Sorry this has taken so long! I really really am sorry! I've just started college and the work load is insane. On top of that I've had multiple distractions encluding my own story and some cosplay I am starting to make soon. Yeah I haven't really had much time to write, but now I've got my time sorted out I think I'll be able to make more regular updates to this. Thank you for being patient with me! I know it's not easy .

They both turned up at Peter's house utterly drenched. Aunt May greeted them both with towels and Peter got a slap on the back of the head for letting himself and Gwen get soaked. Aunt May seated them both next to the heater and went back into the kitchen to get started on dinner. Aunt May hadn't made meat loaf since Ben Parker died, and as a result she was experimenting with new recipes, so tonight it was chicken and salad.

"Peter," she called from the other room. "I hope you remembered to hang up your coat I don't want it dripping all over my carpets," Peter looked over to the chair he'd draped his wet coat over.

"Yeah," he said, getting up, grabbing the coat and throwing it onto the hat stand in one swift movement. Gwen giggled to herself. Peter rejoined her at the heater. "What?" he asked, smiling.

"Nothing, so, this is what it's like inside the Parker residence," she said looking around at the childhood pictures on the cabinets and tables. Peter followed her gaze and let out an embarrassed laugh.

"Yeah… well, things have changed a bit recently," said Peter. Gwen's smile faded a little, then she changed the subject.

"So where's your room?" she said.

"Upstairs," he paused, taking in Gwen's expression. "Oh come on then," Gwen smiled as Peter lead her up the stairs and opened the door into his room. Peter shot a glance over at his computer, then remembered he'd changed his background from the debate team a few weeks ago. Gwen looked around at the posters and the random bits of circuit board and books dotted around the room, then she looked back at the custom made lock on his door.

"Are you really that paranoid or are you just worried your Aunt will catch you doing something you don't want her to see?" she said pointing at the lock with her thumb. Peter shrugged awkwardly. She smiled went over to his bed and sat on it, staring at the cork board above his computer. She stood up again and went over to it, there were pictures of his family; his parents, Aunt May, Uncle Ben, then she saw a picture of herself and Peter. Peter noticed her looking and got an envelope from his desk.

"I got those photos from this morning developed," he said handing it to her.

"All of them? I'm sorry I kinda wasted your film,"

"You didn't, trust me," Gwen raised an eyebrow and took out the stack of pictures. First she saw the ones Peter had taken. She didn't really like pictures of her, but she had to admit Peter's pictures were a lot better than the others she'd seen. Then after a few more, there were pictures of Peter. This must have been when she'd stolen the camera. There were a few that were blurred, then she stopped on one of them.

There were two silhouetted figures, their profiles were so close, and their lips slightly parted. Gwen thought back to when she'd held the camera behind her so Peter couldn't reach it, and she'd clicked the shutter by accident.

"I think they came out rather well," said Peter putting his hands on her cheeks. Gwen nodded.

"Yeah," she said quietly, then she put the photos on the desk, and her arms wrapped around Peter's neck, pulling his closer. For a while they just pressed their foreheads together, swaying slightly. Peter looked at her with that expression that made her feel like he was seeing right through her, and then she was craning her neck up to him, their lips were so close, then there was a knock at the door. They looked up, startled, to see Aunt May standing in the door way. Peter regretted leaving the door open.

"Dinner's ready you two," she said with a smile, and then she turned and walked back down the stairs. Peter smiled as he clicked his tongue and Gwen pulled an awkward expression.

It was nice having dinner with just Peter and his Aunt; thought Gwen. No little brothers to worry about and no mother asking questions about her day. Aunt May really was a lovely woman, and she was envious of Peter for having such an uncomplicated relationship with his aunt, not to mention the fact that Aunt May's cooking was quite frankly amazing.

"So you two been going out long?" Peter cleared his throat and Gwen blushed. "What? We're running out of things to talk about and I refuse to let Peter keep this one from me," Peter sighed through his nose.

"Well, that depends on how you define long," Gwen said gingerly looking over at Peter.

"I'll take that as a no then, and I hope he's looking after you," said Aunt May, looking accusingly at Peter, who tried to avoid making eye contact with his aunt. Gwen just smiled, casting a knowing glance his way. Aunt May seemed to sense that the two teens wanted to change the subject. "So Gwen, are you still on that debate team? I remember Peter saying something about that,"

"Oh, no, it takes up too much time after school; I figured I'd try get a job, you know, earn some money," Gwen said, gingerly pushing her food around her plate, her appetite lessened a little.

"Well, there's nothing wrong with that, but surely if you love doing something you should keep at it! Though it's nice your helping your mother out like that," Aunt May grinned sympathetically at Gwen.

"Yeah, I'm considering starting tutoring lessons actually, but I don't really know anyone who'd be interested," Gwen sighed.

"Well it's funny you should say that Gwen, there's a woman who lives just down the street who has two little girls and she was talking to me just the other day about how she wants to get them private lessons, I could talk to her if you want?"

"Would you? Only, it's not like I'm actually qualified to teach,"

"Gwen you don't need to be, you're defiantly smart enough. A person only needs to see your grades to know that," said Peter, his eyes glowing with happiness for Gwen. Gwen blushed slightly and Aunt May smiled, more for the fact that her nephew had found a real girl to fight for, and she deeply hoped he'd keep her, for as long as possible.

By the end of dinner, Aunt May had surely told Gwen every embarrassing story about Peter she could think of, Peter, who was thoroughly unimpressed by this, sat on the sofa in the living room and Gwen sat next to him, leaning her head on his shoulder. Normally she wouldn't have been so casual with him around someone else, but Aunt May was the kind of person she didn't want to hide anything from, She thought that must have make it extremely hard for Peter to keep his secret from her.

The TV was on but they weren't watching anything, well, there was some sort of Chinese cooking channel on, but neither of them was paying much attention to it. Gwen glanced up at the clock; it was almost eight.

"I should probably get going soon; my mum wants me back before my brothers go to bed,"

"They go to bed so soon? Can't your brothers learn to be nocturnal? That would be fun," Peter smiled. Gwen sighed playfully.

"If only. Will you be… out tonight?" she said more quietly.

"Probably; I can't sleep if I hear sirens anyway. Have you ever tried to go to sleep with a siren playing right outside you window? It's never going to happen, unless you're drugged maybe…" Gwen raised an eyebrow

"Can… can you even be drugged?"

"Well… I can be electrocuted?" Gwen paused.

"I… I don't even want to know how you know that," she said. She snuggled deeper into the sofa and closer to Peter. She let out a tired sigh, and then she shut her eyes. She felt completely relaxed at his side; he was warm and safe, and Gwen could be a normal seventeen year old. There were no younger siblings to look after, no mother to run errands for, no school to think about, it was just her and him, and that's how she wanted to stay for as long as she could.

Peter rested his cheek on the top of her head and wrapped a hand around her shoulder. Aunt May stood watching them in the doorway behind the sofa, wiping a plate clean. She tilted her head to one side and smiled at the two teens, who were still 'watching' the Chinese Cooking channel. She paused there for a moment, just absorbing their happiness for a little while longer, leaving them for as long as she could, but then she spoke.

"What time does your mother want you home Gwen?" Gwen and Peter both sat up and turned around. Gwen glanced at the clock again, and her face fell.

"I should start heading back now," she stood up, Peter's hand ran from her shoulder down her arm to her hand, where their fingers entwined. "Thank you for dinner, it was lovely,"

"Oh don't mention it dear, you're welcome to come again whenever you like, it get's kinda lonely with just Peter and me, we welcome the extra company," Gwen smiled and Aunt May then looked back at Peter; he was reluctant, but eventually he let Gwen pull him off the sofa and they went into the hallway. Aunt May went back into the kitchen, knowing full well what was going to happen next.

"Do you want me to walk you home?" said Peter.

"No, that's alright. You could always meat me there though," Peter raised an eyebrow and smiled, hugging an arm around her waist and pulling her closer.

"I accept that invitation," he said. She craned her neck and her face followed his, pressing their foreheads together.

"I'll see you later then," she said quietly, and then she leaned up more and pressed her lips to his. Gwen backed towards the front door; he followed, still hugging her close to him, not wanting to let her go. Eventually, they broke away and Peter opened the front door. Gwen stepped out, took one last look at him, and then turned to leave. Peter was still staring after her as she walked down the street, and then she looked back just as she reached the corner, then she was out of sight.

He shut the door, and leant against the wall, missing her slightly already. He forced himself upright and then he walked back into the kitchen. He didn't say anything as his aunt continued to do the washing up. Aunt May glanced up at him, then chuckled to herself.

"What?" he said, jumping up to sit on the work top. Aunt May shook her head with a smile.

"You," she said, "who knew you could be such a romantic, you surprise me Peter," Peter pulled an annoyed expression.

"Are you making fun of me now?" he said.

"Oh no, I'm just so happy to see you like this, and Gwen is such a nice girl, really, she's a keeper," Aunt May nodded to herself as she carried some plates to the cupboard. "You make sure you keep her young man, you hear me?" Peter was surprised at Aunt May's sudden outburst of seriousness; he just sat there, staring at her. It was almost like she knew something he didn't… "Now get yourself to bed," Peter's expression faded instantly. He groaned a little as he slipped off the work top and headed to the stares, but before he went he turned back to his Aunt.

"Hey, Aunt May?" he said.

"Hmm?" she replied.

"Thank you,"