"Holy Shit," She exclaimed her brows knitted together in confusion as she stared at her hands that lay on Peter's chest. Peter brought his hands up holding her biceps keeping her close to him, and Nora almost squealed with excitement at the sudden contact. That and the big secret Pete just shared with her.
"I know," Peter said with a smile, looking down at her hands that splayed out on his chest, breathing in sharply at her cold small hands and her electric touch. His senses were going crazy when he smelled her amazing vanilla perfume and shampoo.
"H-h-how?" She questioned.
"I got uh… I was bitten by a spider?" He questioned back.
Nora hit him on the chest laughing, "You can't answer a question with another question. So a… what was it? Like a radioactive spider? That sought of makes you like the hulk!" Peter just nodded not ready to go into extra detail, "That is so cool!"
"Yeah, it is! I mean like I think so," Peter said gushing from this attention.
"Peter, this is amazing. You're out there saving people's lives. You're like my hero at the moment," Peter slowly smiled at the thought of being Nora's hero, "Don't think I haven't forgotten our fight. You're still an asshole," Nora said crossing her arms over her chest holding her head defiantly.
"I know I know I'm sorry. That was a douche thing to say. I really didn't mean it. Please forgive me," Peter said scratching his forehead not sure how else he could say sorry. But he didn't need to worry about that because Nora came bounding into his arms, snuggling her head into his shoulder. He rested his head on her forehead, wrapping his arms tightly around her.
"How could I not forgive Spider-man?" She chuckled; he could feel her laugh vibrating through his bones.
"You can't tell anyone," he said pulling back to see her face, her icy blue eyes looked back at him with amusement, "I mean it, Nora. I'm like a superhero now. My identity can't be compromised."
"You sought of like compromised it a couple of minutes ago," She said with a smirk, "Besides you're not really a superhero. I mean where's your membership with the Avengers," she said.
"Actually…" He trailed off.
Nora's mouth dropped, "No way. You get to join the Avengers?"
"I'm not sure. Mr Stark was talking about it with me," Peter quickly said trying not to get her hopes up.
"Call him. Call him please!" She exclaimed hysterically, "This is huge. You have to call him. You might need time off school. Are you going somewhere? When are you going? Where are you going?" She asked him as she walked back to her apartment looking back over her shoulder at Peter's still figure. She waved him over with a smile.
He slowly smiled back thankful that he had Nora as a friend; maybe someday they would be more than friends. He shook his head trying to get rid of that thought. He nearly lost her today, he couldn't imagine what would happen if he wanted to be more than friends and she said no. He'd lose her for good. They were better as friends, nothing more.
She opened the door looking down to see Daniel asleep on the floor. She chuckled to herself as she stepped over him inviting Peter inside. Peter looked down before bending down and scooping the scrawny kid off the floor.
"Where's his bedroom again?" he whispered to her.
Nora's heart swooned as she pointed to the room down the hallway. Nora's house was beautiful and massive with two lounge rooms, a cinema, dining room, kitchen and five bedrooms. It was modern and sleek but had a homey feel thanks to her mom who was an interior designer.
Peter slowly followed behind her stopping as she opened his room. He slowly laid him on the bed, and Nora pulled his blankets up and around him. Peter and Nora slowly tiptoed out of Danny's room. Nora closed the door behind her before grasping Peter's hand and dragging him to her room. As if he needed to be dragged he thought for that matter.
She walked into her room chucking her keys onto the desk as Peter looked around. He hadn't been here in a while considering she hung out at his place mostly. One wall was just one big bookshelf containing what had to be hundreds of books. On the other wall, she had covered it with pictures she had taken. In the middle was her bed beside that her chest of drawers and desk. Peter walked towards the photo wall a particular photo catching his eye. It was a picture of the two of them, Peter giving Nora a piggyback at the park. They both looked happy Peter thought to himself. He was too focused on his thoughts that he didn't hear Nora come and stand next to him.
"That was a good day," she declared.
"It was," Peter nodded.
"How long has it been since you've seen my room?"
"About a year. Maybe a year and a half," he said with a shrug.
"Well," she said with a smile spreading her arms out gesturing to the room, "let me show you my cave," she pointed to her bed, "That's where I sleep sometimes."
"Sometimes?"
She looked back at him, "You're going to love this," She said smirking as she skipped to her bookshelf pulling off a book and handing it to Peter. The title read, 'Alice in Wonderland.'
"Why did you give me-" Peter started asking until he saw Nora lean up punching in a code, "What the hell are you doing?" as she jumped down.
Before she could answer, the library door swung open revealing another room.
Peter poked his head inside before looking back at Nora, "What's this?"
"My bat cave," she said with a smirk.
"You know Batman's not real right?"
"How do you know?" she said walking past him with a wink but he caught her bicep stopping her.
He leaned down so they were eye level, "I'm like sought of a superhero," he said with a smirk. Were they flirting?
Nora laughed poking him in the chest, "Aha, keep telling yourself that," She pulled him inside the room showing him a second massive room with a closet, couch, TV and a big computer monitor.
"What's the computer for?" He asked walking to her desk.
"You know how you work on computers? I sought of program and stuff. Ned's been teaching me so now people can come to me asking me to help them you know… get out of some crazy situations or change life for the better."
"Help them? Do you mean hack?"
"That's such an ugly word don't you think? I just… you know what? It's best that you don't know," she said with a smirk.
"So I'll take that as a yes. So what do you call computer hacking?"
"A hobby," she said wincing as he lightly smacked her on the arm, "I'm helping people. I'm like Felicity without the Oliver."
"Who?"
"Olicity you know? Arro… Never mind. Point is that I could maybe help you if you need it. Anyway, where were you going again?" She said sitting on the couch turning on the TV, flicking through channels.
"Germany," he said joining her on the couch.
"No way. When?" She said reaching for something on the desk.
"Not sure… why?" Peter said raising an eyebrow.
"Well I sought of got into an internship. Just… look at this," she said handing him the letter whilst she kept talking, "my dad applied for me. It's this medical program stationed in Berlin. It's at Germany's top hospital, which actually ranks 24th around the world. Weeklong program with famous doctors and surgeons. Anyway, usually it's for people 18 and up but my dad got them to reconsider. We could be in Germany at the same time! How exciting would that be?" She exclaimed.
Peter looked down at the letter, "You leave in two days."
"I know it's sudden but I didn't get the letter until today," she said taking the letter off him.
"Were you going to tell me or just leave and not say goodbye?" Peter asked her harshly.
Nora was taken back for a second, "Of course I was going to tell you, Peter, it's just I didn't know when."
"But with our fight. If I hadn't come over to see you… would you have?"
She shrugged, "I don't know. But can we not focus on the negatives, please. I mean. I'm sitting next to Spider-man. Isn't that cool. I mean wouldn't it be great if we're in Germany at the same time?"
Peter thought it would be great. Really great. Alone time with Nora would be great. Just as friends of course. Nothing more. He'd just have to convince Mr Stark.
"So do I get to know your code?" Peter asked her.
"The odds are not in your favour," she said quickly.
"Seriously. Not even one number?" He asked begging her.
"You'll figure it out."
"Come on."
"To quote Hamlet Act III, Scene III, Line 87, 'No'."
"I understood that reference."
"Good for you. I've been waiting to use it."
"Sorry kid, no."
"But Mr Stark, Nora's already going to be there. Why not let her just come with me?" Peter exclaimed as he walked beside Mr Stark. Peter had contacted him as soon as he got home last night.
"Look, kid. Nora doesn't know about you being all Spidey-"
"Actually…," Stark swivelled his head looking at Peter as he walked.
"Actually what?"
"She knows. I know I shouldn't have told her but it was a stupid mistake. Besides, she's like my lawyer. She would also come in handy," Peter said, trying to justify his decision.
"Peter I just don't think I'd need any more teenag-"
"She hacks," Peter blurted out. Tony stopped walking looking at Peter over his shoulder before finally turning around to have an actual conversation.
"What do you mean 'she hacks'." Tony used bunny ears trying to figure out the situation.
"She started out small. Hacking into the FBI and stuff but apparently last week she stole files from the Pentagon on some crazy medical stuff she heard rumours about. The Pentagon is trying this thing on patients. Something about a drug that's designed to enhance our brains. Dangerous side effects man. Her dad only just found out and he's a renowned doctor." Tony raised an eyebrow.
"How would her skills help us?" Tony asked waving to the avenger tower around him.
"You know that winter soldier guy?" Tony only nodded his head, "Well the other day Nora was tampering with something and came across some code. Located that soldiers arms and gave the info to the feds. Says she can also control it from her room. She could control your suit, any suit actually. She's also been awarded a price for being one of the smartest kids in history or something like that."
Tony stood there for a couple of seconds, digesting the information.
"Okay."
"Okay?"
"Okay. She can join you on the plane. I'll book her a hotel room next to yours. She can still go to her medical thingy and if she agrees… she can come and help." Peter squealed with excitement and lent in to hug Tony but Tony just held out a hand.
"Thank you Mr Stark. We won't let you down," Peter said shaking his hand. Peter turned around walking the other way, as Tony stood there shocked. How had he not heard so much about these kids? Hell, they were smarter than he was.
Peter quickly pulled his phone out as he marched down the steps of the Avenger's building. He quickly dialled Nora who answered on the third dial.
"You've reached the world's greatest psychic. Since I already know who you are and why you called, I'll, uh, talk to you later...?"
"Nora, you're in."
"In what?" Nora asked yawning.
"In. Like I talked to Mr Stark about all the hacking you've been doing lately-"
"Dude. Seriously. I could get arrested for some of that stuff. Please tell me you didn't mention the Penta-"
"I mentioned the Pentagon."
"Great Peter. Thanks. I'll have fun in prison thanks for asking."
"You'll be fine. Mr Stark was impressed. Said you could fly and stay with me. It'll be fun. I promise," Peter pleaded with her.
There was a long sigh on the other end, "I'll have to ask my dad."
"I can get Mr Stark to call him," Peter said to her.
"You think Mr Stark can handle my dad when he says I'm going over there not just for medicine. He'll flip. I'll just say that Mr Stark offered to pay for my flights and accommodation since he knew I'd be there. Don't worry I'll spin together a story," she said before cackling with laughter.
Peter stood there for a moment with a smile on his face as he listened to her laugh, "Was that seriously a spider joke?"
"Hold on. I've got more. I was searching the web this morning!" She howled again.
"Seriously? God, you're annoying," Peter said still smiling. He actually thought it was adorable. But if she kept going he wasn't sure if it would be cute anymore.
"Wait. What do you call young married spiders? Huh? Guess!"
After a long sigh, he pinched the bridge of his nose before replying, "Fine. What do you call it?"
"Newly webs!" She hooted again.
"Can you stop? You're bugging me."
"Impossible. I'm a spider, not a bug. You walked right into that web." she managed to say through her laughter.
"I'm hanging up now."
"Two blonds were driving to Disneyland. The sign said: Disneyland left… so they started crying and headed home!"
"That has nothing to do with spiders."
"I know. Just keeping you on your toes. A tarantula found a date online. He spider on the web!" She said laughing before finally regaining her composure, "okay I'm done."
"You sure?"
"No, I can keep going-"
"Nope. I'll see you at school shortly," Peter said hanging up quickly. He lov-liked Nora most of the time but sometimes he wanted to wrap his hands around her neck when she was like this. Like this being, she didn't sleep all night so everything's funny to her.
As Peter stepped onto the train he saw Liz sitting alone on one of the seats. Peter went to go sit next to her when an eight-year-old bounded to that seat. Dammit, he thought looking at the little shit. He looked familiar but he couldn't put his finger as to why. Suddenly he noticed the resemblance. Cocky attitude, blonde hair, icy blue eyes. An Edmund. Great. As if one Edmund wasn't enough. Nora's brother, Charlie sat next to Liz flicking through a comic book. Peter groaned nearly banging his head against the door when Charlie noticed him. He waved giving him a big toothless grin before returning to his book. The smart ass. Peter walked over kneeling in front of Charlie.
"Hey, Charlie."
"Hi, Peter!"
"How's the comic book bud?"
"Alright. Not as cool as the one you got me for Christmas!"
"Yeah, that was a pretty cool comic book. Hey, do you reckon you could move over?"
He tilted his head to the side glancing at Liz, "Mmm… no. I like this seat. It's comfy."
Peter nearly pulled his hair out, "Please bud for me… I'll get you another cool comic book."
He considered it before holding his hand out.
"What else?" Peter whisper shouted looking at Liz who was too busy on Instagram listening to music.
"Nora always gives me money when she's trying to bribe me. And considering you like the girl I'm sitting next to you should probably pay me a little more than just bribing me with a comic book," Charlie said with a smirk.
Damn it. He knew. Now he knew why they were bumping him up a grade.
"Dude come on. I'm friends with your sister. I'll get her to do your chores for a week?"
Charlie smiled, "Deal!"
Charlie moved over and Peter sunk into the seat. Liz turned her head quickly noticing Peter, taking off her headphones, "Hey Peter. How are you going?"
"I'm good. How- how- how are you?" Peter stammered. He heard Charlie chuckled but ignored it.
"I'm great. I'm talking to Nora today about the homecoming. You got a date?"
"Um… a-a-a date? Isn't that two months away? I'm sure I'll find someone. What about you? Have you um… got a date?" He asked
"No. Maybe if you can't find someone you could-"
The train dramatically stopped out the front of their school.
"Sorry Pete, I've gotta dash. I'll see you in math?" Liz said darting out of the train.
Pete sighed for a minute hearing Charlie chuckle getting of the train with him.
"Where are you going, Charlie?" Pete said skipping down the stairs blocking Charlie off.
"School. You know keeping me from school is a federal offence," Charlie said glaring down at him from the first step.
"But you go to the elementary school!"
"Not anymore. I go to middle school. Mum forgot to mention it to the others I guess. Have fun not dating Liz or whatever," he said with a smile walking around Peter. Peter stood there for a moment before frustratingly pulling on his hair. After a moment he stomped angrily down the stairs, across the football field and through the halls. He found Nora standing next to Ned whispering at something.
"You!" Peter shouted pointing at Nora. People turned staring at Peter who apologized before turning back to Nora, "you!" he whisper-shouted.
Nora knitted her eyebrows together looking at him in confusion, "Me?"
"Yes you, your brother just ruined any chance I have with Liz. She nearly said that I could ask her to Homecoming but thanks to that little brat the train stopped." Nora and Ned couldn't contain their laughter as Peter gestured with his hands, "What are you laughing at?"
Nora finally breathed gesturing to him, "You got beat by an eight-year-old?"
"Dude you're game is off," Ned choked out.
"By the way Nora you're doing Charlie's chores for a week and you have to buy him the top edition x-men," Nora immediately stopped laughing.
"Dude!" She whisper-shouted, "His chores! Are you serious? You have got to be kidding me. What did I ever do to you?"
Ned chuckled before noticing something in Nora's locker.
"What's this?" He asked pulling out the letter.
Nora reached for it but Ned pulled it out of her grasp, quickly reading it, "Ned. Just let me explain!"
Ned stopped moving as he red the final part of the letter. Nora quickly snatched the letter, as Ned turned glaring at her, "You're leaving for Germany tomorrow?"
She shrugged, "Yeah. I was going to tell you today but I guess you beat me to it."
"So what! You're just going to leave Peter and me alone here?" Ned said pointing to Peter.
"Well…" Peter said looking anywhere else but Ned.
"What do you mean well?"
"I mean, I was given an internship under Mr Stark. Big possibilities. And Mr Stark heard that Nora was going to Germany and I'm going to Germany so…"
"You're both going to Germany!" Ned shouted hysterically. People turned their heads, staring at the peculiar three in the hallway. Nora politely smiled waving at the people staring.
"Ned calm down!" Nora whisper shouted.
"You're leaving me here! Alone!" Ned whisper shouted back.
"It's just a week. You'll be fine," Peter said, "Come one. Handshake?"
Ned just nodded before they did there stupid handshake. Nora stood there watching their handshake, "Come on you girls. We've got to get to class," she said pointing to the teacher who was glaring at the late students before dashing quickly to her classroom.
"Yes Mom, I have everything I could possibly need," Nora sighed into the phone.
"You sure? Backpack? Underwear? Emergency credit card?"
"Oh shoot. I did forget something!"
"What?"
"Would you by any chance bring over my passport?"
"Are you serious? You forgot your passport!"
"No Mom. I have my passport right here all right. Now, will you stop bugging me and allow me to go overseas?"
"Honey I just don't think you're old enough…"
"You were keen to send me away two days ago. What changed?"
"Who you're going with."
"You mean Peter? He's like the most responsible kid I know-"
"No, I mean Mr Stark. I just don't know if you can trust him."
Nora rolled her eyes, "I don't trust him. I just trust that he can pay for my flights and accommodation… that's all," She noticed the taxi had stopped, "look, Mom. The taxi has stopped. I love you all right! Nothing's going to happen to me."
"Okay, sweetie. Call me when you land… and board… why don't you just leave me on speaker phone the entire trip?"
"I love you, Mom… I'll call you when I land."
"Love you too."
Nora hung up the phone, exiting the taxi as she stepped out onto the curb of Peter's house. She walked around to the boot, grabbing her backpack and suitcase as she thanked and paid the taxi driver who quickly sped off.
She opened the doors and walked into the lobby sitting down in a vacant seat. Nora pulled out her headphones and began listening to Fall Out Boy. She tapped her foot quietly listening to the music when her phone rang, answering it quickly, "Physic Pizza. That will be $14.83. About thirty minutes delivery."
"Hey Nora. Are you here yet?"
"I'm in the lobby, Peter. Why?"
"Mr Stark said the cars outside. I'll meet you there okay?"
Nora nodded accepting the strange phone call, "Pete, you're seven floors above me. You should have been here first!"
"I know, I'm in the elevator and I'm here…"
She heard him shout 'Now' from behind her. She turned slowly staring at Peter pulling seven suitcases out of the elevator.
"No."
"What do you mean no?" Peter asked.
"I mean 1 suitcase! I'm a girl and I only packed one. Get back up there!" She said shooing him towards the elevator.
"But I need everything!"
"You're only going a week! What do you have in each bag anyway?"
"I have a couple of t-shirts-"
"How many?"
"20? 25? I just don't want to spill something on my shirt and have nothing to wear."
Nora hung her head in shame before pushing him in the elevator, walking in behind him and pushing the 7th floor.
Peter struggled to regain his footing in the tiny elevator that was taken up mostly by the suitcases. Finally, the door opened and the suitcases fell out of the doorway. Nora moved swiftly towards his apartment opening the door and walking in as if it were her own home.
"May?"
"Nora? What are you doing here? I thought you were going to Germany today?"
Nora saw May's figure in the kitchen as she reached for a spoon and a tub of ice cream, "I was," she said as she made her way into the kitchen standing beside her, "until I saw this," she said pointing to the door. As if it by fate, Pete stumbled through the doorway with his 7 suitcases.
"Peter!" Aunt May exclaimed loudly, "Why do you have 7 suitcases? I told you one suitcase!"
"I know I know I just wanted to be prepared," Peter said guiltily.
May shook her head before looking at Nora with desperation, "I'm about to have a Game of Thrones marathon, would you-" May was cut off by an excited Nora.
"Of course, I'll help him. I mean what sought of friend would I be if I didn't."
"Thanks, Nora," Peter quickly said but Nora glared at him.
"I was talking about May. She really needs to catch up on Game of Thrones. You. I don't feel an ounce of pity at all," she said as she bounded towards his room.
May stood there looking at her retreating figure, "Have I told you how much I love that girl? She is literally a mini adult rolled into an enthusiastic parent. I don't know how we raised such an amazing boy," She said as she ruffled Peter's hair.
"Stop it, Aunt May. Seriously. You're ruining my street cred."
"Sonny, you don't have any!" May said laughing as she walked into the lounge room ready for her marathon.
Peter sighed as he carried his suitcases into his bedroom ready for hurricane Nora to sweep him up in a terrifying adventure. First step along the journey, through Peter's closet.
Thank you soooo much everyone for the amount of support you have given this fic.
Amazing!
I wanted to thank all the guest reviews (please write a code name or something so I can recognize and thank you guys) RobotnikLoyalist, Chercher La Femme, Yuu Annoya Me, Phantom Knight21, azzurri98, edboy4926, Kmitten97, Sol981, OneHeart OneDirection (Thanks so much. I'll definitely continue this story), LovernonFighter89, cabrera1234, (thanks for the encouragement), Cakes08790, Ebrithme (You'll definitely be getting more), nooooooope, .2017 (Thanks so much, I can't even describe with words), youngfox03, Winchestergirl123, (Aww thanks), Simone140089, Lucy Jacob, sydvan23, Geekster, LOVElessLoser, bull poli, madstar95, MsRose91, abc11111, 1, Pokemon-Ranger-Aiko, Lokidoki9, Fandomqueen104, redvelvetlover13, SophiaisCountingStars, Taywawa, AnotherStripedSweater, keykeybaby6, twistedlittledoll, LuckySock, 73altitude, ktlv, PeterParkersGirl (Love the name BTWs. Thanks so much for your review. I love them too), MirandaAnnette144, WhatTheFlipFLap (Thanks. I'll definitely continue)
By the way I love all your usernames. Love the creativity. Also sorry if there are different spellings… I'm Australian (don't hate on me) shout outs to all the other Aussies. Also I'll try and read your stories and stuff so if you've got any cool fanfics contact me I guess. Hope you enjoy this chapter. It's not as long and a lot more fluffy but it was a setup chapter for the next. Anyway hope you enjoy.
iPhone. iTypos. iApologise.
Thanks,
Alex
