Title: Dissolution
Author: Vesper (Regina)
E-mail: vespertanmer@yahoo.com
Warnings: none
Category: Vignette, Angst
Keywords: M.J./Peter
Spoilers: Movie-verse.
Summary: How does a person fall away from those he loves?
Disclaimer: Spider-Man copyright Marvel Enterprises, Stan Lee and
Steve Ditko, and Sony-Columbia Pictures.
Archival: Link only, to Livejournal post or website. Address below.
Website: http://www.vespertanmer.com

*

Peter walks away from Mary Jane.

He doesn't expect her to follow.

*

Harry starts spending more time at the Osborn mansion.

When Peter tells him he's moving out, all Harry says is, "Keep in
touch."

*

M.J. shows up at 9:09 PM at Aunt May's, two weeks later, carrying
pizza and a movie.

It's Aunt May who says, "Don't stay up too late," and goes
upstairs with a knowing smile.

Peter smiles, but inside he cringes.

*

Jamison calls his photos crap, again, then says he wants better
quality, larger quantity and until he gets it, he's dropping how
much he pays for them.

Miss Brant smiles at Peter when she hands him his check.

Peter doesn't smile back.

*

Peter finds an apartment and another job. He buys a phone and an
answering machine at the urging of Aunt May. He keeps M.J.'s new
apartment number on a slip of yellow paper by the phone, but he
never dials it.

*

M.J. calls him, lets him know Aunt May gave her the phone number.
He can hear her smile through the phone, can picture how her eyes
sparkle when she exclaims, "I have a part!"

He listens to her chatter and when she asks what's going on with
him, he says, "Nothing much."

*

Peter reads the business section, sees how Harry's taken control
of Oscorp. When Mary Jane calls again and mentions how Harry wonders
how he is, he looks out the streaked window, unable to say
anything for a long time until he hears, "Pete?" He answers,
"Tell him I'm fine."

*

Peter stays up until 5 AM writing a paper the day before it's due.
He falls asleep while typing it in the computer lab and his dreams
are filled with the sirens he ignored last night.

*

Harry comes to his apartment. He says he's never able to catch
him on the phone and then asks, "Pete, why are you living in this
dump?"

Peter clamps down on telling him it's all he can afford.

They small talk like polite strangers, until Harry asks, hands
tucked into the pockets of his pressed jeans, "So, you're still
taking pictures of Spider-Man, right?"

Peter says, "Yeah," and takes a step toward his closet.

Harry says, "Any chance you could...." He stops, takes a hand out
of his pocket and waves it, saying, "Never mind. Catch you later,
Pete."

He leaves.

*

Peter cuts clippings out of the arts and entertainment section of
the newspaper. He tacks the picture of Mary Jane next to his bed.

*

M.J. calls and asks him to dinner. Before she hangs up, she says,
"I know you're busy, Peter, so am I, but if we could just catch up
...if you can't make it, I'll understand. You have my number,
give me a call." A long pause and then a whisper, "Love you."

*

Harry calls and leaves a hurried message. "Listen, Pete, you're
my friend. If there's anything you can do to help me track down
Spider-Man, I'd like your help. Let me know."

*

Aunt May calls, saying, "Peter, I've missed you around here. Come
and visit when you can, all right?" Her voice is warm, "I love
you. Take care of yourself."

*

The university calls, "Mr. Parker, we're calling to follow up on
the letter we sent informing you about our policies concerning
academic performance. Please drop by the office of your advisor
to go over options."

*

Peter pawns his machine and phone to make the rent.

That night, Spider-Man sits on the roof of a skyscraper, his mask
off, on the concrete beside him. He looks over Manhattan, across
to the sunset clouds.

His eyes are full of tears.

End.