Chapter 17 - Holiday Dates

Saturday / December - 23 - 2014

"C'mon, tell meee" whined a 23 year old Christian Frost as he walked through the Rockefeller center with his favorite sister, Emma, after a hard day of shopping where the only thing they carried was a small bag with some jewelry for their family. 

"Your incessant chatter of the matter only makes me regret extending an invitation for you to come with me to the Christmas shopping day I have looked forward to" replied an annoyed Emma as her brother pleaded to her for the nth time.

"You can't really expect me to help you pick a present that would suit a 'rather handsome brown haired boy' and not expect me to ask questions" Christian said with a teasing smile, feeling happy at the fact that his sister found someone to have nice feelings for; for a change.

He's worried about her.

Scowling all day, taking interest in the high life their father lives while disliking him at the same time, friendless…

Well, at least until she found that Chat girl she loves to hang out with. It was a laborious task to get Emma to confess she had a friend, albeit one from a lower social status; which is why she hid her from him and their family in the first place.

But Christian was just happy to know his little sister was spending time away from his father's influence.

Emma seems to have an eye for everything nice and expensive, and while not a bad thing per se, her personality that matches somewhat with their father is reason enough for Christian to worry.

'I wonder if he's also poor and that's why she's embarrassed to tell me?' Mused Christian in his head as they both stopped for a break in a coffee shop just in front of the giant Christmas tree.

*Tch* 'Shouldn't have told him so much' Emma chastised herself in her mind and a click of her tongue out loud at her brother's remark; of course he'd get curious if she worded it that way, but she honestly couldn't help it!

It's her first Christmas that she was going to spend with a boyfriend! And that boyfriend is Peter Parker AKA Spider-Man no less! So excuse her if she's somewhat nervous about what to get him as a present.

She's been trying for days, but she simply cant make her mind up. Which is why she invited Christian to tag along - thing she is now regretting.

"Did I say those words? I don't recall such a comment from myself at all" Emma said cooly once her brother sat down in front of her, still with a harsh glare on her beautiful face while she drank from her sweetened coffee.

"Well, perhaps you didn't say that 'handsome' part, but c'mon, why else would your eyes look somewhere else?" Christian teased again as his eyebrows moved up and down.

"… is that how you see me?" Asked Emma, offended at the way her brother said that. As if she was going to get bored with Peter once something more interesting or good looking caught her eye.

"No, no, no! That's not what I meant at all!" Christian said slightly panicked "I just wanted to say that… I'm happy for you" he said in a surprisingly soft voice that took Emma by surprise.

"Explain" demanded Emma with squinted eyes, wanting to know exactly what her brother meant.

"Well, it's the first time in basically in forever that I know you're happy to go to school, you're buying presents for everyone in the family and it's not the first time you mention 'a boy' with a goofy smile" Christian recounted with his fingers while his smile grew wider and wider at the way his sister's face gained a bit of a red shading.

"I would hardly call any facial expression I ever made as 'goofy' or anything of the sort" Emma said calmly but with her glare still present in her face.

"So you don't deny it~" Christian says in a singly manner while Emma just huffs again. He just rolls his eyes and says "Okay, okay. I'll drop it if you answer me just one thing truthfully. And I promise I won't tell anyone, ever".

Emma arches an eyebrow, considering his words carefully "go on…" she says after a few moments.

"This guy, does he treat you well?" Christian asks with such a serious tone that he even caught Emma off guard.

She was expecting another silly question from her sibling, not a genuine one that showed his brotherly concern for her and her decision's in partners.

Emma had half a mind to deny once again any prospect of her dating anyone. The less she talked about Peter, the less it was her family's business - and the less it was her family's business the happier she is.

Realistically, she knows she can't keep her relationship under wraps forever, nor does she want to. It's not like she's embarrassed of dating Peter or anything of the sort; quite the contrary actually. She's delighted she's chosen someone like him to be by her side for what is hopefully a very long time.

But it's her first relationship, and he's not exactly someone her father would approve of. She already dislikes her dad, she doesn't want to give him the chance to prove that she should be hating him instead.

And if he ever does anything to hurt Peter, or try to stop either teen from seeing each other by any means, she might just end up feeling that way towards him.

But Christian is different from him and her other family members. He has a secret of his own that he shares with her, which funnily enough, is also keeping men and their relationship with them quiet from the others.

She trusts him, and if he's only asking that, then perhaps she can indulge him.

"Yeah, he treats me well" Emma said with an uncharacteristic soft and warm smile adorning her face as she grabbed her half empty cup with both hands and looked at it while thinking of Peter and his treatment of her.

"Great! Then let's go find something the little dude will like!" Christian said happily while standing up, delighted to see that Emma giggled and nodded at that. She downed whatever was left of her coffee and followed after him.

Whoever this guy is, Christian made up his mind to hug him very tightly while thanking him for making his sister so happy.

That is if the little bastard doesn't break her heart, of course.

"Where should we go ne-?" Christian was about to ask about their next destination, but was suddenly interrupted.

*BOOOM* sounded all over the street the two siblings, and many other people, were walking on.

"The plan failed?!" Everyone in the Rockefeller Center could hear Electro suddenly appearing seemingly from thin air many feet above the ice skating rink.

*Swoosh* "Softened him up! Time for plan B" the new voice said, making many look towards the flying green man known as The Vulture while holding up a tied up Spider-Man in what looked like a metallic rope.

*NGH* "Really?! You rigged the bank's vault with explosives to get to me?! That's a new low for you, Polly!" Spider-Man quipped as he struggled against the rope as The Vulture threw him on a roof.

*AARG* yelled Electro as he shot at Spider-Man, who very luckily managed to escape from his bindings and jump away just in time.

"You too, Max? What would motivate you bald men to work together? Was it the baldness?" Spider-Man quips as he maneuvered his body to avoid getting hit by lightning.

"No, you fool! It was money!" Electro yells as he continues his on-going attacks.

"Boring! Do something new, like being a car battery or how about a lighthouse?!" Spider-Man kept on going as he webbed Electro's chest and flung himself to him, delivering a powerful combo of punches and kicks.

….

"Woah…" muttered Christian besides an equally impressed but extremely worried Emma. This was the first time she's seen Spider-Man fighting against his villains in person while knowing who he truly is behind the mask, and because of that, she scolded herself mentally for almost yelling his name out loud like three times by now.

*TRRSSSHH* rubble fell somewhere far enough from every civilian to not cause any damage after one of Electro's attacks, which prompted people starting to yell curses at both freaks.

"Monsters!" "Freaks! "Menace!" "Come on guys, it's almost Christmas!" Were some of the things very few of the people around Emma yelled. Very reminiscing of her first encounter with Peter actually.

She knows that the public was now more accepting of Spider-Man, now even becoming famous enough for some stores to sell his image as merchandise which many fans love to wear.

But there is also a small part of the people that still feel strongly against him.

And just like that time, Emma disliked the attitude of these ingrates.

"We should leave, we can come back tomorrow, first thing in the morn- oh damn" Christian started to say as he noted how dangerous it is to be so close to the fight, but exclaimed that last part when he saw Emma's face.

A deep, angry scowl painted her face, as she shamelessly bared her teeth in frustration as well as clenched her fists at her sides with her whole body tensing.

"These ingrates… can't they see that Spider-Man is saving the day?!" Emma asked no one in particular as she looked around and saw the few that were booing the arachnid themed hero.

"Huh… never would've thought you were a fan" Christian mused out loud, shocked by her reaction to the events - which managed to snap her attention to him.

"Of course I am! I mean, look at how powerful he is! And despite that, he uses his power to help everyone! …even when they are undeserving of it" she snarled as she watched people still yelling at her boyfriend.

"I guess. When you put it like that, he's a pretty okay dude" Christian muttered as he kept on watching the aerial fight.

…

*AAARGH!* 'Why don't these people leave?' Peter thought to himself as he received a pretty powerful hit from Electro to avoid him making more rubble, avoiding it to fall on the people watching the fight instead of running away.

"Hey! Be careful with the civilians, you sparks for brain!" Spider-Man yelled as he recuperated rather easily.

" 'Civilians'? Man, I don't give a fuck about them civilians!" Electro yelled as he pointed his palm to a pillar supporting a wall on top of two blonds "In fact, here!" Max yelled as he sent out a bolt of lightning to destroy the pillar.

Following the direction of his palm, Peter saw a girl he knew very well, now in very real danger.

'Emma!? EMMA!' Peter screamed in his head as he zipped by Electro in a neck breaking speed in the direction of the two blonds.

Without a word, Peter grabs both his girlfriend and the other dude and gets them out of harm's way. He holds Emma by the waist and gets her as comfortable as he can on his arms, while grabbing the dude by the belt and throwing him way up to the sky as he yells in fear.

"WAIT! WAIT! WAIT!" Yelled a very panicked blond guy now flying through the air as Peter swung Emma to a nearby roof and left her softly on the ground.

Before anyone else could say anything else, Peter shoots a web to the still flying blond guy and yanks him towards him, catching him mid air after a mighty jump. Only to drop him in the same roof as he left Emma in without much care.

Peter winced a little at how the guy *oofed* after being dropped, but right now Emma was his priority.

"God, are you okay?!" Spider-Man asked Emma as he looked all over her in search of anything wrong.

"V, you're up!" Yelled Electro in frustration at seeing his little plan didn't work, flying away to tag on for the slightly older man.

"I'm- I'm fine" Emma said a little lightheaded by the speed she just experienced "is my brother okay?!" She asked worriedly.

"Brother?! Oh shit! Uhm - yeah he's fine, totally fine. Sorry about that" Spider-Man apologized after seeing his girlfriend's brother still in the ground groaning.

"If he's fine then don't worry about him, worry about him!" Emma exclaimed as she pointed to the approaching Vulture, mentally sending the man a mental attack that paused him mid air in his attack.

Since the beginning of the fight, Emma tried to help Peter by using her powers. Unfortunately for her, it seemed that Electro's power made him immune to any psychic attacks. Maybe because of the electricity running through his brain acting like a barrier?

Who knows. Luckily for Emma, The Vulture didn't have such advantages so she could help Peter without issue.

"Right, right. Stay here, ok? I'll come back shortly" Peter said seriously and darkly as he glared at the two men behind his mask.

Now it's personal.

"Well, he clearly prefers girls…" muttered Christin as he got up, getting a small snort from Emma.

"Yo Adrian, it's me, Spider-Man!" Spider-Man yelled out loud, imitating Rocky Balboa.

"What are you blabbering about?!" Questioned, The Vulture confused and dazed by the mental attack, only to receive an unusually hard kick to the stomach, which sent him flying to a nearby roof without air left on his lungs. Then he tried getting up, but couldn't since his whole body was encased in webs once again.

Peter usually tries to be less aggressive with Adrian, remembering that he is still Liz's dad. That favor evaporated thanks to Electro, which pissed Peter off.

"HA, that was a good one" Christian snorted as he understood the reference, much to Emma's confusion; who doesn't watch any of those 'manlish' movies.

"Spider-Man! I must break you!" Electro suddenly reappeared, imitating Ivan Drako as he shot another bolt at the hero.

"Hey, you got it! You got my joke! I'm so happy I could almost stop fighting!… Almost" Spider-Man replied happily as he shot a web to electros mouth and yanked the electric man face first to his fist, effectively knocking him down as well.

He may be happy that Max got the joke, but he still purposely targeted civilians in an attempt to get to him. Civilians that just so happened to be his girlfriend and her brother, so the punch was a bit harder than necessary.

Peter grabbed his unconscious body mid air and harshly threw his limp body on top of Adrian, and stuck them together with webs.

"Done! Are you really okay… lady?" Peter asked in hurry once he jumped to the roof he left Emma and her brother in, catching himself before revealing he knew the girl.

Emma smiled softly at him "We both are okay, Spidey. Thank you for being here today" she said as she motioned to her brother.

"Hehe, just part of the job. But say, you're pretty good looking, you busy later~?" Spider-Man replied flirtatiously, gaining a giggle from Emma.

"Sorry buddy, but you're out of luck. My sister here already has eyes set for another guy" Christian butted in for his sister, a little shocked at seeing her laughing at anyone's attempt at flirting with her.

Normally, any guy attempting that would only be met with a disgusted scowl amd a mean comment.

"Well that's a bummer. He sure is a lucky duck" Spider-Man snapped his fingers in mock dismay.

"Well, I'm available tonight if you had any plans~" Christian said as he shot a charming smile, making both Peter and Emma choke in nothing.

*Akward Chuckle* "Uhm, thanks man I'm flattered. But this Spider only shoots straight" Spider-Man said apologetically, and a little weirded out. Not necessarily because Christian is another dude, but because he is Emma's brother as well.

"Your loss~" said Christian in the same manner.

One look at Emma and Peter realized that she was, if not more, as uncomfortable as he was "okay well, I don't have much time until the cops come. I hope you enjoyed your last ride, man, because the ticket was a two way pass" Spider-Man said as he neared Christian.

"Wait, wha- SHIT!" The blond man yelled once Spider-Man held him from the jacket and made a mighty jump off the building. Christian flailed his arms around while Spider-Man shot a web to the building and swung him down in a blink of an eye; all while the blond yelled for dear life.

"Thanks for boarding with Spider-Man express. Hope to see a five star rating" Spider-Man quipped as he let go of the man on the sidewalk.

"I *Wheeze* I don't think I liked it, actually" Christian said as he tried to relax with his hands on his knees for support.

"Well, it's not for everyone" the hero said simply with a shrug "let me go get your sister" he said as he swung to the top once again.

"Yeah… you do that" Christian said, still feeling his heart hammering at his chest "I'll just… wait for her here".

…..

"Hey!" Spider-Man called for Emma once he returned to the roof and neared her "how are you?!" He asked yet again.

"I told you, I'm fine" she said with a fond roll of her eyes and a smile on her face as she closed the distance between them and hugged him by the neck "but still, I appreciate your worry" She said softly, loving the feeling of being important to him.

"Of course I worry! I mean, you can't blame since I saw the way your face showed worry as well" Peter teased as he hugged her by the waist.

"Hmm, I admit I worried about you for a second there, but I was sure that the powerful Spider-Man would have no trouble against those two crazy men" she talked in an almost theatrical way with a big smile on her face.

*Chuckle* "Well, in part I was able to do it so fast because Liz's dad was off his game today; which makes me wonder if I had any help?" He questioned while squinting his lenses at Emma, who flushed slightly.

"Nothing anyone could prove" she said matter of factly, but added somewhat shyly "… was that okay to you?".

It's the first time that Emma helped Peter while he's Spider-Man, and she didn't know how he was going to react.

After seeing his mind she understood that Spider-Man was a way for him to handle his grief for his uncle, but slowly came to form a vital part of his life. So vital in fact that he spent half the year with the mask on.

And she didn't know if he was going to be upset at her 'interfering' in his activities or not.

Luckily for her, Peter just snorted in his mask.

"You're kidding, right? You helping me out like this? I didn't think that I could like you any more than I already do~" he said, making her heart swell with warmth and love "plus, I'm not really someone that can scold anyone for doing what you did, given… well, this" he said, motioning his suit with his lenses.

*Giggle* "Guess you can't" Emma giggled, relieved at his acceptance of her assistance "What you can do however, is express your gratitude to your girlfriend for the help she so kindly provided~" she said as she lifted his mask up to his nose.

"Oh yeah? And how do I do that~?" He asked in the same tone as her, nearing his face to hers.

"You're smart, you'll figure something ou~" Emma was then silenced by Peter, who closed the distance between them to kiss her.

A soft, kind and caring kiss that conveyed just how much each of them actually worried for the other in this instance.

A short, but very sweet and welcomed kiss.

"Hmm, exactly what I had in mind~" Emma said, feeling satisfied while putting her forehead against Peter's.

*Chuckle* "I aim to please" he said happily, but then he sighed somewhat disappointedly "well, I think it's time for me to return you to your brother before he starts wondering where you are".

Emma blinked twice, completely forgetting that she was with her brother "y-yes of course. That would be most appropriate" she answered quickly.

"Okay then…how do you want me to take you? Princess carry, or something less 'damsel in distressy'?" Peter asked somewhat unsure of how to proceed from here.

Emma considered for a few seconds "Hmm, princess carry is fine. But don't ever for a second believe I'm a 'damsel in distress'. After all, I was the one that helped you today" she replied pridefully, but not offended.

"Wouldn't dare to" Peter said easily. He never pictured her like that anyway.

"Good. Let's go then" she answered, satisfied with the answer, noting the seriousness of his response behind the slightly humorous tone.

Peter then scooped her legs up and she tightened her hold on his neck so as to not fall down - not that he would ever let her. He jumped much more gently than he did with Christian and on the same way Spider-Man left the older man, he deposited Emma safely next to her brother.

"Oh, you're here" Christian said when he saw Emma arching an eyebrow at him; with Cristian still looking a little pale.

"This would be all my good people, perhaps I'll see you around" Spider-Man as he was about to tune around.

"Yeah, thanks man. Also, nice Rocky reference, one of my old time faves" Christian said with a big grin.

"Hey, you also got it! Man, I love it when people understand the jokes I make!" Spider-Man replies back with enthusiasm.

"… I didn't get it" Emma says butting in, feeling a little left out of the conversation.

"Really?… huh" Spider-Man says with his lenses wide in surprise, but then said like he reached some kind of conclusion in his mind "well, you should consider watching those movies. Later!" He said as he jumped and swung away to the roof he left his villains.

"He's a funny dude, I see why you're a fan" Christian said as he watched the hero delivering the still knocked men to the recently arrived police men.

"Yeah… big fan" Emma said as she watched Spider-Man waving goodbye to her.

From an outside perspective it looked like he was waving at everyone, even if many of the civilians around weren't cheering for him or anything of the sort. But she knew better.

He's looking at her, just like she is looking at him.

"Well, as exciting as that was, I still have a present to buy" exclaimed Emma as she turned around and started walking without waiting for Christian once Peter was gone from her view 'maybe I'll buy something for Chat as well…' she mused in her head as her brother yelled for her to wait for him.

————

Hours later with Emma

*RING RING*

Emma is now in her fancy pajamas, relaxing in her bed; feeling somewhat bored while watching the news about Electro's, Vulture's and apparently Spider-Man's newest failed bank heist.

She usually gets pretty mad whenever the news misinterprets what happened between Spider-Man and whoever he's fighting. But it honestly happens all the time, so much so that she now gets bored as she listens to how her boyfriend is a menace to all.

She's offered to go to Peter's boss and change his mind forcefully, but Peter merely chuckled thinking she was joking, claiming it was a good joke to hear something so horrific could be done by someone as sweet as her.

She then agreed with him that it was indeed merely a joke, but reaffirmed her promise to herself to never tell what happened between her, MJ and Gwen to Peter.

Ever.

She smiled when she saw the caller's ID, identifying it as Peter's.

Answering her phone, she says "Hey you, long time no see~" with a teasing voice; feeling proud of herself by hearing him chuckle softly.

"Hmm, you're right. It has been some time since we've seen each other" she heard Peter muse humorously, following her lead "which is why I think I know what our next dates could be!" He said, mildly surprising her with his excitement.

"Oh? What do you have in mind?" She asked, genuinely curious.

"Movie nights! Or well, not nights per se, more like movie days? Doesn't matter - what matters is that I can show you movies like Rocky and others I like while you show me your favorites as well!" Peter said, still as excited as before.

Emma hummed, recalling how Peter seemed to reach some kind of conclusion after she admitted to not understanding his reference.

It's actually a nice idea. Emma now knows that Peter can't thermoregulate like normal humans, so doing things in-doors is the best thing for him in this cold weather.

Preventing him from being almost frozen like he almost was a few days ago when they went ice skating. He claimed he was okay, but she knew better.

And anything she can share with Peter is a win in her book. And who knows? Maybe she'll end up liking his 'boy movies' and he might like her chick-flicks, business documentaries and artistic films.

Plus, she can imagine herself and Peter, cuddling together in his couch or even her bed while sharing a blanket and eating whatever snack they both crave as they deepen their relationship.

"It sounds like fun, tomorrow then?" Emma asks with a happy smile while mentally picking what films to show him.

"Oh uhm, no tomorrow we can't. It's Christmas Eve, and then the 25th, remember?" Peter reminds her with an almost apologetic tone.

"It's the board of directors dinner and then the associates party on the 25th, right…" Emma remembers with a disappointed sigh.

The idea was so much to her liking that she forgot entirely about those. And it's not like she can avoid going to those events.

She always likes meeting her father's company board of directors members to get a read on them since eventually they will be working under her and her siblings.

And on the 25th she has the Christmas Day party, where the entire family of the powerful businessmen that are in association with one another are required to assist.

And she never thought that she would curse events like these since she actually loves them. Her father and being reduced simply as his daughter was dreadful, but aside from that, those events are where she can mingle with people of her status and gain contacts for the future.

The world spins for someone when that person knows the right people after all.

And the world will spin for Emma Frost.

It's a shame for her that Peter doesn't belong to that world… yet.

But maybe she can start easing Peter into her family's 'social' circle?

"Yeah, you're pretty excited about that, right?" Peter asks while already knowing the answer. Emma has told him many times the importance of meeting future business magnates after all.

"… I am" she agreed "Peter? What would you say if I invited you as my plus one?" Emma asks in her regular voice, but with a slightly nervous undertone. 

"To your parties? I-I thought you wanted to keep our relationship away from your dad" says Peter, very nervous. The idea of meeting someone like Emma's dad while dating her is very nerve wracking.

*Ugh* "I do" Emma groaned at the problem. She had also explained why she wanted to keep their relationship away from her family, and luckily he didn't seem to have a problem with it.

He was no stranger to a secret or two after all.

"What if I get you a job as a waiter or something?" Emma asked hopefully.

*Chuckle* "Thanks Emmy, I appreciate how you're trying to include me in your events, but I wouldn't be able to go either way" he said, not being able to see the disappointed pout on Emma through the phone.

"You also have a Christmas party?" She asked, not remembering any important plans he might've mentioned to her for the day.

"Nah, nothing like that. Just the Christmas dinner with my aunt, Mary Jane and Ms. Watson. And then we'll be together for the whole Christmas Day" he explained easily. Not being able to see how her pout turned into a scowl.

"…What?" Emma asked after a few seconds, her voice careful and quiet "you're spending two whole days with… the Watsons?

"Uhm, yeah. Y'know, Christmas Eve dinner, maybe some… I don't know - games? A movie? Nothing too fancy" Peter explains as he hums his answer, seemingly unsure of his plans "same with the 25th"

"And can't you just… come with me?" Emma asks in a tone that suggests she's about to get mad if Peter is not careful with his answer.

"Sorry Emmy, I really can't" Peter answered with the same apologetic tone from before.

"Why not?" Emma questions with an edge to her voice as nasty feelings start to creep on her.

"Uh, well" Peter starts, sounding somewhat confused at Emma's tone "I just think it's important for me to spend time with her, y'know?"

"Oh, so you'd rather be with Mary Jane than with me?!" Emma asked with jealousy and anger clear in her voice "is that it?!"

"W-what?! N-no! That's not what I mean at all!" Peter said with a hurry after hearing Emma's tone. He knows that Emma and MJ dont have the best relationship, and perhaps it does look back to say he's spending Christmas basically alone with another girl.

God knows Peter would also be conflicted if Emma told him she has dinner and spending the whole day with just another boy his age.

Emma meanwhile had half a mind to hang up on him after Peter said that.

Mary Jane Watson… she is a danger to her relationship with Peter.

She doesn't know why the redhead must be Peter's neighbor, one of his closest friends for years now, arguably good looking and always by his side.

Even after she erased any romantic feelings she might've had for the boy, she's still frustratingly clingy to her boyfriend; even if Emma herself is still in the room, which irks the blonde to no end.

She doesn't like the redheaded girl at all.

But she kept the call on, thinking that Peter must have a good excuse for preferring to be with MJ rather than with her.

"Then you aren't spending your holidays with Watson?!" Emma demanded to know.

"I-I mean, I am. But-!" Peter said, but got interrupted again.

"Incredible - here you have your girlfriend inviting you to a party little people get access to so that we can see each other, and you ditch me to spend the day with another girl?!" Emma screamed again in indignation.

"It-it's really not like that, Emmy" Peter says, slightly taken aback by her tone.

"THEN WHAT?!" Emma snaps, only to immediately wince and regret her yelling.

"It's just… it's the first Christmas without my uncle, so I think it's important to be with May now" Peter began explaining as Emma felt like a cold bucket of water was dumped on her "and she invited MJ and Ms. Watson as thanks for Thanksgiving… it's not like I don't prefer to be with you or anything like that… it's just-".

"God no, Peter. Y-you don't have to explain yourself… i-it was foolish of me to act like this" Emma interrupted with regret clear in her voice "I-I don't know what got over me…"

Thanks to her family dynamics, Emma had forgotten that Christmas is a personal holiday to spend with your closest ones; just with family.

Never has she experienced Christmas with just her nuclear family, nor did she care to remember that most people do.

It just wasn't something she grew up with.

She grew up surrounded by business owners and their families in a silent war over who can make the most of that night by how they can work their peers.

Who can make more money out of mingling with others, faking friendships with fake smiles and even faker promises.

And she learned to love it.

Which is why she now scolded herself at how distant, cold, mean and ridiculous she must have appeared to Peter.

For her Christmas is just another day. For Peter is, most likely, a very important one.

And if her aunt is very close friends with her neighbors, which includes - unfortunately for Emma - MJ Watson, then she just has to suck it up.

She's not used to it, but relationships are commitments. And while not used to making them, she is willing to try for Peter.

"D-don't worry about it, Emmy" Peter said after Emma "I understand that it may sound… weird, but-"

"No, it-it's not weird… or I don't think it is. Well, maybe it is? I don't know, Peter, it's just that my family is very different from yours that I wasn't thinking straight…" Emma interrupted while rambling very uncharacteristically for her "I-I'm sorry, Peter. I didn't mean to sound like that".

Peter winced at the apology, but replied quickly "it's okay, really. You don't have to apologize or anything".

"You aren't mad?" Asked Emma, wincing slightly at how she sounded.

"Of course not!" Peter reassured easily "Still up for movie night after Christmas?" He asked hopefully.

"Y-yes, I'd like that" Emma thought about apologizing again, but ultimately decided not to. She was still pretty embarrassed by what happened, so she decided to cut the call short "A-anyway, I must go, Peter. I have some matters to attend to. I'll call you later!"

"Wait, Emm-" she didn't let Peter finish as she hung up on him.

*Groan* "Stupid, what the hell was that?!" Emma asked out loud to herself in frustration.

She knows and accepted long ago that she was unlikely to be the perfect girlfriend, but to make him feel bad for spending time with his widowed Aunt on Christmas?

Emma is aware that she's not a nice person by any means, but Peter is important to her, and this was unacceptable.

'He said he wasn't angry or anything, but is he really?' Emma's mind started wandering around as she plummeted face down in her bed 'ugh, what a screw up!'

'… I'll talk with him after tomorrow' she says to herself as she prepares to sleep; muting her phone so that she can't be bothered by anyone else.

After that conversation, she isn't in the mood to talk with anybody else, and she has to look her best tomorrow and the day after that.

————

December 24: almost midnight

Emma took a breather from the party as she stepped into the balcony away from everyone at the party, where no one could see her; ignoring the cold weather thanks to the white fur coat she's wearing over her equally white dress.

She's been somewhat worried all day, since Peter tried calling her in the morning but went ignored thanks to her forgetting to unmute her phone.

After her mistake she quickly unmuted it with hopes of him calling her again, but no such luck. Not once since she unmuted her phone did Peter called or even texted her, which made Emma very worried.

Was he angry? Disappointed? Having a wonderful time with Watson? Emma doesn't know which of those options she dreads the most.

She was so worried about Peter that even some attendants thought she looked off, which she realized by reading their thoughts.

*Sigh* Emma sighed as she gazed at the snow covered city being illuminated only by the people living there.

Every window lit up representing a life, a family or a party going on in celebration of the holiday that is most usually celebrated with your loved ones; and here she is… alone.

*RING RING*

Her cell phone ringing made her jump slightly, but she quickly fished it out of her ridiculously expensive purse. Her eyes widened slightly when she saw Peter's ID.

Emma answered her phone in hurry, but before she could say anything, Peter spoke first "Emmy, hey! You said your party is in your home, right?"

Emma was somewhat taken aback by the question and the way Peter sounded like he was running, but answered anyway "Uh, yes. Right here in Frost International's Tower. Why?"

"Because it's Christmas Eve of course! And I- Oh! I see you, actually!" Peter exclaimed as he suddenly hung up.

"See me? Wait, Peter! Wha-!" Emma yelled at the now ended call. Because of it, she yelped when Spider-Man came in out of nowhere from under the balcony and maneuvered himself to land on the rail.

"Merry Christmas!" He exclaimed joyfully to the wide eyed girl as he stepped down in front of her, making sure no one from the party could see him.

"…" Emma didn't answer, still shocked at the sudden appearance of her boyfriend.

Emma's powers allow her to 'feel' anyone when they enter a certain radius around her, but because of Peter's mental barrier, he was almost invisible to her senses.

She still 'feels' him when he's around, but she has to notice he is there first; make the extra effort to mentally acknowledge him.

He also feels different from anyone else, even though everyone has a unique signature, Peter still feels curious among everyone.

But right now he appeared basically out of thin air, which freaked her out a bit.

"Uhm, is this a bad time? I tried calling you earlier but it sent me to voicemail so I thought-" Peter started saying, but was silenced by Emma who suddenly threw herself at him with a hug, hiding her head in the crook of his neck. 

Peter answered the hug almost immediately and brought her closer to him.

She is pretty warm.

After a few seconds of her hiding on his neck, Emma murmured "Merry Christmas".

She was incredibly happy to see Peter right now; all her fears were fading away as he held her tightly and vice versa. At least until they each separated slightly from the other. 

*Giggle* "What are you wearing? You look silly" Emma said as she got a good look at Peter, who was wearing his usual costume but this time it had a Santa Claus hat on top of his mask and a medium sized red sack stuck to his back.

"Excuse you? I think you mean to say I look perfect to spread the Christmas cheer!" He said with mock offense, which made her giggle more.

"That's basically what I said" Emma countered.

*Chuckle* "Well, I'm glad to see you're smiling now… you looked kinda lonely here" Peter said, making Emma avoid looking at him as she released her hold on him, prompting him to do the same "everything alright at the party?".

"…" Emma considered lying to Peter and saying that she just got bored there, but was that for the best?

If she can't be honest with Peter, then who can she be honest to? She's already keeping so much from him with everything she does with her powers, and this is something about their relationship.

Isn't it better to be honest? At least in this instance?

"… To tell you the truth… I was worried that you would be angry at me for yesterday" Emma admitted, making Peter's lenses wide slightly in surprise "I've been thinking about that all day".

It was… hard for Emma to say something like that.

She isn't one for vulnerability, or displays of weakness and self-doubt.

But that's just the effect that Peter has on her. He destroys any mask she puts on and makes her real self shine to him and only him.

Sometimes it brings out the little girl desperate to be seen that wants to be able to laugh to her heart's content without someone telling her she isn't supposed or allowed to do so.

But some other times, such as this, it brings out a weak and unsure side of herself. One she can't allow to show others.

"Hey, c'mon, I told you it was okay, right?" Asked Peter softly, making Emma look back at him hesitantly.

"It's not okay. I shouldn't have yelled at you for wanting to spend Christmas with your aunt. I had no right to get defensive like tha-" Emma started talking a bit fast, so Peter interrupted her.

"You do have the right to be upset when I spend time with any other girl that isn't you. I mean, I don't… know much about dating, but I think that is pretty obvious" Peter interrupts her somewhat awkwardly.

If he had invited Emma to a big event like this and she had said she was instead going to be spending the day with a boy which he's not too fond of, like Emma isn't of MJ, he would also frown at that.

He likes to think that he wouldn't outright yell at her like she did, but Peter guesses that is just her attitude showing. He has seen her snap like that to practically everyone but him, so it wasn't that surprising to see.

"So, you really aren't mad?" Asked Emma, both hopeful and slightly surprised by that.

"Of course I'm not. Plus it may sound weird, but you being jealous feels… nice?" Peter said as he scratched his neck with embarrassment "It may sound weird and all but… I actually don't know, honestly? I've never been anyone's first pick, so…".

Peter didn't know how to explain himself to Emma, but the fact that she got riled up at how he wouldn't be spending time with her really makes him feel wanted.

Since before the spider bit him, Peter was a lonely kid. Sure, he had Harry, but their lifestyles are so different that he didn't spend much time with him after school.

Similarly with Gwen and MJ, Peter wasn't part of their band or anything like that. And they are both pretty popular amongst the school, which make it somewhat awkward for him to be around them all the time.

And now that he is Spider-Man, the breach between him and his friends is only growing wider and wider as time goes by.

Worse with Chat leaving next summer.

He would be feeling lonely if it wasn't for Emma being there for him. Watching him like only she can.

"I wouldn't call it jealousy…" Emma said trying to save her dignity, making Peter deadpan at her behind his mask "but you'll always be my first pick" she says softly.

Emma understands where Peter is coming from, since she feels the same way about not being anyone's first choice in anything nice.

"You'll always be my first pick as well, Emmy" Peter says with the same tone "but I couldn't ditch my aunt today becau-".

Emma interrupted Peter by grabbing his hand "you don't have to explain that to me Peter. I'm just glad I got to see you today".

"Oh! That reminds me!" Peter says as he lets go of Emma's hand to look and grab the sack he has on his back and look through it until he finds something within it "Ha, here it is!".

"What is it?" Asks Emma curious until Peter shows her a medium sized box wrapped in cheap decorative paper in front of her.

"Your Christmas present!" Peter says as he shoves the box in her hand and sticks the sack to his back again.

Beside her present, Peter also got one for the entire Fantastic Family in the form of his aunt's homemade cookies and a special one for Franklin, which is simply a brand new teddy bear.

The boy wanted to give each member something more personal, but what could he have given literal millionaires? In the end he settled for something more personal to who he is as a person. It felt right to him to do that. 

And what is more personal to him that his aunt's cooking? 

He also has a batch for Daredevil, but unlike the Fantastic Four, Peter doesn't have an address or anything like that. And calling him just to give him cookies was somewhat embarrassing. 

He still has doubles D's cookies with him, but Peter isn't really hopeful of seeing the older man tonight. 

"Really?" Emma asked. She was honestly not expecting any gifts from Peter this year, mainly because they have only been dating for a little under a month and she knows his financial status.

Not that she would have had a problem if she didn't get one, but it was nice to see he also thought of getting her something, just like she did for him.

"Of course!" Peter said excitedly, but then added with less excitement "uhm, it's just not something expensive or anything like that".

He's been hanging around Emma for long enough to know that the more expensive anything is, the better.

Emma didn't really even hear Peter as she started tearing through the paper and opened the box.

She widened her eyes ever so slightly at what's in it.

Three framed pictures, one of Emma and Chat that Chat undoubtedly shared with Peter of a slightly younger looking Emma rolling her eyes with her arms crossed but with a slight smirk as Chat held her arm out to take the selfie with a bright, happy smile on her face.

The second picture is similar, with Chat holding her hand out to take the selfie. But this time the lower part of her face was hidden by a strawberry ice cream with her eyes clearly showing she was smiling.

Adding to that, Peter is now in the picture; several feet away from Chat and looking slightly nervous with a plain vanilla ice cream smudged on his cheek while Emma is beside him, laughing and pointing at him with one hand and a pistachio ice cream on the other while her eyes closed; clearly very happy and entertained by the boy.

Looking at the picture, Emma remembers that this was one of the first times where the three hung out together through the city.

Lastly, the picture was one of the many that Emma took of herself and Peter during their first date. The picture showed Emma with her sunglasses on top of her head while shooting a satisfied smile and winking with her head slightly tilting. And Peter, who is sitting besides her, is smiling contently as he gazes at the orange sky in front of him, only showing one side of his face in the picture, not knowing it's being taken.

Emma remembers taking this picture discreetly without Peter knowing, but she shared it with him via text after she showed it to him in school.

The blonde telepath keeps quiet as she looks at the pictures over and over again. Never has she received a sentimental gift quite like this.

She's gotten crazy expensive gifts for her parents and even people who want her father's favor, but none of those times did it ever mean anything more than a showing of money and power for others to see.

Whenever Emma's mother showered her with clothes, shoes, purses and jewelry, it was always to show it off to those snobby friends of hers; to show that Emma, and in consequence her mother, are better than them. Which also happens with Emma's sisters.

Despite that fact, Emma loves showing she's indeed better than her mom's friends. A bad trait? Perhaps. But it's one so fundamentally rooted in her she doubts it will ever leave her.

But this present is memories. Precious moments that Emma spent with her closest friends in the whole wide world.

No, not only her best friends, but her sister and her boyfriend.

"This… this is amazing, Peter. Thanks" Emma muttered softly as she hugged the framed pictures to her chest and looked at him with her eyes battling against some tears threatening to come out due to the emotion.

*Phew* "I'm glad you liked them. I was worried it was going to be too corny or something" Peter replied with relief, making Emma laugh quietly.

"It kinda is~" she says teasingly "But I still love them. Thank you" she says sincerely with an enchanting smile on her face.

"I'm happy you like them, Emmy" Peter said genuinely with a content smile behind his mask. Mask that made her mentally frown a bit.

It was kind of an intimate moment between them, and even though she likes the fact that he is Spider-Man, she would still prefer to look him in the eye right now.

"Well, I also have two gifts for you~" Emma said with a sweet tone as she neared Peter once again after leaving the pictures on a chair nearby, but added sternly "and don't you dare say I shouldn't have".

"Hehe, I won't" Peter answered sheepishly, given that it was exactly what he was about to do.

Emma rolled her eyes fondly as she wrapped one hand behind Peter's neck and started caressing Peter's mask from the neck with one finger, burying it slightly on the part where one removes it.

"My first gift I'll have to give to you on our date since I don't have it with me~" Emma began talking as she neared Peter more and more "and the other…".

She stopped talking as she started removing Peter's mask, making sure that no one was around to see him or what she was about to do.

But Peter stopped her, a little unsure of it "Emmy, is-is anyone around?"

"No, we're alone" Emma said as she removed the mask completely and talked barely above a whisper with her voice slightly husky, prompting Peter to hold her at her waist over her coat "it's just you and me, Peter".

The couple stood there on the cold balcony on Christmas Eve illuminated by the various lights from the buildings surrounding them. Snow slowly falling around them giving an ethereal look to it all, yet the couple didn't care about the scenery.

Instead, both teens were lost in the other's eyes.

The boy lost in the almost impossible blue of Emma's bright eyes and the girl lost in the soft, and yet, strong brown eyes that shine brightly under all the lights around them.

The only thing that distracted each other from the other's gaze was their lips, which each looked at every so often.

Peter's lips had very small cuts here and there, making him look very rugged. If one were to ask Emma what she thought of lips like these around a year ago, she would've been disgusted. Now? There are not many things hotter than proof of his various fights, where he displays power and strength above his foes to come out on top. Proof of his character.

And Emma's lips are just perfect. Her luscious and perfect form, enticingly open just enough to show the white pearls she has for teeth, paired with her blue lipstick is just so impossibly beautiful and so desirable for Peter's eyes.

So desirably and impossible to resist that he just couldn't, and closed the distance between them with a kiss, which Emma was waiting for this whole time.

At first it started gentle and sweet; just lips touching together in what both of them hoped to transmit wordlessly the affection each held for the one in their arms.

Message that was indeed transmitted.

Then the kiss started to shift to a more passionate one when Emma started brushing Peter's lips with her tongue, demanding passage to his mouth which he was quickly granted with a grunt from Peter that excited Emma.

While their tongues started exploring and caressing each other inexpertly, the world around the couple faded away.

Emma started combing Peter's hair more furiously as time went on, while Peter shifted his hands to be inside Emma's coat instead of outside of it.

Action that took Emma slightly by surprise since she breathed out "Ah! Peter~" right in his mouth.

Given that Emma was wearing a big coat, she opted to wear an extra thin and tight dress for the occasion; she just found out that she can feel every callus from Peter's hand in it.

His big and rough hands against her delicate and pristine skin.

It felt wonderful.

"Oh! S-sorry!" But Peter freaked out a little bit; never hearing her voice quite like that made him think he had done something wrong.

"Don't be~" Emma says with a satisfied sigh as she allows herself to melt on Peter's arms, which makes him chuckle a little bit awkwardly since he is now… y'know… at Emma's closeness, tone and kiss.

They both spend some time in comfortable silence while in the others arms, just enjoying the warmth and comfort one offers the other.

The silence was interrupted by Emma, who asked how was the dinner Peter had in his home while gently removing herself from him.

Thus starting a conversation about each teen's Christmas dinner and their expectations for their plans for the 25th while resting their arms on the snow covered rail.

Emma had to stop herself from physically reacting every time MJ was mentioned, which she did so expertly. It also helped that she noticed how Peter tried to talk about her as little as possible.

It went on like that for some time until Emma asked.

"So movies at your place, right? I gotta admit that I'm excited to show you real cinema, Mr. Parker" Emma said this expecting some of Peter's usual banter to follow up, but instead he looked almost conflicted while looking away.

"I'd still love to do it Emmy, but I do have to tell you that my aunt won't be there" Peter said as he avoided looking at Emma in the eye "I'll be having my house to myself so I don't know… if you're comfortable like that".

It was extremely embarrassing for Peter to say that, but he still had to do it. He wouldn't want to have Emma over to his house only to see that they would be alone there.

Of course they have been alone many, many times. But a heads up is still nice.

Nice, but so embarrassing to say out loud.

*PFFT* "Ha!" Emma suddenly laughed at what he said; unable to control herself due to how cute he looks all embarrassed and nervous like that.

She understands what Peter is saying perfectly.

Given that it's his aunt's house, it was the perfect opportunity for Emma to meet the older lady; which she would absolutely love to do.

She's a little nervous to do so since it's Peter's number one person in the world; but the point Peter is trying to make is that there would have been someone else in the place.

Now that Aunt May is not going to be there, the implication that Emma might've gotten would've been that Peter was expecting something sexual out of Emma.

Him letting Emma know this speaks highly of Peter of course, and just how good of a job May did in raising him to be a gentleman who would rather embarrass himself than let the chance of his date be uncomfortable.

But honestly? It's so silly for him to think she would even consider the fact of them being alone in his house is a plot for him to get in her pants.

She knows him too well already, and she knows he wouldn't do that.

That's why right now she's laughing her ass off as he is panicking about the chance that anyone might hear and come see what's going on; only to find one of the Frost's fortune heiresses with an unmasked Spider-Man.

"… There, I'm-I'm done" Emma says as he stops laughing; supporting herself on Peter as to not fall due to the intensity of her laughter.

"I don't know what was so funny" mumbled an embarrassed Peter loud enough for Emma to barely hear.

Ignoring that, Emma opted to ease Peter's mind "I would still love to have our date, Peter. It's just a shame I don't get to meet your aunt yet".

*Sigh* "yeah, she's been kinda… absent" Peter admits with a heavy sigh.

Much like he wears his mask due to the grief, May started working almost excessively. Extra shifts, more hours, more days and even taking any and all trips that the FEAST foundation has available.

Peter understands; damn, he's probably the one in the whole world that knows how it feels to throw yourself entirely to the service of others to try and forget about the emptiness that Ben's absence makes in the house.

May overworking herself gives Peter freedom to be Spider-Man, but he also feels alone.

Which Emma totally understands.

"I'm sure it's been hard on her" Emma says softly, gaining a small nod from Peter "but hey, I'll make sure to meet her properly another time, okay?".

"Yeah, okay…" Peter agrees easily and softly, but soon his eyes shoot up wide "Shoot, Emmy! I think it's my time to go. See you the day after tomorrow" Peter says as he feels someone's presence approaching at the same time as Emma feels their mind's signature; recognizing the person approaching as her brother.

"Call me tomorrow" Emma says as she fixes her coat; to which Peter simply nods before jumping off the balcony.

Before Christian enters the balcony, Emma takes out her cellphone to pretend to be on a call.

"Oh sorry, am I interrupting something?" Asks Christian as he sees his sister on the phone talking to somebody.

To which she merely holds one finger up to him in order to shut him up and say a final goodbye and merry Christmas; then addresses her brother and assures him she was just talking to her friend Chat.

He suspects she was actually talking to the mysterious boy, but did not question her further. Christian had noted how Emma looked kinda off all day, but he was glad to see her smiling naturally again as they both rejoined the party.

————

December 30

These last few days have been really fun for both Emma and Peter.

It started off with Peter receiving Emma at his house with all kinds of snacks he knows she likes - and he can afford - and with her giving Peter his gift. This one being a watch.

Not from an overly expensive brand, which Emma originally planned to give, but a nice enough one with a price that Peter would easily agree on accepting.

They hit it off with Rocky, as Peter promised, where he shocked the girl when he revealed that part of his martial arts expertise comes from the movie.

Soon enough, Peter and Emma were cuddling together under a shared blanket as they watched one of Emma's films. Film that was soon forgotten once they started making out.

And his idea for a movie day turned out to be 'days', since after the first marathon, Emma invited Peter to her own home the next day to continue their journey of discovering more of their couple's tastes in cinema… and other things.

Needless to say that Peter was a nervous wreck when he first got to see Emma's surprisingly large room - which he entered through her window in his suit and his clothes on a backpack… later than they had accorded to - given that he had not been in a girl's room alone with her since he was like twelve.

He had been expecting the room to be large, but it seemed like he could fit his living room easily on it; which as always, amused Emma.

She forcefully sat Peter down on her bed when he tried arguing against the idea of him and her being alone in her queen sized bed.

She sat beside him with a bowl of popcorn in between them. Until Peter ended up basically devouring the whole thing and the bowl was discarded, in which Emma took the opportunity to use Peter's shoulder as a pillow and he hugged her with that same arm.

They really enjoyed the intimacy of it.

Of being able to be together with someone who knew and accepted them as they are; how they truly and deeply are, while they indulged themselves in their combined warmth.

Being able to do something as silly as a movie marathon while trying to forget each their burdens and problems.

For him, it's the grief and guilt of not only his uncle, but every person he can't manage to save. Whether it is from a disaster like the fire involving the kid and her deceased mother, or not being able to help men from themselves like Max or even Adrian.

For her, it's the need to hide her mutant nature while knowing she can't count on her family's support. Knowing that not many poeple will accept her for who she is, not even when she's hiding her powers from the world.

They understand each other. They always had in some way, but now that their secrets are out in the open for the other, there is no one who can bring this level of comfort for either.

That's why Emma is not upset when she turns her Tv half an hour after her boyfriend is supposed to be in her room again to continue their dates, which have been going from the 26th to the now 30th; seeing him fleeing a fight scene while leaving a knocked out Stiltman with the police to deal with.

*RING RING*

'Just in time' Emma thought as she was starting to suspect when he was going to call her to apologize for his tardiness, just like he had been doing almost every day of their dates. 

"Well, you had a productive morning" Emma said as soon as she picks up; refusing to even give Peter the opportunity to apologize for something like helping people from one of his surprisingly numerous foes.

"The guy had stilts! What is wrong with these people!?"Peter huffs from the other side of the phone, clearly bothered for being interrupted from his date yet again. 

"They are indeed entertaining to watch" Emma mussed as she recounted all of Peter's colorful and eccentric looking enemies.

"They do look funny, but man do some of these guys pack a punch. Why would a guy with stilts be this strong?" Peter complained with a grunt as he moved his shoulder with some pain.

"Are you injured?" Asked Emma with a slight hint of worry in her voice.

"Meh, just dislocated my shoulder. Nothing I couldn't pop back on almost immediately after it happened" Peter tried to dismiss the worry by saying that, which did not exactly work.

"Your ability to think that's worthy of a 'meh' is slightly concerning, Peter. But I guess it's something we shall discuss another day" Emma said with a sigh "can I expect you within the half-hour?"

"Err, I don't think so, Emmy" peter started saying apologetically "I'm really dirty and I was thinking of taking a shower before meeting you. I'll take… about two hours? I'm kinda far from home and I also need my spare costume I left half fixed".

"You have your backpack with your clothes in it, right?" Emma asked with a small frown on her face.

"Yeah?" Answered Peter; unsure of what Emma was thinking about.

"Then why don't you come here right away? If it's a shower you need, you're always welcome to take one in mine" Emma exclaimed as she walked to her bathroom to make sure it was tidy.

She won't admit to anyone that she's actually kind of lazy when it comes to keeping her room as clean as she would want to. Much less to Peter, which is why every day that Peter has come to her room she always triple checks for any discarded clothes she might've left behind or something similar.

"Y-you sure? I wouldn't want to… impose or anything" Peter stammered, clearly flustered at the idea.

"Yes, I'm sure. Now get here before I lose my patience" she demanded as she rolled her eyes.

"R-right, I'll be there in a moment!" He agrees still with a hint of nervousness in his voice as he hung up.

Emma smiled, satisfied with his response and sat back in her bed with her various pillows adjusted so that she and Peter could be at a 45 degree angle that allowed to watch her huge Tv right in front of the bed comfortably.

She grabbed the book she was reading before turning the Tv on and resumed with it while she waits for Peter.

….

"Hey, I'm here!" Peter surprised Emma as he opened the window, making her jump slightly once again because of her focus on her book.

"Took you long enough" Emma said as she leaves her open book in her bed and stands up to greet him properly once he's fully inside her room.

"C'mon, it was like, what? Seven minutes since we talked?" Pete says humorously as he removes the mask of his face to show his toothy grin.

"Seven minutes adding to the half hour you spent fighting that stilt person" Emma teased as she neared Peter and hugged him very briefly "Wow, okay. You do need a bath".

*Chuckle* "Yeah, being flung to a 'gyro' food truck will do that to you" Peter said while chuckling slightly; remembering the very angry words the Greek man was most likely shouting his way.

"It's pronounced 'yee-row', sweetie" Emma said with a fond roll of eyes "now get in there so you can stop my room from smelling like a restaurant".

"On it" said Peter with fake confidence as he headed towards Emma's bathroom. He didn't take long in there since he didn't want to keep Emma waiting for much longer.

He scrubbed himself hard with what he assumed was a super expensive bar of soap that Emma had strategically left there for him since it didn't smell like a woman's, much less Emma's, product.

In there he also had shampoo and a very eye-catching and huge looking bathtub in which he had half a mind to soak in for a long time, but did not have the courage to do so since Emma was waiting for him.

So with that in mind, Peter did everything he needed to do and quickly changed into his sweatpants and hoodie combination that he's been abusing for these last days.

'Thank god I bought these on bulk when I had the chance' Peter thinks with a content sigh; glad to feel the difference from his torn and dirty suit to his comfy clothes.

"Oh, you're done?" Asks Emma as she sees Peter getting out of her bathroom with his clothes on and a tired smile on his face.

*Yawn* "Yep, all cleaned out" he confirms with a small yawn while packing his suit on his backpack.

It's not the first time Peter has been forced to swing to the city on his civilian clothes, but it's really not much of a problem because of his mask.

Not like anyone would recognize him from his brown hoodie or black sweatpants alone while swinging all over when his mask is on.

"You're tired" Emma states with a raised eyebrow "was it that hard of a fight?"

"Eh, more or less. It doesn't help that I stayed way too late on patrol last night… this morning? Same difference" he admits, unbeknownst of Emma's frown that forms in her face while he leaves his backpack in a corner of her room.

Emma knows why Peter overworks himself like this, even if he doesn't.

And it's because of his house and the emptiness he feels whenever he is alone in that relatively small place. There are times where Emma knows his aunt is absent, sometimes even for days, and she's noticed that it's those days where Peter does more to avoid going to his house.

He takes extra shifts in his internship, he goes to the library to study for hours, he tries to hangout with whoever is available.

But more often than not, he wears his mask. He overworks himself as Spider-Man far more than he usually does.

Could it be that it's his way of repenting from feeling powerless to help his aunt? That he sees his old, and honestly frail, mother figure go to further lengths that she needs to after her husband's passing and he feels like he should be the one helping everyone instead of her?

Maybe he just feels like it's his job to be Spider-Man? That he believes it to be his duty to use his powers in the service of others no matter how tired he is?

Or does he stay in the mask longer thanks to May not being there waiting for him back home, giving him the chance to forget for however long he can the fact that he is Peter Parker in favor of being Spider-Man?

Is it guilt?

Is it responsibility?

Is it freedom?

Whatever it is, it can't possibly be healthy for him.

Emma loves the fact that her boyfriend is Spider-Man. His power, strength, confidence and the way he carries himself are things that Emma finds incredibly attractive.

But she can't help but worry at his self-destructive tendencies. Not sleeping properly, taking more damage than necessary from his enemies, not taking breaks even when injured; it's not healthy for him.

"Do you want to take a nap?" Emma asks as Peter walks towards her.

"Hm? Nah, let's see what you wanted to show me yesterday" Peter says while very clearly suppressing another yawn

"Come here. You're sleeping" Emma commanded as she let go of her book once again and opened her arms as an invitation for Peter while she was still resting on her bed.

Which made Peter blush incredibly bright.

"I-I ehr… I don't think-" Peter started mumbling nervously, not really sure of what to do or how to respond to that.

"Don't test me, Parker" Emma said, still in a commanding voice. To which the boy merely nods at, still pretty embarrassed and unsure of what to do.

He climbs to Emma's bed and makes his way to her by crawling; not sure of what she wants him to do with her arms open like that.

Until he was close enough for Emma to grab him by the head suddenly and bring his face down onto her chest.

"E-Emmy?! What are yo-!" Peter wanted to ask, but was interrupted by Emma.

"Shh… just relax and sleep. You've been doing too much and listening to a heart beat helps you relax" Emma silences him as she starts combing his hair with her hands in a soothing manner.

She also feels embarrassed by what is happening, but the weight of Peter's head on her and the way he snaked his arms around her torso subconsciously made it worth her boldness.

*Sigh* "Gotta admit, you make a surprisingly good pillow" Peter says with a content sigh while he adjusts his body so that both Emma and him are more comfortable in their position.

Peter ends up on Emma's left side with his head on her chest and his left leg touching her's; his right arm snaked behind her lower back and his left arm draped over her, resting on the other side of the bed. His right ear resting directly on her gives him the opportunity to hear perfectly her raised heartbeat, which he has to admit is indeed calming.

*Giggle* "I think that's just your hoodie. For how cheap it is, the material is amazingly soft" Emma said with a small laugh. Now more relaxed by Peter's own acceptance of their current position.

"I thought I recognized it" Peter hums as he remembers forgetting his baby blue hoodie in Emma's room last time he was here when he changed into his suit "But I gotta say, you rock it better than I ever could… *Yawn* you look great today. I don't think - I don't think I told you that yet".

"Oh sweetie, I 'rock' everything better than you~" Emma teased proudly; happy at the fact that Peter complimented her looks even when she's just wearing his hoodie with white sweatpants she bought after the 26th and at the fact that Peter is already falling asleep in the comfort of her arms.

There was something special about being trustworthy enough for someone like Spider-Man to show her his vulnerability and soft side like he is doing now.

Even while Peter is his civilian self, he never lets weakness show. Emma, after reading Peter's mind, knows that he is sad, lonely and tired.

And despite that, he never lets himself show any of that to anyone.

Anyone but her.

Just like she has shown her weaker side to him.

"Perks of being as pretty as you are" Peter said with his voice starting to sound more drowsy by each word he says.

'He must be more tired than I initially thought' Emma concludes with a small frown on her face "You're a flatterer. But now you really need to sleep. I'll wake you up when I deem you had enough rest".

"That sounds great actually… you are great. I'm lucky to be with you…" Peter's incredibly muffled and tired sounding voice would have given Emma the impression that he was sleep talking if it were not for him answering coherently.

"You are indeed lucky. Don't you dare forget that" Emma says seriously but with a humorous undertone; starting to feel sleepy herself by Peter's demeanor.

*Chuckle* "Never… I lov-…" Peter started saying but fell asleep before he could finish his sentence, which momentarily froze Emma.

They had told each other repeatedly that they like each other, mainly the day where they confessed their feelings to each other, but never had either said they 'love' each other. It was a silent understanding between them that perhaps it was still too early in their relationship to be saying that word left and right each chance they got.

No matter how much they both wanted to.

But honestly? Emma is itching to reach that part of their relationship, which is why she decided to indulge herself just this once and say it back to him.

"I love you too" Emma muttered softly and lovingly as she kept combing Peter's recently washed hair with her right hand while her le left arm hugged Peter closer to her.

She stayed as she was for what she felt like some minutes, just enjoying the rhythm of Peter's even breathing and the way his body draped all over her.

And Emma realized she wanted to immortalize this image.

So she grabbed her cellphone on her nightstand by carefully reaching over to it and used the opportunity to snap a picture of herself with Peter sleeping soundly on her.

It was impressive to Emma to think that the majority of photos she has in her phone are Peter, Chat and obviously her; which is why that phone is not backed up by the cloud or any other device.

Emma can't afford her family to find out the extent of her relationship with Peter, so she keeps those photos a secret.

Satisfied with how the picture turned out, Emma left it behind her and considered napping together with Peter.

She never takes naps, believing they're for lazy bums and people with nothing better to do in their lives. And Emma is the opposite of that; time is money after all.

But now, with Peter in her arms, she has nothing better to do other than bask in the slight warmth her boyfriend's steel-like arms bring her; which is surprisingly a lot for someone who can't thermoregulate properly.

So she melted further into her bed thanks to Peter's added weight and fell asleep after a few moments where she synchronized her breathing with his.

It was perhaps the fastest Emma had ever fallen asleep, and it's probably because of Peter's mental barrier that helped everything around Emma to be quiet.

Silent.

Just listening to Peter's and her own breathing as she soon imitates the boy's state.

….

Emma stirred in her sleep, or tried to since she was still trapped in Peter's arms. That, and a soft rhythmic sound that tickled her through the hoodie she's wearing awoke Emma from her sleep.

Rubbing her eyes, Emma saw that the clock on her nightstand marked 5:46 p.m. and hummed to herself.

'Hmm, a three hour nap… it was nice enough to warrant doing it again' Emma thinks to herself as she lets out a small yawn.

*Pwwrrr* Emma still felt and heard that vibration, so she concluded it was most likely Peter's phone.

"Peter, darling? I think someone is calling you" Emma whispered as she tapped Peter's back to get him to wake up too.

"Mm?" But as soon as he mumbled that the noise stopped, almost as if the noise came from Peter himself.

'… no, it surely can't be' Emma thought to herself as she processed what happened. In her conclusion she started petting Peter's hair again.

And sure enough the sound started again.

"Oh my god, Peter!" Emma almost yelled in excitement while suppressing a guffaw.

"Wha-?! What happened?! You okay?!" Peter woke up worried at her yell; not able to understand her happy tone because of his drowsiness.

"You're purring!" Emma ignored his ungently way of waking up in favor of sharing the good news "oh, it's so delightfully cute!"

Peter blinked twice in a dumb manner, trying to understand what was just said to him.

"… purring?" Peter mumbled to himself, only to laugh at that. Still careful to not raise his voice enough for anyone else in Emma's family to be able to hear *Pfft* "Of course not! I-I was not purring!"

"You were!" Emma confirmed once again with a bright smile on her face, finding the situation hilarious.

Thus starting a lighthearted 'argument' between them, where Peter denied any possibility of him 'purring cutely' as Emma incessantly said.

The conversation was over when Emma did a quick research in her cellphone and read out loud that some spiders do purr to attract mates. Which only made her laugh harder.

*Groan* "This is humiliating" Peter muttered with his hands over his face while sitting next to Emma on her bed. Clearly distraught by the fact.

"What is? The fact that you purr or that you were found out before you could successfully court me~?" Emma teased easily; enjoying Peter's red face immensely.

"Oh god…" Peter muttered as he avoided looking at Emma.

"Calm down" Emma said with a fond roll of eyes "you're too dramatic. The fact that your DNA changed into things like that is rather cute… you don't have a craving for flies though, do you?"

"W-what? Of course not!" Peter relaxed a bit after that, seeing as Emma's face suggested it was only a question in jest.

*Grumble* However, just then Peter's stomach decided to make itself and its hunger known to both teens. Making Peter only sigh in self disappointment and Emma to barely hold another laugh.

"You really can't get a break, huh?" Emma teased; knowing that Peter must be extremely embarrassed by all that is happening.

"It's just my damn 'Parker Luck' acting up" he answered in a defeated tone.

"Well, 'lucky' for you, you have a caring girlfriend that knew you would be hungry. Given your enhanced metabolism and all. So why don't you turn the Tv on while I go get something for us to eat" Emma said as she stood up from the bed and tossed Peter the remote control.

"Wait, there's something I wanted to ask you. Better do it now before I forget it" Peter said with an excited grin as he also stood up and walked up to Emma, who was almost at the door.

"Oh? What is it?" Asked Emma with curiosity.

"MJ told me that our school year is going to meet at Times Square for the ball drop tomorrow. And I was wondering if there's any chance you might be interested in going with me" Peter asked, clearly hoping to have an agreement on her part.

Emma had told Peter previously that she was going to stay home with her siblings during New Year's since her father was going to be on a business trip together with her mom. Which was his way of saying he would attend a high class party and didn't wish to bring his kids along.

It wouldn't be the first or last time he does that.

And Peter had told Emma that he would also be at home, since that same day May came home. However MJ said out loud that everyone would attend the event, which prompted May to basically force Peter to accompany the girl.

It was then when he got the brilliant idea of inviting Emma so that they both could try and mingle a bit with the rest of their class, as well as try and make up for the Christmas party Peter couldn't attend.

"You want us, the telepath and the guy with senses dialed to eleven, to go to one of the loudest and crowd-filled events of the year?" Emma asked with a raised eyebrow; slightly annoyed at hearing about Watson again.

"W-well, when you put it that way…" Peter stammered as he scratched his neck *Sigh* "In all honesty it wasn't my idea. MJ told May, and she's kinda forcing me to go. So I thought I'd… y'know… much rather be with you there".

Emma considered his words carefully; not wanting to show any emotion on her face. She's never met May Parker and she's excited to do so, but Emma can't help but feel like May is trying to set up her nephew and the redhead together because of all the situations the matriarch sets up for Peter to be with Watson.

Must be nice being the niece of May's best friend.

"Hey Peter, does your aunt know you have a girlfriend?" Asked Emma with an edge to her voice.

"Hm? Yes, of course. Why?" Peter's expression got extremely confused; clearly not understanding what she was inferring.

"… no reason. I'll think about joining you there, but I make no promises" Emma huffed, not really sure if she's willing to go through that whole ordeal just to keep Peter from Watson.

"I'll take it!" Replied Peter happily, which only made Emma roll her eyes with an entertained smile betraying her real emotions. 

————

December 31

"I can't believe you managed to convince me to come here with you" grumbled Emma in the small 24 hour cafeteria both teens agreed to meet, putting on her white casual coat she usually wears when she knows there's a chance she might get dirty. Still, she looks magnificent as always.

"I promise you it will be fun, at least more than you're expecting… probably" Peter said as he placed his own jacket and scarf on himself, ready to leave the local to go and meet with everyone else.

Emma was about to answer something sarcastic to that, but just then a familiar redhead and blonde walked into the cafeteria, surrounded by more people who, in Emma's eyes, didn't matter.

"More fun than we're expecting? Are you getting rid of the blonde over there?" Asked MJ teasingly as she neared the couple.

"Not if I can help it, Red" Peter answered in good humor before Emma had the chance to retort to that. Ever since Peter and Emma started dating, MJ and Emma seem to behave somewhat more friendlier than before.

At least in front of Peter. But moments like these certainly don't help in their relationship.

"Who cares what Parker does?! Let's get going, people!" Said Sally frustrated from having to come with everyone else to pick up food.

MJ brought Glory into the cafeteria in search of the brown haired boy, who in consequence brought Kenny, who came with his entire football team. Which includes Randy, who in turn brought Sally.

Really, it's everyone that always hangs out together.

'Why on earth does this skank always flock around Peter if she hates him?!' Questioned and irritated Emma to herself as Peter exchanged quick greetings with his bullies, who only dismissed him in favor of ordering take out. Mainly Kenny.

"Pete! Glad you could make it with everyone else!" says Gwen as she steps into the cafeteria with Betty and some members of the academic decathlon team.

"Gwendy, hey!" Replies Peter happily at the sight of the two blondes and the others. Peter couldn't really claim to be friends with the team, but they're acquainted enough for Peter to greet them as well.

"It got really crowded in here all of a sudden" muttered Emma loud enough for Peter to hear, who nodded in response.

"Yeah, no kidding. It's weird considering it's half an hour before the ball drops" Peter muttered back "want to get out of here?"

"Let's" Emma agrees as she grabs Peter by the hand and starts leading him outside.

MJ, who saw that, also figured out it would be best to get going. So she told her friends and they all left the jocks behind to wait for Kenny and his orders.

"Where do we head now?" Emma stopped walking and asked Peter, since she is just walking in between the crowd of Times Square without a destination in mind.

"We have a little spot saved over there" Gwen said behind Peter, slightly surprising Emma who wasn't paying attention to who was following her and Peter. Big crowds like this really throw the powerful and inexperienced telepath off.

"Oh, look" Peter tells Emma as he spots someone in the public "there's Chat already at the spot".

The blonde looks towards where Peter is looking and indeed, in the middle of the crowd, Emma is able to distinguish her best friend amongst some other teens she most definitely attends school with but are not important enough for her to remember; making Emma hurry her step towards her while dragging Peter with her.

While it's true that Emma has trouble with her powers in crowds as huge as this, she can still use them to make way for herself through it due to her powers subconsciously forcing people to move out of her way.

"Oh! You guys made it!" Chat exclaims happily tye moment Emma taps her shoulder and she turns to see her friends "I'm surprised that you managed to make Emma tag along, Peter".

"You underestimate my persuasion prowess" Peter said proudly as he raised his head in theatrical manner, making MJ and Gwen giggle slightly behind him.

*Scoff* "Please. You did everything but grovel to get me to come" Emma scoffed as she looked away from Peter to avoid getting teased by Peter and Chat. The two of them obviously saw beyond her words and laughed either way.

"Parker groveling? That's something you don't see often enough" Flash butted in the talk as him and his friends arrived with their food, sarcasm dripping heavily from his voice.

"Can you imagine performing here one day, girls?" Seeing Emma's annoyed face at Flash's comment, MJ quickly said to divert everyone's attention. Still, everyone saw how MJ really meant it.

The redhead's eyes shied with delight as she imagined herself up on the stage as all eyes looked and marvelled over her.

"You do know they only allow good singers up there, right?" Emma asks with a quirked eyebrow, making almost everyone frown at the blonde.

There is no comparison after all, when it comes to Midtown High students, there are few who do not like Mary Jane Watson. And even fewer who do like Emma Frost.

*Tch* "Ignore her. It would be awesome, right girls?" Gwen clicked her tongue at Emma's comment, and proceeded to ignore her as she started talking to her bandmates.

"Remind me, why are we here?" Emma asks Peter with a frown on her face as she listened to her classmate's conversations.

"Well, I think…" Peter measured his answer for a few seconds before finishing it. Taking his time to look at all his friends, acquaintances and even strangers that surround him and Emma with a longing feeling in his chest "I think I wanted us to mingle with people, y'know? Just to be here with them, even if for a little while…" .

Emma sighed after she listened at Peter, knowing already what he means. Her boyfriend sometimes goes into crowds just to watch the poeple go by to 'recharge' himself and his drive to help people.

It may sound somewhat weird and even creepy to some people, but Emma understands that Peter needs something to assure him that what he does is not in vain. Seeing everyone living their normal lives as they go through their day, most often than not with a smile painting their faces, is important for Spider-Man.

And perhaps the effect is bigger when his friends and people he knows are involved. Even if this includes people like Flash and Sally.

But something that Peter said stuck with Emma.

" 'Just for a little while' *Scoff* We're still 20 minutes away from the ball drop" Emma answered Peter as she looked towards the counter up above their heads.

"True, but I obviously wouldn't bring you somewhere I know you'd be uncomfortable for so long" Peter started saying as he gained an excited and almost childish grin in his face "I have a suprise for you!"

"Oh?" Emma felt an excited grin tugging at her lips at Peter's words "what kind of surprise?"

"The kind where I need you to give us an excuse to leave, please?" Peter pleaded in a whisper as he raised his only available hand as if he was praying, hoping for Emma to do as asked.

Rolling her eyes, Emma smiled warmly "You ask too much from me sometimes, dear. This better be worth it".

«Chat, can you hear me?» Emma asked her friend telepathically as she closed her eyes to focus, startling her friend besides her, who was talking with one of their classmates.

«Jesus, Emma! Give a girl a warning before doing that!» answered Chat telepathically as she apologized to Jason Ionello, someone who is friends with Flash but is not part of the football team.

« *Giggle* Sorry about that. But I need your help in covering for me and Peter while we go away. Apparently, he has a suprise for me and it's not here» Emma requested easily, this not being the first time Emma has asked something similar of Chat.

«Does it have to do with Spider-Man?» Chat asked intrigued.

«I can only imagine so» replied Emma, a little unsure herself.

«Okay, sure! Have fun!» Chat answered as she kept talking with Jason as if nothing happened.

"We're clear" Emma informed Peter out loud, making him smile brightly and lead the way out of the crowd this time in search of an abandoned alleyway near the Paramount Building. Which is just behind where the ball drops.

"Hmm? Where is Peter?" Jessica Jones asks out loud for the gathered group to hear without meaning to. Gaining a deep red blush on her face the moment everyone turned to look at her.

She knows that Peter, unfortunately, got a girlfriend on that mean and nasty blonde before she could reveal her feelings to him. Still, Jessica considers Peter one of the few people her age she's comfortable with, so him not being where he was supposed to be according to another classmate made her talk out loud.

"I… I don't know. He was here just a minute ago" Gwen said as she looked behind her and saw that Peter and Emma where indeed gone from sight.

"Oh! Uhm, Emma was feeling unwell, so Peter left with her to get her some water or something" Chat after she listened to Gwen and saw her and MJ's eyes searching all over.

*Scoff* "Of course…" muttered a still angry MJ with Emma for her previous comment in her band and now for dragging Peter away to who knows where just the two of them. Thought that made her heart ache slightly without her really knowing why.

"Who cares about them anyway" Flash said while looking disapprovingly at the way Peter left Gwen, MJ and Jessica with dejected looks on their faces.

He might've taken that Frost chick away because she was feeling unwell, but ditching his friends without a word is definitely a jerkish move; silently implying that his friends don't matter as much to him as that blonde.

It was like elementary school all over again when Parker first became an outcasted nerd that ignored everyone - just with an equally weird but insanely hot girl to drag his sorry ass around. And Flash disapproves of that.

….

Arriving at one one the 'roofs' of the Paramount Building with the help of Peter's web-shooters, Peter gently let's go of Emma to show her his surprise.

"Tada!" Peter says excitedly as he shows off his little surprise, with this being a little picnic-like arrangement in the roof with a nice view to the whole ceremony.

The 'picnic' was complete with a blanket on the floor, a pillow for Emma to sit in, a basket filled with what Peter knows are Emma's favorite drinks and foods (that he can afford) and lit up only by candles that are still miraculously still on despite the air and weather.

"… you did this?" Emma asks lamely as she steps into the blanket, obviously knowing the answer before she asked.

"Of course! I got you the boba tea you like and that baloney sandwich you said you loved the other week" Peter started explaining happily as he took the things off the basket "I wanted this to be fancier, but… y'know. Also, Delmar's was closed".

Emma understood that Peter was referring to his money when he said he wanted to make this fancier for her, but she didn't mind that. How could she?

"W-why do all this?" Emma asked with her lip slightly trembling as she remained standing up.

"Well, I knew you'd be uncomfortable down there with all that crowd, so when you accepted to 'indulge me in my nonsense request' as you said, I thought I'd do something as nice for you" Peter explained his reasoning as he stood back up "and also… it's going to be our first month anniversary once the ball drops, so…".

"…" Emma said nothing as she fought with herself to not let any emotion show. She knows perfectly that tomorrow is her's and Peter's first month anniversary and even bought him a gift of her own, but she wasn't sure if that is even something he would celebrate.

But now here she is, on something her boyfriend thought and arranged just for her to enjoy. With no other expectations other than her to have a good time next to him and only him, just like she prefers it.

It was hard for Emma not to be moved by the thought and preparations Peter made to arrange this.

"Uhm… if you don't like this, we can go back dow-" Peter started saying as he thought her face meant her distaste for this thing he did. He knew it was a possibility, knowing how corny it is, but still…

However, he was soon silenced by Emma, who grabbed him by his cheeks and slammed her face on him with a kiss.

Kiss that started almost desperately, but soon turned sweet and mellow once Peter got out of his initial shock and answered back in kind.

"How could I possibly not like it?" Emma asks playfully as she breaks off her kiss with Peter "I love it!"

"Really?!" Questions Peter with a relieved and happy tone, only to add slightly embarrassed "oh man, i'm so glad you like it. I honestly thought this might be too corny".

*Giggle* "It's delightfully corny, on a level only you manage to make it" Emma said as she took a seat gratefully in the pillow Peter had for her, prompting him to sit next to her.

"I'll take that as a compliment" Peter said humorously as he started taking out the things from the basket he brought.

"I see this is why you asked me to meet you at that cafe. And also, how did you manage to keep the flames on the candles on?" Emma started asking as Peter worked around her.

"Yup, needed time to set this up without anyone seeing me" Peter answered the first thing "and the flame is burning like that because I sprayed some discarded web-formula on it that I discovered to be extremely flammable and low consuming".

"That's quite the invention" Emma hummed in thought and amazement "you could make serious money on selling that particular formula".

"Hmm, I'd have to think about it another day" Peter dismissed the idea in the least rude manner possible. He doesn't know why, but the idea of making 'serious' money like that makes him uncomfortable.

More so if it's something that relates him to his secret identity.

"Now, would the princess like to dine~?" Peter asks in a theatrical way as he hands some of the food over to her, starting a conversation under the candlelight, the city's lights and the cheers of the crowd surrounding them from afar.

….

Emma, seeing the time nearing the 10 second mark, got up from her pillow and motioned for Peter to follow her.

"I can definitely think of worse ways to spend my new years~" Emma mused teasingly as she placed her hands on Peter's shoulders and started swaying playfully side to side, almost as if they started slow dancing.

"10!"

"Really?" Peter asks with mock surprise "I was just realizing I can't think of a better way to spend mine".

"9!"

"Have I ever mentioned that silver tongue of yours?" Emma asks with a raised eyebrow and a fun smirk.

"8!"

"It might've come up once or twice already" Peter mused with his eyes closed as he pretended to struggle with his memories.

"7!"

"But you know you like it~" Peter teases as he opens one eye with a funny smirk.

"6!"

"You have no way of proving that" Emma replies with a cheeky tone.

"5!"

"I think being together as we are is proof enough" Peter deadpans as they both keep on swaying to a nonexistent rhythm.

"4!"

"I think all of this just proves how crazy you are for me~" The blonde teases back.

"3!"

"Please, 'crazy' is a major understatement" Peter scoffs playfully.

"2!"

"Again with that silver tongue" Emma says again with a fond shake of her head.

"1!"

This time Peter says nothing as he shrugs Emma's comment with a smug smile on his face and a raise of his shoulders as he braces himself up for-

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!"

Everyone in the crowd cheers loudly as the fireworks go off, sparkles go flying up from the ball's tower and confetti shoots out from every nearby tower in the area, filling the air with bright colors.

The atmosphere is happy, thrilling even; with around one million people celebrating the end of the old year and the beginning of the year 2015 as happily and excitedly as they possibly can.

But for Peter and Emma is a sweet moment where they stand on a roof by themselves; arms wrapped around one another and lips meeting in a warm, sweet and meaningful kiss.

Right here, right now, there is only two teens enjoying each other as they welcome this new year full of promises and opportunities.

"Happy new year, Peter" Emma says after they both naturally end their kiss, foreheads resting on the other's "and happy one month anniversary".

"Happy new years, Emmy" Peter replied with the same sweet and soft tone "and here's to many more months together~" Peter says somewhat boldly, closing the distance once again with Emma.

New year, new opportunities, new adventures, new problems, new challenges, new everything.

All of it being welcomed by Peter Parker, AKA Spider-Man, while kissing Emma Frost, his lovely girlfriend.