Through the Web

Period Two: AP Calculus

In between the five minute passing period the students were so graciously given, Peter left the lab--no longer feeling like he had Tony's trust--and searched for a different place to work. Only having a minute left and still not having a clue, he opted for the training room. Tony designed the room to have sound proof walls so, if anything, no noise could come from outside the room (hopefully no noise would come at all). When he made it down, he noted it was just Clint and Natasha who were using the room. He mumbled a silent prayer to Loki (because even though he wasn't raised to be religious, he now lives with two gods. It's the polite thing to do), thanking her two of the quietest Avengers were in the room, and hid in a corner, far away from Clint and Natasha as possible. If anyone else had been in the room, he would've sat in silent fear of something happening on the off chance he'd need to turn his mic on. It was well known within the tower that Thor can be quite loud when he's exercising. Steve and Bucky make a lot of noise even though they just hit the punching bag. And everyone else, well, they weren't trained to be silent.

He successfully made it through attendance without anyone embarrassing him. Clint noticed he was in there when he said 'here'. He smiled and waved but understood when Peter just nodded. Then Clint went back to practicing with his bow. Peter sat in the corner, very attentive to everything the teacher was saying. He jotted a few notes down in his phone so he could remember them after school. It was mainly school supplies; Loki and Natasha promised they'd take him shopping for school supplies that weekend. Natasha noticed him about ten minutes later. She'd heard someone else's voice in the room and had to figure out who it was. She simply smiled. Peter didn't notice her. She watched him for a moment before returning to her training exercise, her smile growing. She hadn't noticed the way Peter's nose scrunches when he's concentrating on something before. It was adorable.

Clint, growing tired of doing the same thing over and over again, made his way over to Natasha and watched her. Now that so many people have joined the Avengers, and so many people have gotten together (Clint and Natasha included--though not with each other), the best friends hadn't spent a lot of time together in a while. They both needed to spend some time with the other.

"How 'bout after this we go out for ice cream or something?" Clint suggested, his eyes following her as she moved around the ring. Natasha hummed. "Just the two of us. I barely see you any more." She shot him a look. He laughed for a second before he caught himself and glanced at Peter. He seemed to not have noticed the sudden outburst of laughter. That or the laughter didn't cross the other side of the computer. "C'mon, Tasha."

Natasha smirked and stopped the simulation with a small huff. She turned around to face him, pulling her gloves off finger by finger. "It's like nine in the morning, Clint," she remarked. "We're not getting ice cream." He pouted. "We could get coffee since Tony spilled it all this morning."

Clint weighed the options in his head. On one hand, he was really in the mood for ice cream. On the other, he didn't get to have a cup of coffee this morning because Tony wouldn't make a new pot.

"Coffee does sound nice." She smiled faintly. "You need help putting anything away?" She shook her head.

"It clears itself," she reminded him with a wave of her hand. No sooner had the words left her mouth did the simulation disappear, leaving the blank wall and padded floor behind her. Clint glanced behind her and frowned, disappointed that he momentarily forgot how it worked. "You wanna go looking like that?" she asked, gesturing to the athletic gear he was still wearing. He nodded and shrugged. She raised an eyebrow but didn't push. Neither one looked terrible. She might've looked a little sweaty. Perfectly plausible they had just come from the gym. "Are you paying?"

Clint scoffed. "I believe Stark's paying." They both laughed softly, glancing over at Peter to make sure they didn't disturb him. Clint offered Natasha his hand. "M'lady." She narrowed her eyes at him before accepting and grabbing her phone.

Together, they headed over to the elevator. Halfway through, Natasha's phone buzzed. She pulled away from Clint so she could look at it. He stopped once he noticed the lack of weight in his hand and waited for her. Her lips began pressing into a fine line as she read the text over again. Clint sighed. He's never liked that look on her. It's her serious look. Her look that clearly reads "I'm at work. This isn't a joking matter." He took in a deep breath before groaning, throwing his head back and just staring at the ceiling.

"What now?" he asked. She glanced up as she slid her phone in her pocket.

"Fury wants us to head out." He turned to her, an eyebrow raised. "Says there's been a situation downtown that looks like it could've been a mutant."

Clint's back straightened as his brow furrowed. "So why is he sending us?" She shrugged.

"Because if it's not?" He hummed. Point taken. "Because he knows he can contact us?" Clint rolled his eyes. Another good point. "Xavier's been awol ever since Mystique died and the whole thing with Jean happened." Clint hummed. "Who knows where Logan is. Storm's running Wakanda with T'Challa. And Fury doesn't know how to get in contact with the school itself for Kurt, Hank, or Scott to answer."

"Alright, alright," he groaned. "I get it." She smirked. "He just want you?" She shrugged.

"He sent the text to just me." Clint narrowed his eyes at her. "Doesn't mean I have to go alone." He laughed.

They continued the short length they had left to the elevator. When they got close to where Peter was sitting, Clint stood waiting for the elevator while Natasha made her way over to Peter. She ruffled his hair and provided a soft smile. He smiled up at her, glancing between her and his computer. His teacher was still going over everything they'd be learning that year, butting into her own lesson to share stories of past classes or something she did over the summer.

Natasha glanced at the computer and listened in on the conversation for a moment before saying, "Clint and I are heading out for a short mission. You wanna come with?" Peter shook his head, not paying much attention. "Pete?" He hummed and risked a glance her way. "Mission with Clint and I?" He shook his head again. Natasha rolled her eyes. "Pete, c'mon. The class sounds super boring anyway."

Peter shooed her off. "Nat, no!" he whisper-yelled. "Go away! I can't go on a mission with you right now! I have school." Natasha frowned but shrugged and stood up. She understood.

"Mr. Parker?" the teacher asked, her eyes trained on where his square must've been on her screen.

His eyes widened as he realized he never muted his microphone from attendance. He lunged for the keys to quickly to do, muttering, "Oh my god," under his breath. Natasha made her way over to the elevator, suppressing her laughter. Part of it was her fault that Peter's secret might've slipped and of course she felt bad because of it. But it was still very funny to witness Peter embarrassing himself rather than someone else. Clint slipped into the elevator and held the doors open for her. She leaned back, made sure she had Peter's attention, and mouthed 'I'm sorry' before heading inside the elevator. Peter offered a small smile but still looked defeated.

Note to self: remember to check if your mic is on or off after you take attendance.