The Things that Bind us
*New York City, Central Park.
Carol was having the night of her life; so far the night consisted of a wonderful dinner, a romantic movie and right now a walk through Central park. The two were walking side by side, holding hands while Carol leaned her head on Peter's left shoulder affectionately. The warmth that the two were sharing would rival that of a sun as they walked slowly side by side.
"I can't believe it's been 2 years Pete" Carol said with a happy and content smile
"Baby, I'm still trying to believe that we are together in the first place" Peter smiled as he stroked Carol's hair softly
"It feels like yesterday that we were sitting on the rooftop, side by side" Carol sighed
"Then Hulk sent a Quinjet speeding off because he mixed the remotes up" Peter chuckled as did Carol as they remembered that night and the 'eventful' things that had happened then. A bit ironic that the day they began dating was the beginning of them finally knowing who was under the mask, not just their real names but who they were.
The two stopped walking as they came to a bridge just over the lake. The two stood by each other within their warm embrace, Carol closed her eyes simply to enjoy the feel of her man's warmth envelop her. It had been so long since she had felt like this, to be truly loved, wanted and cared for, this man had been there for her since day one and hadn't left her since. Carol was never one to admit to giving her heart to anyone, but if there was one person she would readily give everything, it would be Peter.
Peter kept his eyes open so he could take in Carol's angelically beautiful features. His love for her had only grown as time went on and thus she was perfect in his eyes. Peter was in a dark place before Carol came into his life, he was still grieving over Gwen's death even after months he was not the same, but Carol had changed that, he became himself again. She was his light in the darkness and he was hers, there was no way either one of them would be able to live without the other.
"I….I can't even begin to describe how happy you have made me Peter" Carol smiled as she opened her eyes to gaze deeply into Peter's.
"That makes two of us Carol" Peter replied as he leaned in close and planted kiss on his beloved's soft velvety lips. Both closed their eyes as they kissed, indulging in each other's company was something they both thoroughly enjoyed with all their being.
As the two broke their kiss they smiled and gazed deeply into each other's eyes as they leaned their foreheads together. Carol then moved her gaze to the night sky, Peter also did this and the two of them were glad they did. There was a clear night sky and the stars shone brightly against the blackness of the sky's great canvas. Carol giggled as she remembered something just staring at the stars. Peter noticed this and wondered what she found so funny.
"What's so funny?" Peter asked with a smirk
"I remember that, when I was a little girl….I would just spend hours just looking up at the stars and wondering what was up there, all the alien species, the planets, the galaxies…I just wanted to go out there and explore the place" Carol smiled as she looked up into the stars
"I see….getting all nostalgic?" Peter asked with a smile
"No…it's just that, I used to think I could get everything I ever wanted out there…" Carol said before locking eyes with Peter
"…now I know that everything I could ever want, Is right here with me" Carol smiled as she and Peter hugged each other lovingly. The two embraced each other for a minute or two, simply enjoying being with each other.
To Carol with was utter heaven as she felt more loved than ever before as Peter stroked her golden blonde hair. Peter felt blessed by all the gods in the heavens that he could be with this utter goddess of a woman. He made sure to slip his hand into his pocket to check if the box was still there.
'Yep, still there' Pete thought with a smile as he held Carol close to him.
"Good god Peter….this has been one of the best nights of my life….what do you say that we, go home and finish it perfectly?" Carol whispered into his ear. As tempting as it was to say yes to that, Peter had a job to do, there was one thing that needed to be done to complete this night.
"As tempted as that is….there is one last thing I have for you" Peter smiled, their faces inches away
"Really? And what is that?" Carol asked
"You will find out soon enough, trust me, you will love it" Peter smiled and winked as Carol giggled in response
She had no idea what was awaiting
"Good evening folks, tonight on the show we have ourselves a very special guest tonight. He is a philanthropist, an inventor, a billionaire and in his spare time an armoured crime fighting member of the Avengers" Larry spoke as he sat with his hands clasped together. The studio audience applauded as he announced the show.
Meanwhile back stage Pepper Potts and Happy Hogan were sweating as Tony still had not arrived for his interview with Larry. This by now was certainly not Tony's first interview with the talk show host but he was never this late.
"God, where the hell is he?" Pepper muttered as she paced back and forth
"Don't worry Ms Potts, he is probably being fashionably late" Happy tried to calm her down
"He always has to do this kind of thing doesn't he? He can't go through one day without being an attention hungry, egotistical ass" Pepper said with annoyance as she paced before stopping to find Tony was standing right there with a raised eyebrow.
"I didn't realize you felt that way Pepper" Tony smirked as he straightened his tie
"Oh….Tony…I...I uh" Pepper stuttered in embarrassment
"Don't sweat it Pepper, I enjoy seeing you squirm, it's one of the perks of being your boss" Tony chuckled as he checked his appearance in a mirror that Happy provided; Tony paid special attention to his goatee. Meanwhile on set, Larry was still in the midst of introducing Tony to the audience before he came on.
"How do I look?" Tony asked Happy
"Ready sir, you look spick and span" Happy smiled
"Now ladies and gentleman I welcome to the stage, the armoured Avenger himself, he is Iron Man, I give you Mr Tony Stark!" Larry announced as Tony walked onto the set brimming with confidence. The crowd screamed and applauded as he swore he saw a few "Iron Man rulz" and "Stark 4 Eva" signs along with many of the women in the audience shouting their affections. Tony smiled and waved with a bow before he took his seat opposite Larry.
"Good to see you again Larry" Tony greeted as the two shook hands
"Likewise Tony, it's been a while since our last interview hasn't it?" Larry asked gaining a smile and a nod from Tony
"Yeah about a year right?"
"And a lot has transpired in that year. Like the registration act that Congress seems to be talking about" Larry stated
"Yeah…I…I have heard about that" Tony replied
"Now I can guess that you and the other Avengers know all about this situation don't you?" Larry questioned
"Indeed we do. I understand that the government is concerned with the way that meta-humans and vigilantes in general deal with things, but this 'solution' of theirs would only case problems. Forcing meta-humans to enlist into the American government wouldn't just cause chaos here but it would also cause panic worldwide" Tony said
"How so, Mr Stark?" Larry asked
"Let me put it this way Larry, the world's countries for a while have not been at war because of the work that teams like the Avengers and Fantastic Four perform, we look out for the entire world, not just the states. Now if the American government passed this law, then we would be restricted to only helping the world if they said we could, this would essentially make us the United States' personal superhuman army and that is basically saying to the world that they are the ones in charge" Tony explained
"And what kinds of problems would that cause in turn?" Larry asked
"Well for one, the countries of the world would not take kindly to the US making a statement like this without the UN's consent, and thus countries around the world would start creating acts like this one and create their own armies of super humans, basically an arms race over the most powerful weapons in the world….sound familiar?" Tony asked
"Sounds a lot like the Cuban missile crisis"
"Or the events that led up to World War 1, need I remind you that, that didn't turn out so well" Tony confirmed as Larry nodded, taking in the information
"Well, Tony that is a very interesting standpoint you have on this subject, now on the line we have another guest that actively supports this act, Senator Robert Kelly" Larry announced as Kelly's face appeared on the screen in front of the two of them. By what Tony could tell, he was probably in his office in DC.
"Thanks for having me Larry" Kelly smiled in response
"Now as I am led to believe, you support this registration act that congress is trying to pass" Larry asked the Senator
"I do Larry and with good reason as well, this registration act could be this country's only salvation in the face of all the calamities happening across the states" Kelly replied
"Need I remind you Senator that the Avengers haven't caused any of these 'calamities' that you are speaking of, in fact we solve the majority of them before they get out of hand" Tony rectified
"But you aren't the only team in the states are you? Of course in the UK they have Excalibur and in Canada they have Alpha flight, but the US has more meta-human teams than anywhere else in the world, meaning things are under less control here than they are anywhere else. Not to mention our increasing problems with Mutants in this country" Kelly stated making Tony groan out loud.
"Oh for god's sakes man, I thought you were going to present a valid argument here. And not just have another hour rant about how Mutants are a plague" Tony groaned out loud
"I'm afraid I have to agree with Mr Stark on this Senator, this is not on the subject of mutants but on the registration act itself" Larry said getting a grin from Tony.
"My statement still stands Mr Stark" Kelly responded
"Well just to clarify, due to all the other hero teams in the states I reckon that makes us more prepared for larger scale threats. That and teams will be able to assist each other in conflicts, like the incident in Latveria 2 years ago" Tony replied
"Ah yes but unfortunately, not every hero team in the states is as experienced as the Avengers, I think you will recall how close the New Warriors battle with Nitro went in Stanford a few months ago?" Kelly asked
"If I recall correctly, Senator, no one was harmed in that fight" Tony said
"Only because one of your Avengers intervened at the last second, if they hadn't then I dread to think what could have happened" Kelly responded with a high and mighty tone
"I can't believe the basis of your argument is over what 'might' happen. If it wasn't for the hero teams of this country then the world would either be ruled by Super villains or taken over by aliens by now" Tony rebutted
"Well you aren't wrong there Mr Stark, however the registration act isn't asking for hero teams to disband, only to be employed into the American government as certified agents of the law" Kelly smiled smugly
"I'll go back to my point before Kelly, if the Superhumans of this country were to enlist with the government it would cause panic across the other countries of the world, I doubt North Korea would sit back when the US has people who can fire lightning bolts and tear tanks in half bare handed at their command" Tony replied as he began to tire of this conversation
"We aren't demanding Superhumans go to war with the rest of the world Mr Stark. This act only serves to make the way your teams operate much more safely, like having the government provide training for the less experienced heroes and the US government to assist in the way you go about your business. At the end of the day we just want to help" Kelly tried to get through to Tony
"As noble as your intentions are Senator, it doesn't change the fact that this act would tear the hero community down the middle, not only that but cause worldwide panic over the fact that the United States would have a superhuman force under their command" Tony replied with an aggravated tone
"I can see that I'm not going to be able to convince you, am I Mr Stark?" Kelly asked
"No, you aren't"
"Well Larry I thank you for having me on the show tonight" Kelly nodded to Larry before turning his attention to Tony "And Mr Stark, I hope you know what you are doing, because one of these days you or one of your fellow heroes will make a mistake and you will have wished you had listened to me, goodbye Mr Stark" Kelly said as the screen turned off
*Baxter Building Rooftop
"Well Torch, I hope you are ready for this" Viktor said as he and Johnny stood side by side
"Oh I am Vik, let's just hope you can catch up with me" Johnny smirked
"Don't you worry about that Matchstick, I've been lighting fires since before your mother was born" Viktor smirked in response as Callus cawed in agreement
"By the way I have been meaning to ask, you were just on patrol right?" Johnny asked
"I was"
"What the hell happened to the Wrecking Crew?" Johnny asked
"They got paid a visit by the guy who drained Stark's energy plant and broke Dynamo out of the Raft. The guy knew what he was doing, he mutilated the guys in such a way that they didn't bleed to death" Viktor said with a pondering look
"How the hell did he manage that?"
"The guy is more like me than I first thought, he probably superheated the blade so it cauterized their wounds as he cut them, that or he has a pretty awesome sword" Viktor replied
"So what happened to them?"
"They were taken away to a special high security S.H.I.E.L.D medical facility, I doubt they will be breaking into banks anytime soon thanks to him"
"Is it me, or do you sound like you admire the guy?"
"Not admire Johnny…..he is the first person like me that I will have a chance of meeting….I'm just a bit over exited I guess" Viktor sighed
"Tough break…so what is it we are doing again?" Johnny asked
Viktor smirked before he leaned closer to Johnny and whispered the instructions into his ear. As Viktor pulled away a smirk appeared on Johnny's face
"Oh man, that is awesome!"
"Dam straight it is, now are you ready?" Viktor asked
"FLAME ON!" Johnny shouted as he was engulfed in flame and smiled
"I thought so" Viktor smiled as his eyes flashed red as the two flew off into the skies towards where they were needed.
"I don't see what's so special about the view Pete….I mean, it's a nice view and all but I see it every night on patrol" Carol said as she and Peter walked along the rooftop that Peter had suggested they go.
"Just wait and see" Peter said as he checked his watch
"What? Do you have somewhere to be?" Carol smirked
"Nope….in about 2 minutes you will be the happiest woman on the face of the planet" Peter smiled softly at her
"I'm already the happiest woman in the world" Carol smiled as she put her arms around Peter's neck and kissed him on the lips. Peter smiled as he put his arms around her in a warm embrace.
"I can't even begin to describe how happy you have made me Carol" Peter smiled
"That makes two of us" Carol smiled back
Peter couldn't imagine life without Carol now, if she hadn't come along when she did then he probably would still be the same shadow of his former self after Gwen had died. She had pulled him from the gutter and helped him be himself again; she was a miracle….his miracle.
"So what happens in two minutes?" Carol asked
"One minute and counting, you may want to stand over here" Peter smiled as he directed Carol over to the railings of the rooftop and stood behind her.
"Now you are going to have to close your eyes, alright?" Peter asked with a smile as he kept his hands on her shoulders.
"Now why do I have to…?" Carol begun until Peter covered her eyes with his hands
"Shhhh, no peeking you bad girl" Peter chuckled as Carol giggled in response
"I'll give you 'bad girl' if this is just some practical joke" Carol said as she closed her eyes behind Peter's hands. Peter smiled as he looked up into the sky as what he had planned took place.
Carol with her superhuman hearing could only hear the sound of flames very close by and was becoming very anxious as to what was making it. She swore she could hear Peter chuckled very quietly behind her before taking his hands from her eyes.
"Ok…..open up" Peter said as Carol did as directed. Carol opened her eyes and saw in the skies in front of her, written in flames
TURN AROUND!
Carol did what the flaming direction told her, not taking the few seconds to wonder what created them and as she turned she clasped her hands to her mouth in utter shock.
Peter was on his knees holding out a small box
"Carol Jane Danvers" Peter began with a smile on his face. Carol couldn't help but feel her eyes water as Peter spoke.
"You have made me so happy Carol, I wish that I could find some way to repay you in full for all the happy and great times you have given me" Peter spoke sincerely as Carol felt her tears drip down her cheeks.
"Before you came along I was a wreck, I was just a shadow, but you brought the real me back…not only that…but you showed me that I could love again" Peter continued, Carol felt her arms and legs tremble like an earthquake was happening at this very moment.
"I love you with every inch of my heart, mind and soul Carol….I would be nothing without you….i wish I could repay you in full….but all I can give you is my soul…forever..." Peter said before he opened the box to reveal the black and yellow ring that was for his love.
"Carol Jane Danvers…will you Marry Me?" Peter asked with all the strength he could muster to prepare for her answer.
"Oh god….Peter….Yes! Yes a millions times Yes!" Carol half shouted as she grabbed Peter by the sides of his face and kissed him hard on the lips with every inch of raw emotion bleeding through as she assaulted his lips with hers.
"Yes…..Yes…..I will Peter Parker….I will" Carol gasped as she broke the kiss, tears running freely down her cheeks. Peter smiled as wide as he could, the happiness he was feeling was unlike any other he had ever felt and he responded in kind to embracing her with a loving hug.
Carl's tears of pure joy dripped onto his shoulder as the two hugged like the loving couple they were. Carol sniffed and wiped the tears from her face before she whispered into her new fiancé's ear.
"I can't believe it Peter…it's like a dream" Carol cried
"I know…But I want to spend the rest of my life with you Carol…nothing is ever going to change that" Peter smiled as he swore he could feel tears of his own building up.
"Mrs Carol Parker….I like the sound of that" Carol smiled as Peter smiled back and put the black and yellow encrusted gold ring on her finger gently. Carol couldn't help but feel the need to kiss Peter again.
"Now….I think we should go back to the apartment and make this official" Carol whispered seductively in Peter's ear.
"I thought you would never ask" Peter smiled back
"I think that went well" Johnny smiled
"I don't think you did particularly well at spelling the 'around'" Viktor spoke back as the two hovered in the air.
"Go to hell, that was perfect"
"Turn abound…..yeah real classy you almost ruined it Storm" Viktor chuckled with a smirk
"Well old man, I think you over compensating on the spelling…all because you are the best man" Johnny joked
"Oh I'm overcompensating…that's rich Mr Skin-tight Spandex" Viktor chuckled
"Oh well….I hope Peter doesn't get his pelvis broken into gravel tonight" Viktor said
"He will…the question is if he will enjoy it"
"Well he better get used to it….he's married now" Viktor laughed as did Johnny
Alright ladies and gents I know this chapter wasn't very long, I'm planning on having lemons later on in the story just not this chapter. The next few chapters will be concentrating on the build up to the Stanford-esque event that I have planned. I know it was short but I promise the next chapter will be longer.
Please leave what you thought and
Viktor: wow….you are really off the ball today aren't ya?
….WHY ARE MY OC'S COMING TO LIFE?!
Viktor: hey I'm just pointing out the fact that you don't seem to be on the ball right now Mate…are you ok?
I….I am a bit unfocused right now yeah, with my studies and everything
Viktor: I thought so…why else would I have such an insignificant part in this chapter? Can I at least do the question?
Sure…go ahead…it's not like I enjoy doing it
Viktor: alright ladies and gents, here's the big kicker SHOULD I USE A SWORD WHEN I FIGHT CYRUS?
Ok that's an odd question
Cyrus: oh I hope they say yes *grins*
Viktor: Cyrus *glares*
How the hell did you get in here… AGAIN!? You know what I don't care! You two aren't supposed to meet for at least 2 or 3 more chapters so get back to where you came from
Cyrus:…ha…I can wait
Viktor:…me too….
Good now SOD OFF!...alright everyone I'll see you next chapter and hopefully I won't get any interruptions next time, now please leave your reviews and thoughts, See ya everyone!