Aunt May stood by the door, looking curiously at the striking red-haired woman beside her.
"This beauty looks about my age," she thought, puzzled.
"How could Garfield and Holland know someone like her?"
Garfield and Holland themselves were no less confused.
"Uh… hi, do we know you?" Holland asked carefully.
Natasha smiled.
"No, we haven't met. But I have something important to tell you."
Turning to May, she added politely,
"Would you mind if I spoke to them alone?"
Though May felt a flicker of suspicion, she nodded.
"Of course."
The two boys glanced at each other nervously.
"Why would a woman like this want to see us? Could our identities have been discovered?"
They led Natasha upstairs into Holland's room.
…
Meanwhile, Maguire was just about to leave when the door opened.
And there she was—Natasha Romanoff.
For a split second, surprise flashed across her face.
*What is he doing here? Could he be Spider-Man too? No… impossible. If he were, S.H.I.E.L.D. would have detected it long ago. He must just be their friend.*
Maguire, however, immediately understood. Natasha was here to recruit Garfield and Holland for the Avengers. Relief washed over him.
*Perfect. Take these two chatterboxes away, let them play hero with the big kids, and stop pestering me about their "Spider Alliance."*
Natasha straightened, masking her thoughts.
"Would you step out for a moment?"
Maguire gave a faint smile and left without a word.
…
Inside the room, the two boys stared at Natasha, still bewildered.
Before they could speak, she tapped a wrist device. A holographic screen appeared, displaying images of both of them in their Spider-Man suits.
Their eyes widened.
"Our identities—she knows…"
Natasha spoke calmly.
"I'm Natasha Romanoff, an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. It's a secret organization dedicated to protecting this planet. Ordinary people don't know about us. You don't need to be afraid—I mean you no harm.
"You've already seen the Lizard… and yesterday, the Scorpion. There are many more like them. Monsters and threats far beyond normal human control. That's why I'm here—to invite you to join a division of S.H.I.E.L.D. tasked with confronting them."
The two boys were dumbstruck. After several long seconds, they finally asked,
"If we join… does that mean we can't go to school anymore?"
Natasha couldn't help but chuckle.
"You'll still live your lives as you choose. We'll only call on you when you're needed."
The idea appealed to both of them. They loved helping people, loved being heroes. To do so officially, with the backing of something greater—it was tempting.
But they held back. Garfield spoke carefully.
"Alright… we'll think about it. Can we give you an answer in a few days?"
"Of course," Natasha said with a small smile. She handed them her number.
"Call me anytime. I'll be waiting."
With that, she headed downstairs.
…
In the kitchen, Aunt May was laughing as Maguire guided her hand on the knife, showing her how to chop properly. She was delighted by his methods, absorbed in the moment. The room radiated warmth and ease.
Natasha paused at the bottom of the stairs, her chest tightening with an unfamiliar discomfort.
May didn't even notice her presence at first, too focused on Maguire.
"Sorry for interrupting," Natasha said softly. "I'll be going now."
Only then did May glance up.
"Oh—goodbye."
And she turned back to her lesson, smiling brightly.
Maguire, catching Natasha's departure, gave her a sidelong glance—casual, but knowing.
Her face, though outwardly calm, no longer carried its usual bright confidence.
…
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