Arthur swallowed hard at the sight of the girl collapsed in front of his door. His heart raced, a mix of shock and worry surging through him. He dropped to his knees immediately, one hand bracing against the ground while the other reached for her delicate neck, checking for a pulse. A wave of relief washed over him as he confirmed that, though unconscious, her heartbeat was steady and her breathing present, albeit fragile.
With quick hands, Arthur pulled his phone from his pocket and was just about to dial 911 when, at the very moment his fingers touched the screen, the girl's eyes fluttered open. She blinked slowly, confused, as though waking from a hazy dream.
"Are you… alright?" Arthur asked, his voice heavy with genuine concern, though he tried to sound steady.
It took her a few seconds to react, her lips trembling before she finally whispered a response.
"Yes… I think so," she said at last, her voice soft and slightly shaky, like a fragile melody after a long silence.
Arthur let out a quiet sigh and extended his hand. She hesitated, then accepted, allowing him to help her to her feet. Even with his support, her legs wavered, nearly giving way, but Arthur bore her weight effortlessly.
"Wait here a second, okay?" he asked with a reassuring smile. Before she could protest or even form a question, Arthur had already dashed back inside.
Moments later, he returned with a glass of cold water in one hand and a folding chair in the other. He set the chair up in the shade and gestured for her to sit.
"Here, take a seat. Drink some water, it should help."
She obeyed in silence, accepting the glass with trembling hands. She took a deep breath and sipped slowly, little by little, gradually regaining her composure. Arthur stayed close, watching her carefully, as if making sure nothing else would happen.
Time drifted by in calm minutes. A soft breeze rustled the garden leaves, and the sun was already beginning its descent toward the horizon. Only then did Arthur realize—he hadn't even introduced himself yet.
"Ah… I suppose I haven't told you my name." He leaned forward slightly, a warm smile touching his face. "I'm Arthur Morgan."
Her reaction was immediate. The relaxed expression froze for a moment, her eyes widening in shock as if the name had struck her like lightning.
"You… you're a writer?" she asked, her voice filled with disbelief.
Arthur raised a brow, surprised, and gave a small smile.
"Yes, I am."
The change in her face was instant. Her features lit up as if the entire world around her had suddenly grown brighter.
"My name is Gwen Stacy." She rose slowly, still holding the glass. A faint blush colored her cheeks. "I… I love your books, especially the young adult romances."
Arthur chuckled softly, shaking his head.
"What a crazy coincidence."
With a shy smile, Gwen reached into her bag and pulled out a book. The edges were worn, proof of repeated readings.
"Would you… sign this for me?"
"Of course." Arthur accepted the book gently, almost reverently, and took the pen she offered. As he signed the first page with his steady handwriting, he noticed Gwen practically glowing with happiness, as if this moment was a treasure she would cherish forever.
"Thank you… it's just… I really love the way you write," she said, her eyes shining with sincerity.
Arthur handed the book back with a warm smile.
"It's good to hear that."
After a brief silence, curiosity got the better of him.
"Can you tell me what happened? How did you end up fainting?"
Gwen clutched the book to her chest, looking away for a moment.
"Thank you for helping me, Mr. Morgan."
Arthur waved a hand dismissively.
"No need to thank me. I'm just curious how you passed out right outside my door."
His attentive, serious gaze made Gwen flush slightly and lower her eyes.
"Honestly, I'm not sure. When I walked past your gate, I suddenly felt this strange dizziness… like the air had disappeared. I couldn't breathe properly… and then I blacked out." She swallowed nervously. "I rang the bell just before I lost consciousness."
Sensing the weight of her words, Gwen quickly added:
"Please believe me… I had no idea this was your house."
Arthur studied her features for a few moments, her anxious expression clear as day. Then, brushing aside her attempt to justify herself, he shifted the subject naturally:
"Forgive me for asking, but… how old are you?"
"I'm nineteen," she replied, lifting her gaze with more resolve. "I study at Empire State University. You were there for a signing event earlier this year, weren't you? Unfortunately, I wasn't in New York at the time."
As she finished, the light in her eyes dimmed slightly, disappointment slipping in.
Arthur reflected for a moment. Empire State University. His guess had been correct. Gwen Stacy… a young woman who, in another reality, would be tied directly to Peter Parker, Spider-Man. And yet here and now, he hadn't seen or heard anything about the wall-crawler swinging across New York.
But the name Stacy wasn't unfamiliar in the headlines. Her father, Captain George Stacy, was a respected figure in the NYPD, often appearing publicly.
"I see…" Arthur exhaled softly, his smile returning.
He tilted his head, breaking down whatever formality lingered between them.
"By the way, no need to call me Mr. Morgan. I'm not fond of formalities."
Gwen seemed to relax immediately, a freer smile blooming across her lips.
"Alright, Arthur. But in that case, I hope you'll call me Gwen instead of Miss Stacy."
Arthur regarded her for a moment, as though etching her image into memory, and replied gently:
"No problem, Gwen…"
---
"Arthur… can I still come see you in the future?" she asked suddenly, her voice filled with hope, but also the childlike fear of being turned away.
Arthur raised an eyebrow, surprised by the bluntness of the question. Before he could respond, Gwen, nervous, rushed to add:
"Ehem~ I'd like to ask you some questions about the plot of your books." She forced a timid smile, trying to mask her true reason for wanting to return.
She was desperately grasping for a plausible excuse, a safe pretext. Deep down, she feared he'd refuse if it were nothing more than I want to see you again. So she clung to the one bridge she knew was solid: his books.
Arthur watched her in silence for a moment. The anxiety etched on her face, the way her fingers clutched at her bag strap, even the hesitant tone of her voice—it was all both curious and endearing. He let out a quiet chuckle before answering:
"Of course, you can come anytime. Well… as long as I'm home, of course." His eyes softened. "Like I said, we're friends now."
Gwen's face lit up instantly, the weight on her shoulders vanishing. She tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear, her smile genuine.
"Then… I'll head back to campus first. See you next time, Arthur."
"See you then." He nodded calmly, watching her with quiet warmth.
Gwen turned away, walking a few steps before her joy broke free completely. She clenched her fists at her sides and, unable to contain herself, whispered excitedly:
"Yes!"
The happiness was so overwhelming it felt like newfound energy coursed through her. Curiously, the discomfort she'd felt earlier—that strange weakness and pressure—vanished as though it had never been. Yet Gwen, caught up in the thrill of the moment, attributed it all to the sheer joy of gaining Arthur's friendship.
From behind the gate, Arthur's eyes followed her still. He noticed the lightness in her steps, almost a skip, as if each movement carried a tune only she could hear. A faint smile tugged at his lips, small but sincere.
For several seconds, he remained there, quietly savoring the contagious energy she left in her wake, before finally turning back into the house.
The stillness of the hall greeted him—until it was broken by the insistent vibration in his pocket. Arthur pulled out his phone and glanced at the glowing screen. The number wasn't unfamiliar—but it wasn't a call he expected at that moment, either.
He narrowed his eyes, thoughtful. Something told him this call was anything but trivial.
---
(End of Chapter)
A/N: Final version of the chapter, honestly, the first version of it was pretty bad.