Spider-Talk
Jake slides his jacket on, and upon hearing a crack from the window, his senses flare up, and he gets ready to attack as he summons his shield in one hand and, with the other, turns it blood red, as he doesn't yet know who he's fighting.
Only to find a Pidgeon simply resting on the ledge of the apartment building like they do most places since they can do that and will do that as they don't care and will rest wherever they damn well please.
During all this, however, Jake ripped his favorite jacket, aka his only jacket since it's been the only constant thing he's worn in his normal form, so long as he could remember, for as long as he could remember.
Clenching his jacket, he hugs it and lets out a single tear since this is it. He's officially lost his mind and hurt the one thing he could but feared to break because of this life.
Jake: "MOM!"
Mom: "Yes, sweetie?"
Jake: "My jacket broke again! Can you fix it!?"
Mom: "Sure! Leave it on the table and I'll have it done by tomorrow!"
Jake folds his jacket up and leaves it on the kitchen counter and leaves his home and takes in the sight of a New York that doesn't realize just how close it came to turning into a wasteland for monsters to eat and hunt for sport.
For a split-second Jake is happy. Then he runs into a mugger. Chases after him only for a cab to crash into him, and the cabbie just curses at him for not watching even though anyone else could see what was going on.
Topping all that off has got to be how the pickpocket mugger guy got away with his money, all because the Avengers decided now was the best time for their epic battle with who knows what this week, to be honest.
Jake: "Honestly, I freaking hate New York sometimes, I swear! (turns to who he's facing) I mean, I saved them all from a fate worse than death, and the only thing I get in return for it is GETTING MUGGED!? And I can't even get that money back because the Avengers like showboating their battles and crossed my path, making it impossible for me to find the guy without getting involved with whatever creatures they were fighting! I mean how do you even do it all?"
Logan: "Practice, kid. Throughout my life I've learned that almost everyone, no matter what they say, is an @$$H)!3. No matter how hard they try and hide it, it's going to pop up eventually, and when it does, you'll see them in a whole new light."
Jake: "What does that have to do with what I just said?"
Logan: "The cities your current @$$h)!3 pall and you're wanting it to be something more when the only thing it wants is to either kill you, gut you for all your worth, or abuse you till you decide it's time to leave. The only difference between you and me is you got a lot more people who are willing to put up with you and even defend you."
Jake: "(Sarcastically) WHAT!? ME!? Psh (waves hand) No way, man. Almost everyone that I can truly consider a friend, I either lie to constantly. Rarely lives here anymore thanks to well everything going on. And the few that know what I am, know my story, and are willing to accept that part of me I've already burned that bridge to the ground."
Logan: "Then build it back up. I've seen many bridges, heck (chuckles). There have been many that fell because of me in more ways than one. But the one thing they all have in constant... whatever the word is, I can't remember. (Slams a case of beer down and starts chugging.) Anyway, long story short, try and not F*(& everything up this time and start from scratch; they say it's one of the many wonders and uses of youth."
Jake: "Who says that?"
Logan: "Charles, anytime there's a problem with a new student at the academy."
Having heard enough, Jake throws down a twenty for the advice since he's too young to drink at the bar and he had to do something with the blood money he got after some poor idiot actually dared to try and mug him for the second time today.
Walking through the city, Jake began to wonder who of the few people he should talk about these horrid events that seemed to be triggering his fight-or-flight response more than they realistically should for someone used to New York's usual depravity.
The only person that came to mind was Penny. As she was the only person that came to mind since they were also having to deal with the absurdity of life being the way it is, and since they've been at this far longer than Jake, she might have some advice on how to deal with PTSD.
If not, then at least it'd be nice to have a pleasant (enough) chat with an old friend that's either been avoiding him or her work with Harry has been keeping her so busy that Jake can't find a right time for them to talk.
Swinging his way through the city, Jake looked around the place and was amazed to see just how much faster things were when he could actually move around without crashing through or into buildings.
Besides the amazement at his own work, Jake was just amazed at the sight that only a spider-person could afford to see the world as flight, and his old slingshot method just doesn't do it justice for how spectacular the city is.
Or at least spectacular when he's not hearing the sounds of violence, lust, greed, and just about every other sin you can think of since this view also gives him a wide range of places to see compared to when he was on the ground.
Jake: "Odds are she's not home, given she doesn't usually stay inside if she can help it."
Ekaj: "Probably feels guilty for not doing something with her powers."
Jake: "I think she's just a workaholic who can't stand to just sit back and let others do the hero work when she's right there to help."
Ekaj: "So she's probably with the Avengers."
Jake: "Eh, I don't think so. I mean, yeah, there's a job for her, and I hope a very lucrative one given all the damage they do to the world anytime they "save it." Also, I don't think she can really get along with a bunch of men double her age and vary different standards in life."
Ekaj: "She seems to be really good friends with the Fantastic Four."
Jake: "We have no real connection with them other than stealing one of their suits and integrating it into every suit we make, along with the Vibranium armor and the prototype Iron Man armor."
Ekaj: "Today's one of her days off since Harry probably gave her the same time off as himself."
Jake: "Probably in hopes of planning a date or something. I mean, I always knew he liked her, but isn't this basically stalking?"
Ekaj: "Only if she realizes and hates it."
Jake and Ekaj think for a long while on where Penny could possibly be located, as the cities are a very big place and there are far too many places someone with wall-crawling and web-shooting powers can go to try and relax or be left alone.
Jake & Ekaj: "(Snaps fingers) Got it!"
Out of every place that anyone could possibly go, there's a single place that Penny liked to visit more than any other.
Maybe because it's where she goes to remind herself of why she works as hard as she does, or maybe she goes there because it's the one place she can feel a part of a community while at the same time being far enough to not get hurt by it.
Yes, Penny's favorite place to get away from everyone and everything is the underside of the subway tracks, as it has just enough places for her to sit, stand, rest, or do whatever she wants without anyone seeing.
Penny was doing just that as she was hanging under the tracks and was zooning in as she basically time travelled back in time to the very moment Uncle Ben died and felt everything she felt at the moment along with all the senses that came with it.
The smell of the fresh autumn air with the happiness of getting a fresh box of cookies that were filled with cookies that she couldn't really care for but her aunt and uncle loved, and so she forced herself to enjoy as well.
She just finished off a major case of finding and dealing with Hammerhead, the hidden network of racketeering and black-market dealers, and just as she was getting ready to celebrate a job well done.
Past Penny: "Maybe it's time I start doing more than showing how amazing I am? I mean, it's fun being a hero and all, but I need to start thinking about how to make money off this since this hero life is becoming more and more expensive the longer I do this."
Suddenly a bang echoes through her mind as Jake taps her shoulder and brings her right back to the modern day as she looks at Jake, annoyed not just because of the past but also because he messed up her process.
Penny: "(Passive-Aggressive) What do you want?"
Jake: "Ouch. Okay. Well, I just wanted to talk."
Penny: "Last time I really tried to have a talk with you, things didn't really go well since you never even tried to listen to me or even think about how your actions affect others (whispers), like you just did again."
Jake: "I came for some help, and I figured you'd be the best person for the job."
Penny's heart stings as while she wants to be just leave and possibly never return if it means she can be tracked, but she can't just leave her focus palace, nor can she ignore someone in need, as the last time she did that, Uncle Ben had died.
Penny: "Sure, what do you want some help with?"
She crossed her arms and huffed, causing Jake to take a deep breath as he recognized that stance anytime she was moments away from throwing something at him or the other kids when they were annoying her beyond her normal limits.
Jake: "I killed my favorite jacket today."
Penny: "What!? Are you okay!?"
Penny rushed over to Jake and, for the first time, truly looked at her (at the moment former) best friend and saw that he was wearing a flaming skull t-shirt with two skateboards behind it with the large text "SKATE OR DESTROY!"
She's a bit worked up for the jacket as well, and that's because, well... The kid version of herself gave it to Harry, as she had a little crush on the guy, but since he didn't like the color blue or jackets, he then gave it to Jake, who needed one as he was cold that day.
Penny forgets why Jake was cold that day, as she just remembers her little self being so pissed at child Harry for giving her gift to someone else even though it took her a lot of courage since it was basically to represent her constant love hugging Harry.
The present-day jacket was nothing like the one she gave Harry since it was made for kids, and the one he wears isn't form-fitting tight, as it compressed and probably killed his lungs but was just tight enough to keep him warm but not so tight as it'd kill him.
Jake: "Yes, but the way I killed my jacket is why I'm here. I just woke up, and after hearing a noise coming from my window, I got ready to fight something with my life on the line only—"
Penny: "Only for it to be a Pidgeon or something just as ridiculous as that, right?"
Jake: "YES! How did you know?"
Penny: "Because it's the reason I'm out here. I find that having a system in place that helps me focus on my work helps to lessen the problems. Whenever I can't do that, then I go on to meditate since it's usually my senses that flare up and cause problems that I need to readjust."
Jake: "Well, I don't think I have any super senses that are causing the problem since I went and had to fight basically half a city along with many gruesome sights in order to save the city that kind of cost me my life a bit. But don't worry! I'm back to my usual self now!"
Penny: "Really? (Chuckles) Well now I know you're lying."
Jake: "And why is that?"
Penny: "Because unless you're a monster that doesn't care about others, it's impossible to get better from something like PTSD that comes with the job. I mean, I've had multiple situations that gave me it, and I find ways to try and either get over it or be able to manage it."
Ekaj: "She has us there."
The duo kept talking for a long time about just the most random things in the world as they both realized that they didn't really need to create an entire process to just ground themselves and relax... well, at least Jake didn't, as he only had one event; he can recall that gave him PTSD compared to Penny, who has WAYYYY too many for this to help.
But it was still nice for both of them, as neither of them realized how much they needed someone with similar enough abilities that they could talk about their struggles and annoyances without confusing the others or just getting an eye roll.
Jake: "Wait? So, MJ knows your Spider-Woman?"
Penny: "Yes. Kind of hard not to find out when I accidentally brought my suit instead of my sleepover bag. Thankfully Gwen hadn't arrived just yet, and only MJ was there to find out my mistake and has since been there to help whenever I have a problem or just have someone help me on a mission. There's also all the other people in my life that know my identity, but none of them really care or seem to be able to understand anything I'm talking about for one reason or another that I just can't really count on them sometimes."
Jake: "Well now you have me if you ever need to vent or just have someone to help with whatever Spider-based problems you find yourself in."
Jake slides his hand over to Penny's and gives it a gentle stroke only for Penny to retract her hand as fast as she possibly could, causing Jake to feel a bit down.
Penny: "Sorry. But... we're not there yet. I mean, I now understand why you did what you did, but I still can't really forgive you for it, to the point I'm willing to just have everything go back to normal."
Penny suddenly reaches over and hugs Jake while also giving him a kiss on the cheek and a gentle rub on the back.
Penny: "But that doesn't mean we can't get there again."
Penny and Jake smile at one another as Jake swings away and slams his head on multiple metal beams as he's never tried to fit through tight spaces like this and needs some more practice to get as good as Penny.
Meanwhile, Penny was clenching her heart as its beating a billion miles an hour over Jake caressing her hand, the hug, and the kiss because just like Jake she two has an inner voice in her head.
But unlike Ekaj Penny's is a lot more like a best friend in movies who just wants Penny to live in the moment and do whatever she wants even if it leads to many problems down the line.
It took everything Penny had to stop her other half from trying anything more than just a hug and a kiss on the cheek since she realizes she still cares for Jake deeply, but she just can't ignore how he ignored her please to leave the guy alive.
What truly hurst her is that she doesn't know what hurt her more. The fact Jake just killed a man with zero hesitation or regard for anyone else he might have hurt OR the fact that he didn't even try to listen to her or even lie about doing so.
There's just so many things going on with her that she doesn't really know if she's worth being in a relationship with anyone, let alone the third guy of her dreams after a young Tony and young Steve Rogers, of course, because who can't love those boys?
Penny: "I just want to know what's the best thing to do for both me and Spider-Woman?"
And that is all for now hope you all enjoyed and until next time stay safe and peace!