Chapter Text
As it turned out, unbeknownst to him, Pepper and Tony had been planning the whole ordeal for months. After his initial promotion as Tony’s personal intern, they had both taken into account exactly just how much of a smart kid Peter was. For the most part, they just thought he could handle simple engineering, do a bit of code here and there, I mean. Peter was a teenager.
(“Regular Teenagers get bored all the time and learn random things, Pep.” “Regular teenagers don’t exactly hang on the ceiling, Tony.”)
It had dawn on them that Peter was, in fact, a whole other level of genius. He was probably smarter than Tony and Bruce combined. It was a possibility but the former CEO would never dare admit it (to save his image). So they decided right there that he was going to be the heir.
At first it was baby steps. Little things like showing him around, letting him run along with some projects here and there. Then, the meetings started small. He would get asked by Tony or Pepper to tag along. They’d include him a lot. The more Peter had thought about it, the more it made sense. He could never count on his fingers alone how many times he had shadowed over their meetings and interviews
Especially when Tony had begun asking him to sit in meetings for him because he was currently ‘unavailable’, at first Peter was sure it was because his mentor just wanted to get lab time, but then his schedules didn’t align.
Then there was the clothes situation. Which was Pepper’s idea, she had lightly suggested to Tony that he should begin wearing some other types of clothes. It started with the dress shirts, the linen pantsuits, vests, and he even finally managed to tie his own tie (sometimes).
Peter liked to believe he was smart, above average. Everyone around him considered him a genius. But apparently he was still as oblivious as a child because according to literally everyone in the industry, they all thought he was already appointed as heir.
It was funny, really.
It seemed as though everyone knew but him.
“So, you’re leaving in a week?” Peter asked with a mouthful of cereal. Tony gives him a look as if silently saying ‘don’t talk with your mouth full’.
Pepper nods. “Yes, honey. In the meantime we’re gonna take you through the ropes on how to run a company and how to handle the employees, plus we have to alert the board and of course you already know some of the important files, we still need to review some stuff over.” She says with a determined tone.
“I’ll have to learn it all in a week?” Peter frowned, seemingly doubting himself and his ability to learn the steps in such a short amount of time. “I know it’s not a lot of days but it’ll only be the basics,” Pepper smiled reassuringly.
“And I have no doubt Petey pie will be able to handle it.” Tony speaks up, pinching his cheek. Peter grunts and swats his hand away in a childish manner. “Owww, don’t do that.”
“Does Aunt May already know that I’ll be here?” He frowned, he was worried that his Aunt would get concerned over him being so far away. Pepper gives him another smile. “I talked to her, she says as long as Happy is here. She’ll be at ease.”
Sometimes Peter was shocked at how much May trusted Happy.
His mentor smirks amusingly. “Speaking of Happy,” he starts. Looking across the room, craning his neck. “Would ya look at the time, Pete.”
Peter looks up at the clock and nearly falls off the chair as he rushes out. “Oh god. Thanks for the reminder, Mr. Stark!” He shouts frantically, as he grabs his backpack from the couch.
After the recent fiasco he made sure to double check his papers so he wouldn’t mix up his files again. He didn’t need to be handing out any more NDA’s, thanks.
“Bye guys!”
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Peter had barely any time to process when his best friend practically tackled him when they met at the school hallway, MJ following closely behind with her face covered by a thick book.
“Dude!” Ned exclaimed. Shaking the living daylights out of Peter, the taller put both his hands on the shorter’s shoulders to stop him. “Ned, stop shaking me like I’m a maraca, I’m getting dizzy.” He laughs heartily.
“Sorry,” Ned replied, not looking that sincere. “But seriously! Oh my god! Heir to Stark Industries?!” He exclaims a little too loudly.
“Shhh!” Peter’s eyes widened comically and slapped a hand on Ned’s mouth. “Dude! Nobody knows that yet! Don’t shout it out like that to the entire school!” He hissed.
He winced. “Sorry.” This time he looked sincere as he said it. “But, dude! Seriously, what even is your life?” Ned chuckled.
“I’ll second that.” MJ speaks up with a small smirk, she promptly looks up from her book, a glint of amusement in her eyes. “I hear (Y/n) has some pretty interesting information on you, Loser.”
“Your friend is giving me the stress of my life.” He replies with a small whine. Remembering the recent events.
“Yes I am and I’ll stand by it.”
Peter nearly jumps up from the new voice and almost attaches himself on the ceiling, but he doesn’t of course, he restrains himself and instead whips his head around. Managing a weak glare. “You need to stop creeping up on people,” he pursed his lips.
She has the gall to laugh at him and he huffs a breath of frustration. So much for a good morning, Peter thinks. How did his spider sense not notice that? Was he getting rusty already?
“I need you for robotics again,” she speaks up after a while leaning against Ned for some arm support. Peter raises an eyebrow at her, opening up his locker.
“You don’t need me for robotics every day, y’know? I still have to attend Decathlon.” He looks over at MJ who shrugs nonchalantly. “It’s fine.”
“See? Em thinks it’s fine.” (Y/n) comments.
“What about Ned? He’s also in the club, so Ned can help you with whatever you need.”
“I don’t know, I promised my Lola I would help prepare for the family dinner tonight,” Ned sheepishly replied. Peter pouts at his best friend, the other sends a smile. “I’ll make it up to you by giving you some adobong manok?”
“Why did I join robotics again?”
“Because you love me.” Ned states like it was a matter of fact. (Y/n) chuckled softly at that, enjoying the moment.
Right. Peter did join the club for Ned. He sighs out as he closes his locker, the things you do for your best friends. Shaking his head, he meets (Y/n)‘a gaze. “One hour. Max. I have stuff to do after.”
She raised an eyebrow but didn't comment on it. “Kay,” with that she leaves the trio to themselves.
“Kay.” Peter mimics her voice.
MJ scoffs at the two of them. “You’re both so childish.”
Giving her an incredulous look, Peter shoved his books in his bag. “We’re perfectly mature,” he nods to himself as they all begin walking to class together. As they converse amongst themselves, Flash bumps into him purposely.
“Watch where you’re going, Penis!”
It took every muscle in his body for Peter not to roll his eyes at the other. “For someone who claims to be a straight male you sure are fond of penises, Flash.” MJ quips. Peter choked down a small laugh, tilting his head to hide his smile.
Sneering, Flash walks away with a red face. “Whatever, nerds!”
“He knows we’re all nerds here right? We literally go to a science high school. ”
“He’s deep in denial, Ned.” MJ replies monotonously, unfazed.
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To everyone, Peter Parker was a mystery. (Y/n) was well aware of that, sometimes he was the talk of the school. Despite being the ‘quiet’ kid. He didn’t really seem like it. Constantly disappearing out of thin air and then appearing in a convenient time.
The rumours of his internship came to light when Flash had decided to keep his big mouth open and then it spread like wildfire. Not everyone believed it was true, of course. Something about it being a way to seek attention, which she would call bullshit on.
For as long she knew Peter, he had never been the one to want to be in the spotlight; however, it seemed to follow him wherever he went. Despite all of his efforts to keep himself hidden away,
She was an observer, like her best friend MJ, they both believed in his internship at Stark Industries. Though, (Y/n) would guess that MJ knew sooner than she did. I mean it’s not like she and Peter were close friends—they always did find each other annoying, so being a little late to the party wasn’t new.
There were a lot of articles stating about the heir of Stark Industries. She had wondered if SI’s legal team were having a field day, her eyebrow raised in amusement as she scrolled down. Eyes glued to her laptop screen, it wasn’t obvious, but if you had known Peter for long like she did, you would recognize that chestnut brown curly hair anywhere.
His face was never shown. Part of his body, hair, or basically just some blurry shots. It was always either him next to Tony Stark or Pepper Potts.
The door opening brings her out of her little trance. As she looked up, she relaxed.
“Oh, Parker—since you’re over there, go clean up that desk.” She points out. Quickly closing her laptop.
Peter scowls, but does it anyway, raising an eyebrow. “Did you just call me here to use me as a maid?” He questioned with a snarky voice. “Of course not.” She replies. Tone high. He looks around and sees the scattered blueprints.
“You’re here because you’re actually smart and unlike Jackson, useful.” (Y/n) adds, swivelling her chair to glide across the room.
The corner of his lips curled up. “Yeah?” Pride swelled through his chest.
“Don’t let it get to your head,”
“Yes ma'am.” He mock salutes. “So? What’s the plan?” Peter leans against the table, flicking through the rough sketches that were drawn on the pile paper next to him.
“I don’t know.” (Y/n) chewed on her lower lip anxiously. It had been the first time he had seen her look so troubled over something. “We’re still qualified for the science fair, duh. But with the funds we have now? I don’t think we could even manage a functioning robot.”
“Have you talked to Principal Morita?”
“I tried.” She sneers. “But he’s a damn idiot.”
Raising an eyebrow. Peter crosses his arms against his chest, tilting his head to the side. “Already on the insulting stage, huh? Was it that bad?”
“Worse than you could ever imagine. He didn’t bother listening this time, unlike when they warned me the other day about pulling our fundings.” She rolls her eyes.
“Is there really nothing we could do?”
“Not that I know of.” She sighed, seemingly tired. Before he could respond, his phone cut him off again, the familiar ringtone echoed around the room loudly. Whipping his head down instantaneously, the red alert on his phone glared at him, there was a mugging down at lower east die at Chinatown.
Uncharacteristically (almost), Peter let out a string of curses to which (Y/n) raised an eyebrow at. He looks up at her with an apologetic look.
“I—“
“—Gotta go.” She finished for him. Hand on her hip and a cheeky glint in her eyes. “Don’t let me stop you, Mr. Intern.”
Peter choked. “Don’t call me that.” His finger points at her.
Sticking her tongue out, she childishly huffs “You’re boring.” Rolling his eyes, Peter gathers his things. “I swear we’ll figure some stuff out for the club!” He shouts as he hurriedly leaves. It’s a half empty promise, they would both conclude.
Her eyes trail after his leaving figure. She was used to it, seeing him up and leaving randomly in the middle of the day. Again, he was an enigma. A cryptic for all she would know. More mysterious than she had seen from him in all the years she had known him,
(Y/n) didn’t want to pry, but curiosity kills the cat.
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Rushing to the scene, Peter feels the wind through his mask, breathing in the not so fresh air of New York. He was in his element, where he was most free and where he felt just right.
Dodging the flying pigeons. He cursed, almost shuddering at the memory of swinging—pun intended—around the busy streets trying to catch said pigeons for his friend, Howard.
Letting out an excited yell as he dived down a building, his body nearly hitting the road as he recklessly webbed himself up. The adrenaline is pumping in his blood, and he laughs out loud. This was one of the reasons he loved being Spider-Man, he was himself here, albeit behind a mask. He’d never felt so alive and in the moment.
“Hey, Karen, can you pinpoint where the robbery is happening exactly?” Peter asked, perching on one of the ledges on top of a building, nearly slipping. I gotta be more precise with my calculations he cursed at himself. It would be so embarrassing if he died because of his own stupidity and recklessness, he could never accept his faith.
“The robbery is right around the corner, Peter.” His ai answers him with her usual monotonous voice, though he smiled. “Thanks!” He shouts.
Diving back down, his eyes scan, the lenses on his mask squints instantly. He hears a window crash.
Bingo
Quietly, he creeps up around them and finds himself situated on top of a lamp post. They were your average robbers, black ski masks with heavy looking duffel bags as they grabbed whatever from the jewellery store. He watches as one guy bumps into his friend and they argue.
“You know,” Peter calls out from above them. They all flinched, as he began to web two of them up easily against the wall. They all yell. Peter jumps down the lamp post. “You guys are really bad at this.” He comments lazily. “Like, really bad, I’m just saying. Might wanna get some pointers up there from the big shots.”
“You said he wouldn’t find out!” One guy whispers and smacks the person at the back of his head. They all run and try to bring him down.
He sighs, disappointed. “What?” Peter pouts behind his mask as he moves quickly, dodging their feeble punches. “You guys don’t want me here?” He uses a fake sad tone.
Peter moves his body to the side, jumping out of criminal number four’s range. “You guys seriously don’t appreciate the time it takes for me to get here and catch ya!” He grunts, shooting his web rapidly to cocoon one guy. Chuckling as the criminal falls to the floor and flops around like a fish.
Once they were all webbed up. He grins under his mask, feeling accomplished. “Criminals,” he tuts, shaking his head. “They just never learn,” he sighed. Placing his hands on his hips as he stared down at them.
His ear rings as he hears the police sirens from a distance. “Welp!” Peter clapped his hands together. “That’s my cue, boys. Wonderful to meet ya.” He saluted the criminals on the ground as they all groaned at him, muffled insults thrown around.
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“Another successful patrol I might say.” Peter’s chest puffed with pride as he strolled through the hallway of Stark Industries. Adjusting his cuffed sleeves. Enjoying the cool air that surrounded the atmosphere. But it was short lived, something in the middle of the fight from the robbery irked him.
‘You said he wouldn’t find out!’
The robber's voice echoed in his head. Furrowing his eyebrows as he waited for the elevator, what did they mean by that? Surely they couldn’t have known his schedule or something. That would’ve been preposterous.
As absentminded as he was half the time, Peter knew when and where to be careful. His identity was the most crucial and important thing he needed to keep safe. Perhaps he was overthinking it too hard, but then again, criminals of New York never rest.
He dove through the city with flawless execution, Peter couldn’t help but wonder. Whilst avoiding the buildings, he does a sharp turn towards the tall tower of Stark Industries.
Successfully landing on the balcony of the penthouse his mind wanders and starts thinking of the possible answers as to why those petty robbers were thinking of how he would never find out about their crimes.
“God, my brain hurts.” He whined. Taking his mask off.
The penthouse felt empty. His guardians were probably busy with taking care of the paperworks to when he would take over in the next week. It was kind of nerve wracking if he was being honest, Peter had never imagined that he would run the company, it felt like everything was falling way too perfectly for him. Not that he wanted something horrible to happen. It just felt too good to be true.
His phone ringing cuts his thoughts off. “Peter!” Ned exclaims through the speaker.
“Hey buddy, what's up?” He replies tiredly, plopping his phone on the coffee table as he sits on the couch. Struggling to take off his boots.
“I just had an epiphany.”
“Uhuh,”
Peter mumbled a quiet curse as he finally got his shoes off. “Don’t hate me.” Ned says carefully. “But, what if, okay? Hear me out here man. Don’t refuse until I finish.”
“Oh my god spit it out, dude.” He laughs. “I won’t murder you for an opinion, who do you think I am?”
“What if you ask (Y/N) for help, like as a…uh, as a secretary!”
He almost choked at the suggestion. “I might take my words back,”. Peter frowned deeply. His eyebrows scrunched. “No, listen!” Ned groaned.
“I’m not saying to do it forever. Just as a minor setback or something, (Y/N) is literally the person you’ve been describing for like…forever!”
Ned puts on a convincing tone. “She can handle the workload you take, she’s also hella independent! And get this dude, she’s not totally the worst, ya know? Like she’s super resourceful.”
Grumbling underneath his breath he picks up his shoes and mask as he heads towards his room. “Ned, I love you man but that’s like the worst idea ever. Me and (Y/N) can barely even stand in the same room, how are we supposed to run a company together.”
Deep down it wasn’t really the worst possible scenario.
Sighing, Peter had to admit it. (Y/N) was a girl of many talents, though lacking in social skills, she was technically smart. Definitely not as smart as he was (or maybe that was his ego talking), but her ability to keep up with him was one of the reasons why he enjoyed the competition with her. Everyday he found a bit of thrill in trying to out best one another. The rivalry was a bit enabled by the teachers and their peers, but that was just high school being high school.
“I’ll think about it,” Peter paused. “I guess.” He added, sarcastically.
“You gotta admit man, it’s not totally the end of the world if you ask for her help.
“But, it kinda is though.” Peter whined childishly. Throwing his suit at the corner of his room, dramatically falling onto his bed. He buried his head onto the soft pillow. “Like, she’ll totally ruin me if I do this.”
He could practically hear Ned rolling his eyes. “You’re so dramatic.” He comments. “You have like six days to think about it before you actually have to run the company on your own. You can totally disregard my idea but y’know it would be pretty useful.”
“What are you? Her manager or something?”
“I’m just saying!”
Peter stares at his phone incredulously, was this seriously his best friend right now?
“I’ll have to run it by Mr. Stark, I can’t just hire her. There’s like a bunch of interviews and stuff.”
“Yeah yeah, just think it through man. See ya tomorrow, dude.” Ned hung up as soon as he said goodbye. Peter kept staring at his screen, would this really be a good decision? I mean, this was (Y/N), she was rude and sassy, but she had her goals and heart set straight. He rolled over his bed and stared at his ceiling.
Maybe he should think this through, Maybe Ned had a point after all.