The Airport
When Riley was offered a free trip to New York, they expected it was going to be a month or even longer away. So when Riley was woken up at the ass-crack of dawn to their parents handing them a suitcase and shoving them out the door, they weren't sure what to expect.
Not even a goodbye?
Thankfully, Ryan, their dear little brother was the one driving them to the airport, laughing at the plight Riley got roped into. At least they always had an ally in their beloved gremlin brother, who didn't bother to understand what the rest of his family talked about.
Riley liked it that way.
"It's weird, but think about it. You might find your hidden purpose while you're there, and not bounce so much when it comes to science."
"I like robotics," Riley reminded. "That's my main field of expertise."
Ryan chuckled, eyes glued to the road. "You know what I mean. Get some passion for something."
"I'm passionate!"
"Don't lie to me. We both know better than that." Ryan hummed thoughtfully as they pulled up to the airport, quickly approaching the drop off point. "I really hope going there helps you. If not, you can always try on me to hear you rant."
Rant. Well, they’d both spent much of their elementary through college years leaning on the other, so Riley was well aware that Ryan would always be there. “You can rant to me too you know.”
“I know. Now come on, out you go.” Ryan pulled up to the drop off area, and helped pull Riley’s stuff out, get all their stuff ready.
Riley really appreciated Ryan. They both were a bit different from the rest of their family. And Ryan certainly was visibly different. Calloused hands and arms scraped up from his work, a thick beard on his chin, and a heavyset build that always felt nice to hug. Pretty opposite from most of the family. But Riley liked how normal Ryan was. Always found solace in their dependable little brother, who’s dark eyes always twinkled with mischief. Seriously, the best person Riley knew. “I’ll miss you when I’m away.”
Ryan just chuckled heartily, a warm smile gracing his features. “I’m always a single phone call away Rye,” he said, affectionately using his nickname for Riley. “You’re better than those scientists in New York, so you’ll be fine.”
“I’m sure I will. Thanks.”
“Now, give me a hug!”
Riley laughed, cheeks burning from their laughter as they hugged their brother, enveloped in his warm embrace. They’d call for sure to give their dear little brother updates.
He pulled away from the hug, ruffling Riley’s short hair. “Go do science.”
“That’s… so dumb.”
“Eh. What do I say then? Go commit atrocities?”
“I fucking hope not!” They laughed together before finally waving goodbye, and Ryan took off while Riley entered the airport, looking for where they should check in their suitcase, finding the airline they’re flying with fairly easy, and a familiar face.
And it seemed they noticed Riley first washing them over. Curious, Riley trotted over with their things to meet with the man named Harry they met last night. He seemed to be waiting to check his own bags in, offering a kind smile to Riley.
“Didn’t expect to see some random stranger I ran into,” Riley commented as they got in line. “You grounds home?”
“I am. My father already breezed through all of this. I woke up late and he left without saying anything.” Harry said with a sigh. “He’s a bit forgetful at times unfortunately.”
Riley’s parents were the same. “I feel like it’s just a trait of scientists at this point,” Riley joked lightly as the line in front of them slowly inched forward. “I’m honestly rather forgetful myself.”
“I suppose you have a point there. So, what’s making you travel?” Harry questioned.
“Parents mostly. I can’t be too upset about it though. My brother told me it would be a good experience.” And at least they ran the chance of meeting another Spider-Person this way. Possibly… “I would be happier, but…”
“Out of the blue?”
“Yes! It’s out of the blue!” Riley agreed quickly. “I woke up to my parents shoving me out the door, excited for my trip.”
“Rough morning then?”
“A bit.” Especially when Riley realized that jumping Spider from last night had followed them home. They spent so much time making an enclosure for the poor thing. Thankfully, they could have their robots provide food and things the spider would need, but it took up a lot of their night.
The spider’s name was Franklin.
“Oh, I’m up next. Well, I’ll see you around.” Harry waved off as their slow crawl towards the front ended, and went to the next person to be helped. Riley didn’t wait long either. They had their bordering pass in hand, and their ID, the whole process of checking their suitcases in went rather smoothly.
TSA went smoothly as well. Their suit and a handful of their robots being undetectable in the bag, seen as a small simple electronic. No one bat an eye as they moved on. The airport was always busy, but there wasn’t any pushing or shoving at least, Riley managed to walk to their gate fine, stopping to get breakfast at one of the stores that were open early in the day.
Funnily enough, they saw two familiar faces this time. One being Harry, and the other being… Mr. Osborn? The two were chatting, with Harry seeming a bit exasperated with Mr. Osborn. Riley could assume they knew each other. Maybe Harry knew his kid?
And then there was something strange. Riley’s head wasn’t ringing this time. No sense of danger emanating from either men. Strange.
As they approached the gate, Mr. Osborn seemed to see them, turning away from Harry. “Ah, Riley, good to see you again. You excited for a trip to New York?”
Harry seemed a bit startled at Mr. Osborn greeting Riley. “Dad, you know them?”
Dad? Well thank explained a few things.
“Riley here is the child of Naomi and Martin Rowe. And younger sibling of Taylor Klone and Tyler Covette. Mrs. Klone was being honored last night, don’t you recall?” Mr. Osborn informed, listing out the long line of scientists. “I offered them an opportunity to visit New York to check out our headquarters there. Riley’s field of study is technology.”
Definitely was a bit more specific than that… “my parents thought it would be a good experience,” Riley claimed. “I wasn’t aware you two were related, but I suppose I see some of the resemblance.” No they did not. Well… a bit? Seeing it now, Harry had similar facial features, but Riley didn’t see it.
“We’ll, I suppose that means you’re traveling back to New York with us,” Harry commented with a sigh. His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he was quick to pick it up, reading the caller ID and quickly waving goodbye as they went to answer.
Must’ve been something important.
“Don’t mind him. If anything, it’s either his wife fretting over when he gets home, or his friend sending more baby pictures,” Mr. Osborn informed. “I’m sure the two of you will get along fine. As I’m sure you’ll get along with the many researchers and scientists under my employ.”
They would not. “I thank you for the opportunity Mr. Osborn.”
“Please, call me Norman.”
They would not.
Riley may not have had their spider-senses tingling this time around, but they still felt on edge around both Norman and Harry. He wasn’t sure why either. It just nestled a bit under their skin, leaving them in a state of major discomfort.
“Do you know where I’ll be staying?”
Norman nodded. “I have you set up in a rather nice-“
Harry interrupted, putting away their phone. “Peter called and said he’d look after the kid because where you put people is terrifying.”
“But-“
“Mj agreed to host them for the week, and they have a guest room.”
What was happening? Genuinely? Riley was confused as to why some random guy and his wife? Would offer them a place to stay. Riley didn’t care either way, they could always ditch it all and stay on a rooftop if they really hated it.
“Why would either of them offer it?”
“Peter knows their parents. Kinda. He worked with Riley’s parents before and when I mentioned their name, He wanted to meet them.”
It seems Riley’s parents made waves. They already were well aware of that, but never expected the connections to have such a wide net. The legacy continued on and Riley was already dreading the trip.
Was there a way to turn back? No. No! This would be a good experience.
Or at least an experience the needed to have. Despite Riley’s annoyance and complaints, they did want to go to New York. They had just wished it was more on their own terms.
Their eyes jumped to the bickering father-son duo, seeing just a glimpse of what was inevitably waiting for them in New York.
Chaos. And certainly lots of it. A tight unease gripping at them, and a dull tug towards their destination.
This was looking to be a trip to remember. And Riley hadn’t even taken off the ground yet.
Riley noticed they were starting to board already, glancing at their ticket. At least it would be a short flight. Dealing with Norman and Harry was already starting to grate on their nerves.
Two hours. Just… two more hours.