Lovebug ── PETER PARKER¹

16. Fight Night

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          There was something about seeing a person in their most vulnerable state that changed your perspective of them. When Peter Parker held Luna Giraldo's shaking hand in his own, he knew there was no way he would be able to sit across from her and read biology terms like nothing happened that afternoon. It simply wasn't possible. He had to stop himself from blurting out what he knew and just wrapping her in his arms, muttering promises of revenge that he most likely wouldn't be able to keep.

         So he did the second best thing. He held her hand as he walked her home, before bidding her goodbye with a tight hug and a frown. The pair both thought it was weird, but neither said anything about the display of affection, appreciating it while it lasted.

          "I thought you were studying today?" Andrew Giraldo questioned before Luna even got the chance to shut the door, leading her to assume he was most likely watching from the window. He stepped out of the kitchen with an apron tied around him, frowning at his younger sister. "I was ready to play the housewife role and bring cookies mid-makeout sesh."

          The girl couldn't help but cringe at the sentence spoken, shaking her head in embarrassment. For once, she was thankful she wasn't able to spend time with Peter. "Change of plans," she muttered, dropping her bag on the counter before proceeding to the previously mentioned cookies. Andrew stared at her expectantly, gesturing with his hand for her to elaborate. She bit into the cookie, immediately spitting it out with a face of disgust. "Is that almonds?"

          "I planned on killing the mood," Andrew shrugged, snatching the cookie from the girl's hand and biting into it. "Now tell me."

          Luna hesitated for a moment, deciding if she wanted to share her feelings with her brother. He acted on instinct much like she did, meaning he wouldn't have a second thought about storming over to the bar and starting a fight with the man who laid a hand on his sister. As much as she would appreciate it, she didn't need to drag another person down in her ditch of hopelessness. Thankfully, a distraction arose as the door was thrown open, Diana Giraldo practically sliding into the room.

         "I got a promotion!" She yelled out, throwing her arms in the air, Luna's problems disregarded as the three siblings celebrated.

          Peter kept his hands in his pockets as he walked back towards the train, his eyes focused on his surroundings. Not even the headphones in his ears could distract him from the sight of men piling into the bar. It was barely four o'clock on a Wednesday, yet the bar was full like it was happy hour on a Saturday.

          His curiousity got the best of him, causing him to slow down, his gaze focused on the lively bar. As his fingers fiddled with a loose thread in his pocket, his eyes searched for some sort of promotion posted on the window to provide a reasoning for such a rush of people. He frowned when he found none, only getting odd looks from bored looking older men. Not satisfied, he stepped back with a sigh, scanning the premises once more.