The London airport wasn't very different from JFK, Peter noticed. Same thick crowds with harried looking people, same sense of urgency, and even some of the same smells.

Peter glanced at MJ, who predictably enough, had her nose buried in another worn looking paperback. She was also stealing periodic sips from a steaming hot cup of coffee. Clearly, overpriced airport goods were also exactly the same an ocean away.

Peter followed the disorganized crowds with his eyes before turning to watch Ned's form as he desperately trying to avoid bumping into any passerby on his way back to the team.

Ned noticed Peter's eyes on him and waved enthusiastically. He could give Mr. Harrington a run for his money, Peter thought absently.

"Hey, Peter! Check it out!" Ned yelled brightly.

He stumbled on someone's bright white sneaker-clad foot before recovering. Peter rolled his eyes at Flash's snickering.

"Dude, look! British crumpets!"

"I think they're just pastries, Ned. Crumpets are meant to be rounder," Liz chimed in from nearby.

"What no way. The sign totally said - " Ned cut off. Mr. Harrington was moving toward them with a determined expression on his face. Peter assumed he meant business.

"Listen up team! The bus will be here soon," Everyone perked up and Mr. Harrington smiled knowingly at their excited faces, "Yes, it's a red double-decker."

"Hell yes!" Ned yelled right next to Peter's ear. Peter tried not to make his wince too obvious. The excited exclamations of his teammates combined with the noise of the airport created an unpleasant buzz in the back of his head.

Out of the concern of his eye, Peter saw Cindy look over at him in concern. Even MJ had given him a second glance before returning half of her attention to her paperback and half to Mr. Harrington. Peter tugged on the sleeves of his sweater absentmindedly and tried not to meet anyone's gaze.

He should be used to this by now. He could deal with this.

Peter tuned out the rest of Mr. Harrington's words. He could get Ned to tell him anything he missed. Or MJ, though he didn't want to risk her suspicion.

Peter zoned in just in time to see Liz stand up and stretch before following Harrington. The rest of the team had stood up and everyone was gathering their carry-ons (or, in Flash's case, suitcases)

Peter grabbed his duffel bag and tugged lightly onto Ned's hoodie, just enough to stop Ned in his tracks without ripping the fabric (which was something he'd had to learn through trial and error in the past few months since gaining his powers).

As the Decathlon team converged into the crowds, Peter let himself get lost in the conversations around him.

.

.

.

"Woah! Take a look at this!" Abe shouted from across the hallway. Peter turned and wondered briefly at how he had managed to get so far away in such a short period of time. And, more importantly, how Peter hadn't noticed.

Then he looked at where Abe was currently located (nearly on top of a forest of marble statues spanning maybe one third of the hotel foyer, with a glorious fountain that dripped a steady stream of clear water into a pond below as the centerpiece).

"Oh my god," Sally said, sounding a little bit scandalized. Peter couldn't ascertain whether she meant Abe's position or the display itself, but Liz had cracked a smile at her tone and, frankly, Peter's mind short-circuited for a moment.

Although Peter had certainly never seen anything this wealthy and opulent, save for a few of the rooms in Mr. Stark's tower, either, so he could relate.

Come to think of it, this place kind of reminded Peter of the hotel he stayed at in Germany. It had a similar intimidating air of money and luxury.

Peter was getting nervous. Was this even the right location? Or as someone in a suit and earpiece going to kick them out with their tails between their legs in a moment?

"Psshhh, this is nothing," Flash said, interrupting Peter's train of thought. Although even he was craning his head around to look at the high ceilings and white, nearly fluorescent tiles of the hotel entrance.

"Alright, team! This way," Mr. Harrington had finally come back from his trip to the front desk, which was more successful than the one he undertook in New Jersey, as evidence by the many key cards and pamphlets he was trying not to drop outright.

Peter watched as Ned grabbed the cards for their shared room and they shared a look of awe when Mr. Harrington told Ned they would be on the eleventh floor.

Sometimes, superhero hearing was good for more than just listening to idle gossip. Or rocking out to the music playing in other people's rooms a block away. Not that Peter had done that...more than twice.

Peter hurried to the elevator with Ned, which was quickly filling up with the excited chatter of his other teammates. The doors closed and Peter immediately looked down as they descended. The entire elevator was made of slightly frosted glass.

He could see Mr. Harrington herding Abe off to the next elevator with his roommate, Seymour. Off to the side, Peter could see the receptionist's circular desk. There was a group of arriving tourists, clearly wealthy, stepping off another elevator.

A group of business people in official looking suits were gathered around the receptionist's desk. One of them was gesturing to the elevators and the others were following his gaze. There was something...off. Peter felt a pulse, like the beginning of a headache, near the back of his head. He squinted but...

"Hey, look. None of the competitions even start until Tuesday. We've got two days to do whatever we want," Ned pulled Peter away from his observations and pointed at the pamphlet he was holding.

"Really? Nice! I bet we can wander around nearby and explore. Maybe we'll even meet some of the other teams." Sally said excitedly.

Peter tried to take one last look at the group but ducking down would be suspicious and the elevator was still rising, unimpeded.

"What do you think, dude? Hey, Peter? Peter?" Ned questioned.

Peter snapped out of it.

"Huh? Oh, yea. That'd be pretty cool."

Ned gave him a cool smile and whispered, "Did Liz distract you again?"

Peter elbowed him and glanced at Liz in his panic. She was still busy talking to Sally, although she gave him a quick smile when she noticed his stare.

"Ned," Peter hissed.

Ned gave an mused bark of laughter and began gently lambasting Peter on his choice of crushes. Peter groaned and tried to focus on the present.

Last time he was in Europe, he'd had several tons of solid metal dropped on him and engaged in a life-or-death fight with ex-Avengers who also doubled as internationally wanted criminals. It was healthy to maintain a certain level of paranoia, but now was not the time. After all, he was here for the Academic Decathlon. To represent his school. He was supposed to be off hero duty.

Whoever those people were back there...

Peter shook off the slight pulsing in his head. It was probably a false alarm.

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athor's note: Sorry Ive been out for so long. writing chapters over 500 words is hard ahaha. hopefully more to come, and within a less than six month period. thanks for sticking with me and lemme know what yall think.

By the way, this fic is pretty gen. it might have references to crushes or whatever but...no real romance here

..also, the thing in an earlier author's note where i said this was between peter being spiderman and homecoming? screw it. we have Tony Stark the mentor and we have MJ and we have Liz all together in one fic. i dont need a continuity. screw the timeline.