Chapter Text
His day started like any other.
Peter Parker was awoken by his alarm, which he was tempted to snooze for the third time, but he knew he had to get up or else he'd be late. He had it down to a science as to how many times he could snooze his alarm. So he groaned as he turned it off and rolled to stare up at the ceiling. Letting out a huff he got up and ready for school for the day.
He was still extremely exhausted since he stayed out late patrolling last night (which was NOT his intent by the way, thank you very much). It made him sluggish and he was slightly running behind. He tried to say a quick goodbye to his aunt and run out the door, but she stopped him making sure he at least ate something. A quick bowl of cereal and kiss to his temple later, and he was out the door.
His trip to school was uneventful, as always. But of course his "perfect" morning had to be interrupted by Flash as soon as he walked into the school building. He had tried to quickly get to his locker where he would meet up with Ned (and maybe MJ if she felt like), but alas, Parker Luck had struck him.
"Hey Parker!" the bully had called. Peter tried to ignore him, but Flash wouldn't let him get away so easily.
"Loser, I'm talking to you! What, have you gone deaf?" Flash and his friends started laughing.
Peter let out a breath and turned to face him.
"What do you want today, Flash?" Peter asked, tired of the other boys taunting.
"So not deaf… just a liar still I guess!" Flash jeered.
Peter, not wanting to deal with this today, just rolled his eyes and started walking towards his locker again.
"Hey!" Flash called, trying and failing to get his attention.
He managed to get to Ned and MJ before Flash could say anymore.
The day was filled with boring lectures and lessons, most of which he already knew. He was way above high school curriculum, even the one of his advanced science and technology school.
However, even though his day was filled with boredom, he was excited for this afternoon. It was a Friday, which meant weekend ahead, AND it was a lab day. But Parker Luck had to strike again at the end of the day. They had a quick Academic Decathlon meeting right after school (which he totally did NOT forget about until he was reminded by MJ at lunch) and apparently their sponsor had a surprise for them for being on an undefeated streak as of late. A certain surprise that made the rest of his team extremely excited, but Peter was filled with despair over this certain predicament.
Mr. Harrington stood at the front of his classroom ready to make an announcement that he seemed particularly excited for himself. Peter and Ned had taken seats towards the back of the class, whereas MJ was sat up front near Mr. Harrington's desk since she was team captain. She sat patiently reading, her sketchbook out and at the ready (which slightly worried Peter) while everyone else was chatting away waiting for Mr. Harrington (or MJ) to start the meeting.
"Now," Mr. Harrington started, "I don't want to take up to much of your afternoon today, especially seeing as this is not one of our normal practice days. But I have a VERY important announcement to make! Seeing as we are having such a good season this year, the school has approved my request for a field trip!", the teacher announced.
Cheers erupted around the room but Peter just groaned. Him and field trips were NOT a good mix. And they never have been. He glanced over at MJ, who now had a slight smirk or her face and was already sketching what he could only assume was himself.
"This will be a four day trip," Mr. Harrington continued. "We leave next Friday at 8:00 AM on the dot!" He grabbed a stack of papers off of his desk and held them up. "These permission slips need to be returned by Wednesday at the latest so we can make room assignments and get everyone an approved guest pass for where were going." He started to hand them out, but then Betty raised her hand.
"Mr. Harrington, where exactly are we going?" She asked.
MJ's smile only grew wider, which could only mean bad news. "Stark Industries" she said.
The entire room stilled in shock before it finally sank in. Then they all roared with excitement and enthusiasm.
Mr. Harrington continued to pass out the permission slips while the rest of class talked about the upcoming trip. Peter was pretty sure he was as pale as a ghost.
"Stark Industries! Can you believe it?!" Ned practically screamed in Peter's ear.
Peter just groaned. "I do not want to go on a trip to what has basically become my second home."
"Oh come one, man! This will be a different experience than what you usually do at the tower!"
"I highly doubt that. And it just means I'm missing out on a lab day! Not to mention multiple days of patrolling!" Peter whispered to his friend.
Mr. Harrington had made his way back up to the front of the room and tried to get the teams attention. He failed. But MJ just stood up and the entire room fell silent. Mr. Harrington gave her a grateful look and handed her a much larger stack of papers instructing her to hand them out as well.
"Now, as previously mentioned, we are leaving next Friday morning, and will be coming back Monday afternoon. The itinerary is not quite set in stone yet, but we have a pretty decent idea. Now, since we are going to such a prestigious location, NDAs will have to be signed and returned as well, which is what MJ is passing around. These will also have to be turned in by Wednesday at the latest.
"More than likely we'll spend Friday going over all the security protocols, lunch, and then maybe get to view some actual working labs followed by dinner. Saturday we will get to see the intern labs since usually only the interns are working on Saturdays. No one is typically in the building Sundays so we'll be spending a majority of the day in the museums, and Monday is when we will get to see the legal department and more working labs. I have been informed that you will each be provided money for lunch and dinner every day, and the hotel should be providing breakfast. The hotel is also payed for!" Mr. Harrington announced.
The students had already started filtering through the three page NDAs that lay before them, lost in thought. Mr. Harrington made quick work dismissing them, and on their way they went.
Peter confronted MJ as soon as they were out of the classroom.
"How long have you known about this?!"
MJ just shrugged in response, flipping her crisis book around to show her latest addition, Peter with a distraught look on his face (she even somehow captured how he had paled drastically, which amazed the two boys). "About a week," she said with a soft smile.
"What are the chances May lets you out of this one?" Ned asked, almost apologetically, but more so amused by his friend's "suffering".
"None at all…" he sighed.
The trio made their way out of the school and Peter immediately noticed Happy's car waiting for him. He did a rushed version of his handshake with Ned and gave a slight nod to MJ. "See you guys later!"
He started to jog towards the car, but MJ grabbed his arm, stopping him.
"Hey, do you think he'd mind if I, uh, caught a ride?"
"I-I mean, I'd have to ask…"
"No, it's fine. I'll just walk." Her eyebrow furrowed and she started to bite her bottom lip as if she were concerned, and this worried and confused Peter because this wasn't like MJ at all.
"Hey, I think it'll be cool. Just let me ask right quick." Peter said, going towards the car again, before MJ could stop him.
"Hey Hap, think we could drop a friend off?" he asked the man.
He let out an exasperated sigh. "Kid, were already running late. Are they at least on the way?"
"Yeah, she is. And I know, but she seemed worried about walking home tonight…"
Happy just sat there and thought for a minute before letting out another sigh and responding, "alright kid, it just eats into your lab time."
"Thanks Happy!" He said smiling and turning back to wave MJ over.
MJ got into the backseat of the car behind the driver side, Peter sliding in on the passenger side.
"Thanks for the ride" she said softly, which Peter once again noted as odd.
"No problem kid. So where am I headed?" Happy said.
MJ told him the address and they quickly got on the road.
"So why exactly did you need a ride?" Peter questioned.
MJ avoided looking him in the eye when she responded. "I just didn't tell my dad that I'd be late today, and don't want to get into more trouble than I'll already be in. Actually, if were quick enough, I should be home the same time I usually am walking on a normal day…"
"Well why not just text him?" Peter asked.
"I tried to tell him last night, but because it wasn't a normal practice day he didn't believe me." She reasoned, then whispered softly, just barely enough for only Peter to hear (although he was certain he wasn't meant to) "he already doesn't like that I'm on the team anyways…"
Peter furrowed his brow in confusion and concern, and when he went to ask another question the car rolled to a stop and MJ quickly got out, throwing a quick "thanks again" over her shoulder as she shut the door and swiftly walked into the building.
Peter spent the rest of the ride to the tower sitting in silence, deep in thought. He didn't even notice Happy giving him a few worried glances through the rear view mirror every now and again or him sending a quick text to Tony.
-*At the lab*-
"Hey Mr. Stark!" Peter greeted as walked into the lab (not as enthusiastic as usual, but his mind was preoccupied) and dropped his bag on the couch by the door and went over to his work station in the lab (which he hardly ever used other than homework). This concerned Tony, but he didn't want to push the kid to much, at least not at first.
"Hey Underoos! How was school today?" Tony asked.
"It was fine," Peter replied while pulling up schematics on his web shooters.
"You sure? Cause you seem a little… down about something." Tony pushed.
"Yeah just… my friend was acting odd, I guess." Peter said, whispering quieter and quieter as he said the sentence.
"Ted, or whatever his name is?" Tony asked, finally pulling his attention from his work and giving it fully to Peter.
"Ned. And no, not him."
"Then who?"
"MJ…" Peter said, reluctantly.
"Uh… isn't she that girl you like?" Mr. Stark asked, not being able to help himself from teasing Peter at least a little bit.
"Mr. Stark!" Peter cried, his face turning red. Tony took that as a good sign.
Tony chuckled to himself, turning back to his work. "What, was she oddly positive today or something?" Tony said with a slight smirk.
"No she uh… she was pretty fine all day until after our AcaDec meeting." Peter said, falling back into his 'hard in thought' look.
"Oh, is that why your late today Roo?" Tony asked.
"Yeah, we've got a field trip coming up."
Tony noticed how Peter didn't react to his own words, which means he was really thinking hard about something else. Tony was well aware of Peter's opinion of field trips, which means whatever he was thinking about was clearly bothering him. Tony hummed in thought as he turned to face Peter again.
"Well, how exactly was she acting after the meeting that was cause for concern?" Tony asked.
"She asked for a ride, which in and of itself wouldn't be a huge issue, but she seemed almost worried at the thought that I or Happy would decline." Peter responded.
"Worried how?" Tony asked.
"I don't know, just- she was exhibiting certain behaviors that are so unlike her!" Peter exclaimed, turning in his seat, whatever he was supposedly working on forgotten. "She furrowed her brow, was biting her lip, and wouldn't exactly make eye contact! And that's all just so unlike MJ!"
Tony gave a slight smile, thinking he may know what the girl's "problem" was.
"I don't know kid, that all sounds like maybe it's pointing to a specific conclusion." Tony said, starting up on his work once again.
Peter perked up at him. "What?!" he asked, almost desperately.
"Nu-uh! I'm not telling you! But trust me, I think shes fine kiddo."
Peter just exhales. "Fine, if you think so." He walked over to where Tony was working.
"What are you working on today?" Peter asked.
"Nope! Were not done talking yet! You mentioned something about a field trip?"
Peter groaned as he rolled his eyes, and went back to slump in his seat.
"Yeah… think you could get me out of it?" Peter asked, hopefully.
"Only if your aunt approves!" Tony calls.
"Ugh! Please Mr. Stark!" he begged.
"Call May and ask, kid."
"She's just gonna say 'no'!"
"Then that's my answer too!"
"Fine! But I won't be able to make lab next Friday!" Peter jabs.
That pulled Tony's full attention once again back to Peter. "What?! Why?!"
"It's a multiple day trip, Friday through Monday!" Peter smiles smugly.
"Nope! Not happening! I'll get you out of it. Where could you guys possibly be going anyways?" Tony asked.
Peter's face fell again, and Tony could tell he didn't want to answer.
"Peter?" he asked in that typical voice that adults use when trying to coax something out of a child that's done wrong.
Peter mumbled the answer.
"I'm sorry, what was that?" Tony asked, having honestly not heard the teenager.
"Ugh… We're coming here." Peter sulked.
Tony let the words register, before he busted out laughing.
"Mr. Stark! It's not funny!" Peter practically whined.
"You're right kid! It's not funny… It's downright hilarious! There is no way your getting out of this one kiddo!" Tony said, turning back to work.
"I mean… I could just not tell May…" Peter thinks aloud.
"Not a chance, Pete. I'll tell her if you don't!"
"Ugh, Mr. Stark!"
"Oh quit your whining and get over here to help me with this!" Tony orders.
Peter obliges and walks over to Tony's work station to help him on whatever it was he was working on.