A/N: - I own none of the characters mentioned in the fiction.
"You called, Boss?"
Inside a wide room which by arrangement and the long table in the center, seemed like a conference hall, could be seen two figures, which one of them called up as she made her way inside. Her short red hair bounced with her every step. Her Russian look blending perfectly with her American accent. Her impressive figure was clad in a tight body suit that went from her shoulder, down to her boots with a zipper on the back, defining her curves in their full glory yet the frontman was entirely unfazed.
The said man was an Afro-American man adorning a black uniform which consisted of a zipper jacket with a pair of pants under a full-body leather trench coat. The said man had his left eye covered under a patch signifying his only disability other than being physically a human.
"Agent Romanoff. How was your trip to Vegas?" Nick Fury, the director of Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division, in short, S. H. I. E. L. D asked the woman as he turned and gestured her to take the seat which she refused wordlessly since the man himself was standing.
"You say it like you don't know anything about Rarakh Musidiq's tragedy and how he went bankrupt within a week."
"Surely it could be a coincidence that a covet agent spends her holiday without abusing her authority and exposing some untamed rich bastards, right?"
Natasha didn't reply to that but her smile said it all. Both of them knew how Natasha couldn't let herself rest back and don't do anything mischievous when someone was flaunting his money all over Vegas. She had to do something to that pedo creepy foreigner and Natasha chose the ultimate punishment before she landed back homeland.
"So, why did you ask for me?"
Natasha knew that her boss wasn't someone who would call her just to ask about her holidays, considering how Nick Fury and his 'small' team always has been on alert regarding this planet's safety, more so after what recently has taken place.
Nick this time persisted for the other one to take the seat before Natasha sighed and pulled a chair for herself as she faced Fury with her head turned toward the right.
"Do you remember the air strike that happened near Iran's border two years ago?"
Natasha rose her brows before nodding since she hokd remembrance the incident where America launched an airstrike since the Iranian terrorist got a hold of some American spies and were on the move to extract as much information as they could. But unfortunately, some tourists got tangled up in the mess and were taken on suspicion of being foreign sneaky rats.
The American Government could not have tolerated the threat of getting their secrets exposed so they released the order of Airstrike just the same day.
"The miraculous event where only the innocent were left alive and all the other terrorists and spies were found dead, right?"
Nick nodded before he tapped on the small terminal screen fixed on the table which promoted the wide screen across the meeting room to lighten up, attracting Natasha's gaze toward it.
"From the investigation, the corpses were suspected of not being dead because of the impact of heavy gunfire rather than something strange and unnatural piercing right through their heart, gaping a hole and bestowing death on everyone who was not just stuck there under false charges.
What we cannot judge, we fear it which led to the narcotic interrogation of the survivors who revealed that they saw a man with American looks and peculiar green eyes transforming into some sort of huge dinosaur who defended the hostages before he screwed every goddamn vigilant like kebabs."
Natasha remained silent, but there was a frown marring her face regarding various things. Sure he has heard half of the news but she never knew what major fraction of the incident was still hidden, more so when it included something inhumane.
After what happened when someone from Asgard descended, not only S. H. I. E. L. D but the world government has been actively searching out for any more alien being present around us for their distinctive purposes. An incident can bring both despair and hope.
"The description was surveyed all across the globe but it seemed the subject was either good at hiding his traces or he used a facade to escape. However, we do not share the same sentiment."
"Have we found the subject?"Natasha instantly raised the query, slightly surprised and already realizing why she was called.
"New York City has always been the center of distinguished attractions, naturally the crime rate also rises along with its value, however, since some time around a particular café, it feels everyone has suddenly taken an oath to atone their sins by surrendering in the cell one after another."
As Fury spoke in sarcasm, the screen displayed the image of a store that had glass panels at the front and the name hanging at the top pronounced, "BG's" unknown to what those two letters stand for. Natasha didn't find anything fancy in the name or the interior but soon her curiosity was piqued when she saw a man in his mid-twenties or maybe younger on the display.
His height was around 6'1 with a French cut beard and a comparatively masculine body beneath that apron. His peculiar green eyes suited well over his brownish-black hair. By the looks of it, he seemed an American but nothing out of the ordinary, except for his looks, seemed to be notable.
"Benjamin Tennyson. The owner of the place and the person whose description matches 87% with the Iran rescuer. Other than that, the region around his place is noted to be the most crime-less province. For a bonus, the investigation tells that he does not have any records before his 8 years of life in New York, which means, this person did not exist before 2004 or maybe he was entirely isolated."
Natasha raised her brows in mild surprise since considering the sources S. H. I. E. L. D possesses it wouldn't have been much of a difficulty digging out the past of someone yet for Fury to say it like that apparently makes Benjamin a lot more susceptible than Natasha initially presumed.
It was a given fact that if the subject would have been engaged in some illegal activities, Fury would have already sent authorities his way but to assign Natasha meant secrecy which brought the role she found herself playing.
"So, do I have to seduce him?"
"I need some answers, Agent. I want you to ascertain whether this guy is a friend or a foe. What are his real powers and can we count on him when the time comes?"
Natasha received her assignment before she nodded and got up, already planning how she would take an entrance into the subject's life but before she could turn away and walk out, Fury's voice once again resounded.
"Don't take chances, Romanoff. We have no clue whom we are dealing with."
This uncertainty was never around before that Giant steel robot descended to slay some gods, Natasha sighed.
"Alright, boss. See you later."
It was yet another peaceful day in Ney York City as the busybodies roamed around the place and engaged in their respective daily work while taking no amount of time in enjoying their surroundings or bothering to have any leisure conversation.
Amidst such rush, only places which can brew instant yet strong coffee along with some fluffy bread can be popular enough to be stuffed to the brim.
"Table number 13 wants an espresso extra dark. Gosh, that guy already looks horrible with those dark circles..."
The only waitress at the BG café muttered with a sigh as she leaned on the counter and informed the main and only chef of the place who handles everything efficiently without making a single flaw in the orders.
The said girl had small frilly light blonde hair made in a small ponytail and small piercing over her ears and one on her lip where she had a small pin which gave her a cool and attractive look. Her slim stature along with modest breasts went perfectly with her overall athletic figure. Many people, in the café, come to only see the girl and that realization has only made her annoyed.
"Tone it down, dear. Complaining about someone's looks is not something I have taught, right?"
Replies the man behind the counter who held the same description previously Fury showed on the screen, as he smiled toward his adoptive daughter—Gwen Stacy.
"Seriously, how can you pretend to be my old man when we are just ten years apart?"
Gwen exasperatedly asked, entirely not okay with the man being so old wise fool who thinks he has aged and now wants to retire. She tries to get him a little enthusiastic about his life and how many fun things are awaiting but Ben being Ben, never listens to any of those words which revolve around 'fun and 'cheerful'.
Gwen knows that something has happened in his past that he cannot tell her and that is the reason why he has chosen to remain isolated despite Gwen and Ben now sharing a very close relationship after their initial awkwardness.
It was tough for Gwen to accept someone else as her family after she got orphaned but she could have never thought how fortunate she was to get Ben as her adoptive guardian. He can be many things, but his gentle and caring nature, someone on whom she can selfishly depend, is what made Gwen fond of him and now she cannot imagine a life where she cannot see her 'old man'.
"Does age matter to become a parental figure? I mean, I had a cousin who took care of me when we were just ten."
She has heard about this cousin of his a lot of times, but other than the fact that her name was also Gwen, Stacy knows nothing about it. Ben's past was also in darkness for her and it made Gwen a little sad but she didn't pester him and believed that one day, Ben would open himself.
"Well, parent or not, your chef's reputation might get at risk if you keep talking to me and make the customer-Wait! How did you?!"
Gwen's slightly high-pitched tone gathered some attention but she didn't mind it since her focus was currently gathered on the cup of espresso resting on the table even though Ben actually never moved from his spot at all.
Despite seeing this kind of trick many times in the past, Gwen still cannot believe how does he do that without even using _that_.
"Haha, your reactions are priceless hun. Now go and serve it before the nerd begins to shift his glasses and send me a death glare."
Gwen didn't dwell on it for more than seconds before she inwardly vowed to keep an eye on him next time when he plays that trick. For now, she took the tray and walked toward the corner most seat of the place where sat the same glass-wearing nerd-looking kid who has been visiting the cafè for a while now.
"Here. I hope you enjoy it." Gwen used her trademark sweet merry smile when she placed the cup over the table as she heard the customer maybe for the first time speaking.
"Thank you, Miss Stacy."
Gwen was about to turn and walk away with a nod when she realized something.
"Stacy? Do you know me from somewhere?"
In the store, there was no one that much familiar to know her name and Ben also never call her by name. It always remains 'sweetie' or 'baby girl' but never the name. Sometimes Gwen suspects whether he has forgotten her name but this mysterious guy suddenly speaks out her name, meant...
"Wait...you are a student of Midtown High?"
Gwen was not anti-social in school but she also was not entirely aware of her batchmates as well. And seeing the glasses nodding made her sure how ignorant Gwen has been these days lately.
"I am Peter Parker, your classmate. Three seats down the same lane."
Gwen squinted her eyes to look at his face clearly. There was...indeed some resemblance between this one and that guy who practically never bothered to chat with anyone.
He can be popular in school considering his grades which were only second to hers, but Peter never actually tries to socialize nor even take the initiative to actively involve himself with anyone in school.
Gwen's eyes remained narrowed as the tray in her hand went toward her chest with her arms holding either side of the tray as she spoke in a suspicious tone, "Are you stalking me?"
"Ah, no. It's not like that. I just like the taste of coffee here. If you feel uncomfortable we can forget this conversation ever occurred and act like strangers."
"Like hell, that would be possible now when I already know someone from my class is watching me all the time. Seriously, why would even suggest that?"
"Umm... I thought you might not like associating with someone like me."
Gwen didn't reply immediately, rather she stared at the guy for some moments. There was evident insecurity in his eyes, maybe because he was not someone to be flashy about his achievements, or maybe something in his personal life is not letting him move forward.
But there was something Gwen got certain about when she pried through those heavy glasses and looked at those peculiar yet attractive blue eyes.
Peter Parker was in pain.
She knows this expression since she has seen Ben making such a face numerous times.
"Hey, Peter."
"Hmm?"
Peter thought that he made a mistake calling out her name and seeing her all silent he got sure that this was a bad idea altogether, but Gwen's following words blasted off all his doubts and regrets in an instant.
"After school, wait for me at the entrance, alright?"
"Ah..." Peter was not able to say anything as he saw Gwen walking away, apparently not asking him, but rather telling him to be there or she wouldn't like it.
Peter was unsure of what she wanted but for some reason, he was somehow looking forward to school today...
"I will be back a little late today."
It was around ten when Gwen prepared to leave. She has afternoon classes today so she was not in a hurry, also being the top scorer has its own merits.
"Going on a date with the nerdy?"
Ben's teasing voice came from behind as she was about to leave. She knew nothing can go unheard by him but still regarding a casual meeting as a date was far-fetched. However, she didn't correct him since Gwen knew how far he would stretch this matter and how long Ben can pick on someone.
"Don't eat dinner without me and also, be careful. I am having a bad premonition since yesterday."
Gwen was feeling a little on edge because of no definite reason. Despite knowing that nothing possibly can hurt her father until God themselves doesn't descend, she still worries about his well-being. Especially because of his quirky hobby of saving people around.
Ben just smiled before he remembered something and reminded the girl, "Ah, also don't hesitate using 'that' if something arises. I will take care of the aftermath, alright?"
Realizing what Ben was referring to, her grip on the strap of her bag tightened before she gave him a reassuring look and marched off.
Unbeknownst to both, on this peculiar day, both of them would find someone special in their lives.
[1.33 A. M]
It was over midnight, with New York streets a little less crowded if compared to the prime hours. The night sky was naturally pitch dark in shade and some twinkles in the sky signifying that humanity has yet to entirely depreciate its surroundings.
Amidst such serenity of the night, a sudden scream resonated in an alley as a woman cried in nervousness and apprehension.
"Somebody, please help me!!"
The reason why the woman shouted was that a group of three local thugs were trying to assault her. The woman was beautiful enough to draw attention from goons like these and her moderately expensive clothes and accessories worked as a plus point.
Her one-piece black dress was already half torn from the corner of her ankles and up to her thighs. Her hair was unkempt because of rough treatment and dirt marks were all over her palms and feet which now were bare since one of the three thugs have taken out her sandals as well.
"Hehe~There's no night dweller to save you, lady. Just enjoy the ride and you will probably thank us at the end."
One of them who was wearing a winter cap over his head grinned as he ran his hand over the woman's body before he began pulling his pants as the other two held the woman and pinned her to the ground.
"Pl-Please...don't do this t-to me... I beg you..."
The woman was shedding fanatically as she pleaded but everything was for naught since neither the goons were going to stop, nor was anyone nearby probably going to help her...
...or so the goons believed.
A/N: - Drop a review. It takes only a minute or maybe two.