thursday 10th of march 2016

J.D appeared at the funeral in crutches. Her hair was pinned to the side and hung dully at her shoulders. She wore a dress for the first time in three and a half years -- it was black and had a straight cut collar at the top. Over the top she wore a black blazer, mainly due to the fact that it was still quite cold, and she had thick bandages underneath her clothing. 

She stood in the second row from the front, Mason and Herb either side of her. Mason had ahold of her right hand, and he looked extremely upset, though Herb and J.D were expressionless, showing respect, but not emotion. 

J.D watched as May gave a speech, talking about how much she loved her husband, and how much joy he brought to everyone around him. She spoke softly, nostalgia lacing her tone and tears rimming her eyes. 

The church was silent as she sat down next to Peter, who was visibly trembling. When his name was announced, he hesitated before he rose, stepping up onto the podium. His hair was gelled back and he wore a smart black suit with a black tie. He bit the inside of his lip, took a deep breath in and exhaled, before clearing his throat. "H-Hi. My name's Peter and I was B-Ben's nephew." He swallowed nervously. "M-My Uncle Ben was the man who filled the hole my father had left behind. He was caring, understanding and had more love in his pinky finger than some people have in their entire bodies. He never once stopped me from pursuing my ambitions and chasing down what I wanted, and he was always there in my loneliest moments. One of my best memories with Ben was back in elementary school, when he would walk me there while I rode my bike, and he would ride it home. Then every single day at three o'clock, he'd be there at the school gates in a checkered shirt and wearing my bike helmet. We'd go back home and talk about my day at school, and his day at work as the Queens Museum curator. When we got there he'd make me a grilled cheese and we'd watch cartoons till Aunt May came home.

"Even as I grew older, he was always there to support me. He was always ready to help me with homework, or take me to the park to play ball. He was never too busy for family. He put us first, no matter what. I just--" Peter looked up at the ceiling, trying to contain the tears that were threatening to spill. "--I know that he'd be disappointed to see everyone crying over him. If he were here, he'd nudge you and say 'chin up, shoulders back, today will pass and tomorrow will be anew'. I've been trying to live up to that each day that's gone past, but sometimes I just want to say 'shut up, Ben, and let us cry over you'. He was so good, so kind, and now I realise that he deserved the world, but the world didn't deserve him."

+++

friday 13th of march 2016

J.D spent most of her time staring at walls. She hadn't been at school for over a week and a half, and she felt like a waste of space. She was just wavering around, trying to stay out of everyone's way. Mason and Herb were hovering behind her, watching her every move and making sure that they were there whenever they could be. 

It was the day after the funeral, and it was one of the times where J.D had been left alone in the house. There were ready meals in the refrigerator and blankets everywhere. Mason insisted to place them in every possible place so she wouldn't have to move if she was cold. 

There was nothing on TV. She had run out of books to read. She had actually finished her school projects that weren't due for ages, so needless to say, she was desperate. 

She was currently in bed, staring at the ceiling with a blank look on her face. A thought popped into her head, and she turned her head, staring at her closet. She knew exactly what was inside, and it was calling her name. 

She ran the thought over in her head, and squeezed her eyes shut. With a frustrated groan, she threw her bed covers off and got out of bed with ease. Her healing made it easier for her to move around, and she was almost completely fine, but she was still stitched up. 

She walked over to her wardrobe and opened it, and a sigh of relief left her body when she saw her familiar costume folded at the bottom. She couldn't help the smile that overtook her face as she picked it up and held it up to her body. Not using her powers for over a week had really taken its toll on her and she felt weaker than ever. She just wanted to feel free again, it felt as if she was being held captive by her injury, which sucked. 

Within ten minutes, she was dressed and sitting on her windowsill, debating whether or not she should venture out into the city. It was only ten o'clock in the morning instead of at night, and she would be in the presence of other people. She also knew there was a low chance of her seeing Spider-Man, because he'd probably be at school or something. She hadn't seen him in a while, and she knew he'd probably pounce on her with questions when she saw him next. 

She exhaled deeply and looked down at the traffic, before she swallowed and set her feet onto the fire escape. When her body disappeared, it felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She almost felt like crying at the sudden relief she felt at the familiar feeling she had missed so much. 

J.D wasn't moving as quickly as she usually would, in fear that she would split her stitches. She silently dropped to the ground when she reached the bottom, and wove between businessmen and kids skipping school. She smiled to herself at the way she became lost in the crowd, just another person on a chilly Friday. 

She walked into a convenience store and walked down the packed aisles, her lips pursed and hands ready to snatch. When she reached the candy section she stared down at them, scratching her chin. People walked around her, oblivious to her presence. She reached down and grabbed a large block of chocolate and a packet of strawberry gum. 

She had almost made it out of the store when a she was stopped by a large body. She looked up at saw the familiar red mask and suit. She sighed through her nose. She wasn't in the mood for human interaction, she just wanted to take her food and go sit somewhere. "Don't do it, Blade."

She quickly dodged out of Spider-Man's way and left the shop, not looking back when she heard the alarm beeping and the footsteps of the hero behind her. She clenched her jaw and turned a corner, before she placed the chocolate in her mouth and leapt onto a fire escape ladder, pulling herself up. 

She barely made it halfway to the roof when she collapsed. Her breathing was heavy and her palms were sweating. She fell onto her back and her hand reached down to her wide, which felt wet and warm. 

"Blade?" She heard the familiar sound of Spider-Man's voice. She wasn't startled, but she was panicking. "I know you're there, show yourself."

He sounded curious, and like he just needed a friend. She wanted to be there, but she was in so much pain. 

She became visible, and he gasped, jumping onto the steel grate and falling to his knees. His hands immediately went to her bloody waist and applied pressure. J.D let out a small yelp of pain and grabbed his upper arms for some kind of support. "I'm fine--"

Spider-Man took off his glove and placed his cold hand on her head. "Yep, you must be sick. You're talking absolute shit."

"Shut up." J.D muttered and exhaled heavily, hanging her head back, teeth clenched. "I just need to sit down for a bit."

"Or get it bandaged!" The hero exclaimed, almost angry. He sighed and reached to his hips, ripping material from the bottom of his hoodie. He pressed it to her wound and she smacked his hand away, tending to her injury by herself. "How did you get this?"

"Don't worry about it." She mumbled and pushed herself up. She refused his hand to help her up and grabbed the railing to hoist herself. He continued to try and help her, but she sent him a glare. "Stop it! I don't need help!" 

"Yeah you do, I'm not letting you do it by yourself." He responded, annoyance clear in his tone. "Do I need to get you to a hospital?"

"I've had enough of hospitals." She grumbled. "I'll heal, it's fine."

Spider-Man sighed and bent down, hooking his arm under her knees, the other supporting her back. "Well, at least let me carry you to the roof like you wanted."

J.D huffed and rolled her eyes. "Fine. Don't forget my chocolate."

"You stole it, that doesn't make it your chocolate." He replied and she shrugged, before grimacing in pain. 

"Finders keepers." She mumbled and he chuckled, before squirting his webbing and pulling it towards him, catching it with the hand supporting her legs. 

They made it to the roof within the next few minutes, and when they reached the top, Spider-Man carefully set her down. "You're such an idiot. You know, my friend hurt herself down there as well last week, she's at home right now."

"Lucky her." She grumbled and rested her head on his chest, reaching over to his side to grab the chocolate block. She ripped it open and swore when two pieces fell off the side of the building. "Fucking hell! It must've broken when I fell."

"I wonder if chocolate could hurt someone from this high up." He pondered and J.D rolled her eyes, nibbling on a piece. She broke some off for her friend, who accepted it. He stared down at her, though she wasn't staring back at him. "I haven't seen you in a while, are you okay?"

"Honestly?" She asked, and looked into the lively city. "I wish. There's just--so much that's been happening and I'm over it. I want a normal day--just one."

"Me too." He responded, his mouth full of chocolate. "You know, you're a perfect distraction from life."

"Right back 'atcha pal." She smiled and felt her gushing blood slow, making her feel less dizzy. "Wouldn't it be funny if we knew each other without the masks?" 

"Hilarious." He chuckled and patted her side. "I thought about what you said, and I see your point?"

J.D's eyes furrowed.

Sensing her confusion, he continued. "I think it's better if we know each other with masks than without."

"Told you." She muttered, and he scoffed. 

They sat in silence for a few more minutes, looking out into the beautiful world. Well, Spiderman seemed to think it was beautiful, J.D didn't.

"Do you like living here?" She queried, her eyes still glued to the tall city buildings. 

"Yeah, I guess so. I've been here as long as I can remember." He responded, before glancing down at her. "Why do you ask?"

"Just wondering." She muttered. "I just wish it was a little more fun here." 

"Fun?" Spider-Man scoffed. "You're eating chocolate on a rooftop with your spider-bestie while you heal very quickly. On a school day. What could be more fun than that?"

"Not bleeding out and ruining my suit." J.D mused and Spider-Man chuckled. 

"Fair point." He responded, and wrapped his arm around her a little tighter. "You're a good egg, Blade."

"Why do you call me Blade?" She asked him, finally looking up at the boy. "Why not just say the whole thing?"

"Because Blade's my special name for you." He said and she couldn't help the small smile on her lips. "Besides, it's a bit of a mouthful when you have to say 'Blade Runner' quickly."

"That's real cute." She mumbled, and looked back out at the gloomy land. "You know what?"

"What?"

"I was having a real bad day," She began, her eyes glued to the horizon, "and then you showed up and made it a good one."

CUTIES

I SHIP THEM A LOT

A LOT ALSO HAPPENED IN THIS CHAPTER

BUT THEY CUTE AF

BYE LOLZ