Summary: Norman contemplates how much his son had changed while he was away as The Goblin.

Fish in the Tank

"It's exciting we can finally see a movie on its premiere weekend," Harry remarked while he and Peter stood up from the dinning room table.

In front of them were plates that once held a delicious meal. The flatware, along with any cooking gear, was then moved to the sink for rinsing.

"Yeah, after these crash summer courses, can't wait." Peter smiled. The enthusiastic mood shifted with him yawning.

The two friends moved to the living room of the penthouse. The large window panes allowed the sunlight to freely enter. The weather outside was pleasant. Rarely did the city have such luxury of peace. Most of that harmony can be credited to the superheroes who worked tirelessly.

((Been pulling a lotta late night shifts as Spidey. 'bout time I got a little break. Gotta make sure I make time as Peter to hang out with his best bud.))

Harry noted his guest's wellbeing. At one time he became suspicious and annoyed about such antics. Instead, he smirked, "Seems like you can."

"Just been up late redoing homework. Gotta make up destroyed assignments whenever I, uh, trip in the mud. I'll be alright." Peter thought back to his job as Spider-man where his backpack and supplies fell from a tree and landed in a mud pile as he struggled to change outfits.

"Why don't you freshen up at the bathroom here?" Harry suggested. "We still have time before the previews start. I'll wait."

"Good idea. At least the scratchy toilet paper is well stocked and the floor isn't sticky with soda like it is at the theaters." Peter stretched his arms as he headed for the restroom.

As soon as his best bud made his exit, Harry heard the double doors opened. He spotted Norman walking in. "Hi, Dad."

"I just came up to grab some things," the businessman quickly explained. "I'm afraid I'll be attending meetings well into the evening. Some of these projects aren't getting off the ground as I planned."

"Don't sweat it. Me and Peter are heading for the movies. I'll probably be out all afternoon, too."

Norman looked at his boy. Harry used to gripe about him working those long hours. However, the teen's feedback came off nonchalant.

"I did want us to do something," Norman tried to assure. He no longer wished to sound like he was brushing him off. "But I'm making up this work. If only I can remember what some of these passwords were to their separate accounts. My mind has been drawing blanks ever since I came out of the hospital."

Harry stepped closer and placed his hands on the man's forearms. "Dad, you don't need to put this much pressure on yourself. I know you wanna get things done, so you should focus on the positive. At least no bad guys have come by lately. You gotta make sure to take is easy on yourself, too."

Norman smiled. He felt the hardships of work and the aftermath of his recuperation struggles fading away. He was glad to have a caring son by his side. He needed to show he would do the same.

"If you are stepping out, make sure you find time to eat—" He stopped when his nose picked up a scent. "What is that smell? It's nice."

"I was just doing a little cooking. I'd thought me and Peter could have a bite before we leave."

"When did you learn to do that?"

Harry grew quiet. He wasn't embarrassed with his learned trade. He was only concerned with the timing. Uneasily, he rubbed the back of his head. "Uh… while you were away."

A strange silence fell between father and son. It was difficult to talk about that terrible green beast. It seemed both Osborns rather pretend that such mishaps didn't exist.

Norman was thrown off by the skill. But whenever the topic came to his truancy, he couldn't find a proper response. He wondered how many times the smoke alarm had sounded off. It seemed his son had managed to steer clear of any food poisoning.

"I'm letting the dishes soak," Harry quickly clarified, searching to change the uneasy subject. "I was planning to clean them up when I got back."

"Well, that should be fine," the father permitted. "I now need to find that filing folder…"

"Folder? I put that on the edge of the dinning table," Harry informed. He quickly went to retrieve it. "I knew it was yours. I moved it while I was cooking so it wouldn't get stained or lost with the other papers that need to be shredded."

"Oh, thank you," Norman said as he accepted the papers.

Harry smiled.

"I know you plan to be out," Norman began as he walked. "But I still want you back before dark—"

He stopped when something glistened. Searching for the source, his eyes fell onto an aquarium. He watched colorful fish swim. They leisurely moved about between the plant life, stacked rocks, ornamental coral and driftwood, and a pirate ship. He briefly recalled a time when the spot was empty and he wanted to clear away the tank. Now such vibrant colors caught his senses. There was life.

"When did we get this?" he asked, forgetting about his work. He moved closer to take in the view.

"I called some people and had it cleaned out," Harry explained. "And then I ordered some new fish and supplies. Speaking of which…"

He knelt down in front of the cabinet. Behind the doors were bags of gravel, instructions for tank and pump maintenance, aquarium changer kit, nets, cleaning materials, and food. He opened the lid to a small canister. He sprinkled out the meal. The fish quickly swam around as they gathered the flakes in their little mouths.

As Norman kept his focus on the new pets, Harry introduced them. "There's Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Hawkeye, The Hulk, and Black Widow. Oh, and the goofy one in the corner is Spider-man."

The name of the last hero rang in the man's mind. "Spider-man?"

Harry didn't notice his father's daze. He merely heard a typical question. "Yeah, me and Peter had to hash it out if Spider-man was part of The Avengers. He was insistent I named one that."

His voice remained steady as he spoke. Now that his father was home, he dropped his heat against the web-head. And with his parent home more often, he didn't feel neglected by his friends.

Norman kept his eyes on the tank. He didn't know how long those pets had resided in the penthouse. Yet his son had been doing well in managing them. The job of pet care didn't fall to any employee that kept the penthouse in shape.

"I'll be sure to keep feeding them before and after school when I go back," Harry promised.

The talk of returning to studies broke Norman out of his trance. He wanted to show he would be supportive of his boy. "Yes, with your classes starting soon, you'll need to be up to date on your medical reports. When was the last time you saw a doctor or the dentist? I'll hafta check my records."

"I already got my eyes checked," the teen informed.

Norman turned surprised. "When?"

"Um… Well…"

The man pieced together the time frame. He quickly tried another suggestion. "What about your teeth?"

"Taken care of. No cavities. Just went in for a cleaning."

Norman became staggered. A part of him hoped he could still be the parent and spend time with his only child, especially after being gone for so long. Refusing to surrender, he kept on trying. "How about I make you an appointment for your doctors?"

"I already did. I had to make another one because I'm past due for a shot. They won't give it to me unless I'm with a parent. Their rules."

"Well, alright. I'll keep that date in mind. Your health is important."

Harry smiled. That last line sounded more concerned rather than condescending as it once was.

Norman placed the errand into his electronic calendar. He took a moment to examine his son and noted the goldenrod sweater compared to his dark gray one. The new outfit seemed to fit him better. "Did you buy new clothing?"

The teen looked down at his fashion choice. "Uh, yeah."

Styles changed. Norman was perturbed because his driver hadn't reportedly lately for taking Harry anywhere for shopping. Everything had just became a blank to him. "What did you do with your old stuff?"

"Well, me and Peter are about the same size. I let him look through everything before I got anything new. He suggested that I take the rest of the clothing to F.E.A.S.T."

"The charity owned by Martin Li? The philanthropist?"

Food, Emergency Aid, Shelter, and Training. That was the volunteer soup kitchen owned by Martin Li. Unknown to the public, that place was only a front for the proprietor's devious plot. The true intention was a base of operation for Li's criminal side. He was also Mister Negative, head of his gang, the Inner Demons. A kind and gentle man on the outside and a personality split monster on the inside. His powers corrupted Asian immigrants into becoming his drug dealers. He became one of Spider-man's newer foes.

Harry nodded. "Yeah, I never met him, though. Missus Parker has. She volunteers there regularly when she isn't on one of her exotic trips. I actually went there a few times."

"To drop off more belongings?"

"And to volunteer. But don't worry. I always made sure to pick up a receipt so that you could get your charitable tax deduction."

Norman was unaware of how involved his son had become. "Well, uh, that's good to hear. Volunteering is important. I'm sure you can put that on your application for Empire State University. You should also find time to shake hands with Mister Li."

Harry no longer viewed the prepping for higher education as a means of controlling. He could tell his father genuinely wanted him to continue his studies. He was glad to have his father with him.

A door opened.

"Guess all I needed was to splash my face with water," Peter laughed. He then took notice of the other residence. "Oh, hey, Mister Osborn."

"Hello, Peter," Norman greeted back. He was happy that the intelligent brunet stayed connected with his son despite his own crimes. "I trust that your studies had gone well?"

"Oh, yes, absolutely," the guest nodded. "They still are. Summer school is a better choice for me than going away for camp. It's a little dull but keeps me busy."

Harry teased, "So long as he keeps his homework out of mud piles."

"Better that than my clothing," Peter snapped back. "It's no fun walking with muddy pants or no shoes at all."

The two Osborns turned bewildered by that statement.

Peter realized what he blurted out. Growing embarrassed, he explained, "I've lost some jackets and one or two pairs of shoes. I, uh, put them down for a second to get something to clean them and then they're gone. That's New York for you."

((Newsflash: If I don't hide my clothes well enough before going Spidey, they get stolen. Happens to me on occasion. Sometimes I borrow clothes from the donation bins at F.E.A.S.T. But don't worry. I put them back when I can for other to have.))

He tried to change the matter. "It's good to see you again, Mister Osborn. Me and Harry are going to the movies and maybe hitting the arcade."

"Yes, yes. You boys have a good time," Norman nodded. He placed his hand on his boy's shoulder. "Just be sure to stay alert."

Harry smiled. "I know, Dad. I've kept my eyes on exits."

Peter smiled as well. He was glad seeing the two family members speaking without delivering any backhand comments. He then turned to his best friend. "By the way, Harr, has Aunt May given you anymore advice for driving? She's had her fair share of riding all sorts of vehicles on her exotic trips. With your dad back, I'm sure he could give you a tip or two."

Norman was unaware that his boy had taken an interest in learning a new skill. Especially one that carried such attention and responsibility. "Driving?"

"I've been taking an online course to get my Junior's license," the auburn teen explained. "I went for a Driver's Ed. course to take over summer break. I figured I should be busy, too. It's great because I'm not stuck in a hot classroom. I thought it'd be a good idea to start driving myself around, especially once I go to college. Maybe I can get a motorcycle."

The man's eyes widened. "Motorcycle?!"

"Don't worry, Dad. I know that it takes a Class M license to drive one in this state. I can only get that when I'm seventeen or right now with a Driver's Ed. course. But like I said, I'm only looking to get my Class D permit. I thought it'd be a new experience to go out of the city where there's less traffic."

Harry didn't notice how flabbergasted his parent remained. Instead, he turned to Peter and smirked. "You should get your license, too. There's no freedom like driving."

Peter laughed, "I dunno. I'm good with keeping my feet to the ground. Mud or not."

Thoughts raced and consumed Norman's mind. He remembered all the terror his son fell victim to because of supervillains. Though he was proud that Harry was studious, the possibility of his boy landing in a vehicle-related accident troubled him.

"Harry," he called. "Driving is more than learning the pedals and gearshift."

"I know, Dad," Harry replied. "There's a lot to consider like traffic laws, insurance, and registering any car. Here, lemme show you."

He pulled out his phone and opened up the Internet app.

Norman glanced at the webpage. He understood it was an official state certified driving course affiliated with Midtown High. But his mind was distracted when he spotted the new phone his son carried. He once used the latest gadgets like phones and other expensive electronics as gifts whenever he made up for canceling any plans he had with Harry. Which was more often than he would like to admit. He could see that the teen had made a major purchase while he was away.

As Harry placed away his device, he assured, "I'll show you more of the Driver's Ed. website and what I've been learning when I get back and you're done with your meetings."

The father blinked as he returned to reality. "Oh, my meetings. Yes. I must be getting back to work."

"And don't worry. Me and Pete aren't sneaking in to an R rated movie. We're just gonna kick back and watch a lot of explosions and car chases."

Now it was Peter's turn to grow confused. "Wait, I thought we were seeing a comedy."

"Not after all the dull work you've been placing in for summer school," Harry answered. "That's why we're seeing an action-packed movie. To spice up your life."

Peter reviewed all his missions that Spidey completed earlier in the week. Some involved his Spider-Cycle. "How considerate."

"Just don't nitpick everything like you always do and you'll actually enjoy it. Besides, it's not like it's a seminar on toe fungus. Even though that's right up your alley."

"Well sorry if that's not as exciting as your hobby in watching paint dry."

The two buddies smirked in between insults. They then laughed as they exited the penthouse. Harry nonchalantly waved goodbye.

Norman quietly watched as the two left. Alone in silence, he stayed in place. He was still stunned with all that his son had accomplished during his absence. Harry had matured. He recalled how they used to fall into arguments. And that was only pertaining towards the boy and his studies.

He sometimes couldn't believe how much his son had grown. Cliché, but sometimes it seemed like only yesterday that he was holding an infant. Now Harry was preparing himself to finish up Midtown High and was heading to E.S.U. He figured the aging teen would want a space closer to campus, away from the penthouse, away from him.

Norman cast his eyes towards the tank. The fish continued to swim at their own easy-going pace. Their heroic names tantalized him like an itch. Yet he was more focused on the growing young adult. He missed many days while he was out as The Goblin. And even before then. Harry couldn't pause his life just because his only parent was out. Norman understood that. Yet he couldn't help but turn glum.

"Did all Harry need to get himself together was to have his father out of his life?"

End Fish in the Tank

Author's Notes: Yes.

Mister Negative/Martin Li, see Free Comic Book Day Vol. 2007 #Spider-Man, 2007.

Food, Emergency Aid, Shelter, and Training [F.E.A.S.T.], see Amazing Spider-Man vol. 1 #548, 2008.

Empire State University, see Amazing Spider-Man vol. 1 #1, 1963.