saudade

Like Harry had promised, he was there for Peter. Harry had visited him a lot to check on him and distract him and he never failed to cheer Peter up. Peter had the feeling that he also made his aunt feel better which he appreciated very much. Especially after the funeral, Harry took care of them, so they didn’t have to be alone with their grief and pain.

Nevertheless, graduation was coming closer, and they had to study for their final exams. Peter knew Harry spent so much time with him to make him feel better because he loved him and because he wanted to, but Peter couldn’t help but feeling that he owed Harry something in return, so he invested a lot of time to help Harry study. Harry wanted a good graduation so he could attend a well-respected university and make his father proud, and Peter tried his best to help him.

They had the plan to share a flat, but it depended on whether Norman Osborn will get the place in New York or not. Both were looking forward to it – Harry because he could spend as much time with Peter as he wants without his father getting suspicious, and Peter because Harry’s presence brings him so much comfort and joy that he wouldn’t want to see him only a few times per week.

The day of graduation came, and Harry was anxious about it. It would not only start a new era in his personal life, but it would also start a new era in the relationship between his father and him. Harry didn’t know whether their relationship would turn out to be worse or better than before and not knowing it made him anxious. He could calm down a bit when he saw Peter smiling at him. He wished Peter would take his hand, but he knew he couldn’t. It would be too obvious.

When Peter got his diploma, Harry wanted to kiss him. He was so proud of his boyfriend and when they accepted him in the scholarship programme, Harry almost ran over to him to hug him, but he knew he had to wait. When he himself got called to enter the stage, his legs felt like they weren’t his own. He would never have imagined himself wearing an academic robe and getting his diploma. His fingers were shaking as he received his diploma, but his smile was so bright it could have lit up several candles.

After all the photoshoots, there was finally time for themselves, and Harry pulled Peter into a tight hug. “I’m so proud of you, Pete. Congratulations. Your robe suits you very well, by the way.”

“Thanks. I’m so proud you made such a good graduation. You really deserve it after all the effort you put into your schoolwork”, Peter told him, and Harry smiled.

“It wouldn’t have been possible without you so thank you for being my biggest motivation.”

“I love you so much, Harry and I’m so, so proud of you”, Peter whispered.

“Peter!”, Aunt May called, “I’m so proud of you. You looked so good up there.” She hugged Peter and then she turned to Harry. “Harry, dear, you can be proud of yourself. You did great.” She pulled Harry into a hug and kissed him on the cheek.

“Thanks, Aunt May, but I wouldn’t have made it without Peter and without your amazing cakes”, Harry responded.

She laughed. “Well, then I have a surprise for you when we’re going home to celebrate.”

They planned to celebrate at Aunt May’s house with Peter, MJ, Harry, and his father.

“You made it”, his father said smiling, and Harry turned around. “It’s not the first time I’ve been proven wrong. Congratulations.”

“Thanks, Dad”, Harry smiled.

His father held out his hand and Harry shook it. It was the closest to ‘I am proud of you’ he could get, and a handshake was the most of affection his father showed in years so Harry was happy about it. It was a start. The start of something new.

“Peter, the science award. That’s terrific.”, Norman Osborn said to Peter and smiled. “I know the last time has been difficult for you, but I want you to enjoy this day. You’re like a brother to Harry so that makes you family and I know Harry’s been there for you but if you ever need anything, just give me a call.”

Pete is family but in a way you won’t accept, Harry thought bitterly and he couldn’t help but feeling a kind of jealousy that Peter gets so much attention and affection from his Dad while the highest he could hope for was a simple handshake.

He’s gone through a lot of pain; Dad is just being nice. It’s not that deep, Harry, he told himself, but it still hurt.

When they got back in the car to drive to Peter’s home, Harry felt slightly uncomfortable since he just achieved an important goal in his life and his father was sitting silently next to him.

“Dad? Is everything okay?”, Harry asked as he noticed his father’s facial expressions looked like he was in pain. Had he done something without noticing it?

“Yeah, it’s just … I wish your mother could’ve seen you today”, his father answered, lost in thought.

Harry smiled. Was this his father’s way of saying he was proud of him?

But somehow, Harry wasn’t convinced. There was something in his voice that didn’t feel right. He sounded like he was in pain, as if he’s been fighting a battle for a long time.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine”, his father answered automatically. “I’ve got a surprise for you. I’ve got the place in New York so you can share a flat with Peter.”

Harry grinned and hugged his father who seemed to be a bit confused by it. “Thank you, Dad.”

At Peter’s house, everything was decorated to celebrate their graduation. Harry hugged MJ who seemed to be happier than he had seen her in the last weeks. “You look great – and happy.”

She smiled. “Thanks. I broke up with Flash. He wasn’t treating me very well.”

“Then it’s good you dropped him. He was a jerk, anyway.”

“But you look happy too. You’re very relieved that you got your diploma, aren’t you?”

Harry laughed nervously. “Yeah, I am.”

“So now that everyone’s there, take a seat at the table, please”, Aunt May said.

Harry sat down between his father and Peter. Peter nudged him and pointed at one of the cakes. It was the strawberry cake Harry loved so much. “Pete, you really have to bring your aunt to our flat.”

“You mean we will actually share a flat soon?”, Peter asked in surprise.

“Yes, Dad got the place in New York.” The expression of pure joy on Peter’s face made Harry’s heart flutter.

Peter took his hand and squeezed it, careful not to make it too obvious.

“Well, I could manage to bring you some cakes every once in a while”, Aunt May said smiling.

They had a lovely evening sitting together, eating Aunt May’s cake, and exchanging high school stories. Harry was glad school was over, but he was a bit anxious about what would come next. MJ was the first one who had to leave, and Harry noticed Peter was glum.

“Are you alright?”, he asked in concern.

“I’m just exhausted”, Peter responded, and Harry accepted that he didn’t want to talk about it.

“I can’t wait to share flat with you”, Harry whispered which made Peter smile. “Thank you for your amazing cake, Aunt May.”

“My pleasure, Harry, dear.” She pulled him into a hug before Harry and is father said goodbye.

On the way to the Osborn mansion, Harry was asked the question he never wanted to be asked.

“That girl, MJ, is she your girlfriend?”

“No, she’s just a friend of us”, Harry responded, knowing where the conversation would go.

“Well, you should make some experiences, you know. You’re a handsome young man”, his father said.

“Dad, please, could you stop? I don’t want a girlfriend”, he said to finish the topic that made him uncomfortable.

“You want to focus on your studies then? I wouldn’t have thought you’re that wise but it’s pleasing.”

“I’m always good for a surprise”, Harry responded soberly. And he was indeed. One day he’d surprise his father and introduce Peter as his boyfriend.