E. 7 0 5
neuphrates

Heroes. 

There are always so many stories of them. It's usually someone who is admired for having done something very brave or having achieved something great.

At least that's were the kind of heroes that she could remember reading about in her young education. Learning about the heroes of multiple ancient mythologies, Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Mesopotamia, the Pacific Islands, and of course the origin story of Neuphrates. Her ancestors who survived a terrible flood and other natural disasters sent by what the philosophers believed to be from the Gods who were jealous of Atlantis.

She remembered Hercules, Maui, Thor, Namor, and plenty of others who fought to protect cities from destruction. And most importantly, save people.

Except for her young mind never even imagined she'd be the one saving people's lives with her brother. She wasn't anything like the ones from the myths. She didn't gift an island with fire or carry a hammer that summoned lighting. Other than the powers that the radioactive water-spider granted her, it was only herself.

"Gema Aegeus!"

Ah, great. The good old boss. Gema rolled her eyes before turning over her shoulder to acknowledge the one and only, J. Jonah Jameson.

"I need you to stop writing that piece of junk about the Mid-Town High surfing competition. There are more important things to write about like the recent menacing attack of Spider-twins fighting a flying green elf near Dorian Beach!" He said in his loud voice as if he were a coach on the sidelines.

Fighting the temptation to shoot a web to cover his mouth talk, Gema instead let out a sigh. "I'll whip it up in no time, sir." She flashed a fake smile with a nod, not to make it obvious.

Jameson huffed as if she was making it up before lifting a scolding finger. "You better! And no painting a silly fantasy of making the Spider-twins glorified heroes! They are criminals!"

Letting out another sigh she replied. "Yes sir. I'll only focus on the facts of the case."

"Get to it then!" He snapped once more before leaving Gema's cubicle for his office.

Gema finished the sentence on Gordon Reeves taking the win of the competition, leaving that article unfinished yet again before saving it in her files.

Criminals? She began dreading her next assignment, opening a new draft of the Spider-twins' latest battle. What kind of criminals saves a *tubeway full of passengers? Or stop villains of the week from blowing up bridges?

[*a water-based subway]

Rarely did reports from the Daily Bugle ever perceive Gema and her brother as praise, only if it was small victories like stopping a bank robber or gang members from harassing innocent citizens. The last time it was a major issue was when the Spider-twins saved a little girl from getting hit by a *waterboat. Actions that were seen as friendly neighborhood-level threats. The job was only full of accusations when Spiderman and Spiderwoman caused a ruckus in the town square when trying to prevent Vulture from blowing up the Capital Building. No matter the good they did, protesters found a way to point out the mistakes. The speculation of the masked duo even almost risked their identity with interrogations from the government and close friends, betting on the Aegeus twins.

[*a city bus or car just in boat form

instead of wheels as the streets are water.]

Whether because they were great at lying for the past 9 years or their luck in knowing Carter Bane.

A buzz vibrates on Gema's *HydroWatch catches her attention. She glanced over at the window of Jameson's office to make sure he wasn't watching her like a Great White Shark, before opening the notification. An instant stretch on her lips appeared as she read the message in the blue text bubble.

[*the company Hydro;
equivalent to Apple]

Babe: Hey!
we still on

for tonight at 6 pm?

ME: Yep!
See you then!😘

CARTER BABE:
Love you, Starfish!⭐️🐟

A tingle went down Gema's spine, warning her of a wrath that she didn't have any desire to get involved in. Not taking the hunch for granted, her hands returned to the keyboard the moment the door swung open.

"Lucas Lagos! What did you do to my coffee!?" Jameson screamed at a boy no older than 19. The man complained to the young intern about how his coffee was bitter.

Tuning out the shouting of her boss, Gema typed away the story of the recent battle of the Spidertwins fighting the Green Goblin on the bridge. Nearly saving a family stuck in their car from falling off and keeping the arch from collapsing onto the tubeways under the surface. She looked through the pictures from the encounter, remembering the unfortunate accident Nora Osbern faced when taking a serum that only created more chaos rather than a groundbreaking experiment as she hoped.

On the bright side, the two managed to put her behind bars, with the help of the NPD while her brother is figuring out a cure for Nora and finding a way to help her.

Because that's what the Spidertwins do.

Sneaking a peak, while Jameson is still lecturing poor Lucas who seems to be on the verge of a panic attack, I tap on the Hydrowatch.

ME: Love you too! I'm excited to see you!

Once she sent her text, Gema bit her lip to contain her joy while wishing for the workday to be over soon.

"Hey, Gigi! I hope you get this message!" He says into his phone while walking out of the locker room of the Marine Lab in Aquamax after hanging up his lab coat. Leaving him dressed in short short-sleeved top with a design of jellyfish printed on the front, with 'jellyfish have survived years without brains, so there's hope for you' written on the other side. Along with baggy khaki pants and sneakers. The classic Nai Aegeus style.

"Just running a few errands before my date tonight and want to see how the report on the Orca whale is going. I know Carter is the only thing on your mind right now because of the special dinner he's invited you to." Nai said while his hand raked back the loose strands of bistre-colored hair that fell out of his man-bun.

The doors in front of him slide open as Nai leaves the building and steps onto the waterproof boots of the *tidewalk while keeping the phone against my ear.

[*a moving sidewalk that has water instead of concrete.]

"Then again," He clicked his tongue. "I'm sure Lameson is yapping at you to write something for the bridge incident and yada-yada."

He carefully stepped onto the waterboat and found a seat. "And-"

BEEEEEP!!

A frustrated groan escapes his mouth, earning stares from a mother cradling her baby in front of him and an old man sitting across the aisle.

Pushing past his limits, he pulled out his Y-Phone 5, to finish his thoughts to solve the problem. Touching one of the icons before picking up where he left off. "Don't you hate it when voicemail interrupts when I'm getting to something important? Just like my sister when I'm in the middle of telling someone off. That's called interrupting and it's so rude."

He scoffed in offense before continuing. "Buuuuut, as I was saying, I think your twin brother comes before work. Besides Naga is going to have her baby Ocra any day now. Neuphrates will come for my throat if they aren't aware of such information and miss the 'Welcome Week' which is estimated to be the next week or two! So please be a good sister and help your brother! Okay, that's it, bye!"

The waterboat meets his destination as he put his phone away. Having more important things to focus on tonight.

A glow rested on his face every time he reminded himself that he was going to be seeing his best friend. The one he had since the 8th grade. One of the first people to know his secret. But once she found out, it never changed.

He was always the dork who'd forget to tie his shoes in a rush. The nerd who never would shut up about the ecosystem and how much he wanted to own an Orca whale as a pet one day. Then while everyone else claimed her to be the shy girl at school, she was always the exact opposite to him.

Nothing ever changed with Thea Sawyer.

Except for a few days ago.

ꕀꕀꕀ

"Thanks for another fun adventure today, Spiderman," She said as she nudged his shoulder.

His mask retracted after setting her down on the balcony by her window. Crossing his arms with pride tugging the corner of his mouth.

"You know you can always count on me." He replied.

"I'll keep that in mind." She then grinned with a finger pointing at him. "Even when I sneak a video of the soda coming out of your nose."

Nai scoffed with my mouth hanging open. "Now that's rude! You better delete it or I'll-"

A burst of giggling increased the more Nai scowled to the point she was having a hard time breathing. "One of the benefits of having your mask only cover the top half of your face."

"Oh, you think that's funny, Ms. Tuna?"

Before she could say anything or laugh harder, Nai bent down, grabbed her waist, and threw her over his shoulder.

"Nai Aegeus how funking dare you!" She squealed while pounding his back.

He carried her inside with ease before setting her down so that she stood right in front of him. Losing himself in her deep brown eyes again, that inner voice screaming to just tell her.

"Thea I-"

She smiles up at me, waiting for him to finish, yet the words are stuck in his throat. His heart acting like a battering ram and trying to rip his chest wide open.

Nai sighed. "I should probably go, but I'll see you later." He slowly headed for the window while scratching his neck.

Right as he sat on the window sill, a tug on his arm, was followed by a soft touch on his cheek. Causing him to look over at her as he tried to register why she did it.

"Later is too long." She said, still holding his arm. "How about I'll see you this Friday at 6 pm."

It took up all of his willpower to not let out his happiness in a scream and he managed to reply with a firm nod, smirk, and a wink. "You can count on me."

Since then, that gesture, the feeling of her lips could have only meant one thing. Yet excuses fed the doubt in his mind as Nai went about his week. Trying to get data and lab results without the scene replaying in his mind. Knowing, their friendship wasn't going to be the same after Friday night.

"Is that my favorite troublemaker!?" A friendly voice called as he entered the shop.

An older woman in her 50s comes around the cashier. Her brunette, gray-haired pixie cut in the usual style in a way she could be either a sweet old grandma or a legendary pop star.

Nai kept his head held high as he responded proudly. "The one and only."

Barbara slaps the air with a cackle before embracing him in one of her warming hugs. Just for a moment before pulling him away with her hands on his shoulders with her only being a couple inches shorter.

"What can I do for the lovely girl of yours tonight?" Barbara asked with a wiggle of her eyebrows.

Nai shook his head with a snicker. "Not my girl yet."

She clicks her tongue, unamused. "Don't need to pretend with that excuse! I'm already planning flowers for the engagement and the wedding."

"Barbara! One step at a time!" Nai reminded her as embarrassment crawled on his skin, painting his cheek a light shade of pink. "However, I was wondering for tonight, if you could do a bouquet of-"

"Lillies?" She winked at me as he nodded. Barbara grabbed an order form and began to fill it out with a pen. "The white ones? And I can add in the pink ones that she likes for free."

Nai was caught off guard and didn't realize how much he told the owner of a flower about the girl he always had a crush on. He shrugged, not making it a big deal knowing a lady like Babara would find a way to such information.

"Sure, why not?" He said.

"I'll have that one made in no time." She winked as she finished writing and pinned it on the bulletin board behind her. Now returning to the cash register where Nai was ready to pay. "How's Gema doing? She's such a sweet woman!"

"She's doing great," Nai replied with a nod as he gave Barbara his card.

"Is she still with-"

"Carter Bane?" He filled in the blank with the tilt of his head as he put his hands in his pockets. "Yep. She's still with him. They are getting married next month."

"Oh, then it's a good day to be an Aegeus twin." Barbara piped as she finished and marked the payment before returning the card to him.

Nai looked up to see the transaction completed, but not under his card. My jaw drops as I gasp. "Barbara, you didn't have to-"

"I did." She cut me off with a snark and pushed my arm. "Now get going! Go get ready for your girl! And you better tell her for real this time or I will!"

"I'll keep you updated." Nai sends her a wave. "Thanks again, Barbara."

A lump remains stuck in the airway with his knuckles hovering over the door.

Oh, my gods! Nai Koa Aegeus! He scolded himself. You have done this before, just do it!

Without any further doubt, taking a long deep breath as he pushed aside the doubts, courage led his clenched hand to hit the door to a playful pattern.

There. No turning back now.

Footsteps approach on the other side of the door and his heart increases. Just like facing multiple life-or-death high-stakes situations where panic leaves his body restless. Yet, those battles are incomparable to the adrenaline right now.

"Hey, Blowfish."

Startled, catching the flowers before they fumbled out of his hand while he tried to say something. But then captured by the eyes of his best friend in doing so.

"Oh? Starting off the night like that are we, Ms. Tuna?" He finally got out, covering up the shakiness in his throat.

She laughed before she cringed at the nickname her tongue popping out in disgust. "Still hate that clam fish."

"Hey," Nai said as he put a finger up. "At least Trinity and Flash got what they deserved."

"Right, because trashing their yard with webs will bring them justice." Thea shook her head at Nai's logic, her laugh cut short by a gasp of excitement. "You got me flowers!?"

Her eyes grew bigger than a sand dollar as she grabbed the bouquet. The lilies were carefully placed in a pattern of white and pink as Barbara promised, except the ribbon and a note were not part of the deal.

A shaky breath came from Nai as he tried not to have a heart attack when Thea's fingers brushed against his. "Of course, I did for the best fashion designer in Neuphrates."

She squeezed her lips tightly together before stepping inside her Subhome. "Let me just put these inside something, you can come in for a second," Thea said as she walked into the marbled island in her kitchen, the floor tiles made from a coral mixed with sand material.

where a vase was on display in the middle.

[*a townhouse
that sits on the surface.]

They seemed familiar to him as he tilted his head. "You kept the roses? From your last showcase?" Nai asked as if it were the first time she kept something he gave her.

Thea glanced at him as she took out the wilting flowers to replace them with the lilies. A bashful smile played on her lips. "I guess I got caught up with selling the new line that I didn't have time to switch them out. Besides, it's a good reminder of who my biggest fan is."

"I'm deeply honored." Nai grinned, shoving his hands in his pocket as he passed the living room with a lounge-like area with couches. Tall glass windows by the dining table provide a clear view of the ocean that crashes onto the exterior of the transparent and waterproof barrier. Her home always nice and cozy. Very similar to his own. The one that had the top floor sits right on the surface of the ocean, one or two floors are submerged below.

"How's Naga doing?" Thea asked after a brief moment of silence, her hands on the counter that supported her like the legs on a tripod.

"Naga? Oh, she's is great." Nai said as he squinted his eyes as he reconsidered his answer to the question. "Except for the fact she refused to open her mouth when trying to feed her bass. But then I get soaked the moment I pull out a bucket of salmon."

Thea scoffed as she crossed her arms, coming towards him with furrowed eyebrows. "Well, that's called being pregnant. She may be just an orca, but the lady knew what she was craving. And she's right, Salmon is so much better than sea bass."

"And tuna?" Nai teased while leaning his face obnoxiously right in from of hers.

Her eyes grew as she scoffed before hitting my shoulder. Not backing away, Nai scrunched his nose.

"Spitting some salt out I see." He stated before reaching out to grab her and she attempted to escape. But having on-point reflexes gave him the advantage.

"Nai Koa Aegeus!" She cursed while squirming in his arms but did not get much success. His super strength also gives him an advantage.

"That's me," Nai replied with his clever wit, winking at her while she rolled her eyes with her lips tightening in a straight line.

"And is that a smile I see?"

Thea glanced at him, doing her best to keep a straight face. "No."

Not even her protest wasn't enough to convince Nai of that lie as he proceeded to poke her side, triggering a stifle of a laugh to puff through her mouth.

"You sure about that?" He teased as he poked her again, and again. Then a few more. The girl wrapped in his arms shook her head, but her cheeks betrayed as her dimples came out from hiding for a split second.

"Aha!" Nai exclaimed in a pirate accent with a hearty laugh before picking her up and spinning her around. "Ye got de lass to show de hidden treasure!"

"Nai! Put me down!" She giggled as he finished tickling her.

"As yer wish, milady." Nai bowed his head as if he was wearing a hat. Then setting her down. A silence returned as both studied the face of their best friend.

"Well," Thea sighed as she responded with her best impression of a pirate. "Shall we be going, Cap?"

Nai's heart didn't skip a beat until fingers wrapped around his hand. Colliding as if they were two pieces of a puzzle.

With a smirk, hoping it would cover the anxiety in his veins and a twip, Nai pulled at the door handle with his web, opening the door with the other hand ushering her.

"After you."

ꕀꕀꕀ

A night in Downtown couldn't have painted the date to be any better. The evening consisted of filling their stomachs with pizza, one without pineapple of course because that's a disgrace and Nai dragged Thea to explore the multiple stores, not ever once letting go of her hand. The two of them checking out the countless knick-knacks and old antiques as if they were those young kids they were in High School.

After getting shaved ice cream, the two of them walked to the pier near the beach. Talking and teasing with inside jokes. A language only a best friend could understand.

"This is the best day ever." Thea sighed with a relaxing smile that was contagious.

"Why is that?" Nai asked with a grin. Sneaking his spoon in to steal the last portion of the watermelon-kiwi-flavored ice in her bowl, earning another cute frown of hers while he raised his eyebrows. His spoon lingered in his mouth as the treat melted onto his tongue.

"I can't say why yet." She said letting go of his crime of stealing.

"Oh?" Nai slowly pulled the spoon out of his mouth. Taking her empty bowl to stack underneath his and placing the utensils inside before tossing it all in the nearby trash.

She returned her gaze to him, "Can't because I don't want to spoil the night." Thea added as their feet met the sand of the beach.

What does she mean by spoil? Am I doing too much or being too obvious? Nai thought to himself, not so sure if she was still on the same wavelength. He knew that had to be nonsense. Even if it wasn't Thea was still his best friend.

Nai took her hand once more. "The night isn't over yet, Ms. Tuna." He whispered closely, ignoring the doubts. Without a moment to waste, Nai pulled her along the shore.

Thea giggled behind him. "Where are you taking me Nai!?"

"Can't say!" Nai shouted back stealing her words. "I don't want to spoil the surprise!"

Pushing the giant plant out of the way, careful to not let branches smack her until Nai slowed the pace. Leading her to where the ocean met their knees. The tip of her sundress touching the surface and moving along with the waves.

Without a word, Nai peered at those brown eyes with his mouth stretching from ear to ear in anticipation.

"Nai," Thea scoffed while putting her hands on her hips. "I swear if this is another one of your pranks, I swear on Poseidon that-"

"Come with me," Nai said while gesturing his head at what was ahead of them.

Once gaining permission from Thea who nodded, Nai helped her climb up onto one of the giant rocks that peaked out of the water. The two sitting on top as waves crashed around it.

As they settled, Thea grabbed Nai's arm like a kola bear holding a tree branch. Then rested her head on his shoulder. Finding that position she always found comfortable when she was with Nai. He placed his head on top of hers as they watched the sky begin to bleed pink. The beautiful golden hour sunset painting the clouds with pastel colors that reflected from the ocean.

"Alright," Nai said. "Let's play 20 questions. When was the last time you barfed?"

She grimaced. "Real mature Nai. But two months ago, when I got the flu."

"Oh yeah, I remember that." He nodded as the memory replayed in his mind. "At least you had company for it."

"Yeah," She grinned. "Your rants about pineapple for the millionth time while I was hovering over the toilet bowl. "

"I'm counting that as the second question of this round." Nai clarified and she scoffed at the technicality. "And yes! Pineapple is the worst!! It does nothing but hurt my mouth!"

She looked up at Nai. "Which is worse? Pineapple or Coconut?"

Nai gagged dramatically, "No comment." He said covering his mouth with a fist, cheeks resembling a pufferfish.

"Speaking of the last time you barfed, think your answer to that is going to be soon." Thea giggled

"Oh haha. Very funny." He rolled his eyes.

The two friends asked more stupid questions such as; 'What was the weirdest dream you had in the past week?' and 'If you could be any animal for a day, which would it be?'

Laughing until their cheeks were sore, just like they were back in school trying to finish a school project but ending up crying and trying to breathe from a corny joke. Proving some things are never outgrown no matter how old one gets.

Then it came to question 18. The plan was working so far and now Nai just had to accomplish his mission.

"Can you now tell me why today is one of the best days?" He asked, changing the mood to become more serious as her laughter died down.

Thea let go of his arm, pulling her knees to her chest with a sigh as she stared off at the ocean. "It's just always nice to spend a day with my best friend."

The lack of elaboration scared Nai. Was that truly her reason? Or was there something more she was hiding? Or worse, maybe she was trying not to hurt his feelings by telling him she only sees him as a friend.

"Wow! Have you seen anything more beautiful than this view?" Thea cleared her throat while pushing her shoulder-length hair back.

She was right.

Nai observed the landscape that no piece of art or professional photo could do justice to the current moment. It was impossible because it was made without brushstrokes or digital concepts.

This canvas was alive.

But his eyes found a much more beautiful view sitting right in front of him.

"Yeah." He answered. "And much more beautiful too."

After a brief pause, she shrugged before glancing over her shoulder.

"What is-"Thea's chocolate eyes found his saltwater ones on her.

at last.

Nai silently prayed to the gods above that this was a good sign.

"I believe you get the final question Nai." She swallowed before returning her stare at the horizon with her chin resting on her knees.

Now. Just be honest. That's all.

Nai inched his way until he sat crisscross in front of her, taking her hand. "Thea Sawyer." Her name slid off his tongue tenderly, his thumb tracing over her knuckles.

It's now or never.

"How would you feel?" Nai started, licking his lips with his heart pounding loudly. "If I told you I don't see you as just my best friend anymore?"

A small ounce of pondering appears in her face as Thea stares like a fish out of water.

"I want to be more than that," He clarified in case he said it wrong, hoping he didn't mess up the words he rehearsed in front of his mirror that morning. "I try not to think about how you make me feel whenever I'm with you, but I can't imagine a living life and not telling you how much I love-"

A sweet tap on his lips traps the words in his throat.

"You kissed me?" He managed to let out a few.

A grin on her face that inches from his, this moment confirmed everything as it did for him.

"I have been waiting for this since Senior Homecoming." She confessed, her hands coming up to caress his jaw. "I just never wanted to pressure you. I didn't want my feelings to ruin our friendship-"

Without hesitation, cutting her off this time, his lips crashed against hers. A hand found the side of her face, lifting her head at an angle when she sunk into it with him.

Something that was no longer an imagination anymore.

This was something alive.

Both are now with their best friend, but more.

So much more.

"And I've been waiting so long to do that," Nai said while catching his breath. "And to finally tell you that I-"

That feeling tingles inside his chest causing him to perk his head up, rising onto his feet, trying to get in tune with the hunch.

"Nai?"

Immediately, his arm wrapped around her waist the moment she stood next to him. Flicking his wrist, a web shot out to stick to the nearest palm tree right as a burst of water exploded and demolished the rock.

The two of landing on the beach as Nai was greeted by that haunting tension closing in on him. The sound of a hoverboard that shouldn't have been possible.

He pressed the button behind his ear as his suit covered his identity before it got too close. Followed by the laugh that reminded him of a wicked sea witch in a cartoon he watched with Gema as kids.

"Oh!? What a surprise to see you again..." She gasped with a chuckled with a shrilling and shivering voice. Condensing down at us with her distinguishing evil grin. "Spiderman."

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Ta-da! The first official chapter is here!

Be patient, the spiderverse characters are coming! I promise!

(and if you've been here before, yes I am changing the story to be 3rd POV instead of 1st)

PLEASE COMMENT/ DON'T BE A GHOST READER:
Whether they are silly or just your random thoughts, (it's a safe spot for it and I will not judge as long as it's not rude) I love reading reactions throughout the chapter! I would much rather have comments than votes tbh. (: 

Thanks for reading!

- marie