How'd you get this number?

13 - "Ok Nat!"

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__Natasha__

Peter gave me directions to his apartment as soon as we left. He said it would take roughly half an hour to get there. That was 10 minutes ago. Since then, the drive has been fairly quiet.

Peter's sitting calmly, still applying pressure to his abdomen. He might be able to heal quickly, but I imagine he's still in pain.

I glance at him. He's watching the world fly by, staring at the colourful lights shining from towering skyscrapers. The light illuminates is face. He's so young. He shouldn't be experiencing any of this. He shouldn't be out there, fighting for a world that won't fight for him.

I sigh and shake my head. It's not fair. The world's never fair.

"Are you gonna tell people I'm Spider-Man?" Peter's voice interrupts my thoughts. I stay silent,  staring at the road ahead. Of course I'm not going to tell anyone. Why would I?

"No. I'm not." My voice is soft. I mean what I say. I wouldn't lie to him; I can't lie to him.

"Why?" Peter's voice is quiet. I look over at him, only to find him already looking at me.

"Cause I like you kid." Silence falls over us. Peter's thinking about what I said. I can read him easily. Can tell what he's thinking, what he's feeling. Doubt. That's what he's feeling... he doesn't trust me.

"But you don't know me. I'm just a wrong number to you..." His words echo loudly through my head. That hurt, that hurt a lot. But I don't show it on my face. I can't.

"You're more than that Peter. You're my friend." More silence. Why can't he just trust my words? You know why. You're untrustworthy. No. No I'm not going down that road again. I can't think that way. He needs to know I'm a friend. "I want you to know, you can trust me."

"I trust you." Peter looks up at me and smiles. I smile back. He trusts me.

"You know, I understand what you're going through." I keep my stare on the road. We're nearly to his apartment.

"How?"

"I know what it's like to keep secrets from your friends. Your family. I know what it's like to be scared of the world."

"I'm not scared." Peter mumbled. I glance at him, giving him a knowing look.

"...ok... maybe I do get scared sometimes." He pauses, turning his focus to his hands. "You know, that's the reason why I wear a mask. So people don't know I'm scared."

"Everyone gets scared Peter. Even superheroes."

Peter looks up at me shocked. "Really? Even the Avengers?"

I almost laugh. "Especially the Avengers." I smile at him. If only he knew.

"But, they've saved the world so many times,"

"And I'm sure they were scared doing it." I let out a soft laugh. I don't laugh often, but there's something about Peter. He's special. No, no I can't get too attached. But I know it's too late for that. I care about him. I thought I wasn't capable of caring.

Up ahead I see Peter's apartment building. I pull the car over, just outside of the entrance. "We're here. Now try not to get stabbed ok?" I playfully smirk at him.

"If I do, I know who to call. Bye Red!"

"Call me Nat. Ok kid?" Peter's face lights up.

"Ok Nat!" Peter turns away and disappears into into the building. I sit in silence for a couple minutes before taking out my phone.