I’m back!!! With NYFW rolling around again, Paige in the Spider sweatsuit popped up in my memories, so here we are.
Posting this in honor of my girls Hailey and Victoria! Sorry for making you guys freak out lol
Hope you guys love it!!! xx Elle
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Something was going on with Paige. Azzi thought to herself as she pulled out her planner.
It was their junior year at Stanton Academy of Science and Technology. It was a big year for SATs, AP tests, and college tours.
While every single student who graduated from the prestigious school was accepted to the top universities, they also spent a great deal of time studying.
Paige and Azzi studied every day after school.
Well, they used to.
But four months ago, after the October trip to Hawthorne tech, Paige started acting differently. She canceled her birthday party that weekend. She quit robotics club and debate team. And she skipped out on their Pazzi study dates at least twice a week.
She was still Paige though. Azzi’s sweet, perfect best friend who would walk through fire for the people she loved.
But Azzi missed her. She just wished the blonde would tell her what was going on.
The doe-eyed girl sighed, pulling out the rest of her books, so that she could study before her shift at Ink & Espresso.
She was quizzing herself on the Krebs Cycle when a familiar voice called out.
“What’s the pouty face for, Babydoll?”
Azzi affectionally rolled her eyes at the nickname.
The name started as a joke. During freshmen orientation for SAST, Paige had attached herself to Azzi’s hip. Following her and yapping throughout the entire tour and their lunch break. When they did a small experiment in the lab, the pair didn’t get the reaction they had expected. The lanky girl watched a small frown tug at plush lips.
“Aw, Az,” she grinned. “You’re so cute. It’s like watching a doll come to life. You’ve got such a doll face.” Then she gasped, grin widening. “That’s what I’m gonna call you! Babydoll!”
And no matter how many times Azzi told her not to, the nickname was used more than her actual name ever was.
“I didn’t think you were coming today.” She replied, not looking up from her notecards.
The stack of cards was snatched from her hands. “I told you I’d be here. Didn’t I?” Paige asked, brow arched.
With an irritated sigh, Azzi looked up. “You said that yesterday. And last Thursday, too.” She sat back, arms folding across her abdomen.
“Azzi,” she sighed.
Oh, so this is serious. Azzi thought to herself.
“I didn’t come here to argue with you. I’m sorry I haven’t been around as much. I just have a lot going on.” Paige’s voice lacked all of the energy she usually put in everything.
The brunette watched as blue eyes traced the wood grain in the table. She saw the puffy skin under her eyes. The way her shoulders slumped just a little too much.
Paige was tired.
And she wouldn’t let Azzi help carry whatever she was holding.
“I know. I’m sorry for snapping at you.” She said moving to the seat next to the girl. She wrapped an arm around a pale one. “Why won’t you let me help?”
Paige’s head shot up quickly, eyes wide. She opened her mouth like she was about to blurt it all out before she took a deep breath.
“I promise I’ll tell you eventually, Babydoll. I just need to figure some stuff out first.” She said, resting her head against her shoulder.
The pair stayed like that for a beat, just content to be with each other.
Then, Azzi shifted. “Come on, Paigey. I have a feeling Ms. Baker is going to give a pop quiz tomorrow.”
The next hour was filled drilling acetyl-CoA, the molecular structure of certain enzymes, and ATP. Giggles and jokes were woven in throughout. Both girls forgetting any tension they’d had.
When Azzi’s alarm went off, they packed up quickly and set off for Ink & Espresso.
After the third time their hands brushed, Paige threw her arm around Azzi’s shoulders, pulling her into her side.
Warmth blossomed across tanned cheeks as she slowed their pace.
“Paige, I know you’re not ready, but there’s nothing you could tell me that would change how much I love you.” She said lowly, wrapping her arm around the taller girl’s waist. “You’re my best friend, P. Ride or die. Forever.”
The blonde looked like she wanted to reply, but she was interrupted. Her phone went off the same time sirens sounded.
She whipped her head around for a second, spinning back to Azzi, guilt clear on her face. “You’re good to walk the last block by yourself, right?” She questioned.
Dark brows furrowed with a stiff nod. “Just be safe, alright, Paige?”
“I should be saying that to you, Babydoll. I’ll be there to walk you home at 10:45, okay?” She called, skipping backwards.
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The six o’clock sirens ended up being for a pileup on the bridge. Paige saved two women and their three kids from falling into the cold water below.
It took a lot out of her, and luckily, it seemed like the remainder of her patrol would be a quiet one.
But at 10:18, there was an explosion that rocked the Upper West Side.
Swanson Incorporation was one of the most prominent biological science laboratories in the country. They worked on cures for inoperable diseases, and they distributed medications at a lower rate than most.
Paige assumed that was why the building was targeted as she swung over.
There wasn’t much she could do. She got four lab technicians to safety.
On her final sweep of the building, she caught a small glimpse of a figure in red jumping out of the window. She sprinted over, but the only thing she caught was a breeze.
She scaled the walls to the roof of the church across the street, keeping an eye out for anyone dressed head to toe in red, but she got nothing.
The blonde didn’t realize how much time had passed until the church bells started ringing.
“Fuck, Azzi.” She muttered to herself, shooting off into the night. She was already fifteen minutes late, and even though she was swinging, it would still take her at least 20 minutes to get to back to Brooklyn.
“V.I.O.L.E.T. text Azzi.” Paige called out to her AI. Virtual interface optimized for logistics, engagement, and tactics was a mouthful, but V.I.O.L.E.T. was much more efficient.
The soft, English voice in the suit responded. “What would you like to say to Azzi?”
“Tell her I’m sorry I’m so late, but to wait for me at the shop. And that I’ll be there in 20 minutes.” Paige sighed, trying to swing faster.
“Message sent.” V.I.O.L.E.T. paused. “Your pulse is elevated, Paige. I recommend taking a few deep breaths or listening to some calming music. Should I cue a playlist?”
“Nah, I’m just worried about Az. I’ve never been late like this before.” She groaned. “Has she replied yet?”
There was a beat of silence. “It’s okay. I just wish you would’ve told me, so I wasn’t waiting. I’m locking up now. I’ll see you tomorrow, Paige.”
The blonde’s chin dropped, and a knot filled her chest.
“Paige, would you like me to respond?” V.I.O.L.E.T. questioned.
“Yeah. Tell her… tell her I’m sorry. And that there was a really big accident in Manhattan that held me up. Ask her to wait for me in the shop, where she’s safe.” She said, quietly. “Please. Please just wait for me, Az.” She finished with a whisper.
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Azzi did not wait for Paige. Instead, she started her twenty-block walk by herself.
She slung her backpack over her shoulder and took the back way, the way she always took with Paige. But it felt darker, much darker without the blonde by her side.
Big brown eyes darted around as she pulled her jacket tighter around her frame. She was tempted to pull her phone out of her bag, call Paige, but she was pissed with the blonde for blowing her off again. Sure, it had never happened after a shift, but still.
About ten minutes in, she noticed something. A figure clad in a purple so dark it was almost black silently leapt from ledge to ledge.
Azzi looked around again and stopped.
The figure crossed to the next building before its head whipped around, white eyes widening at getting caught.
“Hiya, Spidey.” She smiled.
In a split second, the superhero was in front of Azzi.
“Hi, ma’am.” The voice wasn’t what she’d been expecting. Awkward, not confident. For some reason, the videos on Instagram and TikTok kind of reminded Azzi of, well, Paige.
She shook her head, a little disappointed in her foolishness. “Um, I didn’t think you were going to come down. I figured you wanted to stay hidden.”
“I usually stay up there if I walk a pretty girl home. I don’t wanna freak anybody out.” The masked person said, hand rubbing the back of their neck.
“Oh, so you make a habit of walking pretty girls home?” Azzi teased.
The mechanical, white eyes bulged. “No, no, no! You’re the first, the only one I’ve walked home.”
The brunette giggled at how high the superhero’s voice went. “I’m just kidding. Thanks for walking me though.” She said with a smile.
“You make a habit of walking home by yourself?” Spidey questioned.
The soft smile disappeared from Azzi’s face. “My best friend usually walks with me, but she’s nowhere to be found. I don’t know why I expected anything different. She blows me off all the time now.”
“Hmm” She nodded quietly. “Well, is that normal behavior for her?”
“Not usually.” Azzi frowned. “But she’s just been really flaky since her birthday a couple of months ago. Maybe she’s just treating me how most people treat their best friends. We’ve always been more codependent than most, but I always thought she’d let me know if she needed a break.”
They walked the next block in silence – Azzi worrying what she’d done wrong, and Paige wondering if she should just tell Azzi now.
“Do you have any idea of why she started ghosting you?” Spidey broke the silence.
A crease formed between Azzi’s brows. “I really don’t. And when I ask, she won’t tell me, but I just wanna help her.”
“Maybe all you can do is keep being there for her until she feels safe enough to tell you.”
“I guess you’re right.” The brunette said with a sigh. “Well, this is me. Thanks for walking me, Spidey.”
Paige blinked, not realizing their time was already over. “No problem! Do you work every night? I’ll check on you any time I’m free at 11; make sure you make it home safely.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that.” Azzi said, cheeks heating.
The superhero stepped closer. “I want to! I make sure all my friends are safe.” She said, quietly.
“Friends? I don’t even know your name.” The brunette said with a giggle.
“Um,” Paige started with a stutter. “That would kinda defeat the point of the secret identity.”
Her quiet giggle turned into her full laugh; the one Paige had fallen in love with years ago. “That’s okay, Spidey.”
“Can I know your name? Even though you can’t know mine yet?” The vigilante questioned.
“Azzi,” she smiled. “Don’t go telling everyone about me.”
Paige was shaking her head before she could control herself. “I won’t! I would never.”
Azzi ducked her head, dimples deepening. “Okay, thanks for walking me, Spidey.”
The masked girl watched as her best friend climbed the stairs to her apartment building.
“It’s me, Az. It’s Paige.” She whispered as the door closed.
She waited for Azzi’s bedroom light to flick on before she swung away. As she made her way back home, Paige tried to be positive – her patrols didn’t have to leave Azzi in danger. If she couldn’t get her home as Paige, she could help her as Spidey. And maybe that would be enough for her.
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Over the next few weeks, a routine had settled. Spidey had walked Azzi home six more times. Each time, the masked vigilante rambled about the newest villain she’d been trying to track down. Someone dressed in crimson invading and destroying every lab in the city.
“Seriously, I just wish I knew who was doing it. And what they’re after. Luckily, they always hit late enough that no one is in the building to get hurt, not even the custodial staff.”
Azzi let out a laugh. “Are you applauding a criminal for making sure the building is empty before blowing it sky high?”
“I mean, yeah! A lot of people who want something don’t care about how they have to step on to get it.” Spidey paused. “This just shows me that whoever it is, doesn’t want to hurt anyone – they just need answers.”
The curly-haired girl laughed harder at this. “You sound just Paige. That’s the kind of logic she uses.”
“Yeah, yeah. What excuse did your bestie have for leaving you alone tonight?” She asked.
“Nothing crazy.” Azzi said with a shrug. “She’s still in Manhattan. But it’s fine – means I get free coffee and breakfast tomorrow.”
And just like clockwork, Paige was standing at Azzi’s locker with a lavender latte, vanilla bean Danish, and a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich. The brunette put on her best grumpy face, fighting a grin as she watched her best friend anxiously shift from side to side.
“Hey, Babydoll. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to walk you home yesterday. I just had so much homework, and I lost track of time. That’s my fault.” Paige rambled.
Azzi just hummed, putting in the combination to her locker without looking at the pale girl. “I thought you said you were in Manhattan last night.” She said nonchalantly.
“Oh! Um, well, I was studying with Ju.” She said, referencing their mutual friend who went to the Manhattan Academy of Science and Technology.
That made Azzi’s head shoot up, a nasty green monster filling her chest. “You didn’t even show up to study with me last night, but you decided to go all the way to Manhattan to study with JuJu Watkins?”
“Wait, Az. No –” Paige started.
“No.” Azzi cut her off. “I don’t want to hear another lie, Paige. You can tell me the truth or leave me alone.” She said, slamming her locker shut. “And don’t bother coming back to the shop. I have someone else to walk me home.”
She couldn’t believe Paige would just lie to her face like that. She knew the blonde was hiding something, but she didn’t know it was so she could meet another girl.
And maybe she was being a little harsh on the girl, but Azzi’s feelings were hurt. She didn’t actually want Paige out of her life, but she refused to sit back and be ignored any longer.
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Paige was struggling. Not with schoolwork. Not with her obligations as Spider Man. Though she did find the name funny; the voice modulator in her mask made her sound like a teenage boy instead of a girl.
Shit.
Oh, yes.
Paige was struggling. Obviously with staying on topic, but also with staying away from Azzi.
Paige and Azzi had never fought like this before. The closest they’d gotten was not speaking to each other for seventeen hours and forty-three minutes last year when Azzi accidentally knocked over part of Paige’s model for her final.
When Azzi showed up the following afternoon with powdered donuts, Slim Jims, and a grape Propel, all was forgiven.
Paige had tried that.
She brought breakfast and lunch every day. She bought baby pink English roses. She brought a gift card to Barnes & Noble. She even blew off the first hour of patrol to organize shelves at Ink & Espresso.
But each time, she was met with a frosty glare and raised brows that asked her if she was ready to tell it all yet.
Instead of focusing on Azzi, Paige decided to focus on making sure New York was as safe as possible for her – something that was proving to be increasingly difficult.
Paige could curse herself for applauding the Iron Talon for not killing people. Because two days later, Michael Hastings rose from the smoke at a freshly burned lab.
Razor-sharp wings sprouted from his back, face drawn up in agony.
Paige tried to disarm him, really, she did, but she was no match for the man. She was caught completely off guard, and he was getting more agitated with every second that passed.
She did what she could to keep the civilians out of the way as the Iron Talon got control of his wings and shot off into the night.
When she finally had a second to rest, she noticed the time on the clock – 11:08.
Fuck, Azzi.
She swung from building to building, wishing she could move faster. She wouldn’t forgive herself if something happened to Azzi.
Each second felt like an hour, and each block filled her with the disappointment that she had let Azzi down – as herself and as Spider Man.
With each thwip of her webs, Paige said another prayer that Azzi just stayed at the shop, waited for her.
But five minutes later, she dropped onto the sidewalk with a grunt, heartrate spiking at the empty shop and locked doors.
She shot off into the night. Maybe she’d be able to catch up with her somewhere.
Paige was so focused on getting to Azzi that she almost missed it.
Hurried footsteps slapped the ground.
“Come on, bitch. Just gimme the bag, and I’ll let you go.”
The blonde held back a groan at the implication. There was no way she was leaving this poor girl to fend for herself if she could stop it. But maybe it wouldn’t take too long. Maybe she could save this girl, then go find Azzi.
“Come on, bro.” The masked hero called. “Didn’t she already tell you no?”
The man couldn’t get a word out before a web was attached to the back of his jacket and he was flung away from her.
She sighed exasperatedly. “We literally learned that no means no back in kindergarten man.” Another web was cast as Paige decided the fun note she’d leave with the criminal for the cops to find.
“Spidey?”
She froze. Arm still raised to shoot off another web.
No. No. No.
“Azzi?” Guilt flooded her lithe frame. “Fuck, this is all my fault.” She muttered, running her hands over her head.
“What? Is that your bit–” the man couldn’t finish his sentence as a web covered his mouth in a heartbeat.
She didn’t even look at the man. “V.I.O.L.E.T., scan her for injuries.”
“Who’s V.I.O.L.E.T.?” Azzi asked.
“Scan complete. There are no injuries, but she does have an elevated heart and respiratory rate.” The warm, robotic voice called out.
A little of the tension in Paige’s shoulders leaked out. “V.I.O.L.E.T. is my AI. It’s an acronym for virtual interface optimized for logistics, engagement, and tactic.” She breathed. “God, Azzi. I’m so sorry. You never should have been alone.”
Her brain was on autopilot as she moved to hug the girl before alarms blared in her head. “Oh.” She dropped her arms; heat flooded her frame. “I’m sorry. Was just worried about you.”
“You were worried about me?” Azzi questioned, voice light and airy. At Paige’s nod, her brows furrowed. “Spidey, there were videos of you fighting that new guy, saving all those people. They’re all over social media. I was worried about you.”
Paige scratched at the back of her neck. “Oh. Um, that was nothing. I hate that you had to walk through the city alone. S’not safe.”
“That was nothing? I saw you get cut by one of his wings. You should be home, or at the hospital. Not freaking over me going home alone.” The brunette said, stepping closer.
The masked head tilted to the side in confusion. “What are you talking about, Azzi? I didn’t get cut.”
Azzi thought about arguing with the superhero, but being right wasn’t important right now. She needed to figure out a way to get Spidey to admit to being hurt so that she could help. Then she realized, there was one thing she could use as leverage.
“Okay. Since you’re perfectly fine, would you mind swinging me home? I’ve been on my feet all day, and I’m tired of walking.” There was no way Spidey would risk her safety like that.
However, seconds later, Azzi’s arms and legs were wrapped tightly around the lithe figure. and they were swinging through the city. Her face was pressed tightly into the purple and black fabric as she breathed in the hero’s scent. It was familiar – soft, warm, and a little smoky. She knew it, but she couldn’t figure out how.
A few blocks from her building, Spidey started the grunt with every pull on the web. And by the time they dropped onto the fire escape outside Azzi’s bedroom, she was panting.
“So, I think you might have been right about me being a little hurt.” Spidey said as Azzi slid down to stand on her own.
“Hmm,” She hummed with a smirk. “Come in so I can help you.”
Paige paused on the landing, panic flooding her body. “Um, I don’t think I should. I’ll just clean myself up when I get home.”
“Just come in, Spidey. It’ll take five minutes. I don’t really trust you to take care of yourself.” The brunette climbed into her room and turned back, eyebrows raised in hope.
Paige had never been very good at saying no to Azzi, especially not when she had that facial expression. “Alright, I guess.”
The smile that split Azzi’s face in half lit up Paige’s soul. Anything would be worth it if she would still give her that smile.
“I’ll get my first aid kit. You just sit there,” She said, gesturing to the comfortable pink chair at her desk.
There were traces of Paige all over Azzi’s bedroom. A sweater she’d been looking for, for months hung on the back of the door. Polaroids were pinned up all around the room. Friendship bracelets they had made over the years filled the jewelry box. A framed picture of the two of them at homecoming rested gently on her nightstand.
She hadn’t even realized how hard she’d been staring at the photo until Azzi came back out.
“Oh. That’s Paigey, my best friend.” Her cheeks reddened as she looked at the picture. “The dance was the last time everything was normal. I just really miss her.”
Paige clenched her jaw as the shakiness of her voice. She hated the fact that she was making her feel like this.
She had to tell her. Right now.
Shaky hands reached for the seam between the mask and the rest of her suit.
“Sorry,” Azzi started with a sniffle. “You probably don’t want to hear about her right now.”
“No, Azzi,” Paige started.
“Seriously. It’s fine!” Azzi placed the kit on her desk and pulled out a few supplies. “Just take off the top part of your suit and let me patch you up.”
The blonde obeyed with a sigh, not realizing what she was revealing until she heard Azzi’s gasp.
“You’re Spider Woman?” She questioned at the sight of the damp, gray sports bra. “But your voice –”
Paige felt herself flush all the way down to her chest. “Um, vocal modulator. People don’t really take girls seriously, so after they started making assumptions, I decided not to correct them.”
“Huh, that’s smart.” Azzi said absentmindedly. The corners of her lips tugged upward as the girl blushed deeper.
Paige watched as doe eyes trailed over her body. “It’s not as bad as it looks, I promise.”
“How the hell do you hide all of this?” She asked, gesturing to the bruises that covered her frame.
“I heal fast, like really fast. The cut will probably be the only thing that’s not completely healed tomorrow.”
Azzi was shocked at the carelessness in her tone before she realized this must be common for the girl. “Who does this for you at home? Your mom?”
“Nah,” She started, watching the girl focus on cleaning the blood around the wound. “My mom left when I was little. And my dad doesn’t know.” She paused. “Nobody knows.”
Brown eyes widened. “It’s just you?” Her voice cracked.
Paige watched as tears filled her eyes. This was why she couldn’t tell Azzi. She was so soft – she knew that the girl would be filled with worry any time Paige was out of her sight. She refused to stress her out like that.
“I’m okay Az. I promise. It’s usually not this bad.” Paige said, cupping her cheek gently.
Azzi went back to cleaning the cut, her bedroom falling into a comfortable silence. Paige hissed as she went over the gash with alcohol. She had to bite back a moan when pouty lips blew cold air over the sore skin.
The skintight purple spandex was pulled over the fresh bandage and lightening bruises. “Thank you for helping me tonight, Azzi.”
“Thank you for helping me tonight, Spidey.” She replied with a tired smile.
Paige scratched the back of her neck anxiously. “About that,” She started. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but if I’m not there to walk you, and Paige doesn’t come, can you wait for one of us? Please, Azzi. I need to know that you’re safe.”
A warm smile stretched across her face. “Okay, but only if you do something for me.”
“Depends on what it is.” She replied, climbing out onto the fire escape.
Azzi rolled her eyes with a giggle. “After you finish your Spidey duties–”
“Patrol.” Paige interjected.
“After you finish patrol, come back to me. So that I can make sure you’re okay.”
It was a statement, but Paige could hear the hope in her tone, the way she was prepared for her request to be denied.
“You sure you wanna wait up for me, Princess?” She questioned.
Butterflies erupted in Azzi’s belly at the nickname. “Well, you make sure I get home safe every night. I just wanna make sure you’re okay too.”
“I guess I can do that for you.” Paige smiled at the relief that flooded her favorite eyes. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Get some rest, Babydoll.”
Spidey was a blur as she shot off into the night, but Azzi was frozen in place.
Because Babydoll?
She only knew one person who used that name.
And then it all made sense.
The vigilante had popped up at the end of October. She only fought crime after six on weekdays, never during the school day. Every night Paige couldn’t walk Azzi home, Spidey was there. The way she smelled, just like Paige’s clothes. The nights she’d sent messages about being stuck in Manhattan, there had been robberies or explosions in the area.
Paige was Spider Man.
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Azzi didn’t know why did never confronted Paige with the Spidey stuff, but she didn’t. Obviously, there was a reason the blonde hadn’t told her yet.
So instead of pestering her about it, Azzi made life as easy as she could for the girl.
She stopped icing her out. She made copies of her notes for all their classes. She prepped notecards for the girl to use when she was on patrols. She started wearing her jeans and sweaters to school again, which was the biggest hint to Paige that Azzi wasn’t mad at her anymore.
The change was jarring to say the least, and Paige had never been one to keep quiet when she was bothered about something.
“So, we’re good now? You’re not pissed anymore?” She asked after two days of Azzi’s warmth.
The curly headed girl just laughed. “Yes, P. I’m tired of acting like I don’t miss you. You’ll tell me whenever you’re ready.”
Relief rushed through the skinny girl’s body as she threw her arms around her best friend. “Thank you, Az. Thank you so much! I really missed you.” She spoke into the curls.
From that point on, things were smooth between the two best friends.
They were back to being attached at the hip. Back to finishing each other’s sentences. Back to ignoring everyone except each other. Back to heart-eyed gazes when the other wasn’t looking.
Paige swung Azzi home every night before going out for her last hour of patrol, giving the girl time to shower and get ready for bed. She always landed back on the fire escape around midnight, watching the girl read in bed for a few minutes before finally knocking on her window.
She had a few more late night run ins with the Iron Talon. The fights always left her with a few more scars for Azzi to fuss over. They kept her out later than usual as she tried to track where the villain escaped to, but she hadn’t had any luck yet.
Paige had gotten so occupied with Azzi, keeping the city safe, and trying to track the villain that she hadn’t noticed the drone that was tracking her movements.
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Everything fell apart on a Tuesday.
The day had gone fine. Paige dropped Azzi off at Ink & Espresso after their microbiology study session.
Patrol was chill. She stopped two car jackings and a small robbery at the bodega.
So, when she arrived at the shop at 10:45 sharp, she was confused at the locked door and dimmed lights.
She pulled out her phone – no messages from Azzi.
She shot off a quick text to see if she’d made it home safely before starting her journey to Azzi’s building.
Her confusion increased when Azzi’s bedroom lights were shut off and her curtains were drawn tightly.
She walked back to her house, pace brisk as she continued to check her phone for a message from her best friend.
She pulled her suit back on and swung out of her bedroom window.
Azzi would be there for their nightly check-in. She had to be.
But when midnight rolled around, the knocks against Azzi’s window went unanswered.
A piece of paper was tucked against the window sill.
535 Factory Lane
Come alone, or she’s dead.
Azzi Fudd had been taken.
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Azzi woke up to a dark room. She was sitting in a cold, metal chair. Her legs were tied to the legs, and her arms were secured uncomfortably behind her back.
“Welcome back, Miss Fudd.” A deep voice called.
Fear lit up her entire body. “Who’s there?” She questioned, barely able to hide the shakiness in her voice.
“Name’s Michael Hastings, but I’m sure you know me as the Iron Talon.”
Her eyes widened. Memories of wounds from Paige’s fights with the man flooded her vision.
“What do you want with me?”
“Oh, sweetheart, I don’t want anything from you.” He chuckled darkly. “It’s your boyfriend I want. Spider Man has been a knife in my side since I started this project.”
Azzi’s heart pounded. “Spider Man’s not my boyfriend. Where the fuck did you get that idea?”
The man let out a rough sigh. “I don’t appreciate your disrespect, Azzi. Or your dishonesty. I’ve been tracking your little boyfriend for months. He’s been following you around, making sure you’re safe from all of this. I’ve seen you clean his cuts. You know who he is. You’re his soft spot. I need him out of my way, and you’re going to bring him right to me.”
“Spidey’s not an idiot. S’not stupid enough to risk the safety of everyone in the city to make sure I’m safe.” Azzi didn’t even believe her own words, because Paige Bueckers would gladly set the world on fire if it meant the people she loved were safe.
“Well, we’ll see about that, won’t we.” The Iron Talon untied her restraints. He held both of her arms above her head as he rose through the air. “I’d recommend you didn’t fight me. It’d be a shame if I dropped you.”
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The air smelled like rain and sulfur when Paige arrived at the address. It was a gutted warehouse, used to be a chemical warehouse, if she wasn’t mistaken.
She landed silently on the roof, body tense with anticipation.
The sound of metal on metal rang out, but even louder was a muffled cry.
Her heart stopped.
Azzi.
“Let her go, Hastings.” She called, voice low and tinged with fury. The modulator’s tone dropped with her voice, but it did nothing to cover the way it shook.
A cruel grin twisted the man’s pale face. “My good friend, Spider Man!” He said, moving towards the girl.
Paige’s eyes darted to where Azzi was bound against a support beam, her curls wild, her dark eyes burning even through the fear. When they locked on Paige’s white lenses, something inside the hero steadied.
“She’s got nothing to do with this, man. This is between me and you.” Her eyes darted around, trying to figure out how to get Azzi to safety and Hastings to hell.
“But she’s leverage. And we’ve become such great friends.” He smirked, reaching the run his hand over her face.
Paige’s voice was tight with restraint. “Don’t you fucking touch her.”
“Oh, Spider Man cares,” Iron Talon sneered. His wings snapped wide, and he shot up through the rafters in a blur of crimson and black. But he didn’t stop there. A talon clamped around Azzi’s torso, ripping her free of the beam like she weighed nothing. Her scream tore through the night as he rocketed toward the broken skylight.
“NO!” Paige’s chest squeezed tight. She fired webs in desperation, each one sliced clean by the sharp edge of his wings.
In seconds they were out in the open sky, the city sprawled below. Paige launched herself after them, wind whipping her face, her hands shaking.
“Put her down, Hastings!” She screamed.
“Gladly,” he growled
And opened his claw.
Azzi plummeted, hair streaming, her cry the only thing Paige could hear.
Her lithe body moved before her mind did, a web thwipping out to catch her midair. Relief crashed through her chest as she yanked her best friend into her arms.
“I’ve got you, Babydoll,” She whispered fiercely, heart pounding. The brunette violently shook in her arms as Paige held her tight against her body. “I’m so sorry, Baby. This is all my fault.”
Azzi moved to say something, but Iron Talon wasn’t done.
He dove, talons snapping, wings screeching against the air. Paige twisted mid-swing, dropping Azzi onto the rooftop of a parking garage and launching back into the air before the girl could even grab for her.
“Stay there!” Paige yelled. “Please!”
Azzi sat up, tears streaking her cheeks. “Paige!” She screamed.
Iron Talon slammed into Paige, knocking the air from her lungs. They tumbled, trading blows midair, his talons sparking as they scraped against her suit. Paige grunted, every muscle screaming, but she couldn’t afford to lose.
Not with Azzi watching.
Not with Azzi in danger.
“You don’t get it,” Hastings spat, eyes wild. “The world’s rotten. I’ll burn down every lab, every tower until it collapses!”
“And then what?” Paige shot back, locking one hand around his wrist. “You’ll just be a man with ashes. That’s not saving anyone.”
He roared, slashing at her, the wing tip grazing her ribs and drawing blood. Paige’s vision blurred. Somewhere below, she heard Azzi scream her name again.
She had seconds. One wrong choice and she would lose everything.
Her pulse thundered. She remembered the electrical junction box she’d seen on the roof below – the city’s power lines exposed from another explosion a few nights ago.
A plan clicked together, reckless and terrifying, but if it worked, he’d be gone, and Azzi would be safe.
Paige webbed his wings, yanking hard. He snarled and spun, metal grinding as he struggled. “You think you can hold me?”
“No,” Paige gritted out. “But I can fry you.”
She yanked him downward, both of them hurtling toward the sparking transformer on the roof’s edge.
At the last second, Paige called out to V.I.O.L.E.T. “OVERLOAD!” She shouted.
“But, Paige, that will–”
“Do it! Do it now!” Her web shooters clicked, channeling the surge of energy down the sticky lines wrapped around his wings.
Electricity exploded across the rooftop in a blinding flash. Iron Talon screamed, convulsing as the current ripped through his suit, his wings sparking violently before they seized and collapsed.
The blast hurled Paige backward, slamming her against the gravel with a cry. Her mask and suit slashed open. Her breath came in ragged, desperate pulls. But when the smoke cleared, Iron Talon was down, twitching, his wings broken.
Azzi was already scrambling across the rooftop, tears streaking her face. “Paige! Oh my God!”
Paige tried to sit up, her body trembling, but Azzi reached her first, wrapping her arms tight around her shoulders. Paige sagged into her, every nerve raw.
“You’re insane,” Azzi whispered against her temple, her voice shaking. “You almost died.”
Paige pressed her forehead to Azzi’s curls, whispering hoarsely. “I don’t care. As long as you’re safe.”
Azzi pulled back, searching her eyes through the broken mask. “Of course I’m safe, Paige. You saved me.” she breathed, wonder and fury tangled together.
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The city was buzzing in the distance, but wrapped around Paige, the chaos felt far away. The wind whipped through Azzi’s curls as she clung to Paige’s waist.
“Paige!” she shouted as they swung between two skyscrapers.
“Yeah, Babydoll?” Paige called back, grinning under the mask.
“This is insane!” Azzi laughed breathlessly.
“Correction,” Paige said, letting go with one hand to shoot another web. “This is amazing.”
Azzi buried her face against Paige’s neck, but her giggles betrayed her. By the time they landed lightly on the fire escape outside her bedroom window, Azzi was glowing, cheeks pink and eyes shining.
“You’re ridiculous,” she murmured, sliding off Paige’s back and gripping the railing for balance.
“And you love it,” Paige teased, hanging upside down from the web she’d anchored above, her mask still hiding everything but those white, expressive lenses.
Azzi rolled her eyes, stepping closer. “Maybe I do.” Her voice softened, serious now, her gaze locked on Paige’s. “But only because it’s you.”
Something shifted in Paige’s chest. Her voice was barely above a whisper.
“Then kiss me.”
Azzi’s breath caught. For half a heartbeat, the world was quiet, just the hum of the city and the sound of her own pulse. Then she reached up, tugging the mask down, just enough to show her lips.
And leaned in, pressing her lips to Paige’s in a kiss that was soft, tentative, but burning with everything unspoken.
The angle was awkward, but the kiss was perfect. Azzi’s hand found Paige’s cheek, and Paige’s free hand brushed Azzi’s waist, steadying her.
When they finally broke apart, Azzi rested her forehead against Paige’s. “You’re insane,” she whispered again, smiling through the tears in her eyes.
Paige grinned, breathless. “Yeah. But I’m yours.”
“Hell yeah, you are.” Azzi beamed, yanking her girlfriend into her bedroom.
The city lights glittered behind them, but the little pink bedroom felt like the center of the universe as they stayed like that, tangled up in laughter, love, relief, and the sweetness of finally crossing the line they’d danced around for years.
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