JESSICA / SPIDER-WOMAN.

“I feel like we’ve known each other for a long time, haven’t we? Too long, maybe. Definitely long enough that we don’t need to lie. I know what’s you’re doing through. I got erased too, remember?”

“Cheers to being dead,” Jessica repeats drolly with a small tip of her glass. She lets the sharp burn of the liquor sit on her tongue for a moment before swallowing with a nod. “I can’t say it’s bad, but it’s definitely weird. I didn’t technically die. I was severed by reality. It erased me from existence. The entire thing felt like a blink. I was there, I was fading and then I was back. What about you? You tangoed with Death, didn’t you?”

“Severed from reality.” She corrects him. “Which, honestly, is close enough.” So far, Jess has tried to take the whole thing in stride. She’s back now, isn’t she? Gerry is fine, she’s fine. So why does she feel so off? “Glad I wasn’t in an explosion? You hit the nail on the head, Stephen. Every time I’ve been in a burning building, I’ve actively wished I wasn’t.”

“Only because you got the same shit end of the stick as me. Here,” she extends the bottle. “Drink up.”

“God, not little Peter. Clint was there as well.” Her ex/friend had also died. “What a total clusterfuck. I’m glad you’re okay, kid.”

Dragging her back hand across the mouth, Jess nods. “I have money, don’t worry.” It’s barely anything. The Avengers pension is slim. Pre getting yeeted from reality, Jess had been working while also being a single mom. She needs to get back at it, but she’s been spending all her time with Gerry. “Are you secretly a therapist or something? Did Carol send you?”

“Both? Got severed from reality: bad. Got brought back: good. It’s a mixed bag.”

It’s with reluctance that Jess holds the bottle out in his direction. “Only because you died. Resurrection privileges.”

“How about if I say please?”

“Do you want the story? It’s unnecessarily twisty.” 

“You were also dead for a bit. You deserve it as much as I do.” Not that Jess had technically died. It’s complicated. 

“You blew up. If that wasn’t scary, I’d want your head checked. Actually, I want your head checked anyway. Did they do any kind of post resurrection outtake assessment? They should have.” Jessica shakes her head, a sigh building in her chest. “You know I’m going to worry about you. I love your circus raised ass.”

“I’m all for not thinking. You just missed out on the big spiderverse event where some of us got wiped from reality. Second chances feel good, don’t they?”

Jess stopped drinking only when the glass was empty. She wiped at her mouth. “Really? Good on you. That couldn’t have been an easy decision to make. Me? I just got back from being wiped  from reality. I’m either going to be with Gerry or hitting the bottle.” 

“It’s too bad trouble always seems to find us — whether we have kids or not. But it’s doable. Trust me, it is. It’s hard to be a spider totem and a parent. I won’t lie about that. It’s just also incredibly rewarding when you find the balance between both. You’ll do great.”