𝙁𝙇𝙊𝙍𝙀𝙎𝙀𝙉𝘾𝙀

Frustrated

"This isn't good enough, ______. I need something juicy, something scandalous. Not some crappy photo shoot." Jameson remarked, tossing your portfolio of pictures onto the table, as if they didn't mean anything. As if you hadn't spent hours setting the cameras up and taking them while in full suit, chasing after villains.

You took a deep breath, gripping your pant leg. All the years you've spent working with him, and he's never changed. Always so insatiable..Nothing you ever did was good enough.

"This is all I have. If you want more, I'm going to need more time." You tried to reason with him.

"We don't have time! I need a new headline by the end of the week and it has to be about Spiderwoman. I need more action shots. Show her punching someone or something, that'll get people all riled up. Showing Spiderwoman to be the violent criminal she is. You get this in by Friday morning, or you're done, got it?"

"Yeah, I got it." You said, holding back an annoyed sigh, and the boiling rage you had inside.

You would look for somewhere else to work, but this paper paid the best, despite the lies and slandering it spewed. Unfortunately, it's what sells the best in New York, and it's what's kept you afloat for a long time.

You knew Jameson was bluffing. He wasn't going to fire you. He never had no matter how much he threatened you. But no one got the shots of Spiderwoman like you did, all up close and personal. He needs you, but he always has such high expectations.

"What's with the face? Jameson giving you hell?" Your coworker asked the moment you left his office, following you down the hall. He's the worst, an extremely irritating kiss ass, along with one of the people who enjoys writing those slandering articles about you. "I'm not in the mood, Eddie."

"C'mon, can't we just talk? I'm not trying to cause trouble or anything, I swear." You stopped at the elevator, pressing the button.

You glanced over your shoulder, seeing that he was still there. Realizing he wouldn't leave until you spoke with him, you sighed, turning to face him. "What?"

"Man you really are irritable, huh? Maybe I can help you blow off some steam or something. We could head to the supply closet-"

"Shut up." You threw a hand over his mouth, dragging him into the elevator with you. Not only was he your coworker..but a guy you've been hooking up with. It's been an on and off thing for a couple of months, an agreement to use each other with no emotional attachment, just to keep you when the loneliness starts to eat at you again. "Not at work, remember?"

"Well how about tonight? We could have dinner at my place and I could help you relax." He offered. You gave him a look. "No dinners."

"I know, but I was just offering to maybe help you cool down. I know you've been wound up tight with Jameson lately and I just wanted to-"

"Thanks for the offer, but I can't. I have to volunteer again." Admit it or not, he's getting attached, which is why you've put an end to it again.

"Right." He murmured, watching as you stepped out of the elevator.

You glanced over your shoulder at him as you stepped out.  "And if you're looking for someone to have dinner with, you've got the wrong girl."

—

Recently, a new part of Spider-HQ was opened. The training facility. There was a traditional gym, and also specific exercise areas for spider people, such as web shooting and swinging practice, even having different modes with holographic cities and such.

It's nice being able to exercise and challenge yourself to your full potential, without being judged by others. No, you could use the heaviest weights you wanted and wouldn't be questioned about it. It was just what you needed to release steam.

You were stressed. It was hard enough being Spiderwoman in your dimension, and now you were taking on work from Miguel too. Not just that, but Jameson was still up your ass about work, and there's also that heavy weight of guilt you feel from your interaction with Eddie earlier. Not because of what you said to him, but the guilt you always felt about Peter.

You sprinted on the treadmill for a solid twenty minutes, did some back squats, deadlifting  and bench press, but it wasn't enough. You were still pissed and you felt like you were on fire.

Feeling a hand tap your shoulder, you spun around on your heel, pulling away from your punching bag. You had already detected the presence when they entered the room, but that didn't mean you weren't irritated at them for interrupting you.

"Hey kid, you alright there?" It was Peter B. You let your shoulders relax, but you were still tense. "I'm fine. And you know I'm an adult right? You don't have to keep calling me that. What are you doing here, anyway?"

"Well I am older than you, so it still makes you a kid to me. And I came here to get pumped. While being Spiderman keeps me in shape, I like to workout in my free time too." For some reason, you  doubt that.

"Hey, don't look at me like that. I'm being serious. I  do!" That managed to get you to crack a small smile, as you turned back to the punching bag.  "Okay, okay I believe you."

You continued your workout, and for some reason, Peter didn't leave. You paused, turning back to face him. "What?"

"Nothing. Are you sure you're okay?" You groaned, giving the punching bag a rough jab, accidentally activating your super strength and knocking it off the hinges...again. "See what I'm talking about? That's like the third time that happened. It's like you're trying to kill the thing."

He won't leave unless you tell him something, but the last person you want to discuss your struggles with is that one that's exactly like your dead husband.

"I'm just having a bad day alright? I'm working out to release some steam. Now will you leave me alone?" You told him. Are all Spidermen this nosy, or is it just him?

"Okay, okay. Well, If you need anything or want to talk about it, just let me know. Have fun." He finally backed off, walking away while you put the punching bag back on the hook.

Hopefully, things will start getting better soon.