Another preview to chapter 33. Almost done!

“Anyway,” Peter says, bringing her out of her reminiscing, “I just wanted to say thanks for helping me and sorry you got dragged into that.”

She looks at him blankly as she responds with, “If you want to apologize for something, then you can start with the fact that you were a difficult student.”

Peter flinches at the harsh but not untrue retort. He sheepishly rubs his head, “Yeah~, I may be a genius, but since I got my powers, being a good student pretty much went out the window.”

This was indeed a sad truth. He is praised for being as smart as Reed Richards, but unfortunately, his academic credentials fall short in comparison to his potential. Heck, he dropped out of college and then went back only to settle for a bachelor's degree. Which did leave a sort of unfulfilled feeling in him.  Because he knew, as did so many other people, that he could have achieved so much more. But life as Spider-Man often took his attention away. 

He vowed to go back and get a doctorate now, but he can’t shake the nagging worry he’ll fall back on old habits by putting his studies in the backseat to his heroics. Which he knows isn’t wrong to do but still, he wonders if he’s just wasting his time in trying to do this.  

“You were very young weren’t you?” Elektra questions him, “I recall Emma mentioning that once.”

Peter nods in confirmation, “Yeah I was-wait Emma?” He says, confused by who Elektra is referring to, “Who the heck is Emma?”

Realizing her slip, the deadly assassin waves off his question, “Not important. And you don’t need to worry I’ll keep my end of the bargain.”

Now he is confused over what she means by that, “What bargain?”

“Your secret identity,” Elektra informs him, “You were upset Anansi revealed your identity to me. He then told you I know a technique that will block that knowledge. “

Oh wow, he actually forgot about that. Truth be told, he is not worried about her knowing who he is anymore. Spending the whole day with the woman certainly gave him a perspective into the kind of person she is. And while he wouldn’t say he trusts her with his life, he does trust she wouldn’t expose him. At least not if he is on her good side, which he hopes to stay on if only so she won’t come after him. 

That training certainly made him weary of the deadly assassin. 

Peter looks at the ebony haired woman and can see what Matt sees. She is not evil or cruel. Cold and calculating, but not evil. And based on what he learned about her yesterday, he feels like maybe she is someone he can say he could count on. 

“Elektra,” Peter starts, making her raise a brow at him, “My secret identity is not something I give away easily. Especially not in the last few years. Recent events have made me reevaluate my position on who to trust with my identity. And it I realize it’s not just about trust but who can help too.”

Boy, things always seem to be returning to the whole Phoenix debacle. 

Her expression remains unbothered as she responds, “I understand. You do not need to explain. I will block my time with you from my memories.” 

“No no no,” he says quickly, “What I’m trying to say is that I do trust you with it.”

Elektra is caught completely off guard, “What?”

Peter nods as he explains, “Yeah. I mean, you heard Anansi when he said that my spider sense helps in telling me when my identity is in danger of being exposed to those that would bring me harm. It doesn’t do that with you, which tells me you are someone I can trust.”

She gives him a befuddled expression. In her mind, she wonders why he would give her permission to keep her memories intact. Granted, she doesn’t really need his permission because she can pretend to forget and play dumb until it suits her, but still. 

Peter raises his hands, “Don’t get me wrong, I am worried that you’d likely come to my place or something and ask for my help, not caring who’s there.”

She raises a brow at him. Well, that at least shows he is not completely incompetent. The question still remains, “Why are you willing to trust me?”

His face has a hint of melancholy as he explains, “Besides listening to my spider-sense, I was told by someone I need to open up more and trust people more. And despite you being, you know…,” he leaves her occupation unspoken and continues, “I know you’re not a bad person. And I need more people I can trust in my life.”

She looks into his brown eyes and sees he is being genuine in his words. He actually trusts her with something as massive as his secret identity. From what she heard, he is more adamant in keeping his identity a secret than even Mathew. He hardly tells anyone who he is. 

She would take advantage of this knowledge and he knows this as well but he is still okay with it. If only because he knows she will not endanger him or his loved ones. He believes in her integrity. Oddly enough she is flattered by this. Hardly anyone trusts her. 

“You're a fool,” she states before her expression softens, “Thank you.”

He gives her a big goofy smile before he opens his arms, “Wanna hug it out?”

All softness leaves her eyes immediately and the cold returns, “Touch me and I will cut you into pieces and feed you to that school of sharks,” she says pointing to the group in the ocean. 

He chuckles for a moment before he stops when his spider-sense tingles. She sends the same intent like when she was trading in him the day before to show she means it. He pulls his arms back and looks at her wearily, “You got a mean streak, you know that?”

“I’m perfectly aware of that,” she states with a bit of mirth.