The Aftermath of Falling

Cafés Make Goodbyes Easier

Sometime in Late February

As soon as he stepped into the coffee shop, the confidence Peter had just seconds before, plummets to the ground.

"I shouldn't be doing this," he mutters to himself, glancing at his shoes.

Peter fiddles with the piece of paper in his pocket. He had passed the coffee shop almost daily since Dr. Strange had completed the spell causing everyone to forget all about his identity as Peter Parker. Some days, he would sit on the patio, just wishing he could say what he wanted. He had the note rehearsed, it totally wasn't like he hadn't wrote and rewrote the note until it was perfect.

This should be easy. The words he now knows by heart are on the tip of his tongue.

Hi, my name is Peter Parker, and you don't know me, but. . .

He stands in the doorway for a moment too long.

I'm sorry. . . You're the only family I have left and I'm so glad that I have two amazing people in my life; Ned, you've been my best friend since- well forever. And MJ. . . I didn't get to say it before, but I love you.

"Can I help you?"

Peter looks up and stares at MJ, there's so much he wants to tell her... but he knows she and Ned are better off without him in their lives.

"Hi, I-," he pauses, "I'm Peter Parker and -," he glances at the paper, finally intending to read it, when he sees Ned in the corner, laughing at a video on his phone. He glances back down at the paper in his hands, debating on whether he should read it or leave the two people he loves most in the world wondering why the strange guy in the blue jacket and white T-shirt walked into a coffee shop just to not order anything. He chooses not to read the rest of the paper and he silently puts it back in his pocket.

"I'd like a coffee..." he sighs, defeated. He knows this is for the best, his best friends won't be in danger with his being gone.

He's moving to another part of New York City, it will be like Peter Parker never existed. And he's starting anew.

Ned and MJ can go to MIT and he can keep an eye on them if necessary, but he knows that won't be needed. It's safer this way.

"Okay then, Peter Parker," MJ gives Peter a quizzical look before going to get his coffee.

She gives Ned a cup of coffee- Peter knows exactly what the order is; a medium coffee and four packets of sugar with 1/2 cup of French vanilla creamer. But the creamer has to be put in the cup before the coffee.

MJ gives Ned a glance that has Peter somewhat on edge. Almost as if the two recognize him, but just as soon as he notices that glance - the spark of acknowledgment is gone.

MJ puts a lid on Peter's coffee and she sets it on the counter. He notices that she has the necklace that he gave her on. And then he remembers the scratches on her forehead from getting caught in the midst of the battle.

"Here you go," MJ says, moving the coffee for Peter to take it, "one coffee for Peter Parker,"

He pays $5 for the coffee and watches as she puts the cash back in the drawer. MJ bends down to grab some change that had fallen on the floor.

"Ow! Shit,"She exclaims, rubbing her head as she hands Peter his 50 cents back.

"Are you okay?" He asks, pointing to her injury on his own head.

She stares at him for a second before saying "yeah, yeah I'm fine."

The interaction is only getting more painful the longer Peter stays in the café.