((Wednesday April 22, continued))
"And with that, I win." Mj proudly stated, looking down at the game of Monopoly she just won. Peter and Ned stared at her, mouths wide open.
"We're never playing this game again." Ned grumbled, starting to put the pieces away.
"Aw, don't be a sore loser, Ned!" Peter encouraged, him and Mj helping out with the clean up process.
"Yeah, Ned, don't be a loser." The girl snickered. Ned stuck his tongue out at her, and she - like the mature woman she is - flipped him off, causing the trio to laugh. "Anyways, I have to go home. Bye Peter, bye loser!"
"Bye!" The boys both said at the same time. After Mj closed the front door, Ned turned to Peter. "Dude, Mj just called you by your actual name. She, like, never does that!"
Peter rolled his eyes, getting off of the living room floor. "So? I'm pretty sure she's just trying to emphasize her calling you a loser."
They went into Ned's bedroom, and closed the door behind them. "If you say so, Peter."
Peter thought about it for a second, changing into his pajamas (he had snuck into his bedroom through his window to grab a couple of day's worth of clothes, food, and bathroom supplies. Yay him.) "Do you. . .do you think she, I don't know, likes me?" His voice came out hopeful and squeaky.
"You've definitely earned her respect." Ned grinned. "Maybe it's because you punched Flash."
"Ha, maybe." The boys settled down into a comfortable silence, until Peter turned to Ned.
"I know we don't have the stuff to make them, but do you wanna. . .design real, working lightsabers?"
There were practically stars in Ned's eyes. "YES!"
~~~~~~
Ned was peacefully snoring away as Peter stared at the ceiling with a frown. He couldn't keep avoiding home, he'd have to go back eventually.
Was Ben even worried about him? Did he ever go out looking for him, calling for him, begging for him to come home?
Probably not.
Peter rolled over, and tried to go to sleep.
~~~~~~
Ben stumbled outside of the apartment building, a nearly empty beer bottle in hand. He took a big gulp out of it as he stumbled down the street, anger stirring up inside him.
"Peter!" He yelled, his anger clear in his tone. "You brat! Peter!"
Ben swears he's dead meat once he comes home. If he comes home.
Ben took another drink.
~~~~~~
((Monday, April 27))
"You look like crap." Was the first thing Harry said once Mr. Osborn left the room. Nearly every day now, Mr. Osborn and Dr. Connors would leave Harry and Peter alone so they could go talk about some important experiment. Peter suspects it has something to do with the lizard DNA project he was working on, but hasn't gotten enough information to confirm it.
"Gee, thanks." Peter sarcastically replied, going over his work notes. "Today was my first back to school, so I'm tired."
"After being suspended for punching that kid? How'd school go?"
Peter shrugged. "Eh, besides some whispering and staring, it was pretty normal." Peter finally looked up at Harry, and frowned at the big, ugly bruise across his face. "Speaking of punching, who punched you?"
Harry abruptly turned away, his hand drifting to his bruised face. "None of your business." He snapped. Peter was taken aback.
"Was it. . ." Peter hesitated. "Was it your dad?"
Harry was silent for a moment. "It was an accident." He murmured. "It was- It was a stupid accident."
Peter stared at the shaking boy, his heart twinging. "The real reason. . .the real reason I look like crap is because I've been avoiding home."
Harry glanced back at him. "Yeah? How come?"
"Because of a stupid accident." Peter stared at the table for a moment, before meeting Harry's eyes. "I understand what you're going through."
They stared at each other for a moment, before Harry said, "Wait, by 'stupid accident' we both mean our dad and uncle are abusive jerks, right?"
Peter laughed a little. "Yeah, I thought that was obvious?"
"I'm just asking!" Harry defended himself, before turning his attention to his fingernails. "But he doesn't hurt me often. It's mainly just words."
"Abuse is still abuse, Harry. Just because it could be worse doesn't lessen what's been done." Peter sighed. "Anyways, I'm going back home tonight. . .wish me luck?"
". . .good luck. Text me if anything happens."
~~~~~~
Peter knew going back home was a bad idea, as the last time he went home late, he got into serious trouble - this time was even worse, as not only was he gone longer, but he also was in trouble with the school. However, not only has his suspension ended, Peter was also lacking supplies.
He entered through the front door, and while he wasn't trying to hide his presence, he wasn't exactly trying to make himself know either. He refilled his bag with food, and then moved on to his bedroom, grabbing more fresh clothes.
Peter cursed inwardly as he left his room, seeing Ben waiting in front of the door for him.
"Finally running away?" Ben sneered. Peter paled; he sounded sober. But why was he so mad if he's sober?
"I-I'm not running away. . ." Peter mumbled.
"Speak up, boy!" Ben barked, causing Peter to flinch. With a shaky breath, he tried again.
"I'm not running away. Not forever." The teenager stated. "I'm taking a break from here. I'll be back in a few weeks."
Peter tried to walk past his uncle, but he grabbed his arm, his nails digging into his skin. "Before you leave, let me give you a goodbye gift."
Peter didn't bother ducking the fist thrown at his face.
~~~~~~
Peter: . . .I'm sorry
Harry sighed. He should've known Peter wouldn't text him until after everything's been done.
Harry: it's ok. how are you?
Peter: sore, tbh
Peter: but I'll be ok, I heal fast
Harry stared at the screen, his fingers trembling a little.
Harry: need a place to sleep at for the night? My dad wouldn't mind, he loves you
Harry felt a dull but bitter jealousy well up in him, but he shoved it down. Peter needed him right now. Besides, who needs his dad's love? Certainly not him.
Peter: only if you're really sure. . .
Harry pulled out a cigar as he typed his response.
~~~~~~
Peter knocked on the door to the Osborn home. Their building was very similar to Avengers Tower, as the work floors were below the floor dedicated to their living space. However, unlike the Avengers Tower, their personal floor had a "lobby" of some sorts, providing them extra protection as they had a wall and a door to protect them from intruders.
After waiting a few seconds, Peter heard the door unlock, and then open with a loud creak. Peter gave Harry a small, tired smile.
"Thanks for letting me crash for the night." He glanced around the open room, the furniture naturally flowing from living room, to dining room, to kitchen without walls stopping them.
"Of course man-" Harry was cut off by Mr. Osborn coming in.
"Harry?! What are you doing awake?! Do you have a friend over?!" Norman turned on the lights, causing all three of them to squint for a few seconds. Norman's tone changed from irritated to a confused yet pleased one once he saw Harry's guest was Peter. "Peter! What a pleasant surprise, what are you doing here so late?"
"Uh, I'm so sorry sir, I uh. . ." Peter trailed off helplessly. This was his boss' boss for crying out loud! He can't just say 'oh yeah my uncle is depressed and an alcoholic, and takes out his frustration on me. I'm like his living punching bag, so I decided to leave for a little bit!'
"Peter needs somewhere to sleep for a couple of nights. I figured he could stay here. . ?" Harry tried to play everything off cool, but his uncaring persona was broken as his nervous eyes flickered back and forth between his friend and his father.
Norman grinned. "Of course." He walked over to Peter, and put a firm hand on his shoulder. The super hero looked down at his hand, slightly uncomfortable with it, though he wasn't sure why. Peter passed it off as his anxiety. "Come right this way, son."
~~~~~~
((Wednesday, April 29))
Today was Peter's second day living in the Osborn household. Norman was different then the way Harry described him, though Peter knew better then anyone how deceiving appearances could be. However, he was pleasantly surprised to find that Mr. Obsorn was very kind, in fact the only issues Peter had with him was some unwanted touching, but it was only small things like hand shakes, pats on the back, and ruffling his hair, so Peter was okay with it.
"Thank you for breakfast, Mr. Osborn!" Peter said once he finished his pancakes. After placing his plate into the sink, he grabbed his backpack.
"Of course, Mr. Parker! Have a good day at school!" Peter thanked him, and left.
~~~~~~
School was slow and boring as usual, so Peter was thankful for his break. He met up with Ned at their usual spot in the library. He was pleased to see Mj sitting at the table, also.
"Hey guys!" The student greeted, taking off his bookbag and setting it down next to his chair.
"Hey! I need to find a book and check it out for one of my classes, I'll be back in a few minutes." Ned explained as he left.
"Oh, ok, later dude." Peter watched as he left, and then glanced at Mj. They are alone - Pft, whatever. I don't think you understand - What. Ev. Er.
"Hey, Peter. . .can you help me with this math problem?" She suddenly asked, avoiding eye contact by staring intently at her paper.
"Oh, sure!" Peter said, scooting over and leaning closer to look at her assignment. "Ah, I see. . .so all you're going to do is substitute x and y with these coordinates, and then solve the equation. Do you know how to do that?"
Peter looked up from the paper, and his cheeks turned red when he noticed how close their faces were. The two teenagers quickly separated, eyes avoiding each other.
"Yeah, I know what to do now." Mj quickly pulled the homework back over to her to Peter's disappointment.
"Oh, ok. . ." He awkwardly rubbed the back off his neck, unsure of what to say to help fix the uncomfortable atmosphere.
Mj beat him to it as she opened her mouth. "Hey Peter. . .there's something I've been wanting to tell you for a while. I-"
Danger!!
Peter's spidey sense suddenly spiked as the library doors slammed open, a man wearing a leather jacket storming inside. Peter noticed on the back of his jacket underneath his long, brown hair was a picture of a rhinoceros face in white, big block letters saying "RHINO" above it. He turned around, and Peter paled at the sight of the gun he was holding. Students screamed and ran away, trying to find an escape or a hiding spot. Unfortunately, there was only one exit, and the man was blocking it.
"Aw, don't run away kids! I wanted to play a game!" The shooter grinned, aiming his gun at a random student. Peter flinched as the girl was almost shot, barely dodging the bullet as she turned down an aisle of bookshelves.
"Mj, you gotta hide!" Peter cried, grabbing her hand and pulling her over to a secluded corner. He was ready to leave, when she grabbed his hand.
"Wait! Peter-" She went quiet. "Please stay safe." She kissed his cheek, and ran away to hide.
Peter blinked in shock, until he remembered the rather dangerous situation they were all in. He hid behind a shelf and quickly put on his Spider-Man suit. He crawled onto the ceiling, and jumped down in front of the man. "Hey, I'll play with you!"
"Spider-Man!" The shooter greeted, pausing his shooting. "I was hoping you'd show up."
"Yeah well I was hoping you wouldn't, Mr. . ."
"You can call me Rhino." 'Rhino' said, pointing his gun at the vigilante. "Now, I have a job to do, and you aren't going to stop me."
Peter jumped away as a wave of bullets flew his way, frowning at the idea of getting shot - again .
"Job? What, is it to hurt innocent kids?"
"Eh, a little." He grinned. "I was supposed to draw you out, and catch you. Unfortunately, they want you alive."
"Um, you wouldn't mind telling me who wants me, right? Is it the Green Goblin?"
Rhino shrugged. "Maybe; he didn't look like the Goblin, but who knows ?"
Peter instinctively jumped up and out of the way as more bullets soared over and around him. He went to make a move as students screamed again, but froze as someone yelled " MJ!! "
Whipping around, he saw Ned kneeling over Mj, her head in his lap as her shirt became soaked in blood.
Red-
White shirt turning red-
Sirens in the distance-
Ben on the phone-
Maymaymaymaymay -
"May-" Peter choked out, hot tears welling up in his eyes, his vision going blurry.
"Peter, your heart rate has increased to an unhealthy rate. You seem to be in emotional distress." Karen said inside the suit. "Should I call the Avengers?"
"Yes." He all but wheezed, finding it hard to breathe. He turned to Rhino, blood boiling.
"How dare you!" Peter screamed, launching himself at the man. Rhino's eyes widened in shock as he stumbled back. Peter swung his fist, and then another, until Rhino smacked him with his gun.
"Yo, the hell?" The man groaned, rubbing his jaw. Peter grabbed his gun while he was distracted, and crushed it like a soda can. Rhino turned around and started running, and Peter scoffed at his cowardness.
Peter ran after him, shooting a web around his arm and forcing him over to him. "You're gonna pay!" He shouted, punching him repeatedly. "This is for Midtown!!" Smack. "This is for Mj!!" Smack. " And this is for May!!" Smack smack.
Rhino had gone limp in his arms, but Peter was ready to punch him again. However, a hand grabbed his fist before he could. With a glare, he turned around, but froze when he saw Wanda.
"Hey, Peter." Her voice was low and soothing. "You got him Peter, let us deal with him now." Peter looked down at Rhino, had his bloody and bruised face, and nodded, forcing himself to swallow around the lump in his throat.
"Mj-" Peter gasped, but Wanda put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Bruce is taking a look at her. She's gonna be fine." Wanda then spoke into her comm. "I found Peter and the shooter, he's fine."
Peter could hear the chorus of "Thank goodness!!" and similar phrases take over the comm. He allowed himself to smile a little, even though no one could see it through his mask.
She patted his shoulder. "You can come ride with us, school's cancelled for the rest of the day."
~~~~~~
Everything was so loud, so bright.
"Hang on Mj, hang on!"
She tried to turn her head, but found she was too tired to do so, so she just moved her eyes. After a moment of squinting, she saw Ned.
"Is. . .Pet. . .o-k?" Her voice sounded so weird and weak. Her stomach hurt so bad. It felt wet and slimy too.
"Peter is fine, Mj, he's, he's hiding, he's safe." Ned tried to reassure her.
"You're. . .such a bad liar, Leeds." She smiled. Mj looked over at Spider-Man, and smiled. "He's. . .Ok."
~~~~~~
Peter was pacing outside of Mj's hospital room (in Avengers Tower, of course). She was finally allowed to have visitors, and her family had gone inside first.
Peter was giving them their private time, and he didn't want to interfere. However, he was anxious to see her, so he was waiting outside the room with Ned.
"Dude, chill, she's gonna be fine!" Ned tried to calm Peter down, but the brunette just shook his head.
"What if she hates me?! What if she doesn't want to see me anymore?!" Peter cried, tugging at his hair.
Ned looked baffled. "Why would she hate you?"
"Because it's my-" Peter was interrupted with the door opening. Mj's father and brother walked out.
"Thank you for coming boys. And Ned, I need to talk to your mom about letting Mickey stay at your place after school while I'm at work. I know she offered, and I'm eternally grateful." Mr. Jones looked tired. "I got to go back to work, see you tomorrow."
At work, Mr. Jones was a police officer, but at home, he was a single dad. Normally, Mj would be home to take care of her nine year old brother, but, well. . .she's in a hospital bed. Peter felt guilty he couldn't help out. Maybe he could cook them a meal if he skipped a few and saved up the money?
"You ready?" Ned asked, waiting to enter the room. Peter nodded, and followed his best friend.
"Hey nerds." Mj looked exhausted and in pain, but at least she was alive. "I never knew how uncomfortable hospital beds were."
"Oh yeah, for real. My appendix ruptured when I was like seven, and I hated the bed the most out of all of that." Ned chimed in. "But hey, at least you get to be in Avengers Tower!"
"Ugh, whatever. All their egos are bigger than this tower. Black Widow is cool though, I wouldn't mind seeing her." Mj did her best to play it cool.
"How are you feeling?" Peter asked. Mj stared at the sheets, her fingers messing with loose threads.
"It hurts. The doctors say I was really lucky, I should have little to no permanent damage. Dad wants me to go to therapy asap, but I don't know yet. We'll wait a few days."
Peter nodded. "We're here for you Mj, and we'll support you no matter what you choose." Ned hummed in agreement.
~~~~~~
The trio was having fun, telling corny jokes and having a fun time overall. Eventually, however, Mj grew quieter and quieter, until she turned to Ned. "Hey Ned. . .could you maybe step out for a sec? It's cool if you don't want to, I just wanna tell Peter something."
"Yeah no worries." Ned winked at Peter on the way out, and he rolled his eyes on response.
' This is your chance!' P eter thought to himself. He cleared his throat. "Mj, I like y-"
"I know you're Spider-Man."
Peter blinked, bewildered as his voice cracked. "Wh-what? I'm not- I'm not Spider-Man, why would you think I'm Spider-Man?"
"You remember Washington?" She raised an eyebrow at him.
"Y-yeah, but I was sick! Remember, my tummy?"
"You always disappear, and then Spider-Man appears." Mj looked away for a moment. "I've been watching you, and it's kinda obvious."
Peter held his breath. "Have you. . .only been watching me because I'm Spider-Man?"
"Well, yeah." Mj tucked her hair, a small frown on her face. "Why else would I watch you?"
Peter's heart sank. "I-I don't know. . ."
They sat there in an awkward silence for a few moments, until Bruce and Tony opened the door and waltzed it (well, Tony did the waltzing, Bruce just walked in like a normal person).
"Hey, Michelle, how ya doing?" Tony asked, only to recoil from her glare.
"Only my friends can call me Michelle, you can either call me Mj or Miss Jones." She cooly told him. He slowly cracked a smile.
"I like you. Brucie, you didn't tell me she was cool!" Tony whined.
"My apologies, I'll remember next time." Bruce responded in a flat voice. "Now out, I need to talk to Miss Jones about some confidential doctor stuff."
"C'mon kid, let's bounce." Tony threw an arm around Peter, and closed the door after them.
"Where's Ned?" Peter asked as he noticed his best friend was gone.
"He had to go home, told me to text you about what you and Miss Future Black Widow talked about." Tiny eyed him. "What did you talk about, if I may ask?"
"Oh, uh. . ." Peter rubbed the back of his head. "I got rejected, pretty much. . ."
Tony blinked, and then laughed. "I'm sorry kid, I shouldn't laugh, but you have the worst luck with crushes."
"Har har." Peter smiled a little . "She kicked Ned out saying she had to tell me something in private. We both thought she was gonna confess. Instead, she told me she knows I'm Spider-Man, and that's the only reason why she's interested in me."
"Ouch. You sure she just wasn't ready to confess or something like that?"
Peter shook his head. "No, I'm sure. Besides, even though if she was, she wouldn't be anymore."
Tony looked confused. "How come?"
"Because it was my fault she got shot. I was being stupid and dodged on instinct, I didn't know she was right behind me." Peter glared at the ground. It's always his fault. Always.
"It's all your fault!" Ben yells.
He throws bottles and fists, he takes off his belt, he's locked away in his closest, he's hungry, so hungry, stop, please, just stop!
"Peter, it wasn't anybody's fault but the shooter-" Tony tried to put a hand on Peter, only for the boy to rip it off and back away, both sets of eyes wide. "P-Peter?"
"Don't. . .Don't touch me!" Peter cried. They stared at each other for a few moments, until Peter took a deep breath . "I. . .I gotta go. Mr. . .I mean, my uncle is probably wondering where I am."
"Peter. . ." Tony tried, gently reaching out his hands, but Peter ignored it, leaving the room. Tony stared at his empty hand, and dropped it to his side. Why did it feel like they were drifting farther and farther apart?
~~~~~~
"Hey Peter, my dad has some work stuff to do, so he'll be coming home late." Harry greeted Peter once he opened the door. "I heard what happened to your school, are you okay?!"
"Yeah, I'm fine. . ." Peter rubbed his eyes. "One of my friends got hurt, that's why I'm home so late. I'm really tired, I'll tell you more in the morning, school's cancelled tomorrow for me."
"Alright. . .I'm gonna smoke on the balcony if you need me, night." Harry stood up to leave.
"Night."
~~~~~~
Adrian Toomes was used to visitors coming in and out of the jail hall, besides, he had his own wife (and on special occasions, daughter) come visit him. However, he was not used to such a rich and famous person coming in.
Adrian watched as the head of Oscorp walked in to the newest addition to the high security prison. He shuffled closer to his door to listen and watch.
"Spider-Man came." Rhino told Mr. Osborn. "You were right, he probably is a high schooler."
"Hm, interesting." Mr. Osborn rubbed his chin, confusing Adrian; What the hell does Norman Osborn want with Spider-Man?? "Did you discover any other clues?"
"The kid knew the girl that got shot, Mj Jones I believe? And he said a name, it was. . .Mary? Meg? No, May. . .yeah, it was May."
Osborn stiffened. "Really? I think I have a lead. Thank you, Mr. Rhino."
"Wait!" The prisoner cried. "Aren't you gonna get me outta here?!"
Mr. Osborn chuckled. "My apologies, I didn't tell you; you weren't meant to live after you fulfilled your worth. I'm being merciful by letting you rot away in prison. Enjoy your life."
Norman left, ignoring the man's angry yelling, while Adrian's heart sank. Peter was being targeted by Norman Osborn, and only he knew.