Author's note: Took me long? Yes, but like I said I want this story to work. Oh, one thing. I went to see Homecoming and it was good, but not the best I have seen of the wall-crawler, but nice. Putting Mysterio as villain and introducing him from the beginning for every good MCU reader is already rising the red flag from the start (which is not a good idea). If you know the comics, then you know that you must never trust old "fish bowl head". The rest was OK, although it still needs polishing and my favorite villain is still Doc Oc, by far. And of course, the jewel of the crown: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Now THAT's a Spidey movie with the jokes, the style and story line among all the other wonderful details. I have watched it several times and never ceases to amaze me, I'm in for part two! Anyway, let's move on!

Big hug to Chadwick Aaron Boseman, great actor and beautiful soul.

10. The Sun in the Snow

Peter hadn't sleep or didn't remember doing so. He watched the winter sunrise in deep thought, wondering about the course of events that had taken place in the last days. The young man knew that he had to make a decision, but realized he had little choice about it. It had to be him or else… Sigh. Why was everything so confusing? Why would anyone involve a little girl in such business? And returning to the wall-crawler life was still not option to him, but it was his only chance to survive. God! Peter walked to the kitchen, where May was cooking and gave her a kiss in the cheek, making her smile.

"Morning, beautiful" he sat down to the table. The Daily Bugle's front page was that of Daredevil being spotted in several gang fights. Was the blind lawyer taking part in the mob war? Did Daredevil knew something he didn't?

"Morning, Peter" she smiled and brought some pancakes along her usual tea. "It's a beautiful day, isn't it? Even with the snow and the cold. Having you here with me makes it perfect, my boy. Your uncle loved to sit with me in days like this and watch the snowflakes with a cup of hot cocoa. Those were great times, but don't let me ramble on, Peter. I don't want to ruin your day in the lab"

"I wish I could sit with you and do so, May" he sighed sadly. "I wish it was that easy, but it's not. Not anymore"

"You're thinking in that poor girl, aren't you, Peter? Oh, my poor child!" she held his hand tight. "This has been a terrible year, I know, but things will look up. You'll see. All we have to do is let them breathe a little. I understand that you're sad and you want nothing more in your life, but, Peter, I can't stand seeing you like this. You have been gloomy all year long and I know you are smiling for me, but I'm not stupid. I know how it feels, Peter dear, when you lose someone, but that shouldn't keep you cooped up in the lab. MJ is worried about you and so is everybody. You should let them help you, let us give you a hand"

"It was my fault! It's my fault she's gone, Aunt May. How can I forget that? Forgive myself if she will never forgive me for that?"

"Then live with it, Peter. Forgiveness is not just giving an apology, but knowing that we did something wrong and that we're sorry. It's not much but it's a start. I miss Gwen too, but whatever occurred is gone now. It doesn't matter if it was the Green Monster or the Blue Whale, it just happened. And yes, we lost Gwen but you're still here, Peter, and I can't figure myself without you, my son" tears began to well up in May's eyes. The young hero then realized he hadn't thought about how much his aunt have suffered throughout the year because of him, nor the anguish of MJ or Harry. That idea was even more painful than all the others. "When I saw you that day at the funeral, I felt lost, Peter. I didn't have a clue of how to help you and, as the days went by, you became distant. I feared I couldn't reach you. I thought I was going to lose you"

"I'm so sorry, May. I was… so caught up, I…" Peter let out the tears he had been hiding for a whole year. "I have been an idiot! A complete ass! An egoistic good for nothing…" he banged the table and she got up to stand beside him.

"Ssssssh. No, you're not. You were just sad, Peter. You lost someone important, but it's about to time for you to start healing. You're my little man, my good man. You would never harm anyone on purpose" May gave him a hug. "We're together in this, because we're family. You're here now, and that is all I need"

"Me too, Mayday. Me too" he whispered. They remained like that, until the doorbell interrupted them. Someone was at the door. "Who could that be?" Peter got up and opened the door. Much to his surprise, it was a police man. It wasn't the one of the explosion, but his striking red hair was hard to miss. "Uh, good morning, Officer? Can we help you?"

"Maybe. I'm looking for Mr. Peter Parker. I'm Agent Blue. Captain Delson sent me to get him" the man looked up. One of his eyes was golden and the other was slightly red. The old lady regarded her nephew. "Said something about dressing up for the occasion"

"Uh, ok. That's me. Yeah, that's definitely me! Uh… It's ok, May. I will help this officer, don't worry. Just a second, ok?" Peter blinked, completely dumbfounded, before returning with a bag pack filled with his things. Much to the surprise of the boy, when he came back, May had started conversation with the police man and they were both very interested. The stranger was charismatic, no point in arguing.

"So I asked him when had he seen the vigilante, and he said around midnight. I've never seen such an observant fella! Stayed all night watching! I told him so, and he blushed. Up to this day I don't know how had he managed, cuz he was the only guy who wouldn't have joe, not even if his life depended on it" Blue had made May smile. "Can't say the same of my peers, though. I think they love their coffee machine more than their wives! Picture that!" they both laughed. "Now, about what I said earlier, Mss. Parker. You have to tell me how you grew those petunias. My wife has been trying for years!"

"Oh, you like my garden? It's a little hobby I have, nothing else" asked May humbly.

"I want to be like you when I'm your age, Madam" smiled the officer. "It's small but beautiful. You are one modern lady, by Jove!"

"Oh, Peter! We were just talking. Didn't see you there. Mr. Blue here was telling me that he loves the houses of this neighborhood" explained the aunt.

"Queens is one of my favorites. I'm not much in for big cities like this, but this is a nice spot. My wife loves Central Park, but we can't bring ourselves to live in the center. Too busy. We take the boat each day" clarified the policeman. "The museums I adore, but the skyscrapers aren't my cup of tea. Broadway is wonderful, of course, but again. I'm more use to small towns and this area is just like one"

"Not from around here, then?" asked Peter.

"Nay! But I won't deny that New York has its charms. Ready to go to work?" smiled Blue and the boy nodded. "Good. I won't take more of your time, Mss. Parker. I'll borrow your nephew just for a while, I promise, and in one piece. If you ever need anything, here's my card"

"Thank u so much, young man. Take care, Peter. And stay put, you hear?" May said goodbye to her nephew before watching him get in the car, where Kowalski was waiting for them.

"Nice to see you again, kid! So where to?" asked the dark-skinned man.

"Uh, you guys know where Hickory Docks is, right?" Peter had a thought. "I know we should be going to see Mr. Delson, but I want to check something first"

"Let's hit the road, then!" Kowalski drove towards the piers.

XXX

Meanwhile, Elliot was at Hell's Kitchen, knocking on a very special door. When it opened, Foggy Nelson greeted him.

"Good morning, I have an appointment with Mr. Murdock. I'm Captain Elliot Delson, Major Crimes division of the NYPD" he introduced himself, before hearing the taping of a walking stick. "Mr. Murdock, I believe we have a lot to talk about"

"Indeed we do, Mr. Delson" the blind lawyer smiled.

Back in action and following your great advice of putting Mattie in the frying pan!

More real soon!