"...and some believe the rise in crime rates across Queens is due to the disappearance of Spider-Man."
"Could you turn that off, Aunt May?"
I breathed a sigh of relief as Aunt May switched the television off.
"Peter," she said as I took a seat in the armchair next to her, armed with a stack of homework. "Have you thought anymore about putting the suit on again?" I closed my eyes for an instant, gritting my teeth.
"I thought you'd be happy I'm not out fighting criminals anymore," I grumbled. Now it was Aunt May's turn to sigh.
"I'm happy you're safe, yes," she relented. "But I know how happy it made you to be out there on the streets, making a difference."
"Well," I said, "now it's someone else's turn to make a difference." Aunt May seemed ill-content with this response, but she said nothing further regarding the matter as I proceeded to open my textbooks and set to work.
"I'm not doing it, MJ."
A frown crossed MJ's face as we walked out to the bus-stop after our final class of the day.
"You need to get back out there, Peter," she pleaded.
"I said no," I replied. I bounded up the steps to the bus, stomping to the back of the bus where we normally sat. Ned was sick with the flu, meaning it was just MJ and myself.
"It's just one guy," she said, sliding into the seat beside of me.
"I'm not going after this… Prowler dude."
"He's been stealing stuff all over my neighborhood!" MJ hissed. "He's a menace, and someone needs to stop him!"
"If you're so insistent, you put on the suit," I said in a nonchalant tone. "Who knows, maybe a Spider-Woman is what the world needs." MJ rolled her eyes far back into her head. She was a silent for a moment, staring at the window with narrowed eyes.
"Are you ever gonna go back?" she asked after a minute or so. I didn't answer at first, weighing my words with care.
"I think so," I said at last. "It's just… whenever I think about doing it, I get scared. I think about what happened and how… how he's gone. And I wonder if I can even do this without him." MJ nodded, her eyes softening with sympathy. She placed a hand on my knee and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"Spider-Man wasn't just some sidekick to Iron Man, you know," she murmured. "He was his own person, with his own identity and goals." I looked out the window as the streets outside flew by.
"That's what I keep trying to tell myself," I answered in a quiet tone. "But every day, I think about how things would have been different if I hadn't gone on that field trip. Or if I'd just stayed on the bus. Or if I'd gone back to Earth like Tony told me to."
"Hey," MJ interjected, twisting in her seat to face me. I tentatively met her gaze. "You did the right thing. Most people would have run the other way." I hesitated.
"The thing is," I said, "In the end, I'm still glad I did it. I'm glad I got to spend those last few moments with him… and I'm glad I got the chance to say goodbye. And maybe that's selfish of me." MJ didn't say anything at first, taking in my words.
"I don't think that's selfish at all," she assured me after a moment. "But why won't you put on the suit again?" she asked, her voice gentle. "If you don't regret going, I mean." I stared down at my lap, folding my fingers together.
"I'm scared I'll do something to dishonor his memory," I replied. I was met with silence, and I glanced sideways to see MJ's face masked in an expression of sadness.
"It seems to me like he cared about you a lot," she said. "As long as you keep doing what you were doing before, I don't think there's anything you could do to disappoint him."
"He was Iron Man for over 10 years, MJ," I reminded her. "He sacrificed so much to help people and make the world a better place. It's just a lot to live up to, you know?"
"So stop trying," MJ answered with a shrug. "Stop trying to be Iron Man, and just be you. Be Spider-Man." I scratched the back of my neck.
"You make it sound so simple," I said in a resigned tone. MJ reached across my lap, slipping her fingers through mine.
"This city needs Spider-Man," she responded. "At least think about it, ok?" I nodded in reluctant agreement.
"Ok." I glanced down at our intertwined hands. "You know, we've still never really figured out what's going on with us." MJ smirked.
"I mean it's a little hard to date someone when they're a pile of dust," she said, nudging me with her shoulder. I held up my free hand in protest.
"You make a fair point," I consented.
"Mhm," was MJ's skeptical response.
"Anyway," I said, my heartbeat picking up speed. "Maybe we could… uh, you know… go out or something at uh, some point in time. If you want, of course. Purely optional. If you don't that totally fi -"
"Please stop talking before you embarrass yourself further." I clamped my mouth shut, blushing. MJ faced me with a soft smile. "I'd love to go on a date with you, Peter Parker."
I grinned.
"Oh c'mon," I chortled in between bites of my reuben sandwich. "You gotta be exaggerating."
"I'm not," said MJ, laughing as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ears. "I read the entire Harry Potter series in two and a half days."
"Nerd," I teased before taking a sip of my cola. "You're definitely a Ravenclaw," I added with a pointed look.
"I see myself as more of a Slytherin," MJ responded, leaning her arms on the checkered tablecloth as she donned a thoughtful expression.
"Should I be concerned?" I asked, feigning a look of distrust. MJ quirked her eyebrows up and down.
"Very."
We both laughed, although it was short lived. The other customers of the sandwich shop started to throw some dubious looks in our direction, and our laughter came to a prompt halt.
"So," I said after the chuckling had died down. "I had a lot of fun tonight." My heart lifted as she echoed the sentiment with a bashful smile.
"I did too," she agreed.
"There's just one thing," I replied, shifting in my chair. "If I do put the suit on again… I wanna be sure that you're ok with that. With everything that comes with that responsibility." MJ reached for my hand, grasping it from across the table.
"Peter," she said in a quiet, but sincere tone. "I'll never hold you back from being Spider-Man. I want you to do what you love, even if it's a bit dangerous." I smiled.
"I'm glad to hear that," I murmured, clasping her hand.
"Does this mean you're gonna do it, then?" MJ asked, her amber eyes glowing.
"I've been thinking about it," I admitted. "But I still don't know if I'm quite ready." MJ dipped her head in understanding.
"Well, I'll be here to support you whenever you're ready." My smile broadened and a warmth seemed to settle inside of my chest.
"You really are the best," I found myself saying aloud. MJ raised an eyebrow.
"Don't tell Ned," she said, spurring another burst of laughter from both of us.
When we left the restaurant, my mood was higher than it had been in a long time. Hand in hand, we strode down the street, careless and young and forgetful of all the burdens we bore. We stopped near a small park, walking underneath a wispy willow tree. Someone had strung a long strand of blue lights through the branches, creating an ethereal glow underneath the canopy.
"If you're thinking about giving me some romantic speech, I'm just gonna stop you right here." I held back a laugh at MJ's remark. I pivoted to avoid a smack in the face from one of the slumping branches, which unwittingly brought us face to face.
We were close, separated by mere inches. I could sense my heart racing inside of my chest. Swallowing the nervous lump in my throat, I took a timid step closer, grasping her other hand.
"I'll spare you the speech," I said with a lop-sided grin, "But I'd really like to kiss you... if that's ok?" MJ seemed surprised at the question, but her smile showed the appreciation she felt.
"I'd like that," she said in a breathless, almost whisper.
I needed no further convincing. I released her hands and raised my own to her face, gently weaving my fingers through her hair as I pulled her towards me, closing the distance between us with a tender kiss. My heart seemed to stop as a burning heat caught fire inside of me.
It was over after another few moments of bliss. We were both covered in smiles and quiet, knowing laughter as we pulled away from one another, joining hands once again. It was the perfect moment.
The walk home continued, and I dropped her off at her apartment with another quick kiss on the cheek. Setting off towards home, I paced myself at a slow stride. I enjoyed traversing the streets at night, with all the lights and happenings and whatnot.
Grabbing my phone from the inner pocket of my jacket, I dialed Ned's number. It went to voicemail. Weird.
"Hey man," I began, skipping past a fire hydrant. "Just wanted to fill you in on the date tonight. Dude… it was so great. I gotta tell you all about it. So… uh, just call me back whenever, I guess. Byeeee."
As soon I clicked the hangup button, my phone immediately rang. It was an unknown number. Odd. Curiosity got the best of me, however, and I hit the answer button.
"Hello?" I said.
"Hello, Spider-Man."
I stopped in my tracks. My stomach dropped. I would recognize that voice anywhere. The low, menacing vibrato sent a wave of chills down my spine.
Doctor Octopus.
"How did you find me?" I hissed, stepping into a side street to avoid any strange looks from passerby.
"It's quite a humorous story, actually," the voice answered. "You see, I just ran into someone who had loads to tell about you."
My blood ran cold as my mind began to put the pieces together.
"You've got quite a story, Spider-Man," Doctor Octopus continued. "Or should I say… Peter."