486 C486 Belonging

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After Peter and MJ had finished listening to Lily's explanation of the strange events in their backyard, they exchanged a knowing glance. It was clear that they couldn't reveal the truth about Lily's powers to her friends, Miles and Gwen, who were now looking at them with a mix of curiosity and excitement.

Peter decided it was time to spin a concrete web of deception to protect their secret, bringing the kids to the living room. He beckoned for Lily to sit beside him while Miles and Gwen gathered on the couch across from them. Peter cleared his throat and began his carefully crafted story.

"Miles, Gwen, we need you both to understand something important," Peter started, his voice serious but gentle. "Lily has been keeping a secret for a while now, and it's time we shared it with you. Lily has an X-Gene, which means she's a Metahuman."

Miles and Gwen exchanged knowing glances. "I knew it! Like the X-Men, right?" Miles asked, his eyes wide with wonder.

Peter nodded, keeping a straight face. "Exactly. Her powers started developing a few months ago, and we've been helping her keep them hidden from everyone, even you two. We didn't want her to feel different or be treated differently because of her abilities."

Gwen chimed in, her voice filled with understanding. "That's why she didn't tell us?"

Peter nodded. "Yes, we wanted to make sure Lily had a chance to live a normal life like any other kid."

Lily bit her lip, her eyes filled with a mix of relief and guilt. Ever since she revealed her powers in front of them, she was worried about how her parents would react. Thankfully, her father knew how to fix everything. Though she didn't like lying to her friends like this, but she understood that this was the only way. At least until they were a little bit older.

Peter continued, "Now that you know, we trust you to keep this a secret. Can you do that for us?"

Miles and Gwen exchanged another glance, this time filled with determination. "We promise we won't tell anyone," Gwen vowed, her voice firm.

Miles nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Lily's our best friend. We've got her back."

Lily couldn't help but smile, her heart warmed by the support of her friends. She lunged at them with a big hug, squeezing them tightly. "Thank you, guys. You're the best."

As the kids were glued together, MJ came walking downstairs with a bowl and washcloth in hand. "Our new guest is clean and changed into a pair of Lily's pajama's."

"Good, did she wake up?" Peter asked.

MJ shook her head. "No, she seems exhausted. I don't think she'll wake up until morning, at least."

Peter nodded and turn back to the kids. "You heard her. It looks like you'll be having your sleepover in the living room tonight."

As the kids began setting up their sleeping arrangements in the living room for their sleepover, MJ pulled Peter aside into the kitchen, away from their young guests. She leaned against the kitchen counter, her expression serious.

"I need to talk to you about something," MJ began, her voice low. "When I was wiping her down and changing her clothes, I noticed something troubling."

Peter furrowed his brow, concern washing over him. "What?"

MJ sighed, her gaze distant as she recounted her discovery. "America… She wasn't just covered in goo. She's far too skinny for her age, her clothes are falling apart, and there are scars on her body... It looks like she's been through something terrible."

Peter's eyes darkened as he processed the information. It made sense… After all, in the movie, after getting separated from her parents by her uncontrollable powers, America was forced to become what basically amounted to a multiverse hobo, a homeless child, traveling to all sorts of dangerous universes on a regular basis.

'It's a miracle she's still alive…' Peter thought, his heart aching for the young girl. "It sounds like she's been through a lot."

MJ nodded, her expression reflecting her concern. "We need to help her, Peter. She just a kid. She shouldn't have those scars and she shouldn't be that skinny..."

Peter pulled his worrying fiancé into his chest. "You're right. We'll do whatever we can to help her. But for now, let's let her rest. She's been through a lot, and I don't want to overwhelm her."

MJ nodded in agreement. "I'll stay with her tonight, just in case she wakes up scared or confused."

Peter smiled. "Sounds good to me. I'll chaperone Lily's sleepover and make sure they don't destroy the house in your absence."

As they returned to the living room, Peter asked the kids, "Who wants pizza?" He pulled out his phone and began to order food, eliciting cheers of excitement from Lily, Miles, and Gwen. The promise of pizza seemed to erase any lingering concerns about the mysterious girl in Lily's room.

Outside, May and Grace continued their efforts to clean up the backyard, completely forgotten by those that could clean it up with a simple wave of their hand or a snap of their fingers.

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The next day, after Gwen and Miles left, America Chavez slowly stirred awake. She blinked groggily, taking in her unfamiliar surroundings. The soft, warm bed and the soft glow of the room felt like a dream compared to the harsh realities she had faced in her travels through the Multiverse.

As her senses fully returned, America realized she wasn't alone. Sitting by her bedside was a woman with kind eyes, quietly reading a book. It was MJ, and when she noticed America waking up, she offered a warm, reassuring smile.

"Good afternoon, sleepyhead," MJ greeted her in a gentle tone, knowing America would be a bit disoriented. "How are you feeling?"

America hesitated for a moment, still not entirely sure if this was some kind of trap or a temporary respite. But MJ's kindness was hard to ignore, and she found herself softly responding, "Okay, I guess..."

MJ nodded, understanding the hesitation. "That's perfectly fine. Take your time. I've laid out some clothes for you, and the shower's ready whenever you are. Breakfast will be waiting for you when you're done."

America was taken aback by this unexpected hospitality. She had grown used to fending for herself, and the thought of someone caring for her well-being was both scary and heartwarming. As MJ left the room to start the shower for her, America couldn't help but feel overwhelmed.

A moment later, MJ peaked her head in the door one last time. "The shower's on." She said as she rushed downstairs to prepare some food.

…

In the bathroom, she quickly showered and changed into the clean clothes that MJ had provided, even though they didn't belong to her. It was a stark contrast to the tattered and dirty clothes she had been wearing for far too long.

When America finally made her way downstairs, following the delicious scent of breakfast, she entered the kitchen to find a family scene that felt like something out of a storybook. Lily and Peter were sitting at the table, chatting and laughing together as MJ cooked up a storm by the stove.

Peter looked up and offered a warm smile. "Good morning, America. Did you sleep well?"

America nodded and took a seat, feeling awkward and out of place. Lily leaned over to her and whispered, "My mom never cooks like this. She must really like you or something because it actually seems edible too."

But before America could respond, a shadow suddenly loomed over Lily. It was MJ, holding plates of food and looking unamused. She had clearly heard her daughter's comment.

MJ set the plates down with a stern expression. "Well, if my cooking is so terrible, then you don't have to eat it."

Lily's eyes widened, realizing she had spoken too soon. She quickly shook her head and started stuffing her face, sending a relieved smile in her father's direction. It was actually edible… no, it was delicious!

America, on the other hand, stared down at the plate in front of her, overwhelmed by the kindness and warmth of this family. She couldn't hold back her tears any longer, and they began to trickle down her cheeks.

It had been years since she had enjoyed a warm meal, and even longer since she had felt the warmth of a loving home. The emotions welled up inside her, and she couldn't help but cry.

Seeing her tears, MJ's maternal instincts kicked in. She moved to give America a comforting hug, but the sudden contact seemed to startle the girl. Her powers, a manifestation of her unique abilities, kicked in involuntarily.

In an instant, a star-shaped portal opened in the center of the kitchen, its ethereal glow casting an otherworldly light. America's eyes widened as she felt the magnetic pull of her own creation. She didn't want to go, not now, not when she had found a glimmer of hope.

Tears streamed down her face as she cried out, "No, please! I don't want to leave!"

But before the portal could fully engulf her, a click echoed through the room, as if someone were snapping their fingers. Instantly, the portal vanished, leaving America standing in the kitchen, surrounded by the bewildered family she has just met.

She looked up to see Peter, a smile on his face, his fingers still poised in a snapping motion. He had used the power of the Reality Stone to close the portal and keep her from being sucked away to another universe.

"You're not going anywhere," Peter reassured her, his voice filled with kindness and understanding. "You're safe here with us, okay?"

America didn't fully understand what happened, but she knew that she wasn't in danger anymore. And as the relief hit her, so did all of her bottled up emotions. Tears poured down her face and snot dripped down her nose as she cried out, clinging to MJ like a baby.

"It's okay… you're safe now…" MJ held her, whispering comforting words into her ear, which only made her cry even harder.

A/N: 1700 words :)

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