maybe someday - p.parker

the stark girl

Peter Parker was twelve years old when he first met Avery Quinn Stark. At the time, he didn't know who she was. He just knew she was the girl sitting alone in the corner of the laboratory, swinging her legs beneath the table while Tony Stark argued with a holographic screen. Peter stood awkwardly beside the elevator, clutching the straps of his backpack.

"Mr. Stark?"

Tony looked up.

"Kid! There you are."

Peter smiled nervously and stepped into the lab.

Then he noticed her. She looked up from the tablet in her hands.

Their eyes met.

She smiled. Peter immediately looked away. Tony noticed. Of course he did.

"Peter, this is my daughter, Avery."

Avery stood.

"Hi."

Peter cleared his throat.

"Hi."

"You're Spider-Man."

Peter's eyes widened.

"What?"

She grinned.

"My dad won't shut up about you."

Tony sighed.

"I have said approximately three nice things about the kid."

"Four."

"Three."

"Four."

Peter looked between them.

"Do you guys always argue like this?"

Avery smiled.

"Pretty much."

Peter laughed.

And just like that, he relaxed. Tony turned back to the hologram.

"Anyway, Parker, I need you to—"

"Can I show him the suit?"

Tony stopped.

"No."

Avery looked at her father.

"Dad, why?"

"Because I said so."

"That's not a reason."

"It is when I'm your father."

Peter watched their argument with a small smile. Avery rolled her eyes and grabbed Peter's wrist.

"Come on."

Peter blinked.

"Where are we going?"

"I'm showing you the suit."

"Avery Quinn."

She ignored her father. Peter looked back at Tony. Tony pointed at him.

"Don't encourage her."

Peter nodded seriously.

"Okay."

Avery pulled him toward the lab.

"You're going to love it."

Peter smiled.

"I think I already do."

She stopped. Peter realized what he'd said.

"I mean—the suit."

Avery laughed.

"Sure, Parker."

And that was the beginning. Neither of them knew it yet, but that awkward twelve-year-old boy and the girl who dragged him around Stark Tower would become inseparable.

Best friends.

Each other's favorite person.

And eventually, something neither of them would know how to name. But for now, they were just two kids standing in Tony Stark's lab, trying not to get caught.