Here's to us

“No offence, but you don’t give off ‘I can deal with politician’ vibes.” Something which had worked in his favour before, she wanted to believe the best in people - even when it wasn’t there. “No, it was entirely rude, I’m not taking arguments about the subject.”

“I don’t need someone who loves Star Wars as much as me. If I replace Ned as my resident Star Wars buddy, it’d crush him.” He finished, shaking his head solemnly. Apart from anything else, he’d never been the type to have a ‘checklist’ of things he looked for in someone he wanted to date. Usually he’d be going about his life as normal, meet someone, get to know them - then stumble into having feelings for them. “I’ve learnt not to believe what people like to whisper about. Seems the easiest way to lead life.”

“I don’t think the council would be much help, unless they suddenly remembered a past life and have decided to be nicer.” It was meant to be a joke, but they hadn’t help before in his memories, he simply didn’t want to bring that up at that point. “Well that’s... All kinds of rude” 

“Rude.” He scoffed, shaking his head.”That was only like... Half of my decor, there was a lot of old tech around.” Face cracking at the end, he didn’t bother hiding his smile after that. One that softened at her next words. “I do.” He whispered softly. “As long as you promise to say if things ever get too crazy by being around me.”

“Essentially.” He quipped, though he wasn’t sure if she was joking or not. “Either life didn’t go great for me. Growing up here, I was mostly left to my own devices, taught myself everything - I always thought it’d be nice to have somewhere around where kids who felt the same way could go to for some shelter. Someone to help them out, when they feel like they have nobody.” It might not help much, but he reasoned even if it could end up helping one kid it’d be worth it - or teaching them that they matter, when nobody else would tell them. “Is that your plan? Ditch everyone to marry rich?”

Shrugging at the words, he knew she was right, but that didn’t make them any easier to follow through on. “Not sure places around here would have what I usually use to decorate.” He finally offered, holding back the fact it was usually some memorabilia from things people usually considered nerdy. “Guess we are.” He nodded softly. “If - you want to be?”

“I’ve been here a lot longer than you. At least mentally.” He wasn’t sure how long he’d physically been there, and he honestly didn’t need the headache that came with trying to work out which parts of his life he’d lived, and what was fabricated. “You do for the kind of help I want to give, unless you want to use that optimistic streak, to talk someone into giving us a free mansion.” 

“In my defense, leading a double life keeps you busy, I only sleep in here. Didn’t see the point in decorating. That and... Guess not decorating meant it wasn’t my room, that it was temporary.” Because that’s what he wanted it to be. The island was nice enough, but it wasn’t home. “Everyone needs someone, don’t they?”

“Should I be offended you called my decorating boring?” Faux hurt in his voice, though he was sure everyone could agree it could use some sprucing up. He didn’t spend a lot of time in the room, so he’d figured it’d be a waste of money to put effort into it. It was a place to crash between patrolling and class. Smiling softly when he felt her cuddle in, he moved his arm around her, settling into the pillows behind him. “If you need someone, I’ll be here.” 

“We cant exactly travel can we?” Which would have been interesting, planes were a lot quicker than a horse after all. “Maybe someone could, but you need money to do most things - and bartenders aren’t exactly the wealthiest people around.”

Going to the bathroom to change, something that didn’t take long since Spiderman had taught him how to change in record time - he went back to his room, throwing his clothes into the hamper. “I don’t think I’d trust someone who didn’t like comedies.” He mused, climbing onto the bed beside her - telling himself for once not to overthink it. “Thank you, for coming over today. I think you made it the easiest it could be,” 

Shrugging, he hummed softly before answering. “I think you have the unfair advantage of making anything look amazing.” That he was sure was safe to admit, she was a model after all - making clothes look good was part of the job. Stretching his legs, before pushing himself up he grabbed his tv remote, throwing it onto the bed beside her. “I don’t know if you want to watch something or sleep.” He called over his shoulder, going back to his drawers to pick out something for him to sleep in. “But no tragedies? I think if we watch something, we’re both in need of a comedy.”

“I think we’re limited on what we can do here.” He pointed out, gesturing around them - getting off the island seemed improbable at that point, at least until whatever brought them there decided to send them back. “I think I want to help some people out, they kind of help I didn’t get in either life - but that you need money for, which seems to be a problem in every life.”

Turning away from her, he laughed softly at the words. “That’s the first time I’ve ever had the ‘think before you act’ speech in that context.” Was it a weird comment? Yes, but it at least stopped his mind from going places he was sure would bring the redness back to his features. “I’m sure you’ve worn things a lot nicer than a dorky science shirt - no matter how much I love it.” 

“I don’t know, which is the honest answer, not a loophole.” He spoke, giving himself a little time to work out his next answer. “I was used to being alone, I think I’d like to see what the opposite is like - but I don’t necessarily know what I prefer, but I don’t think I need to. We’re young here, enough time to try different things and see what works for us. So I guess that’s what I prefer right now - to try things, see what being a little more open can do.”

Pushing himself from the couch, he smiled tightly at the words - wondering why exactly he could have ridiculous banter as Spiderman, but put Peter Parker in front of someone he liked and that trait evaporated. Going into his drawers, he picked out a t-shirt with some science pun on it and a pair of shorts. “Don’t think there’s anything people find attractive about those.” He joked, once he was sure it’d come out in an even tone. Though something said she’d made them look better than anyone else could. “You can change in the bathroom if you want?”

“Would you want to go somewhere people were looking for you?” He shrugged. Getting her back to the tower had seemed like the easiest and quickest plan for him. “Would be if that was still my main focus, but it’s not anymore. Not that I know what is, but alone doesn’t seem as great as it used to.”