The Stark building loomed, a challenge etched into its steel and glass. It felt less like an invitation and more like a gauntlet thrown down.
A few days had settled into a rhythm since arriving in New York. Laurie and Uncle Tommy had coaxed you into a comfortable routine, rearranging Laurie’s room with an extra bed pulled from the basement. Laurie had navigated you through the neighborhood’s hidden corners, while Uncle Tommy had attempted a city tour—only getting lost once, a minor triumph in itself.
You were already falling for the city. The sheer volume of people, the constant flow, was mesmerizing. Laurie had revealed tucked-away record shops, cozy cafes, comic book stores brimming with forgotten treasures. Compared to the bland expanse of Colorado, this was a revelation. You never wanted to return to that emptiness.
Uncle Tommy’s brownstone was a welcome contrast to your mother’s meticulously curated home. Where she favored a rustic, perfectly preserved aesthetic, Tommy’s house felt lived in—comfortably messy, overflowing with dog-eared books, vintage comics, and band posters plastered across the walls. It vibrated with a uniquely comfortable energy.
Focus was crucial. The internship loomed large, and the anxiety hadn’t subsided overnight. Standing before the Stark building, the butterflies in your stomach had evolved into something more akin to grasshoppers.
“Terrifying, isn’t it?”
You turned to the boy beside you. He was slender, almost fragile, as if a strong breeze could knock him off balance. Shaggy curls, a shade lighter than Laurie’s and Tommy’s, framed a face etched with nervous energy. “Kind of, yeah.”
“Assuming you’re here for the internship?” His voice was soft, raspy, with a rhythm that felt almost hypnotic. A natural ASMR narrator, you thought.
“Yeah.” You said. “You too?”
He nodded. “Theo.” He offered a hand, and you shook it, smiling. “Y/N.”
“First time in the city for me too.” He continued. “Montana boy. I’m not used to any of this. You probably see this building every day.”
“Oh, no. I’m not from around here.” You clarified. “Colorado transplant.”
“Oh.” Theo’s eyes lit up with a shared understanding. “Guess we’re both newbies then.”
“Staying with my uncle and cousin for the summer.” You said.
“Grandparents, for me.” Theo grinned. “This place is insane. I don’t know how anyone lives here without combusting.”
“Not at all.” You said. “I’ve only been here three days, and I’m already hooked.”
Theo shrugged. “Whatever floats your boat.” He glanced at his watch. “We should probably head in. Almost ten.”
You nodded, walking beside Theo through the revolving glass doors. The interior mirrored the exterior’s grandeur—smooth surfaces, stylized glass, a sense of futuristic elegance. It was everything you’d ever wanted. Robots scanned passes, serving as secretaries, while holographic displays narrated the building’s history.
“Crazy.” Theo breathed. You nodded, absorbing the sheer audacity of it all.
A robotic arm extended. “Passes, please.”
You instinctively reached for your lanyard—Laurie had reminded you at the last minute, just as you were about to bolt out the door. The robot’s palm lit up as it scanned your pass, emitting a cheerful chime. Theo grinned, handing over his own.
“Thank you for joining the Stark Internship Program.” The robot chirped. “Please proceed to conference room one, on the second floor.”
The robot moved with a seamless fluidity, directing the next intern with precise grace. You watched it go, fascinated. It didn’t move like a machine.
“This is awesome.” Theo said, his voice laced with wonder. “I feel like I’m dreaming.”
“Did you see how it moved?” You asked. “So… fluid!”
“Right?” Theo’s eyes shone with excitement. “Some kind of shock absorption, hydraulics… but the frame’s too small. I don’t know how they’d do it and keep it sleek.”
As you and Theo headed toward the elevators, you passed more marvels—evidence of Tony Stark’s penchant for spectacle. It felt as if he was trying to flaunt his genius, and from the snippets you'd seen online and on TV, it wasn't hard to imagine.
The elevator was packed with kids your age, likely all headed to the same internship. The walk to conference room one was short, a large number one frosted onto the glass doors. Everything about the building was sleek, futuristic, a perfect embodiment of its motto.
The room was already filling up, a murmur of excited chatter rippling through the space.
“Hey, there are two seats over there.” You said, pointing toward a small pocket of space near the wall. Theo’s eyes followed your gesture.
“Let’s go before someone else snatches them.” He said, cutting through a group of girls. You followed him, plopping down next to him and setting your bag under the chair. Laurie had insisted on a snack and a fresh notebook, and she’d gifted you one of her drawstring bags.
The room was full of quiet chatter, kids excitedly talking to each other as they waited for… something.
“What happens next?” You asked.
Theo shrugged. “Someone will probably give a speech, then a tour. I have no idea what we’ll be working on, so it could be anything.”
“Yeah, I was expecting the acceptance letter to be a little more specific.” You said.
“I kind of like the mystery.” Theo said. “Are we going to be getting coffee for lab workers, or building robots?” He joked.
You smiled. “Hopefully the latter.”
The lights flickered, and you jumped in your seat. The room fell into complete silence, everyone waiting for something to happen. In the semi-darkness, you saw Theo tracing the rips in his jeans.
“Good morning, and welcome to Stark Industries.”
The lights flickered back on, revealing Tony Stark standing at the podium. The room held its breath.