Rock Bottom (tag Peter)

[st_hotflashes]

When Liz managed to make it up to Peter's room - and it had been a bit of a struggle - she was distraught to learn he wasn't there. Thankfully she remembered Mr. Stark was supposed to talk to him, according to Thor, so she slowly made her way to Mr. Stark's room.

She pressed her lips together and silently prayed he was here. She knocked and the stood, trying to stay standing up while dealing with an undercurrent of nausea. Liz was a little pale. Her eyes looked tired too.

Comments

[st_arkintern]

"I don't know," Peter says, glancing uncertainly at the closed door. "Probably for a little bit, anyway. I think he's worried."

[st_hotflashes]

She nodded. "Okay. I can, um - well, I can keep Ned company for a bit." She'd offer Alec, but she doubted he would find her company thrilling. Besides, he'd probably get suspicious.

[st_arkintern]

Peter can't help but feel a little relieved at the offer. He's still not sure how or when he's going to tell him or anyone esle.

"Thank you," he says appreciatively. "And uh... can you talk to Maria for me?" That's what he was going to ask about earlier, before the weird shock thing. "I'm pretty sure she hates me."

[st_hotflashes]

She offered him a little smile. "She doesn't hate you. She's just... Maria. She's a talker and a yeller. It's sort of her way of communicating... But I'll talk to her."

[st_arkintern]

"Thank you."

It feels like Peter's saying that a lot lately. That and I'm sorry.

"I'll let you know when I've told everybody else." Peter rubs the side of his nose. "I don't know if I should say anything to Annie."

[st_hotflashes]

Liz didn't know the answer to that either. She thought about the little girl for a moment. "Do you think she would be hurt you didn't tell her? Or would she be more hurt if she found out... Um, about what happens?"

[st_arkintern]

"I don't know," Peter says quietly. "I don't know if she should know, but I think if she finds out later..."

It's going to be a disaster.

[st_hotflashes]

Liz nodded. Annie could be very mature for her age in some ways and she'd probably understand what it meant if he didn't tell her.

"I think... Maybe, if you decide to tell her. Spend more time together first where you're, um... Less distracted?" Meaning he left his baggage at the door, so to speak. "So she knows you're still here and you haven't, um... Haven't given up, you know?"

[st_arkintern]

"Yeah," Peter says, his voice barely above a murmur. "I'm just not going to worry about it right now." He's not sure he'd have room to worry about it anyway.

[st_hotflashes]

She watched him for a moment, eyes roaming over him, taking in his posture and his facial expression. Her heart felt broken - she had never seen him look this way.

"Peter?" Liz paused. She then brought his hand up to her lips and she pressed a soft kiss onto the back of his hand - she might not be able to kiss him on the lips, but Liz still wanted to express how she felt somehow to him that spoke louder than words.

"I'll, um... I'll go and help... with Ned." Like she said she would. Liz got the feeling that Peter still didn't really want to talk to much about it and that speaking to her was hard at the moment. She didn't quite blame him.

"You should rest... spend time with Mr. Stark, okay?"

[st_arkintern]

"Thanks," Peter says, for what feels like the hundredth time today. "Thank you, Liz."

Peter wraps his arms around Liz and sets his face against her shoulder. A long moment passes before he finally lets go.

"I'll message you later, okay?"

[st_hotflashes]

Liz nodded, offering him a small smile. "I love you, you know." Her smile warmed a little as she took a step backwards. Her eyes lingered for another moment and then she turned and headed down the hall feeling as if she were carrying a very heavy backpack on her shoulders.