May 29th - 2019

Peter took a sip of his coffee while sitting next to the dinner table in the kitchen. Gwen was found sitting in another chair beside him. She wondered what happened the night after he left to meet Harry.

Peter had been quiet since then, besides quickly telling her what Harry had revealed to him, that there was a conspiracy out there to have him killed. He also mentioned something about the black suit.

Gwen took a sip of her coffee and then placed her hand above his left hand. "Would you like to talk about it? You've been avoiding me, honey."

"I just… don't know what to think."

Gwen got off her chair and sat down on Peter's lap. She snaked both arms around his neck and brought him closer to her neckline. "Take your time."

Peter wrapped his arms around her. "It all happened so fast. I thought about… killing him and ending this once and for all. I feel… ashamed of myself."

She caressed the back of his head. "But you didn't, that's what matters. Those types of thoughts… they don't ask for permission to come out."

"Gwen, I felt like ending a life, because of what? A kick?" He added, "Maybe I'm just not fit for it anymore, I'm not who these people think I am."

"Hey, look at me." Gwen gently lifted his chin with her thumb. "... even with all your skills, you're still a human being, we make mistakes and we learn from them. Don't blame yourself for experiencing these… emotions, it's natural, and they won't make you any less of a good man I know you are." She cupped his cheek.

Peter kissed the pulse of her hand and inhaled deeply. "Okay…"

She let out a tiny smile. "And what about Harry? Is he alright?"

"I think so. He wanted to fix things between us."

"Did you accept it?"

Peter shook his head in response. "Of course not. Look at what he's done."

"Peter, I know that deep in here.." Gwen pressed the palm of her hand against his heart. "There's a part of you that wants to forgive him. You've said he had every reason to have a mental breakdown, and yes, some actions are unjustifiable, but maybe he can be forgiven."

"How can you say that after what he has done to you?" He added. "Yes, I failed him when I didn't try harder to find a cure, but he shouldn't have gotten you involved. What if he tries to hurt you again?"

" I don't think that he would reveal those plans just to betray you later. "I just learned that it isn't healthy to live with a grudge against someone." Gwen planted a soft kiss on his forehead. "... and I-I'm willing to forgive him. I need to try."

Peter sighed. "... well' see. I'll think about it." He looked at her eyes. "Thank you for being in my life. I just couldn't do this without you, you know?"

Gwen smiled. "Yes, you could… just not with the same style." She played with the hair in the back of his head. "About the suit..."

Peter moved a hand to her thigh. "What about?"

"Well, you heard what Harry said. It's not helping you with anything."

"He wasn't quite sure. I feel stronger with it, I still need it."

"Are you certain? I don't want you to risk your health any further than you have to."

"It's fine, trust me."

"Okay…" Gwen gave him a tiny peck on the lips and moved off his lap. She headed for their bedroom. "I'm going to take a shower now."

"Sure." He nodded from his seat.

"Sure…?" She raised an eyebrow. "So, you won't be joining me?"

Peter shook his head in response. He raised from the chair and carried the dirty plates along. "I'm going to clean these."

"Okay then…?" Gwen was flabbergasted at his decision. She turned on her shoulder and headed for their bedroom.

Cleaning dishes? I can't believe it… She thought to herself.

Gwen entered the bathroom and looked at herself through the mirror. She stood clad in her lacy underwear as she set the ponytail around her hair. She slid the lace down her shoulders and fully undressed, before sliding open the opaque door to the shower and stepping inside. The warm water soon began making contact with her skin. She moaned slightly in contentment as she closed her eyes. Her blurry figure could be seen through the glass.

Gwen knew that it couldn't be easy for Peter to handle everything that was now being thrown at him, it wasn't easy before. There was always someone after him, someone to take down. She only hoped she would be able to be with her husband for many, many years. There was barely anything she could do to help him, she had no super strength or anything of the sort.

She moved her hand towards the tray set against the wall. She didn't find the soap at first, her hand couldn't touch what she was looking for. Before Gwen could turn her head on her shoulder, she felt a hand slide against the skin of her rib cage and rest on her belly.

Peter placed the soap in her hand. "Were you looking for this?" He whispered in her ear. The hot water hit his skin and relaxed his hardened muscles.

Gwen let out a content moan and smiled. She intentionally returned the soap bottle to the tray and lowered the back of her head against his chest, sighing heavily. His hands wandered across her body. He began planting a trail of kisses down her neck.

"Peter…" Gwen tilted her head to the side. She shivered at his touch. He then moved the trail to the back of her neck and the section in her back below it.

He whispered again, "... you're… gorgeous." She let out another quiet moan.

Peter gently spun Gwen around to face her. He looked deeply into her eyes, assuring her that everything was alright now. Gwen moved her hand behind Peter's neck and pulled him closer for a kiss while she caressed his torso with the other hand. She could feel the scars that were there for many years.

He reciprocated the kiss and allowed his arms to explore the many parts of her body.

The passion began to take control over Gwen, all the conflicting feelings disappeared once again as they continued to deepen the kiss, their tongues slid across. Peter positioned his hands in her thighs and lifted her off the ground and into his arms. She let out another deep moan. She snaked her arms around his neck as she was pressed against the glass by Peter.

The shower would last for quite a while.

Harry's Apartment

Harry heard the knocks on the door and went to check on whoever that could be standing outside. His expression turned into one of surprise once he opened the door. Peter stood in the hallway and in front of Harry.

Peter spotted the bandage placed against Harry's cheek. "Harry."

"Peter? I… what's going on?"

Peter shrugged his shoulders. "I'm just here to talk."

"Oh, okay. Yeah." Harry moved to the side and allowed him free passage.

Peter walked inside the two floors apartment and spotted the destruction from their last encounter. He noticed the bottles of alcohol lying around all over the ground. He sighed heavily, "Well, I wanted to apologize for last night."

"There's no need for that." Harry closed the door and stood behind Peter.

Peter turned on his shoulder to face his former friend. "Things got pretty tense. l let my emotions take control of me."

"You don't have to explain yourself to me." Harry walked past Peter and headed for the kitchen. He grabbed a bottle of water. "Do you want something?"

Peter shook his head in response. He sat on the nearest couch that was still intact. "So, it was you in May's house, right?"

Harry approached the couch and sat down on the other end of it. "Yeah, you are right. Congratulations, by the way."

"Thanks."

They silenced for a moment, Harry was the first to break it again, "I'm truly sorry for what I did to Gwen. I almost took her from you."

"... she's trying to forgive you for that."

Harry was surprised. "Really…?"

Peter nodded. "Yeah, Gwen is kind of an expert on that. She did the same with Connors… she didn't have to."

"I… I don't know what to say."

"Yeah, well… I thought of this a lot, it wasn't easy and because of her, I'm trying to forgive you too." Peter felt at first like closing a traumatic chapter of his life and rekindling an old friendship. "You're still part of my story."

"I… I'm not sure if things can ever be like they were before, no matter how much I want to."

"Honestly… I should have tried harder to help you, a lot was going back then and maybe I should have just… insisted more. Maybe I focused on the wrong stuff at that moment, so I'm sorry about that." Peter cleared his throat. "A lot of things probably would have never happened."

"I didn't make it easy for you." Harry added, "You were still concerned about my condition and I was selfish for not seeing that."

"Yeah… maybe." Peter sighed heavily. "Listen… what you said last night, was it true?"

"Yes. That's what I discovered when I dug deeper into my father's files. I had no idea why he kept you under surveillance for so many years."

Peter rubbed the back of his neck. "Maybe he knew I was the key to their work."

"Perhaps. Most answers died with him." Harry looked to his side again and towards Peter. "How does it… feel being able to do everything that you can?"

"It's liberating, most of the time. It's also a responsibility, it can weigh a lot."

"I can only imagine." Harry smiled and looked up at the open windows. The curtains were being blown inside due to strong wind from spring.

Peter noticed the scars on Harry's neck. "The disease, were you cured?"

"I'm not so sure, probably not. I can still feel a lot of pain from time to time, but I've looked worse before, so there's that." He added, "That serum triggered my immune response and then the transformation, but the armor healed the effects of the venom. It's like I had to suffer quite a bit before my condition stabilized, it's still inside me."

"Maybe I can help. We can work on something."

"Honestly, I don't think there's anything anyone could do. But yeah, we could try."

Peter nodded. "And there are also those people after me, right?"

"There's five of them… six if you include me. Max is there as well."

"Max? I thought… I thought that he was gone after the power plant incident. I couldn't save him."

"And he was, but he slowly recovered himself over the years. Max killed Smithe recently."

Peter sighed and buried his face in his hands. Max was one of the most threatening enemies he had ever faced, alongside Kraven who appeared during his second breakup with Gwen.

He began, "I have to stop them. There's too much firepower out there."

"You already know most of them. Toomes, Quentin, Aleksei a couple more. They are being mostly led by Fiers… he was acquainted with my father. I don't know much about him."

"I knew Quentin was involved, but the rest? Not at all. Quentin is already troubled enough." Peter glanced at the watch on his hand which belonged to his uncle. He checked what time it was. "I need to leave, Harry. I… I appreciate you telling me this."

Peter stood up and was joined by Harry.

Harry spoke, "I'll do my best to help you, Peter. I'm sorry for the things I caused." He opened the door to Peter.

Peter stopped in the hallway and turned on his shoulder so that he could face Harry one last time before he left."I… I see light at the end of this tunnel, and I'm also sorry for everything - I am. I believe in you, Harry, so please... believe in yourself."

Harry nodded and watched Peter take the elevator. He closed the door and leaned his back against it. He sighed heavily. He wished he could disappear for good and not be a burden to anyone else once again.

Harry felt his phone tremble in his pants. He took it in his hand and opened the text from Fiers.

I'm back in the city. Meet me at your father's manor.

Toomes finally opened the chamber that was sent to him in his small warehouse on the outskirts of the city. It was designated for his use. He watched the green armor and its two large wings on each side. There was also a helmet along with one opaque visor.

The chamber opened once he took a step towards it. The locks from the armor were released as the chest section opened, allowing him room to settle himself inside the armor.

The armor adjusted itself over Toomes' rather small body as the helmet parts came from the back of the armor and finally covered his head.

He was good to fly.

New York - Daily Bugle

"How did it go?" Gwen asked. She had been sitting on Peter's lap and now watched him work on his laptop. She also ate the apple she held in her hand. Aside from two or three people, they were mostly alone in the office.

Peter wanted to do some extra time. "It could have gone a lot worse, I think."

"That's good, isn't it?"

"I hope so."

Gwen moved the apple close to Peter's lips and allowed him to take a bite for himself. "Do you trust him?"

Peter sighed. "I don't think I ever will once again. Besides, I'm not looking for that anymore. You're what matters the most to me."

Gwen smiled. "I'm supporting you with whatever you choose."' She moved her hand away from his cheek and rested on his thigh, before squeezing it gently.

"Everything? Always?"

She chuckled. "I'll take that back."

Eddie appeared next to their desk. "Hey, you two." He held a folder under his arm.

"What's up, Eddie?"

"Not a whole lot, just doing some research."

"Do you need help with that?"

He shook his head. "I don't want to bother you with that. It's… rather personal."

"Sure, No problem, just let me know."

Eddie nodded with a grin. "What are you two still doing here?"

Peter rubbed the back of his neck and yawned, exhausted. "You know, some extra pennies are always welcome. I still need to set this new page for the website."

"Always. By the way… Jameson wants to write an article on Spider-Man. He told me to talk to you about the photos taken from the bank assault."

"Sure, I will send them to your email. What's the hit piece called now?"

Eddie quoted the title, "Is Spider-Man responsible for the successful robbery?"

"What?!" Peter almost jumped off the chair were it not for the weight of his wife holding his will back. She felt his muscles turn tense.

"I'm just doing what Jameson wants, you know I have to." He reasoned. "I know you wouldn't like this, but there's nothing I can do."

Peter argued back, "Even if that means being unfair with the guy that saved everyone's lives more than once?!"

Gwen intervened, "Peter… it's not his fault."

"I feel you, Peter. But that's what I'm being paid for." Eddie said, reassuringly. "I can't jeopardize my job."

A cold silence lasted for some seconds as the tension between them started to disappear.

"Okay, fine. Like I said… I'll send the photos to your email."

Eddie nodded, thankfully. "I appreciate it. Take care, okay?" He waved them goodbye and left the floor.

"You did the right thing." Gwen rested head against Peter's neck while he wrapped his arms around her waist.

"No matter what I do for this city, people always want to put me down." He sighed. "Maybe it's better if I just hang the suit for good, then they'll see who needs who."

"That's not true," Gwen stated, softly. "We need you."

"I don't know anymore."

"Trust me." She planted a kiss on his cheek. They watched the last worker leave the floor.

Peter glanced the watch on his pulse and changed subjects. "Do you want to have some dinner?" He closed the screen of the laptop.

Gwen realized they were now alone. "Yes, but you are still too tense."

"There's not much I can do about that, Gwen."

"Maybe I can." She placed her hand on his belt. "Are you up for more overtime?"

Peter tilted his head to the side as he watched Gwen move off his lap and chair, before fully facing him. His sight lowered. "What are you… oh boy."

One hour later...

The couple now ate their pizza while sitting next to each other at the colorful table. Gwen herself didn't eat a lot, so they always asked for the biggest option, mostly to satiate her husband's infinite hunger.

"This is… so good, wow," Peter mumbled as he ate the slice of pepperoni.

"Don't talk while you're eating, Peter. We are not home."

"I'm sorry, your majesty."

Gwen sighed and smiled. "I don't know why I'm still sticking up with you."

"Maybe because I'm handsome… romantic and I know that spot in"

"Okay, Peter. I get it." Gwen blushed.

He chuckled and planted a soft kiss on her rosy cheek. "You're the best," He focused on eating the rest of what was left of his slice of pizza.

They were interrupted by one urgent text from Jameson. Peter picked his phone from his pants and unlocked the screen.

JJ: Parker! There's some stir happening close to Times Square… there's this flying guy in there! Go get me some pictures, NOW! ASAP!

Gwen was concerned as frowned at the screen. "Everything okay?"

He sighed. "Yeah, this… flying lunatic might be causing a mess in Times Square. Jameson wants me there."

"Isn't there someone else that can do that?"

"If Jameson wants me… then I suppose not."

"Okay… " Gwen shrugged and crossed her arms under her breasts. "Be careful, okay?"

Peter kissed her lips one last time. "Let me pay this one." He took his credit card from his wallet and handed it to Gwen.

Gwen wasn't going to use it regardless. She found the idea of him paying all their dinners silly even if he insisted, so she would pay the latest one on her own. She said softly, "Just get back alive and in one piece."

"Don't worry."

An understatement.

Peter landed a gentle kiss on her forehead. He rose from the chair and rushed outside, before entering the closest alley. He ran against a wall and reached for the rooftop where his backpack was webbed against the ventilation shaft so that nobody besides him could grab it. He opened the bag and retrieved the black suit, but as he touched it, the suit instantly slipped itself over his finger and hand, covering his whole body in little to no time.

That's certainly new.

Spider-Man ran towards the edge of the building and leaped into the air as he fired the black webline to swing away.

Harry had gotten himself out of the car to close the large gates that led to the front courtyard of the manor. He then drove the car further into the state and stopped at the main entrance. The land was quite expansive, the manor stood right in the middle of it. The edges of the terrain were covered by tall trees, keeping the area well preserved against intruders and whatnot. His family hadn't been in the manor ever since his mother passed away.

Everything completely fell apart when that happened. She was the glue that kept them all together. And now Fiers wanted him to come back for some reason.

Harry stepped out of the car and approached the large doors. They were already open. Someone was already around, probably Fiers himself.

He moved inside the entrance hall. The room was large and contained many different types of architecture and grand artwork, including paintings, vases, and old candles lining the walls. There was also a large red carpet that covered the main entrance to the hall, as well as the stairs leading to the upper level.

Everything seemed to be mostly in order, aside from a couple of areas that needed a proper scrub.

Harry closed the doors with his feet. "I'm here, Fiers. What do you want?" He stood still, waiting for a response. He sighed heavily. He had come a long way to meet him, yet there was no signal of the man.

"Great… I'm really not in the mood for this." Harry was about to turn on his shoulder were it not for the fact that the ground in the middle of the entrance began moving apart from each other while revealing a rusty stairwell that led deeper below the grounds of the mansion.

He was shocked. "What the hell…?" He approached the hole and later set one foot into the stairwell. The lights on the tight walls on both sides began to flicker until they finally appeared for good. He descended lower and lower until he emerged in the bottom end of the stairwell and into a laboratory, right beneath the mansion.

Harry broke the cold silence, "... right." He scanned the laboratory with his eyes. There were a couple of empty human-sized pods. In the middle of the laboratory, the biggest one was still filled with what looked to be water. Harry couldn't see what was inside.

Fiers spoke from the shadows. "You know, those weapons… special projects, it wasn't ever meant to be the sole purpose of killing Spider-Man."

Harry looked around. He remained composed. Fiers always had a thing for theatrics. "Yes, Norman had contacts with the military, I'm aware of that."

"That's not the whole truth." Fiers paused. "Oscorp was created with the sole reason to try and cure the disease that has long cursed your family. Thing is, Oscorp was failing in the first couple of years, it wasn't getting anywhere… it needed a benefactor."

"I guess that's where you come into play. You've met Norman."

"Something like that."

"Why did you get involved, though?"

"There was one promise, a promise that could change everything. Richard Parker joined Oscorp, accompanied by Curt Connors, and together with your father, they decided to finally go forward with one of the most ambitious researches that humanity has ever aimed for. But your father died, and that meant trouble."

Harry guessed, "Cross-species genetics." He looked at the slightly older computers at the other end of the room. There were a couple of images being played, some of them showing the members of the group assembled by Harry.

He approached the screens.

Fiers continued, "You are right, Harry. The next step for mankind, no more humans wasting space and incapable of having any real impact on anyone or anything else… save for providing raw materials or cannon fodder to people like us, well - maybe except for you, I'm sure you understand."

Harry scoffed. "You remind me of someone." A couple of images of Peter and Gwen began showing up.

"Here's the thing… I was the benefactor, but my only condition was that in exchange for his life, every single biological weapon would be handed to me. As desperate as he was, your father accepted my offer in a heartbeat."

Harry sighed. "Peter. That's why you want him."

"Him and the symbiote, yes. I need them both to be stronger."

"What's next then? What do you want with him?"

"You wanted to change the world, didn't you? You wanted his blood, you wanted to cure yourself and then cure the world, that was your dream. It wasn't all about you, yet you ran out of time, but life is all about leaving something behind, isn't it?"

Harry slammed his fists at the keyboards. "Talk some sense, Fiers!"

"The perfect human specimen, we'll first start there. And then we'll have more of him, X or Y… it won't matter, made by my own hand, in my own image."

Harry was flabbergasted. "Are you talking about… clones?" The screens showed many other empty pods from another area. They were ready to be used.

"You're getting there, Harry. But one of the best parts is that I still need to keep another part of my bargain with your father. You were always meant to complete Norman's work, we'll cure your disease, you will bring him back." Fiers appeared behind Harry and stuck an injection on his neck, inserting the green substance into his veins.

Harry fell to the ground and moved his hand to his neck. He gasped in pain.

Fiers looked down at him, "That's your destiny, always have been."

New York

"Come on guys! I thought we would turn the best of friends." Spider-Man leaped off the police car and avoided the seismic blast that came from Herman. The car was covered by flames.

"Shut up! Herman shouted from the front of the bank truck he had ambushed with Toomes' help.

Spider-Man held himself against a wall and looked at the street. "Look, I already know that you are here to kill me and all that stuff, I do." He evaded another blast by jumping towards the nearest pole. "But I think that we should sit down and talk about our feelings."

His sixth sense triggered in his head. He looked over his shoulder and spotted Toomes flying straight in his direction with the sharp knives from his armor's wrist pointed at his throat.

"Die…!" Toomes almost landed a stab on Spider-Man, but the latter had the advantage reflexes-wise and calmly spun on his feet, allowing Toomes to almost pass by him without landing a proper hit.

Spider-Man quickly grabbed him by the leg and joined him in the air.

Toomes scolded, "You're getting on my nerves!"

"I know you love it, honey-" Spider-Man gasped in pain once Toomes began to drag him against the windows of the building he was flying against. The sharp glass ripped bits of his black suit as a line of shattered glasses was formed in the building.

Herman watched the whole event from his position. He grunted and began to grab what was left of the money bags and throw them down the manhole that led to the sewers. He was careful enough to not step on the cops that were hurting on the ground.

Spider-Man finally let go of Toomes and set foot against the building. He shot two web lines at both of Toomes' wings and pulled him back in his direction. Toomes struggled, trying to fight Spider-Man's strength back.

Spider-Man released himself from the wall and got impulsed towards Toomes. He raised his feet towards Toomes and hit him in the helmet, shattering the glass in it. As Spider-Man flew past Toomes, he managed to hold on to the latter and sit on his back.

Spider-Man repeatedly punched the armor's back, destroying some of its inside components, putting the wings to no use. He jumped off Toomes and had him land on the ground near Herman.

"We need to go!" Herman shouted as he moved more bags down the hole.

Toomes slowly regained his consciousness. He saw Spider-Man swing towards them just before an electric bolt coming from the side of the hero landed on his ribcage, before sending him flying through a window and inside the building.

Toomes smiled. "... cavalry's here."

Herman looked up to the sky and saw Max materialize himself in the air. "That's our help, come on." He helped Toomes get back on his feet as the wings of the armor retracted to avoid getting stuck as they climbed down the ladders. +

Spider-Man groaned in pain and moved aside the parts of the desks and chairs on top of him. He stood on his feet once again and stretched his shoulders, before walking over to the opening in the window he came from.

Max appeared in the air outside, facing the building Spider-Man was in. "My old friend, Spider-Man. You seem quiet lately. Won't you crack another joke?"

More police cars entered the street. A helicopter threw its light on Spider-Man.

Max spoke, "We shall meet again," He shot an electric bolt towards the helicopter's propeller, making it spin in the air. Max disappeared.

Spider-Man shot a considerable amount of weblines at the helicopter and held it from his position. The helicopter collided against the front of the building but stood still. After making sure the webbing was strong enough, he retrieved the pilots from the helicopter and lowered them on the ground with his webs.

He later realized they had escaped.

"I need you to see this, Harry." Fiers helped Harry walk towards the main chamber. "This is just a taste of what's to come."

Harry coughed blood. "What did you do to me…?" He felt his muscles being torn from the inside. Traces of green marks began spreading all over him.

Fiers settled him on the ground in front of the chamber. He pressed a button on the panel of the chamber as the water began to leave the chamber. A humanoid figure began taking shape amidst the water.

He said, "This is what we can already do. I kept my end of the bargain."

Harry looked up to the chamber and spotted Norman's expression through the water. He couldn't believe his eyes. He grunted, "... no!" His shoulder blades began adjusting themselves as if they wanted to leave his body while strengthening his resistance and backbones.

Fiers smiled as he watched Norman lie down in the chamber, still unconscious. "I bought him time. We just need Peter now, the best version of him."

Harry collapsed on the ground. His face was laid against the cold surface. He stood like that for a couple of minutes. He eventually spotted in the corner of his sight a wheelchair coming towards him.

"I'm going to kill you… Fiers." Harry whispered as his body transformed.

A very familiar voice spoke from the wheelchair, "Harry…"

He looked up to the chair and found his late father sitting on it. Norman looked slightly better this time. "... dad?"

"Look at you, Harry."

A tear left Harry's right eye. "You died… you're dead."

"Not anymore. But I don't have much time before my condition gets worse again." He coughed slightly, "We need Peter Parker. Otherwise, our curse will win."

Fiers interjected, "There are certain things that we still can't cure like this, Harry." He added, "We all should work together now. We can't let you compromise what's been years in the making."

"... you... you are not my father."

Fiers moved Norman's chair close to Harry. Norman placed his hand on his son's hair. "I am your father... Harry. This was the only way I could survive. I knew there were would be people at Oscorp that would try to gain power at any cost once I was gone. You just couldn't know."

Harry chuckled, slightly. His laugh had already changed and his ears were already pointy again. He was becoming something. He grinned widely. "I can't believe this." He laughed again, hysterically. "... you just won't die, right?! You still need me."

Norman stared at his son. "... but I believe in you, Harry. I believe that you can cure what haunts our family for good. We need… Peter Parker."

01/02/22: This chapter was probably the one that was most changed so far in revisions. Harry visiting the Osborn manor is something completely new and replaced the old version, which wasn't as engaging to the character. We also have some differences in how the scene with Norman plays out, but the idea is the same. The dialogues were heavily modified here, completely revamped, very intense. The story is much tighter now. Mistakes were fixed. A scene with Peter and Gwen was cut, I felt like it dragged the pace for the chapter, but I also changed the ending of the Bugle scene, I think it's much better now.