Shiloh and Peter head to the kitchen, Peter right behind Shiloh, his hand fully clasped around hers to the point where he's not actually sure if he's holding her hand or if he's actually just being extra sticky from the amount of anxiety flowing through his veins.

Side effect of being Spider-Man: Extra sticky when nervous.

But, Shiloh doesn't miss a beat. Peter's hand actually sticking to hers has happened more times than either of them can count and she knows he'll be able to breathe a few times and calm himself down. This is one of the things they worked on together with his powers. Well, it was more of Peter explaining it to her and then her finding out on her own when Peter was terrified after the war against Thanos. Extra sticky. But he took a few deep breaths and calmed himself down, focused on her and the surrounding sounds, and he was fine. So, while things have changed and this is definitely one of the most anxiety-inducing experiences he's putting himself in, she knows he'll be fine.

"Hey, you guys made it." Randy chimes at the sight of Shiloh and Peter. "What's up, Peter? Long-time, no see."

Peter nods slowly. "Uh, y-yeah, yeah been...okay. You?" He gives Randy a smile and Randy quickly returns it.

"Good, running this place is a lot harder than I thought it'd be. May made it look easy."

"Yeah..." Peter says and Shiloh squeezes his hand. "She, uh, she-she was always really good run-running this place."

Randy nods, a sad smile now replacing the joyful one. "Yeah, I'm sorry about what happened."

"Thanks." Peter more or less says it under his breath, growing to hate that apology but also, what else are people supposed to say? And he's known Randy since college and he knows he means well so Peter just nods and looks to Shiloh.

"Right, anyway," Shiloh smiles at Randy. "What're we doing?"

"Right!" Randy says, waving them over to the counter. "Okay, one of you can start on the potatoes. Just cut them up, add butter, and some seasoning and then they go in the oven for ten minutes. I boiled them just before you got here." Randy explains. "And one of you can start plating some of the trays." He motions towards a large window, a few places for food underneath it and a stack of trays off to the side. "We start serving in about fifteen, twenty minutes." Randy gives them a reassuring smile before leaving them to decide who would do what.

"What d'ya wanna do, Pete?" Shiloh asks.

"Uh," He looks to their hands and to the window. He always worked the window when he came by so this is an easy choice. "I'll, uh, I'll plate."

"Okay." Shiloh gives his hand a squeeze but Peter doesn't let go. "You're sticky." She whispers and Peter's cheeks flare red.

"Mhm." He hums.

"You're okay." She reassures, her words calm and gentle.

"I know." He says, words unconvincing. "I know." He says again, this time trying to convince himself, letting himself focus on her and the clanking of spoon near the stove where another volunteer is stirring something and soon enough, he's able to let her hand go.

"When you want to leave, you let me know, okay? We leave together."

Peter nods. "Y-yeah, yeah okay."

With that, the two of them head to the sinks to wash their hands and then go to their separate sections of the kitchen, getting to work. Shiloh starts preparing the potatoes, her eyes occasionally drifting up to see Peter, careful not to accidentally cut herself. Every time she looks up though, she's waiting for him to be gone.

She's just waiting for him to just have had enough and end up needing to walk out without a word. It's something she fears really because she'd hope after these past two months of him getting better and the two of them earning each other's trust, he would tell her if he were leaving. But, every time Shiloh's eyes go to him, he's already been looking and his eyes immediately drop back to the trays at hand with a blush creeping onto his cheeks. And every single time, it brings the softest smile to Shiloh's face.

The time starts to go by and fifteen minutes pass, Peter pushing through. He's made it and there's a sense of pride swelling in his own chest. He did it. He didn't think he could but he did it. It's been fifteen minutes and he's still standing and getting trays together. Somehow, Peter has managed to push the sadness and anxiety away in order to do this one thing. And when he looks over his shoulder, catching Shiloh's eye before quickly turning around, he's certain she's the reason he could do it. They aren't actually speaking while getting everything together but her just being around and making him push himself is enough. So, even though it's been fifteen minutes and that's what they agreed on, Peter decides to push himself further.

If he can do fifteen minutes, he can do five more. And so he does, and then he adds another five minutes onto that and then another and another until people start to come up to the window for their trays and his hands start to shake. He managed half an hour, but now he's forced to communicate with others, just as he did with May and MJ before and it's too much. He can do food prep and tray prep but actually serving people, associating with some of the people he recognizes from when May was alive, that's a little too much for today.

Peter quickly leaves the serving to one of the older women who stepped in to help before he ducks into a hallway, away from people. Shiloh is still helping and he doesn't really want to pull her away but he can't be there anymore. But he won't just leave either and he's afraid if he texts Happy, Happy will text Shiloh and then he might as well just tell her himself so he does nothing. He closes his eyes and leans against a wall, his breathing shallow and hands shaking at his sides. He counts his breaths and tries to focus on his own heartbeat and distant echoes rather than the chatter from the main area of the building but it's all just swimming in his head. It's all swarming like a thousand bees until it's not.

"Hey, Pete."

Shiloh looked up and noticed he was gone, immediately assuming he finally ran. Her heart sunk right to her stomach, thinking she'd be calling Happy to track him down but hoping she was wrong. And luckily she was. She went out to the hallway and saw him against the wall and she's seen that sight enough times to know he's trying to calm himself down

His eyes open and Shiloh is standing in front of him, her hands already extending for his, a gentle and reassuring smile on her face while her eyes are bright and innocent. Peter breathes, eyes half-lidded for a few seconds as he lets the pain in his chest just be, not fighting it for once. He lets it just be while the anxiety flows through him and starts to fade into something tolerable.

"You ready to go, Pete?" She asks gently, her thumbs rubbing over the skin of his hands.

"Uh....y-you can help. It-it's fine." Peter swallows, hands squeezing hers while he dodges her eyes. "I...yeah, I can't do it anymore." He admits.

"Okay." Shiloh keeps her voice kind and sweet. "I'll tell Randy my dad wants me." She shrugs a shoulder, her thumb still running over the top of Peter's hand.

His brows furrow, eyes meeting hers in a sense of relief. "Yeah?"

It's always a little embarrassing to have to say he needs to leave because he can't handle something emotionally. Randy might have already said it was fine they leave when they want but that doesn't ease that sense of embarrassment. But, Shiloh offering to just say it's Tony that wants them back, that melts the embarrassment and shame away almost immediately because she's been there. She gets it.

She shrugs again and offers him a quiet chuckle. "Yeah, you've been here longer than I asked and you've been doing great. It's fine."

Peter pulls at her hands, bringing her close to him before he detaches his hands from hers, arms going around her shoulders. With Peter leaned against the wall, all Shiloh can do is hold his sides but it's enough.

"Thanks." Peter mutters against her, face nuzzled against the crook of her neck.

"Don't mention it." Shiloh says, and as if an impulse suddenly takes over, she turns her head and presses a quick kiss to Peter's cheek, his cheeks shooting bright red, head immediately snapping up to look at her. Shiloh bites her lip, surprised at her own actions but she chooses to play it off, figuring Peter will just be a stuttering mess. "Ready?"

Peter nods quickly before Shiloh pulls away and tugs at his hand, pulling him along to find Randy and relay some half-assed lie about them being needed at the tower for something. Shiloh texted Happy while walking over to Randy so Happy would be right outside waiting for them. Randy was fully understanding, welcoming them to come back whenever either of them wanted to, saying the shelter could always use some extra hands. And to Shiloh's surprise, Peter found a little bit of his voice, promising he'd try and come back soon.

Something in Peter had just finally said that if he can do half an hour today, he could come back and do half an hour next time and maybe an hour after that. This was doable so why not make a promise to return? Maybe he can try without Shiloh. He's willing to at least try, which is more than he's done in a year. So, Randy immediately warms up and encourages Peter to come back before giving Peter his number and bidding Shiloh and Peter goodbye.

The ride back to the tower was quiet, but instead of the nervous quiet that seemed to follow Peter around like a dark cloud, it was a peaceful quiet. His hand held Shiloh's, his thumb tracing over the top of her hand and it's like being at FEAST, despite the panic attack and the world feeling a little heavy in there, it's flipped this switch back on. The switch that makes Peter, Peter Parker. The kind and loving and caring Peter Shiloh grew to adore with every piece of her.

There's a new type of light in his eyes again, it's subtle, but it is there and there was just something about him trying and nothing bad happened. Panic attack? That's not bad, that's just something that happens sometimes. Nothing bad happened. No random villain showed up and started going on a killing spree. He just helped plate some trays and catch a few stolen glances from Shiloh. Everything is okay and it's only going to continue to get better and it's like Peter can finally, fully grasp that.

Peter feels this sort of positivity in him and sure, things are still lingering because they're going to. He still needs blood treatments in order to fix his healing ability and he's still dealing with the urge to use, and always will be. His mental illnesses aren't just going to disappear over one really good day, but he feels better about the future. He feels positive about it. Not really ready to look into being Spider-Man positive, but ready to be Peter Parker positive.

So, when they get back to the tower, they grab some leftover pizza and fill in Tony, Rhodey, Harley, and Happy about the events at FEAST, all the guys wearing proud smiles but trying to play it cool as to not freak Peter out. And after that, Shiloh was set to go for her own treatment, Rhodey and Harley inviting him to come with them to one of the garages to test something Harley had worked on. But, before Peter decides to head out with Rhodey and Harley, he tells them he'll meet them there and instead, goes after Shiloh, stopping her in the hallway.

"H-hey," Peter says, licking his lips as Shiloh looks up at him with a quirked brow.

"Do you not wanna go check out whatever thing is likely to explode in the hands of Harley and Rhodey?" Shiloh jokes, earning her a small smile from Peter.

"No, I mean... yeah I do but, uh," Peter looks to his feet, trying to form his words and he's got this rush of butterflies and his heart's stuttering through his chest. It's like he's in high school all over again and he forgot how horrible and incredible this weird anxiety bubbly feeling can be. "I...just..."

"You okay?" Shiloh asks, tilting her head slightly in confusion. "It's just Harley and Rhodey. You know Harley is good with you and you said you talked to Rhodey and everything seemed fine. They aren't gonna like...blow you up or anything."

"No, no, no," Peter rushes out as his head snaps back up. "It's, uh, it's not that. I was...I was wondering if maybe...you wanted to, um, have...a movie night. In your room." Peter pauses with a shallow breath. "With me?" The corners of his lips tug into a faint and nervous smile.

They haven't been having actual movie nights in her room, alone. They usually have a movie on but they aren't normally watching like they used to. Movie nights, as defined by them, involved shared blankets, popcorn, gummy worms, and usually an argument over which movie to watch and them having to rock, paper, scissors it out. But, it's not like it's ever been asked. Movie nights are just planned, not asked about especially with this nervous of a voice and then it hits Shiloh all in one go.

Does he mean a date?

"Um...." Shiloh pauses, her words completely gone. The obvious answer is yes, no matter what it's always yes but now she doesn't know if she should just agree or if she should ask if he means a date. Maybe she could just wing it. Winging it works. Nothing bad could come from just winging it. "Yeah," Shiloh says, biting her lip. "We have lots of popcorn and I'm sure there are gummy worms somewhere."

"I have some." Peter says maybe a little too quickly, enough for his face to start turning red but all Shiloh does is beam at him. "I-I-I mean...Happy. I asked Happy and he...picked some up for me."

"Okay." Shiloh nods, her left hand going to rub over her right arm. "Why don't you come by my room at like, ten?"

Relief floods Peter's voice as he lets out a breath. This is good. She said yes. "Yeah, yeah, that's cool."

"Cool." Shiloh states, her own heart fluttering in her chest. "And...if you want, ya know, so you don't have to walk back to your room, you can just stay in mine for the night."

She offers softly. If this is a date, this is cool. Peter can stay the night and that leaves more time for just them but if it's not a date, this still isn't out of the originally. They've fallen asleep in each other's rooms plenty of times during movie nights. Who wants to walk to their room and sleep when there's a perfectly comfy bed right there?

Peter's eyes widen with the offer and he's, again, a little tongue-tied. Does she think this is a date? Is that what he's actually asking? He likes her. He's sure of that and he's totally sure he wants this to also be a date even though that's a little lame. She should have a date that's out at a restaurant or on top of a roof with pretty lights or something, but this is safe and very them. So, maybe this is a date and she knows that. And she's asking him to stay in her room.

"You don't have--"

"Okay." Peter cuts Shiloh off, surprising even himself. "That'd be great."

"Awesome." Shiloh lets out her own breath of relief and they're both just standing there.

There's something between them, like it's floating in the air there. They're a little too close to be just having a casual conversation. If Shiloh were to reach out, even a little bit, she'd immediately come into contact with his shirt and Peter can smell her shampoo, and not just from his heightened senses. They're just a little too close for having this innocent conversation in the middle of the hallway and it freaks Shiloh out, just a little bit. So, before either of them get caught up in whatever building tension there is between their bodies, begging and pleading for them to move closer, Shiloh starts talking.

"We're watching Back To The Future though."

Peter starts laughing, feeling his nerves fade away and the tension in his shoulders fade right with it. "Fine." He says. "But, uh, I get first dibs on gummy worms."

Shiloh's eyes widen, jaw falling open. "You have different kinds?!" Shiloh yells, making Peter laugh harder.

"Yeah! Happy's the best." Peter's nose scrunches as his hands tug at the ends of his shirt, laughter still leaving his lungs.

Note to self: Thank Happy.

"Fine, okay. You get first pick of gummy worms and we watch Back To The Future."

"Deal." Peter agrees through a half-laugh, taking a small step back to extend his hand so he actually had room to shake hers which he definitely felt a bit dumb for but Shiloh took his hand anyway and shook it as if she were making a deal with the president. Gummy worms, important business.

"You should go before they think you ditched them." Shiloh says, her hand still connected to Peter's. Peter looks to their hands and it's not him that's not letting go this time, it's her. "Oh...sorry." Shiloh says, mentally kicking herself as heat rushes to her cheeks.

"It's okay." Peter says softly. "Ill, uh, I'll see you at ten."

Shiloh gives him a nod, Peter smiling back before he turns on his heels, Shiloh following his lead. The two go their separate ways, both looking to the ceiling with butterflies in their stomachs and hearts singing. Their cheeks ache from smiling and their bones rush with anticipation, not sure exactly what tonight is but happy it's something. It's definitely something.

By the time ten o'clock comes, Shiloh's been in her room for a while, the movie already set up and ready to play for whenever Peter comes knocking on her door. Peter is in his room, staring at the two bags of gummy worms and three other bags of gummy candy sitting on his bed. His hands are on his hips, hair still a bit wet from his shower, blue plaid pajama pants cover his legs, and a grey NASA t-shirt hangs on his torso.

He can do this. It's just a movie with Shiloh. A movie they've seen a thousand times because it's Shiloh's favorite movie - she even named her AI Marty. That means lots of time for talking and usually that's perfectly fine. The two of them always end up talking and joking through movies they've seen but this time, he kind of asked her on a date. A date in her own room. At least he wants it to be a date. So, surely, this is going to be a little different and what if it's not what Peter wants it to be?

What if Shiloh doesn't want it be a date? Ugh, no shut up.

"This is fine. It's just.....Shiloh. In her room. With me. Like before." Peter mumbles to himself before grabbing the candy and heading for his door. "It's Shiloh." He says, trying to give himself some form of extra confidence.

This is the person he's known for nearly ten years, the one person he can tell anything and everything to and won't judge him. He almost killed her and she still welcomed him back, albeit, with very little trust but welcomed him back nonetheless. He doesn't have anything to worry about because it's Shiloh.

Peter walks to Shiloh's room, his heart racing with every step he takes, feeling a mix of nervousness and a type of giddiness pumping through his veins. His fist connects with her door in a few continuous taps before the door opens, Shiloh appearing behind it. And she's wearing a pair of black athletic shorts and a worn-out white science pun shirt that might have actually been Peter's at some point.

"Hey, Pete." She chimes, seeming cool, calm, and collected just as she almost always is despite her own veins pumping with the same nervousness as Peter's.

"H-hey." Peter greets, walking into her room before she shuts the door behind him.

Peter looks around her room even though he's already been here plenty of times over the past few months and Shiloh takes a minute to stare at her door. Her thoughts are running the same path as Peter's.

This is Peter, she doesn't need to be nervous but she is because despite everything, he makes her heart beat a little faster and her smile a little wider and brighter. He makes her this special kind of happy even when she's having bad days, the kind of happy that's talked about in cliche romance novels. Peter makes her want to do all things that seem completely impossible. He gives her this weird sense of purpose no one else ever has and he keeps her grounded. This is Peter Parker and she really likes him and she cannot help the way her nerves flow or the way her mind is still trying to figure out if this is more than a platonic movie night.

"You, uh, you've got the movie set up already." Peter pulls Shiloh from her thoughts, her quickly turning around, ponytail swinging with the swift movement.

"Oh....uh, yeah." Shiloh blushes, glancing to her feet and back to Peter. "I just wanted to make sure I had it ready...." Duh, that's why he mentioned it. "You brought the gummy worms." Shiloh points to the bags in Peter's hand. Oh my gosh, obviously. He said he would. Kill me.

He glances at the packages and back to her, moving over to her and spreading them out. "Y-yeah, yeah, I told you I would." Peter says, showing Shiloh the ones he has. "Guess the sharks, bears, and Lifesavers aren't really worms but...uh, yeah." Peter cuts himself off, realizing that Shiloh can, in fact, see the difference between gummy candy. "Sour gummy worms are mine though." Peter cracks a smile, looking to her and trying to brush off his awkward rambling.

Shiloh's eyes narrow mockingly, trying to shake away her nerves. "I'ma take the Lifesavers."

Peter hands over the bag, their fingers brushing and both of their cheeks immediately start heating up. "Uh, guess we gotta thank Happy." Peter chuckles softly.

"Yeah, I'll be sure to thank him and then ask him why he never gets me any candy." Shiloh laughs before biting her lip. "Anyway, do you....wanna sit? And actually, turn the movie on?"

"Oh, yeah." Peter says quickly, taking a step back to allow Shiloh by.

She walks over to her bed and grabs her phone from her nightstand, pressing the play button on her screen and allowing the movie to play. And now, she has a few options. She can invite Peter to sit on her bed with her which is a totally normal thing that under any other circumstances, she would have done without a second thought. Or, they can sit on the floor, a weird and uncomfortable distance apart.

For fuck's sake, it's just Peter.

"Do you wanna sit?" Shiloh motions to her bed, chewing the inside of her cheek.

Peter's eyes widen, fingers fiddling with the packages in his hands. It's just Shiloh. "Yeah, yeah, okay." Peter breathes, walking over to Shiloh and the two of them take their seats on her bed.

They scoot back until their backs are against the wall, their legs outstretched in front of them while the movie plays. Shiloh fiddles with the packaging of her own candy while Peter is setting the other packages to the side and already opening his. He just starts eating because if he's eating, he can't talk and screw up whatever this awkward thing is. Shiloh, on the other hand, keeps glancing at him through the corner of her eyes and maybe she should have asked if this was a date. But, then again, maybe that would have made her more nervous than she already is. She really doesn't want to screw this up either, whatever it is.

She continues to fiddle with the packaging until a full eight minutes later, when Peter finally finds it in himself to look over to her, glancing between her face and the package in her lap. Okay, so maybe Shiloh, one of the most confident people he's ever met, might be more nervous than he is. Which means, he has to be the one to not be nervous otherwise this is going to be the most awkward hour and fifty-six minutes of his life.

"Uh, Shi," Peter says, chewing his bottom lip as Shiloh looks to him with raised brows and wide eyes, as if she wasn't even watching the movie but trapped in her own head. "Um...do-do you want me to..." Peter glances to the package and back to her face.

"Oh!" Shiloh looks down and back to Peter, slowly handing it to him. "Thanks."

Peter offers a gentle smile, opening the package and handing it back to her. "You're welcome."

Shiloh smiles back before going to her bag of Lifesavers and somehow, that small gesture and Peter's warm smile, eases some of the tension and Shiloh feels like she can relax a little bit. Romantic or platonic feelings, it's still just Peter. And somehow, that eased the tension on Peter's end as well, him able to lean and slouch more comfortable beside her, Shiloh following his lead.

The movie plays on and the two exchange some stolen glances and it's about half-way through when Peter finds himself being the one to slowly and carefully move a little closer to her. They're already sitting pretty close, almost shoulder-to-shoulder but not close enough. He wants this to be a type of easy date. He wants to gain that courage to tell her he's had feelings for her and he wants to just be close to her. And with it being half-way through the movie, Peter thinks it's a safe time because if it backfires, there's only just under an hour left and he can deal with under an hour of awkward tension. But, if it doesn't backfire, that's just under an hour he can spend closer to her. So, he moves a little closer to her, his pants-covered leg against her bare leg and his shoulder against hers.

Shiloh's eyes widen, feeling Peter's new warmth against her and she can feel the tension in his body, waiting for her to pull away but she doesn't and she doesn't want to. Instead, the shock of Peter being the one to move closer wears off almost immediately and a smile pulls at her lips before she looks to him and moves closer to him. And she rests her head against his cheek, her feeling him let out a breath of relief before he shifts and moves his arm behind her, pulling her into his side. But, the position isn't exactly comfortable but that doesn't mean Shiloh wants to pull away.

"Pete?" Shiloh asks, lifting her head up to look at him and Peter's heart stops as he hums. "Do you maybe...just wanna lay down? I think that'll be more comfortable." Shiloh offers an awkward and shy laugh but all Peter does is give her a sweet smile.

"Okay." He says, pulling his arm from around her and letting Shiloh pick where she wants to lay since it's her bed.

She picks the side closest to the wall and once she seems comfortable, Peter lays down beside her, offering up his arm and welcoming her to lay on his chest just as they did that night on the couch. Shiloh takes the offer, laying her arm across his torso while Peter's wraps around her shoulders. Peter's other hand falls onto her arm that's across his torso, his thumb rubbing against her skin softly. The two of them lay there together, eyes on the screen, warm and happy and comfortable with each other.

The movie plays on and usually, they'd be joking by now, quoting the movie back to each other, Peter always more sarcastic while Shiloh is more dramatic. But, this time, they remain in silence, wrapped in each other's arms, Shiloh listening to the steady rhythm of Peter's heartbeat and Peter lost in the way she feels against him. And there's that thought for the both of them: why didn't they do this sooner? Of course, they do know why but it still makes them wish they would have been able to spend more time like this sooner.

"Pete?" Shiloh whispers against him, only looking up when she feels him tilt his head down. "I'm really proud of you for everything you're doing."

Peter's brows furrow, wondering where that had come from but his heart swells. "W-what, uh, what d'you mean?"

Shiloh shrugs against him. "Treatments, apologizing to everyone, my dad even though you still haven't exactly talked to him which is totally okay, ya know? Take your time. Just, ya know, trying and.....being around here. I really missed you."

Peter chews his lip, a break in his heart aching across his chest. He knew he was hurting her, he just thought it was for the best. He really did and that's just so unfair and he's filled with so much regret over it. And all he wants to do is explain to her that he's missed her, too, and all he's ever done was to try and protect her.

Peter rolls over slowly, Shiloh slightly moving away so their heads don't bump together now that Peter is facing her, his arm still around her side and hers around his. "I missed you, too." Peter says softly, Shiloh hanging onto his words. "I, uh, I never...I never meant to hurt you like that. I really didn't. It's just...." Peter pauses for a few seconds. "I-I know you. You...you won't let me get hurt. I knew if I fought you and took out everything on you, you wouldn't be going on a mission and get yourself killed." Peter's eyes are on hers, the end of the movie just an echo in the background. "Then I-I-I found out you were dying and...I dunno, Shi, it's like everything I tried to do... to protect you from, was...just...pointless."

Shiloh runs her hand along his side and she understands. They did talk about this but there's something with Peter saying it now and the way he's explaining it. It doesn't excuse anything he's said or done to her, nothing ever could. She lost people, too and she didn't turn into some villain or criminal in order to protect anyone. But, pain changes people. Loss changes people. They get lost in the agony of it all and they can't find their way out anymore. There's no more trust, just overthinking and irrational thoughts. It's not an excuse but Shiloh understands, that's why she can forgive him and trust him again.

"I just...." Peter pauses, his mind running, tossing thoughts at him too fast for him to actually catch up. There's so many things he wants to say but most of them just feel too soon and too heavy and he can't scare her away. She's afraid of scaring him away too, but Peter's terrified of her leaving him. "I-I j-just want to protect you."

Shiloh nods softly, moving a little closer to Peter, feeling the warmth radiating from his body. "I know. It's okay, Pete. I forgive you for it all, ya know? I really do. I just wanna protect you, too."

Peter offers her a relieved but subtle smile. He didn't know how badly he needed it, but he really needed her to tell him she forgives him.

"I trust you, too, ya know?" Shiloh says, her eyes looking over his face before traveling down to his lips and his chest, watching it move with every breath.

"Y-you do?" Peter asks, eyes scanning over her.

"Yeah," She says with ease, looking back to the big doe-eyed brown eyes that are uniquely Peter's. "Ya know, I don't like being called Stark because I always feel like people expect me to be my dad." Peter raises a brow, as if waiting for her to finish. "I love him and he's the best dad in the entire world, it's just. I don't want to be him. I dunno, I never really told anyone that."

"I, uh, I don't think you're that much like him." Peter admits and Shiloh rolls her eyes.

"I am. I know I am."

Peter scrunches his face, shaking his head against the pillow before pulling her so close their chests are almost touching. "You're not." Peter closes his eyes for a split second, suddenly very aware of how close he's pulled Shiloh and her eyes are set on his, their faces close enough for their breath to start to fan against each other's skin. "T-Tony's cool, yeah but.....you're...." Peter trails off, his breath stuck in his chest as Shiloh watches him carefully, finding herself holding her own breath. "You." Peter breathes and Shiloh just shakes her head, clearly not believing him.

"I want people to see me, not him." Her voice is filled with dismay as her eyes go to his arm, just trying to avoid eye contact while her thumb is mindlessly rubbing circles against his side.

Peter moves his hand to the side of her face. "I do."

The thing with Peter is that he's looked up to Tony his entire life. So, if anyone would see Shiloh as another version of Tony, it would be Peter, but he doesn't see her like that. He sees her for everything she is and isn't. Of course, she's Tony kid so there are similarities but that's not why he likes her. He likes her because she's her. She doesn't let other people dictate who she is and who she isn't. She's Shiloh and if people don't like that, it sucks to be them. She's not gonna change for anyone.

And all Shiloh's wanted is to know people see her as herself, not just as a Stark. Then there's Peter. Her favorite person and he sees her just as that. Not a Stark. Just Shiloh. And she can't help the way a smile aches her cheeks and her heart is racing while she's subconsciously holding her breath, slowly closing the distance between them because Peter sees her for who she is and she sees Peter for who he is under all the dark and twisty. And Peter is slowly moving closer, too because he knows she sees him and their lips brush together, eyes closing before Peter freaks out.

He pulls away, just a little. "Um...t-the movie. It-it's over and I-I-I gotta go to the bathroom." Peter rushes out, eyes wide as Shiloh looks to him.

"Oh...okay...." Shiloh whispers, Peter removing himself from the bed, nearly falling as he does so. "You okay?" Shiloh asks, trying to brush off the embarrassment of almost kissing him and him pulling away from her bones.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine." Peter rushes before pointing his thumb towards the door. "I-I'll, uh, be back."

"Okay." Shiloh repeats, sitting up herself and watching Peter exit her room, shutting the door behind him.

Once he's gone, Shiloh grabs her pillow and buries her face in it. It's too soon for him, that's all it is. Too soon for him and she just misread the situation. That's all it is but the embarrassment is leaking through her body. How horrible is it to think you're gonna be kissed only for the other person to pull away? Shiloh wants to bury herself under a rock and just die there. But, that's not exactly an option and while this sucks for her, she needs to pull it together. Act like everything's fine because that's what she does. So, she switches the movie to New Girl, pausing the TV as soon as it starts just in case Peter would want to see the beginning. And then the idea hits her. She has something of Peter's and maybe it's time she returns it.

Meanwhile, Peter locked himself in the bathroom and is standing in front of the mirror, trying to keep himself calm and kicking himself at the same time. He wants to kiss her. He wants this whole thing to be a date and bring them closer. And yet, he pulled away. Whyyyy? He just got scared that maybe he had misread it even though she was the one moving closer.

What if she needs more time? Yeah, she admitted the trust is mended but what if she actually needs more time to even want something more with me? This is so stupid.

It's Shiloh. They've kissed before and it didn't change anything. They decided not to date and that didn't even change anything. Not for the worst. They remained friends, just as close as they ever were and it was like it never happened. So, this shouldn't be any different. It won't be any different. If Shiloh feels the same, it'll change things for the better and if she doesn't, nothing will change. Peter will feel a bit embarrassed and a bit heartbroken but nothing will change between them.

The embarrassment will wear off and the heartbreak will fade. And that's only if she doesn't feel the same way. And Peter just really, really wants to kiss her and tell her how he feels. So, he takes one last look in the mirror, pulling his confidence together with a nod and starts to head back to Shiloh's room.

Peter reaches Shiloh's room and carefully opens the door, not bothering to knock this time. When he gets inside of the room, he sees the TV switched to New Girl and Shiloh's desk lamp on. Shiloh's stood by her desk, a drawer open and her eyes looking into it as if to be in deep thought.

Peter starts to make his way over to her after shutting the door, his metal leg squeaking with every step, the squeaking already pulling Shiloh from her thoughts. "W-what, uh, what're you doing?" Peter asks softly.

Shiloh glances to him before she reaches into her drawer, pulling out an old Nikon. "You left this here when you moved out."

Peter's eyes widen and his jaw falls open a little as he takes the camera carefully from her hands. The red, silver, and blue strap still looking just as worn as when he left it making a small smile come to his face, subtle tears burning the back of his eyes. He remembers leaving it.

He did it on purpose because it just didn't feel right. He hated everything and everyone. Never wanted to pick up a camera again even though it about killed him to spend the money on it. He didn't think he'd ever want to photograph or film anything ever again. Everything just sucked and was so dark he couldn't find a piece of happiness or joy in anything, even the things he loved the most like that camera. He had never really forgotten about it, he had just shoved it in the back of his mind and stopped thinking about it. Until now.

"You-you kept it?" Peter looks to Shiloh in disbelief.

She nods softly. "Yeah," She gives him a half-laugh before rubbing the back of her neck. "I was always kind of hoping you would come back."

"You were?"

"Yeah." Shiloh laughs softly. "I told you, I'm only an optimist when it comes to you."

"Thank you." Peter says, looking to the camera again.

She's held onto this for a year now. Of course, what else would she do with a two thousand dollar camera? But, that's not really the point. She kept it in her own room at the tower, hoping he would come back. That's the point. She's always had hope and faith in him. And Peter has the same in her.

"Um..." Peter swallows thickly. "D-do you think....you could fix my leg?" Peter asks, his voice soft and filled with anxiety. "I, uh, I don't..I don't like that it squeaks."

Shiloh's eyes widen in surprise, not expecting him to ask her, of all people, to fix his leg. He can do this himself. It's just metal, a few screws and some oil and it'll be fine. Although, if it were her choice, she'd just get him an upgraded leg but that's not her place so she keeps quiet on that part. But, to fix it, fix the squeaking, she can do that.

"Okay." Shiloh goes into her drawer and pulls out a screwdriver, a small flashlight, and a small container of oil. That makes Peter laugh. "What?" She quirks a brow at him.

"N-nothing." He shakes his head while Shiloh nods towards her bed. "Just...only you would have all of that in your room."

"Don't you have all of this and then some in your own room?" Shiloh asks with suspicion written across her face.

Peter shrugs, taking a seat on her bed. "Um...well...yeah." He chuckles softly.

"Exactly." Shiloh mocks. "Um," She looks down before kneeling in front of him. "Pant leg?" She raises a brow and Peter reaches down, pulling up the blue plaid material just above the knee, keeping the rest of his leg concealed, not ready for Shiloh to see where the metal meets his thigh.

Shiloh turns the flashlight on and sticks it between her teeth while she picks up the screwdriver and starts adjusting the screws in the joint. Peter watches her carefully, anxiety starting to dissipate because he trusts her.

She's not gonna do anything to spite him or betray him. She's just looking out for him and he adores her so much for it. All day today, she's been watching him and keeping an eye on him, making sure he's okay. Even when they got back from FEAST, she was checking on him more than usual and it only made him feel loved and it's been a long time since he's felt that.

It brought him back to the battlefield again, because at the end of the day, this girl is human and she put herself in the middle of him and explosions and aliens to keep him safe because he is her saving grace. He is her person and it doesn't matter. She's said it before and she'd say it a thousand times, she would die for him without even a second thought. And Peter just keeps thinking back to that. And that kiss.

"Peter!" Shiloh beams, Peter's name is drenched in excitement as she runs over to him.

Her arms immediately wrap around his neck and his around her torso. They've hugged a million times before. It's nothing unusual or out of character but this hug just feels so good. It's a hug that's tight and filled with things unsaid and rushed relief. It's a hug that should probably wait until after the war is won but it just can't. It's an impulse. And it feels like things are falling into place.

And Peter can't get his heart to slow down. He can blame it on the adrenaline of the war and the mix of seeing his mentor and one of his best friends again. He can blame it on the curiosity of wanting to know exactly how five years have passed for everyone besides those who were dusted and he could blame it on the wonder about his other friends and May. But, there's that feeling in his gut and that's not it. He's just so happy and relieved to see, to feel, Shiloh with him again.

And one second they're hugging and the next, Peter's pressing his lips to hers. Shiloh's eyes widen and her breath hitches in her throat while she doesn't even bother to breathe, the shock of the kiss is enough to knock the wind out of her. But, it doesn't last long before Peter's pulling away, as if being snapped out of the rush of relief.

"I-uh, I um, s-sorry, I shouldn't....I mean...." Peter stutters and his face is matching the deep red of the iron spider suit and Shiloh's cheeks match his.

"It's okay." Shiloh whispers. "That was just unexpected." Shiloh says but she gives Peter a warm smile.

"Um," Peter glances around to the war around them. "Yeah..." He scratches the back of his neck.

Peter opens his mouth to start rambling an apology but he's cut off by an explosion to the side of them. The two of them flinch away from the blast, both being brought back into reality that they don't have time to stand around. Everyone needs to work together if they're gonna win.

Reunions can wait.

Shiloh leans in and kisses Peter's cheek. "We'll talk about it later?"

Peter nods quickly, his heart skipping a beat and his cheek where Shiloh kissed him is burning in the most soothing way. "Yeah, yeah." Peter's face scrunches and he slowly gains a fighting smile, one that says he's ready to jump back into the fight. "Together?" Peter asks, his mask forming around his face.

Shiloh smirks with the shrug of her shoulders, her helmet forming around her face. "I'll cover you."

The two teenagers move around, Peter using his webbing to grab the aliens and Shiloh blasting them, killing them instantly. They work together to help as much as they can while they listen to Cap in their coms telling Clint to get the stones far away and Scott saying they still have the van but it's right behind Thano's army.

Peter and Shiloh use their AIs to locate the gauntlet that contains the stones, making their way towards it to cover anyone who has it. It goes from Clint to T'Challa and T'Challa was doing great with it, making up plenty of ground until one of Thanos main minions trapped him in rock and debris.

"You're on, Parker." Shiloh says, firing at the rock holding T'Challa just as Peter swings in and webs it, pulling it into his grasp.

"I got it!" Peter yells, landing on an alien before he's completely surrounded. He only has one choice and he knows his AI will plenty happy. "Activate instant kill."

Adrenaline floods Peter's veins as the pincers come out of the suit and kill every surrounding alien while Peter holds onto the gauntlet with his life. He never really thought he'd ever need an instant kill feature given his feelings on killing but desperate times call for desperate measures.

"Instant kill, huh?" Shiloh asks, flying above Peter and killing a few incoming aliens. "How'd it feel?"

"Shut up." Peter groans through a half-hearted laugh before he's back to running and swinging with the gauntlet, trying to get it through at least some of the army but it doesn't last long before he's jumped by ten aliens and missiles start firing from Thanos's ship.

"Peter!" Shiloh yells, trying to turn around but she gets hit by an alien three times her size, taking her down to the ground.

"Uh, a little help!" Peter yells, squirming away from the aliens as he tries to hold onto the gauntlet.

"I-" Shiloh punches the alien as hard as she can, taking a step forward while ignoring her throbbing head, desperate to go help Peter. "Swear-" She punches it again, this time using an extension of the armor. "I'm-" Again. "Going to lose my shit!" Shiloh groans, using the blasters on her shoulders and her hands, instantly killing the alien who only barely stood a chance.

She pants but only for a second while she looks over her shoulder, seeing no sign of Peter anymore. Instead, she goes to look back in front of her, ready to fly back into the air and continue the work while having her own AI keep a look out but before she can move anywhere, she's being snatched into the air before one of the aliens that looks like a hybrid centipede attacks her.

"Gotcha." Peter says, webbing Shiloh and pulling her along, saving her.

She looks up to see he's riding a pegasus and still holding tight of the gauntlet. "Raccoon riding on Rhodey, talking trees, Peter on a pegasus." Shiloh mutters, her blasters turning on so she can detach herself from Peter's webbing and fly alongside. "Anything else?"

Peter glances to her and Shiloh can't see through his mask but he's smiling, a small and sweet smile. And his eyes are just as bright as they always are. "We're surrounded by wizards." Peter says gaining a half laugh, half scoff from Shiloh but that quickly disappears.

A missile comes and flies right past them, the motion of the missile knocking Peter from the pegasus and throwing Shiloh off course. She's quick though and goes to catch him, just enough for the two of them to collide with the ground. The two don't waste time in getting to their feet, Peter running first and Shiloh keeping him covered just long enough for them to make it a few more yards before another missile hits right in front of Peter. And lucky for Shiloh, his reflexes are faster than the missile.

He webs her as he's thrown backwards and to the side, pulling her against him while a missile hits where she was running behind. The two roll and tumble against a large rock, Peter's mask and Shiloh's helmet dissolving once they've stopped.

They're both bleeding from noses and lips, both looking terrified and it only gets worse when more missiles start coming down. They duck under each other, both of them trying to protect each other from the impact anything that might hit them while the gauntlet is right under them, not moving even a centimeter.

The explosions of the missiles press on for what seems like forever, allowing the teens to cower into each other, hoping to keep each other and the gauntlet safe from Thanos and his army. And Peter's got his web attached to Shiloh while his arm is wrapped around her, his eyes closed shut while his head is buried into her shoulder.

Shiloh's arm is tangled over his side and the two of them are holding each other in a death grip as if that's enough to keep each other safe. Fighting a war is hard. Fighting a war as a teenager, even with superhero tech and superhuman abilities, is harder. Fighting a war with all of that and fighting with someone they're also trying to protect is the hardest. But, that's how they stay alive. Protect each other.

The sounds of the missiles come to a stop and debris stops flying around while the dust starts to diminish, Peter and Shiloh looking up to each other. Their eyes are both bloodshot from the dust that was being blown around and they're covered in dirt, faces decorated in dirt and blood mixture, already forming bruises hidden by the filth.

"You okay?" Peter asks.

"Always." Shiloh says.

That was a day from hell but also a day that showed just how much they meant to each other and Peter can feel that's still the same. He can sense it with her. It's there.

Shiloh is still adjusting screws and Peter has an undeniable urge to pull out the camera that still contains his old memory card, the battery still half charged and take a picture of her. Her hair is falling out of her ponytail, the flashlight is dangling between her lips while her brows are pulled together in concentration.

And there were always people Peter overheard between high school and college who would comment on how pretty she was. But it was always whenever she was uniform. Makeup and hair done, matching everyone else. Short skirt. And sure, she always looks pretty dressed in cheer attire but to Peter, this is the most beautiful part of Shiloh.

Messy hair with a flashlight and a screwdriver because this is her. Authentic and real and not just someone in a skirt who can toss girls into the air and catch them. This is the Shiloh that's all of that and so much more. This one, this is the one only him and a few other people really get to see. And he adores her more than anyone.

Peter puts the camera to his eye and focuses the camera on Shiloh, her eyes set on the joint of his knee. The shutter sounds softly before he pulls the camera away and looks at the small screen displayed with the new picture.

Shiloh takes the flashlight out of her mouth, looking at Peter. "Did you just take a picture of me?"

Peter's cheeks flush but he doesn't deny it. "Uh...y-yeah, I did."

"Why?" Shiloh laughs softly, eyes still on his.

Peter bites his lip and he can feel every ounce of anxiety start to course through his veins. He wants to tell her exactly why. He likes her. Really, really and genuinely likes her so much more than just as friends. And maybe he always has. Small parts of him have at least but the past few months of just being able to see her, grow with her, and be with her again, like old times. That spark has reignited and he is so sure that he's crazy about her in the most romantic way. But he's Peter Parker and he's not too great with words so he just lets his mind ramble and opts for something simple.

"I-I just...I think you're really pretty." Peter says quietly, looking to her and to the picture he just took of her displayed on the small screen of the camera.

It's weird because Shiloh is confident. She holds herself well in everything she does but there's always been that part of her, ever since Doc Ock that just didn't fit like it did before. She knows she's pretty but...those two scars down the side of her face haunt her a little. It's like they're just tormenting her because sure, scars are badass and most people can agree especially when sustained from encountering a villain like Doc Ock but who would actually use the word "pretty" to describe her? A lot of people, but especially Peter Parker.

"You...you do?" Shiloh asks, her brows pulled together and Peter can't help but hear her heartbeat racing in her chest.

He's done well trying to tune it out, but with just them and a paused TV, it's hard for him to ignore. So he leans over to the side and puts his camera on Shiloh's nightstand before extending his arms down to her. Because there is something in his bones wanting to have contact with her.

Shiloh looks at him, and he is the only person on the planet who can make her feel nervous. She's not nervous around people. She can flirt and date and have one-night stands. Sure, she might feel a little self-conscious but she can push that away. Until it comes to Peter. But maybe that's just because of the unsaid history between them, and because she has been completely crazy about him forever.

So, Shiloh hesitates but only for a few seconds before she puts the screwdriver and flashlight on the floor, moving up to Peter and standing between his legs. Peter's so nervous that his palms are sweating and his hands start to shake slightly, but she is perfect. She has been here for him and he wants to be there for her. Peter scoots back so his back is pressing against the wall and he extends a hand out to her, inviting her to sit with him.

And to his surprise, she takes it, moving to straddle his lap, Peter's hands on her hips before one of them travels up to the right side of her face. His hands are shaky and tentative, careful not to overstep but Shiloh lets him. His hands meet the scars of her face and his eyes are so soft and filled with something that could only be described as adoration.

"I....I think, yeah." Peter gives her a shy smile, his words breathy while his eyes look to one of the scars, thumb running over it. "You're really beautiful." His eyes go back to her with a kindness she's never seen anyone look at her with.

Shiloh blushes, smiling against him as she tries to shy away, pushing against his hand. "Stop."

"No, I mean it." Peter says, his other hand cupping her other cheek. "I-I don't care about that. I....you look pretty like this. Just...as you."

Shiloh's eyes are on his and she didn't expect this. Not after everything but especially today. FEAST was such a huge step that she was sure Peter would only want to retreat back to his room but he didn't. Peter hung around. He hung out with Rhodey and Harley. He put in so much effort today and it's just left Shiloh in a state of proud shock. And this, it's just another step of effort because Peter is never good with expressing these kinds of feelings. But here he is. Putting himself on the line again. And maybe she needs to put her heart on the line for him again.

Shiloh's hands move to his neck, bringing her forehead to his. Their breaths start to tangle together, Peter's thumb still running against her scars while hers brush against the soft skin of his neck. It's like they're both barely breathing, waiting to be interrupted or the other to pull away. But, neither happen. They're both just left there in a state of silence, hoping the other will make the first move until Shiloh finally says something, something that catches even herself off guard.

"I really like you, Peter Parker." It's a whisper but it's enough to make Peter smile against her.

And he nudges her nose with his softly, but not to push her away, just enough to brush his nose against hers, their lips just barely touching.

"You...you do?" He asks, his eyes meeting hers and going to her lips.

"Yeah..." The word comes out in a shallow breath of nerves.

"I like you, too." Peter whispers, his lips brushing against hers with every word until he finally captures her lips with his.

Shiloh's hands go to his shoulders, pulling him impossibly closer to her, deepening the kiss and pressing herself against him. Peter swipes his tongue across her bottom lip before she opens her mouth, their tongues dancing together in perfect rhythm. Peter's hands move from her cheeks to her back, arms wrapping around her and pulling her flush against his chest.

And Peter, in this moment with Shiloh against him and their kissing turning sloppy and giggly, he swears he's the happiest he has ever been. She makes him so happy and safe and comfortable and he never wants this to stop.

He wants to stay right here in her room, just the two of them with their lips together and her hands tangling through his hair. She is his anchor, keeping him grounded while on land and she's his life jacket when he's drowning. Never, in his entire life, did he think one person could mean so much to him, even after all of this time of being friends with her. Even after falling in love the first time. But, Shiloh, she's different in such a good way that Peter's bones are vibrating and his head is spinning and he feels whole again.

And this is a feeling Shiloh has buried for so long. It was never the right time and he was so in love with MJ that it just was not her place, but now life is aligning and it all feels right. It's like they're finally written in the stars, names plastered on neon lights above the city and she's smiling against his lips, her mouth already going numb and chest heaving but she doesn't even care. This boy could suck the air right out of her lungs every day for the rest of her life and all she would do is thank him because this is what happiness feels like.

It's him and her in one room and finding it in themselves to let go of everything that's happened. It's them reverting back to a friendship they had as teens and turning it into something incredible. It's the two of them. Working as individuals because they can but coming together and working together because they want to. They need each other because everyone needs people. Everyone on the face of the earth needs someone and Peter and Shiloh are no different.

But the last few years prove they don't need each other to survive, but they sure as hell don't want to survive without each other because they mean everything to each other. Too much wasted time between the two of them. Too many unsaid words. Too much heartbreak. It's been a broken mess but it's lead them here and they are happy and bubbly, clanking teeth and sloppy kisses because that's them.

Peter pulls away first, his hands softly resting on her hips. His cheeks are flushed, lips swollen, and his hair disheveled. "C-can't breathe." Peter laughs softly, eyes on hers.

Shiloh's chest heaves, her cheeks aching as she nods. "Yeah...." She bites her lip but the smile across her face shines through.

Silence falls between them, just the sound of their breathing filling the room and Shiloh's eyes travel from his down to his chest, watching it rise and fall. He's alive. He's breathing and alive and right here under her. Her stomach turns and she's never felt this way with anyone. Not Cindy or those one-night stands or even her college fling. No one's ever made her feel both nervous and excited, filled with adrenaline. It's only Peter and it's always been Peter.

"I don't care." Shiloh says, looking back to him. "That I can't breathe."

For the first time in the years Shiloh has known Peter, she swears his eyes darken and he gains a smirk, shaking his head and the loose curls on his forehead sway with the movement. "Me either."

Not even a beat passes between them before their lips are attached to the other's again. This time though, Shiloh tugs on Peter's shirt, sliding off him and pulling him to lay down with her. He takes the edge while Shiloh is against the wall, her leg sliding over his hip while Peter's arm moves around her. He tugs her close to him, their lips never once disconnecting. And their hearts are hammering, beating like a thousand racehorses and they are just beating for the other, allowing themselves to get lost in the bliss and contentment of each other. Because this is where they need to be.