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One second, he is with Peter Parker 2, the next one, he is back in his universe, on a quiet street, alone.
It wasn't unusual for him to be like this, alone in a quiet and dark place. It was actually the standard. Ever since Gwen... He couldn't even say it.
At first, he tried to busy himself. Constantly patrolling; barely sleeping; making sure that he was in a loud environment so he wouldn't be left alone with his thoughts.
It worked (barely) for a while…
But he quickly realized that no matter what, the guilt and the pain were stronger than anything else.
So, he kept working hard, but when he had the time, he stayed alone in a quiet place so he could think.
Think about Gwen, what she would have been doing if he had been able to save her.
Think about their future, the one they'll never have. Because of him.
Think about his mistakes, where he went wrong, and what he could have done to save her.
Of course, he knew that no amount of thinking would bring Gwen back and that he was just hurting himself by doing so.
He couldn't stop, though. Losing Gwen made him feel like he wasn't good enough, and no matter how many people he'd save, he will never be.
However, that kind of changed when he saved MJ.
For one second only, he saw Gwen in his arms instead of her.
For one second only, he forgot everything else and allowed himself to be truly happy without an ounce of guilt.
He saved her.
He was fast enough, and HE saved HER.
It didn't fix anything. It didn't bring Gwen back to life. But it brought him comfort knowing that Peter Parker number 1 wouldn't have to go through the same pain as him: losing the love of his life.
So yes, being alone was a regular occurrence. What wasn't, however, was the perfume Peter could smell. A scent he knew all too well.
It couldn't be …
He thought he was hallucinating, maybe a side effect of this whole multiverse thing.
But then…
"Hey"
Peter turned around so fast, and he thought his heart had stopped beating at what he saw.
She's standing right there.
Gwen Stacy.
His Gwen was there.
Alive.
He couldn't breathe, and he couldn't stop looking at her. It'd been so long, but she hadn't changed a bit. The same blond hair he used to ruffle to annoy her; The same eyes he could spend hours looking at; The same mouth he loved kissing, and the same soft smile that was only for him.
"Peter"
Her voice brought him back to reality, and he walked towards her. Close enough to feel her breath, but not enough to touch her (in case she was just a product of his imagination).
"Are you... Are you real?" He said. He had to be sure.
She (He refused to call her Gwen yet. Again, just in case…) tilted her head, "I am"
"How?"
"I don't know" she frowned. "The last thing I remember is when ..." she didn't have to say it; Peter knew what she was talking about, "and then next thing I know, I'm here in this alley with you."
Carefully, as if she was the most precious thing in the world (for him she was), he took her hand in his.
When he realized that she was real and he wasn't dreaming, he couldn't stop himself; he hugged her like never before.
He hugged her as if it was the last time because he didn't know how long she would be there.
He hugged her and started crying (because he was happy, sad, tired, he didn't know)
Peter didn't know how long they spent there just hugging each other, but he didn't care. He could stay like this forever if it meant being with Gwen.
At some point, he felt her move, but he didn't bulge, too afraid that if he let go, she would disappear.
"Peter, I need to breathe," she whispered, but he could still hear the teasing tone he loved so much.
He disentangled himself from her but still stayed close. "I'm sorry, I am so sorry…." He was still crying.
Gwen gently wiped his tears. "It wasn't your fault," she didn't let him talk, "and I'm here now; it doesn't matter anymore."
Once again, he couldn't stop looking at her, "I missed you so much," and then he kissed her.
Peter poured everything he could into this kiss. And he could feel that Gwen was doing the same, making up for lost times.
The following day, Peter wakes up in his bed alone, and he thinks that he had dreamt the whole thing.
Until he sees Gwen coming back to his bedroom with their breakfast.
He doesn't know what happened (maybe a miracle?), and he doesn't know how long it will last.
But one thing is sure is that he's going to enjoy every single second of their time together, and that he won't make the same mistakes as before.
THE END.