Wilted (Peter Parker x Reader)

20

Peter

I was startled from a daydream as May set a bowl of chili on the table in front of me. I was leaning on one arm while the other itched the jeans on my knee.

"I haven't seen much of you this week." She spoke with a smile as she sat down across from me in front of her own bowl. "How's it going?"

I sighed as I lifted the spoon and placed it into the bowl. Swirling it around, I searched for the right explanation.

"Mr. Stark has had a lot on his plate lately, and there's this big project he trusted me to handle. It is taking up all of my time, I am so exhausted." I was still watching the food as if lost in it.

"Well, that's good, right? I mean, you seem happier, more eager to be out." She spoke before taking a slurp of chili.

"Yeah, no, it's great." I defended quickly. "I'm learning a lot and... it's been great. It's just... a lot." I trailed off. She nodded along and smiled, more than likely just happy I wasn't in the same angry and unmotivated state I was in before.

"Well, I miss ya. It's so lonely watching you grow up." I smiled sympathetically at her words before beginning to eat the chili myself.

"What about Larb guy, huh? He can help with that." I joked. She blushed momentarily before waving me off and giggling. "Also, chili for breakfast?" I added.

"Yeah well, that's what ya get for missing dinner last night." She joked back. Soon enough, through plenty of teasing, we finished our breakfast and prepared to part ways for the day.

"So, will I be seeing any of you tonight?" She asked as she threw a jacket on.

"Probably, but I don't really know what time it will be. I'll have my phone on me if you need anything." I responded as I pulled my shoes on.

"Okay. Oh by the way!" She called for my attention as I opened the front door. I turned to look at her as she spoke, leaving my hand on the doorknob. "I have an order of roses coming in the morning, I've been meaning to replace the ones out there since some are still damaged. Will you help me with that before you leave tomorrow?"

I frowned as I was flushed with memories of tearing the flowers up for Y/n, and I knew it hurt May to bring it up. Was this her way of gaining closure? I hadn't thought too much about how she was handling losing someone who basically became a daughter to her. I never thought about how much her heart must be hurting.

The worst part is that she has no idea, not a single clue, of what was going on. Who knows what her mind filled in for the unknown; Death, kidnap, or worse. She would never have any chance in knowing that Y/n was violently different, and may never be the same. Was that worse than death, or better?

"Of course, Aunt May, I would love to do that with you." I stated with a smile. She smiled back at me, a very sympathetic and almost knowing smile. She knew that I knew what she was thinking about. "I'll see you tonight, I larb you!" I ended on a lighter note before closing the door. I heard her call back lightly.

"I larb you too!"

~~~

Happy walked in front of me as we entered the large building. I did as I did everytime I walked in, staring up at the large 'A' placed on the piece that stuck out above the doorway. It never ceased to amaze me.

"Any news today?" I called to Dr. Banner as he was the first one I saw. He smiled and said hello before getting right to the point.

"Tony and I have just been studying the footage of you and Y/n interacting. It's not necessarily news, more like extra info, but when we watched through an infrared filter, we could see how much of the essence she excretes." I cringed at the last word, such a weird way of putting it. "The reason she can lock us into a trance and make us feel whatever she wants is because the essence spreads pretty widely, and through walls, or glass, or anything so far."