Earth-120703
November 18, 2024
One of many Peter Parkers is teleported back to his own world, right back in the alley he saw that portal in. The grip on his mask softens as his eyes re-adjust to the light, and he has to force his hand shut to not drop it on the ground.
He had caught her. He’d saved someone’s Gwen—her name was—is—MJ. Tears prick the corners of his eyes, but he can’t bring himself to blink them away. Instead, he pulls the mask back on, and begins climbing up the building to his left.
He knows the route like the back of his hand. Knows what turns to make, knows when he’s a block away from her. His feet hit the grass in the same place they always do, a few paces away from her.
Peter doesn’t even bother making sure nobody’s around before he yanks his mask back off, his breath condensating in the cold. “Hey,” he smiles, struggling to find the semi-correct words.
After a moment, he sits in front of her, drooping his head for the first time in forever. “I, uh.. helped a lot of people today. Good people, they were awesome, and.. one of them, a kid—he’s got a girlfriend. You’d love her, she’s just as stubborn as you…”
His lip trembles as he fidgets with the mask, “I saved her, Gwen.. she was falling and I..” he chokes, a muffled sob ripping out of his throat as a couple tears roll down his cheeks, “I did it. I caught her, and she’s okay now.”
Peter hiccups, looking up at her headstone. “I hope..” he clears his throat, “I hope I made you proud.”
…
Nigh 50 feet above him, one of many Gwen Stacies mutters, “I know I am, Pete.”