Babysitting a Superhero (Stark's daughter X Peter Parker)

23. Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Bags - Clairo

Every second counts
I don't wanna talk to you anymore
All these little games
You can call me by the name I gave you
Yesterday
...
Can you see me? I'm waiting for the right time
I can't read you but if you want the pleasure's all mine
Can you see me using everything to hold back?
I guess, this could be worse
Walking out the door with your bags.

It had been a few weeks since MJ's visit to Avenger's tower and, therefore, had also been a few weeks since Amara had met with Spiderman.

She realised that even if Peter wasn't getting attached to her and her company, she was getting attached to Spiderman. And if their interaction in the school hallway a few weeks ago was any indication, she was also attached to Peter. But she couldn't exactly ignore one of her best friends, Peter Parker, although, she had tried her best to not put them in a situation where they would be alone, so as to not repeat what almost happened at his apartment all those weeks ago.

At first, she had felt elated at the prospect of a date sometime in the future with Peter, but after thinking about it, she realised it wasn't logical. And luckily, Peter hadn't brought it up, yet. Possibly because Amara had been successful in distancing herself.

Ever since Lagos, Amara has felt this looming guilt and fear. She couldn't get rid of it no matter how hard she tried. And the worst part was when she realised how she almost lost Steve to that bomb. If Wanda hadn't stepped in, maybe he wouldn't be here. Amara knew that he was capable of looking after himself, but she had slowly begun to realise that Peter Parker, her new friend and amateur superhero, couldn't, yet.

Staying away from him was working. The only problem was that Amara had become gloomy and upset, and so had Peter. They both had such a large effect on the other and yet, they were still completely oblivious.

Amara was walking down 164th Avenue, the street where she first met Spiderman. She reminisced about a time when things were much simpler. When all Amara needed to do was finish the mission as soon as possible. How things could change so much in mere months, Amara didn't know, but she knew this much: things were different then.

It was in such thoughts that Amara was stuck in as she walked along the street, looking up at the buildings as she passed. The street looked different at night, and it was quiet. She moved between the buildings, quietly observing the environment around her. New York truly was beautiful, especially at night. Amara felt a sense of longing, a longing to be with Spiderman - to be with Peter.

Stop it! Stop getting attached! You have one opportunity to prove yourself! Don't. Fuck. It. Up. Amara shook her head and pushed all thoughts of Peter and Spiderman away from her head. And she began to feel calm once again. Until, after a while, she found herself thinking about Peter once more, the cycle repeating itself perfectly, almost like clockwork.

Ugh! This walk was supposed to make me feel better, not worse! Amara thought to herself in frustration. She sighed and continued making her way along the side of the street, taking a few bored steps in front of her.

That was when, as she walked past a dark alleyway, she felt a tug on her arm, pulling her into the darkness.

Almost immediately, Amara elbowed her attacker in the stomach and punched upwards across their face. She heard a grunt as they let go of her and lost their balance. Amara was just about to deliver one last strike to the person's face, ready to leave them unconscious on the floor, when the person grabbed her arms before they could touch them.