Four days had gone by
And the funeral was being held on Wednesday. Instead of the usual raining and sad atmosphere thay would decorate a day such as this, the day was perfect for a day in the park, which contrasted perfectly to how Peter was feeling.
'Well, Ben always loved days like these' Peter thought with a broken heart as he closed his eyes to try and enjoy the day, just like his uncle always does. Always did.
But the young man is unable to do so.
The sun shines brightly and the birds happily sing, uncaring of the mood of the family whose life just changed forever. The warmth coming from the sun, paired with the gentle breeze blowing outside of the church threatened to shift the grim mood of the service, but it was unsuccessful.
Nothing could change Peter Parker's feelings of grief and guilt that are eating at his conscience. Perhaps nothing will.
Ever.
Ben had a small ceremony in May's favorite church. As a Protestant herself, May celebrated Ben's life with the best of her ability, while also praying for the assassin's damned soul. She doesn't believe in revenge, no matter what the assassin had done in his lifetime, May prays for him all the same.
And Peter is surprised at the caring soul of his aunt. How can someone hurt her like this and still have her praying for the salvation of his soul? How can someone be so strong? Why can't he?
Peter guesses that it makes sense, after all even if it was that guy that pulled the trigger, Peter was the one that killed his uncle. And somehow, someway, he thinks his aunt knows this.
Perhaps everyone in the church does and that's why they are all looking at him. All the eyes in the ceremony are on his back and Peter can physically feel all the eyes boring holes on his head.
He remembers this feeling perfectly, it's the same way he felt when he was just a little 5 year old at his parent's funeral. He also remembers how much he hates feeling like this.
Pitied.
Peter can feel with his enhanced sense that warns him of any danger, or more like lack of it, that there is not a single person in this room who harbors any ill intent for him. Even with some of his bullies here, all everyone can feel for him, is pity.
"Hey man, I'm uh *ahem* I'm sorry for your loss…Truly Pete, I'm sorry" Flash Thompson musters the courage to stand and say these words to Peter, who remained sitting quietly and unmoving during the whole ceremony.
Flash and some of his group that attended are the only ones his age that are present who haven't conveyed to Peter their condolences, because everyone else of Peter's friend had already visited him at his home to show their support and love for him.
This four days he's mainly spent with May, trying to comfort the poor heartbroken woman who lost her partner in life, but whenever May needed to step out and talk to her friends, arrange the funeral or just need some time alone, Peter would be with Harry, Gwen, MJ and Chat. With MJ being the one he's spent the most time with since they are neighbors.
"…sorry" Peter repeats to himself with a whisper in front of Flash and his group, still sitting down and saying the word as if testing how it sounded in his own mouth.
The way Peter was unmoving throughout the church's service worried all of his friends and adults, like Gwen's dad and even Flash's mom, who had the pleasure of meeting him before. He didn't move an inch from his seat, he didn't sniff or wipe his eyes of any tears that he might've had, and the most surprising of all, he didn't stand to say words to his uncle.
May did, Anna Watson did, Ben's old veteran friends stepped up to say some words to respect the fallen man, even Mary Jane Watson stepped up to say how he was a true father for Peter and to some degree to her as well, and how much all the friends of Peter will miss him.
But not Peter.
He stayed there quietly, making eye contact with no one, just looking at the casket with impossible levels of concentration.
And of course he didn't step up to talk, what could he possibly say when he is the one responsible to get him where he is right now? How much he loves him? How much will Peter miss him? How sorry he is?
No, there are no words to convey how devastated Peter is with grief and guilt. No words to describe how utterly sorry he is for what has happened.
So it's why he can't understand why people are telling him 'sorry'.
He hates that word.
Ever since he was five, since his parent's funeral, that word has been a trigger for him. Which is tragic for Peter, since could never enjoy or take seriously anyone who apologized to him; for him is just an acknowledgement of the other party that something harmful was done to the other. If you're willing to apologize and seek forgiveness from the one you affected, why do it in the first place?
It's illogical, irrational and perhaps even insane; Peter is conscious of that fact. He knows that an apology is not so straightforward and simple as hitting someone on the face only to follow it up by a 'I'm sorry about that'. Much less when it's someone offering their condolences during a funeral.
But that doesn't stop him from hating that word to an extreme degree. That's why Peter is using all of his willpower to not bash Flash's fucking skull in. And everyone else's who also told him just how sorry they are.
It's also weird for him since everyone in the world but himself seems to love being apologized to. Peter himself says it all the time to get out of problems with his bullies, make someone feel better or just as a word he would throw out when making the slightest mistake.
Perhaps he even overuses the word, but it's because it holds no meaning to him.
He doesn't deserve an apology or people pitying him. The culprit doesn't deserve any of that.
He's sad, he's grieving, and no one should be focusing on his uncle's killer but on his uncle himself. Peter doesn't know how to deal with feelings like this, so he gets slightly angry.
But he controls himself, like he's done ever since his aunt made him promise not to use violence, no matter how badly he wants to do so or how much he dislikes the person.
He pushes his feelings down, like always.
He also wants to respect his uncle one last time, and getting into a fight because of condolences is not the way to go. He can't do something stupid that would affect his uncle, not again.
"We are all very sorry, Petey" Liz says with her head cast down low, using the name for Peter she's been using recently "right guys?" She motions for the others.
"Uh yeah man, sorry for your loss" Kenny Kong says behind Flash together with Glory, Randy, and most surprisingly of all, Sally Avril, the girl that seems to hate him more than everyone else.
At all their condolences Peter could feel a tick on his left eye starting to form, paired with a slight headache.
'Why are these guys here?' Peter wonders with no real answer. They should know that since none of them like Peter, them being there would only upset him.
Which is not true, since Peter couldn't care less about who came or who didn't. His mind was much too busy to look for any familiar faces that may have come.
But his aunt, friends and practically everyone else is watching him, and he doesn't want to look ungrateful. Even if he doesn't care about who comes, he's sure his uncle would have been.
Peter's mouth starts moving in an attempt to talk, but no words come out, so instead he starts nodding his head fast and softly until he finally is able to mutter "y-yeah, thanks guys. It… means a lot"
Flash wanted to say more. He remembers a time where he and Peter were best friends, even if his memory is clouded because of his age. When Flash remembers his first years, he always sees Parker there.
They have been together for so long it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they've been with each other for their whole lives, so he knows everything that the brown haired boy has been through. Flash knows he's not been the most empathic guy around him and perhaps he's a bit too rough on Peter, but that doesn't mean he's a monster devoid of any feelings.
That's why he was the one who told his friends that they should go and show Parker their support at least in this trying time. Glory, Liz and Randy agreed almost immediately, and the former two convinced both Kenny and Sally to at least make an act of presence without needing to talk to the boy, at least to show that he's not alone.
And it hurts to see someone so usually cheerful as Peter so… broken. But no one says anything anymore, the awkward unspoken tension that Peter is irradiating off from him make his usual bullies feel uncomfortable under Peter's gaze, so the majority just nods and keeps going their way to say some of the same words to May, who in exchange does thank them profusely for being here for Peter.
She too is very worried about him, more so than for herself. She's old, she knows that. Perhaps not so old as to have one foot in the grave already, but she's already lived a long life, a good life. And her faith in God is more powerful than whatever grief she may be feeling.
But don't get her wrong, she's devastated. She doesn't think she's ever had a worst experience in her whole life like the memory of George Stacy outside her door with his head down low and an expression of regret on his face with the single worst news of her life.
Ben Parker, her other half, died.
She could at least comfort herself a little by thinking that her husband didn't die alone, but in the hands of his son.
Comfort that turns into a double edge sword once she puts herself on Peter's shoes. How must he have felt when, after losing his parents at such a young age, he not only sees, but feels as the only father he's ever known becomes limp on his arms, devoid of any life?
Peter must be traumatized, and May can only hope that he can get out of the state he is right now.
At least as much as she can. She believes in God and as such she believes he has a plan, and no matter how cruel or nonsensical it seems to her, she believes everything that happens is with a greater purpose in mind.
If not, well… she can become the light of hope that people need in their darkest hour while dedicating her love and effort to make her beliefs come true. That is why she works at FEAST, and that's why she will be strong for herself, and most importantly, her son.
She also believes that Peter is stronger than he lets out to be, that's why he's such a bright and happy boy. And that's why she gets sentimental when Peter feels a hand on his shoulder coming from his 'brother' Eddie Brock, and he finally lets the stoic mask he has on slip.
"Hey bro" Eddie says with a soft voice as he sits down beside Peter "May" he nods her way as well.
Eddie is also a religious man who finds comfort in the church, although he is a Roman Catholic, he feels safe in any house that holds god. That's why he doesn't make much noise as he sits down.
Peter is grateful for that. Both the fact that he managed to come from San Francisco and that he didn't say anything else than acknowledge his presence.
For the very first time on that day, Peter lets a single tear fall out of his eye while sitting in between his aunt, brother and in front of all his friends.
The time to lift the casket came, and the six pallbearers stood up, with Peter at the front right and Eddie behind him. The other slots were occupied by Ben's closest friends, most of which served with him in the army.
This time Peter didn't even make the effort to hide his strength by pretending the casket weighed on him. At least not physically, because Peter can't remember anything heavier than lifting his uncle to his final resting place.
Final words came from the priest who blessed Ben and his family on their hour of need. And Peter still kept quiet.
Unmoving.
It was even kind of creepy to see the level of concentration that Peter held on his uncle's tombstone, reading over and over again.
'BEN PARKER / BELOVED HUSBAND AND UNCLE'
Thinking how Ben must be seeing his dear nephew. Wondering if there is anything he can do to make this situation better, but knowing the answer already. What can he do from this moment onward? He has his aunt to take care of, he still has powers on him, what should he do?
He was so inside his own mind that he didn't notice the ultra fancy limousine that parked just a couple dozen feet from where he stood, nor saw as Norman Osborn himself, Harry's dad, stepped out of it while sporting his fanciest dark colored suit and walked all the way beside him.
"I hear Benjamin was a good man" Norman says, his voice carrying the faintest amount of softness in it that was caught by Peter.
Harry and Peter's friends are surprised to see Norman Osborn coming to something like this, but are far enough from the duo to not hear them. Much to Harry's chagrin.
"The best" Peter confirms, still not looking at the older man.
Norman nods in contemplation, he didn't have the best father. An abusive incompetent father who took his frustration on him. So he became everything his father could not be.
Someone.
Yet he couod still relate to having that parental figure gone.
"You must rise to the occasion Peter. You are now the man of the house and it is your responsibility to look out for your family. You are always welcome to seek help from me, and know that whatever you want will be granted. But I know you're capable enough to do what's right for you and help yourself out of this" Norman started his speech as he looked forward in the same direction as Peter, his hands clasped behind his back.
"Know that in this wolf packed world, the best, and I will be honest, only help you will ever get Peter, it's yourself. With your own strength, your own will…only you can lift yourself." Norman mutters this last part, as if remembering something from his own past.
Peter listens to every word carefully. Clinging to the words of the only adult who hasn't told Peter their condolences and how they pity him, but telling him to be strong and do what he must from this point on.
"You, Peter, are now given the chance to prove yourself and the man only you can shape yourself to be. Think about what you want to become in this world and chase after it with all your might.
And never look back Peter, don't stop chasing after what's ahead of you. There are people who will try to drag you down but don't you let them, and don't look behind you. There is nothing behind you. All that exists, is what's ahead of you and the future you'll shape" Norman says from the bottom of his soul as he tries to reach ahead with his hand, signaling his own desire of chasing what's next.
Peter absorbed every single word that the older man was saying. It was so similar to the words that Ben told him in the car about the fact that these are the days where he chooses what kind of man he will be for the rest of his days.
But they are also so different. Don't look back? There is nothing behind him? Peter can't live like that. He can't just forget the ones he's left behind for any reason, not now.
Not ever.
"At least… that's how I live" Norman says with narrowed eyes and his voice full of sheer will. His hand that tried reaching for the horizon now tightened into a fist.
Peter admires Norman.
All he has built, the kind of man he is, his family. For Peter all of that is admiration worthy. But is that the way someone gets to be like that? By never looking at the past and the people left in it?
Then what happens to his parents? To his uncle? His teachings?
Peter is not sure what kind of man he wants to be, but now he has a clearer idea.
His face morphs into one of acceptance that Norman believes it's for the impact of his words. Words that he planned on telling his own son when he is grown up with his own family, but now seems like a perfect moment to share his wisdom.
Unbeknownst to Norman, Peter rejects his ideals in favor of the ones of his uncle.
'With great power comes great responsibility' the words of uncle Ben's favorite phrase hammer through his mind as he thinks about who he will become.
"Thanks Mr. Osborn. For everything" Peter says as he looks deep into Norman's eyes, who replicates the instenity of Peter's gaze, thinking he's winning in some type of game he's playing to turn Peter Parker into someone like him.
"Anytime Peter, and remember, my door is always open to you" says Norman as he turns to face Peter fully, extending his hand to shake the young man's.
Peter says nothing as he shakes Norman's hand, only giving him a firm nod. The young mansurprises slighly the older man with his firm grip.
Norman nods and starts walking away in the direction of his son, giving Peter his back.
When suddenly Peter calls for him again "And, Mr. Osborn?" prompting Norman to look at Peter with a raised eyebrow over his shoulder.
"Thank you for not saying you're sorry" Peter finally says, his voice full of gratitude. The older man told Peter exactly the words he needed to hear and avoided saying the ones he didn't need to.
That caused Norman to widen his eyes slightly, before chuckling softly in understanding "Never do" he says as he walks away.
Leaving Peter behind, contemplating the words of the two men and what his choices are going to be from now on.
Norman arrives where everyone else is, away from Peter so he knows that no one heard what they were talking about.
'Good' Norman thinks as he conveys his willingness to help to a grateful May and gives a small greeting to Harry's and Peter's friends who are still there while they shy a little away from him. That's another thing that Norman likes about Peter, because even though he is aware that he possesses an intimidating presence, the shy little boy was never taken aback by him. Unlike others.
"Let's go" Norman says while starting to walk away from the group, not even glancing at Harry, but making it obvious that he was indeed talking to his son.
Harry could only grit his teeth at the interaction between his father and Peter. Neither he or anyone could hear what was being said between the two, but it looked deep, meaningful. Whatever Norman said to Peter clearly harbored more emotion than whatever he told himself during the whole year.
And he didn't like that.
But Harry pushed down those feelings in shame. How could he be feeling jealousy of someone who just lost his dad? He tries to deny any negative feeling he has for his oldest and best friend, knowing that he needs support now more than ever.
But it's hard. It's hard for Harry to see his dad caring for another boy that is not him. It's hard to see it's Peter, the one who despite not having anything, he had it all. He's smarter than Harry, he's kinder than Harry, he gets more attention from girls in school than Harry.
And even though Peter's family struggles economically and now emotionally, he envies the family Peter has. One where all the attention and love are all for the teen to enjoy.
So it's because of his complicated feelings that Harry follows wordeslly after his father without saying his goodbyes to anyone. Not even Peter.
Father who, unbeknownst to everyone else, had a maniacally big grin on his face with a cunning glint on his eyes. Like if he had just won some kind of game of his own.
After Norman left, some people started following his lead, leaving less and less attendants as time went by. It made sense since most of the invites were sent to Ben's and May's social circle, who are in the elderly by a large margin.
Eventually, it was time for Anna Watson to leave as well. She walked and neared the still solitary Peter even after many hours, together with her niece, and with a gentle and soft voice she said "Peter, sweetie? I'm going to be taking your aunt home now. You're welcome to come as well."
"We uh, we can have dinner at our place. Aunt Anna offered to make the lasagna you like so much" MJ said as she approached Peter as well, feeling for some reason nervous of approaching the stoic and heartbroken looking Peter. All life drained from him.
She hoped that he would come with her so that she could somehow ease his troubled soul with her presence. Just like he normally does with her.
Peter is MJ's stone ever since she moved from her broken home, and she fears that this will change Peter. She wants him to remain the same as ever, with no change whatsoever.
Peter might change. Perhaps for the best, maybe for the worst, but changed all the same. And that thought makes her stomach churn.
Peter looks deep into Mary Jane's eyes, filled with the will to help him. But he needs to do something first.
Alone.
"Thanks. But I think I'll stay here for a little longer" Peter says, disappointed in himself for making Mary Jane look so rejected.
Anna looks towards May, who's just a few feet away listening in on the conversation, and after a little time considering Peter's words, she simply nods.
"Okay sweetie, we'll leave you be" Anna says with a solemn look on her face.
"But-" Mary Jane wants to argue, but I stopped by her aunt's simple head shake in a denying manner.
Mary Jane looked at the floor with impotence at the situation, and started turning her back after one last glance at Peter, who was avoiding looking at her.
But was stopped when he suddenly reached over and grabbed her hand "But, please save me a seat. I'll just… talk with my uncle one last time after everyone is gone" Peter explained himself as he rubbed MJ's hand with his thumb and a light blush on his cheeks.
This caused MJ's face to match Peter's in color and her eyes to brighten while she turned around and grabbed Peter's other hand in hers "O-okay! Yeah, we can wait for you!" MJ's sudden excitement startled Peter a little bit "We'll get started on it and by the time you come home it's going to be re-".
*Ahem* Anna cleared her throat to snap her niece from whatever inappropriate thing was happening in a place that it should definitely not be happening in.
"R-right. Well… see you home?" MJ asks as she lets go of the hold she has on Peter's hand and steps back.
"Definitely" he agrees. Promting MJ to throw a charming smile one final time before going her way with the two grown women.
Leaving Peter completely alone on the grave of his uncle, where spent he around an hour and a half just looking at the gravestone.
And when the sky was finally changing from orange to a dark blue, Peter wept for the very first time that day. He allowed his tears to stream freely from his face and his mouth to let out any sobs it wanted to.
He cried and cried like the broken and sad child he never stopped being at the situation before him. He sobbed and wept until he was unable to do so anymore.
"I've been thinking about what I did these past few days… about how if I wasn't too petty and ridiculous that night, May would still have her husband with her, how you would still be there when I got home from school but I…" Peter took a moment to dry his eyes with the sleeve of his suit "Actions and consequences… you taught me that when I was little, but I…"
"I know that you're in a better place now, and I'm sorry for being selfish and wish you were still here with me. But now that this has happened I promise to you, uncle, that I will use my powers so that this doesn't happen to anyone again… not if I can help it" Peter walked and placed his hand on the tombstone.
"I made a mistake and you paid for it… I just hope you are at peace and… that one day you can forgive me. You don't have to worry about May or me anymore, but I do ask that you look over for us…" Peter took a moment to think about what else he wants his uncle to know before he goes.
"I have powers… I would have liked you to know that. That I've changed. And that I will continue to change. I know what kind of man I want to be Ben, I will be someone who uses his powers the responsible way, hopefully making you and your memory proud" Peter says with conviction showing on his face.
"I'll miss you… dad"
Peter ultimately says his goodbye and pats the tombstone one last time with his hand in a loving manner with one last tear running down his cheek, finally going home.
Peter figured that if he had skipped school up to Wednesday, it would be basically the same for him to just skip the entire week, perfect attendance be damned. He wasn't in the mood to deal with Flash or anyone's BS for that matter. If someone ended up saying anything unsavory about his uncle, he might just break his promise to May about dealing with bullies in non violent ways.
So he spent the rest of the week caring for May, doing every household chore and dealing with the vultures that the life insurance company they hired call workers.
But everything worked out in the end.
Peter did feel a little bad for having his phone unanswered with the hundreds of messages from his friends and dozens of missed calls. Peter was glad his friends cared for him that much… maybe a tad disappointed in Harry because he only called twice and wrote twice as much.
And he would apologize to everyone and he hopes they understand, but right now he needs some time for himself 'They are all great people, of course they understand' was what he was thinking while yelling in ecstasy as hard as he could as he fell face to the streets below him.
Only for him to catch himself with his webs and shoot himself up as high as he can.
"WOOOHOOO" was what the amazed citizens of New York could hear as their heads snapped towards the red figure balancing through the city.
This was Peter's second day at balancing during the day, and while he was far from being an expert at this, he could say confidently that in the week and day he had since starting this, he was pretty good.
Today was the one week anniversary of his uncle's death, and while Peter would have rather spent this day with May, she urged Peter to get out of the house more and distract himself at least for today. What convinced him was that May was doing just that with her friend Anna.
They were going to church all day, but still she went out.
And so here he was swinging through the air trying to detach himself from everything and everyone but the thrill of his flight. Doing this made him feel alive, as if he finally scratched an itch he didn't even know he had until he took off for the very first time.
"WOO YEAH!" Peter loved to scream his lungs out as he did a dangerous maneuver. His now flexible body paired with his spider sense made it somewhat easy for him to do life threatening acrobatics with little effort.
Still being a normal teen until a week ago he felt the fear of getting hurt, but the excitement of getting unscathed of everything he's doing was worth the risk, making him feel like an adrenaline junkie.
He still didn't dare to go near the Avengers tower or any government owned building for that matter. Wouldn't want to be seen as a web slinging freak of some sorts with his mask on while traveling through the whole city.
And he still had his mission in sight of helping people out, but outside of helping old ladies cross the street or help people move heavy stuff he hadn't done anything super. And most of the time the poeple where hesitation to receive help fue to his creepy outfit, but they always ended up agreeing to a helping hand.
For a moment he even considered the idea of going to the Avengers and more or less apply for an 'internship' of sorts there. But the idea of being rejected for how young he is, paired with becoming a public figure was enough for him to cross the idea off.
His identity remaining a secret was a must for a number of reasons.
First and foremost he didn't understand his powers, and if someone wanted to know how he 'works', there would be experiments and tests done to his body, which is a definite no.
Peter knew how the super soldier serum was highly demanded by villains and evil men since Captain America was found and the Avengers formed, and he basically had become a super soldier himself.
'I really don't want hydra knocking on my door' shivered Peter at the thought.
The second one was similar to the first, in which Peter didn't know for certain if he was what is considered a 'mutant' or not. Being the scholar that he is, he has read all the papers he could get his hands on the matter, being a subject on evolution so intriguing to Peter. Much more now that he is what he is.
Unfortunately for Peter, mutants and their public knowledge is relatively new, so there wasn't much on the subject. And honestly, he's kinda scared of the possibility of him being one because of the unjustified hate they received.
And the third reason is his aunt. She just lost her husband and Peter is the last member of the household she has, so she can't know he is scaling skyscrapers with his bare hands when thinking about fighting thugs in the street.
And honestly? He was also scared that she found his mask and she realizes that Peter was the one that caused his uncle's death.
He remembered the day when George Stacy, newly appointed police captain and family friend, came to his house and gave all the information about the assassin's personal life, as well as everything that went down that night that led to the end.
Everything including the masked man that allowed the assassin to leave the building with ease. Peter could've sworn that the police captain looked at him suspiciously when describing the masked man's outfit, only for him to sigh and leave shortly after.
Could Captain Stacy know something?
Peter sighed while he was thinking about this now standing still on a rooftop of a building, when he felt his newly named spider-sense buzz very slightly, making him look to his right as black smoke started to rise into the air.
There was a fire somewhere.
"Oh crap" Peter muttered as he could easily tell that it was a building that was burning by the size of the smoke rising through the air, so he swung there as fast as he could, thinking that maybe he could help someone in there. Be of some use somehow.
While approaching the building as he swung, Peter started to have second thoughts. It's the first time Peter had ever seen a fire up close and personal, he's only heard about how dangerous and powerful they are.
His eyes landed on a medium-sized building that was completely covered in angry flames, and with his superheating he could hear with a wince every time something broke or fell down as rubble.
Looking down from the building he currently is, across the street from the fire, Peter sighed in relief seeing the fire truck working tirelessly with its hose, and the firemen themselves making sure the residents are all okay.
Peter, seeing everyone calm as they could be in this situation or some even knocked out with no one fussing over them, figured there was nothing for him to do. So he adjusted his shooters and checked how much web fluid he had left in each, ready for him to leap safely off the building.
Until he heard something.
Since the week prior when Peter had obtained his powers, he noticed he could not only hear from far away or something very quiet, but could also tune everything out except what he wanted to listen to.
He discovered this one day he went shopping instead of his aunt, telling her she should rest. Peter was testing how much he could tune out every sound, until he focused on two old men laughing from a distance. Wondering what could have made both men chuckle so, Peter stared at them hardly without ill intent, until he was able to hear them perfectly from a long distance and amidst everyone else around him.
Peter then started playing with this new ability of his until he managed to do it without looking at what he was wanting to hear, but perfectly locating where the sound was coming from.
That's why Peter whipped his head in alarm as he heard "MOMMY PLEASE WAKE UP" between desperate sobs, after the chilling and horrified scream that first caught his attention. The sobs seemed to be coming from a little girl, crying for her mother, inside the building.
'…crap. CRAP, D-DAMMIT' Peter went into shock for a moment at the implication of what he heard coming from what he quickly counted to be the fifteenth floor. There was no way anyone could reach the little girl and her mom before a disaster occurred.
Anyone but him.
So Peter closed his eyes and remembered Ben, his words about power and how he promised he wouldn't stand idly when something exactly like this happens.
'Okay Peter, you got this. You fucking got this' So cursing and hyping himself up in his mind, Peter jumped from the roof he was in and shot a web to a window near the crying girl, but sufficiently away as to not accidentally hurt her.
'HOLY SHIT!' screamed Peter to himself as he entered the flaming apartment. The boy cursed his heightened senses because they were now playing against him.
The brightness of the flames blinded him, the smoke made his stomach churn and the roaring fire was drilling in his ears with a strength he had never felt before. His now information sensitive skin yelled with pain at the intensity of the heat surrounding everything. His spider-sense was the worst, as it was yelling at him that he was in mortal danger and he needed to get out.
'I KNOW, FUCK!' yelled Peter in his mind as his whole body ached in alarm for what he was doing. Grabbing his head and kneeling as he did so.
"Please mommy… *sniff* please" the words of the little girl were like a spell on Peter. As he heard that his spider-sense dulled, as if his sense itself knew he had a job to do.
He stood up now controlling his hearing better and powered through the smell and the brightness of the flames. His skin felt as if it was slowly adapting to the heat of the room.
As he stood up, Peter's view landed on a door behind some burning rubble that he assumed led to a bathroom. So he quickly ran up to the rubble and kicked it away, opening, entering and closing the door as fast as he humanly (not so 'human' anymore) could, not thinking of the girl's reaction to him and his actions.
"AAAAHH MONSTER!" yelled the little girl horrified at the sight before her. Between all the fire and her mother not moving, now enters a demon looking man with red skin and white soulless looking eyes that freaked the girl way more than she already was, not realizing it was a mask.
"W-what!?" Asked Peter, confused by the girl's reaction, letting out a shaky gasp as he looked at the horrific scene before him.
The bathroom was a flooded mess of running water from an overflowed wash-basin and bathtub with the faucets running with all the strength they could, covering all of the bathroom floor in a growing layer of water. Everything was wet, from the towels that were making a barrier in the door to the girls in front of him.
One of which was clearly hit with a heavy piece of ceiling that unfortunately landed straight in her head, causing her to spill blood everywhere and mixing with the water to disperse her blood all over the wet floor, painting the whole room red.
Her skull was clearly cracked open and Peter with his inhuman sight could see how bad the injury was between the woman's brown hair. Her whole body was twisted in a way that left her staring directly in Peter's direction.
Once again, Peter makes eye contact with someone who is dead.
"F-fuck!" Exclaimed Peter as he saw the state of the mother, who based on her pale skin and still open but unmoving eyes, was dead. Died while most likely protecting her daughter from the very rubble that ended her life.
Her daughter was a mess, from her whole soaking body due to the water running, to the tears that were running down her face which held a horrified expression, to her clothes that are smeared with the blood of her mother.
The little girl was most likely trying to get her mother to wake up before Peter arrived, causing her to stain herself in the red liquid.
Peter felt his breathing getting heavier and his heart rate getting faster, pounding heavily against his chest. This was not what he had signed up for! He was going to help people, not entering nightmare fuel scenes willingly!
'This was a mistake, this was a mistake…' Peter repatead in his head as he felt he was seconds away from passing out himself at the sight.
"DON'T HURT ME! PLEASE" Only to be snapped back to reality by the plea of mercy from the sobbing girl, who was trying her hardest at staying as far away as possible from him.
"I-I'm not going to hurt you!" Said Peter as he moved closer to the girl, causing her to scream again and fall backwards. She tried kicking the floor until she was far enough from him, but her little body found herself against the overflowing bathtub.
Peter took a second before he sighed in an attempt to calm his leg while strengthening his resolve. A life was already lost, a tragedy already happened. But right here, right now is a life that Peter can save.
And by all he knows and loves he's going to do so.
"Hey… come on I'm not a monster, you can look at me" he said softly as he kneeled beside the mom, touching her neck in hopes of finding or maybe hearing a pulse.
There was none.
Peter closed his eyes in grief, now pressing his palm on the mothers head softly while apologizing mentally for not being there earlier.
'You… you don't have to worry anymore. I'll save your daughter, I promise' he promised the now deceased mother with a heavy heart as he let go of her head with slight hesitation, closing her eyes as he did so.
He then moved closer to the girl that was slowly looking up. When she did so, Peter very carefully and slowly, took his mask off.
Instead of the monster she had seen before, she saw a boy that couldn't be older than 15, crouching in front of her with his hands up in surrender, which somewhat calmed her down. As calm as she could be in this situation at least.
*Sniff* "W-who are you?" Asked the little girl, still not trusting the boy, but more willing to talk to him now that she knows how he looks.
"I'm someone who's going to get you out of here" Peter answered with a tone that perfectly masked his own nervousness. He already revealed his face to the girl, he wasn't about to tell her his name as well.
"Not my mom?" Asked the kid with worry.
"Your mom… can't be saved anymore" answered Peter as he saw the little girl weep at the news with acceptance.
The girl, even though young, had already experienced the loss of his grandparents and one pet, so she was knowledgeable enough for her to know it.
Her mom was dead.
"But you can be saved, I can get you out of here!" Added Peter quickly, wanting to give the girl some hope. Only to see her still far away from him while hugging herself with fear in her eyes
"But you are going to have to trust me, okay?" Said Peter as he moved closer to the girl. Close enough to grab her if he wanted to.
"… I'm scared" admitted the girl in between sobs, with her voice rough and trembling body, not finding the strength to deny Peter's request, but neither the strength to believe in him fully.
Then the building shook with force, causing rubble to fall outside the bathroom loudly, making Peter wince and the girl scream. A small piece of wood that was lit on fire fell on top of Peter's discarded mask, starting to burn at it a little.
"… I'm scared too" said Peter, matching the girl's face minus the tears, also trembling slightly. The stakes are too high, lf he fails, Peter himself and the girl in front of him will both die.
And it scares Peter.
He doesn't want to die, and he doesn't want the girl to die either, so he'll do his damn best.
"But if you decide to trust me…" said Peter as he held out his hand for her to grab "If you are brave, then I promise I will be brave with you, and I will save us".
The girl stopped sobbing as she looked carefully at the teen's face in front of her, debating with herself if she would leave her life in this stranger's hands. She already lost her mother, but her dad was hopefully somewhere out there and honestly, she wants to live.
"What do you say? Want to be brave together and get out of here?" Asked Peter with a kind smile as he fished his mask from the wet floor that had long since drowned the small flame burning it.
Just as Peter said that the girl jumped into his arms with a surprising grip strength caused by fear, literally clinging to Peter for her life.
Without need of another sign he quickly placed his mask on and grimaced a little at the burnt side that managed to affect the left lense, and stormed out of the bathroom.
He kicked the door with such strength that it was sent flying with a loud craahing sound that caused the little girl to scream right in his ear, but leaving a path free of rubble for him to step out safely.
Using his spider-sense, Peter avoided anything that could be harmful for him or the kid. He shot his webs from his shooter to the remains of a burnt family sized couch and flung it to the rubble that was blocking the broken window, opening a safe passage for him to jump through.
At the eyes of everyone in the street; most specifically a blonde man that was in the elevator when the fire started, causing the fumes to knock him out and be dragged out quickly by the firemen to then woke up to his missing daughter and wife with some firemen asking him to settle down; a man in a red costume flew out of the window after a couch with someone screaming in his arms.
Everyone freaked out for the man, only to awe at the sight of him shooting a white rope out of his hand to the couch flying down and swung it to another window farther down, crashing the remains in the still burning building.
Then with the same hand he shot another rope, now at the building next to the affected one, slowing his fall while maneuvering his body in a complicated way to stop his fast descent. Finally landing on the ground firmly while trying to soothe the crying kid in his arms.
The man was wearing a scary red costume, and was clearly holding a trembling child who was sobbing very loudly in his arms, so no one knew what to say or what to do.
Until "ALLISON!" yelled the blonde man, recognizing his daughter's small form and yellow hair anywhere.
Peter felt the girl's head snap toward the man as she inhaled air in between sobs at the sight of the adult she very clearly recognizes.
"DADDY!" she yelled as Peter released her, and she ran with all her might towards her dad, who received the jumping girl in the tightest, most caring hug he'd ever given her.
"Allison, you're okay!" Cried the man with his daughter in his arms as he spun around a few times in sheer joy of being able to hold her. His worst fear being shot down.
"DADDY! DADDY!" Meanwhile Allison could only cry for her father again and again in between sobs as she held for dear life to him. She just went through a horrifying and traumatic experience, but her father's arms promised her that everything would be just fine.
After a few moments the father pulled his face from his kid's head, looking around worriedly "Allison, w-where is your mom?" he asked with a shaky voice, his fears returning once again.
"…S-she couldn't..." Peter tried to says while approaching the father and daughter duo, seeing the girl now known as Allison unable to answer, hiding herself further into her fathers chest, with a heavy heart.
The fathers eyes shined with tears as he understood what the masked man was trying to say, burying himself in his daughter once again.
He lost his wife, one of the two most important people in his life. But his daughter lives, and there is no more precious gift to him than the possibility of holding her like this again when all hope seemed lost.
"YO, WHO ARE YOU!?" yelled one of the pedestrians after the whole interaction, deeming it for everyone as over.
Peter, seeing everyone starting to approach him, took a step back in fear, making everyone else halt in their advancement with uncertainty. If someone were to compare it, he looked like a scared animal.
Yet some cops that were on the scene still made an attempt to approach the man, making Peter turn around with the intention to leave, only stopping when Allison yelled "WAIT!" Making Peter halt, despite his willingness to do so.
"THANK YOU!" She yelled as Peter nodded softly with a warm smile on his masked face. Only to leap several feet in the air and swing away into the concrete jungle.
"Who is he, honey?" Wanting to find a distraction from his wife's passing, the father chose to focus on the miracle that was his daughter's survival, mentally thanking the masked man for saving her.
Allison mulled about the answer, if the boy wore a mask it was because he didn't want to be seen, and since he didn't give her a name then she could decide her answer with freedom, choosing to keep his appearance a secret.
As she was thinking about her answer, many pedestrians and the cops stayed silent and slightly approached the father and daughter duo, also wanting an answer.
"He's a hero" she said simply as she looked in the direction the masked man went. Only to start crying again for her mother's fate in her fathers arms. Drowning for the moment any question anyone might have had for the girl.
Peter for his part had heard the snap of a phone's camera, most likely looking his way, but paid no mind to it as he balanced through the city. He was still pretty shaken up by the events that just happened.
Entering a burning building, finding a dead woman and her terrified kid, revealing his identity and finally delivering her to her father.
It was too much for Peter, he felt as if his heart was going to punch it's way out of his chest, so he found a nice and lonely rooftop that he could rest on without anyone looking at his unmasked face.
"That. Was. Crazy." Said Peter to himself out loud as he took his mask off, placing his hands on his knees and trying to stabilize his breathing.
Peter took a moment to look at his now ruined mask 'maybe it's too scary? Perhaps the colors…' started Peter thinking, remembering the scream of Allison upon seeing him, wanting to find a distraction from yet another death in his life.
Also because that's not what he wanted, for kids to fear him. He wants kids to see him and look to someone that promises a helping hand to all.
As he was thinking about his clothing, the sight of the mom wouldn't leave his mind, so he sighed thinking about his own 'mom'.
'May… has been through a lot and she… well she deserves to know' Peter came to the conclusion that it would be best to tell her everything. He wouldn't be keeping secrets from her, not like this.
With his mind made up, Peter went home earlier than he had been any other day. Part of the reason for this was his now ruined mask as well, which Peter refused to wear for much longer.
"Peter, my god!" Yelled May as she saw his nephew filled with dust and ashes, smelling of smoke. Even if he had changed out of his costume those were hard to shake off, especially the smell and the filth that he gained on his face. For that he was going to need a long shower with a hard scrub.
"It's-it's okay May, I'm not hurt or anything" Peter said in a soothing tone as May looked all over Peter's body with fear clear in her eyes.
"W-what happened?" She asked after making sure he wasn't lying, looking at his clothes that were somehow not tattered or bloodied.
"There was a building on fire-" May gasped, interrupting Peter "And I just approached to see if there was any way I could help" he finished explaining, much to May's horrified expression.
"Are you out of your mind!? Peter, that's dangerous, they have men prepared for those types of things and you are just a boy, MY boy!" May's breathing started to quicken "You could've been hurt! OR WORSE! You can't never do those types of things Peter, EVER!"
"Wow, May calm down" Peter tried to get his aunt to sit, but she refused to do so.
"How can I calm down when you're jumping into literal fires!?" May asked, still horrified at the thought.
"May, nothing happened, I didn't get close or anything, okay? This" he said as he motioned to his face "isn't what happens when someone enters a building on fire, I was at a safe distance" he says softly as his aunt finally listens to him and takes a seat on her favorite couch.
"Are you sure you didn't do anything dangerous?" May asked as she looked deep in her nephew's eyes. The eyes she's been taking care of for most of his life, the eyes she's seen looking at her in love and adoration as she matches it, the eye of the only close family she has.
This is it, this is the perfect moment for him to say the truth. To come clean about everything and explain his plans for the future involving his powers.
But Peter can't.
Seeing her getting worried like this, Peter was sure she'd get a heart attack if he were to tell her everything, so "Of course not May, why would I ever do something like that? And I promise, I'd never do something that would risk my health or anything" he gives her a fake promise of staying out of those situations, lying straight to her face. But finally managing to calm her down.
'Guess I won't be telling her after all' Peter thinks, slightly disappointed in himself.
*Sigh* "I'm- I'm sorry sweetie. I guess I just thought something stupid. You know, with what happened with Ben and those teens they talk about on the news that hurt themselves when something bad happens to them I just… I think I just thought the worst for a moment" May admit in shame at her line of thinking.
Peter winces slightly when May said 'sorry' but he mentally froze at the last thing she said.
"What?! You think I'm- you think I'd hurt myself?!" Peter asks flabbergasted and offended 'she thinks I'm suicidal?! Why?!' He shouts to himself in worry.
"Of course not Peter, I know you wouldn't do something like that. I guess I just… noticed how much you changed and it scared me" May says as she looks softly at Peter.
"W-what? What do you mean?" He inquired, not understanding fully.
"I see how serious you are all the time, and Anna tells me that you've been avoiding all of your friends Peter, even her niece. That is not the boy I know" May said the last part barely above a whisper, which shocked Peter.
"I-I…" Peter struggled to find words he could say to May, but ultimately, he decided to at least be truthful in this.
"…I don't know how you do it May. I don't get how I can still see you laugh with Ms. Watson or still be so kind to everyone around you. I just… I don't know how-" Peter admitted as he felt his eyes sting again with the threat of tears.
He knows he's been all serious and gloomy, he regrets ignoring his friends but can't find the strength to answer them and he can't, for all that he loves, understand how his aunt can seem to be so unaffected when he knows she's probably hurting more than he is.
But she is still the woman he's known for all his life. Still smiling at him when he barely has the energy for breakfast with a buffet ready for him. Still going to FEAST and help the less fortunate while he decided to skip school. Still meeting with Ms. Watson to spend their afternoons together when both women have nothing much else to do while he avoids everyone else.
"Oh sweetie" May heart breaks a little at how lost her nephew seems "come here" she says as she offers her arms for a hug, still sitting down.
Without waiting a moment, Peter sits beside her aunt and hugs her very tightly. Not as much as to hurt her, but enough to show that he does need the comfort.
May starts combing Peter's hair in a soothing manner, just like she did when he was way younger and his dreams were invaded by nightmares of his parents.
Then she spoke "We can't control everything that happens around us, Peter. No matter who you are, how much money you have or how powerful you think yourself to be" her tone melodious and wise, striking a chord inside of Peter with her words "but how we react is entirely up to us. We can let tragedy drag us down and break us until we become shallow forms of our former selves. Or we can rebel against the chaos and evilness that happens in our lives by smiling, laughing and joking at it."
And there it is.
The phrase that would mark Peter's life from that point on.
'Rebel against the chaos and evilness'
The laugh and joke part will also become essential in Peter's life from now on, but it's that part he will be stuck with for the rest of his life.
'With great power comes great responsibility' that's the phrase that inspires Peter to become a hero.
'Rebel against the chaos and evilness' will be the words that will allow him to power through it all.
Peter knows that the world will try to break him, bring him down to his knees and deviate him from his path. But Peter will rebel against that by showing he's stronger than that.
He has to be.
"Of course there will be times to cry, Peter. But we always have to laugh again. If not *Shaky breath* why would we be here?" May finishes with a question that makes her voice beak with sentiment.
Both May and Peter are left crying silently in each other's arms. Each thinking different things but finding the same comfort within the other.
After a few minutes together like that, finally they grew apart when Peter's stomach growled.
Ashamed for that, he said "Oh, sorry May. I have uh, not eaten much today" Peter apologized while managing to get a smile from the teary eyed woman.
"I'll whip us some dinner, sweetie. Don't worry about it." She said as she dried her eyes clean.
"If you want, I can cook for today" he offered, seeing as his aunt looks somewhat tired.
"Among the many things I love doing in my life Peter, seeing you enjoy my cooking is one of them. And I won't let you take it away from me" May says seriously, but with a hint of enjoyment in her voice "plus, you really need a bath" she quips as she crinkles her nose in disgust.
Peter, for the first time since his uncle was shot, laughs. A soft chuckle that turns into a full and honest laugh deserving of someone his age.
"Yeah you're right" Peter says as he walks to exit the kitchen "and May? Thank you, you've given me a lot to think about. And I promise not to make you worry much" He says as he exits the kitchen.
Not hearing May's last words "Oh Peter, I'll always worry…" she says as her face looks a little sad, still fearing for her boy.
Now in his room, Peter looks at himself in the mirror, and although it's still the same face he's always had, he can tell he has indeed changed.
'Now I'm more than just Peter Parker. But I am still him' Peter contemplates his aunt's words.
'She is right, I can't allow myself to drown in misery like this. I can't honor my uncle this way' Peter slaps both his cheeks with his palms to hype himself up.
'I need to snap out of whatever this moody guy has become, and start acting like me again!' Peter thinks back to all the moments he's had with his friends, his aunt… his uncle.
'I'm Peter Parker!' He confirms to himself with a smile adorning his face as he looks back at the mirror in his room.
Only to find his desk at his reflection's left, with a notebook opened on a very specific page. He turns around and walks over to it, remembering what happened this very day and the question he was asked.
"Who am I?" He asks out loud for no one to hear, imitating the man who questioned him earlier today.
"Well.. if it ain't broke…" said Peter as he started working on the page he first used to plan his wrestler outfit, modifying it to not be scary for children, and to be a symbol to all those who planned to mess with his city.
"Oh yeah, this will do" exclaimed Peter happily as he tossed his notebook back to the desk and went to take a shower, not wanting to keep his aunt waiting.
The notebook remained open on the same page Peter worked on, revealing a full 7 piece body suit, with red and blue color scheme and black webbing decorating it, sporting a similar mask to his original one.
The only words that could be read on the page are.
SPIDER-MAN .