Tony leaned forward. Interest clearly piqued. "You're thinking about survival systems."
"I'm thinking about contingencies. What if your main power fails? What if you're cut off from support? What if you need to operate independently for extended periods?" Peter added more technical details to his sketch.
"This isn't just armor support. This is a self-contained survival platform."
"Paranoid much?"
"Prepared much," Peter corrected. "You're going to a war zone. Preparation isn't paranoia. It's intelligence."
Tony stared at him for a long moment. "You know what's weird about you, Parker? You think like someone who's seen things go wrong. Like you've got experience with disasters. But you're sixteen."
"Almost sixteen," Peter said. "And I read a lot of history. Lots of things go wrong when people aren't prepared."
Their food arrived. Tony ate while reviewing Peter's sketches. Peter ate as they continued.
"I'm keeping these," Tony said, gathering the napkin sketches. "And I'm putting you on the project officially. Remote consultation. I want your input on the final design before I leave for Afghanistan."
"When exactly do you leave?"
"September 8th. Two days before the demonstration." Tony's expression was confident. Completely unaware of what was coming. "I'll be back by September 15th. Week-long trip. Then we can really get to work."
Peter nodded. One week. Tony would be gone for one week. Except he wouldn't come back on schedule. He'd be missing. Presumed dead. Until he escaped with the first Iron Man suit.
"I'll have detailed notes sent to you by September 5th," Peter promised.
They finished breakfast. Talked more about technical specifications. Power requirements. Material science. Two minds working in sync on a problem neither fully understood the implications of yet.
When they left the diner, Tony drove Peter back to Midtown High. Pulled right up to the entrance during lunch period.
Because of course he did. Tony Stark didn't do subtle.
The parking lot erupted. Students poured out of the building. Phones appeared. Photos being taken. Videos recording.
Tony got out of his car. Handed Peter a business card. "My personal number. Call me if you think of anything else brilliant. Which, knowing you, you will."
"Thanks for breakfast," Peter said.
"Thanks for not being boring." Tony put his sunglasses back on. "You're going to do something important, Parker. I can tell. Just try not to upstage me too much."
He got back in his Audi and drove off. Engine roaring. Leaving Peter standing in the parking lot surrounded by staring classmates.
'Well,' Peter thought. 'There goes my low profile.'
---
The rest of the school day was chaos. Everyone wanted to know about Peter's connection to Tony Stark.
How did they meet? What did they talk about? Was Peter really working for Stark Industries?
Peter gave minimal answers. Polite but vague. He had more important things to think about.
MJ cornered him after sixth period. "Coffee shop. After school. You promised me an interview."
"I remember," Peter said.
"Good. Because if you bail on me again, I'm writing an article about how Peter Parker is too important for his childhood friends now."
Peter smiled slightly. "Wouldn't want that."
They met at a coffee shop three blocks from school. Small place with mismatched furniture and local art on the walls. MJ ordered some complicated drink with multiple flavor shots.
Peter got black coffee.
"So," MJ said, pulling out her notepad.
"Peter Parker. Genius. Athlete. Apparently friends with Tony Stark. How did this happen?"
"I sent some emails to Stark Industries about design flaws in their arc reactor. Tony responded. We've been corresponding for two years."
"Just like that? You email a billionaire and he becomes your mentor?"
"It helps when your emails contain actual valuable information."
MJ studied his face. "You've changed, Peter. Not just the haircut or the muscles. Everything about you is different from when we were kids."
"People change," Peter said simply.
"Not like this. Not this fast." MJ leaned forward. Her green eyes intense. "I've known you since we were eight. You were always smart but you were also shy. Awkward. You barely talked to anyone. Now you're having breakfast with Tony Stark and joining the basketball team. What happened?"
Peter considered how much to tell her. MJ deserved some honesty. They'd been friends for years.
"I got tired of hiding," Peter said finally. "I spent years trying to be invisible. Trying not to stand out. Then I realized that was a waste. If I have abilities, I should use them. If I can help people, I should help them. Hiding doesn't protect anyone."
"Is that why you tried out for basketball?"
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