[IC] Spider-Man: Childhood Friends (Jones Sparrow and EasilyAmused)

[Jones Sparrow]

Peter nodded at her first question of are you okay. "Yeah, I'm perfectly fine... the paramedics promised me a ride in their truck sometime!" He said with a enthusiasm. "Well, if you were causing mayhem you'd see more and more of me stopping by... I'm not promoting mayhem in my city." He added with a fake stern voice. God she smelled and looked amazing, and knew how to keep a guy smiling. "Its no problem, it'll be my new segment in the school paper, right? 'Ask the Spider!'" Spider-Man probably wasn't going to get that section, but Peter thought it would be funny, so he couldn't resist saying it.

When asked the first question he leaned back. "Well... I was given this gift..." He hesitated... could he tell the truth? the truth wasn't pleasant, and it would give people something to hold against him... "i used it for rather stupid and selfish reasons, i admit... Then i lost someone extremely close to me. and i realized 'with great power comes great responsibility' i didn't want people losing their loved ones, or having to have that constant fear while walking alone in the streets... that a good answer? I can always rephrase it or something. You know, keep it a bit more happy if you want." He said, a bit of nervousness in his voice, he guessed there was a reason he didn't get interviewed often.

[EasilyAmused]

When he started talking she leaned forward, wishing that he was closer so she could listen to him easier but now didn’t seem like the time to bring it up. As he started to talk, she wrote down what he had said. A small smile moved across her lips when he asked if it was a good answer. “It’s a fine answer.” She said brightly to him, her gaze moved upward as she watched the masked vigilante in front of her. Her heart slammed against her chest as she looked at him, gaze quickly moved away from him and back down to her pad. “We’ll put that as the first question in the Ask the Spider column.” A smile moved across her face.

“I think it’s good for people to see a human side of you.” She said with a small nod. “But I’m sorry you had to deal with something so tragic though, no one deserves that.” Another nod left her as she let out a small sigh. She wasn’t quite wanting to have the questions go that route but if that’s how he wished to answer it, that’s how she was going to tell it. “But with that you’re prevented hundreds and thousands of losses, I don’t know if that makes any difference but you showed great drive to help the citizens of this town and we’re all thankful for that.” Was she brown noising to the superhero? Maybe a bit but most of it came from honesty, a shiver moved through her as she turned gaze back down to her paper. Catching her breathe, she let out a small cough and continued on. “Next question; if you can change anything; maybe a past event, the way people view or have viewed you or just your own personal outlook. What would you change and why?” With that she turned her blue gaze back up to him, the moonlight flickering off of his suite; what a hero.

[Jones Sparrow]

It was contradicting to him. He didn't want to be too depressing, but he didn't want to sound like he was taking this interview as a joke... realizing how far away he was, he stood up and walked closer, somewhat pacing on top of her roof. "I don't think anything i can do will change the way people will view me. They'll either hate me, or love me, you know?" "As for my personal outlook, maybe making my suit a bit thicker... it gets kinda cold out here at night, especially during the winter." He grin was hidden behind his mask. he decided no to take a deep and thoughtful comment on this. "No matter what I'll still be around. Like that great grandma that no one really likes. You don't really want her coming to visit for family reunions, but you still love her." He shrugged, he sat at the edge of the roof now, his legs dangling from the building. He could still smell her sweet perfume, imagine her face looking at him...

[EasilyAmused]

Lexi wrote rather quickly as he spoke. A smile moved across her face as he wrote. His joke was fun but serious at the same time. A nod left her as she finished the superhero pace across the roof as he spoke. Soon he started walking towards the edge of the roof and sit down. Her head tilted to one side as he walked away. A smile moved across her face as she stood up, walking carefully to the edge of the roof and sat down next to him, her legs kicked against the cool air. “Well if it makes any difference, I tend to enjoy my great grandmother company.” She said gently as she nudged him lightly with her elbow; the smile spread across her full lips. “Let’s see…” She bit her lower lip as her attention moved up to the stars. “Do you think…” She began, her head rolling as she slowly turned her beautiful blue gaze to him, “a hero deserves a reward from a damsel in distress?”

[Jones Sparrow]

Peter laughed as she commented on her grandma, his heart racing as she sat so close to him. he was not expecting that last question. he should have, but Peter was not a ladies man. he looked at her, was it creepy to just be staring at her with a mask that showed no expression? he hoped not, he didn't want to be the creeper. "From what i saw today, you're just as big of a hero as i am... so you tell me. Do you think that heroes deserve a reward?" he asked her, looking at her lips, but she would know... Peter would be lying if he never thought of enveloping his lips with her full ones... The night seemed to be standing still, and the moonlight was complimenting Lexi in every single way possible...

[EasilyAmused]

A soft laugh left her as he said she was just as much of a hero as he was, her face turned pink at the complement. "Well considering I took some work off of your hands, but you saved me. I think we're tied. Therefor, we both deserve something." Her eyebrows rose in his direction as she bit the corner of her full lips in a playful manner. A soft hand rose up, trailing up his toned muscular arm to his neck. "I can show you if I promise not to take it too far." With that she leaned into him, her fingers sliding under he part were his mask connected to the upper section of his suite. She slowly and passionately lifted the mask over his chin and stopped as his lips were revealed. Not wanting to wait any longer, she leaned in taking the moment and pressed her full lips against his. A gentle kiss, but filled with passion and fire that burnt hotter than the building she had been in earlier that day.

Pulling back from the kiss, having it last only a few seconds in case he didn't want it; she pulled the mask back down over his face before her hand traveled back down his shoulders, arm and to the roof tile once again. "I probably shouldn't put that in the paper but I did promise that I'd keep the questions at three so I didn't take up too much of your time." She gave a small nod, really unsure of how to end the conversation since she really didn't want it to. But she did say that she would only ask him three questions and that... well that was three. "Listen, Spider-Man, I don't know if you have anyone you can turn to or talk to since you lost someone close but I want you to know, if you ever need someone to talk or complain to, or just to sit in a nice silence under the stars; I'm here for you." She gave him a small nudge with her elbow again with a gentle smile, "Everyone needs someone to lean on and I want you to know, you have me okay?"

[Jones Sparrow]

Her kiss was intoxicating, sending sparks through his whole body. He wanted to hold on to her, and kiss her more, to tell her it was Peter... but he knew he couldn't do that... he couldn't think straight, with the taste of her lips, the feel of her fingers tracing his muscles, his senses finally came to "...you have me, okay?" He looked at her, tilting his head a bit he nodded, not really knowing what to say. "I appreciate that... But i don't want you to worry too much about little old me..." He said, wanting to pull up his mask a bit to kiss her again... but was that fair for her? he would never forgive himself if someone hurt her to get to him...

"I'll stop by a few times maybe... to check up on you... and if you want more interviews..." He said to her. "I might need some more rewards after my heroic deeds." Peter said half joking. He leapt off the roof, and shot a web towards a building, and swung away in to the city.

[EasilyAmused]

There was a traditional Lexi 'I don't believe you' look where she'd tilt her head to one side, raise her eyebrow and curl the right corner of her full lips and when he said that she didn't need to worry about little old him she give him that look and said softly, "I don't believe you, someone's got to worry about you. But I promise not to be a worry-wort." Her voice filled a joking manor and when he said he'd stop by a few more times maybe to check up on her and do more interviews she giggled cutely. "I'm sure the Ask the Spider column could provide questions that could be answered." Upon his response to needing more rewards for heroic deeds she gave a cheeky flirty grin and when he jumped off the roof she stood up, calling out to him with a wave. "Any time, don't be a stranger!" The old saying of Stranger Danger went through her head and she paused a little in her wave. Nah, it's our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, there's no danger there.

"Lexi? Lexi are you on the roof again?" Her father called out from the other side of the house. She skipped across the rooftop and spoke to him. "Yeah sorry, the night sky was too beautiful I couldn't stay inside." "Just... Just go to bed. It's 11pm." Her father said in a dramatic sigh before shutting the window. A small laugh left her as she climbed down and slid into her window before pulling off her clothes and climbing into bed.

---

The next morning being Sunday, she got up and dressed in a pair of work jeans, meaning they already had splatters of paint on them, a ty-dyed tank top of their misadventures with painting in the past and a pair of flip flops. Her tank top hugged her tone shapely body and her jeans, though covered in pant, flattered her small hips and round butt. Looking at herself in the mirror she couldn't help but wonder what Spider-Man would have thought of her in this outfit, but hopefully he didn't think that the shirt she wore last night belonged to a boyfriend, just a best friend; she wasn't a too-timer or a cheater. A small sigh left her, but it was unrealistic for her to want anything with a superhero even though they had a little moment on her roof, a shrug lifted her shoulders; she couldn't linger on it.

Skipping out of the house, she grabbed her small purse and walked to Peter's house, he didn't live far and cutting through the alleys made it easier to to get to his house. Knocking politely on the door, she greeted by Aunt May who questioned why she was here. "Peter told me this morning he was repainting the room so I offered to come help. No homework so there's nothing else to do." A laugh left her as Aunt May let her in and she left her purse and shoes next to the door and skipped upstairs in her bare feet to the old office. "Peter?" She called out giving the room's door a light knock, not knowing if he was near the door, she didn't want to open it and knock him over. "Can I come in? Do you have a brush for me?"

[Jones Sparrow]

Peter woke up in his spider-Man outfit, but his mask off. He was exhausted after his last night interview and stopping a late night drug deal. He heard his Aunt try to get in earlier that morning, and had to desperately take off the suit before he opened the door. Aunt May told him that he should start taking things out of the old office... He went back to his room and changed in to a ruined white shirt covered in paint, some jeans, and his old converse. It had been months since he's entered the room that used to be Uncle Ben's office... and to be honest, hew wasn't sure if he wanted to.

As he stepped in he saw he took a look around. There was a desk with an dusty computer with a ton of files. Posters of old rock bands, an electric guitar, and pictures of his family hung the wall. Peter started off, moving everything away from the walls, and heaving giant boxes out in to the hallway. He took the items off the walls one by one, then started the desk. He shoveled old pencils and papers in to the box, then stopped, looking at a picture. He forced himself not to look at the pictures he took off the wall, but he couldn't help it with this one...

It was a picture of Peter when he was only 7. His hair was a mess as always, wearing glasses, and holding up his very first camera. By his side was a small little raven haired girl, smiling her missing toothed smile at the camera... and on his other side was Uncle Ben, giving a smile that couldn't be matched at Peter's face when he saw the camera... Peter sat down, staring at the photo, covering his mouth, resisting the urge to cry.

Then he heard a knock on the door, and in came Lexi. He looked at her, she was beatiful, even her bare feet looked perfect. Peter gave a weak smile, then stood up, putting the picture in the box. "hey, Lex... I didn't know you were coming to help..." He said, not wanting to her to see him on the verge of breaking down.

[EasilyAmused]

Even Lexi was nervous about going into the room, she hadn’t entered it since his uncle died. Such a kind old man who seemed to care so much about Peter you would think they were even more closely related. He even showed the same kindness to her when their friendship blossomed in grade school. Such an amazing and nice man, it was sad to see him go. While she tried to be strong for Peter at the funeral, but soon the two were holding each other and crying. It was the first time she had ever seen Peter cry and as much as society has men believed that they can’t cry, she knew she really fell for him that day because he showed that things did bother him, he could be emotional and that was important in a human being.

“Peter?” She said questioningly as she opened the door and stepped inside, tarps were folded up in the corner, paint brushes and paint waiting to be opened and some white pudgy to fill the holes in the walls form the hanging photos. Peter had just risen from the desk chair when she entered, a small sigh left her as she gave him a nod. “Can’t expect you to do this all by yourself you know, you’re not Superman.” Or Spider-Man, god… if only. She thought as she moved into the room, shutting the door behind her. He had taken some pictures off the walls and put them away. She took off a few photos from the wall and placed them in the box he was working on before giving him a hug, wrapping her arms gently around his neck, she didn’t know what to say, considering this was a hard process for him but a hug always works. Especially considering she was wearing her special vanilla perfume; much like she had the night before with Spider-Man.

“I’ll finish the photos if you want to work on clearing off the bookshelf. Is it staying in here or is it going somewhere else?” She asked gently as she let him go and went to the wall. It was easier for her to handle the photos then Peter, it was probably the most helpful thing she could do right now.

[Jones Sparrow]

"I... yeah, sure... just move the boxes out in the hallway... please." He added, not wanting to sound rude. He was so grateful she was there, and the hug was needed... she still wore that wonderful perfume from last night, and had to resist the urge to keep holding her as she let go. He started clearing everything else but the pictures out, old science books, fiction novels, old yearbooks... With Lexi's help the work went by faster... but the more he was in here the more he thought of the night Uncle Ben died, and what Lexi said to Spider-Man... Everyone needs someone to lean on

No one knew the real story of the night he died... They didn't know that Peter was there, and could have stopped the robber before he killed his Uncle.. they just thought he was called that night... He didn't want to get emotional... but he's held this feeling for more than a year now... that dark secret... how he let his uncle die because of his anger.

In the middle of painting (the tarps and tape were set all around the now empty room), he stopped painting. "I could have saved him." He said quietly, not being able to handle it anymore.

"I forgot to pick up Aunt May that night.. that night he died... he yelled at me, saying i had a responsibility... that my father would have done anything to put other's responsibilities before his... but he left me when I was six. he had the responsibility to take care of me, and just left me on my aunt and uncle's doorstep...and in my anger i ran out... I just walked and walked. I know he was calling me, over and over again, but i didn't answer. I was angry. I was going through a lot of bad things. I know its not an excuse... I went to a gas station, and tried to buy a drink, and I was literally two cents off... 'its not my policy' he said to me... so i stormed off. Second later a robber leaves that store. They guy asks me to stop him... " I replied with 'not my policy...' I could have stopped him, brought the money back, and have been a hero..."

Peter took a deep breath, every bone in his body shaking. "He ran off, and while i was walking home... there was a crime scene.... I saw in the middle of the ground.. m-my Uncle lying there in a pool of blood... They said he tried to stop a guy who just robbed a store... shot him in a fight." Peter shook his fist, wanting to punch something, holding back tears. "The man i refused to stop because i was angry, shot my Uncle without hesitation... Later that night, i listened to his voicemail... and it still haunts me..."

He pulled out his phone. It was the first time he's ever played it to someone beside himself.

Peter? I know things have been difficult lately and I'm sorry about that. I think I know what you're feeling. Ever since you were a little boy, you've been living with so many unresolved things. Well, take it from an old man. Those things send us down a road... they make us who we are. And if anyone's destined for greatness, it's you, son. You owe the world your gifts. You just have to figure out how to use them and know that wherever they take you, we'll always be here. So, come on home, Peter. You're my hero... and I love you!

Peter couldn't stop trembling, he felt like he was bringing unnecessary drama, but the room and her talking to Spider-Man and wanting someone to lean and rely on overwhelmed him.

[EasilyAmused]

Nothing, nothing was more surprising then when Peter opened his mouth and began to talk to her about Uncle Ben. And judging by her expression as he went on to talk about it, she wasn’t quite expecting to hear this. But she stopped, allowing her face to soften and stood there, her brush in her hand and just listened. What else could she do in a moment like this, and the fact that he pulled out his phone to play the message for her just showed how much he trusted her to tell her such a personal thing.

Walking over to him, she wrapped her arms gently around his neck after placing her brush on top of the tray of paint. “Peter, listen. You can’t beat yourself up for what happened to your uncle. No one can predict what happens in their lives, if we could we’d never experience anything. Sadness or happiness. You had no idea that guy was going to go after Uncle Ben. I know it’s easier said than my dear Peter but you can’t live in the past. Uncle Ben believed in you. He believed you were a hero, more importantly his hero. And everything he said on that voice mail is true. He’s right, you’re destined for greatness, and you’ve been through a lot and still came out one of the most amazing people on the planet.” Her hand brushed gently against his cheek before dancing up into his messy hair in a gentle fashion. “He’ll never be gone, he’s too stubborn for that. He’ll always be with you, from your highest points of your life to the lows. It’s your job to remember what he says on that recording, ‘we’ll always be here’ and ‘I love you’. Instead of looking at this as something that haunts you, use it to inspire you; do what he wants knows you can do. Become great, follow your destiny and you will achieve more than you ever now.” By this time her other hand was in his hair. “If there is one person who believes in you without ever doubting you, it’s him. Never. Ever. Forget that. No matter where he is, he will always love and support you.” She nodded as she pulled him into a hug. “You can grieve and be sad but remember the good times; because that’s what makes life worth living for, the good times.”

After hugging him for a minute she stepped back, her small nose sniffling slightly before she leaned down and picked up the brush. She started back to the wall she was working on before turning around. “Hang on…” She said; her voice filled with curiosity as she took the steps back to him. “You’ve got… something… on your face….” With that she took the moment to brush some paint onto his cheek before she gave him a very over-dramatic happy look. “Oh much better.” Anything to get him to laugh.

[Jones Sparrow]

If only she knew. If only she knew that that voicemail was what made him risk his life for the city of New York. That's why Spider-Man is so much harder on robbers than any other criminal out there. That he would do anything to keep Aunt May and Lexi and everyone he knew and loved safe... He has the power to stop these things. He didn't know it when he first got them, but now he knows... and if he forgot, he would always listen to that voice mail... It was hard to focus on the good when the last words to his uncle were "how dare me?! How dare you?!" But hen odded to her words, giving a very weak smile, and picked up his paint brush again, still shaking a bit. He stopped when she said hold on, turning to face her again. When she brushed the dark blue paint on his cheek, he bit his lips, giving a sense anger. He gave a small laugh, looking at her with his soft brown eyes. "You think that's funny, do you?" Peter asked with another laugh, taking his paint brush and flicking the bristles at her, paint going all over her face.

"Ah, i think i got that thing about right there." He tapped a small part on his nose, knowing this will go rather badly for the room.

[EasilyAmused]

Returning the look to his soft brown eyes she tilted her head and gave him the ‘I don’t believe you look’ with her eyebrow raised and her blue eyes twinkling with a playfulness she only had with Peter, why? Because they were still kids at heart and when it came down to it, the only person she felt like she could play with was Peter. He was fun, funny, quirky, cute and dependable. All the things that would/could make a perfect boyfriend but… well, you know.

Getting the room painted was more difficult with the two throwing paint at each other. Sometimes she’d ‘fall’ against him, leaving a long line of blue against his shirt. Or she’d flick paint at him until he noticed, but there was never truly a winner. Between the painting of the walls and the painting of each other, the room, including the tarps had nice patches of blue liquid paint. Her bare feet were getting slippery and something that a spidy-sense could feel would be that she would take a step forwards without really paying attention, her foot flying up into the air followed by her other causing her to crash land on the hardwood floor with a loud thump to her head and make her scream out in pain. But only Spider-Man could know that was coming… In a laugh, Lexi to a step forward to throw more paint from her brush at Peter and her foot slipped out from under her.

[Jones Sparrow]

It was hard to explain his Spider senses. He could have easily saw Lexi about to throw paint at him. Its like a tingling happens behind his eyes, and a silent alarm goes off in his head, and everything would go in to slow motion.... But he never listened to his senses as she flung paint at him. It was like they were kids again, and he enjoyed the times where she fell on him... But this sense was not an alarm for him... but her Lexi... He turned seconds before she slipped on the paint, her paint brush aimed on him, and then she started to fall. His reflexes came in, he could shoot a web at her, and bring her back. He always carried his webshooters in his pockets... but he was afraid she would be disgusted that she kissed him, or angry that he never told her.

He leapt with his muscular legs, and thanks to the spider bite had more power than any track athlete. He caught her in his arms, her brush flew up in the air, and landed on his hair, covering his hair with blue paint.... She looked amazed, and he had to pull the part of being the dorky Peter Parker everyone knew and loved. He pretended to slip himself, landing straight on his back, his breath being knocked out of him, but Lexi was safe and secure in his arms, his chest breaking the fall for her. Her safety was more important that Peter's pain. "You know... If it weren't for the color or your eyes, I'd have a strong hatred for the color blue." he said with a laugh, trying to wipe some paint off his forehead.

[EasilyAmused]

A small shriek left her as she flew into the air. How did she not notice the fact that there was a large amount of paint sitting on the floor that could have caused her to slip?! God she was dumb! As her small body started to tumble towards the ground she suddenly felt arms under her and her attention moved over to see that Peter had caught her, her eyes wide in surprise which soon moved to shock as he began to stumble as well. Soon they were tumbling to the ground together, THUD; they landed on the floor, he still with his arms around her, her brush now in his hair and her eyes wide looking up at him.

Apparently the shocked look was enough to make him make a comment about her eyes and she felt her cheeks turn a soft shade of pink. Peter never made her blush until just recently, either he had gotten flirtatious or he had always talked to her like that and she was finally paying attention. She blinked a few times before laughing a hearty laugh. “And if it wasn’t for you and your quick thinking I’d probably never want to walk in a blue puddle again.”

“Kids?” Aunt May called from the door. “Are you two okay?”

Lexi, still in Peter’s arms called out. “Yeah, we’re okay. Do you think you could bring us a couple towels you wouldn’t mind getting paint on? Wet ones.”

“That sounded like a crash.”

“Oh We just fell.”

“Okay I’ll be right back.” The kind woman called out and her footsteps echoed away from the door.

A small laugh left her as she looked back at Peter. “I am surprised you and I haven’t caused more holes in this house with our horseplay.” IT was at that moment that she realized she was still cradled against him. “Oh sorry. I guess you make a good pillow I forget you need to breathe.” With that she climbed off of him and helped him sit up. “Are you okay? Should I get you some ice?” Her worry for his safety pushed aside the fact that she should probably ask how the hell he caught her so fast!

[Jones Sparrow]

"Yeah, I'm fine..." he said, showing fake pain although he was completely fine now, especially when Lexi laid on top of him. He rubbed his head, looking at the ground. "I'm surprised my thick head didn't dent the floor." Peter grinned. "How about you? Are you okay?" Peter asked, getting back up, his back side covered in paint. Aunt May walked in, looking around at the messy room. "Oh my! Peter" She said giving him a look. He should have seen that coming. She would never yell at Lexi, and very rarely yelled at Peter... but since this used to be Uncle Ben's study....

"I know, I know, I'll clean all up before i got to bed tonight, i promise." he assured her, grabbing a wet towel from her arms. "I swear sometimes i think you two are 12 again..." Aunt May said sternly but gave a hint of a smile. As she left, Peter looked around the room. "Wow... one side looks great... the other looks like a piece from the art museum..." Peter said, examining the neatly painted wall, and across from it had paint splatters all over it. He looked over at Lexi, giving a shrug. "Gives the room character..."

He wiped the paint off his arms. Glancing over at Lexi again. "I know i've been saying this all day... but... you actually do have something on your face right there..." He pointed to his cheek bone, smiling. He wanted to take off his shirt to wipe off some of the paint sticking to his back, but he didn't want to make it awkward... did she even know that he had muscle? probably not. It wouldn't surprise him. He wasnt exactly the kid who looked like he could flip cars or punch a hole through a locker.

"So... Did the Spider-Man guy show up last night? Or was he a no show?" Peter asked, already knowing the answer but had interest like any person would if they found out a super hero agreed to an interview.

[EasilyAmused]

“I’ll help clean too; it was just as much my fault as it is Peter’s.” Lexi said, knowing full well that if she was going to yell at someone she was going to yell at Peter even though she was just doing it to help make Peter smile again. At her comment about them being 12 again Lexi shot Peter a cheeky grin, knowing that she had said pretty much the same thing just mire moments before Aunt May had walked back into the room. Taking the towels Lexi got to her feet and washed off her arms as he spoke. Her gaze followed the walls and laughed. “She probably wants the great wall not the art wall. We’ll have to finish that up.”

She did follow his instructions about cleaning off her face before her eyes brightened at his mention of Spider-Man. “Actually, believe it or not, he did show. He was very polite and sweet.” The towel rubbed against her chest in the sad attempt to get the blue off but after scrubbing she realized she’d need her loofa from her bathroom to get the rest of it off. “I got some good answers out of him too; he was very nice to answer them. He said he lost someone really close to him and that opened his eyes to the idea that great power comes great responsibility…” Her voice kind of dropped off as she finished her sentence, her brow pushed together in thought. It seemed like a coincidence that he would bring up the loss of his uncle just after Spider-Man said he lost someone very close to him. Just a coincidence; when her mind decided that’s all it was, she shook her head, pulling herself back into the reality of the situation; hoping she didn’t space out too long.

“If he could change something he said he’d want to a thicker suite.” She gave a heartfelt laugh, a twinkle in her eyes and a smirk on her lips said he had a secret but she wasn’t sure if she should spill the beans to Peter or not; she liked Peter and would be okay if something happened between them but she didn’t feel telling him about the kiss with Spider-Man would be a good idea, what if it bothered him? What if she wanted to make something out of what they had and he pushed her away because of it. She’ll wait until the time is right. “And he said he’d be around, much like everyone’s great grandma that no one really likes to be around but you still love her.” A giggle left her as she helped him finish up the wall and clean up the room.

It was a long project but they both were fed well for their hard work of course and even though she was still in her paint splattered clothes she walked home as darkness filled the skies. It was 8pm when she walked out of Peter’s door and she knew she’d be fine. But she did what she probably shouldn’t have done, she cut through the back alleys to save time… what she didn’t know was that she picked the worst time to do so, as there were men waiting to mug unsuspecting people… much like Lexi and these weirdos preferred to use knives over guns.

[Jones Sparrow]

Peter watched the excitement in her eyes as she went on and on about the masked man... her eyes twinkling and her mouth smiling at just the thought of him... He couldn't blame her... He was exciting, witty, brave, putting others in front of him... but then he remembered that HE was that very same guy! There was small talk, jokes, and remembering the good old days when their only care in the world was playing pretend in the living room. Dinner was amazing, and when Lexi left, Peter used the excuse that he was exhausted from today's painting, but in reality wanted to make sure Lexi made it home safe as Spider-Man... He would never admit it, but he usually kept an eye on her while she went to go on errands, or traveled alone at night... Not in a stalker kind of way. She was his best friend, and did not want her to get hurt.

Dawning the suit, made sure his door was locked, and climbed out the window, shooting a web and zipping through skyscrapers. The night had a slight cold breeze, but it was rather refreshing. It didn't take long for Spider-Man to hear screaming and shouting in an alleyway. and to his horror, Lexi was being held by a group of men. Muggers

Spider-Man hung on a web upside down, looking at the two men who were holding Lexi, one holding a knife at her, and other doing a terrible job at looking out. "Just hand over your money, cards, and other jewelry, and no one gets hurt..." The man with the knife said to her. Spider-Man was still hanging upside down right above him. He casually plucked the knife out of his hand, and examined it. "Wow, top grade muggers here... What, you rob a pizzeria for silverware before this?" He asked, simply snapping the knife in half.

"Oh shit!" The man no longer holding the knife swung a punch. Spider-Man easily dodged. "Why is it always a punch for our first conversation with you guys?" He asked, swinging upside down and then releasing to do a flip and a kick to the head. "A compliment on my upper body strength or how blue and red looks good on me would really make my night." He said, shooting a web at the man farthest away, and pulling him towards him. Momentum had him flying over here, Spider-Man clothes lined him. He turned to the two still holding Lexi.

"So will it be a two on one, use her as a hostage, or put your hands up?" He asked them. They looked at each other, then dropped Lexi. Spider-Man immediately jumped on one of their shoulders, and pushing off him to grab the other man's head, doing a flip and doing a body slam. "Woo! I could be on WWE!" Spider-Man said, looking at the man who was trying to crawl away. He shot webs at his hands and feet, immobilizing him. After he tied the rest of them up, he looked at Lexi.

"Am i going to have to follow you everywhere?" He asked jokingly, helping her up. "You need a ride? I think i remember the address." he asked, holding out a hand for her to take.

[EasilyAmused]

A simple walk home just couldn’t be simple. During the day she could easily get through the alleys without there being any problems and here, instead she was in trouble with muggers. Two of them caught her by the arms and she let out a scream. The scream was cut short by the man holding a knife towards her. Her small body shook the terror, she wasn’t used to being so scared and so caught off guard, though she was thankful it wasn’t a gun, but she could still tie if they cut her up.

Something caught her attention, a gleam of red and blue hanging upside down above the man. Her eyes flicked upward to confirm that it was, in fact, Spider-Man but she held her breath, not wanting to draw any attention to the superhero until he wanted it himself. Her eyes twinkled with that knowledge that she knew something that they didn’t know. Upon Spider-Man clearing the area, a smile moved across her lips as he asked the men if they wanted to either hold her as a hostage or put up their hands, the second they let her go she shook herself free and dropped to the ground and crawled away, her back against the cold stone wall of the alley way as she watched Spider-Man do his work. A laugh of amusement let her as he mentioned he should be on WWE.

“I think you’re making me look bad. I thought I was supposed to be a hero and here I can’t even defend myself. Maybe I should take up some martial arts classes.” She said with a small laugh as she took his hand. “I promise I’m not intentionally getting myself into trouble just so we can meet. Next time I’ll just call you and we’ll do lunch.” A playful inviting smirk moved across her full lips as she took his hand and slid into him. “I suppose I could take you up on a ride. But if you’re going to make a habit of giving me rides, you should at least take me out to dinner.” She said jokingly as they took off.

The conversations were light and bubbly, but mostly revolved around Lexi’s awe of the view from their travels. Soon, too soon for her liking, they arrived at her house. Landing gently outside, “I don’t know about you… but, I think that would qualify as a hero’s deed…” She said with a cheeky grin as she leaned into him, her hands traveling this time up his toned muscular chest, feeling every muscle line under the fabric before find the loose piece of lift up the mask, again she stopped enough to reveal his lips. Leaning in she gently put her lips against his. This time when she felt his arms go around her, she leaned in more, pressing her lips more firmly against his as her hands let go of his mask and her arms wrapped around his neck. Her heart was pounding in her chest and her right leg lifted up off the ground. And it wasn’t long before she took a risk and slid her tongue into his mouth… and she didn’t see the headlights of a familiar truck turn off against the sidewalk across the way; she was too taken in by the moment at hand.