Gwen took a stunned step back, her face illuminated by the silvery glow.
"…Okay," Gwen whispered, her voice a mix of awe and disbelief. "That's actually badass."
Then she glanced sideways at Nova, narrowing her eyes with a teasing smirk. "Still not taking back the monster-trunk comment though."
Nova chuckled, the glow of the silver-blue patronus dragon fading behind him like mist in moonlight. He took a step toward her, his grin widening.
Gwen instinctively stepped back, lips twitching upward. "Don't even think about it."
Nova raised an eyebrow, amused. "What? I clearly won the bet, Gwen. I proved I went to the Harry Potter world. Real wand. Real patronus. Real magical trunk."
She shook her head, crossing her arms like a stubborn schoolgirl refusing to admit defeat. "Nuh-uh. I won't believe it unless you take me to Hogwarts or Diagon Alley. Or let me ride a hippogriff or something."
Nova narrowed his eyes, mock-betrayed. "You're cheating."
Before she could blink, he lunged playfully at her—but Gwen was already in the air, flipping effortlessly. With a casual twist, she landed upside down on the ceiling, her blonde hair falling like a curtain, her body relaxed as if gravity was just a suggestion.
"I'm cheating?" she said smugly, arms folded as she looked down—rather, up—at him. "You tried to pounce on me, wizard-boy."
Nova looked up at her, face unreadable for a second.
She expected shock. Awe. At least a gaping mouth or a muttered "No way."
Since Nova shared his secret of his mutant ability and this magical trunk, which she totally believe that Nova created using his mutant ability, not that he actually went to Harry Potter world to buy. Afterall that's just fiction.
But nothing came. No surprised or amazed looks.
Instead, Nova smirked… then jumped up as casually as if stepping onto a sidewalk, flipping to land upside down next to her like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Gwen blinked. "Wait—wait, what?! How did you…?"
Realization dawned. "Oh. Your mutant ability. That's cheating."
She started crawling away, upside down across the ceiling, half-laughing, half-annoyed. "I was supposed to blow your mind with that reveal, you jerk."
Nova followed her leisurely, his tone full of smug affection. "My little Gwen," he said, voice low but warm, "I've always known."
She stopped, puzzled. "Huh?"
"I knew you were Ghost-Spider," Nova said. "And that MJ is Scarlet Spider."
Gwen straightened slightly, still hanging from the ceiling but now staring at him with wide eyes.
"I remember the day it happened," Nova said, his gaze distant. "That spider bit MJ first. She yelped, swatted it off without thinking—and I watched it fly through the air… right to you. Landed on your neck, it but you and you screamed. I remember the exact sound of it."
Gwen muttered under her breath, "That bitch actually won."
Nova raised an eyebrow.
Gwen huffed, brushing her hair back. "MJ and I used to argue about who was older. Stupid, I know. She always said she slapped the spider in my direction on purpose—like it chose me because I was the younger one. Said she gave me the powers. But I thought she was just messing with me because she couldn't stand losing, even to time."
Nova laugh. "Wait… you two fought over that?"
Gwen crossed her arms and shrugged, still hanging upside down from the ceiling. "It's a girl's thing. Don't judge. She always pulled that 'I made you a superhero' card like it was some epic gift. I mean, come on—she got powers too."
Nova chuckled, moving a bit closer, defying gravity with casual ease. "So she's technically your radioactive fairy godmother?"
"Oh shut up," Gwen groaned, but the grin tugging at her lips betrayed her. "She milked that story everytime, you know? Always claiming seniority just because she got bit first. I always just laughed and didn't react. But if what you said is true… if you actually saw it happen…"
"I did," Nova confirmed, grinning. "Clear as daylight. She didn't throw it at you, though—just reacted instinctively. The spider? It chose you. Like fate. Or a cosmic joke."
Gwen leapt off the rooftop, landing back on the floor. "Ugh, that bitch is never gonna let it go. She's going to keep bragging about being 'the original spider girl' forever." She paused, then a sly grin curled her lips. "Unless…"
Nova too jumped down and tilted his head. "Unless what?"
She stepped closer, eyes gleaming. "Unless you don't tell her. You saw it. You could be the proof and witness… or not."
Nova raised a brow. "Tempting, but nope. I'm telling her. You're the one who broke the sacred terms of our bet, remember?"
Gwen groaned theatrically. "Oh, come on—"
Nova just shook his head, smug and unrelenting. "Nope. You're a cheater."
Gwen exhaled sharply, her arms dropping to her sides. She stared at him for a moment, silent.
But behind her playful frustration, her eyes shimmered with something deeper—something quieter.
Her gaze locked with his, and in that instant, memories rushed in—unwelcome but vivid. She remembered the darker days. The spiraling grief after her mother's death. The nights she spent with the wrong crowd, chasing adrenaline, trying to drown the pain. She remembered that night… when things nearly went too far. When a so-called friend turned predator. When she had no one—until he showed up.
Nova. Fierce. Unshakable. And furious.
He hadn't said a word to her after it happened. Just held her, arms wrapped tight around her shaking frame, while she broke down in the alley behind that club. He just was there, like a light in the dark. A silent knight in everyday clothes.
Her heart clenched at the thought. Because from that moment, no matter how she'd tried to hide it, ignore it, laugh it off—she knew. She loved this dumb, stubborn, sarcastic bastard.
But can she really be in a relationship with him? With all the things going on in their lives?
She was Ghost-Spider. Beloved hero of New York. A reserve member of a secret global organisation.
Nova was one of the major shareholders of Oscorp. The man who helped create the regeneration serum alongside Peter and Dr. Connors.
And beyond that—he was a mutant. A powerful one. With his ability, he'd inevitably be drawn into Xavier's school for gifted mutants, perhaps even the X-Men.
Their lives moved in different orbits, rarely intersecting. Sixty-four days had passed since they'd last met. Could something real survive between them when distance was their constant?
Could they have a good relationship? Even if they tried, would it last?
Gwen swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her ears. She closed her eyes and made a choice.
It doesn't matter. Let life take its course. If we're meant for each other… then we will be.
She moved before she could overthink.
Without warning, she leapt toward him, and Nova's arms opened instinctively—catching her as if he'd been waiting for this moment all along. His hands settled firmly at her waist, fingers curling against her back, grounding her. Her legs wrapped around his hips lightly, pulling them closer, until their foreheads rested together.
Gwen's breath came slow and deep, her voice quiet but sure. "I don't care about the bet… or anything else right now."
Nova's eyes searched hers, his teasing grin fading into something softer. "No?"
"No," she whispered. "You won. So… have your wicked way with me, but—"
"But?" Nova murmured, a hint of curiosity tugging at his voice.
Her gaze didn't waver. "You should know that I've loved you… ever since the day you saved me."
For a moment, he didn't answer—just looked at her. Gwen's hand lifted, her fingers brushing along his jaw, memorising the warmth of his skin. "But we both have too many responsibilities… too much to protect. A relationship could… complicate things. I can walk away from mine if I have to—"
She didn't get to finish.
Nova leaned in and kissed her. Slow. Loving. No urgency—just the quiet, certain kind of kiss that said I'm here. I've always been here. His lips lingered against hers, his hands steady at her waist, pulling her closer as if afraid the moment would slip away.
When he finally pulled back, their breaths mingled in the inch between them. His voice was low, steady. "I don't want to be the reason you give up on your dreams. You've wanted to fight evil since the day those gangsters took your mother. That fire in you… it's part of who you are. I won't take that away from you. Do whatever you want—just know I'll always be here."
For a heartbeat, Gwen just stared at him, wide-eyed. Then a smile broke across her face—brighter, freer, and more real than she'd worn in a long time.
She opened her mouth to say something… but then closed it, realising there was nothing she could add that would make the moment more perfect.
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→ 30 REVIEWS= 3 BONUS CHAPTER's
→ 200 POWER STONES= 1 BONUS CHAPTER
→ 400 POWER STONES= 2 BONUS CHAPTER's
CURRENT PROGRESS:↓
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– SECOND OBJECTIVE- 149/200 P.S
– THIRD OBJECTIVE- /400 P.S
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CHAPTER:- [81 - THUNDER RUNE] IS AVAILABLE ON MY P@TREON.
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