Norman stared at his son in shock. He couldn't move from his spot.

"Harry…", he breathed. "What in the world you're doing?!"

"You heard me. We are gonna talk. Sit", Harry rolled the knife in his hand.

"But why do you have…?"

"I said, SIT!", Harry raised his voice, pointing the blade at Norman. Obeying, older Osborn sat down.

"Now…", Harry stood in front of his father. "Here is what we do. You don't talk unless I say so. Understood?"

Norman stared back. He didn't know what to say.

"UNDERSTOOD?!", Harry hit his fist against the table.

"Yes yes", Norman lifted his hands, protecting himself. "But please, put the knife down. You're scaring me."

"Nah, I think it's gonna give you nice motivation", Harry sat down as well. He glared at Norman, angrily.

"You know…some of my friends came to see me today. And they…hurt me."

"What?! How…?", Norman started. But Harry cut him off.

"They came to tell me about Peter. Did you know that he is cutting himself?"

Norman gazed away. He mumbled.

"Yes?", Harry asked. "Did you know?"

"I…I do. He showed me his hands when you were in a coma. But what that has to do with this?"

"I can't believe how you can be so ignorant. Pete is hurting himself because of you! Have you any empathy at all Dad?!", Harry yelled.

"Of course! I told Peter to get help but he didn't listen. What I was supposed to do?!", Norman stared back.

"You are supposed to see that your commands hurt him! Isn't it enough that he had to carry guilt all these months and years?! I feel bad about my behavior. Why can't you do the same?"

Norman listened. He rubbed his hair and gazed at Harry.

"Maybe I was too harsh on him…but the truth is that he lied. Because of his hiding, you nearly got killed. I can't just forget that."

"We all make mistakes. And he is still blaming himself. He is just a boy…just like me."

When Norman heard that, he lifted his gaze up. He saw how Harry's eyes were glowing.

"And…I feel horrible that I can't be there for him. As his best friend, I should support him. But you won't let me…", he sobbed.

"Son…please", Norman tried to grab Harry. But Harry put the knife in front of him.

"Stay back. I'm warning you."

"Look...Harry. This is why I want you to be separated from Peter. His career is clouding your judgment. I really understand that you feel bad…but can't you think how I feel? I was The Goblin…and you were alone. I'm still blaming myself for it…and will do so for the rest of my life."

Harry stared at his father, tears rolling down from his eyes.

"But then you should realize how I need Peter. I got you back. And I want him as well."

Norman didn't answer for a long time. He hated how his attitude caused suffering to Harry and Peter…but his own wounds were way too deep. And he had to think about them first.

"You know how I feel about that…I'm sorry", he finally whispered. Harry let out a loud sob and buried his head between his hands. Then, he stared at the knife.

"I wonder why…I mean…does it really help?"

Norman's eyes widened.

"Harry…what are you doing? Give me the knife. Now."

But Harry didn't listen. He turned to see Norman, slowly. Then, he lifted his arm.

"This is…for you Dad. Now you know how Peter feels every day because you are such a jerk."

And to Norman's horror, Harry sank the blade in his arm. He made a deep cut and blood started falling.

"HARRY!", Norman yelled in panic. "Stop this at once!"

"And how I feel when you are keeping me here, locked up like some prisoner", Harry continued and cut his other arm.

"NO! Don't do this…", Norman collapsed on the floor. "Son…I beg you."

But Harry ignored his father's pleading. He retreated to the stairs and started to climb up. Norman jumped up and followed him, fast.

"And…I feel that there is nothing for me anymore. I want you to see how I suffered during these years…feeling lonely, unloved, avoided. Peter was my light through those dark times when you were gone. And now…I'm gonna make you lose your light. Maybe then you understand…"

Norman gasped as Harry pointed the knife towards his chest. Quickly, he ran up and managed to grab his son by his wrist before he sank the blade. Pulling Harry against his chest, he grabbed the knife with his free arm and threw it on the floor.

"Let go of me!", Harry tried to yank himself away. But Norman pushed Harry's head under his chin and grabbed his arms around his son so tightly as he could. Harry struggled for a while, but soon had no strength left to continue.

"Calm down…", Norman closed his eyes. "It's okay."

Harry sniffed and closed his eyes. He felt how his wounds were bleeding.

"I…this does not still mean that we are okay…"

"Shh", Norman said. "Enough of talking. You are tired, son. And you really scared me. Why did you do that…?"

Harry didn't answer. He didn't want to.

-o-o-o-

Later, when Norman put his son to bed, he couldn't help worry taking him over. He tucked Harry's wounds and decided that it was better to make him sleep with him in his room. Despite the fact that Harry was a teenager and growing fast into a young adult, he was still his precious little boy. The boy, who has suffered a lot. And Norman would do anything to protect his only living relative.

I promised him...and I'm gonna keep it, no matter what.

When Norman later went to bed and laid himself beside Harry, he watched as his son slept. Harry's breathing was heavy and his face was pale. Norman rubbed his son's cheek and smiled quietly.

Goodnight son. I'm sorry that you suffer like this…but it's the only way to keep you safe. Even if I have to keep you away from Peter.

But Norman had yet no idea that he would have to use all his skills to buy his promise, literally. And it would be the greatest challenge in his life, which would leave being The Goblin clearly to second.