Chapter Text
The mission isn’t hard, in fact it’s probably one of the more tame. Peter isn’t scared, he’s confident in himself, perhaps a little too confident. The feeling he conjures most is curiosity, a curiosity towards their new teammate. He doesn’t know much, all he knows is that the name is ‘Iron Fist.’ Of course though, he’d been constantly bothering Dr. Strange to find out more.
“You can’t just tell me..one thing? Or, wait! We can do charades.” Peter said, following behind Strange like an attached puppy. “Is he tall? Short? Cmon I have to know!”
Strange sighed, a long, drawn out sigh. “Parker, you’re a frustrating gossip. When he gets here, you can see for yourself.” He patted his cape off, dusting some dirt.
Peter groaned, his arms flopping to the side. “I’m just trying to get a feel for this guy! I mean, no one is saying anything. All I know is his name, not even his name! Iron Fist. What kind of name..” He stopped himself, his name is Spider-Man, he shouldn’t criticize. “Whatever.”
Strange’s face twisted into mild annoyance, but he stopped himself from saying anything too rude. “You’ll learn when he gets here, just get ready because we’re leaving soon.” He turned around to look at Peter, raising his eyebrows. “And please, when you see him, don’t bombard him with your curiosity.”
Peter frowned but shook his head to correct it to a smile. “Alright!” He backed off, seeing the expression on the Dr’s face, he didn’t want to keep pushing. It’s strange to him, everyone doesn’t really seem to know the guy either! He’s met every teammate of his, he knows them pretty well. This guy though, seems to be sneaking by. He brushes it off for now, and heads to go get ready.
-
“I’ll find out soon enough, finding out what this guys deal is. What if he’s a beast? Maybe that’s why no one talks about him.” Peter strokes his chin, deep in thought. “Maybe an alien? Could he be an iron statue? We all seem to take these names extremely literally. Well except Mister Strange. That’s actually his name.”
“Excuse me.” A voice said behind Peter.
Peter widened his eyes and jumped, how come his spider sense didn’t tip him off? He whipped his head around, web shooters at the ready just in case it was an enemy. Though, when he turned around, it wasn’t anything he was expecting. A man, around the same age as him with a muscular build and handsome face was standing there. “Wah..” Peter trailed off, blinking rapidly.
“Ah, sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you while you’re..seemingly swimming in thought.” The man cleared his throat. “I was going around and uhm, introducing myself. I didn’t expect to find you here.” His voice was very firm, but his tone was dripping with politeness.
Peter stared at him, looking around the man’s body. “Oh, well.” He took a long blink then shook his head. “Sorry! Hi! You..you must be Iron Fist? Of course you are, you’re new here. Obviously. Hi, Iron Fist!” That wasn’t the speech pattern he wanted to pick up, but unfortunately it’s all his brain could muster. He was caught off guard, all this theorizing into it and this is what he’s presented with. He’s impressed, the guys muscles are the size of his head. Knock it off Parker, don’t make it uncomfortable for yourself.
The man shook his head. “Lin. Lin Lie. We are..new teammates, I’d rather you just call me by my name.” Lin took a few moments to notice the lower half of Peter’s body, then his eyes widened. “Oh! Are..you’re.” He turned around almost immediately. It took him a few moments to realize, though he should have immediately noticed the suit. “Spider-Man! Jeez, I’m sorry.” Guilty. He feels like he’s seen something illegal.
Peter looked down, he forgot he had it on in the first place. “Oh. No! No man, it’s okay. We’re teammates! Well. I mean you were going to find out eventually. My teammates always find out anyways. I don’t even know how! I think it’s Mantis, she can’t keep a secret.” He muttered to himself, still a theory but he knows it’s her. “I’m Peter! Peter Parker. See? Uhm, now we know each-others names.”
Lin slightly turned around, he doesn’t fully though, he’s still a bit nervous. “You know, it makes me feel a bit better, but I am still sorry.” He scratched the back of his head.
Peter looked around, he doesn’t know how to correct the situation. “Hey man, look, we all know each-other here! I mean, Strange knows me and Mister Stark, even Bucky knows me. I think? Well, now you know me! So. That’s great.” He clapped his hands together, awkwardly waiting for Lin to turn back around so he can get another look at him. Though, he’s satisfied with the angle now. Peter. Knock it off.
Lin took a few moments to think, He’s not wrong. It’s not like he wouldn’t find out later on. Lin is a curious boy, but he wanted to remain somewhat respectful. He slowly turned himself around, finally once again being able to look Peter in the eyes. He gave a small smile. “You swear it’s okay?” He looked nervous, a bit flustered too.
Peter nodded. “It’s okay, if it wasn’t I would have tied you up!” He paused. “I..In my webs! In. In my webs.” He cleared his throat, patting his chest. “Wow it’s really hot in here sorry.” He chuckled nervously. He’s faltering. The confidence he had earlier is fading, mostly because he thought Lin was a monster but now is met with a real handsome guy. What’s wrong with him? He has no idea.
“Yeah, it is pretty hot in here.” Lin’s always hot, body temperature wise of course. “Well, uhm..great meeting you Spider-man. Or, Peter.” He cringed. “That feels wrong, I’m just going to call you Spider-Man.”
“Spidey! You can call me that?” Peter suggested, tilting his head.
“Spidey? Hm. Okay. Sounds good. I will see you later, Spidey!” Lin gave a thumbs up then slowly backed away from the conversation. “On the mission!” He then backed out of the door, still maintaining a bit of eye contact with each step. It took a few moments but he finally turned around as the doors opened and closed.
Peter waved him bye, all the way until he turned around. Once the doors closed, he gasped for a bit of air. “What on earth was that?!” He had felt his heart racing, his eyes darting everywhere around Lin. “Why was I acting like that? Have I ever..” Has he ever stuttered around before? Maybe! Sure. Well, yes. That was different though. From the very moment they made eye contact he felt himself get awkward and embarrassed. For what reason he has absolutely no clue. The thoughts he had were worse! Inappropriate, and not in good taste. “It wasn’t Spidey sense. That was..something else.” He tapped his chin. “So respectful too. Wow.” He cleared his throat.
Peter sits down, placing his head into his hands. “Get over it man, we have stuff to do.” He nodded. He has a mission to get to! Spider-Zero. Though, it might be harder for him to focus if this continues. Hopefully it doesn’t. Maybe a one time thing? A nervous flare up, or maybe even excitement, a bit of anxiety?
The door opens, that time Peter heard it. He lifted his head up, a bit of him hoping to see Lin there again but he doesn’t have any idea why. It’s not him unfortunately, just Mantis. “Hello!” She smiled at him and waved. “I forgot my gloves in here.” She walked forward, towards her locker, but paused when she saw Peters expression. “Is something wrong?” She asks, tilting her head. She notices something, not sure what it is though.
Peter shook his head. “No! No, nothing is wrong.”
“Oh.” Mantis said. She knows something is off, but he doesn’t seem to want to talk about it. “Well okay.” She shrugged. “Have you met him yet?”
“Lin Lie? Yeah. He came here earlier. Actually, sorry..Iron Fist! Yeah. Met him.” He said. “Really kind guy.”
Mantis blinked. “Oh. Okay.” She slowly peeled her gaze away from Peter, reaching forward and opening the locker where her gloves are stored. “I’m glad we’re getting more help! Not that we’re bad or..something. But, very beneficial.”
“Right.” Peter nodded. “He’s going to be a real good teammate I can already tell. I mean, he seems gentle and friendly.” He agreed with Mantis, but cant help himself to ramble on.
Mantis took her gloves out of the locker, she turned back to Peter. “Peter, are you okay?”
“What?” Peter looked up at Mantis, a bit caught off guard.
“You seem really anxious about something. Do you need some help? I can calm you down if you’d like.” She closed the locker, she squinted at him. “You seem..very tense.”
“What? Ah. No! I’m okay.” Peter stood up, grabbing the mask beside him. “The mission is soon right? I’m gonna go warm up. Outside. Maybe swing around.” He reassured himself, yeah that should help him clear his head. It’ll get rid of this mysterious anxiety. “Yeah! See you out there, Mantis!” He put his mask onto his head, half of it though. He walked, nearly ran towards the door.
“Uh. Okay!” Mantis said, watching him scurry at the door nearly as soon as it opened. “See you Peter!”
He hopes this will pass when the mission comes, whatever it is.