𝕱𝗈𝗎𝗇𝖽𝖾𝖽 ( 𝖪𝖾𝖾𝗉 𝕴𝖙 ) 𝖡𝗈𝗒𝖿𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗇𝖽 𝖯𝖾𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝖯𝖺𝗋𝗄𝖾𝗋 起毛 𝖥𝗅𝗎𝖿𝖿
The late afternoon was evident outside the window. The sky was a mix of light blue and darkness as the sun hid behind a cluster of clouds that looked very much like a duck, at least according to Peter.
That said boy in front of you was having trouble intertwining the paper delicately enough so that it wouldn't tear.
As you noticed Peter's now less-than-skillful fingers, he swore as another paper star went, eliciting a laugh from you that was met with a disapproving look.
"Oh, you think it is funny?" he said, receiving a smile from you in response. "A little," he ruffled in frustration and picked up another strip of paper. "I'm useless to you. I'm just getting in your way and wasting paper. If you were doing it yourself, you would have been less disappointed!"
You offered a sympathetic look as you gently placed your star in the jar and sat down next to your boyfriend. "Pete, that's not true—" "I'm useless, I can't fold a piece of paper, I can't get to the newspaper on time, damn it, I can't even have a nice date with my girlfriend without complaining like a spoiled 8-year-old!"
Peter put his hands to his face, letting the strips of colored paper fall into his lap. Sympathetically, you wrapped your arm around the boy's broad shoulders and moved your hand just enough to stroke the back of his neck.
"Honey, what's wrong? I don't believe that such frustration stems from just one failed paper star."
"It's just that…" Peter's words were cut off, causing even more frustration for the boy who ran a hand through his hair before looking at you. When he saw the patience and concern etched on your face, he laid his head in your lap and began drawing patterns on your knee. Calmly, your palm enveloped the boy's head, stroking his hair and giving him space to open up.
"The last mission with the Avengers was, how can I say... disappointing. I can't go into details or Mr. Stark will cut my head off, but I was 'impulsive and euphoric,' to use the Captain's words. Now the tower is a mess trying to sort out my mistake, and I'm suspended until they do. As if I were a 13-year-old boy tagging the school wall, which is ridiculous!"
The boy stopped when your hand was placed over Peter's, only then he noticed the stretch in your jeans from his grip. After your fingers were intertwined, he continued.
"Sorry, I just— I'm constantly surrounded by geniuses, soldiers who have outlived my great-grandparents, spies, sorceresses, androids, gods! And it seems that no matter what I do, I'll always be behind, always the child of the group."
You let him catch his breath, resting his head deeper in your lap and making himself more comfortable. "Honey, can you turn around?" You said. Reluctantly, the boy turned, allowing you to see the sad expression on his face. Tenderly, you ran the back of your hand across his cheek, a movement that caused him to close his eyes in contentment.
"You're not useless, Peter. Not to Perry, not to the Avengers, and certainly not to me. Do you really think I called you expecting your paper star-making skills? I called you because I enjoy being with you. Your presence is useful to me because it cheers me up, allows me to put my doubts and burdens aside for a moment. If it weren't for you, Perry would never have had so much popularity with his individual "Photography Team" that captures the best photos of Spider-Man; he can tolerate some delays considering the money your camera provides him. And regarding the Avengers, you're right, that team is inhuman, but you're also in it, which makes you even more exceptional. Tony is a genius, egocentric of course, but a genius. Do you really think he would put someone who doesn't deserve it in the Avengers? And in my opinion, you're the best of them."
"You say that because you're my girlfriend."
"Never! Well... also," the look the boy gave you stole a laugh, "but I say this because you, among gods and soldiers, are the most human. You're the first person people think of when they're kidnapped or robbed, not Thor or Nat, and that's what people need these days. Someone who doesn't make their problems seem small compared to the rest of the world."
The boy then finally opened his eyes. "I'm so lucky to have found you," you returned it with a kiss on his lips. "Then keep me close." The boy didn't give you a chance to continue, as he soon continued to shower your face with kisses, stealing laughs from you.
"Okay, okay, now let's continue with the stars," he let himself fall into your lap again, giving up, but when you handed him the paper ribbon, he focused all his attention on your fingers to understand how to make the star.
© korutt. do not copy, translate or steal
