Faltering

Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at [Link]

Rating: Mature
Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Categories: F/M, Gen
Fandoms: Spider-Man - All Media Types, Spider-Man (Tom Holland Movies)
Relationship: Peter Parker/Reader
Characters: Peter Parker, Reader, Marc Spector, Steven Grant (Marvel), Jake
Lockley
Additional Tags: Post-Movie: Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), Alternate Universe -
Canon Divergence, First Meetings, Fluff, Angst, Fluff and Angst,
becoming friends, Friendship, Friends to Lovers, Developing
Relationship, Developing Friendships, Eventual Smut, Falling In Love,
Mentioned Marc Spector, Mentioned Tony Stark, Canon-Typical
Violence, Crime Fighting, Peter Parker Needs a Hug, Reader-Insert,
Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Plot Twists
Language: English
Stats: Published: 2023-06-27 Updated: 2023-07-01 Words: 7,280 Chapters: 2/?
 Faltering
by brokebones

Summary

You meet Peter Parker in your GED class. Who knew that the blip would allow two people to
meet and become friends? Though, you didn’t remember a Peter Parker at Midtown High.

Notes

My first ever Spiderman fanfic. Wow! It's kind of crazy because Spiderman is my favorite
Marvel hero, and comic series. Anyways, I hope you enjoy and please don't forget to support
by leaving a kudos and checking my other fics out! <3

See the end of the work for more notes

Peter stood at the top of the Chrysler building. Serene wasn’t the word he would use to
describe it though. It had been a few months since his last meeting with Doctor Strange. Last
meeting in a lot of sense.

As Peter looked out at the city below, he couldn't help but feel a sense of detachment.
Without Tony, without MJ and Ned, and most of all without Aunt May, who was he?

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, feeling the cold wind whip around him. He missed
them all terribly, but he knew he couldn't dwell on the past. Not now. Not when the city
needed him the most.

He opened his eyes and looked out again, scanning the skyline for any signs of trouble. Sure
enough, he saw a group of suspicious men making their way towards a jewelry store.

Peter didn't hesitate. He leaped off the building and swung towards the scene, shooting webs
out of his wrists to gain momentum. He landed silently on the roof of the store and crouched
down, watching as the men broke open the windows and entered the building.

He knew he had to be careful. These guys were most likely armed and dangerous. But he
couldn't let them get away with it. He took a deep breath and leaped down, landing behind
the first man. The man turned around, surprised, and Peter hit him with a swift kick to the
jaw.

The man stumbled back, cursing under his breath. Peter didn't give him a chance to recover.
He jumped at him, twisting his body in mid-air and delivering a powerful punch to the man's
chest. The man grunted and fell to the ground, gasping for air.

Peter turned his attention to the other men, who had drawn their guns and were pointing them
at him. He didn't flinch. He knew he could take them.

"Who else wants a piece of that?" He said with a smirk.

The men hesitated for a moment, but then one of them fired a shot. Peter dodged it
effortlessly thanks to his spider sense. He shot a web at the man's gun, yanking it out of his
hand, and then swung at him, knocking him out with a well-placed kick.

The other men were starting to panic now. They fired more shots, but Peter was too quick for
them. He shot webs at the guns, disarming the criminals before they could fire more rounds.

The men cursed and charged at Peter, fists flying. Peter dodged and weaved, striking back
with punches and kicks of his own. He felt alive, the adrenaline pumping through his veins as
he fought.

One man managed to get a good hit in, striking Peter hard in the stomach. Peter grunted in
pain, but didn't let it slow him down. He countered with a swift kick, sending the man
tumbling backwards.

The fight was over almost as quickly as it started. Peter stood amidst the defeated criminals,
breathing heavily.

As he looked up, Peter noticed a woman standing next to the front door, watching him with
awe and fear. She was clutching her purse tightly, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"It's alright," he said. "They won't be stealing around here anymore."

The woman stared at him for a moment longer and then nodded slowly. Peter stepped past her
to leave, but he felt her hand on his arm.

"Thank you," she said softly.

Peter nodded at her again, feeling a warmth spread through him. It was moments like these
that made him feel like being Spider-Man was worth it.

"No problem," he said. "Just doing my job."

Shooting a web to a nearby building, he left. His job was done there anyways. Since the
police didn't really like his lifestyle, he could never stay long. There were a lot of places he
could never stay long. Either memories or people affected him.

Landing on another apartment building, he looks for the spare backpack he left behind. They
were all over the city in different hiding spots. Sometimes they were just strapped to the sides
of buildings.

His hand reaches behind a large crate and grabs hold of the bag. Pulling it from the spot, he
opens it and takes out the watch tucked inside.

“Shit! I’m going to be late!”

Peter had never been graceful when changing out of his suit. It takes a couple of tries to kick
off the spandex. Once he is changed he quickly makes it to the closest bus stop and makes it
on just in time. It wasn’t a far bus stop from the local public school

He had made the decision to finally work towards his GED, then maybe his dream of going
to MIT would be a reality. Peter never knew how difficult an adult's life was until he began to
live it. So many expectations, and responsibilities.

The odd jobs he had taken up were enough for him to sort of live. Good thing he had a hobby
right? Besides being a science genius, he was good at photography. The newspapers loved the
Spiderman ones.

Peter was pulled from his thoughts as his bus stopped in front of the school. He pushes
through the crowd and steps off. Looking around, he walks into the building and looks for the
sign pointing toward the classroom.
Once he’s found it, he enters to see people sitting at different tables. He looks around to find
an empty one in the back. Not that he didn’t want to make friends, but it was easier for him to
focus on his thoughts.

His mind sensed something as he sat there waiting for the class to start. Looking towards the
door he notices you walk in. Weird. His senses had never done that unless it was a sign of
danger. He watched you look around nervously before your eyes landed on him. You took
another glance around the room, before making your way towards his table.

“Is this seat taken?” You ask quietly. Hands fidgeting with the edge of your book.

Peter sat there speechless for a moment, staring up at you with wide eyes, “This seat? The
one next to me?”

You nod.

“Oh! Yeah, no.” He pauses for a moment. The look of confusion spread across your face.
“Wait! No, it’s not taken. Sorry, just nervous.”

“Thanks.” You mumble and sit. “So am I.”

There were still 30 minutes until the class officially started. People began to filter in and
mingle with each other while you sat there quietly.

Ever since the blip, you’ve tried not to get too close to people. You had found out your family
had left New York and didn't leave a new address. Why would they? You were gone for 5
years.

It really wasn’t fair. You tried everything, looking everywhere but you had to accept it. So
you kept a certain distance from people. He seemed nice enough, though. He started up a
conversation and even tried to give you a joke. It was a poor attempt at a joke, but it was
something.

As the professor began the lecture, you found yourself glancing over at the boy. He was cute,
with his messy brown hair and warm brown eyes. You couldn't help but wonder what it
would be like to get to know him better.

Focus on the assignment, it seems that both of you were fast with your work. Completing
each section given to you in a timely manner. He glanced over at you once or twice with the
look of wanting to ask something. Though nothing ever came of it.

After the class was over, He gathered his things and headed towards the door. You followed
suit, but he slowed down to walk beside you. Both of you came to a stop as you got further
down the hallway.

“My name is Peter, by the way, Peter Parker.” He held his hand out for a handshake. You
politely grabbed it and shared your own name.

“Why are you here anyways? You seem too smart to be here.” You blurt out. Whoops, there
goes making a friend.
He smiles before adjusting his backpack, “Actually, I did something pretty stupid, and now
I'm paying the price I guess.”

“Oh,” You begin, “I’m sorry, I don’t know why I asked so suddenly.”

“Nah, no, it’s okay really. Not like I'm trying to hide it.”

There was a moment of silence between the both of you. It wasn’t awkward, but it wasn’t
comfortable either. Looking up at him, you notice the hesitation in his face, as if he was
having an internal conflict. He caught your eyes on him before he spoke.

"Hey, do you want to grab some coffee or something? I know a great little place down the
street."

You hesitated for a moment, your heart beating faster. Then you smiled and nodded, "Yeah,
that sounds great."

And just like that, you found yourself opening up to someone. It took almost 2 years, but it
was a start. You hear your mentor’s voice in the back of your head, ‘It’s the little steps that
turn into big strides.’

Peter led the way to the coffee shop, chatting casually about his interests and hobbies. You
found yourself intrigued by his intelligence, wit, and charm. As you walked, your arm
occasionally brushed against his, sending shivers down your spine. Weird.

Once inside the cozy coffee shop, Peter bought for the both of you before leading you to a
table by the window. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the city. You sipped your
coffee and listened as Peter talked about his love for science and his dream of working for a
tech company.

As the night wore on, the conversation turned more personal. Peter confided in you about his
struggles with anxiety and the pressure to live up to his own expectations. You found yourself
opening up as well, telling him an edited version of your life after the blip. He seemed to
tense during this part of the conversation.

It was cathartic, to be able to talk to someone who understood. As the night drew to a close,
you found that you didn't want to leave. You felt safe around your new friend. Emphasis on
the word new.

As if sensing your thoughts, Peter leaned forward, his eyes locking onto yours. "Can I ask
you something?" he said softly.

"Sure," you replied, feeling a flutter in your stomach.

"Would you maybe want to hang out again sometime? Maybe catch a movie or something?"
he asked, his voice hesitant.

You couldn't help the smile that spread across your face. "I'd like that," you said.
Peter grinned back at you, relief evident in his expression. "Great. uhm, You wouldn't mind if
I got your number?" he asked, standing up from the table.

"Not at all, I just don't have a cell phone, you'll have to call my landline." You admit while
taking out a pin and writing your number on a napkin.

You said your goodbyes and left the coffee shop, feeling lighter than you had in a long time.
As you walked home, you couldn't help but think about the way Peter made you feel. He was
smart, kind, and funny, and you couldn't wait to see him again.

The next few weeks passed in a blur of laughter, inside jokes, and shared experiences. At
first, you couldn't shake the feeling of how strange it was that you both connected so fast. It
was as if you had known each other long before you first met.

One night, after an enjoyable outing, you found yourselves sitting on the steps of a quiet
park, watching the stars twinkle above you.

"You know," Peter said softly, breaking the comfortable silence, "I'm really glad I met you."

You turned to him, feeling your heart flutter. "I'm glad I met you too, Peter."

"To be really frank, you're my only friend." He huffs with a grin spread on his face.

"You're my only friend too." You admit, also smiling. "I was scared to be your friend at first."

His head turns towards you, eyebrows raised high on his forehead. "You were scared? Why is
that?"

Glancing over at him briefly, you turn your attention to the stars above. Something inside
your brain urged you to tell him the full truth. So this was it, you finally reached the furthest
point in a friendship.

“I was scared that maybe one day I would lose this. Just like my family.” You start, looking
back at him. “After I came back from the blip, they were gone. Our house… was empty.”

He started to open his mouth then quickly shut it.

“Go ahead, you can ask.” You say.

“Your family left? Didn’t you-”

“I tried looking. I tried phone numbers, googling, even the mail office to look for a
forwarding address.”

Silence. Both of you sat in complete silence. Peter took your hand cautiously before
squeezing it gently.

“I’m sorry,” he said softly. “I had no idea.”

“No one should have to learn to live without their family,” Peter said fiercely. "We both didn't
deserve it."

"If you don't mind me asking, what happened to your family?"

Peter's breath caught in his throat. He had just realized that what he told you was also a less
detailed version of what happened to May.

"My parents died when I was a kid... but my aunt." He swallowed back the tears stinging his
eyes. "My aunt died in a building collapse. About a year ago."

Now it was your turn to grab his hand. "Peter, I'm so sorry." Your tears push past their
barriers as they slowly make their way down your face.

"It's okay, I've grieved, I'm just trying to be better. For her."

You realized that he was crying too. This wasn't how you expected the night to go. With the
both of you crying in the middle of the park.

The two of you sat in silence, watching the stars above. It was a peaceful moment, one that
made you forget about all the pain and heartache you had experienced.

"You know, I've been thinking a lot lately," he said, "about what I want to do with my life.
And I keep coming back to one thing."

“What is that?” You ask, turning your head in his direction.

"I want to help people, in any way I can. I want to make a difference in this world," he said,
his voice strong and full of conviction.

You smiled at him, feeling a warmth spread through your chest. "I think you'd be great at
that," you said.

"And what about you? What do you want to do?" He turned to you, his eyes shining in the
moonlight.

You hesitated, unsure of how to respond. You had been so caught up in surviving, in trying to
rebuild your life, that you hadn't thought about the future. But as you looked into Peter's
earnest gaze, you found yourself wanting to believe in a brighter tomorrow.

"I want to write, I think," you said, feeling a spark of excitement. "I want to use my
experiences to help others, to inspire them."

Peter grinned at you, his hand squeezing yours. "I know you'll be amazing at it." You sat
there, hand in hand.
The night grew colder, but you didn't want to move. You felt like you could stay there
forever, with Peter by your side. But eventually, the cold became too much to bear and you
both stood up, hands still intertwined.

"Let's head back," Peter said, his voice soft. "It's getting late."

You nodded, feeling a sense of contentment wash over you. As you walked back to your
apartment, you knew that things wouldn't always be easy.

Life was unpredictable, full of twists and turns. But as long as you had Peter by your side,
you felt like you could handle anything.

When you reached your doorstep, Peter turned to you, his eyes full of something you couldn't
quite decipher.

“What?” You ask, looking around to see if anything else was in the hall. “You okay, Peter?”

“You’re really pretty.” He says slowly

“What?”

“What?”

You both stare at each other for a long moment.

“I said that out loud?” He asks.

“Yeah, you did.” You giggle out. It was really cute. At least you thought it was cute.

Peter chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of his neck. "Sorry, I didn't mean to say that
out loud. I was just thinking about it."

Your heart swelled with happiness, knowing that Peter found you attractive. You stepped
closer to him, your body inches away from his.

"Well, I think you're pretty handsome yourself," you replied, smiling up at him.

"Really?"

You nod before leaning up and kissing his cheek. It was still strange to you. How have you
allowed yourself to get so close to this boy you met about 2 months ago?

Peter's face lit up as he blushed, the warmth of your lips still lingering on his cheek. He
couldn't believe how lucky he was to have met someone like you. It was like fate had brought
you two together.

For a moment, you both just stood there, gazing into each other's eyes, lost in the moment.
The attraction between you was undeniable, and you both knew it.

"I think..." You begin, stopping yourself as you think about what to say.
"Yeah?" He says in a whisper.

"I think I would really like to go on a date with you."

The smile that spread across Peter's face was one of pure joy. You had never seen anyone
smile like that. A good sign.

"I think I would really like that too." He starts. "Friday?"

You giggle at his giddiness. "That's tomorrow."

"Is it? I can't even remember what today is."

Both of you laugh as you begin to unlock your apartment door. "Goodnight, Peter Parker."

"I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow."

As you disappear into your home and shut the door. Peter can't help but do a victory fist
pump. He looked around awkwardly and began to walk quickly out of the building.

Running out, he can't help but want to do a few loops around your neighborhood. Turning
into an alleyway, Peter takes his suit of the backpack on his shoulder and quickly puts it on.

He leaps onto the wall and begins scaling it with ease, the rush of adrenaline coursing
through his veins.

As he made his way up the wall, Peter's thoughts drifted back to you. He couldn't wait for the
date tomorrow, to spend more time with you and get to know you better. He wondered what
you would wear, what you would talk about, and if he would finally have the courage to
make a move and kiss you.

A sudden noise snapped Peter out of his daydreaming. Without a second thought, Peter
sprang into action. As he lands on a rooftop, he sees something moving in the distance. It's
hard to tell what it is, but he has a feeling it's not good.

Cautiously, he walked towards the moving figure. It was a man. He was just standing there.

'Pfft, See Peter nothing to worry about. Wait is that a cape?'

Peter's heart sank as he realized what he was looking at. It was Moon Knight, and he didn't
look happy. He knew that this was not going to be a pleasant encounter.

He had met Moon Knight a few months back during a fight with a 'god'. It was hard to
explain, you just had to be there. That's when he met all of them actually. Marc, Steven, and
Jake. Alters is how Marc explained it to him.

Moon Knight was the only one who knew Peter's identity, but he preferred the hero names.
"Hello, Spider-Man," Moon Knight said coldly, his voice carrying over the wind.

"Hey, um, what brings you to New York?" Peter asked nervously, trying to keep his cool.

"How do you know her?"

"Who, exactly?"

The older man huffed, before walking over to Peter. "Don't play, I know you were just with a
girl."

"Why does it matter how I know her?" Peter bit. It wasn't like him to get defensive.

"Tell me how you know her," Marc yelled. It was deafening. Like it echoed in the air. He
watched Marc's shoulders heave.

"My GED class. We met on the first day of class." He replied slowly. "Why are you getting
so worked up?"

"It doesn't matter."

"Woah! You don't get to do that, man!" Peter said. "What's going on with you? Why are you
acting like this?"

Marc's eyes flickered with anger as he took a step closer to Peter. "This city is full of danger,
Spider-Man. It's not safe for someone like her."

Peter raised an eyebrow, trying to understand. "Someone like her? What are you talking
about?"

Moon Knight hesitated for a moment before finally speaking. "She's special, Peter. And I
don't mean in a good way. She's a target. And if you care about her at all, you'll stay away."

Peter's heart sank as he thought about you, the person he had just been thinking about
moments ago. He couldn't believe that someone would want to hurt you.

"I'll protect her," Peter said firmly, his mind made up. "I won't let anything bad happen to
her."

Moon Knight's eyes narrowed as he studied Peter. "You're not the only one who cares about
her, Spider-Man."

"Who else does then? You? Crazy, because I can't imagine how you even know her!"

"I care because I am her father!" Marc growls out. Silence. Once again, his voice echoes
through the night.

'Her father?' Peter can feel the rage begin to bubble inside his chest.

"How could you?" Peter accused.

"She has been looking everywhere for you!" He yelled. "She grieved over you!"

"You don't think I know that?"

"Then why!"

"To protect her. All of this is to protect her."

He couldn't listen to this anymore. 'This fucking audacity of this guy' He thought. Turning to
leave, hearing his name stopped him in his tracks.

"Peter." Marc's voice was low. "Don't tell her. She'll be in danger. She can't know about me."

"You know this is really fucked up, Marc."

"Please."

Peter thought for a moment, "Fine."

With that, he left. Swinging back to the top of his building, and to the comfort of his own
apartment. As Peter threw himself onto his bed, his mind was in chaos. He couldn't believe
what had just happened.

Marc Spector was her father, and he had warned him to stay away from her. Peter knew he
couldn't do that. He couldn't ignore his feelings for you, and he couldn't let someone hurt you.
 Chapter 2
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes

Peter couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in his stomach after his encounter with
Moon Knight. As he got ready for the date, Peter couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement.
He picked out his nicest outfit and styled his hair before heading out.

When he arrived at the restaurant, he saw you sitting at a table, looking stunning. The sight of
you took his breath away and he knew that he was even more determined to protect you at all
costs.

"Hey," you said as you stood up to greet him.

"Hey," Peter replied, trying to push his thoughts of the previous night to the back of his mind.

As the night went on, Peter found himself laughing and enjoying your company. He couldn't
believe how easy it was to talk to you and how comfortable he felt around you.

However, as the night wore on, he couldn't help but sense that someone was watching them.
He kept glancing around the restaurant, but he couldn't see anything out of the ordinary.

"Is everything okay?" you asked, noticing his unease.

Peter hesitated for a moment before finally speaking up. "Yeah! Great! Not nervous about
this or anything."

You giggle at his mumbling. It was quite cute, you both were alike in many ways. "You
sure?" you asked, placing a comforting hand on his arm.

Peter forced a smile on his face. "Yeah, I'm sure."

The two of you continued chatting, but Peter couldn't quite focus fully. He kept glancing
towards the entrance of the restaurant, hoping to catch a glimpse of whoever was watching
them.

"You're not enjoying yourself, are you?" you asked, hurt laced in your voice.

"No, no, I am!" Peter replied quickly, trying to reassure you. "It's just...I don't know. I feel
like someone's watching us. It's probably nothing."

You looked around the restaurant nervously, trying to see if there was anything out of the
ordinary. Nothing seemed to be suspicious.

"Do you wanna leave? We could always get out of here."

You nodded in agreement and the two of you quickly paid the bill before heading out of the
restaurant.

As you walked down the street, Peter kept his arm around you protectively, scanning the area
for any signs of danger. It was endearing really, he seemed concerned more about you than
himself. Which was different. Any other guy would shove you toward danger. Like haunted
house guy.

You shake your head from the thought as a dark figure appears in front of you, causing Peter
to tense up and pull you closer to him.

The figure said your name in a low growl. His eyes began to glow a golden color. Peter
recognized the stature of the person resembled one of those avatars he helped Marc fight.
They had a dangerous look in their eyes and Peter knew that he had to act fast to protect you.

"Back off," Peter said sternly, stepping in front of you. "You're not going to hurt her."

The alter laughed, his voice deep and menacing. "You think you can stop me, boy? You're no
match for me."

Peter didn't hesitate. He launched himself at the figure, his spider sense guiding him as he
dodged the other person's attacks. The fight was intense, but eventually, Peter managed to
subdue the person and knock them out.

Breathing heavily, he turned to you. "Are you okay?"

"You- you can really throw a punch, Pete." You say, eyes full of disbelief.

He chuckled, feeling the tension finally dissipating. "Yeah, I guess I can." He looked at you
and saw the fear still lingering in your eyes. "Seriously, are you okay?"

You nodded, trying to calm your racing heart. "I think so... who is that?"

"No clue," Peter replies, standing over the person. He thought for a minute before reaching
down and removing their mask. It was a man, he didn’t look like anyone he knew in
particular. "Hey, you know this guy?"

Coming closer, you look down at the body and shake your head before looking back up at
him. "Peter, are you like a cop or something?"

"Huh?"

"No, sorry, not like it changes anything, I'm just confused about how you did that whole
fighting thing, and now you're acting like an investigator." You say before pulling your
bottom lip between your teeth.
Peter chuckled, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. "No, I'm not a cop. I just...I don't
know. I guess I can't just sit back and watch when someone's trying to hurt you."

You smile, feeling a sense of warmth spread throughout your body. As the two of you walked
away from the scene, Peter couldn't shake the feeling that there was more danger lurking in
the shadows. He knew that he had to be extra vigilant in order to keep you safe. For now, he
was just glad that you were okay and that he was able to protect you.

He was different from other guys you had been with before. He was kind, protective, and
genuinely cared about you. You couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort in Peter's presence.

"Thank you," you said softly, breaking the comfortable silence between the two of you.

"For what?"

"For protecting me. You didn't have to do that, but you did."

Peter smiled at you, his eyes shining in the moonlight. "Of course I did. I care about you, and
I'll do anything to make sure you're safe."

You felt your heart swell with emotion at his words. However, you also felt a touch of
sadness since the only other person who would do anything to protect you was your dad.

As you reached your apartment building, Peter walked you to your door, hesitating before
speaking up. "I'm sorry tonight didn't go exactly as planned."

"Actually, I think tonight was fun." You replied

He stared for a moment, unsure how to respond before grinning. "Was it the bad guy?"

"Yeah you know when you knocked him out, it really impressed me."

"Good to know."

You laughed and leaned in closer to him, feeling the heat between you two. Peter's eyes
widened slightly as he realized how close you were to him. The tension and the chemistry
between the two of you were palpable.

Before either of you could say anything else, you found yourself leaning in and pressing your
lips against his. It was a soft, gentle kiss, but it was filled with so much emotion. You felt as
if the world had melted away around you and there was just the two of you in that moment.

Peter's arms wrapped around your waist as he deepened the kiss, his tongue teasing your lips
slightly. You moaned softly, your hands tangling in his hair as you kissed him back with
equal fervor.

Eventually, the two of you pulled away, both of you breathing heavily. You smiled up at him,
feeling a sense of delight. Peter smiled back at you, his eyes seemed to sparkle. "I've wanted
to do that for so long," he admitted a hint of shyness in his voice.
You grinned, feeling a flutter in your stomach. "Me too."

He leaned down and brushed his lips against yours once more, his hands running up and
down your back. You sighed contentedly, feeling safe and loved in his embrace.

As the two of you pulled away, you couldn't help but think that this was just the beginning of
something special. Somewhere along the way, Peter had become more than just a friend to
you, and you were excited to see where this new journey would take you both.

"I should probably go," Peter said reluctantly, his eyes clouded with regret. You nodded, but
before you could say anything else, he leaned in and pressed his lips against yours once
more.

"I'll call you later" he murmured, his breath hot against your cheek.

"Yeah, perfect," you say before stepping into your apartment.

Peter couldn't believe what had just happened. He had dreamed of kissing you for so long,
and now that it had actually happened, he didn't know what to do next.

He ran. He ran out of your apartment building and all the way back to his own. Reaching his
door, he noticed it was opened just slightly. His spider senses detect an intruder inside.

Sighing in frustration, he inched closer to the opening. 'Why did this have to happen
tonight?'. He was so content earlier and now he had to get ready for another fight.

As he entered the apartment, he saw that the intruder was a man sitting at his small dining
room table. "Marc?" Peter called out, his fists clenching at his sides. "Is that you?"

"I was hoping you would say that." The man said before standing. "No. I'm not Marc, but the
confirmation that you know him is all I needed."

Peter's spider senses were on high alert as he stepped closer to the unknown man. He couldn't
help but feel a sense of déjà vu as if he had been in this situation before.

The man was tall and muscular, with a shaven head and a scruffy beard. His eyes were dark
and piercing, filled with a sense of malice.

"Who are you?" Peter asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

The man chuckled, his eyes glinting. "Just someone who's been watching you, Spider-Man.
Someone who knows your every move and every weakness."

"You're one of them, aren't you? One of those avatar people."

The man smiled, revealing a set of sharp canines. "Very astute, Spider-Man. But I'm not just
any avatar. I'm the one getting revenge for what Spector did to my wife."

"Look, I don't know what he did, but that has nothing to do with me."
"On the contrary, because you're the key to his weakness."

Peter's mind flashed to you, and he felt a sense of fear wash over him. He couldn't let this
man get anywhere near you.

"What do you want from me?" Peter asked, trying to buy himself some time. His mind raced
as he tried to come up with a plan. He knew he had to get this man out of his apartment.

"I want you to tell me where to find his daughter. I want to watch him suffer just like I had
to!"

"I won't let you hurt anyone," Peter said, his voice firm and confident.

The man's eyes narrowed, and he stepped closer to Peter. "Oh, I think I will. and I'll start with
you."

Suddenly, he grabbed Peter's throat and lifted him into the air. Peter struggled to breathe as
the man tightened his grip. He had to think fast before he passed out. Summoning all his
strength, he lifted his arms and shot a web at the man's face, hoping to blind him.

It worked. The man stumbled back, his grip on Peter's throat loosening. Taking advantage of
the situation, Peter kicked the man in the stomach, causing him to double over in pain.

Peter used that moment of distraction to free himself from the man's grasp. He then spun
around and landed a punch to the man's jaw, causing him to stumble back against the wall.

Breathing heavily, Peter took a step back. He had to grab his suit and get out of there. But as
he stood there, his heart still racing, he knew that he had to protect you at all costs. No matter
what it took, he wouldn't let anyone hurt you. Making a quick decision, Peter ran to his
closet, grabbed his suit, and left through the fire escape.

As soon as he was outside, Peter slipped into his suit and checked his web shooters. With
everything in working order, he set off toward Brooklyn. He had to make sure that you were
safe. He had to call Marc.

The phone rang longer than normal before it clicked, “Steven speakin’. In a bit of a tussle at
the moment..”

“Steven! It’s Peter! We have a problem.”

“Oi! Mate, get back here!” Peter heard the older man yell out to someone. “Meet me at the
Grand, yeah?” Steven said before hanging up.

‘The Grand?’ Peter stared at his phone. ‘Oh! Grand Central Station!’

Peter swung towards Grand Central Station. His mind raced with thoughts of what this man
could do to you, and he knew he had to stop him.

As he arrived at the station, he saw Steven standing in the middle of the terminal, surrounded
by a group of men. Peter could tell they were not friendly, their body language was
aggressive and they all had their hands on weapons.

Peter shot a web to a light fixture above, swinging to a nearby ledge. Quietly he assessed the
scene below. Steven was managing well by himself, but the men were holding strange-
looking knives. He'd have to ask Steven about them later since he was the archaeologist guy.

After watching for a moment he leaped into action, landing in front of Steven. He spun
around and shot webs at the men's weapons, disarming them quickly. The men didn't give up
easily though, and they charged at Peter with ferocity.

The younger man landed powerful blows on his opponents, taking them out one by one.
Steven is right beside him fighting with the same amount of passion. As the last of the men
fell to the ground, Peter and Steven stood panting, their eyes scanning the area for any signs
of danger.

"Thanks for the assist, mate," Steven said, his voice filled with gratitude. "These guys just
wouldn't bugger off"

Peter nodded, his mind still on you and the danger you could be in. "I just came from my
apartment, where I met your good buddy with a big scary beard."

Steven's eyes narrowed, his hand running through his hair. Clearly, he knew who Peter was
talking about. In an instant, Steven's facial tone changed. "Do you see why I told you to stay
away from her?" It was Marc, and he was mad. Not a good combo.

Peter's jaw clenched, his mind racing a million miles a minute. "You know I can protect
her!"

"And you think that right now, with your spider sense scrambling the way it is, that is going
to happen?" Marc yelled back.

"How did you-?"

"I can read you like a book. I know exactly what is going through that brain of yours."

"Marc, I-"

"It's Jake."

"Jake. Listen."

"Oops, Steven now."

"Okay, Steven."

"Marc again."

Peter let out a loud growl of frustration. He knew Marc couldn't always control his altering. It
was just frustrating how the other man didn't want to listen to him. "We need to find this guy,
I fought him in my apartment and it was already hard."
Marc glared at Peter for a moment longer before nodding. He stepped back, giving Peter
some space. "Let's just get back to the hotel, sweep it for bugs, and strategize. We'll figure
this out. Right now, we're both not thinking straight."

Peter took a calming breath, before folding his arms over his chest. "Fine."

As they made their way to the hotel, Peter ran through the details of the man who broke into
his apartment in his head. How could he get himself in this mess? I mean he had no idea you
were Marc's daughter. It just so happened that you were. And he had to admit that he was
falling for you. Hard.

As they reached the hotel, Peter's mind was already racing with plans and strategies. He knew
that time was of the essence, and every second counted. He couldn't let this man hurt you, not
when he was so close to finding a way to be with you.

"He had this look in his eyes like he was out for blood. He said something about her being the
key to your weakness." Peter rambled as he paced the small room. Marc sat on the bed
watching him ramble to himself.

Marc listened intently, his brow furrowed with concern. "We need to find him before he finds
her," he said, his voice low and serious.

"We could set a trap. Something maybe he won't be expecting? What do you know about
him?"

"Apart from him having dozens of goons? He is the avatar of Set, the Egyptian god of Chaos.
Disorder." Marc warned. "So what I'm saying is he isn't going down without a fight."

"I can handle myself," Peter said confidently.

"Sure kid. But I also know how much you care for her. You can't let that cloud your
judgment," Marc replied.

Peter nodded, his eyes focused. He knew what was at stake here. Together, Peter and Marc
worked out a plan. Get you somewhere safe and then set the trap.

As soon as the plan was set, Peter slipped out of the hotel room and swung off into the night.
He had to make sure that you were safe before they could set the trap. He knew just the place
to take you.

Within minutes, Peter arrived at your apartment building. He quickly scaled the side of the
building and made his way to your window. You were sitting on the couch, your eyes glued
to the TV. He tapped lightly on the window and watched you jump in surprise.

Before he realized what was going on, you screamed loudly before retreating to your room.
Fuck, he was still wearing his suit. He tried the handle and was relieved to find it unlocked.
He silently slipped into your apartment.

He made his way to your bedroom. Once he entered, he saw you huddled in a corner, your
eyes wide with fear. "Please don't hurt me! I- I'm really poor and ugly, and I don't know how
to work computers."

Peter called your name before removing his mask. "It's me, Peter," he whispered. "It's okay,
it's just me," he reassured you, holding out his hand. You hesitated for a moment before
taking it, and he pulled you into his arms.

"There's no way this is happening." You mutter against his chest.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," he said softly, stroking your hair. "But we don't have a
lot of time.

You could feel his heart beating rapidly, and you knew he was just as scared as you were.
"What's happening, Peter?" you asked, your voice shaking.

"There's someone after you. He broke into my apartment earlier, and he's been looking for
you. We need to get you out of here," he explained, holding you tightly. You looked up at him
with wide eyes.

"How did you know he was after me?" You asked, your voice still wavering.

Peter hesitated, carefully choosing his next words. "He told me. He told me he was trying to
hurt you and wanted me to tell him where you were but I didn't. I never would."

"I'm scared." You whimper. It broke his heart. He never wanted to see you like this. Now he
felt stronger than ever, he knew he had to protect you even more.

"I need to tell you something before we get you somewhere safe."

Looking up at him, the tears that stung your eyes began to fall down your cheeks.

"I know where your dad is."

The world began to shatter around you hearing him say those words. "My... dad?" You
whisper. He nods. "Peter, how-"

"I didn't know, I promise. I met him a few months ago while I was out, but he has been
watching over you."

You were stunned. Your mind couldn't quite process the information Peter had just told you.
"He's been watching over me?" you repeated, your voice barely above a whisper.

Peter nodded, his eyes filled with concern. "He wanted to keep an eye on you from a
distance. He didn't want to put you in danger, but he wanted to make sure you were okay."

Tears streamed down your face as you processed the news. You had always wondered where
your father had gone, but now you finally knew. "Can I see him?" you asked, your voice
shaking.

Peter hesitated before replying. "Not yet. Not until we take care of this guy who's after you.
We need to make sure you're safe first."
 You nodded, trusting Peter completely. He had risked everything to keep you safe, and you
knew he wouldn't let anything happen to you. Together, you and Peter left the apartment and
slipped into the night.

Chapter End Notes

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End Notes

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