MAGIC TRICKS [PETER PARKER]

TWENTY-EIGHT

THE TITLE OF AVENGERS MIGHT HAVE BEEN A BIT TOO MUCH FOR PETER.

Because of their recent dubbing, he was ecstatic, but his ego was considerably inflated now, and there was no going back from that. Nadia should've been in the same place, but fear and regret still overwhelmed her; she had a bad feeling and couldn't shake it.

Stark and Strange has parted ways, stalking off to different ends of the room, and Peter and Nadia sat with their legs dangling from the platform, staring at the stars as they zoomed past. They sat several inches apart, which was quite unusual, so Nadia spoke up.

"I'm sorry... For yelling at you earlier," she apologized. Peter lifted an eyebrow, looking at her like nothing was wrong. "It's fine, Nads, I wasn't upset..."

"I know, I'm just... I'm scared," she blurted suddenly. Peter shifted his body to face her, frowning concernedly. "Of what?"

Nadia purses her lips. "Besides the obvious..." She gestured around the alien space ship. "I have a bad feeling. I'm worried about Stephen, and Stark, a-and you."

Peter slid his hands over hers. "You're worried?"

"Yeah..." She nibbled at her lip, slightly embarrassed. "Well don't be, okay?" he said in response, offering up that famous Peter Parker smile. "I know I'm only 17, but I can take care of myself pretty well."

Nadia laughed quietly, shaking her head. "I know you can, but you're my best friend and my boyfriend, so I kind of have the right to be worried."

Peter squeezed her hands, giving another dazzling grin. Nadia swooned; he really looked like a Disney prince. "You're right, but I'm not worried, because I know it's going to be fine. You're going to be fine, Mr. Stark is gonna be fine, your wizard friend is going to be fine, me and you- we're going to be fine."

Nadia tried to smile. "I know," she murmured, and Peter shrugged her into his side, kissing her forehead gently. "Good."

They sat like that for a moment, just enjoying each other's presence. Nadia's thoughts were swirling; she had told him she loved him, and he didn't say it back. How could he not say it back? Nadia understood the way she said it was so casual that perhaps he didn't feel the need to say it back. And they had been interrupted, that was also true. But how come she still felt uneasy? Did Peter love her? Did she want to know if he didn't?

She decided to wait until all this Thanos stuff blew over to talk to him. For now, nothing has changed, she told herself. They were close to the destination programmed into the ship. Wait until there's more time.