206. Snowfall Between Heartbeats. (Patreon)

Gwen POV:

The first snow of Christmas always feels quieter than other snow.

Maybe it’s the way the city pauses for half a second, like New York itself is taking a breath. Or maybe it’s because even sirens sound softer when the world is painted white.

Snowflakes drifted past my mask, catching on the gold tracery of the Archangel Mk. II. New York glittered ahead, already preparing for midnight fireworks. Treating as if the entire city didn't nearly go up in flames. The neon signs reflected on fresh snow like colors on a blank canvas.

And... my Peter wasn’t beside me.

The first Christmas midnight he wasn’t here to watch the fireworks with me.

Four days.

Four days isn’t long in the grand scheme of things. We’ve faced worse and longer time separate when we were friends and it seems like marriage does something strange to time.

When you love someone the way I love Peter, four days stretches into something that aches.

Max Dillon and Donald Menken were already in custody. Police lights flashed red and blue across the snow. Officers moved with urgency, securing the scene, cataloging damage, doing the unglamorous work that keeps the city functioning.

Dad walked up beside me.

He didn’t say anything. Just placed a warm, steady hand on my shoulder.

He wanted to comfort me. I could feel it in the pause, in the way his fingers squeezed lightly like he used to when I was a kid scared of thunderstorms but when the mask was on, I wasn’t his daughter.

I was Spider-Woman. I was Archangel.

So, he left without a word and I loved him for knowing when silence was kinder than speech.

I turned to leave... A green flash split the air behind me.

I spun instantly, half a dozen threat scenarios running through my mind.

“Warn us when you suddenly decide to test untested teleporter tech!!!” Tony’s modulated voice grumbled.

There they were, Tony and Peter in armor.

Pepper in a black sports bra and sports shorts.

My brain short-circuited for half a second.

“Uh… hi, Mr. Parker,” I said, lifting my hand in the most awkward robotic wave imaginable.

Smooth, Gwen. Real smooth. I was really testing whether one can die of cringe.

Peter sighed in that fond, tired way only he could manage and said, “George, can you leave with your officers?”

Dad looked between us once, understanding far more than he let on. “Sure, kiddo.”

Then Frank Davis because the universe enjoys testing me grabbed his own hair dramatically.

“Oh come on!!! You can’t be more blatant than this!!! Who do you think you’re fooling, Parker?! Spider-Woman is the captain’s daughter and your wife Gwendolyn Maxine Stacy-Parker!”

My fists clenched in anger. My anger wasn't directed at Peter. At the circus my life had become.

Peter just sighed. “Whatever you say, Davis. Whatever you say.”

The officers rolled out and the cruisers pulled away. The armored van carrying the prisoners followed.

Snow kept falling quietly.

Peter stepped toward me and gently took my clenched fists in his hands.

“You deserve recognition,” he said softly. “But life is seldom kind to the name Peter Parker or anyone with ‘Spider’ in their title.”

His voice lowered.

“I know you laugh when Jameson takes jabs at you but I’m your husband. I know you hide your hurt behind jokes. Please… forgive my selfishness for being away.”

My stomach churned at Peter's sincerity while tears fell from my eyes behind the mask.

"Damn it, Gwen. You’re leaking again." I scolded myself.

My mask receded. Cold air hit my cheeks while tears blurred my vision.

I hugged him.

“I didn’t mean to snap,” I admitted. “I’m just tired of Frank Davis and… I missed you so much.”

He hugged me back instantly, like he’d been waiting to. Like he needed it too.

His armor receded into casual clothes. His thumbs wiped my tears like it was the most natural job in the world.

He leaned down and I didn’t wait for him to reach my lips. I kissed him first. My lips touched his lips with urgency while my tongue slid inside his mouth without waiting for permission.

Four days without my husband’s touch felt like holding my breath underwater. That kiss felt like surfacing.

He rested his forehead against mine. Our breaths fogged in the winter air, mixing together.

Then... Ahem.

Pepper.

Tony was hugging her from behind while she glowed with a dull amber Extremis warmth.

“Listen,” Pepper said, amused, “as much as I enjoy being Tony’s personal heat pack, I’d love a higher vantage point for the fireworks.”

I laughed while Tony scooped her up bridal-style.

Both my armor and Peter’s reactivated.

Christmas was here and I planned on enjoying it.

Peter POV:

I could’ve teleported us straight to Parker Tower.

One thought,one command.

Done.

But my suit’s mood-readers picked up what we all felt.

We wanted to fly. Sometimes the journey matters more than the destination.

We glided over New York’s skyline. Snow drifted between skyscrapers while windows glowed warm gold. People laughed on rooftops. Carolers sang somewhere below.

The city didn’t know how close it had come to darkness tonight and that was the point.

Parker Tower rose to meet us. We landed just as the city’s countdown began.

Thousands of voices echoed upward.

10… 9… 8…

Gwen’s hand found mine.

Her fingers were cold even through the suit.

I squeezed gently.

7… 6…

She looked at me.

There was so much in her eyes. Relief, love, fatigue, trust. The kind of understanding only shared by two people who’ve bled for the same world.

5… 4…

“I hated not having you here.” Gwen whispered.

“I hated being away.” I replied.

3… 2… 1…

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Fireworks exploded across the sky. Stars, reindeer, snowflakes, glowing trees made of light.

Reflections danced across Gwen’s face.

She turned fully toward me.

We kissed again.

This time Gwen was more slower and gentler. We both savoured each other's taste. Like we were reminding each other we were real.

Her split tongue brushed mine playfully, familiarly, intimately. Not just hunger but connection. The quiet language of two married people who know each other too well to pretend otherwise.

“Geez, get a room you two.” Tony said.

Gwen fired back instantly, “Get married first.”

Pepper laughed.

Tony went silent.

Victory.

I rested my forehead against Gwen’s.

“For the record,” I murmured, “every Christmas with you beats any timeline where I save the world alone.”

She smiled softly. “And every world worth saving,” she replied, “is one where I come home to you.”

Fireworks roared overhead.

Snow fell and for a little while… We were just Gwen and Peter. Husband and wife.

Not heroes or symbols.

Just us.