Peter woke up with a headache pounding in his skull. As he tried to get up, he felt another weight pressing down on him.
Looking down, his gaze met the golden hair of Carol Danvers, and suddenly, the memories of last night came flooding back.
Peter sighed and carefully began to disentangle himself from the embrace. Once he managed to do so, he saw Carol stirring slightly, still lying on the couch where they had both fallen asleep the previous night.
Stretching a bit, he made his way toward the bathroom and then to the kitchen. Looking through his cabinets, he found them completely devoid of food supplies, except for a lone bag of coffee.
Peter sighed again and started making some coffee for himself and Carol. As the coffee brewed, his thoughts swirled.
**Time Skip**
eter sat on the edge of the couch in the living room, holding a cup of coffee in his hands and staring at the floor in silence. The sunlight filtered faintly through the window, but its warmth failed to reach him.
Carol was sitting on the chair opposite him, her red-rimmed eyes full of tension.
The air was still heavy with shock, and the events of last night played repeatedly in Peter's mind, especially that final kiss.
He didn't know how to process everything that had been said. He didn't know whether to believe Carol or to shut his heart entirely, though he had to admit to himself that her words struck a chord with him, mostly out of guilt.
"Peter... Can I say something?" Carol's voice broke the silence, soft and tentative.
Peter didn't lift his eyes from the coffee cup but gave a small nod. He didn't want to talk, but he couldn't bring himself to deny her the chance to speak.
"I know everything happened so fast, and that I said things and... did things that might have made things worse. But I want you to know that I meant every word I said last night." She took a deep breath before adding, "I'm willing to do whatever it takes to fix what I've broken."
Peter didn't respond, taking a small sip of his coffee instead as he thought about her words. She seemed sincere, but his mind refused to trust easily. His stubborn heart, however, whispered a different story.
"Carol, it's not that simple. Words don't change the past. Actions do. And so far… I don't see how I can trust you again," Peter murmured, his voice low and steady.
Carol recoiled slightly, as if his words had physically struck her. But she didn't give up; she refused to let history repeat itself.
"I know you're right. But please, don't judge me only by my mistakes. Let me show you that I've changed."
Peter finally looked at her, his tired brown eyes filled with doubt and exhaustion. "Carol, I don't even know if I want to give you a second chance. You know I loved you... always have... but love isn't enough anymore."
Carol was silent for a moment, her voice breaking as she finally spoke: "I know I've made so many mistakes. And I know I don't deserve your forgiveness. But I can't keep living, knowing that you hate me or that you're suffering because of me."
"Peter, I want you to understand that everything I did wasn't to hurt you but because I was weak and afraid... I was a coward."
Peter stood up suddenly, pacing the room and running a hand through his hair as if trying to calm himself. "Carol, do you think saying all this makes it easier? Do you think I haven't suffered enough? I was there, watching you leave me, going off to space like I was nothing... only to come back and prove that I was nothing."
Carol watched him silently, her tear-filled eyes never leaving him. She didn't know how to ease his pain, but she wasn't ready to give up.
"Peter, I'm not asking you to forgive me now. All I'm asking for is a chance to prove that I'm worth trusting. Please, don't let the past kill any chance of us moving forward... Please."
Peter stopped pacing and looked at her, his gaze a mixture of pain and anger. "Carol, you don't understand. Trust isn't something you can rebuild easily. You broke my heart before, and I don't know if I can go through that again."
Carol swallowed hard, his words cutting her deeply, but she faced them with determination. "I'm not asking for your trust now. But please, don't close the door completely. Let me try."
Peter let out a deep sigh and finally sat down on the chair across from her. "Okay, Carol. I'll be honest with you. I can't promise you anything. I can't promise I'll trust you or that things will go back to how they were. But I... I'll give you the chance to prove yourself. Just don't let me down again."
Carol was on the verge of tears, overwhelmed with relief. "Thank you, Peter. Thank you for not shutting the door completely. I promise I won't waste this chance."
Peter stood abruptly, his voice firmer now. "Carol, this doesn't mean we're starting over. It's just a chance. Don't make me regret this decision."
Carol nodded fervently. "I understand completely. And I won't make you regret it, I swear."
"But this doesn't mean anything, Carol. I'm only extending an olive branch for friendship. I can't take more pain. Please don't make me regret it."
Carol nodded again, her determination evident.
**Later that morning**
Peter sat in his room, looking at old photos of himself and Carol from before everything fell apart, as well as photos of other loved ones.
A wave of nostalgia washed over him, but he knew the past couldn't be changed. Meanwhile, Carol was in the kitchen, trying to tidy up as much as she could.
After a while, Carol entered the room and sat beside him in silence. "Peter, is there anything I can do to make things better?"
Peter looked at her and spoke quietly. "Carol, it's not something you can fix in a day or even a month. Trust takes time, and I need to see that you're serious about what you said."
Carol nodded solemnly. "I understand that, and I'll always be here to prove it to you."
Peter didn't respond, simply watching her silently. He knew the road ahead would be long, but he hoped this step might lead to something better, no matter how distant that might be.
He just hoped he wouldn't regret it, as he so often did.
**Meanwhile, Inside the web center**
A brilliant light appeared, and out of it stepped Julia, looking around in confusion. "How did I get here?"
She could feel burning eyes on her. Looking up, she saw Cassandra sitting on her throne, staring down at her with disdain and anger.
"Julia."
All Julia could do was swallow nervously. "Ca... Cassandra... You're alive?"
.
To be continued
_____________________________
For more chapters visit my patreon
https://www.patreon.com/c/caesar20/posts
You can copy it from the bio