MARVEL-THE MULTIVERSE TRADER

The morning sunlight spilled across the city streets as Nova stepped out of Eloise's place, the faint scent of her perfume still clinging to his skin. His muscles ached in the best way, a lazy, satisfied grin playing at his lips. Last night had turned out far better than expected — the kind of steamy, no-strings encounter that stuck in the back of your head for days. Eloise had been every bit as bold as she looked, and Nova had no complaints.

Before leaving, he'd casually asked if she was coming to the Unity Carnival later that day. Eloise had groaned, pulling her messy blonde hair into a loose knot as she padded barefoot through her kitchen, in an oversized shirt. "Wish I could," she sighed, leaning against the counter, "but I've got work today, unfortunately. No rest for the wicked."

Nova had smirked, spanking her playfully and kissing her goodbye before heading out.

By the time he reached his own house, the streets were properly awake. He grabbed a quick shower, letting the cold water bite at his overheated skin. After dressing in something casual — a dark fitted shirt, jeans, and his jacket — Nova slung his keys into his pocket and hopped on his bike.

The ride to Peter's place was smooth, the cool morning wind doing a decent job of clearing Nova's head. He parked his bike out front, knocking on the door just as Harry's car pulled up to the curb. A few minutes later, all four of them — Nova, Peter, Harry, and Ned — piled into the car and took off toward the carnival.

The fairground was already bustling by the time they arrived. Bright banners fluttered overhead, the air thick with the scent of fried food and candy, mingling with the sounds of carnival music and the distant whir of rides.

They hadn't even made it past the entrance when Nova spotted a familiar group ahead — Gwen, standing with Mary Jane, Felicia Hardy, and Michelle. Felicia caught sight of them first, a sly smirk curling at her lips. She nudged Gwen's shoulder, subtly tilting her chin toward their direction.

Gwen turned, her face lighting up the moment she saw Nova. "Nova!" she called out brightly, jogging toward him, her blonde hair catching the sunlight as it bounced with each step.

Behind him, Peter, Harry, and Ned immediately shared looks — the kind of smug, knowing grins only teenage guys could master. Nova felt their eyes boring into the back of his head but chose to ignore them as Gwen came to a stop in front of him, her excitement practically radiating.

"Oh, this'll be fun," Harry muttered, elbowing Peter.

Peter shot him a look but said nothing — too focused on watching Michelle, who was just arriving alongside MJ and Felicia.

As Gwen reached him, Nova grinned. "Hey," he greeted smoothly. "Didn't think you'd be here this early."

"Please," she shot back with a grin of her own. "Wouldn't miss it for anything."

The others closed in, the easy rhythm of friends regrouping. Mary Jane and Felicia arrived, both wearing subtly amused expressions. MJ's brow arched just a little as she let her gaze drift between Nova and Gwen.

"Well," MJ teased lightly, voice smooth as silk, "Someone forgot friends as soon as she saw certain someone."

Nova chuckled at the remark, feeling Gwen stiffen just slightly beside him. Her ears tinged pink, and she shot MJ a mock-glare, but the grin tugging at the corners of her lips betrayed her.

"Oh, shut up, MJ," Gwen huffed, though the playful lilt in her voice made it clear she wasn't really annoyed.

Felicia leaned in with a smirk, nudging MJ with her shoulder. "Told you," she murmured loud enough for Nova and Gwen to catch, her tone dripping with good-natured teasing.

Nova ran a hand through his hair and gave an exaggerated sigh. "Man, you lot don't waste time, huh?"

Peter, Harry, and Ned wandered up then, just in time to catch the end of that exchange. Harry gave a dramatic whistle as if he were witnessing something scandalous. "Whoa, whoa — did we miss a moment here?" he asked, eyebrows raised in mock shock.

Peter just grinned awkwardly, while Ned elbowed him with a grin. "Dude, you owe me five bucks."

Nova rolled his eyes. "Relax. Gwen's just saying hi. Like normal people do."

"Normal, huh?" MJ quipped, one brow lifting again. "Didn't look all that normal from where I was standing."

This time Gwen groaned and buried her face in her hands for a second before laughing. "I swear to god, one day I'm locking you in a cargo trunk."

Felicia grinned. "Love you too, sweetheart."

Before the teasing could continue, Nova's gaze shifted as Liz Allan and Betty Brant finally caught up with the group, both girls waving as they approached.

Harry and Ned exchanged a look as Liz Allan and Betty Brant approached, each girl offering a wave and easy smiles.

Harry straightened a little, smoothing his hair with a quick, casual swipe of his fingers while Ned practically lit up beside him.

Nova caught it instantly — the way Harry's eyes lingered on Liz and Ned's grin widened when Betty met his gaze.

Nova smirked. Figures.

He leaned slightly toward Gwen and murmured, "Saved by reinforcements."

Gwen snorted a soft laugh, giving him a grateful look. "Bet they're not as savage."

"Let's hope," Nova chuckled, then glanced back at his friends.

Harry was already nudging Ned with his elbow. "Play it cool, man."

Ned whispered back, eyes still locked on Betty, "I am cool."

Nova shook his head in amusement. "You two look like you just saw goddesses descend from Mount Olympus."

"Close enough," Harry muttered, grinning as Liz stopped to chat with them.

Felicia, catching it all, flashed an amused glance at MJ. "Boys," she murmured.

MJ smirked. "Hopeless."

---

The fairground was alive with color and noise, the sounds of rides clanking, children shrieking, and vendors calling out their wares filling the air.

After a few minutes of easy conversation and teasing, MJ clapped her hands together, flashing that sharp grin of hers. "Alright, losers — we're splitting up for rides. Pairs only."

Felicia immediately looped her arm through MJ's. "Called it," she smirked, tugging the redhead toward the line for the haunted house.

Nova noticed the glance MJ threw over her shoulder at the group before walking away — it wasn't subtle. That matchmaking gleam was unmistakable.

"Alright, who's with who?" Ned asked, a little too eagerly.

Before anyone could answer, Gwen spoke up casually, "I'm with Nova." She shot him a grin as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Nova raised a brow, amused but not about to complain. "Guess that's settled."

Harry, not missing a beat, immediately turned to Liz. "You game?"

Liz laughed, giving him a playful shove. "Long as you don't scream louder than me."

"I make no promises," Harry grinned.

Ned was already moving toward Betty, his grin practically ear to ear. "Hey, Betty — you wanna…?"

Betty, warm and easy, smiled. "Sure, Ned."

Which left Peter and Michelle.

Michelle crossed her arms, arching a brow. "Guess you're stuck with me, Parker."

Peter's ears went red, but he managed a crooked smile. "Wouldn't have it any other way."

Gwen shot Nova a look, voice low. "Subtle as a brick, aren't we?"

Nova grinned. "Hey — never get in the way of teenage matchmaking schemes."

They all broke off toward different attractions — Gwen dragging Nova toward the Ferris wheel, Harry and Liz heading for the roller coaster, Ned and Betty veering toward the water gun game, and Peter, clearly trying to play it cool, walking alongside Michelle toward the spinning teacups.

Nova glanced over his shoulder just in time to catch Felicia pressing a quick kiss to MJ's cheek as they disappeared into the haunted house line.

He chuckled. Carnivals, man.

As they approached the Ferris wheel, Gwen tugged his sleeve. "Not bad, huh? Could be worse company."

"Could be a lot worse," Nova smirked.

The wheel loomed ahead, and Nova could already tell — tonight was going to be one of those nights where everything fell a little too neatly into place.

And for once, he was absolutely fine with that.

x------x

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