⁺˚*･༓☾　　☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

07|Señor Delincuente
⁺˚*･༓☾　　☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

The bus ride back from Washington had been silent, Luciana had wiggled herself into the back seats of the bus and Flash and MJ insisted on sitting beside her. MJ had drifted off to sleep and used Luciana's lap as a pillow whilst Flash offered Luci his shoulder for comfort and used her head to lean upon. Peter and Ned had taken residence in the seats in front of MJ and when the former of the two looked back at the trio, Luciana mouthed her hundredth thank you to Peter.

The following school day, Luciana walked into the hallways of Midtown High School. The teenager had to admit she felt uneasy, it seemed like she had gone from being invisible to having a spotlight on her the entire time. Some had come up to her and taken a selfie with her before she could object and then proceeded to post it online and tagging her in it.

From a young age Luciana had learned to stay low, her parents had been S.H.I.E.L.D. agents which automatically made her a target, a minor target but a target nonetheless. Not only that, but the girl also happened to be the teen vigilante who seemed to have a large fanbase. Ever since Luciana was old enough to walk, Clint and Natasha had drilled the importance of going unnoticed in her.

"Yo, how's my girl?" Rory asked as she threw her backpack on the ground of their school, her back leaning against the locker next to Luciana's.

"I'm okay," Luciana murmured, still partly hiding in her locker.

"Really? You're okay after becoming a minor celebrity in school? That celebrity being the actual you this time." Rory smirked as Luciana rolled her eyes at her friend.

"This past weekend, Midtown's Academic Decathlon team defeated the country's best to win the national championship. Later that day, they also defeated death." Jason from the school's news read from his papers before he looked into the camera. Luciana turned around and looked at the tv screen.

"Explosion. Sally scream. Flash scream. Everybody screamin'." Abe exclaimed.

The group had been interviewed after the whole ordeal. Luciana was glad that Mr Harrington had decided that Luciana was too 'traumatised' to go on camera.

"There were purple lasers and smoke everywhere, It was..." The shot cut to the excited Charles and a cat emoji appeared on his mouth and his swearing was beeped. "...just like a Bon Jovi concert." The boy smiled at the camera.

The footage cut and showed the ever-startled Mr Harrington. "As you know, we made it out alive, and that's the important thing," The man nodded to himself. "I couldn't bear to lose a student on a school trip. Not again..." The camera zoomed in on the man's perplexed face, he did look like he was one breath away from crying.

"Wait! This school has lost students on school trips?" Rory asked, whipping her head to look at Luciana who hummed in response.

Luciana shoved her bright orange binder into her backpack. "It was some years ago, a school trip to Indiana, I think," Luciana shook her head and shrugged. "They lost a student, but they turned up like a week later."

Rory's eyes widened "How do I go with on one of those school trips?"

Luciana looked at her friend with a stern look and closed her locker. "Rory no."

"Rory yes." Rory made a grinning face and Luciana just blinked at her.

The Latina girl opened her mouth to reply but stopped as MJ appeared next to her. "Sup." The girl jerked her head up, attempting to appear nonchalant, but her tiny smile betrayed her.

"Why is it that you two hog all the fun?" Rory sighed, leaning the side of her head against the cool locker surface. "Give me some, I deserve it."

"I mean technically I wasn't there, I was outside," MJ started, only to be interrupted by Rory.

"That's true, thank you for the solidarity," Rory smiled fondly at MJ and the girl scrunched her face up slightly before hiding behind her side bangs. "You are still a betrayer." Rory moved two fingers between her eyes and Luciana, making an 'I'm watching you' movement.

Luciana's dark brows knit together. "I'm a betrayer because I almost died?"

"Now you get it."

"What?"

Rory smirked. "I wouldn't mind a bit of action once in a while." She held her hands out in mock defence.

"Believe me, it's not as glamorous as it looks," Luciana interjected, remembering the danger she had faced in Washington. If Peter hadn't gotten back in time, Luciana would have become an elevator pancake.

The bell rang. "We've got bio," Luciana said, looking at Rory before looking back at MJ. "I'll see you in the break."

"Later," MJ replied and as Rory and Luciana walked away, MJ followed them with her eyes.

Once out of earshot, Rory turned to more secretive matters. "But hey, speaking of those arms dealers, we need to figure out how to stop them. You and Peter got a plan yet?" Rory popped her lips as the two approached the classroom. Students rushed past them, chatting about their own lives and not caring about the other people and their stories.

Luciana hesitated for a moment as a quiet student passed them before she spoke again. "Yeah, we're working on it," She said as the duo strolled into their classroom. "Peter's suit is trying to figure out who the guys are.

"Dope," Rory doubled over her legs to collect her stuff from her backpack and put them on her desk. "Well, if you ever need an extra pair of hands, you know I'm in. I might not have superpowers, but I have anger and I watch stunt videos in my free time," Rory moved her hands in a karate-chopping motion. "Fear me."

A giggle bubbled in Luciana's lips and spilt over. "Thanks, Rory. It means a lot to me."

◎ ◉ ◎

The final bell of the day rang and Luciana strolled out of the school alone after an uneventful day. No news came from Peter and Ned and Luciana gifted herself free time until Peter discovered something, just so that she could recover from the shock of Washington.

"Loser!" Flash called out as he drove and came to a screeching halt before the girl who stood on the steps before the school. "Get in, I'll drive you home."

Luciana quickly rounded the car and hopped into the convertible. "Thanks, Flash." She tucked her backpack away by her feet. "Did your dad let you borrow the car?" Luciana asked, looking at the side profile of her friend.

"Nah, he isn't home," Flash replied with a shrug. The boy spotted Luciana opening her mouth to perhaps offer pitty and so he quickly started babbling. "We really crushed Washington," Flash snorted. "Like that light oblitterated that elevators. Thank God for Spider-Man.:

Luciana bit her lip, desperately smothering her chuckle. "Well, your enthusiasm definitely helped boost our morale," The girl said, her dark gaze flitting away from her friend and at the busy streets around her.

The boy grinned, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel, clearly enjoying the praise. "That's what I'm here for! But you and the team aren't terrible." Flash halted the car at a trafick light and turned up the Shakira song that came up. He hummed along to the beginning, moving his head to the beat.

"Thanks, Flash," Luciana shook her head and rested her elbow on the door. "We do make a great team," Luciana replied. She tilted her head back, drinking in the warm sun.

"Hey, Luci," Flash said, changing the topic. His voice was still singing along ever so slightly to the beat of the pop song. "I noticed you've been hanging out more with Penis Parker lately. What's the deal?"

Luciana hesitated for a moment, aware of Flash's antagonistic feelings towards Peter. "Yeah, I don't know," Luciana licked her lips and shifted her weight in the car, fingers digging into her backpack. "We just started reconnecting," The girl prayed to her god and all the others that Flash would not inquire further. "Not sure why."

"Reconnect, huh? You sure that's a good idea?"

The American Columbian shrugged, trying to keep things light. "Well, people change, and we're a bit older now."

The light turned green and Flash started driving again, leaving them only a few blocks away from the Rivera apartment. "Sure, whatever Luci. He's still lame," Flash declared.

"Yeah... tell me how much you like Spider-Man again?" Luciana inquired.

Flash frowned and looked away from the road to frown at Luciana who panicked at the action. "Why?"

"No reason," Luciana flailed her hands ahead. "Keep your eyes on the road!"

"We're fineeeee," Flash sang, rolling his eyes. "Dont't worry," The boy turned on his blinker and made the correct turn. "But going back to Spider-Man," Luciana subtly recorded the small impending speech on her phone. "He's like the ultimate superhero, man! I mean, first off, he's got these insane powers – crawling walls and super strength. It's like the whole package!" Luciana squinted and held up a hand against her mouth to contain her glee. "Plus, there's this whole mystery behind the mask. We don't even know who he really is, but he's out there, doing his thing, being a symbol of hope for all of us. That's pretty inspiring, you know? He drives me," Flash rested a hand on his chest. "To be the best version of myself."

Luciana nodded slowly as though drinkingin in Flash's words. "What about Hummingbird?"

The Guatemalan boy shrugged. "She's okay I guess, not as amazing as Spider-Man." Flash halted before Luciana's building and she smiled despite the sting of his words.

"Thanks for the ride," Luciana said as she swung the door open, hopped out with her backpack in her hand.

Flash waved off her thank you. "No problemo, catch you tomorrow!" Flash sped off again, waving a hand at Luciana as he drove off.

The teenage hero shook her head and wrung her arms through the straps of her backpack before entering her tall apartment building. Irony would forever surround Flash and the best part was that he would never know. Although, Luciana would pay good money to see Flash's face if her ever did discover the faces behind the masks.

◎ ◉ ◎

A few hours later, Luciana sat on her bed. Her feet were propped up against the wall as looked at the ceiling. Netflix played in the background and Luciana looked back at her tablet propped up against a pillow. The girl dropped her legs down and rolled over so she laid on her stomach.

A loud knock on Luciana's bedroom window, made the girl jump back. "Jesus!" Luciana exclaimed, she rested a hand on her heaving chest as she approached her bedroom window where a suited-up Peter was crouched. The girl opened her window and allowed Peter to enter her room before closing the window again.

"Sorry," Peter called as he jumped onto Luciana's fuzzy green rug.

"Hey?" Luciana raised an eyebrow and tucked a loose piece of hair behind her ear.

Peter tugged his mask off, making his brown curls frizzy and messy. "I know one of the guys at the arms deal on the bridge. His name is Aaron Davies. Karen, my suit's A.I., found him." A large smile rested on Peter's face and it was highly contagious.

"That's so cool," Luciana breathed out.

Peter wildly jerked his head up and down. "I know where to find him."

Understanding the true meaning of Peter's words, Luciana rushed to her closet and pulled out her black suit. She met Peter's eyes before he sheepishly turned around. Peter's face contorted. "Wait, were you watching Brooklyn 99?"

Luciana looked back at him over her shoulder as she zipped up her black suit. "Yeah, you can turn around again." The girl took a seat on her bed and shoved her yellow ducked socked feet into her combat boots before lacing them up.

"I still need to catch up," Peter admitted.

As Luciana wiggled her wings onto her backpack, she gasped at him. "You're behind? What have you done to my Peter Parker," Luciana laughed and grabbed her bow and mask.

"Haven't had a lot of time lately." Peter shrugged.

The duo put their masks on and Peter opened the window before looking back at Luciana. "Ready?" She nodded and so the two exited the Rivera apartment.

◎ ◉ ◎

Not too long later, the duo found themselves in a parking building, the one where Karen had said Aaron was. Aaron strode towards his car with groceries in hand. As Aaron opened the trunk of his car, Peter and Luciana arrived. Peter webbed Aaron's hand to the trunk. "Remember me?" But instead of the high teenage voice, Peter's voice sounded metallic and too deep.

"Uhmmm." Luciana looked at him, an eyebrow raised.

"Uh, hey..." Aaron muttered as the two teens approached him.

"I need information. You're gonna give it to me now." Peter's weird voice spoke loudly as Luciana glanced at him once more.

"All right, chill," Aaron grunted.

Luciana tore her eyes away from her friend and to the man she was interrogating. "Good, start talking." Luciana crossed her arms over her chest as she looked at him

"Come on!" Peter exclaimed, voice still distorted.

"What happened to your voice?" Both Aaron and Luciana asked as they looked at Peter.

"What do you mean, what happened to my voice?" Peter's eyes narrowed as he looked in between Aaron and Luciana.

"I heard you by the bridge. I know what a girl sounds like." Aaron deadpanned

Luciana frowned at Aaron. "That's offensive."

"Not really, you're scarier than him," Aaron said unbothered as he pointed at Peter. Despite the situation, Luciana smiled to herself.

"I'm not a girl!" Peter exclaimed before he cleared his throat. "I'm a boy. I mean, I'm a... I'm a man," He tried to seem confident, and Luciana finally let a laugh escape her lips. "Stop laughing. We're working here," Peter murmured as he looked at his former best friend.

Shoulders still shaking from the enjoyment, Luciana held up her hands. "Sorry. I'm already done." Luciana grinned as she stopped laughing.

"I don't care what you are, a boy, a girl..." Aaron started, trailing off as he waved his free hand around.

"I'm not a girl! I'm a man," Peter sighed, his voice still distorted. "Come on, man. Look, who is selling these weapons? I need to know. Give me names or else." Peter threatened again, still, it appeared to have no effect on Aaron who slammed the trunk shut, causing Peter to jump back and stand behind Luciana.

"You two ain't ever done this before, huh?" Aaron asked bored, looking at Peter and Luciana.

The latter of the two took a step closer. "That doesn't matter. Start giving us the names of those guys. You saw what kind of weapons they have." Luciana's tone was dead serious as she walked even closer towards Aaron.

Luciana faintly heard Peter whisper "Deactivate interrogation mode." behind her.

"Look, man, these guys are selling weapons that are crazy dangerous. They can't just be out on the streets. Look, if one of them can just cut Delmar's bodega in half..." Peter trailed off as Luciana turned to look at him. She remembered when Graciela would take them both to Delmar's after school. Those were good times.

"You know Delmar's?" Aaron asked, perking up when he heard the name.

"Of course we do," Luciana affirmed.

"Yeah, the best sandwich in Queens," Peter added.

Aaron curled his lips up. "Sub Haven's pretty good," Aaron countered.

Peter shook his head."It's too much bread," Peter argued as Luciana looked at him offended

"One can never have too much bread," The girl challenged as Peter looked at her, ready to argue.

"I agree. I like bread." Aaron looked at Peter bored before he looked at Luciana and gave her a lazy thumbs up. The girl beamed at him and returned the gesture, albeit it with much more heart and energy.

"Come on, man, please." There was no answer and Peter groaned before he turned on his heel to walk away, his hand taking Luciana's. "Stupid interrogation mode. Karen, don't ever do that again," Peter whispered harshly at the AI in his suit. Luciana opened her mouth to assure him but was interrupted by Aaron.

"The other night, you told that dude, "if you shoot somebody, shoot me." It's pretty ballsy. I don't want those weapons in this neighbourhood. I got a nephew who lives here." Whilst his voice was monotone, there was a tiny bit of admiration in his words. "And you," Aaron pointed at Luciana. "Like bread, so I trust you."

Luciana, for some unknown reason, felt pride in her heart because a criminal trusted her because of her love for bread.

"Who are these guys? What can you tell me about the guy with the wings?" Peter asked, turning to look at Aaron.

Aaron shrugged. "Other than he's a psychopath dressed like a demon, nothing. I don't know who he is or where he is," Aaron deadpanned and Peter sighed loudly, resting his head on Aaron's car.

"How did you contact them?" Luciana asked, ignoring Peter who seemed to be in the middle of a crisis.

"I didn't. They contacted me via a guy, who was contacted by another guy, who in turn was...." He trailed off as Luciana groaned.m"I do know where he's gonna be," Aaron spoke up, feeling bad for the two heroes who seemed to be having a breakdown.

"Really?" Both Peter and Luciana asked, any sign of their crisis gone like snow in the sun.

"Yeah, this crazy dude I used to work with, he's supposed to be doing a deal with him," Aaron explained, blinking at the sudden lively energy that the two vigilantes emitted.

"Yes! Yes. Thank-" Peter turned to walk away and Luciana slapped a hand against her forehead.

"Spidey, we still need the location." Peter stopped in his tracks before turning around at Luciana's words.

Spider-Man danced on the balls of his feet. "Right, of course. Yeah, my bad. Silly. Just..." Peter trailed off flustered.

"Maybe you should leave the talking to her next time." Aaron blinked looking at the two.

"Yeah, probably," Peter glanced sideways at Luciana. "Where is it?" Peter asked.

Aaron didn't appear satisfied. "Can I give you some advice?" Aaron asked, and both Peter and Luciana hummed in reply. "You got to get better at this part of the job," Aaron pointed at Peter before his hand turned to point at Luciana. "And you need to speak more." Luciana nodded slowly, mentally making a note of the feedback.

"I don't understand. I'm intimidating." Peter crossed his arms to look intimidating as Aaron and Luciana's eyes met.

Aaron shook his head. "Staten Island ferry, eleven." He told Luciana, Aaron seemed to have given up on Peter.

"Oh, that's soon," Peter started heading for the exit. "Hey, that's gonna dissolve in two hours," Peter spoke excitedly as he skipped away, Luciana following behind him

"No, no, no, no. Come fix this!" Aaron shouted, gesturing to his hand that was still stuck to the car.

"Nope," Luciana called back.

"Two hours. You deserve that," Peter called back over his shoulder, he pointed a finger in Aaron's direction.

Aaron looked at the two with an annoyed look. "I got ice cream in here," Aaron hissed, pointing at his trunk.

"Just listen to some music on your phone to pass the time," Luciana offered as she continued to run out of the parking lot.

"Hey, no. My phone's dead. Bread Girl, come help me out here," Aaron pleaded.

"You deserve that. You're a criminal. Bye, Mr. Criminal!" Peter shouted as he and Luciana finally exited the parking building. Leaving Aaron to smack his flat palm against the metal side of his car in frustration.

"Really? Mr. Criminal?" Luciana chuckled, her eyes twinkling as her wings expanded to their full size.

Peter narrowed his eyes down at Luciana. "What? I was being respectful, Bread Girl," He exaggerated the nickname that Aaron had given to Luciana.

"Shut up," Luciana laughed, bumping her shoulder against Peter's. "We better get going if we want to make it on time," Luciana continued, glancing at her phone to look at the time.

"I'll race you." Peter smiled down at her even though Luciana could not actually see it.

"You're on."

a/n
flash in no way home when he discovers peter and luci's secret :0
genuinely so funny. also idk where luci and aaron's love for bread came from,
i'm just as confused as y'all are but hey! we're rolling with it lol.
next chapter we'll have the ferry events and then i'm guessing 3 or 4 chapters in
homecoming before me move on to a few bonus chapters and then infinity war.

be sure to vote and comment if you enjoy! it really means the world to me.

peter and luci in the interrogation scene lol.
look, it's not good but i tried.

date published:28 july 2023
word count:3539