So, this is another attempt of mine at a songfic, and it was kind of hard, I have to admit, finding a song and a situation. Hopefully, this came out nice. Enjoy :D
I now firmly believe that Carol has an amazing singing voice and will use that any chance and time I see fit ;D
Disclaimer 1: Marvel owns everything.
Disclaimer 2: 4Real is a song by Avril Lavigne, on her Goodbye Lullaby album and owned by her and whatever record company produced it
Chapter 21: 4Real
It had been quite a…well, a rather eventful night, to say the least.
But it left the burning questions…now what?! Where did they go from there?
Last night had definitely complicated things between the two of them. How it actually happened…to be honest, neither of them actually knew just how it happened. What knew for certain was that there was some shrapnel in his back, she had offered to help him take it out, her hands started slowly descending down his firm back after 10 minutes of delicately tending to his wounds…
Next thing they realized, they were in his Tower quarters, specifically the bed. And their costumes were decorating the floor.
It was pretty obvious they had enjoyed the activities of their night…ok, maybe that was an understatement. The whole night had been filled with nothing but base desires being satisfied, pants and cries of pleasure and ecstasy, unified movements of love and adoration, and then afterwards, nothing but soft and caring whispers of sweet nothings & gentle caresses.
It was a good thing that the only other two in the Tower that night had been Vision, who obviously didn't pay much attention to these kinds of things, and Pym, who was too caught up in his experiments and inventions.
It wasn't until morning that the full impact of what had transpired slapped them in the face.
And it had made the rest of the day very awkward.
Peter had simply spent the day roaming the city, following his regular everyday routine, all the while thinking about what effect this could have on their friendship and their…other feelings. His confusion and anxiety was taken out on whatever thugs and criminals the streets had to offer him for the day.
Carol claimed an entire training room to herself the whole day, crushing the various reinforced punching bags and other materials that were designed to withstand the crushing blows of the likes of Ms. Marvel and Captain America. She channeled her frustration and confusion and fears into her fists, making the bags suffer along with her as she wondered what happened now from this point on.
For months now, maybe at least a year even, Peter and Carol had been dancing around their growing feelings for one another, and it was becoming obvious to the various other Avengers what was going on between the two of them. They both admitted to themselves-but never to each other yet-that they were feeling something more for each other than just friendly feelings and emotions. The problem was that neither of them really had that much luck when it came to affairs of the heart in their lives. But surprisingly, they were chipping each other down and exposing each other's true feelings each time they saw each other.
Then they suddenly took it to the next level…completely skipping a few other levels in the process.
It was amazingly…marvelously…unexpected.
It wasn't until sunset that Carol decided to take initiative and do something about it.
Peter returned to the Tower, removed his mask as he landed on one of the balconies on the uppermost levels, and sighed as he looked out to the bustle that was Manhattan. He was really uncertain of what this meant for him and Carol. Yes, he really did like her; yes, she was an amazing woman and a great friend who he was starting to care for more as more than a friend…but this kind of shook up everything in their current relationship. Where did they go from there? He knew that Carol felt the same way after last night…or was it just the heat of the moment that was talking that night, and not her heart?
Carol came to the balcony door, the one to where Peter was. She wasn't sure if she was ready for such a big step. She knew what she felt about Peter, and she knew now that he felt the same way…or at least, she hoped…was it really all real last night? Or was it just his inner man? Did he just want to get her in bed, and now that it happened…? Her past experiences filled her mind with such things, but she knew that if she didn't confront it, their friendship could deteriorate…badly. So, she stepped out to meet him.
"Hey."
Peter turned, taking in the sight of Carol. She was in her Ms. Marvel attire, sans her mask. "Hey," he replied, his trademark nerdy grin failing him all of a suddenly, his mouth only managing to come up with a small, very shy smile.
There was a couple dozen seconds of awkwardness as the two of them glanced nervously around and then back at each other. Finally, Carol spoke. "Look…Peter…um…I know that last night…well…*sigh* dammit, I don't know what to say…" She ran a hand through her hair and looked at Peter, trying to find the words. "Ok…last night…well, it was…um…unexpected."
"Yeah…you're telling me," Peter sighed, rubbing his hand awkwardly on the back of his neck. "I…really wasn't expecting that to happen…for you to do…well…that."
Carol uncharacteristically blushed slightly, knowing full well just what he was talking about; she could see, even in the light of the sunset, his earlobe was still slightly red from the attention she had devoted to it. "Um, yeah…" Surprisingly, she couldn't help but softly chuckle at that. Then some more awkward silence set, and the two again nervously glanced at each other. Finally, Carol spoke up again, "Look, Peter…we've known each other for two years, since you joined the team. I don't know how, but we somehow became friends (at that they both chuckled). We've been good friends…and…I…" she looked into Peter's eyes, her own painful memories of failed relationships coming back to haunt her. "I…I don't want to mess that up…I don't want to lose you as a friend…I don't want to lose you."
Peter knew where she was coming from; she had confided her past attempts at love to him in other occasions. "I know, Carol…I don't want to mess up our friendship, either." He slowly walked up to her, and she found herself doing the same in his direction. When they were mere inches apart, Peter asked what he needed to know. "Was…was it real? Did it mean anything?"
A full 10 seconds passed before Carol responded, giving an answer that she found herself afraid to admit, even to herself. "Yes…it meant something to me." Now, she had to ask him. "Was it real for you?"
Peter thought of an adequate response for a few seconds, finally settling on, "More than I thought it could."
A few more seconds of awkwardness passed.
"Peter…I'm not good at this kind of thing. I've…I haven't had the best of experiences."
"I know…and I…well, my choice of career isn't really the best in helping relationships, in retrospect."
They stared at each other.
"So…where do we go from here, Carol?"
…
"I…my mind says to cut it off now and do my best to save our friendship…but my heart…it's telling me to take a chance with you…and I want…to take a chance."
"And you're scared," Peter said, his voice holding nothing but understanding. "I know what you've been through with past relationships…but, if there's any way I can convince you I won't hurt you, I'll do it, because I want to give this…give us…a chance, too." He took her gloved hands into his own gloved hands. "How can I show you I really mean what I say?"
For a few seconds, Carol said nothing, staring down at the ground at their feet. Peter was nothing if not patient, despite initial thoughts about his character. He was patient with Carol, as demonstrated during those times when she was tending to her internal scars and struggles and he was there to help her in her moments of pain. Carol then gazed up into his eyes…and did something he didn't expect: sing.
If I show you, get to know you
If I hold you just for today
I'm not gonna wanna let go
I'm not gonna wanna go home
Tell me you feel the same
He heard & knew this song…and he was surprised…Carol had an amazing voice for singing. And surprisingly…it kind of fit in the moment; and Peter needed to admit…he did feel the same way that Carol clearly did.
'Cause I'm 4 real, are you 4 real?
I can't help myself, it's the way I feel
When you look me in the eyes, like you did last night
I can't stand to hear you say goodbye
Well, it feels so right 'cause it feels so right
Just to have you standing by my side
So don't let me go 'cause you have my soul
And I just wanted you to know
Her hands gripped his slightly tighter, conveying just how vulnerable and open she was at this moment. Not only that, it conveyed just how much Carol trusted Peter, how much she trust him to be there for her, to hold her together and to keep her safe in her most weak and vulnerable moments…moments like this.
I don't wanna look back 'cause I know that we have
Something the past could never change
And now I'm stuck in the moment and my heart is open
Tell me that you feel the same
As Carol sang those words, she bared her thoughts to Peter-she didn't want her past relationships to fill her with fear about one she could have with him. He was unlike any man she ever knew, and she had given him possession of her deepest secrets, knowing she could trust him with her heart.
'Cause I'm 4 real, are you 4 real?
I can't help myself, it's the way I feel
When you look me in the eyes, like you did last night
I can't stand to hear you say goodbye
Well, it feels so right 'cause it feels so right
Just to have you standing by my side
So don't let me go 'cause you have my soul
And I just wanted you to know
Carol then slowly released her hands from Peter's, now moving them up to his chest, and wrapping them around his neck as she brought her body into his, placing herself into a hug with him. Momentarily surprised, Peter brought his arms to her back, completing the hug as he held her softly yet tightly. He was then surprised as he felt himself floating into the air; Carol was lifting them both up with her flight, and they slowly headed upwards, towards the very top of the Tower, and after a few seconds, Carol again released her voice.
Hold me down, hold me now
I'm safe, I'm sound when you're around
They reached the top of Avengers Tower, Carol slowly touching them both down onto the rooftop, near the edge of the building. All the while, her eyes filled with affection, love and desire, never leaving Peter's eyes, which were full of surprise, love and adoration. She wanted nothing more than to be held in his arms, a place where she found herself realizing last night that she felt safe in, safer than she ever felt in her whole life. Around Peter, in his arms, she felt secure, protected, comforted, and most of all…she felt loved.
Hold me down, hold me now
I'm safe, I'm sound when you're around
She slowly brought her hands from around his neck to where his hands where on her back, and she brought them back between them, her loving gaze never deterring from his eyes.
I'm 4 real, are you 4 real?
I can't help myself, it's the way I feel
When you look me in the eyes, like you did last night
I can't stand to hear you say goodbye
Well, it feels so right 'cause it feels so right
Just to have you standing by my side
So don't let me go 'cause you have my soul
And I just wanted you to know
Peter stood her, his hands in Carol's, his eyes in hers, and a loving smile creeping onto his lips.
A smile that Carol slowly returned in full. "You don't have to prove anything…I already know you will never hurt me. Peter Parker…I want to be with you, and make this work." And with that, she gave him a mind numbing kiss.
XXXXX-A/N-XXXXX
Well, what did you think? Please review, opinionate (is that a word? It's a word now), leave feedback and all that good stuff
Next time, we go a bit into the fluffy romantic side that we don't quite often see from these two.
I also invite you all to check out my newest story, "Titans Rising."
Until next time readers :)