Chapter 5
Nobody on the face of the earth would enjoy being stuck in an elevator with a large group of excited teens, but Peter, Peter loathed it. Reason one: he was on his way to be utterly embarrassed by his family. Reason two: super senses and elevators full of loud, excited teens should not mix. Reason three: the spot that he had been pushed into in the elevator was right next to Flash, and there was no escape. Since Peter and Nat had joined the tour group, Flash had been throwing him scathing glares. Peter was surprised that the other teen hadn't jumped him yet.
As the elevator starts to move, Flash leaned into Peter's space and hissed in his ear, "What the fuck Parker?"
Peter didn't even think about giving Flash a response, he just rolled his eyes and turned his back on the bully. Standing so close, Peter could feel the waves of annoyance rolling off Flash. He didn't owe the other boy any kind of explanation.
"Fuck you Penis Parker. Is this some kind of joke? Did you bankrupt yourself paying off the Black Widow to act like she knows you so you can what? Look cool? What a freak."
Peter had to bite his lip not to snap back. MJ reached over, putting a hand on Peter's shoulder, shaking her head a little. She was right. No matter how much Peter wanted to tell Flash how much of dick he is, it would only inspire the bully to become more creative in his insults. Thankfully the floor that held the firing range was only a few above the public gym and as soon as Flash had finished his insults, the elevator came to a stop. The doors opened and before the students came piling out, Nat held up her hand to bring the rowdiness under control.
"Right, welcome to the firing range. Before we hop out I want you to understand that on this floor there are firearms and live munitions. I assume that you all signed a waver before this trip?" Nat asked and looked to Mr. Harrington who nodded in confirmation. "Awesome. Just don't touch any of the weaponry and we'll be fine. If someone is using the range, stay in the marked safety zone. Come on now kiddies."
Nat exited the elevator, the gaggle of students following. They entered into the safety zone that over looked the range and Peter groaned as he noticed who was currently occupying the room.
Clint was engaged in an apparently avid, one sided conversation about the merits of bow and arrow over guns with an extremely sceptical looking Bucky Barnes. Clint had yet to notice the group of fairly loud teens, which meant that the man had his hearing aids turned off. Bucky on the other hand was looking at them smile on his face and one eyebrow raised so high it was practically disappearing into his hairline. Clint, to engaged in his one sided discussion, missed Bucky's change of demeaner and Nat crept up behind him, running a finger down the man's spine. The archer practically jumped out of his skin, spinning round so quickly he would have lost his balance if not for Bucky steadying him. Nat and the teens erupted into laughter. Clint scowled, reaching up to turn on his aids.
"It's not nice to sneak up on deaf people Nat. You're teaching these random kids bad manners," the man crowed, face still scowling but tone playful.
"Anywhere outside the common room is free game Clint, honestly I'm actually not sure how you're still alive," Nat shot back. Peter rolled his eyes, both of them had the combined mental age of a five year old. "Anyway idiot, want to give these kids a demo. This is Peter's Academic Decathlon team, they walked in on Peter and I sparring so we hijacked their tour to actually show them the cool parts of the tower. Right Peter?"
Both Clint and Bucky's eyes went from Nat to him and the teen let out a pained sigh, "I suppose?"
"Pete! I didn't see you there, you're so short, just like your dad!" Clint exclaimed, causing the three avengers to giggle at their little inside joke.
"You're an ass Clint," Peter rebutted.
"And I know it, but just for you I'll give these kids a lesson in just how cool the bow and arrow is."
"Then why don't I show them that guns are far more effective?" Bucky interjected.
"You are so on."
Apparently the AcaDec team was now the mediator and judge for the weapons argument between the two ex-assassins. Peter, uninterested in their feud, ran his eyes over his classmates. Charles and Abe seemed to be caught up in the discussion on which weapon would be more effective and the amount of skill required to use each. Betty's eyes seemed fixed to Bucky's metal arm, probably mentally dissecting it. Peter had seen her researching various prosthetics for a class project earlier that week. Ned had abandoned Peter and MJ to get as close to the two avengers as possible. MJ looked as if she could care less, but there was a glint of amusement in her eyes. The rest, including Flash, were waiting in anticipation as Clint picked up his bow.
Clint hit the button on the wall that started the range's combat simulation. The flavour of the month was Chitauri. Holograms of Chitauri materialised and Clint drew his arrow, loosing it into the head of the closest alien. The hologram fell and the teens cheered. Clint continued, each arrow finding its mark. When the simulation ended, the archer turned and bowed to the over excited teens who were clapping and cheering.
"And that's how you do it!" Clint cried. Bucky just rolled his eyes and grabbed one of the guns that were mounted on the wall, staring his own simulation without a word. Peter could just feel that Buck was going to show off. The ex-assassin dispatched the Chitauri with one bullet each while executing a series of rolls and tumbles.
When Bucky finished the class was left slack jawed for the second time that day.
"Now kids, who was better?" Bucky asked, mouth set in a smirk. It took a second for the students to regain their composure but the consensus was indicated by the shouts of "You!" and "Winter Soldier!". Clint scowled, to which Bucky stuck out his tongue at the archer.
"How about Peter? Shouldn't he be included in this competition as well?" Nat suggested and Peter, on impulse, punched her lightly on the shoulder.
"Now why would I be included?" He whined.
"You can test out the new web-shooters that you've been working on for Spider-Man?"
Peter didn't even need to look at his team mates to feel their shocked reaction.
Clint stepped forward and clapped his hand on the teens shoulder, "What a fantastic idea Nat! Come on!"
The ex-assassin steered Peter into the shooting zone, where he pressed the mentioned web-shooters into the teens hands. Peter figured that there would be less of a fuss if he just competed in their stupid competition. He slipped the web-shooters onto his wrists with another sigh.
Bucky pressed the start button for him. The hologram Chitauri swarmed towards him, catching Peter in the moment.
The teen thwipped out webs, stopping the holograms in their tracks. He deliberately tries to throw some shots in the beginning, but FRIDAY the mastermind behind the simulation must have noticed and double down the holographs attack, forcing Peter to take the simulation more seriously. When the final Chitauri was downed, the teen let out a breath he hadn't realised he'd been holding. Peter slid the web-shooters off his wrists, mentally commenting on changes that would make them more efficient.
Peter turned to face the class and the other avengers. Nat, Clint and Bucky had proud smiles on their faces. The AcaDec team were once again slack jawed.
Peter was really starting to hate that look.