Loving Petey

Deserving

Fortunately, Peter changed into his Spider-Man outfit and fought the cat monster. Liz could see how her boyfriend seemed fearless. He was joking around while fighting back. She felt a bit aroused watching Peter being Spider-Man. Despite being rescued by him before, it still felt like she was learning about him for the very first time. The confidence and being badass with witty banter, she wished he had expressed this side of him sooner. Then again, he only expressed it as a superhero for a good reason.

Liz wondered if the Petey she dated was just some façade to hide his secret identity. Then before she knew it, another supervillain appeared on a...dragon? Hold on, wasn't this villain in the newspaper Peter talked to her about? During one of her tutor sessions during lunch. If Spider-Man defeated him before, then he could have beaten him again. The hero swung away to another block with the villains chasing after him. With a sense of worry, Liz ran out of the café, following the path.

She made it to the mall and saw the action. Seeing Peter/Spider-Man fighting those two was surprising. Then as he was fighting the tiger man who seemed to be winning. Liz picked up a perfume item and threw it at him. The villain growled in anger as the liquid perfume got into his eyes. Spider-Man punched him before looking around to see who threw the item. Liz quickly hid behind a counter.

Staying there, she heard punching and kicking. Peeking out, she saw the cat monster and the magician defeated, Spider-Man grabbed one of them by the collar whose dome helmet was ripped out, revealing his true face. "I know the Master Planner set this up. What is he up to?" The hero glared, sounding serious, as if he was going to do something frightening.

"Gee, I don't know. Maybe the Master Planner has a...Master Plan". The villain smiled smugly. Liz knew she shouldn't be here but she needed to see her boyfriend when he was being a hero. As Spider-Man glared threateningly, he made an enormous web and threw the magician into it, while tying him up to it. The Spider-Man swung away.

Liz then realized that he might be going back to the café. Running as fast as she could, she felt tired. Cursing in Spanish, she realized what she had to do. Picking up her phone, she texted Peter saying that she left to go home.

During New Year's Eve, Liz came to the Parker residence. And rang the doorbell, patiently waiting for him to answer.

Peter answered the door. "Liz? What are you doing here?"

"Listen, Petey, I wanted to apologize for leaving during our date".

"Wait...you're the one who is sorry?! I'm the one who should be apologizing!"

"I know, you sent a million texts and tried to call me".

"Then why didn't you reply if you weren't mad at me?" Peter asked looking confused. Liz shared a look of guilt.

"I just felt awful for ditching you. I didn't have it in me to talk to you but...I realized I was being a coward. For what it's worth, that was the best date I ever had. You make me feel so happy. And it was wrong of me to ditch you when—" Liz managed to stop talking before saying he was fighting a villain.

"I don't deserve you". He said.

"No, you don't, but we can still prove it's false. By the way, the countdown just started...meaning..." Liz smirked and leaned in. She pressed her lips against Peter's. When they parted, they stared into each other's eyes. This eye contact just made her weaker than the previous ones. Peter didn't deserve her because she could be in danger.

"Happy New Year Petey".

On the day back to school after winter break, Liz noticed Peter ahead of her on the way to school. Smiling cheerfully like, she ran to him and pulled him by the hand as she giggled.

Peter was surprised but then hugged her, lifting her. She laughed, telling him to put her down. When he did, she leaned on his side as she held his arm. She could sense Sally staring at them in utter disbelief and horror.

As they walked in through the hallway, Sally followed after them. "Lizzie! You can't do this! Breaking up with Flash was one thing but...HIM?!?! You can't be—"

"Sal, chill. Let me be happy okay? He's good for me", Liz smiled with warmth. Sally kept ranting about their social status as Liz was too focused on her boyfriend.

"Do you have to hold his hand? You're blowing off our entire demographic!"

Liz sat down on a bench with Peter. She smiled. Then Peter sighed with concern. "Liz, so you know Flash's birthday bash is this weekend right?"

"Yeah so?" She asked, and then she glared at Peter. "Petey? Is something wrong?"

"Were you invited by any chance?" He asked.

"Why would I be invited? Hello, ex-girlfriend?" She said as she pointed to herself.

"Well, I was invited...".

"...oh?"

"Yeah, and I thought you could be my plus one?"

Liz kissed him on the cheek. "Your instinct to be thoughtful is what draws me to you", she whispered in his ear. His cheeks turned red as he shifted back. This nerd is just too cute.

Then the bell rang for everyone to go to the assembly room. As they were walking, Liz could've sworn Peter was glaring. He immediately flipped over some boy from behind him. She was surprised. Is this part of his powers?

She looked at the boy who was flipped over, Peter seemed surprised. "Harry?!"

"Hey Pete, could've told me you took kung fu while I was away".

Peter helped his friend up, "What're you doing here?"

"I was homesick, couldn't focus back in Europe", he explained before walking into the assembly". Liz wanted to see Peter look jovial at his friend's return, but instead, she saw fear all over his face.

"Petey?" Liz asked as she put her hand on his shoulder. He snapped out of it. He just laughed it off.

"Oh, I just had a flashback of something".

Liz could tell that was a lie. He only looked spooked as he looked at Harry. Something was wrong and she just needed to be there for him.

At the assembly hall, Liz barely paid attention because of her concern, but she listened when a school play was mentioned. She always wanted to be an actress. But then she thought of Peter again. She placed her hand on top of his and held it firmly. He noticed and looked at her. She made sure to smile with support.

After school, Peter took Liz to his house. Liz just looked at the ground thoughtfully.

"So—"

"Did he do something to you?" Liz blurted, then mentally cursed to herself. She was making this awkward.

"...Uh? Who?" Peter asked confused.

"Harry! Did he hurt you?"

"No, he didn't".

Liz was unconvinced. "Peter, I'm asking because I want you to be safe".

"I can take care of myself".

"But you're afraid of Harry, I saw how you looked at him. If something is bothering you then talk to me about it. I refuse to stand by and watch the guy I love being abused. Let me in".

Peter gave a forced smile, "It was just a flashback".

"Peter, I want you to be okay. There's something I need to tell you". Liz gulped. I must tell him. I want to know how to be there for him.

"I—"

The sound of a car beeping cut her off, both teens turned to find a convertible vehicle stop by them. "Hey guys, thought I'd make us arrive in style". Peter whistled at the vehicle then went to open the back seat door, ushering Liz to get in. She wished Harry had given them more time but decided to get in. When everyone was seated Liz leaned on Peter.