𝐟𝗼𝐮𝐫
──── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────

Forty-five days. Forty-five days since Y/n had agreed to Peter's idea. Almost two months of dating Peter Parker, and everything was going smoothly. She was feeling better than ever than before. No more attacks, no more blood, and no more yellow petals coming out of her. It was amazing, really; To not feel the constant tightening of your chest and the burning of your throat.

Y/n felt normal.

The forty-five days of dating Peter Parker consisted nothing but dates, late-night talks, and staying at each other's rooms for the night. It felt perfect, almost too perfect. Of course, there was still the lingering fear of 'What Ifs' at the back of her mind—because it never really left. She was cautious, careful of giving too much of her heart to him. But she also reminded herself to just live in the moment. And she did.

Everyday, Peter seemed to always have something up his sleeve. Either little surprises such as food, visits, and adding displays of affection to the little "list of things". There were forehead kisses, hairline kisses, boops on the nose, and back hugs. Y/n was starting to think if they were moving a bit fast. Their once platonic intimacy hastily turned into a very romantic one. She doesn't want to complain, because maybe that was just how Peter is as a boyfriend? Being very affectionate and clingy. But of course, the thoughts at the back of her mind kept reminding her repeatedly: none of this is real.

To put it simply: Y/n Stark was torn in between.

"Y/n?" Peter's voice echoed the room as he called out to her from the living room. The two were at Peter's apartment, baking cookies because a someone (Peter) had cravings for Y/n's famous batch of chocolate chip cookies. It was a pretty basic cookie, but Peter loved how she made them. He loved how she adds M&Ms to it, which made the plain brown and tanned color livelier with the bursts of assorted colors of chocolates. He walked over to her looming figure by the counter. She had been strangely quiet for a couple of minutes, and Peter wanted to know why she had been quiet for too long.

"Hmm?" she replied, not looking at him as she was too focused on getting the batter on the cookie sheets. Only did she know that Peter was behind her when a pair of arms snaked around her torso and a chin settle on her shoulder. By this time, she was used to Peter's affectionate gestures, but it didn't stop her heart from beating loudly as it had the first time he had been this intimate.

"You've been quiet lately. Is there something on your mind?" he said in a hushed voice by her ear.

"Nah. Just focusing on finishing this batch." She kept her reply short, but Peter still stood there with his arms around her, chin on her shoulder, and swaying her ever so lightly. He managed to get her to giggle. "I'm starting to regret I ever agreed to this lunatic idea of yours, Peter. Maybe I should've just locked you out and do the surgery in secret."

He frowned. "Why? Is it because I smell bad after training?"

She laughs out. "No, it's because you're such a fucking koala."

"Sorry! But I'm a clingy boyfriend, it's just who I am."

She cringed at him as she finishes up the last batch and places it inside the oven. "I wouldn't exactly call you my boyfriend...yet."

He blinked at her, utterly confused. "If I'm not your boyfriend, then what am I?"

Y/n walked over to the couch as he followed, falling on the furniture and propping up her feet. "Hmmm... A friend that I'm seeing? Someone I'm dating? Anything other than that, Pete. I just don't wanna put labels until you..."

"Yeah, I understand." Peter nodded, lips in a thin line. "But, for what it's worth, I'm happy with what we have right now. It's nice."

She smiled warmly, heart thumping at his words. "Me too, Pete."

Peter opted to sit on the floor, head leaning on the couch to let Y/n's fingers comb through his curls. He had always loved the feel of his hair being played. Even before MJ, Y/n liked messing up his hair then fixing it for him. The two were watching a rom com that played on one of the channels. The plot wasn't good, but Y/n didn't want Peter to put on another sci-fi movie after having a marathon of it on their date night a few days ago. To fill in the silence between them, a question resurfaced in Peter's mind, one that's been stuck in his head for quite some time now.

"Y/n?" she hummed behind him, continuing combing through his hair. "When did you start having feelings for me? I know you said since sophomore year, I just wanna know exactly when."

Y/n was silent for a moment before adjusting herself on the arm of the couch. She had hoped Peter wouldn't bring up that subject. But they've already gone this far, he might as well know.  "I don't know when exactly. I think it was the time when we had that talk in your room, when you saw me as Y/n and not just as Tony Stark's daughter and we were all dramatic."

"But when did you realize you were... in love with me?" He hesitated with the question; it was like a lump in his throat.

"Remember that time when you called out Sam and Bucky for eating up all of my stocked-up cookie dough while we were watching 'Get Out'? You were literally cowering in front of them, but you still told them off." The girl giggled at the memory. She couldn't forget how Peter's voice would squeak and stutter. "I would've just told them to replace it and buy their own, but you gave them a full-on lecture about it! It just made me feel valuable, I guess."

"Man, I wish I noticed sooner." He sighs disappointedly.

"Even if you noticed, you wouldn't know. I wasn't planning on confessing to you 'coz you were crushing on Liz." She comforts him by placing a small peck on his temple to lift off the guilt he put on himself. It made Peter smile in an instant. There was something about Y/n's simple but sweet gestures that made him feel better in an instant. She secretly knew how much it made him feel at ease and rid of any heavy feelings. He was glad Y/n even had the courage to even do it, because he knows how their relationship still made her anxious.

They tried to pass the time by watching shows on every channel on the T.V., occasionally flirting and messing around, and cuddling when Peter finally left the floor to squeeze in with her. It was rare for Peter to be the little spoon when he would cuddle with her, but he equally loved it when he was the big spoon. His head rested on her chest, arms around her waist, and legs tangled in the small space.

"You going to miss this when I leave to go to Dad's cabin?" She lightly teased, curling his brown locks around her finger.

He mumbled through her shirt. "Gonna miss this a lot. And kissing your hands, and your cheeks."

"I'll only be gone for five days, Pete. You'll survive."

"But stiiilll." He whined, which made her erupt a few giggles.

"You know you can come with us, right? Pepper said you can always use the spare room beside Morgan's." She

"You know I want to. But May's gonna be gone for a conference, no one's going to look out for the apartment."

Disappointment displayed on her features when he looked up at her. She really wanted him to come with them. But it's going to be a bit tricky considering Peter has to patrol and May would be gone for a week. "I just thought you'd want to have a little fun before school starts. Senior year is gonna be hell for us, I can tell."

"Next time, I promise. Pepper did say you guys were gonna spend Christmas and New Year's there. That way, I'd get to kiss you under a mistletoe." A smirk grew on his face. She rolled her eyes at him and pinched his nose just to irritate him.

"Ow! Y/n!"

"Say that one more time and I'm gonna kick your ass out of the Compound and file a restraining order against you."

"You could've just said that instead." He yelped when she had done it again and the apartment was filled with giggles and a jolly atmosphere.

***

The morning for the Starks' departure came. Peter had come to the Compound bright and early to help Y/n and her family with loading their things. It was only a few bags, but Peter wanted to bid her goodbye. Even though it would only be a few days, he didn't want to be far from her. The fear of something happening to her while he was miles away lingered in his mind, and he would miss the feel of her arms around him, along with the scent he had grown fond of.

The sun was just beginning to rise when he came. Pepper said they were going to leave bright and early to avoid any traffic, so Peter made sure to arrive before that. A bit groggy and sleep deprived, he made himself a cup of coffee along with Y/n's usual; two spoons of sugar and a dash of almond milk. The two thermoses were hot in his bag as he went up the elevator. The steel doors open to the common area, and just as Peter stepped out, the Stark sisters came down.

"Morning!" he greeted as he walked up and kissed her cheek. Morgan was asleep as she carried her, drool trickling down her chin. He grinned at the sight of the two, Y/n always had always been great with kids.

Y/n beamed at him, but her eyes told him she was still drowsy from waking up so early. "Hey, Pete." She said tiredly. "What are you doing here so early? You should still be sleeping around this time."

"I wanted to see you off," He bounced on his heels. "And I brought you coffee 'coz I know how slow you are in the morning."

She lifted an eyebrow, "Only because you insisted we keep the video call going last night, and now it completely threw me off of my sleep schedule."

He scoffed, intending to tease her even more. "As if you have a sleep schedule." He breathes out a hearty laugh at the face she made and the tired groan she let out. At this point, he would've already been bruised by her smacks, but the sleeping five-year-old made it impossible for her to do so. Peter made a mental note to thank Morgan when she's a bit older.

"You're a fucking headache. Just help me with the bags."

They made their way down the building. Peter carrying four bags all at once, including his backpack that still had their cups of coffee and a breakfast sandwich he bought from Delmar's. The family car was parked at the entrance, Happy standing by it, in his usual crisp suit and tie. She felt Peter tense beside her. Up till now, he still wasn't comfortable with the fact that Happy and May were already dating. He accepted it, but it still weirded him out seeing the head of security without having to think of his aunt getting intimate with him. Out of pure instinct, she entwined her hands with him and soon he became at ease.

"Kid! Surprise to see you here." The man patted Peter's back, taking the bags from him to place it in the trunk. "Are you coming with them?" 

He shook, "Just here to see them off. May has this conference out of town, so I have to look out for the apartment." The gruff man grunted and left the two. Pepper came down not long after, dressed in a simple blouse and pants with her belongings in tow. The woman smiled at him briefly before turning to her daughter

"Y/n, make sure you didn't leave anything behind. Are Morgan's things already in the trunk?"

Y/n nods, "Everything's in her bag. She wanted to bring everything, but I told her to pick only three out of the whole bunch."

"Great, okay. We'll be leaving in a few minutes. But I'll give you and Peter some time." Pepper took the sleeping Morgan from her arms and kissed her cheek. She turned to Peter and winked, making him tense up. He didn't know what that meant, but it must be somewhere along the line with 'Go and make your move!' or 'Good luck!'. Y/n pulled him away from the two adults, somewhere out of earshot. They sat on a bench that wasn't too far from the car to settle and bask in the little time they have left.

"So, you said you brought coffee?" she asked, looking towards the bag.

"Yup! Made them myself; two spoons of sugar and almond milk, just how you like it." He had a proud smile on his face as he pulled out the two steel tumblers from his bag. It took so much willpower for Y/n not to pinch him, thank goodness she hadn't had her first sip of her coffee yet. "I also bought you this breakfast sandwich so you wouldn't get hungry." She silently thanked him and unwrapped the sandwich, taking a big bite of it and a sip from the coffee he made. All in all, the simple breakfast Peter had brought woke up all of her senses.

"So, how was the coffee?" he asks expectantly.

When the corners of her lips curled, he felt relief and proud at the same time. "Perfect. The best coffee I've ever had." She gave a quick peck on his cheek, which made it flush in pink. "Thanks, Pete."

She continued to eat in silence all the while Peter took small sips of his coffee. Watching her now, it made Peter's heart flutter. He was unsure why his heart would flutter at such an ordinary action, and why he would watch her so adoringly. He wanted to just fall in love with her in that moment, so bad, just so that he could treat her and be with her with no limits or expectations. He was ready to catch her, but he still wasn't at the point where he could call it "Love". Maybe he was almost there. Maybe with just a little push to the right direction, he'd already be there.

Without much though, he blurted out, "I love you."

She stopped sipping midway and turned to him. Y/n's face didn't show shock. She didn't have the wide eyes and straighten her posture whenever something caught her off guard. Her face was calm, and so was Peter's. She settled the tumbler down. "Are you sure about that?"

Peter was stiff—that wasn't the answer he was expecting. "I-uh, I am. I mean, I think that I am. I'm almost there. I just... wanted to say it to you."

She sighed and placed a hand on top of his. "You don't have to force it Peter if you- "

"No, I'm not forcing it, Y/n. I really think that I'm almost there."

Y/n kept silent, alone with her own thoughts. There was a little ray of hope with what Peter had said, but she didn't want to cling onto it just yet. There were still a lot of things that could go wrong. So many. But hearing the three words escape Peter's lips was just so endearing to hear. Maybe she was just paranoid? Maybe Peter really was at that point—he was almost there. The clashing of thoughts made her mind spiral.

"Okay.... I-I believe you. But wherever your feelings are for me right now – platonic or romantic – I'll accept it, Pete." He simpered at her words. How could she be this so accepting and open when he had done nothing but caused her pain since sophomore year? Nobody deserves Y/n, not even him. He often wondered what he did to have a girl like her fall in love with him. Because, let's be honest – Peter wasn't rich, he wasn't tall, cool, or good around girls. He was just an awkward boy from Queens who dumpster dives for parts, builds Legos, watches Sci-fi movies, and wears button downs ,and hoodies, and science puns shirts every day.

Maybe he was already in love with her.

Without thought, he kissed her hand, rubbing circles on her knuckles. The little kisses had already become a second nature to him, and Peter never got tired of it.  "Can you say it back?"

"What?"

"That you love me."

Y/n lets out a soft laugh, eyes crinkling. But the intense stare he had made her stop, a thin smile on her lips as she spoke, "Maybe when you've figure out your feelings, Pete. But I do have something better in mind."

Nothing could ever prepare Peter for what she did next. First, she was just sitting there, next her lips were on his. His brain couldn't register what was happening. The kiss was short, but sweet. When she pulled away, she only had a grin on her face and a she broke out in giggle upon seeing his shocked face.

Peter blinked. "You... You kissed me." He huffed, slowly turning into a breathy laugh. "Guess I didn't have to wait until Christmas after all."

"I was considering it actually. Would've made it worth the wait." She hummed.

Peter shook his head, smiling like an idiot. "It was already worth the wait."

Gaining enough confidence, he pulled her in for another kiss, deeper and long than the last one. She immediately melted into it and returned the kiss. It was anything unlike the first time Peter had kissed her. This was soft, sensual, and passionate. A warm feeling spreads in his chest when she held onto his arm and snakes towards the back of his neck, her fingers playing with his hair. If Y/n couldn't be able to speak out the three words, the kiss alone let him know.

"All right, break it up lovebirds!" Happy booming voice called out from the car. "Y/n, c'mon we gotta go. Traffic's coming up."

They pulled away with their mouths curved into a smile. She rolled her eyes when she turned to look at Happy, "You're such a party pooper, Haps. I'll be there in a minute!" The gruff man let out an annoyed sigh before retreating. Y/n silently thanked May, and how she managed to lessen his usual grumpy self.  The couple stood up, cleaning up the little mess they made and sauntered towards the vehicle. They seemingly took their time, to get to the waiting car. Y/n didn't want to leave just yet, she wanted his presence beside her. She faced him once they got to the door. "You can come to the cabin whenever you like. I can always call Stephen to make a portal so that you won't have to drive yourself."

"I'll think about it. I'll probably come when the apartment runs out of food." She tittered and punches his shoulder jokingly. When the laughter wrapped her arms around him, giving a tight squeeze. He circles his around her small waist and settled his chin on her shoulder, breathing in her scent.

"I'll see you in five days, Dork."

"In five days." He repeated. Peter pulled away dipped down to place a lingering kiss on her cheek. Had Happy not beeped the car and remind them of the impending departure, they would've stayed longer looking like idiots. She suddenly became aware of the audience inside the vehicle, not doubt Pepper had already seen everything, she silently hoped Morgan was still asleep in her child seat.

Peter pulled the car door open and she steps in. He ducked down to get a good look at the younger Stark, to his dismay, Morgan was still asleep. He wanted to give her a hug goodbye before they leave, Peter settled for a soft peck on her forehead instead.

"You're always welcome to join us if you like, Peter. Happy can always drive you." Pepper said from the front seat.

"Thank you for the offer, Pepper. But I'll join you guys next time."

He glanced at Y/n one last time and closed the door. She lowered the window and stuck her head out waving as the car sped away. Little by little the car became smaller in view until it was out of sight.

***

Five days was longer than expected, especially when Peter was bored and had nothing to do. Now that Y/n was gone, he had a lot of free time, and he used that free time to patrol Queens or chill in the apartment. He invited Ned over a couple of times, but his time was mostly occupied by pre-planned dates with Betty. MJ had come over twice when Peter had proposed a series marathon in the group chat. Things between MJ and him went down surprisingly well, it was a mutual agreement after all. But Peter couldn't deny that there was still a bit of tension on the occasions where MJ would come over to hang out. But still, the two remained friends.

While things were a bit awkward with MJ, it was the opposite when it came to Y/n. They didn't get to talk much as Peter had hoped. Every time he'd call, Y/n's voice was a static mess and they couldn't understand each other properly. Her texts wouldn't come in time or won't send at all. Disadvantages of having a cabin in the woods was the lack of cellular signal, making it completely isolated. It was a perfect hideaway.

Four days had already gone by. Y/n was playing with Morgan inside her tent, and her toys were scattered all around the floor. The little girl wore the repulsor gloves Pepper knitted for her. Morgan was in the mood for roleplay, and the story was along the lines of how their father saved the universe and them kicking alien ass both heroes and princesses of the realm. Morgan had an imaginative mind— both in making stories and inventions— and it was no doubt she'll do great as an inventor someday and take up on Tony's creative mind.

"Y/n." she called.

"Yes, Maguna?"

"Do you love Peter?" she asks. Although it was an innocent question, Y/n was still taken aback, though she knows the answer to it.

"Yes."

"Just as much as you love me and Mommy and Daddy?"

Her eyes squint. "Hmm... Close. I love the three of you more." The little girl giggles when Y/n pinches her cheek.

"Why do you love Peter?" she asks more, all the while playing with her set of toys. Truth be told, Y/n doesn't know why she loves him. There were a lot of choices to choose from, but none of them seem to be the right answer. Was there even an answer? She didn't notice she had been quiet for a minute or two when the child had offered an answer. "Is it because he's nice and handsome?"

Y/n only nodded, going with the flow. Morgan rambled on and on about Peter, how he was such a big brother and how he looked like a prince when she would imagine him as one. It was amazing how Morgan had already taken a liking to Peter in the short time she met him. On the day of the funeral, she already saw the dynamic between them. Peter was a bit on edge at that time, and so was Morgan. But somehow, they managed to brighten each other's day with the little talk they had on the porch. She didn't know what it is that they've talked about, but she knows that in that interaction they had already built a long-lasting friendship. Y/n smiles fondly at her sister.

"How about you, Mo? Do you love Peter?"

She beamed at her and nods enthusiastically. "But I love him as much as I love you and Mommy and Daddy!"

She continues the talk, "Why do you love him, Mo?"

"Because he's nice. And he brings us gummy worms and ice pops when he visits, and he likes to play with me and my dolls... Oh! And because he takes care of you and me just like Mommy and Daddy. Maybe that's why Daddy loved talking about him!"

Y/n could've sworn her heart melted at Morgan's numerous reasons. Peter must've had such an effect on Morgan for her to say those things. It was obvious enough, Morgan adored Peter ever since she met him. Maybe even before she met him in person! Maybe while they were still stuck in the Soul Stone, when Tony would tell stories about them, Morgan had already adored him, just as how she adored Y/n.

The teen's eyes became glossy and her mouth curled upwards. "He did, Mo." Her hands caressed her hair absentmindedly as she watched Morgan play with her teddy bear. Her heart still beat in fondness, loud and clear in her head as she thought of Peter and her sister. She could've sworn the little organ might've jumped out of her chest.

But slowly, the beating became painful. And slowly, the pain spread out.

It was even more painful than the attacks she had before. Panic surges in when she felt the roots growing in her chest and the flowers slowly blooming. She rushes out of the tent and ran towards the cabin. She sputtered out flowers and blood all at once, and the sight was horrific. It was a nightmare to look at.

"Y/n?" Morgan called out, confused as she went out of the tent to go to look for her sister. No! Morgan can't see this!

"Morgan, s-stay away!" she coughs harshly. At this point Y/n was already weak. She never felt so much pain before. It felt like her heart was being stabbed countless of times and her throat was being slit by a knife. The flowers and blood kept on pouring.

"Y-Y/n? What's happening?" the five-year-old asked, looking at her sister who was kneeling on the porch, weak and out of breath.

Y/n shielded her little sister's view from the pile of blood and yellow petals. Morgan isn't supposed to see something like this. She shouldn't. A child her age could traumatize her for life at the sight of it. It already scared Y/n, what more if a child were to see it.

"Morgan, call Mom-mmy!" she wheezed out.

"B-but what about you?"

"Just call Mommy, M-Morgan!" Cough! Cough! "I'll be alright-" Cough! "H-Hurry!"

And with that, Morgan ran inside the cabin in search of Pepper. Y/n laid on the staircase and tried to calm down. The pain still hadn't subsided, it only worsened. She clutched the fabric of her top, right on where her heart is. The worst thing she feared had come true. She couldn't understand—Why was this happening to her? It had been weeks since she had an attack. Peter said he was almost there, didn't he? Unless.... He took it back.

The coughs became harsher and harsher by the minute, and more and more flowers and blood came out of her mouth, staining the science pun shirt Peter had gifted her on their first Christmas together. She was losing a lot of blood. The scene was overwhelming, and it made it even harder for Y/n to breathe with all the thought, emotions, and panic swallow her up in a never-ending vortex. Not long later, she heard rushed footsteps and a loud gasp behind her.  Y/n knew it was Pepper, she didn't have to turn her head to make sure. "Happy! Cover Morgan's eyes!"

Y/n could barely see anything anymore. Her eyes were half-lidded, and her head was spinning. It was too much to handle. Everything was too much to handle. She felt Pepper shake her and her voice call out to her. She was in front of her, worried face and glossy eyes and she tried to keep the teen awake.

"Y/n... wake-!" She couldn't hear anything. Just the constant ringing in her ears and pieces of sounds from the surroundings around her.

There were pieces of Pepper's frantic voice. "Stephen! It's Y/- "

A piece of her sister's worried cries and hiccups. "Y/n..."

A piece of the chirping of the birds, the rustling of trees, and the blowing of the wind.

Y/n felt weak and limp, her eyes were about to give out. She saw the familiar glowing circle appear, and the figure of Stephen stepping out of the portal. A pair of arms slip under her and carried her fragile body.

And that was the last thing she saw before she let herself succumb to darkness.

***

Four days. 96 hours since Y/n had left to spend the week at the cabin, and 8 hours since her last text.  It was unusual for her to not reply as soon as possible, Y/n's text would usually send 2 or 3 hours late. And she couldn't still be asleep, the sun would already be setting in a few hours. His thumb scrolled through the spam messages he sent.

He locked his phone, only to lit up again when to look at the time. Y/n's picture lit up the screen, and he found himself looking at her—beaming at him with a contagious smile. It was one of the pictures he had stolen on a date they had a while back. They sat on the Compound's roof to take a few pictures with the setting sun. And at the right time and right spot, he captured a perfect photo of her. Hair lightly billowing, her adorable face that showed her mischievousness and silliness at the same time, and the rays of gold hitting her that made her look even more angelic.

A knock from the door pulled him away from his thoughts. He almost forgot that MJ was dropping by to retrieve her sign that she had been working on for an upcoming protest. He sauntered towards the door and pulls it open.

"Hey, nerd." MJ greeted coolly. Hands stuffed in the pockets of her jeans and her jaw clenched— Peter could tell she was nervous to be here.

"Do you wanna come in? I just got back from patrol, so I haven't found your sign yet."

She shakes her head. "No, it's fine, I can wait here."

"We have a creepy neighbor, I'm sure you're gonna wanna step inside." He lets out a teasing laugh. Without much of a choice, the girl enters and makes her way towards the couch. Peter went ahead to search for the sign. "So, how have you been MJ?"

"It's alright. Home is boring—as always." She replied. Even if MJ wouldn't admit, there has been a change with their relationship. She was still the same MJ; blunt, serious, and on the dark side of things, but she kept her reply short with whatever conversation Ned and Peter would bring up. She would occasionally be laid back and be in sync with the group, but there were times where she kept to herself.

Peter didn't bring up another topic after that. He silently searched for the sign and minutes late, he had found the medium sized board. He walked up towards her sitting figure and tapped her shoulder to catch her attention.  She immediately stood up and took her things. "Thanks, Peter. I owe you one." If Peter hadn't caught on so quickly, he would've assumed MJ was in a rush to go somewhere. But clearly, that wasn't the case. She was leaving in a haste to avoid him.

"MJ, wait." She stopped in her tracks and turned, shoulder stiff.

"Yeah, what's up?"

He huffed out. "Can we-uh... Can we talk?"

His eyes flitted from the couch to her. She didn't say anything for a moment, but she nodded with a tight jaw. They sat adjacent to each other. MJ had a calm expression on her face, but Peter could hear her heartbeat increase gradually. He wringed his fingers, not sure where to start, and his nerves were starting to get the best of him.

"Is there something wrong with us, MJ? 'Coz I feel like we haven't been... in touch lately. And I've been having this feeling that there's a rift between us."

He knows how MJ was completely honest about everything. Her honesty tends to hurt others, but it was one of the reasons why he admired her. If she were to lie about this, he wouldn't second think about the reason why she lied.

MJ swallowed a lump in her throat before opening her mouth. "There is. But it's mostly me that's the problem, not you. So, don't worry, Peter. You didn't do anything wrong."

"Why?"

She looked ahead, avoiding his eyes. "I thought if I would distance myself from you a bit, it would help with Y/n's condition. And I realized it wasn't just you who caused this, but me as well. I've had my fair share of guilt when I came in her room and saw how horrible her condition was. You didn't do anything, Peter, I swear. This was all me. So... I'm sorry if I haven't been open with you."

"It's fine, I completely understand. It would've been nice if you told me about it. You know how I don't like being kept from things."

"Yet you are keeping a very important one from the whole world. Don't turn this back on me, bud. We all have our fair share of secrets."

The pair chuckle at her witty remark and it slowly dies down. The air was silent but still held the same awkward tension. There were still things left unsaid, and wile the window was open, Peter shoot his shot. "I didn't say sorry, for leaving things so abruptly. I should've explained everything and asked you before offering her that idea. That was selfish of me, I'm sorry MJ."

"Hey," she placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't ever be sorry for trying to make things better for Y/n. It was both of our decision in the end anyway. It was the right thing to do, Peter."

"Yeah, but... it was unfair to you. It was unfair to our relationship at that time. I shouldn't have committed to that idea un- "

"You saved Y/n, Peter. It was a matter of life or death, so don't beat yourself up for it. Y/n needed you more. And I wouldn't want to lose her too."

The two had only noticed the closeness between them when they felt each other's breath. How did it come to this? MJ and Peter had no recollection of inching towards each other, and they couldn't stop themselves from doing so. There was a magnetic force pulling between them, and it was so familiar. The pull had become stronger and stronger, until they've reached the breaking point.

MJ's lips on Peter's felt like a sense of déjà vu. The kiss was like reliving the first on that bridge. They were reliving a past memory, and couple more before they relationship ended. It was a muscle memory when Peter had felt her lips ghosting over his. He couldn't seem to stop himself until a flash of Y/n's hurt face appeared in his mind's eye. He tore away from her abruptly and stood up from the chair, creating a large distance between him and MJ.

Panic and distress now present on his features as Peter pressed his palm on is mouth. "We.... We shouldn't have done that."

MJ lowered her gaze, guilty. "I know. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have- "

"No. I-I was in the wrong too. I leaned in and I ki- " he lets out a distressed sigh, pushing back his curls. "It was a mistake."

Before MJ could even get a word in, Peter's ringtone broke the silence. He pulled out his phone from his pocket, Happy's caller I.D. appearing on the screen. He accepts the call and places the speaker on his ear. "Hey Happy! What's- "

"Kid, no time. You have to come to the Compound immediately." The tone laced in the man's voice made Peter worried. And hearing cries and sobs in the background made his heart pace and palms sweat. He prayed it wasn't what he thought it was.

"Why? What's wrong?" He asked cautiously.

"The Hanahaki. It's not looking good, Pete." He could feel his hands slowly slip away from the device. His pupils flared. "She has to take the surgery."