215. Home Is Where the Love Is. (Patreon)

Peter Parker POV:

I’ve designed orbital weapons platforms, I’ve built interstellar carriers, I’ve mathematically folded spacetime into a usable commute and yet nothing stresses me out quite like hosting dinner.

The cafeteria aboard the UNSC Infinity was built to feed eighteen thousand personnel at peak capacity. Rows of modular tables stretched across the chamber, holographic ceiling panels projecting a soft twilight sky instead of sterile metal bulkheads.

Europa’s orbit shimmered faintly in the far observation windows.

I stood at the center aisle with my hands on my hips.

“Melvin.” I said.

“Yes, Captain?”

“Holiday protocol.”

The lights shifted warmer. Artificial fireplaces flickered along the walls. Garlands of photonic holly materialized across support beams. Purely decorative, completely climate-controlled hardlight snow drifted softly from the ceiling and sublimated before touching the floor.

Miles stared upward. “You decorated a supercarrier.”

“A happy sailor is an effective sailor. It's just psychology.” I replied.

The food replicators printed out food out of molecules and turning them into whatever the person wanted.

“Menu?” Hobie asked, sliding into a seat.

“Whatever you want.” I answered.

"Sic." Replied Hobie.

Miles and his parents, Rio and Jefferson sat together, Rio already helping Aunt May (1610-B) adjust her shawl.

Peter B. and MJ (616-B) were seated beside Gwen-65-B and Scarred Peter.

Gayatri and Inspector Singh sat near Pavitr and Aunt Maya.

Peni perched atop SP//dr’s shoulder while the mech sat at the floor.

Margo and Hobie shared a table with Ganke, who was aggressively inspecting every utensil for advanced technology and unfortunately for him it was just silverware.

My Uncle Ben and Aunt May sat with my father-in-law George and Gwen squeezed my hand before taking her seat beside them.

Harry and Felicia had joined via a secure holo-projection from his Manhattan skyscraper, with his mother Emily, her husband Richard Kirk, and the two kids Arnold and Lily waving shyly at the camera.

Even Betty and Glory were there, laughing as Em Jay tried to pretend she wasn’t nervous around MJ 616-B.

Everyone is here.

“Okay,” I said loudly, clinking a glass. “This ship has survived vacuum exposure, antimatter ignition and a direct lightning strike from a gas giant.”

I paused.

“Let’s see if it survives Christmas dinner.”

Laughter rippled through the hall.

---

The first dishes arrived via robotic server trays.

Queens-style lasagna for Peter B, Coquito for Rio, Butter chicken with naan for Pavitr, scones for Aunt May, spicy miso ramen for Peni, Irish stew for Gwen and for me? Stacked pancakes of course.

Miles pointed at my plate. “You’re on a spaceship in another star system and you’re eating pancakes.”

“They’re consistent,” I replied. “Unlike cosmic entities.”

Inspector Singh raised a glass. “To consistency, then.”

We all echoed the toast.

---

“Peter,” Margo began cautiously, “what’s the total annual maintenance cost of this ship?”

I sipped syrup. “Classified.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Ballpark.”

“Several small nations. Technically.”

She choked on her drink.

Hobie leaned over. “You ever worry about becoming what you fight?”

The question was serious but the intent was hidden within polite wording.

I met his gaze. “Power doesn’t corrupt,” I replied calmly. “It reveals.”

There was silence for a brief moment and then Peter B. raised his fork. “For the record, if this guy ever goes evil, I’m retiring.”

“Same.” Miles said immediately.

Gwen elbowed me gently. “You’re not allowed to go evil.”

“Noted.” I replied.

---

Uncle Ben (65M) cleared his throat. “Peter.”

I looked at him. “Yes, Uncle Ben?”

He smiled softly. “I am proud of you.”

“You built all this,” he continued, gesturing around. “But you still come home for dinner.”

“Of course I do.” I said.

Aunt May dabbed her eyes.

Peter B. laughed softly. “That’s universal.”

MJ 616-B leaned toward Em Jay. “You see?” she whispered. “They’re all like this.”

Em Jay nodded slowly. “Yeah,” she murmured. “They are.”

Dinner stretched long and stories were exchanged.

Miles recounted his first fight with Spot, Peni described SP//dr upgrades, Gayatri teased Pavitr mercilessly, Felicia winked through the holo-screen towards Peter B. while MJ muttured something about people never changing and Harry rolled his eyes affectionately.

At one point, Arnold and Lily insisted on seeing “the big laser,” and Melvin obligingly projected a harmless hologram of the MAC cannon firing into empty space even though it's very anticlimactic since it's pure kinetic force.

By the time dessert arrived which was a triple-layer chocolate cake and traditional plum pudding the cafeteria felt less like a warship and more like home.

---

The jump back to Earth was smoother than the first.

The hyperspace tunnel opened once more, and within moments and Europa station glittered beside us.

The Infinity docked silently within its cloaked Europa shipyard before we transitioned via slipspace portal back to Parker Tower.

Snow was falling over Manhattan.

It felt like Christmas.

Gwen Stacy-Parker POV:

The penthouse looked warmer than I remembered o maybe I just felt warmer.

The tree stood tall near the panoramic windows, decorated with ornaments from multiple universes.

A Spider emblem here, a small Halo ring replica there, a little Irish harp I’d hung myself.

Everyone gathered in the living room. Presents stacked beneath the tree.

Peter clapped his hands together. “Alright.”

He looked around. “No antimatter gifts this year.”

Miles groaned dramatically at the joke.

---

Peni received a custom quantum processor core for SP//dr.

She hugged Peter fiercely. “Thank you.”

Gayatri opened a scholarship fund endowment in her name. She blinked twice before hugging Peter in disbelief.

Inspector Singh received upgraded tactical gear since Mumbattan is a very dense place.

Peter B. opened a vintage, perfectly preserved Halo collector’s edition set.

He actually looked misty-eyed. “Harry and I used to...”

He stopped. I squeezed his shoulder.

“I know how it feels.” I whispered.

MJ 616-B received a recording studio endowment for aspiring musicians in Queens.

She stared at Peter. “You remembered.”

He shrugged. “I remember everything.”

Miles got a customized F-302 flight simulator rig installed in his room back home.

Ganke nearly passed out.

Em Jay, Betty, and Glory received full international tour funding no strings attached.

Em Jay looked at Peter carefully. “No expectations?”

“None.” He said. Probably because he doesn't expect much.

She nodded. “Thank you.”

My dad received something simpler.

A framed photograph of him, me, Peter, Uncle Ben and Aunt May together.

He hugged us both without a word.

Uncle Ben and Aunt May received a restored Middletown High yearbook from their school year which was faded due to getting wet at the basement.

They laughed at old photos and then Peter handed me my gift.

It was small and wrapped in silver paper. Inside was a simple bracelet. Woven from a thin filament of Vibranium-S and Mysterium that amplified my Spider-Sense

“I know you don’t need protection,” he said “But humor me.”

I smiled. “You absolute nerd.”

I kissed him and everyone cheered.

---

One by one, portals shimmered open.

Hugs were exchanged.

Tears threatened but didn’t quite fall.

Miles hugged me tightly. “Tell your Peter he’s still insane.”

“I will.” I replied.

Peter B. pulled my husband into a tight embrace.n“Don’t carry the universe alone.” He muttered.

“I won’t.” Peter replied.

MJ 616-B hugged Em Jay last. “You’re going to be okay, believe it.” She said softly.

Em Jay nodded. “I know.”

Because maybe for the first time, she believed it.

The last portal closed. Silence settled over the penthouse while snow fell outside.

Peter wrapped an arm around my waist. “Successful holiday?” He asked.

I leaned into him.

“Yeah,” I whispered. “For a multiversal warlord.”

He snorted.

“I prefer ‘host.’ ”

I looked at the city lights below.

At the stars above and at my husband.

I thought, no matter the universe, the power.

Home is wherever we choose to stay and tonight I am choosing my forever home all over again.