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You rolled over in bed once again, trying to find a position comfortable enough to sleep. Waiting a few minutes while trying to relax, you gave up and groaned. You tried everything to finally sleep, but nothing was working. You looked at the alarm clock near you and were frustrated by seeing the red light blinking. It was three in the morning. With a tired sigh, you laid on your back and let your mind wander.
You thought about Peter, and the city. The way he cares so much about the people living here. How much responsibility he gives himself to look after people. He’d been a super hero since he was fifteen. Looking after those in need of help. Keeping up with school on top of that was something you didn’t think you would’ve been able to do. You thought about Peter out in the city, helping people no matter what. The way he always promised you’d be able to reach him, and that he wanted you to feel like you could call him always. He insisted you promise you would call him no matter what, even if he was out patrolling. You rolled onto your side again, seeing the clock blinking it was only ten minutes since you last looked. You groaned again, wishing you could just fall asleep. You thought about Peter’s insistence for you to call him. If he was busy, you could just leave a quick voice mail telling him he didn’t need to call back. He’d promised if he missed your call he’d return it within minutes, but you didn’t want him to feel like he needed to be somewhere else. The city needed him.
Settled on your plan, you grabbed your phone from the side table. You scrolled to Peter’s contact and pressed call, holding the phone up to your ear. You felt nervous, almost pressing ‘end call’ between the third and fourth ring when Peter finally picks up.
“Hello?” Peter half yells into the phone over the sound of wind. “Can you hear me?”
“Hey Pete,” you softly talk into the phone, “I can hear you.”
“Is everything okay? Do you need me?”
You smile at how he checks in immediately, “I’m fine. Sorry I called, I just couldn’t sleep. And was thinking about how you said I could call you.”
“Don’t apologize, I’m glad you called me. I wish you would’ve called me sooner.” You hear the sound of rushing wind quiet down. Peter’s no longer yelling over the sound of it, just talking breathlessly into the call.
“I just don’t want to interrupt you when you’re patrolling.”
“You could never interrupt,” you hear Peter’s smile in his tone. “The city’s quiet tonight anyways, I could swing to your apartment if you want? It’s close to four anyways, I can end patrol early.”
“No, don’t end early because of me. What if something happens?”
You hear the sigh that escapes Peter because of your worries, “Baby…”
“I’m serious! I don’t want to be the reason somebody needs your help and you don’t know it.”
“But you need my help,” Peter nearly pleads. “Just let me swing by, please?”
“You can once you’re done with patrol,” you yawn out.
“Fine,” Peter grumbles.
You imagine what Peter might be doing. He’s probably sat on a roof, looking out over the city. You can imagine him with his mask off, not feeling it necessary with how high of a roof he would’ve chosen. You put the phone on speaker and set it next to your face.
“What roof did you choose?” You tiredly ask.
Peter’s quiet laugh comes through the speaker, “The Empire State Building.”
“That sounds terrifying. Roof or spire?”
“I’m sitting on the spire this time.”
“That’s so much worse,” you whine. “Why do you have to choose somewhere that high up?”
“It’s peaceful up here. Too high for the noise of the city to reach. I don’t have to worry about having my mask on up here. I can just sit and look without feeling worried about anything else.”
“That does sound nice.”
Listening to Peter talk is calming. Your mind slows to focus on his words, allowing the rest of you to relax as well.
“How was your patrol going before I called?” You try to keep him talking.
You hear Peter take a deep breath, “Overall it was good. Like I said, the city’s quiet tonight. I helped an older man with an ATM earlier. He was nice. There was a kid running down an alley from some other kids, so I scared them off. Nothing too bad, of course, just lowered myself behind the boy that was running from them upside down. Other than that, I’ve just been swinging around and hanging out on roofs.”
“That’s good,” you mumble.
“Yeah? Why’s that?” Peter’s laugh makes you smile.
“Means you’re safe. I like when you’re safe.”
“I like when you’re safe, too.”
You hum, chest feeling full with affection.
“It’s almost four,” Peter whispers. “Do you want to stay on the phone while I swing to your apartment? Or do you want me to hang up?”
“Stay,” you exhale. “Window ’s unlocked.”
“Alright, baby. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
You mumble something back, but you aren’t sure what you’re trying to say. The pull of sleep has a tight hold on you. You’re somewhat aware of Peter’s breathing among the sound of air whizzing past him. As you’re finally being tugged fully under the promise of sleep, you feel Peter’s cold hand against your cheek.
“Sweet dreams,” he whispers against your skin, kissing your forehead.