The morning sun filtered through the blinds of Nathan's room, casting fractured beams of light across his cluttered desk and the pile of homework he was definitely not going to finish. His alarm had gone off hours ago, but he hadn't needed it. His internal clock was better than any digital beep wired from months of early patrols, sudden alerts, and that little voice in his head that never let him rest.
He sat up, stretched, and rubbed the back of his neck. Saturday. No school. No obligations.
Time to be Spider-Man.
Within minutes, he was suited up, mask tugged on, web cartridges loaded. As he vaulted out the window and shot into the sky, the familiar rush of wind greeted him like an old friend.
Queens was quiet. Still waking up.
He perched on a lamppost across from a small school playground, watching kids chase each other with the kind of wild joy that only came from recess and sugar.
But then he saw it.
A kid, scrawny and nervous, cornered by two older ones near the fence. The backpack clutched to his chest was overshadowed only by the shoebox he held with the desperation of someone guarding treasure.
"Come on, nerd," one of the bullies sneered. "It's just a stupid volcano!"
"Yeah," the other laughed. "Science fair's over. Time for lava-cano!"
As they reached to grab it, a white web zipped across the playground and snatching the shoebox clean from their grip.
Then Spider-Man dropped down in a perfect crouch between them, holding the box casually like a pizza delivery.
"Wow," he said, tilting his head. "You guys tryin' out for the Jerk Olympics, or just practicing for your future careers as mall cops?"
The bullies stared. One of them actually whimpered.
"Y-You're Spider-Man."
"Nope," Nathan said, inspecting the box. "Just your friendly neighborhood lava inspector. And this right here? Peak craftsmanship."
He turned to the trembling kid and offered the box back carefully. "You use red food coloring and glitter?"
The boy blinked, nodded. "Y-Yeah."
"Showmanship," Nathan said with a nod. "Respect."
He turned back to the bullies. "Now unless you two want glitter bombs in your lockers for the rest of the semester, I'd suggest scramming."
They ran. Fast.
"Still got it," Nathan muttered, standing up and brushing imaginary dust off his shoulder.
He looked at the kid. "C'mon, walk me through the science. I've got ten minutes and a weak spot for dramatic chemical reactions."
Ten minutes later…
"So you used citric acid and baking soda?" Nathan asked, strolling beside the kid down a quiet block.
The boy grinned. "Yeah! It makes it foam more."
"Smart move. You've got potential," Nathan said, pointing at him. "Next year, add dry ice. And maybe a little fog machine. Or a Lego man screaming for his life. Science is about storytelling."
The boy laughed. "Thanks, Spider-Man."
"Anytime," Nathan replied, giving him a two-finger salute. "Now go change the world. One volcano at a time."
One block later…
An elderly woman stood at a crosswalk, glaring at the blinking red hand like it owed her rent money.
Nathan landed beside her silently.
"Evening, ma'am. You need help?"
She didn't flinch. "You the spider boy?"
"Technically a man, but yeah."
She gave him a once-over. "You single? Got a granddaughter. Loves a man in tights even though she prefers Armani."
Nathan chuckled. "I'll swing by after I iron my cape and defeat evil, promise."
He gently helped her across, webs waving cars to a stop as they crossed.
"You're alright, Spider-Man," she said once they made it. "Bit dramatic, but alright."
"I've been told," he replied, watching her walk off with a smile.
Down the street…
A screech split the air. A teenager tore down the sidewalk on a stolen bike, nearly colliding with a fruit cart.
"Stop that guy!" someone shouted from a nearby deli.
Nathan didn't hesitate.
He launched himself into the air, swung low, and dropped right in front of the thief. A quick double-thwip webbed both tires, flipping the bike into a bush. The kid landed face-first.
Spider-Man caught the bike mid-flip.
He turned to the street.
"Whose bike?"
A woman hurried over. "My nephew's! Thank you!"
He handed it over. "Tell Greg he owes me a thank-you card. And a better lock."
Later…
He perched on another lamppost, watching the sun dip below the skyline. His phone buzzed inside his mask.
Text from Peter.
Peter :You forgot you were supposed to meet us at the arcade before the dance, didn't you?
Nathan sighed.
"Great power. Great responsibility. Chronic forgetfulness."
He replied:
Nathan: Be there in 10. Had to fight science, gravity, and grandma matchmaking."
He launched himself into the sky.
The arcade sign buzzed over his head Galaxy Lanes & Arcade. Inside, the smell of rubber pizza and soda syrup hit like nostalgia.
His suit is under his hoodie and he walked in.
The gang was already there.
Peter was losing to a claw machine. MJ leaned on the air hockey table. Gwen was crushing someone in a racing game. Harry lounged with a slushie. And Ava?
She was watching it all like a queen judging her court.
Nathan strolled up.
"Sorry I'm late. I had to escort a grandma, rescue a volcano, and threaten two middle schoolers."
Ava raised an eyebrow. "You always make up bedtime stories, or is this just foreplay?"
Nathan grinned. "Only the true ones."
MJ perked up. "Good. Now we can destroy Gwen in Mario Kart."
"I will break you," Gwen muttered, already grabbing a controller.
Thirty minutes later…
Carnage. Gwen obliterated them in racing. MJ annihilated Peter at DDR. Harry was on an ego trip after beating Time Crisis.
Nathan? He was stuck in a ticket ring, trying to free himself from the prize chute.
"You good?" Ava asked, sipping a slushie.
"Thriving," he said. "Trapped in a rainbow death coil. Classic me."
"Not everyone would embarrass themselves for plastic swords."
"Three hundred tickets. That lightsaber is mine."
Peter helped pull him free.
MJ checked her phone. "So… tonights prom. What's the move?"
"Harry's dad's driver is taking me and Gwen," Harry said.
"I didn't agree to that," Gwen replied. "Might steal a motorcycle instead."
Nathan raised a brow. "Morally obligated to stop that."
"Catch me first."
Ava crossed her arms. "So… group entrance?"
MJ grinned. "Obviously. We make an entrance."
Harry tossed a token. "Nathan's driving the rest of you?"
Nathan froze. "Uh… yeah! I just need to… check the gas levels."
Peter smirked. "It runs on sarcasm and poor decisions."
"I will glue your mouth shut."
Ava tilted her head. "So you're driving me?"
Nathan blinked. "If… you're okay with that?"
"I'll risk it. As long as there's no volcano kids."
"No promises."
As the laughter died down, they lingered near the pinball machine. Gwen and MJ argued over dress colors. Peter Googled "how to dance without dying." Harry was still flexing his high score.
Nathan stood beside Ava again.
"You ever been to a school dance?"
She shrugged. "Florida. Mosquitos. DJ played Baby Shark three times. I have trauma."
Nathan winced. "Ouch."
"I'm trusting you not to make this worse."
"You trust me?"
She paused. "Statistically, no. But you're entertaining. And you look like you'd punch someone for a girl. That buys some faith."
Nathan smirked. "Only if they insult the dress."
"I don't wear pink."
"Noted. Punching anyone who assumes otherwise."
She nudged him lightly. "You're weird."
"Takes one to know one."
Later That Evening – Queens
Nathan and Peter sat on the hood of Peter's car.
The silence was thick.
"We should tell him," Nathan finally said.
Peter didn't ask who. "Nate…"
"He's our best friend."
Peter sighed. "You think he'll understand?"
"No. But he deserves the truth."
Peter nodded slowly.
"We tell him now."
"…Now?"
"Duct tape and cookies," Nathan said.
Peter smiled. "Solid plan."
20 Minutes Later – Osborn Manor
Harry opened the door in sweats. "This isn't pizza. What's going on?"
Nathan looked serious. "We need to talk."
Inside, the tension was sharp.
Nathan paced. Peter fidgeted.
Harry crossed his arms. "Spit it out."
Nathan inhaled.
"I'm Spider-Man."
Harry blinked. Then laughed. Then… stopped.
Nathan fired a web, caught a statue, and gently placed it down.
Harry stared.
"No. Freaking. Way."
Peter nodded. "I known for a couple of months."
Harry stood. "A couple of months?! You lied to me?"
"We were trying to protect you," Peter said.
Harry's face was a storm. Then…
"You idiots."
Nathan blinked. "What?"
"You're both idiots. But… you're my idiots."
He collapsed onto the couch, exhaling.
Nathan grinned. "So you're cool?"
"No. But yeah."
Peter smiled. "Brotherhood Pact still stands?"
Harry smirked. "Long as you swing me around the city."
Nathan raised a fist. "Deal."
But outside the living room door, unseen is Norman who stood in the hallway.
And he had heard everything.
A sinister smile crept across his face.