By Moonlight (P.P + M.J)

19. Call Me MJ

"Really? Animal Farm? That's one of your favorites?" Peter asked Michelle as they tossed a small colored ball back and forth. She was sitting on her bed and he was in the moon chair. They were discussing their favorite books, and Michelle proved to be far more well-read than Peter, which didn't surprise either of them.

"What? It's a classic!" Michelle pointed out with a laugh, tossing the ball back to him, "oh, that and The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. Phenomenal ending."

"Never even heard of it," Peter said as he caught the ball.

"I'm not even surprised."

They tossed the ball a few more times. They had been talking for a solid two hours, and it was now nine o'clock. May was probably worrying about him, but that wasn't enough to compel him to leave. But they both perked up at the sound of a car door slamming. Peter figured that must be Michelle's sister, finally home from working as a janitor at the library.

"Well, I think that's my cue," Peter said, standing up. Michelle joined him as he went to the double glass doors and jumped up on the wooden railing of her balcony.

"We should hang out more often," Peter suggested, turning to look at Michelle with his mask in hand, "you never even heard what my favorite video game is."

"Please, we both know you love Skyrim and Bioshock," she retorted with flip of her hair. He raised an eyebrow, ready to ask how she knew that, but she swept on, "I do sit at the same table as you and Ned. Sometimes I listen to your conversations. And I think you said something about how Uncharted will always be your all-time favorite series."

"It has the best of everything!" Peter pointed out, wondering who wouldn't want to be the dashing Uncharted protagonist, Nathan Drake.

"I know, Parker. I'm very well aware," she sighed, smiling up at him.

They stared at each other for what felt like a long time. Her eyes were quite mesmerizing, so full of intelligence and honesty. The silence between them wasn't even awkward, for the moment didn't need words to describe the feelings that Peter was experiencing.

Then, Peter thought of Liz, but not in the way you'd think. He thought about how Liz had never kept Peter on his toes, never hit him with brutal honesty when he needed it, never brought down his ego when it might be a little too high, if it ever was. She wasn't as good a listener, since she spent most of her time looking at her phone, even on the way to Homecoming. He had never sought out her attention, for he was very comfortable with admiring from afar.

But with Michelle, he wanted to impress her. He wanted to get her to notice him, even if he was just watching from a tree. Spiderman had turned her head, but in the end, it was Peter Parker who had truly acquired the gift of her attention.

"But I agree, we should hang out more," she then said, looking down at her bare feet, "you're not bad company."

Peter smirked, exhaling sharply through his nose in a soft laugh, nodding his head. "I guess I could say the same. Besides, I think I have an idea about what your favorite color is."

She gave him an amused look. "Then come back when you're sure."

She turned, sliding the glass door to walk back into her room. Peter would've just let her go, but then he heard Karen in his head, and what she might say to him. The A.I. had been right last time, but Peter didn't need her to tell him what to do next.

Choosing his thinnest web setting, he quickly shot a web at Michelle's back. He yanked ever so gently, taking into account his own strength, and she was pulled back to him, spinning around. He caught her in his arms, easily maintaining his equilibrium on the rail. She looked up at him, and she wore an expression of both surprise and irritation. But before she could say a word, he pressed his lips to hers.

Okay, so he really didn't know how she was going to react. He honestly didn't really have a plan going in either. Maybe she'd hit him, cuss him out, call him an idiot, etc, etc. But what he didn't expect was for her to kiss back, their lips fitting together like puzzle pieces, their eyes closing as they both sank into it. Sure, she hesitated at first, but his heart fluttered when he felt her smile against his lips before pushing back. It was slow and passionate, and Peter could truly say that he had never felt so alive than in that moment. From the full moon shining down on them to the distant noises of traffic, nothing could have been a better setting.

They parted for breath, their foreheads pressed together, and Michelle whispered quietly, "did you get on the railing just so you would be taller than me?"

"It doesn't hurt," was all Peter replied before kissing her again. God, nothing felt better than kissing Michelle. Well, maybe when she reached up to cup his face. That felt great too.

When they parted once again, Peter breathed, "your favorite color's gray, Michelle."

At first, she didn't reply. She just smiled up at him in what seemed like shining wonder, and Peter couldn't think of the last time she looked so... happy.

"Call me MJ," she said, tapping Peter's cheek with her finger. They kissed one more time before they both heard the door to her townhouse open, and someone calling her name.

She let go of him, stepping back while saying, "you better get swinging, Webs. I don't want to have to explain this to my sister."

Peter laughed, and he quickly pulled his mask on over his head, replying, "yeah, I can just feel the awkward."

They exchanged a swift goodbye before Peter swung away. Despite the roaring emotions in his heart, he would wait to yell until he was in the city. He would hate for MJ's sister to hear and be tipped off. MJ wouldn't thank him for that.

I assume everything went okay?

"Oh Karen, everything went just great," Peter replied as he ran along the rooftops, smiling like an idiot.

While I'm happy for you, there's something happening on the Brooklyn Bridge.

Peter didn't even ask for specifics. He turned in the direction of the bridge and started swinging his way there. No matter what he found, nothing could dampen his spirit. He was so happy that he felt almost invincible. He could take on whatever trouble there was.

Nothing could kill his vibe.

Like I said, I like a slow burn. ;)

~Fargone5