Rising From the Ashes • COMPLETED ✓

30.) Doubt: Peter Parker

PETER PARKER - SPIDER-MAN

July 16th, 2017, Wakanda

"I am so so so so so sorry, Peter Benjamin Parker," Shuri's hands cover her face as she apologizes for about the millionth time.

"It's okay, Princess." I smirk and give the hospital mattress a few good smacks. "This bed is almost more comfortable than the one in my room. I'm healed, you're healed. We're both alive."

At this, she manages to crack a smile. Her fingers are no longer digging into her forehead. "I guess." Then, just as quickly as it came, the happiness from her face dissipates. "But it's still my fault. I made a mistake, an error. What if..." The fear in Shuri's gaze grows. "What if I messed up on other things? Like Bucky?" Just like that, her hands are planted back on the bridge of her nose and scrunched-up eyes. From across the room lies Mr. Barnes' bed, which is now empty. I think of yesterday, when Mr. Rogers and Mr. Barnes were reunited. Then I turn towards my friend.

"Shuri, it was extremely odd and awkward for me to be a part of such an emotional and private event. However, seeing Steve and Bucky be around each other brought tears to my eyes. Anybody could see what they have is love." I meet eyes with the princess, making sure that my gaze is burning into hers. "And anybody could also see that you did an amazing job. If it weren't for you, Mr. Barnes wouldn't be where he is today, or Mr. Rogers."

The classic grin I've grown familiar with is back on her face. "Thank you, Peter."

"It's no problem. You really need to stop doubting yourself." She nods and gives me a half hug, avoiding the area on my upper body where I severely bruised two of my ribs and also hit my shoulder on a rock. "Plus, it's kind of my fault. I did a lot of reckless things in that courtyard."

"We all did."

I nudge her shoulder, trying my best to bring her spirits up. "At least your brother won't bring me back from the dead, sue me, throw me in jail, and then kill me again."

At Shuri's laugh, I can tell my tactics worked. "At least. T'Challa would do much more than that if I had gotten another scratch on my face."

My brow furrows. "Wait, how did your brother take this whole," I wave my hands around, "situation? I haven't exactly been conscious enough to see his reaction."

"He's oddly very forgiving towards you. I wasn't hurt at all, and I think T'Challa understands that you wouldn't hurt me."

I nod, "I would never intentionally harm you. Ever. You're like my crazy little sister. If anyone ever lays a finger against Shuri Udaku, they'd be trapped in a web cocoon almost instantly."

"I'm flattered, Peter, but how do you know my last name?"

"Hello? I snooped around your lab a few days ago."

"Of course you did," Shuri rolls her eyes. She chuckles again—however, even with all her laughter and smiling—I can still see the guilt and pain behind her facade. It's a familiar look.

Patting my hospital bed, I shift over so there's room on the mattress. "Join me, princess. I'll cheer you up."

"And how do you plan to do that?"

"By telling you stories of when I totally and completely failed at being a functional human being, duh." With a smirk, she takes a seat next to me. I try to sit up and lean against the headboard, but my arms give way underneath.

"Take it easy, Parker. You're not fully recovered from the side effects of blood loss, head trauma, a severe concussion, or the sedatives we gave you." Shuri pushes my shoulders and supports my back, acting like a full-on nurse. Once I have a pillow cushioning my spine and I can talk to Shuri and meet her gaze, I smirk.

"Thanks, mom."

"No worries, son. Now tell me stories about yourself that will make me extremely disappointed in you."

"You got it," I smile. Thinking about the time when I accidentally dropped the Lego Death Star that Ned and I had rebuilt for the fifth time, I open my mouth to start.

A short and sweet chapter before things start to get super heavy and real.

Get ready, kids.

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