Spider-Man and the Red Dahlia

Chapter 6

'How long have you been superheroing now?' Natasha asks as we sit around a table with Steve, eating dinner.

     'Not that long ago.' I answer. 'I think six months or so?'

     'You know you can take off the wig now, right?' Steve tells me.

     I shrug. 'I like it. Plus, it looks better with the suit.'

     'Aren't the bangs annoying, though?' Natasha reaches over the table and strokes the bangs down so they fall in front of my eyes.

     'Not really.' I stroke them to the side so I can look at Natasha and Steve properly again. 'I don't even notice them, actually.'

     I look to the side and see a familiar face walk down the hall. 'Peter?' I say surprised, not meaning to actually say it out loud.

     Natasha and Steve both turn their heads and Peter walks into the room. He didn't have to work tonight. He asked me out for tonight. That means he was free. He's so dedicated to his work, it's cute.

     'I'm sorry, you're Peter Parker, right? The intern?' I ask, standing up and shaking his hand.

     'Yeah.' He says confused. 'Do you guys need anything?'

     I look to Natasha and Steve, but they shake their heads. 'We're good.' Steve says and Peter continues on his way. I sigh and sit back down.

     'Sorry, I, uh... I didn't think he'd be here tonight.'

     'You know Parker?' Natasha asks.

     'Yeah, we're classmates.' I answer. 'And we may or may not be going on a date tomorrow.'

     'Oh, so you have a little crush on Parker.' Steve laughs, making me blush.

     'But he doesn't know that you're-'

     I shake my head. 'No.'

     'Are you going to tell him?' Steve asks.

     'Maybe. I don't know.'

     'Well, there's enough time for that.' Natasha says.

     'Enough time for what?' Stark walks into the room and sits down with us. 'You know you're allowed to take off the wig, right? No one here's going to blabber about your identity.'

     'Mal has a crush on Peter.' Steve answers.

     Stark chuckles. 'And you're going to the movies tomorrow. Yeah, he told me.' I almost choke on my food and start coughing loudly. Peter told Mr. Stark about me? 'He's really nervous about it, so be nice to him.'

     'Sounds like someone likes you back.' Natasha has a smirk on her face. 'I have to say, you two are perfect for each other.'

     'You're messing with me, right?' I ask Stark.

     'No, I'm not. But have you decided yet?'

     'Tony.' Steve says warningly.

     'Yes.' They all look at me expectantly, waiting for the answer that I just gave. 'Yes.'

     Stark smiles. 'Great. You'll have your own room here, conveniently there's one free next door to your new best friend Spider-Man. We'll have it ready by tomorrow.' He stands up again and leaves the room.

     'Congratulations.' Steve says. 'I'm happy you're with us.'

     'Ah, I'm so excited!' I squeal, dropping the tough act.