Chapter 208: Chapter 208: Pillow Talk
[Third Person's PoV]
Peter cradled Felicia gently in his arms, their breathing gradually slowing as they basked in the peaceful aftermath of their intimate moments. The sheets were tangled around their legs. Felicia lay comfortably on his chest, tracing lazy, abstract circles with her finger against his skin, her touch sending small shivers down his spine.
She gazed up at him with eyes that sparkled in the soft light, the corners of her lips curving into a subtle smile. Peter noticed her stare and raised an eyebrow, tilting his head down to meet her eyes. "What?" he asked, a playful note in his voice.
"I don't know," she said with a shrug, her smile growing. "I just like staring at you."
Peter's lips turned up in a smirk. "I mean, I like staring at me too," he said with arrogance, his eyes dancing with mischief. "So it's very understandable"
Felicia rolled her eyes, chuckling as she swatted his chest lightly. "Where did this insufferable ego of yours come from? Were you born with it, or did you develop it somewhere along the way?" she teased, arching an eyebrow in challenge.
Peter's smirk softened, his gaze turning contemplative as he weighed his response. "Do you want the joke answer or the serious, deep-dive-into-the-soul answer?" he asked, his voice dropping to a more earnest tone.
Felicia's expression shifted, the teasing glint in her eyes replaced by genuine curiosity. "I definitely want the serious answer. I want to know the real Peter Parker," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, laden with hope and sincerity.
Peter drew in a slow breath, his chest rising and falling beneath her hand. "When my parents died, I was a mess. An emotional wreck. I blamed myself, and I was angry at the world—angrier at myself. The self-loathing phase I went through… it wasn't pretty. Uncle Ben and Aunt May were terrified for me." His eyes turned distant as he spoke, as if seeing that troubled boy from long ago. "One night, I got up to use the bathroom, and as I passed their room, I heard Aunt May crying. She was whispering to Uncle Ben, telling him how worried she was about me."
Felicia's breath hitched, her hand stilling its movements on his chest as her eyes widened as she didn't expect it to go that deep.
"Hearing her cry… it shattered something inside me. I realized I wasn't the only one hurting. They'd lost my parents too, and there I was, just adding to their pain."
He fell silent, the room heavy with emotion. The soft hum of the city outside was the only sound between them for a moment. "So I put on a mask," he continued, voice steady but low. "I told them and myself I was fine, that I was more than fine, that I was invincible. I made them laugh to make up for the times I'd made them cry."
Felicia's eyes overflowed, a tear slipping down her cheek as she covered her mouth. Peter reached out, brushing away her tears with his thumb, his touch tender. "Have you ever heard the saying, 'Tell a lie long enough, and it becomes the truth'? That's what happened. I wore that mask so well, for so long, that it stopped being a mask. It fused to who I am. And now, I really do believe I'm the best there is."
Felicia pushed herself up, shifting to get a better look at him. Her eyes were soft, full of sadness and admiration. "I wasn't expecting that," she whispered, her voice cracking as she wiped her own tears. "I didn't know it was so deep, so painful."
Peter offered a small, sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his neck. "Believe it or not, I've never told anyone that before. You're the first," he admitted, a hint of embarrassment coloring his cheeks.
Felicia blinked, her surprise giving way to a bright, watery grin. "Really? Just me?" she asked, almost disbelieving.
Peter nodded, his ears turning red. "Yeah."
A mischievous sparkle returned to Felicia's eyes as she fist-pumped the air. "A Felicia Hardy exclusive!" She leaned down, pressing a playful kiss to his lips. "Best. Pillow talk. Ever," she whispered against him.
Peter chuckled, wrapping his arms around her as he deepened the kiss. "This is far from being our last, in fact it's actually our first" he promised softly.
Felicia snuggled against him, the warmth of his body seeping into her own. She tilted her head up, eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Now, what would you have said if I'd picked the joke answer?"
Peter's grin turned teasing. "Sorry, can't tell you. That's why it was a choice."
Felicia's eyes widened in mock outrage. "What? Come on, pleaseeee?" She batted her eyelashes dramatically, her pout making her lips irresistibly enticing. "I'll give you lots of kisses~"
Peter's expression shifted, turning deadly seriousness. "Deal," he said, before his smirk returned, making both of them burst into laughter.
"The joke answer?" He lifted his chin, adopting an exaggerated pose with his thumb and forefinger under it. "I would've said I was born this way. Just look at this face." He winked. "The universe looked down and said, 'Peter Parker, you were born to be excellent!' How could I refuse such a calling?"
Felicia groaned, pressing her palm to her forehead as she laughed. "I asked for it, so I can't even be mad."
Peter's playful demeanor dropped as he leaned forward, his expression undoubtedly serious, eyes glinting with a touch of mischief. "Now for my kisses, I want everything paid in full, no shortages, No skimping."
Felicia's laughter faded into a smile as she rolled her eyes. "Oh, come here, my big lovable dork." She pulled him in, their lips meeting in a flurry of rapid kisses—on his forehead, his cheeks, his nose, even his jaw. Each peck was quick and warm, leaving trails of sensation until she finally pressed her mouth to his in a deep, lingering kiss that stole the breath from them both. They sank into each other once more, the world outside fading to nothing but the heat between them.
…
Peter was slipping on his boxers while Felicia lay sprawled on her side, a mischievous grin playing on her lips. She propped her head up on one hand, her silver hair cascading like a shimmering waterfall down her bare shoulder, eyes glinting with mischief.
As Peter reached for his pants, a sudden impulse overtook Felicia, a gleam of playfulness flickering in her eyes. Without second-guessing, she raised her hand and swung it down in a sharp, playful smack across his behind.
*SMACK!*
The sound echoed through the quiet room. Peter froze, his eyes widening in disbelief. He slowly turned to look at Felicia, one hand cradling the stung cheek with a look that screamed, *Have you lost your mind?*
Felicia's own eyes mirrored the shock of her action. She let out a squeak, yanked the blanket up, and hid beneath it like a child caught in mischief. Her muffled voice quivered with a mix of embarrassment and laughter, "I-I didn't mean to! I'm sorry!"
Peter's brows knitted together, a sly grin spreading across his face as he prowled toward the bed. "Oh, you didn't mean to, huh?" He lifted the blanket and dove in, fingers dancing on her sides in relentless tickles. "I'll show you 'I didn't mean to'!"
Felicia burst into a fit of giggles, writhing beneath the sheets as she gasped for air. "AHAHAHA! I'm sorry! HAHAHA! No one—hahaha—told you—ahaha—to have such a—hehe—fat ass!"
Peter paused, feigning offense, and Felicia's eyes welled up with mirthful tears as she shook her head. He leaned back, catching his breath and smirking at her flushed face. "I think you've learned your lesson," he said playfully.
Felicia sucked in a few deep breaths, her chest rising and falling rapidly. "Duly noted. Next time, I'll be more gentle," she teased, the corner of her lips tugging upward.
Peter rolled his eyes, chuckling as he bent down to press a lingering kiss on her lips. The touch was warm and familiar, leaving them both momentarily breathless. He stood and pulled on his pants, walking to the window where a soft breeze flowed in. A spider-drone hovered nearby, its sensors whirring as it deposited a neatly folded shirt into Peter's outstretched hand.
He tugged it on and turned to face Felicia, giving her a casual two-fingered salute. "Bye, love you," he said, before diving backward out of the window, disappearing into the dusk with a shimmer of invisibility.
Felicia exhaled softly, a tender smile blossoming on her face as she hugged her pillow and rolled onto her back. "I love you too," she whispered into the quiet room. Her expression hardened, eyes narrowing as a new determination sparked within them. "That ass is mine," she muttered. "I'll sink my teeth into that literal ass, even if it's the last thing I do."
---
As Peter swung through the city, the cool wind ruffling his hair, the sun now setting over the skyscrapers, casting long shadows on the streets below, he decided to make a quick stop at the lab for a final check-in before calling it a day. He uncloaked himself upon landing and stepped inside, his hands tucked into his pockets.
A familiar voice, crisp and sweet, greeted him. "Welcome, Father," Aria, the AI system, chimed, her tone carrying a touch of warmth.
"Hello, sweetheart," Peter responded, smiling. "Where is everyone?"
"Would you like a full report on all active time clones, or just those present in the hideout?" Aria's digital hologram flickered in the air beside him.
Peter chuckled. "Just those inside."
Aria's projection blinked before listing the occupants. "Mommy Gwen is in her lab working on new products for Parker Industries, Mama MJ is overseeing The Daily Bugle's online portal, Ms. Betty is training in the VR Chamber, while Dr. Banner is collaborating with Uncle Harry in the testing room."
"Thanks, Aria." Peter gave her a nod before heading down to the testing room.
He found Harry in the center of the lab, his eyes sparkling with excitement. Bruce was hunched over a console, running diagnostics. Harry spotted Peter and beamed. "Oh, Pete! Just in time!"
Peter raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What's going on?"
Harry waved him over. "Stand next to Bruce. You're going to love this."
Peter joined Bruce, exchanging a glance with the doctor, who simply smirked. Harry tapped a button on his utility belt, then vaulted off the ground with a graceful flip. In a heartbeat, a sleek machine zipped across the room, catching Harry midair. It hovered beneath him, its glossy black and blue surface gleaming with the Nightwing emblem.
Peter's jaw dropped as Harry stabilized on the hoverboard-like device. "You've gotta be kidding me." 'Did he seriously create the Green Goblin's Glider'
Harry laughed, the thrill of success radiating from him. "I call it: The Night-Wing!" He paused, eyes wide with pride. "Get it? Night... wing. And I'm flying."
Peter's surprise gave way to a grin. "Impressive work, Harry. You and Bruce outdid yourselves."
"Thanks, man," Harry said, his chest puffed up with pride. "It's powered by a hover-tech system we perfected and has electromagnetic connectors to keep me glued in place during high-speed maneuvers." He lifted a foot and stamped it back down, demonstrating its stability. "What do you think?"
Peter shook his head, a chuckle escaping his lips. "It's incredible. Truly next-level."
Harry's grin widened. "Coming from you, that's high praise."
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