On the rooftop of a tall building.
Alaric and Gwen stood there, gazing at the beautiful nighttime panorama of New York.
As for Peter, Alaric had already sent him home.
And Gwen didn't want to return so early, so she came here to enjoy the view for a bit.
"Thank you, Alaric. If it weren't for you, I don't know what would've happened, it would've been something terrible-awful."
Gwen looked at Alaric worriedly.
She couldn't even imagine how she would've looked Aunt May and her father in the eyes if Alaric hadn't been there just now!
She would never be able to forgive herself for the rest of her life!
It would've become a permanent scar in her heart.
"This is only the beginning, Gwen. As a superhero, the hardships you'll face in the future will only grow greater. You must be ready for that."
Alaric warned her.
"I know…" Gwen's mood dropped a little.
"If you decide to quit, that's fine. No one will blame you."
"I… Let me think about it some more."
"All right. In any case, if you ever need help, you can come to me anytime."
"Thank you! Alaric!"
Gwen's eyes suddenly became moist, and she jumped into Alaric's arms and hugged him tightly.
"You…" Alaric was taken aback, unsure where to put his hands.
"Let me hug you," Gwen murmured softly.
At that moment, faced with Alaric's question, Gwen truly didn't know what to do.
At the beginning, as a superhero, she felt happy; using her powers to help people gave her a great sense of fulfillment.
And, of course, she felt the applause and admiration of others.
But after tonight's events, Gwen realized that not all superhero moments are easy.
Not all enemies are ones she can handle alone.
Gwen was scared. She was afraid people around her would suffer because of her!
She never wanted to see someone like Peter die in front of her again!!
That's why she hesitated.
She realized how great a responsibility it was to be a superhero.
If she decided to continue, she would have to be mentally prepared.
If she quit… her inner voice told her she didn't want to quit.
Gwen closed her eyes, leaned on Alaric's chest, feeling his warmth, thinking quietly, and then suddenly felt that Alaric's hands were getting a little restless?
Gwen blushed, her body stiffened.
Alaric didn't notice Gwen's change; his hand was on her waist, his fingers feeling the texture of her spider suit and he was wondering to himself how Jane would look wearing the same kind of suit…
However, he figured Jane probably wouldn't agree, since she was quite conservative.
Then Alaric spaced out, and his right hand slid a bit lower, grabbing a certain part.
At that moment Gwen couldn't take it anymore; she suddenly jumped out of his embrace, bit her lip, and glared at him angrily.
"You…" Alaric snapped out of it and looked at Gwen in confusion.
"You still have to ask!? What were you doing just now!!"
Gwen pulled her hands behind her back, embarrassed.
"I just…"
Alaric recalled and realized Gwen was panting and blushing.
"Wait! You misunderstood! I didn't do it on purpose, I was just curious what material your suit is made of!"
Alaric quickly tried to defend himself.
"Well even if you were, you're…"
Gwen wanted to continue, but was too embarrassed to finish.
"I just wanted to know what it feels like to wear such a suit… Wait! I didn't mean you!"
"Don't misunderstand!"
Alaric was mortified, how could he explain the truth!?
But honestly, Gwen's suit did feel pretty nice to the touch…
"Ignore you! Bye!!"
Gwen glared at him angrily, then turned around and jumped off the roof.
"Don't you want me to take you back?" Alaric called out.
"Pervert!"
Gwen's voice faded into the distance.
"I hope Gwen doesn't get mad and start ignoring me in the future…"
Alaric felt awkward.
...
After she left, Gwen flew for a while and landed on the rooftop of another building.
She removed her mask, leaned against the wall, and breathed rapidly.
"Aaaa!!"
As soon as she remembered how she had flown into Alaric's arms, and his naughty hands, she covered her face in shame and screamed.
Gwen wanted to sink into the ground!
First changing clothes in front of Alaric, then hugging, then throwing herself into his arms!
"Does Alaric think I'm easy?!"
"Or did he figure out I like him?!"
"Or… maybe Alaric likes me too!?"
Gwen questioned herself and didn't know what to think anymore.
Ugh!
At that moment, a police car drove by on the street below.
Gwen quickly pulled her mask back on in a panic and pushed off with her web, vanishing into the night.
She had nearly forgotten she had to get home quickly!
Luckily, her dad wouldn't be back for a while.
...
The next morning, just when Alaric thought he had angered Gwen and wouldn't see her for a while, someone knocked on the temple door, it was Gwen.
"Gwen, what are you doing here?"
"Alaric, it's bad! They scolded me!!"
Gwen spoke pitifully the moment she entered.
"What happened? Who scolded you?"
Alaric was confused.
"Um! The editor of this newspaper called me a murderer!!"
Gwen pulled a newspaper from her bag and handed it to him, full of resentment.
On the front page was a photo from the same building as last night.
In the image was the moment after Peter split Flash in half and fled.
Some reporter had snapped a shot at that very moment that made it look like Gwen was running in the opposite direction of the Lizard, giving the impression that Spider-Woman was fleeing the crime scene.
"Who is she? Why does she wear a mask!?"
"A young man's life ended because of her!"
"Spider-Woman needs to come forward and take responsibility!!"
"She's not a superhero! She should be arrested!!"
...
Jonah Jameson, editor-in-chief of the Daily Clarion, because he couldn't stand Spider-Man, used the paper to lash out, portraying Spider-Woman as a villain and relentlessly smearing her.
He put all the blame for last night's incident on Gwen, completely ignoring the damage the Lizard had caused to others and the police.
It could be said that Jonah was Spider-Man and Spider-Woman's number one hater.
Because of the narrative pushed by the newspaper, many people who didn't know what really happened, nor who Spider-Woman was, began to treat her with hostility and called on the police to arrest her as soon as possible!
The NYPD, under public pressure and from the victim's family, issued a warrant for Spider-Woman.
This enraged Gwen terribly!
She had fought all night to save people!!
And even if she hadn't managed to save someone, she didn't kill them!!
Gwen was indescribably hurt and resentful!