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sofiahahaaa · 2 years

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HEY NEIGHBOR - Tom Holland x Reader

Description: Reader is new to LA, trying to get her start as a screenwriter. She finds out on her first night in town that she has some famous company in her apartment block, and she never seems to be on the right terms with him.

A/N: So, I had this idea, and I requested it from a writing blog I really like, but I can’t force them to write anything, so I decided… finals are over, I should just write it myself! And this way– I HAVE TOTAL CONTROL. Anyways– I haven’t published any of my writing since my PJO series… which is still incomplete. AHEM. Let’s not talk about it, I don’t have the motivation to finish.

Alright. So. This is not a writing blog, but I do enjoy writing! So I will do this! For myself! And everyone else who reads, of course. That is to say, it's been a while, but I hope you enjoy!

Warnings: 18+ some cursing, mentions of sex, and a little bit of angst. Fem!Reader, sick hurt/comfort, heavy alcohol use, possessiveness/jealousy. Girlboss reader.

Wordcount: 12.6k

Pt 1. WELCOME

I brushed my hair back as I waited for the front desk to hand me my new keys. My nerves had me picking my hands raw.

This was it. I was in LA, lo and behold, and I… had no plans. I should’ve made plans.

I bit my lip anxiously, trying to tune out the annoying clicking of someone’s keyboard. Don’t be stressed. It’ll all be okay.

Finally, the meek man at the front desk popped back up, his wild blue hair flying everywhere. He stuck out his hand awkwardly, key dangling from his dirty fingers.

“Here you go Ms… ms…” He looked positively in pain as he tried to remember my name.

“Y/N is fine. Just, um–” I grabbed the keys and picked up my bag again. “Which unit?”

“Unit– uh– 320.”

“3rd floor?”

“Um– yes. Yeah.”

“Okay, thank you, Mr. Laurence.” I said, glancing at his name tag. The guy was certainly a hot mess. I hoped I didn’t look that way.

Traffic made the ride from the airport to my new apartment building about an hour long (double the time it should’ve been), and after a 2-hour plane delay, I was just rushing to make sure I got here in time to meet the moving guys. I hadn’t had a chance to check that I still looked… presentable.

I lugged my carry-on suitcases down the hallway and up the stairs (elevator wasn’t working) until finally, I found my apartment. Man, having to make that walk all the time would not be enjoyable.

I shuffled around in my bag for about a minute trying to find the damn keys, which I couldn’t have possibly lost already– oh, there.

Finally, with a satisfying clunk, I slid the keys in and unlocked the door, opening it to take in the wonderful smell of… apartment. It was so plain. A fresh start. This was a good sign.

My boxes were already there, complete with a little note. Guess I didn’t make it to meet the moving guys. It was alright, though– everything seemed to be there. And because it was just a one-bedroom, there wasn’t really a ‘wrong’ place to put the boxes.

This, I could work with. I moved around to set my bag down on the counter, taking in my new digs. It was surprisingly nice for how cheap the rent was. Relatively new doors, modern appliances, barely a sign of ceiling stains from water leakage. There had to be something wrong, right?

Just then, I heard a loud crash from next door. Hmm. Maybe that was the issue.

I shrugged it off and started tearing open boxes. It was such a small apartment; I didn’t get why my mom insisted on me hiring moving guys. I told her that if she wanted to keep all my stuff from my old place, she could just hire the moving guys to come to her house. The apartment wasn’t furnished yet, but it wasn’t like I had to keep my old stuff. I liked the idea of starting anew.

Alas, my mom is the kind of person to always get what she wants, so thus, the moving guys were hired, and now my apartment was already full of stuff, and I had just arrived.

I had only torn open 2 boxes by the time my phone started ringing, lighting up with my mom’s caller ID. I left the stack of books I was trying to organize and picked up the phone. “Heyyy sweetie…”

“Hi mama. What’s up?”

“Well, I figured you were all settled right about now and that I should call you to make sure you’re doing well!”

“Actually, mom, I just landed.”

“What? But your flight was for 11 am!”

“Yeah, but it was delayed from Phoenix.” I paused, holding my scissors between my teeth as I looked for my bedding box.

“No! LAX is such a nightmare– I can’t believe I have to fly through there every time I want to see you.” My mother huffed, hard to read but hopefully in a playful tone.

“It’s not so bad.” I tried to interject, but she left me with silence. “Okay, so it’s pretty bad. Anyways, I’m just unpacking some stuff before I go out to dinner.”

“Dinner? Do you have plans with someone? Not a date, right?” My mom already sounded worried.

“No, mom. Just me. I mean dinner, like… Chipotle. Not a fancy dinner.”

“Oh, okay. Well, stay safe!”

“I’ll try.” I hung up before she could carry on the call. Seriously, the sun was almost setting and I had barely fixed the apartment.

I had been at it for what seemed like hours, blasting my favorite music and unpacking things at rapid speed. I wasn’t new to unpacking, either. My old job in sales and marketing had me traveling all the time, so I was in and out of my old apartment every other day. It was probably why I could never hold down a relationship. It was sad and lonely, but it paid really well, especially since I was straight out of college.

Finally, with enough savings, I had decided to pursue my true dream in Hollywood: writing stories that so many people around the world would see. My work, on the big screen.

It was risky. My employer was shocked when I handed in my two weeks; I think because he had basically given me everything I could ever ask for. Sure, I felt bad, but it wasn’t like they relied on me 100%. And I wanted a change, quick.

So here I was, arranging chairs at the countertop and throwing my old throw pillows on my old couch. Shiny new apartment, shiny new city. Exhilarating.

All of the sudden, I heard a loud knock at my door, sending me out of my unpacking haze. I rushed to the door, straightening out my shirt and trying to hide my sweat stains. Ah shit, my hair.

Whatever: I don’t care if my neighbor sees me like this, it’s going to happen a lot more.

I opened the door wide, immediately shocked with who was on the other side.

“Tom… Holland?” I took a deep breath and blinked hard. I had to be seeing things.

“That would be me.” He smirked a little, straightening his cuff.

“Sorry, are you my neighbor?” Why did Tom Holland live in a moderately priced apartment building– not to mention one that was decently far away from anything significant?

“Well, I do live in the apartment unit right next to yours, so I suppose I would be.” He was being… snarky.

I couldn’t lie, he was attractive– I was a huge fan of Spiderman and, well, how he plays Spiderman, but I’d never expected him to be so… uppity. No, that wasn’t the right word. He wasn’t posh, necessarily. Just had an air about him that made him seem superior to you. I was sure he could be perfectly sweet if given the chance, but with me– he would never get the chance. I’d make sure of it. I’m going to be working with celebrities all the time if my career takes off; so, I have to learn to speak to them– like normal people. Right. Just some practice for the big leagues.

“You suppose?” I said, mocking his accent. He made a face.

“You got me. I’m British,”

“Funny.” I held in an actual laugh, knowing that just a chuckle from me would boost his ego through the roof. “But in all seriousness, is there a reason you came over? I know you are a star and you know, you have such a busy life–”

“Oh, if that’s how it is–” He made like he was going to walk out the door. I bit my lower lip and decided to have some restraint.

“No, I’m sorry. I’m being rude. Why did you choose to grace me with your presence on this fine day?” He turned back to me, resting his arm on my door jamb.

“Well, I know you’re new, but the blasting of music… you gotta keep it down. We have thin walls here, darling.”

I swallowed a gasp when he called me darling. LA is absolutely surreal. “Oh… I see.” I pouted, “You don’t like my taste in music?”

“It’s not the music, love. It’s your singing. It’s like in the shower, except we can hear you. And you don’t have range.”

I rolled my eyes. “Ouch! You think you can do better?” I instantly winced, remembering he had a history on the West End. Stupid.

“I definitely can.” He was still smiling, though– so, no harm, no foul.

I raised my hands up playfully. “Okay, I surrender. I’ll stop singing– but the music is staying on.”

“Actually, I do have a date over right now– so could you turn it down? Or… put in some headphones?”

I could feel my heart beating. A date? So he wasn’t… flirting.

Or maybe he was. Maybe it was a casual thing with his… date.

“A date? Didn’t know you were dating anyone!”

“Well, it’s not exactly public. We are thinking of moving in together, however, so I suppose you should meet her as well.”

So it was serious. There go my chances. “Any other secret roommates you want to tell me about?”

“Actually, yeah. My brother Sam is living with me right now. He’s quite the chef, so maybe you could come over for supper in the future.”

“I might; I’m not exactly financially equipped for gourmet, so a free dinner is appealing.”

“You’re a funny one. Alright, well–” His apartment door came open, the girl who I assumed was his girlfriend poking her head out the door.

“Babe? Are you coming back to bed?” She whined. Yikes, wouldn’t have taken him to end up with this kind of girl.

“Soon, sweetheart. I’m introducing myself to the new neighbor.” He explained, eyes tired.

She stepped out of the doorway, and thankfully she was dressed. “Hmm,” she moaned lightly. Does his girlfriend always make sex sounds when speaking casually? She was eyeing me up and down, eating me up with her eyes. “She’s pretty,” she said, a hint of jealousy in her eyes. Jealous? Of a girl he just met? “Are you sure she’s not some crazy fan?”

“She’s right there, baby.” Tom reminded her. “And I doubt she’s ‘some crazy fan’. She seemed genuinely surprised that I was her neighbor.”

“Who even is she?”

“Why don’t you ask her?” Tom replied. She shrugged. Seemed like… a brat. “Okay– actually, I don’t remember your name– please tell me I haven’t asked yet.”

“No, you haven’t. My name’s Y/N, uh, L/N.”

“That’s a pretty name,” he said almost without thinking, then immediately looked guiltily at his girlfriend. Apparently, that’s exactly what she was looking for, because she was pouting at him for making that comment. “Um, but– the prettiest of all, the queen of my world right here– her name is Emily.”

“Nice to meet you, Emily.” I stuck out my hand to shake hers, but she neglected to return the shake. I let my hand drop to my side and rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly. “Well then. Tom, Emily, nice to meet you both. I’ll turn down that music for you. We can… catch up soon.”

I dropped back into my apartment, sitting on the floor, defeated. That girl was… toxic– but I couldn’t get involved. It was someone else’s relationship. For now, I would have to focus less on the hot neighbor, and more on the journey ahead of me.

Pt 2. REFERRAL

“Yep. Yep, got it. No, it’s totally fine. Yep. Okay. Bye.” I hung up the phone in frustration. Another rejection. Nobody would hire me with no experience and the wrong degree. All of the work I had done independently was nothing in this kind of industry. I slumped face down onto the floor, my face hitting the cold wood.

“AHHHHHHHHH,” I screamed in frustration. 2 weeks of nothing but rejection and tears. The stress was building up, and my part time job at the Starbucks down the street wasn’t paying the bills. “FUCK!” I screamed again, kicking the ground as hard as I could without hurting myself.

I had been laying there, crying, for a couple minutes, when I heard a knock on my door. I didn’t answer it. I didn’t want anyone to see me like this.

“Y/N?” Ugh, it was Tom.

You know, being neighbors with Tom wasn’t all I had hoped it would be. I had barely spoken to him since the night you’d met, save for a couple interactions on the way to get the mail or take out the trash. I’d almost seen his girlfriend more than him, and everytime she saw me she gave me that horrid catty look. She was… the worst, to put it lightly.

Oh, and the sex. No, not with him. Him and… Emily, just going at it. If anything, I guessed Tom was staying with that nightmare because the sex was good. Sometimes the moans coming through the walls were so loud that even my sound-blocking headphones wouldn’t block out that shit. That paired with the sound of the bed hitting the wall made me want to jump off the roof of the building.

Tom went silent, and I sighed, hitting the floor with my forehead again. Then, I heard the door creak open. Before I could sit up to protest, Tom spoke. “You left it unlocked.”

“So you just walked in?”

“Being a friend, I wanted to see what was wrong with you.” He shrugged.

“Gee, thanks. Besides, what makes you think we’re friends?” I shot back, genuinely upset.

Tom mocked being hurt. “What’s wrong with me?”

“I could tell you, but you have to answer my questions first.”

“Okay, sounds fair.”

“Is your girlfriend going to barge through that door in a second and kill me for speaking to you?” I sat up fully.

“I don’t… think so? She’s away at the moment. And why do you say it like that?” Tom had a small frown scrawled on his face.

“She’s… I’m going to be honest with you, because I honestly couldn’t care less if you hate me. She’s a nightmare. She’s so rude. I can’t believe you’re– actually, I’m not going to finish that sentence.” This time, he seemed genuinely shocked.

“I didn’t realize you felt that way.” I couldn’t decipher whether he was disappointed or just upset with me for being so blunt about it.

“Of course not. We’ve barely spoken.”

“Yeah… yeah. Okay, you said ‘questions’. What are the other ones?” He sat down on my couch, kicking one of his legs over the other in a weird cross.

“Why did you come over?”

“Because you were screaming. It was really loud– and distracting.” He crossed his arms.

“Oh nooo, me losing another job is so devastating to you, oh noooo.” I rolled my eyes.

“Apologies, but did you say… another job?” I was ready to blow up on him right then and there, but I held it back in my throat.

“Been having some trouble getting a job with practically no experience.” I coughed out, blinking away my emotions.

“What do you do?”

“I’m trying to get a job writing for a show or movie… or, anything.”

“I know a lot of writers,” he said, and I interpreted it as him being boisterous.

“Yeah, that’s great news for me.”

“No, no– ugh, I mean, I might be able to connect you to someone, and like, maybe you could assist or something.” He tried to explain.

“Or something.” I hummed.

“Yeah, if you’re interested, I’ll submit your resume to some of my colleagues. I’m sure they won’t mind taking a look.”

“Why are you doing this?” I was surprised by his sudden interest in helping me.

“Don’t want you to keep crying.”

“That’s… sweet.” He held up a wary hand.

“Because it’s loud, and I am trying to get some rest.”

“Oh, wow.”

“Will you please keep it down?”

“Yep. Sureee. No problem.” I slumped my shoulders again.

Without another word, he had left my apartment, leaving me with the most confusing rollercoaster of emotions waiting to come crashing in. I had almost forgotten I was suppressing them. I just took myself to my bed to cry softly, making sure to not disturb him. Life is messy. What is wrong with me? Why do I have to rely on my stupid hot actor neighbor to get a job? And… why am I crying?

I hope he can’t hear me. Wouldn’t want that to interrupt his wonderful sex life.

Pt 2. Alternative: Tom’s POV

I had been trying to find an excuse to talk to the new girl for so long, it was really wearing on me. I felt like every time I intentionally ran into her, she was in a rush to leave, even though she was always in her apartment. She literally only left for work, and that was less than half the day; so why did she avoid me?

I knew Emily hadn’t exactly made the best impression on her, but she was just intimidated by the new, pretty face in town. I had been really impressed by how she was able to keep up banter with me without shaking. It was so refreshing.

And now she wouldn’t talk to me.

I hadn’t even gotten her number– I mean, we did live next to each other– but I never got the chance to invite her over to dinner with Sam. I didn’t even know if she’d be interested.

So, when I heard her cry out like she was in pain at 10pm, I had to check it out. I was dying to at least have a conversation with her.

When I walked in, she just looked so defeated. I felt really bad. I had to fix it, right?

She just… made it so hard to be nice. I knew it was all fun and games, but this was dangerous. What happens when I cross a line? We weren’t close enough for me to know where that line is.

So there I was, stepping in and out. And that’s when I hear that she is trying to be a writer. I don’t tell her, because I don’t want to get her hopes up, but there’s a writer’s position open on the next project I’m working on, and it’s a big one. It would look great on her resume.

So I mention it, act like I’m being a decent person, and leave before I get ahead of myself and start spewing nonsense about wanting to be her best friend in the whole wide world. Finally in my apartment, I danced around the room erratically, so crazy happy that I had a conversation with her, despite it being… neutral, to say the least.

When I finally settle down into bed, resting comfortably, I hear quiet sobs coming from the other side of the wall. It takes me a second to remember that Emily isn’t here; her crying was a regular occurence. It’s Y/N who’s crying. I take a second to listen, hearing that she doesn’t stop, she just keeps sobbing quietly. I hear a soft thud, and muffled sniffle.

“Fuck.” She says softly. Then she starts crying again.

Wow. Did I… make her cry?

But– I tried my best to be nice, and I practically opened up her future to success in one conversation! Way to be grateful.

I should be nicer. It was probably something I said. Or something Emily said. She just doesn’t know how to control herself sometimes. I’d leave her– but the sex is magical.

I was bordering on wanting to have her move in and wanting to break up with her entirely, and it stabbed at my nerves every time I went to bed with her. I felt guilty. I can’t keep my life so unstable with a woman I can’t see myself with in the future. But… at the same time, she’s… my cure to loneliness.

What to do, what to do.

And how to sleep, since Y/N won’t stop crying? Not that it’s that loud, but I can’t sleep knowing I’ve caused her that much pain.

Finally, the crying subsides, and I hear light snores. So she’s sleeping. That’s good.

Pt 3. BREAKFAST

I climbed out of bed the next morning feeling weak, like I had a hangover. My mouth was dry and my face was red, but there was no alcohol involved. In fact, I remembered everything vividly.

I had to push it down. If Tom had done what he’d promised, there would be an offer on the table… or, a rejection. So I just had to wait. I decided I would treat myself after finding a spare 20 in my coat pocket, heading to town to grab a bite of breakfast to eat. As I walked into the Rising Sun Eatery, however, it seemed that… someone else… had the same idea as I did.

Tom and Emily were sitting at a table at the far back of the restaurant, Tom hidden behind a large pair of sunglasses and a hood. It didn’t matter, though. I recognized Emily clear as day with her platinum blond locks that reached her backside, and her flashy pink talons, which I liked to imagine were a reflection of her true personality. It looked like Sam was also there, currently engrossed in his phone.

Immediately, I shrunk down, asking for a table outside. Emily wouldn’t see me anyways, she was facing the other way. I was just on my way to be seated when, unexpectedly, someone yelled my name. I swiveled around, scanning the room for anyone else who could’ve said it. Some people were looking around for the cause of the commotion, but no possible perpetrators, except for– well, Tom, who was waving his hand over for me to join them.

I felt like I was obliged to join after that, so I apologized to the hostess and awkwardly made my way over to their table. “Hi… guys.”

“Y/N! This is my brother, Sam– he’s in town for the next two months or so while I get a start on this new project– he’s my, uh, personal chef and brother!”

“Hi Sam, pleasure to meet you,” I stuck out my hand, and he thankfully shook it, smiling at me kindly. He seemed a little meeker than Tom, perhaps– a spray of freckles and a shyer smile.

“Pleasure is all mine,” He replied, beckoning for me to take the seat across from him, which, naturally, was next to Emily. She smiled, poison dripping from those glossed lips.

“Y/N, right?”

“Emily, dear, don’t be silly. You’ve met Y/N, several times I believe.”

“Oh, yes, how could I forget? The pretty one next door.”

“Thanks Emily. I don’t mean to intrude on you guy’s brunch, so I’ll just head out if that’s alright.”

Tom bit his lip uncomfortably. It was hard for me to figure out whether he did that because he wanted me gone or because he wanted me to stay. I mean, he did call me over, so it would be weird if he wanted me gone– but perhaps he had a lapse in judgment and had only now remembered that his girlfriend hated me with a burning passion.

Sam, oblivious to this whole affair, put away his phone. “Nonsense, Y/N, I would love to get to know you! We’ve been neighbors for so long and I haven’t even had you over for dinner!”

“Oh, that’s alright. I’ve got a busy schedule, anyways.” You saw Tom quirk his eyebrow at you and you sent him a challenging look right back. What gave him the right to judge you for not leaving the apartment?

“Still, I’d love to have you. How’s Friday night sound?”

“Uh…”

“But Sammy, I won’t be avail Friday night!” squealed Emily. I lifted my head.

“Friday? Friday sounds great.”

“I’ll be there too,” Tom added. I almost immediately regretted my choice, looking away from Tom’s penetrating gaze.

Emily was still pouting, but I liked seeing her so upset. Almost made up for how mean she was.

The waiter dropped by with their dishes, noticing me at the table. “Oh, pardon miss, I didn’t realize you were seated here as well! Do you have an order?”

“Um, no. I’m alright.”

“What? Y/N, it’s lovely here. Order something.” Tom insisted.

“I don’t want to spend your money on my food. That wouldn’t be right.”

“I do it all the time for Ems here; it’s not a big deal.” I tried to ignore his comment about Emily always letting him take the check and just shook my head.

“No, that’s okay.”

“Okay then. Everything alright with everyone else?”

“Delightful, absolutely delightful.” Tom hummed as he took another bite of his pancakes.

Sam looked at me with sad eyes. “If you won’t spend Tom’s money, will you at least have some of my omelette? I promise I don’t mind.”

Knowing he wouldn’t give up, I surrendered. “Sure, I’ll have a couple bites.” Emily huffed, rolling her yes, and I tried to ignore it. Sam forked over almost half his dish before I had to stop him, “Whoa, not the whole thing! You still have to eat.”

“You’re too kind, but ever since I got into culinary school, all I’ve been doing is eating. I’ll be fine.”

I took a tentative bite of the omelet, then a bigger one. Wow. “Um, this is really good.”

“Heavenly, right?”

“Yeah… no kidding–”

“Just between you and me, my omelet is better. But this will serve.”

“I guess I’ll just have to try yours,” I shrugged, and Sam smiled.

“Finally! You’re in a good mood!”

“I was before!” I protested.

“You were not!” Sam chuckled, wiping egg off his lip. “I really like you, Y/N. You seem very kind.”

“And you seem very wise.” I joked back, finally laughing. You saw out of the corner of your eye that Tom was leaning back in his chair, furiously typing something. You ignored it, focusing on conversing with Sam, who was quite a racket.

“Hmph,” Emily whined softly. Nobody paid her any mind, so she did it again, but louder. When everyone ignored her again, she spoke up. “Tommykins, who’re you talking to?”

“It’s work stuff,” He said, brushing her off, still totally engrossed in whatever he was typing.

“Tommy, what kind?”

“What?”

“What kind of ‘work stuff’? Why are you so worked up, babes?” She said in a cutesy high voice, making me wanna stick a hand down her throat.

“It’s nothing. You’re never interested in whatever I’m working on, you won’t be interested in it now.”

“Tommykinsss,” Emily dragged out, finally making a grab at Tom’s phone. He snatched it back, and she made another grab, this time looking serious. “Tom. What the fuck? What are you working on you little asshole? Huh? You can’t keep secrets from me, I’m your one and only. Hand over the phone.” Tom looked like he was in pain, but he submitted to her, handing it over.

I gave him a concerned look, but quickly changed it to disgusted. I can’t believe he just lets her walk all over him like that.

“What. The fuck. Is this?” Emily cocked her head, holding out his phone. I couldn’t read it from my spot but it looked like an email.

“Ems, it’s an email dear. Just a little referral. Networking.”

“Yeah? Just a little ‘referral’. Why does it say ‘Cherry’?

“It’s my next project, love.”

“Yeah, duh. But why does it say Cherry and her name?” Emily hissed. Tom swallowed, red rising in his cheeks. He was so hard to read. Was he angry, embarrassed? She was obviously causing a scene, and making me very uncomfortable.

Sam raised his hands up defensively. “Who’s name?”

“It says here. ‘Addressed: Joe and Anthony Russo and the writing team. During the current production stage of Cherry, I would like to make a referral to a new friend of mine who is new to the scene in LA. Below is listed her resume, credentials, and information. Please consider having her added to the team, as I feel she could be an interesting added perspective.’ And below that, name of referral.”

“Yeah?” Sam pushed.

“Y/N L/N.”

“What?” I said, eyes wide.

“Yes, you little boyfriend-stealing bitch, he referred you to his new team. Which he’ll be working with for the next year. So, he wants to spend time with you for a year, huh?”

“No– I don’t think that was it, I just am really struggling– and he, um, probably just felt bad.”

“Yeah,” Sam piped up, “as a member of the writing team, Y/N isn’t going to be working that closely with Tom at all. It probably isn’t as it seems.”

“Tom?” Emily asked accusingly. He looked defeated, his eyes holding her with regret.

“I referred her to them because I believe she would be a good fit.”

“How do you even know that?” Emily pestered. How does he know that?

“I read one of her scripts. She’s a talent.” Tom explained, but sadness laced his voice. He read my script? Why?

“I’m not putting up with your womanizing shit, Tom. It’s me or her.”

“What? Emily, that’s so unreasonable.”

“You heard me. Either you retract your statements of recommendation and bar her from working on this project with you, or I leave you.”

“But… this is her livelihood. It’s her job. I can’t just take that away because you’re jealous.”

“I’m not jealous! I’m being perfectly reasonable about my boyfriend prioritizing me over some– some crazy bitch!” Emily exploded, getting up from the table. “You have 24 hours to decide.” She stormed out of the restaurant, drawing eyes to the table.

“What the fuck?!” Tom said, to nobody in particular. I held my head in my hands, ready to cry.

Sam looked so taken aback; he just patted my arm in sympathy and watched her leave. “Tom, there are too many people watching. We should leave before the paparazzi arrive.” Tom was shaking his head in bewilderment.

“Okay. Y/N, need a ride?”

“No thanks.” I let them leave and then started my lonely walk home.

I wished this had never happened. Why did I have to leave my cozy suburban finance job for the big city? Why did my dreams have to revolve on everyone around me being sane?

Pt 4. CHOICES

This chapter is written from Tom’s perspective. In the future, chapters will start being shorter and switching between the two a lot. I hope this is not too confusing.

When we got back to the apartment, I was still in shock. Sam had been rattling off on me the whole ride down about how I was a bloody idiot for trying to make things with Emily work.

“Tom, seriously. What was that? She’s mental, talking to you that way– giving you an ultimatum. You know what the right choice is.” Sam declared.

“Do I? We were so serious about moving in together. We had a future.” I said, hope still lingering somewhere in the distance.

“Key word: had. And besides, things change. Or, in her case, they don’t. Don’t lie, she’s been like this forever. You can’t have a girlfriend who’s a jealous mess over any girl that you come across! You're adored by millions, it’s in the boyfriend application.”

“Sam, don’t talk about her like we aren’t together.” He was being so… frustratingly off it. He’s my brother, he shouldn’t take a side. He should support whichever side I take.

“As far as I’m concerned, you aren’t. Not like this. Don’t be a prick. Y/N is bloody brilliant. She’s so sweet and… genuine. Nothing like Emily. If anything, you should be dating her.” That did it.

“Sam, will you fucking SHUT UP about dating– for another 24 hours, I am with Emily. And, who knows. Maybe after that. Just– fuck– don’t mention Y/N. I feel guilty enough.”

Sam groaned. “You never learn.”

“Pipe down, too, okay? She can hear us.” I added. Sam rolled his eyes, leaving the room with his middle finger right up.

“Fuck right off, mate. If you don’t stand up to Emily, I’m gonna release your phone number to the masses. Bite that one off.”

I sighed loudly, crashing onto the bed. Why, why, why.

Pt 5. OPPORTUNITIES

I sat alone in my living room, wondering why on earth life had me collide like this. I was just hitting wall after wall. A week since Emily had started that huge scene, a week since I’d spoken to Tom. Not a text. Not even in the hallway. It was so quiet, I almost thought he’d moved out. Until I heard the noises. Those god-awful sex noises.

So they were back together. Right on– and I had no job. Again. I couldn’t believe Tom, betraying me to… stay in that nightmare situation. God has no mercy on me– and I am going to go homeless by the end of next month. Maybe mom would let me move in with her again.

I rubbed my hands across my face, holding back a loud cry that I wanted to let out. I knew Tom was home. He made a racket coming in. It was so late at night… why? Why was he disturbing the peace so late at night?

I opened my phone again, surprised to see there were text messages. And they weren’t from my mom.

Unknown Number

Hi, this is sam. ~9:46am

Please get back to me ~12:04pm

Can we meet up for dinner? ~3:57pm

Okay I don’t know if you aren’t seeing these or if you’re ignoring them but we need to talk. ~8:12pm

Hi– I didn’t see them. We can call, or you can come over. ~12:02am

I’ll come over. ~ now

You opened the door to Sam’s light knock and saw him looking kind of ghastly.

“Hey Sam, what’s up? What’s… is something wrong?”

“Uh, Tom doesn’t know I’m here. So if we could… is there a place where he can’t hear us?” Sam asked, looking around anxiously.

“Um, not really. But we can be quiet. What’s wrong?”

“I’ve been really sick these last couple days, and usually Tom helps me get better when mom’s not around; like with soups and stuff, but I don’t know what’s going on with him. He hasn’t been around at all. I collapsed next to the sink when I went to… the restroom,” he flushed.

“It’s okay, we all do that.”

“And I, um, I was crying for him to come… and he never did. He showed up so late, that I had already made it back to my bed, and when he saw that I had really badly cleaned up my, uh, vomit, he just got really angry at me and hasn’t spoken to me since. He was so drunk, and… and, I know I’m such a big baby for needing him to take care of me, but I’m really sick and I just… hic! … need my brother.” I felt a surge of panic and sympathy towards Sam, so despite his kind-of stained clothing, I pulled him into a tight hug and held him there. He let out a deep breath.

“I’m sorry, buddy. He has no right to treat you that way– everyone gets a little helpless when sick. You can stay over here until you’re better, I don’t trust you alone over there, what with Tom acting the way he is.”

“I’m sorry ms. Y/N. I’m… hic! … so sorry,”

“Don’t be. You’re fine, bud. Just relax and I’ll get you settled on my bed. I’ll take the couch.”

“You don’t have to! It’s okay…”

“In the words of someone very wise, ‘nonsense, you must stay!’ Trust me buddy, you’ll be better in no time with doctor Y/N on the case.”

He smiled weakly and allowed me to lead him to the bed, instantly snuggling up under the covers. “I can’t sleep,” He muttered softly, and I sat up next to him.

“That’s okay. I’ll stay until you do.”

“Don’t you want to ask me about Tom?”

“And why would I want to do that?” That was exactly what you wanted to do, but you couldn’t, because your priority was keeping Sam safe.

“Because he’s being weird and you barely know why.”

“Okay, you got me. I do want to know. What happened?”

“He sent in the offer anyway. Broke it off with Emily. She took everything the first day, told him it didn’t matter; she never liked him, she was cheating, and left. She literally hasn’t said anything since. He was so bummed, naturally, because that was super hurtful. But he knew he had to do it.”

“So he’s gone out drinking to what? Pick up chicks? Rebound?”

“That, and he never heard back from them about your referral. They’re not working closely yet, so it’s purely digital contact, and he’s done all he can to get you the job. And radio silence from them.”

“Oh.” I didn’t know how to react. He… he put himself forward for me when I thought he’d abandoned me… and he’d still lost everything. He didn’t even have the satisfaction of knowing he did a good thing; knowing that I had a job now. This was because of me and my shitty writing. I made him hurt, with my shitty writing and my shitty experience and my shitty communication with his crazy ex. He probably hated me so much for tearing his life apart. Tearing him away from a girl he could've loved for forever.

I was the mistake.

“Y/N, why are you crying?”

“‘M not. You’re seeing things.”

“Y/N, it’s not your fault.”

“Yeah, it is. It’s my fault, and now Tom hates me. And he's drunk. And he yelled at you!”

“I yelled at him first.”

“For what?”

“When she gave him that ultimatum, I told him to shove it up his arse and just cut her off. I said… a lot of things, actually. And I got really mad at him. Called him some names.

“Oh, Sam…”

“I had only met you but I knew you were some kind of national treasure. I wasn’t going to let my idiot brother choose his lunatic girlfriend over you getting a job of a lifetime.”

“But I didn’t get the job.”

“They haven’t rejected you yet, Y/N.”

“But haven’t they? It seems like a sign. I should move back to the suburbs, start a family with some unassuming upper-middle class gentleman, and forever work in finance or as a housewife.”

“Since Tom said they were good, I went and read the scripts you wrote. They really are good, you have talent. You’re meant to be a writer, Y/N, and no one can take that away. This is just a speed bump. You have great things ahead.”

“Thank you… Sam, for the speech. You’re probably right. I can get through this. But, can Tom?” I waited for Sam to say something ridiculously optimistic, but then I saw he had fallen asleep, a small bit of drool leaving his mouth. I tucked him in tightly, then hopped off the bed to rest on the couch.

We’d talk tomorrow.

Pt 6. SICKENING

This chapter is written from Tom’s POV.

When I woke up, my mind still felt hazy with the memory of the night before. I felt the edges of my thoughts tickling my head, making me dizzy.

God, I hadn’t had a hangover this bad since Haz’s 20th birthday.

I felt instantly as if I was going to throw up, so I stopped trying to lift myself up and just breathed.

I knew I had brought a girl home last night… Shay? Ray? I didn’t remember at all. She wasn’t there, but I had to tread lightly in case she was in the main room. Sam would probably be bothered if there was a strange woman while he was trying to prepare breakfast, if he was even doing that since I went off on him.

I hadn’t really spoken to him lately, but I’ve been busy– not that there are any pressing projects or filming, but I’ve had meetings here and there. He was sick, but he just kept leaving stuff everywhere! I mean, I’m a busy man. I don’t have time to take care of his sorry ass when he gets a little fever.

I finally cleared the spots in my eyes enough to lift myself out of bed, taking a stroll to the main room. Oh, she was gone. Thank god. I hated having to put up with the girls who didn’t understand this was a one time thing.

Just to clarify, I’m not usually a… one-night kind of person. But I’ve been bloody miserable since Emily left, and a man has needs. LA is the kind of place where I can get my needs fulfilled.

I checked my phone for messages. I still felt a twang of sadness when I saw no notifications from Emily, but… it had to happen.

Or maybe it didn’t. Clearly, the Russo’s didn’t care much for Y/N’s writing, despite me thinking it was amazing. And Y/N hadn’t spoken to me either, so I had just lost twice. Three times? I was too bogged to count.

Seeing as Sam wasn’t up yet to cook, I might as well take him to breakfast on the town again. He’s been wanting to try this place near the pier that has weird crepe flavors. Maybe I’d humor him.

I knocked on his door loudly, “Sam? In the mood for a bit of a walk?”

No answer. Hmm. Well, it was my apartment. I opened the door, which, to my surprise, was unlocked, and peered through. He wasn’t… there.

That’s weird. He usually texts me if he’s going out someplace.

I open up my phone again to see if I missed anything. Huh. Nothing since… yesterday? Asking me to buy him Nyquil. So he was still sick? He really shouldn’t be out and about, then.

Sam, where r u? ~ 9:17am

Can u respond pls, trying to make brunch reservations. ~ 9:22am

Are u coming? ~ 9:23am

Sam. ~ 9:46am

Hello? Are u dead? ~ 10:12am

I was honestly shocked. What the hell had gotten into him? Immediately, I dialed up mum, wondering if she knew. “Mum, do you know what’s gone on with Sam?”

“Sammy? He is alright, isn’t he?”

“Well, I can’t find him and he isn’t responding to my texts, so ‘alright’ doesn’t cover it about now.” I said, now slightly panicked.

“Hmm. I did get a call from him the other day. He seemed sad. Are you treating him well, sweetheart?”

“I am housing and feeding him, no?” I sighed. “Okay, just, tell me what he told you on the call.”

“Well, he expressed the feeling that he wanted to return to England. I don’t think he was having a very good time. He also seemed sick, so I told him that if he had to come home, at least get better first.”

“He wanted to go home?”

“That’s what he said,” my mom seemed perplexed at how I was acting. “Why, is it the first you’ve heard of it?”

“Actually, yes. It is. If you don’t mind, mum, I gotta go. Don’t put out a missing persons report for another 24 hours, alright?” “‘Course, sweetie. Well, if you do find him, tell him to call me. Alright. Bye, love.”

I hung up, sweat beading on my forehead. Holy fuck. Sam ran away. God, what a childish move.

And before you go thinking I’m a bad person– of course I was worried! But sometimes you have to put logic first, and in this case, my logic says: Sam’s gone and lost his marbles.

I mean, where would he be? He’s not exactly stacked with cash, and LA hotels are not cheap. There’s no way Emily would allow him in her apartment; not that he’d want that. Hmm. He was sick, so maybe he took a visit to the doctors? There is a 24 hour clinic close by that he could’ve walked to.

I didn’t really think he was so sick that a clinic would be necessary, but knowing it was a possibility sunk into me coldly.

So I rushed to the hospital and asked them to look for records of Sam visiting.

“Sir, it does look like we have Sam Holland in our records from today, around 8 am. He’s since left, though.”

“Can you tell me what happened?”

“I’m afraid we are not allowed to disclose any personal details of any of our patients.”

“I’m his brother, for fucks sake!” I had lost it at this lady. Who did she think she was? “Fine. Just tell me: did he come in alone?”

She looked taken aback at how I had just blown up on her, but she quickly composed herself and pursed her lips. “I really shouldn’t be telling you anything.”

“Please, please– just tell me who he was with, if– just tell me!” I was on the verge of tears. Angry and sad and guilty ones. My face stung with emotion.

“I believe it was a girl. Same age.” That was an awful description if I’ve ever seen one.

“Anything else? Hair color, eye color?”

“I don’t recall. In any case, that would be too much information to give someone,” she paused, scrutinizing me. “Even you, Mr. Holland.”

‘Ugh. Whatever,” I said, leaving the hospital. I refused to believe that Sam was actually hurt, but where on earth could he be? What girls did he know? I was fairly certain he didn’t have a girlfriend, and as far as I knew, he wasn’t too close to anyone from his work. Who would know where he is?

In a last ditch attempt, I doubled back from my apartment door. I locked eyes on the one next to it. I remembered Y/N and Sam had gotten along quite well at that disastrous brunch… and he had later defended her, even against me.

He probably wouldn’t be with Y/N, but it was worth it to ask.

Was it?

Ugh, I couldn’t bring myself to speak to her. I had let her down, let myself down, and worst of all, she probably hates me.

But I had to, for Sam.

I knocked twice, then stepped back, holding my breath expectantly.

I heard a weird shuffle going on in the apartment, a small yelp, and the sound of a large object falling.

She opened the door, looking fresh out of a magazine. How did she manage to look good on mornings like these?

Then again, she hadn’t gone through the hell I’d been through.

“Sorry, I fell off my chair,” She explained, finally looking me in the eye. I could see her eyebrow tweak downwards, and I already knew I had upset her.

“My apologies– I didn’t mean to, uh, startle you.”

“Um. Okay,” she started, her line of sight trailing her right. I swallowed, and she snapped back to focus. “Sorry, is there a reason you’re here?”

“My brother, Sam. I can’t find him and he’s not answering his texts.”

“Ah,” She nodded slowly.

“Do you know where he is?”

“Can’t say I do.”

“I really, really need to find him. Please, do you have any idea where he might be?”

She looked deep in thought, her hands fumbling around together. “I might not, but I think that if he went to these lengths to avoid you– sorry, to escape you– I think he probably just wants to be left alone.” Her face was right below mine, but she was not small. She was almost frightening.

“And how would you know anything about what HE wants?” I yelled, finally letting the walls crash down.

“I’m just saying– I don’t think it’s a smart idea for you to pursue this; I’m sure he’s safe.”

“You don’t know that. I’m his brother, I need to take care of him and I said I would and I was doing just fine and I’ve fucked up and he’s gone.” I cried, holding the collar of her shirt in my hands. She was shrinking. Oh no. She was scared of me.

“Please, Tom– let– Tom, let go I can’t–” I instantly released her, tears in my eyes.

“I’m sorry,”

“Tom, what the hell? Are you drunk?”

“No, I’m– I’m not, I promise. I’m so sorry. Please just help me find him. Please help me find my brother.”

“I don’t think that it’s the smartest idea, Tom–”

“Please! What– what if he got kidnapped, or hurt, or– I mean, I don’t know! He was in the hospital, they told me! And I don’t– what if something’s really wrong?”

“He’s fine, Tom. He’s fine.”

“How would you know–” I was cut off by the sound of another person in the apartment. “Do you have someone over?” Something in my brain starts throbbing, rage filling my senses.

Y/N winces. “Not really.”

“Not really? What does that even mean?!” I feel helpless. In so many ways.

“I can’t– Tom, no. I can’t.” She moved to go back inside the apartment, but I held her arm tightly. “Tom, ow! What the hell? Stop–” Apparently, too tightly. Then the door opens all the way. It’s Sam.

“Tom, what the hell are you doing to her?” I release her arm and panic rises in my chest.

“What– what is going on?” I ask demandingly. Sam looks livid. Is he mad at me? And why is he not wearing a shirt? What the hell is going on between them?

“You shouldn’t be here.” Sam says coldly. I notice he still looks ill; his nose is reddish and his skin is really pale. Y/N is holding her arm and wiping away a tear. What have I done?

“Are… are you guys together?” I say, my heart beating really fast. They did hit it off at brunch. Maybe a little too much.

But then, Sam shakes his head. “No, I wouldn’t do that to you.” He’s scowling. At me. “I came over because I have no friends in this shithole, and when I was relying on you to take care of me while I was sick, you left for the bars.” Sam was still so angry.

“Yeah, and unlike you, I cared about your brother enough to take him to the doctor to get checked out. He has a minor case of the flu, paired with pneumonia. Didn’t know that, did you?” Oh god, and Y/N too.

“I really didn’t mean to. I’m just very overwhelmed right now.”

“So overwhelmed, yet you can still bring home girls? It’s not like you, Tom. I’m staying here until you fix whatever is going on.” Sam spat, placing a solid hand on Y/N’s shoulder.

They went back inside, and I heard the click of the lock almost immediately. How did this happen?

Pt 7. NEWBIE

“Hi Sammy,” I called as I got home from work. Since the devastatingly slow pace of my writing career, I had taken up being a contracted marketing advisor to some small companies. It paid, but not as well as I would’ve liked. Still, Sam was working on his degree and had two part-time jobs on the side, so he was finally helping pay rent, and the load taken off of my back was huge.

In the month and a half since he stopped living with Tom, he had permanently moved in and I had rearranged the already cramped living room to fit a futon/bed for him. He bought a cute little divider so he had his privacy in the early mornings, but besides that, we pretty much shared the same space.

Tom hadn’t texted me at all. I didn’t know what had gotten into him, but I knew he needed to sort it out on his own. Besides, I knew deeply that he was probably hurt from how I had caused his breakup, and nothing would change that. I was a failure, and I had dragged Tom down with me.

“Hi, Y/N. I prepared dinner for you. It’s sitting on the counter, but I need to go to the bathroom real quick.”

“Thank you so, so much. Man, I’m starved. Work was a nightmare today.”

“You can tell me all about it,” he bounced up and down on his heels, “once I pee! Eek!” I laughed and settled down at the table, where I found he had prepared the exact dish I said I had been craving! He really seared the Korean beef to a perfection for an amateur, and the sauce was the perfect mix of tangy and sweet.

“Do you like it?” He said as he left the bathroom, beaming at me.

“Yes! It’s perfect. You should make it more often.”

“I think I will– believe it or not, it only took me like 10 minutes to cook, not counting how long the sauce had to sit.”

“Awesome. Alright, so how was your day?”

“It was lovely! So, you won’t believe it, but I think…” I continued to gobble up the dish as Sam rattled on and on about his day, which sounded super chill in comparison to mine. He was one of those people that really liked the praise of other people, and everytime I smiled at one of his jokes, or mentioned something that he had said to me in passing, he would just light up. I was always taking mental notes to keep him on his toes. And happy, most of all.

Just as I was going to fish out my phone to take a picture of the sun setting behind the Commerce Tech building, loud rock music started blaring. I looked around the apartment for my speaker, wondering if I had accidentally turned it on, but Sam had it already and it was off.

“Do you think it’s Tom?” I asked him.

“WHAT?” Oh, he couldn’t hear me.

“I SAID, DO YOU THINK TOM IS PLAYING THE MUSIC?”

“NO, I DON’T THINK SO– IT’S COMING FROM THE OTHER WALL.”

“ACROSS THE HALL?”

“NO, OTHER WALL!” He pointed towards the wall that faced him and I nodded my head.

“I’M GOING TO GO OVER AND ASK THEM TO QUIET DOWN.”

“OKAY!” My head was ringing with the loud percussive noises. Jesus, did these people know they lived in an apartment?

I had just made it to the door that was sourcing me with enough decibels to break a wine glass, when I stopped in my tracks. Damnit.

“Hey, Y/N,” he said tersely, his chest heaving with a breath.

“Hi. I was, um, just going to–”

“File a noise complaint with the new neighbors? Yeah, me too.”

“They’re new?”

“Yep. Big douchey bachelor dude. Came knocking on my door the first night he arrived asking if I had a spare beer.”

“You did, didn’t you?” I knew he was still getting drunk on occasion– I probably shouldn’t have mentioned it.

“Well, yeah, but you don’t just go on asking a man for his beer.”

“Are you going to knock or what?”

“Um, yeah. I’ll knock,” Tom stood back as he waited for their response.

“So, not a good impression of him?”

“No, not anything like yours,” Tom said offhandedly, but I caught it.

In the past month or so, I’d had lots of time to mull over some things– like how the last time I spoke to Tom, Sam had said that we weren’t a thing, and then said ‘I wouldn’t do that to you’. I knew, of course, that this implies Tom had a thing for me, or something similar. But if that was the case… Why did he treat me so poorly? And why had he made so little effort to make it better?

“I seem to remember our first meeting was a little less orthodox than most. And that it quickly turned… unenjoyable.”

“If we pretend Emily was never there, it was pretty decent.”

“I can’t pretend she doesn’t exist.”

“Why not? I do.” I went silent. He wasn’t happy, I could tell. It pained him, maybe, to see me.

“How has he still not answered the door?” I asked, exasperated.

“Well, as you well know, I’m not a stranger to just opening it anyways.”

“Oh, I do recall that quite vividly. You are… strange.”

“Whatever.” That seemed to have struck a chord with him, so I kept it in my mental no-no’s box. He went to open the door, revealing the inside of the new tenants apartment to be… horrendous.

There were about 50 people in this tiny-ass studio, all laughing and throwing shots, and none of them seemed to care at all that they were causing quite the cacophony.

“Yo, is that Tom Holland?” One of the drunk party goers shouted, and Tom immediately ducked his face down.

“Nah bro, you’re so high right now! Tom Holland doesn’t go to parties with us.. Heh,” his equally-drunk friend responded, clapping his hands really loudly. Tom rolled his eyes.

“What, are you what they say you are? Do you not enjoy parties?”

“Not these kinds of parties, Y/N. Come on, let’s get the idiot who owns this place to keep it down.” Tom grabbed me by the wrist, which sent me back to the last time he had done that. I shook my head and tried to wash out the discomfort, and even though I didn’t see him look, he still loosened his grip as he led me through the crowd.

“Alright, party people! Is this the best house warming party or what, Double G style?” A beer-bellied man with a fizzing bottle of beer in one hand and a girl on the other yelled out to the crowd.

“Wow, Mr. G, this place is popping– the deposit must have been cray!” One of his scummy friends said, right before slapping his girl on the thigh.

“Wow. This is revolting.” Tom said, shaking his head.

“Yeah. I’m beginning to see why you don’t like these kinds of parties. I, myself, don’t enjoy being sexually assaulted– and I doubt she does.”

“These people aren’t exactly classy. They don’t care about how she should be treated. Let’s just get out of here.”

“So, Mr. Good Guy, you treat women with the utmost respect?”

“That’s how I was raised, darling.” Darling. Tom never stopped, did he? We had finally made it to Double G, and he was currently eyeing me up and down like a toy.

I snapped my fingers in his face. “Hey, eyes up here. I’m your new neighbor, and I’d like to request you keep it down. We have thin walls, you know.” Tom raised his eyebrow.

“That’s my line,” He whispered in my ear.

Ignoring you, he faced Tom. “So what, she your broad?”

“Sorry, broad?” I asked incredulously. What was this, the 1950’s?

“She’s a woman, an independent one, and her being ‘mine’ is frankly revolting.”

“Okay, I see you’re into this ‘politically correct’ stuff, yeah? I mean, is she your girl? Because if she is, tell her she should really be dressin’ it up. She’s like a 2 dressed like this, but showing a little more skin? I’d tap that.” Tom made a face.

“It doesn’t matter. Turn the volume down, or we get an official sound violation set up.”

“Bro, what’s your damage? Just quit tryna stop the party and wear headphones or something!”

“It’s shaking the walls, mate. Just turn it down.”

“You’re really getting on my nerves, neighbor. I’ll turn it down, on one condition.”

“What?”

“You let me feel up that girl of yours.”

“What? Hell no.” Tom said before I could step in.

“Then no deal, homie.”

“Turn it down, or you’re getting in legal trouble.”

“Whatever, dude! Get out of here!” One of ‘double G’s’ friends said, splashing their beer at Tom. Tom stepped back reflexively, and it hit another girl right in the chest. She started hollering, immediately rushing forward at the dude, slapping him. She threw something, which in turn caused someone else to throw something, until pretty much everyone was fighting each other.

“Jesus, Y/N, let’s get out of here.”

“I’ve never agreed with you more,” I replied as we squeezed by to leave. As we stepped into the hallway, Tom held up his hand to stop me from saying anything.

“I don’t wanna waste any more of your time. I’m going to leave– just don’t bring this up with Sam, okay?”

“I was just going to thank you for standing up for me back there,” I said sheepishly, watching his eyes droop.

“Look, it’s nothing. And sorry for letting them believe I was your boyfriend or… whatever.”

“Again, it’s fine. I’m thanking you.”

“You shouldn’t,” he sighed, turning his head away so I couldn’t look him in the eyes. His lips tightened. “I’ll be on my way.” I didn’t know what to do, so I let him leave. The music had shut off completely, which made me think someone had broken the speaker. Thank god.

With that, I headed into the apartment to try and sleep.

Key word: try.

“Hey, Y/N, wait–” Sam said before I entered my room.

“Yeah, Sam?”

“I um… didn’t mean to overhear your conversation with Tom outside but–”

“You heard that? Oh, man. Um–”

“No, I’m not gonna ask you about it– I mean, I am, but you don’t have to answer it if you don’t want to.”

“Okay, go ahead.”

“Do you… have feelings for Tom?”

“Well, no. I mean, I don’t think so.” I bit my lip. I really didn’t think I had feelings for Tom– I mean, I spent a lot of time thinking about him, but it was mainly to worry about him not liking me. Sam met my eyes and narrowed his.

“Okay. Yeah,” Sam looked down. “Are you totally… sure?”

“Maybe? Oh god, please don’t make me have a crisis right now.”

“I’m sorry– I shouldn’t have asked, it was out of place.”

“No, it’s fine. There’s no harm in that question. I just don’t dwell too much on it. I haven’t had a relationship in forever, and now that I’m kind of settled– it might be a good idea.” I smiled at him. “So, if anything, I thank you for reminding me.” Sam let out a chuckle.

“You don’t let anything get to you, huh? How do you do that?”

“I let things get to me, I promise. I just… don’t show it as externally so others realize.” I let out a tight smile, but my eyes were sad.

Sam rubbed the back of his neck, not looking at me. “I hope you feel better, then.”

“I hope so too,” I laughed sadly, blinking a lonely tear away.

“Okay, goodnight, Y/N.” He hesitated, then looked me in the eyes and held out his arms to bring me into a hug. I accepted gratefully and threw my arms around him tightly, wiping my tears on his hoodie.

“You smell… so bad.”

“Thanks, Sammie.”

He let go of me, keeping his hands on my shoulders. “I love you and you deserve everything.” He said earnestly, staring right at me. I swallowed a sob and shook out a reply.

“Not everything. I don’t deserve you.” He shook his head and let out a chuckle, then turned to go to bed. I took a refreshing breath.

Sam was too kind. And to think… with the way we met, I never would’ve expected this to happen. For us to become friends, for him to live with me.

I thought happy thoughts as I lay myself to rest that night, thoughts that were louder and much nicer than Tom’s grunty snoring.

Pt 8. ACCEPTANCE

This chapter is written from Tom’s POV

I couldn’t rest that night. Not after… seeing her. I had dreamed of talking to her– making up for ruining everything. I had dreamed of finally getting her number. Finally being real, certified friends.

I was so desperate for Y/N to like me. It was pathetic, frankly. Maybe I just had the love to spare after the devil herself left me in the ice.

Too much love. Too little to love.

I sat at my dining table, eating another sad takeout meal whilst scrolling pointlessly through Instagram. I missed Sam’s awesome cooking, and I missed Sam.

A part of me wanted to burst through their door and declare that I cared about them and that I wanted to not be lonely– but I knew these things couldn’t just be… left behind.

So I’ve been cowering. Like that’s the answer.

There were 2 weeks until filming for Cherry started (finally. I’m so bored, sitting at home doing nothing.) I’ve yet to visit my mum, but I haven’t been missing her as much as I usually do. Maybe it’s just because I’m occupied missing other people at the moment.

And still no email from the Russo’s. It almost pained me more to not have heard anything. You would think I would at least get a rejection. Now all I had was false hope and hopeless sadness.

And it was all my fault.

It was already noon. If I went out in a couple hours, I could be brainlessly drunk with a girl on my arm by sunset.

Somehow, I felt I didn’t want to do that tonight. After my short encounter with Y/N the previous night, I felt fresh. Not fulfilled, exactly– but I remembered what was wrong. And how… sleeping around wouldn’t help a thing.

This whole situation was killing me slowly. I could hear Y/N’s laughter through the walls, and it was pure torture. My brother probably had something frying on the pan, and they were probably watching her favorite trashy TV. Why couldn’t that be me?

Why am I so stupid… How did I let her go like this?

It wasn’t that I was obsessed with Y/N. Or in love, or whatever. But… I was single. She was single, as far as I knew– and… well, she’s amazing. Maybe that’s too enthusiastic. It’s just– her. She’s so brilliant and pretty (no, beautiful. That’s the proper way to describe a woman.) and… God, she is powerful. The power she had over me… not that she forced anything over me, but I would willingly follow her to the ends of the Earth. She had an air about her that made me want to pledge myself to her side forevermore.

Oh god, maybe… I am obsessed. Maybe… in love? God, that’s a concept. But, I barely know her– kind of, I mean– I can hear her uneven breaths when she has a late night. I know she’s been having trouble sleeping. I know she cries too much to be truly happy. I know she curses a lot when others aren’t around, and that she watches Mean Girls religiously. I heard her explain to Sam that it was her favorite movie, and though her scripts are considerably more deep and riveting than… Mean Girls… she still gets emotional defending it. I know that she thinks Love Island is ridiculous (it is, but I love it. So shut up.) but will watch it if Sam begs enough. I know she hasn’t talked to her dad in ages but speaks to her mom nearly every other night.

I know her. We don’t know each other. In her eyes, we are basically strangers. If I wasn’t such a fucking weirdo, I wouldn’t know all these things. These private, private things.

These things can’t be dwelled on, though. Especially when she ignores me and hopes I’ll stop existing.

She never said that. But it feels like she did– her cutting me off was so painful to me. And for what?

For what…

I had been resting on the couch, for a large amount of time, I think, contemplating things I could do to get my mind off my loneliness. Things that didn’t involve drinking the night away and forgetting 5 hours of my life.

Then, there was a rapid knock on my door. Really quick and sharp. And it was relentless.

“Hello? Hello? HELLO?” I shouted at the door, too unbothered to remove myself from my comfortable spot on the couch.

“It’s me, you idiot! Open up!” An assertive voice said. Y/N.

I nearly hopped out of the couch in anticipation, scrambling to get the door open.

“Sorry I don’t leave it open for unsuspecting strangers,” I coughed, as the door opened all the way.

She rolled her eyes at me, looking almost pissed, but seemed to remember something. Her whole face lit up, in the most perfect way…

Ugh. God. No more gross love-bird stuff. “What… is it? Why are you so– happy?”

“I got a job!” She exclaimed, holding a fist up to her chest in victory. I took a second, and smiled for her. I suppose I should be happy. And if getting a job meant she would speak to me again, I guess it wasn’t so bad that I failed her the first time around.

“That’s wonderful.”

“You aren’t as excited as I thought you’d be.”

I sighed, then fixed myself with a faulty ‘ecstatic’ face, taking a look at her. “Is this better?”

“Oh, come on– I mean, I’ll be working with you, and it’s– well, you got me the job!” I cocked my head.

“Wait– the job you got is my job, as in the job I– as in Cherry– like, that job?”

“Yes! That job!” I raised my eyebrows in surprise and fought back the urge to scream ‘THANK YOU!!!’ to the heavens.

“Oh my god! Um, wow! Congratulations!” Without thinking (at least, not very hard), I took a huge step forward and pulled her into a crushing hug. She was stiff for a second, not expecting it, but just as I was going to pull away, she hugged me back.

I felt like a great weight had been lifted off of me, and it was all thanks to this job offer going through. If only they’d accepted it earlier.

“So… you don’t hate me anymore?” I said softly, trying my best to ignore the way her hair tickled my nose as we still embraced.

“What?” She said, confused. Oh. Shit. I really should’ve kept my mouth shut. I pulled away and rubbed the back of my neck with my hand, searching her eyes for what she was thinking. “I didn’t… hate you.”

“But you… you didn’t speak to me after brunch. And we had that argument about Sam. And… I thought that I didn’t get you the job.”

“After brunch, I thought you had gotten back with Emily. I was so upset that you would choose that… nightmare over… well, me. I know that sounds so shallow but I– well, you didn’t. You put me first, in the end. I just didn’t know.” She lowered her eyes. “Sam explained everything to me, anyways. The only reason I was mad with you is because of how poorly you treated Sam. He was just looking for his brother to take care of him, and you went off drinking when he needed you most. And when you… came to speak to me… you were really different. Scary.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.” She held her wrists carefully, seemingly remembering what happened. God, don’t think about it. Or you might change your mind. “I just… instantly bonded with Sam. And you… well, you never came to me. At all. It was devastating. I thought you blamed me for losing Emily and I thought you resented me for everything that had happened.”

“I don’t. I never did.”

“Never?”

“The only thing I resented was everything I had lost.” You. I can’t say that, though. “I didn’t blame you for it. It was my decision.”

“It wasn’t exactly free will.”

“Not quite. But you weren’t at fault and it would be unfair for me to say you were.” I explained to her, begging for her to look me in the eyes again. For me to be met by those kind eyes would cure everything. Right there.

“I can’t believe we haven’t spoken to each other. All we needed to do was speak.” She said in exasperation.

“It’s rather ironic.” I said, a small smile finally breaking from my lips. And it wasn’t acting this time.

“Not quite the word. I think you’re thinking of ‘theatrical’.”

“Perhaps.”

“I’ll think about making this into a story.”

“Would you really?” I hoped she wasn’t kidding. I would read it.

“It wasn’t a promise,” she raised her hands playfully, and I had a sudden flashback to the first time we had met. When she had done the exact same thing. And here we were, almost two months later, and yet our relationship had barely budged in any direction. All these ups and downs and we were back to the start.

I realized with a start that I wanted to make things clear to her. I reached out a hesitant hand to cup her cheek, and rather than push me away, she allowed me to step closer to her. “Is this okay?”

“My hot neighbor just made physical contact with me. I’m not sure what’s okay anymore.”

“Are… we okay?”

“We always were.” She smirked playfully.

“Okay.” I parted my lips, feeling her nose in a whisper of a touch against my face.

“Okay.” She closed the gap between us, her kiss a reassuring gesture that she was ready for our next adventure, and she was leaving the old one behind.

A loud creak sounded, followed by the disruptive clink of a wine glass meeting the floor. “In the hallway? Really?! Get a goddamn room…” I heard Sam huff, before closing the door on us again. There we stood, alone and in each other’s embrace, finding some security in our relationship for the first time.

#tom holland #tom holland fanfiction #tom holland x reader #peter parker x reader #sam holland #hurt/comfort #enemies to lovers #spiderman #peter parker fanfiction #original female character #miscommunication

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itsybiggy · 1 year

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Stuck With Me: Book 1

🕷️(Cute Peter Parker slow burn, less spiderman action more just good ol awkward Parker.)

🕷️Peter has been in a bad mood all month, but with soon to be divorced parents, trying to figure out what's wrong with him is the last thing Lani needs. Thankfully summer break is here. Lani, Ned, Peter, and MJ set off on the summer vacation road trip to California. Drama ensues

Next part

CHAPTER 1: paint job

Lania's POV

Today is just one of those weeks, well months. It feels like each day drags on, but then all of the sudden it's Monday again. You just wonder "what have I been doing, why are all the days mushing together?" I guess it could be the rain, it's been raining almost every day this week. Rain always gets Peter moody. I guess because it's annoying getting rained on while you're just trying to do your job, swinging through the city. Ned just hates rain, and I have a dog who loves the mud but hates baths. I'm pretty sure Michelle is the only one who likes it.

"It's great antisocial weather." She always says.

Another contributing factor to the days running together is the feeling that they are all the same. Wake up, hear screaming from parents downstairs, get ready for school, hear dad slam the door to go to work, eat with crying mom downstairs, go to school, hang out with Ned, Peter, and Michelle, come home, do homework, and go to bed.

Considering I'm with my friends most of the day it's not too bad. But I'm just tired of it all.

I have no idea what I'll do when I'm finished painting my van. "My life will be a whole new level of boring " I sigh, once again dipping my brush into the paint can. The satisfying strokes of the rust-colored car turning the to the calming sage green, help me relax me. I skip a depressing song on my playlist and go for a Canned Heat song instead. That and the heavy rain is enough that no noise in the house can be heard in the garage. Silence at the Kahale house was hard to come by so I welcomed it with open arms, as the paint fumes danced in my nostrils.

That's when the daydreaming started, it had almost become routine. Something to look forward to while I painted and did other maintenance on Caroline. It was pretty much the same scenario every time. Kind of pathetic honestly. Some variation of the the same outcome at least.

Todays day dream starts off with Peter coming over in the night, having something to tell me. He climbs through the window in his spider-man suit. He wears it so he can be at my apartment even faster. I go to the window, confused why he's here. only for him to rush in take off his mask and tell me he is in love with me. And then of course we makeout.

Ok, I know it's weird and not realistic. First off, I am so hard in the friend zone. Second, no one just does that-but hey a girl can dream. But really she can't because her cush is way out of her league. I mean come on he's Spiderman!

I was the second to find out, Ned being the first. Though, I'm pretty sure me and Michelle knew around the same time. He came home one day after "the Stark internship" with the biggest black eye I had ever seen.

I was talking with Aunt May when he came home. He did a double glance at me and then darted for the bathroom.

"Peter?" Aunt May said, just as confused as I was.

"I just have to go to the bathroom!" He called out.

But he didn't know that I got a quick look of his eye before he bolted. That, and like a year ago all of the sudden he went from cute Lil' Peter to-shredded, chiseled, and taller Peter. A couple of other things had happened and it made us all suspicious. So, as soon as he ran off to his room, I got up and followed him. It took me about 60 seconds to find his suit.

The sudden pause in my music took me back into reality.

It was a text from Michelle in the group chat.

michael jackson: Hey nerds, how does Good Eats sound to you guys?

I was the first to respond

Lani: sounds amazing, I'm starving :))))

Bubby🖕🏻💗: sure but I've got no cash 😒

I roll my eyes. Ned has been putting off getting a job for months.

Lani: I'm freaking loaded so I can pay for you 😘😘

Bubby🖕🏻💗: thanks a love

Lani: I got u bb 🤠

michael jackson: get a room

itsy bitsy ❤️💙: Or just stop.

Bubby🖕🏻💗: ayy Peter you coming?

itsy bitsy❤️💙: I guess.

Lani: want me to pick you guys up?

michael jackson : Nah I don't trust your driving after the whole incident

Lani: ???

Bubby🖕🏻💗: Yess plss

itsy bitsy ❤️💙: No.

My mood sinks, if that makes sense. Seems like Peter is annoyed with me, and I don't know why. I shake my head. Texts always sound passive aggressive. But something about periods and short, serious answers make me question if it was just that. What if he was actually being passive-aggressive?

Guess I'll find out tonight.

michael jackson : What time is good for you guys? I was thinking 6.

Lani: sounds great to me! What time to you want to be picked up bubby?

Bubby is what I can Ned, he is pretty much my twin brother. Our humor is very similar so we can just make stupid jokes to each other all the time.

Bubby🖕🏻💗: 5:30 works great for me. Thanks ❤️!

Lani: don't mention it 💛!

Peter still hasn't replied. Maybe there is something wrong. I bite my lip and decide to text him away from the group chat.

Lani: hey Peter, you ok? :)

itsy bitsy : 💬

The bubble goes up and down as he is typing before it disappears from my screen. I wait for it to return, but it doesn't. I decide to text Michelle and Ned, but Michelle beats me to it.

michael jackson : is it just me or is bug boy off?

Lani: was just about to say the same thing. I tried asking but he just left me on read.

michael jackson: I'll talk to him.

Lani: :( ok tell him we love him if he replies to you. I'm kind of worried about him.

michael jackson : will do.

I notice a lack of Ned in this discussion, but before I can think of it any more I see my clock says 4:49. I close the paint can and head inside.

That's when I get hit in the head with a plastic cup.

"Ow what the frick!" I exclaimed.

My mom comes rushing over to me. "Oh Lani, I didn't see you!" She glares up at my dad who is on the other side if the room. He looks very mad. "It was meant for your father."

I don't know what I'm supposed to say to this. I decide a not addressing it. They seems to be in a bad mood already. "It's fine whatever." will do. The little voice in my head faintly whispers but it's not fine. I push it down. "Mom's going through a lot right now, she doesn't have to think of me" overpowers the whisper as I leave the room. My mind is blank except for the thought of the minor, but definitely there, pain on the side of my face.

Usually—or I guess from what I've heard from some kids at school who also have divorced parents, only one of them is crazy, or unfaithful, etc... what luck that I got two crazy parents. They were fine on their own, normal chill mom and normal chill dad even before the fighting started. But something about them together made for a toxic explosion, they were not themselves anymore. Both equally to blame for the downfall of their marriage, which disintegrated only a year after it started. Right when I was born.

They have never said this out loud but, I know they blame me.

Instead of dwelling on that plastic cup, I make myself busy getting ready for tonight. That's the fun thing about liking someone, having a crush, you can get all done up.

I already have this up on wattpad, but if you hate that format I’ve got it here for you now. Tell me what you think!!

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mehphoobia · 2 years

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HIDE IN THE MOONLIGHT ~ Tom Holland | One Shot

Pairing:- Tom Holland! Greek God x Reader! Human

Summary:- It took a sacrifice to make you learn about the meaning of love. Your love hiding in the moonlight.

Warnings:- Smut, possessiveness, mentions of death/ suicide

Wc:- 1.2K

MASTERLIST

_____________________________🤍______________________________

It had been years since it had last rained. The green lands which once flourished with the wind and danced with the pretty droplets of water and changed colors with the changing shades of the sun in the sky.

Where children once played and ran with their kites soaring through the wind, there could only be heard cries of hunger. Mothers used to watch their little ones play happily were now bought down to see them cry with helplessness. You too had, lost your uncle to the drought and it took a big toll on your family.

"Please" you would cry yourself to sleep, praying to end the torment your people had to go through. No more.

So you took it up into your hands, to try and finally end all of it, even if it costs you your life.

Sneaking out of your house with a satchel and ran out to the fields. The soil started to crumble with how dry it was. It almost made you cry again but also made you determined. You took out the wine your mother prepared for your uncle's memorial day and a knife to offer your blood.

"Please let this curse end with my life. I have nothing more to offer so accept me." you begged within the circle you drew using the wine and now waiting to slit your wrist. Your eyes couldn't help but break down their walls for the tears to gush but minutes later it wasn't the tears anymore but blood, pooling on the ground.

You mocked at the how thirsty the ground was, how it soaked up your blood. With the last few minutes left in you, a thought of your mother came in your mind, your brother sitting in your room waiting for you to come, who would help your father in the fields? But at least they would have a chance to live at least. Its the least you could do.

As you stared at the empty sky, you felt it. A drop of water on your cheek as if someone was caressing your face. "Thank you" you wept with the remaining few breaths. With that you closed your eyes for the last time.

Or so you thought.

You woke up again. Much to your surprise. "Where am I?" you frowned in confusion while scanning the room. You weren't on the dried land anymore but a soft red satin covered bed.

"Nothing more to offer huh?" a shadow spoke from behind the curtains. He approached to you with light and graceful steps making you hypnotized. "Who are you?" he smirked upon your question.

"You can call me Tom" he answered with his soft voice. The light upon touching him showed his toned thighs and glistening abs with a slight bump near his crotch area.

You gulped at the sight, couldn't help it. He looked irresistible. "Why am I h-" he didn't let you finish as he climbed right next you and then moments later, on you, hovering.

Your breath hitched when his lips grazed your skin with his fingers trailing through your thighs. The two of you panting, you with a hunger to be touched and him with a hunger to touch you.

"Shh" his sensual but heavy voice calmed you down but ignited the fire in your lower body. Suddenly you could feel fingers intruding the warm and growingly wet spot. "So fresh, so tight, untouched by anyone before, all mine" he whispered scissoring his fingers within you.

"Ahh mmm-ore" you cried in pleasure and he very thankfully acknowledged accompanied with his mouth. He lapped his tongue on your center skillfully while driving his fingers in and out of you in a rhythmic manner.

You came like never before and he slurped all your juices and still devoured you like a hungry beast. He came to your face and kissed you for the first time. You almost felt embarrassed on tasting yourself on his lips but also a taste and aroma familiar.

Your mother's wine. Could it be?

"Its going to hurt. Stop me when it does" he panted unable to speak with his lust. "O-okay" you complied. You felt something rock hard and slimy tip on your center before he filled you. Never had you felt so full before.

He kept pumping in and out of you and sinful moans filled the room. He came inside you while your walls pulsing on his cock. The two of you came together and never did it feel so complete, so right.

"Y/N..sleep" was the last thing Tom said before you passed out.

Again.

Sounds of birds chirping and the warmth of the sun on your face woke you up. You laid on the same bed with same clothes, only cleaner.

"Is anyone there?" you asked in question. "Y/N?" a sweet but familiar voice answered. It was Tom.

"I'm right here, love" he said with passion and love in his eyes. He slowly caressed your cheek and shaped your hair up in a bun.

You were falling in love with the man before you, whom you hardly knew. Falling in love with the way he held you last night, making you blush with the memories.

"You sacrificed yourself, for your people?" he asked the question in anguish. "What if I was a little late, what if you were taken away by someone else? How would I live without you?" tears pooled in his eyes, he couldn't even think his life without you anymore.

"But we just met. You don't even know me" you answered unknowingly. Why would a man who never knew you care this much. What does it matter to him, why does it matter to you?

"Oh Dear, I have known you and met you your whole life. Like how you gave up some of your food to have your brother eat properly. When your uncle passed away, helping your dad on those barren fields, sitting under the shade and crying your pain away, love I have seen you all, helplessly unable to do anything." he answered.

He watched you grow into the beautiful woman you are today. Caring, loving, sacrificial, everything he wanted in a lover his queen. With each passing day, his love for you was just proven right. The more he looked at, the more he fell for.

Tears flowing down your face gave your pain away. "Where were you then, why did you let it happen? If you cared about me, then why would you let me die?"

"It was a curse, you land had befallen a curse and there was nothing I could do. The curse was lifted with the first drop of your blood and I got you here as soon as I could. Oh the long years I've waited to hold you in my arms." he spoke hugging you and absorbing all your pain away.

The two of you just sat there with each other, in each other's arms. Embraced. Hitched breaths filling up the room as he kissed you passionately. Your eyes locked when the kiss broke and looked at each other with nothing but love.

It took a sacrifice to make you learn about the meaning of love. Your love hiding in the moonlight.

______________________________🤍_____________________________

A/N:- Here it is. I really hope you liked it.

REQUESTS OPEN | MASTERLIST

Love yourself...no matter what🤍🤍

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arachnophile0 · 6 months

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*Master List//about me*

I'm also Madmax68421 on Wattpad but I'm moving on here to post more frequently and Avkima is my other page on tumblr where you can find Avatar and Avatar Way of Water content!

. * - . * - . * -

-Full Fledged Fics-

Stuck With Me AU ~*~*~* stuck with me: peter parker x oc Book 1: intro//1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14

----------------------------------------------

~Imagines~ coming soon

_ - _ - _ -

*Blurbs* coming soon

-~-~-~-~

_Instagram Imagines_ coming soon

= * . _ = * .

/one shots\ coming soon

About me//

My pen is Max and I'm addicted to Spiderman.

psa: any information given is my alter ego's, has been and always will be

she/her~Leo

I've been writing Stuck With Me on wattpad since 2019 and it's in need of a do-over so most of the chapters have gone into drafts to be re-edited. I have so many big plans for this series including 4 books in all.

My favorite spiderman is Toby, and I really do love Andrew and Tom the same! I choose to set the SWM universe in the MCU movies because of the coming of age movie aspect. I definatly will do some Gwen x tasm peter fics in the future!

Gwen in the amazing spiderman is the best love interest of any spiderman movie of all time change my mind no you cant

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lxvleycoralll · 6 months

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Hi!! I apologize to everyone who sent in a request I haven’t written yet- I’ve been very busy and low on motivation but I promise I will write soon!

(Can someone tell me in requests how to make a master list for my stories btw?)

Also, I do have a character.ai account with 4 bots up currently for people to use but you can also send requests here for any bots you want me to make and I’ll post it here and tag you!! <3

Here is the link to my account <3

#spiderman #tom holland #tom holland spiderman #peter parker #peter parker x reader #josh futturman #josh hutcherson #marvel #original character #character ai #writers on tumblr #bot maker

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kahuunknown · 8 months

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Worlds beyond imagining - Chaos Walking David Prentiss Fanfic (Part 1)

!NOTE!: ABO universe/themes, inspiration from CHAOS WALKING film, David Prentiss x OC (Theo) male character x potentially others

~~~

“Scout ship A, prepare to enter New World’s atmosphere in T minus 37 seconds.”

Theo scrunched his nose as an itch started to appear to the end of it, but his hands were cuffed and locked behind him, and a lower-face muzzle prevented him from uttering a word of complaint. His red orbs flickered lazily about the cabin and its crew, all performing the habitual procedures he’d seen countless times before. His seating was opposite the entrance door, made only for people like him. Most of the crew ignored his presence, more excited to explore this famed paradise than pay attention to the likes of a sub-human, even if more many of them- it was their first encounter with the likes of a sub-human.

“Copy that, Mother Bird.” The captain drawled, sending a quick thumbs up and signal to the crew which had them eagerly using the Zero G to float towards their assigned seats and buckle up hastily.

Theo supposed it was lucky that he was the one assigned to visit this planet, instead of one of his siblings. Who instead were more often used for exploration of worlds holding much more hostile native life. He’d seen a few of those types of worlds before, and such trips were usually only made for resource gathering. So the trips were short and sweet, unlike this one… Theo slumped as much as he could within the confines of his restraints. He’d have preferred some Gamma went instead of him, he’d rather be with his pack. But if the mission was successful, at least there would be some time to see some of them again- those assigned to settlement protection anyway.

“Hey, you want me to scratch that for you?”

Theo flinched, not expecting to have someone so suddenly in front of him, nor with their arm outstretched and pointing to his nose. It was a woman, and she looked young. This was likely her first scouting mission, so she did not know the protocol regarding individuals like himself. Still, everyone else seemed to more excited to chat amongst each other, than pay attention to the newbie. He couldn’t respond to her anyway, nor stop her either.

She didn’t scratch where he needed it, but her gesture of kindness wasn’t unappreciated. Though she would surely think differently of him once he was tasked with his objective on ground.

“You know, I’ve never met a sub-human before. You’re not what I imagined.” She rambled, chuckling as Theo rolled his eyes. Of course, he’d already gathered she’d never met someone like him. “Is it that obvious?” She teased.

“I’m Viola.” She introduced with a smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Theo.”

“Viola! Get to your seat!” The captain ordered, throwing a disturbed expression Theo’s way.

Viola looks startled, responding with some apologies before quickly buckling into the seat to Theo’s right.

The captain watches as Viola buckles herself in before returning to his duties murmuring off to the Mother Ship’s control center.

“Still no contact from the surface.” He relays, “We’ll let you know what we find.”

Double checking all his crew were secure and ready, the captain locks in the reinforced chair bars to everyone’s person and prepares the scouting ship for entry through the thick atmosphere of the planet.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the temperature at point of entry will be a balmy 3000 degrees.” The captain jokes, “Please make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their full upright position. Buckle up.”

“Think the settlers are still alive down there?” One of the crew voices curiously, eyeing the view out of the ships porthole.

“If they are, they’re gonna be happy to see us.” Another responds with a lazy shrug.

“What will they think of the sub-human?”

“Who knows, who cares.”

“They were expecting the Second Wave years ago.”

The craft starts to shake quite violently as the New World’s planet resists the scouting shuttles entry, Theo intakes a bored breath before closing his eyes as he prepares to wait out the rough entry. However, a wave of… something passing through the ship causes his eyes to snap open in alarm. Before narrowing as he observes the quick chaos that soon spreads around the ship.

‘What did we just fly through?’ Theo wonders before realizing in alarm that he could hear his thought aloud.

“Don’t freak out, don’t freak out.” A male passenger pleads to himself, only, those were his thought- now broadcasted to everyone. “Don’t freak out- We’re gonna die. We’re gonna die!”

“What did you say?” Viola asks him, double-checking if she’d heard right.

The man opens his squeezed shut eyes in confusion, “I didn’t say anything.”

“Fire!” Someone screams in alarm, before the entire ship tilts off course and throws loose items everywhere.

Theo glances everywhere for a chance at escape, ‘Let me out! I need to get out-‘

“Hey, it’ll be okay.” Viola hurried assures him. “I’ll get the captain.” She states as she unbuckles herself.

Parts of the shuttle tear open below them and the rush of oxygen makes Theo’s mind light-headed, and before he knew things simply switch off and his vision went to black.

They had landed.

“-up… wa- up… wake…. Wake up- Wake up! Theo, wake up!”

Eyes snapped open before slamming shut again at the glare which hit him, squinting instead, Theo groaned at the sudden sharp slice of pain which came from his abdomen. Focusing however, he ignored the desire to sleep once more and scanned his environment.

Before him was a relieved Viola, and the complete wreckage of their ship.

She laughed tiredly, “I thought I was the only one… I’m so glad you’re alive.”

‘What happened?’ He wondered before realizing that once again his thought was broadcasted, and he recalled how the ship failed, how crazy everything became.

Viola looked shocked at him before ignoring her questions and relenting in answering him.

“We crashed, the men… they started- I could hear their thoughts… just like you.” She rambled together.

‘Where’s everyone else?’

“Gone.” She sniffled, “Dead. It’s just us.”

‘Have you contacted Mother Bird?’

“No.” She cringes, “Nothing of our ship survived. We need to find a transmitter.”

Mind clearer, Theo cringes when he tries to move. Eyes darting to his abdomen, he is shocked to see a chunk of metal speared right through him.

‘Ow…’

Viola lets out a shaky laugh, “Ow?! That’s all you’ve got to say?”

Theo glares at her loudness, ‘Don’t speak so loudly.’

She shuts her mouth quickly and lets out a shaky breath before nodding, “Sorry.” She mumbles.

‘I need to get these restraints off.’ Theo tells her, ‘I can’t do anything like this.’

“Right! Of course, yeah, let me just…” She trails off and rounds Theo’s form. Pressing a thumb to the back of his lower-face muzzle, the device beeps in recognition before disengaging. With a hiss, the muzzle falls off and Theo’s hands are now free. He lets out a long breath in relief, then drawing in a nice fresh lungful of oxygen.

“Thank you.” He mutters.

Viola returns to his front, now seeing his exposed face she pauses. He glances at her, noting her reddened skin and frowns.

“Are you sick?”

“No!” She denies, “No, it’s not that.”

“Then what is it?” He asks.

She looks hesitant but answers him, “I wasn’t expect you to look so…” Theo raises an eyebrow, “… Beautiful.”

“You were expecting an ugly person?” He scoffs.

“No- I don’t know what I was expecting! Just not… this!” She gestures to his face.

He rolls his eyes at her before returning to his injury, ‘I don’t have time for this…’ He thinks.

“Well, what do you need?” She inquires softly. “How can I help you?”

“Mostly, I need food.” Theo bluntly tells her. “And for you to pull this thing out.”

She recoils, “Food?! That’s all that’s on your mind, right now? You need medical attention!”

Theo sighs, and then hisses at the pain that dramatic action caused him, ‘I need food to heal, idiot.’

“Oh…” She drawls before frowning, “You don’t have to be rude about it though, I don’t know anything about sub-humans!”

Theo groans as he leans back against some section of ship he’d been positioned at, “I’ll have to get used to that.”

“Used to what?” Viola asks.

“You hearing my thoughts.”

Viola realizes that indeed, she’d been responding to him when he hadn’t even opened his mouth. He very much was only broadcasting his thoughts. But why couldn’t he hear hers?

She shuffles to stand, and gestures to the chunk of metal sticking out of him, “I better pull that out…”

“Please…” Theo huffs.

She thinks to do it slowly and gently, but Theo’s expression causes her to intake a sharp breath and tug the chunk out quickly. Theo groans and hisses at the wave of pain which follows but already she could see that flesh within him trying to mend itself.

“I’ll go find some food.” She tells him, “Get some rest.”

Theo nods his head, much too tired to argue with her. ‘Thank you.’

“Just don’t die on me, okay.”

Theo gasped awake, hands darting to cradle the still very much healing wound at his side, only to find Viola desperately trying to speak with him, tugging urgently at his uniform.

“What is it?” Theo asked.

“There’s people! Some- Someone is following me! Chasing me! We have to move-“ She whipped her head to the left of her, and the calling of someone’s thoughts were getting louder.

Theo gritted his teeth and pushed himself to his feet, slapping Viola’s worried hands away from him.

‘Where are we going?’ He thought to her.

“Over here, there’s a ridge.” She explains quickly, a pre-packed bag already slung around her side. Leading the way in a hurry, Theo stumbles after her. Winding around slopes and trees before emerging at a small ridge which would act as temporary cover.

“You must be quiet.” She urges, “Do not think.”

“Easy for you to say…” Theo grumbles, sitting down and calming his racing heart.

But he managed it, as the curious voice of a young man hurried off with the word ‘spaceship’ in his head.

“He’s going to tell someone.” Theo stated.

Viola nodded her head, “I saw a village. There’s quite a few people there.”

“Did you manage to find any food?” Theo asks hopefully, and she nods her head. Hands darting to her slung bag and pulling out an apple each.

Theo looks at it pitifully and sighs, ‘Better than nothing, I suppose…’

“It was that or beets.” Viola shares, “It was that boy which spotted me taking them.”

Opening his mouth to take a bite out of the sweet fruit, Viola gasps, hands darting forwards to pull back his lips. Theo catches both her wrists and snarls at her, “What are you doing?!”

“Your teeth!” She exclaims.

“What of it?” He returns.

“They’re sharp!” She marvels, “You have two sets of elongated canines! Do all sub-humans-“

“Just Omega.” Theo interrupts, pushing away from her. His tone is low and sad, ‘I miss the pack…’

“The pack?” Viola questions, “Your family?”

Theo glares at her, before sighing as he realized it wasn’t her fault for being able to hear his thoughts. Instead, he turns his back to her and continues to eat the apple he’d been given. Viola realizes the conversation must have been a sensitive one. Thinking more on it, she supposed that was a more than reasonable response. His family, himself included, were genetically engineered experiments that were barely classed as human- they didn’t share the same rights or experiences in the slightest-

Viola gasps as the farm boy stumbles randomly upon them both-

‘Holy shit! It’s a girl.’ The boy’s thoughts exclaim. ‘Space girl.’

Theo is swiftly at his feet, pushing Viola behind him protectively, his side causes him to wobble sightly but he maintains his strong posture and glares at the farm boy cautiously.

“Whoa!” The boy jumps back a little in surprise at Theo’s movements, ‘That’s a girl- He’s quiet too. Is he a girl too?’

The boy looks at Theo form in a sort of awe, the man was tall and large, he held himself like a warrior. Like a predator and it made the young man shiver instinctually at the sight, not to mention the obvious training and skill this person displayed. Like a giant weapon… More notably however, was the silence of thought coming from Theo.

Backing up slowly, Theo snatches Viola’s sling bag and shoves it to her form. The boy darts his eyes to the orange of her raincoat and pant uniform.

‘Never seen a girl before… she’s from the farm-‘

Theo snarls, whipping out a small tactical knife from his uniform and swiping it warningly in the boy’s direction.

“Stay back, boy. Don’t come any closer.” He warns. ‘I’ll kill you…’

The boy gasps, the Noise of Theo was not what he was expecting at all. The voice was low and smooth, it sounded controlled and… rather nice to the ear. But his attention is stolen again by the space girl, the farm boy is barely able to see Viola, who trembles in fear and remains pressed into Theo’s back. But Theo’s defending motion lets the stranger barely get another glimpse of her-

‘Girl. Girl. It’s a girl. Girl. Oh, my God-‘ The boy straightens himself, “Where are you from?” He questions softly, but his thoughts are still all over the place.

‘You’re a girl. No Noise. Who are they? Who is he…?’

“Are you from Earth?” The boy inquires again, this time directly to both of them. Neither Viola or Theo respond to him. ‘Girl! Thief! They’re… pretty! Shut up, Todd-‘

“Sorry. I’m sorry. I’ve just never… Never seen a girl before. Never seen anyone from space…” The boy explains lamely. Both Theo and Viola look at him like he’s crazy. This Todd fellow was… unique, to put it lightly. But he was also threatening the exposure of their location.

“Are you from Earth?” Todd asks again, before stumbling backwards at Theo’s pulled lip. ‘Teeth! Sharp, sharp teeth! What is he?!-‘

Viola steps on a rather brittle branch which snaps under her weight, and Todd’s eyes dart to meet hers.

‘You’re really pretty. Yellow hair. Found her… I found her! I found her!’

His thoughts were loud and undeniably a beacon to their position, Theo looks over his shoulder to Viola.

“Run.”

She doesn’t question him, she does as commanded of her and darts away instantly. Theo readies his knife again, ready to hold off any chasers on her tail.

What he wasn’t expecting however was a hologram that tricked him into attacking a false enemy, now face-to-face with the culprit, Theo readies himself for any other type of attack or defense.

“What are you?” The man inquires with a curious gaze. He was older, in his fifties perhaps. With greying hair and an air of authority practically dripping from his person.

Theo scrunches his nose but decides to answer honestly, “I’m an Omega sub-human, of Mother Bird colony. Who are you?”

“Sub-human?” The man repeats confused, before his eyes gleam in intrigue. “Interesting. I’m leader of fleet 3, now mayor of Prentisstown. David Prentiss.”

“Prentiss? You were-“

Theo doesn’t finish his revelation as someone behind him knocks him out cold with the bunt of their gun.

Quickly, he falls to the ground lifeless.

Waking with a startle, Theo wasn’t expecting a nose to be pressed against the junction of his neck, instinctively he tries to protect himself, but again his hands are restricted and tied securely behind him. Instead all he can do is lean away from the perpetrator.

“What are you doing?” Theo hisses.

David Prentiss takes a step back, allowing Theo to identify him, “Why do you smell like that?”

“What are you talking about?” Theo rebuts quickly, ‘Only Alpha can scent me… wait- Fuck.’

“Alpha?” David repeats, amused at the mistake. “Explain to me… what are you, Theo?”

“How do you know my name?” Theo hisses, alarm flaring up in his expression. His records were confidential, locked and sealed tightly away. Only Viola would be aware of this-

“First, tell me where she is.” Theo demands, changing the subject instantly upon his previous thoughts.

“Safe.” David answers with a growing smile, “For now.” He adds ominously.

#mads mikkelsen #mads #david prentiss #chaos walking #ABO #a/b/o #tom holland #emily clarke #Alpha #Beta #Omega #male-insert #OC #original character #david prentiss x male character #mads mikkleson x male character

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jahayla-parker · 10 months

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Bewitched Love : Peter Parker x Reader

Part 8

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Desc. & Warnings: 1.34k wc, see navigation for description and warnings

Recap:

“Peter, I don’t know… I don’t trust him” y/n said, sighing as Peter nodded in agreement while he squeezed her hand. “I… I can sense this darkness in him…”. She took a deep breath, “It’s not covering all of his makeup, but still…”.

Peter sighed, watching May and Osborn. He turned back to y/n. “I know, I don’t trust him either,” he told her, pulling her closer to him protectively as they waited.

Peter eyed the glowing box in Doctor Strange’s hands. He looked between the box, y/n, and Strange. “What is that?”

Stephen hummed. “It's an ancient relic. The Machina de Kadavus.” Strange tried not to smirk proudly when y/n looked surprised. “I have trapped your corrupted spell inside, once you've finished the proper ritual, it will reverse the spell. And send these guys back to their universes”.

Peter froze, his eyes being the only part of him that he could force to move. He stared over at his girlfriend, uncertainty in his gaze. Moments before, they -Peter, Y/n, MJ, Ned, and the multiversal men- had all learned of the villains’ deaths in their original universes. While the group seemed to agree that the villains needed to return to their respective universes, they didn’t want them to die.

Y/n bit her lip. “Peter, I know I said… what I said at the food kitchen,” she mumbled. “But,” y/n sighed, “this doesn’t feel right… morally anyways”.

Their exchange was whispered while Strange continued to work on his relic. So, Peter cleared his throat to get Strange’s attention. When he earned an exasperated look from the sorcerer, Peter explained why they were hesitant to just send them back.

Doctor Strange sighed remorsefully as he looked up from the box. “In the grand calculus of the multiverse, their sacrifice means infinitely more than their lives,” he said, eyeing y/n. He gave Peter a regretful stare, “I'm sorry, kid. If they die, they die”.

Y/n panicked. “Wait!” She rushed, nearing Strange. “It’s not our responsibility to try to keep the grand calculus of the multiverse steady,” y/n argued. “Nor is it our job to change it. So,” she turned to face Peter, “I say we just do what we normally would do”.

“Which is help,” Peter stated quietly.

Y/n nodded, looking back at Doctor Strange. “Right. So, we help. Then, send them back,” she explained.

Stephen sighed and gave both kids another sympathetic look. But, he was adamant that his way was the only way to take care of this. Which meant, the villains needed to be sent back now; not after they were cured.

As Strange prepared to send the strangers back to their universes, Peter looked back at his friends and then at Y/n. He knew she could see his disappointment and desire to do something to prevent what Strange was about to do.

Y/n nodded to Peter, smirking when he responded by shooting a web onto the relic box. Y/n assisted Peter’s escape by pushing Strange back with a gust of cosmic energy. She ran after Peter, hoping to catch up.

Only, Strange was far more experienced in the mystic arts and in battle. So, he logically displaced his matter and simply went through the wall instead of running like y/n had. He’d quickly found Peter outside with the relic and the fight continued.

Y/n pulled open the front door just as Strange was forming some sort of spell to use on Peter.

“Praesidium per mea navitas cosmicam potestatem super eos,” y/n whispered, closing her eyes and imagining a protective blue shield around Peter as she lifted her palms towards him. Y/n wasn’t sure what spell Strange was attempting to use on Peter. But, their forces clashed against each other and left Peter slightly able to still manipulate his own hands despite the way his astral form seemed to leave his physical body.

Evidently Doctor Strange didn’t notice y/n behind him. That or he hadn’t connected that Peter’s ability to move his physical form despite his astral form being external to it now was because of y/n. Instead, he was just confused. “How are you doing that?” he asked as he tried to grab the relic again. Only for Peter's physical arm to move downwards.

Peter laughed, his eyes wide as he looked at y/n behind Strange. “I have no idea,” he admitted, playing with his astral body. As Strange tried to take the box from Peter’s physical form, Peter focused on imagining moving his arms away from the sorcerer. This resulted in Peter’s physical arms darting away from each of Doctor Strange’s attempts.

Stephen Strange groaned loudly. “You should not... be able... to... DO THAT!”

Peter smirked smugly. Looking back at his hands before y/n, he grinned. “This feels amazing,” Peter gushed. Refocusing on the tag at hand, Peter began ‘swimming’ through the air to rest and get back to his physical form.

Y/n sighed in relief when Peter’s bodies reconnected and he landed on the street with the relic. She felt her face warm as he looked her way with a smile gracing his lips.

“That might be one of the coolest things that's ever happened to me,” Peter told y/n excitedly. As he turned to Strange, he glared, “but don't ever do that again.”

Y/n sighed to herself. If she’d been a few seconds earlier, maybe her shield could’ve prevented Strange from being able to have any impact at all. She’d been rushed in using the spell and felt bad that Peter had to experience that as a result of her lagging behind. Clearly she needed more fight/combat experience over this was all over.

This realization only increased when y/n noticed during her self pity, Strange had pulled Peter away. She wasn’t even sure where they’d gone. So, y/n did the only thing she could think of. She rushed to the undercroft to ask MJ and Ned for help in finding Peter and Strange.

Y/n had barely finished explaining to Ned and MJ what had happened outside when Peter suddenly appeared.

Ned gasped. “Dude, what happened?”

“I just had a fight with Doctor Strange and I totally won!” Peter bragged, grinning. As he looked around the group he saw y/n had a relieved but apologetic look on her face.

He stepped closer to her, grabbing her left hand and dropping the trophy/souvenir he took from Strange in it. “Look, I stole his ring thing”.

Ned reached over and took it from y/n’s hand. He smiled to himself as he slid it onto his hand. His eyes widened as he felt a weird buzzing feeling radiate through his fingers.

Peter shook his head with a laugh. “I was swinging through the city, and then I went through this...massive mirror thing, and then I was back...”. He took his mask back off to breathe easier. The battle had made him a bit short of breath from the exertion.

Y/n suspiciously eyed the ring on Ned’s fingers; noticing a sensation she couldn’t place. Shaking her head, she turned towards Peter. At the same time as MJ, y/n asked “where is he?”

Peter glanced around their group. “He's trapped, but... I'm not sure for how long.”

Otto Octavius, the robotic octopus guy Peter fought on the bridge stared at the kids in disbelief. “You could've just left us to die. Why didn't you?” he asked, looking at Peter.

Y/n smiled, looking between Otto and Peter. “Because that's not who he is”.

Peter smiled at y/n sweetly. After he faced Otto, he looked at each villain closely. “I think I can help you guys. If I can fix what happened to you, then when you go back, things will be different and you might not die fighting Spider-Man”.

“He means we,” y/n teased softly.

Peter shook his head, making y/n frown. “I can’t do this if I know that you’re in danger,” he told her, handing the box over to her.

Y/n squinted harshly and shook her head in resistance.

“Please, I know you’ll know how to handle this multiverse thing if something goes wrong. I need you away from the fight,” Peter pleaded, staring deeply into her blue eyes.

Y/n sighed. His pleading gaze was hard to resist and ignore, but she had to. “Peter, no. I can sense their energies and I’m not leaving you,” y/n said, eyes zoned in on Osborn. “You can waste time arguing, but I’m coming to help,” she said defiantly.

Peter sighed but nodded reluctantly. “Fine, but if something happens, you go to MJ and Ned to help them with the box. Okay?”

Y/n nodded in agreement to the proposed compromise.

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ravagedarkness · 1 year

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Spider-Man: Home Rebuilt - Chapter 16, Silver Linings

Either Scott tended to order a lot of food, or he figured I ate a lot. Or maybe he figured I would be stress eating. Whatever the reason, Scott had a lot of food delivered to the X-Men’s apartment. Or, should I call it the ex-X-Men’s apartment?

Eh, it doesn’t matter.

Either way, once the table was set, I ended up eating a lot. I was sure my dinner etiquette was not in use. But Kitty and Scott didn’t judge me. Without being asked, Kitty would prepare me another plate after I emptied the one I was eating from while Scott ate in silence. It was a lot of curry, a lot guay teow, a lot of larb… honestly, whatever that was put in front of me, I ate it until I was finally full.

Once I was done, I had the decency to go to the bathroom to wash my hands and face. I returned to my seat just as Kitty picked up the used dishes.

“Thanks for having me, guys,” I said in earnest.

“It’s no problem,” Scott assured.

I went quiet for a few moments. “…How’s Craig?”

“He’s getting better little by little,” Kitty called out from in front of the dishwasher she was filling. “He’s in concussion protocol, and he’s still fighting off whatever he got darted with, but Claire is sure he’ll be fine.” She closed the dishwasher before she walked back towards the table and retook her seat.

“That’s good.” I nodded. I sighed. “…These last two days sucked.”

“Want to talk about it?” Scott offered.

“No,” I replied. “…Yes?” Slowly I stood up before I turned around and walked away a few steps. “I don’t know. I just…” I took in a breath before I turned and looked at Scott and Kitty. “I got… I feel like…”

“Take your time,” Kitty advised gently. “Use your words.”

“…I don’t know what to say.” I shook my head. “It’s like… This past week was just weird. It’s just…” I started to pace back and forth. I just had the urge to move. “Things were going great at first, you know? I spent some quality time with MJ. I actually got to see the entirety of American Idiot… I gotta say that was an awesome show and… now I really want to get the album.” I allowed myself to smile a bit. I then shook my head and frowned. “But then Scorpion showed up, Craig got hurt badly. You guys had to save us. And then, the next morning, MJ checked up on me and… I was just tired of lying to her… to all of them. So… I told them to come over. I told them everything – the fact that I’m Spider-Man and about The Spell, including the events leading up it. A part of me feels like I should be happy that Ned and Betty are still my friends, but seeing MJ walk out just has me feeling gutted. And Ned tells me that there’s still a chance for her and I because she has this thing where she says what’s on her mind and she didn’t say anything yet so it must mean she’s just trying to sort out her feelings and…”

I paused in my rant and just looked at Kitty and Scott. I thought they were going to look at me like I was a weirdo. But... they didn't. They just gave me their undivided attention without any hint of judgment.

“I… I kept MJ and Ned at arm’s length because I thought they’d be a lot happier without me being a huge part of their lives,” I continued. “But… without them, I wasn’t happy. So… when they befriended me, I was just happy to be close with them again. And I was even happier when I became close with Betty.” I chuckled as I shook my head. “She was always nice but… I kinda regret not being closer with her before.” I shook my head. “I’m sorry, I’m digressing. But… the thing is… MJ’s upset, and now her and I are unhappy, and now I’m questioning whether reconnecting with them was even worth it.

“And that’s where I’m at.” I stood there for some seconds. I then huffed out a breath. “Why do I feel better now?”

“…You don’t really talk to people about your problems much, do you?” Kitty observed.

“I do, it’s just the amount of people I talk to is rather small. And that was before The Spell.” I walked back to my seat and sat down. “And, prior to meeting you guys, the people who I’d talk to either don’t remember me at all or are not alive.”

Kitty breathed in through her teeth as she slowly averted her gaze. “I see.” She cleared her throat before she looked back at me. “Peter, I have to ask – were you looking for a solution, or did you need someone to vent to?”

“…You know, I started with the intention of asking for a solution but… maybe I did just need to vent.”

“It is like that sometimes,” Scott commented. He stood up and walked over to the fridge. “But here’s my two cents. Heartache and pain… it’s an unfortunate part of having a close relationship with someone. I’m close with Kitty and Craig – they’re like family to me. I love them to death. And to my shame, I’ve hurt them quite a bit along the way.”

“Ditto on all of that,” Kitty interjected, causing Scott to make a sound of acknowledgement with his throat as he pulled out three bottles of Ironbeer. After closing the fridge, Scott walked back to us and handed Kitty and I each a bottle.

“The point, Peter, is that, unless you’re doing it on purpose, you’re going to have to accept that there are going to be times when you’ll hurt the ones you love. And unless they’re doing it on purpose, you’re going to have to accept that the ones you love are going to hurt you, too.”

I looked at him as I opened my bottle. I then took a hearty sip. After that, I stared at the bottle for some time. Finally, I looked back and forth between Scott and Kitty.

“…Love is bittersweet, isn’t it?” I commented.

“Yup!” Kitty and Scott agreed in unison.

The next day, I woke up a bit early before I went to work with my camera. When I got there, I was at a desk, uploading photos I took of the city for The Daily Bugle to use as stock images. As I waited for the upload to be done, I leaned back in my seat, craned my head back, and looked up at the ceiling. I shook my head.

“I really don’t want to be here,” I said to myself.

“Sounds like a typical Monday to me.”

I straightened myself up and looked to my left. Betty walked up to me with a with paper bag. Soon as she reached me, she placed the bag in front of me.

“For me?” I asked.

“It is,” Betty confirmed with a nod.

“Thanks.” I reached for the top of the bag to open it. Betty placed a hand on my shoulder, prompting me to look up at her.

“Before you get to what’s inside of the bag, do you have a moment to talk?”

I raised an eyebrow, but nodded. “Sure. What’s up?”

“Not here.” She beckoned me to follow her. “Let’s go.”

“Give me a second.” I turned towards my desk and pulled open one of the drawers. I plucked out a permanent marker, uncapped it, and used it to write my name on the bag. I put the cap back on the marker before I tossed it back in the drawer. I closed the drawer before I stood up. “Let’s go.”

I followed Betty into the elevator. Once inside, she hit the button for the basement, which I didn’t know the building had. As the elevator descended, I remained quiet. After about a minute, the elevator reached the basement and the door opened up. Inside were rows and rows of filing cabinets. Betty stepped out of the elevator, and I followed her.

“What is this place?” I asked.

“Archives of old articles from before we were born,” Betty said simply. “And since people rarely come down here, it’s kind of my quiet place – a place where I can be alone with my thoughts.” She looked over at me. “Do you have a place like that?”

“It used to be the roof of Midtown High,” I replied. “I shared that spot with MJ and Ned.” I cleared my throat. “Nowadays, it’s either The Empire State or Chrysler Building.” I smiled slightly, remembering Peter Two and Peter Three. That smile faded when Betty stopped in her tracks and turned around to face me. I quickly came to a stop, a bit startled. She looked at me with a look of concern.

“I forgot to ask you this yesterday, and I apologize for that, but… are you okay?” Betty asked. “I’m talking about Saturday night.”

“…Physically, I’m right as rain,” I replied. “Mentally… I’m getting better.” I gave her a small smile. “Craig is getting better little by little, but Scorpion is out there hunting for us. And Scott pretty much grounded me from Spider-Man stuff for a while until Craig is fully recovered.”

“That’s good.” Betty smiled briefly. “…What about yesterday? Are you okay from that?”

I took a moment to think about my answer. I shrugged. “…Not really. I’m… Well… Is ‘coping’ the right word?” I furrowed up my eyebrows as I thought about that for a moment. I nodded. “Yeah, let’s go with that. I, uh… I vented to Scott and Kitty after I had dinner with them last night. Thanks for calling Scott, by the way.”

“I was worried about you,” Betty explained. She walked to a filing cabinet, turned around and leaned against it. “You look devastated when MJ walked out. And you’re living inside of this lonely apartment. So, when Ned called me after he left your place, I didn’t think you being by yourself was a good idea.” She sighed. She then chuckled as she shook her head. “…It’s weird, you know? I’m standing here with someone who’s been my friend for a while and I don’t remember any of it.” She then tilted her head. “Though, we weren’t close enough for me to know that you’re Spider-Man. What changed?”

“Well, to be fair, before The Spell, Ned found out by accident,” I chuckled out. “And MJ… well, she’s observant.”

“One would call it being obsessed, but to each their own, I suppose.” Betty smiled cheekily.

I laughed a bit at that before I continued. “But… you befriended me again, I got to see how awesome you are, and you’re great with Ned, you know? I sort of wish I gotten closer to you before The Spell, and I guess telling you the whole truth is my way of saying sorry for not bringing you into the fold before? I don’t know. All I know is that I figured you deserve to know.”

She smiled wryly. “Peter… you are a mess. But I’m touched.” She straightened herself, taking her back off of the wall. She then stepped up to me and hugged me. I stiffened up, not expecting her to do that.

“Um… Betty… what’s this for?” I asked.

“I’m thanking you, Peter,” Betty explained. “For all the times you saved my life as Spider-Man. I don’t think I ever got a proper chance to thank Spider-Man face to face. So… thank you.”

I smiled as I hugged her back. “Just doing what I can.” We embraced for some seconds and I… underestimated how much I really needed a hug. “…Thanks, Betty. Thanks for being my friend and having my back as Spider-Man when Mysterio exposed me… even if you don’t remember that. And thanks for being there for me and the rest of us.”

“Hey, if you guys are going to call me the mother of The American Idiots, I might as well play the part.” She started to pull away. I let go of her as she did so. She looked up at me. “…Give MJ time. Something tells me that it’s not over between you guys. So, keep your chin up, okay?”

“Yes mom,” I replied before I laughed. Betty playfully punched me in the shoulder.

We returned to the floor we worked on. I returned to my desk to see that my computer uploaded all of the pictures. After nodding in approval, I opened up the bag and reached inside. Feeling a lidded cup, I grabbed it carefully before I pulled it out. It was a cup from Peter Pan. I raised my eyebrows a bit as I set the cup down. I then reached into the bag again. This time, I ended up pulling out a smaller bag. I opened that bag and reached into. Feeling a pastry, I pulled it out to see that it was a donut.

I recognized that donut – that nigh-black frosting, the smell of dark chocolate and licorice… Was it the same kind of donut MJ gave to me the day after the first time we tried to watch American Idiot? Well, there was only one way to find out. I bit into the donut. As I did so, I felt the cream filling spill onto my tongue. There was the vanilla, there was the cinnamon, and there was the cardamom. I chewed the piece of the donut in my mouth and swallowed. I then looked over at Betty. From her seat behind the desk, she gave me a knowing smile and a wink. I smiled back at her and mouthed my thanks to her. I then looked forward, reached into my pocket, and pulled out my phone. I went through my contacts and pulled up MJ’s number. I then composed a text to her.

“Thanks. And, I’m sorry.”

I took in a breath and sent it. I then placed my phone down on the desk before I picked up my cup of coffee and took a sip. I went about ejecting my SD card from the computer before I sat back and enjoyed my coffee and donut. I was a little less sad and a little bit more hopeful. I knew MJ was still upset with me. But I was glad to know she still cared.

Silver linings, I suppose.

Once I checked my e-mails for any assignments for the week, I left, bidding Betty a good day.

The rest of the day went by as normal, except I skipped my usual trip to Peter Pan. Part of it was because I already got my Peter Pan for the day, but it was mostly so I could give MJ her space. The next day was no different. I checked into work, I went to GED classes, and then I went home. And with me off of Spider-Man duty for a bit, I figured that I would be in for a rather quiet week.

Wednesday morning, I was proven wrong.

I wasn’t woken up by alarm. I was awakened by my senses going off. I quickly sat up in my bed and looked around the room, trying to figure out why my senses were on 11 at the moment. I clenched my eyes shut for a moment, trying to calm myself down. But I couldn’t. Instead, I just felt something like a pull towards a certain direction. I opened my eyes and stared at that direction for several moments.

“What’s in that direction? Why am I being pulled…?” I trailed off as the realization sunk in. “Oh… Oh no.”

Quickly I reached over for my phone and took it off the charger before unlocked, went through my contacts, and called up Scott. After some moments, he picked up.

“Hello,” he greeted.

“Scott!” I exclaimed. “Look, I know this may sound weird but… I think something is going on at Midtown High!”

“I know. It’s all over the news. The school is being held hostage.”

I tilted my head. “What?!”

“Wait, you didn’t know that? Then how did you know something was going on over there?”

“Long story short, I got these senses that tells me when there’s danger around. But… it never did this before. I just felt like I was being pulled towards that school. And… I know you ordered me to lay low, but – !”

“I know,” he interjected. “Kitty and I are already getting suited up. We’ll meet you there, okay?”

“Okay.”

Five minutes later, I was swinging through the city with a belly filled with four protein bars and two energy drinks.

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