Wrapped in the warmth of enlightenment with the same cloth I use to clean the blood off my hands.
~~~~
One must free themselves of all attachments in order to reach enlightenment. Still haunted by Riko's death, Suguru realizes what he must do: sever any connection he still holds to her assassination. He already quit dancing—seeing Riko's passion cut short broke his soul and plagued his mind. He ran away from the Gojo palace, from the friends he cherished most, too.
Toji Fushiguro still roamed free. Unscathed by his sins. Suguru had carried that burden instead, that bone-crushing weight. The ringing in his ears still follows him from that day. What's one more burden to him? He's at the door of nirvana, anyway. Soon, he'll become one with the Buddha.
Summary: Peter Parker is a student in the city of Brooklyn. He’s lazy, spoilt and he procrastinates a lot. He meets a woman named (Y/N), She’s recently moved to Brooklyn for an independent life. Something Peter is fascinated by. Over the course of a few months, Peter needs to realise that he has to grow up and become responsible for his life.
WAKE UP PARKER! MASTERLIST
Over the next week or so, Peter got out of the house and took various photos of the city. Finally getting his mojo back as his photos ranged from street art to people and the iconic structures of Brooklyn city. Today was a really good day because it has been about a month and a half since (Y/N) let him stay at her house. He needed to do something to thank her. Peter couldn’t buy a gift because he had no money.
Maybe he can show her that he can cook an egg. Make her a meal and he hopes that she would appreciate the gesture because she’s always working hard. Peter was climbing up the stairs to the apartment and spotted Natasha with a postman. She was signing a parcel from him and she sent a small greeting towards Peter.
The postman went and Natasha was about to head into her apartment when Peter called out to her. She was probably the best person to ask. Natasha stood in the doorway of her apartment, taking in Peter. He was a cute boy, not her type but she can appreciate his good looks. She smiled and raised an inquisitive eyebrow at him.
"Natasha. Do you know how to cook eggs?"
She took a moment to process but gave a nod, jerking her head towards her apartment and walking to the kitchen. Dropping her parcel onto the sofa and she got out the utensils they'd need to make eggs. Peter followed in and closed the front door, taking in her apartment and immediately felt Natasha's presence. Red painted walls and black furniture were dominant colours as he rounded the corner to Natasha’s open kitchen.
“So Peter? Why’d you want to learn how to make eggs?”
(Y/N) sat in her office arranging the layout for the fashion section of the magazine. The articles had been written up and the photos had been taken. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Mr. Barnes carefully as he sifted through a large pile of articles on his table. Most of them were from freelance writers but among the pile was her article. Having now gone through six drafts, she was hundred percent sure this is the one that will catch his eye.
After dropping off the last box on the software, she saved the file and emailed it to Mr. Barnes. Having been at the office for about a month or so, she has found the work at the company is rewarding. The only issue is getting Mr. Barnes to be impressed by her. Over the month, he’s been indifferent to her. Treating her as an inconvenience rather than a colleague, apart from the interview day, Mr. Barnes hasn’t even talked about the weather to her. (Y/N) hopes that her article will make Mr. Barnes talk to her or even look at her.
She shook her head to clear out the weird thoughts creeping in. Mr. Barnes was her boss and all she wanted was for him to approve her article, give advice and possibly publish it. She wanted nothing more than that. Even if he was handsome, intelligent and silent. Her absolute type. Mr. Barnes is her boss and it would mean the world if he had a look at her article.
“So I see you pining after Mr. Barnes.”
(Y/N) stood up and bumped her knee against her desk, grasping at it and cursing in pain. She sat back down and spotted the demon in her life: Clint. She furrowed her eyebrows at him and squeezed her knee as if it would make the pain disappear.
“I’m not pining after him! I’m trying to see if he read my article.”
“Well could you be any less subtle? It’s like you’re begging him to fu-”
(Y/N) put a hand on Clint’s mouth to get him to shut up. She honestly did not understand what was going on with him as she shushed him.
“Shut up! What’s wrong with you today?”
“Umhmmhm.” (Y/N) removed her hand to let Clint speak clearly. “Just felt like messing around with you. What draft number is this article?”
“Six.”
Clint shook his head and sat at the edge of her desk, wrapping his hands around her knee to massage some of the pain.
“You do know that the more drafts you do, the more you lose the essence of the article.”
“I get that Clint but every time he doesn’t read the article, something new pops up for me and I just have to work it into the article. I just hope one of these drafts catches his eye.”
A ping rang on her computer as (Y/N) opened up her email, Clint coming round to have a look and peek. Also to judge her on the arrangement of her desktop. Nothing bad and detrimental as Clint did a mental fist bump at (Y/N)’s organisation skills.
Sent @ 14.51 p.m.
Looks good. Forward to Carol and then meet me in my office, now.
J. Barnes
“Wow! Invigorating!”
(Y/N) rolled her eyes as she got up and grabbed her notebook and pen, quickly forwarding the email to Carol at the printing press. She excused herself from Clint and rounded around her office to Mr. Barnes’s. Knocking and entering, standing right in front of him with her notebook open to take down notes for what needs to be done on her end.
“Yes, Mr. Barnes.”
“I’ve gone through the articles and have chosen the ones to feature in our magazine. This pile is rejected so contact the writers and say that we’ll use their articles next time. Maybe tell them to redraft or pick another subject. Also send a follow up email to Steve and ask him what’s taking long on the photos for the ‘Scenic Locations’.”
(Y/N) gave a nod and tucked her pen into the notebook, grabbing a semi large pile of paper off his desk, she spotted something and pulled the sheet out, bringing it in front of her. It was her article as (Y/N) took a deep breath. It was devoid of notes or comments and (Y/N) felt heart sag a little.
“(Y/N), leave.”
She blinked into reality and gave a nod to Mr. Barnes, almost stomping out of the office with steam billowing out of her ears. She turned into her office and huffed into her seat, oblivious to the fact that Clint was still sat on her desk, with a now concerned look on his face.
“What happened?”
(Y/N) rubbed her temples and ran her hands over her head, leaning back in her chair with her hands cupping the back of her head.
“He rejected the article. Said to either redraft or pick another subject.”
“Was that to you directly?”
“No but he might as well have said it. My article was in a pile with other rejected freelance writers.”
Clint shook his head and got off her desk, placing a hand on her shoulder with comfort.
“Hey! Don’t take it personally. Mr. Barnes might not have even read all of them. Sometimes he just cherry picks the first five and refuses the rest.”
(Y/N) gave a nod and scrunched up her article, tossing it into the bin by the door of her office. Clint could tell it was bothering her a lot as he smiled at (Y/N) and left her office to go type up his own article. Although the good news was that she didn’t have much else to do other than phone up the freelance writers to inform them that their articles had been rejected. Two hours later, she was ready to go, packing her bag and locking her computer before stalking out of the building, without a glance to Mr. Barnes and a quick goodbye to Clint.
Two subway stops and a few minutes walk later, (Y/N) was trudging up the steps to her apartment ready for a night of take out and an Audrey Hepburn film. Just as she was going to reach into her purse to get her keys out, her front door open with a smiling Peter, dressed down in some grey shorts and a Pickle Rick t-shirt. (Y/N) had completely forgotten that Peter was staying in her house. Guess there goes a night of relaxation as she steps into her apartment, completely tuning out Peter as her eyes zero in on the mess.
Clothes strewn everywhere and empty cheese crusted pizza boxes, (Y/N) dropped her handbag by the entrance. She was taken aback by the mess as she took a deep breath to calm her anger. Peter was rambling about something but she couldn’t care to focus. Peter was glad that (Y/N) finally made it home because after so many attempts he managed to make a fried egg. He went to the kitchen and brought the egg to (Y/N) whilst recounting the day he had.
“Hi. You'll never believe this. I’m not even going to ask why you’re so late today? But it doesn’t matter. I made an egg for you. Nat taught me. You were right, she's so cool and her apartment…”
This was the last straw for her. He just needed to go as she glared at Peter with the coldest ice breeze that made Peter shiver unconsciously. He couldn’t understand where this chill came from as he glanced at (Y/N) unsure of why she was absolutely being icy.
“Shut up Peter! Look at this mess. Who is going to clean this mess? Why are your clothes everywhere? Why do you have empty pizza boxes on the floor?” His smile faltered slightly as his eyes dropped from the plate and up to (Y/N)’s eyes. Her anger was a little unnerving as he took a step back from her berating. He felt like a little kid again as Mr or Mrs. Stark would constantly yell at him for messing up.
“I made an egg for you.”
That made matters worse as she yelled at him louder, telling him off for the mess before stomping out of her house and slamming the door. He was sure everyone heard their argument as he stood rooted in the spot by the front door. Feelings of disappointment swarmed his mind as he took in the messy living room. It was a little messy and she was right about the clothes strewn around. Peter took the plate back to the kitchen to pick up his clothes.
He was pushing everyone away and he couldn’t push (Y/N) away. She had become one of his closest friends and without her, he would absolutely be lost. He needed to be better for her and he needed to show her that he was a responsible adult. He glanced around the room with a sigh and set about cleaning the place. Picking up the pizza boxes and tossing them into her bin, he grabbed a broom from a small closet in the bathroom and swept the dust into a pan. Discarding it into the broom and making his sofa bed neat. Whilst cleaning, he felt his anxiety slowly melt as his eyes darted towards the front door. Wondering if (Y/N) would come back.
“Thanks for letting me camp here Nat. I’m sorry for the noise.”
“Don’t worry about it. Hopefully you guys sort out what’s happened.”
(Y/N) smiled at Natasha and stepped out of her front door, glancing over to her own front door. Natasha let her come in to cool off and now she needed to have a proper conversation with Peter. The way she blew up on him was wrong and she really shouldn’t have gotten her anger over Mr. Barnes be vented out on him. She stepped to her door, knocking tentatively as she tested the handle, finding it opened easily.
She cautiously stepped in and noticed her bare floors: no pizza boxes and clothes; it was neat and clean as a small smile crept on. Peter must have felt bad and cleaned up, noticing he sat at her dining table with his head resting on his elbows. (Y/N) went towards the kitchen, grabbing two cups and brewing up some jasmine tea, bringing both to the table and placing one in front of Peter.
“Peter?”
He roused from his sleep as he tried to make the blurry vision fade away and he saw (Y/N) was there. Groggily, he sat up and spotted a steaming cup of tea in front of him. She sat opposite him, upright and both hands clasped around her mug.
“Look, Peter I’m sorry I got angry at you. I didn’t have a good day at work and blowing up at you was not the right thing.”
“No, I’m kinda glad you did. I would never have realised that I’m a messy idiot and that I’m adult enough to clean up my own mess. I promise to try to be a bit cleaner, next time you come home.”
She gave a simple nod and took a sip from her mug. Her eyes were taking in the kitchen, when she noticed a plate with an egg on it. Thinking back to earlier when Peter had eagerly brought the plate to her, guilt was starting to settle in her heart. A small apologetic smile as she got up and grabbed a fork from the drawer, bringing the plate to the table and taking a bite from the egg.
It wasn't anything extraordinary, just that same egg taste although it was seasoned well. It was made special because Peter worked hard and it was not right to dismiss his efforts in a simple task. It was a huge step and (Y/N) smiled earnestly at Peter.
"Peter, I'm proud about your egg. Honestly it's really impressive."
Peter felt a blush across his cheeks as he rubbed at the back of the neck. He felt a lot better from her praise as he gave a nod of appreciation. (Y/N) finished off the egg and sat contently, watching Peter run his finger along the rim of his mug. There was still a lingering tension in the air and (Y/N) realised that Peter needed something else.
“Peter. Don’t take this the wrong way but I think you should go back home.”
Peter stilled as his eyes darted up to connect with (Y/N)’s. She could tell he was panicking at her words and she quickly did some damage control to rectify her words. “Look, your dad -”
“Not my dad.”
“Tony Stark. He has such a successful company and you’re here in my house, making eggs. Why don’t you go back and try again?”
Peter glanced up at (Y/N), understanding what she was trying to say but how could he? After what he did and what happened. She didn’t even know the real reason why he left home. After a month or so of staying in her house, it was time he faced the memory of leaving home. Telling her how and why it happened.
“(Y/N), do you remember the day I came to your house?” A solemn nod as Peter continued. “See, three days before that, I failed my college exams so I didn't get to graduate. I lied to Mr. Stark and he saw right through it. Things got heated between us and he told me to leave. I’ve failed him many times and now I can’t go back unless I’m successful. It’s my fault.
“You look at me and you see his success but I'm not like him, (Y/N). I’m not a Stark. I went to his office for a week. If you went there, you’d be dead. It sucks your soul and it just wasn't me! However over the past few weeks, I'm starting to realise I'm nobody without him. I don’t want to feel like that, I want to be my own person. That’s why I’ve decided that I want to work. Please don't kick me out right now. Just give me one more chance. Please.”
Peter poured out all his insecurities to her and (Y/N) could tell the child Peter was gone. Instead a mature Peter sat opposite her, asking for a chance and help to do and be better. She simply could not refuse him. At the mention of a job and the camera that was always in his hands, when she first met him, she knew the perfect job for him.
“Alright Peter. I can give another chance and I might be able to help you get a job.”
So I may or may not have finished an Indian AU Allura photoshoot last night at a beautiful temple with my awesome buddy 😏👉👉💖
Can’t wait to get the pics!
Wake up Parker! Chapter Thirteen: The real world is different
Relationship: Peter Parker x Tall Older Reader (Peter is 22 and Reader is 26/27)
Warnings: Fluff, softness, acknowledging feelings
Word Count Total: 1475 (This Chapter)
Tagged: @bggerbtch @technicallykawaiisoul
Summary: Peter Parker is a student in the city of Brooklyn. He’s lazy, spoilt and he procrastinates a lot. He meets a woman named (Y/N), She’s recently moved to Brooklyn for an independent life. Something Peter is fascinated by. Over the course of a few months, Peter needs to realise that he has to grow up and become responsible for his life.
WAKE UP PARKER! MASTERLIST
It had been a busy hectic few days for (Y/N). From attending meetings with advertisers and the printing press, (Y/N) was constantly on her feet, attending Mr. Barnes’s every need. The man was manic as he failed to keep his desk neat and tidy every five minutes. As much hard work as it was, (Y/N) was thoroughly enjoying the work as she talked to the various writers of the different departments. Clint was a writer for the food column and he became (Y/N)’s best friend.
They both would eat lunch together as (Y/N) grammar checked Clint’s work and he in turn offered writing advice. Even offering tips on how to handle Mr. Barnes. Black coffee with two sugars and steamed creamer is a way to get him to like you. Today (Y/N) was trudging up the steps to her apartment with take out from Chen’s.
She wanted to relax and eat take out, while watching Casablanca. She was a sucker for old romance films and Casablanca was just one of those films you could watch again and again. After the trek up the stairs, she reached her front door and fished into her bag for her keys.
“(Y/N)?”
She frowned as she glanced to her right to see a shaggy haired boy sitting on the stairs with a sunken look on his face. He had a blue duffle bag with him and seemed death-like. She hadn’t expected Peter to be here, especially after he ghosted her for the past three days. It seems things hadn’t gone well for him as she took in his appearance.
“Peter? What are you doing here?”
“Can I stay with you?”
“Stay?”
“Please?”
(Y/N) put down her bags and sat on the same stair as him, rubbing his shoulder with comfort. She felt awkward because she had never seen Peter like this.
“What happened?”
Peter felt tears come up as he broke down crying. After days of moping around and being angry he was finally able to cry. Peter realised the gravity of the situation and couldn’t even care about the fact that he was crying in front of (Y/N). (Y/N)’s heart grew heavy as she brought her arms around Peter’s shoulder and held him close. Letting him cry out all the emotions he held for the past three days.
After a good ten minutes, (Y/N) helped Peter into the room and set his stuff in her bedroom. She told him to shower and clean up while she set up the sofa bed for him. She heated up her take away for him and made herself instant ramen. Peter finished up in the show and wore his captain caveman shirt with blue navy shorts. He stepped out of her bathroom and saw (Y/N) had dressed down into a black vest and green tracksuit shorts. She was digging into a bowl of food and there was a take out box opposite her.
“Come eat something.”
Peter gave a nod and sat down opposite her, digging into the take out. Eating faster as he realised that he was really hungry. (Y/N) watched as Peter was tearing through his noodles. She needed to know what happened.
“Peter, what happened?”
Peter stilled as he looked up at (Y/N). She was concerned and Peter felt a little guilty for coming up on her like this. He didn’t really have anywhere else to go. He also didn’t want to tell her he failed.
“I … had a little disagreement with Mr. Stark. Things got bad and I had to leave. Is it okay if I stay here a little while ‘til things calm down at home?”
(Y/N) gave a nod and they both continued to eat with silence. Peter was glad (Y/N) didn’t ask more. He wasn’t ready to relive those scenes again. After they finish eating, (Y/N) went to her room to sleep as she had work the next day and Peter lay still on her sofa bed. Reminiscing over the past few days.
The sun shone brightly as Peter rustled in his bed. He could feel the sun hitting his eyes as he pulled the blanket over his head.
“Morgan! Close the curtain!” The curtain didn’t close. “Morgan!”
Peter sat up to scold Morgan before he took in the scene around him. To his right was a window and in front of him was a TV. To his left there was a door and drawer and the walls were orange. Peter realised that he wasn’t home but in (Y/N)’s apartment. He took a deep breath as he pushed himself off the sofa and went towards the kitchen. There was a note and a set of keys on the counter top.
There’s eggs in the fridge if you want something to eat and there’s Netflix. Here’s the house keys if you need to go out. I’ll be home around seven. Text me if you need anything.
Peter checked the time on his phone and saw it was 1.00 p.m. Six hours until (Y/N) will come home. Peter was sure that the time could pass quickly.
(Y/N) trudged up the stairs with a small bag of groceries. The stairs were becoming less of a hassle and she was getting fitter day by day. Placing the groceries on the floor, she raised a fist and knocked to let Peter know she was here. Peter huffed and stepped up to the door and swung it open, immediately hitting (Y/N) with a flurry of questions.
“(Y/N)! Where were you? Why didn't you pick up your phone? I tried and tried and tried. I got so bored today. And you should really get an AC.”
Peter kept on ranting as (Y/N) stepped into her house, her face dropped at the sight of it. Books were strewn across the table, the kitchen cupboards were open and his clothes were scattered around the floor. (Y/N) started feeling that letting Peter into her house was a mistake. She lifted the grocery bag and dropped it on the kitchen counter, Peter was hot on her tail as he continued his barrage of words.
“(Y/N), you're not even listening to me!”
“Pete, I was working all day. I'm really tired, okay?”
Peter let out a sigh and offered a relaxing solution.
“Okay ... let's go out for dinner then.”
“I don't want to go out, Pete. I ate at the office. I just need to clean this up, and -”
Peter’s eyes widened and his stomach growled. How could she betray him?
“You ate already? Without me?”
(Y/N) raised an eyebrow as she glanced down at Peter, feelings of outrage and betrayal lingered in his eyes. She didn’t understand why Peter was so upset.
“Yeah I did. Just cook something for yourself, I'm going to bed.”
She was unpacking the groceries when she froze and thought over Pete’s words and attitude. Turning to glance at him sitting on the top of the sofa’s backrest.
“You don't know how to cook, do you?”
Peter shied away from her face, not wanting to admit he didn’t know the basics of cooking. He didn’t want (Y/N) of all people to judge him. Her face softened at Peter’s ‘shame’. If he didn’t know how to cook then did he? Her eyes widened as she further pressed at Peter, stepping closer to him.
“Then what did you eat today?”
Peter didn’t respond and (Y/N)’s heart dropped.
“Shit Pete! You haven't anything all day? Why didn't you just order something?”
“I didn't feel like it.”
(Y/N) understood as she chalked that up to yesterday’s events. She rested a hand on his shoulder.
“Are you hungry?”
Peter gave a nod and (Y/N) sighed, going to the kitchen and getting utensils ready to make him some food.
“You're so silly, Pete! I'll make you something. Didn’t you try an online tutorial?”
“I did but the eggs kept breaking too easily, so I just gave up.”
(Y/N)) could see the proof in her bin as there were wet tissues with broken eggs. Clearly he tried to clean the egg mess but she knew she would have to re-clean the surfaces with anti-bac spray. After a few minutes she made him scrambled eggs and toast. He took his plate to her dining table and immediately scarfed down the entire plate.
(Y/N) quickly cleared up the room before changing into some pyjamas: a black t-shirt and red plaid jogging bottoms. She sat on the dining table opposite to Peter, watching him ingest the food. Her laptop was out and she finally had the motivation she needed to write an article. She began typing the title: ‘New Girl in the City’.
Wake up Parker! Chapter Fourteen: Rivals know better
Relationship: Peter Parker x Tall Older Reader (Peter is 22 and Reader is 26/27)
Warnings: Acknowledging feelings
Word Count Total: 1878 (This Chapter)
Tagged: @bggerbtch @technicallykawaiisoul
Summary: Peter Parker is a student in the city of Brooklyn. He’s lazy, spoilt and he procrastinates a lot. He meets a woman named (Y/N), She’s recently moved to Brooklyn for an independent life. Something Peter is fascinated by. Over the course of a few months, Peter needs to realise that he has to grow up and become responsible for his life.
WAKE UP PARKER! MASTERLIST
“Moving to a new place isn’t easy, but once you take the first step of saying: “Yes you can!” It gets easier. Trust me on this.”
(Y/N) tapped her fingers against the metal table, eyes darting between the paper in Clint’s hand and his facial expression. After three days, she was finally able to finish the article. She was anxious for Clint’s reaction, hoping that if it was enough to impress him, it would impress Mr. Barnes. Clint put down the paper and took a look at his friend. She straightened her posture and adjusted her black jumper.
“Well?”
Clint held up a finger and finished off his quinoa salad, taking a sip of his water and turned to (Y/N) with a bright smile.
“I think it’s great. It’s clear and I feel your personality from your words. It’s powerful. Why are you not a writer?”
(Y/N) smiles before she slaps Clint’s arm.
“Did you have to make me wait for your praise?”
Clint rubbed his arm.
“Yeah! I had to get some food in me before I could vocally express my admiration.”
She gave a nod and spotted Mr. Barnes from across the room, talking to Steve.
“Do you think Mr. Barnes will like it?”
“He’d have to be an asshole not to like it. You should go show him now.”
(Y/N) gave a nod and stood up with purpose. Clutching to the single sheet article and walking away from the break room towards Mr. Barnes. He finishes his conversation with Steve and spots (Y/N) heading towards him. Just the person he needed.
“(Y/N)! Good, can you get me my coffee and then I need to see you in my office to start the layout plan for the fashion section?”
(Y/N) gave a nod and followed Mr. Barnes to his office, trying to get his attention. He stopped in front of his office door and glanced back at (Y/N), seeing she had a paper in her hand.
“Mr. Barnes, I wrote this article and wanted your feedback, if you get a moment.”
“(Y/N) can I please get my coffee?”
She gave a nod and Mr. Barnes went into his office and closed the door. Surely he was busy and he’s always grumpy without coffee. She took a deep breath and went back to the break room to get Mr. Barnes some coffee.
Meanwhile, Peter was at home lazing around again. Three days and he hasn’t seen the outside world. Peter went to the kitchen and took a hard look at the eggs in the fridge. His worst enemy as he picked an egg up and examined the shape. He could never understand why it was so difficult to crack an egg but he did not want to risk a mess. This time he would go out and eat. He quickly got dressed into a Rick and Morty print t-shirt and dark jeans, grabbing his rucksack and the house keys to head out to a restaurant.
The fresh air was doing Peter wonders and he was regretting staying indoors. Looking at the various sized buildings, he spotted a small restaurant. The logo was a man in a white apron tossing a pizza and smiling. Peter rolled his eyes at the obnoxious logo but was intrigued to go in, pushing the door and slipping into the place. He felt like he had been transported into Italy as he looked around at the stone and wooden designs. A man standing by the host podium, comes around it and smiles at Peter.
“Hello! My name is Luis and I’m your host for today. We have a table over there so if you’d like to take a seat and then we’ll come around to take your order.”
Peter gave a nod and followed Luis’s direction to a small single table, taking a seat and flipping through a menu to see what’s to eat. As he looked at the menu, he noticed groups of people laughing and smiling. Peter felt a little lonely as he thought back to his college friends and the time he shouted at them. He shook his head and called a waiter over to give his order. Half an hour later, Peter ate a whole pizza and some garlic knots. He was content with the food and the waiter came to take his credit card.
“Guys! Don't worry. This is my treat, I'll pay.”
Peter raised an eyebrow at the familiar voice and turned towards the window to see Wanda and some girls with her. Shit! Wanda! She seems to have noticed him as her smile falters and Peter turns away, fascinated by the salt shaker on his table. A waiter comes back to him and holds a small black wallet to Peter.
“Sir, your card has been declined.”
Peter’s eyes widened as he took a look at the card and double checked with the waiter. He gave a solemn nod and Peter put the card away. Shuffling through his wallet and realising he doesn’t have any cash to pay for his meal. He was about to apologise when Wanda came over with her purse.
“That's ok. I'll pay for him.”
Peter was surprised his worst enemy was offering to pay for his meal. Peter felt bad as he turned to Wanda.
“Wanda, that's really sweet of you. Thank you so much. I'll pay you back.”
“Peter it's okay. Save the ‘I’m grateful’ speech for another time. It doesn't suit you.” The waiter took her payment and walked off to the cash counter. “Anyways, I just got a job so I'm treating all my friends to lunch.”
Peter smiled as he pointed out the obvious.
“Not exactly friends, are we?”
“No. Not exactly. I'm sorry that you failed, Peter. Just wanted to say that.”
There was the old Wanda as she gave him pity. There was one thing Peter wanted to know as he called out to Wanda.
“Hey Wanda, why do you hate me so much?”
She stopped and turned to glance at Peter, the events running clear through her memory.
“Three years ago, I came to Brookly to join our college. I had the right grades, but I was late with my application. I was in the admin office, having an interview with the head of Economics. She got a phone call from a ‘Tony Stark’. Told me to wait outside and I heard her talk to Mr. Stark about you. I almost didn’t get my place because you took my seat, Peter.
“The admin officer called me in and said that they couldn’t take in anymore students and that I’d have to try again next year. I was lucky that the week before college was meant to start, someone dropped out of the course and I got their place. I’m smarter, I work harder, and I'm more deserving than you. But life has always been easier for you, hasn't it? Think about that carefully, Peter.”
Wanda walked off to her group of friends as Peter took a moment to let her words sink in. She was right, she was more deserving than him but being Mr. Stark’s son has its perks. Mr. Stark really did his best to offer Peter the best of life and Peter was too much of a brat to see that.
After the lunch, Peter decided to head back to (Y/N)’s apartment to lament over Wanda’s words. He trudged up the stairs and spotted the last person he thought he’d see. Michelle. She was standing by the front door with a big black bag of things as Peter frowned. He shoved a hand into his pocket and pulled (Y/N)’s house keys. Pushing them into the lock and opening the door and letting Michelle into the house. Tossing the house keys on top of the drawer on the left of him and dropping his rucksack on the dining table.
“Michelle, what are you doing here?”
“I came to ask you to go home. Mrs. Stark is worried about you.”
Peter felt anger rise in him as he was reminded about the night he left and the moment when his friends passed and he didn’t. He didn’t want to go back and prove Mr. Stark was right about the fact that Peter was useless and lazy. Never amounting to anything successful as Peter sat on the dining table with his arms crossed and his gaze away from Michelle’s face. She closed the front door and stood a meter away from Peter as he refused.
“No.”
“But Pete, you have to go home some time!”
“He cancelled my credit card, Michelle. There's no way I'm going back now.”
“But he's just angry, Pete. Just like you. The both of you messed up. You need to understand from his side.”
Peter did not need ‘Graduate’ Michelle Jones telling him what to do. He brought his head with eyes blaring.
“You're the one who doesn't understand, Michelle! You topped the whole damn college. How can you know what it feels like to have failed? Just leave me alone!”
Michelle felt her anger flare up. Every single time Michelle has always excused Peter’s bratty behaviour but this time he had gone too far. Way too far and assumed that she had no feelings.
“Fuck off Peter! I don't know what it feels like to fail? I fail every time I go home and see my dad praise my brother for getting an ‘A’ in his maths test. When it comes to me he says: ‘You got 95% on your economics exam, Michelle! You can do better than that.’ You’re lucky your dad pushes you to do the best and that he cares about you!
This is the first time in my life I have succeeded through my hard work. I have to work twice as hard to get half of what you get Peter. You're not the only one with problems, so stop being a jerk! If you really want to know, I didn’t get the internship with Quentin Beck. Something my dad expected.”
Michelle heaved heavily as she watched Peter’s face, his mouth gawping like a fish. Peter had sensed that Michelle and her dad had tension but he hadn’t realised that it was because her dad couldn’t care about his daughter’s success. Peter felt really stupid as Michelle glared at him. He closed his mouth and rubbed the back of his neck.
“I’m. I’m sorry Michelle.”
“It’s fine. I got a better job offer at the Xavier institute.”
“I know I'm being a jerk.”
Michelle smiled and reached into her rucksack and pulled out an orange coloured file, handing it to Peter. Peter flicked through the file, listening to Michelle’s words.
“You are a jerk but it’s okay. You do know you can always try again. That's why I got this for you. College application form and some of your things.” She offered the black bag and Peter went through it. “I knew you wouldn't go back home. Just thought I'd try.”
“Thanks.”
Michelle smiled as she watched Peter pick out all his games and magazines before picking out his camera. Examining it and smiling as he realised he could take photos again.
