Chapter Text
Monday, 6:47 AM, June 19th, 1983.
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Peter was not an ideal Omega.
He was brash and he laughed too loudly and talked too much. He was too outspoken and paranoid and had too many scars. He had too much muscle compared to the skinny and fragile bodies that normal Omegas had and he was smarter than a lot of Alphas he's ever met.
Peter knew how to cook and clean and sew, he knew how to take care of the people around him just like every other Omega. But he was still too forward and he smelled too strongly of copper and black tea for any Alpha to find him attractive.
No Alpha has ever wanted an Omega like Peter.
Which was fine by Peter, he didn't need an Alpha, he's survived perfectly fine without one.
Peter slowly sipped his Russian Caravan tea he had taken from Charles' tea cabinet. He was leaning back against the kitchen counter and staring out the archway as multiple younger mutants walked through the corridor. It hadn't even been a full week after the mansion was rebuilt but the students were already settling back into their previous dorms. Classes had already ended on the 15th so they had until September to make sure everything was in working order and everyone was alright.
Peter's injuries had healed a few days before the mansion was rebuilt and it seemed as though the others such as Kurt and Ororo were settling in just fine while Warren and Alex were still recovering from their injuries.
Erik had decided to stick around and Peter still didn't know what to think of it.
Peter refocused his attention when Charles entered the kitchen with Jean behind him. When Peter first met the Professor he could walk so he was still getting used to the whole wheelchair and having no hair thing. He was really more confused about the man suddenly not having hair.
Charles smiled upon seeing the silver-haired mutant, "Peter, good morning!" Peter nodded his head in response, "Charles, Jean." The younger Telepath waved to him with a smile before she turned and left the kitchen, most likely going up to her room. "Is there something you need this early in the morning?" Charles stopped his wheelchair across from Peter on the other side of the kitchen island, "Actually, there is something I need you to do for me." Peter pursed his lips and took a sip from his tea. He hadn't expected the older mutant to actually need something, nonetheless something from him.
Peter's silence compelled Charles to continue, "Raven and I had a long chat last night about the school and the students, or lack thereof. Jean and I just finished talking about it as well." Peter hummed into his tea, "We were thinking about sending a few of the X-Men off to talk to the parents of mutants that could potentially become future students." Peter raised an eyebrow and lowered his red teacup, "So, like, enrollment? Talking to parents and telling them about the school? Stuff like that?"
Charles grinned, something akin to satisfaction in his eyes, "Yes, precisely like that." Peter hummed again, "And, what, exactly does that have to do with me?" Peter thinks he knows exactly what that has to do with him. Charles sat up a little straighter, "Well, the others are still settling in and signing up for their own classes here. So seeing as you're the oldest and don't have school-" Peter inwardly winced "-Raven and I thought it would be perfect for you to go along with one of us."
Peter inhaled and stared down at his tea for a few seconds before he looked up at Charles. "You know what? Sure, fuck it, I'll do it." Charles beamed, "Excellent, Peter. Come, I'll tell you more about the assignment in my office."
So Peter quickly finished his tea and followed Charles out of the kitchen and to his office.
The headmaster's office wasn't that small but it seemed almost cramped with the large desk and chairs in the centre of the room and the bookshelves lining the left and right walls. There were two large windows on either side of the headmaster's desk that allowed light to stream in. The entire room had knick-knacks scattered around here and there and there were a lot of papers and random items scattered on the surface of Charles' desk. The room was filled with the older Omega's scent of pine and Earl Grey tea and the strong scent of aluminium and gun powder that Peter easily identified as his dad's own Alpha scent.
"Okay," Charles started when he had settled behind his desk and Peter had sat down in one of the leather chairs in front of the desk. "I have already located the first mutant that you and your teammate will meet with-" Peter held up his hand, "Okay, wait, who am I going with?" Charles smiled, "Raven and I have decided that it would be wise to send Hank off for a few weeks, seeing as he has yet to come out of his lab since it's been rebuilt." Peter pursed his lips, he had no problem going with the scientist. He was one of the few in the mansion that Peter could actually tolerate. "We would've sent Alex out with you but he is sadly still recovering." Peter could understand, though he managed to save Alex he wasn't able to save him from the burns he received from the explosion.
Peter leaned back in the leather chair as Charles continued. "You and Hank will first meet with the parents of Drew Larson in Davenport, Iowa." Charles opened a drawer on his desk and pulled out a sheet of paper, "And then you will speak with the father of Cherry Fisher in Lincoln, Nebraska. After that, you will go to Denver, Colorado to speak with the parents of Robin Carver and then to Aspen, Colorado to meet with the mother of Jasmine Waters." He read from the paper, "Those are only the younger ones, all 11 to 13-years-old. These last two will be 15 and 17-years-old. In Austin, Texas you will meet with the mothers of Bonny Williams. And to top your road trip off, you and Hank will travel to Astoria, Oregon to speak with the father of Cynthia Aetos." Charles looked up from the paper, "Raven and I have decided that six is enough for now."
Peter inhaled and closed his eyes, "I- You said 'road trip', Charles, implying that we're driving. How long is this going to take?" Charles smiled, a twinkle in his eyes, "Including the stops you two will have to take and potential traffic? About two weeks, maybe less, maybe more. You won't know until you're on the road. And while the two of you are on the road Raven will be looking into two new potential professors." Peter rubbed his temples.
He comes back from Oxford for his two-week Easter break and he already has the leave again? Then again, classes are already pushed back for the foreseeable future because of Apocalypse so he might have two weeks to spare. But what if his own headmaster calls? Then what? He can't just suddenly leave the X-Men so soon. But it would only be for around a month and a half and then he would be back, and then potentially he would start working at the school after he graduated. He could also call his headmaster and talk to him about this.
Peter opened his eyes and held out his hand, Charles handed the sheet of paper to him and his eyes swept over it. The paper contained driving routes, the addresses, and the names of the six families. At the bottom was also a list of addresses to hotels and motels that they would pass on their way to each destination.
At least the Telepath wasn't letting Hank and him go in blind.
Peter exhaled and set the paper down, "Alright, I have some time to spare. Do we have to leave now or can I have a few days? I do still have to finish setting up my room and I have to visit my mom." Charles nodded and grabbed the paper again, "Of course, you two don't have to leave just yet, I will give you both until Saturday morning to get on the road." That gave Peter more than enough time, "Now, Hank has just come up from the subbasement and I have to talk to him." Peter nodded and stood up from the leather chair, "Okay, should I go get him, or are you gonna use your powers?" Charles smiled, "If you would go and get him for me, please." Peter gave the man a mock salute and moved towards the door.
Before he left, however, he turned around, "Can I see one of those?" Peter pointed to a cardholder on Charles' desk containing cards that looked like the older one he had lost during the explosion.
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5:57 PM
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Peter took note of the black motorcycle, the red 1971 Cadillac Deville, and the brown 1978 Jeep Wrangler parked in front of his house as he pulled out his keys from the back pocket of his jeans.
He walked up the steps to his front door and quietly unlocked the door with his copy of the keys and slipped inside his house, closing the door softly behind him. Peter was instantly hit with warm air, a large difference from the cold spring air from outside, and the scent of apples.
He slipped off his beat-up grey and white running shoes and carefully placed them down next to the pair of brown snow boots and multiple other pairs of shoes next to the front door. Peter quietly put his keys back into his pocket and slowly crept down the hall where photos lined the walls towards the living room, he leaned against the archway and just looked at the scene silently with a smile on his face.
In the middle of the living room, John and Roberto were engaged in what appeared to be a dance-off against each other with their boyfriends as their dance partners. 'Come on Eileen. Oh, I swear (what he means)' John spun Bobby in a circle, 'At this moment you mean everything' Roberto just seemed to be dancing recklessly with Lance beside him who was moving just as wildly as his boyfriend. The two didn't even seem to be dancing the same dance. Or to the same song. 'You in that dress. My thoughts (I confess)' On the floor away from the commotion sat Rahne, clapping her hands along to the music and cheering both sides on.
All of the furniture including the TV and its stand had been moved against the wall, most likely so they wouldn't get destroyed by their dancing.
In the corner of the living room, Katerina was reading a book in a brown leather armchair. She was turning the pages quietly and tapping her foot to the beat that the others had playing on the record player that sat on the table next to her. The ex-assassin looked up and met Peter's eyes with her own light brown eyes, the Beta winked and hid a small smirk behind her book. Peter tried to suppress his own smile and he turned around to go into the kitchen across the hall.
Peter's mom was leaning back against the kitchen counter, her head bobbing to the record in the living room that was still easily heard. His sisters were hopping around the kitchen, Lorna had yellow daffodils growing out of her emerald green hair and Wanda was waving a yellow ribbon around in the air using her Telekinesis. Sitting on one of the bar stools was Todd who was idly tapping his fingers against the counter. The kitchen smelled like apple pie and Peter could see a large pot of stew boiling on the stove.
Wanda spun around and nearly tripped when she saw Peter standing in the archway, Lorna bumped into her back and stared at Peter. Both of their faces broke into large grins. "Pietro!" The yellow ribbon dropped from the air as Wanda and Lorna scrambled towards Peter.
Peter dropped to one knee and swept the two of them up in his arms, picking the twin 14-year-old Alphas up easily and swinging them in the air as they let out delighted screeches of laughter. "How are my little menaces doing? Oh, you've both gotten so big." Peter set the twins down and ruffled their hair, "I know I'm strong but I won't be able to carry you two anymore if you keep growing." Wanda chuckled as she fixed her auburn hair and Lorna huffed as she ran her fingers through her own hair, "S'not our fault that you're short."
Peter held a hand over his chest, offended. "Excuse me, I am not short." Their mom chuckled and moved towards them, "Please Pietro, you're below average height for our nationality. Don't deny it." Peter smiled and gave her two kisses on her cheek, her sweet scent of raspberries and vanilla cupcakes filling his nose. "I don't like it when you expose me, Mom." Marya kissed his cheek twice as well and giggled, "I'm your mother, it's what I do." The older Omega turned around back into the kitchen and Peter pulled away only to almost get knocked over when Todd got up and hugged him.
Peter laughed and hugged the younger Omega back, "Hey dude, it's good to see you too." Todd only burrowed his head further into his chest and Peter got the message and tightened his arms around his brother, breathing in his scent of gingerbread and mud as Todd started purring softly.
Peter looked back but didn't let go of Todd when John left the living room, Lorna and Wanda trailing after him. "Pietro," John grinned and Peter raised an eyebrow, "And here I thought Wanda was lying when she said a certain rat bastard was back in town after saving the world."
Peter sighed and rolled his eyes with a smile, "Yeah, yeah, zip it, Sunshine." Peter spread out one arm and John joined the hug, burying his face into his shoulder. "It's good to see you again, mate." Peter smiled, "Back at you, punk." John snorted and pulled back as the others also left the living room.
Bobby smiled and gave Peter a quick hug, "Sorry, I'm a little sweaty." Peter snorted, "It's fine, nothing compared to those two." Roberto and Lance were very visibly sweating and Lance was leaning against Rahne who waved happily at Peter. Roberto weakly raised his hand in greeting and Katerina nodded her head as she tucked her book under her left arm.
Marya glanced away from the pot of stew she was stirring, "You better go shower before dinner, I'm not about to have four sweaty boys at the dinner table." The four of them spoke in unison, "Yes, Aunty Marya." John spoke up, "Dibs on upstairs shower!" "Dibs on downstairs shower!" His boyfriend called after him and they both bolted towards the bathrooms before Lance and Roberto could even speak.
Rahne snorted, "I'll bring them their clothes," she jabbed her thumb towards the basement. It was Peter's room and the room that the others slept in and used to store the clothes they kept at the Maximoff Residence for whenever they visited, which was quite often, seeing as the guest room had been turned into Todd's room years ago.
Rahne shook Lance's arm off of her shoulder and jogged down the steps and Katerine snorted, coming up behind the two boys. "How about the two of you sit down," The two boys nodded and went back into the living room where Wanda and Lorna went to sit until dinner. Katerina looked at Peter and smirked, "Clingy frog you got there," Todd grumbled into Peter's chest, "Not a frog," Peter laughed, "Yeah, Todd over here is a toad. How dare you say otherwise, Kat."
The Russian grinned and clasped her right hand on Peter's shoulder, "It's good to have you back, Кролик." Peter smiled, "It's good to be back, Лютик." Russian was Katerina's mother tongue, not Peter's, so his Russian was tinged with his own unique European accent. Peter may have learned how to drop his accent when speaking English but you could easily hear his accent in the other European languages he spoke. Katerina laughed and dropped her hand from his shoulder. "You left so suddenly earlier, we were worried."
Peter had left so abruptly after Erik was on TV and didn't call until after the mansion was rebuilt so it made sense that they had been worried about him.
Peter used his free hand to rub the back of his neck, his other arm still wrapped around Todd. "Yeah, sorry, I really should have warned you all where I was going but Apocalypse happened and there was just so much going on that it took me some time to remember to call." Katerina nodded and grabbed her book from under her arm, "As long as you don't do that again." Peter smiled, guilty, and chuckled nervously. Katerina narrowed her light brown eyes, "Why are you laughing like that? What you gonna do?"
Peter held up his free hand placatingly, "This is something that I think I should tell you all at the same time." Katerina raised her head and looked into his eyes, "You better," the Beta set her book down on one of the bar stools and went into the kitchen to help set the table for dinner.
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6:28 PM
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Lorna huffed and crossed her arms, "That's so stupid! You just came back and you already have to leave?" Peter smiled apologetically, "I know, look, I'm not exactly happy about it either but it's only gonna be for about two weeks. And I already called my headmaster and he said that he would send the rest of my schoolwork over for me to finish while I'm here so that all I'll have to do is turn the work in when I go back to Oxford for finals and graduation." Peter added when he saw the question in his mom's green eyes.
Marya had made spicey beef stew with carrots, potatoes, mushrooms, and a finished apple crumble sitting in the oven for dessert. All eleven of them were sat at the long rectangle dining table that Marya bought years ago when she realized how many people would be eating at her house. On the left side sat Roberto, Lance, Rahne, and Katerina. Across from them sat Bobby, John, Todd, and Peter. On one end of the table sat Marya and across from her were Wanda and Lorna.
Lance shrugged and grabbed another roll of bread from the basket, "As long as Pietro's back for good then I think we can excuse about two more weeks of him being gone." Roberto spoke from beside his Omega boyfriend, "The one thing that I'm worried about is the X-Men. Pietro being a part of the X-Men means that we aren't gonna have him, you've already been gone for a little under two years but you also said that once you graduate that you'll work at the school anyway which gives us even less time together." Peter pursed his lips and set down his spoon, "That's another thing," He reached into his pocket and pulled out the card he grabbed from Charles' cardholder and set it down in the middle of the dining table. Katerina set down her cup of water and grabbed it.
"Charles hasn't said anything about ages, I've seen students that are in their early 20's there. It's a school for mutants and everyone sat here at this table is a mutant. Mom is the only one who is currently graduated and I only have a month and a half before graduation. Imagine it, a school that we all get to go to, a place where we all get to live and learn together."
"And what about Manhattan?"
Katerina asked while looking down at the card, "We can't just abandon our duties as members of the Brotherhood of Mutants. Mercury's already been away for almost two years and then suddenly the entire Manhattan Brotherhood is gone?" Peter sighed and leaned back in his seat, "That's the only thing that I still don't have a solution for. I was thinking now that I'm back that I could use my Superspeed to get us from the mansion to Manhattan but other than that I have nothing."
Marya spoke up, "We still have until Pietro comes back from his road trip to figure these little details out, until then let's just enjoy ourselves." Peter nodded, "And I mean, technically, I have until Saturday morning before Hank and I have to be on the road and I already finished setting up my room at the mansion. I basically have all week here in Manhattan." Marya smiled and used her own Telekinesis to pick up the glass pitcher of iced hibiscus tea and pour some into her glass, "That's excellent dear, now speaking of your road trip do you think you have everything you'll need?"
Peter groaned, "Mom, I just said I have until Saturday morning. I don't even need to start planning until Thursday at least." Marya used her mutation again to pour iced tea in Roberto's cup, "I know, but you should get a head-start so you don't do things at the last second like you always do." She, Lorna, and Wanda giggled and soon everyone around the table joined in. Peter slipped a small smile as everyone laughed before he started laughing too.
He had until the end of the week to spend time with his pack and Peter was going to enjoy it.