“Topless?” She shifted her weight a little as she noticed how he averted his eyes from her before asking his question. She waved a hand, dismissing the idea. “I wouldn’t do that in a park, silly. Way too risky. You’ve seen some of those prank videos right? The ones where their tops get stolen?”

MJ smiled at him, nodding a little. “Well yeah, my landlord last summer banned me from using the roof for it. He said some old lady kept calling to complain about me being up there.” She explained. “So, this year it’ll be Central Park.”

“I try my best, Tiger.” She huffs and crosses her arms. “Wish it were summer already! I’ve been itching to get out some shorts and start working on my tan. Some sunbathing in Central Park would be perfect right about now.”

MJ is beyond ready for some summer HEAT, but for now, she’ll make do.

“But you look sorta look like, huh.” MJ examined her for a moment, nodding a little bit. “It’s nice to meet you too. What’s this about an editorial? You’d think with me interning at The Bugle I would be getting a little better press coverage.”

“Isn’t that the recipe May always told me made people’s butts get bigger?” MJ muttered to herself, twisting her hips and looking over her shoulder at her own butt. Huh. “Yeah that sounds great! Just make sure you make enough for both of us.” She said before looking around his living room some more.

MJ caught her coat, noticing that Felicia had taken a glance at her earrings. “Shoot, I’m totally wearing /those/ earrings.” MJ muttered to herself, her freckled cheeks turning a little red. “I’m game! What did you have in mind for us?” She slipped into her coat, zipping up as she looked at her.

“I saw a bunch of this guy’s work when I was writing an article about him this summer for The Bugle.” She nodded a little, before her gaze shifted back to him. “Something to eat actually would be great. I was only partially kidding about the treat thing.”

“Very funny. That ship has sailed.” She flipped her hair, accidentally revealing her Spider-Man themed earrings. Obviously she was missing him. “Just us works great for me. We are both free agents after all.” She knew Felicia wasn’t one to be tied down. Well, not in that sense anyway.

Based on his reaction, she could tell it wasn’t something he had put up. Still, a perfect opportunity to tease him. “Don’t tell me, little miss cat baths put that there?” She stepped forward, getting a closer look. “Wait I know this artist, the cost of a commission like this is… Wow.”

“Leg warmers AND drinks huh?” MJ smiled. “Sure, I’d be up for that. Think we should bring along Peter or would he be third-wheeling?” A test. She wanted to get an idea of Felicia’s true intention. They had been rivals in a sense for a long time, the friendliness was a nice change of pace.

“Uh huh.” She gave him a look, the ‘I don’t believe you, but I like you too much to care’ look. It was one she used a lot on him. “Did you have this painting here last time? I don’t remember it.” She pointed to a small painting of Spider-Man & Black Cat together, seemingly professionally done.

He seemed less committed to the hug than she was. Better play it cool. “For the most part?” She asked, giving him another squeeze in the hug before letting him go and slipping by him into his warm apartment. She glanced around, looking for anything that may have changed since she was last there.

“Ho ho ho, I hope you have some treats for me.” She teased, rubbing her toned belly through her oversized sweater. “What, no plate of cookies and warm milk? Ah whatever, I can have the ‘warm milk’ later.” She stepped forward and hugged him tightly. “Jokes aside, it’s good to see you, Peter.”

It wasn’t long before a knock was heard at the front door of his apartment. MJ adjusted her purse on her shoulder, it was a little heavier than usual thanks to her tablet. “Guess who!” She said, before knocking again. MJ was very eager to see him, even more than usual.

📲 “Alright, I hope my Spider-Man thong is enough coverage for the subway.” She teased, sending one last text before changing into a more casual outfit. Leggings, an oversized hoodie, sneakers, and her purse. Soon, she was on her way to his apartment. It was a journey she knew by heart.

“Could always use some help reviving the style you know. Maybe leg warmers could be the latest addition to your costume? I doubt your suit can retain much heat in the winter.” She smiled, teasing her about how revealing her costume was.

One day leg warmers will be back in fashion. One day.

MJ smiled down at the glowing screen of her phone. 📲 “Sooo, is that a no on a French maid outfit? I could wear /anything/ you suggest.” She left her phone on her nightstand, going into her closet to look around for something more fitting for spending time with Peter.

📲 “Sounds like a good time. Think you could squeeze in running some lines with me tonight? I could use some practice.” Wallowing or hanging out with a rising star? A tough choice. Her thumbs tapped away at her phone. 📲 “Any requests for my outfit?” A test. Would he pass it?

📲 “Exactly that one! I’ll see if I can make it to the auditions tomorrow. I feel like I’d be a shoe-in.” Her thumbs tapped away at her phone, scheduling herself for an early morning audition. 📲 “What all do you having going on tonight by the way?”

📲 “Just a little something to get you ‘tingling’. 😜” She smiled at her phone’s screen before sending another text. 📲 “There is no way I’m kissing a Lobster-Man, I’ll pass. How about that new upcoming medical drama series? Think I’d be good for that?”

She grinned as her phone lit up with his text response to her. 📲 “Very funny. And lobster man? What is he a Bostonian fisherman who got pinched by a radioactive lobster?” She teased before sending a second text. 📲 “Anyway, I don’t think the world will ever get tired of super heroes. ;)”

She read his texts and scoffed, shaking her head a little. 📲 “What because I’d fill out her outfits well?” She teased before sending another text. 📲 “Come on, gimme a real answer. Something more fitting for my talents. Maybe like a super hero movie?”

MJ made her way through the luxurious setting, a little surprised that she had never truly looked into a place like this. Then again, it’s not like someone like her would normally be invited. Upon finally reaching the source behind those texts, she straightened herself up. “Let’s.” (C)

Like usual at times like this, Peter popped his way into her mind. She sent him a text. “Hey so I’m kinda looking for work right now since my internship at The Bugle ended after summer semester. What kind of acting gigs should I be looking for?”

Reading the texts, she debated doing what the texts requested of her. This could easily be some kind of trap. Then again, the potential fame was tempting. 📲 “I’ll be there in 20 minutes!” She got changed out of her casual loungewear into something more fitting for a club, and snagged her (c)

She smiled down at her glowing phone screen and sent another text. 📲 “Bet! How about my new place tonight around 6? I’m thinking a pizza would be great to share tonight. My treat.” She followed up her text another text including her new address.

A new text! From an unrecognized number? Eh, why not? MJ sent a reply text, her interest piqued in the stranger’s offer of fame. 📲 “I do! Are you hiring actresses for an upcoming movie or something? I can send you a headshot photo if you’d like.” She remained seated by her apartment’s window.

Just as she finished sending her text, another popped up. She quickly typed out and sent her reply, remaining by her open window. 📲 “Yep! I that study abroad trip in England kept me out of town for some serious time. We should get together and catch up.”

She’s taking in the sights and sounds of NYC from her new apartment, having finally settled in. Sure, it was a little empty without someone to share it with, but the space suited her. She glanced down at her phone, and sent a quick text to her agent. MJ was bound to get a big acting gig soon.

“Does anyone else shake their butt a little when they’re bored or is that just a me thing?” MJ mused to herself, before taking a sip of her coffee. Ever since Felicia made that comment about her costume barely fitting, she had her own buns on her mind.

“A draw huh? Maybe you two should have a rematch sometime.” She said with a smile, before continuing. “I wish I had spider powers! She gets that from her Dad, as does her sister. The only way I’ll ever get powers like that is if I find some rouge experimental spider.” She shook her head. (C)

“That really does sound like her.” She smiled, shaking her head a little bit. Fighting someone the minute she met them? Yeah, that’s April alright. “If you don’t mind me asking, who won?” MJ could immediately tell that this woman was powerful, but then again, April was powerful too.

MJ shook her hand with a smile, nodding a little bit. “Well that’s great to hear. You can just call me her mother. There’s some technicalities in there, but mother is the correct title.” She paused before speaking again. “How do you know her, exactly? Are you work friends?”

“You could say that, yeah.” It was a more simplified version of April’s origin, but it still fit her. MJ flashed a smile, holding out her hand for a handshake. “I hope those are all good stories! April can be a bit of a talker. Same goes for her sister. You’re Diana, right?”

All this heat has really been getting to her. MJ’s curls are back in full force!

“Here I wore my Spidey panties for nothing.” She muttered under her breath, staying fully under the blanket. Maybe loud enough for him to hear, maybe not. Her gaze shifted from the TV back to him. MJ then spoke a little louder. “How serious is it? Have you even upside down kissed yet?”

“Yeah yeah, I know.” Her muffled voice came from under the blanket as her eyes met his. “This would be the perfect time to make a move though. You know, almost like it’s the perfect layup or something.” Get the hint already Tiger! Her eyes remained gazing up at his, egging him on to make a move.

MJ huffed, leaning against him more heavily as she spoke. “Jeez, do I have to make a confession before I can even get in the cuddle zone? You’ve got no game, Tiger.” She moved again, scooting away from him and crossing her arms under the blanket. Soon, the blanket was pulled back up to her nose.

She reached over and dug around in the popcorn bowl, before munching on another handful of it. She hesitated before speaking again. “Peter, could you maybe put your arm around my shoulders? I feel like I’m trapping your arm under this blanket.” This was bordering on cuddling territory, she knew.

“Totally, just a friendly little lean.” MJ nodded her head, with a slight smile before adjusting her weight on the couch. She leaned against him, putting her head on his shoulder just like when they were a couple. “This is already so much better.” She said quietly, her gaze now back on the screen.

Her disappointment was immeasurable, and her day was ruined. Better luck next time.

“Phew! Zombies are just so freaky to me.” MJ slowly lowered her hand, looking at the screen to make sure the scary part was over, before shifting her gaze to him. “Usually by now you’d be holding me. Scary movies like this get to me a lot more than they did back then.” She explained, her gaze (c)

MJ kept her eyes covered, waiting for her cue to let her guard down again. “Is it over?” She asked, nudging him with her elbow. “I feel like I’m missing some important stuff here!” She had missed these moments with him. It was good to spend time with him again, even if it was just as friends.

Remembering the good times. 🕸️💕

“You bought us matching CUSTOM bracelets?” Her eyes quickly shifted away from her bracelet and back to him. She was happily surprised by this added detail. No one had bought her custom made jewelry before. “Oh now I OWE you a night out on the town.”