Chapter Text
They headed to a higher-level lab after leaving the training room.
This immediately worried Peter; he hung out on higher labs more often than lower ones, since he trailed behind Tony.
Somebody would probably recognize him. While he wanted to prove to Flash that he wasn't lying, he didn't want his classmates to start wondering how he became Tony Stark's personal intern.
If they found that out, they would push, and his secret identity might be revealed. Kithri scanned her badge on the door to the lab, then had the class scan their badges. Since it was a higher level lab, she had to override the scanner every time somebody scanned their badge.
She got ready to scan her badge again after Peter let F.R.I.D.A.Y. recognize him, then frowned when she didn't have to. He was the last one to go into the lab, so she pulled him aside.
“I thought you were an intern?”
“I am,” Peter replied.
“No interns are allowed up here—how come I didn't have to override your badge?”
Peter shifted his weight to his other leg and cleared his throat. “Uh, I have special permission to come into this lab.”
Kithri looked at him for a second, then shrugged and opened the door, entering the lab.
One of the engineers in the room was explaining how they designed the Stark electronics so thin. Flash made his way over to Peter and snorted. “What, you get in trouble because your pass is fake?”
Peter ignored him and scooted closer to Ned. Mrs. Kulmu sent a warning look in Flash's direction for talking over the engineer.
He scowled and turned away from Peter.
One of the workers—Stuart, or something—saw Peter and waved. He smiled back, and at Stuart's look of confusion as to why he was there, mouthed ‘Field trip.’ Stuart nodded in understanding.
After a few minutes of questions, Peter noticed Kithri stiffen and look at her phone in alarm. “It seems that we have a change in schedule, so we have to cut this part of the tour short.”
At Abraham's groan, she added on, “You'll enjoy what's taking place of this, don't worry.” Then she thanked her coworkers and led the class back to the elevator.
When they entered the elevator it was empty, which was good considering how many of them were there. It didn't stay that way, though.
The elevator stopped on floor seventy and Pepper walked in. Peter sent her a ‘Save me’ look, and she smiled.
‘Sorry, Peter.’ She mouthed, then turned to her phone.
I did wish you luck.
You know how he is, though.
He's proud of you.
Don't forget that F.R.I.D.A.Y. tells him about everything that happens in the tower.
oh no
please tell me he's not going to try to embarrass flash
he really doesn't bother me i swear
I’ll talk to him.
thank you so much i love you
“Peter, can you please get off of your phone?” Mrs. Kulmu asked.
“Oh! Yeah, sorry. My—uh, my guardian was texting me.”
Pepper bit her lip to contain her laughter, then exited the elevator.
As soon as Peter entered the next room, he knew that Ned was going to freak out. Standing in the center of the room was Tony Stark.
He met Peter's eye and winked. Peter hid behind his best friend, who hadn't yet noticed Tony.
“Okay,” Kithri said. “You guys have a special meet and greet with Tony Stark! Please sit down in these chairs and then we can get started.”
The kids filed into their seats in record time, and Tony smiled diplomatically. “Hello, Midtown.”
Ned was staring at Tony in a state of shock, and so were a few other kids.
“You have…” Tony checked his watch. “Twenty more minutes on your tour, so I'll be answering your questions for that long. Who's first?”
Cindy raised her hand, so he picked on her. After a few questions, Flash raised his hand, smirking at Peter.
“Yes?” There was a hard edge in Tony's voice, but it wouldn't be noticeable if you didn't know him.
“Do you hire high schoolers as interns?”
“Not really,” Tony started. Flash threw a victorious smile in Peter's direction. “But if you are referring to Peter Parker, who I believe is in your class, then yes.”
A series of emotions crossed Flash's face, and Tony moved on to the next one. Peter sighed in relief that Tony wasn't trying to embarrass him.
Flash glared at Peter for the rest of the trip and the bus ride back to the school, but Peter didn't really care. It wasn't like Flash could say anything about it, anymore, when it'd been proved to be true by Tony Stark himself.
All in all, the field trip was a lot better than it could have been, than he expected it to be.