𝙼𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝙼𝚊𝚗𝚒𝚙𝚞𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 ~ Steve Rogers

A Way In ~ 5

Two days have passed since Peter last parted ways with Evangeline at the subway station. This afternoon, he finds himself aboard the subway, en route to the compound for what promises to be a mundane day of work. With an abundance of heroes now available to lend a hand when needed, the workload has considerably lightened.

Positioned in the midst of the carriage, Peter dons his headphones, engrossed in his cell phone as his free hand grasps the support bar, steadying himself against the rhythmic clatter of the moving train. Amidst his perusal of local news sites, a message materializes on his screen, diverting his attention.

"You busy right now?"

The sender is none other than Eva. The message concludes with an angelic emoji, conveying an air of innocence. Peter lifts his gaze momentarily, preparing himself for what lies ahead. Eva, he knows, is anything but conventional. Having spent time with her just two days ago, Peter is keenly aware that when she reaches out, it's typically with a request. He sighs lightly and responds:

"Yes, Eva – as I mentioned before, I'm tied up with work all week."

Peter appends an emoji—a diminutive figure with shrugged shoulders—offering a nonchalant apology. Almost instantly, another message appears on his screen.

"It's a nice day out, and no crime around from what I can see, meaning technically there is no work for you today..."

Eva's message concludes with a face rolling its eyes, a sentiment Peter mirrors effortlessly. Prepared to deliver a succinct response, he notices the symbol indicating that Eva is actively typing. His phone vibrates as her message materializes.

"Doesn't matter anyway. See you in 5!"

Frowning at the message, Peter fires back a series of question marks, only to receive no response. He releases another deep exhale just as an announcement for his stop echoes through the carriage. Swiftly stowing his phone in his pocket, he disembarks, leaping off the carriage and onto the platform, making a beeline for the exit.

"Hey, Spider-Man!" Eva calls out with palpable excitement, spotting Peter bounding up the stairs, taking two steps at a time to reach the street above the station. She commends herself for nailing the correct stop and swiftly approaches, navigating through the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. Unfazed, Peter maintains his brisk pace, confident that Eva will catch up with him sooner or later. It's only when he registers her presence at his side that he deadpans a glance her way, hands securely tucked into his jean pockets.

"You've got to stop calling me that in public, Eva," he reminds her, though there's no one of consequence eavesdropping. Still, Peter is adamant about preserving the secrecy he's successfully maintained for nearly ten years.

"Oh, like anyone was listening," Eva dismissively waves her hand, implying he's overreacting. "So, you off to the compound today?"

"Yes, like I do every day. It's where I work, as I've already told you," Peter replies, emphasizing his routine, a hint of frustration coloring his tone.

It's evident to Eva that Peter may not be in the best of spirits today, setting the stage for her task to become considerably more challenging. She opts for silence, trailing her old college friend aimlessly down a couple of blocks. Their destination is a modest convenience store, and as they approach the door, Peter slows.

"I have nothing to do today, can I come?" Eva queries in the most casual tone she can muster, slipping past Peter as he holds the door open. She walks beneath his arm, turning to saunter backward slowly, keeping her gaze fixed on him.

"Eva, I'm working," Peter states simply, his attention focused on gathering his daily essentials from the store shelves. He moves on autopilot, eventually reaching the counter to pay, with Eva still at his side.

"Yeah, you look completely rushed off your feet," she retorts sarcastically, a frown creasing her brow. Only then does Peter direct his gaze toward her for the first time since entering the store.

"I am, I'm already late. I missed breakfast," Peter confesses with a shrug, placing his breakfast—two protein bars and whatever else he managed to grab—on the counter. He offers a polite smile and hello to the checkout clerk as they become the first in line.

"I promise I won't try and flirt with a single person or utter a single word in French," Eva attempts to bargain, her attention solely on Peter, disregarding the clerk. Peter hands a twenty-dollar bill to the cashier and swiftly bags up his supplies.

"I think we both know that isn't possible for you, Eva. The answer is still no," he responds, tilting his head toward her, his expression unimpressed with her negotiation. While Peter values spending time with his friend, the prospect of doing so during work hours and after the impression she left with his team leaves him uneasy. Eva's face registers plain disbelief, blinking a couple of times. She swipes a candy bar from the front of the counter and exits the shop, leaving Peter behind. His eyes follow her out, and then he turns to the cashier, his expression a mix of exasperation and apology for her actions.

"I'll be paying for that candy bar too," Peter informs the clerk, handing over a dollar and leaving the store without bothering to collect his change, quickly catching up with Eva.

Another ten minutes pass. Peter is now only two blocks away from the compound, with Eva still in tow, contentedly munching on the candy bar she took.

"Okay, is it because I asked Captain America to sleep with me?" she retells between mouthfuls of chocolate. Peter pauses, downing the last of his energy drink, a puzzled expression on his face.

"When did you do that?"

"When we were leaving and you told me to stop."

Peter can only sigh, realizing that's what Eva had asked him in French the other night. She shakes her head, contemplating other reasons why Peter would deny her entry.

"Is it because of the money I took from that bank heist?" She pauses to take another bite. "What happened with that robbery anyway?" She wonders aloud, but Peter doesn't offer a response. He finishes his drink and casually tosses the can into a nearby trash can as they pass by. Eva frowns at his apparent selective hearing.

"Is it because I keep calling you Spider-Man?" she continues to probe, and Peter, thoroughly fed up with the conversation, stops in his tracks. She comes to a halt beside him.

"Eva!" he expresses, his stern address of her name causing her eyebrows to raise. "Not today, okay?" he breathes. A beat of silence passes between them, and Peter shakes his head lightly before resuming his journey. "I'll catch up with you some other time," he adds.

Eva begins to retort with something sarcastic, but a familiar pain hits the inside of her skull. A warning, she presumes. It vanishes as quickly as it arrives, catching Eva off guard. She takes a few seconds to compose herself.

"Eva? You okay?" Peter glances back just as she keels over with the sudden hit, concern evident in his expression as he returns to her side.

It's Eva's turn to sigh deeply, and she shakes her head, keeping her gaze fixed on the ground. "I didn't want to do it this way again, Peter. Damn you," she utters. Before Peter can react, she grabs hold of each side of his face to ensure he is focusing on her.

"Peter, you are going to let me come with you to the compound today, and you are not going to question it once, okay?" she declares, staring deeply into his eyes. Peter finds himself in a strange trance and nods slowly. Eva releases her grip once she's confident that her power worked, assuring herself that she hasn't inadvertently fried his brain. Suddenly, Peter is smiling and playfully punches her on the shoulder.

"Come on, Eva, what are you waiting for? We're already late!" he calls out, swiftly heading down the street toward the compound.

"Happy now?" Eva mutters begrudgingly to the voice inside her mind. The lack of response implies satisfaction with her current antics.