Age of Redemption

Chapter 2

The two appeared right in the middle of the living room of the apartment, dressed in their casuals, and still wrapped in each other's arms. They looked at the humble abode decked with a few crimson ribbons, and a sparkling Christmas tree in the corner opposite of the TV. All of which were Wanda's doing due to her powers.

"Home sweet home." Peter said, giving Wanda a quick kiss before going into the bedroom.

Wanda plopped onto the couch as she waited for Peter to return. She smiled lovingly in the spot that he disappeared to. For a whole year he has given her the absolute world and has helped her when things were rough. And for that, she will forever be grateful to him for helping her find herself once more.

She looked down at her hands to see that her fingers had gone back to their normal color. Not one ounce of gray or black was present on her hands. Thanks to Peter, the corruption had finally left her.

Still though, she couldn't help but be afraid of the monster that she had become not too long ago. Even though she was under the influence of the dark hold, she still could remember her actions as plain as day. And she still had yet to forgive herself for those actions. And deep down she was afraid that one day she would slip. That she would go back to being that monster, and that she would once again hurt anyone who crossed her path.

Even Peter.

She put her face in her hands and sighed quietly. Was she still that monster? Has she done enough to redeem herself for her past actions?

If she were to ask Peter, which she had already, he would say yes. But Wanda knew that if she were to ask herself the same question......she would give out a different answer.

'No.' she said in her head. 'You haven't.'

She looked at the tree in the corner and the negative thought momentarily left her mind. Tonight was not the night for her to think about this. Tonight it supposed to be a happy night. And that's what it will be for her.....and for Peter.

Thinking of trying to make this night memorable for Peter was enough to push the bad thoughts away from her mind.....for now.

Meanwhile, Peter was currently in the closet, wrapping the presents he had gotten for Wanda. And much like Wanda, his thoughts were overridden with negative things about his past as well.

Despite what Wanda has told him multiple times, he still thinks that he is a danger to her, as well as anyone he ever comes in contact with. The multiverse incident was all that it took to convince him of that. He caused all of those villains to come, and one of them killed his Aunt, and nearly killed his friends. That never would've happened if it had not been for him.

He will always be Spider-Man, and Spider-Man will always have enemies. And no matter what he does, or how hard he tries, it seems that the ones he loves will always be the ones who pay.

Which is why he had to let Happy, Ned and MJ go. To keep them out of harms way. And now......as happy as he is with Wanda, he can't help but feel guilty for endangering her due to his own selfish desires. Granted, unlike Ned or MJ, she had powers to protect herself. But it still bugs him.

"Am I really a monster?" he said to himself lowly so that Wanda wouldn't hear. He didn't want to believe it, but at times he can't help it, considering how miserable he makes everyone else's lives just by being around them.

Hopefully the same will not happen with Wanda.

He then looked at the boxes in front of him and let out a small sigh. 'Not tonight Parker. Tonight is a special night.' he thought to himself as he grabbed the boxes and put them under his arm.