Studying is the most fun a girl can have!(Peter)

[mj]

MJ walked around the coffee table in the living room of the apartment she was sharing with Peter and Harry. She had on shorts and a tank top and knee socks. But all of this didn't really matter since the reason she was walking, well pacing actually, was the fact that she couldn't get past this one problem in her homework. She was taking a pretty high leveled Math class and there was one problem she just wasn't getting.

Mary Jane stopped and looked at it, huffing in agitation she continued passing. She was not in the mood for roadblocks. She could really use some help right about now. As if on que she heard footsteps coming from the kitchen area. She reeled around and said in an exaperated tone, "I need your help." She hadn't really thought about who it was, Harry or Peter, but she didn't care either.

[peterparker]

Great, the weekend just around the corner and what was Peter stuck with? Busting a duo of goons who thought this was the RIGHT time to try and rob a convenience store. As luck would have it, it was the very one Peter wanted to simply grab his ritual coffee within. It was the Friday schedule. Patrol, class, work, coffee, home, sleep. Yet...they HAD to throw him off his regular practice with this little disturbance of theirs. So, a sly move to the back and a change later he was suited up and issuing a fine helping of justice.

After tying them up with a taunt web wad to the ceiling he made his exit, his school bag slung over his shoulder with his swings, his coffee in hand. He swung to the window sill to the apartment, likely his roommates would be out at this hour. No need to be secretive about it. He moved the window open and slid in, tossing his bag to the floor of his room and removed his mask. He exited and proceeded down the hall passed the kitchen, taking a sip of his coffee. His eyes shot up as he heard MJ's voice, instantly clutching to the wall. A silent curse left his lips as he set his coffee quickly on the counter and moved slowly and quietly back toward his room. His spider sense oddly failing at that moment. Once inside he made a quick wardrobe change into something more relaxed, a simple gray t-shirt and jeans. He re-exited whistling innocently and retrieved his coffee, his facepalmed and moved back once more getting his glasses and fixing them on his face.

He strolled into the open area, his breath hitching in his throat at the sight of MJ. She was...fairly...um...dressed in a certain manner. A light flush lingered on his features as he smiled toward her and sipped his coffee to mask the chance he may say something stupid. "Sure. Mind you, it's not free" he joked, feeling a touch of Spider-man's confidence still a little present. It was slowly vanishing as he looked slightly downward. "Not that, you know, you have to. It was only a joke after all. I'd never ask you to repay me or have you in debt to me for anything ever. Yeah...so...yeah" he chuckled nervously, pleading with himself mentally to shut up.

[mj]

Mary Jane watched Peter come out from the kitchen, a cup of coffee in hand. She thought for a second about how she was originally the only one here. She ignored the thought and went back to thinking of more pressing matters. She looked at Peter a bit confused at the sudden voice of confident teasing. She laughed aloud and put her hand on her hip, "Oh yeah, is that right? I guess I'll have to figure out what to do in that case." Peter had this funny way of making her smile, genuinely smile, anytime she was in a bad mood. She shook her head and rolled her eyes in a playful manner. "Okay well, that aside, I can't get past this one problem. And you know me, i don't want to skip anything until I've figured it out." She leaned over the notebook and book on the table, placing her hands on either side of them. She suddenly stood back up, making a noise that somehow resembled frustration. She looked back at Peter, "Help?"

[peterparker]

The look upon her after he had let some confidence slipped through made his heart skip, the tone was so out of his element that he might've accidentally given the tiniest smidgeon of a hint that he may be something else than he put on...as well as how he exited the kitchen when the front door was on the other side. Hopefully this problem was taxing enough to make such analyses be tossed to the win. He bit his lip as she placed her hand on her hip. The suggestive undertones weren't lost on his part as he blushed a deep crimson, almost matching with the vibrancy of her hair. "Erm...what do you have in mind?" he asked absentmindedly, not thinking of the consequences of asking such a thing before she moved on, trying to keep up and act like nothing happened whatsoever. She was right on the money, he knew how she couldn't leave something unfinished. Heck, he had gotten more than enough about when he half-cleaned his room...when she caught him leaving half a mess she raised hell comparable to Aunt May. She was perfect that way, always making sure he remembered that no matter how strong he got he was Peter, and he had responsibilities just as everyone else with the..special things added in. Not to mention, she was rather cute when she was frustrated. He nodded and moved to lean next to her on the table and examined the problem. He massaged his tongue with his teeth a few times, a habit when his mind was at work. He smiled toward her as she asked for help. "Aunt May would have my neck if I didn't help a girl in need...plus, of course I will MJ. You're my best friend, can't leave you hanging" he turned back toward the paper, brushing off their close proximity as he was focused on the problem. he picked up a nearby pencil and began to scribble on the page, working a table then whittling down the numbers to one single digit. "There, Seventeen" he smiled and looked toward her, ready to explain if she didn't gather it from sight. Sure, any other very attractive girl would've said 'thanks nerd!' then left, batting their eyes at him to do their work for them without figuring it out themselves afterward...but this was Mary Jane Watson. She was incredibly insightful, she was caring and compassionate, she was the perfect girl next door...and she was his best friend. Did he like her? Of course, did he like her like her? Maybe...a little bit, but that wasn't gonna be anything. It was better to just have her here with him, of course she split the rent well and all with the discount of a 1/4 price Harry gave them since he covered the majority of the bill. But, she already dated Harry and now they all shared a residence...Peter saw it as a matter of time before they got together again. Soon they'd be right back at each other and he'd enter the apartment to find them making out all over the place...oh the wonderful worry. The same worry that made his heart ache in an odd way.

[mj]

He had turned the brightest shade of red when she teased him. She giggled at his attempt to sound nonchalant, “Well if you help me I’ll treat you to coffee how about that? If you don’t want that I guess I could part with a kiss on the cheek,” she playfully nudged him with her shoulder, “You’d be lucky if I did though, I never give those out.” She giggled again. “But watch out if you start suddenly becoming a chauvanistic pig like Harry, I don’t know if I’d be able to live here anymore. One’s enough for me.”She stopped talking to watch him complete the problem she was on. When he was finished sudden realization kicked in. She groaned and placed a hand on her face, “I am so stupid! Of course that’s how you do that! Thanks Pete! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!” Without pausing or even thinking of it she hugged Peter, “What would I do without you!?” She stepped back and this time put both hands on her hips and gave him the biggest grin she could muster.

[peterparker]

Trying to calm himself wasn't working as well as he hoped it would, the shade of red become fairly obvious as she giggled. He had been found out! He beamed toward her at the mention of coffee. The way to Peter's heart was a heavily caffeinated beverage. He began to nod before the smile fell as she continued. She always knew the buttons to press. "Wh-what?" he smiled slightly as she bumped shoulders with him, taking it as a little joke instead of her being overtly serious about it. He worked not to laugh at Harry's expense, it was his best friend after all. "I don't think you'll have to worry about that, especially with how much of an awkward person I can be. It'd take a miracle for me to fit the 'rich boy' bill like Harry has mastered" he set the pencil down and took a sip of his coffee as she reacted to the problem being solved, a sympathetic smile rising to his features as she looked to have the light bulb go off about her head. "Hey...you are NOT stupid. You're the further from it. You're just a little stressed, you've probably been overworking yourself...again. When was the last you've slept or taken a break?" he nodded to her and took a sip. "No problem at al-OOF!" he exclaimed as he felt her embrace him, time standing still for a moment as his arms slowly wrapped around her as well. He looked downward to her, his heart warmed by her compliment and following words. "Well...you'd probably be one nerd less. But I don't know who you'd watch Star Trek with...speaking of which, it IS almost three 'o clock" he bounced his eyebrows as the back to back showings of Star Trek were soon to come on, The original then the Next Generation. Of course secretly Peter was a Kirk fan, but he could never relay that to MJ a devout Picard fan. The grin on her face encouraged him, his eyes trailing from her bright eyes down to her soft lips before turning toward the television on the other side of the room. He winked then hopped over the couch with ease, his innate agility slightly shown as he grasped the remote and turned it on. The occasion would likely call for popcorn as Peter nestled into the middle of the couch, not taking notice of his usual spot on the far right end so that there was enough distance between himself and MJ to not make for any awkward moments.

[mj]

Mary Jane felt rather safe when she was hugging Peter, she chalked it up to him being a good friend. She could always count on him being the good guy. He even defended her when she called herself stupid. She knew she wasn’t she was taking the maximum credits you could take, and acing all her classes to boot. “Let’s see the last time I slept was yesterday, I had a nice 30 minute nap before one of my classes.” She didn’t really care how little sleep she got, as long as she was getting closer to her goal.
Mary Jane’s eyes lit up, “I almost forgot!” She felt a rush of excitement go through her. “Oooo! I’ll make popcorn!” Her worries seemed to melt away. Peter was right, she was almost always stressed these days. Could anyone blame her? She was essentially a full time student with two internships going on at once. She giggled at his wink, heading into the kitchen while still talking to Peter, “I don’t want to be one nerd less! I don’t know who’d replace you! I can’t find anyone quite like Peter Parker. You’re like a rare collectible- one of a kind and priceless.” She giggled at herself. She meant it though. The thought of him not being around made something deep down in her feel a pang of loneliness. But she didn’t want to think about that. While she waited for the popcorn she rummaged through the fridge for bottled water, finding none she settled for cola. Gingerly, she picked the popcorn up and maneuvered it into a bowl. She entered the living room again and sat down next to Peter, making sure they were pretty close so they’d both get to share the popcorn.

[peterparker]

A shake of the head started Peter's reply, eying Mary Jane curiously as to if that truly was sleep or a light nap, obviously it didn't count at that. With the little rest she got she'd overexert herself. Peter knew fairly well after the years he had dedicated juggling all his responsibilities with school work that overexertion wasn't the way to go. However, that earlier feeling of her in his arms lingered for a moment in his memory, taking it as just the little kid crush he used to have that still lingered...or maybe it was as he feared, that hopeless pining that would likely lead to a very awkward heartbreak. "Oh yeah, that definitely sounds healthy....c'mon now MJ, you can't go this long without rest. That's it! After Star Trek you're getting some rest, I won't take no for an answer!" he slightly joked, all too convinced that he'd make sure she got some form of sleep, with her responsibilities piling up to limitless heights he had to make sure she was at least taking care of herself.
He couldn't resist the smile at her excitement, matching his at what they were about to embark on, a hour sitting of epicness to the final frontier, where no man has gone before. The little nerdy side of her always appealed to him, the feeling to just let loose and relax was always something he favored. He smiled to himself on the couch at her compliment, peering over his shoulder toward her. "...MJ, that's really sweet...you're such a softie!" he played it off with some friendly banter at her expense. He'd never leave her as long as she wanted him, he knew that. Forever and always. As she plopped down the scent of popcorn caught his senses as well as something of a different quality: MJ's scent. Immediately he worked to focus on the popcorn instead of the smell and their closeness. He went to take a scoopful as the screen flashed, the opening starting. His eyes glued to the screen as his full nerdiness came to the surface.

[mj]

((changing it up! ;P but don't worry....just trust me. X3))
Mary Jane ignored his comment about her sleeping habits. She was perfectly able to function with little sleep. Whether she liked doing it was another story. She watched the TV, transfixed by the other worldliness of the show they were watching. That was something she loved about books and sci-fi. She could place herself in another life or on another world. She didn't have to be Miss Perfect she could just be MJ. That was also how she felt anytime Peter was around. But she didn't want to think about that. She'd probably just ruin him, making such a nice guy into a jerk. It was best if she didn't date at all. She felt the draw of sleep as she rambled on and on in her head about how bad she truly was and how she'd always be like this, little things that wore her down from time to time. Before she knew it, she had leaned her head against Peter's shoulder and was dozing off.

The apartment felt cold all of a sudden like the window was left open as night was settling over the city. She felt achy like she had been sleeping for a couple hours on the floor. The TV was still on, the late night news had just ended. She guessed it must have been 3 or so. She looked around. Everything was dark and she knew she was alone in the apartment. MJ couldn't really tell how she knew. Her head felt like she was underwater. This was weird. She sat up and felt her muscles complain at her poor sleeping arrangement. She looked up and noticed a window open, must be why it was so cold. A sudden rush of worry hit her hard. She felt like she was two people. The outer MJ wanted to know where he was, while the inner Mary Jane had no clue what was going on. It felt like a dream and yet she had so many realistic sensations going on. There was the cold air, the TV's normal buzz, and she could smell take out in the kitchen. She got up, a little clumsily, and headed to Pete's room to see if he was there. Honestly she felt a little hurt that he just left her there without even attempting to wake her up. When she got to the door it looked as if both her stuff and his were in the same room. Why would he put my stuff in here?

Suddenly she heard something from the window, it sounded like someone was climbing through it. Oh God, I'm by myself and someone's breaking and entering! The outer MJ ran back to the living room while the inner MJ tried to tell her feet to move to the front door and not where the burglar might be. She was back in the living room in seconds. Mary Jane looked at the window stunned to see none other than Spider Man climbing through it. He looked like he'd been through a rough fight, his suit was torn in various places and she could see a bit of blood in the tears. Outer MJ gasped, it was soft and sounded more knowing than the inner MJ was. "Oh Pete!" outer Mary Jane exclaimed and ran towards Spider Man. Inner MJ was so shocked that she was looking at them from the outside now, as if she were a ghost, and at a lost at what was going on, Peter Parker wasn't Spider Man, he couldn't be-could he? The outer MJ had run straight into Spider Man, hugging him. Just when she didn't think things could get any weirder, Spider Man removed his mask to reveal-Pete! Mary Jane like her world was spinning, what is going?! The other MJ looked up at him, "I was so worried!" With that Peter Parker, or Spider Man, kissed the other MJ, or her.

Mary Jane bolted up right and gasped for air, her head was pounding and for a brief second she didn't know where she was. She couldn't breathe calmly, each breath felt like it was forced.

[peterparker]

Peter began to feel more and more relaxed with being this close to her, it just felt...right. He had spent all this time making others feel safe and never had he met someone like her, someone that made him feel safe. He'd do anything for her, no matter what the cost for he knew it'd be worth it. To see her smile, to see her laugh, to hear her call him 'Tiger' it was everything and more. Before he knew it he felt a weight on his shoulder, he turned to see a brilliant red head of hair there. She had fallen asleep on him, he was about to move and get her a pillow but the content expression made it seem as though she was...comfortable. So, he went and grabbed a nearby blanket within arms reach, draping it over her slowly and shutting of the television. Sure, he loved Star Trek but he lo-...cared about MJ more. Naturally he wrapped his arm around her and rubbed her shoulder. His mind contemplating how many hours she must've really stayed up immersed in her studies. He wasn't there to monitor it as much, the crime picking up highly this week in particular. He missed her...and he missed seeing her happy. She was so tired and overworked, she never got to have these moments as often...popcorn and Star Trek, their old routine since high school. He felt a warm sensation in a certain area and he blushed, his mind at work on if it was...her hand? He raised the blanket to have his expectations destroyed as popcorn was spilled all over his lap. He shoved it back into the bowl in a one handed maneuver, setting it on the table next to the couch and watched her sleep for a while.

After what seemed to be many moments in silence, holding her as her chest rose and fell he began to feel fatigue catch up with him as well. His eyes slowly fell closed after much fighting and his head rested upon hers at and angle, still holding her close. He didn't find sleep as he began to hear her mumble, saying words that he couldn't really decipher...but she sounded afraid of something, he sat up once more and looked toward her, a touch of fear in his eyes, not knowing what he'd do if she was hurt...she wouldn't tell him, she knew he'd worry if he knew. If something bad happened to her he'd have to find it out before she ever made him feel he didn't protect her. He would've taken it incredibly hard, especially with him being Spider-man secretly. He jumped slightly as she bolted up and gasped for air. Her breaths were labored and her wrapped his other arm around her, holding her and looking into her eyes deeply, hoping to calm her. "MJ, are you alright?....I'm right here, okay? I promise you, I'm not going anywhere..." he worked to reassure her, his fear starting to climb...but he slowly started to release her and make a little less...contact. If Harry walked in there likely would've been a bit of an awkward argument between the three. Harry still cared for MJ something fierce, and how could Peter ever 'betray' his friend by liking her as well? Even though, by now, he had for years.

[mj]

Mary Jane forced herself to calm down and take long breaths. It didn’t help that Peter was so close after what she just experienced. It wasn’t that she didn’t like Peter; it was more the fact that for a couple seconds she thought she was still in the dream. Could she even call it that? It was more real than dream. The sounds, the smell, the touch, all of it were real to her. MJ’s head was spinning, reeling. She felt faint like she was going to pass out. Despite the dream-not-dream, she did feel more stable now that she saw Peter and the apartment like she had left it. Even just the contact with Peter seemed to reassure her that she was back. The thought of being back sent a chill down her spin. Mary Jane held tight to Peter’s arms, almost digging into them. The room felt like it was spinning worse than her head. She tried to gesture to the drink on the table. She feebly got the words she wanted out, more whisper-like then she wanted, “I need…to drink…something…” She honestly didn’t care if it was water, soda, or coffee. Anything would do. She felt the need to explain herself no matter what she saw in the dream, she didn’t need him to worry or freak out over her. She had taken care of herself for so long it was natural for her to tell others she was fine even if she wasn’t. “I-I-I think it was a dream,” she put a heavy emphasis on ‘think’ and ‘dream’. She gently sat back on the couch holding her head which stopped it’s spinning but started to pound in the form of a headache.

[peterparker]

The feeling of Mary Jane's hands digging into his arms sent a shiver up his spine, his worry for the girl escalating to new heights. His look intensified to complete concern, ready to make a jump at the guy. All he needed was a name, not even an address, he'd find the jackass responsible and make them wish they were never born. His eyes softened as she made her request and went to drink his coffee cup. He watched her watched her closely, not knowing what to say, nothing he could say could help all that much. he just had to watch and wait, hoping for the best. She was so independent, but sometimes he knew she needed help. Everyone did, it was what friends were for. To lean on in times like these. A dream? His mind was blown as to how violently a dream had treated her. Leaving her out of breath and so distraught. "You think it was? You were asleep...it had to have been one," but in this odd world who knew what it could've been, he had the powers of a spider and he met the Professor whom could tap into minds...there weren't any bounds for it. "What was it about?" his heart began to pound harder and harder, feeling the pulsations in his ears as things grew completely quiet, the nearing night sky accompanying the barely lit room. He watched her sit back and hold her head. He lightly touched her forehead, feeling it was pretty warm. "I'll be right back, let me get you something" he went over the couch to the fridge, withdrawing water and popping out two pills from the cabinet. After re-situating into his seat he offered the water and pills. "Have you ever had a dream like that before, or reacted in that way to them?" he asked with pleading eyes, his worry for her more and more obvious. He didn't know what he'd do if she was hurt, and she looked to be in such pain and confusion. To say the least, it scared him.

[mj]

Mary Jane was grateful for having Peter there with her. He would make sense of it all. Plus, she needed someone to tell her she wasn’t crazy. That it was just a dream and she’d feel better in the morning. Or at least maybe he could give her a reason for what it was she experienced. He looked so concerned for her. She felt a pang in her chest, something close to gratitude, or maybe it was something entirely. Right now she wasn’t in the right mind set to form a coherent analysis of her own feelings.

She accepted the pills and water taking great time and care not to spill. She swallowed the pills and took a shaky breath in before she started to tell her story. “It was so real,” she shook her head slightly, looking at nothing in particular, just staring in sheer confusion. “It wasn’t scary or anything, not a nightmare at all, I guess what scared me the most was that it was like I was here, but later in the night. And no one was here, I was alone.” She took another sip of water, “Like, I was there and I was fully conscious of my surroundings but it was like I was looking out of someone else’s body,” she made a face, “I guess it felt like there were two of me, me being the inner me and there was an outer Mary Jane that acted on her own. Anyways, I got up and went to see if you were in your room, and stuff was in there with yours. A second after I opened your door, I heard someone at the window, and you know who it was?” She looked at him then, “It was Spiderman, except he looked like he’d been through the ringer. And the outer Mary Jane ran towards him and hugged him, and then he took his mask off and it was you.” She looked at Peter with the most confused look on her face, “And then you, as Spiderman kissed her, or me, or I don’t know!” She put a hand to her head, “It was so real, I could smell food in the kitchen and I felt cold from the window being open, and I heard the TV and the other Mary Jane speak.” She shook her head, not sure what to say about any of this.

[peterparker]

Peter felt the wave of calmness wash over him, seeing that MJ was going to be alright. Her breathing seemed more settled and her eyes as bright as they used to be. She'd be okay, as long as he was right here and made sure she felt comfortable. He tried to rationalize, think up a reason for her to react such a way...but he wasn't a dream therapist or anything, it was as confusing to him as it must've been for her. She looked so frightened by whatever it was, it was something else...something odd. Odd around here meant really odd.

It all came as a wave of confusion, his face showing suspense and confusion as he words came to him. His brows shot up at mention of Spider-man entering, then his features softened as they embraced before his heart raced at mention of the unmasking revealing him. The mention of the kiss made him blush. He slowly took her free hand in his and squeezed it. "MJ...you are my oldest friend and I know I can trust you with anything...so...I want to trust you with the most important secret I have. If I share this with you, you have to promise me you'll say nothing to anyone about it and...promise me you won't hate me " he bit his lip before moving to stand, keeping a hold of her hand to lead her to his room "I'm not going to like...y'know, it's just in my room..okay this is all coming out wrong, just come on" he wanted to show her she wasn't crazy, he didn't know how she did it or for what reason she saw it...but she was right about one certain thing. If showing it to her would help her, he would, but the danger it would put her in worried him. He'd do all he could to protect her however. He led into his room and closed the door. "Alright, close your eyes" he gave her ample time to do so and changed into his costume quickly. He let a moment pass as he pulled his mask on snugly. "Okay...you can look now" he bit his lip as he waited for what she'd say. "I'm...Spider-man" he laughed slightly, feeling a little embarrassed, but liberated..he never told anyone before. Not like this. He laid it all out right here before her to take in. She could've gave up friendship, turned his name in and everything. But, this was MJ...and friendship could withstand anything if it was true

[mj]

She felt bad when Peter blushed, she knew she shouldn't have told him that. That part of the 'dream' wasn't particularly bad, she just didn't want to ruin him like she knew she would. Mary Jane already felt better thanks to the pills and Peter. She felt like maybe it really was a dream, but she knew that it was more, something different all together. She made a mental note to talk to someone at the x-mansion. Maybe they’d have the answers for her.

Mary Jane looked at Peter in a soft, quizzical manner. She listened to him intently, “Ok?” She was willing to go with what he was saying, after all they were good friends- like he said. She was surprised at how nice her hand fit with his. She almost blushed at the thought. Mary Jane blushing? That was almost unheard of. She followed him, not really worried or scared at what he was doing. After all it was Peter, he wasn’t like Harry- confident, independent, hard head.

She smiled at Peter, “Okay Tiger what do you got for me?” She closed her eyes obediently and waited for his word. “Can I look yet?” Maybe it was a science experiment that he was working and he wanted to show her it to get her to calm down and act like her normal self. She almost giddily opened her eyes when he told her to. When her eyes were opened she saw none other than Spider-man himself in front of her, no Peter in sight. She didn’t really show any reaction, she didn’t really know what to feel either. Was this a joke? Was this some class project? Then he said that he was Spiderman. MJ didn’t remember when the ceiling switched places with Peter’s bedroom but that was the last thing she saw before she fainted.

Mary Jane woke up a couple moments later, once again unsure of her surroundings. “I’ve got to stop getting confused,” she said while attempting to wake up fully. She didn’t really know what surface she was on either. After the shock of her life, though, she didn’t care.