electric {peter parker}

13

Lillian shook her head as Peter finished explaining how he was late yet again delivering pizza.

"You're going to get fired," Lillian stated. "You can't get fired."

Peter playfully scoffed, "Who would fire this face?"

"It's not a joke, Peter," Lillian had a straight face. "You need the money for college and especially for helping with the rent."

Peter frowned, "I know. It's just hard because there always seems to be a disturbance."

Lillian furrowed her eyebrows, "Disturbance? How so?"

"Never mind," Peter waved his hand, dismissing the subject."

His comment prompted questions in her mind. This is basically confirmation that he is Spider Man, right? What could possibly be so difficult about delivering pizzas on time?

Peter noticed her face while she was deep in thought, but decided to stay silent. He suddenly felt a wave of guilt wash over him. If anything were to happen to her simply because his enemies were aware of their relationship, he would never forgive himself. Maybe they shouldn't be together, it would be for the best.

"Lillian, I-"

"Peter, it's fine. I trust that you won't lose your job," Lillian reassured him, to which he plastered on a smile. "I'm going to head to the grocery store, I'll be back soon."

Peter kissed her goodbye and watched as she closed the door. He went to their bedroom and sat down on the bed. It would only be right to keep her safe rather than keeping himself satisfied. He felt rather conflicted because he finally felt happiness and now he was faced with a choice: lose Lillian forever or lose her temporarily. Or he could tell her his secret.

He drifted off to sleep and decided to leave the decision for later. That is until he heard the door to the apartment open.

"I'm home," Lillian announced with bags attached to her arms.

Peter approached her and helped her put the groceries away.

Lillian smiled, "Thanks for the help."

"Of course," he mumbled.

"Is something wrong?" Lillian noticed his response.

Peter stared at the ground.

"Peter talk to me," Lillian demanded, worried.

"It's nothing, Lilly," Peter replied.

"Obviously something is wrong," she stated.

Peter began towards the couch. Lillian followed him, sitting down beside him, searching his eyes for an answer.

"Peter, you're worrying me," Lillian breathed out. "Please talk to me."

"I don't want to hurt you-"

"Stop," Lillian started to panic. "Don't say that. I love you."

"Lillian, I can't be the boyfriend you deserve right now," Peter whispered as his eyes were stuck to the floor.

Tears started to form in her eyes, "That isn't fair. I want you, even when it's hard."

"I so badly wish that I could be perfect, perfect for you and perfect for school or work or-" he cut himself off.

"Or what?" Lillian asked quickly. "What is it you aren't telling me?"

Peter opened his mouth as if he was going to speak, but no words came out. His eyes searched hers as if he was looking for what to say in her eyes.

"It's not fair to you, Lillian. You have to trust me. I would never forgive myself if you were hurt," Peter finally said.

"That's not your decision to make," Lillian snapped.

"I'm sorry," he frowned.

"I don't believe you," Lillian stated.

Peter looked at her with a puzzled face.

"How do you suddenly, out of nowhere, want to leave me?" Lillian scoffed. "It's bullshit."

"I don't want to leave you."

"Then why are you doing this? Why?" Lillian raised her voice.

"Because it's not safe!" Peter shouted.

"How?" Lillian asked furiously. "Because you're Spider Man? Is that why?"

Peter's eyes widened and he immediately shook his head, "What are you talking about?"

"You're Spider Man," Lillian stated.

Peter stumbled over his words, "No, I- I'm most certainly not."

"Come on, Peter," Lillian sighed with great disappointment. "I saw what happened with Flash Thompson back in fucking high school when you shot spider webs from your wrists and suddenly after that a new hero that shoots spider webs called Spider Man exists? Along with that, you are nowhere to be found anytime Spider Man is around. Give me a break."

Peter was lost for words. How did she know? I can't lie to her now.

He looked at her and sighed, "Fine."

"Fine?" she chuckled. "What the fuck does that mean?"

"I am Spider Man. Maybe now you understand where I am coming from," Peter bit his lip while waiting for a response.

"Peter, you have to understand that I have known that you were Spider Man all along. I never wanted to tell you because I wanted you to feel comfortable enough to come to me with your secret and because I didn't want you to think I only liked you because you were Spider Man," tears fell from Lillian's eyes.

Peter grabbed her hand, "I know that you love me for me, regardless if I'm Spider Man or not. What I'm trying to say is, being with you encourages my enemies to come for you. Which is why I said I would never be able to forgive myself if something happened to you."

Lillian squeezed his hand, "Peter, I understand completely. Trust me I have thought about this. I believe in you and I believe in us. Don't you think it's only fair that I choose what's best for me?"

Peter sighed and wiped the tears from her face. He stared at her trying to find an answer.

"Okay," Peter smiled.

Lillian smiled as she kissed his cheek, "Please don't ever do something like that again."

She chuckled, but she was serious.

"I won't," Peter reassured her. "Let me rewind; you've known I was Spider Man the whole time I've been Spider Man?"

Lillian giggled as she nodded her head.

"How?"

"Ever since high school I had a major crush on you. But you were so obsessed with Mary Jane which made me super jealous," she blushed furiously. "Anyway, that day in the cafeteria at lunch, I was watching you and I saw something shoot from your hand to the tray of food and I saw the way you flung your hand and it flew backwards hitting Flash."

Peter thought back to that moment and scratched the back of his neck, "Oh yeah, I remember that.

"Then I remember one time a bunch of guys started trying to catcall me and steal my wallet and a guy in a suit was shooting webs and stopped the guys. It seemed very familiar to me and I couldn't quite place it until I remembered that moment in the cafeteria. That's when I figured you were Spider Man. I never actually knew for sure, 100%, but I was like 99% sure it was you," Lillian explained.

"Huh," Peter said.

Lillian waited a moment before speaking again, "That's it? That's all you have to say?"

Peter laughed and shortly after Lillian joined in. They giggled together and linked hands.

"I love you, you smart girl," his smile widened.

Lillian felt butterflies in her stomach, just like she always has, "I also love you."

"I'm starving," Peter remarked rather loudly. "Dinner?"

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