Gwen and Peter don't find the eight month anniversary of Gwen's accident nearly as dramatic as the news reporters had. In fact, it's really nothing out of the ordinary. Peter goes to school, tutor's Felicia, and comes home. Gwen's spending time with Phillip, so Peter goes to their room, and changes into comfier clothing. He sees his phone light up, and is happy to see Aunt May calling. Life has been so busy, between school, Gwen, and Harry he hasn't seen her in a while.
"Hi Aunt May."
"Hi honey, how are you?"
"I'm great! How are you?"
"Now don't lie to me." Aunt May laughs. "I understand, it's not exactly the most comfortable place for Gwen now."
"But we do miss being around so ofter." Peter says. He knows Gwen feels the same way, deep down. When Gwen had moved in with him and Aunt May their senior year she was genuinely happy there. Of course, at the time, she was miserable living with her mother.
Peter still chuckles at the memory of asking Aunt May if Gwen could stay there for a while.
They were all sitting in the living room, he was holding Gwen's hand. She is terribly uncomfortable. "Aunt May, I don't want to put you at any trouble, but Gwen's been having a really hard time at home, and it would mean a lot to us if she could stay here until things blow over."
"I would help out-" Gwen starts, but is interrupted by Aunt May.
"I swear to God Peter Parker, if you got this girl pregnant I will beat the living daylights out of!" She yells. "I raised you better than this." She slaps him lightly in the back of the head with a newspaper, and Peter chuckles.
"She's not pregnant." He laughs swatting away the newspaper again. "You're not pregnant, right?" He looks to Gwen and she shakes her head.
"Never scare me again like that Peter Parker!"
"You scared yourself Aunt May." He laughs.
...
"Well dinner is at six, like usual. I'll see there!"
"Alright, love you Aunt May!"
"Love you too Peter!"
That night Ms. Stacy makes them dinner, the usual. Howard still doesn't spend much time at the Stacy house, but he manages to make it home that night. Peter supposes that Howard takes the 22nd of every month a little harder than the rest of them. They're all engaging in casual conversation when Howard speaks up. It's so strange for them to hear him speak now.
"Gwen, did you see that news report?" Gwen stops midsentence, and sets down her fork in shock.
"The one on channel four?" She asks.
"Yeah, the really stupid one." He laughs.
"Yeah." She laughs along with him. "I did. A little personal don't you think?"
"I'm famous now." Peter pipes in.
"What do you think our celebrity name will be?"
"Pwen?" Howard suggests. "Gweter?" Gwen and Peter both shake there heads.
"Out of the two given, definitely Pwen, but we should keep looking!" Peter says trying to be serious, but his lips quiver up as her speaks.
Howard continues to be actively involved in the conversation, and Ms. Stacy looks incredibly happy.
Peter and Gwen return to their room after dinner. Gwen goes to take a bath. Peter pulls his laptop from his book bag, and begins to work on a paper. His hand grazes by the second drawer on the right in Gwen's dresser, and craves the feeling of that spandex, but pushes it away. He's almost halfway through the second page when Gwen returns from the bathroom. She has that sleepy look to her that Peter thinks is so cute. Slightly wavy hair, pajama's, and slippers. She shifts from her chair to the bed, and Peter hops up to help her, but she doesn't need his help.
He takes his place back on the bed, laptop in his lap. Gwen scoots next to him, and puts her head on his shoulder. "What are you writing about?"
"It's some stupid history course. It's just the post war boom after World War I."
"That sounds really interesting."
"Eh, it's okay. I'd rather be doing bio work." He says and she chuckles. "Did I tell you I told Aunt May we'd come for dinner tomorrow?"
"No, but it's okay."
"Also, Harry texted while I was in class and wanted to know if I could go out with him tomorrow. Do you think that would be okay?"
"I'm not your boss Peter." She laughs.
"I know, I just don't want you to feel left out." He shrugs.
"I'm a big girl." She says softly. "Go out, have fun. We've had this conversation multiple times."
"You sure?" She nods. "Okay, I'll go."
Peter stays up typing for a little while longer while Gwen flips through tv channels. He begins to speak, but hesitates. She looks at him and nods for him to continue.
"Do you think you'll go back to school in the fall?" He asks, shutting the computer.
"I'm not sure. It just depends."
"Because, you know, it's about time to start filling out paperwork-"
"I said it just depends." She says, sounding slightly angry.
"I just want what's best for you." He rolls over to turn off the lamp, then kisses her softly.
"I know."
That night Peter feels something he can't exactly put his finger on. It's something in the air. They sleep the same as they have for the past three years, perhaps a little closer given the date. But Peter can't push away the feeling that time is limited and he should make the most out of it now. He tries, and he tries to make it go away, but when he can't he just pulls Gwen closer.
...
"So Gwen, how are things?" Aunt May asks, placing a plate in front of her.
"Everything's great!" Gwen smiles.
"That's good! How are your brothers? Simon must be getting big."
"They're all good. Howard's busy with school, Phillip's good." Gwen says, cutting into her spaghetti. "Simon's growing up so quick."
"I bet. After four just gets worse." Aunt May takes a seat. "How's your mother?"
"She's doing good. Work keeps her busy."
"I'm sure, she seems like a very busy woman."
"How are you?" Gwen asks before taking a bite.
"I'm doing very well, I'm off work for the week so that's always nice."
"Any plans to keep you busy?"
"I think me and Allen may go to his beach house this weekend."
"That's so sweet!" Gwen 'awes' at May and Allen's relationship. "Why don't you ever take me to your beach house?" She turns to Peter.
"Yes." Peter rolls his eyes. "We'll fly my private jet down, then we'll ride around on my yacht for a while." Aunt May laughs as Peter, and slaps his arm.
"Is that before or after you buy your new Ferrari? It's it's so embarrassing having to ride around in last years model!"
"You're the worst." Peter says, sarcasm dripping in his voice. "You are actually the worst person I know, you know that right?" Gwen just laughs.
"Be nice Peter!" Aunt May says, still laughing.
"Yeah, be nice Peter." Gwen copies May.
"Why do you like Gwen more than me?" Peter says making wild gestures with his hands. "I'm your nephew!"
"It's because I finished first in our class, and you were second." Gwen teases.
"That's it!" Aunt May agrees.
Peter's alway known Aunt May liked Gwen, but after the first time Gwen moved in they really began to become close. Even more so the second time she moved in. Peter gets a little jealous over the attention Gwen gets, but he's mostly just happy that the two most important women in his life get along so well.
"So, Peter, how's school going?" Aunt May asks, scooping more mashed potatoes on his plate even though he didn't want any more.
"Busy." He shakes his head. "I'm so busy."
"Have you decided on taking summer classes yet?"
"Y'know," He sighs, "This years been hard enough, I think I should take the summer off." He hadn't mentioned this decision to anyone yet, other than briefly saying it to Felicia.
"I think that's a good idea." Gwen says.
"I do too." Aunt May agrees. "You spend too much time stressed out. You should take a vacation this summer! Go out of town for a bit!"
"Yeah, we can take my private jet!" He says sarcastically.
They say goodbye to Aunt May before getting into their cab. May kisses Peter's cheek, and bends down to hug Gwen.
Peter makes sure Gwen makes it to her room safely before grabbing somethings for Harry's.
"Pete?" She calls for him as head heads for the door.
"Yeah?" He turns to her.
"Have fun." But her faces reads 'don't do anything stupid.'
...
"Hey Peter!" Harry says as he opens the door to his oversized apartment. The apartments cleaner since the last time he was over. It's still messy though.
"Hey Harry." He enters setting his things down.
"Do you want to go out, or stay in?"
"I'd feel bad about going out." Peter says, and thinks about leaving Gwen home alone.
"We can stay in, it's cool." Harry flops down on the sofa. "It's a ladies night in." He smirks.
"Are we going to watch Mean Girls?"
"Too far Pete." Harry laughs. "You always take things too far."
...
"No Gwen!" Simon says, his voice is filled with his childish sass. "You're not reading it right!"
"What am I doing wrong?" Gwen asks, looking down at the book she's reading to him.
"Peter does different voices!"
"Well do I look like Peter?" Gwen teases, tickling his stomach, and Simon shrieks in laughter.
"When is Peter coming home?"
"He'll be home tomorrow."
"Can he come home now?" Simon asks, pouting.
"No, he's out with his friend." Gwen says. "Now do you want me to finish or not?"
"Can we play a game?"
"If that's what you want. Or we could watch a movie." Simon debates before deciding a game then movie. He runs to his room to grab his box of Connect Four then runs back to Gwen's room. He begins to construct the pieces of the game when Phillip pokes his head in Gwen's door.
"Gwen?" She looks to him. "When's Mom coming home?"
"I'm not sure." Gwen sighs. "You know how she gets at this time of year."
"Well it's seven o'clock, so I'm making pizza."
"Okay, just make sure you turn the oven off." She says, and he nods.
...
"You want anything to drink?" Harry offers. Peter thinks about accepting, but decides against it.
"No thanks."
"You sure?"
"Yeah, maybe later." Harry pours himself a glass of scotch, and takes a seat next to Peter. They talk about classes, and about some people they had't seen since high school. "Have you talked to your dad again?" He finally asks.
"No. I guess that whole 'I want to get to know you better' thing was a lie."
"I'm sorry." Peter genuinely feels bad for Harry. He doesn't deserve this.
"You know, I actually, I um.." Harry stumbles. "I actually called his office the other day." He looks down sheepishly.
"Really?"
"They said he hasn't been in in a few days, that he's been working on a personal project."
"That's strange." Peter says, wanting to pry for more knowledge, but not wanting to sound suspicious. "Is that all they said?"
"Pretty much, and to just try again until he comes back." They sit in silence, both too lost in their own thoughts. After a few minutes Peter finally asks for that drink.
...
Gwen plays on her computer in her bedroom quietly. Simon has made his way onto the bed, and Gwen doesn't have the heart to tell him she wants to be alone. Gwen and Peter spoil Simon to an unhealthy level, and she knows that. He's asleep on Peters side of the bed, snuggled into the covers. She sits up, playing on her computer. She wonders about what Peter is doing, but doesn't let it linger. She trusts him.
...
Peter takes another sip from his third drink. He looks to his left where Harry is quickly drinking.
"I haven't been high since the last time you came over." He says quietly.
"That's really good Harry, I'm proud." Peter smiles. "Have you drank a lot?"
"Yeah." Harry laughs. "I couldn't be completely sober. Do I look magic?"
"Now that you mention it.."
"Shut up." Harry chuckles.
"How's MJ?" Peter asks, he hasn't heard from, or seen her in about a month. He doesn't necessarily miss her, but he is interested in hearing about her.
"She's really good. She's in a off-Broad run of 'The Importance of Being Earnest' and she's already signed to another off-Broad show when that closes."
"That's really awesome! I've never seen her act before, but I assume she's good."
"Very. You kinda forget who she really is. You should come with me to a show sometime." Harry zones out for a moment. "How are you and Gwen?"
"We're alright." Peter lies down on the bed, feet hanging off the bottom.
"Just alright?"
"I- I dunno. I feel like something's not right, y'know?"
"Has everything been normal?"
"Sort of." He shrugs.
"Like have you guys been talking? Spending time together? Having sex? Do you two even do that?" Harry asks after realizing what he'd asked.
"Have sex?" Peter chuckles.
"Yeah."
"Sometimes." He shrugs.
"Like since the accident?"
"Not often, but yeah." He shrugs again.
"Are things.. Normal? Like, as normal as they can be?"
"I guess so?"
"I read in one of MJ's magazines." Peter starts laughing. "Shut up! I read that couples that don't have a healthy sex life have unhealthy relationships."
"You're ridiculous. No magazine can determine what a healthy relationship is." Peter rolls his eyes.
"I'm just saying."
"Things are fine, in that area. We don't have.. We've had sex twice since the accident." He admits sheepishly. "Gwen's self conscious about her body, and I respect that." Peter says, looking to Harry. "And let me promise you this, sex isn't the reason things are weird between me and Gwen. I understand that's an important part of most people's relationships, it was a big part of ours before the accident, but it's so much more important to communicate, and respect what you're partner wants. If Gwen's not comfortable, I'm not comfortable. We have a healthy relationship, and we've been happy without that part of our relationship."
"You just got so deep Pete." Harry laughs. "Me and MJ aren't happy, not even in the sex area."
"Really?" Peter leans up to look at Harry.
"Yeah." He nods. "I just- we're just both so fucked up, and it's not as romantic as they make it in the movies."
"It's never as romantic as they make it in the movies."
"She's just- she's so hard to compromise with. We're both difficult."
"What do you like about her?" Peter asks.
"She's just- She's interesting, y'know?" Harry squints his eyes. "Every day's something new, and exciting. She's got a crazy life, I've got a crazy life. It's nice being with someone who likes to go out, and do the same things I do."
"Do you see yourself with her for a while?"
"Hell no." Harry laughs.
"Then what's the point?"
"I like being with her now." Harry looks slightly confused. "I'm 20, I'm not looking for a life long commitment."
"You've been with MJ a while to not be looking for any long term commitment." Peter points out.
"I don't know what your plans are with Gwen," Harry starts," I know you'd like to be with her 'forever and ever' but that's unrealistic."
"How so?" Peter smirks.
"You're both 19. You're fucking kids. You don't realize now, but both of you have fucked up little things you do that will drive each other crazy. Some of us are planning for the unavoidable unhappiness." Harry shrugs.
"We know everything about each other."
"Maybe you know vocally, but you have no idea what's going on in her mind-" Peter tries to interrupt, but Harry covers his mouth. "No! Listen to me. You have absolutely no way at all to know how she's feeling."
"Me and Gwen are open with each other." Peter defends his relationship. "At least we know we want to be together for the rest of our lives."
"I like being with her now." Harry defends his reason for being with MJ. "I know you're uncomfortable with it, but it would mean a lot if you and Gwen would try coming out with me and MJ again."
"I don't think that's a good idea." Peter shakes his head.
"Pete, it's been so long since.. y'know." Peter shudders. "She thinks you guys don't like her."
"I don't dislike her.."
"But you don't like her."
"I'm with Gwen, and what I did was wrong. I don't want any connections to it."
"Please Pete, for me."
"Okay. I'll talk to Gwen."
Alright, here is the first chapter for Part II. I'm super excited for what I have planned!
Also, I'm currently revising older chapter, to catch spelling errors and such, and I keep thinking of things I should have added=\ If I created one-shots, like deleted scenes, would anyone be interested in reading them?