Spider-Man : The Story of a Hero

Parker Residence — Evening

After a few minutes of walking, Peter and Gwen finally arrived home.

The moment they stepped through the front door, Aunt May’s cheerful voice welcomed them.

— ”Hey, you two! So, how was your day?”

They both turned toward her.

She wasn’t even looking at them while speaking.

Sitting on the couch, her eyes remained fixed on the television.

— ”Peter got completely destroyed at badminton, but other than that, it was fine!”

— ”Don’t start.”

— ”Really? I’m disappointed in you, Peter! And here I am, a professional badminton player...”

Gwen raised an eyebrow slightly.

— ”R-Really?”

— ”That’s right! I’ve never really talked about it, but when I was younger, I was an absolute beast at badminton!”

She finally turned her head slightly so she could look at them.

A confident smile lit up her face.

— ”Once I’m fully back on my feet, we should play together. You’ll see just how good I am!”

Gwen couldn’t help but smile back at her.

Peter wore a more subtle smile, but one just as sincere.

After that warm exchange, Aunt May turned her attention back to the television.

The two teenagers set their backpacks down by the entrance.

— ”If you’re hungry, everything’s ready. Just help yourselves from the fridge, okay?”

— ”Okay! Thanks, Aunt May!”

— ”Thanks!”

Gwen then stepped closer to Peter and softly whispered in his ear:

— ”I’m going to get myself a glass of water and some food. Want me to fix you a plate too?”

— ”Yes, please.”

She gave him a gentle look before heading into the kitchen.

She filled two glasses with cold water, prepared two plates with the food stored in the refrigerator, then calmly returned.

Meanwhile, Peter opened his backpack, then Gwen’s, before taking out their school trip permission forms.

He slowly walked up behind Aunt May before sitting down beside her on the couch.

Noticing the papers in his hands, she muted the television with a curious expression.

— ”What’s that? Is it for me?”

— ”Yeah. Some school papers that Gwen and I need you to sign.”

He handed them to her.

She immediately began reading through them.

— ”What are these about? The cafeteria?”

A worried thought suddenly crossed her mind.

Her expression changed immediately.

— ”Don’t tell me you two got into trouble...?”

— ”No...! It’s nothing serious, don’t worry.”

She discreetly let out a sigh of relief.

— ”It’s for a school trip.”

At those words, her face immediately lit up.

— ”A school trip?! That’s wonderful! Where are you going?”

— ”To Paris, but Aunt May...”

Peter’s tone suddenly changed.

It became more serious.

— ”Gwen and I... we’re not going on the trip.”

Aunt May blinked in surprise.

— ”W-What? But why? Is it because you don’t like the destination? Well, I know the French have a reputation for not being very friendly, but still...”

— ”It’s not because of the destination, Aunt May. It’s just... I’d rather stay here with you.”

At that very moment, Gwen returned carrying the two glasses of water.

She handed one to Peter, who accepted it with an affectionate look of gratitude.

Then he immediately turned his attention back to his aunt.

— ”We’d rather stay home with you.”

Aunt May immediately understood what they were trying to do.

— ”You... you want to stay because you’re worried about me... am I right?”

Peter simply nodded.

She opened her mouth to respond, but he spoke again before she could.

— ”I know it’s been over six months since you’ve been home, and you’ve gotten so much better, but you’re still not fully recovered. You’re still fragile, and one wrong movement could be dangerous.”

— ”And do I look like I’m making any sudden movements?”

— ”I’m serious, Aunt May.”

She had tried to lighten the mood...

Without success.

Even Gwen now wore the same serious expression as Peter.

She was genuinely worried.

Watching the two of them, Aunt May immediately understood how they felt.

She let out a soft sigh, wearing a faint smile that blended amusement and emotion.

Their concern made her happy.

— ”Peter... Gwen... thank you for caring so much about me. It really means a lot. Truly. But I don’t want you to miss this trip because of me.”

— ”But—”

She gently interrupted him as she softly took his hand.

— ”And I’m not saying that while ignoring my condition. I know I’m still not fully recovered. I can’t run or go back to work yet, that’s true... but I’m more than capable of taking care of myself while you’re away on a short trip. Besides, Peter, I’m not reckless. If I truly wasn’t well enough... I would’ve told you.”

A reassuring smile appeared on her face.

— ”Then trust me, don’t worry, and go on this trip. Explore, have fun... and enjoy yourselves with your friends. These are the kinds of moments you shouldn’t miss.”

Peter and Gwen looked at her carefully. They immediately noticed the sincerity in her words.

She wasn’t simply trying to reassure them. She genuinely believed everything she was saying.

Her kindness... as well as her conviction... was unwavering.

Despite all the doubts that still lingered in his mind, Peter remained speechless.

He couldn’t think of a single argument anymore.

— ”Aunt May... are you really sure?”

— ”I’ve rarely been this certain about a decision, Gwen. Go.”

She then gently took Gwen’s hand as well.

— ”And if anything happens... I’ll call Yuri. Okay, you two?”

Faced with such sincere and reassuring words, Peter and Gwen exchanged a brief glance.

Without needing to say a word, they both understood the decision they had to make.

They had to trust her... and fully enjoy this trip together.

— ”Alright... I believe you, Aunt May. We’ll go on the trip.”

A warm smile of relief immediately brightened Aunt May’s face.

— ”Good.”

— ”But if anything happens... don’t hesitate to call Yuri, okay?”

— ”I will. I promise.”

Their hands gently tightened around one another.

As if, through that simple gesture, they had sealed a true pact of love, trust... and concern.

Aunt May then signed both permission forms and filled them out.

Now…

Peter and Gwen were ready to leave for their school trip.

Parker Residence — Peter’s Bedroom — Later That Evening

Peter was sitting at his desk in front of his computer. He was watching a few videos while casually browsing the internet.

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.

A few moments later, it slowly opened.

It was Gwen.

She stepped into the room before quietly closing the door behind her.

— ”Hey. What are you doing?”

Peter paused the video before turning his chair to face her.

— ”Honestly... not much. I was just browsing the internet. What about you?”

— ”I was reading my book... but I was thinking about something...”

— ”Really? What were you thinking about?”

She took a brief moment before answering.

— ”...The promise you made me a few months ago.”

As she spoke, she gently began twisting her hands together, revealing a hint of embarrassment.

Peter looked at her in confusion.

— ”A promise? What is she talking about...?”

— ”You know... the one where you told me we’d go for a swing someday? Like... a REAL swing.”

The pieces finally fell into place.

The memory suddenly came rushing back. Peter froze for a second before his eyes widened.

— ”O-OH! Ah, y-yeah, I remember now!”

— ”Well... I was wondering... if we could do it...?”

Peter stared at her for a moment, not quite understanding.

— ”You mean... right now...?”

— ”...Yeah.”

A gentle expression brightened Gwen’s face. Her eyes sparkled with genuine excitement. She almost looked like a little girl asking for something she’d wanted for a long time.

Peter hesitated.

— ”Can’t we do it another time?”

— ”No...”

He looked away slightly, clearly unconvinced. But Gwen had no intention of giving up. She stepped even closer to him, making sure he couldn’t look at anything but her.

Peter sighed inwardly. Not out of annoyance…

But because he loved her so deeply.

After all...

How could he refuse her?

— ”Alright... okay.”

Gwen’s face instantly lit up.

— ”YES!”

— ”But let me first check if Aunt May is asleep—”

— ”I already checked! She’s sleeping like a baby!”

Peter looked at her, caught somewhere between surprise and amusement. An astonished smile spread across his face.

— ”...You planned everything, didn’t you?”

She simply answered him with a smile.

— ”You’re unbelievable.”

Peter shut down his computer, stood up, grabbed his web-shooters from his backpack, then walked over to his bedroom door and opened it.

Gwen watched him with a puzzled expression. Peter immediately noticed the way she was looking at him.

— ”What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

— ”Well... aren’t you taking your suit?”

Peter gently shook his head.

— ”Why would I? The city’s been so peaceful lately. Besides...”

He paused for a brief moment before looking at her with a confident smile.

— ”Do you want to swing with Spider-Man... or with Peter Parker?”

Gwen’s heart immediately began to race. A soft blush spread across her cheeks. Without saying a single word, she simply answered with a gentle nod and a warm smile.

That was more than enough.

New York — Streets of Manhattan — Evening

Peter soared through the air with Gwen in his arms. They held tightly onto each other as they swung between the skyscrapers of New York at breathtaking speed.

Down below, despite the late hour, the streets were still full of life. Several pedestrians looked up as they shot overhead. But everything happened far too quickly.

It was impossible to make out their faces...Or even recognize their silhouettes clearly. While Peter remained focused on his movements, Gwen couldn’t take her eyes off the scenery.

Her gaze wandered across every detail.

The skyscrapers, the buildings, the streets, the people... and the night sky stretching above the entire city.

Her eyes sparkled with wonder.

— ”...It’s beautiful.”

She slowly turned her head toward Peter.

She watched him for a few moments.

Then gently tightened her embrace before carefully resting her head against his shoulder.

— ”Thank you, Peter.”

The Thompson Apartment — Evening

At the very same moment, the atmosphere at the Thompson household couldn’t have been more different.

Inside a modest apartment, Flash stood with a form in his hands. Across from him, his father, Harrison, had just exploded with anger.

— ”What?! Is this some kind of joke?! A school trip?! You want to go on a school trip after all the terrible grades you’ve been bringing home?!”

His voice echoed throughout the apartment. His fists were clenched, looking ready to strike at any moment. For a brief instant, his eyes clearly revealed that urge.

But Rose, Flash’s mother, immediately stepped between them.

— ”N-No, stop! Don’t hit him. L-Let him go.”

Seeing his wife interfere, Harrison’s gaze became even colder.

Even darker.

— ”...Move.”

Rose shivered despite herself.

Even so, she did her best to remain calm.

— ”L-Listen... you’ve already decided that he’ll join the military and won’t go to college because of his behavior. This is his last year, and after that, he’ll leave. Just let him go on this trip so he can say goodbye to the people he knows. After that, he’ll join the military, he’ll learn discipline... and I’m sure he’ll make you proud.”

She lowered her head slightly.

Her voice trembled.

— ”Please...”

A heavy silence filled the room, and Harrison’s fist remained tightly clenched.

He was still hesitating.

Then, finally...

He gave in.

— ”Give me the damn paper so I can sign it!”

He violently snatched the form from Flash’s hands, scribbled his signature across it, then threw the paper back into his son’s face.

— ”Your mother can fill out the rest. Now stop pissing me off.”

Flash didn’t answer. He simply lowered his head and stood there without moving. His mother remained silent, her heart heavy.

At the other end of the hallway, the half-open door of a small bedroom revealed a quiet figure.

Jessie.

Flash’s little sister watched the entire scene without saying a word. Her eyes were filled with worry.

Helpless as she witnessed her brother’s suffering.

— ”Flash...”

She couldn’t take her eyes off him.

TO BE CONTINUED.