Chapter Text
I glanced around the hall, anxiously waiting for Wanda. The group of my schoolmates grew smaller as more and more of them scanned their ID and walked into the room.
“Finally.” I breathed out as I saw Wanda's hair turn down the hall. She had semi disguised herself, by wearing glasses and tying her hair up. She was wearing a fake ID, who knows where it came from, and looked like she worked here. You wouldn't be able to tell unless you were actively looking
“Here Peter,” Wanda said as she handed me my badge “Try not to let it happen again.” she winked.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, I didn't think about it. I mean I never used it anyways. If I'm not traveling via vent system, I'm in the biometrics so. . ..”
“I get it. Now what I don't get is how you travel through the vents. Isn't it dirty up there?”
“Nah, I'm pretty sure dad made them self-cleaning or something once he learned uncle Clint likes to go in them. Speaking of which you owe me $20.”
“Yeah, I still can't believe Clint won.”
“What did I say. Vent superiority.”
“Whatever I'll-”
“Peter, please stop harassing the employees.” Mr. Harrington said sternly and I saw flash laughing from the other side of the door. Mr. Harrington then turned to Wanda “I apologize Miss, Mr. Parker here likes to wander off.”
I looked down in embarrassment.
Wanda put her hand on my shoulder. “Oh, he's not bothering me at all. In fact, I was asking about a project we were working on. Peter here is the brains of nearly everything we do here.”
Now I was blushing for another reason.
“Don't embarrass me like that Wanda.” I complained.
In return she pinched my cheek, something she knows I hate “You make it so easy though. I'll let you go now; I see you have something to get too. I'll see you tomorrow for the presentation bye.”
Her smile held a lot of emotions the most visible being smugness. There was no presentation tomorrow and she knew that.
“Yep, I'll see you then.”
At that she walked off leaving behind a befuddled Mr. Harrington.
“Wait so you actually do work here?”
I nodded
“Why didn't-”
‘NDA's” I interrupted “Most of the work I do is confidential so they try to keep my appearances secret to the outside world. I use facade of an internship to cover any questions people have.”
His face resembled that of a fish, open in shock, before he laughed “I should have known.”
We turned back to go to the lab and the first thing I saw was Flash’s face. He looked as if he were about to explode and it was then that I realized I wasn't as quiet as I had thought I was. Scanning my card, I walked in and ignored my classmates. I did tell them they were the ones who didn't believe me.
Susan smiled and we continued to head down the hall my classmates staring in awe through the glass windows showcasing the labs in all of their glory. Today must have been a good day, only one of the labs were on fire. As we passed that lab a few students turned to Susan, who spoke before they could even ask their questions.
“That lab is fine. They're always catching things on fire, whether an accident on purpose no one knows that's why they're called the fire squad.”
“Is that even safe?” A kid, I think his name was Tom, asked.
“That's a good question what's your name?”
“Timothy, but everyone calls me Tim.”
I was close.
“Well Tim, Mr. Stark has all labs made to withstand the Hulk as a precaution, so that includes fire damage.”
We stopped in front of a lab door. the green light was on that means-
“You guys are lucky; it seems Doctor Banner is here today. Before we go in, I must remind you not to bother the employees. You may ask questions but no pestering and if they say it's confidential drop it. You will be escorted out if you ask too many times. Keep your phones away, no photography or videos. Let's go in.”
The class chattered in excitement and I don’t blame them. It’s not every day you get to see Doctor Banner. Well, for me it is, but that’s not the point. The door opened and I immediately felt in my zone. The class immediately went to Uncle Bruce, while I went to see what the other scientists in the room were doing.
“Hey Lana.” I greeted as I approached her desk. “Did you ever figure out how nuclear fusion works?”
“Not quite, I’m still working on it. Is this your class?”
She laughed when I nodded. “Only you would get a tour of where you work.”
“Peter,” Mr. Harrington walked towards me. “Someone else you’ve worked with I assume.”
“Yep, this is Lana. She's kinda like the second in command. Right now, they’re trying to figure out nuclear fusion to use it as a clean energy source. Imagine how clean the environment would become if such a discovery were made. It's incredible to imagine the advances in science. But it's a lot harder to actually figure it out than you might think. We've hit roadblocks on nearly all sides.”
Lana nodded in agreement “Yes. However, we have made incredible progress. At the rate we're going, we could discover the solution within two years.”
“Wow. Would you mind showing me your work? I'd love to see what you guys have discovered.” Mr. Harrington asked hesitantly.
“Of course, you may,” Lana said excitedly.
I laughed. Scientists. We all get that way when we talk about our projects.
I walked away leaving them to their own devices. I've nearly memorized everything in the notes, and Bruce was no longer being mobbed by children.
I sat on a surprisingly clean counter and greeted the tired doctor.
“Hey Bruce, anything new?”
“Not quite. I don't think we'll have to wait long for one, we’re this close.” He pinched his fingers said they were almost touching “We’re just stuck on one thing.”
“Can I see what you're working on?”
“Of course, it's always good to have another pair of eyes take a look.”
He typed a few things on his computer before swiping up his hologram screen showing a list of notes and a problem that was close to 1000 digits long. I found as my eyes scanned the problem “Where did you get the X?”
Bruce squinted and leaned towards the problem to look closer at the term “That was-Hmmm" He pulled up a different folder of notes “David can I see you for a moment.” Bruce called and immediately a young man rushed over to Bruce.
“You called.”
“You did this study right?” Bruce gestured to the open folder.
“Yes, is there an issue with it? I wouldn't be surprised, that was done 2 weeks ago.”
Bruce nodded in understanding. Clearly something happened 2 weeks ago that I wasn't aware of.
“Can you go over it with Terry? Peter thinks something might be incorrect with it.”
David nodded and rushed to his desk pulling up the file and calling for Terry as he ran.
“Well,” Bruce turned to me “You may have saved us a lot of time going over that problem.”
“Glad I could help.”
The lab quickly became a frenzy as the scientists ran around excited about the new development. The students picked up on their energy and Susan must have decided to leave early. she announced loud enough for the whole class to hear.
“Due to this new realization, we will have to cut this lab trip short. I already have the green light to go to a different lab that I have more understanding of. Please thank the good doctor so we may leave.”
A few unenthusiastic goodbyes rang out as we left. I practically had to peel myself away from the lab.
“Tell me everything later during dinner please, I want to know if we can finally move on to the next stage.”
“Of course, Peter. Now go, I think they're going to your lab.”
My lab? My lab! The one I'm kind of in charge of. This can't be happening.
“It's your lab isn't it.” MJ said from beside me. When did they get there?
“I believe so” I groaned. Why does it have to be my lab? My only hope is that Susan warned them I was coming.
She didn't. It took a second for them to notice me and confusion was plastered across their faces. April walked up to me.
“Peter what are you doing here?” She quietly asked. Luckily it wasn't Lily asking, she's incapable of being quiet.
“Field trip as you can tell. If you could pretend not to know me, that would be great.”
April shrugged “I might, I might not. You'll just have to see.” She smirked before sauntering off to Lily.
I smiled internally. They may be annoying, but I'm glad that everyone feels comfortable with me. I didn’t want to have a boss employee relationship with the other scientists. That's boring.
I watched as my classmates walked around my lab, keeping a close eye on Flash. I didn't want anyone messing with something they shouldn't be messing with.
“Whose desk is that?” Abe asked, pointing to my very cluttered desk.
“Oh, that one.” Lily bounced over to where Abe was standing “That one belongs to our boss Peter.”
I winced please no one made the connection.
“That's cool!” I saw Abe glance at me from the corner of his eyes before directing his attention back to Lily “What do you guys do in here? I saw some desks have stuff for like medical things but this desk has blueprints on it.”
“We do practically everything.” Lily said her ever present grin on her face. “Right now, we're helping Peter create a new arm for Bucky. There's nothing wrong with his old one but peter's always trying to make things better.”
“Wow, you guys work on stuff for The Avengers!”
"Yep. Well Peter does most of the work but we help. We just can't mess anything up though or it might end in disaster.”
Abe just looked around in excitement “That's so cool.”
Luckily, I don't think anyone figured out that the boss who worked with The Avengers was the same person who sat next to them in math class. That’d be awkward.
Everything was going well, until Flash tried to open a cabinet. Not just any cabinet though, this one held top secret confidential files that only dad and I had access too. Either Flash couldn't read or he had a death wish.
The iron doors slammed shut along with a metal door that slid over the cabinet. FRIDAY turned intruder mode on and let out a high-pitched ringing, causing everyone in the room to clap their hands over their ears and fall into a fetal position.
“FRIDAY” I somehow managed to say from my position on the floor “FRIDAY, override code 319459.”
Friday went silent and my class nervously stood up, some looking at me, some at Flash.
“Wha-what was that?” Cindy stuttered.
“Alarm.” April said with a frown “Someone tried to get into the confidential drawer.”
Everyone turned to said drawer and saw the perpetrator sitting on the ground rubbing at his ears.
“FRIDAY, please bring security.” Susan announced.
“What” Mr. Harrington asked, “Why?”
“Well, that drawers confidential. Only Peter and Mr. Stark can open it. He was told not to touch anything and he disobeyed. I'm sorry but he will sit in the lobby while you finish the tour.”
“But-but my father can pay you. He'll-”
“What pay off Tony?” Steve walked in “Good luck with that.”
“You Midgardians are foolish. The man of iron could buy the city if he so desired. Why do you think he'll accept your money?” Thor followed Steve in the room “Is there something I don't understand?”
Steve shook his head at the confused golden retriever. “No, you're right. The child is simply not thinking.”
“I apologize if I’m stepping over a line, but why are you here?” Mr. Harrington looked at the two heroes that walked in.
“FRIDAY told us someone attempted to force themselves into the confidential drawer. We assumed that the worst and rushed here. I wasn't aware tour was going on.”
I felt like smacking the smirk off of Steve's face. That liar. He knew. Thor didn’t but-oh shit. Thor is not subtle at all. If he sees me, I'm even more screwed. I attempted to hide behind Ned but it was too late.
“Peter, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be getting ready?” Thor announced to my whole class and I've haven’t wanted to cry so bad since my aunt died.
I walked forward and pulled him to the side right, as security walked in. with most of the class’ attention on Flash I whispered to Thor.
“I'm on a tour. I'll get ready later. You have to pretend not to know me.”
“But why? These are your fellow classmates. Surely they know already.”
I groaned “Whatever. Just try to ignore me.”
“Whatever you say son-of-Stark. I'll see you at the party.”
I slammed my head on the wall. Hopefully no one heard.
Did he say son-of-Stark?” Abe practically yelled, drawing attention back to me.
“No” I said like a liar.
“I'm pretty sure he did.” Cindy chimed in agreement.
“I don't know what you’re talking about.” I said looking towards Steve for help.
“Alright kiddos. What do you say we have a little Q&A with The Avengers. Do they have time for that FRIDAY?”
“They do. Should I assemble the team in conference room C?”
“Yes please Friday” He turned to the class minus flash “Follow me.”
He turned and walked out, the class following him like ducklings. I had assumed Mr. Harrington would object but he seemed to be in too much shock to do anything.
“That was a close one.” Ned stated from beside me.
I nodded “I have a feeling it won't be a secret for much longer.”
>Time Skip<
The Q&A had been going well, until the end, when Tim asked,
“Who is stark junior? I keep seeing and hearing people talk about them.”
“Well,” My father leaned forwards “It's a technically a secret, but he's my adopted son.”
“Not much of a secret anymore, huh.” Nat muttered.
“You have a son?” Cindy asked and dad laughed.
“I did just say that yes.”
My classmates chattered at the new information.
“Can we meet them.”
Tony winked at me “You already have.”
I swear it was like a bomb went off.
“I can't believe we met Tony Stark's adopted son without even realizing it.”
“Who do you think it was?”
“Do you think it was Mrs. Potts assistant?”
“Alright that's enough.” Nat stood up “And it's not Harley.”
I sighed as I heard all my classmates tried to guess who the mystery person is.
“Say thank you to the Avengers and we’ll leave.” Mr. Harrington stood up.
A loud “thank you” echoed around the room and the class was led out.
I walked by Mr. Harrington as we walked into the lobby.
“Can I stay here? I have to come back here later anyways; it makes more sense.”
Mr. Harrington thought for a moment “I'm sorry but no. I’d need your guardians approval and you don't have any. So, I’m afraid you must come back to school with us.”
“Wait a second” Tony walked in dramatically
“How can I help you Mr. Stark” Mr. Harrington asked nervously.
Dad walked towards us and put his hand on my shoulder.
“I was just going to ask if Peter here could stay. I kind of need his help for project and he's needed in his lab.” Tony smirked.
“Oh-uh” Mr. Harrington looked confused “I’d need his guardians' approval first.”
“That's Ok, I'll wait while you call them.” Tony waved his arm gesturing for him to continue.
Mr. Harrington pulled out his phone then pressed a few buttons. The phone went straight to voicemail so he dialed a different number.
Tony pretended to look surprised when his phone started to ring. He picked it up and answered.
“Hello”
“Alright you may stay Peter.” Mr. Harrington said in a rush. “I'm just going to go now.”
Mr. Harrington rushed out the door, shoving the class out before him.
I managed to hear someone say before the door was closed “Wait, they said the lab we were just in belonged to someone named Peter. Did they mean our Peter?”
That was I heard before the door closed, my class on one side, me on the other.”
“I'm never doing that again.” I groaned.
Tony laughed “Come on kiddo, Let's go.”