A year to Remember. Part 3, The Conclusion

Forgiveness

"And you're sure you're ok with this?", Peter asked May, who sat on his bed. She can only roll her eyes, for this is the third time she's tried to assure. "Yes Peter, I'm sure". Peter flails his arms, seemingly frustrated. "Ok, why are you not trying to stop me? Ground me?". She looks confused, asking, "Do you want me to?"; He shakes his head equally frustrated. "Then why would I?".

"Because I got hurt last time? Because you worry? Because- I don't know!"

She pats next to her on the bed, getting him to sit down and quiet down. "If I asked you to stop, ordered you to stop, or grounded you. Would you actually stop?", Peter has to think about it for a second before inevitably shaking his head, "Exactly, and you didnt before so I'm not about to make the same mistake again",

He relaxes, even with a little guilt on him; though May still had a couple more things to discuss. "I trust you Peter, and I wouldn't ground you for doing something nice. But I need you to be safe and — and I'm being serious here — honest with me. I haven't gotten mad before and I'm not going to now, I just feel safer knowing what you're going through and that we can come to compromises".

It fills Peter up with some guilt having lied to May before, but he's redefining Spider-Man, so this might be a nice way to start. "I promise May, I know I've said this before and don't deserve your trust but I promise", he hums hugging her, May wrapping her arms around his shoulders and tidying his hair. "I will always trust you sweetie".

Pulling back from the embrace, and looking awkward Peter coughs, "well, I Umm, I need to change". She hops off of bed and out the door, "good luck sweetie, but please have Karen text me updates", she chuckles before she's out of view, winking at him with a smile. He gives her a thumb's up and a chuckle that she just made out. He's still a little anxious putting on the suit, most of all in pulling the mask onto his face, but he manages and after a second to calm down and he sneaks out his window and first to his roof. "Ready Karen?", he asks his mask, "Ready Peter, there's a suspected B&E two blocks away", she responds and updates, Peter smiling under the cowl. "Lead the way".

Swinging through the City he has to admit, he missed this. The wind that just makes it through his mask, the feeling of weightlessness with every swing, the buzzing of the bustling cars, and mixed voices he can make out from every home, every family. Most of all the smiles and thanks of everyone he helped.

Tonight was a little more, first the mutters of questions and echoing cheers from people glad to see he's back, the joys filling the streets after enough time. And second, his upcoming visitors.

-

Avengers:

Natasha found out first, or rather, she was warned. Regardless, she waited it out, giving him an hour before calling the meeting. "What's this about Nat?", Steve asks, everyone else confused and in their gear. She wastes no words on them, "He's back", is all she gives them.

It doesn't do much for them, who all stay confused. "Spider-Man's back". This gets them to react, though how is mixed. A combination of guilt, shame, curiosity and stuffy awkwardness. "Are we- are we gonna go talk to him?", Scott stutters, brave enough to say what they're all thinking. Everyone responds in their own version of a tentative nod. "Then we will. Though at most everyone who, umm... saw him last", Steve organises, sidestepping the elephant in the room. "Good", Tony smirks, "cause I have something for him".

Nat stops them in their haste. "Keep in mind he'll be weary of us, wouldn't be surprised if he ran", another wave of guilt falls on the group, "So I'll approach first, spider to spider. He's less likely to run if it's only one of us, and I'll ask if it's ok for you to approach".

Most everyone agrees instantly, though a few had questions. "And what about us? What do we do?", Wanda asks, looking and pointing across to Bruce, Pietro, Wanda, Thor and even Loki, all those who didn't really show up to the first show. "You guys stay back. He hasn't met you and while that might seem like a good thing, it means there's less to make amends for. Adding all of you might overwhelm him".