NO WAY HOME ENDING SPOILERS!
This story is going to be an AU after the ending of No Way Home, where Peter lives alone and moves on with his life.
A knock was heard in his front door, making Peter halt changing into his new, self-made Spider-Man costume. Peter panicked and looked around his semi-messy apartment-- He had just move in a few days ago and had tried unpacking, but his friendly neighborhood Spider-Man duties made him slack off unpacking. As a result, the apartment was a wreck.
Quickly hiding the red and blue fabric from the sewing machine and his bust-up webshooters to a clothesbin, he hurriedly tidied himself up to be presentable.
The knocking was heard again.
"Yeah, I'm coming!" He yelled. A soft giggle from outside the door was heard as he stumbled over a pile of junk-- She must've heard it. Judging from her laugh it must've been a girl.
As he finally reached the door and clumsily pried it open, he was met with a smiling, oriental face. Peter quickly scanning her up and down, noticing her red beanie, long wavy hair, and a comfortable looking red sweater. She looks oddly good in red. She was also wearing fingerless gloves and was holding onto something with both of her hands.
"Uh, hi?" He awkwardly greeted with wide eyes, making her giggle even more. What's so funny anyways?
"Sorry!" She apologized, just like she had just read his mind, "It's just, your t-shirt is so funny!" She pointed out with a motion of her hand, making Peter realize she was actually holding food. Based on the delicious smell, it was lasagna!
Snapping out of his thoughts on food, he glanced down to the shirt he was wearing. He was wearing a t-shirt with a picture of a ferris wheel on it, but instead of the carts it was replaced with the scientific element of Fe.
"I love puns, they always make me laugh." She explained herself with a smile. Peter awkwardly stood and gave her a smile of his own (that probably looked cringy).
"Uh- yeah, thanks..." He trailed off.
"I'm Joline by the way, Joline Wang. I live right next to you," she pointed to the only other room beside him with her head, considering her hands was occupied.
"I-I'm Peter. Peter Parker. Nice to meet you, Joline," He introduced himself and held out a hand to shook, but awkwardly took it back as she chuckled, looking down to the tray she was holding.
"I would shake your hand as this is our first time meeting, but I have a slight disturbance that make me unavailable to shake it right now." She wiggled her eyebrows, "Although I could if I just do this..." She carefully moved her hands so that she was holding the tray with her left palm.
"Aha! My hand is now free." She waved her right hand at him and held it out. "Nice to finally meet you, neighbor."
Peter smiled and shook her hand.
"You too,"
"I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself earlier, I was busy doing my work for the week when I noticed I have a new neighbor. And so for that, I made lasagna, and I really hope you'll like it." She motioned for him to take the lasagna.
"Oh- It's okay, you don't have to--" Peter tried to reject, but the pout on Joline's face made him feel bad.
"I was trying out a lasagna recipe and it turned out I cooked enough for three. Food is best served hot from the oven so I gave some to the landlord already, and now this is your share." She explained, making Peter reluctantly grab the handles as she softly passed it to him.
"Thank you," He gave a genuine smile. He gently lifted off the covering and gulped. The lasagna looked great and also smells good. It had been a long time since he had ate home cooked food. The last time it was when May was...
"You're welcome. If you're done with the tray, you could leave it by my door." She smiled, then leaned closer, holding a hand up to whisper to him. "Please return it. I don't want to lose another collection of kitchenware. The landlord lost my plate the last time I gave him some food, so now I give him disposable lunchboxes."
"Yeah, I'll return it to you by the door," He repeated the instructions again, assuring her he remembered. Joline gave a smile.
"Good... Also, if you ever need any help, you can just knock on my door if you want. I usually wake up early and don't sleep that much because of my work. Feel free to bother me, Peter." She smirked, waving him goodbye as she went back to her apartment.
Peter dumbly watched the door close with a smile on his face. The girl was full of smiles and energy. He shook his head in wonder and closed the door, putting the lasagna tray on the table on the way.
He was just about to go patrolling, but a little lasagna won't hurt, right?
It smelled delicious...
Peter gave in to the temptation.
