A canon-compliant drabble on The Amazing Spider-Man #87.


The author assumed Peter went with the promise, but we don't see that, so we'll assume so because it's Gwen's birthday party, and Peter's late.

Gwen peeks through the blinds, her expression pensive. "I don't understand! This is the one night I was sure Peter would be on time! What could have happened to him?"

Harry and Mary Jane were looking amazing, and the party was thriving.

"He's my ever-lovin' buddy, and all that...! But he'd be late to his own funeral!" Harry acknowledged dryly.

"With a temper like Gwendolyne's, that's just what it might be if he doesn't get here, soon!" Mary Jane replied.


Harry left to talk with George leaving Gwen and Mary Jane alone. "Get with it, Gwendy! No cat's worth getting all uptight about!" Becoming the first real decent conversation Gwen and Mary Jane's had in forever.

"I can't help it, Mary Jane! I've had the feeling for days that something's wrong with Peter!" Gwen explained miserably, playing with her hands.


Mary Jane managed to half-convince Gwen to start having fun, despite Peter not making an appearance yet.

Some live music played, and Gwen danced. 'Well, I can't put a damper on my own party!' Gwen mused to herself, and the party-goers watched Gwen's moves.

"Atta girl, gorgeous! Go, Gwendy, go!" Harry clapped.

Mary Jane watched Gwen danced, beaming. "I liked her better quiet! She was less competition!" The redhead teased.


The party had ended, and Peter still hadn't shown up. Gwen escorted the last of the guests to the door.

"It was a blast, Gwen! But what'll you do for an encore?"

"Nothing! After this, I stop counting birthdays!" Gwen teased.


"Everyone else is gone now, so we might as well... Gwen!" Mary Jane attempted, but Gwen let out a sob, turning away from Harry and Mary Jane. "Aww, turn off the waterworks, honey... He isn't worth it!" M.J continued, trying to cheer Gwen up.

"Forgive me... For acting... like such a child! I... just can't... Help it! " The blonde began.

"Look! In the doorway!" George pointed out, looking stunned.

Gwen, Mary Jane and Harry turned to see Peter standing in the doorway.

"Peter!" Gwen yelled out, stunned.

"In his hand... What's he holding?" Harry asked, eyes wide.

Peter held the object up in his hand, sweating, looking stunned. "I... had to tell you... Can't keep a secret anymore... Spider-Man is finished! His career is ended... Forever! I'm the only one... Who could know that! Because... I'm Spider-Man!"

Harry, Mary Jane George and Gwen gasped, the blonde backed up into her father's arms.

"I'm... Sorry for all the trouble... I may have caused..." Peter began.

Gwen stepped towards him urgently. "Peter! What are you saying? What's happened to you?"

"The boy is ill... feverish! There's something wrong with him!" George replied, keeping Gwen in his arms.

Gwen's worst nightmare had come into fruition, and she was mortified. She had one man she loved in harm's way daily, and now Peter. She let out a sob, tears streaming down her face.

"Easy, Gwen! Easy, my dear..." George attempted.

Peter looked away from them, stunned. "I've... Got to go now..."


Peter left, Harry and Mary Jane following suit, watching him leave, giving George and Gwen a moment alone.

"Dad! Tell me I didn't see it! Tell me I didn't hear it! Tell me it was all a horrible dream! It couldn't have been Peter! Not... my Peter!" Gwen continued, putting her head in her hands and shutting her eyes.

"He wasn't well, Gwen! Perhaps... He didn't know what he was saying!" George tried.


Harry and Mary Jane returned to the room.

"Y'know... I seem to remember hearing about something like this that happened before..." Harry mused aloud, stroking his chin. "It had to do with the time Spider-Man battled against Dr. Octopus! According to the story I heard, Doc Ock caught him and started to unmask his enemy... But now what the heck would make him try it a second time?" Harry asked, perplexed.

"What if... It wasn't an act the first time?" Gwen asked, growing more worried. "What if... He really is Spider-Man?"

"But why the sudden confession?" George asked.

"Wow, Gwendy... you sure can pick 'em! He's either a masked menace- or a psycho case! Take your pick!" Mary Jane interjected.

Gwen buried her face in her hands, sobbing again. "Shut up! No matter what he is... what he's done... don't you dare talk about him like that!"

"Okay, tigress! He's all yours!" M.J conceded.


It was the following night, Harry and Mary Jane swung by to visit Gwen. George left to answer the door, and it was Peter George ushered into the house.

"Peter! You're back!" Gwen beamed, shooting up to her feet.

"This is why I wanted to return, Harry! Visiting the Stacys is like following a movie serial!" Mary Jane teased.

"Listen... When I was here last night... I made a fool of myself..." Peter began, looking exhausted. "I was feverish... Had the flu... Didn't know what I was saying!"

Gwen ran to Peter, baffled by his new confession. "But the costume! You were carrying Spider-Man's costume!"

"He asked me to! I had met him and..." Peter sputtered, beginning to sweat.

"I want to believe you, I do, I do!" Gwen replied, gesturing her hands emphatically.

"Gwen..."

"No matter what any one says..."

"At the window! It's... Spider-Man! ... The real one!" George interjected, staring at the window wide-eyed where Spider-Man poked his head in from the side.

"You just know it, Mister!" Spider-Man crawled in through the window, and the group backed up, George shielding his arms around Gwen.

"No need for anyone to get uptight! I just wanted to thank Parker for bringing me my costume!" The Spider continued.

"Okay! Okay! You promised you'd never barge in on me like this again!" Peter replied sternly.

"Just make sure I get my cut of the dough you rake in taking my pictures, little man!" Spider-Man replied, crawling out the window again, making the author wonder why he entered in the first place.

"Then you and Peter do have a deal! It involves the photos he takes of you!" George replied.

"Sure! He's the best publicity man a web-slinger ever had!" Spider-Man replied dismissively, waving his hand.

Spider-Man crawled away, up the building and George followed after him, watching him leave from the window, awe-struck.


Gwen flung herself into Peter's arms, hugging him tightly.

George pulled his head back inside, glancing towards Peter. "You've had a pretty busy time of it, son! And, after a bad bout with the flu, I'd suggest you get some rest!"

"Oh, Peter... Peter! Having you back again is the greatest birthday present I could ever get!" Gwen interjected enthusiastically.

They pulled back from the hug, and Peter grinned down at her. "Gwendy, honey... I don't know how I ever rated a girl like you! No matter how big a loser I am, I must have done something right!"

Gwen placed her hands on Peter's forehead. "I hate to stop you at a time like this, Man O' Mine, but you're still warm! You'd better get home and get into bed!"

Peter and Gwen retreated from their embrace slowly.

"Wait... I'll give you a lift, Pete!" Harry offered.

"That's okay, Hare! I'd rather walk... Clear my head!" Peter replied softly.

Peter headed out the door, and the gang watched him leave, Gwen smiled, poking her head out from the doorway. "Keep cool, lover! The only time I want you delirious is when I'm around!"


A/N: She called him "lover" again. And stop using this issue as an excuse to why Peter should have lied to her. Ofc she's gonna have a meltdown, her dad's a retired officer. Yes, she's dramatic, because she loves so hard.