Stories Focussed On Spider-Man

And They Were NEIGHBORS PART 4!!!

Spider-Man found himself glad that Spider-Woman had left his own breakup his news to share. As time went on, he found he really just didn't feel like getting vulnerable in front of his fellow heroes. Like, he knew he could without judgement, but how was he supposed to widen his sphere of vulnerability when everyone inside of it would either betray him or die. Ned still pending, obviously.

(That, or maybe he was just scared that Spider-Man was vulnerable, since that trait had always been Peter's.)

So, he spent the coming days working hard trying to track Kraven's constantly moving base and guess his next move, occasionally coming out to chill with the team and bring sweets to his friend. Out of what he assumed to be courtesy, she always seemed to leave her biggest emotions for when he was off on patrol and safe from further hurt. No one would have to know until he was fine again.

Unfortunately for Spider-Man, Spider-Woman wasn't the only way the team could figure something off, and it got a lot more noticeable as Spider-Woman began to perk up. This, naturally, led to a very aggressive newspaper table slapping by Natasha as Spider-Man worked through his third bowl of cereal that morning. "Hi," he grimaced, watched as Lucky Charms fell from his mouth back down to the bowl. "Watcha got there?"

Natasha was silent as she turned a chair around, radiating Cap PSA energy. Speaking of, Steve also came in and sat down along with Clint. Spider-Man quickly shoveled the last bit of food down the hatch, wondering what this was about. His eyes fell to the paper in front of him. He didn't recognize the news company, but that didn't surprise him considering he only followed the news to get alerts on supervillains and such. The front page article was about him though: IS SPIDER-MAN OKAY?

"Good morning. Why did you slam a newspaper in front of me. Didn't you know that Spider-Woman is the reader between the two of us."

"It's about you. They make good points."

"Give me the sparknotes because I'm not reading this early. My brain isn't awake."

"It's been observed that you've not been quite as happy while out and that you're going out more and staying out longer than what they have come to expect from summer Spidey. A psychologist suggested you're using workaholism to avoid something or maybe to cope. What's going on?"

"It's nothing."

"I don't believe that for a second."

"I'm handling it."

"So it is something," Clint chirped.

"I'm fine."

"Son," Steve frowned, "with all due respect, you don't look very fine."

"Yeah, well, on top of everything, there's a guy trying to put my head on a mantle, so that's a bit stressful too, I won't lie."

"We can help fight him-"

"I just need to find him before he decides he's ready for the next round. He keeps moving, and his sightings are sparse. It's fine though, I've handled worse odds before, so don't worry about it."

Steve frowned. "Then what else is there that's bothering you? We want to help!"

"It's just some civilian drama you don't need to worry about. I'll give you the rundown of what happened once the dust has settled if you're so bothered to know."

"Is there really nothing we can do right now?" Clint asked.

Spider-Man shook his head.

Natasha sighed, standing up and taking Spider-Man's bowl to the sink for him. "Just remember that we're a family, okay? If you change your mind..."

Spider-Man gulped. "This is going to sound so angsty, but I really can't stomach found family right now. I'm sorry for being that guy, but just- it's too much, especially with everything... I know you don't know what I'm talking about, but still!" Spider-Man shook his head, leaving abruptly. He plopped down next to Spider-Woman on the couch, leaning onto her thick blanket burrito. "Hey, Ponytail."

"Hey, idiot, how're you holding up?"

"Been better. Can't believe Nat's actually onto me about it. Thought I was doing a good enough job keeping this from them."

Spider-Woman screwed her head around to look at him. "I knew you weren't saying much about it, but this mindset reeks of unhealthiness."

"It's not toxic masculinity. I just like to keep the circle small, okay? Now, can we not talk about this?"

Spider-Woman rolled her eyes. "Sure thing. I've got another bust tomorrow. Daredevil might show up."

"Dope."

"Dope will probably be there, yes."

Spider-Man chuckled. "Nice one. I'm still not an inch closer to apprehending the escaped villains, so that's peachy. I did save a cat from a tree yesterday though, so at least I have a backup if my tracking career fails me."

"Did you get scratched?"

Spider-Man bit his tongue and smiled. "Maybe."

"You might want to find a backup for your backup then."

"Oof."

"When are you heading out to patrol?"

"Maybe half an hour? I've got to drag up the willpower to get on with the day."

"Ugh, mood. I told Betty I'd hang out with her in a moment of weakness, and now I can't weasel out of it."

"How unfortunate that your friend is supporting you through this challenging time," Spider-Man drawled before caving and laughing.

"Speaking of friends, is your friend still out of town?"

"Yeah, I don't think I'll bother him with the news until he comes off of the vacation high."

"You're too good for this world sometimes, y'know that? You don't deserve this."

Spider-Man stayed silent. Maybe she was right and he didn't deserve it. But, with his streak of luck, he should have expected it.

A/N I need to be asleep but just keep writing writing writing writing writing-