#i love parker trying to fit in and having no idea what she's saying

[lindseymcdonaldseyelashes]

Leverage 2x10 - "The Runway Job"

[rey-129-fan]

Well, it's been a while since I've posted any fanfic... Let's change that.

Good news! I'm not dead! My brain did try to get me to do things that could unalive myself for a bit, and then I lost nearly an entire side of my family over the span of 3 years, but I'm still here and still kicking! And I have two new puppies who are adorable and so loving.

Now for this story, this is inspired by a few posts I saw on @theglamorousferal, mostly the one about Amity Parkers going to college in Gotham and buying a hotel (I'm making it a co-op student house, but I've never lived in one, so if something's unacceptably wrong, tell me, if not, artistic license), but also the one where our main Trio buy a building to set up shop there, and wind up adopted my Jason (I swear, I saw that post after I wrote the first chapter, but it just fit so well).

***

Honestly, Amity Park was weird long before the Fentons moved there- the original settlers named the nearby lake Eerie, and it wasn’t after the Great Lake.  It’s just that before the Fentons’ machine punched a hole through reality and created a permanent doorway to the land of spirits and ghosts, the weirdness was not as blatant.

Prior to that, Amity Parkers were some of the few that could move to Gotham without suffering a breakdown that was common for new arrivals.  Now there was a slight dip in newcomers for about a decade or two after the Bat made his debut and then the crazies that followed him, but then Amity Parkers got used to the spirits of the dead wandering around following the aforementioned punching through reality.

All this to say that Gotham Universities were a rather common destination for young Amity Park adults seeking higher education.

Now because of this, there were always apartments advertising themselves for people from the small town.  They, after all, tended to not have a breakdown after their fifth rogue attack and just pack up and leave halfway through their lease.  But it got very annoying having to sift through all the advertisements when looking for a place to stay- something Danny Fenton saw his older sister go through when she got in to Gotham City University.  The boy then shared what he was witnessing with his two best friends- Tucker Foley and Sam Manson.  Tucker offered to help filter out the spam, which Danny’s sister Jazz thanked him for but turned down.  Sam… Sam instead got thinking.

Sam had been to Gotham a few times in her life.  She had an idea of the areas closest to the schools and how much those should cost.  And looking at the letters Jazz was getting, the offers were a little too high for a regular college student to afford.  Sam was also familiar with how many hotels were not being used in Gotham- people building them in hopes tourists would come to stay while visiting the East Coast, tourists that could not be convinced to visit due to the high crime rate and the lack of activities or places of interest in the city itself.

She quickly went to work, looking in to these empty hotels.  She was rather upset by their numbers and put together a spreadsheet of them, with details like number of rooms, any amenities they may have, and nearby landmarks.  She then grabbed her two dorks and marched to Casper High’s Community Outreach director.

Now Sam’s presentation raised a few eyebrows, mostly because it was in a completely different state, but Sam shot back that because of the efforts to incorporate the town’s new ghostly residents and provide them with helpful ways to feed their obsessions- efforts led by the Fenton family- Amity Park had very few homeless, and those that were had a huge community safety net to help them get back on their feet.  Additionally, with how many people moved between the city and the town, helping the city could be argued to also be helping the town.

The Outreach Director just sighed and gave Same the green light to at least draft and send out a proposal to the powers that be in Gotham, saying that there wasn’t much that could be done before they got backing and approval.  Sam thanked them before leaving, Danny and Tucker trailing behind.

She was back the next day with a draft of her proposal and a list of who to send it to.

***

Since returning from the dead in the eyes of the public, Jason Todd was often contacted by groups trying to use the Wayne fortune to fund their own personal projects.  They thought Jason would be the easiest to con- sorry, persuade- since he was a former street kid unlike the rest of his family.  Thus surely he would know just how much this new building with low income housing would help the people of Gotham- it even came with a pool and gym!

Yeah, he did know how much the people of Gotham needed housing, but $2K a month was not affordable when you���re barely making $30K a year!  Oh and the pool and gym were only available for those who could shell out an additional $2K a month.  Jason knows, he read the whole document carefully.

God, sometimes it was hard to tell who was worse, the psychos in Blackgate or real estate investors.  And sadly, he couldn’t just pop a bullet in their heads and be done with it because 1) it would raise too many questions and 2) it would make Bruce get all sad and mopey- again.  Jason just did not have the mental energy to put up with that on top of the rest of his life as a crimelord/vigilante/long-lost adoptive second son of a billionaire.

All this to say, he was not impressed when he first glanced over a proposal to convert the unused hotels around the city into housing units- especially since it was from someone that did not live in Gotham.

Manson?  Wasn’t there a family with that name that would attend some of Brucie’s galas?  Oh yeah, their family made its fortune off patenting the machine that wrapped toothpicks in plastic, as well as a couple others.  And they had a daughter around Repla- Tim’s age.  Hopefully this wasn’t her trying to be a kiss-ass like her parents.

Jason finished reading and sat back.  The proposal wasn’t too bad.  Converting hotels into apartment buildings would be easier than office buildings, and the suggestion to use ex-convicts that wanted to turn over a new leaf as building managers certainly wasn’t the worst.  Also creating a fund for those that couldn’t afford rent, as well as community kitchens and gardens were certain plusses, though would need to have the right people in charge to make sure they actually worked as planned, and to keep the Court of Owls from messing with it.

Overall, it was something Jason would consider, after some research and maybe talking with the rest of the Bats and Birds.  And if this was from the Manson kid, maybe get Dickie or one of the others to talk to her next time there was a gala in town.  Or talk to her himself, if the Pit wasn’t too loud.

…Dick was probably the better option to talk with her if it came down to it.

***

There's the first chapter. I'm going to go write the next one. When I have a good log of them, I'll then go and edit them and put them on AO3.

This has no title yet because I suck at naming. Feel free to comment with suggestions for a name, both for the fic/au and for the eventual hotel/co op. As well as any shinanegans and majors/colleges/universities for our liminal young adults.

Part 1/? Next >

[musicforastylesrestaurant]

Anything dadrry 🥺 I love your work!!!

I just imagine Harry having a child that is just so feral and adventurous 😂 that maybe she need the walking reins (if you know what i mean) when they go out on walks and on trips with people just looking on in adoration and she just wants to run everywhere and talk to people but Harry has to hold her back 😂

Styles On The Reins.

my masterlist || ask my anything <3

word count - 2k

my blurb masterlist!

in which, harry’s looking after his two year old son, parker whilst you go out with your aunt, so they decide to go on a walk around the small streets of italy where your currently residing, but that’s easier said then done when the little one is just as feral as his father.

authors note - i’m not really happy with this, but i hope you like it:)

Once upon a sunny day at their beautiful Italian villa, Harry Styles found himself in charge of his energetic two-year-old son, Parker, while you, his wife, and his sister Gemma went out for the day. The two of you were going to an art museum and Harry had decided to stay at home with his mini me.

He was happy to spend some quality father-son time together.

In the cosy kitchen, Harry poured some juice into Parker's sippy cup, humming a tune as he did so. He screwed the lid onto the blue cup.

"Alright, little man, juice is ready," he called out, carrying the sippy cup into the living room where Parker was playing with his toys.

To his surprise, Parker had left his toys and was standing by the front door, pointing towards it.

"Hey there, buddy, what are y’doing by the door?" He asked with a smile, placing the sippy cup on a nearby table.

The two year old beamed up at his dad and replied with enthusiasm, "Walk!"

Harry chuckled, delighted by his son's eagerness.

"Y’want t’go on a walk? That sounds like a great idea!" he said, playing along.

As soon as Parker heard Harry say they could go on a walk, his eyes lit up with excitement. He quickly darted over to the shoe rack, his tiny feet padding across the floor, and grabbed his favourite blue crocs.

“Walk, walk!" he exclaimed, waving the shoes in the air as if to remind Harry of their adventure.

Harry grinned at his son's enthusiasm and crouched down to help him put on the crocs.

"That's right, little explorer, we're going on a walk!" he said, guiding Parker's feet into the shoes with gentle precision.

Once the shoes were on, Parker proudly wobbled around, testing them out and making sure they fit perfectly.

"Big boy shoes!" he declared, his eyes shining with pride.

Harry chuckled, ruffling Parker's hair affectionately. "You're absolutely right, buddy! Now, let's get ready."

As Parker excitedly explored the room, Harry slipped on his trusty Vans, knowing they would keep him comfortable during their walk. He then grabbed a small rucksack filled with all the toddler essentials they might need - a water bottle, some snacks, a favourite toy, and a small blanket.

"Are you all set, Parks?" Harry asked, holding out the rucksack for his son to inspect.

Parker nodded eagerly, his eyes wide with curiosity.

"Ready!" he exclaimed, reaching out for the rucksack and holding it with both hands, trying to imitate his dad.

"Great job!" Harry praised, giving his son a thumbs up. "You're going t’be a fantastic little explorer. Now, shall we head out and see what adventures await us?"

Parker squealed with delight and nodded vigorously, his excitement palpable.

"Yay! Walk with Daddy!" he said, taking hold of Harry's hand with a firm grip.

As they approached the front door, Harry bent down to pick up his son, as he usually did when they went for walks. However, to his surprise, Parker pushed his hands away gently and shook his head.

"No, no, Daddy," Parker babbled in his adorable baby talk, a determined look in his eyes. "Big boy!"

Harry chuckled, amazed by Parker's newfound independence.

"You're right, buddy. Y’are a big boy!" he praised, trying to hide his slight disappointment at not being able to hold his son.

"But, big boys still need t’be safe," Harry continued, his voice gentle but firm. "We have t’hold hands when we go f’walks, so y’don't wander off t’far, okay?"

Parker seemed to consider Harry's words, and then he reached out his small hand towards his dad.

"Hold hand, Daddy," he said, a hint of pride in his voice.

"That's m’parks," Harry spoke, beaming with pride as he took Parker's tiny hand in his own. It was a heartwarming moment for Harry, realising that his son was growing up and embracing his independence.

But bittersweet at the same time, it felt like yesterday that he held him in his arms for the first time.

Hand in hand, they walked out of the villa, and Harry couldn't help but marvel at the sight of his little one walking beside him with such determination and excitement. Parker's steps might have been small, but his spirit was as big as ever.

As they strolled along the familiar paths, Harry was amazed at how eager Parker was to explore the world around him. He pointed out butterflies, curious stones, and even tried to mimic the chirping of the birds they encountered.

Half an hour into their walk, the Italian sun had grown stronger, and Harry could feel its warmth against his skin. As they walked past the beach, Harry noticed how the waves shimmered and the sand glistened in the sunlight. He turned to Parker and asked,

"Hey buddy, do y’want some water? It's getting pretty hot out here."

Parker nodded enthusiastically, his face flushed from the heat.

"Yeah!" he said in his adorable toddler language, reaching out his hands eagerly.

Harry smiled and quickly pulled the rucksack off his back. He crouched down to retrieve the water bottle, intending to quench his son's thirst. However, as he looked up to offer the water, his eyes widened in surprise and concern.

Parker was no longer standing beside him. Instead, he had run off a few feet away and was gently stroking a random person's dog that they had encountered on their path. The dog seemed friendly, and it wagged its tail happily at Parker's touch, but Harry couldn't help feeling worried.

"Hey, Parks! Wait up!" Harry called out, hastily putting the rucksack back on his back before jogging up to his curious son.

As he reached Parker, Harry gently touched his shoulder to get his attention.

"Hey there, buddy," he said, trying to keep his tone calm. "Y’can't run off like that, okay? Y’need to stay close t’daddy so I can keep y’safe."

Parker looked up at his father, his face showing a mix of innocence and curiosity.

"Doggy, Daddy!" he said, pointing to the furry friend he had made.

Harry smiled and nodded, acknowledging the dog.

"Yes, I see the doggy, and he's very cute," he said, giving the dog a friendly pat. "But next time, y’have t’let Daddy know if y’want to go see something or someone, okay?"

Parker seemed to understand, and he nodded, his eyes still fixated on the dog.

"Okay, Daddy," he replied, before finally letting go of the dog and returning to Harry's side.

Harry then turned to the old man who was with the dog and apologized, "Mi dispiace molto per questo. È solo un ragazzino curioso."

(I’m very sorry about that. He’s just a curious little guy.)

The man smiled kindly and waved off the apology.

"Nessun problema. È un tesoro, e il mio cane ama le attenzioni," he said, patting his furry companion.

(No problem at all. He's a sweetheart, and my dog loves the attention.)

"Grazie." Harry said gratefully, relieved that the man was understanding.

(Thank you.)

As they continued their walk, Harry remained vigilant, holding tightly onto Parker's hand to ensure he stayed close. However, as they neared a main road, Parker's curiosity got the better of him once again. He spotted something interesting on the other side and suddenly pulled his hand from Harry's grasp.

"Wait, Parker! Stop!" Harry called out desperately, but he was too slow to catch his son's hand in time. Panic surged through him as he saw Parker darting towards the road, oblivious to the dangers of the passing cars.

"Parker, get back! Stop!" Harry shouted, his heart racing with fear for his little boy's safety. He ran after Parker as fast as he could, praying that nothing would happen.

Just in the nick of time, Parker halted at the edge of the road, tears welling up in his eyes as he looked back at his dad, startled by the urgency in Harry's voice.

"Daddy!" he cried, his lower lip trembling.

Harry reached Parker, scooping him up in his arms and holding him tightly.

"Oh, Parker, y’scared me! Y’must never run into the road like that, it's very dangerous," he said, trying to control his own trembling voice.

"I'm sorry, Daddy," Parker sobbed, feeling overwhelmed by the combination of his dad's shouting and the frightening experience.

"It's okay, buddy, I'm not mad, I'm just really worried about you," Harry said, his voice softening as he held Parker close. "I know y’want t’explore, but y’have t’listen t’daddy and stay close t’me when we're near busy roads. I need to keep y’safe."

Parker nodded, tears still streaming down his cheeks.

"I'm sorry, Daddy," he repeated, feeling guilty for causing his dad distress.

"It's okay, sweetheart," Harry reassured, wiping away Parker's tears with gentle strokes. "I love y’so much, and I just want to keep y’safe. Let's sit down f’a’moment, catch our breath, and then we'll continue our walk, okay?"

Harry found a nearby bench and gently placed Parker on it. He sat down beside him, pulling him close and wrapping his arms protectively around his little boy.

"I love you too, Daddy," Parker whispered, sniffling as he leaned into Harry's comforting embrace.

Harry kissed the top of Parker's head, his own heart still racing from the close call. "I love you more than anything in the world, Parker. Y’mean everything to me, and I want to keep y’safe always."

Parker nodded, feeling reassured by his dad's words and warm embrace.

"I'll stay close to you, Daddy," he promised, understanding the importance of staying by his side in unfamiliar or dangerous situations.

"Parker, I know y’don't like the reins, but they're important to keep y’safe," Harry explained gently, trying to reassure his little boy.

Parker looked up at his dad, tears still glistening in his eyes.

"But I don't like them, Daddy. They're uncomfortable," he whimpered, shaking his head in protest.

"I understand, buddy, but sometimes we have t’do things we don't like t’stay safe," Harry said, his voice filled with love and concern. "The reins will help me hold y’hand and keep y’close, so y’can still walk, but I can make sure you don't run off near the roads."

Parker sniffled and wiped away his tears with the back of his hand.

"But I want to walk without them," he said, his little voice filled with frustration.

Harry sighed softly, understanding his son's desire for independence.

"I know, sweetheart, and when we're in safer places, y’can walk without them," he said, trying to find a compromise.

Parker looked uncertain, still not entirely convinced.

"Promise?" he asked, his eyes searching Harry's face for reassurance.

"I promise," Harry said, nodding sincerely. "But right now, we need to use the reins for y’safety.”

With a deep breath, Harry took out the reins from the rucksack and showed them to Parker.

"See, they're like special straps that go on y’shoulders and connect t’m’hand. That way, y’can walk, but I can still keep y’close," he explained gently.

Parker studied the reins for a moment, his little brows furrowed in thought.

"Okay, Daddy," he finally said, albeit with a hint of reluctance.

Harry smiled, relieved that Parker seemed to understand the importance of the reins.

"Good boy," he praised, gently putting the reins on his son's shoulders and securing them in place.

As they continued their walk, Parker walked alongside Harry, holding onto his dad's hand as the reins kept him securely close. At first, Parker still wasn't entirely comfortable with the reins, but Harry was patient and understanding, explaining that they were for his safety and that they would take them off once they were in a safer area.

Gradually, Parker's initial resistance faded, and he grew more at ease with the reins. He realised that even with them on, he could still explore and enjoy their walk together. Harry made sure to praise and encourage him every step of the way, making the experience as positive as possible.

[amazingmsme]

The Boo Brothers

AN: Late, I know, but class doesn’t get out til 9. This prompt was really fun to write! Peter & Miguel are really goofy & I just love them. How you enjoy day 10!

Peter B. Parker was a class A goofball. He liked playing games and being silly, but most importantly, he liked making people laugh and have some fun. And he was damn good at it.

Halloween always put him in a bit of a spunky mood, and he felt inspired to cause a little mischief. Maybe the chill in the air put a spring in his step, or the fun and spooky atmosphere reminded him of his love of lighthearted pranks. Whatever it was, he felt the need to pull one over on someone. He was walking down the hall when he passed an open door and saw the usual spider-gang hanging out in the wreck room: perfect.

The idea popped up so suddenly and without any preamble, that it nearly startled Peter. But he shoved his hands into his robe pockets and casually strolled in, going along with it as if he'd had this plan all along. He had a natural commitment to any bit tossed his way the likes of which you have never seen.

That is not to say that the others don't know when he's doing a bit. Quite the contrary. It is rather obvious when Peter begins some long winded ruse, but everyone is too interested in where he's going with it to put an end to it.

He flopped his right hand around in his pocket, wiggling fingers, anything he could to make it look like something was caught in there. Pavitr was the first to take notice, doing a double take when he noticed the frantic movement of his pocket and stared with wide eyes.

"Dude, what's going on with your pocket? Did you catch a squirrel or something?" he asked, drawing the rest of their attention to Peter, and now they all wanted to know what the hell he had in his pocket. Peter played along.

"Heh, no. I wish it were that simple," he said in a serious tone. He schooled his features, lunging a trapped hand at Gwen, who happened to be the closest. She squealed and jumped back as Peter reigned in his arm.

"What the hell Peter?" she asked, cheeks faintly flushed. He did his best to act apologetic.

"I'm sorry, but that's why I came to see you," he said, clutching onto his right wrist with his other hand, forcing it to stay inside the pocket. They all stared at him with confused looks.

"I'm sorry, what?" Gwen asked, arms crossed. Peter rolled his eyes, as if annoyed he had to explain himself.

"Um, look, I'll just cut to the chase. Ghosts and demons and stuff are cool now, right? And you guys are all pretty cool kids, so you're keeping with the trends-" he rambled. Miles furrowed his brows in worry and utter cluelessness, looking to Hobie for any indication of what the actual fuck he was talking about. Hobie arched a brow and shrugged, sporting an amusedly confused smirk. "I guess what I'm trying to ask is, do you guys know anything about possession?"

Gwen scoffed. "You think you're possessed?" she asked skeptically.

“Absolutely! And I’d appreciate it if you took this seriously,” he said, really hamming it up. “I mean, if you don’t believe me, just look!” He “released” his hand from the robe pocket and it made another grab at Gwen, this time being successful. He latched onto her sides and squeezed, sending her into a fit of giggles.

“You liahahar!” she squealed, doubling over as Peter scribbled over her tummy.

“Nu uh!” Peter insisted, continuing the ticklish assault. “See, it happened after MJ got me last night. My hands have been restless ever since,” he lamented, working up Gwen’s sides. “I’m afraid I’m possessed by some kind of tickle monster!”

“You ahahare not!” she denied. Hobie shrugged, a smirk tugging on his lips.

“Don’t know mate, seems legit to me,” he teased. Peter smirked himself and turned on the tallest teen, making him stumble back with a yelp. He managed to wrestle his arms above his head, alternating scribbling in each pit.

“I just can’t help who I attack! Sorry Hobie, I really can’t help it!”

“Shuhut it you bahahastard!”

“Hey, I’m just as much a victim in this as you are!”

Miguel stood in the doorway, dumbfounded, and crossed his arms over his chest. He cleared his throat, grabbing their attention.

“Is there a reason you’re torturing them, or are you just bored?” he asked in a neutral tone, arching a brow.

“Peter’s possessed by a tickle monster!” Pavitr supplied. Miguel couldn’t roll his eyes hard enough.

“Is he now?” he asked, seemingly uninterested. “Well I guess I’ll leave you all to it.” He turned to leave and felt a hand around his wrist yank him back. He stumbled a few feet, being caught by Peter from behind.

“Sorry bud, but I can’t help myself right now,” he said sympathetically as Miguel hissed and thrashed in his hold. He tried to fight back the deep laughter that wanted to spill out when Peter started kneading his hips.

“G-go toho hehehell,” he giggled out through clenched teeth. Peter gasped.

“Well that’s rude!” Peter exclaimed, one hand roaming down to squeeze his thighs. Miguel burst into loud belly laughs, shoving weakly at Peter’s hands. He made a show of taking a deep breath before blowing a raspberry against Miguel’s neck.

A string of curses gave way to helpless cackles and snorts, especially when Peter started nibbling. “Ohohokahay, oho fuhuhuck thahat’s bad! Peter!” Miguel scolded through hysterics, and needless to say everyone in the room was thoroughly amused.

Peter backed off with a smug grin. “You alright?” Miguel stood there, catching his breath and shot a harsh glare at him. He also shot him the bird. If it was even possible, Peter grinned wider.

“What?” Miguel snapped, though it wasn’t as harsh as you’d expect.

“I bit you. You’re possessed now, it’s how it works,” he explained, oh so casually. Miguel scoffed, furrowed his brows, doing anything to try to appear not amused.

“Bullshit.”

“No, it’s true! It had to be how MJ transferred it to me!” he explained frantically.

“You’re really gonna blame your wife?” Miguel quipped. Pavitr barked out a laugh before covering his mouth with his hand.

“You’re missing the point. You’re possessed by the ghost too now,” he said, acting as though it was grave news, but the sparkle in his eyes when he looked at Miguel said otherwise.

“Oh so it’s a ghost now?” he asked, not even bothering to hide his amusement anymore. “Well then, it’s a good thing they aren’t real.” He walked to the doorway, but only made it about halfway.

Miguel suddenly doubled over in pain, a dramatic and very convincing groan emitting from his throat. They all watched on in concern as he jerked upright, arching his back. He unshed his claws with a dramatic motion of his hands. A deep, low chuckle left his lips as he slowly turned towards the group.

“Well well well, it would seem that Miguel is no longer with us,” he said in a threatening tone. He caught Peter’s gaze and flashed a sharp grin, winking. He addressed the rest of them, “But he wanted me to tell you: run.” He really didn’t have to tell them twice.

They scattered like mice, and Peter easily caught Miles in the rush. He was giggling before he even touched him, but the laughter doubled once he dug into his ribs.

Miguel was able to snatch Pavitr by the collar of his shirt, yanking him back and into his clutches. He clawed at his belly and Pav immediately let out a giggly shriek.

They carried on like this for some time, playing this odd game of chase. Every once in a while, Peter would glance at Miguel and see the way he was smiling and actually laughing along with the rest of them.

Maybe Peter should get “possessed” more often.

[webslingingslasher]

Tells Me We're Not Done

Part 2 to Something in the Orange.

this is so long tumblr is making me put it in two parts, adding part 3 after this!

Genre: Angst/Fluffy

Warnings: depictions of sex, stay safe, kiddos!

Word Count: 15k between here and part 3

Summary: Peter does his best to win you back after he dumps you.

The Parker household could be eerily quiet. 

Funny how you never noticed it before, usually the giggles escaping your mouth as Peter pinched lightly anywhere he could reach would fill the empty spaces. Or you could hear the whisper of Mays TV in her room, maybe even Peter as he danced around in the kitchen making grilled cheeses or grabbing you stashed soda. 

But right now in Peter’s room all you hear is the hum of the AC, and the drips coming from his bathroom sink, he needs to turn it off all the way. You hear the slow whoosh of cars passing by several floors down, you hear Peter’s fingers tapping on the kitchen counter, you can’t help but wonder if it’s because he’s looking for something or he’s trying to think of something to say, anything to break the silence. 

You hadn’t looked at Peter since you got here, you didn’t even speak to him. 

“Hey! I’m glad you could still find the place.” He tried to joke. Tried. 

You nodded your head and swerved around him into his room, you set your bag higher on your shoulders, and then you felt very aware of your surroundings. It’s been a while since you’ve been in his room, it was almost comedic, this was always where you felt the most safe but you have never been more on edge than right now. 

Where did you sit? 

On his bed? Too many memories, the way he fit over your body perfectly. The bed where he made you feel loved and protected and safe and treasured? No, you can’t sit there. 

At his desk? The same one you would sit across his lap on, the one that you had begged a time or two to get off his game so he could get on you? The same desk he’s bent you over? No, you can’t sit there. 

Peter watches you move your head around his space before your shoulders slump with defeat and you throw your backpack off and drop to the floor sitting crisscross. 

The floor was safe, nothing happened on the floor. 

“Want anything to eat? Something to drink?” 

The carefulness in his voice, the comforting gesture made the hair on your neck raise, you didn’t say a word. 

You didn’t want to be here, that was well known. 

Peter sighed and made himself absent, it didn’t feel good to him either. Knowing that this is your worst nightmare and you were currently experiencing it made him feel pretty shitty, it doesn’t help that you won’t give him anything to work with either. 

You stared at the carpet long enough to see swirls and shapes, tracing with your hands. Your brain made a pattern with the sink drips, pause, pause, pause, drip. Pause, pause, pause, drip. It began moving in sync with Peter’s finger tapping in the kitchen, pause, pause, pause, drip, tap. Pause, pause, pause, drip, tap. 

What deity did you piss off to put you in this position? 

The words echo as your hand pushes the carpet one way, darker, the other way, lighter. 

“Y/N and Peter. Y/N and Peter. Y/N and Peter.” 

It happened Wednesday, and now it was Saturday. 

“I have some news. We are breaking down points in history and colliding them with story acts. You have all been assigned a partner and will have two weeks to complete it. We finish next Wednesday, but you’ll be getting your partners today and you can start working on it now. Get an idea, I’ll be passing out sheets with different points in history you can pull from.” 

She rolled her eyes when the class groaned, “Yeah, yeah. If you want to let the creativity flow feel free to pull a moment on your own. I’m letting you guys take the rein on this, have fun! Express yourselves!” 

You blew a heavy breath, you haven’t paid attention in months and now you were being thrown into a massive assignment. Mrs. Bender approached the front of the room and grabbed a stack of papers. “Y/N, Tonya, please pass these out to your classmates.” 

The stack was split and she handed you each one and you both went to separate sides of the room. You started in front and worked towards the back, the fourth table was MJ and Peter. You gave one to MJ and met her eyes, “Hi.” She smiled back, “Hey.” 

You let one fall to the middle of the desk, the paper sweeping the air before sliding across the slick black table and falling to the ground. You shrugged at the paper on the floor and shrugged, “Oops.” You stepped on the front of the page and made your way to the table behind them. 

Peter watched MJ smirk, he turned his gaze to the ground and picked up his paper stamped with your shoe print. 

“These will be your partners, no exchanges or substitutions allowed. Tonya and Brent. MJ and Kate. Yousif and Rusty. Drea and Drake. Cory and Becca. Y/N and Peter.” 

Your eyes shot up to the room, your heart was racing. This couldn’t be happening, not him. Not your ex, you literally begged him to hook up and he left. You told him everything was a front, that you still lo- No. Don’t think about that. 

This was a nightmare. Your cheeks burst with heat, your heart hit your rib cage with each thump, your palms become sweaty on the tabletop. You had to keep swallowing the saliva building in your mouth, scared that you’d puke if you stopped. 

The teacher just kept going like she didn’t end your world. 

“Dustin and Vanessa. Forrest an-“ You cut her off and shoved a hand in the air before speaking. 

“No! No, No, Absolutely not!” Peter’s head shot to yours. The other students were already moving around matching up with their partners. 

“What was that?” The teacher stopped her rambles. 

“Please. Anyone else, I’ll do anything. I’ll clean your car, I’ll do Saturday school until the end of year! I’ll even stay late and grade your last classes work! Please, anything!” You pleaded. 

“No exceptions, it’s not fair to everyone else.” She shrugged her shoulders and tried to continue. 

“What if I work alone?” You stood at your desk. 

“No.” She flipped her grade book. 

You huffed and swore under your breath. 

“Fine! I won’t do it then!” You threatened no one but yourself. 

“Ms. Y/N do I need to remind you of your circumstance? You don’t do this project, you’re out of here. Permanently.” She raised an eyebrow and taunted you, she wanted to see how you would react. 

You threw your hands up and slumped back on your seat. “Yeah! I know! I know!” 

Even being paired with Peter wouldn’t make you talk to him, and bless his heart for trying. He’s tried cornering you in school, he’s tried calling (and was ignored immediately), he even showed up at your window but all he received was an unwavering middle finger until he slowly crept away. 

His last ditch was a text, ‘Hey. I know you don’t want to talk to me, but we need to get this done. Come to mine tonight?’ 

He wasn’t expecting a response, and you didn’t give one. You just showed up. 

“Water?” 

He held out a bottle and you sniffed, dragging your knee to your chin you turned the other way. Peter placed it next to you anyways. 

“You sure you don’t wanna sit up here?” Peter tapped the space next to him on the bed. 

“I’m fine where I am.” The first words you spoke to him all week and they were just as distant and cold as when you told him you hated him. He never really believed that, but now he was. 

“I can pull my desk chair over, or I can get one from the kitchen-” 

“I said I’m fine.” You cut him off and listened to the empty space, you relied on the drips like a metronome. Then the hum of the AC, and new to the mix was Peter breathing. It wasn’t loud but it was steady, something to build off of. If you tried really, really hard maybe you could hear the blood pumping in and out of his heart. 

“What do you smell right now?” The carpet was leaving an almost itchy feeling on your fingertip but you kept swirling it, scared if you stopped they would shake. 

“Uh, I don’t know. I can smell your perfume, and I think Mr. Denison next door is making cookies or banana bread.” Confused. He was confused. 

“Not like that. Me.” 

Peter’s eyes widened.  It was very rare for you to ask him to use his senses on you, it’s not like he had a choice, it would happen regardless. But he respected that you didn’t want to know, or didn’t care to, so unless you asked he never brought it up. 

He breathed out slowly and took an inhale at the same rate, he looked at you and frowned slightly. You wouldn’t look at him still, you were turned from him and curled inwards trying to get as far away from him as possible. 

“Scared. Nervous. Anxious. Upset. Sad. Hurt.” 

You let out a small laugh. 

“Was that Spidey, or was that your intuition?” 

“A little of both.” 

Drip, pause, pause, pause, drip. 

“I’m sorry, by the way. I don’t think I ever told you that, but I am.” 

You looked at him for the first time in a week, you actually recognized him as a human. 

“For what?” 

“Hurting you. Breaking up with you, making you hate me. Fuck, I don’t know, Y/N. Can I just give you an umbrella apology?” 

You nodded at him. 

Drip. 

“How would we move past this?” 

“What do you mean?” Peter can’t help his spirits get slightly lifted at that. 

“I don’t know how to look at you and not be overwhelmed with sadness, Peter. You were my entire fucking life and it was smashed in one night. And I know you’re trying to fix it, and I really want you to. I want to go back like nothing ever happened but it did. It did happen, and you really, really hurt me. So how do we get past this?” 

“How can I give you that kind of power again?” You added with a whisper, you laid a cheek on your knee and closed your eyes. 

Drip. Pause, pause, pause. Drip. 

Peter breathes once, twice, three times, drip. Peter rubs his pant leg against the bed, the comforter ruffles, he breathes, drip, drip, drip. 

You can’t stand it anymore, now you understand why Chinese water torture is mind exploding. 

“I don’t know, but it’s not up to me anymore.” Peter’s turn to keep his sight from you. 

“What does that mean?” You nearly wince at your voice. Why did you sound so sad? 

Peter looks you in the eye, it wasn’t his decision anymore. That much was clear. 

“I hurt you, I broke your trust. I did the worst thing to you I could’ve ever done. It’s up to you now, what do you want? Do you want to be friends, never speak to me again, or maybe somewhere in the middle?” 

You chew your bottom lip and look his face over. 

Drip. 

You think of each time you’ve kissed his cheeks, each time you’ve counted his freckles while he’s slept, each time you traced over his features, every moment of him being yours came in a flash. 

Drip. 

More than anything in the world, you missed loving him like you could lose him. There was nothing so delicate and private in the world. 

Drip. 

“I know what I want.” The words were a whisper, scared to say them aloud, scared to whisper them into admission. 

“Tell me.” His tone matched yours, he was just as scared to hear it as you were to say it. 

Drip. 

“I want you to win me back.” 

You can’t remember the last time you’ve seen Peter smile like that, not since he was yours. 

His teeth sunk into his bottom lip failing to catch the growing grin. 

“I can do that.” He nods. 

 “I can do that.” 

—-------------------

Flowers everyday. 

That’s how it started. 

On Monday they were purple Hyacinths, left outside your front door with a small handwritten note: Sorrow, please forgive me. 

You’re reminded of every time Peter’s tried to get your attention with a wave or a smile or even tried to offer an olive branch by walking you home. 

Tuesday they were red Tulips with a similar note attached: Believe me, my feelings are true. 

You know he’s sorry, he’s made that much clear. 

Wednesday they were Violets: I’ll always be there.

Even when you haven’t wanted him. 

Before the presentation in class Hydrangeas were left in your locker: Good luck and fortune.

Thursday were mixed Zinnias: Thinking in memory of an absent friend and lasting affection.

He’s missed you just as much as you’ve missed him. 

Friday was a Gladioli: Give me a break, I am really sincere.

He’s asking you to trust him one more time. 

Saturday morning there were several flowers and notes outside of your window. 

A Coreopsis: Always cheerful.

You’ve made him so happy.

A Lily of the Valley: A return to happiness, you’ve made my life complete. 

You give him something to look forward to.

A Dandelion: Faithfulness and happiness.

Something he can rely on. 

A Lavender stem: Admiration. 

He doesn’t know how someone could be so perfect.

A red Carnation: My heart aches for you. 

He hasn’t ever known pain that ebbs so deep into him.

A Sweet-Pea: Thank you for a lovely time. 

You gave him a true meaning in life, not Spider-Man, Peter. You gave Peter a meaning.

A Forget-Me-Not: True love and memories. 

It really was true love, there was nothing more pure about it.

A Narcissus: Stay as sweet as you are. 

He can only hope he hasn’t damaged that.

A Petunia: Your presence soothes me. 

You have a presence that calms him, it’s a talent only you and Aunt May possess. 

A Camellia: I’m longing for you. 

He’s thought of you everyday since he ended it. 

A Daffodil: You’re the only one, the sun is only shining when I’m with you. 

Everything's better when you’re around.

Finally a Primrose: I can’t live without you. 

Because he really can’t.

On Sunday you caught him in the act. 

Dressed in dark tan khakis, a blue plaid button down and a dark gray jacket. His Nike shoes matched the hints of dark blues in his shirt, his hair looked extra fluffy today. You always begged him to grow it longer, sometimes he would appease you and wait an extra week or two before he chopped it but the past month he’s let it grow, long curls framed his face and all you wanted to do was tangle them around your fingers. 

“Careful, another bouquet and I’ll have to start my own nursery.” You chided him and grinned when his cheeks flushed briefly after he slightly jumped unaware of your lurking presence. 

“Were you waiting for me?” His hand was behind his back, you were eager to see the flower of the day. 

“Maybe. It’s impressive how you’ve dropped them all week without me seeing you. Are you using your stealth secrets on me?” 

“I could be, It’s better to see your reaction when I’m not in front of you. It seems more authentic.” 

“Oh, when you’re not in front of me? Does that mean you’re lurking around watching me like some kind of stalker?” You grinned at his caught look, he didn’t mean to let that slip, but he was going to lean into it. 

“I just want to make sure you get them, I don’t want some sorry guy coming by stealing my tactics.” 

“Have you watched me before? Cause I swear I’ve got the feeling someone is just out of sight on a roof I can’t see.” You hinted at his alter ego and watched him nonchalantly shrug. 

“Sometimes. Mostly at night when you were alone, I used to walk you home, you know. What if some guy from Ryker's got out and thought you were an ex that locked them up and you got stabbed to death?” 

Your eyes widened. “Is that the stuff you worried about when we broke up?” 

We. No, ‘when you’, it was we. 

“Like a mantra.” 

A frown crossed your face. “Here I was worried you weren’t going to know how to put your own band-aids on, nice to know you are still obsessed over me.” 

“Always have, always will.” He smiled and remembered why he was here. 

“I have something for you.” 

You grinned and made grabby hands, “Lemme see it!” 

“It’s not a flower.” 

You pouted and booed. 

“Let me give you mine first then.” 

Peter’s eyebrows raised, “You have something for me?” 

“Yeah, hold on.” You dipped back into your room for a moment and emerged with a small pot, three short green stalks were bunched together. You held it out for him to grab, one hand was kept behind his back. 

He looked at you and waited for the explanation. 

“It’s a lucky bamboo. It symbolizes growth and renewal, something for a new life stage. I thought it was fitting.” 

He hugged it tight to his chest, “Thank you. I love it, I am gonna nurture the fuck out of this. His name is gonna be Groot, thank you.” 

“You’re welcome.” 

You both just smiled at each other for a moment too long, almost forgetting why you were both here. You think Peter lent in for a second before jumping slightly, he remembered why he came. 

“Here’s yours.” 

Peter passed you a folded up paper, you looked confused but grabbed it from him. You looked up to catch him grinning at his branches and he whispered something to the green before nodding at you to unfold the paper. 

Inside were two printed tickets to the Planetarium, you gasped and dropped your jaw. You looked towards him and he was already smiling at your reaction. 

“Oh my god, Peter!” 

You rushed forward with a squeal and crushed him in a hug, both of your arms wrapped around his, he let out a ‘oof’ and pulled one arm from under yours to wrap it around you. You pushed forward just a little closer, resting your cheek against his chest, he felt warm and sturdy. No matter how much time passed you missed this the most, just feeling him, and feeling like nothing could harm you. 

“Did I do good?” His words felt like vibrations in your cheek. 

“Amazing!” You grinned up at him and pushed yourself to your tiptoes to place a kiss on the corner of his mouth. 

He paused for a second, shock in his system. You kissed him. Well, not a full on kiss, but it was a hint of one. 

“Well then, would you like to go on a date with me?” 

You smiled so wide you bit your bottom lip trying to rein it in. 

“I would love to.” 

-------------------------------------------------

A date it was. 

Peter pulled out all the stops, he took you to a nice dinner, one where they had a candle on the table and ketchup wasn’t available. He even looked over the menu beforehand and let you know what he thinks you would like, not that you can’t make your own choices but new restaurants always give you a little anxiety. You were unsure what you would like and felt like you were wasting time looking over the menu rereading the same summaries hoping one would jump out at you. 

Then after dinner he gave you his jacket, walking down the street you were confused when he didn’t call for a taxi but followed him anyway. You looked down at his hand next to yours and grabbed it, then he intertwined them and pulled you to the side of a building. You looked up at the sign and then him. 

“Chocolatier?” 

He pulled an eyebrow up, “You didn’t think I forgot about dessert did you? 

“I’m getting two slices of cake.” You moved to pull him inside, he followed behind and you both paused at the door inhaling the sweet scent blowing in your faces. 

“As long as I can get a bite.” 

“We’ll see.” 

After dessert he took you to the planetarium and you gazed up in awe at the constellations. The seats were recliners and lent all the way back so you had undivided attention at the ceiling. 

“Which one is that?” You pointed up at a stack of stars, they almost made the shape of a person. Peter followed your finger up, “That one?” He pointed at the same star, you nod. 

“Andromeda. A Greek princess.” 

“Ooh. Wait, where is the big bear and little bear?” You moved your head but couldn’t place it, those were your favorites. 

Peter grabbed your hand and pointed up at them, he traced the stars with your finger, “Big bear,” then lowered your hand, moved it slightly and traced again, “Little bear.” A soft smile crossed your face, you always thought of those as you and Peter, you followed him around mimicking his antidotes and sidekicking every bit of the way. 

You moved in closer to Peter and turned halfway to rest your head on his shoulder, looking up at him from your eyes you shuffled in deeper. 

“Tell me all about the ones you know.” 

And he did, he took you through each one slowly, sometimes picking your hand up to point at them and trace the lines so you knew exactly what he was talking about. Peter spoke quietly and calmly, you were the only ones in the room but it still felt extremely private, this was a moment for you and him only. 

“This one is Apus, the bird of paradise. This one is supposed to be the beak, and this one is the tail. And this one is Ara, it’s an altar that was used by Gods before battle with the Titans to vow their allegiance.” He traced the outline and you stared in awe.��

“And this one here is Aquila,” 

“It looks like an eagle.” 

“It is! Look at you, smartie.” 

“He was the retriever of Zeus’s thunderbolts.” 

“Oh! And look at this one here, this one is really cool. It’s Antlia, and it’s my favorite because it literally translates to-” 

You stopped him with a kiss. 

It was slow, you moved against each other for a minute or two. You weren’t all over each other, it wasn’t full of passion and heat. It was a kiss that meant more than that, it was trust, it was giving, it was kind. It was love, you both felt it. 

“Air pump. It translates to air pump.” 

His first words when you broke away, his eyes blinked open slowly and he looked towards you. You couldn’t help yourself and lent in for one more, it was shorter. Just a little longer than a peck. 

“What was that for?” Peter was breathless, he wasn’t expecting that. He wasn’t expecting anything like that for a while. 

“Because I think you’re lovely.” 

“That's funny, because I think you’re lovelier.” 

You frowned for a moment, you didn’t feel lovely. 

The past week you’ve done a lot of reflecting. You hadn’t been kind, or nice, or patient with Peter like he’s been with you. Instead you’ve been bitter, mean, and miserable. It wasn’t right, if you love someone you don’t treat them like that. 

“I’m not. Or at least I haven’t been. And, I’m sorry too, by the way.” 

“Sorry for what?” 

“Being the worst. I was so caught up in being hurt and mad at you I forgot you were hurting too. I think I forgot that even though you might have ended it, it hurt you too. And I’m sure I made it worse for you because I took all my hurt and anger out on you, I never should’ve said all those things. I should’ve never said I hate you, that was low and dirty of me. I don’t hate you, at all. I don’t think I ever could, actually. I just wanted to make you hurt like I did, but it made me feel worse because you didn’t deserve that. So, I’m sorry.” 

You blinked back tears, it was a good night so far and you didn’t want to ruin it with waterworks. 

“Oh, baby. C’mere.” Peter held you into him and kissed the top of your head. 

“It’s okay. I know you didn’t mean it, and it sucked but I get why you did it. You just wanted to make it even, doesn’t make it right but you needed to work through it. Just promise me you’ll never say it again, I don’t know if I can handle that again.” He pinched at your side and smiled when he made you giggle. 

“Deal.” You kissed his cheek and breathed in his neck, you missed his smell. 

“I missed you calling me that.” Your words were muffled, a vulnerable admission. 

“What, baby?” You nodded in his neck. 

“I can start doing it again, it’s yours anyways.” 

“I’d like that, Petey.” You smile pulling away.

Peter slapped a hand over his chest. “Be still, my heart.” 

“I thought you hated that nickname?” 

“I did. Until I didn’t hear it for four months.” 

You giggled and looked at the stars once more. It was a perfect night, but you couldn’t help but think about how many nights like this you’ve missed out on since things ended. 

“Can I ask you a question?” 

Peter picked your hand up and kissed the back of it. 

“Anything.” 

“Why did you end it?” 

Lips froze on your hand. It was obvious he wasn’t expecting that. 

“Baby, listen to me. Tonight was a good night, right?” 

You nodded. “The best.” 

“I don’t want to ruin tonight, and I’m not saying you are. I would be. We’ll talk about it, I promise. But I don’t want to tonight, is that okay?” 

“You would ruin the night?” 

“It’s hard for me to talk about it. No one knows the full story, and you’ll be the only one who gets it. I just don’t want to open that door tonight. Is that okay?” 

You wanted to ask why it was hard for him to talk about it, and why he never told anyone the real reason, but that would defeat the purpose of him not wanting to talk about it. 

“That’s okay. We’ve got nothing but time.” 

Peter looked at you for a second soaking your words in. 

“You sure?” 

You kissed him once more, a promise. 

“Positive. Now tell me which one that is.”

—————————————————

The next two weeks went by slowly, you never did get that reasoning. It wasn't an omission on Peter’s part but you’ve both been busy doing other things and it hasn’t really crossed your mind, and the times it did it didn’t feel like the right time to bring it up again. 

You slowly started to integrate your life back with Peter’s. 

It started with sitting with him, Ned and MJ at lunch, Betty too when she wasn’t in the TV room piecing together her next segment for the morning announcements. Then Peter started walking to class with you holding your books or backpack when it got too heavy, and then finally you let him sit next to you in shared classes again. 

“Psst. Peter.” 

He kept his eyes on the board trying to copy down the words from the slide before they disappeared, this teacher changed slides too quickly. You were trying to copy the last slide from his paper but his arm blocked off part of what you needed. 

“Peter.” You whispered again but he kept going, to be fair he did have a headphone in. He was having a bad sense day, everything was just a bit too much for him, which is why he’s been clinging to you all day. For whatever reason you always calmed it down for him, sometimes you made it worse when things were getting a bit too physical, but usually you calmed him. 

“Babe?” 

His head whipped to yours, that's the first time you’ve dropped that line on him. 

“Yes?” 

You pointed at your sheet where it dropped off and pouted, “Help.” 

He immediately moved his arm and pushed his paper towards you a bit more and watched as you scratched down his notes, someone coughed and his ears rang, then again, and again. He started to shake his leg, then someone started to sniffle, it felt like it was in his head. Without pausing you wrapped your left arm around his elbow and scribbled a bit faster, if he was focusing on something it made it a little easier. His foot stopped instantly, and the noises became more muffled. 

“All done. Thanks.” You pushed it back his way but kept your arm around his, he wouldn’t ask for it but you knew he needed it. 

“Anytime.” You know he means it. 

After the bell rang he stood pushing things in his backpack, you did the same and lingered for a moment, he grabbed your hand and walked with you out the classroom. 

“Would you like to go on a date tonight?” 

It was a Friday and last week he had taken you to the Zoo, it was becoming a weekly habit. Part of him trying to win you back, not that you would tell him but you think he already has. The point of this was to take it slow, you both know how this is going to end so there’s no rush. 

“What are you thinking?” 

“I don’t know, I was thinking I’d leave it up to you. Your turn to choose.” 

“Your house? We can have a sleepover and do movies, maybe you’ll let me do a face mask with you to put you back in my good graces.” You teased him lightly, he always gave pushback when you tried to do spa nights, but he would always give in without much of a fight. 

“Shh, be quiet. I don’t need people thinking I’m a softie doing spa nights with my girl.” He teased back, as if he would care if people thought he was softie. He was the biggest softie around you and that’s one of the things you loved most. 

“Your girl? Who, me?” You looked around and smiled when he wrapped his arm around your shoulder and tucked you into his side. 

“Of course, you. Who else could I want?” 

Later that evening you found yourself at the Parker household but it wasn’t so quiet this time, May was humming in the kitchen and upon you walking in she screamed and pushed Peter to the side. 

“Hugs, hugs! Peter move, let me at her!” 

May wrapped her arms around you in a vice grip scared you’d run away if she let go, she missed having you around the house. Peter had a pep in his step when he was with you but since things ended he’s been more melancholy and quiet, it doesn’t help that May has been berating him too. 

When he walked in after ended it with you she knew immediately something was wrong. She asked him outright, “What happened? What did you do, Peter? Please don’t tell me you did something stupid.” He did. He did do something stupid and admitted to it after sobbing into his aunt's arm for an hour.  

She waited two weeks before she started in on him, like at the store, “I have a feeling I need to get strawberry ice cream, but I can’t remember who for. Was it that girl that came around before you broke her heart?” And Peter would heavily sigh, “Yes, May. That’s her.” 

She just missed having you around, and seeing Peter so happy. 

“What are you doing here? Oh my gosh!” May was beaming looking between you and her nephew. 

“Well,” You looked to Peter and rested your hand on your stomach.

May let out a gasp, “Peter, I swear to god if you got her pregnant!” Even though Peter knows that's not the case he takes a step back for extra measure. 

“Ew! God no. I wouldn’t let him touch me like that, May. He’s gross.” 

“Hey!” A whine.

“We were paired for a project at school and started hanging out again.” You smiled at May, you missed her as much as she did you. 

“And you’re hanging out here?” May pointed at the floor, she can’t believe after a school project things were fine. 

You nod. “Yes. Peter is trying to win me back, it’s date night. He let me choose and I wanted to have a sleepover, I even talked him into a spa night!” 

Peter’s eyes lit up, you were letting him put the pieces back into place.

“Date night? Since when is there a designated date night?” May was sputtering. 

You look at Peter and think back, his face helping you form an answer. “Three weeks?” 

Peter nods. 

May’s jaw dropped, her nephew mentioned nothing of this. At all. 

“Peter! What the fuck!” 

He jumped, “What?” 

“What is right! You’ve been taking her out without me knowing? Why?!” May was in shock, she knows Peter knows how much she’s missed you, she bullies him every chance she gets. 

“I don’t know,” Peter shrugged but did know why, and May knew that too. She just stared at him with that mom look and he looked at the ground and continued before looking at you. 

“I know you missed her, May. I wasn’t sure how this would go, I still don’t. It’s not my decision at the end, I didn’t want to get you all excited just to tell you I failed.” 

‘Peter.’ You mouthed the words, he shook his head subtly. You caught it, it meant ‘not now.’

May let out a breath and slapped her hands on her pants. “Okay, that’s fair. You should’ve given me a warning before you let her in though, I nearly had a heart attack.” 

“And you my dear,” She spun to you and wiggled in joy once more, still amazed you were truly in the room, here for a rekindling. 

“Are more than welcome to stay the night! Do you have dinner plans, or any plans at all? I’m about to leave for work, is there anything either of you need?” 

“Thanks, May! Peter’s cooking for me tonight, he said he got a new recipe.” 

Peter cut off May’s impressed look, “It’s just a restaurant copycat, May. I’ve just never made it for her before.” 

“Is that why you got so many tomatoes at the store? Are you making your own tomato sauce!” 

“Oh my god, Peter.” You whined out at him, he cut his gaze towards you and grinned. He was down bad. 

“You’re making homemade sauce? That is so cute, c’mere.” You tugged at him for a side hug, not missing the way May’s eyes gleamed. 

“Well, I just cleaned the kitchen so it’s up to the chef now.” She throws a wink at her nephew, “It is so nice having some sunshine back in the apartment, I’ll see you both in the morning. Good night!” May placed a kiss to each of your foreheads and made a final goodbye at the door, you heard the click where she locked it on the outside. 

You were alone and excited, you didn’t plan on anything happening tonight and sure, you definitely missed Peter in that way, but seeing him so domestic you wanted to lay him down flat and make him a mess. 

He had changed into sweatpants, baby yoda printed socks poked out, and his white tee. You think he did it on purpose, he didn’t act like he did but he has to know what he’s doing. It seemed just a bit too tight, like he hadn’t worn it in a while and it just came out the dryer, it was snug across his chest and constricted around his biceps that flexed at every subtle movement of him mixing a pot of red. 

“I regret my choice for date night.” 

“Oh?” He looked sad, “We can do something else, what did you have in mind?” 

“Oh no, I am very much enjoying what I’m seeing. That’s the issue, Mr. Parker.” 

“That doesn’t seem like much of an issue to me, dear.” 

His back was turned to you again, he spoke a little louder to make up for his echo towards the stove. You were sitting on the kitchen counter next to the sink, feet swaying and slightly kicking the cabinet, if it was a few months ago Peter would scold you for kicking them. He would tell you May would beat you up and then he would have to beat May up for doing so, and then he would grab at your knees and stop them while he squeezed and you would laugh trying to peel his hands off. 

Tonight he was letting you get away with it, he’s been letting you do that recently. Small things that would’ve pushed him in the past didn’t get to him, or he was allowing it to happen so he didn’t push you too far with scolding. You chewed your bottom lip and watched him, he had a white rag thrown over his shoulder. You peered down to your right and saw the cheese grater and plate, he even was grating fresh cheese, he was going all out for you tonight. 

“I think it needs more oregano, or pepper. It’s missing something, what do you think?” He licked the corner of his mouth for any extra tomato sauce, his face scrunched in concentration. Peter held his hand under the wooden spoon lightly blowing on it before raising it to your mouth, you smacked your lips a few times getting a taste, “Add a little salt, then let me try again.” 

He nodded and you watched him add more of the flaked salt, then returned with another cooled mouthful. “Mm, I think you were right. It’s really yummy though.” Peter smiled and patted your knee, “Thank you, baby.” Your heart gushed and you yearned for a kiss, the rules were weird. You weren’t together yet, choosing to really make sure you can trust him. But, you also weren’t not together, he was taking you on dates, and doting, and really, really trying. 

You were dating, that was clear. And people who go on regular dates kiss, right? Not to mention you were dating for almost two years, you’ve kissed before. It wouldn’t be weird at all, and it hasn’t been. Each peck you’ve given had a hidden layer of lust, each time you met it was harder to pull away. Part of you was nervous for tonight, you were scared you wouldn’t be able to stop yourself. 

Especially when sharing a bed.

Gathering courage you slid to your feet feather light, you stood behind him for a moment before leaning in, sticking your nose in the crease of his armpit. “Hi,” He turned his neck to glance at you for a moment before turning his head back, “Hi, baby.” You moved to lay your cheek on his shoulder blade, hands coming around his chest and pressing into him, “You’re warm,” your words were slightly muffled from a squished cheek. 

“You light a fire in me, what can I say?” 

“Gross, you’re cheesy.” You moved to pull away but he caught your hands and held his against yours to hold them there, he was asking for an extra cuddle. You gave in, bear hugging his back, you squeezed tight, “Can we go out for ice cream after dinner?” 

“Anything you want.” 

“Anything I want, huh?” 

He hummed. 

“Can I ask a question?” 

“Shoot.” 

“Kiss?” 

Peter turned in your hold, “Pretty girl, you never have to ask for a kiss. Now, c’mere.” 

He leant to kiss you, his thumb rubbing at your cheek made you dizzy. It was luring you into a trap, you didn’t care. Peter broke first, “Good?” You blinked your eyes open slowly, “Another,” He gave you one more, you held on for a moment longer, he broke away again, he leaned away trying to find space, he needed to stir his sauce, it was almost at a simmer. 

You followed his mouth, a peck, “Baby,” another peck, “I gotta stir,” another, “Baby,” he laughed and drew his head back, you kissed his chin. “One more for good measure,” He rolled his eyes, but did it regardless, both hands cupping your face he squashed your lips in a playful kiss, pulling back with an animated pucker sound. 

“Now get back, menace.” 

Peter was finally able to focus on the main part of the dish, he flattened the protein with a tenderizer and started to grate the cheese. You wondered if it would be the wrong time to bring it up again, the ‘why’ question. 

“Is it a bad time to bring it up?” 

He paused for a split second, his focus reminded on the sharp grater. You watched the parmesan fall like snow. 

“You won’t be my girlfriend until I tell you.” 

It wasn’t a question, it was rhetorical. 

“No, I don’t think I will.” It was a sad smile. 

“The thing I’m scared of is,” He rolled the wrapping on the cheese down a bit further then started to grate again, “ that you won’t want to be my girlfriend once I tell you.” 

“Will I be mad?” 

“I think it’s more disappointment.” 

“Is it worse than breaking up with me?” 

“I,” He paused and knocked the extra cheese off the grater and leveled the bowl. He started once more, “I don’t know.” He looked at you and sighed. “I don’t want you to hate me.” 

“Is it that bad?” You can’t think of something that extreme, something only you and him would share. It was obviously extremely personal. 

Peter stopped and moved to his left to stand between your thighs, one hand resting above your knee. He tapped his thumb and thought of his words, how he would tell the story looking at you. 

“I uh, I got in a fight?”

He sounded unsure, you don’t think it was a lie but you question the choice of words.  

“When?” 

“A week before I ended it.” 

“Why?” A whisper. 

Peter bent his bottom lip with a nibble, he looked to the side and you saw moisture prick at the edges of his eyes. He shrugged, his voice cracked when he looked back at you. 

“You.” 

“Me?” 

“I, uh. It was, well I don’t. I just, I can’t right now. I can’t, I’m sorry.” 

You knew it was a bad time, and you get what he meant at the planetarium, it was a mood killer.  

“We don’t have to talk about it anymore tonight, Petey. Let’s drop it and forget it for now, we can unpack this later. Right now I just want to eat your yummy dinner and cuddle on the couch with a movie, is that alright with you?” 

“You sure?” 

“Positive. Give me a kiss, chef.” 

After dinner, which was delicious, you even ate scraps off Peter’s plate and then shoved yours into his chest and requested seconds that had him hopping to his own beat to the kitchen. Then dessert, which ended up with both of you choosing to swap ice cream for homemade cookies. 

Then you forced him to lay his head back into your lap while you applied a goopy paste that covered his face gray. 

“It’s cold” He whined  

“Cold is good, it shrinks your pores.” 

“My what?” 

You rolled your eyes, “it makes you look younger.” 

“I’m already baby faced, get it off!” 

When his phone timer went off you both tread into his bathroom to remove it, the space was slightly too small for two, both of you constantly bumping hips. 

“Get away from me, stinky.” Peter pulled into the corner while giving his chin circular motions after you scolded him for dragging his skin down. 

“If you want to shower with me just say so.” You winked at him in the mirror, you patted a towel on your face to remove any leftover moisture then waited to hand it off to Peter once he rinsed his own off.  

“That’s gross.” He still tore it from your hands and patted his own, softer after you screamed “Gentle!” 

“What is, the face mask?” 

“No, sharing a towel.” 

You pulled a neutral face, “Wait until you find out about all the other things we’ve shared.” 

“Is that a sexual innuendo? I’m calling HR.” 

A yawn exchange was currently in place, you started it. Then Peter gave one, then you copied, and because you yawned he did, you opened your mouth to rinse and repeat when he pushed your face to the side with his hand. 

“Stop it, go to bed.” His voice was teasing, “You stuffed me! I’m being lulled to sleep in the comfort of your arms.” 

You had both started on opposite sides of the couch, then you shifted to the middle, then stretched your legs out on his lap and he lightly scratched at your shins. Then halfway through the first movie you swapped so his fingers were scratching at your scalp. And somewhere between a bathroom break and the start of the second movie you sauntered back over to the couch but on Peter’s half. 

“Open sesame.” You made a parting motion at his crossed arms. 

He opened and dropped his arms like dead weight and watched as you pulled them in whatever position you liked, you finally settled on laying with your butt against his hip, one arm was crossed under your head as a pillow and the other was thrown over your chest. 

“Finished fluffing me?” 

“This pillow talks too much.” 

You both stayed like that for a movie and a half, Peter had to pee so bad his eyes were watering but he refused to break the cuddles. He never, ever wanted to leave your side again. 

“Go to bed, it’s okay.” He watched you wiggle up with a stretch. You picked up the soft throw blanket to follow in with you, you blinked at Peter and waited for him to rise. When he didn’t move you poked his shin with a toe, “Are you coming or staying up?” His eyebrows stretched, “You want me to come? I was prepared to crash in May’s.” 

“You think I chose a sleepover to sleep alone? Rude.” 

“No! I just didn’t expect to share a bed. I know we’re in this inbetween stage, I didn’t want to rush anything.” 

“Well, I want to share a bed. So, share a bed we may.” 

Peter rose in an instant, clicking the TV off with the remote, darkness enveloped the room, you blinked to adjust Peter’s frame. He rested a hand on your lower back to guide you into his room. 

“Yes ma’am.” 

He sunk into bed and reset the pillows, his jaw dropped when you raised your shirt above your head and ripped off a sports bra. 

“Oh my god, boobs.” 

“What? These old things?” 

“Boobs. I see boobs right now.” 

You giggled and gave your chest a little shake, his head darted back and forth with the movement. It was like shaking a treat at a dog. 

“Last time you saw them you wanted nothing to do with em!” 

He shook his head, “That’s because you were drunk, someone had to make a good decision.” 

“I wasn’t that drunk, I still remember that whole night and gag when I think about it.” 

Peter kept trying to go between your face and chest, he was doing his best at looking at you, but you saw the subtle drop down and back up. 

“Wanna touch them?” 

He gasped and his face lit up. 

“For real?” 

“For real.” 

Peter made grabby hands, and kissing sounds. You laughed at his childish demeanor and kneeled on his bed, chest in his face. 

“This is so much better than Christmas.” 

He chewed his bottom lip. 

“I’m gonna touch them.” 

“Go ahead.” You pushed your chest forward. 

“Like right now.” 

“I’m wondering why you haven’t.” 

“I’m waiting for you to say, “just kidding, you’re a perv.””

“Not gonna happen.” 

“Okay then, I’m grabbing them yiddies.” 

And he did, he grabbed one in each hand and jiggled, then giggled when they danced in his face.

You slapped his hands away, “oh my god, I didn’t think you would actually do it, you perv!” 

His face dropped with his hands, until he saw your smile. “Menace.” He grabbed them again, then couldn’t help himself. 

Mesmerized, his words were filled with filth despite the innocence of his words.

“So pretty, baby.” So soft, so quiet. 

Only for your ears.  

“Says you, handsome.” Just as private as his, he shook his head, almost disappointed that you didn’t get it. 

“Are you sure you wanna cover these back up?” He moved his hands to watch them bounce one more time before you slapped them off, pushing off the bed to slide your shirt back over.

Crawling back into bed next to him you moved to cuddle him, leg thrown over his hip, hand tracing his chest while your head rested on his quick heartbeat. 

“Can I ask you a question?” 

“Uh oh.” He twirled his finger around your hair. 

“It’s nothing bad! I swear.” 

This is pillowtalk. Peter loves and misses pillowtalk. 

“Alright, run it by me.” 

“Sex. Thoughts, opinions, ideology?” 

“Sex good.” 

“So insightful, that will be quoted in years to come.” 

“Why are you asking me about sex?” 

“This isn’t asking me things, time, it’s me asking you things, time.” 

He stayed silent, he wouldn’t respond to you without an answer. When he acted dominating it was always a rush. 

“Uh! I guess I mean, ya know.” 

He truly didn’t know, but if he knows you, and he does, he had to take a guess. 

“You want to know if I want to have sex with you?” 

“You don’t have to say it like that.” You muffled the words in his shirt. 

Why were you so coy? 

He laughed, “Baby, I don’t think there’s another way to say that.” 

You waited, he didn’t answer. 

“Well?” 

“Hm.” He poked your side, “You first.” 

You turned to his face with an open mouth, “No way! I asked you first.” 

He rolled his eyes. “No you didn’t, I had to guess what you were trying to ask.” 

“Same thing! You always know what I mean, that’s why you’re my boyfriend!” 

A pause, no one moved or said anything. 

“I mean, before you totally ruined everything and dumped me and now caused yourself to be in this period of space and time due to the choices you’ve made up to this point in life, which is why you are not my current boyfriend, but you were in a past timeline and a possible future timeline. Speaking of which, when you told May getting back together may fail what did you mean by that? You think I may not take you back, or this will end with us officially, officially ending it?”

Peter blinked slowly, that was so much at once.

“That was so much at once.” 

You looked around the room, word vomit was always a bad habit of yours. And usually with Peter, he had a way of getting you to spill your guts. 

“I appreciate the clarification on the boyfriend status, but you didn’t have to be so brutal, damn.” He took a breath, “Second, I am trying to win you back, not the other way around. You already have me, so when I say this may fail, I mean it. At the end of the day, you have final say and I really may have ruined this for real.” 

“I panicked.” You didn’t mean to sound so harsh.

“I know you did.” 

“I know what I can say back to that.” 

“What’s that?” 

“You’re not my boyfriend.” 

“I know, sweetheart.” 

“Yet.” 

“Oh, word?” He held up his hand for a fist bump.

“Word.” You tapped knuckles. 

“Now, what was that about wanting to rattle my bones?” 

You rolled your eyes, “Oh my god, just say fuck.” 

“I have never said fuck in that context, it’s dirty.” 

“Peter! Sex is dirty, and that’s okay. Just say it, c’mon.” 

“Not happening, it makes me feel weird. I feel like I got a pass from my parents to cuss one time, and it doesn’t feel right.” 

“Peter if you don’t say you want to fuck me right now, I will give you a purple nurple.” 

“I would love to, fu- Nope, not happening, it’s wrong.” 

“Of course it’s wrong, don’t be nice!” 

“I am nice! That's all I have, unlike you! Menace.” 

“That’s toxic, now say it with your chest. “I wanna fuck you.” Just like that.” 

“I wanna… you.” He turned his head and mumbled the middle part.

“You wanna do what?”

“Fu..” He mumbled the rest and coughed in his fist, cheeks pink. 

“One more time, I know you’ve got it in you.” 

He groaned and tugged at his curls, “Nope, moment is over. Not happening, not my fault you couldn’t hear me.” 

“Ugh, fine.” You pulled away from him to get one last bathroom trip in, then jumped into bed and laughed when Peter held his arms out like he could steady the bed. 

That’s something he would’ve scolded you for, he stayed silent. 

On the brink of total slumber Peter whispered in your ear, he was currently holding you from behind, his arms wrapped around you and he was pressed against you. 

“Can I be little spoon?” 

You throw his arm off you and turn around, his face right in yours. 

“Of course I can jetpack!” 

Then you press a chaste kiss to his mouth, you pull back before he can register. 

“Goodnight, Petey.” 

—---------------------------------------------

Why was everyone looking at you?

It felt like a movie, walking into school everyone had turned their head and watched you. 

It was a dream, it had to be. Maybe you forgot pants, nope, you have pants on. Maybe someone buzzed your hair off, nope, every hair was still there. Maybe it was someone behind you, nope, just you. 

You were beginning to feel self conscious, the pressure was on for no reason. 

Why was everyone looking at you? 

Oh. That’s why. 

Every single locker in the senior hall had a post it note.

Each square is a different color. 

Each had the same words. 

“Peter loves Y/N.” 

You slowly walked the halls in awe, looping around to see that he had actually put one on each cage of blue metal. 

Every locker had his declaration of his love, except for yours. 

No, your’s was an entire collage, canary yellow post its covered the entire thing, only your combination lock was visabile. In bright red, boldly written across, “I LOVE YOU.” Over, and over, and over again. 

MJ approached your locker and nodded her head impressed, she always told Peter actions speak louder than words, looks like he finally listened. 

Unable to break your gaze away for more than two seconds you glance at her and look back at what you consider an art piece. 

“Be honest,” You look at her once more, “Do you think he loves me?” 

And she laughs, a rare full body shake laugh. You can’t help but laugh with MJ, it was contagious. 

“If he does, he doesn't show it well.” 

You sigh and look around the hallway once more. 

“Yeah, it’s really hard to tell.” 

———————————————

“There’s my little artist!” You kiss your fingers at Peter. 

“Is that a short joke? You know I’m sensitive.” 

“And you know you’re a short king.” 

You set your backpack on the lunch table before sitting next to him, and stare in awe. It was the most beautiful thing you’ve ever experienced, you would be reliving this moment forever. 

How could you not make him yours right now? 

“So you noticed?” 

You laugh, “I’m pretty sure everyone did. I think Mrs. Bender was jealous.” 

“Okay, you need to stop with the Mrs. Bender isn’t getting laid.” 

“Well, she shouldn’t act like she’s not getting dick.” 

“But it’s okay when you do?” 

“That is so mean, you have no idea, you are so toxic to me.” 

“Am I wrong?” 

“Yes! I get dick!” 

“Oh yeah, from where?”

“I have hoes!” 

“Name five.” 

“Well, I have you.” 

Peter makes a buzz noise, “It’s been almost five months, plus that was when we were dating. I can’t be a hoe if we’re dating.” 

“You can absolutely be a hoe while dating.” 

“Sure. Four more names, I’m waiting.” 

“I mean, there was this one guy.” You look to the side, oh, you were being truthful. 

Peter thinks it was that guy you talked about at the party with your friends. 

“Nathan?” 

“How did you know?” You look back at his face, nothing really happened and you felt the need to tell him that. Even though you were broken up you didn’t want him to think of you like that. 

“Lucky guess.” He winked. 

If he was bothered he was playing it off good. 

“It wasn’t what you think.” 

“What do you think, I think?” 

“That I fucked him.” 

Peter winced, he hated the word. So vulgar.

“I didn’t say that.” 

“Would it bother you if I did?” 

Why did you want him to be bothered by that? 

“I don’t know, which is why I don’t think about it. We were broken up, I can’t hold that over your head. But it doesn’t feel nice knowing someone else got to see and feel the same parts I did.” 

“Have you hooked up with someone else?” Sure, try and level the playing field. 

“Nope. I am untainted, I was a good little boy.” He grinned at you proudly. 

“Can I tell you about it? It isn’t super bad, but I will throw in a PG-13 warning, depictions of sex.” 

Peter grumbled. 

“If you gotta.” 

“I just don’t want you to think I’m a whore.” You nibbled on your lip. 

“Pause. I would never, and if that’s why you want to tell me, don’t. If you want to tell me to share that information with me, because you want to, then please do.” 

“He sucked. I swear.” 

Peter nods, but it still feels like you’re trying to make him feel better. 

“I was a little too drunk and he was all over me, and I really missed you and he was there. He didn’t even kiss me, he asked me to suck him off and I refused, then he said he would go down on me so I would suck his dick, then I don’t know what he was doing down there but I swear he was just pretending, Peter. I felt nothing.” 

“Then what?” He waited for you to continue after he took a bite from his turkey and wheat.

“I got up and left. I was so pissed at my friends for letting me go into that room with him.” 

“I should get you an ‘I survived’ medal.” 

You laughed and rested your forehead on his shoulder, nodding before looking at him. 

“Question?” 

“Whatcha what?” 

You blinked and looked at his mouth. He deserved a kiss, he made you the school’s star for the day, every one knew how much Peter Parker loved you. 

“Kissy?” 

He shook his head lightly. 

“What did I say about asking?” 

You shrug, innocence taking front place. You always got so shy when you confessed something to him. 

“I like it, it feels special.” 

“Okay then, ask me anytime you want a kiss.” 

“I want a kiss.” 

“Well, that’s more of a statement than a question, but I appreciate the enthusiasm, so come closer.” 

And you did, where he met you with a kiss. This one felt normal, it felt like home. It felt like every kiss you had before the break up, it was beginning to feel like it never happened and you weren’t sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. 

It sure did feel like a good thing though. 

“Hi cuties! Are we dating yet or still feeling it out?” Betty Brant broke up the kiss, Ned trailing in behind her with two lunch trays. 

“That line was so long, I am never doing Friday fish tacos again.” Ned sat down and wiped fake sweat from his forehead, his girlfriend sank next to him and pouted, “But I love Friday fish tacos.” 

Ned nods sternly. “I will be doing Friday fish tacos again.” 

Betty smiles and straightens her posture. 

“Dating?” 

Ned nods to you two turned into each other. 

“You look like a couple.” 

You wrap your hand around Peter’s arm. 

“Yeah, a couple of besties!” 

“Not the friendzone.” Peter’s voice is panicked. 

“Not dating?” Betty frowns, she is more invested in this than you thought. 

You smile at her for caring. “Not yet. I’m waiting for Peter to ask.” You bump your shoulder with his. 

Peter raises his head from his carrots, he crunches on one. 

“I don’t think I will.” You think he’s joking, but you quickly realize he’s not. 

“What do you mean?” 

He shrugs, “I think it would make more sense for you to ask me. I’m the one trying to win you back.” 

“Then ask?” You’re confused. 

“I feel like I already have, I’m just waiting on the yes.” 

Betty looks between you two frantically, Ned is busy assembling tacos. He’s used to these conversations between you two, he’s seen more than he can count. 

“But you haven’t asked since we started this.” 

“Okay, if I asked now would you say yes?” 

You chewed your lip. 

“I don’t know.” 

Peter raised his hand. 

“That is exactly why you should ask me.” 

“But that’s scary!” 

“You can do it, I believe in you.” 

“How about I tell you when I want you to ask me.” 

It’s almost the same thing. 

“No, I want you to ask me. I asked the first time.” 

“I don’t know how to ask you!” 

“Find a way, make it your way. There is no wrong or right way, just make sure you’re clear.” 

“Do you mean don’t accidentally say it like last weekend?” 

“There was a hint, yes.” 

You looked at Betty and winked. 

“What if I get down on one knee and ask?” 

“Okay. There is one wrong way.” 

“Super public too, maybe I’ll slide a twenty to the jumbotron camera guy at the Mets.” 

“Nightmare fuel.” Peter shuddered. 

Both you and Betty cracked up. 

—————————————-

May was shocked to see your face, yet again Peter has yet to fail to announce your presence. 

“Hi! What a surprise to see you again!” 

You melted into a hug, you spoke into her neck. 

“It’s a surprise for Peter too, I’m hoping for a surprise sleepover, I missed him a little too much tonight.” You whispered the last part, a little too much confession. 

“Always. Always, always welcome.” She placed a kiss on your temple and pulled you in. 

“Peter! Your girlfriends here!” 

“Yeah, Peter! Your girlfriends here!” You mimicked May’s words and shared a giggle. 

Peter emerged from his room, tugging up the zipper on his hoodie. His face went from shock to excitement, bouncing over to you. 

���Hi, handsome!” You held your hands out for a hug, his arms wrapping around your middle and squeezing tight, he rocked you back and forth. You weren’t the only one missing him more than usual. 

He pulled back and tilted his head, before he could ask a question you beat him to the punch. May watched in silence, happy to see the moment take place. The moment you fell back in love, truly and fully. 

“Kiss?” You puckered and waited. 

“Course.” He leant in, you settled for the quick pecks. 

Peter looked over your outfit and put the pieces together.

“Sleepover?”

You nod with a grin, “Sleepover!” 

Your eyes widened, you whipped your head at May. 

“Please, please tell me you got more popcorn.” 

“Ultimate butter. And, strawberry ice cream.” She smiled at your immediate grin. 

“I’m home,” you wipe a fake tear from under your eye.

You turned your head back to Peter with a puppy dog look, batting your eyelashes and clasped your hands and twisted.  

“Petey,” You drew out the name. 

“Baby,” He tilted his tone. 

“Can you please make me some popcorn, pretty please.” 

“Be honest, did you come here for the popcorn?” It was supposed to be a joke. 

You scoff, “Don’t be ridiculous, I only came for you. I missed you, best friend.” 

“That’s cute.” Peter grinned at you and looked towards May who was currently melting. 

“You’re cute,” You turned your head to May, “Close your eyes, May. Peter’s gonna lay one on me.” 

You made grabby hands for his neck to bring him closer, “It better be a juicy one, May isn’t looking.” And she wasn't, she chose to walk away for a moment, leaving you both for a joyful reunion, even if it’s only been a few hours. 

You asked, Peter delivered. His kiss left your head spinning, you always wondered if he felt the same. He sometimes would leave you in such a head high you felt like you were in a daze. 

“Do you feel like that after a kiss?” You were so loopy you forgot to share what you were thinking.

“Like there’s nothing else like that feeling, it feels so warm and comforting. Like, it really feels like total love, and I swear you make me feel high sometimes, it’s like time stops.” 

“I know what you mean, it’s like no one else but us matters.” 

“You are the only thing that exists for me in that moment, and there is nowhere else I’d ever want to be.” 

Peter groaned, “Come on now, how am I supposed to follow that one up?” 

You grinned, “You can start with making me some popcorn.” 

—————————————

It was only a matter of time. 

Peter was already yours, all you had to do was ask. The only thing holding you back was the why. 

It had to happen soon, you would slip and you swore to yourself you wouldn’t be his girlfriend again until he tells you why you have to ask him to be yours once more. 

Winter break was taking place, and you were currently on Peter Parker's lap grinding down on fleece pajama pants while he was gripping at a breast kissing down your neck while you groaned and tug at his hair. 

There was absolutely nothing wrong with sharing personal wants with a person you desire. 

“Is that what you say to make yourself feel better about sucking my dick?”  

“Oh, so you can say that but not ‘I want to fuck you?’” 

“Yes.” 

“Oh my god, Peter.” 

Sex started a week or two after that last sleepover, it was getting cold and you begged for more warmth even when tucked into his side, and so you backed up into him, butt against his groin, that was normal. 

Except his hand was squashed down in the middle, so you dug one hand behind you trying to lift it out the way as you scooch, back, and back, and back, and oh, there it was. 

It was pressing harder into your back, you wondered if you should pull away, wake Peter up or see how far it would go if you fell into it casually. 

You rub, you grind, you feel Peter’s hand grab tightly at your hip to hold it steady. 

“Baby?” It was warning, his voice was dull and rough, you were the first thing out his mouth. 

“Yes?” It was a whisper, you knew what you were doing. He could hear that too. 

“Do you know what you’re doing?” His grip faltered under a hard pressed grind, he groaned and pressed your hip away. 

“Yes.” You grabbed at the hand on your waist and pulled it up your shirt, his cool hand sent chills up your chest. 

“You want me to take care of you?” The switch, from innocence to dominant, playful to serious. This was your Peter. 

“Please,” It was a whimper. 

“Just lay right there, I know what you want.” 

He started to press kisses down your neck disappearing below the sheets, kisses never stopped. 

And he did know what you wanted, he always did. 

Always, always, always. 

At that moment you only had one question. 

‘What’s the point of asking? He’s already mine anyways.’ 

Now, it was bleeding into day three of living at the Parkers, it had been like this accidently since winter break started. May had gone away for a work trip and Peter’s place became a crash pad, it was just one night, and then one more and it’s probably going to be one more tonight too. 

“Peter…” You sighed off the words, his kisses coming to a stop. 

He grinned up at you, and as lovely as this was you didn’t want to miss the parade down a couple blocks. 

“I want you to do something for me.”

His eyes widened, his voice in a soft hush. 

“Anything.” 

“Say, say you wanna fuck me,” 

Peter groaned and tossed you off his lap. 

“You could’ve just said you didn’t want to be late to the parade, but no.” 

“God you are so in tune with me, it’s such a turn on.” 

“Yeah, yeah. Butter me up now so I’ll give in and spend twelve bucks on a churro for you.” He waved you off and stood swapping pajamas for denim. 

“But they’re filled with chocolate, Peter!” 

“You’re lucky I love you.” He kissed your forehead and moved past you to look for a warmer jacket, his words lit a fire in you. 

It’s obvious he loves you and while you haven’t said the words back you know he knows you do too. He’s been more giving with the words of affection, each time felt like a secret. Like, of course he does but, he doesn’t have to share that with you. 

“Again,” He turns and tilts his head. 

“Kiss?” He approaches to peck at your forehead, you go to step back but let him place one more. 

“No.” 

“No?” 

“Again.” You repeat the words. 

“Kiss?” You step back this time, “No, again.” 

His eyes brighten, “Oh, I love you.” 

You bite your bottom lip, “One more time?” 

“I love you!” He cheers the words and pulls a beanie on. 

“Peter,” You pause, you weren’t sure what he thought it would mean if you said it back. 

“I know, I know you do.” 

—--------------------------------

The parade was packed, there were rows of people pressed into the barricade. 

Mostly families, moms and dads and grandmas had babies and toddlers rested on shoulders or a hip so they could get a good glance at Santa when he rode by. Rows of streets were blocked off, each street off the main parade route was filled with food trucks and popup booths of home-made crafts. 

Peter and you strode hand in hand down each street, on one he bought you hot chocolate, which you shared. The next you got your churro, which you shared. One of the streets you passed a small canopy with homemade christmas tree ornaments, there was one in decorated ceramic. A delicate Lily of the Valley decorated the front and the year was painted in black and circled. 

It felt like the breath was knocked from you, you remembered the meaning when Peter gave you one, a return to happiness. There was no clearer message from the universe. 

“Babe?” You called out for your other half, who had slipped away looking for anything May would find special. 

“Yeah?” He was calling from the otherside, his head was stuck in a bin shuffling through miniature stuffed bears.

“C’mere. I found something.” 

You felt his hand press against your lower back, his chin sunk to your shoulder. 

“Look.” You raised the string and watched as it slowly twisted in the wind, his eyes staring until they lit with recognition. 

“Holy shit!” Peter reached his hand out to grab it, he had to feel it. It was real. 

“We have to get it, right?” Both of you spoke at the same time. 

You flushed pink, Peter grinned and poked your side. 

“Hey, man! How much is this one?” 

You watched and played with Peter’s gloves while he interacted with the man. He approached with a proud smile and a small black bag, he waved the receipt in his hand and stuck his hand out to yours. 

“Can I ask a question?” 

“You know, one of these days I’m going to ask that back.” 

“And I’ll answer just like you do.” 

“Yes, dear?” 

“Can I have a kiss?” 

“Oh, you.” He grumbled and pulled you in regardless, his nose was cold on your cheek, when you pulled away you rubbed your face against it to help warm it up some. 

“Can I tell you something?” 

“Anything,” He was walking you forward, looking for the best view that didn’t take away from any kid's sight. You were enthralled with his hand in yours, scooting you by other strangers. 

“I know how I’m going to ask.” 

He turned his head back at you in question, pulling you to the side after checking it was a good spot. 

“Ask what, baby?” 

“How I’m going to ask you to be my boyfriend.” 

“If it includes you getting on one knee I’m gonna say no.” 

“What if I get on both?” 

Peter pointed to the church both of your backs were resting against, your grin dropped shyfully. 

“I didn’t mean it,” You mumbled to the building. 

“Yes she did.” Peter whispered back, you slapped him on the arm. 

“Okay then, how?” 

“I can’t tell you that!” You sputtered at him, it was like telling him his birthday present. 

“What? Then why would you tell me that?” 

“Because I wanted to let you know I knew how I was going to do it.” 

“Oh I see, you were too excited to keep it a true surprise but you also want it to be surprising enough you won’t give me any true details.” 

“Remember what I said about what a big turn on that is?” 

Peter looked back at the church and rolled his eyes. 

“Told you she wasn’t kidding.” 

—------------------------------------

“Okay, let’s get it out of the way so this can really get started.” 

Peter looked around confused, your voice came from nowhere. Where were you? 

“Over here, nerd.” 

You poked your head out from behind a street sign, and watched as Peter threw his head left and right until he spotted you, the whites on his mask widening then dropping, you knew he was full of smiles. 

“Hi, baby!” Peter looked behind him once more before dropping to the ground below him, you ran into an alleyway behind him, and checked to see him slowly creep in behind you. 

“Kiss?” When he finally approached, he turned his head to check behind him and shook his head solemnly. 

“I don’t think so, baby.” 

You frown. Peter never refused a kiss request, in the suit or out. And, if you were far from the street, a quick kiss wouldn’t be the end of the world. 

“Why not? My lips are so cold, I forgot my boyfriend’s jacket.” You winked then corrected yourself, “I mean, my friend that is a boy.” 

“I, uh,” He looked around once more then quickly stepped up to you, he pulled his mask just barely above his nose then leaned in. You were unable to even press back into the kiss before he stepped away and returned his mask to a normal position, then he looked above him quickly. 

“Is everything okay?” You follow his eyesight and look around with him. 

“Yeah! Are you okay?” 

“I’m okay, are you sure you’re okay?” 

You watched as he kept looking around, he was almost acting like he was about to get caught doing something he shouldn’t. 

“Are you cheating on me?” He missed the tilt in your voice, just teasing. 

Peter whipped his head back at you, he started to pull at his mask but stopped himself and sunk it tightly back on his face. 

“What? No, not at all.” 

“You look like you’re about to get caught with me,” You poke at his chest and he steps back some, he doesn’t miss the flash of hurt in your eyes. 

This was the first time you’ve approached him as Spider-Man since the break up, Peter has tried everything possible to keep you away as the masked hero, and you hadn't noticed. Until now, because now you begin to wonder if this was why. 

Peter was acting awkward, and he never did around you. Around you, Peter was methodical, confident, suave and in love. Right now it seemed like he wanted you gone. 

“I mean, maybe. You never know who’s watching, I don’t need the media on the case of Spider-Man’s secret girlfriend.” 

You frown once more, you can’t press on it now. He would try and back himself into a corner where nothing was wrong, then that would cause him anxiety because he’s lying and you know how much he hates backtracking after a lie. 

“Do you want me to leave? We can talk later.” You question him and go to place your hands around his biceps but pull back halfway through, you caught the hint, he didn’t want you all over him right now. 

Peter caught your hands and pulled him then to rest on his chest. 

“You can touch me, baby.” He chuckled slightly, but you caught the nerves in his voice. 

“Give me a kiss and I’ll leave?” You blinked at your boy, he shook his head lightly. 

“You said you wanted to talk about something, what’s up?” 

“It’s okay, it doesn’t seem like you want me here right now.” Really, it was okay.

You know Peter is frowning behind his mask. 

“Of course I want you here, tell me what’s going on?” 

You moved your hands to his shoulders and gave a squeeze, then moved your head to look around. You didn’t get why he was on edge, but you respected it. 

Upon realizing no one was in the area you stepped in for a hug, immediately filled with warmth the shocking breeze seemed to dull outside. Winter break was ending soon and coming back to school with ‘I got a boyfriend for Christmas, what about you?’ seemed like the biggest flex imaginable. 

Instantly, Peter had his hands wrapped around your back. You felt the slight groove of his gloves running up and down your back, he leant his head into yours and you know if his mask was off he would be pressing kisses to the top of your head. 

After squeezing tightly one last time you pulled away and smiled brightly at him. 

“How much longer will you be out here?” 

“Probably a few more hours, I’ll be home around dinner.” He starts to slightly scratch down your arms. 

“Wanna go out?” 

You hum, “We can, I wanna talk to you first, though.” 

“Everything good?” He was asking if he was in trouble. 

“Yeah! Kiss?” 

“Tell me what’s up first.” He was bartering, he was on edge now. 

“Hm, nope. I’ll see you later, babe. Kiss?” 

“Are you mad?” He meant because you caught onto him not wanting you here. 

“Not at all, if it’s okay with you I was gonna head to yours and get a nap in before I see you later.” 

“Course it is. Need a key?” You gave yours back after the break up. 

“May’s not home still?” 

He shook his head, “Weather pushed back the flight, because of the ice she’s not sure when she’ll be back.” 

“Boo, key please.” You held out your hand and opened and closed it quickly, begging for the key. 

“Hold on, baby.” Peter stepped away and jumped halfway up the wall peeling off his backpack from behind a ledge, then turned to make sure you were looking. He started to lightly swing it your way letting you know he was about to toss it down, you readed your hands and yelled “Hut!” before he dropped it at you. 

You caught it with a grunt, then unzipped the small outer pocket and stuck your hand in searching for the key, startled you kept your hand in the same position as it was before Peter, quite literally ripped it from your hands. 

“Sorry! I have something in here you can’t see yet.”

He pushed the key in your hand and closed your fist around it. 

“Here, sorry again, baby.” 

You narrowed your eyes, “You’re lucky you’re cute.” 

“You’re cuter, otherwise I wouldn’t put up with that attitude.” You caught a wink through the mask. 

“Toxic. Give me a kiss, and make it a real one.” 

“As opposed to a fake one?” 

“You didn’t give me a good kiss earlier and you know it.” 

“Every kiss with you is a good kiss.” 

You whine at his flirting. 

“Please, Petey.” You pout, you know you’ve got him cornered. 

“Alright, c’mere.” He calls you closer with his hands and turns with his back to the street. 

“You wanna lift it or me?” 

You stare in awe, you missed pulling the mask off. 

“Me!” You tug it up past his lips, then roll it over his nose. But, at this point you might as well just take the whole thing off, right? Worth a try at least, you wrap your hands around his neck and pull him in for a kiss. His own hands wrap around your waist and pull you in tighter, you pull back slightly. 

“It’s rubbing my nose, hold on.” You tug it higher, and place one more kiss. 

Then you pull back again and slowly push it up, he tightens his grip but says nothing. 

This was one of those moments where he would scold you but was letting you get away with it, at this point you know it’s because he doesn’t want to mess anything up. You can’t help but wonder how long you can drag this out. 

In one movement you tug the entire thing off, “Hi, handsome.” 

“Hi,” He whispers. 

His curls framed his forehead nicely, you’ve been begging every week for him not to cut it. Your requests would soon be ignored, you knew Peter could only handle it so long before he chopped it. If you took a guess he would get it cut before school restarted, you only had one more week of his long hair. 

“I love your curls so much, please never cut them.” 

“I will absolutely cut them.” 

“One more week?” 

“You’re pushing it.” 

“For me?” 

“In that case, one more week.” 

“Thank you, babe.” 

You press a delicate kiss to his cheek and shiver slightly. 

“Can I have a kiss before I go?” 

He gives in, and it’s a nice kiss. You both lean in for a while before a sharp chill runs up your spine, you then decide it’s time to curl under his sheets and wait for him to come warm you up entirely. 

“I’m leaving, it’s cold.” 

You press his mask into his chest and lean in for one more kiss. 

“See you later.” 

“Wait! Can you take my bag?” He holds it out with a pleading smile, you tug it into your chest and contemplate tugging out his jacket and wrapping it around you. You could take the subway but despite the nips of cold you felt like walking, maybe so Peter knows you’ve gotten home safe. 

“Can I open it for your coat?” 

He said there was something in it you weren’t supposed to see yet, you would respect that. 

“Yeah, just please don’t go poking around the outside zipper.” 

“Got it, see you later!” 

You turned to leave, he called after you. 

“Bye, baby! Love you.” 

You didn’t think, it was automatic.

“Love you too!” 

You didn’t process what you said, it felt like second nature. 

Peter felt like he couldn’t breathe, he felt warm from inside out. From this point on nothing would get him down, the girl he loved with all his heart, the same girl that was hurt by him still loves him. He assumes he’s done it right, he finally thinks he may have won you back. 

You told Peter you wanted to talk, then said you loved him. 

Peter thinks he’s going to be a boyfriend before midnight hits. 

—------------------------

Time was ticking, you and Peter had been getting back into normal behavior, it felt as real as it did before the break up. And honestly, you kind of see it as a blessing. You don’t think you would’ve realized how much you mean to yourself if that’s all you didn’t have after he ended it. 

It hurt, alot. No one talks about how physical break ups can feel, you feel them in your gut. Stomach twisting at every end, like a small man is twisting knots in your intestines.  Then in your chest, the worst kind of heartburn alive eats at you, red searing hot pain that bleeds down through your body. It feels like every heart string is being pulled and snapped with each release. It affects your senses too, nothing sounds or tastes good anymore, at least not when Peter didn’t make or suggest it. Your eyes felt like there was nothing to focus on, your ears felt clogged, no one's words meant anything unless they were coming from Peter. You felt numb to the touch, so cold all the time, no one to warm you.

Heartbreak is something you would truly never wish on your worst enemy. 

But now, everything tastes just a little bit better. And your heart still hurts some, but it’s because it beats a bit faster when Peter’s around. And your stomach wasn’t filled with knots but flutters, not nerves but excitement. Your ears came attuned to listen for Peter’s hums or muffled songs under his breath, you listen for his late night whispers about what the writer’s should’ve done for that episode, or you listen to him lightly snore in the quiet hum of his room in the middle of the night because he’s there, and you’re there. And you’re not so cold anymore, chills still happen but it’s no longer a to the bone chill. It’s a, this is chilly, but I have someone to warm me backup at home. 

Peter felt like a constant hug. 

You’re pretty sure that’s love.

And if you loved him he should be your boyfriend, but to be your boyfriend again he needs to explain why it ended. You were slowly breaking down that wall, you’ve asked yourself for weeks now if it was that important, but you know it is. Because, why else have you held out so long?  

You don’t think in your heart everything could be forgiven without the why. 

That’s why you were here tonight. 

Peter came in around eight, for a moment you think he forgot you were here. He entered through the window, because you had his key. Then immediately ripped his mask off, slammed the button on his chest and kicked the suit away before groaning and stretched to the ceiling. 

“Hello, Clarise.” 

He jumped then smiled, “Hi, baby!” 

Peter looked over at you swaddled in his bed, now sitting his dark blue comforter swarming your body. Cheeks tinted due to the warmth but you refused to move, choosing to instead take sips of water from the bottle on his nightstand. 

“Good nap?” 

You hum and copy his stretch, “So good, did I get you those boxers?” You think they were a just thinking of you gift, they had little calculators on them. 

He looks down, “I think so, what did you do today, little miss?” 

You yawn, still blinking the sleep away. “I used your laptop for Netflix.” 

“Please don’t tell me you used my account.” 

“Of course I did, what’s yours is mine.” 

“You always mess up my recommendations, I just got it off of reality tv.” 

“And now it’s back.” 

Peter just blinked blankly at you. 

“I think it’s cute that you still had the passcode set to my birthday.” 

“Of course I did, they’re the only numbers burned into my brain.” 

“If you changed it I think I would’ve lost it, I mean full blown cry.” 

“Nope, if I got a new girlfriend I would have to come up with some cover story for that.” 

“You would let other girls use your Netflix?” You pout and wobble your lip. 

“I let you, don’t I?” Peter walks around the room and grabs his towel hanging on the other side of his closet door. 

“Well, yeah. But I’m special.” 

“If it makes you feel better, you would always be the one that got away. No girl could live up to that.” He shrugs and throws his towel over his shoulder. 

“And you would have to die alone?” 

“I would have to die alone.” 

“No other option?” 

“None.” 

You turn your head and nod, he’s great at winning the boyfriend tests. 

“Shower?” You nod at the towel, he starts to make his way to the bedroom door. 

“We can get food after, you decide.” 

“Cook, take out, or dine in?” 

“You choose.” He grins at you and turns to head to the bathroom.

“My choice?” You call after. 

“Yours.” 

You wait until you hear the shower start, then throw off the blankets and race down the hallway.

“I’m choosing a shower with Peter!” 

—-------------------------------------------

I wish it didn't make me cut it off here, don't worry, final part is coming!

[flanaganfilm]

Hi Mike! Just wondering about the wonderful Katie Parker. Since she’s been a part of the Flanaverse for a pretty long time, I was wondering how she joined Absentia and which of her roles in your work is YOUR favourite? Personally I can’t get over how good she was as Poppy.

Also just want to quickly say I’m so excited to see T’Nia again in Usher. Thank you and have a lovely day!!

I first met Katie back in - I want to say 2008? Somewhere in there. She was friends with my girlfriend at the time and soon we were friends too. She was an actor struggling to find footing in LA and used to come over for movie nights and crash on our couch, and as time went by I started to think of her as a sister. I was working full-time as an editor on reality TV shows and trying to get something started. I wrote Absentia as a project for my friends to star in, so Katie's role was custom tailored just for her. Same with Courtney, Dave, Morgan and Justin. We were all living in LA and had similar dreams, but were all struggling to pay the rent and this was a chance to make something together that might get noticed.

(Above: The first table read of ABSENTIA, sometime in 2010)

We had a blast making that little movie, and it actually did what we all hoped it would do - it kicked open some doors, and led to Oculus being picked up by Trevor Macy at Intrepid Pictures (who has produced everything I've made since).

Katie had a small cameo in Oculus, playing the phone store clerk who sells Brenton Thwaites his first cell phone after being released from a lifetime in a mental institution. The scene was sweet and Katie was great, but it wasn't in the final cut of the film. I think it may be available on the blu-ray but I'm not sure to be honest. Katie remained a great friend, but there weren't really roles in the following movies that were a perfect fit. When I got my first shot at making TV, though, I really wanted her to be in The Haunting of Hill House. She auditioned to play Joey, the recovering addict who befriends Luke. The studio wanted to go another way with the part, and so I decided to write the new character of Poppy Hill for Katie instead, and she absolutely crushed it. It was meant to be.

(Katie as Poppy Hill on the set of The Haunting of Hill House)

After that, she was kind enough to take a smaller role in a much bigger film, portraying Silent Sarey in Doctor Sleep.

(Katie signs autographs at the premiere of Doctor Sleep)

When it came time to make The Haunting of Bly Manor, I had a fun idea for Katie and my wife Kate to play the doomed sisters in one of our coolest episodes. It was exciting for Hill House fans to see them together, but it was really terrific for me to have so much trust in two actors who could make such a huge impact in one episode.

After Bly, Katie joined us for The Midnight Club, and has a wonderful role (and does some of her absolute best work) in the upcoming The Fall of the House of Usher. Just before those, though, she joined us at the Saturn Awards in LA, where we had an impromptu Absentia reunion with my sibling Jamie Flanagan and my dear friend Doug Jones, both of whom acted in that little movie all those years ago. It was really neat to see everyone in the same place again, and think back about how far we've come since those days filming in that pee-covered tunnel.

Katie is a phenomenal actor, and I was lucky enough to work with her at the very beginning of my career, and now five more time since. She's unique among the family of actors that I've accumulated over the years, in that she was there from the very beginning. We sat in a tiny apartment in Glendale dreaming of making movies, worrying about paying our rent, and trying to figure out how the hell to get where we wanted to go. I'm proud to know her, proud to collaborate her, and proud to call her family. I expect you'll see her in many, many more Intrepid productions for years to come.

[celticcrossanon]

Celta, do you think the King ever looks back on his marriage to Diana and wished it had worked out? Did Charles even want a successful, loving marriage to Diana or was he a guy who didn't care who he married because he was going to keep Camilla on the side no matter what? I never really could figure Charles out on the question of being a married guy as he seemed to prefer being a womanizing bachelor before settling down with Diana but now seems happy with Camilla at his side.

Aug 12 Ask

Hi Nonny,

I think that King Charles knew that he had to marry to provide an heir to the throne, but he wanted the marriage to be when he chose. Instead, I feel that he was pressured to settle down before he was ready to do so, when he was quite happy being a bachelor with several 'ladies' on the side (Mrs Parker-Bowles as she was then and Lady Kanga being two of the best known of his 'ladies'). So I think he saw the marriage as a matter of doing his duty, rather than anything else.

I do think he wanted it to be a success, but a success on his terms - I have this idea of married life and you will fit into it - rather than being willing to approach the other party as a person with needs and desires of their own, and then try to compromise so both parties get most of what they want. As an example of this, I remember someone saying about the honeymoon at the time of the divorce "He wanted to discuss <names of writers that I can't remember - philosophy stuff??>. She wanted baby talk (i.e., declarations of love)." I remember thinking at the time would it have killed a 33/34 year old man to give his 20 year old wife the 'baby talk'/declarations of love that she wanted on her honey moon? But apparently he wasn't willing to do that for her.

The King receiving and wearing double C cufflinks from Camilla on his honeymoon with Princess Diana is another indication that he didn't really care about how she felt about things. In his mind it was OK to wear the cuff links and so his wife shouldn't make a fuss about it.

I also think that King Charles resented having to be married and even though he did his duty and got married, I think that some of that resentment carried over into the marriage.

I think that King Charles did care about her as his wife and the mother of his sons and he was kind to her in his own way.

In the end, I think that they were unsuited to be together as husband and wife as neither could fulfil the other's needs. They were probably much better off being apart and growing into a friendship rather than remaining married.

All of this is my opinion only and I could be wrong about things. Other people will see the events differently.

Edit: I want to add that I also think that Princess Diana found it difficult to compromise as well, so any blame is not just one way. She was in love with Prince Charles, he cared about her, but both of them were unable to fuse together into a happy marriage.

[whatstruthgottodowithit]

Here You Come Again [Part Twelve]

Fandom: Elvis Presley, RPF, American Actor

Pairing: Elvis Presley x Original Female Character

Characters: Elvis Presley, Addison Goodwin, Original Female Characters, Priscilla Presley, Colonel Tom Parker, Vernon Presley, Gladys Presley, Minnie Mae Presley, Marci Cunningham, Jerry Schilling, Red West, Sonny West, Marty Lacker, Joe Esposito, Charlie Hodge, Lamar Fike, Alan Fortas, George Klein, Memphis Mafia

Rating: Mature

Word Count: 7584

Summary: When Addison Goodwin was seventeen years old her life was turned inside out after a chance encounter with her past. Now, fifteen years later her life is the best it’s ever been. She has a home, a good job and a daughter she loves more than anything in the world but will all that remain when an old familiar face rolls into town.

Tags: Angst, Fluff, Graceland, Las Vegas, The International Hotel, Elvis In Vegas, 1970s, 1970s Elvis, Friends To Lovers, Rekindled Romance, Parenting, Time Line is Sketchy, Guilt, Betrayal, Teenage Pregnancy, Hawaii, Hidden Pregnancy, Jealousy, Sex, Absence of Parent, Single Motherhood, Trauma, Oral Sex, Tension

Notes: I made a conscious decision not to include Elvis’ drug use throughout this story.

It’s a very rose tinted glasses view of him i get that but I think it’s more fitting he’d be this way. Trying to get back the way he was with her in the 50s.

I also think that without the colonel/pressures etc it would’ve been easier to tone down his drug use but we’ll never know

LINK TO ALL PARTS // LINK TO AO3 // LINK TO PINTEREST

the main entrance but there had been some attention out front, mostly fans but attention all the same, and so it seemed in preparation for Elvis to leave the building the operation had been moved to the back of the restaurant. It wasn’t the best but Jess felt better about walking through a dismal back alley than having a camera shoved in her face.

Vernon didn’t even seem to bat an eyelid at the dank conditions as the pair of them climbed into his car. They were quiet for a moment as they pulled out onto the streets of Memphis, Vernon fiddling with the radio as he went. She stayed quiet as he did, looking out of the windshield as she thought about what to say. In the restaurant her idea had been simple, find a way to weave her mom and dad into the conversation and voila. Now she was inside the car however it felt harder to figure out how to dive into it.

After a couple of minutes of driving, once Vernon was in the swing of things, he glanced at her finding her staring out of the car window intently. He cleared his throat hoping to catch her attention which worked as she looked towards him whatever she had been planning to say disappearing from her mind no sooner than it had come.

‘So,’ he said glancing at her again before he put his eyes back on the road, ‘is this friend of yours really called Elaine?’

‘What? Yeah why?’ she asked. It technically hadn’t been a lie. She did have a friend called Elaine and she probably would call her once she got home, that just wasn’t her main reason for wanting to leave.

‘It’s not a boy then?’ he said looking at her in a way she was sure was to put her at ease but instead Jess felt her face flame with embarrassment, and she dropped her gaze to her lap.

‘Oh, no,’ she said quietly.

‘Don’t worry I won’t tell on ya,’ Vernon chuckled, ‘it was about this age your daddy started running my phone bill up as well.’

‘It really is my friend,’ Jess said, ‘I guess I’ve not really had time to think about all…that.’

‘Oh yeah I guess you’re right,’ Vernon said looking her way once more suddenly feeling like he’d put his foot in his mouth when he saw how pink her cheeks were, ‘maybe once you’re back home. Not that I want you to go home or anything, I mean your daddy’s loving having you here we all are.’

‘Me too,’ she said offering him a smile in the hopes he’d stop trying to make her feel better as he only seemed to make her feel more embarrassed. Though as she said it she realised he had offered her a way in with his words and she jumped on it as quick as she could, ‘can I ask you something?

‘Sure,’ Vernon said.

‘What was he like?’ she asked, ‘my dad I mean. When he was younger.’

‘As a kid?’ Vernon asked glancing once more at her. Jess nodded, ‘well actually he was a lot like you.’

‘That’s what my mom says,’ Jess said.

‘Well she’s right. As a young un’ he was shy and quiet unless he was around his family of course. He and his mama used to talk for hours and hours,’ Vernon said with a wistful smile.

‘I can’t believe he was quiet,’ Jess said. Everyone who had met her had told her they were alike and yet she couldn’t picture it. She couldn’t picture the man who oozed charm and charisma stammering over his words or flushing at the slightest embarrassment like she did.

‘Oh yeah that confidence only came later though, with singing mostly. Performing really helped him bloom…maybe the pair of you have that in common,’ Vernon said raising an eyebrow, ‘he tells me you’re quite the guitar player.’

‘He’s just being nice,’ Jess said flushing again at the compliment.

‘He wouldn’t say it if it wasn’t true,’ Vernon assured her receiving a nod in return yet the topic migrating to her was making a self-conscious flutter run throughout her and so she decided to steer it back to more comfortable territory.

‘What was my mom like?’ she asked. If anything this one intrigued her more. After all, she could’ve asked any of her dad’s friends or relatives the same question and gotten a similar answer. Her mom didn’t have the luxury of having that many people still around.

‘A right little madam,’ Vernon chuckled making her smile, ‘nah she was a sweet kid, feisty though and she had her daddy wrapped around her little finger.’

‘What about my dad?’ he asked.

‘Oh him too even as a kid and then when she came back around he was smitten in no time,’ Vernon said seemingly not noticing how intently Jess was watching him, absorbing every word.

‘What were they like? As a couple,’ Jess asked trying not to sound too overly interested.

‘Well they weren’t a couple for a long time and when they were they didn’t tell us,’ Vernon explained.

‘Why not?’ Jess asked.

‘They were worried about what people would say I suppose. Your Mom was only young and well her Mama, Mona, had caused some trouble so they thought it was best to keep it hidden,’ he shrugged.

‘What happened?’ Jess asked quickly. He went to speak but her eagerness had caught his attention and when he looked at her he found her watching him attentively.

‘Jess,’ he said hesitantly, ‘I don’t know if we should be talking about this.’

‘Please?’ she begged. He had already told her so much already but he couldn’t just leave her hanging not now she had more questions than before, ‘they won’t tell me and I know they think it’s because I’m just a kid but I want to know. I mean it’s what made me right?’

‘Right,’ Vernon said hesitantly. 

‘So I should know, right? I promise I won’t tell them you told me,’ she said watching him with those big blue eyes that reminded him so much of Elvis it was scary. It was also scary how for all her shyness she could be just like her Daddy, now talking him around to her point of view in just a few sentences.

‘It’s complicated,’ he said but when she didn’t say anything he sighed, ‘before they got together your daddy was having some problems with the press.’

‘Like now?’ she asked.

‘Worse, but don’t you be listening to anything those so-called journalists print you hear me? Him havin’ another kid is nobody’s damn business not when other acts are doin’ God knows what,’ Vernon said bitterly though he softened as he glanced at her finding her waiting for him to continue, ‘anyway… back then he was the only one around worth anythin’, so the press used to like to use him as kind of a target. Said his music was bad for race relations and his dancin’ was lewd and unbecoming of an all-American boy. So we had to do our best to try and keep his image clean.’

‘Which is why they stayed a secret?’ she asked trying to weave the story together in her mind.

‘Like I said your Mom was only young. Nothin’ crazy but enough to people to sling mud if they wanted even if it was on technicalities,’ Vernon said, ‘and well Mona wasn’t much help either.’

‘Because she left?’ Jess asked. Her mom had told her about her parents. She had made sure to tell her all about her Grandpa Joe, relaying old stories and dotting pictures of him throughout their house. She had also told her of her mother though all Jess really knew was she had taken off when Addison had been around the age she was now.

‘Because she came back,’ Vernon said resentfully. He didn’t know if he should be telling her all of this, the heartbreak and pain that Mona had caused but he couldn’t stop, ‘a couple months after your mom came to live with us she rocked up on our doorstep claimin’ she was sorry and that she wanted your mom to forgive her.’

‘What happened?’ Jess asked.

‘She lasted all of two weeks before she tried usin’ your mom as a way to get cash outta your daddy,’ Vernon said.

‘That’s awful,’ Jess said her mouth agape.

‘That’s Mona,’ Vernon sighed, ‘but if I’m bein’ honest I think that’s what made your daddy realise he loved her. The idea of losin’ her to that piece of trash well I think that would’ve broken him.’

‘But he lost her anyway,’ Jess said, ‘I don’t understand I mean why didn’t they just stay together? In secret if they were worried about his image.’

‘Well they were going to but it just became too much. The press got too bad it would’ve only taken them findin’ out about your mom to ruin everything. Well that’s how it felt at least,’ he said, ‘so when your daddy’s draft papers came in they thought it would be better if he went to Germany. Maybe a little distance would help people forget about everything.’

‘You mean the Colonel, right?’ she said making his eyes go wide ‘you said they but you mean him right? I saw my mom’s face when she saw him. I know she wouldn’t say anything but I’m right, aren’t I?’

‘Yeah,’ Vernon sighed, ‘he’s your daddy’s manager and when he suggested it, well, it made sense. We just didn’t realise that he meant for your mom to leave the picture permanently… so when your daddy left for the draft he…he told her to go.’

‘That’s why she didn’t come back?’ Jess asked.

‘I don’t think she believed she could,’ Vernon said. It had been a lot to get off his chest, that kernel of guilt still inside him even now, but explaining it all to her made him feel better somehow. Explaining to her made it feel as though it wasn’t as black and white as Addison or Elvis seemed to think.

‘Wow,’ Jess said flopping back against her seat as she tried to process everything. Vernon was just pulling into Graceland but she didn’t seem to be paying the journey any attention as her mind spun with all the information. She had known it wasn’t simple. How was having Elvis Presley for a father ever going to be? But she hadn’t realised it was that complicated. She hadn’t realised the choice her mother had faced at seventeen years old. What she would’ve had to fight through to even tell him she was pregnant. She knew her dad wouldn’t have cared, that if her mom had rocked up on his doorstep months or even years after disappearing he would’ve welcomed her back without question, as he had done now. Yet there was no guaranteeing she would’ve even made it that far. That the power the Colonel wielded wouldn’t have prevented her from seeing him. Not to mention how much it must’ve hurt. How knowing she had no choice but to raise her daughter alone even when she had a father who would’ve loved her beyond reason must’ve eaten at her. Vernon stayed quiet for a moment allowing her to digest everything. Eventually she looked towards him and said, ‘well, I’m glad it didn’t end there.’

‘Me too,’ he said with a soft smile. She seemed to have taken it well but there was something behind her eyes he could see. Something she had been mulling over to ask him, he was sure of it. After a moment or so she seemed to decide it was worth saying and though her voice was small and hesitant she asked nevertheless, ‘do you think they could…y’know?’

‘Oh honey I don’t know,’ he said awkwardly. She had been looking at him but turned to look out the windshield her eyes fixed on the vast lawn in front of them though it was barely visible in the dark night. Vernon sighed, ‘maybe one day… but I wouldn’t get your hopes up. There’s a lot of water under that bridge.’

‘Yeah, I guess you’re right,’ she said chewing on her lip as she looked at him, ‘thanks for telling me though. I know they think I shouldn’t know but I’m glad you did.’

‘Well they’re just tryin’ to protect ya I expect,’ he said, ‘but you’re right it’s your story as much as theirs.’

‘True,’ she said with a smile, ‘though I take it that doesn’t mean you want me to tell them you said anything right?’

‘Right,’ Vernon said with a smile.

‘Well I won’t,’ she said, ‘as long as you don’t tell them I asked?’

‘My lips are sealed,’ Vernon said. Jess smiled and unlatched her door so she could climb out. Once her feet were firmly on the ground she leaned back inside said, ‘night Grandpa.’

‘Night honey,’ Vernon said with a smile before she shut the door gently and headed up the garden path. As he watched her go he sighed. He didn’t know how she had managed to wangle so much information out of him. Maybe he was right about her being her father’s daughter. Maybe she was already growing that aura of charm Elvis seemed to have with everyone he met. Or maybe just like Lisa she had him wrapped around her little finger. Whatever it was he hoped he was right to tell her. After all it was her story too, he just hoped that if Elvis found out he’d understand.

✵✵✵

Over the next couple of weeks Elvis enjoyed himself thoroughly. Their successful trip out of the house meant that they were no longer forced to stay within the grounds of Graceland and though they did have several days just spent lounging around or riding horses they also ventured out so that Jess could finally see all the sights Memphis had to offer. The only problem was it was going too quickly. About a week or so into their stay he noticed the attention around them had started to wane. Without any more information on the situation the press had gotten bored and moved to the next hottest topic which meant reporters had started to retreat. Of course there were always fans outside his gate or wherever they went but they remained respectful and kind so they weren’t bothered much. Addison had also contacted the school who had informed them with delight that since Jess was a minor they had been able to come to an agreement with the police that all reporters couldn’t come within one hundred feet of the school and given Jess could be dropped off at the front door there wouldn’t be much of an issue of her returning. Even though he had felt the change in the air he hadn’t mentioned it. He didn’t know why, after all Addison had all the information he did, and he was sure she’d be thinking about heading back to their normal life at some point. He was just hoping the longer he avoided the topic the more time he’d get. Time that seemed to stop when Addison popped her head around the door of his office a look of regret on her face.

‘Can I come in?’ she asked.

‘Sure,’ Elvis said a sinking feeling already landing in his gut. She smiled and came to sit opposite him all of a sudden too nervous to speak. If she was being honest, she didn’t want to go home. Though she had decided she and Elvis wouldn’t work romantically that didn’t mean she wasn’t enjoying having him back in her life, having her friend back. Not to mention slipping back into his world, back to Graceland, felt like home. It made the prospect of returning back to normal lose its appeal and she was sure Jess would be heartbroken to have to leave too. But her normal life was calling. Her boss, who had been more lenient than she could have ever anticipated, had called and asked if she planned on returning soon. She hadn’t known how she could say no. After all the media attention was ebbing and though she was sure returning to Vegas wouldn’t exactly be smooth it was going to have to happen at some point.

‘Everything alright?’ Elvis said as collectedly as he could manage.

‘My boss called,’ Addison said. Though it was a simple statement both of them seemed to know what gravitas those words held.

‘Ah,’ Elvis said.

‘She asked when I would be coming back,’ she said quietly.

‘And you said?’

‘I said next week,’ Addison said quietly.

‘Right,’ Elvis said. It wasn’t what he wanted to say. In fact he wanted to beg her to call her boss straight back and tell him she was never coming back and that she and Jess were moving to Memphis full-time, but he knew there was no point.

‘I figured it’s probably better if we go back soon,’ she said, ‘I mean there doesn’t seem to be much media attention happening and with Jess and school I don’t want her to get out of the groove of things y’know?’

‘Yeah, I get it,’ Elvis said trying to keep his tone from sounding too flat. Addison bit her lip as she watched him trying to sound as agreeable as possible though she knew he wasn’t. Actually, she suspected he was feeling just as downtrodden about the situation as she was.

‘Maybe we could come back at spring break? Like we planned?’ she said hopefully earning herself a soft smile.

‘I’d like that,’ he said earnestly. It wasn’t what he wanted but it was better than nothing.

‘We can uh, arrange details later,’ she said suddenly feeling an ache in her gut as she watched him. He was trying so hard for her, to remain unselfish and logical. Again it was the shade of the new man she didn’t know. Even if it was better, what she needed him to be, it didn’t mean she didn’t miss that twenty-two-year-old. The rash one who would’ve insisted she stay here forever.

‘Uh sure, I’ll get daddy on arranging flights later,’ he said.

‘Right, thanks,’ she said getting up and heading to the door but as she got there she heard him call her name and turned to find him watching her.

‘Would you take Jerry?’ he asked continuing as she looked confused, ‘home with you I mean. Just for a couple of days to make sure everything goes smoothly with school and everything.’

‘Sure,’ she said. As she slipped out of the room he flopped back against his chair. It wasn’t ideal but the fact that she didn’t seem to want to leave their little bubble reassured him all the same. And who knew, maybe once they touched down in Nevada they’d realise Memphis wasn’t all that bad, which was why he wanted Jerry on hand just in case they changed their minds.

✵✵✵

Over the next few days both Addison and Elvis tried not to let the sense of impending doom affect them. Jess had understandably been devastated but she understood that the situation was never going to be forever and so she decided to enjoy the last few days as much as she could. Elvis was doing the same or at least trying to but on the last night before they left he couldn’t help but be sad. He pretended he wasn’t of course, as they sat in the TV room eating pizza and watching movies he smiled and joked along as he normally would. Yet as they headed to bed, the three of them saying goodnight on the landing before heading to their rooms, he lingered watching the girls as they disappeared behind closed doors. Once they were out of sight he went to his own room and changed, sinking down on the mattress as he pictured what the morning would bring. How in less than twenty-four hours he’d be sitting on the same old bed except they wouldn’t be across the hall, they’d be miles away.

He couldn’t believe how much the idea of that hurt him even if in some ways he was used to it. After all Priscilla and Lisa now lived on the west coast yet this felt different, worse somehow. Maybe it was that he’d already missed so much time with Jess he longed to make up for it in whichever way he could. Maybe it was because he’d gotten so used to having Addison back around the house like she’d never left. As he laid down to sleep he found his mind buzzing and yet he didn’t reach for the stack of pills on his bedside table as he normally would have. In fact over the past couple of weeks he had taken to them less and less though he didn’t know why. At first he had thought it was because he was back home and without the pressure of performing every night, without the Colonel on his back, he didn’t have reasons to try and keep up. All he had to do was keep up with Jess and Addison who seemed to thrive in simplicity. But it somehow felt like more than that. Sure he didn’t have to keep up but better yet he didn’t want to miss out. He didn’t want to feel groggy or out of it. He didn’t want to wake up at four in the afternoon and find he’d missed a full day of getting to know his daughter. And more to the point he didn’t want to miss a second of Addison. He was still Elvis Presley but around her he felt a lot more of the Elvis he used to be. Just that boy from Memphis.

After a while of lying in bed staring at the ceiling he felt fatigue start to grapple at him, pulling him under until he was submerged in his own mind.

‘What’chu doing?’ a voice called from beside him. When he looked to his right he found Addison leaning against the arm of the couch, her wide hazel eyes watching him expectantly. They were in his old house, the one they had moved in after his Daddy and Joe had started working together, though Elvis didn’t know if this was a memory or a dream. She looked just how he remembered her. Bright hazel eyes and light brown curls, that housed hints of blond in them since she had been in the sun all day. Her hair now however was wet, creating damp patches on the pyjamas she was wearing not that she seemed to notice.

‘Reading,’ he said. She looked at it for a second, observing the bright colours and pictures on the page before him.

‘Readin’ what?’ she asked. He should’ve been annoyed. Her bath had been the only time he’d gotten five minutes peace from her following him around and he knew that if he answered her question now it would only lead to more and more and the page he was up to wouldn’t move any further. Yet he couldn’t be annoyed. As she looked at him with her expectant gaze he couldn’t help but smile and so he humoured her as he had done all day.

‘Captain Marvel,’ he said.

‘Who’s he?’ she asked. Inquisitive as ever, just as Elvis had suspected.

‘He’s a superhero,’ Elvis replied.

‘What’s a superhero?’ she asked.

‘Addison Goodwin what have I told you about runnin’ off?’ his mother said as she came into the living room, hairbrush in hand, ‘honestly I take five minutes to empty the tub and you disappear.’

‘Sorry Miss Gladys,’ she said looking towards the older woman with a guilty look on her face.

‘Well don’t think you’ve gotten out of brushin’ that bird’s nest young lady,’ Gladys said taking a seat in her favourite chair, ‘grab that footstool and come sit. We need to comb your curls out before they knot.’

‘Okay,’ Addison said pouting as she heaved the footstool that was by Vernon’s chair towards her and placed it down. Elvis watched as she toddled across the room seemingly unbothered that the stool in question seemed to be almost as big as her before she sat on it without protest allowing Gladys to pull a brush through her locks. With each pull of the brush she winced, her head flinging back towards his mother who kept sighing and placing it back in place. He should’ve left well alone. She was quiet and he had his comic to read but watching her sit solemnly at his mother’s knee putting up with the pain he couldn’t help himself.

‘You, er, you heard of superman, right?’ Elvis said making her eyes open to look at him. His mother glanced at him also. Addison nodded.

‘Addie,’ Gladys sighed moving her head back into place.

‘Well he’s a superhero,’ Elvis said.

‘Oh,’ she said thinking on it for a second, ‘can anyone be a superhero?’

‘Not really,’ Elvis said, ‘see you gotta be big and strong…and scared of nuthin’.’

‘My daddy’s big and strong,’ she said proudly, ‘and he ain’t scared of nuthin’. Could he be a superhero?’

‘I guess,’ Elvis chuckled.

‘What about you Elvis?’ she said, ‘you could be one too.’

‘You think?’ Elvis asked sharing a wry smile with his mother.

‘Mmmhmm,’ she smiled, ‘when you grow up you can be a superhero just like our daddies.’

‘And what about you madam? What are you gonna be when you grow up?’ Gladys said with a smile as Addison flopped her head back so she could look at her. Elvis smiled as he watched them, knowing how fond of the little girl his mother was becoming. As much as his mother loved him he knew how excited she had been to have Addison in the house. All of his milestones had been the first for the Presleys but also the last. So having this ball of energy burst into their lives over the past few months had come as a refreshing change to all of them, even if it was due to unfortunate circumstances.

‘A movie star,’ she said matter-of-factly, a big grin on her little face.

‘Oh is that so?’ Gladys mused.

‘Can’t ya just picture it, Mama? Our own lil Shirley Temple,’ Elvis chuckled. Gladys laughed.

‘Oh I can picture it alright,’ she smiled as Addison looked back towards him.

‘Don’t ya wanna get married?’ Elvis asked, ‘I thought all girls wanted to get married and have a bunch o’ babies.’

‘I’m gonna get married too,’ Addison said rolling her eyes at him as if he was stupid for not having thought of that himself.

‘Oh yeah who are you gonna marry?’ Elvis asked leaning over the couch. His comic book slipped off his knee as he moved, into the crevice between the cushions, not that he noticed.

‘You,’ she said simply.

‘Is that so?’ Gladys chuckled as her fingers worked Addison’s now damp curls into a couple elastics to hold them away from her face.

‘Yep and you can play piano for me in all my films,’ she said simply, a big grin plastered on her face. Before Elvis could retort he was stopped as the front door opened bringing with it his Daddy and Joe.

‘Hi y’all,’ Joe said as the pair of them entered and started to remove their boots by the door.

‘Daddy!’ Addison said leaping up off the stool and running towards him where he scooped her up with ease placing her on his hip as he pushed the section of hair Gladys hadn’t managed to tie up yet off her shoulder.

‘Hey darlin’,’ he said planting a kiss on her cheek, ‘you been good?’

‘Yep,’ she beamed as Joe watched her his gaze drifting to Glady who rolled her eyes. He smirked hoping his daughter hadn’t put too much of a strain on his friend and said, ‘well I’ll believe ya. Thousands wouldn’t but I will.’

‘She’s been fine,’ Gladys said.

‘Daddy guess what?’ Addison said capturing his attention as he moved into the room allowing Vernon to shuffle past him and greet his wife.

‘What?’ he said.

‘Me and Elvis are gonna get married,’ she said proudly. Joe chuckled glancing at Elvis who shrugged.

‘Oh ya are, are ya?’ he said.

‘Yep, and he’s gonna be a superhero and I’m gonna be a movie star,’ she said.

‘Well looks like you’ve got your life set out for ya there son,’ Vernon chuckled as he perched beside Gladys on the arm of her chair.

‘Poor soul didn’t even get a say,’ Gladys said amusedly.

‘Yeah, I can’t imagine he had a chance at sayin’ no right princess?’ Joe teased. Addison nodded, their teasing going over head.

‘Never have a chance at sayin’ no to her,’ Elvis chuckled.

‘Well if we’re gonna be havin’ a wedding Addie better get her beauty rest huh?’ Joe said popping her on the floor, ‘go on baby. Go and get in bed I’ll be right behind ya to tuck ya in.’

‘Okay,’ Addison nodded heading towards Elvis’ bedroom door which had been her room too for the past week given that the men were never sure if they’d be home before she got too tired. As she reached the door though she paused, turning to look at Elvis with those same sparkling eyes.

‘Elvis, will you read to me?’ she asked watching him closely as she waited for her answer. Elvis glanced at his parents and then at Joe who nodded to signal he was okay to disturb her bedtime just a little further.

‘Sure,’ he said grabbing his comic book from the gap in the couch and standing up to follow her. She disappeared into his room except when he walked through the door it wasn’t the childhood bedroom he had been expecting. It was his own.

It looked different, like it had a decade ago when it had been almost brand new. Addison was sitting on his bed watching him sadly and when he looked down he found he was dressed in his army greens. This he was sure was a memory.

‘Marty came back up again. Said we’ve not got long,’ she said heading towards the door but she stopped as he grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards him.

‘We can go down in a minute,’ he said, already knowing his lines, ‘there’s something I want to do first.’

He could feel her eyes on him as he moved to his bedside drawer. Inside it was a bunch of junk but none of that interested him. His focus was on the black box that had been stowed away inside it for the past three weeks. It was a small velvet box, one that housed the biggest ring he’d ever purchased, the most important one. He had loved it the moment he had clapped eyes on it. It was stunningly beautiful and yet simple, just like her. She watched as he opened the box in front of her, her eyes going wide which brought a chuckle out of his lips.

‘Don’t worry I ain’t gonna ask you to marry me,’ he smirked, ‘not yet at least.’

‘I don’t understand,’ she said puzzled.

‘I just…I want you to know that this, all of this is for us. So one day I can put this ring on your hand like it’s meant to be,’ he said. It was true. He had known from the moment they had finally ended up together that all he wanted was for her to be his wife. He hadn’t asked her sooner because he hadn’t wanted to spook her and now they had something that felt so massive between them it didn’t feel right to ask. But he could promise.

‘Oh Elvis,’ she said as tears brimmed in her eyes. He could feel them threatening to come to his own but he pushed them back. He couldn’t get emotional, not yet.

‘I love you Addison Goodwin and I ain’t gonna stop not for a minute until we’re back here together.’

‘I love you too,’ she said her breath shaky in her throat. As he leaned in to kiss her she melted into him and he tried with all his might to pour every inch of love he was feeling in his heart into her, hoping that it would last them the two years he had to be away. That when he came home neither of them would be running on empty.

When he pulled back however she looked different. It was still Addison, but her tear-stained face was gone, replaced by perfect makeup and a demure smile.

‘Elvis?’ a voice said from the side of him and he looked towards it finding a man he recognised. His wedding officiant.

‘What?’ he asked looking back to find Addison was now gone, Priscilla now in her place looking just as beautiful as he remembered.

‘Do you take this woman to be your wife?’ the officiant said once more. Priscilla was watching him closely, waiting for him to say ‘I do.’ Yet Elvis couldn’t find the words. He was trying but they were stuck in his throat unable to come out.

‘Elvis,’ she said placing a hand on his bicep which he glanced at but when he looked back towards her she was gone, Addison now in her place dressed as his bride.

‘I do,’ he said finding the words slipping off his tongue so easily now it was her in front of him.

‘You may now kiss the bride,’ the officiant said. The words had no sooner left his lips before Elvis was leaning in kissing her as quickly as he could just in case she slipped from him again. Fortunately when he pulled back this time she was still there, taking his hand in hers as she led him down the aisle, ignorant of every single spectator watching them go.

‘Addie,’ he said trying to get her to stop. He didn’t want her to go anywhere. He didn’t want her to leave him again but she didn’t slow down. Instead she led him to an open door, pausing at it. He came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her as he buried his face in her hair, enjoying the sweet scent of her shampoo and the way her body pressed against his.

‘She looks stunning right?’ he heard her ask. As he pulled back, resting his chin on her shoulder he found them looking into Lisa’s room. Jess was standing in the middle of it, with Lisa by her side, and the pair were looking at themselves in a full-length mirror. Except Jess wasn’t how he pictured her to be. Instead of the fourteen-year-old he had come to know and love she was a kid around Lisa’s age. Yet he still knew it was her, she had the same cheeky face he had seen in his first memory though her eyes were blue and not hazel.

‘I can’t believe our baby girl is getting married,’ Addison said wistfully. It was only then did Elvis notice Jess’ apparel. She was wearing a similar white gown to the one Addison had been wearing not moments before.

‘Me either,’ he said. As the girls giggled and whispered to themselves Addison turned around to face him, wrapping her arms around his neck as she gazed up at him. She was smiling at him and at that moment he didn’t feel like this was a dream. He felt as though he had lived twenty more years. As if they were watching their daughter get ready to be married. As if they were married themselves.

‘We didn’t do too bad huh?’ Elvis said making her smirk.

‘No we didn’t,’ she said caressing his face gently.

‘I love you Mrs Presley,’ he said hoping his words would land right, that his dream wouldn’t be so cruel as to rip this away from him.

‘I love you too Mr Presley.’

He had been leaning in to kiss her and now he was staring at the ceiling trying to ignore the rapid thumping of his heart in his chest as everything flooded back into his mind. It was a mix of memories and dreams though he wasn’t sure which was which for some of them. He wiped his brow finding it slick with sweat though it didn’t surprise him as he noted the bedclothes were twisted around him signalling how much tossing and turning he must have been doing.

‘Elvis?’ he heard Addison’s voice say and for a moment he thought he was still in his dream until he noted the crack of light spilling out from the bathroom into the room and found her standing in the doorframe watching him with concern.

‘Addie?’ he croaked to ascertain if she was actually there.

‘Are you okay? I heard, I was in the bathroom,’ she said hesitantly.

‘Fine, fine,’ he said swinging his legs out of bed as an excuse to not have to look in her direction. He wondered what she’d heard, what he had said in the depths of slumber not knowing she was mere feet away. He felt embarrassment flood through him so in an attempt to push it down he cleared his throat and said, ‘what time is it?’

‘A little after six,’ she said which was confirmed as he glanced at the clock on his bedside table. She was still watching him, concern in her eyes as she said, ‘you should go back to sleep.’

‘What are you doing up?’ he asked as his brain kicked in.

‘Packing,’ she said with a sad smile.

‘Right,’ he said dropping his gaze once more as he remembered what today was.

‘Go back to sleep Elvis,’ she said and before he could protest she disappeared shutting the bathroom door behind her gently. Elvis flopped back on the bed with a sigh. There was no way he’d be able to go back to sleep now. Instead he lay there, thinking about it all. Not even just the dream. All of it. From the moment Jess, no from the moment Addison had walked into his life to now. He didn’t know how she did it so easily, tipped his whole life on its head in the space of a few weeks. He shouldn’t have been surprised of course, that had been what had happened the last time. Even as a kid it’d only taken her a month or so to have him wrapped around her finger as she had at seventeen, as she had now. Yet as kids they’d gotten longer together. As young adults barely months. Now he was scared that after a few weeks that would be it.

But that’s not what he wanted. He wanted months, years in fact. He wanted them for the rest of his life. He wanted to watch Jess on her first date, to graduate, hell he even couldn’t wait to walk her down the aisle as his dream had pictured, but all of that he wanted with Addison by his side. He wanted them to be together, for her not to be going back to Nevada without him. He wanted to watch her walk down the aisle as he had planned for them all those years ago.

He wanted her back.

✵✵✵

‘And you’re sure you’ve got everything?’ Elvis asked looking at Jess who rolled her eyes.

‘Yes Dad I promise,’ she said, fiddling with the straps on her backpack as she looked up at him.

‘Okay good,’ he said nervously. They were standing in hall, saying their last goodbyes before they had to head to the airport. Addison was lingering by the living room with Jerry, watching the pair of them closely. It was awkward though not because he didn’t know what to say it was that what he wanted to say he couldn’t.

‘Call me as soon as you land? As a matter of fact call me any time, okay? Day or night and if I don’t answer leave a message and I’ll call you straight back as soon I can, okay?’ he asked.

‘I will,’ Jess said.

‘And once I’ve looked at my schedule we can talk about flying you out again if you want? Or I could come to you and even if we can’t do that spring break will be here before you know it,’ Elvis said though he didn’t know which one of them he was trying to reassure since she was standing in front of him calm and collected. He guessed that was the bonus of having a teenager instead of a little girl who clung to his leg begging to stay, breaking his heart every damn time, as Lisa did.

‘I know,’ she agreed. She was sad to be having to leave the place she had come to love so much, as well as the dad she had come to love so much too, but knowing he was just as eager for her to come back as she was comforting.

‘C’mere,’ he said opening his arms and allowing her to step in which she did. He wrapped them around her, closing his eyes as he rested his cheek on the top her head whilst she buried her face in his chest. When they pulled back he smiled at her, as reassuringly as he could muster, and she smiled back allowing him to stroke her cheek as if she was a child.

‘And uh, don’t be letting your guitar lessons go now you hear?’ he said clearing his throat as he pushed the lump in his throat away.

‘I won't,’ she promised.

‘Good cos uh I got ya something,’ he said gesturing at Jerry who pulled a guitar out from where it had been hiding in the living room out of sight.

‘Oh my god that’s so cool,’ Jess said marvelling at it as he handed it to her.

‘Now you’ve no excuses not to practice,’ he said as she beamed up at him.

‘Oh I’m gonna,’ she said, ‘thanks dad.’

‘No problem honey,’ he said feeling that lump re-emerge as he looked at her, ‘there’s a case in the car. Jer’ll help you get right man?’

‘Sure, c’mon Vegas let’s see if everythin’ he’s bought ya will actually fit in the trunk,’ Jerry said heading to the door. As Jess giggled and followed her uncle outside, new guitar in hand, Addison came towards him watching him closely. He shifted his weight, her gaze landing heavily on his face.

‘Are you okay?’ she asked tentatively.

‘Yeah, I’m fine,’ he said, ‘it’s just weird y’know? With Lisa there’s a lot more crying.’

‘And just as many bribes huh?’ she teased making his heart flutter just a touch. He breathed a laugh but then the pair of them fell silent for a second until she said, ‘you know she’s not going to forget you the moment she leaves right?’

‘I know,’ Elvis said though it was nice to be reassured of that fact all the same. Addison hesitated in her response.

‘You’re not gonna forget us, right?’ she asked. It was phrased as a joke but as Elvis watched her he could see there was a seed of doubt behind her expression.

‘How could you even think that?’ he asked wondering how that could’ve even popped into her head. He didn’t even want them to go.

‘I don’t know,’ she sighed, ‘it’s just it’s been a hectic few weeks and now there’s gonna be distance between us for the first time since this all started. I just don’t want us to get complacent. I just don’t want her waiting by the phone for it to not ring and I know I’m probably being stupid but I just-’

‘You’re not,’ he said his hands capturing her elbows which forced her rant to cease as she looked up at him. Her face was still worried, but it calmed with his touch, ‘Ads I’m gonna miss you guys so much. If you think that phone ain’t gonna be ringin’ the second you get home you’re sorely mistaken.’

‘Promise?’ she whispered. She knew it was silly of her. She knew he loved Jess but still she had been there before. They had stood in this exact same position once before and that had been the last contact they’d had for over a decade. She knew he wouldn’t just forget about them but over the past few weeks she had become so accustomed to having him in her life she wasn’t sure how she was going to feel without him there.

‘Promise,’ he whispered. She nodded and since she could feel tears stinging at the back of her eyes she thrusted herself forward, wrapping her arms around his neck just in case they spilled over. As accustomed as she had become to having him around she still didn’t want him to see her cry. He was taken off guard for a second but then he wrapped his arms around her, placing his chin on her shoulder as she mimicked his actions. He didn’t know how long they stood there, clinging to one another, but however long it was it didn’t feel like enough. When they heard the honk of the car horn outside they broke apart watching each other unsure.

‘I’ll call you,’ he said firmly hoping it would reassure her.

‘You better,’ she smirked pulling out of his arms and moving to the door, ‘and Elvis?’ ‘

‘Yeah?’

‘We’re gonna miss you too,’ she smiled. And with that she was gone. By the time Elvis could kick his brain into gear to follow her they were already in the car. He lingered on the front porch, waving back to Jess who clocked him standing there before the car moved off and down the winding drive towards the gates.

He couldn’t believe he had done it. That he had allowed them drive out of his life even though every fibre of his being was screaming for him not to let them. But he knew to try and force something now wouldn’t work. He loved Addison and he knew he wanted her back but they weren’t ready for that, not yet at least, as evidenced by the fact she had thought he’d just forget about them like they were strangers passing by.

No, he needed to play it smart, like he had done with the Colonel. He needed to make her see that no matter the hardships they had gone through they could be together like they’d hoped for. That the new people they were had a future, one that included their lives as they were now. That would take time which fortunately was on his side because if he was going to sit and mope for the next couple of months he might as well have something to think about.

SERIES TAGS

@girlblogger2002 @sania562 @caitlin1996 @literally-just-elvis-fics @notstefaniepresley  @artlesson8892 @18lkpeters​ @velvetelvis @jaqueline19997 @elvispresleyxoxo @amydarcimarie @presleyenterprise @everythingelvispresley @elvispresleywife @lillypink @richardslady121 @lettersfromvenus @louisejoy86 @ccab

[ncisladaily]

Okay, we’ll admit we were among those hoping for an appearance from Special Agent Kensi Blye tonight, considering the episode was directed by Daniela Ruah, who played the badass agent on NCIS: LA from 2009 to 2023.

But we’re happy to have Ruah (who previously directed episodes of NCIS: LA) bring her knowing eye to helming NCIS. “It was the first time I was directing on ‘the mothership’ as we lovingly call it,” Ruah tells us in Case Closed, our NCIS aftershow. “It almost didn’t matter what came my way in terms of storyline, I just wanted to be part of it and work with the crew and cast of NCIS. I was received with open arms – like a wonderful, warm hug.”

Her passion for directing showed in this classic case-of-the-week storyline where the team chased down a petty officer’s murderer, who turned out to be someone a little too close to home. It also included a comedic through line about Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) trying to hide the fact that he sometimes cheated on his strict fitness regimen from his new temporary roommate, boss Alden Parker (Gary Cole). “Wilmer’s a funny guy,” Ruah says. “He brings a comedic timing. My job is just to capture it. Maybe I throw in a possible improv.”

Sonja Flemming/CBS

Considering we last saw Kensi in the NCIS: LA series finale, discovering that her dream had come true, and she was finally pregnant with hubs/fellow agent Deeks (Eric Christian Olsen), we had to know if Ruah wonders as much as we do what her alter ego is doing now. As Ruah was sharing with us that she calculated Kensi’s due date and would always love the character she’d played for so long, she realized she was wearing an outfit she’d taken home from set that had been part of Kensi’s onscreen wardrobe – sweater, jeans, and signature boots. She cracks about how the writers might have worked Kensi’s motherhood into a script: “Do we now have an episode with Kensi fighting with a baby in her arms? I wouldn’t put it past her. Or is she out of the game for a couple months?”

Ruah also told us how she feels about the upcoming Paramount+ series (nicknamed) NCIS: Europe which reunites beloved NCIS couple Tony (Michael Weatherly) and Ziva (Cote de Pablo). “I think it’s the best thing ever,” Ruah says. “They had time to go off and do other things. These roles are so establishing for us who have been cast members on the show. For them to pick up these two characters that people fell so madly in love with — even I was shipping ‘Tiva’ —  it’s a wonderful idea, and I’m so excited to watch it.”

As for a Kensi and Deeks spinoff? “I don’t know that I could see one in the near future,” Ruah says. “Eric’s really busy doing what he’s doing and loving that. I’m loving this. I would never say never, but in the near future, that’s probably not on the table. It’s important for us to go and find ourselves in other things. The show was important and special to us, but it’s like leaving the nest.”

You’ll get to see Ruah’s behind-the-camera talents again in an episode of NCIS: Hawai’i coming up in April. Ruah, who does not appear in the hour, reveals that the plot takes deep dives into the characters and, “I think it’s the darkest episode they’ve ever had. The crime that’s committed and what we find out over the course of the episode…it’s not a pleasant story.”

Check out the video for more from Ruah about working with Sean Murray and LL Cool J; what Agents Kensi, Knight (Katrina Law), and Ziva have in common; and more of her thoughts on what it takes to direct a top-notch hour of TV. Hey, we may even see her pulling double duty at some point. Ruah tells us, “I am not opposed at all to showing up as Kensi in one of the NCIS shows.”

[ohnobrooo]

So, I was instantly inspired by your giant Peter B. Parker and Miles artwork. I loved it so much I got an Idea from it.

So here it is;

[Also, I haven't seen the movie since I watched it in the cinemas, so I might mix up a few things.]

-----

So imagine each universe has a different size.

Miles's universe is rather a small one, so anyone getting sent to his dimension their body will instantly compress to fit this universe's requirements/rules.

[Different universes have different Requirements/rules.]

Of course, none of them knows this because universe/dimension travel is brand new to them all.

All those who come from a universe a lot bigger tend to glitch out way more as their bodies aren't used to the strain of dimension travel or being compressed into a small world and body.

They think the extra glitching on certain people is how far apart each dimension is, since Peter B. Parker glitches a lot they all assume his dimension is the furthest.

--------------------

When Miles goes to the Spider Society a lot of spider people are bigger than him either by a foot or way bigger, he just assumes it because that's what their spider did to them, and well Gwen hasn't changed nor has she explained the reasoning behind the whole size difference thing.

Now Miguel is Massive, absolutely huge, which makes him even more intimating as so far no spider person they have seen has been that big.

[I like to think due to Miles's small size it makes Miguel underestimate him.]

Before anything can happen though an even bigger person comes through.

(In my head Peter B. Parker's world is the orginal, which I know isn't the case but I like to think that's why he is so much bigger in this.)

Peter B. Parker is instantly surprised at how small Miles is, he picks him up freaking Miles out.

(Imagine playing with a small marble between your fingers back and forth and that's what's happening to Miles.)

"Your smaller than I thought kid."

Miles instantly throws a glare his way at this comment and sighs.

"Thanks, Peter."

Peter B. Parker grins before nudging Miles with his overly-sized finger, Miles of course tries to push it away with no luck.

"Dude Stop."

And Peter B.Parker does and ask

"How is it out of our little group I'm the only normal-size one?"

-----------------------

I also imagine the scene where they try and stop Miles with the forcefield thing, which looks more like a tiny cup to the giant spider people;

but to the tiny spider people, they see it as a cage.

When Gwen yells at Miguel and Peter B. Parker;

"It's enough."

Peter B. Parker doesn't understand how bad it is because from his point of view, Miguel is saving his tiny vulnerable friend, and Miguel doesn't care since he's saving the universe.

But to other tiny spider people, it's seen as dehumanising and that even with their power they can't stop their bigger counterparts, it makes the smaller spider people see the bigger ones in more of a fearful light as they can easily control them.

--------------------

Oh, and the chase afterwards I like to think that only the bigger spider people are chasing him or that only a few small spider people are doing it out of fear.

And that Miles is harder to catch because of his small size.

---------------------------

I hope you liked it, don't worry about drawing anything as long as you enjoyed my idea.

I might make more once I re-watch the movie XD

[Also, sorry for how long it is.]

OHOHOHOHOO I ENJOY READING THIS A LOT!!

I'm glad you liked my doodle of peter with miles, I feel honored honestly. I hope to inspire and motivate others more to make their own headcanons and ideas(Absolutely love to hear)

As for your ideas its absolutely mwah! Perfect chef kiss! They are kinda similar to this one idea I had were miguel was chasing miles but g/t, so miguel literally has miles in his hands but like pinned down (like that one cat meme that says "YOU").

Miles being a tiny is perfecto! Bro is the master of stealth and him being small makes him almost impossible to be found.

[Don't worry I love reading huge paragraphs, it makes me improve my English more. I would LOVE to hear more of your ideas. Lowkey making me want to watch the movie again just to draw more G/t content]

[destinygoldenstar]

Fusing Total Drama Characters In Sims 4 (Part 11)

I’m fusing Total Drama characters in Sims 4 using the genetic mechanic.

Why?

I don’t flipping know. Why not?

I’m gonna do EVERY pairing possible. This post is just gonna be however long Tumblr allows for images.

So let’s just get into it.

I’m using my own TD Sims for this. They’re in the Gallery if you want them. As well as all these pairings and sims that get generated. So what you want.

Trent + Harold

So we are starting these with a… weird combination. And I have no idea how this is gonna go.

Let’s see what sims comes up with…

Okay. Um, wow, that girl looks WAY better than I thought.

The boy looks anorexic.

But at least he matches?

They both are super stylish.

The girl also has this yellow eyeliner, which… MWAH. 10/10. Especially since it matches the crop top.

I also like that the freckles are dominant.

The girls name is Gloria. She’s jealous & adventurous.

The boys name is Forrest. He’s erratic & loves the outdoors.

You know, the name fits perfectly with those traits.

Trent + Courtney

Moving on.

Let’s see…

Ooh, yeah… no.

I mean, the girls okay. I don’t think the hairstyle works for her, but at least the outfit matches.

The boy is a straight up mess.

The boys name is Zayne. He’s good & proper.

The girls name is Parker. She’s a party animal & insider.

Trent + Beth

Okay, I’m calling right now, this one is gonna be terrible.

But let’s see what sims does…

Wow. What a surprise.

To be fair, it’s just the facial structure. But that can’t be helped, it was a pick your poison, and Beth is more attractive than Trent anyway.

GOT EM

Their outfits are actually fine. They’re trying. You tried.

The girls name is Raelynn. She’s a party animal & paranoid.

The boys name is Braxton. He’s active & an overachiever.

Trent + Cody

Oh, this one will be interesting.

I’m just saying Cody, if you want to leave your toxic relationship with Sierra, since things didn’t work out with Gwen for either of you, you can give each other a try… 🩷

Trent X Cody, anyone?

Oh boy…

First off, why does the dude look like a business man?

Second, the girl. WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!

Crazy socks that don’t match. Ripped jeans.

What is this facial structure girlie?

She has a nose ring. She has earrings of Gwen’s colors… wow. I swear that was randomized.

Where did you come from?!

The boys name is Jerome. He’s gloomy & a foodie.

The girls name is Natasha. She’s cheerful & a goofball.

Trent + Tyler

This is the last pairing for today.

Let’s see what sims comes up with…

Oh boy…

Let’s start with the dude. The outfits fine. The hair is fine. But uh…

Why does this boy have man titties? I’m sorry.

The girl. Again, the outfits fine. Idk why she has dyed pink hair.

I think it’s the facial structure of both of them that I don’t like. There’s something about it that just doesn’t look right.

The boys name is Derick. He’s good & a dog lover.

The girls name is Micaela. She’s an overachiever & loves the outdoors.

Say these generated sims were on a team on a show. What’s their team name?

[kazooku]

Remember how in August I said I wanted to post more Earth-376 content? WELL HERE IT IS!!!! Now introducing Earth-376's Black Cat aka Felicia and its other Spider hero Webling aka Gwyn Stacie Silveiro!! They're gay as fuck 🕸🐈‍⬛️🏳️‍🌈

Despite what Gwyn's name may suggest there is a Gwen Stacy in Earth-376. They are separate people who just have similar names. Gwyn is the 2nd Spider-Person of Earth-376. Eventually going by the name Webling, Gwyn got bit by a spider on field trip when they were 14 and since then.... they pretended not to have powers until they were 16 and Spider-Man went missing at the same time as their classmate Peter Parker did and they realized they could no longer sit back and watch anymore. They did not connect the dots and thought they were looking for two people not one for MONTHS. Still working out the finer details in the timeline but Gwyn doesn't figure out that Peter is Spider-Man until either a month or few weeks before the rescue. He actually did a really good job at keeping both identities separate.

Gwyn's journey as Webling has a rough start. Even though Gwyn's had these powers for years they lack practice. To top it all off Gwyn didn't know Spider-Man used artificial webbing so when Gwyn used their organic webbing to webswing... it was an impressive fall. So jumping buildings it was!! Until they met Black Cat.

Soo Black Cat and Spider-Man briefly dated 2 years ago for only 2 weeks. It was a disaster but it happened!! During that time Felicia manged to steal his web fluid formula and a pair of his webshooters after they broke up. She's denied ever doing that though. Upon seeing Webling and noticing they probably aren't going to figure it out on their own Felicia made an offer. Felicia would give them the webshooters and formula if they help her out and Webling didn't even hesitate to say yes. Neither had any idea that they would end up catching feelings for each other.

I'm trying to figure anything else to fit in this post without crowding it soooo wrapping it up here. If there's any questions I love answering them and my several Earth-376 planning docs are linked in my carrd!!

[seven-homosexual-dinosaurs]

Ooooh I can imagine Grian being like Doc Oc in the Spider False au,but instead of the mecg arms he has big ol mech wings with razors on the end or something.

And then are ALL the emperors spiders?! Because if so I elect Lizzie to be the Peter Porker equivalent. And Sausage would make a GREAT Peter B. Parker, since he also knows a lot about dimensional stuff, other versions of himself, helping Tock when her twin turns on her, and helping everyone get home. So as far as staying in sinc Sausage could be a good mentor for the twins there.

But this sounds wild! Especially Sun Spider... she worries me. I know this might not have been the intention but on the original post you made her not glitching sound so OMINOUS, like she was a double agent or something.

The thing about Grian is that he doesn't know Kingpin is evil. He's just an intern, so Kingpin doesn't pay much attention to him, certainly not enough to get him in on his evil plans. But that's not to say Grian won't, I don't know, go off on his own with his inventions to cause mischief around the city.

Vulture isn't necessarily evil in this au per se, just chaotic. He mainly just creates large scale pranks that can sometimes be a bit harmful in nature. Quite the pesky bird, if I do say so myself.

As for your other questions, the emperors are all spider-people and I love your Lizzie as Peter Porker idea. She's so goofy and just questionable enough that the others aren't completely sure she isn't some sort of mafia boss, which really sets off Spider-Sheriff.

Sausage does fit best into the role of Peter B, only a bit less worn out. He's trying mainly to hold the group together and teach the newer spiders what he can about his line of work. A bit hard though, when he swears there's something Spider-Tock isn't telling them about that strange villain Clockwork. And why Tock? Wouldn't it make more sense for her to pick Spider-Tick as a name, as the Tick comes first and is more associated with clocks? Not that he'll push though. If Tock wants to keep some secrets, so be it. As long as she's helping the other spiders, he doesn't care.

There's definitely up with Spider-Sun though, as much as she denies it. Still, the other spiders have their own concerns right now and she doesn't seem to be hurting anyone, so whatever! Tock's just happy the villain Solar Flare stopped showing up so much since the emperors got here...

[irondad-creator-awards]

Writer Spotlight - Spagbol99

This week we're talking to the 2023 Winner of the Best OG Writer Award and the Best Plot Twist author, @spagbol99 of A Peter Parker Problem.

Summary:

Peter Parker was back from the dead. At least that is what everybody told him. He'd been snapped out of existence until some sort of time travel and an active death wish by his mentor had saved him and the universe. Just your average sort of life for a 16 year old from Queens. Peter comes back to find May has a husband and a kid. A new family he has to fit into. But he has done it before, he can do it again. The only thing that feels solid is Tony: the Blip and fatherhood have mellowed him and Peter loves the bond they have now. He knows Tony would be there for him through anything. But Tony needs to focus on his own recovery - not small time Peter Parker problems. When things at home take a turn for the worse, Peter decides that he'll handle it himself. He is Spider-man. He's been to space and fought aliens. He can get through anything. After all, if May is happy, he is happy, right? Right?

How did you get into Irondad?

I stumbled into reading fan fiction for the first time at the start of the pandemic.  I was a mild MCU fan at the time, so I went in search of Spider-Man stories and ran straight into IronDad and the rest is history… !

What’s your favorite Irondad scene?   

Ooh, that is a mean question, how can I choose just one?!  I think it has to be the ferry scene for me.  I’m sure it will come as no surprise to anyone who has read my writing that I live for the angst!

When did you start writing and what made you sit down and write that first story? 

For the purposes of this question, I’ll assume you mean writing fan fic but I’ve written original fiction for a long time.  As soon as I found IronDad and MCU fanfic at the start of the pandemic, I devoured fic after fic.  I loved the recurring tropes and seeing how people tackled them in different ways.  As I read more and more, ideas started to fester within me and I decided I wanted to try my hand at writing my own fic.  I wrote 150K in four months so it’s fair to say that I was inspired and enthused.  I actually had no intention of posting.  After sitting on the finished product for a month, I decided ‘what the hell’ and went for it. I’m so glad that I did.

What do you like about writing most? 

Pure escapism.  There is something about creating and manipulating a world that only you control that is very powerful.

Which of your stories is your favorite and why? 

Asking me to choose between my children?  How rude!  Hmmm, I would say that A Peter Parker Problem is probably my favourite.  Something about it being my very first fan fic and being the exact kind of story that I like to read – which was my motivation to write it.

What’s your favorite trope to write?  

Found family is probably my favourite trope overall.  I also love writing characters overcoming trauma (or at least starting to), whomp and miscommunication. 

What inspired the story? In my original works, I have often written stories about teenagers in difficult family situations so when I started reading fic and came across the ‘Aunt May’s abusive boyfriend’ tag, it started ideas churning.  I kept thinking how unique a situation it would be to have the physical power that Peter has but still be subjected to abuse.  That even though we can be powerful, confident people, it doesn’t mean that we are immune to coercion and abuse in our lives.  In this story, Peter particularly is in such a vulnerable position post Endgame coming back to a family that has changed in his absence and I imagined how he’d do anything to keep May happy after the grief she had been through. 

Can you tell us a little about the experience of writing it — did anything stand out or was there a particular person that helped more than others? 

 It was such a fun experience writing it.  I hadn’t felt that passionate about anything in a long while and it gave me something to focus on during that early pandemic uncertainty.  It quite honestly helped my sanity being stuck indoors during lockdown with two young children.  At this point I didn’t know anybody in fandom – I had only read fic not interacted with anyone so other than a few later chapters, it was not beta read.  What struck me most about the experience was the warm welcome I had by the IronDad community once I started posting.  I was overwhelmed by the support for the story.  I hadn’t imagined that so many people would read it, I would’ve been happy with a handful of hits, so to say I was blown out of the water was an understatement.  Similarly, I reached out to a few authors to take a look at some later chapters I was unsure of and they helped without hesitation.  I have made long lasting, deep friendships, meeting up with three people in two different parts of the globe in the last 18 months – including a trip to Avengers Campus in California!  I can honestly say that finding fan fic has enriched my life immensely.

How did you feel to be a winner of the Awards last year? 

It was such a lovely surprise to be honored with a win last year.  The fandom has such a slew of talented, prolific writer that I was surprised to have won.  Thank you to everyone for reading my scribblings and taking the time to vote for me.

Thank you so much @spagbol99 for answering our questions and being part of the Awards.

Nominations for the 2024 Irondad Creator Awards are now open here.

[the---hermit]

jumbo reading challenge update #3

This post has been sitting in my drafts for months. I have procrastinated posting this update for so long. I still have no plans for the rest of the challenge and I am trying to fit in the books I am reading randomly, so I have no idea if I will complete the challenge by the end of the year. I surely didn't expect to be 75% done with it in the first half of the year. Here are the links to my first and second updates on this challenge.

The Priory Of The Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon for the high fantasy prompt:

I don't know where I got the courage to approach a 800 page book, but I am surely happy I did. This is one of the best books I read this year. Challenging my fear of big books is teaching me how immersive they can be, and how special the reading experience becomes. This fantasy book in particular is very well made, I would even recommend it to people who don't read a lot of epic fantasy. I cannot wait for the sequel to be translated so that I can get it (I know I could get it anyway but I want matching editions).

Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman for the main character of color prompt:

This was the last unread book in my Gaiman bookshelf (which means I have to look for the books my collection is still missing). For some reason I procrastinated reading this book for years. I am happy I finally picked it up, but it was definitely not my favourite novel by this author. I was expecting something along the lines of American Gods, which is not the case. It's an entertaining novel, but I prefer darker fantasy.

Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney for the horror or thriller prompt:

I listened to the audiobook for this novel, which was made pretty well. It's a story inspired by And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, which is one of my all time favourite novels. I was a bit scheptical at first, but it wasn't as bad as I feared. After reading it I was a bit confused over my feeling for this novel, especially for the big twist at the end. It's now been a while and I can say that although the audiobook was very entertaining and well paced, I am not a big fan of the ending. I see what the author was trying to do, and I am prersonally not a fan. But it wasn't that bad.

Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton for the minimalistic cover prompt:

This book was surprisingly fun. While reading it I was a bit frustrated with a couple of things that felt very stupid, but to be honest after finishing it it made sense. It's one of those lighthearted adventurous books that needed a couple of silly things to work and it's fine. As I said it was really fun. I feel like it would be a great pick for a summer read, so much so that I am considering reading the sequel this summer.

Through The Woods by Emily Carroll for the clever cover prompt:

This was a rererad for me. I got this book last year and loved it, and since in the past month or so I have been in a big graphic novel rereading mood this felt perfect. I picked it for this prompt because the longer you look at the cover the more you notice some hidden detail. The art in this book is amazing, and it's overall one of my favourite graphic novels I own, it's the perfect gothic horror with fairytale vibes, I couldn't ask for more.

Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe for the non-binary author:

I am so happy to have this in my graphic novel collection. It's a very special addition, it was very insightful and emotional, and I know for a fact that I will be rereading this book more than once. I very much recommend picking this up. I felt like it did a great job at giving an idea of what it's like to question your sexuality and gender, how complicated and scary it can be, but also how joyful it is.

She Who Became The Sun by Shelley Parker Chan for the pun in the title prompt:

When I realized there was a pun in this book title my brain expoded. It's genious. The story of a girl who takes the identity of her brother to claim his destiny, becoming "the son", I loved it. I loved all characters. There's a light fantasy element that I hope will see more of in the sequel. Overall it's a very well done and engaging historical fantasy, and the gender in this is amazing. There's very interesting parallels, really strong characters that completment each other, it was a great read that I will be recommending a lot.

The House In The Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune for the water in the title prompt:

This book has been often described as part of the cozy fantasy genre, and honestly it's a great way to describe it. I really enjoyed my time with this book, it was the perfect lighthearted read I needed.

The individual book reviews are linked in the titles above as usual.

[groovesnjams]

gRººv333S,,,n,,,J▲M§ ▬|s|!|O|!| ❤︎|!|t|!|y|▬{{mmxxii}}  

..................number11 ....................of50

“The Linden Trees Are Still in Blossom” by Jens Lekman

DV:

Unfortunately I may have said everything I had to say about “The Linden Trees Are Still in Blossom” back when we initially covered it, and I stand by all those ideas: this is still the rare sequel that deepens and enriches the original, and one of the most complicated songs I heard all year. It’s also art about itself, which puts it into a weird sort of conversation with the year’s most prominent piece of self-critiquing art, Nathan Fielder’s The Rehearsal. Where The Rehearsal is a work of art about how works of art like it should simply never exist, “The Linden Trees Are Still in Blossom” is a work of art about how art binds us together, connects us, gives meaning and purpose and value to our lives. It makes me cry every time I hear it, which is probably because I’m getting old but whatever I’m leaning into it, and enjoying hearing Jens lean into the emotion and vulnerability of it too. It’s fundamentally optimistic and hopeful, in the way that only a message in a bottle can be.

MG:

I have a very long list of “drafts” on my personal blog, a sort of shadow portal of myself that only I can see, and in there was something I rage wrote and decided better of, but I think it fits with “The Linden Trees Are Still in Blossom.” I despise in memoriams when people die. I hated them when I did them at The Singles Jukebox and I hated every last Mimi Parker public eulogy. I don’t mean to disparage the people who write these things (myself included) because they are grieving and well meaning and trying to communicate something about the importance of a life lived. What I hate is their note of finality. We will not have more Mimi Parker public eulogies next year though her contributions to music will still be just as vital, her loved ones will still be mourning fiercely, and her life and her death will still be meaningful. One day, one week, of outpouring is not enough and it makes these people feel very dead in a way that they would not if we could still talk about them from time to time.

“The Linden Trees Are Still in Blossom” kind of steps back over a line Jens Lekman crossed when he inserted Nina into his art but since she’s there forever I’m extremely heartened to hear him return to her, to share her story with us again, as bittersweet as it will always be. Nina is a complicated figure; in both stories she wants, as much as possible, to be unobserved and unseen, to hide herself first from her father and then from her old friend, Jens. Whether he succeeds is up for debate, but Jens is attempting understanding and failing that, he’s offering to listen. Ultimately, my sense is that Nina probably does not want to be the centerpiece to another Jens Lekman masterwork but it’s already much too late to undo that brush stroke. For the rest of us, and for Jens, it feels necessary that she remain vital -- never left behind or forgotten.