Surprise

I feel antsy to get back out there, so bystanders of the Doc Ock fight know I'm alive and well. I need Doc Ock to know how fast I can bounce back. I need all the villains to know that I always get back up. I'll still take it easy today, and just do light patrolling.

I walk out of my back door, a baggy hoodie and sweatpants on over my suit. I make sure no one is following me, or looking in my direction, before ducking into a nearby alley with no cameras. I pull my clothes off, my sore muscles yelling at me. I ignore the residual pain, and shove the outfit into my extra backpack. I throw the backpack behind a trash bin and hope to God no one steals it.

I slide my mask over my face and shoot a web to the nearest traffic light, flinging myself through the air. I immediately feel a high wash over me. I throw another web, begging for this feeling to last. The adrenaline takes over, forcing all my problems and worry to fade into the background. It’s addictive. Being Spider-Man is like flipping a coin, I’ve had my highest highs, and truly my lowest lows.

I stay low to the ground, making conversation with NewYorkers  and taking pictures. I only need today to build my image. I'm glad I wore a long sleeve and thermal underwear underneath my suit, it's freezing outside. My hands and feet are numb. I make my way out of Queens, and start approaching Long Island. As I swing off a stop light, I notice a tall redhead walking on the sidewalk, noticeably shivering.

He especially stands out, since all the other people around him are zipped up in warm black parkas. Why didn't his dad send a car to pick him up? Did he not ask for one? Why didn't he take the subway? It's too cold to walk; it will take him like 4 hours. What the fuck?

I drop myself down ahead of him and start talking to random civilians. I have to talk to a lot of people so it won't look suspicious when I go to him. I can’t have anymore targets on his head. He finally makes his way up the sidewalk, and makes his way past me. His arms are wrapped around his chest, which are lined with goosebumps. His cheeks and nose are chapped , leaving a soft rouge to his face. His curls are out of control from the icy wind.

“Hey I know you,” I say, in a heavy New Yorker accent. “Aren’t you cold sir?" He looks at me, rolls his eyes, and continues walking. Wait what?? What the hell? I walk backward to keep up with his pace.

“You okay sir?" I ask, cocking my head innocently.

“Fuck off,” he says. What? I've saved him twice, and he's never treated Spider-Man like this before. What the hell is his deal? 

“I was only trying to help sir,” I say, still walking with him.

“I don't want your help,” he sighs. “You can't brush me off all the time , just to turn around and try to be my savior."  I feel sweat drip down my neck. What did he say? What is he alluding to? Did he figure it out? Fuck. I've been so careful... Haven’t I?

“You must be really cold, sir. You’re not making any sense,” I shout out quickly, trying to change the subject. I start to walk ahead of him, and place my hands on my web shooters, ready to make my escape. I can barely think, I feel like I'm Hyperventilating. I can't fucking breathe in this mask. 

“Sorry I couldn't be of service to you today, sir," I say while aiming my arm at a streetlight, ready to shoot my web. “Just call out for your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man if you need any help,” My web connects with the top of the streetlight, launching me into the air. I quickly throw another web to the side of a building, which allows me to land on a traffic light.

I sit on the freezing metal pole and watch as Harry walks underneath me. He looks so miserable. I wish I could take him home, or go get him a jacket, but I can't draw any more attention to him. Why doesn't he call his dad? His father has never missed one of Harry's calls ever. 

I feel so nauseous. How did Harry figure out I'm Spider-Man? Did he figure it out, or was he just being a dick? My head is starting to hurt. I think I need to take a break, or I'm going to accidentally crash into the side of a bus.

I thwip myself up to the roof of a building and rip my mask up over my mouth. The cold air burns my lungs. I glance off the side of the building and spot Harry further down the sidewalk. What am I going to do? All I can do is keep denying it. I've run excuses and explanations in my head, but they all have flaws. He's too quick, and I'm not good at lying to him. I let out a frustrated  sigh, and lay down on the roof. I stare up at the cloudless sky, the icy wind thrashing against me, leaving a chill deep in my bones. Why is it so cold? 

I eventually muster up enough energy to get back up. My brain hurts from overthinking. I shoot my webs on the neighboring buildings and make my way to Long Island. I scan the crowds of people, looking for Harry. Maybe I should text him as Peter and see if he got home safe. No, that's probably not a good idea, or is it? Would he even answer? 

Over the next 4 hours, I kept tabs on Harry till he got home. I made sure it didn't seem like I was following him, but I needed to make sure he'd be okay. What if he fainted from frostbite? Or if he was kidnapped on the streets. 

He eventually made it to his penthouse. It took him a long time. The sun started to set on his walk, leaving the tops of the buildings swimming in the golden sun, and the roads cold and dark. He makes his way up to the don't, but hesitates. Why isn't he going in? He's probably freezing, even more with the sun's warmth gone. What's going on with him? He seemed really touchy earlier when I brought up his dad. Something must have happened between them.

After 20 minutes of lingering outside the building, he finally goes in. I wish I could be a fly on the wall, and follow him. Why is he so apprehensive ? Why didn’t he mention anything to me? I can't get the invasive  thoughts of all the terrible things that could happen to Harry out of my head. Every time I close my eyes I get a violent vision, leaving a sick feeling lingering in my stomach.

I can't bring myself to leave. I have to make sure he's okay. Why was he acting so weird? I have to go check on him. I'll swing up and watch through his window to make sure he's safe. I can't possibly leave without knowing.