There's something about Peter...

Chapter 2

By Shimo Ino

"If you worked one day in your life–!!"

"At least I don't drink every hour–!!"

The end of the yell's were shut out, but barely, by the clattering of the screen doors. The redhead ran down the steps, teetering every few feet, clutching her hand to her cheek.

Mary Jane rand into the chain-link fence, the same as she had for years. A sod began to erupt in her throat. Why? Why did she keep coming back? She had her own place now, her own life!! Why?!

"MJ?" Her eyes snapped open, almost guiltily zooming over to where Peter, her seemingly eternal neighbor stood, trashbag in hand.

"P-Peter?...what are you doing here?" Mary Jane immediately chastised herself. Aunt May! She felt even worse for pointing out his Aunt's decorating health.

He shrugged, the usual answer. "I had to get some groceries for Aunt May. She's sick with a cold, and she wont know that I paid for them instead."

Despite herself and the situation, Mary Jane chuckled. "Always the hero, right?"

A smile graced his lips. "Do you want to come in?" When she began to refuse, he continued. "I've got hot chocolate."

Same old Peter. "Sure."

--

As they sat down in the small kitchen, Mary Jane realized with relief that her hand was still plastered against her left cheek.

"Here." The brunette held out a ziplock bag filled with ice. She took it without a word and pressed it to her cheek.

Peter busied himself with the stove, and MJ let her eyes wander around the home. China sets of plates and cups, pictures of Peter, herself, and the deceased Uncle Ben hung almost everywhere. It was almost frightening to the readhead about how many 'Family Portraits' they had. Where did they find the time?

She was broken out of her thoughts by a large white mug being set on the counter in front of her. Peter sat across from her, an identical mug in hand.

There was silence for a few minutes, neither one of them willing to break it.

"...So, where's Aunt May?"

"Oh," Peter looked up hastily. "She's sleeping, you know how medicine works, and with her taking so much of it..." He trailed off helplessly.

"Ah." There wasn't much to say to that. In fact, there was absolutely nothing to say to that. A sip of the hot drink.

"Is your cheek alright now?"

Her head snapped up, the hand reflexively going up to touch her cheek. But he hadn't looked up. His gaze was still on his full mug. "A slap like that would give you enough reason to press charges you know." He looked up. His eyes were so pleading, almost as if he had to go through what she did.

"I know you, Aunt May, this entire block, and many other people want me to ake some sort of revenge, or sue them or something like that but...I cant."

She looked into his eyes, green on hazel. "They're my family. He's my father. She's my mother. No matter what they do or say, or how much I want to just go and never come back, or how much I may hate them...I don't think I can." Shoulders slumped, and her head went into her palms. "I hate coming back here, for whatever flimsy excuse I can come up with..." Tears were pouring out of her eyes now, and Mary Jane let the sobs escape her throat.

She hears Peter's chair move and his shoes tap against the floor before being engulfed in his arms.

"Shhhh..." he hushed, pulling up a chair next to her, holding the crying girl steady. It wasn't until a few seconds later that he spoke.

"I can understand what you're saying. I can understand loving a person, even if they've hurt you horribly, but I still don't–no wont agree with that you're saying."

Mary Jane hiccuped. She looked up and Peter's eyes were filled with remorse and hurt.

"Mary Jane...I don't think that it's enough that you love them. Both of them are past the point where love can make them feel any better."

She squeezed her eye's shut and clung on to him like a lifeline.

"I cant tell you what to do Mary Jane. I wish I could but...all I can say to you is to start living."

--

"Do you want me to call you a cab?" Peter asked helpfully.

"No, I think I'll walk," the brunette raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"No, nothing! You know walking alone, in the dead of night when it's below 40. It's one of the best ideas you've come up with."

Mary Jane laughed. "I just want some fresh air Peter. I'll be fine." She gave a small wave, and walked down the street.

The blocks went be quickly, and MJ slowed her pace. He mind was on what Peter told her. The redhead looked to the starry-filled sky.

"Start living hun?"

TBC

Up next! Either Venom, Wolverine or Queen. I'm not sure yet cause I've got the beginnings of them already. But if you want to you can vote!