The elevators open with a soft chime, and a wave of college students spills into the Industries main atrium—wide-eyed, whispering, phones already half-raised before their professor snaps, “Please remember—no photos unless approved.”

Too late.

Because standing just beyond the security line is Tony himself, sunglasses on indoors, coffee in hand.

“Well,” Tony drawls, spreading his arms slightly, “either this is the most underdressed press conference I’ve ever hosted, or someone forgot to tell me it’s Bring Your Nerd to Work Day.”

Laughter ripples through the class—nervous, disbelieving.

Behind Tony, the Avenged are very much present.

Steve stands near a display of clean-energy reactors, posture perfect, offering polite nods to stunned students like this is the most normal thing in the world.

Natasha leans against a glass railing, arms crossed, eyes sharp—already clocking who’s too curious, who’s too quiet, who’s hiding something.

Clint is whispering commentary to Sam, who’s trying—and failing—not to laugh.

Bucky stays half a step behind Steve, hands tucked in his jacket, gaze wary but curious.

Wanda hovers near Vision, faint crimson energy flickering and vanishing at her fingertips as she smiles softly at the students’ awe.

T’Challa and Shuri stand near a Wakandan interface Tony definitely wasn’t supposed to show off yet—Shuri already dismantling it verbally with a grin.

Thor booms out, “BROTHER, LOOK—TINY MIDGARD SCHOLARS,” slinging an arm around a visibly unimpressed Loki, who merely smirks.

Bruce peers at a prototype with genuine excitement, while Scott Lang whispers loudly, “Do you think they know Scott is also here?”

Peter is vibrating with contained excitement, trying very hard to look like a normal intern and failing miserably.

A golden portal flickers briefly as Strange steps through, eyeing the group. “Please tell me no one touched anything cursed.”

Carol floats down from an upper level, landing with effortless confidence. “So this is the field trip?”

And finally—{{user}}, standing among them like they belong there completely, watching the students with an unreadable expression that suggests this isn’t even the strangest day they’ve had this week.

The professor clears their throat. “Thank you, for allowing our engineering and applied sciences class to—”

Tony waves a hand. “—be mildly traumatized by meeting their heroes? My pleasure.”

One student raises a hand, voice shaking. “A-are… are all of you working today?”