Arguing
Michelle never really said much; she preferred to be a silent audience member watching as other argued and fought over small issues that were barely existent on her radar. That, however, was by choice. This time when she doesn’t speak it was because she genuinely did not know what to say. She didn’t think that calling Parker a loser or idiot would cover fully the annoyance she was currently feeling.
Ned looks between the two of them, eyes as wide as the other people in the room. He stares at Peter for a half second longer than the taller girl. “Uh…”
“Well,” Liz starts while staring at her friend in a mix of shock and slight betrayal. “Congrats, I guess?” It sounded like a question before she seemed to snap back into herself and took control of the team as she normally did. She slowly ushered the others toward the living room, mentioning that they still had pizza hot and ready.
Slowly but surely the other decathlon kids made their way out of the room. Flash mumbling, “Since when does penis Parker even talk to girls…?”
Ned squeezed past the others, telling Liz he’d be there in a second and just wanted to grab a glass of water. Once the spiderling, the guy in the chair, and the “weirdo” were alone Ned looked directly at Peter. “Pete, can we talk in pri-?”
“She knows about the Stark Internship.”
MJ turned to the boy, finally finding her voice and remembering how to communicate. “Do you naturally word vomit or is this a side-effect of inhaling spandex fumes so much?”
Ned smacked Peter’s arm in annoyance, seemingly to snap him back to reality. “You told her?” He was whispering but yell-whispering. It was a miracle that half the school didn’t know about the boy in tights, these two sucked at secrets.
“I figured it out myself.” Michelle crossed her arms. “I’m also standing right here so maybe include me in the conversation.”
Peter looked between MJ and Ned, mouth slightly a gap before he shook his head and point an accusatory finger and MJ. “Wait, this doesn’t change the fact a war criminal dropped you off here. Why am I the only one under scrutiny right now?”
“Why did you bring Homecoming up?” Michelle replied. “Now the only people at the school any of us associate with think we’re together. I know you suck at lying, but why the hell didn’t you come up with something else?”
Ned somehow got upgraded to the mediator as both teens who were supposed to be together looked at each other with fingers pointed and aggravation in their tones. “Wait a minute, that could be a good cover. I mean, I’m not sure Peter thought it out but-.”
“I was put on the spot-!”
Ned sent him a look and he quieted down. “I know, but can you both shut up and just think about it for a second? Half the team thinks the Stark Internship is bullshit. They believe that you two are together though.”
“So?” the girl rolled her eyes.
“So, we can use this. If Peter is out being Spider-Man and you take over guy in the chair duties once in a while-.”
“I’m sorry guy in the what?”
“The guy in the chair. The Alfred to his Batman.”
“… in what world is Peter Batman-?”
“My point being,” Ned ended the back and forth with the same look he had sent Peter. “People won’t question if the couple goes missing at the same time. You guys should keep up the act.”
Peter and Michelle looked at each other, both wary.
Peter raised his hand, pointing the finger he had let drop a few moments ago. “Okay, but that doesn’t change the fact that Michelle got dropped off by a war criminal. Am I just supposed to ignore that or-?”
“He’s my uncle, Peter.”
“Isn’t he Falcon?”
“So what if he is?”
“Michelle-!”
Ned held his hands up at both of them. “Okay, I think I’ve found the negotiation terms.” He pointed to Peter. “You said Mr. Stark already texted you about keeping an eye out for Michelle.” He turned and did the same to MJ. “You know his secret and seem to care enough to not want to tell the entire team. What we’re going to do is compromise. Peter will talk to Mr. Stark and tell him Michelle isn’t in danger or a threat. She’s close to Falcon and needs to see him for emotional support. That’ll keep him off of Michelle’s back and let her see him without worrying about him being captured or her being brought into the Accords. In return, Michelle is going to keep up the act so Peter will be able to do the Stark Internship without worrying about people watching him too closely. Sound fair?”
Peter let out a sigh, nodding his head and holding out his hand for Michelle to shake.
Michelle eyed both of the boys before her. “If I agree to this, you two can’t spy on me. I’m part of it, not some damn target.”
“Deal,” Peter replied immediately.
“My dress is yellow,” MJ let out with a sigh as the shook hands.
Peter paused, look at her in confusion. “Huh?”
“For Homecoming.”
Before Peter could respond Ned smiled and looked between them like a coach before a huddle at a sporting event. “Now, go in there and make people think you’re an annoying ass couple.”
Peter bit his lip, turning to the girl next to him again. "I promise not to spy on you, but tell me if something is wrong. I get that he's you're uncle and everything but... I don't trust him."
Michelle rolled her eyes. "Listen, spider-boy, you don't have to worry about me. I'm fine."
He looked apprehensive before nodding slowly. "Just... let either of us know if something's up. I may not have really been here for a lot of stuff but I'm your friend."
"Can we not make this a hallmark moment, loser? Save it for when we try to convince the others we're together."
Ned laughed before nodding in the direction of the living room.
Michelle took Peter's hand, easily falling into her role.
I now have a rogue superhero uncle and a rogue superhero "boyfriend". God, am I starring in a really shitty anime or something?