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Peter didn’t notice it until Kamala pointed it out. He felt good, but he had no idea he looked it, too. There was a skip in his step, a constant smile on his face, a faint attempt to whistle, only to be asked to stop because it was too painful to hear.
“You look good,” Kamala told him when he stood behind her desk, checking the measurements on the screen, her voice a tad quiet in case someone could hear.
Peter frowned. “I don’t think you’re allowed to say that.”
The girl groaned. “I mean you look like you’re doing good. Actually,” she said as she rolled around her chair, facing him,” you look like you got laid.”
Peter’s mouth hung open for a second. “Pfft, you’re definitely not allowed to say that.”
There was a satisfied smirk on Kamala’s lips. “So you did get laid. Are you trying dating again or was it more of a one-time thing?”
“I hope it wasn’t,” Peter said, suddenly filled with the fear that Felicia would want to forget it ever happened because there would be way too many complications or she simply didn’t want to be in a relationship.
Kamala rolled her eyes. “Come on, how could you like her that much after one… Wait, did you…” She raised her eyebrows, waiting for an answer.
Peter frowned. “I’m not sure I follow.”
“Did you get back with MJ?” she asked all smiles. “This is so great because you know she’s okay with your son, so you’re not going to have the awkward talk about deal breakers and-”
Peter shook his head. “No, I haven’t even heard from MJ.”
Kamala gave him a sympathetic smile. “Oh. I’m sorry.”
Peter shrugged. “Yeah, well. Not the first time.”
He felt kind of like a douche for not caring as much that she hadn’t called. They had talked briefly, probably under three minutes in total, in the past two months just to let each other know they’re okay, but that was it. No talk about Walter or meeting up or even work. Just a “Hey, you’re alive, good” and a “Yeah, I’m still here” and the phone call was over.
It concerned Peter a little, but it faded away whenever he was with Walter and Felicia.
And how could he think of anything else when his little boy woke up in the middle of the night and walked all the way across the hallway to climb on Peter’s bed because he liked it better when they snuggled? His only worry was that his heart wasn’t big enough to host the love he had for Walter.
Well, he had another thing to worry about: Walter’s grandparents.
Felicia had texted him, asking if he would like to pick up Walter from New Beginnings since she couldn’t, and of course he said yes. After a long walk filled with Peter asking Walter about his day and an elaboration on what a “fae no angel” is (Harley called to ask if their kids were normal for making pretend snow angels so the mystery was solved) followed by a walkthrough of his day at the lab, they found themselves in Felicia’s penthouse. Peter couldn’t wait to put on some music and prep dinner or just crash on the couch and watch nature documentaries with Walter until Felicia came home, so he had to consciously suppress a scowl when he saw Cynthia Hardy carrying a basket of laundry.
“Oh, you brought Walter,” she said, her face in an alarmingly neutral expression. “I was expecting Felicia,” she continued as she set the basket on the couch.
Peter smiled an awkward smile as a response and headed to the bathroom to help Walter wash his hands. While inside, he texted Felicia, asking how late was she going to be and if he should leave Walter with her mother.
It didn’t take her much time to respond, and Peter smiled despite himself when he read the message.
Oops, forgot mum was going to be there.
Peter shook his head as he wrote you’re enjoying this, aren’t you? to which Felicia replied I wish I was a fly on the wall.
Peter took a deep breath before going back there. He hated using Walter as an excuse, but Cynthia, much like her alive husband, brought him at his wits’ end.
“Walt needed help in there,” he explained as he looked around for something to do instead of just standing there. “I should probably go and make a snack for him, otherwise he’ll start snooping around for chocolate.”
“He didn’t do that before,” Cynthia noted as she folded a shirt he was almost sure was his.
Peter wanted to dig a hole in the floor and hide in there until Felicia came home because Cynthia wasn’t far off. But who could blame him for giving in to his son’s pleads for unhealthy food? Besides, he always made sure to accompany it with something nutritious.
“Uh…” Peter scratched the back of his neck and he glanced at Walter, who was on his way to his room.
Cynthia smiled. “He usually snoops for peanut butter when he’s at my house.”
“O-Oh.”
“Did Felicia tell you when she’s going to be back?”
Peter shook his head as he took a seat at the other end of the couch. He looked across the hallway, at Walter’s room, where the little boy was taking all his toys out of the box.
“I have to tell Felicia about her father,” he said after making sure Walter wasn’t listening. He had come to find out little kids repeat anything they hear without knowing what it means. Cynthia’s expression clouded, but Peter continued. “I can’t lie to her.”
“It’s for her own good,” she said, her voice even.
Peter shook his head. “Please, do you really think Felicia needs protection?”
Cynthia set down a pair of pants. “I do.”
“You’re underestimating her, then.”
“You’re a parent now,” she said, her voice slow, as if Peter would have a hard time understanding her. “Wouldn’t you do everything it took to keep your son safe?”
“Of course, but-”
Cynthia went on. “I know Felicia isn’t stupid, but that doesn’t mean she wouldn’t jump at the chance to see her father again. She’s been idolizing him ever since he disappeared from her life. She followed his footsteps, and there was nothing I could do to stop her.”
Peter took a deep breath. “She still deserves to know. I’ve lost my parents, twice. I would do anything to see them one last time. I can’t do this to her.”
Cynthia smiled a bitter smile. “You have to. Wouldn’t you do the same for Walter?”
Peter’s gaze dropped to the floor. There were a lot of things he would do for his kid, anything on the list pretty much, but disappearing from his life? It would only be the last resort. There was no way the Walter Hardy was in so much trouble that he couldn’t at least let his daughter know he’s out there.
Maybe it’s not about protecting her from criminals, Peter thought. Maybe he can’t come clean after all these years.
And he couldn’t help but wonder which part of him wanted to tell her so desperately just so he wouldn’t be hiding anything from her.
“Hi, Mum,” Felicia chirped as she walked out of the elevator.
Peter looked up at her, and a smile adorned his face in an instant.
Her eyes lingered on him for a few moments, and she looked like she was about to say something, until Cynthia spoke.
“Felicia Hardy, did you go to work in leggings?” she inquired, hands on her waist.
Felicia laughed, and her gaze shifted to Peter. “Scandalous, right?” she said as she hung her coat. “I forgot to change them in the morning and by the time I realized it, I was already running late. So, don’t comment on it anymore because I’m exhausted.” If the developing bags under her eyes were any indication, she did seem tired, but she was also uncharacteristically cheery. “Hey.”
“Hi.”
Peter’s heart was racing, and acting like nothing had ever happened was killing him. But, whatever conversation was to be had, would have to wait.
“So, how was your date yesterday?” Cynthia asked with a satisfied smile on her lips, causing Felicia to glare at her.
“Mum, Peter is right here.”
“Oh, it’s fine. You two seem cool, so I’m going to assume you talk about that stuff anyway.”
It took Peter a moment to realize that said date must have been their painting sessions, and so he nodded at the expecting stares.
With a smug smile, he leaned forward, elbows on his thighs, as he said, “Yeah, we do. How was it, Felicia?”
She smiled, the annoyance clear as day. “I don’t know. I liked him but I’m having second thoughts.”
Peter made a face. “I hope it works out.”
Cynthia sighed. “As long as he’s worth your while, I hope so, too.” She got up from the couch with a stack of clothes in her arms. “I’m going to put these away.”
Felicia fell right next to Peter the moment her mother was out of sight. “You’re an idiot.”
Peter flashed a smile. “I know.”
“Serves you right you were alone with her. Why didn’t you go in Walter’s room and pretend he wouldn’t let you go?”
Peter’s jaw dropped. “Because I don’t like using him to get away from stuff.”
Felicia chuckled. “Peter, are you kidding me? This is-”
“Let me guess, a universal parenting experience?”
She nodded. “You’re catching up.”
“Lish?”
Peter looked up at Cynthia, feeling like a teenager again in the least gross way possible, trying to not get caught.
“Put these away, will you?” she said, gesturing at the folded clothes. “I have to get going.”
“I will,” Felicia replied warily.
“Because they were still here the last time,” the older woman continued.
“Mum, they’re my clothes. I can leave them wherever I want.”
Cynthia put her hands up. “Fine. Bye, love you.”
“Bye,” Felicia called out as her mother stepped into the elevator.
Peter’s lungs filled with air when she turned to look at him again. “So…”
“So.”
“I… I really hope it works out,” Peter said, playing with his hands.
Felicia scooted closer to him and took them in hers, rubbing circles on them. “Yeah, me, too.”
Peter was positive his heart was about to burst as he leaned in and they kissed, all those years of missing her coming to an end. His hands were on each side of her face, holding her like she might bolt in any minute, even though he knew she wouldn’t do that to him, not again.
And that was why he said, “Fel, there’s something I have to tell you.”