Sliding Doors ⧨ Peter Parker

11 | Get Comfortable

Y/N

_

"How do I put this frankly," Tony said, "you're not going to school anymore."

I was sitting back in his office, my feet tapping against the ground. Tony had his legs propped up on his glass desk, and his glasses pulled down low on the bridge of his nose. He was still wearing the suit coat for his press conference, his Black Sabbath shirt still visible from underneath.

I opened my mouth to speak, completely thrown off by the abrupt announcement, but the man continued.

"Well, not your little Queens Academy school, anyways," he explained, "I saw the suit. You did well, kid, and I'd be making a mistake by letting you go."

I felt like I couldn't take all the credit, I had the help of his impeccable technology to assist me, but my chest still exploded with pride.

"B-but, I can't just drop out of high school," I stuttered, trying to process what was happening.

"Of course not," he nodded, "which is why I've laid out this schedule for you."

He waved his hands, another holo-screen appearing in front of him. No matter how many times those things popped up, they still surprised me with it's clarity and promptness.

"Starting at seven, you'll take online classes with Friday," he described, "at noon you'll join Pepper for press conferences and conventions, and after you're apprenticing with me until ten. Questions?"

"Is my mother okay with this? I'm not sure how she'll take the whole online school thing."

"I had Potts call her earlier, and you were right. She was hesitant, but I managed to provide reasoning."

He smirked, rubbing his fingers together as if to say 'money'. I could almost envision the KA-CHING! Look in my mother's eyes.

"Did you bribe my mother into this?" I gasped, partly amazed and partly shocked.

"Welcome to the trade," Tony stated, "you're a full-time apprentice now, Melnitz."

"Wow, this is literally unbelievable. Thank you!"

"Sure thing, junior," he nodded, before spinning his chair around, "Friday, bring in the boy."

"Notifying Peter Parker."

I turned around in my chair as soon as the door swung open, locking eyes with the boy I recruited yesterday. Jeez, this whole butterfly thing in my stomach needs to stop.

"H-Hiya' Mr. Stark," Peter fumbled, sticking out his hand roughly, "it's an honor to meet you!"

"Yeah, I know," Tony said bluntly, pointing to the chair next to me, "take a seat."

Peter glanced at me, his eyes widened, as he slowly lowered himself onto the chair. The amount of nervous tension radiating off of him was insane, which was ironic because he was in fact, radioactive.

"I take it you two have met?" Stark said, looking back and forth between us.

"Twice now," I answered.

"Good, both of you need to get comfortable."

"Mr. Stark, I-I'm very comfortable," Peter chuckled anxiously, "this chair is really soft, I appreciate it-"

"Not the chair, Mcfly," Tony sighed, "I meant with my apprentice here."

"Oh...sorry, I get it," he rambled, before pausing, "wait no, I don't get it. y/n's your apprentice?"

"I just got promoted today," I smiled softly, "what Tony means, is that we need to be comfortable with each other."

"Exactly," the man said, clapping his hands sharply, "you'll be seeing each other a lot, and all this weird, Die Hard, energy I'm getting won't pass in the future."

"Yes, sir."

"Because you're coming to Germany," he said suddenly, "both of you."

"I'm sorry, what?" I questioned, not sure if I heard him correctly, "did you say I'm going to Germany?"

"Yeah, you know, that country next to France? You two are going there next week."

"No, I know where Germany is," I clarified, "but I didn't know I was actually going to go with you! I've never been outside of the country before."

"You haven't been outside of the country before?" Peter gushed, turning to look at me, "me neither!"

"Okay, not the time for bonding," Tony noted, "I've already told your adult figures, and all you need to do is pack your suitcases."

"Mr. Stark, this sounds really cool and all," Peter started, "but I can't drop out of school!"

The man paused for a second, mulling it over. It didn't seem to take long, because he hopped up from his chair and made his way to the door.

"You can join y/n for the time being," he said, "she's studying with Friday, anyways."

"But what about-"

"Enough questions, I've got somewhere to be," he said, before turning to me, "y/n, nice work, kid. Take Parker up to the workshop."

"Wait, why am I going to a workshop?" the boy said, confusion printed all over his face.

As Tony left the room, I looked back at Peter with a smirk.

"Surprise," I grinned, "I think it's time you get an upgrade."