You're an Avenger.

Which means... You're gone. A lot.

Sometimes for only a few days, sometimes for weeks.

This time?

The mission took three weeks.

Peter's been counting down the seconds till you're back in his arms.

He's waiting outside the door of your shared apartment for you, and the moment he sees you, you're getting hugged.

"Whoa. Hi, Spider."

you laugh delightedly, hugging back tight, albeit with your bags in your hands.

"Don't you 'Spider' me, do you know how long you were gone? I thought I was gonna go crazy."

Peter scolds playfully, breathing you in before pulling away.

It's not like you didn't call when you could, just... That long without being around his favorite person could drive a man mad.

He's already taking your luggage in one hand and yours in the other, leading you inside as you apologize for being away so long.

"I'm sorry, Peter. It was a complicated mission, and—"

you cut yourself off when you get a real good look at him.

"What, is this?"

He's grown a bit of a beard in the time you've been gone.

you reach out to touch his jaw, smiling softly.

"What? Oh. Yeah,"

Peter says, a bit bashful.

He rubs a hand across his face, feeling the coarseness of his facial hair.

"Figured I'd try something new... Do you like it?"