Scarlet Romance

My Mother Approves

Total silence...

I hoped he wasn't dead or anything because he was silent the whole trip home. My umbrella shifted as we walked down the the streets of downtown New York. A few people gave passing glances, but I would glare at them. I hated when I was stared at by total strangers. It was then I remembered I had Scarlet in my arms and sighed.

I wonder who he is under that mask of his? I thought, looking at him intensively. He mention Doc Ock, but he's Spiderman's arch-nemesis! And what's with him falling out of the sky? This whole situation makes me-

"Would you quit staring at me like that?"

I blinked, now seeing his eyeholes scrunched up in irritation. I puffed my cheeks in anger at him.

"And what's wrong with me staring at you? It's not like I think your interested in you or anything!" I exclaimed, getting a growl from him.

"Look you didn't have to save me or help me up. I could've been fine by myself."

"Oh and how's that going for you now? Battered, bruised, and possibly injured underneath that stupid suit of yours!"

Our faces were in inch apart. I was about to really give him a piece of my mind when light flooded in front of us and a shrill voice called out.

"FIGLIA! YOU BROUGHT A BOY HOME!"

I had completely forgot to mention that I'm part Italian. On my mother's side no less. My father met her on a business trip in Rome and they instantly hooked up. She said he was a nice man with nice features. I wished I could've met him,but he died five years ago due to a fatal gunshot. Sometimes this city takes more of the things I love.

"Who that heck is this?" Scarlet and I had walked in the door of my mother and I's townhouse. It was a quaint cozy place with three bedrooms, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a living room area. We barely have enough to pay for food and rent, but with all my jobs and my mother working as a nurse, we make it through.

So where was I again? Oh yeah my mamma! She was a very beautiful woman with caramel brown hair that shone in the light at a certain angle. Her eyes were olive green and her skin was nice and tanned. She was still wearing her nurse's uniform, her hair was a bit disheveled, and there were bags underneath her eyes. Her eyes were widen to the point that made her look like a frog and her mouth was wide open.

"Scarlet, this is my mother Eleanora." I pointed to the woman who was standing in shock in front of us. "Mamma, this is Scarlet Spider, I rescued him and he's very injured. Could you possibly help him-"

I blinked as she immediately took his hand and brought him over to the couch. Scarlet grunted a bit, my mamma pulling out her First Aid kit at lighting speed.

"Say no more figalia! Any man that my daughter brings home is bound to be a keeper!" She beamed happily at Scarlet, my face turning bright crimson.

"We...we aren't dating mom! He fell in front of me!"

She waved her hand at me. "Nonsense child! Obviously he trusted you enough to bring you home." She gave him a warm smile. "I hope my daughter wasn't too harsh on you. She does that to people she meets."

For the first time since he got into the house, Scarlet spoke. "Well she was threatening to drop me."

I placed my coat on the coat-rack as I felt my mother's glare behind me. I yelped as her tongue depressors hit me on the head.

"YOU WERE GOING TO DROP AN INJURED PERSON? FOR SHAME FIGALIA!"

Rubbing my head, I frowned. "Well he was being rude and I threaten to drop him if he didn't shut up."

Scarlet glared at me, but I didn't care. Wiping my hands on my jeans, I walked into the kitchen. Pots of bubbling stew and rice were on the stove. I licked my lips as I retrieved the ladle out of the cabinet and started to stir the stew. Around in the other room, grunts of pain and my mother's voice filled my ears. I suppose this Scarlet Spider was going to stay with us. Great...just what we need. Another mouth to feed.

"Figalia! Can you check on the rice and make sure it isn't bubbling?!" My mom called, breaking my thoughts. I placed the rice off the stove-top and placed it on the counter. I hope she was finished with the red annoyance.

"What are you doing?"

Speak of the devil and he shall appear...

He came closer, looking over my shoulder. I noticed he was still wearing his mask, surprising me. What did he have to hide underneath?

"Making dinner. I guess we won't be having leftovers with you here." I scooped some rice into three separate bowls. "Shame really, I really like her beef stew."

"Why are you helping me?" His voice was full of curiosity. "I hardly know you and you don't know me either."

I pointed my spoon at him. "Listen Scarlet, my mother may like you already, but that doesn't mean I will." I narrowed my eyes at him. "But since you have no place to stay, I'll ask her if you can stay with us until you can remember what happened to you. I may not like you, but I'm not a heartless person." My cheeks heated up, a tinge of red possibly evident in them. "So shut up and wash up for dinner."

He looked at me a little bit longer before walking to the bathroom. I watched him move in the corner of my eye. He was well built and toned with muscles. Suddenly, my hand smacked my face. I don't even like this jerk!

Still...maybe I could tolerate him for a while.

Dinner was an eventful one. Mamma was ecstatic on letting Scarlet stay with us. He and mamma were chatting away. I think he was getting comfortable around us because he wasn't acting hostile or taking out his death knives. He also had quite the appetite because he asked for thirds of mamma's stew, which she was happy to give him. I grimaced knowing that my lunch wasn't going to appear tomorrow.

I had school the next day so I started to get ready for bed. I had to lock my door so that no red eyes were to peer in on me. Slipping into my black and purple pajamas, I walked out the door to see Scarlet lounging on the couch. Blankets were sprawled around, I guess mamma was letting him sleep on the couch. The rain outside fell slower, tiny taps on the window panes.

He noticed me watching him in the hallway and I could've sworn he was frowning under his mask.

"What do you want?" He asked gruffly, leaning into a sitting position. I huffed, plopping myself on the other side, crossing my arms.

"Are we ever going to just have a civil conversation? Or do you just act that way around everyone who saves your life?"

SHINK!

Again with the arm knives. I found myself back against the couch as he growled at me.

"You didn't save my life. I was just fine on my own without you appearing." He put his knives up. "Besides I've always worked by myself. That's the way it's supposed to be after all."

My eyes soften when he said this. Was he truly alone? I wonder what happened to his parents, or dd he have any? I found him falling out of the sky. So what had he done that made him fall.

Without thinking, I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him into a hug. He stiffened, not knowing what was going on.

"I don't think your alone...you just need somebody." I looked into his eyeholes. "You've got me and mamma. Besides no one wanders this planet alone. We weren't designed that way."

He didn't say anything, I think he was letting it sink in. I released him from the hug and got up to get to bed. Before I made it too far, a hand grabbed my arm. Startled, I turned around to see him looking at me.

"Thanks punk." He said, genuine gratitude in his voice.

I smiled, he wasn't so bad after all.