By Sunlight (P.P + M.J)

12. House Party Protocol

Peter and Jack met up with Ned and MJ after hero duty at Peter's place. They hung out, talking about their day and what they had done. Jack and Peter mentioned who they had seen, and how strange it was, and Ned was quick to offer a suggestion.

"It could've been Thor!" He had shouted excitedly.

"Lame," MJ had deadpanned, and they turned to look at her, "talk to me when you see someone cool, like Black Panther." She nodded knowingly. "Now there's a man."

When evening set in, they got up to leave and Aunt May told them to keep safe, and for Peter to call her if he needed anything. The four left and took a short walk downtown, where Harry's old building was, his penthouse being at the very top. Peter still remembered it even after so long, because he and Harry used to hang out a lot there.

Peter, Jack, Ned and MJ all rode in the elevator that took them up to Harry's penthouse, and the only who didn't seem very excited was Jack. He seemed more anxious really, grinding his knuckles into the palm of his hand and taking steadying breaths. Peter noticed that MJ kept glancing at the nervous boy, and eventually she looked at Peter. He nodded his head toward him, a silent question as to what was wrong. But MJ only shrugged, looking toward the elevator door. Peter was about to ask Jack what was bothering him when he sensed heavy bass coming from the top floor. It made the walls vibrate ever so slightly and when the elevator door opened, his ears were assailed by the loud music that blasted through the penthouse.

The elevator door opened right up to another door. Peter tested the door knob and discovered it to be unlocked. Twisting it, the group walked in and saw that the place was alive with activity. Kids were walking around and dancing, laughing and having a good time. The penthouse was very nice, sort of rustic but still high-end, the home of a billionaire.

"This was a bad idea," Peter heard Jack grumble as they walked in.

Ned went immediately over to the extensive food table, and Harry spotted them from across the room. He made his way through the throng of kids and greeted them with a happy smile.He was wearing a black t-shirt and blue jeans, his brown hair slightly ruffled. He looked more like the teenager he was other than the businessman he appeared to be that day at school.

"Glad you could make it, you guys!" He said, his voice trying to be louder than the music.

"Yeah, looks like a good time!" Peter replied.

Harry then turned to Jack and MJ. "And hey! I never got your names from before!"

Peter didn't know when they had met before, or why they seemed so familiar. He noticed that Jack was a little hesitant when he only said his first name, and MJ used her real one. Her nickname was for friends only, and she didn't really know Harry, so that was understandable.

"Well, lets hope something happens tonight, amiright guys?" Harry said cheekily, elbowing Jack with a waggling eyebrow.

The second he was gone, Jack broke out in barely restrained laughter. MJ punched him lightly in the shoulder, telling him to shut up. Peter could only watch in confusion, and MJ noticed it.

Attempting to ignore Jack's snickers, she sighed, "there's a story there I'll tell you later."

"Why not now?"

"Because I wanna make sure you'll actually hear it," MJ replied, gesturing to all the sounds surrounding them.

Jack started to move away, following Ned to the snack table. MJ went over and hung away from the people, looking around at the paintings that decorated the wall. Peter was about to follow her, interested in what her story was, before he sensed someone coming in his direction a little too fast.