Chapter Text
It was unsurprising that, with Tony’s pull, Skip was sentenced to a lengthy twenty years- partly based on Peter’s testimony, but also taking into account his repeated drugging of May, and the testimonies of a few other victims who had popped up.
Speaking of his aunt-
“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” Tony said, frowning. “Because it’s okay if you’re not- that’s fine. We can reschedule and go another day, it’s no biggie- I’m in your corner.” Peter shrugged, grabbing onto the door handle.
“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.” He said, simply. Tony seemed to begrudgingly accept the answer as he slammed the car door behind him, rolling down the window so he could watch Peter walk away in full definition.
“Fine. I’ll be in the car if you need me. Just… shoot me a text. Or call. Or shout. And I’ll be there in a second- faster than a second.” Peter rolled his eyes.
“Got it.”
“Love you!” He yelled out the window, before pulling around the corner. Peter’s cheeks burned as passerby watched him curiously, but he found that he didn’t quite mind the over-the-top profession. It was nice to be wanted, he thought, as he walked into the cafe. It reeked of gentrification, and Peter wondered why May had chosen it for their meeting spot, being so far away from Queens as well. Maybe she was seeking neutrality, something that wouldn’t remind either of them of their pasts.
May had changed considerably in the many months since he’d seen her up close. She looked… tired. Older.
Regretful.
She waved him over with a tentative smile that Peter didn’t return.
“Hello, Peter.” She said, not faltering whatsoever. Peter still said nothing, silently taking the chair across from her. Finally, after a few moments of Peter staring her down, she cracked.
“Baby-” May said, reaching across the table with shiny eyes. Peter leant back, avoiding her right hand. “I never meant to hurt you-” Peter scoffed.
“Try again. Or I’m leaving. Make this visit worth my time and energy.” She steeled herself with a deep inhale, wiping away a tear that had fallen down her sunken left cheek. Peter, at this point, couldn’t find it within himself to feel bad for setting boundaries and not cleaning up other people’s messes.
“Okay. I promise, I will. There’s something I’ve never told anyone.” Peter raised an eyebrow. “Not even the courtroom.” She continued. Well.
Color him intrigued.
“Go on.” He ushered his aunt, suddenly somewhat interested in what she had to say.
“I didn’t- I didn’t tell the full truth. About my time with him. My memories…” She said, trailing off into remembrance. “I testified that they were murky- and that’s true- but I remember more than I said I did.” Peter narrowed his eyes, looking at May carefully, like she was some kind of artifact.
“How does this exonerate you, exactly? I should have Tony come and drag you back to court over this admission.” May held out her hands.
“I know. I know, it sounds bad. Just- listen.” Peter motioned for her to continue again. “I remember a few things. Just a few. Remember when that doctor testified that the drugs he roofied me with made me more susceptible to faulty reasoning?” Peter nodded slowly. May looked out the window at the passersby. “Well- I ignored a lot of red flags. A lot. Most notably, I didn’t call his bluff when he said that he wouldn’t touch you if he had me.” Peter short-circuited.
“What. You knew?”
“No, I didn’t. What I believed was that- if he hurt me, he wouldn’t hurt you.” Peter paused to think.
“Wait. He did what to you?” It was as if the last puzzle piece came together and joined the others. The broken and bloodied picture was finally complete. “Oh.” May moved her gaze to her lap. She was wearing a blue and yellow sundress. It looked quite nice on her, Peter thought, though he’d never admit it. Seasonally appropriate. “He raped you.”
“Yes.” She breathed out. “And I was too embarrassed to admit it. When you- when you came to me… I didn’t want to believe that all the suffering I went through was for nought. The controlling behavior. Of course, at the time, I wasn’t as perturbed by it. Looking back now…” Peter looked down at his own jeans.
“I still don’t forgive you. Drugged or not.”
“I know.”
“I might not ever forgive you.”
“That’s okay.”
“...But maybe we can meet again in a few months.” He held out his hand for a solemn shake. May took it, and with that, the deal was sealed.
“I just want to know that you’re okay. That Tony is taking good care of you.”
“He is. Better than you took care of me.” Peter didn’t flinch at the obvious hurt in her eyes. It was the truth. He wouldn’t apologize for the truth anymore. He stood up, and left the cafe, leaving her behind with her cold cup of chamomile tea.
When Peter found Tony parked out back, the man was answering an email on his phone. He looked up with a grin at the sight of the boy.
“Was everything okay?” He fussed, surveying Peter up and down. “No tears?” Peter shook his head. “Good. Not that I’d be mad if you did cry.”
“I’d be mad. I need my big, strong, manly man.” Bridgette joked from the backseat. Peter gave her a frown. “Kidding!” She sing-songed, opening the back door with a socked foot. Tony shot her a frown.
“Keep your shoes on, Bridge.”
“No can do!” Peter slotted himself next to her, pressing a chaste kiss to her lips. Tony’s expression molded into something pinched, as always when confronted by their PDA, but said nothing.
“Home?” He asked, turning onto the main street.
“Home.” Peter replied.