Peter was swinging through the air, feeling the wind on his face, and all he could think about was getting home, taking off the cursed suit, and throwing it in the trash.
This was his last time doing the one thing that made him love his role as Spider-Man-swinging between the tall buildings and feeling the wind hit his face.
As the Spider Totem swung toward his home, enjoying the feeling of freedom and the gravity pulling him toward the ground, he didn't notice a dark shadow following him across the buildings. Suddenly, the shadowy figure leaped onto him, and his spider-sense didn't react in time to avoid the collision.
The Spider Totem and the black figure crashed onto a nearby rooftop close to his home.
As soon as he hit the roof, Spider-Man quickly adjusted himself, thanks to his years of experience, and leaped to avoid another attack from whoever had ambushed him.
He flipped back, landing gracefully on the edge of the building, giving his full attention to the person who had knocked him out of his swing.
When he recognized who it was, he frowned under his mask. "Felicia, damn it, are you trying to get yourself killed?"
It was Felicia Hardy, also known as the Black Cat, groaning from the impact on the hard rooftop surface. "Oh, Spider, I was trying to get your attention, but you didn't notice me. Why? Don't you love your cute kitty anymore?"
Peter seethed internally at her words. "Listen, Felicia, cut the crap. I don't have time for this. What do you want from me?"
The Black Cat frowned, sensing the hostility coming from Spider-Man and how he was suppressing his anger. "Why are you so mad? I was just trying to get your attention."
The Spider Totem chuckled at her words. "Really? Trying to get my attention? Is Hell's Kitchen's Devil not looking your way anymore, or what?"
Felicia stood there, looking at Spider-Man seriously. "I want to talk to you, and you've been ignoring me since that night."
Peter dropped from the rooftop edge, standing in front of her with clenched fists. "And why the hell would I want to talk to you after what you did? Do you know how much that hurt? Do you know how I felt watching you kiss him? We were together, and you saw me, then kissed him right in front of me."
Felicia, angry at his words, quickly lunged at him with her claws. Spider-Man had no trouble dodging it, catching her hand. "Now you're attacking me? Is this what you wanted to talk about? I think everything's pretty clear
"To hell with you! Are you angry? Huh? Are you mad? Well, for the record, I didn't kiss him; I just made it look like I did, damn it!" Felicia spat angrily, her face close to Peter's masked one.
Peter frowned under the mask, pushing her away and yelling, a fury she had never seen directed at her before. "Do you really think I'm going to believe your nonsense now? And why would you even try to do that? Why?"
When Felicia didn't speak and only lowered her head, Peter gritted his teeth in anger, looking at her blankly under the mask. "That's what I thought. You have nothing to say." With those words, Peter began to walk away.
His words made her furious as well. "Yeah, you're mad, huh? Does that make you angry? Even if it was just an act, are you hurt? Is your heart broken? Now you're feeling what I felt every time you replaced me with that redhead like I was your damn second choice, your spare tire. That's how I feel. How does it feel for you? Do you like it?"
Felicia's words stopped Peter in his tracks, and he turned to her, shocked. "What?"
Felicia grabbed his suit with her sharp claws, slightly digging into his skin, though for him it wasn't much of a problem since he had endured worse. "Like I said, you damn spider, every time you get back with me, it's only when you break up with that redheaded witch, and as soon as she calls you, you run back to her like a stray dog."
Her words left Peter speechless. He had no response. "Felicia... I..."
"You what? Tell me, do you think I don't have feelings? Do you think you're the only one with a heart that can be broken? I admit I made a mistake when I rejected you that time, choosing the mask over you. But I thought to myself, and I tried to fix it. When we got back together, as soon as she called you, you dropped me like I was nothing. And when she left you, you came back to me. Do you think I don't have a heart? Or is it only your witch who does?"
This time, Felicia was talking while crying, her voice choked by sobs. She had long stopped digging her claws into his skin and was hitting his chest lightly as she scolded him. "I love you, damn it, but you treat me like a toy, like a spare tire. I want a place in your life, not just to be some side thing."
Peter was at a loss for words. Never in his wildest dreams did he think that Felicia felt like she was a backup to Mary Jane. He always saw her as a proud woman.
Peter grabbed her hands to stop her from hitting his chest. "Felicia, I... I never thought of you as a backup, never."
"Then why did you leave me just because she called? I don't want to be second. I'm human too, Peter. I have feelings. Why do you do this to me, you damn spider?"
Peter hugged Felicia, who was now crying even harder against his chest. "I... I don't know what to say, Felicia. I'm sorry for making you feel that way. It was never my intention. I was serious the first time I took off my mask in front of you, but you chose the mask afterward. I honestly didn't think our relationship would go anywhere. I asked you to stop stealing, and you didn't, so I left you. But I couldn't be mad at you, not until I saw you with Murdock. I couldn't stand to see your face."
Felicia suddenly shouted, "I told you, damn it! I didn't kiss the blind man! All I was trying to do was make you understand me, to make you jealous so you'd feel my pain."
Peter held her face between his hands. "Okay, okay, just stop crying. I believe you. And you were never my second choice, Felicia."
Felicia wrapped her arms around Peter's waist, hugging him tightly as she calmed down, her tears slowing. "So, are we back together again?"
Peter gently pushed her away, separating them, causing her to feel a deep sense of anxiety as she tried to hold on tighter to him. "Felicia, you need to know something. I've decided to retire."
Felicia looked at him, wide-eyed. "What? Why?"
Peter lowered his head and removed his mask, looking at her with tired eyes. "I... I can't do it anymore, Felicia. I've been Spider-Man for so long that I've forgotten how to be Peter Parker."
Felicia looked into Peter's brown eyes, seeing the exhaustion, the thin face, and the dark circles under his eyes. His face told the story of pain and fatigue.
It hurt her to realize that she had contributed to this pain. In that moment, she had an epiphany about how to right her wrongs from the past.
She placed her hands on his cheeks, pulled his face close, and gave him a tender kiss. "If you're going to stop being Spider-Man, then I'll stop being the Black Cat. I think Spider-Man and the Black Cat had less of a chance together. Maybe it's time for Peter Parker and Felicia Hardy to have their chance."
Peter looked at Felicia in shock. His expression made her smile. "Don't be surprised. I contributed to your pain, and now I want to contribute to your healing."
Tears fell from Peter's eyes as he rested his forehead against hers. "I... I don't know what to say, Felicia."
"There's nothing to say, darling. I just want us to try for a more normal life, or at least try. I know you'll go back to being Spider-Man because the city needs you, but I want to get to know the man behind the mask better."
Peter smiled and began to laugh, making Felicia smile as well. "I didn't expect this from you, Felicia."
"I'm a cat darling. Always expect the unexpected from me."
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