Rift (Spider-Man fanfic)

Chapter 4: Settling In

    For the third time today, I explained my... 'situation.' I talked with Doctor Strange about how we think I am from another timeline. Surprisingly, he completely believed it.

"One thing is for sure," he began. "We need to get you back to your own world. When you traveled through the multiverse, you created a rift." I give him a confused look, not entirely sure what he means. "Imagine there's a wall between the timelines. When you moved, you created a rip in that wall. But this rip will slowly become larger, and could bring other beings from other universes into this one. In order to keep that from happening, you need to get back home so we can then close it."

Peter, Tony, and I simultaneously nod. "Until I figure out how to get you back, it's very important that you lay low." Strange says while looking me in the eyes, intensely. "You just being here has changed the proper course of events in this timeline. We can't change that, but we can try to minimize your effect on this world." I didn't grasp how smart he was in the movies. I guess I had to see for myself.

"I can take care of that part." Tony says while putting his hands on my and Peter's shoulders. He then looks at Peter. "I need you to keep an eye on her. I'll get her into your school and as many classes as I can. As long as she's with you, she's invisible to people." He jokes, and Peter gasps in fake-offense.

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    "And this is your room." Aunt May tells me as she gestures to a room so small it's probably a closet. After our talk with Doctor Strange, Peter offered for me to stay at his apartment so he could keep an eye on me like Tony said. Tony pulled some strings so I could be in all the same classes as Peter. He also forged some documents so I had a birth certificate, passport, drivers license, and a paper saying Natasha was my legal guardian. As much as this is kind of a dream come true, it only made me miss my family more.

    "I know it's a bit crammed, but it's the best I could do." I wonder why I couldn't just get a room in Stark Tower, but I don't mention it.

"No, it's nice. Thank you." She gives me a warm smile.

"Well, I have a few errands I have to run tonight. Peter is going to be home soon, from doing who knows what." I know what. "So please make yourself at home. When he gets back he'll bring dinner and your new school clothes. If I'm not back before him, you can eat without me."

"Okay. Again, thank you so much for doing this."

She hugs me and kisses the side of my head. "Aww, of course sweetie." I love how she already treats me like family.

Once she leaves, I decide to unpack my few belongings. Tony gave me a few hundred bucks so I could take care of myself and not entirely rely on them, so I need to pay back Peter for all my stuff. I plop down on the couch, not really wanting to just watch TV. I glance up at the clock: 10. It's already so late. I know he has 'superhero' stuff to do, but does it have to be at the expense of my dinner? I don't want to owe Peter longer than I have too, so I grab some of my money and go into his room to put the money on his nightstand before I go to bed.

Right as I open the door, however, I see Peter rushing to change as he is in nothing but his boxers. His eyes widen at the sight of me. "Diana!"

I shut the door again without replying. He opens the door a second later, this time fully clothed. I look past him into his bedroom to see his window open and a ceiling tile slightly out of place. That must be where he hides his suit. He looks out of breath.

"You know, I never told you what got me into watching all the movies about this place. With the Avengers." He stares at me confused. "I wanted to know more about the world of the superhero named Spider-Man." I smirk at him. His confused expression turns into a shocked-smile.

"Really? And why was that?" He says realizing that I know his secret.

I consider telling him the truth that I thought the actor was cute and Spider-Man seemed super cool, but I don't want to make him uncomfortable. "He's relatable and seems fun. Plus he has awesome powers."

He smiles at me and stares for a second too long, making it awkward. "Oh! Umm..." he turns around and walks over to his bed where there are a bunch of bags. He hands me a large paper bag. "This one is for you. It has your new school uniforms in it." I take it and thank him. "The rest of the bags is Chinese food, so... wanna eat?" He asks nervously, though I'm not sure why.

"Sure, sounds good." We set up dinner and finish while watching Star Wars: A New Hope. Since we are both nerds, we discuss the little details of the movie frequently. Two hours pass, but they felt like two minutes. It turns midnight way to quickly and I close my eyes. I feel a tap on my shoulder and Peter saying something, but I just grunt in response.

"Come on Diana, you need to go to bed. We have school tomorrow." He whines and softly tugs on my arm. Once again, I grunt. "Don't make me make you." He says. Since I never thought I'd hear someone like him say that, I ignore it thinking it was a bluff. A second later I feel myself being picked up. I open my eyes to find myself hanging over his shoulder.

"Parker!" I hit his back a few times but it clearly didn't do anything to him.

"I warned you." He laughs at me.

I groan and stop fighting back, letting my arms hang. "So stubborn." I say under my breath, thinking that he wouldn't be able to hear me. I was wrong.

"You would know." We make it to my room and he leans forward, throwing me backwards onto my bed. I make pouty lips and cross my arms. "But I'm not tired." I say like a 5 year-old.

"Okay, but it's midnight and we have to head to school early in the morning."

"Fooiine." I settle in under the covers and he leaves the room, turning off the lights. I've only been here a day, but I already feel comfortable with him. Like he's my childhood best friend that I've known forever. Right before he closes the door I catch his attention. "Hey," He turns around and looks at me. "Night, Spidey." He smiles.

"Goodnight, Diana."