New Beginnings, Old Wounds
Peter was swinging through the city, his new suit practically singing as it cut through the air. The upgrades Tony had built in felt seamless, and for the first time in days, Peter felt a weight lifting from his shoulders. There was something about being in motion, in the air, that made everything feel simpler. The rush of wind, the rhythm of his webs—this was where he was most at peace.
But no matter how fast he swung or how high he soared, there was no escaping his thoughts. Felicia had been on his mind, as always, lingering in the back like a half-finished conversation. He knew it was over, but that didn’t mean it was easy to forget.
He landed on the rooftop of Midtown High just as the final bell rang, a flood of students pouring out of the school’s front doors. Peter stayed in the shadows, watching the students head home, backpacks slung over their shoulders, laughter and chatter filling the air. He spotted MJ and Ned in the crowd, and for a moment, he felt a pang of longing for that simplicity—just being a normal teenager, hanging out with his friends, without the weight of the world on his shoulders.
But that wasn’t who he was. Not anymore.
Peter slipped into an alley, pulling off his mask and changing back into his civilian clothes before making his way out to the street. He caught up with MJ and Ned at their usual spot near the school’s front gates, offering them a small smile as he approached.
“Hey, guys,” Peter said, trying to sound upbeat.
Ned grinned, immediately launching into a story about the latest video game he’d been playing. MJ, however, studied Peter closely, her sharp eyes not missing the slightest detail.
“You look better today,” MJ said, a slight smirk tugging at her lips. “Got your Spider-mojo back?”
Peter chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, something like that. Tony upgraded my suit, so that helps.”
Ned’s eyes widened with excitement. “Oh man, is it the suit with the AI? That’s awesome!”
Peter nodded, trying to match Ned’s enthusiasm, but MJ’s gaze was still fixed on him, clearly not fooled by the surface-level conversation. She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice.
“And what about Felicia?” MJ asked, cutting straight to the point.
Peter froze, his smile faltering. He should have known MJ wouldn’t let that one slide. She’d always been able to read him better than anyone else, and the unspoken question hung between them like a weight.
“Still thinking about her,” Peter admitted, sighing. “But I think I did the right thing.”
MJ nodded, her expression softening. “Good. You’ve got enough on your plate without all that drama.”
Peter smirked. “Tell me about it.”
They continued walking, the conversation shifting to more lighthearted topics, but Peter couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. He had done what was right, hadn’t he? He had let Felicia go, focused on his responsibilities as Spider-Man, and embraced his role as a hero. But deep down, it still hurt.
That evening, Peter returned to Avengers Tower, feeling the familiar buzz of activity as he walked in. Tony was in the lab, tinkering with one of his suits, while Natasha and Steve were in the gym, sparring as part of their daily training.
Peter made his way up to the common area, where Morgan was busy colouring at the kitchen table, Pepper supervising from nearby with a gentle smile. Peter couldn’t help but smile himself at the sight—it was moments like these that made Avengers Tower feel like home.
“Hey, Munchkin,” Peter called as he walked over to Morgan, ruffling her hair.
Morgan looked up, grinning. “Hi, Petey! Look, I’m drawing your new suit!”
Peter leaned over to see her drawing—a stick-figure version of Spider-Man, complete with the new suit design. It was adorable, and it made him feel a little better about everything.
“Wow, that’s pretty accurate,” Peter said, grinning. “You’ve got a future in design, Morgan.”
Pepper glanced over at him, her warm smile never fading. “How was your day, Peter?”
Peter shrugged, sitting down at the table. “It was… okay. Getting back into the swing of things.” He winced at his own pun. “No pun intended.”
Pepper chuckled softly. “That’s good to hear. I know it’s been a tough few days.”
Peter nodded, feeling the weight of that truth. “Yeah. I’m getting there.”
Before they could continue the conversation, Tony strolled into the room, wiping his hands on a rag. “Well, look who finally decided to show up. How’s the new suit holding up, kid?”
Peter smiled, grateful for the distraction. “It’s perfect, Tony. Thanks again. The upgrades are insane.”
Tony waved it off. “Eh, you’re worth the trouble. Besides, someone’s gotta make sure you don’t get yourself killed out there.”
Peter smirked. “Appreciate that.”
Just then, Natasha entered the room, still catching her breath from training. She tossed a towel over her shoulder, raising an eyebrow as she looked at Peter. “You heading out tonight, or are you sticking around for once?”
Peter hesitated, glancing around the room. Part of him wanted to head out on patrol, to lose himself in the familiar routine of swinging through the city and stopping bad guys. But another part of him, the part that was still tired and emotionally drained, wanted to stay here, surrounded by the people who cared about him.
“I think I’ll stick around tonight,” Peter said, surprising himself. “Take a break from all the excitement.”
Tony clapped him on the back. “Good call, Underoos. Even Spider-Man needs a night off every now and then.”
Peter smiled, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. Maybe this was what he needed—not just running away from his problems, but learning how to be present, to appreciate the people who were always there for him. Felicia had been a part of his life for a while, but she wasn’t his whole life. And it was time to start focusing on the parts of his life that mattered most.
Later that night, Peter found himself on the balcony of the tower, looking out at the city. The skyline was peaceful, the lights twinkling like stars in the distance. For the first time in days, he felt a sense of calm settle over him, like the storm that had been raging in his chest was finally starting to subside.
He thought about Felicia, about the connection they had shared and the choices he had made. Maybe it wasn’t the perfect ending he had imagined, but it was the right one. Sometimes, the hardest thing to do was let go, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t the right thing.
The sound of footsteps behind him pulled Peter from his thoughts. He turned to see Natasha approaching, her expression calm and understanding. She leaned against the railing next to him, her eyes scanning the city below.
“You did the right thing, Peter,” Natasha said quietly as if reading his mind.
Peter glanced at her, surprised. “How do you know?”
Natasha smiled softly. “I’ve been where you are. Walking away from someone you care about is never easy, but sometimes it’s the only way to protect yourself. And them.”
Peter nodded, feeling the weight of her words. “Yeah. It just… it still sucks, you know?”
Natasha chuckled. “It always does. But you’ll get through it.”
Peter sighed, staring out at the city once more. “I hope so.”
They stood in silence for a moment, the cool night air wrapping around them. Peter felt a sense of peace, knowing that he wasn’t alone—that even though he had made difficult choices, there were people here who understood, and who had his back no matter what.
“I’m proud of you,” Natasha said softly. “For doing what’s right, even when it’s hard.”
Peter smiled, his chest feeling a little lighter. “Thanks, Nat. That means a lot.”
As the night stretched on, Peter felt something shift inside him. Maybe this was what it meant to be a hero—not just saving the world, but making the hard choices, even when it hurt.
And maybe, just maybe, he was finally ready for the next chapter.