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When finding out your best friend is Spider-Man, and helps the Avengers on occasion you're sensible reaction is to panic. Every time Peter Parker - Spider-Man, a sixteen year old boy - puts on that mask, Edward "Ned" Leeds sits with his phone in hands, watching the news, and a laptop open, worried about his friends life.
He always got two, of four messages on a good night:
Hey Ned, heading out now., and the Hey Ned, I'm home now., with sometimes a I think I'll head home soon., or even a I know I'm still out, but I'm okay, go to sleep., but they have bad nights.
On bad nights the messages vary, starting out with:
Hey Ned, heading out now., and can lead to, I'm hurt, really bad. Can't help myself, can you?, (the answer is always yes), or sometimes it's a call, "Ned, I need you track down—", or there's messages of Call cops, or the appropriate people, with an address, and the situation.
Sometimes, Ned messages him. He doesn't message often, not wanting to distract Peter from fighting, or bombard him, but when he does, it's usually:
Are you okay?, or Issue at [address], get there now!, but other that, Ned never sends anything.
MJ was also another who knew about Peter, and her and Ned message each other on those nights, checking up on Peter, sharing information. MJ watched the news, had a radio on, and her phone and computer in reach distance, as well as a first aid kit, as she usually helped patch Peter up, sometimes a bit more than Ned, because yes, Ned can deal with blood for his best friend, but he didn't like it.
There are rare times Peter helps the Avengers, and Peter always messages Ned. He's gone for a day or two without a message on either end. There's always one message telling Ned about it, and one saying he's back and not too badly injured (a broken nose, and arm are as bad as it's ever gotten), and then he's back to normal two days after returning, telling Ned about it, and making the young boy have a heart attack.
One week ago, Ned received a message from Peter-Man:
Hey Ned, I'm gonna be gone for a couple of days. Avengers need me on a mission, May knows, MJ knows, the school will think I'm off with a cold. I'll be careful, I promise. Don't forget, I won't have my phone until I'm back, but I'll have a burner, if I call you it'll be a blocked number. Take care of yourself dude, I'll be back soon, take notes for me. Thanks.
Ned hated when Peter went out on Avenger type missions. He couldn't check on Peter, and it required Peter to leave his phone behind. So, with nervous fingers, Ned typed back (under the name Ned In The Chair):
Okay dude, just be careful. I'll miss you, and I'll take notes... just be safe, or else MJ and May will be the least of your worries when you get back. Come back alive.
But, that was a week ago. Ever since then it's been radio silence. He had his phone on ready, it wasn't on silent, so he got calls during class. He didn't care how much trouble he got into, and he answered every call he got. One of which was a blocked number, but it was a tele-marketer, so Ned hung up just as quickly.
"Too bad Penis won't be there when it's revealed he's been lying," came Flash's loud, obnoxious laughter.
"That's enough," scolded Mr. Harrington.
Ned looked up, and then down to the sheet in front of him, snapping out of his worry. Only for it to grow upon seeing the paper. It was a permission slip for a field trip to: Avengers-Stark Tower.
A week ago this would have had Ned jumping for joy, frantically shaking Peter because, we're going to Stark Industries!, but Peter was on a mission with the Avengers, Peter was still Missing In Action at school, and Ned has no idea if Peter's dead or alive. And Ned tensed up at that; he hadn't even thought it a possibility for Peter to be dead. How could he be so naive to completely dismiss that very real possibility.
"You'll need to sign the NDA's, and hand in that permission slip by tomorrow, we'll be going next week on Friday —"
Ned didn't care, Ned just wanted his friend. The shrill ring tone of Ned's phone sounded, silencing the excited chattering of the Decathlon club. MJ perked up, and looked over at Ned, her eyes blank, but Ned knew her. In her bored gazed was the underlying look of worry, and hope.
"Mr. Leeds, please turn it off."
Ned looked to Mr. Harrington, the only teacher who believed Peter had the internship so was immediately alright in Ned's books, and fished out his phone quickly. No Caller ID, and Ned felt sick with hope and worry.
He answered, "hello?"
"Hello, Mr. Leeds? We're calling about an accident you had!"
Ned sighed, "never mind." He hung up, and pocketed his phone, "sorry..."
So... he's going on a field trip.
It had now been a week and a half of radio silence. May had taken a week from the hospital, now in a blind panic, calling up Pepper hoping she had answers, (she didn't. She was just as worried for Peter and Tony). MJ was now deep scouring anything she could find on the internet, while Ned hacked into SHIELD and Avenger files to try and find out what was happening.
There wasn't much he could find.
But, he did find a file, a debriefing about two weeks ago with the Avengers being assembled, and he read through the small report.
Hydra bases found scattered in Bulgaria. About ten to twenty in total. Incognito, stealth mission—
Ned whipped out his phone and added Queen MJ, May Parker, and Mrs. Potts (he had freaked out when Mrs. Potts had given him her number, apparently she wanted to be on standby if anything where to happen to Peter) to a group chat, he didn't title it anything:
Ned In The Chair: They've gone to Bulgaria, there's about 10-20 Hydra bases, they've gone incognito, it's a stealth mission. Looking at reports, most buildings have gone down, but there's been a shoot out, and words spread, hydra agents went from 100-200 in about five days. They're alive as far as I can tell, unsure if they're hurt. Logically, they possibly are.
Mrs. Potts: Thank you, Ned. How did you figure that out?
Ned In The Chair: Hacked into the data base.
May Parker: When will they be back? Do you know?
Ned In The Chair: Mission report says they should have been back a week ago.
Queen MJ: They're on their last few buildings so it seems.
Ned In The Chair: You found news reports?
Queen MJ: 15 buildings destroyed, so while they keep maximising in numbers, the buildings are going down. [link], [link], [link], [link] here. There's been a few reports of the Hulk being seen [link], [link], Wanda has been out of commission for three days [link], [link], [link], and Colonel Rhodes has been spotted flying in about a week ago [link].
Ned In The Chair: That's confirmed, says here Rhodes was dispatched a week ago when the odds stopped looking in their favour. Hulk has been out, but Dr. Banner no doubt has been sleeping it off since Hulks not seen for two days at a time after two or three days after the fact.
Queen MJ: Nothing on Peter.
Ned In The Chair: Mr. Stark has reported to have fallen unconscious from the sky, a missile hit him. He's fine now, and it says Peter caught him.
Queen MJ: This ones a rumour, but it appears Black Panther is there. No evidence but here's a link [link]. That's all I can find.
May Parker: Do you know who else was sent?
Ned In The Chair: Iron Man, Captain America, Hawkeye, Black Widow, Hulk, Thor's back on world, Spider-Man, Sergeant Barnes, The Falcon, War Machine, Vision, Scarlet Witch. I think that's it? Rumoured to be there, Black Panther, and I saw on Instagram that Aunt Man could be there.
Mrs. Potts: I'll message Scott and Hope, see if they know.
Mrs. Potts: No, they're at home. They know nothing either.
Ned sighed, and set his phone down. So far, it seems Peter's okay, but... a lot can happen in the next two days.
"Everyone still here?!" Called Mr. Harrington, stood in front of the Decathlon club.
Flash had been calling Peter "out", due to the fact Peter wasn't here for the trip. "What a real shame Penis isn't here, must be too embarrassed to face the fact he's a liar!"
MJ was next to Ned, "anything yet?"
Ned shook his head, swallowing back saliva in worry, "no... nothing yet..."
It's now been a full two weeks of silence, and Peter had yet to call. He clutched his phone nervously, and eyes the screen. MJ sighed, and clutched her own, despite the fact it was a higher possibility Peter would call Ned first.
"Alright! Let's go in!" Cheered Mr. Harrington, smiling with boyish joy, as he ushered the club in.
Arriving at Stark Tower was done with little fanfare, given the hour of the day, it wasn’t that odd to see the rush of people making their way into the building.
"Remembering, no wondering off!" Called Mr. Harrington, as they all lined up outside.
The welcoming lobby was large, and rather open, not a shock there, and they made their way to the front desk, where a lady was waiting for them.
"Are you Midtown?" Asked a woman with the name "Megan" on, glancing up before looking to her StarkPad, eyeing it up and down.
"Yes, I'm Mr. Harrington, this is the Decathlon Club," Mr. Harrington said, gesturing to his rather large club.
Megan looked up, "very nice to meet you. I'm Megan Lloyd, I usually work in the R&D labs, but I'm on punishment, so I'm touring..." She did sound very forlorn, as she picked up a box, "so! Badges! Everyone must wear them on show, no questions asked, and you must not loose them. Even after you leave, if you want to work here, you keep them as to not make us waste resources." She pulled out a badge with name on (Mr. Harrington's), "White is the basic level, General. There are ten Levels and each Level has ten Subsections we call Floors."
"General, is for guests, such as tour groups. That includes paparazzi, and you can be led by someone higher, and usually paparazzi is Level 1. Level 2 is for meetings. Grey is cleaning staff, the have access to all floors freely, besides the top floor unless given the okay. Green is Biology, they are allowed on Level 3, silver is the R&D department they're on Level 4, red is for Finance and Level 5, pink is PR - it's a hot pink and it's kinda funny - that's Level 6, blue is HR and they stay on Level 7 though they can go anywhere. The Chemistry Labs are Level 8 and are purple, The Avengers Floor has a black card, they're on Level 9, nobody is allowed there unless they're given permission. But, people have black cards are also regulars, and are allowed to go anyone. And, lastly gold is head of office, Level 10. There's about a hundred floors in the building."
"Now, people who have a Gold badge are; Harold Hogan, James Rhodes, Pepper Potts and one more," she grinned. "Now, you need to scan your card across the sensors," she gestured to the sensor, and pressed her card against it.
"Lloyd Megan, R&D, Access to Level 4. Tour Guide and Researcher. No unauthorised items. Threat level: 10/100. Good morning Ms. Lloyd."
Everyone looked up with a jump, besides MJ and Ned, as the two were told about it. Mr. Harrington looked fascinated.
Megan snickered under her breath smiling, as she looked over to the group. "This is FRIDAY, which stands for Female Replacement Intelligent Digital Assistant Youth." She put her hands behind her back, "FRIDAY was created by Mr. Stark in place of JARVIS, who was killed by Ultron."
She gestured, "you have to leave behind your phones, and camera." She said, and watched as people took our their phones, and set them in the box on the table. "Right, everyone scan and come through." She began reading out names.
Ned slipped his phone into his pocket, and glanced to MJ nervously. MJ shrugged, as she set her phone into the box. Ned swallowed, hating the fact that he had to put his phone in the box and so, had no choice but to hide his phone, no doubt FRIDAY would see it and call him out.
Everyone entered, scanning the cards, with Friday saying "[Name], Guest, Access to Level 1. No unauthorised items. Threat level: 0/100. Good morning Ms./Mr. [name]."
There was one change thought when it got Flash, "Thompson Eugene, Guest, Access to Level 1. One unauthorised item."
Flash went bright red, "no! No I don't!"
"You didn't put your phone in the box."
Flash went redder, and pulled his phone out, and set it in the box.
"Threat level: 0/100. Good morning Mr. Thompson."
Ned sighed, he's screwed, it'll be noticed he's sneaked his phone it, and FRIDAY will call him out. The class moved on, walking to the back of the room, when it got to Ned and MJ, who scanned.
"Jones Michelle, Guest, Access to Level 1. No unauthorised items. Threat level: 100/100. Good morning Ms. Jones. It's a pleasure to officially meet you. Mrs. Potts and I have heard so much."
MJ, for once, showed slight shock, and continued on, unsure what to say.
Ned scanned next, now doubly nervous.
"Leeds Edward, Guest, Access to Level 1. No unauthorised items. Threat level: 100/100. Good morning Mr. Leeds. It's a pleasure to officially meet you too. Mrs. Potts would like a discussion with you after your tour."
Ned swallowed, surprised he wasn't called out, "uh, thank you Ms. FRIDAY?"
FRIDAY sounded so warm, "you're welcome Mr. Leeds."
The two caught up to the class, and came to a slow stop. Megan followed, completely confused why FRIDAY greeted the two high school-er's in such a manner.
Flash raised his hand suddenly, and he was called on. “Do you hire high school interns?” He asked with a smile, pointedly looking over at Ned, a sneer in his eyes.
Megan smiled, clearly oblivious to the intent behind Flash’s query. “A great question! No, interns must be at least 20 years of age.” She sounded so peppy, and honestly, Ned was close to killing her. Okay, he won't, but there's still no sign of Peter, and his stomach was churning, and he felt sick; is he alright?!
Flash laughed, looking to Ned and MJ smugly, nose up in the air. Mr. Harrington looked sad with that, as if he believed Peter, and Ned glared at Flash.
"Well," Flash said quietly, "looks like Parker was lying after all. I told you guys you should believe me!" Their other teammates had no choice but to be sceptical as well.
The walked on, with Ned waiting for a call, any call, but there was nothing.
They were in the Avengers Museum, and Ned and MJ were looking at the newest exhibit, Spider-Man. There was a list of fun facts about Peter listed on a plaque in front of a copy of his first suit, that was more like pyjamas.
• Spider-Man is terrified of spiders.
• Spider-Man paces on the ceiling when he's rambling, which has scared the Avengers more than once (including Black Widow).
• Spider-Man loves Star Wars.
• Spider-Man can go head to head with Black Widow, longer than the other Avengers. He's almost won a number of times.
• Spider-Man has a Guy In The Chair.
Ned's eyes widened at that, that's him! He's on here?! And, for the first time in two weeks, and that day, he felt excited. He wondered if Peter had seen this, and if he could bring his phone out, he would have snapped a picture.
"Okay everyone," called Megan suddenly, "please stay calm," she started, hands out. "But the Avengers have been on a mission for about two weeks. I’ve just gotten word that they are about to land outside this window.” She pointed to the huge floor to ceiling window in the far end of the hallway outside the museum. "They will then walk right down this hallway to get to the elevator. If you don’t bother them - and only if you don't bother them," she repeated louder, "you can watch them from a distance."
Everyone broke into chaos, yelling and cheering, and swarmed towards the window. MJ hung back to not draw attention to the fact Peter might be there, and Ned was actually a part of the huddle this time. He had pretty calm for the whole day, but this could be a chance to see Peter.
Ned wanted to make sure that Peter was okay, please, please, please! Be okay!
After about ten minutes, and after Megan had managed to calm everyone down, they saw a huge plane - the Quinjet, Peter called it - landing right outside the window. It seemed as though everyone was buzzing from excitement, and Ned was holding their breath as the plane door opened, and waited for Peter to come out.
First was Captain America, his mask was off, and was exhausted, tired. He was sagging in his walk, and was holding the Winter Soldier up, who's arm was currently missing, and walked with a limp. The Falcon was there too, limping, his eyebrow bleeding, and his machine pack was broken.
People rushed over, and ushered them off down the hall, and were frantically patching up wounds as they went.
The next people who came out where, Black Widow and Hawkeye with a stumble. Hawkeye's arm and leg was broke, and fell into a wheelchair in pain, and Black Widow had her arm wrapped around her stomach. People moved to her, and set her in a stretcher, and Ned heard one of them say "three broken ribs".
Vision and Scarlet Witch came out together, but because Scarlet Witch seemed to knocked out in Visions arms. Her head bleeding heavily, and someone checker her eyes, "concussion".
War Machine walked out tiredly, face scrunched in pain, and fell onto a wheelchair, and pulled off his leg braces quickly, his legs bleeding. Someone pushed him forward.
"What happened?" Asked the person.
"Bomb explosion, shrapnel..." Rhodes said, teeth gritting.
Suddenly, multiple people were pushing a stretcher which carried Dr. Banner, who was exhausted from turning into the Hulk, and Ned heard "more Hulk than Banner for days", and Ned swallowed; what happened out there?!
Thor came out, with bloody blond hair, and injured, littered with scars. He was the less hurt one so far. He moved out of the way, as someone pushed out a stretcher.
Iron Man was on the stretcher, and there was loud talking, "he's hurt!", "his leg is broken", "ribs cracked".
Where was Peter? Ned looked over to MJ in worry, who looked back, pale.
"Was Spider-Man there? He hasn’t been around in a while. Is he okay?" That came from Flash, a very worried Flash, who looked up to Spider-Man, and worshipped the ground he walks on. Ned felt angry; Flash has picked on Peter for years, and here he was now, worrying about him like he cared at all. No, Ned cares, Ned is the one who stays up until Peter gets home at night, not Flash.
His phone rang, which made the students look over. The Avengers who were awake, and moved down the hall, also paused.
"I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to have a phone son," Captain America said, as if he wasn't hurt. He might have been exhausted and in pain, but he knew the rules, and he was going to make sure they were upheld, now that the ones who needed immediate treatment was up there. (Besides Natasha, because she's stubborn.)
Black Widow had made the person pushing her stop, and looked over, holding her hand out, annoyed, "phone now."
Mr. Harrington looked so disappointed, and worried, looking between Ned and Black Widow.
But, Ned didn't care. He just pulled it out, and saw the words No Caller ID. His eyes widened, and answered, "Peter?"
"I'm home," came Peter's sore voice.
Ned moved back from Black Widow who reached over to snatch it, "I know. Dude, you'll never guess what! Black Widow is trying to snatch my phone!" He said telling him hey the trip is here, his voice excited to cover what was happening, but face blank in hidden worry. He didn't miss the shocked gasps, as he completely disregarded the assassin.
"Penis is calling you? Ha!" Laughed Flash, sneering. He quickly looked to the jet, no Spider-Man.
"Ned, I can't move... I may have down played my injuries... but..." Peter sucked in a sharp breath of air, "Ned it hurts. Grenade and bombs, hit with shrapnel, uh... multiple bullet wounds, broken ribs, and there's a bad slash at my side..."
"Can you get out?" He was keeping his questions vague, so that way nobody could piece it together.
Peter hesitated, "Ned, I can't even breath with my mask on right now. I'm trying to walk, but I'm using the wall... Ned, I can't even keep myself from falling over."
Ned eyed the jet, "all right, I'm coming." He hung up, and threw his phone to MJ, "call May, tell her it's bad!" He rushed passed the heroes who grabbed at him, and ran down the hall.
"Hey!"
"Kid!"
"Mr. Leeds!"
"Oi!"
"Son!"
Ned was on the landing pad, the wind hitting his face, and paused, feeling the eyes of his classmates on him, and "Peter?" He gasped out, seeing Peter in his Spider-Man uniform, mask off, his eyes red, and blood staining his eyebrow, his lip slip, and nose broken. His suit was covered in blood, with pieces of metal sticking out, and there was a gnash on his stomach, and he was leaning on the wall, one leg up.
"Ned," gasped Peter, eyes dancing to his shocked class, before looking to Ned. "Catch me," he warned, sagging, and Ned rushed, catching him.
Ned hobbled him back to the building, and down the hall, as people where in a rush, checking him over. Upon realising the boy was after Peter, the other heroes carried on in a panic, and Ned was now apart of the chaos of making sure a hero stayed alive. MJ rushed over, helping Peter stand, as she was saying on the phone, "he's home, but hurt, really bad. Get here", and they made it the elevator, as it went up.
Ned forced Peter to sit on one of the stretchers, heart thundering, and MJ gripped one of Peter's scabbed and scarred hands gently.
Peter lay down willingly, and looked over to Ned tiredly, then said with a smile, "I came back alive."
It took two more weeks for Peter to get back to school, and when he did, things were different. Official, nobody could say anything, but imply a rumour? Sure.
Peter walked into the Homeroom after being on bed rest, everything now healed, and saw Ned, sat in his chair. Everyone whispered as he moved over, and fell into the seat next to Ned.
Ned relaxed, sure he's been seeing Peter everyday, but seeing him doing normal Peter things made him feel so much better. "So? Better?"
"Yeah, sorta..."
"Good," sighed Ned, relaxing. "Don't you ever," he gently whacked Peter's arm, "do that to me again!"
Peter grinned, and laughed, "yes Mom."
Flash wondered over and said, quietly, and under his breath, "so Parker. You feeling better?"
That was a shock to Peter, but it made sense when you though about the fact Flash worshipped Peter. Spider-Man smiled, and shrugged, he's not better, he never will be, what the the PTSD, and panic attacks, but "I'm alive..."
And, that was enough for Peter.