Chapter Text
JARVIS called at 8am. Peter woke up at 4:45 just to be sure he wouldn't miss it.
Well, when Stark said JARVIS, he believed it would be some soul-less message by a robotic and automatic voice, or a human secretary. He didn't expected a robotic AND human like voice to call him.
" Mr Parker ? I am Tony Stark's assistant, JARVIS. We would be honored to have you at the Stark Tower today at 3PM. Please let me know if you're unavailable, so we could reschedule any time that would fit you the best. "
Peter thought that JARVIS, even if he was Stark's creation, was nothing like his rude owner.
" hmmm... I'll be there JARVIS, thank you. " he said, spelling carefully because he was afraid Jarvis wouldn't understand otherwise.
He was then surprised when Jarvis answered right away:
" Noted. I'll inform Mr Stark of your presence today. Thank you and..."
" Wait ! " his scientific brain couldn't let this pass this opportunity. " Jarvis, are you human ?? "
He was expecting Jarvis to stay silent for at least 5 minutes like the IA he knew when you ask them an unusual question. To his surprise, he answered right away:
" I am an I.A created by Tony Stark that developed a conscious mind. To my knowledge, I'm the very first I.A able to do so. I do my best to serve Mr Stark while keeping an individual personality and morality. I hope that answers your question. "
Peter stayed 3 seconds silent like the stupid I.A he used to work with.
" yeah... Yeah thank you JARVIS ! I won't bother you with my questions, you must have plenty of... Smart I.A things to do. Thank you and bye !!"
" it's always a pleasure to help, Mr Parker." The IA answered. " Do not worry about me, I can do more than one billion fifty thousand calculus at the same time. Moreover, Mr Stark put you in my top priority list. Take care and Goodbye. "
God, Stark was a fucking genius.
***
He was there at 2:45 pm.
The receptionist looked at him from head to toe, almost like he was a disgusting bug. He didn't have any suits in his student's room closet (not even sure he had one at home) and was wearing black jeans and the least graphic shirt he could find. Well, apparently, that wasn't enough.
"So, you're telling me you have an appointment with Antony Stark ?"
She said it the same way you would say "are you fucking stupid or something?" and Peter, if he wasn't so committed, would have left and cried in the parking lot.
" Yes. I am Peter Parker. I have an appointment at 3pm. I've been called this morning."
" Mr Stark's schedule is packed months, even years in advance. Someone made a prank call to you, young man. Now, if you'll excuse me, the adults here need to work. "
Boy. Peter was so goddamn annoyed by people thinking he was twelve or something. But he couldn't do anything else. If Stark didn't put him on the list, he couldn't do anything.
Unless...
" JARVIS ! " he shouted, making everyone in the lobby looking at him.
That was all or nothing. The receptionist looked at him with a mocking gaze. Some stupid people tried to call JARVIS a few times in the past. He never answered.
So she almost fell of her chair when the IA answered :
" Hello Mr Parker, it's a pleasure to see you. Mr Stark is waiting for your venue. Please take the elevator on your right. "
Peter, being too polite to add anything to the hostess, simply rose his head high and did as told.
Stupid and close-minded receptionist.
***
Peter almost exploded in the elevator:
" You know I was there right ? Why didn't you told me I was waited for right when I arrived ?"
Jarvis, stoic as usual, answered:
" As I said to you this morning, I am Mr Stark's assistant and own a conscience that could be seen as a proper personality. To protect Mr Stark, I allow myself to take decisions on my own, as long as it respects Mr Stark's life and integrity. I was looking at you from the moment you passed the door, but decided acknowledging more informations about your personality and behavior was a priority for Mr Stark's security. "
" So you were spying on me then ? " Peter simplified.
" Very much so, yes."
God, Stark's inventions were something else.
***
Stark was late -and it apparently happened a lot, to Jarvis's sayings. Peter was talking with him in the hall for quite some time.
"... and so, you are allowed to go through Mr Stark's stuff ?" Peter asked, sat on the sofa, sipping his drink.
" If needed for his security, yes. Therefore, it doesn't change my respect and loyalty to him. "
" Oh, don't tell me you don't want to punch him in the face from time to time. He seems like a real jerk sometimes. "
"I'm glad you see me as such, Peter," said Stark behind his back.
Peter jumped, spiling coke everywhere. His 6th sense was out when technology was involved.
" sh.... I'm so sorry Mr Stark ! I didn't mean... Oh shit shit shit I spilled it everywhere... Wow let me clean it for you... Hum... "
He was about to use his bare hands and make himself even more embarrassing when JARVIS came to his rescue:
" A cleaner is on their way. Do no worry about it. "
Peter then was forced to face Stark after he told his IA he saw him as a jerk. His face was burning hot.
Stark, surprisingly, had a smug on his face. He didn't seem quite bothered by Peter's words. Even more, the sparkles in his eyes told him he was... Amused ?
God, Peter was a living tragedy. If shame could kill someone, he would be dead years ago.
Stark simply went back to his lab, not checking if Peter followed him. He did anyway.
***
"That's not the best way to do it."
Peter almost bite his tongue. Did he just tell goddamn Tony Stark his current work wasn't that good ? Yes he fucking did.
"I mean ! I wouldn't have done it that way, doesn't mean I'm better or some..."
Stark was handing him an adjustable spanner. Greasy hands, messy hair, comfortable rock and roll clothes.
Playboy billionaire philanthropist he was.
" Show me then, kid. "
Stark in the lab was truly something else. He was serious, composed and focused. Not the jerk Peter thought he was.
Hot too, to be honest.
Peter gulped and took the tool. Now was the time to prove himself.
He breathed, took everything out of his mind, and began to work. Adjusting something here, changing something there... The process was crystal clear in his mind.
He didn't realize Tony was looking at his work, but also at him, impressed.
" That's some very good work, kid" he finally said.
" Oh you know, I learned it in school but I figured out some changes would be necessary..."
" You're on the gifted side, yeah ?"
The question was asked with so much... care, it made Peter look at him.
" I don't know... I mean, school has never been complicated or anything but it's because I worked hard and was driven by passion, I would say. "
" It may be even more honourable. "
They looked at each other right in the eye. Peter didn’t flinch for once.
“Here’s the deal kid. You become my intern. I make sure you don’t kill yourself by doing stupid spider shit. You listen to me. Clear ?”
“Clear, Mr. Stark.”