Meanwhile, Peter, Flash, and Toomes were busy when they tried to hunt Crossbones down. And yeah, it was literally easier said than done.
"Ah, my legs...let's have a break please!", Agent Venom landed to sit.
"We don't have time for that!", Spidey answered. "Crossbones must be found."
"Are you sure we are not chasing a dead end? What if he is as clueless as we?"
"Do you have any better ideas then? If you do, I would certainly like to hear them."
"Well...ugh, never mind", Flash grunted. Peter was so tough headed...and he called Harry stubborn.
"I don't see anyone", Toomes landed on the roof. "This part of town seems to be empty."
"Well if you find someone in here, I'm going to give you a medal", Flash answered.
"Flash, please...", Peter said. "Don't you start too."
"Sorry..."
"It's fine, just stay focus. I look at this area one more time, then we can move to next one", Spider-Man swung out of sight.
"Poor Peter...he has been really down lately", Toomes said.
"Yep. It's hard to accept the fact that he and Harry fight. I know they both are sorry, but can't admit it", Flash nodded.
"How can you be so sure?"
"Trust me birdie, I know. We went to the same school for many years. Harry was the first friend Peter ever had if we don't include his neighbor Mary Jane Watson. At least that's what I think."
"I hope they are able to make peace. Boys should know how lucky they are. True friendship is so rare nowadays."
"Yeah. But under the pressure, you don't really think clearly. As you might have seen."
"I have. Do you think Miles is able to convince Harry, unlike us?"
"I really hope so. They both have a lot in common."
"How's that?"
"Oh, you don't know?"
"Know what?"
"Uhh...", Flash muttered, rubbing his neck. "I don't think if I'm the right person to tell you this, but both Miles and Harry have lost a parent. I'm not sure what happened to Miles's father, but Harry's mother died when he was born. So that's why..."
"Oh...I see. That's awful!"
"Indeed. And Peter's parents...apparently he never met them. That's why he lives with his aunt. His uncle..."
"I have heard about it. What a tragedy. Those boys sure have tough histories."
"You got that one right. So in a way, these three have a lot in common. I bet that the reason why Harry and Peter started to fight, it's because their lives are not that different. They see their mirror images in each other and know where to strike. Despite their lifestyles are quite different, but it doesn't bother their friendship. And that's a thing I sometimes wonder", Flash told.
"I see. But...how do you know all this? Has Peter told you personally?", Toomes asked.
"Ummm...not exactly. I overheard it once."
"Shouldn't you tell Peter that you know?"
"Why should I? My knowledge won't harm anyone."
"Maybe not, but in this situation, I don't think it's wise to keep secrets. And Peter might think you were spying on him or something."
"Spying?! Hah, do you really wanna know how I actually happen to discover these? Well, hear me out..."
"Jeez, why I must always be the one to clean up?!", Agent Venom mopped the floor. He hated clean-up turns. Like it was his duty!
*Steps approaching*
"Look what he gave me! Like I'm joining some kindergarten!"
"Now now Patrioteer! Better be safe than sorry. You thank him in the end, trust me."
Grunting in annoyance, Agent Venom backed against the wall and leaned to look. Spider-Man and his very annoying blue-red armored newbie friend stood in front of the closets, which every hero had and where they could keep their personal stuff, normal clothes and more. Peter held a big bag in his hands, while Harry was putting his things in the closet.
"Yes, but look at these! This second helmet I can somehow understand but extra strong gloves, which he, by the way, wants me to use when we have real action, some book about self-defense, another GPS tag in case the first one falls off..."
"I think these are pretty useful."
"Oh really?! I even got a map of how to get back to Oscorp faster if we are outside of town and some villains attacks! You don't have to do that!"
"Maybe not like that...but Aunt May demands I call her at least twice in a week. Just to make sure I'm doing okay."
"But she's not tracking you! Unlike my annoying, overprotective Daddy..."
"How funny actually. A couple of years ago you would have done anything to receive attention like this from Norman. And when you finally get it, you don't like it."
"Of course I do! But I feel he doesn't trust me."
"I don't think so. He simply wants to look after you."
"Then he should give me the freedom to try my own wings. Oh boy, I can still hear his voice: "And don't even think about removing the GPS! I will find out quicker than you think!", Harry shook his head.
"He is by letting you train here. Harry, seriously. Most of the heroes don't even have relatives who care. Be thankful you do", Peter said.
"I know...but you do remember what day this is?"
"No, I don't...or, wait. Is...?"
"Yeah. It's the day when...one more year..."
"Oh darn, I'm so sorry. I know your mother's death is the most painful thing to talk about in your family. How is Norman doing?", Peter asked.
"Not good...well he pretends nothing is wrong, but he can't lie to me. So maybe remembering how things could have been making him act like this...", Harry sighed.
Flash revealed his face in surprise. He didn't know much of Harry's personal life, only that his father was rich as hell and the leader of Oscorp. He also knew that the Osborn family included Harry and Norman, but had sometimes wondered where the mother was. Imagining that maybe Norman had divorced and had won Harry's custody after the bitter battle in court, made him intentionally build a wall against the younger Osborn and avoid his company. For all these years Flash saw Harry as an arrogant social climber and when the truth didn't match with his conclusions, he felt really, really ashamed.
"But remember Pete", Harry continued. "No one can know. I don't want people to feel sorry for me just because my mother isn't alive."
"You know I won't tell anyone. But hey, we better hurry! The next class starts soon", Peter nodded. Locking his closet, Harry put his helmet on and boys ran off. Behind the corner, Flash squeezed the broom.
"What an idiot you are Flash..."
Toomes eyed Flash when he finished his story.
"That's very sad. But listening in secret is not very nice."
"Hah, who are you to judge?! You attacked Osborns twice! And knew Scarlet was working for Ock when he was in the Academy!"
"Well, then you shouldn't follow my example. Be honest. It's the best thing you can do to keep your heart pure."
Before Flash could answer, Peter swung back.
"Guys!"
"Yeah?"
"Come on, I found something!"
"Like what?", Flash asked.
"You have to see it for yourself!"
Giving a pensive look at each other, Toomes and Flash followed Peter across the buildings, until their leader stopped, hiding behind the corner.
"Okay, so what have you got? Did you find Crossbones?"
"No. But I found something else. Look", Peter pointed to down the street, where stood two little trucks.
"What are those?"
"I don't know. But see? There are some soldiers guarding them."
"You are right...they look like HYDRA's lapdogs, but are not", Flash noticed.
"Yep. I wonder...", Peter muttered.
"Are you thinking those are working for Ock?", Toomes asked.
"Pretty much. I don't see anyone else here. Come on, let's have a closer look", Spidey climbed down, Flash following closely behind while Toomes flew. When they were down, hid behind the wall.
"Okay, what do we do?", Flash whispered.
"We wait until they leave. I wanna see what they are gonna do", Peter answered.
"But why don't we just knock them down? There's three of us!"
"I don't wanna make a scene. Look, there they go! Hurry", Peter said, running behind the truck.
"Are you sure about this?", Flash asked.
"Risks must be taken. Toomes, can you keep guard?", Peter asked where Toomes agreed.
"So...I wonder how do we get in...?"
"In?!"
"Of course! But these doors are locked. Hmm...", Peter rubbed his chin.
"Well, then we just have to blast them! Step aside", Flash revealed his weapons, but Peter cut him off.
"Hold on a sec! You can't do that or else we are found!"
"Then what are you wanting me to do?! Seriously Pete, stop goofing around and focus!"
"I am focusing!"
"Hah, hardly! If the fight with Harry really bothers you this much, why can't you just swallow your pride and make peace with him?", Flash asked. Rolling his eyes, Peter didn't answer.
"Or else you know he's right, but you can't admit it. Great work..."
"Urrhh...why everyone is yapping about this over and over again?! This...disagreement is between me and Harry. So keep your nose out of it!"
"Well, it doesn't seem to be when...!"
"Boys, please don't!", Toomes walked to them. "Maybe I can pick the lock."
"Really? How?"
"Watch and learn", Toomes took his form, revealing his claws and putting them in the lock. And after a couple of minutes...he pushed the door open.
"Wow...I want those! Where I can get ones?", Flash tried to grab Vulture by his leg, but he kicked him away.
When his friends were "fighting", Peter jumped in the car, examining its content, lots of wooden boxes.
What are these?
Walking to the nearest box, Peter knelt down and examined it closer. It had some writing but wasn't able to translate it.
Hmm...
Patting the box with his hand, Peter listened. It had very cracking sound coming inside of it.
Sounds like...glass or something.
Trying another box, the result was the same. Spidey had a very disturbing feeling about this.
"Okay, what did we get?", Flash came in as well when Toomes guarded the door.
"I dunno. These boxes keep something very shattering inside."
"Really? Should we open one?"
"Perhaps...but we must be extra careful. Which means no guns", Peter warned.
"Yeah yeah...", Flash began to open one of the boxes. Deciding to fix his shoe, Spidey knelt down...when his phone dropped on the floor. Smiling at his own clumsiness, Peter picked it up. While wiping the screen, he accidentally hit the gallery button, revealing pictures he had taken with his hero friends at the graduation ceremony.
Oh, these are still here?
Scanning the gallery through, he smiled. How much he missed everyone. His old and new teams, grumpy Fury and Scarlet at the background (who hated getting filmed), Coulson flirting with Aunt May...
Guys...how much I miss you all.
Suddenly, Peter stopped when the selfie of he and Harry appeared on the screen. They both looked so happy...it was only moments before Ock did his tricks and ruined everything.
Such happy memories...
"Spidey?"
"Uhh..yeah?", Peter put his phone away.
"I bet you want to see this...", Flash pointed. "Or...smell it."
"Smell?", Peter went to his friend. And he could also smell something acerb.
"Ewww!" boys grabbed their noses. "What's in this box?!"
"I don't know...but it smells like dead", Flash grunted.
"Guys!", Toomes jumped in. "They're coming back!"
"Well, we better get out of here", Peter nodded. Agreeing, boys were ready to leave...when the door was slammed shut.
"Hey, what...?!", Flash tried to open it. "Let us out!"
"Oh no...now what do we do?!", Toomes asked.
"Looks like we must go along. At least now, we see where this all is made for", Peter sat down.
"But how can you be so calm?! This could be one of Ock's traps!"
"Panicking won't help. Just sit down, and wait. That's all we can do for now."
"Like we couldn't use our powers..."
"Flash, I'm serious! Just do as I say for once, okay?!"
Staring at him, both Toomes and Flash sat down. Especially Mister potty mouth Thompson was very disturbed. Where they were going to end? Was Ock or Crossbones behind this? Was Miles right all along about Peter's mental side cracking?
I hope the kiddo is doing better than us...
-o-o-o-
"Thanks for coming Miles", Harry smiled when they sat in the kitchen. "I really appreciate your concern."
"Well, I thought it might be wise to check you out. And thanks for not throwing me out", Miles smiled back.
"Why would I do that? You have done nothing wrong and aren't judging my decisions. Tea? I made some."
"Yeah, thanks", Miles took the cup. "So, how are you doing?"
"Fine I guess...", Harry rolled his cup in his hands.
"I really understand what you are going through. I miss my Mom a lot."
"Nice to know that at least somebody does. Unlike others..."
"Harry. Maybe you should not hear this from me...but I spoke with Peter. He feels really sorry about his words. He didn't mean to insult you."
"Yeah, right", Harry leaned his head against his hand. "Then we aren't talking about the same person."
"What do you mean?"
"You really wanna know how many times Spider-Man insulted Dad? Some friend indeed..."
"I know you are angry, really do. But let me tell you something. You know where I come from?"
"Yeah...it took some time to believe it. I mean, another universe?! I thought that, heh...", Harry smiled, embarrassed.
"Well, then you do know that there was another Peter Parker in my universe. And his end...well, wasn't very nice. And my arch enemy used to be a goblin. Your father's rather...insane counterpart", Miles said.
"So...?"
"Well, Peter and I fought against those two maniacs...I mean when..."
"Don't worry Miles, it's natural to think The Gobby was insane. I don't think he and Dad are the same person. So go on."
"After the fight, before Peter returned home...he told me something. He told me that it's okay to be afraid, but we must not let that control us. And what I mean by this is that no matter how hard things might seem now, you have to be brave. For our parents."
Sighing, Harry was lost. Everybody said different things. What should he believe?
"Perhaps...but Peter can't understand how hard it is to cope with this all-time fear of losing. According to a doctor, I suffer from deep traumas. I fear that I will..."
"Will...what?"
"Nah, forget it. Yes, I know Peter lost his uncle but he had his aunt by his side the whole time. When Dad was away, I was left totally alone. No staff to take care of me...I woke up, went to school, did my homework...I even had to take care of Oscorp every now and then."
"Wow, that sounds pretty hard! How did you know what to do with all of those business meetings and arrangements?", Miles asked.
"Uhh...", Harry muttered. "To tell the truth, it didn't go pretty well. Dad's employees were like sharks, asking when he will return and even came to our house. At first, I tried to cooperate with them but eventually, quit. But it didn't stop harassment...reporters were after me everywhere, wanting to know more details. It stopped only by Dad when he told them to leave our family alone. So that's why he never gives comments or interviews."
"Okay, that sounded nasty. Guess this makes me understand your point of view a bit better."
"Well, we can't choose our positions", Harry smiled. "But the main point why I'm telling you this is that I seriously can't abandon the only person I love and who loves me. And I know Peter is only trying to help everyone and perhaps I should do the same...but it would be against my nature if I did so just because I feel responsible. I want that my heart is my guide."
"Do you think Peter is putting his responsibilities before his true feelings?", Miles rubbed his chin, which Harry nodded.
"Yes, and that's what bothers me. He is used to helping people because he wants to, not because he needs to. But now, he has suddenly lost everything he taught us. Or haven't you noticed?"
"I...I guess", Miles answered. Now, this situation was harder than he first planned.
Great, so much of making peace between them...
"Look, you might think I'm harsh and stubborn. But Peter can't always be right. And he really hurt me...has never snapped at me like that. Usually, I'm the one losing my temper first", Harry stood up and took another cup of tea.
"That was really surprising from him. But I still think he is truly sorry. At least that's what he said", Miles rolled his spoon.
"If that's so, then is more than welcome to make the first step. He knows where to find me if wants to apologize."
"That might take a while though..."
"Oh yeah, that trap set by Kraven was ugly. Are you feeling okay?"
"Yes...Flash and Toomes came just in time to save us. And now, they are trying to find Crossbones."
"Do you really think he would know something about this?"
"Not sure, but Peter seems to believe so. Speaking of, have you heard from Alex?"
"No. I thought I should pay him a visit but, well..."
"I bet he would like that. How about your grandfather? Is he behind bars?"
"I really hope so. I don't wanna see that psycho ever again...", Harry shivered.
"I share that feeling. So, how are you gonna find your father?"
"I...I don't know yet", Harry lied.
Raising an eyebrow, Miles eventually revealed a comforting smile. Deciding to change the subject, Harry looked out of the window.
"But hey, it's getting pretty late. You can stay here over the night if you want to."
"Really? Thanks! I could use some sleep", Miles yawned.
"Well, that's settled then. You can sleep in my room. Go ahead, I wash the dishes."
"Okay", Miles walked to the door. Before he left, looked over his shoulder.
"Oh, one more thing. When I spoke with Peter...he said something I think you should know."
"Hmm? Like what?"
"You know Miles...in a way, I admire Harry's strong mind. He doesn't care what others think, simply fights for those he cares about, till the end. And I hope that someday, every hero in the Academy can follow his examples."
Watching his surprised friend, Miles left the kitchen. Turning to look at his reflection from the window, Harry sighed. He was more lost than ever before.
Ah...what should I do?!
*A few hours later*
Rolling in the bed, Harry wasn't able to get any sleep. He didn't have much time to think before he would have to decide what he must do. Maybe he should have thought about it longer, but then Miles came and...
Excuses, excuses. Don't fool yourself, Harry...
Perhaps it would be wise to listen to Norman and escape. Or maybe he should swallow his pride and make peace with Peter. He cared for both of them, but who mattered him the most? But sure, friendship and family relationships were totally different things. Both Norman and Peter had their sins...kept something from him and lied.
Perhaps Peter would help if I kindly asked...but what would he say since I haven't told about Ock? But if I let this chance go, I probably won't see Dad...aarrghh I don't know!
Rolling onto his side, Harry once again eyed the pictures of him on Norman's nightstand. Seeing them made him remember something.
"AAAAHHH!", echoed a loud screaming in the penthouse. Harry had woken up and breathed fast, sweat falling from his forehead.
Not again...every single night! Looks like I can kiss bye-bye to goodnight sleep for some time...
Grabbing his blanket which had fallen on the floor, Harry was about to continue sleeping when Norman opened the door.
"What is going on in here...?", he asked sleepily, usually perfectly settled hair falling on his face.
"N-nothing...did I wake you?"
"I heard your screaming", Norman walked to his son. "One of those nightmares again?"
"I'm afraid so...", Harry looked away. "Every night Ock turns me into the next greenie..."
"Oh Harry...", Norman took a chair and sat down, turning it towards the bed. "I'm so sorry I put you in danger. I never wanted to..."
"Don't worry about it Dad. It wasn't your fault."
"We both know you don't think so", Norman smiled a little. "And I really understand. I should have been able to protect you better..."
"I...I can't help but think what could have happened if Spider-Man wouldn't have saved me in time. The scenario makes shivers running down my spine...", Harry trembled a little. Rubbing his son's shoulders, Norman felt awful.
"I can't even think about it. I hated being that monster and I will never allow the same happen to you. You have my word."
"I know Dad. I trust you", Harry revealed a tired smile. "But you should really go to bed now. It's late and you have work to do."
"Maybe you're right. But I can keep you company until you fall asleep. It's the least I can do."
"Nah, I'll be fine. Just go before you fall asleep in that chair", Harry pushed his father gently. Standing up, Norman decided not to argue.
"If you're sure...but come to wake me if those dreams keep bothering you. That's an order."
"Aye aye", Harry nodded and his father left the room. Soon falling asleep, he slept pretty peacefully the rest of the night. But he when woke up the next morning and stepped out of the door...found Norman sitting beside it and sleeping. Soon Harry realized that he had been there the whole night, making sure that his boy would sleep peacefully.
"Oh you idiot...", Harry knelt down, covering his parent with the blanket and chuckled a little. "Thank you...Dad."
Sitting up, Harry turned to see the watch. Time had passed quickly while he was dwelling in his thoughts. Face turning serious, he nodded at himself.
Okay...I think there's only one thing to do.
-o-o-o-
"CRUNCH...CRUNCH..."
"Ahah...", Ock ate some chocolate cockroach candies while talking on his phone. "Yes, yes, I certainly know you didn't try."
"CRUNCH...CRUNCH..."
"Oh come on you idiots! Do you really think you can fool me?! I'm not stupid. The only reason he is being so headstrong because you can't keep the control! No, I don't wanna hear any of your pathetic fairytales! I deal with this alone, end of the story. Meanwhile, try to do something useful for a change. Goodbye!"
Putting his phone away, Ock watched the crooked Oscorp. It looked so disgusting...
"CRUNCH...CRUNCH..."
"Well, time is almost up. Looks like your brat escaped with his tail between his legs, Normie. Oh well, like it surprised me. Better get going...", the villain threw the empty bag of candy to the ground and turned to walk away, when...
"Ock!"
Turning around again, Octavius spotted Patrioteer flying from the darkness, landing in front of him. Revealing his face, then teen eyed his enemy.
"Well well, so you showed up then. I assume you have made your decision?"
"Yes", Harry replied. "And my answer is no."
"I see. Well, then there is no use to keep this conversation up. I have plenty of...", Ock began...
"Wait!", Harry interrupted. "I said no, but it only means the deal you offered me."
"Oh? Fine, I'm listening", Ock crossed his hands.
"Good. I'm willing to cooperate with you", Harry nodded. "But we are doing it my way."