A/n: I sadly abandoned this fic for awhile, but its back! Spiderswing 432 is not letting me get away with neglecting this one… Read and review if you want it to stay back! ;)

Harry stood in the mirror straightening his tie. He'd finally convinced MJ to go out with him on a date. She had protested and avoided the subject long enough, besides his father was gone- again.

If only I was what he wanted- a perfect student, an intelligent ambitious science enthusiast. Peter Parker's all of that, he's the perfect boy.

Harry paused in front of the mirror, his eyes clouding over with jealousy.

Peter Parker is a failure.

No matter how many times he reassured himself, the words always seemed empty. Peter Parker was a success in the eyes of his father…

She'll do.

The first time he saw Mary Jane at school he knew the price he'd have to pay. He saw the look on Peter's face when he discovered she was dating him.

Pure jealousy.

It gave Harry a wave of satisfaction to know that someone finally envied him. It was another step closer to meeting his father's expectations, but even MJ didn't satisfy him.

"Harry, it's too much." Harry looked at MJ; she was wearing the only dress she owned from that consignment shop downtown. If Harry had looked closer, he would've noticed her obvious discomfort with the entire situation.

"I'm glad you like it".

The restaurant was exquisite; Harry and Norman often brought friends or business here. MJ had never seen the inside of the place before, and Harry had enticed her with it. Perhaps he was buying her off, but another encounter with a vacant mansion was the last thing Harry wanted for this evening.

MJ had been talking, and Harry briefly smiled, waving the waiter away. He could do this, focus, pay attention. Harry drifted back to the incident at the hospital. His father left for a meeting, a meeting in which he didn't even get the proposal. It was another reminder of his father: a vacant chair, a mere memory.

"Harry? Are you listening?"

Harry faced MJ, forcing a smile. "Do you like it?" MJ bit her lip, tears pooling in her eyes. Harry looked around frantically, praying silently she kept quiet.

"What's wrong?"

MJ shook her head, getting up. Harry rushed after her, calling her name. "MJ!" MJ stopped and sat down on a nearby bench. "What happened? I thought you liked it".

"Its great, you're great, but"- MJ broke off into sobs. "I can't do this anymore, Harry."

Harry stood in the street, confusion written all over his face. "What?"

"I'm so sorry, Harry. I don't love you, I love Peter". MJ sadly smiled up at him, getting up. Harry watched her walk across the street abandoning him.

Peter Parker- Peter Parker- Peter Parker-Peter Parker

His name flashed through Harry's mind over and over. Peter stole his father, Peter stole MJ. Some geeky science nerd with coke bottle glasses stole everything. Harry watched her run down the street, never looking back.

He won't get away with this. He will suffer; he deserves to suffer the pain I suffer.

Harry walked back to the restaurant, paid the bill and headed home…

Harry noticed his father's door swinging, he was out. For once, Harry felt thankful for his absence. Harry pulled apart the cabinet, frantically searching for the liquor. Harry ran upstairs to his father's room. There in the back of the closet was the liquor cabinet.

Harry grabbed the bourbon and savored the welcome sting in the back of his throat, all the way to his stomach. Images flashed before him as he felt the room grow dark and hazy.

Dad. MJ. Peter. "I won't always be here to unscrew your messes"… "I don't love you, Harry". "Yeah, she's pretty great." "I'm studying microbiology in the summer"… Dad. MJ. Peter. Dad. MJ. Peter. Dad. MJ. Peter. Dad. MJ. Peter.

Names, words, and images flickered as Harry slammed another shot down. Another after another. Harry stumbled around, his vision was blurring. The last thought that manifested in his mind burned.

At least when I'm dead I won't be a burden to my father…