Peter Parker & Tom Holland Imagines

armor heart pt.2

My head is throbbing from the moment we enter. Everywhere I look is another magicae with some kind of glamor charm and trying to manipulate one another into laughing louder, agreeing with, or complimenting them. It almost makes me turn around and leave.

Tom seems to sense it as he smiles apologetically at me. "Trust me, I don't want to be here either, but duty calls." He pauses for a moment, his voice and features soft as he says, "You look beautiful, by the way."

"I'm pretty sure you're only saying that because it's the first time you've seen me in a dress instead of armor." I tease and follow his lead around the edge of the ballroom. Tom stays silent as the blood creeps up his neck and cheeks. "And judging by the many shades of pink you are right now, I suppose I'm right."

Tom opens his mouth to say something, but he doesn't get the chance to as a woman around our age in a glimmering red gown approaches with a snake-like smile. "Tommy, I'm so glad to see you here." She cheers before noticing my arm linked through his and realizing what I am. "And I see you brought a pet."

"Actually, Nimera, she's my guest for the event." Tom replies with a diplomatic smile, but there's no warmth in it like usual. "This is Xenia."

Nimera offers me only a glare a a snarky, "Aren't you going to say it's a pleasure to meet me?"

"I prefer not to lie."

She huffs and seethes, "Well, at least, I'm not a filthy, soulless folamh." I keep my expression neutral as she turns to Tom, but that changes as soon as she reaches for his arms. It all happens on instinct as I hit on the pressure point in her hand and hold her arm. "Get your hands off of me!"

"Not until you agree to keep yours to yourself."

"Fine. Now let go." She screeches and runs away with a nasty glare over her shoulder the moment I do.

"Before you ask, no."

"'No' what?" Tom questions as I return to my spot and continue to survey the room. "I didn't say anything."

"It wasn't because of what she said. She moved towards you, and I reacted on instinct as if it was a threat." I tell him quite to avoid drawing any more attention. "I apologize if I overreacted, but I assure you, neither she or anyone else can call me a name I haven't heard before."

"I'm sorry." He whispers softly. I simply nod and pretend to not notice the way his hand brushes my own. "And no need to apologize, she's always been unbearable."

"At least you get to see her with the glamor charms. I don't think this room is half as pretty as it must be to you."

"I don't think anything could make it pretty with everything I know about these people." Tom whispers conspiratorially. "For example, do you see that guy? He's got about fifteen cats at home, and every one of them has rabies"

I give him a disbelieving look and shake my head as I continue to monitor the room.

"I'm serious. If you don't believe me, go ask about his cats." Tom tells me with a teasing grin, and it starts the next round of the game Tom's been playing to make me laugh of even smile. He points out people to me and tells me the wildest stories about them, which I don't know if they're true or not.

"That girl over there has been trying to get me to marry her for past five years."

"I'll believe it when I see it."

"Well, she just wants my money. Has nothing to do with my charm or dashing good looks." I can't help the scoffing laugh that escapes me before I can think better of it. My hand immediately clamps over my mouth, and I resume my neutral expression pretending it never happened. "I'd be offended if I didn't just win."