Several weeks had passed since Peter had told Harry his big secret. At first, he had been worried that his friend would be angry with him for hiding who he was while he was at Oscorp, but Harry had understood.
Andrew still wouldn't talk to him about the whole thing, so Peter stopped bringing it up. It didn't affect Andrew anyway.
Harry seemed pleased that there was a "backup" if Peter's blood didn't work. Peter hadn't asked Andrew outright if he could use his blood if Peter's wasn't compatible, but he knew that he could count on him if it came to that. Harry's impatience made Andrew a little snappy. Just four days after their first meeting, Harry had complained that they hadn't come to Oscorp the instant he'd texted them that the lab was clear.
"I mean, we just saw the guy earlier this week. You'd think he'd give us a little time before jumping down our damn throats," Andrew said to Peter as he webbed up a purse thief to the brick building.
Peter laughed, "I told you he was impatient."Peter took the purse from the thief and webbed his arm to the wall just as two women turned the corner, one missing her purse.
"I to-told you that was Spi-Spider-Man," the brunette huffed to the other woman. The other was on the phone with the police from the sound of it.
Peter returned the purse to the woman on the phone. She hung up the phone and practically hugged it.
"Thank you so much Spider-Man!" she said, clutching her bag close to her. She then peered behind Peter, and her eyebrows pulled together. "And you too, whoever you are."
Andrew had his arms crossed, Peter chuckled at his "signature look," and had his black hood pulled over his face. It didn't hide his whole face, but enough to make him hard to recognize. Little did Andrew know, Peter had already started working on a suit for him.
"Let's get out of here. I need a drink." The brunette said, pulling her away from them.
"Don't worry about him," Peter gestured to the thief stuck to the wall. "The police will take care of him." Both women waved one last time before leaving.
"Shit... I need a drink too after today." Andrew nudged Peter with his elbow. Peter shook his head at his friend, secretly hoping he was joking. He didn't believe in underage drinking.
Andrew was the first of the two to swing up and out of the alley. For a split second, Peter could have sworn he saw a kid standing there staring at him. Eleven or twelve years old, with dark blonde hair. As soon as he saw him, the boy was gone.
Peter shook his head and left the alley, catching up with Andrew. Even though Andrew didn't talk much, it was nice having another person out here with him. It made it less lonely.
The next two weeks went like clockwork. Peter would wake up in the morning, have breakfast with his aunt before she went to work, and then meet up with Andrew around lunchtime where they would grab a quick snack before scouting the city together. They would separate for several hours before doing another night shift of scouting the city. Peter had offered to help Andrew create a suit on more than one occasion, but he had declined.
On this Saturday night, the both of them had stopped a few petty crimes, a car thief, and two muggings and dropped off the webbed-up criminals outside the NYPD. Peter felt a buzz in his pocket and checked his phone. It was Harry, again. The lab was apparently open, and he could practically hear Harry anxiously pacing in his office.
"Hey, Harry just texted that the labs are free. Did you want to get started?" Peter asked Andrew, for the fifth time since their meeting with Harry.
"I just got the text too. I... don't think tonight is going to be a good night. We just spent the last two hours chasing down people, I really need to get some sleep. Tomorrow would be better." Andrew had been spending the last couple weeks sleeping on Peter's floor. The same night that they had met up with Harry, apparently Andrew and his sister had gotten into a huge argument. He would always slip away in the morning before Aunt May found out; Peter didn't want her to worry about him.
Peter nodded. He figured that was what he was going to say. Andrew had a point though; what if they messed something up when they were half awake at the lab. It just seemed like Andrew kept putting off going to Oscorp for another reason.
"Are you, uh, nervous or something about going there? To Oscorp? Because that's where you got the testing done on you?" Peter hesitantly asked. They had just gotten to his house.
"What? No," Andrew answered, yawning. He plopped forward face first onto Peter's bed. "I'm... just really tired." He repositioned himself so he was facing the ceiling and then shut his eyes, drumming his fingers on his stomach.
"Alright," Peter answered, although he wasn't convinced. "Have you tried talking to your sister yet?"
Andrew grinned in amusement. "Are you getting sick of me camping out in your bedroom?"
"No, no," Peter laughed. "You just seem kind of-"
"I tried talking to her," Andrew cut him off, sitting up. "She doesn't agree with what I'm doing. She doesn't think I should be spending any time with you."
"Because I'm Spider-Man?" Peter quirked an eyebrow. "That seems a little hypocritical, seeing as you and I have practically the same powers."
Peter told Andrew to explain the situation to Violet. Apparently Violet had a problem with Andrew hanging out with him. She knew that her brother had powers, and Peter gave Andrew permission to tell her his own secret. The plan was that telling her would assure her that Andrew was in good company, but it seemed to have had the opposite effect. When Violet told Andrew she wouldn't speak to him again if he continued to hang out with Peter, Andrew spent the night at Peter's house.
The very next day, Andrew had asked Peter to bring him along to scout the city.
"Mhm," Andrew grimaced. "She says it's dangerous."
"It can be dangerous," he said seriously.
"Yeah," Andrew answered monotonously, laying back on the bed.
Having Andrew there to help him protect the city was definitely a positive. They were able to watch each other's backs and it made it much quicker to take down multiple criminals. Besides, if something as dangerous as The Lizard or Electro came back into the city, two super humans were better than one.
He couldn't help but think he was bringing Andrew along for selfish reasons. Finally, he had someone to open up to, someone who knew exactly what he was going through. Gwen knew about him, but knowing put her in danger. Having a friend who could defend himself against people like The Lizard or Electro was… nice. Peter was almost worried that Violet was going to talk Andrew out of talking to him.
Peter pulled the pillow that was propped up against the bed to the middle of the floor. "Your sister doesn't like me because she believes I'm a bad influence, putting you in dangerous situations."
"You influence me?" Andrew rolled his eyes. "You think- what the hell are you doing?"
Peter had his arms crossed behind his head, and was laying in the spot Andrew usually slept in. "Getting ready to sleep."
"On the floor?"
"You need a bed more than I do. Have you seen those dark circles under your eyes?" Peter asked in mock concern. "You look like a raccoon."
"Dick."
"I'm sleeping on the floor so you can get a good night's rest for once. Don't make me change my mind," he laughed. Andrew mumbled something.
A few minutes passed. Peter was almost positive Andrew had fallen asleep. "Andrew?" he said in a low voice, not wanting to wake him if he had fallen asleep.
"Hmm?"
"If Harry sends us a message tomorrow, will you come with me to Oscorp?"
"Yeah," Andrew replied sleepily.
Peter nodded, relieved. "Ok. It's just that we've already had to reschedule multiple times and tomorrow is Thursday and he has sent a message every Thursday so far. I don't want him to think that I don't think his situation is important."
"He doesn't think that. You're his best friend. He knows you want to help him."
Peter hoped that was true. "So, you'll come with me tomorrow?"
Andrew waited about five seconds before replying. "Of course."
"Thanks. We're going to be able to find a way to help him, I know it," Peter said. Andrew didn't respond, and Peter figured he had fallen asleep. His phone beeped, alerting him that he had a new voicemail. He'd check it in the morning.
Yeah, Andrew had characteristics that were much different than him, or even other people he kept in touch with: his impulsiveness and sometimes vulgar language for starters. But that didn't keep them from getting along. Peter was just more of a left-brain person, while Andrew was more right-brain. Even though they had only been friends for a month, Peter was confident their friendship would last.
Morning came much sooner than Peter had hoped. He sat up off the floor, momentarily confused as to why he was there, but then remembered. A quick glance at his bed showed that Andrew had gotten up before him and left like he usually did. Peter got dressed and headed downstairs for breakfast.
"Morning, Aunt May." Peter made himself a bowl of Reese's Puffs cereal. His aunt was at the kitchen table, finishing up her coffee before work.
"Peter." She looked mildly bothered. "What are your plans today?"
"I thought I'd try getting some pictures for Jameson. Later I might call Harry and hang out," he shrugged. "Not much."
"You're not going to have Andrew over today at all?" she asked as she got up to rinse out her coffee mug.
"Oh uh- no- probably not. Why?" he asked. Aunt May was biting her lower lip, practically studying Peter. "What?" he checked his shirt in case something was on it, but it was clean.
Aunt May sat back down at the table. "Peter," she said slowly, "I wasn't going to say anything at first, because I thought maybe it would only be a couple days. But now that it's been a couple weeks, I have to say I am worried."
"About what?" he furrowed his brow, taking large bites of cereal.
"Why has Andrew been sleeping in your room every night?"
"Wha-what?" Peter repeated, trying to sound confused but failing.
Aunt May sighed. "Is he in some kind of trouble?"
"No, it's not that." Peter knew it was no use to try and hide it any longer. "He and his sister, Violet, aren't getting along. I don't really know the details, but I'd rather him stay here than the streets."
Aunt May frowned. "I'd rather him be here rather than the streets too, Peter. Should I try talking to Violet? Try to sort this out?"
Peter shook his head. "It won't help. He's already tried talking to her about it."
She nodded. "Well, let Andrew know he can sleep on our couch if he wants. It would be more comfortable than the floor. And he doesn't have to sneak off every morning either. He can stay for breakfast."
Peter smiled. "All right. I'll let him know, Aunt May."
"Good. He may be a good influence on you, Peter. You've been coming home with less bruises lately."
Peter cleared his throat awkwardly and got up from the table to put his bowl in the sink. "Well, I'm heading out. I might be out late if I do end up hanging out with Harry."
He hugged his aunt and ran upstairs to grab his camera from his desk. Next to his camera sat the picture of him and Gwen. He had the sudden urge to go and see her; the last time he saw her was at Oscorp when Harry had called off his security.
Things in his life were going pretty well lately. He had befriended someone who had powers like him, his aunt was totally cool with said friend crashing at their house, and tonight he and Andrew would be on their first step to helping Harry. He decided to push his luck and see if there was any chance that Gwen would take him back.
"Alright, this is the seventh message I've left you Peter," Harry attempted to keep his voice level, "and I can't help but think you and your little friend are ignoring me." He took a sip from his glass of blended scotch whiskey as he paced back and forth through his office. "I read in the newspaper- you know, the Daily Bugle, the one you work for- that there might be another 'Spider-Man' out there. Obviously you and him have been working together, while I'm getting worse. Every. Day."
Harry ended his message and scrolled down to the number that Peter's friend had programmed into his phone as "The Taller Spider-Man." He scoffed and called the number. It went to voicemail on the third ring.
"Yup it's me- Harry Osborn again!" his hand started to shake holding his drink. "I sent both of you a text an hour ago and of course I hear nothing back. I'm done waiting," he practically snarled, throwing his now empty glass against the wall, shattering it. "I'm done," he repeated. Harry hung up and tossed his phone onto his desk, running both hands through his hair.
How could Peter do this to him? Did their friendship really mean that little to him? Peter spent most of his time saving random people in the city, but couldn't make any time to save his friend? His "best friend"? Harry chuckled. This just proved to him that, in the end, he couldn't depend on anybody. He was going to have to find another way to get the cure to his disease.
The spider venom is what created Spider-Man. If Spider-Man wasn't willing to figure out if their blood was compatible, or just give some to him, then he was going to have to go to the original source. The problem was that, to save face, the board had had everything to do with animals destroyed.
Knowing how deceptive and unethical Oscorp has been in the past, mainly a few certain board members, there was no way they had destroyed absolutely everything.
Harry put in his username and began searching through the files only the most senior board members and CEO could look through. There were a lot of different files about the power grid that Oscorp had recently installed in the city. A file titled "Special Projects" got his attention. Harry scrolled over the first couple entries. The first document he opened was information on a previous scientist that worked at Oscorp, Doctor Curtis Connors. Connors had apparently been sent to Ravencroft Institute after Spider-Man had beaten him. He searched around a bit until he got to an entry about all animal projects. He skipped the mammals and reptiles and read through the arachnids and insects entries.
Harry shook his head in disbelief. Apparently Menken had the venom extracted from all of the spiders before they were destroyed. That way they could comply with the lawsuits while keeping the data.
Suddenly a video popped up on the screen titled "Ravencroft Archive," which stated it had been approved by Harry Osborn. "What the hell?" he mumbled to himself as he opened up the first of several videos.
These people were more despicable than he originally thought. A video showed a man falling to his death right here in his own company! There were some notes stating that several days later, Max Dillon, like Connors, had been sent to Ravencroft. Max had been the employee that was thought to have been killed. Nobody had reported anything and someone was using his name to approve it.
"Warning! Your user access has been revoked!"
"What? What!" Harry yelled at the screen, trying to log back in.
Menken came strolling in with a handful of security guards, including the man that had harrassed Gwen. Harry's eyes flashed back to the screen, and back to Menken as he put two and two together.
One thing he knew for sure: he was not about to let Menken bury him too.