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If Gwen had a penny for every time she'd fallen through an interdimensional portal, she’d have two. Which honestly wasn’t much, but it was definitely two more than most people had.
For all the hours she'd sat through astrophysics and chemistry classes in school, nothing she had read in a textbook could have ever prepared her for the sheer agony of interdimensional travel. She forced herself to stare out the portal as she fell, until Miles’ smiling face became but a pinprick in a massive dark void. As soon as it disappeared, the pain started. Gwen’s atoms were pulled apart and slammed back together again as she was flung through literal space and time. Every nerve fibre felt like it was being seared with the heat of a thousand suns, every piece of her body simultaneously where it belonged and all over the place. There was a snap, and in an instant, everything fell back into place.
Gwen should really have watched where she was going.
Gwen pinged off a street lamp and landed ass-over-teakettle in the middle of a road. With a pained groan, she rolled onto her back.
"Ow."
She laid there on the tarmac, huffing, not daring to open her eyes for fear of not seeing a familiar world. She felt the stinging in her back, felt the scratches on her knees. Those were definitely gonna bruise. She heard a distant shout of “Spider-woman?”, yet her eyes remained jammed shut behind her mask. The puddle of water she had landed in was cold and probably dirty, starting to seep through her suit and yet she laid there - trying to force the air back into her lungs, ignoring the small crowd that was noisily gathering around her prone body.
That was, until she felt a familiar tingle up and down her spine. The fine hairs on the back of her neck rose, and every muscle in her body screamed at her to MOVE! She leapt up, shooting a web line to the nearest thing she could as her eyes snapped open and-
A yellow taxi sped past, way above the speed limit, right over where Gwen was laying moments before. She was dangling from a streetlight, a few feet away, squinting as the sudden sunlight assaulted her eyes. She cringed as a few droplets of murky water still hit her square in the mask.
“Thanks, New York.” She grumbled, thwipping a line out and flinging herself off the light.
Gwen climbed - or, more accurately, clambered - up the side of a nearby building, having to stop ever so often to catch her breath (whether that was the effect of interdimensional travel or the fact that her ribs were probably cracked was yet to be determined.). She sat on the ledge, paying no heed to the points of passers-by and the camera flashes as she pulled out her phone, only to find it was dead.
“Crap.” Came the vehement whisper. With a sigh, Gwen took a moment to reorientate herself. It was early evening, judging by the way the sun hung low in the sky, and she was somewhere near Times Square, seeing as nearby restaurants were bustling with activity, and she could see the faint glow of neon sign boards silhouetting surrounding buildings. Every restaurant and street sign she glanced at read a familiar name, and Gwen allowed herself to breathe fully for the first time in what she assumed was weeks. As she inhaled the musky, polluted New York air, it hit her that she was home at last. Home.
With a final breath, Gwen let herself fall from the side of the building. She relished the feeling of the wind whipping against her back, finding the coolness incredibly freeing and grounding all at once. Before she hit the pavement, she snapped a web to a building, hurling herself into the air once again.
Gwen made a beeline for an empty alleyway, one of many places she stashed a backpack with civilian clothing for emergencies. As she flew gracefully across the New York skyline, her mind wandered. How long had she been gone? It was hard to tell right off the bat, as everything looked more or less the same. She could've been gone for days, or weeks or even months, and she would have no idea.
Mary-Jane was probably gonna be pissed she missed practice again.
Oh shit, MJ.
With renewed vigour, Gwen swung to the alleyway, landing softly after sparing another glance around.
She hurriedly pulled the bag from behind a few empty trash cans, and unzipped it. Her hand hovered over the medkit stashed inside, but she eventually pushed it aside and dug deeper to pull out a hoodie. She pulled it on over her costume, not wanting to strip in the cold autumn air. She tugged on the track pants over her legs and stuffed her mask into her pocket, slinging the backpack over her shoulder and forcing herself to walk - not sprint - to the closest train station.
She boarded the next train to Queens, foot tapping impatiently on the sticky carriage floor. Gwen wished she had thought to stash an extra burner phone or something in her bag because the silence of the train car was insufferable. Being left alone to her thoughts was her worst fear. She occupied herself by alternating between watching a rat that had somehow found its way onto the train nibble at a discarded piece of sandwich and incessantly clicking at her phone's power button, hoping that it would turn on by some miracle.
The train screeched to a halt at Gwen’s stop and a surge of people boarded. Gwen’s patience was wearing thin so she squeezed past the last two people, earning an angry glare and a grumble. She didn’t care at that point, fighting to keep her pace to a brisk jog as she made her way to her apartment. She flipped her hood over her head out of habit, eyes flashing warily over the face of each person who passed by.
Gwen entered the apartment complex and, losing her cool slightly at the prospect of being so close to home, jammed on the elevator button impatiently. She watched, annoyed, as the numbers decreased oh so slowly. She briefly contemplated just climbing the stairs, but as she was about to move, the lift arrived and a small bunch of people walked out. She entered the lift, pressing the button to her floor a little too hard, cursing inwardly at her and Mary-Jane’s choice to buy a cheaper apartment on a higher floor.
Gwen's foot tapped incessantly on the floor, teeth gritting as the rickety lift shook slightly. It finally screeched to a stop at her floor, and Gwen dashed out, nearly bowling over an elderly man outside the lift in her haste. Shouting a quick apology over her shoulder, Gwen dug into her bag for her keys. Her hand paused in its search when she realised, shit, they're not in this bag. With a frustrated sigh, she raised her fist and knocked thrice on the hardwood door.
There was a rustle from within the apartment, and a thud, before the lock clicked and the door opened a crack.
"Who is it?" Mary-Jane called out from within. Gwen felt the wind get knocked out of her lungs for the third time that day at the sound of her girlfriend’s voice.
“It’s me, let me in please.” She replied after a moment of hesitation. The door opened wider, and MJ’s head poked out.
“Hey, you. Did you lose your keys again?”
Ignoring her question, Gwen pushed past the door, slamming it closed behind her with her foot. She dropped her bag to the floor and, without warning, rushed to MJ, trapping her in a tight hug. MJ let out a surprised squeak as the sheer force caused them to stumble a bit, but still smiled when Gwen buried her face in her neck, taking in a shaky breath.
“Gwen? Woah, what’s wrong tigress?” She asked, voice gentle, hand instinctively running through Gwen’s strawberry blonde hair comfortingly. She raised a brow when her hand ran over a shaven part that hadn’t ever been there before.
“What happened to your hair?” She questioned, confused. Gwen simply shook her head and mumbled something into her shoulder. MJ stroked her back softly, having never seen the girl this distraught before.
“What was that, sweetheart?”
Gwen raised her head, and MJ was shocked to find it wet with tears.
“How long?”
MJ used the back of her hand to wipe Gwen’s tears, but Gwen grabbed her wrist. She forced her to look her in the eye, and MJ sucked in a sharp breath when she saw the sheer intensity in Gwen’s baby blues.
“MJ, how long?”
“What? What do you mean? Gosh, why are you crying?” MJ asked after shaking herself from her momentary shock.
Gwen ignored her last question, shaking her head with a sniffle before clarifying, “How long have I been gone? Weeks? Months?”
MJ frowned.
“What? What are you talking about Gwen? It’s been a week, you told me you were staying at your dad’s house, remember?”
That gave Gwen some pause. Her dad’s place?
Oh. Gwen was stupid.
She mentally facepalmed. She forgot that she had told MJ that she was going to stay at her dad’s place for the week, using it as a cover for when she initially left to fight Doc Ock. Her spider-powers meant accelerated healing, but Gwen didn’t want to risk MJ seeing any evidence of the fight at all. She breathed a heavy breath, and MJ stroked her cheek, concern and a twinge of annoyance written all over her face.
“Gwen, what’s going on?”
Once again, Gwen didn’t answer, simply pulling MJ closer by the collar of her shirt, slamming their lips together. Their teeth clacked painfully, but she didn’t care. Gwen kissed her with everything she had, and MJ could only give a confused groan in response. Gwen walked MJ back until she hit a wall, still standing in the cramped space of their tiny foyer. Gwen kissed her until there was no more air left between them, only then did she pull away. But once they had both taken in a gulp of air, she pulled MJ back in, this time biting and licking her bottom lip until she opened her mouth, letting Gwen’s tongue slip inside, which elicited a moan from the redhead. The sound lit Gwen’s insides on fire, and she craved to hear it again.
Gwen’s mouth moved from MJ’s lips to her jaw as her hands slipped under the thin material of MJ’s T-shirt, relishing the feel of skin-on-skin, but before they could continue their journey upwards, MJ pushed her back gently. Gwen obliged, leaning back to see the pretty pink blush that dusted across MJ’s pale cheeks. MJ smiled affectionately, pulling Gwen forward slightly, but only to rest their foreheads together. They were both breathing heavily, and Gwen just let her eyes slip shut and enjoyed the feeling of her girlfriend’s heavy breaths ghosting her lips.
“What has gotten into you?” MJ asked with a lighthearted chuckle, after a while. Gwen wasn’t usually this affectionate - or perhaps desperate would be a better word to describe the frenzied make-out session that had just taken place. She was reserved about physical affection, much rathering MJ take the lead, which she was happy to do, no doubt, but there was something undeniably hot about this usually unseen side of Gwen.
“What’s going on, tigress? Did something happen? Are you okay?”
“M’okay.” Gwen mumbled, “Can we go to the bedroom?”
MJ wordlessly took Gwen’s hand and led her to their shared bed, concern gnawing away at her. MJ laid on her back atop their mussed covers, with Gwen’s head on her shoulder. Gwen’s arm was slung over her midsection, the other tucked comfortably under the pillow. MJ absently played with Gwen’s hair, curiously running her fingers over the shorn area as Gwen played with the fingers of her free hand. She interlaced their fingers, and MJ gave a reassuring squeeze. The unaddressed elephant continued to sit heavily in the room, and it was increasingly weighing on MJ’s heart. But if there was one thing she had learnt about the blonde through their years of friendship and subsequent relationship, it was to never push for answers. Pushing Gwen for answers would only lead to her closing up and shrinking away. The best course of action was to let her speak when she was ready.
Gwen had always been a rather closed off, introverted person. She was usually unwaveringly focused on her work, preferring to mix chemicals in the lab on a friday night instead of going out with her friends. It was only exacerbated by the death of her best friend, Peter. She shut down completely, throwing herself into her work, often skipping multiple days of school every few weeks, not talking to anyone, never opening up about her feelings. As time passed, things had gotten significantly better, especially ever since she and MJ started dating, but MJ felt that Gwen wasn’t always being completely honest with her.
(This was a recurring problem that had been the root of many fights between the two, as Gwen often preferred bashing her feelings out on the drums or on a bad guy's face instead of just talking to MJ like a normal person but they were… working on it.)
Call her overbearing, but between the constant skipping of classes, the late nights out, the absolutely bullshit excuses for missing practice, MJ felt that she was reasonably suspicious and even fearful about what Gwen was getting up to. But nonetheless, she would give her the benefit of the doubt. Life had never been easy for the girl, and she definitely needed therapy, so MJ would be as understanding as possible, but quite frankly, this was getting a little ridiculous.
Gwen’s breathing had evened out significantly, but the tenseness in her muscles told MJ that she wasn’t actually asleep yet. She scratched her scalp lightly, and heard Gwen let out an unbidden, satisfied hum that was so low in her throat it came out more like a purr. MJ sighed.
“Please tell me what’s going on Gwen, you’re scaring me.” She whispered into the silence of the room. Gwen shifted, her hand squeezing MJ’s a little tighter. She let out a shaky exhale.
“Later,” She whispered, “Later, I’ll tell you everything. I just- I need-”
Her sentence cut off as she unlinked her hand from MJ’s, wrapping it back around her waist and hugging her firmly. Gwen’s cheek pressed into MJ’s collarbone as she shifted impossibly closer, and the taller girl understood. Gwen’s hand slid under MJ’s shirt, resting warmly against her stomach. MJ pressed a kiss to the crown of Gwen’s head, relaxing against her pillow.
“I just - I need to know you’re here. That you’re really you.” Gwen continued, unprompted. MJ moved her hand to the juncture of Gwen’s neck and shoulder, massaging lightly there. She noticed a white, smooth outfit under Gwen’s grey hoodie, but said nothing. Gwen let out a heavy breath against her neck, and MJ felt her eyes slip close. Whatever questions she had, could wait for tomorrow, clearly Gwen just needed her there.
“Don’t worry tigress, I got you. You’re safe now.”
—------------------------------------------------------
Gwen awoke with a groan, skin sticky with sweat, head pounding painfully. She sat up slowly, so as to not awaken the person she had fallen asleep on top of. She froze when MJ sighed and shifted, only moving when the red-head didn’t stir. The aching in her ribs had worsened tenfold, and the scratches on her knees and elbows were making themselves known - to say the least. Her entire body was radiating heat, meaning that her accelerated healing had kicked in, but Gwen still felt like she got run over by, like, ten trucks.
She hobbled over to the toilet as quietly as she could, breathing a sigh when she shut the door with a soft ‘click’. Flipping the light on, she pulled her hoodie over her head, wincing when she lifted her arms, and pulled her suit down to survey the damage. The bruising spread over a large area of her torso, ranging from deep reds and purples to a sick greenish-yellow. Gwen cringed at the severity of it, lightly running her fingers over the least injured areas.
Reaching into the pocket of her sweatpants, she pulled her mask out before sitting on the closed cover of the toilet to tug the pants off. She tossed them into the laundry basket, looking her mask over to take in the damage done to it. There were a few tears and scratches - nothing that couldn’t be fixed. Gwen sighed, standing from the toilet and looking in the mirror above the sink. She leaned on the cool porcelain, running a hand over the shaven right half of her hair. How was she going to explain any of this to MJ? She hated lying to her, but she was backed into a corner here. She could either suck it up and keep lying, or risk losing the only person she had left, aside from her dad. She had been lying to the both of them for years, and it ate away at her conscience every day. But what choice did she have? It was her responsibility to go out every night and make sure the city was safe, because no one else could but her.
Gwen stared at her reflection, hating the way the dim lighting only accentuated the dark circles under her eyes. Her blue eyes. A similar shade to Peter’s, but not quite. She hated looking into mirrors because sometimes, on particularly bad days - ones where she lost fights or failed tests or got into a screaming match with MJ again - it would be him staring back. Him with scruffy brown hair and shining sky blue eyes. His crooked glasses and lopsided smile.
("You know," MJ had said, standing at the kitchen counter, chewing a mouthful of sandwich, weeks later, "In the end, I had always thought it would be you and Peter walking down the aisle. It's curious how the universe works, isn't it?"
Gwen hummed thoughtfully, then leaned over to take a bite out of MJ's sandwich, to a shout of protest.)
Gwen squeezed her eyes shut, drawing in a ragged breath. When she opened them again, it was her staring back. Her with her ratty blonde hair that definitely needed a wash; Her with dark bags under her baby blue eyes; Her bruised, bare torso and torn, tattered spider-suit.
Gwen ran a hand through her mask-mussed hair, untangling the knots that had formed. Maybe she should try growing it out. She'd always had it pretty short, but apparently she was currently in the mood to try something new.
Behind her, the door clicked open. She froze. She heard MJ gasp. She cringed. Thanks for nothing, spider-senses. Cautiously, she opened one eye, meeting Mary-Jane’s emerald green ones through the mirror. She was standing in the doorway to the toilet, red hair a messy heap atop her head, Gwen’s old Visions Academy t-shirt hanging loosely off her shoulder. Her green eyes were wide in shock and her jaw was dropped. ‘Cute’ was Gwen’s first thought, which was immediately followed by ‘Really should’ve locked the door.’
“Gwen?” Came the disbelieving whisper. Gwen released her breath and, mustering all the patented Spider-woman charm she could, spun a little too quickly to face her girlfriend. She cringed slightly as her ribs protested the sudden movement. She spread her arms and, more cheerfully than she felt, said, “Your friendly neighbourhood Spider-woman at your service!”
Gwen’s overly wide smile was slowly dropping as MJ didn’t react, standing in the doorway, completely speechless for the first time in the years that Gwen had known her. Mary-Jane always had something to say, no matter what. The drama queen in her always on full display, so the fact that she was just standing there, an unreadable expression on her face, was starting to scare Gwen. They stood in tense silence for god knows how long, Gwen getting increasingly nervous under MJ’s wide-eyed stare.
“What the fuck Gwen?! What happened?” MJ exclaimed, finally stepping over the threshold and gently running her fingers over the bruising across Gwen’s midsection. Gwen winced when MJ touched a particularly painful spot. MJ paused and shot her an apologetic look. Gwen obediently moved her limbs as MJ poked and prodded at her various injuries, pointedly ignoring her glares.
“Oh, you know, got hit by an interdimensional bad guy - the usual. I’m fine, don’t worry about it.”
MJ just pinned her with an unimpressed look and. Damn. Even the Spider-woman wasn't immune to that.
“This,” MJ applied a little more pressure to where she was touching, causing Gwen to hiss in pain, “Doesn’t seem like fine to me. And don’t tell me to not worry about it because how can I not be worried Gwen?”
Here it comes.
“Are you telling me you’ve been going out there every night, getting injured, risking your own life, all for what? The city to try and hunt you down? To become a wanted criminal? That’s insane, Gwen, you have to realise that!”
Gwen let out a huff.
“I do it because I don’t have a choice, MJ. It’s my responsibility to protect the city. No matter what. The risk is necessary.”
“Is it though? Protecting the city isn’t up to just you, you’re just a kid! Why should you have to go out there and risk your life instead of living it like the rest of us! Safe!”
Gwen stepped out of MJ’s arms, turning away from her. MJ placed a hand on her shoulder to stop her.
“I can’t go about my life knowing that there’s dangerous criminals out there, MJ, not in good conscience. I have the power to do something,” She ran a thumb over her webslinger, clenching her fist tightly, the mask in her hand crumpling with the action. “How could I sit here and do nothing?”
“Then why didn’t you just tell me?” MJ asked, watching Gwen repeat the motion, “Do you not trust me enough? Did you think I would tell the cops or something? Your dad?”
Gwen quickly shook her head.
“No, I trust you with my life, MJ.”
“Then why lie?” She snapped, “Why treat me like an idiot? Do you have any idea how worried I was for you Gwen? You were out most nights, missing classes, missing band practice, and always giving me the same absolutely bullshit excuses every single time. You think I didn’t know you were lying?”
Gwen didn’t have to turn around to hear the tears in MJ’s voice. Guilt overwhelmed her, bubbling away in the pit of her stomach, making her nauseous.
Internally, Gwen knew that good things never lasted. All her friendships would crumble to dust and ultimately she’d end up a solo act once more. The constant lying and running took a toll on her, and she knew MJ could feel it too. She never wanted to hurt MJ. Quite frankly, she deserved so much better.
Turning abruptly, she shrugged MJ’s hand off her shoulder and mumbled, “I should go.” She pulled her mask on as a physical and metaphorical shield against the heavy weight of MJ’s stare on her. MJ let out a sharp scoff that made Gwen flinch.
“Of course.”
Gwen didn’t stop, walking out into the living room, pulling her suit over her arms.
“Of course,” MJ repeated, louder this time as she followed Gwen into the living room, “Of course you’re running away again. Always running away, Stacy. God, you’re such a coward.”
Those words gave Gwen some pause. It’s true. You’re a coward, Stacy. She walked to the window, sliding it open. She could feel MJ standing paces behind her, watching. Waiting. She stood by the window, fingers frozen on the sill, eyes lingering on the reflection in the glass staring back at her.
“Go on. Go. Play superhero. Lie to more people. Lie to your dad. Your only family. Lie to your own girlfriend.” MJ spat, words cutting like a knife right through Gwen’s heart.
“I- I really do love you, MJ. I’m sorry.” Gwen protested weakly. MJ raised a brow.
“Oh really? I sure don’t feel it.”
Gwen shakily sat on the window ledge, facing MJ. She was standing arms crossed in the middle of the living room, not caring about the tears streaming down her face, glaring fiercely at Gwen, who lowered her head in shame.
“You know how much it hurts? To be lied to like that?” MJ started, after a moment, after it was clear that Gwen wasn't going to leave, “To know that something is wrong but being unable to bring it up? To know that your own partner doesn’t trust you enough to tell you the truth?"
She took a step closer.
"To-to feel like you’re being gaslit into thinking that everything is all sunshine and rainbows even though your girlfriend comes back at 3 in the fucking morning, not daring to look you in the eye? Do you have any idea how much that hurts?”
MJ took a deep breath.
“Why couldn’t you tell me Gwen?”
“I couldn’t tell you because I was scared, MJ. I was scared of losing you.” Gwen choked out exasperatedly.
MJ let out a humourless laugh, “Oh and lying to me was so much better?”
“I was scared of losing you because the last person who found out I was Spider-woman died!” Gwen burst out, stunning MJ into silence again. Gwen’s chest was painfully tight, and not because of the bruising.
“Peter died because of me. I killed my best friend. My dad hates me and he doesn’t even know it. I couldn’t tell anyone. I couldn’t talk to anyone because these fucking powers are more like a curse!”
Gwen pressed her face into her palms, breathing heavy.
“Every time I try to do something good, I feel like ten more things go wrong. I feel like more and more people treat me like I’m a menace to society. I’m just trying my hardest, but I am alone. No one understands what I go through.”
She pauses, and a sob escapes her throat.
“Those who do understand will never see me again, and I have to keep lying to those I care most about. It kills me to lie to you, MJ, but I had no choice! I didn’t want to put you in danger. I couldn’t lose anyone else. I couldn’t lose another friend. Another person I love. I couldn't!”
“I have been completely alone in this, and yeah, it’s great, I love what I do, but I’m so frustrated that I never seem to do anything right. Every day I fight a losing battle. I’m just so fucking sick of it!”
She rubs her eyes, tears soaking into her mask. She feels a warm hand on her knee. She lifts her head slightly, to see MJ kneeling in front of her. MJ cups her cheek, then lowers her hand until she feels the seam of her mask. Gwen flinches when she starts pulling it up, but relaxes when MJ gives her a kind look. She lets MJ lift her mask off, placing it on the floor next to her. MJ cups her cheek again, forcing her to look into her emerald eyes, which are still shiny with tears.
“It hurts that you think you’re alone in this, Gwen.”
Gwen leans into her touch, breaking eye contact.
“It’s something I have to do, MJ. You know, hero’s call and all that crap.”
“Yeah, yeah. It’s something you have to do. But if you’re out there saving everyone else, then who’s gonna save you?”
Gwen doesn’t trust herself to respond.
“You have a heart of gold, Gwen,” MJ continues, “I love that about you, but you have to learn to be just a little more selfish.”
Gwen shakes her head.
“If I become more selfish, people will die.”
MJ frowns.
“Well, that’s not up to you! People die every day, Gwen. You can’t save everyone. You don’t have to.”
Gwen stays silent, lulling over MJ’s words, letting them sink in.
“Please, just- Please learn to rely on me a little more. And no more secrets, okay?”
Gwen leans forward, resting her forehead on MJ’s shoulder with a sigh. It’s a little awkward, but neither of them move.
“Okay.”
MJ raises a brow with a small smile.
“Okay?”
“No more secrets. I promise.”
MJ presses a kiss to her temple, and she sighs. They stay like that for a little while more, then MJ pats her thigh lightly.
“Alright tiger, go shower. You smell like shit.”
Gwen gasps, affronted. Still, she allows MJ to pull her onto her feet, wincing at the action. The taller girl steadied her with a hand on her stomach, and when Gwen met her eyes, her gaze softened immediately.
Their faces were inches apart, and Gwen was struck by the sudden intimacy of the moment.
"Hey," She whispered, not daring to speak any louder for fear of breaking the little bubble they had found themselves in. Her eyes darted over MJ's face, taking in every little feature. Every freckle that dotted her face, the softness of her lips, the gorgeous curve of her smile.
"Hey," MJ whispered back, as one of Gwen's hands moved to rest on her cheek, stroking softly, the other moving to her shoulder. MJ wrapped her arms securely around Gwen's waist, discreetly pulling her closer.
Their eyes met again, and as if on instinct, they closed the gap between them in the softest kiss that Gwen remembered sharing with MJ, probably ever. Every brush of their lips felt like a silent promise, every little sigh echoing through Gwen's mind and coming to rest in her heart. Gwen felt MJ smile against her lips, effectively breaking the kiss. With a final peck, she pulled back.
"What?" She asked, own grin forming on her lips. MJ chuckled.
"Nothing. I just - I love you."
Gwen smiled, bumping their noses together cheekily. She placed a kiss on MJ's cheekbone, right over where a smattering of freckles dotted her skin.
"I love you too." She said, almost reverently. MJ pressed a final kiss to her lips, then stepped back, taking her wrist and leading her to the shower.
Gwen simply smiled and kept silent, letting MJ strip her off her spider-suit, only breathing out a chuckle when MJ stripped too and climbed into the shower behind her with a wink. And, as MJ washed her wounds with a soft touch and even softer gaze, she realised that although Spider-woman had the weight of the world on her shoulders, now she had her Mary-Jane to share that burden with, for better or for worse.