[3rd person pov]

  Peter sat in the driver's seat of his Aston Martin, his mask still on as he tapped his fingers oeering wheel. He was thinking fast while waiting just outside the school gates. He hadn't felt this nervous in a long time, and he wasn't sure why. This wasn't his first date, not by a long shot, but something abue made this feel special. Maybe it was her geure or the way she looked at him as if she couldn't quite believe someone would want to be with her.

  He checked his refle in the rearview mirror, the mask hiding his face but not the nerves beh it. He still couldn't believe he was doing this.

  "Alright, Pete, you got this," he said to himself.

  Then, he saw Rogue walking out of the gate. She was wearing a silver full-sleeve jacket, blue jeans, and gloves, and her hair was tied in a ponytail. Peter smiled. She looked beautiful. He got out of the car and waved at her. Rogue spotted him and waved back, her cheeks reddening slightly as she approached.

  "Hi," she greeted shyly, tug a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting?"

  "Hey! No, not at all. You look great," Peter plimented with a grin.

  Rogue blushed even harder. "T... thanks," she stammered, her gaze shifting away briefly.

  Peter opehe door for her. Rogue thanked him and got ier closed the door and walked to the other side. Getting into the driver's seat, he started the car and drove out. As they passed through the streets, Peter g Rogue. She was fiddling with her fingers and was looking somewhat nervous.

  She g him, still hidden behind his mask, and for a moment, they sat in silehe sound of the engine purrily in the background.

  "So... uh, nice car," Rogue erying to break the ice.

  "You are nervous, aren't you?" He asked her directly.

  "Is it that obvious?" Rogue chuckled.

  Peter shrugged. "I am nervous too."

  "Really?" Rogue asked, raising an eyebrow.

  "Yep," Peter nodded. "Uhis mask, I'm just a guy going on a date with a beautiful girl, so yeah... I'm nervous too."

  Rogue blushed at the pliment. 'He thinks I'm beautiful?!'

  Peter parked the car in the side ne, raised a magic barrier around the car, and turoward her, "It's getting stuffy with the mask on. And as I promised, I'll show you my real face. So, go ahead and take it off."

  Rogue blinked, surprised. She hesitantly reached for the edge of the mask, her gloved fingers brushing against the fabric. Peter remained perfectly still as she slowly pulled up his mask. He gazed at her ily, watg her rea as she revealed his face. Rogue gasped, her eyes widening slightly. She stared at him, speechless, "Peter Parker?! The creator of the Neural Impnts and Cyberics?!" She excimed.

  "Yep, that's me," Peter smiled. "Surprised?"

  "Very," Rogue nodded. "I mean, I always assumed you were young, but I hought you were this handsome! Ah! I... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say it so directly. I'm making a mess, ain't I?" She covered her mouth with her hand as her face turned beet red.

  Peter chuckled. "Don't worry about it. I'm fttered, actually." He resumed driving.

  Rogue nodded, her embarrassment subsiding slightly. She stared at Peter's profile as he drove. He had short brown hair, sharp jawline, high cheekbones, and an air of fidence about him. She bit her lip, admiring him. She couldn't believe she was sittio Peter Parker, the world's you billionaire and one of the smartest geniuses alive. Neural Impnts and cyberics were a big deal back then, but after a year, Baxter Industries annouhe official release of these impnts, which shook the entire world.

  After that, Peter disappeared from the public eye, with an annouhat he was suffering from amnesia and nobody knew what he to. She felt a little overwhelmed, but she didn't mind it.

  "So, are you really suffering from amnesia?" She asked curiously.

  "Nope," Peter replied without missing a beat. "Green Goblin blew himself up and I got caught up in that. I was in a a for months. So, Susan Storm made that amnesia story up since back then my family didn't know about my identity. After I healed up, I decided to go with that amnesia part, to avoid unnecessary troubles. You know, how it is... When we are talking about impnts like that, many people would love to get their hands on them or their creator, me. They might target my family too... Well, that's the gist of it."

  Rogue listeo him attentively, and wheer finished expining, she smiled at him. "I see. Back then they said that Spiderman died in an explosion while taking down Green Goblin. I... I didn't believe them, but you have no idea hoy I was when you suddenly appeared after almost a year. I'm gd you're alright."

  "Thanks," Peter smiled. "I made many people worried back then... Anyway, that's in the past. So, let's not talk about superhero business, okay? Let's just enjoy the date today."

  Rogue nodded in agreement. Peter turned on the radio and the car filled with music. Rogue rexed in her seat as they drove, enjoying the ride.

  "Aren't you going to ask where I'm taking you?" Peter asked her after a while.

  Rogue shrugged. "No. It's your surprise so I'll atiently for it."

  "Hehe, you're iing, Rogue," Peter chuckled.

  Rogue smiled bashfully.

  She stole g him every now and thehoughts swirling. She couldn't believe how normal he looked. Just a guy. No suit, no mask, no superhero persona—just Peter. A, he had go of his way to do this for her. It made her heart flutter, and she couldn't help but smile.

  Peter, oher hand, was feeling more fident by the minute. Rogue hadn't freaked out when she saw his face, which was a good sign. Now, he just had to make sure everythi smoothly from here on out.

  They soon reached their destination: a lovely small farmhouse at the edge of a calm meadow. The air was fresh, with a touch of wildflowers and soil. The sun rays gave the sery a warm, golden light. It eaceful, the perfect spot for a quiet, private date.

  "This pce isn't much, but I thought it could be nice," he said, his tone a little uain as both of them got out of the car.

  Rogue looked around in awe. "It's... beautiful," she murmured. "How did you find this pce?"

  "Well, teically, I bought it about 30 minutes ago," Peter admitted sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.

  "You are joking, right?" Rogue raised an eyebrow.

  Peter shook his head. "Nope."

  "Wow..." Rogue breathed, shaking her head in disbelief.

  Peter chuckled. "I thought you liked quiet pces and I couldn't think of a better pce than this. So, I bought it. e o's go inside." He grabbed Rogue's hand and led her into the house.

  The interior was simple but fortable. A modest living room with a firepce, a fully stocked kit, and a bedroom upstairs. Everything was freshly ed and ready for use.

  Peter watched Rogue's rea closely, hoping he hadn't overdo. To his relief, she seemed excited.

  "This is amazing!" She excimed, spinning around to take it all in. Then her eyes fell on the rge field and garden on the left, and she gasped. "Is that...?" She ran outside without finishing her sentence, Peter following close behind.

  Sure enough, the backyard tained a massive orchard, filled with trees bearing all sorts of fruits. Rogue ughed in delight, running from tree to tree and toug the leaves reverently.

  "I 't believe it! This is incredible! It's beautiful!" She excimed happily.

  Peter grinned, pleased by her rea. Rogue jumped to plu apple from a nearby tree, but her height prevented her from reag it. Peter chuckled, walking up behind her. He grabbed her waist gently, lifting her up so she could reach the apple. She blushed furiously as she grabbed the fruit, Peter holding her securely in pce. He helped her down once she had it and released her waist, stepping back to give her space. She took a bite of the apple, sav the sweet fvor before turning to face Peter again.

  "Thank you," she said shyly, him a small smile.

  "You're wele," Peter replied softly. "Oh, I almost fot." He poi her gloves. "You know your power doesn't work on me, so, take them off and be yourself. Here, there isn't aher than us, so, just fet for a moment that you are a mutant. I want you to enjoy the day like a normal girl, okay?" He tue with a kind smile.

  Rogue hesitated, but Peter's sincere gaze vinced her to trust him. She slowly removed her gloves and put them aeter nodded, satisfied, aured to follow him further into the orchard. Rogue followed him, curious to see what else he had phere was a treehouse in the middle of the orchard.

  "That's a treehouse!" She gasped iement.

  "Yep. Wanna check it out?" Peter asked, smiling at her enthusiasm.

  Rogue nodded eagerly. She held the apple in her mouth while climbing the dder aering the treehouse. Peter climbed up after her, chug when he saw her already expl the pce. He watched her examihe bookshelves lining the walls, the old coud beanbag chairs, and the telescope set up he window.

  "Wow," Rogue breathed, looking around. "This pce is amazing! How did you mao build all this in such a short amount of time?" She asked, turning to face him.

  Peter shrugged. "That's a trade secret," he joked.

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  AN: I'll take a few days' break. The chapter will be uploaded on Friday or Saturday. o stockpile, so, have patience.