Chapter 7
Peter watched as Flash's face turned stormy and as Peter had predicted, the other boy blew up.
"What the actual FUCK Parker! I can't believe this shit. I don't know how you did this, who's dick did you have to suck to even get in the fucking building, let alone up here!" Flash raged stepping forwards into Peter's space in an open act of aggression. Peter just grimaced as Flash continued. "And even I have to admit, that somehow getting the Black Widow in on your little lie is a master stroke but this is all too much. You've been peddling this lie of an internship for years now, even before the blip! But you made a mistake you know? There's no way that you're an intern because we went through the intern's lab before we 'coincidently' met up with you. Why don't you just fess up before this gets any more embarrassing?!"
The shouting left Peter's sensitive ears ringing. He, more than ever, wanted to punch Flash in his smug face. How dare he accuse Peter of, what, sexual favours to get into the building? That was just foul. Then accusing him of using Nat? That women was like his aunt! In no world would he even dream about doing such a thing. The class was watching on. Some of their faces indicated that on some level, they agreed with what Flash had just screamed in Peter's face. Others, including Ned and MJ, looked like they wanted to beat Flash into the ground with a baseball bat.
Sarah's face was scrunched up in disgust and if it was possible, Mr. Harrington would have smoke billowing out his nostrils in anger. But before anybody could make a move in the stunned silence, a warm hand settled on Peter's shoulder.
Harley's voice came out calm and controlled, "Excuse me, but who do you think you are? Spouting such accusations is warrant to remove you from the building."
Peter had never been more grateful to Harley than in that moment. He could tell that his boyfriend was barely containing himself. But as Pepper had once told them: 'People are looking for a reaction when they poke you. If you don't give them that pleasure, your chances of winning an argument go through the roof'.
Flash seemed to cowl at Harley's presence, obviously not having noticed the other boy when the class had been taking in the sight of the lab. His fear was well earned too. Harley was a six foot wall of lean muscle, towering over the other boy, eyes hard and cold.
"I think the question is, who are you? You another flunky Penis Parker convinced to go along with his lie? Why don't you back up buddy?" Flash managed, though clearly not as confident as his earlier accusations. Good, Peter thought.
"Uncooperative as well," Harley muttered. Harley then turned to Peter, "You okay Petey? I couldn't let this ass keep accusing you of such bullshit."
A soft smile worked its way onto the teens face, "Yeah Harls, I'm okay. He's just being more of a dick than usual."
"Than usual?"
"Remember when I told you that there was a resident asshole of the school? Well that would be Flash."
Harley rounded on Flash. "Well then. This isn't the first time you've bothered Peter then. Why don't you give it a break Flash," Harley practically sneered into the other boys face. "You've overstepped."
Harley was now in Flash's space forcing the shorter teen to take a step backwards.
Mr. Harrington took that as his cue to stop in," I would agree with you, Mr.?"
"Keener," Harley replied, "Harley Keener."
"Yes, I would agree with Mr. Keener. Eugene, you have overstepped. These accusations are extremely serious and unfounded."
Peter was quite frankly shocked that Mr. Harrington had stepped in. Never in the past had the man stepped in to defend Peter from Flash's near constant bullying.
"This is extremely uncalled for and breaches both our schools morals and rules. As such there will be consequences. Firstly I think it best to contact your parents and remove you from this field trip. Later punishment will come from the schools offices tomorrow," Mr. Harrington stated.
"That seems acceptable," Harley followed, "Your tour guide will take you both down to the front reception where you can contact the school and Eugene's parents. FRIDAY, can you please see that they make it there."
"Certainly Harley," FRIDAY replied and reopened the elevator doors. Mr. Harrington steered a volatile Flash towards the elevator, with Sarah following behind them. The AcaDec team just watched as their teacher and fellow classmate disappeared.
Harley let out a groan and scrubbed his hands through his hair. "God Pete, I could have decked that kid for the way he talked to ya'. What a spoilt brat. He obviously gets away with that shit to often if he's willing to do something like that in front of a teacher."
"You don't know the half of it," Peter sighed.
"At least he's gone now," Nat called from the couch, "and for my part I'm sorry Pete. Not even I could have predicted that he would be such an ass."
"Peace at last" Peter hummed, "Well now that Flash has departed us, welcome to the lab once again."
Abe held his arm up, obviously unsure whether he could ask a question or not. "Yeah, what's up Abe? You don't have to raise your arm," Peter told the other boy.
"Is this really your lab? I don't mean any offence but it is super fancy and like, massive," Abe asked tentatively.
Peter smiled. He knew that Abe wasn't one of Flash's lackeys. "It sure is. I'm sharing it with Harley at the moment, while he's on vacation, but most of the stuff you see are things I'm working on. Feel free to have a look around."
"And I know you introduced yourself earlier Mr. Keener, but who are you exactly?" MJ asked as Peter finished speaking. Peter just chuckled. He knew that MJ wanted to make sure the boy that had defended Peter was actually a friend to Peter. He knew that she was watching out for him, she just didn't know how close Peter and Harley actually were.
At that the cold look melted off Harley's face, replaced with a grin. The taller boy sidled up to Peter wrapping an arm around the teens shoulders. Peter, naturally wrapped an arm around his boyfriends hips.
"Ahhh," Harley drawled, "You must be MJ, which would make that Ned next to you." Harley smirked as the duo's eyes widened. "Peter's told me heaps about the both of you. And to answer your question, I'm sort of like a lab assistant. I'm here on vacation visiting my very cute boyfriend."
With that Harley leaned down and planted a quick kiss on the top of Peter's head. Peter groaned, flush with embarrassment. His boyfriend was such a sap.
"Boyfriend?" MJ followed up, shock evident in he usually steady voice.
Peals of laughter rang out from Nat's position, "Yep. They're such saps too. I'm surprised that they were able to hide it from Tony for the first few months. His face when he found out was priceless. Clint took a photo and framed it. It's up on the wall in the living room."
Peter just rolled his eyes, "Yeah MJ. This is Harley. My boyfriend."
MJ just nodded. Ned next to her looked as if he'd had an aneurism. The rest of the AcaDec team were awkwardly looking anywhere but the couple.
"Right!" Harley declared, breaking the tension, "Aren't any of you curious? Go. Explore the lab. But hands to yourselves if you want to keep them!"
Slowly the team dispersed, while Ned and MJ hung back obviously wanting to speak to Peter. Before anyone got the chance to speak though, a scream sounded from the stairwell.
The scream was followed by a yell, that was clearly Tony, "HARLEY KEENER!"
Harley broke out in fits of giggles and Peter just sighed.