The next morning, Peter found himself taking the subway by himself to school. Usually, Alex was there to accompany him, but apparently, the older teen had gone into school one hour early to meet up with a few friends to work on a group project for one of his classes. Peter, of course, had not gotten that memo because he didn't stroll into his house until six o'clock that morning. When Peter had dozed off at the Avenger's compound yesterday evening, his entire body just completely crashed from exhaustion. One moment he was sleeping on Tony's shoulder, and the next moment he was waking up in his bedroom in the compound, light barely breaching the horizon, indicating that dawn was just around the corner.

It took a moment for reality to hit him like a bulldozer and erase any remaining remnants of sleep. A minute later, Peter had pulled on his spandex suit, slung his school backpack over his shoulder, and was swinging back to Queens as fast as he could. He almost crawled straight into his bedroom window at six o'clock in the morning before he realized that probably wasn't such a good idea. If it had been five years earlier it would've been fine because it would've been just him and May. Now, in the present, however, there were two new people in the apartment who didn't know his alter ego, and Peter didn't have any intention to let them know any time soon.

So, instead, he disappeared into an alleyway and peeled off his suit. He was secretly grateful he had been in such a rush that he didn't take off the gray sweatpants and navy blue MIT hoodie he was wearing because all he had to do was stash the spandex suit in his backpack before making his way to his apartment on the third floor of the apartment complex. To his surprise. No one was awake, so he quickly retreated to his bedroom where he took a shower and started to get ready for the day. Thankfully, when he did emerge for breakfast, George didn't seem surprised that he hadn't come home last night, merely mentioning that Tony had told May he had fallen asleep early.

Back to the present moment, Peter's pace slowed as he approached the school grounds, a faint wave of trepidation passed over him. It wasn't a gut feeling, no, this was the type of anxiety that caused the hair on his arms and the back of his neck to stand up. This trepidation definitely was his spider-sense trying to warn him of something, but it was a different kind of feeling that he never had before. Usually, his spider-sense was an urgent warning, telling him to dodge or expect some kind of danger. It was enough anxiety to cause his entire body to move on instinct. Instead, this feeling was a faint lingering sensation that made him feel a little queasy.

You've been feeling uneasy since you've been back, Pete , Peter thought to himself. What's to say it's not you who's setting your Spidey-Sense off?

That was also a solid point. He was already mentally broken, maybe that means his powers are broken too. Peter lived in a constant state of anxiety nowadays, it shouldn't surprise him that his spider side is picking up on that too.

Taking a deep breath to try and soothe his nerves, he pushed down the anxiety and nausea and made his way into the school, making a direct path to his locker. Once at his locker, he plugged in his combination, or at least he tried to. The combination lock was one of the dial-turners, something that he usually had no problem with. However, today, after the third unsuccessful try, he let out a defeated groan and rested his head against the locker.

"Trying to get a concussion, Pete?"

Peter's heart sped up at the unfamiliar voice, his spider-sense going haywire. Spinning around, Peter froze in complete shock at the sight of a person that struck a small chord of familiarity. The person in front of him was an average-built man who was a head taller than him, his brown hair neatly combed over. As weird as it was, Peter felt like he knew who the person was based on a familiar sparkle in the person's eyes and the way his cheeks morphed into slight dimples at the turn of his smile.

The taller teen chuckled at the dumbstruck expression on his face. "I know it's been a long time, but surely you didn't forget me, right? Two of us against the world, sound familiar?"

Peter felt his eyes widen at that, there was no doubt who this person was anymore. "Harry?"

Harry beamed at that, "Knew you couldn't forget me."

Peter let out a surprised laugh but felt a wave of pure giddy course through him. "What? How? What are you doing here?"

"Well, uh, guess I'm back in Queens or else I wouldn't be here," Harry held his arms out to gesture at the entire room.

"No, I mean, like I thought you and your dad moved," Peter stuttered, and he realized how stupid that sounded. "No, wait I mean you obviously did move because you were here and then you were suddenly gone, but now you're standing here and I can't believe it!"

"Wow, so the rambling definitely hasn't changed," Harry was amused. "It suits you."

Peter felt himself flush at that. "Sorry, I just, I don't know if this is my mind playing tricks on me or if you're actually here."

Harry placed his hands on Peter's shoulders and said, "I'm here, Pete. I'm back."

Peter felt hysterical laughter overtake him and he pulled Harry in for a quick backslap before pulling away. "What happened? How are you here? Did you convince your dad to come back?"

A shadow fell over Harry's face and he said, "Not exactly, uh... My dad passed away apparently sometime over the summer, but I mean I didn't even see it happen."

Those words felt like a slap to his face, Harry had been dusted, of course, he had. He wouldn't be standing there, obviously, the same age as Peter, if he hadn't been.

Harry cleared his throat, "But I mean, I moved in with my uncle downtown and I just enrolled here. I didn't even know you attended here, but I can't say I'm surprised. You were always a science wizard when we were younger."

Peter grew sad at the revelation. "I'm really sorry, Harry. I know what it's like to lose someone you care about."

Harry brushed it off, "Don't be. So, what's the beef between you and your locker?"

Peter frowned, glancing at the lock, "It's just giving me trouble this morning."

"Let me try," Harry offered, "What's the combo?"

"10-15-11," Peter recited and Harry stepped forward to try his hand at the lock.

"Always saving your ass," Harry jested as the lock popped open on the first try.

Peter rolled his eyes at that, "I distinctly recall it being the other way around." He walked over, digging into his backpack to put away his class materials that were after lunch. "So, what's your schedule look like?"

"Oh!" Harry reached into his pocket to pull out a folded piece of paper. "Uh, looks like I have Biochemistry first hour with Miller, Calculus with Bowler, Economics with Ackerman, and then Lunch B."

Peter's eyes widened at that, "Guess we have the same classes, but a different lunch. What about after?"

"Gym fourth hour, European History fifth hour, and then Study hall to end the day," Harry read aloud.

"Looks like we part ways for the rest of the day," Peter closed his locker. "Miller's pretty chill as long as you pay attention, Bowler's the same way. Ackerman is essentially a free period, she usually falls asleep behind the desk and we just do independent study."

A second later, the bell rang, beginning the school day. The rest of the morning felt surreal, and Peter was genuinely surprised with how easy it was to fall back into their usual bantering considering they haven't seen each other since they were ten years old. May had always told Peter that the two of them were like two sides of the same coin. To Peter, Harry had been the brother that he never had the chance of having, and Harry had said he felt the same way since he was an only child.

Peter had always been an intelligent kid, with the promise of going far with his increasing passion for science. Harry had been more interested in mathematical studies, but his wit and determination rivaled Peter's natural intelligence. It felt nice having conversations with a person that Peter felt had matches his intellectual integrity. That's why it hit so hard when Harry had suddenly disappeared off the face of the planet. He remembered feeling betrayed that something so sudden had left him so broken-hearted. He had already lost his parents, but this was the first time he remembered losing someone close to him, even if the person was presumably still alive. However, there was no contact between him, the phone numbers for Harry's residence were all out of service and he was just gone .

For the first time in Peter's life, he actually remembered what it felt like to mourn. Then four years later, Ben passed, and even then, the grief felt worse than it ever had been. If it hadn't been for May, and later on Tony, Peter didn't know if he would've been strong enough to survive the tragedies that his life threw at him.

The first three classes of the day flew by quicker than they ever had, and by the time that lunch had rolled around, Peter never felt happier to be back in his normal human life.

Ned must've sensed a change in his mood because had a curious expression on his face when Peter sat down across from him at their usual lunch table.

"What's got you all giddy?" Ned asked. Then he gasped dramatically, "Did a girl talk to you?"

Peter blinked at him before saying, "You're an ass."

Ned laughed at that, "I'm sorry, but damn, Pete, I haven't seen you smile that wide since MJ gave Flash a wedgie in retaliation to him humiliating you."

The mention of MJ soured his mood slightly, "Gee, thanks."

Ned's eyes fell at the change in his friend's expression, "Aw, man, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything..."

Peter shook his head, "Don't be, It's been months you know, I should be over it by now. I don't know what's wrong with me."

"There's nothing wrong with you," Ned reassured him, "I miss her too sometimes, you know? She was my friend too, I understand more than you think I do."

"I didn't mean it like that," Peter gave him a small smile.

Ned was silent for a moment before changing the subject, "So, have you heard the rumors about the new kid?"

Peter frowned at that, "Rumors?"

"Apparently a new rich kid is attending our school! People are saying he's a millionaire , Pete. Can you imagine? I mean you probably can since you're literally over Tony Stark's house every weekend."

Peter cringed at that, "Don't say it like that, dude, it makes it sound way too creepy. It's not his house, the Avengers stay there too."

Ned scoffed at that, "I mean what is your life, Peter? People would do anything to be in your position! Anyways, have you met him?"

"Actually I'll do you one better, I know him," Peter revealed.

Ned's eyes widened, "You do?"

"The new kid? His name's Harry Osborn. I knew him when I was a kid." Peter shrugged. "He's just a normal kid, money or not."

"Wait, the Harry Osborn?" Ned's eyes widened. "The friend that you said disappeared off the face of planet earth without a goodbye?"

"I mean, he was a kid too, Ned, it's not like he had any choice in the matter," Peter shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I don't even know all the details. I didn't even know his mother had passed away until I confronted May about Harry being gone. Harry's dad just grabbed him and ran, that's all there was to it."

"And you never heard from him until he just suddenly comes back to Queens?" Ned tried to hide his uncertainty, but Peter could read him like a book.

"Why are you so put off about it?" Peter wondered curiously.

"It just seems a little weird doesn't it?" Ned leaned forward to lower his voice. "You didn't tell him, did you?"

Peter's eyes widened at the implication, "No! Of course not! Geez, Ned, I only saw him for a couple of hours this morning, I'm more careful than that."

"I'm not saying you aren't, I just don't want you to be blinded by a familiar face."

"Ned, you have nothing to worry about," Peter reassured him. "Look, I don't know what brought Harry back to Queens, alright? Maybe something happened and he just missed the city? This was his home for ten years and he had to put it all behind for the sake of his father, not by his choice. What's so weird about that?"

"I'm happy that you're happy, Pete, but I just... I don't know, my gut feeling is that something is fishy with it." Ned admitted.

Peter leaned forward to place a comforting hand on Ned's shoulder, "You're still my guy in the chair, Ned. I got this, don't worry."

Ned, not looking reassured, just smiled, "You're right, I'm probably just being paranoid."

When the bell rang to dismiss school for the day, Peter found himself walking out with Harry, who had waited for him by the library where he had been for study hall. Ned's conversation had been on replay in his mind since lunch had ended, and Peter didn't know why his friend had been so put out about Harry suddenly appearing out of the blue. To Peter, it felt more like a small blessing rather than a curse. It was a sense of normalcy for him, it brought back so many childhood memories that had made him so happy, and still continue to do so.

"Do you want to come over? Peter asked, a small part craving to spend more time catching up on the past six years, that they've both been alive for at least.

Harry's face scrunched up into a guilty expression as he replied, "I can't today, I still have a lot of unpacking I have to do and I promised my uncle I'd get it done today."

Peter fought off the disappointment as he nodded, "Don't sweat it, I understand."

"See you tomorrow?" Harry tried to lighten the mood.

Peter smiled at the promise, "Yeah."

A horn honked and Harry looked over and sighed, "Well that's my ride."

Peter readjusted the strap of his backpack on his shoulder. "Well, see you, I guess."

Harry gave him a light punch on his shoulder, "See you, Pete." With that said, Harry headed over to his uncle's car as Peter turned towards the subway and scanned the crowd. When he spotted Alex leaning against the railing of the stairs that lead to the platform, Peter made his way over to him.

Alex's eyes brightened when he laid eyes on Peter and he smiled as Peter approached him, "Hey! Ready to head out?"

"Yeah," Peter nodded, stopping right in front of him.

Alex nodded his head towards the stairs, "Alright, let's go home!"

The walk to the subway was silent as they climbed the stairs together. It wasn't until both of them were standing in the aisle of the train near the doors that Alex broke the silence.

"Who were you talking to back there? Was that the new kid? The supposed millionaire?" Alex inquired, genuine curiosity in his voice.

Peter shrugged, "I don't understand why people started that rumor. I knew him, he used to live in Queens when he was younger. We were close growing up."

Alex's eyes widened at that, "Really? What's his name?"

"Harry Osborn," Peter answered. "He's really just a normal guy. I mean his Dad was wealthy but he wasn't this famous millionaire that people are making Harry out to be."

"You said he used to be in Queens, did he leave?" Alex wondered.

"Yeah," Peter's eyes flickered to look out the window next to him. "Harry's mother had passed away and his Dad took Harry, cut off all ties here, and jumped ship."

"That really sucks," Alex sounded sad. "I'm sorry you had to go through that."

Peter shrugged once more, "It is what it is."

"But he's back now right? Is he here to stay?"

"For the moment it seems so," Peter nodded. "He moved in with his Uncle. I guess his Dad passed away recently."

Alex whistled, "That's rough. I can't even imagine what that must've felt like."

"I can imagine exactly that," Peter replied sadly.

Alex silently cursed under his breath before quickly saying, "Oh god... Pete, I'm sorry I didn't even think when I said that."

Peter looked confused at that, "I didn't think you did. It's fine, really, you didn't say anything wrong."

It was silent for a few minutes before Alex spoke up, "Well, I'm sorry I killed the mood."

Peter turned to look at Alex in bemusement. "What do you mean?"

"I just... before I said anything you looked happier than you've been since you've come back."

Peter winced at that, but couldn't find it in himself to deny it. Alex was right, Peter had felt so happy to be himself and to be back in his neighborhood for the first time since he came back. Peter didn't know what it was, maybe having Harry back meant that things were finally changing for the better and that maybe the world was finally changing in his favor.

"I tried to give you space about it," Alex continued. "I always heard these stories about you being famous for your giddy and rambling self and you've just been really quiet. I don't know, I just figured the silence meant you wanted nothing to do with me. I know how awkward it must've been to come home to two strangers living in your house and, maybe to you, intruding on your life. I guess I was just hoping that would pass and we could maybe find a way to be friends."

Peter felt a wave of guilt and shame wash over him at Alex's words. It wasn't the first time someone had told him he wasn't the same charismatic person that he used to be before Titan, before he essentially lost five years of everyones' lives. Peter knew it was selfish of him to be so self-absorbed when everyone else around him were also reeling with their own aftermath. Peter wasn't the only one who got dusted, and he wasn't the one who had to deal with his loved ones vanishing before his eyes.

Was it selfish? Yes, it was, but could Peter find it in himself to care? No, and he's tried so hard to care on numerous occasions. It was so hard to try to be okay just because people expect you to be happy or to be coping in some way. It was so hard to find appreciation in anything when you feel so lost in a world that was so quick to erase you.

That didn't stop him from looking at his feet and saying, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel like that. I want that too, I just..." I just don't know how to let go of the past. Peter couldn't find it in himself to say that last part.

A few minutes of silence passed between them before a thoughtful expression fell across Alex's face. "So you know how the football coach has a weird name?"

Peter frowned at the sudden conversation change. "What?"

Alex leaned against one of the metal train poles and crossed his arms. "The football coach. He just has a first name and not a last name, so his name is Axel."

"What happened to his last name?" Peter felt a spark of curiosity ignite deep in his bones.

"Apparently someone on the team found out he legally changed his name as soon as he was legal to do so."

"So he changed his name to Axel?" Peter asked. "What's so weird about that?"

Alex smirked in amusement, "I guess someone found out his original name was Willie Kazoo."

Peter let out a surprised laugh at the revelation, "That's got to be fake."

Alex held his hands up in defense, "I'm just telling you what I heard, although when someone asked about it I've never seen Coach Axel's face so red."

"Oh my..." Peter was still laughing. "No wonder he changed his name. But that's so mean, I didn't mean it like that... Oh god what am I even saying." Peter took a second to calm down and catch his breath, when he got his senses back he looked over at a smug Alex.

That's when it dawned on Peter, "You made that up, didn't you?"

Alex smiled at that, "It got you to laugh, didn't it?"

Peter rolled his eyes at that, but there was still a grin on his face. "I don't know whether to feel thankful or betrayed."

"I think being thankful would be a better option," Alex jested.

Peter scoffed in amusement. "Then consider me thankful just this once."

Another wave of silence washed over them, but this time it was more comfortable than the awkward silence that usually ended their short conversations. Alex was right though, Peter never gave him a full chance.

Pushing down every pessimistic thought on his mind, Peter broke the silence for a change. "Did May ever talk about me? When I was... well..."

Alex shifted uncomfortably at that and he said, "Yeah, she talked about you a lot. I mean, whenever she did talk about you it usually ended in tears, but there were days she would smile back on the memories between the two of you. She told us that you were this smart kid that was going places."

Peter closed his eyes to fight off the overwhelming sadness at the misery his aunt had faced alone.

Alex sighed, "You gotta stop blaming yourself, Peter."

Peter's eyes snapped open at that. "What? I'm not..."

"Don't deny it," Alex shook his head. "May was right about one thing. You're an open book even if you don't want to be."

Peter gasped and clutched his chest, "You wound me."

It was Alex's turn to roll his eyes, "I'm being serious. I know what it feels like to get so deep into your own head that it just consumes you, even if something happened that wasn't necessarily your fault."

Peter was taken aback by the genuine pain in Alex's eyes. In response, Peter bit his lip before he decided to give in just a little bit. "I just don't know how to make it stop."

Alex pulled his arms away to fiddle with the straps on his backpack. "You won't. It'll never go away, but it will ease up. You just have to be willing to work through it and not wallow in it."

Peter was silent for another minute before confessing, "I haven't felt like this since my Uncle Ben passed away."

An unreadable expression fell across Alex's face before he said, "In a way, I know what you mean. My mom... she died in a car accident when I was twelve. She uh... when everyone got dusted... an empty car hit her full speed and she, uh... she was killed on impact.."

Peter flinched at the revelation, a nauseous feeling forming in the pit of his stomach. He didn't even consider something like that would happen.

It's because you're stuck in your self-pity, all you think about is yourself. Peter berated himself. You're so selfish, Peter...

Alex ran a hand down his face to try and reel in his emotions. "We got in a fight a few hours before it happened and the last thing I ever said to her was that I hated her. The thing is? I can't even remember what the stupid fight was about. We were so close growing up... She and Dad were my anchor and I let one stupid cloud of judgment..." His voice broke. He shook his head and cleared his throat before pushing on, "I know what it's like to feel like you're selfish for grieving and I know what it feels like to lose a part of yourself. You can't stay there for eternity, Peter, or else it consumes you and there's no return."

Peter knew Alex was speaking the truth but a tear ran down his cheek as he said, "It's easier said than done."

"I know," Alex agreed. "But I promise you, I'm here for you. May gave me a second chance at having some semblance of a mother and I want to get to know you, Peter. Maybe in time, you can consider my Dad and I family too."

A second later, the train pulled into their station and the two of them disembarked in silence. Guilt wracked Peter after his talk with Alex, but he knew the other teen didn't talk to him to make him feel bad. He knew Alex was trying really hard to let him know that he wasn't alone, not if he had anything to say about it. Deep down Peter was grateful, there was no denying that. It was just so difficult to push through all the grief and misery and try to act like everything was alright. Peter never knew why the waves of happiness came and went, but maybe if he just tried, things would turn out for the better.

So, Peter turned to a safe subject and talked to Alex about his time on the decathlon team. He told Alex of DC and how his team has been saved by Spider-Man after the elevator at the Washington Monument spontaneously collapsed. Alex had been intrigued about Peter's adventures, and Peter felt pleasantly surprised that the other teen wanted to know more about him. For a moment, Peter let himself believe that someone actually wanted to be around him, despite his messy life.

In turn, Alex told Peter about his time on the football team and how it had given him an outlet to channel his grief. When he was on the football field, he let himself get lost in the moment and focus on his sole purpose: leading his team to victory. In a way, Peter found something that he and Alex had in common. They both were broken and messy, but they were trying the best that they could to be okay.

At that moment, Peter found it easy to believe that in time, Alex and him would become friends. Talking to the older boy made a weight lift off his chest and Alex's clever wit never failed to make him smile or even better, laugh.

Peter walked into the apartment, laughing at something that Alex had said. He paused in his footsteps when he saw George leaning against the entry archway, a smile on his face.

"Did you two have a good day?" George asked kindly.

Peter, putting a smile on his face with a little difficulty, replied, "Yeah," he looked over to Alex. "I think we did."

Alex gave him a smile before sparking a conversation with his father, and this time Peter followed them as they made their way to the living room area. For the first time since Peter had met him, he had hope that maybe they would eventually become family. For the first time in a while, Peter felt like he was home in his apartment back in Queens.

Was it good? Was it bad? Feel free to let me know!