warning: mentions of PTSD, depression, anxiety/panic attacks, some fluff and language here and there // INFINITY WAR SPOILERS //
word count: 2012
summary: Peter and Shiloh have been best friends for years, but with recent events, he finally used the emergency code the two of you created years back.
this is my entry for @starksparker ‘s writing contest :)
(additional tag: @ninjamidnight)
It had been exactly two weeks since Shiloh’s entire world came crashing down. Two weeks since she watched her best friend go into space and not come back with Tony Stark. Two weeks since she saw her best friend vaporize on the sidewalk next to her. Two weeks since she put together that same vaporizing action happened to Aunt May.
Two weeks.
The day Peter went to space, Shiloh had almost done the same. The duo both worked with the “Stark Internship” and were both being trained at the Avengers Compound. Shiloh didn’t have any powers, but she was an amazing gymnast; Tony figured it’d be useful to try and have another skilled combat fighter in the works.
As Peter flung himself out of that bus window, Shiloh almost grabbed onto him and followed him out, but she didn’t.
And now, here she stood, in the middle of the top floor of Stark Tower, not being able to comprehend the words coming out of everyone’s mouth.
“They just disappeared.”
“We fought our hardest.”
“It clearly wasn’t enough.”
“Where’s Stark?”
Shiloh and the others looked up, noticing it was Cap who had asked the question. Everyone just now realized that Tony wasn’t in the room. Shiloh let her emotions get to her. Her breathing started to become quick and shallow, her chest was heaving and her vision was becoming blurry.
“He’s in space, isn’t he? That’s where Peter was.”
Tony Stark had come back the following month, with terrible news of Peter and everyone else on Titan. Shiloh just shook her head.
“No. no, no no no no.” She whispered in denial of facts Tony’s eyes softened as he took a few steps towards the girl, and gave her a hug. Shiloh shook, cries tearing through her body.
This was the most heartbreak anyone in the whole team had felt.
Six months
Six months since Tony came back, and Shiloh had barely gotten any sleep since then. She was staying up, reading whatever sparse information anyone had on the inifinity stones and the infinity gauntlet and anything on Thanos. All of a sudden, her work was interrupted by a friendly face.
“Stark wants everyone.” It was Steve Rogers, who had rested his hand on the girl’s shoulder, pulling her out of her own, chaotic world she had made.
“But I haven’t found a way to bring him back!” Shiloh protested. Steve gave her a look, and gently tugged on her arm. She reluctantly got up, and Steve but his arm around her shoulder.
There was a good reason for Tony to call a meeting.
Finally
Shiloh had gotten her best friend back. They had all figured out a way to find the Infinity stones and used to to free as many people as the could. Sadly, they couldn’t bring back everyone.
Two years
Shiloh had gone two years without her best friend. Two years of isolation in the Stark Tower, reading about the stupid colored rocks. But it was the happiest moment of her life when they pulled it off and she saw Peter come back.
Shiloh and Peter haven’t left each other’s side since. The only time they ever did was when one had to use the bathroom or shower. Even then, the other stayed very close. They both had the unspoken fear of something happening to them.
It was at one of these times that Doctor Strange came across Shiloh.
“I don’t believe we’ve met.” He said, holding out his hand. “I’m Dr. Stephen Strange.” Shiloh looked up and shook his hand.
“Shiloh Ven.” She said, giving his hand a short shake.
“Everyone’s worried about the two of you. Neither one of you have come down to eat during meal time and Tony’s worried about if the two of you have been getting enough sleep.” He crossed his arms, his eyes filling with a concerned look. Shiloh simply shrugged her shoulders.
“I had to watch my best friend since birth go into space. I had to watch his last family member turn to dust. I had to hear that him going to space was the death of him. And for two years I was without him. Now I have him back. So excuse me if i’m not in the mood for food or sleep.” Unintentional sass had dripped from her words. Strange nodded and took that as his sign to leave with a simple I’m sorry and a pat on her shoulder.
Later that night, Peter had passed out on his bed next to Shiloh, she still being upright, on her phone. Her stomach let out a long growl and she groaned. She looked over at Peter and ran her fingers through his hair. This caused him to stir a bit, but he didn’t wake up. She quietly got out of the bed and made her way to the kitchen.
She looked around for some pre-made food when she gave up and settled on making a grilled cheese for her and one for Peter, whenever he woke up. Neither of you had normal sleeping patterns at this point.
She had just finished the first sandwich, when her phone buzzed with a text.
Spidey-boy: Call.
Shiloh dropped the things she was using to make the sandwich and rushed to Peter’s room. He wasn’t there. She instantly dialed.
Shiloh did her best to keep calm about this, but it was hard. This was a code that the two of them had come up with when Shiloh and Peter first got their phones. Shiloh had started to get bullied and she would be crying alone a lot. Peter told her to send him that one-worded text and he would call and come running.
That’s exactly what Shiloh was doing now.
“Peter! Where are you what’s wrong?” She whisper yelled, not wanting to wake up the other adults in the building. She heard Peter’s sniffles and actually heard him let out a sob.
“Roof.” He didn’t even finish the word before Shiloh sprinted out of his room, to the stairs and up to the very top.
There he stood, facing Shiloh, in his pjs, tears welling up and spilling out of his eyes. Shilo rushed over to him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders and head. His arms slowly went around her lower back. She nestled his head into her neck as she played with his hair.
“I, i don’t know what to do. I don’t know wha, what’s wrong with me.” Peter sobbed out into his best friend’s arms. She felt his hands form a death grip on her, pulling her closer than they were before. Shiloh continue to play with the hairs on the base of his neck.
“Peter, it’s okay. You’re okay. I’ve got you. You don’t need to know what to do, or even what’s wrong with you. All I need you to know,” She pulled back, putting her hands on both sides of his face, making sure their brown eyes both looked at each other. “Is that you have this entire building filled with people that care about you.” His hands squeezed you even more. “You have so many people in this very building that love you so much and that are constantly looking out for you.” You let out a small laugh as you use your thumbs to wipe the steadily falling tears. “You’ve somehow stumbled across this stupidly dangerous life and you’ve somehow found this incredible family from it.” You give him a smile, despite both of your tears.
“I,” He breathes in after a sob, his breathing is out of control and shaking. “I just know that I, I let e-everyone down.” He tried to look down and break his head out of Shiloh’s grip. She refused, she redirected his gaze back on her, she started using her thumbs to also rub circles on his cheeks as he gasped for air through his sobs.
“Don’t you dare say that. You disappoint no one. You’re absolutely incredible and everyone that knows you can’t help but be proud of you. You’re this radiant sunshine in people’s lives. Even now, you’ve continued to be MY sunshine, even if you haven’t smiled in God knows how long. And it hurts me that I can’t be that for you an-”
You were cut off by Peter ripping away, yelling.
“But you are! You are the only reason that I haven’t run away! You’re the only reason that i’ve been ever eating anything or sleeping or even showering! You! Shiloh, you are my reason for living why the hell can’t you see that?!” He yelled and threw his hands around, getting months worth of emotions out. This caused Shiloh to start crying even more.
After Peter got out his anger and frustration, there was a silence, soon filled by the teens cries and sobs. The two of just looked at each other, every now and then let gasping for air from the cries being let out. The two were suddenly drawn back together. This time it was Peter’s hands that when to Shiloh’s face and was wiping her tears away.
“I’m sorry Shiloh. I, I didn’t mean t, to yell at you. Th, that’s why I pulled away.” He cried softly. Shiloh shook her head, reaching out and holding his arms.
“You’ve been holding that in for too long.” She too cried. The next few moments were them staring into each other eyes and slowly calming down their sobs. They both slowly stopped gasping for air and were simply breathing.
“There’s more that i’ve been holding in.” Peter said, eyes attached to his best friend’s golden eyes, his hands still holding her face.
Shiloh didn’t have time to open her mouth to ask what before he pulled her face closer to his and their lips crashed together. She stood, frozen for a moment, and then her arms went around his waist and lower back, bringing the two even closer together.
Peter tilted his head, and slightly opened his mouth. The two switched their hands’ positioning. Now it was Peter whose hands that went around her waist, and Shiloh’s hands that were holding his face. They stayed there, until they couldn’t breathe anymore. As they pulled away, Peter had bit Shiloh’s bottom lip and lightly raked his teeth against it.
Peter’s hands found their way back to Shiloh’s face, and they both touched foreheads.
“Peter,” Shiloh exhaled. “What was that?” The two stepped back from each other, but Peter still gripped Shiloh’s hands.
“When I knew I had to jump out of that bus, I knew I might never get the chance to tell you my feelings ever again. Then I died up there, without being able to say goodbye to anyone. I lost everyone. And now, you’re all I have. You’re the one who has been keeping me alive and it’s become more and more obvious that i have fallen in love with you.” He rambled on, like Peter Parker does, while playing with her hands. “I love you so much Shiloh.” He said, never once breaking eye contact with his last bit of happiness on this planet.
Peter looked down after a few seconds, realizing he probably should’ve kept his mouth shut. He even dropped her hands and let his arms fall to his side. Shiloh grabbed his chin and pulled it forward.
Once again, the two had a burst of passion, before quickly melting into each other. This kiss was more passionate than the first. Their lips were molded together as they moved. Shiloh continued to hold Peter’s face as his hand went to her back, gripping her shirt. As they pulled away, it was now Shiloh who has trapped Peter’s bottom lip with her teeth.
The two teens smiled at each other, their smiles almost acting as the sun in the dead of the night.
“Peter Parker, I am unfathomably in love with you.” She said with the biggest grin on her face.
With those words, the two pulled each other into the tightest hug they’ve ever felt.
