Geek Charming

We're doing what?!

Peter's POV

My phone buzzed for what felt like the third time this period. I didn't exactly feel like dealing with it. Probably just a meme from Ned or some long-winded reminder from May to pick up milk because she used all the food in her latest kitchen disaster. I knew they both meant well, but I could already feel irritation bubbling under the surface.

I took a deep breath. It wasn't May's fault; it wasn't really anyone's fault. I was just feeling... cramped. Cooped up. Sure, I liked being the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, but I kind of missed the big leagues—doing something that actually mattered. The city seemed unusually quiet this week, and I guess I should've been grateful for the breather. But honestly? The calm atmosphere just felt... discouraging. Like there wasn't even a point to me being out there, you know?

And that? That's a tough pill to swallow.

It's not that I want to be the star of the show. I just want to contribute. I want to feel needed. And while people usually equate being needed with being important, it still stung that Tony hadn't called me for anything in ages.

"PE-TER!"

"Huh? Ned, why are you yelling?"

"Because your phone's been ringing nonstop, dude! And I can't get your attention unless I yell. Like THIS!" He practically shouted the last part, loud enough for Mr. Harrison to give us a look. Yeah, definitely not answering the phone now. Luckily, the bell rang, signaling the end of class.

"Alright, that's it. Read chapters one through five and review each module carefully!"

I grabbed my bag and bolted out of the classroom. Once I was outside, I ducked into an alley, suited up, and swung straight to Stark Tower. My nerves were buzzing. Finally, something important to do.

When I landed on the top floor, I changed back into my regular clothes and headed to Tony's lab.

"Hey, Tony, I'm here."

"Hey, kid. How was school?" he asked without looking up.

"Boring. Don't really want to talk about it," I muttered, brushing off the inevitable headache that came with thinking about Flash or homework.

"Well, the others should be here soon," Tony said, glancing at his workbench.

Wait—others? I had no idea who was on this mission or what it was about.

"Mr. Stark, King T'Challa and Princess Shuri have arrived," FRIDAY announced.

Oh. Great. Shuri was here.

When we walked to the communal floor, I saw the two of them stepping out of the elevator. They looked like any normal brother and sister. Except, you know, they weren't normal.

The first time I met Shuri, I was kind of mesmerized. Her tech was insane, and she knew everything about it. I didn't know what to do with my hands or what to say at first, but once we got past the awkward introductions, we clicked. Like, really clicked. It was like meeting someone who just got it—what it's like to be young and hungry for knowledge.

But now, standing here again, I had no idea how to greet her without it being awkward. I fought Thanos, and I still felt like I'd lose a fight to a fly right now.

Shuri's POV

As T'Challa and I stepped out of the elevator, I noticed Peter standing there with Tony. He looked just as awkward as I remembered, and honestly, that made me smile a little.

The first time we met, I could tell he didn't know what to do with himself. But as soon as we got past the introductions, the awkwardness disappeared. It was easy talking to Peter. We just... understood each other, especially when it came to tech. That day, we talked, debated, and worked on random projects until we passed out on the lab sofa.

Of course, T'Challa had to take pictures. And Tony? He hasn't let me live it down since.

Still, as I stood there now, I couldn't shake the feeling that things might get weird. Or maybe just too close.

"So, Stark, have you told him the plan yet?" T'Challa asked, breaking the silence.

"Not yet. Peter just got here. We'll go over it together," Tony replied, activating a holographic display.

The image of a church popped up. Tony explained that it was being used to distribute illegal tech and stolen vibranium, but the police couldn't get inside.

"We're going to send you in," T'Challa said. "As a distraction."

"To do what?" I asked, already suspicious.

"To have a wedding," he replied, far too casually.

I blinked. "Brother, you told me we'd be returning stolen vibranium. You didn't say anything about marriage."

"Relax, Shuri," he said. "It's just undercover."

Tony handed Peter a fake ID, claiming he was 18. I raised an eyebrow. "And what happens if they ask why we're having a walk-in wedding?"

Tony smirked. "We'll say you've been secretly dating, but your families disapprove. You're running away to get married, like a nerdy Romeo and Juliet."

"Strange," I muttered.

"Strange but plausible," Tony shot back.

I sighed. Americans.

"Don't worry, Shuri," T'Challa said. "We'll stop the wedding before anything real happens. Okoye will be nearby in case things go wrong."

I still didn't like it, but I didn't argue. Pepper and Okoye were waiting for me by the door, ready to shop for my "wedding." As I walked out, I glanced back at Peter. He looked panicked.

I couldn't blame him. Honestly, this whole mission was already too close for comfort.