𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐭 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤

Cheating Hearts

Parings → Peter Parker x Reader

Warnings → trying to cheat on exam, angst

Summary → You didn't had enough time to study for an exam, you try to get help from Peter, but he doesn't help.

          ｡･:*:･ﾟ★｡･:*:･ﾟ☆  ｡･:*:･ﾟ★

You sat two seats away from Peter, staring at your nearly blank exam paper. The minutes were ticking away, but your mind was racing with more panic than solutions. You’d answered a few questions, but definitely not enough to scrape a passing grade. If only you’d gotten time to study—but instead, you’d been out with Peter, battling bad guys as Spider-Man’s crime-fighting partner.

You glanced over at him. His hand was flying across his paper, writing with confidence, while you were completely stuck. There was only one thing left to do.

Carefully, you tapped into his mind.

"Hey, Peter. Can you help me, please?"

Almost immediately, you felt his mind push back. "Y/n, write your own paper. I told you not to get in my mind."

"I know, and I’ll never do it again, I promise. Please, can you help me a bit? Just so I can at least get a C." You pleaded desperately, your heart thudding in your chest.

"Get out of my mind, y/n," Peter said firmly, his voice sharp even inside your head.

"Please, Peter, just two questions. I swear I’ll never ask again."

You could practically hear Peter’s sigh as he scribbled on his paper. "You should’ve studied instead of being with me last night. Now get out of my mind," he snapped.

You winced and withdrew from his thoughts, your chest tightening with guilt. He was right—you should have studied. But you were trying to help him! You were both a team out there on the streets, and you didn’t regret fighting by his side, but now it felt like that decision was going to cost you everything.

The seconds ticked away, and when the examiner called time, you barely had anything written. Frustration welled up in your throat, and before you knew it, you were blinking away the sting of tears. You shoved your paper to the front and bolted out of the classroom, hoping no one saw how close you were to breaking down.

But, of course, Peter did.

“Hey, Y/n, how’d you do?” He called out as he jogged to catch up with you in the hallway.

You spun around, the tears finally slipping down your cheeks. “Like you don’t know?”

Peter’s face softened. “Oh, come on, Y/n. Don’t be mad. You know I don’t help anyone in exams, and it was cheating.”

His words only made your chest tighten more. “Just leave me alone, Peter.”

You turned to walk away, but Peter grabbed your wrist gently, stopping you. “Y/n... I didn’t mean to upset you. I just—”

“I needed your help, Peter!” You pulled your hand from his grip, voice trembling. “I know it was cheating, but I didn’t have time to study! I was with you all night fighting bad guys! You think I didn’t want to do well? You think I don’t care?”

Peter’s eyes widened at the crack in your voice. “Y/n, I’m sorry. I know it’s been tough with... everything. But I couldn’t help you with the test. That wouldn’t have been fair to you, either.”

You wiped your eyes angrily, stepping away. “It doesn’t matter now. I failed.”

“Y/n—” Peter reached for you, but you moved back, hugging your arms around yourself.

“Just go, Peter. Please.”

He stood there for a moment, looking torn, but then he sighed softly. “Okay. I’ll give you space.” He turned away, walking back down the hallway, and it wasn’t until you saw him go that the tears really started to fall.

---

It was a few hours later when you finally made it home, exhausted and emotionally drained. You threw yourself onto your bed, staring at the ceiling and wishing the day would just end already. But a soft knock at your window broke the silence.

You didn’t even need to look to know who it was.

“Y/n?” Peter’s voice was quiet, cautious. You rolled over and saw him perched on your windowsill, still in his Spider-Man suit.

“Go away, Peter,” you muttered, your voice hoarse from crying.

“I can’t do that,” he said softly, climbing in. He pulled off his mask, revealing his concerned face as he sat on the edge of your bed. “I’m really sorry.”

You didn’t say anything, just kept staring at the ceiling, arms crossed.

“I know you’re upset with me,” Peter continued. “And you have every right to be. But I’m not mad at you for asking for help. I just... didn’t want you to rely on me like that.”

You turned your head slightly to look at him, tears still prickling at your eyes. “I wasn’t trying to use you, Peter. I was desperate.”

“I know,” Peter said softly. “And I know I didn’t make things easier for you with all the crime-fighting stuff. I should’ve been more aware of how much you had on your plate.”

You sniffled, wiping at your nose. “It doesn’t matter. I failed, and now it’s all over.”

Peter shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. “It’s not over. It’s just one test, Y/n. You’ll bounce back. And next time, we’ll make sure you get plenty of time to study, okay?”

You didn’t respond, but your heart softened at his words.

“And, I... uh... I brought you something.” Peter pulled a crumpled chocolate bar out of his suit belt. “I know it’s not much, but I thought maybe it could cheer you up?”

You couldn’t help but let out a small laugh through your tears. “You carry chocolate in your suit?”

Peter shrugged, smiling sheepishly. “Hey, crime-fighting can make a guy hungry.”

You took the chocolate from his hand, feeling the tension ease just a little. “Thanks, Peter.”

“Anytime,” he said softly, reaching out to brush a stray tear from your cheek. “You’re gonna be okay, Y/n. I’m here for you, alright?”

You nodded, finally letting yourself lean into his warmth. He wrapped an arm around you, pulling you close as you rested your head on his shoulder. And for the first time that day, you didn’t feel like everything was falling apart.

‎∗ ࣪ ˖༺ 𓆩☆𓆪 ༻˖ ࣪ ∗