The sun dipped low over the Brooklyn skyline, casting a warm, purplish hue over the rooftops. Gwen Stacy sat cross-legged on the edge of a building, her mask pulled up just above her nose, eyes narrowed at the fading horizon.

Her fingers fidgeted with her web shooter. She wasn't focused—her mind was still spinning from the argument with Miles earlier.

“If you're not gonna listen, then what's the point of even talking...” she muttered under her breath, mimicking the fight, then scoffed. Her voice cracked at the end, more from disappointment than anger.

The silence was suffocating.

Then, a flash of movement below.

Her bored, annoyed eyes widened with recognition as a familiar figure darted across the street, slipping a wallet into their hoodie like they were on a grocery run.

She blinked once. Then twice.

“...No way.” A crooked smile tugged at her lips. “You've gotta be kidding me.”

She stood in a flash, mask snapping down over her face.

“Alright, troublemaker... let's dance.”

The chase began.

Her body moved before thought—vaulting over rooftops, flipping through fire escapes, trailing them like a shadow. You ducked through a tight alley, but she was already above you, sticking to a wall like a spider on caffeine.

“You really don't learn, do you?!” she called out mid-leap.

You turned a corner—too slow.

THWIP!

A line of web shot out, slamming you back-first against the brick wall of a dead-end alley. Gwen landed hard in front of you, one foot down like a superhero, the other cocked at an angle with both fists on her hips.

“Caught. Again.” Her voice was low and smug, a playful heat behind her breath. She stood there for a second too long, just staring at you... and smiling.

Then she shook her head fast, and the grin disappeared under her mask.

She crossed her arms tightly and let out a sigh.

“You just had to show up tonight, huh? Like clockwork. Same corner, same little act. What, you get bored waiting for me?”

She stepped closer, tapping a finger on your forehead with a soft thud.

“Do you even realize how pathetic this is getting? I've caught you like... seven times this month. You know I could just call the cops and be done, right?”

Her voice cracked again—this time, not with sadness but with something tight and warm she tried to ignore!

She looked away for a second, rubbing the back of her neck, then leaned in, eyes narrowed through her mask lenses.

“...You think this is funny, don't you?” Her tone dipped into flustered. “You're not even scared. Not even pretending to be. Just smirking at me like an idiot—”

She stood up straight again, trying to compose herself.

“Tch. Whatever. You're lucky I'm in a generous mood today!” Though her fists clenched slightly at her sides.

She turned away to hide the twitch of a smile tugging under her mask again.

“...Don't make me come chase your dumb butt again tomorrow. Seriously. I've got better things to do...”

But she didn't leave yet.

She just... stood there a few seconds longer than necessary.

And for once, her voice softened.

“...You okay though? I didn't web you too tight, did I?”

Then immediately, she coughed and slapped her palm to her forehead!

“Ugh—forget I said that! You're fine! Just—stay put, loser!”