Leap of Faith

The next day dawned bright and sunny, casting a golden glow over the city. Leo and Peter found themselves perched on a rooftop, ready for another training session. Peter took the lead, instructing Leo on the art of swinging with the web-shooter.

"Okay, Leo, pay attention. You need to aim the web-shooter and release the web at the right moment to swing from one point to another," Peter explained, demonstrating a seamless swing.

Leo watched intently, trying to absorb Peter's instructions. But his mind was preoccupied, and a zoned-out expression crossed his face.

Peter noticed Leo's distraction and asked, "Hey, what's wrong? You seem troubled."

Leo sighed and confessed, "I still can't bring myself to talk to my sister after what happened last night. We were face to face, but I couldn't find the right words."

Understanding Leo's dilemma, Peter replied, "Sometimes, conversations like these can be difficult. But you can't force it. Let things flow naturally, and the conversation will mend itself."

Coincidentally, Grace was having a similar conversation with Miles as they worked on chores at the shelter.

"I want to talk to my brother, but a part of me is scared to," Grace admitted, feeling torn.

Miles empathized and suggested, "Don't rush it. Sometimes, the best conversations happen when we let them unfold naturally. You'll find the right moment."

Back on the rooftop, Peter proposed continuing their training that day or postponing it if Leo wasn't up for it.

Leo shook his head vigorously and asserted, "No, I can do it. Let's continue." He then asked a pressing question, "What would happen if I took on the role of being the next Spider-Man? Will my life never be normal again?"

Peter pondered for a moment, searching for an excuse but realizing the truth. "Once a person becomes a hero, it's hard to turn back to a normal life. But why are you thinking about that?"

Leo shared his fear of fully committing to the superhero gig, worrying that it might consume all his time, leaving little for his job and personal life.

Peter chuckled reassuringly and said, "Don't worry. You can be the backup Spider-Man. If anything goes wrong with me, you'll be there to step in. And remember, being a hero doesn't mean sacrificing everything."

Leo nodded, finding solace in Peter's words. In a gesture of trust, Peter handed Leo his old web-shooter, stating that it was still usable despite being outdated.

Grateful, Leo thanked Peter repeatedly and eagerly put on the web-shooter without hesitation. He marveled at the display, testing a web shot that emitted a long, sticky white substance.

Peter cautioned Leo to use the web carefully since it was limited and required recharging the cartridge. He mentioned that his old web-shooter might have smaller amounts of web compared to his current one.

Leo brushed off the concern and eagerly asked Peter to demonstrate web-shooting. Peter instructed him to follow his lead, assuring him that everything would be fine.

With that, Peter launched himself off the rooftop and swung to another building, calling for Leo to follow suit from the opposite side. Filled with determination, Leo leaped off the rooftop, shooting a web, but failed to release it. He swung back and forth until he was flung back to the roof he started from.

Peter hollered instructions on how to let go of the web by tapping it once more. Leo nodded, eager to try again. This time, he succeeded and landed face-first on the neighboring roof next to Peter.

The training continued throughout the day, pushing both Leo and Peter to their limits. As the evening descended upon New York, the city buzzed with life.

After a grueling day, Leo expressed his admiration for Peter's ability to swing effortlessly, wondering how he could do it for so long without getting exhausted.

Peter grinned and replied, "It takes time to get used to it. Practice makes perfect."

Their conversation was interrupted by the wailing sirens of police cars echoing through the city streets. Peter's walkie-talkie crackled with a distressing message—Green Goblin, one of his notorious enemies, was wreaking havoc in the city square.

Peter hurried to the edge of the rooftop, preparing to jump off, when Leo voiced his desire to join him.

"No," Peter replied firmly. "You're not ready yet. Go back to the shelter."

Leo persisted, "I am ready."

With a stern look, Peter repeated his refusal before swinging away, leaving Leo stranded on the rooftop, feeling both frustrated and disappointed.

Leo reluctantly swung back to the shelter, his face etched with annoyance and determination. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was meant to be a part of this world, but for now, he had to bide his time.