Author's Note: Hello there, my readers! It's been a long time since this has been updated, huh? It never should've taken this long, but I sincerely apologize. I haven't forgotten about this fic, and more frequent updates should be coming in the near future. I will say this before we begin, though. This chapter is a Christmas chapter, and it's canon to the main story. Imagine this as a prequel of some sorts, since the end of No Way Home was also set during Christmas time. We'll get back to the main story with Empire State University in the next chapter.
Also, since we had Kate and Felicia in the last chapter, I figured it was only right to give Gwen a chance to shine in this one. I'll reply to some reviews first before we get started.
Foxchick1: Things will certainly happen in this fic. Hopefully, you're still reading, lol.
G-Matt: Thanks! I figured seeing Spidey and Kate teaming up would be a fun idea to tackle.
Jh831: Thank you! I'll be honest and say even after an entire year after the last update, I still don't really know for sure who I'm shipping Peter with, haha. As for Wong, Wanda, and Hulk remembering Peter... it's possible. I'm not saying yes or no because I don't want to spoil anything, but it is possible.
Cakers65: Thank ya! I'll check out your Spider-Man and Iron Man fanfic if you posted it.
Death Fury: Appreciate it! Now you have more to read.
Okay, all the reviews are done. To all my readers, be sure to leave a review, and I'll reply to it in the next chapter. Now let's get started.
Spider-Man: Home Alone
Intro Music: Intro Music: Spider-Man: Homecoming – Main Theme
Chapter 2: A Christmas Encounter
BGM: Andy Williams - It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
It was Christmas Eve in New York City. The streets were bustling with shoppers, the scent of hot cocoa and cinnamon in the air, and festive lights twinkling in every direction. The city, though hectic, had a certain warmth to it. A magic that could only be felt during the holiday season. Everywhere you looked, people were wrapped in scarves, gloves, and cozy coats, carrying bags filled with last-minute gifts.
Gwen Stacy, dressed in a red wool coat and a chunky scarf, wandered through the crowds in the heart of Midtown. She was carrying a few shopping bags, feeling the light chill of the evening air, but also a sense of excitement. Christmas had always been her favorite time of year, and she couldn't help but smile as she strolled past storefronts decorated with twinkling lights and festive wreaths.
Her shopping had gone smoothly, but as she turned a corner onto a quieter street, the distant sound of shouts and the jangle of alarms caught her attention. She barely had time to process the noise before two masked figures started rushing towards her, their arms full of stolen electronics and toys from a nearby store.
"Hey! Stop!" Gwen called, instinctively taking a brave step forward, though she knew it was hopeless. But before she could even react, one of the robbers brandished a gun in her direction, making her heart skip a beat.
"Stay back, lady!" the robber growled, his finger twitching toward the trigger.
Gwen froze. The gun was real, and the threat was all too real. Her mind raced, but her body didn't move. Her only hope was that someone would hear the commotion and stop them before it was too late. If not… then it's very possible that she could get shot.
Suddenly, a blur of red and blue swung into the scene from above, landing with a soft thud on the pavement between her and the robber. Gwen's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Spider-Man!" she whispered, more to herself than anyone else.
"Crap! Why does it always have to be him?!" one of the robbers exclaimed, his tone showing frustration. "I told you he would show up!"
"Shut up, Marv!" the other robber replied, not wanting to hear what his partner had to say.
The masked hero stood tall, his suit gleaming under the streetlights, his stance confident as he faced the armed thief. With a flick of his wrist, a webbing shot out, wrapping around the robber's hand and yanking the gun from his grip. The weapon clattered to the ground, far out of reach.
"Whoa, whoa! I think you're looking for something else, buddy," Spider-Man said, his voice light and teasing, as if this were just another day on the job. "A new year's resolution, maybe? No more crime?"
The second robber, panicking, reached for his own gun, but before he could even draw it, Spider-Man shot another web, pinning his arms to the side of a nearby lamppost. The criminal struggled, but couldn't break free.
Gwen's heart was still racing, but relief flooded through her. Spider-Man had done it. He had saved her.
"Are you okay, miss?" Spider-Man asked, turning to her. His mask hid most of his expression, but she could sense the concern in his voice.
Gwen nodded, still a little dazed. "I… I think so. Thanks to you."
"No problem, just doing my job," Spider-Man said, his voice warm but with an undertone of playful humor. He glanced at the two robbers, now webbed to the ground, then back at Gwen. "You should probably get to a safer spot, just in case these guys have any friends nearby."
Gwen's heart skipped a beat. "Right. I'll... I'll be careful." She adjusted the strap on her bag, feeling a flutter in her chest that had nothing to do with fear. She couldn't help it. There was something about him. His heroism, his quick thinking, the way he just appeared out of nowhere to protect her... It made her feel a strange mix of admiration and... attraction.
She caught herself staring at him for a moment, her cheeks flushing slightly. This was Spider-Man, after all. The city's webbed wonder. Yet in that moment, he felt... different. Somehow, less like a hero and more like just a person, someone who had gone out of his way to help a stranger.
Spider-Man seemed to sense the awkward silence. He gave her a small, reassuring smile, though she couldn't tell for sure with his mask on, and placed a hand on his chest.
"Glad I could help. Stay safe, okay? And Merry Christmas," he said, his tone softening just a little.
"Merry Christmas to you too," Gwen echoed, her voice barely above a whisper.
With that, Spider-Man shot a web to the top of a nearby building, swung gracefully into the air, and disappeared into the night, leaving behind only a whisper of wind and the lingering sound of his laughter.
Gwen stood there for a moment, still in awe of what had just happened. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, but not from fear this time. It was something else, something new and unfamiliar, but exciting all the same.
She glanced up, half-expecting Spider-Man to swing back, but he didn't. He was gone. All that remained was the faint sound of his webs fading into the distance.
Her fingers lightly touched her lips as she thought about what had just transpired. It had been so brief, so fleeting, but it felt significant somehow. The way his eyes—those piercing, but kind eyes—had looked at her, even behind the mask. And the way his presence had made her feel safe, even as she stood alone in the cold New York night.
"Bye, Spider-Man." Gwen softly said to herself, hoping that she'll see the web-slinger again someday.
As she turned to leave, she couldn't help but smile, even if it was just a little. She was grateful, so incredibly grateful, that Spider-Man had been there. Whoever he was, he'd given her something unforgettable on this Christmas Eve.
And as Spider-Man swung through the city, weaving between rooftops, something inside him felt different too. He couldn't quite place it, but there was something about Gwen Stacy that stood out. The way her eyes had sparkled even in the dark, the way her voice had been just a little more than grateful… It reminded him of the way that MJ used to look at him. Because of this, something told him he might be thinking about Gwen long after tonight.
But for now, he had a city to protect, and Christmas was just beginning.
END OF CHAPTER 2: A CHRISTMAS ENCOUNTER
BGM: Frank Sinatra - Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Spider-Man: Merry Christmas, everyone!
Black Cat: While Spidey was busy saving little miss blondie, I 'got' some jewels from a jewelry store.
Spider-Man: Aaaaaand the moment is ruined just like that.
Kate: Christmas can never be ruined.
Miles: Now that is a lie!
Gwen: Did everyone forget that we were supposed to give a preview of the next chapter?
Next time on Spider-Man: Home Alone!
Welcome to ESU
Spider-Man: Lifelong student loan debt here I come!
Author's Note: There ya go, guys. I'm glad I was able to post a chapter for this fic, while giving a bit of background story to Spidey and Gwen. The next chapter won't take over a year to release, I promise. Until then, though, check out my most recent fanfics to keep you guys occupied. Distorted Justice is a Spider-Man/Justice League crossover, and the next one is Broken Hearts, which is very highly inspired by Spectacular Spider-Man and X-Men: Evolution. Two Occasions is my Spidey/Fantastic 4 crossover fic too. I have a decent amount of stuff for all my Spidey fans to read.
But before you do that, if you enjoyed this chapter, then leave a FOLLOW AND A FAVORITE! Don't forget to READ AND REVIEW! See ya guys next time. Happy Holidays, and Merry Christmas.