only for you, Vincent.
I had no idea what I was trying to say to her. For god’s sake, I’m Spider-Man. I’m in love with her. ‘Don’t go searching for love in him’, really Peter? I pull her into a hug in an apologetic way. I whisper apologies into her curly hair. She smiles and pulls away, punching my arm.
“You’re such a softie sometimes, Parker,” and I smile at her.
“Only for you, Vincent,” and she laughed that heavenly laugh.
A knock came from the door, “Who is it?”, and I hear Ned’s voice from the other side.
“Come in, Leeds,” Eleanore yelled.
Ned walked in, seeing me and her sitting side by side. She scooted away a little bit and I felt her warmth leave me slightly. Cold New York winters are made warmer by just her smile. Ned sat in my desk chair and started telling some story we’ve heard thousands of times. Elle swung her legs across my lap and I put my arms around them. She giggled at something Ned said and I snap back to reality. Ned looks curiously in my direction, questioning my shocked expression. Elle looks at me and whispers "Parker, are you okay?" and I nod.
"I was just thinking of something to do with my project," I give them both a dismissive smile.
"What is this mysterious project you've been spending so much time on?" Ned asks suggestively.
"It’s a surprise for Lady Eleanore Vincent's sweet 16," I say booping her nose, noticing her blush at the action.
"Peter! I told you not to get me anything!" she said while hitting my arm.
"It's the least i can do after what you did for my birthday, this watch has been handy in more ways than you can know," I say motioning to the smartwatch on my right wrist.
"It was nothing. Really."
Ned rolled his eyes at us. "Are you two done flirting now?" We both blush at the statement.
The night continued with Ned, Elle, and I watching some docu-series on Spider-Man that Elle found. Ned gave me concerned glances several times, knowing damn well that I am that 'Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man' she is fawning over. She falls asleep with a smile on her face and her head on my shoulder. I pick her up and place her lightly on my bunk. She snuggles into the warmth of it as I cover her up. I plant a small kiss on her forehead and climb out the window to do my patrol. Ned left hours ago and knowing her she might just leave when she wakes up, so May doesn’t suspect anything. I do my duties as Spider-Man and swing back into my bedroom window. Elle has not moved and it’s nearing morning. I climb to the top bunk and try to sleep.
I am wide-awake but faux sleeping when Elle climbs to the top bunk and curls up next to me. Something that has become habit for her when she sleeps over. I pull her close to my chest and feel her body curl into a ball against mine under the blanket. My heart is pounding and I thank Odin that she is asleep and can't hear it. I plant more kisses into the mess of hair next to me. I somehow manage to sleep.
When I wake I notice Elle is no longer next to me and I have a message on my phone from her. It reads, “sorry i had to leave so early, April has been on me a lot recently, had to get home before she noticed i was out past curfew. See you at school, Parker x” I smile at the x at the end. Small gesture but big meaning. I get changed out of the sweat pants and Harvard sweatshirt I was wearing (courtesy of Mr. Stark), into regular clothes, bundling up for the New York winter that awaits me.
Elle catches up to me to ride the train together, skipping happily down the hallway, smiling. She turns around and grabs my hand making me run with her. I bask in the feeling of our fingers intertwined.