Marvel men are the best

My ‘dad’ moved a little forward, bringing the attention back to him. “She’s not accustomed to all this yet. This is all a big change for her.” He said to person I may have met an hour ago. Lord, every time he speaks, I swear he means to cut me with his words. Whether or not he means to, he definitely knows how I feel. After all the times I’ve merely expressed my feelings of being stripped of free will.

Growing up without parents and living in an orphanage was all well. I was fine. Then he came along, claiming I was his daughter; the daughter he ‘temporarily left in the care of someone else’. Calling him crazy, it took only two days for him to make some arrangements and here we are, with a group of important people in a gigantic living room in an enormous compound. And by compound, I mean the Avengers compound. So yes, I live with the Avengers.

They’ve all been really nice. Being grumpy, I wanted to not like them. But they somehow swerved past the walls I built and nestled into the depths of my heart. Especially Peter. Being my age, he sort of understands me. Besides my goodbye gifts from the orphanage kids, he’s the closest thing that reminds me of the orphanage which really says a lot about how my world shifted.

This party is apparently for me. I heavily disagreed with a conference to introduce me to the world as Y/N Stark so Tony settled for a party that I would say, ‘would launch me into society’. Obviously, I was adamant on not having the party either.

Having no similarities to Tony whatsoever, people just cannot believe I’m his daughter. Heck, even I still can’t believe. Even with a DNA test result that actually proved that he was my father.

“Can I leave now?” I asked Tony as that person I may have met before left.

“This is your party. You may as well enjoy it.” He says in a cheery voice.

“But you can tell I’m not, right? I would feel much better if I could leave.” I said, giving myself a pat on the back for my politeness. Not quite polite but yet quite polite.

“There are people who came just to meet you. This is a great opportunity to meet the people your dad is close to.” He said, looking all sentimental. A person with a dad who didn’t abandon them would fall for it but not a girl who was abandoned by her dad.

I scoffed. An action I used so much it was second-nature. He looked at me for a moment longer and squeezed my shoulder before steering me towards a group of important-looking people. Hopeful, I looked around for help and my eyes locked onto Peter’s. I gave him a pleading look which very clearly translated to “Please help me.”. His reply? His eyes said, “I would love to but no way you’re on your own Mr. Stark would kill me sorry.”

I pouted and faked a cry in his direction and as I looked away, I caught him laughing at my response. He’s really cute when he laughs. Shoving that thought to the back of my mind, I continued being dragged around by Tony, the same pattern repeating itself; meeting people, putting on the fakest smile I could muster, them questioning if I’m actually a Stark, Tony intervening and finally, him and I leaving to repeat the process again.

After what seemed like an eternity, I stepped into my room and quite literally ripped the dress off. I didn’t really mean to but I was angry and exhausted. I got dressed in my oversized hoodie, sweatpants and fuzzy socks. As I spit the residue of toothpaste, I heard a knock on my door. I already had an inkling on who may have knocked and no surprise, it was Peter.

“Welcome to my humble abode. Although not exactly.’ I lazily bowed, stepping out of the way for Peter to come in. His eyes caught the torn dress on the floor as I sat on my bed, unbothered by the unfortunate sight of the dress. I admit, the dress was beautiful and it didn’t deserve to be torn like that. I feel worse for the dress than what Tony’s reaction would be if he finds out I ripped the dress he gave me.

“What happened to your dress?” He asked, although I know he definitely knows the answer.

“The dress couldn’t take the immense strength fuelled by rage. I’ll have Wanda patch it up or something, I’m pretty sure she can do it.” I said and pat the empty space next to me on the bed.  From the way he traipsed to my bed and the weight of him sitting next to me was an indication of what was coming for me.

“It couldn’t have been that bad you know. So many girls would kill to have a party like that! A beautiful dress, amazing food and people attending just to see her.” He said, trying to sound like what he all said was wondrous. He does this a lot. He knows what I’m dealing with but he makes me see the brighter side of everything I despise about my situation; even if the situation was actually bad.

“Well too bad I’m the girl who actually attended the party and all I can say about it is that it freaking sucked. A beautiful dress? Sure. Amazing food? Yes please. But the people? The most horrendous group I have ever met.” I said as I fell back onto my bed, the spite slipping off my tongue.

Peter stayed silent for a moment before he said, “It’s been 4 months now, Y/N. When are you just going to accept that this is your home now?”

I closed my eyes in frustration. “Did you come in here to cheer me up or did you come in here to tell me all about family? Seriously Peter, I told you I didn’t want to talk about it, like ever.” I said with my temper rising and fizzling at the last second.

“Come on, Y/N. You can’t run away forever. Mr. Stark has been nothing but nice to you ever since he brought you here.” Peter said oh so compassionately as he looked down at me.

“Nice?” I said as I sat up. “Taking me from my home isn’t nice! I never wanted to come here!”

“This is your home! Your dad is Tony Stark and nothing is going to change that. You probably can’t see it but he brought you here to protect you and because he loves you. If he didn’t bring you here…” Peter stopped. I was too filled with bitterness and heartache that I didn’t care what he wanted to say. My eyes were too watery to really see the anguish in his own eyes.

“He abandoned me after my mom did! I got abandoned twice. Do you not get that? I don’t care if he wants to make amends now. He didn’t want me in the first place!” I said, my tears streaming down my face effortlessly. He nor my mom wanted me. They probably thought they were better off without me. Without me deterring them from their careers.  

“I’m sure he had his reasons.” Peter said before he got up and left, just like that. Another one of our many, many disputes about family that usually ends the same way it always does – he apologises first and I apologise then we hug it out and make up. This time ‘round however, I don’t think it’ll end like that. My head spun with the night full of resentment and cynicism catching up to me, leaving me no choice but to crawl back into my bed after grabbing a handful of tissues to rub (not wipe, rub) the tears away as well as the feelings that came with it.

The next morning, I sported a headache, sore eyes and mild heartache – the trinity of crying to sleep – as I walked to the bathroom to look at the mess on my face.

“Ugh I’m a mess.” I thought as I washed all the grime accumulated. Feeling not quite refreshed, I listlessly put on some shorts and a t-shirt Peter gave me. Just for a second, I came to my senses and grumbled and fumbled out of his t-shirt to put on something that was purely and solely mine which was hard to find. When I first got here and even until now, I refused to let Tony buy anything for me, especially clothes. As Peter and I became more acquainted, he gave me his old shirts after I made a comment about liking oversized shirts. Overly sweet guy really.

Sweeping the memory aside, I was about to leave when F.R.I.D.A.Y. spoke, AI voice resonating throughout the room. I never failed to always jump at its voice which is exactly what I did when it said my name.

“Y/N, Mr Stark would like to see you in the workshop.” F.R.I.D.A.Y. said, voice flat as usual.

Talking back to the AI wasn’t a good idea no matter how much I wanted to. The first and only time I did, it earned me an extremely deafening alarm to get me out of my room. Lesson learned – don’t mess with F.R.I.D.A.Y. and she a.k.a my dad giving orders won’t mess with you either.

“Morning Y/N.” Steve greeted and tipped his mug at me as I walked by the living area.

“Morning.” I greeted back nonchalantly, as per usual or at least I thought it was. Steve noticed the minor change in tone.

“You doing okay? Last night must’ve been hard to adapt to.”

“Who said anything about adapting?” I said and made my way to the workshop which was next to the living area. I mentally sighed at the response before. Peter got me so riled up because there was a lot if not some truth to what he said. But my feelings overshadowed all of it and I’m okay with that.  

“Yes?” I answered as I leaned against the door of the workshop. Tony was playing with his Iron Man suit. To think I used to look up to him for saving the world when he abandoned me to do it.

“I wanted to know if you were up and about.” He said, turning to me and leaning on his desk.

I sighed. “Now you know so…” I was about to turn when he caught my shoulder to prevent me from leaving.

“We’re going somewhere in an hour. It’s really important that we go today so get dressed.” He said and released my shoulder from his grip.

“What, another party? Press conference? Business lunch? Whatever it is, I don’t want to go.” I only went to one party and it could tire me out for a decade.

“It’s nothing like that. We’re just going out for lunch, not a business lunch, and heading out somewhere. I promise you, no party, no press conference.” He said convincingly well. I look at him sceptically and gave in. He pats me on the shoulder before he starts to clean up the desk.

Whenever Tony asks me to do something or go somewhere, I don’t put in a lot of effort as an act of rebellion. Childish, I know, but I’ve got to retaliate somehow. So, I put on some jeans, wore the same t-shirt and a pair of sneakers. Not bothering to do anything else, I waited for the hour to pass.

When Tony saw me, he had his lips pursed and eyebrows furrowed.

“At least wear a nicer top. Please?” He said and even though he’s a person I despise, I still have a heart. There was something in his pleading that flickered a switch. I acquiesced and turned back to my room to put on a nicer top. I could give him hell later.

We ate lunch at a little elegant restaurant. Not quite high-class and thank God for that. After lunch, we made our way to wherever it was. I didn’t recognise any of the roads.

“Where are we going?” I asked Tony while still looking out the window.

“Just visiting someone.”

The car made a stop at a large black gate. We were at the cemetery. My heart quickened at the sight of headstones. I wondered who it was we were visiting when it became very clear exactly who when we stopped in front of a certain headstone.

“My mom’s dead?” I asked, incredulous of the fact. I imagined she was living her best life without me because I was just an obstacle in her life; a mere inconvenience she had no problem throwing away.

“She was killed by some former employees of mine. It’s a long story to go into but I fired them and, in their words, ‘ruined their lives’. They just wanted to hold someone I had a connection with ransom and after some digging, they managed to find Lucy and you. They knew about you before I did.” He said, rubbing his temples. Now this, I didn’t know about.

“They were only supposed to use you and Lucy for ransom… I’m not sure what happened but all I know is, Lucy was never supposed to be killed.”

“Hold on a second,” I said with a finger up to shut him up. “Why the hell are you telling me this now? All this time I thought she dropped me off with you and just ran away. Are you going to tell me you didn’t abandon me at the orphanage next?” Hearing all this for the first time, I’m wondering, why? All these hidden truths for what?

Tony took a moment before continuing, “Lucy was never able to send you to me. I found you hidden in the closet.

I scoff, still unbelieving of the whole situation. “Thank God they had some decency to not kill a baby.” I let go of my hair I unconsciously grabbed in the moment and asked again, “Why tell me now?”

“I thought I could spare you some of the pain. Growing up, you seemed fine thinking she was out there living her life. But then you came home with me and I became the brunt of all your resentment. I just… I just want to be the father I never was before. Everything I did, I thought was right. But I’m sorry for hurting you.” Tony apologised, with so much regret and sorrow in his voice and expression.

I don’t speak after that. Tony took it as an indication and led me back to the car by the small of my back. A trip to my mother’s grave sucked the life out of me, leaving just my motor skills intact. Lifelessly walking into the car, out the car, up to my room, unaware of my biological father’s concerned gaze running over me.

Curled up in my bed, I recall my life and my severely wrong perception of my mother and even my father. Months ago, I would’ve wanted nothing more than to see Tony broken and vulnerable, begging for forgiveness. But now, it hurt me too much to look into his eyes. How stubborn I was. How stubborn I still am.

I want to say I’m sorry and I want to treat him better but I am a coward and embarrassed of my past actions.

I hear a soft knock on my door. My heart pounds at the thought of who it could be. Tony? Steve? Natasha?

“Y/N, can I come in?” Peter’s voice is muffled behind the door that I almost missed it. We haven’t spoken in a while, not since I blew up at him the night of that party. Another one of the many regrets rolling in my head. I didn’t want to face him, at least not now, with how I am and how I look. I hear him twist the doorknob but to no avail. In my state, it was a miracle I remembered to lock the door.

“Y/N, open the door… please.” He asks, almost pleading. I sit up from my bed and stare at the door, to contemplate his request. As much as I didn’t want to, opening that door would be the first step to ease my head and heart. I trudge to the door and unlocked the door with a click. I quickly walked to my bed and covered myself with the blanket before he could see me. I don’t hear his footsteps approaching. As my back was to him, I turned around, still cocooned in my blanket, and peeked out to see what he was doing. He was just standing there, looking at my form. Our eyes met and I whipped my head back to the front.

He slowly walked towards my bed but I guess he didn’t see the lump underneath the blanket and sat right on them.

“Ow!” I yelped and pulled my feet from under him.

“Oh I’m so sorry! Are you okay? Are you hurt? I didn’t know your feet were there!” Peter frantically apologizes, hands lightly brushing over my cocooned form to check if I was alright. That’s just like Peter. Sweet and caring. After any argument, he would always come back and talk to me.

Tears prick my eyes again, at the thought of Peter and his care for me.

Peter calmed down after a moment and sat on the bed again. “I don’t know what happened with you and Mr. Stark but I’m here. If you need to talk or someone to listen.” His words almost sound like questions.

I didn’t want to say or do anything but I knew I wanted him here. I forced my hand out of my blanket to grab the hem of his shirt. I eased out of my curled-up form to properly lie down on the bed, with my blanket still over my head. Peter grabbed my hand in his and laid down beside me. We stayed like that for a while until I was ready to tell him everything.

Peter listened attentively, caressing the back of my hand and squeezing it to reassure me he was there for me and me alone.

“I’m sure you know what you have to do. You just need some courage.” He says softly, looking straight into my eyes as he gripped both of my hands in his. We were so very close now with only our grasped hands between us.

“After airing it all out, I think I have some.” I speak. Now in this position, I feel like I could pour all of my feelings out and they weren’t going to be just about my parents. “I’m sorry I got mad at you. Not only for the last, but for every time I lashed out at you.” I apologise, avoiding his piercing gaze. Tears pricked my eyes again and my lip quivered. Seeing this, Peter pulled my hands, moving me closer to him. He lets go of my hands to cup my face, his thumbs ready to wipe away the tears that may fall.

“I accept your apology. But you weren’t acting unreasonable. You’ve been through a lot, more than I could think.”

He was so close to me that I could feel his breath fanning over my face. Maybe it was the ambience. Maybe it was because I poured my heart out. I’ve never wanted to kiss Peter this badly before. I’ve imagined it many times before, but never in this capacity. The urge to pull him closer and kiss him was immense.

He saw right through me. I wondered how I was looking at him because he pulled my face that was still in his hands very much closer to his. Any sort of movement forward could make our lips touch. He took a moment to caress my cheeks with his thumbs, his eyes locked onto mine.

“Only if you want to.” He whispered.

“I do.” I whispered back.

He moved closer. Our lips touched. It was electric.

It was nothing I could have ever imagined. If I wasn’t in such a state, I would be overthinking about how to move my lips against his and where to place my hands. But it all fell into place. My hands naturally wound around his neck and into his hair, whilst his right hand caressed my side and wrapped around my waist. His left hand travelled to the back of my neck and pulled me closer to deepen our kiss. After a few more moments, I pulled away. We were out of breath and our eyes barely open. Even after kissing, the feeling of his lips didn’t go away.

Peter brought our foreheads together. “I’ve been in love with you for a while now. Be my girlfriend, Y/N.”

“Of course, I’ll be your girlfriend.” I say, nodding frantically in small nods. He pulled me to his lips once more. A smile formed over his lips as we drowned the rest of the world out.

Feeling well rested for the first time in a while, I made a resolve to talk to my dad. I thought only good thoughts as I couldn’t let anything barge their way into my mind and break my resolve. The good thoughts came easily, especially after last night. I wasn’t expecting to sleep after Peter left my room. As much as he excites me and sends tingles all over my body, he soothes me, both my mind and my heart.

I fidget all the way to my father’s workshop. Deep down, I hoped he wasn’t there but there he was.

“Hey.” I said softly. He whirled around as soon as he heard me. He looked slightly worse for wear, the eyebags under his eyes more evident than before.

“Y/N. What brings you here?” He asked, failing to hide the surprise in his voice.

“I… I just wanted to see what you were doing.” I said and walked around the table, across from where he stood.

“Well, I was working on a new suit. For Pepper.” He extends his hand in an act to show me the blue armour laid on the table. It already looked like perfection on the outside. I expected nothing less from my genius of a father.

“I wonder if you’ll make a suit next time.” I joked with him, which was definitely a first. The many times I ‘joked’ with him in the past were full of sarcasm, so I deliberately raised my tone so he knew it wasn’t one of those moments.

He paused for a moment which caused me to panic. I looked up through my lashes to see him just staring at me with wide eyes.

“I mean you don’t have to! I’m fine without one.” I said in a rush and frantically shook my head left and right, embarrassed at my first attempt to joke.

“No, I am definitely more than capable of making you a suit. It’s just dangerous. Wouldn’t want you to be caught up in… all of this.” He waves his hands around, gesturing to the fact that all of this was his life.

Oh no.

Dangerous territory.

It was ‘all of this’ that made us who we were. Me, bitter and scornful, and him, trying and heartbroken. We fall silent. I’m sure the same thoughts ran through his mind.

If anyone was going to break the tension, it had to be me.

“I’m sorry.” For everything, I should have continued but that’s all I could muster in that suffocating moment. I looked down as my eyes pooled with tears.

“I’m sorry too.” He said and slowly took my hand and squeezed. I guess I didn’t need the love of a father until I experienced it. My tears instantly fell on the table. My dad let go of my hand and returned with tissues. I gratefully took them and made the effort to hide my eyes from him. In just a glimpse, I saw that his eyes were watery.

“Let’s go out for dinner tonight. You like Japanese food, right?”

“My favourite actually. 7p.m.?”

“Sure. And don’t worry, it’s not a business thing.” He said and I smiled, happy to know he would take all the gatherings down a notch.

Somehow, you couldn’t forget about it. It just felt so real. You knew very well it wasn’t though. Heck, the person who kissed you in your dream may not even be real. But it’s you. Once you are curious about something, it just grows and grows until you find an answer. The answer may be within the Avengers because you don’t really hang out with other people outside of the Tower.

You stood up from your bed and walked to your desk. You flipped open your journal to an empty page. That journal was to record your weight training and diet but it’s not like you had any other notebook lying around. You wrote down all the Avengers’ names and thought carefully.

Tony Steve Bruce Natasha Clint Wanda Vision Thor Peter Bucky Sam

“ That’s a lot of lips to go through.” You thought as you bit the top of your pen. You wrote the number 3 next to the married; Tony, Clint, Wanda and Vision. And you wrote the number 2 next to the people who like other people; Bruce and Natasha and Peter. Your heart ached mildly as you wrote the ‘2’ next to Peter’s name. After the whole thing with Liz, you thought you had a chance but one day he told you about his feeling for MJ, one of his closest friends. You saw her and she was really pretty. A little rough around the edges but that didn’t hide the beauty you saw when Peter showed you her picture.

The numbers were to indicate who you would be watching or attempting first. Hence, the first would be Steve. He’s physically almost 20 years older than you, but that isn’t going to stop you.

You closed your book and left it in your room as you walked past the living room, to the kitchen. It was 7:35AM. Which meant Steve would be coming back from his run right about now. To your convenience, Steve walked through the back door of the kitchen and again, to your convenience, Bucky and Sam followed behind.

“ Looks like I’ll have to do it at the same time. Great.”

“ You’re up early.” Sam said as he sat next to you at the dining table.

“ I had a weird dream so I woke up and couldn’t go back to sleep.” You shrugged. You looked to your side so you could get a good look at his face, but he wasn’t looking at you.

As Steve and Bucky made breakfast, you and Sam spoke back and forth, with you turning your body in his direction so you could get a good look of his lips.

“ No, it’s not Sam. It’s just not him.” You thought as Steve set a plate of pancakes in front you. As you muttered a ‘thanks’, your eyes followed him and Bucky. They sat right in front of you which made investigations so much easier.

“ I’m just saying, it’s my hair, my business. I don’t need anyone to tell me what to do with my hair. Right, Y/N?” Bucky said and turned to you, catching you looking at his lips.

“ What? Y-yeah.” You stuttered.  The guys looked at you weirdly.

“ Okay. We’ve known each other for years, so if there’s anything you would like to tell us, we’re all ears.” Steve said.

“ Yeah. There’s no judgement here. This is a safe space.” Sam said and waved his hand around the table to signify that it was, indeed, a safe space.

You looked at all of them and you sighed. “ Alright. I’ll spill but please… no judgement okay?”

“ We promise.” Bucky said and held your hand.

“ Okay so, I had a dream last night. That dream started out normal. Then the dream took a turn when… when someone, well, kissed me.” You said that last bit in a small voice.

“ What? Speak up Y/N.” Steve said as they all inched closer to you.

“ Kissed me! When someone kissed me.” You said and covered your face with your hands in embarrassment. “ And now, I’m trying to find out who did it.”

“ Wait that’s it? I thought it was something serious!” Sam exclaimed.

“ So you’ve been staring at our lips, because you think one of us kissed you in your dream? Are you even sure it was a real person?” Steve asked you.

“ No, but if it was, I want to find out who.” You said as you crossed your legs and leaned back in your seat. The guys looked at you with narrowed eyes. They must have thought you were a little crazy.

“ We’re almost physically 20 years older than you.” Bucky said as he points at himself and Steve. “ What were you going to do if it was one of us?”

“ I don’t know I didn’t think that far.” You said and shrugged.

“ Were you going to go after the rest too?” Steve asked.

“ Well, yeah. I made a list and you three were the first because you guys are single and not interested in anyone as far as I know.”

“ Thanks for the reminder Y/N. It hurts.” Sam said as he raises a hand to his heart.

You gave them a thumbs up in response. You stood up from your seat, turned around and you fell back in your seat because Peter was standing right behind you.

“ When the hell did you get here??” You asked Peter in an unexpectedly shrill voice.

“ Just. Did I scare you? Sounds like I did.” He said and laughed. He patted your head and walked to the fridge. You wrinkled your nose at his actions, but your facial expression softened as you kept watching him. He looked like how he did every time he woke up. Unkept curly hair, a plain t-shirt and checkered pyjama pants. Sam used his finger to push your head down and you were soon gazing at your empty plate.

“ Stop making it so obvious.” He said and took his finger off your head.

“ Thanks.” You muttered, with your head still faced downwards. Unbeknownst to you, Sam and Bucky were exchanging glances and nodding to each other, while looking at Peter.

“ Hey Spidey. Y/N had this bizarre dream last night and she wou-mmphm-“ It took you a while to process what was happening but when you did, your hand went flying over Sam’s mouth to stop him from saying anymore because it could potentially destroy your relationship with Peter and you really didn’t want that to happen.

“ She would like your input about it.” Bucky finished his sentence and your eyes widened in a mix of disbelief and anger. You couldn’t believe they were about to tell him. They knew how much you liked the boy and they tease you to no end.

“ Uh yeah sure.” Peter said as leaned over the counter, with a glass of apple juice in his hand.

You stood up straight, realising that it was better to not kick the guys’ asses because - rational thinking. “ They’re just saying nonsense. I don’t need help with anything. Really.” You said in your calmest voice. “ You can just go back to drinking your apple juice and I will be in my room. Bye!” You said and tried to retreat to your bedroom but was stopped when Bucky pulled you by the collar.

“ Hang out with us Y/N! And don’t you want to know about what your dream meant?” Bucky asked sarcastically and pushed me into my seat. You pursed your lips and closed you eyes hard in frustration. You looked at the guys’ faces. Steve looked like he didn’t want any part of it and Sam and Bucky looked like they were getting a real kick out of the situation.

“ Two can play at that game.” You thought and said, “ Well, I had a dream where I saw two people kissing. It was a pretty weird dream, so I got curious… I’m suspecting that it’s Sam and Bucky over here but I’m not sure.” You said innocently. You saw the look on their faces and it was priceless. Steve almost spit out his drink.

“ How- no! That is ridiculous!” Sam exclaimed and stood up. Bucky was too shocked to say anything.

“ It’s my dream and I know what I saw. Now I feel terrible for not giving you guys privacy. I’m pretty clueless, you should give me a signal next time.” You said and put a hand to your heart, being sympathetic. “ Now that I’ve got it sorted, I will go back to my room. Thank you so much for helping me figure it out. I support you guys.” You said and placed your hands together as if you will pray for their relationship. This time, you successfully made your exit, leaving Steve trying not to laugh, Bucky rubbing his face in frustration and Sam speechlessly fuming.  

Peter grinned amusingly at your actions. He’s seen Bucky act the way he did only a handful of times and only you could make Sam that ticked off. Peter put down his glass and walked to your room.

You heard a knock on your door after crossing out Steve, Bucky and Sam’s name. You walked to your room door, opened it and there Peter was.

“ Hey. Can I come in?” Peter sheepishly asked. You made way for him to enter your room and you closed the door.

“ You really did something to them, Y/N.” Peter said as he chuckles.

“ It was my pleasure.” You said and laughed, remembering what just happened. “ Because it really happened. In my dream.”

“ Really?”

“ Yeah, it really happened.” You reiterated.

“ You’re lying.” Peter said to me as he cocked his head to the side. “ I know you are.”

“ I’m not! Why would I lie?” You said and scoffed, trying to evade his suspicions. The phrase ‘oh shit’ ran through your mind repeatedly.    

“ Because you always narrow your eyes a little when you lie.”

“ I- I don’t narrow my eyes.”

“ You just did! You were narrowing your eyes a lot when talking about Sam and Bucky.” Peter said and imitated your so-called habit. You opened your mouth to say something, but nothing came out.

“ I'm sorry, I'm not here to convict you or anything. I was just curious what your dream was.” Peter said and rubbed his neck awkwardly. You narrowed your eyebrows at him in suspicion. Why does he want to know so badly?

“ Alright, if you're dying to know. Long story short, someone kissed me in my dream. That's it.” You said, leaving out the part where you were trying to find out who it was.

“ Do you know who?” He asked in a rather small voice.

“ What? No, I don’t. I’m a curious person but I’m not that curious.” You said as you laughed awkwardly. “ Why?” You asked with your head a little tilted to the right.

“ This may be a bit hard to explain. Okay, you know how if a girl gets kissed when she’s sleeping, she kind of feels it when she wakes up?” He asked you but you just look at him weirdly.

“ So you think someone kissed me? In my sleep?” You asked and he nodded.

“ If you just think about it… I’m here. Talking to you. About the kiss in your dream. And only someone who really likes you would do that in real life. Any guesses?” He asked. You put it together and ran a scenario in your head.

“ You! Wait did you actually??” You asked in pleasant shock. You were a teeny bit happy he actually did it because it mean he feels something. But a part of you was a teeny bit angry because he came into your room and kissed you while you were sleeping.

“ Your room door was slightly open and I wanted to close it but… I’m sorry. I’m a coward and thought this whole thing up so you would find out my feelings for you.” He said as he paced back and forth in nervousness. You stood there in silence. You really didn’t know what to say but something had to come out of your mouth.

“ I… I can’t tell if I’m mad or happy. I really like you, Peter. For God knows how long.” You confessed and you couldn’t help but smile as you did. He looked at you longingly and lunged at you, startling you to take a few steps back. His hands reached your cheek and neck and pulled you in, your lips meeting in the middle. You blinked a few times before closing your eyes, immersing yourself in the moment you’ve always wanted to happen. His hands snaked down to my waist, my hips and then further down…

“ Hey there. Going a little too fast, aren’t we?” You said as you pulled his arms back to your waist.

“ Sorry, I- I guess I was too eager.” He said and laughed guiltily. “ I’ve been wanting you for a long time.”  

You looked at him dreamily and said, “ Well, I guess we could compromise. How about we start tomorrow? Not too fast, but also to make up for lost time.”

He... he likes me doesn't he. Lord, I hope he does. The one way to find out is to test him. And tonight's movie night. Perfect.

“ Hey guys!” I shout cheerfully as I made my way to the living room, wearing one of Peter’s nerdy shirts he gave me a while back along with shorts that can't be seen unless I lift the shirt. I usually wear it to sleep but today's an exception.

Everyone's eyes were on me, but all I saw was Peter's astonished expression. I could see him mouth the word ‘wow' and he looked away. Well, he's not that good at hiding it is he?

“ Y/N Y/M/N Y/L, where are your pants??” Steve says in a somewhat fatherly tone.

“ Yeah are you trying to flash us? What’s with the get-up?’ Tony chimes in. I roll my eyes.

“ Can't a girl be comfortable without being called out on? And besides-" I lift up my shirt, a little higher than I should, hoping Peter would take a peek. “- I'm wearing shorts.”

Sounds of disgust flew in the air.

“ God, put the shirt down!”

“ Our baby's growing up so fast.”

“ Lady Y/N, that is inappropriate!”

“ Yeah, you go girl!”

Amidst the Avengers being very vocal about my midriff, I saw Peter frantically look in any other direction where I wasn’t in his line of sight. How cute.

I roll my eyes even further and sighed. “ Guys, I am 17. I'm not a kid anymore! And it was only my midriff, it’s not like I flashed you my freaking vagina.” I say as I sit next to Peter. I silently thanked the heavens for the empty seat next to him on the couch.

“ I can't. I just can't. She just said ‘vagina’.” Clint says and fakes a tear.

“ They should really get over the fact that I'm not a kid anymore.” I say to Peter.

“ W-Well I mean, you still are.” He says as he looks ahead, not meeting my eyes at all.

“ What are you talking about, you're the same age I am.”

“ Indeed I am.” He says and that's all he says.

I've got to work a little harder.

As the movie is playing, I think of ways I can make Peter nervous. Putting my legs across his? Hanging my legs off the couch as I place my head on his lap? Well, sometimes, less is more.

I slowly laid my head on his shoulder and I swear I couldn’t hear him breathing anymore.

“ Sorry. Just a little tired.” I say to him.

“ Um, It's totally fine. Totally.” He says as he shifts a little here and there. I stopped myself from smiling by pursing my lips together. I close my fist to prevent myself from playing with his hand which is pretty close to mine. Hold on. That's actually a pretty good idea.

I waited a while more before my right hand slowly made its way to Peter's left hand. I grab his hand and pull it to my side, stroking and admiring his hands. His fingers are slim and not particularly long but they were definitely a man's hand. His veins slightly popped which I personally think is irresistible. I soon found my heart beating at an abnormally fast rate. I was supposed to charm him, not vice versa! I got carried away and started thinking about the hand I was holding. Him cupping cheeks with them, him grabbing my waist with them, him exploring my body...

My heart was beating faster than before and I feel my face flush. After getting back to my senses, I feel a warm touch against the back of my palm. I look to my right and my hand was now intertwined with Peter’s. I guess it’s safe to say I'm looking forward to what comes after this.

“ Well that was a waste of time.” Bucky says as he turns the TV off. The movie just ended. I got startled and released my hand from Peter’s, shifted in my seat and nodded in agreement as I have no idea what the movie was about.

“ No wonder that movie got a 31% on Rotten Tomatoes. Next time, I'm picking the movie.” Clint says as he and the rest drag their feet to their bedrooms. I’m thinking how I’m finally alone with him when I feel a tap on my shoulder. Nat and Wanda appear in my line of vision.

“ We know what you’re up to. Good luck, Y/N!” Nat says and Wanda gives me a thumbs up. Before saying anything the two of them rush out of the room.

“ Y/N.” Peter says my name from behind which makes my heart beat twice as fast. I turn around to an expectant look on his face.

“ I-Is um, Is it just me or all that… all the things you did tonight, you probably caught on that I’ve been avoiding you…” He trails off. I huff.

“ It was pretty obvious Pete. Anyone would’ve noticed the moment you didn’t look me in the eye.” I say, hurtfully.

“ I’m sorry. We’ve been friends for so long and I just didn’t know how to act around you anymore.” He says, his eyes fixated on the carpet. I grabbed his hand.

“ You could have just told me. I would have been really happy. Still am of course.” I say and gave him a smile.

“ Just so we’re clear, you know I like you right?” Peter says as he looks at me suspiciously.

“ OMG I had no clue! You were hiding the fact that you like me SO.WELL.” I say, so sarcastically that Peter cracked a smile and shook his head.

“ Well, it’s a great thing I did because then I wouldn’t have seen you like this.” He says and takes a good look at what I was wearing. I start to get embarrassed that he was practically gawking at me from head to toe.

“ My eyes are up here.” I bend my head to meet his eyes. His gaze quickly locked onto mine.

“ Yes they are.” He says softly and moves forward a little, startling me and I take a few steps back. He cups my face in his hands, causing me to catch my breath.

“ There’s no way I could forget these eyes.” He says, his eyes fixed onto mine. He pulls me in and dips his head and our lips meet. We pull apart and stare into each other’s eyes.

“ There’s a better place we could continue this.” Peter says in a deep, captivating voice as he squeezes the flesh on my waist.

“ I’m right behind you.”