SPIDER GWEN: EXPOSED CHAPTER 1: MEMORY LANE

 “Harry, come in, don’t stand there in the cold. Everyone! Let’s greet our war hero as he deserves!” said Ben, bringing Harry inside the house, as he still held Gwen in his hug. May was overwhelmed over the news that her nephew’s other best friend was alive and back safely. George couldn’t help himself but shake his hand enthusiastically.

“Welcome home, Corporal Osborn” said George, giving him a sincere salute, receiving the same response from Harry “How was the Middle East treating you?”

“Hot, dry and full of bullets…” replied Harry half-joking “I escaped the rain of steel, but many of my squad members… not so much.”

“Yeah… I…I apologize. Guess that operation didn't go as planned…” replied George, thinking his little remark touched a nerve, but Harry’s pat on the shoulder made that thought wear off.

“Enough standing up dear, your legs must be exhausted.” said May, bringing a cup of hot tea and handing it to him with a warm smile “Take a seat, and enjoy some warm tea.”

“Aw, I remember this tea, Mrs Parker. I always loved it! I missed it when I was in Afghanistan and we were forced to endure those horrible MREs and instant coffee…” 

“Far cry from those corn dogs we used to eat during group study?” replied Gwen, cracking a giggle, wrapping her arm around his neck. Which is something that caught him off guard for a bit, not because of the action, but due to how strong her arm felt over his shoulders. In retrospect, both changed quite a lot since the last time they saw each other. Harry was no longer that slim and frail looking youngster with an expression of naivety. Now he seems to have aged 5 years in just one, his body gained more mass, the result of his time in military preparation and wartime conditions. His expression got more serious compared to the goofy one that he used to have, but still, glimmers of that young silly Harry could be seen. Gwen on the other hand, had the biggest change, something that caught Harry by surprise when both met again after he returned from deployment. Not only was the tiny little Gwendolyn almost as tall as him, but he got a ‘Bear Hug’ from her that squished the air out of him for a moment. Gwen did manage to give him the explanation that she was one of the unfortunate ones that got infected by a symbiote during the Outbreak in New York, altering her physique permanently even though was supposed to be ‘cured’ from the infection. A “little” white lie that she was willing to tell, not wanting for him to find out the truth about her.

“Don’t remind me, Gwen… I still remember that one bad corn dog. I had to spend two days in bed. Lucky Peter knew a thing or two about medicine, otherwise I would have taken the science test in the school bathroom.”

Gwen shook her head for a moment as she snapped back to reality from her train of thoughts. She shouldn’t be thinking about that right now, Harry was here and that’s all that really mattered to her.  

“Oh, right… that was the last time we ever tried Albie’s corn dogs… but don’t worry, I know one hot dog vendor that makes amazing ones. Will bring back that New York vibe to you.”

For the next couple of hours, everyone was now enjoying a good time at the table, as Harry was the center of attention. He was narrating about his time in Afghanistan, with all the good and bad he saw over there… what he was willing to tell that is, but, It seemed like it also helped him, as it let him vent some of the bad stuff he saw over there and now was able to share them with others who would listen. For one particular person there, him being there was uplifting. Gwen was paying attention, giving a warm smile while adjusting the hair to cover her scar.

It was another reason for her bright spirits by seeing him: Harry was part of the trio of best friends that was composed of her, Peter and Harry. They were pretty much tight, always supportive of each other, no matter what. For Harry, this was helpful, as he was always seen as some spoiled rich kid because he was the “Heir Of The Oscorp Empire”, as the media often called him, despite his constant efforts of being self-made, not asking anything from his father. It all came crashing down for him when Peter died, as he was always supportive of him. When others ridiculed him, Harry was more than willing to protect the nerdy Peter from bullies. No matter how much of a big guy you were, people thought twice before messing around with the son of the wealthiest man in America, someone with vast amounts of influence and power. Gwen always thought he took his death harder than she ever thought, a plausible reason why after the funeral he finished all his exams early and left New York for the war. Gwen didn't want to ask him why suddenly decided to pack things up and leave, not wanting to reopen such wounds, but staying in town by her side would have helped her plenty during her own grief, as until revealing to her dad her secret identity, she never had anyone to open up. The guilt of what she did to Peter ate her up from the inside to the point that she was close to committing something unthinkable…

The conversation soon turned into a trip down memory lane, with everyone remembering the happy times over the years: the campfire they did once in George’s backyard, the spooky movie Fridays at Harry’s condo where they were watching scary movies on his father’s massive TV, or their group studies at Peter’s place where they always teamed up on school projects… or, more likely, Gwen and Harry goofing around while Peter was the one trying to make up for his friend’s lack of academic qualities in order to secure a good grade for everyone. Still, both were always grateful, acknowledging their shortcomings and always thanking Peter for helping them. 

“...still remember that automated hydraulic press that stole the show in science class. Good thing Peter knew his stuff in robotics and chemistry, that miniature battery prototype combined with his tweaks at the robot’s gears and programming made the entire project fit on the table. Secured us straight A’s for the finals. Dad raised an eyebrow on how some of his materials from the lab were used… heck, at one point he also thought of paying his studies and recruiting him as an engineer at Obscorp.” said Harry, showing joy over these pleasant memories, with Gwen rubbing the back of her head nervously.

“C +...I got a C +. Missed a few classes. Connors didn’t forget that, plus when I had my issues with biology…" At this point, George gave her a discreet look as he was drinking some coffee. He knew very well the reason she skipped some classes were due to her Spider Woman activity, something that conflicted with him at some points, not wanting her to sacrifice her school performance. Seeing her dad’s stern look, she quickly changed subject in order to avoid having a talk about it with him later. “AHEM! Errrr… so! What are your plans? You have to go back overseas soon?” 

“No, Gwen, I am done. I’m already assigned to the National Guard, mainly vehicles and weapons maintenance. No more bullets flying inches away from my head, no more IEDs as alarm clocks, just oil, gasoline, diesel, gunpowder and metal.” replied Harry, giving a sigh of relief before taking a pill from a plastic bottle, before quickly putting it back in his pocket “Got some time off and then I must report to the New York base in order to complete my paperwork.”

“It’s good you came back unharmed, dear. You and Gwen are just as precious to me as Peter was. Losing one of you two or both of you would be too much.” said May as she looked at a picture of her nephew on the wall. At first she could only feel sadness every time she looked at it, but started to fade away after seeing how far Spider Woman went to save people and keep the city safe. She saw clearly how much the webslinger was regretting her nephew’s death and all her actions after that was a way to atone and repay her mistake. 

“I know… but let’s not talk about this right now, please.” replied Harry, clearly slightly disturbed over this subject.

“Agreed, let’s just focus on the future. From what it seems, things around here might quiet down a bit after the latest events.” quickly replied Gwen, trying to close that sensible subject, as it was also beginning to bring back her painful regrets. She was also hopeful now with The Hand in disarray and Murder INC back in retreat, it will serve as a warning to Mister Negative and his gang to back off, thus making things quieter in the city.

The trip down memory lane went for another half an hour until May’s clock was showing it was way past midnight. Everyone was already feeling the sleepiness settling in, so they all agreed to call it a night. Getting his backpack, Harry exited the Parker residence, accompanied by Gwen, who accompanied him to the nearest taxi depot near Forest Hills. Returning home after seeing him leaving for Manhattan, she was also feeling quite tired, so some night patrol as Spider Woman was out of the question this time.  

“First time in months I see you smiling this much, Gwennie. About time you finally brighten yourself up.” said George, as he was gearing up for his own night shift at the precinct. Even though things looked like they settled down, there was still no rest for him or the police, as crime never takes a break.

“It just… is nice that things are finally looking up, dad.” replied Gwen as she was going up the stairs, taking a pause “...after a year of… well.. you know, it is good to finally see a slither of light.”

“Gwen… you’re in charge when brightening up your soul. Clear up that sadness and sorrow before it consumes you completely.” replied George, giving her a warm hug before going down the stairs and heading towards the door “Have to go to work. Good night, Gwennie.”

Half an hour later, after a quick shower and a tooth brushing, she found herself looking out the window from her bed, seeing the window from Peter’s bedroom. Recently, she occasionally snuck several times inside through the window at night after patrols, in order to reflect and mourn in silence without being seen. Sometimes she was still going to lay flowers at his grave during the day, but during nights, Peter’s room provided a good place to mourn in silence as well. Every time she was sitting on the window frame, with her mask in her hands and hood still on, she was looking around with tears in her eyes, trying not to sob and wake up May or Ben. His science trophies, his books, even his spare glasses were painful reminders of the potential Peter had to become someone who would really change the world if it wasn’t for his brutal death. Ever since, she couldn’t forgive herself for what she did and for robbing him of all this potential, all the opportunities that he will never have. For a long time, she couldn’t even go to bed without crying herself to sleep for a long time.

Getting ready to call it a night, she was laying on her back in bed. Turning her head and looking at the clear night sky and part of the Parker residence, her dad’s words were echoing in her head. Might be time to at least try to clear her soul and forgive herself over her biggest mistake and regret? Maybe Harry’s return will help her at least partially heal? It didn’t mean forgetting her best friend, but at least coming to terms with what she did to him and just as May said, “keep on living”? Giving a long yawn, even these thoughts and doubts were starting to fade as the sleepiness was settling in. Closing her eyes, for the first time in a year, she felt true joy, as she fell asleep with a smile on her face.

Finally here. the next story arc of the Spider Gwen series. This will be the longest of them all.

previous chapter https://www.patreon.com/posts/spider-gwen-heir-90389197

next chapter will be next week.