Heading out of the door by U-Goblin, Harry took a deep breath. It was so good to be outside since those hospital walls were so dark and dirty.
"Hurry up brat", U-Goblin pushed Harry towards the trees. Young Man looked over his shoulder angrily and walked further. Soon, he spotted an apple tree and ran to it.
"Damn it…those apples are too high. I can't get them and if I hurt myself more, Dad will kill me. But I'm starving…"
"Hey, you!", Harry yelled at U-Goblin. "Would you mind to help me?"
The green monster leaned against the wall and eyed the boy. But to Harry's surprise, U-Goblin walked to him.
"What do you want? Better not to be something idiotic…"
"I was wondering…that maybe you could get those apples for me?", Harry gazed up. U-Goblin stared at this child like a lunatic.
"Please…I'm begging you. Then, we can leave."
Grunting, U-Goblin shook the tree and a bunch of apples landed to the ground. Harry smiled, thanked and started to pick them up. But then came another surprise.
"I carry them, or else we aren't getting anywhere", U-Goblin pushed Harry out of the way.
"Oh...okay. Thanks", Harry nodded in confusion.
"There is some water if you need…and some bread. Maybe even a couple oranges if I remember correctly", U-Goblin pointed towards the old kitchen as they walked back inside. Harry looked at the sky, sighing since he didn't know when he was going to be outside again.
If I ever see it again…
Finally, Harry had a whole box of food which to share with his father. He walked first, U-Goblin following behind.
"Thanks for your help…why are you doing this?", Harry turned his head.
"Someone has to keep you alive or else the boss will be mad. He really enjoys playing with you."
"Really…? And not just because you feel…pity?"
U-Goblin stopped for a moment. Something flashed in his eyes which Harry noticed. Was that…concern?
"Don't think too much of yourself", the mean green finally said and forced Harry to continue walking. Young Osborn just shrugged and didn't respond.
-o-o-o-
Norman paced back and forth in the cell. He was feeling restless since his son was out there with some dangerous psycho.
They've been gone almost one hour…what if something has happened? No, I can't even think about that after all this!
Soon, Norman heard how the door opened. Whipping around, he saw how U-Goblin stood in the doorway. And then…Harry walked in.
"Son!", Norman nearly ran to him and grabbed Harry's head between his hands. "What took you so long?! I was so worried…"
"I'm fine Dad", Harry smiled. "Look what I brought!", he held the box.
"What's this?", Norman looked surprised and took the box from Harry and opened it.
"Food. And I had help…", Harry looked over his shoulder. Norman stared, not understanding at all what was happening.
U-Goblin stared at the family for a while, then locked the door. When he was gone, Harry turned to his father.
"Here you go Dad", he went to the box and took an apple from there. "Catch!"
Norman grabbed the apple and twirled it in his hand. Harry took an orange and took a bite from it.
"Oh god, this is so good! I don't even remember when was the last time I ate…"
Norman looked at his hand, then his son. Suddenly, he put the apple on the table and sighed.
"Harry…there is something I want to speak with you."
"Now? Can't it wait?", Harry said between his chewing. "You should eat since now you have a chance!"
"No…it can't. Come here", Norman put his hand on Harry's shoulder and settled him to sit down.
"Is something wrong?", Harry gazed, confusedly. Norman took a chair and sat opposite his son. Then, he crossed his arms and leaned his head against them.
"Yes…something is badly wrong. And it's bothering me all the time."
"Well…what?"
Norman closed his eyes. He could still hear his painful screaming and see how Harry nearly drowned right in front of him.
"Dad…?", Harry asked.
Norman opened his eyes and watched Harry. His son's bruised body, dirty clothes, and rusty hair made him rub his eyes with his hand.
"It's just…well. I don't know where to start. But…you have no idea how I'm feeling right now. I'm so shocked, scared, restless, nervous, in pain…and…disappointed."
"Disappointed? What for?"
"Don't get me wrong…but I can't help saying that I'm a bit disappointed in you, son. You swore not to disobey me again and what do you do next? You nearly got killed, right in front of me! Again!"
"But I didn't have a choice! I had to save you! Or should I have just let you die?", Harry asked in frustration.
"No…that's not…NO! Don't even start that. You broke your promise and crossed a line with your rights. Yes, you aren't maybe a little kid anymore, but you are still a child. My son. And you are supposed to be listening to your father", Norman said seriously.
Harry sighed, feeling annoyed. He lifted himself up and walked in front of the table.
"I know that you're my parent Dad…but in life, there are situations when we can't help but break rules. You taught me that sometimes, it's better just to get on with it, despite someone else is saying otherwise. Push the weak links away, remember?"
Norman gazed at Harry. He was surprised that his son still remembered those things.
"It was a long time ago! I was a totally different person than I am now!"
"But can you deny it? I wouldn't have made it if you died out there Dad! Where would I have gone then? Tell me!", Harry looked at Norman, face filled with pain.
Norman didn't know what to say. He bit his lip, rubbed his head and thought.
"You're right…in that. But…it's just that all of these happenings…you have succeeded way better than I have. Despite you were in a coma, I was The Goblin, all Octavius's sick games…you just get up and keep going. Not a single breakdown…I'm very surprised about it. This is so hard for me…but for you…it seems so easy."
Harry felt how those words slashed his heart. If Norman only knew about that horror he carried inside…
"It makes me feel like that…you can manage by yourself. I feel…useless. You don't need my protection…maybe you don't need me at all. And I can't really blame you…maybe I'm not a father type after all. So…I won't stop you anymore, it's no use. I'm sorry I can't offer better than this…but I don't get along with others easily", Norman looked at the wall, hiding his glowing eyes.
Harry was trembling. He felt that he would like to die there, where stood. Suddenly, he grabbed one of the medicine bottles and threw it against the wall. A hit made the bottle to break into many pieces and glasses fell all over the floor. Norman turned around in shock.
"How can you…", Harry breathed, eyes burning. "How DARE you say like that?!"
Norman froze to his spot. He had never seen Harry so furious.
"You have no idea how I feel!", Harry yelled. "How can you say that I don't need you?! Because of you, I stand against Ock and suffer through his sick tasks! Do you have any idea how horrified I was when you were chained against the wall?! Or when you were that monster and Octavius almost injected me and you with his serum?!"
"Son…", Norman whispered.
"I'M SCARED LIKE HELL, OKAY?!", Harry screamed. "But I hide it so that you don't have to worry! But I'm so full of fear…ever since that stupid Anti-Venom took me over! I can still hear it whispering in my dreams…and see it standing beside my bed! And like that's not enough…but I spent months of lonely nights waiting for you…and you never came when I needed you the most. I thought I never see you again!"
Norman was totally surprised and shocked at the same time. He didn't know what to say.
"And now you say I can take care of myself huh?! Like how? With these bruises and broken ribs?", Harry showed his hands.
"Harry…", Norman started.
"BE QUIET! You don't know ANYTHING! Of course, it's easy for you to say that keep going…but what if I can't? What if I don't even want to? Maybe you should just let me rot here…vanish away like Peter."
"What?! No…NEVER! I…", Norman tried.
"You know what Dad?! Go! Leave me alone to manage myself! Then you can be happy that you don't have to take care of me…or worry about anything!", Harry couldn't help tears coming to his eyes.
Norman lifted himself up and looked at Harry in concern. He offered his hand, but Harry backed away.
"I'm so tired of pretending to be brave…I just can't take it anymore! But I just kept going because of you…since I had no idea what else to do. But I was wrong…I'm not strong enough."
"Son…calm down. I'm…"
"I leave you be from now on…despite I found some comfort from the fact that whenever I was in trouble, I would not have to fear since you would be there to protect me. YOUR LOVE was all I ever wanted and needed Dad!", Harry cried.
When Norman heard that, his heart broke. Totally.
"I…I HATE YOU!", Harry ran towards the door. He was just about to slam it when Norman grabbed his arms around his chest.
"I'm sorry…I'm sorry!", Norman cried. Harry tried to break away.
"Let go of me!"
"Not in a million years! I once did that mistake…but I WILL NEVER let you go again!"
Harry yanked angrily, but soon he was too tired. He just cried.
"Harry…god what I have done?! I never wanted you to feel unwanted…since I love you so much! And now I know that you were just hiding your pain…I won't let anyone harm you more!", Norman said.
Harry cried even more. He was so tired to be strong anymore…all that he wanted was his father's protection.
"You see son…the truth is that I knew you were pretending. I know you very well and was so worried when you didn't show any weakness. Like you were gone…and I couldn't reach you. Am I right?"
Harry didn't answer. He just cried.
"It's my fault that I let you take part of this game so easily…and I nearly lost you because of it. You can't even imagine what that's like", Norman buried his face on Harry's shoulder.
"I…I thought that you are never scared or sad", Harry sobbed quietly.
"Oh if you only knew…you can't even think what I kind of feelings I hide from you. It's my job not to bother you with them."
Harry calmed down a bit. He sniffed and rubbed his eyes.
"But now", Norman turned Harry around. "It's gonna change. From now on…I won't let you out of my sight no matter where we are. I'm not gonna let Octavius or anyone take you away from me."
"How were you gonna do that?", Harry asked. "Octavius will beat me if you don't obey."
"I think of something. But protecting you is more important", Norman smiled sadly.
"Dad…I don't want to do any of those things anymore…I'm too scared!", Harry buried his face against Norman's chest.
"And you don't have to. But promise…don't disobey me just because you think you will be left alone. That's never gonna happen. Where ever you are and whenever you need me…I'll be here for you. You can count on that."
"Really? Promise?", Harry asked.
"I promise. With my life", Norman rubbed Harry's cheek and kissed his temple.
Harry smiled back but suddenly, coughed strongly again. He fell on the floor and grabbed his chest.
"HARRY! What's wrong?!", Norman knelt down and grabbed his son.
"Nothing I guess…"
"Please…don't lie to me. Your bruises are even larger and your wounds are bleeding…you need to get a bath and have some fresh clothes. You are filled with rusty dirt and your chest is in bad condition…I can't even think about it", Norman shook his head.
"But where I'm gonna get clothes? I have only these", Harry said.
"Leave it to me. After all, now it's my turn to do what a father should do", Norman smiled and got up.
"Open up! Did you hear me you monster?!", he slammed the door.
"Dad…what are you doing?", Harry asked.
"Just wait. Hey, are you deaf? OPEN UP!"
Soon, Harry and Norman heard steps. And then, U-Goblin slammed the door open.
"What are you babbling here?! Shut your mouths!"
"My son needs a bath", Norman said and lifted Harry from the floor.
"Like this is some spa", U-Goblin grunted and was just about to slam the door, but Norman put his leg to the entrance.
"Please…he is badly hurt. Just one quick bath and some clothes. That's all we need."
"I'm out of my mind…", U-Goblin shook his head and pointed towards the bathrooms. "But make it quick!"
Norman nodded and lifted Harry in his arms. Then, he walked towards the bathroom.
"Dad, I can walk myself…", Harry tried.
"No, you are too hurt. Don't argue with me anymore, please", Norman said. Soon, Harry was sitting in a bathtub and Norman knelt down to wash him. Harry felt like being a child again.
"Show me your back", Norman commanded and Harry obeyed. When Norman saw the wounds, he turned his gaze away.
"Oh god…"
"Is it…bad?", Harry asked.
"Well…kinda. But don't worry…I'm gonna clean them after I'm done with this", Norman grabbed a towel and rubbed Harry's head.
"You know…I used to bath you a lot when you were a baby."
"Really? You had time to do that?"
"Of course…and from now on. If you want to", Norman teased a little.
"Right", Harry grinned. It was so good that he didn't have to be the leader anymore. Being under his father's protection was way more comfortable.
"Are you done yet?", U-Goblin hissed.
"Yes", Norman yelled back and gave Harry a bathrobe. Then, he helped his son up from the tube, grabbed some clothes from the closet and carried him back into their room. After getting locked up again, Harry sat down. Norman took some cleaning stuff from the closet and knelt down.
"This is gonna hurt a bit…but it will make you feel better. Hold still…"
Harry grunted in pain as his wounds hurt as the cleaner fell in them. Norman rubbed his son's head and carefully continued.
"And…all done. Here, put these on", Norman offered clothes. Harry grabbed them and stared at them.
"Yay…some old hospital junk."
"I'm sorry but that's all I was able to find. But it's better than your dirty clothes."
Harry sighed and put the clothes on – blue hospital trousers, a white t-shirt, and a gray fleece. At least his shoes he was able to use.
"Oh! I forgot", Harry suddenly said. Norman turned his head.
"Here", Harry took a tie from his pocket and gave it to his father. "I cleaned it for you when that monster didn't see. Thank you for letting me use it."
Norman smiled and put the tie back to his shirt. Then, he gazed towards the table.
"Now...I think we should eat. I'm starving. And you need strength."
"Yeah…", Harry walked on the table and opened the box. Both father and son sat down and started eating.
"I can't believe how good some fruits can taste", Norman muttered as he ate the apple.
"Yeah, it's good to have some normal food once in a while. Usually, we eat outside with Pete…", Harry silenced.
Norman stopped eating and looked at Harry. He leaned his hand and patted Harry's shoulder.
"Son…I know you're worried about Peter. But I promise that when we will get out of here…we are gonna find him."
"Dad…", Harry lifted his gaze, surprised.
"Yes…since now what I have seen…I understand what Peter has to go through every day. And I…need to apologize for my behavior", Norman nodded.
Harry was so happy that didn't know what to say. Norman smiled and was just about to continue eating when Harry grabbed his arms around his neck and hugged him.
"Dad…thank you. I love you!"
Norman felt how his heart cracked of joy. He patted Harry's back and smiled.
"I love you too, son. Now, you better finish your eating. Then, it's time to go to bed."
"Huh? But it's not even late…"
"Maybe not, but you need to rest. And I could get some sleep as well since now you're here with me and I don't have to worry. Well, of course, I worry but…"
"Ah, okay. Whatever you say", Harry nodded and continued eating. When they were ready to go to bed, suddenly Harry shivered strongly. Norman felt his forehead and gasped.
"Oh, god…you have a strong fever. Here, I found a blanket from the closet. And put my jacket on as well."
"But Dad…what about you?"
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. But we need to keep you warm," Norman helped his son to bed and tucked him in. When he was just about to sit down on the floor, Harry grabbed his arm.
"Dad…could you…?"
"Yes?", Norman asked gently.
"Well, I was thinking that…the last time I woke up…you were gone. And I got so scared…"
"Oh…I'm so sorry. But that stupid goblin yanked me out and covered my mouth. I tried to call you, but you didn't wake up. And I can say that I was so horrified when you were left alone in here…", Norman answered.
"Don't worry, it was not your fault. I'm just glad that you're here now. And that's why…could you sleep beside me in the bed? I know that I demanded some space at home…but now I really want to be close to you", Harry nodded and made some room while backing against the wall.
"Of course, if you'd like", Norman smiled and settled down beside Harry. Then, he grabbed the blanket and covered himself and his son with it.
"Thanks, Dad…goodnight", Harry smiled and put his arm around Norman's waist. Soon, he was sleeping.
"Night Harold…my sweet child", Norman rubbed Harry's hair and pulled him to his chest. And then, he fell asleep as well.
Too bad that despite the Osborns' nicest day so far, Octavius was far of giving up with his prisoners. And somewhere out there was someone else too, who was going to need Norman and Harry's help more than anything…just like they once needed his.
