[A/N]: Next goal is 400 Powerstones for two more bonus chapters. As always comment, share, and gift stones if you're enjoying the story!
When they finally pulled apart, Ben studied Peter's face. "You've been crying."
"I thought you were going to die," Peter said, voice breaking again. "I thought I'd lose you."
"I know, son. I know." Ben's hand cupped Peter's cheek. "But I'm fine. We're all fine. That's what matters."
May wiped her eyes, though her hands still shook. The fear was still fresh from the memory of that phone call, of rushing to the hospital, of thinking she might lose Ben again. It would take time for that to fade. "When I got that call from the hospital, when they said Ben was in surgery, I thought... I thought..."
"But I'm here." Ben squeezed her hand. "We're all here. Together."
Peter noticed something then. The way Ben looked at him like something clicked for him.
"Uncle Ben?"
"Peter, we'll talk later. About a lot of things." Ben's tone carried meaning. "But right now, I just want to be grateful. Grateful for whatever miracle happened in that operating room and for my family."
Peter nodded.
Gwen stood in the doorway, giving them space. Peter caught her eye, and she smiled. Warm, genuine and made his chest tight in a completely different way.
May looked at Gwen, then at Peter and saw something pass between them. A mother's understanding was all she needed to know there was more to this story.
"Mrs. Parker," Gwen said quietly. "Would you like some coffee? I think there's a cafeteria on the second floor. Give these two some time alone?"
May hesitated, looked at Ben, then at Peter and finally nodded. "That sounds good. Thank you, Gwen."
They left, and the door closed. Peter and Ben sat in the hospital room.
Late afternoon light filtered through the hospital window. Peter sat in the chair beside Ben's bed. The room was quiet except for the distant sounds of hospital life, of beeping monitors, voices in hallway and hum of air conditioning.
"I was terrified," Peter admitted. "When I saw you were hurt, I thought it was my fault. That if I'd been paying attention, if I'd been patrolling instead of shopping for stupid comics..."
"Then you would've missed spending time with me." Ben's hand found Peter's. "Peter, you can't be everywhere. You can't prevent every bad thing. All you can do is your best. And your best includes taking care of yourself and the people who love you."
"That's basically what Mr. Jay said."
"Then this Jay sounds like a smart man." Ben squeezed Peter's hand. "Peter, I know something happened. Something more than a random mugging. The doctors were talking about a miracle. About impossible healing. And there was a man here, someone they couldn't quite see clearly."
Peter's throat tightened. "Uncle Ben..."
"You don't have to explain everything right now." Ben's voice was gentle. "But I need you to know something. Whatever you're involved in, whatever responsibilities you've taken on, I'm here. Your aunt is here. We'll support you. But Peter, you're still a kid. You're still my nephew. And sometimes, it's okay to let other people help carry the weight."
Peter felt tears building again, but this time from overwhelming love for this man who'd raised him. Who'd taught him right from wrong. Who, even now, after nearly dying, was worried about Peter's well-being.
"Uncle Ben, there's something else." Peter's hand went to the quarter around his neck. "The bullet that hurt you. It was meant for me. This quarter, it deflected the shot and saved my life, but..."
"But hurt me instead." Ben's expression was understanding, not angry. "Peter, look at me. I'd take a hundred bullets if it meant keeping you safe. That's what family does. We protect each other."
"But I almost got you killed. Don't you get it? My life, whatever the hell I do, puts you and Aunt May in danger. Maybe I should just... maybe I should stop. Maybe I should give up being Spider-Man before someone really dies because of me."
"Stop?" Ben's voice went firm. "Peter, listen to me. These extraordinary abilities you have, whatever path you're on, it's part of who you are. You can't just turn that off. And I wouldn't want you to. The question isn't whether you use your gifts. It's how you use them. And part of that is knowing when to step back. When to let yourself be a teenager instead of carrying the world on your shoulders."
Peter nodded, unable to speak and overwhelmed.
Ben pulled him close again. "I'm proud of you, son. Proud of the man you're becoming. The hero you're trying to be. Just promise me one thing."
"Anything."
"Don't carry it alone. You have people who care about you. Use them. Trust them. Let them help. And Peter... don't let guilt destroy you. What happened today wasn't your fault. Bad things happen. That's life. But you survived, and so did I."
Peter pressed his face against Ben's shoulder. Like he was five years old again. Like the world wasn't complicated and terrifying and full of impossible choices. "I promise."
They stayed like that until May, and Gwen returned.
When Peter finally left with Gwen, walking through the quiet corridors, he felt lighter. The guilt was still there, but underneath it all was hope.
That night, Peter lay in his bed at home. Aunt May had insisted he come home, eat, and rest. Uncle Ben would be discharged tomorrow, and everything would go back to normal.
Peter stared at the ceiling. Thought about Uncle Ben's words about balance, choosing family and just being the friendly neighbourhood hero instead of trying to save the world.
His phone buzzed. It was a text from Gwen.
[You okay?]
Peter smiled and typed back.
[Getting there. Thanks for today. For everything.]
[Anytime, Pete. That's what friends are for. Though... I think we both know we're more than friends now, right?]
Peter's heart skipped. He stared at the message for a long moment, then typed:
[Yeah. We are. And Gwen? Thank you for being there. For not running when I lost it.]
[I'm not going anywhere, Peter Parker. You're stuck with me.]
Peter smiled, warmth spreading through his chest.
Friends. No... more than friends.
He had more than he realized.
Peter closed his eyes and finally slept, the dented quarter resting against his chest as a reminder that luck, love, and family were all complicated, messy, and worth fighting for.
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