A year to Remember. Part 2, the Internship

August 10th

"What did you summon me for MJ?", Loki walks out of the elevator, finding a room full of interns and suddenly insecure about not using an illusion. Aside from Abe and Eric though, they were the only one to care. "And why is Peter here?".

The teen runs to Loki, as promised, giving him a tight enough hug to leave the god partly out of breath. "What is this for?", Loki asks unsure, yet comfortable. "Thought you needed it".

Walking back, Loki heads over to Ned at MJ's order, Peter walking up to her and May. "You sure about this sweetie?", Peter nods, hugging her quickly. "I need to do this, delaying it won't help me and I can't ghost them". She pulls him back for seconds, "I'm so proud of you sweetie, we'll be here if you need anything".

Now, MJ. "Ready loser?", Peter nods confidently, "Yes, I'm ready". He hesitates for a second, collecting all his confidence he swings on the tip of his toes, giving MJ a kiss. "Love you", he whispers stepping back, miraculously not blushing unlike MJ who gained a light one herself. For the first time since she can remember, she's speechless.

Peter smiles and waves at the group, "May, MJ, can you explain...everything before you head up please?", both nod, waving back and wishing him luck as the elevator doors close. "Ms FRIDAY?".

"Yes Peter?", She replies, Peter looking up out of curtesy. "I know they planned a birthday party. Don't tell them I know and please don't start anything. I need to talk to them and music, lights, confetti, whatever Mr Stark set up is not going to help".

Technically, this would be against a direct order, but hearing Peter's reasoning and plea, she takes a second to find a technicality. "Alright Peter, don't tell boss". He nods, getting a few more, deep breaths before he's there.

"Surprise!", he knew and felt their shouting coming, luckily, FRIDAY followed through and it was only their voice that filled the room. At the lack of their full surprise, most avengers start arguing and blaming each other for forgetting or ruining something, Nat the first to realise something was up. "Peter, everything ok?"

He stood at the hallway's opening, looking into their living space. Pressed lips, serious eyes, tense expression; unmoving. "Pete?", Tony asks, first to the group and closest to the kid. Now he walks, silent steps and not responsive, wrapping Tony tight in a hug, his head under Tony's chin. "Kid? What's this for?"

Peter digs his face further into the crook of Tony's neck, both smiling, enjoying the hug for another minute before he replies. "Hi, Mr Metal". Everyone freezes. Every other avenger present dropped their fond expressions for fear and confusion. Tony worst of all, Peter able to feel the way every muscle tensed, looking up to see the terror in his eyes, which thanks to Karen's videos he understands its from fear.

Humming the tune of Il Mondo he burrows back into Tony's neck, this confusing everyone except the billionaire who hummed back, relaxing through the song. Once it's over, Pete steps back, grabbing Tony's hand and leading him to the couch. "I think we need to talk".

Rushing to their preferred seats, everyone else joins them. Couples in their love seats, The twins, the spies and uncle Scott all on one couch, everyone remaining on another. Peter and Tony alone on their own. "What do you want to know kid?", Tony asks, undeterred and surprising himself more than the rest, understressed.

"Not as much as you think", he grimaces, looking sheepish. "Karen kinda hacked into your security cameras, showed me... stuff, answered a lot". Again, the avengers freeze, worried. "That's why you were 'sick', wasn't it?", Nat reasons. He nods. "The parallels... hard to ignore. The nicknames, our conversations, things I'd heard or overheard... all that clued me in". He explains, the Avengers struck between worry over Peter and anger at each other for being so sloppy. "MJ confirmed it last Thursday and I asked Karen to made sure".