House of Parker

Featured Characters - Peter Parker and Twilight Sparkle

Rating - T

Chapter Three "Guilt"

    Peter trotted through Whitetail Woods with his gaze fixed on the ground while grass crunched underhoof, but the clear skies and bright sun couldn't have triggered such a depressing mood. It was that day once again, the date marking his life like a stormy night.   His head hung low as he approached a makeshift headstone, the name of his beloved uncle inscribed on the grave.

    Despite having come to terms with his life in Equestria, Peter refused to let the death of his uncle go, the guilt having molded him into the being he was today.  There were so many emotions he felt coming here, far too many to count for his taste, but Peter knew it was what drove him.  With great power comes great responsibility.  He promised to devote his life to helping those around him, and it was because of this lifestyle that Peter met his loving wives and gave his aunt a fresh start in Equestria.    That was just a pitiful way to excuse his misdeed.    While his herd knew of Uncle Ben's fate, Peter never told them about the makeshift grave he made in his honor.  The stallion scoffed, turning his hazel gaze skyward. A part of him wanted to bring his Aunt May here to this place.  After all, Uncle Ben was her husband, but Peter closed his eyes shamefully, brushing the thought away.  Perhaps it was a pathetic way to make amends or an act to cling to something of his old home.  Sighing, Peter knew neither was the case. He simply did not want to trouble anypony with his past.Each girl was sensitive, and Peter refused to break a single heart.It was still so lonely to shoulder the burden.    He fell to the ground, running his hoof over his uncle's name.  Peter was just an arrogant kid that made a mistake, but that carelessness cost a man his life.  If only he listened. Aunt May would still have Uncle Ben by her side.  The guilt always remained intact, the desolate isolation embedding itself deep into his soul. It meant so much to him, and he hated it.  Uncle Ben was the closest thing Peter had to a father, and he threw it away.  How careless could one man be?    Now, Peter promised to use his power for the greater good, but even then, he found ways to fail.  He quickly tuned out those thoughts.  Now was not the time to wallow in his other failures.  Today was about Uncle Ben.    A tear rolled along the side of his cheek.  The guilt Peter felt grew heavier, wearing continuously on Peter's great strength.  He muttered several words of apology to the grave, his voice breaking further with each sentence.  It was all for naught. Peter couldn't forgive himself even if Uncle Ben were to do the opposite.  Having enough, he dropped a set of flowers in front of the grave and made his way to his hooves.  However, he turned at the sound of rustling leaves behind him.    Most ponies would disregard the sound as the wind’s work.  But Peter knew that rustle and what it entailed, and turned around. Yet he could not stop his nerve from slipping once he saw Twilight standing with her hoof over her chest.  Why did she come?  He didn't tell anypony about this location.  Not even her.  She trotted over to Peter, her large, violet irises filled with sadness, but Twilight shifted her gaze to the grave, keeping her gorgeous face low out of respect.  Though no words were spoken, it was clear the mare understood the situation.    Peter always told her how much of an inspiration his uncle was and how much he missed him. Twilight even knew about Gwen, remembering when Peter paid his final respects to her back on Earth. She knew she wasn't supposed to be here, and Twilight had no intention to wear out her welcome. The alicorn turned sharply, prepared to make her departure, but Peter's hoof gently fell on her shoulder, stopping Twilight silently. He always drug her down, depressing the mare with his glum feelings.    "Stay." He hated that she came, but every fiber of his being wanted, even more so needed, her to stay. Peter's mind swam with distorted emotions, unsure of how to react. The tears in his eyes continued to fall, staining his cheeks slightly. "Please..."    Twilight brought her hoof up to caress the side of his face. A gentle breeze brushed her violey mane back. The pained expression in her eyes told him everything he needed to know. She closed the gap, placing her hoof on his cheek, making him look down at her. Peter shook his head and glanced away, as if furious with his selfishness, but slowly, he yielded to his desires and wrapped his hooves around her slender body.    Pulling her closer, Peter lowered his head onto her shoulder. Twilight shivered involuntarily at the hint of contact but she returned the gesture, running one hoof through Peter's mane and the other across his back. In that moment, Peter remembered that he no longer had a reason to shoulder his burdens alone. He smiled, allowing the last of his tears to fall upon her shoulder. Twilight felt Peter's change in demeanor and clutched him tighter, her lips having curled into a smile as well."I know your uncle is proud of you," she whispered, placing her forehead against his chest. "I am, too."    They stayed like that for minutes, not wanting the moment to end. Eventually, they parted but kept their hooves intertwined. A great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. The guilt would always be there for Peter, serving as a reminder for his past mistake, but as long as Twilight was there to lend him her love, he'd make certain the future would always stay safe.    He turned back to the grave, not with a sorrowful frown but with an uplifting smile. "Uncle Ben... I just wish you could’ve met Twilight."