Lexi rocked gently back and forth on her heels as she waited for Peter to open the door. It was still chilly outside, snow falling and Christmas was poking its head around the corner. A smile moved across her face as she saw a few of the neighborhood kids playing on the streets throwing snowballs at each other and wearing Spider-Man jackets. Peter truly was a hero in the eyes of the city, though people were still skeptical, the children never seemed to lost faith in him. He was a hero to many, and a hero to her. But it wasn’t just Spider-Man that was her hero; it truly was Peter Parker.

Hurried footsteps echoed towards the door and the raven haired girl turned her attention quickly to the door as the handle jiggled. A smile moved across her full lips at the sight of her boyfriend, though stepping into the house she wasn’t quite sure where this was going. Her gaze moved around, no greeting from Aunt May, the lights were dimmed and the place seemed to have a dramatic feel. When he began she didn’t really want to look at him; oh god, was this the break up meeting?! But when he began to explain exactly what was so important, her body relaxed and she turned to face him with a tender closed lipped smile.  

Following him into the kitchen she found a rather unexpected (but kind of needed) surprise awaiting her. Walking to the plate with the framed photo she had asked for, she picked it up with both hands. Her thumb gently ran along the frame of the picture as she examined their smiling faces. From the time the picture was taken until now, they had been through a lot and yet here they were, standing with each other surrounded by the smell of grill cheese and French fries/tater tots with a dimmed romantic light and the cheesy rose in the middle of the table. For all that was said and done, this was something they needed; something they needed together and not in their Super-Hero personas. 

“We’ve been through a lot…” She began softly, almost talking to the picture more than she was talking to Peter. “Traditional relationships don’t involve fighting crime and free-falling off a thirty story building for giggles.” A small laugh left her as she placed the picture gently down next to her plate and turned to Peter. “I don’t need blue and red spandex, I don’t need super-speed or web shooters.” She stepped to him, “I don’t need a crime fighting hero, I just need my best friend and my boyfriend.” Slipping her arms around his neck, she leaned gently against him, “Peter Parker is not a part of Spider-Man. Spider-Man is a part of Peter Parker. Give or take that part; it’s not who I fell in love with. I fell in love with Peter Parker and even if Spider-Man goes away; it’s not going to stop me from loving you.”

She rested her head gently on his shoulder, her fingers dancing along his back as she faced his neck. “We’ll get passed this; it’s just a relationship bump that all couples face. It’s just… as we are far from a ‘normal’ couple; our problems are just a bit different. But…” She pulled her head off of his shoulder, looking up at him with her bright blue eyes. “We will get through it and be stronger than ever.” Leaning up, she gave him a gentle loving kiss before pulling back, sniffing the air. “I think the fries and tater tots are done. I probably should let you go so they don’t burn…” She said with a laugh as she slid herself out of Peter’s arms and pulled out her chair at the table. This should be a good night.