3rd Person POV:
The hum of Visions academy was different today. It wasn't just lockers slamming, teachers barking over tardy slips or Ned Leeds making a fool of himself.
It was whispers.
Whispers that followed Gwen Stacy and Peter Parker down every hallway.
"Are they—?"
"They were sitting close in chem."
"Did you see him catch that football?"
"She's been wearing his clothes sometimes. That shirt wasn't hers."
"Since when is Parker ripped?"
Gwen tried not to laugh out loud at the last one. She could feel Peter stiffen beside her, pretending not to notice as he balanced her books in one arm, her shoulder leaning lightly against him as they walked.
Truth was, she was still pale, still winded from the serum accelerating her healing. The bones had knitted but it depleted her cellular reserves. Every step felt like a reminder of the claws that nearly ended her.
Peter didn't complain, didn't roll his eyes, didn't make her feel weak. He just adjusted his stride to match hers, one steady hand brushing her elbow now and then when she faltered.
At lunch, it was worse. Their table was swarmed. Classmates asking about Gwen's "accident," others grilling Peter on the glowing tech strapped to his spine and more than a few staring a little too long at how… different he looked.
He'd always been wiry. Soft, bookish. But now, under the layers of plaid and cotton, his frame had changed. His shoulders slightly broader, arms sharper. Lean lines cut along his forearms when he reached for his drink and Gwen noticed more than anyone.
When the cafeteria finally cleared, she leaned her chin on her palm, studying him like she was seeing him for the first time.
"What?" He asked, finally noticing.
She grinned. "You've been holding out on me, Parker."
He blinked. "What are you talking about?"
Her hand darted out, pinching his bicep. He jolted, nearly spilling his juice. "Ow! What the hell, Gwen?"
"Oh don't 'what the hell' me. Since when did you get muscles? You're like… secretly packing under those nerd shirts." She smirked, clearly enjoying herself. "No wonder people are staring."
Peter flushed, ears going pink. "It's… not like that. The Sandevistan forces me to keep up with stress training and the nanobots are continuously repairing everything. My body just adjusted."
"Uh-huh," she teased, poking his side again. "Adjusted right into 'super-soldier chic.' "
He groaned, burying his face in his hands. "Please don't phrase it like that."
Gwen laughed, leaning against him a little heavier than before, letting her shoulder rest against his arm. "Relax, hero. I'm not complaining. Makes leaning on you a lot easier. Nice and solid."
Her words carried a quiet undertone she didn't voice—the relief of being able to depend on him, the comfort of his quiet strength after the night she nearly died.
Peter tilted his head, meeting her eyes. For a second, the banter faded. The world of rumors and gossip melted away.
"You know I'll hold you up whenever you need it, superhuman or not." He said softly.
Her smile softened, less playful now, more real. "I know."
And for once, she let the whispers swirl without caring, content to lean on the boy everyone suddenly realized wasn't so invisible anymore.
And because fate hates Peter, two juniors passing by whispered loudly: "See?! She's checking him out."
Peter's pencil snapped in half.
Gwen POV:
Peter had no idea how obvious he was. The second I teased him, he flushed so hard I thought the circuits in his Sandevistan might fry.
And I wasn't imagining things. His shoulders really were broader. His grip steadier when he carried my bag like it weighed nothing. Even under his plain T-shirt, I could feel it. Wiry muscles coiled and ready.
I let my head rest on him again, half because I was still weak from the Regen serum burning through my system and half because… it was comfortable.
The whispers around us only fueled my smirk.
"They're dating!"
"No way, she's way out of his league."
"Bet they've been sneaking around for months."
Peter groaned quietly. "This is why I liked online classes."
I nudged him, enjoying how flustered he got. "Relax. Let them talk. You're glowing, walking and apparently hiding an upgrade pack under that shirt. What did you expect?"
His lips twitched, trying not to smile. "Upgrade pack?"
"You're a cyborg nerd, Peter. Own it." I poked his side. He barely flinched — muscles firm where they used to give. "See? Told you. You're practically… ripped."
Now his ears were crimson. He muttered something about "functional insanity" and focused hard on his notebook, which only made me laugh harder.
The truth was, leaning on him felt natural. Like the whole world was watching, gossiping, spinning theories… and I didn't care. Because he wasn't just the boy who got his legs back. He was my anchor, my reminder that even with monsters in the sewers and secrets in my blood, I wasn't alone.
I tilted my head up slightly. "You know, Parker… if you keep this up, I might actually let people believe the rumors."
He froze, eyes darting to me, wide.
And God, the look on his face was priceless. But I was serious.
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