Happy had come to this grave a lot since the accident. He has the feeling that he might have hit his head when the building collapsed, because he can't remember what happened. All he knew was that it did. It took the life of his lover May after all. It would be hard to ignore that.
Another thing he knew was that there was a boy that came to her grave more than him. Every time there were new flowers in the spot and a little note in a Ziploc bag to keep it dry. Happy never read the note, he was a strong believer in personal privacy after all. The only reason he knew it was a boy was because he would sometimes catch glimpses of him leaving.
He would always be looking at the ground, never looking anywhere else. Happy never talked to him besides the first little interaction where he said they met by a Spider-Man related incident. Never got the chance before he got up and walked away. The boy never did any harm to the grave so he didn't think it was important to interrupt whatever thing he had going on.
That was until one day.
Happy had a schedule he followed. He went every Tuesday and Thursday at 5:00 PM. Normally that was about the time the guy got done there and walked away. Today however, he was still sitting there. Happy could hear him quietly talking but couldn't pick up exactly what about. Always one to give space he never got to close. Even so, as if he had some sort of super sense, he turned around and looked directly at Happy.
There was a flash of about ten different emotions across his face, till he settled on a neutral one. Even then it seemed almost sentimental.
"Hello." His voice was small. This was the first time Happy had heard it in a while.
"Hello." It seemed like pleasantries, but somehow it felt sad. Happy couldn't place why exactly. It was like deep down he knew this random teen he had only talked to once before.
"You come here a lot." Happy said. It wasn't awkward per se, but certainly not how normal conversations feel.
"She was… important to me." It seemed like he wanted to say something else but couldn't. Like some sort of external force forbids it.
"She was to me too, a great partner." The boy was still sitting on the ground In front of the grave. He let out a small, sad chuckle.
"Yea, she would be." He seemed to almost immediately regret saying it. Happy was about to ask him to elaborate before the guy thought that it was the perfect time to go.
"I need to get back home. Sorry for taking up your time." Happy nodded in response. It felt like a weird thing for him to say. He could practically feel the emotion roll off the teen as he left. He seemed slightly panicked in the way he basically sped walk away. What by? Happy didn't know.
It was strange but the second time was stranger somehow.
It was weeks later and Happy had to go earlier due to some scheduling issue. He knew he would see the boy sitting there but it still shocked him just a little when he did. It was exactly like the last time. With his sitting there talking to the headstone while fidgeting with the plastic bag holding the note. Once again before Happy got too close he turned around. There was a tenseness in his posture every time he saw Happy.
"Hello." This time Happy was the one that initiated the conversation.
"Hey." His voice was more tired than last time, with an appearance to match. The dark bags under his eyes awakened some concern that did nothing but confuse Happy. Normally the appearance of random kids didn't affect him
"What's your name?" It seemed like the right thing to ask. If he had it he might be able to research him a bit. As much as Happy didn't like doing it this felt necessary.
"Peter." He, Peter Happy filled in, seemed hesitant to tell him. It raised a small red flag but it was easy to look past. To him, Happy was probably some random guy that happened to have an attachment to the same grave.
"I'm Happy." It seemed only right to tell him too. He waited for the small laugh that most people let out at the mostly misplaced name, but it never came. Peter just let out a breath. Happy swore he could hear a faint 'I know' but it was probably just a trick of the wind. It was rather cold out.
Now that he really looked, Peter seemed rather under prepared for the wind. If he looked hard enough he saw how he was slightly shivering under the sweatshirt he was wearing. Happy thought about the two layers he had on himself.
"Do you want another jacket?" It seemed to catch the boy off guard.
"No no it's ok." Happy knew somewhere inside him that just asking wouldn't work.
"Really? Cause I'm a little too hot with the two layers I have on right now." For show he removed the first one and laid it on the ground next to the grave as he placed the flowers he brought. He stood back up and looked at the stone. The same chiseled writing saying "May Parker" as always. It still hurt to think about the lovely woman who was underneath that stone. Before he could get lost in the thought his phone started ringing.
"I have to take this." Peter just nodded and went back to looking at the grave. He started to walk away as he answered the call. He pretended to not hear Peter as he called out about his jacket.
He assumed Peter took it soon after because he went back the next day when he had the time and saw it folded nicely with a thank you note on top of it. The handwriting was familiar, but just like everything else, he couldn't quite place why. He picked up both items as he walked away.
The third time was a few days later.
When Happy saw that Peter was there he didn't hesitate this time to walk up. As he approached the kid didn't even bother to look up. He wasn't murmuring the way he normally would. Peter was just sitting there staring at the stone.
"Peter." It was said in a way Happy hopes came across as a greeting. He wasn't too sure though, he found his voice tended to be more monotone than most. Peter just hummed in response. He hadn't looked up yet.
"Thank you for the jacket." He still didn't look. Happy thought it would be best to continue on with the charade.
"Must have left it last time." This time Peter actually turned around. There were a few things wrong though. His face was bruised and slightly bloodied. It almost looked like he split his lip and didn't clean it up well enough.
"Woah," Happy let out a breath "Are you ok?" He may not have known Peter for long but it was long enough to feel concern for the boy. Not many people happen to just wake up looking like they got into a fight.
"Huh? Oh my face," the kid still looked so tired "Yea there was a slight problem." He didn't elaborate and against Happy's best judgment he didn't want to pry. He just nodded and Peter went back to looking at May's name. They didn't talk anymore, just sat there in silence. The only thing that could be heard was the wind in the tree branches. It was getting to the point of early winter where all the leaves had fallen and the cold wind was just starting to become a real problem.
It felt like both 5 minutes and 5 hours at the same time till Peter got up and started walking away. He nodded slightly in Happy's direction while leaving but didn't say another word. Happy nodded back and that was that. Happy could’ve sworn that there were tears in his eyes as he walked past, but there wasn’t a single one that fell.
The fourth time Happy couldn’t say as much.
It was hard to tell for sure if that was what was happening when he was walking up, but once he did confirm there was no denying it. It was that sort of silent painful crying. The kind where you want to just scream but can’t seem to get your voice to work. It made Happy’s gut turn with sadness.
He knew exactly how there were hard days. Day’s where it’s easier to handle the loss and then days where it’s so overwhelming you can’t seem to even get out of bed. Of course there’s always the weight of losing someone important on your shoulders, but today it seemed like it was way too heavy for Peter.
Happy also knew how important it was to have someone there for you when it’s needed. Unlike Atlas, there was no reason to be carrying the weight of the sky alone if you shouldn’t have to.
“Hey.” He made sure to say before just walking up. He didn’t want to startle the teen afterall, that would only make things worse. And God did it hurt thinking about it. Peter really was just a teen. It made it so much worse seeing him like this. He didn’t say anything when he turned around suddenly to look up at him. Happy could feel his heart shatter at the look on his face.
His eyes were all puffy and red. He looked just so broken. It took everything in Happy not to just scoop up this random guy and drive him away from this. He looked ten times younger than anytime looking up at him with such a terribly sad expression. There were still tears running down from his eyes and it seemed like he wanted to run. There were new injuries on his face, but the other ones were gone.
“You're here,” He said like it was the strangest thing ever.
“I am.” Happy tried to keep his voice soft and hoped to god it was good enough.
“I’m sorry.” Peter seemed almost ashamed when he said it.
“There’s nothing to be sorry about. Can I sit next to you?” He nodded and he sat down on the grass. He grunted as he leaned over. They didn’t say anything else to each other for a while. Peter was still crying.
“She was my love.” Happy said after a while, still keeping his voice soft. It felt like it was barely above a whisper. There wasn’t any reason for much more in the stillness of the graveyard. It was as if even the wind thought this moment was too important to ruin. It was a little bit before the teen responded.
“She was my,” He paused, thinking Happy assumed, but what about was a mystery. “Relative.” He seemed hesitant to say even that. Something tugged on the back of Happy’s brain and it got stronger the more he talked. He explained how he was alone with no one to live with now, and how it was so hard to be without her.
Happy had to stop himself from cursing out every higher power for doing this to such a kind hearted kid. He saw the way he would always stop and pet the stray cat that hung around the cemetery when leaving. Or how he always made sure to pick up any trash around. Or the time he stayed with a grieving woman who seemed to just need a shoulder to cry on.
It was such a familiar situation he couldn’t help but almost get upset with himself. It was like trying to recall the plot of a book you read ten years ago.
Happy told Peter about his time with May. While he did, he noticed something seemed to be missing. Like there was a missing puzzle piece. One more to complete the whole picture of his memory. Like someone had ripped the photo and lost the other half.
Every time he tried to get closer the tug would increase before he had to back off of thinking about it before it would give him a headache. After he was done they sat there for longer. Peter had stopped crying but he still didn’t seem to be okay, and that was fine. From what he heard he had been through the ringer.
Eventually Peter looked at the time and realized he had to go. He said his goodbye’s, apologized again (Happy waved it off), and walked hurriedly away. Happy stayed for a little longer to pay his respects but left not too long after.
Later that night Happy laid in bed and thought more about Peter’s story. This time when he got that tugging feeling he didn’t back down. He kept pushing more and more. Like he thought it would, his head started to hurt but he kept going. Thinking about everything he could where he felt something missing. That time when Tony was alive and he had to play taxi service for someone, when he first started talking to May and how they met through someone. Even May’s death was thought about.
That’s when he hit it.
It felt like fog was blown away and the puzzle was finally finished. The missing piece was Peter Parker. There were too many things that he felt there, laying under his blankets. One was a weight that was lifted as he finally remembered and got rid of that tugging. The second was a more powerful brick that slammed into his emotional well being. He couldn't help when tears started trickling down his face as his thoughts ran wild.
Peter, who was barely out of highschool, was all alone. His only last living relative was dead and buried. If everyone was like Happy, they had no memory of him too. His statement of being entirely alone just plunged a knife of utter despair through him. Picking up his phone he searched through his contacts just hoping to see anything that was even remotely related to Peter. He came up blank.
Another thing he remembered was the powers that Peter held. He was Spider-man. Happy thought about the news articles about that hero appearing more and pulling more risky stunts to save the population of New York. That was Peter doing those things. That would also explain the wounds on his face. He could only imagine the ones he couldn’t see.
More and more thoughts flooded his head as he tried to fall asleep. He failed and managed to become more and more panicked. Somewhere out there was Peter all alone. He had to go look for him. He couldn't lay here after leaving him alone for so long.
He didn't even care if he didn't know where to start. He didn't care about anything other than finding Peter. Happy practically threw the covers to the floor as he ran out of bed. Trying his hardest to get dressed as fast as he physically could. It wasn't much longer before he was grabbing the keys and sprinting to his car. He probably looked like he had lost his mind, but that was the least of his concerns right now.
Being in this car now, being able to remember every little petty argument and conversation they had hurt. Happy would deny it, but there were tears forming in the corners of his eyes. When he found out why he couldn't remember Peter, he was ready to overthrow the world if it meant getting back at the one responsible. Turning the gear to reverse he flew from the parking space and into the night.
Tonight was possibly the worst night to live in a city that never sleeps. Every red light or car around him was stopping him from seeing the kid. Every little bit of traffic was minutes ticking by of him thinking he had nobody. Happy wished he could teleport to him and give him the biggest hug possible. If only it was that easy.
Happy wouldn't be surprised if you told him he's been driving around New York City for several hours. If he remembers correctly, he left around midnight or so. It was now 3 am as the clock in the corner of his radio so helpfully supplied. He has put in a playlist he had of all of Peter's favorites just to distract him. He couldn't tell if it was making it better or worse.
Just a few days ago, Happy was confused by this after seeing it. It was a playlist around 7 hours long of music he would never listen to. The name was only a spider emoji. Happy thought his account had gotten hacked and almost deleted the thing. He was glad he hadn't now. He barely realized he had started muttering the lyrics to JAWS by Lemon Demon (something Peter had played on repeat for a good week or so) while he scanned anywhere and everywhere for either Peter or Spider-Man.
Several more hours passed and still nothing. Happy knew it was impossible to drive down every street in one night but that didn't stop him from turning down yet another one. He was just about to give up when his phone buzzed. Being the safe driver he is, he pulled over to the side of the road to look.
To his pure delight it was a notification for a Spider-Man sighting (something else he was so very glad he hadn’t bothered to turn off.) He clicked on it and saw that it was a fight, and that most definitely did wonder’s to calm his already jumbled nerves. Delight might not have been the right word since he knew who was under the mask, but it at least told him where to look now. After scanning the website for an address, he put the phone down and sped his way over.
Only getting there after the fight was probably better for Happy’s peace of mind. He didn’t think he could see Peter get hurt. It also turned out that Happy got there at the perfect time as Spider-Man was still there, finishing reporting the bad guys he caught. He didn’t stay around long enough for Happy to get out of his car though. Luckily, if you knew where to look and track as well as Happy did he was easy to follow.
In any other situation this would be highly creepy and against code, but Peter had waited long enough. Happy couldn’t place the feelings swirling in his gut as he got closer and closer to where he could only assume the teen had been living since the incident. Somewhere between a mix of sadness, happiness, anticipation, and a dash of guilt maybe?
It was only a few minutes drive before Happy watched him climb through the window of an apartment building. He remembered him talking about it at one point and it sounded bad then, but seeing it in person was somehow worse.
He was a little worried how he was going to get in before seeing that it wasn’t even locked in the first place. The lobby smelled like a sewer and he wondered what it would be like with super senses. Probably miserable. The carpets were stained and Happy swore it crunched slightly under his feet. Gross, was the thought the took over.
It was clear this place didn’t give a single damn about who rented the place. It reeked of weed and most people seemed like they wouldn’t hesitate to mug someone. Not everyone of course, the mom in the elevator was kind and even gave Happy an apple from the bag of groceries'. Happy refused but she just smiled and insisted he take it.
Finally he ended up at the apartment that lined up with the window, apple and all. He hesitated before knocking on the door. He couldn’t help but get a little nervous when there was a fair amount of banging around inside before someone answered the door, and god did it hurt when Peter looked at him like that.
“You’re,” his voice creaked and he cleared his throat a little. “You’re here.” He said. It was clear as day that he was shocked even without the almost funny expression he was making.
“I am.” Happy saw a bit into the small apartment room and wanted to cringe. It was dark and he could already see how bad it was. He couldn’t imagine what it would have looked like with the lights on. There wasn’t even a proper kitchen and he could feel the cool autumn breeze coming from inside. A broken window was probably the culprit. He has watched him close the window after slipping in before so it wasn’t one left open.
“Why? Is something wrong with her grave?” Peter asked, his voice going up an octave with worry.
“No, nothing at all.” Happy quickly assured. The boy relaxed almost instantly, but then he winced. Happy wouldn’t be surprised if it was because of the fight form earlier. He looked around the place again and decided to let the ball drop. It’s now or never as they say. “I bet your spidey-sense is going crazy in here.” He says with a small chuckle.
Peter doesn’t find it funny, however. He looked at Happy with a mix of utter horror and astonishment. “You….” He couldn’t seem to be able to finish the question. Happy didn’t wait for him to anyway. He nods.
“I remember Peter Parker.” There’s fondness in his voice that he doesn’t bother to try and hide. At the sound of his name, tears welled into his eyes. He had never told Happy his last name. There’s a second and than he has the door wide open, squeezing the death out of Happy. He moves them more into the apartment without letting go, even as he closes the door. Happy made sure not to squeeze too hard incase it was an injury. His heart it as he hears soft sobs coming from Peter. He wonders how many times he had cried like this all alone. Happy doesn’t say anything, just letting Peter get out all he needed. Lord knows he needs it.
^*^*^
“Are you sure?” Peter asks for the fifth time. Happy just looks back at him in the rear view mirror. He was sat next to the boxes packed as full as possible with his belonging.
“Yes, I’m sure.” He says with a sigh. He’s never been more sure about anything in his life. “We both know that apartment was a nightmare. And I have a spare room.” Peter still looks slightly unsre, but doesn’t comment.
After their reunion, Happy had invited him to live with him pretty much the moment he had stopped crying. It started a new round of tears and Peter agreed with a nod of his head. It made Happy well, happy. He had started clearing out the spare bedroom he had been using as storage when he had gotten home.
It took a bit of fully convincing (he was still doing that) and significantly less packing before the boy was ready to make his way over. It was disheartening how few objects the kid had. Peter probably didn’t think Happy caught him starring at the little Lego figure longer than anything else being put in the boxes, but he had. Peter really had lost everything. At least now Happy was here, and he didn’t plan to leave anytime soon.
When they finally arrived, they both carried boxes up. Just to get that far away expression off his face, he asked Peter about something he knew the kid liked. Almost like a switch had been flipped, he started rambling and Happy just smiled and listened. He really missed this.
Getting to the door of Peter’s new room he had let him himself open the door. It was worth it to see his face as he looked around. Happy had spent the night before buying anything he thought Peter would like. He may have pulled an all nighter just to make sure everything was perfect. It took only a minute or two for them to set the rest up. Peter laid on the bed, and as Happy was leaving, whispered a small thank you.
“Of course.” With that he closed the door and went to the kitchen to prepare lunch. Feeling one hundred percent better knowing that Peter was and that he was safe.
^*^*^
“You ready?” Happy shouted out near the front door.
“Yep! Just give me a second.” Peter yelled back from his room. Suddenly he heard a door open and close and Peter come running. He was wearing his nice clothes, so was Happy for that matter. They were doing something they hadn’t had the time to in a while.
It was a quite ride to the graveyard. Not a bad silence, but one that still felt wrong to disturb with talking. Happy put the playlist on and turned it up a tiny bit. Peter seemed to recognized what it was and started humming along. When they finally arrived it was only a small walk to where May laid. They both had a bouquet of flowers and Happy noticed something as they set them down.
“What happened to those notes you were writing?” Peter looked up at him from where he was crouching and smiled.
“I don’t need to write them anymore. I have you now.”