The Burlesque Lounge (MCU AU)

Chapter 8

Peter

After showing my old castmates around my current place of business, I head backstage to start getting ready. I catch the end of an argument between Flash and Tony.

"You're drunk, go home."

"I can't go home I'm about to go on!"

"You're gonna go home."

"Relax. It is one drink. What is the big deal?"

"Peter you're gonna take Flash's spot." I look up.

"He can't dance my part!"

"What? No I—"

"Oh yes he can and he will."

"No, no, no. Oh my God, I can't do that." I backtrack.

"No, no, no, wait. You said you can do any number, right?"

"Now, I just don't wanna step on anybody toes."

"Then don't." Flash steps forward as Tony blocks him.

"I don't ca—listen to me. You're gonna go on, and you're gonna go home. Here, put this on." Je tosses clothes at me.

As I change I learn that I'm leading a group number with MJ.

We all get in positions nd she smiles at me.

The music starts, but stops within the first verse. Everyone freezes. Me and MJ look at each other, and everyone else on stage with us (Betty and Shuri on her side, Sey and Abe on mine).

No one knows what to do.

I hear Tony and Rhodey whisper-yelling about Ned being down and Flash saying Tony needed him.

Of course.

The curtain starts coming down.

"Am I throwing you off?" MJ looks at me.

"Nope." I respond. She smiles.

"Didn't think so." The curtain begins to rise as we go through the routine to the best of our ability while singing instead of lip syncing. The band manages to catch up with us.

By the time we are done, the crowd is on their feet, and everyone is screaming. The lights go off and MJ jumps into my arms. We have a moment of HOLY FUCK before everyone else joins in on it.

"Oh, Tony we just—I didn't know what to do—the music stopped—"

"You sing?" Tony asks, nearly silencing everyone. Me and MJ nod.

"I didn't even know you—" We laugh as we realize we were talking at the same time.

"You guys... You sounded amazing up there together. I..." He takes a breath. "Guys, do you know the songs?" The band members nod. "Okay. So tomorrow, we are going to rehearse all day long, and then tomorrow night, you will be singing. And we are going to go into the show, live." Me and MJ grab each other's hands.

"Live?"

"Go with the guys, find out what keys you are comfortable singing the songs in... I am going to plan an entirely new show." Everyone starts squealing and doting on us. While we just stand there, excited but shocked.

"Clearly one of us has underestimated the other." Flash crosses his arms and flares at me before turning away."

"Ignore him, he's a prick." MJ says, and she hugs Shuri. "Let's go do that."

~~~

~~~

After figuring out the keys, I go out to meet my old friends. Right out of the backstage door, is Obadiah Stane.

"I cannot believe Tony has you guys burried in the kickline." I shrug.

"He didn't know we sang."

"Well you can and you are way too good to be doing it here." Yea no shit, we used to sing while we practiced at the circus. Obviously I don't say that. "How about a drink?"

"Bar is right over there. Tell Harley I sent you." I walk away towards my friends, who start screaming.

"Oh my god that was amazing!" Nat squeezes me.

"I do not support the selling of sex considering you are under twenty-one but damn you are so good!" Steve pats my shoulder.

"Kid you have a great voice and a body built for that business."

"Uh, thanks, Thor..."

"I didn't turn my hearing aides back on until like halfway through but it was really good, Peter."

"Thanks." I smile at my friends.

We spend the rest of the time goofing off, until I have to go back and change, and then we start closing up.

"Who knew that you could do that?" I smile at Harley. "It was amazing, you two are great together." MJ laughs.

"Thanks."

"Who knew any white boy could sing like that?" Shuri bumps my arm with hers.

"How do you do that?" I shrug at Rhodey. He looks at MJ.

"I don't know. It just happens. I just do it."

"I know how that feels. I gotta pee again, so..." Bethany, she's pregnant, gets up, and Betty starts poking her in the stomach. "Stop!"

"We're gonna go get something to eat. You wanna come?" I look at Shuri and Everyone.

"Yeah, I would."

"Let's go."