Chapter Text
Peter stared at his phone in shock, jaw dropped low. The bright light emanating from the little screen did little to illuminate the dark room, and his eyes hurt from squinting at it for so long. He read, and re-read the email in front of him over and over, disbelief taking over his mind.
Congratulations!
We here at Stark Industries are happy to announce that applicant, Peter Parker, has been accepted to the “Next-Generation of Brilliant Minds Internship Program”, (NGBM) for short.
After careful review, and much deliberation, Both your application, and your Proposal project was determined to be among the top 10 submissions- securing you a place in this prestigious program.
At Stark Industries, we aim to bring Innovative and Revolutionary ideas into actuality, in an effort to better the society we live in. Your project not only exemplified these values, but also demonstrated a desire and commitment to learn and grow.
We are so excited to aid you in your journey and hope to see you soon!
-Internships begin on the 12th of February, at 8:00 am.
-Please arrive on time and report to the front security desk on the first floor to receive your department assignments and mentor. (Have your ID with you, or you will not be admitted)
-Lunch will be provided
*If you have any questions, or would like to rescind your application, please dial the main number on the SI website.*
Welcome to the Stark Industries Family!
-Pepper Potts
Peter had applied to the NGBM on a whim 2 months ago when he saw the application link on an online forum. The news that a company as prestigious as SI was hiring younger interns was a point of much excitement for many young science enthusiasts. The forum chats were busy for at least a week after the announcement- full of people asking questions, sharing ideas, and expressing their general interest in the program.
At first, Peter wasn't sure if applying was a good idea, (if only because of his extracurricular activities as a certain web-slinging vigilante). There were too many ways that things could go horribly wrong - after all, having a secret identity would be harder if he worked in the same building as superheroes and literal spies.
Thankfully, Peter has had many years to practice keeping his alter-ego a secret from the people around him. And luckily, his more recent foster families certainly didn't pay enough attention to him to notice if he wasn't in his bed at night.
Also, since he stopped going to school and started taking online classes, and it wasn't like he had to worry about being late to anything. (He used to be very well known for showing up halfway through the school day)
It’s just that, after a few years of moving around, he realized it would be easier to just take his classes online. With each new home came a new school, and he had to repeat the same cycles all over again. And god knows Peter’s social skills need work. The plus side to online courses was that he could move at his own pace. It was much easier to progress through work when he got to choose what topics and classes he engaged in. Before he knew it, he had progressed past high school classes and began diving into college material.
But despite not going to school, he kept up with his two best friends Ned and MJ, and a few months ago, Ned had finally convinced him to apply to the internship. (he made an entire powerpoint explaining why it was a good idea) Peter had finally given in and decided to submit one of his recent project work-ups.
The project was based on the formula he uses for his webs, but the new solution would be able to be stored in a small can that could be applied directly to open wounds. The formula included some antiseptics and some numbing agents to help aid in the healing process, prevent infection, and help reduce pain.
It took him forever, (read 2 weeks), to find a way to get the solution to solidify when it came into contact with the air - and an additional week to make a wound-friendly solvent that wouldn't cause any further damage to injuries.
It was a solution that would be easy to incorporate into not only emergency and medical related jobs but also in everyday households. If Peter was honest with himself, he was definitely proud of the project. - and apparently, SI also liked it.
Turning off his phone and plugging it in, Peter flopped backwards onto his bed. He stared at the ceiling for a few minutes, mind still slightly clouded by shock. He’d have to get his foster parent’s permission to use the metro card, but the Johnsons were notoriously stingy with their money no matter what it is.
(Peter realized this fact very quickly when they made it clear he would only get one meal a day when he first arrived at their small apartment.) The Johnsons wern’t bad people, necessarily, but they were definitely more in it for the government check than ‘aiding unfortunate youths’.
Despite this, Peter found that he preferred the Johnsons to some of the other families he had been placed with. Being ignored was a lot better than being hit or screamed at, and it definitely made sneaking out to patrol much easier. It sucked for his metabolism, but sometimes he was given small things like churros or hot dogs when he was on patrol.
He feels guilty whenever it happens, but he can't afford to turn the offers down when they’re presented to him or else he might not be able to patrol as often.
‘If the Johnsons won’t let me use the metro card, maybe I can just swing over and change a bit aways from the tower?’
Peter runs through the idea in his head before shaking his head, ‘no, that would be too risky cuz I’d have to keep the suit in my backpack while I’m at the internship.’ Another thought struck him - ‘Doesn’t SI have an AI or something? It would be bad if It detected Karen.’
Karen, His AI, has a special place in His heart, due to all the things she has done for him over his vigilante career. Making Karen was one of the best decisions he had ever made, and the friendly AI had quickly become his closest confidant.
It definitely helped that Karen took it upon herself to go above and beyond what Peter had ever expected her to do -
She helped him learn languages and translates for him when necessary, (on days he has trouble speaking even with his mask on) She notifies him of criminal activity via police scanners during patrols, and provides facts and information during battle. Lately, she’s even been acting as a pseudo-therapist whenever he has panic attacks or nightmares.
With what he knows of Stark Industries, he can predict that security will likely be extremely high. Who knows what Stark’s AI can detect and what it can’t.
With a quiet sigh, he turns onto his side and closes his eyes. ‘So swinging will most likely not be an option.’ With his eyes closed, he can feel the exhaustion from the day creeping in.
He deliberated for a few more minutes before giving up and burrowing further into his thin blanket.
‘Ill guess I’ll just figure this out in the morning.’