A Typical Story

Get your ass off the ground

My body slammed to the ground, and I hissed at the pain that ran through me, rolling out of the way of an oncoming foot and getting to my feet.

"Good work Alex! Always stay on your feet" my instructor reminded as we circled each other, I took a quick second to wipe the hair away from my sweaty forehead, raising my fists as I focused.

I wasn't joking when I said I would take up self-defence. It was as important to me as it was to Peter that I could protect myself. I didn't want to become some damsel in distress, and I wanted to make sure if anything happened, god forbid, I could lend a hand.

I'd been coming here most days for the last 4 months and it was safe to say I was getting the hang of this. Plus, I was getting abs, which was sick.

I struck out at Martin, faking a punch to his right before kicking his left knee out, forcing him to kneel before swinging my body around him and locking him in a chokehold. A simple yet effective move. I struggled to keep him down for a while, tightening my hold before he tapped my arm and I let go, letting him fall forward.

"nice" he took my offered hand and got to his feet "you've pretty much nailed that move, how about we try some more shooting tonight to cool down?"

"sure, I'm down" I unwrapped my hands, patting my face down with a towel before we moved to the shooting range.

I'd shot BB guns, pellets, paintballs, but nothing was as scary as the real thing. The weight of the guns were heavy and reminded me constantly that they weren't a toy, but a weapon that could kill people. Not that I wanted to, but if I did, I could.

I wasn't overly great at shooting, but Martin had told me that just hitting the target was an achievement, that I didn't need to worry so much so long as a shot was on the board.

We did this for the next hour or so, going from pistols to handguns and etc. Whatever he was registered to teach, he did.

"Hey mama! Looking good" a group of men watched me pass, one of them whistling at me and I just passed them by, keeping a tight hold on my gym bag.

"I know something you can do with that pretty mouth senorita!"

Men.

Candy, she's sweet like candy in my veins. Baby, I'm dying for another taste...

"Hello?"

"Hey Kid, I'm about to pass by, hop in"

My head swung around as a car engine revved, Happy Hogan pulling up next to me and I sighed as the men hollered, getting in the back with my bag on my lap, strapping on my seatbelt on tightly as he took off.

"is everything okay? Is Peter alright?"

"easy, everyone's fine. I just thought we should have a chat" Tony said as we faced each other in the back. "what have you been doing?" he studied my tired, sweaty form.

"self-defence class."

"oh. The Kid told you then?" I shrugged, leaning my head back against the headrest.

"I can neither confirm nor deny" he chuckled, nodding to himself.

"okay, okay. Pepper is planning a charity event, and I wanted you to join us, with Underoos."

"aww lush!" my eyes brightened "that would be fab!"

"I was thinking it could be a surprise, like Romeo and Julie" a smile grew on my lips.

Romeo and Julie? This guy honestly.

"Pepper and Nat said to invite you out with them, they'll pick you up after school and go do all that shopping stuff"

"that's so nice of them. I'd love that"

"good."

"sorry, I promise I'm excited I'm just super tired"

"it's alright Kid. How are you and your Grandmother?" he asked, tapping away on his phone as we went around New York.

"yeah fine, she's going away this weekend, so I've got the flat to myself"

"planning a party?" he joked, and I snorted.

"not after last time. No, I think I'm going to re-do my bedroom whilst she's away, maybe get some work out the way" I pondered.

"extravagant plans then"

"Don't have a go!" I pointed at him accusingly "It's gonna be useful in the long run"

"keep telling yourself that" he smirked, and I narrowed my eyes with a smile.

"you know what Stark."

"Easy, or I'll have to get Spiderman on you"

Definitely wouldn't mind that.

"Well..."