Happy Saturday! I did a lil doodle of Tony and Peter saying you made it to Saturday for today's post over on insta if you wanna see :') Today we get MJ backstory and a tiny break before some EMOTIONAL chapters! Plus some May time which is waaaay overdue
No TW!
Have fun and stay safe ❤️️ 💛💚💙💜
Chapter 17: MayDay
Lunch time is spent at the Tower eating a delicious array of oliveless pizzas until they start to reach the afternoon. On a normal day they would stay longer, but May being her overprotective self wants them home so Peter can recover. Peter decides not to argue, since he hasn't spent as much time with her as he's wanted to, and Happy offers to drive them and Ned home. Ned is the first to be dropped off and by the time they get to Queens, the sky is already starting to dim. Daylight savings sucks, Peter mentally complains. Muddied snow lines the streets and snowflakes dance in the wind, slowly floating onto the tips of tree branches and coating parked cars. Happy pulls up to the curb and, oddly enough, parks the car instead of leaving it running. May turns to him with slight concern across her features.
"Everything okay?" she inquires. Peter unbuckles his seatbelt and leans forward so that his head is between the two front seats.
"What's goin' on?" Peter curiously asks, looking from one to the other. Happy awkwardly clears his throat and avoids eye contact with either of them. It's rare that he's ever nervous, if at all, so it's instantly a giveaway that this is more on the serious side.
"I was going to wait," he nervously starts, "but then I realized that the first day of Hanukkah is in a few days, so…" Without allowing time for Peter and May to interpret the meaning, he pulls out two gifts from beneath his seat. They're wrapped in decorative, metallic paper that reflects the orange light of the setting sun.
"Woah, no way." Peter stares in awe and gently accepts the present held out to him. May doesn't look at the gift, but keeps her eyes trained on Happy.
"You didn't have to do this," she says with her eyebrows drawn together in concern. "We don't have anything for you." As expected, Happy shakes his head.
"I don't need anything. I just wanted to do something for you and Peter." He gives them both a small smile, effectively stunning them both. Peter suspects some chemistry between them…but that's something to bring up later.
"I think you're the only other person besides Ned to actually get me something for Hanukkah, so…thanks, Happy." He returns the smile genuinely.
"No problem, kid. What are bodyguards for?" Happy lightly jokes, causing Peter to scoff.
"Spider-Man doesn't need a bodyguard," he confidently counters. Happy looks him up and down, unimpressed.
"Uh huh, I can see that." As the two banter, May can't help but smile. It's taken a lot of patience and hard work, but Peter is finally coming back out of his shell. Understandably, he hadn't been the same since Homecoming with the constant anxiety and distrust. Yet, with everyone's support, she's starting to see her boy brighten a little more every day. The anxiety isn't completely gone, but it's a start and she loves seeing him like this.
"C'mon, Monster. Let him go home. You need rest and tomorrow we're doing some normal kid stuff. That means no Spider-Man unless it's an emergency," she firmly, not unkindly, lays down the law. Peter groans overdramatically but knows not to fight her on it.
After May and Peter say thank you again for the presents and the ride, they make the trek up to their apartment and actually get to recuperate. No drama, no mutated villains, just quality aunt-nephew time. When they're settled, May takes the famed deck of cards off the bookshelf.
"Feel like a game of War?" she offers mischieviously. Peter pouts slightly as she pulls out the cards and starts to shuffle them.
"But War is boring," he whines, but accepts the cards once she has split the deck. Either way, he can't turn her down, especially after she put up with him wanting to play blackjack.
"You're just mad because you can't cheat at it." May's teasing successfully brings out Peter's competitive side.
"Counting cards isn't cheating," he turns towards her and places down his first random card, "and War is literally probability. It isn't even skill." May chuckles, she loves riling him up. They continue to put their cards forward one at a time, the higher card winning, until May already has the majority of the deck.
"So," she begins so that there's more than good natured jabs and banter, "what's your plan for Scorpion?" Peter knows it's a valid question, but he still deflates a bit. The truth is he isn't all that sure what he's going to do. He needs to get more information out of Jameson, find out who Dr. Stillwell was, and find a way to beat Scorpion. So far, he knows that Gargan is stronger and now knows that he even has some kind of wannabe Spidey Sense. If he thought he was at a disadvantage before, he certainly is now.
"I thought we were relaxing without talking about Spidey stuff," he reminds as he takes two cards. May hums softly in acknowledgement.
"It's something you should be prepared for." She tries to show some of her concern without it coming off as smothering.
"We'll figure it out." Peter decides to continue his train of thought when he realizes he's being too vague. "Ned said he's gonna look into Dr. Stillwell and if he can't find anything, MJ's our researcher so she'll definitely find something. Tony and I can talk about strategies and I'll try to get something out of Mr. Jameson. We're heroes, right? We'll figure it out," he says as confidently as he can muster. He's being honest, though. They can't get through this without planning. Maybe we can figure out where he'll attack next…
"Ah, right." May gracefully relents and pushes her glasses further up her nose.
"So…Happy was nice," Peter proposes, glancing between his deck and her face. He's taking a chance by bringing this up, but technically he didn't start the topic of sharing. May nods in thoughtful agreement.
"That was very sweet of him." She looks up as if expecting Peter to take it in a different direction. His Spidey Sense is no match for her Aunty Tingle.
"You should, uh, invite him over sometime," Peter casually suggests, mirroring her nod. He was serious when he said he wanted to hang out with Happy more often, but also…
"If you get to opt out of Spider-Man stuff, I get to opt out of you trying to play matchmaker," May is quick to deny, obvious amusement in her voice.
"I'm not playing matchmaker," Peter tries to play it off. Sure, the idea of May dating is weird, but he just knows it would make her happy. "Mr. Stark comes over all the time. I'm just saying Happy might want to come hang out too…have dinner." He quickly glances up to gauge her reaction, which ends up being a tilted head accompanied by a sigh.
"Peter…"
"Just a suggestion!" he quickly adds to avoid a possible lecture. May gazes at him, then sets her cards down.
"I know, sweetheart, but I'm not looking for that right now," she attempts to explain. It isn't an easy topic to tackle.
"How come?" Peter's voice is quiet and he asks without looking up from his own cards. May takes a slow, deep breath, deciding on what to say. She settles on being gentle yet straightforward.
"I don't want to fall in love again," she answers honestly. Peter expected an answer like that and shrugs his shoulders. The last thing he wants to do is make a big deal out of it or make her feel bad.
"That's fine. You don't have to if you don't want to." He swallows thickly. The tension hangs in the air, both knowing what the other is thinking but waiting to see who will address it first. "But if you like Happy and the only thing holding you back is Uncle Ben…" he trails off. The game slows to a halt. The sound of cards being played vanishes. He looks up to see May's pained, conflicted eyes. This wasn't how either of them saw their relaxation time going, but it's better to discuss it now than later.
"I…" she stops, trying to find the best wording. "I can't go through that again, Peter. I barely got through it the first time and that was only because I had you. It's hard enough worrying about your safety and your health twenty-four seven. I'm not sure I could handle worrying about both of you more than I already do." Sometimes Peter forgets just how much stress the whole superhero thing puts on her, and she's always so supportive of him. The least he can do is support her as well.
"I get what you mean, May. I'm glad I had you too." He gives her a slight smile, which she returns without hesitation before reaching up to lovingly cup his cheek. It lasts a brief moment before she playfully messes up his hair.
"Go shower, you stink to high heaven," she teases. Peter seats her hand away with a wide grin.
"Nuh uh! I had a great dip in a river and everything. I'm practically sparkling," he proudly dismisses. Nonetheless, he starts putting the deck of cards back together. "Oh! I almost forgot, Mr. Jameson actually gave me a check and I was wondering if you could maybe help me cash it?" He's never cashed a check in his life, so he has no idea what he's supposed to do.
"Of course," May happily confirms as she ties her hair up, "but we don't cash it. We put it in a savings account. You can spend some of the money, but the rest you get to save. No ifs, ands, or buts." She raises her eyebrows challengingly when Peter opens his mouth to argue. That effectively stops him, he knows his limits after all.
"Okay," he draws out in exasperation. Truth be told, he's exhausted. But there's no way his pride will allow him to go to bed before 10 pm at the earliest. Either way, the two reach a relative agreement and May double checks his minor injuries before he goes off to shower. The bruise on his forehead has already started to fade and his back doesn't hurt as much as it did. There aren't anymore red blotches where his skin hit the water, so he counts that as a win. Everything will probably be healed by morning.
After a quick, relaxing shower and homemade dinner, he decides that relaxing in bed is the best way to go. He already did his patrolling today and both Tony and May would probably kill him if he tried to go out after what happened. Instead, he decides to pass the time with some texting.
Our Dysfunctional Family
Peter: MJJJJJJJ howd your day go?
MJ: It was fun. Where's your other half?
Peter: hes probably eating dinner
Peter: whatd you and your dad do today?
MJ: We went to the Brooklyn Museum, got each other up to speed, had some lunch. Just relaxing stuff.
Peter: awe thats awesome!
Peter: i'm glad you got to spend time with him :)
MJ: Yeah, it was a nice change of pace.
MJ: Doesn't happen enough.
Peter: i'm sorry
Peter: do you want to talk about it?
MJ: It's tough sometimes. I just miss him.
Peter: i understand what you mean
MJ: I know he's at work all the time for good reasons. It's important to make money for us and I know it's hard doing it all by himself, but it sucks coming home to an empty apartment all the time.
MJ: We barely get to see each other anymore because he takes the graveyard shift. He sleeps during the day and I don't want to wake him up when I know he'll have to work all night.
MJ: And I know he's been taking extra shifts because we're tight on money and even though we don't celebrate Christmas he still wants to do something nice while I'm on break.
MJ: Like I said, it's just tough.
Peter: have you tried talking to him about it?
MJ: Not yet.
Peter: i think it'll help to talk about what's bothering you and it'll help him understand. He wouldnt want you upset
MJ: I know but I don't want to add more to his plate, if that makes sense.
Peter: i know what you mean, but you aren't a burden
Peter: he wouldnt do this much for you if he didnt love you
MJ: Thanks Peter, looks like someone's been taking notes on May's comfort talks.
Peter: what can I say, i'm a fast learner
MJ: You've been hanging out with Stark too much.
Ned: DO YOU KNOW HOW HARD IT IS T EAT DINNER WHEN MY PHONE I BUZZING
MJ: I'm assuming fairly hard.
Peter: SAYS THE ONE WHO CAM INTO OU HEART TO HEART
Ned: HOLD THAT SASS WHILE I CATCH UP ON THE CONVERSATION
Peter:
("You got it dude" gif)
MJ: I can't stand you two.
Peter: But you can't live without us either :')
MJ: -_-
Peter: awwwwwe it'll be okaaaaay
Ned: oh no im sorry mj im sure your dad doesnt mean to make you feel that way
Ned: you can always head home with one of us on school days! that way you aren't home alone!
Peter: im down for that! May loves it when you come over
MJ: Thanks nerds, I appreciate it.
Ned: its no problem .)
MJ: …Why are you using a period to make your smiley face instead of a colon?
Ned: im a pirate!
Peter: dont ask
MJ: Ah.
MJ: I see.
MJ: Aaaaanyways, how'd your day in the sewers go?
Peter: oh yeah huh
Peter: that happened
Ned: youre in fo mj
MJ: Oh no what did you two get yourselves into…
Ned: weeeeeeeeeell
Peter: we kiiiiinda fought scorpion
Ned: and peter kind of almost drowned
Peter: did not!
Ned: okay he almost *froze
Peter: okay yeah that parts true
Peter: BUT it was either that or let a lady die so i think i made tha right choice considering
MJ: I take ONE day off from Team Spidey and you almost DIE?!
Peter: I DIDNT ALOST DIE WE TOTALLY HAD IT UNDER CONTROL AND WE GOT A LOT OF INFO LIKE A WHOLE BUNCH
Ned: he totally did almost die but yeah we did make some progress!
MJ: Did you figure out how to beat the shit out of him?
Peter: not exactly?
Ned: we founf out he has a scorpy sense
MJ: Wait.
MJ: He can sense danger like Peter can?
Ned: yep
MJ: So Peter is at an even bigger disadvantage?
Peter: technically i was already at a big disadvabtage we just know what it is now
Peter: and our senses cancel each other out so it's more like we're on an even playig field
MJ: Oh great. Fantastic. Anything else?
Peter: we need your help!
MJ: What's up?
Peter: we got a whole bunch of files n stuff and we need to know who Dr. Stillwell is
Peter: *was
MJ: Was?
Ned: ill email you all the info i have from droney
Peter: Mr. Stark has a copy too so he'll probably let us know what he finds out
MJ: Sweet, I'll look into it and get back to you guys in the morning.
Peter: thaaaaaaanks mj 3
Ned: youre the best!
MJ: I have your backs, talk to you later dorks.
Ned: good night mj!
Peter: sounds good :)
Peter: i'm gonna update shuri on everything, last time she heard about scorpion it was off the news
Ned: oof yeah you should
Ned: TELL HER I SAID HI AND THAT I MISS HER
Peter: akjdfghfs okay ned i will i promise
Ned: yay .')
Before texting Shuri, he puts on his pajamas and goes through his routine. He checks his bruises to make sure they're healing okay, then gets into bed.
Badass Princess
Peter:
("Good evening" vine gif)
Shuri:
(fire alarm faces vine gif)
Peter: i love our friendship
Shuri: no one can outdo our references
Shuri: have you come to talk memes or has something happened with your villain friend?
Peter: yes
Shuri: kdkxneixbsxjsb
Shuri: good because I am prepared for both
Shuri:
(sunglasses dancing girl vine gif)
Peter: sO
Peter: long story short
Peter: scorpion attacked again while we were in his super secret lair, we found lab documents, i kind of jumped off a bridge and didnt realgze i was out of webs, got hypothermia, and found out he has a Scorpy Sense as Ned called it
Shuri: I thought I was getting the short version?
Peter: trust me tha the short version
Shuri: he likes to parade around more often than most vilalins
Peter:
("two moms at brunch" vine gif)
Peter: we have Mr. Stark and MJ on the documents but i was wondering if i could get your opinion too since y'know you have the best tech n brains over there
Shuri: nice of you to notice ¬‿¬
Shuri: yes send them over, I'll see what I can do
Shuri: I've also had something in mind for a while
Shuri: it should help
Peter: have i told you that youre the best?
Shuri: I could hear it more often ˘◡˘
Peter: youre the BEST
Shuri: thank you thank you
Shuri: btw I made a thing
Peter: i dont know whether to be excited or terrified
Shuri: both
Shuri:
(Iron Man "youre breathtaking" gif)
Peter: OH
Peter: MY
Peter: G O D
Peter: THSI IS THE BEST THING IVE EVER SEEN IN M
Peter: DID YOU?
Shuri: make this?
Shuri: yes, only the highest quality memes for you
Peter: ONCE AGAIB
Peter: YOURE TH CKXDNXJBSUXSBSH
Peter: I CANT WAIT FO SEND THIS TO MR STARK HES FONNA FLIP
Shuri: send me screenshots ( •̀ᴗ•́ )
Peter: you know it!
It's not too long after that he decides he might as well get a good night's sleep, especially if he's going to be recovered enough to beat Scorpion. He might be spending the day with May, but that doesn't mean he can't be prepared. Besides, he can still plan out what he's going to do and it won't stop his friends from researching in the meantime. In the morning, Peter sleepily wanders into the kitchen and rests his head on May's back as she makes breakfast.
"He emerges!" she teases, looking slightly behind her to see the mop of bedhead. "Good morning."
"Morning," Peter's muffled reply comes.
"Are you ready to deposit your first check?" May slides two eggs off the skillet and onto their plates.
"I think so," Peter answers honestly. "Not really in the mood to go out in the snow." He watches snowflakes fall past one of the small windows.
"Oh don't you worry, I'll bundle you up so much you won't feel the cold. We aren't having a repeat of yesterday," May promises. The plates filled with breakfast are put on the table and the two sit across from each other. Peter eyes her suspiciously.
"If you bundle me up, I'll end up looking like that kid from A Christmas Story," he points out, making a very good point. He can practically see himself in a giant, puffy jacket with a scarf wrapped up to his nose and a hat on top so that only his eyes are visible.
"In a heartbeat," May doesn't hesitate to confirm accompanied with a harmless smile. Peter takes a bite of his pancakes and articulates, with his fork in hand, about to counter, but his phone buzzes on the table. He looks down to see: "Guy in the Chair: sorry dude they did it again :(". Another text comes through, this time as a link. He can't say he didn't see this coming.
"Daily Bugle posted another Spider-Man article," he says in response to May's questioning look. Her shoulders drop slightly and she braces herself as he begins to read it aloud. "'Spider-Man strikes yet again. This time, he destroys Coney Island's beloved Luna Park and Boardwalk. Bringing terror and panic, he was unable to contain a situation involving the new villain Scorpion as they demolished the park one ride at a time. Rides such as the Brooklyn Flyer and Cyclone were among some of the attractions damaged beyond repair. Once again, we're left to pick up the pieces and the heroes are left without repercussions.'" He pauses to sigh before begrudgingly adding, "'Photo Credit: Peter Parker.'" With that, he locks his phone and lets his head fall back with a groan.
"I'm about ready to have a word with that man," May says in a frustrated tone. She then takes a calming breath.
"They're all gonna hate me. They think I'm taking jobs and, and destroying stuff and, man this sucks." Peter covers his eyes with a limp and simply breathes. A knot begins to form in his stomach. How am I gonna help people if they all think I'm the bad guy? It hurts May's heart to see him this stressed and anxious.
"We'll be okay and we'll get through this together," she wholeheartedly reassures. "We both know you're a good person, and so do Tony and Ned and MJ. That's what matters, right?" Peter sits back up, sighs, and nods. As long as he has his support group to keep him up, he'll be okay. He isn't alone in this. One step at a time, he reminds himself of May's words.
"We got this," he says with more confidence. "Just gonna let it bounce off." May smiles encouragingly, pride beaming from her.
"Come on, let's go take care of that check." Peter returns her smile, he just hopes they're both right. Otherwise, Spider-Man might have more enemies to worry about than just Scorpion.
Next week we get purely Tony and Peter emotional angst and I'm EXCITED
Thank you for reading! ❤️️ 💛💚💙💜
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