Gwen grimaced as she brought the phone back toward her ear. "Okay, Mom. We're going to eat something quickly, and then Peter will walk me home. I promise." Her mother remained quiet for a second before making Gwen promise again that she wouldn't disappear without telling anyone. Gwen agreed several times, already feeling guilty enough about how badly she had scared both of her parents.
"Alright. Come straight home," her mother finally said. "And Gwen? Your father is waiting."
"I know," Gwen muttered, glancing toward Peter. "We'll be there soon. Love you."
"Love you too, sweetheart."
Gwen was just beginning to pull the phone away from her ear when Peter turned toward the small dresser beside his bed. Completely unaware that the call hadn't disconnected yet, he casually said, "Alright, I'm going to get dressed. Give me a minute."
Gwen immediately tapped the end-call button.
Neither she nor Peter noticed that her mother had heard every word.
Back at the Stacy home, Helen Stacy slowly lowered the phone from her ear and stared at the screen.
"I'm going to get dressed."
She blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Her worried expression slowly transformed into one of complete disbelief as several possibilities ran through her mind. Gwen had disappeared from her bedroom in the middle of the night, spent the remainder of that night at her boyfriend's house, and now Peter apparently needed to get dressed before bringing her home.
Helen slowly looked toward the hallway where George was still moving through the apartment, grumbling about calling the precinct and having officers search for Gwen.
"Helen?" George called. "Was that Gwen?"
Helen remained silent for a moment.
"Yes."
George immediately appeared around the corner. "Where is she? Is she alright?"
"She's fine," Helen answered. "She's at Peter's house."
George stared at her.
"...Parker?"
"Yes."
"She disappeared in the middle of the night to go to Parker's house?"
"Apparently she was worried about him because he wasn't answering his phone."
George rubbed both hands down his face.
"That boy is going to be the death of me."
Helen almost told him what she'd heard.
Almost.
Then she imagined George learning that his teenage daughter had apparently spent the night with Peter and that Peter had only just announced he needed to get dressed.
She decided she preferred having a husband who wasn't currently being arrested for breaking down the Parker family's front door.
"They're coming here now," Helen said instead.
George narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Anything else?"
Helen hesitated.
"...No."
George grunted before walking toward the kitchen.
Helen watched him leave and quietly muttered, "I'll talk to Gwen first."
Back at the Parker house, Peter carefully pulled on a pair of sweatpants, moving slowly so he wouldn't aggravate the wound in his side. He followed them with a loose T-shirt and hoodie, choosing clothes large enough to conceal most of the bandages wrapped around his torso. Gwen watched him struggle to pull the shirt down without twisting too much before finally stepping forward and helping him.
"I can dress myself," Peter protested.
"You got stabbed yesterday."
"I noticed."
"So stop moving."
Peter obediently raised his arms slightly while Gwen pulled the shirt down over his stomach.
"There."
"Thanks, Mom."
Gwen immediately poked him in the chest.
"Ow!"
"Don't call me Mom."
Peter laughed as they headed upstairs.
Once Peter and Gwen made their way upstairs, they found the house surprisingly quiet. Aunt May still hadn't woken up yet, which Peter wasn't particularly surprised about considering how late she had worked the previous night. MJ, however, was already awake and moving around the living room while getting ready to head out. She had plans to meet up with some friends during the afternoon before going to a party later that night, and judging by the pile of clothes spread across the couch, she still hadn't decided what she wanted to wear.
"Morning, lovebirds," MJ said when she noticed them coming upstairs. Her eyes briefly moved toward Peter, checking that he was actually standing and looking better than he had the night before. "You two heading out?"
"Unfortunately," Peter replied as he opened the refrigerator. "Apparently Captain Stacy wants to have a conversation with me."
MJ immediately grinned. "Nice knowing you, Pete."
"You're a wonderful friend."
"I try."
Since neither Peter nor Gwen had eaten anything yet, they decided to make themselves something quick before leaving. Peter poured himself an enormous bowl of cereal along with several pieces of toast, while Gwen grabbed some fruit and stole one of Peter's pieces of toast when he wasn't looking. His enhanced healing had left him starving, and Gwen watched with amusement as Peter practically inhaled his breakfast before going back for another bowl.
By the time they finished, MJ was standing near the front door checking herself in the mirror.
"I'm heading out too," she said. "Meeting some friends, then there's a party tonight."
Peter pointed his spoon toward her. "Have fun."
"I always do." MJ glanced between Peter and Gwen before smirking. "You two try to behave."
Gwen smiled innocently.
Peter narrowed his eyes.
"Why does everyone keep saying that to us?"
MJ simply laughed before heading out.
A few minutes later, Peter and Gwen left as well. The morning air was warm, and the streets were already filling with people enjoying their summer. Peter had barely made it half a block before Gwen slipped her hand into his. He immediately intertwined their fingers, pulling her slightly closer until their shoulders bumped together as they walked.
Gwen rested her head against his shoulder.
Peter smiled and kissed the top of her head.
She responded by lifting their joined hands and kissing the back of his.
They weren't exactly being subtle.
"So," Peter said as they continued down the sidewalk, "do you have work today?"
Gwen groaned dramatically.
"Unfortunately."
Peter looked down at her. "Seriously? After last night?"
"I'm fine, Peter."
"You climbed out your window, walked all the way to my house, stayed awake half the night worrying about me, and slept in my basement."
Gwen looked up at him with a teasing smile. "I slept pretty well once I found a comfortable pillow."
Peter raised an eyebrow.
"Was I the pillow?"
"A very warm pillow."
Peter leaned down and kissed her forehead.
"Glad I could be of service."
Gwen laughed before explaining, "Besides, there's only about a month left before school starts again. The lab knows most of the interns who are still in school won't have nearly as much time once classes begin, so they're pushing us to get as much work done as possible before summer ends."
"That sounds suspiciously like they're squeezing every possible hour of cheap labor out of you."
"We prefer the term educational experience."
"Of course."
Peter squeezed her hand as they crossed the street, but after a few moments his expression became thoughtful.
"So what am I supposed to do today?"
Gwen looked at him.
"What do you mean?"
"I can't hang out with you because you're working, and apparently I'm banned from being Spider-Man."
"Banned?"
Peter gave her a look.
"Fine. Voluntarily temporarily retired."
"Much better."
Peter sighed dramatically. "So what am I supposed to do all day? I've spent almost every free minute for the last month swinging around the city. What did I even do before Spider-Man?"
Gwen tilted her head.
"What were you planning to do this summer before you got your powers?"
Peter thought about it.
"Get a job."
Gwen looked surprised. "Really?"
"Yeah. I was going to save up enough money to buy a car."
"Peter Parker with a car?"
"Hey!"
Gwen giggled. "Why did you want one?"
Peter suddenly became suspiciously quiet.
Gwen immediately noticed.
"Peter."
"No reason."
"Peter."
He looked away.
"You're going to laugh."
"I promise I won't."
Peter looked down at her.
"You absolutely will."
"Probably. Tell me anyway."
Peter sighed.
"I wanted to impress MJ."
Gwen stopped walking.
Peter stopped with her.
For three seconds, she simply stared at him.
Then she burst out laughing.
"I knew it!"
"You promised!"
"I lied!"
Peter shook his head while Gwen clung to his arm, laughing.
"It seemed like a good idea at the time," Peter defended himself. "Get a summer job, save some money, buy a halfway decent car, and maybe MJ would finally notice me."
Gwen eventually managed to control her laughter.
"And then?"
Peter looked at her with a small smile.
"Then I got bitten by a genetically modified spider, became Spider-Man..."
He gently pulled Gwen closer by the waist.
"...and got you."
Gwen's teasing expression immediately softened.
"So I don't really need the car anymore," Peter continued. "The entire reason I wanted it was to impress a girl, and I'm already dating the most beautiful girl in New York."
Gwen's cheeks turned slightly pink.
"Smooth, Parker."
"I have my moments."
She wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a quick kiss before they started walking again.
After another block, Gwen suddenly said, "You should still get the car."
Peter looked at her.
"Why?"
"Because then we could travel."
"Travel?"
"Yeah." Gwen's smile grew as she imagined it. "Just you and me. We could drive outside New York whenever we wanted. Go camping, visit different cities, find some little beach somewhere, take weekend trips..."
Peter started smiling as she continued.
"We could throw some bags in the trunk, pick somewhere on a map, and just go."
"That actually sounds amazing."
"I know."
Peter squeezed her hand.
"There's one small problem."
Gwen already knew exactly what he meant.
"My parents."
"Your dad already wants to kill me because I was half an hour late picking you up. I somehow doubt he's going to say, 'Sure, Parker, take my daughter on an unsupervised road trip.'"
Gwen giggled.
"I doubt my parents would let us either."
Then she looked up at him.
A mischievous smile slowly appeared on her face.
She winked.
"But what they don't know won't hurt them."
Peter nearly tripped over his own feet.
"Gwen Stacy!"
"What?"
"Your father is a police captain!"
"So?"
"And we're currently walking directly toward him!"
Gwen leaned against Peter's arm, looking completely innocent.
"Then maybe don't tell him."
Peter stared down at his girlfriend.
By the time Peter and Gwen finally reached the Stacy home, George was already gone. He had waited as long as he could, but eventually duty had called and he'd been forced to head to the precinct. Peter couldn't help feeling slightly relieved when Gwen told him her father wasn't there, although Gwen quickly reminded him that George would almost certainly want to talk to him later.
That relief lasted exactly until Helen Stacy opened the door.
Gwen's mother stood in the doorway with her arms crossed, her expression caught somewhere between relieved, exhausted, and irritated. The moment she saw Gwen, some of the tension disappeared from her shoulders, but Peter noticed that her eyes immediately shifted toward him afterward.
"Inside," Helen said.
"Morning, Mrs. Stacy," Peter greeted awkwardly.
"Inside, Peter."
"...Yes, ma'am."
Gwen gave Peter an apologetic look before they entered. Helen immediately turned toward her daughter and looked her up and down, apparently making certain she really was alright.
"Gwen, go take a shower and get dressed for work."
"Mom, I"
"Shower. Clothes. Work."
Gwen recognized that tone.
"Okay."
Before leaving, she leaned over and gave Peter a quick kiss on the cheek. "I'll be back."
Peter smiled. "I'll be here."
Helen watched the entire exchange.
Her expression didn't change.
Gwen disappeared down the hallway toward her bedroom, grabbed some clean clothes, and a moment later Peter heard the bathroom door close. He remained standing awkwardly near the entrance while Helen walked toward the kitchen without saying anything.
Then she stopped.
"Peter."
He straightened immediately.
"Yes, Mrs. Stacy?"
"Come sit down."
Peter suddenly wished George had been home instead.
He followed Helen into the kitchen and sat at the table. Helen took the chair directly across from him, folded her hands together, and simply stared.
Peter waited.
Helen said nothing.
Ten seconds passed.
Then twenty.
Peter shifted uncomfortably.
"So..."
Helen continued staring.
"...Nice weather?"
Nothing.
Peter swallowed.
Then, from farther down the hallway, the shower turned on.
Helen's expression immediately changed.
Not dramatically.
Her eyes simply narrowed.
"Peter."
"Yes, ma'am?"
She leaned forward slightly and asked with a completely straight face, "Did you sleep with my daughter?"
Peter nearly fell out of his chair.
"I what?!"
Helen didn't blink.
"Did. You. Sleep. With. My. Daughter?"
Peter's face immediately turned bright red.
"Yes! No! I mean yes, technically, but not like that!"
Helen raised one eyebrow.
Peter immediately began waving his hands.
"We slept! That's it! Literally slept! Sleeping-sleeping! Eyes closed, unconscious, absolutely nothing else happened!"
Helen continued watching him.
Peter somehow became even more nervous.
"I swear, Mrs. Stacy. Nothing happened between us."
Helen studied his face for several seconds, searching for any indication that he was lying. Peter looked absolutely terrified, but he didn't look dishonest.
"Alright."
Peter released the breath he'd been holding.
Then Helen asked the question she'd been saving since the phone call.
"Then why did you need to get dressed?"
Peter froze.
His entire body went rigid.
"...What?"
"This morning," Helen said calmly. "Before Gwen hung up the phone, I heard you say that you needed to get dressed."
Peter's eyes widened.
"Oh."
Helen leaned back.
"So if nothing happened, why weren't you dressed?"
Peter opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
His brain desperately searched for an explanation that didn't involve saying, Because I was Spider-Man last night and got stabbed through the torso by a ninja, so I stripped down to my boxers to treat the wound before passing out.
He couldn't exactly use that one.
Finally, Peter settled on the truth or at least the safest portion of it.
"When I went to bed last night, I was by myself."
Helen blinked.
Peter continued before thinking through what his words implied.
"I didn't even know Gwen was there. I went to sleep alone, and when I woke up this morning, she was in bed with me."
Silence.
Peter's expression slowly changed.
His eyes widened.
He replayed his own sentence.
When I woke up, she was in bed with me.
"Oh no."
Helen's eyebrow rose again.
Peter covered his face with both hands.
"I just threw Gwen under the bus."
Helen's lips twitched slightly.
Peter immediately started backtracking.
"Wait, wait, that's not what I meant! She was worried about me, and apparently she came over after I was already asleep. I didn't invite her over! Well not that I wouldn't want her over! I mean, obviously I like having her around, but not secretly overnight!"
Helen watched him dig the hole deeper.
Peter realized it too late.
"I'm going to stop talking."
"That might be wise."
Peter nodded.
"Yep."
Helen remained quiet for another moment before asking, "So my daughter climbed out of her bedroom window in the middle of the night, traveled across the city alone, entered your house, went downstairs to your bedroom, and climbed into your bed while you were sleeping?"
Peter stared at the table.
"...When you summarize it like that, it sounds really bad for Gwen."
"It does."
"Can we forget I said anything?"
"No."
"Thought I'd ask."
Helen finally allowed the smallest hint of amusement onto her face. Peter was clearly so terrified of giving her the wrong impression that she was beginning to believe him. If something inappropriate had happened, she doubted he would have accidentally provided an explanation that placed virtually all the blame on Gwen.
Helen continued staring at Peter for several more seconds before finally leaning back in her chair. Peter remained perfectly still across from her, his face still bright red from the conversation and his hands folded awkwardly together on the table. He wasn't entirely sure whether he'd convinced her that nothing had happened or accidentally made the entire situation look ten times worse.
Then Helen stood up.
Peter watched nervously as she walked toward one of the kitchen cabinets and opened it. She reached toward the back, pulled something out, and returned to the table before sitting down across from him again.
"Peter."
"Yes, Mrs. Stacy?"
Helen placed a small box on the table.
Peter looked down.
His brain stopped working.
His entire face went from slightly red to practically glowing.
"Mrs. Stacy, I uh that's those are"
"Condoms," Helen said plainly.
Peter looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him.
"I know what they are!"
"Good."
"But I don't need them!"
Helen raised an eyebrow.
"I mean—not that I couldn't need them! Eventually! But not right now! Gwen and I aren't—I've never—we haven't—"
"Peter."
He immediately stopped.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Take the box."
Peter stared at it as though she'd placed a live grenade in front of him.
"Do I have to?"
"Yes."
Very slowly, Peter reached across the table and picked it up with two fingers.
Helen nearly laughed at the expression on his face but managed to keep herself composed.
"Peter, I'm not giving you those because I expect you and Gwen to do anything."
Peter visibly relaxed.
"Thank God."
"I'm giving them to you because I was a teenager once too."
Peter's relief disappeared again.
Helen folded her arms on the table.
"I remember what being your age was like. Your emotions are all over the place, everything feels incredibly important, and when you're in love with someone, sometimes you stop thinking as clearly as you normally would."
Peter stared down at the box.
"Mrs. Stacy, Gwen and I really aren't planning anything."
"I believe you."
Peter looked up, surprised.
"I also believe you when you say that all you did last night was sleep."
That made him relax slightly.
"But," Helen continued, "I'm also realistic enough to know that you're both teenagers, you're clearly very attached to each other, and you're going to spend plenty of time together without either George or me standing over your shoulders."
Peter's cheeks somehow became even redder.
Helen pointed toward the box.
"So I hope that box remains unopened for another year or two."
Peter nodded immediately.
"Absolutely."
"Preferably two."
"Two sounds great."
"Three wouldn't bother me."
"Three is fantastic."
Helen finally smiled.
"But if the day ever comes when the two of you decide you're ready, I'd rather you be responsible than frightened, embarrassed, or unprepared."
Peter nodded slowly.
"I understand."
Peter looked back down at the box in his hands.
"So... what am I supposed to do with these?"
"That's your problem."
Peter stared at her.
"You just gave them to me!"
"And now they're yours."
"Where am I supposed to put them?! Aunt May does my laundry!"
Helen finally broke.
She started laughing.
Peter dropped his forehead against the kitchen table.
"This is the worst morning of my life."
"I somehow doubt that."
"You have no idea."
Just then, the sound of the shower stopped.
A few minutes later, Gwen finally emerged from her room completely ready for work. Her blonde hair was still slightly damp from her shower, and she had her bag hanging over one shoulder as she checked that she had everything she needed. Peter immediately stood from the couch when he saw her, grateful that whatever private conversation Helen had planned with Gwen would apparently have to wait until later.
"Ready?" Peter asked.
"Yep." Gwen slipped her hand into his. "Let's go."
Gwen called goodbye to her mother before the two of them stepped into the hallway and headed toward the elevator. Helen watched them leave with an amused smile before closing the apartment door behind them. Peter pressed the button for the ground floor, and the moment the elevator doors slid shut, he released a dramatic breath.
"I survived."
Gwen raised an eyebrow. "Survived what?"
"Your mother."
"Peter, my mom loves you."
"Your mother terrifies me."
Gwen laughed and wrapped both arms around one of his. "She's not that scary."
"You weren't the one being interrogated."
"What did she ask you?"
Peter immediately looked away.
"Nothing."
"Peter."
"Absolutely nothing."
Gwen narrowed her eyes suspiciously, but before she could continue questioning him, Peter leaned over and kissed her. Gwen immediately forgot whatever she'd been about to ask, smiling against his lips before kissing him back. When they separated, Peter rested his forehead lightly against hers while Gwen kept her arms wrapped around his neck.
"You're distracting me," Gwen whispered.
"Is it working?"
"Maybe."
Peter kissed her again.
The elevator stopped at another floor.
Ding.
The doors opened to reveal an elderly man waiting outside.
Peter and Gwen immediately separated.
The man looked at Peter.
Then Gwen.
Then their still-intertwined hands.
He stepped inside without saying anything.
Peter stared straight ahead.
Gwen bit her lip to keep from laughing.
The doors closed.
There was an painfully awkward silence for the remainder of the ride.
When they finally reached the lobby, Peter and Gwen practically escaped from the elevator before bursting into laughter the moment they made it outside. Peter immediately took Gwen's hand again as they started walking down the sidewalk, occasionally bumping shoulders while Gwen leaned against him.
"So," Peter said, swinging their joined hands between them, "I'm picking you up after work."
Gwen looked up at him. "Are you asking or telling me?"
"Telling."
"Oh, very confident."
"I've got an entire day with absolutely nothing to do now that a certain blonde has temporarily banned me from my extracurricular activities."
Gwen smiled knowingly.
"Poor baby."
"Exactly. So I'll pick you up when you're finished, we'll grab something to eat, and then maybe catch a movie."
Gwen's smile widened.
"A proper date?"
"Absolutely."
"What movie?"
"No idea."
"Food?"
"Also no idea."
Gwen laughed. "You've really planned this out."
"I've got several hours."
Peter leaned down and kissed her forehead.
"Besides, I don't really care what we do. I just want to spend some time with you."
Gwen immediately gave him a pointed look.
"That would be nice."
Peter squeezed her hand.
Almost on cue, the distant wail of sirens began growing louder.
Peter's head instinctively turned toward the sound.
Three NYPD cruisers suddenly came racing through the intersection ahead of them, lights flashing and sirens screaming as they sped past. Pedestrians moved toward the sidewalk while several people stopped to watch the police vehicles disappear around the next corner.
Peter stopped walking.
His eyes followed them.
Gwen noticed immediately.
She gently tightened her grip around his hand.
"Peter."
"I know."
Another police cruiser raced past.
Peter's eyes followed that one too.
Gwen stepped in front of him, forcing Peter to look at her instead of the disappearing police cars.
"You promised."
"I know."
Peter glanced toward the intersection again.
Peter forced his attention away from the distant police sirens and continued walking beside Gwen, though his eyes occasionally drifted toward the surrounding streets. Every instinct he'd developed during his short month and a half as Spider-Man was telling him to find out where those cruisers were going. Still, he'd made Gwen a promise, and if he couldn't even make it through the first morning without breaking it, then the entire week would be pointless.
A few blocks later, they passed an electronics store with an entire wall of televisions displayed behind the front window. Nearly every screen was tuned to the same morning news broadcast, and the sight of Spider-Man's red-and-blue costume immediately caught Peter's attention. He stopped without even realizing it, causing Gwen to take another step before their intertwined hands pulled her gently backward.
Peter stared through the glass.
Footage from the previous night's fight played across dozens of screens at once. Shaky cellphone videos showed Spider-Man dodging swords and shuriken while fighting the black-clad assassins. Another clip showed him crashing violently onto the hood of George's police cruiser before immediately getting back into the fight. Whoever had filmed it had been standing far enough away that Peter's injuries weren't completely visible, but the brutality of the fight certainly was.
Then came the footage Peter knew Gwen didn't want to see again.
The sword went through him.
Gwen's fingers immediately tightened around his hand.
Peter glanced toward her.
She didn't say anything.
Neither did he.
The broadcast switched to the news anchor sitting behind a desk while footage of the aftermath appeared beside her. Police officers could be seen surrounding the massive bundle of webbing Peter had used to restrain the assassins, while another camera showed investigators examining broken swords and throwing stars scattered throughout the street.
"Questions continue to surround last night's violent attack on New York's mysterious Spider-Man. Authorities have not identified the masked assailants or determined why they specifically targeted new York's hero ."
Peter's expression hardened slightly.
Another clip showed him swinging away from the scene after the fight.
"Spider-Man suffered what appeared to be a potentially life-threatening stab wound before disappearing from the area. Since then, there have been no confirmed sightings of the masked hero."
The broadcast returned to the anchor.
"With the severity of those injuries, many New Yorkers are asking the same question this morning: did Spider-Man survive the attack, or has New York lost its first superhero only weeks after his sudden appearance?"
Peter stared at the television.
Lost its first hero.
That sounded strange.
He had never really thought about himself that way.
Spider-Man was just something he'd started doing because he had powers and could help people. He hadn't expected New Yorkers to become attached to him, especially after only a month and a half.
Gwen gently tugged his hand.
"Come on."
Peter looked at her.
"We're going to be late."
He glanced toward the televisions one last time.
"Yeah."
They continued walking.
A short while later, they finally reached the building where Gwen was completing her internship. Peter walked her all the way to the entrance before she turned around and wrapped her arms loosely around his neck.
"So," Gwen said, "you're actually going home?"
Peter smiled.
"Yes."
"No secretly changing into Spider-Man?"
"No."
"No following police sirens?"
Peter hesitated just long enough for Gwen to narrow her eyes.
"...No."
"Peter."
"I promise!"
Gwen smiled.
"Good."
Peter leaned down and kissed her goodbye before resting his forehead against hers for a moment.
"I'll see you tonight."
"You better."
"I'll be here when you finish."
Gwen smiled and kissed him once more.
"Can't wait."
Peter released her before taking a few steps backward.
"Oh! Tell Max I said hi."
"I will."
"Bye, beautiful."
Gwen shook her head with a smile before disappearing through the entrance.
Peter remained outside for another moment, watching until she was gone before turning around and beginning the walk home. Normally, this would have been the point where he found an alley, changed into his suit, and spent the next several hours swinging around Manhattan.
Instead...
He walked.
It felt incredibly slow.
By the time Peter finally returned home, MJ was already gone. The clothes she'd left scattered around earlier had disappeared along with her bag, meaning she had probably met up with her friends as planned. The house wasn't empty, though. Peter found Aunt May in the kitchen getting ready to leave for her shift at FEAST, gathering her purse and several folders from the counter.
"Hey, May."
May turned around.
"There you are. I was wondering where you disappeared to."
"I walked Gwen to work."
May smiled knowingly.
"Of course you did."
Peter opened the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of water.
May slipped her bag over her shoulder.
"I'm heading to FEAST. I probably won't be back until this evening."
"Alright."
Peter leaned over and gave his aunt a quick hug.
"Have a good day."
May smiled and kissed his cheek.
"You too, sweetheart."
As she headed toward the door, Peter suddenly remembered his plans.
"Oh, and May?"
She turned.
"I won't be home for dinner."
May raised an eyebrow.
"I'm taking Gwen out tonight. We're grabbing something to eat and probably seeing a movie."
A knowing smile immediately appeared on May's face.
"A date?"
Peter smiled.
"Yeah."
"Well, have fun."
"I will."
"And don't stay out too late."
Peter laughed.
"Yes, May."
She opened the door before glancing back at him.
"Tell Gwen I said hello."
"I will."
The door closed behind her.
Peter was alone.
He stood in the kitchen for several seconds.
Then looked around the completely silent house.
With absolutely nothing to do, Peter spent the rest of the afternoon trying to keep himself occupied.
He flipped through nearly every channel on television before eventually settling on an old science documentary. It lasted all of fifteen minutes before he found himself absentmindedly looking out the living room window every time he heard a siren in the distance. More than once he instinctively started to stand, only to remember the promise he had made to Gwen.
After turning the television off, Peter wandered around the house for a while before grabbing one of his science textbooks. He managed to read exactly three pages before realizing he had reread the same paragraph four different times without actually absorbing a single word.
"This is torture."
With nothing else to occupy his mind, Peter eventually stretched out across the couch.
"I'll just close my eyes for five minutes..."
Five minutes quickly turned into a deep nap.
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
Peter's eyes flew open.
"What?!"
Still half asleep, he reached around blindly until he found his phone sitting on the coffee table. He silenced the alarm before looking at the screen.
5:02 PM
Peter immediately sat bolt upright.
"Oh, crap!"
He only had about an hour before Gwen finished work.
Throwing the blanket aside, Peter hurried down stairs two steps at a time before quickly pulling on a clean pair of jeans, a dark blue T-shirt, and his favorite hoodie. His wounds from the previous night had already completely healed thanks to his accelerated healing, leaving behind nothing more than faint pink marks where the injuries had been. If anyone looked at him now, they would never believe he'd been stabbed completely through the torso less than twenty-four hours earlier.
Peter quickly ran a hand through his messy hair before grabbing his wallet, phone, and keys.
As he locked the front door behind him, he pulled out his phone and sent Gwen a quick message.
On my way to Oscorp now. See you soon, beautiful. 😊❤️
He slipped his phone back into his pocket and started walking.
Normally he would have been there in only a few minutes by swinging across the city.
Instead...
He took the subway.
The ride felt painfully slow compared to traveling as Spider-Man. Peter found himself unconsciously glancing out the train windows every few moments, almost wishing he could shoot a web and launch himself across the skyline.
"One week," he reminded himself quietly.
Eventually the train arrived, and after another short walk Peter finally found himself standing in front of the massive Oscorp headquarters. The sleek glass skyscraper towered above him, reflecting the orange glow of the late afternoon sun.
Peter looked around.
Employees were beginning to leave for the day, chatting with coworkers as they walked down the front steps.
No Gwen.
He checked the time.
"Guess she's still finishing up."
Rather than waiting inside and potentially getting in everyone's way, Peter climbed the wide stone staircase leading to the front entrance and sat down near the top. Resting his elbows on his knees, he watched people come and go while absentmindedly bouncing one foot.
After a minute, he pulled out his phone again.
I'm here. Waiting outside whenever you're done. No rush. ❤️
He hit send before slipping his phone back into his pocket.