Peter was shocked when his phone rang. Ever since Dr. Strange had erased his memory, no one had thought to call the random number they had for someone they'd never known. When he saw Ms. Pott's name flash across his screen, Peter felt hope which was quickly dashed by a grief only slightly tainted with curiosity.
"Hello, this is Peter," he answered.
"Mr. Parker, my name is Pepper Potts calling on behalf of Tony Stark. It seems you've missed the last few weeks of internship and Mr. Stark would like to meet with you," the woman offered professionally.
The formality confirmed they had no recollection of him so Peter was confused as to why they thought to contact him. Then Peter remembered the record they'd needed to keep so the public didn't grow suspicious of their true relationship. "Oh, I see. Sorry about that. Everything's just been really busy since...well, you know. Of course, you know. Everyone knows. Sorry, I'm rambling. I do that when I'm-well, that's beside the point. Sorry. Yeah, of course I'll meet with Mr. Stark. Just tell me when and where," Peter answered the unasked question after a moment.
"Wonderful, would today work for you, Mr. Parker?"
"Of course. I'm at school right now, but I'll get out at three."
"Alright, I'll send Mr. Stark's driver to pick you up. He'll find you," Pepper instructed before she hung up.
Peter was nervous. He wasn't sure how it would affect all the magic stuff Dr. Strange had put in place if Tony ended up remembering him, but Peter would never be able to say no to his mentor. He'd never been able too, and he wasn't about to start now. Now, after he'd lost his only remaining living relative. Now, after he'd lost his best friends. Now, after everyone on the planet was made to forget his very existence. In the back of his mind, Peter wondered if it was selfish of him to want the chance of comfort offered at the idea of working with Mr. Stark again. But he'd lost so much. It couldn't hurt to try, right? After all, he could always ask Dr. Strange to redo the forget Peter spell if the worst happened. Right?
When school let out for the day, Peter narrowly avoided Flash-despite having no memory of his past with Peter, the bully still insisted on bullying him-and quickly spotted Happy. Before he called out, Peter caught himself. 'He doesn't remember who you are, Peter. You'd better not mess everything up.' So with that reminder, Peter waited and pretended to be looking around aimlessly.
"Mr. Parker?" Happy asked approaching Peter.
"That's me. I assume you're Mr. Stark's friend?" Peter offered keeping up his act.
"Yes, I'll be taking you to Mr. Stark. Get in," Happy instructed indicating the boy should get in the car.
Once Happy started driving Peter overheard his phone call.
"Hey Happy, you got the kid?" Tony had asked.
"Of course. What else? We'll be there in ten minutes," Happy answered his boss.
"Awesome! I'll be waiting at the garage. See you in ten."
Happy simply offered a grunt of acknowledgement. The rest of the drive was silent, and Peter could feel his anxiety mounting. Tony would certainly have questions. How would Peter answer them? What would happen if he was just honest with Mr. Stark about everything? His mentor had still been in a coma following the battle of Thanos when the whole multiverse meltdown had happened; but surely, if it were to happen again Mr. Stark would know how to fix it? Or at least, he'd be able to figure out how to fix it right? What if he wasn't honest with Mr. Stark? What if he stuck with the intern cover? Would Mr. Stark figure out he'd been lying? Would it ruin the chance of any contact with the man who meant the world to the boy? Peter had no more time to think about it all though because the car had come to a stop and Peter was exiting the vehicle to find Tony Stark waiting for him.
One look into the calculating stare Peter had grown so comfortable under answered Peter's questions. He'd never been able to lie. Especially not to Mr. Stark. He wasn't going to start now. They'd just have to deal with whatever consequences might come when and if they came. Peter needed to be honest with his mentor. He owed it to the both of them.