Author's Note: Hello, readers! Just what to make you all know that Romanogers (Steve x Natasha) will be included in this story because from watching the movies again, I've seen the chemistry between them every time they were near each other. They really deserved their comics end and I find it deeply upsetting that never happened. Then again, since Disney officially owns Marvel, Marvel movies or its characters won't be that exciting to see anymore. In my opinion, the MCU took some of the best comic book characters in history and somehow messed them up.
I don't own Avengers or its characters. I only own Riley Stark and other OCs that appear in the story.
Take on the World
Chapter 22: Science Buddies
It was currently 8 o'clock on a Saturday night, Riley just said her good nights to her father and Pepper before heading to her bedroom.
Before going to bed, Riley was speaking to Steve from the laptop of her room.
"What is that you want to talk about, Uncle Steve?"Riley questioned.
"I don't really trust S.H.I.E.L.D."Steve declared."The organisation keeps too many secrets."
"So you don't really trust anyone there?"Riley assumed.
"I trust Natasha."Steve complemented, making Riley's smile grow a bit."But a small word of advice. If you attend to become an Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. in the future, don't keep too many secrets. You'll cause distrust to grow between you and your partners."
Riley nodded at Steve.
"I understand. I take your advice and I will follow it."Riley responded."Maybe next time you come back to New York, I can introduce you to Bucky's relatives. Tristan happens to be a big fan of yours."
A gentle smile appeared on Steve's face.
"I look forward to it."Steve chuckled."See you later, Riley."
Riley gave Steve a small wave.
"Bye, Uncle Steve."Riley informed.
The young brunette ended her video chat with Steve and placed her laptop off before going over to her bed.
Riley suddenly sat on her bed to close her eyes tightly and strongly crossed her fingers.
"Pretty please with a cherry on top make Romanogers happen."Riley murmured quietly.
The moment she said that, Riley laid down on her bed and fell into a deep sleep.
Unknown to Tony and Pepper's knowledge, Riley actually wanted Steve and Natasha to be together.
Sure Steve was still in love with Peggy, but she wanted him to find a second chance of finding happiness.
So who was better than Natasha Romanoff?
Besides being beautiful and strong, Natasha was of the best skilled spies of S.H.I.E.L.D. and a founding member of the Avengers.
On the other hand, Steve had been in ice for nearly 70 years.
He had missed so much and deserved better after everything he had been through.
Peter looked through the attic in his house for things that belonged to his late parents.
He had no memories of his father and mother since they both died when he was too little, so he had no memories of them.
After his parents died, Peter was taken in by his Uncle Ben and Aunt May, who became their surrogate parents and raised him as if he were their own son.
Peter quietly watched his steps as he went around the attic.
It was the middle of the night, so he didn't want to wake up his Uncle Ben and Aunt May.
The ten year old boy bent down to check a few boxes, only to see things like acetate discs, a shag carpet, mood rings, a Magic 8 Ball and a pocket transistor radio.
Peter carefully moved his hands to a small box and eventually found two passports inside it.
One had the name of Richard Laurence Parker.
The other was Mary Teresa Parker née Fitzpatrick.
Peter's eyes widen in surprise.
It was the passports of his late parents.
"My mum and dad's passports."Peter thought.
After leaving the attic and slowly closing the door, Peter went back to his room to go sit on his study desk to check the passports of his late parents.
He carefully looked through the pages of the passports and saw both official documents had the same stamps inside as well as the same amount of them.
"They've been around the world several times."Peter thought with a curious look."I wonder why?"
Peter then covered his mouth to yawn.
It was the middle of the night and he should be getting some sleep.
"No time to check now."Peter thought, unable to keep his eyes open."Tomorrow is another day."
Peter placed his parents' passports underneath his pillow before going to bed and falling asleep.
The following morning after getting dressed and eating breakfast, Riley was making her way to the Parker Residence to do her homework with him while speaking with Gwen from her iPhone.
"My Grandfather Patrick is coming to visit today, Riles."Gwen declared."Sorry that I won't be able to come and help out."
"That's no problem, Gwen. Spend time with your grandfather."Riley assured with a smile."That's what I would do."
"Thanks."Gwen thanked gratefully."See you later."
"Bye."Riley responded.
Riley then placed away her iPhone and placed it in her green jacket's pocket.
"Dad doesn't like me hanging out with boys. But I am growing up."Riley thought firmly."I mean, come on. I'm still young and have a lot to experience. Like a career, living life to the fullest and finding love when the right time comes."
Riley eventually arrived to the Parker Residence which was not far from where Gwen's house was.
The young brunette arrived to the doorstep of the house.
This was her first time going to meet Peter's guardians, so it was important to make a first good impression.
She took a deep breath before ringing the doorbell.
In a couple of seconds, the door opened and revealed Maybelle 'May' Parker in the entrance.
"Hello, Riley."May greeted.
"Hey, Mrs Parker."Riley greeted kindly."Peter's expecting me."
"Come inside."May insisted.
Riley came inside the house before May closed the door.
Then Benjamin Franklin 'Ben' Parker walked forward and went next to May to meet Riley.
"Hello, Mr Parker."Riley replied with a bright smile."I'm Riley Stark."
Riley shook hands with Ben.
"How are you doing, Riley?"Ben asked."Me and May heard so many things about you."
A sheepish smile appeared on Riley's face.
"Really? I am hope all of it's good."Riley responded."Is Peter home?"
"Yes, he is."May answered."His upstairs in his room."
"I came over because I need some help with my science homework."Riley admitted.
"You two are a pair, huh? I'm not surprised."May chuckled."Peter talks a lot about you, you know?"
"Aunt May!"
Riley brought her attention on the staircase, just in time to see Peter smiling and waving awkwardly at her.
"Hey."Peter said.
Riley smiled. "Hi."
"You wanna come up?"Peter suggested.
"Sure."Riley answered before glancing at her friend's relatives."Uh, very nice to meet you."
Riley followed Peter upstairs to his bedroom as Ben and May share a smile with each other.
Before Riley arrived to his house, Peter made sure his room was completely tidy and that nothing inappropriate was around.
Including his sketches of his crush.
Neither Ned or Gwen were available, so it would be only the two of them today.
Peter brought Riley to his room before the young brunette placed her backpack down when they went to his small table to study together.
"Professor Aylward said I need to improve on my Chemistry if I want my Science grade to improve, so he said you should tutor me."Riley exclaimed.
A surprised look appeared on Peter's face.
"Really?"Peter said in surprise.
"That's right. He considers you as his star pupil."Riley remarked."Though my first option was actually to ask my Uncle Bruce to help me out since he is actually my dad's science bro. But I realised that he is too busy spending time with his girlfriend Betty. So why not come to you then?"
Peter gave Riley a shy but eager smile and reached over to pull his notebook and textbook over to his part of the table.
"Sure."Peter responded.
Riley brought her notebook from her backpack to show Peter the Chemistry questions that she needed help on.
"These questions I need help on."Riley admitted.
Peter looked at the questions on Riley's science textbook.
"What is the origin of homochirality in biomolecules?"Peter read and then smiled."That's pretty easy. Biotic theories claim that homochirality is simply a result of the natural autoamplification process of life that either the formation of life as preferring one chirality or the other was a chance rare event which happened to occur with the chiralities we observe, or that all chiralities of life emerged rapidly."
Riley started writing down in her notebook.
"Right."Riley agreed with a nod."And I heard the hardest questions in a chemistry degree depend on your strengths."
"That's completely true."Peter agreed, impressed how smart Riley was."But if you want to get an A+ in Chemistry, the secret to success is using formulas beside knowing the history of Chemistry and learning the Periodic Table."
"And ask for help when needed?"Riley added.
"If you need help in science, I'm your guy."Peter insisted confidently.
Peter became nervous and became quiet at what he just said.
Then Riley covered her mouth to giggle while Peter blushed in embarrassment on what he just said.
"I-I mean your science buddy."Peter corrected.
Riley smiled and then gave Peter a small kiss on the cheek.
"It's fine, Pete."Riley assured with a wink."I get what you mean."
Peter blushed and smiled bashfully at Riley before he continued helping her with her science homework.
In the kitchen, May was preparing a bacon and zucchini filled lasagna while Ben sat down silently drinking his cup of coffee and looking at the newspapers that talked about the Avengers.
"You're awfully quiet, huh."May stated with a small smirk."Something on your mind?"
"The fact that we're not the only people in this world?"Ben complemented."Yes, Maybelle. There's a lot on my mind."
May let out a sigh.
"Ben, you don't have to worry so much."May assured."If there are some crazy aliens out there, we have superheroes that will deal with them. Also, Peter seems to be more happier in school now that he's made some friends."
Ben glanced at May.
"Still, May. I can't help, but feel worried."Ben declared honestly."No matter how many times, Peter tried to hide it. But it seems he is admiring Tony Stark a bit too much."
May placed her homemade lasagna into the oven to cook before setting up the timer and joining her husband on the table.
"Well, Ben. Nowadays, Tony Stark is not really that self-centered and arrogant person that many people like you believed he was."May admitted."Since becoming Iron Man, he seems now a brave, determined and somewhat ruthless fighter which seems to be the reason why Peter looks up to him."
A slight frown appeared on Ben's face.
"Yes. But it's not about fame, money or any other rewards that makes a superhero."Ben admitted."With great power comes great responsibility. I want Peter to always remember that as he is growing up."
May smiled and placed her hand onto Ben's, giving it a comforting squeeze.
"And no matter what, you'll always be the real father figure in our nephew's life, Benjamin Parker."May declared kindly.
Ben smiled back at May, feeling touched by her words.
May Reilly actually came from a poor family where her parents constantly argued over money. Her father eventually left her and her mother blamed her for the troubles.
It was her lack of money that attracted her to a wealthy young rogue named Johnny Jerome. He took her dancing and bought expensive clothes for her.
May actually loved him and refused to hear the warnings from Ben, who worked at Coney Island as a barker during that time.
But then, Ben proved to be correct about Johnny after he held up a jewellery store. Johnny threatened to kill Ben, but he had to run off after the police neared May's home. He was arrested as he tried to escape.
May soon fell for the responsible Ben.
Even after becoming a couple, May and Ben didn't always get along and they broke up several times.
After a big discussion, May and Ben actually ended their relationship.
Though three weeks later, they got back together and were married, much to May's friend Anna Watson's delight.
However, when May and Ben attempted to start a family, May unfortunately had a miscarriage and was prevented from having another child when they discovered a cardiac anomaly.
Though the two of them were devastated that they would never have a child of their own, Ben and May still loved each other deeply even after that.
And when Peter was brought to their doorstep, their nephew strengthened their marriage.
Ben and May then noticed Peter and Riley coming into the kitchen.
"Thank you for helping me, Peter."Riley thanked."It's looks I won't have to worry about Chemistry anymore with the notes you taught me."
Peter smiled. "Hey, anytime."
May glanced at Ben causing him to nod at her before she brought her attention back on Riley.
"Say Riley, would you like to stay for dinner?"May suggested."The lasagna I made will be ready soon."
"Oh uh…"Riley started.
Peter looked at Riley.
"You're gonna love it."Peter insisted."My Aunt May's lasagna is awesome."
A smile appeared on Riley's face.
"Sounds good, Mrs Parker."Riley agreed brightly."I would love to."
Inside the Avengers Tower, Tony was slowly pacing back and forth since he was waiting for Riley to come home.
His daughter always arrived home on time.
But it seemed she was going past her curfew today.
That was not like Riley to do that.
Suddenly, the elevator door opened and Riley came inside while wearing an apologetic smile.
"Sorry, dad! Sorry!"Riley apologised regretfully."I know I am late!"
Tony checked his phone to check what time it was.
"You are 15 minutes late, Riley."Tony declared with a frown."Care to explain what happened?"
Riley gave Tony a hug.
"Sorry. Peter's relatives insisted that I stay and have lunch with them after he helped me with my science homework."Riley remarked."It looks like I got now a science buddy to help me really ace in science."
Before Tony could say anything, Riley excitedly then left her dad to go back to her bedroom.
"Wait! Who's Peter?"Tony demanded, upset upon hearing his daughter mentioning a boy."Rye-Rye!"
Seeing his daughter leave, Tony groaned in dismay before sitting on the sofa while touching his face.
Pepper smiled lightly as she came forward and handed Tony a glass of Old Scotch before sitting down next to him.
"Has Riley met a boy?"Pepper asked curiously.
"Yes, honey. A school friend by the looks of it."Tony replied with a deep frown."But it seems this kid helped her with Science."
"That's really sweet."Pepper admitted."Perhaps, you should invite him over and get to know him?"
Tony took a sip from his Old Scotch.
"Oh. I'll invite him over and-"Tony started and then noticed Pepper raising an eyebrow at him."For a friendly dinner."
Pepper smirked. "Bravo."