Warning: Story contains child abuse.
Summary: How a friend supports his best friend beyond his mask.
Pillar of Support
Two teenagers sat on a leather arm sofa in a delux living room. Textbooks, flashcards, and loose-leaf papers were scattered around on an extended glass coffee table. Candy wrappers and energy drinks accompanied the tedious school work. Science was the subject, a discussion of forces. Though the duo appeared to be average students, one carried a secret.
As S.H.I.E.L.D.'s top hero under the guise of Spider-man, Peter followed time to study for the S.A.T.s—Scholastic Aptitude Test or the Scholastic Assessment Test, depending on who you ask. Those were crucial to gaining admittance into any university in the country. The brunet set his blue eyes on Empire State University in New York City. He was leaning towards some academic scholarship. He couldn't expect Spider-man to pay the bills when he would become an adult and moved out.
A black barrel mechanical pencil dropped from a sore hand. It rolled across the chicken scratch notes kept in a large binder. A heavy sigh heaved out of the auburn adolescent. His mind felt heavy from all the packed information he needed to retain. He was like so many of their peers, cramming any way they can. He thanked his friend for tutoring him despite the school genius' busy schedule.
His guest grew alert. He worried that despite his efforts in covering up himself that he ended up somehow exposed. The other teen laughed and explained that he was aware of Peter prepping himself for his own studies. Peter took a moment and surveyed his pal. What Harry had said sounded genuine. Because of his activities as Spider-man, Peter often left Harry behind for his responsibilities.
As he gazed at the auburn, Peter couldn't help but notice a sliver of anxiety. It was more than the average student jitters. It was about the future; a future formed with a particular destiny in mind. He knew his bud also had plans on attending E.S.U. His father, Norman Osborn, was an alumnus of the pristine university. The businessman expected his son to follow in his footsteps—go to E.S.U., earn a Bachelors in Science, and run Oscorp. A part of Peter was grateful to not have so much pressure weighed upon his shoulders. At least, for academic purposes.
Harry humorously added how Peter needed to spend his time tutoring someone who was totally hopeless. Peter grew shocked by what had been stated. He assured his best friend that he wasn't hopeless. He pointed out how the auburn had improved since they first got started. He questioned where Harry formed an idea like that.
The young Osborn looked at his friend. The joking smile disappeared. His blue eyes lost its confidence. In its place was despair. Something heavy enveloped him. Before he could answer, the doors to the extravagant penthouse opened.
A man wearing a business suit entered. Whenever Norman Osborn arrived, he always discharged unquestionable authority. The two teens sat up from the sofa. They exchanged casual greetings. Norman immediately asked about Peter's well-being and his preparations for the upcoming, big exam. He was aware how the brunet had been busy with his own studying. He then mentioned how he hired a several tutors to guide his son on his journey.
His corporation smile vanished. His disapproving eyes landed on the boy he was referring to. He pondered aloud if Harry's lack of motivation was worth the money spent.
Harry gave no response. Instead, he closed his eyes and lowered his head, fully displaying his own shame. He loved his father. He tried to use his own talents to please him. But he only earned his scorn; Norman was solely interested in one path.
Peter looked at his pal. He spotted how much that comment hurt him. The pain was relentless because the source was his own father. He at once tried to defend his buddy, but his loyalty was dismissed.
Norman continued to give his praise to their guest, remarking how Peter had a bright future ahead of him. The man even offered to write a letter of recommendation. He appreciated Peter giving his son a hand, hoping Harry's thick-mind won't waste Peter's own time studying.
Harry continued to say nothing. He squeezed his closed eyes. He bit his lip. Clearly this wasn't the first time he had come across such ridicule.
The industrialist stared icily at Harry. He despised his son's lack of fortitude and academic discipline. He had already seen his boy's unacceptable grades and his deplorable results for the S.A.T.'s practice rounds. He turned his head and noted of the schoolwork left on the coffee table. He remarked how Harry would graduate from Midtown High with was a low chance he would partake in honor courses at the university. He questioned Oscorp's future in the hands of an incompetence.
Peter stepped closer to his best friend. He glared at Norman. He curled a fist. A piece of him longed to use his enhanced strength to punch his arrogant, uncaring face. After everything he had witnessed and all that he heard, he hated how he once supported the abusive man. He initially believed the father and son only endured typical disagreements. He later uncovered how wrong he was. His best friend didn't deserve the abuse. No one does.
Norman delivered no more eye contact towards Harry. He instructed his son that he would be on his own for dinner. He gave his final words before departing.
The two teens stood alone in silence.
The Osborns were a proud family. Drudgery and aptitude were the founding traits, alongside the work in unsurpassed technology. Each generation had done what he could to keep the company afloat. Sacrifices needed to be made. Enemies were vanquished; those companies collapsed. There wasn't much that could successfully break an Osborn. The only force strong enough to destroy the Osborn spirit is another Osborn.
Peter was aware of this all. He had seen his best friend overcome his personal hurdles and trials. He knew Harry held his own tenacity. Yet the auburn boy also carried his pride in his heritage. Peter searched for a change of scenery. A chance to break away from studying. A chance to be away from the toxic atmosphere.
Cheerfully, he suggested that they head to the arcade for a break. They then could head over to Peter's place where Aunt May left them some cookies she had baked for her charity drive.
Harry staggered in defeat. The disdain the powerful man delivered clung to him like a certain symbiote once did. They echoed in his mind as he filled in the bubbles on the practice exams, doubting himself as he wrote his essays. He didn't have much to respond to his friend's invitation. He only submissively nodded.
Peter could see how distraught the other teen was. He placed his hand on Harry's back. It felt like it was the only support the wealthy auburn had. Spider-man had endured his own exhaustion when fighting crime. The villains he came across showed no mercy when committing evil deeds. They cared not whom they endangered. He question how Peter Parker could support someone in need. He only knew he would never give up on a friend.
End Pillar of Support
Empire State University, see Amazing Spider-Man vol. 1 #1, 1963.
Author's notes: I tried out something new for this. In Amazing Spider-Man vol. 1 #39, 1966, Peter extends his friendship to Harry after Norman snaps at Harry. Peter tried to help out the Osborns even after Norman unmasked himself for the first time as The Green Goblin in that same issue. The good news is that Peter and Harry eventually drop their once good views on Norman. Harry even openly walks away from him and cuts off their ties (see Amazing Spider-Man vol. 1 #599, 2009). Good for him.