The Tangled Webs of Bonds

Because humans live together socially, they make rules to guide their lives together. Which also means that there are forbidden things they can’t do. Forbidden relationships, forbidden deals, forbidden deeds, and more. It is deemed necessary so that humans can live peacefully together.

It is certainly complicated, even for Peter Parker, now known as Peter-Two by his lovely little brothers.

In his opinion, rules, laws, and morals, serve as guidelines that he can follow but also not to follow for certain occasions. His Spider-Man activities are breaking the law, in a way, but he still keeps doing it anyway.

So, for his continuous meeting with his little brothers from multiverses…

“NO!”

“Peter—”

“Ouch, it is too hot? I’m sorry—” Peter-Two snaps out from his daydream when Peter-Three jumps out from the bath filled with warm water. The oldest shakes his head, he really needs to focus for now.

“It isn’t that hot,” Peter-One comments as he checks the temperature of the water using his bare hand.

“His skin is still sensitive, it is hot for him,” Peter-Two comments as he turns the tap to pour cold water. Peter-Three is backing up against the wall, thankfully, not running away but he doesn’t seem fond of the idea of taking a bath.

With his slimy and sticky situation though, he really needs to take a bath. 

“I’m still hungry…” Peter-Three lets out a whimper.

Peter-Two can tell that the middle brother is slowly regaining his lucidity, based on how he can form a sentence now. But, he isn’t fully aware yet.

“Of course,” Peter-Two responds. Eating three cans of food and a bag of crackers will be nowhere near enough to fill Peter-Three up. His body used a massive number of calories to undergo twice mutation phases. The oldest turns at the youngest. “Do you think you can find more food? You can ask the wizard for help if you need to.”

Peter-One doesn’t look thrilled. Peter-Two can feel anxiety through the bonds, from both of the little brothers. “Well, I can try to ask him,” Peter-One tries to sound casual but he is clearly nervous. Peter-Two pats his shoulder tenderly.

After all, he doesn’t think that that strange wizard will let Peter-One travel outside to find more food, there is a risk that he suspects him of running away. Or let alone using the portals, that is even more suspicious. Peter-Two wants to ignore the wizard, more than anything, because he has no right to decide what is wrong or right for him and his brothers.

But, again, as a fellow superhero, Peter-Two understands that Strange is only doing his job. He can’t really blame or hate him.

In short, it is Strange’s responsibility to feed them until they clear their so-called problems. In fact, Strange has indeed fed Peter-Two while he waits for his brothers’ mutation for the first round.

He isn’t that bad… just moody.

“I will find more food, please wait for me, okay?” Peter-One explains to Peter-Three, in a more childish way so that the middle brother can understand him.

“Don’t leave me too long,” Peter-Three replies with an honest expression. “I don’t like this place… or that old man- wizard…” the middle brother frowns, stuttering a little bit.

Peter-One chuckles softly, but Peter-Two can hear some wetness from his voice. “Right, I will come back soon!” he says with a forced cheerful smile then he goes outside of the bathroom.

“Come on, Peter, you need to take a bath,” Peter-Two coaxes the middle brother who just stares at the door and it seems he is missing Peter-One’s presence already.

Peter-Three nods obediently and takes a dip in the now lukewarm bath. The oldest helps him to wash his reddish skin, the middle brother whimpers every now and then because the soap must be sting. But, he is doing a great job at holding on and not protesting anything.

“You are sad…”

Peter-Two blinks and pauses at scrubbing Peter-Three’s hair.

“Little Bug is sad too…” Peter-Three continues solemnly. “Are we going to be separated?”

Peter-Two thinks that Peter-Three must be extraordinarily bright as a child because even though he is still on his way to being fully lucid, he is already processing the situation this quickly. The oldest continues to scrub Peter-Three’s hair gently, trying to remove the goo as much as he can. “Maybe… but I will try my best to stop it.”

“You will?”

There is a sound of innocence that has been non-existent from the normal Peter-Three. It pains Peter-Two to hear that because it shows how much Peter-Three depends on him-

No, it shows just how much Peter-Three wants them to stay together with them, even if it means he has to be an idiot to hope for that chance.

But, who is Peter-Two kidding? If he thinks that he can destroy the multiverses for his brothers, there is nothing he can do for the sake of his brothers.

“I will try my best,” Peter-Two finishes scrubbing Peter-Three’s hair. “Close your eyes.”

Peter-Three follows his words obediently as Peter-Two rinses his hair. The middle brother wipes away the water from his face and his eyes. “I will help you,” he says with such a clear and honest voice.

Peter-Two smiles softly. “I know you will.” The oldest thinks that Peter-Three is done with his bath, only a few rinsing of his body will finish the job. “Now, let’s finish your bath.”

Peter-Three nods with a small smile.

0o0o0o0

Peter-One never thinks that he is a rebellious type, not really. He has been known as a nerd and geeky child, always following the adults’ words. Though, ever since he became Spider-Man, he loved to follow what he thought was right. It led him to go against the adults’ words a few times and also resulted in a few idiotic mistakes—

Right, that is a definition of being rebellious.

But, from his mistakes, Peter-One learned a lot and grew better, or at least, he believes so.

“Are you robbing my pantry now, kid?”

Peter-One turns around with a sheepish smile. His spider-sense warned him about Strange’s presence a few seconds ago, but the youngest Spider-Man is still busy taking everything edible from the cabinets in the kitchen. “Peter-Three is really hungry, I’m hungry too… I believe Peter-Two must be hungry as well, so excuse me,” he pauses as he studies Strange’s expression.

That face doesn’t look good, like, he is holding back something.

“Uhm… I will pay you back when I can! Or… I can go back to my apartment—”

Strange sighs and shakes his hand. “I’m amazed that you can still think about food in this kind of situation… Whatever, just take what you need, don’t take everything though.”

Peter-One nods and puts a cartoon of cereal back into the cabinet. He blinks as he studies Strange’s tired face. “Is there a problem… Sir?”

Strange gives him a glare and Peter-One grimaces a little bit. Well, right, his brothers and he might have been such a handful mess for Strange to take care of in the past few days. Not to mention the last problem.

The fact Spider-Man brothers have been traveling through multiverses continuously.

“I just have a hard time understanding that… how come you continue to play around with the multiverses lightly like that,” Strange pauses and glares at Peter-One a little bit. “You, from all of people, should understand the danger of that.”

Peter-One can’t say anything back and he frowns down.

Right, even though Doctor Strange has spotty memories about the multiverses incident, through the past few days, he must have put clues together. Not to mention, Peter-One doesn’t know whether Peter-Two has said anything to Strange or not while the youngest and the middle brother undergo the mutation phase.

Right, it is true. From all of the people, Peter-One exactly understands the risk of meddling around with the multiverses. But, still—

“I’m really sorry—”

Peter-One stops speaking abruptly when he can see a blur in front of him, and by the time he notices, Peter-Three has landed in front of him, shielding him from Strange. It seems the middle brother has jumped and walked on the ceiling for a little bit before he landed there.

His pose reminds Peter-One when the middle brother met Strange for the first time.

Angry and protective.

“Don’t dare you corner my little brother alone.”

Strange turns around to see that Peter-Two is standing behind him with a disapproving face. No, he is angry.

Really angry.

Peter-Two walks past the wizard while locking his eyes on him, then approaches Peter-One.

“I’m not cornering—Oh, forget it.” Strange sighs, it seems he gives up on defending himself. “Now that the three of Spider-Man are here, should we have a talk now?” Strange changes his tone to a bit more professional, rather than being tired and pissed like before.

“I guess-“ Peter-One pauses talking when he can hear a loud growling voice in the kitchen. He touches his stomach first then he sees that Peter-Three is doing the same. The middle brother looks at the pile of food that Peter-One has gathered on the kitchen island with a hungry expression.

“We can do it while we eat, can’t we?” Peter-Two suggests the idea, looking less angry.

Strange’s tired expression comes back as fast as it went. He gestures at the pile of food as he sighs. Peter-One smiles sheepishly at him.

0o0o0o0

It is a bit strange to be hungry but also not really have an appetite to eat. Peter-One nibbles on the simple sandwich that Peter-Two made for him, simply using butter and sugar. Peter-Three has long finished his portion of the sandwich and he is eating dry cereals right now.

Peter-Two simply has a cup of water and is probably too upset to eat anything.

And Strange is sitting across him with a complicated expression.

It seems the two of them are having a cold war or something. There are no words passing around, but Peter-One can feel the tension.

“I won’t beat around the bush, so I will say it directly to the point,” finally Strange opens his mouth with a serious expression. “The three of you need to stop using the portals to meet each other.”

Peter-One almost chokes on his sandwich. “Uhm… but, can we…” Peter-One doesn’t know what to say.

Yes, he knows how dangerous meddling with the multiverses is. His late aunt died because of it—

“Can you please elaborate on why we can’t do that?” Peter-Two asks back. “I do not fully understand the danger of what we have been doing.” His expression is cold and serious. Peter-One remembers that Peter-Two can be that scary sometimes.

Strange sighs as he leans on the kitchen island further. “Ever since the previous incident, involving your dear little brother,” he gestures at Peter-One with a bit sarcastic tone, “the multiverses have been not stable. There are various cracks not only in this universe, but also, in you two’s universes,” Strange points at Peter-Two and Peter-Three. “Those cracks are dangerous, this universe could collapse or merge with other universes, or the enemies can use it to cross over in and out of the universe and spread terror further… the possibilities are endless.”

Peter-One doesn’t want to imagine that scenario. The enemies from this universe alone are already a lot to handle, combined with Peter-Two and Peter-Three were really catastrophic--- and it can be worse than that—

“Then, based on your words, the cracks are already there, aren’t it?” Peter-Two points out. “Are our portals making another crack like that?”

Strange pauses. “Not exactly—”

“Then, what is the problem?” Peter-Two cuts his words, rudely, which is something unlike him.

Strange takes a deep inhale, seemingly trying to hold back from lashing out. “It isn’t as simple as that,” he breathes out with a deep frown. “I already said that, being buddy-buddy with counterparts from other universes, that alone isn’t normal. The three of you share the same name, the same fate, and the same existence. You all being together are enough to put the universe you are staying in disturbance.”

Strange pauses and sighs again. “Not to mention, do you think when crossing to other universes, you won’t bring any effect to that said universe? You will bring a butterfly effect, purposefully or not, you may not feel it now but once the typhoon hits you, it will be too late.”

Peter-One can’t say anything about that. While the rules and concepts about multiverses are foreign to him, he can understand Strange’s concern. Still, something is raising his curiosity. “So… it isn’t normal for us to be friendly… to be brothers? If it isn’t normal then… why…?” Peter-One motions to his brothers and him.

“Normally, people that are sharing the same existence will fight against each other, unconsciously, because it is against nature to have multiple od the same existences in one place. Do you really think the universe needs three Peter Parker-s at the same time? Or three of me at the same time? No, it doesn’t work that way,” Strange explains further then he sighs. “Probably the three of you are just… that friendly naturally. I don’t understand either.”

“Then… since we aren’t fighting each other for the same existence, won’t that be fine?” Peter-One asks carefully. Strange glares at him so the youngest shuts his mouth quickly.

“As I said before, the longer the three of you are together in the same place while sharing the same existence, that alone is putting the universe in imbalance. And every time you, so casually, cross another universe, you are going to bring something with that affecting the delicate balance of the other universe,” Strange repeats his explanation from before with a frustrated expression. “Look, I don’t like to be the bad guy in this situation either, but I need to “

Peter-Two hits the kitchen island so loudly that everyone is being silent in shock. Even Peter-Three stops chewing.

“Is it really that dangerous?” Peter-Two asks with a very cold expression. “Or are you simply blaming us for the already-imbalanced-multiverses? Are we really, seriously, truly worsening the situation, or what you have been saying are all just possibilities for a doomed future?” his tone getting higher and higher before the oldest is practically shouting by the end of his sentence.

Strange is stunned a little bit then he regains his composure. “If the multiverses are thrown into disarray, not only this universe, your universe, and other universes will end,” Strange shouts back angrily.

“Honestly, with this universe, and our universes, being cracked and imbalanced, it is already in danger of being thrown into disarray at any time given, isn’t it? I bet we aren’t the only ones who have been meddling around with multiverses either,” Peter-Two retorts back.

Strange shuts his mouth and he glare at Peter-Two.

It seems Peter-Two hits a sore spot.

“The fact that you didn’t know that we have been traveling across universes all this time, means that what we have been doing isn’t dangerous enough to be noticed by you. If it isn’t because Peter-One came to ask for your help, you wouldn’t know all of this.” Peter-Two looks at Strange angrily.

Peter-One can feel through their bonds that someone is getting worked up, and that is probably Peter-Two. There is anger mixed with fear and sadness.

Peter-One approaches the oldest and taps his shoulder. He understands Peter-Two’s anger but he also can understand Strange’s concern. Peter-Two’s anger deflates a little bit, and his expression softens.

“Sir, I know that… you are concerned about the balance of the multiverses. It must be hard for you to consider it as your responsibility and it might anger you that the three of us have been meddling with the multiverses carelessly, but…” Peter-One stops as his voice breaks. His eyes start to get glassy.

The few months before he met his brothers again… were incredibly hard.

Without anyone as his support, trying to survive all alone, trying to rebuild back his destroyed life all alone—

Peter-One used to cry every night, every day.

Regretting the stupid mistakes he has made, crying for the forgotten memories of other people about him, and despairing over his broken superhero dream that left him in shambles. Only by then, did he understand just why Tony’s reluctant to let him join dangerous missions. Just why did he always ask him to just be the ‘friendly neighborhood Spider-Man’ and not let him pursue further than that? Peter-One only understood that much later.

Though, Peter-One with his stubbornness, always rebelled and went against Tony’s wish.

Now, Peter-One wholly understands.

Being a superhero sucks. Being Spider-Man sucks.

He wanted to hit his stupid younger self, who dreamed of being a superhero.

It wasn’t dreamy at all.

It was painful, bloody, and grimy.

But, admitting that he was regretting being Spider-Man meant that he has been living his life in vain, so Peter-One never did that. He was so close to that.

Until he met his brothers again.

“Is it… really that wrong?” Peter-One asks Strange with a breaking voice as he gulps down his sob. “I promise I’m going to listen to your words, I won’t do something out of my capability… but I just… I just want to stay together with my brothers, I—” Peter-One stops when someone is enveloping him in a warm hug.

“Little Bug…” Peter-Three softly whimpers as he hugs Peter-One tightly. The youngest hugs him back and lets out his tears.

Then, he hears a soft growl.

“Don’t make my little brother cry, you shitty wizard!” Peter-Three shouts back as he is still hugging Peter-One protectively. The youngest is confused a little bit by Peter-Three’s sudden change of mood, but he understands that the middle brother is simply following his instinct.

“Who made who cry?” Strange squints his eyes in annoyance.

“People keep blaming us even if we don’t intend to harm anyone! We aren’t bad people! You should keep your eyes on bad people, not us!” Peter-Three shouts again at Strange. Peter-One taps the middle brother to release him from his protective hug because it is a bit embarrassing in front of another member of the Avengers, but Peter-Three ignores him.

“Can you please shut up? If you can’t use your head for at moment, just shut your mouth,” Strange raises his hand at Peter-Three.

Based on how Peter-Three is talking like an immature child is a dead giveaway that he isn’t there yet.

“I can use my head just fine… it is… only a little bit cloudy,” Peter-Three admits reluctantly as he pouts.

The wizard sighs.

“You see… we don’t intend to bring harm to anyone or the multiverses,” Peter-Two starts to speak again, this time softer but solemn. “But, you are asking us to stop crossing the universes to meet each other. I can’t do something like that.” Peter-Two closes his eyes then he opens it again. His face is dead serious.

“If you really want to stop me, then you have to kill me first.”

Peter-One is stunned to hear that, the rest of the people in the kitchen seem to be the same.

“Don’t talk about death that easily in front of me, especially not after your brothers’ efforts to keep you alive,” Strange warns Peter-Two, looking insulted. Peter-One wonders whether that is the doctor's part of him speaking up.

“I can sense my brothers’ emotions even across the universes, I can’t stand to know their emotions, their pains but unable to meet them-- if you think that what we have been doing is so wrong… then you better kill me off first…” Peter-Two continues again with a sorrowful face. Then he shakes his head. “No, not only because of that… I really need them. Do you know how hard it is the be alone as a superhero? How hard it is to bargain your happiness for other people’s sake? Is it so wrong for us to be… selfish just for this once?”

Peter-Two shakes his head as his head hangs low. Peter-One wonders whether the oldest is holding back his tears.

“Big Bug…” Peter-Three whimpers and he pulls Peter-Two into his hug as well.

Peter-Two doesn’t budge, but he grabs back Peter-Three’s hand. He stares at Strange again, with serious eyes but a bit glassy. “Is there really no way… for us to stay together? To keep minimize disturbing the balance of the multiverse just by simply being together?”

Strange looks contemplating on Peter-Two’s words. His eyes soften a bit then he sighs.

“No matter what, it will be risky, there are many chances that something can go wrong and the multiverses will be in jeopardy…” Strange warns them, but with a softer tone. “But, you are right, what I’m saying is mostly just probability. The multiverse is in delicate balance already, the cracks are there, and some people messing up with multiverses other than you all… Frankly speaking, whatever the three of you doing aren’t adding up the risk that much, probably.”

Strange looks annoyed but he sighs again. “But still, like I said, there are many chances that something can go wrong, are you okay with that? If something really does happen because of the three of you, then you all need to bear responsibility for that.”

Peter-One blinks in surprise, he doesn’t think that Strange is going to change his mind, not that easily. Then again, in his previous incident, even though Strange disapproved of Peter-One’s decision to change the fate of the nemesis from other universes, in the end, Strange still cleaned up after his mess.

Doctor Strange isn’t such a bad person after all.

“So, you will allow us to stay together?” Peter-One asks again for confirmation.

Strange huffs exaggeratedly and gives them an annoyed expression. “With a lot of terms and conditions applied,” he adds. “I will make you regret ever being born if you violate that.”

Peter-One’s mouth agapes a little then he tries to control his excitement.

He can’t believe it…

Doctor Strange is allowing him to stay with his brothers—

“Don’t worry, we are very good at carrying a responsibility, even if it is to the point of destroying us,” Peter-Three gives a thumb out with a smile, probably not noticing how depreciating his words are.

Well, he is just being honest.

“And the three of you need to promise to take care of yourself better. I don’t want to meet all of you too often,” Strange swats his hand at them, as if he is chasing away stray cats.

“So, we can only come here when we get sick? What if we only just want to pay you a visit?” Peter-One asks with a small smile.

Strange looks at him with an exasperated face.

“You need to see your brothers’ expressions before saying something like that…” Strange shakes his head with an annoyed face.

Peter-One checks on his brothers’ faces, and they only give him sheepish smiles. What did Doctor Strange mean by that?

“Still, regardless of the reasons, I don’t want to meet the three of you too often,” Strange says again with a tired expression.

Peter-One thinks that seems fair. Because, overdoing something is different for each person, but in the end, anything excessive isn’t good. So, the youngest nods in agreement.

0o0o0o0

“There are so many rules…”

“You said that you are good at carrying responsibility.”

“Yes, but this is different.”

The wizard gives him a look that makes Peter-Three feel like he is a complete idiot. His brain fog is getting clearer as time passes now, but sometimes he is still thinking too slowly. The middle brother hits his head in frustration before Peter-Two holds his wrist to stop him.

“Don’t worry, I will remember all the rules for you,” the oldest comforts him and pulls Peter-Three’s hand down.

“I think I get it too,” Peter-One raises his hand like a student. “So, to summarize the rules. First, each of us needs to spend time in our own respective universes every day, which means that we can’t leave our respective universe for a long time… like right now?” Peter-One trails off and motions to his older brothers while looking at Strange in confusion.

“Because of that I spent my time to reduce the impact—you get it, the sooner you two can go back to your universes the better, continue,” Strange shakes his head, seemingly refusing to explain further of what he has been busy to do.

Peter-Three feels a bit appreciative for that only to remember probably something like that is this wizard’s duty in the first place.

“So, we need to live our respective lives in our own universes every day, which we already have been doing,” Peter-Two explains it further for Peter-Three. The middle brother nods as he processes that information.

“The second, it is forbidden to bring non-existing technology or things into the said universes from the others, like example money, is that right?” Peter-One rechecks again to Strange.

The wizard nods again. “The butterfly effect can be started with something small and trivial. Who knows? Maybe even the technology to print the money is different for each universe. Not to mention the serial numbers. It is included in other trivial things, like smartphones to detergent. If it is something that has been confirmed to exist in the three universes, then it is okay.”

“But, doesn’t that mean that it includes everyday things like clothes or shoes?” Peter-One frowns. Strange nods and the youngest groans softly. “Ugh, it sounds troublesome…”

“It is troublesome but doable,” Peter-Two concludes. “Maybe it will be easier to prepare clothes and things to use for the three of us that originated from the respective universes. Like, for the moment, you can wear my clothes when you are in my universe.”

Peter-Three has a hard time to following this one rule because it seems hard to apply it. But, if it means that he can wear Peter-Two’s clothes without looking strange, he is happy about it. The oldest looks at him and it seems he can’t understand why Peter-Three is happy about it.

Even with the bonds, there are things that they can’t understand from each other.

“I see, that seems doable,” Peter-One looks excited too, but he is trying to hold it. “Uhm… my clothes may be too small for you two, but we can always turn to a thrift store…” the youngest seems satisfied with the future plan.

“Okay, then the third rule, it is forbidden to tell the existence of the portals to the others. Always keep the portals off whenever not in use… We know about this already,” Peter-One gives some side eyes at Strange. The wizard is completely looking down on them.

“Continue,” Strange doesn’t seem disturbed by Peter-One’s side eyes.

“The fourth rule is it is forbidden to let unrelated people know the existence of multiple Peter Parker-s,” Peter-One pauses. “Unrelated person is… who? Anyone?”

“Everyone else, if it is possible. Even from the other Avengers, if it is possible, unless for special circumstances,” Strange sighs. “I don’t want to deal with superheroes having different opinions and then fighting each other, again.”

“What about… uhm… someone important to us?” Peter-One asks again in a small and timid voice.

Strange gives the youngest a disapproving look. “Keep them in the dark as much as possible is better to keep them safe.”

“Right…” Peter-One deflates.

Peter-Two doesn’t look happy, but he seems neutral about it. Peter-Three pulls his sleeve to get his attention and the oldest only gives him a small smile. The middle brother doesn’t think he has anyone that he can talk about his brothers, so it doesn’t affect him that much.

Not even his Aunt May knows about his identity in Spider-Man. So, for now, there is no one.

But, for his brothers. They have their MJ-s, though their relationships are all complicated.

Well, they can bend the rules a little bit if they need to. Strange doesn’t need to know about everything.

“So, in conclusion, please prevent bringing a problem from one universe to the other universe. Yes, a problem is a broad saying, you can interpret it however you want. The three of you need to follow the rules to lessen the possibility of creating a butterfly effect,” Strange explains again.

Peter-Three frowns a little bit. Because he knows that he is a bundle of problems, it is a bit hard if Strange forbids him to bring problems to other universes, because Peter-Three is the problem.

Like right now, he knows that there is a gap in his memory. He can’t understand his condition right now and this whole situation is a bit strange…

The middle brother notices that the wizard is looking at him with observing eyes. Peter-Three blinks in confusion.

“We get the gist of it, don’t worry,” Peter-Two pats Peter-Three tenderly while reassuring the wizard.

“Well, if you say so…” Strange has this weird expression as if he has low expectancy for them but he doesn’t say anything else.

“We can’t promise that everything will be alright, but we will do our best to not to trouble you,” Peter-One says with a determined expression.

Strange only nods with an exasperated face.

Peter-Three can’t say anything, unlike his brothers.

His brain is still refusing to work normally. But, aside from that, he has nothing else to say.

For him, he doesn’t really care that much whether what they are doing is putting the multiverses at risk or something like that. As long as he can stay with his brothers, that is what matters.

“And you, I need to talk to you, privately,” Strange gestures at him out of the blue. Peter-Three points at himself in confusion and Peter-Two steps forward to shield him.

“What do you want to talk to him? And why do you need to talk about it privately?” Peter-Two sounds angry.

And from the bonds, Peter-Three can tell that the oldest is indeed angry.

“Just because he is a bit delirious right now, that doesn’t mean you can violate his privacy. This is for his own sake, don’t worry, I won’t harm him,” Strange huffs.

Peter-Two looks at Peter-Three reluctantly. Peter-Three can sense his worry. Peter-One pops up beside him, having the same expression.

“I will be okay, I will scream if he does something to me,” Peter-Three pats his brother with a smile then he follows the wizard to the hallway where they can converse alone.

The truth is Peter-Three is scared and nervous. He wants his brothers to stay at his side, but something inside him tells him that he needs to stop troubling his brothers that much.

“Being oblivious is bliss, indeed,” Strange says with a quieter tone, different than before. His expression is serious and a bit solemn, but at least, it doesn’t seem that he is angry. “I don’t know whether you are in shock and in the middle of processing everything or you are simply blocking your memory to cope.”

Peter-Three doesn’t know how to respond to his words.

“But, your brothers stayed with you, being unconscious along, for whole two days for your sake. So, I need to warn you,” Strange points out at Peter-Three’s chest.

“You need to win against your darkness, with your own strength, so that your darkness won’t travel through the bonds over to your brothers.” Strange shows up a little white marble on his finger, suddenly appearing there like magic. “If you think you are ready, break this marble with your hand, then, the chance for you to finish the fight will come.”

Strange throws the small marble to Peter-Three. He catches it by reflex and stares at it in confusion.

“I don’t quite understand what you just told me…” Peter-Three mutters, but deep inside he doesn’t feel comfortable. It feels as if Strange can see him through like an open book.

“You will get what I mean once you can use your brain fully again,” Strange swats his hand and turns around to go back inside the room.

Peter-Three is only standing there with a confused face, his eyes looking at the small white marble on his palm.

0o0o0o0

Peter-Two is anxious about what Strange has said to Peter-Three, but the wizard pulls him to the side, asking Peter-One to give them a space.

“Don’t forget that you were the reason why we are all here now,” Strange looks at him seriously.

Peter-Two shrugs. “As if I can forget about that.” However, it does seem like years ago he came here with a massive nosebleed and a splitting head.

“Listen to me, you are a natural at controlling and creating bonds,” Strange reminds him again. “What you did at helping your brother in subconsciousness, even with the bonds, that isn’t an easy thing to do.”

“So, it means, I can mess things up again if I’m not being careful?” Peter-Two guesses. Strange gives him a look and Peter-Two just gives him a blank stare.

“You are level-headed and composed, but when it is about your brothers, you are really extreme,” Strange says. Peter-Two doesn’t know whether it is a complaint or criticism. Probably the former.

Indeed, Peter-Two chose death twice for his brothers’ sake in front of Strange.

Maybe, he is indeed that extreme.

“If only you are a tad bit evil, you might turn into a supervillain who can destroy the multiverses. But, instead of doing that, you will destroy yourself first.”

Peter-Two is a bit surprised to hear that. He doesn’t know that Strange can read him that much—

“What I mean is, you need to be aware of what you can carry and stop pushing your limit. Don’t test your bonds, don’t test things that you can do with your bonds. I warn you.”

Peter-Two blinks then gives Strange another blank stare.

“I can’t promise something that I don’t intend to keep,” Peter-Two simply says.

Like what he did with Peter-Three. If something like that happened again, Peter-two won’t just sit and do nothing. So, he can’t promise Strange anything.

“If you can’t do it for your own sake, then at least please think of what your brothers will do if something happens to you,” Strange gives him an exasperated look.

Peter-Two pauses at that. The faces of his brothers when he woke up after being unconscious for a whole day popped up in Peter-Two’s mind.

“Okay… I will try, but I still can’t promise you anything,” Peter-Two says once again. He can’t give an empty promise, especially not to someone like this strange wizard.

Strange gives him a look that says he doesn’t expect anything from him. He walks passes him without saying anything else.

Something inside Peter-Two tells him that what Strange warns him is quite foreboding. Something bad is going to happen to his brothers, maybe? If it does then… it is true that Peter-Two won’t just sit by and do nothing.

For now, something like that is impossible for him.

0o0o0o0

Peter-One can tell that Strange has said something serious to his older brothers because their emotions become complex, the youngest can feel it through their bonds.

But, they don’t explain anything to him or to each other, so Peter-One can’t ask them anything.

He has learned something from this chain of incidents though, that it is better for them not to hide anything from each other. But, still, there is the right time and occasion for everything, so he will confront them about this later, not here, not now.

“Thank you very much for your help, I need to express my gratitude to you at least once,” Peter-Two gives a small smile at the wizard. “I owe one for you.”

Strangely, Peter-One can tell that Peter-Two doesn’t favor Strange that much. His tone feels a bit too professional to be completely sincere.

Based on how Peter-Three is giving him a sour look, Peter-One understands that none of his older brothers are fond of this wizard.

“I don’t need the chit-chat,” Strange shakes his head with a tired look. “Just go away, you all troublesome kids.”

“You don’t need to tell me twice,” Peter-Two nods as he walks through the doors.

“Ah, wait—Thank you, Sir, I will pay you a visit soon,” Peter-One says quickly to Strange before he hurries up to follow the oldest, also not forget to pull Peter-Three along with him.

Finally, after almost 5 days of staying at New York Sanctum, they can go back to their own place.

They walk the way back without saying anything. Peter-One is still in the process of taking in everything.

There are a lot of things that have happened in the past 6 days.

So many things… really so many things…

Peter-One realizes that they have arrived at his place and he pulls out his key from his pocket. Once he goes into his apartment, Peter-One wants to sprawl on the floor immediately, but he barely holds on.

“I’m hungry…” Peter-Three mutters as he sits on the floor. Seemingly too tired to move. It is surprising that all of the foods he has consumed in the past hour is still lacking for him.

“I’m really sleepy…” Peter-Two is walking with heavy steps to the portal device.

“I’m both hungry and sleepy…” Peter-One admits as he crouches on the floor beside Peter-Three.

“Come in, you can eat anything edible from my place… I’m going to sleep,” Peter-Two says as he passes the portal.

Peter-One helps Peter-Three to stand then they walk with heavy steps into the portal together. Once they come across the portal, Peter-One sees how Peter-Two has curled up on the floor, seemingly too exhausted to even go to bed.

Peter-Three is walking slowly to the kitchen, rummaging through the fridge.

“Peter… don’t you think you need to eat something? We haven’t been eating properly for two days as well…” Peter-One reminds the oldest. The fact that the two of them have been unconscious for two days together with Peter-Three, is shocking news but it answers why Peter-One feels so hungry.

“Urgh… give me 5 minutes…” Peter-Two whimpers a little bit with a frown, refusing to open up his eyes.

Peter-One understands that being unconscious is different from getting proper sleep. Not to mention, they really went through a lot.

A lot of things.

From Peter-One got poisoned.

Peter-Two had a massive nosebleed and lost consciousness.

Coming to Strange for help while opening their secret.

Peter-Two has been hiding the fact that he could feel his brothers’ emotions and he was suffering because of it.

Peter-Two refused to cut his bonds.

Peter-One and Peter-Three eavesdropped everything and Peter-Three lashed out at Peter-Two.

Peter-One and Peter-Three decided to undergo a second phase mutation to bond back with Peter-Two.

Peter-One and Peter-Three dealt with their respective spiders.

Peter-Three turned into a monster.

Peter-Three turned back into a human.

Doctor Strange confronted them about the danger of their continuous meetings.

“Ugh…” now that Peter-One remembers back of everything, he lays down beside Peter-Two.

Right, it is too heavy to process everything now. He is so tired.

“Eat, eat first, then sleep.”

Peter-Three is crouching beside them, putting food on the floor near them. He nudges Peter-One so the youngest opens his eyes again. He sits on the floor and then rubs his eyes sleepily.

“Come on, Big Bug… I’m tired too.” Peter-Three is shaking Peter-Two’s body harder.

The oldest wakes up with a groan. He is sitting on the floor as well, not bothering to open his eyes.

Peter-One takes a can of corn while Peter-Three shoves a jar of peanut butter into Peter-Two’s hand. Peter-Three is eating a pack of raw instant noodles, there are a few packs more on his side.

The three brothers are eating in silence. Too tired to strike up any conversation.

Peter-Two finishes first and curls back to sleep on the floor. Peter-One soon follows, he doesn’t give a damn anymore that they are sleeping on the hard flooring without anything else. He is too tired to care. Peter-Three joins them the last and unexpectedly has the decency to take a blanket from the bedroom and cover all of them with it.

They sleep next to each other, taking comfort in the others’ presence.

“It will be rough after this… but we will be okay… at least… we still stay… together…” Peter-Two says in a slurring voice as if he isn’t lucid at saying that.

Peter-One doesn’t know what Peter-Two means by that. Rough? What will be rough for them?

But, maybe Peter-Two is talking about how they are going to process all of the trauma. Peter-One doesn’t look forward to it at all.

But, he agrees. At least, they managed to go through those ordeals and stayed together. Somehow. It was almost unbelievable.

Almost…

“Sleep, Lil’ Bug, sleep…” Peter-Three pats him when Peter-One sobs softly.

“Yeah, sleep… just sleep first,” Peter-Two says softly without opening his eyes.

Peter-One nods and closes his eyes again. He can feel how the three of them are snuggling closer to each other as much as possible.

They need each other, they need to remind themselves that they aren't alone anymore.

They are together again now, that’s all that matters. As long as they are together, they can go through anything. So, everything will be okay... eventually.

That is what is important, for now.

End