HI GUYS! This chapter is gonna be all Aunt May.
Just gonna do a quick disclaimer, because I just feel like it.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Ultimate Spider-Man (Cartoon), the show belongs to Disney and Marvel, also Stan Lee, because he's awesome.
Love is said to be the most powerful and influential emotion a human being can ever experience. It was nerve-racking yet satisfying, terrifying but familiar, painful as well as pleasurable. It drove people to do wild and crazy things, however illogical, for that other person who held their heart and trust.
But love didn't stand alone as one emotion, or even a single shade - it was many different hues, ranging from the light, cool shade of a team, to the rich, passionate shades of romance. Love wasn't just something shared among lovers, despite the obviousness of the name, but it was something that linked so many other people together. Friendships, families, teammates, and, yes, romantic relationships too.
And it was one the toughest stuff humankind has ever felt. People have tried to describe its gripping hold within books and plays and movies, but no one could really explain what it's like, or how it feels. It was an emotion as mysterious as it was widely ranged.
Some would say that the romantic love was the strongest shade, but not to May Parker. Nothing could possibly be as stronger or more intense than her love for her nephew, Peter Parker.
Maternal love. That's what it was. The bond between mother and child. And it was the strongest stuff around. Nothing could top the sheer love a mother held for the baby in her hands, or that of a tiny hand slipping into their own, or the countless cards made and flowers picked in their name.
May Parker may not have been Peter's biological mother, but she'd be damned if he wasn't her child.
And right now, her love for him was driving her mad. Because with it, came that annoying instinct to protect and provide for him and fight off all the monsters that scared him, and to drive herself to the ends of the Earth to keep him safe. But, you see, that was all kind of very hard to do when she didn't even know where he was.
14 days. Two weeks. That's how long Peter's been missing. 336 hours of constant worrying and fretting. 3 days since she was finally told of the circumstances. There were are many superheroes working on this? And yet, her nephew still wasn't found yet. May didn't want to falsely accuse, or look ungrateful, but what in the world was taking so long? What could they possibly be doing this whole time?
Peter was off to who-knows-where, and it didn't seem like anyone was doing anything ABOUT IT! It was frustrating and infuriating and she just wished there was more she could do.
Who could have possibly done this?
Their main suspect was Doctor Octopus. That awful man who was constantly out for Peter's blood, the one who brainwashed Ben Reilly/Scarlet Spider and convinced him to betray them, the same man who destroyed her home and nearly killed her and her nephew. The one who threatened HER family, and not just Peter, but Ben, Amadeus, Flash, and Miles too.
And now she was told that it was likely he had Peter, right now.
May was NOT a very happy mama, to say the least.
Tony Stark, one of the people helping find her nephew, theorized that if Octavius DID know Spider-Man's identity, then it was likely he'd attempt to capture May too to gain leverage. So, for her safety, she was moved to the S.H.I.E.L.D Triskelion where she would be surrounded by the best agents and heroes, with little to no chance of any harm.
Not that that stopped Doctor Octopus from taking Peter, she thought bitterly. If this place is so safe, with all the best technology, then why isn't Peter home yet?
May sighed. She didn't really have a reason to think so harshly, she knew they were all working day-and-night to find him, she was just angry that's all. Just overcome with emotion, and worry, and stupid maternal instincts that made her irritable and grumpy if she didn't get what she wanted.
And what she wanted was HER NEPHEW/SON WHO WAS BEING HELD CAPTIVE BY AN EIGHT-ROBOTIC-LIMBED MANIAC WHO WANTED TO DESTROY HIM AND MAKE HIM FEEL PAIN! Which was exactly opposite of what she has been trying to do for 11 years.
Okay, she needed to calm down. May stopped her pacing to sit on the bed that was pushed in the corner. Her room was nice, the walls were kind of blank though, and the floors were hard, but the bed was soft and the space wasn't cramped or stuffy. But even if the room had been hot and the size of a janitor's closet with nothing but a blanket for a bed, she probably wouldn't have complained. Puh-lease, she's gone backpacking and camping all over, she would handle an adequate S.H.I.E.L.D dorm.
Sitting on the bed, May bent over so her head was in her hands and she was looking down at her feet, as she took in deep calming breaths. In for 5, out for 8.
Inhale 5; 1...2...3...4...5...
Exhale 8; 1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...
Inhale.
Exhale.
1...2...3...4...5...
1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...
Her heart beat slowed and she came slowly down from whatever emotional high she was getting on. Hmmm, doing meditating and yoga really paid off, she tried to get Peter into it, but she didn't think he ever caught on. Not interested in it, she supposed. It was still funny remembering him trying to do all the bendy, flexible stretches.
But...her smile fell. She supposed that had been an act. Peter was Spider-Man, and Spider-Man was great when it came to gymnastics, and acrobatics, and flexibility. It would've been fun to do yoga together, she didn't think he could sit still enough for mediation, but yoga seemed right up his alley.
She could understand keeping his identity a secret. He had been worried for her well-being, that was all. But it still would've been nice to do something they'd both enjoy. She missed those time when they were both younger, and Peter was always eager to go out to the Park with her, or go rollerskating, or even just baking cookies in the house. She loved him, and he loved her, May knew that, but she...she missed him. All those times when he disappeared, she thought it was just him hanging with his friends; Harry, MJ, Ava, Luke, Danny, and Sam.
Peter had hardly had any friends as a little kid, and May didn't want to interfere with the process. He needed kids his age, and that was what it seemed like he was doing. But, turns out, it was actually him going to fight crime in spandex.
May couldn't help but chuckle dryly. Her boy, her little Peter, a small, adorable nerdy kid with glasses who wouldn't hurt a fly, went out and fought crime. In spandex. It was...it was kind of ridiculous to think about.
Of course, she always suspected. What else could explain the odd things happening around the house? White laundry being turned red and blue, weird chemicals in Peter's closet, his sudden build in muscle, the personal distaste whenever he heard the Bugle channel, his increased appetite, the injuries he tried to hid and when he thought she didn't notice...
"Oh, Peter..." May sighed, shaking her head softly from side to side. Yes, the bruises and cuts on skin, band-aids, and bandages poking out of clothes. She noticed the way he tugged his shirt over them when she was caught looking, and how he avoided her eyes when she asked how his day was going - it hurt. It was painful to see, and hard to continue on knowing that her boy was getting hurt, having to watch as he shrugged her off and refuse to tell her what was happening.
Maybe that's why she gave him his freedom with his friends. Harry and MJ would never hurt him. Ever. And she didn't even know about Luke, Ava, Sam, and Danny until they showed up with Peter on her doorstep with no home, and even then she could tell they were good kids. She knew they had Peter's back. Maybe...maybe she just hoped that he would at least confide in them about what he was going through, rather than keeping it all to herself.
"I should've listened to my gut from the beginning," May grumbled. Between the injuries and Peter showing up with four other kids (the same amount Spider-Man worked with) right after the Helicarrier was destroyed - it had all been too coincidental. It was obvious actually. But she just refused to believe it. HER Peter, Spider-Man? Just the thought of it sent her reeling in panic. All the villains, and chaos, and bad guys. Besides, the worst she's ever seen him do was skip school without her consent in 9th grade...to go to the science museum, of all things.
How could she have possibly believed he'd be Spider-Man.
Yet, she always knew. She just refused to believe it, but she knew. Played the ignorant aunt to spare both her and Peter the heartache.
And now Peter was gone and she wished they would've sat down and discussed what they'd do if something like this ever happened.
Someone knocked on her door softly. "Come in," she called, quickly composing herself. Just because she was falling apart at the seams didn't mean she needed to worry anyone else about it. Just let them focus on finding Peter, and she'd handle her emotions and state of mind.
A red-masked face popped from behind the door, "Aunt May?"
"Oh, hello Ben," May smiled, feeling her heart lift a little. The students at the Academy had visited her several times, but Ben was the most consistent of them all. He'd bring her dinner, or sometimes a pack of Trial Mix, always asking and making sure she was comfortable. He acted mysterious and tough, but really he was a big sweetheart.
He stepped inside the room, a small pack of Trail Mix in hand. "I, uh, brought you a snack," he said, a bit shyly. Ever since the incident with Doctor Octopus and the Sinister Six, he's been more withdrawn on himself. Peter said he was still dealing with the guilt.
"Thank you," May said, and pat the spot next to her. "I have been feeling a little hungry." She wasn't really, but she wasn't about to turn him away. That's the last thing he needed.
Ben shuffled timidly, before walking forward and hesitantly sitting next to her. He gave her the bag. She took the bag, and asked: "Have they found anything yet?"
Ben shook his head, "Not yet," he said, "but Tony thinks A.I.M might have had a hand in capturing Pete - uh, Spider-Man. They have kind of been running around everywhere lately, and...well" he trailed off. "Yeah, I guess that's all that's really happened."
"Oh," May looked down at her hands, tightening her fingers around the snack. "You know, you can still call him Peter," she said.
Ben didn't say anything.
"He forgives you, Ben," she continued, "I know that gaining the trust of the rest of the team is going to be hard, but Peter is still your friend. And so am I. If you need anything, to talk or just play a board game, my door is always open." May put a gentle hand on his shoulder and gave him a warm smile.
Ben stared back, the mask conveying no emotion. For a moment, a chill ran down May's spine as she recalled him standing in the living room, key in hand, stiff with guilt but completely emotionless. But she quickly scolded herself and dismissed the memory.
That was then, and he was changed. He wasn't on Ock's side anymore.
It remained quiet for several minutes, before Ben scoffed and looked away. For a moment, May was worried that he knew she was a little freaked out and opened her mouth to explain, but then he beat her to it, "Why do you guys do that?" he demanded.
"What?"
"Forgive me so easily!" he stressed, "I betrayed the both of you the worst out of everyone, and you two were the quickest to forgive me. Why? Do you guys pity me? Do you feel sorry?" he demanded, turning to her in frustration. "You guys should be angry, you should yell or shout, or heck, punch me! I deserve it, May! I DESERVE to be hurt. After what I did, I just-" May slapped a hand over his mouth.
"First off," she said, eyes suddenly angry, "Never say that you deserve to be hurt, Ben. Never, ever say that again. Do you understand me?"
Ben stared at her.
"Oh you better understand me," she warned. "And don't think for a second that we forgave you because we pity you. Peter and I, we forgave you because we know that you're a good person, we know that you're sorry for what you did, and I want you to stop beating yourself up about it. I'm okay, and so is Peter. Instead of wondering what would have been, focus on making it better. Okay, Ben? You're a part of this family now, and we do not give up on each other. Ever. Do you understand?"
He couldn't hold her gaze. His shoulders slumped and he stared down at his hands. "I just..." he tried, voice in a soft whisper, "How do I...How do I make up for all I did? What can I do to make up for it? I don't know how! I don't think there is a way...I just don't think I can."
May's gaze softened. She took Ben's hand and pulled his face up to her eye level. Gently, she lifted his mask off and over his head, and looked into his blue eyes. Eyes so alike Peter's it hurt. "You can, Ben. You will. It just takes time. And I'll be here with you every step of the way, okay. You won't be alone in this. I promise."
Ben's eyes roamed over her face, slightly skeptical as if he was looking for any lies. After a minute, a small, hesitant smile started at the corner of his mouth. "Thank you, Aunt May."
"Of course," May said, pulling him into a hug. "Family, Ben. This is what a family is for."
He nodded, hugging back. "And don't worry, we're gonna find Peter. Even if I have to go down and search the whole New York sewer system for days. I will find him."
"I don't doubt you will," May whispered, "I'm just...I'm just so worried, Ben. It's been two weeks. Who know's what the monster has done to my baby."
Ben's embrace tightened around her, "I won't let Ock hurt him," he promised, voice hard and tinged with anger. "Ock won't be hurting anyone ever again. Once we find him and get Peter back, I'm gonna get him to tell me who I was before he took me in, and then he's going to rot in a cell for the rest of his life."
It was May's turn to be quiet. "Just be careful Ben," she ended up whispering, "Peter told me he is smart and manipulative. I don't want you to get hurt either."
Ben chuckled as if the idea was ridiculous. "I won't be the one hurting," he muttered. "But I promise I'll be careful." he freed May from the hug, the one she had enacted, and pulled his mask back on.
"Are you going on a patrol again?" asked May, opening the Trail Mix and digging out a few M&M's. Okay, so maybe she was a little hungry.
"I'm going to go search the sewer systems." he said, "I wasn't lying about that. I'm going to search every inch of the place. I know my way around it. It was White Tiger, Powerman, Nova, and Iron Fist's idea anyway. Just thought it was worth checking out."
May nodded and gave him a wide smile, "Alright, be careful. Don't get bit by any strange creatures."
Ben chuckled, "I'll try my hardest." with a small wave, he left the room. May dug around and popped a few almonds in her mouth.
This visits really were a help. Her heart felt lighter and her mind more at ease already. Anxiety and worry still roamed free, but it was manageable. Of course, she still wanted to help, but apparently, the risk of being caught was too great.
So she was stuck here. With a comfy bed, a few suitcases filled with her things, a bag of Trail Mix, and a slowly breaking heart.
Love. What a cruel, heartless monster.
Sometimes it seemed easier to fill nothing. Certainly, it'd be easier if she didn't care so much. If she didn't care for Peter, or Ben, or Flash, or Miles, and Amadeus, and Ava, and Danny, and Luke, and Sam, and Harry and MJ, and so, so many people.
But she did. And she always would.
But she wasn't going to waste away here either. Eyes set, May clutched her snack and walked out the door.
She needed to find Nick Fury.
And DONE!
Weird that I'm posting this on Father's Day, but May is so awesome she deserves a holiday.
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL THE FATHER'S OUT THERE! 3 3 3
