Wilted (Peter Parker x Reader)

29

Peter

I sat on the edge of Y/n's new bed, picking at my skin awkwardly as I could faintly hear the shower running in the closed bathroom.

The walls in her bedroom were completely bare, other than the television that was mounted to the wall. There was a variety of small furniture, a dresser and bedside table, but everything was white like an asylum. I didn't like it, I bet she didn't either, but I was hoping we could make it her own so it felt less threatening.

I remember when we touched up the guest room in my apartment for her, she really enjoyed it. However, she was a different person now. I don't really know what she is like.

I perked up a little bit as I heard the shower turn off. The curtain scraped against the metal rod as it opened and I assumed Y/n stepped out. I quickly stood up and walked to the dresser, picking up the tv remote and turning it on.

Walking back to the bed and taking my spot back, I skipped around streaming platforms before settling on (whatever you prefer), looking for the specific show/movie I remembered her being pretty obsessed with. It played for a few moments before the bathroom door opened and she stepped out delicately.

To be honest, she had been in there for almost an hour and a half but I couldn't imagine how wonderful it must have felt. I had placed so many different kinds of soap in there, she brought such a beautiful scent out with her.

She was wearing some of my clothes, a pair of plain (color) sweatpants and a (color) tshirt with a math pun on it. Frankly, she looked absolutely precious. Even her damp and bruised skin looked so refreshed.

"How was your shower?" I asked as she looked at me innocently. It took her a few moments to speak, as I'm sure she was still debating whether she wanted to trust me or not. It was understandable but I couldn't wait to get past it.

"Wet." She stated the obvious before looking around the room.

"It needs some personality but I think you could have fun with that." I smiled and looked around the same as she was.

"You think so, huh?" She spoke with a tinge of bitterness but took in a deep breath and stopped herself there.

"I wanted to decorate it myself but I have no idea what you like." I almost chuckled as I looked back at her. I could see her face relax as I said I didn't know her. She probably appreciated that I was at least trying to see things from her perspective.

"What happens next?" She asked.

"Nothing," I stated and stood up to face her. "There is absolutely no plan right now."

"Are you staying here?" She asked another question.

"Well... May is expecting me home tonight and I really can't change plans last-"

"May?" She interrupted me.

"Oh... yeah uhm. My Aunt. I live with her, she basically raised me as her son." I explained with a pang in my heart.

"Aunt May." She stated again and started to squint.

"Is your head starting to hurt?" I asked and took a step towards her.

"Stay away from me." She demanded and brought her hand up to hold her head. I put my hands up and stopped in my tracks but kept a close eye on her as she took a few breaths. I don't think she realizes I couldn't do anything even if I wanted to.

"Didn't you say it only hurts when you fight it?" I asked carefully. She shot me a dirty look but suddenly seemed as if she was thinking. As the pain in her head seemed to grow, she closed her eyes and let out a shaky breath.

"Did I know her?" She asked and looked at me with a defeated gaze. I watched her try to breathe through her pain and thought about how unpredictable her response would be, even though she asked the question. I think the easiest thing would be to just answer her questions simply, until she is sure she wants to know more.

"Yes." I spoke quietly. Her face softened and she looked at me with an expression I could only explain as confusion and grief. Luckily, it looked like her pain disappeared immediately.

"How?" She asked urgently.

"She took care of you when you needed it, she really, really loved you." I answered with a little extra detail.

"If she's so important, why don't I remember her?" She whispered before swallowing a lump in her throat. I noticed her eyes had slowly begun to swell into tears as she held my gaze strongly.

"We'll figure it out." I smiled lightly at her from across the room. "We have all the time in the world."

Y/n stood there for a few moments, still staring into what felt like my soul, before surprising me with a small smile.

"All the time in the world. That feels nice." She breathed out.

"Do you feel like you're running out of time?" I asked her, as I desperately wanted to keep talking to her.

She simply nodded and broke eye contact, looking back to the empty walls.

"Me too." I sighed, looking at the ground. She was standing so rigidly, like she was nervous with settling in. It would be better if she had some time to herself to get familiar but I was so scared that this would be the last time I ever saw her.

She would have somebody outside of her room at all times, Tony, Bruce and I all taking turns, along with others on occasion I'm sure. But she has already escaped twice when the odds were stacked against her. She was tricky and smart. It wouldn't surprise me if she got out again. She had skylights in the ceiling, but again, it would not surprise me if she got out of them.

"I know privacy is important to you but if you ever need anything, your door is unlocked-"

"It is?!" She interrupted me, making me even more nervous with her tone.

"Yeah... and I should tell you that there will always be someone outside that door if I'm not here..." Her facial expressions fell as I continued to talk. "You can just open the door and ask for anything you need..."

"Okay." She stated simply, very clearly annoyed.

"I'm sorry. I know having someone guarding your door makes you feel-"

"-trapped." She spit out.

"Yes, trapped. But it's the only way I could convince Mr. Stark to keep you out of the tank. You want to run, and I get it, but we can't run from this, and I think you know that by now."

She kept a stern look at the wall as I spoke but I was just grateful she wasn't arguing with me. I truly felt like I was getting through to her.

"Do you want me to leave?" I asked, growing tiresome of the tension of neither of us moving an inch.

"Yes." She stated simply. I sighed and nodded.

"Okay. Well. If you need me. You tell whoever and I will be here." I spoke reluctantly, slightly hurt that she was pushing me out. She needed time. That's all it was.

She didn't respond and I knew the conversation was over. I took a few steps to the door before turning back around.

"I hope you have a good night," I said softly and opened the door. I stepped out, knowing I would get no response, and closed the door behind me. I glanced at Tony as he stood outside the door, his glove from his suit covered his arm as he was ready for anything. I sighed, a common theme these days, and said goodnight to him before dragging myself down the hallway.

I truly felt like I was going to wake up tomorrow and she would be gone.

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