(Halloween Day)

(Insert Ungodly Hour by Chloe and Halle)

Peter Parker got to work on time once again. After his retirement from the hero business Peter went back to school in order to finally finish his degree in Biochemistry. While finishing his degree he found himself being hired by none other than Silver Manfredi. Despite his history with the criminal mobster Silvermane Peter accepted the job offer. You see Peter found that the only people willing to hire him were either unwilling to pay him a living wage or were into some extremely shady business. It wasn't until now that Peter found out firsthand how easy it was to get into the criminal lifestyle. However, Silver Manfredi offered Peter a job at one of his lowest points. He currently works as the I.T. guy for her youth center.

For Peter the job was practically a god send. He now had a fixed and predictable schedule at her center. His schedule had factored in time for college homework and other works. The big downside to it all is that Peter often times wound up getting dragged to very upper echelon events as her date because oddly enough she found him exceptionally attractive. And generally speaking, Peter would usually bump into Harry, which usually entails MJ, or the newly returned Gwen. Neither of whom were on Peter's good side in those days. But all in all, a pretty good turn of events for him. Except for days like today. Because before he could even get settled into his work rhythm and get situated for his day, in walks a group of people Peter was not expecting to meet at all. And they were just the first of many. And he was not ready mentally to face this particular group at the moment.

Especially since Peter hated Norman Osborn still. But Norman didn't come to visit him. Instead, it was his son Harry and his recent Fiancée Mary Jane Watson, soon to be Osborn. When Peter first spotted them approaching him he was in the middle of fixing a defective computer. After over five years of only awkward meetings, you can imagine Peter's surprise that the couple would go out of their way to meet him so suddenly. Then again if they had warned him, he would have made it his mission not to be where they expected him to be.

Peter slowly got up from his work station while staring at the pair. He grabbed a nearby rag and wiped his dusty hands off. To his surprise Gwen Stacy walked out from behind the couple. For a moment there was nothing but an awkward silence between them all. Eventually Gwen worked up the courage to greet Peter first.

"Hey Peter you doing, okay?"

"Yeah, Gwen I'm actually doing ok for a change." Peter flashed a small smile, one that reminded his former group of best friends of better days. Peter seemed humbled. Not just stressed or his usual pride. There was a blinding light of humility surrounding him. At least that's all Gwen could see.

"I just want to say I'm not with them." Gwen clarified as she gestured to the couple beside her. "We just met outside by coincidence. Totally caught me off guard."

Harry seemed to take that as his queue to speak up.

"Peter, I know we haven't talked in a while and I get it I know you feel betrayed and I- "

Harry was cut off when Peter held up his hands.

"Let's just get the elephant out of the room. I used to be Spider-Man and everyone in this room knows that. I saved a lot of lives. But I also ruined a lot of lives and it took me forever to own up to that. Not gonna lie when the wound was fresh, I did feel betrayed. I mean my former best friend and my girlfriend getting together almost before I could even be dumped. That had to sting. But I've grown these past 5 years and, in that time, I came to a realization. "What right do I have to feel betrayed? MJ I all but pushed you away." Saying to here Peter walked up to Mj and grabbed her hand before he kissed it while staring into her eyes. He then led her hand into Harry's own. "I want you to marry Harry without a sliver of regret in your heart. I am unworthy of you." Peter said with a smile.

"Peter I- MJ started to say but Peter cut her off like he did her fiancé.

"I realized that as Spider-Man I had no right to pursue a relationship. At least not one with anyone who couldn't handle that lifestyle. And I had no right to ask you to be a part of that lifestyle. Forgive me MJ. Please! I'm still working on me. After I've finished that maybe someday, I'll find my own Mrs. Right. But MJ I'm glad you found your Mr. Right.

And Gwen… What can I say. I don't think I've done enough for you to even ask for your forgiveness."

Harry smiled a little bit hearing Peter finally having some clarity. Though a part of his heart was enraged when Peter kept putting himself down. After all isn't love the right of all living things. And don't demons deserve love too?

Harry spoke up again, this time with a much more natural smile on his face.

"Peter, we wanted to invite you to the wedding. Please say you'll come. It won't be the same without the Best Man. Gwen's already agreed to be the Maid of Honor."

Peter's smile vanished. And the look he gave the three spoke volumes. He actually knew that was why they were coming to visit him. Considering how famous MJ and Harry were you couldn't really escape the news. Honestly speaking Peter was surprised it took five years. But of course, that didn't matter much considering MJ and Harry finally decided to tie the knot. He was still clueless as to why Gwen was here but he guessed he'd deal with her after he finished with the future bride and groom.

"My answer is no Harry! I'm very much still working on me, and right now I'm a mess. It's gonna take a long time for me to get there- to get back on track! But I'm getting there one step at a time one day at a time. And I'd really appreciate it if you guys could respect that. I can tell you right now I don't plan to go to your wedding at all. I'm working on me right now and I'm begging you to respect that." Peter chuckled a bit. "I'll probably be at the ten-year anniversary celebration though."