Flower Child (Peter Parker, MCU)

Somewhere the Culture's Glamour

Paris — Taylor Swift

Fiery blush had cemented its home in Lila's cheeks. A smile stretched across her mouth, and she let loose the odd giggle. She ignored the glass crunching underneath her feet, and the occasional piece of rubble. If Lila was asked, she wasn't in dreary London, she might have actually been walking down the yellow brick road for all she cared.

Ma copine.

Ma copine.

Ma copine.

She giggled again, laughter easing the tension in her shoulders, and practically carrying the mace in her hands for her. She was still giddy when she finally made it back to her friends, who had exited the Tower of London fully. They were talking with a Queen's Guard when Lila rejoined them.

Happy was doing all the heavy lifting for them, talking to the authorities. Flash was documenting everything on his phone, filming the wreckage around him and boasting that he survived a drone attack. Surely by next week, the story would shift to something like Flash fighting the drones off himself. Betty was talking to Ned, they were sequestered off to the side, and both of them were smiling and nodding.

MJ was next to Happy, her back turned to them and scanning the periphery. Likely as an excuse not to talk to authority of any kind, but when MJ spotted Lila, she realized it was because her friend was waiting for her. MJ spotted her rounding the corner, and jogged over to her. Lila, much more carefully this time, set the mace down and wrapped Michelle in her arms.

Their hug was sincere and tight, words less important. Lila was still smiling when she pulled away, looking over MJ. A pang of guilt hit her for not checking that she was okay, even though she was entirely unharmed. MJ did the same thing, regarding her and her expression. She raised an eyebrow.

"Is Peter—?"

Lila nodded, "He's okay, he stopped M-Mysterio." She sighed, her mind still on the Tower Bridge. Blinking, she looked back at her friend, "You were so f-freaking awesome back there, MJ. The mace? I mean — genius."

MJ laughed a little, "Yeah, well, I figure it's the closest I'll ever come to pillaging the British." They both let out laughs at that, the reality of their near-deaths racing around their brains. "Is this how you usually feel after one of these things?" MJ suddenly asked. "Like—"

"Like you've been up for three days straight and everything is hilarious or horrifying? Yes." There was a beat, and the two bent over in delirious laughter. Before Lila knew it, she was pulled in for another hug, and she easily reciprocated.

"I love you, Lila, and you were amazing back there, too." MJ made sure she held Lila's eye contact. "You dealt with your fear so well, you're a hero."

The blush, which still was on her face, deepened, and Lila blinked rapidly. "I think we were both — both pretty heroic."

"Tell that to Flash," MJ said, pointing over her shoulder. The pair descended into laughter again, holding onto their stomachs. "So, what now?"

"I have to talk to Happy, Peter's waiting on the B-Bridge, and I don't think he knows what to do from here. Then we meet with the rest of the class, I guess. You guys have a flight to catch."

"You're still going to Paris?" Michelle asked.

Lila nodded, the giddy grin returning to her face. "Yeah. And I'm — I'm bringing Peter with me." She brought out the lemon bracelet and held it in her hands. MJ looked at the bracelet, then up at Lila's expression and connected the dots.

"Oh my god, finally."

"That's what I'm saying!" Lila squeaked, her outburst catching the attention of Happy and the Queen's Guard. MJ helped her with the clasp of the bracelet, the jewelry finding its home on Lila's wrist.