Tony Stark is a genius, billionaire, philanthropist, and most recently - a mentor. He's the type of guy does everything he can so that those he cares about stay alive. You see when he cares for people, he makes sure that they will always be safe. However, no matter how great Tony Stark may be, he is still human. So when his new mentee almost died as a consequence of taking away his suit, he learned from his mistake and tries to find more creative (safer) ways to punish his kid.
Said mentee is now fidgeting under his stare, trying to look anywhere but him. A destroyed lab filled with soot and dust just behind him. Tony closed his eyes and gave a deep sigh, counting to 3.
"Peter Parker, what did you do?"
"I was just trying to upgrade the new suit Mr. Stark, I don-"
"AH!" Tony exclaimed one finger up, cutting Peter off. His migraine coming back once again in full force. "I thought I told you, no touching the suit unless I was with you."
"I'm so sorry Mr. Stark, it won't happen again." Peter muttered and looked down in sadness, he didn't like it when Tony gets disappointed in him. He was just trying to make a minor improvement, supposedly nothing dangerous.
Looking at his face, Tony's anger eased. God this kid is going to kill him early of a heart attack.
"Pete, I'm not mad okay. Just worried."
"I know"
Tony once again stared at him, thinking of what to do. He knows he can't take away his suit as punishment. Cleaning the mess up will be too easy, and he has people for that. Suddenly, he remembered Peter babbling about their yearly fieldtrip. How they were all each allowed to submit one destination where teachers can decide where they will go. Offhandedly, Peter mentioned of thinking on submitting Stark Tower, but decided against it because it would be too embarrassing. Which by the way, wasn't because I'm cool, so my tower is cool too.
"FRI, Print 2 copies of the Stark Tower tour application for me please."
"On it boss"
"Mr. Stark?" Peter looked to Tony confused, and a little nervous. He was expecting to get scolded more, or even be grounded from spider-manning for at least a month. So, Tony suddenly wanting to print a file out of nowhere is confusing.
Tony ignored him until the printed copy was done. Picking up the file, he quickly signed the approved line and wrote a few letters. Peter waited patiently, anxious of what was being written.
"FRI, scan this and give it to Pepper will you." Tony said as he placed a copy to the side while slowly walking towards Peter, the other copy on one hand.
"And this" Tony started, as he slid the paper towards Peter on the table next to him. "Is for you. Read it and give it to your science teacher or whoever is in charge of the field trip."
Peter took the paper in apprehension and carefully read the paper.
"Make sure your teacher signs that and give it to FRI next week alright." Tony said as he slowly walked out, hand on his pocket, ignoring the frozen statue that was his mentee. He was satisfied with himself and his genius idea.
Meanwhile Peter's horror evident at what he read.
Tour Group: Midtown High
Tour Guide: Peter Parker
Approved by: Tony Stark
After a few minutes, Peter quickly recovered and ran after Tony, determined to beg for a different punishment. Alas, his fate was sealed.
Peter was so nervous, he felt like he was bathing in sweat. Anxiously, he glanced at the clock at the top of the board, his feet were tapping hurriedly. Ned kept glancing at him worriedly, obviously noting his distress. He noticed Peter was silent the whole day and was fidgety in his sit. He was also staring off to space sometimes and would only answer him in short sentences.
Meanwhile, Peter was yet to tell Ned about Mr. Starks punishment. Somehow, he was still hoping that the school will not allow the fieldtrip.
"Dude what's wrong?" He finally asked Peter when the foot tapping became more erratic. Peter flinched a bit and looked at him. He shook his head.
"Nothing, nothing's wrong, what makes you say that? I'm not nervous, I'm totally calm, this is nothing" Peter muttered hurriedly to Ned, which seemed like he was that more to himself.
"Nope something's definitely going on, what is it?" Suddenly gasped and looked at him in understanding and excitement. "Is something happening? Is it your Peter tingle?" Peter looked at him funny at that and shook his head once again.
"It's fine Ned, it's not that, stop calling it that" Peter sighed before and hesitated. "Look I'll tell you later alright?"
Ned looked as if he didn't want to drop the subject before nodding after a few seconds. Just as he did, the school alarm went off signaling the end of the day.
"Alright, that's all for today. Remember the deadline for the field trip suggestion is tomorrow. Turn it in before the end of class."
Everybody stood up hurriedly, even before Mr. Harrington had finished his statement. Noise erupted while some were even almost sprinting, excited to go home. Ned also stood up, taking his backpack with him and turned to Peter. Said best friend looked even paler than before and was still sitting down.
"Peter? Let's go" Peter gulped and shook his head.
"You go on ahead Ned. I'll talk to you later" Ned looked at him, confusion on his face.
"Are you sure?" Peter nodded.
"I'll tell you about it later." Ned looked at him for a few more minutes before reluctantly nodding.
"Alright"
Peter waited until everybody left before he approached Mr. Harrington who was busy with a few papers. Mr. Harrington looked up feeling someone's stare and saw Peter in front of him.
"What is it, Peter?" Peter momentarily froze and was like a deer caught in the headlights before slowly retrieving a stack of papers from his bag.
"Uhm, about the fieldtrip sir uh…" Peter was gripping the papers in his hand and was unable to talk properly. "You see, uhm, he suggested – that is my mentor – you know – that we should uhm – if we can – I mean that we can - "
"Peter, I can't understand, talk properly" Mr. Harrington sighed, confused at Peter's behavior. Peter inhaled sharply, trying to calm his beating heart and exhaling before restarting the whole story.
"So uh, Mr. Stark suggested – ehem – approved for the senior field trip to be at the Stark Tower sir, uhm he gave me these papers to give to you to be signed sir." He said voice almost too quiet to be heard.
Mr. Harrington processed what he said but was still unable to comprehend what he heard.
"I'm sorry who? Where?"
"Uhm Mr. Stark sir, he said we could go to the tower." Peter replied, sliding the approval papers to Mr. Harrington. Mr. Harrington blinked at the papers.
"Where did you get this" he asked dumbfounded while he skimmed through the legitimate looking papers, pausing at Tony Starks signature.
"My internship sir. At the Stark tower." Mr. Harrington pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.
"Right. The "internship". Peter, don't you think this prank is a bit too much." Peters heart lurched. This was turning from bad to worse for him. He worried too much about the impending tour guide role, he forgot that no one believed he was interning with Mr. Stark.
"I'm serious Mr. Harrington, this is real, I promise. You can come with me to the Tower sir." Mr. Harrington looked at him, still not believing him. However, Peter was a good kid, and maybe he should give him a chance.
"If this is a prank Peter, Disciplinary action would entail you not coming to the actual field trip." He relented.
"I promise sir, we can go right now." Peter nodded, his head shaking fast, and heart still beating like he just ran a marathon.
.
.
.
.
Later, Mr. Harrington came out of Stark Tower still in shock. In his hands were once in a lifetime tour approval paper. He was still in disbelief and couldn't utter a word. The papers felt heavy, he felt like was carrying treasures of gold and gems. The suggestions made by the kids? The votation to be held for the location? All of that didn't matter. They were going to Stark Tower!
Peter stood by his side awkwardly, waiting for him to say something. He knew Mr. Harrington was still skeptical even as he followed him towards the tower. Now the man was so silent, it was deafening. Suddenly, the man turned to him so fast, startling Peter. He stared at Peter intently, smiling from ear to ear, and held his shoulders.
"Good job Peter! How did you do this!" He yelled excitedly. "You know what? That doesn't matter, I have to process this ASAP!" He cheered and ran away before Peter can utter a word in.
As he stared at his teacher excitedly running, A sleek looking car slowly stopped in front of him before the windows rolled down revealing Mr. Stark, glasses down by his nose as he looked up at him.
"FRI said it went well?" Peter grumbled to himself, muttering how it was a disaster. "Hop on. Let's prep you for that tour."
Peter reluctantly slid in the passenger's seat, buckling his seatbelt as the car drove back to the Tower in Mr. Stark's private elevator/garage.
"Mr. Stark please don't make me do this. I'll do anything, I'll clean up the whole tower for you, or no spiderman for a month" Peter whined, hoping to have his punishment changed.
"No can-do underoos, you and I both know that won't work on you." Peter slumped in his seat and groaned covering his eyes with his hands.
"But I don't know how to be a tour guide Mr. Stark! What if I suddenly revealed super-secret confidential tech"
"That's what the NDA's are for."
"What if lose someone during the trip!?"
"Won't happen" Mr. Stark faced him as the elevator stopped at his parking lot and tapped him. "Stop worrying Pete, you'll do fine, that's what the training is for."
"Training?"
"Yup, training." Mr. Stark slid off the car and Peter followed, walking beside him. "Pepper said you have to have one before the field trip.
It was official. He was not getting out of this one. He was so not looking forward to being a tour guide to his own class at the tower he was interning in.