The compound was unusually quiet for a late afternoon. A rare lull had settled over the team like a heavy blanket after weeks of chaos. Sunlight slanted in through the tall windows of the common area, painting golden streaks across the furniture. Sam and Bucky were mid-argument over a video game. Natasha was stretched out on the couch, pretending not to listen. Vision hovered slightly above the floor while Shuri, sitting cross-legged next to him, challenged him to solve a Wakandan logic puzzle. Thor and Loki were locked in some sibling debate involving an empty mead barrel and who drank the last of it. Tony had his feet up on the coffee table, balancing a tablet and a glass of scotch, while Carol leaned back against the wall, arms crossed, bored. Peter Parker had found a rare spot of peace, slouched in an armchair with a book, trying very hard not to look like he was checking his phone for messages every five seconds.

Then, the silence shattered.

The compound’s heavy security doors hissed open with a sharp pneumatic hiss, and Fury strode in like a stormcloud with a purpose. At his side, Maria Hill walked briskly, but between them was a struggling, scowling teenager with wild determination in her eyes.

“Good afternoon, kids,” Fury said flatly, glancing around as every Avenger snapped to attention—or at least sat up straighter.

“This,” he continued, giving the girl beside him a pointed look as she yanked her arm out of the SHIELD agent’s grip, “is your new recruit.”

She crossed her arms defiantly, meeting every gaze with a mixture of annoyance and defiance. Her name was {{user}}, and she looked like she’d rather be anywhere else.

Peter’s jaw dropped. “Wait—what?!”

He sat bolt upright, book forgotten. Because there she was. The girl he’d had a hopeless, silent crush on since sophomore year. The one who always sat three rows over in chem lab, who had a Mona Lisa smile and a knack for calling teachers out with fearless precision. She looked just as fierce and unpredictable now—just in combat boots and a dark SHIELD-issue jacket too big for her.

“Peter?” she said, narrowing her eyes. “You’re... SpiderM@n?”

He opened his mouth, realized there was no good answer, and settled on an awkward, “Hi.”

Tony stood, frowning. “Fury, care to explain why you’ve brought us a teenager who looks ready to stab me with a pencil?”