undercover

chapter 1

The bell echoed through the hallways of Midtown High, and as usual, Peter Parker was just a little too late to snag a good spot in the cafeteria. His sneakers squeaked against the floor as he hurried toward his usual table, where Ned and MJ were already waiting for him.

"You're three minutes late," MJ said without looking up from her book. "A record. Were you off saving a deer or something on the way?"

Peter flopped down and took a deep breath. "No, I had to navigate Flash's ego. That takes time."

Ned chuckled. "You should've just hung him from the ceiling with a web. Would've made your break way more peaceful."

"And that's why you'll never be my PR manager," Peter replied with a half-smile.

MJ glanced up. "He's still jealous that you have an internship at Stark Industries."

"It's not an internship. It's... a learning placement. And Tony calls it a 'young genius-in-training situation,' I think."

Ned leaned forward. "And Happy's picking you up again later?"

Peter nodded. "Like always on Tuesdays. Lab day."

MJ shook her head slowly. "I don't get it. You voluntarily go to some high-tech tower to sweat over computers with a guy who keeps his coffee warm with laser beams?"

"Yep," said Peter, unable to hide a broad grin. "It's amazing."

MJ rolled her eyes but the corners of her mouth betrayed a smile. Ned patted Peter on the shoulder, as if proud of his best friend who'd "made it" in the tech world.

The rest of the day went smoothly. Lessons droned on without much fuss, and even Flash kept remarkably quiet. As if the world was cooperating with Peter's good mood.

When the last bell rang, Peter jumped up. "See you tomorrow!" he called, slinging his bag over his shoulder.

"Don't let Tony suck all the brains out of your head," MJ said without looking up from her book.

"Send pics of lasers and weird gadgets!" Ned added excitedly.

Peter grinned wide and waved once more before heading out of the school.

The sun hung low over the city as Peter walked down the stairs and saw Happy Hogan already waiting by the car. The black Audi gleamed as always, and Happy leaned against the hood with his arms crossed like the guardian of some sacred relic.

"You're one minute late," Happy said with a frown that was just shy of actually angry.

Peter laughed as he opened the door. "Maybe you should get a watch that actually keeps time."

Happy snorted. "Maybe you should carry a backpack that doesn't have its own Wi-Fi."

"Maybe you should... say something nice. Just once, to try it out."

Happy started the engine, but Peter noticed the faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

The drive was familiar. The radio played softly — Happy's personal ritual for every trip to Stark Tower — and Peter gently nodded his head along to the beat of a song. The sun slowly slipped behind the skyscrapers while the city around them came alive in a golden glow.

"By the way, Tony told me to let you know not to leave too many things on his desk," Happy said suddenly.

Peter looked up. "What? That's his mess, not mine."

Happy grinned, eyes on the road. "That's what I said too. He muttered something about 'pots and kettles' and then blew something else up."

Peter chuckled softly. "Sounds like Tony."