Flower Child (Peter Parker, MCU)

Peter, Interrupted (by MJ)

Tangerine — Tommy Newport

Whenever Lila was in doubt, she called her dad. Whenever Lila felt like she failed, or like she needed help, she called her dad. She called her dad a lot, it turned out, and that evening was no exception. MJ had just dropped her off at her hotel room, triple checking that it was okay for her to be by herself before parting with one last worried look.

How could Lila blame her? What happened at the carnival was horrific and downright mortifying. But Lila realized that night it was something she really couldn't help. The lack of control over her fear was startling, to say the very least. And she knew Michelle was now aware that something worse was going on with her. She didn't know yet how to justify it without revealing everything.

More importantly, she lost control in a moment she really needed the opposite. She was supposed to make sure everyone stayed inside, and even that proved to be difficult. And so, when the few tears that fell had subsided, Lila decided to distract herself with a phone call.

It would be the afternoon, so Lila knew Ted was available, and he picked up on the second ring. His voice was initially worried and relieved, having seen the news about the attack that evening in Prague. Lila assured him she was nowhere near it, even though it was a lie. But hearing him talk to her secured her anchor to reality, she felt the very last of her tension leave her shoulders.

Ted told her he'd just gotten off the phone with Mr. Harrington, who was beside himself with frenzied concern. It seemed he was going down the list to inform everyone of the events that occurred, and it appeared to be the general consensus amongst parents that the trip should end early. Ted asked her point blank if she wanted to come home, citing that Edith would entirely understand given the circumstances. It jolted Lila a little bit, the thought of not seeing her family twisted her stomach.

She told him as much, that she couldn't travel so far to not see her grandmother. And that was true, she still wanted to see her family, now more than ever. And based on the fact that the world didn't seem to be ending, Lila knew that Peter won, there weren't any more monsters.

Ted confessed he felt selfish, because he wanted her back in New York as soon as possible, to which she smiled and said she missed him too. He sighed and said he'd call Mr. Harrington back and figure out a place where Lila could branch off and depart for Paris on her own. He also said once he figured it out, he would call Edith for Lila, and inform her of when and where Lila would arrive in France. Several "I love you's" later, Lila ended the call, and she was back in her quiet room.

Well, it would've been quiet save for the voices that sounded outside her door. She immediately recognized Ned, followed by a quieter voice she couldn't discern, until a third voice belonging to her teacher said, "Peter! You're not dead! Oh, my god, yes, good. Stay here! Don't — Ned, put some clothes on. We're booking flights!"

Her heart twisted, Peter was back. By the sound of it, he seemed completely fine, too. That relief aided Lila's heart a little, easing the pain of what happened that night. At least it wasn't all for nothing. That ease went away nearly as quickly, for hearing Mr. Harrington talk about booking flights brought her back to reality.  The trip really was over, and she and Peter didn't even make it to Paris.

When Lila finally opened the door, Peter's back was to her. He was watching the chaos of the rest of the school group unfold. Her heart skipped a beat, he was still wearing his shirt and slacks, despite his hair looking a little messier than earlier.

"Hey," she said, not even forcing her casual tone. Looking at him made it easy to leave her panic attack in the past. He spun around, eyes finding hers and he smiled.

"Hey."

"How did it — how did it go?" Lila asked, keeping her question vague in case of eavesdroppers. She was pretty sure Flash was right next door.