Hi everyone, I am so so so so so (and many more so's) sorry for not uploading earlier. I've been super busy and have begun senior school, and... I don't really have an excuse, its been almost a year. Thank you for all your kind and inspiring reviews! I do actually read all of them when they come. You guys are the best so thankyou for believing in me. Please forgive me, happy reading.

- Ami

CHAPTER 6 - Why, Flash...

Making our way down to the cafeteria, Ned constantly chatted away about the fantabulousness of Avengers Tower and how amazing everything was. His rambles were gratefully distracting me from the horror of my imagination, stopping my spiraling thought of what the other Avengers were going to do. I was sure that they were definitely going to crash the already not-so-great party that was the field trip tour. My mind was filled to the brim and on the verge of breaking apart. There was so much that they hadn't done. I realised that we'd only seen like two out of what seemed like hundreds of Avengers. Ned's extended monologue gripped me by the corners of my mind, pulling back to the horrifying reality of the tour.

"...and dude… have you seen the tech? It's so cool! And screens everywhere? How are you not excited?"

"Bro. I live here." I said, unsuccessfully hiding the wariness in my voice. This tour had already gotten on my nerves.

"Oh yeah! I totally forgot about that."

"How?"

"I don't even know! I guess everything has me hyped. But you have to admit this stuff is cool…"

"Yeah, it's great. One day, remind me to show you Tony's lab. It's got all the latest STARK tech and a bunch of unused AIs and robots."

"Dude! Why haven't you taken me there already?"

"I don't know. You haven't asked."

"Duuuuddddeee…"

I tune Ned out as he continues to ramble about the events of the day, choosing instead to decide what to have for lunch. I really love the cafeteria here. It's an expansive hall full of different cuisines and wondrous smells. Whenever Dad finds a restaurant or cafe that we like, he'll immediately attempt to get a place or chain installed in the ever-growing cafeteria. It should really be called a food court considering the vast amount of options and shops to choose from. I have to say though, my absolute favourite thing about this place is that everyone, everyone (including the Avengers), can mingle and chat and converse about whatever without the boundaries of walls and elitism of rank. Every single person in the building comes down for their lunch, able to bounce ideas off each other despite the different areas of expertise. Sometimes, I think that the most productive work gets done on lunch break. It's definitely when the most amount of multi-disciplinary projects get started.

"Peter… Peter?" Ned was waving a hand in my face and calling my name. I wonder why…

"Peter!"

"Uh huh, what?" I said, shaking myself away from my internal monologue.

"Uhhh… which way is it to the cafeteria, we lost the group," Ned replied.

"Right, umm, how did that happen?"

"I don't know they must have walked around a corner without me seeing as I was talking to you…"

"Oh, ok."

"Peter. Peter! Oh my god oh my god... Remember what Emma said? We're gonna be stuck on this floor! Oh my god, we're gonna die in here!"

"Ned calm down. We're gonna be fine, all you need to get around is a Gamma-4 pass. I'm Alpha-10, we're gonna be fine…"

"Oh yeah… how did I forget again? Damn this place is cool."

I marveled (haha, I know it's cringy, bear with me…) at the hilarious sight of Ned's lightning-fast mood changes. I have never understood how he can just flick between emotions like that… Once I noticed Ned's breathing and pulse return to a somewhat normal level, I continued.

"Come on, the cafeteria's this way."

Scene skip...

We quickly found our way to the elevator, with me telling FRIDAY to take us to the cafeteria level.

"That could have been bad. At least you were with me, Pete."

"Yeah, close one" I replied, an incredulous tone seeping into my voice as the doors opened into the chaotic cafeteria.

…

Stepping into the bustling hall, Ned and I quickly made our way over to our group, hiding at the back as Emma finished giving her instructions.

"So you each get one free meal, including a drink and dessert, apart from the two of you who have the all-you-can-eat passes. We'll spend about half an hour in here for lunch before heading off to the next activity."

Everyone immediately dispersed, all excited to try the food and have the chance to talk freely to the other employees in the building. I grabbed Ned by the elbow and dragged him over to the shawarma stand, the only other location of the team's favourite food other than the original restaurant.

"This is the team's favourite. Wanna try?" I ask Ned who seems to be a bundle of excited energy at my words.

"Y...yeah…"

"Why is it their favourite? Did it like, save them from a bad guy or … I don't know… something cool?" Ned asks, still rambling. So much rambling.

"Nah it's not that big of a deal. After their first battle, you know, the one with the Chitauri, Dad suggested that they all go try something different and proposed shawarma. Apparently it looked pretty funny. This ragtag group of supposed heroes that were all battered and bruised from the battle eating in silence in the middle of a destroyed New York restaurant diner thingo."

"Huh… ok"

Kinda almost a flashback…

Dad had told me the story once, a while ago. He remembered it fondly and said that it reminded him of a Neil Gaiman quote, "No darkness lasts forever. And even then, there are stars." He'd told me that despite the world suddenly shifting on its axis and it's perspective of the universe dramatically shifted, everyone could still find moments of peace and that everything would turn out fine in the end. I've always admired him for that.

Back to normal time…

We slowly but surely reached the front of the line. Glancing inside I cringed, of course, they would come here to harass me. Hidden inside the restaurant was Wanda, Bucky, and Vision in his glamoured form. They all smirked in sync as I ordered, their true identities hidden behind a wall of dismissal. Of course, no one would recognise them if they were being inconspicuous, they were (except for Vision) spies. (Wanda is being trained by Nat). As soon as we were given our food, I raced away from the booth. Ned found an empty table to call ours before rushing around the wide expansive room to find more delicious food.

But, of course, as soon as he left, the one person I was desperately trying to avoid (especially with Bucky, Wanda, and Vision nearby) came to taunt me.

"Go away Flash, I'm really not in the mood…"

"Teeny tiny Penis Parker isn't in the mood huh? What? Are you busy doing favours? Is that how you've bribed the boss around here?"

"Please. Just leave me alone."

"No. I don't wanna leave you alone. Is Fatso gonna be sad that you're not with him? Huh? Look at me, Parker!" His voice was raised above the most comfortable inconspicuous level, it was gaining some attention.

I steeled his glare with one of my own.

"Go away. I don't want you to get hurt, no matter how much you deserve it."

"What? You gonna punch me Penis?"

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the slowly advancing figures, each with a murderous glint in their eyes. This wasn't going to end well.

"Penis Parker, like you, can hurt me…" he scoffed. He obviously had no idea and definitely still didn't believe me about anything that had happened today.

Suddenly a large and calloused hand grasped Flash's shoulder, startling him out of his mean stupor.

"Son, that wasn't nice…" Bucky said, the murder in his eyes getting stronger by the second.

"Oh my god. Oh my god. You're the Avengers. The avengers are talking to me! Hi! I'm Flash, I'm like the smartest kid here."

Flash looked almost proud and had obviously missed the dangerous and dark mood spewing from the heroes in front of him.

"I don't like bullies, a little something I learned from Steve."

Flash blanched. He stopped. He stared. Then he crumbled, frantically trying to get out of the situation while I just stood there, my arm still tightly gripped in Flash's clammy palm.

"I... I … I'm ss.. sor.. sorry sir. We're just friends. Haha, see…" Flash grabbed my arm and ruffled my hair like I was some kind of dog.

"See, just joking around…"

Flash looked as though he was going to piss himself at any moment and Wanda, well, let's just say that Vision's arms may snap off with how much he was holding her back. My silent thanks to Vision went unheard. No doubt Wanda would cause a scene, I do love her though. I was almost certain that she would attempt to murder him, she's like a very protective older sister. My worries came straight back as Flash attempted to reason with them.

"You see, he says that he's an intern here… but SI doesn't hire high schoolers… sir…"

"That doesn't give you the right to treat anyone that way. If I see you harassing Mr. Parker, here again, you won't be joking around anymore." Bucky's threat lingered in the air. It seemed to shock Flash into a subordinate frenzy.

"Of course sir… I… I… well… yes ok."

I was mortified. They were definitely gonna tell dad. This really really wasn't going to end well. For anybody. I might as well reveal my identity now and be done with it. The three avengers stalked away, Wanda throwing dangerous glares over her shoulder, pushed forward by Bucky and Vision's strong arms. Oh god.

As soon as they had left the room Flash turned to me.

"I don't know what kind of sick game you're playing or who you've obviously begged to get everyone to pretend to know you, but I swear to god I will find out. And I will ruin you."

Glancing up at FRIDAY's cameras I realised that this was only the beginning.

Avengers POV

The elevator doors opened to reveal three murderous balls of energy. They ripped into the full living room and proceeded to tell everyone what had happened. The alert from FRIDAY didn't help the situation either. They needed a new plan, and fast.

"Ok," Tony said. "So it isn't working. We need something that will actually scare the s #t out of that kid."

They couldn't have their resident angel be bullied by the crap bag. Ok, maybe not an angel but he was up there, like a reincarnated golden retriever puppy.

"I'll do it" Natasha yelled from the back. "Why don't we have them come to the training rooms next, and I'll do scare him under a ruse of learning self-defense. And then I'll threaten him again while he's locked on the floor, that might do it…"

"Great idea, Steve can go with you too."

"Perfect…"

The plan was in action. Hopefully, it would work this time.

(PPPS here we go)