Chapter Text
Everything was different—from the way people walked to the way they talked. Maeve wasn’t used to people not looking up, not offering a polite smile in passing. New York City was a far cry from her small Texas town. It was louder, faster, and more crowded. And it didn’t help that the one person she would’ve gone to in times like this was gone.
He would’ve helped her navigate the chaos. Probably would’ve insisted on buying a paper map, too—because “if you’re gonna do something, you do it right.” Her late fiancé would’ve hated the Big Apple… but he would’ve braved it for her.
There was no use dwelling on the past. She was going to be late for her new job.
It wasn’t glamorous, but it was something. Maeve had finally found a role that made use of her Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Not many doors opened with just that, not without a master’s, but Maeve had always made do. She would survive—she always did.
Looking up, she spotted the building. This was it; her first day was a go.
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Her first day wasn’t bad—just a long eight hours—but now she had to get home to do her other job. On the way back, Maeve caught a flash of red swinging from building to building. This had to be the one everyone talked about—the one who, no matter the odds, always tried his hardest to save the day. Spider-Man. He was an inspiration to all, even Maeve. In fact, he was her favorite hero, though she'd never admit that to anyone.
As Maeve watched Spider-Man swing by, she veered into a dark alleyway. See, there was something different about Maeve after her late fiancé passed—she was different. She couldn’t do the things she could now. At first, it terrified her—the darkness—but now, she saw it as a tool. A tool that could get her home faster, get her through the night.
She glanced around the alley, then stepped into the shadows, her body dissolving into the darkness. Moments later, she reappeared in her apartment, the quiet of the room settling over her like a familiar cloak.
It was time to get going. Maeve changed out of her work clothes and into something darker—something no one would notice unless they were really looking. She grabbed a protein bar and started to eat; might as well have something in her stomach before the long night ahead.
As she finished the last bite, something hummed in the air. She turned toward her altar, breath catching slightly. One of her patrons, maybe?
“It is only me, little one.”
The space around the altar shimmered faintly green—Loki.
Maeve exhaled and gave a small nod. “Hello. I was about to leave.” She glanced around the apartment, adjusting her senses. “Do you need something?”
“Be careful tonight, little one. There is to be a change in your life—one you did not expect.”
Maeve blinked. “That was... rather ominous.” She narrowed her gaze in the general direction of his voice. “Could you maybe elaborate? Just a little?”
A low chuckle echoed from the shadows. “You shall find out soon enough.”
Then he was gone.
Maeve sighed, the quiet settling too quickly in his absence. A flicker of disappointment rose in her chest, but she shoved it down.
“Gods and their stupid vagueness,” she muttered under her breath as she headed for the door.
Before she reached the door, Maeve double-checked that everything she needed was tucked safely into her shadow. Her little pocket dimension—it had taken time to master, but now it was second nature. Convenient. Efficient.
She was about to step out when she felt it.
A hand on her shoulder.
One that shouldn’t have been there.
Maeve jolted, heart slamming against her ribs as she spun around—only to be met with a familiar figure, cloaked in shadow.
“Fuck—Cassius,” she breathed, pressing a hand to her chest. “You scared me.”
The shadow—his shadow—just looked at her. Silent. Steady. His hand, still resting on her shoulder, was a gesture of comfort that made her ache more than anything. Maeve tilted her head, eyes soft with confusion. “Why are you here?”
No answer. Just presence. She bit her lip, frustration and sorrow tangling behind her ribs. “I’m okay. I promise.” She said it more to herself than to him.
With a deep breath, she steadied. And as the moment passed, so did he—his shadow fading into the dim light of the room, gone for now. Once she steadied herself, Maeve melted into the shadows, moving silently through them toward the area she’d been patrolling all week.
The thing was—she didn’t have to do this. She could’ve walked away. Let the world fend for itself. God knows it probably deserved it. But that wasn’t how Maeve operated. It never had been.
She’d always been the protector—the one who kept others safe, even if it meant getting burned for it. That instinct only sharpened after Cassius died. It carved something deeper into her: a relentless need to make sure no one else had to go through what she did.
People didn’t always deserve saving. But Maeve didn’t care. She didn’t care if she lived or died, not really—not since Cassius. This? This was the only way it made sense to keep going. Help people. Make Cassius proud. Stick around for her family.
Even if it meant losing herself along the way.
What Maeve didn’t realize—lost in her own thoughts—was that someone had spotted her. It shouldn’t have been possible. But some senses are sharper than others.
“Hello there. Why are you hiding?” A quizzical voice snapped Maeve out of her head, pulling her out of the shadows with a start.
“There you are.” The voice grew closer. Curious. Intrigued. “You’re the Watcher, right?”
Maeve turned—and there he was. Spider-Man, perched casually on the wall behind her like it was the most natural thing in the world.
“Yeah… how did you see me?” Her eyes narrowed, suspicious but impressed.
Spider-Man dropped from the wall and took a few steps toward her. “I have my ways,” he said, glancing around her, scanning.
Maeve crossed her arms and backed up a step. “Your ways, huh?”
“Yeah? So, how long have you been around?” he asked, eyes curious behind the mask. “Haven’t seen or heard of you until recently.”
Maeve kept her arms crossed but let her guard drop slightly. This was Spider-Man. He wasn’t going to hurt her—unless she gave him a reason to.
“I just started. Moved to the city two weeks ago.”
He nodded, seemingly satisfied. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” Maeve uncrossed her arms and met his gaze. “Any reason you’re here?”
Spider-Man hesitated a beat. “Just checking out the new person on the block,” he said, casually. “It’s not every day someone signs up for this kind of life.”
Maeve watched him carefully, eyes sharp but thoughtful. Without realizing it, she took a step closer. “Yeah, well,” she said, with a soft, humorless chuckle, “I didn’t exactly have anything better to do with my time.” As she said this, she knew it wasn’t the complete truth, but it should do.
Spider-Man seemed to let the answer slide, though his gaze narrowed slightly.
“Hmmm... alright.” He stepped a little closer, eyeing her more curiously. “They say you’re like the night. No one’s actually seen you—just... whispers. You’re starting to become an urban myth around here.”
Maeve raised both her eyebrows in surprise. “A myth?” She glanced off to the side, thoughtful, then muttered under her breath, “Am I becoming… fucking Batman?”
Spider-Man let out a short laugh. “Well, you are broody, dressed in black, and disappearing into thin air, so…” He made a dramatic gesture. “Yeah, Gotham’s gonna file a copyright complaint any minute now.”
He tilted his head, pretending to consider something.
“Do I call you Bat-Watch? Shadow Knight? Ooh—Darkness Lite?”
Maeve stared at him for a beat, unimpressed. “You done?”
“Never,” he said cheerfully. “But I’ll pause for dramatic effect.”
Maeve let out a soft chuckle. “Y’know, you’re funnier than I expected, Spidey.”
Spider-Man looked at her, amused—and just a little mock-offended. “Oh? So did I impress you, sunshine?”
“You’re Spider-Man,” Maeve said, looking up at him. “Everything about you is impressive.”
He took a small step closer, his tone dipping into something flirtatious. “Careful, sunshine,” he said, eyes locked on hers, a smirk clearly audible beneath the mask. “Say things like that, and I might start looking forward to running into you.”
Maeve felt the heat rush to her cheeks. “Oh…” she muttered, turning away quickly to gather herself. Her heart was doing something it hadn’t done in a long time—fluttering.
Spider-Man let out a low chuckle. “Did I just make the mysterious shadow-girl blush?” he teased, clearly pleased with himself. “I think that’s a win.”
Maeve’s blush deepened as she glanced back at him. “Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up, little spider.”
He grinned beneath the mask. “Hey, if you’re gonna call me names, at least throw in ‘friendly neighborhood’—gotta keep the brand alive.”
Maeve opened her mouth to respond, but something felt… off. Her instincts prickled. She glanced at Spider-Man, who was already scanning the area, his body tense. Without a word, she turned and started checking where he wasn’t looking. That’s when she heard it—a scream.
“No, please!”
That was all she needed.
Maeve dissolved into the shadows and reappeared in a dark alley, where five men had surrounded a terrified woman.
She didn’t hesitate.
Maeve appeared behind one of the men and took him down silently, quick and efficient. Before the others noticed, Spider-Man swung in from above, knocking out two more in one fluid motion. Maeve vanished again, slipping into the shadows, only to emerge behind the fourth man. With a swift strike, she knocked him out cold. Behind her, she heard the satisfying thwack of a web hitting flesh, followed by a grunt—the last guy had just been dealt with.
Maeve turned to the woman, slowly walking toward her with open, non-threatening body language.
“Ma’am, are you alright?” she asked gently, keeping her voice calm.
The woman sniffled, wiping at her face.
“Y-Yeah… thanks to the two of you.” She looked between Maeve and Spider-Man, her eyes full of shaken gratitude.
“Thank you. Really.”
Maeve nodded, offering a small, reassuring smile—but inside, she felt the twist of something she couldn’t name. Was this what being a hero felt like? It wasn’t glory. It wasn’t adrenaline. It was this—making sure someone got to go home alive.
She swallowed hard, trying to center herself. “I’m just glad we got here in time,” she said softly, more to herself than anyone.
Spider-Man stepped up beside her, voice softer than usual.
“Yeah… sometimes that’s all that matters.” He glanced at Maeve, then added with a small grin, “You know, for someone who’s basically a ghost story, you’re pretty good at the hero thing.”
Maeve let out a faint laugh, the tension in her chest easing just a little.
“Thanks, Spidey. But I’d like to stay a ghost story—good for the branding, right?”
Maeve looked back at the woman. “Do you want me—or us—to stay until the police get here?”
The woman, still catching her breath, leaned against the wall and gave a small nod. “Please.”
Maeve nodded and stepped closer to stand beside her, offering quiet reassurance.
“So,” she said gently, “what’s your favorite movie genre?”
The woman glanced up and gave a small smile. “Romance and comedy.”
Maeve nodded. “Good choices. I’m a sucker for anything entertaining, really.”
Spider-Man leaned casually next to her. “I’m more of a sci-fi guy, myself. Big explosions, questionable science—what’s not to love?”
Maeve smirked, not missing a beat. “Ah, explains the spandex and rooftop brooding. Definitely giving 'space drama hero' energy.”
The woman let out a small laugh, the tension in her shoulders easing.
Maeve shot her a playful smile. “You see it too, huh?”
Spider-Man gave Maeve a friendly nudge “I do not brood.”
Maeve nodded, feigning agreement. “Sure you don’t, little spider.”
Spider-Man scoffed, but before he could reply, the sound of approaching sirens filled the air.
Maeve smiled warmly at the woman. “I think you can handle the next part on your own.” She paused, studying the woman’s face. “Will you be okay?”
The woman nodded, a small smile breaking through her nerves. “Yes, I’ll be okay.” She looked at both of them gratefully. “Thank you for staying.”
Maeve gave a small nod. “No need to thank us. Just doing our part.”
Maeve dissolved into the shadows, reappearing on the roof of the building overlooking the scene. Moments later, she heard Spider-Man land quietly beside her.
“You’re pretty quick with those shadows,” he remarked, eyes scanning the area.
Maeve let out a small sigh. “Yeah, had to master them.”
Spider-Man glanced over at her, a teasing edge in his voice. “So, Shadow Girl… how long does it take to get that good? Because I’m impressed.”
Maeve smirked, folding her arms. “Longer than you think. And don’t call me Shadow Girl.”
He chuckled. “Alright, alright, the mysterious Watcher it is. So, what’s your story? How’d you end up playing ghost in this city?”
Maeve’s expression softened for a moment, eyes distant. “Let’s just say... life’s been complicated. But this—helping people—it’s the one thing that keeps me grounded.”
Spider-Man nodded thoughtfully. “Yeah, I get that. Guess we’re not so different after all.”
Maeve raised an eyebrow. “Don’t get all philosophical on me, Spider-Man.”
He grinned beneath his mask. “No promises.”
Maeve glanced at him, a flicker of a smile playing at her lips. “Well, since we both have our ways of getting around the city, maybe you can share how you make those webs so… creative.”
Spider-Man laughed softly. “Now that’s a secret I’m not giving away easily. But I might share a trick or two if you promise not to outshine me.”
She tilted her head, pretending to consider it. “Outshine you? Please. You’ve got enough red and blue to light up the whole skyline. I prefer blending into the shadows.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, the whole Batman thing.” His voice turned mock-serious. “I am the night.”
She playfully glared at him. “Think you’re funny, little spider?”
He let out a small laugh, a cheeky smile visible beneath the mask. “I think I am hilarious.” He glanced at her. “You did good.”
Maeve looked at him expectantly.
“You know, with the distracting-her thing,” Spider-Man shrugged. “It was impressive. How did you think of it so quickly?”
Maeve smiled and shrugged. “Just good at reading people and thinking quick on my feet. But don’t you do the same thing?”
He nodded. “Yeah, but that kind of quick thinking? Took me years to get it down to that speed.”
Maeve smiles “I have a Psychology degree, helps a bit.”
He raised his eyebrows beneath the mask. “Psychology degree, huh? No wonder you’re so good at reading people.”
Maeve shrugged, a playful glint in her eyes. “Gotta use every advantage I can get.”
Spider-Man nodded. “Yeah, well… that’s a good one to have. I’m impressed.”
Maeve gave him a genuine smile. “I’ve impressed the Spider-Man,” she said, her tone turning light and teasing. “What will the papers say?”
Spider-Man chuckled. “Probably something dramatic—‘Mysterious Vigilante Stuns Local Hero with Wit and Charm.’” He paused, then added with mock seriousness, “Front page, obviously.”
Maeve rolls her eyes, a little fondly. “Obviously”
Spider-Man gave a dramatic nod. “Glad we’re on the same page.”
He took a casual step toward the ledge, glancing over the city. “Y’know, for a ghost story, you make a pretty decent partner.”
Maeve raised a brow, crossing her arms with a smirk. “Careful, Spidey. Keep saying stuff like that and I might start showing up on purpose.”
He looked back at her, the grin audible in his voice. “Now that’s a headline. ‘Shadow Sneak Teams Up With Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man’.”
Maeve chuckled, shaking her head. “We’re gonna need a better name than Shadow Sneak.”
“I dunno,” he said, tapping his chin in thought. “Has a nice, mysterious vibe. Bit dramatic. Kinda like you.”
She gave him a look, but her smile stayed. “Flattery will get you nowhere.”
Spider-Man backed up a step toward the edge of the roof, glancing down at the city below. “Well, on that note—duty calls.”
Maeve nodded. “Be safe out there, Spidey.”
He pointed at her, backing up into a crouch. “Same to you, ghost girl.”
Then, with a quick salute and a thwip, he was gone, swinging off into the night.
Maeve stayed there for a beat, watching the empty sky where he’d vanished. She didn’t move for a long time. Just stood there, staring at the skyline. The thing about shadows was... they could hide you, protect you. But eventually, even shadows faded when the light came. Maeve wasn’t sure what scared her more—that she’d be dragged into the light… or that no one would ever look for her there.