Hi all! Brief filler chapter with some fluff. I'm slowly, slowly trying to get back into writing.
As always, please review :)
Peter obligatorily hung his head slightly, listening to Tony's brief though hypocritical lecture about why he shouldn't be in Kate's room (or vice versa) as much as they were. Certainly not sleeping together, even in a platonic sense. He knew it likely wouldn't change—Tony knew this too—but he listened anyways. Once it was over, they returned to their work in the lab as if nothing had ever happened.
Peter was helping Tony and Bruce in developing a new nano technology. Kate had been coming in to help as well because her computer prowess was close to Tony's; Peter preferred the biological science and chemistry rather than math, though he was good at it all. To be honest, he also just really loved working side by side with Kate as well.
At school they were chemistry partners, they sat together in trig and and they generally worked well together on missions.
Thinking about Kate, Peter's thoughts strayed to the fact that she had left with Natasha that morning and they still weren't back yet, and it was nearly noon.
"Guy, we brought lunch!"
As if his thoughts summoned her, Kate's cheerful voice rang out in the lab making the three occupants jump and a small spark to emit from whatever Tony was working on. Peter's eyes sought her, and he smiled watching her giggle as Tony ranted half-heartedly about her love of scaring them.
While Kate told them what she and Natasha had brought for lunch, he took a second to admire her from his position in the room. She was wearing her favorite purple converse, skintight blue jeans, a black Foo Fighters t-shirt that she had twisted to show a sliver of skin at her waist, and she had his hoodie on, one of the sleeves slipping off her shoulder. Kate turned her eyes to him and smiled before walking over to join him at his workstation. "Ready for lunch?" She asked sliding her arms around his shoulders as his hand rested at the small of her back.
"Yeah, I just gotta pack this away." Peter replied looking at the microscope and slides that he had spread out.
"Okay." Kate replied. "I can help."
She grabbed the box that was meant for the slides and brought it back to the table.
"Hurry up you two!" Tony called as he and Bruce headed for the door.
"We'll be right there." Peter called back.
Kate rolled her eyes fondly at the billionaire before picking up a slide to file in its proper spot. "So, what are you working on?" She asked.
"Well, the nanites are not morphing the way that we anticipated with certain chemicals." Peter replied as he handed her another slide while he disposed of a stack of others.
"Thus, the spread on the counter?" She asked indicating the multitude of beakers filled with a rainbow of colored liquid.
Peter nodded with a smile.
"Can I see?" She asked tilting her head at the microscope.
"Yeah, of course." Peter replied but before he could move out of the chair, she just smoothly slid into his lap so she could be at a better level to look in the microscope.
…
Kate hid her smile behind her hair as she looked through the microscope. Peter being Peter, had no idea where to put his hands when she moved onto his lap, no matter how much time they spent together or how many times they made out, it was still so easy to fluster him, which she loved.
Taking pity on him, she grabbed his hands and wrapped his arms around her as she leaned back against him. He rested his chin on her shoulder. "The nanites are pulling the compound in." She commented. "It might not be a bad thing if we can program them to use the elemental properties."
Peter gave a hummed agreement.
She let herself bask in the moment for a second before she slid out of his arms and off his lap. "Come on." She tugged his hands, bringing him to his feet. "We better go before they send a search party."
Instead of following as she figured he would, he surprised her with a kiss. She slid one hand into his hair as she gripped a handful of his shirt with her other, returning the kiss.
He crowded her against the table, never putting too much pressure against her but enough to make her feel secure. She reached a hand back, intending to hop up on the table to be at a more comfortable height with him, but her hand connected with one of the beakers instead. She barely registered the sound of glass breaking before she suddenly found herself airborne. She gave a startled yelp as she landed on her feet, her sneakers squeaking loudly on the floor as she skidded slightly.
Peter who had tossed her out of harm's way was looking between her and the spilled chemicals with wide eyes. "Are you okay?" He asked.
"Yeah, I'm good." She said with equally wide eyes.
The two quickly raced to get the neutralizer to clean up the spill and sweep away the broken glass.
Once the cleanup was done, they stood in silence for a moment before Kate started giggling. Peter followed and soon they were both laughing.
"Maybe, let's not make out in here anymore." Kate offered between giggles.
"I think that's best." Peter replied.
He tugged her hand and hugged her to his side, pressing a kiss to the top of her curls as they walked for the door.
As they reached the door, an idea struck Kate and she gasped, stopping in her tracks. "FRIDAY?" She called as Peter looked at her in concern.
"Yes Miss?" FRIDAY replied.
"Were you recording that?" Kate asked.
Peter's eyes turned wide.
FRIDAY's response was a little too cheerful. "I record everything that happens in Mr. Stark's lab." She replied.
The two teens groaned. They were never going to hear the end of this.
…
"You gotta save the pictures." Kate said softly as she watched the thick album get tossed into the trash box.
Brown locks hid his eyes from where he sat. "I can't look at them." Peter replied in a dull voice.
Setting the shirt, she was folding aside, she got up and walked over to pick the album out of the box, running her hand over it to brush off any dirt and setting it in the save box before moving over to him. It was now one week before school started again and they were trying to sort through the apartment that Peter and May had lived in.
Peter sniffed, his eyes red, as Kate kneeled in front of where he sat on the sofa. She wrapped her arms around him, and his arms closed around her tightly. She felt a dull pain as the position tugged at the newly healed skin on her side, but she didn't make a noise or movement, just let him bury his face in her neck, silent tears wetting her skin.
"I know you can't right now." Kate said softly as she stroked his hair. "But someday you will want to."
They stayed like that for a long moment before Peter was composed enough to let go. He offered her a small smile as he rubbed his eyes and she smiled back gently, sitting back on her heels.
"Hey, how about we take a break?" She asked. "I can make us lunch, or we can order a pizza or something?"
Peter smiled, his stomach growling at the thought. "Sure." He laughed.
Kate smiled and used his knees to push herself up to her feet, only a little stiff. She had a few new bruises from a recent late patrol. She walked over to the fridge and looked at the contents. "Well, I think take out is the best option." She said with a laugh after a moment. She turned to him as she pulled out her phone from her jean pocket. "Got a craving?"
"I'm okay with anything." Peter said as he stood, stretching. "There's some menus in that upper cabinet."
Kate opened the door and reached up but instantly came back down as she felt the twinge in her side.
"Hang on!" Peter's voice was close instantly. "I'm sorry, I got it." He grabbed the menus and turned to her anxiously. "Are you okay?"
Kate smiled gently and placed a hand against his cheek. "I'm fine, I promise." She replied instantly.
He still looked upset, so she leaned up to kiss him softly. He returned it gently, his hands careful as they rested on her sides. To her surprise, he suddenly picked her up, hands on the back of her thighs and set her on the counter. She giggled at the action but just pulled him close, her arms wrapping around his shoulders, legs wrapping around his waist as he twined his arms around her back and just buried his face against her neck.
"I love you." He said gently. "I'm glad you're here."
"I love you, Peter." She murmured gently against his shoulder, reaching up to gently thread her fingers through his hair. "I'm not going anywhere."
It's never that easy...
I'll post more asap, I promise.