Spiderman/ Peter Parker and Ned Leeds

Peter never understood his powers. He'd run some tests when he first got them and spent plenty of time trying to figure them out but he never fully understood them. The power that troubled him the most was his Spider Sense. He loved that thing, it saved his life more times than he could count, but sometimes it was a real nuisance.

The feeling of his Spider Sense going off, it was really hard for Peter to tell the difference between it and just usual feelings of nervousness. To break it into simple terms, the Spider Sense was just a warning to go into fight or flight mode. Anxiety was essentially the same thing. So, being in a stressful situation like this one that was already as hard as it was and having a Spider Sense was nearly impossible. Peter wanted nothing more than to turn around and run home to hide in the safety of his bed.

Peter clasped his straps of his backpack as he walked through the gates of Midtown High School. The school was busier than it had been in years but Peter didn't notice. To him, it was as busy as it always was. It still felt like a lot of people though. Each time someone so much as brushed his arm, Peter would stiffen, Spider Sense going off. Constantly. It really wasn't doing anything to help the nervous energy flowing through his legs or twisting in his gut.

It felt like an eternity had passed by the time Peter got from the front gate and into the school. The world suddenly felt more crowded than it ever had before. The familiar school halls felt small and cramped, like they were going to crush him. Peter's eyes flickered around, jaw clenching and unclenching nervously. But then everything was okay.

Down the hall, a heavy figure came to a stop, eyes meeting Peter's. Peter stopped walking, sudden shock stopping his steps. And then he smiled and ran towards him, bumping into everyone that previously scared him.

Peter skidded to a stop and stared at his friend, not knowing what to do. And then Ned smiled and extended a hand. Peter clasped it and the two shifted their hands, hooked them together, fist bumped, bumped elbows, side fived, then pointed finger pistols at each other. Their secret handshake.

Peter found himself unable to speak, an overwhelming happiness choking him up. He remembered. Five years had passed and Ned still remembered the handshake that marked their friendship.

Ned looked just as overwhelmed as Peter, seeing his best friend for the first time in five years. He smiled, eyes shining as they watered, and he opened his arms. Peter did the same and they hugged.

It didn't last long. They still had some pride but that didn't stop the two from having to wipe away a few tears.

"We should get to class," Peter said.

Ned laughed. "Five years and that's the first thing you say since getting back to school?"

Peter grinned at him. "Hey, we nerd types have a reputation to uphold. But seriously, it's good to see you."

"It's great to see you," Ned responded as the two fell in step beside each other. "Five years is way too long."

"I know right," Peter said. "Let's never do that again."

"Yeah. Promise?"

Peter offered a hand and the the pair of hands folded themselves into the handshake again. "Nothing's going to keep us apart, buddy. Not now, not ever again."

Author's Note: How are Ned and Peter still in High School? It's been seven years since they were Sophomores...