"There's a key on the chain, there's a picture in a frame, Take it with you, And run, like you'd run from the law Darling, let's run, Run from it all, We can go where our eyes can take us, Go where no one else is, run," Taylor Swift & Ed Sheeran – Run (FTV)

…

"MJ, I know it's a lot to ask but we have to run," Peter said to her. Around them, a fire was blazing, sirens wailed, and half of Peter's mask had been destroyed. A bank across the street from MJ's diner was robbed right when they left.

MJ glanced back at her workplace behind her, residential areas straight to their side. She turned her head back and forth, and Peter could tell she didn't want to leave. MJ gripped his hands as if she was afraid he would swing off without her.

"No, I... there's too much happening. We need to make sure everyone is okay."

"MJ, listen to me. The cops will be here any minute and then neither of us will be safe. I already got most of it taken care of."

She shook her head but was silent. Peter hoped that she wouldn't be stubborn. Out of all nights they needed to leave, this was the one. He knew he couldn't afford to lose her (or anyone else he loved) again. They were running out of time. Soon his freedom would be gone; he would be caught.

"Do you trust me?" MJ's eyes snapped up at his, teary. She took a deep breath and nodded. "Then let's get you home," he said.

She willingly took his hand, and they sped off into the dark. Peter was grateful that the smoke was making the sky hazy–nobody could tell that MJ was with him.

…

(POV Switch)

Ever since they got together, MJ had a habit of leaving her bedroom window unlocked, if not open. Peter was always very careful whenever he came (wearing brick-colored clothing) and very desperate.

Today though, they threw caution to the wind–he was in his suit, and his mask was ripped apart. But Peter asked her to trust him, and she did.

As they swung to her home, she prayed that her mom wouldn't walk into her room at that exact moment and that the smoke in the sky would be enough to cover both of them. She was supposed to move to Boston in a few weeks and could not afford another life-threatening scandal.

She ignored the voice in the back of her head that dating Spider-man was inherently a life-threatening scandal. It didn't count if nobody knew.

Even as they swung into her bedroom, Peter gripping MJ's waist with one hand and opening the window with the other, MJ was looking over her shoulder. She didn't see any helicopters or bricks which seemed like a good sign.

Peter leaned against the wall, clearly tired and overwhelmed. He pulled off the tattered mask, putting his head in his hands.

His hands were bloody and bruised, but as MJ looked over him, she realized his whole body was bloody and bruised.

She rushed towards him. "Peter, what happened back there? Why did you want to leave so badly?" She brushed a gash on his neck.

"They threatened to find out about me. Me as Peter."

Yes, that would certainly drive him into a panic.

"Peter, come here." He collapsed in her arms. His hair was slick with sweat. "That's not going to happen. And, even if it did, Peter barely exists."

He nodded. "But you do."

"My name isn't Peter Parker," MJ cocked her eyebrows, trying to lighten the mood. Peter deadpanned at her. "I'm serious!"

"I know you are, but so am I." Suddenly, Peter's cheeks began to turn red in the dim light of her room. A small smile tugged at his lips. "I've been thinking," he started.

"Uh oh, I don't know if I should be scared or excited."

"Eh, maybe both."

"Okay, I'm listening."

"I don't mean to freak you out, by the way. I know it hasn't been that long for you. But it's been a long, long time for me. I've loved you for a long time. I can't help but imagine where we would be right now in a different world."

Her brain skipped over the sentiment in his confession. "A different world like, planet? Alternative Universe? No climate change? What are we talking here?"

"Like, alternative universe. Where I didn't mess up the spell." Peter's brown eyes seemed to bore into her soul. It melted all of the wit she had left for the night.

"Keep going," she murmured.

"In a different world, maybe we would go to college together. Or maybe if I suggested we run away together, it wouldn't be the craziest idea in the world."

MJ thought ten things at once. Run away like Romeo and Juliet? Wait... he'd want to run away with me? That is a crazy idea. Would I ever do that though?

MJ could only murmur. She was at a loss for words, so Peter kept going. "It's crazy now, I would never ask that of you. But maybe that MJ and Peter are happier."

A thought seemed to come to him. "Would you be happier? Without all of this drama?"

The question was honest, not self-deprecating like it may have been even a month ago. MJ had to think for a minute.

"I honestly don't know. I love having you here in my life and feeling whole. But, it's hard."

Peter nodded, then his face lit up. "Did you say the L word?"

MJ was tempted to say no because she didn't realize she did. "Maybe."

Peter laughed.

"Hey, relax," MJ said, in an attempt to prevent him from thinking too far ahead, "I never said I blank YOU."

"I know," he replied. "Still, it's good to know."

After that, they spent some time in comfortable silence, as they helped each other with their injuries and Peter put on fresh clothes. As usual, MJ had her back turned and was trying to keep her attention on everything except the fact that Peter was half-naked in her room.

When she turned back around, she was flushed, and he looked good as new.

"Oh look," Peter called to her, gesturing to his phone, "they caught the guys. Only thing is, the cops also want to arrest me for the destruction of property."

"Screw them," she said, "they're clueless."

Without speaking, they climbed onto an ottoman against the bedroom wall. MJ's bed was straight across from them, with a neat desk next to it. Peter had his back against the wall with MJ was comfortably nestled in his lap. His arms and legs were wrapped around her.

Sitting with him, she felt at peace. Her shoulders relaxed. It just felt right, and she couldn't even explain it. MJ relished it while she could, knowing that soon she'd be miles away.

"Oh, I want to give you something," Peter said. They detangled themselves, and Peter reached for his shoes.

"Please don't tell me you hid a present in your shoes..."

"What?" Peter turned red, and his voice was an octave higher. "It's the only thing I know I won't lose."

That made MJ laugh.

Peter pulled out a little plastic bag the size of his thumb from the sole of the shoe.

"How did you," MJ started to say before she noticed what Peter was taking out of the bag. It was a book-shaped pendant.

"No, Peter."

"I got this for you when you said yes to being my girlfriend. I knew you would be going someday soon to Massachusetts and I thought it was about time to add something to that necklace of yours."

Instinctively, she reached for the black Dhalia, still on her neck. MJ examined the pendant. It was simple: silver, engraved on the edges to look like pages. On the side, there was a small hinge.

"It's a locket," she whispered, mystified. Peter nodded.

"Open it," he encouraged. Peter took MJ's hand as the locket popped open. His face stared back at her, smiling and giddy. She knew it must've been taken before the memory wipe.

"Peter, no, you didn't have to."

"I know. But I wanted you to have something to keep with you up there. You told e how hard It was to not know or understand your feelings, but at least this way, you can have me close." MJ was gaping. "I mean, only if you want to, I-"

She cut him off with a kiss. "It's beautiful," she reassured him. "Thank you. I wish I got you something."

Peter shook his head. "No, MJ. You got me a life and a world to come back to and save. I would still have nothing if you hadn't forced me to confess."

"Hm, so you admit that you wouldn't have done it on your own?"

Peter turned red. "Maybe," he said, copying her tone from earlier. "It's also a reminder that I'm always still here for you, even if I'm far away. And that someday, if you want to of course, we can get away from all of this," he gestured toward the window, "and be happier."

"I'll keep the offer in mind," MJ whispered.

…

They stayed on the ottoman, talking and curled up, for hours on end. Peter made a narrow, reluctant escape at 2 in the morning, only because MJ's mom had woken up.

He felt an unfamiliar sense of calm. He knew, even though he was walking away, that things would be okay. He was grateful, even just for that.

...

AN: This is the end of this part of the story. Soon, I'll be writing a part two in which Peter and MJ reunite in college instead of in NYC when they're high-school-aged. Thanks for reading.