I jolt awake. My eyes snap open, and I'm covered in cold sweat, all panting and I'm still on Peter's bed.
"Irene?" Peter whispers as he gets up from the other side of the room, water collecting at the bottom of his eyelid.
"Do you have a death wish?" he screeches angrily. I notice a few tears in his now red eyes. "You could've died!"
I stand still in my place. "I don't -"
"Stop" Peter cut me off. "Just stop"
His anger was now gone. He slumped, exhausted. Peter took a deep breath, his body shivering. My heart was caught in a swirl as I realized how truly worried he was.
I slowly get up and walk to him, embracing his figure. He wraps his arms around me, and I heard him sniff.
"It's okay" I swallow. "I'm okay"
"Oh dear God. I thought - I thought I lost you" he breaks down as he tightens his grip around me. "And I couldn't imagine what -"
My heart shatters at his words, but I contain myself. "Shh, shhh, I've got you Peter" I assure him, gently stroking his back.
I pull away and cup his cheeks with my hands, making him look me in the eyes. "I'm right here darling, and I'm not going anywhere. You're safe"
His eyes were glittery, yet there were no tears streaming down his face. He tilts his head to my shoulder, as he looks like he was about to say something.
His shoulders, however, were trembling in panic. "I'm here, I'm here" I continue chanting to the boy, waiting for him to calm down.
"I have lost a lot already" Peter grieves, his voice cracking. "And it hurts, Irene, it hurts a lot"
I know this feeling Peter, I really do.
"I know it hurts. You just have to trust me, okay? It'll be alright. I promise" I assure, tenderly caressing his smooth, soft hair, my grip not leaving him.
His fingers brushed against my neck, sending chills all over my back. Peter's hands went from the sides of my head and down to my shoulders.
Peter raises his head and straightens himself, so we were now facing each other. He stares into my eyes and slowly smiles, his puffy eyes clearly visible.
The brunette's eyes fell onto my lips, a nervous exhale leaving his mouth, with his chest heaving as he swallows hard. His eyes keep dart from my eyes to my lips consistently.
My eyes on the other hand, also raked down to his lips, causing Peter to carefully lean in. I shift a little closer, feeling his breath on his lips, but yet not in a kiss.
Until Aunt May suddenly bolts in the room, with what seems to be tea in her hand, and freezes in her place at the view in front of her.
I unconsciously push away the boy and turn my head to look at the room. Meanwhile Peter clears his throat.
"Y-you're awake sweetheart" Aunt May smiels as she rushes over, examining my face then leaning in for a hug. "Oh dear, you're alright. You had me bloody worried for a good while"
"I'm good now Aunt May, and I'm sorry for worrying you like that" I apologize to the caring woman, offering her a smile.
"My dear, do not worry. What matters is that you're alright now" she assures as she places a kiss on my forehead. "And you Peter Parker. We have to talk" Aunt May threatens as she makes her cue to leave.
"Yes we do Aunt May, we do" Peter replies with a smile as the lady closes the door behind her.
The room was filled with awkward air at the moment, and Aunt May's shout from the stairs did not make it better. "Use protection Peter!"
"Aunt May!" Peter cries out, his face all red now. "Oh my God, I - I'm sorry Irene - I really - "
I chuckle at the boy's nervousness. "Shut up, I love your Aunt" I joke as I stand up.
"Also, um - about earlier -" Peter stammers while rubbing the back of his neck.
"Oh no no, it's okay -"
"Um, yeah just so you know I -"
"I know, yes, I don't -"
"Really... I just needed to -"
"Oh.. it's not a big of a -"
"Oh, that's great" Peter finally mumbles.
"Yeah, yeah very great" I admit as I fumble nervously around the boy's room at 3 in the morning.
"Wait" he stops me, grabbing my wrist. I glance down at the hand was gripping my hand smoothly, then at his eyes. "You're staying over, right?"
"I mean, if you insist" I snicker at the boy who was now genuinely smiling.
Peter makes his way to his dresser, quickly opening one of his drawers, before closing it helplessly. He picks up one of the sweatshirts on the ground and pats it over, before handing it to me. "Here"
"Huh" I blurt curiously, raising my eyebrow at the boy in front of me, who was now casually gritting his teeth, hiding his little smile. "What's that for?"
"Clothes" Peter states firmly. "Because you stink" he then admits.
"I heard that" I roll my eyes.
"You were supposed to" he shrugged, still rifling the clothes. "This will do" the brunette asserts as he hands me over a pair of sweatpants.
"Well, you know where the bathroom is" Peter starts with an awkward smile "So I guess you're good to go"
I grab my clothes and sprint off to the bathroom, closing the door behind me.
I walk up to the sink and place my hands on each side, eyeing myself in the mirror as a let out a tremulous exhale.
"Pull yourself together Irene" I groan, running a hand through my hair. "Pull yourself together"
I nod to myself in acception and take off my stained outfit, throwing it on the bathroom floor.
I then take a brisk shower, not wanting to leave the brunette alone with himself.
I get a hold of the clothes Peter offered and pull them on. The shirt looked way too oversized on me, in addition to the black pair of sweatpants. I finally adjust myself on the mirror, before exiting the bathroom.
My eyes land on Peter, who's now looking me up and down, a smile spreading on his face.
"What?" I mumble, crossing my arms.
"No like... It's just I can't believe that you're wearing my clothes" Peter chuckles, walking over to his bed and laying down.
"Well then, get used to it, Peter Parker" I assure him before looking over at the bed which is now occupied.
Peter seems to notice my looks. "We can.. You can sleep on the bed" he assures, swaying his legs while sitting. "I don't mind, uh staying on the floor"
"If you say so" I shrug, making my way to the bed and I lay down, my eyes following Peter's trail as he gets up.
Peter kneels down to the floor, creating his own space. He then suddenly gets up and looks in my direction. "I see you"
"What? No! I wasn't staring... I - I - was looking at that map on the desk behind you" I lie, pointing to the table behind him.
"Oh really?" Peter teases, with a raised eyebrow, as he turns off the light next to him, then jumping on the mattress he prepared.
"Shut up" I grumble as the room becomes dark, and pull the myself under the soft cover of the bed. "Anyways, good night bughead" I say, and my eyelids flutter close.
My visions are now slipping to black, and I drift away, until I feel a close presence; someone was slowly taking my cover off.
I flutter my eyes open, only to be met by the familiar features of Peter. "Can I - can I stay?" he questions with uncertainty. "I don't wanna be alone"
"Mhm" I reply with my hushed breaths, a smile, half asleep and talking non-sense.
Peter smoothly rolls into the bed, turning over so that he was now facing me."You have something in your hair, um.. Do you want me to get it out?" the boy whispers in a husky voice.
I feel Peter tucking a strand of my hair gently behind my ear, before stroking the skin of my cheeck in process.
"Good night, Irene" Peter murmurs, his voice quavering, before I closed my eyes for one last time this night.