I’m Not Becoming Spider-Man - Chapter 43: The Redheaded Kitten Rubs Against His Leg (Patreon)

Thompson was beside himself with excitement when he got an early copy of the second issue of The New Batman.

Harley and Gwen had read it countless times already, but it was Thompson's first look. The issue would be placed on the school newspaper rack the next day, so getting a sneak peek made him especially happy.

Life had seemed better in every way since he'd left his old home. He lived on the first floor of the apartment building. After finishing the issue, he headed upstairs to return it to Peter. He'd rather get his own copy from the school rack.

Actually, he planned to take several. One for his collection, one to give away, one to read, and one to save for the children he might have someday.

After dinner, nearly everyone had retired to their rooms. Gwen and Harley were exhausted. On their first night properly away from home, they'd had so much fun they were practically worn out.

Thompson was about to knock on Peter's door when a flash of red swept through the living room and disappeared into Peter's bedroom. Red hair? Was that Mary Jane?

Mary Jane was going into Peter's room at this hour?

He scratched his head. Maybe this wasn't the best time to interrupt.

He left the comic on the living room table and headed back downstairs.

"What did you come here for this time?" Peter was busy at the workbench he'd reassembled. He never seemed to run out of things to make.

"Um... Peter, I'm really sorry about today." Mary Jane sat on his bed, picking nervously at her fingers. "I... I shouldn't have yelled at you. What I mean is..."

"Okay," Peter said without looking up. "It's fine. We're not boyfriend and girlfriend. Who I choose to lean against is my business, not yours. Isn't that right?"

Mary Jane gripped the hem of her semitransparent burgundy dress and bit her lip. "Peter, I... I already admitted I was wrong..."

"And now I'm supposed to react exactly the way you want me to?" he asked flatly. "Mary Jane, do you have any idea how much trouble you caused me?"

"Your friends were all there. You dragged Gwen into the middle of it, too. You're in the same band, for crying out loud. Does that dream of yours mean nothing?"

"..."

"Go apologize to Gwen, not to me. What's there for me to forgive? I had a wonderful time. Three girls, and I got to lean against every one of them. Lucky me, right, Mary Jane?"

"Peter!" Mary Jane protested, clearly upset. He didn't even turn around. "It's late. Don't shout. I'd rather not have to throw you out the window."

"Peter..." Her voice became soft and pleading. "Could you at least look at me?"

"No. You're probably dressed in something inappropriate again. How many times has this happened? Go to bed. I'll forgive you after you apologize to Gwen. Until then, get back to your room."

He sent Mary Jane packing. Peter could manage without looking after her, but Mary Jane couldn't bear to be without Peter. She felt she'd lose her mind.

Once she'd been thrown out, Mary Jane went directly to Gwen.

"What's going on...?" Gwen had already fallen asleep, but she dragged herself out of bed to answer the door.

"I'm sorry, Gwen! What happened today was my fault!" Mary Jane blurted out.

"Oh... uh..." Gwen stared. Mary Jane usually carried herself like a queen. Now she was apologizing at breakneck speed like an anxious little girl.

Then again, Gwen hadn't really minded what happened earlier. She'd only let Peter lean against her for a moment.

Her cheeks warmed. "It's fine, Mary Jane. Don't worry about it. We've still got band practice tomorrow, remember?"

"I remember!" Mary Jane answered. Gwen was about to close her door when she spotted the redhead hurrying straight back toward Peter's room. The sight of her slender retreating figure woke Gwen up completely.

Surely not...?

What was Mary Jane planning now?

Gwen tiptoed over and pressed her ear near the door. Unfortunately, the soundproofing was far too good.

Not long afterward, Peter ushered Mary Jane out again. Gwen ducked behind the couch before she could be seen.

Mary Jane was sent back to her own room. She looked displeased, but at least she didn't start another argument.

"What a headache. Gwen, what are you doing out here?" Peter asked once Mary Jane was back in her room.

"Huh?" Gwen's head popped up from behind the sofa. "H-how did you know I was here?"

"You left your door open. I took a guess. Come in, before Mary Jane sees you and causes another scene."

"Wouldn't it be worse if she saw me going into your room...?" Gwen followed him anyway. As soon as they entered, Peter locked the door. Gwen jumped. "P-Peter... Why are you...?"

"You don't want her catching you in here, right? Locking the door solves that. If you're worried about me, there's a hammer on the desk. If I suddenly turn into a beast, just hit me with it."

"No, that's all right. I trust you." Gwen glanced at him. "So... what did Mary Jane want from you at this hour?"

"She came dressed to impress and tried sweet-talking me into forgiving her. See what I told you? Ignore her long enough and she'll get nervous and come rubbing against your legs like a needy cat."

"Right... So you didn't...?"

"What kind of guy do you think I am? She might want that, but I wouldn't dare. It would give her something to hold over my head, and then there'd be all sorts of complications to deal with. What a pain."

"Anyway, I didn't bring you in here to complain about her. I just wanted to know whether she actually apologized to you."

"She did. But... you don't believe her?"

"I wouldn't be surprised if she kidnapped me and locked me in a basement someday. Of course I expect her to lie. If she lied about this, though, I'd have to find a way to knock some sense into her. Sometimes you have to give a cat a good scare before it'll behave..."

Peter paused before continuing. "Sorry, Gwen. Mary Jane really does get under my skin. You know how it is..."

"To me, she's like a troublesome little sister. All she ever does is send my blood pressure through the roof."

"But I can't just abandon her. I'm the only person she has left who can help."

The closer Peter had grown to Mary Jane, the more sensitive she'd become. She kept pushing into his personal space, trying to claim every part of his life for herself.

It was driving him crazy. Couldn't she just concentrate on her schoolwork and get into college first?

In a few years, college wouldn't be nearly this affordable!

"Um... Peter, if you ever need help with that, you can always ask me. Even... even if you just want another hug, I wouldn't mind."

"Thanks, Gwen. You're a wonderful friend. Seriously, I can't talk to Harley about this sort of thing. You're the only person I can confide in. I hope I'm not boring you with all my problems."

"Of course not, Peter. You said it yourself. We're good friends." As she said it, Gwen felt a secret flicker of happiness. Was she really the only person he could tell these things to?

She couldn't help feeling just a little pleased about that.