The late afternoon sun hung low over the MIT campus, casting long shadows across Massachusetts Avenue. Students streamed past in both directions, backpacks slung over shoulders, earbuds in, most of them too focused on their own worlds to notice much of anything.

Peter was walking beside Y/n, one hand gesturing animatedly, the other clutching the strap of his backpack. His MIT hoodie was rumpled, his hair was a mess, and he had a small coffee stain on his sleeve that he'd clearly given up on.

Up ahead, Happy's black Audi sat idling at the curb, hazard lights blinking. Happy himself was already out of the car, holding the rear door open with the expression of a man who had done this exact routine a thousand times and had long since stopped being impressed by it.

A couple of students glanced at the car as they passed. Blacked-out windows. Government plates. A driver in a suit. It was the kind of thing that invited questions. But Peter just waved.

Happy opened the door a little wider, waiting.