Timshel

xiii - We All Fall Down

warnings: brainwashing, mind control, manipulation, graphic depictions of violence and murder, angst

***

You change back into your dress in an alley before you slip into the hotel, hoping you don't smell much like burning metal and ashes.

You are about to slip into your room when MJ stops you.

"Hey, I know you and Peter were sick, but we went to knock on your door after the opera and you weren't there."

"Oh, hi MJ," you nod weakly, following her into her room. Betty is sitting on her bed.

"You and Peter snuck off to the carnival didn't you?" Betty asks.

You nod, sitting down next to Betty. The bed is huge, a king size, MJ sits next to you. You shift uncomfortably as Betty's eyes trailed up the scars along your forearm.

"Are you okay? Did you see the fire monster?" Betty asks.

You decide to play dumb, "what fire monster?"

"It was all over the news! Ned and I were on the Ferris Wheel and Mysterio and Night Monkey saved us, well actually it was a girl that saved us, or woman, they were all fighting this huge monster!"

"Oh wow, I had no idea, we just went to the carnival then walked around for a little bit."

"Did you tell him?"

"Tell him what?" You ask, playing with your fingers, you scrap some ash out from under them. MJ notices but doesn't say anything.

"That you like him!"

"No, I uh, I never got the chance," you shrug.

'Tell them you're sick, then sneak out the window, meet me at the alley by the Ferris wheel,' Nadia demands.

"Hey, MJ, Betty, I think I need to lay down, I don't feel too good," you clutch your stomach and begin to leave MJ's room.

"Feel better! Let me know if you need any medicine!" Betty says.

MJ follows you to the door and rests her hand on your shoulder, "are you sure you're okay?" She asks and you nod.

"I will be."

You go to your room and lock the door, feeling grateful you don't m have to share a room with anyone. Even if you were planning on sleeping in Peter's room earlier that day, the events from tonight made it so you are scared to even look at him. You sit down on the bed for a moment. You know what Nadia was going to do. She is disappointed in you. And you know how she handles her disappointment.

***

Peter is sitting with Beck in a bar, drinking apple juice as Beck enjoys a glass of whiskey. Quentin pats Peter's shoulder, "you should look at least a little happier, we did something great tonight."

"Yeah, Fury was right, Tony did a lot for me."

Quentin nods, "uhuh."

"But I can't help but think about what he did to y/n."

"What do you mean?" Quentin tilts his head to the side and Peter lightly hits his fist against the bar.

"He designed the nanochip in her neck, and she's killed people because of it. She has these scars, and she doesn't remember a lot of what happened to her before we saved her. But she has horrible nightmares. I can't help but wonder why Mr. Stark would ever do anything like that."

"You know Peter, Mr. Stark did that how many years ago?"

"Well, in 2001."

"Right, how much has he changed since then? He led a team of heroes, he saved the world right? He helped you become an Avenger."