Always

Chapter 3

[play If Only]
On the way home, Ashlyn insisted on stopping by Aunt May and Peter's apartment. After getting to their door, she knocked and the door opened to Aunt May who was happy to see Ashlyn, who she thought of as a daughter, until she saw her face.

"Ashlyn are you okay?" exclaimed Aunt May. 

"Is- is Peter here?" she replied through sniffles. 

"Let me go check sweetie." Aunt May walked away to go check Peter's room. "He's back in his room Ash."

 Ashlyn walked back to his room and knocked on the door. 

"Ash!" Peter said as he ran up to hug her. "Are you okay?"

"No Peter I'm not. You said you were going to be there after school to support me. Ned was there and you weren't. And then after I came out of the locker room, a guy tried to kiss me and touch me. And you know who came to save and comfort me? Ned. Not Ned and Peter, just Ned. Which leaves the question, what was oh so important that Peter Parker bailed on his friends, after promising to be there?"

"Ash I-I." 

"Just save it Peter. I don't want to hear it. You know I thought for once you wouldn't bail on me like you have the past few months, but I guess I was wrong."

As Ashlyn started to open the door, a web suddenly stuck to her hand, leaving her unable to move it. 

"What the heck!" Ashlyn exclaimed. 

"Ash just listen to me okay. I know it's going to be hard to believe me but I'm Spider-Man. That's why I've been bailing on you. I'm sorry." 

Ashlyn stood their for a minute before opening her mouth. "I believe you." 

"You do?" 

"Yeah. I know this is gonna sound crazy but I'm Wonder, you're crime fighting partner. I read your mind. I know you're telling the truth."

"You're Wonder?! Wow who would've thought two best friends would've got paired up to crime fight together."

"Actually I have a feeling it was planned. My family's kinda friends with the Avengers."

"What?!" 

"Yeah. My biological mom is actually Black Widow, which is why I was picked to join Iron Man, along with you." 

"You're mom's Black Widow?"

"Yeah."

"Ashlyn, can I tell you something else?"

"Sure Peter. What is it?"

"I like you Ashlyn. Like I really like you." 

"I like you too Peter. I have ever since we were little. I just never acted on it cause you liked Liz."

"Well it's really you I like Ash. And I'm sorry I couldn't be there today or the past few months. I've just been caught up being Spider-Man and I'm so sorry. So how about we have a movie night and put alter egos aside and just be friends for the night." 

"Just friends?" 

"Romantically interested friends?" 

"Haha Pete. Sure romantically interested friends. And a definite yes to the movie night." 

"Alright. I think you still have some clothes left here, if not you can borrow some of mine. I'll go get the snacks and movies ready." 

"Alright." 

By the time they got to their fourth movie, both of the teens were cuddled up on the couch together.

"Hey Pete?" 

"Yeah Ash."

"What are we. Like are we just gonna stay friends or what?" 

"I was thinking we maybe act on our feelings. You?" 

"Yeah. I would like that." 

"Well if we're gonna make this official," Peter said as he looked at his best friend. "Ashlyn Elizabeth Marie Thunderman, will you be my girlfriend?" 

"Yes I will Peter Benjamin Parker. You know we're gonna have to tell Ned tomorrow about us dating right?"

"Yeah. He's gonna freak out, maybe even more than when he found out I was Spider-Man." 

"NED KNOWS ABOUT YOU BEING SPIDER-MAN?!"

"Oops..."