Author's Note: Another day, another Spider-Man story. I've lost count on how many I've made so far, lol. Anyway, greetings to all my usual readers. And to the people who are new to reading my fics, hello there! By reading the summary, you guys should know that this is a Spider-ManXJeanGrey fanfic. As usual, this is my own created universe, but I'm taking inspiration from a lot of things. With that being said, I hope y'all enjoy the chapter.
Tangled in Flames
Intro Music: X-Men (2000) - Main Theme
Chapter 1: A Life Left Behind
New York City
BGM: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse - Hide Instrumental
The door clicked shut behind Jean Grey with a hollow finality. She let out a slow breath as she set her bag down by the entrance of her apartment, rolling her stiff shoulders. The day had been long—lecturing for hours, grading papers, and answering questions from students who saw her as nothing more than Professor Grey, their biology instructor. It was a role she had settled into, a life she had carved out for herself, away from what she once was. Away from what she could still become.
Her fingers ran through her long, red hair as she moved through the apartment, flicking on a single lamp. It was a warm space, comfortable and inviting, yet it still felt foreign to her. It wasn't the X-Mansion. It lacked the distant hum of Cerebro, the laughter of old friends in the hallways, and the constant sense of purpose that had once defined her.
It was just her.
Jean moved toward the small kitchen, pouring herself a glass of water, but the silence pressed against her like a weight, heavy and unrelenting.
She had chosen this life, convinced herself it was necessary. She told herself that the Phoenix, the volatile force that had intertwined with her soul, was too dangerous to risk being near those she loved. The memories of battles fought alongside the X-Men, the bonds she had formed, the love she had known—she had severed them all to keep them safe. But in doing so, she had isolated herself in a way she had never imagined.
She had once believed she could thrive in this new life, that leaving the X-Mansion would grant her the peace she so desperately sought. But peace was elusive when you carried destruction within you.
The Phoenix was still there. It always had been. And despite all her efforts to suppress it, to push it deep down where it couldn't hurt anyone, she could feel it simmering beneath the surface. Waiting.
Jean shook her head, pushing the thoughts aside. Dwelling on them wouldn't change anything. She made her choice for a reason. It had to be the right one.
With a sigh, she walked toward her bedroom, her body aching for rest. She changed into more comfortable clothes and slipped under the covers, hoping—praying—for just one peaceful night. But as her eyes fluttered shut, the familiar darkness of sleep pulled her under, and with it came the nightmares.
Fire.
It engulfed everything. The X-Mansion, her friends, the city, the world—burning in an endless inferno. She saw their faces, twisted in fear, screaming her name before being swallowed by the flames. The heat was unbearable, but what was worse was the sensation of power coursing through her, uncontrolled and unstoppable. She tried to fight it, tried to rein it in, but the Phoenix never listened. It consumed, devoured, and demanded more.
Planets crumbled to dust. The universe bled light as stars exploded under her wrath. She was destruction incarnate, and no force in existence could stop her.
Her own scream jolted her awake.
Jean shot upright, her body drenched in sweat, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps. Her chest heaved as she clutched her forehead, eyes wide as she tried to ground herself in the present. It was just a nightmare. But the problem was, nightmares weren't supposed to feel so real.
She ran a shaky hand through her hair, exhaling slowly. Even after all this time, it never got easier. She had trained herself to accept this as part of her reality, but that didn't mean she had grown used to it.
Sleep was no longer an option.
Pushing off the bed, Jean walked toward the window. The moon hung high in the sky, casting its silver glow over the city. It was a peaceful sight, one that contrasted everything she felt inside.
She unlatched the window, letting the cool night air wash over her before she lifted herself into the sky, her telekinetic energy carrying her weightless into the night. Rising above the apartment complex, she settled onto the rooftop, crossing her legs as she gazed at the moon.
The world was quiet from up here. The chaos, the fire, the destruction—it all felt far away, distant like the stars.
But she knew the truth.
No matter how far she ran, no matter how much she tried to suppress it, the Phoenix was always within her.
And one day, it would rise again.
Meanwhile, with Spider-Man…
The cool night air rushed past Peter Parker as he soared between the towering buildings of New York City, the familiar hum of the city beneath him. The rhythmic thwip of his web-shooters echoed softly in the night, his body flipping effortlessly through the sky. The rush of it never got old—the freedom, the adrenaline, the sheer joy of swinging through the city like it was his personal playground.
"Ah, another night, another successful patrol," Peter quipped to himself, twisting midair before landing on the side of a glass skyscraper. He took a moment to survey the city, satisfied with a job well done. "Stopped a mugging, webbed up a car thief, and even managed to get most of my normal-person tasks done today. Not too shabby, Parker!"
As he continued swinging, he started listing off his earlier accomplishments. "Let's see, I paid my phone bill, checked in on Aunt May, and… oh no." His voice dropped as realization hit him.
Rent.
His eyes widened beneath the mask. "Oh, come on! I knew I was forgetting something!" He groaned, already picturing the unimpressed scowl of his landlord. "If I don't pay it soon, Mr. Ditkovich might actually evict me. But hey, maybe he won't? I mean, sure, he's always grumpy, but deep down, he's gotta have a soft spot for ol' Peter Parker, right? Right?"
Peter sighed, already knowing the answer. He needed to scrape together the money—fast.
But before he could stress about that any further, something caught his eye.
BGM: Spider-Man 2002 OST - Backyard Connection
A familiar figure sat atop an apartment complex, illuminated by the pale glow of the moon. The long, flowing red hair, the stillness in her posture—Jean.
Peter's swinging slowed as confusion settled in. Jean Grey? Sitting alone on a rooftop, away from the X-Mansion? That wasn't something he expected to see. The last time he'd run into the X-Men, she had been right there alongside them, always in the thick of it. Seeing her here, alone, looking so… distant, it didn't sit right with him.
His curiosity got the better of him. Adjusting his web-line, Peter gracefully landed on the rooftop a short distance behind her, his movements light and deliberate. He hesitated for a brief moment, unsure of how to approach the situation.
Then, softly, he spoke.
"…Jean?"
Jean turned at the sound of her name, her green eyes meeting Peter's through his mask. Her expression held a flicker of surprise, as if she hadn't expected anyone to find her. More than that, though, there was something else beneath the surface—something Peter immediately noticed. A sadness.
She forced a small smile, a polite gesture that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Hey, Peter."
Peter's chest tightened slightly. He knew that kind of smile. He had worn it himself plenty of times, whenever he was trying to convince the world that everything was fine when it really wasn't.
A sense of concern stirred in Peter's chest. He wasn't sure what was going on with her, but something was clearly weighing heavily on her.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice gentle but sincere.
Jean paused. Her gaze flickered briefly before she turned her attention back to the moon, as if the night sky held the answers she was searching for. The silence stretched between them, and for a long moment, Peter simply waited.
Finally, Jean spoke. "I'm trying to be okay," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Peter's heart sank at her words. It was clear to him now that something was wrong. She was trying to convince herself, but the cracks in her facade were visible.
He took a few slow steps forward, stopping just beside her. He didn't rush to fill the silence with questions. Instead, he sat down next to her, mimicking her gaze toward the moon. They sat together, side by side, the weight of unspoken thoughts filling the space between them.
After a moment, Peter broke the quiet, his voice light but caring. "So, uh, what brings you up here, if you don't mind me asking? I thought you were still at the X-Mansion."
Jean didn't immediately respond. Peter could see the hesitation on her face, the thought process playing behind her eyes. Finally, she let out a sigh and spoke softly. "I'm trying to keep the X-Men safe."
Peter didn't push further. He could tell there was more to the story, but he didn't want to press her. Not now. He made a mental note to himself to find out another time.
For now, he just wanted to be there for her.
After a pause, Peter tilted his head slightly, trying to think of a way to lighten the mood. He finally arrived at an idea. "So... you going anywhere tonight?"
Jean's eyebrow arched, intrigued. "No. Why?"
Peter grinned beneath his mask, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I can't tell you yet. It's a surprise."
He stood up quickly, brushing off his hands. "But I'll be back. Wait here."
Before Jean could say anything, Peter shot out a web, using it to swing through the air and disappear into the night.
Jean watched him go, her curiosity piqued, and for the first time in a while, a tiny spark of hope stirred within her. Maybe Peter's surprise would bring some distraction, because Lord knows she needs it right now.
Sometime Later…
BGM: Kingdom Hearts II - Lazy Afternoons
Jean remained on the rooftop, her arms loosely wrapped around her legs as she continued to gaze at the moon. The gentle night breeze brushed against her skin, and while she was alone again, she no longer felt as isolated as she had moments before.
Her mind wandered back to Peter's sudden departure. "A surprise, huh?" she mused to herself. She had no idea what he had in mind, and yet, a part of her was genuinely curious. It was a strange feeling—one she hadn't expected to have tonight.
Not too long after, she heard the familiar thwip of a web-shooter, followed by the soft landing of Peter gracefully touching down on the rooftop once more. Jean turned her head toward him, and immediately, her eyes were drawn to the object in his hands.
A pizza box.
Peter tilted his head slightly, a grin forming under his mask as he casually said, "Pizza time."
Jean blinked before letting out a soft laugh. A real laugh. One that she hadn't let out in what felt like forever. It wasn't forced or bitter—it was genuine, natural.
Peter caught the sound of it, and even though she couldn't see his face, she could tell he was smiling beneath his mask. He had done something right.
He walked over and sat beside her again, holding out the box between them. His voice was gentle when he spoke. "You know, pizza's always managed to cheer me up whenever I'm feeling down. So, I figured... maybe it could do the same for you."
Jean's expression softened. His kindness was effortless, and yet it meant so much.
"You didn't have to do this, Peter," she murmured.
Peter shook his head. "Nah, I wanted to. And, well... everyone deserves a pizza break now and then."
Jean absorbed his words, and she couldn't help but smile warmly at him. It was a simple gesture, but it held so much heart. She had spent so long isolating herself, convincing herself that she needed to be alone—but in this moment, she was reminded of how much she needed a friend.
"You're sweet," she told him sincerely. "Thank you."
Peter smiled under his mask. "No problem."
Silence settled between them for a brief moment, but this time, it wasn't awkward or heavy. It was comfortable.
Then, slowly, Jean leaned just a little closer, her gaze meeting Peter's masked face. Her voice was soft, carrying a warmth that he hadn't heard from her all night.
"You're a good man, and a good friend."
Before Peter could fully process her words, Jean leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on his masked cheek. It was brief, light as a feather, but the gesture was filled with appreciation.
Peter froze for a second, his mind short-circuiting. He definitely hadn't expected that. But as the initial shock wore off, a warmth spread through his chest. Jean's words, her gratitude—they meant something.
Clearing his throat, Peter tried to get back on track. "Ahem. Well, uh… should probably eat this pizza before it gets cold, right?"
Jean chuckled at his reaction, shaking her head slightly. "Yeah, I'd say that's a good idea."
Peter flipped the box open, revealing a classic pepperoni pizza. The mouthwatering aroma filled the air, and he turned the box toward Jean. "You first."
Jean smiled, appreciating his thoughtfulness. "Thanks, Peter."
She reached forward and grabbed a slice, taking a bite. The flavors hit her instantly—warm, cheesy, and just the right amount of spice from the pepperoni. She took a moment to savor it before nodding in approval.
"This is good," she said, the smallest hint of delight in her voice.
Peter grinned, and slightly lifted his mask to reveal his mouth, proceeding to take a slice for himself so he could eat as well. "Told ya. Pizza never fails."
Moments Later…
BGM: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse - Calling Instrumental
The rooftop remained quiet, save for the distant hum of the city below. Peter and Jean sat side by side, finishing the last few slices of pizza together. The warm, cheesy comfort of the meal paired with their quiet companionship had made for a moment of peace—something Jean hadn't realized she needed so badly.
As Peter took his final bite, he leaned back slightly, patting his stomach with satisfaction. "Man, that hit the spot." He pulled the lower half of his mask back over his mouth, a small habit whenever he wasn't actively eating.
Jean gave a small nod, agreeing with him. "It really did."
Peter reached behind him and placed the now-empty pizza box out of the way before settling back into his spot beside Jean. Silence followed—not the awkward kind, but a peaceful, mutual understanding. They simply gazed at the moon, letting the moment linger.
Every now and then, Peter would steal a quick glance at Jean, only to turn his attention back to the night sky. And, unbeknownst to him, Jean was doing the same. It wasn't intentional, nor did either of them feel the need to say anything about it.
Jean let out a quiet exhale, her eyes fixed on the glowing moon. She realized something.
She felt comfortable.
For the first time in a long time, her mind wasn't spiraling into the dark corners of her fears. The weight of the Phoenix, the isolation she had forced upon herself—it all seemed distant, if only for a moment. Peter had unknowingly given her a reprieve from it all.
Without thinking too much about it, Jean allowed herself to lean to the side, resting her shoulder against Peter's.
Peter felt the contact, and though he didn't say anything, it was clear he didn't mind. He stayed still, letting her rest against him.
Internally, however, he found himself in a debate.
"Should I...?"
The thought of wrapping an arm around her shoulders crossed his mind. It wasn't an unfamiliar gesture—something simple, something friendly—but would it be okay? Would it ruin the moment?
He thought about it longer than he probably should have, overanalyzing every possible reaction she could have. But then, as he looked at Jean, who was still quietly watching the moon with a sense of calmness he hadn't seen from her earlier, he decided to take a leap of faith.
Slowly, gently, Peter moved his arm, draping it around Jean's shoulders.
Jean didn't tense, didn't pull away.
She didn't mind.
Peter let out a quiet mental sigh of relief, his own shoulders relaxing as they continued to sit together, bathed in the soft glow of the city lights.
Neither of them spoke. They didn't need to.
They just watched the moon, finding solace in the presence of each other in the city that never sleeps.
And for tonight, that was enough.
END OF CHAPTER 1: A LIFE LEFT BEHIND
BGM: Spider-Man TAS (1994) - Ending Theme
Wolverine: You better get your girl before the web-head ends up taking her, boy scout.
Cyclops: Excuse me?
Spider-Man: Can we not do this right now?
Jean: Oh brother…
Next time on Tangled in Flames!
*Cricket Noises*
Spider-Man: Boy, the author is terrible at coming up with names for the next chapter.
Author's Note: Well, how was that, guys? Hopefully, y'all enjoyed the chapter, and if you did, then make sure to give this story a FOLLOW and a FAVORITE! Don't forget to READ AND REVIEW! Until I update this again, make sure to check out my other fics as well. I'll see y'all next time. Excelsior!