Breaking It Up
It was a mild June night and the sky was clear in the Hudson highlands, revealing the stars above them. Just a couple of years ago, the only other civilization Lucy would've thought of was Asgard but so much had happened since then and with Carol's entry into the family and Fury's admission that there was so much more out there, she wasn't sure anymore how to feel looking up. Certainly not as peaceful anymore. But it was also reassuring in a way – knowing this planet wasn't the only option out there. She could always leave and at this point she was very close to packing up her things and going up to Triple S for a year. But there was still the pesky matter of the company she needed to run.
With a sigh she leaned back again but was disturbed by a noise at the latch leading up to the roof. Peter climbed out and carefully let the heavy iron door back down before moving over and plopping onto the roof next to Lucy.
"What are you hiding up here from?"
Lucy took in a deep breath and managed a tiny smile, pretending nothing was wrong. It didn't fool him though – he knew her to well.
"Come on, you can tell me. What's wrong?" He was persistent but gentle.
"Harry and I broke up," Lucy finally admitted after another heavy sigh, but the spider didn't seem too surprised.
"That's nothing special. You've been doing that all the time during the past ten years."
Lucy grinned at his acute observation but it turned into a sad smile as she explained.
"He proposed," she started and Peter's mouth fell open immediately, so she continued before he could interrupt. "And I declined."
Peter was possibly even more shocked, if his expression was anything to go by. It took him a moment to collect himself, before speaking up carefully.
"That actually makes a lot of sense – the proposal, I mean. Why- why did you decline?"
Lucy sighed heavily. "I always though Harry was the biggest playboy, or at least that we're on the same level. Well, it turns out, Harry actually wants to settle down." A sad smile crept onto her face again. "This time we're done for good." She sat up a little and turned to Peter who was watching her with a concerned expression. "I didn't think for one second that this was a relationship that would lead to a marriage. I mean, our dynamic was still the same it was fifteen years ago." She looked back up at the sky. "That's strange to think about. He's been a part of my life for over half of it – romantically – and now that's definitely done. But I'm sorry. Not for me, for him. If he wants to get married, then I just wasted two years of his life that were highly important."
Peter was still watching her, the frown on his forehead growing deeper with every word but at her last sentence, he mumbled, as if to himself. "No one wastes time being with you."
Lucy heard it – and it was sweet. It stirred something inside of her that she hadn't felt in a long time – if ever. Choosing to ignore it, she just continued staring at the stars.
"So, you don't want to get married at all?" Peter's innocent question sent Lucy back on the thought spiral she'd been going down ever since Harry had gotten down on his knee.
"I don't know," she said, forcing her gaze off the sky and down to Peter. "I don't really need it because I know my family's always sticking by me and I don't want to have children because, let's face it, I doubt I could be a good mother. I certainly don't want to end up like my parents and only have kids to continue the family name. If anything I'd break that cycle. Though, I guess if Tony managed to spring it, I could too."
Lucy took a deep breath, stopping her rant, before grinning slightly. "I also don't have a grandma to take care of my kid instead."
Peter mirrored her smile and bumped his shoulder into hers. "No, but you have a Nat."
The first genuine smile for days appeared on Lucy's face and, feeling a lot lighter than before, she leaned her head on Peter's shoulder, who put an arm around her. Finally getting to rest, the two enjoyed the clear air and sky for a while.