The White Pallax (Peter Parker x Reader)

VI - Thanksgiving with a side of joy

Knock knock.

You bounce on the balls of your feet. No one answers the door.

Knock knock.

You're pounding now, in sync to the loud music on the other side. What are they having a rager? Christ.

Finally, finally, Michelle answers the door. "Hey loser. Thought you weren't coming."

You beam. "Well I'm here now! Hope the festivities haven't ended?"

"Haven't even had dinner yet!"

You pump your fists in the air. "Great! I'm starving."

Michelle steps aside to allow you entry into Peter's apartment. Ned is on the couch playing Mario Kart, the other player's side still. You assume that was Michelle's spot. How nice of her to take a break to let you in. But from the looks of it, she's kicking his ass so you hardly think it matters.

Peter's back is to you. He's in the kitchen, dancing to the blaring music, singing along into a wooden spoon. Apparently, he's cooking dinner. You're not sure whether to be worried or not. You'll give him the benefit of the doubt. But you've seen his Home Ec grade.

You set your backpack down. As you watch him blindly dance around and stir the gravy, a joyous smile brightens your face. Light on your feet, you dance around behind him. When he doesn't notice you, you take the opportunity to wrap your arms around him. Startled, he jumps. In defense, he brandishes the spoon, probably expecting Michelle or Ned. But when he sees it's you his eyes light up.

"Y/N!" He exclaims, enveloping you in a hug. "I thought you weren't coming."

"I managed to slip away from my uncle and all the bodyguards." You smile even wider. "Just to hang out with my loser friends."

He chuckles, but raises an eyebrow. "Bodyguards? Did something happen?"

You bite your lip. Shit. You hadn't meant to say that. "It's nothing, really. Please don't worry about it."

Peter furrows his eyebrows. You're well aware that he knows you well enough to know when you're lying. Thankfully, Ned interrupts, saving you from that conversation. Apparently he had lost in Mario Kart. Monumentally.

"Hey!" Ned hugs you so briefly, you don't even get a chance to return it. Which is just how he is. Baffled you at first, but you've gotten used to it. "I totally have a question for you!"

"Shoot!"

"Is your uncle Tony Stark?"

Your mouth falls open. That goddamn video call! You figured you had to tell them eventually. But this was sooner than you wanted. You try to talk your way out of it. "No, of course not. If that were true, I feel like I would be more egotistical and living like a king, dontcha think?"

Ned scrunches his face in confusion, as if he's trying to decide whether to believe you or not. Eventually he nods. "Yeah you're right."

You are? How in the holy hell did that work? You always thought you were a good liar, but not that good. Even Peter seems a little convinced, though not nearly as much so as Ned.

A timer beeping keeps you from dwelling on it. Smoke billows up from the stove. You and Peter rush to turn off the heat and put the food on the island counter. It's mostly burnt. No surprise there. Together, you serve up the overcooked mashed potatoes and gravy along with a bowl of stuffing and dinner rolls. There is no turkey. None of you knew how to carve one, and May had insisted on staying out of your fun.

Peter turns down the music and the four of you take seats at the table. You chat into the long hours of the night, until you're stuffed beyond belief and filled to the brim with joy. This. This is the happiest you've been in a long time. But all good things come to an end. Ned and Michelle left. On her way out, she winks at you. And Ned gives Peter a thumbs up. Despite your efforts not to, your face flushes.