Sam's first week of recovery of rehabilitation as the doctors had dubbed was strange. After the recently graduated brats ran enough tests on Sam that would probably last him a lifetime and make him ten times more cautious in the future, Sam had received the all clear for rehab. He had also been kindly asked or rather ordered from Fury to attend sessions with one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s trusted psychologists. Sam was doing fine. He was progressing quite well during his exercises in the day according to the physician assigned to cater to his needs. Sam was also doing well if he had to quote his psychologist. She had not found any signs of his PTSD rearing its ugly head again. She only prescribed him medication for his insomnia, but advised him to use them only if he severely needed sleep and had no other option. He was doing fine. Sam was responding well to his treatment. That was what worried him.
When would the next bomb explode? Sam asked himself that question quite often. He also wondered where it would come from and in what form. Soon he received a few answers.
It was a sunny day. New York was still being reconstructed, but most of the buildings had been rebuilt. All that was left were minor details. This was where volunteers came in. Since Sam still could not use his superpowers or lift anything too heavy, he was forced to do more mundane tasks. However, being the cunning human he often tended to be, he chose painting with Aunt May. This way he would have nice company to pass the time with. He would also do something and not feel utterly useless. Plus, there was a chance to run into Peter.
Peter Parker. Sam still felt his cheeks light up whenever he thought about the kiss on the cheek on the battlefield. It had felt strange. He knew it had not been a goodbye kiss. Hell, it could have been a spur of the moment type of decision. However, Sam could not help but recall the tender gesture from time to time. His heart was not responding well to Peter Parker. It tended to speed up whenever he saw the teen. He had yet to talk to him. Peter was busy with the other three. They could use their powers and therefore were assigned missions. Not all hybrids had been eradicated.
Sam clenched his fists at the unfairness of the situation. He could not believe that the scientists had yet to find a way to split the DNA. Doctor Octopus had volunteered to share his knowledge if they let him go afterwards. Sam was starting to entertain the idea. If humans could be saved, wasn't it justifiable to take advantage of all the options you had?
Even Batman had shown up and had volunteered to question the villain using his own methods. Nick Fury had refused to leave the Bat alone with Doc Oc. In the end, the two bickered and created an interesting show for the evil scientist who had a nice laugh. Eventually both Batman and Fury lost their temper and punched him simultaneously. Doc Oc had been unconscious for at least an hour.
"Is everything alright, Sam?" Aunt May suddenly asked.
Sam took look at her concerned eyes and mentally berated himself for worrying her. He lied that he was fine, but obviously Aunt May saw right through his bluff. After they finished painting for the day, she insisted on Sam taking a walk with her and telling him everything he wished and needed to share. Sam needed only one second to agree. He was tired, lonely and was carrying too much weight on his shoulders. Peter Parker was a topic he could not discuss with the psychologist because after all, despite what she told him, Sam knew that a few reports about his condition would accidentally land on Fury's desk.
"How has Peter been doing?" Sam asked, making Aunt May smile a dubious smile. Sam was left confused when she looked up and said, "Sam, it's alright. I know."
His eyes widened. "Y-you know? W-what exactly do you know?"
She laughed and answered, "I know that you two ended up in a bit of an awkward situation, but rest assured, my dear, he is doing fine, even better than fine. He seems to be smiling a lot more recently. I wonder who is responsible for that."
Sam mentally checked all the people he had seen Peter with and could not recognize any faces that would garner such a reaction. The only plausible explanation was that now Peter could probably spend a little more time with Harry and MJ. After all, the missions he had only took about an hour or two to complete and the rest of the day was his to waste. No wonder Peter was feeling happier and more at ease. The superhero burden had been lifted off his shoulders for a while.
"Sam, is there anything else you would like to tell me?" Aunt May asked.
Sam scratched the back of his head. He had been trying to spend more time with Peter. However, every time the two arranged a meeting at Peter's house either Harry or MJ showed up or someone from the team. When the former came, Sam felt slightly more at ease. However, when the latter were present, he spent mainly time with Aunt May or casting glances at Peter. Sam's eyes widened. Did she know? And more importantly – if she did, did she approve? Sam would not be able to handle disappointing another person he had grown to care about.
"I think I have developed feelings for Peter and it's been bugging me." Sam professed. He then sighed in relief when she met him with a knowing smile. The warm one that followed melted his heart. How could anyone not grow instantly to love her? Aunt May truly was amazing.
"Why is it bothering you, Sam?" She asked.
"I don't know if he still feels the same. I mean…I did hurt him." Sam answered as he looked at the ground in shame. Aunt May stopped walking and encircled his wrist. Sam looked up at her, confused by her actions. She motioned toward a nearby bench where they soon sat. She did not let go of his hand.
"I cannot speak for Peter. However, I have a hunch that he still cares deeply for you, Sam. It might be romantically or simply platonically. But there is only one way to find out for certain quickly and I think you know what it is." She explained as she gently let go of his hand.
"You think I should just gather enough courage to ask him?" Sam asked, hoping she was not being serious. When she smiled and nodded, Sam groaned. Aunt May then crossed her arms and scolded, "Sam Alexander, did your mother raise you to be a coward?"
"W-what? Hell no!" Sam protested as he fell for her trap. She simply smiled victoriously as she put her hands on her hips and replied, "Then you should have no trouble asking Peter how he feels about you."
Sam's only response was a long groan, followed by grumbling on their way to Aunt May's home.
While Sam was helping Aunt May carry her bags because she had decided to experiment tomorrow night, Peter was coming home from wherever he had been with the other team members. Peter was sweaty and panting because the mission had been particularly hard. He had paired up with Ava in order to neutralize a pack of mutants, but it seemed they had underestimated their power. Ava had been scratched from one of them, resulting in poison entering her bloodstream. Peter had been lucky enough to escape the battlefield with her, while Luke and Danny along with a few other heroes covered them.
How could they have evolved so fast? It is impossible unless Doc Oc still has something up his sleeve. Just how many DNAs has he combined?
"Peter, I'm surprised you are back so soon." Aunt May said when she saw him walking toward the rocky path that led to the house.
Peter blinked a couple of times before his brain registered that Aunt May had spoken and that surprisingly she was not alone. Peter smiled awkwardly when he met Sam's gaze. Sam's answer was an equally awkward smile. Aunt May noticed the tension and decided to lessen it.
"Could you help me carry these into the house, Peter?" She asked as she motioned toward the bags in her hands.
"Y-yes, of course." Peter scrambled toward the house with Sam following in toe. Aunt May made some excuse about needing to use the bathroom immediately.
"Is she alright?" Peter suddenly asked while he was busy arranging the groceries in the cabinets.
Sam furrowed his eyebrows as he crossed his arms and questioned suspiciously, "Are you assuming that just because she is with me something must have happened?"
Peter answered without paying attention to the edge in Sam's voice, "Yes."
"What?!" Sam whispered as he clenched his fists. He was just about to explode when Peter noticed, widened his eyes, put up his hands defensively and explained quickly, "Whoa, whoa, I did not mean to offend you or imply anything. All I meant was that if you are with her and chose to accompany her to her home, then you must have sensed some type of danger otherwise why would you waste your time doing so?"
Sam remained silent and frozen for a few seconds. He blinked, and then exhaled a relieved laugh. He staggered backwards and fell into the empty chair. Sam was rubbing his forehead when he said, "Sorry, I just….I should not have jumped to conclusions."
Peter frowned. He walked forward and knelt in front of Sam, taking one of his hands into his own. Peter smiled as he rubbed soothing circles into the back of Sam's hand. Sam smiled and closed his eyes, enjoying the warmth and comfort Peter was offering. Peter's voice broke the sleeping spell that his ministrations had cast upon Sam's tired mind and body.
"Why are you here then? Since everything is fine with Aunt May, is something else bothering you?" Peter asked.
The look Peter was giving him made Sam's insides churn. He wished he could tell him. There were so many secrets, so many emotions, so many occurrences that Sam wanted to share with Peter and only Peter. How could he have been so blind? Why had he pushed Peter away when the boy confessed his feelings? Danny had been on his mind then. Sam knew he had been wrong. He had thought that because he was with Danny he should see where their relationship would go this time. However, he had been wrong. He had been so wrong.
"I was wrong." Sam professed.
Peter frowned. The soothing circles stopped. Sam ignored the wish to ask Peter to continue.
"About what?" Peter enquired.
'About us.' Sam wanted to say. Instead he answered, "I should have come sooner. I missed our friendship."
There. He had done it. The slight disappointed look Peter gave him and the sad smile that followed made Sam's heart clench with pain. Why was he so scared? Why couldn't he gather enough courage to tell Peter how he felt?
Why am I such a coward?
"Yeah," Peter whispered as he smiled. There was no change in the corners of his eyes. "I missed you, too, Bucket."
I don't deserve him.
The soothing circles returned.
Sam stayed for dinner that night. Aunt May and Peter filled him in on what was planned to happen at their school. Since it would take a couple of weeks to rebuild everything, parts of the lessons would be conducted online. Sam's response was a groan and a couple of grumbles for which he was scolded by both Peter and Aunt May. In the end, Aunt May persuaded Sam into staying longer and Peter's smile and kindness managed to convince him to sleep over.
The two were now in Peter's room. Peter was rummaging through his closet and searching for his spare pajamas. The two were going to sleep in the living room. Apparently Aunt May had got a raise and had decided to buy a spare coach.
"Thank you." Sam said as Peter threw the spare pajamas at him.
"Hey, Peter, are you awake?"
"No."
"How is the team?" Sam asked, making Peter raise his head in order to see him in the semi-darkness. It was still half past seven and the sun had barely risen, but Peter could still partially see Sam's worried features.
"They're worried about you, Sam." Peter answered. He then whispered, "So am I."
Sam chuckled, "Really?" He looked Peter in the eyes, daring the boy to lie to him.
Peter merely smiled and nodded, "Really. In fact, they were thinking of visiting you yesterday, but you have requested not to be bothered by anyone during your rehab hours and the rest of the time you are either asleep or out."
Sam laughed, "Yeah, I've been wondering about quite a lot lately, trying to keep myself occupied and not think too much about certain stuff or people."
Peter frowned, "What are you trying to keep off your mind?"
Sam sighed. He wished he could be honest with Peter about everything, but right now he cold barely open his mouth to speak about half of what was bothering him.
"Batman showed up."
"Yeah, I remember. He could not get anything out of Doc Oc though." Peter replied.
Sam shook his head, "No, I wasn't talking about that time. He came to see me the night I woke up from my…comatose state." Sam explained, saying the last two words with a hushed voice.
Peter's eyes widened. He did not know why he instantly became uneasy just because the Bat was mentioned.
"What did he say?" Peter asked, sweat gathering at his forehead.
Sam bit his bottom lip before he answered, "He invited me to go back to Gotham with him."
"What?!" Peter screeched as he sat up abruptly. His spine cracked and he moaned. Sam was too scared to laugh at his friend's misfortune.
"Did you refuse?" Peter questioned.
Sam closed his eyes and shook his head. Peter glared at him. He got up and started pacing, while saying, "I can't believe it! I can't believe this!" He then stopped and shouted, meeting Sam's gaze, "I can't believe you!"
Sam got up and walked toward Peter, trying to pacify him, "First of all, stop yelling or you'll wake up Aunt May." Peter immediately closed his mouth, "Second of all, stop worrying. I did not accept. I am merely entertaining the idea, but that does not mean that I will suddenly go insane and go to Gotham."
Peter let the information sink in before he replied, "Your answer does not make me want to murder you." Sam sighed in relief and chuckled, "It does not make me happy or calm me down either." Sam froze.
"Peter, how about I make us some breakfast or tea or something. I'll feel better, if we sit down and talk this through. It'll be easier, if it is just you and me and not all the others. Please don't tell them anything yet. I don't know what I'm going to do yet." Sam pleaded.
Peter nodded and ten minutes later the two were drinking tea and eating toast. It was all Sam could scramble on such short notice and with Peter's piercing gaze burning bullet holes in his back. Sam still could not believe that Peter was angry at him for even daring to imagine what it would be like to go to Gotham and fight alongside Batman.
"Aren't you happy here?" Peter suddenly asked.
Sam's eyes widened. He opened his mouth to speak, but soon memories of recent and past events flooded his mind and he immediately closed it. His wounds were either still fresh or torn open once more.
Peter sighed. He pinched the bridge of his nose before he sipped his tea and questioned, "Is there something you're not telling me?"
Take your pick.
After some silence and hesitation Sam told Peter about the way Ava and Luke treated him. Peter exploded.
"They just left you lying there?!" Peter shouted as he punched the table. It shook under the pressure and a crack followed, scaring Sam. He immediately rushed to Peter's side, grabbed his leader's face with both hands and said, "Peter, I am fine. Look at me. Really look at me."
Sam added the second sentence when Peter seemed ready to punch something else. When his leader still was not calming down enough and bombarded Sam with further questions and kept adding threats here and there, Sam did the only logical thing he could think of. He kissed him.
Peter was frozen. He stood there, arms hanging in the air, fingers twitching with relenting anger as his blood slowly cooled down. Peter found himself soon responding to the kiss. He opened his mouth and latched onto Sam's shorter form, causing a yelp to come from the boy. Peter smirked before he explored Sam's mouth with his tongue, tangling the wet muscle in a dance with Sam's skillful tongue. Peter moaned when Sam managed to push him back and soon Peter's back collided with the wall.
Sam smirked before he continued their dance, only this time he traced every inch of Peter's cavern. Sam soon pulled back slightly with a gasp only to have Peter kiss his lower lip before nibbling on it, making Sam inhale sharply before Peter sucked on it, eliciting a moan from the boy. Peter then kissed Sam's jaw and chin and proceeded to Sam's neck.
Sam's head started spinning. The heat which was spreading through his body was going to become unbearable, if he allowed Peter to go further down with that sinful mouth of his. Quite reluctantly Sam used both his hands to push Peter back gently, watching in satisfaction as the swollen lips took in gulps of air.
"What's wrong?" Peter asked, obviously disappointed that Sam had interrupted his journey down the delicious expanse of skin.
"What's wrong? You were ready to turn my simple kiss into a make out session and possibly into something more and you're asking me what's wrong?" Sam chuckled.
Peter merely eyed him before he rolled his eyes. He was quite ready to surrender and listen to what Sam had to say when the stupid teen added, "I don't think Aunt May would appreciate waking up to your moans so early in the morning."
"Why would I be the only one moaning?" Peter asked as he raised an eyebrow.
"Because I don't do bottom." Sam lied.
"Oh really?" Peter replied.
Sam nodded.
"We'll see about that." Peter said before he attacked.
Sam screeched. He then started laughing when Peter's fingers assaulted his ribs, then his front. His entire stomach was so sensitive to prodding fingers that he thought he might explode. Sam managed to shove Peter away, but not before Peter had managed to squeeze in enough "tickle Sam" time.
Sam panted as he grabbed the table in order to steady himself. "What were you trying to pull?"
Sam glared at Peter when the teen dared to laugh. Sam did not feel his anger subside, despite how beautiful Peter looked when he laughed or how stunning those blue eyes became when they were shining with honest mirth.
"Don't ever do that again." Sam whispered.
Peter's laughter died when his ears picked up the grave seriousness behind Sam's statement. Peter's concerned expression was enough to make Sam feel slightly guilty for crushing his leader's elated spirit.
"I'm sorry." Peter said as he walked toward Sam. He reached for Sam's hand who jerked back instinctively. Peter immediately brought his hands up and with a somber expression he whispered, "I'm sorry, I'm really sorry. I didn't know you don't like being tickled."
Sam sighed. His fury had abated, but he still felt remnants of anger.
"It's fine. You didn't know." Sam conceded.
"I should've stopped when you first asked me to." Peter persisted.
Sam rolled his eyes. He stepped forward and encircled Peter's frame. The stunned teen soon reciprocated the embrace. They remained like that for some time. Steps from the upper floor reminded them where they were. Sam reluctantly stepped back. Peter seemed discontent still. Sam eyed him worriedly before he repeated that he was fine. Peter merely brushed the statement off. Instead he confided in Sam about his theory that Doc Oc and Joker's attack had yet to cease. Sam listened carefully before he sighed and said, "I don't think you should tell Fury about this."
"It's too late. I already handed in my report."
Sam cursed before he whispered, "He might listen to you, but the chances are not high."
"Why?" Peter frowned.
"Remember when I told you that there were numerous reasons why I wanted to leave New York."
Peter nodded, still not understanding. Sam looked to the side before he sighed and looked at Peter again.
"The night I woke up I requested to meet Fury. I told him that I was not going to revert back to my old-self. I was merely concerned with the fact that I had been forced to kill humans. He denied the truth and tried to feed me the lies the government concocted." Sam explained.
Peter frowned, "What exactly did he tell you?"
"That what I was killing was not human." Sam answered.
"Technically, we are not sure what type of species we are fighting against." Peter tried to reason, but the look Sam gave him silenced him.
"Who cares what the technical term is? All I know is until recently those creatures were normal human beings living normal lives and now thanks to that crazy scientist and that lunatic their own loved ones won't be able to recognize them." Sam deadpanned.
Peter sighed. He could not deny the truth. Suddenly something rang a bell.
"Is the death of your dad and sister the other reason?" Peter enquired.
Sam chuckled before he shook his head, "Correction." He confessed, "The death of my step-father, sister and biological father."
Peter's eyes widened before he frowned and asked, "What happened?"
Sam sighed before he shook his head and responded, "I don't want to talk about it. All you need to know is that my biological father left my family when I was still a kid. I barely remember him. He was killed because he was busy protecting innocents. I merely avenged his death."
Peter flinched at the gelid tone. He was not stupid. He immediately realized that Sam had killed someone willingly. Peter's first reaction was anger. He was about to lash out at Sam and judging by the way the boy flinched, he was ready for the onslaught. However, as time passed and Peter gave himself enough of it to cool down, he came to the conclusion that he had no place to judge Sam. He had not been there and had not felt what Sam experienced. Perhaps there was some justice in the way Sam had handled the situation, but until Sam wished to tell him his side of the story, Peter would never know. Deep down, he was glad he would not be told another secret.
Just how much darkness have you surrounded yourself with, Sam?
"I cannot say that I understand why you did what you did. I can't promise you that I ever will. I also can't promise to forgive you. However, I do promise you this – I will do my best not to judge you or jump to conclusions." Peter said.
"Thank you." Sam uttered.
Peter nodded with a smile. Silence loomed above them as both got lost in their own thoughts. Soon Sam's insecurities kicked in and he could not help but ask, "So uh…what are we now?"
Peter chuckled before asking Sam to clarify. Sam did so begrudgingly, "I mean are we together now?"
Peter appeared to be considering it effectively aggravating Sam. Sam's fidgeting made him chuckle before he replied, "Of course unless you've changed your mind, but I must warn you, if you have, there will be repercussions."
"Don't worry. I'm not confused this time." Sam said before he beamed at Peter who mirrored his expression. The two stared at each other before they walked toward one another and embraced each other.
"What are you going to do about them?" Ava asked as she eyed Danny who was watching closely what was ensuing behind the walls of Peter's home.
"Simple." Danny answered as he lowered his earpiece, "Give Sam enough reasons to leave Peter."
Ava sighed before she looked at him and questioned, "Are you sure? Last time I checked you did not love Sam or need him."
"I changed my mind." Danny said.
Ava shook her head. She grabbed his arm when Danny tried to leave.
"I know that you care about Sam, but can't you just let them be?"
Danny snatched his arm back and spat, "If you think I am going to watch the person I love and who loved me a few days ago lie themselves into thinking they love someone else, then you must be delusional."
Ava sighed as Danny left her alone in the room. She rubbed her forehead as she watched how Peter and Sam started dancing to a melody Peter had chosen to play from his phone. The two then embraced each other tenderly, laughed when either of them made a mistake. They even teased each other about it and then went back to being a sugary sweetened picture of first teenage love.
"I have to stop him." Ava said.
I can't let him ruin Sam again.
