Thoughtfulness
"Peeeterrr pleeeeeasssse! Just one more store!"
"C'mon MJ! We've been to like every bodega in Queens!"
"Yea, but I still haven't found what I'm looking for!"
"What are you even looking for?"
"…I'll know it when I see it. It has to be perfect!"
As he looked into her pleading green eyes, Peter couldn't help but melt and let his best friend indulge a bit. He nodded his head resulting in a squeal from Mary Jane as she grabbed his hand and continued to drag him to the next store.
"I still don't get why I have to come along on your wild goose chase," he rolled his eyes a little.
"What? Don't you wanna spend time with little old me?" she pouted mockingly.
"I-I do! It's just….I don't really understand my purpose here."
"Trust me, Tiger. You are a very integral part."
After walking a few more blocks, the pair arrived at yet another quaint little bodega. Mary Jane practically barged into the store with poor Peter trailing along. While he still had no idea what Mary Jane was hunting for, he did appreciate finding all these cool knick-knacks in the various shops around Queens. Up to this point, his favorite finds had been a ceramic statue of Winnie the Pooh, a hot chocolate mug with a slit at the bottom to hold cookies, and interestingly enough a Christmas tree with Spider-Man at the top. He hung around the scented candles section as Mary Jane rummaged through what looked like a rack of jackets and sweaters. Without him noticing, she picked up a jacket and held it up to look at it.
"Peter, would you turn around for me please?"
"Huh? Uhhh ok."
With one eye, Mary Jane tried to match the color to his face. It was dark blue with warm fleece lining. It had leather patches on the elbows and shoulders. The zipper was gold and there was even a little pocket inside the breast.
"Tiger, come here for a second."
Confused, Peter walked over and was shocked when Mary Jane tightly hugged him.
"Uhhh MJ? Red? Everything ok?"
"Mmmm hmm. Just peachy. I wanted to thank you for letting me drag you all over the place."
While Peter returned the hug, he found it odd that Mary Jane was being rather touchy. Her hands roamed all around his torso. They trailed up his sides and when they broke apart, she was tracing his shoulders.
"Uhh no problem. But does this mean you found what you were looking for?" Peter asked.
"I think so. All I have to do is try it on!"
"Wait, we've been looking for a jacket this entire time?!"
"I told you. It had to be perfect," she teased with a wink and her tongue sticking out.
Peter rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"Y'know we coulda gone to like Macy's or something if you wanted a jacket," he shrugged.
"Yea but, there's just something cute about these little shops. Besides, all the stuff at Macy's is super overpriced. Sometimes you can haggle with the prices in these local stores."
"I guess."
"I'm gonna try this on now."
"Cool."
Awkwardly, neither teen moved from their spot. Peter kept his hands in his pockets while Mary Jane bit her lip trying to come up with a plan.
"Tiger, would you mind waiting outside?"
"Huh?"
"Well I'm going to go try this on and I don't want to keep you waiting. It's been a long day."
"I mean it's alright. I kinda wanna see what's so special about this jacket you've been scouring for."
"No! Uhh I mean, I want to try it on, but I don't want to show it off just yet. Like uh when I want you to see me in it, I want to have the perfect outfit paired with it. So basically, no prying eyes!"
"….That just seems like a lot of work, MJ. I'm sure you'd look stunning in anything."
For half a second, Mary Jane was speechless. Her cheeks reddened slightly as she brushed some of her hair back. Blinking a few times to regain her composure, she put on a brilliant smile.
"Ever the charmer, aren't you Peter. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were trying to join me in the fitting room and sneak a peek. You wanna know what color bra I'm wearing?"
"C'mon MJ!"
"Hehehehe. How about this? I'm starting to get hungry. Can you go over to that diner across the street and get a table? I'll finish up here and meet you over there. Kay?"
"Uhh alright. You want me to order you anything?"
"Uhh let's just start with some lemonade. See you soon?"
"See you soon."
Mary Jane watched as Peter left the store. After confirming that he was indeed gone, she scurried over to the salesperson and placed the jacket on the counter.
"Hi! How much for this jacket?"
A week later, Peter laid curled up in his bed under a blanket burrito. He had gotten home late last night after dealing with a break-in at Oscorp. Some bozo hijacked an experimental exo-suit and really gave Peter a run for his money. Though battered and bruised, Spider-Man got the better of the thief and swung away. Still, all he wanted to do was stay in bed as his sore body healed itself.
"Peter dear, would you come down, please?" Aunt May called out from downstairs.
Trying to ignore his aunt, Peter curled deeper into his blanket.
"Peter?" his aunt tried again.
This time, he wrapped the blanket around his head to muffle the noise.
"PETER PARKER YOU COME DOWN HERE THIS INSTANT! MARY JANE IS HERE, AND IT IS IMPOLITE TO KEEP A LADY WAITING!"
Jolted awake by the shouting (and the fact that MJ was here), Peter practically jumped out of bed. He quickly stripped his suit off and put on some sweatpants and a long-sleeved shirt. He brushed his hair a little and inspected his face for any cuts and bruises. Once satisfied with how he looked, he rushed out the door and ran down the stairs.
"There he is!" Aunt May smiled, "Now I have to make a quick grocery run, but you two kids have fun. Peter, no funny business!"
"Aunt May!" Peter whined at the teasing.
"Hehe don't worry, Aunt May. Peter has always been a gentleman."
Satisfied with their answers, Aunt May left the two friends by themselves in the house. Checking to see if Aunt May was out of earshot, Mary Jane cheekily grinned.
"Although, Tiger, you don't always have to be a gentleman. I bet you can put the 'fun' in 'funny business'," she winked.
"MJ not you too!"
"Hehe you're just too easy sometimes."
After getting over being teased by both his aunt and his best friend, Peter went to the kitchen to grab Mary Jane a drink. When he came back with a glass of orange juice, he realized she was holding a present.
"What's with the box, MJ? You going to a party or something afterwards?"
For some reason, she didn't answer. She gave him a look of stunned confusion. She tilted her head waiting to see if Peter would say anything else.
"What?" he asked.
"Peter…do you really not know what today is?"
"Uhhh National Fried Chicken Day?"
"….Peter do you not know your own birthday?"
Peter froze on the spot. He stopped and tried to figure out what day it was. Yesterday was the Oscorp break-in. Day before was that mugging. Day before that was showing a Cuban lady how to get to Central Park and then getting a free churro. Was that Wednesday? No, it was Thursday. Thursday then Friday then Saturday.
"Oh my God today's my birthday," Peter exclaimed, "I-uh wow. It must have just slipped my mind."
"Well luckily, I remembered like the girlfr- uh BEST friend that I am! Besides, I'm pretty sure Aunt May went to get groceries to cook you your favorites."
"Wow geez. You both are always so good to me. I'm guessing the present is mine?"
"Yup! Open it!"
Peter gladly took the gift from MJ. It was a large box with red wrapping paper and a bright blue bow on top. He chuckled at how similar the colors were to his Spider-Man costume. Wait why was the color scheme similar to his suit? Eh probably a coincidence. Being careful, he gently unwrapped the box not wanting to tear the paper. When he opened it, he was surprised to see the same blue jacket he saw Mary Jane holding in the bodega a week ago.
"Wait, Mary Jane, isn't this your jacket?"
"Peter, please. Have you no sense of style? This is a guy's jacket."
"But….for me?"
"Of course! Happy Birthday!" she leaned in to kiss his cheek.
"Wow MJ. You really didn't have to. I bet this was pretty pricey."
"Nah it's ok. I've been saving up from my shifts at McDonald's. It's getting cold soon and I saw how your current jacket looked kinda worn and old."
"Wait so is that why we went all over town? You wanted to find me a birthday present?"
"Heheh you caught me."
"And I had to tag along because…"
"Well how else was I gonna figure out your size."
"Hahah you're pretty sneaky."
"Wait till you look inside. Check the breast pocket."
Peter opened the jacket and continued to be astonished. His hands traced over the gold embroidered letters. He couldn't stop staring at the neat handiwork. "Peter Parker, My Tiger" was sewn right into the lining in cursive font. Seeing him blush made Mary Jane almost squeal again giddily. Tempering her excitement, she leaned over to trace her fingers across the letters.
"I had Aunt Anna teach me how to embroider. I wanted to give you the perfect gift. The jacket was nice, but I hoped that my own personal touch made it better."
"Mary Jane, it's perfect. Thank you so much!"
He leaned in to hug her closely. Happily, she held him close trying to memorize every touch and warmth from him.
"Y'know, I was planning on doing this later, but now seems like a really good time," Peter said as they broke the hug.
"Huh?"
"Wait right here."
Peter scurried back upstairs leaving MJ confused and bewildered on the couch. A couple minutes later, he returned holding his own box. It was smaller and not yet wrapped, but it held MJ's intrigue all the same.
"So, you weren't the only one looking for the perfect present," Peter admitted, "And with your birthday only a few days away, I figured, Happy Early Birthday!"
Her look of shock slowly melted and morphed into the biggest smile she could muster. She practically leapt off the couch and lunged at Peter. Though with surprising speed, he spun and dodged her while she stumbled forward.
"Peter Parker! You tease! Give it!"
She lunged again at him. This time, playing nice, he let her catch him as they landed on the couch. But he still held her gift at arm's length.
"Give it Peter!"
"Not until you say please!"
"PLEASE!"
Finally relenting, he sat up and handed her the present. She removed the lid revealing a beautiful silk scarf. The red fabric shined brightly in her face. Her fingers felt the softness of the silk and traveled down the length finding an embroidered tiger at the end.
"So, admittedly, I didn't sew the tiger on there, but I just thought this would look great on you," Peter sheepishly explained.
"It's beautiful. But it's silk. Peter, this must have been so expensive!"
"This coming from a girl who bought me a jacket?"
"Peter!"
"It's alright haha. The store manager took pity on me and got me a discount."
"Well, thank you, Tiger. Speaking of, kinda narcissistic getting me a tiger scarf hmm?"
"Like you said. A personal touch makes it all the better."
At that moment, somehow Mary Jane almost thought Peter glowed. Her eyes were drawn to his brown eyes, his sharp jawline, his honest smile. Likewise, Peter couldn't take his eyes off Mary Jane. Her fiery red hair, her cute freckles, her ruby red lips. Both of them slowly leaned forward as if attracted by magnets. Closer and closer they got. They could almost feel each other's breath.
*CLICK*
"My God the nerve of people these days! It's just cranberry sauce. Would you believe I had to beat someone off with a stick to get it? Sheesh!" Aunt May huffed as she entered back into the house with a bag of groceries. Looking towards the couch, she saw Peter and Mary Jane sitting on opposite sides. Both of their faces were burning red.
"….What I miss?"
AN: Lolol a second Spidey one-shot? What can I say, I just have a few ideas. I actually struggled a little bit cuz I had to hold back on making it super super romantic. I wanted to leave a door open in case I wanted to make this a full on-going story. So for now they're just "best friends". I may or may not do like a build up to full on dating. Unclear just yet :/ Either way, hope yall enjoyed the read!