Harry had to remind himself to breathe as Peter began dabbing at the cut on his forehead. It stung, but he hardly registered the pain as he watched the look of determination on the other's face. As always, Peter's eyes were gentle, his lips parted open in concentration. Harry felt his entire mouth go dry as Peter smiled in satisfaction.

"I think that's enough for disinfecting. Now, let's just...wrap you up." Peter rummaged through the first-aid kit to pull out a roll of gauze.

"Aunt May's a nurse so she always has these sorta stuff around the house," Peter explained with a sheepish smile as he began addressing the wound. "I think you're all set for now, but you should let me know as soon as you start feeling dizzy," he continued putting everything away.

"...Thank you," the young CEO answered, earning himself another smile.

"So," Peter began, sitting next to Harry on the bed. "I think it's about time you tell me what's going on."

Harry swallowed hard and averted his gaze to his own hands, now lying folded on his laps. He suddenly felt both regretful and vulnerable. He shouldn't have just rushed to Peter's place without at least preparing a speech. Harry sighed deeply as his shoulders slumped even lower. Where was he supposed to start?

He wanted to ask if Peter was still with the asshole. He wanted to tell the other than he wanted Peter to be with no one else but himself. He wanted to confess that he wasn't just another intern, that he wasn't Harry Wilson, but instead that he was the Harry Osborn. Yet he didn't know how to say those things, because all those things were bound to make Peter upset, and he coudn't fuck this up. He couldn't risk never seeing Peter again, because even sitting next to him made him think twice about just giving up on everything.

That's what Peter was to him. Peter was hope. Peter was the light that he had always been looking for. Peter was the outlet he needed, away from work, stress and the pressure of being an Osborn.

He needed Peter.

"Harry? I think you should just get some rest for now and we can talk when you feel better, alright?" Peter offered, placing a gentle hand on Harry's shoulder. Harry looked up and nodded. Maybe this was going to buy him enough time to come up with a game plan, and honestly, he needed sleep so badly.

"Here, why don't you just lie down," Peter continued, getting off the bed to make room. Harry obliged and curled up on the bed, sleep slowly permeating through his body. The soft bed felt so welcoming, and the distinct smell that was Peter was enough to have him fall sound asleep in a blink of an eye.

Peter sighed softly and watched the now still figure on his bed. Harry looked like a total mess, and while he was growing increasingly restless and agitated with all the mystery, he could clearly see that Harry needed some sleep. For now, he was going to have to remain patient and understanding.

Peter sat back on the bed and brushed a lock of Harry's blond hair back. The cut hadn't been too deep, so that was one good thing, but Harry's sunken cheeks and alarmingly dark bags under his eyes were not so comforting. Peter wasn't at all persuaded by Harry's excuse for the cut. Harry wasn't clumsy. Far from it, really. So how did Harry end up with that nasty cut on his head? He couldn't have been involved in an accident, right? Had he been mugged?

So many questions and never an answer.

But whatever it was, Peter felt horrible. He hated seeing Harry like this. He only wanted to see Harry smile and make fun of him. He missed the carefree movie nights and their trips to getting junk food. Harry had looked so much more lively back then, but now...since that day at the fair, Harry was nothing more than a miserable heap of flesh and bones.

Peter spent a few good minutes just watching Harry before he made his way towards the couch. He needed to get some sleep too.

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Peter was not prepared to have Gwen shaking him awake.

"Whuh? Gwen?" Peter asked groggily as he looked around. He had fallen asleep on the couch in the living room, and now Gwen was watching him curiously.

"Why are you sleeping out here?"

"...Where's Aunt May?"

"She just left and told me to wake you up. Why aren't you in your room?"

"Uh. I...I like the couch?"

"Is somebody else in your room?" Gwen asked, turning to look in the direction of Peter's room. Peter swallowed hard. How was he going to get out of this one? He knew that she had been dying to meet Harry, but this was definitely not the right time for that. Peter was about to open his mouth to spew some bullshit excuse about insect problems or leaking ceiling when the door to his room opened, revealing a still very haggard Harry.

Peter groaned and immediately turned to look at Gwen, who was eyeing the stranger curiously.

"Is that...?" Gwen whispered, and Peter had no choice but to nod. This was not good.

Harry stood around uncomfortably, not having expected anyone else other than Peter or maybe Aunt May. He vaguely recognized the big eyes and blond hair from the photographs in Peter's room. So this must be Gwen. Harry slowly made his way towards the two before things got any more awkward.

"Hi, I've heard so much about you," Gwen greeted, holding a hand up. "It's nice...to...finally see...you...Harry," she began cheerfully, but her voice quickly began faltering. She was now staring at him with a look that Harry recognized immediately. She knew who he was. God, how could he have been so careless?

"I'm sorry, what did you say your last name was?" Gwen asked, her voice raspy.

"...Wilson," Harry replied, trying to maintain the best pokerface he could muster up, given the guilt and anxiety swallowing him whole.

He felt sick.

"Harry Wilson, huh? Well, it's nice to meet you in person, Harry Wilson."

Harry swallowed hard. Gwen's eyes had turned ice-cold over the course of a few seconds. They were harsh and scrutinizing, and Harry knew that this was the end. Peter was going to find out, and he'd definitely hate him now. He couldn't believe this was how it was going to all end.

"Will you be joining us for breakfast?" Gwen asked, her voice levelled. Peter was shooting Gwen confused looks.

"No, I should-"

"Oh no, you should definitely stay for a bit," Gwen interrupted with a forced smile, and while Harry didn't appreciate being threatened in any shape or form, he obliged. It was obvious to him that she wanted to talk to him, and maybe he could persuade her to keep her mouth shut for Peter's sake.

"Uh, I'm just gonna go take a leak, so you guys make yourselves at home?" Peter began nervously and excused himself. As soon as the two were left alone, Gwen was glaring daggers at the other. Harry couldn't help notice how unsettlingly huge her eyes were.

"You're not Harry Wilson."

"Excuse me?"

"You're Harry Osborn. I've interned at Oscorp. I know what you look like, and it's a miracle that Peter doesn't know who you are," Gwen hissed, her voice aggressive. She looked as if she wanted to slap him across the face. "If this is your twisted way of trying to mingle with us common folks, stop it. Stop it now. Peter's a good guy, a really good guy."

"And I know that. Don't act like you know everything," Harry growled. He did not appreciate Gwen accusing him of toying with Peter. Why did people always think that rich people manipulated other people for shits and giggles? Sure, he shouldn't have used a fake name, but this was the kind of bullshit prejudice that came with his real name. His friendship and whatever he was now feeling towards Peter were nothing short of sincere, so how dare she.

"OK, then enlighten me. What do you want from Peter?" she countered, crossing her arms. She didn't care that the man in front of her was one of the richest and the most powerful people in the world. She was not about to stand by and watch some spoiled rich kid hurt her best friend. Peter hadn't been quiet honest with her, but she already knew that he was really, really into Harry, and Peter would be heart-broken if he found out.

"I don't want anything from Peter."

"Then why won't you even give him your real name."

"Because of people like you," Harry hissed defensively. He was tired of this shit. She had no right to talk to him that way. He didn't even care that she was Peter's best friend. "People like you think you know all about me because, what, because I'm rich? Because you've seen my name on the news? It never crosses your petty, little minds that maybe, just maybe, someone like me wants to get to know another human being without all that bullshit!"

Gwen stared at the young CEO with her mouth open, not having expected such an outburt. A groveling apology or a lame excuse, maybe, but not this.

"You can't just keep lying to Peter."

"I'm not planning to. I'm going to tell him. Eventually."

"Eventually? What do you mean eventually! You can't just keep leading him on-" Gwen began angrily but shut her mouth immediately. She shouldn't have said that. She really shouldn't have said that. Peter was going to kill her now.

"What did you say?" Harry asked, his eyes narrow.

"Nothing."

"No, you said I can't just keep leading-"

Harry's question was cut short by the sound of the door opening. The two turned to face Peter, who stared back at them dumbly.

"Is there something...wrong?"

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Show some love and review, y'all. Or I torture these two more bahahaha