Author's note: Oh my freaking God, I can't believe how much support this story is getting. I just wanted to take a minute to thank all of you for making this my highest reviewed spider-man story to date.
None of my other Spider-man stories have gained as many reviews, follows, and favorites so quickly. Seriously, give yourselves a round of applause because there's no way I could've done this without all of your love and support. Now then, let's get this show on the road.
p.s. Game of Thrones is coming to IMAX on the 29th for one week only. They're airing the last two episodes of season four ("The Watchers on the wall" and "the children") as well as a five minute sneak preview for season five So naturally, my brother and I are unbelievably ecstatic. We're getting our tickets the next time he comes out.
"And who are you, the proud lord said, that I must bow so low?
Only a cat of a different coat, that's all the truth I know.
In a coat of gold or a coat of red, a lion still has claws,
And mine are long and sharp, my lord, as long and sharp as yours.
And so he spoke, and so he spoke, that Lord of Castamere, But now the rains weep o'er his hall, with no one there to hear.
Yes now the rains weep o'er his hall, and not a soul to hear." Game of Thrones
21 hours erlier...
(Gwen's pov)
Simon and I reach May's house a few hours later. A young red-headed woman answers the door. I recognize the spider-man tattoo or n her right arm. I met her the day I died. I was about to leave for the airport, but I made a stop to say goodbye to Peter.
"If you're here to see Peter, he isn't home yet and his aunt is working at the hospital till 4 in the morning." She said in a friendly tone as she hammered her front porch while reading The Great Gatsby
"Great." I replied
"You must be Gwen." she said "Peter talks about you all the time."
"You're Mary Jane, right?" I asked
"In the flesh." She replied as we shook hands "You can call me MJ though, everybody does."
"Hey, I know this is a little weird, but can I ask you for some relationship advice?" She asked
"Uh...sure." I replied, I was surprised, usually I was the one who asked for relationship advice
"Well, it seems like the only guys I seem to attract always turn out to be total dickheads." She said "If I wanted someone like that, I'd just date my dad." We laughed
"Well, I'm not that good on giving relationship advice, but all I can say is just be yourself. Don't hide behind a shadow of who you really are." I said
"Thanks, that actually helps a lot." She replied
"Anytime." I said "Hey, when Peter gets back, will you give this to him for me?" I asked as I held out a flashdrive
"Yeah, sure." She replied as I got back into my cab
"Oh, and one more peace of advice." I said "Date a nerd."
"Gwen?" She asks as she pulls me in for a hug "Oh my god, it's been so long! How've you been?"
"I...Uh...I'm great." I reply. There are only two possible explanations right now. Either she's an airhead who's been oblivious to everything that's happened over the past four years, or Peter never told her I was dead, or the hidden third option: she's herd so many strange things about the Parker family that she's doing what I've done, just go with it.
"So, who's this?" She asks, referring to Simon, who is almost hiding behind me.
"Oh, this is my little brother, Simon." I reply
She invites us in and shows us toward the living room. "Just wait here, I'll be right back." She says as she walks upstairs. She walks back down with a girl, they talk quietly as the walk toward the door. If I didn't know any better, I'd say they were in a relationship. I think I remember the other girl from school, her name is Liz Allen.
She's a year older than me, she was actually my predecessor as Captain of the Debate Team. She looks to have put on a little weight since high school, not a lot, just a little in the face. Good for her, she was bulimic in school. The two of them lightly peck each other on the cheek before Liz walks out the door.
The two of us spend the next few hours catching up over coffee. May comes back from an 8 hour shift at around 2:30. She is clearly shocked to see me, but she hugs me anyway.
The kitchen looks to have been redone. The room looks to have been extended outward, as well as a Tuscan-style makeover. The rabbit-ears TV has been removed, and is replaced with a newer one.
"Hey, I'm just going to ask, where are your mom and brothers?" May asks
"They...Uh...they were killed on the GW bridge the other night." I reply "I guess you can say that they took my place."
"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that." She says "How are you and Simon holding up?"
"I've been better." I say "I'm worried about Simon though. He hasn't really responded to all of this."
"Just give him some time sweetheart." She says "He's just in shock about everything. Don't worry, he'll be okay, we all handle loss differently."
"Yeah, I'm sure he will." I say
"And forgive my asking, but how are you alive?" She asks
"I honestly don't know." I say "One second I was falling in a clock tower, and the next I'm in Peter's arms."
"Well I'm glad you're back." She says with a smile "Peter hasn't been the same without you."
"So was I, but it feels good to be back." I say
18 hours earlier...
(Peter's pov)
I get to aunt May's house a few hours later. She is preparing sandwiches for everyone when I walk in the door. She's clearly confused about the situation, I haven't even talked to her in almost a week. "Obviously, I owe you an explanation " I whisper once I get close enough to her "Yeah, it's not everyday that you come home from work and see someone that you thought was dead sitting on your couch." She says
"We're in danger." I say "An Oscorp assault team ambushed the three of us at Gwen's apartment and they knew where I live because they shot Gwen with a tracker dart.. I'm sorry for endangering you and MJ, but we had nowhere else..." "Wait a minute, wait a minute..." She interrupts "What were you do at Gwen's apartment and how is she alive?"
"You should sit down, it's kind of a long story." I say
Gwen and I then spend the next few hour stelling her and MJ everything. Or at least, everything that they need to know. As you can probably guess, my identity as Spider-Man is brought up. I look over to Gwen, as a way of asking if this really is an appropriate time to admit it. She smiles, giving me my answer.
"Alright, I guess now is as good a time as any." I say as Gwen wraps her hand around mine. I don't say anything, I just take out my mask and set it on the coffee table in between the four of us.
Aunt May picks up the mask with both hands. She holds it gently as she thinks of something to say. "Why didn't you just tell me at the begining?" She asks "I mean, I wouldn't exactly have liked it, but I wouldn't have tried to stop you."
"You know why." I say as I put the mask back in my pocket "It's the same reason you and uncle Ben never told me the truth about my parents. It would be too dangerous."
"And we're not in danger now?" She asks "I think Oscorp would be hunting us down either way."
I sigh, I know she's right. Keeping her in the dark hasn't exactly helped with this situation; but at the same time, the last person that I was honest with died.
"No offense aunt May, but can honestly say you had no idea?" I ask "I think everyone in this room knows that I'm terrible at lying."
"It's true, he really is." Gwen says, while chuckling awkwardly
"Yeah May." MJ says, while trying to sound neutral "I mean I must've seen him climb through his bedroom window in that suit a hundred times."
"Wait, really?" I ask
"Peter, our bedroom windows were parallel to each other." MJ replies "And that's not the worst thing I've caught you doing. I actually remember this one night when I came home from home from work, I walk into my room and I just happened to look out my window, and saw you and Gwen..."
"WHOA WHOA WHOA, young ears, young ears, people." Gwen says as she covers Simon's ears
"I...I'll be back in a little bit." Aunt May says as she gets up and grabs her purse and car keys and slams the garage door behind her
"Don't worry, she always gets a little cranky whenever she runs out of cigarettes." Mary Jane says
"When did she..." I begin, before being interrupted by MJ "About six months ago. She's cut back a little bit, she used to smoke a carton a day, now she only takes a few puffs and puts it out."
We sit on the couch in silence for the next few minutes. Simon is playing a game on his phone and the TV is on, but no one says anything. Luckily, a knock on the door breaks the silence. I walk over to the door and look through the peep hole. "What do you want, Kraven?" I ask as I open the door
"We need to talk, NOW." He says