Chapter 1
Peter Parker is Spider-man.
For a short time this was a common fact. The world knew it. Everyone knew it.
Peter Parker is Spider-man
And Spider-man is a murderer.
The world learned to hate Peter Parker and Spider-man. They learned a lie and believed it whole-heartedly. Spider-man killed an innocent man and the world fumed.
Peter Parker was no longer safe. Aunt May was in danger leaving the house. MJ and Ned couldn’t go to college because of their friendship. Peter’s friends and family were no longer safe.
So Peter did what he thought was his only option left. He had Dr. Stephen Strange erase Peter Parker from the world. If Peter Parker never existed, this wouldn’t have happened. If everyone forgot about Peter Benjamin Parker, no one would know who Spider-man is.
Except there is no Peter Parker without Peter Parker. Erasing him from the world erased him.
The world forgot Peter Parker.
Peter Parker no longer existed.
Thus, he was unmade.
The world darkened as the spell finally settled over their universe. The Statue of Liberty would be remade over time. MJ and Ned were strangers to one another. Aunt May was never an Aunt, dead and alone in the cemetery.
Peter Parker disappeared that day, wiped from his world with a hollow smile beneath his red mask.
“Hello, Peter. Welcome to the world.” A woman’s soft voice called Peter awake. Soft green eyes stared down at him, framed by waves of black hair tickling his face. A soft pitched sneeze shook Peter into full awareness as sounds and smells invaded his senses.
Her perfume was soft, reminding him of hot chocolate on Christmas mornings. Her heartbeat sounded strong and assuring, a consistent beat from where his ear was pressed to her chest. His senses did not stretch any further than that, blurring into black and white around him.
Who are you?
There was an irritating beeping sound coming from the left. Whatever it was was too far for him to see, he couldn’t even turn to try. The sound was familiar enough, something you would hear in a hospital or med room.
Warmth surrounded him as the woman held him closer. Peter raised a hand to push her back, seeing little chubby fingers barely reaching her face.
What the hell!?
The chubby hand turned, little fingers crunching into a tiny fist. It moved like his hand… Why was his hand so small?? Where was he?
“He’s beautiful.” A man’s voice drew his attention from the plump hand.
What was going on? Black hair and blue eyes stared down at him, entering his field of vision. The chiseled face was unfamiliar, but so was the woman’s. The man had stress lines and frown lines, dressed in a suit like Tony wore at times. A large, calloused hand reached for his face and Peter barely stopped it with his hand.
His fingers instinctively wrap around the abnormally large thumb.
Or is he just abnormally small? Peter remembered the fight… Aunt May and Green Goblin… he remembered MJ falling and… and Dr. Strange’s spell. Everything is coming back to him from the single worst day of his life. His last family is gone because of him. He was forgotten but… they called him Peter?
What’s happening? Who are you?
Peter couldn’t stop the crying, a screeching wail breaking past his lips that he couldn’t stop. The woman cooed, rocking him gently as the man’s index finger stroked his hand. The warmth and love he could feel from the couple was too much. It was too much and he couldn’t do anything about it.
He couldn’t tell them he didn’t deserve any of it. That they’ll probably end up dead soon too. They didn’t know about Parker Luck and just what would happen. Peter couldn’t stop the wailing as the woman continued to rock him.
“Shhh. It’s okay, kitten. Mommy’s here.” The woman soothed. Her voice soft as silk as Peter turned his head to her chest. The warmth felt so good despite their fate. Peter felt safe despite knowing just where this ends up.
Whatever this is, whatever the spell did… it just puts other people in danger. And somehow gave him something new altogether.
Somehow… somehow Dr. Strange’s spell turned him into a baby and these people… are his parents. Maybe? The woman called herself his mom so… Peter wanted answers. He needed answers. Peter wished he could make his mouth form the words but he could only cry. He couldn’t ask them anything. He couldn’t warn them that they were in danger.
He couldn’t stop crying, mourning for his life. For Spider-man and for MJ and Ned. For Aunt May who didn’t deserve to die. For Happy left alone without anyone. And for Mrs. Pepper and her own child, without Peter there to babysit or help around the house. For Tony Stark and everything he worked so hard for. Everything he stood for.
Peter cried until he fell asleep in the comforting arms of his new mother. Her soft voice wrapping itself in his mind with soothing promises.
–
Bruce stared at the newborn in Selina’s arms. His black hair looked dark brown in the light, the soft brown eyes closed to the world as he slept. His thumb was finally freed from the baby’s grasp but he could hardly feel any reason to move away.
His son. Peter Thomas Wayne-Kyle. He looked so much like Selina’s mother and his own father. He was perfect.
“Can I see him now, B?” Jason’s head poked into the room, Alfred standing right beside him.
Bruce hummed, moving to the left so Jason could stand beside the bed. Alfred watched from behind him, his eyes twinkling at the sight of his newest grandchild.
“His name’s Peter.” Selina whispered, shifting the sleeping babe so Jason and Alfred had a better view. Bruce watched quietly, worried to break the soft moment as his second son’s face scrunched at the sight.
“He’s small.” Jason poked Peter’s cheek, pulling back quickly when the baby squirmed. “Sorry.”
Selina laughed airly, her free hand stroking the newborn’s cheek in apology. “It’s fine. He’s not glass, Jason.”
Bruce glanced at Alfred, catching the elderly man’s eyes. Alfred smiled, a small nod of approval as Bruce felt himself relax further in the hospital room. He could never have imagined having his own children. He loves Dick and Jason dearly, but he’ll never stop regretting that he’s missed their firsts. Their firsts in a way he’ll be able to see with Peter.
Peter, who will be safe and far away from the vigilante life. Peter who will grow up loved and cared for and normal.
“He’s kinda ugly, ya know.” Jason’s head fell to the side, studying the newborn with curiosity. Selina giggled, smiling from the bed while Bruce huffed at the words. “Sorta looks like you, B.”
“He takes after his father.” Selina agreed, smiling at Bruce softly. Even after everything she went through for Peter to be here, she was as gorgeous as ever. Her green eyes alight as the smile brought a new life to her. The sweat had long since been wiped away, leaving her to look only a little bedraggled.
“He’ll be better than me.” Bruce promised. Peter won’t lose his parents, he’ll grow up surrounded by family and love. His son will have everything and Bruce will be there for it all. He’ll protect him better than he could have protected his other sons. Peter will keep his innocence and Bruce knew he would do anything to ensure it.