Chapter Text
“I am going to kill that man.”
Peter groaned, taking in the monstrosity sitting outside his apartment. The abomination in question had sure enough drawn the attention of every pair of eyes on his block, and he couldn’t help but feel self conscious.
It was a sleek, jet black, ostentatious as fuck limo. Sure enough, Peter’s mentor had stayed true to his word when he’d promised the boys a night they’d never forget.
What had Mr. Stark been thinking?!
Oh, right. In what way can I ruin their night as perfectly as possible? Peter fumed inwardly. Everyone at school was sure to gawk and fawn, and ask questions he couldn’t possibly answer. Sure, he didn’t care anymore what people thought of him, but that didn’t mean he wanted people to start suspecting he was more than just Mr. Stark’s favorite ‘intern’!
Taking out his phone with every intention to bombard his mentor with a torrent of texts expressing exactly how he felt, the motion of the limo’s driver side window sliding down catches Peter’s eye.
“Hey kid. You gonna get in, or just stand there all day? I get paid by the hour either way.”
Happy gives Peter a wry grin as the boy sighed in defeat and pocketed his phone before crawling into the back of the vehicle. Annoyed as he was with Tony’s meddling, over the top, suffocating utilization of nigh infinite finances, he has to admit the limo’s interior was everything one could dream for on their senior prom.
Decked out with a snack bar, plush leather seating, as well as a built in stereo, the back of the limo has anything and everything to ensure all the traveling would be as comfortable as it would be memorable. In addition to the luxurious interior, there was a plethora of space for at least a dozen people. It was the level of first class Tony was accustomed to every day of his life. With his money, he never had to worry about settling for anything that was second best.
And Peter hated it.
He, who had had to hunt for used clothes at thrift stores whenever spare change was on hand. He, who had to make do with microwavable meals when Aunt May just didn’t have the budget for fresh produce. He, who up until Tony had taken him under his wing, had fought crime in a homemade suit that resembled pajamas.
Every time Tony gave him anything without his approval, or that was beyond his means of getting for himself on his own, that knot in his gut twisted tighter and tighter until it was almost unbearable. It wasn’t pride, he kept telling himself, or even a principle to make do on his own that made Peter feel that way.
It was his anger at the irrefutable situation. He and May had grown up poor, in one of the most expensive cities in the world.
So everytime Tony did something because he wanted to help, out of the goodness of his heart, Peter felt more and more indebted because he couldn’t ever hope to pay it all back. Even if it was Tony doing this because Peter ‘deserved’ more, or by arguing that Peter paid it back by being Spider-Man, it didn’t change how he felt about Tony spending money on him. He didn’t want to be some kind of investment.
Peter was worth more than that.
-----
“Are you guys really going to make me wait until I can see him?”
Harley scowled as he sat in the main lounge area on Peter’s floor. With him are Tony, May, and his mother, all of whom were wearing matching grins as he threw his petulant tantrum. Abby, meanwhile, was occupying herself on the couch and watching a show on the giant plasma screen TV Tony had installed for the floor.
“Harley,” his mother said placatively. “We’ve discussed this. Tony doesn’t want you two to see each other before you’re both ready for prom. And, honestly, I agree with the idea. I think it’s sweet and romantic.”
Harley groans, knowing his incessant arguing will get him nowhere. Still, it wasn’t fair. After Tony had apologized, and May had dropped the bombshell that the boys were going to prom, Tony had shifted all his energy and focus on keeping them separated towards controlling their romantic life on this one very special night.
But, for crying out loud, it wasn’t like they were getting married! He hadn’t seen Peter since yesterday morning!
The last week had been even more of a whirlwind than his getting mauled in Time Square. He and Peter had gotten out of their project thanks to Tony’s written notice that Harley had gotten injured, and Mr. Vang had accepted the excuse, along with their finished term papers. The school had also allowed Harley to finish all his coursework from his bed as he fully recovered, so he’d be all set to go back to school after prom without having fallen behind.
Even better, was that Harley’s mother and sister were none the wiser over what had transpired. To keep Peter’s secret, they had all agreed to only divulge necessary information regarding Harley’s injury. They had stuck with the truth that he had been in Time Square, and also jumped in to stop the Outrider from attacking the crowd. They had fudged the story, however, when they’d told her that he and Peter had been out on a date in the area. As far as she knew, her son had just been a reckless hero who had protected his boyfriend without a second thought, and was now on track with his recovery. She’d been worried sick, of course. However, given the passage of a week, she had had the time to calm down.
Peter had needed to go back to school, unfortunately, though he’d insisted on visiting Harley every evening after school had ended. The day that MJ and Ned had visited, the four of them had all shared a laugh when MJ told them of how she’d gotten out of performing alongside Flash.
-----
“MJ, are you crazy?!” Ned whispered fervently as they took their seats. Though he was trying to play it cool so none of their classmates could eavesdrop, he was doing a poor job of concealing his excitement. After all, he had only just been informed of her nefarious scheme moments ago in the hallway. Luckily, everyone else was too worried for themselves over their project presentations to notice them.
“Shh! Keep it down!” MJ snapped. Unlike her friend, she was able to take her seat nonchalantly and apply a perfect poker face. Well, perfect for any other onlooker than Ned. He alone could see the faintest of smirks playing at the corners of her lips.
“But you-” he tried starting again. “But Flash…. but, but you just-!”
“Quiet!” she whispered at him again. “Here he comes!”
Sure enough, Flash came in along with Mr. Vang right before the beginning of class. While everyone was still hurriedly looking over their notes and lines for their presentations, MJ and Ned were studying the jerk’s face intently.
And oh. Was it a glorious sight .
The usually cocky, holier than thou smarm that managed to remain perpetually plastered on Flash’s face was nowhere to be seen. He looked not only uncomfortable, but was also sweating profusely along his brow. MJ’s plan was going perfectly.
“Hey Ned!” Betty chirped, having materialized from nowhere. “Ready for our presentation? I know we practiced a bunch, and I’m good to go, but I just wanted to double check and see how you’re feeling about-.”
“Yeah, yeah babe.” Ned responded hurriedly, not even bothering to glance at his girlfriend. A pained expression crossed Betty’s face at his nonchalance, before following his and MJ’s gazes to the focus of their attention. Her eyes widened upon noticing how sick Flash looked, and by putting two and two together, she quickly deduced that there was a plot underway.
“What did you do to him?” she whispered to MJ, unable to hide the evident glee on her face. Whatever it was, she was onboard with seeing Thompson getting put in his place.
“Just wait,” MJ replied in a monotone. Glancing around to make sure they were still remaining inconspicuous, she continued. “I’ll explain later.”
Betty pursed her lips, but kept herself from pressing the issue. Giving Ned one last meaningful look to fill her in on the details afterwards, she took her seat beside him.
“Well, good morning class!” Mr. Vang’s cheery voice broke out among the worried masses. “As you all know, we’re continuing our skits for today. Now, given unfortunate circumstances outside of anyone’s control, Peter and Harley will not be presenting, though they were given an acceptable alternative assignment to excuse their absences. Now, if there are no questions, let us start with our first pair of students!”
A random couple of students got up, grumbling, and began the first skit. Paying little attention, the trio in the back continued focusing their attention on Flash. The boy in question was fidgeting, pulling at his collar and looking around as though he wished to be anywhere else than where he was now. The sight was so pitiable, they almost felt sorry for him.
Almost.
After several more presentations, it was MJ and Flash’s turn. As she got up and meandered to the front, her partner remained seated, causing some confusion amongst the other students.
“Mr. Thompson?” Mr. Vang inquired politely. “Is there some sort of problem? It is your turn now.”
“Um…” Flash grunted, arms crossed tightly around his chest.
Suddenly, a loud grumble could be heard from his stomach, followed by a foul smell.
“Er, I need to use the bathroom!” Flash blurted suddenly, dashing towards the door in a flash.
[Forgive me. The pun proved too tempting XD ]
As he saw the bully dart out of the room, most of the class was too busy looking at one another in confusion to notice the cheshire grin on MJ’s face. Ned and Betty were likewise restraining their laughter with great difficulty.
Peter would later commend MJ on what had to have been one of her best stunts over her illustrious high school career: spiking Flash’s protein shake with a laxative during their previous class.
-----
Annoyed as he was by being kept from his boyfriend, the ghost of a smirk passes on Harley’s face at the memory. MJ had gone on to present a solo presentation she had, naturally, planned beforehand, and Flash had been left to do another makeup assignment for Mr. Vang by himself. Ned had been considerate enough to catch her presentation on video at least, so Harley and Peter had been able to watch after MJ had told them about her prank. It had all played out beautifully.
“Hey, Winn-Dixie,” a voice called. Harley looked up, only to see Tony bearing down on him with a stern expression. He was about to retort for the lame nickname, before he noticed the warm twinkle in the older man’s eye. “Underoos is going to be here before too long, but before that, I think you and I should have a little chat.”
It takes some effort for Harley to swallow the lump in his throat, but he manages as he gets up to follow the older man out of the room. Looking back, he sees his mother give him an encouraging smile, while May waggles a finger at Tony.
“Now, now Stark,” she chided. “Make sure you don’t go too hard on the boy. That was our deal.”
“Deal!?” Harley objected.
The only response Harley gets to his outburst is Tony’s good hand coming onto his shoulder to gently nudge him out the door. Letting out a small sigh, the boy relented, and followed obediently.
They just manage to exit into the hallway, before Harley’s jaw drops as he sees the two people standing outside. One of the women was tall, dark, and beautiful, dressed in a simple yet refined red dress. However, she wore one of the most serious faces Harley had ever noticed, and seemed to command an authority through her presence alone which nobody could argue against. She exuded the aura of a commander, a leader, a deadly soldier.
As for the other woman, who was smaller in stature and closer in age to Harley, she was no less beautiful. Her face was dotted with what appeared reminiscent of tribal markings, and her dark hair was done up in an intricately weaved braid. Concerning the girl’s attire, she was dressed in what was obviously a prom dress, though it was like nothing Harley had ever seen before. Dark purple in color, with several folds, it gave off a shimmering effect as it accentuated its wearer’s best features.
Gay as Harley was, he was no fool. Both women would make any man’s jaw drop.
“Aw…” Tony said, hesitance in his voice. It wasn’t a tone Harley was used to hearing from the older man. “It’s... good to see you two. General Okoye, Princess Shuri.”
Harley’s eyes widened even further. General? PRINCESS?!
The taller woman leveled a glare at Tony, before speaking with an assertive tone and thick accent. “I normally prefer being addressed first in a room, though you would have done well to give the princess of Wakanda her due respects, Stark.”
“Okoye!” the girl who must’ve been Shuri said. “Come now, we’re amongst friends!”
Surprising the poor boy even more so than he had been already, Shuri rushed up to Harley without any shred of respect for proper decorum, and rigorously shook his hand.
“Hello, you must be Harley! Peter has told me ssssoooooooooo much about you!” she exclaimed in excitement, quirking an eyebrow suggestively.