Chapter Text
“Excuse me.”
A woman with a bun and a suit looked up from behind her desk, fingers pausing on her computer. “Yes?” She eyed him suspiciously.
He tried not to let it bother him. He knew what she saw – a young man, high school age; brown hair, hazel eyes that looked thin and gangly. He smiled pleasantly at her and handed her his card and ID. “My name is Peter Parker of Wilson Co. I'm here to see Ms. Pepper Potts and Mr. Tony Stark,” Peter told her.
The woman – Anna, as her name tag read – narrowed her eyes at his ID, checking over it for any sign of forgery. It made Peter want to tell her that he's as real as the ID and if she thinks he's not real then she should get glasses.
When she finally decided it was real, she returned to her computer and punched his name in. It wasn't hard to miss the sigh of annoyance as she found his appointment listed. “Take S elevator and Jarvis will show take you to the floor where you will meet them,” Anna reluctantly told him.
'Jeez, she's a nice lady. I bet everyone here loves her,' Peter snarked to himself as he took his card and ID and began to walk to the elevator. He replaced them in his wallet and checked his folder to ensure that he had everything he was supposed to.
“Ms. Potts and Sir will meet you at the elevator of floor 15,” a voice informed him. “Thanks Jarvis,” Peter responded calmly as he rubbed a kink out of his neck, adding a bit of spider strength to ensure that the knot was sufficiently taken care of.
'Well, here goes, Spidey.' He took a deep breath as he stepped out of the elevator. Ms. Potts and Tony Stark stood there. Tony looked a bit bored, but Ms. Potts held out her hand and put on a polite smile.
“Mr. Parker,” she said, “it's a pleasure to meet you.”
When she sent Tony a glance, he held out his hand and Peter shook his hand as well. “Yo, Kid. Thought you'd be older.”
Ms. Potts glared at Tony the way one does a child they're scolding. He looked unrepentant, but after all the times Peter's met Tony on the job… Yeah, he didn't mind this sort of egotistical rich man.
“It's not the first time,” Peter plastered a polite smile on his face, “and I'm sure it won't be the last.”
Ms. Potts gave him an apologetic look. “Why don't you come this way and you can explain what Wilson Co. would like to propose as a collaboration between our Stark Industries and your own company.”
Tony rolled his eyes at the formal speech, but held his tongue which was probably due to a warning that Ms. Potts sent him. Together they headed into a conference room where someone had graciously set up a coffee pot. Peter doctored his coffee and practically inhaled the expensive treat as they sat down.
“Thank you for meeting me on such short notice,” Peter began. “I'm afraid we have little time.”
“For what?” Tony interrupted, ignoring a warning look from Ms. Potts.
“Hydra.”
Tony's eyes narrowed and he looked at Peter with suspicion. “And what is it that you know about Hydra?”
Peter restrained himself from rolling his eyes. Honestly, he had hacked into SHIELD a few too many times to not know anything about the organization, but no one except his boyfriend knew of that matter. He certainly wasn't about to reveal the depth of his knowledge.
“I have a contact,” Peter held up his mouth to stop Tony from saying anything, “and that contact has made me aware of certain.. people asking around for new help with a project in Hydra.”
“What kind of project?” Ms. Potts questioned, sitting stiffly in her chair.
Peter shrugged, “That I haven't quite gotten yet. I do, however, know that they are seeking to recruit new, talented scientists that could help to.. further their aims.”
“You mean 'kidnap', don't you?” Tony asked, face oddly serious.
One of Peter's brows twitched in consideration of Tony's seriousness as he replied, “Yes.”
“And what is it that you want to propose? Wilson Co. is still a young cooperation and I can't see how Hydra would pay it much attention,” Ms. Potts stated, a bit confused.
Peter nodded, slowly. He was aware of the youth of Wilson Co. “Not many people know it but Wilson Co. used to be a facility owned by Hydra,” he admitted, aware of the widening eyes of his two companions.
“It was acquired during a raid due to a few superhuman friends and when Hydra left.. well, it was a shame to leave it in such a well prepped state, so my co-founder and I worked it out so we could take over. Anyways,” Peter changed direction, “Wilson Co. would like to team up with Stark Industries about revealing some research that is very likely to draw Hydra's attention.”
“You want.. to bait Hydra?” Ms. Potts frowned, while Tony simply looked considerate.
“Yes,” Peter replied.
“It's a good idea,” Tony spoke up, “but a dangerous one. I can't see any scientist willing to put their research and their life on the line for such a risky idea.”
“I would.”
Brows furrowed. “You?” Tony asked, curious.
“Yes,” Peter said, a hand gesturing to himself. “I know I'm technically one of the founders of the cooperation, but I prefer to spend my time researching.”
“I'm sorry – how old are you again?” Tony questioned.
“I'm actually in my freshman year at NYU,” Peter explained.
“So.. what? 18? 19?” Tony speculated.
“19. I've been doing some research into recoding DNA to get rid of recessive genetic caused illnesses and it's shown promise. If Stark Industries announced the find with Wilson Co. I doubt Hydra could ignore such a rare find,” Peter completed.
Tony and Ms. Potts just stared at him for a few beats. Tony smiled finally and said, “Just 19 huh?” He shook his head looking a bit impressed.
“It sounds promising,” Ms. Potts mentioned. “But I'd like for our resident genetic specialist to take a look and see if he could confirm your findings.”
Peter nodded as she continued, “If everything sounds good, we'll bring the Avengers in on it and start planning everything out.”
They got up and shook hands, exchanged private numbers. “Thank you for coming today,” Ms. Potts said. “We'll call you once everything is discussed.”
Peter nodded, walking into the elevator and leaning against the back with a big sigh. He wasn't sure about letting them at all of his research, but if the person who was going to look over the data was who he thought it was… It should be okay. He hoped.
“Have a good day, Mr. Parker,” Jarvis told him as the elevator doors opened.
“Thanks Jarvis. Enjoy the research,” he said, knowing that they'd be looking into Wilson Co. even deeper.
“Of course.”
He hoped it gave Tony a headache. He also hoped that any mention of his other co-founder was kept out of any digital mentions. He did his best to blot everything about him out. He only hoped it would be enough.