Control

Right after the incident at the park, they both made it back to their apartment. The actuators carried their father all the way there and sat him gently in the middle of their living room couch while Norman fetched for his weighted blanket, wrapping it snuggly around the six-armed man who silently thanked him before beginning to stare off, a solemn look laid bare in his features. He was silent as Norman bundled the blanket around him, giving him a small kiss on the head before heading for one of their bathrooms that had a first aid kit so that he could tend to his wounds while Otto rested. However, the man in question was too shaken up to do so.

Ten minutes had passed, and Norman was now sitting next to Otto on the couch, cleaning and attending to his own wounds. He had just cleaned and bandaged his elbow and now moved on to cleaning the cut on the side of his head, looking into a small stand-up mirror that they kept around luckily the wound was superficial even if he bled a lot. Then again head wounds tend to bleed easily. Since the cut wasn't so deep the scar wouldn't be too bad. Not that he minded the scar, surprisingly. Back then he was pretty vain about such things, but now he could care less if he had a scar on his head or face, messed up hair when he went to work, or something of that nature.

While Norman finished up, Otto remained quiet next to him, his frown still there as he kept his head down, keeping his eyes cast downward to the coffee table right in front of him while holding his blanket tightly around him. The actuators hung low on either side of him, their claws cast downward as they rested on the floor next to their father's feet, occasionally glancing up at Otto with tightly closed claws whirring quietly under him as he continued to stare off, having too much on his mind to notice their worried glances.

Otto couldn't stop thinking about what had occurred at the park, he couldn't shake it from his mind no matter how hard he tried. He could still feel the pain in his skull from mentally holding his actuators back, a small migraine still lingering from what occurred. He could still hear the loud screeching and hissing from his actuators as they tried to attack that man causing a slight ringing in his ears that was still lingering, the silence of the room making it unbearably loud... He could still see the shock and fear in others as he glanced at them, able to see the fear in the man the arms were chasing, the fear in civilians that were around at the time... The fear in his beloved Norman as the arms tried to make him-.

Otto quickly squints his eyes shut, shaking the thoughts from his head once more his hands balling into tight fists. He stayed like this for a second before he slowly opened his eyes, his features full of pain, mirroring his exact emotions. He had never had an incident with his actuators going haywire in a long, long time. Not since before young Peter fixed his inhibitor chip. When the arms tried to attack that man in the park he couldn't help but feel like he did when his first chip had broke, when he woke up in that surgery room, surrounded by the bodies of surgeons and nurses that were only doing their jobs, trying to help him but the arms saw them as a threat and they were about to do the very same to that man at the park. He knows that the arms gained empathy after the help of young Peter, and were a lot kinder and caring of him, the brothers, and Norman now, but for a brief second, he couldn't tell the difference between the sweet and loving actuators he has now and the very actuators that attacked those surgeons in cold blood all those years ago.

Wanting to stop thinking about it, the six-armed man suppressed a sigh as he slowly glanced from the table to Norman, wanting to make sure that he was okay.

Norman had finally cleaned the wound on his forehead and was now placing a large patch on the wound to keep it from getting anything in it and to help it heal faster. After he made sure it was secure, he slowly turned to Otto giving him a small yet worried smile, reaching for his gloved hand that was still balled into a fist. "There, I'm all patched up," He whispered taking his hand into his own his causing Otto to instantly loosen it, feeling as the other gave his hand a gentle squeeze like he was proving that he was alright. He waited for a response from his love, but Otto remained silent, now holding his hand tightly in his grasp as he cast his eyes downward, almost as if he couldn't meet Norman's gaze. Like he was afraid to. Norman frowned slightly at this, letting out a small sigh and waiting a second before scooting closer, tilting and lowering his head in front of Otto to meet the six-armed man's gaze, trying to get Otto to look at him. After a second or two, his deep brown eyes finally met his light blue ones and finally, Norman began to speak. "Is there anything I can do?"

Otto was silent for a moment as he slowly looked away from him. He was hesitant at first, almost as if he was trying to find the right words. But after a second he slowly inhaled, causing Norman to perk up a bit, waiting for him to speak, feeling as he squeezed his hand tighter as he spoke. "Could you... check my inhibitor chip and see if it's okay," He whispered looking back at Norman whose brows went up slightly in surprise. "... Please?"

Norman noticed that the actuators slowly lifted, looking up at Otto for a second, before looking at him, as if they were waiting for his response. He quickly looked back at Otto, a small reassuring grin forming on his face as he gave his gloved hand a gentle squeeze once more before he spoke. "Of course, I can."

With that, Norman slowly let go of Otto's hand before standing up. He then went around the couch as Otto leaned back a bit for Norman to reach his neck staring ahead as Norman made it around the couch right behind him. Slowly, Norman peeled the blanket and Otto's turtleneck collar back, beginning to examine the inhibitor chip. He slowly glanced from the chip to Otto who had his hands balled up into fists once more, pressing them tightly on his lap, his shoulders stiff and looking as if he were holding his breath, waiting for Norman's opinion. This caused Norman to frown, looking at Otto for a few more seconds before looking back at the chip. It appeared to be in working order. There were no visible scratches or cracks in the small piece of machinery, still looking fairly as new as the day that young Peter made it, the light still glowing red indicating that it was still on. With that, he slowly rested his hands on his shoulder, ignoring as he flinched a bit, giving his shoulders a reassuring squeeze. "The chip is still working, Honey," He whispered, watching as he turned to him with slightly wide eyes, looking as if he was in disbelief almost. "The light is still glowing."

Otto released the breath that he was holding, finally releasing the tension in his shoulders as he leaned back with a small sigh of relief. The actuators slowly lowered their claws once more, but were still glancing at the two in front of them.

Norman slowly walked around the couch and sat in his spot once more, his eyes never leaving Otto. His other continued to stare off once more, his frown returning. Norman could only stare in sympathy, before slowly reaching for the six-armed man, resting a hand on his shoulder, watching as he turned to him in question. He began to rub his shoulder comfortingly, being gentle as he spoke.

"What's on your mind, love?" He questioned, watching as Otto pressed his mouth shut like he was afraid to speak once more but Norman pushed on. "How are you feeling?... You can tell me."

Otto was hesitant again, still keeping his mouth pressed shut. He wasn't feeling great about the situation, not one bit. But he didn't want to burden Norman with his issues. It's bad enough that he had to get injured by some jerk at a park and had to stand between potentially dangerous actuators to protect said jerk. But he knew that Norman is strong... and stubborn as hell and wouldn't leave him alone until they talked about it. The six-armed man let out a shaky sigh, slowly leaning forward as he cast his eyes ahead once more, his gloved hands clasped together as his elbows rested on his lap. He was quiet for a second, the actuators keeping their eyes on him as he spoke.

"... I can't stop thinking about what happened at the park," He whispered, now grabbing a hold of the ends of the blanket, pulling the weighted cloth tightly around himself. "It keeps playing over and over in my head... They never got this bad... not since before the new chip, and not since the night after the failed experiment at the hospital."

Norman frowned as he looked from Otto to the four actuators below them, watching as they lower their claws, whirring in shame. Since Norman was dead at the time, Otto filled him in on what had happened to him fully after he passed. He knew that Norman knew the jist of what had happened to him from the court readings and the witnesses, but he didn't go into full detail about what he had done under the actuators' influence, himself. Being too afraid to tell him at first in fear was what he would think of him. But eventually, he worked up the courage and told him what happened after the fusion reactor failed, telling him about what happened when he arrived at the hospital for surgery. How the arms took over while he was unconscious and attacked and killed the surgeons and nurses that were working on him and how the arms made him wreak havoc on the citizens of New York, wanting him to finish what he started. He remembered how scared Otto was when he first told him what happened, practically shaking and close to tears, afraid of what he would think of him after telling him what he had done. But Norman never thought less of him for it. He, himself had no room to judge Otto after all of the terror and pain he had caused when he was under the influence of the Goblin and the serum. He knew that a kind and honest man such as Otto would never do anything to harm the citizens of New York or the people he cared about of his own free will. So after Otto's guilt and worries laid bare before him, Norman did everything to reassure him that he wasn't mad or afraid of him and that he knew it wasn't really him that did all those things and he continues to remind him that every time he feels the guilt of his actions begin to weigh on him. But sometimes, like today, the guilt continues to pile up and weigh him down once more.

"I think about that night at the hospital," Otto began getting Norman's attention once more, snapping him from his thoughts as he listen to the other speak. "... Every waking moment I think about that night... I can't get it out of my head," He began to lean forward clutching the blanket like a lifeline as his shoulders began to slightly tremble, causing the actuators to look at their father, whirring under him in worry. "I can still see it happening so clearly... I could see through their eyes as they attacked them mindlessly... I thought it was a dream... some awful nightmare but when I came too, I was horrified that it wasn't the case... I could see the look of terror in their eyes as they run from them... their screams I heard when the anesthesia wore off still haunt me," Tears began to form in the rim of Otto's eyes letting go of the weighted blanket, letting it slide off of him as he leaned forward beginning to stare off. "I continue to think of the terror in everyone's eyes when I attacked this city. 24/7 it's is still with me," Now Otto's bottom lip began to quiver as he curled in on himself, clutching his hair with one hand and the inhibitor chip with the other. Visible pain formed in his features, his voice trembling as he spoke. "And... And I saw that same terror in everyone's eyes today when they attacked that man."

"Honey," Norman whispered, resting a hand on Otto's arm, feeling as he went stiff under his touch. "No one in that crowd at the park was afraid of you-."

"Don't lie to me, Norman!" Otto suddenly snapped glaring at the man in question who stared at him pulling away in shock and falling silent after his little outburst, his eyes only becoming glassier the longer he spoke. "I know the look of terror when I see it and I saw it in everyone! That man... The kids... the other citizens... Y-you," He all but whispered that last part watching as Norman's brow furrowed in confusion and worry until he couldn't look at him any longer, causing him to cast his eyes to the ground in pain. "They all looked so frightened... You looked frightened... And I was the one causing it."

Norman continued to look at Otto with so much concern shaking his head in confusion about to speak but Otto beat him to the punch.

"I know Harry Larry, Moe, and Flo have changed so much and for the better... But today they felt like the very actuators that took over me and caused harm to everyone and that scares me," He confessed the tears finally leaking from his eyes and down his face as he turned to Norman who only looked at him in shock. "I'm so scared, Norman... I was so sure that the inhibitor chip was malfunctioning. I know it's not broken but they still aren't listening to me and still attacked that man in a fit of rage. Even if it's working I still felt their rage go through me, making me feel like that monster I was and I'm fucking terrified!" He exclaimed, his voice becoming more frantic. "What if the chip can't even help me now? What if I couldn't have stopped the actuators in time and killed that man?! What if the actuators and I lose control again? What if I lose myself and I can't find my way back?! If I become that mindless monster again and kill everyone I-," Otto froze, looking at Norman with so much fear in his eyes, his trembling coming to a halt as he spoke. "What if I lost control and killed you?"

Norman was taken aback by that question looking at Otto with so much shock unable to speak. The actuators also looked at their father in stunned silence, before cowering under him, the thought of hurting their other dad alone made them just as worried as Otto, causing them to rattle below them almost as if they were trembling in fear. Norman took in a short breath, reaching and holding Otto's arm tightly... "Oh, Otto." He whispered, not sure of what else to say at the moment trying to find the right words to help comfort the man in front of him.

The look that Norman gave Otto was enough for him to finally break. The dam burst as he finally let out the most heart-wrenching sobs that Norman had ever heard come out of him, beginning to pull away from Norman's grasp. He pulled his glasses off with trembling hands letting them fall into his lap as he covered his face with his gloved hands, his sobbing shaking his shoulders, almost violently so.

Norman was even more worried now, his hands hovering over Otto shaking his head frantically as he sobbed, trying to rest his hands on his shoulder but he kept pulling away from his grasp almost as if he were afraid to let him touch him. "Otto?!"

"I'm sorry!" Otto managed to sob out slowly looking up at Norman, pulling his trembling hand away to reveal that his eyes were now red from crying, his face streaming with snot and tears. "I'm sorry for being a burden to you, I'm sorry for what happened at the park! I'm sorry for scaring everyone," Otto sniffled slowly reaching for one of Norman's outstretched hands holding it in his other hand, looking down at his hand with guilt on his features. "I'm sorry for scaring you."

"No, Honey," Norman whispered shaking his head, taking both of Otto's hands into his own, holding them close to his chest as he spoke trying to meet the other's gaze but Otto kept his eyes low, avoiding his gaze once more. "You don't need to apologize, Otto. What happened today wasn't your fault," He watched as Otto continued to sniffle trying to stifle his sobs so he let go of one of his hands reaching up to his face, placing his hand under his chin, lifting it a bit to make him look at him, watching his eyes hesitantly met his own. "And despite what you think, I wasn't afraid of you or them... Not one bit."

Otto's sniffling slowed a bit as he looked at Norman his features softening in confusion. "You... You weren't?"

"No, love," Norman whispered, beginning to wipe the tears from Otto's face, giving a small sympathetic smile as he spoke. "I'll admit was scared, but I was scared for you," He began to explain, looking from him to the actuator motioning to them with his head watching as they looked up at him. "For you and them. I was scared that the chip was malfunctioning also. That you were being controlled by them and that they were losing their sympathy. But don't think for one second that I could ever be afraid of someone as kind and caring as you," He watched as Otto looked at him, his features softening even more as more tears formed in his eyes, giving him a look that almost broke Norman's heart. "And sure, the people at the park may have been frightened at the actuators' outburst at first but those same people vouched for your innocence when that jerk tried to feed that cop lies about you. I know that the man I have known for decades and love dearly wouldn't hurt someone on purpose. Even if said someone was just some asshole with a stick up his ass. And I know for a fact my babies wouldn't hurt innocent people on purpose anymore," He said as he pats one of the actuators on the head. Norman then looked back at Otto who was looking at him with so much wonder but he could still see a hint of self-doubt in his eyes causing him to hold his face with both hands feeling him freeze in his touch. "You are not that monster that you say you were back then, and the actuators are not the same actuators that caused fear in others all those years ago... We still don't know what is happening with them and why they did that today but I promise you, we will figure this out together and find ways to prevent it from happening again. But please don't blame yourself for what happened today, and don't you ever, ever think that you are a burden to me because you are not! You could never be a burden to me, Otto Octavius."

Otto stared at Norman for the longest time his lower lip trembling once more as he squint his eyes shut slowly leaning forward, resting his head on his love's shoulder his arms wrapping around his waist, pulling him close while sobbing.

Norman felt Otto hug his frame close, trembling as he did so, continuing to sob into his shoulder. All he could do was smile fully wrapping his arms around Otto, resting his hands on his back, and beginning to rub circles into the side of his back and shoulder blade, whispering soothing words to him. "Sh, sh. It's alright. It's alright. You and the actuators are okay... and even if the inhibitor chip were to stop working and the arm lose control. The boys and I will stop at nothing to get the man and arms I know back, that I promise you."

Otto could only sob harder, hugging his love tighter than before hiding his head into his neck for a while before lifting his head up to speak. "Thank you, Norman," Otto whispered staring ahead as he hugged Norman close before squinting his eyes shut as he leaned into Norman's neck once more. "I love you so much... I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Of course, Honey, and I love you too. No matter what I'll always love you... all five of you," Norman whispered with a chuckle looking down at the actuators that began to slowly wrap around Norman, Flo patting his head like she always did, Larry snuggling into his other shoulder as Moe and Harry wrapped tightly around his waist. He felt Otto's shoulders continue to tremble, letting out another sob causing him to rub his back once more, placing a kiss on the side of Otto's head. "Now, do try and calm down, Honey... Just breathe okay?" He questioned feeling as Otto gave him a nod beginning to take in deep breaths but still hugging him tightly as if his life were to depend on it. "Don't worry love I got you. I'm right here."

After a while of taking slow breaths, Otto finally calmed down, his sobs reducing to tiny sniffles. Finally, Otto and the actuators pull away from the other man, Otto casting his eyes to the ground, Flo and Moe lifting the blanket back over Otto's shoulders before lowering themselves to the ground once more, keeping close to Otto's feet.

"You feeling a little better?" Norman then asked resting a hand on Otto's shoulder, watching as he gave him a silent nod, causing him to smile and give his arm a small squeeze. "Good, now that you've calmed down a bit, how's about I make you your favorite dish for dinner, hmm?" Norman questioned with a grin resting his hands on his own lap as he spoke. "You must be starving. And maybe your favorite comfort food will help calm your nerves some more."

"I'd love that," Otto whispered reaching up and beginning to wipe the remaining tears away from his face, watching as Norman got up. "Thank you, Norman."

"Anything for you hun," He whispered placing a kiss on his forehead as Otto wrapped the blanket around himself tightly watching Norman head for the kitchen. "You just sit right where you are and relax. I won't be long."

"Okay," Otto watched as he left the room holding the blanket tightly around him. "I love you."

"And I, you Otto." Norman smiled as he finally left for the other room, leaving Otto and the actuators alone with their thoughts.

A short time had passed and Otto remained in the living room still sitting on the couch in silence, able to hear Norman in the kitchen, hearing him moving kitchen utensils, and able to smell the aroma of meat and pasta, indicating that he was cooking spaghetti, one of Otto's favorite dishes. He was also able to hear Norman humming to himself as he cooked causing a small smile to form on Otto's face. He couldn't be more grateful to have someone like Norman after the passing of his beloved Rosie. He still felt like he didn't deserve to move on after her death due to his actions but he was still glad to have him all the same.

After a bit, a frown formed on his face as he reflect on what had occurred earlier at the park, thinking about how his actuators attacked that man so violently... and he still couldn't figure out why. He knew that they weren't reverting to their corrupted objective, he was able to feel their guilt for what had happened, even now. So he was confused about why they attacked that man so violently... It almost reminded him of what happened at the bank though they weren't nearly as drastic as they were today. His frown deepened as he noticed they were looking at him, their limbs still hanging low as if they were afraid to be high above the ground. Otto needed to get to the bottom of this, maybe he could as the Parker brothers to help him run a diagnostic on them, or maybe he needed to find a program to help them better manage their anger. Maybe he needed to-

Deactivate are Artifical intellegence, father.

Otto froze, blinking as he turned back to his actuators, this was the first time they spoke since the incident and he was stunned at what they said. "What did you say?"

He watched as the actuators slowly lifted off the ground to be at eye level with him. The six-armed man looked at the arms who kept their claws low in shame, now avoiding his gaze, Flo being the first to speak

Flo: Deactivate our AI and take full control of our limbs full-time, Father. It would be for the best.

His brows furrowed in confusion, shaking his head as he spoke. "What? No! No Why-Why would you ask me to do such a thing?!" He asked her, sitting up on the couch, looking at the actuators in worry.

Harry: What we did today was unforgivable. We put you and dad through so much turmoil and you both didn't deserve it.

Moe: If we were like the regular limbs from your recent project then none of this would have happened. It's for the best if you were in full control.

"I don't want you to be regular limbs!" He said in protest, looking between both Harry and Moe who lowered their claws, but still looking up at their father. "I don't want to take away your intelligence. What would Norman think? He and I would be devastated!"

Larry: We don't want to leave you or dad either, father.

Flo: But what happened today was dangerous. If dad didn't step in to stop us, there was a 75% chance that we could have gone after that man and injured him... or worse. You said that you couldn't tell the difference between us and the actuators that caused terror and force to become something you were not, and in truth, we felt the same way. What if we haven't changed that much since young Peter fixed our chip? What if we attack another person again? There are too many dangerous variables to risk. It would be in your best interest that we were stripped of our intelligence-

"No I don't care what would be in my best interest and I don't care about the statistics and variables and I don't care that you think you haven't changed because you're wrong," Otto interrupted looking at Flo who went quiet. "I'm sorry for comparing you to what you four once were. It was uncalled for, rude of me, and, most certainly, not true. You four have changed so much and for the better. I would be beside myself if you were just regular limbs that I could control 24/7 because you four are important to me, my creations... My children that I love dearly."

"Flo I love how caring you are of me, Norman, the boys, and your siblings. You took care of me back then even when we weren't in our right mind and you continue to take care of me, even now," He turned to Moe and Harry. "Moe, Harry I love how protective you are of us. Going above and beyond to keep us all safe," Otto then turned to the youngest of the arms, Larry who lowered his claw but paused when his creator placed a hand on the top of his claw giving him a small smile. "And Larry I love how sweet and creative you are. When you give me a drawing you did while I'm working always makes my day." He whispered giving his claw a little pat. Otto then leaned back watching as they all turned to him, remaining silent, almost as if they were indecisive on what to say next so Otto continued.

"I love every single one of you, flaws and all. I wouldn't trade it for anything," Otto then rested a hand on Flo's claw, his eyes becoming glassy as he talked. "So I won't take your intelligence away, I refuse... I can't lose you guys too."

The actuators stared at him for a few seconds before suddenly wrapping around his arms and shoulders. They held him tightly in their grasp giving him the tightest hug they could muster without crushing him under their weight. This caused him to stare off in surprise for a second before Flo's voice rang softly in his head.

Flo: We love you too father. We couldn't have asked for a better creator.

Otto could only smile at that, able to feel their raw emotion go through him causing his eyes to become glassy. He could feel how much they loved and cared for him, causing him to hug them in return pulling all four of their claws and hugging them tightly, small vibrations coming from them almost remind him of cats purring. They stayed like this for a while, before his smile fell a little, pulling away to look at them as he spoke. "But what happened today can't happen again. We can't lose control like that again, not ever... We could have severely hurt someone with an outburst like that or worse."

Harry: We know father.

Moe: We shouldn't have let it get that bad in the first place and we're sorry.

Larry: And we're sorry for not listening to you all week and practically clinging to dad like a lifeline.

"I know you are... I'm just having a hard time understanding why. Why weren't you listening to me? Why were you being clingy with Norman and why did you attack that man?" Otto asked watching as they lowered their claws in worry, almost like they were afraid to answer, but he pushed on. "Please... I just want to understand so that I can better help you all."

They were hesitant at first, all for of them looking between eachother before looking back at their creator who waited pateintly for their response. After a moment or two they finally looked at him, Flo being the first to speak.

Flo: Do you remember what happened not that long ago?

Moe: The incident at the bank with father?

Otto gave them a small frown and a nod, remembering that day perfectly. "Yes, I do."

Harry: Well... after seeing dad being held by knife point and being slashed... It really shook us up.

Larry: If we had been a moment later... Dad could... could have been...

Moe: Killed.

Otto pressed his mouth shut, thinking over their words. He knew they were right, if they would have waited any longer, that slash on the arm could have been a stab or two that could have ended Norman's life, and the thought of that scared him.

Flo: We were just as shaken up as you were when it happened.

Harry: And we were afraid that if we weren't around dad 24/7. Afraid that he could get hurt... or worse.

Moe: So that's why we were adamant to be around dad... even if it interfered with your concentration... and even if we were ignoring your command.

Otto was silent for a moment looking from the actuators to the ground thinking over their words. It made sense, watching Norman go through something like that would leave anyone worried for their loved one. It was no wonder they wanted to be around him so much.

Larry: We know that we were being a pain, but we couldn't help it... we were constantly worried about dad.

Moe: Even so, we are sorry for that.

"It's alright, Moe, Larry," Otto began patting Moe and Larry's claw gently. "I understand what it's like to worry over Norman, even I had my doubts about leaving his side after the incident... But I still want to know why you attacked that man so violently, I really thought the day in the park was helping."

Flo: And you were right, father. The calm and relaxing day in the park was helping... but... when that man attacked Dad... and when we saw the blood on his arm and head.

Moe: We felt like we were back at the Bank where dad was injured.

Harry: And we couldn't tell the difference between that jerk at the park and that criminal at the bank.

Otto's features soften as the realization kicked in. It all made sense now, the reason they went berserk on the man, was because they literally, thought they were back at the bank. It was no wonder they randomly called that man a criminal, they thought he was the very bank robber that attacked Norman that day and it was no wonder why they were so angry, only this time, they couldn't control it in time. He looked down with a frown, mentally kicking himself for not realizing it sooner.