chapter two
“Peter, your school’s tour group is here.”
Peter groaned and shoved the covers off. He didn’t bother changing out of his pajamas, there was no point if he’d be wearing his suit. He ate breakfast, ever aware that his class would soon be moving on from the lobby to the conference halls and labs, and then, where the Avengers worked and lived.
He put the suit in. “Karen?”
“Yes, Peter?”
“Can you do the voice changer thingy?”
“Yes, I can.”
“Thanks.”
Peter made his way through the halls. He couldn’t see the other Avengers anywhere. He brushed his worried thoughts away and discreetly made his way down to the lobby using the vents. He swung down from one of the openings just as the class was moving out of the lobby.
He heard several gasps and everyone flocked over to him. He took a step back.
“H-hi. Is this the tour group?”
He looked at his teacher who nodded.
Peter waved. Flash shoved his way the front. “Do you know Peter Parker?” Flash demanded. “He says he works here as an intern but, I mean, how believable is that. A high schooler, working here?”
“I’ve met him a few times. Him too,” Peter pointed to Ned.
Flash glowered.
Another group stepped through the doors and their already excited chatter went up volumes when they saw Peter. “How many schools are coming today?”
“Two,” their tour guide, Max, said. He grinned. “Maybe they could ask some questions? If that’s alright with you, of course.”
“Sure,” Peter said in a small voice. “Just- one at a time please.”
The classes gathered around him and several people raised their hands. Peter gestured to one of the girls.
“What’s it like having powers?” she asked.
“Kind of surreal. I never expected it to happen, much less be here.”
“Do you know the Avengers?” The question was asked by Abe.
Peter nodded. “Yeah. We work together, I sometimes get to go on missions with them.”
“Will, you ever officially become an Avenger?”
“Yeah, I will. Once I get more experience”
“How old are you?”
Peter lowered his head, just slightly.
“I’ll graduate soon.”
“College?” Peter didn’t recognize who asked that, it was one of the boys from the other school.
“Err, not exactly.”
“How do your powers work?” Cindy asked.
“Well-” Peter felt the familiar tingling at the back of his neck. He stepped back again. “I was bitten by a spider.”
“Did all your powers come from the spider?” Another question from the other school.
“Do your webs come from the spider. How do you make those how do they work?”
“Well-” Peter held out a hand and looked up. He shot a web up the ceiling and swung up. On the ground below, the groups began chattering excitedly. The volume made Peter wince.
“What are you doing up here, Clint?”
Clint grinned. “Checking things out. So,-” he nodded at the people below, “first time people get to meet you, ask questions.”
“Yeah.”
“You need help?”
Peter rubbed his neck and bit his lip. “It is kind of overwhelming.”
Clint looked at him. “You didn’t have to come down here.”
Peter shrugged then jumped back down. Everyone looked at him, shocked, and in awe. “Just the bird,” he said.
“What bird?”
“Me.” Clint dropped down beside him.
“Hey, Spidey.”
“Hey…”
“Why aren’t you doing that thing Tony told you to do.”
“Thing…” Peter looked at him, confused.
“You know. The thing Tony said to do last night.” Clint rose an eyebrow. “Because you need it.”
“Oh. That thing.” Why Clint hadn’t just told him Tony wanted him to stay in the living quarters and rest Peter had no idea. “Yeah… I’ll go do that now.” He waved. “Bye.” He swung back up to the ceiling and disappeared into the vents.
Clint spread his arms and grinned. “Any questions for me?” The group bombarded him with questions. Max sighed. Ned was still looking at the vent Peter disappeared into.
Peter was in the kitchen when Ned first texted him. He had gotten more sleep and was feeling considerably better. His headache was gone and his throat no longer hurt.
Ned: Dude
Pete: what?
Ned: that was you
Pete: yeah
Ned: what was it like
Pete: the questions?
Ned: yeah
Pete: kind of nerve-racking. I only thought our class would be here. The other group was unexpected
Ned: they told us we’d be going with another group on the bus, you okay now?”
Pete: I’m good, enjoy the tour
Ned: thanks :)
Peter set his phone aside. His mask was off but he kept his suit on. Just in case, of course. He went to the fridge and dug through it before sitting it back down, an apple in hand. His spidey-sense tingled and he stiffened. He strained his ears and heard footsteps and people talking in the hall. People, he knew were not the Avengers.
Hastily he pulled his mask on, only leaving his mouth uncovered so he could eat. Peter ate quickly, casting nervous glances at the door every so often. He finished the apple and completely pulled the mask on.
Someone knocked on the door. Peter quickly stood and the chair landed on the floor with a loud crash. He picked it up and went to the door. Someone came up behind him and he jumped and spun around.
“It’s just me.” Natasha. Peter relaxed.
He jerked his head to the door. “There’s people out there.”
“Aah. Must be the tour. They were asking if they could see this place.”
“My stuff is everywhere.”
“I’ll just step outside and talk to them. You get it picked up.” Peter nodded.
As soon as Natasha stepped outside he gathered all his things and stuffed them in his closet. As an added measure he locked his room. Peter paced the room while waiting for the class to come barging into the place he lived.
Clint tumbled down from the vents. “Hey.”
“Hi. The tour is coming in here.”
“Just string yourself up in a corner or something. They won’t notice you.”
“They will notice me.”
“Oh well look at that. Hello!” Peter spun around. The tour group finally stood in the place he called home. Natasha walked over to them and stood close behind Peter.
“Hello,” Peter turned and looked at Clint. Clint only grinned.
“Would you three like to give a short tour?” Max asked, smiling.
“Sure!” Clint said. Natasha nodded. Natasha Clint led them around the place, Peter following closely behind, staying silent.
“What’re those rooms back there,” Flash asked. He was pointing down the hall that led to the bedrooms. Peter’s, bedroom.
“Those are the bedrooms,” Peter said.
Flash looked at the rooms, curiosity sparking in his eyes. “Can we see them?”
“No,” Peter said while Clint said, “Probably not.” They looked at each other. Clint shook his head. “Sorry, no. We’d need the other’s permission.” Peter breathed a sigh of relief.
“You look happy,” someone from the other school asked. “You hiding something?”
Peter froze. “No.” He stepped close to Clint. “I’m not hiding.”
“He couldn’t even if he tried,” Natasha said. “It is hard to keep secrets when living with trained spies.”
“Let’s see some of the labs,” she said. “I’m sure Bruce would love to show some projects off.” And to Peter, “Go train for awhile. I’ll meet you there.”
Peter nodded.
He was training when it happened, an alarm went off. He and the other Avengers had to leave. It’d be a quick mission, they’d be back within hours. It was just a stray alien, a species Thor and Lokie recognized and knew how to defeat. It’d be no problem. No problem at all.