His Gift by Nehan Shinzui

A/N: 10/17/10 Ok, look. I know what you're thinking. And no I most certainly haven't died, nor am I thinking of discontinuing this. Oh no, see you have to understand I am one of the world's biggest procrastinators and crappiest organizers. I can't help it that the Internet is so freaking distracting and that I'm obsessed with Baccano! right now! (which, by the way kicks arse, and you should all watch it and obsess over Ladd Russo like I do! He's mine,btw) Anyhow. Well, my computer got taken away again so I decided to have some chapters halfway ready by the time I get my computer back which won't be until I get my grades back up. What a bunch of B.S. It's the beginning of the year and I missed two assignments out of ten in English, not to mention my first Algebra teacher was a big fat, bitter douchey dickhead. Fucking dickhead. Oh, not to mention I'm in a foul mood because I missed out on Hometown Buffet and the movies with all my friends because I had to stay home and watch my freaking younger siblings. Then my tire on my bike got a flat. Then the store didn't have the ice cream I wanted. And then the movie I was watching on my sister's computer with her(it was Spirited Away. A classic, for crying out loud!) started messing up. And this all because my brother's stupid football game was on a Saturday instead of a Friday like it was supposed to be and my mom was being a bothersome turd about things and insisted that it'd be too cold in the mountains or wherever the fuck the dumbass thing was for the two youngest ones and my thirteen-year old sis couldn't be by her self alone with them. You think 15 is that much better to watch all of them? Get them some thermals, sweats. and a jacket with a beanie and go on! God!

Chapter Four: Permission gone Awry

Peter didn't darw ask immedietely after the incident at the bookstore. He hadn't even thought of it before David had brought it up and he just knew Harry would think it odd if he suggested it out of nowhere. And he certainly didn't want that.

He was bathing, Harry scrubbing his back as he placed his fingers awkwardly and childlike against the water trying not to wince from the fresh bruises, a week before the event, that Peter finally decided to ask.

"H-harry?" Peter started timidly, delicate fingers wringing themselves in the soothing water.

Harry was sitting at the edge of tub, his sleeves rolled up, eyes gazing distractedly as he rubbed soothing circles around Peter's battered back. His knuckles were a dark,unnatural color. He was quiet for awhile and Peter almost thought he didn't hear him; so intimidated by his silence that he was ready to give up anyway. Finally, the man gave a breathy, "Yes?" Peter almost flinched.

"U-um, w-well there was going to be a...a science fair next week at the...at the museum. R-remember the one we went to in high school? I-I...I was wonder-wondering if you could p-please, please t-take me there?" He rushed these last words out nervously. The smaller's eyes never met the other's his nails biting into his wrists now. He felt Harry give a small smile.

"And to what do I owe this special request? Hm?" His hand went around to cup the boy's chin. Peter winced at the contact it made against the bruise there.

"Oh, I just heard it from...somewhere."

"From who?" Osborn's grip tightened and the boy gave a whimper.

"Oh-oh t-there w-was an ad at the bookstore when I-went and I...just remembered it."

"Don't you dare lie to me, Pete. I want to know who's putting these stupid ideas in you're head that you can just go around wherever you want." Harry's tone became harsh and Peter shuddered violently, slumping against the side of the bathtub.

"I-I swear I'm not Harry! There was an ad in the bookstore!" Which was, of course, true for the most part. There was another silence. Then:

"Get out of the tub, Pete."

The boy instantly paled, but haltingly did as he was told, fearful of the consequences.

"I'm not lying!" he protested once more.

"Shh," Harry reprimanded him gently, wrapping a towel around the boy and clutching his shoulders where the bitemarks were visible all along his shoulder blade to his neck. "When is this thing, then?"

Peter felt a sudden surge of happiness and disbelief at his luck. "It's this time, next week! So-so I can go then?" he added shyly. Harry gave him a strange smile.

"Well, you've been such a good boy lately, Pete. Doing so well at work, helping us do such great things and make so much money. And you were very good tonight; you took it so well and quietly and I know how hard that must've been for you. I'm proud of you!"

Peter blushed. It had been so long since Harry had said anything nice to him, so long since anyone had said anything nice to him(not including that David man) and he himself had lost faith in anything he did.. He honestly didn't know how to take this kindness from Harry.

"R-really?" he stumbled out, looking at the floor. He gave a slight shiver.

Harry laughed. "Of course, really! Now come to bed; you;re getting cold, and I would hate it if you got sick. Come now." he reiterated, leading Peter by the hand toward the bedroom. Peter followed with a limp.

The week following was one of the most peaceful Peter had known with the man. Seeing how overtaxed he was with everything at the lab, Harry insisted that he take a vacation; he was even woken up to bed and breakfast every morning as he got better. Contrary to expectations, Harry didn't use this oppurtunity to take advantage of him and allowed him his bedrest, reading to him when the boy's eyes got tired, hand feeding him his food and such, bathing him. Although Peter found Harry's sudden change of behavior somewhat startling and confusing, he was too desperate for the positive energy to questions things much, even as Harry's smile got odder and odder each day closer to the fair.

Rosie tugged his hand towards some weird lizard exhibit and David snapped his head towards her, away from the entrance where he had been craning his neck to see the people entering. He was a little disappointed, but didn't let his daughter see.

"Oh Rosie, didn't we just see these?"

It's not like I really expected him to come did I? he thought. Not when he acted like that. He couldn't help the frown that spread across his face though. His fist tightens around the strip of paper.

They'd been running late. Harry had started to show signs of agitation as they pulled up and saw how crowded the parking lot was. Peter grew a little nervous at this point, but Osborn merely gave him a reassuring smileand told him to go on in and wait for him by the exhibit close to the entrance. And so here he was, by the lizards. Truthfully, he was feeling a but anxious, standing on his toes and craning his neck over the crowd. He flinched, as a large crowd rushed by him and found himself apologizing to no one and blushed. How embarassing!

He didn't like being alone. Peter didn't know what to do. And he realized he hadn't actually been alone by himself-without Harry's supervision-since they'd left high school. The idea intimidated him. What was he supposed to do now? Harry had told him to wait; did that mean he didn't want him to move? Should he be still? What if one of the chaperones wanted to talk to him and give him a tour? Sjould he follow them? Not to mention the surroundings were so unfamiliar. Peter was used to the enclosed habitat of either the lab or Harry's penthouse and maybe a few walks in between., but it had been quite awhile since he'd been anywhwere else besides the university. He wished HArry qould come quickly.

"So you came!" Peter twisted his around just in time to see David and Roselia Marshall walking towards him, Rosie with an ice cream cone in her hand. Peter flushed; he'd almost forgotten who'd convinced him to come here in the first place. He adjusted his glasses awkwardly. The excitement and anxiety he'd felt before shrank back into timidness. "Um, hey," he muttered.

"So ya make it out here okay?" David asked(seeming a bit too happy to see him, Peter thought). He pressed a hand into his shoulder, beaming at him and the bespecaled suddenly felt claustrophobic, eyes darting left and right. If Harry saw them like this...!

"Oh, we got here fine." he said, shrugging out of the man's grip. "Harry told me to wait here, while he's parking. I think he may take awhile.

David gave him a curious look, pulling his lip. Then he said, "Hey, Rosie. Daddy can trust you to be a big girl, right?( the girl nods) And you remember the spider place close to here? (she nods again, between licks, pointing at an exhibit a couple aisles away) Then, do you wanna go over there while we talk?" The girl nods happily, still eating and scampers off. David make sure she's in his sights before once again turning and adressing Peter.

"Well, this has been bothering me for quite a bit now, and pardon me if I'm being too forward but," he paused and Peter hoped more than ever that at least this man would leave before Harry arrived. At the same time, David's natural kindness didn't let hi bring himself to openly desert him.

"Well," David started again and Peter was shook out of his thoughts. " I take it this Harry is your partner? Domestically?"

Peter,shocked, turned bright red. Nevertheless, he gave a jerky nod. (Oops! Was that supposed to get out? Harry never said it directly and some of his inner circle must have guessed it already and it's not like Harry seemed ashamed of it but...) The redhead before gave a sigh.

"Well, he's a lucky man. I take it he's the jealous type?" Another jerky nod was given. "I most certainly don't blame him then. Not over someone so good-looking." He winked.

Oh my God! Is he flirting? Peter thought, gritting his teeth. He felt a mad urge to laugh. David must've seen it in his face though and gave a weak smile.

"Bad line? Hey, you've gotta give me something for trying!"

Peter allowed himself a small giggle.

"Hey, now! It wasn't that bad! I've heard way worse, trust me!"

Peter for some reason found this hilariously funny. He snorted with quiet laughter. David was the one who blushed this time.

"Ah, geez, I'm talking too much aren't I?" He scratched his head as he gave a small nod. "Meh, at least Rosie's not close enough to see her old man make an idiot of himself." He actually cranes his neck to make sure and Peter stares determinedly off at one of the lizards. It's a komodo dragon, and its inky black tounge darts out as they make eye contact. So this is what communication feels like. he thinks. Before he'd been with Harry, he might've went on to explain where these were found, said something about the science of the thing, but he couldn't bring himself to do that now. the thought made him sad, and he gave a small sigh.

"What's wrong? Boring you already?" Shook from hia thoughts, the boy gave David a quiet grin.

"Oh no, it's nothing." He paused. "Say, if you're-his eyes dart uncomfortably-what about Rosie? Did you adopt or-"

"She's mine, rest assured." David answers before he can finish the sentence." I had her before I sorted myself out. My ex wasn't happy when she found out and don't blame her. It's all my fault for being such an idiot. Rosie handles it well-she thinks it's funny! She's handling the divorce very well for someone who age. that girl keeps me sane." He cranes his neck over the crowd to see her listening patiently as the chaperone explains the arachnids. "Only thing, I just wish my parents would at least try to do the same." his tone takes on a a gruff, singsong, then befuddled tone. " No son of mine is taking it from another man!' You just have to find the right girl is all!' So wait, you telling me having a kid made you gay?'" He rolled his eyes and Peter gave a laugh despite himself.

"So what about you? David nudged and Peter's face fell. "What about you're family?"

"My parents are dead. They died when I was little. I used to live with my aunt and uncle but they disappeared before I graduated high school. Harry's father had just gotten killed, but he took me in because I didn't have any other family. H-Harry's all I have. He's the only one that cared about me."

"Your knight in shining armor..." David intones and Peter is close to tears now. Because the bruises haven't left. Not yet. He's startled the other man now.

"I'm so sorry, Peter." he says soothingly, reaching out an arm to grab his shoulder. And Peter, surprising himself, almost leans into the embrace before recalling himself. David seeing how upset he is, hatily changes the subject to something mundane.

"So what do you do for a living, Peter? I'm just a struggling artist myself, but recently I got the offer of a freaking lifetime!" he says excitedly,then, deciding he's being rude urges the brunette to go on, saving his little surprise for after. Peter winced at David's sudden change of tone.

"Um, well, I went to a university for awhile after high school, but Dr. Conners urged me to start "applying my expertise in more advanced, hands-on work" and helped me graduate early basically. Harry had wanted me to work at his company anyway. I'd told Dr. Conners that I didn't think I was ready-here his eyes drift uncomfortablly-but he insisted. I didn't want to do it really, but Harry wanted me to work somewhere close and I guess it makes sense for me to work there so..." It gets quiet again. Strangely, these silences haven't been too awkward-they're comfortable evn, as if been two old friends. David laughed.

"Wow! That's the most I've ever heard you talk since I met you! I've done something with my life today, then He gave another, short bark of laughter and Peter blushed, realizing, in fact that David was right. He hadn't even noticed that he wasn't worrying where Harry was anymore. "So what kind of lab does this 'Harry' run anyway. You make him sound important."

"Oh, Harry runs a big weapons' maufacturer-"

"Wait!" David interrupted. "Wait, ypu don't mean Oscorp? You're telling me you're hooked up with-that this Harry is Harry Osbourne?"

"Um, yes he is." Parker replied.

"Oh wow." David placed a palm to his forehead. "You're with one of the two biggest manufatures-the other of which is Stark Industries for crying out loud!-and you're at this dinky little show and tell. Wow. This makes my surprise totally irrelevant now."

"What surprise?" came a voice and Peter almost urinated on himself.

"Ah, just the man we were talking about!"

Oh God.

"Talking about me were you?" Harry said with a warm grin that didn't meet his eyes. "I've seen you before haven't I?"

"Yeah, once. Hey, you weren't at the bookstore were you?''

! How could you be so stupid, Peter?

"The bookstore?"

Oh God David, be quiet. Shut up shut up shut up shut up. Please shut up.

"Pete didn't tell you? I invited him here the other day."

Peter almost did pee himself then when he saw Harry's eyes darken just then, but he continued to smile serenley and Peter realized that he'd know all along that he had lied and had just been waiting for the truth to reveal itself. How stupid he'd been! How could he do that to Harry anyway? Hadn't he just told David that Harry was the only one that cared about him? Hadn't Harry done everything for him? How could he be so stupid and selfish? Harry had told him to wait for him, and he hadn't listened, he'd went off to talk to this man he didn't even now. He nearly burst into tears right there.

Wrapping an arm around Peter's trembling waist, almost soothingly, almost comfortangly, Harry asked, "So before we move on, what's this surprise you have for us?"

David's face fell a little but he perked up again and explained. "Well, by some sheer coincidence I've been hired by your company's competiton. Stark wants me to design his advertising campaigns. I'll be the art director." He nearly buckled under Harry's hard gaze but relaxed a bit when the latter let out a small laugh.

"Well, if you'll excuse me but I don't think it's wise to interact with the competition." Harry said, turning with Peter, planting a kiss on the other's forehead, staring almost mockingly at David.

"Oh, come on! Don't be that way!" the redhead protested weakly as they were lost to the crowd.

As David made his way back to Rosie and placed his hand on her shoulder, as the chaperone was explaining one of an advanced new breed of spider he felt something bite down hard onto his neck yelped as he saw a large and bulbous blue and red spider of the one the woman was showing. The woman screamed as David hastily flicked it away. Rosie looked at him in concern.

As they entered the bedroom, Peter's sense of dread grew as he was told to strip completely naked. Harry cracked his knuckles, rustling through the closet, finding his father's old golf club.

"You know, Pete," he said quietly as he approached him. "I'd really hoped I was wrong."

In his apartment, David tossed and turned fitfully, feverish, his eyes rolling into the back of his head, the bite mark now a dark gray color. He shook violently, bfoam leaking out of his mouth. His vision blurred and he fell unconcious.

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Peter lay in a heap on the floor next to Harry's bed. Blood leaked from nose, mouth, ears from between his thighs. He could barely moan in pain past his swollen tounge. His back was like jelly. He wouldn't be able to walk properly for days. He just prayed Harry would forgive him for his mistake this time. In the bed, Harry snored peacefully.

11/3/10

A/N: I did it! And for XXXMystery, honey I swear I will review you're stuff as soon as I can okay? I'm finishing this up under the ruse that I'm doing homework which I actually finished hours ago so I sorta had to rush towards the end. Thanks for all the reviews and stuff. I had a test in APush which I might've actually done decent on. :) It's a shame I don't do good in that class, I actually like History. Drama club is cool. It's full of fellow freaks like myself. You know I find yaoi in the most mundane stuff at my school. Omigosh, immorta Technique is like my favorite rapper! And I found a country singer I like! Ryan Bingham! Hurray! this is the first of my stories I could officially update. Also, i have an idea for this Sesame Steet fanfiction. I know, I know. It's not what you're thinking! I think it might actually be good! Happy belated Halloween! My friend got me one huge hunk of chocalte from Fresh&Easy today. I'm happay as fuck!

Nehan Shinzui