A year to Remember. Part 2, the Internship

"I've organised all 5 internships Boss", FRIDAY informs Tony as he steps into the elevator, the doors automatically closing and elevator ascending to their living quarters. Tony's omnipresent smile on the drive back only strengthens, "Thanks Fri, I'll review them right now", he replies, surprising even himself that the idea of paperwork isn't ghastly today.

Halfway up, FRI's voice rings again, bearing much less pleasing news. "I believe I should warn you-". He knew- "About the gaggle of man children waiting upstairs?", Tony finishes for her, her silence confirming his suspicious. "Thought as much". And as much it was, as the second the elevator doors opened 12 pairs of eyes burning through him. Still he wasn't phased, even managing to joke, "What, no questions?".

The Avengers all look at each other, most stares landing on Steve who gets a nod from Nat. "We do, but Pepper told us to hold back and let you explain". Tony directs his smile at Pepper, who returns her own. "And then Nat threatened us to keep quiet", Clint snickers, a sharp glare from the former shutting him up.

Tony hums, enjoying the forced silence of the Avengers, skipping his way to the kitchen for a -- virgin -- drink. Couldn't last too long, "Tony", as Pep scolds. Gives her a sad look at the loss of his fun, but he complies, the news were too good to not recount too. "Ok", he rolls his eyes, feigning annoyance to buy himself time, as he struggles finding out how to explain. "No celebrating till I'm done, it's complicated", he warns, circling the couch and landing next to Pep.

"Does that mean he's doing the internship?", Pietro blurts the question, his super speed sometimes his own enemy. Though it's a question in everyone's mind. Tony sighs, "yes, but-".

That's all he got. 2 words before Pietro, Clint, Scott, Sam, Wanda, Bruce and Rhodey all celebrate. Steve and Bucky sharing a peck and a smile at the news, Natasha and Pepper the only two that caught on to that second word. The former whistles cutting everyone off, "There's a 'but' here, might wanna hold back your cheers".

It takes a second for all to compose themselves, mostly Clint and Pietro who were on the floor. All eyes returning on Tony, confusion at the foreboding tone. "Yes, The Kid accepted the internship. I'm sending him the information and contract as soon as you let me go". That comment earns no laughs, Tony moving on to an even more uncomfortable point. "But he had... conditions".

"What conditions?", Pepper asks, both interested in the kid but as her literal job.

"The first two are actually just like him".

Everyone waits expectantly, light smiles at the reminder. "First he wanted both his friends to get an internship too. Remember that girl, MJ?", Tony asks. Steve, Bucky, Nat, Clint, Pepper and a few others nod, thinking back on the test and their movie nights. "I liked her, if she's getting an internship she's working with me", Pepper decides, smiling up at FRIDAY to set it into motion. "Yup", Tony concedes. That was his original plan anyways. "Her and that Leeds kid. Bruce, I was hoping he could work with you?".

"Of course Tony", Bruce agrees, if the kid got Peter's approval then he was the most curious. Allowing Tony to move on to his next point. "He also wanted a paid internship", This confuses the crowd much like it did him, the kid insisting on pay unexpected and out of character. Tony explains, "He said he wanted to give back to his aunt".

Now it clicks for everyone. "He's just. Too. Nice", Clint melodramatises, sprawling down the side of the couch and onto the floor. A chorus of agreement echoed back, even from Tony.

Pepper's smile breaks, a curious, concerned, narrowed look aimed at Tony. He's been too quiet, and he's too cunning. "How much did you offer to pay him?", she asks coldly, leaning into him. A smirk too pleased laid on his face. "At least SI's minimum wage", He winks, he knows, she knows. "Tony", Pepper sternly calls to him.