"The president of the United States has officially declared war on Russia, meaning that the US is finally part of World War III-"

May sighed as the news blared on. This was what she had been dreading. Once America joined the war, all men over the age of 18 and even women would be conscripted and drafted to Europe.
And that would mean Peter would most likely have to join them.

Her 19-year-old nephew came and sat down next to her, handing her a mug of steaming tea. They both sat in silence, sipping the milky warmth and trying to absorb the recent news.

"So..." Peter stirred his drink, watching as the little liquid tornado began to form. "We've officially joined."

"Yep." May rubbed his back. "And that means..."

"I'm probably going to have to fight." Peter sat back, sighing. If there was one thing he hated, it was conflict. Especially when it came to war. Sure, wars happened, but he always felt the need to ask "Why?" His teachers would always dismiss it with a simple one-word response, like "greed" or "power", but Peter could never wrap his head around how people felt the need to start a conflict that would decimate thousands. Even with his stupidly high levels of empathy and understanding.

His phone buzzed and he picked it up, standing up as he answered the call. "Hey, MJ."

"Hey Peter."

Something was always up whenever Peter's girlfriend called him "Peter." Whether that was because he got himself shot on patrol or because she needed a hug but didn't know how to say the words, it always meant something. "I'm guessing you heard the news?"

"Yeah." There was a sigh. "Apparently they're starting to draft people tomorrow."

Peter rinsed his mug and lent against the benchtop. "Dang. They're really not giving us time to prepare."

"Nope."

The air was heavy with a sense of dreaded acceptance. No one was even daring to say "if" or "maybe." It was a definite yes that Peter was inevitably going to have to fight. Unless he ran away to Utah and changed his name to Fredrico, which honestly sounded quite enticing at this point in time.

May looked over from the couch. "What's happening?"

"They're starting conscriptions tomorrow."

"What!? That's hardly enough warning! We've just found out!"

"That's what I'm saying. But hey, it's war, nothing is fair," Peter mumbled.

MJ spoke up. "Well, if you get drafted  then I'm signing up too."

"What? No! You're not signing up!"

"Why not? Sure, I hate war too, but I don't particularly fancy having to teach the next generation Russian and going around declaring that "my favourite colour's red, comrade. And it's the 21st century: women can fight now."

Peter sighed. It was hard to argue with her logic. That was one of the reasons why he loved her: she was smart and logical, but still housing a big heart. "I just... I just don't want you getting hurt."

"I'd rather suffer a few bullets then deal with the oppression of Communism."

"You're making it sound like if you don't fight, then Russia will take over the world and Wasington will be renamed 'Putingrad' or something."

"That could very well be the case, Parker. We don't know 'cause we can't see the future."

"I wish we could. Then the war would be over faster than you can say 'Motherland.'"

"Okay, Peter, that's enough with the Russian references." May ruffled his curls and for once, he didn't object. If- when he got drafted, it was sure to be a long while before he saw May again. "So," she continued, dumping her mug in the sink, "if you guys are signing up, then I will too. Not to fight, as a nurse."

Peter nodded. "Just don't die."

May smiled, giving him a gentle push. "You're not cursed, Peter." His only response was a raise of his eyebrows.

MJaufhed softly from the other end of the call. "I'd better get going, my dad's trying to call me about this. I'll talk to you later."

"Okay. I love you."

"I love you too. Loser."

Peter chuckled as the call ended. MJ would never change, he was sure of that. "And now we wait for the inevitable letter," he sighed, leaning into his aunt as she pulled him into a hug.

And inevitable it was. It was barely a week before the forsaken letter appeared in the letterbox, informing Peter to report to the physical at 0700 the next morning. He called MJ and Ned, (Ned had also received a similar letter,) helped May hurriedly pack up most of his belongings and spent his last night swinging through the place he had called home for his whole life. For once it was quiet of crime. Sure, there was the occasional pickpocket and shoplifters, but nothing dramatic and life-threatening. It seemed as though crime, for once, recognized the urgency of what was happening and halted, leaving Peter to stew in his thoughts.

The next morning Peter and May said goodbye, knowing that if Peter passed the physical, (which he obviously would,) then she most likely wouldn't see him again until the war ended.
If they were lucky.

By the end of the day, Peter had a spot in the 5th battalion. To his surprise and joy, Ned joined him a few days later at boot camp. And, to his bemusement and slight dismay, so did Flash. Flash was certainly shocked to see what had once been the skimpy, weak nerd with his rounder friend become two rather fit young men.

The best surprise came the week later. The sergeant had organized them all to meet the new recruits for the battalion, with Peter and Ned in the front. So far, there had been only one or two females, but in the line of recruits, one rather feminine face stood out amongst the varying men. Her normally curly hair had been slicked back into a neat bun under her cap, and despite the normal stereotypes around women, she stood taller than the the men. It took every ounce of energy to not bounce with joy when Peter saw her. He had his best friend and his girlfriend with him in the same unit.

MJ caught his attempt at concealing an excited smile and bit down her own. The sergeant finally let them march to the cafeteria for lunch, where the chaotic trio had a wonderful reunion.

"I made it!" MJ said softly, grinning.

"You did!" Peter gave her a tight squeeze, not wanting to risk anything in fear that one of them would be moved. "We're all together!"

"Yup. Also May told me to tell you that she got in as a nurse. So we're all ties in some way."

"What about your dad?" Ned asked.

"107th." MJ gave a small shrug. "We're all involved."

"Guess that's just one of the joys of a world war," Peter said, sarcasm laced through his voice.

MJ snorted. "Sarcasm is my thing, dork."

"You didn't coin it, so I'm taking chance while I can."

"I will sue you."

"You guys are so cute," Ned whispered as he steered them towards the food. "Now can we please eat? I'm starving and Peter's stomach has been rumbling for the past 45 minutes."

"I mean he ain't wrong," Peter muttered. Food definitely sounded good, even if it was pretty hard on the eye.

He had his friends with him, and that was all that mattered.