Friday came and went without a hitch which came as a huge surprise to Ajax given no day ever goes without something going wrong. But, Jared spent the entire night out so she didn't have to deal with him at all. Tony let her be since she went to school at her usual time and her and Peter wrapped up their project, him only asking about fifty questions instead of a hundred while Ajax avoided every single one of them with "I said I was gonna show you."

Now it was Saturday and Ajax was packing her backpack with clothes while her phone was against her ear, waiting for Tony to pick up.

"And what do I owe this pleasure of a Saturday call?" Tony chided.

"Need a favor." Ajax mumbles, stuffing pajama pants into her bag.

Tony sighs. "What is it?"

"Can you tell Jared I'm staying at the tower tonight?"

"Are you staying here tonight?" Tony's brow is quirked knowing the answer already.

"Nah, but if you tell him I'm staying there, I can do what I want tonight and honestly, it'll help us both."

"And what exactly do you plan on doing tonight?"

"I'm going to Peter's. We discussed yesterday that I'd just stay the night, right? I wanna show him that place I go, ya know the one. Which yeah, I need two favors because-"

"You're not supposed to be there." Tony's voice grows rough with his words. "And when you are-"

"He doesn't know." Ajax lies, cutting him off. "Look, do you want me to have friends?"

"Yes."

"Okay, so I'm taking him there. I'm not gonna tell him but it's easier there. I'm trying here, Stork but I need your help."

There's a stifled laugh from Tony with the use of another name Ajax uses for him. "You really like this kid?"

"I'm fond of him." Ajax blinks as she zips up her backpack. "You know how you tried explaining what happened that one time?"

"Before you ran off, yeah."

"Yeah, that. And you said everything would ya know, calm down. It did for a bit but it's back again. There's something about Peter that just...I..." Ajax tries to find words as she shrugs her shoulders. "I can't explain it, alright? But I trust him for some horrible reason."

"I don't need to remind you it's dangerous, right, Antifreeze?"

"Are we back to that?" ajax rolls her eyes as she sits on the edge of her bed.

"You tell me." Tony huffs.

"Look, I get it, okay? But you do realize that if you would just let me train, you wouldn't have to worry so much about me flying off and setting a bunch of shit on fire like last time."

"But if I let you train, you learn all the ins and outs because I know you, and suddenly I'm getting another call about you because something happened and you can't handle yourself. It is not your powers that I'm concerned about." Tony gets on his 'dad' lecture making Ajax grimace with his words.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Thank you for helping me not be in juvie. I appreciate it. Really. But, seriously, if you let me train it would solve a lot of problems."

"Here's what happens if I let you train. You learn to control your powers at a level in which would not only help you to protect yourself but also successfully kill plenty of people and cause massive destruction. If I do not train you, you're too smart. You are not going to go out on your own, knowing the bare minimum to keep yourself in check, unprotected. You're not going to risk getting caught. You learn to tell what's going on all the time. You learn to control your temper and you learn how to ask for help, you can train. But not until then. Got it? I promised your parents I'd take care of you and you're making it damn near impossible. So this is what's happening."

"Jeez, get off your soapbox, would ya? We're way off topic. Can you say I'm staying with you? I promise, I'm not gonna set anything on fire. I just want to show Peter. You can call his aunt, she'll even tell you I'm staying there."

"Just the two of you?" Tony's voice is defeated and Ajax knows she's won.

"Well, I'm not ready to show Gwen or Ned so yeah, the two of us."

"And his aunt is really okay with that?" The line is silent as Ajax sucks on her bottom lip. "Alright, Jax, what's up?"

"I think they're suspicious about Jared. Miss Parker is always asking how I am now and everything." Ajax admits before pulling the phone from her head to check the time.

Tony debates on the other end of the line. He's not one to simply cave or back down but Ajax is his responsibility. He needed to know she'd be safe and staying with Peter secured that. Despite what he wants Ajax to think, he wants her friends with Peter. Peter has a good head, he's smart, he wants to do good. He'll make Ajax want to get better. Peter reminds Tony a lot of Rhodey.

"You said I could call his aunt?"

The corner of Ajax's mouth pulls up and she stands from her bed. "Yeah, I didn't think that through."

"Make you a deal, alright?" Ajax hums in response as she swings her backpack over her shoulder. "I'll call his aunt, say I'm calling for Jared, old work friends, make sure you're both alright. I'll make sure no one bothers you at the warehouse but," Ajax shakes her head with the word. "Twice a week I want you staying at the tower."

"Really?" Ajax groans.

"Hey, that's a reasonable offer, Antifreeze."

"How about twice a week I just don't stay with Jared?"

"And who exactly would you be staying with?"

"Gwen's my friend. I don't know. Maybe I can see if we can chill on the weekends and I'll see if I can stay." Ajax bargains.

"Gwen Stacy right?"

"Yeah, why?" Ajax furrows her brows as she exits her apartment and locks the door.

"You can stay with any of your friends, Peter, Gwen, or Ned, or you can stay here. But you have to tell me who you're staying with and I'll be making sure you're where you say you are."

"Deal." Ajax agrees flatly.

-

Ajax made her way to Peter's with the November breeze nipping at her exposed hand while she scrolled through her music. To say she was nervous would be an understatement. First, she was going to have an actual day with people her age where they just hang out. Just them, watching movies, and being teenagers, being kids. She had to wonder if she would be able to do it. If she'd mess anything up, say the wrong thing. Ajax wasn't stupid but she knew she was different, lacking in social interactions with more than one person. It's easy to interact at school, it's the same routine, almost scripted, but this would be completely different.

Then, there was what was to come after. She was going to show this side of her to Peter. There's a feeling in the very pit of her stomach that tells her she needs to tell him and to trust him. Little does she know, Peter has the same feeling. Maybe it's intuition, maybe it's just teenage hormones but it's something. So, she was going to listen. It's just the last time anyone knew what she could do, her father wound up getting killed. She didn't want any more blood on her hands but Ajax is smart enough to gather the risk and he's Spider-Man. He's got Tony's tech on him at all times. He can stop a bus with bare hands. It's okay to talk to him. At least, that's what Ajax keeps telling herself.

But the thought that's haunting her the most is that she is staying at Peter's. He asked May the day before. Ajax explained that she'd be sneaking out and Peter didn't like the sound of it. The hairs stood up on his arms when Ajax shrugged about how Jared would respond if he found her. Peter refused to let it happen and he knew May would agree. He was shocked when Ajax didn't fight him on it but, that just sent more worry over him. Of course, he didn't tell Ajax any of this so she's just worried about nearly burning him again or burning May or worse, Jared finding out. He couldn't, really, Tony was a good cover but it worried her nonetheless. So much so in fact, that by the time she reached Peter's door, her hands were sweating and freezing.

"Hey!" May greets as she opens the door, allowing Ajax inside. "Peter isn't home yet." She sighs as she shuts the door. "But Ned is in Peter's room already if you want to head in there."

"Thanks, Miss Parker." Ajax smiles, tugging at the strap of her backpack with her heart pounding in her ears.

"Really, you can call me May." May laughs. Ajax gives a nod and smile before walking down the hall and to Peter's room.

"Hey." She says as she sees Ned sat on Peter's bed reading a comic book.

"Sup?" Ned smiles, looking away from the book.

"Where's Peter?" Ajax asks as she shuts the door behind her and sits at Peter's desk, resting her bag at her feet.

"You get used to it." Ned sighs, sitting upright and resting the comic book beside him.

"Told you?"

"Yeah." Ned shrugs. "Said you saw his suit under his hoodie when he walked you home."

"Yeah," Ajax nods, rolling with the lie Peter had apparently told Ned. "So, he always late then?"

"Yeah," Ned shrugs one shoulder, the side his mouth turning up with touches of displeasure. "But it's not as bad as it used to be. He used to just not show up at all or completely forget."

"Gotcha." Ajax nods.

"So, you ready for Gwen to dig into you about these movies?" Ned chuckles, changing subject.

"She went on about it in art yesterday." Ajax laughs with the quick rise of her brows. "I mean, she seemed really excited for tonight. It was refreshing if I'm being honest."

"Yeah," Ned agrees. "It's her favorite series, dude. I mean, she's probably all the damn books a hundred times in the past two years alone. I don't even want to think about how many times she's seen the films."

Ajax turns her head to the left and gives Ned a soft smile. "Well, go on. Tell me more."

"I don't know." Ned sighs, the blush growing on his face. "It's just her favorite thing in the world and," He shrugs once more as the smile seems to just disappear. "She's been bugging Peter to hang out for like three weeks and every time, he bails. So, this is kind of important to her, ya know? And..okay, don't tell anyone."

"There is a lot of not telling people in your little group, you know that?" Ajax narrows her eyes as she leans her elbows on her knees. "But go on. Doesn't leave this room."

"Gwen's dad died last year and uh," Ned licks his lips. "She's still dealing with it and Peter and me are her only friends now. Her other friends just..."

"When parents die, people get weird and people can't handle that so it's easier for them to leave."

"Exactly. But, Peter was there." Ajax sits back up and watches\ Ned shift in his seat. "Wasn't his fault of course, Peter would never do anything like that but, he was there and he couldn't save him. So, Peter, ya know..."

"Uses Spider-Man as an excuse to stay away so he doesn't hurt Gwen because he blames himself which also means he can't tell her about the alter ego and that makes him out to be the shittiest friend in history."

"You got it, dude." Ned shakes his head. "Really, do not tell either of them I said anything."

"Ned, anything you tell me stays between us. I know when to not tell anyone things."

"You're good at that." Ned grabs his bag from the floor and unzips it.

"I try." Ajax giggles as Ned pulls out a bag of gummy worms.

"Want some?"

"Hell yeah."

Ajax wheels her chair over to Ned and the two sit together, conversing and eating the gummy candy. Ned was great conversation. Talks with him weren't pressured or anxiety-inducing. Ned is someone who's just okay with everything as long as it's not harmful and the pair truly take to each other quite well, despite their rather conflicting personalities.

Not long passes before Ned and Ajax's attention is pulled to the window as it creeks open and Peter falls to the floor. The two of them stand abruptly, watching him as he sticks his hand up and gives them a thumbs up.

"Ow." Peter says as he takes his mask off and sits up.

"You okay, Spider-Boy?" Ajax asks.

"Y-yeah, good." Peter stands up, the red and blue suit sticking to his skin.

Ajax looks him over, the first time really seeing him up close in the suit. It's different when it's fitted to him.

Tony did good work. Note to self. Have him make me a suit.

"What happened tonight, man?" Ned asks as Peter walks to his closest.

"Nothing." Peter shrugs. "Uh, ya know? Pretty quiet." Peter grabs a shirt and a pair of sweatpants as there's a knock on the door. "Shit." He whispers as he looks to Ajax and Ned, the both of them rushing the door and just barely opening it.

"Hey, Gwen." Ned smiles wide.

"Hey." Ajax greets.

"Uh, hi? Can I come in?"

Ajax and Ned look at each other and look back to Gwen. "Oh, yeah I was just heading to the kitchen for snacks. Wanna help?" Ajax says.

"Sure..." Gwen's brows are furrowed as Ajax squeezes past Ned and allows him to the close the door after her. "What's going on?" Gwen asks as the girls go to the kitchen, May already in her room allowing the group to take over the living room.

"Nothing." Ajax shrugs. "Peter just needed to change quick and I was getting hungry."

"He was late, wasn't he?" Gwen huffs.

"Yeah." Ajax says.

Gwen rolls her eyes. "All he worries about is that damn internship. I don't even act the way he does. It's ridiculous."

"It sounds like a lot, from what I understand at least."  

"Yeah, but Peter is too overrun by it."

"Look," Ajax sighs as she leans against the counter. "Mr. Stark is a rough dude. He probably really does have Peter running around like a chicken with its head cut off." Ajax defends Peter which she would normally stay out of but given the circumstances, she felt she should.

"I know but," Gwen gets a bag of chips from the cabinet. "Trust me, he'll start bailing on you because of it and you'll only see him at school. Peter's my best friend but sometimes, he does a shit job."

"I'll remember that." Ajax nods. "Uh, we should probably give him a few more minutes."

"Right, right." Gwen nods and changes her tune, switching to what the night would pertain.

In the next room, Peter was swapping clothes as his body was tingled with nerves and decorated with purple bruises and red cuts. Peter didn't bother to wince or flinch as when he put bandages on his cuts after cleaning them, something he learned to do in his room after the first time he came home injured and May went ballistic.

"Nothing happened, huh?" Ned's voice is scolding as he watches his friend tend to his minor cuts.

Peter shakes his head, his eyes locked with his friend. "It's fine, dude."

"Come on, man. It's me." Ned pleads.

"Just got a little caught up. It's nothing." Peter defends and slides a shirt over his head followed by his blue hoodie.

"Sure, dude." Ned shakes his head and the two grow silent. "Alright, just, be more careful. You've got two girls worried about you and I'm gonna have to hear it from the both of them if something happens." Ned jokes but Peter just grows flustered.

"W-what? What do you mean two? Gwen and Ajax?" Peter mutters.

"You are never gonna take a hint." Ned plants a hand on Peter's shoulder with an amused smirk. Peter's eyes are wide like a deer in headlights while one brow is furrowed. "Come on." Ned laughs. "Your room is too small for all of us to be in here." Ned takes his hand away and walks towards the door.

The boys exit the room and head to the living room where Ajax and Gwen were seated, Gwen on one end of the couch and Ajax on the floor on the opposite side with her elbow rested on the coffee table beside a bowl of Doritos. They're laughing about something Peter hadn't heard but they both beamed, but beamed differently.

Gwen is like the sun. She's bright and vibrant, happy and enthusiastic. Stunning, beautiful, cheery. She's everything anyone would love and adore for a lifetime. Gwen's laugh sounded like birds coming back from the south and singing for the first time since late October. It was something that came and he knew it like the back of his hand. The second her mouth would open and the skin between her brows would wrinkle, Peter knew he'd be hearing something that might as well had been enchanted. Gwen glows like the sun in mid-spring.

Ajax, however, Ajax was a different story. She was dark but not like a black hole or the room at midnight when everything is still besides the occasional late night drivers. She's dark like the ocean. Full of deep secrets but there's so much within them. The beauty is evident in the way she moves, similar to waves cascading against rocks but the real beauty is held underwater, where dolphins swim and whales come together. The deeper you dig, the more mysterious it all becomes while still staying endlessly fascinating.

And her laugh, her laugh was like a secret that echoed through Peter's bones on the rare occasion he got to hear it. And he needed it. He'd do anything to hear it, hear her hidden secret laughter and know what's hidden in the deep blue. But, there was something more with her. Peter could feel her in his veins whenever she'd be around him. His heart was beating for her, beating differently than it ever had for anyone and he was, without a doubt, becoming hopelessly addicted to her.

"Hey, guys." Gwen greets, putting her eyes on the boys but her eyes lingering on Peter.

"Finally ready to start?" Ajax questions.

"Totally, how many we gonna get done, Gwen?" Ned asks, patting Peter on the back before walking towards the couch, taking a seat beside Gwen.

"Probably get through Prisoner and if you guys want we can start early tomorrow and finish through Deathly Hallows?" Gwen quirks a brow, glancing to everyone.

"Uh, yeah, yeah." Peter nods finally moving towards the couch but taking a seat on the floor beside Ajax. "Whenever you guys want."

"Mom's gotta work 'round eight, can have her drop me off? And we can pick you guys up?" Gwen offers, looking at Ned and Ajax.

"I'm down, anything to get me out of the house." Ned chuckles.

"Uh, I'm-I'm actually staying...here so I'll just have to clear how long I can stay tomorrow but shouldn't be a problem." Ajax looks to Peter and gives him a bitten smile.

"Awesome, just let me know if things change." Gwen says, her voice slightly less cheery before she turns the first film on.

The movie plays and Gwen, on occasion, quotes the film, Peter and Ned moving their mouths with the words, rolling their eyes making it more than obvious the boys have heard her quote the film a hundred times. Ajax watched on and she couldn't help but find herself smiling. They were a tight-knit group despite the tension that laid between Peter and Gwen and, she found herself falling in with them.

By the second film, she was participating in conversation about the Wizarding World and laughing, making jokes, talking way more than any of the teens thought would happen. Ajax wasn't shy but she wasn't a huge talker, it was simply something about the movies playing and the energy radiating from the trio. Ajax would kill for moments like these every weekend, hell, once a month even. It feels more like home than her bed has in years.

The third film was starting and while Harry was threatening Uncle Vernon, Ajax found herself looking beside her to Peter, a bowl of popcorn he had gotten during the second film rested between them. He looked content and so tired. He was laughing and smiling whenever Gwen mentioned anything about the movies or characters. His eyes were exhausted but the smile etched across his face not only hid most of his exhaustion but did a great job of expressing his willingness to avoid sleep. It made him all the more enticing.

The third film came to end up and it was reaching nearly midnight. Perfect timing since Gwen was being picked up by her mom at midnight and they were giving Ned a ride home. Before leaving, Gwen and Ned double checked the plans, Ajax and Peter promising to text them if plans change. Ajax also promising Gwen she'd keep Peter in check so he wouldn't bail.

"So," Peter says once Ned and Gwen were gone. "W-what, uh, wh-where we going?" Peter bites his bottom lip.

"You're uh, a bit excited, huh?" Ajax jokes.

"Well, I mean, you're gonna show me and I haven't seen someone control elements like you yet so, yeah." Peter blushes, a shy smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"It's a hike, you sure you're in for it, Spider-Boy?" Ajax chided.

"Are you gonna call me that now?" Peter's shy smile turns to an embarrassed grin.

"Oh, yeah. Tony calls you Underoos. I'm gonna call you Spider-Boy." Ajax laughs before pulling her bottom lip between her teeth. "So, you sure? You seemed tired?"

"Let's go." Peter says, a smirk now plastered across his face, his eyes daunting.