Chapter Ten guys! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing, makes my day :)

In the film I wished that Peter and Harry had more screen time as friends, particularly before Harry went a little nuts, so I thought I'd do something similar here :) Hope you like it!

Harry Osborn's office was something else. With a desk made of glass, the floor made of black and white marble, and the far wall nothing but a wall of glass looking over the city, I couldn't help but let the breath fall out of me like it was my first time breathing. It was so open, the air cool and fresh in my lungs, so I couldn't even help being trapped in a state of awe. Harry seemed to relish in this, because as he turned to face me while bracing his hands on the desk behind him, he had the cockiest of smiles on his face that was infuriating. I wiped my expression to something of a blank nature and graced my way around his desk, aiming for the grand leather chair behind it. Harry's eyes never left me.

"I've seen better." Was all I said. He smirked.

"Oh, really?" he said in a mocking tone, cocking his head. I plopped myself lazily into his chair and spun it around a few times, lounging in it like I wasn't in the chair that belonged to the boss of Oscorp. If it annoyed him he didn't show it; if anything he only looked curiously amused.

"Yep." I said chirpily, flashing an all too innocent grin. He smiled and moved around the desk like a predator, but I was not going to be the prey. I slouched even deeper into his chair, watching his carefully controlled movements. I stared at his hand on the desk as his fingers glided over the smooth surface, leaving a moist, glimmering texture of sweat in his wake. I could hear his steady breathing as he stalked closer, and if not for his sweaty hands I would have believed he was completely fine.

"And where is this superior office you claim to have seen?" he inquired.

I thought for a moment. It was the office my father had been in. I remember mom taking me once when she was dropping something off, and while it was an office to speak to patients privately, it was grand nonetheless. There had been a grand oak desk polished until I could see my own reflection, and the walls had been painted cream to compliment the wooden floor. His desk had been messy, full of patient files, and the smell was both of medicine and the sweat of nervous patients, but to a seven year old it had been grand. While Harry's office was pristine and cold, my father's had been warm and inviting—normal.

I sank a final, defiant inch into his chair. "My dad's."

"Oh?" he stopped smiling and frowned. "He was a surgeon, right?"

"Right." I smiled darkly. "Nothing gets past you, does it, Mr Osborn?"

He visibly flinched. "I told you to call me Harry."

"And I told you we weren't friends."

We levelled our gazes, challenging one another, waiting for the other to make a move. Having two predators in the same room was dangerous, the panther and the lion just waiting to leap. But there was also something comforting about it. Between my sister, Peter and Gwen, I was the odd one out, the black sheep. Granted Martha wasn't far behind at the rate she was going, what with snapping at strangers and screaming in the night, but it was take a lot to push her to my level. Harry Osborn seemed to be the only one that was already there.

"And what would it take to make us friends, Miss Thatcher?" he asked, now on my side of the desk and leaning casually against it.

"I'm not sure," I answered. "I was always told not to be friends with men like you."

"Men like me?"

"Pretentious, arrogant, ass-hat men."

"So what does that make you?" he countered, not missing a beat. He was full on smiling now, pivoting his body so that he completely faced me. With both hands he leaned forward and clutched the arms of the chair, leaning down so that he could invade my privacy. I felt the primary instinct to counter him and leaned up, straightening my back and squaring my shoulders in defiance. If he thought he could intimidate me like that, he was wrong.

"The same as you." I answered him. "The only difference is people can choose to like me or dislike me, whereas with you they have no choice but to like you."

"But not you." Harry said with a glint in his eyes, which struck me as something like respect. "You've made up your mind about me."

"To be fair, I don't like many people."

"And yet here you are, in my office, in my chair, seemingly here to stay."

"I'm simply gracing you with my presence as a thank you for getting me out of a sticky situation." I smiled sweetly.

"And...?" he pressed, cocking an eyebrow.

"And because you're interesting."

"There it is." He smiled approvingly and moved completely away, stalking around his office in a bored manner. As he did I relaxed back into the chair, inhaling the leathery smell while the icy air of the room prickled at my skin. He looked ready to say something more when a young woman walked into the room clutching files to her chest. She looked no older than Harry himself, yet there was something about her that made me straighten up in my seat. Her eyes sliced into mine with harsh clarity, memorising me to her memory. With dark hair and bangs that framed her pretty face, she looked normal, but I was soon learning that anyone associated with Oscorp was far from normal.

"Felicia?" Harry asked, drawing the girl's attention to him rather than me. She tensed like a cat.

"Uh… sorry, sir. There's a young man asking to see you; Peter Parker, I believe? I didn't realize you already had company." She spun as if to run from the room, and in the second it took Harry to call her back and regain her attention, I was on my feet and ready to run for the door. I wasn't ready to face Peter yet, especially not with his friend in the room!

"Send him in, I've been wanting to see him." Harry said dismissively, flopping into the now abandoned chair behind his desk.

"Shall I escort this lady out?" Felicia said, gesturing a little too quickly and dismissively to me. I glared at her.

"No, no, she's to stay here for a while." Harry said behind me, and I suddenly felt like I was an assistant to him just like Felicia, which only infuriated me. I shrank back as Felicia shot me one more look before leaving, and I came up against the glass wall overlooking New York. I dropped to the floor like a child taking time out, but I didn't care.

Harry looked down at me, spinning in the chair like the cheesy scene of a villain in a movie; the only thing he was missing was the white cat. "You've been avoiding him." he stated. "So you really are a teenager equipped with drama; I'm almost disappointed."

"Disappointed?"

"I thought you were like me; I thought you were the uncomplicated kind."

"Oh, honey, I am beyond complicated."

"Now that is a shame." He rubbed his jaw thoughtfully, sinking into his chair. "I could learn to accept it, I suppose."

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

"Claudia?" Peter said, interrupting us.

I felt my eyes widen as I stared at Harry, who chuckled lowly and said, "It's about to get better." He spun the chair around and rose to his feet, myself following suit.

"Hey, Pete." I murmured. He looked the same as ever, with his bronze head of messy hair, a pair of liquid brown eyes that reminded me of chocolate, and an awkward but lazy frame that reminded me of while I loved him. And I did love him, even after what he had put me through. I loved everything about him, from his dorky nature to the true power beneath his skin; I loved him because he was the only one who could ruin me in a ridiculously good way.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, moving into the room. Harry was no longer in my frame of mind, just a shadow in the background. Yes, I'd been avoiding Peter for a few days now, but it was now that I realised just how much I missed him, how much I needed him. Lately I had felt lost and alone, even with Gwen and Martha around. He was the lifeline I needed, and it was dangerous. Peter Parker was perfect, but his world, his life, and his hold on me were lethal.

"She got into a spot of trouble." Harry said, moving so that he was a part of my reality once more, shattering the dream like rain on snow. He turned to me and flashed a round of gleaming white teeth. "You're welcome, by the way."

"You two know each other?" Peter asked, looked as confused as a baby who'd had their toy taken from them, looking between us like we were the culprits. I shifted uncomfortably on my feet.

"Not really, we met once before at my work." I said. "And we kind of just… bumped into one another today."

Peter frowned deeply as he moved towards me. He had a backpack over his shoulder, which now looked like it weighed a tonne on his slacked shoulder. His skateboard was balanced on top, trapped between his bag and back. I couldn't imagine what he was thinking. Maybe he thought little of me for avoiding him the way I did, or maybe he was confused to see me in such an environment, or perhaps it hurt to even look at me. Maybe it was all of that. I just wanted to run into his arms and tell him I was sorry, but at the same time I wanted to run away because it was him who made us like this in the first place. I wanted to kiss his and hit him, I wanted to whisper to him and scream at him, I wanted to love him and hate him.

He raised his hand at if to touch my cheek but then thought better of it, dropping it. I didn't miss it form into a fist before he stuffed it into his pocket. "You look good," he said, but the pain in his eyes was evident.

Harry cleared his throat before I could reply. When I looked over I was surprised; he didn't look smug or amused, or even mocking, only sad. He watched us with such sad respect that I inwardly recoiled. He really was me. He really did have the same framework, hard on the outside and soft on the inside. I'd be lying if I said that wasn't unnerving. However, whatever had been bothering him earlier was gone now, and for the first time he looked a little human.

"Was there something in particular you wanted, Peter?" Harry asked kindly. Peter turned to his friend.

"Just to see if you were free, I just wasn't expecting—"

"I got that." Harry smiled gently.

"Well, I guess we could go somewhere together if you're free, catch up again." Peter said, talking mostly to Harry. I felt myself moving away, ready to leave them to it. As far as I was concerned, anything between Peter and I was no more. The night Max attacked it had been okay, but Gwen had been there—without her, Peter and I had nothing left. Soon Gwen would be leaving all together, ensuring that anything between me and Peter would die and rot in her absence.

"How about all of us go?" Harry asked, catching me sneaking away. I froze.

"Um…"

"I can text Gwen." Peter said with a little smile. "I just passed her a few blocks away, she didn't look busy." He turned to his friend. "Besides, if you're already met Claudia then you should meet Gwen, too."

"Well," I said at last. "If we're doing that, can we go to the skate park? It's been a while."

Peter's eyes lit up like candles, shimmering with hope. "That would be good."

"Okay." I said.

"Okay." Harry smiled.

"Okay." Peter led the way out.

Gwen caught up with us as we left the building that was Oscorp, catching onto my arm and leaning in to say, "You're alright?"

"I'm fine." I smiled. "I told you I would be."

"How did you get out?"

"I'll explain later."

Behind us the boys spoke softly to one another, for the introductions between Harry and Gwen had been quick and to the point. Uncomplicated, just as Harry liked it. I was happy to give them a wide berth, and it was even better when we passed the street where my apartment resided. Gwen and I dashed up to fetch my skateboard, which I had purchased a while back. When Peter and I had first become friends, he gained my trust by teaching me how to skateboard, promising that he wouldn't let me get hurt. After a while I got better and eventually got my own skateboard to practice on, spending most evening at the park either on my own or with Gwen and Peter. Martha had even joined me once or twice. However, when Peter began to drift away, the need to skate lessoned with his lack of company.

It had gathered dust in my closet. The design beneath was a mixture of blues, ranging from sky blue to the depths of the ocean, and Peter told me that looking at that was like looking into my eyes. The memory pained me, but I got it out nonetheless, and together me and Gwen left my home as soon as we had come. Martha was nowhere to be seen, and I left a quick note saying I would be at the park if she needed me before closing and locking the door behind me.

We caught up with the boys in the street, which was thinning out as dusk fell upon us. Gwen squeezed her way next to Peter and spoke to him like they'd never stopped talking, while Harry looked on admirably. The ground began to dip as he descended towards the park, at which point I dropped my skateboard and trapped it beneath my foot.

"Race?" Peter asked, flashing a grin.

"Hardly fair, you have skateboards." Gwen said disapprovingly.

"And I'm in a suit, not exactly acceptable running attire." Harry interjected.

"Racing or not, I'll see you all down there in five." I said, and before they could respond, I was gliding down the pavement.

I planted my feet firmly on the board. The faster I went the lower I dropped, feeling like a surfer. Whatever people were still around moved out of the way without question, treating it as a regular occurrence from the teens around this neighbourhood. It worked just fine with me. I let the sound of the wheels against the tarmac engulf me, while the humid air died with the breeze coming my way.

When the turning came, I rose up and shifted my shift so that I could pivot right, which I did effectively after a long time practicing. My stomach flipped with exhilaration and I couldn't help but laugh in glee, overjoyed that I hadn't forgotten how to skate. I'd forgotten how alive this had made me feel, how in control I was, and it was the first time I could smile without it feeling wrong on my lips.

I wove easily round the ramps before flipping the board beneath my feet, jumping and turning so that I faced the entrance to the park. Peter rolled in at that moment, looking incredibly pleased with himself, and he was followed by our two out-of-breath companions. Harry skidded to a stop, not seeming to care about his contradiction, and grinned at me. I couldn't help it; I grinned back and stamped my foot down on the curve of my skateboard, flipping it up before catching it in my hand.

"Come on, then, little rich boy," I called. "Show us what superior moves you've got."

"I don't skate." he protested, spinning like a child as Peter circled him on his board.

"You have to with these two." Gwen told him. "They gave up on me a long time ago, though."

"You blondes suck at everything." I teased, strolling towards her. She reached to hit me and I ducked, laughing as she slapped air.

"Well I'm sorry for being brainy and not sporty."

"Apology not accepted." I ducked from another attack.

"Come on, man, give it a go." Peter encouraged Harry, sliding his board over to his friend in the same way he used to do with me. Harry caught it under his foot but remained unsure, but Peter didn't give him much time to think it over. He pushed his friend who yelled out in surprise, toppling off before breaking out in a fit of laughter. He knocked his friend the way a best friend would, something that I couldn't help but smile at. This Harry was different. This Harry was Peter's best friend from his childhood, a look into his past. This Harry, young and free, was kind of likeable.

And it went on like that for a good three hours. Harry would try and fail again and again until he mastered his balance, and after realising he was going to fall more often than not, he discarded his tie and waistcoat on the ground. Gwen sat and laughed at us, especially when Harry shouted abuse at me for showing off on the ramps, or when I toppled off once or twice. Peter taught Harry how to do board flips, borrowing my board, and if he wasn't he was sat talking to Gwen about England. He kept looking my way, and something told me that he would pull me aside sooner or later.

But for now, it was just us, a group of young, carefree kids enjoying the last of the sun. The sky turned to the raging colours of fire, blood and Hell, but it was beautiful. For the last hour it was just our silhouettes, jumping and running and laughing, pretending that everything was okay. For a minute, we were free. For a minute, we were happy. For a minute, we belonged, even Harry.

It was the first and last time we would ever be together and laughing.

We parted ways at around eight in the evening. Gwen had left half an hour earlier, leaving me to sit and watch the boys interact. They replayed stories from their childhoods, forgetting I was there at all, but I didn't mind. It was nice to see Peter smile again.

When Harry declared it was his time to go, he thanked us and left on a high note, a complete and utter dork now unlike the pretentious businessman from earlier. I tried not to let it bother me, especially when Peter sauntered up to me with his board under his arm, a goofy smile on his slightly sweaty face. He stared up at me for a long time, for I was perched on top of one of the ramps. I stared back and smiled a little, not sure on what to say.

"Get down." he said.

"Why?"

"Just do it."

I slid off timidly, watching him carefully. I was about to move out of the way but he was too fast. He trapped me against the wall of the ramp with his body, planting the palms of his hands against the wall on either side of my head. My breathing stopped entirely for a second. He leaned down, his eyes bright even in the dim light. He came so close that our foreheads touched and our noses brushed against one another, our breaths mingling. It made me want to melt at his feet.

"I don't care that you've been avoiding me." he whispered. "You don't have to tell me why. You don't have to tell me why you were at Oscorp, at least not yet, you don't even need to tell me about Harry. I don't care about any of that. I care about you. I've missed you, I've been so lost without you, and the last few weeks have reminded me just how much I need you. I know I ended things, and I can understand why you'd want to keep things like that, but that hasn't stopped me from wanting and loving you."

"Peter—"

"But I need to know you'll be here now. I need to know that even if we can't be together, we can still be friends. You are my life, Claudia, you are everything I want. I don't think I can go another day without you being there."

"How can I when you go and say things like that?" I whispered.

He said nothing. Instead, he pushed against me and crushed his mouth to mine. Oh, hell and heaven on earth! I melted against him, locking my arms around him in a vice grip as I heated up like lava. His lips moved against mine so perfectly it was like we'd never been apart, and everything sent my mind into a frenzy. His taste like mint, his smell like musky earth and city air, his feel hot and cold and oh so blissful. I kissed him in a way I had never kissed anyone, like it was the only way to survive, like it was the last time I would ever kiss him.

When I pushed him away for air, he tangled his fingers in my hair and kept our faces close, breathing heavily. We were toe to toe, chest to chest and nose to nose, closer than we had been for a long time, yet the chill following my words was enough to make everything else insignificant.

"I can't." I whispered.

"W-what?" he stammered, his lips grazing my cheek and down to my jaw, only to follow the curve of my throat. I fought a moan.

"We can't go there again." I told him as gently as I could, pushing against his chest. He moved away, and while before his eyes had glowered with hope, now they were dimmed with the harsh pain of our reality.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't…"

"No, it's not that." I murmured. "I love you. I don't want to, I wish I didn't, but I do. I miss you so much. But I can't be with you knowing that someday you'll want walk away again to protect me. Right now we have too much going on, we don't have time for each other. We're standing in the way of each other now, not anything else, not even Spiderman. Right now, us just isn't… us, anymore."

"Claudia—"

"Life got in the way, Peter." I said, pressing my fingers to his lips. "But that doesn't mean it's over for good. We just need time." I smiled a little. "I'm not walking away, I'm just not walking ahead, either."

A long silence fell between us as he absorbed my words. At last he moved away, giving me room to breathe, leaving me both heavy and light at the same time.

"Can I walk you home?" he asked me.

"Sure." I answered a little breathlessly.

Nothing was the same after that.

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