Chapter 259: Morning Rush

[Third Person's PoV] 

"Be sure to tell us if anyone is having a hard time! You got it, Billy?" Nightwing shouted as he waved toward Billy, who was being ushered inside.

"Sure thing, Nightwing!" Billy replied, waving back with a bright smile, though traces of dried tears lingered on his face. He was also waving his goodbyes to everyone, and as he turned around, he clutched the strap of his backpack, which was now adorned with six large signatures.

Gwen turned to Martha and said, "Sorry for leaving so quickly, but we're attracting too much unwanted attention."

Martha glanced around and noticed several people with their phones out, snapping pictures and pointing in their direction, eyes wide with surprise.

"Don't worry, I understand," Martha said, looking at them with gratitude. "I can't thank you enough for everything you've done."

"There's no need to thank us. We're happy to help," Spider-Man said before turning around. "We have a prior engagement, so we'll be going now. Take care, Ms. Conner!" With that, he leaped off the sidewalk, shooting a web and swinging away.

The others said their farewells as well, following after Spider-Man, webbing through the city. Firestar blasted into the sky, trailing after them.

Martha watched them disappear into the distance, their figures weaving between the buildings. She then turned back toward the school and saw Billy surrounded by children his age, all crowding around him excitedly. He grinned as he showed them his backpack, clearly proud of the signatures he had collected.

Martha sighed, her worries easing as she smiled softly at the sight of her son. Once he made it inside, she turned and walked away.

---

Later…

"What did you show him to change his mind?" Peter asked as he removed his Spider-Man suit, glancing around for his backpack.

"I showed him your conversation with Dr. Conner," MJ admitted with a cheeky grin as she deactivated her suit transformation and searched for her own bag.

Peter sighed. "Come on, Red," he said in a reprimanding tone, giving her a small frown. "That was a private conversation."

"I know, I know, and I'm sorry for showing something personal," MJ said with an awkward look. "But I'm not sorry that I showed Billy."

She sighed, then closed her eyes. "Look, I get why you wouldn't want him to see it. But I couldn't stand how much he hated you. It really bothered me... You don't deserve that."

Peter exhaled and placed one hand over his face, the other ruffling her hair. "How could I possibly be mad at you for looking out for me?"

MJ smiled. "I'm glad you understand." She lifted her chin smugly.

Peter rolled his eyes. "Anyway," he said, shaking his head and changing the subject. "Our backpacks got stolen."

MJ blinked before looking down at the cut webbing on the ground. "Oh… well, that's on us for leaving them out in the open." She chuckled.

Peter grumbled as he pulled out his phone and checked the tracker he had placed in his bag for situations like this. After a moment, he showed MJ the screen. "They're only a couple of blocks away. If we run, we can catch up with them."

MJ sighed but nodded. Then, looking at Peter hopefully, she asked, "Can we stop for breakfast?"

"If we have time, sure. But we'd better hurry." He jogged ahead, and MJ quickly caught up, matching his pace at a moderate speed that wouldn't seem superhuman.

They weaved through the morning rush of people, calling out, "Excuse me!" and "Sorry, coming through!" as they ran.

Peter checked the tracker again and showed MJ before turning a corner into an alleyway—a shortcut. He super-jumped over a chain-link fence, tucking his legs and spreading his arms midair. MJ, right behind him, used the wall as a springboard to vault over with ease.

"Well, this is definitely one way to get my daily steps in," MJ quipped as they landed back on the sidewalk and continued running. Neither of them was even slightly out of breath.

They sprinted across the street, narrowly avoiding a car. Horns blared, and angry shouts followed, but they ignored them, focused on their target.

Peter checked the tracker again. "We're close."

"I see them," MJ said, pointing toward a man in a black jacket and hat. Peter's backpack was slung over his back, while he held MJ's by the top handle, distracted as he looked down at his phone.

As they closed in, Peter whistled. "Oi!"

The man looked up, saw them approaching, and immediately cursed under his breath. He shoved his phone into his pocket and bolted, pushing past pedestrians in his escape.

"Is… Is that bastard running away?" MJ fumed, her face twisting in anger. "Taking it because he thought it was abandoned is one thing, but running after we caught him? Oh, hell no."

She crouched slightly and surged forward, increasing her speed just enough to start closing the gap. Peter, running upright like a track star, kept pace effortlessly.

The thief rounded a corner, and when Peter and MJ turned after him—he was gone.

"Damn it! He must've kept running ahead!" Peter cursed, and they took off again.

But a few seconds later, the man emerged from a small shop at the corner, adjusting his cap lower and casually heading back in the opposite direction, hoping to slip away unnoticed.

Unfortunately for him, he walked straight into someone's chest.

"Sorry," he muttered quickly—then froze as he looked up.

Peter stood there, arms crossed, staring down at him unimpressed. MJ was beside him, arms folded, eyes narrowed.

Panic flashed across the thief's face. He turned to run, but before he could take two steps, Peter grabbed the strap of his backpack and yanked it back. The man was pulled off balance and left dangling midair by the backpack straps as Peter held it up effortlessly.

"Wait! Wait! Don't hit me! I thought I still had a month extension!!" the man cried, throwing his hands up protectively.

Peter blinked. "Huh? What the hell are you talking about?"

MJ rolled her eyes and snatched her bag from his hands. "We just want our bags, you idiot."

The man blinked in surprise. "That's what you were after? You're not… debt collectors?"

Peter scoffed. "Dude, how old do you think we are?" He slung his backpack over one shoulder and helped the guy up easily. "Do we look old enough to be debt collectors?"

The man rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

Peter sighed. "And if you are worried about someone coming after you for a loan, then you probably got it from somewhere illegal. Call the cops. They can't force you to pay back a loan if it's from an illegal operation."

The man blinked in surprise, as if the thought had never even occurred to him.

MJ, however, was not in the mood for life lessons. She shot the thief a glare. "If I miss breakfast because you couldn't tell we weren't debt collectors, you won't just be running from them," she warned.

The man muttered more apologies, but MJ scoffed and grabbed Peter's wrist. "Come on, I see a Starbucks up ahead."

As they walked away, MJ turned back and pointed to her eyes before pointing at him, silently warning that she'd be watching. The man shifted awkwardly, scratching his cheek.

After a moment, he let out a breath, his expression growing thoughtful. Then, as if making a decision, he turned toward a nearby payphone—just a few steps away.

Picking up the receiver, he dialed 911.

After a ring, he smiled slightly and spoke, "Yes, hello. I'd like to make an anonymous report about an illegal loan operation happening in the area."

…

MJ and Peter walked out of Starbucks, their hands full. Peter balanced a tray of multiple drinks, holding one in his free hand, while MJ carried a bag of baked goods over her arm. She held a large blueberry muffin in her other hand, happily munching away with a content expression, her cheeks puffed out slightly.

Peter glanced at her, amusement dancing in his eyes. She looked adorable.

Noticing his stare, MJ swallowed her bite, peeled back more of the muffin's paper, and held it out toward him with a playful smile. "You want some?"

Peter shook his head. "Nah, enjoy it. There's plenty in the bag for me later anyway."

MJ shrugged, unfazed, and continued enjoying her muffin. She skipped a little, swaying side to side as they walked, fully savoring her breakfast.

They arrived at school to find their friends waiting outside, looking bored.

"What took you guys—oh," Gwen started, her question fading as she spotted the drinks and snacks in their hands.

Felicia and Gwen immediately grabbed their respective drinks, both lighting up. "You're the best!"

"Thanks, Pete," Lizzy added, taking hers.

"Yeah, thanks, man," Harry echoed, grabbing his drink before heading inside with the others.

Peter and MJ exchanged a satisfied glance before following after them, the morning already started as a busy one. 

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