Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story. Everything in here belongs to Marvel. Any OC added will be made known that they are mine. Other than that it belongs to Marvel.

Chapter 15: Why

Peter woke up in a familiar room. With the sun kissing his skin to the pillows under his head. Peter slowly got up and yawned. He got up on his feet and walked out of the room. He got in the elevator and asked Friday to go to the penthouse. When he stepped out of the elevator, Peter heard voices. He jumped up onto the ceiling and slowly crawled closer.

"Do you really think he'll give us a second chance?" He heard Steve's voice.

"Peter's a sweet kid. Show him the right reason, and he'll give you the second chance." He headed Pepper answer, "Now if you excuse me, I have a one year old to take care of."

Peter watched as Pepper left, not seeing Peter. Peter dropped down to the ground, he peeked round the corner to see that Steve was just sitting at the table alone, his back facing Peter. Peter walked up and grabbed a banana. He turned to see that Steve hasn't looked up at him, Peter realizing he was lost in his own thought.

'Trapped in your own mind. The worst trap to fall into.' Peter thought.

Peter pulled out a chair and sat in front of Steve, who finally snapped back to reality. Peter didn't realize the tension in the room until Steve had made eye contact with him. Now he kinda wished that there was someone else in the room. Seriously, what possessed him to walk in here, why didn't he leave when he noticed that Steve didn't acknowledge him.

"Uh… hi?" Steve started awkwardly.

"Hi." Peter was literally drowning in this tension.

"Peter, can I ask you something?" Peter tilted his head to the side before nodding, "Why do you do this?" Steve asked while gesturing to the window that looked over the city.

"I'm assuming you're talking about Spider-Man."

"Yeah." Steve nodded.

"Umm… probably a week or two after the spider bite and my finding out that it mutated my DNA, I really didn't know what to do with this new, uh… power. One night, there was a scream followed by cries, it sounded like a little girl. She was calling for help." Peter took a breath, "Her cries were soon muffled and then it faded. The next morning there was a headline saying a little girl was kidnapped." Peter's eyes were far off but yet was still present, "I could've done something but yet I didn't."

"You were a kid, still are. You were learning, that wasn't your fault."

"No, but I had a moral obligation to do the right thing." Peter made a thoughtful look, "When you could do the things that I can do, but you don't and then the bad things happen… they happen because of you. That's what I told Mr. Stark when he asked me the same question you did." Peter leaned back on his chair, "Sure, it wasn't my fault but I had the power to stop it and with that I feel like it's still on me."

"You know, for a seventeen year old. You seem to have your priorities straight." Steve let out a small chuckle.

"I-uh thanks?" Peter blushed.

"So Queens, what's your plan?"

"If this is about the soul stone and getting Natasha and Gamora back, then my answers stay the same." Peter quickly answers, although he was confused when Steve shook his head.

"I was talking about today. As much as I want Nat to come home, you don't owe us anything. Hell, we barely know each other." Steve smiles sadly, "I want to change that if you'll let me."

Peter was speechless, looking at Steve like he had two heads. Peter then let out a laugh, "First off language. You can't just say H E double hockey sticks Captain. Secondly, I would like that."

For the first time in awhile, Peter let his guard down fully. Steve saw how relaxed the kid became and smiled, knowing it was a sign that he was heading in the right direction.

'I messed up big time with you Tony. I promise I won't do the same with your kid.' Steve promised inside his head.

Peter sighed as he watched the sun slowly set. He was perched on top of a tall building near the tower. He had just finished patrol and was now just sitting there, dangling his feet over the edge. The sunset had created a beautiful ombré of orange, red, yellow, blue, and purple. Although, orange was the dominant colour at the moment. It reminded Peter of the soul stone and how it glowed a bright orange as the pieces fell into place. Peter closed his eyes and sighed once more.

'Peter!' A voice called, 'I choose you Peter. Will you be my Wielder?'

Peter opened his eyes and watched the sunset, noticing how the orange was brighter than before.

'A life for a life, that is our price. Soul Wielder what will you choose?" The voice spoke again.

Peter sensed Tonys, Natashas, Gamoras, and a forth soul. The fourth soul was not as familiar but at the same time Peter sensed that this one was a troubled soul, a soul that sacrificed himself for a different infinity stone.

'Two souls misplaced. Their return for my base. One soul returned as a wish and another soul that needs to be replace.' The voice spoke again.

Peter thought back to when he fixed the stone, wondering if he could fix it fully. He thinks back to the warning Strange gave him, wondering if he really is the right choice to be the wielder. He remembers the price of getting the soul stone. It needs a sacrifice. A sacrifice is it's price.

'Damn, who knew the stones could be so poetic.' Peter chuckled to himself.

Peter looked at the sun, and watched as it slipped past the horizon and out of sight. Closing his eyes and breathing in the cool air, Peter calmed his mind. He opened his eyes and slipped his mask on. Jumping off the building, Peter shot a web, heading straight towards the tower.

Wow! Two chapters in one day! I'm confused on how I got two chapters done. Anyway, I said I had two surprises. The first one was the Christmas special and this is the second one! Yay! Chapter 15 to end 2019. Man, this year has been hectic. I can't wait for 2020! Happy New Years to you, my Mystics!

Anyway Byeee!