoking," she offered.

Peter tried to open his mouth to apologize again, but Tony already knew how he felt, "You screwed the pooch hard. Big time. But then you did the right thing. Took the dog to the free clinic, you raised the hybrid puppies... All right, not my best analogy." The avenger paused before finishing his offer as they reached the end of the hall, "I was wrong about you. I think, with a little more mentoring, you could be a real asset to the team."

"To the... To the team," stuttered Peter.

Just as taken aback Alina confirmed, "You're not joking?" The only reasons Alina ever wanted to be one was to make up for what she had done, and be around people she felt comfortable around.

"Yeah Anyway," he confirmed pointing at the  door, "There's about fifty reporters behind that door. Real ones, not bloggers. All ready to meet Spiderman and Hex." Reaching for his watch he hit some buttons and a secret compartment in the wall opens, revealing a brand new Spider-Man suit, an Iron Spider Armor. Next to it was one for her, completely different than the one she wore now.

It was a lighter blue with white detailing on her shoulder, chest, waist, forearms and boots. Along with thin white lines on her chest arms and legs outlining the shape. She could tel by the more metal texture of it it was more high tech than she was used to. But was still practical for her, with gun holsters on her leg. She always kept a gun with her when she went out, mainly because only fools were always prepared to have the upper hand.

She had needles that made her weak shoved into her neck enough times to know all it took was just someone smart enough to take her powers away, even temporarily. While both of them were enamored with their suits, Tony said, "So, after the press conference, Happy will show you to your room, your new quarters." Looking back to Happy he confirmed, "Where's he between? He's next to Vision?"

"Yeah, Vision's not big on doors."

"It's fun," joked Tony.

Happy had to add on, "Or walls."

Speaking to Peter mainly he said, "You'll fit right in."

Both of them wanted to accept it, but Alina realized, all the reasons she had to join the avengers were the same ones that could allow her to stay in New York. Peter must've had the same realization because once she went to look at him, he was always looking at her. Turning to face him with a arcane of regret Alina said, "I'm not gonna accept it, I don't think the world is even ready to see me as someone to save them. More like the boogyman haunting them."

For his own reasons, Peter said, "Me too. Thank you, Mr. Stark. But I'm good."

Tony looked at them both incredulously, "You're good? Good? How are you good?"

"Well, I mean, I'm... I'd rather just stay on the ground for a little while. Friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. Somebody's got to look out for the little guy, right," said Peter.

As Tony took off his sunglasses Alina said, "I can help people without anyone knowing, it's how it should be."

Tony starred into their eyes, "You turning me down? You better think about this." Pointing at the new Spider-Man and Hex suit he asked, "Look at that. Look at me. Last chance, yes or no?"

"No," both of them said sure of themselves.

"Okay. It's kind of a Springsteen-y, working class hero vibe that I dig. Uh, Happy will take you home. Yeah," Tony ordered still trying to accept what he just heard.

"Yeah," Happy confirmed speaking to the two teens, "Mind waiting in the car? I need a minute."

"Thank you, Mr. Stark."

"Yeah thanks for the offer Stark," said Alina.

Mocking both of their use of his last name Tony replied, "Yes, Mr. Parker. Miss Dranganov. Very well."

The two teens shook his hand walking away from him but not without saying, "See you around." They made it a few steps before Alina stopped turning around to Tony, who was putting the suits away with a tap on his watch. "That was a test, right? There's, uh, nobody back there?"

"Yes, you passed. All right, skedaddle there, young bucks," Tony urged as he watched the two of them leave the compound.

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·

❝ time's square [ next morning ] ❞

"I'm still shocked you agreed to meet up," said Connor as he sat on the giant stairs in the middle of Times Square. Hundreds of people were walking around him and Alina who had shocked him first when she answered his call. Even more so when she agreed to meet up to talk.

Holding her milkshake in her hand she replied, "Me too, but I figured with how you came to help us, I could allow you to try and say something." Alina paused a beat letting out a sigh, "Especially since if Toomes actually did kill me...that only would've made things worse."

"Well I had a vested interest in keeping you alive," confessed the raven haired boy as he admired the beauty that was Alina. From her soft brown curls that hid specs of red throughout, to her flawless skin and blue and purple ombre nails.

"So what did you want to talk to me about," she questioned knowing the longer she stayed around him the more she wanted to forgive him. And maybe she did forgive him, but she didn't have to let him back in.

The Stacy teen looked out at the people briefly prior to telling her, "I wanted to let you know that Ross has agreed to leave me alone. Not fully free, I had to sign the accords but, I don't have to spy on you. Which leads me to what I really want you to know, that if you ever need my help again, just ask."

There a brief silence where Alina just absorbed what information he was giving her. "I appreciate that," admitted Alina, "But I need you to know, me accepting your help doesn't mean I forgot what you did. I think that whatever we were, whatever we were becoming...it has to be over for now. Whether you know it or not, Ross isn't done with you, Gwen, or me. And I don't know how to trust you anymore."

Taking her hand briefly squeezing it Connor said, "I won't stop until someday you can trust me."

Alina offered a small smile saying, "I hope one day it works, but for right now I just want to live. Have fun, love dangerously and passionately, experience things I never thought I could. Live stories no one else normal would ever believe, find out my truth. For once in my life, I am choosing me. This is me trying to live a genuine life, I hope you find one for yourself." With little left to say, she kissed his cheek softly ahead of standing up. "Bye Connor," she told him taking her jacket, phone, and purse leaving him behind.

Alina's suit designed by Tony [ credit to artist ]

Alina's self made suit for part two of this book [ credit to artist ]

A/N

Hey! we finally made it to the end of the first half of this is me trying originally this was supposed to be the end of the book but then I realized, I wanted her to be in Black Widow and that falls after Spiderman Homecoming. So obviously part two will have less to do with Peter and everything to do with Alina and her history with hydra, the red room, and maybe even her family.