Quite the Change
Cold. That was the first thing Peter felt as he started to reappear in his universe. Out of the rising sunset atop the Statue of Liberty and back in the dark dismal alleyway that he had been standing in a few hours prior before helping the two other versions of him to fight off and cure five villains that desperately needed their help. But again he noticed that he was feeling quite cold, now whether that was due to the cool chilly New York air or because of his dropping body temperature as he felt more blood pouring out from the stab wound that stung and ached in his side was hard to decipher. He clung hard to the wound, pressing as hard as he could to suppress the bleeding as much as possible, but he knew that he wasn’t doing a good job as he felt himself nearly fall over from the lack of Peter 3 holding him up.
“Shit..” was all he could manage to hiss out as his knees buckled underneath him, his head swimming as he felt the lightheadedness start to kick in, great. God he was in so much pain, he was getting too old to be getting stabbed like this. Oh well, part of the price of being one of the only local superheroes for miles. He blinked slow and hard, forcing his eyes to slowly adjust to the darkness that surrounded him. “I need to get to MJ. Now.” He groaned out as he limped slowly down the alleyway. It was going to be a long walk which allowed him to reflect on the past few hours. Curiosity, hell even hope crept up his heart as he wondered if anything had changed or in the end everything was the same. The Multiverse was a complicated concept, and left many things open when it came to changes and choices, but it also left many uncertainties. He had cured Mr.Osborn and Doctor Octavius, but did that actually save them? Did it mean they were alive in his world? Or were they still gone, and living in versions of his world he would never get the chance to see? He frowned deeply, hope slipping more and more as he continued to painfully hobble down the alley. “I hope they’re alive.. I lost them once and -” Peter’s thoughts were interrupted by a thick and dark voice speaking up ahead of him, it’s tone concerned as it asked, “Peter are you okay!?” Peter froze in place and peered into the dark where the voice had come from, it sounded so familiar.. Could it be..?
“Doc? Doctor Octavius?” Peter called out, his voice ragged with exhaustion. A light chuckle bellowed out as the figure stepped out, a friendly and familiar smile plain on their face. “I thought I told you Peter, just call me Otto.” It is! There stood before Peter was Doctor Otto Octavius alive and well, it worked! It really worked! Age was apparent on the scientist's face, the past 20 years having finally caught up with him but he looked great! His dark hair had grown much thicker and more wild then the last Peter had seen him, but it gave a relaxed look to Otto and complemented well with the thick black turtleneck and beige cardigan. He still wore a pair of dark glasses that hid his kind eyes. The metal band that had haunted Peter for years before glinted in the moonlight and yet, where were..? “Peter!” Peter snapped out of his thoughts and finally noticed the concerned, almost scared expression on Otto’s face. “What?” Peter managed to squeeze out to Otto who looked at him bewildered before harshly pointing to the bleeding gash in Peter’s side that he still needed to tend to. Otto practically marched to Peter, pulling him in to look at him and his wound closer, his expression clearly exasperated. “What the hell happened?! First you stop responding to any of our calls for two hours and when I finally found you you’re bleeding out! I swear Parker you still don’t know how to-” Otto’s words fell flat as his eyes froze on Peter’s wound, the wheels in his head turning as his hands hovered over Peter’s side. Peter just watched the older man quietly, and as he was going to ask Otto what was wrong Otto’s face shot up and looked him dead in the eyes, his mouth slightly agape. Otto fumbled with his glasses as he slowly took them off, locking eyes with the younger man, voice soft as he asked, “Peter.. Did you just come from that other universe..?” He sounded worried but hopeful. Peter just gave him a small smile and nodded gently. “Yeah, I.. I did.” Peter’s voice was soft as he spoke, barely above a whisper. But Otto heard him, and he smiled widely, eyes full with relief. “Ah.. well then, you must be pretty confused then. Don’t worry, I’ll tell you all I can! But till then, we should get you patched up fast.” Otto patted Peter’s shoulder lightly, gentle not to push over the poor bleeding man slightly hunched before him. “Yeah.. let's go” Was all Peter could manage to push out as Otto slid an arm under Peter’s, draping his other arm over his shoulder. He gripped Peter into a tight embrace and gave the younger man a sly grin. “You should hold on tight.” He stated and before Peter could ask him anything, four mechanical tentacles lightly clinked and clicked as they unsheathed themselves from underneath Otto’s cardigan. The actuators! But they were different. More sleek and refined. Peter didn’t see them at all, was it possible that Otto had upgraded them? Well it has been nearly 18 years since the last time he had gotten a good look at them. Two of the new actuators clicked and whirled affectionately to Peter which was a pleasant change for Peter. And just like that the actuators lifted Peter and Otto off the ground and up the buildings with ease. Peter gripped as tightly as he could to Otto despite his faltering strength, though he knew he didn’t have much to worry about since Otto also seemed to have a death to Peter, holding him deathly tight to his chest. It was strange to be the one being carried across New York for a change, but it wasn’t bad. Just different.
Otto wasted no time as he scaled the precarious buildings with ease and precise movement. He and Peter stayed silent as he transported the injured hero but luckily they didn’t get interrupted as they had arrived on one of the many balconies of Osborn Manor. Peter looked around with bewilderment. Why were they here? Weren’t they going to MJ’s place? “Otto..?” He squeezed but Otto shushed him as he gently guided Peter through the balcony doors, laying him down onto a small couch in what looked to be a sitting room of sorts. “Stay.” Otto said in a stern voice as he turned away from Peter, actuators folding quietly back underneath his cardigan. He’d left the room for only a few minutes before returning with a small pile of clothes in hand, handing them insistently to Peter. Peter grimaced as he pushed himself up to sit up, he took the clothes and before he could ask anything Otto interrupted saying, “The wound is too deep for any of us to tend to, but I can’t exactly bring you to the Hospital dressed like that.” Peter glanced down at himself, realization hitting him like a brick. “Oh.. yeah, heh.” He chuckled lightly. He didn’t get far into undressing himself before the pain was too much to bear and asked Otto for help. Otto just nodded with a gentle smile saying “Of course.” And helped Peter gently out of his blood stained spider-suit and into the spare clothes, shirt dyeing immediately with Peter’s blood. Peter tried to stand up but fumbled and fell onto his hands and knees, making a loud thunk on the hardwood floors. Otto reacted quickly and crouched down to Peter, scooping him up as gently as he could manage into his solid arms and chest. He held Peter bridal style, he turned back to the balcony where he unleashed the actuators back out, helping him carry Peter once again across New York and to the front of the ER. Peter was barely keeping consciousness at this point which struck fear into Otto’s heart. He rushed into the ER, yelling desperately “Someone please help!! This young man’s been stabbed and is bleeding fast!!” EMTs and nurses flooded out fast as Otto cried out for help, wheeling out a gurney where Otto gently laid him down on. The nurses insisted that Peter would be fine before disappearing further into the ER, leaving Otto alone with his nerves. Great.
—---------------------------------------
“-Parker.. Mr.Parker? Mr. Parker?” Peter’s eyes fluttered open, stinging immediately from the bright LED lights that lightly buzzed above him. He looked over to a young nurse smiling at him, her eyes kind and friendly. Peter looked around, confusion clouding his mind. Wasn’t he at..? Where is he? “W-Where am I?” He asked, his voice wheezy from disuse, implying he’d been out for a while. “You’re in the ER sir, a man brought you in last night after he had found you’d been stabbed. You’re lucky, it was a pretty nasty wound.” Peter chuckled at how nonchalantly the nurse laid that out for him. His mind was catching up finally and what she said sounded pretty accurate. “How long was I out?” The nurse looked down at her clipboard before looking back at him. “About 8 hours Mr.Parker.” Peter raised his brows at the answer. “8 hours? Huh..” “The doctors suggest you stay for the rest of the night to allow the wound to heal up some more Mr.Parker.” Peter nodded, adjusting himself stiffly in his bed. “Alright, that’s fine.” The nurse smiled before giving him a solid nod and promptly leaving the room. He could hear her voice as well as two others speaking together, their voices muffled behind the wooden door and leaving Peter just a tad curious. But that curiosity didn’t last long as watched the door open up with Otto and Norman quickly making their way into Peter’s room and to his side. Otto clearly had stayed in the ER, waiting for Peter to wake up and Norman.. He looked like he hadn’t slept a wink, which was somewhat an improvement from the last time he had seen the man. He was dressed more cozily than he had ever seen him, baring a deep olive green hoodie and black slacks. His blue eyes popped were accentuated by the deep bags under his eyes, age had taken its toll on Norman though in a way he looked more.. Alive Peter supposed. The gray at his temples also gave away to Norman’s now older state. Peter just stared at him, feelings conflicted. The last he had seen him, or well Green Goblin was nearly going to be killed by Peter 1, a smile plain on his face as he antagonized the poor boy. Luckily he and Peter 2 had managed to stop the angry Peter, but Goblin stabbed him which was what led him here. But Goblin is gone now, they had cured Norman and he bore the same expression as now. Regret, confusion, and a deep sadness mixing together and consuming Norman’s features. He wanted to say something, anything, but all he could manage to push out was, “Norman..” which earned a small pained smile from the older man, responding thusly with, “Hello Peter.. You’re back from the other place huh.?” Peter just smiled and nodded and Norman nodded back, his movements slow and thoughtful. “Well.. this feels weird saying it now after all these years again but, I am so so sorry for everything that I did Peter. I never wanted any of that to happen, I never wanted to hurt anyone. Not the board or Mary Jane or even you! I was just..” “Norman.” Peter called out, catching the older man’s attention, worry plain in his eyes. “I know.. And I forgive you. I’m just happy to see you’re better.” Norman's eyes brightened and his body relaxed as he smiled at the young man. “Thank you Peter, that means a lot.” Otto wrapped a hand around Norman’s arm and pulled him gently close to him, a soft smile on his face as he spoke lightly, “I told you Norman, you had nothing to worry about. But we should tell him.” Norman smiled and looked up at Otto with gentle eyes. “I know.” Peter perked up at this and asked plainly, “Tell me what?” Norman and Otto looked back to Peter and smiled at the young man. “Everything I suppose. A lot has probably changed since the incident and since you’ve already lived through a different timeline you won’t have any recollection of this timeline, trust me, I had no idea what was going on when I got back.” Otto stated plainly. Peter’s brows raised, curiosity obvious on his face. “..Alright, then what happened..?” Norman waved a hand to Peter. “A lot but we can talk later, we should let the others know you’re okay.” “Others?” Peter perked up a little. Otto just nodded and turned toward the door. “You're right Norman, they’ve been worried for hours.” He grabbed the handle and before he opened he gave Peter a sly smile. “Don’t worry, we’ll talk later.” Peter just nodded as Otto opened and leaned out the door, calling out into the hall, “Hey! He’s awake, come on in!”
Peter could hear a pair footsteps shortly after Otto called out and ushered him and Norman to make room in the small space. The first to enter was MJ, her eyes red from exhaustion and most likely tears. “Peter!” Was all she could blurt out as she smiled widely at him and flooded to him. He reached out to her, pulling her into a gentle embrace. “MJ! My god am I glad to see you!” he sighed into her, feeling at home in her embrace. “You scared me you doof!” She huffed out into his chest, her voice giving away that she had been crying. He rubbed her back soft and slow as he responded, “Me too MJ, me too..” He said softly as he reflected back to the other Peters and their relationships. “How about me Pete?” A charismatic and snide voice called from the doorway, a voice that Peter hadn’t heard in years, a voice which made Peter look up immediately to confirm its owner, for it couldn’t be…
Standing in the doorway with a sly grin and tired work-ridden eyes was Harry Osborn. Harry Osborn, his best friend, his brother, his.. Well that part fell off as bad blood had spilled between them. He looked older, more mature, more.. Peaceful. He was rocking a beard which was interesting since he could barely grow a goatee back in Highschool. Peter’s eyes didn’t leave Harry as he made his way over to Peter and MJ, a gentle smile on his face. The burn that had scorched its image into Peter’s mind as he remembered the final moments he had with Harry in his arms, dying.. The scar ghosted over Harry's face but as he stood there longer it started to fade, to disappear. It really is him isn’t it.. “Harry..?” Peter whimpered out, tears bubbling in his eyes as he looked up at his living, breathing friend. Harry gave him a worried smile as he sat down next to him, laying a gentle warm hand on his arm. “What’s wrong Peter? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Harry spoke softly, a gentleness that Peter hadn’t heard in so long. “Y-yeah I’m.. I’m just really happy to see you Harry.” Tears threatened to spill from his eyes, which made looking at his dear friend hard but MJ was sweet enough to wipe away his tears, laying a soft hand on his cheek. “Good, he’s happy to see you too Pete. You should have seen him earlier, he was practically begging and praying for you to wake up.” Harry looked defensively to MJ, exclaiming defensively, “Hey! I was not MJ! Don’t tell Peter that crap, he’ll use that against me forever!” “But you did! You can’t deny that!” MJ and Peter chuckled lightly at Harry’s exclamation, which earned a cheeky grin from him. “Ha ha ha, very funny. Fine I did, but at least I didn’t put myself in danger, again. Not like a certain Spider-boy.” Harry snarked out which earned a wide eye look from Peter and a reply from MJ. “Spider-man, Harry. But you’re right, our little friend said he’d be more careful. And I don’t see how getting stabbed is being careful, Peter.” MJ stared Peter down, her expression prying and disappointed which was sadly a very familiar sight for Peter. He just smiled awkwardly and shrugged. “Sorry, I just got.. Distracted I guess. But I promise, I’ll be more careful.” Almost on cue, MJ and Harry rolled their eyes and looked at Otto with expectant expressions. He just sighed, “I’ll keep him out of trouble.” Both MJ and Harry replied with “Good.” before turning back to Peter. “I think you owe us an apology Peter.” MJ stated, her expression serious for only a moment before she faltered into a cheeky smile. Harry just smiled with her and eyed Peter who looked between them both, confusion consuming him. “I do? Well then umm..” He was interrupted by MJ letting out a breathy laugh, her expression loving and cheeky. “Not with words silly..” MH leaned in and melded her lips with Peters. He leaned into the kiss, eyes closing as he savored the gentleness of her lips, but it didn’t last long before she pulled away and shifted on the bed. Peter watched as she made room on the bed that was quickly taken up by Harry and before Peter could speak Harry leaned in quickly and kissed Peter sweet and gentle. Peter just froze, unsure what to do. Harry’s lips were so soft and supple, he caressed Peter’s cheek, guiding him to lean in, to allow it to happen. Was this really happening? Peter remembered the days he had dreamed of doing this with Harry, and holding him close and loving him so gently, it competed with his feelings for MJ but because of the time he ended up burying it all away. For years he regretted it and wondered what would have happened if he had just.. Taken a chance. But now here he was, with the man he had fallen for kissing him and wanting him to.. Peter wasted no more time and leaned back into Harry, pulling him in and savoring every little moment and he locked lips with his dearest Harry.
Harry was the first to pull back for air, giving an impressed and stunned look to Peter as he thumbed Peter’s cheek. “Wow.. you really did miss me..hehe” He smiled slyly and gave Peter a small little peck before sitting back next to MJ. Peter felt ridiculously happy, both of the people he had fallen for were here with him and.. He looked down to their hands, to his left hand. And he was shocked to see that they both had engagement rings and he had two. Huh.. Guess he would have to ask Doc and Norman about this later.. And as if his Doc had read his mind he walked up to the foot of the bed and cleared his throat loudly. “Well lovebirds, I know you want to spend more time with Peter, you should both really head home and get some rest. Just as he needs to get rest to heal up.” Harry groaned while MJ just rolled her eyes, Peter could tell they wanted to argue but they both looked exhausted and they knew that. So they bid Peter goodbyes, goodnights, and I love you’s before being practically ushered out of the room by Otto and Norman.
The three of them sat in silence for a little bit before Peter let out a deep sigh and looked up to the scientists and asked once more, “Alright, so what happened because the last I checked I wasn’t with both MJ and Harry.” Otto just chuckled lightly and Norman sighed lightly. “Hmm, where to begin..”