May Parker
Peter had been trying to do this for years. And every time he chickened out.
How do you say “Oh hey, um…I’m not a girl and my name isn’t Penny” to your aunt who raised you since you were two?
You don’t.
Especially when she’s never home.
“Aunt May?”
“Yes, Penny?” May says through the phone, blissfully unaware her nephew was pacing across all the walls in their apartment, and that her nephew was currently pacing across the ceiling.
“I need to tell you something important when you get home.”
“Oh? Do you want me to come home now?”
“No, it’s okay…”
“Want me to bring back cheeseburgers?”
“Yes please.”
“Got it. I’ll pick some up on the way back home. You’re safe, right, Penn?”
Peter cringed at the nickname.
“Yes, May. I’m perfectly okay.”
“Good. You’re the best niece ever, I love you Penn.”
“Love you too, May. See you soon.”
“See you soon, Penn.”
Peter hangs up and falls from the ceiling, gladly landing on his feet.
He has three hours until his aunt gets home, and he spends one of those two hours texting Ned and MJ.
He asks random questions and tries to lower his nerves. It doesn’t work.
Those hours go by fast. Next thing he knows May is at the door.
They’re mostly silent as Peter focuses on the television, quickly opening Netflix and playing the all-new Heartstopper TV show, which he has seen a million times by now. The episode he plays is the one where Nick comes out to his mother as bisexual.
He does that on purpose, not like May notices.
“Hey Penn? You…wanted to tell me something, right?”
“Y-Yeah…”
Peter was nervous, not even knowing what to say even though he had thought this over for years.
Peter fidgeted under the table, nervous as his thoughts went a hundred miles a second.
“Penny?” May had asked after a couple minutes
“I’m not Penny!” Peter snapped, clapping s hand over his mouth.
“What do you mean?”
“I-I’m not Penny…I’m not a girl…”
“That’s what you wanted to tell me, dear?”
Peter nodded, not looking at his aunt.
“You were scared I wouldn’t accept you, right?”
He nods again. And a moment later he’s met with a tight hug.
“You don’t need to worry, dear. I love you no matter what.”
“C-Can you call me Peter? Please?”
“Peter…that’s a lovely name.”
“Peter Benjamin Parker…after Uncle Ben.”
“He would be honored.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
“You're his nephew, my nephew. He’d be honored to see the man you are now.”
Peter nearly cried hearing that.
“Peter…oh, don’t cry.”
“I-It’s okay…happy tears. That’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“That’s good. Have you told anyone yet? Sorry if that’s too personal.”
“MJ and Ned know. No one else.”
“Not even Mr. Stark?”
“ Especially not Mr. Stark.”
“Well that’s okay.”
Peter smiles, nodding. “Thank you so much, Aunt May. You’re the best.”
“Of course, Peter. I love you.”
“I love you too.”