It Started With A Mission (Peter Parker Fanfiction)

Chapter 16

Walking back outside to the cold was not that comforting. From homey Karen's Cafe to the busy streets of Midtown, felt strange. It was like Karen's wasn't really part of Midtown. It was like some small town cafe whisking away all the cares in the world.

Peter offered to carry her textbook, but Riley declined. The walk to Peter's felt longer and definitely colder. But, it was okay because she stuck her hands into the sleeves of her jacket to keep herself warm. "So, Peter," Riley started. "What's been going on with you lately?" 

"Honestly, nothing really. I mean I've gone out a few times to Ned's house and we had a fun time but other than that nothing really," Peter said, all of his words jumbling together in a poorly conducted sentence. "How about you?"

"Well, my dad has had me training a lot now since that Electra has been around," Riley said, then mentally slapping herself in the face. "You know, self-defense training. How has the internship been going for you?" She asked Peter, changing the subject. 

Peter wondered how good she would be in a fight. As long as she could keep herself safe, she would be okay. Right? Little did he know..."Oh, um, it's good I guess. Same old, same old."

Riley but her lip and said, "Anastasia told me today. That what she said at the party was true and I know right now, isn't the place to talk about it, but I feel like I should just say something. Can we please talk about it when we get back to your place? Because I also have something to tell you."

Peter knew this wasn't going to end well, so he just replied, "Yeah." Now he was wondering what she wanted to tell him.  Was she going to reveal her feelings? Tell him she was going to tell everyone about his identity? Say her and Dean never broke up?

Riley wondered how long until they got back. They walked in silence before reaching their apartment.

Peter was going to grab his keys to the apartment when he knocked out one of his pens, which fell on the pavement. Both reaching down, Riley and Peter touched hands at the same time. It was a stupid cliché movie moment, but neither of them cared to notice.

"S-sorry," Peter said, sheepishly, his already rosy face getting even rosier with embarrassment. 

"It's okay, I got it," Riley said, grabbing his pen. When he went to stand up again, more things fell out of his backpack. 

Riley laughed lightly, reaching down to pick up an eraser, a folded note that she didn't take the time to look at, and another pen. She put the things back in his backpack and zipped it up as they walked inside and up the stairs.

Opening up his door, Riley took notice that his place was nicer than usual. Maybe because he knew he was having company this time. She dropped her bag off at the door and took off her coat, not really sure where to put it. Peter went over to her, after putting his bag on one of the chairs in the kitchen. "I can take that for you," Peter said, gently taking it from her and putting it on the hanger. 

"Thank you," Riley said, rubbing her hands together to try to warm them up more. For some reason, Riley had been awfully cold for the past few days. She would sleep with multiple blankets at a time and mentally scolded herself for not dressing warm enough today.

They went to go sit on the couch. They sat in silence for a few moments and Peter finally spoke up. "Does your dad know that you know?"

"No.  But I think I'm going to tell him. Does Aunt May know?" Riley asked, looking over at him.

Peter shook his head, "No. She'd kill me."

"Um, Peter. Listen, I'm really sorry about this. If I never said anything today about it, I would have never known and we wouldn't have to sit here in awkward silence. When did you tell Anastasia about you know?"

"It's not your fault, Riley," Peter said, biting his lip. "And I didn't. She found out herself. She found out I was hiding a secret and she wanted to get to the bottom of it." 

"Oh," Riley said. "Would you ever consider telling me?"

Peter thought before answering. "Maybe, I mean you're so smart you'd probably figure it out anyway. You know, I'm really surprised your dad never said anything about it, though."

Riley nodded. She debated whether or not to tell him about her identity, but decided that she should keep it a secret for now. 

"What did you want to tell me?" Peter asked her.

"Oh, um, I don't really remember," she said, lying. She decided telling her identity would not be the best idea. She also decided to not tell him how she knew about his massive crush on her. Everything made sense now. 

Peter smiled at her. "So, what do you wanna do? I have cookies we could make if you want." At least they got that talk over with.  

"Sure," Riley said, smiling. As they got the stuff they needed out, Riley reached up for the top shelf to get the mixing bowl, but because of her height, she couldn't reach it. Luckily, Peter came over to the rescue. He reached up and grabbed it effortlessly and Riley said, "Thanks."

They made the cookies quickly and while cleaning up some leftover flour spilled on the floor, and some even ended up on Peter's shirt. "Oh crap," Riley said. She went to the sink and got a wet paper towel and wiped Peter's shirt lightly. Riley bit her lip, realizing the awkward position they were in. She looked up at him and bit her lip, not really knowing what to do. 

"S-sorry, I didn't mean to..." Riley said, backing away from him, going to the trash to throw out the paper towel.

"I-it's okay," Peter said, his face redder than normal. The air suddenly felt so thick you could cut it with a knife. 

While they were waiting, Peter turned on the TV and the news came on showing Electra and her allies fighting the Avengers. Riley looked over and said, "Crap, are you supposed to be there?"

"I-I don't know," Peter said grabbing his phone checking his texts. One from Tony that said to stay with Riley and make sure she was safe, but he wasn't going to tell her that.

"Your dad never texted me and given the way they made me leave last time I'd assume they'd want me safe," Peter said. Peter was happy he didn't have to go. The last thing he wanted to do now was to leave her.

"Okay," Riley said. "What's it like, fighting with them?"

Peter smiled a little. "Well, it certainly gives me an adrenaline rush. But, sometimes when I get hurt it isn't fun."

"Yeah, I'd bet," Riley said. "It's really selfless what you guys do. You use your abilities to help people in need and I really admire that. 

"Thanks, that means a lot to me," Peter said, smiling. 

"If only we could understand what she was going through, so maybe she could stop," Riley said, pondering. "What does she even do with the portal?"

"Well, I think is sending people to another dimension and possibly when she brings them back they become her servants or something," Peter said, thinking about a possible solution.

"Really? How is that even possible?" Riley asked, furrowing her brows.

"I don't know, it's just a thought, but anything is possible in this universe," Peter said, shrugging, returning his gaze to the television. Then, the timer for the cookies went off.