By Sunlight (P.P + M.J)

4. Core Four

It was nearly seven by the time they pulled into the city. Happy dropped the boys off and they walked the few blocks to Rockefeller Center. The sidewalks were particularly crowded during this time of year, with it being the holidays and all. The buildings were decorated, as were all the shops lining the street. It was a fun time to be in New York.

They finally got to the tourist-filled Rockefeller Center, and Peter's pace picked up. He grew more and more excited about the prospect of seeing MJ, the ever-sarcastic being that was Michelle Jones. He heard Jack laugh as he pushed anxiously through the people toward the giant tree where MJ would be waiting, trying to keep a semblance of calm as he got closer to her position.

MJ was having a run of good luck recently, and Peter had been happy for her. She had landed a part-time job at the Daily Bugle and was making some money taking pictures of both Spiderman and Werewolf. She was still cynical and stoic, not allowing her fortune to change her personality in the slightest, and Peter loved that about her.

When he finally saw MJ, Peter smiled, his heart skipping a beat. She wore her classic dark clothes with her hair falling over her eyes, a silver fang hanging from a rope necklace around her neck. Not being able to contain his excitement, he went up behind her, pushing his beanie-covered head against her shoulder in a puppy-like way. MJ turned to him and Peter proceeded to wrap his arms around her middle and lift her, spinning her around. MJ started to laugh as she was spun around. He set her down and she turned around in his arms, holding his face in her hands.

"Took you long enough," MJ said with a smirk, "I'm freezing."

"Don't talk to me about the cold, okay," Peter replied, recollecting where he had been earlier in the day. He reached a hand up and gently held her chin. He brought her down to his level and gave her a heartfelt kiss.

"Ugh, you guys are cute," Jack commented as he walked up, "it's disgusting." He then gave a friendly nod to MJ, "hey MJ, make anyone cry today?"

"Hey Twilight, and not yet sadly. But it's only seven so I've got time," MJ greeted their friend. She had an endless array of nicknames she always called him, but he took in stride. He had told Peter that he actually enjoyed it. "And did you purposely just quote "The Fault in our Stars"?"

"Maybe, and I still hate you for having me read that," Jack replied with a smile, "and the movie wasn't any better."

"Hey, that's what you get for asking me for recommendations," MJ retorted with a light laugh, the sweetest sound to ever grace Peter's ears, "besides, I said it as a joke. Didn't know you'd actually read it."

"Well, I did, and it took everything in me to not put it through a wall," the lycan pointed out, stomping his feet to keep warm.

"But you didn't stop yourself from nearly wolfing out in the middle of the apartment when the guy die-," Peter started, but Jack cut him off with a swift punch to his shoulder.

"We do not speak of that."

"But tell me about you guys' super secret mission that I'm not supposed to know about," MJ then asked, drawing their attention back to her, "How did that go?"

"Well, it ended with me getting blown up," Jack began.

"And getting chased by an avalanche," Peter added.

"There were several explosions."

"And some Avengers may have been involved."

"And I punched Ant-Man in the face."

MJ stared at them, her eyebrow raised as she listened. Whether she believed them, Peter couldn't tell. She probably did, since it wasn't that far out of the realm of possibility. Nothing really was anymore.

"The gang's all here!" Ned suddenly shouted, appearing out of the mass of people and striding toward them, wearing one of his fedoras, "so what are we doing again?"

Jack seemed to be relieved at Ned's arrival, and after discussing what they were going to do, they took off. Jack and Ned hung back as Peter and MJ walked close together, their hands laced together. Despite living in the city all their lives, the group admired the magnificent lights that were on display. Except for Jack, of course. He had only been living in New York since late September, so this was a new experience for him.

"I want to know where they keep all theses decorations during the summer months," Jack piped up at one point, "is there like a designated warehouse where they keep everything Christmas-related until November?"

"While improbable, it wouldn't exactly surprise me," Ned had replied.

"But, its all gotta be stowed somewhere, right?" Jack questioned, running a hand through his dark auburn hair.

"Dude, I think you're overthinking it," Ned sighed with a shrug.

"Just like how you overthink every Star Wars theory," Jack quipped, resulting in a sarcastic laugh from Ned.

Peter was happy that his two best friends were getting along. At first, their relationship had started out rocky, Ned being initially threatened by Jack because he had thought that Jack had been trying to to oust him as Peter's best friend. But once he found out that Jack had never seen Star Wars, Ned took it upon himself to educate him, and they binge-watched all the movies over a weekend. After that, they became great friends. And once Ned knew he was Werewolf, he launched into barrage of ridiculous questions, like if Jack could talk to dogs or if he went crazy during full moons.

The answer to both questions was yes.

They went through Times Square, making fun of some of the wide-eyed visitors, Jack included. They took a rest on the steps in front of the New Year's Ball, and after a quick debate, they decided to head back to Peter's place to watch the Beauty and the Beast movie. Jack offered to get pizza on the way back. He gave Peter a glare, almost like a warning, but winked at the boy as he dragged Ned away to go with him.

Peter rolled his eyes. Jack was as sly as they came, constantly looking for opportunities to get Peter and MJ alone together. He liked to believe that he was the ultimate wingman when it came to their relationship, and Peter couldn't really deny that.

So, Peter and MJ walked home alone, hand-in-hand. He made sure to keep on eye on dark alleys and shady corners, looking out for danger that might spontaneously appear. Even with Werewolf and Spiderman on the prowl, thieves and muggers were still abound, especially during the holiday season. And he felt like he had a duty toward MJ, to protect her at all costs from anything and everything. He gripped her hand a little tighter, bringing it to his lips and giving her fingers a light kiss.

"What was that?" She asked incredulously, and Peter felt heat spring up in his ears, turning them red.

"Affection?"

"Disgusting," MJ said, then cast him a sidelong glance, "do it again."

He did as he was told, resulting in the smallest of giggles. That sound was like music to his ears, and it echoed in his head as they walked along.

"You excited for the movie?" Peter asked, giving his girlfriend a smile.

"Duh, Peter," MJ retorted, as if the question offended her.

"I won't judge if you sing any of the songs," Peter quipped with a wink.

"Like I would," she shot back, narrowing her eyes at him, "besides, I don't even sing."

"Just saying, even if you do, I won't think any less of you," he pointed out, bumping her shoulder with his, "you'd still be my sardonic little badass."

"You're goddamn right, Webs, and don't you forget it," MJ said, giving him a cocky smirk.

This story's moving right along, wouldn't ya think? I intend for it to be slower-paced than By Moonlight, so we'll see how it turns out.

~Fargone5