"Peter, just get in the car already" Emma sighed with exasperation at her nervous looking boyfriend, who is taking his sweet time in doing as she says.
"A-are you sure?" Peter mutters with uncertainty while carrying both their backpacks in one hand "My clothes are still all wet and dirty, I don't want to-".
"Peter, darling, my clothes are dirty too" Emma says as she opens her arms to be 'more' visible, showing how dirty her clothes got thanks to the hugs they both shared repeatedly "And don't you dare suggest we go by subway".
"No, no, of course not" Peter agreed with her on that last part, knowing she doesn't want to be around people right now "… I could swing you there? You like it when we do that".
"…" Emma actually considered Peter's suggestion, recalling the many times he's indulged her with that particular thrill, but she shook her head and held her stomach in her hands after that "Unless you want me to puke all over you and whichever pedestrian we go over, we can't. I'm really… feeling unwell".
"R-right. Yeah, okay, your car it is" Peter replied sheepishly while mentally scolding himself for not realizing how bad of an idea that would be on this particular day for her.
Emma nodded with an embarrassed blush, but she still managed to murmur while Peter got the door for her and she stepped into it first "But… promise me we will do it another day, okay?"
"We can do it any day you want, as many times as you wish, princess" Peter answered with an almost theatrical tone while bowing slightly, with his left arm in front of his stomach and the right one on his back making Emma snicker a laugh "I promise".
"Get in here, you" Emma fondly rolled her eyes as she grabbed Peter's arm and pulled him into the car, making him chuckle slightly as well while throwing their backpacks behind the driver's seat.
"Oh, uh, good morning?" Once settled into the seat behind the co-pilot, Peter looked forward and saw the chauffeur with an empty look, not really acknowledging anything but the road in front of him. Which was weird since the car is still parked "He won't tell your dad that I'm here, right?"
"He can't hear or see you actually" Emma answered for the man behind the wheel with some uncertainty, not really sure of how Peter is going to react to what she's saying "I have him in a pleasant like dream state. That way he believes he's taking me to wherever my father tells him to, he takes me wherever I want, and he spends his day dreaming of whatever pleasantry he wants to".
"…huh" Peter muttered as he looked at the man with an expression that Emma couldn't quite decipher. His whole face was serious, with the sole exception of his eyes being widened just slightly more than they should have been.
"Is there something wrong with that?" Emma asks with a raised eyebrow and a poker face, but relaxed immediately when Peter settled down on his seat and huffed with entertainment.
"Nah, I was just thinking of how amazing your powers are" he said easily with a smile as he looked at her "I can't help but be impressed each time I think about them, actually".
Her powers are somewhat tricky for him to judge based on the morals he's been living by so far. Is it kinda messed up to put a man into a trance like state to order him around? Most definitely. But he doesn't seem to be in any type of pain whatsoever, and he knows Emma, and if she says she has him on a pleasant dream, why doubt her?
And Peter still could make a case as to how this is something bad, but then he always starts wondering: if he had Emma's powers, what exactly would he do with them?
He likes to believe he would still be a hero, though his name and suit would definitely change drastically. But in fights, when having to make a quick exit, when lying to his loved ones as to where he ran off to - what would he do then?
Wouldn't he do exactly what Emma does? Wouldn't he mentally convince just about everyone that he is not someone suspicious? Wouldn't he abuse his power? He already does as he is, so, if the nature of his power were to be that of Emma's, wouldn't his nature also change to resemble hers?
Thinking about it, Peter's double life would be way, way, WAY easier if he had telepathy as an additional ability… perhaps that's why it's good he doesn't have it.
"You? Impressed by my powers?" Emma questioned with a sense of pride swelling at her chest. It's basically impossible for her to receive any compliments for her powers, given how no one besides Chat and Peter know about them.
And Chat doesn't really praise her powers, just like Emma doesn't praise hers. Because… Why would they? It's normal for them - it's their nature. And of course, they thank each other when their powers are used for something to their benefit, but it's more acknowledging the action rather than the power itself.
But it's still something she is proud of - something she wants to be proud of despite what society might tell her. And hearing someone like Peter say how incredible that 'hidden' aspect for her is, does make her heart flutter pridefully and lovingly.
And now that she is finally away from everyone else but Peter, in the safety of 'her' brand new Rolls-Royce that both she and her mother helped nag out of her father - with a little mental help of course - in route to Peter's house, she can feel herself starting to feel at ease once again.
"Duh?" Peter says with a small chuckle as the car begins moving without Emma's voiced command, while she settles into a more comfortable position with her back pressed onto his side "Is it weird to hear someone say how incredible your honest-to-god abilities are?"
"From you? 'Mr. Super-agile-strength'?" Emma asks in a fond-sarcastic voice with a raised eyebrow to hide how giddy she feels; which is hard to do as she feels Peter's left arm snake around her waist in a ticklish way.
Both teens move instinctively to be in the most comfortable position, which ends with Peter reclined on the right door and his left leg loosely behind the driver's seat and his right one firmly on the floor - while Emma ends up securely tucked in Peter's chest, with both her legs on top of the car's seat and with his arms hugging her exposed midriff. One of his wrists resting above the other while she plays absentmindedly with his hands.
"Sure, I can pick up a truck over my head and dodge bullets" Peter nods in a 'wise' manner while Emma looks over her shoulder to him with an amused smile. He meets her eyes and starts speaking with more excitement "But your powers are so unique and interesting! I punch hard, big deal. You can do so many more things that it's actually crazy!"
"Hmm… I don't know" Emma muttered teasingly as she looked away from Peter to avoid him seeing her blush while her body turned more into him "Sounds almost patronizing coming from you".
" 'Patronizing'!?" Peter gasped with mock offence at the word used, making Emma hold in another laugh "I could never be patronizing to you! I mean, sure, my wall crawling is pretty cool-".
"Eehh…" Emma muttered teasingly while raising her hand to move it in a so-so gesture - one that Peter very much ignored. They both know it is pretty cool either way, and she is just playfully trying to get on his nerves.
"But I could never patronize this beautifully smart and powerful person that I'm lucky to call my girlfriend!" Peter stated as he rubbed his face in Emma's neck playfully; prompting her to finally laugh while he held her even closer. Once he finished her muffled plea for him to stop, he asked "What can I do to show my princess that I wouldn't dare to do so~?"
*Giggle* "Flattery will get you everywhere, Mr. Parker~" Emma answered as she looked back over to Peter with a sly and playful smirk "But my forgiveness… I think that requires something a bit more physical~".
*H-hehe* Peter chuckled almost timidly at what both know she is suggesting to be a kiss. Despite having done so more than a hundred times these past five months - and more so in the last two weeks - he hasn't gotten used to it being something casual to him.
Which is something really endearing to Emma, because it makes even the tiniest romantic gesture between them as special as if they were in their first week dating.
"Well, if that's what it takes, then I-" Peter replied while trying to maintain his composure and playfulness, but he was quickly interrupted by Emma, who raised her right hand to grab Peter's nape and bring him down to her in a gentle but firm motion.
The kiss, as it is usual with them, starts sweet and gentle, with just their lips touching and moving ever so slightly as Emma's right hand combed Peter's hair while the fingers on her left hand traced Peter's arms in an enticing manner.
Similarly, Peter's both hands start tracing Emma's flat and perfectly toned belly, with his fingers barely touching her skin in a ticklish and weirdly electrifyingly pleasant way.
Due to it, it wasn't long before their kiss turned spicier; with both their tongues finding each other in a slow dance-like rhythm, accompanied only by the muffled sounds coming from outside the car and the occasional sound coming from Emma herself.
A few minutes went by before the kiss naturally ended, with Peter resting his head on the door while Emma rested hers on Peter's chest, now with an almost goofy but sincere smile on her face.
A smile that faltered after not even a whole minute went by. While Peter still traced her stomach, Emma sighed and said "You know, we're not far from the Oscorp tower. We could still make it to that party if you want to".
"What? I thought you didn't… feel up to it" Peter says with confusion showing in his narrowed eyes, avoiding to say how she clearly wanted nothing to do with that particular event or the people attending.
"I don't" Emma said with finality and annoyance in her voice, which was soon replaced with resignation "But I also don't want to be too bossy with you. So if you want to go, we can".
It was a really hard compromise for Emma to say that, but she is willing to go there if that means that everything will end up okay between Peter and her; something that can't really happen if she is at odds with his friends. And what's worse, she heard from Osborn that she was the cause for those two girls to be angry at him as well.
And that is something Emma does not wish upon Peter.
It does warm her heart like little things do the fact that he would defend her against his own friends - something no one else seems to be willing to do for her - without her even asking him to do so. But these people are important to him, and she promised herself she would try her best to not be someone who took someone important away from him.
" 'Bossy?' What?" Peter asked once again with a little more volume than needed as he straightened his back a bit "You're not bossy at all".
"You… don't think so?" Emma asked with the level of vulnerability she only likes to show when they are alone; which only made Peter feel the need to reassure her - no matter what the truth was.
"Of course not!" He said with a funny smile while quipping "I mean, you do drag me by my hand to wherever we're walking all the time, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't love it when you do that".
Emma couldn't help but snort a giggle to that answer, knowing that already for a fact because of the way he always gains a goofy smile when she does that - but she still kept going.
"No, but I mean…" Emma struggled a bit with her words - something very uncharacteristic of the eloquent girl "I shouldn't stop you from being around your friends. I don't think… that me not getting along with them is fair to you".
Beyond him knowing this for a fact, Peter could very much see how difficult this was for Emma to say. But it was just something so… understanding of her to say, that Peter couldn't help but smile despite her mood.
Peter took a moment to think in which he sighed, which would've made Emma slightly anxious if not for the fact that he reaffirmed his hug and light touch he has kept going on her stomach.
"Do you remember the first time you yelled at me?" Peter suddenly asked with añ almost teasing voice, taking Emma for surprise as she was not expecting to be reminded of that embarrassing moment at this time "Back on Christmas, when you invited me to your party and I said I couldn't-".
"Y-yeah, I remember" Emma cut Peter short with her voice coming out ruder than she wanted to due to the embarrassment of it - something Peter merely chuckled at.
"At that time, I told you that you are my first choice in everything. Obviously, my aunt can be exception to that rule, but between you and my friends… well…" Peter talked seriously as he looked at the window in front him; his expression darkening as the stress of everything came rolling back into him with full force.
It's… a very sad thought for him to have to choose between people he loves over others he also loves. And it's heartbreaking to him to do so outside of his duties as Spider-Man.
But Peter has been using Emma and her love shamelessly and selfishly for his own comfort far too much for him to ask for yet another selfish request from her. She has shown nothing but understanding, support and acceptance; why shouldn't he do the same with her?
She has truthfully been the sole anchor for him to find solace in this past month, and the knowledge and insight of him that she has is one of the main reasons for why that is. Above all his friends, Emma knows him best.
And above everyone else, Peter knows her best as well. And so he knows how much she'd rather be alone with him than going to a place full of people she doesn't really want to be around; all while putting up a mask for everyone else.
Peter doesn't want to force her to do that at all. What kind of bastard would he be if he doesn't look for the best for his partner? What kind of boyfriend would he be if he doesn't reciprocate the efforts she's made - and keeps making - for him?
He doesn't want to be that kind of boyfriend. Not to Emma.
And she so obviously needs him right now as he has needed her many, many times before; and perhaps his friends also need him, but not as intimately and urgently as Emma does. So if is forced make a choice right now, he'll choose whatever suits her best.
"…You really don't mind not going? Your friends must still be somewhat mad at you" Emma answered shyly without looking at him, but with a clear undertone of happiness at his words - paired with her hands continued game with his.
"It wasn't that serious" Peter answered with a shrug that Emma wasn't entirely convinced of, but because it was convenient to her, she didn't say anything about it "plus, I really rather be with you today".
Despite feeling conflicted about many things, Emma smiled the brightest and loveliest smile she could muster at those words and the sincerity behind them. But still, despite smiling as she is right now, she couldn't help herself but ask.
"Then… Why did you agree to Osborn's invitation?" She asked carefully, trying to bury deep any hint of hurt she might have at that - thing that Peter was able to detect easily.
"Because I'm stupid" Peter let out a single dry and humorless laugh that was painted with regret "and well… I kinda thought that, maybe… you'd prefer to spend the day in Harry's penthouse than my house?"
Peter muttered that last part with a great deal of effort; not because he is embarrassed by how 'humble' his home is when compared to the Osborn's, but because he doesn't really want to admit to not knowing what Emma preferred in a time like this.
But Emma surprised him slightly when she giggled gently at what he said, feeling grateful for his desire to make her happy with the knowledge he has of her love for the high society - even if he was wrong this time.
"You are kinda stupid~" Emma claimed teasingly once she finished laughing lightly, to then say with an honest and soft voice "I love your house; and I love every moment I get to be there".
"R-really? You do?" Peter asked just a bit dumbfounded, but with a hint of happy excitement that was not lost to her.
"Yeah, really" she confirmed again with yet another small giggle at his tone, to then talk with a more wistful voice as his smile drops significantly "It's warm, and it feels comfortably lived in. I'm used to more… cold and distant environments".
"Right…" Peter muttered while trying not to sound like he feels sorry for her "Well, you're always welcome to come and spend as much time there as you want. I know I love to have you there~".
"Then perhaps I should 'swing' by more often~" Emma quipped with the word 'swing', but with real intention to do so. And as always, she felt a swell of pride and happiness in managing to make Peter laugh.
"This was a nice idea then, huh? Almost like I read your mind~?" Peter quipped lamely using her powers as she did before, which caused her to giggle as well.
"It really is a nice idea of how to spend the day" She said with a pleased breath while metering further into Peter, who smiled gently to then deposit a soft kiss on the back of her head she received gratefully and quietly.
And they stayed like that for a few minutes, with each other simply enjoying each other's presence and the closeness they are now sharing; each shedding away their troubles with their partners touch.
For him, the stress he feels from the life that was destined for him, and the choices he made that have marked his and many more life's for better or for worse - choices he will continue to make now that he is free from 'it'. If he is able to hold someone he loves like this agter everything, then he can't be making the wrong choices, right?
For her, the feeling of unjust inferiority that comes from the hate this world feel for her, and the resentment she has over having to hide herself from the truth of who she is. Because if being a mutant - and having a family alike hers - was truly a bad thing, then she wouldn't be able to hold someone she loves like she currently is, right?
No… if Peter has been making the wrong decisions; if Emma is wrong for who she was born as, then they wouldn't be able to be as happy as they are when holding each other.
But… happy… there is stil something Emma needs to tell Peter to make sure they have a good relationship moving forward. Something that she has wanted to tell him for some time now.
"…I'm sorry I can't get along with your friends" She says softly in a whisper-like tone, breaking the comfortable silence with something she wrongly assumed he needs and - wrongly thinks - he wants to hear.
Because ever since meeting those two girls - plus the Osborn kid - Emma was never able to click with any them correctly.
Even outside of the secret crush both girls had on Peter, their attitudes and personalities are simply something she doesn't enjoy being around. And even while promising herself that she wouldn't be a reason for Peter to lose people close to him, she can't say she tried being friends with them.
But just as she didn't put any effort into that kind of relationship, neither did his friends did with her. Despite not outright hearing them say anything negative against her - most of the time - even in their thoughts, she has always been able to feel their animosity towards her, and the unwillingness they have to properly get to know her.
A feeling Emma has always felt mutual.
But still, she doesn't like to think that she disappoints Peter when turning his efforts of making them all friends into garbage. Because she has seen the way he genuinely wants and has tried to make them all like and be comfortable around each other, only to always fail miserably.
So she apologizes to him with some words that were perhaps very long overdue. And she can immediately feel the way Peter tenses at those words, which only adds to her heavy heart.
But Peter simply slumps his shoulders further with a heavy sigh, and before she can apologize again, he tells her.
"It's not you who should be… saying that word" the way his words felt heavy and apologetic made Emma glide over the fact that he avoided saying 'sorry' to let him continue "It's me, really… I should've never tried to force you all to be friends.
And seeing you guys uncomfortable around each other every time you were in the same room…" his voice turned almost empty as he recalled each time this statement was true, and how he kept pushing for a better outcome every single time.
"You didn't force me to do anything, darling" Emma answered with confidence and a winning smile on her face, feeling that pressure finally lifted from her shoulders, prompting her to squeeze his hands with comfort.
It was honestly tiring and obnoxious for her to try and make things work between his friends and herself while they were as against the idea as she was. And despite her feeling like that, there was just no way she could have resented Peter for that.
How could she? He just wanted her to be closer to him and his friends - giving her usually lonely self more people who he thought would understand her as well. It's not his fault that things don't go as he wanted them to.
"But thank you… for saying that" she finished, with her shoulders feeling lighter than they have been for a long time. Because this just now tells her that she finally can stop trying to mildly get along with them without feeling like Peter will be disappointed in her.
Peter meanwhile felt disappointed.
But not in Emma or his other friends' inability to make things work between them - not completely. But rather, he feels that this is somehow his fault in some measure; that perhaps he could've done more to bring them all closer together and now that chance is perhaps gone forever.
And it's just another stressful thought for him to add to his already huge stress pile. Because not only does he have to keep 'Spider-Man's' life away from 'Peter's', he will now have to make arrangements as to how to spend his time with Emma and his friends without making either feel dejected.
Today was just the official day both his girlfriend and friends agreed non-verbally that they were never really going to get along as Peter wished them to. And well… he just needs to accept that fact.
His friends always had accepted that he wasn't going to be friends with Flash's clique either way, and that didn't stop them from hanging out with them at all. So why should this be a problem to Peter?
Sure, he already divided his attention from them between his jobs, aunt and Spider-Man, but they can surely understand that Emma is also a priority in his life, right? Because she is one; and she is perhaps the priority he can be the most relaxed and comfortable with given how - parts - of his life are out in the open with her.
And right now, he is supposed to be making Emma feel equally relaxed and comfortable after this messy morning, which is not something he is succeeding at with all these problems running around his head and useless apologies being thrown out in the air.
*Aarggh* which is why Peter playfully groans in Emma's nape, shaking his head while tickling her ever so slightly. This caught her a bit off guard, but she was unable to do much but laugh at the sudden act.
"Okay, okay. Too many apologies and 'deep conversations' " Peter declared with a huff of mock finality once he removed his face from Emma's hair and stopped tickling her; with his hands remaining firmly in her stomach "Today it's all about us being together, having fun, and taking it easy!"
*Giggle* "That sounds marvelous~" Emma agreed as she finished laughing, also feeling like it was about time for things to go sweeter for them both.
"Right?" Peter asks as he lets his own excitement shine through "So, what do you want us to do first?"
*Hmm* Emma pondered the question as she rested her body completely on Peter's, which caused her to notice the full extent of how truly both their clothes got dirty - something she doesn't hold against Peter, but doesn't enjoy either *Ugh* "Firstly, a change of clothes after a shower would be nice".
"Well…" Peter hummed as he thought of a solution while moving his hand to his chin, momentarily distracted by the way Emma's nose wrinkles cutely "We're still in Manhattan, so we can go to your place for a quick pit-stop. While you're at it, I could go to The Bugle and sell the pictures I took of Thor - I'm sure Jonah will be excited about them".
"I can't really go home right now, given how my 'other' school is in their regular schedule…" Emma muttered as she shot down Peter's idea, who simply hummed in acceptance.
When they both revealed their powers and feelings for the other, Emma also explained why she dropped out of her school, and the how and why she made her family believe her to still be attending that all-girls school with her bullies while truly going with him to Midtown.
So it made sense for her to shoot down his idea. With so many cameras and personnel all over the place, going into her room to take a bath would be difficult even for her with her powers, given how many cameras and servants there are - and he can't swing her up because of how she physically feels.
"Right. Well, you are always welcome to take a shower at my place" Peter shrugged, thinking that was an easy solution.
"But I don't have a change of clothes…" but Emma muttered a problem for her with some shyness in her voice; knowing that Peter will offer his own without much thought - and that is something she would usually not think twice about before agreeing - but she would literally die of embarrassment if she got any blood on whatever is lended to her.
"You could always wear something form my closet. I'm sure we can find something comfortable for you" Peter suggested with his uncertainty growing as Emma looked away.
"I don't know… We can still go to The Bugle though" Emma diverted Peter's suggestion with a slightly tired voice as she recognized the streets, which made her realize that the traffic would only get worse as time went by.
"Nah, wouldn't want to keep you waiting. Plus, we're already too close to the Queensboro to go just for that" Peter rationalized the same as Emma, but his words made her frown.
"It's your source of income, darling" Emma said with a serious voice to make him understand she is against the idea of him not selling his pictures. It's bad enough that he spends like he spends like he's rich in Spider-Man's stuff and her - which is something she not-so-secretly loves - for him to start deciding not to sell his pictures whenever the opportunity comes "You're going to The Bugle".
"R-right" Peter sweat dropped with a nervous chuckle, thinking shamelessly to himself 'damn, she really is a little bossy… that's really is kinda hot'.
"Alright then. What we're going to do is…" her words prompted them both to hum in thought in a very similar fashion without them even realizing it; each thinking of what the best course of action would be for this.
"Oh, okay, how about this?" Peter said with a small nervous, but still proud, smile at the idea he came up with. As he talked, he reached over his backpack with his leg and, using his sticky powers, pulled it towards his hand to search for something "I give you the keys to my place and you go there while I swing around both to your place and The Bugle!"
"Hm?" Emma questioned in an almost dumb manner, not really understanding him.
"Yeah! With this traffic, you'll reach my place in about… half an hour - and you can take a shower while I grab you a change of clothes and visit Jonah" Peter explained his plan better for her "With my speed, I'll be there just in time for you to finish!
Or, uh, is being in each other's places without the other
something you mind?" Peter asked the last part sheepishly, not wanting to sound too bold on his plan of inviting himself over without her.
"Hmm… well, I don't mind you being alone in my room… as long as you stay away from underwear drawers of course~" Emma teased with a singly voice, one closed eyes and her tongue poking slightly; liking the idea and the chance to tease Peter.
*Hehe* "Won't be hard - I have the feeling that I already saw the best pair you have~" Peter teased back after letting out an involuntary flustered chuckle.
*Gasp - Slap* Emma let out a half gasp - half laugh at Peter's back tease as she playfully slapped his wrist; now feeling her cheeks flaring up and her gut tingling with a very welcomed warmth. She really likes when Peter is more playful and straightforward.
"And how would you know that!?" Emma questioned perhaps a little too loud and amused for their closeness "Maybe I'm wearing my nicest pair right now, and because of you offending them, I'll never show them to you!"
"Damn it…!" Peter answered in kind; with the same volume, tone and redness in his cheeks "I apologize then - I was foolish and think we should not make any rash decisions!"
*Pfft!* Emma snorted out loud at his words, to then laugh heartedly with Peter following soon after; with her laughing so much that even her belly started to hurt just a bit. Once she calmed down, she spoke while still having her giggle mixed in her voice "I-I think I'm going to have to update you from 'dork' to 'pervert'!"
" 'The amazingly perverted Spider-Boyfriend'?" Peter asks as he rubs his chin in an over theatrical manner, making her laugh again "Definitely has a ring to it. Maybe I should pitch it to Jonah and see how he'd react".
"Oh? And what story would you tell that man about how that nickname came to be?" Emma asked with mock intrigue, following the little game that has formed between them.
"Easy! *Ehem* 'Spider-Man is seen entering the top of a tower where the most beautiful Princess in the land sleeps. However, this fiend does not appear to be saving her, but instead, he seems to have fled the tower with the prettiest and whitest pair of panties!' *Dun! - Dun! - Dun!* Peter started talking like an old radio host with a transatlantic accent, to then squeeze Emma's mid-riff as if he were playing the piano to emphasize the news.
And Emma was losing it.
The way he talked, the stupidly silly little story, both the embarrassment of all of this being about her underwear and how clearly captivated Peter was by it - which again, she loves - and the way he is tickling is making her laugh like never before.
He is just such a sweet boy - a wonderful man - that knows how to make her smile and laugh like no other person could ever wish to accomplish. And it's all because of the closeness they share to be able to be their real selves without any fear or worry about showing 'weakness'.
What bigots? What hate? What fear can there be in the closeness and perfectly regulated warmth of his steel-like arms - paired with the funny way his well-tuned voice is being interrupted by the comforting sound of his chuckles? Like this, she truly is able to forget about everything but how good he makes her feel.
She truly loves being alone with him.
And Peter revels in the melodious laugh he is so grateful he can indulge himself with, which is why he keeps on his tickling 'attack' while continuing his dumb little story; feeling a sense of release from everything outside her happiness - which in turns, becomes his own.
What death? What fate? What responsibility does he have other than ensure she keeps on laughing with her soft and enticingly perfect body resting comfortably on his own - sending him down a pleasant spiral of senses that just makes him love her more?
The porcelain-like skin that he can't find a flaw in - the sound of her laughter that makes any singer pale in comparison - the bright colors of her eyes, lips, hair and just her as a whole - the natural fragrance emanating from her - and the way she unknowingly makes him crave more of her sweet kisses…
When holding her, Peter is able to forget about anything troubling him and relish the fact that he can share a moment like this with someone he can be himself with - someone who sees and loves him for who he is.
He truly loves being alone with her.
Unfortunately, their moment alone needs to be interrupted momentarily so that they both can get everything in order for their date day - which is why Emma sighs after the minutes both teens spent laughing with each other.
"Okay, okay. So, you go to my place, I go to yours and we meet there" Emma recounted while ignoring some of the steps with an easy smile that turned into a mock stern one for her to add "In one hour, yeah?"
"One hour" Peter confirms easily with a nod.
"So does that translate to hour and a half - two hours in Parker time?" Emma teased with a small laugh without getting up from him, stopping him from leaving at the moment.
"Wh-? Hey!" Peter replied with a funny indignated smile "I'd like you to know that I am very punctual, thank you very much!"
Emma deadpanned and looked at him over her shoulder, which prompted Peter to try and match her expression in a quiet starting contest that lasted just a few seconds before he cracked.
"What? I am!" He insisted once again in a childish manner, making her huff with a fond eye roll.
"Whatever you say, honey" Emma said as she rested her head on his chest once again "Before you go though, let's wait at least until we're closer to the bridge. Wouldn't want you missing me so".
"Oh? Does that mean you'll miss little ol' me~?" Peter teased as he hugged her closer to him once again to rock them both side to side slightly in giddiness.
"Dastardly~" Emma confirmed while imitating his voice.
"Well, now I definitely can't be late~" Peter replied with resolve as he kissed her temple enthusiastically for longer than he needed to to make his point.
"You better not~" Emma said with an amused voice; liking the treatment she's receiving very much so "Okay, then. You're not leaving until you show me every picture you took today. I want to see both you and Thor fight a monster!"
"Your wishes are my command, princess~" Peter said as he fished out his camera from his backpack.
"Hmm, it seems you are still more of a dork than a pervert" Emma declared with mock seriousness, holding herself together with effort as to not laugh. Not that Peter did the same thing since he let out a hearty laugh while getting into position to show her his most recent deed.
————
With Emma
Arriving at Peter's house, Emma stands at his door door a few seconds with hesitation as to what she's doing. She's been to his place plenty of times to have it memorized it by now - not a hard feat, given how small the place is - but her hesitation is not because she is entering his house, but the fact mere fact that she is doing it alone.
Were it be someone else's place, Emma wouldn't think twice before entering, even if it was a complete stranger's room. She simply doesn't care enough to be nervous or afraid of that situation. After all, if it comes to happen, it's because she willed it so - be it from her powers, money or whatever.
But that's precisely why this moment is different. She wasn't the one that asked for Peter to put his place for them to enjoy the day in, nor she was the one with the idea to be at each other's places without the other.
And its weird for Emma to feel her heart beating so hard as it is with so, quite honestly, little. It's shouldn't be a big deal for her given everything they've done and all they have shared together, but this is still a very special moment for her.
She knows this, and she really thinks that it is perhaps unfair to Peter for him to need to prove himself time and time again to Emma, but she can't help it - her insecurities don't allow her to.
Each time that he does someyhing for her, her mind instinctively tries to search for some reason as to why he did it. Perhaps wondering if this time he has some agenda under his actions.
Luckily for both of them, Peter proves himself every single time. And this is just another time where Emma sees how much Peter loves her by doing his best to keep her happy. He doesn't get anything by giving her his key, or by not going to Harry's party, or by spending his day with her after the way she acted towards him and his friends - and yet, he does.
He stays by her side, he gives her his house to keep her comfortable, and he offers whatever he has and can get so that she can be happy. And this little gesture of him trusting her so blindly that he didn't even flinch at the idea of her being alone where he and his aunt live - where he could possibly have some sort of secret from her - really makes her feel weirdly happy and warm about where she is.
She likes being trusted like this - by him. Trusted like she knows he trusts no one else. Not a single soul but hers.
Instinctively, Emma looks to her side to see the Watson's household, and she smiles a bright victorious smile for herself before looking back into the street to command her driver away from her. She is now in a good mood and will be busy for the rest of the day, so she doesn't mind her driver doing whatever he wants from when he is released from her powers the moment he reaches Manhattan.
Looking at the key to Peter's house with a grayish atom figure and small, poorly painted Captain America's shield keychains, Emma smiled as she unlocked the door and entered the house.
Her smile softened a bit as she walked further into the familiar place, feeling the comfortable warmth that comes with the natural light slipping through joy many windows there are, smelling the - quite honestly, cheap - cleaning products, and simply enjoying seeing Peter's childhood photos.
With her favorite of them all being the photo she took a picture of with her phone the very first time he had her in his house, back when Chat left for California in the summer of last year. When Emma was worried about the chance of Peter not wanting to hang out with her if Chat wasn't there as well.
Funny how things turned out.
Looking at other pictures, Emma can't help but feel that nasty feeling of jealousy over the loving way this family is portrayed. With Ben holding a much younger May by the waist and short big-glasses wearing Peter protectively with his hands, with May holding Ben's hand with one and Peter's other shoulder and her other on Ben's own hand.
It's a really pretty family photo, and Emma can't help but sigh longingly at it. She doesn't feel the type of jealousy where one wishes the other person not to have the things they do, but just the hurt of knowing she'll never have that.
Recalling her family portraits, Emma can't help but compare them to Peter's. Where his family lives the moment, hers looks like they were all forced to be there, where he smiles brightly and freely, she has a controlled stern look about her, while he is being held by his uncle and aunt, she feels alone in her personal chair while everyone is mindful of their personal space.
His family's photos are delightfully messy, showing a mirror to their very real personalities and happy attitudes they have thanks to the life they share with those they love.
Her family's portraits are merely there to show the faces of everyone to whoever is of sufficient value to step into her home. Controlled, impersonal, distant and cold. If not for the obvious resemblances, Emma firmly believes no one would guess this group of people even knew each other.
Her thoughts were stopped as she walked by the kitchen, just a few steps away from walking up the stairs. There, she felt slightly ashamed of her thoughts as she looked at the kitchen's drying rack, where there were only two sets of plates and glasses.
What Peter has lost, the people he was never going to be able to see, hear, hold and even love as he once did, ever again… Emma doesn't know how or who she would be if she was in his shoes.
It really is amazing how big his heart is to not be hateful of it all, and instead be a literal hero that helps out how many others he can to the very best of his many abilities; be it as Spider-Man or as plain Peter Parker. Because, yes, even as Peter Parker he is able to help others.
And she is one of those fortunate enough to know that, and to be the one receiving Peter's love as fully and intimately as she does. The way he is able to light up her days, how being with him makes her feel ways she thought she was not allowed to feel, and how much affection and security his presence gives her.
Emma can't help but smile once again as she diverts her eyes from Peter's kitchen, to then walk up the stairs to his room and close the door behind her. Similarly as she did before, she takes her sweet time to see Peter's room to its fullest.
She has been to his place many times, and she knows perfectly which one is his room, but this is a part she has never walked into before. There simply has been no need for it, given how small it is while having practically nothing in it for them to do together.
The TV, couch, kitchen, dining room - they are all downstairs, and unlike her huge room, Peter's really is small, so there really is basically nothing for them to do here.
Well… That's not entirely true, there is the bed, and while it's not that big, it can easily fit them both together. The shower could also have them both in it as well… Shaking her head slightly, Emma's now reddened face tried to focus on other things in his room.
'…tidy' Emma noticed as she walked around his bed, noticing how this one was made while not having much trash of any kind visible to her. She looks with amusement at the decorations in his room; with it being the perfect showing of who he is.
If it was anyone but her, she guesses, this place would be many things but tidy. But she knows Peter the best, so she can understand, see and even appreciate how clean his room is despite it being a colorful explosion of many different things.
And she really likes how his room looks.
It feels lived in - real. She can see damage in the wood that only a kid could make with little accidents, stains that have been attempted to be cleaned thousands of times that just won't ever come off - probably due to some chemical project of his that went wrong.
She giggles at the thought while unconsciously comparing this all to her own room. And she comes to the realization that Peter and her are different, but in a complementary way.
She loves her room, the size of it, the white color palette, everything it has and how it's cleaned every two days on weekdays by people of service, but it's sometimes too 'cold'. As her whole penthouse, her room is always ready to be looked at from an outsiders perspective.
It would be improper of Emma to have her room looking like it belongs to a punk kid or something, and she definitely doesn't want any comments from her father about how certain books, movies or even whole music genres are unfit for someone like her; so she avoids showing her likes to anyone of service that may go to her parents and tell.
But underneath the cold and clean facade, Emma is a messy gal. She works on it, but sometimes she can't help but misplace things she has on her hands in drawers they don't belong to or to discard things with little care once she is done with them.
Plus, she has her secret stash of personal things in a secret compartment on her bed's frame she had installed thanks to her powers - by controlling someone into doing it, of course. Something she makes sure almost on the daily is kept secret from everyone.
That's where she keeps things like the photos Peter gifted her on Christmas, little trinkets and toys she's gathered over the years with Peter, Christian, Chat, or even by herself from back when her hobby was thieving with her powers. Things she doesn't want anyone else looking at.
And while Peter definitely has secrets as well, he allows his likes to be displayed out in the open without any ounce of shame whatsoever. She is a disguised mess with a controlled exterior, while Peter is a concealed control with a messy surface.
A perfect complementary balance between them. A thought that is perhaps somewhat childish, but one she enjoys having nonetheless. And while thinking that, Emma takes note of each of Pete's stuff displayed freely for her eyes to see.
Posters of some of The Avengers like Captain America and Tony Stark, while also having some of them without their costumes like Hank Pym and Bruce Banner wearing lab coats next to other scientists. As well of course with some other stuff, like scientists or even bands and movies he likes.
Stands with books of all types of subjects, be it scientific, historic or even some of fantasy she's never heard of, paired with one or two toys placed in action like postures.
His desk being an orderly mess of papers, sticky notes, loose wires, notebooks and whatever else that screamed a busy intelligent mind with too much on its head to properly convey it into physical reality, but trying to nevertheless.
But what stood out the most on that desk, was the various pictures he has framed on it, as well as all those who are hanging from the board on the wall in front of his computer.
Her cheeks naturally reddened slightly and her smile widened as her eyes zeroed on the photo he has framed of them both in the very front and middle - showcasing just how important it is to him. There were of course many other pictures of people undesirable to her, but the way they were all arranged clearly showed who is the priority to him.
And the silly picture he has of them on their first date - which is the same one she keeps hidden under her bed that he gifted her on Christmas - simply makes her heart grow fonder of his romantic side.
She dutifully ignores every picture he has of Watson and Stacy; even those he has of Chat and Osborn, while grabbing their picture to run one thumb over the frame in a loving manner, unable to contain herself from letting out a wistful sigh.
She wishes she could show off her relationship with her family like this, with her framed pictures and whatever else for everyone to see, but she just can't. Her father - her whole family - can't know anything about Peter or the fact that they are dating.
And it's a frustrating fact, more so because she has to hide that fact all the time, which is something she doesn't want to do. Hiding the things Peter gifts her under her bed is just embarrassing, but so necessary for her to live as she wants to.
… and now that Emma is alone in Peter's room, she can't help but question if there is some kind of secret she could potentially find if she looked hard enough. Knowing Peter, he most likely had a secret hatch somewhere that hid all his Spider-Man toys and whatnot.
Perhaps even a secret he keeps from her? The thought isn't too far fetched, more so because Peter is still a teenage boy; maybe a stash of porn somewhere? It's not uncommon for that to happen - at least according to the TV shows and movies she likes to drown herself in.
But surely, keeping things underneath his bed as she does was too risky and innocent for someone like Peter to do, right? There's no way he would actually keep anything under… oh.
Emma's drifting mind took her to actually see underneath his bed in a moment of weakness and deep curiosity; expecting to see nothing more beyond a forgotten piece of clothing or perhaps trash. Instead, Emma was surprised to see various wooden boxes of different sizes and colors - many of which seemed to have some kind of lock to them.
Three of them stood out the most, with one being large and dark, the second largest to that one being slightly smaller and lighter in color while the last one was by far the smallest, perfectly squared and completely white. The three of them are surrounded by many other little boxes, manilla folders, books of many kinds and not much more.
She hesitated, knowing she shouldn't be snooping around on his stuff - more so because she asked Peter not to do it and she knows how much he values his privacy. If she were to grab something she isn't supposed to, wouldn't that be a betrayal of his trust?
She was just rationalizing how much she likes to be trusted by him, so is it really a smart idea to abuse that trust to satisfy her curiosity? She, of course, knows the answer to that very easy dilemma that, although it leaves her unsatisfied, is the smart and right thing to do.
Getting her head out from under his bead, Emma turned her head and saw her reflection in the full length mirror Peter has. She saw the way she was kneeling alone in his room while snooping, and was only able to groan disapprovingly at herself.
"What am I doing?" Emma asked out loud to herself as she sat on Peter's bed. Seeing his clock on his nightstand, Emma huffed as she realized she would still need to wait at the very least more than half an hour before Peter arrived.
Peter… she knows she kinda forced him to leave her side so he could sell his pictures, but she really wants him to be with her right now. Hugging her, holding her, kissing her… tasting her. She really wants Peter to be home with her right now.
Looking down on her dirty clothes, Emma smiled. Her usual expression would've been one of disgust or annoyance, but since it was the result of Peter being dirty after fighting a monster and her throwing herself at him for a hug, she didn't care much.
Still, she cared enough to want to get out of them to avoid making more of a mess - that is the whole reason why she is in his room right now after all, to get out of her clothes. So she does. Standing up from the bed, Emma started undressing herself slowly and steadily until she had nothing left covering her body.
'I'm naked…' Emma realized to herself as she stood tall in Peter's room, feeling something like a weird sensation of excitement, as if what she is currently doing is something both appropriate for her, and prohibited at the same time.
'I'm completely in Peter's room and he's not even here to see it' Emma mused to herself again with excited entertainment as she looked at herself carefully in his mirror. She really is proud of her body, even though her chest is smaller than she would like it to be, but in the end, who cares about that when her boyfriend seemed so enticed by it?
Emma giggled an embarrassed but excited laugh with her blush deepening as she recalled Peter's almost dumb face filled with lust looking up at her from both her chest and her core; with him indulging himself with her as he pleased.
Such thoughts made her body feel the same way she felt back then, causing her to begin daydreaming as she allowed herself to relax in his bed while she waits, uncaring for the fact that she has nothing on. On the contrary actually, this was extremely exciting.
As Emma felt the cold but still very comfortable cover of Peter's bed on her backside battling the heat emanating from inside her body, her mind started wandering and her heart racing with the idea of Peter entering his room right at this moment to see her naked figure on his own bed.
What would his face be? What would he say? Would he do something? Would he trip over his words as his face gets brighter with a red blush she's never seen on him before? Would he smile with a predatory gaze after she invites him over to her?
Would he take his shirt off before approaching her? The rest of his clothes? Would he climb on top of her with his eyes trained on hers, looking for any sign of discomfort or nervousness? Would he kiss her once he finds none of that?
Would his kiss be sweet and gentle at first? Would it turn lustful and playful after? Would he touch her body as he kisses her? Would he be gentle? Would he be rough? Would he then trail his lips down her neck to her chest? Would he indulge himself in her like a hungry baby would? Would his touch be as electric as it was before?
Would he want to taste more? Would he use his tongue while going further down her body as she combs his hair in anticipation? Would he spread her legs with his hands on her thighs and have his feast of her? Would she reach that special level of climax she did twice thanks to him?
Would he then go further? Would he see into her eyes again as he aligns his member with her entrance, waiting for her to give him the go to sign for him to enter her? Would they then become one? Would this be the way they have sex for the first time?
With Peter entering his room to find Emma masturbating naked on his bed, with one hand gently rubbing her rose colored lips and clit while the other teases her own chest as he once did? All while she shifts her eyes to look at all that makes Peter, himself? All while she enjoys the feeling of his covers on her pristine skin and the smells of his pillow to get a fill of his scent?
It has been several minutes since she started touching herself with the fantasy of Peter being the one making her feel this way, so if he were to enter the room, would that mean she is more than ready to take him fully?
As Emma thought this particular thing well into her private session, her eyes shot open as she lifted her back from the bed as a feeling shame came upon her. Emma made Peter bicker with his friends because she forced Watson's thoughts of her being a slut out into the open.
So with that in mind, does Emma really want Peter to enter his room to find her in this state? Wouldn't that be proving Watson right in her assessment? And what's the chance of Peter getting weirded out by it? Obviously, the chances of him liking what he sees are immensely more, but still.
Emma knows Peter wouldn't even get the passing idea of doing something like this, so why is she? … Damn stupid teenage hormones, that's why. And perhaps it's because she knows that even if today was shaping up to be a perfect day to do it for the first time, her body was not up to do something like that… damn stupid cramps.
So with yet another frustrated and embarrassed groan, Emma stood up from Peter's bed, made sure that nothing got dirty or messy, and she stepped into the bathroom to finally take that shower she was more than ready for. A much needed cold shower.
Still, Emma makes sure to clean every nook and cranny of her body to the best of her abilities in the off chance that someyhing does happen between them this day.
With the cold water cleaning the cheap shampoo off her body, Emma is excited for Peter to come back to her and see what the rest of day has in store for her.