Spiderman retires

Peter started running quickly toward Rio's house, trying to avoid extra attention on the streets of New York. He felt the weight of Lea's body in his arms, her high temperature warning that her condition could deteriorate rapidly if she didn't receive the necessary medical care.

Through alleys and side streets, Peter leapt and climbed walls with agility, using his Spider-Man skills to reach Rio's house as quickly as possible.

When he finally arrived at her door, he knocked firmly, even though it was past midnight. Moments later, the door opened slowly, and Rio Morales appeared, her face showing both drowsiness and surprise.

She looked worried and confused to see Peter standing there, holding a girl who looked to be in a critical state.

"Peter? What are you doing here at this hour? And who's this girl?" Rio asked, bewildered.

Peter replied with a voice full of concern, "I found her in an alley, and she's burning up. I thought I'd bring her here since you're the best at handling emergency situations, and there's no one else I trust more."

Rio felt a bit surprised and flattered that Peter had said he trusted her with something like this, but she composed herself and gestured for him to come in with the girl. She led him to a small room in her home, where she kept some medical equipment and first aid supplies.

Peter gently laid the girl on the bed, and Rio approached her, quickly and skillfully examining her.

Moments of silence passed as Rio took her temperature and checked her pulse, while Peter watched anxiously, deeply grateful for Rio's willingness to help.

While Rio was busy, her mind drifted back to memories of Peter. She had always known him as a friend or a mentor to her son, Miles, but their relationship had always been somewhat strained.

Miles viewed Peter with a mix of caution, competition, and jealousy, as he was often compared to Peter as Spider-Man.

While she respected Peter's courage and sacrifices, Miles felt that Peter's presence put extra pressure on him, as he constantly had to prove himself in front of someone like Peter.

After finishing her examination, Rio turned to Peter, "It looks like the girl has a high fever and severe malnutrition. She might also be slightly dehydrated."

Peter took a deep breath and looked at her seriously. "Is she in serious condition?"

Rio smiled reassuringly, "No, she's not in critical condition. But she needs rest, food, and fluids immediately. You did the right thing by bringing her here in time."

Peter sat down on a chair beside the bed and spoke in a low voice, "Thank you, Rio. I didn't know where else to go, but I was sure you'd help her."

She looked at him with a gentle smile. "Anyone in my place would have done the same. We're here to help each other, no matter the circumstances."

The moment was filled with intertwined emotions. There seemed to be an unspoken bond between Peter and Rio, something Rio understood but kept hidden, a feeling she sensed but left unexpressed. She admired Peter's courage and sacrifice, and she felt he was someone worthy of admiration.

But this admiration was restrained; she feared her feelings would be misunderstood and complicate the already tense relationship between Peter and her son, Miles, especially since she knew Miles felt some jealousy toward Peter.

After a moment of hesitation, Rio spoke up, "Peter, while I'm always grateful for your help, I am concerned about how this might affect Miles. You know he sees you as a competitor, and maybe he feels that your presence puts him under pressure and maybe even some jealousy."

Peter replied, with a look of sadness on his face, also hesitating to speak, but finally sighed and said, "I know, Rio. I just... I wish our relationship was better, and that he'd put that arrogance aside and learn what it really means to be Spider-Man."

Rio smiled gently. She knew Peter held no resentment toward her son, even though Miles felt jealousy and tried to use his alternate persona for fame. All Peter wanted was what was best for him... just like a father with his son.

That last thought brought a slight blush to Rio's cheeks-thinking that Peter saw Miles as something like a son.

"I'm sure Miles will appreciate your help someday. Maybe he just needs some time to understand his responsibilities, even though I never approved of him being a superhero. But I know that's beyond my control."

Her words were full of hope and some confidence in her son, trusting that he'd understand his role as Spider-Man to protect the city, rather than focus on the big threats. But those words meant more to Rio than they appeared.

Peter looked at the beautiful woman before him, feeling unable to speak. He wished, deep down, that someone would trust him the way Rio trusted Miles, and wondered if his mother, were she alive, would have had the same faith in him.

He looked at Rio with a smile. "Don't worry, Rio. I think he'll come to understand what it means to be Spider-Man, and maybe this will spark his conscience to become the next Spider-Man and take on some responsibility. I hope he learns from my mistakes."

Rio looked at him, puzzled. "What do you mean by that, Peter? I don't understand what you're saying."

Peter sighed, running a hand through his brown hair and closing his brown eyes. "I've retired, Rio. I've decided to stop being Spider-Man."

She looked at him in shock, her mouth open, then grabbed him, questions spilling out, her expression worried, "What's going on with you? Why are you stopping? Are you sick? Did something happen? Maybe you don't feel right."

Peter laughed shyly at her reaction, feeling a sense of happiness as he saw her concern for him.

For Rio, she was very worried about Peter, but his laughter at her reaction made her feel embarrassed.

She lightly hit his arm, speaking in an annoyed, but not hateful, tone, "I'm worried about you here, and you're laughing at my concern."

Peter stopped laughing. "Believe me, Rio, I appreciate your worry. It's nice to know there's someone who cares... and I'm glad you're worried about me."

Rio felt shy at Peter's words, thinking that if she weren't too old for such things, she might think he was flirting with her.

She ignored her shyness and led Peter away, letting the girl rest a bit, seating him on the couch.

"Seriously, Peter, why do you want to stop being Spider-Man?" Rio spoke this time with seriousness.

Peter lowered his head and began to speak, "Is it wrong that I feel like the Spider-Man persona was killing Peter Parker's personality? I've been Spider-Man for so long that I've forgotten how to be Peter Parker. Is it wrong to want a break from all this, to return to myself, to live for me and not for others?"

With every word he spoke, tears flowed from his eyes. He didn't want Rio to see this side of him, the side that was pitiful and exhausted, but he didn't know why he felt comforted speaking to her. Maybe it was because he felt she'd understand, given her earlier concern for him.

Rio looked at the man she always saw as a strong figure, the only hero carrying the city in his heart, helping everyone. But now, she saw that even if he helped everyone, he now needed someone to help him. She hugged Peter, who was now crying on her shoulder, gently stroking his hair.

"No, Peter, it's not wrong to want that. You're an adult, you know what you need, what your responsibilities are, and you know what's right for you. But always remember, Spider-Man will never be without Peter Parker. Spider-Man is Peter Parker, not the other way around."

After hearing Rio's words, Peter held on to her tightly, feeling comforted. He didn't know how someone outside the "hero world" understood him... but after some thought, he realized that even nurses are heroes to those who need them, even if they don't have secret identities.

Little by little, Peter found himself melting into Rio's embrace, feeling the weight of the day and his decisions slowly fade, letting his eyes close to rest.

Rio, too, leaned her head on his, surrendering to sleep.

They both fell asleep in each other's arms on the couch, and if anyone had entered, they would have seen them looking like a couple who support each other deeply.

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