Peter closed the door his heart aching as he had watched Gwen leave. It hurt more than anything he'd ever imagined seeing her in so much pain and having to physically stop himself from hugging her. It would have been better if she was angry at him if she blamed him for her father's death. But Gwen had never been that way.
"What are you doing?" It was Clint. He was always in everybody's business. Peter used to enjoy it, Clint always shared his funny blackmail material, but then the man had never spied on him and why would he Peter had always been boring before, just a nerd. Now his life was complicated.
"It's nothing."
"There is a beautiful girl right outside that door that wants to be with you and you're turning her away?!"
"It's not like that!" Peter argued back. "I made a promise." His voice lowered "I promised her dad I'd stay away from her."
"Peter…"
"No! Don't Peter me! He used his last breath to make me promise. How can I just ignore that."
"You can't, and you'll never be able to, but she's right, it's not your choice to make or her father's." Peter opened his mouth ready to argue. "No, you listen to me." And peter's mouth snapped shut, Clint wasn't serious very often but when he was it wasn't something to take lightly. "Yes, her father is gone, that's a hard thing to live with Peter, but it wasn't because of you. Captain Stacey made that choice to go to you, he knew the danger, he knew it every time he put on that badge. That was his choice. And it was your choice to put on that mask and go after the lizard. And it was a damn good choice if you ask me. And now it's time for Gwen to choose. Whether she follows her father's wish or not is her decision, and only she knows what will make her happy or not. So what gives you the right to decide?"
Peter stared at Clint. He opened his mouth but could think of no answer. He gave a small chuckle and Clint ruffled his hair.
"Thanks."
"Remember if Bruce asks, I'm your favorite Uncle." He winked.
THE END!
AN: Super short little epilog. The Sequel is up as well! Under Amazing Spiderman 2- I know, super creative title ;)