"This doesn't make any sense." I whisper as I try to decipher the copied files from Jim's office. My head is throbbing after staring at the same pages for the past few hours. I should have gone to sleep hours ago, but every time I try, there's a nightmare waiting for me.

A knock echoes through the apartment, and I hastily shove the papers into a folder to hide them away from prying eyes—an old habit I have yet to break. It takes me a second to realize it's not at my bedroom, but the front door that the sound is emanating from. A peek at my clock shows a set of blobs from the bright light until I put my glasses and read 8:58 am.

"Oh-um—Tony. What are you doing here?" Mum's muffled voice makes it into my room, and I nearly launch myself at the sound of Dad's name. "I thought you were out of the country for another few days."

"Plans changed, and I was hoping I could pick up Lia?" He questions as his footsteps into the apartment. "You're looking good by the way, Claire."

"Thank you. Can I get you anything while you wait?" I cringe at the second hand awkwardness that emanates from between them. It's always been like this, which means I usually have to stop it. "Oh, Lia, your father's here to pick you up."

I don't wait another second before I launch myself into his arms. "Hi, Dad." His laughter sends vibrations through me. "Please, don't leave like that again."

"Trust me, I wouldn't want to." He brushes a hand over my hair. His voice drops down to a barely audible whisper as he says, "Go pack up your stuff. We've got some things to sort out."

"I'll go grab my bag." I tell him with a worried look. My hands shake as I try to toss clothes and the files into my bag with everything else I brought. "I'm ready. Bye, Mum."

"Bye, Sweetheart. Call me if you forgot or need anything." She calls after us, and I shout an affirmation over my shoulder as I practically drag Dad out to the car.

"Tell me everything that happened." I whisper  the moment we leave the apartment, which makes him let out a heavy sigh as he fills me in on all the details I'm missing. "This is wrong, Dad." I whisper after he has finished recounting every detail of the issues the Accords have caused. "It shouldn't be happening like this. We should be trying to reason and talk with them—not threatening arrest."

"Trust me, bug. I'm doing everything I can to fix this." His brown eyes reflect the pain and heartache I feel as he settles himself on the couch next to me with a heavy sigh. "The thing is—Steve is stubborn and immensely loyal to Bucky, which means this isn't gonna end well. I just—I need to know that you believe me when I say that all I want is to keep the team together, and I am doing everything with the intention of keeping the Avengers together and operating."

I lean forward and wrap my arms around him. "Yeah, I know. They're our family, and families should fight for each other." I bite back the tears as he pulls away with a soft smile. "Just promise me it will be okay—that by the end of this, we'll still be together?"

Tears brim in my dad's eyes at the words. "I don't know if I can promise that, but I can promise that you'll always have me." A small chuckle escapes him as he continues, "'Cause you're stuck with me, kiddo."

I laugh and wipe my eyes, a little frustrated that they'll be red and puffy again tomorrow. "Pretty sure it's the other way around, but okay."

"Well, I've gotta start working on figuring out what to do." He offers me a sad smile as he leaves me to my own devices.

I plop myself down on the couch with a heavy sigh. It's nine thirty on a Sunday, and I have absolutely nothing to do but stress about things I can't change or understand. After all, Dad is dealing with the Accords stuff and won't let me help right now, and there's no telling what Jim's up to.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I immediately scramble to get it. A small smile creeps across my face at the notification of a text—from Peter. "Hey, I know you're probably busy, but if you're free do you still wanna come over for the movie marathon?"

I bite my lip as I consider it. A chance to hang out with my friend and get my mind off of things? It could be exactly what I need right now, or it could just be a distraction from looking into the mysterious REM Trials.

"Hey, Dad." I call as I hop down the stairs to the lab where he's camped out. "Can I go hang out at a friend's this afternoon?"

He nearly smacks his head against one of the screens at the word 'friend' coming from me. Although, that same second he plays it off as if nothing happened. "Um—yeah, sure. Just be sure to keep me updated and let Happy know when to come pick you up? And don't get home too late."

I smile and wrap him in a tight hug. "Of course, Dad, and I promise it won't be too late. I have to be back in time for Happy's and my Downton Abbey marathon. It's a tradition; I can't miss it."

Dad lets out a chuckle and shakes his head. "Alright, go have fun with your friends."

"Thanks, Dad. I'll see you later!" I call over my shoulder as I send texts to Peter and Happy about my plans. A smile takes over my features as I pack up some comfy clothes and snacks before climbing into the car with Happy.

By the time I make it to Peter's, I feel myself lighter and happier than I thought possible. It's like for a little while I don't have to think about all the things going wrong, ending up in a super max facility, or finding buried secrets.

"Lia! H-hi. You're—you're here." Peter cheers the moment he sees me, which brings a smile to my face. "Sorry, I just wasn't sure if you were actually coming."

"Why wouldn't I?" I tease and follow him inside. "I've kind of been going a little bit crazy since everything on Thursday, which I have yet to thank you for helping with. My dad ended up being fine. He got back early this morning, and I've kind of been stuck inside with nothing to do but worry since then. So thank you for inviting me to come over. I really needed something to distract me from everything."

"Oh, yeah. It's no problem. I thought maybe you might not be up for stuff after everything that happened, but I'm glad you ca—" He's interrupted by a tall brunette woman entering the room and wrapping me up in a tight hug with a beaming smile. "May, please!"

"Sorry, I should have introduced myself. I'm Peter's Aunt May." She says as she pulls away and looks me over from head to toe. "You must be Lia; Peter has told me so much about you."

The words make both my and Peter's cheeks turn crimson, and it sends a wave of anxiety rushing back over me. I shouldn't be nervous, though. It's just Peter's aunt, but I oppose that's half the problem. She's my best friend's closest family.

"I haven't said that much." Peter mumbles and avoids looking anywhere near me as he speaks.

"Oh, right. Forget I said anything and go enjoy your movie night. Just let me know if you need anything." She offers us one last smile before turning away and only stops for a split second to whisper to Peter. "Don't forget to keep the door open."

"Sorry about Aunt May. She gets a little excited when I bring friends over." Peter whispers awkwardly as he scrambles to organize some papers and electronics on his desk and small twin bed.

"I get it. My dad nearly gave himself a concussion from surprise when he heard I was going over to a friends. I probably should have made sure he wasn't working on something when I brought it up." I tell him as my eyes trace around the room in search of something to distract from the tension of us being alone. "You weren't joking about messing with tech, huh?"

"Yeah, I'm trying to make a computer, but I haven't had much luck so far."

"I—I could help if you want. I'm not an expert or anything, but my dad lets me work on some of his stuff. We could see what we can come up with while we watch the movie? If you want that is."

Peter's lips tug into a wide, nervous grin. "I—I would really like that. Do you wanna sit?" I nod and tug at the sleeves of my hoodie as I set my bag down and sit next to him on the bed while he opens up his laptop.

We sit side by side with tools and pieces of thrown out technology scattered around us. It's comfortable like this, and I find myself happier and more relaxed.

Not to mention, every time Peter and I make eye contact, I keep forgetting what I was doing as my heart pounds in my chest. It makes me realize something I missed before, I think I might like Peter Parker.

The thought makes me want to phase into shadows. Peter Parker is one of my best friends and the nicest guys I've ever met. In retrospect, I guess something like this was bound to happen. I just wish it wasn't.

Peter is Spiderman, and I'm Phantom for goodness sakes. It would break my heart worse than anything imaginable if he got hurt because of me. He's already likely going to be pulled into this silly fight between the Avengers, but anything more between us is just asking for trouble. Yet, despite all that, I can't shake the comfort or warmth that comes with being around him.

It's hopeless, and I'm going to do everything I can to make sure nothing happens between us. Because as much as I wouldn't hate something with Peter, I can't let him become another Henry.