Owner	Pose
Ben Reilly	The date had been looming a bit in Ben's mind for some time. He had pondered what to do to mark it, but of course, getting body swapped and then dimension hopped and then everything else came up, and so, for better or for worse, the date came and passed. Which alleviated some of the pressure, and ultimately, led him to a very simple conclusion - it really didn't matter, because Gwen was not the sort to get picky about such things. Except, of course, to tease him. Which might still happen. And so he sat across the street, gazing at Art's Retrocade. He had not actually had a conversation with Gwen about it, and realized there was always the possibility that it would be up for debate whether that was their first date or not. Certainly, it led to the PARKOUR challenge, and so many wonderful things had emerged from PARKOUR. His lips twist in a bit of a smile as he fondly recalls the time he "cheated". Which was well, _well_ worth it. But while they had parted with just a hug at the end of that meet-up at the Arcade, it had felt different. Charged. They had not really talked about it, but in his mind, that was the day when everything changed. Not him, of course. He had been drawn to Gwen for some time. But that was the day that he realized she might feel the same way. In his mind, he can still picture everything about that day, down to the warmth he felt from her hug. And so, in his mind, there could be nothing better. > Hey Gwen. I found a cool retro arcade, thought you might enjoy checking it out. He sends the message, and then waits. Notably less anxious than the last time he did that, just over a year ago...
Gwen Stacy	To say that last year had been a whirlwind of emotions was an understatement. Finding love, then losing it, then recovering it again. Of course that one could question whether she had actually lost it considering it had all been one of Kraven's plans. But Gwen wasn't picky ... Or was she? Not outwardly of course but in a way she had been looking forward to that one year anniversary after all they had gone through but then .... Adventure with Peter and Ben in some other dimension. And that had sort of put a damper on whatever plans Gwen had. So she hadn't really brought it up but maybe next year they could do something for it. Because there was no doubt in her mind that the meet-up at the arcade had been that first time they had sparked. Sparkled? Charged electricity, she will go with that. She had felt it down to her bones and she hoped Ben had too which was confirmed in a later meeting for a PARKOUR challenge. Gwen's just getting out of a meeting at Oscorp when she gets the buzz that she got a message. She reads it then a grin starts blooming up on her features. > Do I look the type that plays video games?
Ben Reilly	> Would bowling be a better choice? This time, there is a grin, but Ben remembers how his stomach had bottomed out the first time he had read those words from her. > I'll send you the address. Maybe they have air hockey. He takes a deep breath and slides it back into his pocket before a finger reaches up to brush over the pendant around his neck. He had spent a year as Peter Parker, the Amazing Spider-man, New York's absolute favorite super hero.     But not a single memory of that time trumped any of the ones he'd had with Gwen Stacy. The Amazing Spider-man took a far second place to the Spectacular Ghost Spider.
Gwen Stacy	> Or Street Fighter. Have I told you I am a champion? The phone is tucked away and Gwen is on the move. First she makes sure to get out of her business clothes. They have no place in a retro-arcade! Perhaps a good thing she brought a clothes' change to the office today, so she does that first. Pair of skinny jeans. Cropped top. Her favorite converse allstars and she is all ready to go. Eventually her frame is visible down the street, making her way over, hands in her pockets and a big grin to her expression. "So we meet again." she tells Ben. "Are you ready to get destroyed at air hockey?" so savage but there's a softness to her tone. Fingers reach up to Ben's shoulder and she leans in for a hug.
Ben Reilly	> I feel like I heard that once or twice, but have yet to see any evidence. With a bit more patience this time - but truthfully, not much - Ben waits for Gwen to arrive. He pushes off the wall of the opposite building as he sees her aproaching and moves to greet her. "I think you may be mistaken. My clone is the one who sucks at air hockey." Normal conversation for two kids, right, joking with each other on the street? As she leans in for the hug he slips his arm around her and pulls her close, chosing as well to lean in for a kiss. "I know we kind of missed on the actual anniversary, but happy anniversary." This time he _does_ have something, bringing up a small group of daffodils in his free hand.
Gwen Stacy	"No, I don't think I am mistaken at all on the clone I am with." Gwen's tone soft as they hug, arms going around his neck so she can bring herself fully against him, form melding to his before she lets go. It's perhaps a rather more intimate hug than the one they had last year. But then again there had been so many things happening to them last year. Some good. Some bad. But such is the way of the Spiders. The kiss is returned, big blue eyes watching Ben's, "I wasn't even counting the days to it." it's a lie. She was! "Happy one year anniversary, Ben." and now she can say his real name instead of the fake. The emergence of the daffodils is a surprise and she takes them between fingertips. "To new beginnings." she says, taking the flowers close to her nose. "Thank you."
Ben Reilly	"Well, sure, but maybe you forget how much better I am at so many things," Ben says with a smirk. He holds that embrace with her for a moment, definitely a different sort of hug than the one last year. But so much has changed, and as far as Ben was concerned, all for the better. "Uh huh." He grins. She had not brought it up, but he knew Gwen. And yes, something about hearing her say his real name - or as real of a name as he had, of course, since he gave it to himself - made him feel a lot better. He had been recovering from his imposter syndrome since Peter's return, and Gwen had been the largest part of that. "To continued beginnings, and distant, _distant_ endings." He smiles warmly at her, and nods. "Of course." Then he glances sidelong at the arcade. "Time to beat your ass in air hockey?"
Gwen Stacy	The mention of being better at 'so many things' has Gwen arching a brow in a 'oh really' kind of way, corner of her mouth curling up, "Could use the reminder from time to time." she suggests in that teasing manner of hers, letting go of Ben and running her hands through her blond hair. All to disguise the earlier lie of before of not counting the days. Which was a pretty big tell too. "Only one ass is going to get beat up today and ---" a pause as something registers in her spider sense. Most likely in Ben's too. Something's up and the telltale sound of screeching wheels a block down along with what sounds like an explosion proves just that. Gwen just sighs. Resigned. "Postpone on the ass beating?" They have other asses to beat apparently.