Gwen smiled to herself as she entered the elevator that headed to Peter's floor. Today was a good day, Peter was going to be released from his care, it was officially over. Well, sort of. She supposed that he would never be the same man, there was no way anyone could be unaffected by what he had experienced.
Over the last couple of weeks, Peter had improved exponentially, growing stronger every day. At the beginning of the week, he had been able to walk again, though only with aid of either a walking stick or Gwen herself. He still required some aid now and he did tire easily, but there was no need for hospital aid anymore.
Gwen entered the room Peter was in and found her husband sitting up on top of the bed as checked something on his new phone. He was clothed in plain jeans and a dark t-shirt. He looked up at Gwen as his wife approached him.
She planted a tender kiss on his lips and greeted, "Hey."
Peter smiled. "Hey, gorgeous."
She sat down in the chair by his head. "So, when can you leave?"
"Adams is working on some paperwork, then I'll be able to leave."
"Good," She poured herself a small glass of water from a jug on top of the table that was set near the window, studying Peter as she did so. She could tell he was in deep thought, that ever so common pensive look across his face.
Gwen was pretty sure of what he was thinking about and gave him a prompt. "What is it, Peter?"
He smiled, briefly. "Harry."
"What do you mean?"
"I've received an e-mail from him. It was probably timed by him. He… explained everything that happened within Oscorp… then there's bits about Fiers and Norman."
"Oh… that could help expose the bad things they have done then."
"He thought of everything." Peter looked down to the floor. "I've never had the proper time to mourn him."
"We can visit him whenever you want."
"That would be great, yes."
Gwen approached him, standing between his legs and wrapping both arms around his neck "Are you ready to return to our home? Ren is crawling the walls to find you."
"I can't wait." He planted a kiss on her left arm. "Maybe we could also go to your family's beach house one of these days? Get ourselves a break."
"I'll work on that then, it's a plan." She added, "Maybe we could invite Flash and MJ over?"
"MJ and Flash?" He asked surprised.
"Haven't you heard?"
Peter shook his head.
Gwen smiled. "Well, they are dating now."
"Really? That's… good. I did see them looking at each other at our wedding."
"Peter Parker is a gossiper after all." She chuckled. Peter nodded with a smile. She added, "By the way, I checked the result of your finals for you… and you passed!"
"Really?" Gwen nodded again. "That's… awesome!" He leaned closer and captured his wife's lips on his.
They both parted as Dr. Adams entered the room. Peter looked at him and smiled. "Have you come to spring me from your ward?" He teased.
The man laughed. "That I have, and you are free to go."
Peter placed his phone inside his bed and swung his legs off around and off the mattress. Gwen helped him stand on his feet.
"Peter, I assume that the answer is no but," Doctor Adams gestured to the corner of the room. "Would you like a wheelchair?"
"Thanks for the offer, but..."
"The man is too stubborn," Gwen interrupted him and turned to face Peter whilst speaking in a chiding voice, "But would you rather injure yourself again by falling?"
"I won't fall," Peter gave her a grin. "I have my beautiful wife to support me."
"I'm happy that you are feeling well. Then I guess I now just have to announce Spider-Man's successful recovery."
Peter smiled. "Thank you, this means a lot to me,"
"I'm glad I could help."
With that, the two walked out of the room slowly, Peter with an arm around Gwen's shoulders. They made their way over to the exit of the hospital, giving their thanks to the doctor that was in charge of his recovery. The pair stopped in front of the back doors of the hospital so that they could avoid the press.
Gwen turned her head to face him. "You okay?"
He swallowed before replying, giving Gwen a slight smile. "Yes, I think I am."
She gave him a peck on the cheek, slipping an arm around his waist as they passed the door hand to hand and together, walking back to their home where many things are still to happen. They would support each other in whatever happened over the years while expecting together what the future would bring for them.
Outside the hospital...
Dr. Adams walked towards the main exit where the crowd waited patiently for an update regarding Spider-Man. The public perception of the vigilante had increased considerably over the weeks.
The doors to the hospital were opened by the guards inside. Adams was greeted with the sight of many reporters behind the fences that kept them from approaching the entrance. Many cameras were already pointed at him.
Adams climbed the stand that was placed for press briefings. He adjusted the microphone and cleared his throat. He began, "After days of hard work by the medical staff and the officers that kept the hospital safe for Spider-Man, I'm pleased to inform you that Spider-Man has been released from his room. After going through extensive surgeries and extensive post-care, he's now resting in wherever he lives. I won't reveal the identity of the man behind the mask, that's not important here, it won't ever be. What matters is we managed to save one of our own, along with the others that were severely injured that night. We should honor the lives we lost, and support those who have endured great pain since then. That would be all."
The reporters began to throw questions right away once Adams ended his speech. Citizens in the streets began to cheer and hug each other at the news. The joyfulness was contagious, Adams couldn't help but smile at the moment, and if Peter ever needed his assistance once again, he would be willing to help without a thought.
Peter kneeled in front of Harry's grave and touched the grass that covered the area where he had been resting now. Gwen remained on her feet and stood behind her grieving husband.
Harry Osborn - 1993 | 2019
"Hey, Hare." The wind brushed against his clothes. "I… I hope you have found your happiness… whatever you are. I… miss you."
Gwen caressed his left shoulder.
Peter sighed heavily. "You are… my brother. You can rest knowing that." He raised from the ground and turned on his shoulder to hug Gwen.
She caressed the back of his head. "He's looking out for us now."
Peter unwrapped his arms around his wife, before intertwining his fingers with hers as they started to walk away.
She squeezed his hand. "I love you, you know?"
He looked at her. "I love you too." He planted a kiss on her forehead. "Thanks for being here, with me."
Gwen leaned her head on his shoulder and caressed his hand with her thumb.
Peter narrowed his eyes at a figure near a familiar spot to him. "Is that…"
Gwen followed his gaze. "... Aunt May." They watched her stand in front of Ben's grave. "We should go there."
They walked over the path made of tiny stones that led towards the Parker's resting area. It had been some time since Peter last went to check on his family.
May looked over her shoulder and watched the couple arrive. They stood next to her and looked down at Ben's stone.
Peter spoke, "He was a great man… and a father."
May allowed her nephew to embrace her, before they both turned to look at Ben's stone once again. Gwen stood slightly behind them.
To the right of Ben's stone, there were Richard and Mary's.
Peter questioned, "Have you been here often?"
May smiled. "I was praying for your recovery and I thought that there wouldn't be a better place than here."
He nodded.
She asked, "Are you okay?"
"You know, some minor pain here and there but nothing that won't go away eventually."
"You need to take care of yourself now, Peter. Just… don't go out there for a little while."
Peter silenced. "I know what you mean."
"Do you?"
He smiled. "Yes, Aunt May."
May sighed. "What's next?"
"It's time to let out the whole truth about Oscorp, and I suppose… I need to find myself a better job now, leave the Bugle. But I want to spend some time with that beautiful woman over here." He turned in Gwen's direction. Her cheeks flushed slightly.
May smiled and followed his gaze. "Why are you over there, honey?"
"Just giving you two some space, it's your family."
May gestured for her to come closer. "You're a Parker too." Gwen smiled and stood next to Peter. May looked at her nephew, "... and that sounds like a great plan."
Peter nodded. "Do you have to have dinner with us?"
"That would be lovely, but I… want to stay here a bit longer."
"Are you sure? I don't want to leave you alone in here."
"It's okay, I like it here." She added, "And you two deserve some time alone after everything that has happened."
"Okay, Aunt May." Peter paid his respects to his family before him and Gwen said farewell to Aunt May, leaving her alone as the pair walked away while holding hands.
May focused on Ben's stone. "See? Our little boy has grown into a fine young man… the man you wanted to be, Ben."
"See?" May said looking to Ben's grave. "Our little boy is now a young handsome man, the man we wanted him to be." She smiled, softly.
After eating pizza at home, Peter and Gwen decided to snuggle on the couch and watch a movie together. At one point Gwen already had fallen asleep, so Peter decided to write a text on his laptop that was set on the armrest on his side.
Gwen had been sleeping on his lap. Ren rested next to his left foot and over the rug in front of the couch.
He wrote a leak about Oscorp based on the email Harry had sent to him. He concentrated on typing on the keyboard. He had to let the truth out, just like his father tried to. He occasionally glanced at the window and thought of the best words to use, before checking on his wife from time to time.
She looked at peace as if nothing else in the whole world mattered anymore. They were both at peace. They had a free future to look forward to. A chapter in their lives was closed.
The text he had been writing contained everything Oscorp had ever done and that Peter was aware of, from cross-species genetics, the symbiote, a much-needed closure for the story of Richard and Mary, and the ties Norman shared with his former benefactor. That was just the tip of the iceberg.
He eventually finished the writing and looked up to the TV which was turned on and still playing the movie but without any sound. The truth could finally be revealed by pressing a button.
Many people lost their lives for such a truth. And now, with a button press, it was finally out.
Peter placed the laptop on the floor and slowly raised himself off the couch. He took his wife in his arms and walked them to their bedroom. He then lowered her down in the bed and planted a kiss on her forehead.
"I love you… so much. You are… the love of my life." He looked at her serene expression.
He pulled the covers up to her chest and planted another soft kiss on her lips. He was about to lie down himself were it not for the sirens taking place outside their apartment. He approached the window and spotted the police cars driving down the street they were in,
Peter narrowed his eyes at the street. He inhaled deeply and then headed for the wardrobe. He found the newest version of his suit. It had a brighter color pattern along with the black-raised webbing.
"... hey, Spider-Man." He took the suit and wore it down his body, leaving his mask for last. He glanced at himself through the mirror in the wardrobe. He could picture Uncle Ben standing next to him with a big smile spread across his lips.
Peter pulled the mask down his face and checked on his wife back at the bed. He whispered, "Sleep tight, honey."
He climbed into the window and shot a biocable to the nearest building as he dropped down into the air. He later ascended into the sky and swung after the cars. The pain in his body was noticeable, but he tried his best to only use what was truly necessary for his strength. No flashy moves, just straight to the point.
A helicopter flew above him and headed after the cars.
Spider-Man let go of the biocable and ran against the wall of a building until he was out of concrete and leaped back into the air. He shot a biocable just in time to swing between the cars back at the streets and then ascend into the sky once again.
He was cheered by the citizens that noticed his presence. He was back into his playground, back into doing what he did best, saving lives. Those were Peter's gifts, his curse, one that he needed to make the most of it for as long as he kept breathing. The city would forever need him, enemies would flourish, people would get hurt but he would never stop fighting for a better and bright future. His family's future was at stake, everyone's future.
There was no responsibility bigger than that. He had the power to make things right for as long as he could, and he certainly would.
A/N: So, this is the chapter that closes the initial plot and most of the sub-ones. It was a great ride, I loved writing this while hearing everyone's feedback over the months. There are some things that I wanted to do differently, but I'm proud of what I have done and accomplished.
Thanks for everything! Means a lot to me. A new and rather fresh plot evolving Peter and Gwen is in the works. I hope you guys enjoy it when it comes!
26/02/22: Improved dialogues. Fixed mistakes.