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“-and so that wraps up this lesson. Your homework is to do this worksheet, please hand a sheet back to everyone. I have a quick announcement, and it is very exciting. Given that this is one of the most advanced classes we offer, the school has arranged for us to have a field trip!”
Peter refocused on the word field trip. He didn’t have a good track record for those.
“We will be going to Avenger’s Tower! This is a very exclusive opportunity and you all should be very excited-”
No, no, no, no, this couldn’t be happening to Peter. Not now. Oh god. He had a suspicion this was set up by his basically-father. He was going to kill Tony. His teacher went on to blabber about permission slips and NDAs.
“Class dismissed. Please hand your forms in tomorrow as the field trip is on Friday.”
FRIDAY? How could it be so soon. Peter wanted to die. He headed for the door, but was stopped in his tracks by Mr. Blaze calling his name.
“Yes?” he said, turning around. The class had mainly cleared out by now.
“Peter, you're a good kid, and I understand not being the most popular student in school, but we need to talk about the lie you made up about working at Stark Industries.”
“But the internship is re-”
“This field trip is a great opportunity, and I do not want your lies ruining it for yourself or your classmates. Please do not mention it whilst we are there, or there will be serious consequences.”
“It’s a real intern-”
“Please Peter. You should know better than this. See you tomorrow.”
He was tired and fed up of school when he headed into the hallways to see his best friend.
“Hey,” Ned said, meeting him in the hallway.
“Hey,” Peter replied weakly.
“What’s up? Something happened?”
“Nah, just that field trip.”
“Oh the one to Stark Tower! It’s going to be so fun!”
“Right..”
“You’re not excited? I know you work there and stuff, but still.”
“Hmn uh yeah. No it was more Mr. Blaze being a bitch,” he replied, half lying.
“Still thinks you're lying about the internship?”
“Unfortunately.”
“Wanna come over to mine? Build some lego?”
“Nah, got to be home. Too much work to catch up on with all the patrolling I’ve been doing.”
“Gotcha. Well, see you tomorrow.”
“Yeah, yeah see you.”
Peter walked to the carpark expecting to find Happy in his black SUV. He was, instead, met by Black Widow.
“Nat?”
“Hey spider boy.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Figured I’d pick ya up and bring you home. Had a second free.”
He jumped into the passenger seat of the jet black convertible.
“How was school паук?”
“Не очень хорошо,” he said easily slipping into Russian. (Not very good)
“Зачем? что-то случилось? (Why? Did something happen?”)
“Да. У нас есть производственная практика в Stark Industries. Что было бы не так уж и плохо, но мой глупый учитель не думает, что я действительно проходил там стажировку, поэтому он отругал меня. Плюс мое паучье чутье сегодня сильно пошло на убыль.” (Yes. We have a field trip to Stark Industries. Which wouldn't be so bad, but my stupid teacher doesn't think I really have an internship there, so he told me off. Plus my spider sense were going off so much today.)
“бедный ребенок. Я могу чем-нибудь помочь?” (Poor kid. Anything I can do to help?)
“Убить Tony за это? (Kill Tony for setting this up?”)
“Нет, детка. Сожалею." (No can do kiddo. Sorry.)
“Разве ты не можешь рассказать другим Мстителям? Особенно папа.” (Can you not tell the other Avengers? ‘Specially Dad.)
“Я не обещаю.” (I won’t, promise.)
"Спасибо.” (Thanks.)
They’d arrived at the tower. There was more to it than he was telling. Ever since he’d moved into the tower, he’d been his safe space. It was his and his families. And he knew it was supid because so many people used it, but still. It felt awful for people from his school to come there. Peter pulled his security card out of his bag, scanning it.
“Peter Parker-Stark, clearance level Alpha 5, all access. Hi baby boss,” Friday, the building's AI called out, “Shall I tell Mr. Stark you’re home?”
“Yeah sure. I’m going straight to my lab, though.”
“Okay sir. Morgan would also like to inform you that she is looking for you.”
“Send her down to the lab.”
“As you wish.”
He hopped in the lift and allowed Friday to take him to floor 89. It was his personal lab. Oren, he’d reprogram Karen, allowed him entry through the glass door.
“Hello Peter, welcome back. What would you like to work on?”
“I’m going to do some work on my web shooters. Play my “workin after school” playlist on, please.”
“Yes, sir.”
He worked peacefully on his shooters design and mechanics for about 30 minutes before Oren alerted him that Morgan was coming up.
“Morgan Stark is requesting entry.”
“Granted.”
The door opened and revealed his basically little sister.
“Hey Mo,” he said, picking up the little girl, “Who let you roam around all on your own?”
“Mummy sent me up,” she smiled.
Peter nodded.
“What are you working on Petey.”
“I’ll show you,” he said, placing Morgan on his work table. He’d quickly made sure there was nothing that could hurt her.
“Web shooters?” she guessed.
“Yep. See I wanted to make them even more efficient so I changed the gears and trigger mechanism.”
She nodded knowingly. She was very smart for her age.
“Nice! Can we build our robot?”
“Sure thing. Oren, pull up the files for Petey-Pie and Morgana’s Robot.” He’d let Morgan handle the name for their creation.
Peter went and grabbed the box that had all their pieces in it. Being careful around the young girl, they continued to work on building the robot, Peter teaching her little things on the way.
“If it isn’t my two favorite small children!” Tony said, entering his lab.
“Daddy!” Morgan said, running into her father’s arms.
“Oren, I thought I told you to lock Dad out.”
“Unfortunately your father runs the building, so I could not follow your wanted protocol.”
“Love you too kid.”
“You set up the field trip.”
“Field trip?”
“Yeah. My school’s coming here on Friday!” Peter said, looking up from his work.
“Really? Nope wasn’t me. It was likely someone from PR, kiddo. You do go to one of the best STEM schools in the country.”
Tony had a point.
“Right...sorry.”
“It’s good, kid. What’s got you so wound up about it?”
“Daddy, I’m going to Mummy.”
“Okay kiddo, Friday take little Potts to bigger Potts,” he said with a smile.
“Yes sir.”
Once Morgan left, Tony asked again, “So wanna talk about it?”
“Just, just this is home. My home. And I know that’s stupid because it’s a fuckin 100 floor tower, but I know it. I know it so well, and I just don’t really want kids from my school here. I know I can’t gatekeep a building bu-”
“Hey, hey, it’s not stupid. It makes sense. This place is home and you don’t want them messing with any part of it. I bet most kids in your class wouldn’t love it if people came into their home for a field trip.”
“Yeah. And i-its my safeplace. From everything.” Everything being all the people he lost. His parents and uncle and aunt.
“I get it. Want me to have Pep cancel the trip?”
“N-no, no. All the kids in my class were so excited.”
“Always so selfless,” Tony smiled, “When is it again?”
“Friday.”
“Kiddo, I promise it’ll be fine. If anything, anything happens just get Fri to call me or Pep. Most of the avengers will be around too so you can call ‘em too.”
“Yeah. Thanks. They’ll just try to embarrass me, though,” Peter laughed.
“They will. Do I need to sign something?”
“I’m just going to have Mum do it because her signature is less recognizable.”
“Yeah, okay. Your teachers still don’t believe you?”
“How did you know th-”
“Come on kid, I’m Tony Stark.”
Peter smiled, “Fair enough. Yeah they don’t. I mean they will after the trip.”
“Yeah, that’s the bright side.”
“Yeah.”
“Okay, I’ll leave you to it then. Don’t stay in here too late.”
So he had a normal evening. Did some fun work, some homework, ate dinner with the lunatics called the avengers, and went to bed.
The night before the field trip he was so nervous. He ended up eating dinner in his lab. Pepper complained but Tony just told her he’d had a long day and deserved a break.
He knew he should have gone to bed but as each hour passed, he got more and more anxious about the trip. He needed something to take his mind off it, so he just kept working and working. Suddenly it was seven in the morning and he needed a shower. Finishing his eighth coffee of the eve, he headed to the 91st floor where he stayed. Hoping that neither of his parents would notice his all nighter he crept into his room.
After getting ready for school, he made his way back out of his room.
“Morning,” Pepper greeted him, “How was last night?” She wore a knowing smile as she continued to tap on her computer, presumably doing work.
“Fine,” he smiled, “Don’t tell dad.”
“I won’t. You're turning into him, though.”
“What else was expected?”
Pepper just smiled, “Sam and Bucky had loads of pastry delivered to the main kitchen if you wanna pop in there.”
“Yeah, sounds good. Thanks.”
“By sweetie, have a good day at school.”
“Thanks. Love you.”
“Love you too, hun.”
Peter jumped in the lift taking him up two floores to the Avengers hang out space.
“Spiderling!” Sam and Bucky greeted
“Old Man, bird boy,” he smirked.
“You look like shit, паук,” Nat said from the sofa.
“Thanks,” he said, putting a few of the delicious looking treats onto his plate. He also grabbed himself another cup of coffee. He plops himself down next to Nat on the sofa.
“Did you not sleep again? You look like hell.” Tony said, entering the kitchen to get himself another cup of coffee.
“Right back at you dad.”
“Fair.”
Steve entered, coming back from his run.
“Hey,” he said, addressing the room, “God kid, you look like yo-”
“OKAY NEXT PERSON TO TELL ME I LOOK SHIT IS GETTING IT!”
“Oh sorry,” Steve said, rolling his eyes. Clint came in with Pietro at his side, “What’s this about Peter looking shit?”
“I hate you all,” he said, finishing his last bite. He laid down on the sofa.
“Oh ah kid, something I needed to tell you. Right, you can stay here. No need to go to school and back. Pepper wrote a note saying you’d meet at the school because you had a doctor's appointment or some shit.”
“Why is spider boy here?” Sam asked.
“School field trip.”
“Only you Parker,” the White Wolf laughed.
“No embarrassing me, please,” he begged.
“Hell no, this is a great opportunity,” Sam said, looking over to bucky.
“I won’t,” Nat said with her hands up.
“I’m in, team embarrass Peter,” Clint said, high fiving Bucky and Sam. At that moment, Wanda walked in heading straight for her girlfriend’s arms. Nat happily let her fall into her lap.”
“What’s wrong with you?” Nat asked with some level of concern.
“Everything,” Wanda said.
“Drama queen,” Pietro scoffed. Peter closed his eyes and let the conversation happen around him. At some point, Tony had left. Clint had gone off to train with the Dumb and Dumber, and Steve claimed he had a mission brief.
Friday’s voice startled him, “Peter, I recommend you head downstairs as your class is arriving in 5.”
“Five what?” Peter questioned.
“Four,” The AI continued.
“A LITTLE MORE WARNING WOULD BE NICE!”
Peter grabbed his shit and jumped into the private elevator as fast as he could. Luckily, he was in the lobby mere moments before the class entered. He pretended just to be standing around.
“Peter,” Mr. Blaze called, “Please come and join the class.”
Peter nodded, spotting his best friend amongst the crowd.
“Hey,” Ned greeted.
“‘Sup.”
“Good morning everyone,” said the tour guild, “My name is Tamiko Hiroki and I will be taking you on your tour today. To start, I will be giving you all badges. When I call your name please step up and collect it.”
She made her way through the basket and by the time she was done only one student had not received a badge.
“Hey, Peter didn’t get a badge,” Cindy Moon, a kind girl in his physics class, called.
“Apologies, there doesn’t seem to be one in here for a Peter.”
“Uh I-i, I have m-my own. Thanks Tamiko.”
“Oh okay, cool. Please follow me to security.” The class seemed shocked. Was the kid telling the truth about his internship?
“So, there are many different levels of pass here. Guests get Beta levels 1-5 depending on what they are doing. Then there’s Omega’s who are interns and such. Next is the scientist and important employees with Zeta. Finally there’s Alpha for major important roles such as department heads. The top level, Alpha 5, contains the most important people like the Avengers who live in the tower and CEO Pepper Pots.
“Tamiko Hiro, Clearance level Beta 5.”
“Don’t worry everyone, that's Friday, the AI who runs the building. Just keep passing through.”
“Philip Maiko, Clearance level Beta 1.”
“Michelle Jones, Clearance level Beta 1.”
Peter headed towards the back, allowing all the students to go in front of him. He prayed they didn’t hear his security protocol. The rest passed through with Beta 1. Then, Peter came up.
“Peter Parker-Stark, clearance level Alpha 5, all access. Hi baby boss,” Friday, the building's AI called out, “Shall I tell Mr. Stark you’re home early?”
“I’m on a field trip, Fri. No need to tell D-Mr. Stark. Thanks.”
The class, once again, looked shocked.
“Why does Penis Parker have all access?” Flash called to Tamiko.
“I do not believe I have clearance to disclose that information, but Peter here may answer,” Tamiko said, glaring at Flash.
“I mean I’ve said it before. I am a personal intern of-”
“PETEY!” Bucky yelled, giving him a hug from behind.
Deflated, he responded, “Hey Buck.”
“Is that all I get? Anyway, Sammy and I baked you cookies cause we love ya so much. Our little Peter.”
He heard the whispers of the class, “How does Peter know the Winter Soldier?” and “Why is the Winter Soldier giving Peter cookies?”
“I hate you Barnes. Just leave them upstairs in the kitchen.”
“Sam’s idea.”
“Well then fuck you both!” he called as Bucky raced off with his million dollar smile. Peter wanted to disappear.
“Uh, so as you can see the Avengers do actually live here. Bucky Barnes-”
“That was so cool,” Ned said, smiling.
“Uh yeah sure.”
For a short while, the tour was going a lot better. They visited the museum, saw some of the intern labs, luckily only a few students were there. They were all too focused on their project to spot Peter. Then the action started again.
“Hey baby petey,” Cliff said, smiling.
“Oh god Cliff.”
“Is that the real hawkeye?”
“Why is talking to Penis Park?”
“What are you doing here?” Peter said in a hushed whisper.
“Just checking in on my favorite boy,” he said loudly, “Are you coming up for lunch? Oh and we’re still training after school, right?”
“Yes and yes now bye. Love you see you,” he said, pushing him away.
“Love you too kid,” he yelled.
“How do you know Hawkeye?” many people questioned.
“I work on Avengers equipment.”
“That seemed a lot close-”
“Shall we leave Mr. Parker alone, please?” Tamiko requested with a stern look. Peter sent a grateful smile at her which she returned with a nod.
“Next we are heading to a special lab. This lab is the third biggest behind Dr. Banner’s and Mr. Stark’s,” She explained. That sounded a lot like Peter’s lab. No way his class was allowed to enter his lab. No. Way. This was a trick, a mistake.
“Hey, Tamiko, what floor?” he questioned.
“89,” Mr. Parker. No. No. And No.
He activated his watch and whispered into it, “Lock up my lab. No visitors, no one.”
“Yes sir. This is a strange protocol to ru-”
“Just lock up.”
“This protocol has been overridden by the pre-confirmed location for a tour. Pepper Potts confirmed it.”
What the hell??
“Connect me to dad.”
“Mr. Stark is currently in a meetin-”
Peter felt himself begin to panic and tears threatened to fall.
“Connect me to dad!” he said again, keeping his voice low. They were getting close to his floor. They exited onto his floor. Luckily she had some safety things to go through, which bought Peter more time.
“Hey Petey, what’s up?”
“THEY’RE ABOUT TO GO INTO MY LAB, AND I TOLD YOU-”
“Hey, kiddo, I’m coming now. Calm down. I just looked into it, Pep must have accidentally allowed it as a location on the tour. I overrode her. You should be able to lock it now kid.”
Peter was crying properly.
“Hey, hey I’m coming. Run the lock up protocol.”
“Right,” Tamiko began, “Let’s head in.”
“Oren!” Peter yelled, for all his class to hear, “Lock up my lab please!”
“Protocol lock up has been completed. No visitors, without your permission, shall enter.”
Tamiko tried the door, and it was, obviously locked. His classmates looked at him. Peter was overwhelmed. Everyone moved out his way as he went to sit down in front of the door to his lab.
“Peter how did you-?” Mr. Blaze began.
“This. Is. My. Lab,” Peter said, closing his eyes.
“Your lab?”
“Yeah my lab. Mine. None of you are going in.”
“Peter this is horrible behavior from you,” Mr. Blaze began, “I don’t know how you manage to hack this tower, but rest assured that there will be punishment. Now move from that do-”
“Peter!” Tony called, walking towards his son.
“Dad,” Peter said, trying to stop the tears.
“Hey kiddo. No one’s going near your lab, hon. No one, okay. Sorry for the mix up baby. Not going to happen again.”
“Promise,” Peter choked out.
“Yeah, kid, Promise.”
“Everyone please clear out. Please continue with your tour as usual. I’ll keep Peter.”
“Uh Mr. Stark, sir, I’ll need a guardian to all-”
“You're looking at him. What do you need?”
“Nothing, go ahead. All I needed was guardian’s permission.”
“Oh a teach, don’t think this is the end. You didn’t believe my kid, and there will be consequences for that.” The tour scattered away.
“Hey Pete, you okay?” Ned asked.
“I’ll be fine, stay with the tour.”
“Alright. Call you later?”
“Yeah.”
“Come on kid, you wanna come upstairs or head into your lab?”
“Lab.”
“Okay, okay.
The two settled on one of the many sofas in the lab. Pete’s head in Tony’s lab.
“Sorry about that, Pepper explicitly told all tours to stay off this level, but it seems as though her assistant made an exception because she thought it was okay as you were on the tour. Pepper fired her.”
Only his mum, “She didn’t have to do that.”
“She was furious.”
“Oh I’m sure.”
“I know this is your safe space, so-”
“It’s okay. No one came in.”
“Yeah.”
“You feeling any better?”
“Just tired. Thanks.”
“Always kiddo. You wanna go upstairs? Take a nap?”
“Sure.”