TELEKINETIC │ p.p

Chapter Sixteen

Vanessa removed her tank top, as per the request of an unmasked Spider-Man, and allowed him to see what the hell was engraved on her back. "Holy shit," he mumbled. "Does it hurt?"

"What is it?" Vanessa questioned, ignoring every question he asked about her wellbeing.

"It- It's a spider," he stuttered. He grabbed a piece of paper towel and dampened it with peroxide, applying it lightly to the several cuts. Vanessa inhaled sharply, squeezing the back of the chair with her hands and pushing her body into the metal between them. "I'm sorry," he spoke softly, finishing up his tender cleanup job. "You're all bandaged up," he announces, falling back onto the couch.

"Thanks," Vanessa mumbled, standing from the chair and walking up to her room to get into a change of clothes and prepare for bed. Peter went to change into his normal clothes after a minute of her departure. When Vanessa returned to the living room, all was quiet. The TV was at a hushed level, and Peter was sat on the couch, fiddling with his fingers. "What's this?" Vanessa questioned as she held up a tiny metal spider between her forefinger and thumb. Peter looked up, his eyes opening more. He jumps up and collects it from her, explaining the situation. "You're lucky that it also saved my life," she lightly chuckles. Peter nods in agreement, carrying it to the coffee table and setting it down gently.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered, turning to look at Vanessa. She raised her eyebrows, stepping beside him to sit on the couch, inviting him to sit beside her. "I knew this would happen as soon as-"

"Peter," she interjected, a smile forming across her face. She gazed at him, asking him to return his eyes to hers. "You caught your guy."

"One of them," he frowned, leaning back into the sofa and throwing a hand over his forehead, "and almost lost you in the process."

"But you finally got him," she spoke, trying her best to be optimistic. She didn't want Peter to feel bad about her capture at all. "So what if it was only one guy? He seemed to be the most ballsy one." Peter gave a small chuckle, a weak smile showing. "I'm proud of you."

Peter gazed into her eyes, feeling his heart melt on the spot. "I'm not." His brown eyes were downcast, and Vanessa realized he would never see tonight as a plus, in any way.

"Peter, I'm fine," she spoke softly. When he didn't respond but continued to mope, she grabbed his head and brought his ear to her chest. "Hear that?" she questioned. Peter shrugged, not knowing what she was getting at. "My heart's still beating." Peter's eyes did light up at this. "You're the reason for that."

"But your back-"

"It'll heal, and hopefully not scar," she teased.

"And your cheek-"

"- will also heal." She held a gentle, warm grin as she saw the light shine through Peter's body. "You're a hero, Peter." He shrugged, mumbling that he wasn't so sure on that. "Well, you're my hero." Vanessa leaned into his chest, tucking her head under his chin, and wrapping her arms around his waist. He smiled, feeling content with her embrace, and hugged her back.

"Sorry to break up the moment here," Tony shouted, causing both kids to jump back and blush, "but Vanessa needs to rest."

"Of course," Peter spoke with a gentle smile. He stood, about to make his way out, when Vanessa stood and pecked his cheek.

"Thank you, Peter," she whispered, walking off to her room.

"Goodnight, kid," Tony smiled, patting Peter's back before he walked him out.

- - - - -

"You feeling up to go to school today?" Tony questioned, hoping she'd want to stay in bed.

"Yeah, actually," she spoke, the sun a reflection of her mood. She sat up in her bed, stretched, and removed the sheets before walking to her closet to change, then to her bathroom to get ready.

As she strolled up to the meeting spot, Ned's mouth dropped and he nudged Peter, who had his earbuds in and was facing the opposite direction of Vanessa. He pulled an earbud out and nudged him back harder.

"No, look," Ned murmured. Peter turned his head, then his whole body once his eyes caught sight of Vanessa. He ran up to her, asking what the hell she was doing out of the house so soon.

"You're not getting rid of me so easily," she teased, earning a chuckle from Ned.

"Hell yes," Ned chanted, earning a high five from Vanessa. "Bad ass." Meanwhile, Peter felt uneasy with the situation, wondering how long she'd last today before a mental breakdown sparked due to the kidnapping.

"Maybe she hasn't fully processed it all yet," Ned spoke at lunch while the two waited for Vanessa and Kate to appear with their trays.

"That's dangerous, Ned," Peter whispered. "If she hasn't processed it by now, she could during class and could have a panic attack or something."

"Don't be such a worry bug," Ned replied. "Just support her and be there for her when she realizes what happened to her last night."

"You're right," Peter sighs, picking at his food with his fork. Vanessa sat in front of Peter, Kate in front of Ned and beside Vanessa.

"You okay?" Vanessa questioned toward Peter, realizing how out of it he seemed. Peter almost belt out a laugh, adding a comment on the irony. But he kept that to himself and just nodded, forcing a smile. Vanessa didn't buy it, but didn't want to prod him for a truthful answer.

They ate lunch and returned to class, Peter happy Vanessa had made it nearly the whole day without freaking out over last night's events. But oh boy did he think too soon.

Ned began to text him crazily during last period, with five minutes of the school day remaining. Peter noticed the last text and immediately bolted out of class with his backpack in hand.

Ned: Girl's bathroom. Now.

He sprinted down the hall and made a screeching turn, finding Ned stood outside of the lady's restroom.

"She's in there?" Peter questioned.

"Yes, and she won't come out," Ned responded.

"Have you tried going in?" Peter questioned. Ned shook his head. "You're really gonna let the fact that this is the women's bathroom and we're not women block you from making sure Vanessa's okay?" Peter interrogated, bursting into the bathroom, shouting a warning to any visitors that may be in there.

He followed the heavy breathing, attempting to push open the stall door, but failing, as Vanessa had locked it.

"Nessa, it's me," Peter spoke softly. "Are you okay?"

"No," she spoke, her voice shaking.

"Can I come in?" Peter asked.

"No," Vanessa repeated, her voice the same pitch.

"Please, Nessa," Peter whispered. The lock slid back and Peter carefully opened the door, doing his best to avoid the risk of giving Vanessa a concussion. He sat beside her and scooped her up in his arms, rocking them a bit. "You're okay, I promise."

"You said you wouldn't let a thing hurt me," she whimpered, the tears beginning to spill, "ever." Her sobs broke free and Peter couldn't help but feel like he was drowning. He was near a breakdown himself, knowing a part of her despised him for making a promise he couldn't keep.

"I'm so sorry, Nessa," he whispered into her hair, holding her tighter, and pressing a ginger kiss to her temple.