JOINT POST WITH BREA/TONY STARK, REED RICHARDS, MARGARET ROGERS
As the bell rung and students shuffled their stuff together, Tony glanced over his shoulder to Reed. He had sat behind Tony during their history class, only because the two seats to his sides were already taken. Tony stood up, ready to go. He liked to be ready by the time class came to an end, which always seemed to bother his teachers. He was constantly being lectured about packing up before the class ended but... if his work was finished anyway, why did it matter? Tony never saw the point in waiting for the bell, and so he refused to do so just because someone a little older than him got their feelings hurt. Once Reed was ready to go the two exited the classroom together, Tony smiling at his teacher as they passed. She was young and beautiful, so she could expect a lot of similar smiles from the teenage boy in the year to come.
Once out in the hallway, Tony looked to his friend. "You don't have a class next period, right?" He confirmed. They both had an off hour together, which Tony saw as the perfect time to get this 'talk' out of the way. "I don't think anyone is using room 34B, I haven't seen anyone in there all day," He went on to suggest, nodding in the direction that said classroom was in. "We could go hang there for a second. It seemed like you really wanted to talk this morning."
Truthfully, Tony's curiosity was peaked. Was there something wrong with Reed? Or did he just have some modification to suggest about Tony's Iron Man suit? Reed had been one of the few people Tony showed his Iron Man suit to, and was still one of the only people to knew of the superhero's alter ego. He even played a minor part in the suits' design. Tony recognized Reed as an intellectual equal, so when he came to Tony with a 'genius idea' Tony actually gave him the time of day. The same could not be said for many others.
Reed had quietly gone through the first day, so far no teachers pulled a jerk move and given out homework on the first day. Still it gave Reed time to think about other things during class. Possibly too much time, as when Tony came up and suggested the two go have the talk Reed wanted. The young man suddenly had second thoughts about it. Tony was a popular guy, what if he wouldn't want to hang out with Reed anymore because of the mutation?
"Well…" Reed awkwardly scratched the side of his nose, glancing away from Tony before he stood up. He rubbed the back of his head trying to decide what to do. He didn't have a ton of friends, so losing Tony would hurt horribly. Especially over something Reed really didn't have a say in happening to him. Well he did have a say, but his stupidity made that decision and now Reed had to live with it.
"Uh… I guess." Reed finally agreed, looking back at Tony and giving him a taint nod of the head. He could feel the butterflies in his stomach getting more frantic as Tony led the way for them.
Tony could tell that Reed was nervous. Frankly, he'd been acting weird all day. Okay, probably nothing to do with the suit, then, Tony decided as he began to lead Reed through the halls. He hated weaving through the school halls, they were too crowded. Public school hallways would probably be a nightmare for the stuck up teenager. At least here they weren't jam packed. Just, more packed than Tony would prefer.
When they arrived at room 34B Tony looked through the window on the door, making sure the lights were still out. Yup, the room was empty. He looked up and down the hallway, scanning for instructors that might try to stop the two boys. The coast seemed clear, so Tony pushed open the door and went in. He flipped just one of the light switches up, so that only a third of the lights would turn on. He didn't want to draw attention to the classroom, but he also didn't want to hang out with Reed in the dark. That would be weird...
Tony slid onto one of the desks, facing Reed. "So, what's up?"
Reed followed Tony through the hall, though more than once had to glance around. Almost looking for an excuse out of the situation he found himself in. It was one thing knowing it was Tony, a friend. A friend who basically had a miniature nuclear like reactor in his chest no less. But Reed knew Tony had a bit of a shallowness to him. So if one of his friends now resembled more cartoon character than human would he still want to be around them?
Eventually escape was no longer possible, Tony was right in front of him and the two were in a classroom all to themselves. Reed fiddled with his fingers and looked down at the tile floor. "Well… you know about the whole experiment in Latveria right? The one that uh… didn't go so well." Reed anxiously asked Tony to start.
One of Tony's eyebrows lifted as he watched Reed twiddle his fingers. What was up with this guy? Tony held onto the desk he was sitting on, leaning forward slightly. He had to resist the urge to roll his eyes when Reed brought up Latveria. He'd heard about this already. And, although Tony could relate to what it felt like to fail, he wasn't going to indulge Reed in a pity party over something that happened months before.
"I remember," He said, leaning back now. "So sometimes experiments fail, it's not a big deal." Tony shrugged his shoulders, sounding unconcerned. But this was Tony's way of trying to comfort his friend. That was part of being a 'scientist.' You fail, recalculate, and try again. It sucks, but trial and error was how most things just had to go.
It was kind of a moot point asking Tony if he remembered it. When it happened Reed practically emotionally drained himself about it to his friend. Although Tony was sympathetic then, he's pretty apathetic about it now. It was a few months ago and Tony's mental toughness was stronger than Reed's in a lot of ways.
Still Reed paused, more trying to figure out how to phrase the next part to Tony. "Well… something else happened." Glancing at himself Reed finally just held up a hand, with the index finger sticking out. "Here… pull my finger." Reed paused for a moment, and in just that brief second. He realized what he just asked Tony to do. A nerd like Reed might not be up on all the hip kids talk, but he realized how Tony was probably taking the command.
With a nervous chuckle Reed blushed, "No I mean I won't like excrete gas or anything. But… something else did happen to me and I'm not sure how else to explain it right now."
Tony's eyebrows knit together, his gaze shifting from Reed's finger to his face and back multiple times. Is... he serious? This was by far the weirdest thing anyone has ever asked Anthony Stark to do. Looking into Reed's eyes, he could tell that his friend was dead serious. Clearly unsure, and a bit uncomfortable, Tony reached up and grasped Reed's finger. Then, he gave it a gentle pull.
As soon as Tony's clinched in on Reed's finger immediately something was off. It lacked any and all firmness, almost feeling like bread dough in his grip. As soon as Tony pulled though it only got crazier. As the finger began to pull out further and further with Tony's tugging. It didn't feel like at any point the finger would finally start showing any resistance. Instead it kept stretching out until finally Tony let go, and immediately the finger snapped back to normal on Reed's hand.
Reed further demonstrated the power as he clenched his own arm, tugging it rapidly out and back as it showed the same gummy like property. "Now I guess to answer the first question you have…" Reed started as he let his arm snap back to normal. "It affected everyone but differently. Susan can now turn invisible and make force fields, Johnny can light himself on fire and fly, and Ben can change in and out of a rock… monster like form." Reed explained as he subconsciously took a step back from Tony.
Reed glanced away, "Susan and I have been trying the last two months to figure out a way to reverse this but neither of us even know where to start. Nothing about any of this makes sense in the way you or I understand the human body genetically or biologically." Finally Reed glanced up at Tony, and it became clear in Reed's expression and demeanor what the fear he was showing was about. It was became clearer in his body, his overall state. Reed was struggling to understand something he didn't. Something he hadn't really had happened to him before. Not just in terms of physically but mentally as well. Reed hated not knowing something, and his entire being was now a puzzle that was confounding him.
"Now…" Reed began to look defensive in front of Tony. "I get this can't be a thing you can just accept suddenly. Outside of the four of us and maybe one or two others no one knows about it, not even our parents." Slowly Reed stepped to the right, his body no longer blocking Tony's immediate access to the door. "So if this changes how you see me in too much of a negative light… don't worry about it."
Tony watched Reed's display in complete shock, wide eyes following his movements. It took a lot to shock Tony, and Reed had found a way to do it. His mind was racing, trying to make sense of what Reed was able to do with his body. He was a machine person, but it didn't take a biology major to know that the human body was not supposed to stretch that way. Tony swallowed hard.
"Uh," He started. Reed had done something few others had been able to do: Shut him up. Finally, Tony was able to put together a complete thought. And then came complete sentences. "No, no. Uh, yeah, no. Doesn't change things... uh, negatively."
Tony leaned forward on the desk, still clearly confused. "Just, uh. Trying to make sense of it. I guess. What... what exactly is this?"
Reed paused, glancing down at his own hands before back up at the shocked Tony. "Well… neither Susan or I have come up with a through explanation yet but…" Reed scratched the side of his head to try and figure out how to put it. Even with someone as smart as Tony, it was still a complicated situation.
"When we used the teleporter, it was designed to use this parallel dimension to essentially rapidly dissolve and reintegrate whatever is being transported to its new location. So at this point there can be something to the dimension that we haven't quite fully explored yet, and there's also a possibility that with the methods used to transport through the dimension there could've been some kind of modified radiation effects."
Reed paused, finally shrugging with a shake of his head. "Or whatever… right?" He awkwardly threw in to sound normal… ish. "Either way it has been kind of hard to control at first, like waking up and looking like a spaghetti mess in my bed. I have it under control now, and have even been able to conduct some quite fascinating studies on what I'm capable of. Oh, and you know that special cloth material I gave you to line your suit with? Turns out, it perfectly stretches with me when I wear it! So I made a suit to stretch around in, very comfortable to work in too I'll add. I even made underwear out of the cloth to wear here check it ou…"
Tony's brown eyes followed Reeds hands as his friend reached for the waist of his pants. His eyes widened as he realized Reed intended to pull down his pants, and Tony waved both of his hands. "No! No..." He said quickly. "That's okay. No need to show me your underwear." Tony cleared his throat, only feeling relief when Reed took his hands away from his pants.
Tony stood from the desk he was sitting on, needing to move around a bit to truly process what Reed was telling him. He'd moved past the initial shock by now, but his brain was still trying to work out the science behind it all. Actually, his curiosity was peaked. When Reed and Susan finally figured it out he definitely wanted to hear about it.
"Why didn't you tell me before?" Tony suddenly asked, adjusting the strap of his backpack. "I told you about Iron Man. It's only fair."
Reed paused confused until it finally dawned on him what exactly he was doing. With his pants already almost halfway down his waist, Reed quickly cinched them back up and zipped up properly. "Heh..." Reed awkwardly tried to chuckle away. In all his embarrassment, he swore he could hear a muffled giggle.
As Tony clearly changed topics as fast as humanly possible, Reed glanced away for a second in shame before glancing back. "Well I think I just let my imagination fly in how you would take it. We swore to one another to keep it a secret but I had considered telling you for a while now."
Reed folded his arms, glancing back up at Tony with a shamed look on his face. "I guess maybe I just underestimated you." Reed answered honestly.
Tony nodded his head in agreement. Sure, he could be a judgemental asshole, but Reed was his friend. This was weird, no denying that, but it wasn't something Tony would stop talking to Reed over. At the very least he would stick around to figure out how he had come to obtain this mutation.
"I'm not going to stop being your friend, or whatever you think," Tony said, finally standing still again. "Unless you try to undress for me again. Then we might have some problems."
Reed meekly chuckled to himself, his cheeks glowing a mild shade of red as he glanced away. "I mean it is a nice pair of underwear…" Was all he could muster before the nearby door into the classroom opened.
Margaret Rogers strolled in looking quite bemused, arms folded as she had the smirk of someone with blackmail material to last a long time. "You know Tony I always knew I'd catch you undressing with someone like this. But I didn't expect it to be like this." She teased coming up next to Reed and patting him on the shoulder. "Of course Reed I wouldn't expect you to do anything perverted like that…"
Reed looked on stunned a moment before coughing slightly. "Uh no, I mean wait what?" He weakly threw out.
Tony's brown eyes followed Margaret as she strolled in, his lips curving back into a coy smile. Had she heard everything? He wondered, though he didn't show any concern on his face. It was obvious Margaret had heard everything underwear related. But what about Reeds mutation? Or Tony's Iron Man secret?
"Why don't you join us?" Tony suggested, leaning against a desk and crossing one leg over the other. "I wouldn't mind seeing your underwear." His eyes flickered over to his nervous friend briefly, amused.
If Reed wasn't already completely embarrassed Tony's blatant hitting on Margaret only made things worse. Slinking away from the two by a step or two Reed hid his face from them because of how red he was getting.
"Oh good, the bastion of sexual harassment is still in full swing..." Margaret snipped back at Tony, already hating the possibility he joins. Meaning she'd have to try and wrangle in this horny dog. Still the firepower he'll bring is too strong to ignore. So she had to suck it up and be nice.
"So I should get to the point... Reed, Tony. I know about the suit and your powers." Margaret just came out with, causing Reed to immediately look back over in shock. "Now before either of you say anything, I've known about both long before this conversation the two of you had." Margaret handed the two a pair of envelopes of the SHIELD information packets for the project. "I was hoping the two of you would be willing to lend me those powers for a little project."
Maragaret's insults did little to Tony's ego. After all, he liked a girl who played hard to get. He flipped through the contents of his envelope, eyebrows knitting together at what he saw. A lot of very personal information, about both Anthony Stark and Iron Man.
"What kind of project?" He mused as he skimmed over one of the reports. "And, how exactly did you come to obtain this information?" He had considered for a very short moment to play dumb, but it was clear Margaret knew more about him than he about her. What he really wanted to know now was how he was found out.
He'd been so careful with his secret identity. More careful than he'd ever been, actually. And a lot of Stark Industries money has gone into keeping things under wraps.
Watching the two go over the paperwork provided a showcase in how different the two were. Tony looked frustrated, irritated at someone knowing so much about him and the thing he had been keeping secret. Meanwhile Reed leaned back against one of the other desks, looking almost fascinated at the information as he stroked his chin. Occasionally adjusting his glasses with a delicate pair of fingers.
"Well to be honest it's not completely my project. Let's just say I'm working for some friends in very high places." Margaret started, knowing how mysterious she sounded, and how much it was going to frustrate Tony more to her joy. "Basically a task force to save the world whenever needed, and take down any evil forces at large."
"So like the Justice League?" Reed asked, still peering down at his paperwork.
"Not nearly as publicly known hopefully but something to that extent." Margaret answered with an index finger to Reed. Who didn't see it still reading his files.
Tony glanced up at the mention of the Justice League. "Superheroes?" He questioned, his amusement by the idea clear in his voice. "What are we, twelve? Get real." He shook his head, closing his envelope. Though he didn't hand it over. No, he wanted to read it thoroughly. Know exactly what Margaret's "friends" knew about him.
"Sorry, but I'm a one man show. Don't really plan on sharing the spotlight," He continued, looking to Margaret now. "And even if I was, I wouldn't join some freak-show full of people who dare to publicly call themselves Superheroes." Tony scoffed, reaching for his bag. "I'll catch you two later," he said, strolling past Margaret and towards the door.
Reed remained awkwardly quiet as he watched Tony strut out of the classroom. Especially as Margaret was staring daggers through the billionaire's son. "Oh and his humble too ladies..." Margaret hissed mockingly under her breath before she reached out. Clamping the paperwork from out of Tony's arm.
"Oh no you don't. Don't play ball, don't get to keep the confidential information!" Margaret scolded Tony, dangling up the paperwork in her fingertips towards Tony.
For a moment Tony didn't know how to react. He didn't like getting things taken away from him, and he had been excited to read all about himself. So he just stared at the teenage girl, trying to figure out how to best handle the situation. He was looking for a way to convince her to let him read them, but all his ideas just led back to joining her silly little group. "Whatever," He finally said, turning and strolling out of the classroom. Not like I cared that much anyways, he told himself in an effort to not get butt hurt. A failed effort.
Watching Tony Margaret could only shake her palmed head in disbelief. Not just in the immature way he acts. But the fact it had started to rub off on her with the way she was acting! All it did in the end was remind her that the team was better off without him. Pausing to remember the other figure in the room in Reed. She turned back brushing some of her hair aside to go back to look presentable for the young elastic genius. "I'm sorry its just… I know you're friends with him but I can't stand the guy. Damn creep." Margaret muttered to Reed.
To his credit Reed gave her an assured nod, defensively holding up his hands. "Hey I know how he can be. It's okay." Reed was disappointed Tony wasn't interested, of course Reed and anyone else who was friends with the guy knew his ego was going to be the end of him one day. But Reed still couldn't deny Tony's ego wasn't deserved with his intelligence. Just wished he maybe show some sense of humanity. Finally returning his attention to the conversation at hand Reed glanced back at the paperwork of himself before backup to Margaret. "So… it's clear you know what happened to us, well besides Victor but… did you guys ask the others about this?"
Needing a moment to remember Margaret scratched her chin, "Well, yeah… but Susan and Ben both said no. Johnny was going to join but well… Susan 'convinced' him to say no too." She noted. Remembering the scene vividly…
"Johnny I swear to god you better not join this crazy crap!"
"But it sounds awesome sis! Come on it'll be rad as Hell and the ladies will…"
*SMACK*
"OKAY OKAY NEVERMIND NO IT'S HORRIBLE AND BAD AND STUFF RIGHT SIS!?"
"Seriously shouldn't have to smack the back of your head to make you think clearly…"
Reed meekly chuckled, "Yeah that sounds about right." He said to Margaret.
Margaret though turned her attention back to Reed. "What about you though?" She asked.
Pausing to think about it Reed seemed like mentally he was almost elsewhere. Looking off at an angle away from Margaret in thought. A saddened expression on his face before he looked back at the paperwork one last time. "You know… my dad told me something when I was a kid. It always stuck with me. 'The goal of a scientist is to make the world you leave a better place from when you entered it.' I always wanted to live my life according to that rule."
Standing back upright from the desk he looked Margaret professionally in the eyes. "So I'll join… under two conditions. I don't know what kind of organization it is you're with. Clearly though its big, and something that can help me out."
Margaret was interested, "With what exactly?" She asked curious.
"Well…" Reed pulled out of the paperwork the page that talked about the failed experiment in Latveria. "Help finding Victor for one thing. He is still a friend and I'm worried not just because he's missing. But if what happened to us was any indication he might be in even bigger trouble than any of us realize."
Margaret nodded in agreement, "We can do that, what's the other thing?"
Seeming a little more unsure about this request, Reed slumped his shoulders a bit. "Uh… I'm sure you guys probably have a seriously good resource department. Would it be possible to request equipment and other such things for any experiments I'm working on? Within reason of course."
Margaret smiled, and reached into her pocket to pull out an ID card. Showing Reed's face and the words SHIELD on top. What struck Reed the most was the bottom stating clearly "Research and development department". "We were hoping you'd ask." She told Reed confidently. "Now as for this, we have a meet and greet with the rest of the team after school at the dean's office. I do expect you to be there." She added.
Reed nodded, but paused realizing something, "Um… don't suppose I can swing by my place before the thing actually starts? I have a suit to wear when I'm using my powers so I don't end up uh… nude." He asked blushing a bit again.
Margaret softly chuckled, "We can arrange that." She assured her.