The Scientist (Loki x OC)

Pt. 22: Invitations

Luna busied about her lab, a tad impatient to finish any and all simulations so she could get to the real hands-on experiments. From a technological standpoint, her set-ups have gone off without much of a hitch, but the beautiful garbage fire that was the laws of nature could dispel all predictions and hypotheses made. Only time and resources could reveal any real answers.

"Miss, your mail has arrived," FRIDAY called out, interrupting the soft music in the lab.

"Oh yes! Thank you, FRIDAY! I'll go get that real soon," Luna replied as she cleaned one of the benches for good measure.

She glanced to the clock on the wall. Loki was still working with Tony and Peter was occupied by a homework assignment in the next room. There was enough time to sneak out and grab her parcels before anyone noticed.

Now, one parcel was a known arrival amongst her higher-ups: the roundworms Tony ordered for her. Once Luna had a direction to go with her experiment, those microscopic organisms would come in so much handy.

The other one had to be kept secret, at least for the time being. Having it sent to her home would have exposed her as she was sure Loki regularly snooped through her things. Nothing was missing or tampered with, but she knew. Call it 'woman's intuition.' Hers was almost never wrong.

Upon receiving them, Luna cradled her boxes close to her chest as if they were her own children. In a sense, they would be. She carried them back to her lab, setting the box of worms ever so carefully on a clean and clear table. The other box still in her hand would be hidden, it's whereabouts privy only to her.

"Hey, what's that?"

Well, not anymore.

"Seeds," Luna said as she faced Peter. "I'm planning on growing roses."

"Woah, cool." She handed the box to him. "Is it, like, a biology thing or a personal thing?"

"Mm, a little of both," Luna smirked. "They'll be set up in the greenhouse if I get Tony's permission."

"Mr. Stark would totally say yes. Roses are awesome." He shook the box a little before putting it down on a supply cart. "And what are these?" He pointed to the larger box atop the bench.

"Those? They're roundworms, scientifically named C. elegans. I am not pronouncing the C. part."

Peter chuckled. "What're you gonna do with 'em?"

Luna opened the box and pulled out the small assortment of dishes and vials. "A little genetic manipulation. You know, put one thing there, turn another thing off, and see what happens."

"What're you hoping happens?"

"Not sure. Something, I hope, but that's why we do these experiments. Also, it's quite fun to expect the unexpected."

There was a brief pause before Peter spoke, moving the conversation. "When are you going to look at my DNA?"

Luna let out a soft huff. "Like I told you when you're old enough."

"I almost am."

"You only just turned 16, Peter. You're still a kid."

"Yeah, but not for long."

"You're still developing, spider-boy."

"Spider-Man," Peter corrected with a groan.

"Not yet, you're not. You're going through enough changes without the superpowers. Just hold out till your body settles down a little more. Trust me, it feels like forever, but it'll be over before you know it." Luna slipped a glove off and ruffled his hair. "So impatient," she said with a sly smirk. "Now, if you finished your immediate assignments, we can head over to the gym."