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It’s no secret that Peter Parker is a nerd. With his love of Star Wars, Lego, Science and maths, he couldn’t really deny it. But does that mean he likes school? Absolutely not. He doesn’t hate it per say, but he would rather choose what to study, and he could also do without having to deal with Flash everyday. But by far the most exciting was that he would get to have more lab time with Mr. Stark. In addition, he would get more time to be out as Spider-Man, (and hopefully a later curfew).
After the whole Avengers fighting, or Civil War as some called it, and the Vulture incident, Tony Stark took to looking after the spider-kid more, creating lab days after seeing his intelligence. He can actually stand the kid and over the last year they have created a good relationship. Even Pepper and Happy seemed to like the kid (though the latter wouldn’t exactly admit this). It was refreshing to have this kid around the tower, he brought new life, perspective and ideas to his inventions. Even the kid's aunt seemed to think the lab days were good, or at least, a better way of keeping track of her nephew.
It approached lunch at Midtown Academy, and this time of day Peter dreads. Flash seems to get hangry or something, either that or it’s just because he knows he can get away with being a dick. As usual, walking with Ned, talking about his summer plans he hears “Hey Penis, talking about your ‘totally real’ internship again?”. Honestly it’s not even creative, Flash really needs to get better at nicknames. And find new things to talk about, seriously he’s obsessed. Unaware of his daydreams, Peter’s spidey-sense goes off, he panics, before realising it’s just Flash, and he will not give his identity away over some stupid high-school bully, especially not one whose punches are like a slap to the face with a wet noodle. And just like that, he’s shoved against the lockers, “wow, real original Flash, almost thought you put some thought into that name there”. He was so done. Besides, why not end the year with a bang… which is exactly the noise his head made as it hit the lockers behind him. “What the fuck did you say to me Penis.” Flash snarled, he wasn't really that intimidating, but Peter still recoiled, not wanting to be punched again muttering “nothing Flash”. Maybe it was good luck (unlikely) or Flash being in a good mood, but this confrontation ended pretty quickly, a few punches here, some insults there, and Peter couldn’t get away quick enough, only a few more hours then summer, he can manage.
The final bell rang, signaling the end of the day, the end of the semester. While walking, Ned and Peter discuss their summer plans, mainly when they can build their new LEGO set, the set Star Wars AT-AT 75313. Showing a photo, Ned exclaims clearly excited “Dude, seriously, we need to build this, it's 6,785 pieces, AND we can have a Star Wars marathon, oh it’ll be sick man”. And Peter is excited too, nice to finally have time to do this. Peter adds it to his ever growing list of exciting plans, it finally shaping up to be a good summer. He spots Happy, standing outside his Audi, waiting with a not-quite scowl on his face. He almost forgot it was lab day today. “I’ll see you later Ned, are we still on for Wednesday?”
“Yea we are, bye”
Once they get to the tower, Peter waves bye to Happy, and heads to the elevator, expecting to just go to the lab, like a normal day, but, of course, with Peter Parker things don’t go ‘normally’. FRIDAY announces to him that Mr. Stark would like to talk to him in the lounge of the penthouse, which worries Peter, because why? Thanking FRIDAY and stepping out the elevator, he spots Mr. Stark, and Aunt May? Why is she here, she doesn’t come to the tower, and besides she isn’t Mr. Stark’s biggest fan. Is he in trouble? He starts to go through a list in his mind of all the possible situations that could’ve brought this on.
“Kid, I can hear you thinking from here, c’mon over and we can chat” Mr. Stark says simply, was he amused at Peter’s panic? As he walks over to them, May smiles, clearly trying to settle him.
“Whats going on?”. A simple question really, and one that isn't usually met with laughter, but here we are. May and Mr. Stark are giggling as if he’s a little kid asking the meaning of the universe.
“Pete, do you think you're in trouble or something, you look ready to run. I was just talking to your aunt about summer vacation, you know.”
“Oh” Peter visibly relaxed, but they also could’ve just told him that, made him panic just to arrange lab days or something. “What about it?” Still trying to piece together why May’s at the tower and didn’t just text.
“Well Pete” May starts “I’ve been offered an amazing opportunity, to go away for summer, travel as a caregiver and earn a better wage. But, that means leaving America for a while, and well, I’m sorry but I can’t take you”. This is where Mr. Stark cut his aunt off, “Obviously you’re a kid, and your aunt and I thought maybe I could take guardianship of you for summer. I know its weird, and you can say no and go stay with Ted or anything, but we thought if you stayed here over summer, you could have more lab time, more time for spider-manning and everything. Besides, you already have a room here.”
Peter just stood there dumbfounded, he definitely was NOT expecting this.
Stuttering, Peter manages to stumble out “um, I mean, it would probably be the best idea, I don't want to hold you back May. This could be amazing for you, But Mr. Stark, are you sure?” He felt anxiety bubbling in his chest, not wanting to be an inconvenience to either of them.
It took a while, but eventually May and Mr. Stark (even Pepper tried to help) convinced Peter that it was fine, and Peter agreed, maybe a bit more excited than he let on. He was going to spend the summer with his mentor, his idol Mr. Stark, AND he would get to do Spider-Man stuff all summer. And yea, this situation feels bizarre to him, who is he to look good fortune in the face and turn it down. Maybe this summer will be better than he planned.