Bittersweet (Peter Parker x F!Reader)
Summary: Peter Parker lost you in his universe… Never did he think he would see your face again…
Warnings: Spoilers for NWH!!! DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN NO WAY HOME!
Pairing: Andrew Garfield Peter Parker x Female Reader
You furrowed your brows at the teen, gesturing to his hands.
“Whatever you just did, do it again.” You told him as he looked unsure for a moment, looking to MJ who nodded in agreement with you, as he began to move his hands around in a circular motion again.
“I wish I could see Peter…” He said out loud, as a fiery circle appeared in the middle of the room, causing surprise to everyone in the room that it actually worked.
“I am magic!” Ned grinned, as you rolled your eyes at him playfully. Looking through the circle, it showed a dark alley with a masked figure in the distance.
“Peter?” MJ asked cautiously, before the figure turned and started making their way towards you all.
“It’s him right?” Ned asked, furrowing his brows as the familiar suited man stepped through the portal, but you took notice of how much different this man looked physically, even with the mask still on. He was taller and more slender than the Peter you knew.
“I don’t think so-“ You muttered to Ned as the mysterious Spider-Man removed his mask, revealing a man with scruffy brunette hair and kind brown eyes. Confusion fell on everyone’s faces, as MJ instantly was on guard. However, when the mans eyes fell on you, you saw his face drop a little.
“Who are you?” MJ spoke, breaking his gaze on you as he cleared his throat. Were his eyes glossy?
“I’m Peter.” He held his hands up in a surrender position. “I’m Peter Parker. I’m Spider-Man.” He paused. “In my world, but then yesterday… I was…” He gestured with his hands. “I was just here.” He finished as MJ and Ned looked confused at each other.
“Another Peter Parker… From a whole different universe…” You spoke quietly, trying to piece the pieces together. “It’s not just the bad guys that came here then…” You looked at MJ who understood what you were saying.
“Wow….” Peter breathed out, walking backwards as the two teens stayed in defensive stances. “String theory… multi dimensional reality… and matter displacement… all real?” He asked looking between you all.
“Yeah…” Ned answered as the man grinned for a moment to himself.
“Knew it!” He cheered himself as you stepped forward.
“Okay, but that doesn’t answer the question of where’s our Peter?” You asked. “You haven’t come into contact with any other Peters or anyone else have you?” You turned to the man, who seemed to give you his full attention, swallowing the lump in his throat as he shook his head.
“N-No, just me I’m afraid.” He told you softly. “So… your Peter…” He trailed off.
“Teen boy. About his high.” You gestured his height. “Brown hair, brown eyes, very boyish.” You described as MJ interrupted.
“Prove it.” She said sternly. “Prove your Peter Parker.”
“I don’t carry ID on me… it kinda defeats the whole secret identity thing…” Peter said, a small smile on his lips. MJ grabbed a piece of bread, throwing it at his chest as he looked confused. “Why’d you do that?” He shrugged as MJ narrowed her eyes.
“I was trying to see if you had the tingle thing.” She answered.
“I have the tingle thing, just not for bread.” He responded as you rolled your eyes, seeing her grab another piece.
“MJ, drop the bread!” You told her as she gave you a look before listening. “I’m so sorry about this.” You apologised to Peter as MJ send you a glare.
“It’s ok. You’re a deeply mistrusting person and I respect that.” He told MJ, before jumping up and using his powers to stick to the ceiling by one hand. MJ shrugged, looking unsure on what to say next.
“Crawl around.” She told him.
“Crawl around?” He relayed, raising his brows.
“No, you don’t have to crawl around, you’re clearly Peter.” You tried to usher him down from the ceiling as MJ kept her gaze on his.
“Surely, this is enough?” Peter asked.
“No it’s not.” MJ argued as you face palmed, sighing in the process.
Your mannerisms were even the same in this universe…
“Do it.” MJ ordered as Peter sighed, reluctantly throwing himself up so he could stick properly to the ceiling, showing them he could. Suddenly Neds Lola spoke as Ned turned to Peter.
“My Lola is asking if you could get the cobweb in the corner…” He relayed for her in English as he nodded.
“Sure, why not.” He almost muttered as he crawled over to the corner he pointed at, grabbing the cobweb before jumping down.
“Thank you!” Neds Lola said.
“We good?” Peter asked, looking at MJ.
“For now.” She told him as you sent her a look. Her and Ned began talking amongst themselves as you found Peter looking at you. You gave him a small smile.
“Sorry about them.” You told him. “And sorry you got dragged into this.” He seemed nervous, or scared of what to say in return.
“I-it’s fine.” He waved it off. “A bit humiliating, but it’s fine.” He joked as you gave him a empathetic grin.
“Just keep doing it until we find the real Peter!” MJ said as you both snapped your head over to the two.
“Ouch.” Peter commented as the two teens sent an apologetic stare, before Ned began to recreate the scenario, opening another portal as another man stepped out. He looked older, and wasn’t wearing a Spider-Man suit, but ordinary clothes.
“Great it’s just some random guy.” Ned commented as you shhh’d him. The man waved awkwardly.
“Hello.” He greeted. “Erm, hope it’s ok I just came through this-“ He turned, seeing it close behind him. “Oh, it just closed.”
“Peter?” You asked as he turned his gaze to you. You missed the first Peters initial reaction to turn to you.
“Er, yeah, Peter Parker.” He confirmed as he finally spotted the other Spider-Man behind the trio. The two stared at each other intensely, obviously trying to sus each other out. Suddenly they both threw their webs at each other as you moved out the way. The pair jumped up on different furniture as they held a defensive stance against the other.
“So you’re Spider-Man too?” Ned asked the older Peter. “Why didn’t you just say that?”
“I generally don’t go around advertising it… it kinda defeats the whole secret identity thing.” Older Peter explained as the first Peter let out a breath.
“That’s what I said.” He agreed as the two shared a moment.
“Okay, now that we’ve played the game of guess who-“ You grabbed everyone’s attention. “We need to find our Peter.” You told them all. After explaining the situation to the two Peters, you all stood in Neds Lolas living room still.
A voice broke you out of your thoughts as you turned to see the first Peter stood beside you.
“How do you know me? Well… other Peter?” He asked as you looked up at him.
“Oh, I’m his probation officer.” You told him as he looked confused for a moment. You laughed lightly. “Well, that’s what I like to think of it as. I come by every now and again and check on him. Orders from the boss.” You smiled slightly at the thought of Tony Stark. You had worked for Stark for a few years, and after his death he had left a letter for you, telling you to keep an eye on Parker and keep him on the right track.
“So- You’re not-“ He began before shaking his head. “I’d imagine you have to check up on him a lot.” He commented.
“Well, I’m sure you’d know how often I’d need to.” You joked. “How often do you get into trouble?”
“Alright, alright!” He held his hands up in a surrender. “I get it.” He let out a breathy laugh. “We can be a handful.”
“Is there anywhere he would go to be alone? To think?” The older Peter brought you two out of your little moment as MJ’s eyes widened in realisation.
“I know exactly where he’d go.”
All of you headed to their school, as MJ knew he would be up on the roof, the place they always went to get away from everything. You watched from the sidelines with the two Peters as MJ and Ned ran to their friend, hugging him.
“We have some people who want to meet you…” MJ told him softly as he turned to see the two Peters and you. He quickly stood to his feet, looking beaten and defeated.
“I’m done.” Your Peter informed you all. “I’m done with being Spider-Man. I get people killed. I get them hurt.” He exclaimed. “I’m sorry you got dragged into this- But I’m done.”
“If anyone knows how you feel-“ The older Peter spoke as your Peter furrowed his brows in anger.
“You have no idea how I feel!” He exclaimed, shocking you. He was learning the responsibility that came with being a superhero. And you really didn’t know how it was going to affect him.
You turned to see the first Peter speaking.
“She… She was my MJ.” He croaked out, swallowing the lump in his throat as he looked down. “I couldn’t save her. I’m never gonna be able to forgive myself for that.” Tears started to form in his eyes as you felt the mans sorrow. “But I carried on.” He sniffled. “Tried to keep going.” He paused. “Tried to keep being the friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man. Cause I know that’s what she would’ve wanted.” He glanced at you for a second, his stare not lingering. He couldn’t look at you. He would break. “At some point, I just… I just stopped pulling my punches. I got rage full.” He stared down at the young Peter, seeing how broken the boy in front of him also felt. “I got bitter. Don’t let yourself become like I did.” He told the teen as you glanced over at him also.
“So what do I do?” Your Peter asked, his voice weak.
“Do what we always do.” Older Peter told him. “Save the world.” He gave him an encouraging smile.
You were all sat in the schools lab, as each one of the Peters were working on an antidote for the last 3 who needed to be cured. You looked over from where you were standing to see Peter and MJ having a moment as you smiled at the couple. You also noticed how the first Peter had been looking at the couple, giving them small glances as you remembered his words up on the roof. You slowly wondered over to the other worlds Spidey.
“Sickening isn’t it?” You joked, nodding at the couple, sitting next to him on a stool. He turned to look at you. “Young love.” You pulled a face as he laughed lightly. There was a moment of silence as he was working on his serum. “Are you ok?” You asked him quietly, genuinely worried about him. He frowned for a moment, before pushing himself up on his stool so his back was straight.
“I’m always ok.” He commented, giving you a cheesy grin which appeared forced.
“Peter.” You raised your brow, your voice stern as he sighed.
“I will be ok.” He told you softly.
“I’m sorry about what happened…” You said softly. “To your MJ…” You glanced at the young couple again. “I cant imagine how painful it must be to lose the one you love.” You played with your fingers as you didn’t dare look at him. “What was her name?” You asked, peering over at him from your peripheral vision. You saw him tense slightly at that question, as you decided to bite the bullet and turn to look at him. He was staring at you, eyes glossy once again. You both were staring at each other as you slowly started to realise…
The way he looked at you when he first came through the portal. The way he wouldn’t look at you when he was telling your Peter about the person he lost… The fact there’s multiple Peters out there…
You were both interrupted by Ned calling for Peter as all 3 of them answered, causing a small bicker about who he was in fact asking for. You were left in your seat, in shock as the Peter beside you wondered over to join the others, leaving you to your thoughts and many many questions.
The three Peters were in position as you stayed at the bottom of the statue, keeping an eye on the surrounding area to ensure no civilians would get involved or hurt. The stillness in the air didn’t last long though, as you instantly felt the hair on the back of your neck stand on edge. You felt eyes watching you. As you were about to alert the Peters through your earpiece, you felt a hand cover your mouth as you froze.
“I don’t want to do this.” A voice said. “But he’s left me with no choice.”
Peter was in position as electricity picked up in the air, causing his spider senses to go off.
“Max is here.” He let the other two Peters know, as a flash of yellow electricity flew through the air, as Peter quickly put on his mask, jumping off the scaffolding as he went higher, swinging up, however as he reached the top he realised Electro wasn’t alone. And he looked more powerful than ever.
He heard your voice as he removed his mask quickly, fear evident on his face. He saw you, being held up in mid air by Max, feet dangling as you tried your best to stay calm in the situation.
“Max!” He cried. “Don’t do this!” He exclaimed, standing straight as he pleaded with his eyes.
“You left me no choice Peter. I will not go back there. I won’t die.” Max told the hero, as he tightened his grip on your jacket, the only thing keeping you from falling to your inevitable death.
“We can cure you!” Peter called out. “It doesn’t have to end in death! You can live a normal life!” He was basically pleading at this point, fighting the urge to reach out, or to make a hasty move to get you to safety.
“Please, listen to him-“ You breathed out. “We just want to help.” You tried to reason, to get the man to understand.
“I don’t want it.” He narrowed his eyes, before staring at Peter, stare unmoving.
Another voice chimed in, as Peter turned to see a man with what appeared to be mechanical arms attached to his back.
“Let them help you.” He told him. “If you don’t, then I will have to stop you.” He threatened, as the claws on the end of his mechanical arms started snapping, holding a snake like appearance. You could feel your jacket slipping as you let you a little squeal.
“So be it.” Max told him, smirking slightly as without hesitation his hand opened. The hand that was holding your jacket. Time came to a stop as you stared at Peter, eyes wide, his own in disbelief.
You heard him cry, voice full of pain as you felt your heart drop. You were falling. You saw Doc Oc use his arms to grab Max, fighting with him as Peter threw himself off the building without hesitation. He dived towards you.
It couldn’t happen like this. Not again.
You could see the determination on his face as you fell backwards. You didn’t know how far you were from the ground, and even though you could see Peter making his way towards you, you still felt fear. Absolute stone cold fear.
As Peter approached you, he instantly reached out, wrapped his arms around you as his body pressed against yours, throwing you both into a flip on impact as you were falling together for a moment. He quickly used his web to swing you two to safety, back onto the scaffolding of the statue. Your arms were wrapped around his neck as you kept your head nuzzled into his chest, breathing heavy as you felt your heart beating wildly in your chest. You could hear your blood pumping in your ears. Peters own arms were holding you bridal style as his chin rested on your head, his own breathing erratic. There was a second of silence before he immediately pulled his head back, trying to look at your face.
“Are you ok?” He breathed out, as you slowly moved your face from his chest, tears in your eyes as you nodded, still in shock. Looking up at him you noticed his own eyes had tears in them, as he looked relieved but also that sorrow from before was back. He swallowed the lump in his throat as he looked like he was about to breakdown. You didn’t know what to say or do, your mind was blank it was almost like you were frozen.
“Are you?” You asked softly, almost in a whisper as he gave you a small smile, bittersweet as he nodded. He gently set you down as you kept your hands on his arms to steady yourself. “Thank you.” You said sincerely, looking up at him, a tear falling from your eye. “I- Thank you.” You settled on again, as he shook his head slightly, moving one his hands to cover one of your own that sat on his arm.
“I couldn’t save her.” He told you gently. “I didn’t save her.” He paused. “I’m so sorry.” A tear fell from his own eyes as you looked at him softly, your shock slowly leaving your body as you prepared to comfort the man before you.
“But you saved me.” You told him, turning your hand round so it could hold his own. “I know it’s not the same, and I know she… She is still gone…” You sighed. “But stop beating yourself up. Stop making everything your responsibility.” You told him quietly, as he looked down at the ground for a moment before nodding slowly. You leant forwards, not sure what came over you, but allowed yourself to melt into him as you latched your lips to his. He didn’t respond at first, but once he pushed past the awkwardness of the situation, he closed his eyes and let himself have this moment. He kissed you like it was his last breath, yet it was so tender and sweet, like he was scared to hurt you. Pulling away, you looked up at him, feeling slightly embarrassed at your own action as you cleared your throat, stepping back, your hand slipping out of his. “Now…” you paused. “I think you’re needed elsewhere…” He still looked at you in surprise before he snapped his mind back to what was happening around you both. “Go get them Tiger.” You joked as he gave you a small smile in return, hesitating before swinging away.
Once everyone had been cured and the battle was won, you made your way to where everyone else was, seeing the three Peters with MJ and Ned. In that time, Dr Strange had reappeared and was trying to hold the universe together with a spell. The explosion of the spell box had caused hell to unleash above. Your Peter rushed off to see Dr Strange to find out how to stop it all, as you knew everyone would be sent back to their own universes. Your eyes immediately landed on the taller Peter, as you felt your cheeks flush a little at the thought of what happened when you last saw him.
“Hey.” He greeted shyly as you gave him a small smile, approaching him as the older Peter turned to you both.
“I’ll give you some space.” He raised his brows, limping away as you bashfully smiled at him, before looking down at your feet.
“So, I guess this is it?” You asked, peering back up at the man through your lashes. Why did you feel like a school girl? He gave you a sad smile.
“I’m afraid so.” He paused. “Unless you can figure out a way to make multi dimensional travel a thing.” He suggested, shrugging as you laughed lightly.
“I’m not that clever.” You replied.
“Oh, I don’t know about that.” He looked at you, his eyes soft, the sorrow eased. “You’re capable of anything.”
“Likewise.” You nodded at him. A moment of silence. “So, what will you do now?” You asked curiously. He sniffed, looking out into the distance before shrugging.
“I… Well, i‘ll probably get some food.” He joked as you laughed. “Then sleep.” He added as you shook your head.
“Seriously though-“ You rolled your eyes. “Will you… will you go back to being the amazing Spider-Man?” You asked as he bit his lip. “Because I have a feeling your world needs you.” He gave you a small smile.
“I suppose I owe it to them.” He responded. “I owe it to (Y/N).” He finished as you gave him a smile. You stepped towards him, wrapping your arms around his neck as you brought him down for a hug. His arms instantly wrapped around your body as he rested his head on your shoulder, breathing in your scent as he closed his eyes tight. This was his chance to say goodbye. After a few moments, you both pulled apart.
“See You Around, Peter Parker.” You told him, testy eyed as he looked down at you with a similar expression.
“See you around, (Y/N) (L/N).”
And with one last smile, he was gone.
It had been a few months since the whole ordeal. But weirdly enough you couldn’t remember what your part in it actually was. You just remember your involvement with the two teens MJ and Ned, and having to deal with people from other universes. There were also three men there… But you couldn’t think of their faces… Or their names. It was a weird time for you, to say the least. But things quickly went back to normal, and talk of a ‘Spider-Man’ was making it rounds around the city.
Sighing to yourself, you entered your apartment, throwing your keys on the side as you placed your shopping down in the kitchen. A noise from another room caused you to stop what you were doing.
Narrowing your eyes, you quickly pulled out your gun. It wasn’t something you approved of, but after the ordeal you’d been in and the fact you knew Stark you were always concerned about safety. Making your way towards where the sound came from, you finally reached your bedroom door. It was shut. You listened closely to hear shuffling on the other side of the door. Furrowing your brows, you grabbed the door handle, gun held up in your hand as you got ready to aim.
You flung the door open, aiming the gun at whoever was in your bedroom. To your confusion, you were faced with what appeared to be… A portal? It was similar to the one you had seen a few months ago… With a tall man staring at you in shock, as he instantly held up his hands.
“I’m friendly!” He called. “Please don’t shoot!” You narrowed your eyes, slowly putting the gun down, but keeping it by your side incase.
“Who the hell are you?!” You exclaimed. “And what are you doing in my apartment?!”
“It’s… It’s a long story.” He stuttered as you tilted your head slightly at him.
“Better talk quickly then.” You folded your arms, giving him a stern stare. He slowly lowered his own arms as he licked his lips.
“Okay…” He breathed out. “My name…
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