chapter twenty-two
homecoming

    NINA'S LIFE had never been super interesting until the past year. She went through each day feeling like some background character in a lost comic in the very back-bottom corner of the store. Recently, she's felt like she was living in someone else's origin story. Things were happening around her so fast that it was hard to keep up, and she was being dragged into them all. OSCORP Unity Day, those idiots in the alleyway, her breakup with Harry━and now, more flooded onto them all: right onto the front page news of the Daily Bugle. 'The Green Goblin Strikes Again'. Just three days after Thanksgiving, the green monster decided to attack Aunt May in her own home out of some random estranged act, leaving her in hospital after a critical explosion while she sat in her kitchen, completely innocent.

    It struck Nina as odd underneath all of her crazed worries. Aunt May has never done any wrong in her life━she was lovely, sweet, caring and the most innocent of the innocent, and yet had been attacked by something she'd never even get herself caught up in. The papers said it had been a random act, but Nina wasn't stupid, something wasn't right. Green Goblin had sought out Aunt May, just like he had sought out those OSCORP board members, just like he had chosen to terrorise her the same day.

    Not that it was Nina's place to accuse anything, but her suspicion rose high. She wasn't an idiot, she knew Green Goblin had an agenda against Spider-Man, she just wondered what that had to do with Peter's aunt.

    As soon as she could, Nina came to visit Aunt May in Queens General Hospital, leaving her College lecture as soon as she could to grab some flowers, a get-well card and a small pile of treats in a jar she tied up with some left over Christmas string. Peter was there to lead her into the hospital room, looking as though he hadn't slept a wink recently.

    "How is she?" asked Nina, seeing Peter's aunt asleep in her bed. She looked better than she had when MJ had come to see her; her cuts starting to heal and her bruises fading. She didn't seem as crazed and horrified as she had been, finally able to sleep peacefully. "Will she be okay?"

    Nina pursed her lips and gently set the flowers and jar of treats she brought onto the side table. She placed the card against it, feeling Peter walk up behind her, sighing sadly down at his aunt. "She'll be fine, she's been sleeping all day," he said. He reached out and turned the jar so he could see what Nina had brought━he smiled a little. "You didn't have to."

    "Chocolate is the best medicine," stated Nina matter-of-factly. Peter chuckled and she gave him a brief glance as she reached out to fix the blanket over Aunt May's arm, her heart deciding to flutter ever-so-slightly at his reaction. "Especially hot chocolate."

    "I'll take your word for it," grinned Peter and she turned back to him, brushing past him to squeeze his shoulder as a friendly, it's all going to be okay. He watched her go and added, "Hey, look, thanks for coming."

    "Of course," said Nina. She decided to sit down in one of the chairs, and Peter followed, taking the one opposite her. They sat in pleasant silence, just gently watching Aunt May's chest rise up and down in her sleep.

    "How are you?" then asked Peter out of nowhere. Nina blinked, glancing back over to him, a little taken aback by the question. At her confusion, he added, "I mean ... are you okay━from the other night?"

    Nina's brows knitted together, surprised, but appreciating his concern. It made her tilt her head and nod, "Yeah, I'm all right," she said, and she meant it. After breaking up with Harry, there was some lift to her shoulders━as if this weight she had been carrying the entire time they were together had just disappeared. "I just feel bad storming out like that ... especially after Aunt May made all of that."

    "Have ... you spoken to Harry?"

    Nina scrunched her nose indigiantly, shaking her head and resisting the urge to roll her eyes. "No." She sighed, sitting back in the chair. "I mean, he's called but ... I broke up with him. I just ... I didn't feel━" Nina shrugged, not sure how to explain it. "Something didn't feel right ... almost like I knew all along it wasn't supposed to be him. And now I just feel ... better. There's ...." she scrunched her nose again, but this time, it was a little nervous. She couldn't meet Peter's listening gaze. "I think there might be someone else ..."

    She didn't fail to notice the way his blue eyes widened, though. Peter stammered for a second, "T━There is?"

    Nina arched a brow at him, amused and yet curious as to why he was so interested. "Why?" she taunted. "Is there something you want to say to me, Parker?"

    He looked down, shaking his head with a small chuckle at her jokes. Nina found herself unable to stop the slight quirk of her lips. There was something about Peter Parker that just made her smile every single time.

    "It's not the right time," decided Nina, crossing one leg over the other.

    Peter looked up, shocked, "No, no, no━" he shook his head, and she chuckled, "━you can't just say that. You can't leave me hanging. Go on. Would I know his name?" She rolled her eyes, heart fluttering in her chest. "This guy?"

    "You're going to think I'm stupid."

    "What? No. That's impossible."

    Nina reached out and shoved her foot lightly against his leg. "You'll think I'm some school girl with a celebrity crush, then."

    Peter met her gaze, raising his brows and she bit the inside of her cheek that was starting to hurt from her smiling. "Trust me, I won't."

    She pursed her lips, playful, but in the end, sighed and slumped in her chair, her gaze wandering towards the hospital window. "I don't know how ... it's just funny, you know? It's like he's the person I've been waiting for my entire life━he's saved me twice, and I don't know his name, I don't know his face, and yet, I feel like I know him better than I've known anyone."

    "Ah," Peter nodded, understanding. There was a slight glint in his eyes, like he knew something she didn't. "Him."

    Nina gasped and reached out to shove his leg with her foot again, a small laugh catching in the back of her throat. Peter chuckled, pushing her foot away with his knee. "See? I knew you'd laugh at me."

    "No, no!" he said as he laughed gently. "I'm not laughing."

    "You are literally laughing as you speak, Parker," Nina pulled the chair closer to him so she could reach out and jab her finger at his chest. She felt the vibrations in his chest━warm and inviting.

    "No, no," he said again and she sat on the edge of her seat, hands clasped together as she quirked an amused, accusing brow, "I get it, Ni, he's extremely cool."

    Nina snorted lightly to herself, "He's a dork. He ..." she faltered, realising what she was going to say: He reminds me a lot of you. Her eyes shot up to Peter's, not sure why her gut suddenly seemed to twist. Peter frowned, taken aback.

    "What?" he asked her.

    "Nothing," said Nina quickly, "Just ..." her heart began to race, feeling Peter's blue gaze on her like a familiar, comforting hand on her shoulder. Her brows knitted together ever-so-slightly, and she let her eyes drop down to his lips, wondering ... no, she told herself, no, it can't be true. But why would she think it? Did she want it to be him? What did that even mean? So, Nina took a deep breath and ignored the strange feeling, turning back to what she was saying, "Do you think it's true? All the ... terrible stuff they're saying about him?"

    "No," said Peter immediately, shaking his head. "No. Not Spider-Man, not a chance in the world." Nina was happy someone else agreed with her. Especially someone that knew him a little bit like Pete did. Peter rubbed his hands on his jeans, as if considering what to say next. He briefly looked away, then sighed and told her, "He's mentioned you to me, you know."

    Nina's eyes widened. Her breath hitched. Her heart jolted with nerves. "Wait━really? What did he say?"

    Peter blinked, thinking about it. "Uh ... well, I said━uh━h━he asked me what ... what I thought about you."

    Nina's heart began to thunder. She couldn't stop looking away from Peter's eyes now, and it seemed like he couldn't, either. "And ... what did you say?"

    "I said ..." began Peter Parker, a little lost in Nina's bright gaze, " ... uh ... Spider-Man, I said, uh ..." Nina tilted her head, her smile falling away slightly to a breathless anticipation, or perhaps it was the way Peter was watching her, like no matter how many times he did, he could never get enough of her. "The great thing about Nina is ... when you look in her eyes, and ... she's looking back into yours, time just ... stops, and everything feels calm, but at the same time, not quite normal. You feel ... stronger, you feel━no matter the day, whether it was bad, or good, her eyes just make it not matter, because in that moment she just lights up everything in the world like a beacon you have no choice in being drawn towards."

    Nina's brows lifted, her lips parted in shock. Suddenly, she felt as though Peter never said these words to Spider-Man. Instead, she was saying them to her, and just her, from the very bottom of his heart. A lump formed in her throat━emotional and not expecting such sincerity, such ... love. She remembered the night where she kissed Spider-Man, how drawn she had been to him ... she felt it right now. She felt like she had moved closer, like there was a string attatched ...

    Perhaps Nina had found Spider-Man so familiar because all along, she had been seeing someone else. Wanted someone else. She never felt right with Harry because she was always searching the crowd, searching the room, searching for the eyes that made her day light up no matter what. Just like Peter said hers did to him.

   "You feel excited, but you also feel terrified," went on Peter Parker, his voice barely louder than a whisper━but Nina heard every word, "... because the truth is, you don't exactly know how you feel ... you just know what kind a man you want to be. You see her dreams, her laughter, her anger, her happiness, even her sadness, and it motivates you ... it makes you want to be better, makes you want to ..." his lips quirked into a momentarious smile, "... explore everything you have to offer. She makes you brave, she makes you vulnerable. It's as if you've ... reached the unreachable, and you weren't ready for it."

    For a moment, Nina didn't realise he had finished, and she couldn't speak. "Y━You━" she swallowed her want to cry, "━you said that?"

    Peter shrugged it off, blushing, "Oh, well, something like that, I━"

    Nina was unable to stop herself. She reached in and threw her arms around Peter, holding him tight as she blinked back a few tears into his shoulder. Slowly, she felt him hold her back, gentle arms around her ... and Nina relaxed.

    "Thank you," she told him in a voice heavy with emotion. For what? For everything Peter has done for her, even back in High School. When she'd might see him next door to Mary Jane's taking out the bins and give her a little wave. Or awkwardly smile behind glasses when she passed him in class. That one day he caught her in the cafeteria in senior year and saved her lunch! Every moment, every time ... He seemed there, ready to catch her.

    Peter leaned into her touch, and brought her in closer. "Always," he promised.

    Nina left him with Aunt May after that, not wanting to overstay her welcome. But despite everything, she returned home with a small smile on her face. Her heart was light, and her stomach was fluttering. She repeated Peter's words over and over in her mind like a song she kept listening to no matter what other people said. Because it resonated with her. It left her breathless, or it left her crying, it left her feeling such emotion she couldn't speak, she just needed to listen to it again. Peter was like that. He was a song, he was a book, he was a presence Nina never could get enough of, because he seemed to understand her so well, and she seemed to get him. And she never realised until now just how much he meant to her, because he was always there recently. She had taken him for granted.

     And now that she opened her eyes, Nina realised that perhaps it had been Peter this whole time. He had been the person she had been waiting for, like they were only meant to see each other in the crowds, in the neighbourhoods, across the universe and into the stars. They were drawn to each other ... just as he said: like a beacon. 

     Nina closed and locked her door, still smiling to herself as she sat her keys down onto her kitchen counter and wandered over to turn the television on. She opened up her window for some fresh air and kicked her shoes off. She got ready for the night thinking she'd sleep peacefully, with a smile on her face and wonderful feelings in her chest. Going to sleep knowing that now, something was starting to seem right in her head. 

     Until she heard her television turn off. 

     Nina froze, confused in her small apartment bathroom. She pulled the towel away from her face, fresh from cleansing and frowned towards the open door. Had the power gone out? But of course, everything else was working. Maybe a cord went askew? It seemed absurd for her TV to just go off, as if someone had grabbed the remote themselves ...

     Nina's heart jolted with abrupt fear. She stood there for a moment, trying very hard not to freak out. Perhaps it was MJ. Perhaps it was Peter. Perhaps it was her parents coming over out of nowhere━just something innocent, and not at all dangerous, and there was no need for her fingers to be wrapping around her hairbrush as if expecting it to do some serious damage to whoever might be walking around her small living room.

      She resisted the urge to call out, Hello? and quietly stepped outside. Holding her breath, terrified to make even a sound, Nina tiptoed down the little hallway and back into the main room. The television was off, the remote lied right where she had placed it before. It was empty, nothing seemed out of the ordinary but she knew━she could feel it crawling up her spine. 

      Nina gripped the hairbrush tighter. If she could reach her phone, she could call the police. If she was quick enough, maybe she could take it and run, dialling them on the way. 

      But something wasn't right. Something was really, really wrong and it made her quiver in her night dress and her stomach lurch. The same way she felt under the gaze of━

     "Well, hello there, my dear!"

     Nina spun around. She didn't get the time to scream for there was a flash of green, and her entire world went black. 

*ೃ༄

      HER EYES opened before the mirror in her bedroom. Fingers brushing some hair right where she wanted it to go, she checked whether she blended her foundation right down her neck━could her blush be too much? Is her bronzer uneven and will her eyeshadow power down under her eyes? Nina Hart often spent her time thinking too much about things, but in her experience, when had she been wrong? But perhaps this time, that was just it. She looked fine━she looked more than fine, and this night was going to be great with her friends, laughing and dancing along. Nina was going to be fine with Peter taking Liz, and she was going to not even notice it, because in the long run, all that mattered was that they were friends again, and that was what she was here for: to have a good night with her closest friends. No baggage, no father problems, no Spider-Man, no jealousy. It was going to be a good night. 

      She smiled, genuine. 

      She stepped back from the mirror, turning around a little as she checked her dress━feeling snug and comfortable in a simple orange wrap tied tight behind her back in straps that dangled above her knees. She fixed one strap that fell sightly down her shoulder and worked to tighten it up. She rocked her feet back and forth in wedged, white sneakers, testing whether Felicia would be right in saying they were a good compromise for height but a night full of dancing (and after parties━thanks Flash). 

      Nina bent her knee, reaching down to fix the fresh bandaid she put on after toppling over her skateboard just an hour before. She's getting better at her skateboard flips, just ... you know, with a few scathes and bruises (as always)━especially when she thought she could try them at a steep downhill slope. 

      (She had it coming, if she was to be honest). 

      Nina smirked, fixing her small hooped earrings one last time before grabbing her black clutch━a little thick because she insisted on bringing her phone charger, as well (one never knew!) and her work keys because who doesn't want a hot chocolate after Homecoming? She told her boss she would pay! (She didn't promise for Felicia, though ...)

      She went to leave, but then thought of one last thing. Turning on her phone, she fixed her camera and took a quick picture of herself in the mirror before sending it off to MJ and Felicia. Satisified, she hurried out of her room. Nina was excited, and she was happy, and nothing was going to get her down even if it could, because she wasn't going to let it. 

      Making it to her loungeroom, Nina was surprised to see MJ and Felicia there so early. They stared back at her with equal disappointment, showing their phones with her picture for her to see.

     "We're in the same house!" Felicia scolded. "Girl, seriously?"

     Nina just smiled and rushed over, pulling both girls into a hug. They all gave each other corsages to match their outfits. Nina accepted the bright orange one Felicia passed over. She clipped the yellow one to MJ's wrist, who stared at her, unblinking under her usual bangs of curly brown hair. She looked just like she did everyday, except instead of in oversized shirts, jeans and sneakers, she wore a yellow skater dress with a sheer top and collar, as well as sheer skirts. She decided on yellow flats instead of high-tops, and Nina did not miss the clip that kept most of her messy bangs off her face, leaving just a few really nice curls that she must've defined with product. Finally, Michelle Jones awkwardly passed over the corsage she got Felicia, not saying a single word. Cia took it with an accusing arch of her sharp brows, looking stunning in her black mini dress and pin straight hair that looked platnium white instead of sandy blonde. (She finally decided to go for it and dye it for the dance). She clipped the flowery bracelet to her own wrist. 

     "Thanks," she told MJ, checking it out against the fabric of her dress.

      "Whatever," MJ played with her own, but Nina thought she saw her glance sideways at Felicia, as if anticipating whatever reaction she showed next. 

      "All right! All right! I got the camera!" Nina's mother raced out of the study, carting her professional camera she always used to take pictures for her paintings. Her father followed, smiling at Nina with a look that told her she was going to get a you've grown up too fast talk. "Girls, get in a line and smile! I want see those corsages!"

      They did as they said, Nina laughing when MJ stared blankly into the camera, weakly showing her wrist with Felicia smacking her and telling her to smile and "For once look like you're alive." (To which MJ did exactly the opposite). 

      It might've taken them a while to get out of the house━even when they were prepared to leave early! But driving through the traffic took a little while longer in Nina's father's car. They spent the time talking, taking short videos and photos on Snapchat, and MJ vented about another conspiracy about S.H.I.E.L.D. being on the Moon. 

      By the time they reached the school, cars were already lined outside with students getting out. Whether it be together, or meeting up with a friend outside with excited waves and gushes of how great the other looked. Lights glared from inside the gym: pinks and blues, with the doors wide open to which Nina could glimpse a small━but growing━crowd of her fellow students on the floor. 

     "Enjoy tonight, girls," said Nina's father once he finally found a park. 

     "Will do, Mr. Hart," said Felicia before opening up the door, eager to get outside. She dragged MJ with her who rolled her eyes but let herself be pulled out of the car door. 

      Nina was the last to get out. She leaned in through the space between the front seats to give her father a kiss on the cheek. "Love you, Dad."

     "Love you, honey," he squeezed her hand. "Have a good time, but not too much of a good━"

     "Dad," she rolled her eyes and gave him a final peck, "We'll see you tonight."

      He stopped her before she could leave. Nina saw him gaze at her proudly, "You look great, honey."

     Nina smiled. She hugged her dad around the car seat. "Thanks, Dad," she said before stepping out of the car and joining her friends at the curb. 

      She took Felicia and MJ's hands with a bright grin, and nearly ran up the slope towards their school━the first time actually excited to go through those doors. They reached the open threshold, ready to go in when something caught Nina's eye. Faltering, she frowned as she caught glimpse of someone strange by the edge of the school. She couldn't see his face, but for a moment, she recognised the thick gauntlet around his wrist. Her eyes widened, her heart shuddered to a halt for a second━but then, he was gone, and it was like she hadn't seen anything.

     Realising Nina wasn't following, Felicia glanced back and sighed, "Nina, hon, come on! I want some food."

     Nina blinked and shook her head, realising that yes, she had been seeing things. No Spider-Man stuff, she reminded herself. Forcing a grin back onto her face, she called, "Coming!" and caught up with the girls just as they stepped through into the gym. 

     Still down by the suburbs, Peter Parker's heart was racing with nerves as Aunt May pulled up outside Liz's home. It was as grand as he remembered it at the party, which didn't help. He tugged at his suit jacket, finding it a little big, but in it, he felt his Uncle very much with him, giving his own advice even if he wasn't around. May let out a breath as she put the car into park, fixing her glasses before turning to her nephew trying very hard not to sweat in the passanger seat.

     "Okay, it's game day," she told him, fixing the suit for him so it evenly settled on his chest. Peter nodded, exhaling out long breaths. Aunt May smiled, giving him a little light punch to lift his spirits. "So, what's the plan?"

     "Uh ..." Peter went over his aunt's words earlier today. "Open the door for her." She nodded, humming. "Tell her she looks nice ... but not too much, because that's creepy."

     Aunt May nodded, "Yes, don't be creepy."

     "And uh ... when I dance with her I put my hands on her hips?" Peter felt a little better to know that he remembered it all to the very tier. 

     His aunt smiled and tried to squeeze his cheeks. He ducked away, calling out a, "May..."

     "You got this," said Aunt May, giving him a thumbs up.

     Peter smiled. "Thanks," he opened the car door, grabbing the corsage he bought for Liz. "Love you."

     "Love you," called May as he closed the door. 

     Peter took a few more deep breaths. He can handle this. He can do this. He's been on dates before. This will be fine━it'll be better than fine. It'll go good━great, even. He'll be a normal kid for tonight, all he's wanted. 

      So, with a nod to himself, Peter started up the driveway. He took the same steps he took that night of the party, marvelling at the lights in the garden and under the concrete━and all of the glass doors! It made him subconsiously fix the flower on his blazer, hoping he didn't look too shabby towards Liz's parents. 

      Too quickly, he reached the front door and rang the doorbell. He cursed, for he had given himself no time in what to say in regards to who might open the door. He could see their shadow getting closer, and his heart sped up again. It's okay, it's going to be good, you're all right, he told himself. Everything is going to be perfect━

      The door swung open. Peter's stomach dropped. His heart stopped.

      It was him.

       In a flannel and jeans, with a smile on his face as a greeting━but those eyes, that face, the balding hair. He might not be wearing the suit, or his strange mask ... but it was him. Peter could never forget that face he saw on the ferry.

      He felt he was sinking back into that lake, unable to breath, stuck in that parachute. He felt his back and side hurt, his head and his chest from how fast his heart suddenly pounded. He didn't want to believe it. His eyes━they were tricking him━

      But there was no mistaking it. Not when he stood right there in front of him. Right there.

     Liz's father was the Vulture. 

*ೃ༄

      a/n: sorta hate this chapter i'm sorry. i might double post today, i'm not sure. i'm sorta in a peter brain rot now so it could happen. 

      only michael keaton can turn the vulture into a scary ass villain that gave me chills when i first watched homecoming. top tier acting. 

      also the picture tom posted from the nwh photoshoot makes me cry with happiness y'all know which one.