|Towards the Endgame|

•Chapter 146• Friends For Help

Times were so much easier when they were in school, with maybe one villain hunting them at the time, but mostly normal lives. Peter swung through the city at night, stopping small robberies and criminals. There wasn't a life threat waiting around every corner. Y/n couldn't help but think about that when she saw her friend already seated in the same seat he always sat in. Y/n hadn't been here in ages... She is very aware of the people standing across the street with their phones and even professional cameras taking pictures of her, thinking she hasn't noticed them yet. People are very eager to interfere in other people's business.
Y/n pushed open the door of the little shop where she, Peter, and their friends used to spend so much time when they were still in school. It did help that one of their friends worked there and gave them a discount, and to have Y/n, who would pay no matter who was with her. Y/n stepped inside and approached her friend. "Hey, you..." She greeted him after tapping his shoulder. He immediately jumped up from his seat. He grabbed her and pulled her in for the tightest hug he had ever given her. She was more than happy to squeeze him back. "Hey! I haven't seen you in ages!" For a second, she had expected it to be difficult to see him and talk to him again after a while. He hasn't seen her since she woke up, has he? It feels like ages, nonetheless. Ned was so happy to see her. He seemed just as happy as he was the first time he saw her – after he figured out who she was. That felt like so long ago, thinking back to it now. Y/n let him go carefully and looked at her friend. He had already started rambling about what he thought happened to her and what's been happening at MIT and with his family.

It pained Y/n to interrupt him on his third story about his Lola. She did not ask him to come and chat about that, though she probably should have done that. "Ned, I gotta talk to you about something important." They sat down together in the chairs right next to each other. Ned sat down in his like it were an assigned seat for him. "Shoot." He said as soon as she turned to him again. Y/n inhaled deeply – this wouldn't be an easy topic for either of them. "You remember what happened in London, right?" She asked him. Ned nodded quickly. His hands nervously tapped on his thighs. "I still have therapy for those days. Yes." His tone was so casual. Is that something to be concerned about? Not really. She does the same thing. And she should have been able to answer that question himself, really. "Stupid question. I get the bills. But that's not what I'm talking about." Y/n muttered. "You know, sometimes I dream that there's a drone at my bedside," Ned added quickly. She narrowed her eyes at him slightly. "I think you should mention that to Doctor Mils." He looked at her, confused. "You think?" He asked with an arched eyebrow. "How did you get into MIT again?" - "Wait, no. I was making a point." She gently takes his hands in hers. "I want you to stay very calm, okay? Very calm." She needed to say the words and get it out of her system. If he freaked out, it should just happen. Get over it. "I'm super cool," Ned said to her. It wouldn't take long for that to change, no doubt. She knows what he's like with Mysterio. He was scared to death. Literally, if Peter hadn't stepped in on time, then they would have been dead.

Y/n clicked her tongue. "Mysterio's not dead. He's here and he teamed up with the Vulture to end both me and Peter. And my dad. And possibly you guys, too, when he remembers you exist." Ned stays very quiet and only blinks a few times. Not a word or a sigh came out of him. For a second, she thought he might have had a heart attack. He sat so still that it looked like someone had pressed pause on a movie. "Ned?" Still nothing. "Ned, are you okay?" Y/n asked him and squeezed his hand very gently. It was enough to bring him back for a second or two. "The who is back in the where?" At least it wasn't more silence. "Mysterio," Y/n answered calmly. Guiding him through it step by step. Anything to make sure he doesn't get a panic attack or faint. Y/n's not sure if she can catch him quickly enough. "And he's here?" Ned pointed his finger. Not here in the cafe, but yes. Y/n nodded. "Yes, he is." She answered. Ned was staring ahead of him again at the wall. "That's... not great..." He mumbled. "No, it's not." Y/n snapped her fingers in front of his eyes when it took him too long to come back to her. "Ned, I need your help."
From the back, a girl stepped into view, tying the apron around her waist. Her gaze landed on Y/n as soon as she could see the shop. It was MJ. "What are you doing here?" She asked. Not in a hateful or irritated tone. "I need your help. From both of you." Y/n replied. The tension between them was still there, but she refused to let that get the better of her. Neither of them would. "MJ, Y/n... she has... she..." Ned was very clearly freaking out. Who could blame him? The man who tried to murder them, whom they believed to be dead, was still alive. The reason he was in therapy for was here. And he was one of those villains who can pop up behind you without you knowing it. Killing you, and you'd never see it coming.