3 Days At Stark Towers

Forced To Go

Peter shuffled into the dining room, pointedly avoiding Tony's gaze.

This room was pretty big, and completely circular. It wasn't as big as, say, one of the labs, but it was a family dining room that had a big round table that could fit everyone plus some. A good half of the wall was facing the outside and gave an impressive view in clear weather, but right now it was just streaked with rain.

The rest of his family was already there. Peter had lost track of time while working on a potential new web formula. He slid into a seat next to Morgan, who grinned and hugged him. He smiled faintly.

On the table were a few dishes of lasagne, though Peter couldn't tell who made it.

Ah, never mind. Steve and Bucky were quietly congratulating themselves on not burning the tower down. It must have been them.

Peter grabbed a plate from the stack and gave himself a serving, and was pleasantly surprised to find that it didn't, in fact, taste of ash.

Tony, who was nearly on the other side of the table, back to the windows, said very loudly and deliberately, "So Pete, what's that permission form for that you wanted so desperately to shred?"

Peter froze up, considering his options. He noticed that the conversations around the table had died out as the others listened in curiously.

Well, it can be pretty hard to lie to a whole table of superheros, so he decided to tell the truth. Or at least part of it. "It's, um, it's for a field trip."

"Normally you'd be ecstatic about something like that, Peter," Pepper said from next to Tony, looking a little concerned.

Peter shrugged, wishing he could shrink into the floor, "Just not this one, I guess," he mumbled.

Natasha leaned forwards, eyes narrowed slightly, "Where's it to?"

That was it. That was the question he was dreading. How could he dodge it, especially when the one who asked it was a trained spy?

"It's... Well, it's... I guess you could say it's..."

"Take your time." Pepper reassured.

"It's to here." Peter finally forced out, and slumped loosely into his chair.

There was a pause. Then Tony burst out laughing, "Oh, that's brilliant! Of course it's to here!"

"I just don't wanna go on a trip to my own home. Seems a little stupid," Peter added.

Tony waved his hand dismissively, "Nonsense! It'll be a chance to check out the lower levels, I know you haven't been. Besides, you'll get to show your classmates how awesome you are!"

"Uh, well, about that... Everyone thinks I made up the internship, even my teacher."

"They WHAT?!" if the others weren't silent before, they were now.

"Well, to be fair, you kinda did..."

"NOT HELPING, CLINT!" Tony took a deep breath, calming down.

"Please don't say anything to them," Peter just about begged, "I don't want it to be awkward."

"But Peter-" Tony began.

"Please?" Peter's doe eyes won the day as Tony relented.

"Fine. You're going, but I won't say anything."

o0o

"Now's your last chance, Peter." Ms. Cassano touched him gently on the shoulder, "I don't want you to be caught out while we're there."