Ethan couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was off. Every step they took toward the safe house seemed to take them farther from safety and closer to an inevitable confrontation. The city sprawled below them, a landscape of flashing lights, quiet alleys, and the unmistakable buzz of the night. But to Ethan, everything felt too quiet. Too perfect.
His senses were heightened, the adrenaline from their escape still pumping through his veins, but his mind was already running on overdrive. What if Fisk already knew? What if they were walking straight into a trap?
Peter, ever the optimist, seemed more at ease. His lighthearted chatter was a stark contrast to the tension in Ethan's chest, but it was clear Peter was trying to keep things light. Trying to keep Ethan calm, even if he wasn't feeling it himself.
"I gotta admit, you're pretty good at this sneaky stuff, man," Peter said, flashing Ethan a grin as they reached a quieter street, far away from the main roads. "And I don't mean the jumping around rooftops part—I mean the whole 'staying cool under pressure' thing. I'd be freaking out if I was in your shoes."
Ethan shot him a sidelong glance. "I'm freaking out, just trying not to show it. I'm not sure about this 'calm under pressure' thing."
Peter chuckled. "Hey, it's working for you. Trust me, if I wasn't here, I'd probably still be tangled up in that trash can we knocked over earlier."
Ethan allowed himself a small smile. "Well, it's good to know I'm not the only one who makes mistakes."
"Only the best make mistakes," Peter said with a wink. "Anyway, we're almost there. Just a little further."
The words "almost there" felt like a heavy weight to Ethan. How many times had he been told that before? How many times had he thought the end was just around the corner, only for things to get worse?
He didn't want to get his hopes up. Not yet.
They turned down a narrow alley, where the shadows swallowed them whole. The safe house was tucked away in a modest, quiet building, away from the more active parts of the city. It was the perfect hideout—low-key, inconspicuous, and, most importantly, hidden from Fisk's watchful eyes. For now, anyway.
Peter stopped in front of the building's entrance and turned to face Ethan, his expression serious. "I can't tell you how much I wish we could just… be done with this. But I think you know as well as I do, it's not over. Not by a long shot."
Ethan nodded. "I know. But we have the upper hand now. The evidence we've got… it's enough to bring Fisk down. We just need to make sure it gets in the right hands."
Peter's expression hardened. "Yeah, but Fisk doesn't exactly play fair. We've seen what he does to people who get in his way. This is just the beginning."
The weight of those words hit Ethan harder than he expected. He thought he'd been prepared for the worst, but hearing Peter say it out loud made the reality of their situation even more palpable. Fisk was dangerous. He wasn't a simple criminal—he was an empire. And empires didn't fall easily.
"Let's get inside," Peter said, breaking the tension. "We've got work to do."
As they entered the safe house, the first thing Ethan noticed was the quiet. It was eerily calm, the silence only broken by their footsteps. It felt like the kind of place where secrets were kept, where plans were made in the dead of night. And that's exactly what they needed.
Peter led him down a narrow hallway to a small room in the back, where a laptop and a few files were neatly arranged on a table. It was modest but functional—everything they needed, and nothing more.
"Alright," Peter said, pulling up a chair and motioning for Ethan to take a seat. "Time to get to work."
Ethan sat down, his hands instinctively reaching for the folder he'd been holding onto since their escape. He placed it on the table in front of them, the weight of the information inside it suddenly feeling more real than ever.
Peter leaned over the table, his fingers quickly moving over the keyboard as he booted up the laptop. "I'll make sure the data is secure before we send it out," he muttered. "We don't want any surprises."
Ethan nodded. He knew how important it was to keep everything locked down. Fisk would stop at nothing to get his hands on this, and they couldn't afford to let their guard down.
"I'll check the file one more time," Ethan said, pulling out the folder and flipping it open. The documents inside were proof of Fisk's illegal dealings—money laundering, bribery, and worse. There were even a few documents detailing connections to some of the most dangerous criminal organizations in the city. It was the kind of evidence that could topple an empire.
But as Ethan scanned the pages, his mind kept wandering back to one thought. What happens after we bring him down?
They couldn't just send the information to the authorities and walk away. Fisk had too many connections, too many ways of covering his tracks. If they were going to pull this off, they needed to be more than just whistleblowers. They needed to take him down completely.
"Hey, you alright?" Peter's voice snapped Ethan out of his thoughts.
Ethan looked up and nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah, just thinking about everything. This is… big. Bigger than I thought."
Peter sat down across from him, his expression serious now. "I get it. But you don't have to do this alone. We're in this together, okay? And we're not stopping until Fisk is in the ground where he belongs."
Ethan appreciated the words, even if he knew there was more to it than just bringing Fisk down. The stakes were higher than either of them realized, and they were both in too deep to back out now. But for the first time since everything started, Ethan felt like he wasn't completely alone in this.
"Thanks, Peter," Ethan said quietly. "It means more than you know."
Peter smiled, but there was something in his eyes—something that told Ethan he was more invested in this than just as a friend. Peter's sense of responsibility, his drive to protect people… it wasn't just about stopping Fisk. It was about doing what was right.
"I know you're still worried," Peter said. "But we'll get through this. One step at a time. We always do."
Ethan met his gaze, nodding slowly. For the first time in a long while, he wasn't sure if he was the one leading the charge anymore. Peter had his back. And for that, he could breathe a little easier.
But even with that, the weight of the next few hours—days, maybe—hung over them like a storm cloud, ready to break at any moment. They had a long road ahead of them, and Fisk wasn't going to make it easy.
But for the first time, Ethan felt a flicker of hope. It wasn't much, but it was enough to keep him going.
"Let's finish this," Ethan said, his voice steady.
Peter gave a firm nod. "Let's."
And together, they began the final preparations to bring down the man who had orchestrated so much chaos in their lives. It was time to take the fight to Fisk.
The quiet hum of the laptop was the only sound in the room as Peter worked meticulously, his fingers dancing over the keys. Ethan couldn't help but watch him for a moment, noting how focused he was. There was a calm efficiency to Peter's actions that, to Ethan, almost seemed like a form of quiet resolve. He wasn't just a kid with a web-slinging power. Peter had become more than that over time. He had grown into someone who, despite the odds, had a knack for getting things done, no matter the danger.
"Almost there," Peter muttered to himself as he navigated through the encrypted files. Ethan leaned back in his chair, trying to shake the lingering sense of unease that had settled in his chest. It wasn't just about the data, or Fisk's empire, or even the danger they were in. It was about the feeling that, at any moment, the other shoe was going to drop. There was no way this was going to be as simple as pulling the files and exposing Fisk.
He just knew it.
"Peter, you sure about all this?" Ethan asked, trying to keep his voice steady. "I mean, what's the plan after we send this to the cops? Are we just going to sit back and let the law handle it?"
Peter glanced up, his eyes narrowing slightly as he processed the question. He paused for a moment, taking a deep breath before speaking. "You're not wrong to ask that. I mean, yeah, we could dump all this info, sit back, and hope the justice system does its job. But let's be real—Fisk owns half the city. If we just hand it over, there's a good chance it's gonna get swept under the rug, or worse, disappear completely."
Ethan nodded. "That's what I was thinking."
Peter closed his laptop with a soft click, a thoughtful expression on his face. "We're gonna have to take a more... proactive approach. Fisk isn't the kind of guy who just lets stuff go. He'll retaliate, and I don't think he's gonna be the type to just shrug it off if we send it to the cops. No, we'll have to go after him head-on. Hit him where it hurts."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "You're suggesting we go after him? Like directly?"
Peter leaned forward, his hands clasped together in front of him. "Exactly. If we want this to stick, we need to be involved in the takedown. Fisk has a lot of influence, but he also has a lot of dirty secrets. And dirty secrets are always a good place to start. We can make things so messy that even his connections can't save him."
Ethan let the idea marinate for a second. Going after Fisk directly seemed like a dangerous game to play, especially with everything they knew about his operations. But Peter was right—just exposing the information wasn't enough. If they didn't do something proactive, they'd be just as much in danger as before.
"Alright, I'm in," Ethan said, more out of necessity than anything else. "What's the first move?"
Peter's eyes gleamed with the kind of confidence Ethan hadn't seen in a while. "First, we find where Fisk's next big move is. He's got meetings all over the city—underground, shady stuff. We need to get ourselves into one of those meetings. That's where we'll find the big players and start making noise."
Ethan gave a small smirk. "And how exactly do you plan to get into one of his meetings?"
Peter shrugged nonchalantly, the confident grin never leaving his face. "Oh, I've got a few tricks up my sleeve. Nothing too fancy, just a little spider-sense and some webs to get us where we need to be."
Ethan wasn't entirely convinced by Peter's laid-back attitude, but he knew by now that when Peter said "a few tricks," it was usually something that involved a lot more danger than it sounded. Still, if they were going to do this, they needed to move quickly.
"I guess that's our next step, then. But Peter, we can't go in blind," Ethan added, suddenly more serious. "We need to know exactly what we're walking into."
Peter sat up straighter, his demeanor shifting as the gravity of the situation settled back in. "You're right. We need intel—good intel. I've been keeping tabs on some of Fisk's associates. We just need to figure out who's handling the big stuff for him."
Ethan shifted in his chair, finally allowing his thoughts to settle. There was still a lot of unknowns, but Peter's determination was enough to keep him going. "And how do we get that intel?"
Peter tapped a finger against his chin, then his eyes lit up with a mischievous glint. "I think I know a guy who knows a guy who's got a loose connection to one of Fisk's money men. I'll just—"
Before Peter could finish, there was a loud bang from the hallway. Both of them froze, instinctively getting to their feet, but Peter was already ahead of him, his hand raised in a "shh" gesture. He moved silently, creeping toward the door.
Ethan followed suit, adrenaline spiking. Whoever was out there wasn't supposed to be there.
Peter slowly cracked the door open, peeking out to see what was going on. The hallway was dimly lit, casting long shadows along the walls. From the angle he was at, Ethan could barely see anything. He knew it was dangerous, but he couldn't help but take a glance himself.
Peter pulled back slightly, his voice barely above a whisper. "That's odd."
Ethan's heart skipped a beat. "What is it?"
Peter didn't answer immediately. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, peering back toward the door. "I think it's someone I know."
Ethan narrowed his eyes. "Someone you know? Shouldn't that be a good thing?"
Peter didn't look so sure. "Depends. I mean, it's not really the kind of someone you'd want showing up here. But, alright, stay close. We'll handle this like professionals."
With that, Peter opened the door just a crack, carefully stepping into the hallway. Ethan followed, making sure to keep his movements as silent as possible. They crept down the corridor, the floorboards creaking under their weight. They reached the edge of the hallway, and Peter motioned for Ethan to stay low.
Just then, the figure in the distance turned toward them. Ethan's heart nearly stopped. The last person he expected to see was standing there in front of them.
"Well, well," the figure said, smirking in that way that Ethan would recognize anywhere. "What do we have here?"
Ethan's stomach dropped. He couldn't believe his eyes.
It was none other than MJ—Mary Jane Watson or better or known as Marry for the street's jane
Ethan stood still, observing Mary Jane Watson as she casually strolled into the room, her eyes scanning over Peter and then landing on him. Her smile was warm, almost too warm, as if she had a secret she wasn't quite ready to reveal. Her steps were deliberate, and Ethan could feel the tension in the air, thick and almost palpable. There was something about her presence that didn't feel like a simple visit—this wasn't a casual encounter.
Peter, on the other hand, seemed to freeze for a moment, his eyes widening just slightly before he composed himself. He had a habit of hiding his emotions, but even he couldn't entirely mask the surprise at seeing MJ here, especially after so long. There was history between them, and from the way Peter's shoulders tensed, it was clear that things had never quite been resolved.
"MJ?" Peter said carefully, his voice betraying a hint of confusion. "What are you doing here?"
Ethan remained silent, watching the exchange between Peter and Mary Jane. His mind was racing, trying to make sense of the situation. This didn't seem like a simple coincidence. MJ was no stranger to the complexities of their lives, but she wasn't part of the plan. She wasn't supposed to be involved in this mess.
Mary Jane's eyes lingered on Peter, and then, as if noticing Ethan for the first time, she gave him a casual glance, her smile never faltering. "Well, well," she said, her voice light, almost teasing. "I see you've got company. And here I was thinking I'd get a little alone time with Peter."
Ethan raised an eyebrow, silently judging her tone. He didn't know what exactly Mary Jane wanted, but it was clear she wasn't here for just a friendly chat.
Peter shifted uncomfortably, his eyes narrowing. "What's going on, MJ? You don't just drop in unannounced after all this time. What's the real reason you're here?"
MJ's smirk softened just a little, and she took a small step closer to Peter, clearly avoiding any direct conversation with Ethan for now. "I'm just here to talk. Catch up, you know? It's been a while since we last spoke, and I thought maybe we could… revisit some old memories."
Ethan could see the tension in Peter's posture. He knew Peter, and he could tell that this wasn't an easy conversation for him. Mary Jane was a part of Peter's past—a complicated part, one that wasn't entirely left behind.
"You know, Peter," MJ continued, her tone shifting ever so slightly, becoming softer, more persuasive, "I've been thinking a lot about us. About what we had. I know things got complicated, but I still think there's something there. We were good together."
Peter's eyes flickered with something between hesitation and discomfort. He didn't respond immediately, and for a brief moment, Ethan saw something in Peter's expression—a longing mixed with doubt. But it didn't take long for Peter to school his emotions.
"MJ…" Peter began, his voice quiet, but firm. "It's not like that anymore. Things aren't… simple. You know that. I'm not the same person I was back then."
Ethan, still on the edge of the conversation, felt a twinge of discomfort. He didn't need to be involved in this. MJ was here for Peter, and Peter seemed to be trying to shut her down. But the more he observed, the more he could tell there was still some kind of pull, some unresolved tension between them.
MJ wasn't making this easy, though. She stepped a little closer, her eyes softening. "Maybe you're not the same, Peter. But maybe that's not such a bad thing. Maybe you just need to remember what we had. I don't want to fight you, I just want to understand. I think we could pick up where we left off, if you gave me the chance."
Peter took a breath, his hand running through his hair as he clearly fought the urge to give in. He didn't want to open this door. Ethan could see it. He could see how much Peter wanted to be done with this chapter of his life, but the temptation to revisit it was there.
"I don't know what you want from me, MJ," Peter replied, his voice low and guarded. "I'm not that person anymore. I've got my own life now. You don't need to be involved in this."
MJ's expression shifted just slightly, a flicker of something almost like disappointment crossing her face. "You're still pushing me away, huh? I've heard that before. But I don't think you mean it, Peter. I think you're just scared. Scared of what we could be again."
Ethan shifted, finally deciding to step into the conversation. He wasn't going to stand here like a bystander. MJ wasn't just pushing Peter's buttons; she was trying to coax him back into something. He didn't know what, but he could sense it wasn't just about nostalgia or old memories. It felt like something deeper, more manipulative.
"Look," Ethan interjected, his voice cutting through the growing tension. "Maybe this isn't the best time to be having this conversation, MJ. Things are complicated enough without adding… whatever this is into the mix."
MJ's eyes flicked toward Ethan, and for the first time, her smirk faltered, just slightly. "Oh? And who are you to be giving advice on this?"
Ethan didn't back down, meeting her gaze steadily. "I'm someone who's not about to watch Peter get dragged back into something that could distract him from what's important. We've got bigger things to deal with right now, and frankly, you being here isn't helping."
Peter glanced at Ethan, a look of gratitude mixed with concern. He hadn't expected Ethan to step in, but it seemed like he was thankful for the backup.
MJ let out a soft sigh, a playful twinkle returning to her eye. "You two always did work well together, didn't you?" She gave Peter a long look, as though trying to gauge his resolve. "I'm not here to cause trouble, Peter. I just wanted to see if we could talk. But I get it. If you're not ready to have that conversation yet, I won't push it."
Peter remained silent, his gaze dropping for a moment. MJ seemed to take it as an answer, though she didn't look completely satisfied.
"I'll go," she said, her voice softening again, almost wistful. "But don't think I'm giving up on this, Peter. There's still something here, whether you want to admit it or not."
With that, she turned, walking out the door with a final glance at both of them. Ethan watched her leave, his mind buzzing with all the implications of what had just transpired.
Peter stood there, quiet for a moment, before letting out a long breath.
"I didn't expect that," Peter muttered under his breath, his shoulders slumping slightly as he finally seemed to relax.
"Neither did I," Ethan responded. "But she's not just going to walk away. She'll be back."
Peter nodded, his gaze distant. "Yeah. I know."
Ethan let out a breath, his hand running through his hair as he felt the weight of the situation pressing down on him. This wasn't just about MJ and Peter. This was about everything they were up against. They were fighting a war on multiple fronts—one that was only getting messier by the minute.
But now, they had to face the fact that their pasts were never far behind. And MJ? She was a reminder of that. She would keep coming back, no matter how much Peter wanted to leave that chapter closed.
"So," Ethan said, breaking the silence, "What's next?"
Peter straightened up, shaking his head as if trying to clear it. "We keep going. We deal with Fisk, MJ, and everything else as it comes. But one thing's for sure—we can't let her distract us."
Ethan nodded. "Agreed. Let's focus on what matters."
But as they both turned their attention back to the task at hand, neither of them could shake the feeling that things were about to get even more complicated.