Happy Saturday everyone! I hope you're all doing good and had a great week :) Today we get a lot of Team Spidey bonding and shenanigans today and maybe a certain appearance if the title is anything to go off of!

No TW!

Have fun and stay safe ❤️️ 💛💚💙💜

Back in a Flash

On the way to pick up Ned, Peter updates May on everything that happened in Jameson's office. He keeps things vague about his retelling of Ben, not wanting to bring back memories, and why Jameson hates Spider-Man so vehemently. Of course, the recount ends with him telling her how much Jameson decided to pay him.

"I'm glad he finally appreciates your photos, but that's too much," May ends with astonishment.

"And I totally agree!" Peter doesn't hesitate to affirm. "But he made me take it. He said it was my Holiday Bonus or something." He stares at the slip of paper in his hands, slightly guilty but also immensely grateful. It'll be helpful considering the time of year, if May lets him spend some instead of depositing it.

"Alright," May concedes with a sigh, "we'll pick up some chocolates or a bottle of wine while we're out to be polite." One way or another, she always finds a way to reciprocate, even when it's Jameson. Peter shrugs his shoulders, not completely opposed to the idea.

"I mean, I think he's more of a cigar guy. I've never seen him without one, actually," he admits, then thinks for a second. "That can't be healthy." Before he can delve too deep into that dilemma, he shakes away the thought and focuses on something more constructive. He's been wanting to do this ever since he started making money at the Bugle, he just doesn't know how to go about it. "Hey, May? I was wondering if I could help out with, with groceries or gas or bills or something? Y'know, since I actually have a not-job now?" His attempt to add humor to the serious question falls flat. May glances at him with evident concern, then back to the road.

"I don't want you to stress about bills, okay sweetheart? There's nothing to worry about. You just save your money up for something important, like college." Her tone is hopeful and she never hesitates to show her support. Great. College, Peter mentally denounces, but he understands where she's coming from. Nevertheless, he nods his understanding.

"Yeah, I just thought I could help out."

"You already help the city out plenty. Let loose, relax, enjoy being out and being a teenager," she encourages with a smile. "Your spidery DNA won't get in the way of that." Peter playfully rolls his eyes at her teasing, a slight smile pulling at his lips, and listens to her advice. He sits back in his seat and forces his constantly-tense muscles to relax. It's just a nice day to go shopping and hang out with family. He got his work out of the way for today and if anything goes wrong, which it won't, he always has his backpack. No problem.

"You underestimate my Spidey powers," he quips back with a prideful smile. "Next thing you know, I'll be making webs and eating flies." May chuckles and shakes her head.

"If you think I'm adding flies to my award-winning meatloaf recipe, you're going to be severely disappointed," she also banters.

"Well," Peter feigns a wince, "I dunno about award-winning…" He presses his lips together to suppress his smile, which isn't very effective, when May gasps dramatically.

"My meatloaf is great and I won't accept criticisms from someone who's one gene away from eating flies." Her teasing and self-satisfied tone makes Peter laugh, despite him wanting to fake being insulted. May then pulls up to the curb in front of Ned's place and it's a few moments before Ned is rushing to the car.

"Hey, May! Hey, Peter!" he enthusiastically greets as he gets in the backseat. "I'm so excited! Do we have a plan?! Like, what stores we're going to and when we're going to get hot chocolate and if we'll go ice skating before or after?" While he speeds through his thoughts, May has already started their drive to MJ's apartment. Peter absorbs all of his best friend's questions and starts firing back answers.

"I think we're doing the first floor stores and then going up to the food court for lunch and then going to the second and third floors and then going ice skating. I think." It sounds like a good enough plan to him. If only there was good snow to do things like make snow angels and have snowball fights. But no, they get pollution slushies instead. Maybe at Central Park? That's still a long shot…

"We'll see how far we get with shopping and play it by ear," May chimes in agreeably. As she focuses on the road, Ned leans forward between their headrests.

"How are you feeling?" he asks casually, trying not to make a big deal out of it.

"Good. Better." Peter nods and turns to give him an encouraging smile. He told May about the panic attack, but made sure to emphasize that it wasn't too bad. Either way, he knows they all worry. "I'll update everyone on Mr. Jameson when we get MJ. I wanna bounce some theories off you guys."

"Woah, you mean you actually got some information from J. Jonah Jameson?" Ned questions in awe. "Not that I didn't believe in you or anything! But he's, like, scary." Peter can't dispute that since Jameson is, in fact, frightening at times. Yet he feels like he also saw another side of Jameson today.

"Yes, I actually got some info," he reiterates, then adds, "kind of." It's still conjecture, but he has a good inkling. Ned nods his approval with a smile and quietly says,

"Badass." Peter chuckles at his unyielding support and holds his hand out. The two do their best friend handshake for the first time in what feels like forever. He can't believe they took so long to do it again, but with their finals ending not too long ago and jumping straight into the mess of Scorpion, it fell on the back burner. Sometimes, you just have to enjoy the little things. When the car stops, they wait a few minutes for MJ to make her way out. She joins Ned in the back and casually greets the car.

"Hi, May," she says first. "Sup, nerds." Peter smiles at her idea of endearment and leans his head back.

"Hey, MJ," he replies as his usual goofy self. MJ snorts in amusement, then pushes his face right side up.

"How are you doing, sweetheart?" May asks politely, this time driving them to the Queens Center mall. Ned practically vibrates in his seat with poorly concealed excitement.

"And are you excited?! We're gonna have so much fun! We have it all planned out! Sort of!" he adds onto May's question.

"I'm good, thank you," MJ responds with a slight smile and evident manners and turns to Ned with raised eyebrows. "And yes, I'm excited. Mostly for the hot chocolate." However, Peter narrows his eyes skeptically as he faces them.

"But you're vegan," Ned points out before Peter has the chance. Still, he finds another fallacy.

"And it's hot cocoa," he corrects. MJ raises an unconvinced eyebrow, but maintains her smile.

"Everyone knows crappy mall hot chocolate is made with water, not milk," she addresses first and moves onto the next critique. "And you're the only one who prefers calling it that, Parker." Peter is about to counter with an obviously well-thought-out argument when May decides to cut in.

"He calls shoes 'portable floor,' too," she divulged with a knowing smile, immediately causing Peter to face forward and groan.

"Aw, c'mon May," he whines.

"Actually that's kind of genius," Ned comes to his best friend's rescue. Peter instantly lights up with a proud smile.

"See! Ned's got my back." Satisfied, he happily turns on the radio and cranks up the cheesy Christmas songs as MJ quietly chuckles. The rest of the ride is filled with bombastic renditions of Jingle-Bells and Frosty the Snowman, in which Peter and Ned compete for the loudest singer. When they get to the mall, it takes them about fifteen minutes searching back and forth for a parking spot until they're finally able to nab one.

"This is going to be awesome!" Ned all but shouts when he gets out of the car. It's a quick change of pace when he then whispers, "I can't believe we get to do something less life threatening and normal. Like, not Spidey related. Not that I don't love Team Spidey." Peter chuckles and pats his back.

"I know, man." He shuts the passenger door and watches May happily exit her side, MJ not far behind.

"Okay, we're going to stay safe and have lots of fun!" May assures with a grin. It's going to be a normal shopping day, which is all Peter wants. A normal day as a normal kid with his normal friends. It's time to enjoy himself! Hopefully! They all start walking towards the mall, being careful of cars. "Have fun but stay close because there are creeps out there but not too close because I know you don't want to be embarrassed." May seems confused by her own wording, but doesn't try to amend it.

"You're not embarrassing, May," Peter kindly reassures. "As long as you don't go talking about flowering manhood," he adds with a shudder. That might trump all his other trauma.

"Don't tempt me," May teases, causing Ned to snicker. The betrayal is palpable.

"And we've got a plan so we can alternate stores and make sure we don't see what we get each other," Ned happily explains. It's an interesting system, so they'll have to see how it goes. As they approach the doors, Peter notices they've accidentally left someone behind.

"MJ? You okay?" he asks when he turns around to see MJ shifting from foot to foot. She's on the sidewalk a few feet from them and is looking down at her hands as she uncharacteristically fidgets.

"I, uh…" she starts, almost sounding scared. Reluctant. Ashamed, even. May looks on with concern, her parental instincts going into overdrive. Ned isn't sure what to do, but he knows he's worried about her. "I don't have enough to buy anything," she mutters, crestfallen. Peter's smile drops, remembering what she said about her and her dad having a low income. He isn't quite sure what to say, caught between worry and surprise. Worry for her and surprise that it's her. MJ. The one who's always tough and realistic, the glue that holds Team Spidey together. Peter shouldn't be that shocked, though, because she's human just like the rest of them. But May recovers first and walks up to MJ with a kind smile.

"Don't worry about it, okay? We'll figure it out," May doesn't hesitate to assure. She places her hands on MJ's shoulders and rubs them comfortingly, yet MJ shakes her head.

"No, that's uh, my dad said he'd give me money to buy presents even though I said it was okay because I have some, but he said he would. And he's been so stressed because of the bills and he hasn't been paid yet. So when he forgot I didn't want to be inconsiderate and remind him." She gathers herself more towards the end of her explanation, but lets her curly bangs fall to hide her eyes. Peter, unsure of what to say, glances to Ned who looks back at him with sad eyes. They look back and watch May's course of action.

"I've been there," she starts empathetically, "and I know what it's like to be scared and concerned about if there's going to be food on the table or presents at birthdays. But we keep going and eventually it starts to get better. Nothing is permanent." MJ looks up as if wanting to believe her, but at the same time afraid to hope. Almost a pained skepticism. "We'll make sure everything is okay. I'll pay for the presents, so no more worrying."

"But May-" MJ tries to argue. Her efforts are in vain as she's cut off by May's insistence.

"We have each other's back. You're family. Let's focus on having fun and enjoying it." May's lighthearted morale is back in her voice, which is usually contagious. MJ can't help but be ever-so-slightly relieved and decides to nod gratefully. With a smile, Peter walks over and hooks his arm in hers and Ned follows suit. MJ chuckles and shakes her head fondly.

"Don't get used to all the mushy emotional stuff," she feels the need to point out, but doesn't remove her arms. Peter looks as innocent as always as he shrugs his shoulders.

"We're off to see the wizard?" he suggests, obviously enjoying himself. He doesn't want to see her stressed, so humor is the best option.

"The wonderful Wizard of Oz?" Ned tags on. MJ huffs and rolls her eyes, then continues monotonously with,

"Because of the wonderful things he does." Peter beams happily at them being on the same page, even when MJ adds, "But I'm not singing. Or skipping." Well, Peter can't fault her for that and they finally get to start their holiday shopping. The now chain-linked team follows May into the mall and they get to work on their exciting undertaking.

Throughout the duration of their shopping, they make sure they adhere to the buddy system and switch off depending on who they're getting presents for, with Peter taking pictures of his family being happy the whole time. Ned and MJ shop for Peter together while May helps Peter pick out gifts for his best friends. Ned and Peter find presents to send Shuri as May and MJ search for something to get MJ's dad. They continue to do this until it's time for a break in the food court. The whole time Peter was thinking of what to get Tony, Pepper, and Rhodey for Christmas. He and May already found something for Happy, but he can't decide what to actually get for the rest of them. What do you even get a billionaire who could just buy anything he wants? He already has everything… Then it occurs to him that he technically has an inside source. After taking another quick sip of his cocoa, he whips out his phone.

THE Happy Hogan

Peter: hey Happy!

Happy: Are you bleeding?

Peter: what? no?

Peter: not that i'm aware of

Happy: Are you drowning?

Peter: how would i be able to text while i'm drowning?

Happy: Are you trapped?

Happy: Needing a ride?

Happy: Got yourself in a situation that you're keeping from Tony and want me to handle instead?

Peter: no no and kinda?

Peter: but before you freak out its a good kinda situation! i'm not in trouble i promise! i'm not Spider-Manning rn

Happy: Thank God you almost gave me a heart attack kid

Peter: have i? traumatized you tjat much?

Happy: Last time I didn't answer your calls, a plane crashed

Happy: So, yeah. What do you need?

Peter: i'm out shopping for presents for everyone and I dont knwo what to get for Mr. Stark or Pepper or Colonel Rhodes so I wanted to know if you could help me please?

Happy: As in going window shopping with you or giving you pointers?

Peter: pointers are torally fine!

Peter: or you can come shopping and we can hang out! i'm down for whichever

Peter: itd be kinda cool to hang out since we havent seen each other a bunch but its completely up to you

Happy: Yeah yeah, what time do you want me over?

Peter: 3ish at Queens Center? :)

Happy: Sounds good, I'll be there.

Peter: awesome!

Peter: and dont tell Mr. Stark!

Happy: He's my boss, not my keeper

Particularly pleased with himself after his successful conversation with Happy, Peter and the team get back to shopping on the upper levels. This time around, Peter and Ned start off together looking for stuff for MJ. They have no idea what May and MJ are shopping for, but Peter is focused on his quest to find MJ a gift she'll actually like. Ned, on the other hand, is much more interested.

"Do you think they're shopping for us?" he whispers eagerly as he peers around a clothing rack. Peter chuckles at the excitement and shrugs his shoulder, looking through the graphic t-shirts.

"You never know. They already shopped for me, so maybe they're doing it for you," he proposes. This only makes Ned squeal excitedly in response and widens Peter's smile. A grin that can only be the effect of a best friend, holding up his phone to take a picture of Ned's playful smile, but both his camera and his grin lower when subtle chills dance across his neck. He's becoming all too familiar with that kind of warning. Not a life-threatening one…but an annoying one.

"Sup, dickwad." In all his egocentric glory, Flash walks up to them with a smug expression and shopping bags in his hands. Ned is at a loss for words, but Peter chalks it up to his Patented Parker Luck that never seems to miss a beat. Then again, it is the holidays and this is a popular mall. Flash's eyes immediately land on the backpack slung over Peter's shoulders. "I don't know if you noticed, but we don't have school during winter break. Or are you just that much of a nerd that you can't live without your textbooks?" The angel on Peter's shoulder, probably in the image of May, tells him to let it go and be the bigger person. However, the devil on his shoulder, most likely Tony, tells him to give the jerk a taste of his own medicine. Peter lets the immature jabs roll off him instead of affecting him…but he's also tired of taking the brunt of Flash's insults.

"I'm not a nerd, I'm just smarter than you," he fires back with a fake smile. Ned snorts in surprise and can't help but laugh as shock envelops Flash's face. With eyebrows creased together, he stutters out a retort.

"You think you can just talk to me like that?" he questions indignantly. The embarrassment is evident from the red tint across his face.

"Oh, right!" Peter suddenly snaps his fingers as if recalling something. "I forgot the world revolves around you. My bad." He doesn't need to be picked on when he's supposed to be having a good time with his friends. Flash's eyes widen minutely in surprise, not expecting the remark, but doesn't let it get to him.

"Says the one giving Spider-Man a bad name for clout," he counters bitterly, causing Peter to look at him as if he has two heads. Peter glances back to Ned in confusion, then to Flash again. Is he serious?

"Sorry, you lost me." He practically has whiplash from the quick change of topic.

"That shitty Trumpet News site is posting bad stories about Spider-Man," Flash angrily explains as he pulls out his phone. "They're badmouthing a hero! And you're helping them do it. I thought you'd actually like your pal Spider-Man." Trumpet News…does he mean the Daily Bugle? Peter sighs in exasperation, almost tempted to blatantly ignore him, but plays it cool. Maybe Flash is only blaming him for fun.

"And what does that have to do with me?" As soon as he finishes his question, Flash holds up the phone. The screen shows the Daily Bugle website with the headline: Spider-Man Thwarted Again by Crazed Scorpion. As per usual, the picture of Scorpion is credited to Peter Parker. "Look, all I do is take the pictures," Peter tries to explain. "I don't write the articles." But, unfortunately, Flash isn't ever one to be reasoned with.

"You said you worked with him, so why are you making him look bad?" he demands as he retracts his phone. He actually expresses something akin to betrayal and disappointment as he stares Peter down. It briefly makes Peter wonder why Flash would be so bothered by it, despite his obvious love for his superhero alter ego. And yet, the thoughts are forgotten when Flash opens his mouth again. "You already got enough attention! Was being Tony Stark's only high school intern not enough?! Or knowing the Avengers?! Now you're okay with selling out?!" His yells capture the attention of several shoppers who glance at the teens in varied levels of hesitant concern and annoyance. They don't pay any particular attention to the words, but most wouldn't believe a high schooler interning for Tony Stark anyway. None, probably.

Ned watches them with a stunned gaze while the gears turn in Peter's head. It isn't difficult to figure out that Flash is jealous, but Peter always thought it was about knowing Tony or having an in with the Avengers. It's not about that, though. It's the attention. Flash can't stand the amount of attention Peter gets from being a Stark intern and now from the Bugle.

"You…you're lonely," Peter says once it dawns on him. The unexpecting Flash almost recoils at the assumption. "You don't like that I'm getting attention. This whole time it hasn't been about, about getting the internship, it's getting recognized by Mr. Stark. And getting friends and then the job at the Daily Bugle…you just want someone to pay attention." His eyes don't waver from Flash's shocked face. He doesn't know why he hasn't seen it all before, but it makes complete sense now. And then he recalls that night… "No one was at Washington to pick you up, either," he mumbles. Flash and MJ were both waiting, albeit a ways apart from each other, because their parents hadn't come yet. In fact, he hasn't ever seen Flash's parents. Flash does his best to gather his previous bravado, but it comes out shaky.

"You don't know what you're talking about, Parker." His voice cracks with uncertainty, yet he doesn't give in. Peter, on the other hand, appears to be following a string of epiphanies. This time, he smiles ever so slightly.

"You don't have to be mean to get people's attention, man. Trust me, being nice goes a long way. More than you think. And, y'know, that's how you get good friends. Not the ones who don't care, ones that have your back." He looks over his shoulder at Ned who smiles and gives him an encouraging thumbs up. When he looks back, he can see the internal conflict across Flash's face, eyebrows pulled together and a clenched jaw. Flash glances between the two of them almost in a panic, then, without a word, takes his bags and frantically leaves.

"…Do you think he's okay?" Ned asks after a few silent seconds. There's concern in his voice, something Peter can relate to. It doesn't excuse Flash's actions, but it puts them into perspective. It makes sense.

"I don't know," Peter answers honestly. "I hope so." He just wishes he could help somehow, because no one deserves to be alone. Maybe Spider-Man can help him out…

"Hey," Ned interrupts his thought process, "May said they're ready to go ice skating when we are." Peter nods mutely in acknowledgement as he debates whether or not he should actually do what he's thinking of. Would that be abusing my superheroness? Or is it okay since it's technically for a good reason? I wonder if there's a Being a Superhero for Dummies book…

Regardless of his mental considerations, he and Ned meet back up with May and MJ to head to the ice skating rink. The nearest one is City Ice Pavilion, but Wollman Rink is cheaper and who could pass up ice skating in Central Park? Peter texts Happy where they'll be, first running the idea by May, and lets him know they'll probably be an hour or two. He has no trouble effortlessly skating across the ice but that's purely due to his "extracurricular activities," as MJ is quick to point out. She clings to the rink's barrier with wobbly legs and Ned isn't far behind her. May is the only non-powered one in the group to be smoothly skating, which comes with years of practice. Despite Ned's lack of balance, he has a grin on his face and enough optimism for both himself and MJ. By the time they finish, the two feel comfortable skating without gripping the barrier for dear life.

"Sure you don't wanna come say hi to Happy?" Peter asks with a smile innocent enough to fool almost anyone. Almost. May is usually an exception.

"Nice try," she commends, yet doesn't give in. "You go have fun. I'll take MJ and Ned home. And be home before dark." The last bit she adds in a parental tone, conveying her condition without being too stern. The four of them pile all the presents they bought into the car as they converse.

"I know, I promise," Peter assures with his usual, award-winning smile. He says goodbye to Ned and MJ, promising to text them later, and jogs across the parking lot to Happy's parked car. Following a light knock on the window, Happy unlocks the doors and Peter slides in. "Hey, Happy!" he greets, his cheeriness at its usual maximum. That's something that tends to contradict Happy's aloof nature, but this time he's eager to talk.

"Hi, kid," he returns as he uses his rear view mirror to back out of the space. "Did your aunt like the book?" Peter can tell he's trying to be casual and nonchalant, even if it isn't coming across that way. He chuckles and pats Happy's shoulder to show his support.

"She loved it, man. She was reading it this morning and everything." The teen notices the way Happy sighs in relief and realizes that maybe, just maybe, he might really like May.

Thank you for reading! ❤️️ 💛💚💙💜

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