Small World | Peter Parker

chapter sixteen

"I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

Peter nodded, his chin lowered to his chest. We were standing outside my apartment building, Peter taking me home once again. He seemed nervous or shy, rubbing the back of his neck. I leaned forward, trying to catch his eyes.

"Pick me up tomorrow?" I said as he finally looked at me. "We can find breakfast or lunch,"

"Sure," he smiled, and I stepped forward, gripping his shirt. He took me into his arms and hugged me tightly. I felt him relax, almost like an entire weight lifted off him, and he held me for a long moment.

"Pete," I whispered, leaning away to look at me.

"Oh god, it's almost 2 in the morning," he groaned, looking at his wristwatch. "Aunt May's going to kill me,"

I couldn't help but giggle. "I'll take the blame, just tell your aunt that I live far, and you walked me home,"

He scrunched his nose, grinning back at me. "That'll be enough, I hope,"

"I can't wait to see you tomorrow," I admitted, and I felt my cheeks heat up. His smile grew as if it was even possible for him to smile more, and he brushed his lips against my forehead. "I want pancakes," I closed my eyes.

"We'll get you pancakes," he nodded, brushing the back of my head. "We'll get loads of pancakes,"

-

"You are terrifyingly creepy," I muttered as I stopped midway up the staircase. Sloane stood at his apartment door, across mine, with his arm crossed over his chest. I snorted loudly. "I'm not grounded, am I?"

"You intercepted an abduction?" He interrupted with a hard look.

I was suddenly confused, my brows kneading together. "Yes,"

"You were only meant to gather intel,"

"I couldn't find anything," I threw my hands in the air out of frustration. I shot Sloane a glare. "I don't see you doing anything,"

"Get in your apartment, and we'll talk tomorrow," he muttered.

"No," I shot back. "We won't. I don't want to talk tomorrow,"

"Morgan,"

"Sloane," I mocked hotly. Rolling my eyes, I grabbed my keys and opened my apartment door. He was still standing at his door, and I could see that he was exhausted. "I saved another girl,"

"But not the missing girls you are meant to find,"

"Oh my god," I exclaimed loudly before closing the door behind me. I threw off my shirt, skirt, and sweatpants and quickly changed into comfortable clothes. After dressing, I stomped across, opened my front door and knocked on Sloane's door.

It took a short moment before he opened the door. I walked past him and sat at the table, wrapping my hair in a bun. He walked to his kitchen and poured me a hot beverage. I glanced around, examining his apartment.

It was nearly empty aside from the papers all over the floor in the living room, the kitchen table with two chairs and some plates on the kitchen counter. Sloane's bedroom door was closed, and he had no television or couch. He placed two mugs down.

"What is it?"

"Decaf," he answered and grabbed cream from his fridge. "So what happened?" He asked as he finally sat down.

"Peter and I found a group of older guys dragging some teenage girl in an alleyway," I said as I sipped my decaf coffee. "We helped her, and I took her home,"

"Where?"

"Someplace on boulevard something,"

"No, where did the incident happen?"

"Across Liz's place, behind an apartment building," I answered. It seemed like he had a permanent scowl on his face. "I also noticed two guys sitting in a van down the street, but I was too busy with the girl to check if they were still there after we ran off,"

"Did you get the girl's name?"

"No,"

"Did you confirm if those guys were part of the organization?"

"No," I shook my head. "But it was obvious. They were older men dragging away some teenage girl who needed help,"

"But you didn't confirm it wasn't just another incident? Maybe they were going to hurt her but not send her to the organization," he spoke quickly.

"No, but does it matter?" I scoffed. "It was obvious,"

"But other than assuming these guys would take her to the organization, you did not take any steps to confirm it could be true?"

"No," I scowled. "Fuck, pissing me off,"

"No, you are useless," he shook his head. My mouth fell to the ground, and I gasped. "Tonight was nothing, and you did nothing,"

"I saved her!" I shouted.

"It does not matter," he shook his head. I gripped my mug, the heat burning my fingers. I let go quickly, but I couldn't move anymore. "You will fail this assignment if you continue to act like this,"

My eyes were burning, and I felt hot tears threatening to push through. "I can do this," I muttered. "I can find her tomorrow,"

"Spiderman intervened on this mission, and those guys he beat up will tell whoever they are working for, who will tell more people, and the people working for the organization will find out that he is getting involved," he explained slowly. "You and your friend single-handedly ruined this mission,"

"I can fix it," I whispered. My throat felt like it was closing up as it ached painfully. I felt hot tears stream down my cheeks. "I'll fix it,"

"They agreed for him to help you, but they warned you if he intervened," he clenched his jaw. "I'll let you know if we continue to move forward or if we decide if we'll pull you out,"

I shot out of the chair, my legs felt weak, and I trembled underneath his cold gaze. "That's not fair," I croaked.

"What happened to those girls was not fair, and what will continue to happen is not fair," he shook his head. "Go on, leave, and rest up,"

I felt cold as I slowly walked out of his apartment and into mine. My legs dragged the entire way to my bed, and I fell on top of my blanket. I turned and wrapped myself like a cocoon and sobbed. My phone beeped, and I slowly grabbed it.

Good night, wrote Peter. I can't wait to see you tomorrow too.