𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐭 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤

Fateful Love - P.P

Parings → Peter Parker x Reader

Warnings → angst, sadness, fluff

Summary → Peter reconnects with his rejected soulmate, rekindling hope and love.

｡･:*:･ﾟ★｡･:*:･ﾟ☆ ｡･:*:･ﾟ★

Peter Benjamin Parker, a sophomore at Empire State University, was a lonely soul. Even after spending a year here, he hadn't made any friends, nor did he want to. The risks were too high, and he couldn't bear the thought of someone else getting hurt because of him.

In a world where almost everyone had a soulmate, Peter was an anomaly. Yes, he had a soulmate too, but the very thought of her made him uncomfortable. The idea of soulmates had lost its charm after Uncle Ben's death. He had witnessed Aunt May's slow descent into grief as her soulmate tattoo faded, a painful reminder of the love she had lost.

Peter had met his soulmate just two months after Uncle Ben's death. But grief-stricken and lost, he wasn't ready for a connection like that. He rejected her without a second thought, without even sparing a glance. She was heartbroken. Unlike Peter, she had always loved the idea of soulmates. The pain of his rejection was unbearable, and she moved away from Midtown High during their sophomore year, thanks to her dad's job transfer. It was a bittersweet relief-seeing Peter at school, knowing they were meant to be together but couldn't be, had been too much to bear.

Peter felt guilty after she left, but his apology was never voiced. Over time, with the weight of being Spider-Man and the pressures of his studies, he gradually forgot about her. He dated MJ in their senior year, then came the supervillain chaos, Doctor Strange's spell, and the aftermath of it all. And now, he was alone.

That night, after an exhausting patrol, all Peter wanted was to collapse into the cramped studio apartment he called home and fall asleep. But as soon as his head hit the pillow, the word "soulmate" and your face unexpectedly floated into his mind. It was strange, after so many years. He drifted off with thoughts of you lingering.

The next day, Peter went to the university, walking absentmindedly through the crowded hallways. That's when he saw you. Never in his dreams he thought he would see you again, but here you are. You were standing at a corner with three of your friends, laughing and chatting. His breath caught in his throat. You looked the same yet different. Still the same height-Peter had always loved the idea of having a shorter lover. You still wore glasses, but now you looked more mature, more beautiful. A wave of regret and longing washed over him. He hoped, against all odds, that you had forgotten your first interaction. He wanted, no, needed a fresh start.

Without knowing why, Peter found himself walking toward you, his eyes locked on your face in awe. When you and your friends noticed him, you asked, "Can I help you?"

"Um-I..." Peter stammered, lost in the moment.

"Are you okay?" you asked, concerned.

Suddenly, Peter's grip slipped, and he dropped the book he had been holding. The thud of it hitting the ground broke the spell he was in. Both of you bent down to pick it up, and as you handed it back to him, your eyes caught sight of his wrist. The same soulmate tattoo that adorned your wrist. Time seemed to freeze.

You were shocked, elated. Without a word, you closed the distance between you and wrapped your arms around him, your head resting against his chest. Peter hesitated for a moment before enveloping you in his arms, holding you tight.

"It's you. It's really you. I thought I'd never find you after so many years. I thought I'd never meet my soulmate," you murmured, your voice thick with emotion. Your friends cheered behind you, their voices distant in Peter's ears. You pulled away slightly, but your arms stayed around him. Peter gazed into your eyes, tears brimming in his own.

"I'm sorry it took so long," he whispered, apologizing for more than just time. Apologizing for the past.

"You're so pretty," you said, your voice filled with wonder.

"So are you. You're beautiful," Peter replied, his voice soft and sincere. He hugged you again, this time with a newfound resolve.

"I'll never leave you," you promised, unaware of the weight of your words. But Peter felt it. In that moment, he swore to himself that he would protect you with everything he had. He would fight every battle, face every enemy, until his dying breath, to ensure your safety. You were his future, his hope. Destiny, or whatever force had brought you back into his life, had its way, and Peter was ready to embrace it.

‎∗ ࣪ ˖༺ 𓆩☆𓆪 ༻˖ ࣪ ∗