Loving You Black & Blue | Miguel O'Hara x Felicia Hardy

Ch. 11: A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night

[New York City – Earth 1610]

They had been at it for hours and Felicia wasn't anywhere near satisfied.

Felicia could see her assistant fading before her very eyes. I don't blame you, girl. Reading through the contracts one more time wasn't going to make narrowing down the talent for the holiday gala any easier. It certainly wasn't going to make a difference tonight. Felicia rubbed her eyes, "Kendra. I'm calling it. It will all still be here on Monday."

Her assistant shook her head emphatically, even as she yawned. "Miss Hardy, the annual budget meeting is next week. I think it'd be better if we had this finished." Felicia grimaced, "You mean my mother would rather it be finished. It's no big deal, we'll increase the price for private tables. I'll rattle the donors for some bespoke jewelry for the silent auction."

Kendra was clearly uncomfortable with the idea, but Felicia couldn't be bothered. When are these people going to learn that between me and Mom, I'm so much worse as an enemy? Felicia snapped her laptop closed and began gathering up the loose documents scattered across her desk, "Come on. Pack it up. We're going home."

Downstairs, the two women chatted in the dark lobby. "Thanks for waiting with me," Kendra said sweetly, "Tom doesn't live far away." Felicia smiled, "Don't mention it. Sorry for keeping you so late."

"Will you take a car home?"

Felicia pondered for a moment, looking at the bright moon through the floor to ceiling windows, "Honestly, it's such a beautiful night..." Kendra was aghast, "Miss Hardy! You're not seriously thinking of walking?? Alone?? At night!?!"

Felicia didn't have the heart to tell the girl that she had fended off much meaner gangs than anyone wandering around New York City at night. "I'll be fine," Felicia reassured her, "Promise."

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[Nueva York – Earth 928]

Miguel had put in a long day in the lab. Quarterly data reports were more intimidating than any threat he may face out in the field. Glancing at the clock, Miguel double-checked the time on his watch and frowned. I figured she'd be home by now.

He had made the critical error earlier of confiding in the one Spider-Man he considered a friend and confidante, Peter B. Parker. The older Spider-Man had been over the moon.

"Miguel! That's great, buddy! It's about time, my guy, we were all starting to think the worst."

Peter B. Parker was a loose cannon and an idiot, but he was a blissfully happy idiot. With his sweet little family tucked away safely in a quiet dimension. That was not the kind of life Miguel dared to dream of anymore. He wasn't sure he could picture Felicia pulling a pot roast out of the oven or standing at the altar in white, but he could imagine what it would be like to be pulled into her vibrant energy every single day.

"LYLA, I'm clocking out for now," Miguel grabbed his overnight bag from under his desk and entered the coordinates for Felicia's apartment (LYLA had taken the liberty of making it the No. 2 saved locale – right between his office and his own home.)

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," the AI voice followed him as he stepped through the portal.

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[New York City – Earth 1610]

Typically, Felicia tried not to think too much about the super soldier serum that coursed through her veins and gave her the gift of effortlessly incredible abs. It wasn't the happiest memory. But it came with its advantages – like being absolutely fearless when it came to walking alone.