Chapter 17: Joining in

It was a seemingly idyllic day in a neighborhood filled with the bustling sounds of children playing, birds chirping, and the laughter of neighbors. The sun bathed the streets in a warm golden glow, casting long shadows as it began its descent toward the horizon.

The scent of blooming flowers wafted through the air, adding a touch of sweetness to the tranquil atmosphere.

However, inside the living room of Alex's house, a different ambiance prevailed. The room was cloaked in shadows, the blinds drawn shut, casting a dim and somber light that failed to match the cheerful scene outside.

The silence hung heavy, broken only by the occasional creak of the floorboards and the distant sounds of life outside.

Alex sat in silence.

He stared out of the window, his gaze unfocused, lost in a labyrinth of contemplation.

Despite the pleasant weather and the neighborhood's cheerful facade, a cloud seemed to hover over him. It was as if the weight of the world rested upon his shoulders, and the burden he carried was etched upon his furrowed brow.

The encounter with Nick Fury had left him with more questions than answers. Where did he do wrong?

As he glanced at the file, Fury had left behind, a surge of conflicting emotions washed over him. On the one hand, he couldn't deny the allure of joining a powerful organization like S.H.I.E.L.D. The thought of having access to advanced resources, which in turn will make his endeavor a lot easier.

But on the other hand, Alex couldn't shake off the lingering feeling of distrust. He understood that there were remnants of Hydra hidden within S.H.I.E.L.D. And the thought of aligning himself with an organization that might have compromised loyalties made him uneasy.

Lost in his thoughts, Alex's gaze shifted to the door downstairs, where S.H.I.E.L.D.'s equipment awaited. It was a double-edged sword.

On the one hand, using their technology had helped him in his vigilante efforts. On the other hand, it had unknowingly invited the presence of Nick Fury into his own home.

"...Fuck, I gotta ensure the equipment was safe enough for us to use. Hopefully, it won't get the attention of these slimy wimpy sneaky snakes."

With a sigh, Alex realized that he couldn't simply ignore Fury's offer. It held the potential to shape his future, whether he liked it or not. But before making any decisions, he needed more information.

He picked up the file and began to read through its contents. It detailed the Avenger Initiative, a team of extraordinary individuals brought together to protect the world from imminent threats.

The idea intrigued him, but he knew that joining such a team would come at a price.

Alex's mind raced with possibilities as he delved deeper into the file. Perhaps by being on the inside, he could expose their hidden agenda and bring justice to those affected earlier.

The room around him seemed to fade away as Alex became immersed in his thoughts. Once filled with uncertainty and tension, the living room now crackled with an air of possibility.

The lamp's soft glow cast a warm, comforting light, contrasting with the weight of the decision he was about to make.

Peter, sensing the seriousness of the situation, broke the silence. "So, you're saying that we got caught?"

Alex looked up from the file, his gaze meeting Peter's concerned eyes. A wry smile crept across his face. "Yeah, it seems like we made quite the impression," he replied, trying to lighten the mood.

Peter chuckled nervously, his eyes darting around the room.

"I never thought we'd be on such an organization's radar," he admitted, his voice filled with a mix of excitement and unease.

Alex leaned back in his seat, closing the file and placing it on the coffee table.

"Well, it seems like they see something in us," he said, his tone thoughtful. "But before we make any decisions, we need to weigh the risks and benefits. We can't just jump into this blindly."

Peter nodded in agreement, his youthful optimism tempered by a newfound sense of caution. "You're right. We need to be smart about this."

As they continued their conversation, the living room felt charged with a sense of anticipation.

"Still, isn't this epic? Holy shit, I'd never imagined a day like this would come, protecting the earth was one hell of a story!!!"

Peter, back to his normal self, excitedly exclaimed.

"...You're not wrong, if only they're that good, I wouldn't be this worried."

Alex wouldn't possibly tell Peter about the lurking danger in the organization, understanding that he was still a kid no matter how deeply Peter was involved with his vigilante's life.

"What? Do you mean they're quite corrupted, like most of the superhero movies? Holy shit, we probably shouldn't join them then??"

Alex couldn't help but smack his lips, quite speechless at Peter's response. "Well, I wouldn't deny that most of what they did was illegal in a legal way. But it's a little bit more complicated..."

Peter furrowed his eyebrows as he sat down in silence,

"...So, you're saying they were compromised?"

"..."

Alex once again was stunned, speechless, he couldn't deny that Peter can be quite imaginative sometimes, but to think it would be this spot-on made him think, '...was that really too cliche for him to guess that easily?'

"Haha, no way, right?"

Peter shrugged it off cheerfully, thinking it shouldn't be possible. After all, this wasn't a movie.

But, seeing Alex sitting in silence...

"...No way, are you for real?"

"Pete, I would say you better do your homework now or else, Aunt May gonna call me again tomorrow." Alex could only sigh tiredly.

"...I'll do it after this, so what's the plan?" Peter asked, his brows furrowing as he glanced at the folder.

Alex let out a weary sigh as he met Peter's gaze with a somber look, his voice tinged with a hint of resignation.

"I'm thinking of joining in..." Alex's words hung in the air, his voice filled with a mixture of determination and uncertainty.

Peter's eyes widened in disbelief, his mouth slightly agape as he processed Alex's words.

"What?? We'd still join in after knowing all of that?" Peter's voice was laced with disbelief and a touch of worry, mirroring the concern etched on his face.

He leaned in closer, his eyes searching Alex's face for answers, unable to fathom why they would consider risking everything they had worked so hard for.

Alex met Peter's gaze, his eyes reflecting a myriad of emotions.

"We still need their equipment to operate," Alex explained, his voice tinged with a mixture of practicality and determination.

His gaze was steady, unwavering, as he met Peter's concerned eyes. "That's why I gotta make sure only Fury knows about our sneaky usage of their equipment."

As the weight of their conversation settled upon them, the room fell into a heavy silence.

Both Peter and Alex understood that their lives were about to change, their paths diverging toward uncharted territories. The gravity of their decision was etched on their expressions, a reflection of the choices that lay before them.

At that moment, the room seemed to hold its breath, capturing the weight of their contemplation. The atmosphere crackled with uncertainty and possibility as the friends faced the crossroads that would shape their destinies.

However,

*Prrtt! Prrtt!!*

The atmosphere was broken apart with oddly familiar sounds which carried a heavy smell of natural gas.

"...Peter Parker, are you fucking kidding me right now?"

"I'm sorry..." Peter sheepishly apologized for farting loudly.

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