The chill atmosphere at Peter's place couldn't compete with the excitement he and Harry were anticipating. Just them two, their girls, and a whole lot of dancing the night away at school. Peter had no doubt the girls were getting prepped and ready for the night so passionately that they would look stunning by the time they came over. If they were raising their standards for how they looked, Peter therefore made sure that he and Harry did the same.
First and foremost, they tried on their tuxes. Harry went first by going into Peter's bathroom and applying his. While he did this, Peter sat on his bed and twiddled his thumbs, anticipating the moment. Harry later strolled back into the room to present himself in his specially dry cleaned gray tux with a maroon bow tie.
"So what's the verdict on my look?" Harry asked slyly.
"Handsome as ever, man!" Peter exclaimed, giving a thumbs up.
"Well, for one, thanks! And, dude…"
"Yeah?"
"Are guys even allowed to call each other handsome and not come off like they're attracted to one another?" Harry asked concerningly.
"It's okay to use that word to describe another guy, Harr," Peter reassured. "It's like when girls call each other 'pretty' - usually there's no attraction. I mean, surely right now our girls must be saying that to one another, am I right?"
"Yeah, that's alright, I guess," Harry affirmed. "I just wonder sometimes if I'm giving the wrong impression. I am into girls after all."
"Not to worry, man. You don't strike me as someone who's into guys."
"Thanks, Pete," Harry uttered. "Say, mind if I ask you something?"
"Lay it on me, man!"
"What's the story between you and Gwen? Think you're ready to tell me yet?"
"W-well, I-" Peter stopped himself, attempting to formulate his words. "Gwen and I are so close that I think we're probably gonna kiss tonight. I mean we're not, like, official or anything, it's just… I like her and she really likes me. We're just taking things one step at a time."
"I knew it! You two totally seemed like you were falling for one another. And how cool that MJ and I have been getting closer."
"I'll be honest, I've been kinda jealous seeing how tight you two are this year. Maybe if Gwen and I get any closer, our PDA would totally kill yours!"
"This ain't no competition, dude. We're just four friends finding relationships amongst each other."
"I'm just yanking ya, Harr! It's what friends do, right?"
"Totally, man! And as your best friend, I suggest you use the bathroom to get dressed now. The girls could be here any minute!"
"Got it! Banter can wait until later," said Peter, grabbing his uncle's tux.
Strolling to the bathroom, Peter spent the next few minutes undressing and trying on his tux as he checked himself out in the mirror. He couldn't help, but admire how handsome he was and that he was fortunate to be going with Gwen. After the night winds slightly ruined his hairdo, he put extra gel in it for good measure in order to ensure he was presentable for his date. Giving himself a pat on the back, he pointed to himself in the mirror and smiled slyly, happy he could find such a tux for absolutely nothing at all.
Upon exiting the bathroom, Peter strutted into his room like a male model and posed dramatically for Harry to wow at.
"Looking sharp, Pete!" he said excitedly. "You really went all out, didn't you?"
"I figured I should," Peter replied. "After all, homecoming only comes once a year. Plus, it's my first time going after only two years. I should look good for it!"
"Gwen will be one lucky lady!" Harry noted.
Just then, the doorbell chimed throughout the house, alerting the young men to their arriving ladies.
"Oh, that's probably them! Better quick throw my shoes on; wait for me!" Peter demanded.
In the few seconds it took for Peter to insert his feet into his shoes, Harry waited until they heard an unmistakable announcement from downstairs.
"Boys, your ladies are on the porch waiting for you," Aunt May called out. "My, what lovely dresses!"
Wishing to see what she was talking about, Peter adjusted his bow tie, walking casually down the stairs behind Harry. As they neared the door, Aunt May walked elsewhere to grab the camera. Harry then opened the door in front of Peter to the sight of MJ in her stunning, black hoco dress with a red sash, her hair curled to perfection.
"MJ!" Harry exclaimed, reaching out to embrace her. "Boy, you look great!"
"Thanks, Harr-bear!" she said, returning his embrace. "Peter, there's someone here to see you."
Peter barely noticed MJ calling him by his real name when she and Harry stepped aside to present the attraction of the night: Gwen Stacy. Peter observed her strolling up, purse in hand, donning her most perfect look he had seen to date. Her body was fashioned in the perfect sky blue dress, which complimented her eyes perfectly and her hair was brushed to perfection. Seeing this, Peter's eyes widened as he was almost too stunned for words - and quite frankly turned on by her appearance.
"Hey, Pete," she squeaked, waving and perking her shoulders.
He blinked, snapping himself out of mental and sexual paralysis.
"Gwen… Wow! You're so beautiful, you're… Like an angel!" Peter said, tumbling over his words.
"Thanks!" she said, strolling up the porch steps. She reached to hug Peter.
Peter stepped outside and the two met on the porch. He returned her embrace and took in briefly the soft feel of her dress fabric against his clammy hands. There was absolutely no denying the magic of her appearing like this.
"Oh, you all look so elegant and ready to dance," Aunt May said from behind them. "Here, let me take some pictures for keepsakes!"
"Sure thing, Mrs. Parker," Harry approved. "Lay it on us!"
Pulling apart, Gwen and Peter stepped off the porch with Aunt May as Harry and MJ stayed on top, posing next to each other for the pictures. From what Peter could notice, MJ was taller than Harry in her five inch heels.
"Say, are you taller than me or am I hunched over?" Harry asked MJ humorously.
"Oh, I didn't realize my heels would make me taller than you," MJ noted worriedly. "Should I have asked you what length I should get?"
"Not to worry," Harry reassured. "I feel tall next to Pete all the time."
"Hey, come on, I'm not that short!" Peter retorted.
"It's alright, man, I'm just yanking," Harry replied jokingly, returning the comment Peter made earlier back to him.
Aunt May readied the flash to the on position as Harry and MJ stood next to each other, MJ holding his arm while he stood there poised, happy to have a date for a change. The couple managed to keep their eyes open while the flash went off, captivating their silhouettes against the Parker residence door the moment Aunt May snapped the picture.
"Oh, wonderful!" Aunt May exclaimed. "Mary Jane, did I ever mention what a doll you are in that dress?"
"Glad you like it," MJ remarked. "Aunt Anna helped me pick it out since you and I both know what a great sense of fashion she has."
"Oh, she always did choose well, especially in adopting you," Aunt May noted, barely noticing the sullen look on MJ's face. Ignoring her previous statement, May continued on with the festivities. "Peter, Gwen, your turn."
Peter and Gwen followed, stepping up to the porch while their friends stepped down. Neither could contain the excitement of going together that they were already smiling before Aunt May told them to.
"Alright then, now try to look like you're really enjoying each other's company," Aunt May said somewhat jokingly.
"Aunt May, you know we already do!" Peter spat.
"Just kidding! Here, Gwen, put your hand on Peter's chest and lean against him. Peter put your arm around her."
Gwen and Peter did as Aunt May prompted, posing as the romantic couple they were already developing into.
"Say: homecoming!" Aunt May suggested.
"Homecoming!" Peter and Gwen shouted simultaneously through clenched teeth.
The flash caught their poses, sealing the memory into Aunt May's digital library to be put into the computer and printed later. Peter stood surprised at himself, amazed that he did not blink mostly due to Spider Sense alerting him to the camera before it flashed. Gwen on the other hand…
"I think I blinked on that one," she noted.
"Don't worry, we can take another," Peter promised. "Uh, Aunt May, let's have you take another one!"
Aunt May did as Peter suggested, Peter barely noticing that Gwen really held her eyelids open that round.
"Perfect! That'll go in my digital library," Aunt May insisted. "Now run along now! The dance won't last forever!"
"Sounds good, Aunt May!" Peter returned. "And you're actually okay with me staying out past ten for a change?"
"For one night only! I trust Harry will be a great chauffeur and get you home safe. Have a great time!"
"Alright then. See you tomorrow!"
Peter and Gwen stepped off the porch, elbows linked as they strolled to Harry's convertible parked in front of Peter's house. He opened the door for her, waving his hand elegantly and allowing her to sneak through to her side of the car and sit. Meanwhile, Harry got the party started up front, MJ sitting on the passenger's side of Peter's best friend's ride - just so long as there were no scrubs involved.
Once Harry pulled ahead and set a course for Midtown Manhattan High, he requested MJ to take out his latest mix CD from the glove compartment.
"Hey, guys! Here's a little something I put together for the occasion!" Harry announced encouragingly.
Upon MJ inserting the CD into the player, Peter instantly recognized the opening drum beat and synths as none other than that of his current ringtone: "Take On Me" by a-ha. He and Gwen exchanged looks, excited that Harry would put this on of all things. Peter started grooving by snapping away to the music without a care in the world. As the main vocals by Morten Harkett kicked in, he couldn't help, but try to sing along in a high-pitched, somewhat mocking singing voice as he could conjure. Gwen couldn't help, but giggle as a result.
"I'll admit, I'm not the best singer, but this song is still very much kickass!" Peter exclaimed.
"I mean… Yeah!" Gwen hesitated. "I may not know the 80s like you do, but I really dig their vibe!"
"I'm all for it, sister," MJ chimed in. "What better than to listen to the music our parents grew up with?"
"Couldn't agree more!" Harry stated.
"Speaking of, how's your dad?" MJ asked.
"My dad…?" he replied, somewhat startled. "I really don't like to talk about it, if that's okay."
"It's fine, Harry. We won't judge you."
From the back seat, Peter noticed Harry looking off into the distance, contemplating whether or not to tell his friends what was going on. This was just like Harry to withhold information especially the other week after Peter overheard him talking to his dad. If he couldn't get it out of him then, maybe he could try again now?
"We're your friends," Peter assured, leaning forward in his seat to talk to Harry. "We promise your secret's safe."
Hearing this, Harry gulped.
"Alright. See, dad's still at it with his indifferent attitude and this year. I'm trying to show that I care, but… Something tells me it's not enough. Like he doesn't appreciate my efforts. He's just been so focused on presenting this new form of tech flight to the military tonight during the dance. Otherwise, he just doesn't seem to care about me or how I'm doing. He seems to care for no one, but himself. I just… I don't know."
"Maybe it's not you, it could just be he's just that busy with things," MJ reassured.
"Right, maybe that's the case, but still…" he turned to Peter. "Pete, what do you think?"
Peter searched for the proper words. He mostly knew how to comfort Harry while he was down, but sometimes, he wasn't sure how to respond. "I'm sorry, Harry," he said, laying a hand on Harry's shoulder. "I definitely feel for ya, but I'm not sure what to say right now. Just know that Aunt May and I will consider that in our prayers if you need it."
Hearing this, Harry smiled to one side. "Thanks, man. I do appreciate your support. I just hope I don't have to deal with this forever."
"You won't, Harr-bear," MJ said. "You'll be just fine."
MJ laid a kiss on Harry's cheek, Harry blushing as he drove through the first green light they got the whole drive. Seeing this, an increasing amount of jealousy burned in Peter's system. By this point, he was almost tired of seeing MJ kiss Harry to a point where he wanted to hurry up and kiss Gwen already. As much as he wanted to lean in and do it at that moment, he realized maybe right then wasn't the time or place for him to do it - he'd rather save it for a special moment at the dance.
After crossing the bridge connecting Queens to Manhattan, Harry made several more turns all while the group continued to jam out to the music. The eighties hype surrounding the night was practically through the roof! Finally, they reached the street upon which sat Midtown Manhattan High, cars lining the parking lot and spilling out onto the roads surrounding the school. Thankfully, they managed to find a good spot close enough to the school for Harry to park so that they wouldn't have to walk such a great distance. Once parked, Harry exited the car first, grabbing MJ lightly by the arm and leading her out. Peter then proceeded to do the same with Gwen.
"Wanna hold hands?" Peter asked, hoping she'd remain open to it.
"Sure!" Gwen instantly agreed.
And, just like that, Peter took her soft lotioned hand and led it behind Harry and MJ who walked together linking arms. Though they weren't official yet, Peter already felt insanely giddy about the thought of holding Gwen's hand just like the night they spent together under the stars at Flash's party. At the very least, at this student gathering, there would be no authority from Flash as to whether or not they could be there. Regardless, Peter knew he was going to have fun and dance the night away with Gwen and their friends.
The amount of students in the vicinity increased the closer they got to the facility. From the front of the courtyard, the music in the gym boomed all the way outside as students strolled their way up the stairs in fancy suits and dresses. The door holders consisted of teachers and police officers watching over the place in case of any trouble. Of all the doors they could have walked through, Peter was most surprised to witness the person holding their door was none other than Gwen's father, Captain John Stacy.
While MJ and Harry just strolled past and said "hi", Peter and Gwen stopped a second to talk to him.
"Hey there, John!" Peter greeted. "What brings you here?"
"Oh, the usual," John started. "The school asked me and a few other officers to watch over the dance for the night and I accepted. Unless I'm needed elsewhere, I'll mostly remain here - just so long as troublemakers like Spider-Man don't show themselves."
Peter paused for a moment, contemplating whether or not to argue with him on whether he truly was a troublemaker. Then again, it didn't matter as long as he wouldn't have to go out and be Spider-Man until after the end of the night.
"I'm sure there won't be trouble tonight, sir," Peter admitted reluctantly. "Gwen and I were just gonna head in and do some good dancing with our friends!"
"Oh, Pete, I guess I forgot to mention he'd be here," Gwen chimed in. "I hope this isn't a problem."
"Not at all, Gwen," Peter admitted. "I'm glad he's here to help us."
"Glad to know I have your support," said John. "Now you two get in there and remember: no freak dancing!"
"We won't, daddy," Gwen affirmed, giving a thumbs up. "Have fun watching out for us!"
The captain sent them on their merry way, Peter and Gwen strolling through the hallways past the students all while noticing a few of them whispering things. Peter almost got nervous, fearing they were spreading gossip about the two of them walking in holding hands. The moment he looked at Gwen smiling, happy as could be, however, he shrugged it off, letting the happiness and freedom of this moment take hold.
Soon as they entered the gym to all the bright colors and lights flashing across the dark room, Peter scanned the place to admire the work that had been put in. Decorations and streamers lined the folded bleachers on either side of the room, balloons lined the floors for everyone to kick around and have fun with, and the disco ball bathed the room in a sea of white light flowing across everyone. Peter could hardly fathom that, of all the people in the school, he contributed so much of what Liz and the committee had set up here. The eighties theme, the retro decorations, and the soundtrack, wow! There was a sense of accomplishment within Peter that he had never felt aside from his winning against the wrestler they pitted him against as Spider-Man.
Secretly using Spider Sense, he tried to get a lock on every student's silhouette and body heat signature to find where Harry and MJ had gone. Amongst the various dancing students, Peter thankfully made out Harry's brown curls and MJ's red locks within close proximity of the big group at the center. Glad for his spider powers helping him this way, Peter signaled Gwen to go join them and they mosied their way past the students on the outer edges of the dancefloor.
Once they reached the vicinity in which their friends were moving and grooving, Gwen and Peter released hands, choosing to create a circle around their friends. They made their presence known to them, doing their best to talk to them over the loud eighties music blaring from the speakers.
"Hey, Harr! Some party, huh?!" Peter shouted.
"Yeah! I'm starting to get my groove on already!" Harry shouted back.
"Eighties music definitely helps with that! And I feel I really picked a good soundtrack too!"
"Tell me about it! This really takes me back!"
"Ya don't say!"
Peter and Harry continued to dance alongside each other whilst the girls got closer to talk amongst themselves.
"What a party!" MJ called out to Gwen. "And a great soundtrack to match!"
"Peter and I contributed a few tracks to the playlist!" Gwen explained. "My parents were certainly helpful in picking a few for me!"
"You definitely sold the eighties theme well, sister! Great job!"
Gwen and MJ high fived and continued to dance with their men when, a few songs later, the song changed to one of Peter's favorites: "Footloose" by Kenny Loggins. Peter couldn't help, but move, groove, and sway to the opening drums and guitar, Harry air guitaring in the meantime. As MJ and Gwen sensed their feet getting tired, they strolled aside to remove their heels before rejoining their men and dancing a lot less restrictively. They took their men's hands and continuously maneuvered in and out while Peter and Harry occasionally spun them around in their pretty dresses. It was such a party on their end that they almost didn't care who showed up.
"Hey, Petey!" Liz called out from behind Peter as Gwen spun away from him.
Peter hardly jumped as he knew from Spider Sense that she was coming. "Oh, hey, Liz! Did you come to say 'hi' and congratulate me for contributing?!" he asked, turning to notice her in her tight, purple, one shoulder minidress.
"I just wanted to say those exact things and tell you what a great help you and Gwen were on the committee - especially in helping us put together the playlist!"
"Oh, it was no problem! We were glad to be a part of it!"
"Keep this up, and I just might have you promoted to leader next year!" she said, squeezing him at the shoulder.
"You know what? I'll see if I wanna be on next year! If not, I'm glad I got to experience it once!"
"I'm glad you liked it!" she exclaimed. "I'd better get back before Flash sees me with you. Have fun dancing!"
And, just like that, Peter watched as Liz rejoined Flash and the football crew plus their ladies - the only ones missing were Kenny Kong and Glory Grant as they were arriving later with the king and queen candidates. Once the song ended a few seconds later, the DJ up front grabbed the mic and shouted into it for everyone's attention.
"How you doing, Midtown High?!" the DJ exclaimed.
Much of the Midtown crowd shouted back enthusiastically, including Peter and Gwen.
"Good?! Well, awesome! Tonight was a very momentous occasion with us winning the homecoming game and appreciating the candidates and all they contribute to the school. Right now, I'm happy to announce the arrival of our homecoming king and queen, Kenny Kong and Glory Grant!"
The crowd cheered as Kenny stomped while Glory strolled lightly through the students and up the aisle they had created for them to approach the DJ. The other candidates followed closely behind him. Peter watched as the gigantic homecoming king (named Kong of all things) waved across the students and received a standing ovation from the crowd. Glory did the same as the crowd cheered for them together.
"We're happy to have you guys here with us tonight," the DJ continued. "Right now, we just wanna say congratulations and keep up your endeavors as you finish out your senior year!"
The crowd resumed cheering as they watched them both take a bow.
"Alright, now for this next dance, we're gonna slow things down a notch into a slow dance. So grab that special someone and let the slow dance take you away!"
Peter perked up upon hearing this announcement coupled with the opening notes of the song "Can't Fight This Feeling" by REO Speedwagon. No longer could he resist not being in close proximity with Gwen and went to reach out his hand to her.
"Wanna dance with me, Gwen?" he asked somewhat nervously.
"Anything to dance with you, Pete!" she replied giddily, taking his hand.
Okay, Pete. Remember your training, he thought to himself, doing his best to recall May's lessons.
Peter pulled her closer, holding her right hand with his left and taking her by the torso, swaying slightly in time with the music. With his improved coordination, he remained careful not to accidentally plant his shoes on her bare feet as she stood an inch or two shorter than him. The opening lines of the song played once the two began talking to one another.
"So how does it feel to be a part of a dance that you helped create?" Peter inquired.
"It's kinda surreal; like, I never thought I'd contribute to something in the school like this. Of course, this wouldn't have been possible without you, so I'm glad you encouraged me to help. Thanks!"
"Any time, Gwen," Peter affirmed. "I honestly don't think I could've done this without ya. Between all the goofing off and productive work we did for Liz, I'd say we made a great team - a fun one for that matter."
"Certainly! Hell, if this is how we'll spend the rest of our high school days making ourselves known in this school, I'm all for it!"
"...Y-you, really mean that?"
"Of course! And who better to spend this kind of time with than you?"
Peter smiled. "I could say the same about you."
Gwen smiled back. "Thanks, Pete. That's very sweet of you."
"You're welcome. If you want some more compliments, I got plenty."
"No need for that. You're all I need right now," she said, laying her head onto his chest.
For the moment the song reached its first instrumental break, Peter took in the soft feeling of her perfect blonde locks against his muscular chest, her breathing syncing up with his. This was the moment he had been waiting for, the moment he knew that Gwen was falling for him more than he ever thought he needed. Nothing could beat the eternal bliss of what he imagined for the near future, whether they kissed or declared the other to be their significant other. For what it was worth, Peter remained glad to have taken this opportunity to spend more time with her. If it meant his life could only get better from here, he ought to just take it all in as he went.
A great tremor then shook everything in sight, causing most, if not all couples to drop to the ground. Peter reasonably interrupted the intimate moment to pull Gwen down to the ground, Gwen screaming as she felt the whole place shake. Whatever was going on, it threatened to pull the place apart at the seams.
What the- Peter thought.
"Stay calm, everyone! Stay calm," the DJ called out on the mic. "Manhattan is not known for earthquakes! Surely, this must be some sort of supervillainous anomaly!"
Realizing what was happening, Peter thought back to the tremor-like instances whenever Shocker or one of his goons fired something that delivered seismic blasts. If this had anything to do with Shocker, surely he must have been on the move and, of course, after his last encounter with him and the Vulture, Peter knew they were still out there.
"What the hell was that?!" Gwen asked frightenedly.
"Stay low until the quakes pass!" an officer announced over the ruckus. Peter turned to notice who it was. It was Captain Stacy.
"Possible 10-80 near 10th and 2nd," a police officer's voice rang on his walkie.
"10-9 officer," Captain Stacy replied.
"Possible 10-80 near 10th and 2nd," the officer repeated. "Source indicates someone flying over and firing tremors down from above."
Vulture and Shocker! Peter thought.
As Peter thought about what to do and what to say, he harkened back to the moments in which he took up the Spider-Man mantle. Though he mainly did the whole thing to make up for Uncle Ben's death, there was one motto he followed to ensure that he did what he ought to: "With great power comes great responsibility."
These were the last, most important words Uncle Ben left him with before he ultimately met his end at the hands of a robber. Ever since then, he vowed never to let anyone else experience an Uncle Ben-level loss in their lives. With this in mind, he decided to use this as the foundation for why he did what he did. In the moment he remembered this, Peter began to rethink taking a few days off and realized how foolish it must have been for him to do so just so he wouldn't have to disappoint his friends or Gwen. Though he at least got some time to be with her for the moment, he decided that, above all else, he needed to accept this loss of time with her and attend to his responsibility.
"Peter?! Peter!" Gwen exclaimed, Peter distracted by his own thoughts.
"Gwen, I'm sorry, but earthquakes really terrify me! I gotta get somewhere before I have a major panic attack!" Peter excused himself on the spot.
"Peter, no!" she screamed as he ran away. Peter barely noticed the frustrated groan she let out prior to leaving her crouched in the fetal position. For what it was worth, figuring out what was going on would be better than letting her and everyone else die because he did nothing.
Thanks again for reading! Leave a review if you enjoyed and comment what you think is going to happen next!