Just watched No Way Home. WHY CAN'T ANY VERSION OF PETER BE HAPPY!?
Happiness
One day, Doctor Stephen Strange, former Sorcerer Supreme, was sorting through some old objects in a recently rediscovered secret compartment that had been forgotten about years ago. He wouldn't be sorting it himself, but he still owed Wong a favour, sooooo...
After hours of sorting it through, he only had one last thing to take out of the compartment. A small blue box that was rampant with dust and rot.
The minute he touched it, however, something unexpected happened.
It popped open as quickly and suddenly as a snake would bite, and glowing gold dust sprayed out of it, flying - literally swerving upwards - into his face.
Great he thought, a feeling a dread descending upon him What's this one do? Make me grow wings? Turn me into a frog? Burn my-
Then he stopped thinking.
Rivers of memories, once blocked by dams of a spell, came flooding back through the paths of his mind.
Peter...
Wasting no time whatsoever, Stephen climbed out of the secret compartment and thought of one thing.
Peter Parker.
The stowaway he had met on that ship.
The kid who had come to him, seeking help for him and his friends.
The kid who done the right thing.
The kid who had lost everything.
...
Peter Parker had had a more horrible day than usual.
Jameson had paid less than usual for his pictures, he had stepped in dog poop not once, but twice, and his landlady was gonna kick him out if he didn't come up with the money soon.
He turned on his phone and checked the calendar app. August 9th. On the bright side, it'd be his 18th birthday tomorrow.
Not that there was anyone to celebrate, give him presents, have cake with him...
Man, he missed his life.
Suddenly, he noticed a bright orange light coming from in front of him. Peter looked up, and his jaw dropped.
Doctor Strange was stepping out of a portal into his room.
Wait, why was he-
"I remember." Said Strange, the portal closing behind him.
What?
Strange took a deep breath "Kid, I remember everything. And I can help you get your life back."
Huh?
...
One explanation later, Peter and Strange were sitting down on Peter's bed in silence.
Peter was conflicted. He could have his loved ones back, he could have his life back.
But he couldn't.
He took a deep breath "Thanks for the offer, Sir- uh, I mean Stephen. But I'm gonna have to say no."
Strange sighed, a look of resigned acceptance on his face "Thought you might say that..." He got up, creating another portal that led back to the Sanctum Sanctorum "If you change your mind or want to come over..."
And with that, Strange stepped through and closed the portal.
Leaving Peter to his loneliness.
...
That night, Peter had a dream.
He was back in his and May's home, eating omelettes with May and Tony.
Peter was a Lucid Dreamer, which Meant he usually knew when he was dreaming and could wake up whenever he wanted. Right now, waking up was the last thing on his mind.
"You know..." Said Tony "You really should take up Bleeker Street Magician on his offer..."
"Mr Stark, you know why I can't. It's for their safety."
May sighed, a sad expression on her face "But what about you? What about your happiness?" she put her hand on his "You want to protect people. To do the right thing."
"I can't be selfish. I can't give up their safety for my happiness."
"Wanting to be happy isn't selfish Peter. Even if it was, you are one of the most selfless people I know. There wouldn't be anything wrong with being a little selfish. And this-" She shook her head, laughing "Wanting your life back is perfectly okay."
"May-"
"It's what they'd want, Peter."
Tony smiled "Kid, you gotta think about yourself just as much as others. If you can't be happy, what's the point?"
"But-"
Tony held up a finger "No buts, Underoos. Go to The Addam's House and get the magic memory box." he sighed "Kid... I tried distancing myself from the people I love before. It didn't work, and I hated it. Don't make my mistakes."
Peter woke up crying.
...
MJ yawned as she sorted through the morning post. Bills... complaints... letters...
And a parcel.
A small parcel, about the side of a wedding ring box.
Something was written on it: 'For MJ'.
She looked it over to see a sender's address. None.
Shrugging, she opened it. It was a little blue box with a tiny note glued on it. It read: 'Open me'.
She opened it. A cloud of golden dust shot out, soaring up to her face and dissipating upon contact.
As she blinked as fast as lightning, she thought What the-
Oh.
She remembered.
She remembered the love of her life.
And she was going to yell and him and kiss him. Whichever one came first she had not yet decided.
...
Peter sat on his bed, alternating between jumping off the walls, twiddling his thumbs, tapping his leg and biting his nails.
In case you haven't guessed, he was stressed.
The second he heard a knock on the door, he was there.
Slowly, gingerly, hesitantly, he opened it.
MJ was standing there, and she was crying.
Heck, so was he.
"I remember." She croaked, rushing forward and kissing him.
They stayed like that for a few short seconds.
Then she broke away, and started yelling at him.
"How could you, Pete!? You promised!" she shouted, a tornado of rage and sadness coursing through her body "You-"
"I know." he replied, in a voice as soft as sand "I know, and I'm sorry."
MJ sighed, pinching the brow of her nose "We really need to talk about your martyr complex one of these days."
"I've actually made some progress."
"Peter Parker? Making progress by himself?" She mock-gasped "Inconceivable!"
A laugh, small at first, escaped Peter's mouth, getting louder and louder by the second.
As if it were Contagious, MJ began laughing too.
They collapsed rolling around on the floor, feeling like the children they once were.
MJ smiled "Want me to come round for your birthday tomorrow?"
"Always."
"I'll be there." Smiled MJ, kissing Peter on the cheek.
They laid like that for a minute or so, before MJ spoke again.
"So, who should we spray first?"
"Ned."
"I'll tell him to come over to my house. Tomorrow."
"Why tomorrow?"
"Because we have some catching up to do." She replied, giving him a kiss.
...
I really hope Marvel restores their memories.
Favourite and Review.