[WORD COUNT: 2320!]

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

'remember why you started'
— Unknown

You were stranded, is the only way in which you could describe your situation. Here there were two boys who you cared and cherished for, but your next move would risk losing one of them. On the one hand, Peter was your best friend and had been there for you through thick and thin, despite the bruises and bumps that came along the way. He'd been your rock for as long as you could remember, disregarding the fact that just recently you had fallen head over heels for him. But on the other, was your brother. Your own blood who had been with you since birth and never stopped, he'd walked the staircase of hell with you and come out with a smile on his face. He wasn't just your brother, he too was your best friend. They say that love overpowers everything, and the guilt was filling your chest as they both continued their stare at you, waiting for the answer you were about to give.

"You... You might wanna sit down" you looked to your brother who was still standing in the middle of your room. Peter had moved over to the wall and was now leaning against it, his eyes locked on the two of you. He somewhat felt this was his fault; if he had just manned up in the first place and won someone or you over, then non of this would be happening. Yet again, Peter was here to ruin the day.

"So, what's going on with you two?" Ned was getting anxious, with the looks on your faces you were giving away the vibe that you had committed a murder. Both of you were a pale white and Ned could just make out the thin line of sweat on your forehead. It was there for two reasons, the first being the fact you were trying to stop yourself from having a panic attack, and the other being that the pain in your hips was beginning to make you feel sick.

The question was still in the air and still, neither of you had answered. You were hoping Peter would, but if he wasn't going to say anything you guessed the truth it had to be.

"W-well, as you know me and Peter have been hanging out lately..."

"Yeah, we clarified that just tell me what's going on" your brother huffed, the annoyance growing tighter in his chest as you stalled all the more.

"Truth is, Peter and I have gotten really close lately and... And we shouldn't have kept it from you but we... Really like each other" your eyes fell to Peter, who was resting a small, weak smile on his lips. It took some of the pressure off your chest, but looking over to Ned changed it all.

"So, wait... You're telling me that you two," he gestured between the two of you, "are like dating?"

The room fell silent. Hearing those words brought a shock to both your's and Peter's chests. You hadn't really thought about it like that out loud, yet you had both basically clarified it. You both liked each other, despite you hadn't technically said it back, but you still found your eyes falling to Peter for what felt like the 20th time that minute.

"Y-yeah, you could say that" Peter gave a nervous chuckle, looking over to your brother.

"Are you fucking kidding me?!" The sound of the bed squeaking made your head snap towards your brother as he bounded to his feet, "Y/N we made one rule! One rule! There are so many other guys on campus and you chose my best friend?"

"Ned we didn't mean for it to happen it just-"

"What are you talking about 'we didn't mean for it to happen'? You went behind my back!"

"Ned it's not her fault-" Peter tried to butt in, but Ned was too inflamed to care, "No, it is and it's yours too! Who else knows?"

"N-no one, please Ned it's not a big deal-"

"No big deal?!" Your brother yelled, his pupils blown wide and fists clenched.

"Please Ned, stop it" you pushed yourself off your window ledge to stand, but the blood had seeped to your hips trying to contain the bruises, so adding the pressure back onto your feet was too quick for your body to register. Luckily Peter caught you before you could even graze the floor, catching you a strange angle and moving you around slightly to stand again.

"What the fuck is that?!" Ned yelled once again, pointing down towards your hips were the bruises where showing. You and Peter cursed in sync, finally making your way to your feet and pulling your shirt down, "did you do that?!"

"W-what? Ned, no!" Your brother was already making his way over towards Peter who still had you in his arms.

"Well your the only person she's been with, so who else could have done it? And don't make up some dumb lie, those are clearly fucking handprints!" He continued gesturing down towards you while his eyes were locked on Peter. The heat of the moment he couldn't make up a good enough lie, there was nothing he could say to convince your brother. So, he remained silent, and you seriously wished he hadn't.

"I trusted you to protect her!" your heat jumped into your throat as Peter dropped you to the ground, your brother slamming him against the wall. He was held tight despite his spidey strength, your brothers arm pushing harshly against his throat.

"Ned, stop!" your voice quivered as you struggled to your feet, hand grasping the back of his shirt and attempting to pull him away, "FUCKING STOP IT!" A wave of tears suddenly fell down your cheeks as you managed to pull him off and moved to stand in front of Peter, a harsh gasp following as he choked lightly.

"Whatever Peter did doesn't matter, and certainly not to you! If you loved me like you say you do you would appreciate the fact that this," you gestured to your bruising skin, "was an accident and believe the things I tell you! I am happy, the happiest I've been in a long time and I'm not about to let you come in here and ruin it... What would Mom say if she saw you now?"

You weren't planning on pushing the boundary, but your mother was one of the many weaknesses your brother had. If it was going to calm him down, you'd take that chance. "He's your best friend, Ned. But he's mine too and you can't just come in here and try to choke him to death when he makes a mistake. Imagine if you did that to me every time I've done something wrong. I'd be dead" you shook your head, snivelling as your brother continued to stand there.

"I'm just trying to protect you-"

"From what? Peter? He'd never hurt me" you sighed, rather annoyed at the fact that your brother would even bring that up to an excuse. You were sure even he was confused at his actions, maybe in spite of jealousy. You had made a rule when you were kids that you weren't allowed Peter, but things are changing and you were older now.

Ned took a deep breath, his mind trying to come up with something good enough to say but there was nothing. Not a free space in his mind that was willing to give up a good enough conclusion. All he could do was look at you, standing in front of a guy he once called a best friend. He didn't know why he felt the way he did, maybe because he thought he was losing you. He bit his tongue, suddenly finding the words he was looking for.

"Ever since we were kid's you've gotten everything you have ever wanted. The same with you," he pointed over your shoulder to Peter, "you got the gift and I was left to be the wingman. You got the fame and the glory while I sat away and hid in the shadows. And now you get my sister too?"

"Ned, what are you talking about?" Peter asked rather confused. If anything, Ned had always wanted to be the guy in the chair, being Peter's right-hand man. Being Spider-Man was hard work and he couldn't remember a time it had been fun and games. The nights he had left his life on the line were countless.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about. You've had everything given to you on a golden platter while other's kissed your feet-"

"Ned-"

"Yeah I know, I sound ridiculous. But it's true and other people think the same," he sighed, shaking his head in disappointment, "until you two come to realise that, we're done"

"Ned-!"

But before you could protest, your bedroom door was slammed in your own face. Just like that, easier done that said he was out of your life.

Your weak knees finally gave way as your skeleton rattled to the ground, your legs hitting the floor harshly like you had finally accepted you weren't winning this battle. You were being tortured because you were in love. You were slowly realising why you never did this in the first place.

"Hey," Peter whispered gently, kneeling down in front of you as more tears crowded your red cheeks. You leapt forward into Peter's arms, knowing that if it was your brother you weren't allowed, it had to be Peter. You needed both of them and if you couldn't have one you relied on the other with all of you. His arms cradled your back, running small and gentle circles over your skin slightly creasing the shirt you were wearing. You gently brought your legs to wrap around Peter's waist, your bum seated on the floor as he opened his legs for you to slot between. And there he held you for what felt like hours, the softness of your hoodie he was wearing comforting your cheek as it rested against Peter's shoulder. "Whatever happens, I still love you" Peter whispered, pressing a shallow kiss against the side of your head, "I've always loved you"

Part of your body was screaming with the other was slowly being tamed by Peter's calm voice. With the tears mixing with the pure exhaustion, it didn't take long for your damp eyes to become hooded by the lids, closing as you nestled into the crook of Peter's neck. You didn't need to say it back, because Peter already knew. With a heavy head on his shoulder and your arms around his waist, he knew.

With everything going on it was true to say you'd had little sleep, and it was calling your name before it realised you weren't listening and soon opted to screaming. You could feel the pressure on your ear beginning to hurt as your head lost more and more control over balance, sinking further down into Peter's shoulder as you breathed in his scent. He was like a human pillow, sitting there with you in his arms while you drifted in and out of sleep.

"C' mon, let's get you in bed" Peter whispered, cautiously placing a kiss in the shell of your ear and shifted lightly. You groaned, feeling your weight falter beneath you and soon Peter was lifting you up again, slowly walking you over and placing you down on the bed, pulling back the covers before setting you down and tucking you in.

"You're not staying?" you whispered, followed by a yawn as Peter crouched beside your bed, slowly drawing circles over your cheeks and down your nose.

"I've gotta go talk to Ned, and you need some painkillers" he sighed, a weak smile dropping to his cheeks. You nodded, your eyes slowly fluttering closed as you focused on the feeling of his fingers slowly lulling you into a dreamy sleep. It was strange being in the bed alone, as it was the first time in a while it had been so spacious. Without Peter beside you, it was cold, but you understood he needed to talk with your brother, and you weren't about to stop him no matter how hard you wanted to pull him into the sheets with you and snuggle.

Peter leaned forward once he presumed you were asleep, pressing a kiss to your forehead. But, that wasn't going to satisfy you and before he could stand to his feet you pulled him forward with the only strength you had left and connected your soft lips with his. They were a little dry, but you didn't care. They were perfect in your eyes.

Eventually, you were forced to pull away as the exhaustion took over and you flopped back down into your pillow.

"I'll be back soon, dream safe" he smiled, tucking a loose strand of hair behind your ear making you smile. You nodded, blowing him a kiss goodbye before he stood and headed for your bedroom door.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Aaah sorry this was so short and out really late! Now, I am going to focus on this book a lot more and it is going to be longer than initially planned. My first idea was to maybe end the book around here and make another one, but with the sequel to Dirty Secrets on my list I think another book to this would be too much and it would wreck my schedule. So, this book isn't even halfway through yet! 😊😘

Thank you all for the amazing support this book has had and an astonishing 60k+ reads! Holy shit, I don't deserve you all! 💞👏

Also, thoughts on the new cover? I know I keep changing it but I have nothing to do at 3 am sometimes 😭😂

Okay, love you all and see you in Chapter Seventeen!

PS — NEW BOOK: SEX POLLEN — GO CHECK IT OUT ❤️ MORE PP ❤️