chapter twelve:
❛ homecoming ❜

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Gwen Stacy shifted uncomfortably in her heels, her eyes flitting around the gym as the music changed to a slow, romantic tune. Couples started moving toward the center of the room, their arms wrapping around each other as they began to sway to the gentle rhythm. Her heart sank as she realized this was the part of the night she had been dreading. She expected to see Peter and Liz together, caught up in the music and lost in each other's company. It wasn't something she wanted to witness, but her eyes naturally sought them out anyway.

But instead of Peter with Liz, Gwen saw Liz standing alone by the punch table. She furrowed her eyebrows. Where is Peter? Her gaze darted toward the door, and there he was-Peter Parker, walking into the gym, his hair slightly tousled, but still looking great in his suit. Her breath caught in her throat as she allowed herself to admire him for a moment. He had that effortless, boyish charm, the kind that made her heart skip a beat. She smiled instinctively, the sight of him stirring up emotions she tried so hard to keep in check.

Peter made his way toward Liz, and Gwen's heart dropped all over again. Liz's face lit up as she saw him approach. Gwen wanted to look away, but her eyes betrayed her, and she kept watching. She could feel that familiar ache-knowing Peter had chosen someone else, and knowing she couldn't even explain why she was so attached. He's Spider-Man, she reminded herself. That secret bound them together, but it also kept her on the sidelines.

Just then, MJ strolled over, her usual casual demeanor intact, holding two cups of punch. She handed one to Gwen, glancing toward Peter and Liz. "Here," she said, her voice nonchalant. "You're gonna need this after seeing the love of your life with another girl."

Gwen shot her a sharp look, trying not to let the comment hit too close to home. "MJ..." she started, but the words died in her throat. She wanted to tell MJ everything, wanted to explain why Peter was so important to her, why it wasn't as simple as it seemed. But she couldn't. That would mean exposing Peter's secret, and she would never do that.

Instead, she took a sip of the punch, trying to focus on the burning sensation of the alcohol as it went down. "Thanks," she muttered, trying to keep her voice steady.

MJ shrugged, seemingly unaware of the storm raging inside Gwen. "Just saying it like it is," she replied, her tone casual. Gwen tried to smile, but it felt forced.

Her eyes flicked back toward Peter, and this time something else caught her attention. He wasn't staying with Liz. In fact, he was walking out of the gym, his face tense, his movements quick. Gwen's heart skipped a beat, and a sense of unease settled in her chest. Something's wrong, she realized immediately. She knew Peter well enough to sense when he was about to slip into "Spider-Man mode."

Without wasting a second, she downed the rest of the spiked punch, the liquid burning her throat as she gulped it quickly. She crushed the cup in her hand and tossed it onto the ground, ignoring MJ's raised eyebrow. Her focus was entirely on Peter now, and her instincts told her something dangerous was about to happen.

She moved quickly across the gym, weaving through groups of students as she made her way to Ned. He was near the snack table, oblivious to the tension in the air. Gwen practically grabbed his arm, her voice low but urgent. "Ned," she whispered harshly, her eyes wide with worry. "We need to go. Now."

Ned blinked in surprise, a piece of cake halfway to his mouth. "W-What? Go where?" he stammered, confused.

Gwen leaned in closer, keeping her voice barely above a whisper. "I think Peter's about to face the Vulture. We need to help him. Grab whatever gadgets you have."

Ned's eyes widened in shock. "Wait, are you serious?" He set down his plate, fumbling with his backpack. Inside, he had a few of the gadgets he and Peter had worked on together, small devices meant to aid in Peter's Spidey missions. His hands trembled slightly as he began pulling them out.

Behind them, MJ watched the scene unfold with a mix of amusement and confusion. "What are you two doing?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "It's just a dance. You guys are acting like the world's about to end."

Gwen barely registered MJ's words. Her heart was racing, and her mind was focused entirely on Peter. She had to help him. She couldn't let him face the Vulture alone. "C'mon, Ned," she urged, already heading toward the exit.

Ned quickly shoved the gadgets into his pockets and hurried after her. "Gwen, are you sure? What if we're wrong?" he asked nervously.

"We're not," Gwen said firmly, pushing open the doors and stepping into the cool night air. The sounds of the party faded behind them as they rushed out of the gym and into the darkness.

Her thoughts raced as she tried to figure out where Peter might have gone. If he's going after the Vulture, he's in serious danger, Gwen thought, her stomach twisting in knots. She couldn't shake the image of Peter getting hurt-or worse-and it pushed her to move faster.

Gwen burst through the doors, her breath catching as she stepped out into the cold night air. The muffled sounds of music from the gym faded as her world narrowed in on the scene unfolding in front of her. She froze, her eyes widening in horror.

Peter was crawling on the ground, his body battered, clearly struggling. He winced in pain as he tried to move, barely able to lift his head. And standing over him, looming with an unsettling smirk, was her father, Jamie Stacy. But this wasn't the man she'd grown up with-the loving, protective dad who used to read her bedtime stories. No, this version of him was twisted, cruel, and unrecognizable.

He was holding something-some kind of gauntlet that was glowing, buzzing with electrical energy. The wires crackled, sparking like tiny bolts of lightning, casting an ominous glow around him. Jamie lifted the device, his eyes cold and focused on Peter, who was helpless beneath him. Gwen's heart pounded wildly in her chest as panic surged through her veins.

For a split second, she was frozen, unable to process the situation. Her dad was about to hurt Peter-her best friend, the guy she secretly loved-and she had to do something. Now.

Gwen's hands trembled as she dropped to her knees beside Peter's backpack, frantically rummaging through it. Her fingers brushed past notebooks and spare web cartridges until, finally, they closed around the familiar shape of one of Peter's web-shooters. She yanked it out, her heart racing as she aimed at her father.

"D-Dad, leave him alone," she stammered, her voice shaky but laced with determination. She had to stop him. She had to protect Peter.

Jamie paused, the cruel smirk still plastered on his face as he slowly turned to face his daughter. "Gwen," he said, almost amused. "You're helping him?" His tone was mocking, as if he couldn't believe she'd dare to stand against him.

But Gwen's eyes were fierce, and without hesitating, she pressed the trigger on the web-shooter. A string of webbing shot out and wrapped around the glowing gauntlet, yanking it off her father's hand. The device clattered to the ground, its ominous hum dying as it hit the pavement.

"N-Nice shot!" Peter croaked, his voice weak but full of relief. Ned, who had caught up with them, echoed the sentiment, his eyes wide in amazement.

Jamie, now without his weapon, sneered, shaking his head. "You've always had good aim," he remarked, his voice dripping with condescension. He started to step forward, but Gwen wasn't done. With lightning speed, she threw aside the web-shooter she'd borrowed and slipped on Peter's, her fingers moving with practiced ease.

"Enough," she muttered under her breath, and with a swift motion, she fired another web. This time, it was thicker, stronger. The webbing shot across the space between them, and before Jamie could react, he was slammed against the side of a nearby bus, pinned in place by the sticky threads.

Jamie struggled against the webbing, his smirk fading into a scowl. "That's your dad?" Ned asked, his voice full of disbelief as he watched the man squirm.

Gwen nodded, her throat tight with emotion. "Yeah," she whispered, her gaze never leaving her father. Her mind was reeling, trying to reconcile the man she once loved with the villain standing before her now. "He's been working for the man who abducted my mom..."

Her voice trailed off as she took a tentative step closer to Jamie, her heart pounding so hard she thought it might burst. The cold night air bit at her skin, but she barely felt it. All she could focus on was the man trapped in the web, the man who had once been her hero.

"Where is she?" Gwen demanded, her voice shaky but filled with resolve. "Where is my mom?"

Jamie let out a low, menacing laugh, his eyes gleaming with malice. "Your mom?" he repeated, mockingly. "You'll never find out where she is." His voice was taunting, cruel, and it made Gwen's blood boil. He sneered, tugging at the webs that held him in place. "But now that I know you're still here, my princess, I'm going to take you and Max home."

Gwen's stomach twisted at his words. He still saw her as his little girl, the one he could control, the one who would follow him blindly. But she wasn't that girl anymore. Not after everything. Her eyes narrowed, her fists clenching at her sides. "No!" she snapped, her voice rising with anger. "Max and I aren't going anywhere with you!"

Jamie chuckled darkly, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Oh, Gwen," he cooed mockingly, "you don't really think you have a choice, do you?"

Gwen's hands tightened into fists, her nails digging into her palms. She wanted to scream, to cry, but she held it together. She wasn't going to let him win. Not this time.

Just then, Peter, still in his beat-up Spider-Man costume, staggered to his feet. He looked battered but determined as he made his way to Gwen's side. "I'm going to find your mom," Peter said, his voice soft but filled with conviction. He placed a hand on Gwen's shoulder, giving her a reassuring squeeze. "But right now, you need to go home and keep Max safe."

Gwen's throat tightened as she looked at Peter, her heart aching with a mix of emotions-fear, relief, and something deeper. She nodded, her eyes locking with his. "Be careful," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Peter gave her a small, tired smile before he shot a web at a nearby lamppost and swung into the night, disappearing into the shadows.

Gwen stood there for a moment, her mind spinning as the weight of everything crashed down on her. Her dad-her own dad-was working for the people who had taken her mom. And now he wanted to take her and Max too. But she wouldn't let that happen. She couldn't.

As her father struggled against the webbing, his eyes still filled with that cruel amusement, Gwen turned and ran, her feet pounding against the pavement as she made her way back home. Max needed her, and she wasn't going to let him down.

This fight wasn't over-not by a long shot. And Gwen was ready for whatever came next.

Gwen's heart raced as she hurried up the stairs to her apartment building, her mind spinning with a thousand thoughts. Her dad-her dad-was back, and he was dangerous. More dangerous than she had ever imagined. Her hands were shaking as she reached Mrs. Henderson's door. She knocked quickly, her foot tapping anxiously as she waited. Mrs. Henderson opened the door, a warm smile on her face, but Gwen barely acknowledged it.

"Hi, sweetie. Max was just-" Mrs. Henderson started, but Gwen cut her off.

"I need him now," Gwen said, her voice trembling. She glanced over Mrs. Henderson's shoulder, spotting her little brother sitting on the couch with a toy truck in his hands. "Max, come on, we have to go."

Max looked up, confused by the urgency in her voice. He got up slowly, clutching his toy. "Gwen? What's going on?" he asked as he approached her.

Gwen forced a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "We just have to get back to the apartment, okay?" she said, taking his hand and giving Mrs. Henderson a tight-lipped nod before turning and practically dragging Max down the hall.

Once they were inside their apartment, Gwen wasted no time. She shut the door behind them, locking it and sliding the chain across. Then, she rushed to the windows, yanking the blinds closed and plunging the room into shadow.

Max stood in the middle of the living room, staring at his sister like she had lost her mind. "Gwen, what's going on? Why are you freaking out?" he asked, his voice small.

Gwen didn't answer right away. Instead, she bent down, lifting the hem of her boot, and pulled out a gun she had hidden there. Her hands shook as she checked the clip and then aimed the gun at the door.

Max's eyes went wide as saucers. "Wha-what the hell!?" he stammered, taking a step back. "Why do you have a gun?!"

"Shh," Gwen hissed, her eyes darting from him to the door. "Dad's back."

Max's face paled. "Dad? What do you mean Dad's back?"

Gwen's voice dropped to a whisper, her eyes filled with fear and resolve. "He's coming after us, Max. He wants to take us... and I'm not letting that happen." She kept the gun steady, her heart pounding in her chest as they stood there, tense, waiting.

For what felt like an eternity, the only sound was their shallow breathing. Max shifted uncomfortably, glancing nervously at the door, then back at his sister, who looked like she was ready to take on an army.

Then, they heard it. A rustling sound from outside the door, followed by a loud bang. Gwen flinched, her grip on the gun tightening as the door burst open, wood splintering as her dad, Jamie, stormed in.

He was holding the same strange gauntlet, the one crackling with electrical energy, and his eyes zeroed in on Gwen with a twisted smile. "You really think you can stop me, princess?" he sneered, advancing on her.

Without hesitation, Gwen fired a shot. The bullet grazed his shoulder, but Jamie barely flinched. He raised his gauntlet, electricity crackling, and Gwen had to dive out of the way as a bolt of energy shot from it, scorching the wall where she had been standing.

She scrambled to her feet, tossing the gun aside when she realized it wasn't going to be enough. She ran at him, fists flying. She punched and kicked with everything she had, but Jamie was stronger, faster. He grabbed her by the arm and threw her into the wall, her back slamming against it with a sickening thud.

"Gwen!" Max cried, his voice trembling with fear.

Gwen winced, pushing herself up, her breath ragged. She dodged another strike from the gauntlet, barely avoiding the sparks that shot from it. She managed to get in a solid hit, her fist connecting with Jamie's jaw, but he barely staggered.

Just as she was about to take another swing, a familiar figure in red and blue swung through the broken window. Spider-Man-*Peter*-landed in front of her, standing between her and her father.

"Looks like you could use some help," Spider-Man quipped, his voice disguised but laced with familiarity.

"About time," Gwen muttered, wiping blood from her lip.

Jamie sneered, raising his gauntlet again, but Spider-Man was faster. He shot a web at Jamie's wrist, yanking the gauntlet from his hand and sending it skidding across the floor. "I'm not letting you hurt them," Spider-Man said, his voice low and serious.

Jamie growled and lunged at him, but Spider-Man was too quick. They fought, Peter dodging Jamie's punches with ease, landing his own hits with precision. In a matter of moments, Peter had Jamie pinned to the ground, webs securing him tightly to the floor.

Behind them, the door creaked open, and Gwen turned to see her mother, Linda, standing in the doorway, her eyes wide and filled with relief.

"Mom..." Gwen's voice cracked as she ran to her, throwing her arms around her mother. Tears streamed down her face, her body trembling with emotion. "I thought you were gone..."

Linda held her daughter tightly, stroking her hair. "I'm okay, Gwen. I'm okay."

Max, who had been standing frozen, suddenly ran over, throwing his arms around his mom's waist. "Mom!" he cried, burying his face in her shirt. "Where were you?"

Linda knelt down, pulling both her children close. "A very bad man... and your dad... they took me because they thought I had information that could help them," she explained softly, her voice thick with emotion. "But I didn't. So, they just kept me, messing with me, trying to get me to talk. But I'm here now, and I'm not going anywhere."

Gwen clung to her mother, feeling the weight of the past few months lifting off her shoulders. She had her mom back. Max had his mom back. And Jamie... Jamie wasn't going to hurt them anymore.

Spider-Man stepped forward, pulling Jamie up by the webs. "I'll be taking him down to the station, don't you worry," he said, still in his disguised voice. He gave Gwen a subtle wink, and she couldn't help but smile through her tears.

"Thanks, Spider-Man," she said, her voice soft but full of gratitude.

Peter gave her a small nod before swinging out the window with Jamie in tow, leaving Gwen, Max, and their mom standing together in the middle of the wrecked apartment. It wasn't over-not yet. But for the first time in a long time, Gwen felt like things were going to be okay.

She looked up at her mom and smiled through her tears, knowing that no matter what came next, they would face it together.

It was late. The moon hung high in the sky, casting a pale light into Gwen's room as she lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling. Her mind raced, unable to settle after everything that had happened. Her dad, Spider-Man, her mom's rescue-it all felt like a blur. Gwen turned onto her side, pulling the blanket up to her chin, trying to find some semblance of peace.

Just as her eyes started to drift closed, a soft knock came from her window. Her eyes shot open, her heart leaping into her throat. She sat up slowly, squinting into the darkness, and saw a familiar silhouette standing on the fire escape.

Peter.

She scrambled out of bed, her feet hitting the floor quietly as she rushed to the window and unlatched it. Pulling it open, she was met with the sight of Peter in his Spider-Man suit, his mask off and tucked into his belt, revealing his bruised and battered face.

"Peter?" Gwen whispered, her voice thick with concern as she took in the sight of him. His lip was split, his left eye swollen, and there were cuts and scrapes all over his face. "What happened to you?"

Peter gave her a weak smile, but it was laced with pain. "The Vulture," he said simply, his voice rough. "This... this is from earlier, when I went after him to save your mom."

Gwen's heart clenched. She reached out, her fingers gently brushing against his cheek. "You didn't tell me you were hurt... I didn't realize-"

Peter shrugged, trying to play it off. "You had a lot going on. I didn't want to worry you."

Gwen swallowed hard, her eyes filling with gratitude and something deeper. "Peter... you saved my mom." Her voice trembled as she spoke, the weight of everything sinking in. "I don't even know how to-"

She stopped herself, closing the distance between them and pressing her lips softly against his. The kiss was gentle, but filled with all the emotions she couldn't put into words-gratitude, relief, affection. Peter kissed her back, his hand cupping her cheek for a brief moment before he pulled back, resting his forehead against hers.

"You don't have to thank me," he whispered, his breath warm against her skin. "I'd do it again, a hundred times over."

Gwen felt her heart swell, but then her eyes flicked to his injuries again. "Come inside," she said softly, stepping back to let him climb through the window. "Let me help you."

Peter hesitated for a second, then nodded, clambering into her room with a wince. Once he was inside, Gwen closed the window behind him and quietly led him over to her desk, where she kept a small first aid kit.

As Gwen rummaged through the kit, pulling out antiseptic wipes and bandages, she glanced toward the living room. From her room, she could see her mom and Max snuggled up on the couch, watching a movie together. The soft glow of the TV flickered in the dim apartment, but they were oblivious to what was happening in Gwen's room. It was better that way-her mom didn't need to see Peter like this.

"Hold still," Gwen whispered, kneeling beside him and gently dabbing at the cut on his lip with a disinfectant wipe.

Peter flinched at the sting, but he didn't complain. Instead, he watched her in silence, his tired eyes following her movements as she cleaned his wounds with the utmost care.

"Does it hurt?" Gwen asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Not as much as I thought it would," Peter admitted, his lips twitching into a small smile despite the pain. "You're pretty good at this."

Gwen rolled her eyes playfully, but there was a tenderness in her gaze as she worked. "I've had practice. Max is always getting into scrapes, and... well, I guess I'm a quick learner." She smoothed a bandage over one of the deeper cuts on his cheek, her fingers lingering for a moment longer than necessary.

Peter reached up, his hand gently covering hers. "Thank you," he said quietly, his voice raw. "For helping me. For... everything."

Gwen looked into his eyes, her heart pounding. "No, Peter... thank *you*," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "For saving my mom. For being there when I needed you. I don't think I could have done this without you."

Peter's gaze softened, and for a moment, they simply sat there, the weight of the night pressing in around them. Gwen finished cleaning him up in silence, both of them lost in their thoughts. When she was done, she set the first aid supplies aside and sat next to him on the floor, her back against the bed.

Outside, the night was quiet, the only sound the faint murmur of the movie from the living room. Gwen's shoulders relaxed slightly, the tension easing from her body as she leaned her head against Peter's shoulder.

"I still can't believe my dad was working with the Vulture," Gwen murmured after a long silence, her voice filled with disbelief. "And he tried to take Max and me..."

Peter wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer. "He's not going to get near you again, Gwen," he said firmly. "I'll make sure of it."

Gwen nodded, but deep down, she knew this was just the beginning. There were still so many unanswered questions, so many things left unresolved. But for now, in this moment, she felt safe. Safe with Peter by her side, safe with her mom and Max just a few feet away.

As they sat there in the quiet darkness, Gwen closed her eyes, letting herself breathe for the first time in what felt like days. She didn't know what the future held, but she knew one thing for certain-no matter what happened, she wasn't alone. And that, for now, was enough.

ASH SPEAKS!

thats a wrap on act 1!! i have so many ideas for act 2... theres a bit of what is happening in the act 2 chapter so check that out after this chapter:)

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!
COMMENT AND VOTE! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:)