Chapter Text
Field trips weren't Peter's favorite activity. Not because of the destinations, more like because of his clumsiness, his Peter's luck, bullying and - in recent years - it had been harder to sneak away to fight a villain here or there and then come back as if nothing had happened at all.
Mr. Harrington had left class for about five minutes and Peter had this gut feeling that something was wrong.
He was right
Mr. Harrington entered the class, holding a stack of paper. As the class went quiet, he started speaking:
"Sorry for these minutes away, but I promise it was worth it. I was just talking with the pedagogical assistant and, as you might have noticed, we still haven’t had any of Midtown's yearly field trips, right?"
Some people nodded and murmured in agreement
"Well, so great news! Here I have the permission slip for our next field trip which will happen by the end of this month, to a place which this class is really lucky to visit"
Nothing could have prepared Peter for what the professor said next.
His world froze while his classmates erupted in celebration and excited chatter.
"Our school has tried for years to book a visit for this place, so buckle up my dear students because you were the chosen ones: We are going to the Stark Industries Tower!"
Peter had already read enough fantasy and dystopia to know that being "the chosen one" wasn't really a good thing.
As the class went on full excitement, the boy's mind was full of racing thoughts, while he secretly wished the floor could swallow him whole.
It wasn't like he couldn't just refuse to go, right? What were the teachers going to do? Force him?
"I need you all to give this paper and return it signed by your legal guardians. Since it's a really important visitation for a STEM school like ours, you're all going to produce written reports in order to get extra credit for the next evaluation.”
So, no refuse for Parker
“So… how are we feeling about this?” Ned whispered for Peter
Peter knew that Ned was obviously excited for this, even if he had already been in the tower multiple times. At this point Avengers knew Ned and MJ by name and treated them like family - just how they treated Peter.
“I don’t know Ned… it’s risky…”
It was not a secret that Peter interned at Stark industries, the problem was that most of his classmates didn’t actually believe him. Even Mr. Harrington seemed convinced that Peter was an intern somewhere else, but said it was on S.I only to look cool and avoid more mockery (well, sir, if you were right, Peter’s plan wasn’t working at all).
“We can skip it and do the written exams instead”
“What??” - Peter exclaimed in a whisper - “No way, Ned. I know you’re excited for this, and if I just refuse it people will find it weird… I just have to think on what I should do”.
“Hey, Porker! Are you scared that your ‘fake intern’ bullshit will finally fall apart?”
Behind Ned and Peter, Flash Thompson launched a paper ball aimed at Peter’s head, as his goon laughed at the boy.
Peter just rolled his eyes and tried not to care, he had already too much going on his mind.
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“We could talk to Mr. Stark about it” suggested Ned holding a bowl full of popcorn
The three teenagers were gathered in Peter and May’s apartment for a “movie and studies” afternoon.
“But I don't want anyone to worry, and I can’t just be a party pooper on everyone’s trip. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience” - Peter sighed
“He’ll know eventually, whether you like it or not” - MJ was in front of TV, she had a list of movies and it was her turn to choose - "Besides, maybe it’s an opportunity to have everyone believe that you are an intern. This might help you” - She said as she searched for “The Breakfast Club”
“Maybe… I just don’t like the idea of this exposure, everyone being there, maybe even the Avengers. What if they realize that I am not just a simple intern? Or if someone mentions that I also live there sometimes? That my aunt is S.I security chief’s ‘girlfriend’ and that I call THE Tony Stark “dad” and, oh fun fact, he is training me as the ‘heir’ of the company?”
Anxiety increased in every word
“Or worse… they can suspect that I am Spider-man” - Peter was spiraling in his thoughts again
“Pete.. it will be just fine, relax. If you don’t want to, you don’t need to tell anyone, not even Tony or any of the Avengers. Calm down, bro, it’s just in two weeks” Ned tried to reassure him
“Yeah, Pete, try to live today. We will be there with you to any backup plan, we are also a part of this” Completed Michelle
“You’re right, I need to relax” Peter took a deep breath as he dove into the mattress they put in the middle of the living room
“Thanks, guys”
“You’re welcome, I really enjoy chaos” said MJ with a smirk, pressing play and ignoring an offended Peter by her side.
The movie started almost instantly.
“Dear Mr. Vernon. We accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong. What we did was wrong, but we think you’re crazy to make us write an essay telling you who we think we are (...)”
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The days passed by and Peter still needed May to sign his permission slip. Over the next few weeks, Peter had stopped worrying about annoying or stressing Tony by telling him about the field trip; he realized it was just his anxiety talking. Unfortunately, his moment of calm only lasted about four minutes. The second he realized the Avengers would probably try to embarrass him if they found out, he went right back into a spiral.
When Peter finally had the courage to ask May to sign the paper, he tried to hide the destination, however it had only made her more suspicious and Peter couldn't hide it from his aunt
“Stark Industries? Peter, why are you so nervous about it? That place is like your second home at this point!”
“I know, May, I’m not nervous… It’s just that…” - he hesitated - “I don’t want Mr. Stark or the other Avengers to find out”
“How would they not know? They are always there” - she asked, her voice in a blend of confusion and sarcasm.
“Maybe they won’t be around that day. If they knew they would make sure to stay at the tower and I don’t think I want this… please” - He pleaded, hoping that May wouldn’t tell anybody about it
“Okay, don’t worry, sweetie” - she said as she signed the authorization - “Here! Take care, do not lose this paper not even ‘by accident’ “
“I won’t, don’t worry! Thanks, May, love you” - the boy said as he left for school
…………………………………………………………………………………………………....
Peter had a weird feeling that maybe, just maybe, May could have told someone. Peter wished this was just paranoia, but his aunt sounded very suspicious every time he mentioned the trip
“Oh yeah, the trip. I wonder if any avenger will be there… Last week just a few of them were in the tower when I went there… I don’t know” - She said the day before, with a smile that seemed a little too cheerful, to a Peter who was overly worried.
Peter shook his head, whether she had told them or not it wouldn’t be a big difference now, he was already on the line to enter on the bus, next to a hyper excited Ned and an indifferent MJ.
After everyone boarded, Mr. Harrington took attendance to make sure everyone was there. After that, the trip began. Everyone was very excited, talking about what they wanted to see, if they would find any Avenger…
"I hope Thor is there," said Betty.
"I wanted to see THE James Barnes," commented Sally
"That assassin? Okay, lol," Abraham joked
"He's not like that anymore," Betty retorted
And so the trip went, noisily, except for Peter who preferred to stay quiet, which, to the boy's misfortune, did not go unnoticed by Flash Thompson and his crew
"What are you thinking about, crybaby? Are you scared that your internship invention is finally coming to an end, aren't you, Porker?" Flash teased while his friends laughed.
"Look, I don't think there's anyone more interested in Peter's internship than you, huh Flash?!" - the boy turned to see who was speaking - "This is starting to look like an obsession to me," MJ retorted, not once looking away from her book "The Picture of Dorian Gray."
Flash glared, clearly offended, but before he could respond, Mr. Harrington appeared, saying
"Okay, kids, hurry up and get ready because we're almost there, look!"
The teenagers immediately fixed their gazes on the bus windows; they were already arriving at the Stark Industries headquarters tower. Excitement took over everyone, even Peter, despite his fear.
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Once everyone entered the building, it didn’t take too long before somebody called them
“So, you are the tour group for today, huh? Midtown High, am I right?” - a voice that Peter knew very well, Harley Keener would be their tour guide
“That’s right” - confirmed Mr. Harrington
“Great! Hello everybody, my name is Harley Keener, I am an intern here at Stark Industries and today I will be your tour guide” - he said, his smirk widening as he noticed Peter’s presence
“So, everybody, you’re supposed to spend three days here, this may seem a lot, however, this building is massive. It has over 100 levels, not counting the subterraneous ones” - the class was exasperated
“Mr. Keener, are we going to visit ALL of them?” - Betty asked
“Please, you can call me Harley, I’m not much older than you guys. For your question Miss…?” - He stopped
“Betty. Betty Brant” - the girl replied
“Betty, okay, nice to meet you! As for your question, no. You won’t visit all of the areas, which brings me to this” Harley took a small box from a table and opened it - “These little things here are your badges, it’s very important that you all keep it with you throughout the whole trip. Do not lose it” - Said Harley in a serious tone
“So, each of you will have a badge that will grant you access to specific places, such as the museums, the restaurants, your bedrooms and etc. Some areas are restricted for other clearance levels”
“Could you elaborate more on this, please sir?” - asked Mr. Harrington
“Of course” - said Harley as he guided the group closer to the security turnstiles - “As I’ve said before, the tower has multiple floors - he briefly explained about the building’s layout – What’s important for you right now is that your dorms are on the 19th floor. Don't forget it. The main cafeteria and restaurants are on the 50th floor. Anything from the 92nd floor and up are restricted to the Avengers, their family and their really close friends, not even I go over there” - Harley claimed with a statement that Peter, Ned and MJ knew was a lie.
Harley called each student by name in order to give them their badges.The boy, however, didn’t call Peter, Ned nor MJ
“Hey! What about the three stooges over there? Why didn’t you call them?” - asked, of course, Flash
Harley looked into their friend's direction and said “Oh, yeah… I forgot yours,my bad” - he walked to them - “Didn’t you bring your badges, guys? Management team didn’t send dummy ones, sorry” - whispered Harley as he pretended to give the trio their badges and went near the badge scanner/ facial recognition turnstile.
“Now, everybody, eyes up - the chatter stopped - each badge has a security chip. Everybody here has badges. You are going to show it to the scanner so the Stark’s AI, that is, F.R.I.D.A.Y, will read it and grant your access - Harley was the first to go
“Harley Keener. Intern. Clearance level: 7. Welcome back, Harley” The AI voice echoed, mesmerizing the class
“Now, it’s your turn! Any questions?”
“What are these clearance levels? “ - Jason asked
“Oh, it basically determines which kind of information and places someone is allowed to access. You guys are level 1, destined to guests and visitors. Level 2 is for facilities and maintenance. Level 3 is for other staff, such as cooks, hospitality and others. Level 4 is for corporate officers and interns. Level 5 is for the R&D guys. Level 6 is for the medical team. Level 7 can be for VIP, or specific people such as Stark’s personal interns, like me. Level 8 is for avengers’ close friends, Level 9 is for immediate family and level 10 is for the Avengers only. The security team have other type of badges” - explained Harley quickly - “There are many other details, but it doesn’t matter now”
The teenagers murmured in awe
“Wow, bro, it must be amazing, and pretty hard, to be a Stark personal intern” - Abraham breathed
“Sir, can anyone be an intern here?” - asked Flash
“Well, not just anyone. The internship programs are for university undergraduates in a limited period of time, while for junior scientist programs, usually are teenagers who spend 3 weeks at maximum here” - answered Harley
“Oh, great to know, it’s because some people like to play pretend that they work here, isn’t it, Penis?” - laughed Flash and his friends
“I didn’t lie” - Peter muttered under his breath
“Alright, everybody, time to go. Show your badge to the scan and your face to the camera. We have a long tour ahead of us” - called Harley checking his watch
One by one walked through the turnstile, amazed by everything
“Betty Brant. Level 1 - temporary guest”
“Jason Lonello. Level 1 - temporary guest”
“Eugene Thompson. Level 1 - temporary guest”
“Abe Brown. Level 1 - temporary guest”
“Charles Murphy. Level 1 - temporary guest”
Soon enough, only MJ, Ned and Peter were left standing at the gate
“C’mon kids, we must go” - urged Mr. Harrington
The trio was wary, they knew FRIDAY would say out loud their true levels and that this would cause a commotion, however they didn’t have a choice.
MJ stepped up first
“Michelle Jones-Watson. Level 8 - welcome back, MJ. Should I tell Mrs. Potts you are her-”
“Thank you, FRIDAY, no need for it” - MJ interrupted smoothly, as the class looked at her in shock.
Ned went next
“Ned Leeds. Level 8 - welcome back, Ned. Your new Mandalorian LEGO set has arrived today”
“Thank you so much Fri” - said the boy failing to hide his grin
Peter took a deep breath and went on
“Peter Parker. Level 9 - welcome back, Peter. Should I tell Mr. Stark that you arrived?”
“No need, FRIDAY, thank you” - Peter muttered, walking to his friends and lowering his head
A dead silence fell into the lobby.
“Why do the three little pigs have clearance 8 and 9 levels?” - asked Flash, blending anger and pure disbelief
“Eugene… let’s avoid this kind of nicknames, please”- warned Mr. Harrington -“Could you guys, please, explain what just happened?” - he asked to the trio, too stunned