Maya Stark

Chapter 141: I love you.

I don't know how long the three of us waited, but eventually Peter landed in front of us. He hugs Ned first, then MJ, and then he basically crushes me. I bury my head in his shoulder, knowing he was about to bring us bad news. News I refused to listen to.

'Are you okay?' he asks.

'Yeah, we're okay,' I say nodding as he releases me.

'Oh my God,' he says, wiping some blood off my forehead. 'You're bleeding.'

'No, I'm okay,' I say, taking his hand.

'Are you sure?' he asks.

I nod. 'I'm fine. I promise. We should... We should go, right? Like... this is finished.'

He steps back. 'You're gonna forget who I am.'

Ned and MJ simultaneously speak out, 'What?'

I stare at him. 'Peter, what are you talking about?'

'It's okay...' he said, looking directly at me. 'I'm gonna come and find you, and I'll explain everything. I'll make you remember me. It'll be like none of this ever happened. Okay?'

The panic starts to rise in my chest as my eyes well up, vision blurry with tears. Peter was my home, a constant. I needed him to survive. He's the reason I survived.

'But what if that doesn't work?' I say, panic clear in my voice. 'What if that doesn't work, what if we can't remember you? I don't wanna do that. I don't wanna do that. I can't do that.'

He grabs my hand. 'I know, Maya. I know.' His voice was soft, and the first tear finally rolls down my cheek.

'There's gotta be something we can do,' I say. 'We can't come up with like a plan or something? There's gotta be something.'

'There's nothing we can do,' he said. 'But we'll be okay.'

'You promise?' Ned asked.

'Yeah, I promise,' Peter said, locking eyes with me. He drops my hand to go embrace Ned, and at this point I can't stop the tears. 'I'll come find you. Okay?'

'I know you will,' Ned said, starting to cry.

They break apart and do their stupid handshake thing, that I managed to memorize throughout the years. Peter turns to MJ.

'You better,' she says. 'If not, I'll figure it out for all of us. I've done it once; I can do it again.'

Peter laughs slightly as they hug. He then turns back to me, and walks forward, cupping my face and resting his forehead against mine.

'What am I gonna do without you, Spidey?' I say, through tears. 'You're my home. I can't-' I choke back a sob.

'I promise, I'll fix this,' he whispers.

'I really hate magic,' I say, my voice breaking as I cry freely.

'Yeah,' said Peter, pulling back slightly. 'Me too.'

I put my hand over his and try for a smile. 'I love you, Peter.'

I don't know who was more shocked, but the four of us fell into silence as a small smile worked its way onto Peter's face.

'I love-'

'Just... wait,' I say, shaking my head. 'Wait and tell me when you see me again.'

He nods. 'I promise I'll find you. I promise.'

We look at each other as the time starts ticking down. My brain can't even fathom being apart from him. Not having him here by my side. He belongs by my side. We both move forward at the same time, our lips meeting in the middle. My hands go to the back of his head as I relish in the feeling of us. Just us. Standing here. Being a couple. We didn't get enough time together; I never get enough time with the people I love. I don't know how long we stay like this, savoring the kiss as the sun comes up. It couldn't have been very long and when he pulled away, I resisted the urge to pull him back.

He starts walking backwards and we hold onto each other's hand until we have no choice but to let go. The second his fingertips leave mine, I feel my heart actually break. Break into a million pieces. I just want to run to him. I just want him to hug me and tell me it's all a lie. It's all a dream. And that he wasn't actually leaving me. And that he would never leave me. And that this wasn't goodbye. He jumps up on the wall and gives a final glance back at us. His eyes lock onto mine and I try for another smile. We hold each other's gaze for what seemed like eternity.

I utter a silent, 'I love you,' as another tear runs down my cheek.

Peter smiles at me and I can see the pain in his eyes. He hesitates before turning to swing away and suddenly, I can't see him anymore. I needed to remember Peter Parker. I needed to remember my safe place. I needed to.

I look up at Strange and we lock eyes.