A Familiar Face

The days following Peter and Steve's alleyway rumble were overly monotonous.

The Avengers were scattered once more, seemingly doing whatever was needed on their part. Iron Man had yet to be spotted rocketing through the skyline, his absence quite curious considering the supercilious demeanor. Thor hadn't shown himself since Peter's introduction at Stark Tower, meaning the Norse God had likely returned to his own realm. Hawkeye and Black Window were tending to S.H.I.E.L.D matters, though their schedules appeared somewhat inconsistent; Clint's missions varied vastly from Natasha's, Peter gathered. Bruce had no way of contacting Spider-Man, so it wasn't a surprise to hear nothing at all from that particular Avenger; Peter was admittedly a little disappointed about this.

The only member able to consistently focus on the teenage vigilante was Captain America. Training took place twice a week, with the skilled veteran taking Peter through various courses built to test strength, agility and quick decision-making, though these sessions were the only time available for Peter to be around Steve; it appeared as though the war hero also had a full schedule, which isn't at all unexpected.

This meant that aside from the occasional petty mission as a S.H.I.E.L.D agent, Peter was left completely to his own devices.

And by 'his own devices' Peter actually meant attending school, finishing the jaw-droppingly large pile of homework which was due in the coming week, and finally continuing his patrols as Spider-Man.

What a lovely thought.

The sounding of school bells rang into Peter's eardrums, completely shooting the teen back into reality, hazy eyes darting across the classroom.

Heaving a shaky sigh while rising to his feet, Peter slightly wobbles toward the door, attempting to rid the sleep from his body; last night was undoubtedly a brutal fight which lasted for hours on end, though the looming threat was finally defeated once Peter answered the final history question and tossed the poor textbook back into the depths of his schoolbag.

Fighting super-villains was a piece of cake compared to droning over Mr. Fletcher's needlessly tedious and boring assignments.

A slight nudge to the shoulder brought Peter's attention back to the events unfolding around him, the teen momentarily confused as to what exactly just happened.

Missy Kallenback, a social outcast like Peter himself, was rubbing her temple, a frown on her face.

"S-sorry ⋯ I wasn't looking ⋯" she blurts, obviously exasperated and at a loss for words; Peter notices her embarrassment but doesn't bring it up, instead acting as if he never detecting anything.

"Oh - no, that was my fault. I wasn't paying attention," Peter reassures her, brandishing a smile. She nods, the redness in both cheeks slowly fading.

They stand only feet away from the classroom door, neither knowing exactly how to end the conversation until Peter is struck with a perfervid thought.

"So, hey ⋯ I know this really isn't my business but... is Flash still giving you trouble?"

Even months after the backboard debacle, Peter still vividly remembers Eugene Thompson purposely ruining Missy's poster and later attempt at hitting Missy with a basketball entirely.

Although Eugene and Peter were, in a sense, now close friends, it still didn't give the jock a free pass to torment other students. Missy was no exception.

Her speech falters for a moment, though eventually the young woman responds, "Here and there. He's just ⋯ I don't know. Being Flash."

Peter shakes his head, now somewhat irritated. "Yeah, but that doesn't give him the right to - to make fun of people. Nobody deserves that."

A quizzical look is shot Peter's way, though the expression is quickly replaced by a small, glowing smile. Missy's eyes are now focused on Peter's, who is currently gazing absent-mindedly at nothing in particular.

"I'm not sure you can do anything about it. He's been like this for ⋯ I don't even know, to be honest," she's speaking clearly now, conversing with Peter as if they'd been close friends for years; this was quite a rare feeling for both teens.

Breaking off his distant glare, instead now focusing on Missy, Peter nods and says, "I'll speak to Flash. What he's doing - it isn't right. You don't deserve any of that."

For a moment she's simply speechless, not quite believing the words which entered her ears, though eventually Missy nods and shoots one final smile at Peter before turning to leave for her next class. The gesture is admittedly awkward and somewhat unsure of itself, but it brightens Peter up nonetheless.

xxx

The final period of the day is devoted entirely to Science with Mrs. Hopkins. Peter heads to his locker in order to gather the required books before stopping dead in his tracks, a peculiar beeping sounding from his jean pocket; the S.H.I.E.L.D burner phone.

Silently cursing, retrieving the device and scanning the encrypted text, Peter reads, 'South-West loading bay. Furthermost from Empire State. Ten minutes.'

Scoffing irritably while tossing to the floor his trusted skateboard, Peter rolls out of Midtown High and into the thankfully deserted local streets, ducking behind a building and emerging as Spider-Man only seconds later, now swinging toward the Queensboro bridge.

Although saving people was an essential part of Peter's day-to-day life, skipping Science altogether was a shame for all but one reason; Gwen Stacy would be in attendance.

While no longer in a relationship, the two still talk regularly and have grown closer as friends in the months following Curt Connors' attack on Oscorp Tower.

Peter would need to text her after the S.H.I.E.L.D matter was resolved, explaining why he couldn't partner up today using some unutilized excuse.

For the third experiment in a row.

She wasn't going to be overly ecstatic.

Arriving at the location slightly over ten minutes later, the red and blue clad vigilante lands in a crouch while observing the imminent surroundings; a vacant, run-down port encased by shabby, demolished structures which once resembled buildings.

Peter stands silent for a moment, hearing the calm, lapping ocean just meters beyond the port. Aside from that, everything is eerily devoid of sound.

Another ten minutes pass. He's growing increasingly irritable by the second.

After another few moments with nothing but unwavering silence from SHIELD, Peter turns to leave, scoffing as he goes.

A web is shot and Spider-Man leaps into the air, propelling himself skyward before the infamous tingling of his spidey sense alerts Peter of the incoming explosive arrow.

Narrowly dodging the projectile in mid-air, Peter maneuvers himself while descending from the sky, landing on a separate building altogether. Milliseconds later the projectile collides with the skeleton of a building only meters away, an explosion ringing into the once quiet atmosphere, flames enveloping the area.

"What the hell-"

Another flurry of arrows is fired, Peter estimating at least four as he springs from his perch, flipping and leaping from structure to structure, not daring to stop for anything, intense fire piercing the once chilled air.

The following eruptions are unbearably loud, though thankfully well out of Peter's way. Landing once more into a defensive crouching stance, Spidey searches for the perpetrator, lenses quickly falling onto a lone figure in the near distance.

Clint.

"W-what the hell was-"

"Quiet, Spider!" the archer interjects, an arrow ready to be fired if need be. "SHIELD is currently under the false idea that we're locked in field training. There's a limited window presented to us."

Everything is moving too fast. Peter feels light-headed; vertiginous.

"I ⋯ don't understand-"

Hawkeye interrupts again, ordering, "DODGE IT!" as an arrow is sent flying at Peter, an unbelievable level of speed behind the bloody thing.

Spidey sense kicks in. Peter is eyeing the projectile, noting how only centimeters separate his head from the arrow. It's rocketing toward a direct point between the eyes.

Spider-Man shifts his neck only slightly, the arrow barely missing it's mark before colliding into a distant structure, a rippling explosion of debris and fire now born into the world.

Peter is furious.

"You missed," he breathes, strolling firmly toward the Avenger, millions of distant questions pervading his buzzing mind.

"I was hoping to miss," Clint replies stiffly, bow still raised threateningly. "Understandably, you have a whole lot of questions-"

"Explain why you just attempted to kill me, please."

"In the event that S.H.I.E.L.D is partially monitoring this whole event, I needed to fabricate-"

Peter chuckles darkly, index finger pointed quite firmly at the archer. "Get to the point."

Sighing deeply, Clint retracts the bow and eyes the surrounding area. Nodding, he glances back at Spider-Man, whispering concernedly, "Natasha works directly with Director Fury for a substantial portion of her missions. She's close with him."

Peter lowers his arm slightly, listening intently, somewhat ashamed at his violent outburst.

Clint continues firmly, "Fury is very fond of control; he likes to know everything about everybody. You've been a surprising exception. He's not only allowed you into SHIELD as an agent, but has given you full access to all facilities and sent you on missions. You're special. But ⋯ well, you're too special. Natasha believes more information needs to be provided before you continue any further."

"So ⋯ she doesn't trust me?" Peter asks, head now spinning.

"Look - she doesn't trust many people, but she's fond of you. With all things considered, there's absolutely nothing negative to put on your report."

"But?"

"⋯ But, since the night you bested Cap one-on-one, she's been cautious, wanting to inform Fury, hoping to pass on information regarding you, letting the Director know what he's got on his hands. This is all purely in the event that-"

"- In the event that I go rogue, right? Leave SHIELD, blurt all their secrets out to the world? You ⋯ you're figuring out my weaknesses, aren't you? Finding my limitations!" Peter is practically seething, Clint looking dejected; dispirited.

The Avenger takes moment to reply. When he finally does, the emotion in his tone is raw and disheartened. "Listen, kid ⋯ none of this is my idea. Since that night with Cap, I've been telling Natasha to hold off. She's doing as I say for now, but you're continuing to prove yourself - continuing to show everyone how sensational you can be. She believes that power can be dangerous in the wrong hands. Natasha is only taking necessary precautions-"

"With great power comes great responsibility," Peter speaks suddenly, clearly, without missing a beat. "Someone once told me that ⋯ he said I had a moral obligation to do the right thing. To help those in need. Because I have the power to do it."

Clint is taken aback.

Only the crackling of distant flames is heard for a moment, both heroes comfortable in the warm, calming atmosphere.

Clint is the first to speak, breaking their silence. "I won't let the Director get a hold on you; not while you're still one of the good guys, at least. You can count on that."

Peter simply nods, turning away from the stiff Avenger, gazing at the far-off city of Manhattan. "Thank you, Hawkeye."

"Just know that the moment any toes step outta line, Natasha will be on your ass before you have a chance swing to safety," Clint somewhat chuckles, shaking his head before turning to leave the area.

The sounds of webbing enters the archer's ears, and he's alone once again.

xxx

"You wanted to see me, sir?"

Nick Fury tears his gaze from the window, gesturing for Steve Rogers to take a seat.

"There's a few matters we need to discuss."

"Concerning Spider-Man? Sir, meaning no disrespect, I believe the kid is exceptional in almost every aspect-"

"This isn't about the kid. There's something bigger that needs attending to," Fury speaks coarsely, leaning into his desk chair. "A S.H.I.E.L.D vessel has been taken hostage. Georges Batroc and his mercenaries are to blame. I'm sending you with the S.T.R.I.K.E team tonight."

:::

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Speaking of feedback, it's great to see so many readers enjoying the fic so far. This story is great fun to write, so I'm glad it's fun to read. (Note: we're now moving into Winter Soldier territory. Spidey's gonna have a crazy time in the upcoming chapters) Thank you all :)