The Tragedy of Mary Jane Stark

Christmas Day

"Okay what's the superior fruit juice?" Mary asked. Mj and Peter were just laying on his bed. They just messed around for hours as it seemed. He was still in his suit.
"Apple juice obviously." Peter replied.
"What? That's maybe top three, maybe"
"Maybe top three? No way apple juice is the best. What do you think is better."
"Orange juice is the best."
"No it's so bitter."
"Dude what orange juice are you drinking it's so good."
"I'm not drinking any orange juice because it's so bitter." Peter said which made Mary roll over and laugh.
"What time is it?" She asked.
"I don't know. Pass me my tuba." He asked reaching out for it.
"Why?"
"Do it."
"Since when have you had a tuba." She said handing it to him.
"I mentioned it to Mr Stark I wanted to learn how to play then the next day I found it in my room." He said then blew really hard into the instrument. It was so loud that Mary covered her ears.
"Who the hell is playing a Tuba at two am!" They heard Happy shout from the other room and Peter dropped the Tuba.
"It's two am." Peter said casually and Mary tried to muffle her laugh.
"Thanks." She laughed and cuddled close to him.
"Are you cold?" He asked.
"A little."
"Probably because your wearing a tee shirt. Come here." He said opening his arms for her to lay in.
"Thank you, bubs." She cuddled close to him, attempting to get warm. "I'll wake you up in 5 hours."
"Mmm thanks." Peter replied sounding half asleep.
                                      *
The drive to Stark cabin was a quiet one. For Mary had gotten no sleep and Peter a very limited amount. Pepper had asked them to stay in their pjs so Peter changed out of the night monkey suit and put on some Pj bottoms and a tee shirt. Pepper was outside the cabin before they even pulled in.
"Hey Pep, merry ch-," Mary tried to joyously say but Pepper covered her mouth.
"Shh. I don't want Morgan to know you two are here. I completely forgot to tell her you guys were coming so it will be a total surprise to her." Pepper explained.
"Oh that's a fun idea. Where should we hide, like behind the tree or something?" Peter asked helping Mary out of the car.
"Well she normally wakes up on her own around 8. So just sit in the living room until we hear her stir. Then hide in the bathroom. I'll text you when to come out."
"Okay sounds like a plan."

The moment they shut the door however, Morgan began to wake up. Peter and Mary quickly hid in the bathroom waiting for Peppers text.
Peter slumped down to lay in the bath tub and Mary sat on the edge.
"Do you remember last night. When Brad went on that weird tangent about how someone close to you must be the reason for your tragedy or whatever?" Peter said looking up at her.
"Yeah. He was just being invasive and ridiculous though. Dads dead so he had nothing to do with what happened in Europe. Brad just needs to butt out of our business." Mary huffed.
"I don't think he was talking about Mr Stark. He was being weirdly directive towards me. I-I think he might be suspicious of me." Peter whispered.
"Wait maybe your right. That night in Italy he kind of told me he thought you were super sus. I just kind of thought he was trying to convince me you were cheating. But- no he's too dumb. There's no way he'd actually think you were Spider-Man. Half the people at school think Spider-Man is an older dude anyway." Mary whispered.
"Maybe your right. It just felt directed at me. I just can't help but feel..." Peter whisper seemed to get more quiet.
"Feel what?"
"Like there was some truth in what he was saying. I mean tragedy does follow you. I can't help but feel it's partly my fault." Peter said refusing to look at her.
"Oh hush. Your starting to sound like dad now. It's not your fault, Dads name will just continue to haunt me forever. There's nothing we can do. Mary Jane isn't even associated with Spider-Man, to the public's knowledge at least." Mary said.
"But what if Mysterio isn't the only psychopath out there. That hates Tony. There has to be more surely. And now that the world knows he's your daughter- who knows what if next time the psychopath actually gets you. What if there's an someone more dangerous." He said starting to sound panicked.
"Well I'm sure damn lucky I have Spider-Man then." She said after a while, grabbing hold of his hand. "I trust you to keep the psychopaths away." She said smirking slightly.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be such a bummer. Just- he's been in my head. Ever since we've gotten back. The nightmares are just- I'm sorry." Peter said.
"What- no don't be sorry. Why haven't you told me you've been having nightmares. I could have helped you." Mary said as he gripped her hand.
"I just didn't think it was like important you know? They are just stupid dreams." Peter huffed.
"Can I see them?" She said slowly bringing her hand towards his fore head. However in that very same moment she got her message from Pepper to tell them to come out.
"Later." He said sitting up out of the tub and grabbing her hand.
They snuck out of the bathroom, thankfully Morgan's back was turned towards the hallway, giving Mj and Peter a perfect way to surprise her.
"Honey, you've got another gift right behind you. I think you better open it first." Pepper said winking at Peter and Mary.
"But I want to open this one first." Morgan whined.
"Well just look behind you! I promise you'll be happy you saw it first." Pepper said pointing at Peter and Mary.
"Fine." Morgan huffed. She turned around, her little eyes lit up with excitement when seeing her sister and Peter. "Pp! Mary!" Morgan continued to call Peter, Pp after Mj nearly died of laughter.
"Hey Morgoona!" Mary said as Morgan threw her arms around her. "Merry Christmas!"
"Yeah Merry Christmas Morgan." Peter chimes in. For the rest of the morning Morgan excitedly opened presents on the floor- refusing to get up from Mary's lap.
"Why were you guys gone for so long." Morgan whined clinging to Mary.
"Well we had school. Then we went on a trip to Europe." Mary explained.
"Oh. Well don't go to school anymore I miss you too much."
"We only got a couple of more months then Peter and I won't be going back to school." Mary explained. Her and Peter already decided to just take online classes for college. Flexible hours for Peter.
"Then are you going to move back here with me and mommy?" Morgan questioned.
"Well no- but we'll be able to visit you more often!" Peter said trying to keep little Morgan happy.
"Where will you live then?"
"Honestly I think May's kicking me out the moment I turn 18." Peter said rubbing the back of his neck.
"Making room for Happy." Mary smirked. "And potentially a Happy Junior." She chuckled slightly.
"Ewww don't even joke!" Peter said half heartedly laughing. Morgan was now distracted playing with her new doll.
"Well sense you are being replaced when you turn 18." Mary smirked and Peter rolled his eyes. "Would you like to move in with me dear Pp."
"Not if you start calling me that too." He joked and sat closer to her. "But really I would absolutely love too."
"Don't be catching cooties from him, Mary." Morgan warned and Mary giggled.
"Yeah Pp back up I don't want your cooties, bubs." She smirked and he playfully rolled his eyes.
As they spent the entire day in the living room, Morgan playing with all her new toys and eating all of the candy from her stockings, she grew tired.
"Okay I'm going to give Morgan a bath and put her to bed, if that's okay. Then I can give you two your presents." Pepper said picking up Morgan.
"Oh really Miss Potts you didn't have to get me anything." Peter said.
"No it was no trouble at all. I'll be right back." She shuffled out of the room.
Mary turned towards Peter who had a suspicious grin on his face.
"What are you thinking about bubs." Mary said and quickly put her one finger on his forehead.
What if we kissed while I was upside down. Would that be hard to do or would it be hot? Should I ask her. Oh shit she knows-
"Hey man! That was well just me messing around I didn't actually mean it." Peter said taking her hand off his head.
"No that honestly sounds interesting. I think we should try it." Mary Jane said standing up now, "Stand on the ceiling."
"Okay. This is going to be so ridiculous." Peter laughed as he walked up the walls, standing on the ceiling above Mj.
"You look really funny at this angle." Mary smirked as they were face to face.
"I would say the same to you but I'm not a very good lair." Peter smirked making Mary Jane blush. He leaned in to try and kiss her but smacked his head against hers.
"Owww what the hell pp." Mary held her head and laughed.
"Oh my god I'm so sorry. Are you okay? This is such a weird angle." He said grabbing her head.
"No im fine. Just- let me do it." Mary grabbed hold of his cheeks and slowly guided his face towards her. The kiss was a weird sensation, everything was upside down of course. Mary wasn't quite sure if she liked it. His tongue felt weird at this angle. However Peter seemed to be enjoying it, pulling her closer at this awkward angle. They broke apart.
"That was... incredible. Why haven't I thought of this earlier?!" Peter said hopping down from the ceiling. He went to kiss her again, right side up, but notice she had a weird look. "What? You didn't like it?"
"It was just- different." She said.
"Good different or bad different?"
"I'm still deciding." She smiled. "I think with more practice it would be nice." She winked and Pepper walked in the room.
"Sorry I wanted to put Morgan to bed before we did this." Pepper said.
"Did what?" Mary asked.
"Well, I decided it best... not to bury him. I got him cremated." Peppers voice got low and hushed. Peter and Mary looked at each other then back at Pepper. "I did it a while ago of course. And I split the ashes up so that I can have some and you guys some. You can do whatever you want with them. Put it in a necklace or keep it in the urn. I also didn't know what to give you so here's 50 bucks each to get whatever you want." Pepper said handing them an urn and some cash, awkwardly.
Mary was suspicious. Pepper was acting weird, she looked over at Peter.
"Here Pep, you Uh have something on your forehead." Mary pretend to wipe something off her forehead.
I have to be strong I have to be strong. Tony wouldn't want me to cry on Christmas
"Oh what was it?" Pepper said moving her hand.
"Uh just a hair. One of my hairs, that's why I could see it." Mary said trying to come up with an excuse.
"You growing your hair out?" Pepper asked. Mary's cherry red was now just the bottom half of her hair. The dark brown was growing in.
"Oh yeah I just keep forgetting to dye it. I'm on the fence about it though- I kind of like the brown."
"Hmm I like it too. I think I'm going to go to bed." Pepper said sadly.
"Are you sure? I don't want you to be alone on Christmas." Mary said grabbing her hand. She knew that Pepper was having a hard time- spending Christmas without Tony.
"Yeah I'm really tired."
"Okay... I was going to order you a giant bunny but it wouldn't come in on time." Mary smiled and Pepper laughed weakly.
"Are you guys spending the night? I cleaned your sheet the other day."
"That was probably a good idea they really need it. Especially after what we got up too." Peter whispered to Mary.
"Peter!" Mary looked up at Peter trying to hide her laughter. "Thank you Pep we probably will."
"Okay, you guys can stay up. Goodnight." Pepper said quietly walking down the hallways towards her room.
"I can't believe you said that in front of Pepper what is wrong with you." Mary tried to suppress a laugh.
"I don't know it just kinda blurted out. It was the upside down kiss man." Peter put his hands up defensively. Mary pulled his hand towards the couch by the fire place. She cuddled into his side as he has his arm around her shoulders holding her tight. "What did you see. When you touched Pepper?"
"She was sad, about dad. Especially now, ya know on Christmas. I feel bad that she's going to bed so early alone but maybe that's just what she needs." Mary said cuddling into his shoulder.
"Probably hard to give us the urn too." He said in a hush voice. Mary didn't want to talk about it anymore. She could feel herself grow more upset.
"Are you going to tell me about these nightmares?" She asked.
Peter paused for a moment and took a deep breath. "It was just Becks illusions. They really messed me up. I mean the Mr Stark zombie absolutely horrifies me. Then watching him kill you over and over again is just- I've woken up and swung by your apartment just to make sure your okay every night since we've gotten back." He said his eyes getting glossy as he looked at her.
"He's dead Pete. He can't hurt you anymore. That truly sounds awful I am so sorry." She said playing with his hair.
"Heh I'm not worried about me." He said kissing her hair line.
"Stop- you need to stop worrying about me so much. Nothings going to happen to me okay? I'm fine."
"What happens when the next psychopath comes after you then? There's going to be more, it's not just Beck. Tony had a lot of enemies. Spider-Man has some too." He pulled her closer.
"Well when the next psychopath comes, you'll be there. And I know that I don't have a suit anymore but that doesn't mean I'm useless. Dad made me take self defense classes ever since I was like 10." She tried to make him feel better.
"But what's if I'm not there. What if I can't stop them." His eyes slowly brimming with tears, trying to hide them.
"Awww bubs don't cry." Mary said sitting up trying to wipe them off. "You will be there. I know you will. They are just nightmares they'll pass." She comforted.
"It's like he's in my head. You don't understand there's this one- it's exactly what happened to uncle Ben but instead of him it's- you." He hid his face between her neck and shoulder blade. Trying not to sob.
"Oh god Pete. Y-you just have to understand that it's not him doing this. It's all in your head, he's dead Peter." She said rubbing his head in an attempt to calm him.
"I know, I know he's dead, I watched him die. Maybe it's the guilt of almost having you and Ned and Michelle killed thats haunting me. I just want to be able to sleep without being afraid." He lifted his head.
"How about this. The moment I see you tossing and turning or just looking like you have a bad dream I'll wake you up. Even better I can watch your dreams and make sure they don't turn dark. Maybe if waking you up before anything happens- maybe they'll stop." She said running his tear stained cheeks.
"But then you won't be able to sleep?"
"I never sleep anyway. Really it's fine."
"Well no because you have to drive home tomorrow I don't want you to be sleep deprived and drive."
"Then I'll let you drive."
"For real?"
"Yeah. If it means helping you stop having nightmares it's worth me being afraid of your driving." She smirked slightly moving his curls from his eyes.
"I feel bad though. I really don't want to keep you awake." He said grabbing hold of her hands.
"Really Pete it's fine. I probably wasn't going to sleep well anyway."
"Okay... Thank you." He kissed her cheek.