Sometimes, to do what's right, we have to give up the things we want most. Even our dreams.
Peter Benjamin Parker hated Spiderman.
Okay, that was a little extreme. He hated when being Spiderman could put his loved ones in danger. It was hard losing Uncle Ben, but Peter only blamed himself for that, not Spidey. Mr. Stacy's untimely end hurt him, and he almost quit being a vigilante entirely. Eddie falling to the Symbiote's madness was most definitely Spiderman's fault, but that was a consequence of using that creature as a suit in the first place. Harry going insane and Gwen's death was too much for him to bear.
It didn't matter that Spidey saved hundreds of people in his two years of action. Didn't matter that the crime rates had dropped, or that because of him, people lived to go home to their families. Spiderman caused the sudden rise of supervillains, brought only pain to his loved ones. Peter lost nearly of the people close to him, and was never around for the ones still around to need his civilian self.
So, swinging over the streets of New York City, Peter was savoring his last moments of his life as the web-slinging vigilante. Almost seventeen years old and already done with the world, he'd just finished his last patrol after putting Doctor Octopus in S.H.I.E.L.D. prisons. He knew they'd been trying to figure out his identity for months; it was a shame he never actually got to work with them. Peter perched on the ledge of a building, admiring city lights from a height few got to see.
The sounds, smells, and glow of the streetlights burned into his memory as Peter took in the movement of the city that somehow loved him. He still remembered how the cranes lined up for him, how people would call out to him and point him towards danger. People leaving gifts in various, questionable places. Him stopping someone about to off themselves on the edge of a building. Sharing food with various, real heroes on rooftops. Teasing Daredevil, flying with Iron Man, arguing with Wolverine, making small talk with Deadpool and Hawkeye, joking with the Hulk and calming him down before the Avengers could get on scene. Getting a pat on the back from Captain America-
Gwen, life drained as she was killed by his own webs.
-after he tied up the last few doombots. Sharing a smile with Black Widow, chatting with Loki, trading stories with Thor, sparring with the Avengers one sunny afternoon, the highlights in Mary Jane's crimson hair, Harry's laughter as-
A deafening snap resounded in his ears.
-his face got covered in pie. Gwen's sweet smile, Aunt May's cooking, Uncle Ben's arm around his shoulders, a distant smile of his father as his mother hugged her son for the last time. Soaring through the air, leaving all doubts on the ground as the spider part of him took control, saving children from danger and getting them to their parents-
"Nothing but a Masked Menace on the streets of New York!"
Peter was knocked out of his train of thought by none other than the triple J himself. A broadcast was playing on a screen on a nearby building. He smiled bitterly. Peter had quit his job there a couple days ago, knowing that Spiderman was leaving soon. At least someone was going to be happy with the spider off the streets. Peter leaped and swung to the final building, using the last of his webbing.
A fire was waiting for him on the roof of an abandoned building, outside of the range of cameras and civilian sight. Peter had emptied his formulas and Spiderman-related documents here earlier. Just a few things left to burn. He took off his useless web-shooters and empty cartridges. Something died inside him as Peter watched the flames consume them. The suit came next. He changed into a hoodie as those turned to ash.
Peter hesitated as he looked at the last of his gear. This was the last item tying him to the people he saved, his hero friends, and Uncle Ben. It was his responsibility to save people...but it was just as important to stay with Aunt May and MJ. Resolve hardening, Peter dropped the mask. The orange flames curled protectively around it, eyes drooping sadly as the lenses melted. He emptied the ashes into some dumpster a couple hours later, when the flames burnt themselves out. Spiderman was gone.
Sacrifice isn't something where you give someone an advantage but still win the game. It's not dramatic, and most times no one is aware of what you gave up. Sacrifice is sitting alone on the sidelines of a sport because there wasn't enough equipment for everyone. The time you didn't talk to your crush because your friend wanted them. It's when you give up your happiness and health for someone else's benefit, and it's a thankless job.
After all, why would they ever need you?
"Aun...Aunt May?"