Welcome to Baxter Building
Peter stood in front of the Baxter Building, staring up at the towering structure as the sun reflected off its pristine glass.
Even now, knowing he was actually going to work here, it still felt surreal.
Adjusting the strap of his backpack, he took a deep breath and stepped inside.
The moment he entered, a smooth, synthetic voice greeted him.
“Welcome, Peter Parker. I am Nathaniel, the Baxter Building’s artificial intelligence, designed by Dr. Reed Richards. I will be assisting you during your time here.”
Peter raised an eyebrow. “Nathaniel, huh? So, you’re the smart one running this place?”
“Correct. Please proceed to Lab 3. Dr. Richards is expecting you.”
A holographic arrow appeared, guiding him down the hallway.
Peter followed, marveling at the sheer futuristic design of the place. Glass walls, pristine white floors, state-of-the-art labs—it was like something straight out of a sci-fi movie.
Finally, he reached Lab 3.
Through the transparent doors, he spotted Reed Richards, hunched over a desk, deep in thought.
Peter knocked lightly. “Uh, Dr. Richards?”
Reed looked up, pushing his glasses up his nose. “Ah, Peter. Come in.”
Peter stepped inside, and Reed immediately offered his hand.
“First of all, congratulations. Your project was outstanding.”
Peter shook his hand, feeling a little self-conscious. “Uh, thanks. I mean, I just—”
Reed cut him off, his voice full of genuine enthusiasm. “No, truly. I was very impressed. And so was the rest.”
Peter froze.
He hesitated. “…Rest? Who’s ‘the rest’?”
Reed gave a small smirk. “Follow me.”
They walked into another lab, and Peter immediately froze.
Because there she was.
Dr. Susan Storm.
Even in a lab coat, she looked effortlessly stunning. Blonde hair, radiant blue eyes, curves that could make a grown man weep.
And she wasn’t alone.
There were two other men with her.
One was a rugged, broad-shouldered guy with a strong jawline and buzzed hair. The other was a cocky-looking blonde with an easy smirk, his body language practically radiating confidence.
The cocky blonde was talking to Susan, and she looked… amused.
Peter’s stomach twisted as jealousy shot through him.
Of course. A woman like her? Someone like Susan Storm? She’d already have a guy.
He quickly suppressed the feeling. It wasn’t his place to care.
Still… that smirk on the guy’s face irritated him.
Reed led him forward. “Peter, let me introduce you.”
The broad-shouldered guy turned first, his expression friendly. “Ben Grimm.” He extended a hand. “Nice to meet ya, kid.”
Peter shook it. “Peter Parker. Uh, nice to meet you too, sir.”
Then the blonde guy turned to him, giving Peter a once-over, as if sizing him up.
Reed gestured. “And this is Johnny Storm.”
Peter stiffened.
Storm?
Then…
Oh.
Susan’s younger brother.
Peter internally sighed in relief.
Johnny raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. “So, you’re the genius kid everyone’s talking about?”
Peter scratched the back of his neck. “Uh… I guess?”
Then, before Reed could introduce Susan, she suddenly laughed.
“Reed! I know him.”
Peter turned, startled, as Susan grinned at him.
“He was lost the day of the interview, and I had to give him directions.”
Reed looked mildly surprised, while Ben smirked.
And then—it happened.
Susan tilted her head and greeted him teasingly—
“Hey, handsome.”
Peter’s brain immediately short-circuited.
ERROR. SYSTEM FAILURE. REBOOT REQUIRED.
Reed raised an amused eyebrow, while Ben gave a small chuckle.
Johnny, however, did not look amused.
His easy smirk vanished, replaced with a slight scowl.
Peter’s face burned.
ERIC, help.
“SIR, RESPOND.”
Peter still couldn’t speak.
Susan laughed softly, noticing his reaction. “Oh, come on, don’t freeze on me now.”
Peter forced his brain to work. He cleared his throat. “Uh—hi. I mean, Dr. Storm. I mean—Susan?”
She grinned. “Susan’s fine.”
Reed finally decided to step in. “Susan was actually the one who begged me to speed up your acceptance process. She wanted you in her department.”
Peter blinked. “Wait—what?”
Susan nodded. “Your project? It’s brilliant. The material, the potential applications—you don’t even realize how groundbreaking it is.”
Peter swallowed. “I—I mean, I had some ideas, but…”
She crossed her arms, smiling. “Trust me. It’s incredible. And I wanted you working with me in my department.”
Peter’s brain malfunctioned again.
Susan Storm wanted him in her department? Wanted to work with him?
Meanwhile, Johnny still did not look happy.
Peter forced himself to focus. “T-Thank you. I mean, wow. That’s… a huge honor.”
Susan smirked. “Well, you earned it.”
Peter had no idea what to say to that.
Ben finally clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Welcome to the team, kid.”
Peter let out a small breath, still trying to process everything.
Reed then turned to Susan. “I’ll leave you two to discuss the details. I have some work to finish.”
Ben followed Reed, but Johnny hesitated before reluctantly following them, shooting Peter one last look.
Peter ignored him.
His focus was on Susan, who was still smiling at him.
“So,” she said, tilting her head, “ready to change the world?”
Peter finally found his voice.
He smirked. “Well, I was planning to start small. Maybe, you know, work my way up to it.”
She laughed. “Fair enough.”
And just like that, Peter knew—
This was going to be one hell of an internship.