a deadly thing.

Peter had this. It was in the bag. 

Until it wasn’t.

He’d just lined up a shot with his webshooters, when the robber abruptly dropped. “Oh my god,” he said, swinging rapidly over. “I killed him! Oh god oh – no I didn’t.”

The guy groaned and started moving, and Peter quickly webbed him up before he could get away, only to sense someone else moving in. He stepped back as this super cool lady grappled right in and – oh my god. 

“Miss Rom–” Wait, it wasn’t her, it was her other self, just like Mister Stark’s other version, and his heart plummetted when he remembered that she wouldn’t know him. “I’m Spiderman,” he offered. “That’s so cool – but what did you do to him? Is he going to live? Do you fight crime too?” 

How much did he say? How much did he say? “I– I’m sort of an Avenger,” he said. “Actually I am, it’s just the Avengers are sort of not a thing lately.”

The aghast tone in his voice, the pitch of it, his cadence, all came together fast to add another key detail to what her research on this world’s heroes had already turned up: yes, Spider-man was an active hero, and he was young. Maybe she’d think even horrifyingly young to be put in the line of fire, if she hadn’t been sent on her first assassination at the age of ten.

“No, you didn’t.” Nat confirmed, still shuffling through the prone body’s jacket pockets until she found a slim flash drive that she smoothly tucked into her sleeve. She flipped her hair as she stood and offered him a nonchalant smile. His stutter over her surname wasn’t missed, noted and filed away for later. “Hi, Spiderman. It was a single electric shock, he’ll live, no, I do not fight crime.” 

She rattled off answers as fast as he fired them out, an amused smile ticking at the corners of her lips. “So I’ve read. I imagine you miss it?”

Honestly, Gwen was trying her best to adjust to being stuck here, but it was difficult when she literally knew no one. She didn’t even have a place to go- mostly just sleeping in random hotel rooms and swinging back out of there in the morning before she got caught. That’s where she was coming from when she landed on the same roof as the redhead. “There’s a red and blue… spider?” It was clear from her tone that she had no idea who she was talking about. “Does this earth have a Spider-Person?”

Nat’s head tipped as she took in the woman, who sounded young, and her interesting costume with webbing designs reminiscent of this world’s Spider-man, but clearly not. And from her question, it was also obvious she wasn’t from here. That made two of them, though apparently the other Natasha had known Peter to some degree. “A red and blue friendly neighborhood Spider-man. Though that range has appeared to widened out of New York recently. And what do you call yourself?”

There was one other person RJ trusted unconditionally — NATASHA. They have similar upbringings, and she had known the man who was the entire basis for his own training. They have a bond, one that RJ appreciates since it makes working through his trauma easier just by being around someone with similar experiences. It was unfortunate that either of them knew what the feelings are like at all. “His name is Dick Grayson. He’s a detective. He has many connections within the city, and secured a room for me in this TOWER. He trusts the people there — claiming it’s the safest place for me. There are other children my age, which had been NEW. My handler kept me distanced from other children if it could be helped. He didn’t like nonsense so I wasn’t allowed to PLAY with kids my age growing up.” RJ admits as he looks over at Natasha. “Do you want to meet him? The man who took me in?” He offers since his two favorite people meeting would be NICE.”

As RJ spoke, Nat internally noted it all down, already knowing she’d be checking up on this detective to ensure that RJ was safe with him. It wouldn’t do for him to escape one situation to end up in another, and she’d fight to prevent that from happening to him. She supposed it was entirely possible this man did have good intentions, but it wasn’t in her nature to assume something that positive. Collecting children in a tower hardly sounded above board. “It’s good you’re getting to know other children your age in a non-competitive way.” That wasn’t a lie. “I would like to, if he’s alright with that.” Refusing to meet in the first place would be a red flag, and she could figure things out from there when added to whatever intel she could manage to find. Nat’s posture became a hint more relaxed, and though it sounded somewhat awkward when she spoke again, her eyes were soft. “I just want to be sure you’re safe.”

Keeping tabs on people of interest was a possibly bad, but definitely useful habit. After helping out rescue that man at the party, simply because she was there and she could, she’d been thinking even more of the motivations of the other her. It kept her up at night, more than all her other nightmares already did. So, when she spotted Rogers as she passed by a cafe she knew he frequented, Natasha gave into the whim and slipped in quietly to sit opposite him. She didn’t bother with any preamble, watching him with a perfectly neutral expression as she posed her question. “Do you really believe the motivations of the me you knew were... noble? Genuine?”

Natasha was nothing if not thorough, and at this point she could at least identify the major players of the new cities, as well as their names and abilities. Surprised wasn’t a state she liked to find herself in, and it’s one she registered dully as she took in the white-costumed person that had just swooped onto the rooftop she’d claimed as her own for a stakeout. “There seems to be a spider theme.”  Nat drawled, looking over the figure before arching her brows. “Are you with the red and blue one or was that an independent spider-choice?”

The presence of costumed heroes muddied the usual business of tailing a target and stealing intel. Apparently the type to be involved with the sort of things that brought them to her radar were the same type to foolishly, poorly rob a liquor store, and her mark had gained a second, far more brightly colored tail. Her usual policy was non-intervention, and he honestly looked like he knew what he was doing, but she wasn’t sure his intent, and she really did need the intel, so with a sharp flick of her wrist, Natasha tossed a Widow’s Bite at her target, dropping him to the ground. She grappled in soon after, and lent a few kicks as the costume wrapped up business wrangling the posse of robbers. “Hi.” Nat said nonchalantly, already stooping down to do a search on the body- still breathing, though shallowly- but looking up at the figure. “I didn’t mean to start a small swarm of spiders, but this one was already in my web.” Ha-ha. She tilted her head. “Black Widow.”

“Can you tell me who it is?” Nat placed her chin in her hand, making sure her expression was nonjudgmental and easy. Not that she needed to hear it from him when she could just as easily track him and find out herself, and not that her research would stop there, but there was a deep urge to be sure RJ was safe. If that was with whomever it was that had taken him in, so be it, but she’d learned the hard way not to trust like that. “And you’ve been staying with someone and... there are other kids your age?”

“We can keep the excessive pleasantries if you like - I’m not one for conforming to social niceties just because they’re traditional. Still, the pleasure is mine.” He gave Natasha a brief smile, wondering if Tony knew about her yet. 

“Now, that I can sympathise with. I’m ordinarily an incorrigible introvert… but I’m fairly certain there’s a lot more to this party than meets the eye. Oswald, in particular… I’m curious about his motivations in throwing it, and hiding behind a thinly veiled excuse of soliciting for donations for … penguins.”

He tripped over the last word, just a little. It had always been a bit of a curse for him.

“What’s your read on it?” 

Nat faked a joking sigh of relief and a small smile because now she was on, and had decided to not scare him away and instead keep things pleasant. “Good. I’d hate to chat about the weather when it’s been so awful.”

One eyebrow arched high at the hesitance and eventual emphasis on penguins, but she stayed quiet about it. Nat looked back around the crowd, though kept him solidly in her peripheral. She knew he was magic, and didn’t trust the possible sudden danger of it. “Well, it’s a trap.” Nat stated bluntly. “I don’t politics of the area well enough to know for who or why, but this place is far bigger than the blueprints suggest. I suspect that whatever will happen will be... dramatic to cover up some smaller true goal. Stay on your toes, Doctor.”

“I thought dressing up might be a better choice than showing up in something casual.” It wasn’t like RJ owned much, mostly wearing clothes handed down to him from Dick Grayson — which the boy was thankful for. He couldn’t exactly walk around in his uniform everywhere. It was practically like a beacon for trouble to find him, but maybe so was this party. “Did you like it?” He asks in reference to the film.

RJ is heading toward the table, glad to have been able to make her smile. Once reaching it he does see a bowl of candy, taking a few pieces. He holds some up — handing it to Natasha. “These are for you!”

“Good call.” Natasha commented approvingly, “I apparently did not lean in to the costume hard enough.” She drawled with a smile to show off the sharp fake fangs once again. Her face settled back to neutral, and she gave a very nonchalant shrug. “They used it and movies like that to train our accents, and make sure we didn’t stick out by not knowing cultural touchstones. I saw it more as homework, but the story is sweet, I think.” There was something weird and bittersweet there in never having an actual childhood, the very thing Peter Pan clung to. She supposed RJ must feel the same.

Natasha picked dark chocolate out of those he offered, a soft genuine thanks in her expression as she unwrapped it, then paused. “Oh, hm, fangs.”

oh, this was weird. while kate had never actually known the version of natasha that had existed in her universe before everything, it was still odd to see her from the past walking around. she doesn’t say that, of course, but she can’t help but think it. watching as the other scares off some asshole who thought he was being slick, she looks over in appreciation. however, when natasha’s gaze meets hers, she raises her hands to attempt to show she means no ill, taking a few steps towards her. “sorry– didn’t mean to stare. i just… overheard you telling that guy off, and i think it was badass. some guys can’t take a hint.” she chuckles softly. “i think your costume looks awesome, by the way. that dude can go futz himself.” she tucks a strand of the vibrant blue locks behind her ear, pausing for a moment as she tries to think of what to say next without making a fool of herself. or something of the sort, at least. “so – how’re you enjoying the party? it seemed sketchy, given the host, but i kinda don’t hate it.”

The young woman wasn’t the sort of leering onlooker she had expected, so Nat cooled the expression to a more neutral one, though she stayed as on guard as always. She even let a small smile touch her face, glad it had been taken positively by at least one witness. Natasha didn’t act like herself to inspire, but some small part of her hoped others could take it as a model for not letting other people mess with you. “I can’t stand that. It always feels so purposeful. They have to realize crossed arms and a glare means no thank you.” She scoffed, but at that point it was mostly amused and commiserating. The corner of her lips tugged up. “Thanks. I haven’t tried eating in them, but it feels classy.” Not in disguise, and not putting on airs, Natasha lets herself banter lightly, all while keeping a vague eye on their surroundings. “Yours is sweet, but I don’t recognize it. I’m not exactly caught up on my media.” Ha. “Definitely sketchy. Ostentatious, probably a front for something, but the atmosphere’s lively.”

The boy hasn’t been to many parties, not any for enjoyment, which makes this the first one for anything like that. RJ could have dressed in something to blend in more, but this costume was the only reference he knew REALLY. “They’re just idiots then who don’t know how to read body language.”

The mention of candy does appeal to him, even if the whole concept of this day seems SILLY. “I would like some candy. Do they have it here?” He wonders what you have to do so you’re rewarded with such a treat. “I’ll share with you.”

Natasha nodded in agreement,. “Like I said, they can be willfully idiotic sometimes if it helps them justify going after what they want.” She arched an eyebrow at him, looking vaguely amused. “Blending in usually isn’t like this, but you’re not the brightest or most ostentatiously dressed in the room. I remember when that came out, I think.”

Glancing around, Nat shrugged. “Maybe by the hors d’oevres? We can check it out.” They’d been loitering and she’d been surveying from one spot for long enough at this point, moving wouldn’t hurt. She paused, then offered a small smile. “That’s kind. Thank you, RJ.”

      he knew she was there, of course he did - how could he not? the moment the two of them were within a five-mile radius, he’d know. because he was trained to. because he loved her. always. and yet, he learned the lesson to avoid her after she nearly took his good arm. still, like a moth to a flame, he found himself gravitating to her - going into the lion’s den, he supposed. when she snapped at the waitstaff, he thought he could slip by unnoticed - but from one trained assassin to the next, she caught him.

      guiltily, he shoved the terrible wig back onto his head, his own hair sticking out underneath in a matted mess as he almost idiotically hoped she wouldn’t recognize him under the makeup and the painfully itchy costume suit. “i like your costume, you look amazing.” he finally stated, staring a bit dumbly at her before catching himself and sobering up, hardening his edges and standing firm like a steel wall. “look, about what had happened, i don’t care - you could rip my arm off and i wouldn’t care, but if you want i’ll stay to one side and you can have whatever side you want, how about that?”

For all that she’d kept a half-aware eye on him ever since first clocking his presence, catching him watching her now was the first time she’d taken in his costume in whole and she could never have predicted the single, startled laugh that bubbled out of her. The sort of pure and uncomplicated emotion reserved for him and him alone; something they’d stolen in quiet moments between violence and even then never allowed to feel safe. “Are you Beetlejuice?” 

It dropped instantly as they both snapped back to themselves, tension going sharp like a knife. She watched as he bolstered himself, hiding behind the same sort of guards she’d thrown up herself. Between them: walls and time and grief and a whole universe and her own impulsive violent actions that only showed she wasn’t this world’s Natasha, not his. Her eyes fell low, turning herself away so that even if, for just once, her facade wasn’t perfect, it wasn’t, not facing him, he wouldn’t see her expression. “No.” Natasha choked out finally, more unsure of herself than she ever let herself be, and knowing it was only because it was him, however much he wasn’t her version of him. “I don’t want that.”

      harley leaned against the bar as she watched with curiosity at the red head seemingly giving the waiter a new one. she liked her, she seemed feisty if not a little scary; right up the dangerous alley that made harley love a person. pushing herself off the bar and quite literally into someone else, harley made a face before pulling a knife out of her skirt and threatening the person she collided with - laughing a bit and blowing them a kiss as she turned and sauntered over to the ‘vampire’.

      “saw you talkin’ to the penguin crawler, if you ask me, you coulda stabbed him and gotham would have been better for it.” she stated, giving an exaggerated shrug and then grinning. “i gotta say, i think you’re pretty awesome - don’t know who the hell you are, but that’s okay, who needs names anyway? what i’m trying to say is you look like a girl who can murder six different ways until sundown and still be home for dinner without a drop of blood on ya, my name’s harley - well, i guess i do need names.”

The woman that approached her had a knife. Well- at least ten on a quick count, but one actively brandished. Natasha immediately felt the anticipatory buzz of a fight approaching, but didn’t outwardly shift at all, merely becoming even more hyperaware of her surroundings and the various knives and guns on her person. Getting her own weapons would blow whatever minimal veneer of cover she had, and she didn’t feel like leaving early as she had to escape whatever personal security this party had. The woman seemed playful, though, reveling in the fear she sparked on her way over. Alright, interesting. “I considered it.” Natasha drawled, tipping her head. “I’d read Penguin wasn’t just a fun theme, but I wasn’t sure what to think of what I learned.”

It seemed downright outlandish. The villains here were apparently colorful. She hoped by tossing out some of what she knew, she’d receive an insider’s opinion in exchange. A small smile flickered over her feature’s at the woman’s rambling. “I think I could top six ways, but you’ve got a good read. I’m Natasha.”

he knew it would’ve been better to stop, give her space and let her come around on her own. he knew bucky had talked to her, and was likely more equipped to help her – assuming she wanted help at all. but damn, he missed his friend. it wasn’t intentional, but steve found himself keeping an eye on her from a distance, watching her mannerisms and reactions to see how she was handling being here. but of course, this was natasha so she only gave so much away – nearly nothing, actually. he only knew bits of what to look for from knowing him, the other her, for what seemed like so long.

his hands raised in mock surrender when she noticed him. “hey no judgement here, i have to agree, no one has any place to question you.” he offered, only realizing after that his face still completely concealed the the costume wanda had coordinated with him. carefully moving it up on his head to reveal his face, steve offered her a friendly smile. “sorry about that. how are you doing? do you like the party? i mean, whoever that guy was aside.”

The mask was- a lot. A stretched out beak of a mouth and hollow eyes that she vaguely recognized from some movie she’d managed to see bits of even in her timeline. There were little eyeballs on the tips of his fingers. Though they’d only spoken once, she pinpointed his voice instantly; her research on him had included a lot of video, including some very strange PSAs. “Right.” She confirmed slowly, letting her expression visibly shift to an apprehensive disdain before shuttering it. Well, mostly. Even knowing of his skill and the potential threat he exhibited, she wouldn’t completely contain her judgment of his choice of costume.

Her eyebrows quirked a little and she sighed, briefly glancing away to scan the party-goers. Her intent here had been to watch and get a feel for the alleged mine-field Gotham was. “It’s... informative. The political landscape here is ridiculous. I don’t think there’s less than twenty people here both bribing and bribing others.” There, free information. Nat kept him in her periphery, always, and finally turned back to him expectantly.

“Okay- what are you?” 

Stephen had to admit: he was enjoying himself. Thoroughly. Parties weren’t his usual thing, and he had strong suspicions about this Oswald fellow, but … he had Tony Stark accompanying him, and that was more than enough to put him in a downright fantastic mood. Plus, the champagne was divine.

He was so distracted that he absentmindedly greeted Natasha with a wave, forgetting that they hadn’t met – not even in his universe, let alone between separate ones. Fortunately, his hindbrain kicked him swiftly in the mental posterior, and he checked himself. “My apologies, I should have introduced myself,” he said with a smile. “Doctor Strange. I’m part of the Avengers of this world, so I knew your counterpart – at least, by her very impressive reputation.”

He held out a hand. “If you don’t mind me being nosy - you looked like you were about to rip that waiter’s throat out. Something wrong?”

The figure waved, and she finally pinpointed him as yet another ally of this reality’s version of her. In some sense, at least. Her research seemed to indicate they were on the team at staggered times, though she supposed they could have met in private or at any other occasion than the heroism this world’s Natasha involved herself with. “I suppose I don’t need to introduce myself then.” She paused, settling again with the weight of reputation, one so at odds with who she was as a person. Not that she let it show. She shook his hand, after half a beat’s consideration of scaring him off instead. He hadn’t actually known her, though, so maybe that was an acceptable degree of separation. “Pleasure. ”

Nat coolly shrugged one shoulder. “I didn’t think this was a posture that invited small talk.” She said pointedly, smile markedly less dangerous than the other, though the sharpness still lurked around the edges. “I’m not really a people-person except when I need to be.”

The boy steps out from behind Natasha, looking around at the room. The waiter is gone which is a relief to him. “Why don’t any of these people know how to keep their eyes to themselves?” RJ was new to the whole concept of Halloween, not sure what to make of it other than how strange it has been. He was just observing mostly, somehow putting a costume together before coming to this.

RJ contemplates saying something to the onlooker, but they seem to turn away before an approach could be made.  “I wasn’t ever allowed to celebrate ANYTHING growing up. I don’t see what’s so FUN about this holiday.”

“Parties make people a little bolder in approaching strangers. Usually they still understand the pose of don’t talk to me, though.” Natasha advised, noting that he relaxed a measure. His costume was brighter than hers, but amid all the other crowd it was mostly easy to hang at the edges and watch. 

Luckily the other person did understand her cue and took off. She turned back to RJ with a nod of agreement. “Dressing up loses its appeal when disguise is part of your daily life.” She hesitated, then continued. “Kids get candy, too. We can get you some.”

The stuttering waiter had guts, Natasha would admit. She met his- likely well meant- attempt at questioning about her costume with a flat stare. Her black gown was obviously nice, and the matching lace veil fluttering over her hair and forehead wasn’t exactly regular daywear. She swished around the red wine she held a moment longer without saying anything just to watch him sweat, then smiled a brittle sharp-edged grin that exposed the vampire teeth she’d scrounged up last minute.

“I’ve seen at least three men in plain suits.” Her tone was smooth and honey-sweet, though dubiously threatening. “Maybe bother them about their clothes instead.” He scurried away, and she resumed her task of lurking and quietly observing. Her attention darted to an onlooking figure next, and she arched her eyebrows, as if daring them to also comment on her costume.